September 9, 2008

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LAURINBURG, N.C.—Third year head coach Joe Baranik has announced the signing of 10 recruits o national letters of intent to wrestle at St. Andrews Presbyterian College for the upcoming 2008/2009 season.

“I am pleased with our 10 recruits and they will definitely add to our building process,” said Baranik. “This will be the third year of wrestling at St. Andrews and I hope to put the final piece of the puzzle for recruiting in place next year.”

The Knights wrestling team is coming off an historic second season winning the programs first-ever NCAA Division II dual match. Coach Baranik also had the programs first-ever NCAA East Regional place winner in 2007/08. With the new recruiting class and the return of 11 letter winners, St. Andrews will look to improve on its three wins last year.

“We do not have a senior on the team,” added Baranik. “In fact, we only have one wrestler on the team with higher than sophomore eligibility [junior Brad McKee]. Next year, we will concentrate on recruiting upper weights and this should give us the depth we need. My goal is to have three solid wrestlers at each of the 10 weight classes. I think the future looks bright for St. Andrews wrestling.”

The 10 new Knights grapplers included wrestlers that cover seven of the 10 weight classes and are from four different states. The new St. Andrews wrestlers include (alphabetical):

Josh Blythe comes to St. Andrews from Norfolk Collegiate School in Chesapeake, Virginia. Blythe is five-foot, eight-inches tall and will wrestle at 149-pounds. He placed second in the State at Norfolk Collegiate.

“Josh is a late bloomer and is going to get much better,” predicted Baranik. “He has a chance to start at 149-pounds and is a top student.”

Dan Butcher joins the Knights from Community High School in Westwood, New Jersey. Butcher is five-foot, six-inch tall and will compete at 141-pounds. In high school, he placed sixth in the State.

“Butch is a great recruit considering how tough New Jersey is in high school,” expressed Baranik. “New Jersey is second only to Pennsylvania as far as national talent. Butcher is a projected starter at 141-pounds and we expect him to step it up immediately. Butcher is an outstanding student.”

Dennis Clark is five-foot, nine-inches tall and comes to SAPC from Onslow High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Clark placed seventh in the Sate and will wrestle in the 133-lb ranks.

“Clark will give us good depth at 133 and 141 pounds,” stated Baranik. “The future looks bright for Dennis. He seems to get better every day.”

Matt Fletcher joins the Knights from Stephens City, Virginia. Fletcher placed third in the State at Sherando High School. He is a five-foot, seven-inch lightweight.

“Fletcher is our projected starter at 125-pounds,” commented Baranik. “He is an extremely hard worker and wants to earn success right away. Matt does outstanding work in the classroom.”

Mike Frazzitta is one of two new recruits from E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Frazzitta placed fifth at his Regional and will hit the mats at six-foot, one-inch and 165-lbs.

“It is great to get Frazzitta since he grew up near St. Andrews,” expressed Baranik. “He should get a good following from the hometown folks. Mike is an outstanding athlete and his best days as a wrestler are just ahead. He is a projected starter at 165-pounds.”

Justin Hoover is six-foot, two-inches tall and comes to SAPC from Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Hoover, who was the State runner-up in his senior year, will compete in the 197-pound ranks.

“Hoover’s strength is his forte,” explained Baranik. “He will red-shirt this year and enter open tournaments, but he will be a great asset in the practice room to help our squad members get better.”

Josh Price comes to St. Andrews with teammate Mike Frazzitta from E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Price wrestles at 197-pounds and is six-foot, three-inches tall.

“Price is a teammate of Frazzitta’s in high school,” mentioned Baranik. “I look for Price to red-shirt this year. His size will help him on the mat. Josh is also in the Army National Guard.”

Jeremy Rasberry joins the Knights from Hillsborough, North Carolina. Raspberry was a state qualifier for Orange High School. He hits the mats at 149-lbs and is five-foot, nine-inches tall.

“Rasberry is another good athlete with great skills,” said Baranik. “I look for him to have a great career for the Knights wrestling program. We will also red-shirt Jeremy this year, but he will be a great workout partner in the mat room and will help his teammates improve.”

Josh Tegard joins the Royal Blue and White as a four-time state qualifier at Butler High School in Matthews, North Carolina. Tegard is five-foot, 10-inches tall and weighs in at 133-pounds.

“Tegard has exceptional wrestling talent and I look for him to have an outstanding career at St. Andrews,” expressed Baranik. “He will push for a varsity spot as a freshman.”

Josh Wensel comes to St. Andrews from Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Wensel was a State qualifier from Bellefonte High School. He will compete at 174-lbs and is five-foot, 10-inches tall.

“Wensel is from the best wrestling state in the country and I look for him to start immediately,” concluded Baranik. “He has good high school coaching and he has wrestled a competitive schedule in high school. Josh’s favorite subject is chemistry.”