Quick Facts Centenary College
Coaching Staff
Location: Hackettstown, N.J.
Head Coach: John Garriques
Established: 1867
Alma Mater: Seton Hall ‘04
Enrollment: 1,200
Coaching Record: 69-43-1 (8 seasons)
President: Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite
Phone: (908) 852-1400, ext. 2197
Nickname: Cyclones
Email: garriquesj@centenarycollege.edu
Colors: Navy Blue & Grey Affiliations: NCAA Division III & ECAC
Athletic Administration Athletic Director: Billie Jo Blackwell Associate Athletic Director: Josh Huber
Assistant Coach: Lenny Carida Alma Mater: Lander University Phone: (908) 852-1400, ext. 2197
Wrestling History First Division III Season: 1997-1998
Sports Information
National Qualifiers: 22
SID: Iris Correa
NCAA All Americans: 5
Email: correar@centenarycollege.edu
NWCA Academic All-Americans: 15
Office: (908) 852-1400, ext. 2372 Fax: (908) 813-8295 Web Site: www.centenarycyclones.com
Athletic Training Head Athletic Trainer: Dana Baffuto Email: baffutod@centenarycollege.edu Phone: (908) 852-1400, ext. 2190 Asstistant Athletic Trainer: Eddie Giroux Asstistant Athletic Trainer: Kevin Davies
1
All-Time Record: 100-94-3
Coaches place medal at 285 lbs. Senior Owen Vernon also made a solid return for the Cyclones under Garriques as he secured the final All-American honor with a sixth-place finish at 165 lbs. The Cyclones finished the season with a program-best, sixth-place finish at the NCAA Tournament, ending the historic year as the sixth best team in all of Division III.
Head Coach John Garriques 9th season
John Garriques opens his ninth season as the head coach of the Centenary College wrestling program in 201415. The Cyclones have posted a 69-43-1 (.630) dual-meet record during his first eight seasons. Under his direction, the program has also sent at least one wrestler to the NCAA Championship Tournament during six of the past eight years, returning All-Americans in each of the last five. Garriques guided the Cyclones to the best season in team history in 2012-13 as Centenary earned its highest-ever national ranking, taking third in the January 16th NCAA Division III poll. The ranking came after the Cyclones made history at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals when they defeated Augsburg in the second round, making it the first time in the event’s history that Augsburg and defending champion Wartburg did not square off. The historic season also brought three All-Americans, including the program’s first-ever, three-time All-American Chris Burdge who took home third place in the 157-pound bracket at the NCAA Championships. The program also had its first-ever national finalist in senior J.D. Zitone, who finished the 2013 NCAA Championship with a second
Off the mat, the 2012-13 squad was honored with the 23rd-best team GPA in Division III at 3.14, while Burdge and Zitone were each named 2013 Scholar AllAmericans. Zitone also earned Capital One/ CoSIDA Academic All-America honors. Garriques repeated history in the 20112012 season as he led the Cyclones to their second consecutive Metropolitan Conference Championship, sending four members of his squad to the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships. At the tournament, his squad finished 21st with two student-athletes earning All-American honors. The Cyclones earned a final national ranking of No. 19. The 2011-2012 team finished the season 8-5 overall, including a 6-1 conference mark. Leading the squad was fourthranked, 157-pound Chris Burdge who took home a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Tournament as well as four firstplace showings throughout the season, ending the year with a 31-3 record.
their highest-ever national ranking, No. 8 in the country, won the Metropolitan Conference Tournament for the first time in program history, sent a programrecord five wrestlers to the NCAA Division III Wrestling Champions and saw three achieve All-American status, also a program-first. For his work, Garriques was named Metropolitan Conference Coach of the Year and assistant coach Mike Kessler earned Metropolitan Assistant Coach of the Year honors.
Nov. 20.
