Men’s Wrestling 05-06 Season Wrap-up

2004-2005 Wrap-Up

The University of the Cumberlands men’s wrestling team closed yet another exceptional wrestling season. The Patriots finished in third place at the NAIA National Championships for the second time. Bringing back home a national champion, two runner-ups, a third place finisher, and two eighth place finishers, Cumberlands totaled six wrestlers as All-Americans.

In the NAIA National Tournament, the Patriot team ended the two-day battle in third place, with a team score of 105.5 points. Cumberlands men’s wrestling team is honored to have a 2006 National Champion in the 125 lbs weight division in Delrico Choates. Choates made a come back after losing in the finals last year due to a shoulder injury. After surgery and missing most of the first half of the season, Choates stepped on the mat ready to take what was rightfully his. Pinning and tech-falling his way to the finals, he ended the night claiming the title by defeating his opponent from Embry-Riddle. Choates, a junior, will return next season and defend his title every step of the way.

Brad Cooper ended the weekend with a second place finish falling one point short from victory. Cooper claimed All-American as a true freshmen with a third place finish in 2004 at the 133Ibs weight class but fell short of returning that mark last year. This year moving up to the 141Ibs weight class, it was not the case. Cooper wrestled through the second half of the season, despite his knee injury mid-season. After his second place finish this year, Cooper will be after the gold as he returns next year as a senior.

At the 197Ibs weight class Eric Flinchum remained undefeated throughout the tournament but met his match in the finals yet again. Flinchum entered the national tournament with an undefeated record for the second time in his career, but fell short in the finals for a second time. Flinchum lost to Dickinson State’s 197-pounder ending his third year on the mat with a second place finish. Flinchum will be looking to make some changes this coming season and will make this senior year out weigh the past years.

After graduating last year but still having one year of eligibility to be on the mat Matthew Bishop decided to return to claim a title. Bishop having been to the National Tournament multiple times but have never claimed an All-American title, changed things around for himself this year. Beating opponents that he lost to during the season, Bishop ended his wrestling career with a third place finish and helped secure the third place finish for the UC Patriots.

Team captain and returning All-American Todd Allen did not have as good of an ending as expected. Allen finished the 2005 NAIA tournament with a third place finish but this year fell into the eighth place spot in the 174Ibs weight class. Allen’s wrestling career has ended but he is planning to put his coaching skills to work as a graduate assistant.

Joining Allen in the eight place spot was Dustin Center. Center coming out of a red shirt year, wrestled the 149Ibs weight class and earned the eighth All-American spot on the podium for the Patriots. Center has three more years and looks to make things happen.

The men’s wrestling team had a record-breaking year this season. Having beaten state rivals Campbellsville twice and capturing their 100 th career win at the only home meet, the men did not stop there. At the 2006 Knee Cliff team nationals, the men beat returning national champions Lindenwood University in the semi-finals but fell short of the team title to Dana College, claiming the second place medal.

The Patriots had many ups and downs. Having to adapt to a new head coach Andy Medders and losing closing key returnees, the men finished with their head above the water.

The men’s wrestling team will be losing Captain Todd Allen and Matthew Bishop to graduation and will be missed very much. Coach Medders said this to his seniors, “We are going to truly miss you guys getting the job done. It is not a permanent good bye because you always will be part of this team and always will be a Patriot.”

Coach Medders is looking forward to the 2006-2007 season as some key red shirt players come out ready to perform.