The Observer, February 16, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 17
Home match gives wrestlers confidence for tomorrow's regionals
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The Spartan wrestling team beat both of its opponents at the Case Tri-Meet last Saturday, defeating Muskingum College 39-12, and Rochester Institute of Technology, 26-16.
"We wrestled very well this weekend," said coach Bob Del Rosa. "We want our guys to be peaking right now and get some momentum going for the regional tournament next week." The regional tournament, held at Manchester College in Indiana, determines qualifiers for the national tournament.
Several wrestlers turned in outstanding performances last weekend. Junior Jonathan Howell, who has wrestled around the .500 mark this season, won both of his matches, pinning his first opponent, and beating his second by a score of 16-0. If he can perform at the same level at the Midwest Regional Tournament next week, he stands a good chance of placing.
"It looks like things are falling into place for him," said Del Rosa. "He didn't wrestle first semester, so now is the time he's getting into shape and gaining confidence. Howell's got a lot of good days ahead of him."
Sophomore Drew Gardella defeated both of his opponents by wide margins, scoring a technical fall, which occurs when one wrestler has a lead of over 15 points, and a major decision, when the margin is 8-15 points.
Senior Mike Sanchez beat his Muskingum opponent, A.J. Komaromy, by technical fall, but had a tougher match against Rochester's Jason Wake.
"Wake is one of the best wrestlers for Rochester. It was a real good, active match," said Del Rosa. Sanchez won 5-2. "If Sanchez wrestles the way I know he can wrestle, he can win regionals. He's dedicating himself now. Mike is a senior, so this is his last shot."
Sanchez's two wins put him into sole possession of second place for career victories in school history, with 126. He passed Zak Kallai, a four time All-American. First in career victories is Hall of Famer Chris Ricklic with 147. Ricklic was the national champion in 1994 and 95 and at one point had 71 consecutive wins.
Also having a good day was Nathan Klingensmith, who beat his Muskingum opponent with a major decision. His Rochester opponent forfeited.
"This was a perfect way to head into regionals. Everyone got a chance to wrestle a couple good matches and fine tune all their skills so that everything will be sharp for this coming weekend," said Klingensmith.
Russ Tischer lost his first match to Nathan Bachmann from RIT.
"He didn't feel right in that match," said Del Rosa. But Tischer was able to rebound, and beat his opponent from Muskingum, Josh Kallai, the cousin of Zack Kallai. "Josh was a national qualifier last year, so this was a significant person for Russ to beat. It was one of the most exciting matches of the tournament," said Del Rosa.
David Manoogian, who has been out with a sore ankle, did not wrestle at the tri-meet. He will, however, wrestle at the regional tournament. Manoogian will face Ricky LaForge, currently ranked second in the nation in the 141-pound weight class. Drew Gardella, in the 149-pound weight class, will also face a wrestler ranked second in the country, Mount Saint Joseph's Jason Roush, who has beaten Gardella twice. "It will be between those two guys for who places first in that class," said Del Rosa.
The strongest weight class at the tournament will be 165 pounds. Case's Sanchez is the fifth seed. He will face Derek Ricker from Messiah College. Ricker beat Sanchez in double overtime in the finals at the Messiah Tournament. Sanchez will also face a difficult adversary in Joe Hoover from Machester. "If Mike can beat Hoover in the semifinal round, Mike will go to nationals," said Del Rosa.
The Midwest Regional Championships begin tomorrow at 9 a.m.