CC finished the year 12-2 overall, including 6-1 in Metropolitan Conference action, setting program records in dual victories and conference dual victories. Both of Centenary’s losses came to ranked opponents in No. 5 Ithaca and No. 12 TCNJ. The team placed second in both the Ithaca Invitational on Nov. 7 and the Doug Parker Invitational on
Seven Cyclones won at least 20 matches, led by senior Matt Regan’s 28. Fellow classmates Dave Alsieux (27 wins), Jon Stillo (25), Will Livingston (24) and Charles Cannella (22) also had successful seasons, as did junior Owen Vernon (22 victories) and sophomore JD Zitone (21).
Joining Burdge was 285-pound AllAmerican J.D. Zitone who finished the year ranked fifth in the nation after earning a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Tournament as well as finishing the season undefeated at 26-0 for the Cyclones with a final record of 29-2.
Eight Cyclones placed in the Metropolitan Conference Tournament to give CC a league championship for the first time in program history. Livingston, Zitone and junior Tim Lutke won at 133-pounds, heavyweight and 197, respectively, to earn trips to the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships. They were joined by freshman Chris Burdge and Alsieux, who placed second at 157 and 141.
The 2010-11 campaign proved to be Garriques’ best, as the Cyclones received
Burdge earned Metropolitan Conference Co-Rookie of the Year honors and
Coaches d3wrestle.com Rookie of the Year accolades, but he was not finished. He upset the top-seed at 157 in the NCAAs and went on to place eighth to become Centenary’s first-ever rookie All-American. Livingston, who became the program’s first All-American last season when he placed third at 133, battled through injury to earn sixth-place and receive AllAmerican status for the second-straight year, another program-first. Lutke took seventh at 197 as Centenary placed 13th out of 60 teams. Centenary’s success extended past the mat, as the team posted the 10th-best GPA in the nation to earn a National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division III Scholar Team Award. Moreover, Alsieux, Regan, Stillo, junior Jose Vega and Vernon each received NWCA Division III Scholar All-American honors, given to those student-athletes with at least a 3.2 GPA. For Stillo, it marked the third consecutive season he earned the award. The 2009-10 campaign proved to be historic for the Cyclones, as Livingston became the program’s first-ever AllAmerican, finishing third in the NCAA Wrestling Championships. He also was ranked a contender by d3wrestle.com. Livingston earned a berth to the prestigious event by winning his weight class in the Metropolitan Championships, the first Cyclone to achieve that feat for Garriques and just the second in program history. Thanks to Livingston’s efforts, Centenary finished the season ranked No. 27 in the country. CC placed fourth in the Metropolitan championships as Regan finished second at 165, Stillo won true second at 149 and Alsieux took fourth at 141. Centenary finished the season 8-9 overall, with six losses coming at the hands of ranked teams, including three top-10 programs. Four Cyclones won at least 20 bouts. Off the mat, Centenary finished with the
17th-best GPA in the nation and Stillo, Alsieux, Mike Hall and Regan all were named Scholar All-Americans.
that same season, due to his secondplace finish at the NHSCA National Tournament.
In 2008-09, CC won 10 dual matches, compared with only six losses. In tournament action, the wrestlers placed on 13 occasions, including one championship and one runner up. Vernon was named second alternate to the NCAA Tournament as the team finished fourth out of nine in the Metropolitan Championships. Off the mat, the team finished with the 22nd-best GPA in Division III and Stillo earned Scholar All-American honors with the 23rd-best individual GPA in the nation.
During his high school years, Phillipsburg won three Group 4 State Championship and three Skyland Conference Championships. Upon graduation, Garriques attended Gloucester County College in Gloucester, N.J. During his freshman year, he became a Junior College National Champion, on his way to becoming a two-time Junior College AllAmerican in both 1998 and 2000.
