The Mountain Cats are coming off of a sixth place finish at last weekend's NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals at Northern Iowa University. Pitt Johnstown defeated Central Missouri State, Mercyhurst and #7 Shippensburg, but suffered a second round loss to #6 Ashland (OH) and a 26-16 loss to #8 Augustana (SD) in the fifth place match. Seniors Ryon Mazzocco (125 lbs.) and Thad Benton (141 lbs.) both posted 5-0 records at the National Duals. The Mountain Cats have six wrestlers nationally-ranked, including Benton (141 lbs.) and Mike Corcetti (184 lbs.), who are both ranked #1. Mazzocco (125 lbs.) is ranked #3, while Eli Garshnick (174 lbs.), Mike Fowler (197 lbs.) and Zach Majocha (HWT.) are all ranked #8 in their respective weight classes.
With three victories at last weekend's National Duals, Coach Pecora enters Friday's match with 399 career wins in 30 seasons at Pitt Johnstown. Pecora, who ranks 18th all-time among wrestling coaches in all divisions, has led his Mountain Cats to NCAA Division II National Championships in 1996 and 1999 and 18 NCAA Regional Championships. His Mountain Cat squads have also finished in the Top-20 in the nation 22 times. In his tenure, Pecora has tutored 106 NCAA All-Americans, eight individual National Champions and 69 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Academic Wrestling Team members.
After winning the 1999 National Title, Pecora received the NWCA Coaching Excellence Award given to the best coach in all divisions. He also coached the National All-Star Team, which showcased the best wrestlers from all divisions.
Pecora, a two-time Division II National Coach of the Year and an 11-time Regional Coach of the Year, has been inducted into the NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame (2003), Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, East Boro Chapter (1994), Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame (1998) and his Alma Mater, West Liberty State (WV) College Hall of Fame (1998).
Head Coach Dock Kelly's (6th season) Trojans are 5-7 following a 30-17 home win over Pensacola Christian on Tuesday. Hunter Garner (174 lbs.) and Jeremy Smith (184 lbs.) earned falls in Tuesday's victory. The Trojans are led by 2005 National Qualifier Dayo Scott (197 lbs.).
Probable match-ups include: NCAA #3 Ryon Mazzocco (UPJ) vs. Tyler Davis at 125 lbs…Tom Brambley or Derrek Bosso (UPJ) vs. Anthony DiCarlo at 133 lbs…NCAA #1 Thad Benton (UPJ) vs. East Region #6 Nick DiCarlo at 141 lbs…East Region #5 Jay Matteo or Eric Svec (UPJ) vs. Carl Waller at 149 lbs…Joe Strittmatter (UPJ) vs. East Region #6 Herb Porter at 157 lbs…Rob Sakmar (UPJ) vs. Matt Godwin at 165 lbs…NCAA #8 Eli Garshnick (UPJ) or Adam Musisko (UPJ) vs. Hunter Garner at 174 lbs…NCAA #1 Mike Corcetti (UPJ) vs. East Region #6 Jeremy Smith at 184 lbs…NCAA #8 Mike Fowler (UPJ) vs. East Region #6 Dayo Scott at 197 lbs…NCAA #8 Zach Majocha or Jon Neese (UPJ) vs. East Region #5 Aaron Lambert at Heavyweight.
The Mountain Cats travel to the East Coast Duals at Shippensburg on Saturday, before returning home to host Gannon University on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Sports Center.
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now