Iowa State Media Relations
AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State wrestling program and head coach Kevin Dresser announced on Thursday that five outstanding prep wrestlers have signed their letters of intent to attend Iowa State. Connor Euton, Carter Fousek, Manuel Rojas, Casey Swiderski and Fernando “Nando” Villaescusa are the new Cyclones, and will be members of the 2022 class, set to arrive on campus for the 2022-23 season.
"We are very excited about this group,” Dresser said. “The common thread within this class is a strong work ethic, a love for the sport and exciting styles. I just love how hard they all wrestle. Those traits usually work out very well throughout a wrestler’s career. We are excited to get all of them with us this summer and for the next five years. We do expect a few more seniors to sign at Iowa State in the near future, so stay tuned.”
Here's a look at Iowa State wrestling's new additions, including thoughts from Dresser on each signee:
Connor Euton
Hometown: Westerville, Ohio
High School: Westerville North
Projected Weight Class: 157 pounds
Euton will join the Iowa State wrestling program next fall after an outstanding high school career at Westerville North in Westerville, Ohio. Euton, who projects as a 157-pounder at the collegiate level, is coming off a historic 2021 campaign. Euton went 29-0 en route to a 145-pound Division I Ohio State title, becoming Westerville North’s first state champion since 2010. Euton has not lost a match since the 2019 state tournament – his freshman season.
Coach Dresser on Connor Euton: "Connor joins us as a defending state champion from the tough wrestling state of Ohio. Connor brings an attack style of wrestling and I think he is good in all positions. He will add a very quality guy to the middle weight classes at Iowa State. I am also very excited to add his work ethic and love for the sport to our team and room."
Carter Fousek
Hometown: Chester, Iowa
High School: Crestwood
Projected Weight Class: 125 pounds
Carter Fousek is one of two Iowans in Dresser’s 2022 class, hailing from Chester, Iowa. Fousek is in the midst of a phenomenal high school career at Crestwood, having won three Class 2A state titles thus far. He is one of just four prep wrestlers in the state chasing a fourth state title entering the 2021-22 season. He has wrestled at 106, 113 and 126 pounds and boasts a 114-8 career record. Of his 114 career wins, 70 came via fall.
Coach Dresser on Carter Fousek: "Carter brings some star power to our lower weight class area. He is a tough kid who has been around the sport since a young age. He is vying for his fourth state championship in Iowa, which isn’t an easy feat. We are all excited to see how high this kid could jump as a college wrestler.”
Manuel Rojas
Hometown: Bay City, Michigan
High School: Detroit Catholic Central
Projected Weight Class: 174 pounds
Manuel “Manny” Rojas is one of two members of Iowa State’s class of 2022 from the Great Lakes State. Rojas, a native of Bay City, Michigan, is one of the most highly-touted prep wrestlers in the country. He has won a pair of 189-pound Michigan State titles, along with a pair of team titles, while wrestling for Detroit Catholic Central. Rojas is currently considered the No. 13 overall recruit in the nation, according to MatScouts. He is ranked third nationally at 170 pounds. He is a 2021 Junior Nationals Champion (170 pounds) and also won the Super 32 Challenge.
Coach Dresser on Manuel Rojas: "Manny has won just about all there is to win as a high school wrestler. He comes from one of the top high school programs in Michigan and the entire country. Manny will be a factor in Division I wrestling immediately. He is currently one of the top ranked 170-pounders in the nation and is ranked in the top-20 pound-for-pound wrestlers in the nation. He is vying for a third state title this February."
Casey Swiderski
Hometown: Dundee, Michigan
High School: Dundee
Projected Weight Class: 141 pounds
Casey Swiderski is the second Michigander in the Cyclones’ 2022 signing class, and another highly-decorated prospect for Dresser and his staff. Swiderski, who wrestles for Dundee High School in Dundee, Michigan, is considered the No. 61 overall recruit in the nation, per MatScouts. He has three Michigan State titles to his name, winning the state tournament at 103 pounds (2019), 135 pounds (2020) and 145 pounds (2021). Swiderski won the 138 pound title at FloWrestling Who’s Number One and was the runner-up at the 2021 Junior Nationals at 138 pounds.
