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November 8, 2002

2002-03 Wrestling Preview

It's a new beginning for the Bloomsburg University wrestling team with the naming of Dan Wirnsberger as named head coach. Wirnsberger will look to return the Huskies to its glory days of the past with the help of John Stutzman his assistant coach and All-American candidates Hunter Guenot and George Carter who are back after redshirting last year.

With Guenot and Carter returning, the Huskies will look to improve on a disappointing 2001-02 campaign.

Wirnsberger, who was an assistant at Virginia Tech for six years prior to coming to Bloomsburg, is optimistic. In addition to Guenot and Carter, the Huskies return national qualifier Justin Johnson and an experienced bunch from last year's 1-13 team.

“I am extremely excited to be able to come into a program like Bloomsburg in such a great wrestling state and in the third toughest conference in the country,” Wirnsberger said. “The Eastern Wrestling League is an outstanding wrestling conference and I can't wait to start competing. I'm looking forward to the challenge.”

Carter, went to the NCAA tournament for the third year in a row in 2000-01, and will look to place for the first time this year. In his career, Carter has won an Eastern Wrestling League title and finished second at both the Penn State Open and Bloomsburg Invitational. He is 12th all-time at Bloomsburg with 90 victories in his career.

Guenot has been to the NCAA's twice, including 2000-01, and will try to earn a return trip this year. He has won the Penn State Open and has 57 career victories.

Johnson, who finished second at the EWL Tournament last year and earned a trip to the NCAA's, is not playing football this season and should be a factor in postseason tournaments. Heavyweight Tony Milone placed fourth at the EWL tournament and Brock Hite 5th. Milone and Johnson both placed in the top 3 at the PSAC Championships and Duane Bastress finished fourth.

Brad Forbes, who finished 5th at the PIAA Championships in his senior year in high school will compete for time.

The Huskies lone win came against Slippery Rock last year, while the team finished eighth in the Oklahoma Gold Tournament, third in the Bloomsburg Invitational, fifth at the PSAC Championships and eighth at the EWL Tournament. They will try to improve on that this year with another brutal schedule that includes trips to the Oklahoma Gold Tournament, the Penn State Open and the Beast of the East. Bloomsburg has dual meets scheduled with traditional powers Virginia Tech, Cleveland State, Clarion, Edinboro, Rutgers, East Stroudsburg, Lock Haven and West Virginia.

Weight-By-Weight

125

Brock Hite, who finished fifth at the EWL tournament last year, returns for his senior season. He finished 18-8 last year with two pins while finishing fourth in the Oklahoma Gold Classic. He won six straight matches late last season and finished second in the Bloomsburg Invitational. Sophomores Ivan Usztics and Michael Collins and freshman Justin Thomas and Mike Henderson will provide depth to this weight class.

“Brock is a real hard-worker, who leads by example,” Wirnsberger said. “If he stays healthy and continues to develop, he has a chance to be an All-American.

133

Justin Haupt, a redshirt senior who severely injured his ankle last season, is healthy and should contribute at this weight class.Mark Piermattei gained valuable experience wrestling as a college freshman after a stellar senior season in high school. He finished 7-11 but had two pins and a lot of mat time. James Zemzicki may also see action at this weight.

141

Forbes, a two-time placewinner in high school, should see plenty of action as a freshman as will William English.

149

Jacob Warner is in his first year of eligibility but has a lot of potential after an excellent high school career.

157

Big things are expected from this weight class with Carter, a fifth-year senior. Carter has won tournaments and qualified for the national championship in each of his previous three years. He was second at the Penn State Open and at EWL's in 2000-01, won the EWL his sophomore season and won the Bloomsburg Invitational and was named Outstanding Wrestler in his freshman year. “George has all the talent and potential,” Wirnsberger said. “He's a fifth-year senior who has been to nationals three times and was an EWL champ and with that experience, he should compete to be an All-American.”

165

At this weight look for B.J. Mikeska

(11-21 last season at 157) and Ryan Garner to battle for mat time.

174

Guenot went to the NCAA Tournament as a wild card selection in 2000-01 as 165-pounder. He won the Penn State Open in his junior year and also qualified for the NCAA championships as a sophomore after finishing second at EWL's. He is wrestling up a weight this year but has the size and strength to make the transition. Senior Ryan Chaluda will also see mat time at this weight.

184

Johnson was the lone Husky to go to NCAA's last year. He lost his first match but wrestled back with a decision and a fall before his season ended in a 7-7 tiebreaker loss. He went 16-10 last year, joining the team after the conclusion of the football season. Chad Hoare (4-9 last year) will also figure in the mix.

“Justin only wrestled half a season last year and still went 2-2 at nationals,” Wirnsberger said. “He should be that much better now that he has a preseason and a semester of competition.”

197

Sophomores Andy Ludlow and Tim Rice will compete for mat time in this weight class. Ludlow was 7-15 at this weight as a freshman.

Milone, also a football player, went 15-7 last year and racked up a team-high five pins. He ended last year with seven straight dual meet wins before taking fourth at EWL's. Pat Spirelli and Rob Chalet will challenge Milone as will freshman Lewis Polley.