05/20/2003
FARGO, ND--North Dakota State University head wrestling coach Bucky Maughan has announced the signing of five more Minnesota high school wrestlers.
North Dakota State has inked Wadena-Deer Creek's Pete Hayes, New London-Spicer's Tony Noyes, Brainerd's Andy Pickar, Hibbing's Skip Johnson and Dawson-Boyd's Ryan Sather.
The five new signees join Eric Sanders (Wabasha-Kellogg) and Mike Meger (Owatonna) to bring this year's recruiting class to seven student-athletes.
Here's a profile of each of the new signees...
Pete Hayes, Wadena, MN
Hayes ended his high school wrestling career with a state title at 140 pounds and a 40-0 record his senior season. He was a four-time section champion and four-time Minnesota State High School League placewinner, finishing fifth as a freshman and fourth as a sophomore and junior. He set the career wins record at Wadena-Deer Creek with a 190-17 overall mark. Hayes was named to the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association All-State Academic team and was a two-time Guillotine Academic All-State wrestler. He is projected to wrestle at 141 or 149 pounds for the Bison.
Tony Noyes, Spicer, MN
Noyes was a four-time state tournament qualifier who compiled a 42-0 record and won the state championship his senior year. He set the single-season school takedowns record (100) and was the career victories leader with a 138-16 record. Noyes was third in the state as a junior and sixth as a sophomore. Projected to wrestle at 125 or 133 pounds for the Bison, he is planning to study sociology and criminal justice at North Dakota State.
Andy Pickar, Brainerd, MN
A four-time Class 3A state tournament participant, Pickar won state titles his junior and senior years and was the state runner-up as a sophomore. He holds Brainerd High School's records for most career wins (126-16 overall) and most career team points. Pickar is expected to wrestle at 149 or 157 pounds for the Bison.
Skip Johnson, Hibbing, MN
Named the Iron Range Wrestler of the Year, Johnson was a state placewinner at 171 pounds and finished third in the Big Bear Tournament. His 3.9 grade-point average helped gain admission to North Dakota State "with distinction." He plans to major in architecture and will wrestle at 174 pounds for the Bison.
Ryan Sather, Dawson, MN
Sather earned five varsity letters for Dawson-Boyd High School and was 35-6 overall in his senior season at 135 pounds. He is projected to wrestle at 133 pounds for the Bison.