MARSHALL, Minn. -  Southwest Minnesota State head wrestling coach Jesse Nelson announced today the signing of five student-athletes for the 2009-10 season.  The signees include Casey Field from Clarkfield, Minn., Austen Cole from Clarkfield, Minn., Jacob Begin from Anoka, Minn., Andrew Rodas  from Monona, Iowa, and Micah Larson from Atwater, Minn.

Field, who will graduate from Yellow Medicine East High School this spring, will wrestle in the 141 or 149 pound weight class.  He brings a impressive list of high school accolades to SMSU, including four Minnesota state tournament appearances, all-state honors and a 140-30 career record.  Field, whose father Corey wrestled at SMSU from 1980 to 1983, is a two-time state runner-up and also collected a third place finish.  A three-time section and four-time conference champion, Field was also named to the All-West Central Conference team four times.  He picked up six varsity letters in wrestling and also lettered in cross country, football, baseball and track and field.  On the national scene,  Field was also a USA Cadet All-America honoree.

“Casey will bring a dynamic style of wrestling to the mat for us,” said Nelson.  “We are extremely happy to keep a talented local kid in the area.  He's going to be a great asset for us.”

SMSU will also welcome another Yellow Medicine East High School product in Cole.  Cole, who will graduate this spring, was a four-time All-West Central Conference performer and was conference champion at 125 pounds this past season.  He was a third-place Minnesota state finisher in 2008 and garnered fourth-place accolades in 2009.  A five-time letterwinner, Cole holds the YME record for career wins with 159.  He also lettered in football and baseball at YME.

“Austen has a strong wrestling background and an aggressive style,” Nelson said.  “He will be fighting for a spot at 125 pounds and firms up that weight class for us.”

Begin will graduate from Anoka High School this spring and was a Minnesota state champion at 152 pounds this past season, posting a 45-5 record.  Begin also captured runner-up accolades at the state tournament twice in his prep career. A five-time letterwinner, Begin was a part of three Northwest Suburban Conference championship squads and was a member of the USA dual team.  He was also a USA wrestling national champion in 2008.

“We are very excited for Jacob to join our program,” Nelson said.  “He has the drive and abilities to make an immediate impact in our lineup.  His accolades speak for themselves.”

Rodas, who will graduate from MFL MarMac High School in Monona, Iowa this spring, bring a 158-22 career record to SMSU.  A four-year letterwinner, Rodas was a three-time state qualifier, three-time Upper Iowa conference champion and two-time Iowa state finisher at 171 pounds.  He was also crowned district champion in 2009 and sectional champion in 2008 and 2009.  Rodas served as his team's captain was named the team's most outstanding wrestler in 2008 and 2009.  He also picked up letters in baseball, football, and track.

“Andrew knows how to win and brings a winning tradition to SMSU,” Nelson said.  “He's an extremely athletic individual, and we're thrilled to have him as a Mustang.”

A third-place finisher in Minnesota this past season, Larson will graduate from Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School this spring.  He compiled a career record of 140-35 as a four-year letterwinner.  Larson served as a captain at ACGC for three seasons and was named all-conference four times.  His team also brought home a first-place state finish in 2007.  Larson was a two-time Cadet national team member and was a Cadet All-American at 171 pounds in Greco Roman.

“Micah is a true competitor and a very mature young man.”  Nelson said.  “He wrestles year round and will bring a great work ethic to the program.

SMSU finished the 2008-09 season 3-7 overall and 2-5 in the NSIC.  The Mustangs sent two wrestlers to the NCAA championships.

Nelson said another wave of signees is expected in the coming weeks.