InterMat Staff

DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke's wrestling team (7-8, 0-5 ACC) will take on UNC Greensboro (8-4, 4-1 SoCon) in the Blue Devils final meet of the regular season on Saturday night. The contest is set for a 7 p.m. start, and will feature three seniors in their last home meet at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils: Duke is 7-8 overall this season and already finished the ACC portion of their schedule at 0-5. The Blue Devils have lost five straight meets, but three of their eight total losses have come by a margin of three points or less. Duke features four wrestlers who have excelled this season at their respective weight classes. Junior Wes Kuser is 15-11 on the year at 141 pounds, and has won five matches by pinning his opponent. Freshman Voris Tejada has competed at 149 and 157 pounds this season, and has accumulated a team-best 19-8 record with two falls and a 4-1 dual meet record. At 165 pounds, redshirt sophomore Aaron Glover has gone 17-12 with three pins and a 10-4 mark in duals. Redshirt freshman John Barone at 174 pounds has been arguably the most consistent wrestler for the Blue Devils this season. Barone leads the team in wins with 21 and in falls with six, and also holds team best records in dual meets at 11-4 and in ACC matchups at 4-1. The Opponent: UNC Greensboro is 8-4 in 2006-07 and 4-1 in the Southern Conference. The Spartans have been led by four wrestlers throughout the season. At 125 pounds, junior Jeff Hedges is 20-5 this season with three falls and an 11-1 dual meet record. Junior Chris Bencivenga has put together a 21-5 record and five falls while going 12-0 in dual matches at 141 pounds. Senior Joe Lowe has identical overall and dual meet records as Bencivenga, and four pins at 174 pounds. As a heavyweight, junior Joe Sheffield is 24-11 for the year with a 10-2 showing in duals and four falls. Most Recent Meeting: Duke and UNC Greensboro last met on Jan. 25, 2006 in Greensboro, N.C. The Spartans defeated the Blue Devils 23-9. Last Time Out: Duke's last meet was on Feb. 10 at Virginia Tech. The Hokies handed the Blue Devils their 11th straight ACC dual meet defeat by a score of 28-12. Junior Kellan McKeon, Kuser, and Barone picked up victories for Duke. UNC Greensboro last faced N.C. State on Thursday night at home. The Wolfpack edged out the Spartans 21-18. The meet came down to the last match of the evening at the heavyweight class, in which nationally ranked Jainor Palma won a 3-2 decision over Sheffield to take the meet. Common Opponents: Duke and UNC Greensboro have faced seven common opponents this season and both competed in one common tournament. Duke and UNCG both defeated Campbell and Gardner-Webb, and both teams also were defeated by Virginia and N.C. State. While the Blue Devils lost to Davidson, Virginia Tech, and The Citadel, the Spartans soundly beat all three of those schools. In the Southern Scuffle on Dec. 29-30 in Greensboro, UNCG finished 21st and Duke placed 26th. Senior Night: Three Duke seniors will wrestle for the last time at home this weekend. Patrick Keenum will hit the mats at 197 pounds, Daniel Shvartsman will compete in the 149 pound match, and Philip Wightman may get the nod at 141 pounds. All three will be honored in a pre-meet ceremony. Shvartsman Shimmying Up The Wins List: Shvartsman continues to move up on the Blue Devils' career wins list. He currently ranks 10th with 83 career victories. Shvartsman is two wins behind Jake Cecere in ninth place and five wins behind Michael Mitchell and Tommy Hoang in seventh place. A Look Ahead: Duke will compete in the ACC Tournament in Raleigh, N.C. on Saturday, March 3 at 10 a.m. N.C. State is the host school and the meet will take place at Reynolds Coliseum.

In another milestone for Liberty during its return season to the mats, the Flames capped off their 2006-07 home schedule with a 30-13 victory over VMI, Thursday evening, in the Vines Center to finish the year undefeated at home with a 5-0 record on the Mountain. With the victory, the Flames raise their dual match record to 16-7 in their first season back in action since 1994 as the program was reinstated after a 12-year hiatus. The loss drops the Keydets dual record to 5-7 on the year. The night was a special evening for all as the Founders' Circle was honored before the match. The group played an instrumental part in the return of wrestling to Liberty and several donors to the cause were recognized for their financial support in helping bring back a program which excelled for 20 seasons. From 1974-94, the wrestling program was one of the premier athletics programs at Liberty as the Flames' grapplers excelled at all levels. Liberty won five-straight NCCAA national championships (1977-81) and was one of the first athletics teams to compete at the NCAA Division I level. In total, the Flames finished a 20-year span of wrestling with a cumulative 180-101-6 record and had 42 athletes earn All-America honors at various levels, including 22 NCCAA All-Americans, four NAIA All-Americans and 16 NCAA Division II All-Americans. Following the pre-match presentation, the excitement continued for the Flames on the mats as well as Christian Smith opened up with a 13-8 decision over Jonathan Page at 125 pounds. Sam Walters kept things going for Liberty with the first of two-consecutive first-period pins as Walters pinned Lance Long (1:35) at 133 pounds. Tim Harner tied for team-high honors on the year by picking up his 12th win by fall at 2:05 over Brandon Franklin at 141 pounds, giving Liberty a 15-0 lead. VMI finally found its way onto the scoreboard as Sam Alvarenga scored four of his seven points in the first and took advantage of some riding time to pick up a 7-4 decision over Aaron Kelley at 149 pounds. Shaun Smith gained control of the match at 157 pounds early, leading 4-1 after the first and then ended the match in the second, picking up Liberty third and final win by fall (5:26) over Vince Cole. The Keydets were unable to field a competitor at 165 pounds, giving Liberty's Chad Porter the win by forfeit and the Flames a sizeable 27-3 edge. VMI attempted to get back into the match by winning the next three weight classes, starting with a 12-9 decision win in favor of John Burton over Joseph Son at 174 pounds. Corry Murrary kept things going for the Keydets at 184 pounds, picking up an 11-2 major decision win over Chris Daggett, while Kyle Elgert used three points late in the match to hold off Rory Bosek at 197 pounds for a 6-2 decision, narrowing the margin to 14, 27-13. However, Patrick Walker closed out the night by thrilling the crowd of 892 as a two-point takedown with 50 second left in the match, enabled him to gain a hard-fought 3-1 decision over Leon Barrow at heavyweight and end the evening's match. Three Flames extended personal winning streaks on the evening as Harner's fall gave him his 11th-straight win. Walker's 3-1 decision pushed his personal winning streak to nine straight, while Smith's match-opening 13-8 victory gave the junior his seventh-consecutive victory. The Flames will close out their regular-season schedule next Wednesday when they travel to Greensboro, N.C., to squad off against the Spartans of UNC Greensboro. Match time is set for 7 p.m.

NORMAN, Okla. -- The No. 11/15 Oklahoma Sooners (9-7, 0-5 Big 12) host the No. 6/8 Hofstra Pride (17-3-2, 7-0 CAA) Saturday night at 7 p.m. in the Howard McCasland Field House. "Hofstra comes in with a great team and they are the only team to beat top-ranked Minnesota," head coach Jack Spates said. Hofstra enters the match with nine of its 10 starters ranked in the top 20 of their individual weight classes. The Sooners come in with five wrestlers ranked in the top 20 of their respective weight classes. Last season Oklahoma defeated Hofstra at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, 26-15. The premier matches of the evening will pit No. 2 Matt Storniolo and No. 15 Mitch Smith at 149 pounds, No. 13 Will Rowe and No. 2 James Strouse at 157 pounds, No. 18 Shane Seibert and No. 6 Mike Patrovich at 165 pounds and No. 5 Joel Flaggert and No. 11 Chris Weidman at 197 pounds. "It is going to be a great meet because there are so many ranked wrestlers. The key for us will be surviving out of the gate because we don't want to give up bonus points and we need to win the close matches," Spates continued. Sam Hazewinkel and Matt Storniolo will be honored during a pre-match ceremony as part of Senior Night ceremonies. And at halftime the Oklahoma wrestling program will honor John Kading, Michael Lightner and Teyon Ware for their selection to the Big 12 Wrestling 10th Anniversary Team. The Sooners next travel to East Lansing, Mich,, on Friday, Feb. 23, as they close out the regular season when they tangle with the Michigan State Spartans at 7 p.m.

