May 13, 2005
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Cal State Bakersfield began the 2005 recruiting class with a bang as Head Coach T.J. Kerr announced the signing of 2005 California State champion Colton Nichols out of Poway High School in San Diego.
Nichols, who is ranked as the sixth–best wrestler in the nation at 215 pounds by Intermat, culminated an amazing senior season with the CIF State title at 215 pounds after posting a 50–1 overall record. In his five matches at the 2005 State Championships, he recorded three pins, a technical fall and a major decision.
In addition to his state crown, he also won the prestigious Five–Counties Invitational and placed second at the equally difficult Reno Invitational. He closed out the season with a 4–2 record at High School Nationals, where he ended up one match short of placing.
Nichols, who was a second place finisher at the state championships in 2004, finished his two years on the Titan’s varsity squad with a 104–9 record, winning 82 of those matches by pin.
“He’s a good kid with a great family who should fit in very well with our program,” said CSUB Assistant Head Coach and recruiting coordinator Mike Mendoza. “He’s incredibly talented but it’s hard to tell where we will use him yet.
“We will have to wait to see how things work out, but right now we are considering him at either 197 or heavyweight.”
Nichols is the second state champion to come to CSUB from the powerhouse program at Poway. Former Roadrunner grappler Shane Rosselle, who won the state title in 1988, was a two–year letterwinner for CSUB and returned to coach from 1993–97.
California State University, Bakersfield Athletic Department
9001 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, CA 93311-1022
Phone: (661) 654-3071 • FAX: (661) 654-2376
