The Dana wrestling program recorded the No. 1 Non-Division recruiting class in 2005 and followed that ranking with an NAIA National Duals and NAIA National Championship. This year's class is highlighted by 17 state championships (14 from incoming freshman alone), 13 individual All-American honors, 2 junior college All-Americans, 3 individual national championships, and 6 nationally ranked wrestlers.
In 2004 the Vikings recorded the No. 4 recruiting class in Non-Division 1, in 2005 they topped the country at the No. 1 spot, and in 2006 the Vikings have again brought in the elite and recorded the No. 2 Non-Division I recruiting class as ranked by Wrestling USA magazine.
Fergola and his staff are extremely proud and excited about their incoming class. "After recording the No. 1 class in 2005, my expectations have stayed high. This year's class is small, but is again one of the best classes in the history of Dana College wrestling," said Fergola.
Highlighting this year's class will be a group of outstanding freshman that compiled many state and national level credentials that should prove beneficial as they enter the Dana College wrestling program. Leading off is Donny Altman of Derby, Kan. Altman will be competing at 125 for the Vikings. Altman compiled a very impressive prep career reaching the state finals as both a junior and senior at Derby High School, claiming the title in his junior year.
Altman was also accomplished on the national scene in freestyle and Greco wrestling. At the prestigious Asics Cadet/Junior Nationals held in Fargo, N.D., each summer, Altman claimed two Cadet Greco National titles, two Cadet freestyle All-American honors and one Junior freestyle All-American honor. Altman is ranked No. 19 by Wrestling USA magazine and is a Top 250 recruit as ranked by InterMat.
Missouri brings Eric and Brian Graham to the Dana wrestling program. The Grahams are twin brothers from Park Hill High School in Kansas City, Mo. Like Altman, the Grahams are accomplished at the state and national level. Eric will be looking to compete for the Vikings at 133. Eric was a three-time state placer, winning two state championships. Eric also claimed two Cadet All-American honors in Fargo. He is ranked No. 15 by Wrestling USA magazine, No. 12 by InterMat, and No. 29 All-Class by Wrestling USA magazine.
Brian was equally successful. He was a four-time state placer, placing 3rd, 5th, 1st and 1st. Joining Altman and his brother Eric, Brian brought home three All-American plaques from Fargo on both the Cadet and Junior level. He is ranked No. 11 by Wrestling USA magazine, No. 9 by InterMat, No. 17 All-Class by Wrestling USA and No. 13 All-Class by InterMat.
The south will provide Dana College with two of its best in Josh Ghobadpoor and Forrest Millsap. Both wrestlers were four-time state finalists, with Ghobadpoor winning one title and Millsap claiming four state titles. Ghobadpoor comes to Dana via Lumpkin County High School in Dahlonega, Ga. Ghobadpoor placed 2nd, 1st, 2nd, and 2nd at state in high school. Ghobadpoor earned a Honorable Mention rankin by Wrestling USA magazine and will look to compete at 174.
Millsap will become only the second four-time state champion to join the Dana College wrestling program, the first being current team member Burke Barnes. Millsap won his four state titles for Homewood High School in Birmingham, Ala. Millsap was a part of three state championship teams. If not for an injury suffered during his freshman year, Millsap could have won five state titles as he won his first as an eighth grader. Millsap also won the sophomore division at the Brute Adidas Nationals. Millsap is ranked No. 14 by Wrestling USA magazine, a Top 130 recruit by InterMat, WUSA magazine All-American, and No. 21 All-Class by Wrestling USA. Millsap will be competing at 149 or 157 for the Vikings.
Rounding the top incoming freshmen is Ty Costa. Costa comes to Dana via Turlock High School in Ceres, Calif. The state of California only has one class for high school wrestling, so placing at the California State Tournament can be difficult. Costa claimed 7th place in 2006. Costa is ranked Honorable Mention by Wrestling USA magazine; Costa was a three-time member of California's Junior Duals team and will compete for a spot at 133 pounds at Dana.
Eight more freshman will enter Dana College in the fall. John Paul Maynes, Clayton Wurtele, Tycen Gavin, Bryson Pascua, Jordan Davis, Micah Laufenberg, Jon Wilbourne, and John Schmalz will all be some dynamic freshman for the Vikings. Maynes comes to Blair from Silver City, N.M., where he claimed three state championships. Maynes will compete at 141.
Wurtele is a local wrestler from nearby Nebraska City where he was a state qualifier. He will join current team member Webster Ferris who also hails from Nebraska City.
Gavin is a two-time state placer from Sutherland, Neb. Gavin placed third twice and will try to fill the shoes of Scott Taylor and Ben Henderson at 157.
Dana has always attracted wrestlers from Hawaii and this class wouldn't be complete without Bryson Pascua. Pascua comes to the mainland from Mililani, Hawaii, where he placed third in the Hawaii State Championships. Pascua will also be participating on the Dana College track team and will also compete for a spot at 157.
Davis comes from the great wrestling state of Minnesota where he was a state qualifier for Blaine. Davis will wrestle at 174.
Another local standout from Bellevue East High School in Bellevue, Neb., is Micah Laufenberg. Laufenberg was a three-time state placer in Nebraska, winning one state title. Laufenberg will compete at 184.
Wilbourne will join the Viking wrestling program via Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens, Wash., where he competed for Coach Brent Barnes, father of Burke Barnes, returning All-American for Dana College. Wilbourne was a state runner-up for Lake Stevens and will wrestle at 184 pounds.
Schmalz joins the Graham twins from Park Hill High School in Kansas City, Mo. Schmalz placed sixth at 189 in 2006. Schmalz possesses elite level technique and will mold nicely into a great 197 pounder.
Transfer student Ross Milam is originally from Omaha Northwest High School where he was a two-time state placer, reaching the finals once. Milam transfers to Dana from NCAA Division III The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Milam will look to compete at 165 or 174.
This elite recruiting class will join returning All-Americans Craig Trampe (125), Burke Barnes (133), and Terrence Almond (141).
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