Hawks land another recruit
Dream Team Classic made up Kampen's mind
Andy Hamilton • Iowa City Press-Citizen • June 26, 2008
http://hawkcentral.press-citizen.com...806260336/1053
The Dream Team Classic provided Tanner Kampen with the opportunity to catch the eyes of college wrestling coaches and open the doors into some of the nation's top programs. But perhaps most of all, it provided the Humboldt senior with the opportunity to live his own dream.
Iowa added another piece Wednesday to what already was one of the nation's best recruiting classes when Kampen verbally committed to the Hawkeyes.
"When I first started wrestling, I always wanted to be a Hawkeye when I got older," he said. "The opportunity came, and I was making sure it was the right decision for school also."
The opportunity came after Kampen handled second-ranked Jon Burns, beating the Nebraska recruit 8-4 on April 12 in the Dream Team Classic at West High. Kampen was headed to Iowa Central before the meet between the Iowa elite squad and a team of national all-stars.
"I just wasn't sure if I was capable of wrestling (at the) D-I (level)," Kampen said.
Coaches from Iowa, Iowa State and Nebraska apparently felt otherwise after watching him beat Burns.
"The Dream Team definitely sparked it and gave me courage to think I'm able to do it," Kampen said. "It opened my eyes and opened some other people's eyes and really helped out a lot. It was a great opportunity for me.
"It was exciting. I was nervous at first, but once I got that first takedown, I knew I was just as good as (Burns), if not better."
Kampen went 43-0 as a senior, claiming the Class 2A title at 145 pounds. He placed third at the state meet as a junior and compiled a 137-25 record at Humboldt.
Iowa added four top in-state prospects in November when West stars Nate Moore and Grant Gambrall, Linn-Mar's Matt McDonough and Waverly-Shell Rock's Mark Ballweg signed with the Hawkeyes. Junior college national champion Colby Covington signed with Iowa in April and New London/Winfield-Mount Union state champ Jeret Chiri said last month he plans to join the Hawkeyes.
Reach Andy Hamilton at 339-7368 or
ahamilton@press-citizen.com.
Hawks land another recruit 
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