Wrestling 2/3/2017 9:00:00 PM

Pins lift King's over Blue Jays

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. -- King's (Pa.) College scored 24 points on four pins to hold off the Elizabethtown wrestling team, 30-16, Friday night at McGrane Gymnasium in Wilkes-Barre.

The Monarchs honored 48th-year head coach Ned McGinley, who is set to retire at the end of this season, prior to the match. McGinley's team gave an inspired effort on the mat, winning six of the 10 bouts.

E-town (2-11) nearly took the lead and all the momentum at 197 pounds after Rocco Hladney secured a 14-5 major decision over Nick Price at 184 to pull the visitors within 18-16.

Junior Quinn Ruble, wrestling at 197 pounds for the first time in his career, looked to have pinned the Monarchs' Edward Merrill in both the first and second periods. Instead of the fall and an Elizabethtown lead, Ruble had to settle for back points both times. Though Ruble racked up six quick points on back-to-back near-falls to take an 11-5 lead, Merrill countered with a reversal and then the pin at 4:13.

Instead of taking a four-point lead to the heavyweight match, the Blue Jays' shot at a win evaporated.

The late onslaught capped a run of four wins the final five matches --three by pin--for King's (8-13).

Bryan Pflanz earned career win No. 50 at Elizabethtown with a 9-4 decision over Jake Daniel in their 133-pound match.

With his team trailing 6-3 and facing a steep deficit in his 141-pound match, sophomore Dan Smith twisted his fortunes around by sticking Tony Immediato in the final minute of the first period to put the Jays in front for the first time. Chris Kummerer followed with an 8-5 win over David White at 157 to pull within three career victories of 50 himself.

Elizabethtown will send a contingent to tomorrow's Messiah Open. They'll host the nationally-ranked Falcons in their next dual on Friday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m., which is also Senior Night.

Elizabethtown at King's (Pa.) Friday, February 3, 2017 // Wilkes-Barre, Pa. (McGrane Gymnasium)
Wt.		EC	KC
125	Dakota Quick (KC) dec. Philip Torresani (EC), 10-4	0	3
133	#NR/HM Bryan Pflanz (EC) dec. Jake Daniel (KC), 9-4	3	3
141	James Wright (KC) pinned Colton Rex (EC), 4:52	3	9
149	Dan Smith (EC) pinned Tony Immediato (KC), 2:20	9	9
157	Chris Kummerer (EC) dec. David White (KC), 8-5	12	9
165	Howard Kilpatrick (KC) pinned Dan Jerrems (EC), 5:36	12	15
174	Zach Smith (KC) dec. Dayne Ross (EC), 6-1	12	18
184	Rocco Hladney (EC) major dec. Nick Price (KC), 14-5	16	18
197	Edward Merrill (KC) pinned Quinn Ruble (EC), 4:13	16	24
285	Ralph Bernardo (KC) pinned Max Rhoden (EC), 6:50	16	30
Rankings: NWCA / d3wrestle.com NR - Not ranked CT - Contender HM - Honorable Mention

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Players Mentioned

Rocco Hladney: 184; 5' 11"; Junior

Chris Kummerer: 157; 5' 7"; Junior

Bryan Pflanz: 133; 5' 5"; Senior

Quinn Ruble: 174/197; 6' 0"; Junior

Dan Smith: 141/149; 5' 8"; Sophomore

Philip Torresani: 125; 5' 3"; Junior

Colton Rex: 133/141; 5' 8"; Freshman

Dan Jerrems: 165; 5' 11"; Freshman

Dayne Ross: 174/184; 6' 0"; Freshman

Max Rhoden: 285; 6' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Rocco Hladney
: 5' 11"; Junior
: 184

Chris Kummerer
: 5' 7"; Junior
: 157

Bryan Pflanz
: 5' 5"; Senior
: 133

Quinn Ruble
: 6' 0"; Junior
: 174/197

Dan Smith
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: 141/149

Philip Torresani
: 5' 3"; Junior
: 125

Colton Rex
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: 133/141

Dan Jerrems
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: 165

Dayne Ross
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: 174/184

Max Rhoden
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: 285