InterMat Staff

The University of Minnesota welcomed the Navy SEAL Leap Frogs, an elite parachute jumping core, to Bierman Field on Tuesday morning. The Leap Frogs were hosted by the J Robinson Intensive Wrestling Camp, which comes to a close on Friday, July 25 after 28 days. The camp is hosted annually by the University of Minnesota wrestling coaching staff as a part of J Robinson wrestling camps. Since 1978, J Robinson and his staff have hosted their unique wrestling training experience for thousands of wrestlers from across the country. J Robinson wrestling camps' welcoming of the Leap Frogs began Monday evening as about 200 of the more than 500 campers participated in the Trident Challenge. The Navy SEALs promote the challenge to promote fitness and to introduce young people to the value of physical wellness. Each year, Minnesota wrestling concludes their intensive camp with a poignant event meant to promote Robinson and his staff's vision of community service, achievement and physical wellness. For more information on J Robinson wrestling camps, log on to jrobinsonwrestlingcamps.com or call the University of Minnesota wrestling office at 612-625-1013. To learn more about the Navy SEAL Leap Frogs, visit www.leapfrogs.navy.mil.

The University of Wisconsin wrestling team will open the 2008-09 home dual season a little bit differently than in years past. Instead of hitting the mat at their usual home inside the UW Field House, the Badgers will host their first dual of the season on Friday, Nov. 21 just down the road at the Kohl Center. Iowa State comes to town for the dual which begins at 7 p.m. The Kohl Center has hosted the WIAA state high school wrestling meet in years past, but this will be the first time the Badger grapplers take to the mat inside the building. Wisconsin officially opens the competition season Saturday, Nov. 15 at the Big Ten/ACC Duals in Chapel Hill, N.C., but the Iowa State dual is the first of six home duals on schedule for the 2008-09 season. The Badgers will return to the UW Field House (Sunday, Nov. 30) to host Oregon State and then four Big Ten foes (Illinois, Minnesota, Purdue and Ohio State) will travel to Madison in February. To see the complete 2008-09 wrestling schedule, click here.

State College, Pa. -- LionHeart MMA continued its successful entrance into the world of professional mixed martial arts with fighters accumulating an impressive 3-1 record over the weekend. Former University of Iowa wrestler Paul Bradley led the LionHeart charge by capturing the 185 lb. Destiny Fight Championship Belt with a victory over formerly undefeated professional, Dimarco Harris. Bradley used a punishing ground and pound attack to win a unanimous decision and improve his record to 7-0. At The Battlefield Fighting Championships in Fredericksburg, Va., LionHeart fighters went 2-1. NCAA Champion, Phil Davis, won by submission in the second round over previously unbeaten Casey Miller at 205 lbs. Davis' college teammate, Aaron Anspach won his MMA debut with a unanimous decision over James Johnson at 265 lbs. and Lou Armezanni lost in the 185 lb. Battlefield Fighting Championship Title bout to Kris McCray by TKO. LionHeart Founder, Chad Dubin, was impressed with the performance of his fighters over the weekend. "I've been real happy with the improvement in all our fighters over the past couple months. At this point, it looks like we're right on target with the fighter development and training methods we've implemented here at LionHeart." For more information on LionHeart MMA visit www.lionheartfighters.com or call Chad Dubin at 814.280.1982.

This week's edition of "On the Mat" will feature Ben Askren and T.C. Dantzler. Askren will represent the United States at the Olympics in men's freestyle wrestling at 163 pounds. Askren wrestled for the University of Missouri, reaching the finals of the NCAA tournament all four years and winning two titles. He also received the Dan Hodge Trophy twice, an award given to the nation's most dominant college wrestler. Dantzler will represent the United States at the Olympics in Greco-Roman wrestling at 163 pounds. At 37 years of age, Dantzler will be the second oldest U.S. Olympic wrestler. Dantzler has represented the United States at the Greco-Roman world championships at 163 pounds every year since 2002. "On the Mat" is a weekly wrestling radio program that airs every Wednesday night. This week's broadcast can be heard live from 6-7 p.m. Central Standard Time. The Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, hosts the show. "On the Mat" can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa on 1650, The Fan. Feel free to e-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with questions or comments about the show.

The University of Minnesota will welcome the Navy SEAL Leap Frogs, an elite parachute jumping core, to Bierman Field to wrap up the 2008 J Robinson Intensive Wrestling Camp on Tuesday, July 22 at 11:00 a.m. The camp, hosted annually by the University of Minnesota wrestling coaching staff as a part of J Robinson wrestling camps, comes to an end Tuesday, July 22 after 28 days. Since 1978, J Robinson and his staff have hosted their unique wrestling training experience for thousands of wrestlers from across the country. J Robinson wrestling camps' welcoming of the Leap Frogs begins tonight as about 200 of the more than 500 campers will participate in the Trident Challenge. The Navy SEALs promote the challenge to promote fitness and to introduce young people to the value of physical wellness. The Trident Challenge includes a combination of timed swimming, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and running. Each year, Minnesota wrestling concludes their intensive camp with a poignant event meant to promote Robinson and his staff's vision of community service and physical wellness. For more information on J Robinson wrestling camps, log on to jrobinsonwrestlingcamps.com or call the University of Minnesota wrestling office at 612-625-1013. For more information on the Navy SEAL Leap Frogs, visit www.leapfrogs.navy.mil.

Shane Roller, Jake Rosholt, Johny Hendricks were all collegiate wrestling standouts for the Oklahoma State Cowboys who have made smooth transitions to mixed martial arts (MMA). Now all three are joining World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), the sister promotion to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Roller, Rosholt, and Hendricks, and who are managed by Team Takedown, signed five-fight contracts with the WEC. Roller will make his WEC debut on August 3 in a lightweight bout against Todd Moore at The Joint in Las Vegas. The 29-year-old Roller, who was a three-time All-American at Oklahoma State, sports a 3-1 record and is coming off an impressive TKO victory over Yoshihiro Kitaoka on an Xtreme Fighting League (XFL) card on March 15. Moore, who fights out of Houston, Texas, boasts an impressive 9-1 record, but is coming off the lone loss of his career, to John Alessio, at WEC 31 on December 12. Rosholt, who was three-time NCAA champion and four-time All-American for Oklahoma State, is set to make his WEC debut on September 10 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The WEC card will also feature the organization's biggest star, Urijah Faber, who will be defending his 145-pound title against Mike Thomas Brown. Jake RosholtRosholt has compiled an unblemished 4-0 MMA record and is steadily climbing the MMA ranks and is catching the attention of many in the process, including UFC president Dana White, who said, "He's the real deal." Rosholt, who fights at 185 pounds and trains at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, was asked by the UFC to join the reality TV show The Ultimate Fighter, but turned down the opportunity because he would have been forced to move up to 205 pounds. He has already been profiled in Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine. Rosholt is set to make his WEC debut on September 11 at WEC 36 against Brazilian veteran Danilo Villefort, who owns an 8-2 record. Both Rosholt and Villefort have looked very impressive in recent fights. Rosholt has hardly been tested in going undefeated in four fights. Villefort has won his last four fights, with his latest victory coming by way of submission (kneebar) over Mike Massenzio at an IFL event in May 16. Hendricks, like Rosholt, will make his WEC debut on the September 10 card. The two-time NCAA champion, who owns a perfect 3-0 MMA record, will take on Alex Serdyukov in a 170-pound bout. Johny Hendricks and Shane RollerAnother former Oklahoma State standout, Mark Munoz, is already fighting in the WEC. Munoz, who won an NCAA title at 197 pounds in 2001, made his WEC debut on June 1 in Sacramento, California and won by TKO over Chuck Grigsby in a light heavyweight bout. Rosholt and Hendricks will be featured on the reality TV show TapouT, which will be broadcast on Versus on August 20.

