2006-07 Bloomsburg Wrestling Preview

"Championships aren't won. They're earned."

Hard work and determination will define the 2006-07 wrestling team as it begins its quest towards the Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) Championship and individual berths at the NCAA Championships. The Huskies finished 11-9 last season and were undefeated at home at Nelson Field House. Bloomsburg also posted two shutouts during the 2005-06 campaign.

"The season has started out well for us," said second-year head coach John Stutzman. "We're very young, but we have a lot of guys training very hard, day in and day out."

In a span of three days early in the season, the Huskies will see four teams nationally-ranked teams, starting with their first EWL dual match of the season at Pittsburgh on Nov. 22.

Mike Sees

"We're going to see some very good competition early in the season," Stutzman said. "The Northeast Duals are going to be great opportunity to face some of the best teams in the country."

The Northeast Duals, held at Guilderland High School in Guilderland Center, N.Y., will feature top-ranked Minnesota as well as No. 12 Central Michigan and No. 14 Pennsylvania.

"Our schedule is as tough as it has been in the last 10 or 15 years," Stutzman said. "In March, we want as many of our guys to be at the NCAA Championships and, as a team, be ranked in the top 25."

Bloomsburg returns four NCAA qualifiers of its own. EWL Champions Mike Sees and Mike Spaid return for the Huskies, as well as Aric Fuhrman and Tony Curto.

Stutzman and first-year assistant Carl Fronhofer, a four-time NCAA qualifier and 2003 Runner-Up at 174 pounds from the University of Pittsburgh, will rely heavily on the leadership of the returning national qualifiers, as well as fourth-year wrestlers Nate Shirk and Justin Thomas.

"We need those guys to step up everyday," Stutzman said. "They're all very talented and have the potential to have big years, but we also need them to set an example for the younger guys on the team."

125: Two-time NCAA qualifier Mike Sees will return at 125 pounds for the Huskies. Ranked eighth in Intermat's preseason poll, Sees went 26-6 a year ago, including 13 dual-match wins.

"Mike's a past EWL Champion and we're expecting another big year from him," Stutzman said. "He's working as hard as he ever had and stepping into a leadership role."

Freshmen Jason Guffey and Ian Moser will add depth at this weight, though Moser will likely red-shirt this season.

"Jason will see a lot of mat time," Stutzman said. "We want to keep Sees healthy and give Jason some experience. He's a good kid that's very focused."

133: Sophomore Ricky Donald will get the nod for the second-straight season at 133 pounds. Donald was 18-17 as a freshman and won nine dual matches for the Huskies.

"Ricky's getting his weight down and really stepping up because he knows the team needs him at this weight," Stutzman said. "He's been very focused and worked hard in the off-season."

Aric Fuhrman

Justin Thomas will also see mat time for Bloomsburg at 133 pounds.

"Justin's been a guy who's been around the program for four years and he comes in and does everything we ask for him," Stutzman said. "Whether we ask him to step in and wrestling in a dual match or need him to play the role of practice partner, he does it."

141: The Huskies will start 2005 NCAA qualifier Tony Curto at 141 pounds. A red-shirt junior, Curto won 22 matches as a sophomore and took fifth at the EWL tournament.

"Tony's got a great attitude and working so hard," Stutzman said. "Athletically, he's as good as anyone in the country. We're expecting him to win a lot of matches for us."

Darren Kern, Joe Hasseman and freshman Alex Lauffenberger will compete for time at this weight.

"Darren's going to be competing for the starting spot," Stutzman said. "He needs to stay mentally focused and believe in himself. Joe and Alex will provide depth and they're both great workout partners."

149: This weight class will be one of the more contested for the Huskies as Dennis Bermudez and Matt Moley will compete for the staring position. Trent Filer will also provide depth at 149 pounds.

"Dennis and Matt are both extremely gifted athletes and they're both work horses," Stutzman said. "They're both very talented and they're good kids."

Last year's starter at 149 pounds, George Hickman, will red-shirt the 2006-07 campaign. Hickman won 14 matches last season for the Huskies, including nine dual-match wins.

