University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Athletics

A contingent of 10 incoming freshmen with extensive state tournament experience highlights the UW-Stevens Point wrestling team’s 2007-08 recruiting class.

UW-Stevens Point head coach Johnny Johnson welcomes eight wrestlers who competed in 2007 state tournaments, including four state runner-up finishers. The group joins a UW-Stevens Point squad that placed second at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference meet and 20th at the NCAA Division III championships this past season.

Among the four state runner-up performers is heavyweight Steve Wozniak of Neillsville, who was 51-5 at the 215-pound class in Division 2. Joe Farrell of Gillett/Suring was 44-6 in Division 2 and runner-up at 145 pounds after placing sixth as a junior. Dan Wierzba of Stevens Point Pacelli was 35-11 with a second place finish in Division 3 at 152 pounds. Coulter Nyenhuis of Gladstone, Mich. placed second in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula championships and posted a 35-7 record at 152 pounds as a senior.

Fred Freeman of Phillips was 46-4 as a senior and placed third in Division 2 at 125 pounds after a sixth place finish as a junior. James Berdan of Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln was fifth in Division 1 at 130 pounds and helped the Red Raiders to the state team championship while finishing with a 42-13 individual record.

Other state qualifiers joining the Pointers are Andy Smits, a two-time state qualifier from Gillett/Suring, who posted a 35-11 record and 140 pounds and Kris Magruder, who had a 40-6 record at 140 pounds for Racine Case.

Nick Estep from Racine Case reached the state tournament at 215 pounds as a senior in 2006 while compiling a 26-9 record. Nate Groshek from Stevens Point Area Senior High was 38-8 at 215 pounds as a senior, but lost in overtime in a wrestleback at the sectional.

UW-Stevens Point was 12-8-1 overall during the 2006-07 season and had an All-American finisher for the 18th time in the past 20 years. The Pointers have placed in the top 20 nationally six straight years.