2001-02 Wrestling Summary

2001-02 CUW WRESTLING SUMMARY
Dual Record: 7-7-0
Head Coach: Bret Corner
Assistant Coaches: Rai Stelter, Jeremy Fischer, Andy DeLoney, Ben Schwoerer
Conference Finish: 2nd
NCAA Regional Finish: 10th
Significant Dual Wins: UW-River Falls (39-15), Wheaton College (36-16)
MVP: Sam Rugg Most Improved: Nick Bottcher

Freshman Sam Rugg paced the Falcons, breaking the CUW season win record set by Ben Schwoerer last year, as well as breaking the season takedown record with 74. Rugg opened his first collegiate tournament losing by pin in the first round, then winning five matches to eventually place 5th at 149 at the tough Concordia Open in November. Rugg’s run included wins over Millikin’s Kevin Wilkinson (12-8), Wabash’s Drew McCoy (11-6), UW-Platteville’s Lucas Kern (12-8), and a 5-3 decision over Triton’s Chris Lee in the 5th-place match.

At the UW-River Falls Duals in early December, Nick Bottcher and Dwayne Brigham each went 4-0 on the day to help the Falcons to a 3-1 dual mark. Against UW-River Falls, Andy Witkowski and Chris Irish recorded falls to help the Falcons defeat UW-RF, 33-12. Bottcher, Irish, Rugg, and Randy Gonsalves scored pins in the 42-9 win over St. Olaf. In the loss to NAIA #17 William Penn, CUW got a fall from Bottcher at 133, and a 7-6 decision at 165 from Brigham.

In a double dual at MSOE, the Falcons dropped a 28-12 decision to eventual conference champion MSOE, but defeated Wheaton 36-16. Against Wheaton, CUW got pins from Chris Irish (141) and Travis Schuett (157).

The Falcons were 12th/22 teams at the North Central Invite, getting place performances from Chris Irish (7th at 141), Sam Rugg (5th at 149), and Andy Witkowski (7th at 174).

At the Florida Citrus, Nick Bottcher led the team with an 8-2 record over two days, and Clayton Neske was 5-1 at 285. The Falcons placed 15th out of 24 teams in Florida.

At the WI Private College Tournament hosted by Maranatha Baptist on January 19, the Falcons were led by individual champion Sam Rugg (149), who won by technical fall in the finals over Lawrence’s Randy Mitty to finish 4-0 on the day. Other CUW placers included Nick Bottcher (2nd at 133), Chris Irish (4th at 141), Travis Schuett (3rd at 157), and Dwayne Brigham (3rd at 165). The Falcons finished 3rd in the team standings to North Central and Lawrence University.

The Falcons placed 2nd at Conference, 5.5 points behind MSOE. Earning individual conference titles were Sam Rugg (149) and Andy Witkowski (174). Nine Falcon wrestlers placed in the top 3 in their weight classes.

At the NCAA III Regional at North Central, Rugg went 3-2 on the day to lead the Falcons. Finishing 2-2 were Travis Schuett (157) and Dwayne Brigham (165). CUW did not have any placers in the 2002 NCAA Regional. Senior Jon Egen closed a successful college career with four CUW Wrestling Records, including career reversals and near falls, along with season records in reversals and near falls. Egen placed 2nd at Conference in February.

On a side note, CUW completed a 2-story addition including a weight room and athletic training facility on the north side of the R. John Buuck Fieldhouse in the summer of 2002.