Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown University football was celebrated for another outstanding season Wednesday afternoon when a school-record 15 student-athletes were named to the All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division First or Second Teams. Kutztown's 15 selections are the second most in the PSAC and one more than the previous record of 14 set back in 2019.

Kutztown women's soccer graduate midfielder Kayla Argen was named to the Division Two Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Atlantic Regional First Team, announced by the organization Tuesday afternoon. It's the second time in Argen's illustrious career at Kutztown that she's been named to the All-Atlantic Region First Team. She claims the honor to go along with her All-Pennslyvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) First Team nod she was awarded earlier in November. She was also named an All-American from the D2CCA and United Soccer Coaches and the PSAC Athlete of the Year in 2021. The Cresco, Pa. native is a team captain and a five-year member of the Golden Bears program. She's been a superstar on an off the field for Erik Burstein's squad ever since she stepped on campus in 2018. So far in 2022, Argen has notched a career-high 26 points and leads the team in goals (8) and assists (10). Argen and the Golden Bears still have all to play for in the Sweet 16 with the Atlantic Regional championship on the line against rival West Chester. That game will kick off at noon on Friday, Nov. 18 from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, N.Y.

Adrianna Derstine (Barto, Pa./Boyertown) broke out in a big way in her first collegiate season, winning the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Division Freshman of the Year award. She joins Sadie Doss (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg), who had her best season in Maroon and Gold this season, on the All-PSAC East First Team, as voted on by PSAC head coaches and announced by the league office Thursday. The duo had one of the most successful combo seasons in program history. Derstine earned the first Freshman of the Year honor for the Golden Bears since Ebany Hetrick in 2002, 20 years ago. Derstine and Doss are the first All-PSAC First Teamers since 2015 and the first time KU has had more than one net First Team recognition since 2011. Derstine started all 25 matches this season, playing in 95 sets as a freshman. She finished with the eight-most kills (401) in a season in program history and tied the KU record with 30 kills in a match. She also owns the fourth-most with 29 in a match. Derstine led the PSAC in kills and points per set (4.74). She also ranked second on the team with 51 blocks and fourth with 241 digs, while adding 19 service aces and 18 assists. Her 450 points (kills/blocks/assists/digs) led the PSAC. Doss started in 24-of-25 matches played this season and appeared in all 97 sets. She ranked second in the PSAC in kills (371) and kills per set (3.82), second in points (433.5) and third in aces (53). Her 53 aces are fourth-best in a season in program history. Doss was also second on KU with 270 digs and added 30 assists. Kutztown finished the 2022 season with a 13-12 overall record, its most wins since the 2014 campaign.

Kutztown University has announced 14 student-athletes will represent its men's basketball team for the 2022-2023 season. Read the full season preview here. After a 2021-22 season plagued by injuries, COVID-19, and inconsistency, the Kutztown University men's basketball team is eager to get back to playing 'Kutztown Basketball' this upcoming campaign. In his 22nd-year as head coach, Bernie Driscoll is looking to navigate a tough Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) slate with a roster that experienced a lot of turnover in the offseason. The Golden Bears finished last season with a 9-19 record, including a 6-16 mark in conference play. The Golden Bears kick off their campaign at the PSAC/CIAA Challenge at Lincoln University. KU will face Elizabeth City State on Friday, Nov. 11, at 5 p.m., followed by a game on Saturday, Nov. 12, against Lincoln (Pa.) at 4 p.m.

Kutztown University has announced 14 student-athletes will represent its women's basketball team for the 2022-2023 season. Read the full season preview here. Kutztown women's basketball has a majority of its roster back from a team last year that set a new program record for wins in a season, played in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference final four and also qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament for just the second time in program history. The Golden Bears return 10 of 12 players that saw action in at least 25 games last season, for a squad that finished 26-7 overall, the most wins in program history, and won the PSAC East for the second time in three seasons, while reaching NCAAs for the first time since 1996. Kutztown's season opener is against Bowie State on Friday, Nov. 11, at 4 p.m., in the CIAA/PSAC Challenge at Shippensburg. KU follows that up with a matchup against Fayetteville State on Saturday. The home opener is set for Tuesday, Nov. 22, against Chestnut Hill at 5:30 p.m., from Keystone Arena. The PSAC schedule begins vs. Gannon on Friday, Dec. 2.