DAVIS Calif -- The Mustang wrestling team won its final dual of the 2006-07 season, 21-18, over UC Davis Thursday night in Hickey Gymnasium. The win puts the Mustangs' overall record to 7-9 and 5-4 in the Pac-10 conference. The Mustangs won six of nine bouts wrestled Thursday evening. The Mustangs won the last four bouts in the dual starting with senior, No. 5 Darrell Vasquez's 7-2 decision over UC Davis' Omar Gaitan in the 133 pound match. Sophomore David Christian stepped into the Mustang's line up in place of Dave Roberts and picked up a 13-6 decision over Shawn Brendle at 141 pounds. The Mustangs trailed 18-12 in the team score with two matches remaining. Eric Maldonado at 149 pounds won in an overtime sudden victory match over the Aggies' Shawn Haratani, 6-4 to put the team score at 18-15. In the final match of the evening at 157 pounds, Mustang sophomore Chase Pami, needing a major decision or a fall for the Mustangs to win the dual, pinned UC Davis' Haseeb Sadat with six second remaining in the first round. Also, Mustang senior Cody Parker defeated Broc Maffia at heavyweight, 8-4 and Junior Yuri Kalika logged a win at the 184 pound class, 8-3 over Jeff Prentice. Cal Poly forfeited the 197 pound weight class. The Mustangs will now get ready for the Pac-10 Tournament, Feb. 24-25 at Cal State Bakersfield.

To all Nebraska and Iowa High School wrestling fans! The best of the best seniors from the Husker state will take on the best of the best seniors from the Hawkeye state in the 2nd Annual Border Brawl! The Border Brawl will be held on the campus of Dana College in Blair, Neb., on Friday, March 9, 2007. The top seniors from both states will be invited to defend their state pride in a dual of all duals! Two coaches from each state will be selected to coach their respective states as well. The Border Brawl will follow IAHSAA and NSAA rules. To reserve your tickets today, complete the online reservation form below and payment form on the confirmation page. Tickets purchased in advance are $8. Tickets purchased at the door are $10. Reserved tickets will be held in your name at the "will call" window. For more information, call Tyler Mohr at 402-426-7290. Click here for the flyer.

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Looking to build momentum heading into the Big Ten Championships, the Wildcats (11-8, 1-5) welcome Purdue and Michigan to Welsh-Ryan Arena to close out the conference slate. The 14th-ranked 'Cats host the Boiliermakers (10-7, 0-7) at 7 p.m. Friday and Michigan (2-8-1, 1-5) in their Big Ten finale at 7 p.m. Sunday evening. Live Video on NUsports.com All-Access Northwestern's remaining two duals will be available to watch on NUsports.com All-Access by Clicking Here. Last Time Out Top-ranked Ryan Lang (North Royalton, Ohio/St. Edward) scored a decision in his first action since Dec. 30 and top-ranked Jake Herbert (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) registered the 'Cats' first Big Ten fall of the season, but the Wildcats fell to the Indiana Hoosiers Sunday, 28-11. Lang scored a 9-4 decision in his return to the mat against Scott Kelly at 141 lbs. and Herbert registered his eighth fall -- NU's first in Big Ten duals -- over 11th-ranked Marc Bennett. Quoting Coach Cysewski "Purdue is very dangerous," head coach Tim Cysewski said. "They have some great performers and they have been within one match of winning several duals this year." "Michigan is capable of doing very well at the Big Ten and NCAA Championships," Cysewski said. "They have outstanding individuals and in some ways are very similar to us." Scouting the Boilermakers The Boilermakers are 0-7 in the Big Ten and are coming off a 29-7 loss to Illinois in West Lafayette. Their closest Big Ten contest was a 21-14 defeat against Michigan State on 2/4. They have two ranked wrestlers in No. 9 Jake Patascil at 149 lbs. and 14th-ranked Nathan Moore at 197. Keep Your Eye On 125: #19 Precin (NU) vs. Tucker (PU) 133: Metzler (NU) vs. Schmaltz (PU) 197: #7 Tamillow (NU) vs. #14 Moore (PU) Scouting the Wolverines The Wolverines enter the weekend 1-5 in the Big Ten with their one win coming over Ohio State last weekend. They tied then third-ranked Hofstra on 1/6 and topped a ranked Lehigh squad in their first dual of the year. They are led by second-ranked Mike Tannenbaum at 165 lbs. and fourth-ranked Ty Todd at 184. 184: #1 Herbert (NU) vs. #4 Todd (UM) 197: #7 Tamillow (NU) vs. # 20 Roy (UM)

This week TDR is on location with the Des Moines Sportshow. A week out of the Iowa HS Championships. Other states will be holding their state championships this week and next. Let me be the first to congratulate all of our young wrestlers for a job well done. What you do Matters. It will all count in the end. Give it your best shot. Leave nothing behind. Listen to your coaches. They know what you are going through and want to see you do your best. Parents, brothers and sisters, these athletes have come a long way to get to this point. They need your support now more than ever. Understand the mood swings and the determination it takes to be champion. Thank you for understanding. Your boys are and will continue to be great members of society for having taken part in this incredible sport. Fans: Remember when you are cheering on your athlete to do so loudly and while doing so remember the young man that did not get his hand raised. Please be kind and supportive to all of our young athletes and coaches. They did not set their mind on being second best. Let's help them see the positive side and be good sports. This week we'll take a look at the conference championships that are around the country in our Kemin TDR Top 20 report with Jeff Murphy. Lots of surprises. We'll catch up with Iowa Athlete Luke Eustice. See what he's doing with the Hawkeye Wrestling Club, We'll check in with Detroit Metro Sports Association Director Dave Beachnau on the preparations for the 07 National Championships. Haven't got your tickets? Better hurry. University of Dubuque Head Coach John McGovern will join us to talk about the season and the post season events he's planning. I hope you take time to join us. Our goal each and every week is to promote this sport and the people in using their words and actions. Listen in live Saturday's at 9 to 11 AM CST at Takedownradio.com around the world and throughout the state of Iowa on AM 1460 KXNO and and KXNO.Com as well. Thanks to you for listening!

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma City University President Tom McDaniel announced today that the university has added women's wrestling to its athletics roster. Oklahoma City University is the first university in Oklahoma to create a women's wrestling program and one of only six nationwide. Other women's wrestling programs are at Cumberland (Ky.), Menlo, Missouri Valley, Northern Michigan, Pacific and Trinity (Conn.) Several universities field club teams. McDaniel said the program opens new doors for Oklahoma students. "We want to provide opportunities for young men and women in Oklahoma to have sports that they do not have," he said. OCU Head Wrestling Coach Archie Randall and his staff have sent 350 letters to prospective student athletes. Randall expects to have 30 women on the team by next year. His recruiting could last until July. "One of our goals is to allow them the opportunity to pursue their Olympic goal," Randall said. He said he will recruit from across the United States. States with strong recruiting bases include Texas, California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii. Randall expects to bring about 30 women into the program. The women's college wrestling season runs from January through June. Some 5,000 girls wrestle in the nation with 2,500 girls wrestling at 180 schools in Texas. "I know beyond a shadow of a doubt we'll be at the forefront of women's wrestling," OCU athletic director Jim Abbott said. "I'm absolutely certain we have the right guy to lead this program," he said of Randall. In 2006, Oklahoma City University added women's volleyball and men's wrestling to its roster.

No. 3 ranked UNO used a pair of first period pins by Todd Meneely and Austin Boehm to defeat No. 14 ranked Augustana, 30-7, Wednesday night in front of 850 fans at Lee & Helene Sapp Fieldhouse. The Mavericks ended a three-match losing streak in their final home appearance to improve to 6-5 in duals, while Augustana fell to 8-6. UNO's next action will be in the NCAA II North Regional at Moorhead, Minn., Feb. 25. After the Vikings' Chad Trampe scored a 9-3 decision over Jimmy Ball in the evening's opening bout at 125 pounds, the Mavericks came back to win seven straight matches. Meneely, the top-ranked 149-pounder in NCAA II, had three takedowns before pinning Brandon Kruger in 1:48 to put UNO up, 12-3. Boehm, an unranked freshman at 184, was down 3-2 when he got a reversal against Beau Severtson and then a fall at 2:10 for the deciding win to put the Mavs up 27-3. In a matchup of the two highest-ranked opponents, Augustana's No. 3 ranked Nate Buys defeated No. 2 ranked Maverick redshirt freshman Jacob Marrs at 197, 13-2.

The Chadron State College wrestling team closed out its regular season Wednesday night with a 37-6 victory over the Colorado School of Mines in Golden. The triumph leaves the Eagles with a 11-8-1 dual record. CSC received two forfeits and won all but one of the remaining eight matches. A highlight occurred at 157 pounds, where senior Jared Webster had to go 3½ extra minutes before posting a reversal and a three-point near fall to defeat Nathan Pilcher 6-1. The win was Webster's 27th this year and the 97th of his career. Another close match was at 174, where Brett Hunter edged Zac Cornett 8-7. Hunter moved up from 165 to take over the weight class normally filled by Matt Weingart, who twisted a knee in practice this week and did not make the trip to Colorado. Coach Scottt Ritzen said Weingart will be ready for the West Regional Tournament at Colorado Mines on Sunday, Feb. 25. Those winning bonus points for CSC were Willy Jones, who took a 16-0 technical fall at 184 pounds, and 149-pounder Mark Pfeifer and heavyweight Shaine Odell, who posted major decisions.

