Bill Schindel became an All-American for the second year in a row. Bill won 3 matches and lost 2 to finish in 7th place. He was 8th a year ago, competing at 197 both years. With one more year of eligibility remaining, I am hoping Schindel will put in the extra effort this off season to make a run at a national title.
Freshman Riki Reynolds (125) and Senior Richie Clark (149) both drew rattails and finished 0-2. The pairings were not in our favor, as Mount Union wrestled in 2 of the 6 rattails. Reynolds drew the returning champion first and started out strong scoring the first takedown and accumulating over a minute of riding time. But a reversal and back points against him in the second period, followed by a pin, showed Riki that mat wrestling is what he needs to improve on in the off season. He battled back hard and lost a one point match in his second match.
Senior Richie Clark drew eventual champion Isaac Dukes in his first round match, and gave Dukes his closest match of the tournament based on points (7-4 final). He too battled back in the consolations, but came up short. Richie could not crack our lineup last season and finished the season with a 13-13 record. This season, he led our team with 27 wins and won an OAC title.
The Purple Raiders only lose seniors Clark and two-time OAC Placewinner Mike Manypenny (174). If our returning wrestlers train hard this off season and we have a hungry group of newcomers, I think an OAC title and a strong team finish at the NCAA Tournament could be in our future.
Freshman Riki Reynolds (125) and Senior Richie Clark (149) both drew rattails and finished 0-2. The pairings were not in our favor, as Mount Union wrestled in 2 of the 6 rattails. Reynolds drew the returning champion first and started out strong scoring the first takedown and accumulating over a minute of riding time. But a reversal and back points against him in the second period, followed by a pin, showed Riki that mat wrestling is what he needs to improve on in the off season. He battled back hard and lost a one point match in his second match.
Senior Richie Clark drew eventual champion Isaac Dukes in his first round match, and gave Dukes his closest match of the tournament based on points (7-4 final). He too battled back in the consolations, but came up short. Richie could not crack our lineup last season and finished the season with a 13-13 record. This season, he led our team with 27 wins and won an OAC title.
The Purple Raiders only lose seniors Clark and two-time OAC Placewinner Mike Manypenny (174). If our returning wrestlers train hard this off season and we have a hungry group of newcomers, I think an OAC title and a strong team finish at the NCAA Tournament could be in our future.