Wheeling, W. Va. – Over the last two seasons, the Wheeling University Wrestling program has been building from the ground up with fresh faces trying to bring the program back to its glory days. In 2022-23, the team brings back some top wrestlers from last season, and they look to use that experience as a stepping stone to continue moving the program forward. While the team results will still take time to grow, the Cardinals look to continue their individual success this season.
The 2021-22 season was the program's first full season since 2019 and with it came the ups and downs of a new program. While the team results weren't what they wanted, a large focus was put on individual success, and there was a lot of it. The Cardinals picked up their first dual win since 2019 on February 10th against Bluefield State as
Clarouly Meca secured a pin in the final match. Wheeling won 25-24 and would use that momentum heading into the MEC Championships. There, the Cardinals had three places in the field, with
Chase Montgomery finishing fifth, while Meca and Brennon Reid earned sixth place. The year wrapped up at the NCAA Super Regionals where River Pappas was the only Cardinal placer, finishing sixth and just missing Nationals.
The Cardinals bring back all four of their players from last season, led by
Clarouly Meca in the 285 pound weight class. 2021-22 was a big year for Meca as he set a new career-high with six pins on the season. Of his eight wins, six came via pinfall as he looks to once again run the Cardinal's Heavyweight Class. Sophomore Brennon Reid returns in the 157-pound weight class and was Wheeling's wins leader last season. He went 14-12 overall and while he didn't place at regionals, he did place at the MEC Championships and looks to build off his sixth-place effort at the conference championships. The lone placer at the NCAA Super Regionals also returns in sophomore River Pappas. Pappas dealt with an injury bout early last season but finished off strong and is looking to be a leader for the team this season.
Joining the group of returners is a strong freshman class that brings with them their own set of accolades. Leading the freshman is Caden Canning, who makes his way to Wheeling from Newark, Ohio after being a three-sport athlete at Newark Catholic High School. He was a two-time state qualifier with the GreenWave and looks to translate that success into collegiate wrestling. Ryan Sweeney was a sectional runner up in three of his four seasons at Iroquois High School and a two-time ECIC Champion entering the 164 LB weight class. Peyton Tuttle and Arthur Prabola round out the freshmen class, with Prabola being a member of the 100-win club and the first Woodland Hills High School wrestler to go to the collegiate level.
After working with the team for the last several months, Assistant Coach Willie Saxton sees a lot of potential in this team. He highlights their hard work and dedication to the program as they look to continue building a strong foundation moving forward.
"These guys have a lot of heart and determination," said Saxton. "They have been through a lot during this upcoming season and have battled through every obstacle thrown at them. These guys have always been looked at as the underdogs and are ready to prove that they are ready to compete at the highest level."
The Wheeling University Wrestling team kicks off their season next Saturday, November 5th, when they head to the Mount Union Invitational with the first matches of the day beginning at 9 A
