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Andrew Dunn Jr. vs. American International 1/8/22
Bill Snook

Wrestling Matt Heffelfinger, Sports Information Director

No. 12 Golden Bears take care of business at home duals

KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- The 12th-ranked Kutztown University wrestling team picked up bonus points left and right, Saturday, in posting three commanding victories at the 2022 KU Duals inside Keystone Arena. The Golden Bears opened with a 38-7 defeat of 24th-ranked American International, before going on to beat Queens (N.C.), 44-7, and Glenville State, 38-12.

With its Saturday sweep, Kutztown improved to 4-0 in dual matches this season. The team's 2021-22 schedule was front-loaded with tournament competition, but the remainder of the slate is all duals. The Golden Bears are on track to obtain double-digit victories for the 14th time in the last 15 seasons.
 
#12 KUTZTOWN 38, #24 AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL 7

Kutztown won the first two weight classes and a pair of mid-match forfeits substantially opened the gap as the Golden Bears handled American International in a matchup of nationally-ranked teams.

Matt Wilde (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown) produced four takedowns and nearly came up with a major, before settling for a 9-2 decision over Jerry Echevarria at 125 pounds.

Fifth-ranked Collin Wickramaratna (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) followed with a very similar performance, collecting four takedowns of his own along with an escape and a riding time point, while allowing a lone escape for a 10-1 major decision against Aaron Morocho at 133.

AIC got points from both of its nationally-ranked grappler, with No. 8 Sean Johnson claiming a 7-0 decision at 141 and No. 7 JoJo Gonzalez winning by major decision, 12-2 at 157, but those two victories were offset by Yellowjacket forfeits at 149 and 165.

Kutztown went on a big run to end it, securing a pin and two technical falls while winning the final four contested bouts. Ethan Baney (Hanover, Pa./South Western) got it started with a 15-0 tech. fall over Alfred MacNeill at 174, building a 9-0 advantage after two periods before hitting a reversal and recording four back points to end the match early in the third.

Tyler Fisher (Lenhartsville, Pa./Kutztown) piled on the points early in his 184-pound match against Matt Bremner, using a takedown and eight back points to open a 10-0 lead after three minutes. The former Kutztown Area High School standout needed just 88 more seconds to wrap up the win, with an escape, takedown and two-point nearfall for a 15-0 tech. fall at 4:28.

Top-ranked Andrew Dunn Jr. (Bethlehem, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic), unbeaten in 47 matches against DII opponents in his career coming into Saturday, wasn't about to have a stain on that mark. He got a takedown in the first 10 seconds and registered his first of three pins on the day just 28 seconds into his bout with Alphonse Ferrentino, providing the final 38-7 margin of victory for the Maroon and Gold.

 
#12 KUTZTOWN VS. #24 AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
SATURDAY, JAN. 8, 2022 | KUTZTOWN, PA. | KEYSTONE ARENA
WT. MATCH KU AIC
125 Matt Wilde (KU) dec. Jerry Echevarria (AIC), 9-2 3 0
133 #5 Collin Wickramaratna (KU) major dec. Aaron Morocho (AIC), 10-1 7 0
141 #8 Sean Johnson (AIC) dec. Michael Torres (KU), 7-0 7 3
149 Michael Cusick (KU) won by forfeit 13 3
157 #7 JoJo Gonazalez (AIC) major dec.Bryce Buckman (KU), 12-2 13 7
165 AJ Bencivenga (KU) won by forfeit 19 7
174 Ethan Baney (KU) tech. fall Alfred MacNeill (AIC), 15-0 (5:51) 24 7
184 Tyler Fisher (KU) tech. fall Matt Bremner (AIC), 15-0 (4:28) 29 7
197 Brian Kennerly (KU) dec. Justin Osler (AIC), 11-7 32 7
285 #1 Andrew Dunn Jr. (KU) pinned Alphonse Ferrentino (AIC), 0:28 38 7
 
#12 KUTZTOWN 44, QUEENS (N.C.) 7

Queens University of Charlotte met a similar fate as American International before it, with Kutztown winning eight of 10 weight classes to easily dispatch the Royals 44-7.

Wilde was back to his point-scoring ways with five takedowns in a 13-2 major decision against Melvin Rubio, while Wickramaratna pinned Griffen Gonzales less than two minutes to quickly put the hosts up 10-0.

Freshmen Kibwe McNair (Lansdale, Pa./Methacton) won his first career dual match at 149 and did so in impressive fashion. The Lansdale native totaled four takedowns en route to an 11-1 major decision over Lucas Comroe. Classmate Bryce Buckman (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) was also credited with his first dual win via forfeit at 157.

Back-to-back pins from AJ Bencivenga (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) at 165 (0:52 over Jay Skalecki) and Ethan Baney (Hanover, Pa./South Western) at 174 (5:33 over Stephon Halliburton) helped KU's lead balloon from 10-3 following the 141-pound match to 32-3 in a four-match span.

Brian Kennerly (Drexel Hill, Pa./Upper Darby) and Andrew Dunn Jr. (Bethlehem, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic), made it four pins in six matches for the Bears, putting the finishing touches on a dominant triumph. Kennerly earned his second fall of the season at 4:42 against Riley Kuhn, while Dunn beat Joshua Voelkel in 30 seconds for his second pin of 30 seconds or less in as many matches.

