November 7, 2005

In his first year as head coach, all Tom Brands did was win a school-record 16 dual matches, an ACC dual meet title, send a school-record five wrestlers to the NCAA Championships and bring in the No. 2 recruiting class in the country.

Those who think Brands is on a five-year plan better change their opinion. Brands wants to win now, and sees no reason why that can't be accomplished in Blacksburg.

Heading into his second season with the Hokies, he has already sent waves throughout the wrestling community by signing some of the best prospects in the nation and turning the Hokies already on the team into tough, aggressive grapplers capable of competing with anyone in the country.

Brands returns five starters from last year's 16-4 team and has 15 newcomers ready to contribute, although not all will. While not definite, many of his prized recruits from last year's class will likely redshirt, setting the table for an exciting 2006-07 campaign.

But that's a year away. This season, Tech will tackle another tough out-of-conference schedule, six ACC foes and participate in some of the top tournaments around. While the goal is to win national championships and produce All-Americans, an ACC title and a top-20 finish at the NCAAs aren't out of the question this year.

Here's a look at each weight class and who figures to help out this season:

125: Justin Staylor returns after a successful freshman campaign. The Great Bridge High product went 26-11 overall and 5-0 in the ACC last year, picking up 13 wins by fall. He placed second at the ACC Championships and is looking to improve on that performance. Tech got a break when 2004 ACC Champion Christian Smith transferred from Duke to Tech. He missed most of last year with a shoulder injury, but should be back to 100 percent this year. Smith totes a 42-17 career record heading into this year.

"Both of them help us and give us depth here," Brands said. "It'll be up to them to decide who wrestles here. Smith is coming off a knee surgery, but Staylor has looked good in the practice room."

133: Look for either Smith or Staylor to bump up to this spot. Redshirt senior David Hoffman is a three-year starter at this class and will certify at 133, but will likely go at 141 this year. One of Tech's big Iowa signees, Joe Slaton, is likely to redshirt this season. Another option here is Sheridan Moran, who won a Louisiana state championship.

"We have a lot of options in the lower weights because we have some holes to fill," Brands said. "We'll try some different lineups early and make some determinations as we get into our dual schedule."

141: A bit of a question mark, the 141-pound class provides several options for Brands. Three-time NCAA qualifier David Hoffman is back once again but looks to bump up this year. He led Tech with 15 pins last year, tying the school record, and went 33-7 on the season. The Pennsylvania native was ranked in the top 15 most of last year and should enter the season there once again. Look for Dan LeClere, from Iowa, to compete in open tournaments, but to eventually redshirt if all goes according to plan.

149: One of the top battles for playing time will come at this spot as defending ACC Champion Tyde Prater will receive stiff competition from the No. 1 high school recruit in the country from last year in Brent Metcalf. Prater went 19-12 on the season overall and 4-1 in the ACC, qualifying for the NCAAs and finishing one round away from All-America status. Metcalf is the most-hyped wrestler to enter the program and could make an instant impact on the national scene. There's still a chance Metcalf could redshirt, but that will be determined as the season moves along. Look for his performances as an unattached wrestler in the first two open tournaments to go a long way in determining whether he redshirts or not.

"Those two will sort it out on the mat, but Tyde is coming back from knee surgery," Brands said. "I think we're finally getting over the hump with him and we'll let them go at it to see who starts."

157: The loser of the 149-pound wrestle-off could move up to here, if Metcalf doesn't redshirt, but it's not the best scenario. Metcalf isn't physically ready to bump up to this weight, but it might be necessary to bump up the No. 2 at 149 to 157 pounds.

"We're going to watch Metcalf at the first couple of open tournaments, especially out in Omaha, and see how he competes," Brands said. "We know he wants to go, we just have to see if he's physically ready to compete at this level."

Dave Kiley, could see action here, but it will be a constant battle throughout the season to see who wins the starting spot. Jon Bonilla-Bowman will look to redshirt.

165: This class is one of a couple with big holes to fill. Tech could receive some help in the second semester, but will have to go by committee through December. Mark Czarny is a walk-on who will battle for mat time at this weight class.

174: This is the other class that has a question mark, but is another class that could receive some help in the second semester. T.H. Leet had a brilliant prep career in Georgia and will look to help out here or 165 pounds. Look for Eddie Baughan, a walk-on from Maryland, to pitch in and help in the meantime. Tech's third Iowa signee, Jay Borschel, has been impressive in the preseason, but will likely redshirt.

184: Steve Borja is back for his senior year and is looking to qualify for the NCAA Championships once again. Last year, he went 33-10 with 12 falls and placed third at the ACC Championships, earning a wild card berth. He is firmly entrenched as the starter at this spot and is earning preseason national rankings.

"He's one of those guys who we can push all we want, but until he's receptive to what we're doing, we're going to struggle there," Brands said. "I liked what I saw out of him last spring, but he needs to continue to buy into what we're teaching. Time's running out for him and hopefully he gets on board here soon."

197: John Laboranti is coming off a redshirt year and is expected to thrive in moving down from heavyweight to 197. Every day in practice, he goes against NCAA champion Lee Fullhart, NCAA runner-up Wes Hand and nationally-ranked Mike Faust, which can only make him better for when he steps on the mat for real.

"At the end of the day, I think he feels he's getting better," Brands said. "He's done a good job with the essentials and he's done a good job with his weight control. Terry Mitchell [Tech's strength and conditioning coach for wrestling] says he's gained strength and that's a huge positive. We have to have him. This is a critical weight class and he has to perform for us."

HWT: Senior transfer Mike Faust made quite a splash last year after coming in from the University of Pennsylvania. He won the ACC title and qualified for the NCAA Championships. He went 30-7 last year, but is looking for much more his final go around. Freshman Mark Logan could also lend a hand here if needed, and will compete in tournaments.

"It's up to him how good he's going to be," Brands said about Faust. "He needs to quit going out there and making it close. He can beat anybody or be beaten by anybody. If he can open it up just a little bit more, things will change for the better for him."

The Hokies will open with several tournaments before competing in several non-conference dual meets, all before Christmas. After that, the Virginia Duals, along with six ACC meets, will highlight the competition. But Brands has his guys training to peak in March around the ACC and NCAA Championships.

"Regardless of our schedule, we try to bring guys around so they're at their best in March," Brands said. "I don't think we were at our best in March last year. I think we came out of the gate fast, but we have to look to finish stronger this year. We're looking to take 10 guys to the NCAA Championships this and every year. We shoot for the moon in everything we do."

The 2005-06 season opens this weekend as the team heads to Morgantown, W.Va., for the West Virginia University Open. The one-day tournament is an open tournament, meaning Tech wrestlers can wrestle "unattached" - or not wearing any Tech gear and without coaching from the Tech staff or travel help - against the competition. Their records will not count toward their varsity record and it does not affect their redshirt status.