Northwestern University Athletics
'Cats Look to Take on the Big Ten Powerhouses
10/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Oct. 28, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. -- The toughest conference in the country just got tougher.
With six returning starters and the seventh-best recruiting class in the nation, Northwestern's wrestling team is eager to challenge Big Ten perennial powerhouses such as Iowa and Minnesota.
Head coach Tim Cysewski even scheduled nonconference matches with strong wrestling schools out East in order for his team to be better prepared for the conference season.
"I'm expecting a vast improvement for the team (in how they fare) in both the Big Ten and nationally," says Cysewski. "We have a number of wrestlers who should be able to qualify for nationals and be All-America candidates."
Those wrestlers include sophomore John Velez and junior Tommy Vargas, who will return at 125 lbs. and 133 lbs., respectively. Velez's 19-20 record last year put him in the top-10 nationally among freshmen at 125 lbs., and he should have another stellar season.
Vargas, meanwhile, is "very talented," according to Cysewski, and has made a good adjustment, competing originally at 125 lbs. but then moving up to the next class. The Highland, Calif. native has grown into the position and should have success this season.
At 141 lbs., freshman Ryan Lang will be given the chance to start. Lang, a North Royalton, Ohio product, was the 2003 national champion for his weight class as well as a four-time Ohio state champion.
Seniors Josh Ballard and Paul Augle also will compete for the 141-pound spot, with the former likely to get it, but coach Cysewski has not ruled out the possibility that the two may get moved up to 149 lbs.
"Anything can happen," Cysewski says. "We definitely have some good people (at 141 lbs.)."
Jimmy Kim is currently getting the nod at 149 lbs. The sophomore from East Peoria, Ill. worked hard over the summer and is prepared for his first appearance in the lineup.
In the Big Ten, 157 lbs. is probably the most competitive weight class, as last year's NCAA champion and runner-up are both from the conference. But this does not discourage Cysewski, who has junior Mike Kimberlin.
"Mike is the most athletic person on the team," Cysewski says. "I'm expecting great things from him this year."
That prediction will be no small feat, as Kimberlin tied former teammate Jason Erwinski in wins last season with 24. The wins also were among the top-five in the nation for sophomores.
For the Wildcat team, 165 lbs. is the most wide-open class. Senior Andrew Curran, dropping down from 174 lbs., is the likely bid, but he will be challenged by senior Nolan Walther and freshman Nick Hayes. The latter went 46-1 as a senior in Council Bluffs, Iowa and won the Iowa state championship that same year.
If Hayes does not get the start, then Jake Herbert of Wexford, Pa. may be the only true freshman on the roster to start this season. Herbert, part of the three-heralded recruits that Cysewski states will have "a fantastic career ahead of them," will compete this year at 174 lbs.
The next two weight classes are filled with sophomore Joseph Gulotta at 184 lbs. and sophomore Matt Delguyd at 197 lbs. While it will be Gulotta's first time in the lineup, Delguyd will be returning to a position where he had 20 wins in the previous season.
At heavyweight, expect to see sophomore Scott Johnson and senior Michael Little get the starts. Both missed most of the 2002-03 season either due to injury (Little) or illness (Johnson). They will be challenged by junior Matt Repchak and freshman Larry Langowski.
A familiar face joining the team this year is new assistant coach John Giacche, who compiled a 76-61 record as a starter the last four years under Cysewski.
"John brings continuity and a lot of intensity into the room," Cysewski says. "When I first recruited him (to wrestle for Northwestern), I knew he would be a great coach someday. We're excited John decided to stay around."
With a highly ranked recruiting class, several All-America candidates and a new assistant coach knowledgeable of the Northwestern program, the Wildcats' wrestling program is looking forward to a successful season and postseason.
