Men’s Wrestling Announces 2022-23 Recruiting Class

By Garrett Christensen on Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

LA GRANDE – (Release from Eastern Oregon University) Eastern Oregon University Men’s Wrestling and Head Coach, Dustin Azure is pleased to announce the addition of 12 recruits for the 2022-23 season. Of the 12 recruits, two are transfers and the remaining 10 are incoming freshman. Coach Azure is excited for the future of the Mountaineer Wrestling program.

“We are excited about this class; we have a great mix of transfers and freshmen that know how to compete. This class will bring our competitive level up in all aspects of the program and they fit the student athlete model that we strive to obtain,” Coach Azure said. “I expect to see these guys having an instant impact on our program as we continue our hunt to be the best we can be.”

Hunter Sparks

Native of Roseburg, Oregon. Sparks attended Roseburg High school where he was a four-time Oregon State Placer, two-time State Champion, and three-time High School All-American. Sparks most recently competed at Life University. Sparks plans to Major in Health and Human Performance in hopes of pursuing a career as a Chiropractor.Coy Butner
Native of Halfway, Oregon. Butner attended Pine Eagle High School where he carried an 85-15 High School record on the mat. Butner in his time at Pine Eagle was a three-time Oregon state placer and 2022 State Champion. He will be majoring in Computer Science.

Andy Gonzalez
Native of Bothell, Washington. Gonzales joins us after spending time at Greys Harbor, where he was a two-time Academic All-American, NCWA All-American, and 2021 Folkstyle National Champion. Prior to attending Greys Harbor, Gonzales attended Bothell High School.

Bradon Carson (141)
Native of hometown La Grande, Oregon where Carson attended La Grande High School. Carson is a four-time Oregon state finalist, three-time state champion and is credited with 150 high school wins. To accompany Carson’s long list of accolades he was named Oregon 4A Wrestler of the Year and TWS Wrestling Foundation Award winner while being named 2022 Valedictorian. Carson intends to major in Biology.

Jesse Vassey (197)
Native of Hermiston, Oregon. Vassey joins us from Hermiston High School where he secured a third-place finish at the Washington State Tournament and a fourth-place finish at the Rollie Lane Tournament. Vassey intends to major in Nursing.

Chase Butner (141)
Native of Halfway, Oregon. Butner joins us from Pine Eagle High School where he was a four-time state placer and three-time Oregon state champion. Butner is credited with 108 high school wins while being an honor student all 4 years. Butner intends to major in computer science.

Weston Presser (165)
Native of Las Vegas, Nevada where he attended Shadow Ridge High School. Prior to college, Presser was a Nevada state champion as well as a member of the Nevada All State Academic Team. Presser joins us from North Idaho College where he was named 2021 NJCAA All American and 2021 NJCAA Academic All American. Presser intends to major in Health and Physical Education.

Darrian Hoobery (285)
Native of Weiser, Idaho where he attended Weiser High School. Hoobery was a three-time Idaho state placer and is credited with 128 career high school wins. Prior to joining us, Hoobery spent time at Missouri Valley College where he placed fifth at the Maryville open and defeated a 2022 National Qualifier. Along with success and athletics, Hoobery made the dean’s list twice while at Missouri Valley. He intends to major in Human Health and Performance.

Tucker Bonner (125)
Native of Powell Butte, Oregon where he attended Crook County High School. Bonner was a four-time Oregon state placer and 2022 state champion. Bonner was named Crook County Athlete of the Year while graduating high school with honors. Bonner intends to major in Fire Science.

Austin Dalton (149/157)
Native of Lebanon, Oregon where he attended Crescent Valley High School. Prior to joining the Mounties, Dalton was a three-time Oregon state placer and 2022 state champion. In his time at Crescent Valley, Dalton earned 102 wins with 83 being pins. He intends to major in Fire Science.

Cole Cross (133/141)
Native of Auburn, Washington where he attended Auburn Riverside High School. Cross was a 2022 Washington state champion where he finished with a 47-0 record in his last season. Cross also totaled up 90 career high school wins. He intends to major in Health and Human Performance.

Michael Fox (157/165)
Native of Willamina, Oregon where he attended Willamina High School. Prior to joining the Mounties, Fox was named 2022 3A Wrestler of the Year, four-time Oregon State Finalist, two-time Oregon state champion, and totaled 151 career high school wins. Off the mat, Fox has had similar success being named Class of 2022 Salutatorian, Presidential Award Recipient, and Merit and Athletic Award Recipient. He intends to major in Biology with the focus of becoming a pediatrician.