TOM’s American Wrestler 2011 East Regional Wrestling Championship Preview

Liberty University and the Vines Center will host the 2011 East Regional championships. Liberty is the defending East Regional Champions and sent six wrestlers to the 2010 NCAA Championships. With the termination of Duquesne University’s wrestling program last season, Sacred Heart University departed the Colonial Athletic Association and joined the East Regional to maintain the five team conference.

Each weight class features wrestlers that could post surprise wins at the NCAA tournament later this month. D1CW also has ranked the top-three grapplers of each weight class. Five active Liberty wrestlers are favored to win individual titles, as they hold down the No. 1 spot of their weight class. Redshirt seniors Chad Porter (165), Aaron Kelley (184) and Josh Pelletier (HWT) are ranked No. 1, while junior T. J. Mitchell (133) and freshman Rob Jillard (125) also have the No. 1 nod.

As far as predictions go, all #1 seeds are projected to win this qualifier with the exception of 125 and 157 (Bolded). Photos indicate potential #1 seeds.

Download PDF Version of this: ER Preview 2011

2011 East Regional NCAA Tournament Allocations by Weight:

Across the NCAA, there are 48 at large bids (or wild cards) available for the 2011 NCAA Division I Championships and will be distributed after all conference tournaments are completed during the tournament selection announcements. Last season, the East Regional was not allocated any at large slots. You are going to need to win this tournament to advance to Philadelphia.

Weight by Weight Preview

125

This weight class features three wrestlers who have posted double figures in the win column this season. Liberty U is blessed to have two very high quality grapplers at this weight, but it appears that Rob Jillard will take to the mat this weekend. Jillard has enjoyed a phenomenal freshmen season going 18-9 on the year, and knocking off more than a few national qualifiers. Pressing hard to challenge Jillard in the finals will be 2X NCAA qualifier, Billy Chamberlain from Sacred Heart and Tanner Bidelspach of Campbell. Chamberlain is a seasoned D-1 wrestler and former PIAA State Champ, who knows how to peak at the end of the season. Bidelspach has wrestled tough all season and his 12 wins are testament that nobody should look past this hard-working freshman. Millersville’s Alex Abramat and GWU’s Brett Kostern have posted a few nice wins this season as well and looks to make a run at the ER crown.

125 Probable Seeding:

1. Robert Jillard-Liberty (Fr)
2. Tanner Bidelspach-Campbell (r-Fr)
3. Billy Chamberlain-Sacred Heart (Grad)

133

Last year’s qualifier at this weight, Joe Pantaleo who was mentioned in some of the pre-season national rankings, fell upon hard times this year with a series of injuries. But again, LU’s depth comes into play, as TJ Mitchell, a native of Raritan, NJ has stepped up big for the Flames. Mitchell has posted a very solid 13-10 record and has wrestled some of the top 133lbers in the country to very close matches. Next in line are Andrew Polidure from SHU and Alex Hamm from GWU. Hamm sports 10 wins on the season. Polidure and his tight 4-2 loss to Jimmy Kitchner from Rider proves he can hang with the best. Polidure, a 125lber for much of the year will likely get the 3rd seed. Campbell’s Mike Jordan and MV’s Dan Calzarette will look to make their first ER tournament a memorable one by challenging for the crown.

133 Probable Seeding:

1. Thomas Mitchell-Liberty (r-Jr)
2. Alex Hamm-Gardner-Webb (Fr)
3. Andrew Polidure – Sacred Heart (Fr)

141

At one of the weight classes with some very good depth, GWU’s Rich Spicel, with a 21-11 record, sits at the top spot. Spicel, a high recruited grappler from Ohio has had two years to season as a D-1 wrestler and now appears to be ready to make some noise on the national scene. He’ll need to get by LU’s Seth Hicks, a former state champ from California. Hicks comes from good lineage, but will need to bring his “A” game should he get a second shot at Spicel. Hicks’ 9-12 record includes wins over some very talented wrestlers to include nationally ranked Jon Koler (Maryland). The likely 3rd seed is Millerville’s Mike Gleck. Gleck sports an 11-6 record and, as a senior, he is hungry to get out to the NCAA tournament. Rounding out the field is SHU’sAnthony Ricco and CU’s Brad Merriman .

141 Probable Seeding:

1. Richie Spicel-Gardner-Webb (So)
2. Seth Hicks-Liberty (r-Fr)
3. Mike Greck-Millersville (Sr)

149

Preseason favorite and nationally ranked, Scott Clymer, is out of the lineup for LU at this time. While this hurts the ER’s chances for bringing home hardware from the NCAAs, the ER still possesses some high quality grapplers at 149lbs. GWU’s Ryan Medved (18-10) the likely #1 seed, looks to make his first trip to the NCAAs provided he can continue his dominance over LU’s Pete Crawford (7-11) and/or Millersville’s Aaron Trimpery. However, after Medved and Crawford, the weight class falls off considerably. But … this is the end of season qualifier and anything can happen.

149 Probable Seeding:

1. Ryan Medved-Gardner-Webb (r-So)
2. Pete Crawford – Liberty (Sr)
3. Aaron Trimpery-Millersville (So)

157

Sporting the most wins of any of the ER’s wrestlers is GWU’s Alex Medved (27-9). He has taken out a fair share of very good wrestlers this season and will look to make a splash in Philly should he make it through the ER. His number seed is in little doubt, but he will be pressed by SHU’s Anthony Priore (16-12), a dangerous wrestler who possesses big move capabilities and LU’s Julian Colon (16-12). Since Colon and Priore have not met this season the potential semi-final matchup could prove to be quite exciting. Colon has been very solid all season, and should he get by Priore, he matches up very well with Medved’s style. Rounding out the 157lbers are Millersville’s Dakota Kuhn (10-11) and CU’s Jake Fose (8-15).