Columbia, Mo. -- Missouri wrestling Head Coach Brian Smith was named president-elect of the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA), as announced today. Smith, entering his 11th season with the Tiger squad, will begin his two-year term as president-elect on September 1 and will take on the roll of president in 2010. "We're elated to have someone like Brian Smith be in line to be our next association president," NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer said. "What he has done, not only with the wrestling program at Missouri, but with his student-athletes, is what leadership is about." Current president-elect Jim Beichner of the University of Buffalo will ascend into the President position in the fall once current NWCA President Ron Mirikitani's term expires. "I'm very honored to have been chosen to take on a leadership position with a sport that I have dedicated my life to," Smith said. I have a true passion for wrestling and I'm looking forward to working with the NWCA in the years to come." The NWCA, established in 1928, is a professional organization dedicated to serving and providing leadership for the advancement of all levels of the sport of wrestling with primary emphasis on scholastic and collegiate programs. Smith, the 2007 Dan Gable Coach of the Year, owns a 119-60-2 record in 10 years as the Head Coach of the Tigers and stands at 121-68-3 overall (11 years). Since joining the Missouri staff in 1998, Smith has coached 10 Tigers to 17 All-America honors, including current Freestyle Olympian Ben Askren who earned the program's first-ever National Title in 2006 and repeated the feat in 2007.

Highlighted by accomplished high school wrestlers such as Greco-Roman Olympian Jake Deitchler (Anoka, Minn.), Matt Mincey (Apple Valley, Minn.) and Mario Mason (Blairstown, NJ), the 2008 Gopher wrestling recruiting class has been ranked the best in the country. Heralded wrestling website InterMatWrestle.com joined the list of online publications hailing Minnesota's class as tops in the country. The Gophers' class was ranked just ahead of Big Ten rivals Wisconsin (2nd) and Iowa (5th). InterMat utilizes a complex ranking system that includes a calculation of factors such as depth of class, quality of recruits, recruits' potential impact on the 2008-09 season and impact on the future. Other Big Ten programs with classes ranked in InterMat's top 30 include Michigan (7th), Illinois (9th), Northwestern (15th), Ohio State (18th), Indiana (24th), and Purdue (26th). In addition to Deitchler, Mincey and Mason, the Gophers' 2008 class also includes Atticus Disney (Topeka, Kan.), Cody Yohn (Alamosa, Colo.), Thane Antczak (Chetek/Prairie Farm, Wis.), Zach Loppnow (Lake City, Minn.), and Wesley Richard (Dillingham, Alaska). The Gophers' regular season begins with the Bison Open in Fargo, ND on Sat., Nov. 15. Minnesota's home opener is a New Year's Day tilt with Oklahoma State at the Sports Pavilion.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Perennial national powers Penn State and Oklahoma State highlight a loaded 2008-09 Virginia wrestling schedule, announced Tuesday by UVa head coach Steve Garland. The Nittany Lions and Cowboys placed third and fifth, respectively at the 2008 NCAA Championships and are joined by Big Ten powers Illinois and Wisconsin and in-state foe Old Dominion on the 2008-09 non-conference slate. The rapidly-improving ACC schedule then looms in January and February. "My staff and I really made a point to get the best competition possible," Garland said. "Every team wants to wrestle the best in the country. If you look at our early schedule, we wrestle four of the top 20 teams in the country and all on the road. That is testament to our administration, which is willing to support us and send us all over country." "The most common questions I get from people outside the program are ‘who do you wrestle' and ‘what is your schedule like.'" "We are wrestling some incredible teams this year. Penn State and Oklahoma State were among the top five teams in the country last year. Illinois and Wisconsin are perennially among the best programs in the country. Old Dominion has a great team coming back and Rutgers brought in a top-20 class this year. Our conference rivals will be even tougher this year, with Maryland and NC State both coming back after top 25 showings at NCAAs last year." Virginia opens the 2008 portion of its schedule with five straight road trips and will wrestle all but five of their 2008-09 matches on the road. After starting the year Nov. 8 at the Michigan State Open, the Cavaliers will battle Illinois and Wisconsin at the Big Ten/ACC Challenge Nov. 15 in Chapel Hill, N.C. The Fighting Illini and Badgers finished 14th and 17th, respectively, the 2008 NCAA Championships. The following week, the Cavaliers get another stern test at the Sprawl and Brawl, taking on Penn State and AIC in Binghamton, N.Y. It gets no easier as the Cavaliers finish November in Albany, N.Y., at the Northeast Duals with the program's first-ever match against 34-time national champion Oklahoma State, as well as Bucknell and Harvard. UVa then wraps up 2008 at one of the top national tournaments, the Southern Scuffle, in Greensboro, N.C., Dec. 29-30. The new year will not provide a break, as UVa opens at the Virginia Duals Jan. 9-10 in Hampton, Va. The Cavaliers' opponents will not be announced until just prior to the competition, but the field is loaded with strong programs such as Boise State, Edinboro, Illinois, Lehigh, Old Dominion and Penn. UVa opens its home schedule Jan. 17 with a double dual against UNC Greensboro and Rutgers at Memorial Gymnasium. The Cavaliers wrestle Appalachian State the following day at 1 p.m. Virginia starts ACC competition Jan. 23 at North Carolina and then visits Campbell the following afternoon for a 1 p.m. dual. UVa stays on the road the next weekend with two neutral-site matches – Jan. 30 vs. George Mason in Hopewell, Va., and Jan. 31 vs. Virginia Tech in the annual ‘Rumble on the River' in Richmond, Va. The Cavaliers then wrap up their road swing Feb. 5 with a dual match at defending CAA champion Old Dominion. Virginia returns home the next weekend for its final two home duals, battling NC State Feb. 14 and Duke Feb. 15. UVa concludes the regular season Feb. 22 at defending ACC champion Maryland, which defeated the Cavaliers by a point in the regular-season finale last season and then by just two points for the ACC Championship two weeks later. The Terrapins finished 21st at the 2008 NCAA Championships. The ACC Championships will be contested March 7 at Virginia Tech, while the NCAA Championships will be March 19-21 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. Virginia finished 18-5 overall and 3-2 in duals last season and took 40th place at the NCAA Championships. The Cavaliers return starters at eight of 10 weight classes from last year and will welcome in another stellar freshman class.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Lehigh head coach Pat Santoro has announced the addition of John Hughes to the Mountain Hawks' coaching staff for the 2008-09 season. Hughes, a three-time All-American and former NCAA Champion at Penn State, comes to Lehigh after spending the last five seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater. He will work alongside Santoro and former Lehigh All-American Brad Dillon, who joined the staff last month. "We're really excited to have a coach of John's caliber on board," said Santoro. "He is someone I have known for 15 years and with the work he puts in year-in and year-out we could not have brought in a better coach to help our program going forward." Hughes is regarded as one of the toughest wrestlers in Penn State history. He won an NCAA Championship at 142 in 1995 and added All-American honors with a seventh place finish in 1994 and a runner-up finish in 1996. Hughes ranks eighth in Nittany Lion annals with 121 career victories. In addition to his national title, Hughes was the 1995 Big Ten Champion and also won a gold medal at the 1994 Pan-Am Games and a University National Freestyle Championship. "The opportunity to come to Lehigh was something I became very interested in," said Hughes. "I've gotten to know Lehigh University very well, and I'm excited to be part of such a great institution with a rich wrestling tradition. It was not an easy decision to leave Penn State, but I feel like Lehigh can be a great fit for me and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to help take this program to another level." In five seasons on the coaching staff at Penn State, Hughes made a profound and immediate impact in the training room. Working predominantly with the Nittany Lion middleweights, Hughes helped guide Bubba Jenkins and Dan Vallimont to All-American honors, while as a team, Penn State crowned four All-Americans and finished third in the team standings, the program's best finish since 1994. Hughes also played a major role in Penn State's recruiting efforts which have produced recruiting classes that were among the nation's best over the last several years. A native of Stillwater, Pennsylvania, Hughes won four PIAA state championships wrestling for Benton High School. He earned his bachelor's degree in landscape contracting from Penn State in 2002. Prior to joining the Penn State coaching staff on a full time basis, Hughes served as head coach for the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. He also enjoyed a stint as an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Wrestling Club and worked as an environmental technician for Groundwater and Environmental Services, Inc. Hughes and his wife Melissa have one child, Riley.

