OFF THE BUBBLE: American’s Silber gets NCAA at-large berth

Wednesday, March 11 was a very important day in Div. I college wrestling. It was the day that the NCAA announced the 52 at-large selections for the Div. I National Championships.

It is the first year of the new NCAA qualification system, which includes a selection process. For the first time in the sport's history, there were athletes who were "on the bubble." All of the wrestlers in the nation who had strong seasons but did not meet the qualifying standards during their conference meets had the possibility of being added to the NCAA field through the new criteria.

The final qualifier ended on Sunday, so wrestlers all over the nation had three agonizing days to wait until they found out whether the NCAA selection committee had picked them to compete.

One of those who got the nod and were given an at-large berth to the Big Show was fifth-year senior Andrew Silber of American University at 197 pounds. It was his last chance to qualify for the NCAA Championships, and the wildcard selection will allow him to finish his career by fulfilling a dream.

"I didn't know I had a shot, and I was bummed out, being it was my senior year," said Silber after he fell short of qualifying at the EIWA Championships. "One of my teammates looked through the qualification rules and told me on Monday that I might still have a chance. My hopes were up to get selected. The waiting was not very fun at all."

Silber, a native of Scotch Plains, N.J., entered the EIWA Championships with a 19-10 record, and was seeded No. 5 in the tournament. The EIWA was allotted two spots in the NCAA Championships at his weight class, based upon the performance of the athletes in the division during the season.

He won his first two matches, including an 8-5 victory over No. 4 seed Philip Neese of Navy in the semifinals. His goal of qualifying outright was halted when he lost a heartbreaking 6-5 semifinal match to No. 1 seed Richard Starks of Army. Silber scored the first takedown, and wrestled with aggressiveness the entire match, but Starks pulled it out at the end.

"We weren't supposed to look at how many guys in our weight qualified, but I heard that we would only get two," said Silber. "When I lost to Starks, on top of losing that match, that defeat meant I was not making the nationals my senior year. My wrestling showed it in the consolation semifinals."

Silber was defeated in his next match by Brandon Steams of Brown, an opponent he had split a pair of matches in the past. He placed fifth in the weight class when he received a medical forfeit over Thomas Shovlin of Penn.

Although his final season was probably over, Silber continued to train with the team this week.

"We had Monday off. We went back to regular practices on Tuesday. Even if I wasn't going, we have other guys who did qualify. We were training this week, just like always," said Silber.

The fact that Silber was a contender for the NCAA Championships at all this season was a testament to his persistence and dedication. Silber began his college career competing for Sacred Heart University, where he wrestled for three seasons. His top performance was a fourth-place finish at the 2007 Colonial Athletic Association Championships at 184 pounds.

When Sacred Heart coach Andy Seras left his position the following fall, Silber decided he would try to change schools and complete in his senior year elsewhere.

"A bunch of things went into the decision," said Silber. "After Seras left, I didn't think they would hire the same quality coach with what they were offering there. With American, I had a chance to upgrade my academics and wrestle with a serious program. I knew they were serious because they just had a national champion (Josh Glenn). I had a connection. My teammate Sherwood (Fendryk) knew Josh. I called coach (Mark) Cody and he said I could come down and visit. I transferred here."

Silber took the next season off as a redshirt, and began working hard with his new coaches and teammates. At American, he had a variety of talented workout partners who were near his size, including Glenn and Cody, as well as assistant coaches Joe Henson and Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov.

"In the room, I got a lot better," said Silber. "I didn't compete as much as I wanted to, because I was the only redshirt in the room. But I worked out with all those guys. I improved so much working out with them every day. I made major improvements mentally and physically."

The word about who got the NCAA at-large selections was not announced until very late in the afternoon on Wednesday in the eastern time zone.

"We had two practices today, one in the morning and one in the afternoon," said Silber. "After the afternoon practice, one of the other coaches told Coach Cody. He brought me into his office and we talked about it. It is pretty exciting, thinking you are done and getting a second shot," said Silber.

In less than a week, Silber will be flying with his teammates Mike Cannon (174) and Kyle Borschoff (149) to St. Louis to compete in the NCAA Championships. He called both of his parents, who were very excited for him and now plan on going out to St. Louis to watch him wrestle.

With a new chance to end his career a different way, Silber is trying not to put too much pressure on himself concerning his performance at the nationals.

"Honestly, I haven't thought about it. I will take it one match at a time. It will be my first time there, and I know it could be overwhelming. I will take it as I go. I will get there first, make weight, eat right, then prepare for my first match," he said.

Although he was one of the 52 at-large selections, Silber believes that he belongs as much anybody else who will be competing on the mats in St. Louis next week.

"This season, I had some ups and down, like everybody else has," said Silber. "I wrestled well at some key moments this year. I feel I deserved this."