Hempfield senior wrestler Luke Kemerer: ‘I always felt comfortable at Pitt’

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, September 19, 2017 | 9:03 PM

Hempfield senior Luke Kemerer knew where he wanted to wrestle in college for a while: Pitt.

Kemerer, along with Seneca Valley senior Louis Newell and Reynolds senior Cole Matthews, became the latest wrestler to commit to the Panthers.

Kemerer announced his decision on Twitter over the weekend.

“I've always felt comfortable at Pitt,” Kemerer said. “There are a lot of good things happening at Pitt, especially since coach (Keith) Gavin has taken over.”

Pitt wrestles in the ACC and is getting a lot of wrestlers from Western Pennsylvania.

Kemerer has a 107-20 career record and was a WPIAL champion in 2017. He placed third in the state in 2016 and sixth last year. His brother, Jake, was a two-time PIAA champion and went to Penn State and Lock Haven.

Pitt also added two transfers this summer. Derry's Micky Phillippi came from Virginia and Kellan Stout from Penn State.

“Pitt is a great place to learn,” Kemerer said. “It's one of the top colleges in the Northeast.”

Kemerer is undecided about his major but he said he's considering an education degree.

“He always liked Pitt,” Hempfield coach Vince DeAugustine said. “It's a good fit for him. He'll do well.”

Kemerer said he probably will wrestle at 138 or 145 his senior season. In college, he likely will be at 141 or 149.

“I just felt right at Pitt,” said Kemerer, who picked Pitt over N.C. State, Clarion and Bucknell. “It's like home.

“I'm eager to learn from Coach Gavin. The athletic director is looking to upgrade the facilities, which is exciting.”

As for goals for his senior season, Kemerer would like to win a state title.

“I've been close the past couple years,” he said.

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.comor via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Hempfield Area