PHILADELPHIA – Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love! Head Coach of the University of Pennsylvania wrestling team, Roger Reina, announced the addition of Omer Barak, Reed Fullmer, Xander Kuokkanen, Paul Ognissanti, John Pardo, Nate Taylor, Cross Wasilewski, and Jackson Zimmerman to the program on Morning morning.
 
"We are confident that our seventh consecutive nationally recognized recruiting class will write a powerful chapter in the 120-year history of Penn wrestling," said Reina. "Their potential is enormous. Not only are they coming in with strong credentials, but they have also demonstrated the upside to continue their progress and development at the highest levels of NCAA wrestling. We believe their impact will be exceptional."
 
The Class of 2028 joins the current 29 student-athletes on the team, including six NCAA qualifiers for the 2024-25 season, which opens on Sunday, Nov. 10, at the Journeymen Classic.
 
Meet the Class of 2028:
 
Omer Barak | 184
Boca Raton, Fla. | Lake Highland Prep
 
High School
Four-year varsity letter winner and team captain at Lake Highland Prep … Placed first and second in the Florida State Freestyle at FHSAA as a freshman in 2020 … Captured a 223-38 record during his four years … A five-time All-American … Two-time National finalist … Named a Judo National Champion.
Personal
Son of Ruth and Gal Barak … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Reed Fullmer | 165
Wayne, Pa. | Malvern Prep
 
High School
Wrestled all four years at Malvern Prep … Named captain his senior season in 2023 … Team was named Powerade and National Prep champions in 2021 … Three-time Escape the Rock champions (2020, 22, 23) … Won the PIASWT in 2023 … National Prep finalist … Pennsylvania State Freestyle State champion … Place winner at the Ironman, Beast of the East, and Escape the Rock tournaments … Ranked as high as #15 in the country by FloWrestling.
Personal
Son of Charlene and Hal Fullmer … Sister Grace rows at Trinity College … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Xander Kuokkanen | 165
Waukesha, Wis. | Waukesha
 
High School
Four-time letter winner and two-time captain at Waukesha High School … Compiled 266 takedowns, 133 wins, and 74 pins during his four years … Named All-Conference 2021-24 … Three-time WIAA State Qualifier (2022, 2023, 2024) … Team was named Regional Champions in 2023 and 2024 … Team captured the Sectional Championship in 2023 … Four-time Wrestling Academic All-State recipient … Named the Waukesha West WIAA Male Scholar-Athlete … Won the Waukesha West Outstanding Athletic Achievement Award.
Personal
Michelle and Davin Kuokkanen … Sister Kaya ran cross country and track and field at Michigan State … Brother Magnus currently wrestles at Indiana University … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Paul Ognissanti | 165
Baltimore, Md. | Blair Academy
 
High School
Wrestled all four years at Blair Academy … School won the Ironman team title in 2022 … Four-time National Prep place winner.
Personal
Son of Amanda and John Ognissanti … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
John Pardo | 285
Kennett Square, Pa. | Kennett
 
High School
Wrestled on the varsity team at Kennett High School … Named captain as a senior in 2024 … Captured a 127-21 record during his four years … Holds the record for most pins in Kennett history … Named Chesmont League Champion in 2023 … District 1 South Champion in 2023 … Was a District 1 Regional finalist in 2023 … Placed third at the Pennsylvania Class 3A State in 2023 … Captured fourth place at the Pennsylvania Class 3A State as a senior … Named First Team All-League and All-Area 2022-24.
Personal
Son of Catherine Alvarez and Gabriel Pardo, III … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Nate Taylor | 184
Sandy Hook, Conn. | Greens Farms Academy
 
High School
Wrestled four years at Greens Farms Academy … Named captain of his school's team for two years … Compiled a 102-7 record during his four years … Two-time New England champions … Three-time League champions.
Personal
Son of Jennifer and Adam Taylor … Brother Joshua played baseball at Central Connecticut … Enrolled in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Cross Wasilewski | 149
Parsippany, N.J. | Delbarton School
 
High School
Wrestled four years varsity at the Delbarton School … Named team captain his senior season …  Two-time county champion … Won his region's championships all four years of high school … Three-time New Jersey State place winner … Earned the Mike Grey Award at Delbarton … Earned Cadet All-American status in 2021 … Named the Junior Freestyle Northeast Regional Outstanding Wrestler in 2023 … Was a Junior National finalist in 2023.
Personal
Son of Angela Mautone and Dave Wasilewski … Enrolled in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
 
Jackson Zimmerman | 197
Brookville, Pa. | Brookville/Mercyhurst University
 
High School
Four-year varsity letter winner at Brookville High School … Was captain of his team in 2022 and 2023 … Compiled a 90-25 record and 58 pins during his four years … School won the PIAA AA Wrestling District 9 Team Dual Championships 2020-23 … Qualified for States in 2021 and 2022 … Named a Greco State Champion in 2021 and 2022 … PIAA State finalist in 2022 and 2023 … Won the NW Regional and District 9 Championships in 2022 and 2023 … Named the District 9 Wrestler of the Year in 2023 … Earned PWCA First Team All-Academic in 2022 and 2023 … Redshirted 2023-24 season at Mercyhurst University.
Personal
Son of Molly and Doug Zimmerman … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.