Aug. 25, 2004

Charleston, SC - The Citadel wrestling team's 2004 recruiting class entered The Citadel 21 strong last week. The class -which represents nine different states- includes 19 individual state placers, a total of 10 state championship titles, and at least one wrestler in each weight class.

"We're very happy with this class," said head coach Rob Hjerling. "They fit the needs of the program and will fit in well with the school and our coaching philosophy."

The recruits join a team full of talent as the 2004 Southern Conference Champions return five NCAA qualifiers in seniors Sean Markey, Keith Clifton, Ryan McClester, Billy Linane and junior Dan Thompson. The Citadel wrestling class of 2008 will get their first taste of college wrestling when preseason conditioning begins on August 30.

Below is a list of the recruits by weight class with state accomplishments.

Weight class order

125 Andrew McDonald, Forest City H.S. two-time Iowa Placer (placed 8th @ 112 2A `03, 5th @ 125 2A `04)

125/133 Billy Bullwinkel New Port Richey Ridgewood H.S. in Florida placed 3rd @ 125 2A `04 Matt Bullwinel, New Port Richey Ridgewood H.S. in Florida placed 1st @ 130 2A `04 Kyle Kimrey, Dutch Fork H.S. three-time SC 4A State Champion and four-time SC 4A placer

141 Kyle Gogan, Lugoff-Elgin H.S. placed 4th in SC @ 135 3A `04 Logan Coones, Hillcrest H.S. placed 4th in SC @ 135 4A `03

141/149 Chris Humphries, Riverside H.S. two-time SC 3A State Champion and three-time SC 3A placer Matt Sammons, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy in Ohio placed 3rd @ 140 div 3 `02, 2nd @ 145 Div 3 `03

149 Chap Manning, Spring Valley H.S. placed 4th in SC 4A @152 `03

149/157 Bryce Thompson, Clovis H.S. two-time CA Placer (Placed 8th @ 145 `03, 8th @ 152 `04) Joe Ellenberger, Brevard H.S. placed 4th in NC @ 145 1A/2A `04

157/165 Gabriel Musser, Pinecrest H.S. placed 4th in NC @ 160 4A `04

165 Clint Degain, Clarkston H.S. three-time MI State Finalist (Placed 2nd @ 152 Div 1 `00, 1st @ 160 Div 1 `02, 2nd @ 171 Div 1 '03)

174 Craig Albers, Fort Mill H.S. two-time SC State Finalist (Placed 1st @ 171 4A `03, 2nd @ 171 4A `04) Allen Elliot, Pine Forest H.S. NC State Qualifier

174/184 Brian Ruff Jr., West Ashley H.S.

184 Vincent Santolla, Fort Mill H.S. placed 3rd in SC @ 189

197 Aaron Brown, Weddington H.S. NC State Champion @ 215 3A `04 Ben Campbell, Christian Brothers H.S. placed 3rd in TN @ HWT Div 2 `04

HWT Keith Medlin, Lugoff-Elgin H.S. SC State Champion @ 215 3A `03 Tony Serna, Missouri Military Academy placed 4th in MO @ H