Jimmies bring in quality, quantity

By: Michael Savaloja, The Jamestown Sun – Original here

The Jamestown College men’s wrestling team is hoping to rebound strong from a difficult 2008-09 season, after recently signing a 2009-10 recruiting class that boasts nine state high school titles.

The Jimmies prided themselves in going after top North Dakota talent in the offseason, and came through by signing four state-grown athletes led by Hazelton’s Drew Moch. Moch recorded a pair of individual state titles as a prep wrestler and placed at the state championships a total of four times.

The other North Dakota athletes committed to Jamestown College are Fargo’s Max Sommerfield, Casselton’s Ryan Hiesler and Enderlin’s Patrick Nord. Sommerfield ended his high school career with a state title, while Hiesler has also earned a state title and Nord has placed four times at the state championships.

Hiesler holds a North Dakota state record with 29 pins at 119 pounds.

“Our goal for this program was to build it up with North Dakota kids. Obviously, we will have out of state kids as an integral part of our program, but we want the bulk to eventually be from North Dakota,” Jimmies head coach Cisco Cole said. “I can’t say enough great things about the (North Dakota) kids we have coming in. All have demonstrated they can perform on a high level.

“I fully expect each one to make an immediate impact.”

J.J. Gubler, of Republic, Wash., headlines the group of out of state wrestlers committed to the Jimmies with three state titles under his belt. B.J. Mosely, of Sacramento, Calif., has also signed on to wrestle with JC after being named a California Junior College All-American last season.

Gubler was voted Outstanding Wrestler of the Washington State Tournament three times.

Other incoming transfers include Anthony Clay, of Minneapolis, Minn., a transfer from Lassen Community College, as well as Justin Hollingshead from Southwestern Oregon Community College. Both Clay and Hollingshead are previous national qualifiers.

Rounding out the recruiting class are Samuel Brown, of Colstrip, Mont., who finished his prep career with a state title in 2009, Bret Arnsberger, of Ririe, Idaho, Jason Schuele, of Las Vegas, Nev., and Mike Madden, of Buckley, Wash.

“I’m very excited about our incoming recruiting class. I feel confident that several of these guys have the ability to make their mark nationally right away,” Cole said. “They are all great kids with tremendous character. I feel great about the direction Jamestown College wrestling is heading.”

The Jimmies were loaded with underclassmen last season, and were also overwhelmed with injuries. But Cole explained with this year’s fresh faces comes a fresh outlook.

“Last year we were very young with 19 new faces. This year is not much different with 13 new faces in the room,” Cole said. “We took some positive steps last year and I expect to continue the progression.

“With the amount of talent we have coming in, I expect to see some new faces in the lineup challenging for varsity spots. I really feel like we are on the right track to take this program to the next level.”

2009 Jimmie Wrestling Recruits

Drew Moch, Hazelton; Max Sommerfield, Fargo; Ryan Hiesler, Casselton; Patrick Nord, Enderlin; B.J. Mosley, Sacramento, Calif.; J.J. Gubler, Republic, Wash.; Jason Schuele, Las Vegas, Nev.; Mike Madden, Buckley, Wash.; Sam Brown, Colstrip, Mont.; Bret Arnsberger, Ririe, Idaho; Justin Hollingshead, Gladstone, Ore.; Anthony Clay, Minneapolis.

Sun Sports Writer Michael Savaloja can be reached by phone at (701) 952-8461 or by email at mikes@jamestownsun.com