Campbellsville University team preview 2010-11

2009-10 dual record: 7-7
National Duels: 7th place
Mid South Conference finish: 1st
East Region Finish: 4th Place
National Tournament Finish: 17th

Starters lost: All American James Linker (165), Bryan Wells (174) and Jeremiah Fennell (285) were all lost to graduation.

Returning All-Americans: This Tiger Team is loaded with experience and has had many wrestlers do well on the National Scene. Johnny Papesh was 4th at 125 in 2008-09 and top 12 last year. Tommy Pretty was 8th at 133 as a freshman and was the National Champion last year. David Clemens returns for his senior year and is a 3x All American placing 7th, 2nd and 5th. Spencer Adams was 6th at 184 in 2008-09. Jacob Murton who was 3rd at 133 in 2006-07 and is expected to compete at 141. Tim Thurston is a 2x NJCAA All American placing 2nd and 3rd for Iowa Lakes CC at 133.

Returning National Qualifiers: Several wrestlers on this team have made it to the National Tournament and are working hard to get back in our top 12 and on the podium at the National Tournament this year. Daphilo Success (133), Matt David (141), Conor Young (157), Nick Waldrop (157), Josh Ashbrook (174) and Allen Scruggs (184) are all wrestlers that have quality experience and have shown the ability and work ethic to have a big year.

125 Pounds
Johnny Papesh has matured and worked hard all summer. He continues to improve and is preparing for a big year. Returner and former Kentucky State Champion Jarvis Elam is also working to earn varsity matches. 2nd semester they could be joined by Paul Sanford or Chris Head. Both are former High School All Americans with Paul placing at the NHSCA tournament and Chris placing in Fargo. This weight class will also feature incoming freshman Dylan Pike and returner Antonio Stewart.

133 pounds
Campbellsville had the National Champion at this weight last year in Tommy Pretty. With the talent on this team we don't expect much of a drop off with Tommy moving up a weight class. Returner Tyler Alsip redshirted last year, but he is outworking the other challengers at this weight in the pre season. Tyler had a good redshirt year that included a Cumberland Open Title and a win over Cameron Ream who was ranked #1 in the NAIA at the time. Daphilo Success was our most improved wrestler on the team last year. He finished with over 30 wins and placed at the Midwest Classic, Manchester Invite, Patriot Open, King college Open, Ohio Northern Invite and the East Region. Daphilo is a very talented wrestler that could have a big year. Joining these two will be NJCAA transfer Tim Thurston from Iowa Lakes CC. Tim is super talented and super quick! He will be exciting to watch. DeCoreus Leavell has likely grown out of 125 and will probably redshirt at this weight.

141 pounds
Tommy Pretty has conquered the 133 pound weight class and now will be competing at 141. It might take a little adjusting, but Tommy is a competitor and will do well at this weight. He will be joined by returners Jacob Murton and Matt David. Jacob is a former All American that wants to finish his college career as a National Champion. He certainly has the ability and when motivated he is The Man! Matt David is a 2x National Qualifier that is very dependable. He has the work ethic and ability to have a break out year and get on the podium in Iowa. Incoming freshman from England Brett Hawthorne could also challenge here or up a weight.

149 pounds
This weight class is wide open for us and we need someone to step up now. Transfer Josh Harrison is working hard and smart in the preseason and seems to have the edge on this group. The top challengers look to be returners Seth Lucas, Brandon Sellers and Derek Alsip. Newcomers are 5x Kentucky State Placer Matt Slone, Indiana State Placer Matt Milton, Ohio State Placer Sam Conners, English and Welsh Champion Brett Hawthorne and Ryan Gibson. A lot of young talent here and some could be expected to contribute this year, while others will redshirt and prepare to give us a bright future at this weight.

157 pounds
Returning National Qualifier Conor Young returns for his sophomore season at this weight. Conor led the team in pins last year and is set to have a big sophomore campaign. With wins over All Americans Dustin Center and Nick Turner last year, Conor showed that he can compete with anyone. He has had a great summer and is ready for a big year! Returning National Qualifier Nick Waldrop has grown out of 149 and could compete at 157 or 165 this year. Nick has also shown the ability to compete with anyone and with a year of experience under his belt we expect him to really shine this year. Nick is bigger and stronger this year and will be a factor at whatever weight he settles into. This weight class will also feature freshman Mike Clark and Terry Terrell. Both are working hard and seem to be adjusting well.

165 pounds
David Clemens returns for his Senior Season and has a chance to be our first 4x All American. After placing 7th as a freshman, 2nd as a sophomore and 5th as a junior Dave is back to finish what he started. David is super talented and is now showing a work ethic and maturity that you would expect from a Senior and 3x All American. Freshman Quinten Brooks and Andrew Wright will also be at this weight. Both are showing great signs of toughness, talent and work ethic. We believe they could develop into future leaders for us and they will be ready to take over this weight class after Dave graduates. One of these Freshmen could earn some varsity matches this year and the other would be a good redshirt candidate.

174 pounds
Josh Ashbrook has grown into this weight and is ready to have a break out year. After a very accomplished high school career, starting as a freshman for us and then a good redshirt year last season, Ashbrook is ready. He has worked hard all summer and has grown into this weight. Expect a good year from Josh. Returner Marcel Haynes is also at this weight and is working to get himself in the lineup. This weight will also feature a very talented freshman in Caleb Browner. Caleb has all the tools to succeed and could have a bright future for us. Depending on how quickly he adapts, he could get some varsity action this year.

184 pounds
Allen Scruggs was one of our fab freshmen that were national qualifiers last year. He is not happy with being a National Qualifier and we know he is capable of so much more. After sharing time at this weight last year, we are counting on him to take over this weight class and have a big year. Newcomers Tito Valentine and Tommy Bennales will provide depth here.

197 pounds
We have 4 solid guys that will battle for this spot. Led by former All American Spencer Adams who has a big frame and might be better suited for this weight class than 184. Only time will tell, but we know Spencer is hungry to get back on the podium and help this team reach its potential. Scott Wern redshirted last year and lifted hard this summer to grow into this weight class. We are counting on these guys to be solid for us at this weight. They will be joined by newcomers Jamal Scott and Travis Aubrey. Travis is steady and dependable while Jamal is loaded with power and ability. Both will challenge for varsity opportunities.

285 pounds
Right now we have 3 heavyweights and we need someone to emerge and take over this spot. Former State Champion Chris Daniels redshirted last year and has the edge over the two challengers. Dane Cullen and Jordan Marrero were both Ohio State Placers last year and are big strong heavyweights with a ton of ability. Just like the entire freshman class, they will have to adjust to college life and develop a toughness and consistency to get on the mat for us.

Overall, the sky is the limit for this team and on paper they have everything it takes to be great. National Champion, Returning All Americans, experience, talent, depth, work ethic you name it and you can find it on this team. Now our challenge is to go out and PROVE IT!

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