Johnson & Wales Preview

Johnson and Wales University WildcatsJWU
Head Coach: Lonnie Morris
Years at School as head coach: 13th
Career Record at school: 158-91-2
Assistant Coaches: Brian Allen (11th), James Gilbert (8th), Chris Wells (3rd), Randall Totten (2nd)

2008-2009 Dual Meet Record: 18-5 overall / 15-0 in conference
2008-2009 National Qualifiers and All-Americans: Nicholas Cucciniello 133 lbs. (NQ), Jerome Owens 174 lbs. (NQ, AA 08 8th), Bryan Lenhardt 184 lbs.(AA 08 6th & 09 6th )
Returning Qualifier: Nicholas Cucciniello (NQ)
Number of returning wrestlers who competed in 2009 national qualifier: 7

Top returning starters:
125 James Soprano(3rd Conference 09) 27-12
133 Nicholas Cucciniello (1st Conference 09) 22-3
141 John Donaleski 16-16
149 Vincent Egloff 12-14
165 Jordan Corona (6th Conference 09) 9-5
197 Patrick McCrohan (4th Conference 09) 16-13
285 Jon Flegel (6th Conference 09) 18-16

Top incoming wrestlers:
125 Michael Bastante: This Junior returns after one year off. He was 08 conference finalist, 07 Ithaca champ & OW. Career record 46-15

174 Colin Lenhardt: This Freshman is the third Lenhardt to come to JWU. He was a Virginia State Finalist and a round way from AA at Senior Nationals @171. As a sophomore he became an AA as he placed 3rd @ Fargo in freestyle. High School Record: 142-20 with 102 pins

184 Brennan Ward: This transfer by way of Colby CC was a NCAA JUCO National Qualifer

2009-2010 looks to be a reloading year, but with high expectations. Gone from the team are two All-Americans in 174 lbs. Jerome Owens and 184 lbs. Bryan Lenhardt. Freshman Colin Lenhardt 174 lbs. and transfer Brennan Ward 184 lbs. will do their best to replace those athletes and junior Michael Bastante returns at 125 lbs. after a year away.  JWU has been either 1st or 2nd at the Conference Championship each of the last 5 years and hopes to continue that streak in 2010. They wrestle one of the tougher schedules in the New England conference with trips to the Gator Duals in Florida and the National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa, along with the Ithaca Invitational to start out the year.  With 47 athletes on the team to start the year, there should be good depth and competition for starting spots.