Horizons Online Edition

Issue date: 1/20/10 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Kenneth Stuart Simon Fraiser fights a Southern Oregon wrestler during the championships.

Media Credit: Kenneth Stuart Josh Chang holds his opponent down during the Mile High Collegiate Championships.

During Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's winter break, the ERAU men's wrestling team participated in several competitions and tournaments. The wrestlers trained hard for the rest of the season, which they hope will help continue their current success.

They first travelled to Las Vegas, Nevada, for a dual meet.  "I thought that the players did very well, even though the record shows two wins and two losses" said the ERAU men's wrestling head coach, Ken Ramsey. The wrestlers were able to triumph over a nationally-ranked team from Grand View University, Iowa, as well as another tough competitor, Iowa's Simpson College.

Next, the ERAU wrestling team traveled to California compete at Menlo College. "This tournament also was not bad for the team; they performed well," said Ramsey. "The wrestlers placed fourth in the tournament, with six guys qualifying for the tournament." Ramsey added that the tournament was challenging, competition was against top teams in the nation like Southern Oregon University and other strong wrestling teams like San Francisco State University and University of California Davis, both from California. The ERAU wrestlers performed well, particularly junior Tyler Chang, who won the tournament at his division weight of 159 pounds.

However, even though the wrestlers have been doing well during the tournaments, they did not compete as well in a dual meet against Grand Canyon. "What I have found that with this set of players is that we are strong in tournament-play; however, we are weaker in dual meets," said Ramsey. "It is something we will be working on."

The coach and team still press on towards what will hopefully be continual success, even with some unfortunate losses. The ERAU wrestlers have lost some of their fellow teammates, but the team is learning to adapt and shoot for more aggressive, yet reachable goals. "We are looking to nationally rank at Top Ten this season," said Ramsey. He continued to explain that in order to place in such high rankings this year; the wrestlers must individually expect to aim for high hopes. "Normally, it would take three to four All-Americans to rank in Top Ten," said Ramsey, "but this year we must have at least five to six All-Americans." This high amount of All-American wrestlers is normally difficult to reach, especially when a tough schedule is ahead of the players. According to Ramsey, "the potential is there, and I know we can make it."

Ramsey has plans and expectations to overcome the tough schedule ahead of the players. He expects the junior- and senior-level wrestlers to reach the All-American ranks, and the freshmen to place high in the national rankings as well. "We will have to train hard, and score high during tournament-play," explained Ramsey. The team and coach continually work hard, and are determined to meet their goals in the future. "I will definitely be satisfied with a Top Ten performance, and I do not think that is asking too much," said Ramsey.

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