Garriques came to Centenary by way of a very well-known wrestling program at Phillipsburg High School, where he had been an assistant for three seasons under legendary Head Coach Rick Thompson. At Phillipsburg, Garriques’ alma mater, he was directly involved with every aspect of the daily activities within the program. During his stint with the Stateliners, the team won three Skyland Conference Championships, one Group 4 Championship and had three individual state place winners. Prior to his return to Phillipsburg, Garriques was an assistant for one year at Middlesex County College in Edison, N.J. While at Middlesex, he coached five national qualifiers, one All-American and coached the team to a fourth-place finish in the NJCAA National Tournament. Garriques wrestled for Phillipsburg High School, where he was a three-time New Jersey State placewinner. He also helped his team to receive recognition of being No. 1 in the state, three years in a row. In 1997, his senior season, Garriques was a New Jersey State Finalist, taking secondplace at the State Tournament. He was also named a High School All-American
During his career at Gloucester, he also helped the team win two national championships. From GCC, he transferred to Seton Hall University in the fall of 2000 and was an NCAA national qualifier. Garriques then completed his wrestling career the next season at Hofstra University where he became a national qualifier for the second consecutive year. While at Hofstra, Garriques helped the Pride achieve national recognition as they were ranked in the top 20 in the country and won the CAA conference. Garriques was ranked as high as fourth in NCAA Division I at his weight class during his senior season. Garriques’ high school and college career record stands at 234-45. Along with his wrestling accolades, Garriques also holds a bachelor of arts degree in liberal studies with minors in psychology and communications from Seton Hall University in 2004. Garriques currently resides in Phillipsburg, N.J., with his wife Jacqueline and their son Owen Teague, who was born Nov. 5, 2008, and classified in the 8-pound, 12-ounce weight class.
Coaches
Lenny Carida opens his third season alongside Coach Garriques for the 2014-2015 season. Carida is the Centenary College wrestling team’s strength and conditioning coach and has over 30 years of experience as a strength and conidtioning coach with a B.S. from Lander Uni-
Assistant Coach Lenny Carida Third season
versity. Carida is the sole owner of Scientific Strength Coaches L.L.C. and has a partnership with TEST Sports Clubs. As part of his partnership with TEST Sports Research and Devlopment Team, he had the opportunity to be part of their three year mentorship program with Athletes’ Performance in Tempe, Ariz.
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The Cyclones Josh Caven
Senior - 285 -Yardley, PA - Pennsbury High School
2014 (Senior): Wrestling this year for the first time at Centenary at the Heavyweight Class (285). High School and Personal Data: Three-year starter for the Pennsbury High School lacrosse team….named First-Team All-League…holds the county record for most goals in a single season…recipient of the team playmaker award and Golden All-Area Team award…also served one season for the wrestling team where he was named “best on feet” and “best on bottom” in the state…majoring in education.
Adam Swift
Junior - 149 - Secaucus, NJ - Secaucus
2013-14 (Sophomore): Won 9-of-13 matches...took second at the Doug Parker Invitational...placed third at the Bob Quade Cyclone Open...won two matches by fall, two by tech fall and a pair by major decision 2011-12 (Freshman): Competed in 28 matches for an overall record of 1315...placed sixth at the Metropolitan Conference Championship at 133 lbs... recorded two falls, six decisions, and four major decisions. High School and Personal Data: Four year wrestler for Secaucus High School…served as captain his junior and senior year…placed third place in District 16 in 2008 and first place his sophomore, junior, and senior season…received a third place finish in Region 4 his senior year…finished with 100 career wins…set a varsity record of 100-28…Finished first in the Patriot Invitational in each of his last three years…named most outstanding wrestler in 2010 Cutter Classic…named All-League each of his four years and all-county in his last three seasons…also played two years varsity soccer where he holds second highest shutouts (8)…”I chose Centenary because I value the chance to wrestle under Coach Garriques, and to become a national champ.”
