2011-12 Wrestling Outlook

DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Davidson wrestling team will have a different look this season with 11 freshmen joining seven returners, but the Wildcats are just as hungry for success as they open the 2011-12 season Saturday at the Rat Rumble Open hosted by VMI.

“I feel great, great things are coming in the present and I know they are going to come in the future,” said head coach Bob Patnesky. “It's just a matter of time before we see more guys on top of that podium like Alex Radsky.”

With the departure of Southern Conference podium finishers Alex and Vitaly Radsky and heavyweight mainstay Charlie Wolff, the Wildcats have some big holes to fill. Patnesky, beginning his eighth season at the helm and his 10^th season with the Davidson wrestling program, and assistant coach Michael Childs will look for continued improvement from the returners and for their talented newcomers to step in early.

“We just have to be excited for where we are at as we have some talented freshmen, but you just don't know in a year like this what could happen,” said Patnesky. “It's a matter of how fast they turn the corner, how fast they mature and how fast they understand the concept of college versus high school wrestling. It's a whole different level of competition, but it could be something special. We'll just try to be positive and keep encouraging them to move forward.”

Senior captain Tyler Mullen, the lone senior on the team, will look to lead the squad and earn a Southern Conference Championship at 165 pounds after his injuries marred his chances in 2011.

“I am extremely excited on the year and to see what happens,” said Patnesky. “Our main objectives are to stay positive, win or lose, and to keep getting better each and every week.”

125 pounds
Junior Matt Zarth will look to hold on to his starting spot with freshman Philip Elias challenging him for time on the mat. Zarth compiled a career best 15-19 record and placed fourth at the Southern Conference Championships last season.

“We do expect Matt to have a break out year,” said Patnesky. “He is bigger, which is good in his weight class, and hopefully he can put it together and have a great run at the end of the year. We are looking for him to step up and be a leader and take care of business.”

Elias was a 2011 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state tournament place winner and Southwest Regional third-place winner wrestling at Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh, Pa. He also qualified for the state tournament in 2010 and was the Southwest Regional Champion.

133 pounds
With the departure of Alex Radsky, a freshman will step into the void of the 2010 Southern Conference Champion and NCAA Tournament participant. Anthony Elias, the twin brother of Philip, will battle Ben Hartshorn for the starting nod. Elias won back-to-back Allegheny County championships as a junior and senior wrestling at Shady Side Academy, and qualified for the state tournament as a senior. Hartshorn was a four-time all-county, all-league and Pennsylvania AAA Southeastern Regional Qualifier at Conestoga High School in Stafford, Pa. He was also a 2011 state qualifier and two-time sectional champion.

141 pounds
Freshman Kevin Birmingham will look to replace last year's team MVP, Vitaly Radsky. Birmingham placed seventh in the New Jersey state tournament wrestling for Timber Creek High School in Slickerville, N.J.

“In wrestle-offs, Kevin was super impressive,” said Patnesky. “He's exciting and can catch you from anywhere.”

149 pounds
Junior Scott Ray plans to stay at 149 for the season, a weight he went 9-11 at in 2011 and competed in the conference tournament at.

“He is a lot bigger than he was last year and I think it's going to be a great move for him,” said Patnesky. “He just needs to keep a good head. He is an extremely hard worker and has a lot of talent. We will just have to see what happens in the conference.”

157 pounds
Injuries kept CT Talevi off the mat as a freshman, but he'll look to make a big impact for the 'Cats this season. A Roanoke, Va. native, Talevi was a two-time top-five state tournament finisher Cave Spring High School.

“CT is really excited to come back and wrestle this year,” said Patnesky. “He is going to go 157 for us and he's been working extremely hard to get into shape.”

165 pounds
Tyler Mullen had put together a career-best season as a junior with a 15-11 record, but an injury abbreviated it before the conference tournament. In his senior season, Mullen will be counted on to score points on the mat and be a leader off of it with the 'Cats' youthful team.

“Tyler has all the talent in the world to win the conference,” said Patnesky. “It's just a matter of what happens, and the Saturday the conference tournament is held, anything can happen. It's a tough weight but he has a good shot at winning if he puts it all together at the right time.”

Junior Chris Cirenza will move down a weight class from last season and compete with Mullen for the slot at 165 pounds.

“Chris has made a total commitment to wrestling and it's great,” said Patnesky. “He's going to battle Tyler Mullen for the starting spot. As far as his character and how far he has grown since he has been a freshman, it is just incredible.”

174 pounds
After wrestling at 184 and 197 pounds as a sophomore, Ike Crews is moving down to 174 pounds for his junior season.

“Ike might not be down there for a few weeks but he just works hard,” said Patnesky. “He tries to get better each and every day and you can see significant improvement in him and he just needs to continue that. One advantage Ike has is that he is just very strong. We need to take advantage of that.”

Freshman Ian Solcz will look to challenge Crews for the starting nod. Solcz was a fourth-place finisher in the New York State Championship at Pittsford Mendon High School in Pittsford, N.Y.

184 pounds
Sophomore Scott Patrick was named to the SoCon All-Freshman team after going 8-10 with four pins at 174 pounds, but will move up to 184 pounds for the 2011-12 season. Patrick went 2-1 in three bouts at the weight last season.

“I think 184 will be a very comfortable weight for Scott,” said Patnesky. “He's definitely got a chance to make conference finals. With the talent that he has, it is on him to determine what he wants to do. We are going to push him as much as we can, but in the end, he is the one that's going to really push himself to the top.”

197 pounds
Freshman Eddie Isola will occupy a weight class the 'Cats struggled to fill last season. Isola was a state runner-up as a senior at Bishop Moore Catholic High School in Maitland, Fla.

“Ed is a true student of the sport and he wants to achieve great things in collegiate wrestling,” said Patnesky. “He is coming along and will do well at 197.”

Heavyweight
Freshman Jordan Ownbey will start at heavyweight, replacing longtime starter Charlie Wolff. Ownbey placed fourth in the North Carolina state tournament wrestling at Enka High School in Candler, N.C.

“Jordan has a very solid wrestling background and we're excited to see his progression,” said Patnesky.

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