By Colleen Kane
Enquirer staff writer
Mount St. Joseph wrestling coach Tom Wynn knows his team is still probably two years from becoming the Division III wrestling power he envisions, but this year was another step in the right direction.
When Wynn took over the Mount program in 2001-02, he finished the season with only seven wrestlers, and the Lions placed 12th in the NCAA Midwest Regional meet. The next two seasons, Wynn’s team climbed to eighth and seventh at regionals. This season, with an 18-wrestler squad full of freshmen, sophomores and two juniors, the Mount placed fifth. And 149-pounder Jason Roush advanced to the NCAA D-III championships, where he placed third nationally.
“When I came into the program, it was tough getting it off the ground. We didn’t have a solid base, “Wynn said. “Now, we’re really starting to try to recruit local kids. My ultimate goal is to have a program where kids want to stay to wrestle locally.”
That recruiting starts with getting recognized in an area where the Mount has the only college wrestling program. Many of the area’s wrestlers head to Kent State, Ohio, Ohio State and Ashland, Wynn said, but he has been talking to as many area high school coaches as possible to develop relationships and change that flow. This year’s freshman class included 141-pounder Julian Hall, an Oak Hills graduate who developed throughout the season to finish third at the regional meet.
“I think they were a little hesitant when I first came in, “Wynn said. “I want it so the coaches will look at us and consistently send kids our way.”
That recognition should be helped by Roush’s rising reputation.
“Jason has been a gem for us, “Wynn said. “He’s a scholar of the sport, really knows the game, studies tape and tries to develop himself. He brings everybody up to another level in the wrestling room.”
The sophomore from Van Wert, Ohio, came to the Mount because he got married straight out of high school and needed a college that had a nursing program for his wife and an education program and a wrestling team for him. In his first season, he placed fifth nationally. This year, he lost to just one Division III wrestler all year, the NCAA champion. Roush’s third place at the national meet tied the best a Mount wrestler has finished, and his 46-4 finish was a school record.
“First would have been nice, but third was all right. I’m only a sophomore, “Roush said. “But to win the national tournament has always been my goal, and it still will be until I get there.”
And that’s one of the most promising things about this year’s team – they’ll all be back next year. Wynn said he sees one, if not two, national championships in Roush’s future. Hall, 125-pound freshman Steve Austin (third at regionals) and 197-pound sophomore Bobby Poweski (second at regionals) all have potential to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
“We should have a good group back next year, “Roush said. “I think this program is headed in the right direction.”
Wrestling Gear
