BALTIMORE, Md. (December 4, 2024) — Morgan State wrestling is poised for an exhilarating day of competition this Sunday, as the Bears prepare to face off against the visiting University of Pennsylvania Quakers at the iconic Hurt Gymnasium in Baltimore, Maryland. The historic setting of Hurt Gymnasium, with its rich tradition and unique character, adds an extra layer of excitement to the competition, making it a must-see for true wrestling enthusiasts.
SCOUTING PENN
• Penn (0-2) was last in action on Friday (Dec. 6) at Virginia. The Quakers dropped a 25-11 decision to the Cavaliers with #18 Max Gallagher (125), Evan Mougalian (141) and #6 Nick Incontrera (174) earning victories for the Penn.
• Penn was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the Super Region 3 Coaches Poll. The Pioneers earned 93 total points to take the top spot.
• The Quakers return five NCAA qualifiers in CJ Composto (141), Max Gallagher (125), Nick Incontrera (174), Ryan Miller (133), and Jude Swisher (157).
• Penn finished the 2023-24 season with a 6-5 overall record, was 4-2 in conference action. #18 Penn wrestling team completed the 2024 EIWA Championships at Bucknell University and had eight grapplers place in the top ten.
• Penn is led by head coach Roger Reina is two victories away from 250. He would be the sole coach in program history to hit the milestone.
• The Quakers have new faces on the coaching staff as Penn wrestling alums Matt Valenti C'07 and Doug Zapf C'23 have rejoined the program. Olympian standout Darian Cruz will also serve as an assistant coach this season.
LAST TIME OUT vs. PENN
February 23, 2024 - The #18 Penn closed out duals with a 43-4 Senior Day victory over Morgan State in The Palestra. Penn won nine bouts against the Bears in the regular season closer. Morgan standout Jacob Marsh (165) picked up his final win of the regular season with his major decision against Cam Connor to highlight action for the Bears. Marsh landed two takedowns against Connor and would go on to score an 8-0 victory.
NOTABLES
• Leading the return of NCAA Division I, Varsity-level men's wrestling to Maryland's largest Historically Black College or University (HBCU), Morgan State University announced the hiring of Kenny Monday as the Athletics Department's new men's wrestling coach, effective Aug. 24, 2022. Monday, the first Black wrestler in history to win an Olympic gold medal, is a National Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee, three-time Olympian and former NCAA All-American standout, who brings a championship-level coaching pedigree and an expansive yet impressive resume to a Bears' wrestling program looking to restart after a 25-year hiatus. Monday comes to Morgan after serving as the director of wrestling and head wrestling coach at Spire Academy, since 2021.
• Last season, Morgan was wrestling in its first competition in 25 years after the program was reinstated this season to make it the only HBCU with a Division I wrestling program.
• In October 2021, the University announced its plans to revive the men's wrestling program at Morgan with the support a $2.7-million gift from HBCU Wrestling (HBCUW), a new initiative reestablishing wrestling programs on HBCU campuses. The gift, which is among the largest received from a private donor to the University, provides funding for the program and supports up to nine full scholarships annually.
• The Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association has approved the addition of Morgan State as its newest member institution. Morgan is the 12th member of the EIWA, the oldest wrestling conference in the nation.
• Among the athletes to watch this season is sophomore Kingsley Menifee, an 184-pounder returning healthy after an injury sidelined him last year. Menifee has already demonstrated his potential with impressive matches against top-ranked wrestlers, establishing himself as one of the team's more seasoned competitors. Also poised for a strong season is sophomore Shawn Ryncarz, a 133-pounder who had an outstanding year last season.
• The coaching staff has been busy recruiting and welcoming Myrin Nixon, a promising 140-pounder from Great Bridge High School who excelled in high school.
• With former standout Jake Marsh's departure, several individuals are expected to step into leadership roles this season. Senior Darrien Roberts, a 170-pounder who transferred from the University of Oklahoma, is anticipated to take on significant leadership responsibilities. "He is going to fill those shoes," Monday stated.
• Junior Xavier Doolin, a transfer from the University of Northern Colorado, will also play a key role in guiding younger wrestlers. Monday emphasized the importance of Doolin's leadership, stating, "He brings valuable leadership experience from competing against high-level players, and we expect big things from him. Our goal is to help every wrestler achieve their best performance. With Darrien being a senior, we want him to have his best season ever in college."
Season tickets and individual match tickets are now on sale for the 2024-25 Morgan State wrestling season - Click here
FOLLOW MORGAN STATE ATHLETICS IN CYBERSPACE
There are many ways to keep up with MSU athletics online and on the go:
• Visit www.morganstatebears.com, the official web site of Bears athletics, for news, schedules, stats, bios and more.
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
