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Gannon University Erie, PA

Five Gannon Wrestlers Take All-America Awards at Nationals Saturday

OMAHA, Neb. - The Gannon wrestling team had five wrestlers earn All-America honors at the NCAA Division II National Championships Saturday in Omaha, Nebraska.

Championship bouts began at 10:30 p.m. All Gannon athletes have finished competition. Team standings and results are available at http://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-wrestl/champpage/m-wrestl-div2-index.html. Final standings will be available on gannonsports.com Sunday.

#Tony Petrella# (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Bishop Hartley) posted the top finish on the team, taking fourth in the 174-pound bracket. He won a 10-6 decision and then pinned Shippensburg's Chris Barrick to advance to the third-place bout. He lost a 7-2 decision to Mitch Norton of Upper Iowa.

#Corey Bowers# (Pasadena, Md./Chesapeake) lost 6-3 in the championship semis to Cody Garcia of Nebraska-Omaha. Bowers then fell to Newberry's Sheridan Moran in the consolation bracket, forcing Bowers to the fifth-place match. The 133-pounder lost a 9-7 decision there, falling to Laramie Shaffer of Grand Canyon.

#A.J. Milanak# (Apollo, Pa./Kiski Area) took sixth in the 141-pound division, taking a 2-1 decision from Josh Hensley of Adams State and then losing his next two bouts. Milanak lost a 5-4 decision to Central Missouri's Cory Bloodgood in the fifth-place contest.

#Frank McGrath# (Hammonton, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) finished seventh, pinning Pitt-Johnstown's Chris Dempsey at the 2:37 mark of their heavyweight match.

149-pounder #Kevin McElhaney# (Jamestown, Pa./Jamestown Area) lost both of his contests Saturday, falling via pin in the consolation quarterfinals and then losing 9-3 in the seventh-place match.
#8 Gannon Wrestling Finishes Second at Regionals; Don Henry Named Regional Coach of the Year

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - The eighth-ranked Gannon wrestling team finished second in the 15-team field at the NCAA Division II East Region Championship at the University of Pitt-Johnstown. Head Coach Don Henry was chosen as East Region Coach of the Year. Six Golden Knights qualified for nationals in Omaha, Nebraska next month.

GU will send #Corey Bowers# (Pasadena, Md./Chesapeake), #A.J. Milanak# (Apollo, Pa./Kiski Area), #Kevin McElhaney# (Jamestown, Pa./Jamestown Area), #Bret Terry# (Canal Winchester, Ohio/New Albany), #Tony Petrella# (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Bishop Hartley), and #Frank McGrath# (Hammonton, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) to the NCAA Division II National Championships.

McGrath took runner-up honors in the heavyweight bracket, falling to UPJ's Chris Dempsey in a 4-3 decision. McGrath won an 8-3 decision over Pembroke's Erik Stancil to advance to the finals. This marks his third trip to nationals.

133-pounder Bowers beat Sheridan Moran of Newberry, the two seed, to qualify for the finals. He then lost a 6-3 decision to top seed Shane Valko of UPJ.

Petrella finished third in the 174-pound division, taking a 4-3 decision from Newberry's Curtis Chenoweth. Petrella took an 11-8 decision and then won a 4-2 sudden victory to qualify for the third-place match.

McElhaney posted an 8-3 decision victory over UPJ's Ryan McIntyre to place third. The 149-pounder, had lost to Latra Collick of Newberry in the semis. McElhaney, who qualified for nationals last season, answered with a pin of fourth-seeded Brandon Bradley of Pembroke to move on to the third-place bout.

141-pounder Milanak fell 4-3 to Dallas Evans of Seton Hill in the third-place contest, advancing to nationals. Milanak upset first seed Adam Whetstone of UPJ 5-3 in their consolation quarterfinal. Milanak then took a 3-2 sudden victory over Kutztown's John Paukovits to advance to the third-place contest.

165-pounder Terry lost to second-seeded Kyle Keane in the third-place bout, advancing to nationals with a top-four finish. Terry lost to top seed Josh Shields of Mercyhurst before bouncing back with a 3-2 decision victory in the consolation semis.

157-pounder #Zack McKendree# (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area) and #John Fleming# (Bethel Park/Lakeview), a 125-pounder, just missed out on a trip to Omaha, finishing fifth and sixth, respectively.

Newberry won the regional team title, recording 120 points. Gannon scored 103.5 to take second. Host UPJ finished third with 99 total points.

Henry coached the Knights to a 9-3 dual record this season, including wins over nationally-ranked programs Nebraska-Kearney and West Liberty State.

The six Knights advance to the NCAA Division II National Tournament at Nebraska-Omaha March 12-13. Last season, McElhaney, McGrath and Jacob Tazzi qualified for nationals. All three recorded top-six finishes and earned All-America honors at NCAAs.
#8 Gannon Wrestling Heads to Regionals at UPJ This Weekend

ERIE, Pa. - The eighth-ranked Gannon wrestling team will compete at the NCAA Division II East Region Championship February 26-27 at the University of Pitt-Johnstown. Results from the event will be available throughout the weekend at http://www.upj.pitt.edu/2512.

