InterMat Staff

Join Takedown Wrestling Radio LIVE starting at 9:05 CST Saturday for coverage of the Big 12 Championships. This tournament will feature all top ranked teams and should be a very exciting event. Scott Casber, Steve Foster, Mike Land, Tony Ersland, Nick Passolano, Kyle Klingman and several others will anchor this FREE broadcast throughout the day. John Johnson is scheduled to join us LIVE for updates from the Big 10's as well.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University and the Big Ten Conference are proud to present the 2006 edition of the Big Ten Wrestling Championships on March 4-5 at Assembly Hall. The Big Ten is one of the toughest wrestling conferences in the nation, with nine teams ranked among the top 20, more than 50 wrestlers ranked among the top 20 in their respective weight class and five 2005 NCAA finalists. Leading the team rankings are No. 1 Minnesota, No. 2 Michigan, No. 8 Penn State, No. 9 Illinois, No. 11 Iowa, No. 13 Northwestern, No. 17 Indiana, No. 18 Michigan State and No. 19 Wisconsin. 125-Pound Preview The 125-pound weight class at the Big Ten Championships features the defending NCAA Champion, the defending Big Ten champion and four wrestlers ranked among the top eight in the country. Defending national champion Joe Dubuque (Indiana) leads the weight class, grappling to a perfect 19-0 record on the season and 7-0 in Big Ten action. The senior is making his third appearance at Big Tens. Defending Big Ten champion senior No. 3 Nick Simmons (Michigan State) along with Northwestern senior No. 7 John Velez (20-6 overall, 6-2 Big Ten) and Illinois senior No. 8 Kyle Ott round out the ranked grapplers. Simmons (28-0 overall, 8-0 Big Ten) looks to contend against Dubuque, who finished third in 2005 and has taken bouts over Ott and Velez during the 2006 dual season. Dubuque and Simmons are both undefeated and have not met in 2006. Ott, a 2004 and 2005 NCAA finalist, went 9-3 overall and 5-3 in Big Tens this season. Ott took second a year ago at Big Tens and has never finished lower than third. Making their first trips to the conference tournament are Minnesota redshirt freshman Travis Lang (24-14 overall, 3-4 Big Ten), Penn State freshman Brad Pataky (15-6 overall, 2-1 Big Ten) and Michigan freshman Michael Watts (12-16 overall, 4-3 Big Ten). Competing for the second straight year are Wisconsin junior Colin Cudd (10-9 overall, 2-6 Big Ten), Iowa junior Lucas Magnani (11-12 overall, 3-3 Big Ten) and Purdue sophomore Brandon Tucker (15-16 overall, 1-5 Big Ten). Ohio State senior Nathan Costello (3-11 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) round out the field and is competing in his third straight championship. NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22) 1. Joe Dubuque (IND) 3. Nick Simmons (MSU) 7. John Velez (NU) 8. Kyle Ott (ILL) 133-Pound Preview The 133-pound weight class also is very competitive. Four grapplers are ranked among the top 10, and three are returning All-Americans. Two of this year's competitors have a conference title, and seven are making their Big Ten debuts. Minnesota sophomore Mack Reiter (25-3, 6-0 Big Ten) headlines the division. Reiter is tabbed third in the country, the defending conference champion and is the only 133-pound wrestler to go undefeated in conference action. Purdue senior Chris Fleeger (9-1 overall, 7-1 Big Ten), ranked fourth, is not far behind with only one loss on the year coming against Indiana redshirt freshman No. 18 Andrae Hernandez. Fleeger won the crown in 2003 and is looking for another strong showing. Wisconsin senior No. 6 Tom Clum is another challenger to watch, going 10-2 overall 6-1 in Big Ten. Clum is making his fourth and final trip to the championships in 2006. Penn State freshman Jake Strayer (19-3, 6-2 Big Ten) is another grappler looking to make some noise, as he is ranked No.9 in the weight class. Included in the crowded ranked field also is junior No. 11 Mark Moos (14-4 overall, 4-2 Big Ten) of dual-season champion Michigan Wolverines. Strayer is one of four ranked-competitors making their debut at the championships as the list also includes Hernandez (26-6 overall, 7-1 Big Ten), Illinois sophomore No. 19 Gabe Flores (8-5 overall, 4-4 Big Ten) and Ohio State freshman No. 20 Reece Humphrey (24-11 overall, 0-5 Big Ten). The remaining competitors include Iowa freshman Daniel Dennis (15-16 overall, 1-7 Big Ten), once ranked as high as No. 21 in the country, Northwestern senior Daniel Quintela (9-15 overall, 2-6 Big Ten) and Michigan State redshirt freshman Jeff Wimberly (10-19 overall, 1-7 Big Ten), who is making his Big Ten debut. NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22) 3. Mack Reiter (MINN) 4. Chris Fleeger (PUR) 6. Tom Clum (WISC) 9. Jake Strayer (PSU) 11. Mark Moos (MICH) 18. Andrae Hernandez (IND) 19. Gabe Flores (ILL) 20. Reece Humphrey (OSU) 141-Pound Preview The 141-pound weight class also features four of the nation's top-10 grapplers. Four of the top-five finishers in 2005 are back to take a run at the conference title, and four wrestlers are making the trip to the championships for the first time. Michigan sophomore Josh Churella (22-1 overall, 8-0 Big Ten) is looking to make it back-to-back titles as he finished the dual season undefeated. Churella will be challenged by Michigan State junior Andy Simmons (28-3 overall, 6-1 Big Ten), who finished second last season, Iowa sophomore Alex Tsirtsis (18-9, 6-2 Big Ten), who took fifth and Northwestern sophomore Ryan Lang (15-4 overall, 4-3 Big Ten), who finished fourth. Rounding out the ranked field are Penn State senior No. 11 DeWitt Driscoll (14-7 overall, 5-3 Big Tens) and Minnesota sophomore No. 13 Manuel Rivera (24-11 overall, 5-2 Big Ten). The remaining bracket slots feature Purdue junior Jason Cook (23-10 Big Ten, 1-5 Big Ten) or freshman Jake Patacsil (13-8 overall, 0-2 Big Ten), Ohio State's sophomore T.J. Enright (15-12 overall, 2-6 Big Ten), Wisconsin senior Ed Gutnik (8-6 overall, 4-3 Big Ten), Illinois junior Cassio Pero (13-7 overall, 3-3 Big Ten) and Indiana senior Nick Spatola (8-14 overall, 0-6 Big Ten). NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22) 4. Josh Churella (MICH) 5. Andy Simmons (MSU) 6. Alex Tsirtsis (IOWA) 8. Ryan Lang (NU) 11. DeWitt Driscoll (PSU) 13. Manual Rivera (MINN) 149-Pound Preview The 149-pound weight class is a wide-open field among the nation's top wrestlers, eight of whom are ranked among the top 20. Six grapplers are making their first appearance, while only one senior enters the division that is flooded with young talent. Michigan sophomore No. 4 Eric Tannenbaum (19-6 overall , 7-1 Big Ten), the defending Big Ten champion, is looking to get back on track after suffering a loss to Minnesota freshman No. 1 Dustin Schlatter (34-1 overall, 7-0 Big Ten). Both grapplers are looking to be crowned as this year's champion, but they will each receive a challenge from Iowa senior No. 2 Ty Eustice (21-1 overall, 6-1 Big Ten) and Purdue senior No. 9 Doug Withstandley (22-7 overall, 4-3 Big Ten). Also looking to make a wave in this year's competition are Ohio State freshman No. 10 J Jaggers (25-6 overall, 6-2 Big Ten), Wisconsin junior No. 11 Tyler Turner (17-5 overall, 3-4 Big Ten) and Michigan State senior No. 16 Darren McKnight (19-13 overall, 2-6 Big Ten). The remaining field includes Indiana junior Matt Cooper (12-9 overall, 1-5 Big Ten), Northwestern freshman Marty Gould (6-13 overall, 0-6 Big Ten), Illinois redshirt freshman Troy Tirapelle (21-9 overall, 4-4 Big Ten) and Penn State senior James Woodall (7-5 overall, 2-4 Big Ten). NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22) 1. Dustin Schlatter (MINN) 2. Ty Eustice (IOWA) 4. Eric Tannenbaum (MICH) 9. Doug Withstandley (PUR) 10. J Jaggers (OSU) 11. Tyler Turner (WIS) 13. James Woodall (PSU) 16. Darren McKnight (MSU) 157-Pound Preview The 157-pound class features several Big Ten and NCAA Championship contenders. With eight grapplers ranked among the top 20, three among the top five and four 2005 All-Americans, the field is sure to be a battle for the conference crown. Two-time defending Big Ten champion Alex Tirapelle of Illinois (21-1, 7-0 Big Ten) looks to make it a third crown in 2006. Tirapelle, tabbed No. 1 in the country, will have his work cut out for him against Minnesota freshman No. 3 C.P. Schlatter (31-5 overall, 7-1 Big Ten), Wisconsin sophomore No. 4 Craig Henning (23-5 overall, 7-1 Big Ten), Indiana sophomore No. 6 Brandon Becker (19-6 overall, 5-3 Big Ten) and Iowa senior No. 7 Joe Johnston (21-6 overall, 6-2 Big Ten), who was the 2005 NCAA runner-up. Also looking to make a go at a conference title are Michigan freshman No. 12 Steve Luke (10-8 overall, 2-3 Big Ten) and Penn State junior No. 13 Nathan Galloway (11-12 overall, 2-6 Big Ten). Rounding out the competitive field are Northwestern sophomore Greg Hagel (16-14 overall, 2-6 Big Ten), Purdue freshman Jake Murphy (9-22 overall, 0-8 Big Ten) and Ohio State senior Steve Sommer (20-14 overall, 2-4 Big Ten). NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22) 1. Alex Tirapelle (ILL) 3. C.P. Schlatter (MINN) 4. Craig Henning (WISC) 6. Brandon Becker (IND) 7. Joe Johnston (IOWA) 12. Steve Luke (MICH) 13. Steve Sommer (OSU) 165-Pound Preview There is no room for error in the 165-pound division, as it includes three top 10 grapplers and eight ranked in all. Along with the highly touted field, two are returning All-Americans and three of the top-five finishers from the 2005 Big Ten championships are back. Defending Big Ten champion Michigan senior No. 1 Ryan Churella (22-0 overall, 8-0 Big Ten) leads the talented field. Illinois redshirt freshman No. 7 Mike Poeta (23-4,7-1 Big Ten) and Minnesota senior No. 9 Matt Nagel (26-8 overall, 7-1 Big Ten) are also looking to make championships a tough road. While the weight class is filled with top-10 wrestlers, the dual season has shown that anyone can win on any given day. Big Ten grapplers looking to make that happen are Penn State freshman No. 12 David Erwin (23-6 overall, 5-1 Big Ten), Wisconsin junior No. 17 Jake Donar (9-9 overall, 4-4 Big Ten), Iowa junior No. 18 Eric Luedke (17-10 overall, 5-3 Big Ten) and Northwestern senior No. 19 Will Durkee (18-10 overall, 3-5 Big Ten). Completing the 11-wrestler field are Purdue sophomore Dan Bedoy (1-7 overall, 1-7 Big Ten), Indiana sophomore Max Dean (21-12 overall, 2-6 Big Ten), Michigan State sophomore Greg Goidosik (11-7 overall, 1-2 Big Ten) and Ohio State senior Nathaniel Augustson (17-15 overall, 2-6 Big Ten). NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22) 1. Ryan Churella (MICH) 7. Mike Poeta (ILL) 9. Matt Nagel (MINN) 12. David Erwin (PSU) 17. Jake Donar (WISC) 18. Eric Luedke (IOWA) 19. Will Durkee (NU) 174-Pound Preview Four of the nation's top-10 wrestlers headline the 174-pound division. Two-All Americans and nine grapplers ranked in the top-20 all have their eyes on the title. Northwestern sophomore No. 2 Jake Herbert (28-0, 8-0 Big Ten) has looked impressive throughout the Big Ten season, looks to improve on his league runner-up finish of a year ago. Iowa sophomore No. 3 Mark Perry (13-2, 3-0 Big Ten) has his sights set on the title after taking a pair of second-place finishes home at 165 pounds at the Big Ten and NCAA Championships a year ago. Other competitors include Michigan State senior No. 7 R.J. Boudro (23-5 overall, 6-2 Big Ten), Penn State junior No. 9 James Yonushonis (18-4 overall, 6-1 Big Ten), Michigan junior No. 11 Nick Roy (14-9 overall, 4-4 Big Ten), Minnesota sophomore No.13 Gabriel Dretsch (24-12 overall, 3-5 Big Ten), Illinois junior No. 14 Donny Reynolds (20-7 overall, 4-3 Big Ten), Wisconsin senior No. 16 Kelly Flaherty (9-3 Overall, 1-2 Big Ten) and Ohio State redshirt freshman No. 20 Blake Maurer (14-8 overall, 4-1 Big Ten). Rounding out the field are Indiana sophomore Marc Bennett (12-14 overall, 2-6 Big Ten) and either Purdue freshman Nick Corpe (16-16 overall, 0-6 Big Ten) or senior Barry Jackson (2-6 overall, 0-2 Big Ten). NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22) 2. Jake Herbert (NU) 3. Mark Perry (IOWA) 7. R.J. Boudro (MSU) 9. James Yonushonis (PSU) 11. Nick Roy (MICH) 13. Gabriel Dretsch (MINN) 14. Donny Reynolds (ILL) 16. Kelly Flaherty (WISC) 20. Blake Maurer (OSU) 184-Pound Preview The 184-pound class includes a two-time Big Ten champion , six All-Americans and eight wrestlers ranked among the top 20. Penn State senior, and two-time defending Big Ten champion, No. 7 Eric Bradley (9-1 overall, 6-0 Big Ten) hopes to make it a trio of titles in 2006. His road will not be easy, as Purdue senior No. 3 Ben Wissel (31-3 overall, 7-1 Big Ten) searches for his first title. Illinois senior No. 6 Pete Friedl (20-3 overall, 6-2 Big Ten), Iowa senior No. 8 Paul Bradley (11-6 overall, 4-4 Big Ten), Minnesota sophomore No. 9 Roger Kish (30-4 overall, 7-1 Big Ten) and Northwestern sophomore No. 10 Mike Tamillow (19-6 overall, 5-3 Big Ten) all look to dethrone Bradley in 2006. Also challenging for the crown are Michigan freshman No. 18 Tyrel Todd (15-8 overall, 2-2 Big Ten) and Ohio State junior No. 20 Alex Picazo (20-15 overall, 2-5 Big Ten). The remaining field includes Indiana sophomore Justin Curran (20-12 overall, 1-7 Big Ten), Wisconsin junior Matt Maciag (9-8 overall, 1-5 Big Ten) and Michigan State sophomore Joe Williams (8-11 overall, 2-4 Big Ten). NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22) 3. Ben Wissel (PUR) 6. Pete Friedl (ILL) 7. Eric Bradley (PSU) 8. Paul Bradley (IOWA) 9. Roger Kish (MINN) 10. Mike Tamillow (NU) 18. Tyrel Todd (MICH) 20. Alex Picazo (OSU) 197-Pound Preview The 197-pound division has no clear favorite, but includes five ranked wrestler hunry for a title. Defending Big Ten champion Northwestern senior No. 10 Matt Delguyd (25-7 overall, 7-1 Big Ten) will be met with some fierce competition for the 2006 title. The remaining ranked competitors, including Penn State sophomore No. 6 Phillips Davis (17-3 overall, 8-0 Big Ten), Illinois senior No. 8 Tyrone Byrd (23-4 overall, 8-0 Big Ten), Indiana senior No. 12 Brady Richardson (24-6 overall, 4-3 Big Ten) and Purdue junior No. 17 Nathan Moore (29-12 overall, 5-3 Big Ten) are all looking for their first crowns. The remaining field includes Ohio State freshman James Aston (0-4 overall, 0-4 Big Ten), Michigan State senior Jeff Clemens (14-16 overall, 1-7 Big Ten), Iowa freshman Dan Erekson (13-14 overall, 2-6 Big Ten), Wisconsin sophomore Dallas Herbst (14- overall, 2-6 Big Ten) Minnesota sophomore Mitch Kuhlman (14-13 overall, 3-4 Big Ten) and Michigan freshman Casey White (12-13 overall, 3-3 Big Ten). NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22) 6. Phillip Davis (PSU) 8. Tyrone Byrd (ILL) 10. Matt Delguyd (NU) 12. Brady Richardson (IND) 17. Nathan Moore (PUR) Heavyweight Preview The heavyweight class is includes two of the nation's top three grapplers. Five grapplers are ranked among the top 20 and the division also features the defending Big Ten champion. Leading the way in the heavyweight division are Minnesota junior No. 1 Cole Konrad (30-0 overall, 8-0 Big Ten) and Michigan senior No. 3 Greg Wagner (22-1 overall, 7-1 Big Ten). Konrad is the defending conference champion, while Wagner finished third in 2005. Rounding out the ranked grapplers are Northwestern sophomore No. 11 Dustin Fox (23-8 overall 5-3 Big Ten), Iowa junior No. 18 Ryan Fuller (10-4 overall, 5-0 Big Ten) and Penn State senior No. 19 Joel Edwards (14-4 overall, 4-3 Big Ten). Filling the remaining bracket slots are Indiana sophomore Dave Herman (24-12 overall, 3-5 Big Ten), Purdue freshman Aaron Keough (14-23 overall, 0-8 Big Ten), Wisconsin senior Lee Kraemer (5-4 overall, 4-0 Big Ten), Michigan State senior Matt Lossen (12-14 overall, 2-6 Big Ten), Ohio State sophomore Kirk Nail (14-8 overall, 2-5 Big Ten) and Illinois junior Matt Weight (15-13 overall, 2-6 Big Ten). NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22) 1. Cole Konrad (MINN) 3. Greg Wagner (MICH) 11. Dustin Fox (NU) 18. Ryan Fuller (IOWA) 19. Joel Edwards (PSU)

