Husky seniors Kyle Temple and Andrew Swanson have signed letters of intent to wrestle at Southern Oregon University.
The Raider wrestling program has posted 32 consecutive winning seasons, the last eight of which have been under four-time NAIA All-America grappler Mike Ritchie who graduated from SOU in 1990.
Swanson posted a 35-8 record this season at 125 pounds and scored 162 points for the Huskies. He had 13 decisions, 14 falls and one tech fall. He will receive a scholarship.
Temple posted a 29-10 record at 140 and 145 pounds and scored 110 team points, 14 decisions, four falls and three tech falls.
“I have appreciated the leadership of both Andrew and Kyle, especially this season when we had so many young wrestlers,” Coach Steve Thorpe said. “They were excellent leaders.”
Temple said he was impressed by the wrestling program but equally impressed with the college campus and the community of Ashland.
Swanson said the quality of the Husky wrestling program has prepared him for what’s to come.
“I think if you can make it through our program you can make it anywhere,” he said. “The reward is that wrestling is helping me get a college education.”
Temple said wrestling is a lifestyle choice that has taught him the values of pride, following through and discipline.
“Wrestling is a team sport but it’s also an individual sport. Unlike other sports where you can blame someone else if you make a mistake, there’s no doubt when you make a mistake wrestling,” Swanson said.
Both grapplers said they like being able to compete at the NAIA level.
“We’ll compete against NCAA teams in tournaments and we like that,” Swanson said.
Coach Thorpe said the Raider program is highly respected in the Pacific Northwest and throughout the country.
“I’m very confident these guys will get good direction in both wrestling and education under Mike Ritchie,” Coach Thorpe said. “He’s a class act and runs a class program.