KUTZTOWN, PA (February 19, 2010) – Brett Martinez, David Zeek and Scott Snyder gave a memorable send-off with a 30-4 win over Shippensburg University in the home finale on Friday evening. (Boxscore)
Wrestling for the last time of their career in Keystone Hall, one by one the trio took pictures with their parents as their accomplishments were read by the PA announcer. Then, along with the rest of the Golden Bears, they each put on a show to earn the 17th win of this extraordinaire season.
Martinez had an impressive performance after bumping up a weight class and taking on Bill Purvis. In order to avoid winning by forfeit at 149 pounds, head coach Rob Fisher moved Martinez to 157. He used a strong second period to propel himself to an 8-5 victory.
“It felt good to win in front of the home crowd one last time,” said Martinez. “Bumping up a weight class to do it made it even more special. People might think jumping up eight pounds isn't much, but it is rough.”
Zeek took care of business at 165 pounds with an 8-1 decision. He took the lead out the gate with a take down and did not look back from their. Zeek heads into the post season with 66 career wins, which ranks him 8th all-time at Kutztown.
Snyder was entrenched in battle with Keith Dahlheimer throughout their bout at 197 pounds. Snyder, like he has during his tenure as a Golden Bear, toughed out his match and prevailed with a 5-2 victory.
“I am glad that the seniors were all able to earn wins in their last home match,” said Fisher. “It was a fitting ending to a bunch of great careers.”
Junior Chris Sheetz maintained his dominance on the mat with his ninth consecutive win by fall. Sheetz earned his pin in five minutes and 27 seconds at 125 pounds, upping his total to 14 on the season.
Following a forfeit to Austin Williams, John Paukovits won an 8-2 decision to give the Golden Bears a commanding 15-0 lead heading into the 149 pound bout. That's when Fisher paid tribute to Martinez's four years of hard work and took a double forfeit and let him loose at 157 pounds.
Tim Darling (7-3) and Kevin Bolinsky (8-4) each won by decision to give the complete the confidence builder heading into the NCAA Regionals at the University of Pitt-Johnstown.
“I am pumped up for our team heading into regionals,” said Fisher. “We had the worst match of the season on Tuesday at East Stroudsburg, but we had a few good practices and we are back on track after this performance.”
The 2009-10 Golden Bears took the wrestling program to new heights. Within the span of a week and half, the Golden Bears gave Fisher his 100th win as head coach, the school reached 400 wins and set the season record with its 17th victory.
The NCAA Super Region I will take place on Friday February 26 and Saturday February 27 at UPJ. There, the wrestlers will try to qualify for nationals by placing fourth or better.
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