Williamsport, Pa- After a long break, Delaware Valley Men's Wrestling competed for the first time in the year 2024 at the Penn Tech Invitational. The Aggies finished 2023 with a 4-0 showing at the Kalahari Duals, including a 42-10 win over formally ranked #16 Loras. The Penn Tech Invitational consisted of eight teams from all across the east coast, including nationally ranked tournament teams #17 Muhlenberg and #24 Penn Tech. The Aggies sent twenty wrestlers to the individual tournament and finished the day with a total of three champions and thirteen top four finishers in their respective weight classes.

Junior Ryan Arndt took home the first place for the Aggies at 133 lbs. Arndt started off the day with a bye in the first round, and a 20-12 major decision victory over CJ Trimber of Penn Tech in the quarterfinals. In the semi-finals, Arndt faced off against Kaden Ware of Penn Tech and earned a dominant 15-0 tech fall win. All eyes were on the finals in the 133lb weight division as Arndt would face off against fellow Aggies standout wrestler, returning NCAA national qualifier #15 Jacob Blair. Blair was 2-0 on the day as well up to this point with a pin fall win over Vito Rodriguez Jr. of Castleton and a 12-5 decision victory over Frank Diesso of Muhlenberg. After trailing 4-1 in the third period, Arndt secured a late take down and defeated Jacob Balir by pin fall. Arndt is the team leader in wins this season for the Aggies and captured his first tournament championship of the season. 

Sophomore Taylor Weaver had a big day for the Aggies and he took home a first place at 141 lbs. Weaver started off his afternoon with a pin fall over Shkeb Nadir of Scranton and a technical fall Mauricio Reyes of Averett. After receiving a medical forfeit in the semi- finals, Weaver matched up against Andrew Loniewski of Muhlenberg. The sophomore would go on to win a closely contested 4-2 decision victory and capture the 141 lb championship. First time this season Weaver took home first place at a tournament and is the first ever tournament championship in his collegiate career. Weaver is one of the team leader in pins this season for the Aggies and extended his season mark to six after the Penn Tech Invite.Weavers teammate sophomore Sean O'Toole Earned third place at 141 lbs with a 3-1 record.

After returning to action in the second semester, Dan Eckley moves to a perfect 7-0 on the season with a first place finish at the Penn Tech Invite. Eckley recieved a bye in the first round and earned a pin fall victory over Stephen Jennings of Castleton. In the semi finals, Eckley picked up another pin fall victory, this time over Ivan Neal of Lycoming. In the finals, Eckley matched up against Paul Parise of Muhlenburg. Eckley would continue his dominant tournament with a 12-4 major decision win to earn him first place. First tournament championship of the season for Eckley and his second of his collegiate career. 

Sophomore HWT #6 Logan Flynn took home second place in the HWT division for Delaware Valley. Flynn received a bye in the first round and won his quarterfinals bout over Sean Cordaro of Scranton by a 21-5 technical fall. In the semi finals, Flynn won by pin fall over Darrius Green of Elmira College. In the finals, Flynn would fall to Trent Ragland of Avarett by a very close 2-1 decision. Only the second loss of the season for Flynn as he improved his individual record to 15-2 after the Penn Tech Invite. 

Delaware Valley would have three second place finishers in the 149lb-165lb weight divisions as junior Greg Croce, first year Hayden Mann, and junior Adam Coleman took home second place. All three wrestlers went 3-1 on the day and was the highest tournament placement of the season for Croce, Mann, and Coleman.

Joining teammate Sean O'Toole, was first year 157 lb Nick Delorenzo and 141 lb senior Mike Rubino who took home third place in their respective weight classes. Sophomore 174 lb Luke Moore and first year 149 lb Ricky Horger took home fourth place for the Aggies as well. 

Delaware Valley will be back in action on Friday, January 12th in a home dual meet against Western New England.