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    Augustana bolsters recruiting class with seven newcomers

    Augustana head wrestling coach Jason Reitmeier today announced the addition of seven individuals to the Vikings 2005-06 recruiting class.

    The group includes Josh Montgomery of Canton, S.D., Kirk Bunkers of Brookings, S.D., Tyler Copsey of Glenwood, Iowa, Jarred McCarthy of Farmington, Minn., Beau Penk of Litchfield, Minn., Mike Wubbena of Fairmont, Minn., and Charlie Cunningham of Kaycee, Wyo.

    The new additions join a recruiting class that already included Jay Sherer of Columbus, Neb., Kyle Svendsen of Omaha, Neb., Lance Peters of LeRoy, Minn., who signed with the Vikings in November.

    This could be our best recruiting class ever, Reitmeier said. We not only filled some needs, but we also brought in some depth. This is definitely one of the most successful classes we have brought in with many awards and accolades.

    Montgomery posted a 159-26 record during the final four years of his career at Canton High School, including an amazing 90-3 mark in his junior and senior seasons. In 2005-06, Montgomery went 44-1 with 20 falls and captured the Big Sioux Conference title, a regional crown and the Class A state title at 125 pounds. In the process, he helped the C-Hawks to a 27-0 record, the Class A state duals championship and a runner-up finish at the state individual tournament.

    Montgomery, a three-time first team all-conference performer, won the Class B state title in 2005 after placing fourth as a sophomore in 2004. As a freshman, he finished fifth at the Class A state meet.

    Josh is a very scrappy wrestler who performs best in the big matches, Reitmeier said. He was a very accomplished high school wrestler and will make an impact in our lineup.

    Bunkers was a three-time Class AA state qualifier at Brookings High School. He qualified for the Class AA state meet the final three years of his career, placing fourth as a junior and seventh as a senior. A four-year starter, Bunkers posted a 26-8 record in 2005-06 after going 32-10 as a junior.

    Kirk is an athletic big man who we are looking forward to working with, Reitmeier said. He has had lots of success in high school.

    Copsey was a three-time state qualifier at Glenwood High School. He won 127 career matches, including 72 wins by fall. He had a 43-0 record as a senior during which he won the Hawkeye 10 Conference title, the sectional and district crowns and the Class 2A state championship, while helping the Rams to a sixth-place finish in the team standings. As a junior, Copsey went 39-9, won the conference title and placed second at the state meet.

    Tyler is a beast on top and a smart athlete on his feet, Reitmeier said. He comes from a great high school program and will be very successful at the college level.

    McCarthy was a four-time All-Missota Conference performer at Farmington High School. He was 30-2 with 21 pins as a senior. However, he was unable to compete at the Class AAA state tournament due to illness. He did win the state title in 2005 after compiling a 38-3 overall record. As a sophomore, he posted a 35-8 record and placed fourth at state.

    Jarred is a former state champion who we�re really excited about having in our program, Reitmeier said. �He can score points in a hurry and is a very smart wrestler.

    Penk compiled a 235-25 career record with 114 pins at Litchfield High School. His 235 wins is the second-highest win total in Minnesota high school history. He went 43-1 with 20 pins in 2005-06 and won the Class AA state title after going 38-3 with 20 pins and finishing second at state as a junior. As a junior in 2003-04, he went 43-3 with 24 pinds and placed sixth at state.

    �Beau is a viscous competitor,� Reitmeier said. �He has the second most wins in Minnesota high school history. He will compete for a starting spot immediately.�

    Wubbena, who also signed with the Augustana football team, was a six-year starter at Fairmont High School. Five times he placed at the Class AAA state tournament, earning a third-place finish as a senior after finishing second as a junior and sophomore. He had a career record of 205-28, including a 35-1 record as a junior and a 41-1 mark as a senior.

    Mike is one of the most athletic kids I have seen,� Reitmeier said. He's very explosive and quick.

    Cunningham is the younger brother of Viking football player Ben Cunningham. He capped his career at Kaycee High School by winning the Wyoming Class 1A state title in 2006.

    Charlie is a Wyoming state champion who is looking to continue his success at the collegiate level, Reitmeier said. He will add more depth to the upper weights and challenge for a starting job at 174 pounds.

    Augustana placed seventh at the 2006 NCAA Division II National Championships, crowning six All-Americans in the process. The Vikings were the 2005 national runner-up.

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