ALLENTOWN, PA (January 11, 2020) -- The King's College wrestling team picked up its first dual match victory of the season Saturday afternoon, knocking off Montclair State University 30-22 but were bested by host No. 18 ranked Muhlenberg College today in action from Memorial Gymnasium as part of the Mule Duals. 

In the opening match of the day, King's would outlast the Red Hawks despite two last victories at 197 and 285 by MSU. The Monarchs fell behind early after a forfeit at 125, but stormed back with a victory by Dakota Quick at 133 as he posted a technical fall victory at 5:00 of the match with a score of 18-2.

After a pin by Montclair State at 141, freshman Colby Spencer chalked up a decision win at 149 with a 13-9 score line. Freshman James Maloy earned his first career win for the Monarchs at 157, as he wrestled up a weight class but still picked up a 15-7 major decision win over Kevin Pecci. Sophomore Kade Kravits, who has been on fire of late, continued his strong wrestling with a pin at 1:52 of the second period. Sophomore Nick Palazzolo was awarded a forfeit win at 174, and freshman Joe Davis also recorded his first King's College win and pin at 184 just 45 seconds into the match. That win proved to be the winning margin, as King's chalked up the victory. 

In the second match of the day, the ranked Mules were too much for King's though there were some standout performances for King's. Freshman Robert Zelinski earned his second career win by pin at 4:36 of the match at 141, and Kravits posted his seventh straight victory and 10th in his last 11 bouts with a 6-1 decision over Ronnie Grevera at 165. Palazzolo scored 11 points at 174 in an exciting match at 174, but Brian Jamison was able to outscore him 17-11 for the win, while Dave White pushed Hunter Gill the limit before narrowly falling 4-3 at 197. 

The Monarchs will now look forward to next Saturday for the 2020 Middle Atlantic Conference Championships, hosted by Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA in Lamade Gymnasium. 

King's 30, Montclair State 22
125 Jesse Liptzin (MS) won by forfeit
133 Dakota Quick (K) tech fall Jonathan Melendez, 5:00 (18-2)
141 Matthew Hesse (MS) pinned Robert Zelinski, 2:09
149 Colby Spencer (K) dec. Brandon Leibfeld, 13-9
157 James Maloy (K) maj. dec. Kevin Pecci, 15-7
165 Kade Kravits (K) pinned Axel Urgiles, 4:52
174 Nick Palazzolo (K) won by forfeit
184 Joe Davis (K) pinned Joseph Al-Adam, 0:45
197 Jacob Tareky (MS) pinned Dave White, 5:42
HWT Justin Gomez (MS) maj. dec. Issac Santiago, 19-8

Muhlenberg 40, King's 9
125 Matt Ferrante (M) won by forfeit
133 Josh Hickey (M) pinned Dakota Quick, 5:37
141 Robert Zelinski (K) pinned Michael Ruane, 4:36
149 Jackson Karrat (M) maj. dec. Colby Spencer, 16-7
157 Yonbue Tanco (M) pinned James Maloy, 1:41
165 Kade Kravits (K) dec. Ronnie Grevera, 6-1
174 Brian Jamison (M) dec. Nick Palazzolo, 17-11
184 Mike Cannon (M) pinned Joe Davis, 1:38
197 Hunter Gill (M) dec. Dave White, 4-3
HWT Scott Schaeffer (M) won by forfeit