Lee RoperAs a prep athlete, Roper was an All-American and two-time state champion from Madison, Georgia.
"How Lee goes about things is a fit for our program and how we are trying to raise men," said head coach Doug Schwab. "I saw how he related to his club wrestlers and built that up. We have very similar philosophies in our lives and how we want to build a program."
In addition to Lazor and Hodges, Roper helped train in-coming freshman Taylor Lujan. Lujan is a four-time Georgia state champion. He lost just one match as a prep in Carrollton, Georgia. Lujan closed out his high school career ranked fourth in the nation by Intermat and is projected to wrestle at 174 pounds for the Panthers.
"He adds some expertise in areas we don't have," said Schwab. "We have brought in a middle-weight guy to fill that role. He was highly sought after, but this is the place he wanted to be."
Schwab said Roper's desire to be at UNI is apparent when he is talking to student-athletes.
"I came to UNI, because I believe in the passion and vision the coaching staff and athletes have set in place," said Roper. "I wake up every day excited knowing national championships are possible at Northern Iowa."
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