FEBRUARY 27, 2014

NCAA EAST REGIONAL WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS SET FOR SUNDAY AT KING'S

WILKES-BARRE — A total of 19 teams will be competing for 30 berths into the NCAA Division III National Tournament when the NCAA East Regional Championships take place Sunday, March 2 Scandlon Gymnasium on the campus of King's College, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

The top three wrestlers from each weight class will receive automatic berths into the NCAA Division III National Wrestling Championships slated for March 14-5 at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  

A total of 19 teams from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and Virginia will be on hand to earn a shot  at competing for a national title. Those teams include Centenary (NJ), Delaware Valley (PA), Ferrum (VA), Gettysburg (PA), Hunter (NY), Johns Hopkins (MD), King's (PA), McDaniel (MD), Merchant Marine Academy (NY), Mount Saint Vincent (NY), Muhlenberg (PA), New York University, Scranton (PA), Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ), The College of New Jersey, Ursinus (PA), Washington & Lee (VA), Wilkes (PA), and Yeshiva (NY).

The field of teams is strong as six squads competing are ranked in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III National Team Rankings announced February 25.  They include Wilkes (18-3), 8th; Delaware Valley (11-5), 12th; Ursinus (16-0), 14th; The College of New Jersey (8-8), 25th; and Centenary (6-6), 26th.

Individually, the crop of wrestlers is also outstanding as a total of 16 nationally-ranked grapplers will compete in the event. Every weight class except one has at least one wrestler ranked in the NWCA Top-10.

The 125-pound class stands as one of the strongest as three wrestlers are ranked in the NWCA Top-10.  Johns Hopkins junior Paul Bewak is ranked second nationally with a record of 29-1 and earned all-American honors in 2012 with a seventh-place finish. Ursinus junior Chris Donaldson is ranked fifth with a 22-1 mark and placed second in the 2013 East Regionals while earning All-American honors with a sixth-place finish a year ago.  After competing in the NWCA All-Star Classic, Donaldson placed second in the 2014 Centennial Conference Tournament, losing on a medical forfeit in the finals. Wilkes sophomore Guesseppe Rea stands ninth nationally in Division III with a 25-5 record while Mike Mui of the Merchant Marine Academy is 22-5 and won the Centennial Conference Tournament where he was named the Outstanding Wrestler. Freshman Robert Cunningham of Ferrum is 18-6, junior Zac Haynes of Delaware Valley is 13-7, while junior Kenneth Albert of Hunter is 18-9. Freshman Kevin Corrigan of The College of New Jersey is 11-7, Stevens freshman Bob Murray is 11-9 and was third in the Centennial tourney, while King's sophomore Jamie Scarantino is 10-10 on the year.

At 133-pounds, McDaniel sophomore Ryan Boyle heads the weight class with a number-five nationally ranking after ending the regular-season with a 25-1 record and was named the Centennial Conference "Wrestler of the Year" after winning the C.C. Tourney title. Centenary senior Zach Huxford placed third at last season's East Regional and qualified for nationals. He is currently 7-3 on the year and wrestled at Division I George Mason, where he was 8-13 in two seasons, before enrolling at Centenary. Senior Ray Yagloski of Johns Hopkins is 28-9 placed in the top-three in five tournaments this season and was the 2014 Centennial Conference runner-up. Wilkes senior Myzar Mendoza is 24-6 on the year and won the Monarch Invitational. Ursinus sophomore Keven Hoogheem is 26-11 and placed third in the Centennial Conference Tournament while Connor Kirkegard of Delaware Valley is 13-7 and was the 2014 Middle Atlantic Conference runner-up. Ferrum freshman Justin Zimmerman stands at 14-8, Hunter sophomore Jayden Rice is 9-2, while Stevens sophomore Ryan Wilson is 12-9 on the year.

