No. 1 Huskies announce 10 signees to 2022 recruiting class
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – St. Cloud State University Wrestling head coach Steve Costanzo has announced the addition of 10 new student-athletes to the program’s 2022 recruiting class.
The signees, who plan to enroll at SCSU next fall, include:
• Wyatt Abele. 157/165-pounds, McConnelsville, OH
• Ethan Birch, 149-pounds, Vacaville, CA
• Bryce Dagel, 157/165-pounds, Eden Prairie, MN
• Owen Herbst, 174-pounds, Buffalo, MN
• Archer Heelan, 125-pounds, Kearney, NE
• Donnie Hidden, 197-pounds, Washington, IL
• Elijah Novak, 285-pounds, Oak Park, MN
• Nick Renteria, 125-pounds, Alsip, IL
• Brandon Ross, 125/133-pounds, Caledonia, MN
• Logan Vaughan, 149/157-pounds, Dodge Center, MN
“We look forward to bringing in these fine student-athletes to the Huskies wrestling program,” Costanzo said. “These young men are all outstanding students in the classroom and have displayed a lot of potential on the mat. We look forward to helping these individuals reach their full potential.”
Wyatt Abele | McConnelsville, OH | New Lexington High School
• 90-36 High School Record (three years)
• 2021 OHSAA State Championships – D2 11th 145 7th 36-6
• 2021 Central Region Championships – Junior Boys 145 4th
• 2021 Elyria Freestyle Qualifier – 4th
• 2021 Elyria Greco Qualifier – 1st
• 2021 Game Time Sports Qualifier – 1st
• National Honor Society
• Intended Major: Mechanical Engineering
• Parents: Jay & Brenda Abele
“Wyatt is a very intelligent and hard-working young man,” said Coach Steve Costanzo. “He is a great leader in the sports arena and in the community. I think he has a huge upside when you combine his work ethic, character, and leadership skills. He is a great addition to our program!”
Ethan Birch | Vacaville, CA | Vacaville High School
• 69-19 High School Record (two-years)
• 2021 Western Regional Champion – FR
• 2019 CIF State Championships – State Qualifier
• 2019 CIF Section – Champion
• 2019 League Champion
• 2018 School Boy National Champion – GR
• 2018 School Boy All-American – FR
• 2018 USA Wrestling Triple Crown Winner
• Intended Major: Health & Physical Education
• Parents: Clint & Kelley Birch
“Ethan is an outstanding pick-up for Huskies wrestling,” said Coach Steve Costanzo. “He is a bright and determined young man that loves competing. We first noticed him this past summer competing in Fargo. His style of wrestling immolates ours and we felt he would be a great fit for us. When you combine his academics and character, you will find an individual that fits our mold.”
Bryce Dagel | Eden Prairie, MN | Eden Prairie High School
• 128-25 High School Record (four-years)
• 2021 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals 5th
• 2021 MN HS State Tournament – 3A 12th 152 2nd 29-4
• 2020 MN HS State Tournament – 3A 11th 145 4th 35-8
• 2019 MN/USA Wrestling State – GR Cadet 145 3rd
• 2019 MN HS State Tournament – 3A 10th 126 6th 34-9
• 2018 MN HS State Tournament – 3A 9th 106 DNP 30-4
• Intended Major: Business
• Parents: Ken & Jen Dagel
“Bryce is a great pick for our program,” said Coach Steve Costanzo. “I have always been very impressed with the way that he competes and wrestles. He has a lot of talent and his ceiling is very high. We are really excited about him!”
Owen Herbst | Buffalo, MN | Buffalo High School
• 102-19 High School Record (three-years)
• 2021 MN/USA Wrestling State – FS Junior 170 1st
• 2021 MN/USA Wrestling State – GR Junior 170 6th
• 2021 MSHSL State Tournament – 3A 11th 160 3rd 26-2
• 2020 MSHSL State Tournament – 3A 10th 160 6th 40-7
• 2019 Northern Plains Regional – GR 16U 160 5th
• 2019 MN/USA Wrestling State – FS Cadet 160 3rd
• 2019 MN/USA Wrestling State – GR Cadet 160 3rd
• 2019 MSHSL State Tournament – 3A 9th 145 DNP 36-10
• Intended Major: Education
• Parents: Rob & Karen Herbst
“Owen is a talented multi-sport athlete,” said Coach Steve Costanzo. “I have always admired student-athletes that succeed in multiple sports. That says a lot about Owen – a true competitor and team player. Owen is a great addition to our program who is going to be a great collegiate wrestler for the Huskies!”
