Results

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – The 12th-ranked Kutztown University wrestling squad received three huge victories by decision to close out the match and defeat eighth-ranked University of Pitt-Johnstown by a score of 19-13 for the first time in school history from the Mountain Cats' Sports Center on Friday night.

Up 16-13 going into the final bout, Kutztown (3-1) was not in the clear yet, as Ziad Haddad (Orefield, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic (North Carolina)) went on to prove to the arena why he is the highest-ranked heavyweight in the nation. UPJ (2-1) could retake the team lead with a big showing from their No. 8 ranked heavyweight Josh Duplin.

Haddad opened with a takedown 19 seconds into the bout to help build a 4-2 lead against Duplin. Two more takedowns from Haddad increased the lead to 6-3, putting the Mountain Cats on their heels. Haddad then controlled Duplin on the mat, building up time advantage to secure the 9-3 decision on riding time, giving KU the 19-13 match victory. Haddad improves his record against Duplin to 3-0.

Going into the 184-pound match, UPJ held a 13-10 lead over the Golden Bears. Giovanni Ortiz (Reading, PA/Reading) took an early 2-1 lead with a takedown 11 seconds into the match against Nikos Garofola. After another takedown, a three-point near fall, and a reversal, Ortiz took a 9-1 lead over Garofola. Garofola battled back to cut the deficit to 10-9. Ortiz came up with an escape with 11 seconds left to hold on to the win, 11-9, and tie the match 13-13.

All knotted up at 13, Brandan Clark (Audubon, Pa./Methacton) stepped onto the mat at 197 pounds to square off against Zak Newton. Clark quickly showed his veteran experience, forcing a takedown in the first period and a reversal in the second to take a 6-2 lead. After an escape by Newton, Clark followed with a takedown to take an 8-3 lead. Following a scoreless third period, Clark took the victory by an 8-3 decision and put Kutztown up 16-13 with one match to go.

No. 6 ranked Evan Yenolevich (New Tripoli, PA/Northwestern Lehigh (Edinboro)) saw his first dual meet action of the season at 133 pounds, and wasted little time proving he hasn't lost a step. The redshirt senior took a dominating 10-0 lead at the conclusion of period two. Evan Link from UPJ saw a glimmer of hope in the third by executing a takedown, but Yenolevich countered with an escape to secure the 15-2 major decision and put Kutztown on the scoreboard.

With Kutztown holding a slight 4-3 lead, Mitch Voelker (Shoemakersville, PA/Schuylkill Valley) gave the Golden Bears a cushion with a tight 4-3 decision over Luke Palamides at 141 pounds. Slotted at the No. 3 spot in the preseason poll, the redshirt senior held a 1-0 lead over Palamides going into the third period. Dropping to a 2-1 deficit, Voelker showed great resilience by escaping Palamides and executing a takedown to secure the comeback victory and put Kutztown up 7-3.

After two UPJ victories at 149 and 157 pounds, the Mountain Cats regained the lead 9-7 heading into the 165-pound bout. Justin Heller (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) stepped onto the mat to represent the Golden Bears and square off against John Blankenship. Heller came out on top in the first period, but Blankenship fought back in the second to take a 4-3 lead heading into the final round. Heller opened the third with an escape followed by a huge two-point takedown to take a 6-4 lead. UPJ managed one more escape, but it wasn't enough as Heller walked away with a 6-5 decision.

It took 15 long years, but the Golden Bear wrestling squad finally earned a well-deserved victory over the UPJ Mountain Cats. KU will have over two weeks off from competition, but Friday night's victory will sure add fuel to the fire as the men prepare for the PSAC Championships on Saturday, Dec. 7 in Edinboro, Pa.

125 lbs. #7 Dave Fogle (UPJ) Decision Tom Traxler (Bellefonte, PA/Bellefonte) (KU) 3-0 | 3-0 UPJ

133 lbs. #6 Evan Yenolevich (New Tripoli, PA/Northwestern Lehigh (Edinboro)) (KU) Major Decision Evan Link (UPJ) 15-2 | 4-3 KU

141 lbs. Mitch Voelker (Shoemakersville, PA/Schuylkill Valley) (KU) Decision Luke Palamides (UPJ) 4-3 | 7-3 KU

149 lbs. #6 Dave Cawley (UPJ) Decision Joe Esposito (Washington Township, N.J./Saint Augustine Prep) (KU) 7-2 | 7-6 KU

157 lbs. Sam Molina (UPJ) Decision Matt Martoccio (Kintnersville, Pa./Council Rock South) (KU) 5-4 | 9-7 UPJ

165 lbs. Justin Heller (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) (KU) Decision John Blankenship (UPJ) 6-5 | 10-9 KU

174 lbs. Gary Lantz (UPJ) Major Decision Bo Candelaria (Reading, Pa./Middletown) (KU) 9-1 | 13-10 UPJ

184 lbs. Giovanni Ortiz (Reading, PA/Reading) (KU) Decision Nikos Garafola (UPJ) 11-9 | 13-13 TIE

197 lbs. Brandan Clark (Audubon, Pa./Methacton) (KU) Decision Zak Newton (UPJ) 8-3 | 16-13 KU

285 lbs. #1 Ziad Haddad (Orefield, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic (North Carolina)) (KU) Decision #8 Josh Duplin (UPJ) 9-3 | 19-13 KU