#3 Michael Kemerer Commits to Iowa Hawkeyes
Franklin Regional senior Michael Kemerer will be heading to Iowa City next year to compete for coach Tom Brands and the Iowa Hawkeyes. The decision comes after making an official visit to the campus last month. Kemerer is a 3x PIAA State Runner-up and the last of Franklin Regional’s “Fierce Four” to choose their college destination.
Proud to officially announce that I have decided to further my wrestling and academic career at the University of Iowa. Go Hawks!
— Michael Kemerer (@Kem_Dawg65) October 8, 2014
Kemerer holds an impressive (120-10) career record which is highlighted by three consecutive trips to the PIAA Class AAA State Finals. As a freshman at 106 lbs. Kemerer entered his first PIAA State Tournament undefeated and dropped his first career high school match in the finals against Ethan Lizak (Parkland) by a score of (4-2). During his sophomore season Kemerer moved up to 126 lbs. where he would face talented senior Connor Schram (Canon-McMillan) three times throughout the season. In their first meeting during the POWERade Finals Kemerer was forced to injury default after suffering a head injury. The two next faced off in the South West Regional Finals as Schram won a narrow (3-2) decision over Kemerer. The two met for the second week in a row as Kemerer advanced into his second straight PIAA State Championship finals. There Kemerer fell short for the second time in the Finals (5-3). As a junior Kemerer moved up to 138 lbs. for the Franklin Regional where he helped lead the Panthers to WPIAL and PIAA State Dual Team Championships. After dropping a decision to fellow junior Vincenzo Joseph (Central Catholic) in the WPIAL Finals at 138 lbs. Kemerer again advanced into the PIAA State Championship for the third straight time. In the finals Kemrer met Joseph for a WPIAL Finals rematch that went into overtime. In sudden victory Kemerer was in on a leg when Joseph was able to roll into a cradle and earn the fall.
In his career Kemerer has won the POWERade Championship twice and the WPIAL Tournament once. In two trips to the prestigious Walsh Ironman Tournament Kemerer has placed twice including a runner-up finish in 2013. At the Super 32 Challenge Tournament won the 2011 Championship and placed second in both 2012 and 2013.
Kemerer’s choice of Iowa is an intriguing one that proves Head Coach Tom Brands commitment to tapping the Pennsylvania pipeline. Kemerer’s club coach Jody Strittmatter, who leads Young Guns Wrestling Club, was a 2x All-American for Iowa. The commitment comes a week after PA junior Kaleb Young (Punxsutawney Area) gave a verbal commitment.
Michael predicts to compete at 149 lbs./157 lbs. for the Hawkeyes.