The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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Michigan's Top Five Freshman Classes For 2012-13 country, regardless of the sport. In 2012, the U-M wrestling squad finished 11th at the NCAA Championships — but be- hind six conference foes. Now without leader Kellen Russell, who captured his second consecutive national championship in the 141-pound division last year as a fifth-year senior, the Michigan wrestling program must reload in order to consis- tently compete with the country's best. Luckily, it looks as if the Wolverines have the required talent Wrestling: Big Ten competition is among the fiercest in the to do so. Head coach Joe McFarland brought in Intermat's No. 7 class nationally (his third consecutive top-10 class), head- onships a year ago. "It is a good, talented class, just added another block of excited young men, and now the vast majority of the team will be on the same page. They will continue to add to those already established trends. Swimming: Michigan captured its third Big Ten title in " U-M coach Alex Gibby said. "We " four seasons under head coach Mike Bottom a year ago, and the U-M juggernaut looks to build upon its stature as one of the elite swimming programs in the nation with yet another superb group of incoming freshmen. The Wolverines solidified the commitment of eight prep prospects, includ- ing five top-130 recruits according to Col- legeSwimming.com, highlighted by South African star Dylan Bosch. "We're still continuing our recruiting pro- cess, and believe this can end up a top-five producing recruiting class, coach Mike Bottom said. Golf: For a men's golf squad seeking a " Michigan head steadying force following the graduation of team leader Matt Thompson, the three incoming freshmen offer both ability on the course and leadership in the locker room. In a team sport dictated by individ- ual success, the Wolverines seem to have a potential unifying energy in London, Ont., native Brett McIntosh, who has already proven to be a positive catalyst before even taking a class in Ann Arbor. He will be joined by Americans Chris O'Neill and Andrew Yeager, who both earned all-state honors as prep athletes. "The class is particularly special to me Michigan wrestling head coach Joe McFarland (shown above, on the left, at the NCAA lined by three grapplers ranked in the top 10 of their respec- tive weight classes. In total, the six incoming Wolverines have combined for 17 prep state titles. "We are very excited about having these six guys join our program," McFarland said. "We have a well-balanced class as Championships) has put together his third consecutive top-10 recruiting class. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS because it was the first class that I have signed as a head coach, already has relationships with each other, and they are going to come in and be comfortable right away. "It is a talented group, and they all have a little bit different Chris Whitten said. "We really looked for leadership and maturity, and this group far as filling some of our weight needs, and I really like the attitude, work ethic and approach that each of these guys brings. They are all well-rounded wrestlers, good in both folk-style and freestyle. They really like to compete in the offseason, which is very important, and they've had some success nationally. "They're all just a great fit for Michigan. They are serious student-athletes, who are committed to working hard on the mat and working hard in the classroom. Over the years, those are the kind of guys that have found a lot of success in our program. Maize and Blue cross country contingent welcomes one of the top classes in the country. Led by talented, and naturally competitive, distance runners Tony Smoragiewicz and George Kelly, U-M welcomes a plethora of youthful athletes ready to supplement a Michigan track and field program looking to bounce back from a ninth-place finish at the Big Ten Champi- Cross Country/Track and Field: In an Olympic year, the " 90 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2012 will contribute out of necessity. In only the second season of NCAA Division I play, the Maize and Blue welcome 18 pros- pects that will be not only expected, but depended upon, to contribute from the get go as the Wolverines are forced to recruit essentially an entire roster. Attacker Brendan Gaughan is among the most prepared Lacrosse: If anything, the 2013 incoming lacrosse class " freshmen in the country at his position, and goaltender Ger- ald Logan is expected to make an immediate difference, and is expected by some to earn the starting role in his rookie campaign. "We're thrilled with this group, " U-M head coach style of play. We want smart players that understand their strength and their weaknesses, and I am confident that these guys know that. All three of them have a lot of upside, and they are committed to get better. Paul said. "They are making history, and each of them has the potential to leave their mark on the program. We couldn't be more excited to welcome them to the Michigan lacrosse family. — Kevin Minor " Michigan head coach John "