For the third consecutive year, Kutztown University was well represented on the list of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Scholar-Athletes, surpassing 200 for the year. KU had 239 honorees on the 2021-22 list, announced Thursday, July 7, by the league office. In order to be eligible, the 2021-22 student-athletes must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 upon completion of the academic year. There were 4,144 total PSAC Scholar-Athletes across the 18 PSAC institutions, marking 53% of the student-athlete population. There were 12 institutions that produced at least 200 scholar-athletes while 14 registered a rate of 50% or higher. The PSAC has now registered at least a 30% rate for 14 consecutive years. Kutztown ranks ninth overall out of the league's 18 schools.

Kutztown University women's soccer players Kayla Argen (Cresco, Pa./Pocono Mountain East), Bridget Curtis (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South), Isabella Rossetti (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East), Kylee MacLeod (Pottstown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts), and Caroline McDonald (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) earned All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference honors, announced by the league office Thursday afternoon. Argen, Curtis, and Rossetti were the Golden Bears selected as a part of the first team, while MacLeod and McDonald made an appearance on the second team. It's the second time for both Argen and Curtis being named to the first team after both making it last season, while it's the first All-PSAC honors for the rest of the group. It's the second-straight year that five Golden Bears have been selected for all-conference honors, which is tied for the second-most in school history.

Kutztown University has announced 15 student-athletes will represent its women's swimming team for the 2022-2023 season. Read the full season preview here. Kutztown University women's swimming will have plenty of new faces on the 2022-23 roster, turning over a new page for the program this year. Head coach Tim Flannery, entering his 26th season leading the Golden Bears, is excited to be leading a newer group, one that is getting back to normal routine of a collegiate swim season. "My mindset is to be getting back to normal," said Flannery. "We were in a COVID-19 mode with the cancellation of the 20-21 season and then trying to get the team through 21-22 season after having so much time off and Covid-19 still hanging around. It's great to be back to normalcy. We'll still have to dodge illness, but the past two years I just want to forget and hope not to repeat. We're going to make up for lost time. We are light years ahead of where we were last year at the same time." Kutztown opens its 2022-23 season at Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference opponent, Shippensburg, Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 5:30 p.m. KU's home opener is set for homecoming Saturday, Oct. 22, hosting Lock Haven.

Kutztown University has announced 32 student-athletes will represent its wrestling team for the 2022-2023 season. The Golden Bears opened their season Sunday, Nov. 6, at the East Stroudsburg Open and return to action Nov. 19 at Millersville University's "Shorty" Hitchcock Memorial Open. KU is led by head coach Robert Fisher, who is in his 22nd year at the helm of the Golden Bears.

Kutztown University will have 18 student-athletes representing its men's and women's tennis teams for the 2022-2023 season. The Golden Bear women play Friday, Sept. 23, at Mary Baldwin and return home Saturday, Sept. 24, vs. Frostburg State. Read more about the KU tennis teams at www.KUBears.com.

Kutztown University has announced eight student-athletes will represent its women's golf team for the 2022-2023 season. The Golden Bears open their season Thursday, Sept. 8, at the Albright Invitational. KU plays at Le Moyne (Sept. 10-11), Dickinson (Sept. 24) and Alvernia (Sept. 27) in Septmeber, before hosting the Kutztown Fall Invitational Oct. 2-3 at Moselem Springs Golf Club, Fleetwood, Pa.

Kutztown University will have 30 student-athletes representing its field hockey program for the 2022 season. Read the full season preview online Kutztown University field hockey has been on one of the more successful runs in program history over the last three seasons. KU is two seasons removed from a 15-win, 2019 season, which included a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference runner-up finish and a trip to the NCAA Division II Final Four. Under nine-year head coach Marci Scheuing, the Golden Bears have qualified for three consecutive PSAC postseason tournaments. Before that run, the Maroon and Gold made the big dance once since 2010. The 2022 program is well positioned to continue the winning trend and compete for its first ever PSAC and NCAA championship. Kutztown had six players exhaust eligibility or move on following the 2021 campaign, but there is a large number of experienced returners back to lead the way. Kutztown opens its 2022 regular season with four consecutive home games. KU will be hosting a four-team tournament and will open with Saint Michael's on Saturday, Sept. 3, at 11 a.m., at Andre Reed Stadium. The Maroon and Gold will then play Southern Connecticut State the following day at 1:30 p.m.

