Two more grapplers added to Light's class

The Montana State University-Northern wrestling team is coming off an outstanding season. And head coach Tyson Thivierge has kept it going with the building of an outstanding recruiting class for 2018.

Thivierge announced two more signings earlier this week, in 125-pounder Caleb Frank from Thompson Falls and 157-pounder Thomas Stevenson from Wailuku, Hawaii.

Frank is a three-time Montana state placer and 2018 state champion who was once coached by Northern Alumni Austin Ouellette. 

"Kaleb is a dedicated and focused wrestler and will add great depth and competition for the Lights at 125 in 2018-19," Thivierge said.

Stevenson is transferring to Northern from North Idaho College. He is a two-time NJCAA national qualifier and All-American in 2018.  He first qualified in 2017 at 149 making the round of 12 at the National Tournament.  That experience helped him in 2018 as he moved up to 157 and gained All-American status by placing 6th at 157.  He was a three-time Hawaii state placer and state champion.

"As I've watched and coached against Tommy the last two seasons, he has impressed me a great deal," Thivierge said. "He's super competitive and he is very dangerous on the mat.  Tommy isn't afraid to go big and score points.  He is going to add some much needed depth at 157 and the bright side is, we have an option to redshirt Tommy if he chooses to do so.

"We are pleased with the 2018-19 recruiting class up to now," Thivierge added. "Things have ran smooth and we are really picking up more and more momentum week after week by adding depth and experience. The recruits we have added to date are a great fit for our team and what we want to accomplish in 2018-19. Every recruit we have added so far should help boost our roster and our scoring potential next season. We still have more time and we hope to add the last few pieces to our team in the next few weeks."

In other Lights news, the 2017-18 Northern wrestling team was honored for posting the third-highest GPA in the NAIA this season, receiving NWCA All-Academic Team Honors.  Northern also had four individuals gain NWCA Individual All-Academic Awards. 

"This shows our team's dedication on the mat as well as in the classroom. I don't think this has ever been done in MSU-Northern wrestling history, at least since they have been doing this award."