Your future, our focus
By DAVID DICKEY
Powell Tribune Sports Editor
The Northwest College wrestling team will start its season this Saturday at 9 a.m. when they host the NWC Open. And when the Trappers jog onto the mats this weekend, NWC wrestling fans will notice a number of new faces.
Only a handful of wrestlers who earned starts last season return, but NWC head coach Jim Zeigler noted that some of the potential key performers this season aren't strangers to NWC because of redshirt seasons. Still, Zeigler said many of the wrestlers that make up this year's team are new to the wrestling scene in Powell. Because of that mix of experience and potential, Zeigler is expecting a solid season from the Trappers.
"I was talking with (assistant coach) Carl Valley, and we were thinking the same thing after practice Monday," Zeigler said. "Based on what we've seen since we started working on the mats a little more than two weeks ago, we're thinking this group has the potential to be a pretty good team. They made tremendous improvement from day one of practice. They seem to pick up on what we're trying to teach pretty fast.
"They all seem committed to what we want to do, and they are enjoying what what we're doing. You can tell that they take great pride in what they're doing, and that has me excited about the beginning of the season."
Zeigler, though optimistic that this team can make significant strides this season, isn't promising dominant performance throughout the lineup this weekend. Far from it. However, he's looking at Saturday's open as a chance to get a glimpse of what each wrestler has to offer.
"This will be a good measuring stick for us," Zeigler said. "It will give us a chance to see what they've learned so far, and what we need to work on in order to get better. It's basically going to be like a big workout."
In addition to NWC, Zeigler said there will be teams from Montana State University-Northern, the University of Great Falls, Western Wyoming Community College and Colby Community College. Also, nine wrestlers from the University of Northern Colorado will be present at the event.
Zeigler said many of the wrestlers from NWC will be wrestling in Trapper uniforms, but he also noted that some will not don the traditional Trapper attire. Those wrestlers, he said, are the ones that are undecided about whether or not to redshirt this season. Those that are in NWC uniforms will be the wrestlers who are eligible for competition this semester, Zeigler added.
• 125-pound weight class: At the moment, this division is wide open for the Trappers. Gone is Eric Tapia, who spent a significant amount of time as a starter last season as a freshman.
Among those listed on the roster at 125 are Noah Grovenstein (freshman, Greybull), Dereck Roetman (freshman, Sharpsburg, Ga.) and Jeremy Ensley (freshman, Wilder, Idaho).
Among those, Ensley, according to Zeigler has potential after a solid prep career, but a dislocated finger has hampered his chances to make strides on the mat at the junior college level. His status is still listed as day-to-day.
• 133-pound weight class: Ryan Hecker, who comes to NWC from wrestling power Sidney High School in Montana, is expected to make a significant impact at 133. Hecker is a three-time state champion, and Zeigler said the freshman is making a smooth transition from the high school to junior college ranks.
A.J. Acebo, a late addition from Riverton, also could factor into the mix at 133.
• 141-pound weight class: At 141, Zeigler is expecting a solid year from Travis Bruce. Bruce, a redshirt freshman from Sheridan, learned under recently departed Trapper wrestler Ross Montour, and Zeigler said that should pay dividends. He also noted Bruce's dedication to the weight room.
• 149-pound weight class: This position also promises to be a strong point for the Trappers. Justin Gardner, a two-time high school champion from Idaho Falls, Idaho, returns after a redshirt season in 2005-06. Like Bruce, Gardner has bulked up in the weight room, and that added strength and a year of being in the Trappers' program should have him ready to battle for a starting spot in the lineup.
• 157-pound weight class: At 157, there is the potential to see Jeb Clark in the lineup. Clark, a 21-year-old freshman from Spanish Fork, Utah, is returning to the mat after doing mission work the past two years.
Clark, upon graduation from high school, was one of the top 50 recruits in the country. He also has a third-place finish to his credit at the senior nationals. Zeigler said Clark has impressive ability and talent and should make significant contributions to the program.
Also listed at 157 is Gresh Melby, another freshman from Sidney High School in Montana. Melby, the son of Sidney High School wrestling coach Guy Melby, has wrestling in his bloodlines and two state championships to his credit. Zeigler said Melby will wrestle at 157 this week, but could eventually make the move to 149. Currently, Melby is considering redshirt status for 2006-07.
• 165-pound weight class: At 165, Eric Coxbill, from Wright, is expected to be the starter after enjoying a solid freshman year at 157. Coxbill, according to Zeigler, is one of the Trappers from last year's team that has benefitted greatly from time in the weight room.
"He's looking to have a good season," Zeigler said. "He's really gotten stronger, and he's got a season under his belt. He's not that wide-eyed freshman anymore."
Cory Green, a freshman from Rexburg, Idaho, according to Zeigler, should provide plenty of competition for Coxbill at 165. Green, however, has been hampered by an elbow injury.
• 174-pound weight class: At 174, the Trappers will have another familiar face in Julius Rios. Rios, a sophomore from Torrington, finished last season as a national runner-up at 174. He was a steady performer in 2005-06, and Zeigler is expecting even bigger contributions from him this season.
Also at 174, Zeigler noted Josh Clark of Ashton, Idaho. He is a three-time state champion who is making his return to the mat after completing his mission work. Currently, he is considering redshirt status.
• 184-pound weight class: Joe Woods, of Enterprise, Utah, has a firm grip on the 184-pound weight class. Woods, who has one season under his belt at NWC, has spent the last two years doing mission work. As a freshman at NWC, he earned All-American status, so Zeigler is confident that Woods will again be strong this season.
At 22, Woods brings maturity to the program. He also has a tremendous work ethic, according to Zeigler.
"The last time he competed was in 2003," Zeigler said. "He's a seasoned wrestler, and he's been training hard since January of last year. He's big, strong and quick, and it shouldn't take him long to get back into the swing of competition."
• 197-pound weight class: Nathan Barzee, of Terreton, Idaho, is the front-runner at 197. Zeigler said Barzee has a tall frame, but he uses his weight well on the mat. The key for Barzee is to improve his footwork, according to Zeigler. He also is playing catchup after missing one of the first two weeks of practice with an injury.
• Heavyweight: Battling to fill the shoes left by standout Spencer Bowles will be Michael Freeman and Anselmo Gutierrez. Freeman is a freshman from Newton, Iowa, and Gutierrez is a redshirt freshman from Thornton, Colo. Both are expected to wrestle at a weight close to 240.
Zeigler said those wanting to see the wrestlers in action Saturday will have a chance to do so throughout the day. Preliminaries begin at 9 a.m. He added that the semifinals likely will start around 12:30 p.m., but said that is just a rough estimation. He also estimated the start time for he placing rounds to begin sometime after 3 p.m.