University of Great Falls Reloads for 06-07 with Eight State Champs in Strong Recruiting Class

The University of Great Falls Wrestling Program is pleased to release its incoming recruiting class for the 2006-07 season. Of the fourteen signees, eight were state champs in their respective weight classes. With all but two starters returning to a team that finished "Top Ten" in the country for a second straight year, addition of this year's recruiting class should make the  2006-07 Great Falls' extremely deep and ready to build on the past two seasons success.

2006-07 Univ. of Great Falls Wrestling Signees:

Alex Calvi (184)
Cut Bank HS, Cut Bank, MT
State Champ at 189 lbs, 2 x State Finalist, Cadet All-American in Freestyle 
-All State Running Back in Football
-Undecided in Major, National Honor Society Member, Honor Roll Student

Brandon Stedman (125)
Frenchtown HS, Frenchtown, MT
-3 x State Champ
-Finalist for MT USAW Gordon Smith Award for Most Outstanding Student-Athlete
-Education in Major, FFA Member

Jacob Butenhoff (157)
Walla Walla HS, Walla Walla, WA
-2 x State Qualifier, 1 x State Placer
-Education/Criminal Justice Major, Honor Roll Student, FFA Member
 
Brendon DeCock (174)
Huntley Project HS, Huntley Project, MT
2 x State Champ, 3 x Finalist, "Top 5" in MT History for pins w/ 105
-Education Major, Honor Roll Student

Chase Fish (125/133)
University HS, Spokane, WA
2 x WA State Placer
-Undecided in Major

Paul Clark (125)
Cascade HS, Cascade, MT
-3rd at 125 lb. as Senior
-Forensic Science Major

Scott Lucas (197)
Anchorage West HS, Anchorage, AK
-State Champ as Sr. at 189 lb, 2 x State Finalist
-Biology/Chemistry Major, Honor Roll Student

Brad Frasier (285)
Spokane, WA - Transfer from Wash. State Univ.
-3rd in WA State as Sr. at 215 lb.
-Biology Major, Honor Roll Student

Josh Henderson (133)
Frenchtown HS, Frenchtown, MT
-2 x State Placer, Frenchtown's first "100 match winner"
-Biology Major, Four Year Honor Roll Student, class officer

Zach Brissey (149/157)
Ephrata HS, Ephrata, WA
-State Champ as Sr. at 152 lb, 2 x State Placer, Western and Northwest Regional Placer
-Undecided in Major, Honor Roll Student

Ross Mosher (149)
Choteau HS, Augusta, MT
-State Champ as Jr. at 152lb., 2 x Finalist, 3 x State Placer
-All State in Football two years, All State Rodeo & Track
-Education Major, Honor Roll Student

David Snyder (141/149)
Medical Lake HS, Medical Lake WA
-3 x State Placer
-Business Major, Honor Roll Student

Egan Black (125)
Cut Bank HS, Cut Bank, MT
-2 x State Champ, 3 x State Placer
-Business in Major

Garrett Johnson (285)
Medical Lake, WA - Transfer from North Idaho C.C.
-3 x State Champ, Junior College National Qualifier
-Undecided in Major

Four New Signees for University of Great Falls Wrestling

Josh Beaman - Billings Senior. HS, MT     (149/157)
AA State Champ as Sr. with a 38-3 record at 140 lbs.
2 x State Finalist, 4 x State Placer
132-19 Career Record
Cadet & Junior National Qualifier

Jonathon Muri - Highline Community College, Steilacoom, WA   (141/149)
Junior College National Qualifier at 149 lbs.
3 x State Placer in Washington taking 2nd as Sr.

Alex McCay - Arlee HS, MT    (141)
State Finalist as Sr. with 29-5 record at 135 lbs.
119-32 Career Record
4 x Montana State Freestyle Placer

Colin Lane - Shelby HS, NC  (133/141)
2 x State Qualifier at 135 lbs.
32-18 Record as a Sr.


"We're continuing to try improve all areas of our team. In addition to being talented wrestlers, these four also excel in the classroom. Their work-ethic and discipline carries over in all that they do. We're excited to have them part of our program and UGF community."
- Eric Van Kley

Nine New Signees for University of Great Falls Wrestling Program

Nick Budeski - Great Falls, MT (141 / 149)
Jr & Sr. Record 75-1, 2 x State Champ
Career Record 134-17
Transferring from Boise State Univ.

Sean Whitney - Deer Lodge, MT (125)
Sr. record 48-0, State Champ, 2 x State Placer

Marc Crossland - Cascade, MT (141)
Sr. record is 39-3, State Runner-Up, 2 x State Placer
Career record 120-25

Paden Jenkins - Florence, MT (197 / 275)
Sr. Record 36-1, 2 x State Runner-Up, 3 x State Placer

Kevin Fisher - Anaconda, MT (125)
Sr. Record 41-2, State Runner-Up, 2 x State State Placer

Kyle Middlemist - Dixon, MT (125)
Sr. Record 23-8, State Runner-Up, 3 x State Placer

Austin Ouelette - Missoula, MT (165)
2 x State Placer, 3rd as a Sr.

Lance Wilson - Livingston, MT (133)
34-5 as a Sr., 5th in State
Career Record of 116-20

Bryan Bosch - La Centre, WA (125)
30-4 as Sr, 4th in State as a Jr.
Career Record of 116-22

Nine wrestlers led by Division II National Qualifier and Pair of State Champs Added To Already Deep Recruiting Class For University of Great Falls Wrestling

University of Great Falls Head Wrestling Coach Eric Van Kley announced Wednesday the signing of nine new Argo wrestlers. The newest members of the team are: 171 lb Washington State Champ Eddie Lyles from Warden, WA; 130 lb. MT State Champ Geoff White from Browning, MT; Division II National Qualifier Luke Roberts from Central Washington University, Mike Rutherford from Browning, MT; John Borey from Pasco, WA; Herbie Fitzgerald from Cutbank, MT; Travis Hoeft from Tacoma, WA; Dustin English from Auburn, WA; David Ampudia from Columbia Falls, MT.

"Each of these student-athletes come into our program with different experiences and credentials. However, the work ethic and desire that our staff looks for is present in all of them. These kind of individuals make not only themselves, but everyone around them more successful," Coach Van Kley said.

The Argos will have a full slate of varsity competition in the upcoming season.

"Our schedule was designed to get our team a lot of mat time and experience against great competition. This is critical for our younger wrestlers to improve. We look forward to the challenge of competing against the best and preparing for our National Tournament March 4-5 in Sioux City, IA." Commented Coach Van Kley. 
The new Argo Wrestling program now has 30 wrestlers.
 
1.     John Borey - 141
             
2.      Mike Rutherford - 133

3.      Herbie Fitzgerald ­ 141

4.      Luke Roberts - 285

5.      Eddie Lyles ­ 174

6.      David Ampudia ­ 197

7.      Geoff White ­ 141    

8.      Travis Hoeft ­ 125

9.      Dustin English - 133