The 1997-98 Iowa State wrestling recruiting class is one of the best in the nation, signing five Amateur Wrestling News High School All-Americans. Among those five are three first teamers Joe Heskett (160), Cael Sanderson (171) and Jesse West (125).

“It is by far the best recruiting class that I have ever had in my 24 years of coaching,” Iowa State head wrestling coach Bobby Douglas said. “A lot of the credit has to go to assistant coach Thom Ortiz for his hard work in this process.”

Heskett, a three-time Ohio champion, was voted the top wrestler at 160 pounds. Sanderson will join his brothers Cody and Cole as Cyclones next season after winning his fourth consecutive state title. Amateur Wrestling News ranked Sanderson as the No. 1 prospect at 171 pounds.

West is the third of ISU’s first team selection, being named as the top wrestler at 125 pounds. West won two state titles in Kansas before transferring to Iowa City West for his senior season. West couldn’t maintain his championship streak but did finish second in the class 3A state championship last season. The Cyclones’ Carlos Blanco and Jimmy Rogers are no slouches themselves, ranked second and fourth at 145 pounds, respectively. Blanco, the younger brother of Cyclone 134-pounder Luis, won two California state titles. Rogers won three Iowa Class 1A state championships while competing for Oakland-Riverside High School.