Recruiting Roundup: October 11 - October 17 - College

Eight InterMat Top 100 recruits committed to colleges last week, including No. 8 Austin Ormsbee (Blair Academy, NJ), who gave a verbal commitment to John Smith and the Oklahoma State Cowboys. InterMat caught up with six of the eight InterMat Top 100 recruits to commit last week and talked to them about their college decisions, goals, and much more.

No. 8 Austin Ormsbee (Blair Academy, NJ)
College Choice: Oklahoma State
Projected College Weight Class: 133

Oklahoma state landed its third InterMat Top 100 recruit this season with the addition of Ormsbee, a three-time National Prep champion, Junior Nationals freestyle champion, and Beast of the champion.

No. 12 Kenny Courts (Central Dauphin, PA)
College Choice: Ohio State
Projected College Weight Class: 184

Ohio State is putting together a monster recruiting class. Courts is the fourth InterMat Top 25 recruit from the Class of 2011 the Buckeyes have landed, plus the addition of 2010 graduate Derek Garcia, who will also enroll next year. Courts is 96-4 in three years of varsity competition. He is a two-time Beast of the East champion.

Kenny Courts

Courts on his decision to commit to Ohio State: "It was a tough but good decision, I believe, and at the end of day I hope I still think that."

Courts on Ohio State's 2011 recruiting class: "A ridiculous amount of talent is coming in the room next year. Also a group of kids that will keep each other on the right track."

Courts on his goals prior to arriving at Ohio State: "Repeat on my past year's accomplishments and honestly to just keep getting better and improving in different positions."

Courts on Central Dauphin coach Jeff Sweigard: "Coach Swags is a great guy. I like him because he tells me how it is. If I suck, then he tells me I suck. He never lets me feel sorry for myself. Also he's a great inspiration to those who know his story."

Courts on the documentary Takedowns & Falls: "Great movie. To a wrestling fan and wrestler, it never gets old. I encourage anyone to buy it, especially someone that is unfamiliar with wrestling because it shows all aspects of our sport and the emotions that come with it. Also the film crew put a lot of work into it, so check it out."

No. 32 Pete Baldwin (Osceola, FL)
College Choice: Old Dominion
Projected College Weight Class: 149/157

Baldwin brings a career record of 271-20 with 197 pins into his senior season. He is a state champion, three-time state finalist, as well as a runner-up at both POWERade and FloNationals.

Pete Baldwin

Baldwin on his decision to commit to Old Dominion: I chose ODU because the wrestling program, academics, and the environment suited me the best. ODU has a great internship program and a great engineering program. I wanted to be at a college where wrestling and academics were a priority. The campus was new and modern. It really impressed me. ODU wrestling program is like a family. Osceola High School Wrestling has been my family since I was 8 years old. I feel the same kind of an environment at ODU.

Baldwin on Old Dominion coach Steve Martin: Coach Martin is hard working and goal oriented. His energy is infectious. Coach Martin is straightforward and determined. That is why I believe in him and his goals of making me a multiple-time national champion and taking ODU all the way.

Baldwin on his wrestling style: I am very adaptive. My style will fit into college wrestling. I ride top well and the rules fit the way I wrestle. I am an aggressive and physical wrestler.

Baldwin on what drives him: I am motivated by my God, my family, and I am self-motivated to go beyond my limits. At Old Dominion I will be surrounded by a team that is driven to be successful.

Baldwin on his biggest influences in his wrestling career: Javier Maldonado was a big influence early in my wrestling career. He set the bar for Osceola Wrestling. I watched Javi when I first started and I set my goals around his achievements on and off the mat. Coach Jim Bird has been my coach since I started wrestling. He has helped me become who I am on and off the mat. I also have been blessed by a very supportive mom and dad. Osceola wresting has a great wrestling family. I have always been supported by Mama and Papa Bird, the Todds, and all of the fans and parents. I have had great friends and practice partners like Alex Eggers, Joe Locksmith, Gabriel Bird. I have had other supporters like my Uncle Al, Uncle James, and Aunt Juanita, Coach Tribit, Mr. Preisser and so many others I cannot list them all."

No. 38 Codey Combs (Sussex Central, DE)
College Choice: Arizona State
Projected College Weight Class: 157/165

Combs is a three-time state champion, three-time Mount Mat Madness champion, and Beast of the East runner-up. He has a record of 129-9 over the past three seasons.

Codey Combs

Combs on his decision to commit to Arizona State: "I am very happy with my decision to commit to Arizona State and it is a great fit for me. The coaches and the group of guys out there are great."

Combs on having to move from the East Coast to the West Cost: "Moving from the East Coast to the West Coast is not really a big deal for me. I don't mind being away from home and I think it will be a great experience for me."

Combs on the recruiting process: "The recruiting process was a pretty smooth process that I would do over and over again because it was good getting all that attention and getting to go on all the recruiting trips."

Combs on what it would mean to become a four-time state champion: "It would be great to become a four-time state champ because no one at my school has ever done it and it would be a great accomplishment. And not only winning four, but not having a point scored on me in the state tournaments so far is also a goal in the upcoming season."

Combs on his post-high school wrestling goals: "My post-high school wrestling goals are to go out to Arizona State and hopefully win a couple national titles and help build Arizona State into a national powerhouse."

No. 68 Kris Klapprodt (Stevens, SD)
College Choice: Iowa
Projected College Weight Class: 174

Iowa landed its first InterMat Top 100 recruit this recruiting season with the addition of Klapprodt, a two-time state champion and five-time state finalist. He is also a two-time NHSCA Nationals finalist, winning a title as a sophomore in 2009.