Kutztown University has announced 105 student-athletes will represent its football team for the 2022 season. Read the full season preview here. Following the most successful season in program history, Kutztown University football is ready for an encore performance in 2022. It was a banner year for the Maroon and Gold in 2021, winning 11 games for the second consecutive season, capturing the program's second PSAC championship and advancing to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals. A bitter ending one play shy of the national semifinals undoubtedly fuels Kutztown's appetite heading into a new campaign. It has been a steady uphill climb for Kutztown under head coach Jim Clements, who arrived on campus in 2014. The two-time reigning AFCA Region 1 and PSAC East Coach of the Year guided the Golden Bears to winning records in each of his previous seven seasons at the helm and has 14 winning seasons in 15 overall going back to his time at Division III Delaware Valley (2006-13). The Golden Bears are ranked 13th in the AFCA Preseason Top 25 and 14th in the D2Football.com Preseason Top 25. Kutztown opens its 2022 campaign on the road at Assumption University on Saturday, Sept. 3, at noon. The home opener from Andre Reed Stadium is slated for the following Saturday, Sept. 10, against California (Pa.) at noon.

Kutztown University has announced 13 student-athletes will represent its women's cross country team for the 2022 season. Read the full season preview here. With another year of experience under its belt, the Kutztown University women's cross country team is ready to take another step forward in 2022. Unlike their counterparts on the men's side of the program, the women's team has an experienced roster of 10 upperclassmen and only three underclassmen. The Golden Bears open the season this Saturday, Sept. 3 at the Salisbury Invitational down in Salisbury, Md. KU's first home meet will be the DII/DIII challenge, which will take on Friday, Sept. 16.

Kutztown University has announced 13 student-athletes will represent its men's cross country team for the 2022 season. Read the full season preview here. After an up and down 2021 season and a large amount of roster turnover, the Kutztown men's cross country team is retooling and ready to go for the 2022 regular season. The Golden Bears were ranked eighth in last week's PSAC preseason poll and unranked in the NCAA DII Atlantic Region preseason poll, giving the team some extra motivation heading into the 2022 season. KU's season starts with the Salisbury Invitational this Saturday, Sept. 3. The first home meet for the Golden Bears will be the DII/DIII Challenge on Friday, Sept. 16.

Kutztown University will have 18 student-athletes representing its women's volleyball program for the 2022 season. Read the full season preview online For the first time since 1996, the Kutztown University women's volleyball team will be under the direction of someone other than John Gump. KU's all-time winningest coach, Gump retired following the 2021 season, his 24th season in charge, and first-year head coach, Allison Keeley, is ready to lead the program beginning with the 2022 campaign. The Golden Bears begin competition at the Southern New Hampshire University/Saint Anselm tournament this weekend, Aug. 27-28. KU takes on the Penmen at 11 a.m., followed by a match with D'Youville at 1 p.m., on Saturday. On Sunday, Kutztown has a rematch with the Saints at 1 p.m., followed by a match against the Hawks at 3:30 p.m.

Kutztown University will have 32 student-athletes representing its women's soccer program for the 2022 season. Read the full season preview online Kutztown University women's soccer is coming off a successful 2021 season, recording a program record in conference victories and winning the division. KU will look to accomplish more and win a championship this fall as the 2022 season kicks off later this week. The Golden Bears registered a 17-1-2 record and captured the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East title with a program record 15 league victories (15-1-0, 45 pts.) last year. Head coach Erik Burstein's team went on to earn the top seed in the Atlantic Region and hosted NCAA Tournament first and second round games, but did not win a game in PSACs or NCAAs. But Burstein is looking ahead to this season and looking to improve in all facets of the game. "For me, I am not thinking about championships, I am thinking about progress, always," said Burstein. "We had a great year last year, a memorable year, but that was last year. We have new players; we have different strengths, and we are working on a few different concepts. If we begin talking about potentially winning the PSAC Tournament, we lose focus on the things we need to be talking about and details get overlooked. We won't do that. This team has incredible potential, and I am extremely excited and confident about what the season has in store for us." The Golden Bears are ranked 13th in the nation, following the release of the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Preseason Poll at the beginning of August. They were also picked to finish first in the PSAC East preseason poll.

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced its Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete honors for the 2021-22 academic year, and 12 Kutztown University softball student-athletes were among the over 1,600 student-athletes honored by the association. In order to be named an Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete, student-athletes must have achieved a 3.5 GPA or higher for the 2021-22 year. The Golden Bears represented on the list include Hannah Auvil (Baltimore, Md./Sparrows Point), Amber Brugger (Levittown, Pa./Neshaminy), Naya Darnowski (Manchester, N.J./Manchester Township), Paige Donnelly (Succasunna, N.J./Roxbury), Kristin Geesey (Bainbridge, Pa./Elizabethtown), Aysha Gibbs (Mount Joy, Pa./Donegal), Haley Gravish (Hamburg, Pa./Hamburg), Brittany Hubler (Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham), Jenna Lipowski (Nanticoke, Pa./Greater Nanticoke Area), Hannah Reimel (Warminster, Pa./William Tennent), Paola Texidor (Reading, Pa./Exeter Township) and Zoe Texidor (Reading, Pa./Exeter Township).

