2x All-American Patrick Glory (Photo/Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com)Princeton Tigers
“This season's ultimate goal is winning the EIWA Tournament. This is the most balanced team I've ever coached at Princeton. I believe we have some guys that can carry the team to a top-four finish at NCAA's, which would earn us a trophy. Plus, we want to claim our first individual national champion since 1953†– Head Coach Chris Ayres
TOP RETURNERS
It's the same story, but a different team. In other words, Princeton was forced to sit out last season, due to Ivy League restrictions. The year prior, they qualified six wrestlers to the canceled NCAA Championships in 2020, and four of them are returning. While Keller, Marsh, and Cover have been very competitive on the freestyle scene. Expect to see these three guys return in the second semester.
Patrick Glory (2x EIWA Champion, 2x All-American)
Quincy Monday (2x EIWA, 2x NCAA Qualifier, 1x All-American)
Travis Stefanik (2x EIWA Placer, 2x NCAA Qualifier)
Grant Cuomo (1x EIWA placer, 1x NCAA Qualifier)
Marshall Keller
Jake Marsh
Matt Cover
KEY DEPARTURES
The Tigers said goodbye to two of Princeton's all-time greats after the 2019-20 season. Patrick Brucki was a three-time EIWA place finisher, three-time NCAA qualifier, and two-time NCAA All-American. Occupying the 197lb weight class for multiple years, he was always a guy Princeton could count on to produce points in both dual meet and tournament formats. Brucki battled a knee injury, but managed to put together a great run at the end of the year. Unfortunately, the 2020 NCAA tournament was canceled. He entered as the eighth seed, earning himself NWCA All-American honors.
Secondly, Matthew Kolodzik was Princeton's first-ever three-time NCAA All-American. The following year, he became the program's first four-time All-American. In four EIWA conference tournament appearances, he only suffered one loss. This puts him up there as one of the best the EIWA has ever seen. The Blair Academy recruit came in with big expectations and did not disappoint.
Both Brucki and Kolodzik should be given a good chunk of credit (along with a few others) for the rise of the Princeton Tiger wrestling program. Matthew and Patrick helped bring Princeton to the top of the conference, while bringing eyes to the program at a national level as well. They will be missed, but there are young studs waiting to fill in.
TOP NEWCOMER
Coach Ayres has a long list of newcomers. All of which will be fighting for a spot in the starting line-up. Some are freshmen, while others are upperclassmen trying to crack the line-up for the first time. Some of the wrestlers below will not be enrolled and able to compete until the second semester.
Nick Kayal is listed as a sophomore. He is a Bergen Catholic graduate, who placed four times at the New Jersey state tournament and the prestigious Beast of the East. He was crowned champion of this early-season event in December of 2017. More recently, he placed at the U23 WTT's in freestyle. Look for him at the 133lb weight class.
Brandon Spellman is also a sophomore listed at 133lb. Also, a New Jersey native, he placed twice at the state championships in high school. We will see him in the mix at the talented 133lb weight class.
Nick Masters is yet another 133lb wrestler. He was a four-time Georgia state champion, accumulating an overall record of 240-7. Adding to his resume, he was a three-time NHSCA All-American and two-time Fargo All-American. Listed as a freshman, expect him to make some noise at this weight also.
Danny Coles comes to Princeton from north of the border. His impressive career already includes being a Pan-Am Champion, and three-time Canadian world team member. The freshman's international level of wrestling is impressive. Coaches are excited to see his skills translate to folkstyle at 141lb.
Jacob Mann is another highly touted freshman recruit. The three-time Missouri high school state champion was also two-time NHSCA All-American and UWW Cadet All-American. With an impressive 160-8 high school record, expect him to be in the running for the starting spot at the 141lb weight class.
Nate Dugan is a freshman from North Carolina with some college experience, who has turned the corner recently. Wrestling only in opens during the 2019-2020 season, he amassed a .500 winning percentage. Before that, he was a two-time state champion with a long list of instate accomplishments. He's listed as one of three probable starters at the 174lb weight class.
Luke Stout comes from Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania. It looks like he will be manning the 197lb class for the unforeseeable future. Read more on him in the next section.
WRESTLER TO WATCH
Luke Stout is the best freshman, at least on paper, Princeton has coming in this season. The Pennsylvania native will be a true freshman in the starting line-up for the Princeton Tigers. The coaching staff has very high expectations for the 197lb wrestler. As a high school blue-chip recruit, he was a 3X PIAA state placer, while capturing a gold, silver, and fourth place. During his time as a four-year starter, he accumulated 153 wins with only 16 losses. Adding to the pressure, he was named the “EIWA Newcomer of the Year†by Intermat in their all-conference preview. Obviously, the Princeton staff is expecting a great future out of Stout.
POTENTIAL LINEUP (Including 2nd semester enrollment)
125: Patrick Glory
133: Anthony Clark/Nick Kayal/Nick Masters/Brandon Spellman
141: Danny Coles/Jacob Mann/Jonathan Miers
149: Marshall Keller
157: Quincy Monday
165: Grant Cuomo/Jake Marsh/Travis Tavoso
174: Nate Dugan/Grant Cuomo/Jake Marsh
184: Travis Stefanik
197: Luke Stout
285: Matt Cover/Jack DelGarbino
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