Head coach Bob Patnesky
Davidson Wrestling Adds Nine Incoming Freshmen for 2011-12 Season
6/6/2011 12:39:42 PM | Wrestling
DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Davidson wrestling team will be bolstered by a talented incoming class this fall, as head coach Bob Patnesky announced the addition of nine freshmen Monday.
“As a whole, this is the biggest recruiting class we have had at Davidson, and it may be the most talented,” said Patnesky. “We're excited to see what they can do on the mat this coming season.”
The class includes contenders to replace graduating seniors Charlie Wolff, Vitaly Radsky and Alex Radsky, the 2010 Southern Conference Champion at 133 pounds, and will also give the Wildcats depth across the 10 weight classes. It also includes the first female to join Davidson's wrestling roster.
Ian Solcz, Ed Isola, Jr. and Jordan Ownbey will give the 'Cats strong options in the upper weight classes. Solcz, a New York state semifinalist, will compete for time at 174 or 184 pounds. Isola Jr., a Florida state runner-up, and Ownbey, a North Carolina state semifinalist, will fill open spots at 197 and heavyweight, respectively.
Kevin Birmingham recently placed seventh at the state tournament in the wrestling-rich state of New Jersey, and will look to crack the Wildcats' lineup at either 141 or 149 pounds.
In the lower weights, the 'Cats will continue to have twins despite the departure of the Radskys, as Philip and Anthony Elias will be contenders at 125 and 133 pounds, respectively. Both were state qualifiers in wrestling-hotbed Pennsylvania, with Philip reaching the semifinals. Ben Hartshorn, another Pennsylvania state qualifier, will also be in the mix at 125 and 133 pounds.
Mitchell High School (Bakersville, N.C.) Class of 2011 valedictorian and North Carolina state runner up Sejiro Littleton will look to compete at 133 pounds.
Kari Sickles will be the first female ever on the Davidson wrestling roster. She went 32-31 against boys in high school wrestling at 103 and 112 pounds and was named a U.S. Girls' Wrestling Association Folkstyle All-American in 2011.
Davidson will return six letterwinners and five starters from the 2010-11 roster.
Complete Bios:
Kevin Birmingham
5-8/141-149
Sicklerville, N.J.
Timber Creek
Coach's Quote: “Kevin is just a real dangerous wrestler. He took seventh in the New Jersey state tournament and will probably be in the lineup for us at 141 or 149. The sky's the limit for him as to what he wants to achieve.”
Prep Years: Earned Camden County Championship, District 30 Championship, Region 8 Championship and placed seventh in state tournament during senior season at Timber Creek H.S. … four-time All-South Jersey Group 3, all-conference and district finalist wrestling at 103, 112, 130 and 135 pounds … two-time New Jersey state qualifier … placed in Top 12 at Junior Nationals and in Top 16 at Senior Nationals … holds school records for wins (131), record (131-24), career pins (84) and single-season pins (29) … four-year letterwinner … member of National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society … three-time class president.
Anthony Elias
5-4/133
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Shady Side Academy
Coach's Quote: “Anthony was a PIAA state qualifier that ranked in the top-eight during his senior year, and he will contend for the starting spot at 133 pounds. He's a very talented kid that is extremely strong.”
Prep Years: Won back-to-back Allegheny County championships as a junior and senior wrestling at Shady Side Academy … qualified for state tournament as a senior after placing second in section, district and region … finished year with 32-9 record and went 139-46 for his career … went to states as a junior after placing second in section and region and third in district … placed in the top-12 at the Ironman Tournament … all-county, second in district and section and a regional qualifier as a freshman … named to Pennsylvania All-Academic team … also played soccer and lacrosse … honor roll student all four years.
Philip Elias
5-4/125
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Shady Side Academy
Coach's Quote: “Philip is a super-talented kid who made the PIAA state semifinals this past year. He's a hammer that has a motor that can go for days, and is going to contend for the starting spot at 125 pounds this season. We expect great things from him.”
Prep Years: 2011 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state tournament place winner and Southwest Regional third-place winner wrestling at Shady Side Academy … also qualified for state tournament in 2010 and was the Southwest Regional Champion … two-time WPIAL Champion and three-time WPIAL placewinner … two-time section champion … named all-county … 2008-09 Pennsylvania All-Academic team … lettered all four years and posted a 116-42 career record, going 29-5 during senior season … also lettered in soccer (2008-09) … honor roll student all four years.
Ben Hartshorn
5-7/125-133
Lancaster, Pa.
