May 7, 2012

LARAMIE, Wyo. - Three more prep wrestlers signed National Letters of Intent to compete for the University of Wyoming wrestling team, Wyoming coach Mark Branch announced Monday.

The addition of Jake Elliott, Cole Mendenhall and Cole Ford rounds out the 2011-12 recruiting class for Wyoming. The recent signees join Dylan Schumacher, Brent Havlik, Ben Stroh, Jordan Hanson and Drew Templeman, all of whom had signed in November 2011. Of the eight signees, four are four-time state champions and five earned Senior National All-America status.

"Our expectations are very high with four four-time state champions and five high school All-Americans," Wyoming coach Mark Branch said. "This is one of the most promising classes we've ever had at Wyoming and you can see how the success we are having on the mat is impacting our recruiting efforts."

The newcomers
Jake Elliott, Roseville, Calif. (Oakmont HS) - 149 pounds
Elliott was a California state champion and a two-time state finalist. He also finished third at Senior Nationals, giving him National High School Coaches Association All-America status.

Cole Ford, Elberta, Utah (Payson HS) - 141 pounds
Ford was a Utah state champion and a member of two-time team state champion Payson High School. His older brother is junior McCade Ford, who wrestled for the Pokes this season at 149 pounds.

Cole Mendenhall, Great Falls, Mont. (Great Falls HS) - 133/141 pounds
Mendenhall was a four-time Montana state champion and opened eyes with his performance at Senior Nationals. He finished second and earned NHSCA All-America honors.

Dylan Schumacher, Hays, Kan. (Thomas More Prep-Marian) - 133 pounds
Schumacher was a four-time Kansas state champion, along with a National High School Coaches Association All-America honoree. He was a multi-sport athlete, also.

Ben Stroh, Chinook, Mont. (Chinook HS) - 184/197 pounds
Stroh was a four-time Montana state champion and a Junior National All-America honoree. He received interest from wrestling powers like Iowa, Nebraska and Michigan. Stroh's older brother, Robert, wrestled as a redshirt freshman for the Cowboys last season.

Jordan Hanson, Lander, Wyo. (Lander HS) - 285 pounds
Hanson was a Wyoming state champion at heavyweight in 2011 and 2012. He also was fourth at the state tournament in 2010 as a sophomore. Hanson didn't start wrestling until he was in high school, and stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs in at 275 pounds.

Drew Templeman, Orting, Wash. (Orting HS) - 125 pounds
Templeman was a four-time state champion as well as a three-time NHSCA All-American. He has a reputation as a tireless worker and is quite adept in the classroom, as well.