Cherrington adds four recruits

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November Signings

GREELEY – Ben Cherrington, the head wrestling coach at the University of Northern Colorado recently announced the remainder of his 2011 signing class. Cherrington added four grapplers, bringing his total amount of signings to nine after signing five in November.

Gabriel Burak, Henry Chirino, Jesse Nielson and Dylan Rutledge will all begin classes on Aug. 20 for the Blue & Gold. The quartet are all expected to make an immediate impact to the program

Gabriel Burak, Sr., 165 pounds, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U. Pennsylvania/Coronado HS)
Burak will have one season of competition remaining... He qualified for the NCAA Championships in both 2010 and 2011, advancing to the round of 12 last year… He is also a two-time honorable mention All-Ivy League selection as well as an NWCA All-Academic team pick a season ago... During his time with Penn he posted an overall record of 86-33 with 25 pins… At Coronado he boasted a record of 125-1 with two undefeated seasons.

“Gabe is great kid and will impact out team in a number of ways,” said Cherrington. “Not only will he make an impact on the mat and in the classroom for us, he will also bring  tremendous levels of maturity and leadership skills to this team.  We feel fortunate to have added such a quality person to the UNC Wrestling Family.”

Henry Chirino, So., 285 pounds, Brandon, Fla. (Miami Dade CC/Brandon HS)
Chirino was a two-time high school state champion in Florida… He was also a NHSCA Junior National Champion and won the 285 pound title at the Super 32 Challenge in 2009… In his junior season while wrestling for American HS, he posted a perfect season at 40-0 winning the first individual state championship for the high school in 26 years.

“Henry is a great kid who is mature beyond his years,” stated Cherrington. “He brings a lot of experience on a big stage to our room as well as a great work ethic and will to win.  He is a heavyweight with speed, heart and a great gas tank.”

Jesse Nielson, Jr., 174 pounds, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (North Idaho CC/Coeur d’Alene HS)
Nielson comes to Northern Colorado after winning the NJCAA National Championship at 174 pounds in 2011 and earning All-American honors in 2010… He also won the Idaho state championship in his senior year.

“Jesse will be a great addition to our upper weights,” said Cherrington. “Having just won the junior college national championship, he is going to bring winning mindset and a great work ethic into our room.  Jesse is a hardnosed kid who has worked hard to reach this point and I am confident he will continue to do the same here as a Bear.”

Dylan Rutledge, Fr., 184 pounds, Auburn, Wash. (Auburn HS)
The only freshman to sign in this group, the coaches are impressed with his athleticism for a big man… He won the Washington state championship as a junior in 2010 at 171 pounds and was the runner-up in his senior campaign at 215 pounds… Was also the 2009 Tri-State tournament champion, a tournament which features the best wrestlers from Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Montana… Also played football and soccer.

“Dylan is a kid we were lucky to find this late in the game,” Cherrington stated. “He is a great wrestler who is a phenomenal athlete.  He will add depth to our upper weights and should be in the mix right away at 184 lbs.”