June 19, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - For the third straight year, the University of Maryland's recruiting class has been recognized as one of the best in the nation as head coach Pat Santoro's incoming class was ranked 13th in the nation by Intermatwrestle.com. The Terps, who shared the ACC regular season title in 2006, had the highest-rated class in the league.

Joining the Terps in 2006-07 are Andrew Bradley, Patrick Gilmore, Jon Kohler, Mike Letts, Casey Marwine, Brad Nielson, John Price and Lou Ruland. Bradley, Letts and Price are all nationally ranked by Intermatwrestle.com.

Intermatwrestle.com described the class as, "ready to step into the lineup and win matches on the next level. The Terps will put a solid team on the mats next year, this class is some of the reason why. Bradley seemed to shake his on-again, off-again style to round out a good career at traditional Delaware power St. Mark's, while Letts is a Beast of the East champ and two-time state champ in Pennsylvania. Price is a former New Jersey state champion who finished third in one of New Jersey's most balanced weights."

Below are some of the accomplishments of the signees:
Andrew Bradley
St. Mark's, Del.
(149/157)
Three-time Delaware state champion ... third at Beast of the East ... ranked fourth on Intermat among all seniors at 152 ... defeated Bryn Holmes (ranked 5th on Intermat who also plans to attend Maryland to play lacrosse).

Patrick Gilmore
Council Rock South, Pa.
197/HWT
Finished fourth at Pennsylvania state championships (AAA)

Jon Kohler
Mt. St. Joseph's, Md.
133/141
Three-time Maryland Independent State Champ ... three-time MIAA Champion ... finished third twice at National Preps ... two-time third place finisher at Powerade ... Ironman Placer.

Mike Letts
Octorara, Pa.
165/174
Two-time Pennsylvania state champ and Oustanding Wrestler ... pinned or teched every match to win the state title his senior year to cap off an undefeated season ... Beast of the East champion ... Dapper Dan team, ranked No. 2 in the country at 171.

Casey Marwine Linganore, Md.
125
Three-time Maryland state placer ... Maryland state runner-up ... All-Gazette second team selection in 2006.

Brad Nielson Walkersville, Md.
165-174
Two-time Maryland state place-winner ... Maryland State runner-up ... All-Met 2006 honorable mention.

John Price
Washington Twp, N.J.
HWT
2005 New Jersey State Champion ... 2006 New Jersey State 3rd place ... Senior High School Nationals All-American ... ranked No. 10 in the country by Intermat.

Lou Ruland
Annapolis, Md.
125/133
Two-time National Prep placer ... three-time MIAA Placer, MIAA Champion ... four-time Maryland Independent state placer, career record 158-27 for St. Mary's High School.