READING, Pa. - In December of last year, Eastern announced the addition of Men's and Women's Wrestling. Last March, Andrew Taylor was hired to lead the Eastern program, with the initial plan to begin competition in the 2026-2027 school year. On Saturday, one year ahead of schedule, Eastern Men's Wrestling competed in its first event in program history at the Tonee Ellis Invitational hosted by Alvernia.

In all, 11 wrestlers competed for the Eagles and they had a strong first showing, placing eighth out of 15 teams with a score of 80.5. Malik Asfour placed second at 133 lbs, Nicholas DeLorenzo placed third at 165 lbs, and both Ryan Mansueto and Trokon Kai finished in the top eight at 141 lbs.

After leading a successful program at Del Val, Taylor was pleased how with his group competed in the school's first ever wrestling meet.

"What an awesome day to represent Eastern University," Taylor said. "It was a great first competition for us where we were able to see what we're doing well and things we need to work on in our training. Guys who did well will use this to build and those who didn't will do exactly the same. It's all film study and experience. The future is bright for Eastern Wrestling and we're grateful for this to be our start."

Full Results
125 lbs: Jackson Orrell
Champ. Round 1 - Won by fall over Hezekia Molina-Hagdu (Albright College) (Fall 5:26)
Champ. Round 2 - Won by decision over Chris Kulb (Camden County College) (Dec 5-4)
Quarterfinal - Lost by medical forfeit to Ethan Staples (Alvernia University Orrell (MFFL)
Cons. Round 4 - Lost by medical forfeit to Remy Trach (Kutztown) (M. For.)

133 lbs: Malik Asfour - 2nd place 
Champ. Round 1 - Won by tech fall over Aidan Slimm (Camden County College) (TF-1.5 2:39 (16-1)
Champ. Round 2 - Won by tech fall over Zach Owens (Gettysburg) (TF-1.5 7:00 (16-1)
Quarterfinal - Won by decision over Kyle Von Schmidt (Shippensburg) (Dec 5-3)
Semifinal - Won by tech fall over Peyton Reese (Gettysburg) (TF-1.5 6:30 (22-2)
1st Place Match - Lost by tech fall to Javien DeLeon (Kutztown) (TF-1.5 6:02 (25-5)

141 lbs: Trokon Kai - 7th place
Champ. Round 1 - Received a bye
Champ. Round 2 - Won by decision over Dominick Interrante (Kutztown) (Dec 5-3)
Quarterfinal - Lost by decision to Tyler Zwald (Alfred State) (Dec 10-6)
Cons. Round 4 - Won by major decision over Tyler Simons (Alfred State) (MD 17-6)
Cons. Semi - Lost by fall to Ryan Mansueto (Fall 2:33)
7th Place Match - Lost by no contest to Chase Shaker (Pennsylvania College of Technology (NC)

141 lbs: Ryan Mansueto - 5th place
Champ. Round 1 - Lost by decision to Jared Fulton (Kutztown) (Dec 6-2)
Cons. Round 1 - Received a bye 
Cons. Round 2 -  Won by fall over Dominick Interrante (Kutztown) (Fall 4:52)
Cons. Round 3 - Won by fall over Ryan Trimber (Pennsylvania College of Technology) (Fall 2:06)
Cons. Round 4 - Won by fall over Logan Hrenenko (Kutztown) (Fall 1:06)
Cons. Semi - Won by fall over Trokon Kai (Fall 2:33)
5th Place Match - Won by tech fall over Sean Rinebolt (Shenandoah University) (TF-1.5 3:47 (15-0))

149 lbs: Gabriel Whittington 
Champ. Round 1 - Lost by decision to Richard Andres (Alfred State) (Dec 8-3)
Cons. Round 1 - Received a bye
Cons. Round 2 - Lost by decision to Danny Carrozza (Gettysburg) (Dec 7-0)

157 lbs: Braydon Castillo 
Champ. Round 1 - Received a bye
Champ. Round 2 - Lost by decision to Anthony Lavish (Shippensburg) (Dec 10-7)
Cons. Round 2 - Won by fall over Gabriel Sanchez (Alfred State) (Fall 1:06)
Cons. Round 3 - Won by fall over Calvin Myers (Albright College) (Fall 2:35)
Cons. Round 4 - Lost by major decision to Owen Cummings (Alfred State (MD 11-2)

165 lbs: Nicholas DeLorenzo - 3rd place 
Champ. Round 1 -  Won by fall over Ean Wilson (Gettysburg) (Fall 1:10)
Champ. Round 2 -  Won by tech fall over Jacob Ebaugh (Alvernia University) (TF-1.5 3:45 (17-1)
Quarterfinal - Won by decision over Beknazar Baiyshbekov (Albright College) (Dec 16-14)
Semifinal - Lost by major decision to Nick Delp (Shippensburg) (MD 14-2) 
Third Place Match - Won by medical forfeit over Ian Vitalo (Alvenia University (M. For.)

174 lbs: Darrale Barrett
Champ. Round 1 - Received a bye 
Champ. Round 2 - Lost by decision to Joe Dietz (Gettysburg) (Dec 7-2)
Cons. Round 2 - Lost by injury default to Jonathan Braun (Bethany College) (Inj. 2:19)

174 lbs: Jonny Beckett
Champ. Round 1 - Won by fall over George Racz (Alfred State)(Fall 4:40)
Champ. Round 2 - Lost by fall to Tom Grimley (Kutztown) (Fall 2:06)
Cons. Round 2 -  Won by major decision over Ronan Klug (Alfred State) (MD 14-3)
Con. Round 3  - Lost by decision to Noah Schlofer (Muhlenberg) (Dec 9-3)

184 lbs: Elisha Fox 
Champ. Round 1 - Received a bye 
Champ. Round 2 - Won by tech fall over Abdoul Akala (Albright College) (TF-1.5 5:00 (15-0)
Cons. Round 2 -  Won by fall over Gabriel Anaya (Bethany College) (Fall 2:06)
Cons. Round 3 - Lost by major decision to Ryad Belguet (Alvernia University) (MD 8-0)

197 lbs: Jose Tapia
Champ. Round 1- Received a bye 
Champ. Round 2 - Lost by fall to Diesel Koser (Shippensburg) (Fall 1:56)
Cons. Round 2 - Received a bye 
Cons. Round 3 - Lost by fall to Quincy Risper (Delaware Valley (Fall 1:28)