Conestoga
Coach's Quote: “Ben is also a former PIAA qualifier. He was in the toughest weight class in the state tournament this year, but he had a great year and will be a contender for the starting spot at 133 pounds. He has a bright future here at Davidson.”
Prep Years: Four-time all-county, all-league and Pa. AAA Southeastern Regional Qualifier at Conestoga H.S. … 2011 Pa. State Qualifier … two-time sectional champion … district champion as a senior … four-year letterwinner … posted a 111-37 career record and a 39-5 mark during senior year … also played soccer and baseball … honor roll student … AP scholar … member of National Honor Society.
Ed Isola, Jr.
6-1/197
Maitland, Fla.
Bishop Moore Catholic
Coach's Quote: “Ed was a Florida state runner-up this past year and he will be the starter at 197. He's working extremely hard though, pumping the weights. Ed is a true student of the sport and he wants to achieve great things in collegiate wrestling.”
Prep Years: Florida High School Wrestling runner-up during senior year at Bishop Moore Catholic H.S. … placed sixth in same tournament as a junior … two-time Florida district and regional champion (2010 & '11) … named to 2011 All-Central Florida team … two-time Brute adidas National Championships All-American … 2009 Fargo Cadet Greco Roman eighth-place All-American … four-year letterwinner in wrestling compiling over 100 wins, including 38 during senior year … four-year high honor roll student … also played football from 2007-2010 … member of Rho Kappa, Mu Alpha Theta, Science Honor Society, English Honor Society and National Honor Society.
Sejiro Littleton
5-10/133
Spruce Pine, N.C.
Mitchell
Coach's Quote: “Sejiro was a North Carolina state qualifier and is a fantastic student. We look forward to having him compete with us.”
Prep Years: Three-time Western Highlands Conference Champion, and a runner-up freshman year wrestling at Mitchell H.S. … Western Regional Champion in 2011 and runner-up in 2010 … All-Western Carolina … 2011 1A State Runner-Up … went 157-29 for his career, and 42-1 while serving as team captain during his senior year … named team's most outstanding wrestler in 2010 and 2011, and most outstanding freshman wrestler in 2008 … also member of track and soccer teams, captaining soccer squad senior year … Academic All-Conference 2008-11 … Class of 2011 valedictorian and Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Jordan Ownbey
6-1/Heavyweight
Candler, N.C.
Enka
Coach's Quote: “Jordan was the fourth-place finisher at the North Carolina state tournament at heavyweight. He will be the starter for us there with the loss of Charlie Wolff to graduation. Jordan has high goals for himself. We're thrilled to have him come in and feel that he can have a great career at Davidson.
Prep Years: Earned all-state recognition after placing fourth in the North Carolina state tournament at heavyweight wrestling for Enka H.S. … was the regional champion in 2011 and the runner-up in 2010 … three-time MAC conference champion … went 135-30 during his career and 47-4 during his senior year … also played football, earning All-Western North Carolina and MAC All-Conference honors in 2011.
Kari Sickles
5-3/125
Davie, Fla.
Western
Coach's Quote: “Kari is extremely passionate about the sport of wrestling and she will look to achieve to the best of her ability here at Davidson.”
Prep Years: A United States Girls' Wrestling Association Folkstyle All-American in 2011 … earned three letters wrestling at Western H.S. … went 32-31 against boys during, including a 10-4 mark at 103 pounds and a 3-4 mark at 112 pounds during her senior year … three-time Florida National Team member … placed second at Girls' State in 2011 and third in 2010 … also lettered in track & field and cross country and served as the cross country team captain.
Ian Solcz
6-0/174-184
Pittsford, N.Y.
Pittsford Mendon
Coach's Quote: “Ian was a fourth-place finisher in the state of New York and will compete for the starting spots at 174 or 184. He's super excited to come to Davidson and we're excited to have him. He's an extremely hard worker and will do great things while he is here.”
Prep Years: Placed fourth in New York State, member of Section V Division I State Team, named to All-New York State team and team MVP at 171 pounds senior year at Pittsford Mendon H.S. … earned 2011 Monroe County and Section V Class AA championships … also named to All-Greater Rochester first team after earning an honorable mention in 2010 … compiled a 44-6 record senior year to go 127-42 for his career … first-team all-league in 2010 and 2011, second-team all-league in 2009 … All-Monroe County 2009 and 2011 … also a three-year letterwinner and starter in football, earning second-team All-Monroe County honors in 2011 … honor roll student all four years … AP Scholar with Honors … National Honor Society member.
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