WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes University wrestling team finished tied for ninth place at the Ned McGinley Invitational as three Colonels earned top-six finishes in their respective weight classes Saturday afternoon in the Scandlon Gymnasium.
 
Wilkes posted 51.5 total team points tied with New York University (NYU) for ninth place. Rogers Williams claimed the team title with 150 points while York College (Pa.) followed in second place with 115.5 points and Springfield College in third with 104 points.
 
At 125-pounds Nicholas Bauer (Coplay, PA/Wyoming Seminary) finished in fifth place in the tournament. He began the day with a 3-1 decision before claiming a thrilling 8-7 decision over Robert Hartling of Springfield to move into the semifinal round. There he fell by fall to King's Gus Petruske IV before posting an 8-0 major decision over Oswego's John Deconno in the fifth place bout.
 
At 157-pounds, Liam Flaherty (Needmore, PA/Southern Fulton) began his tournament with a 7-2 decision over Donald Wood of Cortland before falling in the quarterfinals when he was pinned by Michael Mirmina of Roger Williams in 2:27.Flaherty then wrestled back using a major decision (13-1) and decision (6-0) to earn a spot in the fifth place bout where he would lose by fall in 1:12.
 
At 197-pounds Moustafa Almeky (Shavertown, PA/Dallas) earned Wilkes' second sixth place finish. The junior began the day with a 13-10 decision over Sam Ware of Springfield before another decision (6-1) over Matt Bruge of Oneonta to move into the semifinals. In his semifinal match, Almkey was forced to end his day with a medical forfeit the rest of the tournament.
 
Wilkes is back on the mat Wednesday when the Colonels travel to Alvernia University in a Middle Atlantic Conference match. It will mark the first match between the two schools with Alvernia in its first season of wrestling.