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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia wrestling program’s incoming recruiting class has been ranked eighth nationally in WIN Magazine’s spring Division I recruiting rankings. UVa’s wrestling coaching staff consists of head coach Steve Garland, assistant head coach Alex Clemsen and assistant coach Manny Rivera.

The Cavaliers’ class of 2015 is comprised of Blaise Butler (Belvidere, Ill./Boylan Catholic), Patrick Gillen (Shelton, Conn./Shelton), Ethan Hayes (New Lebanon, Ohio/Dixie), Nick Kidd (Hyannis, Mass./Mount Herman), Joe Martinez (Platteville, Colo./Greeley West), Zach Nye (Enola, Pa./East Pennsboro), Mason Popham (Kennett Square, Pa./Unionville), Vinny Waldhauser (El Dorado Hills, Calif./Oak Ridge) and David Wesley (Mineral, Va./St. Christopher’s).

“I am thrilled to see that our incoming prospects are getting the respect they deserve,” Garland said. “I was afraid some of them would be overlooked, but obviously this publication sees what we saw in them. They are a great group of kids and we feel that if they adhere to our program’s three pillars of focus, discipline and consistency, they can develop quickly. Collectively, this is as accomplished a group as we have ever brought in. I can’t wait for them to get here.”

The incoming class is extremely decorated, featuring a three-time state champion (Martinez) as well as a pair of two-time state champs (Gillen, Hayes). Kidd is a National Prep champion, while Wesley is a two-time National Prep placewinner. Waldhauser was a state runner-up each of his last two seasons.

For the full signing release on the 2011-12 recruiting class from November, click here.

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