ALLENTOWN, Pa. — After an historic first half this season, during which New Jersey City University Men's wrestling capture their first two dual victories in program history, the squad traveled to Allentown for the first competition of the New Year. The Gothic Knights fell to the Muhlenberg College Mules in a thriller, 23-15. The Green and Gold had four different wrestlers record a victory, including senior captain Kyle Hillermeier (Howell, N.J./Freehold Township), who captured a victory against Luca Colestock, ranked No. 2 at 197 pounds in the NWCA In the Mid-East Region and No. 11 nationally by d3wrestle.com.

An early victory at 125 pounds for the Mules led them to an early lead, but freshman Damienlee Torres (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) got the squad on the board with an electrifying 11-9 decision victory against Frank DiEsso. After dealing with COVID-19 issues in the program, the freshman was able to cover a hole in the lineup at the 133 pounds class with a successful performance, moving to 6-3 on the season. 

The Gothic Knights found themselves in two battles in back-to-back weight groups. Following the Torres victory, the squad sent fellow freshman Dom Merola (East Hanover, N.J./Hanover Park Regional) to the mat at 141 pounds. He came out with a impressive performance, but fell up just short in overtime after two late points by Ricky Caamano, falling via a 3-1 decision. The Knights continued to show their young core at 149 pounds with Mikey Cross (Union, N.J./Union). After going back and forth all match, Cross was defeated in a 15-14 decision.

The squad did not let up as junior Jeff Johnson (Middlesex, N.J./Middlesex) continued to find success in the 157 pounds after defeating Anson Dewar by 11-5 decision. This in the third match in a row that Johnson earned a victory at 157 pounds — he moves to an eye-opening 7-2 on the season at that weight.

The Gothic Knights were defeated in the 165 and 174 pounds, however, the squad came back in the 184 pounds, with sophomore Shane Lallkissoon (Manville, N.J./Manville) picking up the victory in 12-3 major decsion victory. Similar to the 133 pounds for the Knights, Lallikissoon came up with a crucial victory for the shorthanded squad, recording his sixth victory of the season. 

To end the match, the Knights looked to their senior captain to deliver the performance of his career. Hillermeier did just that. 

The senior captain came up with a win by fall (3:53) against the nationally recognized Colestock. This was biggest victory in the brief history of the NJCU men's wrestling program. Hillermeier now has 10 wins on the season. 

The Knights will return to action this weekend, Sat, Jan. 15, starting at 11:30 a.m. The squad heads to Castleton, Vt. to take on New England College and the host, Castleton University for the Castleton Quad-Meet.