"I'm humbled by the faith that the University of Michigan and the Cliff Keen Wrestling Club has placed in me," said Felix. "I don't have a lot of freestyle experience. It hadn't been a lifelong dream of mine. But they believe that I'm capable of shocking the world, and I'm really excited to make this transition. I'll be proud to represent this community on the international level."
"I am very excited and honored to continue my wrestling career at CKWC," said Habat. "Freestyle allows me to wrestle at a world level and keep my passion going. I am focused on winning Olympic and world medals, and CKWC is the place where I know I can accomplish my goals. I am so blessed and thankful for the opportunity to be at an amazing place."
A collegiate standout at Boise State (2011-14), Felix was a three-time NCAA qualifier at heavyweight, advancing to the Round of 12 in all three appearances, and claimed the 2014 Gorriaran Award, earning three falls in a combined 6:59. He also captured the Pac-12 heavyweight title as a senior in 2014, defeating Oregon State's Amarveer Dhesi, 7-1, in the championship bout. He also reached the Pac-12 finals as a freshman and junior.
Off the mat, Felix excelled in the classroom, earning multiple NWCA All-Academic (2013, '14) and Pac-12 All-Academic (2012, '13, '14) honors. He took a season away from wrestling in 2014-15 while finishing his undergraduate degrees in chemistry and biology at Boise State. While in Ann Arbor, he will prepare for the MCAT and an eventual career in medicine.
"I was very impressed with J.T. Felix the first time I saw him wrestle a few years ago and contacted him at the end of his senior season," said CKWC coach Sean Bormet. "He was a little light as an NCAA heavyweight, but 97kg is really an ideal weight class for him. I believe J.T. has a tremendous amount of untapped potential. With the exceptional training partners and coaching he will get with our club at Michigan, I'm excited to watch him develop and excel in freestyle wrestling."
A collegiate standout at Edinboro (2012-15), Habat was a two-time NCAA All-American at 149 pounds, claiming second place last year as a senior (2015) -- narrowly falling 3-1 in overtime to Missouri's Drake Houdashelt -- and finishing fourth as a junior (2014).
He shared 2015 EWL Wrestler of the Year honors with his teammate Mitchell Port after posting a 36-3 record with three falls, five technical falls and 10 major decisions. He also earned second-place finishes at the EWL Championships and Midlands Championships and won his fourth PSAC title.
A two-time EWL champion (2013, '14), Habat concluded his career ranked fifth in career wins at Edinboro with a 134-27 record, while his .832 career winning percentage ranks 14th all-time in program history.
"Dave is a very tough competitor and exciting wrestler to watch," said Bormet. "He has a great feel for wrestling and instinct to score points. That ability will transition very well into his freestyle career. I had the opportunity to watch him train in our room a few weeks ago and was really impressed with how hard he competed for every point and his eagerness to work and learn new skills. We are excited to work with Dave in this next phase of his wrestling career."
Felix and Habat will both make their CKWC competitive debut this fall.
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