Wrestling: Grapplers Picked To Win EWL
October 20, 2003 03:25 PM | General
October 20, 2003
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University wrestling team has been selected to win the Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) in a recent preseason poll released by the EWL.
The EWL ranks the top four wrestlers in each of the ten weight classes and four WVU wrestlers were picked to win EWL crowns.
Junior Greg Jones, the 2002 NCAA champion, is the top-ranked wrestler at 174 pounds. The two-time EWL champion could also see time on the mat at 184 this season.
Junior Brent Miller, at heavyweight, and sophomore Matt Lebe, at 157, have been picked to win their first EWL titles. Both Mountaineers posted runner-up finishes in last year’s tournament.
The final top ranked Mountaineer is Brandon Lauer at 141. The junior turned in an All-American performance at 133 a year ago but off-season surgery will force Lauer to take a medical redshirt year and miss the 2003-2004 season.
Four other Mountaineers are picked to finish in the top 3 in their respective weight classes.
A pair of returning NCAA qualifiers, Seth Lisa and Ryan Wilman, are ranked No. 3 at the 133 and 184 pounds weight classes.
Two transfers also enter the season ranked No. 3 in the EWL at 125 and 197. Buffalo transfer Troy Forte and Hofstra transfer Matt Daddino both have two years of eligibility remaining for WVU.
Earlier this month the team was tabbed the nation’s 15th best team by Amateur Wrestling News. The Wrestling Mall.com had the Mountaineers ranked 16th in the country while Intermatwrestle.com ranked WVU 20th.
Craig Turnbull enters his 26th season at the helm of WVU’s wrestling program. West Virginia opens its season on Sat., Nov. 8, with the 22nd annual WVU Open in the Shell Building.
*Complete EWL rankings can be accessed at: WrestlingReport.com
