Head Coach Pat Pecora (38
th year) and the eighth-ranked Pitt-Johnstown wrestlers will kick-off the 2013-14 dual meet season against 16
th-ranked University of Findlay (OH), Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Sports Center. Prior to tonight's match, Pitt-Johnstown will recognize last year's All-Americans, National Qualifiers and NWCA All-Academic Team selections.
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       The Mountain Cats open-up the dual meet schedule after a solid showing at the 2013 Clarion University Open on November 3. Pitt-Johnstown, which finished the 2012-13 season by winning their final 14 dual meets, are led by All-Americans
Dave Fogle (125/133 lbs.),
Dave Cawley (141/149 lbs.), and
Travis McKillop (184 lbs.), and National Qualifiers
Evan Link (125/133 lbs.),
Gary Lantz (165 lbs.), and
Josh Duplin (285 lbs.).
       Nationally,
McKillop is second at 184 lbs., while
Cawley is sixth at 149 lbs.,
Fogle is seventh at 125 lbs., and
Duplin is eighth at 285 lbs.
       Eight Mountain Cats are ranked in the Super Region I rankings, including,
Cawley and
McKillop who are both ranked first.
 Fogle is second, and
Lantz and
Duplin are both third. In addition,
Link and
Nikos Garafola (174 lbs.) are both fifth, and
Zak Newton (197 lbs.) is sixth.
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       Findlay, ranked 16
th in the country under 17
th year
Head Coach Shawn Nelson, also opens its dual meet season tonight after competing at the Michigan State University Open on Saturday.
       Findlay is led by 2013 All-American
Adam Walters (184 lbs.) and 2013 National Qualifier
Ben Sergent (125 lbs.), Nationally,
Sergent is ranked eighth and 125 lbs.
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       Last season, the Mountain Cats traveled to then No. 6-ranked Findlay on December 1, and suffered a 22-12 setback. However, Pitt-Johnstown bounced back to win its next 14 dual meets.
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Key Match-Ups: All-American and NCAA No. 7
Dave Fogle or National Qualifier
Evan Link (UPJ) vs. National Qualifier and No. 8
Ben Sergent at 125 lbs….
Link or Fogle (UPJ) vs. Schuyler Phillips at 133 lbs…NCAA All-America and No. 6
Dave Cawley (UPJ) vs. Nic Skonieczny at 149 lbs…
2-time NCAA National Qualifier
Gary Lantz or John Blankenship (UPJ) vs. Bradley Metz at 165 lbs…2-time NCAA All-America and No. 2
Travis McKillop (UPJ) vs. All-American
Adam Walters at 184 lbs…National Qualifier and No. 8
Josh Duplin (UPJ) vs. Cody Hogston at 285 lbs.
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       Pitt-Johnstown will host West Liberty (WV) next Wednesday and No. 12 Kutztown on Nov. 22. Both meets will start at 7 p.m. in the Sports Center.
