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    Andrew Hipps •

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    Recruiting Roundup: October 4 - October 10

    Seven InterMat Top 100 recruits gave verbal commitments last week, including No. 13 Logan Storley (Webster, SD), and No. 18 Alex Dieringer (Port Washington, WI).

    InterMat caught up with the latest group of InterMat Top 100 recruits to commit to colleges and talked to them about their college decisions and much more.

    No. 13 Logan Storley (Webster, SD)
    College Choice: Minnesota
    Projected College Weight Class: 174

    Storley, the highest-ranked recruit to commit last week, gave a verbal commitment to Minnesota. He is looking to become just the second six-time state champion ever in South Dakota. Storley, who hails from the same hometown as former Gopher and current UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, was a Junior Nationals freestyle champion this past summer and has twice won the NHSCA Nationals. He will head into his senior campaign with a 217-2 record and riding a 163-match winning streak.

    Logan Storley (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)
    Storley on his decision to commit to Minnesota: "My decision was made through me and my family. They have a great group there and those are people I want to be around."

    Storley on the recruiting process: "It was a fun experience, but I'm glad it's over. All the schools and coaches were very nice."

    Storley on the Minnesota coaching staff: "There are so many good things to say about those guys. They have been very helpful and supportive of everything. I'm really excited to start my college career with guys like that."

    Storley on what it would mean to become a six-time state champion: "It would be amazing. I would be in the record books and nobody could ever take that away. It's also a goal I've been striving for since sixth grade."

    Storley on being compared to Lincoln McIlravy: "That's an awesome feeling. He was one of the best ever and to be even considered like him makes me feel real good."

    No. 18 Alex Dieringer (Port Washington, WI)
    College Choice: Oklahoma State
    Projected College Weight Class: 149

    Dieringer was one of two InterMat Top 100 recruits to commit to Oklahoma State last week. He was a Junior Nationals folkstyle and freestyle champion this year and a Cadet Nationals double champion in 2009. He is also a two-time state champion who went 42-1 last season.

    Alex Dieringer (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)
    Dieringer on his decision to commit to Oklahoma State: "I committed to Oklahoma State because of the team's proven success over the years. I knew wrestling for Oklahoma State would give me the best chance of becoming an NCAA champion. I felt at home during my visit to OSU, and enjoyed my time spent with the coaching staff and the team."

    Dieringer on the recruiting process: "Best thing: Meeting great coaches and great wrestlers from great schools. Worst thing: Having to make difficult phone calls to coaches once my decision was made. I am grateful I was able to experience the process and will never forget the people I met along the way."

    Dieringer on his favorite wrestling style (folkstyle, freestyle, or Greco-Roman): "My favorite wrestling style has always been Greco-Roman. With my success in both folkstyle and freestyle, I seem to be leaning more towards freestyle."

    Dieringer on Oklahoma State coach John Smith: "Where do you start ... First, I am honored to be able to wrestle for John Smith. It's amazing to sit down and talk with him about wrestling. He is so knowledgeable about the sport and I will learn a lot from him as well as from Coach Guerrero and Coach Lewis.

    Dieringer on his post-high school wrestling goals: My goal would be to win an NCAA title while in college. After college, my goal would be to wrestle internationally on World and Olympic teams and coach at the college level.

    No. 26 Nick Brascetta (Graham, OH)
    College Choice: Virginia Tech
    Projected College Weight Class: 141/149

    Brascetta was one of two InterMat Top 100 recruits to commit to Virginia Tech last week. He is a three-time Ohio state placewinner and 2009 state champion. Brascetta was a Walsh Ironman champion as a sophomore and placed third in the event last season.

    Nick Brascetta (Photo/Kevin Schlosser, BuckeyeWrestling.com)
    Brascetta on his decision to commit to Virginia Tech: "My decision to go to Virginia Tech was a long process and was a lot more stressful than I had anticipated. I never thought that I would become so close with two coaches other than Coach Jordan, but in the end I felt that Coach Dresser and the wrestling program at VT is the best place for me to be in order to be successful. My decision was based a lot on the relationship with the coaches and team, and from the start VT and Coach Dresser out-recruited all other schools. When it comes down to it, I see myself being successful at VT, and see the best relationship with everyone there. I'm extremely excited to wrestle for Coach Dresser and the assistant coaches there and know I made the right decision to go to VT."

