WILKES-BARRE – The No. 5 Wilkes University wrestling team finished in second place at the Monarch Invitational hosted by King's College Saturday at the Scandlon Gymnasium. Wilkes claimed three first place titles and seven top-six finishers in the event.
 
Wilkes finished with 142 total team points on way to second place in the team standings. Roger Williams claimed the top spot with 205 points while Ferrum College took third with 136 points and Cortland State fourth with 132 points.
 
At 125, Michael Fleck (Easton, PA/Wilson Area) claimed the title going 4-0 including two extra point victories. Following a bye, Fleck used a 16-0 technical fall in the second round followed by a 6-3 decision in the quarterfinals and a 15-5 major decision in the semifinals to setup a championship bout with Roger Williams Nick Barbaria. Fleck earned the title with a 14-9 decision over Barbaria in the final.
 
At 133, defending national champion Matthew Grossmann (Lancaster, PA/Manheim Township) began his sophomore campaign in fine fashion going a perfect 4-0 on his way to the title. Grossmann used a pin in the second round following a bye, then posted an 18-3 technical fall in the quarterfinals to reach the semifinals. After a 6-0 decision in the semifinals, Grossmann recorded a 5-3 decision win over Ryan Flynn of York (Pa.) in the finals to claim the championship.
 
At 141, Pankil Chander (Cedarhurst, NY/Lawrence) was the lone top-six finisher for Wilkes finishing in third place. Chander took a 3-2 decision in a hard-fought match against Filippo Crivelli of Waynesboro in the third place bout. Chander used a 7-5 decision and injury default to move onto the semifinals before falling to eventual champion Vincent Turano of Long Island in the semifinals.
 
Two Colonels finished in the top six at 149 as Josh Evans (Palmerton, PA/Palmerton) took second place while Corey Fleming settled for sixth. Evans cruised to the finals with 13-6 and 10-4 decisions in the second round and quarterfinals. A 13-4 major decision moved Evans to the finals where the sophomore fell 8-4 to Cortland's Austin Whitney. After falling to teammate Evans in the semifinals 13-4, Fleming settled for sixth place after wrestling back in the consolation bracket.
 
Kyle Diesel (Westtown, NY/Minisink Valley) was the lone participant for Wilkes at 184 and the senior did not disappoint. Diesel went 4-0 on way to the title including three extra point wins on way to the final bout. After two technical falls and a major decision in the semifinals, Diesel used a 6-0 decision over Joe Albina of Roger Williams to record the title.
 
Nicholas Dawson (Montoursville, PA/Montoursville) finished second at 197 using a 4-3 decision in the second round and 4-1 decision in the quarterfinals to reach the semifinals. After pinning his opponent in :20 in the semifinals, Dawson fell 9-3 to David Welch of Roger Williams in the final to settle for runner up.
 
Wilkes hosts the annual John Reese Duals next Saturday starting at 12:00 p.m. Wilkes will face York (Pa.), Stevens and Rowan University in its three dual matches.