EWL Conference Preview
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Craig Sesker (USA Wrestling)
10/23/2001
Edinboro's Josh Koscheck is one of college wrestling's most feared competitors. Koscheck's dominant run last season culminated with an NCAA championship at 174 pounds. Koscheck, known for his attacking, physical style, is back looking for another title this year and is one of many reasons Edinboro is favored to repeat as EWL champions. The Fighting Scots, 13th in the 2001 NCAA meet, also return All-American David Shunamon (197) along with veterans Cory Ace (133), Chad Caros (141) and Josh Pearce (Hwt). Shunamon was sixth at the 2001 NCAA tournament. "We have some good kids back and some good young kids," Edinboro coach Tim Flynn said. "Any team with a returning national champion will score points at the nationals. We want to win our league and our conference. If everybody competes as well as they can, we can be in the Top 10. Who knows how high?" Pittsburgh will feature an experienced lineup that should make a run at the EWL crown. Pitt's Shawn Amistade moves up a weight to 133 after narrowly missing being an All-American last season. National qualifier Carl Fronhofer, an EWL champion, also returns. The Panthers have three other wrestlers - Zach Doll (157), Dane Stine (184) and David Sandberg (197) - with national tournament experience. Lock Haven is coming off a second-place finish in the EWL. Lock Haven was 21-2 in dual meets last season. Lock Haven's JaMarr Billman returns after finishing fifth in the NCAA meet at 149 pounds. The explosive Billman could contend for a national championship this season. Lock Haven also brings back national qualifiers in Trap McCormack (125), Michael Maney (141), Jason Gilligan (157), Ed Pawlak (174), Josh Millard (184) and Avery Zerkle (197). Clarion returns all five national qualifiers from last season. Rad Martinez (133), Frank Edgar (141), Dominic Surra (149), Eric Mausser (197) and John Testa (heavyweight) all earned berths in the NCAA meet last season. Testa is a returning EWL champion. Keith Mourlam's Virginia Tech team is led by two-time All-American Sean Gray at 141. Gray was sixth in the 2001 NCAA tournament. After losing in the semifinals, Gray suffered an injury and had to default his remaining matches. National qualifier Scott Justus (184) also is back for the Hokies, who were fifth in the EWL last season. West Virginia brings back NCAA qualifiers Joe Carr (157) and Ryan Kehler (heavyweight) from the EWL's sixth-place team in 2001. The Mountaineers should receive a boost from 141-pounder Shane Cunanan, a transfer from Oregon State. Cleveland State will rely on national qualifiers Rocco Mansueto (125) and Nick Boucher (141). Bloomsburg, under new coach Dave Kennedy, will face a rebuilding season after losing six starters. National qualifiers George Carter (149) and Hunter Guenot (165) are expected to redshirt this year.