The Lions have placed in the top 20 in each of the last 31 years and are currently ranked seventh in the latest Brute – Adidas National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III pre-championship poll. The event will run March 2-3 and will be hosted by Loras College.
TCNJ enters the tournament after winning the Metropolitan Conference Wrestling Championships for the 24th time in 29 tries. The Lions crowned three champions at the conference tournament as freshman Tyler Branham (Newton, NJ/Kittantinny) won at 141 pounds, senior Joe Galante (Ocean City, NJ/Ocean City) at 157 and sophomore Greg Osgoodby (Waldwick, NJ/Waldwick) at 174.
Two more wrestlers earned a trip to nationals as junior Ray Sarinelli (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Hills) at 133 and senior Mike Guenther (Ewing, NJ/Brick) at 165 earned "wild card" spots.
Four of the five wrestlers heading to Iowa are ranked in respective weight classes and a top-eight finish will earn them All-American status.
Galante is the most seasoned wrestler at the tournament as he is making his third trip to the event. The three-time Met Conference champion was an All-American in 2005 placing fourth, but came up short in his bid a year ago. Galante is currently ranked eighth in this weight class and enters the double-elimination tournament with 28-2 record with eight of those coming by fall. During his career at TCNJ, he has compiled a lofty mark of 81-14.
Branham and Osgoodby are making their first trips to nationals with Osgoodby ranks seventh and Branham the lone Lion not in the rankings. Osgoodby has had a tremendous second campaign at TCNJ and is 33-5 on the year. This season, Osgoodby also earned his 50th career win and is now 56-16. Branham, who wrestled only three matches during 2005-06 season due to an injury, has bounced back in impressive fashion as he leads the team in wins boasting a mark of 36-9.
Sarinelli dropped a tight 3-2 decision to top-ranked Dave Morgan of King's College (PA) in the finals at the Met Conference Tournament, but was awarded a "wild card" as he has taken on some of the nation's elite this season. Sarinelli, who is ranked sixth at 133 pounds, heads to the tournament with a record 31-6 with four of his defeats coming against those ranked above him. For his career, he is 62-19.
Guenther also grabbed a "wild card" berth as he finished second at the conference tournament the hard way. After falling in the finals, he battled back to win a true-second place match securing a spot. The senior takes a 27-3 record with him to the tournament and is currently ranked sixth. Like Branham, Guenther has battled back from an injury last season and has a career record of 34-5.
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