Wrestling: WVU Ready for First Meet
November 17, 2007 11:22 AM | General
By Steve Stone for MSNsportsNET.com
November 17, 2007
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University wrestling team will begin their season on Sunday, Nov. 18, at Binghamton University in Vestal, N.Y., as they prepare to face Sacred Heart and No. 2-ranked Iowa State in the “Sprawl + Brawl” dual meet.
The Mountaineers, who return seven NCAA qualifiers from last season and feature six nationally ranked grapplers, will wrestle Sacred Heart at 9:30 a.m. on mat 2, followed by a 1:30 p.m. meet with Iowa State on mat 1.
The “Sprawl + Brawl” wrestling duals will also feature Binghamton and Eastern Wrestling League opponent Clarion, although WVU is not slated to face either squad.
WVU is 1-1 against Iowa State under Head Coach Craig Turnbull, winning their last meet 22-14 in the 2003 season opener at Morgantown. Turnbull believes that starting the season off against a difficult opponent can be beneficial for the team’s long-term success.
“I think this meet will be very valuable to us. We are certainly entering the competition to win,” says Turnbull. “If our team can compete at a high level, the quicker we will rise to the next level.”
Along with the returning NCAA qualifiers from the 2006-07 season, Sunday’s meet will also mark the return of Kyle Turnbull at 125 pounds and 165-pounder Donnie Jones. Both starters had season-ending injuries last year.
Turnbull feels that WVU’s experienced starters have a chance to gain momentum heading into the season if they can put on a good showing against tough competition.
“Each one of our wrestlers will be challenged,” says Turnbull. “This meet can help us move down the road and get us to where we want to be at the end of the year.”
