Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

10 members of the Kutztown University track & field teams earned All-Region status across 11 events, announced on Tuesday, Feb. 26, from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), KU's most in a season since 2013. Last year KU sported eight All-Region honorees. These honors cap off a successful week for head coach Ray Hoffman and both men's and women's programs. The Golden Bear women won the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship last weekend, the program's fourth title and first since 2006. The KU men finished third overall, its best finish since 2012. To earn All-Region honors, an athlete must be one of the top-five individuals in their event in their respective region. In addition, each member of a region's top-three relay teams was also selected for the distinction. The eight regions used in NCAA DII are the Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South, South Central, Southeast and West. The 10 student-athletes are KU's most since it also reached that number during 2013. Kelly Groth (Audubon, Pa./Methacton) received the nod for two events, both the 60m and 200m. She was the lone representative on the track. In the field, Taye Dairo (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin), Becca Hemingway (Perkiomenville, Pa./Boyertown Area) and Caleb Baukman (Wallingford, Pa./Strath Haven) earned All-Region honors in the high jump, while another trio of Ally Tama (Towanda, Pa./Towanda Area), Katie Seegert (Old Saybrook, Conn./Old Saybrook) and Xavier Feliciano (Kennett Square, Pa./Kennett (Immaculata)) received recognition in the pole vault. The duo of Ashley Petre (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus) and EJ Umoh (Bear, Del./Appoquinimink (Lock Haven)) were named in the weight throw. Tommy Oliver (Bensalem, Pa./Bensalem) rounded out the group by earning All-Region in the heptathlon. Petre is the only Golden Bear to earn the distinction before. At PSACs last Saturday, Feb. 23, Groth's new school-record of 7.70 in winning the 60m, and then placing second in the 200m brought her into All-Region status for the first time in her career. Dairo won the high jump in a PR of 1.69m (5-6.50), third all-time at KU, while Hemingway finished third at 1.63m (5-4.25). Petre was second in the weight throw with a career-best throw of 16.76 (55-0), fourth all-time in KU history. Both Tama and Seegert each had personal-best and NCAA-Provisional marks of 3.65m (11-11.75) in the pole vault at KU's Last Chance Invite on Feb. 15. For the men, Umoh posted an NCAA-Provisional in the weight throw of 18.16m (59-07.00), second all-time, at the Last Chance Invite. Feliciano also had a Provisional mark at the event, clearing 4.85m (15-11.00), eighth at KU, in the pole vault. Baukman finished third in the high jump at PSACs with a PR of 1.99m (6-6.25), seventh all-time in program lore. Oliver had a career-best finish of second in the heptathlon at the PSAC Championships. The outdoor season for the Golden Bears begins on Thursday, March 14, at the 49er Classic in Charlotte, N.C.

Kutztown University will have 29 student-athletes representing its baseball program for the 2019 season. KU showed it could play with the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's best last season and is focused on taking another step on its journey back to the top in 2019. The message remains simple from 17th-year head coach Chris Blum, who enters the new season three wins shy of becoming just the fifth coach --and third fastest-- in PSAC history to reach 500 victories at a conference school: maximize strengths and improve in a few key areas. "I'm very optimistic about what's going on," said Blum. "Our pitchers are doing well in their bullpen sessions and I think we can have a top-notch defense. We just need to sure up a couple outfield spots and have the bottom of our lineup execute their games, whether that's speed, drawing walks, hit-and-run situations to get on and get guys into scoring position." The Golden Bears finished three games under .500 in 2018 at 19-22 overall, but 12 wins against PSAC East opponents (12-15) were the program's most since its most recent PSAC championship in 2014. Read the full season preview online

Junior Kelly Groth of the Kutztown University women's track and field team has had a knack for setting school-record in her track events this season. She was at it again as her 7.70 in the 60m won the event and set a new school-record joining freshman Taye Dairo as first-place winners in leading KU to the 2019 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Indoor Championship Saturday at Edinboro University. It is the fourth title for Kutztown and first since 2006. Groth won the PSAC's Most Outstanding Runner. Groth and Dairo now join their current teammate Meghan Forsythe as Indoor PSAC Champions. Forsythe won the 400m at last year's championships. Groth had a successful day, also running in the 4x4 relay team with Ashley Stewart, Forsythe and Tishun Graham that took home the gold. Groth also took home silver in the 200m. Dairo won the high jump in a career-best jump of 1.69m (5-6.50), which is third all-time at KU. A total of eight Golden Bears achieved career-bests Saturday, and five more found themselves with top-10 marks in program history. Kira Solt, who finished seventh in the pentathlon with a career-high 2914 points, also had a career-best time of 9.07 in the 60m hurdles prelims, which is tied for fourth all-time in KU lore. Joanne Mason was at the top of the leaderboard after the prelims at 9.05, and finished fifth after the final at 9.13. The 4x8 relay team of Stephanie Bresadola, Julie Stratton, Lindsay Hoffman and Julia Wiemken crossed the finish line in second at a time of 9:36.05 which sneaks into the top-10 at 10th. Ashley Petre also won silver in the weight throw with a career-high throw of 16.76m (55-0), fourth in school-history. Amanda Ferraro and Lindsay Smyth both had career-bests in the 3000m and 5000m respectively, and Kathleen Silverman posted a PR of 3.15m (10-4) in the pole vault.

