Wesleyan Preview

Wesleyan University Cardinals
Head Coach:  Drew Black
Years at School as head coach: 13th season
Career Record at school:  115-102-2
Assistant Coaches:  Dan Bloom, Gary Solomon, Joe Gaboury

2009-2010 Dual Meet Record: 11-7
2009-2010 National Qualifiers: Greg Hurd (174), Dan Bloom (125)
Number of returning wrestlers who competed in 2010 national qualifier:  8
Top returning starters:
197 Luke Erickson 197, 3rd NEWA
285 Dan Conroy HWT., 3rd NEWA (2009)
141 Howard Tobochnik, 5th NEWA

Top incoming wrestlers:
Troy Sampson 157/149, 5th state NY
Joey Schwartz 125, 4th state IL, 100+ pins in high school career
Alex Cannon 149/157, 3 x Michigan state qualifier
Greg Faxon 141, 8th National Prep Tournament
Jake Barack 141/149, top 6 state IL
Jacob Sheffer HWT, IL Regional Qualifier, Providence Catholic
Nick Truer 157, Masters Qualifier, CA

Season outlook:
Wesleyan graduated a strong group of seniors last year including national qualifiers Dan Bloom and Greg Hurd.  The team is led by returning New England placers in Luke Erickson, Dan Conroy and Howard Tobochnik, but there are others on the team who have had significant experience the past couple of years and could break out this season.  Senior Chris Alvanos and Nick Matayoshi are looking to fire up the 125 lb. class with the departure of Dan Bloom, who is now assisting with the team.  Kyle Roosa at 174 is ready to be a conference force after a 20 win freshman year.  Maika Nagata 133, placed in two early season tournaments as a freshman and competed in the New England Championships, just missing all-New England honors .  Nick Scotto represented the team at 149, but will be a strong competitor at 141 this season.  Howard Tobochnik is looking to start at 149 to see how he competes up a weight class to start the season.  Senior Vinny deLalla is preparing himself to finish strong at 149.  184 will have strong competition with Jefferson Ajayi (State Qualifier from Ohio) along with Gideon Levy and Marty Buxton.  197 returns Luke Erickson along with Dave Amhrien (NJ 5th) and Bryan Bryne, followed by HWT with returning conference placer Dan Conroy and newcomer Jacob Sheffer pushing the pace.  A strong freshman class will help to rebuild after the loss of four seniors with 20+ wins.