The wrestling team enters the 2006-07 season with seventeen returning veterans and a strong freshman class. The Cards began their season with a seventh place finish at the Doug Parker Invitational hosted by Springfield College on Nov. 18.
Placing ahead of 11 squads, the team’s improvement from a 14th place last year at the event was apparent in several individual wins, including a 4-1 win and second-place finish in the 157 pound weight class by captain Dan deLalla ’07, a 4-2 mark and fourth place finish at 125 by Dan Bloom ’10, and a 3-3 sixth place finish by Mike Lima ’08 at 197.
Leading the way for the Cards this season is deLalla, who a season ago qualified for nationals and was New England Champion, all with a broken arm. The persistence and toughness of this senior captain will be the driving force behind the Cardinal attack. Currently ranked second in New England behind nemesis Mark Decicccio of Springfield College, Delalla believes this season the team “is quicker than last year, with a solid freshman class playing a large role,” and will vastly improve from last year’s 6-12 record.
Ample reasons abound for praising the wrestling class of 2010, including Bloom taking down last year’s New England finalist at the 125 spot. Yeoman Greg Hurd ’10 placed fifth at 165 at the Doug Parker Invitational and is ranked fifth in the NECCWA. Two freshmen, Dave Bachy ’10 and Zack Rolfe ’10 already push senior Dan Zeigarnik ’07 in the competitive 149-pound weight class.
“This is absolutely the deepest and most prepared freshman class I’ve seen at Wesleyan, they’ve been ready for action since day one,” said Tomi Uyehara ’08.
Joining deLalla and the rookies is a core of seasoned letter winners all hoping to make noise in their respective weight classes. Lima already ranks second in his 197-pound weight class, and according to Uyehara, “could easily win [it] by the end of the season.” Josh Wildes ’07 looks to improve on a stellar 26-10 individual record last season at 133 pounds, while Uyehard will hold down the 141 pound weight class and build on a 16-18 2005-06 individual record.
A pleasant surprise this fall has been the emergence of Chris Mixon ’09. A walk-on to the team a year ago, Mixon has impressed his teammates with his mat tenacity and won two key matches at the Doug Parker Invitational.
The oldest on the squad is graduate student Steve Campbell ’06 who returns to finish his eligibility for one last season.
Another positive difference from this season thus far has been the addition of two new assistant coaches under the always-fiery Head Coach Drew Black. An enthusiastic new face belongs to Chris Eldridge. A two-time member of the All-Navy team (1998-99, 2002-03) and regional qualifier for the Olympic and National teams, Eldridge brings a honed knowledge of wrestling to Wesleyan. Eldridge also has coaching experience at a variety of schools including The Naval Academy Prep School in Newport, R.I. and Rogers High School, also in Newport.
Hailing from Alexandria, Egypt assistant coach Mahmoud Mohamed brings an international flare to the Cards with extensive expertise in the Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling forms. Hoping to instill some of these differing techniques in the wrestlers of Wesleyan, Mohamed will be an integral part of this year’s coaching staff. His wrestling accolades include a silver medal at the Pan-Arab Games held in Jordon and a position as guest coach for the UK Aspull Olympic Wrestling Club. In addition, Mohamed is co-founder of Wrestling for Peace, a non-profit organization promoting peaceful resolution of community-level economic and social issues through sporting exchange and community service.
“The additions of coach Eldridge and coach Mohamed to our program has and will continue to be a very positive influence in the wrestling room,” Campbell said.
With two new coaches, several new wrestlers competing and some feisty vets chomping at the bit, it appears that the wrestling team is off to a phenomenal start. deLalla, however, stressed the importance of enduring the entire season and hitting a stride when it counts.
“The team will really start to focus come January and February when things really start to matter. In wrestling, it is not how you start but how strong your finishing kick is come tournament time,” said deLalla.
The Cardinals are again in action at the annual R.I.T. Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 12.
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