"I am very pleased with the student-athletes we have signed to attend Arizona State," Ortiz said. "All three of them are state champions and know what it takes to be successful on the mat as well as off. I feel each will be strong contributors for this program as we strive to remain among the Top 5 teams in the nation each year."
Jones will come to Tempe from Snake River, Idaho, where he will be looking to finish his high school career as a four-time state champion. Currently ranked among the Top 3 in the nation by several amateur wrestling publications, Jones holds a career 108-8 record in high school and has been dominant at the state's 3A meet, winning his first two titles by pinning his opponent in the first round of the championship bout. He also twice earned All-America honors last season as he was crowned the 2005 Greco-Roman national champion at the Fargo Cadet/Junior National Championships and a runner-up in the freestyle competition, both at 125 pounds.
Both Green and Lester will come to Tempe by way of the same high school, Oviedo, the same program that produced current Sun Devil starter Jason Robbins (true freshman at 141 pounds). Green is a two-time defending Florida state champion and enters his senior season with a career record of 111-20. After qualifying for the state meet as a freshman with a 24-13 record, Green, who enters the season ranked No. 6 in the nation, won titles as a sophomore (43-6) and junior (44-1) and in his junior campaign, also helped the team to a state title. A fifth-place finisher at the 2005 Fargo Cadet/Junior National Championships in Greco-Roman (189), Green helped Team Florida to the 2004 National Junior Duals Championship title.
Joining Green as a team captain for the Lions this year is Lester, one of the top ranked competitors in the national high school rankings at 275 pounds. The 2005 state champion, Lester has won at least 40 bouts in each of his three seasons and stands 132-25 overall in his career. After going 42-14 as a freshman, 42-10 as a sophomore (5th at state) and 48-1 last year, Lester will look to help his team defend their state crown this season while going for his second individual title. The school's single-season record holder for pins a year with 35, he is on pace to break the career falls record of 113 held by current Sun Devil Robbins. On the national scene, Lester also has attained All-America honors twice, earning the award at the Cadet level in 2003 and the Junior level last year.
"All three of these athletes have a goal of winning national titles, both individually as well as with the team," Ortiz said. "They are strong, hard workers and will represent Arizona State University well. Our program has continued to grow and shine over the past few years and I feel these three young men will only help the program continue its climb to the top."
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