championship in March.
Led by All-American seniors Pat Mosley
and Aaron Hynick, the Wichita State club wrestling team won the National Collegiate Wrestling Association's Division II championship in March in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Paul Myersabout the Shocker wrestling
team's winning season.
The team's coach, Paul Myers '04/10, says it took hard work to earn the national title.
"There were quite a few hours of blood, sweat and tears," he says, adding that a tough mental attitude also played a key role in WSU's success. The squad's members, who all are from Kansas high schools, believed they could compete against any other wrestlers in their division — and win.
Eight of WSU's 12 team members qualified for the tournament. Top finishers for the Shockers were Hynick, who placed third in the 165-pounds classification, and Mosley, who was fourth in the 157-pound category. Shockers reaching the consolation third round before losing were Evan Amaro (125 pounds), Dakota Denny (235) and Kenny Tyler (149). Other qualifiers were Jeff Graber (197), Dusty Greer (133) and Nick Thomas (141).
Overall, WSU placed 14th in the competition with 57.5 points, the highest score in the Division II category, which is made up of emerging programs.
The future for wrestling at WSU looks bright, says Myers, who expects to field a 20-plus member team next season, when the roster will include two top Kansas wrestlers, Taylor Krier, a state champion from McPherson High School, and Devin Webber, a three-time state qualifier from Wichita High School South.
All-American Hynick also will be with the Shocker team next season — this time as a coach.
