InterMat Staff

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

The fourth-ranked Augustana College wrestling team will look to defend its North Region title this week when the Vikings travel to Omaha, Neb., on Sunday, February 26, for the North Region Championships. The North Region Championships will serve as the qualifying tournament for the 2006 NCAA Division II National Championships, which are scheduled for March 10-11 in Findlay, Ohio. The top four finishers in each weight class will advance to the national championships. Live updates on the Augie wrestlers will be available on www.GoAugie.com beginning Sunday afternoon. For a complete look at the North Region Championships, click the link under Related Material.

Stanford, Calif. -- Stanford wrapped up the regular season last week and is set to host the 2006 Pac-10 Conference Championships this Sunday and Monday, Feb. 26 & 27 in Maples Pavilion. The 10 Cardinal wrestlers competing this weekend will seek one of the 39 conference spots to the NCAA Championships, which will be held on March 16-18 at the Downtown Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla. Stanford finished the season under first-year head coach Kerry McCoy with an 8-7 record and a 4-4 mark in Pac-10 duals. The Cardinal will look to improve upon its ninth-place finish at the conference tournament last year. Final seedings and brackets will be announced on Saturday, following the coaches' meeting. Updated brackets, team standings and all the information about the conference championships is available at GoStanford.com. Tickets for the event are on sale through the Stanford ticket office. Single session tickets are $10 per adult and $6 for seniors, youths and students. All session passes are priced at $30 for adults and $20 for students, youths and seniors. For more information, contact the Stanford ticket office at (650) 723-1021 or 800-STANFORD, or online at http://gostanford.collegesports.com/tickets/tickets-body.html. Tickets will be available at the ticket window at Maples Pavilion at the start of each session. Schedule of Events Sunday, February 26 10:15 a.m. - Ticket window & doors open 11 a.m. - Session I (Pigtails & Quarterfinals) 5:15 p.m. - Ticket window & doors open 6 p.m. - Session II (Semifinals & Consolations) Monday, February 27 10:30 a.m. - Ticket window & doors open 11 a.m. - Session III (Consolation Semifinals, Finals - Third and Fifth-Place matches) 5:00 p.m. - Ticket window & doors open 5:30 p.m. - Parade of Champions 6 p.m. - Session IV (Championship Finals) Stanford through the weights... 125 pounds: Co-captain Tanner Gardner (No. 11 in the nation), who qualified for the NCAA Tournament in his first season with a fifth-place finish in the conference tournament, redshirted last year and will seek his second bid to Nationals. The redshirt sophomore is second on the team in wins with 31 and is the team-leader in career wins with 54. Gardner is ranked fourth in the conference. 133 pounds: True freshman Eric Minnick has been a tough competitor during his rookie collegiate season. Minnick has four wins to his name this season, two in duals, but will look to build on that during his first conference championship. 141 pounds: Senior Juston Johnson recently took over the starting role and will compete in his first tournament of the season this weekend. Johnson posted a 4-6 record during the dual season 149 pounds: Sophomore Josh Zupancic had a strong campaign last season, winning 22 matches, including an opening-round victory at the Pac-10 Tournament. But Zupancic will look for his first trip to Nationals this year, as the second-ranked wrestler in the league brings a 22-4 record and a 12-1 dual mark into his second-straight Pac-10 Tournament appearance. 157 pounds: Scott Loescher, who is ranked fourth in the Pac-10, will look for his first trip to the NCAA Tournament. He posted 19 wins in this season, after finishing his redshirt freshman year with 21 victories last year. In 2005, Loescher competed at the Pac-10 Championships at 165 pounds, picking up one victory. 165 pounds: Fifth-year senior and co-captain Ray Blake (No. 13 in the nation), with 37 wins this season and the top ranking in the Pac-10, will seek his first trip to Nationals as he competes at the Pac-10 Championships for the first time in his collegiate career. Blake is just four wins shy of Matt Gentry's school-record 41 wins in a single sesason. 174 pounds: Redshirt freshman Luke Feist posted 17 wins during the regular season this year and enters the weekend ranked sixth in the conference. 184 pounds: Fifth-year senior and co-captain Ryan Hagen has three wins this year, but is a veteran of the team, leading the squad with 93 career matches. Last year, Hagen took sixth-place at the 2005 Pac-10 Championships. He is seeking his first trip to Nationals. 197 pounds: Fifth-year senior Larry Ozowara will look for his first bid to the NCAA Championships as he competes in his third Pac-10 Tournament. As a redshirt freshman in 2003, Ozowara won one match in the conference championships and also competed as a sophomore in 2004. Heavyweight: Redshirt freshman Jared Boyer is ranked fifth in the conference heading into his Pac-10 Tournament. Boyer posted seven wins during his first collegiate season, including four dual victories.