    Brascetta on going to Virginia Tech with Graham teammate Matt Stephens: "Matt Stephens has been my best friend since we started high school together and in the beginning it was only a dream or a thought that we would go to school together. Now that it is actually going to happen I think we are both in shock and will be very comfortable together and also with his older brother Brian Stephens, who also wrestles there. Although we will not be roommates because Matt will be taking a greyshirt year, we are extremely excited to be able to share the next five years together in Blacksburg. It's very helpful to go to a school, I think, with someone you know, and what better place than two of your best friends."

    Brascetta on moving up from 119 pounds to 140 pounds: "The jump from 119 to 140 is a shock to most people, but I think it was very necessary. The past two years I have cut a lot of weight, especially my sophomore year to 103, which was an absolute must for the team, and also last year to 119 from 135 was hard. This year I am just simply going the weight I feel comfortable and never thought last year I would be saying it would a decent cut to 140, but I have grown a lot. I chose to go 140 instead of 135 not only because I was bigger than our 135-pounder, but because I wanted to allow my body to continue to grow and prepare for college. I am beginning to become very comfortable with my weight and wrestling bigger guys and still feel strong and quick. I know that my main workout partners in Bo Jordan and possibly Matt Stephens are bigger than me (Bo is going 145 and Matt is going 152), so working out with them has helped me acclimate to the weight change. When we went to VT for a coaches clinic that Coach Jordan put on, I wrestled both Chris Diaz and Devin Carter and felt very comfortable with my weight jump. I hope to continue the success at a bigger weight and prove to people what type of wrestler I really am."

    Brascetta on Graham coach Jeff Jordan: "Coach Jordan and Graham has been the root of my success, along with the assistant coaches. If I never decided to come to Graham, I would not be talking to you today. Coach Jordan creates a relationship with the wrestlers that allows him to get the most out of every guy, if it means that person getting pissed at him, he doesn't care. That's what gets us better. He pushes every wrestler past the breaking point to get us prepared and ready to compete. The coaching staff makes us want to work hard for them and be successful. Coach Jordan was a huge part in my decision and the process as I respect him so much, and what he has to say. I love Coach Jordan like another father and can't tell you how much I appreciate him through all this process, and my high school career."

    Brascetta on the strength of Graham this season: "Graham this year, like last, will be hard to beat in my eyes. Of course that's me saying it, but as a captain of the team I see something special from the guys. We are expecting nothing less than an Ironman title and beating Blair, St. Ed's, and Wadsworth. With a lot of weight jumps it will be very interesting to see how some react to the lineup jumps, and we are hoping to prove everyone we still have what it takes, because we do ... no question! I am excited for my senior year of wrestling and being a part of another great team. We are going to be scary good again, and will prove that in December and March."

    No. 27 Nikkolas Pena (Selma, CA)
    College Choice: Iowa State
    Projected College Weight Class: 141/149

    Pena is a state champion (third in 2009, sixth in 2008) and fourth-place finisher at the Walsh Ironman. He is in position to earn a rare fourth California state medal and is ranked among the nation's top light middleweights. He joins No. 88 Tanner Weatherman (Ballard Huxley, IA) as early commits for Iowa State.

    Nikkolas Pena (Photo/Tony Rotundo, Tech-Fall.com)
    Pena on his decision to commit to Iowa State: "The last week I have just been going back and forth on which school would be best for me, meeting my goals academically and on the mat, and I came to the decision that Iowa State would be the best fit for me."

    Pena on Selma, California: "I live in a pretty small town. I guess you could say most people in town know each other and we're like a family, I guess."

    Pena on his weight: "I'm holding around 145 right now. So I plan on most likely growing into a 141-pounder and starting off there."

