Messiah Wrestling Welcomes New Class of Recruits for 2011
Posted: 8/24/2011
Head coach Bryan Brunk and company will look to pin the competition with the largest roster in program history.
Grantham, PA — Messiah Wrestling will take to the mats this year looking big—both in size and in numbers. An incoming class of 15 wrestlers will join the 24 returning team members to form the largest roster in the history of the Falcons program.
Head coach Bryan Brunk, in his ninth year at Messiah, focused on the heavyweight slot as the team graduated two of the three competitors in the 285 lb. class. Depth in the lower middle-weights was also emphasized. Altogether, the recruiting a class includes nine state medal winners and a combined 19 trips to various state tournaments.
"The coming year should bring a sense of optimism and excitement for our team, alumni, and fans," said Brunk. "We have a number of skillful returning wrestlers, several that we'll get back from injury, and a large, talented class that addresses most of our pressing needs with regard to weight-classes at which we were thin."
Below is a brief profile of each incoming Falcon wrestler:
125 — Kurt Rodriguez (Highland, IN)
Career record: 128-26; Senior Year: 31-5
Rodriguez was a late pick-up, choosing to opt out of his commitment to Liberty University when they dropped their wrestling program. With a deep desire to compete on an NCAA wrestling team, Rodriguez found Messiah College. As a prep wrestler, Rodriguez was a state qualifier in single class Indiana. In addition he was a three time semi-state qualifier and a four time regional qualifier. He uses an aggressive neutral style along with very solid wrestling from the top position.
Coach Brunk says: “I’m very excited to fall into a recruit like Kurt. He’s dynamic to watch as he wrestles like a spark plug! I’m also excited to know that Kurt is looking for a team that feels like a family; I know he’s excited to find a place that he’s accepted and belongs.”
133 — Kaleb Loht (Indian Valley, PA)
Career record: 97-17; Senior Year: 33-6; 6th Place PA-AAA State Championships
Loht produced a stellar career at Indian Valley HS. He was a three time PIAA State qualifier, and reached the podium during his senior season. Loht was also a sophomore All-American placing in the NHSCA Nationals.
Coach Brunk says: “Kaleb is an extremely big recruit for us. As a PA state place winner, you know he’s good, but what I like even better are the reports I’m hearing about his coach-ability and work ethic from people that know him well. He is going to be very successful in college.”
133 — Adam Heffelfinger (Rising Sun, MD)
Career record: 117-41; Senior Year: 35-5; 4th Place Maryland State Championships.
Heffelfinger looks to build on a high school career that saw him qualify to the state tournament three times. In his junior and senior season, he was able to place 4th at States. Heffelfinger wields a well-balanced attack with tools from neutral and top positions.
Coach Brunk says: “Adam is a very solid wrestler and a solid young man. I’m confident that his style is going to transition well to college wrestling.”
141 — Michael Bryan (Juniata, PA)
Career record: 144-26; Senior Year: 45-9; State Qualifier
It’s been a long road for Mike Bryan to arrive at Messiah College this fall. The 2003 high school graduate had a sensational high school career amassing 144 wins on his way to becoming a three time state qualifier and one time state place winner. By all accounts Bryan has been a sensational wrestler and could be a dominating force for the Falcons.
Coach Brunk says: “I’m really excited about the possibilities for Mike here at Messiah. Obviously I’m talking about his wrestling potential, as he could be a multiple time All-American when he works off some rust from being out of the sport for a while. However, I’m equally excited for Mike’s potential spiritually. Mike’s expressed a sincere heart and desire to achieve in both of those areas.”
141 — Wes Litton (Chantilly, VA)
Career record: 84-6;1 Senior Year: 32-9; Regional Qualifier
Litton enjoyed a solid high school career qualifying to the regional championships in his junior and seniors seasons. While he advanced to the top six in the region as a senior, illness left him unable to compete in the final day of the tournament. Wes has a dominating style on the mat. He is extremely strong on top and can score in bunches from the bottom and will help provide much needed depth at the 141 lb. weight class.
Coach Brunk says: “Wes has a lot of upside and he hasn’t been wrestling for all that long. I believe that, with his work ethic, he’s going to add some tools on the feet and do his best wrestling in college.”
141 — Chris Williamson (Clarksburg, MD)
Career record (HS):111-38; 2010-11 at UNC-Pembroke: Redshirt
After a redshirt year, Williamson transfers in from Division II UNC-Pembroke. In high school Williamson was a three time state qualifier and a two-time state place winner. He enjoyed a superb senior year earning a 39-4 record and finishing 5th in the state championships. As a seasoned college wrestler he should challenge for significant mat time right away.
Coach Brunk says: “We’ve been recruiting Chris since his senior year in high school and I’m very excited to have him join us at this time. We need guys Chris’s weight as we really were hurting for depth here last year. Chris is a great student and has become very serious about his faith so I’m excited about his potential as a future leader on our team.”
149 — Steve Cross (Bel Air, MD)
Career record: 132-36; Senior Year: 38-5; Maryland State Runner-up
As a two time state qualifier Cross enjoyed a fine career at Bel Air, but truly peeked at the right time finishing 2nd in the state as a senior. Using a funky, all-out style, Cross wrestled to 132 victories. With his style and effort, Cross is sure to challenge for mat time.