LINCOLN -- Husker fans will have plenty of chances to catch their favorite NU wrestlers in action this winter as twelve home duals and hosting the Big 12 Championship highlight the 2008-09 Nebraska wrestling schedule. The Huskers return eight starters from a squad that exceeded expectations last season with a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships, but Nebraska will once again be tested by one of the hardest schedules in the nation. After having just four home duals last season, the Huskers welcome 12 opponents to the NU Coliseum before hosting the Big 12 Championship in Lincoln for just the second time. "We have a lot of marquee matchups," Head Coach Mark Manning said. "We have a lot of teams that are vying for a national championship coming here to Lincoln." Several programs with a history of wrestling excellence will visit the confines of the Coliseum, as the season features many matchups with nationally ranked programs. The Huskers open on Nov. 20 against Tennessee-Chattanooga, which finished last season No. 18 in the dual rankings, before hosting Kent State and Minnesota on Dec. 20 and 21. The Golden Flashes earned the No. 21 spot in last year's rankings, while Minnesota finished No. 8. The Gophers topped the Huskers last December, but NU rebounded to defeat them at the National Duals. The Husker's final two home duals promise to be passion-filled affairs with Big 12 rivals Oklahoma State and Iowa State coming to Lincoln on Feb. 6 and 22, respectively. Nebraska defeated the Cowboys for just the third time in school history last year, while the Cyclones burst the Huskers' chance at an undefeated record in conference action in the last dual of the season. "Obviously, Oklahoma State and Iowa State coming here are both big," Manning said. "Iowa State won the Big 12 Championship the last two years, Oklahoma State is historically a very strong program and with Minnesota coming to town, we have a lot of great dual meets. It should be great for our fans and for wrestling people in general." ISU finished last season ranked No. 3, while OSU was No. 5 in the dual rankings. The two teams tied for fifth place at the NCAA Championships. The Big 12 Championship comes to Lincoln on March 7 for the first time since 2000. The Huskers finished second as a team last year with three individual champions. NU racked up its most points ever (62.5), thanks in part to Jordan Burroughs, who was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the Meet after two bonus-point victories. With several tough tournaments, like the Las Vegas Invitational and Nationals Duals, sprinkled in with challenging road duals to Missouri and Oklahoma, the 2008-09 schedule will test the Huskers. All of Nebraska's competitions are in preparation for one goal, though, the 2009 NCAA Championships, which return to the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo., again this year. Nebraska welcomes back five All-Americans this fall, including two-time All-American Paul Donahoe at 125 pounds. Donahoe and the seven other starters who return will look to build on a 14-3 dual record from last season and a final dual ranking of fourth. For a complete look at the Husker's 2008-09 wrestling schedule, click on the link above.

Osage native and former state high school champion wrestler Mark Schwab has been named head wrestling coach at North Iowa Area Community College. Mark Schwab"I look at this as an overall good opportunity, not just a wrestling opportunity, but an opportunity to teach and to further my formal education as well. NIACC brings three important things together in my life. Wrestling has been my whole life. The classroom, which I resisted at first, I've found that I enjoy because coaching and teaching are the same idea in different arenas. I also plan to work on another MA in sports psychology through UNI. I bring a lot of experience at different levels of the sport. I've been blessed to be around a lot of good people. Now, I get to share my experiences with the athletes and students at NIACC," Schwab said. During the 2007-08 season, three NIACC wrestlers won national titles individually and the Trojans finished fourth as a team. "Coach Schwab's addition to the NIACC wrestling program signifies the rich athletic tradition to NIACC and the region. We are exceptionally pleased to have attracted Coach Schwab with his standing and reputation in wrestling as well as his strong North Iowa ties and his commitment to athletic and academic excellence," Dr. Debra Derr, NIACC president, said. Wrestling's comeback to NIACC this past year marked the addition of a sport with a tradition of excellence at the College. NIACC's wrestling program won the national title in 1973. The wrestling team, which began in 1967, had a record of 126-18-2 before the program was dropped in 1976. "The selection of Mark Schwab as the head wrestling coach is the culmination of great work by our search committee and administration," Dan Mason, NIACC athletic director, said. "With the historical and current success NIACC wrestling, it became apparent that the position would be considered a tremendous opportunity within the wrestling community. Because of that, we were able to attract a pool of excellent candidates." Schwab served as head coach at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake for the past four seasons, with consistently improving results up to the NCAA qualifier this past season. Schwab was named Iowa Conference Coach of the Year in 2007. The Beavers tied for 2nd in the Iowa Conference duals this past season. Schwab also coached the first 4-time NCAA All-American in the 30 year history of BVU wrestling in Jestin Hulegaard. Prior to BVU, Schwab spent nine years as assistant coach at the University of Minnesota, helping the program to seven top-three finishes and two NCAA championships. Schwab also served as an assistant coach at Purdue University in Lafayette, IN (1991-93), and at the University of Northern Iowa, his college alma mater (1990-91), after compiling a 115-18 collegiate mark and earning All-American honors twice for the Panthers. He graduated from UNI with a degree in Criminology. In 2003, Schwab earned a Masters degree in Education while at the University of Minnesota. While competing at UNI, Schwab posted a 49-9 record in his initial season, the most wins by a true freshman in NCAA history, and placed fifth in the 1986 NCAA Division I championships. In 1987, he won the bronze medal in what was called the World's Toughest Tournament in Tiblissi, Russia. He trained for the 1988 U.S. Olympic team during his redshirt year at UNI as well and won a bronze medal for the U.S. team at the World Cup event in Ulan Bator, Mongolia. A knee injury and a staph infection combined to keep Schwab off the mats for more than a year, but Schwab finished his career with the Panthers on a positive note as a senior, placing sixth nationally in 1990 after winning the 118-pound title at the NCAA West Regionals and earning Most Outstanding Wrestler honors. Schwab's prep wrestling career was nearly flawless as he won 106 of 107 matches and earned four state titles for Osage High while earning three Junior National Freestyle titles and a national championship in the Greco-Roman category. Schwab was inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame, the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Glen Brand Hall of Fame. Brothers Mike and Doug have achieved plenty of success on the wrestling mat at well. They also captured state titles as prep wrestlers, with Mike eventually earning All-American honors at UNI and Doug winning a title at the 1999 NCAA Division I 141-pound finals while wrestling for the University of Iowa. Doug has since gone on to become an assistant coach at Iowa and he earned a berth on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Freestyle Wrestling team in June by winning the 145.5-pound classification at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Las Vegas.

