Palm Harbor University senior wrestler Aaron Hartman signed with Division I Hofstra on a full scholarship offer Wednesday afternoon at the school. Hartman is the first of 10 seniors on this year's team to sign.
"I think it gets a lot off my chest (signing before the season began)," Hartman said. "It helps me focus on what I need to do this year."
Hartman has qualified for state all three years at PHU, and even as an eighth-grader at Northside Christian. He has state runnerup finishes in 2010, 2011, and 2013. Hartman enters his senior season ranked first in Class 3A by Scout.com at 152 pounds, but will likely wrestle at 145 or 138, according to coach Brad Sakevich.
"(Hartman) was wrestling up at 152 last season to help the team," Sakevich said. "He normally weighs about 150 so it's (145 or 138) a better fit."
Hofstra's wrestling program has 19 Colonial Athletic Association titles and 27 All-Americans.
Photo: Courtesy of Palm Harbor University