The upcoming wrestling season keeps looking better for the Mustangs of Western Wyoming Community College. One week after signing a Colorado state champion, Samuel Freeman, out of Mesa Ridge High School, Mustang coach Art Castillo has landed a top local prospect, Shandon Welsh, from Green River.
Welsh, who notched a fifth, a third, and two second-place finishes respectively at the state tournament during his four-year high school career, signed his Letter of Intent with the Mustangs on Thursday, April 28.
Welsh’s decision to compete close to home continues the Mustangs’ tradition of moving top Sweetwater County wrestling talent to the collegiate level as part of a wrestling program that finished last season ranked 10th in the nation in NJCAA Division I. Welsh will join former GRHS teammates Austin Waters and Cole Verner on next year’s squad, and GRHS alum Zeke Mamalis just completed his second and final year of competition for Western. Verner had an All-American season this past year, finishing as the national runner-up at the NJCAA National Tournament in February. He was one of three Mustangs to finish in the top five in their respective weight classes.
In addition to Western’s proximity to home and the opportunity to wrestle with some familiar teammates, Welsh said the Mustangs’ outstanding practice facilities and quality coaching staff were significant factors in his decision to sign with Western. The 18-year-old recruit said he’s learned some valuable lessons as a competitor for GRHS that he will bring with him to Western.
Welsh has been wrestling since he was about seven years old, and Castillo has been following his development for years.
“At the end of his junior year and the start of this year, I saw a change in him athletically,” Castillo said. “His style of wrestling translates over to the college level really well. I think we can get him going right away. We’re expecting some big things out of him immediately. He’s got a lot to work on, just like everyone else does, but we’re excited.”
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