Wrestling Inks Eight Athletes to 2025 Signing Class
11/13/2024 9:07:00 AM | Wrestling
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri wrestling head coach Brian Smith announces the signing of eight wrestlers to the 2025 class on Thursday, Nov 14. The 2025 Tiger Style class sits fourth in the nation by FloWrestling, with six top-100 recruits and two claiming a spot in the top 25.
Dominic Bambinelli | Hoschton, Georgia | Mill Creek High School | Roundtree Wrestling Academy
Dominic Bambinelli joins Mizzou with a collection of accolades, including being a three-time Georgia State Champion, Super 32 All-American and Fargo All-American, as well as an NHSCA title and two-time Knockout Champion. Ranked at No. 28 in the nation by FloWrestling for incoming recruits, Bambinelli has only lost three matches during his high school career at Mill Creek High School under coach Nathan White.
Going 41-1 his junior season, Bambinelli dropped his only match of the season to Camden County's Ryder Wilder at the state duals tournament. Bambinelli wrestled under Sam Roundtree at Roundtree Wrestling Academy for five years, where he became a two-time finalist at Super 32.
Bambinelli on Choosing Tiger Style
"I chose Mizzou because I can surround myself with others who have the same goals and interests as me."
Coach Smith on Dominic
"Bambinelli is the top wrestler out of Georgia, a state that continues to excel in wrestling. He is a very physical, athletic wrestler who has had success at all levels. He has solidified himself as an elite middleweight in the country."
Hank Benter | Columbia, Missouri | Hickman High School | Purler Wrestling Academy
The Columbia, Mo. native is staying home. Hank Benter attended Hickman High School, where he earned Boone County Wrestler of the Year. Benter also earned the title of Academic All-State three times, All-Conference and MSHSAA State Champion.
Benter wrestled for the Missouri Freestyle and Missouri Greco National Teams for three years. Additionally, he attended the Purler Wrestling Academy under coach Nick Purler, where he earned his NHSCA Nationals All-American title.
Benter on Choosing Tiger Style
"I chose Tiger Style because of the culture and great coaching staff. I believe Mizzou gives me the best opportunity to succeed on the mat, in the classroom and in life."
Coach Smith on Hank
"Another Hickman standout to Tiger Style. Hank will compete for his fourth state title this year. He is a very bright young man who has grown up in the shadow of Hearnes where he trained in our RTC. He will be a 125/133lber."
David Gleason | Kansas City, Missouri | Staley High School | TCW
David Gleason signed with Tiger Style as a Missouri native, coming to Mizzou from Staley High School. Walking away as a State Champion at pounds 144 during his junior season, Gleason propelled the Falcons to a third-place finish at the 4A Missouri State Tournament out of 56 teams. Gleason took home additional hardware as a district champion that helped Staley collect a second-place finish at the District 4 Championships.
Under coach Elisha Bears, Gleason finished runner-up at the 2023 KC Stampede Tournament and grabbed a third-place finish at the Dan Gable Donnybrook Tournament, wrestling both at 144 pounds. Taking first place in both the 16U 2023 MOUSA Boys Greco and Freestyle, Gleason advanced to the USA Wrestling Southern Plains Regionals, earning him another first-place finish in freestyle and second in Greco. This secured Gleason a spot at the 2023 16U National Duals.
Gleason also wrestled at Team Central Wrestling for 12 years under coach Bryan Elam, the father of Rocky Elam and Zach Elam.
Gleason on Choosing Tiger Style
"I've looked up to Mizzou wrestlers my entire life. It's close to home and I loved the place when I visited there."
Coach Smith on David
"David Gleason was the fourth top Missouri wrestler in this class to commit. He has made the national finals in freestyle and has won a state title. He adds to our recruiting success out of the state power for wrestling, Staley HS, where the Elam brothers both wrestled. He has also trained at our RTC."
Danny Heiser | Evansville, Wisconsin | Evansville High School | Roundtree Wrestling Academy | AWA
Danny Heiser joins the Tigers ranked as the No. 88 recruit by FloWrestling with three D2 WIAA Wisconsin State Titles and was a three-time member of Team Wisconsin in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Heiser was a 16U Fargo Finalist in 2023, placed fifth in the US Open Cadets in 2024, and was an NWCA Academic All-American. The Wisconsin native was also RVC Wrestler of the Year in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Heiser earned his academic letter for having an above-3.5 GPA and also received Academic All-State in 2022, 2023 and 2024. He received two awards: the VanGalder Award for most dedicated and hard work outside of the season and the Jake Janes Award for honor, courage, commitment, integrity and discipline.
Heiser on Choosing Tiger Style
"I love the coaches, team and atmosphere that they have created, and I feel as though this is the best place for me to prosper as an athlete, student, and most importantly, a person."
Coach Smith on Danny
"Danny Heiser is the top recruit out of Wisconsin this year. He is a hard-nose worker and competitor. He trains with the Askren Academy and brings an exciting style of wrestling. His brother wrestles for the Air Force Academy."
