Wrestling Opens 2014-15 Campaign Saturday at Pittsburgh

11/8/2014 2:34:00 PM | Wrestling

By: TBD

LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell wrestling team gets its 2014-15 season underway Saturday with a 7 p.m. match at Pittsburgh. The match will take place at Pitt's Fitzgerald Field House.

This is the second straight year the Bison and Panthers have squared off. Bucknell, which was 10-11 in 2013-14, hosted Pittsburgh in Davis Gym last December and lost by a 30-12 score to the nationally ranked Panthers. Paul Petrov (125), Rustin Barrick (165) and Joe Stolfi (285) posted victories for the Bison, who have won their season opener each of the last two years.

Pittsburgh, which was 13-3 last year and is ranked 14th nationally, will already have two matches under its belt when Saturday rolls around. The Panthers defeated Bloomsburg 35-3 last Sunday and wrestle at Edinboro Thursday evening.

Bucknell Probable Lineup
125: No. 20 Paul Petrov
133: Grim Gonzalez or Zach Valley
141: Tyler Smith
149: Victor Lopez
157: Rustin Barrick
165: Robert Schlitt
174: Joey Krulock or Austin Wetterau
184: Tom Sleigh
197: Tyler Lyster
285: No. 13 Joe Stolfi

Pittsburgh Probable Lineup
125: Dom Forys
133: Nick Zanetta
141: Ben Ross
149: No. 16 Mikey Racciato
157: Ronnie Garbinsky
165: Eric Nutter or Cody Wiercioch
174: Troy Reaghard
184: No. 5 Max Thomusseit
197: No. 7 Nick Bonaccorsi
285: John Rizzo

Below is a more detailed Bucknell season outlook heading into the 2014-15 season:
The Bucknell wrestling team has been bitten by the injury bug the last few years, cutting into its won-loss results in dual matches and its postseason success. While every team has its share of bumps and bruises throughout the marathon that is the college wrestling season, Bison head coach Dan Wirnsberger hopes the rash of injuries his wrestlers have dealt with is over.

Bucknell is off to a good start in 2014-15 as heading into the season opener at Pittsburgh, virtually every Bison wrestler was healthy and ready to tackle to challenging campaign.

“The key to our success in dual meets and tournament is going to be staying healthy,” noted Wirnsberger, who is in his 10th year as Bucknell's head coach. “The 10 guys we are putting out there will be able to compete well at a high level and we are beginning to add depth to the program at most weight classes, which is nice to see, but we still need to remain injury-free.”

While Wirnsberger is rooting for a healthy season, the injuries of the past may actually help the 2014-15 Bison. Last year's squad was forced to use as many as six freshmen in the regular starting lineup at different times, but that has made this year's edition that much more experienced.

“A big thing with Division I wrestling is getting that year of experience under your belt and we have a number of guys that got that last year,” commented Wirnsberger, who ranks second on the program's all-time wins list with 71. “Guys like Grim Gonzalez, Victor Lopez and Joey Krulock gained tremendous experience last year. Having that group of second-year guys with a year of experience helps raise our level of expectation going into this year both in dual matches and at the end of the year as we aim for All-Americans and our first national champion.”

While the success of the eight-person sophomore class that gained plenty of experience last year will help the Bison improve as a team, the leaders will be the veterans who have been through the grind numerous times. Highlighting that list will be team captains Rustin Barrick, Tyler Lyster, Paul Petrov and Joe Stolfi.

“Our veterans will help pave the way for the younger guys,” said Wirnsberger. “Wrestling is a lifestyle and you have to learn how to control what you can control and take care of yourself both athletically and academically.”

Overall, Wirnsberger is excited about the possibilities for this year's Bison team. Expectations he and his staff have put on the wrestlers are high, as are the expectations the student-athletes are putting on themselves.

“This is one of the most experienced teams we have had the last few years,” noted Wirnsberger. “The older group that has some experience and a couple guys with national tournament background can lead the way for this younger group. It is a good mixture of older guys to go along with fresh, young talent joining the roster.

125 - Projected Starter: Paul Petrov
Junior Paul Petrov began his Bison career wrestling at 133 pounds as a freshman, but moved down to 125 last year and became one of the best in the country at that weight. He posted a 31-9 overall mark, placed sixth at the EIWA Championships after advancing to semifinals and earned an automatic berth to his first NCAA Championships. At NCAAs, Petrov collected one victory in three bouts.

