Posted: Oct 29, 2008
BEREA, OHIO -- The Baldwin Wallace University wrestling team will seek to both build depth and momentum during the 2008-2009 season.
Veteran Head Coach Rich Fleming, who begins his 21st season at BW, welcomes back 12 lettermen from his team of a year ago that placed fourth at the 2008 Ohio Athletic Conference Championship Tournament. Included in the 12 returnees are six fulltime starters are six grapplers who saw action as starters at some point during the season.
The returning starters are sophomore Tyler Erwin (Granville/ Watkins Memorial) at 125 pounds, senior Brian Bucher (Ottawa Hills/ Avon Lake) at 133 pounds, either junior Eric Schubert (Oberlin) or sophomore Cory Connell (Twinsburg) at 141 pounds, seniors Mo Salem (Westlake) and Scott Haber (Brook Park/ Parma Normandy) at 149 pounds, senior Joe Invorvaia (Medina/ Highland) at 157 pounds and sophomore Andrew Scavuvzzo (Cuyahoga Falls/ Woodridge) at either 184 or 197 pounds. In addition, senior Chris Hamad (Akron/ Woodridge) returns at 141 pounds after having started and placed at the OAC Championship Meet in 2007.
"We return a veteran group of wrestlers and have six newcomers who have the ability to help us build depth and strength," said Fleming, the second winningest wrestling coach in school history. "We will look to our seniors, Bucher, Haber, Hamad, Incorvaia and Salem, to be our leaders. Each of them has plenty of varsity experience and the ability to be a solid competitor."
"We also have both a group of other retuirning veterans and newcomers who all have ability,"continued Fleming. "We are looking forward to the challenges that our schedule provide, including hosting the BW Duals on Nov. 8."
Erwin took his lumps as a freshman with a 9-25 record but improved throughout the season. This winter, Fleming is hoping that he can have a breakout season and stay healthy as he is the only 125-pounder on the roster.
Bucher returns after starting at 133 pounds and posting a strong 23-8 record with a team-leading 23 wins, 27 reversals and 60 near falls. He had a 4-1 mark against OAC competition in dual matches and placed fourth at the OAC Tournament. He is expected to be joined by sophomore Phillip Payne (Woodmere/ Orange) at 133 pounds. Payne posted a 4-8 slate a year ago.
At 141 pounds, both Schubert and Connell have experience but will battle with Hamad and freshman Grant Steward (Columbus/ Worthington Kilbourne) for mat time. You also can expect both Hamad and Connell to see time at 149 pounds as Salem will not compete until December. Schubert had a 9-23 mark a year ago, placed fourth at the OAC Tournament and also gained valuable experience. Connell was 7-9 overall and 7-8 at 141 pounds. Hamad has been hampered by injuries since he's been at BW, but when he's healthy, he has produced a solid, 11-4 mark. Haber was 5-14 a year ago.
Salem also struggled with injuries last season and posted a 7-10 mark. As a healthy 149-pounder as a freshman and sophomore, he produced records of 18-11 and 23-12, respectively. Look for freshmen Tim Levitsky (Parma/ Senior) to compete for mat time too.
At 157 pounds, Invorvaia has been the starter the past two seasons. He posted a 16-15 slate, including a 4-2 mark in OAC dual matches, last season. He also has a solid practice mate in sophomore Korey Leonhard (Kinsman/ Pymatuning Valley), who alternated between 157 and 165 pounds and posted an 11-8 mark. Leonhard also will compete with junior Cody Quick (Mt. Vernon) at 165 pounds and look for freshmen Alex Feador (North Olmsted) and Michael Hosta (Hinckley/ Medina Highland) to also be in the mix. Quick had a 4-8 slate last season and has the talent to be a force.
At 174 pounds, freshman Michael Brandt (Western Springs, Ill./ Lyons Township) is an unknown at this point and is expected to compete with Leonhard, Quick, Feador and Hosta for mat time.
The 184/ 197-pound weight classes may be manned by Scavuzzo and freshman Ryan Tudor (Pataskala/ Watkins Memorial). Scavuzzo alternated between 184 and 197 pounds last season and posted a strong, 21-15 record with five pins and a 3-2 mark in OAC duals.
BW is without a heavyweight (275-pound weight class) at this point in the preseason.
The Yellow Jackets begin the season on Saturday, November 8 when they host the BW Quad Meet in the Rudolph Ursprung Gymnasium of the Lou Higgins Center at 12:00 noon. Competing against BW will be Lycoming College of Pennsylvania, the College of Mount St. Joseph and Thiel College of Pennsylvania.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Sports Information Director Kevin Ruple by telephone at (440) 826-2327 or via e-mail at kruple@bw.edu. To contact Head Coach Rich Fleming, please call him at (440) 826-3258 or e-mail him at rfleming@bw.edu. The athletics FAX can be reached at (440) 826-2192. More information on wrestling may be accessed on the BW athletics page at www.bw.edu/athletics.