INDIANAPOLIS – The 13th-ranked Kutztown University wrestling team recorded several top performances on the opening day of the 45th Midwest Classic, hosted by the University of Indianapolis in Indiana on Saturday.

The Golden Bears (3-0, 1-0 PSAC) were led by redshirt senior Matthew Weinberg (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan), who was seeded at the top of the 184-pound bracket and backed up his No. 2 national ranking with his performance on the opening day. The Philly native recorded a pair of pins and a technical fall early in the final period of his round of 16 matchup to punch his ticket to the quarterfinals, where he will face No. 11 Kyle Homet of Glenville State. All eight remaining grapplers in the weight class are featured in the top 15 of the National Wrestling Coaches Association rankings, led by Weinberg and third-ranked Reece Worachek of Wisconsin-Parkside.

133-pound Javien DeLeon (Allentown, Pa./Liberty), 165-pound Bailey Gimbor (Bernville, Pa./Hamburg), 174-pound Dalton Gimbor (Bernville, Pa./Hamburg) and 197-pound Wayne McIntyre (East Stroudsburg, Pa./East Stroudsburg North) all reached the third round of the championship bracket, while 149-pound Jimmy Ryan (Staten Island, N.Y./Monsignor Farrell) fought back and remains alive in the consolation bracket.

Ryan and the Gimbor brothers will battle in the consolation bracket, while Weinberg will face off for the 184-pound crown on Sunday in one of the more challenging tournaments of the 2024-25 season.

Competition at the 45th Midwest Classic continues at 10 a.m. on Sunday, as the final placement will be decided in both the championship and consolation rounds throughout the day.