Coming off its first conference championship in 34 years, the Wilkes wrestling team wasted little time in starting where it left off last season. The Colonels, ranked No. 18 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Preseason Poll, opened the 2009-10 season with a 33-3 win over Hunter.

Wilkes had four freshmen in the lineup and all won their first collegiate bouts, while senior Andrew Feldman (Shavertown, Pa./Wyoming Valley West) recorded the only pin of the day when he took down Dan Hydebrand in 1:35.

At 125, freshman Scott Mantua (Clarksville, MD/River Hill) gave Wilkes and early 3-0 lead after his 8-6 win over Greg Pollack. Ryan Wilson (Manasquan, NJ/Wall Township) followed that up with a 6-1 win over Jimmy Mustakis at 133, giving Wilkes a 6-0 lead. Freshman Kris Krawchuk (Slatington, PA/Northern Lehigh) would keep the winning streak going with his 12-4 major decision win over Sean Messina, extending the Colonels lead to 10-0.

At 149, Anthony Dattolo (Succasunna, NJ/Roxbury) started the season out with a 13-10 win over Vitaly Simkin, while Dustin Stough (Friendsville, MD/Northern Garrett) gave Wilkes a 16-3 advantage with a 2-0 win at 165. At 174, freshman Jesse Villella (Port Crane, NY/Chenango Forks) had a near pin against Emman Sawari, but settled for a 10-6 win before Frank Heffernan (Slatington, Pa./Northern Lehigh), ranked No. 4 at 184 won his match 15-1 over Alan Djovic.

With Wilkes already leading 19-3, No. 8 Zach Pizarro (Easton, Pa./Easton) put on the finishing touches with his 13-4 major decision win over RJ Klotz at 197.

The wrestlers will be back in action next Saturday when they compete in the King's Tournament, which starts at 10 a.m. in Wilkes-Barre.