WEST POINT, N.Y. -- When Arvin Gymnasium re-opened at the start of the 2005-06 academic year, the entire Corps of Cadets benefited. The 495,100-square foot building, which includes two basketball courts, several racquetball courts, three swimming pools, two weight rooms, an expansive cardiovascular fitness room, two boxing rooms and a rock climbing wall, serves as the home of physical training for all cadets. While the entire Academy welcomed the revamped facility with open arms, the Army wrestling team was most appreciative. This past fall, the Black Knights' wrestling program moved into a spacious new room on the second floor of the sparkling new building. With its walls adorned with photographs of Army's 14 NCAA All-Americans and each of the program's head coaches, the new wrestling room includes four, 42-foot square double-sided mats, with collegiate markings on one side and Olympic-style markings on the other. Two additional 42x42-foot mats are located in an attached freestyle room that gives the Army coaching staff a total of six mats at its disposal during practice sessions. In addition to the six mats, its capacious new room also features a state-of-the-art locker room that features 50 roomy wooden lockers, enough to accommodate each athlete on the Black Knights' roster. A plush wrestlers-only team lounge, replete with leather sofas and a big screen television set, is attached to the wrestling room as well. The new Army wrestling room includes over $30,000 worth of cardiovascular and weight training equipment itself. Treadmills, stair climbers, stationary bicycles and a set of free weights and weight benches are located adjacent to the mats. Without question, the Army wrestling room is one of the finest in the nation. Army head coach Chuck Barbee believes that the facility gives the Black Knights an advantage as they continue to develop future All-Americans and NCAA Champions. The following is a transcript of a question and answer session of Coach Barbee talking about the new Army wrestling room. What are some of the best aspects of the new room? "The sheer size of the new wrestling room is probably its single best attribute. Having four square mats with padded walls on two sides makes for a tremendous training area. The ability to wrestle uninterrupted without stopping for a wall or a pillar is a huge bonus for us. Another tremendous attribute of this room is how everything is centrally located. Our guys have a locker room, a team/video room, the coaching staff, the training room, an equipment room, swimming pools and numerous other training tools all available to them under one roof. It is really an awesome training environment." How does the Arvin wrestling room help you recruit high school wrestlers to the Army program? "I think the new room speaks very loudly to our whole commitment of training to be the best. Obviously, with the right determination and work ethic a person can be good in most any training environment, but when a young man comes to visit West Point it is exciting for them to see that we have one of the best rooms in the country. Wrestlers know how much time they have to spend at their sport, so the facility that they are getting ready to spend the next 4 years of their life in is very important. This new wrestling room and the entire Arvin complex is truly one of the best I have ever been in. While a nice room does not bring in great athletes by itself, it certainly can make a big difference if we're doing our job in recruiting and a prospect needs just a little extra inspiration to choose our program." How has the new wrestling room allowed you to do more in practice? "We have been able to train at a much higher intensity level because we don't have "stops" in our wrestling action. When two guys get into a flurry of wrestling action you want to let that go as long as you can. Usually that stop occurs from a wall, a barrier or another wrestling group. With this new room, we can get some great uninterrupted wrestling time in, which has been really nice. With the freestyle room attached to our room we can have six matches going on at once, all on their own 42 feet x 42 feet mat. It is great to be able to train in a full circle and we can have 12 guys going at a time. "From a conditioning stand point, I just love our new facility. We can run sprints in the room, we can get dumbbell workouts in with our rack of dumbbells, and probably the best thing we have is an indoor set of stadium stairs. The building was designed in such a way that right in the middle of the building is a set of stairs that start in the basement and run continuously up to the 5th floor...in a straight line like a football stadium. Of course it's kind of a love-hate relationship for our guys, but they know when the third period rolls around their legs and lungs will always be ready." What do the wrestlers/recruits think of the new room? What are they saying about it? "Our guys were flabbergasted. The room is lit up in such a way that it has a very dramatic entrance to it, including some spectacular trophy cases. The first day we went into the room was pretty cool. I was very happy for our guys who had been training in a temporary facility for so long to finally get to see the finished product. My main concern now is that they do not get too spoiled. I always remind them how lucky they are to have the room that they have. Our recruits, parents and boosters all feel the same way. If you had been in wrestling rooms before and you come into ours you can't help but be amazed with all that it offers". What are some of the long-range benefits for the Army wrestling program of having such a nice wrestling room? "There is no facility in the country that can turn you into a champion; that comes only from hard work and determination. However, I am confident that we will always have the work ethic and determination at Army. Adding the extra advantages of cardiovascular equipment, a team room, a large locker room, swimming pools and all the other great items our new building has to offer will help make it more efficient and more motivating for the young men that lay it on the line every day to be an Army wrestler."

Team: 1. Wartburg 27-0 9 1 2. Wis.-La Crosse 8-4 10 5 3. Augsburg 8-3 8 2 4. Luther 14-3-1 6 3 5. Brockport State 5-1 6 4 6. Loras 14-2 5 6 7. Johnson&Wales (R.I.) 17-7 3 17 8. Cortland State 13-3 3 7 9. York (Pa.) 20-6 4 13 10. College of New Jersey 14-2 4 9 11. Ithaca 7-8 4 NR 12. Oswego State 6-7-1 3 NR 13. SIMPSON 11-12 3 27 14. Coe 5-8-1 3 20 15. North Central 7-0 3 8 16. St. John's (Minn.) 5-4 3 23 17. Elmhurst 9-2-1 4 12 18. Wis.-Stevens Point 10-8 3 18 19. Buena Vista 13-11 3 15 20. Delaware Valley 10-7 5 21 21. Heidelberg 16-3 3 10 22. Springfield (Mass.) 12-8 3 14 23. Lycoming 15-6-1 3 22 24. Wis.-Eau Claire 3-13 1 NR 25. Ohio Northern 10-8 3 28 26. Thiel 10-5 2 29 27. Trinity (Conn.) 9-16-1 1 NR 28. Baldwin-Wallace8-14 2 NR 29. Wis.-Platteville 4-4 3 NR 30. Ursinus 15-1-1 4 NR Individual: 125 1. Tyler Hubbard Sr. Wartburg 2. Brandon McDonough So. Johnson&Wales (R.I.) 3. Terry Morgan Sr. Loras 4. Ty Klofta Sr. Ohio Northern 5. Brian Dempsey Jr. College of N.J. 6. Nate Hansen Jr. Luther 7. Rob Vaccaro Jr. Brockport State 8. John Spinner Sr. Oswego State 133 1. Mike Lopez Sr. Luther 2. Joe Jewett Fr. Oswego State 3. Matt Smith Jr. Johnson&Wales (R.I.) 4. Tony D'Ambra Sr. Brockport State 5. Derek Goduto Sr. Montclair State 6. Eddie Murray Sr. Ursinus 7. Zach McKray Fr. Wartburg 8. Justin Hulegaard So. Buena Vista 141 1. Dustin HinschbergerSr. Wartburg 2. Dustin Brewer Sr. SIMPSON 3. Mike Gaeta Jr. Springfield 4. Paul LeBlanc Fr. Cortland State 5. Dan Song Sr. USMMA 6. Gene Koblinisky Jr. New York University 7. Zach Chambers Jr. Wis.-Platteville 8. Dave Paramski Fr. Cornell College 149 1. Matt Pyle Jr. Luther 2. Jacob Naig So. Wartburg 3. Jason Roush Jr. Mt. St. Joseph 4. Jared Evans Jr. Augsburg 5. Jared Creason Jr. Coe 6. Dane LaPlante Jr. Oswego State 7. Don Ooton Jr. Brockport State 8. Carl Amerine Sr. Wilmington 157 1. Joe Galante Jr. College of New Jersey 2. Jeremy Anderson So. Augsburg 3. Joe Pflug So. Heidelberg 4. Bobby Gingerich Sr. North Central 5. Shaheim Bradshaw So. Brockport State 6. Brad Bishop Sr. Loras 7. Jacob Malone Jr. St. John's (Minn.) 8. Ross Needham Jr. Wis.-La Crosse 165 1. Derek Sikora Sr. Wis.-Eau Claire 2. Ryan Valek Sr. Augsburg 3. Corey Murphy Jr. Thiel 4. Steve Martell So. Johnson&Wales (R.I.) 5. Tony Howard Sr. McDaniel 6. Jerry Bowne Sr. York (Pa.) 7. Dustin Bliven Sr. Wartburg 8. Scott Dorn Jr. Wis.-La Crosse 174 1. Stephon Sair Jr. Cortland State 2. Scott Kaufman Sr. Wartburg 3. Josh Chelf So. Wis.-La Crosse 4. Matthias Keib Sr. Ithaca 5. Josh Dolan Jr. Williams 6. Josh Rupprecht Sr. Elmhurst 7. Robbie Gotreau So. Augsburg 8. Al Stacilauskas Sr. Wis.-Stevens Point 184 1. Duane Bastress Sr. York (Pa.) 2. Jason Lulloff Sr. Wis.-La Crosse 3. Akeem Carter Sr. Wartburg 4. Robert Stubbs Sr. Ithaca 5. Brad Tupa Sr. Augsburg 6. Dan Willaert Sr. St. John's (Minn.) 7. Terry Madden Jr. Hunter 8. Mitch Hager Sr. Loras 197 1. TJ Miller So. Wartburg 2. Jamall Johnson Sr. Delaware Valley 3. Mike McCabe Sr. Coe 4. Devin Carmen Sr. Baldwin-Wallace 5. Dustin Doctor Jr. North Central 6. Ben Strandberg Jr. Buena Vista 7. Dan Fiecke Sr. St. John's (Minn.) 8. Alex Bonander Fr. Luther Heavyweight 1. Blake Gillis Jr. Wartburg 2. Ryan Allen Sr. Wis.-La Crosse 3. Mike Blair Sr. Trinity (Conn.) 4. Mike Hayes Sr. Wis.-Stevens Point 5. Tommy Snyder Sr. Lycoming 6. Pat Bennett Sr. Brockport State 7. Ward Brady Jr. Elmhurst 8. Brett Christensen Sr. Simpson

