March 19, 2001

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

A Look Ahead: The Cowboy wrestling team completed its season this past weekend at the NCAA Wrestling Championships.

A Look Ahead to 2001-02: Wyoming will return seven of its ten starters from this season's lineup. But the Cowboys will lose two of their three NCAA qualifiers in Steven Schenk and Craig Rumsey. The returnees for next year will be highlighted by Mark Hamrick, Levi Prevost and Brad Steele. Hamrick had a record of 22-10 this year and placed second at the West Regional at 149 pounds. The Wheatland, Wyo., native will look to qualify for the NCAA Championships in his senior season. Prevost came on strong late in the year and was an NCAA Championships participant. Prevost qualified for nationals after a strong third-place finish at the West Regional. Steele went 21-15 in the heavyweight class for the Cowboys. Steele was nationally ranked for part of the season after a strong showing at the Las Vegas Invite and should be an improved wrestler next season as a junior. Others who saw lots of action that will be returning next year are Justin Christenson (165), Kevin Kessner (184), Kelly McConville (133) and Thad Trujillo (141). There will also be a number of youngsters that could see some mat time in redshirt freshman E.K. Waldhaus (174), Richie Cordova (133/141) and Justin Salas (165). The Pokes will also look to transfer Steve Cordova (125) and redshirt sophomore Matt Westenfelder (165).

Three Cowboys Compete at NCAA's: Wyoming had three wrestlers at the NCAA Championships this past weekend. Freshman Levi Prevost was eliminated Thursday night while seniors Craig Rumsey and Steven Schenk wrestled into the day Friday. Schenk fell just one match short of achieving All-American status. After losing his first match to Luke Moore of Ohio 6-2, Schenk rebounded to win three in a row at 174 pounds. Schenk pinned Louis Taylor of Eastern Illinois at 4:51 in his first match in the wrestleback round. Schenk then went on to defeat #6 seed Eric Feeney of Eastern Michigan 5-4 in a terrific match. Schenk then beat Jeff Rusak of Old Dominion 5-1 to move into the consolation quarterfinals. Just one match away from becoming an All-American, Schenk was defeated by #5 seed Gabe McMahan of Iowa 14-6. By going 3-2 at the NCAA Championships Schenk finished his senior year 26-14. Schenk entered nationals unseeded. Wyoming's other senior Craig Rumsey finished 1-2 at the tournament. Rumsey won his first match over #6 seed Chael Sonnen of Oregon 8-7. Rumsey moved on to face #11 seed Mike Fickell of Pennsylvania and was defeated 3-1. In the consolation bracket, Rumsey was eliminated by Nik Fekete of Michigan State 9-4. Rumsey finished the year 22-13 in the 197 pound weight class. Cowboy freshman Levi Prevost was 0-2 at the championships. In his first match Prevost was defeated by #5 seed Kirk White of Boise State by technical fall 21-6. In his next match Prevost was beaten by Timothy Huxel of Air Force 12-6. Just a redshirt freshman, Prevost earned a trip to nationals after an impressive third-place finish at the West Regional. As a team Wyoming finished in a tie for 38th with Missouri after scoring six team points.

Complete meet results:

Steven Schenk - 174 pounds
Lost to Luke Moore (Ohio) 6-2
Defeated Louis Taylor (Eastern Illinois) by fall at 4:51
Defeated #6 Eric Feeney (Eastern Michigan) 5-4
Defeated Jeff Rusak (Old Dominion) 5-1
Lost to #5 Gabe McMahan (Iowa) 14-6

Craig Rumsey - 197 Pounds
Defeated #6 Chael Sonnen (Oregon) 8-7
Lost to #11 Mike Fickell (Pennsylvania) 3-1
Lost to Nik Fekete (Michigan State) 9-4

Levi Prevost - 157 Pounds
Lost to #5 Kirk White (Boise State) by tech. fall 21-6
Lost to Timothy Huxel (Air Force) 12-6