Joe McFarland

April 9, 2013

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan head wrestling coach Joe McFarland announced today (Tuesday, April 9) the addition of five student-athletes -- Jordan Amine (Brighton, Mich./Brighton HS), Ernest Battaglia (Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale Central HS), Aaron Calderon (Brighton, Mich./Brighton HS), Payne Hayden (St. Johns, Mich./St. Johns HS) and Cameron Kennedy (Richmond, Ill./Richmond-Burton HS) -- to the program's incoming freshman class.

"We are very excited about our incoming class of freshmen," McFarland. "We want student-athletes who love wrestling, love to compete on the biggest stage, embrace the challenges of discipline and hard work and are committed to excellence on the mat and in the classroom. We believe all these guys represent those traits."

Amine was a two-time Michigan state placewinner, claiming fourth as a freshman (2012) at 119 pounds and taking sixth place at 145 pounds as a senior (2013), reaching the semifinals before having to default with injury. He registered a 203-27 career prep record, including a 48-4 mark as a senior. His father, Sam (1988-90), and uncle, Mike (1986-89), both wrestled at Michigan. He is projected to compete at 149 pounds for Michigan.

Battaglia accumulated a career record of 125-24 as a four-year starter at Hinsdale Central HS. He earned a top-eight finish at the 2012 USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals and garnered three All-West Suburban Conference accolades. A three-time All-Academic selection, Battaglia contributed to Team Illinois' Junior National Duals championship. He is projected to wrestle at 149 or 157 pounds at Michigan.

Calderon captured a Michigan state title at 152 pounds as a junior (2012) and posted a 183-37 career prep record. He took fifth place at the 2012 ASICS Iowa Folkstyle Nationals and earned All-America status at the Virginia Beach Duals. Calderon will likely wrestle at 157 pounds for Michigan.

Ranked No. 12 nationally at 195 pound and as the No. 95 overall recruit, Hayden captured a Michigan state title at 189 pounds this season. He is a four-time state placewinner, claiming third as a freshman (2010) and sophomore (2011) and second as a junior (2012), and compiled a prep record of 189-22. In the international styles, he earned 2011 FILA Cadet All-America honors in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. Hayden is projected to wrestle at 197 pounds at Michigan.

Listed as the nation's No. 20-ranked 126-pound wrestler, Kennedy captured an Illinois state title this season and is a four-time state placewinner, taking sixth, second and third place over his first three seasons. He owns a 136-15 career prep record. His older brother, Jimmy, was a three-time All-American at Illinois and currently trains in Ann Arbor as part of the Cliff Keen Wrestling Club. Kennedy will likely wrestle at 125 or 133 for Michigan.

The Wolverines' incoming freshman class stands at 10 wrestlers and already ranks No. 1 in the nation according to several wrestling outlets. Domenic Abounader (Gates Mills, Ohio/St. Edward HS), Adam Coon (Fowlerville, Mich./Fowlerville HS), George Fisher (St. Charles, Ill./Marmion Academy), Brian Murphy (Carol /Stream, Ill./Glenbard North HS) and Ben Whitford (St. Johns, Mich./St. Johns HS) all signed National Letters of Intent during the early signing period in November.

• Four Top-20 National Recruits Among Michigan's Early Signing Class (11/21/2012)

Michigan Wrestling 2013-14 Recruiting Class

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423