St. Cloud, Minn. - Head wrestling coach Steve Costanzo has announced
the signing of five wrestlers to National and North Central Conference
letters of intent to attend St. Cloud State University and wrestle for the Husky program beginning in the fall of 2007.
Three prep wrestlers from the state of Minnesota have elected to stay in state and compete for the Huskies in 2007-08. Aaron Stolp (Elk River, MN), Tad Merritt (Canby, MN) and Andrew Peralta (Thief River Falls, MN)
Stolp attended Big Lake High School and earned four medals at the
Minnesota High School State Tournament. He placed sixth in 2004, fifth
in 2005, fourth in 2006 and fourth this past season at 119-pounds. In
addition, he was a member of the 2007 Minnesota Wrestling Coaches
Association All-State Academic Team. He had a career high school mark
of 159-43. Stolp is projected to compete at 125-pounds.
“Aaron is a great student-athlete that has been very consistent for his
high school team over the last four years,” Costanzo said. “He is a
team leader on and off the mat and that is exactly what I am looking
for.”
Merritt attended perennial power Canby High School, winning two
Minnesota High School State Championships for the Lancers in his junior
and senior years. He registered a 48-1 record as a junior and was 46-1
in 2006-07. He had a career high school record of 176-31 with 116
falls. Merritt is projected to compete at 157-pounds.
“Tad is one of the best prep wrestlers to come out of the state of
Minnesota this year,” Costanzo said. “He has all of the tools to be a
great collegiate wrestler and should make an immediate impact for the
Huskies.”
Peralta attended Thief River Falls High School claiming third in his
junior and senior seasons at the Minnesota High School State
Tournament. He accumulated an overall high school record of 151-37. In
addition, he is a past cadet Greco All-American in Fargo. Peralta will
compete at heavyweight for the Huskies.
“Andrew is a big strong wrestler who has a great work ethic,” Costanzo
said. “He moves very well on his feet and is very dangerous in the top
position. He will make a great addition to our upper weights.”
Rounding out the five recruits are two stars from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA): Brad Padgett (Buckley, Wash.) and Chris Schiewe (Chicago, Ill.).
Padgett attended junior college at Highline Community College where he
was a two-time NJCAA All-American for the Thunderbirds. He claimed
fifth in 2006 and this past season he finished as a runner-up at
184-pounds. He is a past Washington High School state champion and
two-time state finalist for White River High School. Padgett is
projected to compete at 184-pounds for the Huskies.
“Brad is an excellent addition to our program,” Costanzo said. “He is a
great wrestler and a great person. I am extremely excited to have the
opportunity to work with him.”
Schiewe attended junior college at Triton Community College, where he
was a two-time NJCAA national qualifier in the heavyweight division and
the 2007 Central District Runner-Up. In addition, he is a past Illinois
High School state qualifier for Gordon Tech High School.
“Chris is another great addition to the Husky program,” Costanzo said.
“He is a very athletic heavyweight that does a great job of controlling
his opponents. We will look for Chris to feel our void in the
heavyweight slot this upcoming season.”
SCSU’s 2007 WRESTLING SIGNEES
Joe Andersen*, 149, Bemidji, MN (Bemidji HS)
Lucas Munkelwitz*, 174, Forest Lake, MN (Forest Lake HS)
Aaron Stolp, 125, Elk River, MN (Big Lake HS)
Tad Merritt, 157, Canby, MN (Canby HS)
Andrew Peralta, 285, Thief River Falls, MN (Lincoln, HS)
Brad Padgett, 184, Buckley, WA (White River HS/Highline CC)
Chris Schiewe, 285, Chicago, IL (Gordon Tech HS/Triton CC)