Head Coach Pat Pecora and the sixth-ranked Pitt-Johnstown Mountain Cat wrestlers will make their 2015-16 home debut against West Liberty (WV) University on Friday at 7 p.m. in the Sports Center.  Prior to the match, Pitt-Johnstown will recognize last year All-Americans, National Qualifiers, and All-Academic Team members.
 
        The Mountain Cats, ranked sixth in NCAA Division II and third in Super Region I, kick-off the 2015-16 dual meet season against West Liberty (WV) University.  Pitt-Johnstown opened the season at the Clarion Open on November 1.  Travis McKillop was the runner-up at 184 lbs., while D.J. Sims posted a 5-2 record at 285 lbs.
      The Mountain Cats are led by returning three-time All-American McKillop, All-Americans John Blankenship (174 lbs.), two-time National Qualifiers Sam Hanau (141 lbs.) and Josh Duplin (285 lbs.), and National Qualifiers Evan Link (125 lbs.) and Tyler Reinhart (165 lbs.).
      Nationally for Pitt-Johnstown, Blankenship (174 lbs.), McKillop (184 lbs.), and Duplin (285 lbs.) are ranked fourth and Reinhart (165 lbs.) is eighth.
 
      West Liberty, under first-year Head Coach Mitch Smith, comes ranked 12^th in the Region was 0-3 prior to Thursday's match against Waynesburg University.  The Hilltoppers also suffered three losses at the University of Maryland Duals on November 11, including setbacks to Division I programs Davidson (NC) and Pitt.
      Regionally for the Hilltoppers, Zach Brown is fourth at 125 lbs., and DeMadre Turner is sixth at 165 lbs.
      Last season, the Mountain Cats got a fall from Adam Nickelson at 184 lbs. and major decision wins from Evan Link at 125 lbs. and Tyler Reinhart at 165 lbs. in a 26-9 victory at West Liberty on November 14.
 
PROBABLE STARTERS:    
125 lbs. – Region No. 4 Zach Brown (WLU) vs. Region No. 5 Evan Link (UPJ)
133 lbs. – Jonathan Spence (WLU) vs. Troy Dolan OR Jim Harrison (UPJ)
141 lbs. – Josh Cornell (WLU) vs. 2-time National Qualifier Sam Hanau (UPJ)
149 lbs. – Anthony Craig OR Cole Nace (WLU) vs. Travis Shaffer (UPJ)
157 lbs. – David Schlieper (WLU) vs. Luke Palamides (UPJ)
165 lbs. – Region No. 6 DeMadre Turner OR Eric VanderBossche (WLU) vs. Nat'l. Qualifier and No. 8 Tyler Reinhart (UPJ)
174 lbs. – Daniel Carpenter (WLU) vs. All-American and No. 4 John Blankenship (UPJ)
184 lbs. – Doug Sizemore (WLU) vs. 3-time All-American and No. 4 Travis McKillop (UPJ)
197 lbs. – Nathan Dawson (WLU) vs. Tyler Oliver (UPJ)
285 lbs. – Matt Dixon (WLU) vs. All-American and No 4 Josh Duplin Or National Qualifier D.J. Sims (UPJ)

      Key Match-Ups: 2013 National Qualifier and Region No. 5 Evan Link (UPJ) vs. Region No. 4 Zach Brown at 125 lbs…2-time National Qualifier Sam Hanau (UPJ) vs. Josh Cornell at 141 lbs…National Qualifier and No. 8 Tyler Reinhart (UPJ) vs. Region No. 6 DeMadre Turner or Eric VanderBossche at 165 lbs…All-American and No. 4 John Blankenship (UPJ) vs. Daniel Carpenter at 174 lbs….3-time All-American and No. 4 Travis McKillop (UPJ) vs. Doug Sizemore at 184 lbs…All-American and No. 4 Josh Duplin or National Qualifier D.J. Sims (UPJ) vs. Matt Dixon at 285 lbs.
 
      SCHEDULE NOTE:  If the Lady Cat volleyball teams wins on Tuesday, Pitt-Johnstown will the PSAC Volleyball Tournament Semifinals and finals in the Sports Center next Friday and Saturday.  If that occurs, Pitt-Johnstown's home wrestling match against Kutztown University will be moved from November 20 to November 19 at 7 p.m.