NEW YORK - The Columbia wrestling team will add nine newcomers to its 2017-18 roster, announced today by the Andrew F. Barth Head Coach of Wrestling, Zach Tanelli.
"The class of 2021 brings a lot of excitement to Morningside Heights," said Tanelli. "They will provide a strong foundation moving forward as we strive to accomplish things for the first time in program history. We've covered a lot of needs with great talent and better character. These are young men that will be leaders in the wrestling room, the classroom and the community. I can't wait to have them join us in the fall and begin developing them."
Brian Bonino | 197 | Paramus, N.J. | Paramus
Wrestled for four years at Paramus High School in New Jersey ... Finished third at the New Jersey State Championships in the 195-pound bracket as a senior ... Picked up all-league, all-county, and all-state honors his final season, and all-league and all-county honors as a junior ... Also wrestled for the Apex Wrestling Club ... A two-time first team all-league football player, and a former baseball player in the Little League World Series ... The son of Tara and Robert Bonino ... Plans on studying economics at Columbia College.
Hunter Dusold | 141 | Locust Valley, N.Y. | Locust Valley
The all-time winningest wrestler in Locust Valley High School history, posting 196 victories during his prep career ... A six-time Nassau County (N.Y.) champion, earning four all-state finishes, and one state championship ... Prep teams were county champions six times during his career, five-time conference champions, and won a state team title in 2014 ... The son of Nicole and Mike Dusold ... Will attend Columbia College.
Dylan Geick | 157 | Buffalo Grove, Ill. | Adlai E. Stevenson
A two-time All-American while wrestling at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in suburban Chicago ... Claimed fourth place at the Illinois state wrestling championships in both of his final two seasons ... A three-time member of the Illinois Freestyle National Team ... Competed for the Outsiders AAU team, which won a Scholastic Duals National Championship in 2016 ... The son of Kelly Bauer and Steve Geick ... Will study English at Columbia College.
Spencer Good | 125 | Grass Lake, Mich. | Lumen Christi
Participated in the lower weight classes at Lumen Christi High School in Michigan ... The 2017 state runner-up at 119 pounds, and a 2016 state champion at 112 pounds ... A three-time conference champion and three-time all-state honoree ... Posted a 43-4 record during his junior campaign ... Also ran cross country and played soccer in high school ... The son of Carrie and Paul Good ... Intends on studying civil engineering at the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Daniel Herman | HWT | Bethesda, Md. | Wyoming Seminary
Wrestled as a heavyweight at Wyoming Seminary Prep School in Pennsylvania ... Posted a record of 126-23 during his high school career ... A two-time National Prep All-American and the D.C. Metro heavyweight champion ... Claimed third place at the Beast of the East tournament, and was a four-time state placer between Maryland and Pennsylvania ... Participated on the Prodigy Wrestling Club team ... Also a three-year letterwinner in lacrosse as a prep ... The son of Kimberly and Scott Herman ... Grandfather, George Herman, attending the Columbia School of Journalism ... Plans on studying economics at Columbia College.
Riley Jacops | 141/149 | Austin, Texas | Vandegrift
A four-year letterman on the mat at Vandegrift High School in Texas ... Posted a career record of 166-13, wrestling from 106 as a freshman and moving up to 152 during his senior season ... Went 51-4 during his final season, earning district and regional titles before a fourth place finish at the UIL State meet ... Helped his high school to a pair of district and regional championships during his final two seasons ... Also competed for the 3F Wrestling and Barber Wrestling clubs ... The son of Pam and Randy Jacops ... The oldest of eight children, also has five very large dogs ... Will study economics at Columbia College.
Brandon Kui | 184 | Wayne, N.J. | DePaul Catholic
Spent four years on the varsity wrestling team at DePaul Catholic High School in New Jersey ... Earned a New Jersey state title at 182 pounds in 2016 ... Finished third at the 2015 Beast of the East in the 182 pound bracket, and fifth at 195 the following year ... Claimed fourth at the Fargo Junior Freestyle division in 2016 ... The son of Joie and William Kui ... Older brother, Will, also wrestles at Columbia ... Plans on studying economics at Columbia College.
AJ Meyers | 165 | Toms River, N.J. | Toms River East
Won over 100 matches in high school while wrestling for Toms River East and the Shore Thing Club team ... Finished runner-up at the NJ State Wrestling meet his junior season in the 152-pound bracket, going 36-2 on the season ... The son of Eva and Mark Meyers ... Has two different colored eyes ... Intends on studying economics at Columbia College.
Christopher Scorese | 133 | Cranford, N.J. | Cranford
Wrestled at the lower weights for Cranford High School in New Jersey ... Posted a career record of 136-20 during his prep career ... Placed seventh during his final season at the N.J. state meet in the 132-pound bracket ... Was a three-time qualifier at the state wrestling meet ... A NHSCA Junior All-American in 2016, taking sixth place ... The son of Debbie and Donald Scorese ... Plans on studying economics at Columbia College.
