2013-2014 Knox Preview

Knox College Prairie Fire
Head Coach: Joe Norton
Years at School as head coach: First Year
Assistant Coaches: Frank McAndrew

@KnoxWrestling

2012-2013 Dual Meet Record:2-14

Top returning starter: Greg Ventris – 2nd at NWA Conference in 2013.

Top incoming wrestlers:

133: Rich Thomsen – Lindenhurst, IL
141: Esai Ponce – Aurora, IL — 2x State Qualifier IHSA
149: Kyle Heller – Mahomet, IL
165: James Young – Bayfield, CO
184: Matt Surprenant – Macomb, IL — 2x State Qualifier, 3rd place IHSA
197: Connor Niemiec – Oak Lawn, IL
285: Joe Chirbas – Kenosha, WI
285: JJ Nawrot – Deerfield, IL

Season outlook:
Knox College will have a full time wrestling coach this season for the first time since 1983. Joe Norton comes over from North Central College where he competed for four years before serving as an assistant coach for three. The biggest task will be to build the roster and attract quality recruits. Greg Ventris is the top returner, a junior that will compete at 174, and a couple of freshmen enter the picture with state tournament experience. The Prairie Fire may still struggle to compete in the tough Central Regional, but should see vast improvements with a full-time coach at the helm.