Red Wolves - IU East

RICHMOND, Ind. - Hubie Branstetter and Dakota Richardson both got a very early start on their college golf careers.

Branstetter and Richardson arrived at Indiana University East at 6:45 a.m. on July 17 to sign their letters of intent to play golf for the Red Wolves

The two signees then joined their new teammates to help out during the Run with the Wolves 5K on the IU East campus later in the morning. The Red Wolves men's golf team served as course marshals for the race.

"Hubie has been a recruiting target of mine for months," IU East coach Von Ebeling said. "Dakota also was a factor in his team's success.

"Having Dakota and Hubie together on our squad will add to our team unity. After reading quotes from Franklin County coach Jim Hughes, I noticed their team had something special when it came to unity. Interestingly, unity was the theme of our 2010 IU East men's golf spring season."

Branstetter and Richardson helped Franklin County win the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference championship. Branstetter finished second at the EIAC meet with a career-low 79.

Branstetter and Richardson also helped Franklin County advance to the IHSAA regional this past spring.

Branstetter contributed to the lowest 9-hole and 18-hole scores in school history.

Richardson's career-best for 18 holes is 84.

Hubie is the son of Hubert and Karen Branstetter.

He chose IU East because of "proximity to home, cost and quality of education."

Said Ebeling: "Hubie had another (college) offer and had to make a choice. Fortunately for IU East, when he jumped off of the fence, he landed on our side."

Dakota is the son of Bill and Debbie Richardson.

He chose IU East because the school is "close and an easy commute."

Said Ebeling: "Dakota may be that diamond in the rough who can take our team even further up the ranks."

Both players plan to major in nursing.

Branstetter and Richardson join Justin Carter (Centerville, Ind.), Lee Oakes (Hagerstown, Ind.), Hunter Overleese (Greenfield, Ind.) and Wes Drees (Versailles, Ohio) in IU East's 2010 men's golf recruiting class.