The Muhlenberg men's wrestling team opened up Centennial Conference action with a 24-17 loss to McDaniel.

Prior to the match, the Mules (6-6, 0-1) honored seniors Andrew Franklin, Ethan Kreuzburg, Frank DiEsso, Aidan Weingrad, Fletcher Goodman, Anson Dewar, Brandon Bowles, Mike LaRosa, Chris Sockler, Brian McCaw, Paul Parise and Jack Patti (pictured above, left to right, with their families).

After Weingrad played The Star-Spangled Banner on the electric guitar, DiEsso gave Muhlenberg its first win in a matchup of regionally ranked opponents. DiEsso, ranked fourth in the region at 133, recorded takedowns in the second and third periods and compiled 1:31 of riding time for an 8-0 major decision against his opponent, who is ranked seventh.

Sophomore Andrew Loniewski followed with his fourth technical fall of the season at 141 to extend the Mules' lead to 9-3.

The Green Terror won the next four bouts, however, to build a 21-9 advantage before junior Ryan Fairchild got Muhlenberg back into the match with a technical fall at 184. LaRosa bumped up to 197 and held his own against a regionally ranked foe, but a second-period takedown led to a 5-1 decision that clinched the win for the Green Terror.

Franklin closed out the match with a 4-2 decision, to the delight of his many football teammates in attendance.

McDaniel 24, Muhlenberg 17
125 Alex DuFour (Mc) dec. Brian McCaw, 8-2
133 Frank DiEsso (Mu) maj. dec. Romeo Tsai, 8-0
141 Andrew Loniewski (Mu) tech fall Ethyn Ramey, 5:06 (15-0)
149 Thomas Monn (Mc) pinned Alex Greco, 4:17
157 Xavier Howard (Mc) tech fall Ethan Kreuzburg, 4:37 (19-3)
165 Avery Cummings (Mc) maj. dec. Payce Lamb, 16-6
174 Soren Wynn (Mc) dec. Chris Sockler, 15-9
184 Ryan Fairchild (Mu) tech fall Patrick Takeuchi, 3:22 (17-1)
197 Val Pryor (Mc) dec. Mike LaRosa, 5-1
285 Andrew Franklin (Mu) dec. Zeke Gayle, 4-2