Messiah Open Brackets
Grantham, PA - No. 8 Messiah wrestling hosted their annual Open on Saturday, and the Falcons collected a number of impressive wins. A handful of seniors also competed for is likely to be the final time of their respective careers as Messiah continues to move closer and closer to their final tune-ups for the postseason.
Adam Peris made a terrific run to the semifinal at 141, winning matches over Division II opponents Shawn Jones (fall) and Mitch Camp (decision 14-1). He then got past Franklin & Marshall's Aaron Cole with a 7-4 decision before losing a close match 8-4 to Division I American's Jacob Montes.Â
Victor DeFrance also impressed in a semifinal run, his coming at 184. He defeated American's Prince Hyeamang 9-4 in the first round, and later in the quarterfinal he defeated Division I George Mason's Philip Stolfi, 7-3. He lost in the final to Drexel's Stephen Loiseau.
"I'm so proud of how our guys wrestled, in every class," said Messiah head coach
Bryan Brunk. "For many guys this was the best they've wrestled all year.
"We also had a number of seniors that probably competed for the last time at Messiah," Brunk continued, giving recognition to a group of wrestlers that, in all likelihood, will not get in a live duals the rest of the way. "Every one of these guys-- and all our guys-- is part of what we do and how we will try to succeed in the postseason. They practice hard, and they give great leadership, but this is probably their last chance to compete for us."
The group Brunk referenced includes a handful of guys that placed in today's open, including
Marshall Myers (fifth at 125),
Will Korzeniewski (sixth at 149),
Tag Wilber (fourth at 157),
Josh Toal (sixth at 157), and
Tyler Hershey (sixth at 174).
"Every one of them makes up an exceptional group who have meant so much to our team," said Brunk. "We have seen them grow as wrestlers, team members, leaders, and most importantly Christian men. It's a testament to their character that these five seniors-- who haven't made our starting lineup-- have nevertheless contributed so much to our program over their four years."
After what has been three-straight days of competition for the Falcons, they will now take off until Feb. 10 when they travel to Elizabethtown for a dual at 7:00 p.m.
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