Campus Roundup: Winter athletes making their mark
Monday, February 16, 2009
By Jon Christoff Sports Writer
Even with the cold winter months in full effect, several formal local athletes are heating things up on the court, on the mat or in the pool. Here's a look at what some of those individuals are doing. Wrestling
Brad Pataky, Penn State: Pataky has continued to have individual success on the mat, while the Nittany Lions have been struggling as a whole. The former Bison standout had a five-match winning streak against Big Ten opponents snapped on Sunday with a 9-3 loss to fourth-ranked Charlie Falck (Iowa), but bounced back in impressive fashion with a 17-2 tech fall over Eric Olanowski of Michigan State on Friday.
Pataky is currently ranked No. 13 nationally, and is 25-6 on the season. Penn State (8-10-2) wrestles Michigan tonight with Pataky tangling with 17th-ranked Michael Watts.
Before falling to Falck, Pataky picked up another big win against a ranked opponent, as he defeated fifth-ranked Zach Sanders (Minnesota) on Jan. 30. Pataky cruised to an 8-1 lead and picked up a 13-6 win in Penn State's 21-19 loss to the Golden Gophers.
Pataky followed by picking up major decisions over Wisconsin's Drew Hammen and Ohio State's Nikko Triggas.
Matt Kyler, Army: The 10th-ranked Kyler picked up an 11-4 decision over East Stroudsburg's Scott Heckman on Friday night to follow up a first-place finish in the Academy Championships on Feb. 7.
Kyler pinned his way to the finals at the championships, where he decisioned Navy's Bryce Saddoris, who was ranked No. 6 at 149. The Clearfield alum is 34-4 on the season and has won 20 straight matches after falling in the Las Vegas Invitational on Dec. 7.
The Black Knights travel to Lehigh for a 1 p.m. start today.
Kyle Keane, Pitt-Johnstown: Keane, still ranked No. 4 at 165 in Division II, has not wrestled since Jan. 23. Pitt-Johnstown is currently ranked No. 7 nationally and returns to action Wednesday at Shippensburg University.
Tommy Barger, Lycoming: Wrestling at 144 pounds, Barger went 1-1 for the Warriors in their final two dual meets of the season.
Barger defeated Boston University's Abbie Rush, 6-3, before falling to SUNY-Binghamton's Kareem Naguib, 11-4.
Lycoming is back in action at the Empire Collegiate Conference Championships on Feb. 21.
Derek Caldwell, Lock Haven: The Curwensville alum went 2-2 over the weekend at the Edinboro Open. Caldwell dropped his first match, 7-2, but picked up a fall over Lehigh's Samir Soriano and a forfeit win over Tony Petrella of Gannon.
The Lock Haven 174-pounder had his tournament ended at the hands of Michigan's Cody Waters, who went on for sixth.
Swimming and Diving
John Lytle, Notre Dame: The former Clearfield swimmer competed in the 200 medley relay in the Fighting Irish's convincing 173-103 win over Olivet (Mich.) College over the weekend. Lytle was the first member of his team in the water. Lytle and his teammates finished the race in third.
Notre Dame (7-6) will travel to Indianapolis for the Big East Championships on Wednesday.
Chris Bodle and John Bodle, Westminster: Westminster has wrapped up its regular season and will compete at the President's Athletic Conference Championships this weekend at Grove City. The competition began Thursday and wraps up today.
Ryan Sayers, Washington & Jefferson: Sayers and the rest of the Presidents' team are currently competing at the President's Athletic Conference Championships. Washington & Jefferson is one of 10 teams taking part in the event.
Men's Basketball
Todd Hryn, Pitt-Greensburg: Hryn played a pivotal role in the Bobcats' 75-51 win at Mount Aloysius on Wednesday. The former Clearfield forward netted 10 points in 12 minutes, but Pitt-Greensburg couldn't duplicate its success in a 81-66 loss to Medaille last Saturday. Hryn averages 4.5 points per game to go along with 41 rebounds, five assists, four steals and a block for Pitt-Greensburg (6-12).
All former area athletes who play a sanctioned college sport are eligible to be recognized by The Progress for their athletic endeavors in the College Roundup. Athletes are encouraged to have their school's sports information director fax, mail or email updates on their progress to the sports department. Updates can be faxed to 814-765-5165 or mailed to College Roundup, c/o The Progress Sports Department, Post Office Box 291, Clearfield, PA 16830-0291. Emails are also accepted at sports@theprogressnews.com .
