Wrestling
Highlights
WRESTLING
Outlook
The 2007-08 season for the Mustang wrestling team
should be one full of excitement and success. This year’s squad is a
mix of top ranked sophomores and very talented freshmen. Leading the
team this year will be returning NJCAA All-American Lyle Evans (2004)
and Brandon Rupp (2007 NJCAA runner-up). The Mustangs will also be led
by returning national qualifier Stuart Brinkman and 2006 top recruit
Nick Mamalis. With the combination of these top returners and a very
talented freshmen class, this year’s squad should be fun to watch and
make a run for a national team title.
125 lbs: Returning All-American Lyle Evans is back
for his final season as a Mustang and ready to bring back an individual
national title. Evans, a Grantsville, Utah work horse took a red shirt
year last season to get back into the swing of things after returning
from a two-year LDS mission. Evans unreal work ethics will surely lead
him in the direction of a national title and make for a very fun
wrestler to watch on the mat. Also fighting for a varsity spot at this
weight this year is returning red shirt freshman Bruce Winton. Winton,
a two-time state champion from Douglas, WY, joined the team last year at
semester and is looking for a chance to jump into the varsity line-up.
Look for these two guys to share mat time throughout the year.
133 lbs: Nick Mamalis is back from a year off to
try to reach his goal of winning a national title. Mamalis is 2006
Green River High School graduate where he won three state titles for the
Wolves. Mamalis is a very skilled wrestler that refused to lose at
anything. Joining this weight is freshman, Garret Brinkman from
Laramie, WY. Brinkman a two-time state champion will look to gain some
college experience both in the practice room and on the mat. Garret is
a very hard worker and will do nothing but continue to get better in
order to improve his chance to break into the varsity spot.
141 lbs: Returning national qualifier, Stuart
Brinkman, will finish his final years as Mustang looking to reach his
goal of becoming a national champion. Brinkman, a two-time state
champion out of Laramie High School has improved every day since making
the trip to Rock Springs and has one goal this year and no will get in
his way. Look for Stuart to make a statement the first time he steps on
the mat.
149 lbs: This weight will be up for grab as two
freshmen battle for the varsity spot. John Zahn, a freshman from Erie,
CO, looks to get back into the groove of things after taking a year
off. Zahn, a Colorado state runner-up, brings a combination of hard
work, ethics and determination needed to be successful. Evanston High
School standout, Mason Kinion, joins this year’s squad ready to fight
for a varsity spot. Kinion, a three-time state placer, brings a load of
talent to this weight. Look for these two athletes to battle each week
for a chance to represent the Mustangs on the mat.
157 lbs: Thaddeus Zempel, a freshman from
Kemmerer, WY, looks to continue his winning ways as a Mustang. Zempel,
a two-time Montana state champion and 2007 Wyoming state champion brings
a successful unorthodox style of wrestling to the team. Look for Thad
to open some eyes as he begins his quest for All-American honors and
respect in a very tough weight.
167-174 lbs: These two weights will be filled with
two very talented freshmen. Nate Myers a two-time Wyoming state
champion from Natrona County High School is a very talented hard-nosed
wrestler that does not quit and will make his mark early in the season.
Joining Myers is freshman, Josh Ackerman, from Lyons, CO. Ackerman, a
two-time Colorado state placer is a bruiser. His, in-your-face, style
of wrestling is exactly what is needed to be successful at this level.
Josh is a dangerous wrestler that is always in the match and has the
ability to pin every opponent. Look for these two to push each other
all year and continue to get better each day.
184 lbs: Freshman, Kyle White, looks to jump in
head first to a varsity spot. White, a two-time state placer from
Laramie High School is a very physical athlete that looks to gain some
technique to go along with his great strength. Kyle is a very quick
learner and with the help of great work-out partners, he is only going
to get better. Look for Kyle to be very aggressive in every one of his
matches and come away with a lot of wins.
197 lbs: Another freshman, Skip Crooks, looks to
continue his winning ways at the college level. Crooks, a three-time
state champion from Green River High School and three-time High School
All-American, brings a load of talent to the team. Crooks, is a very
technical wrestler that will make a run for a national championship
early. Returning to the team at this weight is West Regional placer,
Mike Hautala. Mike is a great leader on this team. His unwillingness
to quit and always positive attitude makes him a true leader of this
team.
HWT: Returning NJCAA runner-up, Brandon Rupp, is
back to claim his national title that escaped him last season. Rupp, a
state champion from Pocatello High School and Fila Junior National
Champ, is the strength of this team. His off-season training has
brought Brandon back bigger and much more dangerous. Look for Brandon
to start this season off with a one-way air ticket for whoever he
faces.
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