Texas’ Top 10 Recruits

by Shaun Shaikh

Top Recruit:
Ben Ashmore
Bishop Lynch College Prep, Forney, TX
Project College Weight: 125

Background: Since Ben Ashmore arrived on the scene as a freshman at 103, he has been the best wrestler in Texas at any weight class and at any age level. As the poster child for the highly regarded Team Monday, coached by Olympic Gold Medalist Kenny Monday, he has lead the charge for Texas Wrestling gaining recognition on the National Scene. He’s been an All-American at Fargo several times, placing as high as 3rd, and won Prep Nationals twice. He’s won State three times. However, his most impressive accomplishment was probably winning the Beast of the East last winter, completely decimating the stiff competition. His career record is 80-1.

Why he’s # 1: Ben Ashmore does not do many things that will absolutely blow your mind, but his wrestling epitomizes efficiency. He is very strong on top, and is extremely good at securing the pin whenever he gets somebody on their back. Mistakes are virtually non-existent in his wrestling and his work-ethic truly is on another level. He is one of the best coached wrestlers in the nation, with Kenny Monday AND Kendall Cross leading his training.
Where he’s looking: Oklahoma State (committed)

The Rest of the Best
Frederic Rowsey
Highland Park H.S., Dallas, TX
Projected College Weight: 174/184

Background: Fred Rowsey wrestles for and leads the elite high school in Texas Wrestling, whose trophy cases are filled with State Championships. His freshman year, he placed 3rd place in Fargo at the 171 pound cadet division. His sophomore year, he placed 3rd in the State and 7th at Fargo (Cadet). His junior year he won State in the most anticipated State Final of the night in dominating fashion.

Why he’s a top Recruit: His freshman and sophomore years are impressive accomplishment wise, but what is more impressive is that he wrestled undersized most of the time, but perservered due to solid technique and hard-nosed wrestling. However, what makes him the second best recruit in Texas was his performance junior year. He bulked up to become one of the most physically imposing wrestlers in his weight class, and easily downed another undefeated wrestler in the State Finals by 14-7. Did we mention that he has a 3.95 GPA, is in the National Honor Society, is the student body vice president, and won the Cornerstone Scholar Athlete Award.

Where he’s looking: Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Virginia, Duke

Shane Doughman
Klein Oak H.S., Spring, TX
Projected College Weight: 125

Background: In ’04 he placed fourth in the State after walking into the State Championship ranked first at 103. He came back much stronger in his junior campaign and won the State Championship over the very highly regarded Fargo All-American Josh Sandoval at 119.

Why he’s a top Recruit: Doughman is a very physical wrestler who is explosive and solid. He is tough as nails on his feet and nearly impossible to ride, which makes him the ideal form for a college wrestler.

Where he’s looking: Oklahoma

Michael Gerber
Canyon Randall H.S., Amarillo, TX
Projected College Weight: 141
Background: Freshman year, Michael Gerber burst onto the scene placing 119 in a very tough weight class with a returning state champion. The next year, he won the State Championship over a Fargo All-American Senior in a very impressive manner, rallying back late in the match and getting a takedown to secure the win. Junior year, 140 pounds featured him and 3-time State Champion Matt Sansone. Gerber did not back down from the challenge, but did end up losing to finish 2nd.
Why he’s a top Recruit: Michael Gerber is a machine. He wrestles with extremely high intensity, and every wrestler that has faced him has commented on how hard he pushed them. If a top-notch college coach and elite practice partners were put with this extremely physical and hard-working athlete, Gerber would undoubtedly flourish into an Elite NCAA wrestler.
Where he’s looking: Tennessee, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State

Sean Kitchen
Plano East H.S., Plano, TX
Projected College Weight: 125

Background: He’s had a string of bad luck so far in his career, but that does not mean that he is not one of the most elite wrestlers in Texas. His freshman year, he was around 90 pounds and was not heavy enough to really compete at 103. However, he had a strong performance in Freestyle and Greco and was undefeated at Cadet Duals. Sophomore year he had a good season, but was in a very stacked 103 pound weight class, and finished a very respectable 3rd (ahead of Shane Doughman). His junior year he got third again in the 119 pound weight class, behind Shane Doughman and Josh Sandoval. He is the best wrestler without a State title this year.

Why he’s a top Recruit: His experience and technique anchor this wrestler who probably leaves a little to be desired physically. He has been a very hard working wrestler who knows no off-season.

Austin Johlke:
Bowie H.S., Austin, TX
Projected College Weight: 184/197

Background: Austin Johlke went to State his Freshman year and went 2-2. His sophomore year he did not wrestle. However, he came back his Junior and was extremely impressive. Physically, he was one of the top 3 wrestlers in Texas. He made it to the State Final unscathed, but fell to Fred Rowsey (mentioned above) to finish second.

Why he’s a top Recruit: Austin Johlke’s style is one of the most physically imposing and explosive in Texas. He’s not just big and stupid — he’s been wrestling as long as anybody can remember, and he’s quite solid. His loss to Rowsey in the State Finals last year overshadowed the way he stomped his way to the State Finals. For college teams looking for a Big Texan Bruiser, Johlke may be the answer.

Kevin Jury
Americas H.S., El Paso, TX
Projected College Weight: 125/133

Background: In 2004, Kevin Jury placed fourth in a very solid 119 pound weight class. However, he shocked the world in 2005. The 125 pound weight class he was competing in was the hardest weight class in Texas Wrestling History – and that is not even an exaggeration. There were easily 18 wrestlers that would have easily placed or even won other weight classes. There was a State Champion and a State Runner-Up who failed to place. Jury made some amazing moves and finished second place.

Why he’s a top Recruit: Kevin Jury lives and dies by the sword. He is one of the most exciting wrestlers to watch in Texas, because he takes the big risks. That’s what got him his runner-up status this year – going for the big move. He worked from behind in most of his matches.

Where he’s looking: Nebraska, Fresno State, West Point, William Penn (Iowa)

Jacob Valdez
Hanks H.S., El Paso, TX
Projected College Weight: 141/149

Background: After just being an alternate for the State Tournament in 2004, Jacob Valdez came back and won the State Championship at 135 in 2005.

Jason Logan
Dumas H.S., Dumas, TX
Projected College Weight: 157/165

Background: He was the State Champion at 160 pounds in 2005, defeating the clear favorite Devan Lewis in the finals. Devan Lewis was a clear #1 all year long, losing the state championship the year by a takedown. Logan had a strong season up in the Panhandle, and quietly walked through the bracket and won, shocking a lot of people.

Taylor Torisk
Dumas H.S., Dumas, TX
Projected College Weight: 149/157

Background: Wrestling partner of Logan mentioned above, Torisk was on top of the rankings all year in 2005, sporting a very solid season in a deep weight class. In the State Finals he squared up against the eventual Most Outstanding Wrestler, a freshman Spencer Jernigan, and lost in the closing seconds.

This article can also be found on www.intermatwrestle.com in the Premium Services section. Go there to find the top 10 recruits from most of the States around the USA. A Premium Service membership costs just under 3 dollars a month, and opens you up to great resources for wrestling knowledge.

comments: shaunshaikh@hotmail.com