March 14, 2006

PITTSBURGH - When it comes to championship games or matches every athlete starts out with a 0-0 record, but every athlete needs to reflect upon the entire season in order to move forward and prepare himself for what lies ahead. Both Brad Gentzle and Mike Heist not only fought hard at the EWL Championships to receive their first NCAA tournament berths, but they gained experience and put forth determination throughout the entire 2005-06 season as well.

Gentzle (Easton, Pa./Easton) has worked hard and remained focused throughout the entire season which is a lot to say about any true freshman athlete. He has competed in 13 dual matches this season including league match ups against every EWL team. Gentzle has faced many NCAA qualifiers in his dual match ups including Rick Deubel of Edinboro who he defeated at EWLs to receive third place at the tournament. Gentzle also defeated another NCAA qualifier, Slippery Rock's Chris Clarke by a 12-3 major decision which gave Gentzle a total of three major decisions for the season.

"The experience I've gained from competing against tough competition all season has helped a lot," Gentzle said of his preparations for nationals. "I finally wrestled to my potential at the EWLs. I think that peaking at the right time during the year will help me."

"Every match I'm still learning. I think I wrestled three of the top five in the country this year. That experience is definitely going to help me."

Heist (Orefield, Pa./Parkland), a junior, was another Cinderella story as he finished third at EWLs despite the tough losses he had earlier this season. Heist had a 0-6 record against all the NCAA qualifiers he had previously faced going into the EWL tournament. Although this was his first EWL tournament appearance, Heist never gave up and he fought hard to prove that it was anyone's match. His record doesn't do his work ethic justice, as many of Heist's matches were within three points or less. Several of his dual matches this season were fought in overtime. He competed in the Cornell Body Bar, Las Vegas Invitational, and Southern Scuffle which helped him gain the experience needed to earn himself a NCAA tournament appearance.

"It's great to have the opportunity to show myself at a national level and hopefully get the chance to earn All-American honors," Heist said of his trip to Oklahoma. "We were always wrestling good guys, and I had a lot of close matches this season. It's important to learn from those and figure out how to win those close ones."

Gentzle and Heist proved that with hard work and strength of mind you can beat anyone on any given day. Both of these wrestlers have fought hard to the very last second of every match this season which is what earned them their first career bids to this year's NCAA tournament. They both might be considered underdogs, but after proving themselves noteworthy at EWLs, Gentzle and Heist will not be taken lightly.