Coach Dresser on Casey Swiderski: "Casey is elite! His dedication, focus, skill and toughness make him elite. He is a competitor and is ready to wrestle the best guys in nation right now. He will make our room tougher the minute he arrives. He is also vying for his fourth state title in Michigan and is the number one ranked guy in the country at 138 pounds."
Fernando Villaescusa
Hometown: Ames, Iowa
High School: Gilbert
Projected Weight Class: 184 pounds
Fernando “Nando” Villaescusa is a local product from Ames, Iowa and comes from a Cyclone family. His father, Fernando, Sr., is the Iowa State wrestling program’s volunteer assistant. Villaescusa, who attends Gilbert High School, placed third at the 2021 Iowa State Championships at 182 pounds as a junior this past season. He is also an Arizona State Champion, having won the 160-pound title in 2020 prior to his family’s move to Ames.
Coach Dresser on Fernando Villaescusa: "Nando brings great potential, an unbelievable work ethic and toughness to our program. I am excited to watch his progress his senior year and beyond. He won a state title as a sophomore in his native Arizona and then placed third at a very tough weight class in Iowa this past season. Nando will probably end up at 184 and possibly at 197 as a college wrestler."
Next season, Iowa State will also welcome four additional wrestlers who previously signed with the Cyclones. More information on those additions is included here:
Gabe Greenlee – Ames, Iowa (Ames) // 285
No. 161 overall prospect in the class of 2021
Two-time Iowa High School State Finalist
Three-time Iowa High School State Medalist
Paniro Johnson – Erie, Pa. (Cathedral Prep) // 149
No. 46 overall prospect in the class of 2021
No. 10 nationally at 145 pounds
Four-time Pennsylvania High School State Medalist
Super 32 place-winner
Caleb Helgeson – Johnston, Iowa (Johnston) // 174 or 184
2021 Iowa State Champion at 170 pounds
Finished senior year with a 24-1 record
Four-time Iowa High School State Medalist
Nate Schon – Selinsgrove, Pa. (Selinsgrove) // 197 or 285
No. 22 overall prospect in the class of 2021
No. 9 nationally at 220 pounds
Two-time Pennsylvania High School State Champion
Three-time Pennsylvania High School State Finalist
Four-time Pennsylvania High School State Medalist
AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State wrestling program and head coach Kevin Dresser announced on Thursday that five outstanding prep wrestlers have signed their letters of intent to attend Iowa State. Connor Euton, Carter Fousek, Manuel Rojas, Casey Swiderski and Fernando “Nando” Villaescusa are the new Cyclones, and will be members of the 2022 class, set to arrive on campus for the 2022-23 season.
"We are very excited about this group,” Dresser said. “The common thread within this class is a strong work ethic, a love for the sport and exciting styles. I just love how hard they all wrestle. Those traits usually work out very well throughout a wrestler’s career. We are excited to get all of them with us this summer and for the next five years. We do expect a few more seniors to sign at Iowa State in the near future, so stay tuned.”
Here's a look at Iowa State wrestling's new additions, including thoughts from Dresser on each signee:
Connor Euton
Hometown: Westerville, Ohio
High School: Westerville North
Projected Weight Class: 157 pounds
Euton will join the Iowa State wrestling program next fall after an outstanding high school career at Westerville North in Westerville, Ohio. Euton, who projects as a 157-pounder at the collegiate level, is coming off a historic 2021 campaign. Euton went 29-0 en route to a 145-pound Division I Ohio State title, becoming Westerville North’s first state champion since 2010. Euton has not lost a match since the 2019 state tournament – his freshman season.
Coach Dresser on Connor Euton: "Connor joins us as a defending state champion from the tough wrestling state of Ohio. Connor brings an attack style of wrestling and I think he is good in all positions. He will add a very quality guy to the middle weight classes at Iowa State. I am also very excited to add his work ethic and love for the sport to our team and room."
Carter Fousek
Hometown: Chester, Iowa
High School: Crestwood
Projected Weight Class: 125 pounds
Carter Fousek is one of two Iowans in Dresser’s 2022 class, hailing from Chester, Iowa. Fousek is in the midst of a phenomenal high school career at Crestwood, having won three Class 2A state titles thus far. He is one of just four prep wrestlers in the state chasing a fourth state title entering the 2021-22 season. He has wrestled at 106, 113 and 126 pounds and boasts a 114-8 career record. Of his 114 career wins, 70 came via fall.
