Panthers Compete in Slippery Rock Open
11/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 10, 2005
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Four Panther wrestlers traveled to Slippery Rock last weekend to compete in the Slippery Rock Open. The competition was held on Saturday and featured a number of tri-state teams.
Junior Matt Kocher (State College, Pa./State College) led the Panthers, capturing the tournament title at 157 pounds. Kocher defeated Rob Hermo of Clarion 7-0 in the first round and Al Wonesh of Lycoming 17-2 in the second round. He went on to pin Mike Vacarier of Gannon in the third round at the 2:58 mark on his way to winning the finals, 12-5, over Chris Wade.
Keith Gavin (Factoryville, Pa./Lackawanna Trail) was on his way to being undefeated after winning his first match against Chris Swan of Bloomsburg, 23-11, and pinning Jacob Tazzi of Gannon at 1:42. Gavin had to forfeit his third match against Ben Hepburn of Lock Haven because of an injury.
Dave Kapetanovich (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills/CCAC), a redshirt freshman and Panther newcomer, went 2-2 in the tournament. Kapetanovich posted wins over both Jared Hirtz of Thiel, 11-5, and Brad Shrum of Duquesne by a 9-3 count.
Redshirt freshman Matt Darnell (Lyndhurst, Ohio/Cuyahoga Valley C.A.) competed for the Panthers at 197 this weekend, also finishing with a 2-2 record. He secured two wins over Morgan Wanzer of AIC, 4-0, and Adam Lange of Mt. Union College in the second and third rounds of the tournament, respectively.
The Panthers will officially open their season on Tuesday, November 15, at Bloomsburg.