By Rob Sherrill, W.I.N.’s High School Editor
In a year that has seen more high-profile coaching changes than any in the history of college wrestling, the course of college recruiting stayed amazingly stable.
Most of the nation’s major powers will continue to reload with the talent they signed this year. The Big 12 Conference is the primary case in point. Led by four-time national champion Oklahoma State’s No. 1 class, all five Big 12 schools are ranked in the top 11 on our list; the best showing ever for a single conference.
After the Cowboys, the next school on the list is Missouri, one of the nation’s fastest-improving programs, which posted its highest ranking ever at No. 6.
But the Tigers weren’t the only new kid on the block making noise. Old Dominion coach Steve Martin landed a top-10 recruiting class for the second consecutive year; Bucknell coach Dan Wirnsberger, in

his first full recruiting year a

nd the school’s first since the program was reinstated, made great strides toward building a solid team; and Bloomsburg coach John Stutzman showed in one of his first hikes down the recruiting trail that the Huskies won’t be left behind.
Seven Big Ten teams also made the list … and with Ohio State having made a home-run hire in luring Hofstra coach Tom Ryan to Columbus, look for the Buckeyes to be on this list with regularity in the coming years.
Looking for instant gratification? Look somewhere else. More than in any other sport, recruiting is strictly a futures game in football and wrestling. No other sport features the preponderance of fifth-year seniors as front-line competitors. No other sport features the majority of the freshman class being redshirted at the top schools, primarily to enhance their physical development.
What that means is that the final grade of your school’s latest recruiting class may not awarded until three to five years down the line.
Most of our rankings didn’t change significantly since our early-signing period wrap-up in November. Oklahoma State, on the strength of its spring signings, leapfrogged Lehigh for the No. 1 spot. But that battle hasn’t been completed yet. After all, there are four or five more seasons of college wrestling to be contested.
Here’s our current assessment of the top 25 classes.
1. Oklahoma State — Cowboy coach John Smith’s recruiting effort was No. 2 after November. He upped the ante by signing a pair of upper-weight aces this spring, three-time Oklahoma champion Carl Hines (197) of Bristow High and two-time Idaho heavyweight champion Landon Harris of Sugar City Sugar-Salem High. They join a November group led by Jordan Frishkorn (133-141) of Chesapeake (Va.) Great Bridge High, Ben Ashmore (125) of Dallas (Texas) Bishop Lynch High, Lance Thompson of hometown Stillwater High, Quinten Fuentes of Johnstown (Colo.) Roosevelt High, Neil Erisman (157) of DeSoto (Kan.) High and Cody Hill (174) of Marlow High.
2. Lehigh — Coach Greg Strobel’s three November recruits combined to win their final 14 state or National Prep Championships matches this season. Two-time state champion Matt Ciasulli (125-133) of Easton High came through the consolations for a hard-fought third-place finish. The two 125-pound finalists in the National High School Wrestling Championships, Levi Mele (125) of Vernal (Utah) Uintah High and Mike Grey (125-133) of Morristown (N.J.) Delbarton High, Alex Caruso (165) of Watchung Hills (N.J.) High, David Craig (171) of Brandon (Fla.) High and Patrick Flynn (197) of Quakertown High give coach Strobel the distinction of being the only coach to sign five top-five recruits. Expect this class to be the backbone of several years of contending for NCAA titles.
3. Penn State — Three of coach Troy Sunderland’s four recruits are ranked in the top two and all four could contribute immediately. David Rella (165-174) of Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit High and Bubba Jenkins (149), the biggest spring recruit from Virginia Beach Frank W. Cox High, both were National High School champions. Josh Rohler (157) of Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High came within an eyelash of reaching the finals and three-time state champion Garrett Scott (141) of New Alexandria Juniata Valley High is as good as anyone in the group.
4. Minnesota — There is likely not a Dustin Schlatter in this group, but coach J Robinson’s class again checks in at No. 4 after a busy early period. State champion Joe Nord (heavyweight) of Waconia High and Junior National place-winner Brent Eidenschink (197) of Detroit Lakes High, along with JUCO Yura Malamura (197) of Highline Community College. North Dakota aces Jake Mellmer (141) of Dickinson High and Scott Glasser (149) of Bismarck High, Brandon Sitch (157-165) of Kelso (Wash.) High and Jordan Kolbow (157-165) of Forest Lake High add middle-weight depth. Three-time Minnesota champion Mike Thorn (125) of St. Michael-Albertville High also will stay at home.
5. Nebraska — Two of coach Mark Manning’s spring group — New Jersey champion Jordan Burroughs (141-149) of Atco Winslow Township High and Bobby Laraway (174) of Newark (N.J.) St. Benedict’s Prep — were outstanding in the National High School Championships, where Burroughs won a title. High school All-Americans Cameron Browne (197-HWT) of Plattsmouth High and Steven Dwyer (165) of Rockton (Ill.) Hononegah High also came on this spring. November recruit Matt Vacanti (141) of Papillion-LaVista High won his fourth Nebraska title.
