SIOUX FALLS, S.D.– Augustana wrestling head coach Jason Reitmeier announced Wednesday the signing of six student-athletes as part of the 2023 signing class. The signees are Logan Butzon, Owen Hansen, Alex Mentzer, Davin Rose, Landon Weidner, and Connor Whiteley, and will enroll at Augustana as freshmen in the fall of 2023.
“We really focused our recruiting on the lower to middleweight and we were able to accomplish it! These future Vikings are talented, tough, passionate about wrestling, and most importantly great people with great families,” said head coach Jason Reitmeier. “They all are exceptional students and will take pride not only in the Augustana wrestling program but also their academics.
“We were excited to spread our recruiting through Nebraska, Minnesota and South Dakota getting what we feel are some of the best kids in those states into our program. This was a great start, we are not done, we have a few upper weight recruits we are still very excited about that fit our program.”
Logan Butzon | 149/157 pounds | Jackson, Minn. | Jackson County Central HS
Reitmeier on Butzon: “We have always had great success recruiting in southern Minnesota and we reached in there and pulled out another stud in Logan. Logan, much like Davin, is an exceptional athlete excelling in wrestling, football and baseball. We really feel Logan hasn’t reached his full potential in wrestling and his best is yet to come at Augustana. He has a long athletic frame that has the potential to put on a lot of mass. Logan also has a really competitive mentality that makes him such a great student-athlete. Excited to get Logan in the room and watch our staff work with him.”
High School: Butzon will graduate from Jackson County High School in May of 2023. In his junior season, he was a section champion and state place winner. Butzon set the Jackson County Central all-time record for career takedowns and all-time record for most takedowns in a season. He also finished third at the Rumble on the Red. Butzon was named to the 2022 academic all-state second team, Wells Fargo all-tournament team, Big South all-conference team, and earned Minnesota all-state honors.
Owen Hansen | 133 pounds | Gregory, S.D. | Gregory HS
Reitmeier on Hansen: “We have known Owen and his family for a long time. He has always been on our radar as not only one of the best wrestlers in South Dakota but in the nation. We are extremely excited to have Owen joining the Augustana family. Owen is an exciting wrestler, with the ability to score from any position. His scrambling and body control make him very difficult to wrestle and score on. Looking forward to watching him in an Augustana singlet.”
High School: Hansen will graduate in May of 2023 from Gregory High School. As a junior, Hansen held a record of 47-1 en route to his second consecutive individual state championship title. Hansen was a South Dakota Triple Crown winner in 2021 and a Reno Worlds finalist in 2020.
Alex Mentzer | 141 pounds | Brandon, S.D. | Brandon Valley HS
Reitmeier on Mentzer: “We really focused this year on getting some of the best kids in South Dakota back into our program and we did just that with Al. Al is not only an accomplished wrestler in the state but also very accomplished in the nation. Al has placed at some of the biggest national tournaments. He brings a powerful style and a pinners attitude to our program. With him being a local kid, we have known for a very long time and coveted him. Thrilled to have Al and his family joining the Augustana Wrestling family.”
High School: Mentzer will graduate from Brandon Valley High School in May of 2023. As a junior, Mentzer held a record of 51-0 en route to winning an individual state championship title. In his sophomore season, Mentzer held a record of 41-3 and placed second at the state championships.
Davin Rose | 141/149 pounds | Hancock, Minn. | Hancock Public School
Reitmeier on Rose: “Really excited about this guy! Davin is a three sport athlete excelling in wrestling, football and baseball. We love his athletic ability and how high his ceiling is in wrestling. What excites me the most about Davin is his toughness and grit. Davin isn’t a guy who will shy away from a battle, he has a quiet demeanor with a warrior’s mentality. Excited to watch him grow and excel at Augustana”.
High School: Rose will graduate from Hancock Public School in May of 2023. As a junior, Rose held a record of 46-3 and recorded 28 pins. He was the section champion and placed fourth at the state tournament. Rose garnered all-conference honors in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Landon Weidner | 157/165 pounds | Hastings, Neb. | Hasting Senior HS
Reitmeier on Weidner: “Really excited to get this guy in the room. The minute we watched him compete we knew we wanted him in our room. Landon is a tough, gritty, hard nose kid that likes to really mix it up. He is solid in all positions but really excels on top. Landon rides hard with a physical beat you up mentality. He loves to compete, competing in national tournaments all over and all year. Landon will bring a country boy toughness to the program. Can’t wait to get this guy on campus.”
High School: Weidner will graduate from Hastings Senior High School in May of 2023. As a junior, he was the individual state champion and the individual state runner-up as a sophomore. Weidner is a three-year starter and a two-time team captain for his team. In his freshman
season, Weidner placed third at the state tournament and helped his team to a state title.
Connor Whiteley | 133/141 pounds | Scottsbluff, Neb. | Scottsbluff Senior HS
Reitmeier on Whiteley: “We got a late start on recruiting Connor, but after watching film and having him and his family on campus we just had to have him in our program. Connor has a passion for the sport and a drive to keep improving. We feel Connor hasn’t come close to tapping into his full potential and we are excited to work with him and bring it out. Connor will bring an explosive style on his feet to our program. Very excited to watch Connor grow in our program.”
High School: Whiteley will graduate from Scottsbluff Senior High School in May of 2023. As a junior, Whiteley held a record of 44-2 and was the state runner-up. He helped his team to a fifth place finish at state duals and earned academic all-conference honors. As a sophomore, Whiteley held a record of 14-4.
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