With nine returning starters, including two NCAA Championship participants, Appalachian State University wrestling has lofty expectations for the 2009-10 season.

The Mountaineers finished 2009 with a 7-16 overall record and went 2-3 in the Southern Conference, but finished third at the SoCon Championships.
Along with the nine starters, first-year head coach JohnMark Bentley has a plethora of young talent at multiple weight classes which gives this team solid depth at every weight class, something which was missing the last few years.

“One thing that we have this year that we might not have had in the past is that in every weight class we have guys pushing the starter,” Bentley said. “Some of are weight classes are just so close, we have talented kids and the depth is a good thing.”

The 2009-10 squad features two key additions in coaches Kyle Jahn and Christian Sinnott. Jahn was a three-time All-American at NAIA McKendree and was a 2008 national champion. Jahn will coach the lightweights while Sinnott will coach the upper weights. Sinnott was a three-time NCAA qualifer for Central Michigan and an all-American as a senior.”

“Having a lightweight coach, a middleweight and an upperweight coach who are all active will make a difference in our program,” Bentley said. “I can already see a confidence boost in our lightweights and the same with our upperweights.”

125
Austin Annas finished last season as the starter, earning fourth place at the Southern Conference Championship. Weston Haney returns for his sophomore season while freshmen Brett Boston and Tony Gravely will also battle for the No. 1 spot.
“Tony and Brett will both push for the starting position,” Bentley said. “Both had great high-school careers and I’m expecting a great competition out of those four guys.”

133

Senior Frank Celorrio returns after sweeping through the Southern Conference en route to his first-ever appearance at the NCAA Championships. Redshirt freshman Jacob Earp earned all-America status this summer at the University Nationals and adds solid depth behind Celorrio.
“Frank is a returning SoCon champion but he’s going to be pushed by Earp,” Bentley said. “It will be a very competitive weight for us and we’re going to have some depth, which is good to have.

141
Sophomore Mike Kessler was one of just three Mountaineers to start every dual meet last season. He earned SoCon all-freshman honors and finished third at the SoCon Championships. Redshirt freshman Chris Collura and sophomore Kyle Benson will battle Kessler for the starting spot and give ASU another weight class with a lot of depth.

“Mike has the upper hand for the starting position. He’s had a great preseason and is looking really tough in the practice room,” Bentley said.

149
Like Annas at 125, Savva Kostis took over the 157-pound weight class at the mid-point of last season, going 2-2 in conference action and taking third place at the SoCon Championships. High-school teammates Zack Mastro and Richie Dehnz will look to battle for that spot as well.

“This is another weight where right now it is too close to call,” Bentley said. “Savva has the inside edge after starting last season.”

157
Chip Powell moved up to 157 at the halfway point of last season and went 9-5 at that weight class, going 3-1 in the SoCon and finishing third at the conference championships.

“Chip has looked really tough this preseason,” Bentley said. “He had some ups and downs last season but I think 157 is a more natural weight for him and he’ll feel better and compete a lot better.”

165
As a true freshman last season, Kyle Blevins led the Mountaineers’ in wins with 24, on his way to earning SoCon all-freshman honors. Colt Howell, Travis Puckett and Robbie Wannenburg will all add depth behind Blevins.

“Kyle had a great freshman year and has worked hard over the summer, “Bentley said. “He has the potential to be a multiple time all-American. He just has those kinds of tools.”

174
Austin Trotman began last season 14-3 before enduring a season-ending injury at the Reno Tournament of Champions. Of the 14 wins, three came against ranked opponents and he was 8-0 in dual meets. An NCAA qualifier in the 2007-08 season, Trotman received a redshirt for last season and remains a sophomore this year. Freshmen, John Blakely, and John Weber will provide depth at 174.
“Just like Blevins, he’s got great potential to be an all-American in the next couple years, including this year,” Bentley said.

184

Two-year starter Dylan Temple returns for his junior season after finishing second on the team last season with 23 wins. After competing at 197 as a freshman, Temple will now compete at the same weight class for the second year in a row.

“I think its very important that Dylan is at the same weight for another year, I think he can manage his weight better,” Bentley said. “He’s had two solid seasons for us, the addition of Coach Sinnott is a big help for him. Hopefully we can get him a conference championship and to the national tournament.”

197

True freshman Paul Glover has the inside track on the starting position, while newcomers Jon Hartley and Justin Nagpal will provide depth. Brandon Brothers started the second-half of last season at heavyweight and will move down to a more natural 197 this season.

“Paul was one of the nation’s top-ranked kids coming out of high school at 197,” Bentley said. “He’s going to be young but he competed at a high level in high school, so hopefully he can make the jump pretty easily.”

285

This is the only weight class where ASU does not return a wrestler that started at some point last season, but Ken Altarac and Brock Durfee are both talented freshmen who will make this a weight class with depth.

“Altarac has the inside edge right now but Durfee is right there, those two will be battling it out,” Bentley said. “Both will probably see time this year and make it a solid weight class.”