Top-ranked Wartburg sends nine individuals to the 2006 NCAA Division III national championships Friday and Saturday, March 3 and 4, at The College of New Jersey's Ewing Hall in Trenton, N.J. A complete schedule of events and more for the 2006 national meet is available at http://www.tcnjathletics.com/Sports/gen/2006/06NCAA%20wrestling%20championships.asp. Fans from the Cedar Valley and around the world can tune to live radio broadcasts of the national championships through two local radio stations this weekend. KWAR-FM, 89.1, and KWAY-AM, 1470, each of Waverly, will provide all of the action from The College of New Jersey. Live listen links will be available through www.go-knights.net, the Internet home of Wartburg athletics. Knights notes: Head coach Jim Miller's squad seeks the program's fifth team national title since 1996. The Knights continued an impressive streak of finishing either first or second in the nation in 11 of the last 13 years last season by turning in a runner-up finish with 104.5 points at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn…The Orange and Black also look to continue impressive national championship strings along individual lines. Wartburg has garnered five or more All-Americans each season since 1995, had at least one All-American each year since 1988 and had at least one wrestler in a national championship match for three consecutive years…Wartburg brings in the second-highest number of national qualifiers to this weekend's meet as UW-La Crosse heads the list with 10 advancing…All nine Knights were ranked in the pre-national championships poll released by the National Wrestling Coaches Association Feb. 21. Senior 125-pounder Tyler Hubbard of Blue Springs, Mo., senior 141-pounder Dustin Hinschberger of Belle Plaine, junior 197-pounder T.J. Miller of Cedar Falls and junior heavyweight Blake Gillis of Spencer are each ranked No. 1, while sophomore 149-pounder Jacob Naig of Emmetsburg and senior 174-pounder Scott Kauffman of Emmetsburg are No. 2. Senior 184-pounder Akeem Carter of Waterloo is at No. 3 with freshman 133-pounder Zach McKray of Iowa City and senior 165-pounder Dustin Bliven of Columbus Junction ranked No. 7…Hubbard, Hinschberger, Gillis, Naig, Kauffman and Carter each seek repeat All-American efforts, and Hinschberger, Gillis and Carter are looking to return to the national championship match for the third year in a row. Hinschberger is the two-time defending national champ at 141, sporting a win string against Division III competition that extends to his sophomore season, while Carter, the two-time defending champ at 197, looks to get there at a new weight and Gillis seeks his third straight trip to the finals at heavyweight. Fox set for Hall of Fame induction: Former three-time All-American and two-time national champion Jamal Fox is slated for induction into the National Wrestling Coaches Association's Division III Hall of Fame during the weekend of the national championships at The College of New Jersey. Fox is the second of head coach Jim Miller's wrestlers to be inducted, joining former standout Tom Smith who went in during the 2004 national championships hosted by Loras College of Dubuque. "I hadn't really thought of myself being on the level of a Hall of Famer, but it is starting to set in," Fox, the program's all-time win leader with 166 victories, said. "I will always remember Wartburg wrestling as a place where you had every opportunity to excel, whether it came from the coaching staff or the guys going against you in practice. When you see success around you, it tends to rub off." Currently a doctor of optometry at Groat Eye Care Associates in Greensboro, N.C., Fox was a part of four consecutive Iowa Conference team champions and the 1996 national team champions. He earned back-to-back top two finishes at nationals, placing second in 1995 and winning the title in 1996. Fox also concluded his career with three individual conference titles.

Oklahoma State's wrestling team will begin postseason competition at the Big 12 Championships in Ames, Iowa on Saturday, March 4 at the Hilton Coliseum. The Cowboys will be looking to qualify as many wrestlers as possible for the NCAA Championships in Oklahoma City. The Cowboys are in good position at several weights as Nathan Morgan, Zack Esposito, Johny Hendricks and Steve Mocco have not lost a conference match all season. Jake Rosholt and Coleman Scott are both in good position as well being ranked third and sixth nationally, respectively. Kevin Ward is the defending Big 12 champion and will look to defend his title at 157. Redshirt freshman Brandon Mason has defeated everybody in the Big 12, but top-ranked Ben Askren at 174. OSU will be underdogs at 141 and 184, but both Ethan Kyle and Rusty Blackmon are capable of pulling upsets. Blackmon already has wins over Nebraska's Vince Jones and Oklahoma's Justin Dyer this season. Scouting the Field The Big 12 is well represented in the national rankings. Every Big 12 weight has at least two wrestlers ranked nationally, and the 165-pound weight class has all five wrestlers ranked in the top 20. The Big 12 has the top two wrestlers at 141, and three wrestlers are ranked No. 1 at their weight class (Nate Gallick, Johny Hendricks and Ben Askren). The Big 12 gets 38 national qualifiers this year, and the conference currently boasts 34 ranked wrestlers. The Cowboys are the favorite having won the last three championships. OSU will have the top seed in four different weight classes. Oklahoma is the only other school to claim a conference championship and will be OSU's toughest challenger. The Sooners will have the top seed at 125 plus Teyon Ware is a defending national champion at 141. Iowa State has three potential No. 1 seeds in the conference tournament, but it will be balanced out as they will also be the fourth or fifth seed in five different weight classes. Nebraska is the highest ranked team among the remaining four being ranked fifth nationally. Seniors Say Goodbye Five Oklahoma State seniors wrestled their final match inside Gallagher-Iba Arena. It has been one of the most productive senior classes over the last 50 years combining to win three NCAA team titles, four individual titles, six All-American finishes and five Big 12 championships. The Cowboys have gone 33-1 inside Gallagher-Iba Arena over the last four years and 70-4 overall in duals. The seniors made senior day memorable all recording wins in their final match inside Gallagher-Iba Arena. Steve Mocco recorded a fall and Rusty Blackmon rallied from a 7-0 deficit to win in sudden victory. Gopher Bitten Oklahoma State has dominated collegiate wrestling since the NCAA started conducting a championship in 1928. The Cowboys have been even more dominating of late winning the last three NCAA titles and compiling a 108-8 record over the last six seasons. There has been one team that has continually stuck out and that is Minnesota. The Gophers have handed OSU five of those eight losses and have won seven of the last 10 meetings in the series, including twice this year. Oklahoma State still leads the all-time series at 16-9, but Minnesota is closing the gap. Freshmen Become Sophomores Head coach John Smith made a decision last winter to pull two freshmen out of redshirt because the Cowboys were struggling at both 125 and 133. Coleman Scott and Nathan Morgan both became Big 12 champions later on that year, while Scott went on to finish eighth at the NCAA Championships at 125. The freshmen have become sophomores and have turned into two of the better wrestlers at their weight class in the country. Scott is 24-3 and is ranked as high as fifth in the country. Morgan has the best record on the team at 26-1 and is ranked second by the NWCA/Intermat Individual Rankings at 133 after defeating fourth-ranked Mack Reiter of Minnesota twice and third-ranked Darrell Vasquez of Cal Poly. Jake Rosholt Seeks 100th Win Senior Jake Rosholt has not put up the gaudy numbers that some of his previous Oklahoma State brethren have. He has just simply won when it mattered most. As a redshirt freshman in 2003, Rosholt entered the NCAA Championships as the No. 10 seed with a 17-9 record. He was crowned champion at the end of the tournament. Again injuries kept him out of part of the 2004 season, but he still wrestled at the end and took third-place. Rosholt wrestled the 2005 NCAA Championships on an injured knee that required surgery following the tournament. It did not stop him from winning his second title. The 2005 season, his fist year to bump up to 197, was his best as a Cowboy. He went 32-3 before won the championship. Rosholt is nearing the end of his Cowboy career and with a win in the first round of the Big 12 Championships he will top the 100 win plateau. At the NCAA Championships he will look to become just the 10th four-time All-American and the 15th three-time national champion in school history. Johny Hendricks Opens Up on Offense If heavyweight Steve Mocco is nicknamed the bear then Johny Hendricks is the bull. Hendricks has bullied his opponents on the mat and enters postseason competition with a 22-1 record. His bullying style and aggressive mentality has made him one of the most feared and hated wrestlers in the country. Opposing fans have grown to hate Hendricks for his excitement and joy for winning that has caused him to celebrate after victories. Hendricks has opened up his offense this season. He recorded 47 takedowns in his first two years combined compared to 48 takedowns this season. At times he has even dared his opponents to approach him. Hendricks will be looking to defend his Big 12 and NCAA titles come March.

