Anderson Grapplers Dominate No. 19 UNC Pembroke, 23-13
Anderson, SC Anderson College dominated the heavier weight classes and got
a pair of victories from the DiCarlo brothers to defeat No. 19 UNC Pembroke
23-13 in a dual meet Thursday night at the Abney Center. The victory
returns the Carolinas Belt to Anderson College.
After Pembroke,s JJ Davis put up three points for the Braves at 165, the
Trojans won four straight bouts to seize a 16-3 lead.
At 174 pounds, Hunter Garner got Anderson started with a takedown and cradle
pin of Justin McEntire at 2:54 for six team points. The Trojans never
trailed the remainder of the dual.
Jeremy Smith collected four points for Anderson with a 16-7 victory over
Raymond Pearson at 184, while Dayo Scott snapped a 3-3 tie after two periods
to take a 6-4 victory over Alfonzo Richardson at 197.
Aaron Lambert then held off James Dingle with a reversal to claim a 6-3
victory at 285 for the Trojans.
After Kevin Jones snapped Anderson,s run with a victory at 125, the DiCarlo
brothers sewed up the dual for the Trojans. At 133, Anthony DiCarlo
completed a reversal with one minute remaining to beat Devon Daniels, 6-3;
and at 141, Nick DiCarlo dominated Michael House, 24-11.
Anderson is now 1-3 in dual meets and 1-0 against Division II competition,
while UNCP falls to 1-1 in dual matches.
Anderson 23, UNC Pembroke 13
165 JJ Davis (UNCP) d. Forrest Garner (AC), 5-3 UNCP 3-0
174 Hunter Garner (AC) p. Justin McEntire (UNCP), 2:54 AC 6-3
184 Jeremy Smith (AC) d. Raymond Pearson (UNCP), 16-7 AC 10-3
197 Dayo Scott (AC) d. Alfonzo Richardson (UNCP), 6-4 AC 13-3
285 Aaron Lambert (AC) d. James Dingle (UNCP), 6-3 AC 16-3
125 Kevin Jones (UNCP) d. Tyler Davis (AC), 10-2 AC 16-7
133 Anthony DiCarlo (AC) d. Devon Daniels (UNCP), 6-2 AC 19-7
141 Nick DiCarlo (AC) d. Michael House (UNCP), 24-11 AC 23-7
149 Eddo Hojilla (UNCP) d. Codey Bearden (AC), 4-1 AC 23-10
157 Brandon Wallace (UNCP) d. Herb Porter (AC), 7-5 AC 23-13
2003-04 Anderson Trojan Wrestling Outlook
Timing is everything. Anderson College Head Wrestling Coach Dock Kelly and his staff plan to reintroduce that concept to the 2003-04 squad with hopes of positive results.
One of our goals for this season is to peak at the right time. Normally we emphasize the tournament season in our program. The dual season is important, but we want to be wrestling our best at the East Regional and NCAA tournaments.
With a wealth of inexperienced wrestlers making up the Trojan wrestling team, many did not have high expectations for Anderson College wrestling program in 2002-03. However, the 2003-04 schedule is probably the most difficult we have had and is perhaps one of the toughest in the nation this year. We look forward to the competition we will face, but it will be tough on our team. We have put together the best team we can and now it is up to them to battle the foes ahead of them in preparation for the East Region Championships and the NCAA Championships in March.
A few bright spots in Anderson's 2002-03 season were a dual meet victory over UNC-Greensboro, and true freshman Careef Robertson qualifying for the NCAA tournament.
We have to work our way back up one step at a time. Our first target is the East Region title, and then we'll set our sights on an NCAA title.
Anderson's incoming recruiting class includes several strong competitors. Leading the way is 2-time state champ and South Carolina wrestler of the year T.J. Selke of Dutch Fork HS (Columbia, SC). Also, 4-time state champ and Georgia wrestler of the year Hunter Garner should provide some much needed stability to the line-up at 165. Other state champs who will challenge for starting spots and provide quality depth are: Nathaniel Wilson (125), Jeremiah Wilson (133), and Justin Haney (141).
