Team Preview 2008-09

Starters lost: 125- James hicks 2x national Qualifier ;133- Kaci Payne 4x National Qualifier and 2x Scholar Athlete; 141- Kyle Norred 3x national Qualifier and 2x Scholar Athlete; Marc Macias 2x National Qualifier 149-Josh Mason National Qualifier; 157- David Clemens National Runner up and 3x All-American;165-Chris Branam 3x National Qualifier and Scholar Athlete 174-Johnny Sinchok National Qualifier 184-Josh Deadrick 2x National Qualifier and 2x Scholar Athlete.

Returning wrestlers with Varsity experience: 141 Zach Flake National Champion in 2007, 6th place in 2008; 157 George Sheppard 7th place in 2008; 197 Glen Jackson 3x All-American with finishes of 6th, 5th, 6th; 165 Bryan Wells Top 12 in 2008; 285 Chad Brown 2x National Qualifier, 157 James Linker National Qualifier, 149 Jairus Murton National Qualifier and Scholar Athlete;
125 Daniel Rucker

The Tigers will be flying under the radar in the early part of the season. However, by mid season, Coach James expects this team to be right back near the top of the NAIA standing and in a position to compete for All American honors and National Titles in Oklahoma City. With three new assistant coaches making an impact and a room full of talented, hard working newcomers this is sure to be an exciting year for Campbellsville University wrestlers and fans.

125 Pounds
With a couple new recruits certifying up at 133 this weight class is not as deep as some others, but still very talented. Sophomore Daniel Rucker, Freshman Johnny Papesh and Freshman Jarvis Elam will all compete for the starting spot against McKendree on November 6th. Rucker does have the most experience of this group and has competed well for us in the past. He could be ready for a break out year. Papesh and Elam were both accomplished high school wrestlers with Papesh being a 4x Ohio State placer and Elam being a nationally ranked Kentucky High School State Champion. Most likely scenario will have Elam redshirting this year while Papesh and Rucker push each other and keep us very strong and competitive at 125.

133 pounds
A deep weight class with several wrestlers competing for varsity action and the chance to start against McKendree. Several Freshman and Redshirt Freshman Joseph Neel are all competing for this spot. Neel continues to work hard and has looked good during the pre season workouts. The four freshman that could compete here have a combined 11 state medals between them. Andrew Clark won 2 state medals in Ohio and is very talented. Cody Vinsant is a tall, lanky wrestler growing into his frame. He placed 3x's in the KY high school state tournament. Tommy Pretty was the Ohio state champion as a Senior and was 3rd as a Junior. He leads this pack of young talent at the time, but they could all catch up in a hurry. Finally, Daphilo Succes used great strength and balance to become a 4x Florida state placer in high School. All of these guys have the talent to compete and the future looks bright for us at 133 pounds.

141 pounds
What looks to be our deepest weight class this year. We could have seven or 8 wrestlers competing for varsity action and that does not include the probable return of Zach Flake in January. Whoever wins the starting spot against McKendree will be tough. The challengers are Freshman Seth Lucas, Nick DiFabritus and Matt David. Transfers Brandon Sellers, Tyler Voth and Redshirt Freshman Aaron Smith. Lucas is a very good athlete that is focusing all his efforts on wrestling for the first time. Seth even placed at the Ohio high school state Chess tournament! Nick DiFabritus has a lower center of gravity and really is a scrapper that could surprise. Matt David was a 2x Washington State Finalist in high School. He has shown a very strong work ethic and loads of talent. Transfer Brandon Sellers is a hammer that is working hard to improve. Transfer Tyler Voth is quick with a great combination of strength and power. Reshirt Aaron Smith has sat out the last 2 years with injuries, but he is back working out and looks great. It will be interesting to see who works their way to the front of this weight class. Most likely will be a weight that we take 2 wrestlers in our top 12.

149 pounds
Not a very deep weight, but three very talented wrestlers will compete. Florida State Champion Ruben Perez has the talent and is a hard worker that is coachable. With a year of college under his belt, Ruben will be hard to beat, but true Freshmen Kevin Cloran and Odis Wesby are expected to challenge. We could have two wrestlers competing for varsity matches this year, while the odd man out will redshirt. All three are still growing into the weight class. Kevin was an Ohio State Runner Up at 140 last year and we thought Odis would compete at 141 this year, but he is continues to grow and pack on the size and strength. With any of these guys in the lineup we will be strong at 149 this year.

157 pounds
Returning wrestlers James Linker and George Sheppard will be challenged by Freshman Josh Ashbrook. Linker is a 2x National Qualifier. In 2005-06 he qualified at 174 and last year he competed at 149. Linker could be his best at 157. George is a Sophomore who placed 7th at 157 pounds as a true freshman. George also was 2nd in the East Region and had a win over National Champion Victor Crenshaw. We could have 2 people at this weight fighting for a place on the medal stand at the National Tournament in 2008-09. Ashbrook was a 4x state placer in High school and has a very strong work ethic and the talent to do very well over the next 4 or 5 years. He will be one to watch in the future.

165 pounds
Junior Bryan Wells returns to this weight class and will be challenged by returning wrestler Justin Perry and Freshman Wade Coston. Wells finished 3rd in the East Region last year and top 12 at the National Tournament. He could have a very good year. Perry is physically stronger this year and needs to put more time in the room. Wade is a 2x Florida state placer and is very talented. With this being a thin weight class, all of these guys could see varsity action this year and fight for a spot in our top 12.

174 pounds
Redshirt Phillip Oudhuis had a good year last year and a very productive summer. He was an Indiana State Runner Up at 160 in High School, but looks to have grown into 174. He is strong, hungry and working well. We expect Philip to have a very good year. Wade Coston could challenge here also and Justin Perry could provide depth at this weight. Also, Andrew Hairston could become eligible in January and challenge for varsity action and a chance at our top 12. Andrew is very talented, but has not been able to get on the mat after transferring from the junior college ranks.

184 pounds
True Freshman Spencer Adams is expected to compete here. Spencer was a 2x Ohio State Placer in High School . Spencer has a very big frame and continues to get bigger and stronger. We expect him to have a good year at 184 and then most likely move to 197 next year. He comes from a good high school program and is very prepared to make a smooth transition to college wrestling. Diante Wright is a very talented freshman that will redshirt at this weight.

197 pounds
Senior Co-Captain and 3x All-American Glen Jackson returns at this weight and is ranked #3 in the pre season polls. If he continues to work and improve we expect Glen to finish his career as a National Champion! True freshman Quintez Todd did certify at 197 and could provide depth here if needed. Tez competed at 215 in high school, but is working hard and looks like he will make 197 this year. Tez will redshirt and provide depth at 197 and 285.

285 pounds
Senior Co-Captain Chad Brown is expected to have a very good year. Chad is ranked #8 nationally in the pre season polls. Chad is lighter and quicker than he was in October last year and is ready to compete. He is being pushed by true Freshman Quintez Todd. Tez has battled with Chad and shown great toughness for a freshman. David Coffey will join the team after football season to push Chad. David will compete for varsity opportunities this season. David was a Georgia 5a State runner up last year.

Camps & Clinics

Campbellsville University Team Preview 2008-09