Men’s Wrestling 06-07 Season Wrap-up

2005-2006 Wrap-Up
2004-2005 Wrap-Up

The University of the Cumberlands men’s wrestling team closed their 12 th season since the program started in 1996. After a 3 rd place finish last year the Patriots ended the 2007 NAIA national championship that was held in Sioux City, IA with a 5 th place finish with a team score of 96.0. The Patriots returned home with two national champions, a runner-up, and a 5 th and 6 th place All-American making the total of five All-Americans for the 2007 wrestling season.

The two-day National Championship battle did not start up as the Patriots expected in the beginning of the tournament. The Patriots rebounded back into the tournament after not scoring a single point in the first three rounds. When the smoked cleared and the show came to an end, the 2006 returning champion Delrico Choates made history at Cumberlands by becoming the first Patriot to win the national title back to back as a Patriot wrestler. Coach Medders said, “I remember Rico coming in as a freshmen; very athletic and had a burning desire to become number one. Choates was the athlete that tried so hard in high school but fell short and was determined to make a name for himself in the collegiate sport of wrestling. That is the heart of a champion and he would not take no for an answer. There can’t be a replacement for a Delrico Choates.”

After finishing 2 nd in the 2006 NAIA national championship there was a strong prediction that senior Brad Cooper would step up to the plate and battle to the finish for the title he felt was his. Cooper ran into tough competition losing once again in the 2007 finals. With 22 seconds left Brad was caught by a move that closed his final college wrestling match with a loss. Coach Medders commented, “My heart goes out to Brad Cooper. He is one of those athletes I wish that had one more year or could rewind time. Brad is an extraordinary athlete. His training and commitment to wrestling makes him a champion by heart and this program will be missing a great brother and friend.”

Senior Eric Flinchum had long waited for the moment to step back on the wrestling mat for the 2007 season. Flinchum, having been in the NAIA national finals two years in a row both times with an undefeated record decided to move up a weight class battling in the land of the heavy weights for the 2007 wrestling season. He turned-up the heat this year all the way to the finals wining this last collegiate match with a major decision and winning the 285Ibs national title. Coach Medders said, “Since Flinchum was a red shirt freshman I knew he was going to catch that title each time he made it to the finals I felt good about this chance to win.”

Senior Matt Reis stepped up this year having lost back to back matches last year at the NAIA national championships and was looking to make a name for himself this year. Reis having a great senior year ran into difficulty in the second half of the year with a slight knee injury but rebounded back and placed 5 th at the 174Ibs weight class. Medders said, “Matt Reis is one of those guys that doesn’t say much in the practice room. He comes in and gets to work. I have watched this kid from Kentucky come in with little wrestling skills and grow into an elite wrestler.”

Only stepping on the mat for the second year was Dustin Center claiming a second title placing 6 th at the 149Ibs. division. Center, having experienced minor set backs during the second half of the season, stepped up when the team needed him and in return claimed a two-time All-American status. Coach Andy Medders said, “Center is finally an upperclassman and we have high hopes for him. We are excited to see what this guy is going to bring to the table next year.” Dustin Center will be entering his senior year at University of the Cumberlands but will have an extra year after the 2007-2008 wrestling season to return to the mat.

The Patriot men’s wrestling team had many up and downs from losing key captain Ken Prophete to a season ending injury to claiming five 2007 All-Americans and a 5 th place team finish. The men are looking to bring much more to the table in 2008 and Coach Andy Medders is looking forward to see how the red shirt and incoming recruits step up because there are a lot of big shoes to fill. It will not be easy for the newcomers coming in but one thing is for sure, they will be ready when the time comes to perform.