Rubio Crowned Champion at Newberry Open - Queens University of Charlotte Athletics

Saturday, February 9

Newberry, S.C.

8:00 a.m.

Queens University of Charlotte

Newberry College Open

2/9/2019 9:22:00 PM | Men's Wrestling

Sophomore Melvin Rubio capped off a 4-0 day with an 8-1 decision in the 1st-Place Match

NEWBERRY, S.C. – Melvin Rubio of the Queens University of Charlotte men's wrestling team out-wrestled opponents from 21 teams en route to winning the 125-pound championship at the Newberry Open on Saturday at Eleazer Arena.

Rubio put together nearly a flawless performance across four matches on Saturday. Over the course of the day, each match was won handily as Rubio recorded one fall, two major decisions and one win via decision. Wrestling in a total of four matches, he allowed only a combined two points against him, including a single-match maximum of one point.

Rubio began the day with back-to-back major decisions by a combined 25-1 score. The first match saw him beat Esau Bazilme of Southeastern, 12-1, before blanking Walker Byrd of Reinhardt University, 13-0. Moving into the semifinal, Rubio made quick work of his opponent, Presbyterian College's Jacob Brasseur, pinning him at only 1:46 into the match while clinching his spot in the championship round.

In the first-place match, Rubio faced off against a familiar opponent, Southeastern's Isaac Crowell. Rubio had faced off, and lost to, Crowell earlier in the season. However, this time, Rubio learned from the first bout and handled Crowell, allowing him only one point, going on to win by decision, 8-1.

Rubio became the second Queens wrestler to take first-place in a tournament this season. Teammate Noah Curreri also took first place in the first tournament of the season at 184 pounds at the Patriot Open.

The Royals also found success as a whole on Saturday. Each member of the Royals who competed at the Newberry Open picked up at least one win, a list that includes Rubio, Noah Gilbert, Devinaire Hayes, Jude Lloyd, Micah Marcin, Jonathan Stuckey, Stephon Halliburton, Austin Watkins, Noah Curreri and Jacob Balmas.

Gilbert also shined for Queens, as he took second-place at 133 pounds as he was nearly edged in the first-place match. Gilbert began his day by beating Trevor Mansfield of Newberry by a 3-2 decision, followed by a pin of Khalid Brinkley at 3:37 and a major decision over Alex Fields, 16-2. Timmy Martinez of Newberry then nearly escaped Gilbert in the championship, winning via a tie breaker.

For the Royals, this was their last opportunity of the regular season to compete at the individual level before moving on to the postseason.

Queens has one last meet remaining in the regular season, which will come on Feb. 14 against King University.