Coming Soon!

EAST STROUDSBURG -- East Stroudsburg University will restructure the varsity athletics status of its wrestling and men's volleyball programs effective with the start of the 2009-10 academic year. The wrestling program will be reclassified to compete at the NCAA Division II level, and the men's volleyball program will compete at the club level. The Warriors' wrestling program has competed at the Division I level as a member of the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) since 1977 and previously was a member of the NCAA's College Division (currently Division II) since it was founded in 1963. ESU will join four other Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) institutions at the Division II level - Kutztown University and Shippensburg University, along with Gannon University and Mercyhurst College, which will join the PSAC as full members in 2008-09. The men's volleyball program, which has competed in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) as a varsity sport since 1977, will play at the club level effective with the 2009-10 academic year. While ESU is a member of Division II, the Warriors have competed for a berth in the Division I tournament, the only men's volleyball championship recognized by the NCAA since it was introduced as a championship sport in 1970. ESU is currently the only PSAC institution with a men's volleyball program. A recent assessment of the university's athletic department, which included an outside consultant and participation from the entire athletic division, resulted in a series of recommendations that have an impact on varsity athletics at ESU, explained Dr. Tom Gioglio, Director of Athletics. University President Dr. Robert Dillman and Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Doreen Tobin were in agreement to enact several of the recommendations resulting from the athletic division's assessment. "We are moving forward with several recommendations to strengthen our athletic department, which include restructuring the wrestling and men's volleyball programs," said Gioglio. "The assessment also included recommendations on facilities, staffing and other facets of our department, and we look forward to implementing those as we strive to provide a top-notch competitive experience for our student-athletes at ESU." This marks the first restructuring of ESU's athletic department since 1990, when the men's and women's gymnastics, men's and women's swimming and men's golf programs were discontinued at the varsity level. Women's swimming returned as a varsity sport in 1995. ESU announced the addition of women's golf in January and will begin intercollegiate competition this fall. ESU will sponsor 22 varsity sports in 2008-09, the third-most in the PSAC, trailing only West Chester and Millersville, which offer 27 and 23 sports, respectively.

Don Cummings will join the Limestone College wrestling staff as an assistant coach, as announced by Saints Head Coach Ben Stehura. Cummings had a standout career at Mercyhurst College and will assist with all aspects of the Saints wrestling program. Cummings was a 2005 NCAA Division II All-American and a three-time national qualifier. He took home the East Regional championship in 2007, and was a team captain his senior season. Cummings has coached at the Lakers Wrestling Club, the Mohawk Valley Wrestling Club, and the Onondaga Mat Club. He also helped coach the freestyle and Greco Roman wrestlers of the Central New York Empire State Games' wrestling team. He attended Onondaga High School in New York. He was a New York state place winner in 2004, a Fargo Greco All-American, and a two-time Greco state champion. A native of Marcellus, N.Y., he earned his bachelor's degree in sports medicine and health and fitness promotion in May of 2008.

THESSALONIKI, Greece -- Former University of Oklahoma standout Sam Hazewinkel adds another title to his wrestling career after winning the gold medal at the University World Championships this past weekend in Greece. The four-time Sooner All-American downed Kazakhstan's Yemar Ramazanov 1-2, 5-0, 5-0 in the 55 kg/121 pound finals. "Sam continues to represent this university in a great way and we are very proud of his recent accomplishments," head coach Jack Spates said. "It is always great to see past Sooners win championships on such a big stage." The Pensacola, Fla., native is third all-time at OU in career wins with a 132-10 record and is ninth in pins with 33. It has been a busy summer for Hazewinkel, as he placed second at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Las Vegas, Nev., in June.

This week's edition of "On the Mat" will feature Clarissa Chun and Lee Kemp. Chun will represent the United States at the Olympics in women's freestyle wrestling at 105.5 pounds. In 1998, she became the first state champion in the first year girls' state wrestling was sanctioned in Hawaii. This year, she became the first wrestler from Hawaii – male or female – to make a U.S. Olympic team. Kemp, one of the greatest wrestlers this country has ever produced, is a coach for this year's men's freestyle Olympic team. As a competitor, Kemp won world titles in 1978, 1979, and 1982. He was also a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team that did not compete due to the United States' boycott. "On the Mat" is a weekly wrestling radio program that airs every Wednesday night. This week's broadcast can be heard live from 6-7 p.m. Central Standard Time. The Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, hosts the show. "On the Mat" can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa on 1650, The Fan. Feel free to e-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with questions or comments about the show.

