Sevcn Wrestlers Earn NCAA Championships Trip

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March 17, 1988

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.–For the second consecutive year, the Cavaliers are sending seven wrestlers to the NCAA Wrestling Championships. This year’s tournament will be held in Cleveland, Ohio, at Cleveland State. Coach Lenny Bernstein and the Cavaliers hope to improve on their finish from last year when Virginia finished 38th with 6.5 points. A top-twenty-five finish is very possible for the Cavaliers, which would be Virginia’s best finish in school history at NCAA’s. With three wrestlers currently ranked in the top-20 nationally, 1998 very well could be the year for the Cavaliers.

A rough and competitive early season for the Cavs has set them for the kind of finish they are looking for, according to Bernstein. “With the guys that we are bringing, they are the ones that have carried the team with the wins so far,” said Bernstein. “We have the momentum we’re looking for.”

The Cavaliers claimed three ACC individual championships at the 1998 meet and finished second as a team for the second consecutive year. Each of Virginia’s six finalists qualified for the NCAA meet as well as Matt Roth (Wescosville, Pa./Parkland), who received an at-large bid to represent Virginia and the ACC.

Representing UVA will be the following men, who begin competition on Thursday, March 19:

Steve Garland (Middletown, NY/Middletown), sophomore,118lb. ACC runner-up at 118. Champion at Edinboro and Virginia State meets. NCAA qualifier and ACC Champion at 126 in 1997. ACC meet outstanding wrestler in 1997.

Roth, senior, 126lb. Champion at Edinboro and Virginia State meets. Leads team in pins with eight. Three-time NCAA qualifier (1995, 1996).

Jason Mutarelli (N.Catasauqua, Pa./N. Catasauqua), senior, captain, 134lb. ACC Champion at 134. Runner-up at Keystone Classic; finished 8th at Midlands in 1997. ACC runner-up in 1997. Three-time NCAA qualifier (1995, 1997).

Jim Harshaw (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley), junior, 150lb. ACC Champion at 150 for second consecutive year. Two-time Virginia State meet Outstanding wrestler. Ranks first on team in 1998 in winning percentage with 83.3%. NCAA qualifier in 1997.

Alex Leykikh (West Hartford, N.C./Hall), junior, 158lb. ACC champion at 158. Champion at Edinboro meet; finished third at Virginia State meet. Ranks second on team with 29 wins. ACC runner-up at 158 in 1997; NCAA qualifier in 1997.

Tom Shaw (Wichita, Kans./Derby), senior, 177lb. Has a deceptive record at 11-13 with quality wins at a tough weight. Runner-up at both Virginia State meet and ACC meet in 1997.

Martius Harding (Baltimore, Md./McDonough), sophomore, 190 lb. ACC runner-up at 190. Champion at Keystone Classic and Virginia State meet. NCAA qualifier and ACC Champion at 177 in 1997.