Nov. 18, 2003

Missouri wrestling head coach Brian Smith announced Monday that six individuals have signed a letter of commitment for the 2004-05 season. Jake Kallestad, Christopher Potter, Raymond Jordan, Ryan Joyce, Chase Wetenkamp and Ryan Williams will each begin their collegiate wrestling career in Mizzou singlets.

All six high school seniors rank among the top 200 recruits in the nation (Intermat Magazine), with Williams at 39th, and Wetenkamp among the top 75. Potter and Kallestad stand among the top 100, while Joyce and Jordan round out the top-200 recruits.

"This is truly one of the best early signing wrestling classes we've ever had at Missouri," Smith said. "We had a need for upper weights and were able to fill it with four quality wrestlers from across the nation."

Jake Kallestad will enter Missouri with an impressive resume. Claiming two Montana high school championships in 2002 and 2003 and a second place finish in 2001, Kallestad currently ranks eighth among the recruiting class at 215 pounds. A native of Belgrade, Mont., Kallestad should wrestle at 197 pounds for Missouri.

Christopher Potter, younger brother of Jason Potter, a starter on the Illinois wrestling team at 197 pounds, is expected to wrestle at 184 pounds for MU. A native of St. Charles, Ill., Potter attended St. Charles High School where he holds a 109-17 record and claimed the state championship in 2003. Wrestling at 171 pounds for his final year of high school, Potter is seventh among the senior recruiting class at his respective weight.

Weighing in at 165 pounds will be Raymond Jordan. A member of the New Bern High School wrestling team in New Bern, N.C., Jordan has claimed several championship titles and holds a 141-11 record to his name. Twice selected as the Most Outstanding Wrestler for New Bern (2001-02, 2002-03), Jordan has defeated several of the nation's top-ranked wrestlers and claimed 4A state titles as sophomore (2002) and junior (2003). He also finished third as a freshman in 2001.

Brandon, Fla., native Ryan Joyce claimed the 2003 2A Florida State Championship title at 130 pounds and enters his final year of high school with a Florida High School record for most wins (186). Joyce is a three-time state placer finishing fifth in 2000, third in 2001 and first in 2003. The five-time regional and district champion also holds eight titles in the state freestyle Championships and seven titles in both the state Greco Roman Championships and Southeast Regional championships. A member of the Brandon High School wrestling team, Joyce has helped guide his team to three state championship titles.

Chase Wetenkamp is expected to fill the opening at heavyweight for Missouri. With an 89-8 high school record, Wetenkamp is a three-time conference champ for Manitowoc Lincoln High School (Appleton, Wis.) and finished second at the High School State Championships in 2003. A three-time MVP, Wetenkamp has won awards for most and fastest pins, and has finished as high as second at the Greco Cadet National Championships and third at junior nationals. Recruited by Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin to play football, Wetenkamp has officially signed with Missouri.

Ryan Williams will travel the farthest to join the Missouri wrestling team. A senior at La Costa Canyon High School, in San Diego, Calif., Williams should wrestle at 149 pounds. A freshman standout in 2001, Williams is an AAU National Freestyle Champion, four-time freestyle state champion, high school All-American, two-time high school state placer and three-time state qualifier. Williams is currently second among the 152-pound recruiting class.

"Our recruiting classes are really starting to mirror the success of our program," Smith said. "Wrestlers from around the country are starting to take notice of our program and as we improve as a team, our recruiting classes grow in strength as well."