Two Pennsylvania College of Technology wrestlers compete for national titles in Macon, Ga., this week, while the college's softball and baseball teams are set to begin their seasons at spring training in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Wrestling Sophomore Tyler Myers (Centre Hall) will wrestle in the 157-pound weight class and freshman Derek Anderson (Ellsworth) will battle at 197 Thursday through Saturday in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association National Championships at Mercer University in Macon, Ga.
In Mid-East Regional eliminations Feb. 26 in Easton, Anderson placed third and Myers fourth. Penn College, which is sponsoring wrestling for the first time since 1983, took six wrestlers to regionals and finished fifth among 14 teams. Also placing were freshman Ed Turner (Home), who was fifth, and senior Mike Tompakov (Luray, Va.), who was sixth. Both competed in the 141-pound division.
Softball For the first time in his 10 seasons as coach, Roger Harris and his women's softball team will go to Myrtle Beach, S.C., for spring training and he couldn't be more delighted.
"I look at it as a very positive thing because it gives us the opportunity to go down there and play a few games and allow us to figure out our batting lineup, see what we have, and make adjustments. Hopefully we can come back and start the season with a lot of the adjustments under our belts," Harris said. "Also, I look at it as a recruiting tool for the girls to go down there, play a few games and have a good time."
The Wildcats open their season Monday with games against Bluefield College and Randolph College. They have six other games scheduled during the week, in preparation for their home opener March 19 at Elm Park against Lehigh Carbon Community College.
Key returnees for the team include Erin Bannon (junior/Williamsport) at first base, Tiffany Deihm (junior/Mohnton) pitching, Michelle Goodling (sophomore/Renovo) at second base, Lacy Lose (sophomore/Avis) pitching, Trisha Moser (senior/Watsontown) catching and Stacey Rupp (junior/Gettysburg) at third base.
Penn College finished 14-13 overall last season and was third in the conference. Harris expects more this year.
"I look for us to be very strong and very competitive. I look for us to go back into the playoffs again and, with the speed we have, I think we can get to nationals (United States Collegiate Athletic Association) this year," the coach said. "We're all very excited."
(An expanded version of this article is available elsewhere on PCToday.)
BaseballGarnering two first-place votes, the college's baseball team was picked to finish second in a Penn State University Athletic Conference preseason coaches' poll.Penn StateGreater Allegheny, with seven first-place votes, was tabbed to finish first andPenn StateBrandywine, with one first-place vote, was picked third. Both of the team's first two games were postponed due to bad weather. It has four games set in South Carolina this week.
Basketball Despite not reaching the United States Collegiate Athletic Association playoffs, Penn College had a presence in the postseason.
Junior Leroy Joiner (Williamsport) was named to the men's Division II All-America First Team for the third time in his career and senior Greg Solyak (Lititz) received honorable mention recognition. Also, senior Phil Kaylor (Lebanon) and freshman Samantha Wallish (Harrisburg) were named USCAA Academic All-Americans for achieving a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Joiner led the Wildcat men with averages of 21 points and 12 rebounds per game this season. For his career, Joiner has 1,620 points second only to all-time leader Solyak who finished with 1,626.
SCHEDULE/RESULTS Archery Friday-Sunday, March 11-13 U.S. Indoor Eastern Regional at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.
BaseballWednesday, March 2 host Baptist Bible College, postponed Sunday, March 6 at Washington Adventist University (2), postponed Tuesday, March 8 vs. Ulster College at Myrtle Beach, S.C., noon Tuesday, March 8 vs. Catholic University Jayvees at Myrtle Beach, S.C., 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 10 vs. Danville Junior College at Myrtle Beach, S.C., 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 11 vs. Owens College at Myrtle Beach, S.C., 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17 at King's College (2), 2 p.m.
SoftballSpring training at Myrtle Beach, S.C.:Monday, March 7 vs. Bluefield College, 9 a.m. Monday, March 7 vs. Randolph College, 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 8 vs. Lincoln College, 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 8 vs. Olney Central College, 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 9 vs. SUNY Institute of Technology, 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 9 vs. Dakota State University, 11 a.m. Thursday, March 10 vs.Penn StateHarrisburg, 9 a.m. Thursday, March 10 vs. Southern Vermont College, 11 a.m.
Saturday, March 19 host Lehigh Carbon Community College (2), 1 p.m.
Men's Volleyball Overall record: 5-6 MACVC record: 3-1 Saturday, March 12 host Scranton, 1 p.m.
(Complete rosters and season schedules are available on the college's Athletics Web site . For more information on the PSUAC, visit on the Web; more about the USCAA also is available online.)
Vol. 9, No. 29