Former Wartburg 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 2003 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.

Note: This story also appears in the Feb. 22 issue of The Guillotine. The Guillotine has been covering amateur wrestling in Minnesota since 1971. To subscribe to The Guillotine, click here. Yura Malamura, a sophomore at Highline Community College (Wash.) who has committed to wrestle for the University of Minnesota next season, is a natural-born wrestler. Consider this: Malamura started wrestling when he was in eighth grade at the urging of his older brother. He lost his very first junior high match, but then didn't lose another match over the next two years of his junior high wrestling career. Yura Malamura"I just kicked butt," said Malamura of his first two years in the sport. "It was kind funny because I was just using all muscle. I was just breaking kids." So when Malamura claimed the 197-pound NJCAA national title last February, in his first season of collegiate wrestling, it shouldn't have come as a huge surprise. His competitive drive along with natural ability and a tireless work ethic has allowed him to make great strides in a short period of time. "I think more than anything else, his performance last season was inspiring," said Highline coach Scott Norton, who was honored as 2005 Region 18 Coach of the Year. "Just the way he competes, it's not really something that you see in a lot of athletes. When the lights come on and he's out there on the mat, he's just a completely different person. If you looked at him wrestling in practice as opposed to a match, you would see two completely different people." How far he has come in such a short period of time is mind-boggling. But what's even more mind-boggling is that growing up, Malamura wasn't sure he even wanted to continue wrestling after high school. "I never wanted to wrestle in college," said Malamura, who became the first ever national champion in wrestling at Highline. "It was always kind of in the back of my mind, but I wasn't really sure of it." Malamura was born in Estonia (Eastern Europe), but his parents immigrated to the United States when he was 4 years old. After an impressive junior high wrestling career, Malamura began his high school career at Spanaway Lake High School in Washington (45 miles south of Seattle) when he was a sophomore. One year later, as a junior, he placed fourth at the WIAA State Wrestling Championships (Class 4A) while wrestling at 189 pounds. As a senior, he won the state title at 215 pounds. After high school, Malamura made the decision to attend North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. It was a junior college rich in wrestling tradition, a program that has produced 13 NJCAA national championships. But shortly before classes were to begin, Malamura had a change of heart and withdrew from his classes at North Idaho. He decided to enroll in the two-year Generation Intern program at The City Church in Kirkland, Washington. According to The City Church Web site, "The Generation Intern program is committed to providing cutting edge Biblical instruction and practical ministry opportunities to equip young leaders for life and ministry." Malamura enjoyed being in the program, but he also missed wrestling a lot. He was ambivalent about whether to continue in the Generation Intern program or to enroll in college and get back on the mat. "I was praying about it," said Malamura. "I was like, 'God, what do you want me to do?' It just kept popping up in the back of my mind, should I wrestle, or should I not? I really prayed about it a lot, and God was like, 'Yeah, why not?' So I just went for it. I felt like it was really the right thing to do." In the spring of 2004, Malamura contacted North Idaho again about the possibility of enrolling at the school and joining the wrestling program. They were interested, so he decided that was what he was going to do. Yura Malamura (Photo by Johnnie Johnson)But the more he thought about it, the more he started to question his decision. That summer, while working out at a club called Vision Quest, he ran into some wrestlers from Highline, and told them that he was planning on wrestling at North Idaho. They talked to him about the possibility of coming to Highline. "I didn't even know Highline had a wrestling program," said Malamura. "And it's literally only 10 minutes from my house." The wrestlers suggested that Malamura call Coach Norton. So he picked up the phone and made the call. (Coach Norton) was like, 'Yeah, you should come out,'" recalled Malamura. "Literally, the next day, a week before North Idaho was supposed to start, I picked my classes at Highline and joined the team." Malamura entered Highline not knowing what to expect, but he immediately bought into everything his coach taught and preached. "I really had no idea what to expect from college," said Malamura. "Everybody always talks it up like it's so big. Wrestling in junior college is kind of different compared to Division I. But I came in ready to be coached. I knew (Norton) was a good coach, just from hearing a lot about him. I just did everything he told me to do, literally, from running, to eating, to working out, to lifting, to wrestling. I just thank him a lot for everything he did. And I just prayed about it a lot, too. I was like, 'God, if I'm going to be the best you want me to be, I'm going to my basic things. I just ask you to protect me.' And that's what happened." Last February, Malamura won the Western Regional (Region 18) and was named Most Outstanding Wrestler in the process. Two weeks later at the NJCAA Championships in Rochester (Minn.), he cruised through to the finals, winning by scores of 8-0, 13-0, and 7-3. In the finals, Malamura defeated Jared Shelton of Labette (who now wrestles for Oklahoma State), 6-4. His breakthrough performance on the national scene caught the attention of many Division I college coaches across the country, including Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Boise State, among others. Last fall, Malamura took recruiting visits to Minnesota and Nebraska. He decided on Minnesota. "After I took the trip to Minnesota, I really, really liked it," said Malamura, who plans to wrestle at 197 pounds for the Gophers. "I had a great time with everything. I enjoyed the campus. The coaches are great. Everything that the school offered was great." Malamura also liked the fact that the college is located in a big city (Minneapolis) … and that he has a stable of talented and accomplished wrestlers to work out with, including Roger Kish, Cole Konrad, Brandon Eggum, Damion Hahn, and Marty Morgan. Scott NortonNorton believes that Minnesota is a perfect fit because of his wrestling style. "He's really not a finesse wrestler," said Norton, who won three Pac-10 titles and earned an All-American medal at the University of Oregon. "I think the wrestling in Big Ten is a little more physical, whereas the Big 12 might be a little more finesse. He's extremely physical. He's a perfect model of an Iowa or Minnesota wrestler. That's really the area that I was steering him." Malamura decided to redshirt this season at Highline, which will give him three years of eligibility at the Division I level. He's taking a huge load of classes (27 credits this quarter, while most students are averaging 13-15), working out with the team every day, and is very involved with his church. A week and a half after he graduates, he plans on moving to Minneapolis on June 20 to get an early start on his training. So what are his wrestling goals at Minnesota? "Honestly, I know that I'm going to win a national title in Division I," said Malamura. "It's so in my head right now. I've really started thinking a lot about it. I'm excited." Excited? Minnesota wrestling fans should be, too.

