St. Cloud, MN -- St.
Cloud State University wrestling coach Steve Costanzo has announced
that Russell Smith and Sonny Silva will attend St. Cloud State in the
fall of 2006.
A red-shirt freshman transfer from Dana College and business major,
Smith was the 2005 Minnesota State High School Champion at 171-pounds
for Owatonna. A three-time overall Minnesota State High School League
Tournament medalist, Smith placed second in 2004 and 2003,
respectively. He posted a high school career record of 155-21 and is
expected to wrestle at the 184- or 197-pounds for SCSU this winter.
Smith is the son of David and Jean Smith.
“I am truly excited to have Russell in the husky wrestling program,”
said Coach Steve Costanzo. “Russell is a prime example of what coaches
look for from their student-athletes.”
A transfer from Dana College, Silva was a three-time Idaho High School
State Runner-Up in 2003, 2004 and 2005. At Kimberly High School, Silva
tallied a prep career record of 101-22. As a freshman at Dana College,
he posted an overall record of 26-18 and wrestled to the 2006 Great
Plains Athletic Conference Championship. A fourth place finisher at the
2006 NAIA Central Regional, Silva is expected to wrestle at 133-pounds.
“I look forward to the opportunity in working with Sonny,” said Coach
Steve Costanzo. “Sonny is a relentless competitor that looks forward to
great competition.”
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.