6. Missouri — The seasons put in by Pennsylvania ace Ashtin Primus (141) of Connellsville High, Tony Pescaglia (125) of Columbia David Hickman High, Andrew Wood (165) and Tyler Perry (HWT) of Hannibal High and Rayland (Ohio) Buckeye Local High standout Willie Saxton (133), all November recruits, make coach Brian Smith’s class look pretty good. JUCO All-American Emmanuel Brooks (157) from Lincoln College also will contribute.
7. Arizona State — California champion Todd Schavrien (133-141) of Poway High and four-time Nevada champion Randel Aleman (149) of Las Vegas Cimarron Memorial High give coach Thom Ortiz five solid recruits who could help right away. Two-time state champion David Green (197) and Kenny Lester (HWT) of Oviedo (Fla.) High signed in November along with Junior National champion Shawn Jones (125) of Blackfoot (Idaho) Snake River High.
8. Old Dominion — ODU coach Steve Martin signed 14 recruits and his class is one of just 11 that have at least four wrestlers ranked by W.I.N. Adam Koballa of Bedford (Ohio) St. Peter Chanel High, Billy Chamberlain of Mechanicsburg (Pa.) Cumberland Valley High and James Nicholson of Des Moines (Iowa) Roosevelt High are all candidates at 125 and Kyle Hutter (133) of New Lenox (Ill.) Providence High is another good lightweight. Martin also picked up two quality upperweights: Jesse Strawn (184) of Holton (Kan.) High and Matthew Edmondson (197) of Adel (Ga.) Cook County High.
9. Michigan — Cadet National place-winners Anthony Biondo (149) of Clinton Township Chippewa Valley High and Chris Diehl (133) Flint Kearsley High had great seasons, Matt Guhn (HWT) of Clyde (Ohio) High, Cadet National champion Scott Giffin (174-184) of Voorhees (N.J.) Eastern High and Mark Beaudry (141) of Pueblo (Colo.) South High not so great. Still, coach Joe McFarland’s November class was one of the best.
10. Oklahoma — Junior National champion Zach Bailey (141) of Kansas City (Mo.) Oak Park High was a four-time state champ. Coach Jack Spates also landed three rugged Oklahomans: Brian Shelton (125-133) and Jeff James (174) of powerhouse El Reno High and Eugene Young (184) of Shawnee High, all of whom signed in November.
11. Iowa State — While other schools, with coaching changes, deal with recruits wanting to jump ship, no such struggle materialized in Ames, where Cael Sanderson was promoted to the head coaching position. Junior National champions Mark Kist (125) of Eagle Grove High and T.J. Sebolt (133) of Centerville High, the state of Iowa’s top two seniors, and Jonathan Reader (165) of Davison (Mich.) High should combine with a great recruiting Class of 2005 to climb the rankings ladder.
12. Boise State — The post-season success of top recruit Adam Hall (149) of Bonners Ferry High is making coach Greg Randall look like a genius. Junior National runner-up Eli Hutchison (141) of Soldotna (Alaska) Skyview High and Kurt Swartz (157) of Auburn (Wash.) High, also November signees, had great seasons as well. Former Junior and High School National champion Ben Kjar (125), a Utah native, is back from a mission. Junior National runner-up Josh Strait (133) of Arimo Marsh Valley High also signed this spring.
13. Virginia Tech — Prior to becoming coach at his alma mater, Iowa, Tom Brands landed a class of headline November recruits for the second straight year. National High School champion Billy Murphy (133) of Hughson (Calif.) High, middleweights Matt Epperly and Jantzen Minton of Christiansburg High and Eric Decker of Bainbridge (N.Y.) Bainbridge/Guilford-Afton High, the future at 165 and 174, and heavyweight Jim Powers of Blairstown (N.J.) Blair Academy all signed. Like Iowa State, the school moved quickly to ensure those recruits stayed put, first by issuing a statement that no releases would be granted and then by naming Christiansburg’s Kevin Dresser, a talented and popular coach with a long record of success, to succeed Brands.
14. Bucknell — Dan Wirnsberger’s hustle produced a class with talent and depth, with 21 wrestlers coming from six states. He scored big in the middle weights, signing two-time Pennsylvania champion Andy Rendos (157) of Brockway High, talented Mike Powers (141-149) of Windsor (Conn.) Loomis-Chaffee School, three-time South Carolina champion Brantley Hooks (165) of Duncan James F. Byrnes High and fellow National High School All-American Shane Riccio (157-165) of Watchung Hills (N.J.) High. Tommy Barger of Clearfield High and Greg Hart of Bernardsville (N.J. ) Bernards High will battle at 133.
