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 By Wayne Catan 
November 15, 2006

Four Blair Academy Wrestlers Sign Letters of Intent with Colleges

MEDINA HEADS TO MARYLAND, PLATT TO PENN STATE, RUSSELL TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AND COURNOYER TO B.U.

Four Blair Academy student-athletes (all wrestlers) have committed to their colleges and will sign letters of intent today November 15, 2006. Here are the four signings:  

  • Eric Medina, the 152 lbs. dynamo who is a two-time National Prep Champion, Ironman Champion, Beast of the East champion, and Cadet National Champion, has chosen the University of Maryland.
  • Jared Platt, a 215 lbs. sparkplug, who was the Asics/Vaughan Jr. National Runner-up this past summer (and National Prep Champion) will compete for The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State)
  • Kellen Russell, a 130 lb. two-time National Prep Champion, Asics/Vaughan Junior National Champion, and National Cadet Champion will wrestle for the Wolverines of the University of Michigan
  • Alex Counoyer has signed a letter of intent with Boston University, which has many strong ties with Blair. The school's Head Coach, Carl Adams, was Jeff Buxton' s college coach and BU's Head Assistant, Sean Gray, was a three-time National Prep Champion for Blair. Alex, a three-time National Prep place-winner, is being recruited to compete at 125 lbs.

“I am excited for the aspirations of these four athletes as each move onto outstanding wrestling programs, but more important — excellent universities,” said Jeff Buxton, Blair Academy Head Wrestling Coach. “I feel that all schools are good fits for each student-athlete academically as well as athletically. I can’t wait to watch them pursue their goals on the mat and off (the mat).”

Maryland shepherd Pat Santoro (a Blair alumnus) had this to say about Eric Medina: “We are excited about getting Eric. He will have an immediate impact on the college level as he is a top recruit. He’s what we’re trying to build here at Maryland-i.e., champion student-athletes.”

These student-athletes have had successful prep careers and are looking to match former Blair athletes such as Zack Esposito (Oklahoma State), Steve Mocco (Oklahoma State), Kelly Ward (Iowa State), Mark and Mike Lieberman (Lehigh), Pat Santoro (Pittsburgh), Rico Chiapparelli (Iowa) as NCAA Champions on the college level.  

Blair kicks-off its season at the Wilson Tournament in Pennsylvania on December 2, followed by the nationally-renowned Ironman Tournament on December 8 and 9.

Please direct all questions and comments to buxtoj@blair.edu.