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DIII/JUCO SCHOOLS
Coach: Todd Hibbs (5th season)
Preseason rank: 16th
Individuals ranked: 2
Last year: 11th in NCAA Division III
Top Returners: Jason Brew (Ntl Runner-Up), Kyle Vanderhyde (2x All-American 4th/2nd),
Vince Lahar
Impact Newcomers: Steve Mena (149)
Outlook: Todd Hibbs looks for another sucessfull season as they return both of their all-americans from a year ago in Brew and Vanderhyde. Hibbs has done a remarkable job bringing Olivet back to national prominence in DIII with a 46-17-2 career record in his first 4 seasons at the helm. This year's team will feature an array of former Michigan state champions and state placers, and with their new Jare Clein wrestling facility things should only continue to improve at OC. While Brew and Vanderhyde are both legitimate national title contenders entering the season ranked #2 and #1 in their weights respectively, the Comets will need some others to step up and score points at the national tournament if they want to score big points, and Hibbs is expecting just that. "With the leadership of our top wrestlers Brew and Vanderhyde, we are looking for many out historically strong competitors to follow their lead and have breakout seasons," said Hibbs, who is also looking for sophomore Vince Lahar to take a leadership role this season, "Vince had a great freshman season with 28 wins and has now dropped to 141 pounds to chase some high goals," he said. If the Comets can get some big points out of Lahar and others step up then they are capable of a top 5 finish at the National Tournament, not bad for a program that was near it's demise six years ago.
Weight by weight breakdown:
125
Three year starter Kyle Labrecque returns for Olivet after going 21-15 a year ago. Blair Mellish saw some time last year as well, going 11-12, and will push Labrecque for this spot as well. Labrecque has a wealth of expierence in the Comet lineup and will look to finish on a high note this season for Olivet. Hibbs has alot of depth at this weight with 4 incoming recruits, including Division 1 state runner up Justin Fleeson of Belleville.
133
Former Michigan state champ Blake Gardner of Mt Morris returns for his 3rd season starting at this weight. Gardner has won nearly 50 matches in his first two seasons in the lineup and is capable of breaking through with an NCAA tournament bid. Some of their many talented 125lbers could end up at this weight as well if something were to happen to Gardner.
141
After an impressive freshman campaign at 149lbs last year Vince Lahar will look to come into his own this year as one of the premiere wrestlers in the country at 141. Lahar is one of the most acclaimed recruits Hibbs has landed in his tenure and the Comets will need a big year out of him if they want to do well nationally. Senior veteran Rob Yahrmakt is back as well after starting for three years and will push for this spot also.
149
Ben Hitchcock will change places with Lahar as he will be moving up to 149 after starting last year at 141. Hitchcock, who was a Michigan state champion, went 12-12 last year at 141. Nick Leon of Henry Ford will look for some mat time as well and freshman state runner up Steve Mena of Martin could also contend for this spot. If Blake Birmingham can get down to this weight he is capable of being very competetive here. Birmingham was a D2 state champ in high school and transferred to Olivet last year after starting his career at CMU. Birmingham should be a presence somewhere from 149-165 in this lineup.
157
Returning NCAA finalist Jason Brew returns for another crack at the national title. Brew enters the season ranked 2nd in the country and is just 10 wins shy of 100 for his career. He, along with Vanderhyde, are the heart and soul of this team.
165
This weight appears wide open with a number of guys contending to see time. Blake Birmingham may wind up as the man here if cannot get down to 149, but some others who could challenge for time include 2x letterwinner Greg Jarratt, Jim Neal, Justin Jaynes, Caleb Norville of Indiana, and Trevor Tyler.
174
Kyle Vanderhyde is arguably the most accomplished wrestler in Comet history and will be looking to end his illustrius career with a national title after finishing 4th and 2nd the past two seasons. Vanderhyde is currently the top ranked 174lber in all of Division III.
184
Livonia Churchill native Joe Bargerstock showed promise last year by finishing 3rd in the Midwest Regional and barely missing the NCAA tournament. He is a strong, powerful wrestler who could be on the brink of breakthing through. Former Michigan state champ Derrick Parker of Bangor will be right in the hunt to compete at this weight as well.
197
197lb incumbent Joe Yurisch returns after seeing the majority of the time here the past two seasons. Challenging Yurisch will be Aaron Stewart.
285
Olivet has an abundence of big men who will battle to see time at this weight. Sean Misko saw the most time last year, going 14-7, and is the favorite to win the spot this year.
Coach: Ron Gaffner
Preseason rank: 7th
Individuals ranked: 3
Top Returners: Chad Friend (NJCAA Runner-UP)
Impact Newcomers: Deven Brown, Ron Szuch, Zach Shaw, Tom Webster
Outlook: Coach Ron Gaffner who returns as head coach for The Muskegon Community College Wrestling Team and will be assisted by Omar Ortiz a former All-American for the Jayhawks, is looking forward to the 2008-2009 wrestling season. The Jayhawks will be led by returning NJCAA 197 pound National Runner-up Chad Friend and returning letter winners Mathias Sarli(133), Chris Harris(141), Pat Mehan(165), Corey Moore(184),Josh Short(285),David Harding(285), and Jordan Rasmussen(285).These individuals and a great group of freshmen recruits should make Muskegon CC very competitive throughout the 2008-09 season and at the national level at the end. Leading the group of freshmen that should make a big inpact on the season are State Champions Deven Brown(141) and Ron Szuch(157) of Carleton Airport, State runner-ups Tom Webster(125) Aaron Sessa(125) Ryan Mack(165) and David Charneski(285) and state place winners James Coulter(125) Cory Gray(133) Zach Shaw(149) Shane Long(149) Chad Koch(149) Cody Groeneveld(157) Korey Keehbauch(157) David Johnson(165) Will Machuta(165) Matt Fetterley(174) Nick Raimer(174) Ben Hand(174) Seth Holt(184) Eric Madill(184) Carleton Blair(197) John Corder(197) and Justin Leonard(197).
Projected lineup
125-Tom Webster(Pine River,MI) Aaron Sessa(Lake Central,IN) James Coulter(Cardington,OH)
133-Mathias Sarli(Holland WO,MI) Cory Gray(Spring Lake,MI) Andy Brisbin(Wabash,IN)
141-Chris Harris(Ypsilanti,MI) Deven Brown(Carleton,MI) Travis Otten(Grand Rapids KH,MI)
149-Zach Shaw(Holt,MI) Chad Koch(New Boston,MI)
157-Ron Szuch(Carleton,MI) Korey Keehbauch(MT.Pleasant,MI) Cody Groeneveld(Allendale,MI)
165-Pat Mehan(Sand Creek,MI) Ryan Mack(Richmond,MI) David Johnson(Howard City,MI)
174 Matt Fetterley(MuskegonRP,MI) Nick Raimer(Jenison,MI) Ben Hand(Ypsilanti,MI)
184-Seth Holt(Grand Haven,MI) Nick Modak(Spring Lake,MI)
197-Chad Friend(Fort Wayne,IN) Justin Leonard(Webberville,MI) John Corder(Hartland,MI)
285-Josh Short(Whitehall,MI) David Charneski(Hartland,MI) David Harding(South Haven,MI)
