St. Cloud, MN -- St.
Cloud State University wrestling coach Steve Costanzo has announced
the signing of Derek Skala and Russ Lumley to national and North
Central Conference letters of intent to attend St. Cloud State in the
fall of 2006. Skala is a resident of Owatonna and the son of Ron and
Dawn Skala. Lumley is a resident of Becker and graduate of Becker High
School.
A 2006 Minnesota High School state champion from Owatonna High School
at 160-pounds, Skala also earned third and fifth place finishes at the
MSHSL state meet during his high school career. As a prep wrestler,
Skala posted a 151-25 record. He is expected to wrestle at the 157- or
165-pounds for the Huskies this winter. Skala intends to major in
business at SCSU.
“Derek is an extremely gifted athlete with a winning attitude,”
Costanzo said. "He comes from a rich tradition of wrestling and I look
for great things from him in the near future."
At the 2006 Minnesota State High School League championships, Lumley
placed fourth. In his prep wrestling career, Lumley posted a sterling
134-39 record that include 72 falls. Lumley intends to major in
engineering at SCSU.
“Russell (Lumley) is a hard working athelte who has won most his
matches by a fall,” said Coach Costanzo. “I look forward in working
with him. His aggressive pinning style in the sport will be much
welcomed in the Husky wrestling program.”
An NCAA Division II affiliate, St. Cloud State is a member of the North
Central Conference - widely recognized as the nation's top Division II
wrestling conference. Costanzo will begin his first season as head
coach at St. Cloud State in 2006-07. Costanzo previously served as head
coach at Dana College from 2000 to 2006. He led Dana to four conference
titles and the 2006 NAIA national championship.
Founded in 1869, St. Cloud State University is the second largest
college in the state of Minnesota with 16,000 students. SCSU's main
campus is located on the banks of the Mississippi River in the city of
St. Cloud, Minn. - which is located approximately one hour north of
Minneapolis-St. Paul.