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`First-year Head Coach Todd Roberts hoped the Millersville wrestling team could start their season on a positive note. As an assistant coach last year, Roberts watched the team struggle to a 5-11-1 finish. Now the team is putting that in the past and is on their way to making people forget all about last season, and they’re doing it by focusing on pins.
The Marauders opened up their Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference schedule with a sweep of their tri-match against Wagner and Delaware State on November 19 at Pucillo Gymnasium.
The match against Wagner started out with three consecutive victories. Even better, the wins by senior John Andel (125), sophomore Sean Reed (133), and freshman Sean Andel (141) were falls. The Marauders never looked back from there.
“Things could not have started any better for us,” Roberts said.
The Marauders’ 25-15 win against Delaware State did not come so easy. After winning their first two matches, Millersville dropped the next three.
Roberts knew Delaware State had good wrestlers, but was confident in his team’s ability and stressed consistency. The Marauders responded with four straight victories. Two of those came from came from junior Jeremy Brooks and redshirt-freshman Shane Smith.
Sophomore J.J. Lester takes it to his opponent in Millersville's match against Wagner. Photo by Christian Shuts.
Brooks (165) and Smith (174) each earned second-places finishes at the Mat Town Open on last Saturday.
Smith continued his success in getting pins as three of the four victories at the tournament were falls. He won a tight match 3-2 to advance to the final round, but was cut down by North Carolina’s Nicholas Tenpenny.
Smith leads the team with seven pins following the tournament, which his coach has been very impressed with.
“It is difficult to get a pin in college wrestling,” Roberts said. “Getting those pins is a great season so far.”
Brooks’ second-place finish was also largely due to his ability to gain falls, pinning Drexel’s T.J. Laky and Clarion’s Steven Cressley. However, he was pinned by Michigan State’s Rex Kendel at 3:27.
Roberts has been happy with Brooks’ performance due to his change in weight class. The lower weight class is paying off.
“I am happy for his success and he deserves it,” Roberts said.
Next up for the Marauders is the PSAC Championships on Saturday in Erie, Pa.
Roberts will continue to stress the importance of gaining pins as they prepare for the tournament. They focus on making sure they get pins when they get an opponent on his back, as well as concentrating on avoiding getting pinned.
Getting pins will help a lot in the Marauders’ trek towards placing at PSAC Championships.
“They are going to have their work cut out for them,” Roberts said. “If we can be consistent, we can have a couple guys place.”