Purdue wrestling signs three for class of 2013 class

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Purdue wrestling head coach Scott Hinkel signed three individuals to national letters of intent during the early signing period last week, welcoming Jacob Morrissey, Cody Pae and Luke Welch to the Boilermaker wrestling family.

The three are multiple-time state championship qualifiers from their respective homes and have won a combined three state titles.

“We’re excited about Jacob, Cody and Luke joining the Purdue wrestling family,” said Hinkel. “All these guys have tremendous potential and the ability to contribute great things to the team in their collegiate careers. We can’t wait to get them on campus and in the room.”

Morrissey hails from Oconto Falls High School in Oconto Falls, Wis., where he is a two-time state champion for the Panthers and enters his final season at 137-4. He captured the 2011 state title at 171 pounds, finishing a flawless 47-0, including a 16-0 technical fall in the championship match, and repeated at 170 pounds last spring with a record of 46-1. Morrissey was the state runner-up his freshman year, losing in overtime in the championship match and finishing 44-3. He is projected to wrestle at 174 pounds for the Boilermakers.

Pae comes to the Boilermakers from Fulton High School in Fulton, Mo., where he won the Missouri state championship at 126 pounds last season. Finishing 39-1 on the season, Pae wrestles a very funky style, reminiscent of 2009 Purdue All-American Jake Patacsil and 2012 Boilermaker graduate Matt Fields, who finished with his name all over the Purdue record books. Pae took fifth place at the state tournament as a sophomore in 2011, finishing 39-7 at 125 pounds, and was fifth as a freshman in 2010 at 119 pounds, posting a 35-8 mark. Pae is projected to wrestle at 125 or 133 pounds for the Boilermakers.

Welch follows older brothers, Chad and Doug, into the Boilermaker wrestling room, continuing a strong line of family ties in the Purdue program. Hailing from Castle High School in Newburgh, Ind., Luke Welch is a three-time Indiana state championship qualifier and two-time state placewinner. He placed fifth in 2012 at 120 pounds, finishing 47-1 on the year, and also took fifth at 119 pounds in 2011, posting a 49-2 overall record. Welch qualified for the state championships as a freshman, but met future teammate Kyle Ayersman in the opening round and fell shy of placing, finishing 35-10.

“We know that we got three exceptional individuals in this class, both on and off the mat,” continued Hinkel. “When we’re recruiting, we’re not just looking for great wrestlers, but great people as well. We were definitely able to meet both goals with these guys.”

The Boilermakers are off this weekend, and return to action on Saturday, Dec. 8, at the University of Northern Iowa Open.