University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Photo by: Dean Popejoy
Wrestling Signs Impressive 2020 Recruiting Class
7/6/2020 12:09:00 PM | Wrestling
UNC wrestling welcomes 13 newcomers in 2020 recruiting class
GREELEY – Troy Nickerson and the Northern Colorado wrestling coaching staff continue to build a strong program with the addition of the 2020 recruiting class. The Bears once again kept the top local talent at home, while adding in some of the top-rated wrestlers throughout the nation and a pair of transfers.
"We are very thankful to have the opportunity to bring a class like this to Greeley! This class fits many needs for us and we were able to really add many pieces to the puzzle that will help us for years to come," said Troy Nickerson, head coach. "All of these student-athletes are outstanding young men, which is of our utmost importance. Equally, they are fantastic in the classroom and understand what it means to be a student-athlete. We look forward to having this group add to our already stellar student-athlete population at UNC!"
The 13 person class breaks down to eight from Colorado and one each from Nebraska, Illinois and Iowa. The two transfers come to Northern Colorado from the University of Nebraska and North Dakota State.
Johnny Blankenship, 157/165 lbs
Blankenship joins the Bears as a graduate transfer from the University of Nebraska. He compiled a 70-27 record during his Husker career. In high school, he was a two-time Missouri State Champion, USAW Cadet/Junior Nationals All-American, and ranked No. 13 nationally at 160 lbs (FloWrestling). Blankenship projects at 157 or 165 lbs.
Hudson Cropp, 149/157 lbs
Cropp will stay close to home after competing for Fort Collins High School. He is a 2020 Colorado State Champion. Cropp projects at 149 lbs or 157 lbs.
Jacob Duran, 125/133 lbs
Duran comes to UNC after competing for Fort Lupton High School. He is a two-time Colorado State Champion and three-time state medalist. He was also the 2020 Colorado 3A Wrestler of the Year. Duran projects at 125 lbs or 133 lbs.
Cody Eaton, 165/174 lbs
Eaton is another local prospect staying close to home after wrestling for Windsor High School. Eaton is a 2020 Colorado State Champion, two-time state finalist and three-time state medalist. He compiled a 137-28 overall record. He is a USAW Preseason Nationals All-American, placing second in 2017. Eaton projects at 165 lbs or 174 lbs.
Brayden Engelking, 157/165 lbs
Engelking hails from Longmont, CO and competed for Longmont High School. He is a two-time Colorado State medalist, placing fourth in both 2019 and 2020. Engelking will be joining his brother, Drake, on the team. Engelking projects at 157 lbs or 165 lbs.
Tommy Even, 174/184 lbs
Even comes to UNC from Iowa after a stellar career for Don Bosco High School. Even is a 2020 Iowa State Champion, a two-time state finalist, a three-time state place winner. He compiled a 143-31 career record. Even was also a state medalist in track, All-State running back, All-State linebacker, and led the state of Iowa in rushing touchdowns in 2019. Even projects at 174 lbs or 184 lbs.
Nick Knutson, 157/165 lbs
Knutson is a graduate transfer coming from North Dakota State University, where he was a two-year starter for the Bison. He is a two-time Academic All-Big 12 team member. Before NDSU, he was a Minnesota State medalist and compiled a 111-25 career record for New Prague High School. Knutson projects at 157 lbs or 165 lbs.
Daemyen Middlebrooks, 197 lbs
Middlebrooks is the No. 206 overall prospect in the class of 2020 and is No. 19 nationally at 195lbs according to MatScouts. He wrestled for Oak Park River Forest High School in Oak Park, IL. There he compiled a 114-29 career record and was a two-time Illinois State medalist. He was a 2020 Doc Buchanan Invitational finalist. Middlebrooks projects at 197lbs.
Emanuel Munoz-Alcala, 285 lbs
Munoz-Alcala will stay in Greeley after competing for University High School. He is a two-time Colorado State Champion, capturing titles in 2019 and 2020. He compiled an 80-4 overall record in his final two seasons. Munoz-Alcala projects at 285lbs.
Damen Pape, 184 lbs
Pape is the No. 141 overall prospect in the class of 2020 and is No. 17 nationally at 182lbs according to MatScouts. Pape hails from Hastings, NE and compiled a 202-4 overall record for Hastings High School. He captured his second state title in 2020, after finishing second, third, and first, respectively in his first three state championships. He is a two-time USAW Pre-Season Nationals champion and a USAW Junior Greco-Roman All-American. Pape projects at 184 lbs.
Cade Rockwell, 125 lbs
Rockwell hails from Wray, CO and wrestled for Wray High School. He is a two-time Colorado State Champion, three-time state finalist, and four-time state qualifier. Rockwell compiled a 141-33 career record. Rockwell projects at 125 lbs.
Cole Rockwell, 125/133 lbs
Rockwell hails from Wray, CO and wrestled for Wray High School. He is a three-time Colorado State medalist and four-time state qualifier. Rockwell placed third in 2018 and 2019 and fourth in 2020. He compiled a 142-33 career record. Rockwell projects at 125 lbs or 133 lbs.
Jaziah Whaley, 157/165 lbs
Whaley will stay close to home after competing for Valley High School. He captured his second straight state championship in 2020 and compiled a 171-8 overall record. He also placed third at the State Championships in 2017 and 2018. Whaley is a two-time NHSCA All-American, placing fourth in both 2017 and 2018. Whaley projects at 157 lbs or 165 lbs.
