Sophomore Landis Wright will be counted on for leadership as he comes off an impressive rookie campaign.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - This season Lock Haven University head wrestling coach Rocky Bonomo and his Bald Eagles are looking to bring back national recognition to Mat Town U.S.A.

Bonomo, now in his sixth year at the helm of the Haven program certainly has the talent to do it, as this year’s squad is loaded with key returnees and young talent.

In 2006-07 LHU went 8-6 overall and 3-4 in the Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) while placing third at both the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and EWL tournaments.

Bonomo feels that this team truly understands what they need to and says his Bald Eagles are ready to make an impact.

There will certainly be some youth in lineup, but it doesn’t faze Bonomo as last season the Haven’s lineup saw four true freshmen who were all battled tested during their rookie campaigns.

“The key to this season is the experience of our returners and having them step it up and make an impact,” Bonomo said. “They understand the program and are ready to make their mark as are the newcomers whom all could have immediate success for us.”

Bonomo also stresses the importance of getting back to the national level.

125:

At the 125-pound weight class the Bald Eagles will have to fill a void left by senior Obenson Blanc (Naples, Fla./Lely) who was an All-American last year. Blanc will not be with the team this season after a taking an Olympic Redshirt in hopes of qualifying for the upcoming Summer Games.

Looking to fill the opening will be sophomores Nick Hyatt (Boyertown, Pa./Boyerstown) and George Ester (Odenton, Md./Arundel).

Hyatt saw plenty of action last season while wrestling at 133 and went 13-13 and could help solidify 125 after dropping a weight class. Easter went 11-12 last season with two major decisions during his rookie campaign.

Also looking to make a mark at 125 will be a talented freshman in the form of John Trumbetti (Montvale, N.J./St. Joseph Regional). Trumbetti comes to Lock Haven after an extremely successful career at St. Joseph Regional High School in New Jersey. He wrapped up stellar 136-6 mark and was a three-time place winner at states.

133:

At 133 pounds, a trio of talented freshmen including Billy Ashnault (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield), Dale Fava (Elmwood Park, N.J./Don Bosco Prep) and Nikkien Fauntleroy (Amityville, N.Y./Copiugle) will look to make their mark on the Haven program early.

Ashnault, a New Jersey state runner-up is strong and hard-working according to Bonomo. Fava is extremely athletic according to Bonomo and is an all-around solid wrestler. Bonomo calls Fauntleroy strong and athletic

All three newcomers add depth to the weight class and are more than capable of stepping in to get the job done.

Rookie Seth Creasy (Mercer, Pa./Mercery) adds depth in the lower weights as well.

141:

Looking to lead the Haven at 141 pounds will be junior Matt Fittery (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) who returns after missing last season. He qualified for the national championships two seasons ago and Bonomo calls him a key and says he could certainly make an impact on the national level.

Sophomore Donnie Ament (Acme, Pa./Mount Pleasant) adds depth to the 141 weight class after a solid rookie campaign wrestling at 149 where he went 13-15 and took fifth at EWL’s. Also providing solid experience at 141 will be sophomore Zach Kell (Ickesburg, Pa./Lower Dauphin) who saw action at the weight class during his rookie campaign. Kell went 12-14 last season and took fourth at the EWL championships at 141 pounds.

Freshman Owen Wilkinson (Beverly Hills, Fla. Hartland), a former Michigan state champion adds depth to the weight class and could certainly see action as rookie.

Freshman Jake Stout (Bath, Pa./Northhampton) will also help the Bald Eagles a lot in this weight class says Bonomo.

149:

Leading the way at 149 could be a true-freshman in the form of Jarred Kane (Elizabethtown, Pa./Lower Daulphin). Kane enjoyed a very successful high school career and is an all-around talented wrestler. Bonomo calls him a “super” mat wrestler, saying he scrambles well and is very dangerous on top.

Junior Ollie Cooperwood (Hartsele, Ala./Maple Heights) is in his second year with the Bald Eagle program and could certainly help the team.

Senior Brain Ellis (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) also adds great depth and leadership to the lineup while wrestling at 149.

Fittery and Ament could both see time at the weight as well adding strong experience and depth at 149.

157:

Bald Eagle fans could see another true-freshman at the 157-pound weight class in John Mangini (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough), a two-time All-American at Fargo. He is very athletic and will be exciting to watch, commented Bonomo.

Fellow rookie Luke Lanno (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional) will be another young Haven grappler to watch as he too has a very bright future in crimson and white. Lanno was 140-10 in high school and looks to bring that success with him.

Sophomores Derek Caldwell (Curwensville, Pa./Curwensville) and Corey Blake (East Fallowfield, Pa./Coatesville) add depth to the middle weights for LHU as does freshman Michael Fantini (Ocean Township, N.J./Ocean Township).

165:

Leading the way 165 is sophomore Landis Wright (Wingate, Pa./Bald Eagle) who had a tremendous rookie season for LHU. Wright went 24-12 with three major decision victories and two pins. He took fifth at the EWL championships and just missed a trip to the national championships.

“Mr. Excitement” as Bonomo calls him will be looked upon for leadership and counted on for more wins this season.

Senior Mike Metzger (Reading, Pa./Governor Mifflin) adds depth, experience and leadership to the lineup. He wrestled at 174 last season taking fourth at the EWL’s after wrapping up a 13-11 campaign.

“He is hard to be denied,” says Bonomo who calls Metzger hard working, driven and full of desire.

174:

Leading the way at 174 is junior Tom Kocher (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) who had a strong season last year going 18-14 with three major decisions and three pins while wrestling at 184 pounds. He is down a weight class this season and should certainly enjoy a strong season with 174 being his true fit.

Sophomore Zach Stosius (Loysville, Pa./West Perry) is hard working and adds depth in this weight class range.

184:

Leading the way 184 will sophomore Jeremie Cook (Venice, Fla./Venice) who qualified for nationals last season as a true-freshman up a weight class at 197. A very strong and athletic wrestler Cook went 18-16 during his rookie season.

Also adding depth at 184 will be sophomore Travis Stem (Wingate, Pa./Bald Eagle) who could see time.

197:

Junior Ben Hepburn (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock) will be back at familiar position after stepping up and wrestling at heavyweight last season. Despite being much smaller than most of his competition he was incredibly competitive and compiled an 11-15 record wrestling at the heavyweight position, while doing whatever it took to help the team.

That leadership will be counted on this year as Bonomo looks for Hepburn to have a strong season. He is bigger and stronger and should add great depth to the lineup solidifying things at 197.

HWT:

Two freshman join the Haven looking to lock down the heavyweight position including Daniel Craig (Paw Paw, Mich./Allegan) and Gabe Murtoff (Boiling Springs, Pa./Boiling Springs). Both are very similar and have great bodies for the Division I heavyweight class.

Bonomo feels that both will make an immediate impact for the Haven.

Craig had a remarkable high school career going 225-11 with 173 pins and Murtoff enjoyed a strong Pennsylvania high school career.

Sophomore Brandon Bowden (Duncannon, Pa./Central Dauphin East) adds depth on the heavyweight position.

The Bald Eagles are quick to hit the mats as they host the LHU Mat Town Open this weekend on Saturday, Nov. 24 with action starting at 9 a.m.