“The NCAA experience helped Paul tremendously,” commented Wirnsberger. “Being able to win a match at NCAAs and go through that kind of experience should benefit Paul immensely this year. It is one thing to talk about NCAAs and have someone tell you about it, but it is another to actually experience it.”

In his second year as team captain, Petrov enters his third year with a 51-23 career record. His 31 victories last year placed him in a tie for 10th place on Bucknell's single-season wins list.

Petrov is the only true 125-pounder on the Bison roster, but sophomore Grim Gonzalez or freshman Zach Valley could move down from 133 if the need arose.

133 - Projected Starter: Grim Gonzalez/Zach Valley
Returning starter Grim Gonzalez and freshman Zach Valley are the two frontrunners to start at 133 pounds. Gonzalez was the starter in all but three dual matches last year and posted a solid 18-22 overall mark, including 4-4 in EIWA duals. He posted five different winning streaks of at least three bouts and ended the year winning six of his last 10 matches.

“Grim brings valuable experience into this year just from what he learned last year as our full-time starter,” said Wirnsberger. “He has had an offseason where he is able to grow into the weight class from a strength perspective. Our goal is for him to get to the NCAA Tournament and get on the podium.”

Valley was a three-time placewinner at Northampton High School and was a Pennsylvania state finalist.

“We are looking for Zach to make his mark and show us through his performance he can be the guy at 133 pounds,” commented Wirnsberger. “He is extremely talented and has a very bright future.”

141 - Projected Starter: Tyler Smith
One of two freshmen expected to hold down spots in the starting lineup from day one is Tyler Smith at 141 pounds. The rookie was a three-time Pennsylvania state placewinner who won the state title as a junior.

“We expect big things from Tyler this year and he expects to be an All-American and national champion as a freshman,” mentioned Wirnsberger. “He is extremely talented and it is just a matter of him putting in the work day in and day out. He sets the bar high for himself and can be as good as he wants to be.”

Fellow freshman Collin Boylan, who was a New Jersey state placewinner, will add depth along with sophomore Jackson Timm, who took the 2013-14 season off. Both guys can also wrestle at 149 pounds and Wirnsberger praised their work ethics.

149 - Projected Starter: Victor Lopez
Sophomore Victor Lopez showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman last season. The Poway, California, native recorded a team-high three wins against ranked opponents and finished in eighth place at the EIWA Championships. A two-time Bison Athlete of the Week, he ranked third on the team with 23 wins.

“Victor is one of our guys that benefitted from a year of experience in our starting lineup,” said Wirnsberger. “He has grown into the weight class. Last year he wasn't quite big enough, but he is now an average-sized 149-pounder. We are looking for a breakout year from him in terms of competing for an All-America award and a national title. He has that kind of ability.”

Andrew Millsap will begin the year as the backup at 149. The freshman posted a 150-9 mark and won three state titles in high school in Kansas.

“Andrew is another young man committed to the sport of wrestling and the lifestyle it takes to be successful,” noted Wirnsberger. “We are looking for him to make a big mark in a Bucknell singlet. He will be a shining star here in the future.”

Boylan and Timm may also see time at 149.

157 - Projected Starter: Rustin Barrick
After trying three different wrestlers as starters at 157 pounds a year ago, Wirnsberger thinks there will be more consistency there this year. Junior captain Rustin Barrick is moving down a weight class and is expected to get the starting nod.

Barrick was 18-21 in 2013-14 at 165 pounds and posted a 1-2 record at the EIWA Championships after missing his rookie season due to injury.

“Rustin felt like he was slightly undersized at 165 last year and made the decision and commitment to move down to 157 on his own,” explained Wirnsberger. “He will help us establish some stability and consistency at 157, which is important since it is right in the middle of the lineup.”

Sophomore Logan Kerin started in eight duals at 157 a year ago and he will begin the year as the top reserve.

“We can count on Logan to step in and be a consistent performer for us at any point during the season,” praised Wirnsberger. “He should be much better this year thanks to the experience he gained last year.”

Freshman John Faugno, a New Jersey state placewinner, is also in the mix to wrestle at both 157 and 165.

