UNC Pembroke wrestling program has 22 newcomers

PEMBROKE – The UNC Pembroke wrestling program has announced the addition of 22 newcomers for the upcoming season, head coach Jamie Gibbs and assistant coach O.T. Johnson announced Tuesday.

Ten student-athletes have signed national letters of intent and 12 student-athletes have signed acceptance of admission letters and will join the Braves wrestling team for the 2010-2011 campaign.

“We are very excited about this incoming recruiting class and feel confident that this class will make an immediate impact on our program,” said Coach Gibbs. “These kids are truly student-athletes as they have accomplished a lot not only on the mat but also in the classroom, with four athletes of our incoming class being accepted into the Honors College. I want to commend Coach Johnson for his tireless recruiting efforts in helping land this special class. Exciting times will continue this year for UNCP Wrestling.”

UNCP Wrestling looks to improve on a 14-8 dual meet season and a 23rd place finish at the national tournament last season. Leading the charge will be three returning national qualifiers in Russell Weakley (125), Mike Williams (165) and Shane Nolan (197). Williams and Weakley earned NCAA Division II All-American status at the national championships last season.

National Letter of Intent Signees

Ryan Blackwell, Croatan High School (N.C.)

Blackwell was a four-time state qualifier, three-time place winner, and two-time state champion as a prep. Ryan will compete at 125 pounds for the Braves.

Brandon Harrison, West Henderson High School (N.C.)

Harrison was a four-time state qualifier, three-time place winner, and runner up his senior season. He was accepted into the Honors College at UNCP and will wrestle 125 pounds.

Joseph Figueroa, Salisbury High School (N.C.)

Figueroa was a two-time state finalist and state champion at 135 pounds. He will compete in the 133-pound weight class at UNCP.

Scott Varner, Wakulla High School (Fla.)

Coached by UNCP wrestling alumni John Wainwright as a prep, Scott was a two-time Florida state champion and earned NHSCA All-American honors at the prestigious NHSCA Senior Nationals held in Virginia Beach, Va. He will compete at 141 and 149 pounds at UNCP.

Patrick Foxworth, Hanover High School (Va.)

Foxworth was a three-time qualifier at the Virginia state tournament and a two-time place winner, earning a state championship his junior year. He will wrestle at 141 pounds for the Braves.

Brendon Parker-Risk, Cary High School (N.C.) and Iowa Central Community College

A three-time place winner in high school, Parker-Risk earned a state championship his senior year. He spent the last two seasons wrestling for the five-time defending JUCO national champion Tritons of Iowa Central Community College in Ft. Dodge, Iowa. He will compete at 149 and 157 pounds.

Luis Camacho, Parkland High School (N.C.) and Colby Community College

Camacho was a two-time state place winner and state runner-up his senior season for Coach Maurice Atwood and his perennial powerhouse Parkland Mustangs. He qualified for the JUCO national tournament in 2010 at 141 pounds and fell one match short of placing. He will wrestle at 141 pounds for UNCP.

Jake McKay, West Forsyth High School (N.C.)

McKay was a three-time place winner and earned a state championship his senior year at 145 pounds. He will wrestle at 149 pounds for UNCP.

Kenneth Lindsay, First Flight High School (N.C.)

Lindsay was a two-time state champion as a prep and wrestled his freshman year in Pennsylvania. He took a year off of wrestling as a sophomore to concentrate on baseball. He will wrestle at 157 pounds for the Braves.

Justin Moore, Washington High School (N.C.)

Moore was a four-time state qualifier, three-time state place winner, two-time finalist and state champion as a prep at Washington High School. He will compete at 165 and 174 pounds for UNCP.

Acceptance of Admission Letter Signees

Joseph Cutler, Northside Christian Academy (N.C.)

Cutler was a three-time state qualifier as a prep for the Knights of NCA. He won a private school state championship his senior season and placed seventh at the Prep School National Tournament. He will compete at 125 pounds for the Braves.

Brian Thompson, Parkland High School (N.C.) and Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.)

Thompson was a NAIA national qualifier at 133 pounds for Lindsey Wilson and was also a three-time state qualifier and one-time state finalist at Parkland High School.

Chris Williamson, Clarksburg High School (Md.)

Williamson was a three-time state qualifier in Maryland and a two-time place winner as a prep. He was accepted into the UNCP Honors College and will compete at 141 pounds for the Braves.

Tyquan Easton, TW Andrews High School (N.C.)

Easton finished third at the N.C. state tournament his senior season and will wrestle at 141 pounds for the Braves.

Blake Norris, Cape Fear High School (N.C.)

Norris was a three-time state qualifier and was a runner-up his senior year. He will wrestle at 141 pounds for UNCP.

Chris Foy, South Central High School (N.C.)

Foy was a two-time state qualifier and will compete at 157 and 165 pounds.

Tommy Neal, Jefferson City High School (Va.)

Neal was a two-time Virginia state qualifier as a prep and will wrestle at 157 and 165 pounds for the Braves. He was also accepted into the Honors College at UNCP.

Tyler Tomasic, Durham School of Arts (N.C.)

Tomasic was a two-time state place winner and a state finalist his senior season. He will compete at 184 pounds for the Braves.

Jake Phillips, Robbinsville High School (N.C.)

Phillips was a two-time North Carolina state place winner and will wrestle at 184 pounds for UNCP.

Marquez McDuffie, Parkland High School (N.C.)

McDuffie was a two-time state qualifier and will wrestle in the 197-pound weight class at UNCP.

Seth Stewart, Owen High School (N.C.)

Stewart was a three-time state qualifier and a runner-up his senior season. He will wrestle in the heavyweight division for the Braves and was accepted into the UNCP Honors College.

Chris Giddens, Glen High School (N.C.)

Gliddens was a two-time state qualifier and finished third his senior season. He will wrestle at heavyweight for the Braves.

The 2010-2011 season kicks off on Saturday, November 6, when the Braves travel to Charleston, S.C. to take part in The Citadel Open.

Courtesy of UNPC Sports Information