MARSHALL, Minn. -  Southwest Minnesota State head wrestling coach Jesse Nelson announced today the signing of five student-athletes for the 2010-11 season.  Zachary Coates from West St. Paul, Minn., Cord Glanzer from Huron, S.D., Blaine Miller from Plainview, Minn., Mason Young from Mendota Heights, Minn., and Daniel Eckhardt from Blue Earth, Minn., have all signed letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at SMSU.

Coates is coming off a 39-2 senior season at Henry Sibley High School in Mendota Height, Minn.  A six-year letterwinner, Coates earned all-conference honors four times and was a state champion twice.  He also earned All-America honors in Greco and Freestyle and was a USA Cadet Triple Crown Winner.  He holds the HSHS record for career falls (106), career team points (930), career near falls (149) and single-season near falls (41).  Coates compiled a 182-40 career record and was also active in football and track.  He is expected to wrestle at 174 pounds for SMSU.

“Zak is a very talented young man who will add stability to our upper weights,” said Nelson. “He should be able to come in and make an immediate impact in our line-up.”

Glanzer finished his senior campaign at Huron High School in South Dakota this past winter.  Glanzer was a six-time letterwinner and state qualifier and earned five state finishes, including a state championship.  He was also a five-time All-Eastern South Dakota Conference honoree and four-time region champion.  His 175 career wins ranks second in HHS history.  Glanzer was also a two-year letterwinner in football.  He is expected to wrestle at 141 or 149 pounds for the Mustangs.

“Cord is a highly energetic individual who will add great balance to our team on and off the mat,” Nelson said. “I believe that with his work ethic, he will be a great leader for this team.”

Miller is currently a senior at Plainview-Elgin-Millville High School, where he has set numerous school records.  A six-year letterwinner, Miller holds the PEMHS record for career wins (199), career pins (123), career takedowns (321) and single-season wins (47).  He received all-conference accolades five times and was a state entrant for four straight years.  Coates captured Section 1AA titles in 2008, 2009 and 2010, while his team was crowned section champion in 2006, 2008 and 2009 and conference champion five times from 2006 to 2010.  He was also named section wrestler of the year this past season.  Coates also excelled on the football and baseball fields.  He is expected to wrestle at 157 or 165 pounds for SMSU.

“Blaine is going to bring an exciting and explosive style of wrestling to this team,” Nelson said. “His  high school accolades speak for themselves; he has the potential to make an immediate impact.”

Young is finishing up his senior year at Henry Sibley High School, where he amassed a career record of 196-50.  He holds school records in career takedowns (638) and escapes (228).  A six-year letterwinner, Young was a five-time state tournament participant, four-time state placer, two time section champion and six-time all-conference performer.  He also served as a team captain for three years and collected several high finishes on the USA Wrestling circuit.  Young was also an all-conference honoree in football.  He is expected to wrestle at 133 or 141 pounds for the Mustangs.

“Mason is another individual who we expect to make an impact right away,” Nelson said. “We feel very fortunate to add an athlete like Mason to our program.”

Eckhardt, who is currently a senior at Blue Earth Area High School, was a six-year letterwinner who posted 126 career wins.  A five-time section placewinner, Eckhardt captained his squad for two years and captured a conference championship during his junior season.  This past season, he compiled a 33-6 record at 171 pounds and was a section champion.  Eckhardt was also a standout on the football field, where he was named all-conference at linebacker.  He is expected wrestle at 165 or 174 pounds for SMSU.

“Daniel comes from an outstanding program,” Nelson said. “We feel he will be a great addition athletically and academically, and we feel very fortunate to have him as part of our team.

The five signees join Ethan Hildebrandt from St. James, Minn., in the 2010-11 class.  Hildebrandt signed early with SMSU on Nov. 11, 2009.

SMSU finished the 2009-10 season with a record of 4-6 (1-6 NSIC) and qualified three wrestler for the NCAA Championships. 

Southwest Minnesota State University, located in Marshall, is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.