LARAMIE, Wyo. -- University of Wyoming Athletics Director Tom Burman announced on Monday that Mark Branch has been selected as the new head wrestling coach at UW. Mark BranchBranch comes to Wyoming from Oklahoma State University where he was the Associate Head Wrestling Coach. He was a part of five NCAA team championships as a coach and student-athlete at OSU. As a college wrestler, Branch was a member of OSU's 1994 NCAA Championship team, and served on the coaching staff for OSU's 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 NCAA titles. He provided the Cowboys from Stillwater with personal and team instruction including technique training, weight training, conditioning and nutrition. He was instrumental in the recruiting of student-athletes to Stillwater, as well as organizing fundraising projects, promotional strategies and assisting in public relation functions with student-athletes. Branch replaces Steven Suder, who coached the Wyoming Cowboys from 1989-2008. "The hiring of Mark is exciting for the future of Wyoming Cowboy wrestling," Burman said. "We feel his experience and passion will enable us to become a national player in the wrestling community." "For me, this is the realization of my goal to become an NCAA head coach," said Branch. "I'm from a competitive background, and I was looking for a place where I could build a nationally-competitive program. I believe there is a great deal of support from the Athletic Department and the University as a whole at Wyoming. Wyoming is the right program for me and the right fit for me and my family. I appreciate the confidence that Tom Burman (UW Athletics Director) and Matt Whisenant (UW Senior Associate Athletics Director) have shown in me to get the job done." As a member of the OSU coaching staff, Branch was named the National Wrestling Coaches' Association (NWCA) Assistant Coach of the Year in 2004. He helped coach OSU to seven Big XII Championships, four NCAA Championships and three Dual Team Championships. He was named the Associate Head Coach at OSU in 2002. He individually coached 31 All-Americans and nine NCAA Champions. Branch has been a freestyle wrestling coach for the Gator Club in New Orleans, La., since 1997 where he provides personal instruction and training in freestyle wrestling. His teams have participated at various World Team training camps. He has coached at the U.S. Nationals and World/Olympic Team Trials. As a student-athlete at OSU, Branch was a four-time NCAA All-American (1994-97), four-time NCAA National Finalist (1994-97), two-time NCAA National Champion at 167 pounds (1994 and '97) and a two-time National Freestyle All-American (1998 and '99). In 1997, he was named the Big XII Athlete of the Year, OSU Student-Athlete of the Year and the top graduating senior for OSU Wrestling. He was a four-time NWCA Academic All-American, received an NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship Award and a Big XII Post-Graduate Scholarship Award. Branch earned his bachelor of science degree in secondary education from Oklahoma State in 1997 and earned his master of science degree in athletic administration from OSU in 2000. "I wouldn't be in this position if it weren't for the opportunities I was given at my alma mater, Oklahoma State," said Branch. "John Smith (Head Wrestling Coach at Oklahoma State) gave me the opportunity to learn from him. I consider him to be the greatest coach in college wrestling. I was fortunate to be a part of the greatest program in college wrestling as a student-athlete and assistant coach with the Oklahoma State Cowboys, now I'm excited to build on the great tradition of Wyoming Cowboy wrestling." A native of Newkirk, Okla., he and his wife Susan have a daughter, Maggie Belle, and a son, Mason Layne.

Wichita, Kan. -- Newman University officials announced today that Head Wrestling Coach Mark Stovall has resigned to take a position with the Heartspring School in Wichita for special needs children. Newman Assistant Wrestling Coach Ryan Smith has been promoted to the head coaching position on a one-year interim basis. The change in coaching leadership is effective immediately. Mark Stovall"Mark has done an excellent job and has built a very successful wrestling program here at Newman, so naturally we are sorry to see him go," said Newman Director of Athletics Randy Smith. "But, he has decided to pursue another area of interest, and we wish him the best in his new endeavor." "This opportunity was offered to me and I think it's the direction I need to take in my life right now," Stovall said. "I'm leaving with mixed emotions. I've learned a lot about college athletics at Newman University. I want to thank everybody that helped me during the four years I was here. I will miss my athletes with all my heart, and I wish the best to them and all Newman student-athletes." Stovall earned a bachelor's degree in education from Newman in 1997. Following a successful coaching career in Texas, Oklahoma and Wichita, he returned to Newman in 2004 to help launch the university's wrestling program. During his tenure, 47 wrestlers qualified for national tournaments and 14 gained All-American status. Newman also produced two national champions, Curtis Chenoweth in 2006 and Josh Fansler in 2008, and secured a runner-up finish at this year's National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) National Championships. Randy Smith said Ryan Smith (the two are not related) was offered the top coaching position because of his experience with Newman wrestling and the overall success of the program. Ryan Smith"If you're happy with the direction of the program you promote from within instead of going outside," Randy Smith said. "We're very happy with the program and the condition Mark is leaving it in, and I am impressed with Ryan's passion for Newman wrestling and his commitment to the program. I think it's a great opportunity for him and that he'll do an outstanding job next year." Ryan Smith said he opted to accept the position on a one-year interim basis then return to his assistant coach role because he plans to pursue a long-term career in business. Smith earned a bachelor's degree in business management from Newman in 2005, and a master's of business administration (MBA) degree from Newman this spring. He works for C.E. Machine in Wichita as a program manager. Before coming to Newman he wrestled for Labette Community College, from which he graduated in 2003 with associate degrees in accounting and business administration. After one year at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, S.D., he returned to Newman for his final season of collegiate wrestling when the Newman program began. He has worked part-time as assistant wrestling coach at Newman since graduating in 2005. "We're going to keep moving in the same direction the program has been going," he said. "I've been with the program since it started, both as a wrestler and as a coach, and I've learned a lot from working with Mark. He has a great love for the sport. I look forward to the guys who are returning from last season, and I hope we can fill some empty spots in the next six weeks to build a team that wants to work and be successful." Newman University is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Division II. Newman is the only private university in the state of Kansas that is a member of the NCAA. Newman teams compete in the Heartland Conference, an NCAA Division II conference founded in 1999 that currently consists of nine schools: six from Texas, and one each from Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Newman fields NCAA intercollegiate teams in both men's and women's basketball, cross country, golf, soccer and tennis, as well as baseball, softball and women's volleyball. Newman also offers men's wrestling, which competes as an NCAA independent, and men's and women's bowling, which compete in intercollegiate conferences.

WASHINGTON -- Former American University wrestler and 2007 NCAA National Champion Josh Glenn has been named an assistant coach of the wrestling team, under head coach Mark Cody. Glenn was a member of the AU wrestling team from 2003-08 and completed his collegiate career as the most decorated wrestler in school history. He became the university's first NCAA Div. I National Champion in 2007 and is the only wrestler to earn multiple All-America honors with three. His career record of 110-14 (88.7%) ranks him first all-time in winning percentage at AU and second all-time in wins. Glenn was also a three-time Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Champion, the program's first Midlands Champion and was named the 2008 American University Senior Male Student-Athlete of the Year. Glenn excelled off the mat as well, earning multiple awards for academic achievement and leadership. After the 2007-08 season, Glenn was named a National Wrestling Coaches Association Academic All-American and was the recipient of the university's Stafford H. Cassell Award, given annually to the senior who best exemplifies the traits of Mr. Cassell: total and selfless dedication to the university, profound energy, reliability, as well as intellectual curiosity, friendliness, and helpfulness. Glenn graduated from AU this past May with a double-major in law & society and U.S. foreign policy.

Columbia, Mo. -- The Missouri Wrestling Foundation will host an Olympic sendoff for former Tiger grappler Ben Askren, Wednesday, July 16, beginning at Noon (CT) at the Peach Tree Catering Hall in Columbia, Mo. Those interested in attending the hour-and-a-half lunch emceed by the Voice of the Tigers, Mike Kelly, should register online at www.missouriwrestlingfoundation.com. Seating is limited and tickets are $40 per person or $250 per table. All proceeds from the event will go to the Missouri Wrestling Foundation. Following the luncheon, Askren will be available for a meet-and-greet session. Askren, a two-time collegiate national champion, qualified for his first Olympic appearance June 15 in the 74 kg weight class. Askren is the first Missouri graduate to qualify for the Olympics in the sport of wrestling and one of six freestyle grapplers representing the United States in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The freestyle wrestling competition will begin Wednesday, Aug. 20 at the China Agriculture University Gymnasium.

