Men’s Wrestling 07-08 Season Wrap-up
The University of the Cumberlands men’s wrestling team finished their 13th season since the program started in 1996 at the 2008 NAIA National Tournament on March 6-8, 2008 in Sioux City, Iowa. Unfortunately for the Patriots, they were disappointed with their 18th place finish in the tournament when compared to last year's 5th place finish and 2006's 3rd place finish. The Patriots returned home with only two wrestlers placing, which included seniors Dustin Center, who claimed 4th in the 149lb weight class, and Mikeal Brooks, who finished 7th in the 133lb division. Both Center and Brooks received All-American honors. Last year's tournament resulted in two national champions, a runner-up, and a 5th and 6th place finish, resulting in a total of five All-Americans for the Patriots.
Ten Patriot wrestlers qualified for nationals during regular season action. In the 125lb weight class, freshman Peter Martinez (Chino, CA) represented Cumberlands, while senior Mikeal Brooks (Powder Springs, GA) competed in the 133lb division. Freshman Jeff Steele (Plainwell, MI) and senior Dustin Center (Cincinnati, OH) wrestled for the Patriots in the 149lb group, and both junior Blake Germaine (Sebring, FL) and sophomore Damion Stephenson (Miami, FL) represented UC in the 165lb weight class. In the 174lb group, junior Charles Simmons (Daytona Beach, FL) competed for Cumberlands, while junior Rob Nusekabel (Cincinnati, OH) wrestled in the 184lb division. Senior Travis Lovett (Douglasville, GA) took to the mat in the 197lb weight group, and senior David Dierken (Dayton, OH) represented the Patriots in the heavyweight division of 285lbs.
Head men's wrestling coach Andy Medders wraps up his third year as head coach for the Patriots and is optimistically looking forward to next year. "This was the toughest NAIA tournament in years," states Medders. "It was not a good year to have a young team, but I am proud of my guys and have seen how each one has improved during the season."
Stepping onto the mat for his third year at the national tournament, Dustin Center led the Patriots by claiming a fourth place finish in the 149Ibs division. Center, who has wrestled well all season, stepped up for his team and, once again, claimed All-American status. Center has been named as an All-American team member every year for the past three years. During his freshman year, Center finished 8th at the tournament and then placed 6th during his sophomore season. Each year Center has improved his final placing in the 149lb weight class, with Coach Andy Medders expecting Center to be in the finals at the conclusion of next year. Center will be returning for the 2008-2009 season for his final year of wrestling as a Patriot after redshirting his first year at Cumberlands.
Senior Mikeal Brooks had an outstanding season for UC after returning from shoulder surgery prior to the season and claimed a 7th place finish for the Patriots in the 133lb weight class at nationals. During the tournament, Brooks knocked off a two-time All-American from Missouri Valley and defeated another opponent that put him out last season. Named as a 2008 Honorable Mention All-American, Brooks will be greatly missed by his team members during next season's action.
Wrestling in the 174lb division, junior Charles Simmons was one match away from All-American status at the 2008 national tournament. "Chuck had a great season and has really developed into an exceptional leader," comments Coach Medders. "He had some very tough draws at this year's tournament and was still almost able to pull it out. He had to face last year's national champ during action, who ending up losing to this year's winner in the match to place."
Junior Rob Nusekabel unfortunately fell one match short as well, but had an outstanding year overall for Cumberlands. Nusekabel made it to the quarterfinals during the tournament, but also had a very tough draw and was defeated. During regular season action, Nusekabel managed to beat three All-Americans from various schools and plans to return to the tournament next season and outperform all of the opponents in his weight class of 184lbs.
Freshman Peter Martinez also went far in this year's tournament, but fell just short. He had a great tournament and ended up beating a rival opponent that had defeated Martinez twice in regular season action. Coach Medders has very high hopes for Martinez next year, as well as the years to follow.
Another freshman that really stood out this season was Jeff Steele, who competed in the 149lb group along with Center. Coach Medders saw a lot of potential this season in Steele, who entered the 2008 national tournament with an impressive 25-13 record as a freshman. Steele came to Cumberlands from Plainwell, Michigan where he was a two-time division one state champion.
Both Damion Stephenson and Blake Germaine unfortunately experienced injuries throughout the season and attempted to battle through them to represent the Patriots at the national tournament. However, the injuries proved serious and they were unable to compete at the top of their game. Luckily, both wrestlers still have eligibility remaining and will be back next season to wrestle for UC.
Two other seniors besides Brooks that will be greatly missed next year are Travis Lovett and David Dierken. Both athletes qualified for their first national tournament this year and wrestled extremely well throughout the year. Lovett was recognized by the NAIA as a Daktronics Scholar-Athlete for the 2007-2008 season.
Many of the wrestlers will be staying over the summer to train and get ready for next year. With so many returning wrestlers and hopes of great recruits, the Patriots plan to return to the mat next season and have one of their best years yet. The men are looking to bring much more to the table in 2009 and Coach Medders is looking forward to see how far the team excels next year.
