Wrestling Adds 18 to 2024-25 Recruiting Class
(Howell, MI)-- Cleary University head wrestling coach Matt Santos has announced his final roster for the 2024-25 season, and there will be 18 new faces on the mats this year.
“This is an exciting class because of the mix of transfers and incoming true freshmen,” said Coach Santos. “Anyone in the wrestling community knows that we have talent coming into the program. I'm excited to see (our) older guys take the leadership roles, and (to) help guide the younger guys on the team. This will be the first year for Cleary Wrestling to take a step toward the culture we want (and) need. I truly believe this will also be the first year we turn a lot of heads and put Cleary Wrestling on the map.”
Meet the newest Cougars below (In Alphabetical Order By Last Name):
Preston Auld is from Grosse Pointe North High School
Ben Blyveis is from Fowlerville High School. Ben joins Cleary after earning a 7th place MHSAA D2 finish in the 150 lbs weight class. He also took 1st place at the USA Wrestling Central Regional
Luke Connick is from West Brunswick, North Carolina. Luke earned a 5th place finish in North Carolina’s 3A 132 lbs weight division. He was also able to claim a 4th place USA Wrestling Southeast Regional.
TJ Daugherty is a transfer from Notre Dame College in Ohio, TJ was a three-time D1 state finalist, and a two-time state champion. He took 2nd place at the USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals
Alessandro Fillmore is from Holland High School.
Jacob Gonzales is from Holly High School. Jacob was a three-time MHSAA D2 state champion. He would also finish 2nd at the USA Wrestling Central Regional, and was a Fargo Nationals placer
Jack Gruno is a Freshman Saginaw Heritage High School.
Josh Howard is a transfer from Southwestern Michigan College.
Colin Jewell hails from Livingston County’s Hartland High School. Colin was a two-time MHSAA D1 state placer for the Eagles.
Ryan Kincaid is from Benzie Central High School.
Ryley Lotz is from Saginaw Swan Valley High School.
Jake Lynn is from Howell High School.
Eli Murphy is an incoming freshman from Freeland High School. Eli was ranked in the top-200 in Michigan's class of 2024. He earned a 7th place MHSAA D2 finish in the 175 lbs weight class
Alex Nouhan is from Hartland High School.
Tunde Oroye is a transfer from NCAA D2 Wisconsin-Parkside, and was a NJCAA national qualifier.
Jamarcus Smith is a transfer from NJCAA Indian Hills Community College, and was a two-time MHSAA D2 state placer before going to Iowa. Jamarcus is another incoming wrestler that earned a state championship.
Louden Stradling is a Gaylord High School graduate, and a transfer from Central Michigan University, Louden took 1st place at the Alma Open, and 4th place at the MSU Open in his redshirt year. While in high school, he was a four-time MHSAA D1 state finalist, and a one-time state champion.
Eathan Westfall is from Reading High School. Eathan was a MHSAA D4 state champion in the 285 lbs weight class. He was a Grappler Fall Classic champion, and finished 2nd and 3rd at the USA Wrestling Central Regional