In the 141-pound class, junior Brandon Jones of New York University, who began his collegiate career at Iowa State, is ranked second nationally with a 14-2 record. Senior Henry Stauber of Johns Hopkins is ranked eighth nationally with a 20-9 mark and won the Centennial Conference title. Freshman Collin Farley of Centenary is 19-8. Ursinus senior Eli Gaylor is 18-4 on the year and was the Centennial Conference runner-up, while junior David Davidson of Delaware Valley won the 2014 Middle Atlantic Conference title and sports a 20-10 record.   Ian Evans of Scranton has enjoyed a solid freshman year where he is 29-6 and won the Washington & Lee Invitational. Evans, however, is recovering from an injury and will hopefully be able to compete. Freshman Alvontae Drummond of McDaniel is 7-9 but placed third in the Centennial Conference tourney. Senior Matt Spano of Gettysburg is 20-10 and a four-time Centennial Tournament place-winner, including a fourth in 2014, while Ferrum freshman Logan Meister is 16-8.

The 149-pound class is another deep weight with three top-10 grapplers.  Wilkes senior Mike Hartenstine is ranked fourth nationally with a 34-1 mark and was a Division III national qualifier a year ago after placing second at East Regionals. He was also the 2014 Middle Atlantic Conference champion. Delaware Valley junior Vinny Fava is rated 8th nationally with a 21-3 mark and was the 2014 MAC runner-up.  Ursinus freshman Derek Arnold is ranked 10th nationally with a 33-4 season mark and won the Centennial Conference championship. Mike Polizzi  of Stevens is 21-4 and was second in the Centennial Conference tourney. King's senior Chris Mazzocchi looks to contend after going 14-8 this season and placing third at the Middle Atlantic Conference Tournament. Senior Duncan Crystal of Johns Hopkins is 20-6 this season and was third in the Centennial Conference tourney. Centenary junior Kyle Casaletto could be a wrestler to watch for. The East Regionals will be his first competition of the season but Casaletto went 24-15 wrestling two years at Division I The Citadel.  Junior Mason Goretsas of McDaniel is 21-9 was fourth in the Centennial Conference.

While the 157-pound class does not have a nationally-ranked wrestler, there is plenty of talent. Wilkes senior Kris Krawchuck was a Division III national runner-up a year ago.  Krawchuck missed the first semester of competition but has returned to post an 11-5 record and won the Middle Atlantic Conference championship. Another top veteran challenger senior Emmanuel Ajagbe who earned all-American honors last season with an eighth-place finish at157. Ajagabe is currently 14-5 overall and 110-35 for his career. He was the 2014 MAC runner-up. Ursinus junior Richard Jasinski is 29-4 this season and won the 2014 Centennial Conference title. Christian Salera was 16-16 and placed second in the Centennial Conference.  Senior Ben Stallings of the Merchant Marine Academy is 15-9 and was third in the Centennial Conference tourney. King's senior Gordon Custer is 12-10, as is Stevens sophomore Leo Wortman.

At 165, two unbeaten and nationally ranked wrestlers headline the weight class. Senior Chris Burdge of Centenary is a three-time All-American placing eighth in 2011, fifth in 2012, and third last season. He was the 2013 East Regional champion at 157 prior to moving up a weight class this season.  KIng's senior Tommy Desir is ranked 5th nationally at 165 and owns a 22-0 mark. Desir has won four tournaments in 2013-14, including the Middle Atlantic Conference championship. Anthony Carlo of Ursinus stands at 29-3 and won the Centennial Conference title. New York University freshman John Messinger is 20-9 this season and was second in the Mt. St. Vincent tourney. Junior Conner Barr is 20-8 this season while sophomore Anthony Mancella of The College of New Jersey is 15-8. Senior Alec Horan of Delaware Valley is 18-8 and placed fourth at the Middle Atlantic Conference Tournament. Wilkes senior Phil Racciato is 16-12 while Ferrum freshman Josh Alston stands at 12-10 on the year.

Heading the 174-pound class is senior Zach Zottolo of The College of New Jersey is ranked seventh nationally. He earned All-American honors a year after placing fourth at 174 in the D-III national tournament. Zottollo currently sports an 18-4 record and was second in last season's East Regional.  Centenary freshman Josh Sibblies could contend after posting a 14-4 mark in his rookie year. Ursinus junior Robert Scarmuzza is 16-7 this season, senior Chris Amro of New York University is 13-8. Ron Tassoni of Washington & Lee is 18-7 and won the Centennial Conference championship while sophomore Kyle Diesel of Wilkes is 20-11 and was second in the Middle Atlantic Conference Tournament. Scranton junior Shaun Flesche is 19-10 this season. Jared Leon of Gettysburg is 11-5 this season and is a three-time Centennial Conference place-winner, including a second in both 2012 and 2014. Junior Zach Barr of Stevens is 10-10 and was third in the Centennial Conference tournament while senior Josh Miller of Merchant Marine is 16-7 on the year.