Archer Heelan | Kearney, NE | Kearney High School
• 108-20 High School Record (three-years)
• 2021 NHSAA State Tournament – A 11th 113 2nd 30-5
• 2020 NHSAA State Tournament – A 10th 113 5th 38-8
• 2019 NHSAA State Tournament – A 9th 106 5th 40-7
• 2019 USAW Junior Duals – GR 8-0
• 2018 USAW Nationals – GR 7th
• Academic All-Conference – 2019-2021
• Intended Major: Undecided
• Parents: Brennan & Kate Heelan
“Archer has a high skill level and will add much-needed depth in our lower weights,” said Coach Steve Costanzo. What we really like about him is his enthusiasm and passion to compete. He is always on the mat and looking for competition year-round. His dedication to the sport of wrestling is going to take him very far in the collegiate ranks.”
Donnie Hidden | Washington, IL | Washington Community High School
• 76-37 High School Record (three-years)
• 2021 Illinois Matmen Best of Best 2 – Winner
• 2021 IWCOA State Championships – 2A 11th 195 1st 23-2
• 2021 IWCOA Section Championships – 2A 11th 195 1st
• 2021 IWCOA Regional Championships – 2A 11th 195 1st
• 2020 IHSA State Championships – 2A 10th 152 4th 30-9
• 2020 IHSA Regional Championships – 2A 10th 152 1st
• 2020 USAW Pre-season Nationals – 8th
• Intended Major: Education
• Parents: Rob & Krissy Crandall, Donnie & Mandy Hidden
“Donnie is a nice addition to our upper weights,” said Coach Steve Costanzo. “What we like about him is his continued development in the sport of wrestling. He just keeps getting better and better. He is a high-character individual with the passion to succeed on and off the mat. He is a great fit for our program!”
Elijah Novak | Oak Park, MN | Foley High School
• 83-12 High School Record (two-years)
• 2021 MN/USA Wrestling State – FS Junior 285 1st
• 2021 MSHSL State Tournament – 2A 11th 285 3rd 35-4
• 2021 MSHSL Ind State Prel 7AA-8AA – 1st
• 2020 MSHSL State Tournament – 2A 10th 285 DNP 48-8
• 2020 MSHSL Section 7AA – 1st
• 2019 Rumble on the Red – 2A – 10th 285 3rd
• Intended Major: Business
• Parents: Mark & Joann Novak
“We are very excited about the next great heavyweight to join Huskies wrestling,” said Coach Steve Costanzo. “We have been watching Elijah over the past two seasons and he has really impressed us. He is a big, strong, and athletic young man that moves his feet very well. He continues to develop his wrestling skills and will be a very successful collegiate wrestler.”
Nick Renteria | Alsip, IL | IC Catholic Prep High School
• 79-11 High School Record (three-years)
• 2021 IWCOA State Championships – 1A 11th 120 5th
• 2020 IHSA State Championships – 1A 10th 120 4th
• 2019 IHSA Frosh/Soph State Championships – 9th 120 4th
• 2019 Plano Reaper Wrestling Classic – 126 1st OW
• Intended Major: Construction Management
• Parents: Joseph & Valerie Renteria
“Nick is a hard-nosed wrestler who processes a relentless style of wrestling,” said Coach Steve Costanzo. “He is always on the attack and pushing forward. He is going to fit in very well with the style of wrestling that we preach. We look forward to having him in our program and he should do very well for the Huskies.”
Brandon Ross | Caledonia, MN | Caledonia High School
• 89-13 High School Record (three-years)
• 2021 MSHSL State Tournament – 1A 11th 120 1st 31-0
• 2021 MSHSL Ind State Prelim – 1A-4A 11th 120 1st
• 2020 MSHSL State Tournament – 1A 10th 120 2nd 34-6
• 2020 MSHSL Section – 1A 10th 120 1st
• 2018 Freakshow Championships – 15U 102 5th
• Honor Roll Student
• Intended Major: Science
• Parents: Jeff & Tina Ross
“Brandon is one of the better lightweight wrestlers to come out of the state of Minnesota this year,” said Coach Steve Costanzo. “He is a bright young man who competes with a gritty attitude and style. We are very excited to work with him and think he will add strength to our lower weights in the room.”
Logan Vaughan | Dodge Center, MN | Kasson-Mantorville High School
• 137-28 High School Record (four-years)
• 2021 MSHSL State Tournament – 2A 11th 145 2nd 27-2
• 2020 MSHSL State Tournament – 2A 10th 132 3rd 32-8
• 2019 MSHSL State Tournament – 2A 9th 113 4th 38-8
• 2018 MSHSL State Tournament – 2A 8th 106 4th 40-10
• 2018 MN Christmas Tournament – 9th 113 2nd
• Honor Roll Student
• Intended Major: Criminal Justice
• Parents: Bill & Amanda Vaughan
“Logan has been a staple in the Kasson-Mantorville High School program over the last four years,” said Coach Steve Costanzo. “One thing as a staff that we can really appreciate is consistency. Logan has been a consistent competitor for his team over the last four years. You can’t coach consistency, he just has it! We look forward to his arrival with Huskies wrestling.”
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