CLARION INKS 3 - TOP 100 RECRUITS/AWN RANKS CLARION CLASS 9TH BEST IN NATION
CLARION INKS 3 - TOP 100 RECRUITS/AWN RANKS CLARION CLASS 9TH BEST IN NATION
Photo – group – L-R, Austin Matthews, Quinton Murphy, Justin Arthur)
CLARION WRESTLING INKS THREE TOP 100 RECRUITS/AWN RANKS CLASS 9TH IN NCAA D-I
CLARION, PA.: Clarion University first year head wrestling coach Troy Letters has announced an outstanding recruiting class for 2013-14 featuring
#28 ranked Austin Matthews (Reynolds), 2012- #31 rated Quinton Murphy -2012 (Holley Central, N.Y./Indiana)
and #97 Justin Arthur (Huntington, W.V.), of the top 100 wrestlers in the nation.
AWN (Amateur Wrestling News) and The Open Mat ranked Clarion’s recruiting class as the 9th best in the nation today among NCAA Division I schools. Letters has a total of 24 impressive wrestling recruits ready to wrestle for the Golden
Eagles.
The top 10 recruiting classes in the nation according to AWN and The Open Mat are 1. Michigan, 2. North Dakota State, 3. Virginia Tech, 4. Missouri, 5. Pittsburgh, 6. South
Dakota State, 7 North Carolina State, 8. Penn State, 9. CLARION, 10. Virginia. The second ten have plenty of familiar faces with 11. Oklahoma, 12. Rutgers, 13. Minnesota, 14. Iowa, 15. Rider, 16. North Carolina, 17. Stanford, 18. Old Dominion, 19. Harvard,
20. Nebraska.
Clarion’s overall class includes three state champions and thirteen state placewinners. A total of 12 of those 16 wrestlers hail from Pennsylvania.
The Golden Eagles, who own a proud NCAA Division I Wrestling tradition, have posted 8 NCAA Division I National Champions, 46 NCAA Division I All-Americans and 17 top 20 team
finishes at the NCAA Division I Nationals since 1971. Clarion finished 4th at the NCAA’s in 1973, 6th in 1972 and 1987 and 8th in 1992. Former greats Wade Schalles and 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle were recognized in
2005 at the NCAA’s 75th Anniversary as two of the top 15 collegiate wrestlers of all time.
“It is really an honor to have a top ten ranked recruiting class,” said Letters. “We are really excited with our recruiting class for 2013-14. This was an important year for
us to step up and get some top recruits if we want to be one of the best teams in the country. This is a great start to get to where we want to be in a few years. I’d like to recognize assistant coach Keith Ferraro for doing a great job on this. He really
deserves a lot of credit for putting this class together.”
Matthews, from Reynolds High, was a 2013 PIAA State Champion at 152-pounds with a record of 49-1. He was on the Dapper Dan Team last month in Pittsburgh. Matthews placed 2nd at PIAA’s in 2012 at 138-pounds (48-2), 2nd at 140-pounds
in 2011 (44-5) and 8th in 2010 at 130-pounds. He posted a career record of 184-17. He is projected to wrestle at 157 or 165.
Murphy was ranked #31 in the nation in 2012 at Holley Central High in New York at 138-pounds. A 4-time New York State Champion, he has the New York state record for wins with 302 (302-12). He was 59-0 in 2012 at 138-pounds, 56-1 in winning at 135-pounds
in 2011, 59-1 in winning at 125-pounds in 2010, 46-2 in placing second at 119-pounds in 2009, first as an 8th grader with a record of 45-1 at 103-pounds in 2008 and sixth place as a 7th grader at 96-pounds with a record of 37-7. In the
2013 season he competed at Indiana University and posted a record of 17-8. He is projected to wrestle at 141 or 149.
Arthur, from Huntington High, is a three-time West Virginia State Champion with a career record of 142-15. He won the West Virginia titles at 145-pounds (30-2) in 2013, 138-pounds (40-2) in 2012 and at 119-pounds in 2010 (39-3). He was also third at
130-pounds in 2011 (33-8). An NHSCA Senior Nationals runner-up and a 2-time Fargo All-American, Arthur will likely wrestle at 149 or 157 in college.
National comments also surround the Golden Eagles adding
Evan Daley (Fort LeBoeuf), Cam Cyphert (Cochranton) and Dustin Conti (Jefferson Morgan).
