College Wrestling
Bronc Recruits Ranked
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ?Several incoming members of the 2008-09 Rider University wrestling team have received national rankings. “We are very excited and pleased with the caliber of the student athletes that will be joining our program this fall,” said Rider head coach Gary Taylor. “Several of them are nationally ranked and have beaten some of the best wrestlers throughout the entire country. We look forward to working with and developing these young men into the next generation of Rider Wrestlers.”
Jimmy Kirchner of Somerville, a senior 125 State Champion at Somerville High School, is currently ranked sixth in the nation by both Amateur Wrestling News and InterMat. Kirchner knocked off the two-time defending State Champion in the quarter finals in route to winning his State Championship. “Jimmy Kirchner is a great addition to our program,” Taylor said. “He has had great success to this point but his best days in wrestling are ahead of him. Jimmy's work ethic and genuine love for the sport will make him a very good college wrestler.” Kirchner comes to Rider with a 132-26 scholastic record.
Filiberto Colon of Belleville is a senior at Belleville High School, where he holds the New Jersey record for career pins (112) and compiled a 156-14 career record. He earned High School All America honors after placing sixth at the High School Senior Nationals. At 119 pounds Colon placed third in NJ and is a three time State Place Winner, and is ranked 17th by Wrestling USA. “Filiberto is a very dangerous wrestler, as evident by him setting the NJ State pin record,” Taylor said. “In our opinion he is going to be a very good wrestler at the next level and has not gotten the respect the he has earned or deserves.”
Tyler Smith of Phillipsburg is a senior at Belvidere High School, where he twice finished among the top three 189 pounders in New Jersey while compiling a 123-20 career record. He received Honorable Mention by Wrestling USA after placing fifth at the National High School Junior Championships. “Tyler is a young man who is 6'4” tall and can blanket most of his opponents on the mat,” Taylor said. “He has had very good success with limited workout partners in High School and should benefit from being in our room thus make a quick adjustment to being successful in college.”
Zac Cibula of Luxemburg, WI was a four-time 152 pound Wisconsin State Champion at Luxemburg-Caruso High School and is ranked 21st by Wrestling USA after compiling a 195-11 scholastic record. “Zac won his fourth Wisconsin State Title this year making him one of about seven in their State's history to do so,” Taylor said. “He has also placed at the Cadet National Championships in Fargo, ND. His success in High School speaks for itself and we look forward to having him at Rider.”
Jake Benedetto of Islip, NY is a senior at Islip High School, where he recently placed sixth in the New York Division I States. “Jake had a very good senior year, we think he is just starting to develop into the wrestler that he is capable of becoming,” Taylor said. “He has a great work ethic and will benefit from good workout partners in our practice room.”
Kyle Hussey of Parsippany placed seventh in New Jersey as a senior at Parsippany High School and comes to Rider with a career record of 103-16 at 130 pounds. “Kyle is a wrestler who wrestles all year round, with Team NJ,” Taylor said. “He will bring a wealth of experience to our program.”
Craig Montgomery of Roselle Park finished among the top 12 in the 125 pound weight class in New Jersey as a senior at Roselle Park. “Craig was very capable and close to placing at 125 pounds in NJ this year, which was a very tough weight class,” Taylor said. “He has beaten some very good wrestlers throughout his career.”
Donald Miller of Brick is a three-time Region 6 Place Winner as a 135 pounder on the 2008 Group 4 State Championship Brick Memorial High School team. “Donald is someone who should have been at the NJ State tournament the past two years but getting out of Region 6 in NJ is a very difficult task,” Taylor said. “He has a great work ethic and comes from a very good high school program.”
Tommy Heckman of Mechanicsburg, PA is a four-time Pennsylvania District III qualifier and a Place Winner at 171 pounds at Cedar Cliff High School. “Tommy beat some very good Pennsylvania wrestles this year and will continue to get better as a wrestler in college,” Taylor said.
Mike Ward of Highland Heights, OH comes to Rider from Penn State and will compete as a junior for the Broncs in 2008-09. At Highland Heights High School Ward was twice an Ohio State Champion and was a three-time State Finalist at 174 pounds. “Mike had a very successful high school career and has already proven that he can beat some of the best wrestlers in the nation in college,” Taylor said. “Mike is a much needed addition to our program and has high goals and aspirations that he will work to accomplish at Rider University.”
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