April 24, 2002

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

University of Wyoming head wrestling coach Steven Suder has announced the signing of five student-athletes to national letters-of-intent. Four of the five high school signees won 2002 state titles in their respective weight classes. The five new signees are Danny Clum of Arvada, Colo., Barrett Duell of Burlington, Colo, Jake Severn of Glendale, Ariz, Remington Trabing of Laramie, Wyo., and Sam Wendland of Bozeman, Mont.

"We feel like this class of freshman, and the possible addition of a couple junior college transfers will not only compliment this team well but will help us to actualize our goals as a program." said Wyoming head wrestling coach Steven Suder about the five signees. "I feel we really signed some outstanding young men who are very talented wrestlers. They have all had impressive high school careers and know what it takes to achieve a high amount of success."

The 2002 Wyoming wrestling signees are:

Danny Clum
Arvada, Colo.
Pomona High School
5-11, 162

-- Danny Clum posted a record of 127-13 (.907) during his four-years at Pomona High School in Arvada, Colo., highlighted by his 44-2 junior campaign which culminated in a state title in the 145-pound weight class. Clum placed third at the state championships both his sophomore and senior seasons wrestling in Colorado's largest classification (5A). His junior and senior years Clum placed second at the prestigious Reno Tournament of Champions earning All-American honors. Clum is a three-time Colorado State Freestyle Champion. He is projected to wrestle at the 165-pound division. Clum was coached by Tom Beeson in high school. Clum was also recruited by Wisconsin.

"Danny comes from an outstanding background which has involved competing in some national tournaments. He's coming from a great high school program in Colorado which continually produces some of the better wrestlers in the region. We are very excited that he is going to be a Cowboy." Suder said.

"I'm excited to come to Wyoming, it's a great fit for me," said Clum. "The coaching staff is excellent, they're a bunch of great guys who I feel comfortable with."

Barrett Duell
Burlington, Colo.,
Burlington High School
5-7, 140

-- Barrett Duell was the Colorado state 3A champion in the 130-pound weight class his senior season after compiling an overall record of 23-1. During his four years at Burlington High School he amassed a record of 128-16 (.888), earning All-State honors three times. A four-year letterwinner, Duell was the state runner-up his junior season and placed third at the state tournament his freshman and sophomore years. At the 2002 Colorado High School Wrestling Championships he was named the tournaments Most Outstanding Wrestler. Duell also lettered in football where he was a two time All-State selection. He was also named All-State in academics his junior year. Duell's projected to compete in either the 125 or 133 pound weight division. He was coached in high school by his dad, Doug Duell. Other schools recruiting Duell were Army and Oklahoma State.

"Barrett has a great reputation in this region as a fierce competitor and a solid individual," Suder said. "He has an exceptional competitive background and will be a great addition to our program."

"The coaching staff and the group of guys at Wyoming really hit me as a bunch of people I want to be around," said Duell. "Coach Suder has really brought some good guys to the team and I feel the program's ready to make a big turn in the next few years. I'm very excited to get things going."

Jake Severn
Glendale, Ariz.
Deer Valley High School
6-2, 200

-- Jake Severn is an outstanding athlete who was four-year letterwinner in wrestling, track and football. He was an Arizona State Champion at Deer Valley High School his senior season in the 215 pound weight division after compiling a 40-2 ( .952) record. He was state runner-up his junior season at 189 pounds. Severn is a two-time AAU wrestling All-American (2000, 2001) and was the AAU Grand National wrestling Freestyle Champion in 2001. Jake's brother Drew wrestles for the Cowboys and is also a member of the Wyoming football team. Severn is projected to compete at the 197 pound division. He compiled a four-year record of 101-19 (.842) while wrestling for coach Flint Swerdfeger at Deer Valley High School. Severn was also recruited by Arizona State.

"One of the most exciting things about Jake is the 'stock' he comes from. He comes from a long line of athletes and good people in his family. It will be fun having Jake and his brother Drew in our program for the next few years." said Suder.

"I feel very comfortable with coming to Wyoming. It's a close-knit family and I'm excited to be a part of that." Severn said.

Remington Trabing
Laramie, Wyo.
Laramie High School
5-8, 155

-- Trabing won the Wyoming State Class 4A 152-pound title his senior season after recording a perfect 43-0 record. He won a state title his freshman season wrestling at the 103-pound weight class and was runner-up his junior season at 140. Over his four-year high school career at Laramie High School, Trabing won a school record 134 matches, losing only 17 (.887). Trabing earned All-State honors three times. A three-time letterwinner, Trabing also competed in football. He's projected to wrestle at the 149-pound weight division. Trabing was coached in high school by Ron Whitman.

"Obviously we've had the luxury of watching Remington develop for a few years now. He's been a very talented wrestler throughout his high school career who recently has bought into a style which has taken him to the next level." said Suder.

"I always wanted to be a Cowboy, there was no question where I wanted to be," Trabing said. "I really like the program and the coaches, they're all a bunch of great guys."

Sam Wendland
Bozeman, Mont.
Bozeman High School
6-1, 195

-- Sam Wendland is a two-time Montana State Champion in the 189-pound weight class, winning back-to-back state titles his junior and senior seasons. Wendland amassed an impressive two-year record of 65-5 (.928) during that span. A two-time Montana state freestyle champion, Wendland placed fourth at the Fila Cadet National in Chicago, Ill., earning All-American honors. Coached in high school by Tony Beardsley, Wendland is projected to wrestle at either 184 or 197 pounds.

"Sam is an aggressive wrestler with solid technique and a great work ethic. He is an extremely motivated individual who is very excited to be wrestling for Wyoming." Suder said.

"I'm very happy with my decision to come to Wyoming," said Wendland. "I really like the coaching staff and feel like I'm going to a place where I'll be able to grow and succeed as a wrestler."