Michigan Grappler's College Preview 2012
---Division 1 Team Capsules---
*Note - All rankings come from InterMat's Division 1 Pre-Season Rankings
University of Michigan
Pre-Season National Ranking - #19
Last Year –6-6 Dual Record, 11th in NCAA, 7th in Big Ten
Returning NCAA Qualifiers – Sean Boyle (125), Stephen Dutton
(141), Eric Grajales (149), Dan Yates (174), Max Huntley (197), Ben
Apland (285)
Key Losses – Zac Stevens (133), Kellen Russell (141), Justin
Zeerip (174)
Impact Newcomers – Conor Youtsey (Fr.-125), Rossi Bruno (Fr.-
133), Stephen Dutton (Transfer-141), Taylor Massa (Fr.-165), Jordan
Thomas (Fr.-184)
Projected Lineup:
125 – #15 Sean Boyle
133 – Rossi Bruno
141 – #11 Stephen Dutton
149 –#11 Eric Grajales
157 – Jake Salazar
165 – #8 Taylor Massa
174 – #15 Dan Yates
184 – #19 Jordan Thomas
197 – #19 Max Huntley
285 – #12 Ben Apland
Recruiting Round-Up – The Wolverines brought in one, if not the best Recruiting Class in the country last year, headlined by the nation’s top recruit – Taylor Massa – of St Johns who finished as 4x undefeated State Champ. In addition to Massa, Rossi Bruno of Brandon, FL is a 5x Florida State Champion who was listed as the #13 overall recruit in the country last year. 3x State Champ Jordan Thomas of Greenville was also a top 100 recruit who was proven nationally. ConorYoutsey, a former 3x state champ from Mason who spent a year at the Military Prep Academy, was added as well as Lehigh transfer Stephen Dutton who was a NCAA Qualifier last year. MI State Champ Angelo Latora and 4x MO State Placer Cory Lester were two more solid additions for McFarland and company.
2012-13 Season Outlook
There is a lot of excitement in Ann Arbor swirling around year 2 of the new assistant coaches, Donny Pritzlaff and Sean Bormet, in addition to the start of the Taylor Massa era at UM. Massa, along with Rossi Bruno and Jordan Thomas, are all expected to start right away in the Michigan lineup and how they fare as freshman competing in the Big Ten will be one of the most followed storylines this year for the Wolverines. Massa is ranked #8 nationally by InterMat before ever wrestling a college match – if he can live up to that early season ranking then he has a shot at making the podium this year, which would be huge for UM’s team success at the NCAA Tournament.
The excitement and potential is there for a breakout season in Wolverine country, however, the key to success will be turning the hype and excitement into a few All-Americans. The graduation of Kellen Russell takes almost all of their NCAA tournament points from last year away from this year’s team. Therefore, they will need some guys to step up and make deep NCAA Tournament runs. Returning NCAA Qualifiers Dan Yates, Eric Grajales, Max Huntley, Ben Apland, and Sean Boyle are all proven guys that can contend for All-American honors this year. The deciding factor for a top 10 finish may be the success of Massa, Bruno, and Thomas as true freshman.
Central Michigan University
Pre-Season National Ranking - #9
Last Year –149-9 (4-1 MAC), 24th in NCAA, 1st in MAC
Returning NCAA Qualifiers – Joe Roth (125), Zach Horan (133), Scotti
Sentes (133), Scott Mattingly (141), Donnie Corby (157), Mike Ottinger (165),
Ben Bennett (184), Jarod Trice (285)
Key Losses – Peter Sturgeon (285)
Impact Newcomers – Lucas Smith (157-RS Freshman)
Projected Lineup:
125 – #10 Joe Roth / Christian Cullinan
133 – #2 ScottiSentes / Zach Horan
141 – Scott Mattingly
149 – Donnie Corby
157 – Lucas Smith
165 – #19 Mike Ottinger
174 – Anthony Bill
184 – #5 Ben Bennett
197 – Jackson Lewis
285 – #4 Jarod Trice
Recruiting Round-Up – It was not a huge recruiting year for the Chipps, however, they did not have a lot of needs in terms of recruiting with 9 returning NCAA Qualifiers. The only major loss from graduation was Peter Sturgeon at 285, however, former All-American Jarod Trice returns from an Olympic Redshirt to anchor the heavyweight spot for CMU. Coach Tom Borelli brought in only three recruits, however, what they lack in quantity they make up for in quality. Cory Keener (125) from PA is a big time lightweight who will add depth to their already solid lighter weights. Nick Becker from WI was the #12 recruit for his weight class in the country and Austin Severn is a multiple state champ from Michigan with big time wins under his belt.
2012-13 Season Outlook
This season has the makings of a magical one for CMU as they look for their 12th straight MAC Championship. They return a ton of firepower with three returning All-Americans all ranked Top 5 nationally (Sentes, Bennett, and Trice). Joe Roth (#10 at 125) and Mike Ottinger (#19 at 165) are nationally ranked guys who have been to the NCAA Tournament before and could contend for All-American honors as well. Corby and Mattingly are returning NCAA Qualifiers as well who can string wins together in March to add to the Chippewa point total at the National Tournament. Even with all the talent throughout the Chippewa lineup, this year will be one of the most challenging for Borelli and company to win the MAC title and keep the streak alive as 7th ranked Missouri, along with #20 Northern Iowa, has been added to the conference this year and Mizzou poses a serious threat to knock the Chipps off the top of the MAC mountain.
The key for CMU’s in-season success may come down to their young guys looking to step up at 157/174/197. Lucas Smith is a Redshirt Freshman who had a strong redshirt campaign last year winning the EMU and Edinboro Opens. Smith will look to step in and compete right away for the Chipps at 157. Sophomore Anthony Bill returns at 174 after serving as the primary starter last year and Sophomore Jackson Lewis will look to step in at 197.
