Your future, our focus
NWC Beefs up Roster for Another Season
BY RANDAL HOROBIK
Tribune Sports Editor
Northwest College head wrestling coach Jim Zeigler announced five new commitments for the Trappers’ wrestling program last week. Included in the list is a grappler ranked 19th nationally this past season by Intermat magazine’s prep rankings.
“Each one of these kids come from quality programs and quality coaches that I know personally,” said Zeigler. “These are guys with college experience and who produce college kids each season. These kids have the work ethic toward winning that I like. They’ve got a good focus and fit for our program.”
Headlining the list of recent commitments is Boise, Idaho, native Josh Bundschuh. A state champion for Boise’s Borah High School, Bundschuh finished his senior season ranked 19th nationally, according to Intermat. Bundschuh capped his prep wrestling career this past spring by defeating a pair of former two-time state champions on the way to winning a 135-pound state title in Idaho’s large-school division.
Another highly-prized recruit joining the Northwest College ranks this fall will be Broken Arrow, Okla., signee Keithen Cast. Cast finished as Oklahoma’s state runner-up at 171 pounds as a senior after dropping a 3-2 decision to a nationally-ranked wrestler in the state championship match.
“Keithen was a highly recruited wrestler,” said Zeigler. “He’s a high caliber sort of kid and he’s an outstanding student. He’ll be a great addition to our program.”
The Trappers pick up still more state championship experience with Fillmore, Utah, graduate Kamron Day. Day continues the Trappers’ tradition of talented lightweights after reaching the state championship match all four years of his prep career. Day won the state title as a sophomore and finished his senior season as the state runner-up at 119 pounds for Fillmore’s Millard High School.
Also looking to make an impact next season will be Fort Collins’ (Colo.) Jeremy Luna. Luna comes to Powell fresh off a state championship season at 135 pounds for Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins. He captured that title with a 5-0 victory over a previously undefeated wrestler in the state title match.
Rounding out the Trappers’ latest list of commitments is a 215-pound two-time state champion from Oregon, Clackamas’ Cody Mansur. Mansur compiled a 33-1 record during his senior season while winning the 6A state title in Oregon’s largest class. Mansur also scored a state title at 215 pounds as a junior while placing third at 189 pounds as a sophomore.
“Cody was highly sought after by the University of Wyoming,” said Zeigler. “It’s nice to have him here.”
Zeigler expects to add a few more wrestlers between now and the start of fall classes. He also expects a handful of students will attempt to walk on and earn their way onto the Trappers’ roster in the fall and winter.
“There’s still some guys floating around out there,” said Zeigler. “Particularly in the small, rural areas, you’ll have kids that are still weighing their options for next year. We’ve had good success in that way in the past.”
The Trappers are coming off their most successful national tournament appearance since capturing the national championship in 2004. Northwest College crowned seven All-Americans last season on the way to a fourth-place finish at the NJCAA national championships.