Following a season that saw the Ohio wrestling team finish third in the Mid-American Conference and 25th in the NCAA Tournament, the Bobcats prepare to begin where they left off last March.
Ohio was ranked No. 3 by MAC coaches in a preseason poll, behind Central Michigan and Northern Illinois, the same two teams that topped the Bobcats at the MAC Championships.
I like (the ranking)
Ohio coach Joel Greenlee said. I never want to be picked to win I'd rather be picked second or third and then have something to shoot for but I don't get too wrapped up in it.
In order to have an edge on the competition, the Bobcats began conditioning and regular practices earlier than in previous seasons.
(Practice) was tough at first
having to build up your level of conditioning
but having more time wrestling under my belt
actually in the room and on the mat is definitely better for me
said Vinny DiGiovanni, who will wrestle this season at 165 pounds.
With 23 returning wrestlers, Ohio has a greater amount of depth within its roster, Greenlee said.
I've been here since the '97-'98 season
and this is the first year I can honestly say that we have good competition at all 10 weights
he said. I expect to qualify five or six guys for the NCAA Tournament. We have a great group of guys who know where they want to go with wrestling.
Among those returning are NCAA qualifiers Joel Weimer, Jeremiah Beltran and Jake Percival.
All three were ranked in the preseason -Weimer first at 197, Beltran second at heavyweight and Percival is expected to add to his three straight MAC titles at 157.
I'd love to be All-American
said Beltran, the defending conference heavyweight champion. I've been working at being quicker on my feet and lost some of my weight so that I can be better at matches earlier in the season.
A native of Elyria, Percival will remain at the 157-pound weight class this year after moving up last season. A three-time All American who has placed fourth (2002), fifth ('03) and second ('04) in the nation, the only title that eludes him is that of NCAA champion.
It has been my goal since freshman year to become the national champion
Percival said. After having surgery on my shoulder this summer
