ITHACA, NY – The nationally-ranked No. 23 Brockport wrestling team had 10 Golden Eagles begin competition on Saturday when the 2020 NCAA Mideast Regional Championships kicked off at Ithaca's Athletics and Events Center Glazer Arena. Brockport posted a solid all-around first day at regionals as the Golden Eagles currently sit in fourth place (68 points). The Golden Eagles have three unbeaten wrestlers advancing into the semifinals and six others who will work through wrestlebacks in search of a podium finish. 

Headlining the advancing group with a chance at a regional title and an NCAA National bid are usual suspects Matt Caccamise (125 lb), Elijah Sims (141 lb) and Richard Knapp (285 lb).  Austin Sergeant (133 lb), Austin Reed (149), Zack Brown (157 lb), Chris Eames (174 lb), Joe Yanis (184 lb) and Devon Shader (197 lb) are all still in contention for a third place finish and a hopeful bid into the NCAA Division III National Championships set to be held at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in two week's time.
 
Nationally-ranked No. 5 Matt Caccamise (125 lb weight class) earned a first round bye and advanced in his first match of the day as he pinned Austin Jones from Elizabethtown at 3:48. Caccamise, who qualified for nationals last season, finished the day with a 1-0 record and will square off in the semifinals to begin the day on Sunday.

Elijah Sims went 3-0 in the 141 pound weight class Saturday.  He earned a 5-2 decision victory over Cameron Bruffy in the prelims and added a 12-2 major decision victory over Alfred State's Owen Kissell in the first round of the championship bracket. Sims capped his first day at regionals with a 4-2 tie breaker victory over Gregory Baum of Muhlenberg.

Heavyweight Richard Knapp went 2-0 on the day for Brockport to improve his record to 32-3 on the season.  He won a 6-1 decision in the first round over Oneonta's Jake Pine and he came back with a 4-1 decision over Ben Maack from Ursinus in his final match of the day. 
 
Austin Sergeant went 2-1 on the day in the 133 pound weight class.  He won his opener by decision (10-6) over Raymond Calderio of Urisnus.  He lost a tight 3-0 match by decision in the quarterfinals, before coming back with a 8-6 sudden victory over Cortland's Matt Maquet in the Consolation Round Two. 
 
Austin Reed went 2-1 in the 149 pound weight class on day one for Brockport.  He pinned Keystone's Colby Bronzburg in just 1:59 before losing a tight 3-2 decision against Ithaca's Ben Brisman in the quarterfinals.  Reed added a major decision victory (11-2) over Alfred State's Anthony Miraglia in Consolation Round Two to close out the day. 

Zack Brown went 2-1 on the day for the Golden Eagles at 157.  He lost his first match of the day against Scranton's Kyle Shaffer, before rebounding with two straight decision victories.  In his second match of the day he posted a 14-9 win over Ronald Grevera and he finished the day with a 9-4 victory over Merchant Marine's Luke Gauthier. 

Chris Eames will enter day two with a 2-1 record at regionals in the 174 pound weight class.  He topped RIT's Joe Lupisella with a 4-3 tie breaker victory in the first round.  He then lost to Dominick Esposito by the score of 7-4, before defeating Gary Nagle of Ursinus by way of a 7-5 sudden victory. 

Joe Yanis went 2-1 in the 184 pound weight class for Brockport on day one.  He pinned Morgans Kevin from Cortland in the first round (6:17) before losing a tight 5-3 decision against Kenny Long from Centenary in the quarterfinal. He then added a pin over Serjey Thomas (6:02) in his final match of the day.

Devon Shader went 3-1 on day one for the Golden Eagles at 197.  He posted a quick pin in the prelims (1:45) against Jason Reyes but lost via fall (4:13) in his second match of the day against Justin Hopman.  Shader rebounded with two straight wins and will look to continue his climb to a third place finish on Saturday.

Matthew Kline went 2-2 on the day in the 165 pound weight class as his season came to a close in the double elimination tournament.  He dominated Nate Powley from Pitt. Bradford with a 19-0 tech. fall win in the prelims before losing an 8-3 decision in his second match of the day.  He then came back with a tight 5-4 decision victory over Gianno Silba of SUNY Cortland before losing in his final match of the day against Kieran Duggan of Merchant Marine. 

Sunday's regional action is slated to begin at 10 a.m.