WILKES-BARRE, PA (January 9, 2024) -- The King's College wrestling team welcomed Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) opponent Alvernia to McGrane Gymnasium Tuesday evening. The Monarchs (2-2) fought hard but lost 19-26 to the #9 nationally ranked Golden Wolves (11-2).

In the first bout of the new year, Patrick Horvath (So.) battled Keito Shaw (Jr.) through three periods but ultimately lost in a 15-7 major decision in the 125 weight class. At 133, Cole Anderson (So.) put King's on the board by controlling the bout against Ethan Staples (Fy.) and delivered a 3-0 decision win. The Monarchs were down by one before Avery Leonard (So.) bested Hugh Bittenbender (So.) in a pinfall at the 141 weight class in 4:01 to put Alvernia up seven. At 149, MJ Turi (Fy.) agitated Quinn Tobin (Sr.) as he lasted three periods until the Monarch succumbed to a 15-0 technical fall loss.

Within the 157 weight class, Bret Murphy (Jr.) pulled off an upset over NCAA National Qualifier Chance Babb (So.) in a nail biter. Murphy was up four in the third period when Babb earned three points to get within one. With patience and discipline, the Monarch was victorious in a 9-3 decision win. Alex Ballentyne (So.) had to withstand the number one ranked wrestler, Matthew Lackmann (Sr.), at the 165 weight class. Lackmann beat Ballentyne by pinfall in 1:28. Connor Wrobleski (So.) answered back at the 174 weight class by putting six more tallies on the board as he pinned James Circle (So.) in 1:45.

Jacob Hachtmann (Fy.) dropped his bout at 184 against the veteran wrestler Gavin Hollingsworth (Gr.) in a 15-0 technical fall. The Golden Wolves had a 26-12 cushion when Richard Fronheiser (Jr.) aggravated first year Myles Brown in three periods. The recently ranked Monarch earned big points in the final seconds of the bout and took home a 12-5 decision win over Brown to make it 15-26. In the final match of the evening, Bill Grace (Gr.) shutout Aidan Homan in three periods and delivered an 8-0 major decision win to close the gap 19-26.

King's hosted five exhibition matches on Tuesday evening. Nick Germano (Jr.) dropped his contest in a major decision to Garret Gehr (So.) at 141. In the 149 weight class, newcomer Aidan Shaughnessy (So.) was pinned by Nolan Brown (Fy.) in 2:15. Nick Costello (Fy.) competed in the 165 weight class and took a 21-6 technical fall loss to Ryan LePore (So.). At 197, Josh Brown (Fy.) fell in 1:05 against Myles Brown (Fy.). In the final exhibition contest, Nick Valenzano (So.) dropped Tyler Carter (Jr.) in 2:57. 

The Monarchs will be back in McGrane Gymnasium as they will challenge the Skylanders of Sussex Community College on Friday, January 12^th at 7 p.m. The Monarchs will then prepare for the MAC Championships on Saturday, January 20^th that will be hosted by York College (PA) at 10 a.m.