WILLIAMSTOWN, MA-Expectations are high for the Ephs grapplers as they enter the season with the tasks of defending their New England Championship as well as improving upon their 10th place performance at the NCAA Tournament, the highest finish in school history. This year the Ephs are ranked 1st in New England and are the only team from New England ranked in the top 25 nationally (Ephs 14th).
High expectations do not daunt the squad. Instead, they relish the challenge. Head Coach Dan DiCenzo believes that his team is well prepared for the challenges ahead. “I am excited to be coaching such a talented group of wrestlers. Our team has high expectations and even higher goals. Every member of our team is dedicated to the goal of getting better every day. This group is willing to put in the hard work it takes to get results. Becoming one of the top teams in the country is a goal of ours and I feel we can reach it if we maintain the tremendous work ethic and discipline that has made us one of the top teams in New England. Our strong senior leadership, solid depth, and challenging schedule set us up well to accomplish this goal.”
Due to NESCAC rules, athletes are given a great deal of independence in regards to their training. During the off season the presence of a strong senior class is crucial to a team’s in-season success. Senior captains Carl Breitenstein and Dylan Rittenburg have led the Ephs through their off-season training and continue to be the heart of the squad. In Coach DiCenzo’s estimation they are “two of the finest wrestlers I have ever coached.” DiCenzo went on to say, “They personify the ideal of a Williams student-athlete; they are talented students in addition to being national caliber wrestlers. I take great pride as a coach having these two men as leaders of our team.”
|
| Dylan Rittenburg '10 |
|
| Carl Breitenstein '10 |
Dylan Rittenburg has been a three-year standout for the Ephs. With 91 career wins going into his senior year, Rittenburg looks to build upon this impressive total. Rittenburg has been a 3-time NEWA wrestler and a National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-American. Rittenburg enters this season ranked 7th nationally in the 141 pound weight class. “Dylan is very focused and driven, he has put a lot of work in to get where he is right now and I am proud to be in his corner when he wrestles.” DiCenzo said. Rittenburg lost in the All-American round of the NCAA’s two years ago and hopes to get back there this year and make All-American.
Wrestling in the 157 pound weight class, Carl Breitenstein is a three-year starter, three-time NEWA honoree, and a NWCA Scholar All-American. Breitenstein has 88 wins and is one of the top wrestlers in the country at 157. Coach DiCenzo said about Breitenstein, “Carl had a great season last year and has beaten numerous national level competitors. He is going to make a name for himself this year with the schedule we are wrestling.”
Ranked second in the country in the 197 pound weight class, Ryan Malo headlines an impressive group of juniors who are well positioned to anchor the Ephs this season. Last season Malo took Division III wrestling by storm going 39-2. More impressively 24 of his victories were by pin fall, an NCAA record for all wrestling divisions. Malo achieved this is in spite of bouncing between the 184 and 197 pound weight classes, leaving him underweight for his 197 matches. This year he will be wrestling solely in the 197 class and appears to be in top physical form. Malo is focused on being a National Champion this year. Coach DiCenzo believes that Malo embraces the challenge of being highly ranked, “Ryan is a passionate wrestler who is one of the most competitive kids I have coached. Ryan loves to wrestle and compete. He had a great season last year but has worked hard in the off season to get better. It is great to be around someone like Ryan who has accomplished so much but still knows he can get better every day.”
|
| Corey Paulish '11 |
|
| Ryan Malo '11 |
Junior Corey Paulish enters the season ranked 4th nationally in the 149 pound weight class. Last season he had a break out campaign breaking the single season school record for wins with 40. Furthermore, Paulish was impressive on the national stage. Coach DiCenzo believes that Paulish is one of the strongest wrestlers on the team, “Last year Corey surprised a lot of people unfamiliar with the Williams program, however, as a coach I was not surprised by his success. He truly is a student of the sport. He gets stronger as the season progresses; this is a testament to his intelligence and drive. The combination of which will enable him to, once again, do well nationally.”
With the graduation of Ethan Cohen, the Williams Career leader in wins, junior Josh Mattana is dropping down to the 125 pound weight class. Even though Mattana was undersized in the 133 pound weight class he was still able win over 20 matches and was named an All-New England wrestler. This season Mattana should flourish in a lower weight class.
