August 8, 2003
Minnesota State University Moorhead will restock a talented wrestling roster with a 24-man recruiting crop that includes three state champions.
Head coach Keenan Spiess has announced the signing of seven transfers, including Derek Claeys (Canby), 174, Logan Kling (Fargo, ND), 285, Casey Pesta (Long Prairie), 141, John Schermerhorn (Frazee), 133-41, Tyler Seldon (Dannebrog, NE), 285, Skip Toops (New London), 165, and Chris Thompson (Grand Rapids), 133. In addition, the Dragons have signed 17 freshmen, including Scott Ahlf (Menahga), 133, Baily Badillo (West Fargo, ND), 141, James Barclay (Anchorage, AK), 141, James Bilby (Velva, ND), 141, Ryan Childers (Anchorage, AK), 165, Nick Crocker (Hillsboro, ND), 285, Mitch Greenwood (Cavalier, ND), 285, Joel Hendrickson (Menahga), 157, Matt Jahnke (Olivia), 141, Jordan Keltgen (Olivia), 285, Brandon Kok (Beulah, ND), 149, Nate Kubesh (Olivia), 197, Kevin McABride (Eastview), 125, Eric Roseen (Devils Lake, ND), 157, Phil Shequin (Pine River), 285, Scott Twardowski (Long Prairie), 197, and Shane Walton (Pine River), 125.
Kling, a North Dakota State Class A champion in 2002 and a three-time placewinner at Fargo North High School, transferred to MSU Moorhead from Augsburg College. A transfer from Augsburg College, Schermerhorn was a two-time Minnesota State Class A prep champion at Frazee High School and a runner-up as a sophomore. Seldon was a three-time Nebraska state placewinner at Centura High School and a transfer from Minnesota West Community College. A graduate of New London-Spicer High School, Toops transferred from Iowa Central Community College. Thompson produced 54 victories in two seasons and finished seventh at the 2002 National Junior College Championships for Itasca Community College.
Ahlf posted a 126-24 record at Menahga High School and was a three-time Minnesota State entrant. Bilby was a 1996 North Dakota State Class B champ at Velva High School and recently wrestled for the United States Air Force. Crocker was a two-time North Dakota State Class B placewinner and a runnerup last winter as a senior at Hillsboro High School while Greenwood was a two-time state placewinner at Cavalier High School. A two-time state placewinner, Jahnke helped BOLD High School capture the Minnesota State Championship in 2003. Keltgen and Kubesh were also members of the Warriors' championship club.
Kok collected 135 career victories at Beulah High School and was a two-time state runnerup for the Miners. Roseen was a state placewinner at Devils Lake High School while Shequin finished third at the 2003 Minnesota State Championships for Pine River-Backus High School. Twardowski was a state entrant at Long Prairie High School while Walton was a Minnesota State runnerup in 2003 and a two-time state placewinner at Pine River High School.