UW-Stevens Point Preview

Five starters return from last year’s 10th place team, but both All-Americans graduate for UW-Stevens Point.  In his 11th season, Coach Johnson looks to build on last year’s top ten finish and reload with incoming freshmen and last season’s backups.  Each of the returning national qualifiers has the experience and talent to stan on the podium this coming March.  Qualifier Ben Engelland joined the team late last year after completing the football season, but he has chosen to focus solely on wrestling, so he will be with the Pointers from the opening whistle in 2008-2009.  Stevens Point looks to restock with a talented class featuring Michigan state champ Derek Saari, MI state placewinner Joe Mileski, and Alaska state champ Jeremy Fulk.  DeCleene, Wozniak, and Engelland hope to lead their team to a WIAC title after a 2nd place finish a year ago.

Team: UW-Stevens Point
Head Coach: Johnny Johnson (Oklahoma)
Years at School as head coach: 11th season.
Career Record at school: 91-57-2
Assistant Coaches: Yan White, Joel Burdick, David Davila, Chris Brown, & Eric Bath

2007-2008 Dual Meet Record: 15-6-1
2007-2008 National Qualifiers and All-Americans: Jake Calhoun, Chase DeCleene, Jake Wozniak, Eric Bath (5th/174), Ben Engelland, Craig Bollig (3rd/197)
Returning Qualifiers and All-Americans: DeCleene, Wozniak, & Engelland

Top returning starters: DeCleene-NQ, 2nd WIAC, Wozniak-NQ, 2nd WIAC, Engelland-NQ, 2nd WIAC

Top incoming wrestlers: Joe Mileski (125) – MI, 3-time UP Champion, 5th at lower Michigan state tournament, & 1st at Brute/Adidas nationals in Kansas.  Jeremy Fulk (197)- 4-time state placewinner in Alaska (6th, 6th, 1st, & 2nd)