2006-07 Season Outlook

Kyle Ayer '09

If a 14-9 record and a fifth place finish at the New England Div. III championships is enough to excite a coach about his future prospects, then having your team come into the first practice in the best shape of their lives is an excellent bonus.

”The team came into the first practice with a high intensity level and seems to be more goal-driven,” said Vega. “The team as a whole has a clear vision of what they want to accomplish.”

Head coach Raf Vega begins his third full season as head wrestling coach with a team that was on a mission in the off-season. Led by junior captains Max Pinto and Nick Miragliuolo, the Williams College wrestling team went through a grueling training program to make sure that when November 1st rolled around they were in peak physical condition. Both Pinto and Miragliuolo have been a big presence in the preseason and both hope to contend for New England titles and a trip to the NCAA championships. Pinto was fifth in New England last year at 184.

From top to bottom, this Eph squad features depth not only at each weight class but in every class year. Headlining the list of returnees is senior Jon Dolan. After a junior year where he finished 20-4 and placed 6th at the NCAA Championships, Dolan looks to lead by example and make good on being ranked fifth in the country at 174 in the preseason polls.

Ethan Cohen '09

Last year's impressive first year class returns top performers Ethan Cohen, Mike Penza, and Kyle Ayer. These sophomores look to build on their success in last year’s regular season and the New England championships, while continuing to make strides to help the rising Eph program. Ayer took fourth at 197 and Cohen was sixth at 125 at last winter’s New England Championships.

 The Ephs will also look to benefit from one of the biggest first year classes in a while. Coach Vega is expecting big things from this new group, especially Dylan Rittenburg (141) and Carl Breitenstein (149). This first year class is expected to play a huge role this season and for years to come.

Another interesting aspect for the new season is the depth at heavyweight. Usually this weight class produces one wrestler a year, but the Ephs are fortunate to feature three quality athletes in junior Jim Bierman and first years Nate Shippee and Mike Eckerle. The Ephs look to make the heavyweight bout a major strength this season.

The Ephs will get to showcase their talents in the first weekend of the season on November 18th at the Doug Parker Invitational hosted by Springfield College. Williams is ranked ninth overall in all divisions in the New England region (5th in Div. III) and the Parker Invitational will be a great opportunity to get a look at the other teams Williams will face during the season.

England Collegiate Conference wrestling Championships (NECCWA). Sophomore Max Pinto had a breakout season at 184 and posted a record of 27-8 and finished 5th in New England. First year Kyle Ayer also impressed with his strong finish to the season, compiling a record of 17-10 and finishing 4th at New Englands. Junior captain and two-time All-New England honoree Jon Dolan will also return. Dolan won the New England 165 title as a sophomore and came back to win the 174 title this year.

Dolan then earned All-America honors for the second year in a row, placing 6th at the NCAA Championships. Dolan was 20-4 on the year.

Assistant coach Dan DiCenzo was named the New England region's assistant coach of the year at the NECCWA Championships. DiCenzo '01, a former wrestling captain for the Ephs as well as football captain, was an All-New England wrestler for the Ephs.