    Pena on his parents: "They've been very supportive. I don't think I would be where I am at today without them. Growing up from elementary throughout high school, they've always supported me and done whatever they could to help me achieve my goals and just help me be successful."

    Pena on his areas of academic interest: "I'm interested in sports medicine and physical therapy. So most likely I'll have six to seven years of schooling. It'll be kind of tough."

    No. 45 Austin Marsden (Crystal Lake Central, IL)
    College Choice: Oklahoma State
    Projected College Weight Class: 197/285

    As a junior, Marsden went 49-2 en route to winning a state tile. He is a Cadet Nationals champion, FILA Cadet Nationals champion, and Junior Nationals All-American. He has a career record of 101-19.

    Austin Marsden
    Marsden on his decision to commit to Oklahoma State: "Well, let me start off by saying it was extremely awesome to have Coach John Smith in our living room explaining why I should come to Oklahoma State. To have a two-time Olympic gold medalist who has coached numerous NCAA national championship teams, as well as NCAA individual national champions, want you to come and wrestle for him was amazing. I just felt it was the complete package that included academics, coaching staff, practice partners, and the tradition is second to none. On my visit I felt welcomed by the team and the staff. They seemed like a family that I wanted to be a part of."

    Marsden on whether he expects to be a 197-pounder or heavyweight in college: "Once I explained to the coaching staff that I never really lifted weights, they seemed to be excited about making me bigger. I am pretty tall (over 6'2") and have a broad frame, so putting on more muscle shouldn't be hard to do. I believe they will start me off at 197 and eventually move me to heavyweight. Either way will be fine because I can work out with either (Chris) Perry or (Alan) Gelogaev ... How can you go wrong there?"

    Marsden on three wrestlers from his high school committing to Division I programs this year: "I have been wrestling with Joey Kielbasa and Trevor Jauch since I was 8 years old. We all belonged to the Crystal Lake Wizards Youth Wrestling Club and we won the state championship as a team when we were all in eighth grade. I couldn't be more excited for Joey, who will attend Central Michigan and Trevor Jauch, who will attend Missouri, as well as a friend of mine, Cullen Smith, who attends Crystal Lake South, who will also be wrestling DI. I am proud to call them all friends that I will have for life."

    Marsden on the strength of wrestling in Illinois: "I was proud to be a member of both the Cadet freestyle and Greco teams the won the national championship (in both styles) in 2009, as well as the freestyle team this year that also won. The future also looks bright for Illinois wrestlers with juniors like my current teammate Gage Harrah and other juniors like Eddie Klimara, Nick Fontanetta, Zane Richards and Sammy Brooks, as well as the younger guys like Ben Whitford, Bryce Brill, Jared Cortez, Michael Johnson, Jon Marmolejo, Michael Zelasco, and Kyle Fugiel. I see this group and the groups to follow contending for a national title every year. The coaching across the board is amazing right now in the state of Illinois."

    Marsden on his post-high school wrestling goals: "Simple. I want to be part of a NCAA national championship team, as well as achieving an individual NCAA national championship and I believe Coach Smith can help me achieve those goals. I will still compete on the national level while attending college and would love to compete in the Olympics one day."

    No. 48 Lex Ozias (Southern Garrett, MD)
    College Choice: Virginia Tech
    Projected College Weight Class: 141/149

    Ozias became the second wrestler from Southern Garrett, Maryland to commit to Virginia Tech this recruiting season, joining No. 56 Bubba Scheffel. Ozias is a three-time state finalist and two-time state champion. He was an NHSCA Junior Nationals All-American and double All-American in Fargo.

    Lex Ozias
    Ozias on his decision to commit to Virginia Tech: "My dad got me started in checking out the school. My dad thought it could be the right fit for me and my teammate, Bubba. Last October I went and checked out the school and had a tour. I thought the campus was great and I liked all the coaches. After going on an unofficial visit in April and then a five-day training camp during the summer, I knew VT was in my top-four choices for DI wrestling. It was a really tough choice to finally decide, but my decision was based on a few things such as how comfortable I felt at the school and if I could become an NCAA All-American and NCAA champ. I also wanted to go to a school where I got along with the coaches and wrestlers. After visits to Old Dominion and UNC, I decided that VT was the school for me. I am very happy with my choice and I am excited about the season and wrestling with my teammate, Bubba."

