Huskers Ink Three Wrestlers on First Day of Signing Period

The <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Nebraska wrestling team signed three wrestlers on the first day of a week-long national signing period.  Fifth-year head wrestling coach Mark Manning was pleased with his first-day returns, although he said this is not the end of NU’s recruiting efforts.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

“These three are all hard workers.  They’re hard-nosed kids who want to be national champions,” Manning said.

 

The in-state member of the trio is Aurora native Levi Wofford.  Projected to wrestle either in the 184-pound or 197-pound weight class, Wofford has won two class B state championships under his father, Bill, who is Aurora’s head coach.

 

“Levi brings a great deal of character to our program,” Manning said.  “He has a great work ethic, and our coaching staff sees tremendous upside in him because he’s a hard worker who is always looking for ways to get better.  He fits in well with our family, and we see him as a future leader on this team.”

 

Also signing Wednesday was Vince Jones, the fifth-ranked high school wrestler in the nation at 189 pounds according Wrestling International Newsmagazine.  A native of Sicklerville, N.J., Jones has won two state championships for Winslow Township High School.  At the 2004 Junior National Tournament, Jones finished fourth.  He is projected to wrestle at 184 pounds in college.

 

“He’s a great athlete with a lot of ability,” Manning said.  “He is a tremendous wrestler with a lot of upside who’s going to do special things at Nebraska.”

 

The third high school wrestler to sign with NU is Mike Rowe from DeMatha, Md.  Wrestling at the alma mater of former Husker and All-American Todd Beckerman, Rowe has won three state championships for DeMatha High School.  Rowe, the second-best high school wrestler in the nation in his weight class according to WIN, won the Cadet National Championship and is a two-time placewinner at Junior Nationals.  He is likely to wrestle at either 133 or 141 pounds.

 

“He’s one of the top kids in the country and he fits in our program well,” Manning said.  “He wants to be part of a great program.  Mike is tough and hard-nosed, and we expect him to do great things for us.”

 

The signing period continues through Wednesday, Nov. 17.