Michigan State University
Pre-Season National Ranking - #47
Last Year – 3-10, 37th in NCAA, 10th in Big Ten
Returning NCAA Qualifiers – Dan Osterman (149), David Cheza (157),
Mike McClure (285)
Key Losses – Anthony Jones (157), Ian Hinton (174), Curran Jacobs (184)
Impact Newcomers – Josh Heinzer (Transfer-125), Hermilio Esquivel
(Freshman-125), Nick Trimble (Freshman-141), Roger Wildmo (RS
Freshman-149), Jordan Wohlfert (Freshman-165)
Projected Lineup:
125 – Josh Heinzer/Brenan Lyon
133 – Terry Turner
141 – Brandon Fifield
149 – Dan Osterman/Roger Wildmo
157 – David Cheza
165 – Troy Lamson
174 – Nick Proctor/Nick Kacznowski
184 – John Rizgallah
197 – Nick McDiarmid
285 – #16 Mike McClure
Recruiting Round-Up - The Spartans brought it a diverse recruiting class last year from both in-state and across the country. Junior College transfer Josh Heinzer, a 2011 NJCAA Runner-Up, and California all-stater Hermilio Esquivel could be immediate options for MSU at 125. Michigan State Champs Nick Trimble (141) and Jordan Wohlfert (165) are solid additions who could be contributors very soon for the Spartans as well. Throw in Kentucky State Champ Garth Yenter (125) and State Runner-Up Travis Curley of St Johns (157) and it was a solid year for MSU on the recruiting front.
2012-13 Season Outlook
Although they graduated a solid group of seniors from last year in the middle weights, the middle of the lineup should still be the strength again this year for MSU. Great news in East Lansing came when 2x NCAA Qualifier David Cheza received a medical waiver for a 6th year of eligibility from the NCAA. Cheza, who will return to 157 this year, should be a force on the national scene and one of State’s best bets for All-American honors. Dan Osterman is a senior this year at 149 and has 71 wins in his three years in the MSU starting lineup. He is capable of a breakout senior season, but also has a redshirt year available. It will be interesting to see what the Spartans do at 149 with Osterman as well as highly touted freshman Roger Wildmo coming off an impressive redshirt campaign that included a couple Open Tournament titles. Regardless of what they do, State will be solid at 149. Mike McClure is back at 285lbs and is the lone Spartan ranked in the preseason polls. McClure was ranked as high as #10 last year and is another solid threat to make the podium at the end of the season. For the Spartans to climb the ladder in the Big Ten and the NCAA they will rely on guys like Cheza, McClure, and Wildmo/Osterman to make deep runs in March.
Eastern Michigan University
Pre-Season National Ranking - NR
Last Year –14-6 (3-2 in MAC), 48th in NCAA, 3rd in MAC
Returning NCAA Qualifiers – Jared Germaine (125), Aaron Sulzer (157),
Philip Joseph (184)
Key Losses – Andrew Novak (133), Corey Phillips (141), Lester France
(165), Wes Schroeder (285)
Impact Newcomers – Vincent Pizzuto (RS Freshman-133), Nick Barber
(Freshman-141), Justin Melick (RS Freshman-149)
Projected Lineup:
125 – Jared Germaine
133 – Vincent Pizzuto/Filberto Colon/Jake Byers
141 – Mike Leholm/Seth Schaner
149 – Jaylyn Bohl/Justin Melick
157 – Aaron Sulzer
165 – Jake Dorulla/AJ Constable
174 – Phil Joseph/Mike Curby
184 – Khodor Hoballah
197 – Nick Whitenburg
285 – Chris Eggert
Recruiting Round-Up – A strong group of newcomers enter the EMU program this year including a solid contingent from Michigan and Ohio. Nick Barber (141), Matt Vancuren (149), and Jacob Davis (165) all come from well-renowned St Edwards High School in Ohio. In addition, 3x Michigan State Champ Devan Marry (165) and fellow Michigan State Champ Alex Calandrino (125) are big name in-state recruits that will boast the Eagle lineup down the road.
2012-13 Season Outlook
EMU had a strong finish to last season, placing 3rd in the Mid American Conference, and with three of their 4 NCAA Qualifiers coming back, things are looking up for Coach Delporto and the Eagle Nation. Germaine (125), Sulzer (157), and Joseph (184) all return for a repeat run to the NCAA tournament and are all primed to make a deep run into the tournament and score some points to help EMU climb in the national standings. In addition, Nick Whitenburg (197), Khodor Hobollah (184), Mike LeHolm (141), and Jalyn Bohl (149) are returning or former starters with experience competing in the MAC. Jake Dorulla (165) has breakout capability after a stunning prep career and fans in Ypsilanti have to be excited about his debut in the lineup this year. Chris Eggert makes the jump to 285 and should be athletic for the weight class after wrestling below 200lb his entire career. Eggert will look to give Delporto, a former heavyweight All-American himself, his 3rd straight NCAA Qualifier at 285lbs. The addition of Missouri & Northern Iowa to the MAC this year makes competing in the conference much tougher this season, however, Delporto and company appear to have some talent throughout that can help them contend with Mizzou, CMU, and Kent State for MAC supremacy.
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Incoming mega-recruit Taylor Massa (left) and former mega-recruit Eric Grajales (right) will be two of the main components in the Wolverine lineup this year
Big Ben's finale - Senior Ben Bennett will look to cap off his stellar Chippewa career as CMUs first ever 4x All-American
Back for more - Senior David Cheza will get one more shot at All-American after receiving a medical 6th year of eligibility from the NCAA
Senior 2x NCAA Qualifier Aaron Sulzer will look lead EMU to their 2nd straight Top 3 finish in the MAC
