Gophers add two new recruits

[Schlottke]

University of Minnesota head coach J Robinson announced Tuesday that Jake Filkins (Prescott, Wis.) and Austin Waliullah (Rockton, Ill.) have signed Acceptance of Admission forms and will join the Golden Gophers? wrestling program for the 2009-10 season.



The pair joins an incoming class that has already been ranked No. 6 in the nation according to W.I.N magazine and includes Jake Kettler (Ramsey, Minn.), Alec Ortiz (Newberg Ore.), Bart Reiter (Gilbertville, Iowa), Pat Smith (Chaska, Minn.), Kevin Steinhaus (Pennock, Minn.), David Thorn (St. Michael, Minn.) and Danny Zilverberg (Wayzata, Minn.).


?Jake and Austin are great additions to what we believe is a very strong class,? Robinson said. ?These young men will add to the level of competition that already exists in the program and help propel us toward our ultimate goal, which is to consistently compete for national championships.?


Filkins, who will compete in the 197-pound class, is from Prescott, Wis., and attends Prescott High School. A Cadet All-American and FILA Cadet All-American, Filkins was a two-time placer in the Wisconsin state high school tournament and this past season brought a 34-0 record into the state meet.


Waliullah is currently a senior at Hononegah High School in Rockton, Ill. A three time conference and regional champion, Waliullah compiled a 116-20 record as a prep and is expected to compete in the 125-pound weight class next fall.


http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArti...ATCLID=3704650

[grapplefan]

Is there another team in the country that's so stacked with talent (and a coach who knows how to use it) for next year?

[goferphan]

grapplefan, I think there are quite a few that you could put in that category but by getting Deitchler back I can't argue that the class for next year looks VERY good. if you added Deitchler to it technically then it moves up from 6 to arguably as good as anyone's.

[grapplefan]

And don't underestimate the comment within the parentheses:
"a coach who knows how to use it"
There are other teams than can recruit blue chippers (Michigan, Oklahoma, and others) but they can't covert them into national contenders as often as J-Rob does.

[goferphan]

In reading the bio's on these two kids, it would appear they are moving in to very stacked weights for Minnesota next year. As walk ons, I wish them luck. Steel sharpens steel right Mr. Brands?

[grapplefan]

Mr. Brands says yes.

[Schlottke]

grapplefan, I think there are quite a few that you could put in that category but by getting Deitchler back I can't argue that the class for next year looks VERY good. if you added Deitchler to it technically then it moves up from 6 to arguably as good as anyone's.

I'm thinking that Deitchler really will need to improve on his shot defense to become an instant impact for the Gophers.

[goferphan]

I disagree. With the mess we had at 149, 157 and 165, I think with Mason at 149, Deitchler at 157 and Schlatter at 165 we go from a weak middle line-up last year (Peterson/Mellmer, Safratowich and Glasser) to an extremely solid middle line-up. (Mason, Deitchler, Schlatter). Individually I am not counting on too much from Deitchler but the way that solidifies the middle of the line-up is bound to make an instant impact.

[goferphan]

Based on what we are seeing at FILA this spring (not that it is locked in stone, this is what the Gophers should look like this coming season).

125 Sanders
133 Ness
141 Thorn
149 Mason
157 Deitchler/Schlatter
165 Schlatter/Glasser
174 Cody Yohn
184 Sonny Yohn
197 Geiger
Hwt Berhow/Disney

those are roughly the weights that you saw them at for this tournament although Geiger was at 211.