Lakeland Mirror

Issue date: 2/15/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Beau Markut David Copp maintains control of his opponent by splitting him with his leg ride in the finals. Copp would end up winning the match and claim the 125 pound weight class title.

According to head coach Peter Rogers, his injured reserve list has fattened itself to six starting wrestlers. Of the six injured wrestlers, two of them are senior captains, Matt Priemesberger and Mark Vanden Hoogen.

Last issue, The Mirror posted big news of the return of Priemesberger to the starting lineup. However, an MRI last week revealed that the senior has arthritis in his right shoulder due to multiple surgeries. This has grounded any attempt for the captain make a return in his final year and has also landed him the popular nickname, "Old Man Priemesberger" with his teammates.

Banter aside, a prominent, hard-working wrestler unable to compete in his final year of college is very unfortunate. Despite the end of Priemesberger's days as a Lakeland wrestler, he still shows a deep commitment to the team. "(Priemesberger) still comes to every practice," said Rogers. "He wrestles in every practice just to try to get everybody to a higher level. He is just a team player. You could not have asked for a better captain than that."

Rogers even goes as far as to credit Primesberger for his performance as an inactive captain. "He could have easily just abandoned the team after he realized he couldn't get it done but he is not the type of person who would do that," said Rogers. "From a leadership standpoint, he had every bit as much to do with our success this year as anybody else on the team. Even though he wasn't able to wrestle, he did what he could for the rest of the guy's on the team."

Vanden Hoogen recently went down with a broken foot a couple of weeks ago. The senior is awaiting surgery that will place screws in his ankle, but he is pushing that date off until after the season. Vanden Hoogen has been limping around with a cast trying to find a doctor that would clear him to wrestle this weekend in the regional tournament as it is his last year.

Reportedly, he did just that. On Tuesday the heavyweight was cleared to wrestle this weekend pending Roger's approval. "We have to see after the tape job if he is able to post off of his foot," said Rogers. "If he is able to take shots, and he feels that he really wants to do this, I am not going to stand in his way. This is his last chance and I've been one of those people who have had to wrestle through those injuries and things in college myself. I cannot justify not letting him do something that I did as well."

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools