Cowboy Wrestlers Ink Four

[MrTitleist]

Dec. 4, 2007

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

University of Wyoming wrestling head coach Steven Suder announced today the signing of four student athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2008-09 season.

Kasey Garnhart (133 pounds), Ten Sleep, Wyo., Jared Hatley (141 pounds), Torrington, Wyo., Lee Helbig (184 pounds), Lansing, Mich., and Eric Jones (157/165 pounds), Seattle, Wash., will join the Cowboys for the 2008-09 season.

Kasey Garnhart, 133 pounds, Ten Sleep, Wyo. (Riverside HS)

Garnhart is a four-time wrestling team captain and a three-time all-state wrestler. He is a three-time all-conference wrestler, a three-time state champion and he was the 2005 Wyoming Cadet Champion. Garnhart also was a two-time football captain and an all-state football player. Garnhart excelled in the classroom by being named to the National Honor Society and the National Honor Roll. He was a member of the student council all four years, treasurer of the FCCLA and the Vice President of FFA.

"Kasey is a guy that is known all over the state of Wyoming, even though he is from a smaller school," UW head coach Steven Suder said. "We have seen Kasey and we have had the chance to get to know him. He has had a chance to get to know our staff, we have been able to see what kind of person he is and we have both decided he is a good fit for this institution."

Jared Hatley, 141 pounds, Torrington, Wyo. (Torrington HS)

Hatley is a three-time state champion and three-time all-region performer at Torrington High School. He has posted a career record of 125-5 including going 43-0 his junior season with 38 pins. Hatley is a four-time Junior National All-American and is a team captain. He helped lead his team to the 2006-07 state championship and two regional championships. He was also a member of the silver honor roll his freshman and sophomore years.

"Jared has wrestled all over the country and all year round," Suder said. "That is so important in preparing for the next step. He is a very well-rounded competitor and he is already looking forward to his college career. We are glad he is going to be a Cowboy."

Lee Helbig, 184 pounds, Lansing, Mich. (Mason HS)

Helbig has posted a 146-19 high school record, including going 36-0 his freshman year and has been selected as a captain for two straight years. He is ranked #1 in the state of Michigan and #14 in the nation at 189 pounds. He took first place at the NHSCA National Championships in Myrtle Beach S.C. and was a two-time Mid-Michigan Dream Team selection. Helbig helped lead Mason to back-to-back state championships, the first time in school history.

"Before Lee's trip we had done our best to do our homework on him and knew what we were getting athletically," Suder said. "While he was here for his visit it became very apparent very quickly that we were getting a gentleman who is also an intense, accomplished competitor. Lee will be a great addition to this team and will add some much needed depth in the upper weights."

Eric Jones, 157/165 pounds, Seattle, Wash. (Auburn Riverside HS)

Jones is a three-time regional champion and a two-time league champion at Auburn Riverside High School. He won the Washington State Championship his junior year with a record of 36-1 and was a team captain his junior and senior seasons. Jones is a five-time USA Wrestling All-American and has competed at the Cadet Nationals and in Greco Roman style the last two years. He has lettered all four years in wrestling.

"We look for guys that love to wrestle and Eric fits the mold," Suder said. "He competes on a national level as much as any wrestler we've seen in high school."