What does it take to win a national title? Most people would respond using cliche words like perseverance, determination, persistence, commitment, etc. Yeah, those are some very important characteristics a wrestler must possess if he is to accomplish anything at the collegiate level. But what if you have 30 individual athletes competing for one national title as a team? What does that take? Well, every coach has his own recipe, but all I can tell you is that it takes more than 30 athletes with characteristics like the one's that I mentioned above. Now, not everyone will agree with that. Some people may think that talent alone will get you to the top. Some may think that the coaching staff is most vital. But the truth is, it is so much more than that. Let's get to the recipe our team has. Aside from the wrestlers and coaches, we have tremendous support from the outside. Be it girlfriends, wives, parents, other family members, friends, club wrestlers, forum backers, professors, media, past coaches, managers, or our training staff -- these people understand what we put ourselves through hour after hour, day after day, year after year. They see the high points and help us celebrate them. More importantly, they ground us with reminders on the importance of being humble at these times. They are also present for the lows and guided us through them by giving a much needed hug, a slap in the face, or a kick in the cahones. Well, at least that was the metaphorical phrases our coaching staff used one evening. Our administration is also a key cog in our chain of success. They gave us an opportunity to chase our dream of winning a national title with the rehiring of Nate Skaar late last summer. Sure, this team may have handled yet another coaching change, but I am not as certain it would have performed up to its fullest potential. Administration realized the students involved with our organization were important. They listened to their requests, and in my opinion, turned a messy situation into a non-issue. Without their support, we might be talking about "what could have been" at the end of this season. Scott DornIf I sound a touch arrogant about our chances of winning it all, please know that I am not. No doubt, we are the underdog when you are talking about beating the likes of the studded lineup that Wartburg is throwing on the mat this weekend. Augsburg has proven they will contend for a title every single season. And there are other teams that have hopes of dethroning the 'Burgs as well. But what we have is unique. It is special because we have so many intangibles that I have not seen on any team in my 25 years of wrestling. This team has been through so much that I feel like no mountain is too high to climb. When you see our fans and wrestlers wearing maroon and white t-shirts this weekend, take a close look at the names on the back. They are not limited to the 10 national qualifiers competing in the event. It has the name of every single wrestler on our roster. That is what a team effort is all about. It is not limited to these 10 individuals competing. If we were not so afraid of forgetting someone, we would have the names of every person responsible for making us into the men we are today. One thing is certain. Whether we are holding gold, silver, bronze, or nothing at all above our heads Saturday night … we will be regret free. We will have hundreds of stories to share at our social gathering following the event. The topics I look forward to hearing about are the "Hammer," the mushroom stamp, Skaar's lack of navigation skills, Billy feeling disrespected by a tournament director, Lulloff's inability to stay in a game of dodgeball after the first ball is thrown, Skaar's super-human ability to bench press people off the planet, my perfectly executed escape route on Day and Adams, all the countless antics that take place prior to practice, and all the other hours of laughter that I am temporarily blanking on. Scott DornWhat I am really looking forward to are the hugs. This sport that consumes us all has almost reached its ending point for the season. After that final whistle has been blown, it will then be time to grab the people responsible for our success, make a toast, and maybe even shed a few tears. I, for one, have been fighting the tears all year long. Hey, this is the most emotional sport there is … so I feel no shame. We are thought of as barbarians in the public's eye, but when you get to the essence of this team you will see that there is more moral fiber than anyone could imagine. Although this blog basically states it, I can not help but mention how deeply I care for you all. Barsness, Kuchnia, Allen -- you will be greatly missed in the coming seasons of UW-La Crosse wrestling. Your efforts are what really started this whole thing. You gave this team its image, and I strive to continue what you have started. I will end with what someone wrote on our board this week… "UWL National Champions … JUST SAY IT … IT SOUNDS PERFECT" BTW, where the hell is Dorn? Corey Ruff Past UW-La Crosse Entries: Entry 8 (2/17/06) Entry 7 (1/27/06) Entry 6 (12/19/05) Entry 5 (12/1/05) Entry 4 (11/16/05) Entry 3 (11/3/05) Entry 2 (10/19/05) Entry 1 (10/10/05)

DALLAS, Texas -- Four Oklahoma State Wrestlers were named to the first team Academic All-Big 12 team as it was announced by the Big 12 office this morning. The four first team selections led the Big 12 for the fifth consecutive year. Iowa State also had four total selections, two first team selections and two second team selections, to share top honors in the Big 12. Nathan Morgan, Brandon Mason and Steve Mocco all earned the honor in their second seasons at Oklahoma State, while Kevin Ward is a fifth year senior and earned the award for the third time in his career. Morgan has been impressive on the mat in his sophomore season. The Bakersfield, Calif. native has posted a 26-1 record on the mat while he is working towards a degree in civil engineering. Mason, a native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, has had a successful season as a redshirt freshman posting a 21-9 record. Mason has yet to declare a major. Steve Mocco won a national championship in his first season at OSU. The North Bergen, N.J. native is majoring in education. Kevin Ward is the defending Big 12 champion on the mat, but he is a three-time Academic All-Big 12 selection in the classroom. Ward, a native of Soddy-daisy, Tenn., is majoring in sociology. The Cowboys start postseason action on Saturday at the Big 12 Championships in Ames, Iowa.

Well, as many of you know we in the NAIA are down to the finale. The NAIA National Championships is coming up this weekend, March 3-4, in Sioux City, Iowa. I have been waiting for this tournament for five years, and I am determined to make the most out of it. We held our Central Regional in Sioux City two weeks ago, and all did not go as planned, but then when does everything ever go exactly as planned. We performed well as a team, winning the tournament by 85 points, but I know that our best wrestling is still yet to come, hopefully this weekend. We were without our top-ranked 184-pound wrestler Willie Parks due to a staff infection, but still won championships at five weights and had seven in the finals. Everything that has happened throughout the season has lead us to where we are now, ranked first in the nation, and peaking at the right time. It is amazing to think that we can wrestle better as a team, but it is true. Every tournament I see different glimpses of what we can really do, and if we put it all together, it could be very scary. I entered the regional tournament as the top seed at 174 pounds, but suffered my first NAIA loss in the semifinals against Abel Trujillo from William Penn. The funny thing about it was that I wasn't that mad because I knew exactly what the problem was. I didn't prepare right. All morning I was not myself. I was uptight, worried, and not the happy, joking, mess-around guy that I normally am. I even snapped at one of my assistant coaches before the tournament started, which is definitely not my style. So after I lost, I cleared my head and turned things around, coming back for a third place finish. I have to give a lot of credit to my coaches and teammates, because they really helped me get back to my old self and dominate the rest of the day. I am getting very excited for this weekend and all the possibilities it can bring. I know that I am coming to the culmination of my career as a college wrestler, but I am trying not to look at it that way. As a matter of fact, I am trying not to think of this as my last tournament at all. The only thing I am focusing on is dominating my opponents and leaving everything on the mat. Every week we have a "Word of the Week" in our practice room. This week's word is EXHAUSTION. To me, this word is really the epitome of wrestling a complete match. Leaving everything on the mat and being totally exhausted when I leave it. I know if I do this, only good things will happen. We have had two weeks of very good practice and I know that we will see results this weekend that we have been waiting for our whole lives. We have our lineup back intact and are ready for the big show. Every day it draws nearer, you can see the team getting more and more excited, and our team morale is high as ever. We haven't really talked about winning a national title all year, but we all know it is within our reach if we wrestle to our capabilities, and beyond them. Until next time, keep getting better. Marshall Marquardt Past Entries: Entry 11 (2/16/06) Entry 10 (2/1/06) Entry 9 (1/19/06) Entry 8 (1/5/06) Entry 7 (12/28/05) Entry 6 (12/7/05) Entry 5 (11/23/05) Entry 4 (11/9/05) Entry 3 (10/26/05) Entry 2 (10/13/05) Entry 1 (10/1/05)

The culmination of the Division III season is upon us, and the anticipation is fever-pitch for small-school wrestling fans. Throughout the course of this intriguing season, "sure things" failed to compete (see: Marcus LeVesseur) -- other dominant performers of the past have faced some setbacks (see: Mike Allen and Akeem Carter) -- and other defending champions have continued to roll right into this weekend's DIII National Tournament in Ewing, New Jersey (see: Duane Bastress and Dustin Hinschberger). Who'll place where? Who'll we see in the finals? Let's look at our projected finalists and All-Americans: 125: Tyler Hubbard (Wartburg) vs. Terry Morgan (Loras) Despite being pinned during the IIAC Championships, Morgan will find himself wrestling on the big stage in 2006. He will be facing a familiar foe -- conference opponent Hubbard, in a battle of seniors. Hubbard, who battled back for third in 2005 at 133, has ended the year top-ranked at 125. Morgan, who took nearly the same path as Hubbard last year to finish third (at 125), started the year top-ranked, but will finish it No. 2. These two will battle it out after navigating through this wide-open weight class, with Hubbard coming out on top. RevWrestling.com Prediction: Hubbard 4, Morgan 2 The Rest: 3. Brandon McDonough (Johnson & Wales) 4. Ty Klofta (Ohio Northern) 5. Nate Hansen (Luther) 6. Tom Gagan (Elmhurst College) 7. Rob Vaccaro (SUNY Brockport) 8. Brian Dempsey (The College of New Jersey) 133: Matt Smith (Johnson & Wales) vs. Tony D'Ambra (SUNY Brockport) Division I transfer Matt Smith finds himself at Johnson and Wales (Rhode Island) and at the top of the DIII wrestling world. He will have a tough go as D'Ambra, a finalist last year, will be looking to move up one step on the podium. This final could go either way, and sentimentality leans towards the senior D'Ambra, but Smith will edge him out. RevWrestling.com Prediction: Smith 5, D'Ambra 4 OT The Rest: 3. Mike Lopez (Luther) 4. Eddie Murray (Ursinus) 5. Joe Jewett (Oswego) 6. Derrick Goduto (Montclair State) 7. Zach McKray (Wartburg) 8. Jafari Vanier (Augsburg) 141: Dustin Brewer (Simpson) vs. Dustin Hinschberger (Wartburg) Dustin HinschbergerCommon sense dictates that the real suspense at this weight will be who'll get to (have to?) battle two-time defending champ Hinschberger. Brewer, along with Mike Gaeta (Springfield College) and Danny Song (Kings Point USMMA), are our favorites to take that unenviable position. The bracket will of course affect which one of the troika makes it to the finals. Brewer, who took fourth last year, is our favorite to face his conference foe; he has the big tournament experience, but he'll want to try some new tricks against the nails-tough Hinschberger, who recently majored him (10-0) in the IIAC finals. RevWrestling.com Prediction: Hinschberger 8, Brewer 1 The Rest: 3. Gaeta 4. Song 5. Paul Leblanc (Cortland) 6. Josh Hansen (Augsburg) 7. Zach Chambers (UW-Platteville) 8. Kevin Koch (Concordia) 149: Matt Pyle (Luther) vs. Jacob Naig (Wartburg) Defending champ Pyle and Naig make it two all-IIAC finals in a row, as the conference foes meet once again. Naig has been on a mission this year, establishing a 31-5 record against very tough opponents. Pyle has had a good year, compiling a 23-6 record, but has struggled of late against Naig, most recently getting handled 9-4 in the IIAC finals. Naig is just too tough this year and takes it to Pyle in the finals, and beats out his teammate Hinschberger for OW. RevWrestling.com Prediction: Naig 7, Pyle 2 The Rest: 3. Jared Evans (Augsburg) 4. Dane LaPlante (Springfield) 5. Carl Amerine (Wilmington) 6. Jason Rousch (Mt. Saint Joseph) 7. Stephen Hult (NYU) 8. Jake Larsen (UW-La Crosse) 157: Jeremy Anderson (Augsburg) vs. Joey Pflug (Heidelberg) Same old story at this weight: former high school star, and top DI recruit, finds himself a home at a DIII school in his home state to continue the sport he loves; he tastes success at his new home, and finds himself in the national finals. No, we're not reminiscing about Marcus Levesseur, but none other than "whatever-happened-to?" former Ohio high school legend Joey Pflug. He will be facing another DI transfer in Jeremy Anderson, who ironically took over for the missing LeVesseur. This is a tight one to call, but we see Pflug in a scorcher. RevWrestling.com Prediction: Pflug 7, Anderson 6 The Rest: 3. Shasheim Bradshaw (Brockport) 4. Joe Galante (TCNJ) 5. Ross Needham (UW-La Crosse) 6. Rob Gingerrich (North Central College) 7. Joseph Duca (Ithaca) 8. Brad Bishop (Loras) 165: Derek Sikora (UW-Eau Claire) vs. Ryan Valek (Augsburg) Ryan ValekSikora and Valek appear to be the class of this weight. Valek has lost three times, twice to upper-division opponents (including Morehead's Nate Baker), and once to Sikora in overtime. Sikora has lost to Dubuque qualifier Cole Williams and Wisconsin's Seth Garvin, both in overtime. Look for these two hard-nosed veterans to lock horns in an epic battle for supremacy. This is a classic toss-up, but we'll give it to Valek, since this is his second trip to the finals. RevWrestling.com Prediction: Valek 3, Sikora 2 OT The Rest: 3. Richard Howard (McDaniel) 4. Cole Williams (Dubuque) 5. Jerry Bowne (York) 6. Steve Martell (Johnson and Wales) 7. Don Williams (SUNY Brockport) 8. Scott Dorn (UW-La Crosse) 174: Scott Kauffman (Wartburg) vs. Josh Chelf (UW-La Crosse) Kauffman has been around a long time. He's been around wrestling in Iowa, on-and-off, since the 90s. After a stint with the Iowa Hawkeyes, he found himself, eventually, at Wartburg. This has proved to be a fruitful relationship for both parties. Kauffman, who finished fifth at 184 last year, will look to end his wrestling odyssey at the top of the podium. To do so, he'll have to get by a touch youngster in Chelf, a 2005 AA himself. Kauffman's experience prevails, and he finishes with a flourish. RevWrestling.com Prediction: Kauffman 7, Chelf 4 The Rest: 3. Stephon Sair (Cortland) 4. Josh Rupprecht (Elmhurst) 5. Mathias Keib (Ithaca) 6. Jonathan Dolan (Williams) 7. Al Stacilauskas (UW-Stevens Point) 8. Robbie Gotreau (Augsburg) 184: Duane Bastress (York) vs. Akeem Carter (Wartburg) Calling this weight is an unenviable task. Does one take the defending champion at this weight (Bastress)? Or perhaps take the two-time defending champion at 197 (Carter)? Or perhaps a two-time AA, freshly back from a year's recovery from injury (Jason Lulloff of UW-La Crosse)? While solid arguments can (and should) be made for Lulloff to make the finals, it's just too counterintuitive to go against Carter and Bastress. Carter hasn't been as dominant at 184, but he's still a two-time champion. And Bastress is undefeated and in his element at this weight, he will repeat. RevWrestling.com Prediction: Bastress 3, Carter 2 The Rest: 3. Lulloff 4. Brad Tupa (Augsburg) 5. Dan Willaert (St. John's) 6. Rob Stubbs (Ithaca) 7. Michael Troutman (Ursinus) 8. Terry Madden (Hunter College) 197: TJ Miller (Wartburg) vs. Jamall Johnson (Delaware Valley) Replacing Akeem Carter at this weight was a big task. TJ Miller has shown the move to put him in the 197 role to be a prudent one -- he has been ranked No.1 for most of the season. He has already beaten Johnson (a returning finalist) this year 8-4 in a dual. There's always the possibility that Johnson learned from his earlier match with Miller; but of course Miller might've learned something, too. RevWrestling.com Prediction: Miller 8, Johnson 6 The Rest: 3. Dustin Doctor (North Central) 4. Dan Fiecke (St. John's) 5. Devin Carmen (Baldwin-Wallace) 6. Mike McCabe (Coe College) 7. Ben Strandberg (Buena Vista) 8. Zach Greenberg (Rochester) Hwt: Blake Gillis (Wartburg) vs. Ryan Allen (UW-La Crosse) Ryan Allen (Johnnie Johnson)Another thankless weight to predict, this could be, spots 1-4, the most talented group in the tournament. Let's see: we have three-time defending champion Allen, who has beaten Gillis the past two years in the finals; then you have Gillis, who has defeated Allen twice this year already -- and then there's Mike Hayes (UW-Stevens Point), who pinned Gillis in a dual in January; and Trinity's Mike Blair, who finished third in 2005, is certainly no slouch either. All that being said, it seems destined to be another Allen/Gillis final. Third times a charm for Allen, as he avenges his earlier losses to Gillis and is crowned for a fourth time. RevWrestling.com Prediction: Allen 5, Gillis 4 OT The Rest: 3. Blair 4. Hayes 5. Tom Snyder (Lycoming) 6. Keith Bhorhus (TCNJ) 7. Pat Bennett (SUNY Brockport) 8. Ward Brady (Elmhurst) The Team Race: Top Five 1. Wartburg: Nine qualifiers, eight projected AAs, seven finalists and five champions (with six being a real possibility)!? Can this be for real? 2. UW-La Crosse: Finish ahead of Augsburg on the strength of qualifying all 10 weights. Six projected AAs and one champion. 3. Augsburg: A "down year" for the Auggies, which says a lot about the program. Seven projected AAs and one champion. 4. SUNY Brockport: A nice finish to the season for the SUNY school. Five projected AAs. 5. Luther College: Another top-five finish for the Norse. Three projected AAs. 10-15 6. Elmhurst 7. Johnson & Wales 8. The College of New Jersey 9. Ithaca 10. York 11. Loras 12. Ursinus 13. UW-Stevens Point 14. St. John's 15. Cortland