Coach Brunk says: “I love watching Steve wrestle…it’s an adventure every time. We obviously want to help him control his style and to be consistent, but he has some of the “it” factor that is a great place to start. ”
149 — Kalann Washington (Harrisburg, PA)
Career record: 55-47; Senior Year: 28-13; 4th Section Championships
Local product Kalann Washington has demonstrated his skill in becoming a NHSCA All-American and a District 3 AAA qualifier during his high school career. His explosive style makes him dangerous on the feet as well as from the top position.
Coach Brunk says: “Kalann is a great kid and an extremely hard worker. I’ve worked with him at camp and enjoyed watching his progress as a wrestler. Kalann has tremendous upside and his athleticism will translate well to the college level.”
157 — Devin Anderson (J.P. McCaskey, PA)
Career record: 91-23; Senior Year: 32-4; 4th Place District 3AAA
Anderson enjoyed a career as a three-time district qualifier and two-time 4th place finisher at the always tough Division 3AAA tournament. His body type and skill set make him extremely dangerous on top and he is an excellent neutral wrestler as well. He should challenge for mat time immediately and could be an impact wrestler for the next four years.
Coach Brunk says: “Devin is a polite, mature, kind young man so I’m going to like working with him. What makes it even better is that he has a great skill set and is extremely athletic.”
157 — Kyle Dayhoff (New Oxford, PA)
Career record: 85-53; Senior Year: 29-11; District 3AAA Qualifier
Dayhoff was off to a great start to his career before injuries really limited his junior season. As a result there was a lot of uncertainty going into his senior year. Dayhoff responded by winning 29 matches and qualifying to one of the toughest Districts in the state. He is a well-rounded wrestler and can score points from all positions. He will challenge for time at 157 and looks to be a big part of the Falcons future.
Coach Brunk says: “Kyle stays in great position and moves really well. He’s very knowledgeable about the sport as well. I’m excited to build off what he was able to accomplish this year.”
165 — Jake English (Central York, PA)
Career record: 77-42; Senior Year: 31-7; PA-AAA State Championships Qualifier
English comes to Messiah as a three time District 3 Qualifier and a PIAA State Qualifier. He has exceptional counter attacks and conditioning. He is also dangerous from top. He will challenge for mat time as a freshman, and will certainly be a key piece to Messiah’s future lineups.
Coach Brunk says: “Jake told me that he wanted to come to Messiah in the summer of 2010 so I was pleased, but as I watched him train, got to know him, and watched him wrestle during the season, I became really, really excited. It’s hard to coach work ethic and grit; this kid has it already. He’s a great person and he’s going to develop into a leader here!”
197 — Mike DiOrio (Homer, NY)
Career record (HS): 102-29; 2010-11 at SUNY Oneonta: 33-22
DiOrio comes to Messiah from conference opponent SUNY Oneonta, where he was 14-6 before injury cut short his last year of competition. In high school DiOrio enjoyed a great deal of success, becoming a two-time section place winner. He wrestles a power style from the feet and bottom positions. As an experienced college wrestler he could make an immediate impact for the Falcons.
Coach Brunk says: “Mike really, really wants to be here. He’s had to deal with some tough things in the past few years and is excited about a new start in a Christian environment. His enthusiasm is infectious and I believe he’s found a home with us.”
285 — Evan Canady (New Kent, VA)
Career record: 135-52; Senior Year: 42-5; 5th Place VA-AA State Championships
Canady produced an exceptional career at New Kent HS, placing in the states two of the three years that he qualified. During his junior year he was a state runner up and narrowly missed a return to the finals as a senior. He also placed 3rd in the NHSCA National Open after his senior year. His commitment to wrestling year-round should help his challenge to break the lineup and make an impact right away.
Coach Brunk says: “Evan is a great kid. He is easy going off the mat, but attacks when he’s wrestling. With his athletic ability, I believe we can shape him into a dominant college heavyweight.”
285 — Matt Ingalls (Brighton, NY)
Career record: 45-19; Senior Year: 30-10; 4th Place NY Super Sectional
Ingalls is a two-time super sectional place winner coming out of the very tough Section V. As a 215 lb. wrestler in high school he could potentially wrestle 197 or 285 in college. His style is strong and aggressive. As a prep wrestler he proved a willingness to do whatever the team needed and should prove an asset in the same way for the Falcons.
Coach Brunk says: “Matt brings a lot to the table. He’s smart, strong and has a great work ethic! I’m excited to see what he can do at the next level.”
285 — Isaiah Shipman (Selinsgrove, PA)
Career record: 49-29; Senior Year: 30-12; Top 8 Northeast Regional
Shipman truly blossomed during his senior year producing more than half of his overall career wins. In addition he advanced to the round of 8 in one of the toughest regions in the state. His style is atypical for a heavyweight as he primarily utilizes leg attacks. A good overall athlete, Shipman will challenge for the spot for the wrestling team and play on Messiah’s baseball team.
Coach Brunk says: “I’m interested to see what Isaiah can do at this level. He’s tall, quick and unconventional. He could really surprise some people.”
