UNK Adds Prep Stars from California, Colorado, Minnesota & Nebraska
Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska Kearney head wrestling coach Dalton Jensen announced today that five high school seniors will take to the mats for the Lopers next season. The first batch of newcomers are Brady Collins (Wray, Colo.), Zachary Marrero (Strasburg, Colo), Alex Munoz (Valencia, Calif), Connor Ritoyna (Bennington) and Cael Robb (Owatonna, Minn.). The second-ranked Lopers have 12 graduate students, redshirt seniors and redshirt juniors on its current roster. Collins (141/149 lbs.) is 118-3 to date for Wray High School. He is a two-time Class 2A state champion, winning titles at 106 lbs. (2022) and 132 lbs. (2020), and also was state runner up in 2021. His older brother, Tyler, is a 157-pound redshirt freshman for the Lopers. "Brady has been high on our list ever since I met the Collins family. This family eats, breathes, and sleeps sports, especially wrestling. His style of wrestling is hard-nose, no-nonsense, score points, tough," said Jensen. "I'm looking forward to watching him and his brother battle in the room together, as well as emerge as great leaders within our program." Another Coloradoan who is projected to be at 141/149 pounds, Marrero stars at Strasburg High School. He enters his senior season with a 94-10 career record while being a two-time Class 3A state champ. Marrero has placed first at 145 lbs. (2022) and 132 lbs. (2021), respectively, and was runner up at that weight as a freshman. "Zach has continued to seek out the best training and competition possible over the last couple of years to continue to develop his craft," said Jensen. "He brings a high level of passion to the sport and wants to challenge himself to be the best he can be. We are looking forward to working with Zach over his college wrestling career."
Munoz (184 lbs.) will be the second Californian on UNK's roster. He is a two-time state placer for Valencia High and won a 2022 CIF Southern Division 170-pound title. His older brother, Trent, is a sophomore 165-pounder for UNK.
"Alex is a talented wrestler coming from one of the best wrestling states in the country. He has continued to develop his skill by seeking out the best competition in the off season," said Jensen. "He'll also be joining his brother and I know these guys will continue to make each other better on and off the mat." For the Bennington Badgers, Ritoyna (133 lbs.) won a 2022 Class B state title at 120 pounds. That effort helped BHS win its' first team title in 15 years. "Connor didn't start wrestling until he was a freshman in high school and has already found himself atop the podium at the state tournament. His attitude, passion, and energy he brings into his training will make his transition to college wrestling a smooth one," said Jensen. A rare Minnesotan for UNK wrestling, Robb (165 lbs.) competes for Owatonna High which is located about an hour South of the Twin Cities. He is a three-time state placer, finishing third as a junior in Class AAA (132 lbs.). "Cael has progressed immensely in his wrestling over the last couple of years and still has a high ceiling for growth," said Jensen. "As he continues to get bigger, stronger, and fine-tuning his technique, I believe he will have a very successful college career UNK heads to the annual Bob Smith Open Sunday in Hays, Kan.
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