Coach Chris Walter is excited about his '09-10 class

The UW-Platteville wrestling team is bringing in a deep and talented class full of regional, sectional and state champions, 13th-year Coach Chris Walter announced.

"The coaching staff really feels we filled our needs going into this year," said Walter, who has a 88-77-3 overall dual record. "We also provided depth and competition at all the weight classes we targeted."

Perhaps the biggest catch is Seth Milks, a four-time Illinois state champion from Dakota High School. The younger brother of Pioneer two-time all-American Jesse Milks, Seth Milks is just the 11th person in Illinois history to capture four state titles. He won the 130-pound title in 2009.

Among the other Illinois state standouts are Brian Lovell and Allen Fish, who were second and third respectively, at 119 pounds. Lovell, from Harvard, had 108 career wins, including a 1-0 semifinal win over Byron's Fish, who finished with 140 career wins and was the state champion in 2008. Also making the Illinois state championships were Kyle Bridgeman, Ashton-Franklin Center, 189 pounds; Robbie Brink, Oregon, 130; and Travis Full, Amboy, 135.

Three freshmen who were Wisconsin state qualifiers have announced their intentions of attending UW-Platteville. They are Zach Coslett, Wrightstown; two-time qualifer Brad Hesebeck, Clinton; and state 160-pound runner-up Alex Johnson, Mineral Point.

Walter has received commitments from several standout transfers, including Vinny Alber, who had a 29-5 record at UW-Platteville in 2007-08 but left to be closer to his Dakota home. He returns to join his cousins, the Milks brothers.

Former Iowa-Grant stars Rory Edge and Garrett Kite and returning to the area after spending a year at Iowa Central Community College. Edge was a three-time state finalist, winning two titles, and compiling a 178-9 record,while Kite was also a three-time state qualifier who placed second twice. They led the Panthers to a team state title as well.

Mike McEntee, Dan Steed, and Dave Togher are coming from various colleges after wrestling at Illinois powerhouse Providence Catholic, which placed second in the state team championships in 2008.

Among those with regional or sectional qualifying experience include:
Matt Blum, Manawa (Little Wolf);
Ben Glynn, Freeport, Ill.;
Abe Graziano, Wrightstown;
Andreas Katsivalis, Elmhurst, Ill. (York);
Alex Keppler, Oconomowoc;
Jeff Kukla, Richmond, Ill. (Richmond-Burton);
Chad Kundert, Freeport, Ill.;
Eddie Schmodt, Evansville;
Kyle Wayne, Fulton, Ill.;
Jesse Wellman, Rosemount, Minn.;
Sean Yaros, Palos Hills, Ill. (A.A. Stagg).