Wrestling: Turnbull Inks Two
November 21, 2003 01:32 PM | General
November 21, 2003
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University wrestling coach Craig Turnbull today announced the signing of two recruits for the 2004-05 season.
Giving the coach signatures were Kurt Brenner of (Freedom, Pa./Freedom) and Kyle Turnbull (Morgantown, W.Va./University).
“Both Kurt and Kyle have demonstrated the excellence that we try to seek into the program,” says WVU head coach Craig Turnbull. “They have established themselves nationally as some of the best wrestlers in the country at their weight classes. More impressive is that they are both good students who have the work ethic and character that we constantly seek to attract.”
Brenner is the No. 1 ranked recruit in the country at 171 by Amateur Wrestling News. Brenner is the 2003 Junior National runner-up in both Freestyle and Greco-Roman and the 2002 Cadet Freestyle and Greco-Roman national champion.
“West Virginia University is a good fit for Kurt,” says John Rosa, Freedom High wrestling coach. “He wanted to go to an established program while staying somewhat close to home. WVU is a Top 20 program and will provide Kurt with a solid education. This is a great situation for Kurt and I know he is excited to become a Mountaineer.”
The Freedom, Pa., native is two-time state champion at Freedom High. He is a two-time Southwest Regional champion, district champion and sectional champion. Brenner is a three-time MAC Conference champion with a three-year record of 107-12. He is the 2002 Powerade champion and 2003 Lou Campos Award winner. In just three years, Brenner holds schools records for most takedowns in a season and in a career. He is the first-ever state champion from Beaver county.
Turnbull, son of WVU coach Craig Turnbull, is the No. 1 ranked recruit in the country at 112 by USA Wrestling Magazine. Turnbull placed 2nd at the Junior Nationals in Freestyle.
“Kyle had the opportunity to wrestle at a lot of places but signing with West Virginia is a perfect fit,” says Ken Maisel, University High wrestling coach. “He knows the program and the wrestlers extremely well. He is a hard working kid who will be very successful at WVU.”
The Morgantown, W.Va., native is a state champion at University High. He was a state champion as a junior, a runner-up as a sophomore and placed fifth as a freshman. He has amassed a three-year record is 108-13. Turnbull is one of only three wrestlers in the University Century Club (100 wins or more).
“It was really important for us to get these two weight classes secured,” says Turnbull, a 26 year veteran at the helm of WVU wrestling. “We will look to sign another recruit in the spring around the 149 pound area. Overall, we are very happy and excited to get these two on campus next year.”