NORMAN, Okla. -- Three Oklahoma wrestlers were named to the 2006 Academic All-Big 12 wrestling Team, the Big 12 Conference announced Tuesday. To qualify, student-athletes must maintain at least a 3.00 GPA either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of his team's scheduled contests. Juniors Justin Dyer and Sam Hazewinkel were named to the first team, which consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA. Dyer, who hails from Olathe, Kan., is majoring in public administration. Hazewinkel, who hails from Pensacola, Fla., is majoring in communications. Senior Jake Hager was named to the second team. Members of the second team consist of those who have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA. Hager, who is from Perry, Okla., is majoring in finance. Oklahoma will travel to Ames, Iowa, for the Big 12 Championships on Saturday, March 4.

In Spanish, the words "buena vista" mean "beautiful view." Right now, the view from Buena Vista University's wrestling program is a whole lot more beautiful than it was just a year or two ago. This Division III program in northwest Iowa was once a force to be reckoned with among smaller colleges in the upper Midwest. For nearly a quarter-century, Al Baxter was the head coach of the Buena Vista Beavers, guiding the program to eight Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) championships in the 1980s. In fact, D3 powerhouse Wartburg's last loss to an IIAC opponent was to Buena Vista. As recently as 2002, Buena Vista placed fifth at the NCAAs, and claimed five All-Americans. Then Al Baxter retired. And the wrestling program at this 1,200-student campus in Storm Lake, Iowa was hit hard by his absence. Because there was a long delay in hiring a new head coach, recruiting suffered. Last year, there were only eleven wrestlers on the Buena Vista roster. The team completed the 2004-05 season in a disappointing 32nd place in the nation, one of the worst finishes in the history of the program. The view from the Beavers' wrestling room was anything but beautiful. Reversal of Fortune But the storm clouds are lifting over Storm Lake, and things are looking up at Buena Vista. There's a new coaching staff headed up by Mark Schwab that has turned things around in the past two years. There are twenty new wrestlers on the team this year. The Beavers finished this season with a 13-10 dual meet record -- the program's best since the 14-8 mark during the 2002-03 season. In Division III competition at the 2006 National Duals in Cedar Falls, Buena Vista went 4-1, placing fifth overall -- its highest finish in National Duals history. At the IIAC tournament, Buena Vista qualified three wrestlers for the NCAAs: Sophomore Jestin Hulegaard at 133 pounds, freshman Kyle Forness at 149, and Ben Strandberg at 197, a two-time Division II national qualifier who transferred from University of Nebraska at Omaha. All three had been ranked in the top eight in their respective weight classes in Division III for much of the season. The Coaching Staff Gets a New Look Since Al Baxter's retirement a couple years ago, the wrestling program at Buena Vista has welcomed a new-look coaching staff, led by Mark Schwab, just finishing his second season as the Beavers' head coach. Mark SchwabBefore accepting the head coaching position at Buena Vista, Schwab was an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota for nine years. During that time at the "U", the Golden Gophers won two NCAA Division I team titles, three second-place finishes, and placed third twice. Prior to working at the Big Ten mat powerhouse to the north, Schwab served as an assistant coach at Purdue, and, before that, at his college alma mater, the University of Northern Iowa. Equally impressive is Schwab's actual wrestling resume. A native of Osage, Iowa, Schwab was a four-time high school state champion, earned a sparkling 106-1 record. As a wrestler for the UNI Panthers, Schwab went 115-18, and was a two-time All-American. A serious knee injury involving multiple surgeries and a lingering staph infection put Schwab out of action for much of his junior and senior seasons. As head coach at Buena Vista, Schwab has assembled a solid team of assistants. Pat Wilsbacher wrestled at Buena Vista from 2000 through 2004, where he was a three-time national qualifier, a two-time NCAA All-American, and Iowa Conference champ at 165 pounds in 2003. Justin McClintock is a graduate of BV rival Wartburg, where he earned All-American honors two separate seasons. Before attending Wartburg, McClintock wrestled for Iowa Central Community College's 2002 NJCAA championship team. Yet another assistant with two-time All-American credentials is Sevond Cole, who wrestled for Buena Vista, winning the 174 lb. championship in the Iowa Conference in 1999. Cole has been an assistant coach at BV since 2000. Serving as a volunteer assistant coach is Jamie Taxted, a two-time All-American for Buena Vista who won the national title in 2002. From Land of 10,000 Lakes … to Storm Lake What made Mark Schwab leave the relative comfort of an assistant coaching job at Minnesota -- of one of the top Division I wrestling programs -- for the challenge of heading up a once-proud D3 program? "I loved Minnesota," says Schwab. "But I always dreamed of being a head coach at some point in my career. I had in my mind a short list of schools that I would be interested in coaching if the opportunity ever arose. Buena Vista was on that list." "In the summer of 2004, a friend of mine who had wrestled for Buena Vista had contacted me about the head coaching position. I expressed an interest in the job, and, within a few days, the school contacted me for an interview. Within a week, I got the job." In a press release announcing his hiring that's posted at the school's website, Schwab is quoted as saying, "I'm excited to be returning to my home state and coaching in the Iowa Conference, which is one of the most competitive of any in the country for wrestling. I want to uphold the quality that the legendary Al Baxter brought to the wrestling program at Buena Vista, and maybe take it up a notch or two." What Works for the Golden Gophers … Now at Work for the Beavers Mark Schwab's early enthusiasm came up against reality right away. He had come to Storm Lake just as a new school year was starting. It was too late to recruit. There were less than a dozen wrestlers in the program. However, by using the coaching knowledge and experience gained at Minnesota, Schwab is already achieving a major reversal in the fortunes of the Buena Vista Beavers. "I learned so much from being part of the Minnesota coaching staff," says Schwab. "For starters, we had amazing continuity. For nine years, he had a core group of coaches -- J Robinson, Marty Morgan, Joe Russell. That kind of consistency makes a huge difference in the success of the program. We were a well-oiled machine." Al Baxter Wrestling Room"There are little things we did at Minnesota that we're now doing here at BV," Schwab continues. "We have a weekly coaching meeting every Monday. We're stressing conditioning and staying in shape year 'round. We encourage participation in summer wrestling camps." Buena Vista also provides opportunities for its wrestlers to learn from the best in the business. "(Dan) Gable headlined our camp last fall," according to assistant coach Pat Wilsbacher. "Mark Ironside, Jared Lawrence, Jake Volkmann and Doug Schwab have all come to our room this year." What's more, with Schwab at the helm, the Buena Vista program makes the most of learning and growth opportunities from actual wrestling matches. As Wilsbacher puts it, "We wrestle a tough schedule. We participate in the UNO Open, the Harold Nichols Open where our guys go up against tough D1 and D2 guys. And we do battle with the best programs in the Iowa Conference -- teams like Wartburg, Luther, Loras." When asked about the level of competition the Beavers face, coach Schwab says, "It may have an impact on our overall won-loss record, but it ultimately helps make us better." The Recruiting Picture In their first season, Mark Schwab and his coaching staff concentrated on recruiting… and their efforts have paid off, with twenty new recruits on campus for the 2005-06 season. And the future looks bright, with nearly 100 potential Buena Vista wrestlers visiting the campus this past year. "We're actively recruiting all over the area," according to assistant coach Wilsbacher. "We go over to Cedar Rapids, up to the Twin Cities, down to Centerville (Iowa). Justin (McClintock) and I worked at J Robinson's camps so we met a lot of kids up there. We keep in touch with the kids and their parents." The Buena Vista staff goes to its share of high school tournaments to watch wrestlers who may end up on the BVU roster some day. In fact, during the course of this interview, Mark Schwab was returning from the Iowa high school state tournament, where he had been scouting out the top talent in one of the hotbeds of amateur wrestling in the nation. When asked what he looks for in a recruit, Schwab immediately said, "On-the-mat performance. Guys who hustle, battle -- even if they're behind, they don't give up. I'd like to think I work well with guys who keep wrestling no matter what." Schwab then adds, "When we meet with kids and their parents, we also try to emphasize the strengths and uniqueness of BV -- our 98% placement rate of graduates, our 1:13 faculty/student ratio, the fact we were the first totally wireless campus. We have a brand-new, multi-million dollar science center, and a highly-respected business program, too." Pat Wilsbacher mentions some of the pluses of the Buena Vista wrestling program: "We have state-of-the-art facilities, including a wrestling room built just six years ago, and a new weight room. I talk about our emphasis on year 'round training -- a concept that's rare in D3. I also talk about Mark Schwab -- his emphasis on technical skills, and his excellent motivational abilities." A View of the Future The Buena Vista wrestling program has achieved a considerable turnaround in the past two seasons. But the wrestlers and coaching staff are not content to sit on their recent accomplishments. Buena Vista placed fifth at the 2006 NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals"I'd like to think we're moving forward, headed in the right direction," says Mark Schwab. "90% of our wrestlers are freshmen … and we're not losing anyone to graduation this year. We've gone up against good programs, getting our guys to endure stiff competition from D1, D2 wrestlers. It makes our guys battle-tested." "At the (2006) National Duals, we were firing on all ten cylinders at once," says Schwab. "If we could always be that fired up, it would be great." "We're always seeking ways to improve," concludes Schwab. "We're always putting ideas into practice." Based on recent accomplishments and forward-thinking vision, it would appear the view into the future of the Buena Vista program looks beautiful indeed.

His entire life, he has been the underdog. Discriminated against basically every day throughout his over 60 years of life, Bobby Douglas has always found a way to overcome adversity. His latest battle may be his toughest, however. And that is to help Real Pro Wrestling drive the sport of real wrestling into the mainstream spotlight. "For years, this sport has been waiting for something like Real Pro Wrestling to come along," Douglas said as he begins to prepare Iowa State University for a postseason for the 14th time. "There are so many great things about this sport, so many great people in this sport, that it's impossible to think that wrestling couldn't be big if there was a collaborated effort to bring it to the public. That's what Real Pro Wrestling has done -- bring the wrestling community together for the first time." Douglas is one of the coaches of the Chicago Groove, which finished a disappointing sixth place in Season 1. However, building a program is nothing new to the man that many in the wrestling consider to be the smartest technical teacher in the sport. He has written five technique books to backup that claim. Douglas built Arizona State into a powerhouse wrestling program in the 1980's, taking the Sun Devils to an NCAA team title in 1988. ASU became the smallest school ever to win an NCAA Division I team crown, and Douglas' legacy as a coach was set in stone. Maybe his secret was locked in the fanny pack he has worn for so many years. He then took over at Iowa State in 1992. 13 seasons and one Cael Sanderson later, Douglas took on the responsibility of coaching for a Real Pro Wrestling squad. He also wanted to use that opportunity wisely. Bobby Douglas gives instruction to Scott Schatzman of the Chicago Groove."What it does is it gives me a chance to stay more in touch with not only all the new techniques taking over within the sport of wrestling, but it also gives me a chance to continue to visit with more young wrestling fans around the country," Douglas said. "Those young fans are the future of this sport. They are the reason the numbers of participants and fans at events around the country continue to rise. I may know more about a takedown, but they know more about what is going to get this sport back on the map." Douglas is one of those athletes that put the sport on the map originally. As a youth born into poverty, he became the first black Ohio high school state champion while competing at Bridgeport High School in 1960. He continued on to a successful college wrestling career before earning a spot on the 1968 U.S. Olympic Team. From there, his coaching legacy began -- and it still continues. Douglas plans to continue working with RPW through Season 2 and beyond. It is in Douglas' blood to see a job all the way through. His team, which included Olympian Joe Williams and his former Iowa State wrestler and assistant coach Chris Bono, finished too low for his liking. "I think with more time, we can build a Real Pro Wrestling team that can go to the top and dominate. At Iowa State, we've had a program that has consistently been in the top five in the country since I came here, and I want to do that with whichever team I am coaching in Season 2," Douglas said. Douglas's history within the sport, both as a competitor and as a coach, should tell us to take this comment very seriously. Douglas has never not been a winner, and he doesn't plan to change that now. Clearly, there isn't much that Bobby Douglas couldn't tell you about the sport of wrestling. If he would only open that fanny pack, wrestling fans may get a glorious look at Douglas' knowledge. But until that day comes, he will have to try to squeeze one more chapter in the fanny pack -- the Real Pro Wrestling chapter. For young wrestlers: Always continue to have fun. If you aren't having fun, then you're not going to be able to drive harder towards your goals. Wrestling is a sport that takes passion and discipline, but you need to have fun. For coaches: Every match, every period, every minute of a match is not important. What is important is the growth of your athlete throughout the year. Some kids respond to criticism and some don't. You must constantly change how you handle situations on a person-by-person basis. Bobby Douglas' books are available at www.Amazon.com Book Titles: Takedown I Takedown II Pinning and Olympic Technique Take it to the Mat The Last Takedown