Kris Klapprodt

Klapprodt on his decision to commit to Iowa: I went through the entire process, but in the end it was my previous experience with Coach Brands and the Hawkeyes program that made the difference and made it clear Iowa was the place I was meant to be. My familiarity with Coach Brands his coaches and my understanding of what it means to be a Hawkeye have combined to let me know that I have made the right decision. The reasons that led to the Hawkeye decision was Coach Brands and his coaches, "The Room," wrestlers past and present, and their commitment to me.

Klapprodt on the recruiting process: When the first letters and e-mails begin to arrive it was very exciting. Meeting and talking with coaches that are legends is something that I will never forget. The difficult part is letting coaches know that you are not going to their programs, not because their program isn't great but just because I can only choose one place.

Klapprodt on Iowa coach Tom Brands: "Coach Brands is a fierce competitor and is successful at every level. I have spent a lot of quality time with Coach Brands and I am certain that his program is where I need to be and belong. He has a real understanding of what it takes to be a champion both individually and as a team."

Klapprodt on being in the same college conference and weight class as Logan Storley: "Logan and I are friends yet I look forward to competing against him in the Big Ten."

Klapprodt on getting noticed in South Dakota: "South Dakota has had some outstanding wrestlers, like former Hawkeyes Randy Lewis and Lincoln McIlravy, along with many others, and that helps. However, for me it really started with a tremendous youth wrestling club, great high school coaches, former collegiate wrestlers, summer coaches, and work ethic in the offseason to train and prepare myself to compete and win national tournaments. If all those things happen, the college coaches will find you and they are not afraid to travel to South Dakota to recruit."

No. 70 Lucas Sheridan (De La Salle, CA)
College Choice: Indiana
Projected College Weight Class: 184

Sheridan is a Junior Nationals Greco-Roman champion, fourth-place finisher at Youth Olympic Games, two-time FILA Cadet Nationals All-American, state third-place finisher, and two-time Cadet Nationals All-American.

Lucas Sheridan (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)

Sheridan on his decision to commit to Indiana: "Indiana just felt like the perfect fit for me. I fell in love with the campus, the guys on the team are amazing and I really connected with them. Also I felt really comfortable around the coaching staff and I truly believe that they will help me accomplish all my goals. My brother always told me that on one of my trips I would say to myself, 'Man, this is for me,' and that's exactly what happened."

Sheridan on California wrestling: "It saddens me that California wrestling is slowly dropping off. We have so many amazing wrestlers in our state, but it's hard to trust any college program in California. I hope that one day kids feel comfortable staying in California to continue their wrestling careers."

Sheridan on the importance of winning a state title as a senior: "Winning a state title to me is the No. 1 thing in my life right now. I have two goals this high school season: commit to a college and win a state title. One is already done and the second one is going to be a lot harder because I have one of the best wrestlers in the nation at my weight, but that just makes me want it more."

Sheridan on his favorite wrestling style (folkstyle, freestyle, or Greco-Roman): "I have to say my favorite wrestling style is Greco. When I was training for the FILA Cadet Pan American Games in Mexico is when I really fell in love with it. I just enjoy it so much and it's really easy for me to continue my growth as a Greco wrestler with my amazing coaching staff, including Mark Halverson, Kenneth Cook, and Steve Gee."

Sheridan on his experience at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore: "My experience in Singapore was amazing. It was my third time wrestling internationally and that experience is priceless. Not only was is great to wrestle in such a high level of competition, but also watching all the technique that the other countries do was awesome. Although I was very disappointed in taking fourth place, I would never change the experience because it was a crucial step in my growing as a wrestler."

No. 71 Cody Caldwell (Waverly-Shell Rock, IA)
College Choice: Wisconsin
Projected College Weight Class: 157

Caldwell joins No. 5 recruit Jesse Thielke (Germantown, WI) as part of Wisconsin's 2011 recruiting class. He is a two-time state champion and three-time state placewinner. He has compiled a record of 68-1 over the last two seasons.

Cody Caldwell

Caldwell on his decision to commit to Wisconsin: "I fell in love with the University of Wisconsin when I went on my visit. The coaches all have wrestled at high levels and know how to win. Also the guys on the team took me in and treated me as one of their teammates. I feel like Wisconsin is the place for me to be to reach my goals as a wrestler. I am excited to get to Madison and start my career as a college wrestler."

Caldwell on Wisconsin coach Barry Davis: "I really got to know Coach Davis through the recruiting process. He's a great competitor and is very passionate about his team. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with him and his staff."

Caldwell on having his father (Rick) as his high school wrestling coach: "It's great having my dad as my coach. He is a great coach and is very knowledgeable. My dad puts a lot of time into the sport and really cares about me and the team. I know he would do anything for us, and he's always trying to find ways to make me and the team better."

Caldwell on Waverly-Shell Rock's team: "We will have a solid team this year. Our team has won the last three titles in the traditional and duals state tournament. In Iowa this year, there are a few very tough teams. Our team and coaching staff is training hard trying to bring the title back to Waverly again."

Caldwell on his area of academic interest: "I am going into something in business. I don't know specifically what I want to major in."

No. 74 Vincent Waldhauer (Oak Ridge, CA)
College Choice: Virginia
Projected College Weight Class: 165

Virginia adds to an already strong and deep recruiting class with the addition of Waldhauser, a state runner-up and NHSCA Nationals All-American.

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Recruiting Roundup: October 11 - October 17

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