The 2005-2006 Thiel College wrestling team returns a pair of all-Americans from last year's squad that earned their sixth-straight Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) title and a second-place finish at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional.

The overall strength of the lineup, from top to bottom, is one of the best put on the mat by the Tomcats in years. The squad enters the season ranked 22nd in the Brute-Adidas/National Wrestling Coaches of America (NWCA) Pre-Season Rankings.

Headlining the returning wrestlers are juniors Corey Murphy and Mike Kemble. Both wrestlers attained all-American status at last season's national championships, the first time Thiel has had multiple all-Americans since 1993. Murphy opens the season ranked fourth at 165 pounds while Kemble comes in ranked fifth at 149 pounds.

Murphy finished his season 31-12 after posting a 2-3 mark at the national championships. At the regional qualifier Murphy, who entered the event as the top seed, earned the individual title with a pair of victories.

"Corey had a breakout season a year ago, finishing eighth at the NCAA's. He has a lot of belief in himself right now, he's training very hard, and we are excited about where he is going. Corey has one goal this season - a national championship", said Thurber.

Kemble, who was invited to the national championships as a wild card after finishing second at the regional, went 9-7 during the 2004-05 season, including a 2-3 record at nationals. Highlighting Kemble's trip to the national championship was his 7-4 win over seventh seed and three-time national qualifier Jim Russial of York College.

"Mike had a great finish to rough second semester last year, placing eighth at the Division III Championships. Last year he was injured on and off during the final couple months of the season, and he fought a shoulder injury at the regional and nationals. This year Mike is healthy and on a mission. He knows what it takes to be a national champion, and he has been training like one", said Thurber.

Also returning for the Tomcats is junior Kyle Brown. Brown, who finished the season 32-9, was also a national qualifier after winning the 285 pound bracket at the regional. Brown, who entered the regional as the third seed, defeated second-seeded James Parke of Manchester College 8-3 before knocking off top-seeded Bryan Morgan of Millikin University 5-3 in the championships. Brown was named a NCAA Division III Scholar all-American by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) for the second-straight year.

"Kyle has been our steady closer the last two seasons. He had a great season last year with 32 wins and earning his first trip to nationals. Kyle is a great athlete and we are looking for great things from him this year. He wants to be an all-American and I believe if he keeps training hard he will achieve his goal", said Thurber.

"We have great leaders this year in Corey, Mike and Kyle. The team feeds off of their energy. I believe we have a very solid lineup top to bottom, with our strength being at 149, 165 and 285. We have a lot of unproven talent in the lineup, but we are expecting big things from the freshmen as well as the returners from last year. We have been training extremely hard and we are looking forward to competing. We have a very strong schedule and we need to be focused and excited for each competition", said third-year head coach Craig Thurber.

Sophomore Brandon Council is also back after wrestling to a 19-8 record at 165 pounds in his first season with the Tomcats. Council was selected as an alternate for the national championship event after his second-place finish at the regional.

Sophomore James Moffatt is the front-runner at 125 pounds (3-5 last season). Moffatt will be pushed by freshman Anthony Duffield, who was a fifth-place finisher at the Ohio State Championships a year ago while at East Liverpool High School. Freshman Ben Mellring is in the driver's seat for the starting spot at 133 pounds. Mellring will be challenged by sophomore Justin Croney (5-17 last season), who placed fifth at last year's national qualifier.

Sophomore Anthony Prvonozac (10-6 last season) has claimed the top spot at 141 pounds while Kemble is in control at 149.

Freshman Pennsylvania state qualifier Gino Lanzino showed his determination to succeed at the collegiate level in the Blue-Gold Wrestle-Offs, earning the right to start the season at the top at 157. Senior Jonas Hatajik returns after struggling with injuries the past two seasons and looks to end his career on a strong note.

Murphy has the 165 spot locked up while Council will bounce from 165 to 174. Backing up Council will be freshman Mitch Costa, who was 39-1 last season as a senior at Edison South High School.

Junior Nate Santelli returns after posting a 20-14 record last season. Sophomore Joe Horton will back up Santelli to start the season. Junior Matt Zakrajsek (3-11 last season) jumps from 174 to claim the starting spot at 197. Sophomores James Kara and D.J. Bross will challenge Zakrajsek throughout the season.

Brown has secured the heavyweight position, but will battle with junior Marc Berry and sophomore Bryan Slattery.

Thiel will compete in many of the top Division III invitational events this season, including opening the season at the Green Terror Duals (McDaniel College), the Doug Parker Invitational (Springfield College), the Ohio Northern Inviational and the Budd Whitehill Duals (Lycoming College).