Huskies’ 2023 recruiting class increases to 11 standout wrestlers
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – St. Cloud State Wrestling head coach Steve Costanzo has announced the addition of seven student-athletes to the Huskies’ strong 2023 recruiting class. Dylan Bravo-Packer (Fort Lupton, Colo.), James Burks (Omaha, Neb.), Nathan Fury (Wichita, Kan.) Ethan Hendrickson (Menahga, Minn.), Conor Knopick (Omaha, Neb.), Brendan Lockart (Great Falls, Mont.) and Vittorio Massa (River Falls, Wis.) have all signed with the Huskies wrestling program ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
Along with their new additions, the Huskies signed four additional standouts for 2023-24 in the fall of this past year. Colton Bornholdt (New Prague, Minn.), Dominic Ducato (Carpentersville, Ill.), Cole Glazier (Kasson, Minn.) and Derek Johnson (Hoxie, Kan.) help round out an impressive 2023 signing class.
“Our recruiting goal as a staff is to always add depth, competition and character to an already talented roster,” said Coach Costanzo, “I applaud the efforts of coach Brady Wilson and coach Jake Barzowski for their many hours of work on trying to bring in the best student-athletes to St. Cloud State University. We are very excited to get started with this team in 2023-24!”
Dylan Bravo-Packer | Fort Lupton, Colo. | Brighton High School
136-10 High School Record
2023 WIN Magazine #24 Heavyweight in the Country
2023 CHSAA State Championships – 5A – 285 – 1st
2022 CHSAA State Championships – 5A – 220 – 1st
2021 CHSAA State Championships – 5A – 220 – 2nd
2020 CHSAA State Championships – 5A – 220 – 2nd
Intended Major: Business Management
Parents: Stella Bravo
“Dylan is an excellent pick-up for the Huskies,” said Coach Costanzo, “We feel this young man has a lot of room for growth and will excel very well in the years to come. He has a nice frame and moves very well for a big man. The future looks very bright for him.”
James Burks | Omaha, Neb. | Omaha Burke High School/Northern State University
28-9 Collegiate Record
2016-9 High School Record
2019 – NSAA State Championships – A – 160 – 1st
2019 – USAW Junior National Champion – GR
2019 – NHSCA National Championships – 2nd
2018 – NSAA State Championships – A – 160 – 1st
2018 – UWW Cadet National Champion – GR
2017 – NSAA State Championships – A – 145 – 1st
2016 – NSAA State Championships – A – 132 – 1st
Intended Major: Masters of Business Administration
Parents: Kolina Rieper
“James will be a nice addition to Huskies Wrestling,” said Coach Costanzo, “He is one of the best student-athletes to come out of the state of Nebraska. I think with the right environment and structure, this young man has all of the tools to win a National title for the Huskies. I look forward to our journey together!”
Nathan Fury | Wichita, Kan. | Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School
168-18 High School Record
2023 – USAW Folkstyle National Championships – 195 – 5th
2023 – KHSAA State Championships – 5A – 190 – 2nd
2022 – KHSAA State Championships – 5A – 182 – 3rd
2021 – NHSCA National Championships – 182 – 7th
2021 – KHSAA State Championships – 5A – 170 – 2nd
2020 – KHSAA State Championships – 5A – 170 – 4th
Intended Major: Pre-Med
Parents: Shilo & Anna Fury
“Nathan is a great addition to Huskies Wrestling,” said Coach Costanzo, He is another great student-athlete with tremendous athletic skills. With regards to his length, he will cause fits for his competitors. He has a great sense for positions and scrambles extremely well. We are excited to get him on board!”
Ethan Hendrickson | Menahga, Minn. | United North Central
172-20 High School Record
2022 – MSHSL State Championships – 1A – 145 – 1st
2021 – MSHSL State Championships – 1A – 120 – 2nd
2020 – MSHSL State Championships – 1A – 113 – 2nd
2019 – MSHSL State Championships – 1A – 106 – 6th
Intended Major: Construction Management
Parents: Nate & Lisa Hendrickson
“Ethan came to us at the beginning of second semester this past year,” said Coach Costanzo, “He is a very smart, gritty and competitive individual with a lot of talent to make some waves in the Huskies line-up. I am expecting great things from Ethan as he is learning and making adjustments very quickly. We are very excited and encouraged with his development.”
Conor Knopick | Omaha, Neb. | Millard South/Iowa State University
17-9 Collegiate Record
184-8 High School Record
2021 #29 Overall High School Recruit in the Country – Mat Scouts
2021 NSAA State Championships – A – 126 – 1st
2020 NSAA State Championships – A – 132 – 1st
2019 USAW Cadet World Team – 55 Kilos
2019 NSAA State Championships – A – 126 – 3rd
2018 USAW Cadet Nationals – GR – 3rd
2018 NSAA State Championships – A – 120 – 4th
2017 USAW Cadet National – GR – 2nd
Intended Major: Criminal Justice
Parents: Chad & Tabetha Knopick
“I had a chance to watch Conor compete this past season at the North Country Open while he was at Iowa State,” said Coach Costanzo, “I was so impressed with his intensity and control of his matches. He competed in a dominating fashion and rolled through the competition. I am so excited to be able to have the opportunity to work with him. He is going to do great things!”
Brendan Lockart | Great Falls, Mont. | Great Falls High School
96-15 High School Record
2023 – USAW Folkstyle National Championships – 195 – 3rd
2023 – MHSA State Championships – 2A – 205 – 1st
2022 – Western Regional – FR – 1st
2022 – Western Regional – GR – 2nd
2022 – MHSA State Championships – 2A – 205 – 1st
2021 – MHSA State Championships – 2A – 170 – 2nd
2020 – MHSA State Championships – 2A – 160 – 3rd
Intended Major: Biology
Parents: Michael & Sandra Lockart
“Brendan is certainly someone who is going to make our upper weights stronger and more competitive,” said Coach Costanzo, “We really like his size and strength and feel that he is only getting started with his development. He is at a weight class that will be adding a lot more depth and need to our upper weight classes. We are looking forward to working with him!”
Vittorio “Vito” Massa | River Falls, Wis. | River Falls High School/Northwestern College
116-29 High School Record
2022 – WIAA State Championships – D1 – 285 – 1st
2022 – WIAA Section Championships – D1 – 285 – 1st
2022 – WIAA Regional Championships – D1 – 285 – 1st
2021 – WIAA Regional Championships – D1 – 182 – 1st
2020 – WIAA Regional Championships – D1 – 138 – 1st
2019 – MSHSL State Championships – 3A – 126 – DNP
Intended Major: Business Marketing
Parents: Mario & Ali Massa
“Vito spent the last year playing D3 football at Northwestern College in St. Paul,” said Coach Costanzo, “When he came to us expressing an interest in wrestling, it was a no-brainer for us. It is hard to find big guys that are agile and athletic. Vito fits that mold and we are excited to work with him. He will make a solid addition to our program.”
Information regarding single dual and season tickets can be found at scsutickets.com. For all the latest on St. Cloud State Wrestling, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.