Wrestling 11/6/2017 3:00:00 PM Chris Myers

No. 23 Cardinals New Director Sees Best Roster in Program's Five Years for 2017-18 Season

Season Schedule
Team Roster
WHEELING, W.Va. – After making a splash on the National Duals scene last January, the Cardinals Culture wrestling is locked and loaded for its best season run in the five-year program history. The Wheeling Jesuit wrestling team has a new director, Danny Irwin, and its best roster for the fifth upcoming campaign for the 2017-18 season.

Taking over the reigns in early June, new WJU head coach Danny Irwin and his staff are looking forward to their first Cardinals season, which has the team ranked No. 23 in the NCAA Division II National Wrestling Coaches Association Top 25 Poll.

"The coaching staff couldn't be more excited about this group of men, and the direction that we are going," exclaimed Irwin. "Our coaching staff has been stressing the importance of everyone being invested in each other and feel we are well on our way of truly being a family."

For Irwin, the Cardinals cupboard is stocked instead of being bare, as is the case when a coach takes over a program many times. In fact, two-time All-American Dustin Warner, NCAA Qualifier Terrance Fanning, Regional sixth-place finisher Reyse Wallbrown and two other 20-win returners, Greg Brusco and Daniel Romero, make up the Cardinals foundation.

"The team has been hearing a bunch about the details and sticking to the plan even if that means having some blind faith, and trusting the process. By following this course we believe we can qualify all 10 weights to the NCAA's and truly compete for a National Championship as a team as well as individuals," explained Irwin.

Once again, WJU will not shy away from taking on the nation's best on the mat. The schedule challenges start in the first dual match when No. 10 University of Indianapolis comes to the McDonough Center this Thursday night, Nov. 9. First match begins at 7 p.m.

With seven invitationals and opens on the docket, WJU added a tri-match against NCAA DI Lock Haven and DIII power Messiah heading into the New Year, before a third-straight trip to the National Duals, which it was runner-up last year. Besides Indianapolis, WJU grapples four other ranked dual-match opponents – at No. 6 Pitt-Johnstown (Jan. 20), No. 15 Mercyhurst (Jan. 19), No. 16 Seton Hill (Feb. 10), and No. 18 Lake Erie College (Feb. 11).

"We will be tested early when we face University of Indianapolis, which is ranked No. 10 in the nation and finished six spots higher than us last year at the NCAA's. From there, we will be figuring out our starting lineup at some different invites and opens where everyone will get a chance to compete and prove themselves," noted Irwin. "We get a chance at the end of the semester to compete against Division I Lock Haven and Division III powerhouse Messiah College in duals that will help get us get ready to put up another banner from the NWCA National Duals where the team finished second last season. The back half of the schedule will be loaded with big time duals and invites that will ultimately prepare us for the Super Regional and National Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa."

Joining Irwin directing the Cardinals, B.J. Hedger, Rick Welker and Jonathan Barrett return as assistant coaches and one of the new WJU coach's former Wabash wrestlers, Jeff Mucha, moves into the graduate assistant coach role, while senior Kyle Harris will serve as a student assistant coach.

"The entire coaching staff has gelled nicely and everyone is contributing in many different ways. I am really pleased with how Coach Mucha has transitioned from a student-athlete to a coach," said the Cardinals head coach. "This is not always an easy task, but with his personality and work ethic the team has really embraced him."

Returning to his post, Dustin Warner, will have Wallbrown, Sawyer Leppla and Fanning serve as the 2017-18 team captains.

"These four men have not only stood out to their peers, but also the coaching staff, and will help guide this program towards its goals," pointed out Irwin.

Cardinals Weight Class Breakdown:

"This will be a very formidable lineup from start to finish, but more importantly is a group of men, who are serving each other, Wheeling and the Ohio Valley Region," stressed Irwin. "The team looks forward to the support from the community as they aim to have the best year yet in program history!"

125
There was a lot of buzz two years ago when Tyler Warner chose WJU over numerous other universities. The wait is set to be over as the Cardinals fans will get to see him take the mat for his opening season.

"You couldn't ask for a better sparkplug to get your team going," added Irwin.

Redshirt freshman Warner finished his Claymont High career as a three-time Ohio state champion and a 166-12 career record.

Freshman Marcus Baptiste, who was a two-time Florida State Qualifier, is developing nicely and will be pushing Tyler all season.

133
The most decorated WJU wrestler, Dustin Warner, looks to take that next step at the NCAA DII National Championships in his final season. Dustin finished fifth at the National Championships to become the program's first two-time All-American. He completed last year at 22-4 and stands at 80-22 over the last three seasons.

The Cardinal faithful will see Jake Donahue, who had a stellar true freshman season last year at 15-5, redshirt this year as he works to develop his skill set, while pushing the Warner brothers. Senior Jaylin Hill, who can take down anyone in the room, was 4-3 last year and can see some action here.

