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Local standout Harnitz signs with MSU
April 22, 2004
Mankato, Minn.-- Minnesota State head wrestling coach Jim Makovsky increased his recruiting class to five when he announced that Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial/Mankato Loyola standout senior Cory Harnitz signed a National Letter of Intent to join the MSU program for the 2004-05 season. He is slated to compete at either 184 or 197 for the Purple and Gold.
In Harnitz, the Mavericks are getting one of the dominant wrestlers in the area. A four-time Valley Conference champion, his career record of 190-25 is the best in school history. Harnitz has two Minnesota Class A state titles to his credit, racking up a 36-0 record as a 152-pound sophomore and a 39-0 mark at 189 pounds last season. He did not allow a takedown at the state meet this season and compiled 143 of his own over the course of the year. In between his championship performances, Harnitz qualified for the state meet with a 35-3 junior record and a section championship but was forced to withdraw due to injury.
Also an accomplished Greco-Roman performer, Harnitz is a two-time All-American at the Asics/Vaughan Cadet/Junior National Championships with seventh-place finishes in both 2001 and 2002. On April 9, he added to his career accomplishments with the 189-pound title at the Greco-Roman Junior National Championships in Las Vegas, Nev., widely regarded as one of the toughest competitions in the nation.
Harnitz already has connections with the Minnesota State program. His head coach at LCWM/ML was his brother, Andre. The elder Harnitz was a Maverick assistant coach for four seasons following a career that included the 126-pound North Central Conference title in 1987 and an appearance at the NCAA Division II National Championships.
"Cory and I have had some great conversations the past couple of weeks. I think MSU is a great fit for him and I think he is a great fit for MSU," said Makovsky. "He is a very talented wrestler with a great fan following in Southern Minnesota. His technique and quickness are excellent for a big man. Cory has some very high goals for his career and I think the sky is the limit for him."
All signings are contingent upon admission at MSU and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification with the NCAA Clearinghouse.
|
Wrestler |
Proj. Weight |
Hometown/Last Team |
|
Adam Delander |
125 |
Roberts, Wis./St. Croix Central |
|
Shane Johnson |
125/133 |
St. James, Minn./St. James |
|
Stephen Pilgram |
141 |
Annandale, Minn./Annandale/Maple Lake |
|
John Koons |
184 |
Crosby, Minn./Ridgewater College |
|
Cory Harnitz |
184/197 |
Lake Crystal, Minn./LCWM H.S. |