Summer is here! While this time of year is usually thought of as the off-season for wrestling (at least in terms of high school and college), fans can feed their fix by planning a wrestling roadtrip. Across the United States there are a number of wrestling museums, halls of fame and other must-see sites of interest for the sport's participants and supporters. InterMatWrestle.com has put together a wrestling roadtrip that features a number of top wrestling-related landmarks. We established some ground rules for a facility to make this list. For starters, we realize that there are few facilities devoted exclusively to amateur wrestling, so we've included some multi-sports halls of fame, as long as they have some wrestling content. These displays must cover real wrestling; we're not particularly interested in facilities that emphasize pro rasslin'. What's more, the facilities must be open to the general public. We've avoided listing anything that requires a membership in a private club, or are locked away in a wrestling room not easily accessible to visitors. Now, let's pack up the car … fasten your seat belt … and get ready for our wrestling roadtrip! (Note: Before you go, you'll probably want to contact the individual facilities of interest to you, to check on days/hours of operation, admission prices, parking, etc.) Colorado In this Olympic year, if you're not able to travel to Beijing, why not consider a trip to Colorado Springs to see the U.S. Olympic Training Center. The Visitor Center -- which welcomes 140,000 guests each year -- is the starting place for free public tours of the training facilities, including the wrestling room, conducted by U.S. Olympic Committee Ambassadors. U.S. Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado. 1-888-659-8687. Illinois A number of our Presidents had wrestling backgrounds. Perhaps the most famous grappler-in-chief was Abraham Lincoln. As a young man, the lanky attorney was known for his wrestling prowess … especially in his legendary matches with Jack Armstrong at New Salem, Illinois. You can experience life as Lincoln lived it in the 1830s in a re-creation of this community at Lincoln's New Salem. In past summers, the facility has hosted re-enactments of the Lincoln vs. Armstrong wrestling matches featuring high school students in period costumes. About twenty miles southeast of New Salem is the state capital of Illinois, Springfield, which is chock-full of Lincoln landmarks open to the public, including the outstanding Presidential Library and Museum, as well as his family's home before moving to the White House, and Lincoln's Tomb. Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site, Illinois Route 97, Petersburg, Illinois. (217) 632-4000. Indiana Designed by noted architect Michael Graves, the NCAA Hall of Champions in downtown Indianapolis features interactive displays and video presentations from athletes and coaches in all 23 sports under the jurisdiction of the National Collegiate Athletic Association -- including wrestling. NCAA Hall of Champions, White River State Park, downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. Iowa Let's start at the top of this wrestling-crazy state. In the northeast Iowa town of Cresco, just south of the Minnesota border, is the home of the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame. Located inside the Cresco Chamber of Commerce right downtown, this Hall of Fame honors corn-fed, born-in-Iowa amateur wrestlers and coaches. Among those enshrined are some Cresco hometown heroes: Nobel Peace Prize winner Norman Bourlag, iconic Iowa State coach Harold Nichols, and University of Iowa wrestler/coach Gary Kurdelmeier … as well as native sons Simon Roberts, and Bill Koll, three-time NCAA champ for Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) who went on to coach at his alma mater and Penn State. Each inductee is commemorated with a plaque with photos and information on his life and wrestling career. Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, 101 Second Avenue SW, Cresco, Iowa. (563) 547-3434. National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable MuseumAbout an hour south of Cresco is Waterloo, home to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum … one of the largest, most encompassing facilities of its type in the U.S. Having relocated in January 2007 from Newton, Iowa to Waterloo -- Gable's hometown –- the facility does NOT limit its focus to its namesake, but includes amateur wrestling displays that trace the history of the sport in photos, artwork, and one-of-a-kind collectibles. In addition, there's the Alan & Gloria Rice Greco Hall of Champions, the Glen Brand Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Dan Gable Teaching Center (a wrestling room for demonstrations and instruction), a research library, a video theater, and a separate section on professional wrestling. National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum, 303 Jefferson Street, downtown Waterloo, Iowa. (319) 233-0745. While you're in the hometown of Dan Gable, why not stop by Waterloo West High School where the 1972 Olympic gold medallist and long-time Iowa Hawkeye coach built a perfect mat career for the Wahawks in the mid-1960s for another coaching legend, Bob Siddens. (Siddens' name graces the gym; Gable's adorns the new wrestling facility). The Wahawk Hall of Fame has been recently updated and expanded to include a bronze statue of Gable. Among the many WWHS wrestlers honored: Jim Harmon, Dale Anderson, Akeem Carter, and Mike VanArsdale. While in the neighborhood … drive by the white-frame house at 2241 Easley (across Baltimore from Waterloo West) where Dan Gable grew up. The house is no longer in the family and is NOT open to the public. Wahawk Hall of Fame, Waterloo West High School, 425 East Ridgeway (corner of Ridgeway and Baltimore), Waterloo, Iowa. (319) 433-2707. Hungry? Just down the street from Waterloo West at 360 East Ridgeway is The Other Place. This area landmark, established in 1970, features pizza, sandwiches, salads and other bar-food favorites. A couple hours southeast of Waterloo is the picturesque town of Mt. Vernon, home of Cornell College. In 1947, their Royal Purple wrestlers won the NCAA team title, becoming the smallest school to ever win the team title, and the only private college to do so. Stop by the Richard and Norma Small Multi-Sport Center (named for a wrestler on that championship team and his wife) to see the NCAA and AAU national trophies, along with photos and plaques on display in the lobby. Small Multi-Sport Center, Cornell College, 600 First Street West, Mt. Vernon, Iowa. (319) 895-4486. A half-hour south of Mt Vernon on Iowa Route 1 is Iowa City, home of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. On the edge of campus is the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame. The facility honors Hawkeye athletes of all sports, including wrestling… with championship trophies and other wrestling memorabilia. While on campus, take a spin past Carver-Hawkeye Arena, also known as The House Gable Built, and home venue for the Hawkeye wrestling program since 1983. In front of Carver-Hawkeye you'll find the bronze statue of Gable, dedicated in 2012. University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame, 2425 Prairie Meadow Drive (northwest corner of Melrose Avenue and Mormon Trek Blvd,), Iowa City, Iowa. 1-866-IOWA-FAME. From Iowa City, head west on I-80 to Des Moines, the state capital… to the Iowa Hall of Pride. Located in the HyVee Hall at the Iowa Events Center downtown, this recently-constructed facility sponsored by the Iowa High School Athletic Association honors prep athletes in various sports, including wrestling, which is, arguably, THE sport in the state of Iowa. Iowa Hall of Pride, HyVee Hall at Iowa Events Center, 330 Park Street, Des Moines, Iowa. (515) 280-8969. From Des Moines, drive north on I-35 about a half-hour to Ames, the home of Iowa State University. On the eastern edge of the campus is the Lied Recreation Center. Head upstairs to the walkway outside the Cyclone wrestling room to see the Iowa State Wrestling "Wall of Fame" featuring photo-portraits of all-time great Iowa State wrestlers who have won NCAA titles, earned All-American honors, and/or wrestled at the Olympics -- guys like Dan Gable, Cael Sanderson, Joe Heskett, Chris Bono, Chris Taylor, Ben Peterson and dozens more. Also in the eastern portion of the campus, you can drive by Hilton Coliseum, home of the wrestling Cyclones since 1971. Hungry? Hickory Park has been an Ames institution since 1970. Barbeque, burgers, and giant ice cream sundaes in a fun, old-time atmosphere. 1404 S. Duff Avenue near U.S. 30, Ames. (515) 232-8940. Michigan The Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame, located in the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center across from Spartan Stadium, has displays honoring some of the all-time great Spartan wrestlers and coaches, including Fendley Collins, Grady Peninger, Burl and Merle Jennings, and Gale Mikles. Michigan State University Athletics Hall of Fame, Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center, Shaw Lane, East Lansing, Michigan. (517) 355-2271. At the Cliff Keen Arena at the University of Michigan, there's a display showcasing the long history of Wolverine wrestling. (The arena itself is named for Cliff Keen, head wrestling coach at Michigan from 1926-1970.) Cliff Keen Arena, University of Michigan, South State and Hoover Streets, Ann Arbor, Michigan. New York In upstate New York is Ithaca, home of Cornell University and its Cornell Athletic Hall of Fame. Nearly 500 Big Red athletes, coaches and supporters are honored in the Hall, including wrestlers such as Dave Auble, Frank Bettucci, Don Dickason, and Stephen Friedman, Chair of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, and prior to that, chief economic advisor to President George W. Bush. His name graces the Friedman Wrestling Center, which, according to the Ivy League school, is the only freestanding wrestling facility dedicated exclusively to the sport. Cornell Athletic Hall of Fame, Friends Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Ohio Schottenstein CenterRight in the heart of Ohio is Columbus, home to Ohio State University. The Ohio State Athletic Hall of Fame inside the lobby of the Value City Arena at the Schottenstein Center on campus honors a number of Buckeye wrestlers, including Kevin Randleman, Jim Humphrey and Jude Skove. Also while on campus, check out the wrestling-related display cases inside St John Arena. Ohio State Athletic Hall of Fame, Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. A couple hours up I-71 and I-76 from Columbus is the northeast Ohio community of Kent (just east of Akron). Kent State University honors its great athletes, coaches and supporters with its Varsity "K" Hall of Fame. Located on the second floor of the MACC campus arena, the Hall of Fame has a number of Golden Flash wrestlers on its roster, along with highly-respected, long-time wrestling coaches Joe Begala (an Ohio University alum) and Ron Gray, a two-time NCAA champ at Iowa State. Varsity "K" Hall of Fame, Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center (MACC), Kent State University, Kent, Ohio. Oklahoma National Wrestling Hall of Fame & MuseumNo amateur wrestling roadtrip would be complete without a pilgrimage to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum in Stillwater. Located on the edge of the Oklahoma State University campus, this facility's museum portion features extensive displays that trace the development of wrestling in the U.S., including wrestling uniforms actually worn by mat superstars… while the hall of fame section presents the stories of individual inductees in words, personal photos and collectibles. There is also an impressive library with just about any book you could want to read about wrestling (along with a complete collection of Amateur Wrestling News back to the first issue), and a theater for watching vintage wrestling films. National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum, 405 West Hall of Fame Avenue, Stillwater, Oklahoma. (405) 377-5243. Within sight of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is Gallagher-Iba Arena, named in part for groundbreaking Oklahoma State head wrestling coach in the 1920s and 30s Edward Clark Gallagher. This "Madison Square Garden of the Midwest" (as it was called at its opening in 1939) is home to the Cowboy wrestling program… and home for the Oklahoma State University Heritage Hall, which walks visitors through the history of the Stillwater school since 1890, including its rich sports legacy. A number of greats from the Cowboy wrestling program are enshrined in the Hall of Honor, including John Smith, Ed Gallagher, Myron Roderick, Yojiro Uetake-Obata, Kenny Monday, and Jimmy Jackson. Heritage Hall, Gallagher-Iba Arena, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. After all that museum exploring, you've probably worked up an appetite. Eskimo Joe's describes itself as "Stillwater's jumpin' little juke joint." For more than thirty years, visitors have stopped by for burgers, chicken sandwiches and Joe's Famous Cheesefries. About an hour south of Stillwater on I-35 is Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame & Jim Thorpe Museum is a long-time dream that's now under construction, with an anticipated opening date of late 2008. Among the honorees from the world of wrestling with roots in Oklahoma: John Smith, Dan Hodge, Wayne Wells, Myron Roderick, Port Robertson, Ed Gallagher, Kenny Monday, Art Griffith and Jack VanBebber. (Among early 1900s sports superstar Jim Thorpe's athletic accomplishments: he wrestled!) Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, 4040 North Lincoln, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. While in the Oklahoma City area, stop by the John Smith Fieldhouse at Del City High School, the place where the Smiths –- Lee Roy, John, Pat and Mark -- learned their mat craft. A life-size statue of John Smith greets you on the outside of the Filedhouse; inside, you'll find photos that capture the essence of wrestling in one of the sport's hotbeds. John Smith Fieldhouse, Del City High School, 1900 South Sunnylane Road, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (406) 677-5777. Pennsylvania Western Pennsylvania has a rich wrestling heritage. For starters, two U.S. Olympic gold medallists -- Bruce Baumgartner and Kurt Angle -- have deep roots in the area. The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum in Pittsburgh reflects the region's mat traditions that extend from grade school through high school to college and international competition. This museum features treasures from Baumgartner and Angle, as well as displays pertaining to the Dapper Dan Classic, the long-running annual wrestling event which pits the best prep wrestlers from the region against America's top high school mat stars. Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, Senator John Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (412) 454-6000. Northeast of Pittsburgh is the community of Clearfield, in north-central Pennsylvania. Clearfield High School lays claim to having the most state champs in the state (the 40th was crowned in 2008), two NCAA Division I champs, and one of the most respected prep wrestling coaches anywhere in the country in Art Weiss. The Clearfield County Historical Museum has Coach Weiss' awards and papers available to researchers who want insight into the methods of one of the all-time greats who coaching career spanned the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Clearfield County Historical Museum, 104 East Pine Street, Clearfield, Pennsylvania. (814) 765-6125. Just east of Clearfield is Penn State. This year, the Nittany Lions wrestling program celebrates its 100th year … and the 55th anniversary of winning the NCAA team title right at home in State College … the only eastern college to win a national team title in the nearly 80 years of NCAA wrestling. Lorenzo Wrestling ComplexThere are three treats in store for wrestling fans who come to Happy Valley. First, at the Nittany Lions' recently upgraded Lorenzo Wrestling Complex at venerable Rec Hall on the PSU campus, there's a Penn State Wrestling Hall of Honor that showcases a century of mat success with photos and memorabilia … with glass windows that let you get a look at the next generation of champions at work in the Joyner Wrestling Room. Next, wander over to the Penn State All-Sports Museum. Located in the southwest corner of Beaver Stadium, this facility honors student-athletes and coaches of all PSU sports … including Nittany Lion wrestlers. Penn State Wrestling Hall of Honor, Lorenzo Wrestling Complex, Recreation Hall, Penn State University. Penn State All-Sports Museum, Beaver Stadium, Penn State University. (814) 863-3382. Last but not least, you'll want to treat yourself to a visit to the Penn State Creamery, home of the college's world-famous ice cream, and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in the heart of the campus. Bigler and Curtin Roads, University Park, Pennsylvania. (814) 865-7535. Pennsylvania is definitely one of the white-hot centers for amateur wrestling in the U.S. In addition to being home to some of the top high school and college programs in the country, the Keystone state is also home to two companies that wrestlers and fans know very well: Resilite, and Brute. Resilite has almost become the universal name for foam-core mats, much like Kleenex = tissues. This family-owned business manufactures wrestling mats in Northumberland, in central Pennsylvania, just east of Penn State. While they don't offer plant tours, Resilite will be happy to take your order for a Home Mat in person … or you can order it online or by phone, and pick up while you're on your Wrestling Roadtrip. Resilite Sports Products, Sunbury, Pennsylvania. 1-800-THE-MATS. Not only will Pennsylvania provide you with the mat to wrestle on… but also the gear to wear onto the mat. Brute/Adidas welcomes wrestlers and fans who wear their shoes, singlets and headgear to their facility in Sinking Spring, just outside Reading. Brute/adidas, 8 Corporate Blvd., Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania. Located in northeast Pennsylvania, Lehigh University has long been considered a college-wrestling powerhouse. The Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame reflects that heritage; over two dozen Mountain Hawk matmen are honored there, legends of every era, including 1936 NCAA heavyweight champ Howell Scobey … two-time national titlewinner (1979, 1983) Darryl Burley … Mike Caruso, Lehigh's only three-time NCAA champ (1965-67) … and brothers Mike and Mark Lieberman … along with revered coaches Billy Sheridan, Gerry Leeman, and Thad Turner. Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame, Taylor Gymnasium, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This concludes our Wrestling Roadtrip. Thanks for coming along for the ride! Have we missed a must-see wrestling landmark? Email your recommendations to Mark@InterMatWrestling.com. Can't make an actual roadtrip right now? Right now from your computer, you can take a virtual tour with a look inside the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum (Waterloo), the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame (Cresco), the Varsity "K" Hall of Fame at Kent State, and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater with photo-albums of these facilities at Vintage Amateur Wrestling Photo Annex 2 Yahoo group: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/VintageAmateurWrestlingPhotoAnnex2/.

