WASHINGTON, Pa. (Jan. 30) -- The Thiel College Wrestling team posted a convincing 34-12 victory over reigning Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) champions Washington and Jefferson College Friday from Salvitti Family Gymnasium in a PAC clash.

The Tomcats rise to 3-1 overall and in league play while the Presidents dip to 6-11 (4-1).

EJ McCarthy (Hubbard, Ohio/Hubbard) got Thiel off to a strong start with a 10-8 decision over Holden DuBois at 125 while Deshonn Valentine (Somerset, Pa./Somerset Area) followed it up with a 21-3 technical fall (2:46) over Adis Karybekov at 133 to push the Tomcats ahead 8-0.

McCarthy improves to 5-3 on the year with three straight victories, all coming in PAC duals. Valentine now sists at 6-6 overall and 2-0 in duals with victories in 4 of his last 6 showings on the mats. 

Logan Ventura (Jeannette, Pa./Penn Trafford) dominated at 141 with a 15-0 tech. fall (4:06) against Drake Buzzard to make it 13-0. A Jonathan Bissell (Sharpsville, Pa./Sharpsville) win by forfeit at 149 coupled with a Jacob Potts (Oakdale, Pa./South Fayette) pin (3:33) over Vontez Tyus at 157 grew the Blue and Gold's advantage to 25-0. 

Ventura rises to 5-8 on the year and 2-1 in duals with a pair of pins. Bissell now sits at 16-5 while Potts improves to 8-6 and 3-0 in duals.

W&J collected wins at 165 and 174 before Zachery Ward (Girard, Ohio/Girard) recorded a late takedown to seal a 10-8 win over Colin Feeney at 184. 

Ward now sits at 12-6 and 4-0 in duals. He's recorded a pair of decisions and a major decision and tech. fall each in dual competition.

After a Presidents win at 197, Joey King (Cooperstown, Pa./Maplewood), the reigning PAC 197-pound champion, made his season debut at heavyweight with an easy 25-second pin over Albert Sherman Jr. to seal the 34-12 victory for the Tomcats.

Thiel is back in action next week with a pair of home duals. The Tomcats will close PAC play with a 7 p.m. Wednesday clash with Waynesburg before hosting non-conference foe Lycoming Friday.