Alumni Dual To Take Place Outside Again In 2017

Alumni Dual To Take Place Outside Again In 2017

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More outdoor wrestling will take place prior to Ashland University's 2017-18 campaign. 

The Eagles will play host to the third-annual alumni dual at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field for the second year in a row on Sept. 16. 

"We found that the event was a good success," Ashland head coach Josh Hutchens said. "I think that some alumni who were hesitant to get involved saw the format and are less reluctant now. I've already heard from more that said they'd do it."

Last year's dual, which took place on Oct. 22, featured eight former AU wrestlers competing against current ones in temperatures below 50 degrees. 

"It was cold, but now it's a month sooner, so it should be warmer no doubt," Hutchens said. 

As opposed to the 2015 result, the present-day Ashland wrestlers took home the victory in 2016.

"For the alumni," Hutchens said, "it continues that association with the program. It gives them the opportunity to come back and relive the glory days a little bit.

"For the current guys, it's not only the experience, but networking with the guys who have been there and done that gives them a different perspective from what your coach tells you regularly."

The dual also consists of current AU athletes facing one another in front of a crowd that includes potential future Eagles.

"That's also our big recruiting weekend, so it's a great environment for everybody having the future, past and present all at the same venue at the same time."

Last season, seven Ashland wrestlers qualified for Division II nationals, and the Eagles earned sixth place in the country as a team. Senior 133-pounder Michael Labry became the program's first national champion since 1996.

 

 

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