Wilkes-Barre, Pa. – The Millersville wrestling team started the Kerry Regner Era and its 2017-18 season with a 25-24 victory over Wilkes University on Friday night at the Marts Center.

The clinching point came from senior Seth Decker (157) in the eighth bout of the evening when he overtook Ashton Gyenizs by claiming a fall for the Millersville. The pin at the 1:20 mark gave Millersville a 25-12 lead--the largest lead of the dual--with two dual matches to go in the team competition.

Wilkes received a forfeit at 184 pounds to give the home team a 6-0 lead to start. In the 197-pound class, junior Colton Dull blanked Wilkes' Jacob Huling with a 16-0 tech fall. Senior Zachary Yackenchick battled for a 4-3 win in the 285-pound class to pick up three points for the Marauders. The win gave Millersville an 8-6 lead, and the Marauders never looked back.

Sophomore Aaron Wildonger (125) picked up bonus points with a technical fall in the fourth match. After missing all of 2016-17 with an injury, redshirt junior Alex Baider defeated his opponent with a 6-4 decision in overtime to claim three points that put the Marauders at a lead of 16-6. Senior D.J. Mele (149) extended the Millersville lead to 19-12 with his narrow 4-3 win over Kyle Medrow.

Wilkes scored falls in the last two matches, putting 12 points on the scoreboard, but Millersville's lead was safe.

The Marauders are next in action at the W&J Invitational on Saturday Nov. 11.