Stanford, Calif. -- The Stanford wrestling team (8-7, 5-3 Pac-10) will conclude the regular-season on Friday, taking on the defending conference champion Arizona State Sun Devils (7-11, 4-2 Pac-10) at the Ford Center. The Cardinal will get a final tune-up before heading to the Pac-10 Championships in Bakersfield, Calif. next week. Friday night's dual begins at 7 p.m. and will be the final home contest for Stanford senior Brian Perry. The Cardinal has five wrestlers ranked in conference and two ranked nationally. At 125 pounds, Tanner Gardner is No. 3 nationally and No. 1 in the Pac-10. He boasts a 33-3 overall record, leads the team with 12 pins and has won 11-straight bouts. At 157 pounds, Josh Zupancic is No. 15 in the nation and third in the Pac-10 with a record of 31-8, while Perry is 25-12 at 165 pounds and third in the Pac-10. Luke Feist stands fourth in the conference at 174 pounds with a 22-15 record, and freshman Zack Giesen is third at 184 pounds with a 27-12 record. The rookie, who currently stands third on the all-time freshman win chart, will be looking for his 13th-straight win on Friday. Arizona State also has five wrestlers ranked in conference, including the top-ranked wrestlers at 157 pounds, 165 pounds and 184 pounds. Zupancic will meet No. 4 Brian Stith, the conference's top-ranked wrestler at 157 pounds, and look to avenge a 6-1 loss on Dec. 1. Perry will have a chance to upset No. 14 Patrick Pitsch at 165 pounds, another one of the conference's top-ranked wrestlers, while Giesen will try to oust the Pac-10's top-ranked Greg Gifford at 184 pounds. Gardner will meet his closest conference challenger in John Espinoza and Jared Boyer will look for an upset of the conference's fourth-ranked Jason Trulson at 197 pounds. Stanford and Arizona State wrestlers have met 12 times this season, and the Cardinal has come out on top in eight of the meetings. Last season, Stanford fell to Arizona State on the road, 30-15. "ASU is one of the best teams in the conference and in the nation every year," said Head Coach Kerry McCoy. "This will be a great test for us and great preparation for the Pac-10s next week. Our guys have been working hard and smart, so we will see what happens."

Stanford, Calif. -- Stanford Head Wrestling Coach Kerry McCoy has been named a coach for the U.S. Freestyle World Team announced USA Wrestling earlier this month. McCoy, along with Kevin Jackson and Lou Rosselli, will coach at the World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 17-23. McCoy was a member of the coaching staff for the 2006 U.S. Freestyle World Team, which placed third in the World Championships in Guangzhou, China. He has served as a coach at the U.S. World Team Training Camps for the last two years. McCoy was also a member of the 2000 and 2004 U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestling teams, placing fifth at the 2000 Games in Sydney, Australia and seventh at the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece. He was a 2003 World silver medalist, and placed fourth at the 1998 and 2001 World meets. McCoy won gold medals at the 2003 Pan American Games and won the World Cup four times. He won the U.S. National championships five straight years (2000-2004) and was a 1992 Junior World champion. McCoy won two NCAA titles for Penn State University. "I am really excited," said McCoy. "I have a strong connection with many of the athletes who are competing. Some were teammates, and I built strong relationships. I am very excited about some of the new wrestlers. My commitment, both as an athlete and a coach, is for the United States to be the best country in wrestling. Now, I have an opportunity to continue on that path. I am honored that the Coach Selection Committee chose me and I will do what I can to get the U.S. on the top of the world, and to stay there for the next few years."

Last season, Dustin Schlatter of the University of Minnesota claimed the NCAA title at 149 pounds, becoming the first freshman in school history to accomplish that feat. He finished with a 42-1 record. He also became just the ninth Golden Gopher wrestler to win a Big Ten title and NCAA title in the same season. Dustin SchlatterSchlatter, a four-time Ohio state champion and a high school legend, is 28-0 this season. He has won 58 straight matches, which currently ranks as the third-longest winning streak in school history. RevWrestling.com recently caught up with the sophomore sensation to talk about the pressure of repeating as NCAA champion, what has changed from last season to this season, renewing his rivalry with Brent Metcalf in the Big Ten, and whether or not he's planning on competing in freestyle events after the collegiate season. You've had some close matches score-wise this season, whereas last season you seemed to win by larger margins. Are wrestlers wrestling you more defensively this season? Schlatter: Yeah, I mean, I think so. People this year scout me a lot more, obviously, which is going to happen. I don't think guys are coming after me as much … maybe not taking as many shots … just trying to keep the score close. I think that's the goal of a lot of people. Yeah, I think people are changing up their style when they wrestle me. It's something that I'm learning to adjust to. I have to change my strategy a little bit against certain people. Last season, you were a freshman and the expectations weren't as high. Do you feel more pressure to win every match after winning an NCAA title as a freshman? Schlatter: Obviously, after you win one, there's going to be a lot more pressure. Last year, I don't think many people expected as much from me. But at the same time, during this time last year, I was ranked No. 1 and was the No. 1 seed at the NCAA's, so I still think there was pressure. There might be more this year. But I don't think it's an incredible amount more. It's nothing I can't handle. There's a little bit more expectation, but not too much. Your only collegiate career loss occurred at the Northeast Duals as a freshman last year to Mark DiSalvo of Central Michigan, which you later avenged. How much does that lone blemish on your record bother you? Do you think about it? Does it eat away at you at all Schlatter: Well, the fact that I wrestled such a poor match … when I look back on it. I could have easily won that match. You never want to lose, but I think that loss was probably one of the best things that could have happened to me. It kind of opened my eyes and made me realize that I need to start wrestling no matter who they are … whether they're a returning All-American or not. It's kind of like, it's college now. I need to wrestle everyone. In a way, it helped. Obviously, I would much prefer to be undefeated, but I think it helped for the rest of the season. Did it take some pressure off you of not having to stay undefeated? Schlatter: At that time, I was probably ranked 18th and had only wrestled like 12 matches. There really wasn't much pressure from outside forces. I would imagine there would be a little more if I was still undefeated. You appear to be stronger and bigger this season? How much weight did you add to your frame last off-season? Schlatter: Probably just a couple pounds. I mean, I don't think I got a lot bigger. I still don't cut much weight to make 149. It's not much trouble. But I probably put on a couple pounds of muscle this summer. What do you weigh naturally? Schlatter: In the off-season, I'm probably around 160. During the season, with all the workouts, I come in maybe in the mid 150's. After a day or two of practice, I'm only a pound or two over. Who are your regular workout partners? Schlatter: I work out with Manny (Rivera), CP (Schlatter), and Tyler Safrotowich. I also work out a lot with Chad Erikson, Luke Becker, and Jared Lawrence. Those are the main guys I work out with. I think it's good because they all have different styles. Some of them are big, some strong, some quick, some funky, so it really gives me every style there is … a lot of different looks. Your teammate, Rivera, has made great strides this season. He's currently 33-0. What do you attribute to his improvement from last season? Schlatter: I think the big thing with him is confidence. Last year, I think he had all the tools, but I don't know if he really believed in himself, believed that he could be a national champion or All-American. This year, he's been working really hard over the summer and I think now believes that he can be a national champion. He has all the tools for it. He's been working real hard for it … and it's been paying off. Your high school rival, Brent Metcalf, transferred from Virginia Tech to Iowa last off-season. Are you excited about renewing your rivalry in the Big Ten with Metcalf? Schlatter: Yeah, I think it's great for the sport. I also think all the coaching changes are great for the sport. You've got Cael Sanderson now coaching at Iowa State, Tom Ryan at Ohio State, and Tom Brands at Iowa. It's phenomenal for the sport. It's definitely going to do something for Minnesota versus Iowa. Hopefully we can get the attention that we got in 2002 when they were wrestling at the Target Center and had 15,000 fans. I really hope the next two seasons we can get that going and have some fun battles going. I'm really looking forward to that. Dustin Schlatter (Photo/The Guillotine)Last season, it seemed when wrestlers attacked you, like Zack Esposito of Oklahoma State, you were able to put more points on the scoreboard. Do you think Metcalf's attacking style will help bring out the best in you? Schlatter: Yeah, I think so. Like I said, some wrestlers this year have changed a little bit and don't go after me. But I don't really foresee Metcalf being one of those guys who is going to hold back. I think he'll come after me … just like a lot of guys did last year. Who has been the toughest match-up for you stylistically in your collegiate career? Schlatter: I would say Zack Esposito. The second time I beat him pretty good. But both matches he took me down first. He has a lot of technique. You have to always be on your toes because you never know what he's going to pull out. The first time I wrestled him, it was back and forth … I think that might have been one of the most exciting and most interesting match-ups I had. You had regular season wins over both Esposito and Ty Eustice of Iowa last season. Did you have a preference on which wrestler you would rather face in the finals last season? Schlatter: Well, they're both tough guys. But I was probably looking forward to facing Esposito more … just because it was in Oklahoma City, where he has a huge fan base. I just thought that would make for a more fun finals match with all the fans into it. There was a lot of anticipation going into this season's Southern Scuffle about the possibility of you wrestling Gregor Gillespie of Edinboro, but that match never materialized. You have yet to face Gillespie. Is that a match-up you're looking forward to in the future? Schlatter: Yeah, I was expecting to have him at the Scuffle. I think he's one of those wrestlers who will come after me, too. I don't think he's going to hold back at all. He has a really good shot. He's a really quick wrestler. And I think that will make for a much more exciting match. I think that will happen in the near future. I think that will be a good one. CP came back at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals … and seems to be wrestling with a lot more confidence this season. In your opinion, what does he need to do to win a national title this season? Schlatter: I mean, he has all the tools. He's definitely capable of winning it. He's beaten all the top guys. He just needs to believe in himself and take one match at a time. He can't be overlooking anyone. He's in great shape. He's strong. He's quick. He just needs to put it all together and wrestle his match, wrestle his style. Don't let his opponents get in his head … or put their style into the match. He just needs to stick with what he does … and believe in himself. He has as good a chance as anyone at winning the title. Dustin Schlatter (Photo/The Guillotine)After next season, CP graduates. Do you anticipate eventually moving up 157 for your senior season? Or do you expect to compete at 149 for the rest of your career? Schlatter: I don't know. I haven't really thought of that. Right now, the weight is not a problem. But who knows, I could hit a growth spurt. I don't know. It definitely could happen, but right now it's a couple years away. It could happen, I guess. If there was one wrestler you would pay to watch, past, or present, who it would be? Schlatter: Well, one event stands out. When I was growing up, I went to the 1995 World Championships in Atlanta. I was pretty young at the time, like 9 years old. I think that is what opened my eyes to how great wrestling was and fun it was. I just had a blast there. I remember watching guys like Dave Schultz, Kevin Jackson, Kurt Angle … it was just an amazing experience. I just had such a blast watching them. We won the World Championships that year … I would love to see all that action again. That weekend was just amazing for me. Next season you'll return nine of your 10 starters in the lineup, but lose NCAA champion Cole Konrad to graduation. Can other wrestlers improve enough to offset the loss of Konrad … and make next season's team even stronger? Schlatter: It's obviously going to be hard to replace someone like Cole, who you could count on for a win or to get the pin. Guys like that don't come around often. But we obviously have a solid core coming back, pretty much everyone. If the guys keep doing what we're doing now … keep improving, I think next year we could be even stronger. We have a couple of young guys who are definitely making a difference on the team now. If we just keep going in that direction, I think we will definitely be a stronger team next year. From a fan's perspective, it has been a two team race between Minnesota and Missouri for most of the season. Iowa State came up with a big victory over Missouri on Sunday. Did that surprise you at all? Schlatter: To be honest, I wasn't surprised by Iowa State beating Missouri. We've wrestled Iowa State twice now, so I know how tough they are as a team. I just think that makes it more exciting. Having more teams in the thick of it will make it more competitive come tournament time. I'm really excited about that. You opted not to compete in freestyle in 2006 after winning your NCAA title. Do you plan to wrestle freestyle this coming spring? Schlatter: Yeah, I would like to. But I haven't really thought about it. At this point, we're mainly focusing on getting ready for Big Ten's and NCAA's. But I did it every year growing up. I really enjoy freestyle. I guess that I'll probably play it by ear … and see how I feel come NCAA time and afterwards … and make a call. Right now, it's up in the air. Do you have aspirations of competing in the Olympic Games Schlatter: I think I would like to. Hopefully if I keep on the track I'm on now … I'll be at the level where I can fulfill that. It's definitely a goal of mine in the future. Your success in Fargo at the Cadet and Junior Nationals is well documented. Do you favor one style over another? Schlatter: I think when I was growing up and in high school, I enjoyed freestyle a little more. I thought it was more fun. I had a better time doing it. But I haven't wrestled freestyle with the new rules yet. So I'll find out this summer or next summer what I like now. But I always grew up liking freestyle more. Please Note: This story also appears in the Feb. 23 issue of The Guillotine. The Guillotine has been covering amateur wrestling in Minnesota since 1971. Its mission is to report and promote amateur wrestling at all levels -- from youth and high school wrestling to college and international level wrestling. For information on how to subscribe to The Guillotine, click HERE!