The Cyclones Joe Bartolini
Junior - 157 - Jackson, NJ - Jackson Memorial HS
2013-14 (Sophomore): Recorded an 11-12 record in 23 matches...finished third at 149 pounds at the Bob Quade Cyclone Open...posted a 6-5 tournament record...won four matches by fall and one by techincal fall 2011-12 (Freshman): Competed in 21 matches for an overall record of 1110...finished the season with one pin, six decisions, and four major decisions...competed as a 149 lb at the 197 lb. level against Elizabethtown. High School and Personal Data: Four year varsity wrestler for Jackson Memorial High School…named to the All-Division team in 2009…received third-place in District 21 Region 6 Semifinalist in 2010…Named District 21 champion and received third place in Region 6 during his senior year… Named to Top 12 NJSIAA in 2011…received All-Shore, All-County, and All-Region honors his senior season…served as vice president of his junior class…”I chose Centenary because I liked what I saw in the wrestling facilities and the school when I visited campus.”
Joey Ragsdale
Junior - 197 - Bethlehem Twp., NJ - North Hunterdon 2013-14 (Sophomore): Competed in 20 matches, winning 10...placed third at 184 pounds at the Bob Quade Cyclone Open...earned two victories at the Doug Parker Invitational...won three matches by fall and one by major decision 2012-13 (Freshman): Wrestled in eight bouts for a 3-5 overall record including a 3-3 tournament and 0-2 duals record...recorded one pin and a major decision. High School and Personal Data: 2 years of wrestling at North Hunterdon...Two time district 17 runner-up in 2010-11,2011-12...finished in 4th place in Region 5 in 2011-12...Majoring in Criminal Justice....”I came to Centenary, because I wanted to receive a good education while expanding my wrestling career with a respected team.”
The Cyclones Alex Reeves
Junior - 133 - Irvington, NJ - Irvington High School 2013-14 (Sophomore): Wrestled in three matches 2011-12 (Freshman): Competed in 22 matches for an overall record of 8-14...recorded five pins, one tech fall, and two decisions...took home fourth-place at the Ithaca Invitational at 125 lbs. on Nov. 5th. High School and Personal Data: Four year wrestler for Irvington High School…named a two-time all-conference, all-county, and district placer…placed second and fourth in region qualifier and fourth place in county tournament…also ran four years cross country and played two years of football during high school…Named scholar athlete of the year, leader of the year, and wrestling MVP his senior year…nominated for the “Man of Essex” Award…”I chose Centenary because it gave me an opportunity to wrestle and be close to my family.”
Allan Jordan
Junior - 149 - Woodbridge, NJ - Woodbridge
2013-14 (Sophomore): Competed in one match...missed most of season due to injury 2012-13 (Freshman): Wrestled in eight matches for a 3-5 overall record including a 3-4 tournament record...recorded two pins. High School and Personal Data: Wrestled for four years at Woodbridge High School... Played football for one season... 2x district champion... 2x county champion... 2012 region 5 fourth place finisher... 81 career wins in two full seasons... Majoring in Sociology... “I chose Centenary because, I want to be a national champion.”
The Cyclones Josh Sibblies
Sophomore - 184 - Newton, NJ / Newton High School 2013-14 (Freshman): NCAA qualifier at 174 pounds...finished second at the NCAA East Regional...ranked third on the team with 17 victories in 24 matches...earned first place at the Bob Quade Cyclone Open...also posted four victories at the East Stroudsburg Open...five wins came by fall, one by tech fall and three by major decision High School and Personal Data: Earned four varsity wrestling letters at Newton High School…also competed for the football and baseball teams…tri-county and region champion…ranked fifth in the state for wrestling…history education major…”I chose Centenary for its small campus and class sizes.”
Collin Farley
Sophomore - 141 - Iselin, NJ - JFK Memorial HS
2013-14 (Freshman): Competed in 30 matches...finished second on the team with 20 victories...claimed first place at 141 pounds at the Bob Quade Cyclone Open...won four matches at the Doug Parker Invitational...earned three triumphs at the East Stroudsburg Open...recorded a 12-6 tournament record overall and was 8-4 in dual matches...recorded four pins High School and Personal Data: Four-year member of John F. Kennedy High School wrestling team…two-time district champion…two-time regional runner-up…qualified for New Jersey State Tournament twice and placed in top 16 both years…place winner in numerous national tournaments and earned victories over state champions from outside New Jersey…forensic science major…”I chose Centenary because I want to be part of a legendary legacy and Centenary definitely had what I was looking for.”
