WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - The nationally-ranked West Liberty University wrestling team is set to begin its 2022-23 season tonight at #11 Pitt-Johnstown. The Hilltoppers enter the season ranked sixth nationally by the National Wrestling Coaches Association and have six individuals ranked among the nations best, tied for the most of any Division II program.

West Liberty is on the heels of a successful season placing third at the NCAA DII National Championship and securing back-to-back regional and conference titles. 

Head Coach Danny Irwin is back for his fourth season at the helm of the Hilltoppers and is looking to build off of the recent success. "We've done some amazing things over the past couple of years, but we want to kick the door down."

Four-time All-American, four-time Scholar All-American, and two-time national champion Cole Laya returns to the mat to lead the Black and Gold at 125. "He has been doing the right things to put himself in position to make 2022-23 the best season yet," noted Coach Irwin. Laya enters the season as the top-ranked wrestler nationally in his weight class by the NWCA.

Ty McGeary will be moving up a weight class to 184 this year after two impressive seasons for the 'Toppers. The junior West Allegheny alum is coming off a third place finish at the NCAA DII Championships along with titles at the super regional and conference tournaments. "He's filled out the new weight class really nicely and is just a tone setter for our program," said Coach Irwin. McGeary begins the season ranked fourth nationally in the 184 division.

In the anchor position, Francesco Borsellino will hold down the 285 weight class. "This is the most focused I've seen him be to this point and it's going to be an exciting year for him," said Irwin. Borsellino was atop the podium at the MEC tournament and earned his first super regional championship a year ago, making a second straight national tournament. 

Junior Jordan Watters earned a 12th place recognition in the NWCA preseason rankings at 149 after qualifying for the NCAA Championships in 2021-22. At 165, Chase Morgan has been a national qualifier the past two seasons and is looking to break through to the podium this year.

"Everyone is going to have the chance to make a name for themselves, but I think someone Hilltopper fans will be excited to see compete is Greg Brusco," noted Coach Irwin. A senior from Delaware, Ohio, Brusco enters his second season with the Hilltoppers. He was 3-0 last year before going down with a season-ending injury. "He's looked really good this fall and there's probably not a guy outside of McGeary and Laya to have as many big wins as he does over the course of his career," continued Irwin.

The 2022-23 roster features 16 newcomers, 14 of which freshman along with a pair of transfers. "Our preseason training could not have gone any better than it did," said Coach Irwin. "Our guys came in and were ready to go." The newcomers have delivered in the offseason and Coach Irwin will be counting on the class to make an impact this year. "I think we hit a home run on this recruiting class," said Irwin. "They have continued to progress throughout the preseason and will be a tough group to keep out of the starting lineup."

Transfers, Vincent Scollo and Jamar Williams headline the additions with preseason national rankings of 7th and 12th in their respective weight classes. 

Scollo comes to the hilltop after earning a bid to the national tournament at Davis & Elkins in 2021-22. "(Scollo) is going to be a very nice one-two punch with Cole, the type of energy and attitude Laya and Vinny will get the momentum rolling in our favor early," said Coach Irwin.

After wrecking havoc against the Hilltoppers at Alderson Broaddus, Williams will rep the Black and Gold in 2022-23 at 157. He enters the season ranked 12th nationally in the weight class after a 19-5 record and second place finish at the MEC's a year ago.

The Hilltoppers added four new faces to the coaching staff this offseason as well along with the promotion of Cam Timok to Head Assistant and the return of Coach Mike Carpenter and Chase Logan. "Our staff is as strong as it's ever been," said Coach Irwin. Former 'Topper wrestlers Christian Rivera and Marcus Jean-Baptiste stayed with the program this season as coaches, while Kyle Hatch and Daniel Radcliffe round out the first-year assistants.

West Liberty will be on the road again this weekend at the Mount Union Invitational and then Lake Erie College visits the hilltop for the home opener next Thursday (November 10) at 6 pm. Live coverage links of each match and a full season schedule are available here.

Follow Hilltopper wrestling all season online at HilltopperSports.com as well as on Twitter (@wluwrestling | @wlathletics), Instagram (@wluwrestling | @wlu_athletics), and Facebook.