Welcome to St. Andrews Presbyterian College

September 12, 2006

LAURINBURG, NC—Joe Baranik, first year head coach of St. Andrews Presbyterian College wrestling program, has announced an inaugural class of 11 wrestling recruits for the 2006/2007 season.

The Knights, who will compete in wrestling for the first time in the schools NCAA Division II era, fields a balanced first year roster that covers the majority of the 10 weight classes in collegiate wrestling.

“I am delighted with our first ever recruiting class in Division II,” said the veteran Coach Baranik. “All of these young student-athletes have character and the willingness to improve. I was fortunate to get their weights spread out and we look to add three walk-ons during the pre-season.”

Eric Frick is a 149 pound Pennsylvania state champion from Roaring Springs, Pa. Baranik, who coached ‘The Champ’ in high school, will be reunited with each other on the mat this winter. Frick’s accomplishments also include being a four-time regional champion and a two-time United States Armed Forces European Freestyle Champion.

“It is rare to coach the same athlete in high school and then in college,” explained Baranik. “He will thrill the crowd, no doubt! He is literally battle tested from spending four years in the Army and a tour in Iraq.”

Bryan Seal is a 141 pound; two-time state champion from Orange County, Va. Seal was coached by Orange County High School Coach John Kayajanian.

“Bryan epitomizes great potential,” stated Baranik. “He has the attitude, academics and the athletic ability.”

Will Harcum is a 157 pound; two-time regional champion from Williamsburg, Va. Harcum, under the direction of Lafayette High School Coach Bruce Shumaker, also was a two-time state place winner with 134 total wins.

“Will is another wrestler you will not want to miss,” predicted Baranik. “He is dangerous from anywhere on the mat. He also possesses great mental toughness.”

Elliot Hogge is a 133 pound wrestler from Yorktown, Va. While attending Grafton High School under Coach Virgil King, Hogge posted two Virginia state place winner results.

“Elliot possesses great potential,” expressed Baranik. “He has lots of natural athletic talent.”

DJ Chverchko is a 165 pound grappler from Loretto, Pa. Chverchko is a 30-match winner under Coach Todd Neibauer from Penn Cambria High School.

“What a story with this young man,” started saying Baranik. “DJ has beaten many good wrestlers despite only having half of a left arm. I like his shear strength and knowledge of the sport.”

Eric Brown is a 125 pound district champion from Norfolk, Va. Brown, who comes from Maury High School, was also coached by Coach Baranik before coming to St. Andrews.

“Eric is another great wrestler I had the privilege to coach in high school,” remarked Baranik. “He is on a mission to succeed in both the college classroom and on the mats. He possesses a great quickness.”

Charles Richardson is a 285 pound heavyweight from Virginia Beach, Va. Richardson, who transferred from Old Dominion University, was coached by Rob Barlow at Ocean Lakes High School.

“Charles will add maturity to our team as he wrestled a year at Old Dominion University,” uttered Baranik. “We will look to him for leadership on and off the mats.”

Brian Roznowski is a 157 pound, two-time state place winner from Yorktown, Va. Roznowski, another transfer from Old Dominion University, competed at York High School under Coach Todd Parish.

“I recruited Brian while working as an assistant for Old Dominion University and am fortunate to meet up with him again,” explained Baranik. “He has a strong desire to compete with his two years remaining. The hardest part with coaching Brian will be pulling back the reins. He is an extremely hard worker.”

Alex Mathews is a 184 pound technician from LaGrange, Ga. Mathews was a state place winner under Coach Wahul at Callaway High School.

“Alex possesses great balance and just gets better with each training session and he will make some noise in college wrestling,” boldly commented Baranik.

Kyle Craver is a 125 pound lightweight from Lexington, N.C. Craver was a two-time state qualifier from West Davidson High School under Coach Chad Tedder.

“Kyle is an honor student who demonstrates great wrestling potential,” continued Baranik. “He is a competitor who will help us in the future.”

Brad McKee is a 125-pound dual athlete from Kings Mountain, N.C. McKee, who also runs for the Knights cross country team, comes from the Highland School of Technology under Coach Paul Combs.

“Brad is a rare two sport athlete,” added Baranik. “He prides himself on conditioning and will add depth to the 125-pound weight class.”

The Knights, who reclassified from NAIA to NCAA Division II in 1995, competed in wrestling for 10 seasons from 1961-62 to 1971-72. St. Andrews hits the mat starting in early November.