Six Headline Wrestling's Additions to 2007-08 Roster
5/6/2007 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan wrestling head coach Joe McFarland announced Thursday (June 7) that six student-athletes -- David Johnson (Jenison, Mich./Jenison HS), Jason Lara (Midway City, Calif./Calvary Chapel HS), Kellen Russell (High Bridge, N.J./Blair Academy), Erich Smith (Ishpeming, Mich./Westwood HS), Tom Skiver (Manton, Mich./Manton HS) and Justin Zeerip (Freemont, Mich./Hesperia HS) -- have committed to attend U-M and wrestle for the Wolverines during the 2007-08 season.
"I think we have one of the best classes in the country," said McFarland. "Time will only tell, and I think time will tell that we have an outstanding group here. We really have covered our needs with this class. I really like this group. I like the way they work, and I like the way they approach wrestling. They all have a great work ethic. Over the years, those are the kind of guys that have found a lot of success in our program. I also like that they're student-athletes. That's what we're always looking for -- guys who want to do well on the wrestling mat and in the classroom."
Johnson, a four-year starter at Jenison High School, claimed the 140-pound Michigan state title as a junior (2006) and is a three-time all-state honoree, placing third during his sophomore and senior seasons (2005, '07). Posting a 199-14 career mark, Johnson rewrote the record book at Jenison, establishing new standards for career wins (199), single-season wins (54), career falls (115) and single-season falls (32). Johnson claimed seventh place at the 2007 Senior National championships. He is expected to compete at 149 or 157 pounds for the Wolverines.
"Dave really wanted to come to Michigan," said McFarland. "He's another wrestler who will fit in well with our program. He loves to train, and I think he will get into our room and really develop. Dave is good on his feet, and he's really strong on top. He's just a tough kid, and he loves wrestling."
Lara, ranked No. 9 nationally at 119 pounds by Amateur Wrestling News, garnered the Dave Schultz Champion of Champions Award at the 2007 California state championships after he captured the 119-pound title in dominating fashion. Named the Orange County Register's 2007 Wrestler of the Year, Lara posted a 44-5 record during his senior season at Calvary Chapel HS and claimed fifth place at the 2007 Senior Nationals. In freestyle competition, Lara was a 2006 Cadet National All-American after he placed fourth at 127.7 pounds. Lara is projected to compete at 125 pounds at Michigan.
"Jason has really impressed me," said McFarland. "He was a California state champion, beating Nikko Triggas in the state finals and really dominated the whole match. Jason was a bit of late bloomer, and I think he has a huge upside to him. He's really committed to it. He is explosive, has a great feel for wrestling, and he loves to train."
Russell completed his senior season ranked as the No. 1 high school 130-pound wrestler in the nation by Amateur Wrestling News. Named the Northeast Region winner of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award, Russell is a three-time national prep champion with a career record of 145-7. He captured the 135-pound crown at the 2007 National Senior High School Championships and -- in the freestyle division -- is a Junior National champion (130 pounds, 2006) and Cadet National champion (125 pounds, 2005). Russell will likely wrestle at 141 pounds for Michigan.
"Kellen comes out of one of the best wrestling programs in the country with Blair Academy," said McFarland. "He has won several national events, so I think he understands what it takes to succeed at that level. I really like his work ethic. He's a mat rat and wrestles year-round. I think Michigan will be a good fit for him."
Skiver captured the 285-pound Michigan state title in 2006 and is a two-time state finalist after placing second as a senior. He posted an 86-6 record over his final two seasons at Manton High School. A talented multi-sport athlete, Skiver was selected to the Detroit Free Press all-state team as an offensive lineman. He is a projected heavyweight for Michigan.
"I first noticed Tom at our camp," said McFarland. "He's really athletic for his size. I think Tom has a lot of growth ahead of him with his wrestling, and he could really develop into a good heavyweight. He would us some great balance up there."
Smith is a three-time Michigan Upper Peninsula state champion, winning at 145 and 160 pounds before capturing the 189-pound crown to cap his senior season, and a four-time state finalist. Named the Upper Peninsula's "Mr. Wrestler," Smith compiled an impressive 171-9 record during his four-year career at Westwood High School and set the school record for single-season takedowns (239). Smith also claimed 2006 Michigan state titles and freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. He will likely wrestle at 184 or 197 pounds at Michigan.
"Erich is a big, strong kid," said McFarland, "and, again, he's a good worker. He doesn't have a lot of experience yet, but I think he's got a big upside to him. I think he has some good skills and only get better. I have been really impressed with his drive, his focus and his maturity."
Michigan's 2007 recipient of the "Mr. Wrestler" Award, Zeerip set numerous state and national records throughout his unblemished high school career at Hesperia HS. Ranked No. 10 nationally at 160 pounds by Amateur Wrestling News, he was a four-time Michigan state champion -- just the 13th wrestler in state history to achieve the feat -- and boasted a perfect 260-0 career record with 203 coming by way of fall. With his numbers, Zeerip established a new national standard for consecutive wins and career pins. The 2007 National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Dave Schultz Award winner for the State of Michigan, Zeerip claimed third place at the Senior Nationals and was the co-Valedictorian of his graduating class at Hesperia. He is projected to compete at 157 or 165 pounds at Michigan.
"Justin has everything you're looking for in a recruit," said McFarland. "He has an outstanding work ethic. He's got a great style for college wrestling. He's really hands-on; he likes to get his paws on his opponent and wear him down. With 260 wins and more than 200 pins, he's certainly doing something right. I think he's going to get into our room and really develop and just get tougher and tougher."
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
