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BLOOMSBURG—The Bloomsburg University wrestling team will have a new look during the 2001-02 season. Taking over as interim head coach is longtime assistant coach Dave Kennedy while lots of newcomers will replace many familiar faces in the lineup.

Kennedy will fill in for Tom Martucci, who was granted a leave of absence. The Bloomsburg University graduate is no stranger to the duties as head coach, having previously served as the top man at the Citadel.

The interim coach, however, has a tough road to travel with just two returning starters from a year ago, Brock Hite and Pat Spirelli, in the lineup. Four-time NCAA qualifier Ed Hockenberry (pictured below) and three-time qualifier Cassidy Shults have graduated. Also, red-shirting for the 2001-02 season will be three-time qualifier George Carter and two-time qualifier Hunter Guenot. The loss of those four wrestlers will leave a big hole in the Huskies lineup. Between them, Carter and Guenot combined for 53 wins. Throw in another 61 wins from Hockenberry and Shults and you can see that the Huskies have a lot of experience to replace.

“To say we will be young is understating the situation,” said Kennedy. “There are going to be times this year when we will have as many as eight freshmen in the lineup. At this level that is an unheard of thing.”

“Our guys will be learning the ropes under match conditions,” Kennedy added. “How well they respond to those conditions will determine what we accomplish won-loss wise this year. We may not end up with a good record, wins and losses wise, but the guys we put out will battle till the end. This will only make us tougher in years to come. ”

The Huskies will again face a difficult schedule, which will only add to the hard lessons to be learned by the team.

“We (Bloomsburg) not only have to face our Eastern Wrestling League opponents, but we will also face Nebraska, Rutgers and Rider among dual meets,” said Kennedy. “Plus, we have several tough tournaments like the Oklahoma Gold Classic, the Penn State Open and the Wilkes Open.”

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Brock Hite, who posted a record of 21-9 last year, returns and should once again be in the starting lineup. Hite has the most wins of any returning Bloomsburg wrestler this season.

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A newcomer will man the weight this season. Three freshmen, Mark Piermatti (3rd at PIAA championships), Kevin Matter (a PA state qualifier) and William English (6th in the Florida championships) will battle for the starting role with the others remaining in reserve roles.

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Adam Castner will see the majority of time at this weight class. A year ago, Castner was 2-12, but gained valuable mat time and experience, which should help him this season.

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George Carter will red-shirt leaving this weight class wide open. Lucas Blair is a returning wrestler and is expected to win the starting role. Others who will battle him for mat time include Dan Foster, Josh Anspach and Chad Sines (a PA state qualifier).

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This weight class, with Ed Hockenberry, was as near to a given for Bloomsburg over the last few years as any weight class in recent memory. Hockenberry is gone leaving Devin Derenzis, 3-3 last year, and freshman B.J. Mikeska (3rd at PIAA championships) battling for time.

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With Hunter Guenot taking a red-shirt year this weight class is also wide open. Look for Ryan Chaluda, Ryan Garner, John Tutino and Zach Blair to compete for mat time.

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Josh Hewes is the Huskies top returning wrestler at this weight and is ready to make his presence known in the EWL. Also, watch for Garret Hurd, Paul Kanters and Tom Anderson to battle for time.

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A new face will start there for the Huskies this season with Chad Hoare, Brian Henniger and Justin Johnson, from the football team, all looking for the starting role.

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Andy Ludlow will take over this spot in the lineup as the team's only 197 pounder until January when Lewis Polley will battle him for the starting role.

HWT

Pat Spirelli returns at this weight class and will be challenged by Rob Chalet, Aaron Ferrence and Jason Luty.