We return to the Brute Adidas studios this Saturday for another 2 hours of wrestling talk. Join us for a lively discussion on wrestling. Yup, the sport we all love. The Olympics are just 4 weeks away and the best America has to offer will be showcasing their talent in Beijing, China. I know its all hard work, determination, and whatnot but we should all take a moment and give thanks and offer a silent prayer to our Team as they endeavor to return home to the friendly shores of America with Gold around their necks! God Bless Team USA! TDR this week: Brett and Kristy Mattys- Parents of 2 young Minnesota wrestlers (little guys) have been challenged by their youngest son Sam, 7 years old. Sam was diagnosed at the age of 4 with Sensory Processing disorder. This is a neuroprocessing disorder that affects the way the brain interprets all of the senses. He has been in and out of Occupational therapy since the diagnosis. Sam is a "sensory seeker" and his main issues are proprioceptive. This means he has trouble with the input and feedback that tells us about movement and body position. He has issues with motor planning and control. He is a mover, shaker, jumper, crasher, bouncer! He does great when he can receive OT, which consists of what looks to you or me like gym time! One of the things that was recommended to us was to put him in wrestling, which we did. What a blessing! The warm ups and drills were like OT for him, and the wrestling itself was great for joint input. He has been part of the youth wrestling team now for 2 years. His brother also became involved after watching, and it has become a passion for our whole family. If this interview doesn't charge you up about wrestling nothing will! Joe McFarland- Head Coach of the Michigan Wolverines- Joe joins us to talk about Andy Hrovat and his drive to represent the USA, his goals and aspirations. Dustin Fox- Northwestern Heavy Weight, What does the future hold for this bright young man? Tune in and find out. Ben Askren- (Missouri) US Olympic Team Member- Ben is one of the most enigmatic wrestlers competing today. His natural strength and ability have carried him far but what lies ahead in his weight class in Beijing? Joel Sharrett- Head Coach Air force (Iowa)- Joel spent a number of years learning Bruce Burnett's management style that he has honed to perfection as the Head Coach of the Falcons. An elite program for sure. We'll take a look at where the program was and where we go from here. Joe Heskett- Assist Coach at The Ohio State University. I described Joe's style in competition to be the quiet before the storm. How has that translated in his current position as a coach under Tom Ryan? Join us each week for a new episode of America's Wrestling Radio Talk Show, Saturday morning's from 9:00Am CST to 11:00AM at Takedownradio.com. Know of someone that needs, deserves recognition or has a great story to tell? Let me know. Email me at Svideoman@aol.com or feel free to call me at 515-707-8657

