Glory Days. The Rider University wrestling team has certainly had its share. Multiple All-Americans, a Top 10 national ranking, countless top 20 national rankings, conference championships. With the return of four national qualifiers and seven conference place winners, the young 2005-06 Broncs are looking to return to those Glory Days. “That’s what we’re working on now, getting back to those days, “said Rider head Coach Gary Taylor. “We’ve rounded the corner, and we have a good, young team with a good attitude. We need to get back to being a conference champion, to having All-Americans, and with enough hard work and health, this could be the time to do it. ”
The last two seasons the Broncs placed second in the Colonial Athletic Association Championship tournament to nationally ranked Hofstra. Hofstra is again one of three top 12 teams on Rider’s schedule this year, but Taylor feels the Broncs can once again rise to the top. “In order for those goals to occur, several people need to have a breakthrough year, “Taylor said. “Several need to take that next step, from being competitive on the national level to winning at that level. ”
The Broncs will be led by four wrestlers who begin the season nationally ranked, junior 141 Don Fisch (ninth), sophomore 184-197 T. J. Morrison (17th ), senior 157 Dave Miller (18th ), and sophomore 133 Tim Harner (20th ).
“We’re very excited about having four of our 10 wrestlers ranked in the top 20 in the country, “said Taylor, who has compiled 299 victories at Rider, and has guided 118 Broncs to Nationals, coming home with 11 All-Americans. “We’re all looking forward to the upcoming year. ”
Last year Fisch was named Rider’s Most Outstanding Wrestler, winning his 141 pound weight class at the Colonial Athletic Association Championships and coming within one win of All-America honors at the NCAA Nationals Championships, winning three of five bouts. Fisch finished second in the nation in pins last year. “Donnie is extremely talented and explosive, and strong,: said Taylor. “I believe he has the ability to be an All-American, and if he continues to improve he could be a national champion. That’s how good I think he is and can be. ”
Morrison received the Fred Henson Memorial Award last season, presented to “the individual who demonstrates hard work and positive attitude on and off the mat. “Morrison placed third in his 184 pound weight class at the CAA Championships and won a bout at Nationals, and could move up to 197 this year.
“Morrison came back bigger this year, “said Taylor. “He has a big frame, and may be even better at 197, where he can just concentrate on wrestling, not cutting weight. He’s a hard worker who wants to be good. He will need to continue to improve to be what he’s capable of. Last season he was very competitive with some of the best wrestlers in the nation. ”
Miller finished runner-up at the CAA Championships after a 13-0 dual meet season, and won a match at Nationals, finishing sixth in the nation in pins. “Dave got a little banged up at the end of last year, which affected his performance at the CAAs and at Nationals, “Taylor said. “We’re getting him 100 percent healthy and getting him better on his feet. If we can do that he can be an All-American. ”
Harner won 26 matches last season as a rookie, including one at Nationals.
Other key returnees include sophomore Ryan Smith at 125, junior Ryan Cunningham at 165/174, sophomore Michael Palma at 141/149, sophomore Jeff Black at 184/197, heavyweight Tyler Rees, sophomore Zack Cunliffe at 133, senior Chris Marold at 165-174, junior Joe Maroney at 165/174, and freshman Doug Umbehauer at 174.
Smith finished seventh in the nation in pins among 125 pounders last season as a rookie, winning 23 matches. “Ryan had a very good freshman year, and he showed he can compete with some of the best wrestlers in the country, “Taylor said. “He works hard. Last year he had a year to mature and to grow. He should be a lot better this year. He knows now the price you have to pay to be great at this level. He was so talented coming in, he never had to pay that price before. Now he’s ready to make that next step. ”
Cunningham was a Freshman All-American in 2004, and won three bouts at the CAA Championships last year. “Cunningham finished strong last season after a rough year, “Taylor said. “We hope he picks up where he left off last year. He suffered a high ankle sprain last year that he never really recovered from until the end of last season.
