LITTLE ROCK - Little Rock wrestling is ready for year three, and kicking off the season in a big way: the Trojans will host their first-ever home tournament at the Jack Stephens Center this Saturday, Nov. 6 beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The Trojan Open will feature seven mats, with four across the home court and three in the auxiliary gym. The all-day event will be a double-elimination bracket that will run straight through bouts, with a short break before finals. Fans can follow along at home on TrackWrestling, while results will be also posted on Twitter
@LittleRockWRES.
"Wrestling season is back!" said head coach
Neil Erisman. "What a way to start your season off at home, with a day full of wrestling. It should be a great day from beginning to the end, and our fans will get an opportunity to see almost the entire team compete."
"We have matured so much since the inception of our program," Coach Erisman added. "There has been a huge physical change in all our athletes and I hope the fans see all the hard work that our guys have put in. This year is going to be an exciting one, because I truly believe we have a special team right now."
Who's Back?
Six familiar Trojans will be wearing maroon at the tournament to represent Little Rock:
Jaylen Carson,
Aidan Campbell,
Conner Ward,
Joseph Bianchi,
Triston Wills, and
Josiah Hill. All other Little Rock wrestlers will be competing unattached in various singlets (see below for the full list).
While some starting positions have been most likely locked in, Saturday's results should have a hand in decided who will be on the travel squad for Little Rock at their first dual next weekend against Wisconsin on Nov. 12.
Coming Off a High Note
Last season was monumental for the Little Rock wrestling program, as the Trojans knocked off several milestones. This included the team's first-ever Division I victory over Fresno State, followed by their first conference win over Pac-12 opponents CSU-Bakersfield just hours later. Graduate student
Paul Bianchi also highlighted the program with numerous accolades, from becoming Little Rock's first National qualifier to earning Academic All-American status. This year, the Trojans seek to live up to, if not exceed, the high standards set last season.
Friendly Faces
Teams in attendance include Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Arkansas Baptist, Carl Albert, Central Baptist, Oklahoma Wesleyan, Ouachita Baptist, and University of The Ozarks.
Division I opponents Oklahoma State and Oklahoma are no strangers to the Jack Stephens Center. Both teams made their way to Little Rock at different times this past January to wrestle the Trojans: the Cowboys appearing at a tri-dual and the Sooners participating in a quad.
The Ozarks also make their return to the Jack, having been the first-ever opponents for Little Rock back in the 2019-20 inaugural season.
Little Rock Starters (Wrestling in Maroon)
133:
Jaylen Carson, R-So. and
Aidan Campbell, R-So.
141:
Conner Ward, R-Jr.
149:
Joseph Bianchi, R-So.
174:
Triston Wills, R-So.
HWT:
Josiah Hill, R-Fr.
Little Rock (Unattached)
125:
Josh Sarpy, R-Fr. and
Jayden Carson, R-So.
141:
Matty Bianchi, Fr. and
Cade Manion, Fr.
149:
Austin Keal, R-Fr.
157:
Chase Tebbets, Jr. and
Cayden Auch, Fr.
165:
Tyler Brennan, R-So.
174:
Alex Hernandez, So.,
Ty Lukens, Fr. and
Will Edgar, R-So.
184:
Mason Diel, Fr.,
Zane Davis, So.,
Tanner Mendoza, So., and
Brayden Dillow, Fr.
197:
Matthew Weinert, Fr. and
Brooks Sacharczyk, R-Fr.
For the latest information on Little Rock Wrestling, make sure to check out
LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockWRES on
Facebook,
Instagram, and
Twitter.
#LittleRocksTeam
