Seven impressive recruits bring 2022 Recruiting Class to 17
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – St. Cloud State Wrestling head coach Steve Costanzo announced the addition of seven more student-athletes to their already strong 2022 recruiting class. Aoci Bernard (Rock Island, Ill.), Phillip Kue (Grisham, Ore.), Caleb Meekins (Livonia, Mich.), Jadon Mims (Maywood, Ill.), Abner Romero (Fresno, Calif,), Luke Studer (Ham Lake, Minn.) and Jaydon Walls (Platte City, Mo.) and have all signed on with the Huskies wrestling program.
Along with their new additions, the Huskies signed ten additional standouts for 2022-23 in the fall. Those additions are Wyatt Abele (McConnelsville, Ohio), Ethan Birch (Vacaville, Calif,), Bryce Dagel (Eden Prairie, Minn.), Archer Heelan (Kearney, Neb.), Owen Herbst (Buffalo, Minn.), Donnie Hidden (Washington, Ill.), Elijah Novak (Oak Park, Minn.), Nick Renteria (Alsip, Ill.), Brandon Ross (Caledonia, Minn.) and Logan Vaughan (Dodge Center, Minn.).
“Our recruiting goal as a staff this year was to add depth and competition to an already deep and competitive roster,” said Coach Costanzo. “I applaud Coach Brady Wilson and Coach Travis Swanson to their many hours of work on trying to bring in the best student-athletes to St. Cloud State University. Their commitment to find the best individuals is what makes a difference in our program.”
Aoci Bernard | Rock Island, Ill. | Rock Island High School
- 97-19 High School Record (three years)
- 2022 IL/USA Wrestling State – FS Junior 145 4th
- 2022 IHSA State Championships – 2A 145 1st
- 2021 IWCOA State Championships – 2A 138 6th
- 2022 IHSA 2A Regional – 145 1st
- 2022 IHSA 2A Sectional – 145 1st
- 2021 IWCOA 2A Sectional – 138 1st
- 2020 IHSA 2A Regional – 120 1st
- Intended Major: Undecided
- Parents: Asuma & Vicky Bernard
“Aoci is an extremely gifted and athletic wrestler,” said Costanzo. “Considered an underdog going into the IHSA State Championships this year, Bernard defeated the #1, #3 and #4 ranked individuals in the state enroute to his first state title of his career. He is definitely going to be a force in our lower to mid weights.”
Phillip Kue | Gresham, Ore. | Centennial High School/Ohio State University
- 162-3 High School Record (four years)
- 2019 OSAA State Championships – 6A 132 1st
- 2019 Oregon Prep Wrestler of the Year
- 2019 USA Wrestling Championships – Junior 132 2nd
- 2018 OSAA State Championships – 6A 1st
- 2017 OSAA State Championships – 6A 3rd
- 2016 OSAA State Championships – 6 A 1st
- Intended Major: Family Studies
- Parents: Sam & Linda Kue
“Phillip is a quality young man with a lot of talent,” said Costanzo. “He is a very smooth and technical wrestler with a high IQ in the sport. If he can stay healthy and believe in himself, there is no doubt that he can make waves in our program and be a consistent starter on a day-to-day basis. We are very excited to have him in our program!”
Caleb Meekins | Livonia, Mich. | John Glenn High School/Indian Hills C.C.
- 38-3 NJCAA Collegiate Record (two years)
- 2022 NJCAA National Championships – 133 3rd
- 2022 NJCAA North Central District Championships – 133 1st
- 2021 NJCAA National Championships – 133 4th
- 2021 NJCAA North Central District Championships – 133 1st
- 2021 NJCAA Scholar All-American Team
- Intended Major: Sports Management
- Parents: Curtis & Natasha Meekins
“Caleb is a genetically gifted young man that loves to compete,” said Costanzo. “He is an extremely hard worker with the talent to make an immediate impact with the Huskies. We think he has the ability to be in the thick of it immediately at the national level. I am extremely happy he chose to continue his career at SCSU!”
Jadon Mims | Maywood, Ill. | IC Catholic Prep High School
- 105-26 High School Record (four years)
- 2022 IHSA State Championships – 1A 220 1st
- 2022 IHSA Sectional Championships – 1A 220 1st
- 2021 IWCOA State Championships – 1A 220 3rd
- 2021 IWCOA Sectional Championships – 1A 220 1st
- 2020 IHSA State Championships – 1A 220 8th
- Intended Major: Sports Management
- Parents: Lakesha Hardman
“Jadon is an outstanding young man who is going to make a great addition to our program,” said Costanzo. “He is a talented multi-sport athlete that happens to be really good at wrestling. For a big man, he has a strong motor and moves exceptional on his feet. He is extremely explosive and powerful when penetrating through his attacks. We see big things coming from him in the future.”
Abner Romero | Fresno, Calif. | Buchanan High School/Lindenwood University
- 51-11 Career Collegiate Record (three-years)
- 2021 NCAA DII National Championships – 174 1st
- 2021 NCAA DII Super Region Championships – 174 1st
- 2020 NCAA DII Super Region Championships – 174 1st
- 2020 NWCA All-American – 174
- 2018 California Junior College State Championships – 174 1st
- 2016 CHSAA State Championships – 170 2nd
- 2016 NHSCA National Championships – 170 1st
- Intended Major: Graduate Studies
- Parents: Abner, Sr & Leticia Romero
“We are so fortunate Abner has decided to continue his career and last season of wrestling with the Huskies,” said Costanzo. “He competes with such a technicality and resilience. With his credentials, it will be like having another coach in the room. We are expecting great things out of him in his final season of competition.”
Luke Studer | Ham Lake, Minn. | Blaine High School
- 164-31 High School Record (five years)
- 2022 MSHSL State Championships – 3A 138 1st
- 2022 MSHSL Section Championships – 7AAA 138 1st
- 2021 MSHSL State Championships – 3A 132 4th
- 2020 MSHSL State Championships – 3A 132 5th
- 2020 MSHSL Section Championships – 7AAA 132 1st
- 2018 MSHSL Section Championships – 7AAA 106 1st
- Intended Major: Physical Education
- Parents: Donald & Laurie Studer
“Luke was coached by former SCSU National Champion, John Sundgren,” said Costanzo. “He has been on our radar for quite a while and we are very excited to work with him. He is a hard-nosed competitor and relentless with his attacks. He has a style of wrestling that is fun to watch and an individual with a lot of fighting spirit. We look forward to seeing great things come from him.”
Jaydon Walls | Platte City, Mo. | Platte County High School
- 108-27 High School Record (three years)
- 2022 MSHSAA State Championships – Class 3 195 1st
- 2022 MSHSAA District 4 Championships – Class 3 195 1st
- 2021 Council Bluffs Wrestling Classic – 195 4th
- 2021 MSHSAA State Championships – Class 3 195 3rd
- 2021 MSHSAA Section 4 Championships – Class 3 195 1st
- 2021 MSHSAA District 4 Championships – Class 3 195 1st
- 2019 Southern Plans Regional Championships – GR 182 1st
- Intended Major: Business
- Parents: Ben Walls & Stephanie Phillips
“Jaydon is another great addition to our program,” said Costanzo. “He has great length and leverage and will adapt quickly to college wrestling. He loves to compete and is tough in all positions. He will definitely add some much needed depth to our upper weight classes.”
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