No. 3 Wrestlers Set for Saturday's NCAA Regional Tournament at Mercyhurst

Johnstown, PA

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      Head Coach Pat Pecora and the third-ranked Pitt-Johnstown wrestlers will travel to Mercyhurst University for the 2020 NCAA Division II Super Region I Tournament on Saturday in search of the program's 23^rd NCAA Regional Championship. Eleven schools are scheduled to participate, with the top three wrestlers in each of the 10 weight classes advancing to the NCAA Division II National Tournament in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on March 13 and 14.

      Along with No. 3 Pitt-Johnstown, which claimed its 22^nd region title last season, this year's Super I Regional Tournament will feature several other of the nation's top-ranked teams, including 10^th-ranked Mercyhurst, 14^th-ranked Kutztown, 16^th-ranked East Stroudsburg, and 23^rd-ranked Gannon.

      In addition to the ranked teams, American International (MA) College, Alderson-Broaddus (WV) University, Fairmont State (WV) University, Millersville University, Seton Hill University, and Shippensburg University will also be part of the 11-team field.

      Many of the nation's top-ranked individuals will be battling for spots in the national tournament, including Pitt-Johnstown's top-ranked and two-time National Champion Chris Eddins at 149 lbs., East Stroudsburg No. 1-ranked Mike Raccioppi at 174 lbs., and Kutztown's No. 1-ranked Andrew Dunn at 285 lbs.

      In all, 19 nationally-ranked wrestlers are scheduled for compete.

      Along with Eddins, the No.1-ranked wrestler in the country at 149 lbs., Pitt-Johnstown has five other wrestlers nationally-ranked. 2019 All-American Brendan Howard is third at 125 lbs., and 2019 National Champion Connor Craig is fourth at 174 lbs. In addition, 2019 National Champion Tyler Warner (133 lbs.) and 2019 All-American Brock Biddle (184 lbs.) are both ranked sixth, and two-time All-American Devin Austin is ranked eighth at 165 lbs.

      Nine of the 10 Mountain Cats competing in the 2020 Super Region I Tournament are ranked in the region. Howard (125 lbs.), Warner (133 lbs.), Jacob Ealy (141 lbs.), Eddins (149 lbs.), and Craig (174 lbs.), are all ranked first in their respective weight classes, and Biddle is second at 184 lbs. Austin is ranked third, Alex Delp (197 lbs.) is fourth, and Allan Beattie (185 lbs.) is fifth.

      Jacob Burgette will represent the Mountain Cats at 157 lbs.

      Session I will begin on Saturday at 10 a.m., with the First Round, Championship semifinals & consolation quarterfinals (4 mats) followed by consolation semifinals (2 mats).
      Session II will start at 6:30 p.m., featuring the Championship finals (1^st place matches) and consolation finals (3^rd and 5^th place matches) and Championship Finals (1^st place matches) and Consolations finals, "True 4^th place" will be wrestled on (2 mats).

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