Wrestling
2008-09 Meet Results

last updated 01/20/09

KU rolls to 28-16 win over No. 16 West Liberty State

KUTZTOWN, Pa — Four close decisions in the upper weights and a pin by Brett Martinez (jr. Slatington/Northern Lehigh) propelled the Kutztown University wrestling team to a 28-16 win over 16th-ranked West Liberty State Saturday at Keystone Hall.

Brett Martinez

Martinez and John Paukovits (so. Northampton/Northampton) each defeated nationally ranked wrestlers, and KU (4-2-1) won four straight bouts from 165 pounds to 197 to build an insurmountable 28-10 lead.

"This was a huge win for us," KU head coach Robert Fisher said. "Martinez and Paukovits each defeated ranked wrestlers and that helped us pick up this big win."

A forfeit, a major decision and a pin earlier in the match set the tone for the Golden Bears.

After Joe Kemmerer (sr. Mountain Top/Crestwood) won by forfeit at 133 pounds, Paukovits picked up a major decision at 141 pounds, defeating West Liberty’s Doug Surra 10-1. Surra was ranked No. 5 in the latest NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association poll.

Martinez also knocked off a nationally ranked wrestler, flattening No. 8 Kayne Melko in 1:35 at 149 pounds to give KU a 16-6 lead.

After West Liberty cut the score to 16-10 with a major decision at 157, David Zeek (jr. Newtown/Council Rock North) began the string of closely contested decisions for KU.

Zeek used a late escape at 165 pounds to break a 4-4 deadlock and defeat Jarrod Shaw. He led 4-2 in the final minute, but Shaw managed to tie it with a takedown; however, Zeek escaped seconds after being taken down to give KU a 19-10 lead.

Sonny Flood (sr. Southampton/William Tennent) also used an escape in the third period — his coming in the first 15 seconds of the period — to decision Seth Phalen 6-5 and extend the Golden Bears’ lead to 22-10.

Bobby Mort (fr. Huntingdon/Huntingdon) won 4-2 over Mitch Knapp at 184 pounds, and Scott Snyder (jr. Slatington/Northern Lehigh) defeated Matt Hill 3-1 at 197.

Mort led 3-2 heading into the third period and scored an escape to pad his lead to two, which he held on to for the remainder of the bout.

Snyder scored a takedown in the first period and an escape in the second to go up 3-0, and from there, he held on to win, giving KU a 28-10 lead.

West Liberty (2-3) managed a pin in the final bout, but by then, the outcome was decided. The Hilltoppers also started the match up 6-0, receiving a forfeit by KU at 125 pounds. The lead didn't last long as Kemmerer, ranked No. 1 at 133 pounds in Division II, remained undefeated on the season, picking up a forfeit.

KU will return to the mats at the East Coast Duals at St. Andrews in Laurinburg, N.C., on Friday.

Kutztown 28, West Liberty State 16
125 — Steve Riner (WLS) wins by forfeit
133 — No. 1 Joe Kemmerer (KU) wins by forfeit
141 — John Paukovits (KU) maj. dec. No. 5 Doug Surra (WLS), 10-1
149 — Brett Martinez (KU) pinned No. 8 Kayne Melko (WLS), 1:35
157 — Mitch Smith (WLS) maj. dec. Chris Chambers (KU), 11-1
165 — David Zeek (KU) dec. Jarrod Shaw (WLS), 5-4
174 — Sonny Flood (KU) dec. Seth Phalen (WLS), 6-5
184 — Bobby Mort (KU) dec. Mitch Knapp (WLS), 4-2
197 — Scott Sndyer (KU) dec. Matt Hill (WLS), 3-1
285 — Cody Tominak (WLS) pinned Kevin Bolinsky (KU), 1:33