St. Cloud, Minn. ~ St. Cloud State University head coach Steve Costanzo has announced the addition of eight signees, who will join the Huskies’ roster in 2020-21.
“My staff and I are very excited to announce the newest additions to Huskies’ wrestling,” said head coach Steve Costanzo. “These guys embody the culture and standard we continue to build at SCSU and I believe they are inspired to be the best they can be in the classroom and on the mat.”
The group of new Huskies includes Blake Thomsen (Neola, Iowa), Bryan Fitzpatrick (Mahtomedi, Minn.), Cody Minor (Green Bay, Wisc.), Daniel Valeria (Crystal Lake, Ill.), Kaleb Haase (Morton, Minn.), Owen Bjerga (Motley, Minn.), Paxton Creese (Shakopee, Minn.) and Shaeden Scheidt (Canton, S.D.). Listed below is more information on each of the new SCSU recruits.
Blake Thomsen | Neola, Iowa | Underwood High School
- 147-21 high school record
- 3x IHSAA State place winner: (3rd) 2019, (3rd) 2018, (5th) 2017
- 3x IHSAA District Champion
- 2x IHSAA Section Champion
- Intended major at SCSU is Nursing
- Parents: Debbie and Aric Thomsen
SCSU Head Coach, Steve Costanzo on Thomsen:
“Blake is an outstanding wrestler with one heck of a motor. He is mentally tough, skilled and very competitive. I look for him to make his mark for the Huskies at either 149/157 pounds.”
Bryce Fitzpatrick | Mahtomedi, Minn. | Mahtomedi High School
- 81-21 high school record (last two seasons)
- MSHSL state place winner: (4th) 2019
- MSHSL state qualifier: 2019, 2018
- Intermat JJ Classic Champion: 2019
- Intended major at SCSU is Business
- Parents: Heidi and Brian Fitzpatrick
SCSU Head Coach, Steve Costanzo on Fitzpatrick:
“Bryce will be one of three Fitzpatrick brothers on the team this next year. He has been surrounded by the sport of wrestling his whole life. We really look forward to his presence this next year and the depth he will provide at the 165/174 pound class.”
Cody Minor | Green Bay, Wisc. | Ashwaubenon High School
- 122-8 high school record
- WUSA Magazine honorable mention recruit
- WIAA state place winner: (1st) 2019, (3rd) 2018
- 2x WIAA Section Champion
- Intended major at SCSU is Athletic Training
- Parents: Jenni & Travis Minor
SCSU Head Coach, Steve Costanzo on Minor:
“Cody is a very technical and hard-working wrestler. He has wrestled and competed at some high-level tournaments and has done very well. An excellent student in the classroom, he will provide additional depth at the weight classes 133/141 pounds.”
Daniel Valeria | Crystal Lake, Ill. | Marian Central Catholic High School
- 80-19 high school record
- USAW Pre-Season Nationals: (6th) 2019
- IHSA state place winner: (4th) 2019
- 2x IHSA state qualifier: 2019, 2018
- 2x IHSA Region Champion
- IHSA Section Champion
- Intended major at SCSU is Psychology
- Parents: Laura & Dan Valeria
SCSU Head Coach, Steve Costanzo on Valeria:
“Daniel is a very skilled and tactical wrestler who competes in a tough wrestling state. He is a hard worker both on the mat and in the classroom. He will add depth and competition to our team at 133/141 pounds.”
Kaleb Haase | Morton, Minn. | Redwood Valley High School
- 88-29 high school record
- MSHSL state place winner: (5th) 2019, (5th) 2018
- MSHSL Big South Conference Champion: 2019
- Intermat JJ Classic Champion: 2019
- MN USA State Freestyle Champion: 2018
- Intended major at SCSU is Exercise Science
- Parents: Theresa & Dan Haase
SCSU Head Coach, Steve Costanzo on Haase:
“Kaleb is a very hard-working student-athlete with a passion for competing in the sport of wrestling. I feel that he has a huge up-side and will provide highly needed depth for the Huskies at 285-pounds.”
Owen Bjerga | Motley, Minn. | Staples-Motley High School
- 153-27 high school record
- WUSA Magazine honorable mention recruit
- USAW Pre-Season Nationals: (2nd) 2019, (4th) 2018
- MSHSL state place winner: (2nd) 2019, (6th) 2018
- 4x MSHSL state qualifier: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016
- 2x MSHSL section champion: 2019, 2018
- Intended major at SCSU is Business
- Parents: Heidi & Phil Bjerga
SCSU Head Coach, Steve Costanzo on Bjerga:
“Owen is a hard-nosed, physical wrestler. He will outwork his opponents and find a way to win. An excellent student in the classroom, we look for Owen to provide immediate competition in our room at 165-pounds.”
Paxton Creese | Shakopee, Minn. | Shakopee High School
- 98-3 high school record (last two years)
- WUSA Magazine #9 recruit
- MSHSL state place winner: (1st) 2019, (2nd) 2018
- MN Christmas Tournament Champion: 2018, 2017
- USAW Northern Plains Regional Champion (GR): 2019, 2017
- USAW Northern Plains Regional Champion (FR): 2019, 2017
- USAW Junior National Champion (GR): 2018
- UWW World Team Trials (GR): (4th) 2017
- USAW Wrestling Nationals (FR): (6th) 2017
- USAW Wrestling Nationals (GR): (3rd) 2017
- Intended major at SCSU is Psychology
- Parents: Tracy & Eric Creese
SCSU Head Coach, Steve Costanzo on Creese:
“Paxton is a blue-chip recruit (top 100) from one of the best high school wrestling programs in the state of Minnesota. He is a very skilled wrestler who has won many prestigious tournaments including the USAW Nationals. We look for Paxton to continue that same success at the collegiate level. He will add great depth at 125-pounds for the Huskies.”
Shaeden Scheidt | Canton, SD | Canton High School
131-15 high school record
WUSA Magazine #28 recruit
SDHSAA state place winner: (2nd) 2019, (2nd) 2018, (2nd) 2017
SDHSAA Region Champion: 2019, 2017
SD USAW State (GR) Champion: 2019
SD USAW State (FR) Champion: 2018
Intended major at SCSU is Engineering
Parents: Kendra & Walter Scheidt
SCSU Head Coach, Steve Costanzo on Scheidt:
“Not only is Shaeden an outstanding wrestler who will make his mark at 184-pounds, but he is an individual who carries a 4.0 G.P.A. in the classroom. A mentally tough and highly competitive young man, Shaeden will raise the intensity in our room.”
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