The Kutztown University men's tennis team received All-Academic Team status from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), while six Golden Bears were named ITA Scholar-Athletes, the organization recently announced. KU, under the direction of first-year head coach Wyatt Pauley, was one of 74 NCAA Division II teams to exceed the ITA's required 3.2 team grade point average (GPA) during the 2021-22 academic year. The Maroon and Gold were joined in representing the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) by Mercyhurst University. Individual players needed to register a 3.5 GPA during the 2021-22 academic year to claim Scholar-Athlete honors. Achieving that for the Golden Bears were Sebastian Arizpe (Puebla, Mexico/Colegio Humboldt de Puebla), Gonzalo Barcelo (San Pedro, Argentina/Nuestra Senora del Socorro), Neal Devkaran (Fairfax, Va./Paul VI Catholic), Bobby Frankenfield (Telford, Pa./Souderton), Justin Gincauskas (Mississauga, Ontario/Cawthra Park Secondary) and Ethan Moyer (Wernersville, Pa./Conrad Weiser). A total of 545 Division II men's student-athletes were honored as Scholar-Athletes overall.

Four Kutztown University men's basketball players were recognized for their academic performance by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), Tuesday morning.

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) recently unveiled its 2021-22 academic awards and Kutztown University was well represented. The Golden Bears were named an All-Academic Team and five players claimed Scholar-Athlete honors. A total of 110 NCAA Division II programs met the team grade point average (GPA) threshold of 3.2 to be recognized as All-Academic Teams. KU was one of six teams from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference featured on the list along with Bloomsburg, IUP, Millersville, Slippery Rock and West Chester. Kutztown's Jessika Klo (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom), Sarah Lazarchak (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth), Catherine Maher (Shillington, Pa./Berks Catholic), Claudia Makarski (Garfield, N.J./Paramus Catholic) and Brianna Wendling (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown) were among 715 DII players recognized as ITA Scholar-Athletes. To be eligible for the honor, student-athletes must have had a GPA of 3.5 or higher during the 2021-22 academic year.

Steady improvement by the Kutztown University women's lacrosse team in 2022 came with postseason recognition for three players, as junior Cyrose Conteh (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown) and freshmen Lailah ElBouazzaoui (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) and Sam Graf (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) were named to the All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division Second Team. Conteh, an offensive-minded midfielder during her first two seasons with the program, developed into a reliable defender and her unmatched speed was an asset in the Golden Bears' transition game under first-year head coach Kristen Nicholson. The Elizabethtown, Pa., native led KU with 22 caused turnovers, ranked second in draw controls with 40 and third in ground balls with 35. She started all 17 games and has now played and started in 33 over three seasons. ElBouazzaoui burst on the scene with four multi-goal games to open her collegiate career. She netted a hat trick against Caldwell, March 3, before posting back-to-back five-goal performances at Lock Haven (March 5) and at Holy Family (March 9). The attack from Bridgewater, N.J., went on to register multiple goals in 12 of Kutztown's 17 games, including eight hat tricks. ElBouazzaoui led the Golden Bears with 43 goals (fifth most in a season in program history), shots (97) and draw controls (59). She was also the team's third-leading scorer with 46 points overall. ElBouazzaoui became KU's first 40-goal scorer since Sarah Gabriele in 2018, but she wouldn't be the only one to reach that milestone this season. Graf, a fellow all-conference selection, joined her with a hat trick in the Bears' final game of the season at Shepherd. The six-point effort against Shepherd on Saturday, April 30, capped an outstanding season by Graf, a game-changing midfielder from Wayne, N.J. She led all Kutztown players with 63 points, 21 assists, 14 free position goals and 75 shots on goal. Graf also ranked second in goals (42), second in total shots (95), second in caused turnovers (19), third in draw controls (39) and fifth in ground balls (29). The freshman amassed multiple goals and multiple assists in the same game five times over the course of the season and closed the campaign with consecutive six-point games at No. 4 West Chester, April 27, and at Shepherd, April 30. Conteh, ElBouazzaoui and Graf are Kutztown's first all-conference picks since the PSAC started honoring Eastern and Western Division teams in 2021. Prior to the divisional structure, the last time the Golden Bears had three all-league players was in 2016 with Courtney O'Neill named All-PSAC First Team and Sarah Gabriele and Lauren Huggins named Third Team.