157 Probable Seeding:

1. Alex Medved,-Gardner-Webb (r-So)
2. Julian Colon-Liberty (r-Jr)
3. Jake Fose – Campbell (Sr)

165

This weight class features one of the highest rated wrestlers in the ER., LU’s Chad Porter (19-7). Porter’s 19 wins on the season brings his college career win mark to 101. He has been perennially mentioned in the National rankings, is a 3X NCAA qualifier, and has placed at the prestigious Reno TOC event. Looking to keep Porter from making it 4 for 4 will be Millersville’s Brandon Vernalli (13-14 on the year) and /or SH’s John Rizzitello (19-15 on the year). Rizzi – a freshman, has started his college career off very strong and has been coming on as of late winning 9 of his last 12. GWU’s Jason Guthrie (12 wins on the season). Joe Caudill from Campbell rounds out the weight class.

165 Probable Seeding:

1. Chad Porter-Liberty (r-Sr)
2. Jonathon Rizzitello-Sacred Heart (Jr)
3. Brandon Vernalli-Millersville (Jr)

174

Last year’s ER champion, Shane Smith from Millersville is back this year to defend his crown. The Upper Perk, Pa. product is sporting an impressive 26-10 record and has won 9 of his past 11 matches. Additionally, he is a very dangerous pinner- winning 19 times this year by fall. LU’s unorthodoxed freshman, Royal Brettrager, has an 11-11 record and is not stranger to winning by fall himself (6 pins on the season). Brettrager never stops — his go, go, go mentality might be a blessing in disguise for Smith (should they meet in the finals), as Smith likes to catch opponents coming straight at him with his patented headlock. Rounding out the weight class are CU’s Pete Comis, GWU’s Erin O’Dell, and SH’s Zac Moran.

174 Probable Seeding:

1. Shane Smith-Millersville (Jr)
2. Royal Brettrager -Liberty (Fr)
3. Peter Comis-Campbell (Jr)

184

This weight class features another one of LU’s senior stalwarts – Aaron Kelley (11-4). Kelley has seen limited action this year due to a mid-season injury. He has fully recovered and is ready to put the exclamation mark on his college career with another ER title. The probably number 2 seed, John Velazquez from GWU, has also seen limited action this season going 6-2 on the year. Campbell’s John Merickel has 11 wins on the season and has spent part of the season at the 197lbs class for the Camels. The fourth and fifth seeds should be SHU’s Sam Morison and Millersville’s Jason Foor.

184 Probable Seeding:

1. Aaron Kelley- Liberty (r-Sr)
2. John Velazquez-Gardner-Webb (r-Sr)
3. John Merickel –Campbell (So)

197

Gardner Webb’s Travis Porter (23-18) has enjoyed a very good r-freshman campaign. Winning 8 of his last 11 matches, he comes the ER tourney in excellent form. LU’s Aaron Thompson (14-12) has had a breakout year of sorts, making his way onto the starting lineup and posting a winning record. He comes into the ER tourney winning 5 of his last 6 bouts and seems to get stronger each day. He dropped a very close one to Porter at the LU / GWU dual meet and will seek to avenge that match. Millersville’s Dan Cox (9 wins on the season) and Campbell’s Justin Sparrow round out the weight class.

197 Probable Seeding:

1. Travis Porter-Gardner-Webb (r-So)
2. Aaron Thompson-Liberty (Jr)
3. Daniel Cox-Millersville (Fr)

285

The East Region’s big men include some well known names – LU’s senior Josh Pelletier (16-7) and Campbell’s senior Parker Burns (15-13). Pelletier took a hard fought 3-2 win in their last meeting and both wrestlers are hungry for a chance to get to the NCAAs. Millersville’s Brad Ladd (10 wins on the season) will face off with Burns in the semis and Pelletier will see either SH’s Paul Schweighardt (10-17) or GWU’s freshman Tyler Arrowood.

285 Probable Seeding:

1. Josh Pelletier-Liberty (r-Sr)
2. Parker Burns-Campbell (Sr)
3. Brad Ladd –Millersville (Jr)

Team Race

Liberty won the Eastern Regional Duals going 3-0, have a dual victory over Campbell in December and should be the clear favorite to repeat as the conference tournament champions and is ranked first in the East Regional by D1CW.Net. Liberty is going for their 5th consecutive Eastern Regional Team Championship.

Projected Team Finishes / 2011 Dual Meet Record:
1. Liberty University / 14-11 (Signature Win: Beat Univ. of Maryland 21-17 at beginning of season)
2. Gardner-Webb University / 6-15-1
3. Millersville University / 2-10
4. Campbell University / 4-18
5. Sacred Heart University / 1-17

Administrative
Date: 6 March 2011
Vines Center

Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
1:30 p.m. – Doors Open
2:30 p.m. – First round
3:30 p.m. – Championship Semifinals
5:00 p.m. – Consolation Semifinals
6:30 p.m. – Championship and Consolation Finals

Ticket prices:

Adult: $15
Youth (Ages 3-18): $10
College Students w/ ID: $5
Groups (10 or more): $5

Liberty Ticket office:
tickets@liberty.edu
434-582-7328