The Muhlenberg wrestling team sent three competitors to the Wilkes Open in its final competition of 2022.

One of them, sophomore Nico Berlingeri, had an impressive run to the final of the 165-pound bracket, going 3-1 against four Division I opponents.

Berlingeri (pictured above) started with a 13-0 major decision in which he recorded two four-point near-falls in the first period against a Sacred Heart foe. He had to come from behind to win his next two bouts. In the quarterfinals, his third-seeded Lehigh opponent took him down twice in the first period, but Berlingeri responded with takedowns in the second and third periods en route to an 8-4 decision.

Berlingeri, seeded sixth, was taken down 30 seconds into his semifinal bout against a Binghamton wrestler before escaping. He recorded two takedowns and two near-falls to build an 11-3 lead before pinning his opponent with eight seconds left in the third period. 

In the final, Berlingeri ran into a 2022 NCAA qualifier and lost by major decision.

One of the other two Mules to compete, sophomore Andrew Franklin defeated the eighth seed at heavyweight in his first bout of the season. 

complete brackets

Muhlenberg Results
125
(6) Colin Mellott (Ohio Northern) dec. Brian McCaw (Muhl), 5-3
Kade Davidheiser (unattached) dec. McCaw, 8-3

165
(6) Nico Berlingeri (Muhl) maj. dec. Alex Marciniak (Sacred Heart), 13-0
Berlingeri dec. (3) Owen Quinn (Lehigh), 8-4
Berlingeri pinned (7) Logan Gumble (Binghamton), 6:52
final: Brevin Cassella (Binghamton) maj. dec. Berlingeri, 9-0

HWT
Andrew Franklin (Muhl) dec. (8) Tyler McCatharn (Bloomsburg), 5-4
(1) Cenzo Pelusi (Franklin & Marshall) dec. Franklin, 6-1
Caleb Hartung (Apprentice School) pinned Franklin, 5:36