The MSOE wrestling team returns, arguably, its strongest group of wrestlers under head coach Matt Zwaschka.
Those returners, paired with an exciting freshman class, will give the fourth-year coach the depth at several weights as the team enters its first season in the CCIW. In addition to depth in certain classes, the Raiders will also benefit from added competition for regular lineup positions.
Junior Austin Bellile and senior Devon McCune head the list of traditional returners, while junior wrestlers Devin Mahnke and Garret Gross return to the fold after sitting out last season. Senior Tre House brings added leadership, while three sophomores are also back in Sam Rathburn, Ryan Snyder and Miro Stojanovic.
Bellile returned to the mat late in last season after a 22-month lay-off due to injuries. What he did in that time was jump from 184 pounds to heavyweight and acclimatized to his new weight class marvelously. Overall, he went 15-4 in his first season at heavyweight, won his first 13 bouts at the weight, and spent much of the season ranking nationally at heavyweight, peaking at No. 7.
Meanwhile, McCune led the team with a 16-11 record in his complete season of competition. Wrestling at 184 pounds, he placed at four different tournaments, including a fourth-place showing at the NCAA West Regional Championships--missing out on nationals by just one place.
Mahnke was a standout on the squad in 2014-15, winning a league title in the old Northern Wrestling Association at 197 pounds. The NWA Freshman of the Meet, he went 23-16 that season with six falls. He is another wrestler that narrowly missed out on a national meet bid, taking fourth at regionals. Last season, he took a step back from competition to concentrate on school, but is back to reclaim his starting position at 197 pounds.
Gross has wrestled at both 165 and 174 pounds in his first two seasons, but will wrestle a bit lighter this season. He'll get away from 174 pounds, instead competing at 157 or 165 pounds. He acclimated well wrestling up in 2014-15, winning a pair of bouts at the MSOE Invitational and taking third at 174 pounds at the NWA Championships. He'll look to translate that his tenacity and strength at a lower weight.
House is the most experienced wrestler on the roster, having been a constant presence in the lineup over the last three seasons. He has also been flexible for Zwaschka, wrestling at both 149 and 157 pounds when needed. This season, he'll focus on 157 pounds.
Zwaschka is excited about the growth of his sophomore class after their rookie seasons. Rathburn was fourth on the team with nine wins last season, wrestling exclusively at 157 pounds. He's shown the ability to drop a weight class to 149 pounds and will give his coach options there.
Snyder was a regular in the lineup at 165 pounds and will keep that weight this season. He did make a cameo at 174 pounds, securing a fall in a dual against Lakeland. Stojanovic competed with Brett Raymond last season for time at 197 pounds, making six appearances on the season. This season, he'll look to build on that experience and compete against Mahnke for time at that weight.
With the addition of five freshman wrestlers, Zwashka has bolstered his lineup, especially with many strong options through the middle weights. Jack Rathburn will compete with his brother, Sam, at both 149/157 pounds, while Jacob Weaver is also in the competition at 157 pounds. Evan Carter is another that can wrestle at 157, but also has the ability to wrestle up at 165 pounds.
Jimmy Cushman will likely enter the lineup at 141 pounds, while Josh Lang will vie for time at 184 or 197 pounds against established wrestlers within his own team.
