2013-2014 Wesleyan Preview

Wesleyan University Cardinals
Head Coach: Drew Black
Years at School as head coach: 16 years
Career Record at school: 157-118
Assistant Coaches: Blair Tugman, John Biddiscombe, Matt Moran, Dan DiCenzo

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2012-2013 Dual Meet Record: 15-7
2012-2013 National Qualifiers and All-Americans: Howard Tobochnik (149), Jefferson Ajayi (184), Josh Roometua (197)
Returning Qualifiers and All-Americans: Josh Roometua

Top returning starters:
125 James Hamilton 25-15
149 Chris Siracusa 16-12
157 Alex Cannon
165 Taran Carr-one win from placing @ NE Regional
165/174 Ryan Sblendorio-returning conference placer 5th @ 165 ’12,
165/174 Simon Levin 10-9
184/197 Josh Roometua 29-14, NCAA Qualifier
285 Austin Frank 9-14
285 Blake Cunningham 9-9

Top incoming wrestlers:

125 Frank Crippen- NJ 2 x Region placer (4th)
133 DJ Lemieux-100 + wins in MA
141 Matt Pelton-PA 2 x Region placer (4th)
141 Edward Pierce-FL, 5th in state 3A
149 Robert Rosenberg-Nassau County, NY 100 + wins
157 Joseph Koshakow-NY Sect 1 placer (5th)
174/184 James Kellner-NJ State Qualifier, one win from placing
197 Devon Carrillo-CT, New England 1st, 2nd, 3rd
285 Tobias Lichtenstein-CT, LL State runner-up

Season outlook:
After graduating a strong class that led Wesleyan to some of their greatest season in team history, the Cardinals look to a younger group to carry the torch in 2014. Josh Roometua finished a solid freshman campaign with a trip to the NCAA Championships and he will be aiming to improve on that finish this season. Classmate Jame Hamilton won 25 matches and beat at least one national qualifier during the season. Two wrestlers who could contribute this season are Ryan Sblendorio, who missed last year but placed in New England in 2012 and Chris Siracusa, a sophomore who had a winning record at 133 last year but may be 149 in 2014. With a lot of solid seniors graduating, there could be space in the lineup for some of the incoming class with 3x New England placewinner Devon Carrillo looking for time in the upper weights.