TNCJ Preview

The College of New Jersey Lions
Head Coach: R. Joseph Galante
Years at School as head coach: First
Career Record at school: 0-0
Assistant Coaches: Sean Flynn, Dave Ilaria, Brian Dempsey

2010-2011 Dual Meet Record: 19-2 (2nd Metro, 18th NCAA)
2010-2011 National Qualifiers and All-Americans: Steve Godine 125, Dan Herr 133, Brian Broderick 174, Justin Bonitatis 5th at 165, Mike Denver 6th at 184
Returning Qualifiers and All-Americans: Godine, Herr, Kyle Packer (2010), and Denver

Top returning starters:
125 Steve Godine, NCAA Qualifier
133 Dan Herr, NCAA Qualifier
157 Kyle Packer, 2010 qualifier
184 Mike Denver, 2x All American

Top incoming wrestlers:
Omar Akel NJ State place winner

Season outlook:
It is the beginning of a new era at TCNJ. Dave Icenhower stepped down after 35 years and five NCAA championships. Taking his place is Joe Galante, a former All-American at TCNJ. He inherits a strong team featuring four returning NCAA qualifiers and led by two-time All-American Mike Denver. The Metro conference will again be tough with six good teams in the mix, but the experience of the Lion lineup will be an asset moving forward. They have also brought in their usual mix of New Jersey wrestlers with state level experience that will be fighting for spots vacated by some graduating seniors like All-American Justin Bonitatis. The Lions have been a consistent presence near the top of the NCAA standings ever since the beginning of Division III, and it will be up to the new coach to do his best to keep them there. The team he has now has a great shot to maintain that tradition.