Recruits Announced
September 16, 2016
WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – West Liberty University wrestling coach Mitch Smith has welcomed nine talented recruits to the Hilltopper campus for the 2016-17 season.
Heading into his second season as head coach at his alma mater, the former Hilltopper All-American likes the potential he sees from the group of nine newcomers as he continues to build up the Black and Gold program.
"I'm very excited about these young men," Smith said. "Not only are they quality wrestlers, they are outstanding individuals who compete just as hard in the classroom as they do on the mat. They will be excellent additions to our program and the university."
The West Liberty wrestlers open the season at home on Nov. 5 with a 7 p.m. match against Washington and Jefferson.
Following are brief capsules about the nine newest Hilltoppers:
2016-17 WEST LIBERTY WRESTLING RECRUITS
Cade Bates, 149, New Philadelphia, Ohio (New Philadelphia HS)
Went 41-6 as a senior with 24 pins to break his own school single-season record for wins; Ohio Greco-Roman state champion; 3-time Greco-Roman national qualifier; Came up one win short of placing at Greco-Roman Cadet Freestyle Nationals in Fargo, N.D., the largest high school tournament in the country
Chris Cook, 285, Akron, Ohio (Coventry HS)
Posted 41-7 record as a senior and finished 5th in Ohio Division II at 190 pounds; Went 129-48 in four years at Coventry HS; 3-time All-Portage Trail Conference selection; Viper Pit champion; 3rd place in Junior Olympics; All-Academic Team
Ryan Dailey, 157, Erie, Pa. (McDowell HS)
2-time District champion and 2-time Regional placer led perennial Keystone State mat power in pins as a senior; 2-time placer in prestigious Pennsylvania Powerade tournament; 4th place finish in King of the Mountain Tournament
Logan Kemp, 197, Dayton, Ohio (Centerville HS)
Finished 3rd in 2016 Ohio Division I state tournament at 195; Posted 38-5 record in senior season; 195-pound champion and Most Outstanding Wrestler at SWOWCA Coaches Classic; 3-time All-GWOC selection
Tryston Kessler, 165/174, Charmco, W.Va. (WVU Tech/Greenbrier West HS)
Finished 6th at 145 pounds in 2015 West Virginia Class AA-A state tournament; 2015 Regional runner-up at 145; Helped Greenbrier West to 2013 Class AA-A state championship; Dean's List student at WVU Tech last year but did not wrestle
Milton Kobaly, 174/184, Charleroi, Pa. (Belle Vernon Area HS)
Pennsylvania Class AAA state runner-up at 182 pounds; 3-time regional placer; 2-time regional finalist; 4-year letterman was 133-44 on the mat for Belle Vernon; Named to WPIAL Team for the 2016 Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic (formerly Dapper Dan)
Carlos Kusic, 174/184, Bridgeport, Ohio (Bridgeport HS)
4th-place finish at 182 pounds in mammoth OVAC Wrestling Tournament; Also earned spot in Ohio Division III state tournament; 40-10 as a senior with more than 200 takedowns; All-OVAC selection in wrestling and football; National Honor Society student
Josh Spurlock, 141/149, Charmco, W.Va. (WVU Tech/Greenbrier West HS)
Ranked among Top 10 Class AA-A 126-pounders in West Virginia as a senior at Greenbrier West HS; Regional runner-up and state tournament qualifier; Helped GWHS to 2013 Class AA-A state championship; Honor roll student attended WVU Tech last year but did not wrestle
Cameron Zuber, 133/141, McKeesport, Pa. (McKeesport Area HS)
4-year starter and team captain at McKeesport Area HS; Set school record for career wins; WPIAL Class AAA qualifier at 132 pounds; 2-time sectional qualifier; 1st-team All-Conference selection; Greco-Roman Cadet Freestyle qualifier in Fargo, N.D.
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