NEWS

 

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Head coach Nate Carr Jr. has announced his inaugural recruiting class which features 12 scholar-athletes from seven different states and six different weight classes.

The 2023 class has combined for five individual state championships, 21 state tournament placings, and 24 state tournament appearances.

Coach Nate Carr Jr.:
“My staff and I are very excited about this incoming class. We believe this group of young men will provide the energy and love for the sport needed to build a great culture for our program.”

Coach Ty Eustice:
“Our staff is really excited about the wrestling pedigree that these young men are bringing to the program,” said Eustice. “A commitment to the sport is what we were truly looking for in the class of 2023, and these 12 athletes have been committed to competing around the country and training at their respective clubs in the off-season. They will bring that standard with them here to Davidson and eventually become the next group of leaders for this team.”

FULL CLASS (Alphabetical)

Robert Canterino – Heavyweight
Sea Girt, N.J. (Christian Brothers Academy)
Ended his high school career with a 70-14 record … Had 41 wins via pin during his time at Christian Brothers … Was a two-time state qualifier in New Jersey … Helped his team to a top-five finish at the state championships in 2023 … Went 24-5 as a senior and placed eighth in the 215-pound weight class … Went 27-4 as a junior … Back-to-back NJSIAA Region 6 champion in 2022 and 2023.

Brock Carey – 149 pounds
Newton, N.C. (Foard High School)
Four-time state qualifier and place winner … Class 3A state champion at 145 pounds as a senior … State runner-up as a junior at 145 pounds and as a freshman at 113 pounds … Finished third at the 2A State Championships as a sophomore … Ended with a 168-7 career record at Foard High School … Went 56-0 as a senior with 39 wins via pin, 9 tech fall wins, and two major decisions … 2022 Jet Invitational Champion at 145 pounds … Foard Tough Tournament Champion at 145 pounds … Two-time “Lightweight” Conference Wrestler of the Year … Helped Foard to three NCHSAA team state titles and one runner-up finish.

Bryce Clement – 133 pounds
Tokyo, Japan (The American School)
Wrestled at The American School in Japan for two years at 125 and 133 pounds … Had a 26-3 overall record and earned First Team All-Conference and All-Region.

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Wyatt Ferguson – 184 pounds
Cincinnati, Ohio (Oak Hills High School)
Wrestled for three seasons at Oak Hills High School in Ohio … Ended his career with a 61-4 record and 40 career pins … Went 29-1 as a senior … Ohio Division I State Runner-Up at 190 pounds … District Champion … 2023 Maumee Bay Classic Tournament runner-up … Went 10-0 with eight pins as a junior at 175 pounds … U16 and Junior Freestyle State Champion in 2022 … Began his high school career with a 22-3 record at 170 pounds.

Johnny Hager – 133 pounds
Randolph, N.J. (Delbarton High School)
Wrestled all four years of his high school career for coach Brian Stoll at Delbarton High School … Was a member for of the #3 ranked high school in the country… Was named team captain his senior year in 2022-23… Went 11-5 his senior season … New Jersey state qualifier in 2022 … Ended his junior year with a 17-5 mark … Helped Delbarton to a team state title in 2020 and 2022.

Brady Joling – 125 pounds
Bridgeville, Pa. (Chartiers Valley)
Ended his four-year career at Chartiers Valley with a 109-48 overall record … Had 53 career pins and 10 major decision victories … Went 36-10 his senior season … WPIAL Class AAA fourth-place finish in 2023 … WPIAL/Southwest Regional runner-up.

Enis Ljikovic – 125 pounds
Naples, Fla. (Barron Collier High School)
Wrestled for head coach Anthony Partello at Barron Collier High School… Ended his high school career with the second-most wins all-time in Barron Collier history with 155… Finished with a 155-40 record including a 57-8 record his senior year… Was a two-time captain, two-time all-area selection, and won the team MVP award in 2023… Finished fifth at the 2023 FHSAA 2A State Tournament … 2023 FHSAA 2A District 12 Champion … 2023 2A Region 3 runner-up.

Ian McGehee – 165 pounds
Germantown, Tenn. (Memphis University School)
Four-time TSSAA Division II State place winner … 2023 TSSAA Division II State runner-up at 152 pounds … 2022 TSSAA Division II State Champion at 152 pounds … Went 59-4 as a senior with 34 wins by pin … Recorded a 57-3 record his junior year … Named team captain during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons … Placed third at the Division II State tournament as a sophomore … Finished fifth at the Division II state tournament as a freshman … 2022 Junior Fargo Greco All-American at 152 pounds … Also played football for two seasons.

Tyler McKnight – 141 pounds
Cartersville, Ga. (Cass High School)
Four-time state qualifier and state place winner … Two-time Sectional and Regional Champion … Ended his high school career with a 151-30 overall record … 2023 GHSA Class 5A State Champion at 144 pounds as a senior … Class 5A Section A Champion … Region 7 Champion … Went 40-1 as a senior … 5A State Runner-Up at 145 pounds as a junior … Class 5A Section B Champion … Ended junior year with a 41-6 record … 5A State runner-up at 138 pounds as a sophomore … Placed 5^th at 126 pounds as a freshman with a 46-12 record.

Savoy New – 184 pounds
Raleigh, N.C. (Cardinal Gibbons)
Wrestled for Jonathan Armfield at Cardinal Gibbons … Finished with a 37-9 record as a senior … Class 4A Runner-Up at 170 pounds as a senior … 4A East Regional Champion … Took second place at the Tiger Holiday Classic … Also played lacrosse.

Dylan Smith – 184/197 pounds
Newton, N.C. (Foard High School)
Two-time 3A State Champion at 220 pounds as a junior and 195 pounds as a senior … Three-time state qualifier … Ended his high school career with a 159-20 overall record including a perfect 55-0 mark his senior year … Two-time 3A West Regional Champion … “Upper Weight” Conference Wrester of the Year in 2023 … Helped Foard to three NCHSAA team state titles and one runner-up finish … Also played football all four years.

DJ Spring II – Heavyweight
Newton, N.C. (Maiden High School)
NCHSAA 2A State Champion at 285 pounds … Placed third at the 2A State Tournament as a junior … Wrestled at Maiden High School all four years of his high school career … Went 34-1 his senior year and became Maiden’s first-ever individual state champion … Was a three-time all-conference selection, a two-time All-State wrestler, and two-time regional champion … Also played on the football team.