Central Michigan University Athletics
Ten to Join CMU Next Season
11/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Central Michigan wrestling coach Tom Borrelli announced the signing of 10 student-athletes who will join the program in the 2015-16 season.
The class comprises Reiley Brown of Norton Shores; Sage Castillo of Hartland; Drew Hildebrandt of Granger, Ind.; Jon Martin of Gaylord; Blake Montrie of Temperance; Landon Pelham of Tecumseh; Deven Perez of Davison; Dresden Simon of Dansville; Matt Stencel of Oregon, Ohio; and Ryan Violette of Titusville, Fla.
"We tried to address some of our weight-class needs that we felt like were glaring for the future as far as depth-wise," Borrelli said. "We feel like many will be major contributors to the program down the road."
Brown (133/141), who attends Whitehall High School, won the Division III Michigan high school state title at 125 pounds in 2015 and 2016 and compiled a 188-13 career record at Whitehall.
Castillo (165), a four-time state qualifier, compiled over 200 career wins at Hartland High School.
Hildebrandt (125), who attends Penn High School, was a four-time placer in the Indiana state high school tournament, including a title win in 2016.
Martin (125/133) placed four times at the MHSAA state finals competing for Gaylord High School.
Montrie (157) ended his career at Temperance Bedford High School with a record of 172-21 and won two state championships.
Pelham (197) wrapped up his career at Tecumseh High School with a 196-21 record. He is a four-time Michigan high school All-Stater, placing first, third, fifth and sixth in state tournaments in his career.
Perez (125/133) placed twice at the MHSAA state tournament and helped Davison high school to the 2016 team title.
Simon (141/149) won the Michigan high school Division 4 state title at 130 pounds last season, when he went 58-0 to push his career record to 154-11.
Stencel, who projects as a heavyweight, won the 195-pound championship at the 2015 and 2016 Ohio high school state tournament. He was runner-up as a sophomore.
Violette (149/157) is a three-time Florida state qualifier.
Reiley Brown • 133/141 lbs. • Norton Shores, Mich./Whitehall HS
Four-year varsity wrestler … three-year team captain … owns a career record of 188-13 … two-time state champion ... also placed third at 119 lbs. in 2014 and second at 103 lbs. … three-time Muskegon County (GMAA) champion … Cliff Keene Preseason National All-American in 2014 and 2015 …. also lettered one year in cross country.
Sage Castillo • 165 lbs. • Hartland, Mich./Hartland, HS
Two-time district champion … four-time state qualifier … two-time Freestyle and Greco Roman State Champion … finished his senior year with a record of 59-2 and a 5th place finish in the MHSAA Championships … helped lead his team to a 2016 MHSAA state team title … completed his career with a record of 202-37.
Drew Hildebrandt • 125 lbs. • Granger, Ind./Penn HS
2015 sectional, regional and semi-state champion ... 2016 Indiana team state champion … 2015 state runner-up ... 2015 NHSCA All-American (Virginia Beach) … placed three times at Indiana state meet (eighth, sixth and second) … three-time First Team Northern Indiana Conference honoree … 10-time ISWA state club champion … three-time USA Wrestling High School All-American … placed second at junior nationals (Fargo) and at USA Folkstyle National (Iowa).
Jon Martin • 125/133 lbs. • Gaylord, Mich./Gaylord HS
Four-time varsity letterwinner … four-time MHSAA state placer (8th, 4th, 5th, 2nd) … went 12-3 last summer at the Junior Duals … advanced to the blood round at the Junior National Championships in Fargo, N.D.
Blake Montrie • 157 lbs. • Temperance, Mich./Temperance Bedford HS
Four-year letterwinner … two-year team captain … ended his high school career with a record of 172-21 … two-time state champion … three-time MHSAA state placer … went a combined 98-2 in his junior and senior seasons … had 594 career takedowns and 89 pins.
Landon Pelham • 197 lbs. • Tecumseh, Mich./Tecumseh HS
Four-year varsity letterwinner … possessed a 196-21 high school record … four-time all-state finisher, placing sixth, fifth, third and first … three-time all-conference and all-county honoree … Asics Fargo All-American (freestyle and Greco), finishing runner-up in both styles … ASICS Folkstyle and Fila Cadet All-American … also a three-time football letterwinner … two-time all-conference, all-county and all-state linebacker … member of the National Honor Society.
Deven Perez • 125/133 lbs. • Davison, Mich./Davison HS
Two-time league champion … Genesee County Champion … two-time state placer (8th & 4th) … two-time Brecksville placer … Grappler Fall Classic All-American … helped lead his team to a second place finish at the 2016 MHSAA state tournament.
Dresden Simon • 141/149 lbs. • Dansville, Mich./Dansville HS
Four-year letterwinner ... three-year team captain … owns a 207-12 career record … as a senior, he compiled 56 wins and was a MHSAA State Champion at 140 lbs. ... finished 58-0 as a junior, winning the Division 4 state title at 130 lbs. … ranked first in all divisions in his weight class following junior season …placed second in the state as a sophomore, compiling a 47-4 record … placed third as a freshman, ending the season with a 49-7 record … earned All-America honors at the 2014 USAW Cliff Keen Folkstyle Nationals, placing seventh … 2014 (cadet) and 2015 (junior duals) All-American … named Leslie Invitational Most Outstanding Wrestler.
Matt Stencel • 285 lbs. • Oregon, Ohio/Clay HS
2015 and 2016 state champion ... placed second at the state finals in 2014 … amassed a career record of 184-18 … a Fargo Cadet Freestyle and Greco Champion in 2014, and a Fargo Junior Freestyle and Greco All-American in 2015 … a two-time Ironman Finalist and one-time Ironman Champion ... a Super 32 runner-up ... defeated both opponents competing for Team USA in the 2016 Dapper Dan and Dream Team Classic events.
Ryan Violette • 149/157 lbs. • Titusville, Fla./Astronaut HS
Four-year letterwinner … three-time state qualifier … state runner-up … ended his senior campaign with a record of 39-10 … went 12-2 at the AAU Scholastic Duals to secure All-American honors … career record was 139-37.
Players Mentioned