Seth Mendoza | Mokena, Illinois | Mount Carmel High School
Ranked as the No. 9 incoming recruit by FloWrestling on the 2025 Big Board, Seth Mendoza inks his name to the 2025 signing class. Mendoza comes to Missouri from Mount Carmel High School under coach Alex Tsirtsis, collecting three Illinois State Championships for the Caravan in the 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons.
In addition to his state titles, Mendoza has placed fourth, second and fifth at the Super 32 and fifth, seventh and third at Ironman. Mendoza has made the 16U Fargo Finals on two separate occasions, collecting a first place finish in 2021.
Mendoza on Choosing Tiger Style
"I knew right away there was something special about Tiger Style wrestling. I am confident that the coaches, teammates and culture at Mizzou will help me achieve my goal of winning national titles."
Coach Smith on Seth
"Seth is one of the top lightweights in the country. He is going for his fourth state title in Illinois and has been an All-American at multiple freestyle and folkstyle national tournaments. He has been at the top of the national rankings for wrestling since his freshman year."
Kollin Rath | Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania | Bethlehem Catholic | Stellar Trained
Inking his name as a Tiger, Kollin Rath comes to Mizzou from Bethlehem Catholic as the No. 23 recruit for the 2025 signing class from FloWrestling. Rath is a two-time PIAA 3A State Champion, along with collecting three District 11 Championships and Northeast Regional Championships. Competing under Chance Marstellar at Stellar Trained, Rath placed at Super 32 five times.
During his time as a Hawk, Rath left a legacy with a 107-4 career record. He is forgoing his senior year at Bethlehem Catholic to train in Colorado Springs at the United States Olympic Training Center, where former Tiger Style legend J'den Cox coaches him as part of the Elite Accelerator Program (EAP) by USA Wrestling.
Kollin on Choosing Tiger Style
"The culture and people who are involved in Missouri made me feel like I could grow, not just as a wrestler but as a person. Going to Missouri would allow me to become the best version of myself."
Coach Smith on Kollin
"One of the top wrestlers out of Pennsylvania. Kollin has had success at the national level and will look to make an immediate impact in our program at our middle weights."
Sampson Stillwell | Centerview, Missouri | St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School | Angry Fish
Sampson Stillwell signs in with Mizzou and stays in the Show Me State as No. 34 ranked recruit from FloWrestling. Coming to the Tigers from St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School under coach Matt Infranca, Stillwell collected three Missouri State Championships as the 2022 Class 1 Heavyweight State Champion and 2023/2024 Class 2 Heavyweight State Champion.
Stillwell joins Tiger Style as the 2024 Class 2 Missouri Wrestler of the Year with a record of 117-2 during his high school career with the Guardians. The Missouri native is taking his senior year in Colorado, training with Rath and Cox in the EAP after previously working with the U17 Freestyle World Team in 2023.
Stillwell on Choosing Tiger Style
"The reason I chose Tiger Style was because I believe they can develop me into the best wrestler and person I can be. The support system is unmatched and authentic."
Coach Smith on Sampson
"Sampson will add to the great history of heavyweight wrestlers from the KC area at Mizzou. He dominated high school and made a U17 World Team for the USA. He has trained at our RTC for years, and we are excited to finally have him at Mizzou as a part of Tiger Style. He is a very athletic young man at 6' 5" 265 lbs."
Peyton Westpfahl | Liberty, Missouri | Liberty High School | Victory
Coming to Tiger Style as the No. 68 ranked incoming recruit by FloWrestling, Westpfahl is staying in his home state of Missouri to wrestle for the Black and Gold. Collecting titles during his time at Liberty High School, Westpfahl took home the 4A State Championship at 175 with another first place finish at District 4 Championships.
Earning a spot on the Missouri First Team All-State and Academic All-State every year as a Bluejay, Westpfahl walked away with first-place finishes at the 2024 George Hoover Invitation, 53RD Winnetonka Varsity Invitation, and 2023 KC Stampede, wrestling all at 175. Dustin Brewer coached Westpfahl during his time at Liberty, with 12 years under his belt at Victory Wrestling with coach Randy Smith.
Westpfahl on Choosing Tiger Style
"What stood out to me was the family aspect of the team and coaching staff. I felt like Mizzou was the school that would transform me into the best version of myself."
Coach Smith on Peyton
"Peyton comes from the top HS program in Missouri, Liberty. Keeping the best kids in the state home is important and Peyton was the first to commit in this class. He has trained out of our RTC and has a great mindset and work ethic for this sport. He will be a 174/184."
UP NEXT
The Tigers will again hit the road for their next competition, taking on Virginia Tech on Friday, Nov. 15. Mizzou will look for their first victory in Blacksburg since the 2017-18 season. The dual begins at 6 p.m. CT, and can be streamed on ACC Network.
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Players Mentioned
