GWU Wrestling Inks Four to National Letters of Intent
December 10, 2012 | Wrestling
Boiling Springs, N.C. - Gardner-Webb wrestling head coach Daniel Elliott, in conjunction with the Gardner-Webb athletics department, is pleased to announce the signing of Phillip Anderson (Milton, Ga.), Christopher Vassar (Camp Hill, Pa.), George Weber (Bel Air, Md.) and Brett Stein (Woodbridge, Va.) to National Letter of Intents to continue both their academic and athletic careers at Gardner-Webb University come Fall 2013.
"We are extremely excited about this year's early recruiting class. We have struggled to sign seniors during the early signing period in the past, but this year's group really came together, being the highest number of early signees we have had in quite a while here at GWU," Coach Elliott said. "Each one of our signees lives for the sport of wrestling and have already built some good relationships with the guys on the team."
Anderson, who hails from Milton High School in Milton, Ga., is a
two-time Georgia AAAAA State placer and a two-time National High
School Coaches Association All-American (NHSCA). Anderson, who is
projected to suit up for GWU at 125 and 133 pounds, was the 2012
Georgia AAAAA State Runner-up at 120 pounds, took third-place at
the 2011 Georgia AAAAA State Championships at 119 pounds and was a
state qualifier in 2010. The 2012 NHSCA Junior Nationals
Runner-up, placed seventh at the NCSCA Sophomore Nationals in 2011
and is currently ranked No. 14 in the 2013 Senior Class at 120
pounds by Wrestling USA Magazine.
The two-time Team Captain has also won the Talon Award twice for his overall effort throughout the season.
"I had the opportunity to see Philip train and compete this summer and was really impressed by his work ethic and commitment to continue to improve day-in and day-out," Elliott commented. "Philip has competed with the best guys in the nation, making a run to the national finals this past summer, and will add some much needed depth in our lower weights."
Vassar, who wrestles at Cedar Cliff High School under coach Rob
Rapsey in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, is
a two-time Pennsylvania AAA State placer and a three-time PowerAde
Placer, as he twice finished in fourth-place and in seventh-place
once at the event. Vassar, who is projected to compete for GWU at
141 and 149 pounds, was the 2012 Pennsylvania State AAA Runner-up
at 138 pounds and took fourth-place at 103 pounds at the State
Championship in 2010. As a sophomore in 2011, he amassed a record
of 26-4 at 112 pounds before suffering a season-ending illness.
Vassar, who placed sixth overall at the 2011 Reno Tournament of
Champions, is currently ranked No. 20 in the 2013 Senior Class at
145 pounds by Wrestling USA Magazine.
Off the mat, Vassar is and has been a member of the Distinguished Honor Roll throughout his high school career.
"Chris wrestles in one of the biggest hot beds for wrestling in the country and has shown he can compete with the best guys throughout the country," continued Elliott. "Chris has several high school teammates who are excelling in other NCAA Division I programs and has high expectations of himself at the collegiate level."
Weber, who will join the Runnin' Bulldogs by way of John Carroll
High School in Bel Air, Maryland, is a three-time National Prep
All-American, as he finished third in 2012 at 145 pounds, fifth in
2011 at 130 pounds and sixth in 2010 at 125 pounds. The 2011 NHSCA
Sophomore National Runner-up is a three-time Maryland Independent
School State Championships placer, as he finished second in 2012,
second in 2011 and third in 2010 at the state tournaments.
Wrestling USA Magazine ranks Weber, who finished seventh
overall at 132 pounds at the 2012 Super 32, No. 21 in the 2013
Senior Class at 145 pounds. He also ranks 11th in the nation by
Flowrestling.com and 14th in the nation overall at 132
pounds by Amateur Wrestling News/TheOpenMat.
"George comes from an environment where he understands training and what will be expected from him at the next level each and every day," commented Elliott. "He is a tough wrestler with an impressive resume and we are excited about the opportunity to work with him over the next few years."
Stein, who wrestles for Forest Park High School in Woodbridge, Va., is a 2012 NHSCA Junior National All-American, as he took fifth-place overall, and a three-time Patriot District Champion. Stein, who has overall record of 126-29 heading into his senior season, is a three-time First-Team All-District selection, a two-time All-Region honoree and was named to the All-State and All-MET team his junior year. The 2012 Team MVP took third place at the Virginia AAA State Championship at 160 pounds and was the Regional Champion his junior season. A Virginia Greco & Freestyle State Champion, Stein received the Junior Freestyle Sate Championships Sportsmanship Award as a junior.
In the classroom, Stein has earned the 3.5 Student-Athlete Award, is an Academic Letterman and is a member of the National Honor Society.
"Brett is a wrestler who continues to improve every time he competes and expects to continue tomake huge strides on the mat," Elliott said. "Brett will be adding some depth at our mid-upper weights and we are looking forward to seeing his contributions to the program over the coming years."
"Bringing in this type of class will bring the level in our room up and while raising expectations on and off the mat for the program," continued Elliott. "We still have some things in the works for the late signing period and are looking forward to building around this core."
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