Centennial Conference Preseason Poll

2014-15 Schedule Preview

HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 31, 2014) – The Stevens Institute of Technology wrestling team will open its 2014-15 season Sunday at the Rutgers University Duals, squaring off against Centenary College, Delaware Valley College and Rutgers at the College Ave. Gym in New Brunswick, N.J.
 
After a 2013-14 season that saw Stevens go 11-8 overall and place second in the Centennial Conference, the Ducks will look towards a Centennial Conference title, improving upon their seventh-place finish at the NCAA East Regional and hope to send numerous individuals to the 2015 NCAA Division III Championship in Hershey, Pa come mid-March.
 
"Last year this team showed great resilience," Head Coach Joe Favia (Jersey City, N.J.) said. "We are excited for the start of a new season, and the opportunities that await. There is an excitement that is surrounding the program, and the team is embracing it." 
 
The new Stevens coaching staffing has brought in a talented group of newcomers to compliment a deep and exciting collection of returners to the squad, hoping the entire team will be able to achieve the lofty goals put forth at the beginning of the preseason.
 
In total the Ducks have one graduate student, seven seniors, six juniors, six sophomores and 14 freshmen.
 
"We are fortunate to have a competitive roster this season," added Favia. "Being able to have guys competing on a daily basis for a starting spot is ideal for our program. The team has been working hard and they are focused on achieving at the highest level."
 
125 Pounds
Leading the charge at 125 pounds will be sophomore Rob Murray (Bound Brook, N.J.). An incredibly hard worker, Murray saw a great deal of action as a starter as a freshman and is projected to do the same this year. He has been able to make several adjustments to improve and has the potential to be an impact wrestler for the program as his career progresses. Murray placed third at the Centennial Conference Championships in 2014, and will be eyeing a title this time around.
 
In addition to Murray, freshman Andrew Dickerson (Charlottesville, Va.) will see time at 125, displaying solid technique and a strong work ethic this preseason.
 
133 Pounds
Three student-athletes will be wrestling at 133 pounds this year. Senior Anthony Geiger (South Amboy, N.J.) has earned the nod as a starter in the opener and has the ability to hold onto that job all year. He has been working tirelessly in the offseason and preseason to become a reliable and consistent contributor for the Ducks after a year off the mat.
 
A pair of freshmen in Benjamin Gilman (Manchester, N.H.) and Kyle Salgueiro (Barrington, R.I.) have both demonstrated a lot of ability in the early going and will push Geiger as the season grows.
 
141 Pounds
Starting at 141 will be junior Ryan Wilson (McVeytown, Pa.). Wilson has been a staple on the mat for the Ducks at 133 for the last several years and is moving up a class for his junior campaign. One of the most talented wrestlers in the room, Wilson has been working endlessly since the end of 2013-14, making gains in strength and speed due to his bump up in weight class. Another impact guy on the roster, Wilson is eyeing a first-ever trip to the national championships come mid-March.
 
Freshman Aaron Wolfang (Warren, R.I.) has been pushing Wilson on the mat thus far and has been a pleasure to coach, showing diligence in his preparation and always looking for ways to improve.
 
149 Pounds
A returning starter from a season ago, sophomore Frederick Perrine (Milltown, N.J.) is hoping to better his results and peak as the calendar moves to February and March. Sophomore John Moynihan (Lacey, N.J.) returns to the squad after limited action as a rookie. Moynihan has been consistently working on his craft throughout the preseason and will push for time in tournaments and duals.
 
Freshman Josh Smith (Bear, Del.) has earned the starting job to begin the season, and has the potential to surprise people. Freshman Shane Triantos (San Jose, Calif.) has a lot of potential, and when he returns from injury could and should push for a spot among the 10 starters.
 
157 Pounds
Leading the Ducks at 157 will be senior standout Mike Polizzi (Montville, N.J.). Polizzi earned a trip the national meet as a sophomore, and was having a marvelous junior campaign before injury derailed another run to a conference title and berth in the nationals. Polizzi won a title at the prestigious Doug Parker Invitational in November of last year and when healthy is one of the top wrestlers in the nation let alone in his 157-pound weight class.
 
Freshman Zach Wilhelm (Tuckerton, N.J.) has been extremely impressive in the early parts of the 14-15 season and should see meaningful action for the Ducks. Wilhelm is fearless and a hard worker, and has the ability to make a mark on the program with continued dedication.
 
