WREST: Wilkes goes 0-3 while hosting the John Reese Duals

The Colonels hosted the John Reese Duals in the Marts Center on Jan. 29., which included hosting Muhlenberg College, the Oneonta Red Dragons and Springfield College. 

Against Muhlenberg, Wilkes dropped the dual meet 27-19. Wins from the Colonels included Michael Richardson (133) with a major decision of 15-2, James Geiger (165) with a fall at 2:47, Cameron Butka (197) with a 10-7 decision and Caleb Burkhart (285) with a fall at 3:30. 

The Red Dragons barely pulled away over Wilkes with a 22-21 win. Winning Colonels included Austin Fashouer (125) with a fall at 4:11, Ben Grater (149) with a 5-4 decision, Geiger with a fall at 4:41, Butka with a 9-7 decision and Burkhart with a 9-5 decision. 

The 37-16 Springfield loss included three Wilkes wins: Christopher Nuss (174) with a fall at 3:54, John Devito (184) by forfeit and Butka with a 14-3 major decision.

Wilkes took part in three exhibition matches, all of which ended in wins: Trevor Gitski (285)  3-1 decision, Charles Everdale (174) 9-2 decision and Cadden Kucek (125) with a fall at 5:26. 

Historically, the Colonels have beaten Muhlenberg four times, while now losing to them twice. Wilkes and the Red Dragons have hit the mats together eight times, with the Colonels coming out on top for five of those matches, while now losing two and tying once. The two times that Wilkes has faced Springfield, they have lost.

The 5-13 Colonels are looking to turn things around in their three final dual meets before heading into the Futures Mid-East Tournament and the NCAA Southeast Regionals. Wilkes will wrestle at The University of Scranton on Feb. 5 and then host Ithaca College on Feb. 10. The Colonels will wrap up their regular season with their Senior Day dual meet as they host King’s College on Feb. 17.