Outlook
2010-11 dual record: 7-5-1
North Region Finish: 3rd Place
NAIA National Finish: 4th Place
Starters lost: 125- Akmal Adilov 7th in the nation; 165- Ross Mosher National Champion; 184 Michael French- Nation Finalist
Returning All-Americans: 141- Anthony Varnell Nation Champion, 141- Myles Mazurkiewicz 2X All-American 5th, 2nd; 157- Michael Hader 2010 8th ; 165- Noah Hatton national finalist.
Success and determination have been the two main staples of the University of Great Falls Wrestling Team since day one. This year head coach Caleb Schaeffer and his staff plan to continue this tradition and build upon it to reach new heights. With the experience, talent, and depth of this year’s squad this should not be attainable and expected.
The Argos return four NAIA All-Americans, two regional champions, and 12 national Qualifiers to this season roster. All of these young men are from the 2010-11 wrestling squad that went 7-5-1 in duals, placed third at the regional title, and attained a fourth place team finish at the NAIA National Tournament.
The University of Great Falls will be counting on a mixture of new faces and veterans to make the 2011-12 wrestling year a success. The Argos will be led by returning national champion, Anthony Varnell, and national finalist Noah Hatton. UGF will also need Michael Hader and Myles Mazurkiewicz to have a season like their 2009-2010 were they placed 8th and 2nd in the nation respectively. All of these individuals will be a vital part of the varsity line-up.
Newcomers that will be making an immediate impact to the varsity line-up are transfers Kamron Jackson, Mike Vassar and Danny Luttrell. Each of these young men will have to have great years if UGF wants to be contenders for a National Championship come March. Kamron Jackson was a two time All-American for N. Idaho College placing 2nd and 3rd. Mike Vassar was a two time California Junior College National finalist. Danny Luttrell was a Texas high school standout where he went undefeated his last two years for Arlington High School with a record of 72-0.
Redshirt that are looking to crack the starting line-up are Ryan Martin (3X MT state champion) Shaun Lau(3X MT state champion), Adam Wolf (WA state Champion) and Brock Picard(3X MT state champion).
The schedule
The schedule is again highlighted by the Reno Tournament of Champions, held Dec. 18 in Reno, Nevada. The Argos will face numerous top quality Division I opponents such as Oklahoma State Arizona State, Stanford, and Oregon State. Also, the University of Great Falls will again host the Battle of the Rockies Open where five of the top ten teams in the nation compete last year. This will be held at the McLaughlin Center on Dec 2nd and 3rd.