KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- Behind four pins and a forfeit, Kutztown University wrestling got off to a roaring start and never looked back in defeating American International, 40-12, Saturday during the KU Duals at O'Pake Fieldhouse.

Neither of the first two bouts even made it to the second period. Redshirt freshman 125-pounder Andreo Ferraina (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth) pinned Liam Pritchard-Holland at 2:19 and redshirt senior KJ Fenstermacher (Northampton, Pa./Northampton), making his season debut, needed just 51 seconds to do the same to Aaron Morocho at 133.

Collin Wickramaratna (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) picked up a victory by forfeit at 141 and the Golden Bears were already out to an 18-0 lead three weights in.

All of American International's points came over the next two weights. Tommy Nichols earned a pin at 3:57 over Sean Smith (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle) in the 149-pound weight class, before talented Kutztown redshirt freshman Bailey Gimbor (Bernville, Pa./Hamburg) suffered a first period injury against Joel Morth at 157 that forced him to retire at the 1:24 mark. The Yellowjackets closed the gap to 18-12 on the strength of those two wins, but it was all Golden Bears the rest of the way.

Dalton Gimbor (Bernville, Pa./Hamburg) built up a 9-1 lead with three takedowns and two back points before pinning Tommy Caracciolo in 4:24 to win 165 lbs. Teammate Ethan Baney (Hanover, Pa./South Western) followed with Kutztown's (2-0) fourth pin of the day, needing just 1:43 to defeat Jaron Brown at 174.

Matthew Weinberg (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan), ranked seventh in the NWCA's latest 184-pound national rankings, put on a scoring display in a 14-3 major decision against Jack MacKiernan. Weinberg remained unbeaten on the year while collecting five takedowns and a four-point nearfall.

Tyler Fisher (Lenhartsville, Pa./Kutztown) and Dustin Swanson (New Holland, Pa./Garden Spot) closed it out for the Maroon and Gold with wins by decision. Fisher held off Justin Osler with three points in the third at 197 for a 5-2 victory, while Swanson broke a 2-2 tie in the heavyweight bout with a pair of third period takedowns to beat Andrew Bumpus, 7-3.

In a 165-pound exhibition match following the dual, KU's Hunter Horton (James Creek, Pa./Tussey Mountain) pinned AIC's Luke Mangiafico in 3:32.

Kutztown will travel to Hampton, Va., next weekend to take part in the Virginia Duals. The Golden Bears have won their bracket at the Virginia Duals in each of their last five trips.
 
 

KUTZTOWN VS. AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, JAN. 7, 2023 | KUTZTOWN, PA. | O'PAKE FIELDHOUSE
WT.	MATCH	KUTZ	AIC
125	Andreo Ferraina (KUTZ) pinned Liam Holland (AIC), 2:19	6	0
133	KJ Fenstermacher (KUTZ) pinned Aaron Morocho (AIC), 0:51	12	0
141	Collin Wickramaratna (KUTZ) won by forfeit	18	0
149	Tommy Nichols (AIC) pinned Sean Smith (KUTZ), 3:57	18	6
157	Joel Morth (AIC) inj. def. Bailey Gimbor (KUTZ), 1:24	18	12
165	Dalton Gimbor (KUTZ) pinned Tommy Caracciolo (AIC), 4:24	24	12
174	Ethan Baney (KUTZ) pinned Jaron Brown (AIC), 1:43	30	12
184	#7 Matthew Weinberg (KUTZ) maj. dec. Jack MacKiernan (AIC), 14-3	34	12
197	Tyler Fisher (KUTZ) dec. Justin Osler (AIC), 5-2	37	12
285	Dustin Swanson (KUTZ) dec. Andrew Bumpus (AIC), 7-3	40	12
EXHIBITION
165	Hunter Horton (KUTZ) pinned Luke Mangiafico (AIC), 3:32