JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (Jan. 24) -- The Thiel College Wrestling team had a strong showing at the Jamestown Community College Open Saturday going up against a bevy of tough junior colleges and DII programs.

Jonathan Bissell (Sharpsville, Pa./Sharpsville) placed second in a 26-wrestler field at 149 pounds for his highest collegiate finish. He had a pair of pins, a technical fall and a decision in the semifinal before falling to Kyle Bizjak (John Carroll) in the championship bout by a 17-5 major decision. 

Bissell improved to 15-5 on the season with 10 pins.

Mequan Maxwell (Sharon, Pa./Sharon) placed fifth at 157 with a 3-2 showing for the day. He logged wins in his first two matches with a pin and a decision before dropping a tight 5-3 decision to Kyle Cousins (Penn State Club) in the semifinals. 

Maxwell now sits at 9-3 on the year with five wins via pin.

Zachery Ward (Girard, Ohio/Girard) came in fifth at 174. He had wins by decision and major decision on the day to improve to 11-5 in his freshman campaign.

Logan Ventura (Jeannette, Pa./Penn Trafford) posted his strongest collegiate showing with a sixth-place finish at 141. He had a pair of wins like Maxwell to open the day before falling in the semifinals. His record stands at 4-8 with a pair of pins.

At 133, Deshonn Valentine (Somerset, Pa./Somerset Area) had a pair of wins, each coming by pin. George Green (Hicksville, Ohio/Hicksville) recorded a pin and a major decision at 184 while Jacob Potts (Oakdale, Pa./South Fayette) had a decision and major decision each at 157.

Thiel is back on the mats next Friday for a 7 p.m. PAC showdown at Washington and Jefferson.