HAMPTON, Va. -- Kutztown University wrestling began its American College bracket title defense at the Virginia Duals with authority, Friday morning. The 19th-ranked Golden Bears got pins from Chad Haegele (Warrington, Pa./Archbishop Wood) (157), Connor Rogovich (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill West) (165) and top-ranked Andrew Dunn Jr. (Bethlehem, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic) (285), and added a pair of technical falls in a 38-15 victory over Apprentice School at the Hampton Coliseum.

Chomping at the bit to compete after more than a month away for winter break, Kutztown raced out to a quick 9-0 lead behind a first period 16-1 tech. fall from Joe Renne (Great Meadows, N.J./Hackettstown) in his season debut and a 13-5 major decision from sophomore Collin Wickramaratna (Malton, N.J./Cherokee).

Apprentice School (2-1) got on the board with a pin from Shalek Colon at 141 pounds, but the Golden Bears answered immediately with bonus points at the next three weight classes. Michael Cusick (McDonald, Pa./South Fayette) collected three takedowns and a matching number of 4-point nearfalls in a 19-1 tech. fall of Thomas Allison at 149. Chad Haegele (Warrington, Pa./Archbishop Wood) followed with a pin of William Heath in just 94 seconds at 157 and Connor Rogovich (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill West) pinned AJ Duetel at 3:59 in the 165-pound bout as the Maroon and Gold (2-1) extended their lead to 26-6.

Returning heavyweight national champion Andrew Dunn Jr. (Bethlehem, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic) registered four takedowns before eventually pinning Peter Cortapasso at 4:16 to remain unbeaten on the season at 7-0. James Potts (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill West) was also a winner for Kutztown, by forfeit, at 184.

Friday morning's win was Kutztown's third in a row over Apprentice at the Virginia Duals dating back to 2017. Last year the Golden Bears defeated the Builders, 43-3, in the semifinals.

Kutztown will face Liberty, a 25-14 winner over Averett, in the semifinals on Saturday at 2 p.m. The championship match is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.

 

#19 KUTZTOWN vs. APPRENTICE SCHOOL Friday, January 10, 2020 | Hampton, Va. (Hampton Coliseum)
WT.		KUTZ	APP
125	Joe Renne (KUTZ) tech. fall Kris Smith (APP), 16-1 (2:35)	5	0
133	Collin Wickramaratna (KUTZ) major dec. Kolin Johnson (APP), 13-5	9	0
141	Shalek Colon (APP) pinned Robbie Hazard (KUTZ), 3:00	9	6
149	Michael Cusick (KUTZ) tech. fall Thomas Allison (APP), 19-1 (5:00)	14	6
157	Chad Haegele (KUTZ) pinned William Heath (APP), 1:34	20	6
165	Connor Rogovich (KUTZ) pinned AJ Duetel (APP), 3:59	26	6
174	David McElravy (APP) dec. Anthony Emig (KUTZ), 9-2	26	9
184	James Potts (KUTZ) won by forfeit	32	9
197	William Sorey (APP) pinned Brody O'Connell (KUTZ), 2:51	32	15
285	#1 Andrew Dunn Jr. (KUTZ) pinned Peter Cortapasso (APP), 4:16	38	15