2007 CCIW Wrestling Championship Preview

NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- Elmhurst College will be gunning for its third straight College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) wrestling title when the Bluejays play host to the conference championship on Saturday, Feb. 10.

The Bluejays, ranked seventh nationally in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association poll, won its first conference title in school history in 2005 and followed that up last season, winning five of the 10 weight classes. In more recent times, Elmhurst placed in a tie for third with North Central at Wheaton’s Pete Wilson Invitational. Kenny Thomas placed second at 141 pounds, posting a 3-1 record. The Bluejays won the Al Hanke Invitational as Jeff Kastel, Kyle Katz, Nick Metcalf and Ward Brady all picked up individual titles en route to winning the event over second place finisher UW-Whitewater. Katz was named the invitational’s “Most Outstanding Wrestler” after earning the championship at 157 pounds.

As for North Central, they will look to improve on last year’s second place finish and win its first conference title since 1997 when current Cardinal athletics director Jim Miller was the head coach. The program is now under the direction of first-year head coach Kevin Bratland, who is a Wartburg graduate. North Central had three individual champions at the Pete Wilson Invitational, including Adam Johnson (133 pounds), Bobby Gingerich (157 pounds) and Gabe Youel (184 pounds). Johnson won the 133-pound title at last year’s conference championships, while Gingerich was a second place finisher at 157.

Augustana finished third during last year’s championship. In its latest test, the Vikings lost to Elmhurst in a dual meet 33-9. Augustana still picked up three individual titles, including Kyle Brodwater at 133 pounds, Mike Kerr at 165 pounds and Brian Kerr at 184 pounds.

Millikin, a fourth place finisher at the conference championship last season, recently defeated Rend Lake in a dual meet 28-18. Mario Sullivan picked up the win at 133 pounds, while Justin Edwards won at 149 pounds. The Big Blue had four more champions, including Khris Argue (184 pounds), Casey Stillman (197 pounds), Sam Fron (125 pounds) and Allan Lick (285 pounds).

Wheaton recently lost in a dual meet to North Central 31-12 as the Thunder had two individual winners. Lars Skoglund won at 184 pounds, while Toby Boltz was the winner at 174. In its latest match, Wheaton competed at the University of Dubuque’s “Moco Mercer Open”. No team scores were kept, but Joe McHale won two matches at 149 pounds, while Tim Hedberg had a second round victory at 149 over Dubuque’s Pat Bauer.

Note: Elmhurst will host the NCAA Great Lakes Regional on Saturday, Feb. 17, which will determine the teams and individuals who will compete at the NCAA Championship.