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    Kacie Albert, ELSM Staff Writer •

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    Dake, Taylor to meet at 2012 NWCA All-Star Classic

    WASHINGTON D.C. -- The matchup that the entire wrestling community has long been waiting for may just happen at this year's 2012 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All Star Classic. Two of the biggest names in college wrestling, Kyle Dake of Cornell and David Taylor of Penn State, have accepted invitations to the event at 165 pounds and are slotted to match-up come Nov. 3 in Bender Arena.

    Kyle Dake defeated David Taylor at the 2012 Olympic Team Trials (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)
    Dake and Taylor enter the event coming off nearly identical seasons where both wrestlers finished the year undefeated capped off with an NCAA title. Dake posted a 35-0 overall and 7-0 dual record while Taylor posted a 32-0 overall and 14-0 dual record.

    Dake, who has a career record of 100-4, is looking to become only the third wrestler ever to win four NCAA titles and the first to win four titles in a row without a redshirt year. He is also the first wrestler ever to win three consecutive NCAA Championships at three different weight classes.

    Taylor enters his junior season as a two-time All-American with a career record of 70-1. Taylor was 2nd in the 2011 NCAA Championships.

    Taylor was named the 2012 Dan Hodge Award winner which is given annually to the top college wrestler in the country. Dake finished third in the voting last year.

    For Dake, this will be slightly unchartered territory. While this is his fourth different weight class he has competed in during his career, it will be his first time competing at the 165 pound weight class.

    "It's going to be one of the most exciting events of the year," said Kyle Dake. "I am honored to be a part of the NWCA Classic and am looking forward to putting on a show."

    This matchup is sure to excite fans across the nation.

    "We are absolutely thrilled that this match-up will be taking place at this year's All Star Classic. This will be a true treat for wrestling fans across the country, and a great way to start this year's college wrestling season," said American head coach Teague Moore.

    The All-Star Classic will occur on Nov. 3, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in Bender Arena on the campus of American University in Washington D.C. To purchase tickets to the event visit American University's website at http://aueagles.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=507577. For more information on the event, visit the NWCA website and follow the NWCA Facebook and Twitter pages.

    The NWCA Classic serves as a premier event to help grow the sport of wrestling. Proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the sport in the Washington DC area.
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