Iowa wrestling lands another top recruit from Pennsylvania
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Iowa wrestling team has landed yet another heralded recruit from Pennsylvania. Max Murin, who is ranked by InterMat as the No. 27 prospect overall in the 2017 class, announced his commitment on Twitter.
I’m proud to announce that I’m going to continue my wrestling and academic career at the University of Iowa#GoHawks pic.twitter.com/ntPyazOsTI
— Max Murin (@max_murin) August 27, 2016
Murin has compiled a 119-5 record in three seasons at Central Cambria High School in Pennsylvania, where he placed fifth as a freshman, won a state championship as a sophomore and finished second this past season. Murin is the fifth Pennsylvania state champion to commit to Iowa head coach Tom Brands in the last two years. The others are Michael Kemerer, Kaleb Young, Spencer Lee and Gavin Teasdale. All five train in the Young Guns Wrestling Club. Murin appreciates Iowa’s recruiting pipeline to Pennsylvania, but he told TrackWrestling that his decision to be a Hawkeye wasn’t really influenced by that connection. “I wanted to be a Hawkeye long before they were going to Iowa,” Murin said. “No matter where they went, I think I’d still be a Hawkeye. But it’s nice having people so close to me on the team.” Murin already is battled tested against elite competition, earning three All-America finishes in Fargo, N.D., where he placed second in 2014 and fourth in 2015 at the Cadet level and third this summer at 132 pounds. He also finished third this spring at the UWW Cadet World Team Trials. Murin told TrackWrestling that he also considered Penn State and Pittsburgh and thinks he will wrestle at 149 pounds in college. He also said Iowa’s tradition in wrestling was a big factor in his decision. The Hawkeyes have won 23 national titles and 35 Big Ten titles in wrestling. Iowa’s 53 NCAA Champions have won a total of 81 NCAA individual titles, crowning six three-time and 16 two-time champions. The Hawkeyes’ 111 Big Ten champions have combined for 197 conference titles. Iowa finished fifth at the 2016 NCAA Championships and had three wrestlers finish runner-up at their weight.