Final Brackets

Williamsport, PA - No. 6 Messiah College earned six of 10 individual titles en route to winning the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Championship on Saturday at Lycoming College. The Falcons scored 176.5 total points and finished more than 40 points ahead of Wilkes University. The conference title was the second in three years for Messiah.

Six Falcons took individual championships in their respective weight classes: Lucas Malmberg (125), Greg Kabakjian (149), Larry Cannon (157), Ben Swarr (174), Josh Thomson (184), and Kyle Koser (197). A total of 14 Falcons finished first through third in their classes to earn All-MAC honors.

"I thought we dominated today, which was really fun, " head coach Bryan Brunk said, commenting on the day's results. "Our lineup from top to bottom battled for every point and they guy's are wrestling well at the right time of the year".
 
No. 1 Lucas Malmberg won his third straight title in dominating fashion at 125 pounds that included two technical falls and an 11-3 major decision over *Michael Fleck of Wilkes University. Josh Whitelaw had a strong showing as well with a fifth place finish.
 
At 133 pounds, Hunter Harris finished second at 133 pounds with two pins before falling to Conor Kirkegard of Delaware Valley by fall. The Falcons earned another placewinner at the weight as Josh Grossnickle finished fourth with a 2-2 record.
 
Next, Messiah had three place winners at 141 pounds in Arty Walsh, Lee Cassel, and Andres Gutierrez. Walsh finished in fourth with a 3-2 record,  Cassel finished fifth with a3-2 record, and Gutierrez finished 6^th with a 2-3 record.
 
Greg Kabakjian won a conference title at 149 pounds and his first tournament victory in his four year Falcon career.  Kabakjian made his way to the finals by way of two pins and a decision before defeating Nick Menkin by a 9-2 decision in the finals for a comeback victory.
 
 Also, Adam Peris finished third at 149 pounds with 4-1 record and Cory Obendorfer finished fourth at the weight with a 4-2 record.
 
No. 10 Larry Cannon won second straight title by way of pin, decision, and an 8-0 major decision over Howard Kilpatrick of King's College. In addiation, Josh Toal finished fifth with a 2-2 record.
 
At 165 pounds, Jeff Hojnacki finished second with tech fall, major decision, and a 7-2 loss to national runner up Nolan Barger of Lycoming. Ben Wise and Tag Wilbur had strong showings as well with a third and fifth place finishes.
 
The 174 pound weight class had three Falcon place winners in Ben Swarr, Derek Beitz, and Karrington Washington.  Ben Swarr dropped down to the 174 pound weight class and captured his first conference title by way of major decision, medical forfeit, decision, and 5-2 decision over teammate Derek Beitz. Karrington Washington also placed at 174 pound, finishing fifth with 4-2 record.
 
No. 3 Josh Thomson was crowned a conference champion with a pin , technical fall, and 2-0 decision over Kyle Diesel of Wilkes. Jeremy Bailes finished third with a 3-1 record while Victor DeFrance finished 5^th with a 4-2 record.
 
At 197 pounds, No. 6 Kyle Koser won a MAC title with two tech falls, a pin, and another pin over Nicholas Dawson of Wilkes in 2:03 in the finals. Nick Havener was the final Falcon place winner at the weight with a third place finish.
 
Jason Wright was a runner up at 285 pounds by way of two pins, a tight 3-2 decision, and a 7-3 loss to No. 2 Zach Roseberry of Delaware Valley.
 
The Falcons will be back in action on Jan. 29-30 when they travel to Wheaton, Ill. to compete in the Wheaton Invitational.
 
 

Related Videos

Now Playing:

• Play Video