Nov. 17, 2008

NORMAN, Okla. - Oklahoma wrestling head coach Jack Spates signed five top-70 recruits in the early signing period to wrap up one of the most impressive recruiting classes at OU in recent years. Additionally, the Sooners will welcome a talented senior from Kansas and a transfer from Old Dominion in January.

"This may be the best recruiting class we have had in my tenure," head coach Jack Spates said. "This class will be key as we compete for future championships at OU."

Headlining the class is Jake Kemerer from Hempfield Area, Pa., ranked No. 16 overall according to Intermat and rated No. 4 in the 171-pound class by Amateur Wrestling News. Also inked for next season is Alex Ekstrom from Palmyra-Macedonia, N.Y., ranked No. 31 overall and rated the third-best among 140-pounders.

Joining them are the Lester twins, Matt and Nick, ranked No. 33 and No. 38 overall, respectively. The two hail from Eureka, Mo., and each own Missouri state titles. Matt is ranked No. 2 overall among 152-pounders and is Nick No. 5 at 140 pounds.

Jarrod Patterson from Cushing, Okla., is ranked No. 67 overall. Patterson is a three-time Oklahoma state champion entering his senior year and ranked No. 6 in the 125 pound weight class nationally.  Also committed to Oklahoma is Kyle Detmer, a senior from Wichita, Kan.  He has an impressive 85-5 overall record at Bishop Carroll High School and pinned 31 opponents in 37 victories last season.

Joining the Sooner program in January is Derek Peperas, a transfer from Old Dominion. The redshirt freshman will immediately be eligible for OU upon arrival and will provide depth at 165 pounds. Winner of two New Mexico state championships, Peperas also was a two-time state runner-up.

Coach Jack Spates on 2008-09 Recruiting Class

On Alex Ekstrom (Palmyra-Macedonia, N.Y.):
"Alex is a special young man who's en-route to become only the second four-time New York state champion. He also captured the high school national folk-style championship. He has tremendous work ethic and attitude and is looking for an opportunity to compete as a Sooner right away."

Ekstrom in the rankings:
No. 31 overall (Intermat)
No. 3 in 140-pound weight class (Amateur Wrestling News)
Projected college weight: 133 pounds 

On Jake Kememer (Hempfield Area, Pa.):
"Simply speaking, he is a hammer. He is a relentless competitor with an incredible work ethic. He is ready to compete with college wrestlers already. Currently he is ranked in the top five in the nation and is projected to wrestle at 165 pounds in college. This outstanding young man is from a great family and will make a great addition to the OU squad."

Kemerer in the rankings:
No. 16 overall (Intermat)
No. 4 in 171-pound weight class (Amateur Wrestling News)
Projected college weight: 165 pounds

On Lester Twins (Eureka, Mo.):
"We are really excited about this dynamic duo. The Lester boys are two great kids with passions to win. They have strong work ethics and both are very strong in academics.

"Matthew captured the Missouri state championship while winning both the folk-style and free-style national championships. Nick, in addition to becoming the Missouri state champion, was a high school national runner-up this year and was a Fargo Junior National All-American.

Matt Lester in the rankings:
No. 33 overall (Intermat)
No. 2 in 152-pound weight class (Amateur Wrestling News)
Projected college weight: 157 pounds

Nick Lester in the rankings:
No. 38 overall (Intermat)
No. 5 in 140-pound weight class (Amateur Wrestling News)
Projected college weight: 141/149 pounds

On Jarrod Patterson (Cushing, Okla.):
"We are extremely excited to land him. He is poised to join one of the select groups of four-time Oklahoma state champions. He is highly esteemed among high school coaches and is a great kid. He has a great pedigree coming from Cushing where his father was his coach. He is a tremendous addition to the Sooner family."

Jarrod Patterson in the rankings:
No. 67 overall (Intermat)
No. 6 in 125 weight class (Amateur Wrestling News)
Projected college weight: 125 pounds

On Kyle Detmer (Wichita, Kan.):
"What a great addition to the Sooner team Kyle is.  A Kansas state champion and runner-up, Kyle has garnered an 85-5 record and pinned an impressive 31 opponents last season.  He fits the mold of what we look for at Oklahoma, and is an important piece in our attempts to win another national championship at OU."

On Derek Peperas (Old Dominion transfer):
"We are required to land Derek. He is an outstanding young man who is very talented. He won two New Mexico state championships along with two runner-up finishes. He loves the sport and knows how to compete and win. This young man is a great addition to our program."