By Jonah Bronstein
Niagara County Community College athletics director Lee Wallace said last week that if the Trailblazers men’s basketball team were to win even one regional championship, “we’d probably have a ticker-tape parade.”
Meanwhile, wrestling coach Eric Knuutila has led NCCC to 14 regional championships since he started the program 36 years ago.
“When Eric does it every year, we say ‘congratulations and thanks for the plaque,’ ” said Wallace, who was only half kidding.
But Knuutila hasn’t gotten complacent. And he isn’t satisfied with only plaques.
“We can still do more,” Knuutila said, noting the Trailblazers still haven’t gotten one of the trophies given to the top six teams at the National Junior College Athletic Association championship tournament.
That’s one reason why Knuutila hints at retirement each spring, but always finds himself back barking in the wrestling room by the time the leaves begin to change.
Knuutila, whose 352-191-8 all-time record gives him more wins (and a lot more losses) than wrestling legend Dan Gable, believes this year’s team has trophy potential.
The Trailblazers have a returning All-America Shay Shive (149 pounds) and a returning regional champion in Dan Audy (133).
Shive placed sixth at the UB Open on Oct. 31, while Audy picked up two wins against NCAA Division I opponents.
In addition, 174-pounder Don Schildhauer (Niagara-Wheatfield) and 184-pounder Richard Dawson (Medina) both qualified for the national tournament last year.
Among the freshmen Knuutila has high expectations for is Matt Johnson (Niagara Falls), who is moving up a weight class from 215 to 285.
NCCC goes to Mercyhurst North East today for its first dual meet of the season. The regional championship tournament is Feb. 14 at Alfred.
