Getting an All-American is goal for Northern Colorado since jumping to Div. I
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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. - Making a name for yourself isn't very easy in Div. I wrestling, especially for a team like Northern Colorado.
When the Bears came down to face Western Wrestling Conference rival Air Force on Thursday night, the biggest name at the dual meet wasn't even wrestling. MMA star Georges St. Pierre was a special guest of the UNC team. St. Pierre posed for numerous pictures with fans, was interviewed on the internet broadcast, and sat on the bench with the team during the action.
UNC is in its third year on the Div. I level since the jump up from Div. II, and the Bears are seeking to crack through on the national level.
"That transition was difficult," said Maughan. "We are still recovering from that."
Maughan talked about the problems recruiting, when the team had to sit out of national competition because of the move in division. He said the toughest thing was the loss of motivation at the end of each season for the wrestlers who were on the team, when the athletes had no post-season to shoot for.
"Now it is like starting over," said Maughan, whose team entered the Air Force dual meet with a 4-10-1 record. "If a program had just started two years ago, you might say we are in good shape. But we expected to be a little farther along by now."
Three teams in the Western Wrestling Conference are former Div. II teams that have moved up: Northern Colorado, North Dakota State and South Dakota State. They all have one thing in common. They each seek their first Div. I All-American since the change in division.
"It would be good for us to get an All-American," said Maughan.
When UNC does get a Div. I All-American, it won't be the first time in school history. Northern Colorado competed on the Div. I level prior to becoming a Div. II school. The Bears were in Div. I from 1945-69, then competed in Div. II from 1970-2003.
Northern Colorado had a tradition of success on the Div. I level. UNC had two Div. I champions in Lenard Lordino in 1961 and Jack Flasche in 1962. A total of 15 UNC wrestlers won 19 Div. I All-American honors during the 1940's, 1950s and 1960s.
Now, getting one more All-American is the quest for the program, as well as the individual athletes on the team.
"It would excite our campus to have our first Div. I All-American in 40 years," said Maughan. "It would validate what you are doing every day, preparing to compete. We have great assistant coaches - Austin DeVoe and Ben Cherrington, who have been there. But it is not the same as if they guy living in your dorm just became an All-American. Recruits want to go to a program that has All-Americans and national champions. You get one, you get a few more, and then you are rolling."
The Bears' best shot at All-American at this time appear to be a pair of juniors and Colorado natives, Tony Mustari of Greeley at 125 pounds and Kenny Hashimoto of Thornton at 141 pounds.
Mustari was a Junior Nationals champion and a top national recruit coming out of high school. Hashimoto, a successful Colorado state champion, is best known as one of the top judo athletes in the nation. Both have the pedigree to be All-Americans, and both chose to make their run by staying in-state at Northern Colorado.
"When I met Jack (Maughan) my senior year in high school, the plans he had for this team were amazing," said Mustari. "It was nice to be close to home, to my family and friends. He has brought in great workout partners and coaches. The things he told me about, he has not scrimped on. I have high hopes for the future of this program. We could become a Top 10 or Top 15 team."
Hashimoto liked the ability to continue his judo training, and compete at a Div. I level in wrestling.
"At the time, it fit well with my judo schedule. Wrestling kept me in good shape for judo. It was the right time at the right place for me," he said.
Both have been to the NCAA Tournament before, and neither are satisfied with their performance there.
Mustari went 0-2 at the 2007 NCAAs and 1-2 at the 2008 NCAAs. Hashimoto had a strong season in 2007, when he was the No. 9 seed going into the NCAA Championships. He was pinned in the first round by freshman Darrion Caldwell of NC State, then lost a 7-6 bout to Cal Poly's Dave Roberts, going 0-2.
"I have been on the national scene my whole life, but when you get to Div. I, it's a whole new ballgame," said Mustari. "We have made a forward step. But it is an annoying, agonizing process. You want to do whatever it takes to get it over with. I have been doing what it takes, doing the extra training, wrestling in the Olympic Trials last year. When it comes down to it, it will take heart and determination."
"It was another experience for me," said Hashimoto of the 2007 NCAAs. "I know I have to compete to the best of my ability. We have to believe in ourselves and believe in what the coaches are doing in the room. What we are doing will prepare us for the important matches."
