The Observer, February 23, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 18
Manoogian headed to nationals after second-place finish at Midwest regionals
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Sophomore Drew Gardella placed second in his weight class, 149 pounds, as did 141 pound sophomore David Manoogian at last Saturday's Midwest regional championships in Manchester, Ind.. The Spartans finished sixth out of 15 teams with 61.5 points.
"We had things just the way we wanted it, two guys in the finals, both in strong weight classes," said head coach Bob Del Rosa. Manoogian will go to the Division III National Tournament in Dubuque, Iowa. Gardella will not.
The number of All-Americans, who are the top eight finishers in each weight class at nationals, from each region determines the amount of national qualifiers for that region. The region that has the most All-Americans earns the most spots at nationals for its wrestlers next year. Gardella's weight class, 149 pounds, is perhaps the strongest at the national level, with several All-Americans returning, including the second and third place wrestlers from last year's tournament. Because it's such a tough weight class, Gardella would have had a difficult time finishing in the top eight, which would in turn reduce the number of national qualifiers from the Midwest Region next year.
"The coaches had made up their minds before the tournament how many qualifiers would come from each weight class. I don't think it's right, but I only get one vote," said Del Rosa. "All these guys ahead of Drew are seniors, so he will be one of the top 149 pound wrestlers in the country next year," said Del Rosa. Gardella is an alternate for the National Tournament.
Manoogian, who missed three weeks with a sprained ankle, reinjured it in the finals.
Manoogian, who was in the second place position, hadn't wrestled Theil College's Damian Rose, who was in third place. Rose challenged Manoogian to determine which wrestler would be the second place finisher. If the injured Manoogian defaulted, he would have lost the chance to be a national qualifier.
"We iced his ankle and got it taped up," said Coach Del Rosa. "When David got started, he didn't even look like he was injured. He sucked it up and wrestled." Manoogian defeated Rose, 8-5.
"I guess the main thing that helped me at regionals was the thought process that if I didn't do it now, my season would be over and I'd be going home," Manoogian said. "But I knew if I went out and wrestled my match, I would be going to nationals."
Heavyweight Dawud Wilson placed fourth.
"I think I did a fair job of keeping active and getting into sort of a rhythm," said Wilson. He went 4-2 at the tournament, losing to the No. 1 seed. Senior Mike Sanchez placed fifth in the 165 pound weight class that sent three qualifiers to Nationals.
Russ Tischer, also a senior, earned his 100th career victory.
"I'm very happy for Russ. He's had a long, tough career," said Del Rosa. Tischer placed sixth, losing twice to Chris Dahlmeimer from Lycoming College. Combined, seniors Russ Tischer, Mike Sanchez and Tom Sanders have 337 career victories.
"They've all had outstanding careers and have been great leaders on the team," said Del Rosa.
