USMMA 2016-2017 Preview

Team: United States Merchant Marine Academy
Head Coach: Greg Ilaria
Years at School as Head Coach: 8
Career Record at Current School: 81-52
Assistant Coaches: Beau Bruno

2015-2016 Dual Meet Record: 10-9

2016 NCAA Qualifiers: Ricky Fisher (197, 6th)

Top Returning Starters:
149 – Nathan Twito – 1st place centennial conference 2016, 5th place NCAA Easter Regional 2016
157 – Erik Beshada – 6th place NCAA Eastern regional 2016
184 – Pat Rooney – 30 -12 record in 2015, 6th place eastern regional 2015
197 – Blake Bunce – 6th place NCAA Eastern regional 2016
197/285 – Branden Joest – 6th place NCAA Eastern regional 2016

Top Incoming Wrestlers:
149 – J.C Henderson – CO – state place winner.
149 – Frank Jilling – NY – 3rd Place Suffolk County, 44-1 (senior record), 117-32 (Career Record).
165 – Joshua Glantzman – NJ – Region 6 Champion, NJ round of 12.
165 – Collin Keil – OH – 142-39 (career record).
174 – Kurtis Hahn – MO – 3 x place winner, 2016 State Champion.
184- Pierce Williams – LO – 2016 State Champion.

Season Outlook:
The 2017 season will be very competitive for the US Merchant Marine Academy wrestling team. The Mariners return 5 NCAA Eastern Regional place winners including Pat Rooney who suffered a season ending injury last year after an solid start to the 2016 season. The addition of state Champions Kurtis Hahn and Pierce Williams as well as the return of top heavy weight recruit from 2016 Victor Raigozza will round out the line up.