It may surprise a number of Lock Haven University wrestling fans, but despite just two starters returning from last year’s squad, this year’s team can rely on a wealth of experience. Joining Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) champion Jim Collins (Jonestown, Pa./Northern Lebanon) and double-digit winners Seth Martin (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove) and Casey Moore (Beech Creek, Pa./Central Mountain) is a huge transfer class, including a junior-college nationals runner-up and four mat men with Division I experience.

“We’re going to be an entertaining team to watch,” head coach Rocky Bonomo said. “I think we’re going to surprise some people.”

PSAC champion Jim Collins
is ready to lead a group of new faces.

A bit of shuffling in the lower weights, as Collins moves from 125 to 133, giving way for talented sophomore Obe Blanc (Naples, Fla./Lely). Freshman Matt Fittery (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) steps in at 141, part of a rookie class that has “great focus on goals,” Bonomo said. “Each of the freshmen have tons of athletic ability and the mental parts that are needed to succeed.”

Lone senior James Barnes (Windsor, Conn./Windsor) will provide depth and leadership at 133. Joining Barnes to shore up lower weights is Brian Ellis (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) These two will continue to push for the starting roles.

Potential starters at the middle weights include newcomer Josh Medina (Las Vegas/Rancho) at 149, and three familliar faces in Martin at 157, B.J. Mikeska (Derry, Pa./Derry) at 165 and Carlos Ponce (Hialeah, Fla./Hialeah Miami Lakes) in at 174. Martin and Ponce return from last year’s squad while Mikeska transfers from rival Bloomsburg University. A transfer as well, Medina spent his first two seasons at Pima Junior College in Pima, Ariz. where he finished fourth and second in the junior college nationals.

Also competing at these weights will be freshmen Rory McCoy (Hughesville, Pa./Hughesville) and Dustin Swindell (Hopewell, Pa./Northern Bedford) and returners Nick Hawrylchak (Altamont, N.Y./Guildeyland) and Matt Maraquart (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford).

Leading the upper weights is another Bloomsburg transfer Justin Johnson (Wyalusing, Pa./Wyalusing). Slotted at 184, Johnson has competed at the national championships and is eager to return. Joining him are freshman Monty Rockey (Port Matilda, Pa./Bald Eagle Area) at 197 and sophomore heavyweight Tim Meyers (Mill Hall, Pa./Central Mountain).

Picked to push these projected starters are a deep group including sophomores Mike Metzger (Reading, Pa./Governor Mifflin) and Mike Hillman (Hunlock Creek, Pa./Lake Lehman) with freshmen Ben Hepburn (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalstock), Donnie Reinhart (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman), Jamie Nagel (Shade Gap, Pa./Mount Union Area) and Damion Carbone (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./Meyers).

Sophomore Carlos Ponce

All of the new faces won’t get the chance to ease into their roles with the daunting schedule put before them. This year’s Mat Town Invitational, the third meet on the LHU schedule, boasts such nationally recognized programs as No. 4 Iowa State University, No. 9 University of Minnesota and No. 25 Penn State University. The Bald Eagles also travel to Penn State in February, before hosting the University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University.

“My coaching philosophy remains that in order to get better, you’ve got to wrestle better teams,” Bonomo said. “We plan on learning more during the dual-meet season to prepare ourselves for the EWL championships.”