WILKES-BARRE, PA (DECEMBER 16,2023) -- The King's College wrestling team hosted their first home tri-meet Saturday morning against the Gothic Knights of New Jersey City (2-7) and the Giants of Keystone (2-6). The Monarchs (0-1) won their first dual over the Gothic Knights 42-13. The crew remained victorious as they took a 49-6 victory over the Giants in McGrane Gymnasium.

vs. New Jersey City – W, 42-13
The first bout of the day started with a forfeit win for Patrick Horvath (So.) at the 125-weight class. The next match also ended in a forfeit at the 133-weight class and George Rivera (Sr.) took the win for the Gothic Knights.

Noah Clawson (Jr.) had a 5-2 advantage for the Monarchs before pinning Carlos Dominguez (Fy.) in 1:58 while representing the 141-weight class. Shane Kibler (So.) battled in the 149-weight class and was up 6-2 in the first period over Zack Vera (So.). Vera tied the matchup in the second period by earning four points for New Jersey City. In the third and final period, Kibler fought hard to take over but lost in a 12-8 decision against Vera.

MJ Turi (Fy.) lasted through three periods with Jeff Johnson (5th) in the 165-weight class. Though he suffered a 16-2 major decision loss to Johnson. Bret Murphy (Jr.) had a huge 7-2 lead in the first period before pinning Jaydin Mahon (Jr.) in 2:50 at 165. The last four matches were forfeit wins for King's. Connor Wrobleski (So.) at 174, Jacob Hachtmann (Fy.) at 184, Richard Fronheiser (Jr.) at 197, and Bill Grace (Gr.) at heavy weight all took the forfeit wins.

The Monarchs defeated the Gothic Knights of New Jersey City 42-13. This marks the first win of the season for King's, making the squad 1-1 going into their matchup with Keystone College.
 
vs. Keystone College – W, 49-6
At the 125-weight class, Patrick Horvath (So.) won by forfeit for King's. Malachi Jones (Fy.) also took a forfeit win for Keystone at the 133-weight class. Noah Clawson (Jr.) had a hot start at 141 with a 6-2 lead before dropping Justin Santiago (Jr.) in 2:32. Shane Kibler (So.) won in a forfeit in the 149-weight class.

Bret Murphy (Jr.) was 3-0 in the 157-weight class when he made CJ Riccobono (Sr.) fall in 2:06. Xavian Ramos (So.) had a steady lead throughout all three periods against the Giants' Dalten Klinges (Jr.) and won in a whopping 20-4 technical fall at 165. At 174, Connor Wrobleski (So.) dominated in his matchup and dropped Mariano Monacelli (So.) in 1:39.  

Jacob Hachtmann (Fy.) pinned Louis Frisenda (Fy.) in 6:44 while being up 17-3. Richard Fronheiser (Jr.) was in control the whole match and won in a 15-0 technical fall. Bill Grace (Gr.) was in back-to-back battle with Rocco Arduini (Jr.). Grace defeated Arduini in a 12-9 decision.

The Monarchs polished off a Saturday sweep with a 49-6 win over the Giants of Keystone College. King's are now 2-1 on the season.

The Monarchs participated in exhibition matches against the Giants. Nick Valenzano wrestled as a heavy weight and was up 3-2 at the end of the first period over Rocco Arduini (Jr.) but he fell at 4:44 to Arduini. Alex Ballantyne (So.) was down 6-7 in the second period before falling to Codi Bomboy (So.) at 4:56 in the 165-weight class. Josh Brown (Fy) was pinned at the 197-weight class by Nero Bono (So.).
 
King's will be back in action at the Wilkes open on Friday, December 22^nd starting at 9:30 a.m. before the holiday break. The squad will be back in McGrane Gymnasium to take on Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) opponent Alvernia after the New Year.