Southern Maine Preview

University of Southern Maine Huskies
Head Coach: Joseph Pistone
Years at School as head coach: 7
Career Record at school: 44-57-2
Assistant Coaches: Julio Santiago; Philip Allen; Joseph Narvaez; Nick Spencer; Stephen Valastro

2008-2009 Dual Meet Record: 7-11
2008-2009 All-American: Michael Morin, 4th Place at 165lbs
Returning All-American: Morin
Number of returning wrestlers who competed in your 2009 national qualifier: 4

Top returning starters:
165 Michael Morin, 2x NEWA Champion, 2x NCAA National Qualifier; NCAA All American (4th)
141/149 Douglas Christensen-2x NEWA Conference Place Winner
125/133 Billy Cole (So) 21-11 record

Top incoming wrestlers:
157 Cody Byrd- 2009 New England Champion,3rd ’08 New England Championships, NH State Champion, NH MOC Champion, 3x NH State Placewinner; 149 Peter Gilman-2nd New England Championships, 2x Maine State Champion, 3x Regional Champion,4x Regional Finalist; 149 Logan Russell- Plymouth State Univ. transfer, 4x Maine State Place winner, 3x Region Champion; 125 Dylan Shultz- 2x New Hampshire State Champion, 3x New Hampshire Place winner; 133 Ernie Matthews- 2x Maine State Champ, 4x ME Placewinner;  165 Jim Koshivas- Massachusetts State Champion, 5th Massachusetts All States

USM looks forward to another successful year with NCAA All American Mike Morin, 2x NCAA NEWA Place winner Doug Christensen and 20 match winner Billy Cole leading this year’s Husky Wrestling team. In addition, there is an enthusiastic and accomplished group of incoming freshman with Peter Gilman and Cody Byrd leading the way, looking to make a sudden and solid impact on the mats.  Morin was the first All-American in the history of the program after a good run at the NCAA tournament, and he returns for another go.  Southern Maine’s dual meet fortunes may rest on how the incoming wrestlers fare in their first taste of college competition.