Northern Colorado Open Preview

The 2002-03 UNC wrestling season will get underway this Sunday in Butler-Hancock Hall as the Bears play host to the Northern Colorado Open.

The open tournament will begin at 10 a.m. with a weigh-in scheduled at 8 a.m. An adult all-session pass is available for $8 and students are free with a current UNC ID. Students without a valid UNC ID can get an all-session pass for $4. After 2 p.m., the prices will be cut in half.

Head coach Jack Maughan said he wants to use this tournament to determine who will be in his starting lineup on Dec. 4 when the Bears host South Dakota State (7 p.m., Butler-Hancock Hall) to open the dual season.

"This will be a good tournament in helping to determine who is going to step up early in the year and help us in the dual season," Maughan said. "We've got teams coming in from Air Force, Colorado Mines, Colby Community College, Western State, Adams State and a couple of good club teams from the University of Southern Colorado and the University of Colorado."

Here are some of the Bears' key returnees to watch for this weekend:

Ronnie Stafford, 141 lbs. (33-24 career record, 2-time national qualifier)

Brody Olson, 157 lbs. (72-42 career record, returning All-American)

Jared Deaguero, 165 lbs. (18-13 career record)

Tony Schunke, HWT (27-26 career record)

Frankie Saenz, 149 lbs. (transfer from Arizona State)