Palma and Black were both named to the CAA All-Rookie team last year, with each winning six of eight CAA duals. “Mike is pretty tough, and really improved last year, “said Taylor. “He was our most improved wrestler last year as a red-shirt freshman and has really showed signs of making the adjustments needed to be good at the Division I level. He’s still growing. ”
Black placed third at the CAA Championships last season, winning three of four bouts. “Jeff had an injury-riddled season, but certainly came on strong at the end of last year, “said Taylor. “He could drop down to 184 this year. We’re hoping he will picks up where he left off. This could be a break out year for him. ”
Rees also was a member of the CAA All-Rookie team last year, winning 17 matches, including 5-1 in CAA duals. “Rees had a good year last season but a disappointing finish, “said Taylor. “He was very competitive during the season. Our hope is he gets more offensive in scoring this year. He will be very good if he can do that. ”
Cunliffe won six bouts as a rookie, and placed fourth in his weight class at the Keystone Classic. “Zack had an adjustment year last season, and filled in nicely when Harner was out, “said Taylor. “He’s a strong, quick, competitive kid, who is tough on top. ”
Marold won 10 matches last season after a 17-win sophomore year. “Chris moved down a weight class, where he thinks he can be more competitive, and will look to challenge for that spot this year, “Taylor said.
Maroney placed second at the Keystone Classic last season. “Joe will also be a strong candidate for 165, “Taylor said.
Umbehauer wrestled three times before being injured and received a hardship waiver for his freshman season. Wrestling unattached, Umbehauer won the Penn State Open last season. “I think Doug has shown that he can compete regionally and nationally for us this year, “Taylor said.
The newcomers are led by James Garrett at 125, Tim McGoldrick and Eric Vinores at 141, Michael Kessler at 149, Michael Miller at 165/157, and Peter Reid at heavyweight.
Garrett was a New Jersey State place winner at Egg Harbor Twp., finishing fourth at 125. “James is very talented, quick and explosive, “said Taylor. “This will be a valuable learning year for him. ”
McGoldrick was a Cadet Greco-Roman National Champion and a Junior Freestyle All-American. “Tim is a tough Pennsylvania kid who had an outstanding high school career, “Taylor said.
Vinores was a Maryland State Champ at 140 pounds last season. “Eric is a smart and talented young man, “said Taylor. “He’s a Presidential Scholarship winner, so along with helping us on the mat, he will help us climb from being 30th in the nation in team grade point average. ”
Kessler was a four-time Maryland State Place winner, wining the 152 pound title as a senior, and is the younger brother of former Bronc and conference champion Gregg Kessler. “Mike is very competitive, very talented, and was the most outstanding wrestler at the Maryland State Championships, “Taylor said. “The future looks bright for Mike if he can make adjustments quickly. He could make an impact immediately. ”
Miller won the 171 pound Delaware State title last year after finishing runner-up the year before. “Mike is a gifted athlete who beat the state champs from Pennsylvania, Ohio and New Jersey last year, and reached the finals of the Beast of East tournament as the 11th seed, “said Taylor. “He’s a legitimate contender at 165. ”
Reid was a Junior National Freestyle All-American last season, placing eighth in the nation at the tournament in Fargo. “Peter is a late bloomer and a hard worker, and if he makes the proper adjustments he will be a solid kid. ”
The schedule features duals with there top 12 teams in Lehigh, Cornell and Hofstra, along with the Virginia Duals, and continues to include the Keystone Classic, Lock Haven’s Mat Town, and the CAA Duals. Some of the wrestlers will again compete at the prestigious Midlands tournament, while the rest of the team travels to the Southern Scuffle at UNC-Greensboro.
“The good news is we have a lot of home meets when the students come back from winter break, “said Taylor, but the bad news is we’re on the road until the end of January. But overall I’m happy with the schedule. ”
Over the years the team goals have not changed much. “As always, we want to be in the top 20, we want to have All-Americans, and we want to have conference champions again, “said Taylor, “and we’re heading back to that. ”
Heading back to the Glory Days
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