WILKES-BARRE – Pankil Chander (Cedarhurst, NY/Lawrence) led two Wilkes University top three finishers claiming the title at 141-pounds at the 83^rd annual Wilkes Open held in the Marts Center Monday afternoon. Josh Evans (Palmerton, PA/Palmerton) earned third place at 149-pounds as the other top Colonel place winner.
 
Chander, the third seed in the bracket, went a perfect 5-0 on way to his first Wilkes Open title as a junior. He began the run with an 18-4 major decision over Sacred Hearts'  Russell Feye to reach the round of 16. Chander followed with a 4-2 decision over Demetre Kostis of Appalachian State before posting another decision win over Nick Ottaviano of Rutgers in the quarterfinals.
 
The win setup an all-Wilkes semifinal with Chander claiming a hard fought 5-3 decision over teammate John Ritter (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) to reach the final bout. Chander then captured the crown with a 4-2 decision over fourth seed Justin Cochran of Roger Williams. Chander moves to 17-6 overall following the days matches.
 
Evans made his way to the quarterfinals using decision wins in the round of 32 and 16. Evans then fell in the quarterfinal bout 3-1 to Millersville's Jason Gaccione. He wrestled back in the consolation bracket with a 6-4 decision over Silas Murray of Rhode Island College and a thrilling 11-10 decision win over Theodore Fabian of LIU-Post before posting a 4-2 victory over No. 9 Danny Downes of Roger Williams to reach the third place bout. There Evans earned a 4-3 decision over Rutgers William Povalac. 
 
No. 24 Wilkes next hosts Centenary College on Monday, January 4 in a dual match at 7:00 p.m. at the Marts Center