May 29, 2003

Nine Join Wrestling Team

Three Nebraska Natives Join Lopers

      Kearney, NE – Nebraska-Kearney head wrestling coach Marc Bauer announced today the names of nine newcomers joining his program. Among the new Lopers is a native of a remote Alaska town and a transfer from Southern Colorado that is currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and in Baghdad.

      The seven high school newcomers are Dan Dallemolle (Kotzebue, Alaska/Kotzebue H.S.), Tervel Dlagnev (Arlington, Texas/Arlington H.S.), Joe Ellenberger (Omaha/Millard South), Dave Hellman (Shelton/Shelton H.S.), Brett Hille (Ransom, Kans./WaKenney-Trego Community H.S.), Jeff Rutledge (Lincoln/East H.S.) and Caleb Young (Perry, Okla./Perry H.S.).

      Transferring to UNK, both from Southern Colorado, are Lewis Hyatt (Canon City, Colo.) and Dave Smith (Albuquerque, N.M.). Hyatt has four years of eligibility remaining while Smith, who joined UNK in January, has three years left.

      "We are excited about this year's recruiting class.  We feel it is one of the strongest classes we have put together over the past few years.  There is no doubt in our minds that we look forward to what this group is capable of accomplishing,” Bauer said.

      Earlier this month, Brandon Brill of Kearney High School signed with the Lopers.

      Leading the list of high school newcomers is Young (184 lbs.), a three-time state placer in Oklahoma. Finishing runner-up this year, Young wrestled at a high school that has won a national-record 26 team state titles.

      "Caleb is an enormous pickup for us. His two losses at the state meet as a junior and senior were to a young man that was highly recruited and signed with a Division I school," Bauer said. "Caleb is a quick, big guy with a very aggressive and physical style of wrestling. We believe he is a diamond in the rough, and we look for him to make a quick impact within our program."

      Rutledge (125 lbs.) was a four-time state placer for East, winning the Class A state title at 125 lbs. this past winter. He also helped East win the past two Class A team titles.

      "Jeff is a very talented athlete and comes from one of the strongest programs in the state," Bauer said. "He is a technician on his feet. He also is deceptively quick and does an outstanding job of shooting misdirection shots, which keeps his opponents off balance. Jeff gives us depth at the lower weights and also adds an element of height.”

      Ellenberger will complete at either 141 or 149 lbs. for the Lopers. Posting a 101-27 career record at Millard South, he was a two-time state finalist who won the Class A 145 lbs. title this year.

      "Joe has proven to be a top-notch wrestler and showed tremendous growth over his career. That shows his dedication and how much desire he has to be the best. He has the ability to wear out his opponents as he pushes and grinds on them over the course of a match."

      Hille (149/157 lbs.) continues UNK's pipeline from Kansas. He won two state titles during his prep career. The Lopers had 10 Kansas natives on the roster last year.

      "Brett is a solid individual for our middle weights. He is very well built and an aggressive wrestler," Bauer said. "He maintains his position and is difficult to score on. We look forward to what this young man is capable of doing over the next few years."

      Hellman (184 lbs.) joins UNK after placing fifth at 215 lbs. in Class D this past year.

      "He has shown us that he is capable of competing at this level. Not only is he a good wrestler but also very strong academically. Dave will provide us with some good depth at the upper weights."

      Dlagnev (184/197 lbs.) is the second Arlington High School graduate, following Rusty McElroy last year, to join the Lopers. At the Texas State Championships this past year, he finished third at 215 lbs. That is

impressive not only because the championships feature all classes but also because Dlagnev didn't begin to wrestle until his sophomore year.

      "Tervel is a great story," Bauer said. "He is big, quick guy with an enormous amount of natural athletic ability. He is always on the attack."

      Without a doubt, Dallemolle (heavyweight), an Alaskan State Champion, hails from the most unique place among the newcomers. He lives a town located 33 miles North of the Arctic Circle on Alaska's Western coast. Situated on a peninsula near the Bering Strait, Kotzebue is accessible only by air and is the second largest Eskimo village in the state.

      Kotzebue's assistant wrestling coach, Walt Maslen, was a 1980 All-American for the Lopers.

      "Dan has traveled the world and has competed all over the place. What Dan doesn't have in size (6'2", 240 lbs.), he makes up for in strength, quickness and experience."

      Smith was an All-American at USC during his freshman season in 2000. After USC dropped its program, Smith played football at Western New Mexico in 2001. Joining the Lopers this past January, he went 7-3 with five falls in open tournaments. He will redshirt this fall and then be ready to compete for UNK once spring semester starts in mid-January.

      "Doug is extremely strong and powerful. He gives us great experience and size at heavyweight."

      Finally, Hyatt (149 lbs.) was a four-time state placer for Canon City High School in Colorado. Finishing third three times at the state tournament, Hyatt spent is freshman year at USC wrestling for the Thunderwolf Wrestling Club. Currently in the military and in Iraq, he is scheduled to return to the U.S. by July 1st.

      "We first saw Lewis last year while competing for USC's club team. He lost to Brandon (Pfizenmaier) in the finals, 5-2, of the Fort Hays State Open," Bauer said. "We were very impressed with his ability and believe he could make an immediate impact."

      UNK had its best year ever in 2003, placing runner up at the NCAA Division II Championships and having a school-record six All-Americans.