Athletics Headlines: Spartan Wrestling Looks to Start and Finish 07-08 Season Strong

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October 25, 2007

Spartan Wrestling Looks to Start and Finish 07-08 Season Strong

Following a below par finish to the 2006-2007 wrestling season, the Spartans look to silence their critics this upcoming season with a barrage of new and returning wrestlers. Head Coach Brian Jackson, who is entering into his sixth year with Missouri Baptist, fourth as Head Coach, is very optimistic on the upcoming season.

“Last year's season ended very disappointing for the Spartan Wrestling Team. We were unable to have a single wrestler garner All-American Honors. This season, I am excited about the strong academic and athletic prowess that the incoming freshman possess. Some to look out for would be Clayton Olsson and Sam Kassing from Warrenton, and Abbas Emamjome from Rockwood Summit. I look to see them and the rest of the freshmen blossom on and off the mat while at Missouri Baptist,” Coach Jackson said.

Some of the strong transfers that have joined the MBU squad this season are Matt Collum, Sean Dietz, and Jeff Bowman. Collum, a National Junior College Athletic Association National Champion, comes to MBU from a storied program at Oklahoma State University. Dietz is a former Missouri State High School placer, while Bowman is a former Missouri State High School Champion.

Along with the new crop of wrestlers, nine national qualifiers return from a yeag ago. Two of the returnees are Senior Nigel Kinworthy, a 2006 NAIA All-American from St. Charles, Missouri, and Junior Gerald Harris, a National Qualifier from St. Louis, and this year’s team captain.

“This season will be a complete 180 from last year," said Coach Jackson. "With my group of guys and an excellent coaching staff, we will be a tremendous foe for our opponents and look to be near the top in the NAIA.”

The Spartans look to become a vastly improved team and true terrors on the mat. Although, the 2007-2008 wrestling schedule is extremely rigid, the Spartans have the drive and determination to become true champions on the mat and in the classroom. The Spartan's tough schedule opens this Saturday at the Lindenwood Open in St. Charles, Mo. Lindenwood University is the defending NAIA National Champion.