At 184-pounds two nationally-ranked wrestlers highlight the weight class. Brian Broderick of The College of New Jersey is rated fourth by the NWCA and was the NCAA Division III national runner-up at 184 last season. Broderick, who is 101-17 for his career, is 11-3 this season.  Centenary freshman Giovanni Santiago is ranked 10th at 184 and is 7-1 on the year.  King's junior Shane Stark was third in the 2013 East Regionals and qualified for the Division III national tournament. Stark is 13-4 after missing the first semester with an injury but returned to win the Mt. St. Vincent Tournament and was second at the Middle Atlantic Conference championships. Senior Ryan Dorman of Stevens is 18-9 after winning the Centennial Conference title while Ursinus junior Daniel Manganaro is 26-5 and placed second in the Centennial Conference Tournament. Wilkes sophomore Levi Veppert is 22-13 and placed third in the Middle Atlantic Conference Tournament while Ferrum freshman Corbin Ramos owns a 10-6 mark.

In the 197-pound class, Delaware Valley junior Aaron Karns is ranked seventh nationally with a 23-4 record and is the defending East Regional champion and earned All-American honors last season with a sixth-place finish. He is also the 2014 Middle Atlantic Conference champion. Ursinus junior Christian Psomas is perfect this season with a 15-0 mark and won the 2014 Centennial Conference title.  New York University junior Matt DiGiovanni is 18-5 this year and won the Mt. St. Vincent Invitational. Washington & Lee freshman Bennett Lewis is 18-8 this season and placed second in the Centennial Conference tourney. Eric Bach of Wilkes is 13-7 and was third in the Middle Atlantic Conference Tournament, Hunter sophomore Dennis Melendez stands at 21-14, while King's senior Cemah Tudae-Torboh is 8-7 on the year.

At 285, Delaware Valley freshman Zach Roseberry is 21-5 the season and is currently ranked 20th nationally. He also placed second in the Middle Atlantic Conference Tournament. Wilkes senior William Fletcher is 19-8 and qualified for nationals last season after placing third in the East Regional Tournament. Chris Florek of Stevens is 19-8 and won the 2014 Centennial Conference title.  Scranton sophomore Eric Calimano is 21-3 and won the R.I.T. Invitational while Hunter sophomore Patryk Kopczynski sports a 15-5 mark. Ursinus freshman Matan Peleg is 13-9 this season and placed second in the 2014 Centennial Conference Championships. Brian Walker of the Merchant Marine Academy is 22-8 after placing third in the Centennial tourney.


Nationally Ranked Wrestlers in the NCAA East Regional Tournament

125-pounds
Paul Bewak, junior, Johns Hopkins, 2nd
Chris Donaldson, junior Ursinus, 5th
Guesseppe Rea, sophomore, Wilkes, 9th

133-pounds
Ryan Boyle, sophomore, McDaniel, 5th

141-pounds
Brandon Jones, junior NYU, 2nd
Henry Stauber, senior, Johns Hopkins, 8th

149-pounds
Mark Hartenstine, senior, Wilkes, 4th
Vinny Fava, junior, Delaware Valley, 8th
Derek Arnold, freshman, Ursinus, 10th

157-pounds
None

165-pounds
Chris Burdge, senior, Centenary, 1st
Tommy Desir, senior, King's, 5th

174-pounds
Zach Zottollo, senior, The College of New Jersey, 7th

184-pounds
Brian Broderick, senior, The College of New Jersey, 4th
Giovanni Santiago, freshman, Centenary, 10th

197-pounds
Aaron Karns, junior, Delaware Valley, 7th

285-pounds
Zach Roseberry, freshman, Delaware Valley, 8th