LC wrestlers open season    

[NOV. 11, 2004]  Lincoln College opens its wrestling season Friday at the Muskegon, Mich., duals and will also compete on Saturday in a tournament at Muskegon. The Lynx will be led by returning all-American Dustin Gordon (184), from Bloomington, who finished fifth in the nation last season.

Joining Gordon as top returning sophomores will be Kyle Stevenson, heavyweight; Keil Barnhisel, 133; and Aaron Bendel, 141. "We will look for leadership from these sophomores," said Lincoln coach Dave Klemm. "We also have an outstanding class of freshmen, including Rashad Riley, 125; Emanuel Brooks, 149; and Tyler Williams, 157."

"Overall we have a very good group and probably the best freshman group I have had for several years," the LC mentor continued. "I am encouraged by the early practices and feel if we continue to work, we can duplicate a seventh-place finish or better as we did last season. Our lineup is more solid throughout, and we have at least two wrestlers at each weight class that can compete and will push each other throughout the year."

Klemm became head coach at Lincoln College in 1991 and has produced 95 national qualifiers and 32 all-Americans. He has a dual meet record of 106-82-1 at Lincoln College and has had teams finish in the top six a total of four times.

Squad members

• 125 -- Jon Heller, Rashad Riley, Vernon Samons
• 133 -- Keil Barnhisel, Jake Davis, Erik Johnson
• 141 -- Adam Ahart, Aaron Bendel, Drake Comfort, Justin Donovan, Gino Scardina, Jason Smith
• 149 -- Emanuel Brooks, Tony Drew, Darvin Smith
• 157 -- Hopeton Daubon, Scott Hennings, Adam Linares, Matt McAleer, Kenny Trotter, Tyler Williams
• 165 -- Andre Harper, Andy Purdy, Erik Ronney
• 174 -- Brian Choi, Greg Howell
• 184 -- Dustin Gordon, Raymion Spence, Scott Steidinger
• 197 -- Nick Adams, Michael Campese, Sal Woods
• Heavyweight -- Kyle Stevenson, Robert Taylor

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College]

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