Roughnecks Look to Continue Success

Another Roughneck wrestling season is about to begin as the team will look to continue the success they had last season when they finished third at nationals.  Head coach Shawn Nelson, the 2012 NCAA Division II Coach of the Year, has once again set a tough schedule for the Roughnecks as they prepare to make another run at the national championship.

The 2012-13 Roughnecks will be led by a trio of performers, who earned All-American honors last year.

Senior Mason True returns after finishing second last year in the 165-pound weight class while junior Adam Walters wrestled his way to a second place finish at nationals in the 184-pound weight class.

Junior Ben Sergent also returns after taking third in the 125-pound weight class one season ago while senior Andrew Tumlin will be back after qualifying for the national championship in the heavyweight division.

The Roughnecks start their season with back-to-back weeks in Michigan.  They will open up at the Eastern Michigan Open on Nov. 3 and then take part in the Michigan State Open on Nov. 11.

After their trip to Michigan, the Roughnecks will return to Ohio for a few meets beginning with the Ashland Harris Open on Nov. 17.  They will then have their first dual meet of the year on Nov. 30 at Tiffin.

On Dec. 1, the Roughnecks will host Pitt-Johnstown in a dual meet beginning at 7 p.m. in Croy Gymnasium.  They will then travel to the Newberry Duals in Newberry, S.C. on Dec. 8 and hit the Midwest Classic on Dec. 15-16 in Indianapolis, Ind.

The 2013 portion of their schedule begins with a trip to Springfield, Ill. to compete in the NWCA National Duals on Jan. 12-13.  They will then take part in the Ranger Duals in Kenosha Wis. on Jan. 19 before competing against King and Oachita Baptist in Bristol, Tenn. on Jan. 27.

Ashland will come to Findlay on Feb. 1 for a dual meet beginning at 7 p.m., which will be followed by two more home meets against Notre Dame (Ohio) and West Liberty State.  The Roughnecks will wrestle Notre Dame (Ohio) on Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. and face West Liberty State at 7 p.m. on Feb. 8.

On Feb. 9, the Roughnecks will battle Lake Erie and Mercyhurst in Painesville, Ohio in their last tune-up before the NCAA Division II Regional, which is slated to take place on Feb. 23-24 in Ashland, Ohio.

The 2013 NCAA Division II National Championship then is scheduled for Mar. 8-9 in Birmingham, Ala.