Wrestling | 8/1/2013 1:55:00 PM
WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – West Liberty University wrestling coach Brian Davis's hard work on the recruiting trail has paid off with an impressive group of newcomers set to join the Hilltopper mat squad for the 2013-14 season.
The seven newest Hilltoppers won't need a road map to find their way to the winner's circle, having combined for more than 800 career victories at the high school level with three of them having individual state championships under their belts.
"Obviously, these young men are outstanding wrestlers," Davis said, "but their character and academic talents will be positive additions to our program and to the university, as well. We're very excited to welcome them to our wrestling family."
Here's a look at the Hilltoppers' 2013-14 wrestling recruits:
Isaiah Baker, Manassas Park (VA) High School (157/165): Hard-working middleweight overcame a bloody nose to win the 160-pound state championship at last year's Virginia Class A state tournament; finished third in the state as a junior; 95-20 record in high school
Nathan Dawson, Wellsburg (WV) Brooke High School (184/197): West Virginia Class AAA 195-pound state champion as a junior in 2012; state runner-up in 2011 and 2013 and fourth in the state as a freshman; four-time OVAC placer and 2012 OVAC champion; 164-26 overall record, 44-6 as a senior
Gage Deem, New Martinsville (WV) Magnolia High School (157/165): Late bloomer qualified for back-to-back state tournaments for the Blue Eagles; compiled 35-20 record in his two seasons on the mat; also starred in football and track
Jesse Roman, East Fairmont (WV) High School (184-197): Two-time high school All-American; voted Most Outstanding Wrestler at the 2013 West Virginia Class AA/A state tournament after winning the 195-pound state championship to cap an undefeated (54-0) season; three-time state placer and Class AAA runner-up as a junior; sixth place finish at NHSCA Senior Nationals in Virginia Beach, Va.; 150-34 career record with the Bees
Anthoney Verhovec, Johnstown (OH) Northridge High School (285): Ohio state qualifier as a junior; led team to semifinals of 2013 Ohio Division III state team championships; individual champion at three invitational tournaments as a senior; compiled 145-51 career record at Northridge
Cody Walker, Claysville (PA) McGuffey High School (149-157): Compiled 54-35 career record at McGuffey High School
R.J. Waugh, Thornville (OH) Sheridan High School (184-197): Back-to-back Ohio Division II state qualifier as junior and senior; placed fifth at 195 pounds in 2012 Ohio Division II state meet; compiled 136-61 career record with multiple individual tournament titles at Sheridan
