Wrestling Finishes 6th at PSUAC/USCAA Invitational; Doppelhauer Leads New Ken with 3rd Place Finish

The Penn State New Kensington Wrestling team began their post season with a sixth place finish at the PSUAC/USCAA Invitational Championships held at Rec Hall in State College, Pa. on Saturday. 

The New Ken Lions were led by their anchor, John Doppelhauer, who finished third at heavyweight.  Doppelhauer won by fall over Greater Allegheny's Andre Ellis in his quarter final match.  The Lion's heavyweight was able to get an escape in the second period and cross ankle pick his opponent to his back to pick up the fall.  In his semi-final match, Doppelhauer lost via first period pin to NCWA second-ranked Ian Jones of The Apprentice School.  The 285-pounder rebounded nicely in his bronze medal match where he was able to defeat Penn State DuBois' Chris Minarchik by injury default at 5:25.

A pair of other PSNK wrestlers were able to finish 4th at the Invite in James Melnyk at 157 and Mike Benzenhoefer at 235.

Melnyk went 2-2 on the day falling to eventual finalist Shane Alterio of Penn State DuBois and 3rd place finisher Phillip Porto of The Apprentice School.  Melnyk also picked up a pair of pins in his victories over Cody Smith of Southern Virginia University and Tyler McElheny of Penn State Greater Allegheny.

Benzenhoefer went 0-2 on the day, but was able to gain tournament points for Penn State New Kensington by finishing 4th.

Andrew Floyd was also able to pick up a win at 149 for PSNK during the preliminary round of the tournament by fall against Alex Diaz of Penn State Fayette.

Penn State New Kensington Wrestling will be back in action on Saturday, March 2nd as they travel to Penn College for the NCWA Mid-East Regional Championships.