Barrientos, Copes win in Muskegon to kick-off new season

In the team’s opening weekend of the season, SUNY Niagara finished with two champions. Jaron Barrientos won the 125-pound championship and Trevor Copes was the 141-pound champion during the second and final day of the Ben McMullen Open Saturday at Muskegon Community College.

Barrientos defeated Muskegon’s Jack Guerrero in a 5-4 decision for the championship after pinning Jimmy Thommen in the quarterfinal.

Copes finished the entire week with a 4-0 slate, including a pin over Muskegon’s Brayden Cunningham. Copes finished the weekend with three previous wins via a technical fall and two major decisions.

During the Rick Stenberg Duals Friday, Aiden Poe finished runner-up to Muskegon’s Alex Hicks at 184 and Aidan Gillings finished runner-up at 149. Joe Cicco placed fourth at 174.

SUNY Niagara continues its season in Maryland with the Garrett College Duals on Friday Nov. 7 and the Defend the Lake Open on Saturday Nov. 8.