November 18, 2005
by Tim Kuhls
Sun Staff Writer
Cornell wrestling looks to improve off a season in which it finished fourth in the nation — the school’s best finish since 1953. Despite losing two All-Americans in two-time national champion Travis Lee ’05 (125 pounds) and 2004 runner-up Tyler Baier ’05 (184), the team is reloaded and focused on a national championship.
“We lose, and don’t expect to replace, Travis and Tyler, so we have a lot of questions,” said head coach Rob Koll. “Our goal is to have an All-American in every single weight class and if we have an All-American at every single weight we are going to win the national tournament. We aren’t so much worried about the Ivies anymore. We’re here to win a national championship.”
Leading the team is three-time All-American senior Dustin Manotti (157) and returning All-American senior Joe Mazzurco (174).
The two wrestlers finished sixth and fifth, respectively, in their weight classes at last year’s nationals held in Kansas City.
“The guys who are still in there are looking great,” Mazzurco said. “We’re a little bit banged up, because a few of our guys are hurt. For the guys that are still in there, I think everyone’s starting to get back into match shape.”
Joining Manotti and Mazzurco will be returning NCAA qualifiers senior Mike Mormile (133), junior Joey Hooker (165), junior Jerry Rinaldi (197), and a recruiting class that was ranked third in the nation by InterMat.
125 pounds
Expected to make waves in the 125-pound class is freshman Troy Nickerson, who is the most decorated wrestler in New York State high school history. Last year, he became the first five-year New York state champion and was regarded as the No. 1 recruit in the nation for his weight class.
“We expect great things out of Troy this year,” Koll said. “We expect him to go all the way. It sounds ridiculous because we’re talking about a freshman, but when you are a five-time state champion and you are the No. 1-ranked wrestling recruit at any weight class, you have pretty high expectations. He doesn’t do anything to warrant anything but postive praise. He works out at least twice a day every day and you almost have to kick him out of the weight room. He hasn’t done anything yet but he certainly will.”
Another up-and-comer looking to break into the lineup is sophomore Mike Rodriguez.
After a freshman season which saw him battle pneumonia, Rodriguez has added strength to his athletic skill set to make him one to watch out for this season.
133 pounds
Mormile will highlight this weight class for the Red as the fifth-year senior looks to have success after moving up a weight class from last season.
“Mike has the ability to be right there in the thick of things at nationals,” Koll said. “He could place or he could win it. We know he is going to do well. The question is just how well.”
Highly touted freshman Adam Frey was supposed to push Mormile for the starting spot, but a torn labrum has put him out for the year, allowing sophomore Nick Bridge to show what he can do. The former New Jersey state champion will get his shot and looks to make the most of it for the Red.
141 pounds
The team will compete at this weight without NCAA-qualifier sophomore Justin Leen, who is taking a season off due to an internship.
With Leen gone, junior Matt Easter becomes the feature wrestler in the this class. Easter, a four-time West Virginia state champion and high school All-American, will look to do major damage on the national stage after an injury-plagued first two seasons at Cornell.
Sophomore Evan Schiedel will most likely join Easter as another potential starter at the position. Despite seeing limited time last season, Schiedel has worked hard in the offseason and should improve in 2006.
149 pounds
The 149-pound weight class will be competitive for the Red, as junior Keith Dickey, junior Charlie Agozzino, and senior Mike Reish will all look to fill the starting spot. Dickey is back from a semester spent abroad in New Zealand and is regarded as Cornell’s best wrestler on top. Like Dickey, Agozzino is talented on top, but the former high school All-American is best known for his scrambling ability. Reish brings experience and will use it to his advantage.
157 pounds
Back for his final season, Manotti has cemented himself as one of Cornell’s greatest wrestlers of all time over the past three years, as he earned All-America honors three times.
Manotti will move up a weight class from last year, but still looks to have success, as he is currently ranked No. 3 in the country. This could be the year Manotti ends his season as a national champion.
“He’s done it all except win it,” Koll said. “He’s beaten all the best guys and he can take it easy at 157 and not have to worry about cutting weight.”
165 pounds
Regarded as the deepest weight class, 165 will be highlighted by Hooker. The returning NCAA-qualifier will be joined by senior John Cholish, who amassed 24 victories last season after moving up a weight class.
Also in the mix is sophomore Steve Anceravage, who returns after having his freshmen season cut short because of shoulder surgery.
174 pounds
Mazzurco, if he doesn’t wrestle at 184 pounds, will be the man at 174, as he hopes improve on his fifth-place finish at nationals last season.
Mazzurco ranks 17th on Cornell’s all-time wins list with 86 and will be one of the top contenders for a national title at either weight class. Joining Mazzurco will be former national Greco-Roman champion junior Luke Hogle and freshman Michael Moore.
184 pounds
Senior Dan Miracola will be the first option at 184 for the Red. Despite a career plagued with injuries, Miracola is stronger than ever and is ready to make an impact on the national scene. Joining the experienced upperclassman will be a pair of outstanding freshmen, Taylor Moore and Josh Arnone.
197 pounds
Rinaldi will be looking for his first All-America honor in the 197-pound class. One of the Red’s most productive stars last season — he won 35 matches — Rinaldi will be aiming for his first conference title. Also in the mix with Rinaldi is senior Jim March. March is a former Wisconsin state champion.
Heavyweight
Three young wrestlers will compete for the starting nod at heavyweight.
Junior Jason Manross, sophomore Zach Hammond, and sophomore Doug Weidner will all have their chance to display their skills on the mat. Hammond was the starter last season at 285 before his season was cut short because of season-ending knee surgery. Manross is up from 197 pounds last season and has shown flashes that he has what it takes to be extremely successful in the heavyweight position.
“If we can keep everybody healthy we have the makings of a phenomenal team,” Koll said. “It certainly could be the basis of a team that could ultimately win a national title or two throughout these guys’ careers. We just have sick talent.”
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