Courtesy of GLIAC Wrestling Sports Information Directors from Lake Erie, Tiffin, Ashland and Findlay
BAY CITY, Mich. -- The 2015 NCAA Wrestling season is underway and four Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Wrestling programs are ready to hit the competitive mats once again. The Lake Erie Storm are coming off back-to-back GLIAC titles and will look to make it a three-peat along with another impressive run at NCAAs. The 2015 GLIAC Wrestling schedule features a four-team round robin format to determine the champion.
2015 GLIAC Wrestling team season previews:
LAKE ERIE STORM SEASON PREVIEW (2014 GLIAC RECORD: 3-0)
The Lake Erie College wrestling team seeks big things in 2015-16 after sending a program-best five wrestlers to the 2015 National Championships. In the Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Storm was ranked eighth in the country and second in the region. Lake Erie has won the last two GLIAC Wrestling Championships.
Matt Vandermeer the 2015 national runner-up at 165-pounds, will enter the season as the number wrestler in his weight class. Vandermeer made a run at the NCAA Division-II National Championships to finish runner-up in the 165-pound bracket, the second All-American honor in his career. At the regional championships, Vandermeer finished in second. On the season, Vandermeer collected 17 wins with just a handful of losses. He was named to the All-GLIAC First-Team after going undefeated in GLIAC duels during the season.
Evan Rosborough will enter the season ranked sixth at 197-pounds. Last season, Rosborough qualified for his second national championships. Last season, Rosborough won a team-high 29 matches. 21 of those wins came via pinfall to lead all of Division-II. Christian Baughman will enter his senior season ranked fourth in the region at 157-pounds. 125-pounder Forrest Glogouski, 133-pounder Austin Gillihan, 141-pounder Ian Ross and 149-pounder Nick Boggs all enter the season ranked fifth in the region.
TIFFIN DRAGONS SEASON PREVIEW (2014 GLIAC RECORD: 2-1)
The Tiffin University wrestling team is coming off its most successful season in program history. The Dragons finished 2nd in the GLIAC last season, beating Ashland University and the University of Findlay for the first time in program history. Tiffin sent four wrestlers to the NCAA Championships.
This season Coach Joey Simcoe, in his 5th season, returns a stable full of experienced and decorated grapplers. Senior Jake Cramer enters this season after finishing 4th at NCAA's. Overall, Cramer has amassed a 70-33 record with 17 pins. He is the school's all-time leader for wins at the 174 lb. weight class with 35. Garrett Gray took home the regional crown last year, and will look to improve upon his 4th overall finish at the NCAA Championships. Gray finished last year 35-2 overall, and is 52-11 in his career with 27 pins. He is the school's all-time leader in wins and pins at the 285 lb. weight class. Michael Screptock, who also finished 4th at the NCAA's, wrapped up a successful season with a 23-12 mark, including 6 pins. Over his career, he has grappled at the 133 lb. and 141 lb weight class, compiling a 54-20 overall record.
Sam Viengmany also made the trip to St. Louis for the national tournament at 157 lbs. In the GLIAC, TU had six wrestlers earn All-GLIAC citations. Garrett Gray was the lone 1st team selection. 2nd team performers included Giuseppe Penzone, Mike Screptock, Jett Hurt, Jared Chambers, and Jake Cramer.
ASHLAND EAGLES SEASON PREVIEW (2014 GLIAC RECORD: 1-2)
Ashland University's wrestling team placed 16th at Division II nationals in 2015. The Eagles are looking toward higher climbs in 2016.
AU is ranked 10th in the initial 2015-16 Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Poll. The Eagles also are ranked seventh in the preseason rankings in Super Region II.
Looking to cap off a strong collegiate career is senior 197-pounder Joe Brandt, ranked No. 1 in the preseason both nationally and regionally. Senior 157-pounder Zeb Beam also is the top-ranked grappler at his weight class in the region. Junior 149-pounder Brent Fickel is coming off his first All-American honor last season.
FINDLAY OILERS SEASON PREVIEW (2014 GLIAC RECORD: 0-3)
The University of Findlay wrestling program enters the 2015-16 campaign with high hopes and are ranked 13th in the nation according to D2wrestle.com.
The team will be led by junior Nick Goebel, who finished last year with a 35-10 record in the 149-pound weight class. His 35 victories were the fifth-most all-time at UF in a single season. He was also named first-team all-GLIAC, won a regional championship and placed fourth at 149 during the national championship to earn All-American accolades.
Sophomore Ryan Skonieczny also returns at 141 after finishing with a 22-16 record while junior Luke Fleming, who finished last year with a 13-9 record, is back at 285. Both wrestlers were national qualifiers.