Stanford, Calif. -- The 2006 Pac-10 Wrestling Championships came to a close tonight in Maples Pavilion, with Arizona State edging Cal Poly, 118-115.5. The Mustangs led the team standings by 1.5 points heading into the 197 pound match, but it was a head-to-head match up with Cal Poly's Matt Monteiro and Arizona State's Ryan Bader squaring off. Bader secured a three point decision to earn his third conference title and clinch the Sun Devil's second-straight Pac-10 team title. Arizona State is now tied with Oregon State, as both have won 16 Pac-10 team titles. "This was hard earned," noted Arizona State head coach Thom Ortiz at the end of the tournament. "Cal Poly put on a great performance. They had 10 guys place and are sending seven to Nationals. We had to step it up in order to win, and thanks to [Ryan Bader] our 197-pounder, a three-time Pac-10 Champion and four-time NCAA qualifier for clinching it. Every point counted tonight." Bader, who led 1-0 on an escape heading into the third period, scored a takedown in the final 30 seconds to secure his win and his team's. "[Winning] felt good for myself as an individual, but it was even better to clinch it for the team," noted Bader. "They all do a great job and work hard." ASU finished the night with three Pac-10 champions, as Patrick Pitsch won the title at 165 pounds and Cain Velasquez ended the night with a title at heavyweight. UC Davis, which had only one conference champion before the 2006 tournament, added another two Pac-10 Champions with Derek Moore winning the title at 141 pounds and Ken Cook taking the crown at 174 pounds. Boise State also finished with two champions, as Ben Cherrington scored the lone pin of the finals with a fall over ASU's Brian Stith and Scott Jorgensen captured the 133-pound title and went on to be named the Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament. Chad Mendes won the title at 125 pounds to give Cal Poly one title, while the Mustangs' Matt Monteiro was awarded for the most falls in the least amount of time with two in a total of 3:17. Cal State Bakersfield and Oregon also claimed one champion, with the Roadrunner's Anthony Baza winning at 149 pounds and the Duck's Shane Webster snagging the 184-pound title. The Pac-10 will send 39 qualifiers to the NCAA Championships in Oklahoma City, Okla., on March 16-18. The top-three in each weight class, plus nine wildcards: Eric Stevenson (Oregon State), Omar Gaitan (UC Davis), Bobby Pfennigs (Oregon State), Morgan Atkinson (CSUF), Joey Bracamonte (Oregon), Nick Hernandez (Cal Poly), Tyler Bernacchi (UC Davis), Ryan Halsey (Cal Poly) and Dan Pitsch (Oregon State). Team Standings: 1. Arizona State (118.0) 2. Cal Poly (115.5) 3. Boise State (97.0) 3. Oregon State (93.0) 5. Cal State Bakersfield (85.0) 6. UC Davis (78.5) 7. Stanford (54.5) 8. Oregon (49.0) 9. Cal State Fullerton (41.5) 10. Portland State (1.0) NCAA Qualifiers (Pac-10 Finish): 125 Pounds Chad Mendes (1st) - Cal Poly Tanner Gardner (2nd) - Stanford Jeremy Mendoza (3rd) - Arizona State Eric Stevenson (4th, Wildcard) - Oregon State 133 Pounds Scott Jorgenson (1st) - Boise State Tommy Vargas (2nd) - Cal State Bakersfield Darrell Vasquez (3rd) - Cal Poly Omar Gaitan (4th, Wildcard) - UC Davis Bobby Pfennigs (5th, Wildcard) - Oregon State 141 Pounds Derek Moore (1st) - UC Davis Dave Roberts (2nd) - Cal Poly Kyle Larson (3rd) - Oregon State 149 Pounds Anthony Baza (1st) - Cal State Bakersfield Tyler Sherfey (2nd) - Boise State Jeff Owens (3rd) - Cal Poly Morgan Atkinson (4th, Wildcard) - Cal State Fullerton 157 Pounds Ben Cherrington (1st) - Boise State Brian Stith (2nd) - Arizona State Tony Hook (3rd) - Oregon State 165 Pounds Patrick Pitsch (1st) - Arizona State Brian Busby (2nd) - Cal State Bakersfield Ray Blake (3rd) - Stanford Joey Bracamonte (5th, Wildcard) - Oregon 174 Pounds Ken Cook (1st) - UC Davis Jeremy Larson (2nd) - Oregon State Christian Arellano (3rd) - Cal State Bakersfield Nick Hernandez (4th, Wildcard) - Cal Poly 184 Pounds Shane Webster (1st) - Oregon CB Dollaway (2nd) - Arizona State Jesse Taylor (3rd) - Cal State Fullerton Tyler Bernacchi (4th, Wildcard) - UC Davis Ryan Halsey (5th, Wildcard) - Cal Poly 197 Pounds Ryan Bader (1st) - Arizona State Matt Monteiro (2nd) - Cal Poly Casey Phelps (3rd) - Boise State Dan Pitsch (4th, Wildcard) - Oregon State Heavyweight Cain Velasquez (x) - Arizona State Ty Watterson (x) - Oregon State Andy Patrick (3rd) - Boise State Final Brackets Final Team Standings Team-by-Team Report Bout-by-Bout Report Final Place-Winners

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PARK RIDGE, Ill. -- The preliminary seeds for the 2006 Big Ten Wrestling Championships were announced today by conference officials. The pre-seeds are determined by a vote amongst the league's head wrestling coaches after consideration of regular-season results. The 2006 Big Ten Wrestling Championships will take place on Saturday, March 4, and Sunday, March 5, at Assembly Hall on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. The official Big Ten Championships bracket will be set on Friday, March 3. Top-ranked Minnesota leads all Big Ten teams with three top pre-seeds, as Mack Reiter (25-3 at 133 pounds), Dustin Schlatter (34-1 at 149) and Cole Konrad (30-0 at HWT) all earned the top-nod for the Golden Gophers. Last year, Reiter earned Big Ten champion, Freshman of the Year and Wrestler of the Championships honors. Schlatter was tabbed Big Ten Wrestler of the Week earlier in the year, while Konrad, the defending heavyweight champion, earned three weekly awards. Illinois and conference dual-meet champion Michigan each earned a pair of top pre-seeds, while Indiana, Northwestern and Penn State were all represented with one selection. Illinois' Alex Tirapelle, the two-time defending Big Ten champion, earned the top pre-seed at 157 pounds and will enter the postseason at 25-1. Tyrone Byrd, 23-4 on the year at 197 pounds, also earned the No. 1 pre-seed from the coaches. Michigan earned top selections at both 141 and 165 pounds with a pair of Churellas, in brothers Josh (22-1 at 141) and Ryan (22-0 at 165). The remaining three No. 1 pre-seeds went to the defending national champion at 125 pounds, Joe Dubuque (19-0) of Indiana, Northwestern's undefeated (28-0) sophomore at 174 pounds, Jake Herbert, and Penn State's Eric Bradley, who is currently 9-1 at 184 pounds and the two-time defending conference champion. Less than one week remains until all 11 conference schools will take to the mats for the 2006 Big Ten Wrestling Championships. Illinois, which last year won its first league title since 1952, will enter the postseason as one of nine conference teams ranked in the nation's top 20. Minnesota and Michigan are ranked first and second in the country, while Penn State and the Fighting Illini are eight and ninth, respectively. Rounding out the Big Ten contingent is Iowa (11th), Northwestern (13th), Indiana (17th), Michigan State (18th) and Wisconsin (19th). Following Illinois' winning score of 130 points from a year ago, was Minnesota (123.5), Michigan (118.0), Iowa (94.5) and Indiana (89.0) and Wisconsin (89.0) in the top five. Penn State (72.5) and Michigan State (70.5) finished seventh and eighth, respectively, while Northwestern (68.5), Purdue (38.5) and Ohio State (26.5) rounded out the field. Tickets may be purchased by contacting the Indiana University Athletics Ticket Office at 1-866-IUSPORTS or online at www.iuhoosiers.com. The complete list of pre-seeds follows. 2006 BIG TEN WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS PRELIMINARY SEEDS 125 lbs. 1. Joe Dubuque, Indiana 2. Nick Simmons, Michigan State 3. John Velez, Northwestern 4. Kyle Ott, Illinois 5. Lucas Magnani, Iowa 6. Michael Watts, Michigan 7. Travis Lang, Minnesota 8. Brad Pataky, Penn State 133 lbs. 1. Mack Reiter, Minnesota 2. Chris Fleeger, Purdue 3. Tom Clum, Wisconsin 4. Mark Moos, Michigan 5. Jake Strayer, Penn State 6. Andrae Hernandez, Indiana 7. Gabe Flores, Illinois 8. Reece Humphrey, Ohio State 141 lbs. 1. Josh Churella, Michigan 2. Andy Simmons, Michigan State 3. Alex Tsirtsis, Iowa 4. DeWitt Driscoll, Penn State 5. Ryan Lang, Northwestern 6. Cassio Pero, Illinois 7. Manuel Rivera, Minnesota 8. Ed Gutnik, Wisconsin 149 lbs. 1. Dustin Schlatter, Minnesota 2. Ty Eustice, Iowa 3. Eric Tannenbaum, Michigan 4. J Jaggers, Ohio State 5. Doug Withstandley, Purdue 6. Tyler Turner, Wisconsin 7. James Woodall, Penn State 8. Darren McKnight, Michigan State 157 lbs. 1. Alex Tirapelle, Illinois 2. Craig Henning, Wisconsin 3. C.P. Schlatter, Minnesota 4. Joe Johnston, Iowa 5. Brandon Becker, Indiana 6. Steve Luke, Michigan 7. Steve Sommer, Ohio State 8. Nathan Galloway, Penn State 165 lbs. 1. Ryan Churella, Michigan 2. Mike Poeta, Illinois 3. Matt Nagel, Minnesota 4. David Erwin, Penn State 5. Eric Luedke, Iowa 6. Jake Donar, Wisconsin 7. Will Durkee, Northwestern 8. Max Dean, Indiana 174 lbs. 1. Jake Herbert, Northwestern 2. Mark Perry, Iowa 3. R.J. Boudro, Michigan State 4. James Yonushonis, Penn State 5. Blake Maurer, Ohio State 6. Donny Reynolds, Illinois 7. Nick Roy, Michigan 8. Gabriel Dretsch, Minnesota 184 lbs. 1. Eric Bradley, Penn State 2. Ben Wissel, Purdue 3. Roger Kish, Minnesota 4. Pete Friedl, Illinois 5. Paul Bradley, Iowa 6. Mike Tamillow, Northwestern 7. Alex Picazo, Ohio State 8. Tyrel Todd, Michigan 197 lbs. 1. Tyrone Byrd, Illinois 2. Philip Davis, Penn State 3. Matt Delguyd, Northwestern 4. Brady Richardson, Indiana 5. Nathan Moore, Purdue 6. Casey White, Michigan 7. Dan Erekson, Iowa 8. Mitch Kuhlman, Minnesota HWT 1. Cole Konrad, Minnesota 2. Greg Wagner, Michigan 3. Ryan Fuller, Iowa 4. Dustin Fox, Northwestern 5. Joel Edwards, Penn State 6. Lee Kraemer, Wisconsin 7. Kirk Nail, Ohio State 8. Dave Herman, Indiana

NORMAN, Okla. -- Three Oklahoma Sooners were named to the Big 12 Wrestling 10th Anniversary Team that was announced today. The team was selected by the league's coaches. Former Sooners John Kading and Michael Lightner and current wrestler Teyon Ware were named to the 12-man team. Kading was honored for his performance during the 1997 post-season. Lightner was honored for his finishes during the 1998-01 post-season. Ware was honored for his showing during the 2003 and 2005 post-season. In order to be eligible for consideration, candidates must have been a top finisher at the Big 12s or NCAA Championship. Kading, a four-Time All-American at OU from 1994-97, won the 1996 190-pound NCAA National Title. He also won the 1996 and 1997, 190-pound Big 12 Championship. Lightner, a four-time All-American at Oklahoma from 1998-01, took home the 2001 141-pound NCAA title. He was also a four-time Big 12 champion. Current Sooner Ware is a three-time All-American (2003-05) and has won the 141-pound NCAA title twice (2003 and 2005). He is also a Big 12 Champion at 141 pounds, which he won in 2003. Oklahoma will travel to Ames, Iowa, for the Big 12 Championships on Saturday, March 4.

