KUTZTOWN, PA (February 17, 2011) – Coming off an impressive victory over East Stroudsburg, the Kutztown University wrestling team travels to Shippensburg University Friday night to compete in its final dual meet of the season. Action is set to get underway at 7:00 p.m. (LIVE STATS)
The Golden Bears (10-10) enters its final match of the season ranked sixth in the latest Super Region I poll and receiving votes in the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association poll. They also have five wrestlers individually ranked in the region. (COMPLETE REGIONAL RANKINGS)
KU enters Friday on a three-match winning streak and looking to take down the Raiders for the second consecutive year. KU defeated Shippensburg 30-4 in last year's season finale at Keystone Arena, including wins by John Paukovits (Northampton, PA/Northampton), Austin Williams (Pen Argyl, PA/Pen Argyl), and Tim Darling (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth).
Paukovits (149 pounds) is third on the team with 15 wins this season and is currently on an eight-match winning streak dating back to Jan 8 against the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown (UPJ). Paukovits, a senior from Northampton, PA, has 58 career victories in his three years in the Maroon-and-Gold and is 14th on the KU all-time wins list. He is currently ranked first in the region at 149.
Williams has had a spectacular sophomore season, winning 19 matches (second on the team). He leads the team in dual meet wins with 16. Williams is ranked second in the region at 133 and is currently on a 12-match winning streak. He leads the team with three tech. falls and has one fall on the season in a time of 1 minute, 28 seconds.
Also in his sophomore season, Justin Grant (Easton, PA/Easton) has been the Golden Bears' featured wrestler at heavyweight. Grant leads the team with 20 wins this season and is ranked fourth in the region. He has four falls this season and is on a three-match winning streak.
Kutztown also has one wrestler nationally ranked in Division II. Darling (174) is fifth in Division II and is ranked second in Super Region I. He is second on the team with five falls this season with his fastest coming in just 23 seconds against Roger Williams' Johann Roebelen on Dec 11.
Shippensburg (5-13-1) is coming off a 31-12 defeat to UPJ Wednesday night. The Raiders are currently ranked 11th in the region.
After Friday night's match against Ship, the Golden Bears will prepare for the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regionals hosted by Gannon University in Erie, PA on Friday, Feb 25.
--KU--