Coach Dresser on Carter Fousek: "Carter brings some star power to our lower weight class area. He is a tough kid who has been around the sport since a young age. He is vying for his fourth state championship in Iowa, which isn’t an easy feat. We are all excited to see how high this kid could jump as a college wrestler.”
Manuel Rojas
Hometown: Bay City, Michigan
High School: Detroit Catholic Central
Projected Weight Class: 174 pounds
Manuel “Manny” Rojas is one of two members of Iowa State’s class of 2022 from the Great Lakes State. Rojas, a native of Bay City, Michigan, is one of the most highly-touted prep wrestlers in the country. He has won a pair of 189-pound Michigan State titles, along with a pair of team titles, while wrestling for Detroit Catholic Central. Rojas is currently considered the No. 13 overall recruit in the nation, according to MatScouts. He is ranked third nationally at 170 pounds. He is a 2021 Junior Nationals Champion (170 pounds) and also won the Super 32 Challenge.
Coach Dresser on Manuel Rojas: "Manny has won just about all there is to win as a high school wrestler. He comes from one of the top high school programs in Michigan and the entire country. Manny will be a factor in Division I wrestling immediately. He is currently one of the top ranked 170-pounders in the nation and is ranked in the top-20 pound-for-pound wrestlers in the nation. He is vying for a third state title this February."
Casey Swiderski
Hometown: Dundee, Michigan
High School: Dundee
Projected Weight Class: 141 pounds
Casey Swiderski is the second Michigander in the Cyclones’ 2022 signing class, and another highly-decorated prospect for Dresser and his staff. Swiderski, who wrestles for Dundee High School in Dundee, Michigan, is considered the No. 61 overall recruit in the nation, per MatScouts. He has three Michigan State titles to his name, winning the state tournament at 103 pounds (2019), 135 pounds (2020) and 145 pounds (2021). Swiderski won the 138 pound title at FloWrestling Who’s Number One and was the runner-up at the 2021 Junior Nationals at 138 pounds.
Coach Dresser on Casey Swiderski: "Casey is elite! His dedication, focus, skill and toughness make him elite. He is a competitor and is ready to wrestle the best guys in nation right now. He will make our room tougher the minute he arrives. He is also vying for his fourth state title in Michigan and is the number one ranked guy in the country at 138 pounds."
Fernando Villaescusa
Hometown: Ames, Iowa
High School: Gilbert
Projected Weight Class: 184 pounds
Fernando “Nando” Villaescusa is a local product from Ames, Iowa and comes from a Cyclone family. His father, Fernando, Sr., is the Iowa State wrestling program’s volunteer assistant. Villaescusa, who attends Gilbert High School, placed third at the 2021 Iowa State Championships at 182 pounds as a junior this past season. He is also an Arizona State Champion, having won the 160-pound title in 2020 prior to his family’s move to Ames.
Coach Dresser on Fernando Villaescusa: "Nando brings great potential, an unbelievable work ethic and toughness to our program. I am excited to watch his progress his senior year and beyond. He won a state title as a sophomore in his native Arizona and then placed third at a very tough weight class in Iowa this past season. Nando will probably end up at 184 and possibly at 197 as a college wrestler."
Next season, Iowa State will also welcome four additional wrestlers who previously signed with the Cyclones. More information on those additions is included here:
Gabe Greenlee – Ames, Iowa (Ames) // 285
No. 161 overall prospect in the class of 2021
Two-time Iowa High School State Finalist
Three-time Iowa High School State Medalist
Paniro Johnson – Erie, Pa. (Cathedral Prep) // 149
No. 46 overall prospect in the class of 2021
No. 10 nationally at 145 pounds
Four-time Pennsylvania High School State Medalist
Super 32 place-winner
Caleb Helgeson – Johnston, Iowa (Johnston) // 174 or 184
2021 Iowa State Champion at 170 pounds
Finished senior year with a 24-1 record
Four-time Iowa High School State Medalist
Nate Schon – Selinsgrove, Pa. (Selinsgrove) // 197 or 285
No. 22 overall prospect in the class of 2021
No. 9 nationally at 220 pounds
Two-time Pennsylvania High School State Champion
Three-time Pennsylvania High School State Finalist
Four-time Pennsylvania High School State Medalist