We're looking forward to the 2003 season. We've set some high goals for this season and we're going to work hard every day to try and reach them. We have a team with great leadership from its veterans and many young wrestlers that are talented and working hard to compete at the Division II level. Our fans will see an aggressive, hard-nosed lineup that has the ability to score some points. We believe we have a chance to challenge for the East Region title and finish in the top 15 at nationals. That's what we want to accomplish this season!
Here is a weight-by-weight breakdown of the Trojan squad:
125 Pounds
Nathaniel Wilson is the front-runner, but will be pushed by incumbent Clyde Pollock.
133 Pounds
Jeremiah Wilson has the edge on the starting spot, but will be challenged by red-shirt freshman Mike Ellis. Also contending for the starting spot and adding depth will be incumbent Michael Sanders and red-shirt freshman Tim Sexton.
141 Pounds
Red-shirt junior Gerry Braun and senior Steve Volponi are the leading contenders here, but will face stiff competition from competition quality freshman recruits Jeremy Brown and Justin Haney. 149 Pounds
One of the most competitive weights in the program. TJ Selke, a true freshman from Dutch Fork High School has the competitive edge, but will have to work to stay ahead of four other Trojans wanting mat time. Red shirt junior Josh Merry, has collegiate experience and has improved year-by-year and Scott Jones has a year under his belt as well. Talented newcomers Herb Porter and Jason Starnes will also provide depth.
157 Pounds
Red-shirt freshman Matt Godwin is the front-runner at this weight, and he will have to hold off freshman Herb Porter, Nick Niesielowski, Blake Van Oordt, and Kyle Vick. Newcomer Senior Tanner Barnes will also be in the mix.
165 Pounds
4-Time Georgia state champ and 2003 Georgia Wrestler of the Year, Hunter Garner appears to have a stronghold on this weight class. Nathan Hazzard will look to battle Garner for the starting spot.
174 Pounds
Returning national qualifier and 2003-04 nationally ranked Careef Robertson returns as a man on a mission. One match away from placing at the NCAA tournament he looks to take it all the way this year.
184 Pounds
Transfer Darryl "Dayo" Scott will look to make an immediate impact for the Trojans. He is a strong and talented who will be an instant contender for All-American honors. Look for sophomore Matt Dollar (down a weight class from 2002-03) and senior Antoine Robinson to push Scott for the starting position.
197 Pounds
True freshman Justin Smith will battle sophomore Terrell "LT" Scott for the starting spot. Smith is an athletic big man who is poised to make a tremendous impact for the Trojans. LT will look to overpower his opponents after coming down from wrestling HWT in 2002-03.
Heavyweight
Red-shirt freshman transfer Aaron Lambert will battle true freshman Clay Shirley for the starting nod. Lambert placed 6th at the 2003 NWCA national tournament, while Shirley is a 2-time South Carolina state placer.
A closer look at the incoming freshman class and transfers
Jeremy Brown Sharpsburg, GA Landmark Christian HS
Two-time state placer (3rd 2002, 2nd 2003) business management majorchose Anderson over Gardner Webb.
Projected weight class: 141
Justin Haney Woodruff, SC Woodruff HS
2003 state champ high school career record of 133-32 secondary education major chose Anderson over The Citadel.
Projected weight class: 141
Nathan Hazzard Tualatin, OR Tualatin HS
Transfer from Clackamas Community College biology major chose Anderson OSU.
Projected weight class: 165
Hunter Garner Jefferson, GA Jefferson HS
4-Time state champion (140,140, 152, 160) career record 191-7 2003 Georgia HS wrestler of the yearHigh School All-American chose Anderson over UNC-Chapel Hill, West Point, Appalachian State, and UNC-Greensboro.
Projected weight class: 165
Aaron Lambert Irmo, SC Dutch Fork HS
Transfer from Catawba College 2002 runner-up at 189 2003 NWCA All-American (6th)business management major.
Projected weight class: HWT
Nick Niesielowski Ellijay, GA Gilmer County HS
Two-time state placer (4th-2001, 2nd-2003)Physical education major chose Anderson over Gardner Webb University.
