bluestater

One of my favorite HS wrestlers is going to my second favorite Big 12 program:

Sanderson Signs Top Big Man
Courtesy: Iowa State University

http://www.cyclones.com/

AMES, Iowa—Iowa State head coach Cael Sanderson received a national letter of intent from one of the nation’s top big men. Jerome Ward, a two-time Illinois state champion and Junior National Freestyle champion, will attend Iowa State this fall.

Ward was ranked as the No. 3 189-pound prospect nationally by Amateur Wrestling News. Ward compiled a 156-13 record at St. Rita High School in Chicago, Ill. As a senior he posted a 44-1 record en route to the Illinois Class AA title at 189 pounds. As a junior he was 50-1 and won his first Illinois Class AA title.

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matclone

......Awesome!

bluestater

Any ideas on if he'll redshirt? Or if we can look forward to a Maskren/Ward battle this season?

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matclone

I don't know Cael's philosophy on this, and he hasn't been there long enough to show us, but Bobby always redshirted his freshmen--a policy which I thought made sense.

I assume Ward is slated for 197 (let us know if otherwise)--which is one of the weaker weights in a very strong line-up. The Cyclones have Joe Curran, who will probably do a solid job, but he's not a blue chipper like Ward. So, we'll see.

ISU2008

Cael has said he believes redshirting is in the best interest of the athlete in almost every circumstance. Curran is not too bad himself so barring an injury I would have to say Ward would redshirt. Of course if Z could get to 197, he'd have the spot but I don't think there's any way he can make it.

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bluestater

Of all the top Chicago HS wrestlers that I watched this year, Jerome, and his HS teammate Albert White (who is going to juco) are the most college ready wrestlers I've seen. Jerome is already strong and fast. That being said, I can't wait to see how he develops after working out with Cael and Hartung.

I am so pleased that he is going to Iowa State instead of Illinois. The only way it could be better is if he ended up at the greatest school in the country.

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