Sophomore Justin Becker (Rahway, N.J.) impressed as the 13-14 season aged, and is another talented grappler in the weight class. Becker has a ton of raw ability and will continue to elevate everyone in the room.
 
Freshman Will Mason (Moorestown, N.J.) is another 157-pounder, and the rookie has been working hard at refining his technique in hopes of earning valuable experience as the season goes along.
 
165 Pounds
Graduate student CJ Caserta (Mt Arlington, N.J.) is returning for his final season after 2013-14 was marred by injury. Caserta had a junior season for the record books and has earned the starting nod via a wrestle-off. Caserta fought tooth and nail for his position on the roster and has been performing at a high level, recommitting himself to being successful on the mat for Stevens.
 
Senior Conner Bass had an excellent run in 2013-14 and will be eyeing an even better performance in his final collegiate campaign. Bass is coming off a trip to the finals in the Centennial Conference Championships, and is hoping to earn a title in that event in February.
 
Sophomore Colin Navickas (Huntington Beach, Calif.) has made wonderful strides, improving a great deal as a sophomore. One of the hardest working and most dedicated student-athletes on the roster, Navickas' work ethic and leadership have pushed everyone on the team to better themselves. Similarly, junior Victor Del Monico (Phillipsburg, Pa.) is another 165-pounder pushing his teammates to get better. One of the hardest-nosed grapplers on the squad, Del Monico is looking to improve upon a very solid freshman season.
 
174 Pounds
Sophomore Kalen Gans (Palo Alto, Calif.) earned the starting spot to begin the year thanks to a wrestle-off-win, and the staff expects him to be in the discussion for a conference title and a possible berth in the national meet. Gans came into preseason fully committed to the program, and his performance on the mat has showed it thus far.
 
Senior Zach Bass (Westhampton, N.Y.) will be clawing for a starting spot all year. Impressive as a junior, Bass has gotten better and better with experience and always seems to find a way on the mat. Paired with Gans, the duo provides the staff with nice options in the top of the weight class.
 
Additionally, sophomore Danny Moore (Lanoka Harbor, N.J.) and freshman Ryan Jachim (Brick, N.J.) will give the Ducks even more depth in the weight class. Moore has improved his strength in a big way and has been honing his skills to compete for a starting spot, while Jachim has demonstrated strong commitment and a quality work ethic so far.
 
184 Pounds
Freshman AJ Kowal (Cincinnati, Ohio) has earned the 184-pound job Sunday and hopes to hold onto it all season. Kowal is naturally talented, technically sound and is a two-time Ohio State finalist that could challenge for podium spots in February and March.
 
Freshman Phil Woods (Roselle Park, N.J.) will be neck and neck with Kowal for a starting spot all year as the duo makes each other better in the wrestling room. Hard working, Woods has the ability to be another impact newcomer for Stevens.
 
Senior Mike Otsuka (Upper Saddle River, N.J.) is returning for his fourth and final year on the mat, working incredibly hard across the board. A veteran leader who is always pushing his teammates, Otsuka sets a quality example for the entire team.
 
Junior David Ott (Queens, N.Y.) is fighting injury. When he returns to action, he will be looking to push the starters and gain experience.
 
197 Pounds
Freshman Robert Maggiulli (Ridgewood,, N.J.) will start for the Ducks come Sunday and has been impressive throughout the preseason. Maggiulli has great strength, is diligent and has the raw talent and ability to be in the mix at all postseason tournaments.
 
Sophomore Tristan Holenbaugh (Stony Point, N.Y.) has been banged up this preseason after improving upon his strength in the offseason. When healthy, Hollenbaugh has the ability to fight for a starting role after a nice freshman season.
 
Heavyweight
Senior standout and defending Centennial Conference Champion Chris Florek (Mendham, N.J.) had a superb junior season and will look to do the same in his final college year on the mat. Florek will absolutely be pushing for a top spot at the NCAA East Regional and has the ability and drive for a podium spot at the NCAA's in March.
 
Sophomore Pete Andrich (Budd Lake, N.J.) has been battling Florek in the wrestling room and has been making his own improvements to be ready when given the chance in competition. Freshman Thomas O'Shaughenessy (Cream Ridge, N.J.) is a bit injured presently but should push Florek and Andrich to be better with improved strength and technique.
 
Following the Rutgers Duals, Stevens will take part in the Ithaca Invitational before hosting TCNJ in its first home bout of the year on November 12 in the Canavan Arena.
           
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