SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Augustana wrestling head coach
Jason Reitmeier announced Wednesday the signing of six student-athletes as part of the 2024-25 signing class. Nolan Ambrose, Colten Gundersen, Luke Koenen, Jaret Peterson, Charlie Petit, and Cash Raymond and will enroll at Augustana as freshmen in the fall of 2023.
Coach Reitmeier on the class: "I am really excited about this class. We filled some needs for next year and also got a group of outstanding student-athletes. I am excited to see this group grow together and mesh with our current athletes."
Nolan Ambrose | 141/149 pounds | Jackson, Minn. | Jackson County Central
Reitmeier on Ambrose: "We have a lot of kids from the Jackson County Central program so it was natural for us to go after Nolan. JCC is a proven winning program and Nolan is a proven winner. He's tough in all positions, finding ways to score and win. He's also super competitive in the classroom which makes him a great fit for Augustana and our program."
High School: Ambrose is a four-year starter and captain at Jackson County Central. Ambrose has been dominant in his time at JCC, winning three straight state championships. Over his three high school seasons, he has been a part of two team championships as well. As a junior, Ambrose was academic all-state and all-conference.
Personal: Nolan is the son of Jeremy and Kassie Ambrose. While at Augustana, he is undecided on an area of study.
Colten Gundersen | 157 pounds | Weston, Idaho | Westside High School
Reitmeier on Gundersen: "Colten is another one of those Augustana kids, great athlete and great student. Colten is a tough kid that wrestles with a hard-nose, cowboy attitude. He isn't afraid to get in there and scrap, with no fear and all-out attitude."
High School: Gunderson is a four-year starter, letterwinner, and captain at Westside High School. As a junior, he went 44-4 overall, earning district and state championships, and led his team to a third place finish at state. Gunderson also won a district championship as a sophomore before finishing fifth at state after going 40-11.
Personal: Colten is the son of Steve and Mishell Gundersen. While at Augustana, he plans to major in physical therapy.
Luke Koenen | 125 pounds | Maple Grove, Minn. | Wayzata High School
Reitmeier on Koenen: "We had our eyes on Luke for a while. We just loved how every time we watched him he was improving and getting better. Luke excels on his feet, but is skilled in all positions. Really excited to get Luke in the room and watch him continue to grow in wrestling."
High School: Koenen is a three-year starter and letterwinner at Wayzata High School. As a junior, he finished third in state while earning all-state honors. That followed a sophomore season in which he did the same.
Personal: Luke is the son of Dave and Molly Koenen. While at Augustana, he plans to major in physical education and business.
Jaret Peterson | 197 pounds | Enders, Neb. | Chase County
Reitmeier on Peterson: "We were looking for big guys and Jaret is just that. He is a great athlete competing in football, baseball, track and wrestling. He comes from a really athletic family. We think Jaret has a high ceiling once he just concentrates on wrestling. Jaret is and exceptional student."
High School: Peterson is a four-year starter, letterwinner, and captain for Chase County High School. As a junior, Peterson went 42-2 while finishing as a state runner-up after claiming conference and district championships. He also went 46-5 overall and finished third in state as a sophomore, and was a state qualifier as a freshman.
Personal: Jaret is the son of Bruce and Crystal Peterson. While at Augustana, he plans to major in fitness management while minoring in business.
Charlie Petit | 165/174 pounds | Plymouth, Minn. | Wayzata High School
Reitmeier on Petit: "Charlie is another kid that everytime I went and watched him I was more and more impressed with him. He just continues to get better every time he touches the mat. He uses his length well and can wrestle from all positions. Charlie will shake things up in the middle to upper weights."
High School: Petit is a four-time letterwinner and starter for Wayzata High School. As a junior, Petit went 45-9 overall and finished third in state, earning all-conference, all-state, and academic all-state while helping Wayzata to a second place finish at sections. He also earned all-conference honors after going 32-12 as a sophomore.
Personal: Charlie is the son of Colin and Maggie Petit. While at Augustana, he plans to major in biology.
Cash Raymond | 157/165 pounds | Randolph, Minn. | Simley High School
Reitmeier on Raymond: "Excited to get Cash in the room. He is another multi-sport athlete. He is an exceptional wrestler and still hasn't focused full time on wrestling. If we can keep him on the mat and out of the derby cars I think he is going to really excel."
High School: Raymond is a four-year starter and letterwinner for Simley High School. He went 51-5 overall on his way to a section championship and state runner-up finish as a junior. Raymond also earned Academic All-State first-team and All-Conference nods, and helped lead his team to a 32-0 record and state championship. As a sophomore, Raymond also won team state titles as a freshman and sophomore, and finished third at state individually both seasons.
Personal: Cash is the son of Josh and Joline Raymond. While at Augustana, he plans to major in business.