TEMPE, Ariz. –- For the first time ever, college wrestling fans across the country will have the opportunity to watch the 2007 Pac-10 Wrestling Championships live via online streaming video free of charge, the Pac-10 Conference announced. Available exclusively at www.pac-10.org, the tournament, which will be held February 24-25 at the Icardo Center on the CS Bakersfield campus, will be feature four sessions of competition as well as the Parade of Champions that precedes the final session. "The Conference is pleased to partner with Turner Broadcasting to make this outstanding event available to Pac-10 fans across the country," said Thomas C. Hansen, Commissioner of the Pac-10 Conference. "We hope to expand the use of live streaming at our championships to give more fans the opportunity to understand why the Pac-10 is the ‘Conference of Champions.'" The online video streams will be produced and distributed by Turner Broadcasting, which also provides streaming video for many online properties, including CNN.com, NASCAR.com, PGA.com and PGATour.com, as well as ACCSelect.com, a new broadband network offering exclusive coverage of hundreds of live events from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Top 3 wrestlers in each weight class and nine wild card selections will advance to the NCAA Wrestling Championships at the Palace of Auburns Hills in Auburn Hills, Mich., March 15-17. Tickets for the Pac-10 Championships are currently on sale. Tickets can be purchased by calling the CSUB ticket office at (661) 654-BLUE with more information available at www.GoRunners.com. Prices for all-session passes are $40 for premier chairback seating, $30 for general admission bleachers and $20 for general admission for youths/seniors/students. 2007 Pac-10 Wrestling Championships Schedule (All times are Pacific) Saturday, February 24 11:00 am - Session I (pigtails and quarterfinals) 6:00 pm - Session II (consolation pigtails, semifinals and consolation quarterfinals) Sunday, February 25 11:00 am - Session III (consolation semifinals and fifth-place matches) 5:30 pm - Parade of Champions 6:00 pm - Session IV (championship and third-place matches)

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The Air Force Academy's 149-pounder Bridger Lord has been named the Western Wrestling Conference Wrestler of the Week as announced by league officials. Lord's win on Saturday helped Air Force secure its first WWC victory, a 25-21 decision over South Dakota State. Lord, a senior from Missoula, Mont., registered his first fall of the year, pinning SDSU's Sean Flynn in a time of 1:33. Lord improves his dual mark to 8-4 on the season. The Western Wrestling Conference is comprised of seven schools including the Air Force Academy, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Utah Valley State and Wyoming. Others Nominated: North Dakota State: Eric Hoffman, 125, Jr., Davenport, Iowa (Iowa Central C.C./North HS) Northern Iowa: Moza Fay, 157, So., Anamosa, Iowa (Anamosa HS) Northern Colorado: Tony Mustari, 125, R-Fr., Greeley, Colo. (Greeley Central HS) South Dakota State: Ryan Meyer, 165, R-Fr., Parkston, S.D. (Parkston HS) Wyoming: Dan Barrone, 184, So., El Prado, N.M. (Taos HS)

Sioux City, Iowa -- The Great Plains Athletic Conference announced its first ever All-Conference wrestling team. Newly crowned Dana College landed five wrestlers in the first team, five on the second team, and one on the honorable mention team. The Vikings also walked away with wrestler-of-the-year and coach-of-the-year honors. Dana College went 5-0 in regular season conference duals and put up 124.5 points in the conference wrestling tournament. 2006-2007 is the first year that the GPAC is offering wrestling as an official conference championship sport. All five of the Vikings conference champions were named to the first team. Matt Jacobson (FR, Craig, NE), Terrence Almond (SR, Pelham, GA), Brian Graham (FR, Kansas City, MO), Dan Pray (SO, St. George, KS), and Wade Jordan (JR, Coulee City, WA) were named to the inaugural all-conference first team. Webster Farris (JR, Nebraska City, NE), Burke Barnes (JR, Lake Stevens, WA), Jesse Boggs (FR, Deming, NM), Ryan Tuzon (FR, Wailuku, HI), and Craig Trampe (SR, Ord, NE) were named to the second team. Eric Graham (FR, Kansas City, MO) made the honorable mention team. Terrence Almond was also named the first ever GPAC Wrestler-of-the-year. The senior from Pelham, GA is closing in on Dana's all-time win and pin marks. Viking skipper Richard Fergola was named the GPAC Coach-of-the-Year in his first season. The Vikings will be in action next weekend at Dickinson, N.D., when they take part in the NAIA Regional Tournament. The NAIA National Wrestling Tournament will be held in Sioux City, Iowa at the Tyson Event Center on March 2-3.

