OSKALOOSA — The William Penn Men’s Wrestling season got underway yesterday. A preview of their season published by the University is available here.

2021-2022 dual record: 7-7
2021-2022 Heart Championships finish: 4th
Letterwinners returning/lost: 16/3

Notable returners:
Cameron Hargrove, So., Bolingbrook, Ill.
(National qualifier, 24-5, 9 falls)
Makail Stanley, So., Orena, Ill.
(National qualifier, 22-11, 8 falls)
Steven Skewes, So., Duchesne, Utah
(Letterwinner, 16-11, 10 falls)
Matheson Meade, So., Knoxville, Tenn.
(Letterwinner, 15-13, 5 falls)

Notable losses:
Nadhelo Charles-Pierre
(Five-time letterwinner)

Notable newcomers:
Noah Aken, Fr., Omaha, Neb.
Kael Bunce, So., Muskegon, Mich.
Sabri Sino, Fr., Franklin, Wis.

The William Penn men’s wrestling made up ground on the top of the league last year and will look to do more damage with an even deeper squad in 2022-2023.

Head Coach Aron Scott, now in his sixth season, returns a plethora of letterwinners, including two NAIA national qualifiers in Cameron Hargrove (So., Bolingbrook, Ill., Undecided) and Makail Stanley (So., Orena, Ill., Biology).  After finishing fourth in the Heart of America Athletic Conference a year ago, the Statesmen have nearly their entire lineup back on the mat and Scott believes this team is prepared to join the upper echelon this winter.

125

Newcomer Jeffery Myers (Fr., Yelm, Wash., Education) claimed the wrestle-off against returner Brendan Nantz (So., Tipton, Iowa, Industrial Technology), but both are expected to represent the Statesmen at the sport’s lowest weight.

Nantz won four times last year, including once by fall.

133

The navy and gold will have a fresh face at 133 pounds as Sabri Sino (Fr., Franklin, Wis., Sports Management) currently holds the starting spot, while Nathaniel Lucero (Fr., El Paso, Texas, Industrial Technology) is waiting in the wings.

141

William Penn is also new at 141 with Noah Aken (Fr., Omaha, Neb., Education) winning the slot during wrestle-offs.  Brise Bennett (Jr., Morgantown, W.Va., Business Management) gives the squad a very competent backup as well.  He was 11-15 in 2021-2022 with three pins to his credit.

149

Hargrove enters the season at #9 in the nation (#1 in the Heart), having won a pair of matches in his first national tournament run.  He was 24-5 last year with nine falls, five major decisions, and two technical falls.

Freshman Kadyn Fleek (Fr., Honey Creek, Iowa, Biology) has also impressed in preseason practices.

157

Arguably William Penn’s toughest weight, Steven Skewes (So., Duchesne, Utah, Exercise Science) and Kael Bunce (So., Muskegon, Mich., Industrial Technology) had a great match at wrestle-offs and are both starting the year ranked in the league.  Skewes, who was 16-11 (10 falls) last season, will be the starter, while Bunce, who has previously qualified for junior college nationals, will complete the stiff 1-2 punch.

165

Matheson Meade (So., Knoxville, Tenn., Exercise Science) is the Statesmen’s top grappler at 165, while fellow returner Michael Baker (Jr., Underwood, Iowa, Elementary Education) will apply pressure in the ‘on deck circle’.  Meade posted a 15-13 mark (five falls) last year, while Baker was 11-6 with three pins as well.

174

Ranked #15 in the NAIA, Stanley has high hopes for the upcoming season.  He was 22-11 with eight falls last campaign and should get a hefty push from backup Preston Wiest (Sr., Troutsville, Va., Biology).  Wiest looks to stay healthy for the first time in collegiate career; he was 9-6 in 2019-2020.

184

Mason Walters (So., Independence, Mo., Exercise Science) returns to head the 184-pound weight class, while newcomer Elijah Ramirez (Fr., El Paso, Texas, Industrial Technology) is expected to be a tough replacement if need be.  Walters was 12-17 with four falls a year ago.

197

Branson Bottorff (Jr., Mackinaw, Ill., Industrial Technology) dropped from heavyweight during the season last year and still managed an 18-19 overall record (three falls).  Starting the year at the weight he will wrestle should allow him even more success at 197.

Nikolas Ortega (Fr., Holland, Mich., Industrial Technology) has his sights on a successful inaugural campaign as well.

285

Ross Via (So., Rural Retreat, Va., Biology) is WPU’s starter at heavyweight, while Cameron Mitchell (Jr., Houston, Texas, Exercise Science) could also see time in the lineup.  Via won three times in 2021-2022, while Mitchell had his hand raised on seven occasions.

Schedule

William Penn begins its campaign Wednesday with duals against Avila and Bethany (Kan.) in Kansas City, Mo.  The squad then heads to the Friends Falcons Invitational on Saturday.  The Statesmen open their home slate on November 8 against Heart foe Waldorf as part of six home duals during the season.

William Penn will again host the Heart Championships on February 18 with bids to NAIA Nationals on the line.