MARSHALL, Minn. – Southwest Minnesota State University head wrestling coach Jesse Nelson announced today the signing of three student-athletes for the 2011-12 season. Beau Buysse of Ghent, Minn., Christian Skillings of Minneota, Minn., and Terrance Maier of Sturgis, S.D. have all signed letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at SMSU.
Buysse, a native of Ghent, Minn., was a four-year letterwinner in wrestling, football and baseball at Minneota High School. Buysse competed in the Minnesota State High School League wrestling tournament all four years of his career at Minneota. He was the conference and section champion of the 130-pound weight class during his sophomore, junior and senior years. Buysse earned third-place finishes as an individual in three consecutive state tournament appearances.
“We feel that getting Beau is a huge step forward for what we are trying to establish as far as work ethic and character here at SMSU. He is a responsible young man who is accomplished in the classroom and is a natural leader,” Nelson said. “Beau competed at a high level during his high school career. We look forward to seeing him compete as a Mustang.”
Skillings, a native of Minneota, Minn., was a five-year letterwinner in wrestling at Minneota High School. He is a two-time Minnesota State champion winning his weight class in 2008 and 2009. He finished as the runner-up in 2010. Skillings was named to the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Academic all-state team twice during his career. He was a five-time section 3A champion and a four-time Camden Conference champion. He compiled a career record of 215-20 at Minneota High School. Skillings was also a four-year member of the Minneota Student council and a two-year member of the National Honor Society.
“Christian has been successful for years now. People in the Minnesota wrestling community know Christian Skillings since he won back-to-back state titles,” Nelson said. “He has a great competitive spirit and can make an immediate impact on our team.”
Maier, a native of Sturgis, S.D., was a five-year letterwinner in wrestling while earning three letters in football and five letters as a bull rider at Sturgis Brown High School. Maier placed in the South Dakota State wrestling tournament four consecutive years. He placed seventh as a freshman, fourth as a sophomore, third as a junior and was the state champion of his weight class during his senior season. Maier was a state qualifier in bull riding while starting on the football team for three years.
“Terrance competed for a perennial powerhouse in Sturgis. He is a tough individual that is eager to contribute and get involved and train to be a collegiate wrestler,” Nelson said. “He is a rugged and tough kid who has spent significant time in competitive bull riding. He won a state title in an increasingly tough wrestling state in South Dakota. “
The Mustang wrestling team finished the 2010-11 season 8-4-1 overall and 3-4 in NSIC action. The Mustangs have improved their record from the previous season every year since 2007 under the direction of Nelson. SMSU’s eight wins marks the highest win total dating back to the 2002 season when the Mustangs finished 10-9.