Page 136 - Phoenix1999-2000
P. 136
creeR IJirtJI:I Teffllr Volume XXI, Number 3 Western Maryland College Thursday, March 9, 2000 Three All-Americans lead Green Terror wrestling team to top 20 finish at Division Championships MIKE YESTRAMSKI Sophomore transfer Rob Johns, Spons Eduor who attended Wagner University in The Terror wrestlers walked New York prior to arriving here, away from the NCAA Division III finished seventh at 157 pounds. championships at Ohio Northern Senior Captain Charlie University with three all-Ameri- Conaway ended his wrestling ca- cans and a 17th place finish. reer with an eighth place finish and The Terror, whose finish was the tournament award for most pins the highest ever from a Centennial in the least amount of time. Conference team at nationals, also Conaway pinned two wrestlers in set a league record with three all- four minutes and eight seconds, Americans in one year. including one in thirty-six seconds. The Terror, who had no seeded Conaway, a former Maryland High wrestlers in the tournament, re- School State Champion, ended his ceived their first ever all-American career as the Western Maryland last year in Andrey Brener. record holder in both victories and This season was supposed to be pins. one of rebuilding after the losses Sophomore Chris McNally fell of Josh Elfin, Brener, and Rodney just short at nationals, losing a one Stine, though it instead ended with point match to the third ranked a record score in the victory at the wrestler in the country and a three Centennial Conference Champion- point loss to the tournament's fifth ships, the best record in thirty years seeded wrestler. for the team, and now, a national "This just wasn't my time," said ranking. McNally. "I was pleased with how "Every season," said Coach Sophomore Vinny Pedalino takes down an opponent en rOUle /0 yet another of his many victories this season I wrestled however, especially con- John Lowe, "I tell the kids that if ranked. I always knew they could ror was sophomore Vinny ner up barely missed the nationals sidering I was a third string wres- they work hard enough, we can win do it, but to sit back and actually Pedalino, who finished fifth at 125 last-year-losing the conference-fi- tler last' season. I was glowing to the conference, have some AIl- see them do it, it's just great." pounds. The former New Jersey nal on a controversial call in over- just being able to go to nationals." Americans, and be nationally The highest finisher for the Ter- high school state tournament run- time "Chris is right there," said Lowe. "To go from a third string Terror Baseball hopes to build upon last wrestler with a losing record to a conference and a na- champion tional qualifier is wonderful. Next season's success and win conference season, he will be a force." team, the Ter- For a rebuilding ror was obviously still a danger to GREG LEDERER The team will need strong play Washington College last year. ing to the new rule. other teams across the nation. "This SlaffWriler from captains Tim Smith, Brent Other seniors Sean Giblin, Ryan The team's main goal is to v year was just amazing," said Fuchs, and Mike Wolfe. Legge, Marc Alegi will cover the win the conference title which McNally. "The coaches, all the In the history of baseball at A honorable mention all confer- outfield while Jon vadernat will they fell just a game short of last wrestlers, everyone just worked Western Maryland College, there ence last year, Smith lead the catch for the team. year. Seibert said hard and did a great job this year." have been many great teams and league in RBIs with 25 and lead the The pitching staff will be an- "we should do very well, if we The Terror will have a difficult moments. team with a .354 batting average. chored by Fuchs, Gugliotta, Alegi, avoid complacency this season." road ahead of them next season The 2000 squad promises to The senior third baseman is and Eric Winkler. The team faces a tough with the losses of Conaway and follow in their illustrious foot- looking to have even better nUIT!-- The senior-dominated staff has schedule this year with a spring fellow seniors Jon Pitonzo and steps. bers this season. experience and should be very break trip to Florida to begin the Scott Taylor, but Lowe isn't worried. The experienced and senior- A fellow honorable mention in tough this season. season. "We've got some great freshmen and laden roster is looking to have the conference, senior pitcher Brent The team is also looking for After spring break, the Ter- some amazing back-ups. With a good another great season. Fuchs will lead the staff on the production from the incoming ror faces a very competitive con- recruiting class, we could be even In his 20th season as manager, mound this year after posting a freshman class this year. ference, with defending league stronger next season." Dave Seibert returns 21 lettermen team leading 5-2 record and 1.01 "I'm reluctant to [comment] champion Ursinus, Johns Hop- There is a long off-season ahead from last year's team that went earned run average. about them now, but they look kins, Gettysburg, and of the Terror, but if last year was 18-13,12-6. Junior Mike Wolfe will help promising," Seibert added. Muhlenberg all very strong again any indication of how they respond They missed winning the con- patrol the infield at shortstop this The younger players should this season. to adversity, they will continue to ference title by one game. spring. gain experience from the many se- In the early part of the sea- be a force to be reckoned with by A former Maryland's College Big contributions to the team niors on this year's team. son, the team chemistry has been teams all across the nation. Coach of the year winner in 1995, are also expected from senior A change from last year, the very good, according to the Seibert is "cautiously optimistic Barrett Gugliotta. team will use aluminum bats this coaching staff. Wanted: about this year's team." A second team all conference year. Seibert added "the chemistry However, Seibert added, "we selection, the 6-2 pitcher and des- As opposed to wooden bats. of is excellent so far." Sports writers have good experience and lead- ignated hitter was second on the the past, teams can expect higher Falling a game short in a loss ership." team in batting average, hitting and longer hits with stronger bats. to the league champion Ursinus and photogra- With a well balanced lineup .306 last year. With a strong and experienced last year, the combination of ex- with speed and power, this year's On the mound, he went 3-3 with pitching staff, the Green Terror perienced veterans with promls- phers team should be tough to handle a 2.45 earned run average and should have an advantage over less ing youth may very well get the for the opposition. threw a one hitter in a game against experienced pitchers when adjust- team another championship title. CaIlx8600