PROVIDENCE, R.I. - It was a good day for the Pilgrims as the New England College men's wrestling team had three first-place finishers as they competed at the Anchorman Invitational hosted by Rhode Island College on Saturday.  

Senior Patrick Hughes (Chelmsford, Mass.), junior Michael Follo (Derry, N.H.), and junior Brandon Lavasta (Lawrence, Mass.) finished the day at the top of the podium as they combined for nine wins on the day.  

Hughes picked up the first place finish in the 133-pound weight class, riding a 3-0 day to a victory in the team's first tournament of the season. The senior won his quarterfinal matchup by way of a pin before using a 7-0 division to beat top seed Ariel Waldman of SUNY Oneonta to advance to the finals. In the finals, Hughes defeated two seed Jack Borowiek of Oneonta in a 12-5 decision.  

Follo picked up two major decisions to start his day as he cruised into the finals of the 141-pound weight class. In the finals, he bested Rhode Island College's Hunter Lundberg, the bracket's top seed, by way of an 8-5 decision to pick up the win. 

In the 285-pound bracket, Lavasta started his day with an 18-3 technical fall in the quarterfinals which he followed with a 7-2 decision win in the semis. In the heavyweight finals, Lavasta took home first place with a 5-2 decision win over top-seeded Kennith Jackson III of Oneonta. 

Sophomore Joseph Bolduc (Methuen, Mass.), senior Joseph Gangi (Methuen, Mass.), and freshman Tanner Kamuda (Groveland, Mass.) picked up three wins each. Sophomore Dominic Gangi (Methuen, Mass.) picked up two pins on the day. Senior Andrew Piedrahita (Westford, Mass.) led the Pilgrims with four wins on the day including a fall in the fifth-place match.  

Men's Wrestling is back in action next Saturday as they host Emmanuel College in a dual match at 1:00 PM.  

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.