Stevens Preview

Stevens Institute of Technology Ducks
Head Coach: Mike Clayton
Years at School as head coach: 4th season
Career Record at school: 26-21
Assistant Coaches: Damion Logan, Jerry Rinaldi, CJ Ettelson, Pete Galea

2009-2010 Dual Meet Record: 6-9
2009-2010 National Qualifiers and All-Americans: 141 – Ryan Bridge (5th), 165 – Joey Favia, 174 – Bobby Bishop
Returning Qualifiers and All-Americans: Ryan Bridge (NCAA 5th), 174 – Bobby Bishop (NCAA Q and Academic AA), 174 – Ryan Dormann (2009 NCAA Q)
Number of returning wrestlers who competed in 2010 national qualifier: 7

Top returning starters:
141 – Ryan Bridge, 5th at NCAA, Centennial Conf Champ
157 – Leo Dormann, 2008-09 Academic AA, 2x Centennial Conf Placer
174 – Bobby Bishop, NCAA Qualifier, Centennial Champ
174 – Ryan Dormann, 2008-09 NCAA Qualifier, Centennial Conf Champ
184 – Vince Termini, Academic AA, Centennial Placer

Top incoming wrestlers:
125 – Andrew Boehm, 2x OH Placer, 4x State Qualifier, Career Record 143-24
125 – Brandon Ling, 4th in NY States, Career Record 118-21
133 – Cody Curtiss, TX State Champ, 3x Placer, Career Record 158-13
133 – Nick Guarriello, 2x NJ State Qualifier, Career Record 124-22
133 – Rob Ranalli, NJ Prep State Champion
149 – CJ Caserta, NJ State Qualifier, Career Record 112-32
157 – James Holden, NY State Qualifier, Career Record 99-29
157 – Davey Browne, 4th in WA States

Season outlook:

The Ducks are coming off record setting season by qualifying 3 wrestlers for the NCAA tournament. Sophomore Ryan Bridge became the Duck’s second All-American in school history with a 5th place finish at 141. Sophomore Joey Favia at 165 and Junior Bobby Bishop at 174 both advanced to the round of 12.

In the dual season, they competed well against some very tough competition. A loss by just 2 points to the team ranked #5 in the nation & a loss by 3 points to the #14 ranked team show that by toughening up just a few key weight classes, Stevens will make a big turn toward national prominence in the dual team format.  This year’s schedule will pit the Ducks against at least 8 ranked Div III opponents in duals as well as competition against Div I teams in duals and tournaments such as the Nittany Lion Open at Penn State.  A strong freshman class will compliment a strong cast of returning wrestlers this year. Top returners will be expected to step up big at 141 and from 157 up.  This year, the Ducks have added a full-time assistant coaching position that has been filled by 2x Michigan All-American, Damion Logan. Logan was a 4x NJ state finalist and 3x champion. He was also the head assistant at the University of Pennsylvania where he helped build nationally ranked recruiting classes and coached Matt Valenti to an NCAA Championship.

Other Assistants for the Ducks include: Part Time Assistant, Jerry Rinaldi, 2x All-American at Cornell University at 197 and Volunteer Assistants, CJ Ettelson, 4x Iowa State Champ and 4x NCAA Qualifier for Northern Iowa and Pete Galea, 2x All-American at Iowa State University.

Coach Clayton says, “We have a long way to go to reach our goals but the strong support of our school and the wrestling community in New Jersey is helping us keep moving forward!”