Citadel Wrestling adds 11

Charleston, S.C. – The Citadel Wrestling program announced the addition of 11 new wrestlers to the program on Wednesday.

The newcomers hail from seven different states and have combined for eight state titles and 19 state finals appearances. The 11 recruits will add depth to a squad that returns all of their starters from last season.

“They are coming in at a great time with almost everyone returning and coming off of a solid rebuilding year,” said Head Coach Rob Hjerling who enters his 12th season at the helm of the Bulldog Wrestling program. “There is a lot of potential in this group, but they need to come in and work hard and work at getting better and take advantage of the training situation they have with the more experienced guys in the room.”

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Joaquin Marquez is a three-time state champion in New Mexico and four-time state finalist at Las Cruces High School in Las Cruces, N.M. He placed fifth at Senior Nationals at the 119-pound weight class and had a combined high school record of 122-10.

Zak Thompson hails from Gaithersburg, Md. and attended Gonzaga High School (D.C.) where he owned an overall record of 107-19. Thompson was a four-time finalist in D.C. and a two-time champion. He was also a three-time national preparatory qualifier.

Steven Cox attended Fort Smith Southside High School in Fort Smith, Ark. where he finished sixth and second in state and earned all-conference recognition in his junior and senior seasons, including conference champion in his final season. Cox also took home sixth place honors at Brute Nationals.

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Eli Ashby was a three-time state finalist in South Carolina at Summerville High School in Summerville, S.C. and a member of the 2007 state championship squad with 150 career wins.

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Ben Willard won the state title in his sophomore season and was a four-time state placer in South Carolina and Florida. He graduated from Milton High School in Milton, Fla. His team won the state championship his sophomore year and as a senior he took third place at last year’s Citadel Open at 133 pounds. He sported a career record of 136-13.

Matthew Shotwell attended Campbell County High School in Maysville, Ky. where he was a three-time state placer and state runner-up. He compiled a record of 220-14 in high school and placed fifth at freshman nationals. Shotwell was also a three-time regional champion.

Laquandian Bromell was a four-time state placer in South Carolina at Loris High School in Longs, S.C. He was a two-time finalist and his team won three state championship titles. He had an overall record of 204-23.

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Kenneth Radford graduated from Pine Forest High School in Fayetteville, N.C. where he was a two-time state placer and went 42-5 as a senior.

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Josh Tuck is a transfer from Newberry College. He attended Rock Hill High School in Rock Hill, S.C. His high school team won the state championship in 2009 and he collected over 100 wins in four years there. He was also a state finalist at 171 pounds in 2009.

Jack Duane is a two-time champion at 189 pounds out of Hilton Head High School in Hilton Head, S.C. His record was 58-1 in his senior season.

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Luke Johnson comes in from Battery Creek High School in Beaufort, S.C. where he was a state placer at 171 pounds in 2010 and had 120 career wins.

For more information on Bulldog Wrestling, stay current on the official website at www.CitadelSports.com.