GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Bridgewater State University wrestling team is in ninth place with 40 points following day one action of the Messiah Petrofes Invitational.  Wilkes University is currently in first place with 99.5 points followed closely behind by Cortland State with 99.

Sophomore TJ Vallee (Augusta, Maine), seeded third in the 197-pound weight class, will take on number two seed Carl Korpi of Cortland in the championship semifinal on Saturday.  Vallee posted a win by fall followed by a 4-3 decision over sixth seeded Russ Korbul of Lycoming College to advance to the semifinals.

Sophomore Jonathan Murray (Bay Shore, N.Y.) posted a 4-1 record out of the 125-pound weight class.  After posting a 13-10 victory in his opening bout of the day, Murray dropped a tough 4-2 decision to second-seeded Paul Bewak of Johns Hopkins University.  In the wrestleback, Murray won 14-5 and 7-2 and then earned a win by fall.  He will take on Ray Yagloski of Johns Hopkins on Saturday.

Senior Michael Fenner (Bergenfield, N.J.) lost by medical forfeit in his first bout but then rebounded with three straights wins in the wrestleback including a 4-3 decision over number four seed Eric Back of Wilkes. Tomorrow, Fenner will take on Seth Gray of Wilkes.

Sophomore heavyweight Ricky Caruso (Waltham, Mass.) posted a win by fall in his first match but dropped a 4-1 sudden victory decision to sixth seeded Nick Terifaj of Mount Union College.  Caruso then advanced in the wrestleback with a 7-6 overtime decision that was decided by the riding time tie-breaker.  He will face seventh seeded William Cornely of Ursinus College on Saturday.