WILKES-BARRE – Visiting Misericordia University scored wins in seven of ten bouts on way to a 30-12 victory over the Wilkes University men's wrestling team Tuesday night in the Marts Center. Despite the loss, Wilkes' Jaryn Hartranft (Catasauqua, PA/Catasauqua) posted his 100^th career victory in fine fashion with a fall.
 
Gus Smith (Royersford, PA/Springford) began the match with a dramatic comeback decision at 125-pounds to give the Colonels an early 3-0 lead. Trailing 3-1 entering the third period, Smith rode out the riding time of Jaydin Barreto then forced a four-point near fall to secure the win with under 20 seconds remaining in the bout.
 
Misericordia answered back with a fall at 133-pounds and major decision at 141-pounds to take a 10-3 advantage after three bouts. Ryan Santiago (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) cut into the deficit with another thrilling win, taking his 149-pound bout in the final moments using a takedown late in the third period to win 4-1.
 
Hartranft made his 100^th career win one to remember as he pinned Chase Stephen in 2:02 giving the Colonels their first lead of the match at 12-10.
 
Misericordia used back-to-back wins at 165-pounds and 174-pounds including a major decision in the later bout which gave the Cougars the lead back at 17-12. A 5-1 decision win at 184-pounds pushed the Misericordia advantage to 20-12 with just two bouts remaining in the match.
 
Misericordia then sealed the match with a fall at 197-pounds in 6:30 and added a major decision victory at heavyweight to conclude the scoring.
 
Prior to the match Wilkes honored its six senior members of the squad including Trevor Gitski (Alburtis, PA/Emmaus), Ben Grater (Saddle Brooke, NJ/Saddle Brook), Hartranft, Wilfred Jimenez, Sam Kimmel (Drexel Hill, PA/Upper Darby) and Braden Sitton (Cross Junction, VA/James Wood).
 
The Colonels are back in action at the NCAA Division III Region 2 Tournament on Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28 hosted by Ithaca College.
 
Misericordia 30, Wilkes 12
125 – G. Smith (W) dec. Jaydin Barreto (M) 5-3
133 – Kruz McCusker (M) fall C. Kerwin (W) 6:03
141 – Nikosh Marston (M) major dec. W. Jimenez (W) 9-0
149 – R. Santiago (W) dec. Michael William (M) 4-1
157 – J. Hartranft (W) fall Chase Stephen (M) 2:02
165 – Jacob Weaver (M) major dec. C. Thorpe (W) 14-2
174 – Anthony Matas (M) dec. H. Troutman (W) 10-4
184 – Robbie Anderson (M) dec. L. Miller (W) 5-1
197 – Jariel Severino (M) fall P. Gordon III (W) 6:30
285 – Aiden Hidlay (M) major dec. T. Gitski (W) 8-0

Exhibitions:
141 – S. Kimmel (W) dec. Christian Pote (M) 7-4
157 – B. Grater (W) dec. Brady Colville (M) 6-3 SV