WVU Wrestling
WVU Wrestling Built for Strong 2024-25 Campaign with Veteran Lineup
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia’s 35-10 victory over Glenville State in Wednesday’s season opener gave WVU wrestling coach Tim Flynn mixed feelings.
Mixed feelings about a lopsided win may be confusing to many, but the experienced Mountaineers leader has evolved to expect near, if not complete perfection, out of his wrestlers in his seven years at the helm.
West Virginia claimed seven of the 10 bouts in the win, which included five technical falls, a major decision, and a pinfall victory. The three losses were a major decision at 165 pounds, a defeat on a last-second takedown at 184 and a sudden death overtime loss at 197.
“There were some guys who wrestled well and some who didn’t,” Flynn said after the match. “Those who didn’t obviously paid the consequences.”
Nonetheless, Flynn has many positives to expect out of his lineup over the coming months leading up to the NCAA Championships in March.
West Virginia is returning nine of 10 starters from last season’s lineup that produced the Mountaineers’ second straight 10-win season, the first this has happened since 1990-91.
The lone hole needed to be filled is at the 133-pound spot, which will likely be taken by Jett Strickenberger, who wrestled all of last season at 125.
Jace Schafer would then be the new lightweight wrestler in the lineup after spending the last three years as a reserve for the Mountaineers.
“If you have a lot of experienced and veteran guys coming back, it gives the program a great vibe,” Flynn said. “We have a lot of guys ranked, and it gives them confidence. It helps all-around, but the leadership part is a big thing, too.”
The returnees are headlined by 149-pounder Ty Watters and Peyton Hall at 165.
Watters is coming off one of the best true freshman campaigns in program history, claiming the Big 12 championship followed by a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships to earn an All-American nod.
Watters was just the third true freshman in West Virginia history to become All-American, and the first to do it at 149 pounds.
“I’m trying to do what I did last year, times two,” Watters said. “It’s a fun journey. There’s going to be adversity along the way, but I have a great coaching staff that I’m paired with, and I’m very confident they can take me to that level.”
Hall also earned an All-American honor, his second, after finishing in seventh place.
Hall with the slide-by takedown. pic.twitter.com/8znCjxBd3c
— WVU Wrestling (@WVUWrestling) November 7, 2024
He became the ninth West Virginia wrestlers to be named All-American multiple times. Hall and Watters were also the first Mountaineers duo be All-American in the same season since 2005.
“This season will be based on our lifestyle and doing the right things off the mat,” Hall said. “I believe that translates to good performances. We’re going to have the workouts, but it’s what you’re doing in your free time that will make the difference for us.”
Hall, Caleb Dowling (157 pounds) and Michael Wolfgram (Heavyweight) are the veteran leaders of the lineup with all being fifth-year wrestlers.
Austin Cooley (197) is a redshirt senior. Strickenberger (senior), Schafer (redshirt junior) and Jordan Titus (141, redshirt junior) are all upperclassmen. Brody Conley (174, redshirt sophomore) and Watters (sophomore) bring key experience.
Redshirt sophomore Ian Bush is a new face in the lineup and will be competing with last season’s starter and redshirt senior Dennis Robin for the full-time spot at 184.
“Our team has a lot of chemistry,” Watters said. “We respond well to what all of the coaches say. With the gameplan, sometimes we’ll swap some guys out and they have no issues with it. I think we’re only going to get stronger as we go from dual to dual.”
The Mountaineers are looking to build off one of their most successful seasons in recent years.
West Virginia’s 97.5 team points scored at the Big 12 Tournament were the most in team history. The Mountaineers then finished in 17th place at the NCAA Championships, their highest since 2004.
To top it off, the team finished the regular season ranked in the Top 25 for the first time since 2005 (19th).
“The guys are motivated and ready to go,” Flynn said. “We’re looking forward to seeing what this year brings.”
For a related story, the WVU wrestling team is sending a pair of wrestlers to an upcoming showcase event in State College.
