Jimmy Fratantoni '19 has been dominant all season, earning most outstanding wrestler at the Scotty Wood Duals. Photo courtesy of Muhlenberg athletics.

After finishing second place in the Scotty Wood Tournament the Muhlenberg Wrestling team looks to build off that success going forward.

Coach Jason McClean has the Mules wrestling harder than ever including an outstanding achievement by senior wrestler Jimmy Fratantoni who won most outstanding wrestler at the tournament.

The Mules impressed and were doing things unprecedented in program history. In the group rounds the team recorded their first ever back to back shutouts showing impressive depth in the roster. The win against Temple set a school record for biggest shutout in a match in which more than half the bouts were contested.

“The plan is to lead with the same vigor, drive and persistence that  helped make me Muhlenberg College’s first All-American and to fill the wall with more,” – Jason McLean ’01

In the semifinal match against Washington & Jefferson junior Scott Shaeffer recorded a first period win with Fratantoni and senior Gennaro Cerminara also recording wins helping them move on to the finals against Central where they fell 36-6.

In only his second season as head coach, McClean, a former all American wrestler for Muhlenberg, looks to reestablish the wrestling program.

“The plan is to lead with the same vigor, drive and persistence that  helped make me Muhlenberg College’s first All-American and to fill the wall with more,” Coach McClean said upon first being hired. A year later the message still remains the same.

Returning to the team for the first team as a coach after an impressive wrestling career for the Mules is Jake Gordon who has helped many of the wrestlers improve already in his short time with the team and truly believes the team is ready to beat top teams.

“I am confident the guys will continue to build on their successes and be a real issue for every team in the CC, the region, and the NCAA,” said Gordon.

Motivation like that from Gordon has set the tone that showed in the teams results in the Scotty Wood Tournament. Gordon also believes a change in the teams culture from the leaders on the team has contributed to the early success.

“I am confident the guys will continue to build on their successes and be a real issue for every team in the CC, the region, and the NCAA,” – Jake Gordon ’18

“I am very excited about the current state and future outlook of the team. Seeing the upperclassmen such as Austin Sherman, Gennaro, and Jimmy, set a culture of hard work and excellence that has clearly impacted the younger guys as well,” said Gordon.

After finishing last year sixth out of eight teams in the Centennial conference the squad already looks to be turning things around and clearly the culture change is a part of that.

As the Mules continue their hard work in practice their next dual meet is Dec. 17 in the Lycoming Duals where they will face University of Pittsburgh-Bradford, Lycoming, King’s college, and Penn college.

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