Baker University’s premiere wrestling team can already add another honor to its list of achievements.

Not only is the team making strides by being the first at Baker, Wrestling USA magazine ranked its recruiting class No. 11 among non-NCAA Div. 1 recruiting classes in the country.

“It’s nice to have the honor. We worked hard in the recruiting side of it,” head coach Jimmy May said. “We have a lot of young kids that have a long road ahead of them and you know its nice to have those little bits of attention with a brand new program, but I don’t put a lot of stock in that. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.”

When starting the recruiting process, May said he was trying to recruit numbers, which is important from an administration standpoint.

“When I came here (I wanted) to try and get the word out that Baker University had a wrestling program, and that we were interested in recruiting all different levels, kids coming out of high school and transfers,” he said. “So that was one of our main concerns, but then we also, with that, recruited a few quality kids, and that’s why we were ranked 11th as far as the non-division 1 class.”

Freshman Brandon Gebhardt, who wrestles at 197 pounds, said it’s a cool feeling to be a part of Baker wrestling’s first recruiting class, especially with that No. 11 ranking.

“Just knowing that I’m at the base of something that could be really, really great, it’s really cool,” he said.

Alan Callahan, a freshman wrestling at 125 pounds, said he was excited to be part of Baker’s first wrestling team.

“To be a part of that first team is pretty sweet,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting because nobody at Baker has really experience wrestling at the school, so it’ll be a first chance for Baker and that’s pretty nice.”

May said although the honor was a nice way to kick off the wrestling program, the team is moving forward.

“We’re wanting to recruit some more kids for next year, and continue to build with the kids we have here now,” he said.

The team will open its season Nov. 7 by resurrecting Mabee Memorial Hall, which hasn’t held a live sporting event in more than 20 years.

The dual will begin at 7 p.m. against York College.

The Wildcats will battle again Nov. 8 at the Dan Harris Wildcat Open in Collins Center. <br/>