Regional Rankings KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University wrestling team remains third in the NCAA Division II Super Region I Rankings released this week. The Golden Bears will take a trip out to Erie this weekend for dual matches with fifth-ranked Gannon University and second-ranked Mercyhurst University.
Kutztown (7-5, 2-0 PSAC) has been slotted No. 3 in every regional poll so far this season. Notre Dame College (Ohio) and Mercyhurst remain in the top two spots, with conference foes University of Pitt-Johnstown and Gannon rounding out the top five.
In the individual rankings, KU features a grappler in five weight classes.
Travis Roper (2nd at 133),
Matt Martoccio (3rd at 157),
Andre Petroski (3rd at 187) and
Ziad Haddad (1st at 285) all held their positions, while
Brandan Clark ranks fifth at 197 pounds.
In previous years, Kutztown's matchups with the Gannon Golden Knights (5-1, 3-1) and the Mercyhurst Lakers (11-1, 2-0) have all come down to the wire. Kutztown has defeated Gannon in the past four matchups, but two have come by only one point and the largest margin was 22-12 in the 2010-11 season. On the other hand, Kutztown has not been able to top Mercyhurst since the 2009-10 season, and dropped a close 20-15 contest last year.
The Maroon and Gold will first square off with Gannon on Friday night, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. and then will have a quick turnaround when they face Mercyhurst on Saturday at 1 p.m. This weekend poises potential for numerous quality matchups. Gannon matches Kutztown with five wrestlers in the individual rankings, while Mercyhurst has a grappler ranked in all but two weight classes.
The 125-pound matchup will be tough all weekend, as GU and MU boast the top two. All three schools have a wrestler in the 133-pound rankings, with MU's Ryan Bohince at No. 1.
Jeremy Landowski (MU) holds the top post at 149 pounds and GU's Eric Lewandowski ranks fourth. Francis Mizia ranks one spot ahead of Martoccio at 157 pounds and the duo had a close battle last season.
At 165- and 175-pounds, Mercyhust's Angelo Bortouzzi is ranked first and August Mizia is ranked second, respectively.
Gannon's Zack Zelcs ranks one spot of Petroski at 184 pounds, with Mercyhurst's Dakota DesLauriers ranked fifth.
Clark is the only one featured in the 197-pound division, while Andy Welton (MU) and Nick Budd (GU) round out the 285-pound rankings.
Haddad remains flawless this season with a 17-0 record, while Martoccio and Petroski have each piled up 16 wins apiece.
Matt Benvenuto has tallied 13 wins for the Golden Bears at 141 pounds, and Roper has recorded pins in five of his nine victories.
