July 19, 2007

Kuti commits to Notre Dame
SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – The Notre Dame Wrestling program announced today the signing of a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Letter of Intent with Matthew Kuti of Austintown, Ohio.

Kuti comes to College Road from Austintown-Fitch High School, where he was a two-time State qualifier at 189 pounds. Kuti was a fourth-place finisher at the state level in his senior season (2006-07). Kuti earned four varsity letters for wrestling at Fitch, and added another three for football, where he was a two-time All-Federal League selection. In his four years wrestling for the Falcons, the NDC-bound Kuti compiled a record 123-45. He sported a 40-9 mark in his senior season.

“I feel that Notre Dame is the best fit for me,” said Kuti, who will begin classes at NDC in the fall. “I look forward to competing, and I like the coaching staff.”

Matthew is the son of Robert and Cherylann Kuti. He plans on majoring in Political Science at Notre Dame.

Notre Dame Falcon Wrestling got off the mats in November, 2006; the fledgling program earned a 10-6 record in their inaugural season. Five NDC grapplers advanced to the NAIA National Tournament, with heavyweight Nick Terifaj (Fr/Strongsville, OH) earning All-American status. The second season of Falcon Wrestling gets underway Nov. 3 when the Falcons host the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Notre Dame College is a co-educational liberal arts institution in South Euclid, Ohio. The Notre Dame Athletics Department sponsors the Falcons' participation in 17 men's and women's sports. The College is affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the American Mideast Conference (AMC), which is the largest NAIA conference in the country.

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