Aurand captures 184 lbs championship at Messiah Open

Saturday, February 14

Grantham, PA

10:00 AM

Millersville University

Messiah Open

Aurand captures 184 lbs championship at Messiah Open

2/14/2026 6:30:00 PM | Wrestling

By: Aidan Bishop, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. - The Millersville wrestling team had a strong showing at the Messiah Open, with eight wrestlers placing and freshman Avery Aurand finishing atop the podium at 184 pounds.

Aurand highlighted the Marauders' day by earning three victories in the 184-pound weight class to claim the tournament title. The freshman opened his day with a pin at 5:32 to advance to the semifinals. He carried that momentum into his next match, earning a 7-0 decision to secure a spot in the championship bout. In the finals, Aurand's recorded two takedowns to take an early lead after the first period. The second period slowed as his opponent attempted to close the gap, cutting the score to 6-3 heading into the third. Aurand began the final period on bottom and earned a reversal, solidifying his performance and securing a decision victory to win the bracket.

"Avery continues to get better every time out. Bout after bout, he is gaining more and more confidence," said head coach Jerry Boland.

AurandMessiahChamp

Aidan Micheli nearly joined Aurand at the top of the podium at 141 pounds. Battling injuries in recent weeks, Micheli's second-place finish marked a positive step forward. The junior began his day with a technical fall victory at 4:33 and followed with a pin at 3:55 in his second match. He advanced to the semifinals after his opponent was unable to continue due to injury at the end of the second period. Micheli continued his dominant performance with a major decision victory to reach the finals. In the championship match, however, he fell by major decision to finish second.

"Aidan is a gamer. He brings it every time," said Boland. "Even if he's banged up, he's going to give you everything he has. That's the type of grit he showed today."

Freshman Zach McFarlane placed fifth at 125 pounds. After dropping his opening match, he responded with a strong run through the consolation bracket. He won his next two matches by decision before falling by pin in his following bout. McFarlane closed the tournament on a high note with a major decision victory to secure fifth place.

Colin Higgins, Nick Bennett, and Taylor Robinson each earned sixth-place finishes in their respective weight classes. Higgins opened the day with back-to-back technical falls and followed with a decision victory to reach the semifinals at 133 pounds. He later forfeited his final three matches due to medical reasons. Bennett rebounded after losing his opening match at 157 pounds to teammate Richie DeFulvio, compiling a five-match winning streak in the consolation bracket. Four of those victories came by technical fall, and one was secured by pin. He concluded the tournament with two no-contest's. Robinson began his day with a decision victory over teammate Daniel Sinclair at 149 pounds and followed with wins by pin and decision. He fell by pin in the semifinals and later dropped his final two matches by medical forfeit.

Daniel Sinclair and Dom Flatt rounded out the Marauders who placed. Sinclair finished seventh at 149 pounds. After falling to Robinson in the opening round, he earned three major decision victories and two decision wins before losing by pin. He ended his tournament with a major decision victory. Flatt placed eighth at 125 pounds. He opened with a win to reach the quarterfinals before falling by pin. He responded with a major decision victory in the consolation bracket but medically forfeited his final two matches.

Freshmen Brayden Pequignot, Michael Volek, and Riley Oakes also competed for Millersville. Volek finished 3–2 at 141 pounds, with two victories by pin. Oakes earned his first collegiate win by technical fall and finished 2–2 on the day. Pequignot concluded his tournament 0–2.

"Our guys train hard, and they continue to believe in themselves," said Boland. "We've dealt with our share of adversity this year. When you wrestle the schedule we do, sometimes the breaks go your way, and sometimes they don't. Today they did, and I am very proud of them."

Millersville returns to Pucillo Gymnasium tomorrow to celebrate Senior Day as it welcomes Franklin & Marshall for a 2 p.m. start.