Wrestling Welcomes Newcomers

Sept. 17, 2007

NORMAN, Okla. - University of Oklahoma wrestling welcomed one of the largest classes ever to the program this season. Ten new Sooners have started practice and will quickly challenge for starting spots on the squad.

"Our recruiting classes aren't usually this large, and there is a good possibility that several of these guys will wind up in the starting line-up," Head Coach Jack Spates said. "We have signed guys that are extremely capable of contributing right away and put us in a position for a bright future."

The Sooner recruiting effort went coast-to-coast, signing state champions from California to Pennsylvania. The 10 member class combined for 15 state championships.

The class is comprised of eight freshmen, one sophomore and a senior. The group has two previous NCAA qualifiers in transfers Max Dean (Indiana) and Eric Lapotsky (Bucknell).

There will be holes to fill with several key Sooners departing from last year's team. But holes in the line-up present opportunities for new faces to make their way onto the mat to start for the Sooners.

"We have a chance to have six, maybe seven freshmen and sophomores in the line-up this year," Spates said. "It is going to be a really fun group to coach."

The coaches are excited about the youth, and the competition makes them excited about what's in store for this year's team.

"The young guys and transfers we brought in have exceptional drive and determination," Spates said. "It is going to be an extremely fun year because although these guys are young, they are going to be an aggressive group on the mat."

Below is a list of the 2007-08 class with a brief list of past accomplishments and what Head Coach Jack Spates had to say about their additions to the team:

Kyle Bergstedt

Freshman |6-2|197

Magalia, California (Paradise High School)

-Named Junior National All-American as a senior

-Five-time Cadet Junior All-American

-Six-time Freestyle and Greco state champion

Spates on Kyle:

"Kyle is another high school All-American who has great range and just loves the sport. He is a mat rat who can never get enough. I can tell he is going to have a fine future as a Sooner."

Max Dean

Senior|5-9 |165

Cincinnati, Ohio (Lakota West High School)

-Three-time NCAA qualifier at Indiana University

-Three-time academic All-American at IU

-2006-07 Hoosier team captain and two-time Big 10 Sportsmanship Award winner

Spates on Max:

"Max Dean is a national qualifier at Indiana. He is wrestling at a weight that is really important to us, and we expect him to be a man to step in and do well for us. His coach at Indiana expressed his admiration for his work ethic and we are tremendously excited for him to join our team."

Joey Fio

Freshman|5-8|125

Sandpoint, Idaho (Sandpoint High School)

-Two-time state champion in the state of Idaho

-Three-time MVP wrestler at Sandpoint High School

-Four Year letterman at Sandpoint

Spates on Joey:

"Joey Fio is from the same school as extremely talented wrestlers of Jake Rosholt and Jared Lawrence from Oklahoma State and Minnesota. His coach said his talent is right in keeping with those guys. He is a tremendosuly hard worker and a greatly impassioned athlete."

Pat Flynn

Freshman|6-2|184

Quakertown, PA. (Quakertown High School)

-Pennsylvania state champion his senior year

-Fila Cadet National Champion Freestyle and Greco

-Four-time letterman and all-academic team in high school

Spates on Pat:

"Pat Flynn is a Pennsylvania state champion and Schultz Award winner two years ago. He is a tremendous pinner and a dangerous opponent who can put you on your back from anywhere. He is wrestling at a weight where we have few seniors, so the future is bright at that weight."

Eric Lapotsky

Sophomore|6-1|197

Mt. Carmel, PA. (Bucknell University)

-NCAA Qualifier at Bucknell University

-Three-time Pennsylvania state qualifier

-Regional champion winner his senior year of high school

-Totaled 125 wins and was a two-time medal winner in high school

Spates on Eric:

"Eric upset the number one wrestler last year at the NCAA's after not even wrestling as a true freshman. He is, along with Joey Fio, leading the runs with the team which is very unusual for a big guy. He is a very hard working talented man who is going to push for the starting spot this year, but he will leave us in very good hands when Joel Flaggert leaves."

Steve Nijoka

Freshman|5-11|184

Houston, Texas (Strake Jesuit High School)

-2007 Texas state champion

-Received the George Bush Sports Hero Award his senior year

-Four-year letterman at Strake Jesuit High School

Spates on Steve:

"Steve is another state champion from the state of Texas. He has a lot of ability and was not highly touted coming out of high school, but has really impressed us with his athleticism and his ability."

Brent Rogers

Freshman|5-9|165

Grand Prarie, Texas (James Bowie High School)

-Two-time Texas state champion

-Three year letterman in high school

Spates on Brent:

"Brent Rogers is a little bit of a diamond in the rough because he won two Texas state championships. He actually beat two-time Oklahoma state champion and highly esteemed Chris Hacker who went to Nebraska. We are really eager to see his progress."

Ryan Smith

Freshman|5-10|165

Prineville, Ore. (Crook County High School)

-Three-time Oregon state champion

-Four-year letterman at Crook County High School

-Placed third at Greco Nationals

Spates on Ryan:

"Ryan Smith was a high school national runner-up, junior national runner-up and a three-time state champion. He is another really hard worker who has made big strides already in just the short time he has been here. He is such a tremendos competitor."

Seth Vernon

Freshman|5-8|149

Tulsa, Okla. (Tulsa Union High School)

-Three-time Oklahoma state champion

-Four-year letterman at Tulsa Union High School

-Dapper Dan team member

Spates on Seth:

"Seth Vernon is a high school national runner-up and a three-time state champion. He has great determination, great athleticism and tremendous passion to be great."

John Starzyk

Freshman|5-10|133

Oak Hill, Ill. (Providence Catholic High School)

-Three-time Illinois state champion

-Four-year high school letterman

-Dapper Dan team member

Spates on John:

"John is an outstanding competitor, which is evident by his three state championships. He won the Pin Award at the high school national championships and is one of the most prolific pinners in Illinois wrestling history."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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