Following a pair of decisions over top 10 opponents, junior Manuel Rivera has been named the Co-Big Ten Wrestler of the Week, the conference office announced today. Rivera, currently ranked No. 2 in the country, defeated fourth-ranked Andy Simmons and seventh-ranked Dominick Moyer to keep his perfect 33-0 record intact and help the Golden Gophers to blowout wins over Michigan State and Nebraska last weekend. In what appeared to be an evenly contested match early on against Simmons on Friday, Rivera turned it up a notch to score two takedowns in the third period on his way to a 7-2 decision. On Sunday, Rivera scored a takedown midway through the third period to secure a 5-2 decision over Moyer. After qualifying for his first NCAA Tournament at 141 pounds last season, Rivera has taken it to another level this year and become arguably Minnesota's most consistent performer. His 33 consecutive wins ranks as the sixth-longest winning streak in school history and is the fifth-longest active streak in the nation. He boasts a 12-0 record against ranked opponents on the season. Rivera shares the first weekly award of his career with Illinois 197-pounder Patrick Bond, who posted back-to-back upsets over ranked wrestlers last week. He is the fourth Gopher wrestler to earn weekly honors this season, following Jayson Ness (Dec. 12), Roger Kish (Nov. 29) and Gabriel Dretsch (Nov. 22).

The top-ranked Golden Gopher wrestling team will look to wrap up the 2006-07 Big Ten regular season title with a pair of road matches against border rivals Wisconsin and Iowa. Minnesota will face off against the ninth-ranked Badgers at 7 p.m., on Friday in Madison, and will then head to Iowa City to take on the No. 10 Hawkeyes on Sunday at 6 p.m. #1 MINNESOTA (18-1, 6-0) at #9 WISCONSIN (18-2, 4-2) Location: Madison, Wis. Arena: UW Field House (10,300) Date: Friday, Feb. 16, 2007 Time: 7 p.m. (CST) Live Webcast: Live audio will be available on Wisconsin's website at www.uwbadgers.com. #1 MINNESOTA (18-1, 6-0) at #10 IOWA (13-4, 4-2) Location: Iowa City, Iowa Arena: Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500) Date: Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007 Time: 6 p.m. (CST) Live Results: Live results will be available through Iowa's website at www.hawkeyesports.com. Results will be updated after each weight class. GOPHER WRESTLING NOTEBOOK THE SERIES VS. WISCONSIN Minnesota leads the all-time series against Wisconsin, 53-30-1. The Golden Gophers snapped a two-meet losing skid against the Badgers with a 26-12 victory last year in Minneapolis. Head coach J Robinson holds a 15-9 record against Wisconsin during his career. In the 15 wins, Minnesota has won by an average of 21 points. WHERE DID THESE GUYS COME FROM? Wisconsin has not traditionally been a Big Ten power in wrestling, but the Badgers have forced the rest of the nation to take notice with an 18-2 record so far this season. After entering the season unranked, the Badgers have climbed to as high as No. 7 in the USA Today/InterMat/NWCA coaches' poll, their highest ranking in five years. The highlight of Wisconsin's season was a 21-14 victory over Iowa on Jan. 27, its first win over the Hawkeyes in 42 years. STORIED RIVALRY Iowa leads the all-time series against Minnesota by a 62-23-1 margin. The Hawkeyes have dominated throughout much of the history of the rivalry, holding a winning record in each decade except the 1940s (MN 6-4) and from 2000 to the present (MN 5-4). Minnesota's longest win streak was six meets from 1936 to 1942, while the Hawkeyes had a streak of 19 straight victories over the Gophers during a 20-year span from 1974 to 1994. From the 1973-74 season to 1996-97, Iowa won 23 of the 24 meetings between the two schools. Minnesota has turned the corner against the Hawkeyes in the last decade, however, with eight wins in the last 13 meetings. The turning point in the series came in the finals of the National Duals at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Jan. 18, 1998. The Gophers trailed 17-12 entering the heavyweight bout before seventh-ranked Shelton Benjamin pinned eighth-ranked Wes Hand in 2:16. With the 18-17 victory, Minnesota became just the second team in 16 years to beat Iowa in Carver-Hawkeye. DID YOU KNOW? The Golden Gophers' 25-9 win over Iowa last season was their biggest win over the Hawkeyes since a 23-6 victory in 1941. CLASS OF THE CONFERENCE Since snapping Iowa's run of 25 consecutive conference titles at the 1999 Big Ten Championships in Ann Arbor, Mich., the Golden Gophers have claimed five of the last eight Big Ten Conference crowns to overtake the Hawkeyes as the class of the conference. The Golden Gophers have finished either first or second at the Big Ten Championships in eight straight seasons and have placed in the top three each of the past 10 years. Minnesota has had a Big Ten-best 23 individual Big Ten Champions since 1999, including four last season. Dustin Schlatter, C.P. Schlatter, Roger Kish and Cole Konrad all claimed individual titles last year. SEEKING PERFECTION With a 6-0 start to the Big Ten season, Minnesota hopes to complete a perfect season in Big Ten dual meets for the fourth time in Head Coach J Robinson's tenure. The last time the Gophers went undefeated in the conference was 2002 (8-0) before they went on to claim their second straight NCAA Championship. The Gophers also finished a perfect 8-0 during their first national title run in 2001. Robinson guided Minnesota to its first undefeated Big Ten season since 1957 when he led the Gophers to a 9-0 conference record in 1999. WE'RE GOING STREAKING! Following a season-opening loss to Hofstra at the Northeast Duals, Minnesota has rattled off 18 straight dual meet wins, currently tied for the fourth longest winning streak in school history. The Gopher will look to extend that streak this weekend against Wisconsin and Iowa. Minnesota began the 2005-06 season with 19 straight victories before suffering their only loss of the season at Michigan on Feb. 17. The 19-match winning streak stands as the third-longest in school history. Here is a look at the longest winning streaks in school history: Longest Winning Streaks in School History 1. 33 (Jan. 11, 2001 - Nov. 15, 2002) 2. 23 (Jan. 22, 1999 - Jan. 23, 2000) 3. 19 (Dec. 2, 2005 - Feb. 17, 2006) 4. 18 (Nov. 25, 2006 - current) ....18 (Feb. 2, 1997 - Jan. 18, 1998) ....18 (Dec. 12, 1993 - Feb. 19, 1994) 20 WINS WITHIN REACH With two wins this weekend, Minnesota would reach 20 dual meet wins in a season for just the fifth time in school history and fourth time under Head Coach J Robinson. The Golden Gophers posted 20 wins last season for the first time since the 1993-94 team went 20-2. Minnesota's other 20 win seasons came in 1964-65 (20-5) and 1992-93 (21-3-1). The Golden Gophers have reached double digit wins in 14 of the last 15 years. In 2004-05, the Golden Gophers finished 9-9. A CUT ABOVE THE REST Minnesota, Oklahoma State and Iowa have combined to win the last 17 NCAA Championships. The Golden Gophers (2001-02) and Cowboys (2003-06) have won the last six titles. The last team outside of those three to win a national title was Arizona State in 1988. MACK RETURNS HOME Junior Mack Reiter returns to his home state this weekend to face the team he idolized growing up. The first four-time Iowa state champion to wrestle for Minnesota, Reiter was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year following his individual title in 2005 and has earned All-America honors in both of his first two years as a starter. After missing the first three months of the season due to a knee injury, Reiter returned to the starting lineup two weeks ago and is currently ranked ninth in the nation at 133 pounds. STREAKY GOPHERS Senior heavyweight Cole Konrad is currently riding the second-longest winning streak in the nation at 65 consecutive matches and will be going for numbers 66 and 67 this weekend. Each win Konrad gets the remainder of the season extends his school-record winning streak. He broke Tim Hartung's school record of 58 consecutive victories with his win against Penn State on Sunday, Jan. 21. Sophomore Dustin Schlatter is not far behind Konrad with 58 straight victories of his own, which currently ranks as the third-longest streak in school history. Konrad's and Schlatter's streaks currently rank second and third in the nation, respectively, behind only Missouri's Ben Askren, who has won 77 in a row. Junior Manuel Rivera boasts the nation's fifth-longest winning streak at 33 consecutive matches. Here is a look at the longest active winning streaks in Division I wrestling: Streak....Wrestler 77...........Ben Askren (Missouri, 174) 65...........Cole Konrad (Minnesota, Hwt) 58...........Dustin Schlatter (Minnesota, 149) 50...........Johny Hendricks (Oklahoma State, 165) 33...........Manuel Rivera (Minnesota, 141) 26...........Sam Hazewinkel (Oklahoma, 125)

