Preston Stephon will be wrestling at the University of Iowa. Iowa Lakes head coach Cody Alesch is "excited to see Preston given the opportunity to join the Iowa wrestling program. After completing his AA degree at Iowa Lakes Preston did a 2-year mission trip in Toronto, Canada. We knew a challenge was going to be with that two-year commitment, how were things going to circle back around to competing and opportunities out there. Iowa has been where Preston has wanted to go since day one but that is no typical program as everyone knows. We are grateful the coaching staff believes in Preston and understands the two-year mission trip and what growth it truly has on these young men. I think that helped as Iowa has had plenty of experience with guys who have had these mission trips factor into previous athletes. Preston is one of the most driven, focused, hard-working young guys I've ever coached. He will make the most of being a Hawkeye, he truly is living out his dream and that doesn't just happen."
Two-time National qualifier and All-American Isaiah Cox has chosen to continue his academic and athletic career at Wartburg College in Waverly Iowa. Isaiah graduated Ottumwa High School where he took 5th at the State Tournament. Isaiah decided to attend Wartburg because "they have everything I was looking for in a school. We have the same goals, and and it was hard to pass on a program that expects to win a National Title year in and year out. I was considering going there coming out of high school but I decided to come to Iowa Lakes because of the family environment coach Cody Alesch creates." Wartburg College wrestling is a perennial national title contender and has won 14 National Championships, including the last three. Isaiah plans to study education and has aspirations to become a special education teacher and coach wrestling.
Anthony Maia signed his National Letter of Intent to wrestle at the Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN just outside of Nashville. The Phoenix had six wrestlers named to Academic All-Mid-South team and qualified four wrestlers to the NAIA National Tournament last season. Kaz, as he is known to his friends and family, decided to attend Cumberland because "when I thought about where I wanted to be in 5 years I felt like Coach Hicks and his staff were going to put me the best position to get there." Kaz was a two time National Qualifier and All-American for the Lakers.
A-Darius Pruitt has decided to continue his academic and athletic career at Life University in Marietta, GA. The Eagles took 8th place in NAIA last season, and the returning talent had a big part in A-Darius' decision. "I really enjoyed how I was pushed every day in the room at Iowa Lakes and when I was considering where I would attend I wanted to make sure that I attended a place where I would have the same competitive atmosphere on a daily basis." The school's close proximity to his hometown of Cordele, GA also played a big factor. The All-Region Academic team member is planning to get a business degree and eventually pursue a Master's in Business Administration.
LaMont Wilson will be wrestling at Division II Kentucky Wesleyan in their inaugural season. LaMont a St. Louis, MO native competed at 125 for Lakers and will look to make an impact right away. Panthers head coach, Chris Freije, believes that the wrestlers in his recruiting class "have passion for what they're doing, have strong character, high academics, and a big work ethic in all areas of life." This could not describe Wilson any better as he was one of the most consistently hard working wrestlers on the team, both on the mat and in the classroom.
National Qualifier, and Bedford, OH native Jordin James has decided to join his brother at The University of Mount Union in Alliance, OH. Jordin is very excited about the opportunity to compete alongside his brother who won a Division III National Champion for the Purple Raiders last season. Iowa Lakes head coach Cody Alesch had this to say about Jordin "He earned himself a great opportunity through his hard work in the classroom, his extracurricular activities, and the wrestling mat. Although we would have loved for him to back for his sophomore year, the coaching staff is excited for him to wrestle with his brother."