Wrestling | November 10

DeKALB, Ill. – Head Coach Ryan Ludwig of the Northern Illinois University wrestling team inked three signatures to the 2023-24 roster, the wrestling program announced.

The class, thus far, is comprised of three extremely skilled wrestlers from Missouri and Kansas, two hotbeds of wrestling talent. All three have accomplished great feats at the high school level and will immediately aide the Huskies' quest for championships.

Collin Arch (Palmyra, Mo.) will be a 2023 graduate of Palmyra High School where he became the first three-time state champion in school history. He was crowned Missouri state champion at 120, 132 and 138 pounds, took fifth at the 2022 Defense Soap Super 32 Challenge, and has racked up an astounding 108 wins and zero losses through his first three seasons at Palmyra. A dual-sport athlete, Arch was Palmyra's starting quarterback his junior year. Arch is ranked No. 9 in the nation in the 138-pound weight class per Matscouts and No. 54 overall on the 2023 Matscouts Big Board. His brother, Ross Arch, is currently a redshirt freshman on the team.

"Collin has the competitive fire that we are looking for," said Ludwig. "He is a serious athlete who is hungry to train and reach the highest levels in the sport. He is a total package as he has an incredible academic profile as well." 

Sean Carroll (Overland Park, Kan.) will graduate from Saint Thomas Aquinas High School in the spring of 2023 where he is a dual-sport athlete for the wrestling and football team. A two-time state place and runner-up, Carroll has amassed a 60-11 record, mainly in the 195 weight-class. 

"Sean is an athletic big man that has all the tools to develop into an elite wrestler at this level. He is a multi-sport athlete and, as such, we are excited to see him grow as his sole focus turns to wrestling. He is an intense competitor who brings passion for the sport." 

Gavynn Carpenter (Hallsville, Mo.) is set to graduate from Hallsville High School in the spring 2023 where he's collected an overall record of 117-14 through his first three seasons. Wrestling at 120, 132 and 138, Carpenter took first place at the Tri-Country Conference championships for three-straight years. He's a two-time state and regional runner-up in Missouri and is a three-time all-conference team member.  

"Gavynn has an insatiable desire for excellence in this sport and in the classroom. He is exactly the kind of serious student-athlete that flourishes in this program. We are excited to get to work with him."