Daley, from Erie, Pa. and Fort LeBoeuf High School, placed 5th recently at the PIAA state championships at 220-pounds (41-6), was the district and Region Champion, and helped his team finish 3rd at states. In the last month he finished
second at Flo Nationals in the 285-pound category. In 2012 he also finished 5th at the PIAA’s at 220-pounds (50-6), was regional champion and second at districts. In 2011 he placed 6th at PIAA’s at 285-pounds (31-15), was district champ
and second at regionals. He had a career record of 135-37 and is projected to wrestle at 285 at Clarion.
Cyphert, from Cochranton, was a two-time PIAA Placewinner. He finished 3rd at 220-pounds in 2013 (35-3), plus was regional and section champion. In 2012 he posted a record of 38-5 and placed 6th at PIAA’s at 220-pounds. He was district
and section champion. He also posted a 33-10 record at 189-pounds as a sophomore and was 29-12 at 189 as a freshman for a career record of 135-30. He is projected to wrestle in college at 197.
Conti, from Jefferson Morgan, was a 2-time PIAA medalist with a career record of 142-33. In 2013 he placed 3rd at 170-pounds at the PIAA’s with a season record of 42-1. He was regional and WPIAL Champion. In 2012 he was 5th at PIAA’s
at 170 pounds with a record of 42-6, as well as Region and WPIAL Champion. He was a PIAA Qualifier in 2011. Tyler is projected to wrestle at 174 or 184 in college.
Also committing to Clarion are
Seth Carr (South Fayette), Jarray Norris (Sharon), Tim Schaefer (Warsaw, N.Y.),Nicholas Shawley (Bellefonte) and Michael Bonner (Sharon).
Seth Carr – Career record 126-40 .. 2013 PIAA runner-up (113) 40-5, 2013 Dapper Dan participant. 2012 Section Champ, PIAA Qualifier at 113-pounds (34-9). 4-time WPIAL placewinner. Projected college at 125 pounds.
Jarray Norris – Career record 145-23 … 2013- 5th place at PIAA’s at 126 (39-4), Regional Champion. 2012 PIAA Qualifier (120) 40-2, Regional Champ. 2011 PIAA Qualifier (119). Projected college at 125 pounds.
Tim Schaefer – Career record 261-25 … 2013 – 2nd at New York States at 182 (53-2). 2012- 3rd at NY States at 182 (45-5), state freestyle champion. 2011- N.Y. State qualifier at135 (35-5). 2010- New York States placed 4th
at 112-pounds (33-4). 2009- 5th at N.Y. States at 103 (43-4). 2008- 7th grade – 6th at N.Y. States at 96-pounds (43-4). Projected college at 174/184.
Nick Shawley – Career record 100-41 … 2013 PIAA qualifier at 170-pounds (33-6) … 2012 – PIAA 4th place at 195 (40-9). 2-time District champion, 2-time region finalist. 2-time King of the Mountain placewinner. Projected college at 184.
Michael Bonner – Career record 126-28 – 2013 PIAA 3rd place at 138-pounds (37-4) … 2nd place at Regionals, District and Section champ … 2012 – 35-7 record … Regional Qualifier.
Clarion will also welcome the following recruits –Adam Smith (Manheim Central) and Alex Smith (Manheim Central), Ryan Whittle (Wyoming Seminary/Greenwich, Ct.), Tyler Dibert (Chestnut Ridge), Dominic
Rigous (Central Bucks South), Jonathan Mele (Gov. Livingston, N.J.), Wolfgang McStravick (Upper Perkiomen), Zach Campbell (Pymatuning Valley, Oh.), Zac Croyle (Kittanning), Mante Barnes (Altoona), Sal Marandino (Buena Regional, N.J.), Cody Carbaugh (Greencastle-Atrim),
Danny Sutherland (Nassau Community College N.Y.) and josh Davis (Freehold, N.J./ North Carolina State).
Adam Smith – Career record 133-27 … 2013 6th at PIAA at 145 (42-8), Section Champ, 3rd districts. 2012 Section champ (138), 4th at districts (32-6). 2011- Section champ (138), district qualifier (33-4). Projected college
at 141-149.
Alex Smith – Career record 120-36…. 2013 – PIAA Qualfier at 132, Section champ, 3rd at districts (39-9). 2012 Section runner-up, 4th at districts at 132 (30-6) … 2011 – Section runner-up, district qualifier at 125 (28-7).Projected
college at 133/41.
Ryan Whittle – 2013 - 10-0 at Wyoming Seminary … Greenwich High – 2012 - 6th at CT state open at 170, 2nd at state divisional, (35-7) … 2011- 6th at CT divisional tourney at 160 (33-15). Projected college at 165/174.
