Wrestling Assembles Standout Recruiting Class for 2007-08
June 4, 2007 | Men's Wrestling
BOSTON - The Boston University wrestling team and head coach Carl Adams are pleased to announce that seven student-athletes will join the Terriers this fall, assembling what promises to be one of the program’s top recruiting classes in recent history. The incoming group features wrestlers from five different states who have combined to earn six titles in their respective state tournaments, along with eight All-America finishes in the national tournaments.
"This group represents one of the most talented recruiting classes we have had during my tenure at Boston University," said Adams, who will enter his 27th season at the helm of the Terrier program. "[Assistant coach] Sean [Gray] did a fantastic job in helping put together this great class. The seven recruits have a combined GPA of 3.67 and all are capable of contributing as true freshmen."
Alex Cournoyer (North Granby, Conn./Blair Academy) - 133/141
2007 National Collegiate Wrestling Association champion... 2006 Ironman All-American... Three-time New England champion at Suffield Academy before spending post-grad year at Blair Academy... Three-time Connecticut state champion... Placed in 10 collegiate tournaments while at Blair, including Wilkes and East Stroudsburg Opens... 12-time youth All-American, seven-time high school All-American... Overall record of 181-31 last five years.
The coaching staff says:
"Alex comes from Sean’s old high school, Blair Academy, which is the top wrestling program in the country. After having a rough senior year due to injury, he burst onto the collegiate wrestling scene as a post-grad this past season with determination. Alex won the NCWA nationals, beating some real tough kids. His next step is to compete for a CAA conference championship and All-American honors."
Freddy Santaite (Upper Saddle River, N.J./Northern Highlands) - 125
2007 Beast of the East champion after runner-up finish in 2006... 2006 New Jersey state champion after fourth-place finish in 2005... Ranked as high as third in the nation by W.I.N. as a senior... Five-time All-American (three in freestyle, two in Greco Roman)... Two-time county and region champion, earning region’s Most Outstanding Wrestler award in 2007... Four-time district champion... Overall record of 143-14.
The coaching staff says:
"Freddy is one of the top recruits in the nation. He is a New Jersey state champion and a five-time Fargo All-American, including two silver medals this past summer. He also won the nation’s toughest high school tournament in the Beast of the East. It was there that he beat the fourth- and fifth-ranked wrestlers in the country. Freddy is a fierce competitor and we expect him to compete for a conference title and All-American honors right out of the gate."
Ryan Malo (Georgetown, Mass./St. John’s Prep) - 184/197
Posted perfect 58-0 record as a senior with 51 pins en route to second consecutive state championship and New England title... Placed eighth at 2007 Senior Nationals... Ranked 10th in final InterMat rankings... 2007 Boston Globe Wrestler of the Year... 2007 Boston Herald All-Scholastic... Named to NHSCA All-Academic Team... Two-time sectional champion... Overall record of 148-27.
The coaching staff says:
"Ryan had a breakout senior year, proving that he is one of the best in the nation at his weight class. He is a vicious, vicious competitor that is always looking for the pin. Lose focus when wrestling him and it’s lights out. He was truly impressive at the Senior Nationals, where he was knocking off other state champs left and right. What we really liked about him is the fact that he gets himself up for every match — something that you need to be able to do to succeed at the highest levels in Division I wrestling."
John Hall (Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto) - 197
Placed second at 2007 California state championships after eighth-place finish as a junior... Earned titles at San Ramon Invitational, Overfelt Tournament, Mid Cal Tournament, SCVAL League Tournament and Sectionals, capturing Most Outstanding Wrestler honors at three events... Preseason honorable mention by W.I.N. Magazine... Two-time team captain and MVP... Second wrestler in Palo Alto history to be a multiple state place winner.
The coaching staff says:
"John is a guy that people will definitely be reading about in the next couple of years. He only started wrestling when he was a freshman and earned his way up the ladder, placing eighth and second in California, which could be the toughest wrestling state in the country right now after putting seven guys in the finals at the Senior Nationals. John is an amazing athlete that has a huge upside and his ability to pick up wrestling quickly will make him a serious threat in a year or two. He is definitely one to keep an eye on."
Matt Morgenstern (Montvale, N.J./Bergen Catholic) - 149/157
Placed sixth at 2006 New Jersey state championship... Four-time district champion... Three-time regional finalist... Two-time county champion... Two-year team captain, earning Most Outstanding Wrestler honors all four years... Named to Wrestling USA’s Best High School Seniors... Selected to NHSCA All-Academic Team... Career record of 115-35, becoming just the fifth 100-win wrestler in Bergen Catholic history.
The coaching staff says:
"Matt is one of hardest working young men you will ever find. His work ethic alone will take him very far at this level, which is what we like so much about him. He proved himself as one of the best wrestlers in New Jersey after making the semifinals as a junior. We look for Matt to instantly raise the level of intensity in our middle weights and compete for the starting job. He is a great team guy and we are lucky to land such a fine young man of character."
Mike Platco (Schwenksville, Pa./Spring Ford) - 184/197
Placed eighth in 2006 PIAA state championships... Two-time All-Pac-10 honoree... Totaled school-record 67 pins... Captained team as a senior... Named to All-District and All-State Academic teams.
The coaching staff says:
"Mike is another one of those guys that has been blessed with unbelievable talent and a great work ethic. He was ranked as high as second in AAA Pennsylvania, which boasts some of the nation’s toughest wrestling. An injury before the season hampered him from having a breakout year. He is another guy that has a huge upside since he only started wrestling when he was a freshman, and still managed to become a state medalist. Mike is also a stone-cold pinner, breaking the record at Spring Ford with 67 pins."
Dan Kennedy (Milford, Pa./Delaware Valley) - 174
Three-time district place winner... Three-time regional qualifier... Captured titles at 2007 New York Ironman Tournament and 2007 Tunchanock Kiwanis Tournament... Ranked as high as seventh in Pennsylvania as a senior... Recorded 116 career victories at Delaware Valley.
The coaching staff says:
"Dan is a hard-nosed competitor with an endless work ethic. He is battle-tested after competing four years in AAA Pennsylvania’s toughest wrestling, the Lehigh Valley. He is a member of the 100-wins club, which is not an easy feat in PA. Dan will instantly compete for the starting job as well as make some serious jumps with great workout partners. He is also one of our best incoming students with a 3.88 GPA."