BOILING SPRINGS -- Daniel Elliott ran his record to 35-2 on the season and notched his 100th career victory with a pin 1:50 into the first period. Josh Pniewski also won via a pin but The Citadel won six of the 10 matches en route to the 24-18 victory. The Citadel's Anthony Easter narrowly edged out Cortney Roberts in the 125-pound match after seeing Roberts rally from a 5-1 first-period deficit to knot the score at 5-5. Easter was awarded a riding time point and scored the 6-5 decision to claim the early 3-0 advantage for The Citadel. Pniewski flipped the three-point spread in favor of Gardner-Webb by running his record to 29-9 with a pin 58 seconds into the second period. Pniewski grabbed the early 3-0 lead after the opening frame and had built the cushion to 6-0 before sticking Billy Bullwinkel for the six-point win. Ninth-ranked Sean Markey returned the favor in the 141-pound bout by pinning Chas Franz with 18 seconds remaining in the first frame to reclaim the lead for The Citadel by a 9-6 margin. Elliott then took the mat against The Citadel's Nick Orio and scored a takedown 51 seconds into the match. The twelfth-ranked Elliott quickly followed the takedown with a pair of three-point near falls to grab a commanding 8-0 lead and finished off his 39th-straight, dual-match victory with a pin at the 1:50 mark. Glaser then scored GWU's third win in the first five matches to give the Bulldogs a 15-9 lead. Glaser and Chris Humphries battled to a scoreless draw through the first two periods, but Glaser rode Humphries for the entire second frame and earned a quick escape in the third session to take the 2-0 decision at 157 pounds. The Citadel charged back with a technical fall at 165 and back-to-back 5-2 decisions at 174 and 184 to take the 20-15 advantage heading into the final two bouts. Mark Thompson then secured the team win for The Citadel with an 11-3 major decision victory over Brent Blackwell at 197. Brandon Schweitzer ended The Citadel spurt by blanking John Buck, 6-0, in the heavyweight match, but it was not enough as Gardner-Webb fell by a 24-18 score. The loss drops Gardner-Webb to 12-12 on the season, while The Citadel climbs to 8-8 in dual match action. GWU will close out the regular season on Wednesday night when it hosts UNC Greensboro (10-6) at 7:00 pm. The Citadel Def. Gardner-Webb, 24-18 125 – (CIT) Anthony Easter dec. Cortney Roberts, 6-5 133 – (GWU) Josh Pniewski pin Billy Bullwinkel, 3:58 141 – (CIT) No. 9 Sean Markey pin Chas Franz, 2:42 149 – (GWU) No. 12 Daniel Elliott pin Nick Orio, 1:50 157 – (GWU) Adam Glaser dec. Chris Humphries, 1-0 165 – (CIT) Dan Thompson tech. fall Jordan Lowe, 21-6 174 – (CIT) Darius Caldwell dec. Chad Davis, 5-2 184 – (CIT) John Dickerson dec. Brandon Beach, 5-2 197 – (CIT) Mark Thompson maj. dec. Brent Blackwell, 11-3 285 – (GWU) Brandon Schweitzer dec. John Buck, 6-0

