NCAA Wrestling Championships Information Page

Ewing, NJ … The road to national prominence culminates in Cedar Rapids, IA as four wrestlers from The College of New Jersey will suit up to battle the best Division III competition in the country.

Senior Antonio Mancella (Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest), juniors Nick Herring (Middletown, NJ/Middletown South), Doug Hamann (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial), and sophomore Ryan Budzek (Point Pleasant Boro, NJ/Point Pleasant Boro) have their sights set on joining a crowded fraternity of wrestling brothers who have achieved greatness at the NCAA national championships.
 
"Our wrestling program prides itself on placing high in the team standings at the NCAA championships," said Head Coach Joe Galante '07. "Our team is focused on individual national champions and All-Americans, which is what we prepare for all season. Being part of a tradition that values success at the highest level of competition is something very important that I hope to help continue."
 
To say that TCNJ wrestling has enjoyed success at the national championships would be wildly understated. While their five national championships – including the first NCAA title in school history – are well-documented, there is much greater depth of accomplishment at nationals for the Lions wrestling program. They have finished in the top 10 a total of 23 times. Lion wrestlers have also captured 21 individual national titles; the first claimed by Mike Rossetti in 1978 and the last by Mike Denver in 2012.
 
But perhaps the most impressive statistic is one that showcases decades of persistent success within the program. In each of the last 45 years, at least one Lion has earned All-American honors at the national tournament. Max Calehuff holds the distinction of being the first wrestler from the college to be named an All-American at the NAIA national tournament in 1971. The following year, Gene Barber finished third in the 177-pound weight class to claim All-American honors at the NCAA national championships. Those two wrestlers ignited a streak that has extended 45 years, right up through Zach Zotollo (now an assistant coach) and Mancella in 2015.
 
Mancella placed eighth at 157 pounds last year and returns to nationals for his senior season. He posted a 17-5 overall mark this year and has 75 career victories. Mancella will match up against Aaron Engle of host Cornell College in his opening round bout.
 
"Returning to nationals is a great feeling" Mancella said. "I feel very fortunate that I'm able to wrestle the final matches of my career with the best in the country. I think last years' experience will help my confidence this year. I'm not going to be worried so much about the arena, the atmosphere, the people or anything like that because I've been to the national tournament before. I can put all my focus towards wrestling and getting myself as high up on the podium as I can."
 
Herring will also seek a spot on the podium and has been outstanding all season. He boasts a 22-2 overall mark (15-0 in dual meets) with three pins. Herring will square off against Ryan Vandall of Central Iowa in his opening round of the 165-pound weight class competition.
 
At 174 pounds, Hamann has enjoyed a strong second half of the season. He is 21-4 overall (four pins) and will battle Ethan Farmer of Wabash College in the opener. Budzek is the lone underclassmen traveling to Cedar Rapids after a tremendous sophomore season. He is 24-2 this season (16-0 dual meet record) at 141 pounds with three wins by fall. Budzek will grapple Allen Henle of St. Johns University (Minnesota) in his first bout.
 
Opening round competition will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday. The championship quarterfinal will commence at 6 p.m. that evening. Championship semifinal matches and consolation wrestle-back quarterfinals will open at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The championship finals will begin at 7 p.m. in weight-class order.
 
Lining up to walk in the parade of All-Americans is the primary objective of all four wrestlers with a top spot at the podium representing the ultimate prize. Galante, who twice walked in that parade of All-Americans during his wrestling career at TCNJ, would like nothing more than to watch his wrestlers enjoy that same experience.
 
"Each year we work to realize dreams for our athletes, and this year is no different."