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BUFFALO, NY - For the second time in three years the University at Buffalo wrestling program has landed a nationally No. 1-ranked recruit from the state of New Jersey.

Tom Curl (Gibbstown, NJ/Paulsboro HS) has signed a national letter of intent to attend UB next fall after being ranked as the No. 1 heavyweight in the nation according to most recruiting services, including Intermat magazine.

Curl, a state champion last season who has a 104-6 record entering his senior season, will join former three-time New Jersey champion Labe Black (Ventnor, NJ/Absegami) at Buffalo. Black was also ranked No. 1 in the nation at his weight class as a senior and is the state's career leader in wins (142), which Curl will take aim at this season.

"We are absolutely thrilled to have Tom joining our wrestling family here at UB," said head coach Jim Beichner, who enters his seventh season with a career mark of 61-29-2. "He is an outstanding student, who carries a 3.8 average in high school, as well as a tremendous talent on the mat. With continued additions like Tom to our program we can reach our goal of becoming a perennial Top 25 program in the country."

Curl finished fifth in the state as a freshman, third as a sophomore before being crowned state champion last season with a 34-1 record. He is a three-time district and regional champion as well. He is the son of Thomas and Eileen Curl and has been coached scholastically by Paul Morina.

Intermat magazine says of Curl in their list of top recruits in the nation: "Tom is probably the best true heavyweight coming out of high school right now. He has a very good work ethic and is very intelligent."

Curl plans to pursue an accounting degree at Buffalo.