Ithaca Preview
Ithaca College Bombers
Head Coach: Marty Nichols (Ithaca ‘90)
Years at School as head coach: 14th Season
Career Record at school: 131-63
Assistant Coaches: Dave Auble, Marc Israel, Chris Davis, Jon Jones, Mike Fusilli, Evan Velez
2008-2009 Dual Meet Record: 14-1
2008-2009 National Qualifiers and All-Americans: Seth Ecker (125/6th), Chad Winowich (133/8th), John Paxos (141/8th),Blaine Woszczak (149/4th), Willie Horwath (157/8th), David Priest (174/NQ), Chris Carabello (197/ NQ)
Returning Qualifiers and All-Americans: Jon Gregory (125/8th/2008), Ecker, Winowich, Justin Seifried (133/7th/2007), Woszczak, Horwath, Priest, Carabello
Top Returning Starters:
125 Seth Ecker 6th NCAA
133 Chad Winowich 8th NCAA
149 Blaine Woszczak 4th NCAA
157 Willie Horwath 8th NCAA
174 David Priest NQ
197 Chris Carabello NQ
Top incoming wrestlers:
125 Joe Smaldone NYS Runner-up 2x Placewinner
141 Mike Priest PA. Region place winner
149 Jason Fraser 3rd NYS
149 Evan Connor NE Champion
149 Colin Geer NYS Qualifier
157 Derek Brenon NYS Champion 3x Finalist
165 Tony Doldo NYS Champion
174 Joe Beach 2X NYS Qualifier
174 Josue Mendez 2x NYS Placewinner
197 Gili Bauer-Mosher NYS Qualifier.
Ithaca returns an experienced team that includes 6 All-Americans and two other National Qualifiers. This is the most experienced team since 1994 when the Bombers returned 5 All-Americans and won their 3rd National Title. Four 2009 All-Americans are back along with two others from previous years. There will be an interesting competition for the starting spot at 133, as it appears Seth Ecker, a semifinalist at 125 last year is moving up to 133 where 2009 All-American Winowich is entrenched. Filling Ecker’s spot at 125 should be 2008 All-American Jon Gregory. Also back is 2007 All-American Justin Seifried at 141. Only All-American John Paxos graduates from last year’s top ten team, leaving Ithaca well situated for the 2009-2010 season. Last year’s 197 national qualifier Carabello is moving down to 184, further strengthening the lineup. On any given day, Ithaca can put seven wrestlers on the mat with NCAA experience, making them tough to beat in either a dual meet or a tournament.