Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska-Kearney head wrestling coach Marc Bauer announced today the names of four high school seniors and four transfers who will take to the mats for the Lopers this upcoming season.

This is the second group of recruits for the Lopers. A list of five native Nebraskans was released last week.

Those coming from out of state include Tyler Anderson (Clay Center, Kan.), Jared Hatley (Torrington, Wyo.), Nathan Heuer (Broomfield, Colo.), Caleb Kociemba (Hillsboro, Ore.), Zach Legino (Ault, Colo.), Raufeon Stots (Houston, Texas) and Joey Wilson (Half Moon Bay, Calif.).

From Nebraska, Alec Chanthapatheth comes in from Aurora High School.

Kociemba (Clackamas C.C., Ore.), Stots (Labette C.C., Kans.) and Wilson (Division I UC Davis) each have two years of eligibility remaining. Hatley (U. of Wyoming), who joined UNK in January, has four years left.

Anderson prepped at Clay Center High, the same school that produced Loper All-Americans Brandon Pfizenmaier and Trevor Charbonneau.

A four-time state medalist who went 39-0 this past year en route to a Class 4A state title, Anderson also is a USA Wrestling Magazine honorable mention All-American.

Going 137-18 in his career with 79 falls, he will compete in the KWCA Senior Wrestling Classic this summer. Finally, Anderson helped Clay Center win three state team titles.

“Tyler was deemed the top 140-pounder in Kansas this year. He is the type of wrestler you don't want on top of you,” said Bauer. “He will redshirt this year and looks to be our future at 141 pounds.”

Hatley, who will be in the race to be the Lopers starter at 157 lbs., was a four-time Wyoming state champion and a four-time all-region selection.

The state's 2008 Dave Shultz Excellence Award winner, Hatley also has a lot of national and international experience, earning USA Wrestling Cadet and Jr. Cadet All-American honors. In 2008-09, Hatley took at redshirt year at Division I Wyoming.

Heuer is a graduate of Roosevelt High and a cancer survivor. A two-time state medalist who went 107-35 over 3 ½ years, Heuer missed the last month of his senior year (2008-09) after being diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma.

Having a tumor removed from his spine, one that covered four vertebrae, Heuer spent last year overcoming the disease and serving as a volunteer coach for Roosevelt.

“As a defending state champion, Nate was set to repeat when he got his life-threatening diagnosis. He is fully recovered but has obviously endured a lot of ups and downs the past year. Nate will redshirt as he continues to get back into wrestling shape,” said Bauer.

Legino was a teammate of Heuer at Roosevelt and was a four-time state medalist and a two-time regional champion. Going 132-27 with 91 falls in his career, he was a part of the RoughRiders 2008 Class 6A state championship team.

He recently was chosen as the 2010 CHSAA (Colorado High School Activities Association) Male Scholastic Athlete of the Year.

“Zach has an enormous amount of experience on the national level. He constantly is on the attack and pushes the tempo of matches,” said Bauer. “His height is a big advantage as he has a tremendous amount of leverage. Zach will likely redshirt and should grow into the 149 lbs. class.”

For Hillsboro High, Kociemba won 100 matches and was a two-time state placer. At Clackamas, he went 48-18 the past two years, twice making it to the JUCO national meet.

“Caleb was an All-American in 2009 at 184 lbs., then moved up to 197 lbs. this year to help the team,” said Bauer. “He has all the tools to step in and be a factor for us at 184 lbs. this year. He keeps in solid position on his feet and is tough on the mat.”

Stots has been coached by two former Lopers in Brad Ewing (Houston's Klein Oak H.S.) and Joe Renfro (Labette). A two-time JUCO national qualifier, he placed fourth at the 2009 national JUCO meet at 149 lbs.

“Raufeon didn't start wrestling until his junior year of high school but is an amazing athlete that looks to be a factor for us this year,” said Bauer. “What he lacks in experience he makes up for with his strength and lightening quickness."

Wilson will look to replace All-American Taylor May at 165 lbs. He won 32 matches over the last two years for the Aggies, who recently dropped its wrestling program.

Posting a career record of 150-36 for Half Moon Bay High, Wilson placed third at the California state championships as a senior. He also has RMAC connections as his older brother, Aaron, recently completed his collegiate wrestling career at San Francisco State.

“Joey gives us the depth we need at the 165 lbs. class. His experience and level of commitment will be a huge asset to our program this coming season,” said Bauer. “He has all the tools to make an immediate impact both regionally and nationally.”

At Grand Island Senior High, Chanthapatheth went 44-0 as a junior in 2009-10 to win a Class A 130 lbs. state title. More recently at the Senior National Wrestling tournament in Virginia Beach, Va., he placed fifth to earn All-American honors.

“Alec is an outstanding talent who has all the tools to make an immediate impact in our program. He is a very controlled wrestler and has the ability and athleticism to not only attack but also counter attack,” said Bauer. “His balance and scramble abilities are also exceptional and he has benefitted greatly from training and competing at several national-level events in the past year.”