Columbia, Mo. -- The Missouri wrestling team improved to 12-2 on the season with a 20-12 victory over Old Dominion in the Hearnes Center. The Tiger's second to last dual of the 2006-07 campaign, six Missouri grapplers won in their weight class with two earning extra point wins. Opening the dual at 125 pounds, redshirt freshman John Olanowski (Virginia Beach, Va.) suffered a one point loss, 7-6, to Kyle Hutton in the final seconds of the bout. Entering the third period with a 5-2 advantage, Hutter chose down to start the third, escaped, managed a takedown and put Olanowki on his back for a two-point nearfall and eventual win. Junior All-American Tyler McCormick (Leawood, Kan.) returned to the mat for the first time in two duals and brought the Tigers even with the Monarchs, 3-3. Wrestling Christian Staylor at 133 pounds, McCormick won the bout, 2-1, on 1:19 of riding time and improves to 8-4 in dual competition. The Tigers lost back-to-back bouts at 141 and 149 pounds before sophomore Michael Chandler (High Ridge, Mo.) added three Missouri points to the board with his 5-3 win over Chris Brown at 157 pounds. Chandler, ranked 12th in the nation, and his Monarch opponent were scoreless through the first period and Chandler escaped in the second after choosing down. With Brown down to start the third period, he escaped in nine seconds but was returned to the mat after 14 seconds of action. Each wrestler scored a reversal, but Chandler managed his with five seconds left in the match to regain the lead and take the win. After a five minute intermission, junior James Williamson (Blue Springs, Mo.) made his third career start and improved to 3-0 in dual competition with his 4-2 decision of Nick Pullano at 165 pounds. Williamson took a 2-1 lead into the second period starting down after Brown deferred. Williamson escaped, allowed Brown an escape in the third and tacked on one point with 1:14 or riding time. The win brought Missouri even with ODU for the second time of the night. The tie was short-lived after sophomore John Andrews (McLean, Va.) lost a 6-0 battle to Derek Coffey at 174 pounds. Three Missouri starters, Ashtin Primus (141 pounds), Matt Pell (165 pounds) and Ben Askren (174 pounds) sat out the dual while recovering from the flu. Wrestling at 184 pounds, fifth-ranked Raymond Jordan (New Bern, N.C.) gave the Tigers their first lead of the night, 13-12, earning an 11-3 win by major decision over Jesse Strawn. Jordan, who led the entire bout, collected 1:59 of riding time and recorded his 13th win of the season by major decision scoring a final takedown at the buzzer. Redshirt freshman Maxwell Askren (Hartland, Wis.) rebounded from his Sunday loss with a 4-2 decision over David Mendoza. Askren struck first with a takedown in the first period adding to his total with a takedown in the second. Askren allowed Mendoza only two escapes in the seven minutes of competition. Closing out the dual at heavyweight, 20th ranked redshirt freshman Mark Ellis (Peculiar, Mo.) helped Missouri to its final 20-12 win with a 10-0 shutout of Matt Pellar. Ellis controlled the bout scoring two takedowns, a reversal and a three-point nearfall while racking up a1:58 of riding time. "Everybody wants to come in and knock you off the top," Missouri Head Coach Brian Smith said. "I knew we had a few back ups in and it was going to be a tough dual. Old Dominion came in and wrestled hard. Our guys are really sick and I need to figure out a way to get them healthy before Sunday." The Missouri wrestling team will close its regular season campaign Sunday, Feb. 18, against UTC at 2 p.m. (CT) in the Hearnes Center. Seniors Ben Askren (Hartland, Wis.) and Matt Pell (Luxemburg, Wis.) will be recognized for the accomplishments prior to the start of the dual. The first 400 fans, ages 12 and under, will receive free Truman the Wrestling Tiger bobbleheads upon entrance into the dual.

This week's edition of 'On the Mat' will feature Brock Lesnar, Tim Hartung and Tom Brands. Lesnar was an NCAA champion at heavyweight for the University of Minnesota in 2000 and was a former WWE world heavyweight champion. He is currently training for mixed martial arts competitions and will be one of the celebrity guests at the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum Grand Opening. Lesnar is scheduled to appear at museum from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, February 18. Hartung is the currently the head assistant coach at Iowa State University and was a two-time NCAA champion for the University of Minnesota. Brands, the current head coach at the University of Iowa, was a three-time NCAA champion and a gold medal winner at the 1996 Olympics. 'On the Mat' is a weekly wrestling radio program that airs every Wednesday 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.

