Wartburg Preview

After an outstanding season that saw the Knights come home with three champs and nine All-Americans, Wartburg has reloaded and should be favored to repeat as National Champions in 2009.  Jacob Naig, Aaron Wernimont, and Romeo Djoumessi all return to defend their titles from 2008 and are joined by returning All-Americans Matt Kelly, Justin Hanson, and Zach McKray.  2007-2008 saw Head Coach Jim Miller reach 300 wins at Wartburg in just his 17th season at the helm.  In year 18, he seeks his 7th NCAA title and 17th straight Iowa Conference championship.  The returning core is very strong, and they will be backed by an impressive incoming class of transfers and freshmen.  This group includes Iowa State transfer Mark Kist at 125.  He spent some time starting in Ames last year and should be a strong All-American candidate.  Also, Fargo runner-up and Iowa state champ Byron Tate comes in at 197 along with 2x CA state champ Gilberto Camacho and AZ state champ Eric Reichert.  Beyond these top recruits, 16 other state placewinners will join the Knights for 2008-2009.  The full list is published on the d3wrestle.com recruiting post found here (https://www.d3wrestle.com/?p=482).  Elsewhere in the lineup, Matt Kelly will drop to 133, 2007 National Qualifier Adam Weber will challenge at 165, and part time starters Grant Jenkins and Dustin Jaeger will battle Cragi Kreman for his spot at 174.

Team: Wartburg College
Head Coach: Jim Miller (Northern Iowa ’75)
Years at School as head coach: 18th year
Career Record at school: 304-28
Assistant Coaches: Eric Keller (Assoc. Head Coach), Chris Ortner, Wil Kelly, Paul Reedy, TJ Miller

2007-2008 Dual Meet Record: 22-0
2008 Nationa Qualifiers and All-Americans: Robert Struthers (4th/125), Jacob Helvey (2nd/133), Matt Kelly (5th/141), Jacob Naig (1st/149), Aaron Wernimont (1st/157), Justin Hanson (7th/165), Romeo Djoumessi (1st/184), TJ Miller (2nd/197), Brian Borchers (2nd/285)
Returning Qualifiers and All-Americans: Kelly, Naig, Wernimont, Hanson, Djoumessi, Zach McKray (8th in ’06, NQ in ’07)

Top Incoming Wrestlers:
Mark Kist, sophomore transfer from Iowa State (125)
Byron Tate, 215 lb IA state champ/2nd National freestyle (197)
Gilberto Camacho, 2x Calif State Champ at 103 (125)
Eric Reichert, Arizona State Champ at 215 (197/285)