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    Ohio signs three state champions

    ATHENS, Ohio -- Three high school state champions have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Ohio wrestling program during its early signing period. The Bobcats inked Anthony Ciraky (Westerville, Ohio), Shane Friery (North Royalton, Ohio) and Ben Llanes (Lucky, Ohio), announced head coach Joel Greenlee on Wednesday.

    "This gives us a great start to our recruiting," said Greenlee. "With last year's class in addition to this year's, I think in another year that gives us a team full of studs. We need to bring in a couple of upper-weight guys but other than that, I can definitely say this is the best we've ever done in early recruiting."

    Ciraky won the 152-pound state Division I title for Westerville South High School last February after finishing as the 140-pound runner-up in 2004. As a 160-pounder this season, he is ranked fifth in the nation by InterMat.com and 10th in the country by Wrestling USA magazine.

    "This guy is tough," Greenlee said about Ciraky. "We think he is going to be a super talent at 165 pounds. His best wrestling is still ahead of him."

    Friery claimed the 130-pound Division II state crown following a 37-6 junior campaign. He also placed fourth at 125 pounds as a sophomore, capping a 35-7 season at Padua Franciscan High School. This year, he is ranked 10th in the nation at 135 pounds by Wrestling USA magazine.

    "Friery is a just hammer, a lot like Jake Percival in that he takes you down, gets on top and just grinds on you," said Greenlee. "He's good on his feet but he likes to just wear people out and grind on them on top. We're hoping he builds up into a 149-pounder for us because he's got a lot of potential."

    Llanes helped his Eastwood High School team to a state Division II runner-up finish by winning the 112-pound championship in February. He completed his junior season with a 52-2 record following a 50-4 sophomore campaign that ended with a third-place finish. He is currently the eighth-ranked 119-pounder in the country, according to Wrestling USA magazine.

    "Llanes will be a super-tough 125-pounder for us," Greenlee said. "He doesn't wrestle a lot in the summer and offseason but he beat the Junior Nationals runner-up twice last year. He will come in and redshirt behind Caleb Metcalf and then have the opportunity to take the spot over after that."

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