PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown wrestling Head Coach Todd Beckerman announced on Monday that his first recruiting class will feature eight freshmen who will join the team for the 2014-15 season. The Bears’ class of 2018 includes: Jimmy Bell (Greenwich, Conn.), Josh Durso-Finley (Lawrenceville, N.J.), Andrew LaBrie (West Greenwich, R.I.), Christian LaBrie (West Greenwich, R.I.), Brendan O’Connor (Dundee, Mich.), Austin Pfarr (Marysville, Ohio), Michael Russo (Jersey City, N.J.) and Zeke Salvo (Baltimore, Md.).
Brown’s newest wrestlers hail from six different states and account for a combined 10 state and prep championships, 24 state and prep place finishes, three New England titles, two NHSCA All-American awards and a Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award winner.
“We are really excited with our incoming recruiting class,” Beckerman said. “This first class is very important to the future success of our program. Being hired in the summer, we had to play a little catch up with this recruiting class. Our staff worked really hard to find the right wrestlers that will set the tone for the future of Brown wrestling.”
Jimmy Bell
Weight Class: 141 lbs.
Hometown: Greenwich, Conn.
High School: Brunswick School
– Connecticut Prep State Champ
– Three-time CT Prep State Placewinner
– Three-time All New England Prep
– Two-time National Prep Qualifier
– Headmasters List Sophomore & Junior Year
– Career Record: 107-36
Josh Durso-Finley
Weight Class: 184 lbs.
Hometown: Lawrenceville, N.J.
High School: Lawrenceville School
– National Prep Placewinner
– 2014 Mercer County Champion
– 2014 Trenton Times All-Area First Team
– Team Captain
– Graduated Cum Laude
Andrew LaBrie
Weight Class: 157/165 lbs.
Hometown: West Greenwich, R.I.
High School: Exeter West Greenwich
– Three-time Rhode Island State Champion
– New England Champ
– Two-time New England Placewinner
– Four-time New England Qualifier
– 2013 and 2014 WIN Magazine Rhode Island High School Wrestler of the Year
– Ranked 18th in the country in WIN Magazine
– Rhode Island Wrestling Coaches Association Wrestler of the Year
– Three-time Providence Journal First Team All-State
– Four-time Academic All-State
– Rhode Island Scholar
– Career Record: 157-10 (102 pins)
Christian LaBrie
Weight Class: 157/165 lbs.
Hometown: West Greenwich, R.I.
High School: Exeter West Greenwich
– Three-time Rhode Island State Champion
– Two-time New England Champion
– Most Outstanding Wrestler at New England Championships
– 2014 Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award
– Cliff Keen All-American
– Two-time Rhode Island Wrestling Coaches Association Wrestler of the Year
– Four-time Academic All-State
– Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award
– Providence Journal Scholar Athlete Award
– Cardi’s Hometown Heroes
– Career Record: 155-5 (95 pins)
Brendan O’Connor
Weight Class: 133 lbs.
Hometown: Dundee, Mich.
High School: Dundee
– Four-time Michigan State Placewinner
– Three-time Regional Champion
– Three-time District Champion
– Two-time Michigan Team State Champions
– Team Captain
– Academic All-State
– Scholar-Athlete
– Career Record: 171-35
Austin Pfarr
Weight Class: 197 lbs.
Hometown: Marysville, Ohio
High School: Marysville
– Ohio State Champion
– Two-time Ohio State Placewinner- Walsh Ironman Tournament Finalist
– Ranked 15th in InterMat national rankings
– Four-time Honor and Scholar-Athlete
– Class Vice President
– Career record: 139-41
Michael Russo
Weight Class: 125 lbs.
Hometown: Jersey City, N.J.
High School: St. Peter’s Prep
– New Jersey State Tournament Finalist
– Two-time Regional Champion
– Three-time District Champion
– Two-time NHSCA All-American Junior & Senior Nationals
– Beast of the East Placewinner
– Four-time Honor Student
– National Honor Society
– National Italian Honor Society
– Two-year Team Captain
– Career Record: 122-33
Zeke Salvo
Weight Class: 133 lbs.
Hometown: Baltimore, Md.
High School: Mt. St. Joseph
– Maryland State Champion
– Maryland Independent State Champion
– National Prep Placewinner
– Two-time Baltimore Sun All-Metro Team
– Two-time MSWA All-Academic Team
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