Team 1. Arizona State 2. Cal Poly 3. Oregon State 4. Boise State 5. Stanford 6. Oregon 7. UC Davis 8. Cal State Bakersfield 9. Cal State Fullerton 10. Portland State Individual 125 Pounds 1. Jeremy Mendoza (Arizona State) 2. Chad Mendes (Cal Poly) 3. Eric Stevenson (Oregon State) 4. Tanner Gardner (Stanford) 5. Ryan Dunn (Oregon) 6. Cory Fish (Boise State) 133 Pounds 1. Scott Jorgensen (Boise State) 2. Darrell Vasquez (Cal Poly) 3. Justin Pearch (Oregon) 4. Bobby Pfennings (Oregon State) 5. Omar Gaitan (UC Davis) 6. John Espinoza (Arizona State) 141 Pounds 1. Kyle Larson (Oregon State) 2. Derek Moore (UC Davis) 3. David Roberts (Cal Poly) 4. Skyler Woods (Oregon) 5. Matt Schumm (Cal State Bakersfield) 6. Teddy Astorga (Cal State Fullerton) 149 Pounds 1. Anthony Baza (Cal State Bakersfield) 2. Josh Zupancic (Stanford ) 3. Jeff Owens (Cal Poly) 4. Tyler Sherfey (Boise State) 5. Pat Payne (Arizona State) 6. Morgan Atkinson (Cal State Fullerton) 157 Pounds 1. Brian Stith (Arizona State) 2. Ben Cherrington (Boise State) 3. Tony Hook (Oregon State) 4. Scott Loescher (Stanford) 5. Shawn Reilly (Cal State Fullerton) 6. Ryan Williams (Cal Poly) 165 Pounds 1. Ray Blake (Stanford) 2. Joey Bracamonte (Oregon) 3. Pat Pitsch (Arizona State) 3. Frank Richmond (UC Davis) 5. Brian Busby (Cal State Bakersfield) 6. Risto Marttinen (Cal State Fullerton) 174 Pounds 1. Jeremy Larson (Oregon State) 2. Ken Cook (UC Davis) 3. Christian Arellano (Cal State Bakersfield) 4. Ian Murphy (Cal State Fullerton) 5. Nick Hernandez (Cal Poly) 6. Luke Feist (Stanford) 184 Pounds 1. Shane Webster (Oregon) 2. CB Dollaway (Arizona State) 3. Ryan Halsey (Cal Poly) 4. Jesse Taylor (Cal State Fullerton) 5. KC Walsh (Boise State) 6. Tyler Bernacchi (UC Davis) 197 Pounds 1. Ryan Bader (Arizona State) 2. Matt Monteiro (Cal Poly) 3. Dan Pitsch (Oregon State) 4. Casey Phelps (Boise State) 5. Elliot Kelly (UC Davis) 6. Chris Chambers (Cal State Fullerton) Heavyweight 1. Cain Velasquez (Arizona State) 2. Ty Watterson (Oregon State) 3. Eric Parker (Cal State Bakersfield) 4. Andy Patrick (Boise State) 5. Jared Boyer (Stanford) 6. Arturo Basulto (Cal Poly)

Columbia, Mo. -- Giving the No. 8 Missouri wrestling team its second consecutive Big 12 Wrestler of the Week, sophomore Tyler McCormick (Leawood, Kan.) has received the honor for the week of Feb. 14-Feb. 20. McCormick, ranked No. 16 at 133 pounds, came back from a 2-1 first-period deficit to beat No. 7 Matt Keller of Chattanooga in Missouri's 37-6 win Feb. 18. McCormick tied the score in the second frame with an escape, then turned Keller to his back for a two-point nearfall with less than 10 seconds on the clock to get the upset, 4-2. Wrestling in the Tigers' second dual of the day, McCormick defeated UNC-Greensboro's Chris Bencivenga by decision, 8-4. A starter at 133 pounds for the second straight season, McCormick possesses a 25-6 record on the year, including a second-place finish at the Missouri Open Nov. 20 and a third-place showing at the Southern Scuffle Dec. 29-30. McCormick is the third Tiger to receive the Big 12 Wrestler of the Month/Week this season. Junior Ben Askren (Hartland, Wis.) was named the Big 12 Wrestler for the month of December for his performance at 174 pounds, and 165-pound starter Matt Pell (junior, Luxemburg, Wis.) received the honor one week ago.

LAWRENCEVILLE -- TJ Morrison of Rider University and Jon Oplinger of Drexel University have been named the Colonial Athletic Association Wrestlers of the Week, and Bryan LaShomb of Old Dominion University is the CAA Rookie of the Week, for all competition February 14-20. Morrison, a sophomore 197 from Mechanicsburg, PA (Cedar Cliff), won all three of his CAA dual meets last week to improve to 8-1 in the CAA, 17-3 in duals and 26-6 overall. Morrison upset the 20th ranked wrestler in the nation from Hofstra, and won a major decision in a CAA win at Sacred Heart. Oplinger, a sophomore 197 from Bath, PA (Northampton), won both of his matches last week for Drexel, including a major decision over the 16th ranked wrestler in the country from Lehigh. The victory was his fifth in a row since returning from a knee injury, and the 20th of the season. LaShomb, a freshman 125 from Chesapeake, VA (Great Bridge), went 2-0 last week with a pair of major decisions. LaShomb now leads ODU with seven major decisions this year while improving to 13-5 in duals, 21-13 overall.

For the second time this season, Augustana's Cody Henriksen was named the North Central Conference Wrestler of the Week. Henrikson, a junior 165-pounder from Arlington, S.D., shared the award with Les Sigman of Nebraska-Omaha. Henriksen, who is currently unranked in the national rankings, scored a takedown with five seconds left in regulation to edge #5-ranked Ross Taplin of Nebraska-Omaha 5-3. Henriksen trailed 3-2 heading into the third period but scored an escape early in the third to tie the score 3-3 before getting the last-second takedown. UNO won the dual 23-17. Augustana, ranked sixth in the nation, will take part in the North Regional Championships on Sunday in Omaha, Neb. The top four placers in each weight class advance to the NCAA Division II National Championships. Augustana is the defending regional champions. 2005-2006 Augustana NCC Wreslers of the Week Nov. 9 - Nate Buys Jan. 10 - Tim Boldt Jan. 17 - Ryan King Jan. 31 - Cody Henriksen Feb. 21 - Cody Henriksen

LAWRENCEVILLE, New Jersey -- Junior John Manarte's 4-3 decision at 141 pounds regained the lead for the Pride and Jon Masa and James Strouse sealed the match with decisions as 21st-ranked Hofstra (11-8-1, 6-0) downed Rider (12-7-1, 7-1-1) in a Colonial Athletic Association match at Alumni Gymnasium Monday night. The victory improves Hofstra's conference dual match undefeated streak to 47 (46-0-1) dating back to a 1999 loss to Rider. Starting the match at 165 pound, the Pride opened up a 10-0 lead on a 13-4 major decision by junior Chris Vondruska (20-9) over Chris Marold, a 10-4 decision by senior Mike Patrovich (26-3) over Doug Umbehauer at 174, and an 8-3 win by sophomore Joe Rovelli (24-9) over Joe Maroney at 184. Sophomore T.J. Morrison, the second-ranked CAA wrestler at 197, put the Broncs on the board with an 8-6 decision over Hofstra junior Chris Weidman (15-8). But Pride junior Jon Andriac (22-12) boosted the Hofstra lead to 13-3 with a 7-1 decision over Nick Ciufo at heavyweight. But the Pride forfeited both the 125 and 133 pound weight classes that put Rider ahead in the match 15-13. But Manarte (14-5), who was filling in for injured sophomore Charles Griffin, posted a 4-3 victory over sophomore Mike Palma at 141 pounds to give the Pride a 16-15 lead. Senior Jon Masa (27-7), ranked sixth this week, was taken to overtime by freshman Michael Kessler before pulling out a 10-8 decision in overtime. Junior James Strouse (25-10) wrapped up the victory for the Pride with a 6-0 victory over Ryan Cunningham at 157. Hofstra returns to action on March 3-4 for the CAA Wrestling Championships at Drexel University in Philadelphia. #21 Hofstra 22, Rider 15 165 * Chris Vondruska (HU) maj. dec. Chris Marold (RU) 13-4 4-0 174 * Matt Patrovich (HU) dec. Doug Umbehauer (RU) 10-4 7-0 184 * Joe Rovelli (HU) dec. Joe Maroney (RU) 8-3 10-0 197 * T.J. Morrison (RU) dec. Chris Weidman (HU) 8-6 10-3 285 * Jon Andriac (HU) dec. Nick Ciufo (RU) 7-1 13-3 125 * Ryan Smith (RU) win by forfeit 13-9 133 * Zach Cunliffe (RU) win by forfeit 13-15 141 * John Manarte (HU) dec. Mike Palma (RU) 4-3 16-15 149 * Jon Masa (HU) dec. Mike Kessler (RU) 10-8 ot 19-15 157 * James Strouse (HU) dec. Ryan Cunningham (RU) 6-0 22-15

