GRANTHAM, PA – Freshman John Devito (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) wrestled his was into the 174-pound title match before settling for second to lead the Wilkes University wrestling team at the Messiah Petrofes Invitational held at Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena Friday and Saturday. Wilkes led by head coach Jon Laudenslager '99 placed ninth of 19 teams with sophomore Cody Dix (Egg Harbor, NJ/Egg Harbor Township) and junior Moustafa Almeky (Shavertown, PA/Dallas) also placing for the Colonels.

Full Results

Devito went 3-0 on Friday and kept the excellent grapping going on Saturday morning in his 174-pound semifinal match. The freshman was able to defeat Caleb Baxter of Waynesburg by a 9-6 decision to advance to the finals. There Devito fell by fall to Conner Homan of Mount Untion and earned runner-up honors for the tournament, going 4-1.

Dix lost his first 149-pound consolation match of Saturday morning by a close 7-5 decision to Joseph Parsons of Springfield to place him into the 7th-place bout. Dix finished seventh after picking up a medical forfeit victory over Bryce Finnegan of Springfield. The sophomore finished the tournament with a 4-2 record.

Almeky dropped his first 197-pound consolation match of Saturday morning after a 3-1 Friday. The junior fell by a 3-1 score in the first sudden victory period to Tonee Ellis of Alvernia to place into the 7th-place match. Almeky then lost a tight battle 6-4 in overtime to Jared Mooney of Penn College. He earned eighth place with a 3-3 tournament record.

Wilkes finished ninth with 61.5 points. Mount Union won the team championship with 216 points.

The Colonels return to the mat to host the Wilkes Open on Sunday, December 22 at 9:30 a.m.