Augustana Adds Five Standouts to 2007-08 Recruiting Class
April 16, 2008
Augustana College head wrestling coach Jason Reitmeier today
announced the addition of five high school standouts to the Vikings'
2007-08 recruting class. Joining the Viking program are Austin Carmichael of Columbus, Neb., Chris Meredith of Nebraska City, Neb., Michael Edgington and Marcus Edgington of Sioux City, Iowa and Cody Lensing of Mounds View, Minn.
The addition of these five wrestlers brings the 2007-08 recruting class
to eight members. They join a class that consists of Luke Heine of
Vermillion, S.D., Carl Serck of Hudson, S.D., and Nate Herda of Rock
Rapids, Iowa, who signed with Augustana in November.
"(Assistant coach) Tom Meester and I are very excited to begin working
with this bunch of kids," Reitmeier said. "They are not only great
athletes, but some of the brightest kids we have met. They all bring a
special quality to our program. We can't wait until next fall to begin
their college experience with them."
Carmichael is a two-time Class A state champion and a three-time state
placer from Columbus High School. He went 39-1 this past season and
36-0 as a junio in capturing back-to-back state titles. Carmichael, who
is expected to wrestle at 141 or 149 pounds for the Vikings, posted a
95-4 record in his final three seasons in high school
"Austin is a well rounded wrestle who excels on his feet," Reitmeier
said. "He is explosive with a variety of offense and very excite to
watch. We are excite to have Austin coming to Augie, he will be a great
addition to our middle weights."
Meredith attends Lourdes Central Catholic High School, but wrestles for
Nebraska City High School through a co-op program. A four-time Class B
state qualifier, Meredith accumulated a 134-26 career record, setting
the school record for wins. A three-time district champion, he won the
152-pound state title as a junior in 2007 before finishing fifth at 160
pounds as a senior in 2008. A two-time all-conference football player,
Meredith will compete at 165 or 174 pounds in college.
"Chris is a long athlete who has a lot of room to grow," Reitmeier
said. "He is again a well-rounded wrestler who is good in all
positions. Once on the weights Chris could be a middle to upper weight
guy for us. He will be a great addition to our squad."
Michael and Marcus Edgington, who are twins, both enjoyed stellar careers at Hinton High School in Hinton, Iowa.
Michael Edgington posted a 34-4 record during his senior campaign in
2008. He went on to a sixth-place finish at the Class 1A state
tournament. He recorded 111 career victories for the Blackhawks.
"Michael is an extremely hard worker both on the mat and in the
classroom," Reitmeier said. "He has a wealth of wrestling experience
competing in national tournaments in all styles. He is exceptional on
top and has improved on his feet. Michael is very long and could grow
into a middle upper weight wrestler for us in the years to come."
Marcus Edgington was a four-time Class 1A state qualifier for Hinton.
He went 44-0 as a senior in 2008 en route to a state championship. He
also finished fourth as a junior and fifth as a freshman. He had a
167-22 career record.
"Marcus is coming of an outstanding senior year, winning an Iowa state
title and beating some very tough competition during the year,"
Reitmeier said. "Marcus, like his brother Michael, does very well in
the classroom. Marcus is explosive on his feet and very hard to take
down. He also has a lot of national experience in all styles of
wrestling."
Lensing is a four-time state qualifier at Totino-Grace High School in
Fridley, Minn. He posted a 41-3 record in 2008 and was the Class AA
state runner-up. As a sophomore in 2006, Lensing, who is expected to
wrestle at 125 pounds at Augie, placed sixth at the Class AAA state
meet. A two-time academic all-state selection, Lensing has twice placed
at the Junior USA Wrestling Nationals meet.
"Cody is a little spark plug," Reitmeier said. "He brings a lot of
energy to the mat. Cody has seen success at every level, placing many
times nationally in Greco Roman wrestling. Cody will need to put on
some size for college but is very bright and dedicated. We are excited
about what Cody bring to Augie athletically and to the school
academically."