Fifteen schools will participate in the regional, including six nationally-ranked programs. Along with GU, teams at the meet this weekend are #2 Newberry (S.C.) College, #6 Pitt-Johnstown, #11 University of North Carolina-Pembroke, #17 West Liberty (WV) University and #19 Kutztown University, American International (MA) College, Anderson (S.C.) University, Belmont Abbey (N.C.) College, East Stroudsburg University, Limestone (S.C.) College, Mercyhurst College, Seton Hill University, Shippensburg University and St. Andrews Presbyterian (N.C.) College.

Each school will bring a lineup of 10 wrestlers and they will be seeded at a coaches' meeting February 25. A double elimination tournament will follow, with the top four grapplers from each weight class advancing to the NCAA Division II National Tournament at Nebraska-Omaha March 12-13.

The Golden Knights went 9-3 in dual matches this season, winning their last seven contests. Gannon went 4-2 against schools in the East Region. Head coach Don Henry brings four nationally-ranked individuals to regionals this weekend.

133-pounder #Corey Bowers# (Pasadena, Md./Chesapeake) led the team with 26 wins this season. He also tied for the team lead with 10 pinfalls. The senior, who advanced to nationals in 2008, is listed fifth in the individual national rankings.

#Frank McGrath# (Hammonton, N.J./St. Augustine Prep), a heavyweight, went 20-3 overall and 10-1 in dual action. He also qualified for nationals each of the past two seasons, including a fourth-place finish in 2008. The senior is fifth in the individual national rankings.

157-pound junior #Zack McKendree# (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area) posted a 25-8 record this season, including nine pins. He advanced to nationals two seasons ago and is eighth in the individual rankings.
#Kevin McElhaney# (Jamestown, Pa./Jamestown Area) was a national qualifier in 2009. He is tabbed sixth in the national rankings. This season, the 149-pound senior went 18-15, matching Bowers' 10 pins.

#A.J. Milanak# (Apollo, Pa./Kiski Area) only wrestled in duals this season, compiling a 9-2 mark. He placed fifth at East Regionals last year, just missing a bid to nationals.

#John Fleming# (Bethel Park/Lakeview) went 14-9 in his first season with GU. The 125-pounder won seven dual matches. #Bret Terry# (Canal Winchester, Ohio/New Albany) will wrestle at 165 pounds this weekend, having gone 18-15 in the regular season. #Tony Petrella# (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Bishop Hartley) went 7-5 in dual competition and will be the 174-pound representative for the Knights. 184-pounder #Chris Daniels# (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek) posted a 5-9 record this season and #Chris Boyd# (Chase City, Va./Randolph Henry) went 4-11 as a 197-pounder.

Last season, McElhaney won the regional championship, while McGrath and Jacob Tazzi qualified for nationals. All three recorded top-six finishes and earned All-America honors at NCAAs. As a team, the Knights took fourth place in the 15-team field at regionals.
#8 Gannon Wrestling Hammers Seton Hill on Senior Night at the Mill Friday

ERIE, Pa. - The eighth-ranked Gannon wrestling team beat Seton Hill 42-6 Friday night at the Hammermill Center. #Kevin McElhaney# (Jamestown, Pa./Jamestown Area), #Zack McKendree# (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area), and #Frank McGrath# (Hammonton, N.J./St. Augustine's Prep) each won via pinfall in the Golden Knights' victory.

Seton Hill's Ken Trumbetta and Dallas Evans sandwiched wins around a forfeit loss early. Each wrestler picked up decisions as the Griffins forfeited the 133-pound bout.

The home team controlled from that point. McElhaney, a senior, gave GU a 12-6 edge with a pin of Kurt McCamley in their 149-pound contest. The pinfall came at the 2:40 mark of the first period. 157-pound senior #Ted Hoag# (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) then took a 9-0 major decision to put Gannon ahead 16-6.

McKendree followed with a pin at the 2:15 mark of his match against Randall Wagner. 174-pounder #Bret Terry# (Canal Winchester, Ohio/New Albany) recorded a 15-6 major decision over Lewis Spadaro to go ahead 26-6 in the match.

#Tony Petrella# (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Bishop Hartley) won via injury forfeit and then #Chris Daniels# (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek) posted an 18-5 major decision win in his 197-pound match. McGrath, the heavyweight senior, ended the night with a quick pin at the 2:10 mark of the first round.

Gannon finished the regular season 9-3, while Seton Hill ended at 8-16 in duals.
McGrath Saves #8 Gannon Wrestling's Win at #17 West Liberty

WEST LIBERTY, W. Va. - The eighth-ranked Gannon wrestling team won at #17 West Liberty State 25-16 Tuesday night. Heavyweight #Frank McGrath# (Hammonton, N.J./St. Augustine's Prep) pinned his opponent to clinch the win in the event's final match.

With his team ahead 19-16, McGrath needed a win to secure the Knights' victory. He came through, pinning J.D. Ramsey at the 3:30 mark of their match.

