Gardner-Webb Prepares For 2008-09 Campaign
November 10, 2008 | Wrestling
A clean slate. Wipe away everything in the past and start fresh. That is one thing that head coach Scott Shipman and his staff have preached to the student-athletes since the end of last season. By doing so, the wrestlers have taken on a personal challenge to improve on and off the mats since that time and it has started to pay dividends. With more depth than ever before, each grappler has had to step up his game in order to vie for a starting spot in the line-up – and a chance to earn a bid to the NCAA Championship.
"I believe we will be competitive and in the mix to win the region this year," Shipman said. "A number of our guys believe they are NCAA qualifiers and could be All-Americans. In seven of our weight classes, we have a starter and an almost starter, which we've never had before. In some classes, we are three or four deep, which has raised the level of the room."
In the 125 lb. weight class, the Bulldogs will see a familiar face back in the line-up. Cortney Roberts, who missed most of last year with an injury, was the runner-up at the regional meet, narrowly missing out on a bid for the NCAA Championship.
"He came back in tremendous shape and is approaching it as if this is his last year," Shipman said. "It will surprise me if he doesn't go to the NCAA's."
Backing him up will Tony McCurry.
"Tony works hard and is one of the better students on the team. We are confident with Tony on the mat."
At 133 lbs., the weight class is up for grabs. Redshirt-freshmen Kyle Baird and Phillip Goodwin both did good things last year to get ready for this season. Baird is a four-time state champion while Goodwin is a four-time state place-winner including two state titles. He was named the Outstanding Wrestler in the 2006 N.C. state tournament.
"Both wrestlers will have a shot throughout the season to showcase their skills," Shipman said. "They have both worked extremely hard and are students of wrestling."
Matthew Featherston and John Crisp will also vie for time on the mat.
"Matthew wrestled a lot for us last year and we know what he's capable of," Shipman said. "John is a multi-time state place-winner and has really impressed us so far."
Fifth-year senior Chas Franz headlines one of the most talented weight classes the Bulldogs have ever had at 141 lbs.
"Chas is in great shape after having a good summer," Shipman said. "He wrestled a lot down here. He feels as though he can wrestle with anyone."
Making the move from 133 lbs. a year ago is Rob Tate. Should he certify at 141, he could not only be an immediate factor on the team, but also in the region and nationally.
One of the biggest coups for Gardner-Webb was the signing of Richie Spicel, who right now is either No. 2 or No. 3 on the depth chart purely because he's a true freshman.
"Richie is one of the toughest kids mentally I've ever met," Shipman said. "He is the first top-100 recruit we have. Richie wants to win a national championship and could possibly redshirt this season in order to give him a better shot at that goal."
Also in the mix will be Kurt Wentink, who had a great redshirt season a year ago. However, he could also see time at 149.
Should Tate not certify at 141, he will be etched in as the top wrestler in the 149 lb. class that could be six deep.
"Rob has accomplished more than anyone else," Shipman said. "He can be an immediate factor for us at this weight class."
Redshirt-sophomore Thomas Knapp had a solid redshirt year and will vie for time here as will sophomore Austin Reece, who grappled at 157 a year ago. Three newcomers are also looking to certify at 149 – including the junior college runner-up Tim Burdine – who competed for Spartanburg Methodist last year.
Rookies Alex and Ryan Medved will also look to wrestle at this weight class. However, Shipman and his staff are looking to redshirt the hard working brothers in order to solidify the 149 and 157 lb. classes the next four years as one of the two will make the move to the next weight division.
Tate, Knapp, Reece and Burdine will all compete in a wrestle-off. Whoever doesn't start at 149 will move to 157. Rookie Justin Guthrie as well as redshirt-sophomore Nick Raich will also be in the mix.
Depending on how the wrestle-offs go, Guthrie or Raich could see time at 165. Two others – David Pelsang and Johnathon Velazquez – both with a ton of experience will also vie for a starting spot.
"David had one of the most productive redshirt seasons ever in the program," Shipman said. "He trained with the Marine Corps over the summer and wrestled all over the country. Right now, he looks to be the top contender."
"Velazquez has all the tools," Shipman said. "He has as much talent as anyone in the program; Johnathon made a tremendous commitment over the summer and put himself in a position to make a run for the starting spot."
If Velazquez doesn't win the starting spot, he will move to 174. There, he and redshirt-freshmen Dave Sweeney are both virtually equal.
"Both had a tremendous year last year," Shipman said. "Either way, we will have someone with experience in the line-up."
Newcomers Vincent Salyer and Frederick Pope could both be in the mix. However, Shipman and his staff are looking to redshirt Salyer if at all possible.
At 184, both Alex and Matthias Piasecki are looking to be certified here. Both have taken redshirt years already. Each appears to be in great shape.
Three newcomers could also vie for a starting spot. Jason Porter is an Ohio place-winner who will definitely compete this year. Tom Pennington and Levi Moretz have looked good in early season workouts thus far.
Although he will certify at 184, Matthias Piasecki is going into the season as the No. 1 wrestler at 197 lbs. Travis Porter, the younger brother of two-time NCAA Qualifier Dustin, is a strong No. 2 at this point while Windell Wilson is looking to drop down from the heavyweight spot in order to compete at a lighter weight.
"Matthias is a fifth-year senior with all the experience," Shipman said. "Travis is well ahead of where Dustin was as a true freshman. We could possibly redshirt him depending on what Matthias looks like here."
Moving up from 197, redshirt-junior Dustin Porter is No. 1 on the depth chart at 285 lbs. Nick Roehrick, who redshirted last year, will also vie to get his starting spot back. However, both will wrestle since neither has a redshirt year remaining.
"Dustin looks good right now," Shipman said. "He weighs about 260 and is in good shape. The move will be good for him and he will be competitive right away."
With top-flight opponents coming into Boiling Springs (NC State
will venture into the LYCC for the first time ever while Virginia
Tech makes its third appearance on GWU's campus), fans should get a
glimpse of the excitement that will be in the air when Shipman and
his staff host the NCAA East Regional Championships. The team,
which finished second a year ago, will attempt to send more
competitors to the NCAA Championships than it did the last time the
Bulldogs hosted the regional. Should GWU be able to send more than
four (its highest amount ever in one year) to the NCAA
Championships, the Bulldogs will not only be in contention to win
the regional team title, but the team will have also filled the
clean slate up with its best season in Division I history.
