2022-2023 Johnson & Wales Preview
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Team: Johnson & Wales University
Head Coach: Lonnie Morris
Years at School as Head Coach: 26
Career Record at Current School: 392-150-4
Assistant Coaches: Brian Allen (24 years), James Gilbert (21 years), Steven Keith (2 years), Da’mani Burns (2 years)
2021-22 Dual Meet Record: 19-4
2022 NCAA Qualifiers & Placewinners:
125 Justin Lopez
133 Gabriel Leo-Esparolini
141 Hayden Brown
174 Michael Ross 2nd
285 Liridon Leka
Returning NCAA Qualifiers, NCAA All-Americans, and NWCA Placewinners:
133 Gabriel Leo-Esparolini
141 Hayden Brown
174 Michael Ross
197 Tommy Wrzesien, 2020 NCAA qualifier
285 Liridon Leka
Top Returning Starters:
133 Gabriel Leo – 2022 NCAA Qualifier Record 29-13
141 Hayden Brown – 2X Region Champ, 2X AA, 2X National Qualifier – Record 34-3
149 Gabriel McDaniel – Regional Placer 4th – Record 22-8
157 Will Hughes – Injured Last Season
165 Scott DeFex – Region Placer 4th – Record 30-15
174 Michael Ross – NCAA Finalist, 3X AA, 2X Region Champ – Record 37-1
184 Ryan DeVivo – Region Placer 5th – Record 24-5
197 Tommy Wrzesien – 2021 All-American, 3X Region Placer, Record 14-8
197 Dylan Harr – Record 20-8 Season Ending Injury in December
285 Liridon Leka – 2022 NCAA Qualifier, Region Champ, Record 34-2 “
Top Incoming Wrestlers:
Adolfo Betancur – 4x placer 3x State Champ, 3x New England Placer, NE Champ, NHSCA National Champion
Joziah Fry – 3x State Champ, 3x New England placer, New England Champion, NHSCA National Champion
Clayton Utter – 2x District Champ, 4x Region placer, 4x State Qualifier
Maurice Cooper – 3x State Placer, New England Placer 4th , NHSCA All-American 7th
Noah Krakower – District Champion, Region Place winner, State Qualifier
Noah Sclama – State Runner-up, 4x State Placer
Nicholas Torres – 2x State Champ
Harrison Gordon – District champion, 2x state qualifier
Nathan Ickes – State champion
Gabriel Case – District Champ, Region Runner-up, State qualifier
Season Outlook:
The Wildcats will look to regain the top position in the Region after placing 2nd at the Northeast Regionals last year. With almost the entire team from last season returning, the addition of 125 lbs. transfer Joziah Fry and some talented freshmen will boost the lineup as JWU prepares for another successful season.