Limestone College wrestling Preview
The Limestone College wrestling team enters its fifth year of competition with high expectations. The squad has continued to get better each season since its inaugural year in 2004-2005. In the last four seasons, Limestone has produced fifteen East Region place winners, four national qualifiers, three All-Americans, and one national champion.
Last season, Dan Scanlan (Leesburg, Va./184 lbs.) and Trey Moss (Lexington, S.C./285 lbs.) qualified for the NCAA Division II National Tournament after qualifying at the East Regional. Both athletes went on to become All-Americans after Scanlan took first at the national competition and Moss finished eighth. Scanlan also won the East Regional tournament’s 184-pound weight class and was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. Trey Moss took third place at heavyweight.
Limestone also had three additional place winners at the East Region tournament. Joby Shreckhise (Grottoes, Va.) placed fourth at 174 lbs., Mikel Bush (Lakewood, N.Y.) placed fifth at 157 lbs., and Dave Bush (Lakewood, N.Y.) placed fifth at 197 lbs.
The Saints will return three national qualifiers for the 2008-09: Brent Clausing (Miamisburg, Ohio/133 lbs.), Moss, and Scanlan. Clausing qualified for nationals at 125 lbs. in 2005-2006. Also returning are regional place winners Ian Barker (Summerville, S.C./125 lbs.), Mikel Bush, and Shreckhise. Nine of the ten starters from last season are back for the 2008-2009 season. The Saints are looking to combine these veterans with a group of talented freshmen to create a dominating lineup.
With four seasons of experience under their belts, a trio of national qualifiers, an All-American, and a National Champion, the Saints will look to continue to improve and move up as a force nationally.
125 Pounds
The 125-pound weight class is highlighted by red-shirt senior Ian Barker, who placed fourth in the 125-pound division at the NCAA East Regional two years ago. He will be pushed hard by redshirt sophomore Matt Hall (Hamptonville, N.C.), who redshirted last season after seeing some time in the starting line up as a freshman. Redshirt senior John Harper (Walhalla, S.C.) will battle for the starting position. Redshirt freshman J.B. Smith (Elgin, S.C.) will also be gunning for the starting spot. Adding depth to this weight will be a trio of freshmen entering the program Brendon Conti (Smyrna, Ga.), Richie Schneider (North Myrtle Beach, S.C.), and John Jackson, III (Columbia, S.C.).
133 Pounds
Redshirt senior 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, started last season at 133 after redshirting the year before. Freshman Mike Magaha will look to push for the starting spot after a standout prep career. Redshirt sophomore Garrett Knapik (West Springfield, Mass.) will be looking for matches as well. Adding depth to this division are a trio of incoming freshmen: Bryce Stasney (Denver, N.C.), Justin Christopher (Woodruff, S.C.), and John Hensley (Newland, N.C.).
141 Pounds
There will be a battle for the starting position in the 141-pound weight class this season. The front runner will be returning starter Joey Federspiel (Greenville, S.C.). Federspiel, a senior, is coming off of a successful junior season where he started. He will be challenged by redshirt sophomore Jeremy Parker (Winchester, Va.) who is coming off of a strong redshirt season where he won several open tournament titles. Also vying for the starting spot is redshirt sophomore Nathan Carmack (Miamisburg, Ohio) who is jumping up a weight class this year after he competed at 133 lbs. as a freshman and sophomore. High-school standout Theran Goodale (Osage, Ohio) will also challenge at 141 lbs. this year.
149 Pounds
The 149 pound weight class will be highlighted by veteran Dustin Baynes (Liberty Twp., Ohio). Baynes, a senior, has been the starter at this weight for the last two seasons and will be the early frontrunner. Challenging him will be a group of veterans and some young talent. Redshirt junior Riley Pike (Alexander City, Ala.) will compete at 149 lbs. for the first time after sharing the starting spot at 141 lbs. the last two seasons. Veterans Zack McKeone (Marietta, Ga.) and John Bakewell (Adrian, Mich.) will fight to compete. Adding depth at this weight will be incoming freshmen Tyler Stevens (Leesburg, Va.) and Bryant Padilla (Woodruff, S.C.)
157 Pounds
The 157 pound weight class will be wide open at the start of this season. Mikel Bush, last year’s starter, is looking to move up a weight class and redshirt this season after being the starter for the last two years. The frontrunner in this weight class will be Bryce Sopko (Riverview, Mich.). He had a very successful redshirt freshman season in which he picked up a couple of open tournament wins. A group of talented veterans will be right on his heals. Senior Greg Satterfield (Williamston, S.C.) will compete for the starting position this year after redshirting in 2007-09. Satterfield was a starter the previous three seasons before redshirting. Jesse Bodo (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) will also look for starting time after moving up to 157-pound division last year. Three redshirt freshman will battle for mat time. Logan Raabe (Sumter, S.C.) saw some starting time last season at 165, Nick Shappee (Bluffton, S.C.), and Nick Carr (Buffalo, N.Y.). Providing valuable support and competition in the practice room will be Steve Timoteo (Hinckley, Ohio) and Chris Didyoung (Blythewood, S.C.). Both of these athletes had strong high school careers.
165 Pounds
Redshirt sophomore and returning starter Casey Bradley (Muncie, Ind.) will make a big impact in the 165-pound weight class this year. Pushing him will be veteran Clint Bodo (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) and Jeremiah Perkins (Douglasville, Ga.). Bush will provide valuable competition in the practice room at this weight as he is looking to redshirt this season as he makes the transition to a higher weight class.
174 Pounds
Shreckhise, a three-time regional place winner, is looking to make waves in his senior season after just missing the national tournament last year. Challenging him will be freshmen Aaron Winemiller (Amherst, Ohio) and Justin Withers (Yuba City, Calif.), both of whom were very successful in their prep careers.
184 Pounds
Scanlan will look to continue his illustrious college career in 2008-09 and build off of his national title last season. Freshman Tyler Martin (Cornelius, N.C.), who will likely redshirt this season, will look to push Scanlan in the practice room.
197 Pounds
The 197-pound weight class will be wide open after last year’s starter, Dave Bush, graduated. There will be some quality competition for the starting nod with some returning veterans. Redshirt junior Mike Walsh (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) will look to spend another year in the starting position after starting as a freshman and sophomore. Junior Waholi Revels (Pembroke, N.C.) will also look to battle at this weight after gaining valuable experience the last two seasons. Freshman Josh Mummert (West Chester, Pa.) will be in the mix at this weight after redshirting last year as he is back after successful freestyle and Greco wrestling season.
285 Pounds
This weight class will be highlighted by returning Moss, a 2008 All-American. He will look to build on his national finish a year ago. Redshirt sophomore Allen Runyon (Fort Mill, S.C.) will challenge for starting time this year. Adding depth to this weight will be incoming freshman Tarek Alaruri (Indianapolis, Ind.) who will look to redshirt this season after having a successful prep career.