The Muhlenberg men's wrestling team has announced the addition of 13 student-athletes to its ranks, head coach
Jason McLean announced Friday.
"We are bringing talent, depth, and leadership qualities that will continue to push this program forward and to new heights, including expanding our national reach," McLean said of the class.
This latest group of Mules hails from all over the United States and the world, as two different countries (US and South Korea) and seven different states (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Kansas, and Iowa) are represented. One could also fill out a starting lineup just from this group, as there is at least one newcomer for each of the 10 weight classes. 12 of these student-athletes will join Muhlenberg's roster for the upcoming season, while one plans to take a gap year before doing the same.
MEET THE CLASS
Luken Alberdi (via Luken Alberdi)
LUKEN ALBERDI
285
Alexandria, N.J./Delaware Valley Regional
Academic Interest: Finance
About Alberdi: Alberdi was an all-conference selection in both football and wrestling during his senior season and was a member of a Delaware Valley Regional wrestling team that won the NJSIAA State Championship in 2025 and 2026. He put up a record of 35-16 with 29 pins as a senior, finished second in his district, and was a regional qualifier. Alberdi's future plans include obtaining a job in finance.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I chose Muhlenberg because of the school's reputation, size, and location. The wrestling program, scholarship offer, and finance department for my intended major were all a perfect fit for me and played a big part in my selection."
Owen Beneciuk (via Owen Beneciuk)
OWEN BENECIUK
174
Pine Beach, N.J./Toms River South
Academic Interest: Environmental Science
About Beneciuk: Another New Jersey native, Beneciuk was a four-year letterwinner and team captain of the wrestling team at Toms River High School South. During his career, he was a three-time regional qualifier, a state qualifier and district champion once, and totaled over 100 career wins. Beneciuk was captain and a three-time letterwinner on the soccer team as well. His future plans include getting a job in environmental science.
Why Muhlenberg?: "(For a) great education, competitive wrestling, and (to be) close to home."
Daniel Berardi (via Daniel Berardi)
DANIEL BERARDI
125
Westfield, N.J./Westfield
Academic Interest: Undecided
About Berardi: The third straight New Jerseyan to start the list, Berardi did a lot of winning during his time at Westfield High School. He was a regional champion, district champion, twice qualified for states, and finished his career with 116 victories. His teams made the sectionals every year and reached the finals once.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I was recruited for wrestling."
Seamus Brannigan (via Seamus Brannigan)
SEAMUS BRANNIGAN
125
Westport, Conn./Staples
Academic Interests: Theatre, Business, Spanish
About Brannigan: Like Berardi, Brannigan was a four-time letterwinner and team captain in high school. He wrestled at 126 pounds as a senior and earned all-conference and all-state honors. Brannigan's future goals include becoming an actor either on Broadway or the West End in London.
Why Muhlenberg?: "Muhlenberg has incredible theatre, and a community that is unmatched. The wrestling team is phenomenal, with Coach McLean, and is a great community."
Daniel Delman (via Daniel Delman)
DANIEL DELMAN
— | Class of 2031
Yonkers, N.Y./Torah Academy of Bergen County
Academic Interest: Public Health
About Delman: Delman plans to take a gap year before joining Muhlenberg for his freshman year in the fall of 2027. He was a team captain and two-time Yeshiva National Champion in high school, but also has some international experience; Delman was a member of the Maccabi Senior and USA Junior World teams. He comes from a wrestling background as well, as his uncle wrestled at Ohio State. Delman's future plans include being the owner of a physical therapy practice.
Why Muhlenberg?: "(There are) great people, and a home atmosphere."
John Gagen (via John Gagen)
JOHN GAGEN
165
Mission Hills, Kan./Shawnee Mission East
Academic Interests: Philosophy and Political Thought
About Gagen: Another four-time letterwinner and team captain, Gagen twice placed in the KSHSAA state meet for class 6A. He wrestled at 165 pounds and finished with a career record of 95-46 as well.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I chose Muhlenberg for a small school with strong academics and a competitive wrestling program."
