I want to give you all the opportunity to meet the individuals that will be representing the Wabash College Wrestling team this season.  The team will consist of 13 returning letter winners from last year’s nationally ranked squad, six of which are seniors.  The rest of the team comes from fifteen talent packed freshman, coming from Indiana, Michigan, Texas, Missouri and Washington. 

All six seniors returning were starters for the Little Giants last season.  Leading the senior class this year is 2006 NCAA National Qualifier Garrett Pino (Lawrence North H.S.).  Garrett had a break through season last year going 1-2 at nationals in the 141 pound weight class.  Will Clarke (North Central H.S.), Wabash’s NCAA Regional runner-up last season at 184 will be shedding a few extra pounds this year as he heads down to 174.  Keith Garrard (New Castle Chrysler H.S.), a NCAA Regional runner-up last season at 197 will also be watching those unneeded calories as he shifts down to 184 this season.  Eric Slabaugh (Tucson, AZ), returns to the mats this season at 133, moving up from a break through season last year at 125.  Steve Kasten (Winamac H.S.), a two-time Regional place winner returns to the mats at 285 this season.  Ryan Pritchard (Britt, IA), rounds out this bunch of seniors and returning at 165.

The junior class for the Little Giants is small but will return two outstanding individuals with Garrett Thiel (Lowell H.S.) and Barton Bridge (Park Tudor H.S.).  Garrett has been plotting time at the 197- and 285-pound weight classes and has placed at the regionals. Barton is a hard working middleweight who is on the rise and will be battling for a spot at 165 this season.

Five sophomores return to the squad this season, all of whom found themselves in the starting line up at one time or another last season.  Headlining this group are regional participants Stephen Mosier (Yorktown H.S.) and Jarred Tribbett (Crawfordsville H.S.).  Stephen will return to defend the 157 pound starting position and Jarred will do the same at 149.  Robert Arnett (Greenwood H.S.) will be battling to secure a starting position at 285 this season, after a promising freshman campaign.  Stephen Iles (Mascoutah, IL) returns to 125 after competing at last years regional meet at 133.  Rounding out the sophomore class is Hagerstown H.S. grad Tyler Dougherty, Tyler was a very versatile wrestler for the Little Giants last season, wrestling in varsity competition at the 165 and 174 weight classes.

FIFTEEN FRESHMEN!!  The freshman class is large and talented!  This group of young men combined for six All-State medals, three freestyle state medals, one Greco-roman state title, and 13 state qualifiers. You can see our entire roster by going to the wrestling web site.

The 2006-07 Season should be a good one. Please check back for program updates and pictures from our first annual paint ball battle royal, taking place on Sept. 9^th.