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Wheeling Jesuit University Cardinals Wrestling 316 Washington Avenue, Wheeling, West Virginia 26003

Notes from Coach Doyle
Sean Doyle, Head Coach, Wheeling Jesuit University
January 22, 2016

We hope that you are having a great week and doing well! With the West Virginia Invitational being cancelled this weekend, we're writing to update everyone as we approach our stretch run and post season!

WJU WRESTLING REMAINS IN TOP 20 (17th D2 Coaches/15th Basford) It's late January and the team is 5 weeks from our Super Region I Tournament or what most of us know as our NCAA Qualifier. In both of the most recent national polls, the team remains inside of the top 20 at 17/14. All-American/Captain Dustin Warner sits at #4 in both polls, Junior/Captain Dominick Nania debuts at #8 (Basford) and Sophomore Nolan Whitely sits just outside as an honorable mention (Basford).

The team entered the top 20 for the first time in our short history in the preseason polls, and the ability to stay there, as we move upward, is important to us. We have not been outside of the top 20 all season. Consistency will determine our ability to become a top 10, top 5 and serious contender for a national championship. This year's team has done a fantastic job of taking on adversity and overcoming it at every opportunity. Knowing that we started this season with 46 wrestlers and 45 still remain, tells you a lot about the commitment and culture within the program. With just 10 getting to be deemed 'starters' it says a lot about the other 35.

The team is 7-4 and although we are on a four match winless streak, we've competed very tough losing all four to top 15 programs in the country. We're very aware that we need to start winning these types of matches but 12 months ago, we couldn't be competitive with the same programs. In the next 14 days, we will face the #1 (Notre Dame) and #3 (Pitt-Johnstown) programs in the country. This is without question our favorite time of the year. Facing 6 top 15 programs in a 5 weeks stretch will without question expose the areas that we need to improve on and help us prepare for the post season. If we expect to compete for a national championship in the future, there is no better way than to regularly see the best.

With three home dual meets on the schedule in the coming weeks, we'll be sure to communicate information! Have a great weekend, stay warm and be safe!!

Coach Doyle