Charleston, S.C. The Citadel head wrestling coach Rob Hjerling has announced the addition of seven grapplers to his squad for the 2006-07 season. The list includes two wrestlers each from South Carolina and Georgia; and one each from Pennsylvania, North Carolina and New York. All seven were state qualifiers in high school.
“We're very happy with the group in terms of the depth it will give us this year in filling some of our weight class needs,” Hjerling said. “This group fits in well not only with our coaching philosophy but also The Citadel philosophy.”
At the 125 pound weight class, Tyler Sim and Matt Leach join the Bulldogs. Sim, from McGuffey, Pa., was ranked the number five senior in the nation at 112 pounds in high school and was an Amateur Wrestling News All-American. Sim finished in third place in Pennsylvania's AAA division. Leach is a four-time state champion in the AAA division from Eastside, S.C., and was named South Carolina's AAA most outstanding wrestler. Leach was the state's most winning wrestler throughout his career with a mark of 199-5 and was a Wrestling-USA All-American honorable mention.
Thomas Knapp of Collins Hill, Ga., will wrestle for the Cadets at the 133 or 141 pound weight class. Knapp was a four-time Georgia state placer and a three-time state finalist.
At 149 pounds, The Citadel welcomes Derek Royster from Woodruff, S.C. Royster is a three-time state champion at the A/AA levels and was named South Carolina's most outstanding wrestler at the A/AA divisions. Blaise Flamio will compete for The Citadel at 149 or at the 157 pound weight class. A native of Mahopac, N.Y., finished in fifth place at the New York states and was a four-time section one finalist.
At 165 or at the 174 pound weight class is Zach Filter of Weddington, N.C. Filter finished second in the state at his weight class and was named an Academic All-American. Also at 165 or 174 will be Griffen Greene. The native of Screven County, Ga., finished fourth in the state of Georgia and was a three-time state qualifier.
For all the latest news from The Citadel wrestling squad and all Bulldog athletics, log on to www.CitadelSports.com.
