2012-2013 Trine Preview

Trine University Thunder (Midwest Region)
Head Coach: Dan Callahan
Years at School as head coach: 7
Career Record at school: 62 – 54 – 1
Assistant Coaches: Andy Uhl, 1st season, George Markou 1st season

2011-2012 Dual Meet Record: 9 – 11
2011-2012 National Qualifiers and All-Americans: Elias Larson 157 4th, Ryan Pieper 184 NQ
Returning Qualifiers and All-Americans: Elias Larson 157 3rd 2011, 4th 2012, Ryan Pieper NQ 2012

Top returning starters:
157 Sr. Elias Larson 2X AA, 101 – 19 Career
174 Sr. Ryan Pieper NQ, 80-47
125 So Brandon Preston MW Regional Runner-up, 15-22
197 Mackenzie Green So 19 -21
165 Nick Odom Sr. 32-32

Top incoming wrestlers:
Ryan Bean – 125 – (128 – 44 HS Career) 3X Indiana Semi State Qualifier
Nick Ader – 133 – 1 X Indiana State Finals Qualifier
Josh Blanton – 141 – (124-25) 3X Indiana Semi-State Qualifier
Jon Blanton – 149 – (143-34 HS Career) 3X Indiana Semi-State Qualifier
Michael Conner – 184 – (64- 20 HS Career Record)

Season outlook:
Both of Trine’s qualifiers are back this season, and 2x All-American Elias Larson looks to be the preseason favorite at 157 with last year’s champ most likely moving up to 165. Ryan Pieper also returns after qualifying at 184, but he will be dropping to 174 this season. A lot of the rest of the lineup will be a young group around those two seniors, with the lineup composed of a lot of freshman and sophomores like last year’s regional runner-up at 125 Brandon Preston. If the young wrestlers can develop quickly, the team has a chance to better last year’s record as they seek to crown their first ever NCAA champion as well.