EAST STROUDSBURG (PA) – Kyle Bilquist pinned Chris Birchler 17 seconds into the second period of their heavyweight match to cap Delaware Valley College's 24-16, come-from-behind victory over Division I East Stroudsburg University.

With the victory, the third-ranked Aggies improved to 19-1-2 in dual meets, including a perfect 3-0 against Division I programs (they defeated Davidson and Delaware State at home in December). In the process, they also the school's single-season record for wins, topping the previous mark of set by the 1988-89 squad when they went a perfect 18-0, reached the number one ranking in the country during the year and eventually finished as the Division III runner-up at the NCAA Championships. East Stroudsburg, which was home for the first time all season, fell to 4-12 in dual meets.

Delaware Valley trailed 16-9 with four matches remaining, but its upperweight lineup features three nationally-ranked wrestlers and one on the cusp of the top 10. Rocky Mantella, ranked fifth in Division III at 174 pounds, began the Aggies' late run with a 10-3 decision over Jeff Jacobs to remain undefeated at 22-0.

Mike Wilcox, last year's Division III runner-up at 184 pounds, made it a 16-15 match with a 4-2 decision over Ed Ebewo. Wilcox, who is expected to move into the top spot in the next rankings following his pin of defending champion Romeo Djoumessi last Saturday, is now 27-2 on the year.

Jeff Siciliano followed with a 4-2 victory of his own over Shane Mallory at 197 pounds. The triumph was Siciliano's 18th in 24 matches this season and it gave Delaware Valley an 18-16 lead heading into heavyweight.

With the match on the line, Bilquist scored the lone points of the opening period thanks to a takedown with six seconds to go. The second-ranked heavyweight in Division III began the second period on top and needed just 17 seconds to turn Chris Birchler on his back for the pin and the Aggie victory. Bilquist, who may also move into the top spot in next week rankings (the top-ranked wrestler lost by decision to an unranked opponent last week) is now 23-3 on the year.

Delaware Valley jumped out to a 9-0 lead as nationally-ranked wrestlers Chris Sheetz and Brandon Clemmer opened the evening with wins by fall and decision respectively. Sheetz, ranked fourth in Division III, stopped David Luthy exactly one minute into their 125-pound contest to up his mark to 29-4 (14 pins). Clemmer, ranked sixth at 133 pounds, edged Matt Swallow, 2-1, for his 24th win in 30 tries.

East Stroudsburg took the next four weight classes as Matthew Rizzo earned a pin at 141, Scott Heckman and Ken Monarque had decisions at 149 and 157 pounds respectively, and Thad Frick notched a major decision at 165 pounds. Those triumphs gave the Warriors a 16-9 advantage, setting the stage for the Delaware Valley upperweights to shine in the comeback victory.

DELAWARE VALLEY COLLEGE 24, EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY 16
125 - Chris Sheetz (DVC) by fall over David Luthy, 1:00 (6-0 DVC)
133 - Brandon Clemmer (DVC) by decision over Matt Swallow 2-1 (9-0 DVC)
141 - Matthew Rizzo (ESU) by fall over Eric McCann, 1:57 (9-6 DVC)
149 - Scott Heckman (ESU) by decision over Dale Fava, 6-2 (9-9)
157 - Ken Monarque (ESU) by decision over John Giusti, 5-3 (12-9 ESU)
165 - Thad Frick (ESU) by major decision over Jake Phillips, 12-3 (16-9 ESU)
174 - Rocky Mantella (DVC) by decision over Jeff Jacobs, 10-3 (16-12 ESU)
184 - Mike Wilcox (DVC) by decision over Ed Ebewo, 4-2 (16-15 ESU)
197 - Jeff Sicliano (DVC) by decision over Shane Mallory, 4-2 (18-16 DVC)
285 - Kyle Bilquist (DVC) by fall over Chris Birchler, 3:17 (24-16 DVC)