The Observer, January 26, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 14
Wrestlers hope to continue fine season with a trip to Wheaton
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Spartan wrestlers will compete in their biggest tournament of the season this weekend when they travel to Illinois for the Wheaton Invitational Tournament. Case will face a large field of 24 teams and tough competition from several strong schools, including John Carroll, Heidelberg, and University of Wisconsin- La Crosse.
"My goal is that the team will finish in the top third," coach Bob Del Rosa said.
Five Case wrestlers will be seeded in the tournament: junior transfer Dave Manoogian, sophomore Drew Gardella, and seniors Russ Tischer, Mike Sanchez, and Tom Sanders. "I'd like to finish in the top four at the Wheaton tournament because there are three All-Americans at my weight class," Tischer said.
"The team is wrestling well this year," Del Rosa said. "We've been finishing in the top quarter of bigger tournaments. This is one of the better teams I've coached in the last five years. In previous years we've had All-Americans, but now we have more depth."
The team suffered a tough blow when it lost junior Bob Gavlak, who tore his shoulder. His record was 17-5.
"He's going to need surgery and is going to miss the rest of the year," said Del Rosa. "It's a big loss for the team, but it's a part of any sport. People are going to get injured."
Leading the team are its three outstanding seniors: Sanders, who is ranked seventh in the nation at 197 pounds, Sanchez, who is 28-8 this season, and Tischer, who is 18-6. "They're good leaders and outstanding athletes," Del Rosa said. "Tom and Mike each have over 100 wins, and Russ is only four away. He'll get those at Wheaton."
There have only been nine wrestlers in school history with over 100 career wins.
"It's an exciting milestone, but I would like to get to 111, if possible, to beat (two-time All-American) Chris Nader's 110," Tischer said.
Another talented wrestler is sophomore Drew Gardella, who last year was named UAA Rookie of the Year. Gardella's record this season is an impressive 28-7.
"He's one of our best wrestlers," Del Rosa said.
The team is a very close-knit group as well.
"Everybody comes in after practice to weigh themselves. Everybody wrestles each other," Del Rosa said. "The whole team has the same set of problems. You're trying to cut weight. You can't eat what you want. In wrestling you have to sacrifice to do well. It's a tough sport."
In addition, there are six freshmen on the roster.
"The great thing about wrestling is that you get to see the wrestler develop from year to year. It's an individual sport. However good you are, you are. You can't blame anybody else," Del Rosa said.
