One of Nation’s Top High School Wrestlers Joins Illini
From Cassie Arner/Illinois Sports Information
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. ” University of Illinois head wrestling coach Mark Johnson announced the signing of Patrick Bond of Great Bridge High School (VA) to a national letter of intent. Bond is currently ranked eight in the nation among all high school seniors and first at his 189-pound weight class. He will join Illinois’ existing signees of 12th-ranked Sean Reynolds of Frankfort, Ill., and No. 39 Nick Guida of Parkland, Pa.
Bond hails from the tradition-rich Great Bridge High School, which produced Illinois assistant coach and NCAA Champion Carl Perry. He led his team to four state titles as well as four individual Virginia state championships. He posted a 170-8 record over four years of varsity wrestling. Bond was also successful in post-high school tournaments with two cadet national and a junior national championship to his name. The five-star recruit was named to the 2005 Cliff Keen High School Dream Team. In addition to being rated among the top-10 in nation, he is the No. 1 recruit out of the state of Virginia.
“Patrick is a great addition to our program,” Johnson said. “Not only is he a tremendously talented wrestler, but he fits a big need for us in the upper weights. We have been watching Patrick’s career since he was in youth wrestling and we know he has the potential to be a national champion here at Illinois.”
Wrestling Gear
