The event, hosted this fall by Ohio State University, annually invites the nation's top wrestlers to compete in a dual meet format that serves to showcase the nation's top wrestlers and to celebrate those athletes as ambassadors to their sport.
"It's a great way to get the season started," Ness said. "It'll be a great test to see where I'm at early in the season and to test myself against some of the best wrestlers in the country. It's an honor to be chosen and I'm looking forward to it."
Although Ness' opponent has yet to be announced, the junior will be competing in the 133 lb. class after earning All-American accolades at the 125 lb. level each of the last two seasons. Ness makes the transition to 133 pounds for the 2008-09 season after recording a 39-2 record at 125 pounds last season.
"Considering I've moved up a class, I was surprised to be picked just because there are a lot of good wrestlers [at 133]." Ness said. "It's going to be a great atmosphere, so I'm looking forward to it."
Ness, who tied a single-season school record with 20 pins during the 2007-08 season, is one of four returning starters and one of two returning All-Americans for a Minnesota squad that is just two years removed from a national championship. The Bloomington, Minn. native was the national runner-up at 125 lbs. at the NCAA Championships in St. Louis, Mo. last March.
Although the NWCA All-Star event is nationally televised and features some of the college wrestling's most accomplished athletes, Ness' participation will not count as an official event and the result of his match will not affect his 2008-09 official record.
Minnesota wrestling begins its season just one month from today, and gets underway with its 2008-09 calendar at the Bison Open on Nov. 15. Minnesota's first home event of the season comes when the team hosts Oklahoma State in a New Year's Day dual meet at the Sports Pavilion at 2:00 p.m. For tickets, call 1-800-U-GOPHER or contact the Gopher Ticket Office at 612-624-8080.
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