By T.J. Bartels

Twelve All-Americans, two national champion, and one national championship.  That was last year.  This year begins a whole new chapter in the history of Dana College wrestling.

            The main difference from last year’s team to this year is the loss of head coach Steve Constanzo.  Coach Constanzo transformed the wrestling program at Dana into what it is today, leading the team to the school’s first ever national championship.  He left Dana to take over the head coaching positions at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.  Other key departures from last year’s championship team are individual national champions Willie Parks (184) and Jimmy Rollins (133), who are now student coaches along with numerous other All-Americans.

            Stepping in this year tt fill the vacant head coaching position is Richard Fergola.  Fergola is in his third year at Dana.  He has served as head assistant coach for the Vikings the last two seasons.  Fergola is no stranger to national championships as he wrestled for the 1992 junior college champions at Garden City community college.  Other student coaches include Blair Alderman, and Marshall Marquardt.  These men will train with the wrestlers to help develop their skills on and off the mat.

            While the Vikings lost some big time contributors from last year’s team, a new batch of recruits has arrived on campus hoping to continue the winning tradition of Dana College Wrestling.  Along with these recruits return two senior All-Americans, Terrance Almond and Craig Trampe.  These star wrestlers hope to lead the team to a national championship once again.

            What should we expect from this year’s team?  “Our goal is to win a national championship,” coach Fergola proclaimed.  Asked how it felt to coach on a national championship team Fergola exclaimed, “Winning a national championship is one of the best feelings I have ever had, with the exception of my children being born.”  He went on to say, “Words cannot describe the feelings I had, it’s almost unexplainable.”  With a great wrestling facility, one of the top recruiting classes in the nation, and great senior leadership, Fergola believes his team has a chance to repeat as national champions.

            Matt Jacobson (133), a sophomore from Oakland-Craig High School (NE), believes this year’s team will be in the hunt for another national title at year’s end.  “We shouldn’t have a big drop off from last year’s team,” he said.  “We should do very well again this year.”

            This year’s schedule will be as brutally tough as those in the past with the Vikings traveling to several Division I and Division II tournaments, along with duals against some of the conference’s best squads.  At those tournaments, the Vikings are anxious to show the nation they are ready to defend their national title.