Northern wrestling inks four new recruits

By Ryan Divish/Havre Daily News Sports Editor/rdivish@havredailynews.com

The Montana State University-Northern wrestling team has added its first new recruits of the spring. Head coach David Ray has signed four athletes to NAIA national letters of intent to join the Lights next season.

Ray continues to stock up on in-state talent, adding three state champion Montana wrestlers.

Two-time Class AA champion Josh Robinson of Butte will join the Lights and compete for Emmett Willson's vacant spot at 197 pounds.

Robinson was 38-3 this season and won this year's 215 pound classification. In his junior year, Robinson was 34-6 and won the title at 189 pounds.

"Josh is a sleeper," Ray said. "I feel he will be another Montana wrestler who will achieve great things during his career at Northern. I compare him to Emmett Willson and Turk Lords. Those are big shoes to fill, but he has the ability and talent to do it. His greatest asset is that he believes in himself and does not understand the word quit."

Robinson carries a 3.0 grade point average and will major in education. He is the son of Gary and Sheryl Robinson of Ramsay.

Ray added another AA state champ in Casey Kelly of Helena. Kelly captured the 160-pound title, defeating Kalispell's Chris Thompson 13-6. Kelly finished the season with a perfect 34-0 record for Helena Capital, including 29 wins. In his four years with Capital, Kelly amassed a 103-16 record and placed at state all four years.

"I have to admit Casey was very impressive on his recruiting trip," Ray said. "He has great feel and mat awareness when he's wrestling. Casey has the potential to do many great things for Northern and will improve tremendously when he gets to practice with individuals as motivated as himself."

Kelly will major in Industrial Technology and business and is the son of Harold and Donna Kelly of Helena.

Also joining the Lights is Poplar's Colter Dimas, who won a Class B-C state championship at 171 pounds. Dimas, a cousin of Lights wrestler Dustyn Azure, finished this year with a 27-2 record. As a junior, Dimas finished third with a 36-6 record.

"Colter is a hardworking individual who has the talent to become a very good college wrestler," Ray said. "He is quick and has very good technique on his feet. Mentally, he is very strong and confident."

Dimas also excels in the classroom, carrying a 3.93 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society and plans to major in automotive technology. He is the son of Michael and Jane Dimas of Poplar.

Besides the high school recruits, Ray added some immediate help in junior college transfer Bridger Sacher of Clackamas Community College in Oregon City, Ore.

Sacher was a two-time All-American and two-time regional champion for Clackamas at 197 pounds. Orginally from Silverton, Ore., Sacher was a two-time state placer in Oregon and a cadet All-American and junior All-American runner up.

"Bridger is just starting to become a very good wrestler," Ray said. "He did not pick up the sport until his freshman year in high school, placing twice and finishing third his senior year. He has two years left and a red shirt year. I can see Bridger becoming a national champion at Northern. He works very hard and is excited to be part of our program."

Sacher is the son of Kurt and Lynn Sacher of Silverwood and will major in physical education.