Tanner Hoops | Staff Writer
The Buena Vista University (BVU) wrestling team is looking to make bigger strides in its second season under Head Coach Jeff Breese. Breese, a 2006 graduate of North Carolina State University and a member of the 2004 Atlantic Coast Conference championship team, believes that the Beavers have the talent to crack the Top 25 rankings by season’s end.
“We have a great group of freshmen that push the seniors and likewise the seniors push the freshman,” says Breese, “We believe that if we work hard enough, we can finish the year in the Top 25. A lot has to go right in order for that to happen and we probably won’t get to that point before season’s end, but it’s one of our goals.”
The Beavers finished with a record of 3-14 (0-7 IIAC) in dual meets last season but return a strong nucleus of talent, headlined by reigning IIAC freshman of the year Nashid Barrow. Barrow, a 2015 national qualifier at 141 pounds, is coming off a 25-9 freshman campaign, finishing one win shy of All-American status.
“Probably our must complete wrestler at this point,” says Breese of Barrow, “He watches a ton of film on other national and world level competitors. For a sophomore, he has a deep understanding of the sport.”
Other starters returning from last year’s team include senior Gable Bonner (heavyweight), senior Austin Hayes (197-lbs), junior Ernesto Garcia (125-lbs), junior Tyler Puls (174-lbs) and sophomore Mitch Broer (157-lbs).
Three freshmen are slated to make their collegiate debuts in Friday’s season opener. They include Romelo Salas (133-lbs), Brad Kerkhoff (149-lbs) and Coleby Bratrud (165-lbs). The trio has eight high school state wrestling tournament appearances between them and has the coaching staff feeling confident in the youthfulness of this year’s squad.
The IIAC is perennially among the toughest conferences in all of college wrestling but Breese likes the challenge put forth to help his team grow.
“Our dual meet record wasn’t very good last year and that’s what we really want to focus on, becoming a better dual meet team,” said Breese.
“Overall, our goal is to get as many guys to nationals as we can, but we want our guys to go out there and fight,” said Beaver assistant coach Sean White, “That’s all I expect and winning will take care of it itself.”
The Beavers open the season with a non-conference dual against St. Olaf on Friday, November 6, at 7:00 from Siebens Fieldhouse. The 1986 Buena Vista wrestling team, which finished third at the national tournament, will be honored during intermission. A live video stream of the meet can be found by visiting bvuathletics.com and the event will be broadcast on KBVU 97.5 the Edge.
Photo by Taylor Staab
