KUTZTOWN, PA (February 10, 2011) – After nearly a two-week layoff since last in competition, the Kutztown University wrestling team returns to action on Friday as it hosts York College of Pennsylvania in a dual meet at Keystone Arena. Action is set to get underway at 7:30 p.m.
Keeping its competitive edge hasn't been a problem for KU despite not having a match in 13 days. The Golden Bears have taken advantage of their extended break by taking some days off to fully prepare for their final stint of dual matches.
“The break was good,” said senior wrestler John Paukovits (Northampton, PA/Northampton). “We've trained really hard since the beginning of the second semester so it was good to get some time off.”
Kutztown (8-10) enters its final three dual matches ranked sixth in the NCAA Division II Super Region I Coaches poll and receiving votes in the latest national poll. It has also won five of its last eight dual matches, including its latest victory over 14th ranked Gannon.
Ever since the second half of KU's season got underway after the holiday break, it has been a rare occurrence for the team to have such a long period of down time between matches. The intensive schedule, however, has proved to be in the Golden Bears favor as they have wrestled extremely well as of late.
The team knew topping last season's school record 17 wins would be tough, but there was never a sign of doubt about the level of intensity and passion that this year's team would bring to the mat. With five wrestlers now ranked in the region and one ranked in Division II, Kutztown has become one of the toughest teams in Division II.
Paukovits has been consistent all year for KU, and has earned the No. 1 spot at 149. His latest achievement on the mat was taking down then-second ranked Ethan Swope of Gannon by a 10-2 major decision. Paukovits is third on the team with 13 overall wins this season, 10 of which coming in dual meets. He also leads the team with eight major decisions this season.
“It feels great to be number one; I just want to keep it that way,” said Paukovits. “We have some real tough wrestlers in our region and my goal is stay at the top. We're exactly where we need to be and we really want to win out these last three matches.”
Also ranked in region are Tim Darling (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth) (second at 174 and fifth in DII), Austin Williams (Pen Argyl, PA/Pen Argyl) (third at 133), Justin Grant (Easton, PA/Easton) (fourth at 285), and Seth Csaszar (Northampton, PA/Northampton) (sixth at 184).
Csaszar has quickly put his name on the map, having only wrestled in six matches and already finding himself in the regional rankings. He has three dual meet victories so far this season and knows how close the team to achieving its ultimate goal of succeeding at the NCAA Atlantic Regionals.
“We've really picked up the tempo this past week,” said Csaszar. “It's great for the team and it helps us keep our competitive edge heading into Friday's match. We're certainly gaining momentum towards the end of year and we know we are a tough to beat when everybody wrestlers at their best.”
York College (19-4-1), ranked 17th in Division III, also has three dual meets left on its schedule and will surely give Kutztown a tough matchup come Friday. It's latest victory was a 51-6 victory over Thaddeus Stevens.
“They're a real tough team,” said head wrestling coach Rob Fisher. “We've been wrestling them a long time and it's always a tough match. We expect a really close match but our guys are prepared and ready to go. The whole team continues to get better and we are extremely confident heading into our final three matches.”
--KU--
