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Talented Recruiting Class Announced

Talented Recruiting Class Announced

MOORHEAD, Minn. (5/09/17)---Concordia head coach Phil Moenkedick is thrilled to announce the 2017-18 recruiting class. The incoming group features 12 talented student/athletes that bring state and national pedigree to the program.

"I am beyond excited to welcome this great group of young men into the Cobber wrestling family," stated Moenkedick. "Individually these student/athletes stood out in the recruiting process – not only because of their wrestling abilities but also because of their character."

The group of incoming wrestlers features nine student/athletes from Minnesota and one each from North Dakota, Montana and Norway.

Concordia is coming off its fifth straight second-place finish at the NCAA West Regional Meet. The Cobbers also had six wrestlers qualify for the NCAA National Meet marking the fifth straight season they have had at least six individuals make the trip to nationals.

Concordia went 10-8 in dual meets in 2016-17. The Cobbers have had double-digit dual-meet win totals in four consecutive seasons.

When asked about how the group of incoming freshman will fit in with the Cobber program, Moenkedick responded by saying, "They fit in well with our culture of high expectations in training, the classroom and in their personal lives."

In addition to the three states and two countries represented by the recruiting class, Concordia is also adding wrestlers who combined for 30 state tournament appearances, 20 state Top 8 finishes, two state titles and a remarkable 20 years of being a captain of their respective high school teams.

"I fully expect this group to make an immediate impact in the program," said Moenkedick . "They add depth, intensity and a high level of competitiveness to solid core of returners. These guys will challenge our upper classmen for starting spots in our lineup right from the start and I am looking forward to the daily competition in the practice room."

Below is a list of the current Cobber recruits to commit for the 2017-18 season.

Name Weight   Hometown High School Achievements
Trae Bedford 184 Annandale, Minn. Annandale HS 2-time state placer
Eskil Bergersen 149 Kirkenes, Norway    Kirkenes videregående  Greco national champ
Ben Bogart 133/141 Alexandria, Minn. Alexandria 2-time state qualifier
Patrick Grifffin 165/174 Dillon, Mont. Dillon 2-time state champ
Bryce Kallenbach 184/197 Watertown, Minn. Watertown-Mayer State fifth place
Ethan Kimber 197 Hewitt, Minn. Bertha-Hewitt 4-time state qualifier
Cole Kubesh 125/133 Brainerd, Minn. Brainerd 2-time state qualifier 
Keaton Long 157 Herman, Minn. West Central  3-time state qualifier
Jake Nohre 125 Evansville, Minn. Brandon-Evansville 4-time state qualifier
Travis Ostby  149/157 Starbuck, Minn. Morris Area 2-time state qualifier
Alex Skaare 149/157 Fargo, N.D. Fargo Davies 3-time state placer
Tony Struntz 157 Bethel, Minn. St. Francis 2-time state placer