Junior EJ Umoh of the Kutztown University men's track and field team had the furthest throw of the group of 18 competitors in the weight throw to win the event in highlighting KU's third-place finish at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) 2019 Indoor Championships at Edinboro University Saturday in a shortened one-day event. Kutztown had its highest finish at PSACs since placing third in 2012. Umoh becomes Kutztown's first individual indoor PSAC champion since 2016, throwing for a winning mark of 17.34m (56-10.75) to lead a group of a team-high five Golden Bears competing in the event.

Seventh-ranked Kutztown University wrestling claimed three regional champions for the first time in program history and qualified four wrestlers for nationals in capturing a second-place team finish at the NCAA Division II Super Region I Championships on Saturday, Feb. 23, at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa. The nationally-ranked trio of T.C. Warner (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley (Bloomsburg)) (174 lbs.), Jeff Reimel (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) (184 lbs.) and Andrew Dunn Jr. (Bethlehem, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic (Virginia Tech)) (285 lbs.), each of whom was the top seed in their respective weight class, brought home regional titles and redshirt-sophomore Joe Renne (Great Meadows, N.J./Hackettstown) wrestled back through the consolation bracket to secure the third and final national qualifying spot at 125 lbs. KU will be sending four wrestlers to nationals for the fifth time since 2012 and featured multiple regional champions for the first time since 2011 when Austin Williams and John Paukovits were weight class winners at the inaugural Super Region I Championships. Warner's undefeated season rolled on with three victories to take the 174-pound bracket. The senior from Mechanicsburg, ranked fourth in the nation by the NWCA, registered a 5-0 shutout of seventh-ranked Mike Raccioppi (East Stroudsburg) in the finals. It was Warner's second victory over Raccioppi in two weeks. Warner got his tournament off to a commanding start with a 41-second pin of American International's Ahmad Sharif and locked up a return to nationals for the first time since 2017 with a 6-2 decision over Pitt-Johnstown's Steven Edwards in the semifinals. Top-ranked Jeff Reimel (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) matched his senior classmate in remaining unbeaten on the season. Reimel was also out to send a message, advancing to the semifinals with a 1:00 pin of Shippensburg's Ryan Narber. The Lansdale native downed Gannon's Joel Leise, 10-4, in the semifinals and roared past Pitt-Johnstown's Brock Biddle, 9-2, in the championship bout. Reimel will be making his third consecutive trip to nationals after an All-America fifth-place showing at 184 lbs. last spring. Redshirt sophomore Andrew Dunn Jr. (Bethlehem, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic (Virginia Tech)), ranked No. 4 nationally at 285, put together two major decisions before supplying some late match heroics in the final. The Virginia Tech transfer beat American International's Ray Sherwood, 15-7, in the quarterfinals to become the first KU wrestler with 20 wins this season. Dunn Jr. would dispose of Millersville's David Wuestner, 12-3, in the semifinals and used a late third period takedown to win the super regional title over Shippensburg's Derek Berberick, 3-2. The Bethlehem native is now 22-2 on the season and a perfect 20-0 against DII competition. Renne was the surprise of the tournament for the Golden Bears. The grappler from Great Meadows, New Jersey, brought a 7-8 record into the weekend and was unranked in the region. After taking a 3-1 defeat to Gannon's Jacob Dunlap in the quarterfinals, Renne responded with a 17-2 (5:32) technical fall over East Stroudsburg's Nick Reto and a 2:55 pin of Seton Hill's Derrick Chandler-Christie to reach the consolation final. Renne stepped up to the challenge of defeating Mercyhurst's Jacob Ruggeri in his home gym with a 10-4 decision to secure his first berth at nationals. The Golden Bears were second in the team standings with 102 points, behind only nationally-ranked No. 6 Pitt-Johnstown (141 pts.). Gannon took third (94), with Mercyhurst fourth (93.5) and Seton Hill fifth (72). Dunn Jr., Reimel, Renne and Warner will compete at the NCAA Division II Championships in Cleveland on March 8-9.