165 - Projected Starter: Robert Schlitt
With Barrick moving down to 157, there is an opening at 165, and junior Robert Schlitt has won the job heading into the season. He has often wrestled in heavier weight classes during his career and Wirnsberger is looking forward to seeing what he can do now that he is in his more natural weight class.

“Bobby can do big things on the national scene as long as he stays healthy,” predicted Wirnsberger. “He has a tremendous amount of grit and fight and we know what we are getting every time he steps on the mat.”

Freshman Connor Wagh, a national prep placewinner who provides plenty of physicality, and junior Brenan McAllister will add depth at 165.

“Brenan has been in and out of the lineup as a spot starter the last couple of years and we are excited to see him take his career to the next level,” mentioned Wirnsberger. “He is moving up a class, where there is more emphasis on becoming a better wrestler and less on cutting weight.”

174 - Projected Starter: Joey Krulock/Austin Wetterau
Sophomores Joey Krulock and Austin Wetterau will battle for the starting spot at 174 pounds. Krulock was the main starter a year ago and collected seven wins as a rookie before missing the end of the season due to injury. Wetterau also had seven victories, exclusively in tournament competition.

“Joey is another guy that gained a good amount of experience last year just being in our lineup and going through the day-to-day training that is necessary to be successful at this level,” said Wirnsberger. “He is a strong, physical wrestler and it will be all about consistency for him.”

“Austin looks strong and healthy this year after undergoing offseason surgery. We need more consistency out of this weight class and hope one of these two guys takes it and performs well.”

Junior Vincent Favia, who is studying abroad during the fall semester, will provide depth when he returns to the team.

184 - Projected Starter: Tom Sleigh
Tom Sleigh joins 141-pound starter Tyler Smith as the two freshmen projected to be in the lineup from the start of the year. The DuBois, Pennsylvania, native was a four-time state qualifier who placed third in Pennsylvania as both a junior and senior.

“Tom was one of the top-ranked guys in the state and the country,” noted Wirnsberger. “He has the talent and skill set to make an immediate impact on the national scene. We expect him to be on the podium at NCAAs during his career.”

Sleigh beat out sophomore Rory Bonner for the starting spot. Bonner registered 11 wins last year and was Bucknell's entrant at 184 pounds at the EIWA Championships.

197 - Projected Starter: Tyler Lyster
Senior Tyler Lyster is a three-year team captain who has gotten better and better every season as a Bison, and he is ready for a breakout final campaign. He has back-to-back years with more than 20 victories and was 8-5 in his final 13 regular-season bouts last season.

“Tyler has been that consistent performer throughout his career and has remained healthy,” Wirnsberger said. “He provides us that confidence at the end of the lineup where we know he is going to go out there and represent the program the right way and compete as hard as he can.”

Sophomore Tyler Greene is moving up a weight class this year after going 9-12 at 184 as a rookie and will be a viable backup for Lyster.

“The injury bug bit Tyler halfway through last season,” said Wirnsberger. “The emphasis for him this year is to focus on becoming a better wrestler, rather than cutting weight. We are looking for him to go to the next level and start meeting the high expectations he has for himself.”

285 - Projected Starter: Joe Stolfi
There is no weight class where the starter is as entrenched as at heavyweight where senior Joe Stolfi enters his third year as starter coming off his second NCAA appearance.

Stolfi, who still has one more year of eligibility remaining after 2014-15, became the third Bison to win an EIWA individual title last year, earning his second consecutive automatic berth to the NCAA Championships. He tied for second nationally in wins by fall and broke the Bucknell single-season record for pins that had stood for 14 years. One of only two Bison to start all 21 duals, Stolfi's win total of 34 ranks tied for second on the program's single-season wins list.

“Joe sets the bar extremely high for himself. We don't need to set the bar for him,” said Wirnsberger. “He puts in the time. He is a lifestyle guy. We are looking for him to perform. He has the potential to bring home this program's first national title and that is his mindset and goal.”

Junior Chuck Boddy will be the backup at 285 pounds, providing plenty of depth and experience. The Abington, Pennsylvania, native has three career wins and is healthy heading into the season.

“Chuck is a physical heavyweight with a good work ethic who just needs to stay healthy,” commented Wirnsberger. “He gives us a solid choice to go with if something happens to Stolfi. We are very confident in Chuck's ability to perform.”