DECEMBER 1, 2001
BOB ZIADIE
KING'S WRESTLERS WIN SCRANTON INVITATIONAL
SCRANTON The King's College wrestling team continues to excel as the
Monarchs captured the team championship at the University of Scranton
Invitational Tournament Saturday in Scranton.
King's scored 134 points to best Lycoming (69.5) and College of New Jersey
(68.5). The Monarchs had eight top-four place-winners, including
four individual champions.
At 125-pounds, sophomore Mitch Marcks won the title by going 3-0 on the
day, including a semi-final pin over Sameer Abedrabbo of Centenary and a
12-1 major decision in the finals over Eric Boyle of Elizabethtown. King's
sophomore Jim Morgan posted a 3-2 decision over Scrantonıs Darren Buseman
in the 149-pound championship finals while going 3-0 in the event.
Monarch senior Jesse Martinez captured first place at 165-pounds, posting
two pins before gaining a 4-1 decision over Sean Flynn of College of New
Jersey in the finals. Monarch freshman Joe Arnone claimed the 174-pound
title with a 5-4 decision over Ivan Zdanov of Washington & Lee
University while finishing the tournament at 3-0.
At 197, King's rookie Tegan McKee was second, dropping a 5-4 decison in
the finals to Washington & Lee's Ezra Morse. McKee went 2-1 on the
day. At 141, Tim Martinez finished third, posting a 6-5 decision over Luke
Emmons of Rhode Island College.
At 184, King's standout Jason Schlingman held a dominating 9-4 lead in a second-round
match but was disqualified in controversial fashion for driving his opponent's head into the mat while
attempting a basic half-nelson. Schlingman, however, came back to place third, gaining a pin in 3:28 over Bill Brennan of
Albright.
In the 174-pound class, Joe DeVitis was fourth, going 4-2 in the event
with two pins but falling by pin in 0:28 to Greg Washington of New
Jersey. At heavyweight, Jared Potsko was fourth, dropping a 3-1
decision to Gavin Garcia of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in the
consolation finals.
The Monarchs will next travel to Wilkes University Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
in a Times Leader Mayor's Cup matchup.
