The Muhlenberg wrestling team had a strong opening at the Messiah Petrofes Invitational, a tournament that includes five nationally ranked teams in its field of 14.

The Mules were tied for seventh after the first day with 57 team points, ahead of 15th-ranked Lycoming and the four other Centennial Conference teams competing. Of the 12 Muhlenberg entries, eight won their first bout and five made it to the championship quarterfinals.

Click here for Muhlenberg results from the afternoon session.

Highlights from Session I included:

Sophomore Colin Gibson recorded his first career pin, flattening an Ursinus opponent in the second period in the first round of the 141-pound bracket.

Unseeded sophomore Rob Kein opened up with a 6-3 decision against the seventh seed at 141. He advanced to the quarterfinals with a major decision against an Ursinus wrestler.

After getting a first-round bye, sophomore Justin Fitch scored a takedown five seconds into his first bout. That proved to be the difference as he went on to knock off the fifth seed, the defending Centennial Conference 174-pound champion from Johns Hopkins, 5-3.

Junior David Lavin notched his first career major decision in the opening round at 165.