157: Bloomsburg will welcome back 2006 NCAA qualifier Aric Fuhrman to the starting slot at 157 pounds. Fuhrman won 23 matches last season and posted a fourth-place finish at the EWL Championships. Freshman Rob Hoffman will back up Fuhrman.

"Fuhrman is one of the most gifted athletes on our team," Stutzman said. "He's strong, he's fast and he's a good wrestler. If he can stay focused on the task at hand, he'll be very tough to beat."

Stutzman is also pleased with how Hoffman has improved since arriving at Bloomsburg.

"Hoffman has an extremely good work ethic," he said. "He does everything you tell him to do and he works very, very hard. We're high on Rob."

Nate Shirk

165: True freshman Ricky Schmelyum will get the nod at 165 pounds for the Huskies. The New Oxford native is a 2006 PIAA AA State Champion.

"Ricky's grown into his weight class," Stutzman said. "He's bigger and taller and we're expecting big things from him. He's going to keep improving with all the hard work he's putting in and he's got a shot at the NCAA tournament."

Competing for time at 165 pounds will be Jonathan Brown, a junior college transfer and three-time Vermont state champion.

"Jonathan brings stability and depth to the weight class," Stutzman said. "He works very hard and he's does well in the classroom in addition to the mat."

174: Last year's starter at 197 pounds, Jesse Hasseman will look to certify for 174 pounds this season. Hasseman took third at the 197-pound weight class at the EWL Championships.

"Jesse's working harder than he ever has in his career," Stutzman said. "He had knee surgery this summer and has never felt better and it's showing in his progress. If we can get him down to 174 pounds, that'll help put our team in the best position to be successful."

Also looking to see time at 174 pounds will be Brian Shaw and Andrew Jordan.

"Brian is a hard-working athletic kid, and Andrew is one of the most naturally talented kids on the team," Stutzman said."

184: Nate Shirk will start for the third season at 184 pounds. Following an 18-17 record as a freshman, Shirk suffered an injury at the beginning of the 2004-05 season and took a medical redshirt. As a red-shirt sophomore last year, he recorded a record of 17-12, including an 11-7 mark in dual matches.

"He's bringing a bigger leadership role this season and we're expecting a lot out of Nate," Stutzman said. "He's better and stronger this year after having the best off-season of his career and we believe that he'll make it to the NCAA tournament and win some matches."

Eric Shaw will look to see time at this weight, as well, an 184-pounder who Stutzman said is a "hardworking, big, athletic kid who will provide good depth for us."

197: Brian Willis and true freshman P.J. DiStefano will compete for the starting slot at 197 pounds.

Willis is 6-8 in his career at Bloomsburg and is a former eighth-place finisher at the Fila Junior National Championships in the freestyle bracket at 96 kilograms.

Mike Spaid

"P.J. is very athletic and he's very good on top," Stutzman said. "I think it'll be a battle for that starting position."

HWT: 2006 EWL Champion Mike Spaid will get the nod for the third-straight year. Spaid was 24-11 last season, including 15 dual-match wins. As a freshman, he went 2-2 at the national tournament.

"Spaid is very talented and he's got a lot of experience," Stutzman said. "We're looking for him to get on the podium at nationals. It's his time to get it done."

Heading into a new season, the Huskies welcome another fresh face in Fronhofer. After spending two seasons as the top assistant at his alma mater, Pittsburgh, Stutzman is excited about having him on the Bloomsburg staff.

We're on the same page and that's been very good for our program," Stutzman said. "We have the same goals and we both expect a lot out of this team. He's a four-time national qualifier. He knows what it takes to get to the top."

Stutzman hopes the combination of experience, senior leadership, hard work and perseverance, along with guidance from the coaching staff will allow the young Bloomsburg squad to reach its potential.

"We have a lot of very talented guys on this team," Stutzman said. "If they continue to practice and work at the level at which they have been, we're going to have a very good year and put ourselves in the best position to reach our goals."