WRESTLING

Roster  |  Coaches  |  Schedule / Results  |  News

1997-98 Season Preview

With 22 dual meets victories in his two seasons at the helm of the UB wrestling program, Jim Beichner has provided the recipe for success that the Bulls had been missing since the late 1980's. However, the 1997-98 season will present Beichner and the Bulls with several challenges as they continue to build toward national prominence.

One of the greatest challenges the Bulls will face in 1997-98 will be replacing three-time NCAA National qualifier and two-year captain Jason Wartinger, one of the most successful wrestlers to ever compete for the University at Buffalo. Wartinger won 65 matches and four tournament titles in his two-year stay at UB, boasts the second-best winning percentage (.844) in school history, and is only the second UB wrestler to qualify for three NCAA Division I Tournament appearances. The Bulls will also need to replace 167/177-pounder Eric Gross, who transferred to UB from Edinboro to complete his eligibility. Named a team co-captain in his only season at UB, Gross was a force both on the mat and in the locker room. In addition to winning 27 matches last year, Gross appeared in the finals of all five tournaments he wrestled in during the 1996-97 season, capturing the 177-pound championship at the R.I.T. Invitational. However, despite the necessity to replace these two key performers, the Bulls have a solid core of returning veterans who will be joined by one of the finest recruiting classes in team history.

The Bulls return six wrestlers who won twenty matches or more, led by senior co-captains John Stutzman and Jeromy McVige. Stutzman had a record-setting performance for the Bulls last season at 150 pounds, posting a 35-4 overall and 14-2 dual meet record with tournament titles at the Bloomsburg Open, R.I.T. Invitational, Sunshine Open and New York State Collegiate Championships. In addition to his school-record 24-match win streak, Stutzman became the career dual meet takedown leader with 104 as well as single-season dual meet takedown leader with 64. Considered one of the top wrestlers in the East Coast Wrestling Association (ECWA), Stutzman should challenge for the conference crown and a berth in the NCAA Tournament after being snubbed for an at-large bid last season.

Ranked among the top 10 Greco-Roman wrestlers in the United States, Jeromy McVige returns after a career season a year ago at 134 pounds. Expected to start at either 134 or 142 pounds this season, McVige posted a 28-12 overall record and 10-4 dual meet record. Finished second at the New York State Collegiate Championship after a loss to Cornell's 1997 All-American Carl Keske, and captured third at the ECWA Tournament after dropping a heart-breaking 2-1 overtime tie-breaker in the semifinals to Rider's Jason Nase, also a 1997 All-American. A strong wrestler in the neutral position who has successfully integrated his Greco-Roman skills into his collegiate wrestling style, McVige should also be counted among the contenders for an ECWA championship.

In addition to Stutzman and McVige, other returning 20-plus match winners include junior 118-pounder Brian Schaal, junior 167-pounder Arturo Mazzeo, sophomore 190-pounder John Eschenfelder and sophomore heavyweight Mike Garofalo. Schaal posted a 22-14 overall record in his first season with UB after transferring fro Morrisville Junior College, and was integral in setting the tone for the Bulls in dual meets. Capturing second place at the R.I.T. Invitational, Schaal finished an impressive third at the ECWA Tournament despite wrestling at 126 pounds instead of his usual 118 pounds. One of the best defensive wrestlers on the Bulls, he could contend for the ECWA 118-pound title with improved offense.

Arturo Mazzeo recorded a career-high season in his first campaign as a full-time starter, finishing with a 26-16 overall and 9-7 dual meet record. A 1997 NWCA Honorable Mention Academic All-American, Mazzeo captured third p lace finishes at both the Bloomsburg Open and New York State Collegiate Championship, and finished fourth at the ECWA Tournament. An intense wrestler who is strong on top, look for Mazzeo to move up to the 167-pound class for 1997-98.

Despite being plagued by injuries throughout his freshman season, John Eschenfelder posted a 22-8 overall record and 8-1 dual meet record. A tournament placewinner in all four tournaments wrestled last year, he captured third-place at the Bloomsburg Invitational in his first collegiate tournament. A strong defensive wrestler with the ability to pin his opponent, he was recognized by the Amateur Wrestling News as the sixth-ranked freshman 190-pounder in the country. If able to remain healthy, he can be considered a contender for the ECWA 190-pound title.

Heavyweight Mike Garofalo, also a two-year starter for the UB football team, could be the most versatile athlete of all the Bulls wrestlers. Posting a 24-10 overall record and 11-5 mark in dual meets a year ago, Garofalo was ranked by the Amateur Wrestling News as the third-best heavyweight in the nation behind Iowa's Wes Hand and Scott Owens of the University of Mary (ND). A skilled wrestler who possess tremendous strength and quickness for a man of his size, Garofalo is expected to contend for the ECWA heavyweight championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

While the Bulls have a solid group of veterans returning, they are joined by a a recruiting class that is expected to make an immediate impact. Leading the incoming freshmen is Jeanette, Pennsylvania's Vince DeAugustine, a two-time Pennsylvania Class AAA state champion and three-time finalist. An All-American at the 1997 High School National Tournament with a third place finish, DeAugustine is also a versatile athlete, starring in baseball and football at Jeanette High. A strong wrestler in the neutral position, he has the physical and mental skills to be dominating on top. Although only a freshman, he is expected to step in immediately and start at 158 pounds.