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Through one day of competition at the 2006 Pac-10 Wrestling Championships, the Arizona State University wrestling team stands in first place overall as five of its 10 wrestlers advanced to the individual finals at the event being held inside Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto, Calif. In the second session of the tournament, the Sun Devils won eight of 11 bouts, including five of six semifinal bouts, to score 103 points. Cal Poly is second with 90 and is followed by Cal State Bakersfield (74), Boise State (73.5) and Oregon State (70). In the championship semifinals, No. 2 Brian Stith (157) scored a 7-0 decision over No. 3 Tony Hook of Oregon State to advance where he will meet No. 1 Ben Cherrington of Boise State. Stith is no stranger to being in this position as he upset the No. 1 seeded Matt Gentry of Stanford last year in the finals to win his first title. No. 3 Patrick Pitsch (165) advanced to his first final as he scored a 4-1 decision over No. 2 Ray Blake of Stanford in the semifinals. Pitsch, who finished third one year ago, will face No. 5 Brian Busby of CSUB for the title. ASU's three heaviest weights all came out on top as well. No. 2 C.B. Dollaway (184) scored a 10-0 major decision over Cal Poly's No. 3 Ryan Halsey in the semifinals to set up a rematch of last year's final against No. 1 Shane Webster of Oregon. No. 1 Ryan Bader (197) won his semifinal, 2-0, over No. 4 Casey Walsh of BSU to set up a familiar meeting in the finals as he will take on CPU's No. 2 Matt Monteiro. Bader and Monteiro have met on several occasions, including two years ago when Monteiro competed for CSUB. The final Sun Devil finalist will be No. 1 Cain Velasquez (285) who breezed into the bout with an 18-7 major decision over No. 4 Andy Patrick of BSU. Velasquez will meet No. 2 Ty Watterson of Oregon State. The lone semifinalist that did not win was No. 1 Jeremy Mendoza (125), who suffered a 6-2 setback to No. 4 Tanner Gardner of Stanford. In the consolation draw, No. 4 Pat Payne (149) pinned his way back into the hunt for a place at the national meet as he scored two falls in a row to set up a meeting with No. 3 Jeff Owens of CPU in the consolation semifinals. A win will see him battle for third place while a loss will send him to the battle for fifth. Joining him in the same situation is No. 6 Jason Robbins (141). Robbins scored a 9-2 decision over Jordan Brock of BSU. John Espinoza (133) fell, 8-2, to No. 6 Omar Gaitan to get bounced from the tournament while Chris Remsen (174) also suffered his second defeat, falling to Ben Gilliland of BSU, 5-3. Monday's morning session will see the conclusion of the consolation bouts, including bouts for third and fifth places. The finals will begin at 6 p.m. (PST) in the final session of the event.

Head Coach Pat Pecora and the #6-ranked Mountain Cat wrestlers claimed their third straight and 19th overall Regional title with four champions and eight National Qualifiers at Saturday's 2006 NCAA Division II East Regional Tournament at Kutztown University. Pitt Johnstown's 136 team points were 17 points better than second place Mercyhurst's 119 points. 2005 National Champion Thad Benton (141 lbs.) (Claysburg, Pa.) was named the 2006 East Region Outstanding Wrestler while Coach Pat Pecora was named East Region Coach of the Year. Sophomore Brandon Reasy (133 lbs.) (New Enterprise, Pa.), Benton (141 lbs.) and All-Americans Eli Garshnick (174 lbs.) (Armagh, Pa.) and Mike Corcetti (184 lbs.) (Export, Pa.) all won individual championships to lead the eight National Qualifiers. Reasy posted a 4-0 record and defeated Matt Moser (West Liberty State), 5-1 in the title bout, while Benton earned a 16-5 major decision over J.J. Zanetta (Mercyhurst) to claim the championship at 141 lbs. Corcetti and Garshnick both recorded 3-0 records on their way titles. Corcetti handed Shippensburg's Mark Murphy a 14-9 loss, and Garshnick defeated Tommy Clark (West Liberty State), 3-1, in their championship matches. Junior Mike Fowler (197 lbs.) (Carrolltown, Pa.) also placed third when he picked up a 14-5 major decision over Darryl Scott (Anderson). Senior two-time National Qualifier Zach Majocha (HWT.) (Upper Burrell, Pa.) placed second after suffering a 1-0 loss to Jacob Lininger (Shippensburg), while Albert Miles (165 lbs.) (Canonsburg, Pa.) battled back from an opening round loss to finish third. Miles dealt Alonzo Azumendi (Newberry) a 7-6 loss to win the Third Place match. Junior Joe Strittmatter (157 lbs.) (Ebensburg, Pa.) also rebounded from a first round loss to wrestle back and win the True Fourth place match. After defeating Herb Porter (Anderson), 4-2, in the Fifth Place match, Strittmatter had the chance to wrestle for a True Fourth and took advantage of his opportunity by winning an 11-3 major decision over Justin Goneau (West Liberty State) to advance to Nationals. Seniors Ryon Mazzocco (125 lbs.) (Cresson, Pa.) and Jay Matteo (149 lbs.) (New Castle, Pa.) both placed sixth. Mazzocco suffered a 5-0 loss to Daniel Clausing (Limestone) in the semifinals, before having to injury default in his next two matches. Matteo finished with a 1-3 record after falling 9-2 to Joey Hagedorn (West Liberty State) in the Fifth Place match. Pitt Johnstown and Mercyhurst finished first and second in team points, followed by West Liberty State (WV) College (97.5 pts.), Gannon (86.5 pts.), Shippensburg University (80 pts.), Kutztown University (68.5 pts.), Anderson (S.C.) College (45.5 pts.), Newberry (S.C.) College (43 pts.), Limestone (S.C.) College (35 pts.), UNC-Pembroke (31.5 pts.), Belmont-Abbey (N.C.) College (10 pts.) and American International (MA) College (.5 pts.).

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. -- Kyle Evans, Jared Hess and Chris Finn captured individual titles to pave the way as Central Oklahoma regained its perch atop the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional here Saturday. The Bronchos, who had a 15-year run of regional championships ended with last year's third-place finish, rolled to a dominating 33.5-point victory in the team race while advancing nine of their 10 individuals to the national tournament March 10-11 in Findlay, Ohio. Evans (141), Hess (174) and Finn (285) won three matches each to take individual crowns, with UCO also getting runner-up finishes from 125 Shane Caruthers, 149 Shea Timothy and 165 Cort Petersen. Also qualifying for the national meet were third-place finishers Earl Jones (133) and Jason Leavitt (157) and fourth-placer Heath Jolley (197), while 184 Kenny Meredith failed to advance after taking sixth. The No. 3-ranked Bronchos finished with 138.5 points to easily outdistance runner-up No. 12 Wisconsin-Parkside's 105-point total. No. 18 Findlay was third in the nine-team tourney with 88 points, followed by No. 7 Ashland (86.5) and No. 14 Truman State (74). "We came here with the intention of qualifying all 10 guys for the national tournament and came up a little short of that, but it was still a good day," UCO coach David James said. "We won some tight matches that we had to have and really had some individuals step up today. "We put ourselves in position for the national tournament and now we've got to work hard the next two weeks to get ready." Evans won his second straight Midwest Regional title with a repeat win over Central Missouri State's Wade Kilgore, scoring a third-period fall. Evans broke a 2-2 tie with a takedown and two-point near-fall in the second period, then escaped early in the third period and took Kilgore to his back to get the fall at the 5:29 mark. Hess capped a dominating tournament with a 17-4 major decision of Indianapolis' Mike Jackson to earn his first national tournament berth, scoring five takedowns and two near-falls in that rout. Finn took his title with a methodical 7-3 triumph over CMSU's Dan Moore, getting a takedown in each period to secure the win. Caruthers fell in the finals to Ashland's Mike Compton 5-2, Timothy dropped a 4-2 decision to Findlay's Tony Guerra and Petersen had a 14-match winning streak ended with a 15-3 loss to Blake Peterson of Truman State. Jones came back from a semifinal loss with two consolation wins, taking third with a tight 3-2 win over Jesse Emery of Ashland, while Leavitt rebounded from a quarterfinal loss with three straight wins in finishing third. Caruthers made the finals with two decisions, topping Indianapolis' Jimmy Nichols 5-1 in the first round and slipping past Allen Stokes of Truman State 8-5 in the semifinals. He got a takedown and two-point near fall in the final minute to clinch the win over Nichols and secure a national tournament berth. Evans rolled to a 19-3 technical fall in his opening-round match before needing a riding time point to edge Ashland's Zach Meisner 5-4 in the semis. Evans led 3-1 after the first period and was up 4-2 in the third when Meisner scored a late takedown, with Evans' 2:55 riding time advantage giving him the match-winning point. Timothy also rolled in his opener with a first-period fall then overcame an early 2-0 deficit for an 8-3 semifinal victory over Charlie Pingleton of Indianapolis. Timothy had an escape and takedown to take a 3-2 lead after the first period, then pulled away with a reverse in the second and takedown in the third. Petersen had an 11-1 major decision in the first round before getting a pair of late takedowns in a tough 7-5 win over Adam Morris of Findlay in the semifinals. Petersen's takedown at the first-period buzzer gave him a 2-0 lead, but Morris came back to take a 6-5 lead in the final minute of the match before Petersen got the match-winning takedown with 18 seconds left. Hess had no trouble advancing to the finals, scoring a third-period fall in his opening match and then piling up 9-2 third-period lead in the semis when Ashland's Clint Carmony was forced to default because of injury. Finn stormed to a 9-2 win in his first match then pinned Indianapolis' Joey Navarro at the 4:39 mark to make the finals. He broke a scoreless tie on an escape five seconds into the second period then threw Navarro to his back for a quick fall with 21 seconds left in the stanza. MIDWEST REGIONAL Team Scores 1.Central Oklahoma 138.5; 2, Wisconsin-Parkside 105; 3, Findlay 88; 4, Ashland 86.5; 5, Truman State 74; 6, Central Missouri State 71.5; 7, Carson-Newman 60.5; 8, Indianapolis 51; 9, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 1. Championship Finals 125: Mike Compton, AU, dec. Shane Caruthers, UCO, 5-2. 141: Kyle Evans, UCO, pinned Wade Kilgore, CMSU, 5:29. 149: Tony Guerra, Findlay, dec. Shea Timothy, UCO, 4-2. 165: Blake Peterson, TSU, major dec. Cort Petersen, UCO, 15-3. 174: Jared Hess, UCO, major dec. Mike Jackson, Indy, 17-4. 285: Chris Finn, UCO, dec. Dan Moore, CMSU, 7-3. Consolation Finals 133: Earl Jones, UCO, dec. Jesse Emery, AU, 3-2. 157: Jason Leavitt, UCO, dec. Dustin Teeman, TSU, 8-2. 197: Ryan Kirst, AU, dec. Heath Jolley, UCO, 7-3. Fifth Place 184: Matt Allen, AU, dec. Kenny Meredith, UCO, 3-2. Championship Semifinals 125: Caruthers, UCO, dec. Allen Stokes, TSU, 8-5. 133: Shane Perkey, Indy, dec. Jones, UCO, 3-2. 141: Evans, UCO, dec. Zach Meisner, AU, 5-4. 149: Timothy, UCO, dec. Charlie Pingleton, Indy, 165: Petersen, UCO, dec. Adam Morris, Findlay, 7-5. 174: Hess, UCO, by injury default over Clint Carmony, AU, 6:24. 197: Plamen Paskalev, CMSU, pinned Jolley, UCO, 0:56. 285: Finn, UCO, pinned Joey Navarro, Indy, 4:39. Championship First Round 125: Caruthers, UCO, dec. Jimmy Nichols, Indy, 5-1. 133: Jones, UCO, pinned Dan Keller, TSU, 6:24. 141: Evans, UCO, tech. fall Alex Cate, C-N, 19-3 (4:23). 149: Timothy, UCO, pinned William Forrest, CMSU, 2:38. 157: Stephen Humphrey, C-N, dec. Leavitt, UCO, 4-2. 165: Petersen, UCO, major dec. Aaron Brooks, Indy,11-1. 174: Hess, UCO, pinned Jacob Petri, SIUE, 6:15. 184: Matt Allen, AU, dec. Meredith, UCO, 8-3. 197: Jolley, UCO, dec. Steve Doeschot, TSU, 6-0. 285: Finn, UCO, major dec. Matt Craig, TSU, 10-2. Consolation First Round 184: Meredith, UCO, dec. Jeremy Hudson, CMSU, 3-2. Consolation Quarterfinals 157: Leavitt, UCO, major dec. Mike Horton, Indy,11-2. 184: Meredith, UCO, major dec. Daniel Midgett, SIUE,17-4. Consolation Semifinals 133: Jones, UCO, pinned Kent Pierson, C-N, 0:59. 157: Leavitt, UCO, dec. Angelo Vettesse, Findlay, 4-2. 184: Nate Jones, C-N, tech. fall Meredith, UCO, 16-1. 197: Jolley, UCO, dec. Justin Tazzi, Findlay, 6-3.

Kearney, Neb. -- For the fifth straight season, and for the sixth time in seven years, the Nebraska-Kearney wrestling team has won the RMAC/West Region Championship. Today in Gunnison, Colo., the Lopers scored 133 points to beat out Adams State (114.5) and Fort Hays State (114) for the team trophy. The field consisted of eight teams, including a first year program (New Mexico Highlands) and RMAC-affiliated member San Francisco State. UNK's six team wrestling titles are now the second most in conference history. Adams holds the mark with 19. Head coach Marc Bauer was tabbed RMAC Coach of the Year, the fifth time he has won the award, while Bennington sophomore Brett Allgood (133 lbs.) was named the meet's Most Outstanding Wrestler. Now 35-5 on the season, Allgood had two pins and a major to score the most points of any individual (16) at the meet. The Lopers placed seven in the event finals and had nine wrestlers win at least two matches. UNK ended up with five champions, tying the school-record from last year, and will have eight wrestlers going to the NCAA Championships in two weeks. The Lopers and Adams squared off four times in the finals with UNK and Hays battling it out in three weight classes. Kansas junior Trevor Charbonneau , the 2nd seed in the meet but ranked No. 1 nationally, beat top-seed Rob McCabe of Adams, 3-1. During the regular season, McCabe edged Charbonneau, 3-2. At 133 lbs., Allgood majored 2nd-seed, and No. 2 ranked, Raymond Dunning of Adams for the second time this winter, 17-8. Lyman senior Jeff Sylvester (197 lbs.) also beat an Adams Grizzly to place first. The top seed in his class, he pinned 3rd-seed Casey Woodall at 6:42. This is Sylvester's third straight RMAC/West Region title, a school record. And by winning twice today, he moves into 3rd place on the Loper career wins list (114). Winning his second straight title was Texas sophomore heavyweight Tervel Dlagnev . He beat Fort Hays State's Andrew Ubben, 5-1, in the finals. The effort also is Dlagnev's 39th victory, breaking his own school-record for wins in a single season. The Lopers' final champion was Arizona senior Tanner Linsacum (184 lbs.). The transfer from Northern Colorado ran his win streak to 22 straight matches after he edged second-seed Mike Howell of Hays, 3-2. Placing second were Lincoln sophomore Jeff Rutledge (141 lbs.) and Wahoo redshirt freshman Paul Sutton (174 lbs.). Seeded second, Rutledge got into the finals by edging sixth-seed Ryan Hoffman of Chadron, 6-5. Top seed Brian Pitts of Adams proved to be to much in the finals, 5-1. The third-seeded Sutton pulled an upset in the semifinals, pinning 2nd-seed Charlie Pipher of Western at 2:13. In the finals, Sutton fell to top seed Aaron Meister of Hays, 5-3. Also going to the NCAA's will be Mitchell junior Matt True . Now a three-time national qualifier, True placed third at 149 lbs. with a 3-1 mark. Seeded fourth, True beat second-seeded Mark Pfeiffer of Chadron, 8-5, in the third place match. True's lone setback came in to the semis to No. 1 seed Camille DuPont of Western, 7-6. Finally, Omaha junior Kasey Kohl had two falls to place fifth at 165 lbs. .

