Discussion Topic: Gambill to Purdue, Jones to Bucknell in big day for commits
Dan Cosimi added to this discussion on November 14, 2007
Kent State's verbal commitment from Troy Opfer was announced on Tuesday along with Chris Kline's commitment to Ohio University, Ryan Gambill to Purdue, an Nathan Jones to Bucknell.
Troy Opfer's family is a legacy at Kent State. He'll follow his brothers Jared, Drew, and Corey to become a Golden Flash. Wrestling for St. Mary Central Catholic High School in Sandusky, Troy was a state runner-up the past two years at 112 pounds in Division 3 after placing third at 103 as a freshman. His career record is a stellar 169-13 and after going 63-1 last year, he placed third at the NHSCA Junior national tournament. Opfer is projected to wrestle at 125 pounds for the Golden Flashes under head coach Jim Andrassy.
Ohio University got a verbal commitment from Chris Kline, a senior at North High School in Westerville, who was 48-5 last year en route to placing fourth at the Division 1 state tournament. He also qualified as a freshman, finishing with a 40-6 record. Of the returning wrestlers at 152 pounds, he is ranked as the #1 wrestler in Division 1 and #4 in all divisions (behind only nationally-acclaimed Cubberly, Moore, and Kusar). Kline projects to be at 157 pounds for the Bobcats under head coach Joel Greenlee.
Ryan Gambill, a Division 3 state champion and the #1 ranked wrestler in all divisions at 130 pounds last year, verbally committed to Purdue University. Gambill, a senior at Miami East High School in Casstown, has a career record of 141-9 after posting a 44-1 mark last year. He won state championships as a junior (at 130 pounds) and a freshman (at 112 pounds) and placed seventh as a sophomore in a loaded 119 pound class. Gambill projects to wrestle at 141 pounds for the Boilermakers under head coach Scott Hinkle.
Only a few years ago, Bucknell University's wrestling program was dropped. A wealthy and generous alumnus brought it back to life with a multi-million dollar donation and since then the program has enjoyed great success in its recruiting. Last year they signed four-time state placer David Thompson from St. Paris Graham. This year, they're again on the recruiting trail. The Bison just got a verbal commitment from Nathan Jones, a 2006 state placer while at Sidney High School. Jones qualified for the Division 1 state tournament last year as well, posting a 37-6 record. This year, as a senior, Jones will compete in Division 3 for defending state champions Troy Christian, and will be one of the favorites to take home a state title at 189 pounds. Jones projects to wrestle at 197 pounds for the Bison under head coach Dan Wirnsberger.
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