Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Season Preview: Tightly-Knit Mountain Hawks To Rely On Mix Of Experience And Young Talent
11/2/2021 5:40:00 PM | Men's Wrestling
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Last winter, the Lehigh wrestling team navigated the challenges of competing during the COVID-19 pandemic to capture its fourth consecutive EIWA team championship and league-best 38th overall.
More than anything, the Mountain Hawks are excited for a return to more traditional circumstances as they approach the start of the 2021-22 campaign. This tightly-knit team cherishes the opportunity to spend time together off the mat, in addition to training and competing for each other on the mat.
"Our team understands how important the team concept of wrestling is," head coach Pat Santoro said. Everyone thinks it's an individual sport but when you have 39 other guys pouring into you and you're pouring into them it's pretty powerful. I think we have that back now. Our guys understand the importance of that now since it was taken away from us last year, that we couldn't control. Now we have an opportunity. We're together every day. Training every day. As a coach I'm able to be with the guys and work with them and grow with them. That's what we've been able to do so far this year."
Lehigh returns an experienced core and has a deep group of young talented wrestlers looking push through. Expectations remain high as always, but the Mountain Hawks feel like they have the pieces in place to make a run at a fifth straight league title, while also making noise on the national stage.
The Mountain Hawks had four individual EIWA Champions in 2021, with three returning. Senior heavyweight Jordan Wood has an opportunity to become the first five-time EIWA champion. Junior Jaret Lane (125) and freshman Malyke Hines (133) also won titles last year. Two-time EIWA champion Josh Humphreys returns at 157 after missing all of last season with an injury.
"We're going to have some new faces and some old faces," Santoro said. "We have really good depth, but we want that depth to be elite. We want the guys that show that they can compete at a high level on a consistent basis. That's when you just let it go and let it fly. That's what we're looking for from whoever our representatives are going to be come March. They're going to have opportunities to do that throughout the season.
Santoro continued, "It's going to be fun watching, because it's a really tight team. It's a good team, that has to get a lot better by the end of the year, but it's a group that's willing to do the work."
Wood and Humphreys will serve as team captains along with junior Jimmy Hoffman, a two-time NCAA qualifier.
"They're extremely hard workers," Santoro said. "They're a good mix of leaders by example, vocal leaders and great teammates. The reason this is such a tightly-knit team is because of the leadership. We have a lot of other guys who are really strong leaders that a lot of votes for captain. That's a good sign when there's a lot of different guys being recognized as potential captains."
Another tough schedule awaits the Mountain Hawks, who have duals scheduled against six teams ranked in the NWCA preseason top 25. Lehigh will also compete at the Journeymen Collegiate Classic and will see several top teams at the Collegiate Wrestling Duals right before Christmas in Florida.
"One thing our staff is really good at is adjusting week to week," Santoro said. "We didn't have the time last year to make adjustments and get better. Having the opportunity to work with these guys and have them compete from November to February is going to be really beneficial.
"We want to go out and wrestle the best teams," Santoro continued. "We'll probably see six to eight of the top 10 teams before the season is over. It's going to be a great opportunity for our guys to compete against the best, at the highest level and get there, because ultimately our goal is to be prepared for March."
Here's a weight by weight look at what to expect from the Mountain Hawks in 2021-22:
125 – Jaret Lane emerged as one of Lehigh's top guns in 2021, posting an undefeated regular season and winning an EIWA title in his first tournament appearance. An accomplished pinner, Lane tied for the team lead with four falls. He will be pushed by second year freshman Sheldon Seymour, who wrestled five bouts last year, posting a pair of victories. True freshman Carter Bailey, a California state place winner who also made some noise on the national scene will compete for time here as well.
133 – Malyke Hines emerged as the starter here in 2021 and teamed with Lane to give the Mountain Hawks EIWA champions at the first two weights. Hines went 8-3 overall and was 2-2 in his first NCAA Championship appearance. Fifth-year junior Satoshi Abe provides depth behind Hines. Sixth-year senior Brandon Paetz ell, a NWCA All-American in 2020 will likely miss the season due to injury.
