Grand Canyon University Athletics
Antelopes sign 11 in recruiting class
6/15/2009 10:56:07 AM | Wrestling
Grand Canyon University coach R.C. LaHaye announced the signing of 11 wrestlers in the 2009-10 recruiting class.
"Hands down, they're the best wrestling class we've recruited, but they're also the best student-athletes we've recruited," LaHaye said.
Todd Wilcox, a 133-pounder from Sacramento, Calif., and Sierra Community College, highlights this year's class. Wilcox, a California Athletic Community College state champ, pinned 2009 NAIA national champion Ray Stephens of Lindenwood. Wilcox (pictured) also won a major decision over Junior College All-American Vinny Pisani of Iowa Central.
"Todd's probably our most talented recruit of the class," LaHaye said. "Definitely has potential to be an All-American right away."
Wilcox joins 125-/133-pound Kyle Wilson (Anchorage, Alaska/Colony HS), 125-pound Madison Gambrell (Clovis, Calif./Clovis HS) and 125-pound Lino Estrada (Hayden, Ariz./Hayden HS) is augmenting the lower weight classes. Wilson was a two-time Alaska state champ and Wrestling USA Magazine High School All-American. Gambrell was ranked 12th in the nation by Wrestling USA. Estrada is a three-time Arizona state champ and two-time state tournament Outstanding Wrestler who went 196-4 in his career.
"Madison will be a tough lightweight," LaHaye said. "We definitely think he has a lot of potential. Lino's very, very solid. Just looking at his record shows you how tough he is. Kyle is another solid lightweight to add to our depth. We're definitely excited to have a two-time state champ to add to our team."
Arizona products Markos Serna (Holbrook, Ariz./Holbrook HS) and Keifer Gilbert (Winslow, Ariz./Winslow HS) will help fortify the 141-pound class. Serna, who also could wrestle at 133, is a two-time state champ and Arizona All-Star selection. Gilbert is a two-time state placer.
"Markos is one of the best small school wrestlers in Arizona in recent memory," LaHaye said. "He's easily one of the best middleweights Arizona's seen in a couple years. Keifer is a hard worker. He's a kid that definitely hasn't reached his potential yet. He comes from a good program there in Winslow. We're excited to see what he can do at the college level."
Grand Canyon signed 157-pounders Jonathan Urango (Camarillo, Calif./Camarillo HS) and Juan Carlos Maynes (Silver City, N.M./Silver HS). Urango, ranked 15th in the nation in Wrestling USA, signed in the fall. Maynes was a two-time New Mexico state champ.
"Jonathan was one our primary kids that we wanted to sign," LaHaye said. "We think he could be right in the mix to start right away. Juan Carlos is extremely hardworking. He comes from a wrestling family. He's very excited to come out to GCU, and we're excited to see what he can do as well."
Anthony Moya, a 165-pounder from Phoenix Moon Valley High, and 174-pound Sierra Community College transfer Mike Fucci (Sacramento, Calif.) add strength to the upper weight classes.
"Anthony is very athletic, very strong," LaHaye said. "He's a good student-athlete. That also adds to the character he has that we're looking for. Mike is very solid, explosive. There's a lot of upside for him for the future. A lot of potential."
Jacob Bingham, a 197-/285-pounder is the third Sierra Community College transfer. Bingham (Sacramento, Calif.) was ranked No. 1 in the CACC before an injury ended his sophomore season.
"Bingham just adds another weapon to our upper weights," LaHaye said. "We're looking for him to compete right away."
LaHaye is encouraged by the experience this class comes to GCU with, adding almost all of them have wrestled most of their lives.
"This is definitely a class we can build a foundation on," LaHaye said.