141
This is one of several highly-contested, weight classes. Senior Daniel Romero was the starter here last year and totaled a 21-8 record, before an injury sidelined him, and ended his season early.

Romero will be pushed by a contingent of hungry freshmen who all had success at the scholastic level. Both Jared Donahue, who won multiple Ohio state titles, and Tyler Alberts, a three-time Pennsylvania State qualifier and seventh-place performer, have been making gains every day. Juniors Tyler Hogue and Nat Brown, sophomore Logan Adkins, and freshman Matt Oblock are all also competing for this spot.

149
This weight class is led by redshirt freshman Dylan Taylor, who had an outstanding season of 14-1 with eight falls competing in open competitions last year. A few of Taylor's victories came against wrestlers who qualified for the NCAA National Championships and he is looking to improve his consistency in the room. Aiming to get their time at the weight class, sophomore Christian Rivera, who has made some big gains since last season, along with redshirt freshman Bailey Jenkins, and seniors Kollin Clark and Tyler Knul will challenge.

157
Greg Brusco is back at this spot after holding it down all of last year. The second-year Cardinal looks to make up for a disappointing Regional, but a season where he recorded a 25-10 record with nine bonus point wins. Brusco is looking to take that next step in his wrestling, but will have to get by a talented freshman in Connor Craig, who has shown an impressive work ethic thus far. After a 12-6 first season, sophomore Brandon Tenney, who is up two weight classes after having a successful offseason, can be added to this weight class and should produce solid results come March.

165
This weight class is much like 141 in the sense that there are a number of individuals capable of being the man here. Seniors Keegan Driscoll and TJ Smith and sophomoresJustice Avery and JR Renforth are all in the mix.

"No one has risen to the top, but with this much talent, the coaching staff is confident we can get this weight class to the NCAA's in March," said Irwin.

Freshman Tristan Brady, who was both an Ohio State placer and Super 32 placer, is more than capable of surprising some people at this weight. Junior Tyler Jenkins and senior Peyton Geary are also down to this weight class, and if they can stay healthy, they will be tough.

174
Senior Reyse Wallbrown is the lone man here and is off to a good start in practices. With his best season of 23-15 and a sixth-place regional finish in the books, this is a great weight class for him size wise that will serve him well after bouncing around to a couple different weight classes last season. It would be no surprise to see one of his teammates come up from 165 to challenge him at some point this season.

184
Already turning heads in the wrestling room, freshman Aidan Pasiuk is coming off an undefeated unscored upon year of high school in Ohio and a 2016 national runner-up at 171. He won't look like a freshman out on the mat as he has put his time in the weight room. Redshirt sophomore John Lessner will also be competing in this spot later on in the season as he transitions down from 197 pounds.

197
After a successful redshirt season last year, senior Sawyer Leppla is ready to be back in the lineup and cap off his career in style. Two years ago, Leppla qualified to the National Championships at 184, and he looks to use that experience and helps anchor down the backside of the lineup. Sawyer will have to get by junior Chase Logan, who has been developing all fall and is in position for a solid year. Freshman Caleb Nice won a West Virginia state title this past season and has also been in the mix of this weight class, but he could also be transitioning down to 184 pounds. Redshirt seniors Nate Starkey and Kale Rayner, who both have been battling injuries throughout their careers, and are looking to rebound and finish their careers on a high note.

HWT
There isn't a happier man on this team than Terrance Fanning. The redshirt junior (19-10) qualified to the NCAA's last March and fell just one-win shy of All-American status. Terrance is happy about his transition up to heavyweight as he can focus on his nutrition, and improve every day. The Bruceton Mills, W.Va., native was on a very strict diet to be at 197 last year, and has been impressive thus far at the new weight.

Nipping at Fanning's heals, redshirt sophomore Seth Bloor and sophomore Devin Uzelac have both been putting in extra work, and continue to improve.

-GoCards-

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Players Mentioned

Jonathan Barrett: Senior

Kollin Clark: Sophomore

Terrance Fanning: Redshirt Freshman

Peyton Geary: Sophomore

Kyle Harris: Junior

Tyler Knul: Sophomore

Sawyer Leppla: Junior

Kale Rayner: Redshirt Sophomore

Reyse Wallbrown: Sophomore

Dustin Warner: Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Jonathan Barrett
: Senior

Kollin Clark
: Sophomore

Terrance Fanning
: Redshirt Freshman

Peyton Geary
: Sophomore

Kyle Harris
: Junior

Tyler Knul
: Sophomore

Sawyer Leppla
: Junior

Kale Rayner
: Redshirt Sophomore

Reyse Wallbrown
: Sophomore

Dustin Warner
: Sophomore