Nov. 10, 2006

Staten Island, NY -- For a Wagner wrestling fan, last year could be seen as a milestone season. Sure, it might not look like at a quick glance with the record posted - but as Head Coach Doug Jesse says, last year was crucial in that it provided a stepping stone for the program in its advancement toward the future success and goals set out for.

Why?

Upon beating Delaware State this past January 7 at Rutgers University it was the first win for the Seahawk grapplers in nearly two years, a sign for major improvement. But that wasn't all.

Just a few weeks later, on January 21, Jesse's crew recorded their first Colonial Athletic Association league win in school history by defeating Binghamton at the CAA Duals at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

What next? Well, this group of forest green singlet-sporting gladiators will look to build upon these precedents they set and take the Seahawk wrestling legacy to that even next further level of glory.

With the help of Coach Jesse, here is a preview of the student-athletes on Grymes Hill that will look to do exactly that in this the 2006-2007 campaign.

125
Once sophomore Richard Englehardt (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) regains his health - he's currently nursing a shoulder injury - he'll be the man to take on all contenders weighing in at 125 pounds.

Jessie on Englehardt: "Richard's a heck of a worker and this year he's already shown a vast improvement from last year. If he remains healthy we expect big things out of him since he has some varsity experience under his belt when he wrestled at 125 and 133 as a freshman."

133
Junior Justin Eurell (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) will hone his skills at this weight class for the Seahawks after going 10-14 last season bouncing up and down from 125 to 133.

Jessie on Eurell: "We expect Justin to be one of the leaders on this team once he gets healthy (nursing a bicep injury) and I expect him to do well at this heavier weight since he showed last year he could do the job."

141 With the absence of standout Seahawk grappler Mike Tutunjian (Ridge, NY/Longwood), who is red-shirting this year - the 141 weight leaves a little bit of a question mark for Jesse and company. That void, however, should be filled with the expected emergence of freshman Chris Parish (Portsmouth, RI/Tabor Academy). Senior Justin Ensign (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) might also move down a weight from his slotted 149 position currently.

149
Once again, Ensign will be the expected starter at this spot along with Patrick Larkin (Danbury, CT/Danbury), also another senior, who will wrestle-off and see where they stand.

Jesse on 149: "Obviously it's tough to have two senior captains competing for the same weight class here in Larkin and Ensign, but we'll just have to wait and see what happens when they wrestle-off."

157
Sophomore Sean Quinn (Barnegat, NJ/Southern Regional) is expected to take the reigns at this weight class after gaining a few pounds over the off-season.

Jesse on Quinn: "Sean's a very good worker. He saw a lot of varsity time last year at 141 and 149 so he really put in a lot of work in the weight room this summer getting up to the 157 weight. I expect him to do very well here."

165
Sophomore Nick Magaraci (Norwood, NJ/Old Tappan) is the designated gladiator at this weight position. Carries with him some experience despite only being a sophomore.

Jesse on Magaraci: "Nick could go down in weight depending on our injuries throughout the season, but for now he's a nice fit here at 165. He's a great scrambler who won some big matches for us last season. If he does go down in weight, he has the possibility to do even better, and that would be at 149, probably."

174
Junior Adam Amster (Concord, MA/Concord Carlisle Regional) fills the gap in the 174 weight class. A veritable team player, will look to help out the Seahawk squad in whatever way necessary.

197
Freshman Robert Rivera (Brooklyn, NY/Xaverian) will pit his talent against his inexperience at this weight class for the Seahawks as he hopes to pin foes who underestimate this young man's tools on the mat.

Jesse on Rivera: "As a freshman he'll go through growing pains and take his lumps but I think once he adjusts to all of that he'll do fine."

HEAVYWEIGHT
Red-shirt freshman Angelo D'Amico (Kenilworth, NJ/Seton Hall Prep), who sat out last year due to injury, will be the heaviest Seahawk on the roster and start at this slot for Jesse and company.

Jesse on D'Amico: "Looked great so far this year, very quick, takes good shots, and he has some great guys behind him that will push him. Red-shirt junior John Graeffe (Moscow, PA/Scranton Prep) has been here four years and knows what he's doing and freshman newcomer Tyler Jeffries (Davidsonville, MD/The Peddie School) brings a great work ethic. They'll all make each other better."