KUTZTOWN, PA (December 28, 2010) – As most college students continue to relax over their winter break, the Kutztown University wrestling team will return to action during the holiday season and head to Phoenix, AZ to compete in the 2011 Grand Canyon duals on Jan. 1. (GRAND CANYON DUALS PAGE)
The Golden Bears (2-3 overall) have five matches scheduled for New Years Day. Their day will begin at 8:00 a.m. Mountain Time when they face the University of Nebraska at Kearney, followed by Grand Canyon University, Mesa State College, Chadron State College, and St. Cloud State University.
Kutztown's last meet was at the American International College (AIC) dual meet where it won two of three matches on Dec.11. Justin Grant (Easton, PA/Easton) (285), Anthony Frost (West Reading, PA/Wyomissing) (149) and Tim Darling (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth) (174) led KU as they each had perfect outings. Kutztown will need contributions from the entire team though, as it will face some tough competition from some of the top teams in Division II.
“It's a great opportunity for our team to compete against some top five teams in the nation,” said head wrestling coach Rob Fisher. “We will be competing against not only some of the top teams in Division II, but many of our guys will face nationally ranked wrestlers as well. The team is excited to travel and compete over the holiday break.”
The Golden Bears feature two nationally ranked wrestlers. Austin Williams (Pen Argyl, PA/Pen Argyl) is ranked fifth in Division II at 133 pounds and is 6-4 on the season including 3-2 in dual meets. Williams placed fourth at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship and is coming off a two-victory performance at the AIC dual meet.
Darling is one of Kutztown's top wrestlers and is ranked third in Division II in the 174 weight class. He is 5-0 this season.
Grant has also wrestled well this year and has an 11-4 record including 5-0 in dual meets. Also expected to wrestle are Kyle Johnson (Stewartsville, PA/Wyoming Seminary) (125), Mitch Voelker (Shoemakersville, PA/Schuylkill Valley) (141), John Paukovits (Northampton, PA/Northampton) (157), Ricardo Pena (165), Zach Kissinger (184), and Greg Tate (Carlisle, PA/Carlisle) (197).
Going up against Kutztown will be three nationally-ranked teams. St. Cloud State (3-0) is second in the latest Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Top 25 poll. Individually, the Huskies have wrestlers ranked at nearly every weight class. Tad Merritt (165) and Jake Kahnke (285) are each ranked second in their respective weights. Gabe Suarez is third at 141, Derek Skala (184) and Shamus O'Grady (174) are each ranked fifth, John Sundgren (157) is ranked sixth, and Lucas Munkelwtiz (197) is eighth.
The University of Nebraska-Kearney (UNK) is eighth in the latest top poll and will compete in its first dual meet on New Years. T.J. Hepburn leads UNK and is ranked third at 157. Ben Hohensee (285) and Joey Wilson (165) are each ranked fourth in the weight classes.
Grand Canyon University (1-1) is 11th in the latest top poll and has three ranked wrestlers. Todd Wilcox is second in at 133, Victor Carazo is sixth at 174, and Ryan Becerra is seventh at 184.
Mesa State College (0-1) is led by Trevor Donarski at 149-pounds, and Chadron State will compete in their first dual meet of the season.
The AIC meet capped off a stretch of matches where KU had some solid performances and were able to finish with some impressive team and individual victories. Before the AIC meet, they had four wrestlers place at the PSAC championships. Continuing to turn in positive results and should help KU prepare for some tough matches in the second half of the season.
“We are definitely starting to see some good results lately,” said Fisher. “The team has really stepped up to my challenge to wrestle hard and with passion each and every time we step on the mat. The team understands that we all need to work together to push one another at practice and during the matches.”
After their trip out West, the Golden Bears will return home on Saturday, Jan. 8 to face the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown at Keystone Arena beginning at 7:00 p.m.
--KU--