The Golden Knights had a stellar start, winning the first three contests of the night. #John Fleming# (Bethel Park, Pa./Lakeview) won via forfeit in the 125-pound slot. 133-pounder #Corey Bowers# (Pasadena, Md./Chesapeake) and 141-pounder #A.J. Milanak# (Apollo, Pa./Kiski Area) each recorded decision victories to put GU ahead 12-0 early.

The Hilltoppers responded with consecutive wins before #Zack McKendree# (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area) won a 13-4 major decision in the 165-pound match. The teams split the next two bouts, with #Tony Petrella# (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Bishop Hartley) winning 5-2 in the 184-pound contest to give the Knights a 19-10 edge. 197-pounder Mitch Knapp pinned #Chris Boyd# (Chase City, Va./Randolph Henry) to keep West Liberty alive.
#8 Gannon Wrestling Defeats Shippensburg 29-12 Friday Night

ERIE, Pa. - The eighth-ranked Gannon wrestling team beat Shippensburg 29-12 Friday at the Hammermill Center. #Corey Bowers# (Pasadena, Md./Chesapeake) recorded a pinfall in his 133-pound victory.

#John Fleming# (Bethel Park, Pa./Lakeview) started the night with a 19-2 technical fall over Justin Morris. Bowers followed with a pin at the 3:53 mark over Simon Rice to put the Golden Knights ahead 11-0.

#A.J. Milanak# (Apollo, Pa./Kiski Area) won a 9-7 decision over Tom Wiechelt in their 141-pound match and then #Kevin McElhaney# (Jamestown, Pa./Jamestown Area) picked up a forfeit win to give GU a 20-0 edge.

#Zack McKendree# (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area) took a 7-1 decision in the 165-pound match and #Tony Petrella# (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Bishop Hartley) won 3-1 in the 184-pound bout to clinch the dual victory for Gannon.

#Jimmy Martz# (Hookstown, Pa./Southside Beaver) closed the action with an 11-5 decision win in the heavyweight contest.

The Knights are 7-3 this season and Ship fell to 6-6 in dual competition. GU goes to West Liberty State Tuesday, February 16, for its next meet.
#8 Gannon Wrestling Wins at Ashland 35-6

ASHLAND, Ohio - The eighth-ranked Gannon wrestling team defeated Ashland (Ohio) University 35-6 Saturday afternoon. #John Fleming# (Bethel Park, Pa./Lakeview) and #Kevin McElhaney# (Jamestown, Pa./Jamestown Area) each won by pin for GU at Kates Gymnasium.

Fleming pinned Brandon Davis in the 125-pound match to open the action. The fall came at the 1:55 mark to put the Golden Knights up 6-0 early. #Corey Bowers# (Pasadena, Md./Chesapeake) won a 9-5 decision in the 133-pound contest and then 141-pounder #A.J. Milanak# (Apollo, Pa./Kiski Area) took a 5-4 decision for a 12-0 Gannon edge.

McElhaney followed with a pin of T.J. Rigel in their 149-pound bout. McElhaney won at the 2:46 mark. After an AU pinfall, Gannon answered with five consecutive wins to end the day. #Zack McKendree# (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area), #Tony Petrella# (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Bishop Hartley), and #Chris Boyd# (Chase City, Va./Randolph Henry) each won via decision, while #Bret Terry# (Canal Winchester, Ohio/New Albany) and #Frank McGrath# (Hammonton, N.J./St. Augustine's Prep) took major decisions for the Knights.
#5 Gannon Wrestling Stings Waynesburg 39-3 Wednesday Night

ERIE, Pa. - The fifth-ranked Gannon wrestling team beat Waynesburg 39-3 Wednesday night at the Hammermill Center. #A.J. Milanak# (Apollo, Pa./Kiski Area), #Tony Petrella# (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Bishop Hartley), and #Chris Daniels# (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek) each recorded pinfalls for the Golden Knights.

#John Fleming# (Bethel Park, Pa./Lakeview) started the night with a 2-0 decision win in the 125-pound contest. #Corey Bowers# (Pasadena, Md./Chesapeake) took a forfeit as Waynesburg did not have a 133-pound entry. Milanak then pinned Abdul Yusuff at the 1:54 mark of their 141-pound bout to put GU ahead 15-0. #Ted Hoag# (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park), #Zack McKendree# (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area), and #Bret Terry# (Canal Winchester, Ohio/New Albany) strung together three straight wins to clinch the dual for the Knights.

Petrella pinned Robert Schultz in their 184-pound match and Daniels took a pinfall victory over Matt Zimmerman in the 197-pound bout. Heavyweight #Frank McGrath# (Hammonton, N.J./St. Augustine's Prep) finished the event with a 12-7 decision win.

GU is now 5-3 in dual action, while Waynesburg dropped to 6-9. Gannon travels to Ashland (Ohio) University for a tri-meet Saturday, February 6. The Knights face East Stroudsburg at 10 a.m. and then take on Ashland at noon.
#5 Golden Knight Wrestling Hosts Waynesburg in 2010 Hammermill Opener Wednesday Night

ERIE, Pa. - The fifth-ranked Gannon wrestling team will host Waynesburg College Wednesday, February 3, at the Hammermill Center. The match is set to begin at 7 p.m.