Tyler Dibert – Career Record 138-31 … 2013 7th place at PIAA’s at 170-pounds (41-7)... District Champ … 2012 – PIAA Qualfier at 170 (36-8) … District Champ … 2011 PIAA Qualifier (at 160-pounds (31-8)… District Champ … 2010 – District champion
at 160 (30-8). Projected college 174/184.
Dominic Rigous – Career record 116-13 … 2013 7th at PIAA’s at (182) (44-2) … Regional, district, section champ … 2012 – PIAA Qualifier at 170 (39-5) … 2nd at regionals & districts, 2011 – (32-6) 2nd at sections. Projected
college 174/184.
Jonathan Mele – Career record 136-21 … 2013 NJSIAA 4th at 120 pounds (39-4) … 2012 – Top 12 finisher at NJSIAA at 113-pounds (39-4) … 3-time Region Placewinner; 3-time District champ. 3-time Union County Champ. 2011 (32-4 at 106 pounds). Projected
college at 125.
Wolfgang McStravick – Career Record 152-33 … PIAA Qualifier at 132 (46-8) … District & section champ … 2012 – PIAA Qualifier at `132 (35-5) … 2011 PIAA Qualifier at 125 (38-10). Projected college at 141.
Zach Campbell – Career record 133-28 … 2013 – 18-8 at `132 pounds … 2012- Ohio State Qualifier at 132 (36-6) … 2011 – Ohio state Qualifier at 119 (37-8) … 2010 – 42-6 record at 119. Projected college at 133.
Zac Croyle – 2013 - PIAA 6th place at 196 pounds(30-14) … Section Champ, 2nd at regional, 3rd at WPIAL … 2012- Section champ, 5th at WPIAL, regional qualifier at 170 (25-11).. 2010- 26-13 at 170-pounds … Career
record 94-51. Projected college at 184/197.
Mante Barnes – 2013 PIAA Qualifier… 2012 Pa National Freestyle & Greco Team member. Projected college at 184/197.
Sal Marandino – Career record 62-27 … Senior year 23-4 at 120 pounds… Round of 24 at Flo nationals … 22-5 in 2012 at 106 pounds… Round of 24 at Beast of the East … 2011 Jr. Freestyle state Champ. Projected college at 125.
Cody Carbaugh – 2012 NHSCA All-American
Danny Sutherland – Nassau Community College – 2013 – 15-7 (184) – Willkes Open third place … 2012- 12-10 (184) … Long Island open Champion … Mepham High (N.Y.) – 2010 – 35-5 at 160/171 … 2009- 30-4 at 152 … 2008- 16-9 at 130 … 2010 – team mvp, all-county,
team captain. Projected college at 184.
Josh Davis – Transfer North Carolina State – 2013 – red-shirt season … 2012 – 15-15 record at heavyweight … HS Career record 112-24 at Freehold Borough … senior in 2010 – 35-3 record … 2009- 34-3 record … 2-time District champ … 2008 – 29-5 record …
3-time Fargo All-American. Projected college at 285.
CLARION NOTES: Coach Letters also praised G.A. Kerry Regner for his help in the recruiting process this year …
Clarion finished 2nd at PSAC’s, 4th at EWL’s and 33rd at the NCAA Division I Nationals this year…
Flo Wrestling also ranked Clarion’s NCAA Division I recruiting class as the 15th best in the nation. (see below).
Michigan, Pitt, Nebraska, Virginia Tech and Illinois were the top 5. Clarion ranked 15th, with Minnesota 16, Stanford 18, Oklahoma 19, Princeton 20 and Iowa 21.
AWN/ THE OPEN MAT RECRUTING RANKINGS FLO WRESTLING RECRUITING RANKINGS
May 28, 2013
May 3, 2013
1.
Michigan 1. Michigan
2.
North Dakota State 2. Pitt
3.
Virginia Tech 3. Nebraska
4.
Missouri 4. Virginia tech
5.
Pittsburgh 5. Illinois
6.
South Dakota State 6. Penn state
7.
North Carolina State 7. Missouri
8.
Penn State 8. Oklahoma state
9.
CLARION 9. Ohio State
10.
Virginia 10. Oregon state
11.
Oklahoma 11, Iowa state
12.
Rutgers 12. Rutgers
13.
Minnesota 13. Harvard
14.
Iowa 14. North Carolina state
15.
Rider 15. Clarion
16.
North Carolina 16. Minnesota
17.
Stanford 17. North Dakota state
18.
Old Dominion 18. Stanford
19.
Harvard 19. Oklahoma
20.
Nebraska 20. Princeton
21.
Iowa State 21. Iowa
22.
Princeton 22. Rider
23.
Illinois 23. South Dakota state
24.
Ohio State 24. Central Michigan
25.
Sacred Heart 24. Binghamton