Jon Foster personifies the balance between athletic accomplishments and academic opportunities for which Williams is known. Last year he was an All-New England wrestler in the 165 pound weight class. This fall he decided to study abroad in Italy and will return to the squad a few weeks into the season. Coach DiCenzo believes that Foster is making a good decision, “One of the best features of Williams is the ability for student-athletes to study abroad even if they are winter athletes. Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am excited that he has the opportunity to experience the world. Jon is an integral part of the squad and we look forward to his return.” When Foster returns he will have strong competition from senior Paul Fraulo, junior Zeb Levine, and freshman Rob Brackup.
Senior Drew Gatewood is returning at the 174 pound weight class. For two years now he has come close to placing at New England’s. This year he will be challenged by numerous underclassmen and it should make the Ephs very strong at 174.
Senior Nate Shippee has been the proverbial utility man for the Ephs, wrestling in both the 197 and 184 pound weight classes. He is also a two-time NWCA Scholar All American. According to Coach DiCenzo, “Nate has done a great job for us when he has had the opportunity. He has had some huge wins in his career. He has worked hard all fall and is primed to place in the 184 pound weight class at New England’s. I think he is really going to open some eyes this year.”
|
| Josh Mattana '11 |
|
| Jon Foster '11 |
The 133 pound weight class, vacated by Mattana, will see a pitched competition between first years Ces Antista and Kaison Tanabe. Both of whom were accomplished high school grapplers and should make an immediate impact on the varsity.
The most interesting preseason battle will occur in the 285 pound weight class. Last season junior Tim Kiely started at New England’s and performed well. This year he will have to compete with sophomores Colin Curzi, Ken Murgo, and Nikola Mirkovic as well as freshman Tom Foote. This weight class is truly wide open. DiCenzo hopes that, over the next few weeks, one or two athletes will rise to the top and help the team win duel meets as well as the conference tournament.
There are numerous upperclassmen and freshmen looking to compete for varsity time. DiCenzo went on to say, “I think this is what makes our team different from years past, we have great competition and depth in the practice room, and everyone is getting challenged every day. I am excited to see different wrestlers get an opportunity to show how they can perform in our first two tournaments.”
Considering the Ephs impressive athletic accomplishments it is easy to forget the fact that they have a truly exceptional academic record. They have been honored by the NWCA two years in a row for academic performance. Last year they had the highest team GPA of any team in Division I, II, or III. Along with Breitenstein and Rittenburg, Paulish, Mattana, Shippee, and Foster are all NWCA Scholar All-Americans.
Coach DiCenzo is very excited about the rigorous schedule the Ephs will face. They have two trips to Pennsylvania scheduled as well as an invitation to the NWCA National Duals held at the University of Northern Iowa. The National Duals will showcase the top 16 teams from each of the NCAA Divisions (I, II, and III). This tournament averages an attendance of 20,000 a day. Also, the Ephs have circled the NEWA Dual Meet tournament January 24th as an important measuring stick of where the team is in preparation for the conference tournament a month later.
The Ephs are poised for a terrific season. Coach DiCenzo summed
up his expectations stating. “I have talked a lot about the
high goals this squad has. However, I feel that they are all
attainable. Last year we had a phenomenal team, the best in
Williams’s history. This year I honestly believe that our
team is better. But that formula for success needs to stay the
same. The formula for success is simple but it is hard to
accomplish. Everyone always wants the results in life but is not
always willing to put the work in to get those results. I think and
I hope this team is willing to put the work in, because if they do
-- it could be a big year.”
The Ephs begin their season, fielding an undermanned squad due to
many of their football commitments, November 21 at the Doug Parker
Tournament at Springfield College.
National team rankings are here
and the national individual rankings are here.
2009-10 Coaches Poll- #2 November 16, 2009
New England Division III Poll: (First Place Votes and Record in
Parentheses)
1. Williams College (13) 130
2. Wesleyan University 114
3. Roger Williams University (1-0) 96
4. Johnson & Wales University 91
5. Rhode Island College 76
6. Springfield College 73
7. University of Southern Maine 52
8. Plymouth State University (1-1) 36
9. Western New England College 27
10. Bridgewater State College 15
Others receiving votes: WPI and Trinity