Kimoni Giles (via Kimoni Giles)
KIMONI GILES
149/157
New York, N.Y./Greens Farms Academy
Academic Interests: Business
About Giles: Giles hails from New York, but went to school at Greens Farms Academy in Connecticut, where he was a part of one of the top 30 teams in the country. Individually, he was a prep national qualifier and nabbed third place in the New England Prep Championship.
Maximus Gutman (via Maximus Gutman)
MAXIMUS GUTMAN
174/184
Oceanside, N.Y./Oceanside
Academic Interest: Business Administration
About Gutman: Gutman wrestled at 175 pounds in high school and was a three-year letterwinner and captain of the wrestling team. He twice earned all-conference nods during his career and put up a record of 35-12 as a senior en route to placing third in Nassau County. Oceanside was quite successful during Gutman's time there, as they were the conference champions and twice made it to the county semifinals in addition to earning a top-10 ranking in the state.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I wanted to be able to have a close and personal experience with my teachers so I can better my education."
Suyoung Yang (via Suyoung Yang)
SUYOUNG YANG
157
Busan, South Korea/Wyoming Seminary
Academic Interests: Math, Pre-Med
About Yang: Yang earned a varsity letter at Wyoming Seminary School in Kingston, Pennsylvania, as part of a wrestling team that won multiple prep national championships. He qualified for the Korean U20 national team's final selection tournament as well.
Why Muhlenberg?: "It felt like home. I love the Mule mascot and Coach McLean"
Izaiah Santiago (via Izaiah Santiago)
IZAIAH SANTIAGO
133
Methuen, Mass./Central Catholic (Mass.)
Academic Interest: Finance
About Santiago: Santiago spent five seasons as a varsity wrestler at Central Catholic, racking up 190 wins and a litany of awards. He earned three all-conference nods, placed three times at states in Division 1, twice was a New England qualifier, and was the 2026 Massachusetts State Champion. That state title last season helped his team capture the Massachusetts Division 1 wrestling championship and finish third at New Englands. Santiago plans to become a financial advisor and/or a realtor in the future.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I chose Muhlenberg because during my visit, I immediately felt at home with the wrestling team and the people around me."
William Shakir (via William Shakir)
WILLIAM SHAKIR
197
Allentown, Pa./William Allen
Academic Interest: Finance
About Shakir: A local product, Shakir earned three varsity letters and was captain of the wrestling team at William Allen High School. He put up a 25-8 record in his senior season and took first place at the Battle of the Buck and second at the Jim Thorpe Invitational. His mother, Shelly Foose `25, graduated from Muhlenberg last year. His future plans include working in investment banking before moving to Bali.
Why Muhlenberg?: "Muhlenberg has a very beautiful campus and is in my hometown."
Joseph Stanzione (via Joseph Stanzione)
JOSEPH STANZIONE
141
South Planfield, N.J./South Plainfield
Academic Interest: Business
About Stanzione: Stanzione, the final New Jersey native on this list, totaled 107 career wins and was a member of a South Plainfield wrestling team that won the 2023 Central Jersey Sectional Championship. Individually, he reached his peak as a senior in 2025-26, when he was a state qualifier and the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Champion. That capped off a career in which he thrice qualified for regionals and finished within the top three in the GMC in each of his four seasons.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I chose Muhlenberg because Coach McLean showed a lot of interest in me early and I came to know him to be a great person. I really felt at home when I took a visit at Muhlenberg."
Carter Van Kley (via Carter Van Kley)
CARTER VAN KLEY
285
Pella, Iowa/Pella
Academic Interest: Business Administration
About Van Kley: Van Kley was a four-time letterwinner and captain of the wrestling team at Pella High School in Pella, Iowa. He placed multiple times in both the district and conference meets and earned academic all-state honors as well. His future plans include graduating with a four-year degree and starting a family.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I chose Muhlenberg because of the academic opportunities and great coaches and teammates on the wrestling team."
Stay tuned to muhlenbergsports.com and our social media channels throughout the summer to learn about all of the newest Mules!