Hashimoto took off the 2008 year to pursue a spot on the Olympic Team in judo, a year of disappointment for him. He injured his head and could not compete in the Olympic Trials, and watched an athlete he had beaten earn the trip to the Beijing Games. Hashimoto is still not fully recovered, but says he feels that he is between 80-90% back and getting close to where he wants to be.
"Wrestling is his second sport, and he's pretty good at it," said Maughan. "It has been a long road back for him. All injuries are hard. He is getting back into form now."
Mustari has been in the national rankings most of the year, but dropped out of the top 20 with a loss to Utah Valley's Ben Kjar last week. He says he has had an up-and-down season, but feels that he will finish the year strong.
"He is right on the cusp of breaking through," said Maughan. "He has to win the big points in the close matches. That will make all the difference for him. He is really that close."
Both were heavily favored in their matches against Air Force The dual meet started at 149 pounds, and the dual meet was still up for grabs when Mustari stepped on the mat, with the Bears ahead 17-12.
The Bears opened with a 17-1 technical fall win by Mitchell Polkowske over Alec Williams at 149 pounds, with numerous tilts from the top position. Immediately following, Justin Gaethje pinned Joseph Stafford in 2:34 at 157 pounds, and the Bears were off and running with an 11-0 lead.
Air Force came back with two straight victory to close the gap. At 165 pounds, Justin Shadrix jumped to an quick 4-0 lead and defeated Daniel Prater by major decision, 16-4. The Falcons' normal 165-pounder, conference runner-up Stephen Crozier, bumped up to 174 pounds and took it to Brandon Kammerzell, turning him often for a 16-0 technical fall in 6:19
UNC came back with a few close wins. With 4:20 in riding time, Ryan Johnson got past Brett Boyce at 184 pounds, 7-5. With a key takedown midway through third period, Patrick Carey/Eric Brennan???? stopped Chris Thomas, 11-6 at 197 pounds. Air Force rebounded at heavyweight, as Stephen Larson scored an overtime takedown to defeat Justin Tuell, 3-1.
Mustari had the edge throughout his match, scoring a takedown in all three periods to score a 9-1 major decision over Andrew Zwerlein. Riding time was the difference in getting the extra team point. UNC led 21-12 after the Mustari win.
After Brett Bahe stretched the Bears lead to 24-12 with a win over Derek Gillespie at 133 pounds, Hashimoto came out for the last match of the night with the meet already determined.
In a match that resembled a pinball game, Hashimoto played let-him up, take him down with Samuel Shepard. Using a multiple of different takedown attacks, and throwing in a pair of cradles for back points, Hashimoto scored a 21-6 technical fall to finish the bout, giving Northern Colorado the 29-12 win.
The season is winding down, and both athletes have their focus on their final matches, the Western Regional Tournament, and hopefully another chance at the NCAA Tournament.
"It is about getting match time now and getting prepared for the regional," said Hashimoto. "We will go from there. Every match counts now, every match."
Mustari understands the importance of the last few weeks of the season.
"We are coming down the back stretch. We've changed our practice schedule to better prepare for the regional tournament and national tournament. Now is buckle down time. You have to do the right things, the right practice, the right amount of sleep. Hopefully everything turns out right."
Maughan hopes that this year will be the one when he can bring home an All-American from the NCAAs, so the team can take the next step in the development of the program.
"We have the infrastructure with a new facility and scholarships endowed," said Maughan. "We know we can be a real solid program."
Northern Colorado 29, Air Force 12
At Colorado Springs, Colo., February 12
149 - Mitchell Polkowske (UNC) tech. fall Alec Williams (AF), 16-1, 5:00
157 - Justin Gaethje (UNC) pin Joseph Stafford (AF), 2:34
165 - Justin Shadrix (AF) maj. dec. Daniel Prater (UNC), 16-4
174 - Stephen Crozier (AF) tech. fall Brandon Kammerzell (UNC), 15-0, 6:19
184 - Ryan Johnson (UNC) dec. Brett Boyce (AF), 7-5
197 - Patrick Carey/Eric Brennan (UNC) dec. Chris Thomas (AF), 11-6
HWT - Stephen Larson (AF) dec. Justin Tuell (UNC), 3-1, ot
125 - Tony Mustari (UNC) maj. dec. Andrew Zwerlein (AF), 9-1
133 - Brett Bahe (UNC) dec. Derek Gillespie (AF), 14-8
141 - Kenny Hashimoto (UNC) tech. fall Samuel Shepard (AF), 22-6, 3:49
When the Bears came down to face Western Wrestling Conference rival Air Force on Thursday night, the biggest name at the dual meet wasn't even wrestling. MMA star Georges St. Pierre was a special guest of the UNC team. St. Pierre posed for numerous pictures with fans, was interviewed on the internet broadcast, and sat on the bench with the team during the action.
