The University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling recruiting class is strong in both quantity and quality, 10th-year Pioneer Coach Chris Walter announced today.
Among the newcomers for the 2006-07 school year are 10 state qualifiers and three state champions. They will join a Pioneer team that placed third in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference dual meet standings with a 4-2 mark and sent three wrestlers on to the NCAA Division III wrestling championships.
Coach Walter has compiled a 73-61-1 record in his previous nine campaigns, including 34-20-1 in the tough WIAC.
The recruits include:
STATE CHAMPIONS
*Brad Bersch, Oconomowoc, WI
2005 state champion with 43-0 record and a Wisconsin-record 38 pins ...placed in top three in state three straight years ... 89 straight victories ... 153-24 career record.
*Jesse Milks, Rock City, IL/Dakota
Illinois Sate champion and AAU national champ ... four-year first first-team all-conference ... placed in the top three in state for three straight years ... four-year record of 158-18.
*Scott Nicholas, Rock City, IL/Dakota
Illinois 2006 state champion at 215 ...AAU national champion ... four-time conference champion ... two-time regional winner ... third in state in 2005.
STATE QUALIFIERS
*Jon Ames, Genoa, WI/Viroqua
Wisconsin state qualifier ... all-conference first team ... third all-time in school single-season takedowns.
*Rick Leos, Elgin, IL/Burlington Central
Two-time Illinois state qualifier ... 2003-04 regional champion.
*Trent McCormick, Blue River, WI/Riverdale
Placed fourth in state tournament sophomore year.
*Spencer Peterson, Green Bay, WI/Southwest
Wisconsin Division 1 state qualifier as a junior ... 138-32 career varsity record.
*Andrew Vyhnanek, St. Charles, IL/East
2005 and 2006 Illinois state tournament participant ... three-time all-conference.
*Justin Washington, Lisle, IL
Third in 2006 state tournament ... regional champion ... second in sectionals.
*Brad Zellner, Luxemburg, WI/Luxemburg-Casco
Three-time state qualifier ... placed third in 2004 and fifth in 2005 ... three-time all-conference first time ... wrestling on three state championship teams.
HIGH HONORS
*Thomas Beirl, Beloit, WI/Turner
Regional champion and sectional qualifier.
*Matt Beschta, Lena, WI
Two-time first team all-conference.
*Amy Ganser, Sun Prairie, WI
Sectional qualifier.
*Joe Kern, Beaver Dam, WI
Wrestled for team that won conference, regional and sectionals.
*Kale Minnaert, Pontiac, IL
Three-year letterman.
*Andy Trace, Orfordville, WI/Parkview
Two-time regional champion ... school record for single-season wins, 33 in 2005-06.
Higgins, now 26-6 on the year, will lead the Pioneers into battle Friday at Loras College, beginning at 7 p.m.