MALYCHEWSKI PUTS PACIFIC ON THE PODIUM: Caleb Malychewski (Sr., Camas, Wash.) took a disappointing two-and-out at last year’s NCAA Division III National Tournament and came roaring back, hungry to stand on the podium. Malychewski finished the 2013-2014 season with a 31-8 overall record, and a fifth place finish in the NCAA Division III Tournament at 184 pounds. With his success, Malychewski became Pacific’s first men’s wrestling All-American since 2002.
After taking third place in the NCAA West Regional Tournament, Malychewski was unseeded in the NCAA Division III Championship. In the first round, Malychewski took out the No. 3 seed Eric Twohey from Wisconsin La-Crosse in a 6-4 overtime battle. In the quarterfinals, Malychewski clobbered the No. 6 seed Jonathan Deupree from Southern Maine, 8-2.
Malychewski then lost to The College of New Jersey’s Brian Broderick, the No. 2 seed, and Messiah’s Josh Thompson in back-to-back 8-3 defeats before beating Ryan Sheldon of Coe College 2-0 for the fifth place trophy.
Head Coach Severin Walsh credits Malychewski’s experience from last year’s NCAA Tournament as the key to Malychewski becoming an All-American. “Getting there last year was a big deal,” Walsh said.“He went two-and-out, but he went out against All-Americans. He gained confidence from being there against the best. This time around, he knew he was supposed to be there. He showed the nation that Pacific belongs in the national tournament.”
Malychewski’s 31 wins are the most in a single season since Troy Hall won 40 matches during the 2001-2002 season. Malychewski became Pacific’s first men’s wrestling All-American since Ryan Jones and Hall took seventh and eighth, respectively, in 2002. Malychewski also went the entire 2013-2014 season without suffering a loss via fall.
AND THE TEAM IS CONSISTANTLY GETTING BETTER: Pacific also had a trio of wrestlers who piled up 20-plus wins and fourth place finishes at the NCAA West Regional Championships. Bruce Balcita (Sr., Myrtle Creek, Ore.), Eric Harder (Jr., Bethesda, Md.) and Ryan Baxter (Jr., Craig, Alaska) all helped to lead the Boxers to a 5-7 dual record, the best winning percentage the Pacific wrestling team has had in Walsh’s six seasons as head coach.
Balcita, who took fourth place at the regional tournament last year, had a lot of big moments this year. He finished with a 22-13 record at 165-pounds, took fifth at the Mike Clock Open on Nov. 10 and third at the Boxer Open on Jan. 25. Walsh credits a lot of Balcita’s success to his work ethic. “Nobody works harder than Bruce. He’s got no brakes and his work ethic is infectious. He made everyone around him want to work harder.”
Baxter decided not to participate in cross country this year, a sport he competed in for two years, to focus on wrestling. As a result, he came into the season bulked up and more wrestling prepared than usual. Baxter finished with a 22-12 record at 149-pounds, took fifth place at the Mike Clock Open and took first place at the Boxer Open.
Harder spent the offseason working out with top caliber athletes and has inched closer to the NCAA Tournament. Harder led the team in pins for the second season in a row, and finished with a 27-9 record at 133-pounds. He also first place at the Spokane Open on Nov. 24 and third place at the Clackamas Open on Jan. 19. Walsh calls Harder “the kind of wrestler who can beat anybody in [NCAA Division III] if he’s in the right mindset.”
Balcita, Baxter and Harder each won every match they wrestled at the Wartburg Desert Duals where the Boxers went 2-2.
The Boxers also placed seventh at the regional tournament, their best finish in Walsh’s tenure.
“We have guys who are in the program and expect to win,” Walsh said. “These guys are sticking around and getting experience. They take care of themselves in the off-season and work to get better. Twenty wins means you’re doing pretty darned good.”
Pacific has not had four wrestlers finish the season with over 20 wins since the 2004-2005 season.
BAKER PUTS ON A SHOW LATE: Jeremiah Baker (Fr., Portland, Ore.) ended his season with a surprising sixth place finish at the West Regional Tournament after going 4-11 overall during the season. Baker scored a pin over Joe Pelkey of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in the first round of the tournament. After losing to No. 1 seed Ben Henle of St. John’s (Minn.) Baker picked up a 10-3 win over Justin Wolfenden from the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Baker started the season off with a fourth place finish at the Mike Clock Open, but then did not wrestle again until Jan. 10 due to nagging health issues. Walsh credits Baker’s season record to him not getting that experience in the first half of the season. “By the time Baker came back, he was still in preseason form and wrestling tough guys who were in mid-season form. He still had to get into wrestling shape, and once he did he found success.”
HARLIN HELPS ANCHOR THE LINEUP: After going 7-12 as the 174 pound starter a year ago, Chris Harlin (Sr., Issaquah, Wash.) gained a lot of size to wrestle at 197 pounds this year. Harlin finished the season with a 12-16 overall record. During the early part of the season, Harlin went on a run where he won seven of eight matches during November and December.
Harlin, who wrestled at 220 pounds in high school, cut down to 174-pounds before his freshman year started. Walsh said that Harlin was in the weight room every day to bulk up to 197-pounds in a way that would most help his wrestling.
With a 6-6 record in dual meet action, Harlin was an integral part of the Boxers’ success in dual meets this year.
BOXERS ARE TAKEDOWN ARTISTS AND BOOKWORMS: For the second straight year, Pacific wrestlers were recognized for both excellence on the mat and in the classroom with selection as National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-Americans. Caleb Malychewski and Bruce Balcita were selected for the second consecutive year, while Ryan Baxter earned honors for the first time.
In order to be a Scholar All-American, a wrestler must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or better and must either qualify for the NCAA championships, place in the top six at their NCAA Regional Tournament, or win 66 percent of their matches and wrestle in 50 percent of their team’s events.
While becoming Pacific’s first Division III All-American in 12 years, Malychewski was hard at work as an exercise science major with a 3.68 GPA. Balcita is also an exercise science major, with a 3.88 GPA. Baxter is a chemistry major with a 3.62 GPA.
“That’s what it’s all about,” Walsh said, “Students come here to become professionals in something, and getting good grades is part of that. It says a lot about our school, and our program that we have kids who can get it done on and off the mat. And that’s what we’re looking for.”
SEASON SUMMARY
Overall Dual Meet Record: 5-7
Record At Home: 2-1 Record On The Road: 0-4 Neutral Site: 3-2
NCAA West Regional Finish: 7th (53 points)
NCAA Championships Finish: 35th (9 points)
SEASON HONORS
All-West Region (Top 6 Placing At West Region): Caleb Malychewski (184, 2nd), Bruce Balcita (165, 4th), Ryan Baxter (149, 4th), Eric Harder (133, 4th), Jeremiah Baker (141, 6th)
NCAA Division III All-American (Top 8 Placing at NCAA DIII Championship): Caleb Malychewski (184, 5th)
National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-Americans: Bruce Balcita, Ryan Baxter, Caleb Malychewski
