 The Limestone College wrestling team opens its season on Saturday at the Braves Classic hosted by the University of North Carolina-Pembroke in Pembroke, N.C., at 8:30 a.m. Limestone begins the year ranked No. 17 in the NCAA Division II preseason national poll.
The Saint wrestlers enter their fourth year of competition with high hopes. The squad has continued to get better each season since its inaugural year in 2004-05. In the last three seasons, Limestone has produced ten East Region place winners, three National Qualifiers, and one All-American. Last season, sophomore Trey Moss (Red Bank, S.C.) qualified for the NCAA Division II National Tournament by placing third in the heavyweight division at the regional. Limestone also had three additional place winners at the East Region tournament. Sophomore Ian Barker (Summerville, S.C.) placed fourth at 125 pounds, Mikel Bush (Lakewood, N.Y.) placed fourth as a true freshman at 157 pounds, and true freshman Todd Neptune placed fifth at 174 pounds.
In the 2007-2008 season, the Saints will return two national qualifiers: Brent Clausing (Miamisburg, Ohio), who redshirted the 2006-07 season, and Moss. Also returning are regional place winners Barker and Bush. All ten starters are back from last year, including two redshirts from 2006-07: former East Region place winner Joby Shreckhise (Grottoes, Va.) at 174 pounds and Joe Federspiel (Greenville, S.C.) at 141 pounds. The Saints are looking to combine these veterans with a group of talented freshmen to create a dominating lineup.
With three seasons of experience under their belts, a trio of national qualifiers, and an All-American in the books, the Saints will continue to improve and become a force in Division II wrestling.
125 Pounds
The 125-pound weight class is highlighted by redshirt junior Ian Barker who placed fourth in the 125-pound division at the NCAA East Regional. He will be challenged by junior John Harper (Walhalla, S.C.), who saw action last year at the 133-pound weight class. Sophomore Matt Hall (Hamptonville, N.C.) and junior Matt Ross (Chicago, Ill.) are also gunning for the starting spot. Two talented freshmen, Jimmy Swindell (Millington, Md,) and J.B. Smith (Elgin, S.C.) join the Saints this year.
133 Pounds
Junior Brent Clausing will most likely earn the starting spot in the 133-pound weight class. Clausing, a 2006 National Qualifier in the 125-pound division, sat out last season as a redshirt. Sophomore Nathan Carmack (Miamisburg, Ohio) and senior Pat Seidel (Port St. Lucie, Fla) will challenge to start. Redshirt freshman Garrett Knapik (West Springfield, Mass.) will also look to contribute. Freshman Camron Snuggs (Gaffney, S.C.) will also look to compete in 2007-08.
141 Pounds
Headlining the 141-pound weight class will be a returning starter, sophomore Riley Pike (Alexander City, Ala.). Junior Joe Federspiel should have a strong comeback from his redshirt year in 2006-07 to contend for the starting spot. Freshmen Jeremy Parker (Winchester, Va.) and James King (Muncie, Ind.) probably will redshirt this season and provide great competition in the practice room.
149 Pounds
The Saints will have plenty of depth in the 149-pound weight class as a host of talent returns to vie for the starting spot. Junior Dustin Baynes (Liberty Twp., Ohio), the returning starter from last year, looks to be the front runner. Junior Robert Miskelly (Fort Mill, S.C.) will vie for competition time. A wealth of young talent will look to challenge Baynes The group is highlighted by freshman Bryce Sopko (Brighton, Mich.) who took third as a senior at the state meet in Michigan. A host of talented newcomers, including John Bakewell (Adrian, Mich.) a transfer from Triton College, and freshmen Nick Shappee (Bluffton, S.C.), and Dustin Clevenger (Woodruff, S.C.), will be close at Sopko’s heels to compete. Zach McKeone (Marietta, Ga.) and Jeremy McPhearson (Lancaster, S.C.) will provide valuable support in the practice room as they will likely redshirt this year.
157 Pounds
One half of the Bush brothers tandem will return in the form of regional place winner Mikel Bush (Lakewood, NY). He has the inside track to return as the starter after a strong freshman season in 2006-07. The Saints don’t lack for talent at in the 157-pound class as senior Dustin Leutz (Naples, Fla), a University Greco-Roman All-American, is set to make a stand as well. The familiar faces of sophomore Jesse Bodo (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) and senior Marquis Camp (Gaffney, S.C.) will both move up from the 149-pound weight class to challenge to start. The Saints also brought in three exciting freshmen to round out the line-up: Logan Raabe (Sumter, S.C.), Jeremiah Perkins (Cherryville, N.C.), and Duane Quarles (Plainfield, N.J.)
165 Pounds
Freshman Casey Bradley (Muncie, Ind) will look to make an impact after coming off of a successful redshirt campaign in 2006-07. Sophomore Clint Bodo (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) saw action at this weight last season and is looking to cement his starting spot. Freshmen Nicholas Carr (Simpsonville, S.C.) and T.J. Underwood (Lancaster, S.C.) will both look to contribute in their first season of collegiate competition.
174 Pounds
Two-time regional place winner Joby Shreckhise (Grottoes, Va.) is back from a successful redshirt season and should make waves on the national scene as a junior. Challenging him for the starting spot will be senior Greg Satterfield (Williamston, S.C.), who has been a three year starter for the Saints.
184 Pounds
Sophomore Dan Scanlan (Leesburg, Va.) should make a big impact in the 184-pound weight class. He was ranked as high as third in the nation last year before suffering a season-ending injury. He will be looking to make up for lost time at the 2008 national tournament. Scanlan will be challenged by redshirt freshman Donnie Gallup (Buford, Ga.) Gallup was a two-time state champion in his home state of Georgia. Junior Mike Walsh (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) is down from the 197-pound weight class and is looking for competition time.
197 Pounds
Senior David Bush (Lakewood, N.Y.), the older brother to teammate Mikel (157 lbs.), headlines the 197-pound weight class as the likely starter. He will be tested by freshman Josh Mummert (West Chester, Pa.), who was a Pennsylvania state qualifier last year. Sophomore Waholi Revels (Pembroke, N.C.) will also compete for mat time.
285 Pounds
There will be some quality competition for the starting nod in the Saints’ heavyweight class. Junior Trey Moss (Red Bank, S.C.) returns at the 285-pound weight class. He qualified for the national tournament last year as he placed third in the region. Junior Kyle Elliott (Valdese, N.C.) returns. He saw considerable mat time as a starter in 2006-07. Redshirt freshman Allen Runyon (Fort Mill, S.C.) will challenge for the spot this year as well. Rounding out this solid weight class will be freshman Ameer Heyward (Beaufort, S.C.) |
