|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NDSU signs six standouts to National Letter of Intent
04/26/2005
Fargo, ND -- North Dakota State University head wrestling coach Bucky Maughan announced today the signing of six high school student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to wrestle and continue their education at NDSU. The list includes three student-athletes from Minnesota and one each from California, Idaho and Washington. This group joins five-time North Dakota state champion Levi Haugen who signed with NDSU in November.
Ryan Adams, Coon Rapids, Minn. (Coon Rapids H.S.)
Had a career high school record of 175-21... State runner-up as a freshman and a sophomore, placed third as a junior and captured the state title as a senior... Four-time Cadet/Junior Nationals All American... 2001 National Freestyle Cadet Champion... 2001 National Greco National Runner-up... 2001 Minnesota Wrestler of the Year... Two-time National Schoolboy champion... 18-time state champion (freestyle, Greco, folkstyle)... Six-time Northern Plains champion... Academic all-state... Holds school records for wins (175), team points (921), takedowns (503), falls (84), wins in a season (45), team points in a season (244) and tied for the school record for falls in a season (25).
"Ryan is definitely of the country's top lightweights," said Head Coach Bucky Maughan. "He brings a wealth of experience and is a proven winner. His father Bob was a national champion and also his high school coach. Ryan is the type of wrester we need to move NDSU into Division I. We're very excited to have him in a Bison uniform."
Zach Molitor, Cambridge, Minn., (Cambridge H.S.)
Had a career high school record of 162-51... Capped off career with a 44-3 record as a senior... Three-time Class AAA state placer with a fourth-place finish as a sophomore and runner-up performances in his final two years... Six year starter on the varsity team... Three-time all conference wrestler... Academic all-state selection in 2004 and 2005.
"Zach was for three years one of Minnesota's top middle-weights," said Maughan. "We expect him to mature into a 165, 174 or 184-pound wrestler at NDSU. He is a proven winner who we feel has great potential as a Division I wrestler."
David Albrecht, St. Paul, Minn., (Woodbury H.S.)
Had a career high school record of 135-14, a career USA Freestyle record of 107-16 and a career USA Greco record of 54-13 for a total of 296-43... Had a fifth and a second-place finish at the Minnesota Class AAA Tournament... Was a USA Wrestling All-American in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
"David is one of Minnesota's most active wrestlers," said Maughan. "A three-time USA Wrestling All-American, he has competed in over 50 tournaments in amassing his 296 wins. We expect him to make an immediate impact for Bison wrestling and be one of our future stars."
Sean Conner, Idaho Falls, Idaho, (Skyline H.S.)
Had a career high school record of 155-15 with a 41-1 mark as a senior... As a four-time state finalist, Sean was a two-time state champion and a two-time state runner-up... Named 2005 State of Idaho "Outstanding Wrestler of the Year"... 12-time freestyle/Greco-Roman state champion... No. 1 Greco wrestler in 2003 by FILA National Rankings... 2001 and 2002 FILA All American in Greco and freestyle... Was an Iron-Man national champion as well a Rocky Mountain national champion.
"Sean is one of the country's top lightweights and we are excited that he chose to attend NDSU," said Maughan. "The wrestling team at NDSU has for many years been the top team in Division II and Sean joins an exceptional recruiting class that will joins last year's great class. Together this group of athletes will make our move to Division I a great success."
Dominique Small, Tacoma, Wash., (Todd Beamer H.S.)
Finished third at state as a senior in Washington... Captured a state title in wrestling while living in Georgia... Scored 13 touchdowns while leading his team in rushing on the gridiron.
"A great all-around athlete who starred in both football and wrestling," said Maughan. "At 6-feet and 200 pounds, he led his high school in rushing and scoring. As a wrestler he shows great promise as a 197-pounder. His father was an All-American in football and played for the Houston Oilers. Dominique is a great addition to the Bison."
Brandon Heie, Running Springs, Calif., (Rim of the World H.S.)
Placed eighth at the state tournament in California.
"Brandon started wrestling late in high school and placed eighth in California which has only one class for 840 wrestling schools," said Maughan. "At 6 foot 4 and 275 pounds he has a great future as he matures and continues to improve on technique."