141 – Third-year wrestler Connor McGonagle finished third in the EIWA and qualified for the NCAA Championships last season as the starter. Fifth-year junior Dan Moran returns after missing all of last season due to injury. Moran won 14 bouts in 2019-20. Others in the mix here could include second-year wrestlers Drew Munch and Steven Storm, fifth-year junior Brock Herring, and Matt Rodriquez, a prolific pinner from Florida who could figure in here or at 133.
149 – Fifth-year junior Jimmy Hoffman qualified for his second NCAA Championships last year and will serve as one of Lehigh's captains this season. Hoffman will be pushed by second-year freshman Manzona Bryant IV, who went 3-0 in limited action last season. Third-year wrestler Paul Watkins filled in for two duals last season, while true freshmen Max Brignola and Zac Martin could also be in the mix.
157 – Two-time EIWA Champion Josh Humphreys returns after missing all of 2020-21 due to injury. In his last action, Humphreys was the Outstanding Wrestler at the EIWA Tournament. He also was a first team NWCA All-American in 2020. Third-year wrestler Luca Frinzi qualified for the NCAA Championships at this weight last year and will provide depth. Others in the mix include junior JT Cooley, second-year wrestler Tyler Sung and true freshmen Patrick Edmondson and Zac Martin.
165 – Brian Meyer earned a third place EIWA finish in his second year as the postseason starter and qualified for his first NCAA Championship. Meyer is the most experienced member of a group that also includes a trio of second-year freshmen: Connor Herceg, Sean Kilrain and Thayne Lawrence.
174 – Jake Logan capped his first season in the Lehigh lineup with NCAA qualification following a fourth place EIWA finish. Logan made noise on the freestyle circuit over the summer, winning a Pan-American Championship and advancing to the finals of the UWW Junior World Team Trials. One of the second-year options at 165 could also move up here to battle for time or provide depth.
184 – Freshman JT Davis began last season as the starter here before being sidelined with an injury. He will likely move up to 197 this season. Dylan Ammerman wrestled at EIWAs and qualified for nationals despite not competing during the regular season. Ammerman's graduation leaves four wrestlers in the mix here. Eli Grape missed all of last year due to injury but wrestled in a dual in 2020. Sophomore AJ Burkhart has made a three weight class jump after wrestling at 157 last year. Second-year Caden Wright wrestled seven bouts last year, while true freshman Jack Wilt is also in the mix.
197 – Lehigh loses the reliable Jake Jakobsen, who capped his career with an EIWA title last February. JT Davis is likely to move up after competing at 184 last season. With the depth at heavyweight, sophomore Eli Jones will drop down. Michigan transfer Gaige Garcia will likely be sidelined due to an injury suffered during football season.
285 – Jordan Wood originally planned an Olympic redshirt last season, but rejoined the team in mid-January and went on to become the first heavyweight to win four individual EIWA titles. He now has a chance to become the first five-time EIWA champion. Wood leads a heavyweight group that is now six members strong, becoming one of Lehigh's deepest units. Junior Victor Lacombe has the most experience behind Wood. Second-year wrestlers Karam Chakif and TJ Moore and first-year grapplers Todd DeGroat and Nathan Taylor will also compete for time.
Like Lehigh Wrestling on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
More than anything, the Mountain Hawks are excited for a return to more traditional circumstances as they approach the start of the 2021-22 campaign. This tightly-knit team cherishes the opportunity to spend time together off the mat, in addition to training and competing for each other on the mat.
"Our team understands how important the team concept of wrestling is," head coach Pat Santoro said. Everyone thinks it's an individual sport but when you have 39 other guys pouring into you and you're pouring into them it's pretty powerful. I think we have that back now. Our guys understand the importance of that now since it was taken away from us last year, that we couldn't control. Now we have an opportunity. We're together every day. Training every day. As a coach I'm able to be with the guys and work with them and grow with them. That's what we've been able to do so far this year."
