WRESTLERS PREPARE FOR INAUGURAL AMCC WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP

The AMCC is preparing to host its Inaugural Wrestling Championship this weekend at Penn State Behrend. Wrestlers will take to the mats on Sunday morning at 10:00am. 

Alfred State College has had it's best season in it's short NCAA and AMCC history. With a lot of early season success, the Ox Gang continued it's momentum all season long, only losing three duals all year. The Pioneers swept the AMCC regular season meet and will look to continue that success throughout the conference championship. The Pioneers have had solid production from their entire lineup. Some standouts include Sean Malenfant, Justin Smith and Evan Albrecht. Malenfant is the Pioneers' pin leader and ranked 13 nationally in the most recent NWCA polls. Smith has seven total pins and heavyweight Albrecht has five pins so far this year. Sean Peterson climbed regional rankings, as he landed the six spot in the most recent polls. Newcomer Zach Levey has been listed at the three spot in his respective weight class in the Mideast region. The Pioneers finished their dual season 11-3.

The Hiram College men's wrestling team is 3-10 in dual meets this season; it beat Penn State Behrend on Dec. 10 (35-14) and Jan. 7 (33-22) and took down Wilmington on Jan. 14 (50-5). Most recently on Feb. 4, Alex Savering (141 lbs) and Devan Welch (285 lbs) both picked up wins in a quad meet at home. It continued a great stretch for Welch, who also won 1^st place in the 285-lb bracket at the Jamestown Open on Jan. 29. The senior out of Mentor, Ohio was named AMCC Athlete of the Week for his efforts.

The Pitt-Bradford wrestling team has had a much improved season, winning four matches as a team. As individuals, the Panthers have won 113 matches. Freshman D.J. Slovick has led the Panthers with 21 victories. He is 21-14 overall with 10 pins, four tech falls and two major decisions. His versatility has been key, as he has wrestled at three different weight classes this season. Colton Gietler leads the team in winning percentage, taking 14 of 21 matches with four pins, two tech falls and four major decisions. Freshman heavyweight Cameron Carter-Green has also been a strong competitor for Pitt-Bradford, winning 15 of 24 matches.

The Penn State Behrend Lions wrestling team heads into the season under the direction of first-year head coach Caleb Garvey. Sophomore Kyle Trim leads the team with a 14-9 overall record. The heavyweight also leads with nine pinfalls and one major decision. Trim has won four of the last six bouts heading into the championships. Freshman Zach Dellinger is second with eight wins, including two pins, two major decisions and one technical fall at 125. 

Click here for live video of the AMCC Champioship match. 

Click here for the Championship Brackets.