WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – An already productive offseason just got even better for Purdue Wrestling, as head coach Tony Ersland announced the signing of standout transfer Marcos Polanco on Thursday. The Minnesota transfer comes to the Boilermakers with three years of Big Ten wrestling experience, two years of eligibility remaining and plans to compete at 149 pounds.
"Marcos is a really talented athlete, and we are really excited to add him to our room," Ersland said. "He knows what it takes to compete in this league, and we think he will help us tremendously."
The West Covina, Calif., native joins the Boilermakers with a 25-23 career record, going 6-6 in dual starts for the Golden Gophers. In his first season of full competition, he qualified for the 2021 NCAA tournament at 141 pounds with an at-large bid thanks to a 6-9 record against solely Big Ten competition in the shortened season.
This past year he placed eighth at Southern Scuffle by rattling off five straight wins on the back side of the bracket, including a 3-1 overtime win over former No. 12 overall recruit Jordan Williams of Oklahoma State. He also took fourth at both the Daktronics Open and the Bison Open, recording a combined 7-4 record across both competitions.
In his first start at 149 pounds, he pinned Kyle Boeke of Augustana in 3:23. He has earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in each of the last three seasons.
He was a three-time California state qualifier for Bishop Amat High School, finishing fourth in 2018 and sixth in 2019. He earned Co-Wrestler of the Year honors for the San Gabriel Valley thanks to six tournament wins as a senior, including divisional and Masters championships.
Polanco joins a loaded group that Ersland is adding to his roster this offseason that already includes another high-level transfer in Joey Milano in addition to two top-30 commits and five top-200 freshmen.
"Marcos is a really talented athlete, and we are really excited to add him to our room," Ersland said. "He knows what it takes to compete in this league, and we think he will help us tremendously."
The West Covina, Calif., native joins the Boilermakers with a 25-23 career record, going 6-6 in dual starts for the Golden Gophers. In his first season of full competition, he qualified for the 2021 NCAA tournament at 141 pounds with an at-large bid thanks to a 6-9 record against solely Big Ten competition in the shortened season.
"Boilermaker Nation … Let's Ride"🚂💨 pic.twitter.com/IAmq7tL2qM
— Marcos Polanco (@MARKEES0) April 27, 2023
This past year he placed eighth at Southern Scuffle by rattling off five straight wins on the back side of the bracket, including a 3-1 overtime win over former No. 12 overall recruit Jordan Williams of Oklahoma State. He also took fourth at both the Daktronics Open and the Bison Open, recording a combined 7-4 record across both competitions.
In his first start at 149 pounds, he pinned Kyle Boeke of Augustana in 3:23. He has earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in each of the last three seasons.
He was a three-time California state qualifier for Bishop Amat High School, finishing fourth in 2018 and sixth in 2019. He earned Co-Wrestler of the Year honors for the San Gabriel Valley thanks to six tournament wins as a senior, including divisional and Masters championships.
Polanco joins a loaded group that Ersland is adding to his roster this offseason that already includes another high-level transfer in Joey Milano in addition to two top-30 commits and five top-200 freshmen.