Penn College Wrestlers Set to Open
The start of the wrestling season and a national championship meet for the men’s cross-country team loom on the horizon for Pennsylvania College of Technology athletes this week while the women’s soccer team celebrates one of its most successful seasons ever.
Wrestling
With just five returning wrestlers, coach Schuyler Frey is quick to point out what it will take for his fourth edition to find team success as he said, “Where we lack in experience, we’ll make up with raw talent and hard-nosed wrestling.”
Expected to start in Saturday’s season opener at the University of Scranton Duals are freshman Dalton Deimler, of Middletown, at 125 pounds; freshman Mason Replogle, of New Enterprise, at 133; sophomore Ryan Hart, of Wyalusing, at 141; either freshman Phil Corle, of Lebanon, or junior Kyle Sunseri, of Athens, at 149; Troy Leid, of Terre Hill; Taylor Porter, of Milton; or Joe Champluvier, of Laceyville, all freshmen, mixing at 157 and 165; sophomore Dan Frankenfield, of Dushore, at 174; freshman Mike Failla, of Beach Lake, at 197; and either Pat Fitzgerald, of Port Royal; or Nick Reber, of Hamburg, both freshmen, at 235 or 285.
Hart was a National Collegiate Wrestling Association All-American at 133 a year ago when the Wildcats finished 13-8 overall (5-1 and second in the Penn State University Athletic Conference), third in the USCAA and 20th as a team in the NCWA.
“(We are) very young with 13 freshman. As they get experience on the college level, I expect them to learn by leaps and bounds. Each one is a gamer,” Frey said.
Assessing his team’s strength, the coach said, “I think with the youth, just a desire to get better as they start to realize their potential. I expect a rough start to the season, but we should be extremely competitive as we get to the postseason.
“It’s a big change from high school to college, and mastering those changes will come with some lumps.”
Frey noted three keys to his team finding success.
“First, staying healthy all year. Second, the veterans helping the new guys learn the ropes, not only on the mats but also in the classroom. Third, using their already-impressive desire to compete and dominate each day in practice and in competition,” the coach said.
Looking ahead, Frey noted, “With us going into the NCAA (next season), we will continue to challenge our guys with the toughest schedule possible. Our goals are simple, train like a national champ, wrestle hard each second of the match and peak at nationals. Everything else will fall in place. Hate to lose, love to win, but it’s the big picture we’re after, getting on the podium in Texas (site of this year’s NCWA championships).
“It’s a great group of young guys who work very hard and are very coachable. Each guy falls in step with the guys we’ve had here at Penn College, no questions asked, just get it done,” Frey said.
Commenting on his assistant coaches, Frey said, “Rich Schnyder brings so much to the table, techniquewise and ideawise. I also have to great volunteer assistants in Crock Herman and Kellon Balum, who both have great wrestling experience. I’m very comfortable in anything the three of them teach.”
Addressing a schedule that includes a handful of NCAA Division III colleges, Frey said, “You’re only as good as your competition. We want to give our guys the toughest we can and continue to get better each day and each competition.”
In three seasons under Frey, Penn College is 19-11.
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Wrestling
With just five returning wrestlers, coach Schuyler Frey is quick to point out what it will take for his fourth edition to find team success as he said, “Where we lack in experience, we’ll make up with raw talent and hard-nosed wrestling.”
Expected to start in Saturday’s season opener at the University of Scranton Duals are freshman Dalton Deimler, of Middletown, at 125 pounds; freshman Mason Replogle, of New Enterprise, at 133; sophomore Ryan Hart, of Wyalusing, at 141; either freshman Phil Corle, of Lebanon, or junior Kyle Sunseri, of Athens, at 149; Troy Leid, of Terre Hill; Taylor Porter, of Milton; or Joe Champluvier, of Laceyville, all freshmen, mixing at 157 and 165; sophomore Dan Frankenfield, of Dushore, at 174; freshman Mike Failla, of Beach Lake, at 197; and either Pat Fitzgerald, of Port Royal; or Nick Reber, of Hamburg, both freshmen, at 235 or 285.
Hart was a National Collegiate Wrestling Association All-American at 133 a year ago when the Wildcats finished 13-8 overall (5-1 and second in the Penn State University Athletic Conference), third in the USCAA and 20th as a team in the NCWA.
“(We are) very young with 13 freshman. As they get experience on the college level, I expect them to learn by leaps and bounds. Each one is a gamer,” Frey said.
Assessing his team’s strength, the coach said, “I think with the youth, just a desire to get better as they start to realize their potential. I expect a rough start to the season, but we should be extremely competitive as we get to the postseason.
“It’s a big change from high school to college, and mastering those changes will come with some lumps.”
Frey noted three keys to his team finding success.
“First, staying healthy all year. Second, the veterans helping the new guys learn the ropes, not only on the mats but also in the classroom. Third, using their already-impressive desire to compete and dominate each day in practice and in competition,” the coach said.
Looking ahead, Frey noted, “With us going into the NCAA (next season), we will continue to challenge our guys with the toughest schedule possible. Our goals are simple, train like a national champ, wrestle hard each second of the match and peak at nationals. Everything else will fall in place. Hate to lose, love to win, but it’s the big picture we’re after, getting on the podium in Texas (site of this year’s NCWA championships).
“It’s a great group of young guys who work very hard and are very coachable. Each guy falls in step with the guys we’ve had here at Penn College, no questions asked, just get it done,” Frey said.
Commenting on his assistant coaches, Frey said, “Rich Schnyder brings so much to the table, techniquewise and ideawise. I also have to great volunteer assistants in Crock Herman and Kellon Balum, who both have great wrestling experience. I’m very comfortable in anything the three of them teach.”
Addressing a schedule that includes a handful of NCAA Division III colleges, Frey said, “You’re only as good as your competition. We want to give our guys the toughest we can and continue to get better each day and each competition.”
In three seasons under Frey, Penn College is 19-11.
More Information...