From a national high school wrestling standpoint, much of the best competition of 2005-2006 is done until NHSCA Senior Nationals. The Ironman, Beast, Reno, and Powerade have all come and gone. But make no mistake -- there is not a single wrestler who won at these prestigious events that would not trade their title to be on top of the podium at their respective state tournaments. While Ironman and Beast may be much tougher to win, it is the state tournament that every wrestler will judge their season based on. Furthermore, there will be many match-ups of national significance at the state tournaments. The following are highlights of what to expect! Ohio Division II 152 pounds: Colt Sponseller vs. Josh Rohler The general consensus in Ohio is that this is the biggest showdown of the 2006 state tournament. Sponseller, only a junior, crushed the opposition to win state at 140 last year as a sophomore and then placed at Junior Nationals in freestyle as well. Sponseller scored a technical fall in the state finals. Rohler is probably the best wrestler in the nation who has not won state. As a sophomore, he finished second at 140, losing 5-3 (giving up a number of bizarre penalty points) in a match in which he was favored. As a junior, he twice defeated two-time Junior National Freestyle All-American Dave Rella, only to get inexplicably upset in the semifinals by a wrestler that Rella would then technical fall. Rohler would finish third. In the post-season, he redeemed himself by winning the NHSCA Junior National Championships. Not only has Rohler defeated Rella twice, he has also defeated since-graduated stars Dave Erwin (now nationally ranked for Penn State) and three-time Pennsylvania state champion Joey Eckloff. However, he has been hampered this season by a knee injury suffered at the Beast of the East and missed over a month of the season. The contrast of styles makes this match-up even more interesting. Sponseller is a takedown artist who attacks relentlessly. Rohler is an outstanding counter specialist and mat wrestler. Ohio's ranking services, meanwhile, are as split as the fans as to which wrestler to favor. Legendary wrestling analyst Brian Brakeman picked Sponseller, and had this to say about the match-up: I think Sponseller will win, though this choice will undoubtedly motivate Rohler. There are three critical factors. It's been more than a month now and Rohler must still have issues with that knee that "no more than two weeks out" now rings as very optimistic. Second, I think Sponseller is better on his feet--a half-step quicker and a great finisher. Third, I wonder about Rohler's reaction in these big bouts. He's wrestled a lot of them in life, but twice now he has struggled at a crucial moment in the state tournament process. This tendency could be exacerbated if his knee is not 100%. By contrast, OhioWrestlingSite.com picked Rohler, focusing on the elite wrestlers he has defeated in past seasons. RevWrestling.com Prediction: Rohler over Sponseller California 112 pounds: Trevor Machado, Justin Paulsen, and Nikko Triggas Nikko Triggas (Photo by Jon Malinowski)Though Triggas was Cadet Nationals Greco champion and third in freestyle over the summer, it was at the Walsh Ironman he made a name for himself. At that tournament he first dismantled Pennsylvania AAA state champion Chris Sheetz, 14-3, and then nearly scored a technical fall over Lakewood St. Edward's super freshman Collin Palmer. He looked nearly invincible. He reaffirmed his superstar status by defeating Justin Paulsen in the finals of Reno, 8-4, and certainly looked like a "shoe-in" for the California title. Not so fast. Paulsen stunned the wrestling world by defeating Triggas in double-overtime at the Five Counties tournament in California. Paulsen, himself, is a three-time state place-winner in single-division California. Further complicating this weight is returning state champion Trevor Machado. Machado actually defeated Triggas 13-11 in overtime last season in the state semifinals. Machado would then go on to win easily in the finals, while Triggas scored a technical fall in his third place bout. This year, Triggas avenged his defeat, handing Triggas his only loss of the year by a 4-2 count. Two other tough competitors who are possibly national caliber wrestler here are Justin Durham and Nicolo Naranjo. Durham had a win over Machado last season, but failed to place at state. Naranjo had a win over Triggas, but Triggas came back to technical fall him in their third place bout. Expect for others to challenge -- as California lower weights are always loaded. RevWrestling.com Prediction: Triggas over Machado Pennsylvania AAA 140 pounds: Ashtin Primus vs. Nick Nelson Here we have a tremendous contrast of styles. Senior Ashtin Primus is the deadliest cradler in the nation, having wracked up 111 pins and counting in his career. The junior Nelson is a control wrestler- a master of winning close bouts. Though they did not wrestle, these two were in the same weight at the 2005 Pennsylvania AAA State Tournament, where Primus won his first state title and Nelson finished third. How tough was this weight class? Zack Kemmerer, this year's Ironman and Beast of the East champion, placed fifth, losing to both Nelson and Primus. Alex Krom, the only wrestler to defeat Adam Frey (Senior National and double Junior Nationals champion) in 2005, placed only fourth, losing to Nelson in the third place bout! This year, Nelson drew first blood, scoring a fall over Primus at the Super 32 challenge, although Primus was leading at the time. Nelson also defeated Bubba Jenkins at that tournament (considered by many the best 145 in the nation). However, at Powerade, Primus scored a four-point move in the final 15 seconds, to avenge his preseason loss 7-4. Both wrestlers have defeated very tough cadet national champions this fall- with Primus winning over Blair Academy's Mario Mason and Nelson defeating Luke Ashmore of Bishop Lynch in double overtime. These two both rank in the top six in the nation at 140 (along with Lance Palmer, Garrett Scott, Matt Vacanti, and Zach Bailey)- but like last year, only one can be state champion! Look for Nelson to avoid the cradle and pull off the upset in a one-point bout. Rev Wrestling Prediction: Nelson over Primus Iowa AAA 119 pounds: Nate Moore vs. Russell Weakley Nate Moore (Photo by Jon Malinowski)A cousin of NCAA champion Cliff Moore, Nate Moore has established himself as one of the top sophomores in the nation this season. While he was upset in the state finals last year at 103 by Marc Ballweg, Moore went on to finish second at Cadet Nationals in freestyle last summer. This year, he has moved to 119 with much improved results. Moore has two impressive overtime wins, the first over Ben Ashmore in the preseason, the second over his likely state semifinals opponent -- senior Russell Weakley. Weakley is himself a two-time state champion. Moore is rated as the No.10 sophomore. He may be rated too low. Both wrestlers are easily among the top ten 119's in the nation. This will be by far the premier match-up of the Iowa state tournament. Rev Wrestling.com Prediction: Nate Moore over Russell Weakley Ohio Division II 130 pounds: Adam Kriwinsky, Coby Boyd, Willie Saxton, and Chase Skonieczny Ohio has packed four national-caliber 130's into a single division in what promises to be the best competition of the 2006 state tournament. Adam Kriwinsky was a state champion at 112 pounds as a sophomore and runner-up at 119 as a junior. Not one for freestyle, he really made a name for himself at the Ironman against Billy Murphy, the nation's best 130. For the first half of that match, Murphy was taking down Kriwinsky and letting him up in what looked like a rout. However, with the score 8-4, Kriwinsky suddenly struck back with a counter takedown of his own. From there, the relentless Kriwinsky had Murphy on the run, falling just short in a 10-9 loss. Kriwinsky uses his long arms to hit cradles and his single-leg, which he typically finishes on the mat. The wrestler with the most national credentials, but no state finals appearances thus far, is Willie Saxton of Buckeye Local High School. Saxton won the NHSCA Juniors last spring at 125 pounds -- and was a Junior National Freestyle All-American in Fargo as well. He is also a former Cadet National Freestyle runner-up. This year, he has been untouchable -- thrashing defending Division I state champion Kevin Hardy by a 17-6 score early in the season. The only question mark for Saxton may be is schedule -- other than Hardy, he has not faced nearly the competition the others (who compete for top-flight programs) have. Coby Boyd is one of the top sophomores in the nation (currently ranked as the No.15 sophomore in the Rev Power Rankings). Boyd was FILA Cadet National Freestyle champion last spring and may have more impressive national-level wins than any wrestler in this group. Among his victims over the past two seasons have been junior national All-American Brandon Precin, senior national fourth place finisher Jordan Lipp, Luke Silver (the No.21 junior), Chase Skonieczy, and Quentin Wright. Boyd is hard to score on and can be a pinner -- how a match between him and offensive machine Saxton might go is completely unpredictable. Skonieczny placed third at Ironman, losing by fall to Boyd but beating Kriwinsky (Boyd beat Skonieczny, Skonieczny beat Kriwinsky, and Kriwinsky beat Boyd). While he failed to place at Beast of the East, he rebounded by winning the Powerade in impressive fashion, beating state champ Hardy for the second time this year and the beating tough Virginia state champ Collin Dozier in the finals (rated as the No.48 junior). Rev Wrestling.com Prediction: Saxton over Boyd, Kriwinsky third, Skonieczny fourth Pennsylvania AAA 119 pounds: Nine-headed monster! We've saved the best for last. There is no class in the nation that can even compare to the depth of the donnybrook that will take place at 119 pounds in Pennsylvania's "AAA" division. There are no fewer than nine wrestlers who would literally win 90% of the state tournaments in this country. Seven state placers return at this weight, including two state champs and two third place finishers. Two other wrestlers have not yet placed but can beat anyone at this weight on a given day. No fewer than four cadet or junior national All-Americans will be competing in this weight. Let's start with the returning state champions. Matt Kyler is favored by many observers in Pennsylvania, and with good reason. Kyler was the undisputed No. 1 103 in the nation last year. Kyler then moved to 112 for Fargo without missing a beat, finishing first in Greco-Roman and fourth in Freestyle. Continuing to grow, he is now at 119 pounds. However, Kyler hit a snag when he lost for the first time since his sophomore year to Walter Peppelman by an 11-8 count. Peppelman finished third at state last year in a ridiculously tough 103-pound class, losing only two matches all year -- both to Kyler. The other returning champ is the surprising Chris Sheetz, who sort of came out of nowhere to win over a tough field at 112 last year (there are no easy fields in Pennsylvania "AAA" division- particularly in the lower weights). Sheetz got off to a rocky start, placing fourth at Ironman at 112, (majored and pinned in his losses), then moving up to 119 for Beast where he failed to place, getting pinned by fellow member of the this weight class Matt Bonson (who placed seventh at 103 last year). Since then, Sheetz has rebounded with a 13-5 win over returning state placer Andrew Flegler and a fall over another returning state placer in this weight, Rudy Chelednik. Based on these impressive wins, Sheetz cannot be counted out. My pick at this weight, however, is none of the aforementioned wrestlers. Russ Souders is a three-time state place-winner transferred from Wilson Area into Easton this year after placing third in the AA division despite being probably the best wrestler in the class. Souders probably should have won state as a sophomore as well, losing in the finals to a wrestler he defeated 7-1 at the previous week's District Finals. This year, Souders vaulted into the national spotlight at the NHSCA Final Four Duals, where he rallied from a 4-0 deficit to defeat the consensus No.1 119-pound wrestler in the nation, Ben Ashmore of Bishop Lynch (TX) High School, by a 9-6 score. Souders has also pinned the very tough Billy Chamberlain. Chamberlain could be the dark horse here. Though he went 0-2 at state last year, he placed third at the Beast of the East that season and third at Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman. This year he has wins over Chelednik, Flegler, and Bonson but was pinned by Souders. Chelednik is another possibility. A returning seventh-place finisher at 112, he split with Peppelman at Powerade, but has lost to Chamberlain and Sheetz. However, Chelednik posted a recent win over nationally ranked, overwhelming "AA" favorite Troy Dolan. A final dark horse could be Jason Deluca. Deluca is a junior who failed to place at state last season. However, he was beaten at state by the arguable pre-tourney favorite and eventual third place finisher. This year, from my information he appears to be undefeated, with an overtime win over Peppelman. Last year, Chamberlain defeated him by a point. Rev Wrestling.com Prediction: 1. Russ Souders 2. Matt Kyler 3. Billy Chamberlain 4. Walter Peppelman 5. Matt Bonson 6. Chris Sheetz 7. Rudy Chelednik 8. Jason Deluca

