Norfolk Virginian-Pilot

Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA)

May 15th, 2007

Another Top Recruiting Class for Old Dominion Wrestling Team

Author: Kyle Tucker, The Virginian-Pilot

Following back-to-back recruiting classes ranked among the top 10 nationally, Old Dominion wrestling coach Steve Martin on Monday announced another sterling collection of signees from the class of 2007.

While the previous two classes were heavy on numbers - the Monarchs signed 26 wrestlers in that span - this year's nine-man group was all about filling in a few remaining holes in the lineup.

"We really wanted to get guys at the upper weights, and we nailed somebody in every single spot," Martin said of his third recruiting class since taking over the program. "We've definitely built depth. The first two classes, we were trying to build a team. This one was very need-specific."

ODU's nine signees come from eight states and include five high school All-Americans. Between them, there are 18 state finals appearances and 10 state titles.

nterMat, a national wrestling Web site, has yet to release its 2007 recruiting rankings, but lead writer Jason Bryant said there's a good chance the Monarchs' latest haul will fall between 15th and 20th.

"It's tough to keep pounding out top-20 classes," Martin said. "And we weren't sure we could do it again this time. But we got it done."

The class includes a quartet of two-time state champions: Oklahoma's Gary Frazier (215 pounds) and Derek Peperas (160), Michigan's Lester France and Great Bridge High's Scott Cust (189).

Those four, along with Montana state champion Tel Todd (152) and three-time New Jersey place-winner Roy Dragon (215), all spent time ranked among the top 20 seniors in the nation at their weight.

Dragon and Peperas are both two-time National High School Coaches Association All-Americans, while Cust and France were both NHSCA Senior All-Americans. Todd is a two-time Brute Adidas All-American.

Other notables are Alabama state champ T.C. Pendleton (171) and Nebraska champ Andy Totusek, who will have to trim his 6-foot-3, 300-pound frame a bit to wrestle 285 for the Monarchs. Zeke Donahay, an honor student and two-time Florida place-winner, rounds out the class.

Once again, ODU beat out some of wrestling's big names to land their prized recruits. France, who piled up an impressive 217 high school victories, picked the Monarchs over Michigan State. Frazier chose ODU over national power Oklahoma. Peperas - a five-time state finalist who won his two titles in New Mexico - turned down offers from Big 12 heavyweights Missouri, Iowa State and Oklahoma.

"I think we're definitely starting to see the fruits of those first two recruiting classes," Martin said. "People know that we're ready to take the next step."

Using largely young talent, the Monarchs had several wrestlers appear in the national rankings this season. They got votes in the Top 25 national team rankings. Nine ODU wrestlers advanced to the Colonial Athletic Association semifinals, three advancing to the NCAA Championships.

All but one starter from last year's baby-faced bunch is returning.

"Recruiting gets you to the final goal," Martin said. "And we're getting there. With this group, another pretty darn good class, we're even closer to reaching our high expectations."