Herb Porter Royal Palm Beach, FL Royal Palm Beach HS
3-time state placer (2001-3rd, 2002-4th, 2003-2nd) rated 10th best prospect in the state of FL chose Anderson over UTC.
Projected weight class: 149/157
TJ Selke Irmo, SC Dutch Fork HS
Two-time undefeated state champ "Mr. Wrestling" 2003 South Carolina Honorable mention High School All-Americanchose Anderson over The Citadel, Davidson, and Augsburg.
Projected weight class: 149
Clay Shirley Belton, SC Belton-Honea Path
Two-time state placer (2002-3rd, 2003-3rd) Secondary Mathematics major.
Projected weight class: HWT
Justin Smith Valdosta, GA Lowndes HS
Two-time state placer 53-1 record as a senior chose Anderson over UTC, Virginia, VMI, Carson-Newman.
Projected weight class: 197
Jason Starnes Rock Hill, SC Rock Hill HS
Two-time state placer (2002-4th, 2003-2nd) career record of 125-31. Kinesiology/Secondary Education major chose Anderson over Davidson, and Gardner-Webb.
Projected weight class: 149
Blake Van Oordt Kiawah Island, SC James Island HS
Quality wrestler from James Island HS (SC) who will provide much needed depth Business Management major.
Kyle Vick Powder Springs, GA McEachern HS
Transfer from Lee University 2002 freestyle state champ Journalism major chose Anderson over UTC.
Projected weight class: 157
Nathaniel Wilson Jefferson, GA Jefferson HS
Two-time state champ career high school record 153-52 chose Anderson over UNC-Greensboro.
Projected weight class: 125
Jeremiah Wilson Jefferson, GA Jefferson HS
4-Time state finalist, 2002 state champ career high school record 173-16 chose Anderson over UNC-Greensboro.
Projected weight class: 133
Coaching Staff
Dock Kelly, Head Coach
Dock Kelly III, 30, is entering his fourth season as head coach of the Anderson College wrestling program. In his first three seasons at AC, Kelly has started a rebuilding process that he hopes will make the Trojans competitive on the national stage. Kelly's 2002 signing class was considered one of the best recruiting classes in Division II.
In 2002-03, Kelly led the Trojans to a dual meet record of 4-8 against a schedule that included seven Division I teams and coached his second national qualifier. Freshman Careef Robertson qualified for the Division II meet at 174 pounds and missed All-American honors by one match.
Kelly, a native of Southern Pines, N.C., came to AC after spending four years as an assistant at North Carolina at Greensboro. At UNCG, Kelly was involved in all aspects of the program. Kelly was wrestler at UNCG and earned a spot in the NCAA tournament his senior season. In 1997, he received the Medal of Courage and was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 2000, he was inducted into the NCAA Hall of Champions. A picture of Kelly as a competitor hangs in the NCAA Hall of Champions in Indianapolis, Ind.
An ordained minister, Kelly also serves as a motivational speaker. He uses his own experiences to encourage groups to develop and attain social skills and personal goals for independent living and therapeutic recreation.
Tim Morrissey, Assistant Coach
Tim Morrissey, 32, is entering his fourth season as head assistant coach of the Anderson College wrestling program. Morrissey has played an integral part of developing the wrestling Trojans into a nationally competitive program. Morrissey, has lived, wrestled and coached across the country, from Pennsylvania to Colorado, and from Virginia to South Carolina.
Morrissey was a 1990 Colorado State Champion while attending Glenwood Springs High School then signed with Western State College, in Gunnison, Colo. As a Mountaineer, Morrissey won the 1992 NAIA National Championship as a sophomore and reached the national title match in both of his first two seasons.
Wanting to test himself at the Division I level, Morrissey transferred to Clemson University, where he quickly made an impact winning the ACC title two years in a row. He capped his collegiate career off by earning NCAA Division I All-American honors, placing third at 190 pounds in 1994.
Morrissey's record as a collegiate wrestler at Western State and Clemson was 130-28. He won his conference tournament all four years, was the team captain for both teams he wrestled for, and was named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Outstanding Wrestler in 1992.
