The Binghamton University wrestling team is set to open the season against Rider Saturday evening. The Bearcats return five starters from last season's lineup, including NWCA All-America selection Lou DePrez.
DePrez, ranked as high as fourth in the nation at 184 pounds, had six victories against top 10 opponents last season. The redshirt junior tallied a 26-5 record and had first place finishes at the Jonathan Kaloust Bearcat Open, Southern Scuffle and EIWA Championships on top of his All-America selection.
Providing a punch at 141 pounds, No. 19
Zack Trampe will also look to carry over his success from a year ago. Another redshirt junior, Trampe is a two-time NCAA qualifier who earned significant national recognition a season ago.
Redshirt senior
Alex Melikian and junior
Michael Zarif will also bring a veteran presence Saturday. Five newcomers will make their career debuts against Rider. Freshman
Collin Burns will wrestle in place of
Joe Doyle (No. 29,TrackWrestling) this weekend at heavyweight.
Projected Lineups
Binghamton
125-Micah Roes
133-Anthony Sobotker
141-No. 19 Zack Trampe
149-Michael Zarif
157-Alex Strashinsky
165-Brevin Cassella
174-Alex Melikian
184-No. 4 Lou DePrez
197-Sam DePrez
285-Collin Burns
Rider
125-Jonathan Tropea
133-Richie Koehler
141-McKenzie Bell
149-Wyatt McCarthy or Travis Layton
157-No. 4 Jesse Dellavecchia
165-Jake Silverstein
174-Angel Garcia or Shane Reitsma
184-George Walton
197-Matt Correnti
285-No. 13 Ethan Laird
Scouting Rider
The Broncs enter Saturday's contest with two nationally ranked wrestlers (InterMat). They are led by 157-pounder Jesse Dellavecchia. Dellavecchia, ranked fourth in the country, is a returning MAC champion and NWCA All-America selection. The graduate student went 30-2 a year ago, including a 12-1 dual record.
Heavyweight Ethan Laird also is nationally ranked. Laird, ranked 13th in the country, has made the transition to heavyweight from 197 pounds last season. He took second at the MAC Championships last season.
125-pounder Jonathan Tropea (No. 26, TrackWrestling) and 184-pounder George Walton (No. 24, TrackWrestling, No. 25, FloWrestling, No. 26 (WestleStat) have also garnered national recognition.
The remainder of the Rider lineup consists of two returners, two transfers, and two true freshmen.
How To Follow Along
Live stream will be on America East TV, while you can also follow on Twitter (@BearcatsWrestle) or on the team's Instagram story (bearcatswrestle).