The Cyclones Anthony Kubish Sophomore - 165 - Hamilton, NJ - Steinert HS 2013-14 (Freshman): Wrestled in seven matches High School and Personal Data: Four-year member of the wrestling team at Hamilton East High School…Two-time county champion… claimed one district championship…placed fourth in the region two times…also played three years of football and two seasons of baseball…criminal justice major…”I chose Centenary because Coach Garriques is trustworthy and the team is like a family.”
Andrew Perez
Sophomore - 133 - Brooklyn, NY - New Dorp HS 2013-14 (Freshman): Wrestled in four bouts
High School and Personal Data: Four-year member of the wrestling team at New Dorp High School…named team captain during senior season… placed eighth at 2013 New York City Mayor’s Cup Tournament…majoring in history…”I chose Centenary because it’s a small school and I can focus more and continue my wrestling career.”
The Cyclones D.J. Wagner
Sophomore - 174 - Wharton, NJ - Morris Hills HS 2013-14 (Freshman): Wrestled in 11 bouts...won four matches...two victories came by pin
High School and Personal Data: Varsity wrestler at Morris Hills High School…earned first team all-conference recognition…2012 district runner up…criminal justice major at Centenary
Vraj Desai
Freshman - 165 - Secaucus, NJ - Secaucus HS
High School and Personal Data: Unknown
The Cyclones Nassir Williams Freshman - 165 - Irvington, NJ - Irvington HS
High School and Personal Data: Unknown
Robert T. Quade A simple bowtie: Who knew that a simple bowtie could become the symbol of a man who not only founded the Centenary College wrestling program, but could easily be called one of the most influential men to have ever walked through Hackettstown, N.J. Robert T. Quade came to Centenary College in 1986 as the Chair of the Business Department where he served for 15 years after a teaching stint at the University of Iowa, University of Arkansas, Rutgers University, and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Prior to entering the world of academia, Quade was affiliated with the hospital field for Johnson and Johnson and the NYC Health and Hospital Corporation, where he was responsible for developing the first market research group in professional products for Johnson & Johnson. In 1992, Quade was approached by a few Centenary students who knew he had wrestled, and asked him to help start up a wrestling program at the school. After getting approval, Quade got together a team of seven wrestlers who practiced on the gym’s wall mats, and led the team to win their first ever dual meet, defeating West Point Prep and establishing themselves as an official club team. Since becoming an NCAA Division III wrestling program, the team has earned national recognition while taking home back-to-back Metropolitan Conference Championships during the 201011 and 2011-12 season. Although Quade handed over the coaching reins, he never gave up his passion, traveling with and supporting the team for 19 years sitting mat side in the coaches’ pit. Bob’s support went so far as to challenge the team that if they become ranked 17th in the nation, he would die his hair green (“Green at Seventeen”), and after the Cyclones found themselves there, Bob lived up to his word. To push the envelope even farther, Quade decided he would “Do It Again, If They Break Top Ten,” and true to his word, Bob dyed his mustache green when the team became the eighth ranked team in the nation.
Robert T. Quade Prior to the 2012-13 season, the Cyclones hosted their annual “Public Elimination Night” to decide who would earn starting positions in the pre-season wrestle-offs. To add a fun spin to the night, Quade decided to dig out his singlet and headgear, and take on Assistant Coach Mike Kessler, pinning him quickly in the end of the night antics. Not only did Quade discover, create, and run the wrestling team, during his time in Hackettstown, Quade also founded the Centenary cross country team, created the Ethiopia Reads program, was inducted into the Hackettstown Senior Hall of Fame, served as the NCAA FAR for Centenary College, served on the town’s Rotary Club, and served as Centenary College’s Professor Emeritus. Quade was known for wearing his bowtie to work every day, and when asked by a fellow Rotarian the reason for it, Bob said: “I figured it would make me stand out.” Although Bob really didn’t need the bowtie to stand out, the simple image of a bowtie will forever be linked to this man who completely changed Centenary College and the lives of everyone who has ever known him. Bob Quade passed away in May 2012, but his name, legacy, and tradition will forever be a part of Centenary College. Head Coach John Garriques and his wrestling team dedicated the 201213 season in honor of Quade and continue the hopes of bringing home the program’s first ever national title.