After graduating from Clemson, Morrissey went to James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., and spent one season serving as the head assistant coach and was involved in all aspects of the program.
An avid supporter of the sport of wrestling, Morrissey kept himself involved by volunteering at various high schools in the Greenville area until he joined Coach Kelly in his first season at Anderson.
Morrissey lives in Greenville, S.C. with his wife, Katherine and two sons Jackson and Reed.
2003-04 Anderson College
Wrestling Roster
Name Class Weight Hometown
Tanner Barnes SR 157 Rock Hill, SC/Rock Hill HS
Gerry Braun JR 141 Dallas, GA/East Paulding HS
Jeremy Brown FR 141 Sharpsburg, GA/Landmark Christian
Matthew Dollar SO 197 Loganville, GA/Loganville HS
Mike Ellis FR 125 Columbia, SC/Dutch Fork HS
Hunter Garner FR 165 Jefferson HS/Jefferson, GA
Matt Godwin SO 157 Hahira, GA/Lowndes HS
Justin Haney FR 141 Woodruff, SC/Woodruff HS
Nathan Hazzard SO 165 Tualatin, OR/Tualatin HS
Scott Jones SR 149 Seattle, WA/A.C. Davis
Aaron Lambert SO 285 Irmo, SC/Dutch Fork HS
Josh Merry SO 149 Gainesville, GA/North Hall
Nick Niesielowski FR 157 Ellijay, GA/Gilmer County HS
Clyde Pollock SO 125 Irmo, SC/Dutch Fork HS
Herb Porter FR 149 Royal Palm Beach, FL/ RPB HS
Careef Robertson SO 174 Irmo, SC/Dutch Fork HS
Antoine Robinson SO 184 St. Matthews, SC/Brookland Cayce
Mike Sanders SO 133 Beaufort, SC/Beaufort HS
Darryl Scott SO 184 McDonough, GA/Henry County HS
Terrell Scott SO 285 McDonough, GA/Henry County HS
TJ Selke FR 149 Irmo/Dutch Fork HS
Tim Sexton SO 141 Pickens, SC/Pickens HS
Clay Shirley FR 285 Belton, SC/Belton-Honea Path HS
Justin Smith FR 197 Valdosta, GA/Lowndes HS
Jason Starnes FR 149 Rock Hill, SC/Rock Hill HS
Blake Van Oordt FR 157 Kiawah Island, SC/James Island HS
Kyle Vick SO 157 Powder Springs, GA/McEachern HS
Steve Volponi JR 141 Irmo, SC/Dutch Fork
Jeremiah Wilson FR 133 Jefferson, GA/Jefferson HS
Nathaniel Wilson FR 125 Jefferson, GA/Jefferson HS
Head Coach: Dock Kelly, fourth season
Assistant Coaches: Tim Morrissey, fourth season; Ryan Hardy, third season
Anderson College 2003-04 Wrestling Schedule
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
November 1 VMI Keydette Inv. Lexington, VA All Day
November 5 Belmont Abbey Belmont, NC 6:00PM
November 14-15 UNC-Pembroke Open Pembroke, NC All Day
November 18 Spartanburg-Methodist Spartanburg, NC 7:00PM
November 22 Old Dominion Inv. Norfolk, VA All Day
December 6 Sharpie UNC Open Chapel Hill, NC 9:00AM
December 27-28 Midlands Invitational Evanston, IL All Day
January 10 East Region Duals Shippensburg, PA All Day
January 15 Pensacola Christian Home 8:00PM
January 20 The Citadel Charleston, SC 7:00PM
January 24 UT-Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN 12:00PM
January 31 UNC-Greensboro Greensboro, NC 6:00PM
February 3 Carson-Newman Jefferson City, TN 6:30PM
February 7 NC/SC Tournament Salisbury, NC All Day
February 19 UNC-Pembroke Pembroke, NC 6:30PM
February 21 Belmont Abbey Home 1:00PM
February 27-28 Regionals Ashland, OH All Day
March 11-13 Nationals Mankato, MN All Day
(Rev. 10/2/03}