UNC is in its third year on the Div. I level since the jump up from Div. II, and the Bears are seeking to crack through on the national level.
"That transition was difficult," said Maughan. "We are still recovering from that."
Maughan talked about the problems recruiting, when the team had to sit out of national competition because of the move in division. He said the toughest thing was the loss of motivation at the end of each season for the wrestlers who were on the team, when the athletes had no post-season to shoot for.
"Now it is like starting over," said Maughan, whose team entered the Air Force dual meet with a 4-10-1 record. "If a program had just started two years ago, you might say we are in good shape. But we expected to be a little farther along by now."
Three teams in the Western Wrestling Conference are former Div. II teams that have moved up: Northern Colorado, North Dakota State and South Dakota State. They all have one thing in common. They each seek their first Div. I All-American since the change in division.
"It would be good for us to get an All-American," said Maughan.
When UNC does get a Div. I All-American, it won't be the first time in school history. Northern Colorado competed on the Div. I level prior to becoming a Div. II school. The Bears were in Div. I from 1945-69, then competed in Div. II from 1970-2003.
Northern Colorado had a tradition of success on the Div. I level. UNC had two Div. I champions in Lenard Lordino in 1961 and Jack Flasche in 1962. A total of 15 UNC wrestlers won 19 Div. I All-American honors during the 1940's, 1950s and 1960s.
Now, getting one more All-American is the quest for the program, as well as the individual athletes on the team.
"It would excite our campus to have our first Div. I All-American in 40 years," said Maughan. "It would validate what you are doing every day, preparing to compete. We have great assistant coaches - Austin DeVoe and Ben Cherrington, who have been there. But it is not the same as if they guy living in your dorm just became an All-American. Recruits want to go to a program that has All-Americans and national champions. You get one, you get a few more, and then you are rolling."
The Bears' best shot at All-American at this time appear to be a pair of juniors and Colorado natives, Tony Mustari of Greeley at 125 pounds and Kenny Hashimoto of Thornton at 141 pounds.
Mustari was a Junior Nationals champion and a top national recruit coming out of high school. Hashimoto, a successful Colorado state champion, is best known as one of the top judo athletes in the nation. Both have the pedigree to be All-Americans, and both chose to make their run by staying in-state at Northern Colorado.
"When I met Jack (Maughan) my senior year in high school, the plans he had for this team were amazing," said Mustari. "It was nice to be close to home, to my family and friends. He has brought in great workout partners and coaches. The things he told me about, he has not scrimped on. I have high hopes for the future of this program. We could become a Top 10 or Top 15 team."
Hashimoto liked the ability to continue his judo training, and compete at a Div. I level in wrestling.
"At the time, it fit well with my judo schedule. Wrestling kept me in good shape for judo. It was the right time at the right place for me," he said.
Both have been to the NCAA Tournament before, and neither are satisfied with their performance there.
Mustari went 0-2 at the 2007 NCAAs and 1-2 at the 2008 NCAAs. Hashimoto had a strong season in 2007, when he was the No. 9 seed going into the NCAA Championships. He was pinned in the first round by freshman Darrion Caldwell of NC State, then lost a 7-6 bout to Cal Poly's Dave Roberts, going 0-2.
"I have been on the national scene my whole life, but when you get to Div. I, it's a whole new ballgame," said Mustari. "We have made a forward step. But it is an annoying, agonizing process. You want to do whatever it takes to get it over with. I have been doing what it takes, doing the extra training, wrestling in the Olympic Trials last year. When it comes down to it, it will take heart and determination."
"It was another experience for me," said Hashimoto of the 2007 NCAAs. "I know I have to compete to the best of my ability. We have to believe in ourselves and believe in what the coaches are doing in the room. What we are doing will prepare us for the important matches."
Hashimoto took off the 2008 year to pursue a spot on the Olympic Team in judo, a year of disappointment for him. He injured his head and could not compete in the Olympic Trials, and watched an athlete he had beaten earn the trip to the Beijing Games. Hashimoto is still not fully recovered, but says he feels that he is between 80-90% back and getting close to where he wants to be.
