WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Eastern University Men's Wrestling wrapped up its first semester of competition with a solid day at the 92nd Wilkes Invitational.
Malik Asfour and
Jackson Orrell both reached the semifinals at 125 to lead the Eagles. Orrell took second and Asfour earned third
Orrell made a first-period take-down stand in a 3-0 win in his opening test. The first-year from Windsor, Pa. advanced to the semifinal with a first-period pin. He avoided a third-place showdown with his teammate and made his way into the finals with a 13-0 major decision victory. His day ended with a 9-3 loss in the final.
Asfour earned decisive wins in his first two bouts. The junior claimed a 15-0 technical fall in his opener before claiming a 9-1 win on points in the second round. He dropped a 7-5 decision to an unattached wrestler in the semifinals. He finished with a dominant 18-1 technical fall in the third place match.
Ryan Mansueto advanced to the quarterfinals at 141. After winning by pin in his opener, the junior claimed a major decision victory in the second round. His run was stopped in the quarters with a loss to a wrestler from George Mason, and he dropped a close test in his first consolation bracket match.
After falling on points in his opening round,
Gabriel Whittington won three times in the consolation bracket in a crowded field at 149. He advanced with a pin in his first match before rallying to a 10-4 win in his second. He trailed 3-1 after one period and was tied at 3-3 heading to the final frame. He dominated his third bout in the consolation bracket on the way to a 15-2 major decision win. His run through the bottom bracket stopped with a loss in his fifth match of the day.
Nicholas DeLorenzo reached the quarterfinals at 165 with a pin and a major decision. He claimed a 10-0 win in his first consolation bracket test to get into the consolation semifinals. His day also ended with a loss on points in his fifth match.
With a consolation-bracket win at 197,
Nick Morey earned his first college win after finishing his football season.
Ross Worlds also competed in his first action of the year.
When Eastern University made the decision to add wrestling, the original target date was the '26-'27 season. The Eagles, already ahead of schedule, will continue this opening season with a dual match at Albight before heading to MAC Championships on Jan. 17.
