KUTZTOWN, PA (January 15, 2010) - As the Kutztown
University wrestling team hits the road for a set of duals at
West Liberty State this weekend, two of its newest members found
their home at Kutztown.
Junior
Chris
Sheetz (Barto/Upper Perkiomen) and sophomore
Tim
Darling (Nazareth/ Nazareth) have transferred to KU and
help bolster an already solid starting lineup. They each grew up
outside of Kutztown and were on KU's radar out of high school.
Sheetz and Darling will look to
make Kutztown’s trip to West Virginia a success. The Golden
Bears will wrestle against Seton Hill and West Liberty State
Saturday afternoon starting at 1 p.m.
Sheetz, formerly at Delaware Valley, is ranked No. 8
nationally at 125 pounds. Prior to Kutztown, Sheetz earned two
All-American honors, a regional championship and placed eighth
at nationals.
"I want continue as an All-American wrestler while at KU,"
said Sheetz. "My goal is to win at this level."
He has found success since joining the Golden Bears, leading
the team with a third place finish at the Pennsylvania State
Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships in December. So far this
season, Sheetz has a 6-3 record with three pins.
Darling, a No. 1 prospect in the state out of high school,
has joined the Golden Bears at the start of the spring semester.
He will wrestle at 165 or 174, after dropping weight classes at
Penn State last season.
"I didn't mind giving up weight, but its nice to be able to
wrestle at my real weight," said Darling. "Its less pressure
having to worry about making weight."
In his only action this year, Darling won by major decision
at the University of Pitt-Johnstown on January 6.
Both Sheetz and Darling credit the coaching staff for the
reason to transfer to Kutztown. Sheetz spent his high school
years training with assistant coach/recruiting coordinator
Kriss Bellanca, who was instrumental in recruiting process
for both wrestlers.
"These guys were looking for the best situation, I think they
found it here at Kutztown" said head coach Rob Fisher.
"We are hoping that they will make the program better and help
bring in more recruits."
With last seasons national champion Joe Kemmerer and
the success that will come this season, the Golden Bears look to
build a strong future.
Following this weekends action against West Liberty State and
Seton Hill, the Golden Bears will take part in the East Coast
Duals at Newberry College.
--KU--
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