PSAC Championships

Dec, 10 2011 - 9:00 a.m.
Hosted by Mercyhurst College
Erie, Pa.

2011 PSAC Informational Packet
2011-12 Mercyhurst College Visitors Guide
Championship Program (Includes Projected Lineups)

Final Team Standings
Final Brackets

Tournament Preview:

Clarion is the defending champion as the Golden Eagles claimed their first PSAC title since 1994 last season. That broke a five-year reign by Edinboro as the team champions. The Fighting Scots have won eight of the last 10 and 11 of the last 14 PSAC championships. Bloomsburg in 2005 and Lock Haven in 2001 are the only other schools in addition to Clarion to have won the team title in the last 14 years. In fact, the last school other than Edinboro, Clarion, Bloomsburg or Lock Haven to win a PSAC title was Slippery Rock, which no longer sponsors wrestling, in 1975. The last current wrestling program to win a title other than the aforementioned four schools was East Stroudsburg in 1971.

The Golden Eagles had three individual champions at last year's meet, and all three of those individual will return to defend their titles at the same weight class. James Fleming (157), the reigning PSAC Co-Wrestler of the Week, Bekzod Abdurakhmonov (165) and Alex Thomas (197) will all look to lead Clarion to a second straight team title. Thomas will be looking to become a three-time PSAC champion. There have been 62 three-time PSAC champions, of which 14 have also won a fourth title.

The returning trio of champions from Clarion is only a third of the returning champions looking for their second straight titles this year as this season's championships will be a bit unique in that 10 former PSAC champions will be returning, including nine of last year's 10 individual winners. The lone individual titlist from last year not returning is Edinboro's Torsten Gillespie (149). 2010 champions looking to defend their titles from last year at the same weight class in addition to the Clarion trio mentioned above are Nick Wilcox of Bloomsburg (133), Derek Shingara of Bloomsburg (141), Mike Dessino of Bloomsburg (174) and Harry Turner of Lock Haven (Hwt).

Additionally, Chris Honeycutt of Edinboro, the reigning PSAC Wrestler of the Year and a two-time PSAC champion at 184, including last year, will wrestle at 197 this year, setting up a potentially intriguing matchup with Thomas as both wrestlers look for their third career PSAC title. Also, Evan Yenolevich of Kutztown will wrestle at 133 after claiming the championship at 125 last year while wrestling for Edinboro. Furthermore, Bloomsburg's Frank Hickman, who won the 2009 individual title at 141, will wrestle at 157 this year, setting up another potential matchup between former PSAC champions if both he and Clarion's Fleming square off.

Bout-by-Bout Preview:

125 lbs - Last season’s 125lb champion, Evan Yenolevich transferred, giving way to a new title contender in this year’s edition of the PSAC championships. Last year’s runner up Sean Boylan will enter the tournament with a 4-5 overall record while boasting a 24-18 career record.

Mercyhurst’s Ryan Bohince returns to this year’s field after finishing fourth last season, suffering a loss to Gannon’s Jose Matos. Last year’s fifth place finisher, Alex Abramat returns for Millersville while Chris Sheetz and Chris Davis also look to contend in this year’s field as they both rank in the Super Region I poll.

133 lbs - The 133lb class returns a lot of talent to the mat this season. Nick Wilcox of Bloomsburg won the class last year as a freshman and looks to repeat this season, but in order to do so he will have to battle last year’s runner up Joe Waltko of Clarion and last year’s 125lb champion Evan Yenolevich.

Edinboro’s A.J. Schopp will seek his first title, as a redshirt freshman, the 133-pounder is ranked eighth among all other division I wrestlers according to InterMat wrestling.

141 lbs - After an exciting championship battle last season, title holder Derek Shingara returns to the tournament in hopes of a repeat. Shingara erased a 3-0 lead in last season’s championship bout to prevail 9-6 against Clarion’s Cameron Moran who has bumped up to the 149lb class.

Mitch Voelker of Kutztown and Adam Hluschak of East Stroudsburg both placed last season and look to contend for the crown once again. Hluschak is ranked fourth nationally according to the NCAA wrestling coaches association. Lock Haven’s Mitchell Port a freshman, is ranked No.18 by InterMat wrestling and looks to make a run at the title in his rookie campaign.

149 lbs - The only returning 149-placewinner from last season is Gannon’s Ethan Swope. Swope finished second last season, and currently ranks fourth nationally. Last season Swope earned national qualifying status and competed in the NCAA tournament. Cameron Moran of Clarion jumps up from the 141lb class to the 149lb class this season. Moran placed second last season at the 141lb class and looks to make some noise this season at the 149lb division. Edinboro’s Dave Habat a freshman will figure into the mix as InterMat wrestling ranks him No.10 among division I wrestlers.

