Gardner-Webb Set To Open Season At UNCP Open
November 04, 2007 | Wrestling
The 2007-08 wrestling squad will have a completely different look from the Bulldogs' team from a season ago. Head coach Scott Shipman took over the reigns last summer and arguably has one of the best Gardner-Webb team in the program's history. If nothing else, the team is the deepest it has ever been.
Although he admits that not one grappler reached their goal from a year ago, Shipman notes that there will be some trial and errors along the way in dual meets, but thinks that the team could quadruple the amount of student-athletes that qualify for the NCAA Championships this season from a year ago.
"We have added a tremendous amount of depth," Shipman said. "We only have two definite starters with the rest up for grabs. Our team is more athletic than ever before and should be entertaining to watch.
"This year, we are going to spend time and energy trying to get tougher – mentally and physically," Shipman said. "We need to gain experience because of our youth, but our newcomers are extremely talented."
At 125, the Bulldogs are returning the regional runner-up in Cortney Roberts. He is physically healthy this year and he should be the top projection to take the title at the region meet because last year's winner has moved up to compete at 133.
Two student-athletes will be trying to take the starting spot from Roberts. Pushing him will be newcomer Tommy Bennett, who was a junior national place-winner and Irving Hernandez, who has worked hard since the completion of his freshman year.
"Irving, pound for pound, is one of the most athletic person on our campus," Shipman said. "No matter who is out there wrestling for us, we should be competitive regardless."
In the 133 lb. class, redshirt-sophomore Rob Tate not only expects to have the starting nod, but also expects to earn All-America honors by finishing in the top eight at the NCAA Championships.
However, he has three solid competitors vying for mat time in the weight class – all of whom are newcomers. Kurt Wentink is very solid, athletic and has good skill. Kyle Baird is a four-time state champion from Gainesville, Ga., while Phillip Goodwin is a two-time state champion from nearby South Point H.S. in Belmont, N.C.
The 141 lb. division features another regional runner-up in Chas Franz, who had a great win-loss record a year ago. Franz came back hungrier than ever and better than before, having competed a lot in the off-season.
Giving him a run will be sophomore Thomas Knapp, who will be able to compete beginning in January. Knapp, a transfer from The Citadel, comes to GWU from one of the best high school programs in Georgia – Collins Hill H.S. Another that could see some time on the mat is sophomore Jimmy Ballantyne, whose lone win last year was a pin.
At 149, sophomore Ben Hoppenbrouwer will start the year topping the depth chart. A mid-season transfer, Hoppenbrouwer was thrown into the fire a year ago. However, his experience should give him the edge.
Pushing him will be sophomore Nick Raich, the former Florida state champion. Raich is very talented, but each will have to get past others who might want a shot at starting, including anyone who is not in the line-up at 141 along with sophomore Garmonyou Neplo and rookie Austin Reece.
If Alex Piasecki can go at 157, he will be in contention to reach the NCAA Championships as a redshirt-freshman.
"Alex has the most credentials of anyone in the room," Shipman said. "He is a very gifted grappler and will be a true competitor no matter what weight class he is in – whether it is 157 or 165."
Redshirt Randall Herring, a three-time state qualifier at Wilson Fike H.S., will also compete for the starting job at 157.
The 165 lb. division will be an interesting one to say the least. Seniors Brendan Couture and Chad Davis could each see time here. However, both will be pushed by the young guys on the team.
Others at this weight include Alex Piasecki and Jonathan Valezquez. At the first meet of the season – the UNCP Open – the Bulldogs will have five grapplers take the mat in the class, which should help in terms of separating them for dual meets.
Days before school started, David Green enrolled at Gardner-Webb. Green, who placed fifth in the Greco Roman category at the Junior National Championships, brings a wealth of experience to 174.
"He is in good shape and is a very skilled wrestler," Shipman said. "He was a two-time state champion from the one of the best programs in Florida."
Green's competition for time on the mat will come from those not starting at 165.
With the hole left from the graduation of Brandon Beach at 184, Shipman will move up redshirt-junior Matthias Piasecki. Last summer, Piasecki made the final day of the U.S. Nationals at the U.S. Nationals Greco Tournament. He spent part of the summer with the U.S. National Team and will be tough to beat in the weight class.
At 197, redshirt-sophomore Dustin Porter will look to return to the national stage this year and reach his goal of becoming the first All-American at GWU.
"Dustin is by far our biggest No. 1 of any weight class," Shipman said. "He had a good summer and is healthy. At the NCAA Championship, he lost to two of the top guys in the country. He expects to be an All-American this year and by the Southern Scuffle, we think he will be in the top-20 nationally, which will help him earn a national seed."
The 285 lb. division is an open competition. Nick Roehrick, last year's heavyweight, is returning from an injury. Look for Roehrick or sophomore Evan Rhodes to be on the mat this year.
"I'm excited about the upcoming season," Shipman said. "We will
put forth an entertaining wrestling style – one where people
are going to want to come out and watch us. Every single one is
aggressive and takes chances."
The Bulldogs have a tough national schedule this year so dual meet
wins might be tough to come by. However, if GWU doesn't win a given
dual meet, Shipman believes that each one will be highly contested
and could go down to the wire.
As aggressive of a competitor as Shipman was during his collegiate
days, he brings that same style to his coaching methods, which has
fueled his team. This year, look for the Bulldogs to have more
athletes reach the NCAA Championships than ever before due to an
aggressive style of wrestling – as the only team goal is to
have 10 represent GWU at nationals.
