Wrestling | 9/30/2009 1:27:00 PM
ROCHESTER, NY - The RIT men's wrestling team enters the 2009-10 season ready to pick up where they left off after finishing 12
th at last year's NCAA Championship. The Tigers return plenty of elite talent this season, and have goals to win the ECWC Championship and send at least five grapplers to nationals. Last season, the Tigers had two members qualify for the NCAA tournament, and finished fifth at the ECWC Championship.
The Tigers return as a very experienced team, after graduating only two seniors.
Leadership on the team starts with seniors #Mike McInally (Bergen, NY/Byron-Bergen) and Jason Wake (Delhi, NY/Delaware Academy)#. Last season, McInally finished second nationally at 125 lbs. and was named the 2009 ECWC Wrestler of the Year. McInally was 35-2 last season and is 103-15 in three seasons. He enters this season as one of the top wrestlers in the nation, with a good chance to take the top spot at the NCAA Championship. Wake, who finished last season 31-9 and second in the conference at 165 lbs., just missed receiving a wild-card spot for nationals. He looks to improve his results even more this season, and make a run in the NCAA Tournament.
Coach #Scott Stever#, now in his tenth season with the Tigers, likes the talent that his returners bring to the team this season.
“This is the most depth on a team I have seen in my 10 years here at RIT,” stated Stever. “There is a lot of veteran leadership that will bring success to the team. We have a lot of quality wrestlers, and the fight for the number one spot could be very competitive for some weight classes.”
In addition, there are several returners who enjoyed plenty of success last year, and are expected to improve this season. Juniors #Zach Feador (North Olmsted, OH/North Olmsted) and Stephan Avorkliya (Charlotte, NC/East Mecklenburg)#, saw quite a bit of action in 2009, and will attempt to be national qualifiers this season. Avorkliya, who battled injuries last season, is fully healthy and is expected to be one of the top wrestlers in the conference at heavyweight class. Sophomore #Ben Johnstone (West Henrietta, NY/Rush-Henrietta)# is expected to step up this season, and with his increased experience, could be a top competitor.
This year's freshmen class is one of the most talented groups Stever has seen. Newcomers #Nick Fuschino and Lester Fanton# both generated over 100 high school wins, and look to see some action this season. Andrew Collins-Ringling was a three-time Idaho State place winner in the 130 lbs. weight class. Timothy Banks, a New York State place winner, and #Edgar Vizcarra (Milwaukee, WI/Rufus King)# both had good high school backgrounds, and are expected to contribute to the team's success.
“I expect this year's team to do much better in dual meets then we did last year,” said Stever. “I have high expectations, as we have top level wrestlers in every weight class. Our goal is to have a strong tournament team, and ultimately send five guys to nationals. We are in very good shape, and with the high talent level, we should have a good outcome.”
