Your future, our focus
Zeigler Announces Trio of State Champions
By Randal Horobik
Tribune Sports Editor
The Northwest College wrestling program added a trio of state champions to its stable as head coach Jim Zeigler announced the program's latest letter of intent signings on Wednesday.
Cody Brown, a three-time state champion from Casper Natrona, hopes to bring a little second-generation skill to the Northwest College wrestling room.
"Cody's dad, Ab Brown, wrestled for us from 1984-1986, so he comes from a wrestling family," said Zeigler. "We expect he'll wrestle at 165 for us next year."
Brown wasn't the only multiyear state champion announced by Zeigler, however. The Trappers also announced the signing of Northglenn, Colo., native Philip Grout. Grout was a two-time state champion and is expected to step in at 125 lbs. at Northwest.
"I had the opportunity to watch both Cody and Philip at the senior nationals tournament in Virginia earlier this spring," said Zeigler. "Both of them won four matches while there, which is impressive. Being able to watch them both compete against that type of competition really confirmed what I felt about them."
Joining the pair will be a third state title winner - Nick Petersen of Delta, Utah. Petersen captured a state title and was part of Delta's state championship team last winter. He went 2-2 at the senior nationals event in Virginia.
"I know Nick's high school coach, Josh Wright, well. The Wright brothers are wrestling legends in that state," said Zeigler. "His brother attended school at Northwest and won a national championship while here, and Josh did a great job of turning the Delta program around. So I know Nick comes from a high-quality team, and there's an upside to that. I think he'll be a real treasure."
Petersen will likely wrestle at 184 pounds for Northwest College.
In addition to the three signings, Zeigler announced a trio of in-state verbal commitments to the program on Wednesday. Lander's Jake Budd and Hulett's Lincoln Driskell and David Dorsett have verbally indicated they plan to attend Northwest next season, according to Zeigler.
"All three of them are good kids," said Zeigler. "Their ACT test scores are up there. They're impressive wrestlers and students."
Driskell and Dorsett are both former Wyoming state champions.
"We've had several other visits to campus (from prospective students)," said Zeigler. "We should have a few more signings shortly."