This past weekend saw the Wilkes wrestlers end their season on a high note. The Colonels finished third overall at the annual Metropolitan Conference championships.
Wilkes entered ten wrestlers and four of them finished within the top three.
Senior Anthony Dattolo continued his successful season as he improved his record to 30-0 on the season. Dattolo walked away with the gold medal, earning him another shot at the national tournament.
Dattolo finished eighth overall in the country last year, and is looking to become a back-to-back All American.
The 149-pounder captured his gold medal with a 7-5 victory of long time rival Zak Andrews of Delaware Valley College.
Senior Ryan Wilson walked away with the silver medal at the tournament. Wilson fell to York’s Chris Albright in the 141-pound final 6-0. It would be a waiting game for Wilson as he was not an automatic qualifier for the NCAA championships. In the end Wilson’s 26-8 record helped him earn a wildcard bid for the national championships.
Freshman Michael Fleck continued his record breaking season at the Metro Championships. After losing his second match of the day, Fleck wrestled his way back to take third overall at 125-pounds.
Fleck earned his bronze medal by upsetting top seed Will Bentley of Elizabethtown in the consolation finals.
Fleck would be named Metro Conference Rookie of the Year for his successful season. Fleck broke the single season wins record for the Colonels going 37-1 overall. His success helped him earn a bid to the NCAA DIII Wrestling Championships in March.
Wilkes got another third place finish from Junior Dustin Stough. He claimed the bronze in the 174-pound weight class.
The Colonels saw Junior Nathan White finish fifth along with Sophomore Myzar Mendoza in the 165-pund and 133-pound weight classes.
Senior Matt Ellery and Sophomore Dave Oberrender both picked up fourth place medals at 157 and 197-pound classes.
The Colonels rounded out their place finishers as Senior Buddy Gouger grabbed sixth place at 184-pounds and Freshman Will Fletcher also placed sixth at heavyweight.