Goals in Sights of CCSJ Wrestlers

By Felipe Espinosa, CCSJ Sports Communications Intern

WHITING, Ind. - While the fall gets to its last days of glory, winter announces its arrival - and with it - so does the wrestling season at Calumet College of St. Joseph.

The wrestling team has made notorious progress the last couple of season here at CCSJ.

Alumni Tyler McCoy and senior Scott Pitrowski both went to nationals last year. Even thought both guys couldn't go beyond the podium, their effort was very well recognized here at the school.

This season the team is getting ready for a new shot for the glory.

"My overall expectations for the season are to advance at least half of the weight classes to nationals. Ultimately, the goal is to be standing up on that podium at the end of the year, and if we stay on each other I know we will have some All-Americans this year," Pitrowski said.

This will be the fourth season that Wave head coach Ryan Rivera leads the team to another Midwest Regional journey. He wants to make winning a tradition for the program, both in the wrestling field and inside the classroom.

"I am hoping that any success we have on the mat this year can help to establish a winning tradition and culture in our program. Additionally, we have had multiple Academic All-Americans and I want to continue to see that; and hopefully finish with a top ten team GPA in the country," Rivera said.

For being one of the veterans and more experienced athletes on the team, Pitrowski is in charge of leading the squad from inside. "I am playing sort of a good cop/bad cop role this year. I want to make sure my teammates are enjoying what they are doing, but at the same time, understand that we are here to take care of business," he said.

Coach Rivera trusts his seniors with the responsibility of shaping the group.

"Our two seniors, Ramiro and Scott, work great together by bringing different approaches to lead and shape the rest of the team. Scott is the more vocal and outgoing type, while Ramiro is the quiet, lead-by-example type, but both guys are not afraid to challenge and talk with their teammates to help them reach their potential," Rivera explained.

It all starts tonight at Ancilla College in Plymouth, Ind., for the first dual meet, as Rivera is already setting up his priorities.

"Our goals are a top 20 team finish at nationals, multiple All-Americans and a top 10 academic team finish."

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