GOLDEN, Colo. - Colorado School of Mines wrestling has received three commitments during the early signing period, Head Coach Austin DeVoe has announced.

The Orediggers will add Pueblo West heavyweight Weston Hunt, Del Oro (Calif.) 141-pounder Chase Patterson, and Smithville (Mo.) 157-pounder Austin Purtle in 2017-18. The trio will help bolster an up-and-coming program that DeVoe has rebuilt over the past three seasons into one of the region's top teams.

In addition, DeVoe announced that Skyler Lykins will rejoin the team in fall 2017 after serving two years on a mission to Brazil. Lykins was one of the RMAC's best freshmen in 2014-15 for Mines, going 25-11 with 12 falls at 149 pounds to lead the team in dual and tournament points, including a win at the Hastings Cusatis Open.

"We're excited to have these three newcomers joining the Mines family and look forward to Lykins re-joining the team!" DeVoe said. "This is just the start of a great incoming class as we continue to recruit additional high school senior prospects."
 

---

WESTON HUNT – 285 LBS. – PUEBLO WEST, COLO. – PUEBLO WEST HS

PROFILE: Was the 2016 Colorado state runner-up at 182 pounds … Began wrestling only as a freshman, but went 33-14 as a sophomore and 43-8 with the state final appearance as a junior … Was Colorado's #1-ranked 182-pounder during the season … Colorado Freestyle and Greco state champion in 2015 and Greco champion in 2016 … Fargo qualifier in both styles in 2015 and 2016 … Also played football for Pueblo West … Academic All-State … Principal's honor roll student … Intends to major in civil engineering.

DEVOE: "Hunt is a raw talent with a great frame for an upper-weight." 
 

---

CHASE PATTERSON – 141 LBS. – AUBURN, CALIF. – DEL ORO HS

PROFILE: Team captain for Del Oro … Has a 108-18 career record … Was a California Frosh/Soph state folkstyle champion … 2016 San Joaquin Masters Team champion … Earned Del Oro's Breakout performer award … Wrestled club for USA Gold and Wrestling Prep … Academic letter holder … Intends to major in computer science.

DEVOE: "Patterson brings speed and explosiveness to the mat."   
 

---

AUSTIN PURTLE – 157 LBS. – SMITHVILLE, MO. – SMITHVILLE HS

PROFILE: Three-time Missouri state qualifier and two-time placer … Was fourth as a sophomore and third as a junior at states … Owns a 104-56 career record with 58 pins … Academic letter recipient … Three-year Academic All-State honoree … Intends to major in mechanical engineering.

DEVOE: "Purtle is a smart grinder with a solid skill set from all positions."
 

---

SKYLER LYKINS – 149 LBS. – FRANKLIN, IND. – FRANKLIN HS

2014-15 at Mines: Co-lead the team with 25 wins (25-11) … Second on the team with 12 falls … Won the 149-pound bracket at the Hastings Cusatis Open … Was fourth at the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Open … Went 5-3 against RMAC opposition with a pin.

High School: Lykins lettered four times in wrestling, four times in cross country and three times in track as a prep at Franklin High School in Franklin, Ind. … Three-time state qualifier… Finished third as a junior at 132 pounds… Finished sixth as a senior at 138 pounds… A four-time Johnson Country Champion… A four-time Mid-State Conference Champion… Winner of the Indiana High School Athletic Association Ward. E. Brown Mental Attitude Award as a senior… Team Mental Attitude Award winner as a junior and senior… Led team to runner-up finish at the IHSAA Individual State championships…  Led team to IHSWCA Team State Championships as a senior… Led team to fifth place at the IHSAA Individual State championships as a junior… Led team to runner-up finish at the IHWSCA Team State Championships as a junior… Led team to three consecutive conference titles… Three-straight sectional titles… Helped team to 2013 Mid-State Conference Championship… Named Academic All-State in wrestling and track & field as a junior… Named Academic All-State in cross country, wrestling and track & field as a senior… Member of the National Honor Society… Member of the Spanish Honor Society… Plans to major in Petroleum Engineering at Mines.