University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Eagles
Head Coach: Dave Malecek
Years at School as head coach: 6
Career Record: 79-15-1
Assistant Coaches: Derek Fuglsang, Ross Needham, Josh Zabel, Josh Passe
2010-2011 Dual Meet Record: 14-3-1 (1st WIAC, 3rd NCAA)
2010-2011 National Qualifiers and All-Americans: Albie McKinney 2nd at 125, Adam Sheley 5th at 133, Bebeto Yewah 1st at 141, Matt Mauseth DNP at 149, Cory Ferguson DNP at 165, Mike Schmitz 3rd at 174, Mitch Artist DNP at 184, Billy Mayer 6th at 285
Returning Qualifiers and All-Americans: Sheley 5th, Yewah 1st, Schmitz 3rd, Mayer 6th
Top returning starters: Sheley, Yewah, Schmitz, and Mayer are all returning All-Americans
Top incoming wrestlers:
125 Bobby Wunnicke, Northern Illinois transfer, 4x WI state champ
165 Kevin O’Brien, Northern Colorado transfer, MN state champ
Season outlook:
La Crosse had a strong team last year that again won a trophy at the NCAA Championship they hosted. There will be some open weights this year, as senior stalwarts Albie McKinney, Matt Mauseth, Cory Ferguson, and Mitch Artist have graduate. That said, there are four All-Americans anchoring the lineup including 2x champ Bebeto Yewah and 2010 champ Mike Schmitz. Both will be heavily favored to win titles in 2012. Sheley and Mayer are the other placewinners coming back as the Eagles attempt win another trophy in their hometown. POtential new starters include a pair of DI transfers in Bobby Wunnicke from Northern Illinois and Kevin O’Brien from Northern Colorado. Wunnicke was a 4x Wisconsin state champion, while O’Brien attended Army before transferring to Northern Colorado and putting in two seasons there before making his way to La Crosse for 2011-2012. One more name to keep in mind is Bobby Dorn, a senior at 149 who has spent time behind 3x All-American and NCAA champ Mauseth but now gets a chance to step in after putting up a 29-7 record over the past two seasons.