The Golden Knights are ranked fifth in the latest NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Top 20 poll. The ranking is the highest in program history. GU (4-3) stands fourth in the East regional rankings.

#Frank McGrath# (Hammonton, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) is fifth in the individual rankings for the heavyweight division. #Corey Bowers# (Pasadena, Md./Chesapeake) ranks fifth in the 133-pound class and #Zack McKendree# (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area) is seventh as a 157-pounder. McKendree has eight pins and McGrath is 16-2. Bowers is 21-3 overall this season.

Waynesburg, a Division III program, is 6-8 in dual action. The Yellow Jackets lost to West Liberty State 21-16 January 30. Gannon won at Waynesburg 33-12 last season.
#5 Gannon Wrestling Heads to Duquesne for Friday Night Dual

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Gannon wrestling team travels to Division I Duquesne Friday. The match is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start at the Palumbo Center.

GU is ranked fifth in the latest NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Top 20 poll. The ranking is the highest in program history. The Golden Knights are coming off a 27-6 loss at then-fifth-ranked Pitt-Johnstown last weekend. Gannon is 2-3 in dual competition this season. They placed fourth at the 2010 Cliff Keen/National Duals January 9-10.

Duquesne is 2-2, having won at Millersville 25-9 January 15. The Dukes are led by 141-pounder Jayk Cobbs. The senior finished third at the 2009 NCAA East Regionals.

#Frank McGrath# (Hammonton, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) is tabbed fifth in the individual rankings for the heavyweight division. #Corey Bowers# (Pasadena, Md./Chesapeake) is fifth in the 133-pound class and #Zack McKendree# (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area) is seventh as a 157-pounder. McGrath is 14-2 this season, while Bowers has won 20 matches. McKendree has recorded seven pinfalls.
Gannon Wrestling Team Obtains Highest National Ranking in School History

ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon wrestling team jumped 11 spots and is ranked fifth in the latest NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Top 20 released Wednesday afternoon. It represents the highest national ranking in school history. Individually, three Golden Knights are listed in the national rankings.

Defending national champion Nebraska-Omaha is the unanimous No. 1 team for the fourth consecutive poll. The Mavericks received 160 points. Newberry (S.C.) (152), Pitt-Johnstown (142), Minnesota State (135) and Gannon (125) completed the top five.

Upper Iowa (123), Wisconsin-Parkside (114), St. Cloud State (Minn.) (94) Nebraska-Kearney (92) and Augustana (S.D.) (87) rounded out the top 10.

Gannon (2-3) vaulted into the top five after defeating then-No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney (18-16) and No. 6 Upper Iowa (21-18) January 9 at the National Duals. The Golden Knights have since dropped decisions to No. 2 Newberry and No. 3 Pitt-Johnstown.

Frank McGrath (Hammonton, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) remained fifth nationally in the heavyweight division for the fourth consecutive rankings. The senior, who is tabbed No. 1 in the East region, is 14-2 overall with four pins. He has won four of five dual matches. McGrath captured championships at the National Catholic Invitational and the Ashland Open. He ranks eighth all-time at Gannon in career pins (25) and 14th in career victories (76).

Corey Bowers (Pasadena, Md./Chesapeake) jumped into the national rankings for the first time this season, being tabbed fifth at 133. The senior has produced a 20-3 overall record and 3-2 dual mark. He has recorded eight pins. Bowers has won individual titles at the National Catholic Invitational and the East Stroudsburg Open, as well as winning the 133-pound title at the 2009 PSAC Championships. He defeated NCAA Division I Jay Ivanco of Clarion 4-3 in the finals. The Pasadena, Md., native owns 53 career victories and ranks 11th all-time at Gannon in pins (19).

Zach McKendree (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area) improved one spot to seventh in the 157-pound division. The junior, who is ranked second in the East region, is 19-8 overall and 3-0 in dual matches. He also has seven pins. McKendree is a two-time national qualifier and has finished in the top three during back-to-back NCAA Division II East Regionals in 2007 and 2008. He has 68 career victories and ranks 12th all-time at Gannon with 18 career pins.

Gannon returns to action Friday, January 22 at NCAA Division I Duquesne. The match is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Gannon Wrestling Places Fourth at National Duals Sunday

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The Gannon wrestling team dropped two matches Sunday at the 2010 NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals, taking fourth place in the 16-team field. The Golden Knights lost 25-16 to second-ranked Newberry College in the semifinals and 36-10 to Minnesota-Mankato in the third place match. The University of Northern Iowa hosted the event.

In the semifinal loss to Newberry, #A.J. Milanak# (Apollo, Pa./Kiski Area) and #Bret Terry# (Canal Winchester, Ohio/New Albany) each won by decision. #Frank McGrath# (Hammonton, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) won an 11-0 major decision in the heavyweight bout and #Kevin McElhaney# (Jamestown, Pa./Jamestown Area) recorded a pin in the 149-pound contest. McElhaney's pin of Mike Rogers gave the Knights a 9-6 lead at the time.

