Wrestling | 11/7/2016 2:15:00 PM

ROCHESTER, NY - The RIT wrestling team enters a new era for the 2016-17 season, as an impressive group of newcomers joins a strong cast of emerging veterans.
 
First-year head coach Jason Bovenzi is eager to lead the Tigers, as they look to emerge as a power in the competitive Empire Collegiate Wrestling Conference, and also on the national scene.
 
"We have a young team, but we also have a couple of veterans with significant experience and success that we're going to lean on." said Bovenzi. "I feel like our younger wrestlers have a lot of room for growth and they have the right attitude and approach."
 
RIT is well stocked at several different weight classes. Leading the way will be junior Sam Weinger (Blooming Grove, NY/Washingtonville), who wrestles at 285 lbs. Weinger led all RIT wrestlers with a 31-10 record in 2015-16, which included a 12-1 record in dual meets, five pins, and four major decisions. He posted a 13-match winning streak early in the season and was an ECWC Wrestler of the Week.
 
Senior Nicholas Greenquist (Spring Lake, NJ/St. Rose) returns from serving a co-op during the 2015-16 season. In 2014-15, Greenquist, who can wrestle at 165, 174, or 184 lbs., recorded a 26-8 record and just missed qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.
 
Senior Jake Sepor (Stafford, NY/Pavilion) will also be counted on heavily in 2016-17 at 141 lbs. He recorded a 24-13 record in 2015-16, having won the 141 lb. weight class at the 50th annual RIT Invitational. His 63 career wins leads all active wrestlers at RIT. Classmate Evan Vershay (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) will be counted on to provide depth at 149 lbs. and is well respected as a team leader.
 
Tory Cain (Ontario, NY/Wayne), a 2015 NCAA All-American at 165 lbs. is slated to make his return in time for the Spring semester. Cain, who is now a graduate student, has a 78-39 record and placed fifth at the 2015 NCAA Championship in his weight class. He finished 2014-15 with a 32-7 record and could make a major impact in the second half.
 
Third-year wrestlers Wyatt Albanese (Canastota, NY/Canastota) (184 lbs.), Andrew Flanagan (Holley, NY/Holley) (125 lbs.), Dan Lucey (Massapequa, NA/Massapequa) (125 lbs.), Coty Lutz (Forestport, NY/Adirondack) (165 lbs.), and Kelsey Patten (Alexander, NY/Alexander) (285 lbs.) will also look to make a major impact in 2016-17.
 
"We are lucky to have a strong group of upperclassmen who have enjoyed success on the mat, but also provide tremendous leadership," said Bovenzi.
 
Sophomore Dempsey King (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) enjoyed a solid rookie season in 2015-16, despite battling injuries to record an impressive 22-9 record with nine wins via pin. He was a two-time ECWC Rookie of the Week and won the title at 149 lbs. at the 50th annual RIT Invitational. Classmate John Donohue (Smithtown, NY/Hauppauge) is expected to take the next step in 2016-17 after showing flashes of brilliance to post 17 wins, including four by pin, and two technical falls at 174/184 lbs. in 2015-16.
 
Fellow sophomores Kirkland Feeney (Lockport, NY/Lockport) (157 lbs.), Isaiah Ocasio (Vineland, NJ/Vineland) (133 lbs.), Austin Prince (Nunda, NY/Keshequa) (174 lbs.), and Ezekiel Thomas (Waterford, NY/Albany Academy) (149 lbs.)  all gained valuable experience during their rookie seasons a year ago and will compete for starting roles. Second-year wrestlers Wyatt Morris (Eaton, NY/Morrisville-Eaton) 285 lbs.), Cole Murphy (Syracuse, NY/Westhill) (141 lbs.), and CJ Shade (Whiting, IN/Indiana School for the Deaf) (149 lbs.) will be counted on to provide depth. 
 
"The sophomore class has really worked hard in the offseason and came back in great shape," said Bovenzi.

The Tigers, who opened the 2016-17 season with a 23-15 win over Niagara County Community College on Nov. 1, will also host the New York/Pennsylvania Dual Meets on Jan. 7, which feature Oswego State, King's College and Lycoming College. In addition, RIT will honor its seniors with a dual meet against The College of Brockport on Jan. 25.
 
Bovenzi has brought in a dozen newcomers. Leading the way is Connor Wilkins (Livonia, NY/Livonia) at 125 lbs., Colby Hall (Deposit, NY/Deposit) at 149 lbs., Tommy Follman (Albion, NY/Albion) at 165 lbs., Joe Lupisella (Webster, NY) at 174 lbs., and Joe Messare (Ballston Lake, NY/Burnt Hills) at 197 lbs., who will all look to make an immediate impact.  In addition, Abraham Baker (North Tonawanda, NY/St. Joseph's Institute) (184 lbs.), Tim Baumer (Avon, NY/Avon) (197 lbs.), Logan Calkins (Alfred, NY/Alfred-Almond) (165 lbs.), Joe Demuner (Wall Township, NJ/Wall) (133 lbs.), Ryan Keefe (Charlotte, NC) (125 lbs.), Ian Nagle (Dolgeville, NY) (149 lbs.), and Chris St. Denny (Bridgeport, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) (285 lbs.) are all highly touted, having enjoyed decorated high school careers.
 
"I like how our newcomers have been working hard, they really enjoy the sport," said Bovenzi. "I know that we have a lot to work on, and they are enthusiastic in their approach."

 As always, one of the highlights of the schedule is the RIT Invitational, which will be held on Dec. 3. This season is the 50th renewal of the RIT Invitational and attracts many of the top teams in the Mideast and Northeast regions.
 
"We are really excited about the challenges that our schedule presents," said Bovenzi.  "The schedule will provide us with an opportunity to compete against some of the best teams at all levels of college wrestling."
 
The Tigers ring in 2017 with the New York/Pennsylvania duals before heading to Lycoming College for the prestigious Budd Whitehill Duals on Jan. 13-14. From there, RIT competes at the Empire Conference Championships at Oswego on Jan. 21 and goes to Wilkes University for a four-team dual meet on Feb. 5. RIT will compete at the NCAA Mideast Regional on Feb. 25-26 before the NCAA Division III Championship on March 10-11. The top three finishers in each weight class at the Mideast Regional will qualify for the NCAA Championship.
 
"We want to improve every match, and make gains, specifically in the second semester, in order to peak at the right time and send guys to the national (NCAA) tournament," said Bovenzi. "We want to create a winning culture and these are the expectations that we want our student-athletes to have."