WASHINGTON -- For the second time in three duals, the American University wrestling team prevailed in a match that came down to the final bout, taking a 20-16 over North Dakota State thanks to No. 10 Adam LoPiccolo's (Glen Rock, Pa./Glen Rock) 4-1 decision victory at heavyweight Monday night. The win closes out AU's regular season and moves them to 13-6 on the year. American won two matches by major decision, but gave up points from forfeit at 141, putting the match at 17-16 with the heavyweight bout left. With the score tied 0-0 after two periods, LoPiccolo started down and escaped in five seconds to take a 1-0 lead. The sophomore was hit with a stalling point with 12 seconds left, but scored a takedown a few ticks later and tacked on a riding point to clinch the match for AU. The fact that the dual came down to the final period was representative of much of the night's point-for-point action. At 133, Jordan Lipp (Beachwood, Oh./Beachwood) needed two takedowns in the final period to win his match, but only got one, falling 8-6, including a point added on for riding time. After the forfeit at 141, Tom Kniezewski (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown) won his seventh straight match at 149 by scoring a takedown with 1:11 left and holding on to the 3-2 decision. At 157, Christopher Stout (Hackettstown, N.J./Blair Academy) pushed his match into overtime with an escape and a takedown in the final minute of the third period. In the second overtime, Stout escaped for the 10-9 win. Rudy Rueda (Waldorf, Md./DeMatha) followed with his second win in a row at 165, an 8-1 decision, but Dwayne Hash-Barberis (Scotia, N.Y./Scotia Glenville) lost a tough double overtime decision at 174, 5-4. With the score 13-12, No. 1 Josh Glenn (Johnson City, N.Y./Johnson City) scored the Eagles' second major decision win on the night - the first coming from Matt Morkel (Omaha, Neb./Skutt). Glenn scored two near falls on his way to the 13-3 win. The advantage shrunk to one when Tyler Flatt (Albany, N.Y./Blair Academy) dropped a 16-5 major decision at 197, leaving LoPiccolo with the task of clinching it for the team. The Eagles have almost two weeks off before heading to the EIWA Championships hosted by Lehigh March 4th and 5th. American 20, North Dakota State 16 125--Matt Morkel (AU) maj. dec. Mike Meger 10-2 133--Eric Sanders (NDSU) dec. Jordan Lipp 8-6 141--David Cunningham (NDSU) wins via forfeit 149--Tom Kniezewski (AU) dec. Gabe Mooney 3-2 157--Chris Stout (AU) dec. Andrew Quittschreiber 10-9 (2 OT) 165--Rudy Rueda (AU) dec. Zach Molitor 8-1 174--Matt Hermann (NDSU) dec. Dwayne Hash-Barberis 5-4 (SV-2) 184--Josh Glenn (AU) maj. dec. Matt Wetterling 13-3 197--Jacob Bryce (NDSU) maj. dec. Tyler Flatt 16-5 Hwt.--Adam LoPiccolo (AU) dec. Mike Maresh 4-1

