Head Coach Pat Pecora and the 11
th-ranked Pitt-Johnstown Mountain Cat wrestlers will host 19
th-ranked Wheeling Jesuit (WV) University in a key Super Region I match-up on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Sports Center.
The Mountain Cats, ranked 19
th in NCAA Division II with a 7-3 overall record, are coming off of a come-from-behind 21-17 win at No. 25 Seton Hill University on Tuesday. Pitt-Johnstown trailed by four entering the last two matches, but got a 6-0 decision by No. 7
Levi Niebauer at 197 lbs. to cut it to one, and a 21-4 technical fall by
D.J. Sims at 285 lbs. over Jody Crouse to give the Mountain Cats the victory.
Pitt-Johnstown is led by 2017 All-American
Cody Law (157 lbs.), two-time National Qualifier
D.J. Sims (285 lbs.), and National Qualifiers
Chris Eddins (141 lbs.),
Devin Austin (165 lbs.), and
Levi Niebauer (197 lbs.).
Nationally for Pitt-Johnstown,
Law (157 lbs.) is ranked second, while
Eddins (141 lbs.) is fourth, and
Niebauer (197 lbs.) is seventh.
Wheeling Jesuit, in its fifth season as a varsity program, is ranked 19
th nationally with a 5-3 record. The Cardinals also wrestled last night at Mercyhurst and that result is not reflected in the team's record. Last Saturday, first-year
Coach Danny Irwin's squad competed at the Will Abele Open and had seven wrestlers finish in the top-two, including
Jared Donahue (141 lbs.),
Connor Craig (157 lbs.),
Justice Avery (174 lbs.), and
Terrance Fanning (285 lbs.), who on won titles.
Wheeling Jesuit is led by 2-time All-American and No. 2-ranked
Dustin Warner at 133 lbs., No. 9 Connor Craig at 157 lbs., and 2017 National Qualifier
Terrance Fanning at 285 lbs.
Last year, Pitt-Johnstown traveled to Wheeling, W.Va. on January 27 and slipped by the Cardinals, 19-18 on the Third Criteria. The Mountain Cats scored 66 total points, while Wheeling Jesuit had 60 team points.
Key Match-Ups: Sam Holandez (UPJ) vs. 2-time All-American and NCAA No. 2
Dustin Warner (WJU) at 133 lbs…2017 National Qualifier and NCAA No. 4
Chris Eddins (UPJ) vs. Tyler Warner at 141 lbs…2017 All-American and NCAA No. 2
Cody Law (UPJ) vs. NCAA No 9
Connor Craig (WJU) at 157 lbs…2016 National Qualifier
Devin Austin (UPJ) vs. Keegan Driscoll (WJU) at 165 lbs.…2017 National Qualifier and NCAA No. 7
Levi Niebauer (UPJ) vs. Chase Logan (WJU) at 197 lbs…2-time National Qualifier
D.J. Sims (UPJ) vs. 2017 National Qualifier
Terrance Fanning (WJU) at 285 lbs.
Following Saturday's match against the Cardinals, Pitt-Johnstown will host PSAC matches Gannon University on Friday and Millersville University on February 2. Both matches are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. in the Sports Center.
