SIUE Wrestling Inks Tindle, Brindley

EDWARDSVILLE, ILL. – SIUE wrestling Head Coach David Ray is excited for his two latest signees who have completed their National Letters of Intent to compete for the Cougars.

SIUE inked Jake Tindle (Troy) and Brandon Brindley (Kimberly, Ala.).

Tindle, the Class Valedictorian at Triad High School, lost only one match his senior season and completed the year with a 52-1 record. He placed third at the Illinois High School State Championships in 2012 and fourth in 2011. Tindle will likely compete at the 165- or 174-pound weight class at SIUE.

"Jake's strongest attribute is his riding skills. He is tenacious and looks for the pin. He wants to score big points," said Ray. "Jake's strength along with his leverage gives him a big advantage. He is able to control his opponents in positions that most struggle with."

A member of the East/West All-Star duals, Tindle was named a Scholar-Athlete by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and as an Illinois State Scholar. Competing for Illinois Orange, Tindle placed fifth at the 2011 NWCA Scholastic Duals. He took fourth at the Midwest Nationals for Team Narnia.

"No one does as well as he has done academically and athletically without having good time management, discipline, focus, and determination," added Ray. "I feel with Jake's talent and work ethic there is no limit to his future success on the mat and, more importantly, in the classroom.

Brindley recently was named WIN Magazine's Alabama Wrestler of the Year after winning his fourth state championship. He capped his senior season with a 51-0 record at the 140-pound weight class. He was a five time finalist and a six-time place winner at the Alabama State Championships for Mortimer Jordan High School.

"SIUE and I are very excited to have Brandon on board. It is not too often a mid-level Division I college program can sign a four-time state champion and five-time state finalist. Brandon is very talented, has a lot of athletic ability, and is strong and quick. These are very important skills in being successful in the sport of wrestling," said Ray.

Brindley will be looked upon to make an immediate impact in the lineup at 133 pounds. The two-time Birmingham News Wrestler of the Year completed his prep career with a record of 295-11. He also has multiple titles in major non-scholastic tournaments.

"This is a start of a five-year relationship and when it is all through, Brandon and Jake will walk out the doors of SIUE with bachelor's degrees, as NCAA All-Americans, and responsible adults with friends for life. That is our plan and I know it is theirs. Otherwise, they would have not chosen SIUE," added Ray.