APPLETON, Wis. -- Eleven newcomers will add talent and depth to the 2005-06 version of the Lawrence University wrestling team.
The Vikings have student-athletes from across the Midwest and will get some immediate help from a pair local wrestlers.
"This is probably the best recruiting class I've had in the last four years," head coach Dave Novickis said. "This is a very talented freshman class that will fill some of our immediate needs."
Eric Dardanes, a Chicago native who attended Fenwick High School, is a talented wrestler who should battle for the starting job at 197 pounds. Dardanes also is set to play football for the Vikings.
Joe Desrochers hails from tiny Vermontville, Mich., where he starred at Maple Valley High School. Look for him to be one of the team's top wrestlers at 157.
Josh Manthey is from Milltown and attended Unity High School. He gives the Vikings added depth at 149. Manthey also plans to play football at Lawrence.
Edwin Mathews also figures to be in the mix at 157. A native of Whitewater, he starred at Whitewater High School.
Evan Neuens, who was a prep standout at Florence High School, is from Niagara and will wrestle at 133. Neuens also plays defensive back and is set to join the Lawrence football team.
Anthony Norton, a native of Lombard, Ill., was a standout at Montini Catholic High School. Norton could challenge for the starting position at 141 pounds.
Brendan Peters, who hails from Hopkins, Minn., adds to the depth at 174 pounds. He was a prep standout at Hopkins High School.
Jeremy Reider is one of the two local wrestlers set to join the squad. The Appleton native and former star at Appleton North High School will battle for the starting job at heavyweight. Reider also looks to have an impact this fall with the Lawrence football team.
Oshkosh native T.J. Reyburn is the other local wrestler and faces stiff competition from returning starter John Budi for the starting spot at 165. Reyburn was a prep standout at Oshkosh West High School.
Dustin Tanner comes to Lawrence from Beloit, where he wrestled at Memorial High School. Tanner, who also will play football for the Vikings, will be one of the wrestlers in the mix at 149.
Rounding out the group is August Trexler, a native of Grayslake, Ill. The former standout at Grayslake Community High School adds to the group of wrestlers at 165.
Lawrence finished seventh at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships in 2005. Kimberly native Ben Dictus won the conference title at 184 pounds and qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships for the third consecutive season.