[Kutztown Press Release] GOLDEN BEAR GRAPPLERS HEADED TO NCAA EAST REGIONALS

[Josh Leiboff]

February 21, 2007

 

GOLDEN BEAR GRAPPLERS HEADED TO NCAA EAST REGIONALS

 

KUTZTOWN, PA - The Kutztown University wrestling team will take part in the 2007 NCAA Division II East Regional Championships this Friday-Saturday, February 23-24, at the University of North Carolina-Pembroke.

 

            Kutztown enters the regionals after completing its dual-meet schedule with an 11-2 record.  The Golden Bears are one of four teams ranked among the NCAA Division II top 20.  Pittsburgh-Johnstown is ranked fifth, West Liberty State (WV) is ninth, Newberry (SC) is 16th and the Golden Bears are 20th.  

 

            Kutztown placed sixth at last year's regional, hosted at Keystone Hall.  Pitt-Johnstown won the team title for the fourth consecutive season.

 

            The grapplers will be battling for berths to the NCAA Championships, March 9-10 at Nebraska-Kearney.  The top four finishers in each of the 10 weight classes advance to nationals.  

 

            The Golden Bears have two returning wrestlers who are looking for a repeat trip to nationals, a standout newcomer who will be a top contender for a regional title, and several other grapplers looking to make noise at regionals. 

 

            Last season, Chris Chambers (so. Holland/Council Rock South) and Kevin Kalbach (sr. Downingtown/Downingtown) both placed second at regionals and moved on to nationals.  Chambers is 19-10 this season and was ranked as high as fifth in the country at 149 lbs.  Kalbach is 12-3 this season.  He is ranked eighth in Division II at 165 lbs., moving up a weight class after competing at 157 last season.    

 

            Perhaps KU's top contender for a regional champion comes in the form of standout newcomer Joe Kemmerer (jr. Mountaintop/Crestwood).  A transfer from UNC-Greensboro, Kemmerer is 24-3 this season and ranked fourth in the country at 133 lbs.  Kemmerer has not lost to a Division II opponent this season.  He defeated defending 133 lb. champion Brandon Reasy (UPJ), 4-3, in January.  He also defeated last year's runner up, Matt Mossor (West Liberty St.), 1-0, at the East Coast Duals in January.

 

            The Golden Bears feature several other wrestlers looking for their first NCAA berth.  At 184 lbs., Roy Gecelosky (sr. Annville/Palmyra) is 19-5.  At 174 lbs., Curtis Beardsell (so. Warminster/William Tennent) is 8-1.  At 285 lbs., Rich Dalmas (fr. Mountaintop/Crestwood) is 10-10.  Cory Weiss (so. Gilbertsville/St. Pius X), 125; Brett Martinez (so. Slatington/Northern Lehigh), 141; David Zeek (fr. Newtown/Council Rock North), 157; and Kyle Davis (r-fr. Peckville/Valley View), at 197, round out KU's probable lineup.

 

            Action gets underway on Friday at 4:00 PM, then continues on Saturday at 9:00 AM.

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Josh Leiboff
Kutztown University Sports Information
Phone: (610) 683-4182
Fax: (610) 683-4676
Email: leiboff at kutztown.edu
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