Complete Results

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (Dec. 22) – The Waynesburg University wrestling team wrapped up the 2023 portion of its schedule on Friday by traveling to the Wilkes Open. The Yellow Jackets boasted a pair of top-four finishes in a field that featured teams from the NCAA Division I, II and III ranks.
 
Senior 174-pounder Colby Morris (Waynesburg, Pa. / Waynesburg Central) suffered his first loss of the season, but still placed third after posting a 3-1 mark on the day. Morris started his Friday with a pin in 2:58 over Joshua Seaton of the Apprentice School. He followed that up with a 14-5 major decision triumph over William Smith of Williams. Morris's season-long undefeated streak ended at 20 bouts, as he dropped a 5-0 decision to William Ebert of Division I Binghamton. The veteran standout improved his record to 21-1 with a win in the third-place bout by medical forfeit.
 
Freshman Jessie Orbin (Houston, Pa. / Chartiers-Houston) put together a solid run at 184 pounds on his way to a fourth-place finish. Orbin kicked his day off with a pin in 4:23 over Omari Watson of Wilkes. He advanced to the semifinals with a 6-1 decision win over Binghamton's John Baker, where he squared off with top-seeded Chris Nuss of Wilkes. Orbin gave the eventual champion plenty to deal with, but came up short of victory in a 4-2 contest. His day ended with a loss in the bronze medal match against Jakob Gilfoil of Army Prep.
 
Junior Seth Evans (Sharon, Pa. / Sharon) bounced back from a loss in his first match of the day to put together a 2-2 effort at 157 pounds. Freshman Kase Stewart (Letart, W.Va. / Wahama) needed just 32 seconds to pin Jack Higuera Justo of Union County College at 149 pounds, while freshman Billy Sugden (Ligonier, Pa. / Ligonier Valley) logged a 2-2 day at heavyweight that included a fall over freshman teammate Jaron Polk (Philadelphia, Pa. / Pennwood) in 3:00.
 
The Jackets now get to head home for Christmas and will return to the mats in 2024. Waynesburg will travel to the Fairmont State Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 6. Action is scheduled to get underway at 10 a.m.