Lehigh returns an experienced core and has a deep group of young talented wrestlers looking push through. Expectations remain high as always, but the Mountain Hawks feel like they have the pieces in place to make a run at a fifth straight league title, while also making noise on the national stage.
The Mountain Hawks had four individual EIWA Champions in 2021, with three returning. Senior heavyweight Jordan Wood has an opportunity to become the first five-time EIWA champion. Junior Jaret Lane (125) and freshman Malyke Hines (133) also won titles last year. Two-time EIWA champion Josh Humphreys returns at 157 after missing all of last season with an injury.
"We're going to have some new faces and some old faces," Santoro said. "We have really good depth, but we want that depth to be elite. We want the guys that show that they can compete at a high level on a consistent basis. That's when you just let it go and let it fly. That's what we're looking for from whoever our representatives are going to be come March. They're going to have opportunities to do that throughout the season.
Santoro continued, "It's going to be fun watching, because it's a really tight team. It's a good team, that has to get a lot better by the end of the year, but it's a group that's willing to do the work."
Wood and Humphreys will serve as team captains along with junior Jimmy Hoffman, a two-time NCAA qualifier.
"They're extremely hard workers," Santoro said. "They're a good mix of leaders by example, vocal leaders and great teammates. The reason this is such a tightly-knit team is because of the leadership. We have a lot of other guys who are really strong leaders that a lot of votes for captain. That's a good sign when there's a lot of different guys being recognized as potential captains."
Another tough schedule awaits the Mountain Hawks, who have duals scheduled against six teams ranked in the NWCA preseason top 25. Lehigh will also compete at the Journeymen Collegiate Classic and will see several top teams at the Collegiate Wrestling Duals right before Christmas in Florida.
"One thing our staff is really good at is adjusting week to week," Santoro said. "We didn't have the time last year to make adjustments and get better. Having the opportunity to work with these guys and have them compete from November to February is going to be really beneficial.
"We want to go out and wrestle the best teams," Santoro continued. "We'll probably see six to eight of the top 10 teams before the season is over. It's going to be a great opportunity for our guys to compete against the best, at the highest level and get there, because ultimately our goal is to be prepared for March."
Here's a weight by weight look at what to expect from the Mountain Hawks in 2021-22:
125 – Jaret Lane emerged as one of Lehigh's top guns in 2021, posting an undefeated regular season and winning an EIWA title in his first tournament appearance. An accomplished pinner, Lane tied for the team lead with four falls. He will be pushed by second year freshman Sheldon Seymour, who wrestled five bouts last year, posting a pair of victories. True freshman Carter Bailey, a California state place winner who also made some noise on the national scene will compete for time here as well.
133 – Malyke Hines emerged as the starter here in 2021 and teamed with Lane to give the Mountain Hawks EIWA champions at the first two weights. Hines went 8-3 overall and was 2-2 in his first NCAA Championship appearance. Fifth-year junior Satoshi Abe provides depth behind Hines. Sixth-year senior Brandon Paetz ell, a NWCA All-American in 2020 will likely miss the season due to injury.
141 – Third-year wrestler Connor McGonagle finished third in the EIWA and qualified for the NCAA Championships last season as the starter. Fifth-year junior Dan Moran returns after missing all of last season due to injury. Moran won 14 bouts in 2019-20. Others in the mix here could include second-year wrestlers Drew Munch and Steven Storm, fifth-year junior Brock Herring, and Matt Rodriquez, a prolific pinner from Florida who could figure in here or at 133.
149 – Fifth-year junior Jimmy Hoffman qualified for his second NCAA Championships last year and will serve as one of Lehigh's captains this season. Hoffman will be pushed by second-year freshman Manzona Bryant IV, who went 3-0 in limited action last season. Third-year wrestler Paul Watkins filled in for two duals last season, while true freshmen Max Brignola and Zac Martin could also be in the mix.
