Wrestling Unveils Eight-Member Class of 2022
5/29/2018 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown University wrestling will welcome eight incoming freshmen to the program as part of the Class of 2022, Brown head coach Todd Beckerman announced on Tuesday.
"On behalf of our staff and the team, I'm thrilled to welcome such a distinguished group of student-athletes to Brown University and am excited about the potential each of them brings as we continue to build this wrestling program," Beckerman said. "We're excited to get them on campus and begin training as we prepare for competition next year."
The class totaled five state titles and 16 state medals and includes a balance of wrestlers across the lower, middle, and upper weights. The group comprises two student-athletes each from New York and Pennsylvania as well as one wrestler apiece from Michigan, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Ontario.
The members of the Bears' Class of 2022 are 149-pounder Jack Bokina (Mattituck, N.Y.), 125-pounder Reese Fry (Manchester, Mich.), 184-pounder David Heath (North Canton, Ohio), 149-pounder Samuel Lynch (Foster, R.I.), 157-pounder John Manning (King City, Ontario), 141-pounder Ryan O'Grady (Nazareth, Pa.), 141-pounder Colin Realbuto (Somers, N.Y.), and 174-pounder Cade Wilson (Nazareth, Pa.).
The group joins a Brown program that tied for second in the Ivy League standings last season, its highest finish since 1997, and posted three Ivy League wins, its most since 2009. The Bears totaled three NCAA qualifiers for the first time since 2008 and tallied six EIWA placers, their most since 2010.
"The members of our incoming freshman class have achieved top accolades and will add new depth to our lineup," Beckerman said.
Jack Bokina
Weight Class: 149 lbs.
Hometown: Mattituck, N.Y.
High School: Mattituck
Prep Accolades: Won the 2018 New York state title … Earned All-State honors four times … Captured five Suffolk County championships … Reached state finals twice … Placed twice at Eastern States … Compiled a 208-43 career record … Wrestled for head coach Cory Dolson … National Honor Society student.
Why Brown? "I chose Brown because it is one of the top schools in the country and for the future opportunities it will provide me. I also loved the open curriculum and the many academic choices. To be able to combine high level academics with the experience of Division I wrestling, made Brown an easy choice."
Reese Fry
Weight Class: 125 lbs.
Hometown: Manchester, Michigan
High School: Manchester
Prep Accolades: Won two Michigan state titles … Advanced to the Michigan state finals three times … Captured conference, district, and regional championships three times … Finished his career with a 183-24 career record … Went 56-1 as a senior and 51-1 as a junior for a combined 107-2 mark over his final two years … Tallied 104 career pins … Gained Coaches Award and Team MVP honors … Wrestled for coaches Steve Vlcek, Mike Bunn, and David Bearce … Competed on the club level for Michigan Regional Training Center, Advantage Wrestling Club, Team Michigan, and the Ohio All-Star Wrestling Team … Garnered AAU Junior Olympic All-America honors … Collected USMC Fargo Junior National Championships Freestyle and Greco-Roman Double All-America plaudits … Earned Scholar-Athlete accolades all four years … Garnered Academic All-Conference laurels … National Honor Society Student.
Why Brown? "When I visited Brown I found a home and a new community I connected with. The idea that anything is possible and that I could design my own path: intertwining different fields of study in order to sculpt solutions to better attack world problems drew me to Brown. I chose Brown not only for its unrivaled academics but to compete at the highest level in wrestling. I am proud to be able to call myself a Bear and be a part of such a great program both academically as well as athletically."
David Heath
Weight Class: 184 lbs.
Hometown: North Canton, Ohio
High School: St. Vincent-St. Mary
Prep Accolades: Finished as a 2018 Ohio state finalist … Placed second and third at the Ohio high school state tournament over career … Reached finals of 2018 Junior Freestyle Western Regional … Wrestled for head coach and Olympian Harry Lester … Also played football for head coach Marcus Whatley … Served as a National Honor Society student ambassador.
