Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009

Althoff's Ryne Harris signs up to go to Nebraska

Senior has advanced to state three times

BELLEVILLE -- From the time Althoff's Ryne Harris was six or seven years old, he has dreamed of wrestling in the powerful Big 12 Conference.

That dream is going to come true.

A three-time Class 2A state wrestling tournament qualifier, Harris has signed a national letter-of-intent to attend the University of Nebraska beginning in the fall of 2010.

Harris, a senior at Althoff and one of the state's top 112-pounders for the past two years, chose Nebraska over American University in Washington, D.C.

"From the time I was old enough to know what college wrestling was about, I remember saying that I wanted to wrestle in the Big 12 Conference. It's the best," Harris said. "Plus, my dad, (Dave Harris), wrestled in the Big 12 and while he went to Missouri and I'm going to Nebraska, I think it's kind of cool that I'm following him into the conference."

Dave Harris is principal at Althoff and coach of the Crusaders.

Harris made his official visit to Nebraska last weekend along with O'Fallon senior Keith Surber.

While Surber made his decision to attend Nebraska on Sunday, Harris waited a little longer before notifying Cornhuskers coach Mark Manning and assistant coach and former Althoff wrestler Mike Greenfield that he also was headed to Lincoln.

"I basically made up my mind on Monday," Harris said. "All the coaches and wrestlers made me feel welcome. I liked the total atmosphere of the university. It just felt like a perfect fit.

"My dad I know is really excited. He's been there for me my whole life and has taught me the sport. He's taken me to tournaments and worked with me and helped me improve. I know he and mom (Peggy) are really excited for me. They just want me to be happy."

Harris, who plans on majoring at accounting at Nebraska, placed third at 112 at the 2009 Class 2A state tournament and has a career record of 115-26.

Harris has been told by the Cornhuskers coaching staff that he will be redshirted his first year, but he will be eligible to compete in "open" tournaments and will train and practice with the team.

Harris sees himself as a 'lifetime' 125-pound wrestler at Nebraska.

"Actually it's fine that I'll redshirt because it will give me a year to get used to the college life," Harris said. "It will be an adjustment going from Althoff to Nebraska. But I'm ready for it."

The adjustment will be made easier with Surber and assistant coach Mike Greenfield around.

Like Harris, Greenfield learned the fundamentals of wrestling as a member of the Belleville Little Devils and later at Althoff.

Dave Harris was a coach at Althoff when Greenfield won back-to-back state championships in 1994 and 1995.

"I'd be lying if I said that coach Greenfield and (Keith) Surber being there isn't going to help," Harris said. "It's nice that I already know some people before I get there.

"I'm anxious to get going. It's nice to have the decision made so I can concentrate on having a good senior year. My goal is to win the state title and knowing that I'm going to a big-time college, gives me confidence going into this season."

Dave Harris said he's happy with his son's decision.

"You hope, as a father, that they can go anywhere if they love the sport and want to continue. But the main thing is getting an education out of this," Dave Harris said. "All sports take a lot time and commitment, but to be able to do this sport (wrestling) with the hard work and dedication it takes at this high level is what is exciting for us."

Crunk, Hill to sign

Perhaps the top girls basketball guard tandem in the St. Louis-area this season, Althoff seniors Jazmin Hill and Jordyne Crunk are expected to sign letters of intent this week.

Both Hill, headed to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Crunk, committed to Eastern Illinois University, gave verbal commitments during the summer.