College roundup: Kemmerer impressing at Penn

by Don Seeley, Pottstown Mercury Sports Editor

Posted on December 15, 2009

PHILADELPHIA — Before Zack Kemmerer graduated from Upper Perkiomen High School, he left behind a slew of area, district and state records. Among them were a pair of PIAA championships, four state medals overall, and an eye-opening 199 career wins.

This year, at least through the first month of Penn's wrestling season, Kemmerer is putting up impressive numbers once again.

The 141-pound junior upped his record to 17-2 last Friday night with a 10-4 decision in the Quakers' 32-6 loss to No. 7 Maryland.

Teammate Mark Rappo (Council Rock South) dropped a narrow decision at 125, while Maryland's Mike Letts (Octorara) posted a 7-4 decision at 174 and Pat Gilmore (Council Rock South) accepted a forfeit in the win.

Kemmerer was slowed considerably his first two years at Penn by injuries. He was 11-7 as a freshman, when a broken hand cost him the final two months of the season. Last year, he was 13-6.

This past week, Kemmerer was No. 18 in the Amateur Wrestling News rankings.

Liberty's Brad Clark (Methacton) came up with a pair of decisions, improving his record to 9-2, to help the Flames defeat both Princeton and the Merchant Marine Academy.

Penn State's Justin Ortega (Oxford) survived a 4-2 decision at 174 to help the No. 14 Nittany Lions escape with a 14-14 tie against No. 25 Pitt. Ortega, 3-5 on the season, dropped a 5-2 decision in Penn State's 33-12 rout of West Virginia. The Mountaineers' Brandon Loro (Springfield-Delco) lost by fall at 149.

Rider's Jim Resnick (Penncrest) came up short in a 7-6 decision at 174 during the Broncs' 17-16 thriller over Army.

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Four Pennsylvania teams – Lehigh (No. 11), Penn State (No. 14), Edinboro (No. 19) and Pitt (No. 25) – appeared in last week's latest InterMat team rankings. Iowa and Iowa State are first and second, respectively, on the chart.

InterMat had Bloomsburg's Matt Moley (Spring-Ford) listed No. 4 at 157. Letts and Gilmore were No. 6 and No. 20, respectively, at 174 and 285 pounds.

DIVISION II

Kutztown's Chris Sheetz (Upper Perkiomen) and Shippensburg's Nate Nauroth (Quakertown) were listed in the latest Division II national rankings. Sheetz, a two-time NCAA Division III All-American before transferring to Kutztown this past summer, was No. 5 at 125 pounds. Nauroth is also No. 5 at 141 pounds.

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Findlay (Ohio) slipped seven spots to No. 19 in the Division II team rankings. Junior Jordan Yesesky (St. Pius X) is a member of the Findlay team.

DIVISION III

Ithaca got a 14-1 major decision at 133 pounds from Seth Ecker (Pottstown) in a 35-6 romp over Oswego State, then a 13-1 major at 141 pounds from Jeremy Stierly (Owen J. Roberts) and a forfeit win at 165 from John Dale (North Penn) in a 37-9 victory over RIT. Ecker (12-4), Stierly (16-2) – who is ranked No. 3 nationally – and Dale (10-7) have helped the Bombers move up to No. 4 in the Division III rankings.

Delaware Valley got one win each from Zach Haynes (Council Rock North), Brian Kahill (Pennsbury) and Eric McCann (Pennridge) in a double-dual sweep of defending junior college champion Nassau C.C. (29-3) and Gloucester C.C. (38-0). The No. 11 ranked Aggies are now 4-0.

Elizabethtown got a 12-5 decision at 125 pounds from Will Bentley (Owen J. Roberts) to defeat Johns Hopkins, 30-9, and even its overall mark at 2-2.

NCWA

West Chester moved up to No. 5 in the National College Wrestling Association after thumping both Williamson Trade (37-11) and Middlesex C.C. (34-3) last weekend. The Rams got two wins each from Steve Armour (Springfield-Delco) at 149; Dillon Evans (Council Rock South) at 165; Dustin Trancredi (Council Rock South) at 174; Brandon Banks (Wissahickon) at 197; and Brian Nicholson (Radnor) at 285.

RPI senior Ryan Michaels (Pottsgrove), a two-time NCWA All-American and ranked No. 6 nationally, was upset 3-1 during last week's Retriever Duals in Md.

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Findlay (Ohio) slipped seven spots to No. 19 in the Division II team rankings. Junior Jordan Yesesky (St. Pius X) is a member of the Findlay team. ... Wilkes freshman Justin Franiak (Spring-Ford) is working behind senior Andrew Feldman, who is ranked No. 8 at 285 pounds.

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