Huskers Sign Four Wrestlers

Lincoln -- The University of Nebraska Head Coach Mark Manning announced that four wrestlers have signed National Letters-of-Intent to wrestle for the Huskers beginning in 2004-05.

The signees include Chris Oliver of Omaha Creighton Prep, Paul Donahoe of Davison, Mich., Matt Nelson of Wayne, Neb., and Mike Rodgers of Easton, Pa.

Oliver, a three-time state champion, is 97-0 during his prep career and was won state titles at 103, 119 and 140 pounds. He picked NU over Minnesota. His father Ray wrestled for NU from 1981 to 1983, earning All-American honors in 1983. Oliver said he decided on Nebraska because he liked the coaches and the program.

Donahoe, a two-time national junior freestyle champion, picked NU after receiving offers from Michigan and Michigan State. Competing for Davison High School, Donahoe won state titles in 2000 and 2001 at 103 pounds and finished second last year at 119. Donahoe said he picked NU because he was impressed with the team and the experience on the Husker coaching staff.

Nelson is a three-time place winner and is the defending state champion at 135 pounds. Rodgers is currently ranked second in the nation at 145 pounds and is a three-time place winner for Easton High. Rodgers is from the same high school that produced four-time Big 12 champion and All-American Bryan Snyder and current Husker Chad Sportelli

"We think we have a great class to build our program with." Manning said.