Against Minnesota-Mankato, GU lost three of the first four matches to fall behind early. #Corey Bowers# (Pasadena, Md./Chesapeake) won an 18-7 major decision in the 133-pound contest and then #Zack McKendree# (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area) beat Justin Turek 6-2. #Chris Boyd# (Chase City, Va./Randolph Henry) was the other Knight to win, as he won a 10-4 decision over John Makabe in the 197-pound match.

Gannon beat #3 Nebraska-Kearney and Upper Iowa Saturday to advance to the semifinals. Nebraska-Omaha defeated Newberry 25-6 in the finals of the two-day event.

GU travels to Pitt-Johnstown Saturday, January 16, for its next match. The dual is set for a 7 p.m. start.
2010 Gannon Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees to be Honored at Halftime of Saturday's Men's Basketball Game

ERIE, Pa. - Gannon fans will get their first look at the 2010 Athletics Hall of Fame inductees Saturday, January 9 during halftime of the Gannon-Bloomsburg men's basketball game.

>Five individuals and the 1986-87 men's basketball team will be honored at halftime and later inducted into the Hall of Fame Saturday night during a banquet at the Yehl Ballroom of the Waldron Center. The new class increases the Gannon Hall of Fame membership to 37 inductees.

The 2010 inductees include former women's basketball standout Mary Kay Lynch Poppe; former men's soccer coaching great Rob Russo; former men's soccer standout Gerry Vandemerwe; former men's soccer standout and current Gannon head men's soccer coach Rob van Rheenen; and former men's basketball standout Harold "Butch" Warner. In addition to the five individual inductees, the Athletic Hall of Fame will induct the entire 1986-87 men's basketball team. A brief summary of the 2010 inductees' achievements follows in alphabetical order.

Mary Kay Lynch Poppe (Women's Basketball '85) is Gannon's all-time women's basketball rebounding leader and ranks fourth all-time in scoring. A 6'0" forward, Lynch scored 1,743 career points and grabbed 1,194 career rebounds. She shattered every rebounding mark and pulled down 122 more rebounds than any other Lady Knight to wear the Maroon and Gold. Her career rebounding average of 12.1 ranks first. She holds two of the top four single-season rebounding marks, including a school-record 354 in 1983-84. In addition, the Oil City, Pa., native holds four of the top eight season totals.

Lynch paced Gannon in scoring as a junior and senior, with 581 points as a senior ranking seventh on the single-season charts. She ranks third in career free throws made (329), free throws attempted (528), field goals attempted (1,434) and blocked shots (137). She is fourth in career scoring average (17.6 ppg.) and field goals made (707).

Rob Russo (Men's Soccer Coach) is Gannon's all-time men's soccer leader in coaching victories (133) and winning percentage (.772). He guided the Golden Knights to an amazing 133-35-12 record in eight seasons (1982-90). Six of the program's seven NCAA Division II Tournament appearances came under the guidance of Russo. He led Gannon to double-digit victories every season. In fact, the Golden Knights never lost more than six matches during his last seven years and lost more than three contests only twice during that time span.

Russo was named 1985 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) NCAA Division II Coach of the Year after leading the Golden Knights to a school-record 20 victories. He led the program to arguably its best season ever in 1989, when the Golden Knights advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four. Gannon finished second in the 1985 and 1986 national polls, as well as third in 1989 and sixth in 1988.

Gerry Vandemerwe (Men's Soccer '88) is Gannon all-time men's soccer leader in career points (186) and career goals (76). A four-year letterwinner, Vandemerwe also ranks fourth all-time at Gannon in career assists (34). As a result, he was a three-time All-America first-team selection.

Vandemerwe's 27 goals in 1985 represent the best single-season total in school history. Overall, he produced two of the top five single-season goal totals in school history. Vandemerwe also owns three of the top 10 single-season point totals in school history, including a second-best 61 points in 1985.

Gannon was 61-16-5 and qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament three times during Vandemerwe's collegiate career.

Rob van Rheenen (Men's Soccer Player and Coach) has brought success to the Gannon men's soccer program as both a player and coach. A four-year letterwinner as a player, he is Gannon's all-time leader in career assists (50). He ranked third all-time at Gannon in career points (166) and fourth in career goals (58). The two-time All-American led Gannon to a 53-9 record and two NCAA Division II Tournament appearances during the final three years collegiate career.

van Rheenen's successful playing days have translated into a successful coaching career. He entered the 2009 campaign 31st among active coaches in career victories (141) and 44th in career winning percentage (.530). The Zeist, Holland native ended the 2009 season with a 147-134-16 career coaching record in 17 years, including a 132-94-12 mark in 13 seasons at Gannon.

Harold "Butch" Warner (Men's Basketball '85) is the only Gannon men's basketball player to top 2,000 career points, completing his illustrious career with 2,090 points, an average of 18.2 ppg. The 6'3" guard from Atlantic City, New Jersey was Gannon's leading scorer in 1983-84 and 1984-85, averaging a school-record 24.0 points as a senior, with a school-record 743 points. In addition, he also paced the Knights in assists his final three years, and ranks fifth in career assists with 378.

