<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Nebraska head wrestling coach Mark Manning announced the signing of three student-athletes during the early signing period that will join the Huskers for the 2007-08 academic year. <?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>
The three signees, Andy Pokorny of Bennington, Neb., Tucker Lane of Nucla, Colo., and Chris Hacker of El Reno, Okla., represent Nebraska’s continued success in wrestling both on and off the mat.
“We are extremely pleased with all three joining our team,” Manning said. “These young men are the type of people we need in this program. All three have excelled in wrestling not only at the state level, but also at the national level. These are outstanding young men that will represent Nebraska in a first-class manner.”
Pokorny is a two-time state champion, winning last year’s class C crown at 112 pounds after winning in 2005 at 103. A 2006 Junior Freestyle All-American, Pokorny is the fourth-ranked 112-pound wrestler in the nation by Wrestling USA and is the 52nd ranked high school wrestler overall by Intermat. His accomplishments are not limited to the mat, however, as he is currently second in his class with at 3.935 GPA and a 30 on his ACT.
“Andy is arguably the best high school wrestler in the state,” Manning said. “He’s one of the top lightweights in the country and one of the top students in the state. His work ethic, dedication and character are all tremendous. He’s the type of young man we want on this team.”
Lane also comes to Nebraska with glittering athletic and academic credentials. A two-time state champion, Lane is the nation’s second-ranked 215-pound wrestler by Wrestling USA and is the 40th ranked high school wrestler overall, according to Intermat, which has recognized him as a four-star recruit. Lane also was a Junior Freestyle All-American in 2006. Like Pokorny, Lane is also accomplished in the classroom. He earned a 31 on his ACT and entered his senior year at NuclaHigh School with a 4.25 GPA, tops in his graduating class.
“Tucker is an outstanding student-athlete that will help our program on the mat and off it,” Manning said. “He’s one of the top student-athletes that Nebraska will recruit this year. He’s a young man with tremendous maturity, work ethic and desire to be the best.”
A four-time Cadet All-American and two-time Junior All-American, Hacker also joins the Huskers with an impressive resume at both the state and national levels. Hacker captured the Class 4A championships at 152 pounds last year, and is the No. 6 152-pounder according to Wrestling USA and is the 53rd-best high school wrestler in the nation, according to Intermat. Hacker also received recruiting attention from Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Missouri, among others.
“Chris is a very accomplished wrestler, both in Oklahoma and on the national stage. He’s one of the top middleweights in the country, and he wrestles year-round. He epitomizes the tough, hard-nosed competitors that we like on our team. We are very fortunate that Chris has chosen us over the other schools that were recruiting him.”