Wednesday, November 19
Pucillo Gymnasium
4 p.m.
Millersville University
vs
Wagner College
Millersville Wrestling Opens Home Schedule Wednesday
11/18/2008 6:45:47 PM | Wrestling
Millersville vs. Delaware State Live Stats
Millersville vs. Wagner Live Stats
Millersville, Pa. - The 2008-09 Millersville wrestling team makes its home debut and takes on Wagner and Delaware State in its dual meet opener Wednesday evening at Pucillo Gymnasium. With a new head coach and a host of young wrestlers on the roster, the preseason label on the team was "transition." But after a strong showing at the ESU Open to start the season, the Marauders appear ready to contend sooner rather than later.
One year ago, just one Marauder finished as a placewinner at the ESU Open. But last Saturday, four wrestlers, including three in their first seasons of competition with the team finished seventh or better.
While Millersville's roster lists five seniors, there will likely be seven underclassmen in the starting lineup on Wednesday evening. Newcomers Sean Reed, #J.J. Lester and Shane Smith# are among that group and each finished with three or more wins at the ESU Open.
Smith, a red-shirt freshman at 174 pounds, recorded four victories and three pins en route to a fifth-place finish. Reed, a sophomore transfer at 133 pounds, tallied three wins including one pin in just 26 seconds.
"There are a few new faces to our starting lineup that I expect to have a big impact on the team," said Head Coach Todd Roberts. " Two wrestlers to keep an eye on are Sean Reed and Shane Smith. Both of these young wrestlers are pinners and exciting to watch."
At 149 pounds, Lester placed seventh and Roberts has been impressed with his progress during his time in the program.
"Lester has made some huge strides forward," said Roberts. "He used his red-shirt year the right way by going to open tournaments and sticking to his lifting routine."
While Roberts is the program's new head coach. He's hardly new to the program. He had served as an assistant under Neil Barnes since 2004 and was hired after Barnes stepped down due to medical reasons.
Roberts' presence no doubt eased the transition for the Marauders and may just be why the team is off to solid start. Roberts, however, is pushing the Marauders in a new, positive direction. To assist him, he added 2008 Virginia Tech grad Steve Borja to the staff. Borja was a 2002 PIAA state champ at 171 pounds and finished runner-up at the ACC Tournament while wrestling for the Hokies.
Coach Borja has helped implement new changes in the wrestling room," said Roberts. "I can see the guys trying new things that he is coaching and they are making big improvements."
Improving is just what Millersville wrestling is looking for. It has gone three seasons without a winning record in duals and is four seasons removed from its last East Region title.
"We are looking to add more wins to the team dual meet record improve its standing in the PSAC," said Roberts. "Our ultimate goal is have each wrestler peak for nationals and qualify four wrestlers to the NCAA Championships in St. Louis."
The Marauders have an opportunity to take a big step toward achieving that first goal Wednesday. Millersville is 12-0-1 all-time against Delaware State but the programs have not met since the 2004-05 season. The Marauders are also 4-0 all-time against Wagner.
The tri-meet is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Live stat updates will be provided for both Millersville duals. Fans can follow the action against Wagner by clicking here and the Delaware State match here.
Millersville vs. Wagner Live Stats
Millersville, Pa. - The 2008-09 Millersville wrestling team makes its home debut and takes on Wagner and Delaware State in its dual meet opener Wednesday evening at Pucillo Gymnasium. With a new head coach and a host of young wrestlers on the roster, the preseason label on the team was "transition." But after a strong showing at the ESU Open to start the season, the Marauders appear ready to contend sooner rather than later.
One year ago, just one Marauder finished as a placewinner at the ESU Open. But last Saturday, four wrestlers, including three in their first seasons of competition with the team finished seventh or better.
While Millersville's roster lists five seniors, there will likely be seven underclassmen in the starting lineup on Wednesday evening. Newcomers Sean Reed, #J.J. Lester and Shane Smith# are among that group and each finished with three or more wins at the ESU Open.
Smith, a red-shirt freshman at 174 pounds, recorded four victories and three pins en route to a fifth-place finish. Reed, a sophomore transfer at 133 pounds, tallied three wins including one pin in just 26 seconds.
"There are a few new faces to our starting lineup that I expect to have a big impact on the team," said Head Coach Todd Roberts. " Two wrestlers to keep an eye on are Sean Reed and Shane Smith. Both of these young wrestlers are pinners and exciting to watch."
At 149 pounds, Lester placed seventh and Roberts has been impressed with his progress during his time in the program.
"Lester has made some huge strides forward," said Roberts. "He used his red-shirt year the right way by going to open tournaments and sticking to his lifting routine."
While Roberts is the program's new head coach. He's hardly new to the program. He had served as an assistant under Neil Barnes since 2004 and was hired after Barnes stepped down due to medical reasons.
Roberts' presence no doubt eased the transition for the Marauders and may just be why the team is off to solid start. Roberts, however, is pushing the Marauders in a new, positive direction. To assist him, he added 2008 Virginia Tech grad Steve Borja to the staff. Borja was a 2002 PIAA state champ at 171 pounds and finished runner-up at the ACC Tournament while wrestling for the Hokies.
Coach Borja has helped implement new changes in the wrestling room," said Roberts. "I can see the guys trying new things that he is coaching and they are making big improvements."
Improving is just what Millersville wrestling is looking for. It has gone three seasons without a winning record in duals and is four seasons removed from its last East Region title.
"We are looking to add more wins to the team dual meet record improve its standing in the PSAC," said Roberts. "Our ultimate goal is have each wrestler peak for nationals and qualify four wrestlers to the NCAA Championships in St. Louis."
The Marauders have an opportunity to take a big step toward achieving that first goal Wednesday. Millersville is 12-0-1 all-time against Delaware State but the programs have not met since the 2004-05 season. The Marauders are also 4-0 all-time against Wagner.
The tri-meet is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Live stat updates will be provided for both Millersville duals. Fans can follow the action against Wagner by clicking here and the Delaware State match here.
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