WILKES-BARRE, PA (February 17, 2023) -- A thrilling match between cross-town rivals had just as exciting of a finish, but it was the hosts who came out on top as the King's College wrestling team fell, 26-14, to Wilkes University on Friday night in the Marts Center. The Monarchs drop to 6-6 in dual matches for the 2022-23 season, while the Colonels improve to 7-14.
 
Gus Petruske IV started the match on a high note for King's, earning a win by fall in 3:30 over Wilkes' Fashouer. Wilkes then swept the next four bouts, beginning with a technical fall win at 133 over Cole Anderson. The 141 contest saw Hugh Bittenbender downed by an 11-6 decision before Shane Kibler dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 decision at 149 as the Wilkes lead swelled to 11-5.
 
King's got back in the win column at 165 as Francis Theroux used a strong third period to defeat Geiger by a 6-3 decision. Back-to-back wins from Kade Kravits by a 2-1 decision at 174 before Rich Fronheiser posted a thrilling 8-6 sudden victory win at 184 as the Monarchs tied the meet at 14 a piece.
 
Wilkes would have the final say as both Bill Grace (197) and Jacob Feese (285) were downed by falls as the Colonels secured the 26-14 win over King's.
 
The Monarchs will begin their final preparations for the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships hosted by York College (Pa.) from February 24-25.
 
Wilkes 26, King's 14
125 – G. Petruske (K) fall A. Fashouer (W) 3:30
133 – J. Bauer (W) tech. fall C. Anderson (K) 17-0 (4:11)
141 – M. Richardson (W) dec. H. Bittenbender (K) 11-6
149 – J. Hartranft (W) dec. S. Kibler (K) 3-2 (One team point deduction for unsportsmanlike conduct – Kibler)
157 – C. Dix (W) dec. B. Murphy (K) 4-1
165 – F. Theroux (K) dec. J. Geiger (W) 6-3
174 – K. Kravits (K) dec. C. Nuss (W) 2-1
184 – R. Fronheiser (K) dec, H. Lowe (W) 8-6 SV
197 – C. Butka (W) fall B. Grace (K) :44
285 – C. Burkhart (W) fall J. Feese (K) :29