WILKES-BARRE, Pa. -- In a matchup of top-15 wrestling teams, the host Wilkes Colonels, ranked ninth by the National Wrestling Coaches Association, defeated 15th-ranked Ithaca 23-9 on Friday night. Wilkes improved to 17-3 on the year in duals and Ithaca is 11-5. The Bombers wrap up their dual-meet season against nationally-ranked Cortland on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Ben Light Gymnasium.

The Bombers won three of the 10 bouts, with victories coming at 141 pounds from Dominick Giacolone, 165 pounds from Kristopher Schimek and 197 pounds from Matt Booth.

Giacolone posted a 3-2 win at 141 to get the decision win in his first bout after returning to the lineup with injury. Giacolone led 2-1 after the first period and got a second period escape to take a 3-1 lead. He started the third period with the advantage and yielded only his opponent's escape to take the decision win. Giacolone is 13-3 on the year and was ranked in his weight class prior to the injury.

Schimek's win at 165 was by major decision, his 27th victory of the year. That win total, combined with his wins the last two seasons at Niagara County Community College, total 100 victories in his career. Schimek has 20 straight victories this season since dropping his only two bouts of the year against Division I opponents at the New York State Championships. Schimek built an early 8-2 lead in his bout and went on to a 13-5 major decision that pulled Ithaca within 13-7 in the team scoring.

Booth capped Ithaca's victories with a 6-2 decision win. He led 3-1 headed to the third period and stretched the lead to a 6-1 margin with near-fall points early in the third. His record now stands at 17-9 for the season.

No. 9 WILKES 23, No. 15 ITHACA 9
125 – G. Rea (W) major dec. A. Cabrera (I) 10-1
133 – M. Mendoza (W) dec. A. Gomez (I) 3-2
141 – D. Giacolone (I) dec. M. Fleck (W) 3-2
149 – M. Hartenstine (W) dec. E. Gaffney (I) 4-3
157 – K. Krawchuk (W) dec. K. Collins (I) 6-4
165 – K. Schimek (I) major dec. P. Racciato (W) 13-5
174 – K. Diesel (W) dec. C. Toribio (I) 3-2
184 – L. Veppert (W) major dec. L. Korbul (I) 9-0
197 – M. Booth (I) dec. E. Bach (W) 6-2
285 – W. Fletcher (W) dec. S. Bartrum (I) 5-3
(1 team point deducted from Ithaca for unsportsmanlike conduct)