A four-year letterwinner, Warner scored 30-or-more points 12 times. He helped lead the Knights to NCAA Tournament appearances in 1983-84 and 1984-85.

The 1986-87 men's basketball team is the only basketball team in school history to play in the NCAA Division II National Championship game. The Golden Knights finished 28-6 overall, setting the school record for victories in a season at the time. Led by head coach Tom Chapman, the squad won the NCAA Division II East Regional en route to the national title game. It played in front of jammed-packed crowds at the Hammermill Center throughout the year and hosted the NCAA East Regional and NCAA Division II National Quarterfinals at the 'Mill.

The 1986-87 men's basketball team was coached by Tom Chapman. The coaching staff included assistants John Ruby and Chuck Schramm ('87M). The roster included John Bowen ('89), Mark Chase ('87), Stacey Hitt ('87), James Jamison, Yoav Kadman, Mike MacDougall, Bruce Martin, John Matthews ('89), David Morris ('02), James Rocco ('89), Mike Runski ('89), Roland Shannonhouse and Mitchell Smith.
Gannon Wrestling Team Moves to 16th in Latest National Rankings

Three Golden Knights Listed Individually

ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon wrestling team moved up one spot and is ranked 16th in the latest NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Top 20 released Wednesday afternoon. Individually, three Golden Knights are listed in the national rankings.

Defending national champion Nebraska-Omaha is the unanimous No. 1 team for the second consecutive poll. The Mavericks received 160 points. Newberry (S.C.) (152), Nebraska-Kearney (134), Pitt-Johnstown (133) and Central Oklahoma (121) completed the top five.

Augustana (S.D.) (117), Western State (Colo.) (112), Wisconsin-Parkside (104), St. Cloud State (Minn.) (97) and Adams State (Colo.) (89) rounded out the top 10. Gannon is tabbed 16th with 40 points.

Frank McGrath (Hammonton, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) remained fifth nationally in the heavyweight division for the second consecutive rankings. The senior, who is tabbed No. 1 in the East region, has opened the season with a 10-1 record and three pins. He captured championships at the National Catholic Invitational and the Ashland Open.

McGrath finished third at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships, dropping his only decision of the year by one point to an NCAA Division I wrestler in the semifinals.

Kevin McElhaney (Jamestown, Pa./Jamestown Area) and Zach McKendree (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area) are ranked nationally for the first time. McElhaney is tabbed eighth at 149 while McKendree is listed eighth at 157. Both wrestlers are ranked second in the NCAA Division II East region.

McElhaney is 12-11 overall with seven pins. The senior finished fifth at the PSAC Championships, suffering his only two losses to NCAA Division I wrestlers.

McKendree is 16-8 overall with six pins. The junior defeated NCAA Division I wrestler Matthew Laird of Edinboro twice at the PSAC Championships. He is a two-time national qualifier and has finished in the top three during back-to-back NCAA Division II East Regionals in 2007 and 2008.

Gannon returns to action January 2-3 at the Midwest Classic hosted by the University of Indianapolis.
Gannon Wrestling Team Remains Fourth in Latest Regional Rankings

Five Golden Knights Still Among Region's Top Wrestlers

ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon wrestling team is ranked fourth for the second consecutive week in the latest NCAA Division II East regional rankings released Monday afternoon. In addition, five Golden Knights remained among the region's best.

Newberry is the top-ranked team in the East region for the second consecutive week. Pitt-Johnstown, West Liberty State, Gannon and Mercyhurst completed the top five.

UNC-Pembroke, Kutztown, Limestone, East Stroudsburg and Shippensburg rounded out the top 10.

Frank McGrath (Hammonton, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) is the region's top-ranked heavyweight for the second straight week. The senior has opened the season with a 10-1 record and three pins. He captured championships at the National Catholic Invitational and the Ashland Open. McGrath finished third at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships, dropping his only decision of the year by one point to an NCAA Division I wrestler in the semifinals.

Kevin McElhaney (Jamestown, Pa./Jamestown Area) and Zach McKendree (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area) are tabbed second at 149 and 157, respectively. McElhaney is 12-11 overall with seven pins. The senior finished fifth at the PSAC Championships, suffering his only two losses to NCAA Division I wrestlers.

Corey Bowers (Pasadena, Md./Chesapeake) is tabbed third at 133. The senior could arguably be Gannon's hottest wrestler, winning 17 of 18 matches with eight pins. He has won individual titles at the National Catholic Invitational and the East Stroudsburg Open, as well as winning the 133-pound title at the 2009 PSAC Championships. Bowers defeated NCAA Division I Jay Ivanco of Clarion 4-3 in the finals.

John Fleming (Bethel Park, Pa./Lakeview) remained fourth in the 125-pound division. The junior transfer is 8-5 this season with a National Catholic Invitational title on his resume. He was a national qualifier at the University of Indianapolis before coming to Gannon.