THIS WEEK Iowa (13-4, 4-2 Big Ten) will host two Big Ten foes to close out the 2006-07 dual meet season. The Hawkeyes host Ohio State (8-5, 4-2 Big Ten) Friday at 7 p.m. and top-ranked Minnesota (18-1, 6-0 Big Ten) Sunday at 6 p.m. Hawkeye fans are encouraged to wear black to the Iowa-Minnesota dual as part of a Black Out promotion. Iowa will also honor its fans and seniors with appreciation nights against the Golden Gophers. ON THE AIR Radio - Steven Grace and two-time Hawkeye NCAA champion and four-time all-American Mark Ironside will call the action live on AM-800, KXIC. All remaining dual meets will be broadcast live, as will action from the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments. Live audio broadcasts from all competitions will also be available online at www.hawkeyesports.com. To listen online, go to the wrestling schedule, click on the event and click on the Listen link. Broadcasts are available using the Hawkeye All-Access subscription ($6.95 per month or $49.95 per year) or the CSTV XXL Premium subscription ($99.95 per year). Television - College Sports Television will air a tape-delayed broadcast of the Iowa-Ohio State dual Monday, February 19 at 8 p.m. (CT). The Iowa-Minnesota dual will be aired live on Iowa Public Television. Jason Knapp and Ken Chertow will provide commentary for CSTV, and Tim Johnson and Jim Gibbons will call the action for IPTV. "BLACK OUT" SET FOR IOWA-MINNESOTA DUAL Hawkeye fans are encouraged to wear black to the Iowa-Minnesota dual on Sunday, February 18, as part of a "Black Out" promotion. The official Iowa Wrestling Black Out shirt is currently available at all Iowa Hawk Shop locations and online at www.bravosportsmarketing.com. Senior Night and Fan Appreciation Night will also be observed at the Iowa-Minnesota dual. The 2007 senior class of Mario Galanakis (133), Alex Grunder (149), Eric Luedke (174), Lucas Magnani (125), Ben Stedman (164/174), Brett Stedman (149) and Joe Uker (165/174) will be recognized for their effort and commitment to Iowa Wrestling. All fans in attendance will be eligible to win prizes. It will also be the final opportunity that Hawkeye wrestling fans have to help Iowa "March To A Million" and achieve this year's goal of a million participants at all University of Iowa athletics events. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! Hawkeye senior 174-pounder Eric Luedke will be celebrating his 22nd birthday Sunday. This season the Colby, KS, native is 23-2 in collegiate matches, 14-1 in duals and 5-1 in Big Ten duals. He leads the team in collegiate wins (23), dual wins (14), collegiate winning percentage (.920) and dual winning percentage (.933), and ranks third on the team in falls (5). Luedke has a career record of 46-17 in two seasons at Iowa. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES Ohio State is 8-5 (4-2 in the Big Ten) with wins over Cornell (18-17), Purdue (28-6), Ohio (26-10), Appalachian State (30-12), Ashland (25-15), Michigan State (19-14) and Northwestern (18-16), and losses to Missouri (29-9), Tennessee-Chattanooga (28-13), Kent State (20-18), Penn State (26-12) and Michigan (21-15). Head Coach Tom Ryan is in his first season at Ohio State. The University of Iowa alum compiled a 109-82-2 record in 11 seasons at Hofstra. Ryan was a two-time all-American, Big Ten champion and letterwinner at 158 pounds for the Hawkeyes in 1991-92. He is assisted by Lou Rosselli (Edinboro, 1993), Tommy Rowlands (Ohio State, 2005) and Joe Heskett (Iowa State, 2002). The Buckeyes are led by redshirt freshman Mike Pucillo (184), junior returning all-American J.D. Bergman (197), senior Chris Vondruska (165) and freshman Lance Palmer (149). Pucillo is 17-1, Bergman is 19-5, Vondruska is 28-10 and Palmer is 24-11. Pucillo and Vondruska transferred from Hostra. THE SERIES Iowa leads the series, 32-2, having won the last 30 meetings between the two teams. The Hawkeyes hold an 11-1 advantage in Iowa City. Iowa won the last meeting with a 30-6 decision in Columbus, OH, in 2005. Ohio State's last win in the series was 14-11 in 1966 in Columbus. HAVEN'T WE MET? The only potential Iowa-Ohio State matchup that has previously met is Hawkeye senior Mario Galanakis vs. Ohio State junior T.J. Enright at 133. Galanakis is 3-0 vs. Enright, winning a 7-4 decision at the 2005 Iowa-Ohio State dual, a 2-0 decision in the opening round of the 2005 Big Ten Championships and a 5-4 decision in the 5th/6th place match at the 2005 conference meet. MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS Top-ranked Minnesota is 18-1, 6-0 in the Big Ten, with wins over Central Michigan (24-9 and 30-7), American (32-10), Pennsylvania (28-12), Northern Colorado (45-0), Oklahoma State (21-15), Iowa State (19-13 and 24-11), Arizona State (44-3), Cornell (32-11), Missouri (20-16), Penn State (31-12), Michigan (29-6), Purdue (32-9), Indiana (29-7), Illinois (28-12), Michigan State (35-4) and Nebraska (32-6). Minnesota lost its season-opening match (18-17) to Hofstra. The Golden Gophers will wrestle at Wisconsin Friday at 7 p.m. Head Coach J Robinson is 314-103-3 in 21 seasons at Minnesota. He has coached 10 NCAA champions, 35 Big Ten champions and 80 all-Americans at Minnesota, while leading the Golden Gophers to five Big Ten and two NCAA titles. Robinson served as an interim head coach at Iowa in 1984, when then-Head Coach Dan Gable coached the U.S. Olympic team. He was an assistant coach (1976-83) and graduate assistant (1972-76) at Iowa. The Golden Gophers are led by defending NCAA champions Dustin Schlatter (149) and Cole Konrad (Hwt.), returning all-Americans Mack Reiter (133) and Roger Kish (184), juniors Manuel Rivera (141) and C.P. Schlatter (157) and redshirt freshman Jayson Ness (125). Rivera (33-0), Dustin Schlatter (28-0), and Konrad (24-0) are all undefeated this season. Kish is 27-1, Reiter is 6-1, C.P. Schlatter is 18-4 and Ness is 31-3. Reiter is a Gilbertville, IA, native and was a four-time Iowa state champion at Don Bosco High School. THE SERIES Iowa leads the series, 62-23-1, and is 30-11 in matches in Iowa City. Minnesota won the last meeting, 25-9, at Minneapolis in 2006. Iowa's last win in the series was 23-14 in 2005 at Iowa City. HAVEN'T WE MET? Following are career results of possible Iowa-Minnesota match-ups: 133 - Mario Galanakis (I) is 0-1 vs. Mack Reiter (M) Reiter dec. Galanakis, 2-0, at 2005 Iowa-Minnesota dual 141 - Alex Tsirtsis (I) is 0-1 vs. Manuel Rivera (M) Rivera dec. Tsirtsis, 4-3, at 2006 Iowa-Minnesota dual Hwt. - Matt Fields (I) is 0-2 vs. Cole Konrad (M) Konrad dec. Fields, 2-0, at 2005 Iowa-Minnesota dual Konrad won by injury default over Fields at 2006 Iowa-Minnesota dual FALCK UNDEFEATED IN BIG TEN DUALS Sophomore 125-pounder Charlie Falck is on an eight-match winning streak and the only Hawkeye to remain undefeated (6-0) in Big Ten duals this season. The Strawberry Point, IA, native is 18-5 in collegiate matches and 14-3 in duals. He has a 32-16 career record at Iowa. He leads the team in dual wins (14) and major decisions (5), ranks second in dual winning percentage (.824), and third in collegiate winning percentage (.783) and dual team points scored (51). His winning streak will be tested by Ohio State freshman Will Livingston and Minnesota redshirt freshman Jayson Ness this weekend. Ness is 31-3 (18-1 in duals), and owns a 14-match winning streak of his own. MCLAUGHLIN STICKS DEBUT Sophomore 197-pounder Jordan McLaughlin made his Hawkeye wrestling and Carver-Hawkeye Arena debut a wild one on Sunday, pinning Michigan State's Nick Palmieri in 6:33. Palmeiri scored three takedowns and two escapes to build an 8-4 lead with 1:04 remaining in the match. McLaughlin threw the Spartan redshirt freshman to his back and got the pin with 27 seconds left on the clock. The Belmond, IA, native is no stranger to the black and gold, as he has played linebacker and fullback on the Iowa football team for the past three seasons. He joined the wrestling team after Christmas break this season and is filling in for injured starter Dan Erekson. McLaughlin was a state champion and three-time state placewinner at Belmond-Klemme High School. CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA Carver-Hawkeye Arena has been the home of Iowa wrestling since 1983. The Hawkeyes are 155-16 (.906) in the arena, which includes a record 10 victories during the 1986 season. Iowa has recorded 16 undefeated seasons in the arena, with the most recent (8-0) occurring in 2002-03. The dual wrestling attendance record for Carver-Hawkeye Arena is 15,291, set when Iowa defeated Iowa State on February 22, 1992. The arena seats 15,500 for a dual wrestling meet. Iowa's meet with Iowa State earlier this year drew 13,732. That figure ranks 11th in NCAA and Carver-Hawkeye Arena history. IOWA WRESTLING HISTORY Iowa's overall dual meet record is 808-213-30 (.783) in 95 seasons. The Hawkeyes have won 20 national titles, including nine of the last 16, and 31 Big Ten titles. Iowa's 47 NCAA champions have won a total of 73 NCAA individual titles, crowning six three-time and 13 two-time champions. The Hawkeyes' 99 Big Ten Champions have won a total of 180 conference titles. There have been seven four-time, 18 three-time and 24 two-time Iowa winners. Iowa's 129 all-Americans have earned all-America status 263 times, including 16 four-time, 27 three-time and 32 two-time honorees. IOWA TICKET INFORMATION Tickets for Iowa's remaining home duals are on sale at the University of Iowa Athletic Ticket Office. Tickets purchased in advance are $8 for adults and $4 for youth/non-University of Iowa students. Tickets purchased at the door are $10 for adults and $5 for youth/non-University of Iowa students. University of Iowa students will be admitted free of charge with a student ID. For tickets, contact the University of Iowa Athletic Ticket Office at 1-800-424-2957, 319-335-9327 or www.hawkeyesports.com. LAST WEEK Hawkeye Head Coach Tom Brands picked up his 30th career victory as Iowa pounded Michigan State, 33-9, Sunday afternoon at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes won eight bouts in front of 5,035 fans, including an upset by sophomore Charlie Falck (125) and a pin by sophomore Jordan McLaughlin (197) in his Iowa wrestling debut. Falck handed Spartan Franklin Gomez his second dual loss of the season with a 5-3 win at 125. The Strawberry Point, IA, native scored a takedown in the first 30 seconds and another with one second remaining in the match to secure his eighth straight victory and remain undefeated (6-0) in Big Ten duals. Michigan State scored its first of two wins on the day when Nick Simmons won by injury default over senior Mario Galanakis in 2:23 at 133. Junior Alex Tsirtsis accepted a forfeit at 141, and senior Alex Grunder followed up with a pin in 5:32 to score his 30th career victory. Redshirt freshman Ryan Morningstar (157) took Iowa into the intermission with a 3-2 win over Tony Greathouse. Iowa junior Mark Perry climbed out of a sticky situation to defeat Spartan Rocky Cozart, 9-7, at 165. Perry had to bounce back from a 5-0 deficit after getting caught in his own offensive move and fighting off his back early in the match. Hawkeye senior Eric Luedke improved to 23-2 in collegiate matches and 14-1 in duals with a 2-1 win over John Murphy at 174. Michigan State scored its second and final win of the night when Joe Williams defeated Hawkeye redshirt freshman Phillip Keddy, 6-3, at 184. McLaughlin made his Hawkeye wrestling and Carver-Hawkeye Arena debut a wild one, pinning Nick Palmieri in 6:33. Palmeiri scored three takedowns and two escapes to build an 8-4 lead with 1:04 remaining in the match. McLaughlin threw the Spartan redshirt freshman to his back and got the pin with 27 seconds left on the clock. Hawkeye junior Matt Fields ended the dual with an 8-4 win over Alan O'Donnell at heavyweight. HAWKEYES SIGN TWO Iowa signed two student-athletes to national letters of intent in the early signing period. Jordan Johnson of Bettendorf, IA and Brodie Ambrose of Eldridge, IA, are Tom Brands' first signings as Iowa's head coach. Johnson won the 2006 Class AA Illinois state heavyweight title at Naperville North High School. He moved to Bettendorf, IA, and is competing for Bettendorf High School this season. Ambrose placed third at 171 pounds at the 2006 Class 3A state tournament for North Scott Eldridge High School. He is competing at 189 pounds this season and is a projected 197-pounder for the Hawkeyes. Ambrose also is a 189-pound Fargo freestyle all-American. THE INTERNET Press releases, meet results, audio broadcasts and dual livestats are available on the University of Iowa's website, www.hawkeyesports.com. To access live dual scoring, go to the wrestling schedule page, select the event and click on the Livestats link. Current staff and student-athlete head shots can be found at pics.hawkeyesports.com. CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE The Hawkeye wrestling staff of Tom Brands, Dan Gable, Wes Hand, Doug Schwab and Mike Zadick earned a total of two Olympic gold medals, seven NCAA titles, 10 conference titles and 15 all-America honors. Their combined college career wrestling record is 605-84-2 (.877), including three undefeated seasons. IOWA WRESTLING ON JEOPARDY! Former Hawkeye wrestlers Luke and Ty Eustice were featured in a clue of the category "Iowa" December 8th, and in several clues of the category "Wrestling" January 8th on the TV game show JEOPARDY! Jimmy McGuire and Kelly Miyahara of the JEOPARDY! Clue Crew taped clues at Carver-Hawkeye Arena featuring the Eustice brothers in August. The Eustice brothers are natives of Blue Earth, MN. Luke was an all-American and NCAA finalist at 125 pounds in 2002, lettering for the Hawkeyes from 2001-04. Ty was a two-time all-American at 149 pounds, competing in the NCAA finals in 2006. He lettered for the Hawkeyes from 2003-06. They are the 10th set of brothers to wrestle together in the Hawkeye varsity lineup since the 1950s. NEXT COMPETITION Iowa will compete at the 2007 Big Ten Championships, March 3-4 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, MI. The meet will be broken into three sessions. Session I will start Saturday at 10 a.m. (CST), Session II will start Saturday at 6 p.m. and Session III will start Sunday at 11 a.m. All-session tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students. Sunday's finals session tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students, while Saturday's single session tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Michigan State University's Ticket Office at 517/355-1610.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -– The Rutgers University wrestling team will travel to Philadelphia, Pa., on Thursday, Feb. 13, as it closes out its season in a non-conference match-up with Drexel University at the Daskalakis Athletic Center. Match time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The Scarlet Knights (10-5, 5-3 EIWA) are coming off a 26-10 loss to No. 24 Lehigh, 26-10, on Feb. 10. Only three Scarlet Knights came up with victories against the Mountain Hawks. Dan Hilt (Manalapan, N.J.) won a 3-0 decision against LU's Kevin Vinh at 133 pounds. At 165, Matt Pletcher (Eastampton, N.J.) beat Manuel Schubert, 6-2, registering his ninth win out of the last 10 matches. At 197 pounds, Lamar Brown (Red Bank, N.J.) recorded a major decision win over Eddy Silverman, 13-5, moving to 7-2 on the year. Drexel leads the all-time series with the Scarlet Knights, 9-7, including an 8-6 mark against teams under the direction of head coach John Sacchi Last season, the Dragons won a 28-10 match-up, having won three of the last four meetings. Rutgers is led by Jack Barrett (Metuchen, N.J.)who has a 16-13 mark on the year, while Hilt is 14-13 and freshman Chris Norrell (Phillipsburg, N.J.) owns a 14-14 mark. Norrell leads the team in pins with eight, including four in the last seven matches. Following the match-up with the Dragons, the Scarlet Knights will travel to East Stroudsburg, Pa., to compete in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Championships from March 2-3.