The Mavericks crowned five champions to win the team title in the NCAA II North Regional Sunday at Lee & Helene Sapp Fieldhouse. UNO will send all 10 wrestlers to the NCAA II national tournament March 10-11 in Findlay, Ohio, to try for a third straight national championship. Cody Garcia, Mitch Waite, Patrick Allibone, J.D. Naig and Les Sigman all won regional titles. For Sigman, who claimed a technical fall over Cris Bietz of Augustana, it was his 69th straight victory. The victory also earned UNO's Mike Denney the Coach of the Year Award. Andy Pickar of Minnesota State, Mankato was named the outstanding wrestler and UNO's Cody Garcia earned the award for the most falls in the least time with two in just 2:24. Team Standings (National Qualifiers): 1, Nebraska-Omaha, 139.5 (10) 2, Augustana, 119 (8) 3, Minnesota State, Mankato, 118.5 (9) 4, Upper Iowa, 93.5 (4) 5, Minnesota State, Moorhead, 75.5 (7) 6, Southwest Minnesota State, 41 (2) 7, Northern State, 40.5 8, St. Cloud State, 11.0 Finals Matches: 125: Cody Garcia, UNO, WBF, Tyler Mumbulo, Upper Iowa, :34 133: Ralph Acosta, Upper Iowa, dec. Dan Hilario, UNO, 9-2 141: Mitch Waite, UNO, dec. Andre' VanderVelde, Augustana, 12-9 149: Ryan King, Augustana, dec. Shane Unger, UNO, 5-3, ovt. 157: Patrick Allibone, UNO, dec. Math Bitz, Minnesota State, Mankato, 1-0 165: Andy Pickar, Minn. State, Mankato, dec. Ross Taplin, UNO, 4-2, ovt, TB 174: J.D. Naig, UNO, dec. Travis Krinkie, Minnesota State, Mankato, 6-4 184: John Koons, Minnesota State, Mankato, dec. Nate Buys, Augustana, 5-1 197: Tim Boldt, Augustana, WBTF, Nick Edmonds, UNO, 19-4, 6:50 Hwt: Les Sigman, UNO, WBTF, Cris Bietz, Augustana, 6:45, 19-3

It's state championship time in many states across this great country. It's also a breath away from the NCAA Championships in Oklahoma City. I have to tell you it doesn't get a whole lot better than this. Saturday's show is a little different as we start with Steve Foster and Tony Wenck in the studio with a bunch of in studio special guests. Some former wrestlers turned MMA fighters are scheduled to stop by. They know what this time of the year means. 9:05 AM Assist. Dana College Coach Rich Fergola will give us a Viking Update. We'll also take a look at the current collegiate standings as we rush to March. 10:05 AM -- A legend in the state of Iowa at the top of hour #2. Bud Legg Information Director of the IHSAA will join us. I know you are excited to see how this season turns out as much as I am. There are 3 or 4 legitimate contenders or pretenders to the crown. Will it be a crown of gold or one made of thorns. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Tune in this Saturday at our new time 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

GREELEY, Colorado -- Utah Valley State closed out its 2005-06 season on a high note by sweeping Air Force and Northern Colorado to finish the season with a 9-9 dual record in just its third season of existence. The Wolverines opened the day with Air Force and led from start to finish to win 24-20 in a dual that was clinched before the final match began. In the season finale, Utah Valley State won seven straight matches to blow out Northern Colorado 32-10 and avenge an earlier 23-21 loss to the Bears in Orem. The 22-point margin of victory is a school record against a Divsion-I opponent for the Wolverines. "I'm so proud of the team. The guys just wrestled great," said head coach Cody Sanderson. "We wrestled better as a team today than we have all year." In the win over host Northern Colorado, Bigney started the match with an 8-5 decision over Tim Sexton to give UV a 3-0 lead. #20 Reece Hopkin then gave Northern Colorado the lead after pinning Jaime Thornblad one minute into the match. Heavyweight Dallin Norton quickly returned the favor though as it took him just one second longer to pin Justin Tuell. 125 pounder Talon Vickers followed Norton with an 8-5 decision over Beau Hessler to give the Wolverines a 12-6 lead, giving Vickers a personal best 22 wins on the season. Senior Erkin Tadzhimetov ended his college career with a 15-2 major decision over Kyle Swenson at 133 pounds, earning him his school record 30th win of the year and giving Utah Valley a 16-6 lead. At 141 pounds Daniel Polkowske got a big win for the Wolverines when he pinned Richard Lohr with :47 seconds left in the first period, giving UV a big 22-6 advantage and deflating Northern Colorado's spirits. Justin Rawle then clinched it for Utah Valley State when he scored a 7-3 decision over Kyle LeValley, giving UV an insurmountable 25-6 lead. Wolverine junior Tanner Cowan topped Nathan Gerrard in an 11-2 major decision at 157 pounds to stretch the lead to 29-6 before Devin Siddoway made it 32-6 with a 9-4 decision over Devan Lewis. Northern Colorado's Shawn Hart won by major decision, 10-1 over Garret Story in the final match of the night. In the day's opening dual against Air Force, Bigney began the match by pinning Zane Hershey 1:21 into the match. Following a Air Force major decision at 197, Dallin Norton scored a 4-2 decision over Frank McGrath. Then, thanks in part to a forfeit at 125 pounds by Air Force, the Wolverines built a 21-4 lead after Tadzhimetov's fall over Brandon Strong with 1:20 left in the 2nd period. Air Force then came back to win a decision at 141 pounds and a fall at 149 to cut the lead to 21-13. Tanner Cowan then scored a big 7-2 decision over Bridger Lord to extend the lead to 24-13 and force the Falcons two win twice by fall to have a chance to win the match. Utah Valley State clinched it at 165 pounds despite the fact that Devin Siddoway lost to Zach Lord 4-3. The match made the score 24-16 with just one match to go. "Beating Air Force is a huge win for this program," said Sanderson. "They've been around a long time. This is a major step for us to beat them." Vickers (22-10), Tadzhimetov (30-8), Polkowske (17-16), Bigney (17-13) and Norton (14-13) all finished the season above .500 for Utah Valley State. Match Results: Utah Valley State 24 - Air Force 20 184 - Ivan Bigney (UVSC) pinned Zane Hershey (AF), 1:21 197 - Brenden McLean (AF) maj. dec. Jaime Thornblad (UVSC), 12-3 HWT - Dallin Norton (UVSC) dec. Frank McGrath (AF), 4-2 125 - Talon Vickers (UVSC) wins by forfeit 133 - Erkin Tadzhimetov (UVSC) pins Brandon Strong (AF), 3:40 141 - Jake Kreigbaum (AF) dec. Daniel Polkowske (UVSC), 5-3 149 - Chris Nissen (AF) pins Justin Rawle (UVSC), 2:15 157 - Tanner Cowan (UVSC) dec. Bridger Lord (AF), 7-2 165 - Zach Lord (AFA) dec. Devin Siddoway (UVSC), 4-3 174 - Stephen Crozier (AF) maj. dec. Garret Story (UVSC), 10-2 Utah Valley State 32 - Northern Colorado 10 184 – Ivan Bigney (UVSC) dec. Tim Sexton (NCOL), 8-5 197 – #20 Reece Hopkin (NCOL) pinned Jaime Thornblad (UVSC), 1:00 HWT – Dallin Norton (UVSC) pinned Justin Tuell (NCOL), 1:01 125 – Talon Vickers (UVSC) dec. Beau Hessler (NCOL), 8-5 133 – Erkin Tadzhimetov (UVSC) maj. dec. Kyle Swenson (NCOL), 15-2 141 – Daniel Polkowske (UVSC) pinned Richard Lohr (NCOL), 2:13 149 – Justin Rawle (UVSC) dec. Kyle LeValley (NCOL), 7-3 157 – Tanner Cowan (UVSC) maj. dec. Nathan Gerrard (NCOL), 11-2 165 – Devin Siddoway (UVSC) dec. Devan Lewis (NCOL), 9-4 174 – Shawn Hart (NCOL) maj. dec. Garret Story (UVSC), 14-1

NORMAN, Okla. -- The Sooners (11-6-1, 1-4) defeated Michigan State Spartans (4-10, 2-6), 24-11, Thursday inside the Howard McCasland Field House. Thursday also marked senior night for five Sooners. Wrestling in their last home dual were Austin David, Jake Hager, Shane Kidd, Wes Roberts and Teyon Ware. "I thought it was a good strong win overall," said head coach Jack Spates. "We knew going in we were going to be a little handicapped sitting Wes (Roberts) and Justin (Dyer) and that concerned us." Wrestling for the first time since Nov. 12, Joe Comparin defeated Jeff Wimberley by a decision of 4-2, in their 133 pound match. Comparin scored on an escape and a penalty point in the second period and scored a takedown in the third period to come up with his first win of the season. Jarrod King and Jake Hager both scored big for the Sooners. King defeated Bryan Harney by a technical fall 17-0, in their 165 pound match. Hager defeated Max Lossen in the heavyweight match by a major decision of 12-3, in his final home dual of his career. Scoring decisions for Oklahoma were Teyon Ware, Matt Storniolo, Will Rowe and Joel Flaggert. Ware defeated Andy Simmons 10-3 in the 141 pound bout. Storniolo defeated Darren McKnight 5-0 in the 149 pound match. Rowe defeated Tony Greathouse 6-2 at 157 pounds and Flaggert won 7-3 in the 197 pound match over Jeff Clemens. "We need to get everyone healthy for the Big 12 championships but I feel very confident going in," continued Spates. "Were coming into form and our guys are hungry and were very excited." Oklahoma will travel to Ames, Iowa, for the Big 12 Championships on Saturday, March 4. Weight-By-Weight Results: 125: Nick Simmons (MSU) dec. 4-2 Sam Hazewinkel (OU) 133: Joe Comparin (OU) dec. 4-2 Jeff Wimberley (MSU) 141: Teyon Ware (OU) dec. 10-3 Andy Simmons (MSU) 149: Matt Storniolo (OU) dec. 5-0 Darren McKnight (MSU) 157: Will Rowe (OU) dec. 6-2 Tony Greathouse (MSU) 165: Jarrod King (OU) tech. fall 17-0 Bryan Harney (MSU) 174: R.J. Boudro (MSU) maj. dec. 16-4 Chris DeVillbiss (OU) 184: Joe Williams (MSU) maj. dec. 18-8 Travis West (OU) 197: Joel Flaggert (OU) dec. 7-3 Jeff Clemens (MSU) HWT: Jake Hager (OU) maj. dec. 12-3 Max Lossen (MSU)