Gannon returns to action January 2-3 at the Midwest Classic hosted by the University of Indianapolis.
Gannon-Mercyhurst Wrestling Match Rescheduled for Saturday, January 30

ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon-Mercyhurst wrestling match which was postponed December 11 due to inclement weather has been rescheduled for Saturday, January 30 at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. The match is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.

The rivalry match will be part of a tri-meet with Newberry. The South Carolina club will face Gannon at 11 a.m. and Mercyhurst at 1 p.m. The Golden Knights and Lakers will conclude the day against each other at 3 p.m.
Gannon's Bowers Named PSAC Wrestler of the Week

ERIE, Pa. - Gannon's Corey Bowers (Pasadena, Md./Chesapeake) has been named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Wrestler of the Week. It marks Gannon's first Wrestler of the Week honor since it joined the conference last season.

Bowers was Gannon's top wrestler at last weekend's East Stroudsburg Open. The senior won the 133-pound title with a 5-0 record, beating opponents from three Division I schools (Rutgers, North Carolina and Drexel). He recorded pins against Cullen Insenberg of Rutgers and Ky Corley of North Carolina and major decisions over Zach Haynes of Delaware Valley and Mike Doria of Nassau.

The Pasadena, Md., native collected his third fall of the tournament and his seventh of the season at the 4:51 mark of the championship match against Drexel's Frank Cimato. It marked Bowers' second individual title of the season. He won the 133-pound championship at the National Catholic Invitational November 7. Bowers is 14-1 this season.

Gannon returns to action Saturday, December 5 at the 2009 PSAC Championships hosted by Edinboro University. The Golden Knights then conclude the 2009 portion of their schedule Friday, December 11 against rival Mercyhurst at the War at the Shore held at the Erie Civic Center. The match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Gannon's McGrath Wins Heavyweight Gold at Ashland Open Saturday

ASHLAND, Ohio - Frank McGrath (Hammonton, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) won the heavyweight tournament at the Ashland University Open as the Gannon wrestling team competed with over 200 grapplers Saturday. Three other Golden Knights placed in the top five of their invidual weight classes.

McGrath won all four of his matches on his way to the heavyweight crown. It was his second consecutive tournament victory, as the senior won at the National Catholic Invitational November 7.

Zack McKendree (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area) placed third in the 157-pound division, going 4-1 in the tournament. Kevin McElhaney (Jamestown, Pa./Jamestown Area) recorded three pins, taking fourth place in the 149-pound class. He went 4-2 on the day. Bret Terry (Canal Winchester, Ohio/New Albany) went 4-2 in the 184-pound tournament, finishing fifth.

GU heads to the East Stroudsburg Open Saturday, November 21, for its next event. Complete results from the Ashland Open will be available this week on gannonsports.com.
Gannon Wrestling Team Ranked 17th in Preseason National Rankings

McGrath and McElhaney Listed Among Individual Rankings

ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon wrestling team is ranked 17th in the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Preseason Top 20 released Wednesday afternoon. In addition, Frank McGrath (Hammonton, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) and Kevin McElhaney (Jamestown, Pa./Jamestown Area) are ranked fourth nationally in their respective weight classes.

Defending NCAA Division II champion Nebraska-Omaha is the unanimous pick to retain its title in 2010. The Mavericks received 160 points. Minnesota State (148), Newberry (S.C.) (138), Nebraska-Kearney (132) and Adams State (Colo.) (123) completed the top five.

Central Oklahoma (121), Western State (Colo.) (103), St. Cloud State (Minn.) (95), Upper Iowa (95) and Pitt-Johnstown (90) rounded out the top 10. Gannon is tabbed 17th with 41 points.

McGrath is the nation's fourth-ranked heavyweight in the preseason rankings. The senior, who was earlier tabbed No. 1 in the East region, placed fifth at the 2009 NCAA Division II National Championships with a 4-2 record. He finished 33-8 overall and 10-0 in dual competition with a team-high 15 pins last season.

McGrath is a two-time national qualifier, placing fourth at the 2008 NCAA Division II National Championships. He owns a 63-23 overall record and 18-3 dual mark during his collegiate career. Twenty-one of those victories ended via a pin, the ninth-highest mark in school history.

McElhaney is listed fourth nationally at 149. Ranked second in the NCAA Division II Preseason East regional rankings, McElhaney finished sixth at the 2009 NCAA Division II National Championships after winning the East Regional 149-pound title. The senior posted an 18-11 overall record and 5-2 dual mark with three pins last season. He has a 57-37 overall record with 23 pins during his collegiate career. His career pin total ranks seventh all-time at Gannon.

Gannon opens the season Sunday, November 1 at the University of Buffalo Open. The Golden Knights then host the National Catholic Invitational Saturday, November 7 at the Carneval Athletic Pavilion.

Gannon Wrestling Ranked Fourth in Preseason Regional Rankings

Six Golden Knights Listed Among Individual Rankings

ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon wrestling team is ranked fourth in the NCAA Division II Preseason East regional rankings released this week. In addition, six Golden Knights are listed among the region's best.

