MOORHEAD, Minn. (5/09/17)—Concordia head coach Phil Moenkedick is thrilled to announce the 2017-18 recruiting class. The incoming group features 13 talented student/athletes that bring state and national pedigree to the program.

“I am beyond excited to welcome this great group of young men into the Cobber wrestling family,” stated Moenkedick. “Individually these student/athletes stood out in the recruiting process – not only because of their wrestling abilities but also because of their character.”

The group of incoming wrestlers features nine student/athletes from Minnesota and one each from North Dakota, Montana, Louisiana and Norway.

Concordia is coming off its fifth straight second-place finish at the NCAA West Regional Meet. The Cobbers also had six wrestlers qualify for the NCAA National Meet marking the fifth straight season they have had at least six individuals make the trip to nationals.

Concordia went 10-8 in dual meets in 2016-17. The Cobbers have had double-digit dual-meet win totals in four consecutive seasons.

When asked about how the group of incoming freshman will fit in with the Cobber program, Moenkedick responded by saying, “They fit in well with our culture of high expectations in training, the classroom and in their personal lives.”

In addition to the four states and two countries represented by the recruiting class, Concordia is also adding wrestlers who combined for 34 state tournament appearances, 20 state Top 8 finishes, two state titles and a remarkable 20 years of being a captain of their respective high school teams.

“I fully expect this group to make an immediate impact in the program,” said Moenkedick . “They add depth, intensity and a high level of competitiveness to solid core of returners. These guys will challenge our upper classmen for starting spots in our lineup right from the start and I am looking forward to the daily competition in the practice room.”

Below is a list of the current Cobber recruits to commit for the 2017-18 season.

Name                     Weight                Hometown               High School              Achievements

Trae Bedford             184              Annandale, Minn.           Annandale HS      2-time state placer

Eskil Bergersen        149             Kirkenes, Norway     Kirkenes videregående Greco national champ

Ben Bogart            133/141          Alexandria, Minn.            Alexandria             2-time state qualifier

Patrick Grifffin        165/174          Dillon, Mont.                     Dillon                   2-time state champ

Bryce Kallenbach   184/197         Watertown, Minn.     Watertown-Mayer         State fifth place

Ethan Kimber            197                  Hewitt, Minn.             Bertha-Hewitt         4-time state qualifier

Cole Kubesh          125/133           Brainerd, Minn.              Brainerd                2-time state qualifier

Keaton Long              157              Herman, Minn.           West Central             3-time state qualifier

Jake Nohre               125               Evansville, Minn.       Brandon-Evansville    4-time state qualifier

Travis Ostby          149/157            Starbuck, Minn.             Morris Area            2-time state qualifier

Alex Skaare           149/157              Fargo, N.D.               Fargo Davies           3-time state placer

Tony Struntz              157               Bethel, Minn.                  St. Francis            2-time state placer

Raekwon Thomas 165/174          New Orleans, La.          De La Salle              4-time state placer