2009-10 College Preview - Oakland University
Coach: Kyle Nieporte (2nd year)
Last year: 30th @ NCWA National Tournament; 4th at NCWA Nat Duals
Top Returners: Garrett Johnston (2009 NCWA All-American), Peter
Waszkiewicz (2009 NCWA Natl Qualifier)
Impact Newcomers: Payden Armstrong (Freshman-149/157), Jake
Hyde (Freshman-174), DJ Charneski (Transfer-285)
Outlook: Oakland University is one of Michigan's newest collegiate
programs and after finishing top 4 at last year's National Duals, they are
beggining to show their capability of competing with the top teams in
country.
This year they return two wrestlers who made trips to the National
Tournament last year, including Garrett Johnston, who was an all-american
finishing 4th at 184lbs. This year there is a possiblity of Johnston making
the move to 174lbs. Also returning is national qualifier Peter Waszkiewicz
who advanced to the National Tournament at 165lbs last year.
Oakland brings in a couple solid freshman this year, most notably Jake Hyde who was a Division 1 State Champion last year at 160lbs. Hyde, who is a Holly native, is capable of making an immediate impact for Oakland at 174lbs this year.
In addition, DJ Charneski will be new to the Oakland team after wrestling for Muskegon last year. Charneski was a Division 1 state runner-up two years ago and is a talented big man who could provide some punch at the bottom of the Oakland lineup.
Coach Kyle Nieporte knows that he still has a young squad at Oakland, however, he still believes they can challenge for a National Championship.
Wheter the Grizzly challenge for a national championship or not, one thing that is without question is the value of the Oakland program to wrestling here in Michigan. A good number of former Michigan preps are getting the opportunity to compete and excel at the next level and the immediate success of this program is a tribute to the level of wrestling talent here in Michigan. Look for continued improvement and success by this Grizzly team this year.
Projected Starting Lineup:
125 Clint Grunalt/Justin Garza
133 Justin Garza/Jeremy Fillipelli
141 Ramsey Beard/Luke Gillespie
149 Luke Gillespie.Bo Cantara
157 Payden Armstrong/Mike Wransosky
165 Peter Waszkiewicz/Alex Zondlak
174 Jake Hyde/Matt Franklin
184 Garret Johnston
197 Garrett Hay
235 Shane Hegadus/Cody Hay
285 DJ Charneski
Other MI Grappler College Previews:
Grand Valley State University (10/28)
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