Cyclone wrestling adds six Amateur Wrestling News’ All-Americans
Ames, Iowa – Amateur Wrestling News ranked Iowa State with the best recruiting class in the nation in its September issue. Highlighting the group are AWN high school all-americans Jake Varner (Bakersfield, Calif.), Cyler Sanderson (Heber City, Utah), Mitch Mueller (Iowa City, Iowa), Nick Gallick (Tucson, Ariz.), Nick Fanthorpe (Naperville, Ill.) and David Zabriskie. 2005 NCAA runner-up Cornell rated second followed by Virginia Tech, Minnesota and Penn State.
“This is the best recruiting class I’ve ever had, “head coach Bobby Douglas said. “My assistants were a major factor and the credit goes to them.
Varner is projected to wrestle at 197 pounds, Sanderson at 149 pounds, Mueller at 141 pounds, Gallick at 133 pounds, Fanthorpe at 125 pounds and Zabriskie is projected at heavyweight. The six standouts have combined for 14 state championships.
Jake Varner – Bakersfield, California: Career record of 159-10 including 132 falls … two-time California state champion … four-time state qualifier with runner-up and fourth-place finishes … Outstanding Wrestler at 2005 California state tournament … only wrestler in California history to pin all six opponents in state tournament and win four Central Section championships … 2005 FILA Junior Freestyle World Team … runner-up at 2005 USA Wrestling FILA Junior Nationals … 2005 second-team Asics All-American selection at 189 pounds … Amateur Wrestling News first-team All-American … received 2005 Wade Schalles Award for best high school pinner … 2005 National High School Coaches Assocation championship runner-up … California recipient of Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award … 2005 Kern County Wrestler and Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year … two-time champion at Reno Tournament of Champions … 2004 Asics Tiger High School All-American honorable mention selection … placed third at 2004 Junior Nationals in freestyle to earn All-American status … 2004 Brute Nationals Outstanding Wrestler … 2003 Junior National Greco-Roman All-American … 2002 Cadet National freestyle All-American.
Cyler Sanderson – Heber City, Utah: Captured 140 lb. title at National Junior Championships … career record of 163-8 … four-time state champion … 2005 first-team Asics All-American … Amateur Wrestling News second-team All-American selection … placed fourth at FILA Junior Nationals in freestyle … ranked first at 140 lb. by NWCA and Amateur Wrestling News … 2005 National High School Coaches Association champion … two-time champion at Reno Tournament of Champions … 2005 USA Dream Team member … West regional recipient of 2005 Dave Schultz High School Excellence award … 2004 Junior Nationals Greco-Roman runner-up and freestyle All-American … 2004 Asics Tiger High School All-American honorable mention … placed seventh in freestyle at 2002 Cadet Nationals … finished third at 2002 FILA Cadet National Tournament in Greco-Roman and freestyle … finished sixth at 2001 Cadet Nationals.
Mitch Mueller – Iowa City, Iowa: Career record of 177-7 … captured 135 lb. title at National Junior Championships … crowned champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman at 2005 Western and Rocky Mountain Junior Regional … 2005 Central Junior Regional freestyle champion … ranked third by NWCA and sixth by Amateur Wrestling News at 135 pounds … sixth-team AWN All-American selection … Iowa state champion as junior … three-time third-place finisher at state … freestyle All-American at 2004 Junior Nationals … 2004 Junior National Southeast Regional champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman … 2004 Western Regional freestyle champion … garnered Asics Tiger High School All-American honorable mention accolades in 2004 … Greco-Roman runner-up at Northern Plains Regional in 2003 … compiled 9-1 record at 2003 Junior National Duals … 2003 FILA Cadet freestyle national champion … placed seventh in freestyle at Junior Nationals in 2003 to earn All-American status … Cadet National freestyle runner-up in 2002.
Nick Gallick – Tucson, Arizona: Four-time Arizona state champion … ranked third by Amateur Wrestling News and fifth by NWCA at 125 pounds … 2005 third-team Asics All-American selection … 2005 Arizona Republic Wrestler of the Year … 2005 Wrestling USA All-American … Arizona’s 2005 Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award winner … placed second in Greco-Roman and fourth in freestyle at FILA Junior Nationals … 2004 freestyle and greco-roman Western Junior Regional champion … garnered Asics Tiger All-American honorable mention accolades as a junior … Junior National Greco-Roman champion as sophomore in 2003 and placed third in freestyle … two-time Cadet Greco-Roman national champion and freestyle runner-up … undefeated in sophomore, junior and senior seasons, compiling record of 117-0.
Nick Fanthorpe – Naperville, Illinois: Two-time Illinois state champion and three-time state qualifier … runner-up as junior at state … Amateur Wrestling News fourth-team All-American at 119 lb. … 2005 Class 2A Outstanding Wrestler … placed seventh at 2004 Junior Nationals in freestyle … considered one of the top ten wrestlers at 119 lb. by AWN and NWCA.
David Zabriskie – High Point, N.J.: Career record of 84-13 … New Jersey state champion as senior and placed sixth at state in 2004 … listed in top 15 at 215 pounds by NWCA … ranks fifth on all-time wins list at High Point … set single season win record by going 38-0 as a senior … 2005 Wrestler of the Year by The Star Ledger and MUGS Media … first team honors on All-West Jersey and All-Area teams by The Star Ledger in 2004 and 2005 … Amateur Wrestling News All-American at 215 pounds … 2004 and 2005 SCIL Coaches All-League selection … placed third at 2005 East Coast regional … competed in Junior Nationals and Junior Nationals Duals in 2004 and 2005 … placed third at 2004 National High School Coaches Association championships.
Wrestling Gear
