Minnesota State Looks For National Title in 2008-09
Mavericks Return 13 Letterwinners From Last Year's National Second-Place Finishers
October 24, 2008
Mankato, Minn. -- This year's Minnesota State wrestling team has high expectations and feel like there’s nothing holding it back from meeting them.
After finishing last season second in the North Central Conference and
also losing out on the national championship by a half of a point to
Nebraska- Kearney, coach Jim Makovsky is not looking to repeat last
year’s outstanding performance, but to out do it by reaching the #1
spot.
"Our main mission is to win a NCAA Division II national team
championship,” Makovsky said. “That will always be our short-range,
medium-range and long-range goal for our wrestling program. In
addition, we have goals to defend our north region championship and
National Dual championship.”
Makovsky is entering his 16th season as the Mavericks head coach and
holds an overall record of 190-65-2 at MSU. He has never finished lower
then 17th in the nation and has guided nine of his wrestlers to
national championships in his 15 years.
“The team goals are another source of inspiration for our wrestlers to
strictly follow the process because they know the rest of the team is
counting on them." Last years team included seven All-Americans and two
national champions, so those still in the program have big shoes to
fill this season. "We lost four seniors that were major
difference-makers within our program.” Makovsky said. “Andy Pickar and
Jason Rhoten were both National Champions and had a combined seven
All-American finishes. Nick Smith was a runner-up and a third-place
finish nationally. Willy Mekeel was one of the hardest workers in our
program who did things the right way. They scored a lot of points at
nationals and that is going to be hard to replace.”
The Mavericks will be heading into the season without a few of their
key contributors, but Makovsky feels that last year’s seniors helped
prepare those still in the program.
“They left a blueprint for the young guys to follow. Even though they
won't physically be in our room training, their example of how to do
things on a daily basis will live on in our returnees."
Those returning that will be looking to step up include All-Americans,
senior John Putman who looks to start at 133, junior Travis Elg who is
the probable 141 starter, junior Brady Wilson will return as the
heavyweight, and sophomore Tommy Abbott will look to jump in and start
at 149. Senior Tim Matheson at 174, sophomore Ben Becker at 184, and
senior Tom Block at 197 will also need to step into the line-up and
make an impact.
The Mavericks are bringing in nine new freshmen into the program. Some
of the nine freshmen will be stepping in and making an impact right
away, while others will be molded into the future of the program.
"We have a great group of new freshmen and transfers,” Makovsky said.
“I am hoping they are all looking to make an immediate impact. Time
will tell. What I do know is that they have talent and have a good
mindset. Where they fit in to our line-up, how they deal with adversity
and how they match up in the practice room and on-the-mat are things
that will be answered as the season progresses."
With a solid upper class returning for the Mavericks and the long list
of newcomers, freshmen and transfers, the Mavericks look to compete for
the national championship this 2008-2009 season and years to come. As
the Mavericks goal will always be to win nationals, they look to make a
legitimate push at that goal this season.