15. Cornell — A year after bringing in two No. 1 recruits, coach Rob Koll brought in another: National Prep champion Mack Lewnes (165) of Baltimore Mount St. Joseph High. Two-time Iowa champion Justin Kerber (157-165) of Emmetsburg/Armstrong-Ringsted High will push Lewnes. Josh Marcum (184) of Omaha Benson High was a two-time Nebraska champion.
16. North Carolina State — The Wolfpack should be set in the middle for some time as coach Carter Jordan signed three ranked wrestlers: three-time New Jersey champion Darrion Caldwell (149-157), while state champs Adam Pittman (141-149) of Chesapeake (Va.) Great Bridge High and William Gilleland (165) of Catawba Bandys High were National High School semifinalists.
17. Indiana — Fans better get used to the Hoosiers hanging around the rankings. Coach Duane Goldman accomplished his main task, signing hometown aces Kurt Kinser (157) and Paul Young (165-174) of Bloomington South High. Middleweights Alex Warren (141) of Mooresville High and Nick Walpole (141-149) of Indianapolis Perry Meridian High and Nate Everhart (197) of Tinley Park (Ill.) Victor J. Andrew High also signed in November.
18. Purdue — Junior National place-winner Brent Chriswell (174-184) of Port Orchard (Wash.) South Kitsap High is a major addition. Coach Jesse Reyes also mined his home state for Junior National place-winner Luke Manuel (157-165) of Grass Valley (Calif.) Nevada Union High. Two-time Ohio champ Kevin Lipp (141) of Beachwood High also signed last fall.
19. Edinboro — Coach Tim Flynn concentrated on the lower weights, adding National High School All-Americans Eric Morrill (125) of Plaistow (N.H.) Timberlane High and Daryl Cocozzo (141) of Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic High. Two-time state place-winner Kyle Fluke of State College High and Dan Whitenak of Baltimore (Md.) Mount St. Joseph High also provide depth at 125 and 133. Two-time New England champion Shawn Fendone (184) of Lowell (Mass.) Central Catholic High also signed.
20. Iowa — Three-time National Prep champion Travis Blasco (149-157) of Blairstown (N.J.) Blair Academy and two-time Iowa champ Matt Ballweg (149) of Waverly-Shell Rock High signed last fall. If new coach Tom Brands can recruit the talent he brought to Virginia Tech, don’t expect the Hawks to remain here very long.
21. Illinois — Coach Mark Johnson kept two of his state’s top prospects, Jim Kennedy (125-133) of Fox Lake Grant High and John Dergo (174-184) of Morris High, at home. The two became two-time state champions this season.
22. Army — Coach Chuck Barbee again recruited a solid class, led by Pennsylvania state champion Matt Kyler (125) of Clearfield High. Steven Gilbert (174) of Albuquerque (N.M.) Academy was a four-time state champion, Lance Penhale (125) of Nikiski (Alaska ) High won three state titles and Richard Starks (184-197) of Versailles (Ky.) Woodford County High won a pair of crowns. Ryan Mergen (184-197) of Monticello (Minn.) High, Andy Nicodin (165) of Colorado Springs (Colo.) Hilltop Baptist High and Ryan Nye (141) of Valrico (Fla.) Bloomingdale High were all state champions.
23. Bloomsburg — Coach John Stutzman got off to a solid start, signing 11 prospects. Jason Guffey of Turbotville Warrior Run High and Ian Moser of Camden Wyoming (Del.) Caesar Rodney High were both two-time state champions, while Matt Moley (133-141) of Royersford Spring-Ford High and Darrick Smith (174-184) of Adams (N.Y.) South Jefferson High were the top November recruits. State champion Rickey Schmelyun (149-157) of York Springs Bermudian Springs High was a key spring signing.
24. Rider — Coach Gary Taylor’s class burst onto the scene with solid regular-season performances. Pennsylvania champion Brian Polashuk (125-133) of Spring Grove High and place-winners Fred Rodgers (125) of Boyertown High and Rob Morrison (157-165) of Camp Hill Cedar Cliff High will be heard from. So will Nick Weaver (157) of Bayville Central Regional High, one of New Jersey’s top middleweights.
25. (tie) Maryland — Two-time Pennsylvania champion Mike Letts (174) of Atglen Octorara High will be a college standout. Coach Pat Santoro added three-time Delaware champion Andrew Bradley (149-157) of Wilmington St. Mark’s High and National Prep place-winner Lou Ruland (125-133) of Annapolis St. Mary’s High this spring.
25. (tie) Rutgers — It was a prime year for New Jersey talent and coach John Sacchi took advantage, signing perhaps his best class ever. Seven of his eight recruits come from New Jersey, led by National High School champion D.J. Russo (HWT) and three-time state place-winner Keith Dobish (197) of Lodi High.
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