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CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY

Sports Information Office

Bryan Blair, Director

1 University Drive

Campbellsville, KY 42718

Work Phone: 270-789-5276

email: bfblair@campbellsville.edu

October 23, 2007

TIGER WRESTLERS TAKE AIM ON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN JUST FOURTH SEASON OF PROGRAM

Campbellsville, KY – As the Campbellsville University Wrestling team prepares for it’s fourth season of competition, the Tigers have positioned themselves as the team to beat in the NAIA for the National Championship come next March.

Campbellsville enters the season as the number one team in the NAIA according to the Pre-season Coaches Rating that was released last week.

“It’s quite an honor to start the season as the top ranked team in the nation and it already has brought us a lot of attention,” said Campbellsville Wrestling Coach Franky James.  “Right now I think on the recruiting trail is where it’s benefiting us the most because I’ve not noticed a change in our team attitude or focus since the ranking came out,” said James.

The Tigers will face the toughest schedule in the short history of the program, but James feels like he has a stable of wrestlers that are capable of mounting a serious charge towards Campbellsville’s first National Team Championship in any sport.

“I would much rather go into the National Tournament battle tested against top competition than to go in with a bunch of wins from a weak schedule,” commented James on the 2007-08 schedule.  “We feel like this schedule will prepare us to wrestle our best at the National Tournament,” he added, “and our depth at just about every weight class will be a big strength for this team as we go along,” he concluded.

Campbellsville returns nearly everyone from last year’s National Tournament team.  “We lost All-American Chris Seta to graduation and Jairus Murton to shoulder surgery, but everyone else is back and when you mix in our recruiting class I think this could be the beginning of a good run for us,” said James.

At the 125# class James Hicks (Senior/Belle Glade, FL) returns for the Tigers.  “James is coming off of a good season last year where he proved that he could wrestle with anyone,” said the coach.  Also returning is Daniel Rucker (Freshman/Cherokee, GA).  “Daniel redshirted last year and placed in several open tournaments.  Both of these guys will be very competitive,” said James.

Kaci Payne (SR/Pulaski, VA) returns for his senior season in the 133# weight class.  “Kaci is a three time National qualifier and starts the season ranked #7 in the class,” said James.  Redshirt Corey Striplin (SO/Wheaton, IL) will also compete for mat time in this class.

In the 141# class Kyle Norred (SR/Kennesaw, GA) returns.  “Kyle has consistently improved and figures to be a factor this year for us,” said James.  Jacob Murton (SO/Louisa, KY) was an All-American last year and is moving up to the 141# class this year.  “Jacob will share time with Kyle at this weight and we expect them both to do very well,” he added.

Defending National Champion in the 141# weight class Zach Flake (JR/West Chester, OH) will move up this year and wrestle in the 149# weight class.  “We don’t have a returnee at this weight, but Zach starts the year ranked #1 in the nation and I think he’ll do well in this division,” said James.  The Tigers will also return redshirt freshman Josh Mason (Franklin, KY) in this division.  “Josh could prove to be one of the biggest surprises of the year,” commented James.

2007 National Runner-up and All-American David Clemens (JR/Dayton, OH) returns in the 157# division.  “David is one of the most talented and natural wrestlers I have seen,” said James.  Clemens begins the season ranked at the top of the division nationally.

James Linker (SO/Louisville, KY) returns in the 165# division.  “James competed at 174# last year but will drop down to his more natural weight of 165#,” said James.  The Tigers also return redshirts Patrick Driscoll (FR/Covington, VA) and Scott Yates (FR/Bowden, GA) at this level.

In the 174# class the Tigers will have starter Chris Branam (SR/Bloomington, IN) returning.  “Chris wrestled at 165# last year and should do well at this level,” said James.  Also available will be Ben Ellard (JR/Shawnee, OK) who wrestled varsity last year until an ankle sprain ended his season.

The Tigers have no returnees at the 184# class.  “This class is really up in the air right now and we could have a true freshman starting at this weight level,” said James.  Freshman Josh Young (Louisville, KY) is 6’5” and James admits could be a surprise wrestler at this class.

In the 197# class two time All-American Glen Jackson (JR/Chesapeake, VA) returns and is ranked 3rd nationally in the class while Josh Deadrick (SR/Duluth, GA) is ranked 5th nationally in the class.  “Both of these guys should compete for time and do well in this class,” said James.

At the 285# class Chad Brown (JR/Kernersville, GA) returns after starting last year.  “Chad has continued to get better each year and we also return redshirt Mike Clark (FR/Louisville, KY) in the class as well,” said James.

Several newcomers could see action this season as well.  James says that George Sheppard (165#/FR/Newport News, VA), Dallas Hesseltine (165#/JR/Portage, IN), Phillip Ouedius (157#/FR/Louisville, KY) and Johnny Sinchok (174#/FR/Akron,OH) could all see action this year.

All told, James has 22 freshmen on his roster.   “We are in a great position to redshirt a lot of these recruits and keep building for the future, but most of them are probably too talented to keep out of the lineup this year,” he admitted.  “The future is now for us and we will put our best team on the mat this year to try and bring home the National Title,” he concluded.

The Tigers host the Maroon/Gray Wrestling Clinic on October 27th and host West Virginia Tech in a Dual Match on September 2nd.