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Show Text: Robert Potts i S i M, ! ( . . J i ' ' ' - ; i Wrestling TUCKER Mpfeo (above and Steve Neff (below) both added valuable talent and points to this year's Wildcat wrestling team. Coach Webb's philosophy, "in i J """v " "s I , t,,.sni. . : i.,-. -. -am " .'! j a. order to be the best, you have to wrestle the best," will continue in the years to come. (Signpost photos: Dave Brimley) This year's wrestling team was the youngest team that Coach John Webb has ever had. But the young 'Cats still managed a third place Big Sky finish, leaving Webb with high hopes for next year. It was the eighth straight time the Wildcats have finished third or higher. Wrestling for the Wildcats this year were seniors Garry Norman and Doug Bytendorp; juniors Stewart Richards, Blake Beesley, Eric Burton, Doug Kopecky, Jody Warren, Aaron VanDuren, Todd Nixon, Burke Stone and Mel Robinson; sophomores Bill Haaser, Tucker Nipko and Todd Wheelwright. Freshmen who participated were Ken Condie, Jason Grantham, Kris Hodgkins, Dennis Langford, Steven Neff, Jody Nemelka, Steve Peitler, James Piper, Chris Scharman, Eric Searle, Stoney Searle Perry Skudlarczyk. Norman and Robinson were Weber's two most consistent performers this year. Norman finished the year with an impressive overall record, although he did not win the individual 126-pound title. Robinson won the 177-pound title for his second Big Sky title. He did it in convincing fashion, with five wins in the tourney, all by fall. As a result, Robinson went to the NCAA finals in Iowa, but could not win a match. However, it was a fine effort by Robinson all year long. Other top finishers were Richards, who took second in the 134-pound class, and Kopecky, who won fourth at 142 pounds. Weber loses three important grapplers this year. Norman will graduate while freshman Steve Neff, who finished third in the heavyweight class, will serve an LDS mission to France. Robinson, who is only a junior athletically, ran out of school. "Mel has more years of eligibility, but he has taken all the classes he needs," said Webb. Looking to next year, Webb feels his team will "be as good or better in every weight class." Webb said Boise State will once again be tough, but felt his team would be ready to take the title from them. While Weber did not have a superb overall record, they were able to compete very admirably with the cream of the wrestling crop in the NCAA. Weber went up against BYU, Utah State, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Oregon State, Arizona State and Fresno State -all ranked teams in the nation. Hoping to make Webb's Big Sky title prediction come true will be six returning lettermen, promising second year wrestlers, and an exciting new crop of recruits. "They are more talented and more skilled than any group I've had before," said Webb. There are seven new recruits -five freshmen and two junior college transfers. They include two-time Utah State champ Matt PuyaiiHpVfettaffOmBenevu;Washirigton; Brigham City, who is the state heavyweight champ; and Gary Ponterious from Delta, Utah. All these wrestlers were highly recruited by big wrestling powers like Utah State and Washington, but chose Weber instead. Junior college transfers Paul Prescott and Bryan Hagan will add experience to the team. Both have impressive overall records, while Hagan is an All-American in the JC ranks. Another new addition to the program will be a year-round training program. "With the training program, we are going to be the finest conditioned team in the Big Sky," predicted Webb. "Hard work breeds champions." |