PITT'S MATT KOCHER WINS WVU OPEN
11/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 7, 2006
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Three members of the Pitt wrestling team traveled to the WVU Open last weekend where they were successful against several regional and conference opponents. Redshirt junior Matt Kocher won the championship bout at 157 pounds. Zach Bowman and Dave Kapetanovich had strong showings at 141 pounds and 149 pounds, respectively.
Kocher (State College, Pa./State College) finished 4-0 at 157 pounds, recording two pins and upsetting two EWL opponents en route to his tournament win. He won his first match with a 17-3 major decision over Maryland's Spencer Hollerith. In his second bout, Kocher pinned Andrew Kreiger of UNCG around the 4:00 mark. He then went on to pin Lock Haven's Seth Martin in overtime around 7:35. In the championship bout, Kocher won a 3-1 decision over West Virginia's Zac Fryling.
Kapetanovich (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills/CCAC) finished 4-2 at 149 pounds. He won his first match with a 7-3 decision over Scott Matthews of Davidson. Kapetanovich was pinned in his second bout at the 0:35 mark by Hadley Harrison of Clarion. He won his third match by default over Donnie Ament of Lock Haven and his fourth match by default over Nick Rendinell of West Virginia. Kapetanovich pinned Christian Harr of Penn State at the 6:34 mark before falling to Keith Bernard of Maryland.
Bowman (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) wrestled up a weight class at 141 pounds, finishing 1-2 in the tournament. He won a 6-4 decision over Adam Kimbrell of Virginia. In his second bout he lost in a 5-3 decision to Lehigh's Nate Spangler. Bowman then faced Eric Luke where he was pinned at the 2:54 mark.
The Pitt wrestling team opens its 2006-07 season next week at Rider. They'll face the Broncs on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.