Columbia, Mo. -– Senior 174 pound defending National Champion Ben Askren (Hartland, Wis.) was named to the 2007 Big 12 Conference Winter Sports Good Works Team as announced by the league office. This honor is given in recognition of the community service efforts by Big 12 student-athletes. Askren, one of only three males named to the team, was the sole wrestler represented in the 12-member class that consisted of individuals participating in men's basketball, women's basketball, swimming and diving and gymnastics. Each member institution of the Big 12 Conference selected a student-athlete for recognition based upon significant community service, good academic standing and participation in a Big 12 sponsored event. Askren, a three-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree, has given his time not only to Columbia but communities across the nation. Last Friday, Askren, the current Student Athletic Advisory Council (SAAC) President, participated in the Cedar Ridge Read-A-Thon. This came two days after he was involved in the Starlight Reading program during which Askren read via satellite to elementary school children across the state of Missouri. Among Askren's other list of activities, he was an active member in the Shepard Elementary School Fundraiser this past fall and along with his teammates aided in the Hurricane Katrina apartment restoration program in St. Louis (2005). Askren has completed public service announcements for alcohol and drug awareness, as well as Internet safety, and has helped in numerous fundraisers for the Mid-Missouri Food Bank and Granny House. A tutor in the Total Person Program, Askren also serves as a camp counselor in Missouri Head Coach Brian Smith's TigerStyle wrestling camps as well as aiding support in numerous other camps across the country. Askren is currently 32-0 on the season and owns a 77-consecutive win streak that dates back to the start of his junior campaign. The 2006 Hodge Award winner and NCAA Most Outstanding Wrestler, Askren has pinned 25 opponents this season, tying the Missouri season falls record he set one year ago. This season alone, Askren has been named Big 12 Wrestler of the Month and claimed both Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational and Southern Scuffle titles.

Hempstead, NY -- The eighth-ranked Hofstra Pride lost just one match on the mat as they extended their conference undefeated streak to 54 matches, including 51 straight victories, with a 29-9 Colonial Athletic Association win over Rider at the Mack Sports Complex Tuesday night. The Pride improved to 18-3-2 overall and 7-0 in conference action. The Broncs of Rider fall to 9-8 and 3-3 in the CAA. Opening the match at 285, Hofstra graduate student Matt Pollock (12-21) had a big second period, building a 6-0 lead, on the way to an 11-0 major decision over Nick Ciufo. The Pride forfeited 125 to Tommy Lorenzo (11-19) as Hofstra junior continues to recover from an injury sustained on January 28. The Pride regained the lead at 8-6 at 133 pounds as 17th-ranked freshman Lou Ruggirello (27-7) rolled to a 12-0 major decision over Brian Polashuk (4-5). Eighth-ranked junior Charles Griffin (25-4) posted an escape, takedown and received the riding time point in the third period to break a 4-4 tie and post an 8-4 victory over Don Fisch (24-8) at 141. At 149, Hofstra's redshirt freshman Mitch Smith (7-3), ranked first in the CAA and 14th in the country, battled Rider's Mike Kessler (17-10), ranked second in the conference, to a scoreless draw through two periods. But late in the third period, Kessler posted a reversal and two back points to record a 4-2 victory. At 157 pounds, Hofstra second-ranked senior James Strouse (33-2) cruised to his 18th consecutive victory with a 10-1 major decision over Nathan Galloway (5-3) to boost the match lead to 15-9. Pride senior Mike Patrovich (13-4), ranked first in the CAA and sixth in the country, posted a 21-6 tech fall over Rob Morrison (7-14) at 165. It was Patrovich's fourth consecutive victory. In a battle of top 20 wrestlers, Hofstra's ninth-ranked sophomore Alton Lucas (20-8) posted a 3-2 decision over #14 Doug Umbehauer (22-10) at 174 pounds for a 23-9 advantage in the contest. Pride junior Joe Rovelli (27-5) then blanked Mike Miller (20-12) at 184 pounds before Hofstra senior Chris Weidman (24-6), ranked 11th, notched a 9-3 win over T.J. Morrison (24-8) at 197 to close out the contest. The Pride will travel to Norman, Oklahoma this weekend to face the 14th-ranked Sooners of Oklahoma on Saturday at 7 p.m.

IRVING, Texas -- The Big 12 Conference announced Tuesday that Iowa State senior 197-pounder Kurt Backes has been named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week for his performances against Rider and at Missouri last weekend. It is the second time in his career that Backes has received the honor. Backes, ranked ninth nationally, downed 14th-rated T.J. Morrison of Rider with an 8-3 decision Friday in Hilton Coliseum as part of Iowa State's 38-6 win over the Broncs. Backes then pinned Missouri's top-ranked and previously unbeaten Max Askren in 3:11, as the third-rated Cyclones recorded a 27-12 dual victory at No. 2 Missouri Sunday. The pin was Backes' fifth of the season. Backes' season mark stands at 21-4 and he leads Iowa State with four wins by technical fall. Backes was named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week last season after he registered a major decision over formerly top-rated Penn State All-American Eric Bradley.