May 25, 2000

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

University of Wyoming head wrestling coach Steven Suder announced on Thursday that he has signed three student-athletes to scholarships. The three new signees are Richard and Steve Cordova of Ogden, Utah, and E.K. Waldhaus of Pueblo, Colo.

Richard Cordova is projected to wrestle at the 133 or 141-pound weight classifications for the Cowboys. He won two Utah State Championships at 130 pounds while wrestling for Wasatch High School in Heber City, Utah. During his four-year high school career, he posted a 130-14 (.903) record. His last two years of high school, Cordova amassed an amazing 69-3 (.958) record. He also captured second place at the National High School Wrestling Championships in Pittsburgh, Pa., which features only high school seniors who've earned their way to the state finals. A high school All-American, he was coached in high school by Wade Discher. The son of Melinda and Steven Cordova of Ogden, Utah, he was also recruited by Arizona State and Boise State.

"You can tell by Richard's (Cordova) accomplishments that he's a very seasoned competitor," said UW head coach Steve Suder. "He has been successful at every level he's competed at -- from state tournaments, to regional championships, to the national finals, where he just placed second. We think that even as a freshman, he will bring a lot of competitive maturity to our lower weights."

Steve Cordova will join his younger brother Richard on the Wyoming squad. He is projected to compete at the 125-pound weight classification for Wyoming. He wrestled this past season at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., where he was a starter throughout his freshman season. He comes to Wyoming with three years of eligibility and a redshirt year available to him. Cordova amassed a 149-11 (.931) high school record on his way to winning three individual Utah State Championships and three state MVP honors. He was also a high school All-American at Wasatch High School in Heber City, Utah, and was coached by Wade Discher. He is the son of Melinda and Steven Cordova of Ogden, Utah.

"Having Steve (Cordova) decide to join his brother Richie here at Wyoming is an extra treat for us," said Suder. "I'm all for keeping those brothers together. Steve is every bit as accomplished as Richie is. Having started as a freshman at a Big Ten school is a big feather in his cap. We anticipate Steve bringing a great deal of experience and competitiveness to our program."

E.K. Waldhaus is projected to wrestle at the 174-pound weight classification in college. He was a two-time Colorado State Champion -- at 160 pounds as a junior and at 171 pounds as a senior. Waldhaus posted a perfect 36-0 record as a high school senior. He compiled a three-year high school record of 84-13 (.866), while wrestling for head coach Jerry Sisneros at Pueblo South High School. Waldhaus helped lead Pueblo South to a second-place finish at state as a junior and a 10th-place finish his senior season. He also captured third-place at the Cadet World Team Trials in March of 1999. In addition to being a three-year starter in wrestling, he also was a 1,000-yard rusher in football and ran on his high school track team. The son of Beverly Graham, he was also recruited by Northern Colorado and Tennessee-Chattanooga.

"We've seen E.K. (Waldhaus) wrestle a number of times in different situations," said Suder. "We saw him at the Colorado State Championships and here in Laramie at the Rocky Mountain Regional tournament. He's had the opportunity to benefit from some excellent coaching and some excellent training partners. E.K. seems to be the type of individual, who once he puts his mind to something, he's going to reach his goal. He is a really solid athlete, and he'll bring a great deal of athleticism to our upper weights."