Career records Career Wins
Chris Burdge Jon Stillo Dave Alsieux Matt Regan Jared Duffy Mike Gummerson
99 94 92 90 81 78
Career Pins
Chris Burdge Mike Gummerson Jared Duffy Andrew Haubois Greg Tierney
43 39 37 24 24
Third Place Tournament Finishes
2010-2014 2007-2011 2007-2011 2006-2010 2004-2008 2004-2008
Jon Stillo Jared Duffy Anthony Greene Mike Gummerson Dave Alsieux Jay Giuricich Owen Vernon
5 5 4 4 3 3 3
2007-2011 2004-2008 2004-2007 2004-2008 2007-2011 2007-2009 2008-09, 2012-13
2010-2014 2004-2008 2004-2008 2002-2006 2003-2006
Fourth Place Tournament Finishes
Greg Tierney 4 2003-2006 Andrew Haubois 3 2002-2006 Matt Regan 2 2006-2010 JJ Mitchell 2 2008-2010 Jon Stillo 2 2007-2011 Seth Wisner 2 2003-2007 First Place Tournament Finishes Roberto Ramos 2 2001-2003 Chris Burdge 9 2010-2014 Khalid Shakir 2 2011-2013 J.D. Zitone 8 2010-2013 Owen Vernon 2 2008-09, 2012-13 Will Livingston 4 2009-2011 Craig Montgomery 2 2009-Pres. Mike Gummerson 4 2004-2008 Tim Lutke 3 2010-2011 Fifth Place Tournament Finishes Jon Stillo 3 2007-2011 Dave Alsieux 3 2007-2011 Ricky Redd 3 2004-2008 Jay Giuricich 2 2007-2009 Dale Rissmiller 3 2001-2002 Seth Wisner 2 2003-2007 JJ Mitchell 2 2008-2010
Second Place Tournament Finishes
Mike Gummerson Matt Regan Dave Alsieux Jared Duffy
5 4 3 3
2004-2008 Sixth Place Tournament Finishes 2006-2010 Keith Kubicek 2 01-’03/’05-’06 2007-2011 Sameer Abedraboo 2 2001-2002 2004-2008
Ncaa All-Americans
Owen Vernon - 165
J.D. Zitone - 285 2011 - 7th Place
2012- 6th Place
2012 - 2nd Place Chris Burdge - 157 / 165 2014 - 3rd place 2013 - 3rd place 2012 - 5th place 2011 - 8th place
Will Livingston - 133 2011 - 6th place 2010 - 3rd place
Tim Lutke - 197 2010 - 7th place
Zeitler Wrestling Room
The Zeitler Wrestling Facility opened on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010. The 5,000 square foot addition to the John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center contains a wrestling room and an office space. The wrestling room has a mat that encompasses 3,928 square feet, a cardio room with stationary bikes, treadmills, climbing ropes that will reach 15 feet inheight, pull-up bars and a wrestlers’ storage area. A 55-inch flat screen television is mounted on the wall and the room has a surround-sound stereo system as well.
Schedule at Rutgers
at TCNJ
at Ithaca Inv.
Ithaca
November 2 10:00 am
November 7 - 8 10:00 am
January 23 7:00 pm January30 7:00 pm
at Springfield Inv.
at Metro Duals
Hunter
Penn College
Yeshiva
Del. Valley
Wilkes
at NCAA Reg.
Bergen CC
at NCAA Champ.
November 22 10:00 am December 5 7:00 pm
December 7 10:00 am January 5 7:00 pm
January 16 7:00 pm
January 31 12:00 pm
February 7 7:00 pm
February 12 7:00 pm
February 28 TBA
March 13-14 TBA