Falcon Grapplers Gear up for 2001-02 Season
10/26/2001 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Oct. 26, 2001
Air Force finished its 2000-01 season with a 7-2 dual record. It was one of the most successful campaigns in head coach Wayne Baughman's 22 years. This year, the Falcons expect similar results, having lost starters in only three weight classes. A strong recruiting class provides more depth than the team has seen in years.
The grapplers are led by, a veteran coach with an outstanding resume. Baughman, who is entering his 23rd season as head coach, is optimistic of the direction the program is heading.
"I am looking forward to having another great season," Baughman said. "We have a decent balance of both experience and youth."
The Falcons return seven wrestlers to the starting lineup. Gone are Ryan Montanez (141), T.J. Huxel (157) and Alex Pelbath (165).
"We lost three solid wrestlers, and that will leave a small hole in our lineup," Baughman said. "I expect some of our younger wrestlers to step up and fill those weight classes, and we should win as many, if not more, dual meets as last year."
125
For the first time in four years, the Falcons will have a returning starter at the 125-pound weight class. C3C (So.) Heath McKim had a tremendous season as a freshman. He gained valuable expereience by wrestling in several tournaments and every dual meet.
"Heath did a great job for us last year as a freshman," Baughman said. "He really improved throughout the season, winning the All-Academy Championships and several dual meets near the end of the season.
For the first time, the Falcons will see some depth at 125. C4C (Fr.) Wil Rosado joins the team with a solid resume. He was a two-time state champion in Nevada, and his father wrestled for Baughman at the 1976 Olympics.
133
C1C (Sr.) Andy Peters returns for his final season at the Academy. This will be his fourth year as a starter. Peters had a slow season last year, as he tried to move to 125, but in 1999-00, he was ranked nationally.
"Andy has done a super job for us over the years," Baughman said. "He will have some competition from some of the younger wrestlers, but it will be tough to beat Andy out."
C4C Steven Franko, a wrestler out of, is somebody that could have a chance to challenge for a starting role. C4C Troy Egbert was a state champion in Montana and could also be a surprise starter.
141
With the departure of Montanez, it is unsure who the starter will be at the 141-pound weight class. C2C (Jr.) Chris Bennett, a former state champion out of Oklahoma, has some varsity experience and has a good chance starting at 141. C3C Luke Vitolo looked solid last year wrestling for the junior varsity squad. He made a lot of progress and is a hard worker.
149
The 149-pound weight class is the most solid of the 10 weight classes, with three-time NCAA qualifier C1C Scott Frohardt returning for his final season.
"Frohardt is definitely our most successful returning wrestler," Baughman said. "He has a chance to become the first ever four-time champion at the All-Academy tournament."
Frohardt, who takes the role of team co-captain this year, dropped from 157 in 1999-00 to 149 last season. It will be some work for him to cut weight again this year, and he could end up wrestling at 157 this season. Where he wrestles will dictate where several others wrestle, as Frohardt will be a starter at either 149 or 157.
Several wrestlers are waiting in the wings. Bennett could move to 149, and C3C Stan Bazarek looked solid as a freshman. Newcomer Josh Peterson, a Wisconsin state champion, is one of the Falcons' top prospects. His father wrestled for Baughman at the 1976 Olympic team and was a medal winner. Has a good chance of cracking the lineup at 149 or 157.
157
Assuming Frohardt wrestles at 149, the odds-on favorite to start at 157 is C3C Blaine Brown. Brown, a three-time state champion from Colorado, gained some varsity experience last year as a freshman. He placed second at the Fort Hays Open and fourth at the Borah Invitational.
165
The loss of team co-captain Alex Pelbath at 165 leaves an open spot on the roster, but Baughman should not have trouble finding a suitable replacement.
C2C Samuel Sherertz, who wrestled at 184 for the past two seasons, has certified at 165 and will try to make the weight. C3C Tanner Betsinger showed tremendous potential last year, and several freshman should step in at 165 to provide depth at that weight class.
174
Team co-captain C1C Terry Parham is the front runner for the starting job at 174. Parham overcame an early-season injury to go 7-1 in dual meets last season. A tragic match at West Regionals cost him a sure NCAA qualifying bid.
"Terry's last match last year was a disaster, but other than that he had a tremendous season," Baughman said. "We are expecting great things from him again this season. I think many wrestlers will have to move up or down to stay out of his way."
Parham's top challenger is C3C Thomas Beachkofsky.
"Beachkofsky showed promise last year and showed that he is capable of doing great things," Baughman said. "We are looking forward to seeing how quick ly he can mature and come along."
184
The higher weight classes are wide open this year. C3C Ryan Coates out of Texas looked really strong his freshman season and has made great progress since. He has an excellent chance of earning a starting role. Also, C4C Bruce Johnson, a state place winner out of California, is one of the team's top newcomers. He is super quick and super strong. He would be a big 184 pounder, but could also move up a weight class, where he would be a small 197 pounder.
197
C2C Ryan Kaiser returns at the 197-pound weight class. Kaiser wrestled several varsity matches last season, and gained solid experience at several tournaments. He will try to drop down to 184, where he has certified, but could stay at 197 where there is little competition.
Heavyweight
C2C Kevin Hoy tops the lineup, and will earn the starting role by default, as he is the team's only heavyweight. He would have earned the position hands down anyway, as he is a superb competitor and one of the top heavyweight wrestlers in the country. Hoy finished last season ranked 17th in the country. He won several tournaments and was an NCAA qualifier. He has bulked up to 225 and has an excellent chance of being an all-American this year.
Schedule
The Falcons' season has changed dramatically. Marquette dropped its wrestling program, leaving the West Region with just five teams. The NCAA minimum in order to have automatic NCAA qualifiers is six, although the league will likely receive a waiver. In any event, the conference will have fewer NCAA qualifiers than last season, which could hurt the Falcons.
Southern Colorado, a traditionally solid Division II team, also dropped its wrestling program. They have been a respectful, tough dual match rival, and they will be sorely missed. They will still host an early season open tournament, which will provide early season competition for the young wrestlers to get some valuable experience.
The Falcons have a strong dual schedule. Their first home dual meet of the season comes against wrestling powerhouse Nebraska. They also face several strong opponents, including Wyoming and Northern Iowa.
"We have a good solid schedule," Baughman said. "We have several open tournaments that always provide our wrestlers with early experience. And we face some tough dual opponents."
Overall
Optimism remains high, as coaches are excited about the 2001-02 season. Solid returners and a group of strong newcomers provide depth and balance at nearly every weight class. From top to bottom, Air Force should challenge every opponent and are expected to notch another winning season.