A New Year's Day home dual with perennial national power Oklahoma State highlights the 2008-2009 Minnesota wrestling slate released today. Other notable dates include the season-opening Northern Quad with Northern Colorado, North Dakota State and Portland State at Rochester, MInn. (Nov. 29), a road dual at defending Big Ten and NCAA champion Iowa (Feb. 15) and home meets with conference foes Michigan State (Jan. 25), Michigan (Feb. 6), Northwestern (Feb. 8) and Indiana (Feb. 22). Each of the Gophers' five home duals this season will be held at the University Sports Pavilion. After unfolding in Minneapolis a year ago, the Big Ten Championships travel to State College, Pa. (Mar. 8-9) this season, while the NCAA Championships will be held in St. Louis, Mo. (Mar. 19-21) for the second consecutive season.

This week's edition of "On the Mat" will feature Spenser Mango and Doug Schwab. Mango made this year's Olympic team in Greco-Roman at 121 pounds. He is a member of the Gator Wrestling Club and is a member of the United States Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan. Schwab made this year's Olympic team in freestyle at 145.5 pounds. He is currently the head assistant coach at the University of Iowa. Schwab placed fifth at last year's world championships and was a three-time All-American and a one-time NCAA champion for the University of Iowa. "On the Mat" is a weekly wrestling radio program that airs every Wednesday night. This week's broadcast can be heard live from 6-7 p.m. Central Standard Time. The Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, hosts the show. "On the Mat" can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa on 1650, The Fan. Feel free to e-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with questions or comments about the show.