2013-2014 USMMA Preview

USMMA_logo[1]United States Merchant Marine Academy Mariners
Head Coach: Greg Ilaria
Years at School as head coach: 6
Career Record at school: 47 – 17
Assistant Coaches: Beau Bruno

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2012-2013 Dual Meet Record: 6-8
2012-2013 National Qualifiers and All-Americans: Brandon Yeik (157)
Returning Qualifiers and All-Americans: Brandon Yeik

Top returning starters:
157 Brandon Yeik (jr) – 2013 Eastern regional 3rd place, 2013 National Qualifier
165 Jake Walker (sr) – 2013 Eastern Regional round of 8
165 Ben Stallings (sr) – (has not wrestled since fr year) VA 3rd place finish in HS
174 Josh Miller (sr)– 2013 Centennial Conference runner up, 2013 Eastern Regional 6th Place
184 Sam Fry (sr) – 2013 Easter Regional round of 8
184 Greg Potemken (so) – 2013 Centennial Conference 4th Place
197 Tyler Russell (sr) – 2013 Eastern Regional 5th Place
197 Ricky Fisher (so) – 2013 Centennial Conference 2nd Place

Top incoming wrestlers (including transfers) with accomplishments:
125 – Mike Mui (MA) 3x All State Champ, 2nd & 3rd New England’s, NHSCA All American – 6th 2012
125 – William Hardin (AL) 3rd place 2012, 2nd place 2013, NHSCA round of 12
133 – Isaac Hammonds (OH) State qualifier
141 –Nathan Twito (IA) 3 x state qualifier, 7th place 2013
149 – Jack Walsh (VA) 2 x VA qualifier. Wyoming Seminary 2012 – 2nd PA Preps, 8th place Eastern States.
141/149 – Alexander Nicosia (LA) 3x State Champion
157 – John Rose (NY) 3 x All League, 2012 (MOW)
174 -Patrick Rooney (MN) State Runner up 2013, 3rd 2012, NHSCA round of 12
HWT – Brian Walker (AL) 2 x state champion, 3 x NHSCA All American, NHSCA Fr National Champion

Season outlook:
USMMA started the season a little differently than most schools, as their athletes spent October 10th dealing with the effects of a government shutdown that closed the school. They are back up and running now, and looking toward a successful 2014 season. NCAA qualifier Brandon Yeik returns at 157 and should be well-situated to return to the NCAA championship this year. Josh Miller was the #3 seed at the regional before finishing 6th, while Tyler Russell was 5th. Both return and hope to make the small improvements necessary to give the Mariners multiple qualifiers. This was also a good recruiting year for Merchant Marine, with 2x New England placewinner Mike Mui, National Prep runner-up Jack Walsh, 3x LA state champ Alexander Nicosia, and 2x AL champ Brian Walker all in the fold and eager to get going.