Two-time national qualifier joins team

Although Kent State coach Jim Andrassy said he doesn’t expect this year’s recruiting class to be nationally ranked – as it had been in the previous seasons – the Flashes are confident in the potential of their young wrestlers.

“(Our recruiting class) is not going to be ranked, but we didn’t have a whole lot of needs,” he said. “We brought in some guys that we’ll be able to develop, and over two to three years, will be able to step in and become starters.”

Among a recruiting class made up of several high school state qualifiers, Andrassy said he expects immediate contribution from Delaware State transfer Matt Cathell. A two-time NCAA qualifier, Cathell wrestled to a perfect 16-0 record last season, but was defeated in his first two matches at the national tournament. Cathell joins Kent State with a 45-8 career record and was also named Delaware State’s 2008-2009 Male Student-Athlete of the Year.

“We’ve needed a 149 pounder for quite a few years here, and here’s a guy that was ranked as high as ninth in the country last year,” Andrassy said. “To be able to come in and take over a position that we were concerned about filling with a true freshman, I’m really excited about having a guy that has some experience under his belt.”

Andrassy said Cathell visited Kent State in early May, shortly after Delaware State announced it would discontinue its wrestling program effective as of the 2009-2010 academic year. A week after his visit, Cathell committed to the Flashes.

“It was a real good process,” Andrassy said. “He was looking for a home. We needed a weight class, and there was a scholarship available. It was a perfect situation.”

Contact managing editor Caleb Raubenolt at [email protected].