    Ozias on going to Virginia Tech with high school teammate Bubba Scheffel: "I am very excited about going to the same school as Bubba. I have been wrestling with him since I was 5 years old. We were on the same junior league team and now high school teammates. It is really nice to have someone on the team that I already have a connection to. My family and the Scheffels are really close, so it will be exciting for them to watch us wrestle throughout college."

    Ozias on his wrestling style: "I try to emulate the Iowa style when I wrestle, which is very tough to do. I like to push the action and use my offense as a good defense. I like to be on the attack most of the match and try my best to rack up points. My strongest position is on my feet. This year I want to focus more on my mat wrestling."

    Ozias on becoming a Junior Nationals double All-American in Fargo: "Becoming a Fargo double All-American was a huge dream for me ever since I started high school. My first year I went to Fargo I was going into my freshman year. I went 0-2 in Greco and 2-2 in freestyle. The next couple times I went I was always around one or two matches away from making the All-American round. My fourth year I finally did it. I wrestled 20 matches over a course of five days, which was the hardest thing I had ever done in my life. I got eighth in Greco and fifth in freestyle. My record was 15-5 throughout the tournament. The most exciting part of the tournament was when I was on a nine-match winning streak and had a chance of making the finals in freestyle. I ended up losing to the runner-up in the weight class, Edwin Cooper. I think double AAing at Fargo definitely showed that I was a tough competitor and that I can compete with the top guys in the country and also showed that I could be a DI wrestler. I think it also helped with the recruiting process with a lot of different schools that contacted me."

    Ozias on area of academic interest: "I am not completely sure about what I will major in next year. I am interested in a major having to do with natural resources conservation, business, or maybe law enforcement. My goal is to keep my GPA up over a 3.0 and take interesting classes that I will have fun learning about. I am very excited that at a job interview my resume will say I got my four-year degree at Virginia Tech!"

    No. 82 Ryan Krecker (Nazareth, PA)
    College Choice: Campbell
    Projected College Weight Class: 149/157

    First-year Campbell coach Joe Boardwine landed his second InterMat Top 100 recruit in Krecker, who joins No. 96 Josh Fisher (Roane County, WV). Krecker is a two-time Pennsylvania (AAA) state placewinner, finishing fourth the past two seasons. He was third at the Beast of the East last season.

    Ryan Krecker
    Krecker on his decision to commit to Campbell: "I decided on Campbell for many reasons. Academically, it is a great place to be. I am not one hundred percent decided on my major yet, but they have many choices to get a great education. The campus is really nice, the brand new wrestling facilities and new arena are great, and I really liked the guys on the team when I visited."

    Krecker on Campbell coach Joe Boardwine: "Coach Boardwine is a great guy. He really got me to see his vision for the Campbell program. He has won everywhere he has been in the past, and is really excited and confident about doing the same at Campbell. I want to be a part of that, and I know that Coach will give me all the tools I need to get after an NCAA title. I am very excited to come down and wrestle for him."

    Krecker on high school wrestling in Pennsylvania: "PA high school wrestling is great. There are so many tough guys, and you know you're competing against some of the best guys in the country. I'm really focused on ending my high school career with a state title. You know you are one of the best guys nationally if you win a state title in PA."

    Krecker on what aspect of his wrestling he needs to improve upon the most: "I will really need to improve on controlling guys from top when I move onto college. In my matches now, I pretty much let guys out so I can wrestle more neutral, but in college everyone is good in neutral so I need to take my mat wrestling to the next level. I also need to work on being able to wrestle my style for seven full minutes."

    Krecker on his biggest influences in his wrestling career: "I have many influences ... all my coaches who have helped me improve over the years, all the guys who have wrestled for Nazareth in the past who have come back to work with me in the room, my parents for supporting me through the good and bad, the fans at Nazareth who have been great and come to our matches and root for us."
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