University of the Cumberlands 06-07 Season Preview
Men’s Wrestling Team Looking To Make a Stand
University of the Cumberlands men’s wrestling is facing an important and integral year for their program. Coach Andy Medders, having taken the Patriots through a repeat at the NAIA national champions with a third place finish, in his first year as head coach has got to build on that success and move on if the Patriots are going to climb the ladder to the top. With a year of experience under his belt, look for Coach Medders to make bigger and better moves this year as the team plans to change the whole program around.
The men’s wresting team did lose two valuable team members to graduation Todd Allen (2x All-American) and Matt Bishop (2006 All-American). Both men played a big part in the success of last year and Coach Andy Medders said this, “Todd Allen and Mat Bishop are two of the guys I can honestly say put it all on the line. Their work ethic was always at one hundred percent in the practice room and the competition mat. These guys will truly be missed.”
Some of the key returnees for the men’s wresting team include at 125 pounds senior Delrico Choates, 2006 NAIA national champions. Choates is looking to add a second title to his name this year. Seniors Brad Cooper and Eric Flinchum will return at 141 lbs looking to redeem their loss in the finals last year in the NAIA National Championships. Another returnee that is prime for the Patriots is Junior Dustin Center at the 149 pound weight class. Center ended his first year on the mat after coming off of a red shirt year placing 8 th at the NAIA National Championships and is looking to take it to the next level on the podium. Other key returnees that the Patriots will look to for leadership and wins will be red shirt senior Ken Prophete ( Riviera Beach, FL), senior Earl Waller ( Homestead, FL) and Sophomore Robert Germaine ( Sebring, FL)
This years freshmen class is pretty light in size and depth but will be looked upon to step up to the plate this year after losing some key wrestlers in the beginning of the season last year. Damion Stephenson ( Miami, FL) and Jakob Porter ( Cincinnati, OH) are two of the freshmen that Coach Medders is looking to and hoping can step in their particular weight class and represent the team very well.
Coach Medders and his coaching staff are looking forward to this coming season and believe this year will out weigh the past. “This program and these guys deserve a national title but they will have to earn it each and everyday and that is my hope once competition begins,” stated Medders.
The men’s wrestling team is set to begin their official season on October 28, 2006 in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia Tech Open.
