Injuries got in the way for Oshkosh last year, and the are hoping for a bounce back year in 2008-2009. Coach DeRoehn is also looking for a return trip to the NCAA tournament after a 2007 season saw Adam Dorner garner the first All-American of DeRoehn’s tenure. A quartet of WIAC placewinners return to lead the Titans and Jared Jaminski, Alex Mueller, and Eli Felts each topped 20 wins on the year. Chad Leviner is the fourth returning WIAC placer. Part of the effort to improve the team is aggressive recruiting done by the coaching staff. Top incoming wrestlers include Junior National All-American Carl Deluca and a trio of Wisconsin state champions in Jon Junk, Sam Engelland, and Duane Hartkopf. Some of those new wrestlers are at weights filled by returning conference placers, but Oshkosh will have things sorted out by thte time the 2009 WIAC tournament rolls around.
Team: University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Head Coach: Mike DeRoehn (Plymouth State ’05)
Years at School as head coach: 5th season
Assistant Coaches: Chris Stratton, Nick Matiash, Joe Terrill, Larry Marchionda
2007-2008 Dual Meet Record: 6-13
Top returning starters: 125 Chad Leviner 4th WIAC, 133 Jared Jaminski 5th WIAC 20 wins, 141 Alex Mueller 6th WIAC 21 wins, 174 Eli Felts 5th WIAC 21 wins
Top incoming wrestlers:
125-Carl Deluca-USA Wrestling Folkstyle National Champion; Junior National All-American
133-Jon Junk-2008 WI State Champion
174/184-Sam Engelland-2008 Undefeated WI State Champion; 3rd in 2007; Cadet All-American
184/197-Duane Hartkopf-2008 WI State Champion; 4x State Qualifier; 3x State Placer