UW-La Crosse Preview

UW-La Crosse will be a younger team than last year, but they still remain a formidable force with National Championship aspirations.  Led by returning champion Dan Laurent, the Eagles return three All-Americans and three other national qualifiers from previous years.  While 5th place finisher Josh Zabel is a senior.  Laurent, All-American Matt Mauseth, and National Qualifier Brandon Music will all be back next year as well.  After a two year absence from the NCAA championships, both Pat Parrillo and Kevin Barber look to make a return trip in 2009.  After graduating All-Americans Jordan Kolinski, Tim Palmer, and Josh Chelf, La Crosse will look to a strong incoming class including former state champ transfers Jordan Foy (St. Cloud State) and Alex Dahl (UW-Whitewater) as well as five other state champ freshmen.

Team: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Head Coach: Dave Malecek (Northern Iowa ’94)
Years at School as head coach: 3rd Season
Career Record at school: 34-3
Assistant Coaches: Derek Fuglsang, Josh Chelf, Ryan Allen, Jason Lulloff, Tony Ganas

2007-2008 Dual Meet Record: 21-2
2007-2008 National Qualifiers and All-Americans: Brandon Music (125/NQ), Jordan Kolinski (133/4th), Matt Mauseth (149/6th), Jay Milz (157/NQ), Tim Palmer (165/5th), Josh Chelf (174/1st), Josh Zabel (184/5th), Dan Laurent (285/1st)
Returning Qualifiers and All-Americans: Music, Pat Parrillo (133/NQ/2006), Kevin Barber (141/NQ/2006), Mauseth, Zabel, Laurent

Top returning starters: 285 Dan Laurent National Champion, 184 Josh Zabel 5th NCAA, 149 Matt Mauseth 6th NCAA

Top incoming wrestlers: Johnny Brennan (125), Jordan Foy (133, St. Cloud transfer), Alex Dahl (141, Whitewater transfers), Nathan Jones (141), Mike Schmitz (174), Brandon James (174); Wisconsin State Champs: Jed Domke, Vinnie Pedretti, Cody Freimoth, Grant Miller, Adam Theisen.