BEREA, OHIO -- Under the direction of 20-year veteran Head Coach Rich Fleming, the Baldwin-Wallace College wrestling program has long been one of the best in the Ohio Athletic Conference and NCAA Division III.
Last winter, the Yellow Jacket program had one of the most successful seasons in the history of its program, and Fleming is excited about the prospects of the 2007-2008 season. This year's team returns 15 lettermen, including eight starters, two reigning OAC champions in senior 165-pounder Gino Russo (Northfield Center/ Nordonia) and junior 197-pounder Paul Burger (Mentor) and an OAC runner-up in junior 149-pounder Mo Salem (Westlake). In addition, Russo returns as a Division III Al-American after placing sixth at 165 pounds a year ago.
In 2006-2007, B-W was 12-10 overall, finished second at the OAC Tournament for the third time in the past five years, ended the season ranked 18th in the final NCWCA (National College Wrestling Coaches Association) Division III poll and placed 14th at the NCAA Division III National Tournament. The 14th place finish at the national tourney is the school's best-ever. Highlighting the season was a Division III national runner-up finish by graduated 285-pounder Bryan Kmetz and Russo's sixth place finish.
"We had a strong season in 2006-2007 that peaked during the Summa (second place finish) and OAC tournaments and culminated in an outstanding showing at the Division III National Tournament," said a proud Fleming. "Our young men showed great heart and perseverence.
"We lost two outstanding leaders in Bryan Kmetz and Jared Selover (a Division III All-American at 125 pounds as a freshman)," said Fleming. "This season, we return a solid nucleus of veterans, led by Gino Russo, and we brought in a strong recruiting class to compliment our returnees. This is just a very exciting time to be involved with Baldwin-Wallace College wrestling."
B-W is extremely proud of its two Division III national champions in Paul Petrella in 1977 and Kevin Higgins in 1989 and its two runner-up finishers in 177-pounder Kelly Keenan in 1994 and 285-pounder Bryan Kmetz in 2007. During Fleming's tenure, B-W also has produced nine Division III All-Americans, 15 OAC champions and 20 runners-up.
The B-W program began its run to excellence in 1948 when the legendary John Summa was named coach. In his 32-year career, Summa compiled a school and OAC-record 201-140-1 mark, including six OAC titles and a 105-38-1 OAC record. During much of Summa's early career, B-W was not a part of the OAC and the Yellow Jackets competed against schools such as Kent State University, the University of Akron, Toledo, Ashland and other current NCAA Division I and II programs.
"We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of our student-athletes who compete in the classroom, on the wrestling mats and on campus to be outstanding leaders," said Fleming, the only other B-W wrestling coach to win more than 100 career matches.
TO CONTACT Head Coach Rich Fleming, please call him at 440-826-3258 or the Athletic Department at 440-826-2184. You also can e-mail Coach Fleming at rfleming@bw.edu. The B-W Admission Office also can be reached by calling 440-826-2222.
275 Eastland Rd.