Stevens 2016-2017 Preview
Team: Stevens Institute of Technology
Head Coach: Joe Favia
Years at School as Head Coach: 3
Career Record at Current School: 31-8
Assistant Coaches: Anthony Bonaventura (Head Assistant), Zebulon Hilyard (Assistant)
2015-2016 Dual Meet Record: 18-2
2016 NCAA Qualifiers: Rob Murray (125), Ryan Wilson (141), Zack Wilhelm (149), Colin Navickas (165, 4th), AJ Kowal (184, 3rd), Tyler Maher (285, 7th)
Returning NCAA Qualifiers (any year): Murray, Wilhelm, Navickas, Kowal
Top Returning Starters:
125 – Rob Murray, 2016 Conference Champ, 2016 NCAA Qualifier
149 – Zach Wilhelm, 2016 NCAA Qualifier
165 – Colin Navickas, 2016 Conference Champ, 2016 All American
184 – AJ Kowal, 2x Conference Champ, 2016 Regional Champ, 2016 All American, 2016 National Pins Leader
Top Incoming Wrestlers:
Troy Stanich – Roxbury HS
Dylan Van Sickell – Christian Brothers Academy
Carl Vasti – Christian Brothers Academy
James Spaniak – Bayard Rustin High School
Austin Kruger – Bayport Blue Point High School
James Jachim – Brick Township High School
Season Outlook:
After a solid 2015-16 campaign the Ducks are looking to improve on their 8th place finish at the 2016 NCAA Championship. With the loss of NCAA Qualifier Ryan Wilson and NCAA All American Tyler Maher due to graduation, the Ducks will look to add some new faces to this years line-up. Four 2016 NCAA qualifiers return and are looking to continue the winning trend from last season.
The 2016-17 schedule will be very challenging as the Ducks will take on 14 of the top 20 schools from last season throughout the year . Some new additions to the schedule are trips to the Roger Williams Invitational, Mount Union Duals, and the York: New Standard Invitational. Other highlights on the schedule are competing at the Grapple at the Garden, the Matman Invitational hosted by Cornell College, and hosting the 2017 Centennial Conference Championships.