Preview Interview

Preseason Rankings

HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 1, 2013) – The Stevens Institute of Technology wrestling program will get its 2013-14 season underway Saturday when it battles a pair of NCAA Division I foes in Chicago, Ill. The Ducks will square off against Northwestern University and the University of Chicago.
 
Last year the Ducks placed seventh in the East Region, 32nd nationally and sixth in the Centennial Conference, sending a pair of wrestlers to the NCAA Championships including returning junior 149-pounder Mike Polizzi.
 
This year, Stevens will be hoping to improve upon each mark, coming into the year as the 28th-ranked team in the nation and boasting a deep team with numerous regional place-winners and several heralded grapplers returning from injury.
 
125-pounds
Sophomore Anthony Geiger will be leading the 125-pounders at the start of the season after earning a sixth-place finish in the East region a season ago. Geiger went 12-8 overall, including an excellent 7-2 mark in dual-matches, tallying four falls. Freshman Rob Murray has also impressed the coaching staff in the early going and should see his share of starts and action in what will be his rookie season on Castle Point.
 
133-pounds
Leading the 133-pound weight class for Stevens will be the East region's fifth-place finisher in Ryan Wilson. Wilson improved greatly over the course of his freshman season, getting 13 wins – five by major decision – and is expected to be a major asset going forward for the Ducks. Head Coach Mike Clayton has brought in several newcomers to help push Wilson and increase the depth at "33".
 
141-pounds
Sophomore Mike Kalimitzis is slated to be the starter at 141, showing growth and improvement in his first year on the collegiate mat and throughout the 2013-14 preseason. Kalimitzis will be joined by Cody Curtiss and several freshmen in what is shaping up to be another solid weight class for Stevens.
 
149-pounds
In the 149-pound weight class, Stevens will be led by Polizzi. Polizzi comes into the season ranked sixth in the nation after winning the East as a sophomore and earning the prestigious Outstanding Wrestler honor at the championships. Polizzi is an NWCA Scholar All-American that will be pushed by newcomer Justin Becker and others.
 
157-pounds
Sophomore Jake Odell will be returning to the mat after being injured last year and is expected to be a key contributor for the Ducks this year. In addition, Leo Wortman should see starts after an injury riddled 2012-13. The pair will be joined in the weight group by Conner Bass and several rookies.
 
165-pounds
Two-time Centennial Conference finalist CJ Caserta is another student-athlete making his return to action after missing a year to injury. Wrestling up a weight class, Caserta figures to be a major contributor to Stevens' success along with Zach Bass and a group of talented freshman.
 
174-pounds
One of Stevens' all-time leaders in wins returns to the mat after using last year to get healthy. Ryan Dormann is a three-time NCAA qualifier, finishing in the top-12 twice. Dormann is eyeing All-America honors in what will be his final year as a Duck. He will be joined by freshmen Michael Fasulo, Shu Shen and Zach Bass – who will see action at "74" and "65".
 
184-pounds
The 184-pound weight class features an open competition to start the year with junior Mike Otsuka, sophomore Douglas Medrano, sophomore Damian Murberg and several freshmen figuring into the equation. The coaching staff is hoping the open competition leads to a deep class with a lot of options.
 
197-pounds
Leading the 197-pounders is senior standout and team captain Alex Moreno. A great leader through his work ethic on the mat, in the weight room and in the classroom, Moreno is eyeing a strong conference and regional finish. Joining him at "97" will be freshman Mark Garrity, Medrano and sophomore Steven Sertial.
 
Heavyweight
Returning from injury in 2013-14 is sophomore Tyler Maher.  Maher missed most of last year with an injury after an excellent rookie season that saw him take third in the Centennial Conference and seal a pair of dual-meet victories with wins in the final bout. Maher will be pushed by junior Chris Florek and a pair of rookies in Anthony Fernicola and Neil Forrester.
 
After its duals Saturday, Coach Clayton will continue pushing his team as they will battle Army on November 6 and then compete in the Binghamton Open November 10.
 
Stevens will visit national power and in-state rival TCNJ November 13, and then take part in the Rogers Williams Invite and Doug Parker Invitational on back-to-back weekends before battling with New York University in the Grapple at the Garden (Madison Square Garden) December 1. Stevens' first home match of the year will be against Yeshiva December 4.
 
The 2014 portion of the schedule opens with the Virginia Duals January 10 and 11 – an event the Ducks won in 2013. Stevens will open its conference slate January 19 and stay in the Centennial through February 12 before visiting Lycoming February 19.
 
The Centennial Conference Championships are February 22, the NCAA East Regional is March 1 and the NCAA Championships will take place in Cedar Rapids, Iowa March 14 and 15.
 
Check www.StevensDucks.com following each match for recaps and results. Cumulative wrestling statistics will be posted once each week.
 
NOTE: Complete recaps of Saturday's action will be posted late Saturday night/early Sunday.