If last year was a foundation building year for the Pacific men’s wrestling program, then the 2011-12 season is the year where the Boxers start securing the studs to the foundation and begin framing in the components for success.

Strong recruiting classes over the last two years have provided not only some new blood, but also some much needed depth.  A total of 21 athletes fill out the Pacific roster, the most in recent seasons.   Pacific has significant depth at nine of the 10 weight classes, and that in itself will make the Boxers a more competitive team.  Injuries to a limited lineup forced Head Coach Severin Walsh to forfeit in as many as four classes throughout most of the dual meet season.

But it is not all about the depth.  To compete takes commitment, and Walsh is happy to have so many athletes committing to the sport on and off the mat.  “The kids that we’re working with are working harder than any group I have had here at Pacific,” Walsh said.  “The level of expectations has been raised and they understand what it takes to be a committed athlete.”

And then there is the quality aspect of the equation.  The core of 11 returners is complemented by 10 newcomers, most of whom arrived in Forest Grove with all-state credentials.  In addition, the Boxers have potential starters in Caleb Malychewski (So., Camas, Wash.) and Jared Bridgewater (So., Hillsboro, Ore.) who are committing to the sport full-time after arriving at Pacific as two-sport athletes.

Walsh is optimistic that this group will put a more competitive brand of wrestling on the mat that will keep fans interested and keep opponents guessing.  “We have some kids who were passed over at other schools that have made themselves into competitive college wrestlers,” Walsh said.  “We will definitely have some competitive matches.”

In the end, that which will make the Boxers more competitive in this building process is that depth.  “It is nice knowing that we likely won’t have to forfeit weights like we did last year,” Walsh said.  “A big part of that has been getting the right kids in here who are in it for the long haul.”

125 POUNDS
After experiencing a lack of depth the last couple of years, Pacific will benefit from a trio of talented performers at 125 pounds.  Zach Binkerd (So., Hillsboro, Ore.) returns after missing the 2010-11 season due to injuries.  The early leader to earn the Boxers’ starting spot at the weight class, Binkerd finished his freshman season with a 5-15 record.

Ricky Ridela (Fr., Waipahu, Hawaii) and Ian Hockett (Fr., Sherwood, Ore.) both come to Pacific with all-state credentials.  Ridela finished fourth place in the last two Hawaii state championships, taking fourth in the 130-pound class as a senior.  Hockett amassed a 30-6 record as a senior and was the Oregon 5A runner-up at 112 pounds.  He finished sixth as a sophomore and junior at 103 pounds.

133 POUNDS
The 133-pound class will be anchored by one of the newcomers to watch for the Boxers.  Eric Harder (Fr., Bethesda, Md.) finished third at the Maryland state championships at 130 pounds, finishing the season with a 35-4 record.  He won 30 matches the year before en route to an eighth place meet finish.

Harder’s choice to come west and wrestle at Pacific will pay dividends down the road.  “He’s a great kid with a tremendous work ethic,” Walsh said.  “He came in with a lot of college-ready attributes and he ready for the challenge of starting as a freshman.”

141 POUNDS
One of three weight classes in which Pacific had to forfeit many of their matches last year, Walsh will look to Ryan Baxter (Fr., Craig, Alaska) to fill the role.  A four-time regional and state placer, Baxter was the 135-pound Alaska state champion in 2011 and amassed the most wins in Craig High School history.  Baxter will make a late start to the season after competing for the Boxers in cross country.

When he gets on the mat, Walsh expects some excitement from Baxter.  “He’s another kid who is college ready,” Walsh said.  “He has a tremendous future here.  He has a great body type and there is a reason why he was a four-time state placer.”

149 POUNDS
Returner Devin Silva (So., Spokane, Wash.) anchors the 149-pound class for the second straight year.  Silva went 7-21 at 149 as a freshman and finished with a 2-9 in dual meets as well as a fourth place finish at the Boxer Open.  With a year of experience and a good off-season of training, Walsh expects to see a ton of improvement.

“Devin got a lot stronger in the off-season,” Walsh said.  “He put his time in around the weight room and it shows.  He should definitely be a force at 149.”

