MARSHALL — Southwest Minnesota State University head wrestling coach Jesse Nelson announced the signing of six student-athletes who will continue their academic and wrestling careers at SMSU.

The six newcomers joining the 2020-21 roster include Nye Becker (Browerville), Isaac Dixon (Spirit Lake, Iowa), Miles Fitzgerald (Dunnell), Tallin Johnson (St. James), Caleb Pesta (Long Prairie) and Luke Peterson (Farmington).

The six signings join Jace Paplow from Dundee, who signed with SMSU this past November.

“We are very excited about this group as all of them come with high accolades on the mat and in the classroom,” Nelson said. “We feel that each one of these individuals align with our institutional goals and team goals and will be a great addition to our university and team.”

2020-21

Signees Bios

Nye Becker, 157, Browerville / Browerville HS – 2020 graduate of Browerville HS … competed for head coach Jacob Lorentz for Long Prairie-Grey Eagle/Browerville … six-year letter winner … finished career with 115 victories … competed in three state tournaments … qualified for 2020 individual state meet at 145 pounds … team won two state championships … local AAA Award Winner … three-year letter winner in football … named football All-District … three-time Academic All-District in football … participated in the state football tournament … three-time scholar athlete achievement honoree … three-year letter winner in baseball … two-year letter winner in track.

Isaac Dixon, 149, Spirit Lake, Iowa / Spirit Lake HS – 2020 graduate of Spirit Lake HS … competed for coach Andrew Lundren … four-year letter winner … earned 100 wins during career … won districts and sectionals as a freshman … won sectionals during junior season … advanced to districts as a senior … won conference title as a junior … placed second in conference as both a senior and sophomore … also letter winner in soccer, cross country and choir.

Miles Fitzgerald, 165, Dunnell / Martin County West HS – 2020 graduate of Martin County West HS … competed for the Martin County Red Bulls for head coach Adam Williamson … finished senior season with more than 40 victories and was state runner-up at 160 pounds … team placed second at 2020 state meet … was a three-time state place winner … also competed in football.

Tallin Johnson, 165, St. James / St. James HS – 2020 graduate of St. James HS … competed for head coach Jake Johnson … closed career with 123 victories … two-time state qualifier … finished 34-4 during senior season … placed fourth place at the 2020 state meet at 152 pounds… ranks Top 12 in all-time career wins and Top 5 in all-time career pins in team history … was named 2020 Male Athlete of the Year … two-time wrestling team captain … 2019-20 team MVP … six-year letter winner … three-time all-conference honoree …. five-time section place winner … 2020 section champ … also competed in football … was named team captain … had 185 career tackles … three-year starter.

Jace Paplow, 174, Dundee / Westbrook-Walnut Grove HS – 2020 graduate of Westbrook-Walnut Grove HS … competed for Westbrook-Walnut Grove/Tracy-Milroy-Balaton for head coach Karl Campbell … two-year captain … five-time letter winner … recorded more than 180 victories in career … placed second at the 2020 Class A state meet at 170 pounds … two-time section champion … team finished third at 2019 Class A state team … went 47-4 in junior year with 22 pins … academic all-state honoree … also competed in football …named captain senior year … three-year letter winner … 2019 all-district football team … all-district football academic team … ranks third in program history with 398 career tackles … leader in yards rushing and receiving … Daily Globe and Independent all-area team … 2019 section 3A third place … state team third place … all-district team … all-district football academic team … Daily Globe and Independent all-area … all-district honorable mention.

Caleb Pesta, 184, Long Prairie / Long Prairie-Grey Eagle HS – 2020 graduate of Long Prairie-Grey Eagle HS … competed for head coach Jacob Lorentz for Long Prairie-Grey Eagle/Browerville … had a 41-11 season record senior year and was a state qualifier … finished with 106 career wins …two-time all-conference … 2019 section champion … 2020 section runner-up … also competed in football and track.

Luke Peterson, 149, Farmington / Farmington HS – 2020 graduate of Farmington HS … wrestled for coaches Chad Olson, Brandon Kingsley and Kyle Benjamin … six-time letter winner … four-year starter … finished career with a 125-32 record … four-time state individual qualifier … placed second at 2020 Class AAA state meet at 145 pounds … two-time state place winner … two-time all-conference in wrestling … also competed in football and lacrosse … three-time letter winner in football … two-year starter … four-time letter winner in lacrosse.

— Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications