2012-2013 Wesleyan Preview

Wesleyan University Cardinals (Northeast Region)
Head Coach: Drew Black
Years at School as head coach: 15th
Career Record at school: 142-111-3
Assistant Coaches: Blair Tugman, James Therrien, Matt Moran, John Biddiscombe

Facebook: Wesleyan Wrestling

2011-2012 Dual Meet Record: 11-6
2011-2012 National Qualifiers and All-Americans: Joey Schwartz (133), Kyle Roosa (174), Jefferson Ajayi (184, 7th), Luke Erickson (197)
Returning Qualifiers and All-Americans: 133 Joey Schwartz, 174 Kyle Roosa, 184 Jefferson Ajayi

Top returning starters:
133 Joey Schwartz (2nd NEWA)
141 Nick Scotto (6th NEWA)
149 Howard Tobochnik (2nd NEWA)
157 Troy Sampson (5th NEWA ’11)
165/174 Ryan Sblendorio (5th NEWA)
174/165 Kyle Roosa (2 x NEWA Champ)
184 Jefferson Ajayi (2nd ’11, NEWA Champ ’12, All-American 7th)
285-Austin Frank, Jacob Sheffer

Top incoming wrestlers (including transfers) with accomplishments:
285 Zac Calhoun – TN placewinner
157 Taran Carr – MD champ, 3x placewinner
285 Blake Cunningham – GA champ
125 James Hamilton – 2x MA All-State placewinner
157 Keonmin Hwang – CIF champ
157/165 Simon Levin – 2x NJ regional placewinner, 2x district champ
184/197 Josh Roometua – MO champ, 2nd prep New England
197 Jon San Filippo – 6th National Prep
133/141 Chris Siracusa – 2x NY league finalist, Fargo freestyle qualifier

Season outlook:
Wesleyan should have one of their stronger teams in recent memory with most of the lineup returning as upperclassmen. After winning the NEWA championship last year, they should be poised to make an impact at the new Northeast Region, though they will have to deal with a few of the tougher Empire teams.  Three returning NCAA qualifiers should help with that, led by returning All-American Jefferson Ajayi at 184. The freshman class is also strong, though some of those wrestlers will have to wait their turn with such a strong returning lineup.