Dave Schultz was one of the all-time greats. Not just because he was an NCAA champion or an Olympic gold medalist … but because of his genuine good nature and generous spirit. Ten years ago, Dave's life was taken in a senseless, bizarre murder that sounds straight out of a really awful movie. Only this was really awful real life. RevWrestling.com seeks to pay tribute to Dave Schultz with a series of articles that address various aspects of his life and legacy. In the two previous chapters, we've shared the thoughts of friends and family. This segment focuses on the lasting legacies of Dave Schultz… and how his memory lives on in events and awards that bear his name, and in wrestlers who competed at the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club and as members of Team Foxcatcher. Dave SchultzA decade after his murder, Dave Schultz continues to live in the hearts of wrestlers and wrestling fans, thanks in large part to his incredible wrestling talent, and even more generous soul. In addition, the memory of Dave lives on in a number of ways, including events and awards named in his honor … as well as in all the great athletes who were once teammates at Foxcatcher where Dave coached, and the wrestlers who competed for the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club. Events and Awards Carry on Dave's Name The Dave Schultz Memorial International Championships: In 1999, this event was established by USA Wrestling and Nancy Schultz to honor Dave's love of international competition. After one year at Fort Carson, Colorado, the event moved to the US Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs where it has been held each year since. On February 2-4, the 2006 Dave Schultz Memorial brought together some of the world's best wrestlers in freestyle and Greco-Roman competition. Fourteen US wrestlers won gold medals, along with competitors from Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Sweden, and Uzbekistan. In men's freestyle, all seven champs were from the US: Matt Azevedo at 55kg/121 lbs, Mike Zadick at 60kg/132 lbs, Chris Bono at 66kg/145.5 lbs, Joe Williams at 74kg/163 lbs, Mo Lawal at 84kg/185 lbs, Nick Preston at 76kg/211.5 lbs, and Tolly Thompson at 120kg/264 lbs. There was a bit more international flavor in the men's Greco-Roman titlewinners. Gold medalists from the US include Lindsey Durlacher at 55kg/121 lbs, Harry Lester at 66kg/145.5 lbs, and TC Dantzler at 74kg/163 lbs. Other gold medal winners include Uzbekistani wrestlers Dilchod Aripov of Uzbekistan at 60kg/132 lbs and Denis Zdonikov at 84kg/185 lbs, Sweden's Jimmy Lidberg at 96kg/211.5 lbs, and David Vala of the Czech Republic at 120kg/264 lbs. Team USA won half of the gold medals available in women's freestyle competition: Stephanie Murata at 48kg/105.5 lbs, Patricia Miranda at 51kg/112 lbs, Alaina Benrube at 63kg/138.5lbs, and Kristie Marano at 67kg/147.5 lbs. Canada claimed two gold: Tonya Verbeek at 55kg/121 lbs, and Breanne Graham at 59kg/130 lbs. Bulgaria's Stanka Zlateva Hristova won the gold medal at 72kg/158 lbs. USA Wrestling Dave Schultz State Championships in California: In a fitting tribute to the Palo Alto native, California USA Wrestling named its annual Kids/Cadet State Championships in honor of Dave Schultz. In 2006, the event will be held on May 12-14 at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose. Dave Schultz High School Excellence Awards: To honor an outstanding high school senior wrestler, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma has established this annual award, which is based equally on outstanding wrestling success, scholastic achievement, and citizenship or community service. Candidates are chosen at the state and regional levels, with a national winner being presented at the Hall of Fame's Honors Weekend each summer. Past national winners of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award include: Dave Kjeldaard (from Iowa) in 1996, Jeff Knupp (Ohio) in 1997, Justin Ruiz (Utah) and Garrett Lowney (Minnesota) in 1998, Zach Robertson (Kansas) at 1999, Ben Connell (South Carolina) in 2000, Steve Mocco (New Jersey) in 2001, Teyon Ware (Oklahoma) in 2002, C.P. Schlatter (Ohio) in 2003, Coleman Scott (Pennsylvania) in 2004, and Troy Nickerson (New York) in 2005. The Dave Schultz Wrestling Club The Dave Schultz Wrestling Club (DSWC) was established in March 1996 by Dave's widow Nancy to honor the memory of her husband … and to provide support and opportunities for Team Foxcatcher wrestlers and other friends of Dave who needed a place to practice after Dave's murder. During its ten years of existence, the DSWC -- a part of the Dave Schultz Wrestling Foundation -- helped to develop hundreds of wrestlers, many who made names for themselves in the highest levels of freestyle and Greco-Roman competition in the US and around the world … as well as in other sporting endeavors. The mission statement at the DSWC Web site says, "Athletes who are chosen to represent the DSWC display the kind of character, sportsmanship and devotion to wrestling that were trademarks of Dave Schultz. The Dave Schultz Wrestling Foundation is committed to improving wrestling in the US, developing outstanding athletes and creating role models and citizens for the future." In the spring of 2005, it was announced that the senior-level national program of the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club would not continue after the conclusion of the 2004-2005 USA Wrestling international season. In a quote from a USA Wrestling announcement dated April 22, 2005, Nancy Schultz said, "Wrestling in the US today is stronger and more vital than I have ever seen. There are more clubs and support for our national teams than at any other point in my lifetime. It is with this knowledge that I am choosing to close the doors of the Dave Schultz Wrestling Foundation. I have poured my heart and soul into this program, but now, for many personal reasons, it is time for me to turn my attention back to my family. They need my help and support right now." Later in that same announcement, Nancy Schultz is quoted as saying, "I am proud of the legacy of the Dave Schultz Wrestling Foundation. In March of 1996, my goal was to sponsor the twenty athletes left behind in the way of the tragedy at Foxcatcher. My goal was to find support for six months for the athletes to have funding, coaches, facilities and equipment to make it to the Olympic Trials for the Atlanta Olympic Games. To say the very least, we surpassed our six-month projection." The affiliate sites -- located at college campuses across the nation – continue to use the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club identity for their club programs. In addition, the foundation continues to support special events and projects, including the Dave Schultz Memorial Invitational Tournament. DSWC's Olympians and World Champions Among the world-class competitors to come out of the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club, a handful has wrestled in and won at the Olympics and World Championships. Within months of its founding, DSWC wrestler Kurt Angle won the gold medal in 100 kg/220 pound freestyle competition at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Four years later, DSWC team member Brandon Slay was awarded the gold medal in freestyle at 76 kg/167.5 pounds at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. At the 2004 Olympics in Athens – the first modern Olympics to feature women's freestyle wrestling -- Patricia Miranda claimed the bronze medal in the 48 kg/105.5 lb weight class. Other Dave Schultz wrestlers who competed in the Olympics include Cary Kolat in freestyle and Heath Sims in Greco-Roman at the 2000 Olympics, and Tela O'Donnell at the 2004 Olympics. In addition to these Olympians, the DSWC can also claim Stephen Neal, who was crowned the freestyle super-heavyweight champ at the 1999 World Championships in Ankara, Turkey. Updates on Some DSWC Wrestlers Veterans of the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club continue to do great things in the wrestling world … and beyond. Danielle Hobeika brings a unique perspective to wrestling photography as someone who competes as a freestyle wrestler. When she's not on the mat, she's at the mat's edge, capturing the action at major amateur wrestling events and the 2005 season of Real Pro Wrestling. She also designs and maintains a number of wrestling-related Web sites, including homepages for top competitors and the AmateurWrestlingPhotos.com Web site. Jesse Jantzen has some considerable firsts in the first quarter-century of his life: first-ever four-time New York State high school champion … first NCAA champ from Harvard in 60+ years (2004) … one of the first five World University Games champs from the US (winning gold in 2005) … and a competitor in the first season of Real Pro Wrestling. Jantzen continues to compete and assist with coaching at his college alma mater. Mary Kelly -- who wrestled at Mahomet-Seymour high school in Illinois -- is currently ranked second at 51kg/112 lbs on the US women's freestyle team. Cary KolatCary Kolat now heads up grassroots marketing efforts for Sharpie and Paper Mate pens as Marketing Director, Wrestling. This legendary four-time Pennsylvania high school state champ and two-time NCAA titlist for Penn State and Lock Haven continues to support wrestling with marketing programs directed to participants and fans of the sport, as well as by sponsoring major wrestling events such as the annual Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic featuring the best high school seniors from Pennsylvania taking on the nation's best wrestlers. Kolat was also recognized as the best high school wrestler over the past 20 years by RevWrestling.com. Patricia Miranda isn't sitting on her laurels as the very first woman to win an Olympic medal for the US. This DSWC alum and Stanford grad -- who wrestled on the men's team -- also earned a gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games, and was named 2004 Woman of the Year by USA Wrestling. Fittingly, she won the 51kg/112 lb championship at the 2006 Dave Schultz Memorial Invitational, and was named outstanding woman wrestler. If this weren't enough, Miranda is enrolled in law school at Yale. Stephen Neal just completed his fourth year as offensive guard for the New England Patriots. In addition to his two back-to-back NCAA heavyweight titles while at Cal State Bakersfield (1998 and 1999) and his 1999 World Championship gold medal, Neal now owns two NFL Super Bowl championship rings. Tela O'Donnell -- an Alaska native who represented the US at the 2004 Olympics -- is currently ranked second at 59kg/130 lbs on the US women's freestyle world team. Tommy Rowlands -- a two-time NCAA heavyweight champ for Ohio State in 2002 and 2004 -- won the 2005 World University Games 96 kg/211 lb freestyle championship, only the third American to achieve this honor. In addition to his freestyle career, Rowlands is now working for the Buckeye wrestling program, and competed in the 2005 season of Real Pro Wrestling. Brandon Slay was the first Texan to win a wrestling gold medal in the history of the modern Olympics. A Texas high school state champ from Amarillo, Slay was a two-time NCAA finalist from the University of Pennsylvania. This graduate of Penn's prestigious Wharton School of Business now manages his Greater Gold foundation, and is a motivational speaker. Dan Wirnsberger -- a three-time All American, 1995 Big Ten champ and NCAA finalist at 158 pounds for Michigan State -- served as an assistant coach at Virginia Tech and head coach at Bloomsburg before becoming head wrestling coach at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania in 2005. In addition, a number of wrestlers who competed for the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club were participants in the first official season of Real Pro Wrestling. In fact, of the 56 wrestlers competing in Real Pro Wrestling in 2005, more than 10% were DSWC alumni, including Eric Akin, Tim Dernlan, Jared Frayer, Jesse Jantzen, Brian Keck, Tommy Rowlands, Scott Schatzman, and Ryan Tobin. Catching Up With Some Foxcatcher Vets Team Foxcatcher will always be associated with the murder of its last coach, Dave Schultz. However, a number of wrestlers who were part of this program achieved greatness in their wrestling careers and in life off the mats. Kurt Angle may well be today the most widely-recognized wrestler to come out of the Foxcatcher program. A two-time NCAA heavyweight champ for Clarion University in the early 1990s, Angle won the gold at the 1996 Olympics. He tried his hand as a TV sportscaster in his native Pittsburgh … then entered the world of professional wrestling, where he became a WWE champ. In March 2005, Angle was one of only fifteen college wrestlers to be named to the NCAA 75th Anniversary Team in an online vote of wrestling fans. Terry Brands -- a two-time NCAA champ for the University of Iowa in the early 1990s -- claimed a bronze medal in freestyle competition at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. For three years, Terry had been head wrestling coach at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga; in 2005, he became resident coach at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Tom Brands -- twin brother of Terry, and three-time NCAA champ at Iowa -- won the gold medal in freestyle competition at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. After working as an assistant coach for the Hawkeyes, Tom Brands is now the head coach at Virginia Tech. Tom was named to the NCAA 75th Anniversary Team at the 2005 NCAAs. Dan Chaid -- a four-time All-American and 190 lb NCAA champ for the Oklahoma Sooners in 1985 -- spent nine years at Foxcatcher … then the next decade at the Dave Schultz club. Chaid is now a history teacher at Wilcox High School in Santa Clara, California where he had been wrestling coach until a year ago. Real Pro Wrestling fans will remember Chaid as the coach of the California Claw during the 2005 season. Glenn Goodman -- a four-time Florida high school state champ and Pan Am Games gold medalist -- is now director of Pride Wrestling Camps in Clearwater, Florida. Jim Humphrey Jim Humphrey -- a Big Ten champ in 1972 and two-time World Team member -- was hired as head coach at Indiana University in 1985 … then became coach at Foxcatcher from 1989 to 1992. After leaving Foxcatcher, Humphrey worked for Johnson & Johnson but recently re-entered the wrestling world as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Ohio State. Kevin Jackson -- who was kicked out of Foxcatcher by John du Pont -- won a freestyle gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics … along with two additional world titles, making him one of only five US wrestlers to earn three world-level titles. After a stint as a no-holds-barred competitor, Jackson is now US Olympic freestyle team coach. Valentin Jordanov was a seven-time world champion and two-time Olympic medalist, winning a bronze medal in 1992, and gold in 1996 for his native Bulgaria. Jordanov is now president of the Bulgarian Wrestling Federation. Andre Metzger -- a two-time NCAA champ for Oklahoma at 142 pounds in 1981 and 1982 -- won three US Senior National freestyle titles as well as a US Senior National Greco title. Jim Pearson came to Foxcatcher after wrestling for Jim Humphrey at Indiana University. Pearson is now CEO for Suros Surgical Systems Inc. in Indianapolis. Greg Strobel -- a two-time 190-pound NCAA champ from Oregon State in 1973 and 1974 -- coached at Foxcatcher before being hired by Lehigh University in 1995, where he is now head coach. Kirk Trost -- the 1986 NCAA heavyweight champ from the University of Michigan – wrestled for Team Foxcatcher starting in 1987 but usually worked out away from the du Pont estate. Trost is now a long-time assistant coach for the Wolverines. This concludes our multi-part tribute to Dave Schultz … or does it? If you knew Dave Schultz and have stories to share, we may incorporate your memories into a future story. Please email the author at mark@revwrestling.com. Chapters: Chapter 1: The Day Wrestling Died Chapter 2: The Murderer, John du Pont Chapter 3: Immediate Memories of Dave Chapter 4: Smiling Back at a Life Remembered Chapter 5: A Spirit That Lives On

Following the completion of Saturday's NAIA Central Region Wrestling Tournament, several wrestlers were selected as NAIA Central Region Scholar-Athletes. The criteria for the award was that a wrestler must be at least a sophomore with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 and must have participated in a minimum of 12 matches/tournaments, including the regional meet or have previously qualified for nationals. This year's NAIA Central Region Wrestling Scholar-Athletes are... Briar Cliff: Jon Carlson (285) Jr. Hooper, NE 3.33 Business Jason Kruse (197) Jr. Fargo, ND 3.91 Biology Dakota Wesleyan: Andrew Schmaltz (197) Jr. Mission, SD 3.33 Physical Education Dana: Scott Taylor (157) Sr. Arapahoe, NE 3.73 Biology, Psychology Marshall Marquardt (174) Sr. Altoona, IA 3.61 Organizational Comm. Trent Leichleiter (165) Sr. Harvard, NE 3.69 Elem. Ed., Special Ed. Terrence Almond (141) Jr. Pelham, GA 3.32 Special Education Brett Brandl (133) So. Madison, NE 3.29 Sports Management Wade Jordan (285) So. Coulee City, WA 3.55 Accounting Webster Farris (197) Jr. Neb. City, NE 3.93 Biology Morningside: Brandon Mueller (149) Sr. Seward, NE 3.31 Secondary Education Jake Stevenson (174) So. Petersburg, NE 3.32 Business Administration Northwestern: Chris Keating (149) Sr. Aztec, NM 3.25 Physical Education Isaac Schmidt (285) Sr. Arthur, IA 3.33 Business Education Tom Bartello (133) So. Newton, IA 3.27 Elementary Education Waldorf: Kent Scheff (184) So. Jackson, MN 3.50 Wellness Ryan Garcia (149) Jr. Riverside, CA 3.46 Wellness William Penn: Paul Carter (149) Jr. Carson City, NV 3.74 Physical Education/Health Jorge Ortiz (184) Jr. Chicago, IL 3.38 Undecided