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    Andrew Hipps •

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    Finch gives verbal commitment to Iowa State

    Ryak Finch of Safford, Arizona has known his wrestling goals since he started wrestling. He wants to be a multiple-time All-American and NCAA champion in college ... and then go on to win World and Olympic medals.

    Finch, who is ranked as the No. 23 senior recruit in the country by InterMat, gave a verbal commitment to Iowa State on Wednesday because he feels it is the school that gives him the best opportunity to accomplish those wrestling goals.

    Ryak Finch was a Junior Nationals double champion in Fargo this summer (Photo/Dave Jedlicka/jedicheetah.com)
    "I just knew Iowa State was always the best place for me," said Finch, who projects collegiately at 125 pounds. "Talking to Coach Jackson, Coach Bono, and Coach Washington, I knew that it was going to be the best place for me to achieve my goals. They have the same goals in mind for me too."

    Finch has had considerable success in the international styles of freestyle and Greco-Roman. He has been an All-American several times in Fargo. This summer, Finch was a Junior Nationals double champion, winning national titles in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. His accomplishments in folkstyle wrestling are equally as impressive. Finch is a two-time Arizona state champion and a two-time NHSCA Nationals champion.

    Iowa State has made a commitment to training and preparing wrestlers for international wrestling careers. Iowa State's head coach, Kevin Jackson, served as the National Freestyle Coach for USA Wrestling for eight years. Iowa State's assistant coaches, Chris Bono and Yero Washington, also have considerable international wrestling experience. In addition, former Cyclone standouts Nate Gallick, Trent Paulson, and Travis Paulson have all returned to Ames this season to train for their international wrestling careers.

    "Every college says they have freestyle programs," said Finch, who chose Iowa State over Penn State. "But it's nice knowing that Iowa State is actually putting in the work, bringing in the guys, and proving that they are there to make Olympic champions and not just NCAA champions."

    Finch says that his No. 1 goal is to get prepared to wrestle in college, but he also has a few other things he would like to accomplish before he heads to Ames.

    "I have another state title to win," said Finch. "I'm also trying to lead my team to another state title. My team has five state titles in a row. We're trying to get that sixth one. We've won every year that I've been in high school, so I just want to make sure we keep that streak going. I have freestyle and Greco-Roman goals too. I want to make a Junior World Team and possibly go back to Fargo and double up."
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