The St. Andrews Presbyterian College wrestling program is gearing up for four months of competition with hopes to turn the corner in its fourth NCAA Division II season in 2009/2010.

The Knights under fourth year head coach Joe Baranik will be competing with their most experienced and deepest roster to date. St. Andrews will hit the mat start on November 7 at the Citadel Open in Charleston, S.C., with a roster that features eight letter winners and 12 freshman newcomers.

Coach Baranik has set a team goal to enter a wrestler at each of the 10 weight classes though out the year in dual matches. St. Andrews had to forfeit several weight classes in almost every match last season resulting in just a one-win campaign. The Knights have at least one grappler listed at every weight class on this year’s squad list.

“We have eight upper classmen, which will give us some good leadership and experience,” said Baranik. “We have depth at 70-percent of the 10 weight classes.



We still need more depth at 165, 174, and 184 pounds; but it will be nice to have at least two each at the other seven weight classes.”

Casey Gashaw leads a pack of four juniors with 25 collegiate victories including 10 wins in dual matches. Gashaw had a solid season at 133-pounds last year but will most likely move down to the lightweight ranks in his junior season. Gashaw also leads the Royal Blue & White with 10 career pin falls and was awarded the St. Andrews wrestling Most Outstanding Player award at the 2009 Athletics Banquet.

Junior Greg Todd has been a force at 157-pounds when healthy in his first two seasons at St. Andrews and will be looking for his first full year in the lineup without an injury. Todd has accumulated 12 career victories and seven dual match wins.

The Laurinburg, N.C., duo of Troy Baranik and Andre Ellerbe also bring leadership and experience to the Knights as juniors. Baranik has competed in over 40 collegiate matches at 149-pounds while Ellerbe will enter his second competitive season in the heavyweight ranks after red shirting his sophomore season.



Brad McKee is the Knights lone senior and will become the programs first four-year letter winner in 2010. McKee, who also runs cross country for St. Andrews, is a 133-pound workhorse that has been able to hold his own at heavier weight classes in prior years. McKee has nine collegiate victories including five dual match wins.

A trio of sophomores rounds out the Knights upper classmen. Matt Fletcher was only one of two St. Andrews wrestlers to compete in all 14 dual matches last season (Gashaw). Fletcher, the 2009 Knights Award winner for wrestling, posted eight wins including five in dual matches as a lightweight in his rookie season. Fletcher will move up in weight and most likely compete at 141-lbs.



Justin Hoover and Josh Tegard ) will both see their first competitive action in a St. Andrews singlet this year after red shirting last season. Hoover is penciled in at 197-pounds while Tegard is marked down at 125-lbs.

“Casey Gashaw, Greg Todd, and Andre Ellerbe are all juniors who should have good years,” predicted Baranik. “Plus Justin Hoover -- who red shirted last year -- will be tough at 197-pounds.”

Coach Baranik has added 12 recruits to fill out the 2009/10 roster and has high expectations for the group. Baranik said, “Brian Beatson looks good in the practice room along with Luke Olsen, Richard Manwarren, and Sterling Perry.”

Beatson was a state runner-up while Olsen, Manwarren, and Perry are all state place winners.

St. Andrews has a full schedule in store for its fourth season that includes 13 dual matches and three regular season individual tournaments. The Knights three individual tournaments featuring the Citadel Open, UNC Pembroke Classic, and Sunshine Open in Florida will all be contested before the turn of the calendar.

In dual match competition, SAPC will compete against nine East Region foes including Anderson University, Newberry College, UNC Pembroke, Limestone College, and Belmont Abbey College. The Knights will compete in the 2009 Super Region I Duals hosted by Newberry in January and will battle Kutztown University, West Liberty State University, Shippensburg University, and Seton Hill University. The remainder of the schedule includes a road contest against Darton College after the Sunshine Open and home matches against Spartanburg Methodist College, the Apprentice School, and NCAA Division I foe Campbell University.

The Knights four home dual matches in January and February can be enjoyed by all fans at a minimal cost of $5 for adults and $1 for youth (17 and under). St. Andrews faculty, staff, and students admitted free with valid ID.



The 2009 NCAA Super Regional I Tournament will be hosted by the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown on February 26-27, with several Knights attempting to become the first St. Andrews’ wrestler to qualify for the NCAA National Championships.

“We have the best region in the nation. We had five individual national champions and a runner-up from our region last year. Newberry finished second in the country and UPJ finished in the top-10,” concluded Baranik.