Why Brown? "I chose Brown because it had a really great feel, and everyone had a good attitude. When I was there the students seemed focused on school as their number one priority."
Samuel Lynch
Weight Class: 149 lbs.
Hometown: Foster, Rhode Island
High School: Ponaganset
Prep Accolades: Won a state championship and finished as state runner up over career … Earned a New England title … Gained USA Wrestling Magazine Second Team All-America honors … Garnered the 2018 Dave Schultz Excellence Award for the State of Rhode Island … Helped lead team to 2018 Rhode Island state title and New England championship … Wrestled for coaches Michael Joyce and Dave Amato … Competed on the club level for Bears Wrestling Club … National Honor Society and high honor roll student.
Why Brown? "I chose Brown because it best supported my needs and desires to grow as an athlete and student."
John Manning
Weight Class: 157 lbs.
Hometown: King City, Ontario
High School: St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic
Prep Accolades: Won a Utah state championship and a Utah Super State title … Placed at the National Prep Championships … Finished third at the 2018 NHSCA Senior Nationals … Earned All-America honors as a senior … Placed at Beast of the East and Don Buchanan … Compiled a 110-23 career record … Went 28-4 as a junior … Wrestled for head coach Stan Tzogas … Competed on the club level for Team Impact Wrestling … Also played soccer for head coach Grant Purdy … Honor roll student.
Why Brown? "I chose Brown for its coaching staff, open curriculum, future teammates, and campus."
Ryan O'Grady
Weight Class: 141 lbs.
Hometown: Nazareth, Pa.
High School: Nazareth Area
Prep Accolades: Qualified twice for the Pennsylvania State Championships … Finished as a three-time district qualifier and three-time regional qualifier … Helped team win PIAA AAA state titles in 2017 and 2018 … Placed at Virginia Duals (four times), Ironman, and Beast of the East … Earned Disney Duals Gold All-America honors … Served team as captain … Compiled a 125-52 career record … Went 39-13 as a junior and 35-14 as a senior … Wrestled for coaches David Crowell and Adam Colombo … Competed on the club level for Weaver Elite … Gained All-Academic Team accolades … National Honor Society student.
Why Brown? "When I initially went to Brown during my official visit, I was able to call it home. Everyone on and off campus provides a positive culture and environment to live in and be around. Brown is located in the beautiful city of Providence, which also has a variety of places to eat from. The wrestling team's camaraderie was easily visible, and I believe it is where I belong. In addition, the open curriculum will allow me to focus on biomedical engineering, as well as pursue other interests."
Colin Realbuto
Weight Class: 141 lbs.
Hometown: Somers, N.Y.
High School: Iona Preparatory School
Prep Accolades: Placed third at the New York state championships in 2018 … Won titles at the Danbury Invitational, Westchester County Championships, CHSAA NYC divisional championships, and CHSAA Catholic state championships … Posted a 126-37 career record … Went 34-6 as a junior and 47-3 as a senior for a combined mark of 81-9 over his final two years … Wrestled for coaches Thomas Straehle and John Degl … Competed on the club level for Empire Wrestling Academy … A high honor roll student.
Why Brown? "I chose Brown for its combination of outstanding academics and athletics. What made it stand out was the impression left upon me by the coaching staff and team, reflective of a highly competitive organization that was not satisfied with the status quo."
Cade Wilson
Weight Class: 174 lbs.
Hometown: Nazareth, Pa.
High School: Nazareth Area
Prep Accolades: Placed third at the Pennsylvania state championships in 2018 and eighth in 2017 … Won back-to-back district and regional titles as a junior and senior … Earned All-League honors twice … Helped team win PIAA AAA state titles in 2017 and 2018 … Qualified for the state championships in 2016 … Wrestled for head coach Dave Crowell.
Why Brown? "I chose Brown because I believe it is where I can reach my full potential and make an impact on this world. I feel that I will be surrounded by so many amazing people that I can connect and bond with along the way. I believe that Brown has the tools to set me up for an incredible future."
Players Mentioned
