Head coach J Robinson has signed three wrestlers from Minnesota, two from Illinois and one from South Dakota to the 2010 class. Each is currently nationally ranked in their weight class and all have been place-winners at their respective state tournaments. Three of the signees have won state titles with two winning multiple state championships.
The group includes a set of twin brothers and one brother of a current Gopher, and hits weight classes from 133 all the way up to 197. On the national scene these young men have been All-Americans and champions and USA Wrestling national meets. In addition to their accolades on the mat, they all possess the mentality and that extra piece that it takes to be a Minnesota Wrestler.
"The attitudes of these guys are great and they cant wait to get here and be a Gopher," Robinson said. "Attitude and effort our the two main components that we look for, and these guys have them both. We are excited, and believe that this class will help the Gophers get back on top."
Joel Bauman: Kerkhoven, Minn. ... Kerkhoven-Murdock High School ... projected at 197 ... 2009 state champion at 189 ... USA Junior National All-American ... ranked No. 10 nationally at 189 by Amateur Wrestling News.
Chris Dardanes: Oak River, Ill. ... Oak River Park Forest High School ... twin brother Nick is also a signee ... projected at 133/141 ... two-time state place-winner ... placed fourth in the USA Wrestling Junior National Freestyle Tournament ... ranked No. 5 nationally at 135 by Amateur Wrestling News and No. 13 nationally at 135 by InterMat.
Nick Dardanes: Oak River, Ill. ... Oak River Park Forest High School ... twin brother Chris is also a signee ... projected at 141/149 ... 2009 state champion ... placed second at the USA Wrestling Junior National Freestyle Tournament ... ranked No. 2 nationally at 140 by InterMat and No. 3 by Amateur Wrestling News ... ranked No. 19 overall high school senior InterMat.
Seth Lange: Sturgis, S.D. ... Sturgis High School ... projected at 141 ... three-time state champion ... placed third at NHSCA Junior Nationals ... ranked No. 15 nationally at 130 by InterMat.
Tyler Lehmann: Fargo, N.D. ... Apple Valley High School ... projected at 184 ... two-time Minnesota State Champion ... three-time USA Wrestling Junior National All-American ... ranked No. 3 nationally at 189 by Amateur Wrestling News and No. 8 by InterMat.
Dylan Ness: Bloomington, Minn. ... John F. Kennedy High School ... brother of current Gopher All-American Jayson Ness ... projected at 157 ... three-time state place-winner ... USA Wrestling Triple Crown Cadet National winner ... ranked No. 4 nationally at 145 by InterMat and No. 6 by Amateur Wrestling News.
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