WASHINGTON, Pa, (Nov. 8) -- The Thiel College Wrestling team began its 2025-26 season with a seventh-place showing at the Washington & Jefferson Invitational Saturday from Ross Recreation Center.

Thiel garnered 70 points as a squad and had the best finish of the four Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) squads competing at the event.

Mequan Maxwell (Sharon, Pa./Sharon) had a strong showing at 141 pounds as he placed fifth in a 21-wrestler field. Maxwell pinned Corn Griffin (Alfred State) in 2:26 in his first bout before falling in the quarterfinals to Major Lewis (Lycoming). He worked his way back in the consolation bracket with wins over Porter Kinne (Southern Virginia) and Richie Morales (Alfred State).

In his collegiate debut, Jonathan Bissell (Sharpsville, Pa./Sharpsville) also placed fifth at 149 pounds. Bissell pinned Vontez Tyus (W&J) in his opening bout in 0:43. He followed that up with another pin (1:40) over Richie Kulessa (Southern Virginia) before falling in the quarterfinals. Bissell had two more pins in the consolation bracket, each coming in under a minute before winning by forfeit in the fifth-place bout.

Zach Ward had a trio of consolation bracket wins at 174 to finish seventh. Jorey Peterson finished sixth at heavyweight as he collected a trio of pins.

Thiel is back on the mats Nov. 22 for the Baldwin Wallace Invitational.