MOORHEAD, Minn. – First year Head Coach Kris Nelson ended the 2009-10 campaign with a successful postseason run that included some unlikely heroes. Nelson went to work on the recruiting trail, adding key members to the upper weight classes, including local heavyweight standout Gerad Fugleberg.

Fugleberg finished his career at Fargo South High School with a record of 108-24. His finishes to each season improved dramatically as he continued through high school, placing sixth at the North Dakota State Tournament at 215 pounds as a sophomore.

Fugleberg found his way to the heavyweight championship his junior season, taking second at the tournament. His senior season he won it all, becoming the heavyweight champion to cap off a stellar career.

For the past two seasons Fugleberg was the team's captain and also captained the Bruins football team as well. He finished with the second most pins in school history behind Eric Forde. Fugleberg was also a state Freestyle and Greco champion in the junior division.

Nelson also built on the 197-pound weight class by signing on Brandon Manderschied. Manderschied ended his high school career this season as the Minnesota State Champion at 215 pounds.

Manderschied also finished third at the Minnesota/USA Junior State Greco championships at 215 pounds. Manderschied will help give Nelson a future starter who will learn early on from veteran Jon Swart.

Both Brandon and Gerad competed at the high school national tournament this past spring in Virginia.

The Dragons also signed on Kody Kalkbrenner from Litchfield who finished his career with a 95-24 record. Kalkbrenner is a two-time Minnesota State Tournament participant, placing third at the tournament this past season. Kody was a three-time Wright Country Conference selection.

Kalkbrenner excelled as a Greco and Freestyle wrestler. Kalkbrenner was a Greco State Champion at 189 pounds in 2009 and was a member of the Junior Nationals team as well.

Kalkbrenner is expected to compete at 184 pounds for the Dragons next season. Coach Nelson has already set the expectations for the young recruits.

“All three wrestlers will add talent to our upper weights,” Head Coach Nelson said. “I am looking for all three to challenge for starting positions in their first year.”

Nelson pointed out at the end of the season that a he needs a full year commitment from his wrestlers and plans to throw all three recruits right into the mix.

“Brandon, Kody and Gerad are all committed to year-round training which will help them transition from high school to Division-II wrestling.” Nelson said.

All three recruits will plan on competing at the Junior Nationals that are held at the Fargodome this summer.

Joining the recruits will be Trent Sovde who transfers to MSU-Moorhead from NCAA Division-I North Dakota State University. Sovde went 9-7 in 2008 as an unattached wrestler and then posting a 7-13 record as a freshman in 2009.

Before joining the Bison, Sovde established a winning tradition at Greenbush-Middle River High School where he captured the 2007 Minnesota State Championship at 160 pounds after finishing second in 2006 as a 145-pounder. Sovde wrapped up his high school career with a 137-36 record.

Sovde posted a 2-4 record last year at 174 pounds and is expected to continue wrestling at the same weight class for the Dragons in 2010. Sovde will be competing for a spot in the weight class left vacant by the departure of senior Jarret Hall this past season.