WILKES-BARRE, PA (November 4, 2021) --- The 2021-22 season looks promising for the King's College wrestling program as they compete for the first time in two years. With last year's season being canceled due to the CoVID-19 pandemic, second-year head coach Josh Roosa will finally have the opportunity to send his squad to the mat this season.

Roosa and his team are thrilled to return to action. "A majority of the guys have gone two years without live competition, so I'm excited to see where we're at and determine the areas that need improvement," said Russo. "The team is eager to return and ready to compete in the Ned McGinley Invitational this weekend."

The team will essentially have 12 newcomers as the first-year group from 2020 saw their rookie season canceled last year. Along with the addition of new talent, the squad also contains several key returners who will look to provide leadership and guidance to the newcomers throughout the year.

King's will face a very competitive schedule to start the year, including the before mentioned Ned McGinley Invitational. This schedule will allow the Monarchs to see high-level talent early in the season, to prepare for the rigid dual meets towards the latter part of the year. 

A look at the weight classes is below:

125
In the 2019-20 season, Gus Petruske IV became a reliable source for the Monarchs in this weight class before suffering an injury midway through the season. Petruske posted a 10-3 overall mark at 125 in 2019. With the arrival of talented newcomers, Petruske will move up to the 133 spot for this season.

Sophomore Alexander Tyson, along with First-year Monarchs Darevin Curlee and Kyle Miller will battle for this weight class this year.

133
As stated before, Petruske will be at 133 this season for the Monarchs. Petruske finished his season in 2019 with four wins in five matches, including four pins. He was ranked by D3wrestle.com as an Honorable Mention for two weeks prior to his injury.

First-year Nick Germano will look to make an impact at 133 as well, after a stellar career for the Bulls of Smithtown West High School where he posted an overall record of 107-20 and won four League Championships. 

141
Noah Clawson will be the main man at this weight class for the Monarchs in the 2021-22 season. The Carlisle, PA native will look to make his presence felt in his rookie season at King's.

149
The Monarchs have a nice mix of returning leadership and fresh blood at 149. Junior Robert Zelinski has bulked up after competing mostly at 141 in 2019. Zelinski earned six of his nine wins in dual meets during his first season.

First-year Bret Murphy is another standout newcomer for the Monarchs out of Beltsville, MD. Look for a big first season out Murphy at 149 for King's.

157
Junior Colby Spencer returns for KC after a promising first season in 2019. He previously competed at 149, but will be bumped up this season.

Sophomore Cameron Leslie will compete in his first live action as a Monarchs this season at 157, along with First-year Jackson Marcantonio.

165
The Monarchs only have one man listed at 165 this season, which is Sophomore Matthew Still who will compete for the first time as a Monarch in 2021. Still, who was a standout at Lenape High School, will look to 

174
King's will look to Senior Kade Kravits to wrestle at the 174 spot this season. Kravits had a tremendous season for the Monarchs at 165 in 2019. He led the squad in total match wins with 34, while also posting team-bests of 11 dual match wins, six major decision victories and 12 pins at 165. His 34 wins were the fourth-most in a season ever at King's, and also the most for a 165 wrestler for the Monarchs.

Junior Joe Davis will also compete at 174 this season for King's. Davis competed mostly at 184 in 2019 and earned his first collegiate win against Montclair State with a 45 second pin.

184
This season, King's will have some depth at 184, as three competitors come into the season slated to help in the class. Junior Billy Grace returns for KC after competing at both 184 and 197 during 2019. 

Shawn Burke, who is currently on the football team will also be competing for the wrestling team at King's for the first time this season. Burke will be joined at 184 by fellow newcomer Alexjandro Martinez Fisher.

197
The last weight class before the heavyweight classification has only one wrestler for the Monarchs. First-year Jason Sine will man the 197 spot this season for KC after an impressive high school career for the Crusaders of Notre Dame-Green Pond where he posted 42 total wins.

HWT
The Monarchs will have some experienced options at 285 this year. Senior Isaac Mensah returns along with Junior David White. Both Mensah and White previously competed in lower weight classes and have bulked up in the off season.

Mensah was the main option at 174 for King's in 2019 and gained momentum towards the end of the season to finish with 10 wins. Dave White has been elevated from 197 after earning consistent starts for the Monarchs in 2019.

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For more information all season long on the King's College wrestling program, log on to the official home of King's Athletics at www.kingscollegeathletics.com.