Freshman wrestler Bryce Wittman (Nashville, Tenn./Montgomery Bell Academy) has certainly proven his skills this season by placing in each of his first 5 tournaments.

He finished as runner-up at Baldwin Wallace and Ohio Northern, and won the consolation bracket (third place) at the Ohio Intercollegiate Open.

Wittman is happy with how well his first season is going and his experience thus far. 
 

"It has been an awesome experience being a part of this first-year team," Wittman said. "Our first season has gone very well, as we have continued to improve and form closer bonds with each other."
 

Head coach Paul Reid has the same expectations for Bryce and each member of the wrestling team, and that is to approach everything with a positive attitude and a high level of effort. 
 

"Along with that, they must trust the process of improving," Reid said.  "I like seeing my guys compete hard and let it fly, and they have not disappointed me in that aspect this year."

Reid mentions that Wittman, along with everyone on the team, has very much improved throughout the year.  This improvement can be attributed to the culture that has been created on the team, which is that each member constantly pushes each other to become better. 
 

The season is beginning to wind down, with less than a month of competition left.
 

"I am excited to see how the rest of the season goes as we prepare for our first regional tournament and, hopefully, send some guys to nationals," Wittman said. 

Ohio Wesleyan competes in the NCAA Division III Central Region in wrestling.  The region is made up of 19 colleges, and Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Ind., will be hosting the tournament on Feb. 22-23.  To qualify for the NCAA Division III championship to be held March 8-9 in Roanoke, Va.,, one must place within the top 3 at the regional tournament.

There are a couple of wrestlers in Bryce's weight class who have separated themselves as the clear favorites on paper, according to Reid.
 

"That does not mean a whole lot in wrestling, though, especially since they have not wrestled Bryce," Reid said.  "Bryce has shown that even though he is a freshman, he can compete with anyone."