InterMat Staff

DURHAM, N.C. -- 15 ACC wrestlers were named to the 2007 All-ACC Academic Wrestling Team, announced Friday by Commissioner John D. Swofford. Six Blue Devils made the squad, which led all ACC schools. ACC Champion N.C. State was next, tallying four spots on the chart. All six league schools competing in wrestling were represented on the team. To be eligible for consideration, a student-athlete must have earned a 3.00 grade point average for the previous semester and maintained a 3.00 cumulative average during his academic career. Duke's senior Dan Shvartsman and redshirt freshman John Barone are two of three third-place ACC Championship finishers named to the academic team. Shvartsman was a third-place finisher at 149 pounds, which Barone took home third place at 174 pounds. Also making the team for the Blue Devils were redshirt sophomore Aaron Glover, redshirt junior Patrick Keenum, junior Kellan McKeon and sophomore Wade Van Sickle.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -– The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling program will once again welcome one of the nation's top recruiting classes as the 2007-08 academic year nears its start. Eleven new grapplers will join Penn State for the upcoming season thanks to the efforts of head coach Troy Sunderland and assistants Matt Dernlan, Dave Hart and John Hughes. "I'm extremely proud of this group of newcomers," Sunderland said. "These young men have proven themselves at every level they've competed at and I'm excited to see them wear the Blue and White. We have national and state champions, All-Americans and international champs. Each of these athletes brings something very special to the mat and I'm honored that they have chosen to continue their academic and athletic careers at Penn State." The class begins with, alphabetically, Micah Bollinger (Mifflinburg, Pa.). The Mifflinburg High School graduate projects at 157 or 165. He is a two time state qualifier and was PIAA runner-up. He also went on to place third at high school nationals. Tim Darling (Nazareth, Pa.) is a three-time state champion and claimed the high school national championship. The Nazareth High School star projects at 157. Darling took the PIAA bronze as a freshman before claiming his three state titles. Shane Everett (Saylorsburg, Pa.) joins the Nittany Lions as a PIAA state qualifier and projects at 149 for Penn State. The Saylorsburg native is a Pleasant Valley High School graduate. Matt Jacobs (Phoenix, Md.) will be entering his freshman campaign at Penn State and projects at 141 for the Nittany Lions. The Maryland native is a Dulaney High School graduate and won the 145 state title this season. Adam Lynch (Mifflinburg, Pa.) will be a sophomore this season and is transferring in from Navy, where he went 4-4 last year as a freshman at 133. Lynch is a three-time PIAA state qualifier and placed as high as third. Chad Mitchell (Lilburn, Ga.) comes to Penn State as a Georgia State Champion and projects at 125 or 133 for the Nittany Lions. A three-time placer in Georgia for Parkview High School, Mitchell is a two-time Cadet National All-American. Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) comes to Penn State as a three-time New Jersey State Champion. Projecting at 141 for Penn State, the Southern Regional High School graduate placed second at High School Nationals. Desmond Moore (Easton, Pa.) is an Easton High School graduate who projects at 125 for the Nittany Lions. Moore capped off a superb high school career by placing third at the PIAA Championships this past year. Colby Pisani (Ridgway, Pa.) comes to Penn State after an outstanding career at Ridgway High School. Pisani, who could wrestle at 141 or 149 early on for Penn State, placed second and fourth at the state championships during his time at Ridgway. Jared Platt (Blairstown, N.J.), who recently won two Junior Pan Am gold medals while claiming Pan Am Outstanding Wrestler laurels, comes to Penn State at a 197-pounder. Platt is a two-time Prep National Champion and junior national runner-up. He also placed as high as third at high school nationals. Platt is a Blair Academy graduate. Cameron Wade (Chanel, Ohio) was a two-time Ohio State Champion at heavyweight for St. Peter Chanel High School. A three-time state finalist, he was a junior national runner-up, a cadet national runner-up and placed fourth at high school nationals. "None of what we achieve here at Penn State would be possible without the tireless work of our outstanding assistant coaches," Sunderland said. "Matt, Dave and John have once again worked extremely hard to put together one of the nation's top recruiting classes. Their dedication and commitment to keeping Penn State at the top of the national wrestling scene shines through in every thing we do." Penn State's 2007-08 season begins in November with the annual wrestle-offs on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 1 p.m. Dual match action begins with a home date against Maryland on Sunday, Nov. 11, also at 1 p.m.

