After coaching the 2006 NAIA Championship team at Dana College, Costanzo comes to SCSU with high hopes and an enthusiasm for building a program. He states,
"Our team is very young, and may be inexperienced at the college level, but we are very talented, competitive and this will work in our favor for the future," Costanzo said.
Each weight is heavily competitive this year as thirty-three athletes are out for the team. Battling for the 125-pound slot will be sophomore Nick Wasche and true-freshman Gabriel Suarez. Wasche wrestled at this weight last season, posting an 8-20 record. Suarez, a native of Las Vegas, Nevada, is a three time state finalist and one time state champion, and will come in ranked no.16 nationally by Wrestling USA Magazine.
Weighing in at 133 will be Sonny Silva and Brent Johnson. Sophomore Silva, a transfer from Dana College, familiar with Costanzo's philosophy and coaching techniques, won 26 matches as a true-freshman, was the GPAC conference champion, national qualifier and was ranked fourth in the region. Johnson, a junior from Altoona, Wisc., charted five victories last season and placed fifth at the NCAA DII North Region Championships.
"Our middle weights are going to be the most competitive. The athletes will have to show their determination and skill to earn a starting position," Coach Costanzo said.
The most competitive of the middleweights this season will be 141 pounds where John Denney, Grant Johnson, Bryce Mackey and Tim Whitley will be among the top competitors at this slot. First year athletes Denney and Grant Johnson, and sophomore Mackey are both going to have to stand out against Whitley, a true freshman, who was a four-time Washington state placer and two-time state finalist.
Veteran team captain Tom Messerli will be challenged at the 149-pound slot by freshman John Sundgren. Messerli had a 3-10 record last season at 149 pounds, and took sixth at the North Central Region Championships.
Freshman Derek Skala will be the first challenger for the 157-pound weight, coming off a state championship season at Owatanna High School. Junior college-transfer and All-American wrestler, Matt Steffenson will also compete at the 165 and 174 weights.
Two returnees will battle Steffenson and two first year Huskies for the 165 pound starting position. Sophomore Tom Anderson was 3-11 last season while senior Loren Johnson sat out last season.
After taking fourth in the nation, Steffenson will compete against 2005 Minnesota state champion and Dana College transfer Russell Smith for the 174 weight. Hometown wrestler, Neil Russell will also battle for this spot, coming off a 3-8 record at 184 pounds last season.
Nicholas Wilkes a transfer from Dana College will compete for the 184 slot. Wilkes is a two-time Junior College All-American in 2004 & 2005, placing sixth overall both years. He charted seventeen wins unattached last season as he red-shirted at Dana. Jairo Sandovall, a junior from Miami, Florida, will challenge him for the slot after wrestling at 197 last year.
The two upper weights, 197 and heavyweight, will be competitive as Nicholas Wilkes, Eric Rogness, and Adam Hill will all compete for the 197 weight, and junior Brad Nowak and newcomer Brandon Thiebault will compete for heavyweight.
"Our goal this season is to take small steps, to build each week upon our performances," said Coach Costanzo, "If we take it one step at a time, we will improve immensely from last season."
Last season was highlighted by two wrestlers placing in the top six at the NCAA DII North Region Championship, Brent Johnson (5th) at 133 pounds and Tom Messerli (6th) at 149 pounds.
"We have a very tough region but with our great attitudes and talent we should be competitive," Coach Costanzo said about the region.
The Huskies haven't set numerical goals for the new season, bu they work off the motto "Bound for Glory," which reminds them that if they work hard, use their talents and continue to improve that they will remain competitive all season.
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