ST. CLOUD, MINN. – St. Cloud State University head wrestling coach Steve Costanzo announced the addition of three more student-athlete to an already strong 2021 recruiting class. Nicholas Lopez (Huntley, Ill.) and Paul Ruff (Gering, Neb.) have signed a National Letters of Intent with the Huskies while Nate Rocheleau (Gering, Neb.) has signed an Acceptance of Admission form.
Along with Lopez, Ruff and Rocheleau, seven additional stand-outs have announced their intentions to continue their education at St. Cloud State next fall: Mac Copeland (Bennett, Colo.), Augustus Donovan (Richland Center, Wis.), Anthony Herrera (Stansbury Park, Utah), Isaac Grams (Bloomington, Minn.), Matt Hogue (Stillwater, Minn.), Tyson Meyer (Glenwood, Minn.) and Nicholas Novak (New Prague, Minn.). All have signed with Huskies wrestling earlier this past year.
Meet the newest additions to the St. Cloud State wrestling recruit class:
Nicholas Lopez | Huntley, Ill. | Marian Central Catholic High School
- 65-22 high school record (last two seasons)
- 2020 IHSA 2A State Championships: 4th at 182-pounds
- 2019 IHSA 3A State Qualifier at 160-pounds
- IHSA 2A Regional Champion 2020
- IHSA 3A Regional Champion 2019
- Honor Roll Student
- Intended Major: Nursing
- Parents: Jose and Christina Lopez
“Niko is going to give his opponents fits with his length and leverage,” said Costanzo. He is going to add needed depth to our upper weights and will fit in extremely well with this team.”
Paul Ruff | Gering, Neb. | Gering High School
- 153-17 high school career record
- 2021 NSAA Class B State Runner-up at 126-pounds
- 2020 NSAA Class B State Runner-up at 120-pounds
- 2019 NSAA Class B State Championships: 5th at 120-pounds
- 2019 NSAA Class B District 4 Champion
- 2019 Cosmic Clash Champion
- Honor Roll Student
- Intended Major: Construction Management
- Parents: Paul and Julie Ruff
“Paul is a grinder and is brutal in the top position,” said Costanzo. We are extremely excited about his style of wrestling and feel that he will contribute to the Huskies early in his career.”
Nate Rocheleau | Gering, Neb | Gering High School
- 152-25 high school career record
- 2021 NSAA Class B State Championships: 5th at 138-pounds
- 2020 NSAA Class B State Champion at 138-pounds
- 2019 NSAA Class B State Championships: 4th at 126-pounds
- NSAA Class B District 4 Champion: 2021, 2020
- Honor Roll Student
- Intended Major: Undecided
- Parents: Tory & Audrey Rocheleau
“Nate is a hard-nosed, physical wrestler,” said Costanzo. “He has relentless attacks and can score from every position. He will be a great addition to our lower weights in the room.”
St. Cloud State wrestling is coming off its third straight NCAA DII National Championship. Huskies wrestling also claimed their tenth consecutive NSIC Conference Championship and fifth consecutive Super Regional Championship.
Check out Huskies Wrestling at scsuhuskies.com and on Twitter and Facebook.