Lycoming Wrestling Announces 18 Commitments
Warriors Join Empire Conference in 2007-2008

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.—Lycoming College head wrestling coach Roger Crebs announced 18 incoming freshmen for the 2007-2008 school year. Fourteen of Lycoming’s commitments come from Pennsylvania high schools, while two hail from New Jersey and one each from New York and Virginia.

Among the recruits are projected 141-pounder Michael Maurer, who holds Towanda’s all-time win record with 151, and 125-pound Cody Groover, who claims North Penn’s school record of 100 wins. At 133, Andrew Lewis of Wyalusing won 126 high school matches and placed 6^th at states earlier this year, while Clearfield’s Thomas Barger took an impressive 3^rd place at states and should be a 141-pounder for the Warriors. Barger will be joined at Lycoming by teammate Cody Billotte, who was Clearfield’s team captain and could wrestle at 125 or 133 pounds.

Brockway’s Eric Grecco is another potential 125-pounder, while Blaine Blampied and Ryan Reichert, both from Pine Grove, project at 141 and 149/157 respectively. Northern’s Zachary Ewbank also lands in the 149-pound range. Representing the state of New Jersey are 141-pound Miguel Arroyo of Freehold and 157-pound John Mastrobuono of Mendham, while New York’s Don Bower is also a 157-pounder.

Line Mountain’s Nick Lansberry qualified for states this year and could wrestle at 165 or 174 in college. Kyle Crouthamel of Bethlehem won 102 high school matches and should have some great first-year battles with fellow 174-pounder Troy Hayre, who took 3^rd in Virginia’s AAA states. Milton’s Wade Armstrong could also make a splash at 174 or step up to 184. 

Two important acquisitions this year are heavyweights Michael Gesford of Hershey and Alex Bause of Downingtown West. Gesford placed 6^th at the PIAA’s, while Bause won 38 matches as a senior. Both hope to heat up the competition at 285 and help Lycoming put its best foot forward in 2007-2008 and onward.

Coach Crebs looks forward to the upcoming season. “I feel with the incoming freshmen and our returning wrestlers we will be more balanced from 125 lbs to 285 lbs,” says Crebs. “We had some holes to fill with the graduation of All-American Sean Cullen at 133 lbs, Kyle Hopkins at 141 lbs, and Eric Miller at 165 lbs. I know this group is ready to step in and continue the long tradition of Lycoming wrestling.”

This year, the Warriors join the Empire Collegiate Wrestling Conference, which includes four SUNY schools (Brockport, Cortland, Oneonta and Oswego), as well as, Ithaca, RIT and Messiah.

“It’s a great move for Lycoming Wrestling. The Empire is one of the strongest conferences in the east,” says Crebs. “SUNY-Brockport and Ithaca alone have won six Division III national championships since the tournament began in 1974.”

 

Lycoming’s 2007 Recruiting Class:

Wade Armstrong, Milton Area (PA)

Miguel Arroyo, Freehold (NJ)

Thomas Barger, Clearfield (PA)

Alex Bause, Downingtown West (PA)

Cody Billotte, Clearfield Area (PA)

Blaine Blampied, Pine Grove Area (PA)

Donald Bower, Corning East (NY)

Kyle Crouthamel, Freedom (PA)

Zachary Ewbank, Northern (PA)

Michael Gesford, Hershey (PA)

Eric Grecco, Brockway (PA)

Cody Groover, North Penn (PA)

Troy Hayre, McLean (VA)

Nick Lansberry, Line Mountain (PA)

Andrew Lewis, Wyalusing Valley (PA)

John Mastrobuono, West Morris Mendlham (NJ)

Michael Maurer, Towanda (PA)

Ryan Reichert, Pine Grove Area (PA)