Wilkes University’s wrestling team reached the 800-win milestone with a victory over Ithaca College on Feb. 14.

With the win Wilkes improved to 17-3 overall on the season, they are now 18-3 after a win against cross-town rival kings last Thursday. As a program, Wilkes now stands 801-369-16, becoming the 12th program in any division (I, II, or III) to reach the 800-win plateau. Wilkes is also just the second Division III school to have posted 800 victories.

Wilkes won seven of the 10 matches against Ithaca.

At 133-pounds, Myzar Mendoza scored his biggest win of the season when he outlasted top-ranked Alex Gomez 3-2 in a hard-fought match, handing Gomez his first loss of the season.

Fifth-ranked Mark Hartenstine was in his usual form and moved his overall record to 33-1 pulling off a 4-3 decision over Eamonn Gaffney at 149-pounds to push the Wilkes advantage to 10-3.

Other winners included Guesseppe Rea at 125-pounds, Kris Krawchuk at 157-pounds, Kyle Diesel at 174-pounds with an upset over sixth-ranked Carlos Toribio, Levi Veppert at 184-pounds, and William Fletcher with an overtime win against Shane Bartrum at 285-pounds.

The man at the helm is head coach Jon Laudenslager who is in his 14th season at Wilkes, serving as an assistant until taking over the program in 2003-04 season.

Laudenslager has led Wilkes to a dual match record of 154-69-5, including nine winning seasons.

The Colonels are ranked ninth in the nation at the moment and have been ranked as high as seventh during Laudenslager’s tenure.

“Coach Laudenslager is a big part of (our) success out here,” Hartenstine said. “He’s got a really great routine down and makes sure to work us hard every day so that we’re able to compete at a high level.”

The Colonels have concluded match play but will take to the mat one last time on March 2, at King’s College in the East Regional tournament.