Newberry and Pitt-Johnstown tied for first in the preseason rankings with 72 points. West Liberty State (58), Gannon (52) and Mercyhurst (41) completed the top five.

UNC-Pembroke (40), Kutztown (39), Limestone (37), Shippensburg (20) and Anderson (17) rounded out the top 10.

Frank McGrath (Hammonton, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) is the region's top-ranked heavyweight in the preseason rankings. The senior placed fifth at the 2009 NCAA Division II National Championships with a 4-2 record. He finished 33-8 overall and 10-0 in dual competition with a team-high 15 pins last season.

McGrath is a two-time national qualifier, placing fourth at the 2008 NCAA Division II National Championships. He owns a 63-23 overall record and 18-3 dual mark during his collegiate career. Twenty-one of those victories ended via a pin, the ninth-highest mark in school history.

Kevin McElhaney (Jamestown, Pa./Jamestown Area) and Zack McKendree (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area) are tabbed second at 149 and 157, respectively. McElhaney finished sixth at the 2009 NCAA Division II National Championships after winning the East Regional 149-pound title. The senior posted an 18-11 overall record and 5-2 dual mark with three pins last season. He has a 57-37 overall record with 23 pins during his collegiate career. His career pin total ranks seventh all-time at Gannon.

McKendree redshirted last season after earning All-America honors with a seventh-place finish at the 2008 NCAA Division II National Championships. The junior is a two-time national qualifier and has finished in the top three during back-to-back NCAA Division II East Regionals in 2007 and 2008. He owns a 51-25 overall record and 11-6 dual mark with 11 pins during his collegiate career.

Corey Bowers (Pasadena, Md./Chesapeake) is ranked third in the 133-pound ratings. The senior redshirted last season after advancing to the 2008 NCAA Division II National Championships by winning a true fourth-place match at the East Regionals, where he won four of six bouts. Bowers has a 33-14 overall record and 7-1 dual mark with 11 pins during his stay at Gannon.

John Fleming (Bethel Park, Pa./Lakeview) is tabbed fourth in the 125-pound division. The junior transfer had a 148-12 record at Lakeview High School, where he was a two-time state placewinner and two-time regional champion. He was a national qualifier at the University of Indianapolis before his transfer.

Bret Terry (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany) completed Gannon's group of regionally-ranked wrestlers, being ranked sixth at 174. The junior was 13-17 overall and 5-4 in dual matches during his first season at Gannon in 2008-09.

Gannon opens the season Sunday, November 1 at the University of Buffalo Open. The Golden Knights then host the National Catholic Invitational Saturday, November 7 at the Carneval Athletic Pavilion

2nd Annual Gannon Wrestling Golf Tournament

When: Saturday, August 15, 2009

Where: Gospel Hill Golf and Country Club, 4415 Steimer Road, Erie, PA 16510 / Phone (814) 899-5700
Format: Golf Scramble; Shot gun start at 1 p.m.
Cost: $65/person or $260 team until July 18th, 2009; $75/person or $300/team after July 18th, 2009 - Buffet Dinner Included
Limit: 30 teams and on a first come, first serve basis

For more information or a registration form, please go to Gannon's Web site www.gannonsports.com or directly at
http://www.gannonsports.com/documents/2009/7/13/2nd%20Annual%20Gannon%20Wrestling%20Golf%20Tournament%20(5).doc?path=wrestling

Gannon Wrestling Team Finishes 15th at NCAA Division II National

ChampionshipsHOUSTON, Texas - The Gannon wrestling team had a fifth-place individual finish and two sixth-place individual finishes en route to a 15th-place team finish Saturday evening at the NCAA Division II National Championships in Houston, Texas.

Nebraska-Omaha won the team title with 146.5 points, out-scoring the next team by 66 points. Newberry (80.5), Minnesota State Mankato (71.5), Nebraska-Kearney (65), and Adams State (62) completed the top five. Gannon placed 15th with 32.5 points.

Frank McGrath (Hammonton, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) posted Gannon's best finish, placing fifth in the heavyweight division. The junior opened the day with a 5-2 victory over Findlay's Travis Clark in the wrestlebacks, before losing 3-0 to Minnesota State Mankato's Brady Wilson. He then captured fifth place by pinning San Francisco State's Steve Franklin in two minutes and 55 seconds.

Kevin McElhaney (Jamestown, Pa./Jamestown Area) and Jacob Tazzi (Chesterfield, Mich./Anchor Bay) both recorded sixth-place finishes. McElhaney placed sixth at 149. The junior dropped Saturday's opener 11-0 to Minnesota State Mankato's Tommy Abbott. He was then lost consecutive matches in the wrestlebacks to Nebraska-Omaha's Esai Dominguez (14-8) and Central Oklahoma's Luke Elmore (pin, 4:49).

Tazzi also dropped three matches Saturday in the 184-pound division after going 2-0 during the first day. The senior fell in consecutive matches to Adams State's Kyle Sand (6-1), Newberry's Bryant Blanton (4-3), and Findlay's Hiram Smith (9-8).