PSU lands another top recruit in Hempfield’s Verkleeren
Penn State University wrestling has landed another top-flight recruit when Hempfield Area senior Jarod Verkleeren announced on his Twitter account that he has decided to join the 2017 NCAA National Champions.
Verkleeren, who wrestled for Belle Vernon Area for his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons, won the PIAA Class AAA Individual Wrestling Championship at 145 pounds. He has a Cadet World Championship on his resume and is the No. 13-ranked recruit for the Class of 2017 by FloWrestling. Verkleeren’s career high school record was 135-19.
Verkleeren posted the following tweet regarding his college choice: “After a very long process I decided to continue my Academic and wrestling career at Penn State University.”
The Spartan senior had selected Iowa State, but was released from his letter of intent following the hiring of Kevin Dresser to be the head coach of the Cyclones in March.
Verkleeren, who is the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the United States by FloWrestling at 145, decided to compete under former Iowa State wrestler Cael Sanderson, who was 159-0 and win four national titles in his career.
The Nittany Lions have won six national championships since Sanderson took over in 2009. PSU won four consecutive titles from 2011-14, and has won the last two national championships in 2016-17.
Verkleeren will most likely be a redshirt this upcoming season with NCAA champion and Hodge Trophy winner (wrestling equivalent of the Heisman Trophy) Zain Retherford back for another season at 149 and returning national champion Jason Nolf having two years left of eligibility at 157. He should be in the running for a spot in the Lions’ lineup after the 2017-18 season.
Jefferson-Morgan’s Gavin Teasdale (122-0, 3 state titles) has verbally committed to PSU, but still has his senior season to go. Verkleeren and Teasdale workout together at Young Guns Wrestling Club.