MARCH 2, 2002
BOB ZIADIE
MORGAN, MARCKS EARN ALL-AMERICAN HONORS
WILKES-BARRE The King's College wrestling team ended its
season with two wrestlers gaining all-American status Saturday at the
conclusion of the NCAA Division III National Wrestling Championships at
First Union Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre.
Monarch sophomores Jim Morgan (Scranton/West Scranton) placed
fourth in the event, while fellow sophomore Mitch Marcks (Allentown/Dieruff)
finished eighth.
In his semi-final matchup, Morgan dropped a 7-3 decision to defending
national champion Garrett Kurth of Luther College. Morgan trailed 4-2 in
the final period and and fought valiantly in attempting to secure the
takedown. But Kurth countered a Morgan shot in the final seconds to take a
6-2 lead. A riding time point was tacked onto the final score.
In the consolation semi-finals, Morgan fell behind 2-0 to eighth seed
Frank Petrucci of Oswego State in the first period. After the wrestlers
traded escape, Morgan trailed 3-2 but posted the winning takedown with
0:06 left to secure the victory and over into the consolations finals.
There he would meet sixth-seeded Kris Harrington of Brockport State.
Morgan, however, would surrender three takedowns and would score on
two escapes to fall 6-2 and settle for fourth-place and all-American
status.
In the consolation semi-finals, Marcks would drop a 13-5 decision to Heath
Ropp of Wartburg and moved into the seventh-eighth place matchup where he
was slated to meet Davey Starks of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Marcks
opened the match with a takedown and turned Starks loose to maintain a 2-1
lead.
The Monarch sophomore then attempted a takedown near the edge of the mat,
but was caught by a Starks headlock and the ensuing five-point move found
Marcks behind 6-2 entering the second period. Starks would escape to start
the period to extend his lead as neither wrestler would score the
remainder of the frame. In the final period, Marcks chose top and
attempted to turn over Starks but was reversed to fall behind 9-2. Marcks
would escape but the bout would end with both wrestler on their feet as
Starks gained a 9-3 decision.
