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P/CLOUDY Temp: 67 °F Wind: NW at 6 mph Monday, August 19, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Cyberchef E The People Golf Job Network Headbone Zone Wellness Connection Movie Times Newspaper in Education Oregon CarZone Outdoor Journal Personals Prime Times Real Estate Tempo A & E TV Times W3 Magazine CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Destinations Automotive Communities Employment Entertainment Publications Real Estate Recreation Shopping Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Jobs @ Mail Tribune Email Story to a Friend July 26, 2002 Ritchey unveils SOU wrestling recruit list Five prep state champions are among the newcomers ASHLAND — Southern Oregon University wrestling coach Mike Ritchey infused even more talent into one of the NAIA’s most successful programs Thursday with the addition of 11 high school standouts and one college transfer to the Raider mat mix. That group will help bolster SOU’s lineup, which includes nine returning starters and five All-Americans off last year’s third-place NAIA squad. "We were looking to add depth at 125 and 184 [weight classes] and we accomplished that," the seventh-year coach said. "Overall, this is an outstanding class in terms of academic and athletic ability. They’re all quality kids, and they’re going to get better and better." The recruiting class is highlighted by five prep state champions: Kyle Cruickshank of Willamina (125 pounds), Colin Davis of Newberg (189), Abe Ewing of Banks (189), Jimmy Grochowsky of Estacada (160) and Freeborn Mondello of Silver City, N.M. (145). Also on the recruit list are Phoenix High products Greg Brown, who lost to Ewing in the Class 3A finals in 2001, and Nick Acord, a 2002 third-place state finisher and a SOU presidential scholarship recipient. Other additions to the Raider team are Dan Herb of Banks (141), Rick Gammon of Alsea (149), Robert Scott of Selma (133), Josh Stanwood of Alsea (285) and Kyle Umbenhower of Dayton (174). Ritchey indicated he expects to sign as many as four more high school prospects in the next few weeks. Cruickshank, a four-year top-three Class 2A placer for Willamina High, won the state meet as a sophomore and junior and finished as a national Academic All-American. "Kyle will be in the mix for a starting spot right away," Ritchey said. "He’s a lanky kid with great leverage and solid mat skills." Davis capped his illustrious four-sport Newberg High sports career by nabbing the 189-pound Class 4A title last spring. The two-time Pac-9 Conference champion also rushed for 1,200 yards on a state playoff football team, served as an all-star designated hitter on the baseball squad and competed on the track team as a senior. "Colin is an impressive all-around athlete," Ritchey said, "and he’s really focused on being a successful collegiate wrestler." Ewing is a three-year Class 3A state placer from Banks High, and he captured the 2001 Class 3A 189-pound state title prior to a third-place effort last spring. Ewing is also a two-year Cowapa League football all-star. "Abe is another all-around good kid and the type of athlete that has made our program successful," Ritchey said. "He already has a college-oriented style — tough on his feet and good defensively." Grochowsky (pronounced "grow-husky") won the 2002 Class 3A state title and is also a Tri-Valley League all-star strong safety and track sprinter. Mondello, a sophomore in eligibility after competing at the University of Southern Colorado in 1999-2000, was a four-year state placer at Silver High, including three trips to the finals and a championship effort as a sophomore in 1996. Southern Oregon enters the 2002-03 season boasting an NAIA-record 32-year consecutive winning season streak that is the sixth-longest among all U.S. intercollegiate teams. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search M Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy web master feedback A D V E R T I S E R S