Lehigh University Athletics

Kutler wins University Nationals title to lead Lehigh contingent in Akron

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Results/Brackets

AKRON, Ohio – Sophomore Jordan Kutler went 6-0 to claim the 80 kg title, leading the way for a contingent of 12 Lehigh wrestlers who represented the Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club at the University Freestyle Nationals Saturday and Sunday. Kutler led the way for the Mountain Hawks as one of four place winners at the two-day event.
 
After earning a bye in the first round, Kutler won his next five bouts, all 10-0 technical falls, to earn a finals date with Jacobe Smith of the Cowboy Wrestling Club/Titan Mercury Wrestling Club. In the finals, Kutler defeated Smith by a 10-5 score to claim the title.
 
Junior Ryan Preisch was Lehigh's second-highest finisher, going 6-1 to take third at 86 kg. Preisch won his first four bouts to reach the semifinals, where he dropped a 10-4 decision to N.C. State's Pete Renda. He bounced back with a two wins in the consolation, capped by 16-6 technical fall win over Keegan Moore of Oklahoma State/CWC/TMWC.
 
Lehigh's two other place-winners came at 74 kg as junior Ian Brown finished fourth and sophomore Cole Walter placed sixth. Brown won his first five bouts to reach the semifinals, where he was beaten by Missouri's Connor Flynn. He bounced back with a 10-0 tech fall over Walter in the consolation semifinals before falling to another Missouri Tiger, Joey Lavallee 12-5 in the third place match. Walter reached the quarterfinals in the championship bracket before falling to eventual champion Chance Marsteller. He was injured in his consolation semifinal against Brown and took a medical forfeit for sixth place.
 
Among Lehigh's non-place winners, junior Cortlandt Schuyler went 5-2 at 70 kg and freshman Luke Karam went 4-2 at 65 kg.
 
Other Mountain Hawks who competed included freshman Joe Lobeck (1-2 at 61 kg), sophomore Ryan Pomrinca (1-2 at 65 kg), freshman Trey Cornish (0-2 at 70 kg), junior Gordon Wolf (3-2 at 80 kg), freshman Chris Weiler (2-2 at 86 kg) and sophomore Christian Colucci (2-2 at 125 kg).
 
Next up on the freestyle circuit for Lehigh wrestlers will be the UWW Senior and Junior World Team Trials, Friday-Saturday in Lincoln, Neb. NCAA Champion Darian Cruz is among those expected to compete in the Senior World Team Trials, while freshmen Nick Farro and Jordan Wood and sophomore Andrew Price will compete at the junior level.