Another former state champion joining the Bulls this season is New York's own Chad Caros, perhaps the most talented wrestler in New York throughout the past two years. A native of Franklinville, NY, Caros captured four sectional titles and was a two-time New York State champion. Also a Cadet Greco-Roman National Champion, Caros has the unenviable task of filling the shoes of the now-departed Wartinger as the starter at 126 pounds.

Two-time New York State placewinner Joshua States and the 1995 New York State runner-up Charlie Voorhees also come to UB for their first seasons. States set Lockport (NY) HS records for most career wins and pins enroute to a 171-50 record and second-place finish in the state tournament as a senior. He is expected to be the starter for the Bulls at 177 pounds. In addition to finishing second in '95, Voorhees set the Section V record for most wins, posting a 195-20-1 career record, and was named the section championship's Most Outstanding Wrestler. He is expected to spend the 1997-98 season as a red-shirt.· 118 Pounds ·

Junior starter Brian Schaal returns with his 22 wins, as does sophomore Don Klein who saw spot-duty a year ago. Although Schaal will start again in 1997-98, expect Klein to see significant action throughout the season. Junior Alan St. Clair and freshman Eric Siegel, who transferred from Maryland after a red-shirt year, will provide depth. Freshmen Charlie Voorhees and Taisei Kikuchi will likely red-shirt.

· 126 Pounds ·

Freshman Chad Caros is charged with the task of replacing three-time NCAA national qualifier Jason Wartinger, and will start in his first season with the Bulls. Should he struggle, senior Joe Hernandez, who may also see time at 134 pounds, is prepared to step-in after wrestling last season at several different weight classes. Ian McConnell has improved after a red-shirt year, but needs more mat experience. Freshman Bill Jacoutot, who's father and two uncles also wrestled at UB, is expected to red-shirt.

· 134 Pounds ·

Red-shirt freshman Greg Bentley and sophomore Jacob Partlow are expected to compete in the event incumbent starter Jeromy McVige, who received a medical red-shirt from the NCAA, moves up to 142 pounds. Bentley, who set the Western New York record for most career wins (182) and Partlow, a transfer from Central Connecticut State who red-shirted last season, give the Bulls a solid one-two punch at this weight class. Junior Caleb Brittain should also see time on the mat. Freshman Gerald Pacillo is expected to red-shirt.

· 142 Pounds ·

Senior co-captain Jeromy McVige may start the season at 142 pounds and may drop to 134 as the season progresses. In either case, look for the versatile red-shirt freshman Keith Jones, who won 156 matches at Newfane (NY) High at six different weight classes, to see plenty of live action. Jones is also the Bulls' first backup at 150 pounds. Freshman David Guarino will probably red-shirt.

· 150 Pounds ·

Senior co-captain John Stutzman returns for a fifth year after receiving a medical red-shirt from the NCAA. With a team-high 35 wins last season and four tournament titles, Stutzman has his sights set on the ECWA 150-pound title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Red-shirt Keith Jones is the backup and should see time on the mat either here or at 142 pounds. · 158 Pounds ·

With last year's starter Arturo Mazzeo moving up to 167 pounds, two-time Pennsylvania Class AAA state champion and 1997 High School All-American Vince DeAugustine will start for the Bulls at 158 pounds ain his freshman season. Another of the Bulls' versatile athletes, DeAugustine starred in baseball and football for Hempfield (PA) High. Junior Tim Fallon provides experienced depth by virtue of his three seasons in the program, while freshman Michael Short will red-shirt after off-season shoulder surgery.

· 167 Pounds ·

Arturo Mazzeo, last season's starter at 158 pounds, moves up to 167 pounds for the 1997-98 season. A 26-match winner last year, he is expected to continue his development after showing dramatic improvement in his first season as a full-time starter. Junior Matt Ricci also returns after seeing spot-duty at several weight classes as a sophomore, and is looking to have a breakthrough season. Red-shirt freshmen Alonzo Roane and Chris Young provide the Bulls woth two quality backups. Freshman Josh Carnrite is expected to red-shirt.

· 177 Pounds ·

Two-time New York State placewinner Joshua States will be the likely starter for the Bulls at 177 pounds. A very determined wrestler with an unorthodoxed wrestling style, States has the potential to improve quickly as the year progresses. Red-shirt freshman Geoff Sorenson will also look for time on the mat after playing football a year ago. Red-shirt freshman Nathan Giagios will split time between 177 and 190 pounds, while sophomore Marcus Guy gives UB an experienced backup. Newcomer Louis Chamoun will red-shirt in his first season.

· 190 Pounds ·

Sophomore John Eschenfelder returns with his 22 wins from a year ago to anchor this class. Hampered by nagging injuries through much of last season, Eschenfelder was the sixth-ranked freshman 190-pounder last season according to Amateur Wrestling News, and should be much improved in his second campaign. Red-shirt Nathan Giagios will be the backup at 190 as well as at 177 pounds in his second year, while Louis Chamoun, also listed at 177 pounds, will red-shirt.

· Heavyweight ·

Sophomore Mike Garofalo returns with his 24 wins and looks to be greatly improved. Also a two-year starter for the UB football team, he is perhaps the Bulls' most versatile athlete. Ranked by Amateur Wrestling News as the third-best freshman heavyweight a year ago, Garofalo should contend for the ECWA heavyweight title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.