University of the Cumberlands 05-06 Season Preview

Tenth year and stronger then ever

The year was 1996 when University of the Cumberlands (formally Cumberland College) announced the hiring of its first wrestling coach. Now, the UC men’s wrestling team is entering its tenth year with a new look. The men’s wrestling team is starting out the year with three new faces. Coaches Dustin Brown, an alumnus of University of the Cumberlands and Matthew Ellis, who was graduated form Organ State University in 2005 with an outstanding career profile will join the ranks as new assistant coaches for the nationally ranked Patriots. New head coach and Cumberlands alumnus Andy Medders took over the Cumberlands men’s wrestling program as head coach in July and is looking to continue to build upon the traditions that were begun ten years ago.

The men’s wrestling team is looking to capitalize on their third place finish last year at the 2005 NAIA National Championships. The Patriots lost two national qualifiers and two All-Americans in Renwick Richardson, Matt Bishop, Ernie Sprietzer (‘05 All-American) and Chris Wilkes (‘05 All-American) due to graduation. After placing second at nationals last year, juniors Delrico Choates ( Ft. Pierce, FL) and Eric Flinchum ( Crestview, FL) are aiming to take the gold this year. Returning All-Americans Todd Allen ( Hodgenville, KY) and Matt Juncal ( Brandon, FL) are looking to upgrade their position on the podium this year from their third place finishes last year. Other key returnees for the Patriots include senior Ken Prophete ( Riviera Beach, FL), juniors Brad Cooper ( Morningview, KY), Earl Waller ( Homestead, FL), David Bertsch ( Valdosta, GA) and sophomore Tommy Hutchison ( Brandon, FL). Each one is looking to claim their spot at the national level this year.

The freshmen class is one of the strongest since the program was started. Recruits AJ Agazarm (New Port Richey, FL), Tim Mitchem ( Martinez, GA), and Charles Simmons ( Daytona Beach, FL) are looking to make a name for themselves as they enter the roster.

Coach Medders is very excited about how hard his freshmen began pre-season and is looking to have some of them step up and make things happen. “I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to be the leader and commander of the wrestling program. This year is the year for us to set the mark and let the nation know where we belong.”

2004-2005 Season Preview