|
Heading the list of returnees is Chris
Ravenna at 141 pounds with a ranking of second in the nation.
Ravenna was an all-American last season and finished sixth in the
nation. He hails from Morton Grove.
Pete Mueller from Westerfield, Ind., is
ranked third in the nation as a heavyweight in the preseason poll.
Three other Lincoln College wrestlers
return as national qualifiers from last season: Steve Woeckener from
Taylor Ridge at 149 pounds, A.J. Blahut from New Lenox at 174 pounds
and Lamar Fenner from Chicago at 184 pounds.
Coach Klemm said: "Our sophomore
leadership has been outstanding thus far. All of the kids have shown
a good work ethic, and we have several positions where the
competition is very good. We have good depth at most weight classes,
which is a big help. At the present time we have three weight
classes in which I really don't know who will be the starter. It is
not because of a lack of ability; it is just that they are all very
capable.
"We have 36 wrestlers, and it is
divided almost evenly between freshman and sophomores," Klemm said.
"This gives us a good mix. On paper we look to be strong; however,
you never know until the season gets started. If we avoid injuries,
it should be a good year."
[to top of second column in this
article]
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Among the freshmen Klemm is counting on
is Ben Murray of Peotone, who is a four-time state qualifier in high
school, including a top-four finish each time. Also returning at the
157 class is Erik Brozman of Woodridge, who started several matches
last season.
Nick Adams is a two-time state
qualifier at the 197-pound class, and Dustin Gordon was a state
qualifier at 165 pounds. Adams hails from Mount Zion, and Gordon is
from Bloomington.
Steve Zanoni, a sophomore from
Machesney Park, was a redshirt last season due to a knee injury, and
Mike Pelikan is a transfer from Northern Illinois who will be
eligible the second semester at the 149-pound class.
Kyle Stevenson from Trafalgar, Ind., is
a three-time junior national qualifier, and Robert Taylor,
Springfield, is a two-time state qualifier. Both are expected to
push Mueller at the heavyweight class.
Since
becoming coach at Lincoln College, Klemm has produced 29
all-Americans and 86 national qualifiers. He has a career record of
95-74-1 in dual meets at LC.
[Bill
Martinie,
Lincoln College
sports information director] |
