WL Wrestlers Fall at Kutztown

KUTZTOWN, Pa. - The No. 16-ranked West Liberty wrestling team dropped a 28-16 decision Saturday in a dual meet with Kutztown University at Kutztown's Keystone Hall.

After the teams traded forfeit wins in the 125- and 133-pound weight classes, the host Golden Bears got off to a flying start with back-to-back upset wins.

The Hilltoppers' Doug Surra, ranked No. 5 nationally at 141, lost a 10-1 major decision to unranked John Paukovits and West Liberty's Kayne Melko, the nation's No. 8-ranked 149-pounder, was pinned by unranked Brett Martinez just 95 seconds into their match.

Mitch Smith kept the visitors alive as his 11-1 major decision against Kutztown 157-pounder Chris Chambers cut the Golden Bears' lead to 16-10.

But Kutztown put the match on ice with four straight narrow decisions to take an insurmountable 28-10 lead into the final match of the day.

West Liberty 285-pounder Cody Tominack closed the match on a high note for the Hilltoppers, notching a first-period fall against Kevin Bolinsky to wrap up the scoring.

The West Liberty wrestling team will be back in action on Friday when the Hilltoppers travel to Laurinburg, N.C. for the East Coast Duals at St. Andrews Presbyterian College.
Kutztown 28 West Liberty 16
125 — Steve Riner (WLS) wins by forfeit
133 — Joe Kemmerer (KU) wins by forfeit
141 — John Paukovits (KU) maj. dec. Doug Surra (WLS), 10-1
149 — Brett Martinez (KU) pinned Kayne Melko (WLS), 1:35
157 — Mitch Smith (WLS) maj. dec. Chris Chambers (KU), 11-1
165 — David Zeek (KU) dec. Jarrod Shaw (WLS), 5-4
174 — Sonny Flood (KU) dec. Seth Phalen (WLS), 6-5
184 — Bobby Mort (KU) dec. Mitch Knapp (WLS), 4-2
197 — Scott Sndyer (KU) dec. Matt Hill (WLS), 3-1
285 — Cody Tominak (WLS) pinned Kevin Bolinsky (KU), 1:33


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