On Thursday, Jan.16, Waynesburg held home wrestling matches for both the men’s and women’s teams.

The women’s meet marked the first-ever women’s wrestling meet held at Waynesburg University. The tri-meet against Buffalo State University and Bethany College.

The Women ended up losing to Buffalo State 30-10 and Bethany 40-10. Amid the two losses, there were some performances to note.

Freshman Faryn Dewitt ended the day going 2-0 in the 110 weight class, a win by fall against Buffalo State and a win by forfeit against Bethany. 

Dewitt said being on the first-ever Waynesburg Women’s Wrestling team is happy to be a leader for future women who want to wrestle.

“It’s something really exciting and really amazing,”  Dewitt said. “I started wrestling only two years ago so it’s amazing to me to be able to be a part of it, and to lead the way for the rest of the girls.”

Sophomore Kaylee Jegla went 1-1 on the day, winning by fall against Buffalo State. This was her first pin victory of the season.

“I’m looking forward to just improving my game and growing with sport,” Jegla said.

Ja’Khia Mathews also claimed a pin victory in her respective weight class.

Coach Karli Thomas is looking forward to the team’s future.

“I’m seeing a lot of progress amongst them whether they are winning or losing,” Thomas said. “As a coach that is all I am looking for, especially with how young we are, we are growing.”

The Women next travel to East Stroudsburg, PA on Sunday, Jan. 26 for the PA Women’s Wrestling Championships. 

The Men’s Wrestling team went against the Saint Vincent Bearcats after the women’s match.

The Jackets were dealt a loss with a score of 41-12 taking Yellow Jackets to 3-12 overall. 

Senior Seth Evans and sophomore Jesse Orbin both went the distance and won their matches by decision.

Evans came back from a 9-4 deficit and won by decision in the final seconds of the match. He won 11-10. This marks Evans’ 23rd victory on the season. 

“I attribute a lot of it to the conditioning I’ve worked to make an asset of mine,” Evans said. “As well as the way Coach Mckinney has prepared us for the last several months.”

Evans is thankful for his health during this season and looks forward to keep competing.

“Having wrestled nearly 40 matches this season with me on pace to wrestle 50-plus and win 30-plus after all of my injuries and ailments last year, being at this spot of the season as healthy as I am with a good stretch of wins leads me to look forward to these me to look forward to these next few duals than I otherwise would.”

Orbin also recovered from a 0-1 deficit and ended the 3rd period 2-2. He pulled off the near-fall victory 9-2. This takes him to 27-4 on the year.

Orbin said despite him always seemingly lengthy matches, it is just a part of his wrestling style.

“Yeah I tend to always have longer matches,” Orbin said. “I like to take my opponents into deep water and test how strong they are mentally.”

Orbin also touched on what the Waynesburg Wrestling team means to him.

“My team is the best thing I could ask for,” Orbin said. “We support each other no matter what. They are my family.”

 The Jackets stay home as they take on Thiel College on Wednesday, Jan. 22.