"Wrestling is his second sport, and he's pretty good at it," said Maughan. "It has been a long road back for him. All injuries are hard. He is getting back into form now."
Mustari has been in the national rankings most of the year, but dropped out of the top 20 with a loss to Utah Valley's Ben Kjar last week. He says he has had an up-and-down season, but feels that he will finish the year strong.
"He is right on the cusp of breaking through," said Maughan. "He has to win the big points in the close matches. That will make all the difference for him. He is really that close."
Both were heavily favored in their matches against Air Force The dual meet started at 149 pounds, and the dual meet was still up for grabs when Mustari stepped on the mat, with the Bears ahead 17-12.
The Bears opened with a 17-1 technical fall win by Mitchell Polkowske over Alec Williams at 149 pounds, with numerous tilts from the top position. Immediately following, Justin Gaethje pinned Joseph Stafford in 2:34 at 157 pounds, and the Bears were off and running with an 11-0 lead.
Air Force came back with two straight victory to close the gap. At 165 pounds, Justin Shadrix jumped to an quick 4-0 lead and defeated Daniel Prater by major decision, 16-4. The Falcons' normal 165-pounder, conference runner-up Stephen Crozier, bumped up to 174 pounds and took it to Brandon Kammerzell, turning him often for a 16-0 technical fall in 6:19
UNC came back with a few close wins. With 4:20 in riding time, Ryan Johnson got past Brett Boyce at 184 pounds, 7-5. With a key takedown midway through third period, Patrick Carey/Eric Brennan???? stopped Chris Thomas, 11-6 at 197 pounds. Air Force rebounded at heavyweight, as Stephen Larson scored an overtime takedown to defeat Justin Tuell, 3-1.
Mustari had the edge throughout his match, scoring a takedown in all three periods to score a 9-1 major decision over Andrew Zwerlein. Riding time was the difference in getting the extra team point. UNC led 21-12 after the Mustari win.
After Brett Bahe stretched the Bears lead to 24-12 with a win over Derek Gillespie at 133 pounds, Hashimoto came out for the last match of the night with the meet already determined.
In a match that resembled a pinball game, Hashimoto played let-him up, take him down with Samuel Shepard. Using a multiple of different takedown attacks, and throwing in a pair of cradles for back points, Hashimoto scored a 21-6 technical fall to finish the bout, giving Northern Colorado the 29-12 win.
The season is winding down, and both athletes have their focus on their final matches, the Western Regional Tournament, and hopefully another chance at the NCAA Tournament.
"It is about getting match time now and getting prepared for the regional," said Hashimoto. "We will go from there. Every match counts now, every match."
Mustari understands the importance of the last few weeks of the season.
"We are coming down the back stretch. We've changed our practice schedule to better prepare for the regional tournament and national tournament. Now is buckle down time. You have to do the right things, the right practice, the right amount of sleep. Hopefully everything turns out right."
Maughan hopes that this year will be the one when he can bring home an All-American from the NCAAs, so the team can take the next step in the development of the program.
"We have the infrastructure with a new facility and scholarships endowed," said Maughan. "We know we can be a real solid program."
Northern Colorado 29, Air Force 12
At Colorado Springs, Colo., February 12
149 - Mitchell Polkowske (UNC) tech. fall Alec Williams (AF), 16-1, 5:00
157 - Justin Gaethje (UNC) pin Joseph Stafford (AF), 2:34
165 - Justin Shadrix (AF) maj. dec. Daniel Prater (UNC), 16-4
174 - Stephen Crozier (AF) tech. fall Brandon Kammerzell (UNC), 15-0, 6:19
184 - Ryan Johnson (UNC) dec. Brett Boyce (AF), 7-5
197 - Patrick Carey/Eric Brennan (UNC) dec. Chris Thomas (AF), 11-6
HWT - Stephen Larson (AF) dec. Justin Tuell (UNC), 3-1, ot
125 - Tony Mustari (UNC) maj. dec. Andrew Zwerlein (AF), 9-1
133 - Brett Bahe (UNC) dec. Derek Gillespie (AF), 14-8
141 - Kenny Hashimoto (UNC) tech. fall Samuel Shepard (AF), 22-6, 3:49
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