Anthony Ashnault batting Joey McKenna for third place at the NCAAs (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)MANHEIM, Pa. -- When Anthony Ashnault takes the mat at on November 5 at Cleveland State University's Wolstein Center, he'll be doing something no Rutgers wrestler has ever done -- compete in the NWCA All-Star Classic.
Ashnault, a two-time All-American, will face returning NCAA runner-up Bryce Meredith of Wyoming at 141 pounds in the seventh matchup announced by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
The event, presented by The Brewer-Garrett Company and hosted by the Wrestlers in Business Network, has served as the major kick-off event for the wrestling season since becoming and early-season event. In 2012, the event moved to the first weekend of the major college wrestling calendar and has been a fixture ever since.
"We've got two All-Americans who can put on a show," said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "Anthony Ashnault has been able to help his program ascend to new heights under coach Scott Goodale. We saw a tremendous run to the finals last year from Bryce Meredith and you've got two non-traditional powers putting their All-Americans into this fine event. That's a win for Cleveland and that's a win for wrestling."
Meredith transferred back to his native Wyoming after competing for N.C. State as a freshman. His run to the finals included wins over his former teammate and No. 3 seed Kevin Jack of N.C. State, No. 6 Micah Jordan of Ohio State and No. 2 Joey McKenna of Stanford. Meredith is a native of Cheyenne, Wyo., and was a four-time state champion at Central High School.
He comes into the match with a career record of 44-12 after going 29-5 last season and finishing third at the Big 12 Championships.
Ashnault has the distinction of being New Jersey's first unbeaten four-time state champion. The South Plainfield, N.J. native went 170-0 during his high school career and is already a two-time All-American. Last season, Ashnault became the first wrestler from Rutgers to win a Big Ten title, while also becoming the school's first NCAA semifinalist since 1960. He finished fourth at 141 pounds and finished last season with a 32-4 record. Ashnault is 61-12 in two seasons.
Meredith and Ashnault have not met in college competition.
For Wyoming, Meredith will be the seventh participant in school history. Wyoming last appeared in the All-Star Classic in November of 2011 with Shane Onufer (165) and Joe LeBlanc (184) both competing. LeBlanc is the only Cowboy wrestler to win a bout in the All-Star Classic, winning both his appearances in 2010 and 2011. Overall, Wyoming is 2-4 in the event.
Rutgers becomes the 104th school to add its name to the list of programs that have participated in the NWCA All-Star Classic.
2016 NWCA All-Star Classic Presented by The Brewer-Garrett Company
Hosted by the Wrestlers in Business Network
November 5, 2016 - Wolstein Center, Cleveland State University
Time: Showcase Matches 6 p.m.; Main Event 7 p.m.
Tickets: $15 GA, $100 Preferred Seating/Social. Group options available.
Tickets available at www.goallstarclassic.com or Wolstein Center Box Office ( 844-407-2279) or Northeast Ohio Discount Drug Marts.
Streaming: Trackwrestling.com
Officially Announced Matchups
125:
133: Zane Richards, Sr. (Illinois) vs. Eric Montoya, Sr. (Nebraska)
141: Bryce Meredith, Jr. (Wyoming) vs. Anthony Ashnault, Jr. (Rutgers)
149:
157: Brian Murphy, Sr. (Michigan) vs. Max Rohskopf, Sr. (NC State)
165: Isaac Jordan, Sr. (Wisconsin) vs. Daniel Lewis, So. (Missouri)
174:
184: Gabe Dean, Sr. (Cornell) vs. Myles Martin, So. (Ohio State)
197: Brett Pfarr, Sr. (Minnesota) vs. Brett Harner, Sr. (Princeton)
285: Ty Walz, Sr. (Virginia Tech) vs. Connor Medbery, Sr. (Wisconsin)
About the National Wrestling Coaches Association
The National Wrestling Coaches Association, established in 1928, is a non-profit organization for the advancement of all levels of the sport of wrestling with a primary emphasis on developing coaches who work in academic environments. The membership embraces all people interested in amateur wrestling. The three core competencies of the NWCA are: coaching development, student-athlete welfare, and the promotion of wrestling.
About Wrestlers in Business Network (WIBN)
Wrestlers in Business Network is a registered 501 C-3 that strives to unite the thousands of wrestlers that have graduated from the sport and are now in their respective careers. Our mission is to build a community that serves as a platform to connect our members and facilitate business and job opportunities across the nation by leveraging a talent rich pipeline of wrestling alumni, with the ultimate byproduct of increasing reinvestment back to the sport. www.wrestlersinbusiness.org
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