Metro Conference Preview
contributed by Eric Walker, Elizabethtown College
Metropolitan Conference Championships – 18 qualifiers
Sunday, February 27th, 2011 at King’s College
Returning Qualifiers/AA: Will Livingston (Centenary, 133, 3rd), Dan Herr (TCNJ, 133), Matt Ulrich (Delaware Valley, 141, 6th), Tye Boyer (Elizabethtown, 149), Jesse Harrington (Delaware Valley, 157, 5th), Justin Bonitatis (TCNJ, 165, ’09), Matt Magill (NYU, 157, 8th, now 165), Dan Daddino (Delaware Valley, 174), Mike Rielly (King’s, 174), Mike Denver (TCNJ, 184, 7th).
TCNJ reclaimed the team title last year after Wilkes took it away from them the year before. This year TCNJ is again looking to claim another Metro title, but it won’t be easy, especially with the addition of Delaware Valley this season. 6 of the 10 teams in the conference are ranked in the top 30 in the latest NWCA team rankings. TCNJ is led by Dan Herr (133), Justin Bonitatis (165), Brian Broderick (174), and Mike Denver (184). Centenary is loaded to make a run at the title this year led by Jose Vega (125), Will Livingston (133), Dave Alsieux (141), Jon Stillo (149), Owen Vernon (157), Matt Regan (165), Tim Lutke (197), and JD Zitone (285), a transfer from Delaware Valley. They certainly have the fire power to bring home their first team championship in history. Certainly schools like Wilkes, Elizabethtown, York, and Delaware Valley also have line ups that could make some noise at the conference championships as well. There was not one undefeated team in the conference this year so there is evidently some parity to this year’s tournament.
125
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers – Bentley (Elizabethtown, Contender), Vega (Centenary, Contender), Frankel (Delaware Valley, H.M.)
With the transfer of 2x conference champion Tyler Erdman, this weight class is certainly up for grabs as Bentley of Elizabethtown comes in with the best record but has a loss to Vega of Centenary. Frankel of Del Val has dropped down from 133 and has had some good wins (1 over Vega) but also a few losses as well. Throw in Hartman of York, who has been competitive with everyone, Oliver from Hunter, Dorsey of King’s, and Peterson of Wilkes and it will be a very competitive weight class.
133
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers – Livingston (Centenary, 1st), Herr (TCNJ, 5th)
The top two finishers from the conference championship last year look to be the front runners again this year. Will Livingston has been dominant and worthy of his number 1 ranking as 16 of his 18 wins have been by bonus this year. Herr will look to close the gap on Livingston, as he too is having an outstanding year with a 30-4 record. Others looking to upset will be Gogatz of Hunter, Glatz of York, Signorelli of Scranton, and Harnish of Elizabethtown. Look for one of the wild cards to come from this weight class.
141
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers – Albright (York, 4th), Alsieux (Centenary, 6th), Ulrich (Delaware Valley, 7th)
This is one of the more competitive weight classes at the tournament with 3 ranked wrestlers in the top ten. Albright of York, who transferred from Pitt last year has had nothing but success this season. He has wins over Alsieux and Ulrich. Alsieux has two wins this season over Ulrich, but of course Ulrich was an All-American for Southern Maine last season at 141. Others looking to spoil will be Wilson of Wilkes, Sheridan of Elizabethown, Messina of Hunter. Look for one or possibly two wild cards to come from this weight class.
149
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers – Dattolo (Wilkes, 6th), Andrews (Delaware Valley, Contender), Darling (TCNJ, Contender), Stillo (Centenary, Contender), Boyer (Elizabethtown, H.M.)
Probably the deepest weight class at the conference tournament with five wrestlers ranked in the latest d3 rankings. Boyer of Elizabethtown is the returning champion of the weight class, but Dattolo of Wilkes has had a great year with no losses in DIII. Andrews of Delaware Valley has had wins over Stillo of Centenary and Darling of TCNJ, but has a loss to Gugliotti of York. Dattolo is a two-time conference runner up but will be looking to go one step higher on the podium this year. Possibility of a wild card here.
157
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers – Harrington (Delaware Valley, 3rd), Delgado (Hunter, 9th), Vernon (Centenary, H.M.)
Jesse Harrington of Del Val is a returning All-American(5th), and is looking to step a little higher up on the podium this year. He will be challenged this year by Delgado of Hunter who has a win over Magill of NYU at 165. Owen Vernon will have something to say at this tournament as he comes in with a 20-5 record. Others looking to make some noise will be Everett of Wilkes, Sheridan of Elizabethtown, and Desir of King’s. Look for a wild card to come out of this weight class.
165
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers – Bonitatis (TCNJ, 4th), Magill (NYU, Contender), Regan (Centenary, Contender), Eno (Elizabethtown, H.M.)
Justin Bonitatis is the front-runner at this weight class. He has wins over Regan and Eno. Regan has a head to head win over Eno. Magill is a returning All-American but is up a weight class. It will be interesting to see how this weight class shapes up. One guy that could add a little noise to this weight class is Ben Marich of Wilkes, who sports a 15-6 record and has quality wins over non conference opponents. Others looking to place would be Heisey of York, Marinucci of King’s, and Chiappetta of Delaware Valley.
174
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers – Reilly (Kings, 4th), Meaney (Elizabethtown, 7th), Broderick (TCNJ, 8th).
This could be one of the more hotly contested weight classes in the tournament. Mike Reilly of King’s, returns as the favorite of the weight class after missing last season due to injury. He is the returning 2x conference champ and is looking for his 3rd title. However, Julian Meaney of Elizabethtown and Brian Broderick have had great seasons and are looking to put a halt to his championship run. All 3 find themselves in the top 10 of the rankings. One particular person with credentials looking to spoil is Dan Daddino, a qualifier from a year ago. Others in the mix for placing would be Stough of Wilkes and Sawari of Hunter. One or possibly two wild cards could be given at this weight.
184
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers – Denver (TCNJ, 3rd), Martocello (York, 10th)
Mike Denver is the returning champ and looking to improve his place on the podium this season. He will be challenged by Martocello of York who has had a couple close matches with Denver this season. Others in the mix at this weight and are looking to crack the top 4 would be Galassi of NYU, Mitchell of Centenary, and Oberrender of Wilkes. You could certainly see a wild card out of this weight class.
197
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers – Tim Lutke (Centenary, 6th), Aaron Karns (Delaware Valley, 7th), George Saliba (York, Contender)
This will be a very competitive weight class. Lutke of Centenary seems to be the early favorite with a win over Karns during the regular season. Karns has had an impressive freshman campaign with a win over Saliba of York. Saliba has been extremely consistent and has some signature wins of his own. Others looking to spoil and has kept close with these guys are Dwyer of King’s, Landis of Elizabethtown, and Transue of Wilkes.
285
d3wrestle.com Ranked Wrestlers – Katzaman (Elizabethtown, 8rd), Laughlin (York, Contender), Smith (Wilkes, Contender)
This is another competitive weight class and could pose some problems with seeding. Tim Katzaman seems to be the front runner at the weight class with a number 8 ranking, but he has a close loss to Zitone of Centenary. Laughlin of York does not have a ton of matches under his belt but does have a win over Smith of Wilkes. Smith of Wilkes has a win over Zitone of Centenary. Pyle of Delaware Valley also has had close matches with these 4 guys as well. Regardless of seed, any one of these top 4 guys has the same potential to win this weight class.