Lake Highland Prep has long been a powerhouse in high school wrestling, but this year, the program reached new heights—both on the mat and in the classroom. After a historic season that saw the Highlanders dominate the national stage, eight senior wrestlers officially signed with NCAA Division I programs on Saturday, marking the largest group of DI-bound athletes in head coach Mike Palazzo's 19-year tenure.

"It's great, and it's probably our ultimate goal anyway—to get people to the next level and make sure they have opportunities to further their career and education," Palazzo said. "The great thing is that we have so many kids who are also outstanding students. In multiple years, we've had Ivy League guys and guys at Northwestern, Stanford... It says a lot about the amount of work these guys are willing to put in."

The Highlanders' dominance was on full display at the National Prep Wrestling Tournament in February at Lehigh University. Lake Highland claimed individual titles in six of 14 weight classes, amassing 345.5 points—a staggering 60.5 points ahead of runner-up Malvern Prep (285). Seniors Tyler DeKraker, Charlie DeSena, Zeno Moore, and Naclav Nafshi all captured national championships, cementing their legacy as part of one of the most decorated classes in program history.

These eight athletes will now take their talents to some of the most competitive conferences in college wrestling. The ACC landed three Highlanders, the Big Ten snagged two, and the Big 12, SEC, and Ivy League each added one. Here's where they're headed:

- **Naclav Nafshi and Ronin Gault** – University of North Carolina (ACC)
- **Zeno Moore** – Stanford University (Pac-12)
- **Tyler DeKraker** – University of Minnesota (Big Ten)
- **Liam Davis** – Northwestern University (Big Ten)
- **Charlie DeSena** – University of Pennsylvania (Ivy League)
- **Jackson Angelo** – West Virginia University (Big 12)
- **Yandel Morales** – University of Missouri (SEC)

In addition, two more Highlanders signed with Division III programs: Colby MacIntosh (Coast Guard) and Clint Plotner (North Central College), showcasing the depth of talent across the entire roster.

For Palazzo, seeing his athletes reach the next level is the ultimate reward—and a sign of a program that's built to last. "It makes me proud. It seems that each year we find another way to top ourselves," he said. "We have future recruiting classes that should look pretty much the same, so it's neat. It's great."

With a culture of excellence on the mat and in the classroom, Lake Highland Prep continues to prove that champions are made—and then they go on to become champions at the next level.