For Immediate Release: May 8, 2008
Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

BU wrestling wraps up strong recruiting class for 2008-09
Coach Popolizio adds five state finalists to Bearcats' program

VESTAL, N.Y. -- Coming off a stellar 13-win season that featured two NCAA qualifiers, Binghamton wrestling has signed seven talented high school seniors to continue the program's ascent. Second-year head coach Pat Popolizio secured a pair of state champions and three runnersup among his recruiting class for 2008-09.

Set to wrestle for Binghamton next winter are Donnie Vinson (Whitney Point, N.Y.), Nate Schiedel (Caledonia, N.Y.), Garrett Morabito (Conklin, N.Y.), Zach Crain (Columbia, N.Y.), Drew Bloss (Cornwall, N.Y.), Carl Korpi (Miller Place, N.Y.) and Art Garvey (East Aurora, N.Y.).

"This class announces that we can compete with the best schools in the Northeast on the recruiting trail," Popolizio said. "We added two state champions, three runnersup and many of these guys have placed at the best events in the country. It shows that Binghamton is becoming a name that the bet kids in New York have on the top of their lists."

Vinson was a two-time state runnerup for Whitney Point High. He also earned high school senior All-America honors with a seventh place showing at 145 pounds at the NHSCA Nationals. Vinson went 7-2 at the championship. He qualified for the FILA Junior World Team Trials with a runnerup finish in Greco-Roman at the FILA Junior Nationals in Las Vegas last month. He will wrestle at 157 pounds for Binghamton.

Schiedel won a state championship at 189 pounds for Caledonia-Mumford this year. He went 46-0 in his senior season. Schiedel is a three-time state placewinner who finished third both a sophomore and junior. He was a four-time Section V champion who also was an ASICS Cadet National runnerup. Schiedel will wrestle at 184 for the Bearcats.

Morabito was a state champion at 125 pounds from nearby Susquehanna Valley High. He was the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the sectional championship and also earned ASICS Junior All-America honors.

Crain was a state runner-up for Columbia this year at 135 pounds, and is the school's all-time wins leader with 217. He won 46 matches as a senior, including 31 by pin. The Section 2 champion and first team Suburban Council all-star, Crain went 5-2 to place among the top 12 at the National High School Coaches Association Senior Nationals. He beat state champions from Minnesota, New Jersey, Washington and Georgia at the event. He will compete for a spot at 133/141 for the Bearcats.

Garvey, a heavyweight, was a state runnerup this season. Bloss is a two-time state qualifier at 125 pounds and Korpi is a two-time NHSCA All-American.