Bulldog wrestling signs 3-time state medalist Austin Starkey

The Concordia University wrestling program struck gold early this season when they signed three-time Nebraska state medalist Austin Starkey of St. Paul, Nebraska.

Starkey, one of the top-ranked seniors in the state of Nebraska, has placed 2nd, 2nd, and 6th in the Nebraska High School state tournament.  The two-time state finalist has produced an outstanding 105-22 prep career mark for the Wildcats of St. Paul High School.

Starkey has already captured the school career record for the most two-point near falls (66) and is on track to set almost every career mark for the Wildcat wrestling program.  Off the mat, Starkey is a member of the National Honor Society, holds a 4.0 grade point average, and is ranked third in his high school class.

“We are extremely excited to sign a wrestler of Austin’s caliber, especially this early,” commented Concordia head wrestling Coach Doug Reese.  “We just started off this 2012 recruiting class with a blue-chip scholar-athlete in September that will impact our line-up through 2016.”

“Signing early takes the pressure off Starkey,” continued Reese.  “He doesn’t have to worry about earning a scholarship as a senior, take hundreds of phone calls from college recruiters, and grapple with his collegiate decisions.  He can focus on wrestling, and relax knowing that he is a Bulldog on the path to his collegiate future.”

Starkey plans on majoring in Pre-Med at Concordia University.