University of Pittsburgh's Ron Tarquinio and Matt Kocher

 The EWL has selected two wrestlers as co-wrestlers of the week for the week ended November 28, 2004.  They are Ron Tarquinio and Matt Kocher of the University of Pittsburgh.  Ron is a junior from McDonald, Pennsylvania, and Matt is a sophomore out of State College, PA.

  Last weekend at the powerful Mat-Town Invitational (held at Lock Haven University), Tarquinio bulled his way to four wins and the 141-pound title, and Kocher hammered out five wins and grabbed the crown at 149 pounds.  The two champs led the Pitt Panthers to a rock-solid fourth place in the 13-team field.  The top three squads were Minnesota, Penn State, and Indiana University, all from the Big Ten.  In the finals, Mr. Tarquinio decisioned nationally ranked Mike Simpson from Indiana University by a score of 3-1, and Mr. Kocher beat nationally ranked James Woodall of Penn State by 4-0.  Well done!

  Last year Ron Tarquinio won the EWL Tournament and finished the 2004 season with a record of 26-12.  Last season as a true freshman, Matt Kocher was EWL runnerup, won three matches at the 2004 NCAA Tournament, and completed the campaign at 32-13.  This season Messrs. Tarquinio and Kocher aim to lead the Panthers to the EWL tournament crown and gain All-American status at the 2005 NCAA Tournament.

  Congratulations to Ron Tarquinio and Matt Kocher, our Eastern Wrestling League co-wrestlers of the week.  Also, a tip of the headgear to our two-time NCAA champion, Greg Jones of West Virginia University, who won his match at 184 pounds at the NWCA All-Star Dual Meet (held November 22).  Well done Mr. Jones, and thank you for representing WVU and the EWL in that showcase event.