Kutztown University will have 20 student-athletes representing its softball program for the 2019 season. KU closed the book on 2018 and is ready to write new chapters during the 2019 season with plenty of talented and experienced players returning and an exciting group of new faces. Last season did not go as planned on the field for the Golden Bears, who finished 16-21 overall, just the second season below the .500 mark in the last 34 years. But the pieces are in place to return back to the top of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and the Atlantic Region. KU returns six field-position players, including its entire outfield, and two of its starting pitchers that started in the regular season finale last season. Those returning players, plus a talented group of newcomers gives 32-year head coach Judy Lawes plenty of options and lineup flexibility. Read the full season preview online: https://kubears.com/news/2019/2/1/season-preview-kutztown-softball-looking-forward-to-2019-season.aspx

Kutztown University will have 92 student-athletes representing its track & field program for the 2018-19 season.

The Kutztown University women's lacrosse team appointed its team leaders heading into the upcoming 2019 season. Seniors Lauren Schmidt, Emily Smith and Jordan Klebe received the honor given by head coach Jackie Stezzi and her staff.

For the second straight year, juniors Mackenzie Fuhrman and Kyra Wozniak of the ninth-ranked Kutztown University field hockey team earned All-America honors for their standout play on the field this season, as released by National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Monday afternoon.

Kutztown University Cheerleading made program history by competing co-ed and receiving a bronze medal at the Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) College nationals in Walt Disney World, Orlando, Fla. KU placed third in the NCAA Division II Small Co-ed Division on Saturday, Jan. 13. It was the highest finish in program history. Kutztown competed against 11 teams in the semi-final round. Of those 11, six advanced to the final round. KU hit an amazing routine making it through with zero deductions.

Both the Kutztown University women's and men's rugby clubs will participate in the Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championships, June 2-4, at Talen Energy Stadium, Philadelphia.

Sierra Taylor became the fifth rookie in program history, and the first since 2011, to be named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Freshman of the Year, while graduate-transfer Alex Heck capped her one season with the Kutztown University women's basketball team with an All-PSAC East Second Team selection, as the league released its major awards and All-PSAC Teams on Thursday.

Josh Johnson headlined four Kutztown University men's basketball players on the 2017 All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Team Thursday, as he was named this year's PSAC Eastern Division Defensive Athlete of the Year. Johnson and junior point guard Ethan Ridgeway were named All-PSAC East First Team. Redshirt-sophomore Anthony Lee and redshirt-senior Ryan Connolly repeated last year's honors with All-PSAC Second Team recognition.

The Kutztown University men's and women's cross country teams received multiple academic awards from the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for the 2016 season.

Kutztown University has announced the student-athletes that will represent its women's lacrosse program for the 2017 season.

The Kutztown University women's lacrosse is happy to announce a trio of captains to lead the Maroon and Gold into the 2017 season. Senior Abby Cox, junior Sarah Gabriele and redshirt-junior Haley Romoser are the three recipients of the honor.

Kutztown University will have 19 student-athletes representing its softball program for the 2017 season.

Kutztown University has announced the student-athletes that will represent its men's and women's tennis programs for the 2016-17 season.

Kutztown University has announced the student-athletes that will represent its men's and women's cross country programs for the 2016 season.

Kutztown University has announced the student-athletes that will represent its field hockey program for the 2016 season.

Kutztown University has announced the student-athletes that will represent its women's golf program for the 2016-17 season.

Kutztown University has announced the student-athletes that will represent its football program for the 2016 season.

Kutztown University will have 33 student-athletes representing its women's soccer program for the 2016 season.

Kutztown University will have 14 student-athletes representing its women's volleyball program for the 2016 season.

CJ Bauer and Steve Maine will join Brian Taylor as tri-captains of the 2016 Kutztown University men's cross country team. On the women's side, 2015 captains Kimberly Katzgrau and Olivia Dettore will return to their leadership roles in 2016 as the Kutztown University women's cross country team has announced captains for the upcoming season.

A quartet of Golden Bears will lead the Kutztown University field hockey team this year as the squad has announced its captains for the 2016 season. Seniors Courtney Ueberroth and Megan Tiwold will be joined by juniors Courtney Konowal and Chardonnay Hope as KU attempts to build off a 2015 campaign that saw the Golden Bears host their first playoff game in school history.

Emma Sullivan of the Kutztown University women's track & field team had her academic excellence recognized Thursday, as she was named to the 2016 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America Second Team for women's track & field and cross country.

Anna Behm has had a decorated senior year at Kutztown University. The field hockey star added one more trophy to her shelf on Wednesday - possibly the most admired of them all. Behm was named an Academic All-American and part of the At-Large Third Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

The Kutztown University women's soccer program announced its team captains for the upcoming 2016 campaign on Friday. Senior Dana Wong will be joined by juniors Katie Miller and Morgan Staley as the trio will look to lead the 2016 Golden Bears to another successful season.

Kutztown University women's golfers Madison Beer and Hope Giordano earned their second career All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) honors on Thursday with All-PSAC Second Team recognition, as voted on by the league coaches.