July 18, 2007

Columbia, Mo. -InterMat.com announced today that Missouri's incoming 2007-08 wrestling recruiting class is ranked second in the nation behind No. 1 Ohio State. One of two Big 12 schools ranked among the top 10, Oklahoma State stands at sixth, the incoming Tiger class is comprised of nine individuals from six different states. Four future grapplers hail from the state of Missouri, Dom Bradley (Blue Springs), Trever Collins (Nixa), K.C. Pescaglia (Columbia) and Brandon Wiest (O'Fallon).

Of Missouri's nine new faces, four are National High School Coaches Association All-Americans with six ranked among the InterMat senior class rankings and six ranked among the top 150 in the nation. In addition to the instate grapplers of Bradley, Collins, Pescaglia and Wiest, Tiger Head Coach Brian Smith has signed Troy Dolan of Blairsville, Penn., Dorian Henderson of Columbus, Ga., Michael Schmitz of Stewartville, Minn., Blair Academy standout Max Shanaman of Blairstown, N.J., and future 149 pounder Brandon Wright of Germantown, Tenn. Together these nine competitors will assist in keeping Missouri among the nation's elite wrestling programs.

"We're looking forward to seeing the impact that this exceptional class will have on the future of our program," Smith said. "Not only are they good wrestlers, but they're also outstanding students in the classroom. I expect each of them to contribute in our quest to win a national title."

2007 NCAA Wrestling Championship team Minnesota picked up the fifth-best recruiting class in the nation while Big 12 opponents Oklahoma (11th), Nebraska (18th) and 2007 Big 12 Champions Iowa State (26th) rounded out the top-30.