Adrian Northrup

Before the 2006-07 wrestling season began, UW-Eau Claire coach Don Parker received an unexpected phone call.

“The call was kind of elated,” he said. “One of our alumni put me up for induction into the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame in Iowa.”

Parker had already been inducted into the Div. II Hall of Fame, but he said this award was his first in Iowa and a great feeling.

He will begin his 30th season as head coach of the Blugolds after the graduation of national champion Derek Sikora.

“Losing Derek (Sikora) is a big hit,” Parker said. “Anytime you lose a huge point-getter it makes a difference.”

However, he said Sikora will help the team improve as a coach off the mats.

Junior captain Joey Miller said the presence of Sikora’s experience will be an asset to the 17 returning lettermen as well as the new recruits.

“Overall, (Sikora) will help everyone to focus on their wrestling styles,” Miller said. “He can spread his skill work around the team.”

The impact of losing an All-American can be a season long scar, but for Parker the upcoming 2006-07 campaign will feature a stronger team than last year.

“We have two lettermen at every weight class but one,” he said. “The team will step it up a notch.”

A lot of wrestlers dropped a weight class this year that wrestled up a class last year, Parker said, adding that the drop will keep the Blugolds a lot more competitive at their respective weights.

Miller said the depth shown by the team will also keep it strong in dual meets.

“We have a full lineup with some new faces that should be pretty tough,” he said.

The lineup includes veterans Miller and seniors Lance Valiquette and Justin Mc Auly.

This experience, Parker said, will help the team heading into the first match of the season Saturday.

“Our strongest point so far is our experience,” he said. “We’re going into our first match knowing what to expect and what each individual can do.”

During the off-season, Parker said the Blugolds worked on getting their skills and timing back.

“(The team) did quite a bit of drilling and weight training,” he said. “I don’t mind the workout with the veterans, but with the newer guys, it’s a long season and they can get burnt out quickly and early.

“However, our biggest problem is that we aren’t in top shape yet.”

Even with UW-La Crosse, UW-Platteville, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater ranked in the top 25 nationally, Parker said the Blugolds should be able to compete with the best of them.

“A few schools lost some key seniors this year,” he said. “We don’t have the best idea of the teams we’re up against, but we should be right up in the thick of things this year.”

Miller echoed Parker’s sentiments, saying the team set a goal to finish in the top three in the conference.

Eau Claire will open the season this Saturday at the Lakeland Duals in Sheboygan.

Although the meet is the first of the year, Parker said the team will be tested right off the bat.

“I hope we can win three out of four match ups for sure,” he said. “We are going up against 12th-ranked Coe College (Iowa) which should be a good test for us.

“We’re a lot stronger at this point than we were last year.”