LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI head wrestling coach
Jim Gibson announced the 2021-22 recruiting class Thursday, with 16 freshmen set to join the team this fall.
"We are excited to release this recruiting class," said Gibson. "They are dedicated to the sport and have a passion for VMI.
"These young men will go a long way in helping to round out our lineup, as well as make our practices more competitive.
"This group come to VMI with some great high school credentials on and off the mat. Our coaching staff is enthusiastic to see what they can accomplish at the Division I level."
Brayden Abell, Oakdale, Calif., Oakdale High School
Had an overall high school record of 117-23 … a three-time league and divisional champion … a two-time state placer … was a 2020 Reno Worlds Finalist in 18u.
River Carroll, Newport, N.C., West Carteret High School
Was the youngest state champion for any sport at Swansboro High School as a junior, going 60-1 with 43 pins at 160 pounds … he placed fifth at states as a sophomore and won the conference title as a freshman … also played football for two seasons at Swansboro High … transferred to West Carteret as a senior and earned the Roy Heverly Award for the best returning East Coast Wrestler …… a member of the N.C. National Wrestling Team … top 10 pound for pound wrestler in NCHSAA … the class president for two years … earned an Army ROTC Four-Year Scholarship.
Sam Congleton, Woodbridge, Va., Woodbridge High School/No. Virginia Community College
Was a two-year captain for coach Ty Knapp at Woodbridge … a two-time district and regional champion … finished sixth and second at states … competed with Vikings Wrestling Club.
Josh Evans, Seaford, Va., York High School
A four-year letterwinner and a two-year captain … amassed a 115-16 career record … a four-time Region 3A Champion, state placer and all-region … won the state title in 2021 and was second as a sophomore and junior … a 2021 NHSCA All-American … three-time VHSL all-state … a member of the Peninsula Wrestling Association, a two-time freestyle state champion and won the Greco-Roman State title once … earned highest academic honors in each of his four years.
Evan Glynos, Morristown, N.J. Morristown High School
Won more than 40 matches every year of his high school career, wrestling at 106, 126, 132 and 160 … A BCSL Division First-Team member and region qualifier … also competed in lacrosse as a face-off specialist … a member of the Underground Wrestling Club and the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center … won the N.J. Greco State Championship.
Max Gourley, Gettysburg, Pa., Gettysburg High School
A 2020 state qualifier at 184 after placing third in the District 3 Class 3A Championships … posted a career record of 96-29 …. A three-year letterwinner … a 2019 Cadet Greco All-American … competes with Haines Trained Wrestling Club.
Justin Hart, Allison Park, Pa., Hampton High School
A four-year team captain and four-time Most Valuable Wrestler … career record of 138-24 … PIAA State Runner Up as a senior … a four-time state qualifier … a WPIAL Champion … a two-time Powerade placer … competed with OMP Wrestling.
Luke Hart, Studley, Va., Hanover High School
Recorded over 100 career wins and was a three-time State placer … also competed in football, lacrosse and soccer … a member of Virginia Team Predator … a freestyle/Greco State Champion and a NE/SE Regional placer.
Brayden Hohman, Quinton, Va., New Kent High School
Had a career-record of 104-15 with 50 pins, wrestling at 170 pounds as a senior … a 2021 state champion and a 2020 state runner up … competed in the NHSCA National Wrestling Championships … also competed in soccer … wrestled for Virginia Team Predator … brother Blake wrestled for VMI is a graduate.
Conner Johnson, Wilmington, N.C., E.A. Laney High School
A three-time conference and regional champion and a three-time state qualifier with a 125-25 career record before his senior season … took third at the 2020 state championship … earned the coaches award in 2020.
Patrick Maglathlin, Alexandria, Va., Hayfield Secondary School
A two-time captain with a 98-52 career record … earned the 2019 Coaches' Award and was the 2020 Team MVP … a three-time district champion, a two-time regional champion and a two-time state qualifier … competes with Ground Up USA Wrestling … took third in Greco at the states.
Nathan Ridgley, Gettysburg, Pa., Gettysburg High School
A four-year letterwinner with a 105-52 career record … a three-time district qualifier and a two-time place-winner: fifth as a junior and fourth as a senior … his team was the 2019-20 district champions … competes with Haines Trained Wrestling Club.
Riley Simon, Wall, N.J, Point Pleasant Beach High School
A four-year letterwinner for head coach Jeff Bower at 120, 126, 132 and 145 … four-time all B-Central … a two-time state qualifier … the Point Beach Shore Conference Sportsmanship Award winner.
Zach Small, Farmington, N.M., Farmington High School
A three-time captain and a four-time state placer … recorded the most wins and pins in school history … All-American at Reno Worlds … Academic All-American … also played football and earned all-state honors …
Mike Tandurella, Ramsey, N.J., Don Bosco Prep
A four-year letterwinner for head coach Ricky LaForge … boasts a 99-35 career record, wrestling at 106, 113, 120 and 126 pounds … placed sixth in the state as a senior.
Jake Waldron, Columbia, Mo., Hickman High School
Had a 125-40 career record wrestling for head coach Dan Pieper … academic all-state … a four-time state qualifier … placed fifth in the state tournament … an Academic All-American … a member of BullTrained Wrestling Club.
