No. 34 recruit Parsons commits to Army

For the last twenty years of the twentieth century the US Army used the recruiting slogan "Be all You Can Be" and in the new millennium they have pitched "Army of One" and "Army Strong." Third year head coach Joe Heskett has embraced all three when it comes to wrestling recruiting and the dividends are starting to pay off as the commitments are starting to line up. The latest recruit to hear the call is Blair senior Russell Parsons.

Russell Parsons (Photo/David Gard, The Star-Ledger)

"I want to stick the Flag in the Ground at West Point because Army is the best place for me," stated Parsons over the phone on Thursday night. He chose the Black Knights over Harvard and Princeton.

"Looking around at my options it became clear that I needed to make a choice that would be best for me as a wrestler and as a student," offered Parsons. "After getting to know the coaches at Army; seeing the character of the wrestlers, students, and staff; and falling in love with the campus; I know I made a great choice."

A three year starter for the Buccaneers and the defending national prep school champion, Parsons enters his senior year ranked No. 34 in the InterMat Top 100. As a junior he went 36-4 winning the POWERade, taking second at the Beast of the East, and fourth at the Ironman. With the retirement of head coach Jeff Buxton this summer, Parsons will be back at 152 pounds and will be counted on to be a leader for new head coach Charles Danhoff.

"The goal this year is for the team to have the best season we can and continue to build on the success we have had in the past," said Parsons. "Personally, I want to end my career with an undefeated season. If that doesn’t happen, you want to wrestle your best and place as high as you can to help the team do as well as they can."

After he stopped running cross country, Parsons has become a year-round wrestler that has caught the freestyle bug. He wrestled in Fargo as a Cadet and placed seventh last season as a Junior.

"I definitely would like to continue wrestling freestyle during the offseason in college," responded Parsons when asked about the international styles. "The more you wrestle and the more you learn, the better you are going to be regardless of the style."

Parsons will enroll at West Point in the fall of 2013 and he hopes to make an immediate impact at 149 or 157 pounds.

"Your senior year is a special time and I have a lot to be excited about this year and in the future," stated Parsons. "I have to thank my parents for always being there for me and I have to thank coach Buxton and all of the Blair coaches for pushing me to be all that I can be."

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No. 34 recruit Parsons commits to Army

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