With the loss of All-American Ben Adams to graduation, the Blue Streaks wrestling team loses undoubtedly their best wrestler. Still, they return a plethora of competitors who saw time in 2009-10, and as a result of each having at least one year of experience under their belt, prospects bode well for John Carroll in the upcoming season.

Expectations are fairly high as the team was picked to finish fourth both in the 2010-11 OAC Dual Meet Poll and OAC Championship Poll, in a vote conducted by the conference coaches. Last year, the team finished 5-7 overall, and their 2-4 record in conference was good for a fourth place finish at the conclusion of the regular season.

They also took fourth at the Ohio Athletic Conference Championships.

Even with the loss of the All-American Adams, returning conference placewinners David Malkus (Troy, OH, Berkshire) (141 pounds), Connor Suba (Middleburg Heights, OH, St. Edward) (149 pounds) and Sean Gill (Cleveland, OH, St. Ignatius) (165 pounds) give the program reasons to be excited.

Coach Kerry Volkmann, even with a young team, isn't overly concerned about depth.

"Depth is always an issue, but I believe by the second semester we will have two competitive athletes in each weight class which is a blessing," he said. "In a few weight classes we are deeper than that."

Malkus, who was 16-12 overall last season in his first year with the program, took third place at the conference meet. To prove he is in the upper echelon of the conference, he won his third place match 8-0 last year. With an offseason to get stronger and better acclimated to the rigors of NCAA wrestling, Malkus should be heard from again in 2010-11.

Junior Connor Suba, who lost only one match at the conference meet (and that was to the eventual OAC champion) is back for his third season. He was 5-1 last year while splitting time between 149 and 157 pounds.

"Connor will settle in at 157," said Volkmann. " He certified late which will be a positive because Sean Gill is currently injured but hopefully returning by our Florida competition."

Gill, with 18 career victories in his first two seasons, should be a factor again at 165. He has an 18-18 record through his first two seasons with the program, and he was 2-2 in OAC dual meets last year.

Sophomore John Cobos (Avon Lake, OH, Lakewood St. Edward) at 125 pounds saw limited time last year. When he did wrestle, he was 5-4 including a 1-1 record in OAC matches.

Senior Kevin Nycz (Parma, OH, Holy Name), 4-5 a season ago, is the projected starter at 133 pounds.  Juniors Vinny Pizzuli (North Olmsted, OH, Lakewood St. Edward) and Bryan Steinmetz (Port Washington, WI, Port Washington) will occupy spots at 157 and 184, respectively, with freshman Todd Gaydosh (North Royalton, OH, Parma Padua Franciscan) between them at 174 pounds.

Seniors Jim Nemunaitis (Broadview Hts., OH, Brecksville-Broadview Hts.) (197 pounds) and Tim Lambert (Chicago, IL, Mount Carmel) at the heavyweight bring experience to the table. Nemunaitis' 40 career wins are the most of any Blue Streaks on the roster, while Lambert has 34 wins to his credit - despite sitting out last season.

"Heavyweight is a great class for us going into the season" said Volkmann. "Lambert has an experience edge but Michael Green (Cleveland, OH, Lakewood St. Edward) and Will Porter (Willoughby, OH, Willoughby South )coming out of football will put a lot of pressure on Tim to protect his spot."