NOVEMBER 3, 2012

KING'S GRAPPLERS FINISH 6TH IN SEASON-PENING IN MONARCH INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT

FULL BRACKETS

WILKES-BARRE — The King's College wrestling team opened the 2012-13 season by placing sixth at its own Monarch Invitational Tournament Saturday in Scandlon Gymnasium.

Cortland State (147) won the team title, followed by runner-up Wilkes (137), York (134.5), Oneonta State (77.5) Roger Williams (67.5, and King's (67) to round out the top six. Other competing teams included Washington & Jefferson (34.5), Gettysburg (33), Rochester Institute of Technology (24), Western New England (17.5), Scranton (15) and Muhlenberg (1).

King's was led by junior Chris Mazzocchi who placed second at 149-pounds for the Monarchs.  Mazzocchi won four straight matches to reach the finals, where he dropped an 8-3 decision to Robert Dierna of Cortland.

In the 165-pound class,  King's junior Tommy Desir was unable to repeat after winning at 157 a year ago, settling for third-place. Desir won his first match before falling 9-7 in the second round to Justin Signorelli of Cortland. Desir battled back through the consolation bracket, winning four straight matches, including a 10-7 decision ver Shaun Gillen of Oneonta State to place third.

At 141-pounds, King's freshman DeMarquis Holley was impressive in placing third. Holley won two matches before falling 2-0 in the semi-finals to Charles Glatz of York. Holley then won two wrestle-back matches, including a 7-6 decision over Brad Royle of Wilkes to finish third.

At 197-pounds, Monarch freshman Ryan Longenberger placed sixth.  After winning his first two matches, Longenberger dropped a 3-0 decision in the quarterfinals to Francisco DeCristo of Cortland. He then won two consolation matches before falling in the consolation semi-finals and consolation finals to settle for sixth-place.

King's will return to action Saturday when the Monarchs compete in the John Reese Duals at Wilkes University.

Team Scoring
1) Cortland State, 147
2) Wilkes, 137
3) York, 134.5
4) Oneonta State. 77.5
5) Roger Williams, 67.5
6) King's,67
7) Washington & Jefferson, 34.5
8) Gettysburg, 33
9) R.I.T., 24
10) Western New England, 17.5
11) Scranton, 15
12) Muhlenberg, 1