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Edinboro Athletic Press Release Index
EDINBORO, PA - The Edinboro University wrestling team had its annual Wrestleoffs on Wednesday, October 29, with several weight classes up for grabs at that time. While there were a few results that caught the attention of head coach Tim Flynn and his coaching staff, for the most part things went as anticipated. Edinboro opens the 2004-05 season on Saturday, November 6 at the EMU Open.
"I was pleased with our conditioning," related Flynn. "There are things we need to work on. Technically I wasn't real pleased. That's what we'll work on leading up to EMU."
Wrestleoffs were held in eight weight classes, although the competition in four classes was up for grabs the most. Four wrestlers were battling for the starting role in three different weight classes - 141 lbs., 149 lbs. and 174 lbs. In addition, three wrestlers competed for the starting job at 157 lbs., with head-to-head matches taking place at 133 lbs., 165 lbs., 197 lbs. and heavyweight.
In the most closely contested bouts of the day, Zach Plerhoples (Wilmington, DE/Salesianum) won two of three matches against Jacob Gray (Essex Junction, VT/Essex) to capture the starting job at 149 lbs. Gary won the first match, 2-1, thanks to a point for riding time, but Plerhoples came back for a 6-2 win, and then in the deciding bout was a 6-4 winner. Plerhoples is a third-year sophomore who was 12-10. Gray is a three-time national qualifier who is attempting to move up two weight classes from 133 lbs. to 149 lbs. He was 32-9 last year.
Another third-year sophomore, Matt Hill (Freedom, PA/Freedom) prevailed at 157 lbs. thanks to an impressive 12-3 win over Josh Yetzer (Mansfield, OH/Madison).
"I knew it would be close at 149 lbs.," admitted Flynn. "I thought Matt Hill looked really good. He decided a couple weeks ago to move up to that weight."
The 157 lb. spot was left open with Eric Ring (Glassboro, NJ/Washington Twp.) moving up to 174 lbs., as All-American Nate Yetzer (Mansfield, OH/Madison) slides down to 165 lbs. Ring was faced with besting a four-man field, including highly-touted freshman Phil Moricone (Derry, NH/Pinkerton). In addition, much-improved senior Chris Bala (Darien, NY/Alexander) had designs on the starting job. Ring defeated Bala in his opening match by a 2-0 score, with Moricone pinning Donald Walker (Heidelberg, Germany/Heidelberg American) . Ring defeated Moricone by fall to keep his position in the starting lineup. Moricone would go on to defeat Bala, 3-1, in overtime.
Ron Doppelheuer (Connellsville, PA/Connellsville) began his road back from a series of injuries with an impressive showing at 141 lbs. After freshman Rusty Hunt (Somerset, NJ/Franklin Twp.) moved along with a 10-8 win over fellow freshman Seth McAlister (South Paris, ME/Oxford Hills), Doppelheuer disposed of Hunt by fall in the third period. In a bout not as close as expected, Rick McLaughlin (West Chester, PA/West Chester Henderson) was a 12-3 winner over Jonathan J.T. Taylor (Boca Raton, FL/Cardinal Gibbons). Doppelheuer retained his starting spot with a hard-fought 7-6 win over McLaughlin, then came back for a 12-4 victory.
Shawn Bunch (Leavenworth, KS/Leavenworth) returned after a red-shirt year with an impressive showing at 133 lbs., besting freshman Pat Wayne (Lowell, MA/Lowell) by a 19-3 score. Bunch is a two-time national qualifier who was 30-14 as a sophomore in 2002-03.
While Deonte Penn (Solon, OH/Solon) will red-shirt this year, Flynn wanted every wrestler competing if he was healthy or eligible. Nate Yetzer showed that moving down a weight class won't change the success he's enjoyed. The senior began his quest for a second All-American award with a 10-1 win over Penn, who was a national qualifier a year ago at 149 lbs. Yetzer had a 37-6 record a year ago.
Sophomore Mike LaBella (Massapequa Park, NY/Massapequa) retained his starting job at 197 lbs. with 4-1 and 2-0 wins over red-shirt freshman Jeremy Mosley (Jacksonville, FL/University Christian). Joe Hennis (Mims, FL/Astronaut) was a winner by fall over freshman Koel Davia (Bethesda, OH/Union Local) at heavyweight.
"I thought it would be closer at 174 lbs." Flynn pointed out. "Our two-ranked kids - Yetzer and Bunch - looked good. Nate Yetzer really looked good. I regard Deonte Penn very highly. That score's a real credit to Nate."
In the other two weight classes, freshman Greg Sill (Bethel Park, PA/Bethel Park) will open at 125 lbs. and sophomore Jim Gibson (Hermitage, PA/Kennedy Catholic) is at 184 lbs.
~ Fighting Scots ~
Edinboro Athletic Press Release Index
Created on ... October 28, 2004