157 POUNDS
Pacific’s lineup at 157 could fluctuate a bit based on where the team’s needs are at the time.  Michael Tyner (Fr., Aloha, Ore.) is expected to be the regular starter at the class, but see action at 149 pounds should the team start experiencing injuries.  Tyner was the No. 2 seed in the Oregon 6A state championships as a senior at 152 pounds after finishing seventh in the weight class as a junior.

“Michael is another talented newcomer that will help us,” Walsh said.  “Michael is the kind of kid that on any given day can beat anyone.  He will be exciting to watch.”

165 POUNDS

Bruce Balcita (So., Myrtle Creek, Ore.) was one of two freshmen last year to finish with 10 or more wins, amassing a 10-14 record at 165 pounds.  Most of his action came in the tournament setting, but compiled a 2-2 record in dual meets.  Balcita finished just short of placing in his first NCAA Great Lakes Regional, going 2-2 in the season-ending tournament.

Walsh said he is excited by a new commitment by Balcita to gear all areas of his life towards success on the mat.  “Physically he is committed to a very healthy lifestyle.  One the wrestling side of things, he’s looking for every opportunity to get better and it shows,” Walsh said.  “We’re excited that he is back.”

Chris Harlin (So., Issaquah, Wash.) will be a candidate for on-mat action after spending his freshman season at 174 pounds.  While amassing a 4-15 record as a freshman, Harlin is transitioning to the lower weights after wrestling at 215 pounds in high school.  “He has made some significant lifestyle choices to get himself in the best shape of his life,” Walsh said.  “He’s developing well, especially with his work on the mat.  He’s very tough on top and he likes to scramble.”

Andrew Bolton (Fr., Anacortes, Wash.) and Brandon Harms (Fr., Canby, Ore.) add more depth to the weight class.  Bolton finished eighth in last year’s Washington state championships at 171 pounds.  Harms is working his way into wrestling shape after playing football for the Boxers.  He was a three-time Three Rivers League champion for Canby High School.

184 POUNDS
Pacific pins its hopes at 184 pounds on a much-improved Malychewski.  He finished with a 9-16 record in his freshman season and had the Boxers’ best dual meet record at 6-4, which included winning three of four matches at the Wartburg Desert Duals.

Like many of last year’s newcomers, Malychewski has spent much of the off-season looking to prepare to be more wrestling ready, including giving up a chance to play baseball to focus on the mat.  “He’s done a lot of good things in the offseason,” Walsh said.  “He’s stronger and just plain better.  With his commitment to wrestling full-time, we anticipate that he will only continue to improve.”

197 POUNDS
The depth chart at 197 pounds is topped by a pair of returners.  Ron Neu (Jr., Tillamook, Ore.) was the Boxers’ regular starter at the weight class last year, finishing with a 6-17 overall record and a 5-13 mark at the weight.  Nik Streng (Jr., Honolulu, Hawaii) saw limited action at 285 pounds, amassing a 2-7 record.  Streng wrested his freshman season at both 184 and 197 pounds.

“Both of those guts have worked very hard,” Walsh said.  “Nik and Ron have both made some tremendous strides in terms of their strength training.”

Both returners will be pushed by a talented newcomer in Wes Heredia (Fr., Keizer, Ore.).  A three-time Central Valley Conference champion, Heredia was the 215-pound champion at last year’s Oregon 6A championships.

285 POUNDS
With a renewed commitment to wrestling, one wonders how far Bridgewater can go for the Boxers.  He wrestled to Pacific’s second best record as a freshman at 12-12, which included seven pins.  He placed fifth at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional and was the team’s lone individual placer.  The 2010 Oregon 5A state champion, Bridgewater decided this year not to continue his football career and to focus on the mat.

“It’s exciting to have a big kid who can move around like Jared can,” said Walsh of Bridgewater’s athletic ability.  “He’ s a true heavyweight that can move.  He’s got quick feet and good athleticism.”

Evan Schueurs (So., Duvall, Wash.) and Chris McLinden (So., Redwood City, Calif.) both return to the team and provided added depth at the bottom of the lineup.  Schueurs saw limited action as a freshman in tournaments.  McLinden returns to the program after a year off.  He was the Boxers’ regular starter at heavyweight during the 2009-10 season.

Will Ulrich (Fr., Lake Elsinore, Calif.) expects to compete for action after he transitions from football season.  He was a top competitor in the tough California high school championships, placing second at the CIF Championships last year at heavyweight.