The fledgling Laurentian University wrestling program received a major shot in the arm with the announcement earlier this month of their 2012 recruiting class. Competing in the OUA (Ontario University Athletics) for just the second year, coach Andy Lalonde and company added five wrestlers to the fold, headlined by Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School Female Athlete of the Year Indira Moores.

Coming into the 55kg weight class, Moores is a four-time Ontario Championship medalist, a 2012 OFSAA gold medal winner and the current juvenile Canadian champion in her weight class.

"Indira will be a great asset to the Lady Vees and could quite well be our first women's champion," said Lalonde in a university issued release. "Moores brings with her a quick pass that most competitors can't keep up with."

Joining Moores on the 2012-2013 team will be Emily Morgan (Brantford), Tyler Best (Timmins), Jon Cohen (Ottawa) and Colin Price (Timmins), all of whom carry fairly impressive wrestling resumés.

Price captured bronze at the all-Ontario high school championships (OFSAA) in March, while both Best and Cohen recently reached the podium at the Canadian Juvenile Greco championships.

Lalonde, a long-time local wrestling coach, is especially excited about adding a pair of northern lads with plenty of raw talent. "Tyler (Best) is not your prototypical 92kg wrestler," Lalonde suggested.

"He is extremely athletic, as shown by his history as a football player and his training in MMA." Meanwhile, Lalonde sees Price as the "gritty, tough guy that all teams need to kick-start a tournament."

"Colin is that guy that just doesn't go away, and he will be a team leader at Laurentian for years to come." The five rookies will join a small handful of incumbents as the L.U. wrestling team hopes to take another step forward in the fall.