The Wayland Baptist wrestling program has its first team members. Head coach Johnny Cobb recently signed four area recruits to help launch the Pioneer program. Collin Brown and Marc Backus, both of Amarillo, are the first additions to the Pioneer men's team, while China Saucedo of Hereford and Jeneshia Woods of Amarillo are the original members of the women's team.

"I couldn't have asked for more," said Cobb, who coached Brown and Woods during his tenure as head coach at Tascosa High School.  "These are quailty kids that are class acts both on and off the mat.  I see NAIA All-American status and even National Championships in the future for all four of them."

Brown graduated from Tascosa High School in 2008.  During his senior season he was crowned state champion in the 145-pound class with a 34-0 record.  He signed with the University of Nebraska-Kearney, the 2008 NCAA Division II National Champions, out of high school and will be coming to WBU as a sophomore.

Backus was a two-time state qualifier at Randall High School.  His senior season he went 30-11 and was an All-State honoree and the state runner-up as a 160-pounder.

A three-time state qualifier, Saucedo suffered her only loss as a senior in the state championship match.  The 138-pound All-State selection had a record of 55-2 during her final two years at Hereford High.

Woods won All-State honors as a senior after finishing sixth in the 128-pound class at the state championships.  She was also a state qualifier as a junior with a 32-3 record going into the state meet.

"I understand that we will have a few kinks to work out during our first year," Cobb explained, "but the addition of these four great individuals serves as a promising first step toward a successful program."