With nearly every wrestler returning from last season's Presidents' Athletic Conference Championship team, the 2009-10 Thiel Tomcats are poised to continue their winning tradition. Coach Craig Thurber, however, won't be content with anything short of further improvement.

 

“We have very high expectations for this season,” said Thurber. “We are returning all but one from last year's PAC championship team and fifth-place Midwest Regional qualifier.”

 

The Tomcats have won ten consecutive conference titles –and 17of the past 19.  Moreover, Thiel wrestlers won six of ten weight classes in winning last year's conference crown.

 

Thurber, a Greenville native, was also named PAC coach of the year last season. He has coached the Tomcats to six PAC titles since becoming head coach in 2003.

 

Judging by the end result, it seems last season was a breeze for the Tomcats. But it was anything but says the coach.

 

“Last year got off to rough start, losing a couple key guys to injury,” said Thurber, “but things ended on a very positive note.

 

“A lot of freshmen were allowed the opportunity to compete. We were young, but they stepped up and finished strong. Those guys got a taste of the high-level competition at our regional.”

 

It was this resilience and gained experience that have the Tomcats aiming for even greater things in the coming season.

 

“(They) have their sights set on winning our conference again and winning our regional,” Thurber noted. “Obviously, there is good competition in our conference and region, but they believe we can win both events.”

 

Leading off for the Tomcats, in the 125-pound class is junior Rob Miller (Transfer, Pa./Reynolds) (Transfer, Pa./Reynolds). Miller, a defending conference champion, also finished second at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional meet, and quailifed for the NCAA Division III national championship meet for the second straight year.

 

“Robbie has been a star performer for us,” said Thurber. “I know he has his sights set on finishing very high this season.”

 

There is three-way competition for the 133-pound slot among junior Jeff Langdon (North East, Pa./North East) (Northeast, Pa./Northeast), Kyle Grueninger (Clearwater, Fl/Country Side) (Clearwater, Fla./Country Side) and Tommy Kozak (Belleville,MI/Belleville) (Bellville, Mich./Belleville).

 

Returning at 141-pounds is sophomore Corey Brown (Greenville, Pa./Reynolds) (Greenville, Pa./Reynolds). As a freshman, Brown accomplished more than most athletes do in a four-year career; a conference title, second-place in the regionals, and sixth-place at nationals. Added to that, Brown was honored as the conference's Most Outstanding Wrestler and a member of its all-academic team.

 

“Corey Brown (Greenville, Pa./Reynolds) had an outstanding freshmen year,” Thurber said. “He was our first freshmen All-American in the history of the program.

 

“He is a tireless worker and is always trying to better himself and his teammates. He is a natural leader -not real vocal- but definitely leads by example. His work ethic is going to take him a long way in this sport.”

 

Sophomore Matt Lowry (Smithfield, Pa./Albert Gallatin), (Smithfield, Pa./Albert Gallatin), a conference champ and all academic honoree last season, will vie with classmate Jeff Marianetti (Ontario, N.Y./Wayne Central) (Ontario, N.Y./Wayne Central) for time in the 149-pound slot.

 

Greg Hogan (Uniontown/Laurel Highlands) (Uniontown, Pa./Laurel Highlands), who won a conference title and finished fourth at regionals, returns for his senior season at 157.

 

Moving up to 165 pounds will be Alec Miller (Transfer, Pa./Grove City) (Transfer, Pa./Grove City). Last season, at 149, the sophomore was a PAC champ and placed third at regionals. He is the older brother of Rob Miller (Transfer, Pa./Reynolds).

 

Sophomore 174-pounder Brice Mertiff (Tyrone, Pa./Tyrone Area), who finished fourth at regionals, will be followed up by freshman Isaac Moore (Ashtabula, Ohio/Lake Side) at 184. Incoming freshman Todd Miller (New Eagle, Pa./Ringold) -at 197- and then either Kraig Smith (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell) (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell) or Nate Meyer (Jefferson, Ohio/Jefferson) – at 285 – round out the heavyweight classes.

 

Thurber describes his team as “deep” and “solid from top to bottom”. Naturally, he is optimistic. However, with tough competition throughout the conference and region, the Tomcats know they will have their work cut out for them.

 

The 2009-10 season opens with a Nov. 7 trip to Berea, Ohio in a match against Baldwin-Wallace. Conference action starts Nov. 14 at Washington & Jefferson.