The UNC wrestling team is coming off a 2019-20 season that saw the Bears qualify five wrestlers for the NCAA Championships and had three NWCA All-America Honorable Mentions on the mat. Northern Colorado saw success off the mat with three NWCA Scholar All-Americans and being named to the NWCA's Top 30 Scholar All-American Team list.
To stay up to date on all things UNC wrestling, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
"We are very thankful to have the opportunity to bring a class like this to Greeley! This class fits many needs for us and we were able to really add many pieces to the puzzle that will help us for years to come," said Troy Nickerson, head coach. "All of these student-athletes are outstanding young men, which is of our utmost importance. Equally, they are fantastic in the classroom and understand what it means to be a student-athlete. We look forward to having this group add to our already stellar student-athlete population at UNC!"
The 13 person class breaks down to eight from Colorado and one each from Nebraska, Illinois and Iowa. The two transfers come to Northern Colorado from the University of Nebraska and North Dakota State.
Johnny Blankenship, 157/165 lbs
Blankenship joins the Bears as a graduate transfer from the University of Nebraska. He compiled a 70-27 record during his Husker career. In high school, he was a two-time Missouri State Champion, USAW Cadet/Junior Nationals All-American, and ranked No. 13 nationally at 160 lbs (FloWrestling). Blankenship projects at 157 or 165 lbs.
Hudson Cropp, 149/157 lbs
Cropp will stay close to home after competing for Fort Collins High School. He is a 2020 Colorado State Champion. Cropp projects at 149 lbs or 157 lbs.
Jacob Duran, 125/133 lbs
Duran comes to UNC after competing for Fort Lupton High School. He is a two-time Colorado State Champion and three-time state medalist. He was also the 2020 Colorado 3A Wrestler of the Year. Duran projects at 125 lbs or 133 lbs.
Cody Eaton, 165/174 lbs
Eaton is another local prospect staying close to home after wrestling for Windsor High School. Eaton is a 2020 Colorado State Champion, two-time state finalist and three-time state medalist. He compiled a 137-28 overall record. He is a USAW Preseason Nationals All-American, placing second in 2017. Eaton projects at 165 lbs or 174 lbs.
Brayden Engelking, 157/165 lbs
Engelking hails from Longmont, CO and competed for Longmont High School. He is a two-time Colorado State medalist, placing fourth in both 2019 and 2020. Engelking will be joining his brother, Drake, on the team. Engelking projects at 157 lbs or 165 lbs.
Tommy Even, 174/184 lbs
Even comes to UNC from Iowa after a stellar career for Don Bosco High School. Even is a 2020 Iowa State Champion, a two-time state finalist, a three-time state place winner. He compiled a 143-31 career record. Even was also a state medalist in track, All-State running back, All-State linebacker, and led the state of Iowa in rushing touchdowns in 2019. Even projects at 174 lbs or 184 lbs.
Nick Knutson, 157/165 lbs
Knutson is a graduate transfer coming from North Dakota State University, where he was a two-year starter for the Bison. He is a two-time Academic All-Big 12 team member. Before NDSU, he was a Minnesota State medalist and compiled a 111-25 career record for New Prague High School. Knutson projects at 157 lbs or 165 lbs.
Daemyen Middlebrooks, 197 lbs
Middlebrooks is the No. 206 overall prospect in the class of 2020 and is No. 19 nationally at 195lbs according to MatScouts. He wrestled for Oak Park River Forest High School in Oak Park, IL. There he compiled a 114-29 career record and was a two-time Illinois State medalist. He was a 2020 Doc Buchanan Invitational finalist. Middlebrooks projects at 197lbs.
Emanuel Munoz-Alcala, 285 lbs
Munoz-Alcala will stay in Greeley after competing for University High School. He is a two-time Colorado State Champion, capturing titles in 2019 and 2020. He compiled an 80-4 overall record in his final two seasons. Munoz-Alcala projects at 285lbs.
Damen Pape, 184 lbs
Pape is the No. 141 overall prospect in the class of 2020 and is No. 17 nationally at 182lbs according to MatScouts. Pape hails from Hastings, NE and compiled a 202-4 overall record for Hastings High School. He captured his second state title in 2020, after finishing second, third, and first, respectively in his first three state championships. He is a two-time USAW Pre-Season Nationals champion and a USAW Junior Greco-Roman All-American. Pape projects at 184 lbs.
Cade Rockwell, 125 lbs
Rockwell hails from Wray, CO and wrestled for Wray High School. He is a two-time Colorado State Champion, three-time state finalist, and four-time state qualifier. Rockwell compiled a 141-33 career record. Rockwell projects at 125 lbs.
Cole Rockwell, 125/133 lbs
Rockwell hails from Wray, CO and wrestled for Wray High School. He is a three-time Colorado State medalist and four-time state qualifier. Rockwell placed third in 2018 and 2019 and fourth in 2020. He compiled a 142-33 career record. Rockwell projects at 125 lbs or 133 lbs.
Jaziah Whaley, 157/165 lbs
Whaley will stay close to home after competing for Valley High School. He captured his second straight state championship in 2020 and compiled a 171-8 overall record. He also placed third at the State Championships in 2017 and 2018. Whaley is a two-time NHSCA All-American, placing fourth in both 2017 and 2018. Whaley projects at 157 lbs or 165 lbs.
The UNC wrestling team is coming off a 2019-20 season that saw the Bears qualify five wrestlers for the NCAA Championships and had three NWCA All-America Honorable Mentions on the mat. Northern Colorado saw success off the mat with three NWCA Scholar All-Americans and being named to the NWCA's Top 30 Scholar All-American Team list.
To stay up to date on all things UNC wrestling, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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