LB C grapplers finished year at NAI A Nationals

Story by Don Meckley

Awinning season is nothing newfor the grapplers ofLiberty Baptist College Forthepast three years, since being admitted tothe NAIA,the team has placed in thetop20 nationally The 1983season proved the best so far as the Flames placed 15thinthe nation

This year,along with wanting a winning season,theteam alsowanted toplacefour Ail-Americans inthe OldDominion UniversityTournament and seeanumber ofsouls won to Christ.

They seemed to have high goals for such a young team, butbeing young was listed as a strength by Head Coach Bob Bonheim.

"Young wrestlers are welcomed with open arms," said Coach Bonheim "That means they'll have two or three more prime years."

The goalofhaving awinning seasonwas met without a doubt asthe Flames posted a 7-4dual meet record The Flames took first place infour tournaments, including the North Carolina AS T Takedown Tournament, Pembroke University Invitational Tournament and Liberty BaptistDual Meet Tournament They also placed secondout of 13teams inthe West Liberty StateCol- lege Invitational,andthird in the Monarch Classic Open Tournament held atOld Dominion University

Head Coach Bob Bonheim and assistant, Gary Avila, confer with Flame wrestler during break in action.

Lower: 1982-83 Wrestling Team: (Front row) Perry Ainscough, JeffTuliowitzky, John Tau,Rick Seilhamer,Tony Otto, Pat Sole, Tim Tinnel, PhilMorgan, Mike Snare; (second row) Rick Ritchie, John Culbertson, Steve Dottoli, John Bynum, Don Wilson, Dennis Praise, Scott Carlson, CraigLandfair. Tom Kurschner, Eric Fouch, Randy Manley;(third row) Coach Bob Bonheim,Rhonda Schmurr, Mary Simpson,Tom Roland, Tony Moore, Bobby Melvern, DaveShoemaker, Howard Johnson, Sharon Mason, PatBussey, Steve Behrns, Dennis Richards, Tom Paull, Tim Fitts, Sharon Snow, Pam Hoffman,RickyMoore, Coach Gary Avila. Team placed15th inNAIA.

"We did well, but not as well as we wanted to do in the ODU tourney," said Coach Bonheim.

Most improved wrestlers, Perry Ainscough and John Tau, most spiritual wrestler Steve Behrns,Academic All-American Rick Seilhamer and team co-captain Pat Bussey were all given special credit by Coach Bonheim concerning theODUmeet.

"We hadfour or fiveindividuals capable of placing first, second, or third inany tournament," Coach Bonheim commented

The most consistent wrestler was Academic All-American Seilhamer atthe 134 lb weight class Seilhamer,whohad a 3.18

GPA, compiled a 10-1 dual meet recordin that weight class. Seilhamer also led the team inthemost wins (27), themost points (113) andheshared the most pins withcocaptain PatBussey (19)

LBC's wrestling squad finished the year at theNAIA national tournament. Out of the 67teams entered,LBC placed 15th by scoring 22 3/4 points Dave Shoemaker tallied 15ofthose points making him the top point receiver in the NAIA National Tournament ever for LBC.

The final goal ofhaving a spiritualimpacton theiropponents was accomplished successfully "We witnessed tothe coach of every team we wrestled against," said Coach Bonheim.

The wrestling team has produced its own tract that members give out every chance available The tract, God Loves Wrestlers, explains the plan of salvation in wrestling terms

"It hasbeen very helpful in allowing us the opportunity toshare our faith withfellow wrestlers," said Coach Bonheim

The squad also visited a boys'detention home, put on a wrestling demonstration and afterwards gave testimonies

Five of the boys accepted Christ, to bring the total forthe year to30who were won totheLord.

A successful season? A season of accomplishment? Yes,indeed,and with more strong recruits coming next year, expectations forwinning seasons will continue

1982AllAmerican Howard Johnson maneuvers opponent. Injuries all season hampered hisstyle, winning form. LBC placed15th atNAIA tournament.

Tw o key ingredients for this yeor's 20-win seoson wer e