Indianapolis Announces Incoming Recruits

The University of Indianapolis has announced the class of incoming recruits for next year. New coach Jason Warthan inherits a team that only lost starter Jimmy Nichols and will look to replace him with state runner-up Casey Kenney of Jay County or three time state placer Alex Johns of Evansville Reitz. The Greyhounds will also bring in three other Indiana state placers.  After a 3rd place finish this season and qualifying in 2008, Shelby Mappes of Center Grove will come to the Greyhounds and wrestle 174lbs.  Andrew Leach of Avon will also be making the short drive to Indy, he finished 6th this year and is projected to wrestle 184lbs.  Randy Kaufman of Rensselear Central, an 8th place finisher, is projected to wrestle 197lbs for the Greyhounds. State qualifier Nick Smith of Franklin is another signee that has been to the state finals.  The top incoming recruit not within the Indiana border is North Carolina two-time placer Trey Weliver. Indianapolis is still working on a few other recruits and transfers that they are hoping to announce in the coming weeks.

Next year's line-up will look very similar to this year's line up with Johns or Kenney manning the 125lbs spot vacated by senior Jimmy Nichols.  Two former state champions will be coming back at 133lbs and 141lbs in Ethan Harris from Beech Grove and Matt Irwin from Bellmont.  Irwin is also a two-time NCAA qualifier.  Northwood's David Lopez will look to keep the 149lbs spot, but will be pushed by incoming freshman Nick Smith.  At 157lbs, NCAA qualifier and former state runner-up Cory Fornal of Rochester will look to build off his success from last season.  Two Illinois products will going at it for the starting spot at 165lbs in former placer Jake Holler and  two time qualifier Bryce Givens.  Josh Curry of Columbia City, Shelby Mappes and the loser at 165lbs will all do battle to determine the starter for this weight.  JT Jenkins from New Albany will move up to 184lbs next season and be pushed by a host of freshman.  Sam Johnson a sophomore from Avon will be pushed for the 197lbs spot by freshman Randy Kaufman.  The heavyweight weight class will be held down by senior Lynn Panko who was a state champion for Avon High School and a former NCAA qualifier.