Lycoming News

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- A new event is set to take place in the world of college athletics in Williamsport. The 'Billtown Brawl' will see the wrestling teams from Penn College and Lycoming College face off at the Williamsport Community Arts Center on Saturday, February 17 at 2 p.m. Admission is free, with doors opening at 1 p.m.

This event, organized by Wildcats head coach Pankil Chander, marks a first for Central Pennsylvania as Penn College joins a select group of NCAA programs hosting matches on a theater stage. Similar events have been held by Division I schools like Virginia Tech and Missouri, as well as Division III institutions such as Johnson & Wales and Roanoke College.

"The Community Arts Center has hosted many premiere events featuring Jerry Seinfeld, Dancing with the Stars, and Impractical Jokers, to name a few, and we are grateful that wrestling can now be showcased on the historic stage for the first time," Chander stated. "This is a unique opportunity for the student-athletes from both programs to gain exposure throughout the community and compete in an environment like this. It will be an exciting event and we are glad to have the opportunity to execute new ideas with great partners at the Community Arts Center."

Both wrestling programs have appeared in National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Top 25 polls this season. This match will be their fourth meeting since Penn College became a full Division III program in 2017.

Penn College's team includes four grapplers ranked in the latest NWCA Regional poll released on February 9. Junior Noah Hunt is ranked third at 141 pounds in the Mideast Region. Freshmen Kaden Ware (133), Travis Green (165), and TJ Martin (149) also appear in the rankings. Freshman Nicholai Brotzman ranks among NCAA's most dominant wrestlers with top-10 placement in Division III falls list.

Lycoming's team features four regionally ranked wrestlers: Kaden Majcher (125), Eli Crum (174), Gable Crebs (197), and Robbie West (285) in the Southeast Region.

As they prepare for this showdown, Penn College holds an 8-9 dual meet record while Lycoming boasts a 10-2 record with a five-match win streak heading into the Billtown Brawl.