Kutztown University will have 26 student-athletes representing its softball program for the 2022 season. Read the full season preview. Last year was one of the best seasons in recent memory for the Kutztown University softball team. KU, however, can still accomplish more and has the expectations to do so during the 2022 campaign. Coming off a 33 win season and a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division first place finish in 2021, the Kutztown University softball team once again is viewed highly around the conference. KU was voted second in the East Division Preseason Poll. The Golden Bears finished last season 33-15 overall and 23-9 in the PSAC and came within one win of the conference championship series. The 23 PSAC wins is the most in program history in a season. They also made their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2017 and 19th appearance overall in program history, going 1-2 while hosting the Division II Atlantic Region Championships. KU will return its entire starting lineup from the 2021 team and is a favorite, along with defending conference champion West Chester, to win the PSAC this season.

Kutztown University will have 31 student-athletes representing its baseball program for the 2022 season. Read the season preview online. For the first time since 2019, the Kutztown University baseball team will be able to play a more in-depth, non-conference schedule, leading up to its conference slate. KU opens its 2022 season this weekend with four games against Chowan University in Murfreesboro, N.C., beginning Saturday, Feb. 5. Last season, Kutztown's first game was on March 5, when it played four games at Frostburg State. That was the lone tune up for Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference competition. This year, KU has 14 games scheduled before it takes on Millersville in the PSAC and home opener on Friday, March 11. Kutztown finished the 2021 season 17-21 overall and 11-21 in the PSAC. The Golden Bears are set to bring back a majority of the roster from last season, including six of their hitters that were in the starting lineup in the final series against Millersville last May, and the top four of their pitching staff. Kutztown was picked sixth in the PSAC preseason poll and will look to improve upon that mark.

Kutztown University has announced 29 student-athletes will represent its wrestling team for the 2021-2022 season. Read the full season preview here. The Golden Bears are 1-0 to start the season and return to action Jan. 8, 2022, at the Kutztown Duals. KU is led by head coach Robert Fisher, who is in his 21st year at the helm of the Golden Bears.

Kutztown University has announced 12 student-athletes will represent its women's swimming team for the 2021-2022 season. Read the full season preview here. The Golden Bears are 2-5 to start the season and return to action Jan. 14-15, 2022, at the Vulcan Invitational. KU is led by head coach Tim Flannery, who is in his 25th year at the helm of the Golden Bears.

Kutztown University has announced 19 student-athletes will represent its women's bowling team for the 2021-2022 season. Read the full season preview here. The Golden Bears are 22-13 to start the season and return to action Jan. 21-23, 2022. KU is led by head coach Angela Reynolds, who is in her third year at the helm of the Golden Bears.

Kutztown University has announced 17 student-athletes will represent its men's basketball team for the 2021-2022 season. Read the full season preview here. The Golden Bears are 4-4 to start the season and open Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play Dec. 18-19. KU is led by head coach Bernie Driscoll, who is in his 21st season at the helm of the Golden Bears.

Kutztown University has announced 15 student-athletes will represent its women's basketball team for the 2021-2022 season. Read the full season preview here. The Golden Bears are 8-3 to start the season and open Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play Dec. 18-19. KU is led by head coach Janet Malouf, who is in her 27th season at the helm of the Golden Bears.

Kutztown University has announced 103 student-athletes will represent its football team for the 2021 season. Read the full season preview here. The defending Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division champion Golden Bears eagerly await their first chance at defending their East crown and reaching a third consecutive NCAA Tournament, after a more than 21-month hiatus from the gridiron. Head coach Jim Clements, now in his seventh season leading the program, has guided Kutztown to increased win totals in each of its last four years, culminating with 2019's 11-2 record. He'll have to replace numerous contributors on offense both at the skill positions and in the trenches to continue that trajectory this fall. The Maroon and Gold graduated a number of high impact players on offense from the 2019 team, notably All-American tight end Jack Pilkerton, PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year and four-year starting quarterback Collin DiGalbo, All-PSAC East First Team running back Abdul-Hassan Neblett and All-PSAC East First Team offensive linemen Justin Tindull, Jayson Williams and Matt Cella, who is now serving as a graduate assistant on staff. The PSAC portion of the schedule begins Saturday, Sept. 11, with a trip to nationally-ranked Indiana (Pa.).