NEW YORK — With a focus on the 2022-23 season and success on the mat, Andrew F. Barth Head Coach of Wrestling
Zach Tanelli has announced the addition of seven student-athletes as part of Columbia wrestling's Class of 2026.
Columbia's incoming class is represented by five different states and five different weight classes ranging from 125 pounds to 285 pounds. The incoming class will look to hit the ground running as Columbia aims to continue to build a winning foundation.
"We have some amazing talent in this year's recruiting class that I can't wait to welcome to Morningside Heights," said Tanelli. "Each one brings a unique set of elements to the table that will make an immediate impact on this year's team."
COLIN CALVETTI, 157 POUNDS, FU FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE (RIDGEWOOD, N.J./DELBARTON): A three-time letterwinner in wrestling at Delbarton School in Morristown, New Jersey, Calvetti was a two-time New Jersey State place winner and member of back-to-back team New Jersey State Championship squads (2020/2021). He spent time with the Apex Wrestling Club.
RICHARD FEDALEN, 157 POUNDS, COLUMBIA COLLEGE (LAUREL, MD./MCDONOGH SCHOOL): Winning four letters in wrestling at McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland, Fedalen was a 2021 U20 Pan American Silver Medalist, U20 US Open Greco Champion, and a four-time Fargo All-American. A Member of the 2022 U20 Greco-Roman World Team, Feldalen represented USA Wrestling at the 2022 U20 World Championships.
Fedalen was a National Prep Runner-Up, he placed at the Beast of the East, and he spent his time with the Warhawks Wrestling and Jo Wrestling clubs.
BILLY MCCHESNEY, 285 POUNDS, COLUMBIA COLLEGE (GREENSBURG, PA./GREENSBURG SALEM): McChesney won 12 letters in wrestling (four), football (four), and track and field (four) at Greensburg Salem High School in Greensburg, Pennsylvania where he put together a 120-27 career record. A three-time Pennsylvania State place winner, McChesney was a 2022 Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League champion, three-time WPIAL Region finalist, and a three-time All-Pennsylvania State honoree.
KAI OWEN, 141 POUNDS, COLUMBIA COLLEGE (TAMPA, FLA./WYOMING SEMINARY PREP): Four-time letterwinner in wrestling at Wyoming Seminary Preparatory School in Kingston, Pennsylvania, Owen was a two-time Florida High School Athletic Association State Champion and a four-time Fargo All-American. He is a Grappler Fall Classic Champion, Journeymen Champion, and a two-time place winner at Prep Nationals. He was a member of the 2022 Pennsylvania Prep State Championship squad and earned NHSCA Academic All-American honors.
IKE SCHMIDT, 184 POUNDS, COLUMBIA COLLEGE (SKILLMAN, N.J./BLAIR ACADEMY): Played multiple sports Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey, Schmidt won six letters in wrestling (four), lacrosse and cross country. Schmidt placed fifth at the 2022 National Preps, took fourth at the 2022 Journeyman World Classic and snagged second at the 2019 MAWA National Tournament. He added a fifth-place finish at the 2020 Sam Cali and helped the squad win the 2021 Beast of the East and the Walsh Ironman.
YANNI VINES, 125 POUNDS, COLUMBIA COLLEGE (ALABASTER, ALA./THOMPSON): Going 180-24 at Thompson High School, in Alabaster, Alabama, Vines was a three-time Alabama State Champion and a 2022 NHSCA Senior Nationals Champion. He added 2021 NHSCA Junior Nationals Runner-up finish and was a member of three team state championships.
JACK WEHMEYER, 184 POUNDS, COLUMBIA COLLEGE (SELLERSVILLE, PA./MALVERN PREP): Wehmeyer was a five-time letterwinner in wrestling at Malvern Prep in Malvern, Pennsylvania and he earned a national No. 1 ranking at 182. He was a member of the 2021 National Champions and graduated with distinguished honors.
Columbia opens the 2022-23 season with a visit to the Southeast Open on Nov. 6 and they'll open up at home on Dec. 11 when No. 18 Pittsburgh visits Morningside.
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