"Not only is this the biggest early signing class, but it's also one of the best we've had in terms of quality," Smith said. "We were able to sign wrestlers who will compete at seven different weights. We also brought in our first two recruits from the state of Ohio and brought in another talented wrestler from Pennsylvania in Ashtin Primus."
Primus, who will wrestle at 141 pounds for the Tigers, is the fourth Tiger grappler to hail from Pennsylvania in three years, joining redshirt freshman Andrew Sherry, freshman Sean Connole and 2005 graduate Brad Cieleski. One of the top recruits in the nation, Primus has compiled a 132-19 record in three years and won the state championship as a junior in 2005. The native of South Connelsville, Penn., also helped the Connelsville High School wrestling team to a state title in 2005.
One of two recruits from Ohio, Willie Saxton took third place at 125 pounds during the Ohio State Championships in 2005. A three-time state qualifier, the native of Rayland, Ohio, has made his mark at the national level as well, finishing second at the 2003 Cadet Freestyle Nationals and eighth in 2005. Saxton will compete at 133 pounds for the Tigers.
A native of St. Clairesville, Ohio, Zach Schuller is a two-time state qualifier and recorded his highest finish, a third-place showing in 2005. A strong freestyle grappler, Schuller took seventh place at the 2004 Cadet Freestyle Nationals and earned a spot on the Cadet National dual team. Schuller continued his success in 2005 and became an American Athletic Union (AAU) Junior Olympic Freestyle Champion. Schuller is expected to compete at 149 pounds for the Tigers.
The only member of the early signing class to have wrestled against collegiate competition, Emanuel Brooks crosses the Illinois-Missouri state line to grapple at 157 pounds for the Tigers. A talented wrestler who compiled a 109-22 record in four years at Cahokia High School in Illinois, Brooks took third place at the Illinois High School State Championships in 2004. Wrestling for Lincoln College as a freshman in 2005, Brooks won the National Junior College Athletic Association championship at 149 pounds, helping Lincoln College to a third-place finish.
Rounding out the class are two wrestlers from Hannibal High School in Hannibal, Mo. A three-time state qualifier, Andrew Wood became a Missouri state champion at 152 pounds in 2005. In addition to compiling a 104-19 record on the mat, Wood is an outstanding student, ranked in the top 15 of his class with a 4.0 grade-point average. Wood plans to wrestle at 165 pounds for the Tigers.
Joining Wood in the Tiger wrestling room is teammate Tyler Perry, a heavyweight prospect who earned a Missouri state championship at 275 pounds in 2005. Perry is currently ranked the No. 12 prospect in the nation at 275 pounds by Wrestling USA Magazine. A two-sport standout, Perry was also a valuable member of the offensive line for the Hannibal Pirates football team.
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