WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- Twice in the last three seasons, the Pennsylvania College of Technology wrestling program was represented at the NCAA Division III National Championships. This weekend, the Wildcats will be looking to add to that list.
Action in the Region 2 Championships at Ithaca College gets underway at 10 a.m. on Friday and continues at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The top three finishers in each weight class will earn a trip to nationals on March 13-14 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
During the 2022-23 season, then-freshman Isaac Cory, of Montoursville, placed second in the region at 184 pounds, and a year ago, now graduated Noah Hunt, of Muncy, was third at 141 pounds. After being sidelined by an early-season injury two years ago, Cory, now a senior, was fifth in the region at 184 a year ago, and now is in the regional lineup at 174 pounds for the first time in his collegiate career, and seeing his first action of the season after recovering from another injury.
Joining him will be freshman Harris Keares, of York, at 125 (9-18 record); sophomore Blake Dergham, of Slatington, at 133 (11-6); junior Kaden Ware, of Brooklyn, Connecticut, at 141 (11-2); freshman Chase Shaner of Hughesville, at 149 (20-13); sophomore David M'Balla, of Easton, at 157 (15-14); sophomore Carter Davis, of York, at 165 (25-3); sophomore Gavin Gomes, of Denville, New Jersey, at 184 (19-8); junior Nick Woodruff, of Wyalusing, at 197 (8-4), and junior Nic Brotzman, of Marietta, at 285 (12-10).
In the National Wrestling Coaches Association Feb. 20 Region 2 individual rankings, Davis is second, Woodruff is third, and Ware and Brotzman are sixth.
Last season at regionals, Davis was fourth at 165, Woodruff was sixth at 197, and Martin was eighth at 149.
Team-wise at regionals, the Wildcats were 10 of 19 a year ago, 16th of 21 in 2024, 11th of 21 in 2023, and tied for 17th in 2022.
Through this regular season, Penn College was 6-6 in dual matches, going 3-1 and finishing second in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference regular season, and then captured its second straight AMCC Championship.
"The regular season had its ups and downs, as any season. We saw a lot of injuries, but I was very happy with how the next guy at those weights stepped up and did their job," coach Dalton Rohrbaugh said.
"The keys to success (at regionals) will be doing the little things right and wrestling through all positions during matches. Focusing on and trusting their training thus far will be big as well. I'm confident that if we continue doing the little things right and stay confident, it will be a great weekend. I think that we have a good shot to send a handful of guys to the national tournament and put even more on the podium this weekend. As a team, I'm looking to improve on our top 10 team finish last year," the second-year coach added.
