June 23, 2006 - Rider Recruiting Class Nationally Ranked

June 23, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Wrestling
Rider Recruiting Class Nationally Ranked

LAWRENCEVILLE-- The Rider University wrestling team's incoming class for the 2006-2007 season has been ranked among the top 25 in the nation, according to WIN Magazine.  This marks the fourth time in the last five years that Rider has had a nationally ranked incoming class. "We are very excited about our incoming class,” said Rider head coach Gary Taylor, who has compiled 319 career victories at Rider and has produced 11 All-Americans.  “They are a talented and motivated group.  By receiving a Top 25 ranking, the rest of the nation also recognizes the ability of these young men.”

Rider signed six State Place Winners and a State Qualifier for the 2006-2007 season, including Matt Bradley of Jackson (Jackson Memorial), Rob Morrison of Mechanicsburg, PA, (Cedar Cliff High School), Brian Polashuk of Thomasville, PA, (Spring Grove High School), Nick Weaver of Bayville, (Central Regional High School), Fred Rodgers of Perkiomenville, PA (Boyertown High School), Michael Darling of Moorestown, (Moorestown High School), and Kody Williams of Spring, Texas, (Klein Oak High School).

“As with any recruiting class, it remains to be seen what they are actually capable of,” said Taylor, “but we feel that this class will be a major part of Rider's wrestling success for years to come."

The Rider recruits for the 2004-2005 season were ranked the tenth best recruiting class in the nation, according to InterMat Wrestling, the 2002-2003 freshman class was ranked 18th in the nation by Wrestling USA Magazine, and also ranked by Amateur Wrestling News and InterMat as one of the best in the nation. In 2003-2004 WIN Magazine had the Rider recruiting class ranked 14th in the nation, while Wrestling USA Magazine had Rider ranked 16th and InterMat had Rider ranked 19th.

-RU-