The Shorter University wrestling program secured another key addition to its 2011 recruiting class on Thursday, announcing the signing of Florida prep standout Wally Figaro (No. 11 @ 160).
Figaro, a native of Brandon, Fla., and star grappler at Brandon High School, is the overall No. 58 ranked recruit in the country and the nation’s No. 6 ranked high school recruit at 160 according to HSWrestling.net.
“Wally is an outstanding pickup for us,” said Shorter head coach Josh Henson, who guided his Hawks to a 20th place finish at the NAIA Wrestling National Championships this past season to cap an enormously successful inaugural campaign.
“When you are building a program, you look for student-athletes who can put you on the map athletically, and at the same time, serve as a cornerstone for the future,” the coach added. “Wally has the ability to do that for our team.”
Figaro was a Double Junior National All-American — he placed third in Greco-Roman and fifth in Freestyle — in 2010, placed second in the 2010 Super 32 and is a Florida state champion and four-time place winner during his high school career.
Figaro has been groomed by one of the nation’s premier prep program in Brandon High and Henson believes that Figaro has a bright future ahead with the Hawks.
“Wally is the complete package — athletically, academically and socially — and would be a great addition to any wrestling program,” Henson said. “I am very excited that he has ended up at Shorter University.”
Figaro figures to join a rapidly up-and-coming program with the Hawks, who enjoyed a banner first season in 2010-11.