 
#12 KUTZTOWN VS. QUEENS (N.C.)
SATURDAY, JAN. 8, 2022 | KUTZTOWN, PA. | KEYSTONE ARENA
WT. MATCH KU QUC
125 Matt Wilde (KU) major dec. Melvin Rubio (QUC), 13-2 4 0
133 #5 Collin Wickramaratna (KU) pinned Griffen Gonzales (QUC), 1:59 10 0
141 Nico D'Amico (QUC) dec. Michael Torres (KU), 7-1 10 3
149 Kibwe McNair (KU) major dec. Lucas Comroe (QUC), 11-1 14 3
157 Bryce Buckman (KU) won by forfeit 20 3
165 AJ Bencivenga (KU) pinned Jay Skalecki (QUC), 0:52 26 3
174 Ethan Baney (KU) pinned Stephon Halliburton (QUC), 5:33 32 3
184 Noah Curreri (QUC) major dec. Zach Mafaro (KU), 12-2 32 7
197 Brian Kennerly (KU) pinned Riley Kuhn (QUC), 4:42 38 7
285 #1 Andrew Dunn Jr. (KU) pinned Joshua Voelkel (QUC), 0:30 44 7
 
#12 KUTZTOWN 38, GLENVILLE STATE 12

Kutztown once again led wire-to-wire, getting two pins, a technical fall, a major decision and three forfeits to down Glenville State 38-12.

Wilde and Wickramaratna, who were catalysts for the Golden Bears' fast starts, each won for the third time Saturday. Wilde notched his first pin of the season at 3:21 against Brady Layman. Wickramaratna, a 2020 NWCA All-American, sliced through Alec Fulwider with a pair of takedowns and 12 back points for a 16-1 win at the end of the first period.

Michael Cusick (McDonald, Pa./South Fayette) broke a 2-2 tie with an early third period escape and held off Gavin Quiocho, 3-2, at 149.

The Pioneers were still within 14-8 after Tristan Pugh's 11-1 major decision at 157, but forfeits in three of the next four weight classes squashed any ideas of an upset. AJ Bencivenga (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) (165), Ethan Baney (Hanover, Pa./South Western) (174) and Brian Kennerly (Drexel Hill, Pa./Upper Darby) (197) were the beneficiaries for the hosts.

Andrew Dunn Jr. (Bethlehem, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic) nearly turned his first takedown of Luke Martin into a pin, picking up eight back points before Martin finally escaped. Nearing the end of the first period, Dunn got Martin on his back again and this time there was no recovering. The former national champion from Bethlehem secured the fall at 2:40.

In an exhibition match, sophomore Trent Thompson (Bristol, Conn./Bristol Eastern) used two takedowns, a reversal and four-point nearfall to top Parker Henderson by major decision, 13-5.

Kutztown is scheduled to compete in the Virginia Duals at Hampton Coliseum next Friday and Saturday.

 
#12 KUTZTOWN VS. GLENVILLE STATE
SATURDAY, JAN. 8, 2022 | KUTZTOWN, PA. | KEYSTONE ARENA
WT. MATCH KU GSC
125 Matt Wilde (KU) pinned Brady Layman (GSC), 3:21 6 0
133 #5 Collin Wickramaratna (KU) tech. fall Alec Fulwider (GSC), 16-1 (3:00) 11 0
141 Ethan Hardy (GSC) major dec. Michael Torres (KU), 10-1 11 4
149 Michael Cusick (KU) dec. Gavin Quiocho (GSC), 3-2 14 4
157 Tristan Pugh (GSC) major dec. Sean Smith (KU), 11-1 14 8
165 AJ Bencivenga (KU) won by forfeit 20 8
174 Ethan Baney (KU) won by forfeit 26 8
184 Cole Houser (GSC) major dec. Nathaniel Fossett (KU), 18-5 26 12
197 Brian Kennerly (KU) won by forfeit 32 12
285 #1 Andrew Dunn Jr. (KU) pinned Luke Martin (GSC), 2:40 38 12
EXHIBITIONS
125 Trent Thompson (KU) major dec. Parker Henderson (GSC), 13-5

 
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Players Mentioned

AJ Bencivenga

AJ Bencivenga

157
Sophomore
Michael Cusick

Michael Cusick

149
Junior
Andrew Dunn Jr.

Andrew Dunn Jr.

285
Redshirt Senior
Tyler Fisher

Tyler Fisher

174
Redshirt Freshman
Collin Wickramaratna

Collin Wickramaratna

133
Junior
Matt Wilde

Matt Wilde

125
Senior
Trent Thompson

Trent Thompson

125
Freshman
AJ Bencivenga

AJ Bencivenga

165
Junior
Michael Cusick

Michael Cusick

149
Senior
Andrew Dunn Jr.

Andrew Dunn Jr.

285
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

AJ Bencivenga

AJ Bencivenga

Sophomore
157
Michael Cusick

Michael Cusick

Junior
149
Andrew Dunn Jr.

Andrew Dunn Jr.

Redshirt Senior
285
Tyler Fisher

Tyler Fisher

Redshirt Freshman
174
Collin Wickramaratna

Collin Wickramaratna

Junior
133
Matt Wilde

Matt Wilde

Senior
125
Trent Thompson

Trent Thompson

Freshman
125
AJ Bencivenga

AJ Bencivenga

Junior
165
Michael Cusick

Michael Cusick

Senior
149
Andrew Dunn Jr.

Andrew Dunn Jr.

Graduate Student
285
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