EAU CLAIRE -- UW-La Crosse won seven of the 10 weight classes to claim its ninth straight conference title today at the 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) hosted by UW-Eau Claire. The fifth-ranked Eagles won the championship with 159 points. 18th-ranked UW-Stevens Point finished second for the fourth straight time with 119 points. UW-Whitewater finished third with 84 points, followed by UW-Platteville with 78 points, UW-Eau Claire with 72 points, UW-Oshkosh with 60 points, and Lawrence University with 58 points. Each weight class final came down to decisions as there were no pins in the final matches. At the 125-pound weight class, it was the Eagles' Pat Parrillo defeating UW-Stevens Points' Jake Calhoun by a 6-4 decision. Kevin Barber also took first place for La Crosse in the 133-pound weight class as he defeated Dane Droessler of Platteville in a 4-3 decision. Platteville's Zach Chambers pulled an upset in the 141-pound weight class as he defeated No.1 seeded and defending champion Joel Burdick of Stevens Point in the finals by a 10-4 decision. Chambers was also named the Wrestler of the Meet. Another Pioneer pulled an upset and won the 149-pound weight class, as Ryan Higgins defeated La Crosse's Jake Larsen by a 9-3 decision. Larsen was the No.1 seed and the defending champion of the weight class. Ross Needham of La Crosse won his second-straight championship in the 157-pound weight class, defeating Chris Brown of Stevens Point in a 9-2 decision. Eau Claire's Derek Sikora won his second conference championship at 165 pounds, as he defeated Scott Dorn of La Crosse by an 8-3 decision. Sikora, who is ranked first in his weight class in Division III, has either won or was runner-up in the championships the last four seasons. The Eagles would then sweep the final four weight classes. Third-ranked Josh Chelf in the 174-pound weight class defeated seventh-ranked Al Stacilauskas of Stevens Point by a close 6-5 decision to claim the title. Second-ranked Jason Lulloff defeated defending champion Ben Dictus of Lawrence by a major decision of 10-1 in the 184-pound weight class. The Eagles' Jim Swanson then defeated Eau Claire's Justin Mc Auly by a 5-3 decision in the final of the 197-pound weight class. This was Swanson's second-straight championship At heavyweight, second-ranked Ryan Allen claimed La Crosse's final championship for as he defeated fourth-ranked Mike Hayes of Stevens Point by a 4-1 decision. This was Allen's fourth-straight championship. Hayes received the Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete Award. Nate Skaar of La Crosse was named Coach of the Year. Along with the champions, the following wrestlers are the conference's NCAA qualifiers: Burdick of Stevens Point at 141 pounds, Mike Rohowetz of La Crosse at 141 pounds, Larsen of La Crosse at 149 pounds, Dorn of La Crosse at 165 pounds, Stacilauskas of Stevens Point at 174 pounds, Dictus of Lawrence at 184 pounds, Hayes of Stevens Points at heavyweight, and Ryan Rozek of Platteville at heavyweight. Alternates include: Adam Dorner of Oshkosh at 174 pounds, Mike Schmidt of Whitewater at 184 pounds, and Mc Auly of Eau Claire at 197 pounds.