SYRACUSE, NY - The Utica University men's wrestling team opened its 2026-27 season with a 27-19 dual victory over the Onondaga Community College Lazers on Saturday at Allyn Hall Gymnasium. The Pioneers claimed five of the 10 weight classes, including a win by fall from freshman Aidan Martorano (Secaucus, NJ/Secaucus) at 285 pounds, to give head coach Pankil Chander a victory in his first dual with the program.

Utica took the opening six points at 125 pounds, where freshman Prince Seawright (Rochester, NY/East Rochester Union) won by forfeit. The Lazers responded with victories at 133, 141, and 149 pounds to take a 13-6 lead.

Senior Hunter Morton (Hillsdale, NJ/Pascack Hills) put the Pioneers back on the board at 157 pounds, earning a 17-11 decision. Onondaga answered with an 11-7 decision at 165 pounds between Latimer Audinwood and Brad Rosembarg (Jericho, NY/Jericho) before Utica picked up consecutive forfeit victories from Parraish Brinson (Pittsburgh, PA/Baldwin) at 174 and Caiden Hylton (Mount Vernon, NY/Mount Vernon STEAM) at 197. The Lazers won at 184 pounds, leaving the Pioneers with a 21-19 advantage entering the heavyweight bout.

In his collegiate debut, Martorano secured the dual victory with a win by fall at 5:49, adding six points to bring the final score to 27-19.

The squads battled in five exhibition matches after the dual, with Rosembarg claiming the lone Pioneer victory in a 21-6 decision.

The Pioneers will travel to the University of Scranton for the Electric City Duals on Sunday, November 15th. In addition to Utica, Scranton is set to host Bergen and Lackawanna. Competition is scheduled to begin at 10:00 am.