157 – Two-time EIWA Champion Josh Humphreys returns after missing all of 2020-21 due to injury. In his last action, Humphreys was the Outstanding Wrestler at the EIWA Tournament. He also was a first team NWCA All-American in 2020. Third-year wrestler Luca Frinzi qualified for the NCAA Championships at this weight last year and will provide depth. Others in the mix include junior JT Cooley, second-year wrestler Tyler Sung and true freshmen Patrick Edmondson and Zac Martin.
165 – Brian Meyer earned a third place EIWA finish in his second year as the postseason starter and qualified for his first NCAA Championship. Meyer is the most experienced member of a group that also includes a trio of second-year freshmen: Connor Herceg, Sean Kilrain and Thayne Lawrence.
174 – Jake Logan capped his first season in the Lehigh lineup with NCAA qualification following a fourth place EIWA finish. Logan made noise on the freestyle circuit over the summer, winning a Pan-American Championship and advancing to the finals of the UWW Junior World Team Trials. One of the second-year options at 165 could also move up here to battle for time or provide depth.
184 – Freshman JT Davis began last season as the starter here before being sidelined with an injury. He will likely move up to 197 this season. Dylan Ammerman wrestled at EIWAs and qualified for nationals despite not competing during the regular season. Ammerman's graduation leaves four wrestlers in the mix here. Eli Grape missed all of last year due to injury but wrestled in a dual in 2020. Sophomore AJ Burkhart has made a three weight class jump after wrestling at 157 last year. Second-year Caden Wright wrestled seven bouts last year, while true freshman Jack Wilt is also in the mix.
197 – Lehigh loses the reliable Jake Jakobsen, who capped his career with an EIWA title last February. JT Davis is likely to move up after competing at 184 last season. With the depth at heavyweight, sophomore Eli Jones will drop down. Michigan transfer Gaige Garcia will likely be sidelined due to an injury suffered during football season.
285 – Jordan Wood originally planned an Olympic redshirt last season, but rejoined the team in mid-January and went on to become the first heavyweight to win four individual EIWA titles. He now has a chance to become the first five-time EIWA champion. Wood leads a heavyweight group that is now six members strong, becoming one of Lehigh's deepest units. Junior Victor Lacombe has the most experience behind Wood. Second-year wrestlers Karam Chakif and TJ Moore and first-year grapplers Todd DeGroat and Nathan Taylor will also compete for time.
Like Lehigh Wrestling on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Players Mentioned
133
/ Men's Wrestling
184/197
/ Men's Wrestling
125
/ Men's Wrestling
149
/ Men's Wrestling
149
/ Men's Wrestling
184
/ Men's Wrestling
285
/ Men's Wrestling
157
/ Men's Wrestling
197
/ Men's Wrestling
285
/ Men's Wrestling
157
/ Men's Wrestling
157
/ Men's Wrestling
197
/ Men's Wrestling
184
/ Men's Wrestling
165
/ Men's Wrestling
141
/ Men's Wrestling
133
/ Men's Wrestling
149
/ Men's Wrestling
157
/ Men's Wrestling
197
/ Men's Wrestling
197
/ Men's Wrestling
165
/ Men's Wrestling
285
/ Men's Wrestling
125
/ Men's Wrestling
165
/ Men's Wrestling
174
/ Men's Wrestling
149/157
/ Men's Wrestling
141
/ Men's Wrestling
165
/ Men's Wrestling
285
/ Men's Wrestling
141
/ Men's Wrestling
141
/ Men's Wrestling
133/141
/ Men's Wrestling
125
/ Men's Wrestling
141
/ Men's Wrestling
157
/ Men's Wrestling
285
/ Men's Wrestling
149
/ Men's Wrestling
184
/ Men's Wrestling
285
/ Men's Wrestling
184
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Wednesday, October 30
