Thompson Announces Late Signings for Tiger Wrestling 7/20/2011 8:55:00 AM
Fort Hays State wrestling coach Chas Thompson announced the conclusion of his 2011 signing class on Wednesday (July 20). The wrestling program signed 18 student-athletes in the late period, including four transfers, to go along with four early signings.
Transfers:
Walker Clarke - 184 lbs. - Stillwater, Okla. (Labette (Kan.) CC) Notes: Clarke was a two-time state champion for Stillwater HS in 2006 and 2007 before signing with hometown Oklahoma State, where he redshirted in 2008. From there he transferred to Labette CC in Parsons, Kan. where he was the NJCAA National Champion at 197 pounds in 2010 and the runner-up this past season.
John Close - 285 lbs. - Wichita, Kan. (Labette (Kan.) CC)
Tanner Kriss - 197 lbs. - Colby, Kan. (Indiana University) Notes: Kriss was a two-time state placer for Colby HS, placing fourth at 171 pounds as a junior before winning the state title at 215 his senior year with a perfect 38-0 record. He started his collegiate career at Indiana, redshirting in 2010 and competing for the Hoosiers at 197 pounds this past season.
C.J Napier - 141 lbs. - Columbus, Kan. (University of Nebraska) Notes: Napier was a three-time state champion for Columbus HS and a Senior High School National Champion in 2009 at 135 pounds. He was also a Cadet Freestyle National Champion, a two-time Junior All-American at freestyle and a Fila Junior All-American in 2010. He started as a freshman at 133 pounds for the Huskers in 2010 and will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Freshman:
Mike Costa - 133 lbs. - Hiawatha, Kan. (Hiawatha HS)
John Denner - 285 lbs. - Hiawatha, Kan (Hiawatha HS)
Tyler Dryden - 125 lbs. - Wichita, Kan. (Kapaun Mt. Carmel HS) Notes: Three-time state placer for Kapaun Mt. Carmel HS: 5th at 103 in 2009, 3rd at 119 in 2010 and 2nd at 119 in 2011.
Robbie Hines - 133 lbs. - Ulysses, Kan. (Ulysses HS) Notes: Three-time state place winner in Class 4A: 5th at 119 in 2008 and 2009 and 4th at 125 in 2011.
Noah Killip - 141 lbs. - Azle, Texas (Azle HS) Notes: Two-time state placer in Texas: 3rd at 125 in 2010 and 2nd at 140 in 2011.
Bradley Little - 149/157 lbs. - Derby, Kan. (Derby HS) Notes: Three-time state placer in Class 6A: 3rd at 130 in 2009, 2nd at 140 in 2010 and State Campion at 140 this past season.
Caleb Seaton - 125 lbs. - Bonner Springs, Kan. (Bonner Springs HS) Notes: Four-time state place winner in Class 4A and 5A: 4th at 103 in 2008, 4th at 112 in 2009, 4th at 119 in 2010 and State Champion at 125 in 2011.
Symon Seaton - 133 lbs. - Basehor, Kan. (Basehor-Linwood HS) Notes: Three-time state placer in Class 4A: 3rd at 112 in 2008, 6th at 125 in 2009 and State Champion at 125 in 2010. Did not place at state this past season due to injury.
