Binghamton wrestling announces schedule, prepares for 2021 season
SOURCE: bubearcats.com
January 08, 2021

 


Bearcats led by strong junior class and new faces, ready to make immediate impact

The Binghamton University wrestling team has been persistent and hopeful as it prepared for the possibility of a 2021 season, which is now set to commence this weekend with a home dual. The Bearcats will kick off the season against Rider on Saturday in the West Gym.

"I am excited for the team to have the opportunity to compete this weekend," head coach Kyle Borshoff said. "It has been a long road of ups and downs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but our athletes are pumped for the chance to compete."

Schedule

Binghamton's schedule features four home and three road matches -- with a two-week break prior to the EIWA Championships.

At home, the Bearcats will take on Rider (Jan. 9), LIU (Jan. 14), Buffalo (Jan. 17) and Hofstra (Feb. 13).

The team's first road match will take place in West Point, with a matchup against Army on January 24. The final two road matchups will be against Lehigh (Jan. 30) and Bucknell (Feb. 7).

EIWA Championships are scheduled for February 26, followed by the NCAA Championships on March 18-20 in St. Louis.

Lineup
The Bearcats boast a balanced lineup, loaded with experience and a splash of newcomers ready to contribute right away.

"The team will have a nice mix of upperclassman and new faces in the lineup this season, Borshoff said. "Returning NCAA qualifiers Zack Trampe and Lou DePrez are both looking great right now. They have been training hard and I expect them to be competing for All-America and NCAA Championship honors this season."

Moving up a weight class in 2021, Trampe will look to continue the success he had as an underclassman. The 141-pound redshirt junior has been ranked as high as No. 19 in the country (FloWrestling) this preseason. Despite limited time on the mat in 2019-20, he posted a 12-3 record, a top 10 ranking for most of the season and an NCAA bid in March.

Returning as an All-American and EIWA champion, DePrez is ranked in the top five in the country at 184 pounds to start the year, and is an NCAA title contender. DePrez, who also won the Southern Scuffle a year ago, has had success against some of the top wrestlers in the country and will look to use his experience to make it to the top of the podium.

125
At 125 pounds, freshman Micah Roes has made a strong impression in the preseason and he looks to make an immediate impact in the starting lineup. The two-time New York State finalist and three-time placewinner went 162-17 over his high school career.

Sophomore Tommaso Frezza, who came on strong at the end of last season, will also compete for time.

133
Junior transfer Anthony Sobotker comes in as the favorite to start at 133 pounds. A transfer from Nassau Community College, where he was a junior college All-American, Sobotker comes from North Babylon High, the same scholastic program as recent NCAA qualifier Anthony Sparacio.

This weight class is one of the deepest on the team, as freshmen Anthony DiBartolo, Ivan Garcia and Luke Smith are all currently reserves for the Bearcats.

141
Dane Heberlein comes in alongside the aforementioned Trampe at 141 pounds. The veteran duo provided a spark at the team's wrestle-offs last weekend, as the two wrestled hard in multiple close matches. Heberlein will add depth to the weight class.

149

Michael Zarif is in line to start at 149 pounds. The junior split time with Matt Swanson last season and has impressed in the preseason. Freshman Tyler Martin will also compete for time.

157

Freshman Alex Strashinsky is set to start against Rider at 157 pounds to open the season. The Whippany, New Jersey native was nationally ranked as a high school senior, and earned the nod following a tight preseason battle.

Junior Chris Barker and redshirt freshman J.R. Kazalas also provide experience at 157 pounds. Barker has represented the Bearcats the last two seasons at the EIWA Championships.

165
Another newcomer, freshman Brevin Cassella, is slated to start at 165 pounds against the Broncs. The 6-foot-1 Cassella will certainly be one of the tallest competitors at his weight class and also enters after a decorated high school career. The two-time Massachusetts state champion boasted over 200 career wins in high school and was also an Eastern States finalist.

Junior Aidan Monteverdi is also expected to make a significant impact this season. He has been a two-year starter and made his EIWA Championships debut last March.

174
Settling in at 174 after spending time last season at 165 pounds, Jacob Nolan gained valuable experience last season and is on track to start. The sophomore is set to build on his first EIWA Championships experience and has looked strong in the preseason.

Redshirt senior Alex Melikian will also wrestle at 174 pounds after posting 10 wins, including four dual victories last season.

184
Matt Kelly, a 2020 high school state champion, will wrestle and learn from one of the best and will add depth at 184 pounds. Kelly and (Lou) DePrez have matched up several times in practice.

197

Sam DePrez, who made his collegiate debut a month into last season, will continue to represent the Bearcats at 197 pounds this season. DePrez came into his own at the end of the year, and made his first appearance at EIWA Championships.

Redshirt senior Nunzio Crowley, will add strong depth to the position, as well as freshman Mike Tyrell.

Heavyweight
Joe Doyle, one of the most exciting heavyweights in the country, will look to use his strong 2019-20 season as momentum heading into this season. Doyle, who led the Bearcats in dual victories and pins last year, placed sixth at EIWA Championships.

Freshman Collin Burns, who will start Saturday, will add depth behind Doyle. Redshirt freshman Cory Day, has moved from 184 pounds to heavyweight. Last season, Day posted a 5-4 record in tournaments.

The Bearcats are coming off a program best sixth-place finish at EIWA Championships.

Saturday's season opener will begin at 5 p.m.


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