Fifield makes college choice - verbals to Michigan State


11/6 - Three years ago when Brandon Fifield first stepped foot
into Leslie High School, head coach Todd Stern wasn't sure
what to expect.

"He weighed about 85lbs and I knew he was a great wrestler
who could win a couple state titles for us, but I never thought
those state titles would come anywhere besides 103," said
Stern, "I thought he would be a 4 year 103lber."

Fast forward to the fall of his senior year, and the former 85lb
fireplug is now one of the top recruits in the state, gunning for
his second straight state title, and is now the most recent big-
time senior to make his college commitment.

Fifield, who is currently rated as the #7 senior recruit in
Michigan, informed Michigan Grappler over the phone that he
has verbally committed to wrestle for Michigan State next fall
following his prep career.

"I went on a visit and really liked the campus, the academics,
and the coaches," said Fifield. "Plus I am really excited to work
with Chris (coach Chris Williams)."

The Leslie senior is the latest in a string of mid-Michigan
prospects to announce plans of staying close to home and
wrestle for the Spartans.

"They are bringing in alot of really good recruits and I think being able to workout with Freddie (Rodriguez), Danny (Osterman), Brenan (Lyon), and the coaches will be a good situation," said Fifield. "I really like the alot of the guys on the team."

Fifield, who was projected by most to wrestle four years at 103, is now projected to compete at 133lbs in college.  He won the Division 4 state title at 112lbs last year, and had strong showings at major national events last spring, last summer, and this fall.  Not bad for someone who failed to qualify for states as a freshman 103lber. 

Fifield credits much of his success to Jeff Therrian, the man who has
worked one-on-one with him over the past three years.

"The summer before my freshman year I walked into his (Therrian's)
basement and he weighed me in at under 80lbs," said Fifield.  "Training
with him, putting in all the extra time, working out twice a day, lifting,
running, drilling...it's all paid off."

The addition of Fifield makes the future Spartan lower weights look
increasingly bright as Freddie Rodriguez verbally committed to the
Green and White earlier this fall and is slated to join the Spartans in the
fall of 2012, a year after Fifield.  Rodriguez projects as a lifetime 125lber
while Fifield, who wrestled 119 at the Grappler Fall Classic and Super 32
this fall, projects at 133lbs for now, but with the amount of weight he has
put on over the last three years - who knows?

Stern says the best thing about Fifield is that no matter what weight he
ends up or what happens with him, you always know what your going to get - everything he has.

"Brandon still has some things to work on before he gets to MSU, but I am not worried about him.  His work ethic has gotten him here and will get him to the next level.  He is like the energizer bunny and you will have a hard time finding someone in better shape than him," said Stern.

Brandon Fifield's Recruiting Profile



Copyright 2007-2010, Michigan Grappler, LLC
May not be republished or reproduced without expressed, written permission
Contact Michigan Grappler via E-Mail: admin@michigangrappler.com
Fifield, pictured here at the Grappler Fall Classic, has had a strong Fall, finishing 2nd at the Grappler Fall Classic and falling a match from placing at the Super 32 Challenge.