Death of 'M' wrestler taints promising season, leads to new NCAA policies

For the members of the Michigan wrestling team, the 1997-98 season was one they will never forget. What started out as a promising season soon was overshadowed by the tragic loss of teammate Jefferey Reese.

Reese's death just prior to the start of the season was due to dehydration and heart failure caused by over-exercising in order to make weight for an upcoming match.

As a result, the season fell under a heavy cloud and the Wolverines' dreams of contending for a national championship dissolved as the wrestlers focused on the death of a teammate.

"It definitely affected our past season," Michigan coach Dale Bahr said. "We definitely didn't finish as well as we had hoped. It affected individuals who just didn't have good seasons. I think the desire to compete was lost."

While trying to cope emotionally, the Wolverines still managed to finish 12th at NCAAs and finished with three senior All-Americans - Jeff Catrabone, Airron Richardson and Bill Lacure.

SARA STILLMAN/Daily The death of Jefferey Reese stunned the Michigan wrestling team, but Bill Lacure persevered, struggling all season to retain his All-America status.

So, the 1998-99 wrestling season will be a rebuilding year for the team - with regard to personnel and emotion.

Michigan lost a major portion of its team to graduation in May and with the missing athletes went a great deal of experience. Now will be a chance for the team's younger members to shine.

"We're really going to be a lot younger now," Bahr said. "But, I think Chris Viola, Otto Olsen, and Damien Logan could all potentially have outstanding seasons for us and maybe even be All-Americans."

Bahr also has confidence in his freshman recruits. Primarily he is looking to get major contributions from Charles Martelli, Illinois's top high school wrestler last year, who will begin at Michigan in the fall.

"I think we have a shot at having an excellent year," Bahr said. "It's going to depend on how everybody gels."

While eventually the younger wrestlers will hone their skills and their experienced teammates will come through, the key for the Wolverines this year will be to recover emotionally from last season.

"We will never forget Jeff," Bahr said. "I think about him everyday and it's the same for many of the other kids. But, we've still got to live. These kids have goals and aspirations and they must still go on.

"He's safely tucked away in our minds and always will be, but time has a tendency to move you along. That's what we're going to do. He'll never be forgotten."

In addition to having to adjust to new teammates, the veteran Wolverines will also have to adjust to new NCAA policies governing their wrestling.

Last year, three NCAA wrestlers died as a result of their training habits. A crucial part of wrestling is weighing the exact amount in order to be able to wrestle in a particular weight class. In order to prevent further tragedy, the NCAA is in the process of changing the rules. For instance, it has increased the minimum weight class from 118 pounds to 125 pounds. Also, there is a seven-pound cushion around the weight class.

"These new policies will be great," Bahr said. "The big weight cutters won't be able to cut it on the mat. We're to the point where the best conditioned and most technical athlete will have an advantage now."

09-08-98