After scoring a school-best seventh-place finish at the 2009 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships with a national champion and a national runner-up, Elmhurst College head wrestling coach Steve Marianetti has his sights set on an even bigger season in 2009-10.
"We had a great finish to last season," said Marianetti. "This season, I believe we have the right mix of experienced veterans and talented newcomers that are capable of an even stronger finish."
Marianetti does not need to look far for his veteran leadership as he returns three-time All-American Jake Oster (Lockport/H.S.) and two-time All-American Mark Corsello (Park Ridge/Maine South). Oster turned in a 27-0 undefeated season in 2009, capturing the NCAA national championship at 125 pounds. Corsello posted a 28-8 record at 285 pounds, and advanced all the way to the NCAA championship finals before taking home second place.
"As a coach, you're thrilled any time you return a pair of All-Americans, but to return a national champion and a national runner-up is amazing," said Marianetti. "I'm expecting Jake and Mark to continue their dominance on the mat and take on a larger role in leading their peers and shaping the expectations of our program."
Jake Oster won a national title at 125 pounds last season.
Oster will have a decision to make at the start of the year. The CCIW's Most Outstanding Wrestler is contemplating moving up a weight class to 133 pounds.
"Wrestling at 125 was pretty tough for Jake last year," said Marianetti. "Jake will be great at either weight but we haven't decided what spot is best for him."
If Oster moves up to the 133-pound class, Marianetti will look to junior Jacob Santiago (Chicago/Von Steuben), sophomore Mitch Collins (Yorkville/H.S.), and newcomer Tom Laskowske (Palatine/H.S.) to fill the hole at 125 pounds.
Should Oster remain at 125 pounds, Marianetti will count on Jake Denhof (Carol Stream/Wheaton North) and Ben Salabura (Chicago/Marist) at the 133-pound class. Denhoff posted 18 wins and captured the CCIW title last year after Salabura went down with an early season injury.
The Bluejays will have a new face at 141 pounds after losing 23-match winner Rob Lejman to graduation. Marianetti expects senior Cody Moody (Clinton/H.S.), sophomore Larry Baca (Lombard/Glenbard East), and freshmen Brad Gapinski (LaSalle/LaSalle-Peru), Mike Grice (Worth/Shepard), and Ryan Early (Wheaton/Wheaton North) to battle for the starting spot.
Charlie Curran (Arlington Heights/Hersey) returns to the Bluejays at 149 pounds after posting a 23-10 record last season. Marianetti expects that sophomore Zach Crawford (Canton/H.S.) could also push for time at 149 pounds.
At 157 pounds, the Bluejays will look to junior Dan Hamilton (Homewood/Homewood-Flossmoor) to take over the starter's role. Hamilton has been used as a spot starter while battling injuries in his first two seasons with the Bluejays. Sophomore Brandon Smith (Champaign/Champaign Central) could also contribute at 157 pounds while the possibility of Curran moving up a weight class also exists.
With an opening at 165 pounds, Marianetti expects sophomore Chris Rust (Dundee/Dundee-Crown) and newcomers Jack Lewis (Algonquin/Dundee-Crown), Jon DiBuono (Oswego/H.S.), Andrew Konovodoff (Sugar Grove/Marmion), and Yousef Al-Gouhl (Lombard/Glenbard East) to all battle for the starting spot.
At 174 pounds, Marianetti believes two-year starter Frank Savegnago (St. Charles/St. Charles East) is ready to take the next step in his wrestling career. Savegnago recorded 25 wins during his sophomore campaign while placing third at the CCIW Championships. Freshman, Mike McNeil (Chicago/Chicago H.S. for Agricultural Sciences) will also be competing at 174.
"Frank has worked extremely hard in the offseason," said Marianetti. "With his dedication, I believe he has the potential to be an All-American."
Senior Garrett Washington (Oswego/H.S.) returns to his starting spot at 184 pounds, but Marianetti also expects a pair of freshmen to push for time on the mat. Danny Vargas (Wheeling/H.S.) and Jason Cleary (Mahomet/Mahomet-Seymour) both placed at the Illinois High School State Tournament last year.
Mark Corsello was the national runner-up at 285 pounds last year.
At 197 pounds, Marianetti will look to newcomers
Joe Rau (Chicago/St. Patrick) and
Jon Nelson (Willowbrook/Hinsdale South). Rau was a Greco-Roman National Champion and freestyle All-American at the Junior Nationals Championships in Fargo, N.D. this past summer while Nelson was an Illinois State Qualifier.
Corsello returns to his starter's role at 285 pounds and Marianetti believes he is poised to continue his solid start to his Elmhurst wrestling career.
"Mark has been very impressive in his first two seasons," said Marianetti. "I believe he's in-line not only to earn his third-straight All-America honor, but to also capture a national championship.”
At heavyweight, the Bluejays also have SIUE transfer Brian Brook (Homewood/Homewood-Flossmoor), and freshmen Rob Johnson (Canton/H.S.) and Tanner Baldus (Mandeville, La./H.S.), a state runner-up from Louisiana.
While Marianetti was certainly pleased with the Bluejays' performance in 2009, he knows the squad was disappointed with a second-place finish at the CCIW Championships.
"Finishing as the runner-up at the conference championships didn't sit well with our team," said Marianetti. "We made a few mistakes and lost a couple of close matches that could have made a difference in the final standings. This year, we'll have to put together an entire team effort, but I expect us to be competing for the top spot in the CCIW."
In addition to shooting for a CCIW Championship, Mariainetti's squad is also aiming for some additional hardware, a team trophy at the NCAA Championships.
"The goal for our program is to win our first trophy at the NCAA Championships," said Marianetti. "In order to bring home a trophy, we have to finish among the top four teams in the nation, and I believe this team has the talent to do that."
Elmhurst begins the 2009-10 season by hosting Loras College in a dual meet on November 13.