West Liberty State College
Hilltopper Wrestling

WLSC Wrestling Recruiting Class 2008

June 24, 2008

Top signee
Mitch Smith - A transfer from Hofstra, Smith is arguably the most decorated high school wrestler in WV history. Smith, who wrestled for Ripley HS, was a 3X WV AAA state champ and amassed a career record of 192-5. Probably more impressive are his HS Freestyle and Greco Roman credentials, having been a 6X All-American at USA Wrestling's national tournament held in Fargo each summer. He was crowned freestyle champion twice there: in '02 as a Cadet and in '04 as a Junior. Fargo is considered by wrestling experts to be the most difficult of all the HS national tournaments to conquer. He also placed fourth at the NHSCA Senior Nationals in '05. While at Division I wrestling power Hofstra the past two seasons, Smith has compiled a record of 27-22. He has two years of eligibility left. Projected weight class: 149/157.

The remaining are listed in order by projected weight class:

Brent Fluharty - Brooke HS, WV; projected weight class: 125.

Cody Thomas - Bloom Carroll HS, OH; projected weight class: 125.

Jason Waugh - Wheeling Park HS, WV; 2X OVAC placer (3rd & 4th); projected weight class: 133.

Jim McFarland - Brooke HS, WV; 2008 WV AAA state champion; 4X WV state placer; 2006 NHSCA Sophomore National All-American; 2007 OVAC Champion; 3X OVAC placer; projected weight class: 133/141.

Andrew Gaskins - Sheridan HS, OH; 2X OHSAA DII state placer (3rd & 4th); projected weight class: 133/141.

Ben Giles - Brooke HS, WV; projected weight class: 141.

Nicco Niday - Spring Valley HS, WV; 2X WV AAA state placer (3rd & 4th); projected weight class: 141.

Blake Mangold - Keyser HS, WV; 2X WV AA-A state placer (4th & 5th); projected weight class: 149.

Derrick Williams - Herbert Hoover HS, WV; 2X WV AA-A state placer (2nd & 3rd); projected weight class: 149/157.

Ben Snoberger - Frankfort HS, WV; 2X WV AA-A state placer (4th & 5th); projected weight class: 157.

John Bittinger - Beaver Local HS, OH; 2008 OHSAA DII state runner-up; 2007 OVAC Champion; 3X OVAC placer; projected weight class: 157/165.

AJ Jeffers - Point Pleasant HS, WV; 2X WV AA-A state champion; 3X WV state placer; projected weight class: 157/165.

Matt Littleton - Parkersburg HS, WV; 2X WV AAA state placer (2nd & 3rd); projected weight class: 165.

Justin Hughes - New Philadelphia HS, OH; transferring from University of Akron; projected weight class: 184/197.

Allen Earnest - Wheeling Park HS, WV; 2X WV AAA state placer (2nd & 4th); 2X OVAC placer (2nd & 3rd); projected weight class: 197.

Mike Carpenter - Liberty Raleigh HS, WV; 2008 WV AA-A state champion; state runner-up in 2007; won 3 matches at 2008 NHSCA Senior Nationals; projected weight class: 285.


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