157 lbs - Three returning placewinners from a season ago look to battle for this season’s 157lb crown. Title holder, James Fleming finished last season with a 31-4 record and a trip to nationals. Bloomsburg’s Frank Hickman also made a trip to nationals last season after finishing third in the PSAC tournament. The only division II placewinner returning is Mercyhurst’s Jordan Shields. Shields finished fourth in the national tournament last season after winning his respective regional title.

Kenny Stank of Shippensburg placed fifth last season at the 149lb class and will compete at the 157lb level this season. Stank currently holds a 3-2 record with two pins.

165 lbs - After winning the 165lb class last season, Clarion’s Bekzod Abdurakhmonov looks to repeat this season. Abdurakhmonov will be challenged by returning placewinner Ricky Pena of Kutztown and Seth Creazy who also makes a jump up in weight after placing sixth last season at the 157lb class.

174 lbs - Four placewinners return this season including last year’s champion, Mike Dessino of Bloomsburg and last year’s runner-up Shane Smith of Millersville. Chris Hrunka of Edinboro will contend for the crown after placing fifth a year ago. Brenden McKeown of East Stroudsburg drops from the 184lb class where he finished fifth last season.

184 lbs - Steven Cressley of Clarion is the only placewinner returning from last year’s field. In order to complete his title search he will have to battle two new faces that have dropped down a weight class this season. Michael Pollard of Mercyhurst who finished third last season at the 197lb class and holds an 8-2 record. Pollard qualified for nationals last season after placing fourth in the region. Tyler Zittle of Shippensburg took fifth place last season at the 197lb class. He holds a 1-5 record at his new weight class.

197 lbs - Edinboro’s Chris Honeycutt has moved up a weight class this season after winning the 184lb title last season. Honeycutt is ranked third overall by InterMat and currently holds a 15-0 record which includes four consecutive wins on his way to a Las Vegas Invitational crown. Challenging Honeycutt will be last year’s 197lb champion, Alex Thomas who is currently ranked 20^th by InterMat. Another division I grappler looking for a title is Richard Perry who is ranked 16^th by InterMat.

285 lbs - Five placewinner will return to the 285lb class. Harry Turner of Lock Haven looks to replicate his performance from last season where he beat runner-up Ernest James of Edinboro with two late takedowns. James returns this season in search of the title and to avenge his loss from a season ago. Quintas McCorkle of Clarion and Zachary Walsh battled for third place last season with McCorkle coming out on top. The fifth place finisher last season Daniel Estricer returns and making his first PSAC championship appearance is Fred Hale of Mercyhurst who is ranked seventh nationally and third in the Super Region I poll.

Ticket Pricing:

Session I or Session II:

                                    Adults - $7.00
                                    Students - $2.00
                                    Free Admission for students from member institutions with valid I.D.

Tournament Passes (Both Sessions):

                                    Adults - $12.00
                                    Students - $2.00
                                    Free Admission for students from member institutions with valid I.D.

Directions:

VISITING TEAMS MUST ENTER MERCYHURST COLLEGE THROUGH PARADE STREET BLVD.

DIRECTIONS TO PARADE STREET BLVD FROM I-79 / 90

- Take I-90 east towards Buffalo
- Take exit 27 for State Street/ Waterford
- At the bottom of the exit ramp turn left onto route 505.
- Stay straight on 505 through two lights (Country Fair on the left; Arby’s on your right)
- At the third traffic light, turn right onto route 97 North (Old French Road)
- Travel approximately 2-3 miles on route 97 through two traffic lights and a caution light to the 38th street intersection.
- Turn right onto 38th street
- Turn third right onto Parade Blvd (look for large yellow sign that says “Slow Down Save a Life”
- **Very tight turn for large buses, use left lane to navigate the wide right turn
- Travel approximately 300 feet on Parade Blvd -- entrance will be on your left
- At the stop sign following the entrance, turn right

ALL OTHERS:

- Pittsburgh: I-79 north to I-90 east to Erie, exit 27. (130 miles)
- Buffalo: I-90 west to Erie, exit 27. (95 miles)
- Cleveland: I-90 east to Erie, exit 27. (95 miles)
- Philadelphia: PA Turnpike or I-80 west to I-79 north to I-90 east to Erie, exit 27. (394 miles)
- New York City: I-80 west to I-79 north to I-90 east to Erie, exit 27. (495 miles)
- Boston: I-90 west to Erie, exit 27. (552 miles)
- Long Island: Cross George Washington Bridge to I-80 west to I-79 north to I-90 east to Erie, exit 27. (485 miles)
- Exit 27 (State Street exit): Take Route 97 north for one mile to junction of Route 505. Veer right and continue on Route 97 north (Old
- French Road) to East 38th Street. Turn right, four blocks to Mercyhurst College.
- Erie International Airport: Head east on Route 5 (West 12th Street) to State Street. Turn right (south) on State Street to East 38th Street. Left five blocks to Mercyhurst College. (10 miles)