GREENSBORO, N.C. –- North Carolina All-America Evan Sola headlines the 2007 All-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Wrestling Team, announced Friday by Commissioner John D. Swofford. All six league schools competing in wrestling were represented on the team, but Sola is the lone 2006-07 All-ACC wrestler honored. To be eligible for consideration, a student-athlete must have earned a 3.00 grade point average for the previous semester and maintained a 3.00 cumulative average during his academic career. The Duke Blue Devils led all schools with six honorees on this year's team, while ACC champions NC State tallied four spots on the chart and Maryland placed two student-athletes on the academic squad. Two-time All-America and three-time ACC champion Evan Sola finished his final campaign with a 15-5 record and is tied for fourth all-time at UNC with 117 wins. The Wernersville, Pa., native and 133-pound wrestler is also ninth in Tar Heel program history with 27 pins to his name.

ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell wrestling will add 10 grapplers to its roster this season to make up the class of 2011 it was announced today by Rob Koll, The David Dunlop '59 Head Coach of Wrestling. "I am ecstatic about this year's recruiting class," Koll said "We signed 10 wrestlers representing all but one of the 10 weight classes. This class is comprised of wrestlers who have won 21 state championships respectively. The class assures us of four more years of Big Red wrestling success." At 125 pounds, Frank Perrelli (Delbarton, N.J.) joins the Big Red. Perrelli is a three-time region and district champion from Delbarton School. With a 142-20 career record, he was the New Jersey state champion in 2006 while placing third in 2005, and fifth in 2007. Perrelli placed fourth at the National High School Coaches Association senior nationals in 2007 and took fifth in 2006. Mike Grey (Delbarton, NJ) will wrestle in the 133 pound weight class. With a career record of 157-2 at Delbarton School, Grey is the first four-time New Jersey state champion. At 125 pounds, Grey recorded 120 wins by fall. He is a junior national freestyle champion and a NHSCA champ. At 141 pounds, Eric McGill (Munster, Ind.) will look to work his way into the Big Red lineup. McGill is a two-time state champion from Munster HS, winning at 125 pounds in 2006 and taking the title at 140 pounds in 2007. He was named first-team academic all-state in 2007. McGill was a cadet freestyle All-American in 2005 at 119 pounds. Three-time New Hampshire state champion, DJ Meagher (Bow, N.H.) will compete at 149 pounds. The two-time New Hampshire outstanding wrestler from Bow HS, is a two-time New England champion and was named New England's outstanding wrestler his senior year. With an overall record of 164-9, Meagher was the captain of his team his junior and senior years. He placed sixth at the NHSCA senior nationals earning him All-American status. Meagher was the New Hampshire recipient of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award. The award is presented annually to a high school senior based equally on outstanding wrestling success, scholastic achievement and citizenship or community service. Meagher also captained his lacrosse team his senior year and was named first-team all-state. At 174 pounds, Colin McDonald (Waverly, N.Y.) will wrestle for the Big Red. With a career record of 195-30, he is a two-time New York state champion and a state runner-up. McDonald also lettered in baseball at Waverly HS. Indiana state runner-up Travis Dale (West Point, Ind.) looks to make the lineup for the Big Red at 184 pounds. At McCutcheon HS, Dale also lettered in football. Jason Winckle (Bonne Terre, Mo.) will also join Cornell at 184 pounds. The three-time state qualifier from North County HS took third his senior year after winning the championship at 171 pounds his junior year. Winckle had a record of 138-10 during his high school career. At 197 pounds, Cameron Simaz (Fennville, Mich.) will wrestle for the Big Red. The three-time Division II Michigan state champion at Allegan HS is a Fila cadet All-American with a 237-6 career record. Simaz was also a two-year starter in football as a quarterback and linebacker and was named all-conference his senior year. He was a two-year starter in baseball as a pitcher and second baseman. Maciej Jochym (Williston Park, N.Y.) joins the Big Reds heavyweight ranks. Jochym was the New York state champion at 215 pounds from Hericks HS in 2007 after placing second at 189 pounds in 2006. He took sixth at senior nationals and has a 141-13 career record. After deferring enrollment last year to train at the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Mack Lewnes (Mt. St. Joes, Md.) joins this year's recruiting class at 165 pounds. With a career record of 187-13, Lewnes is a four-time Maryland state champion from Mt. St. Joes Prep. He is also a two-time National Prep Champion and two-time runner-up. The Big Red claimed its fifth straight Ivy League title last season going a perfect 5-0 against conference opponents for the fifth consecutive season. Cornell had eight All-Ivy selections, including four first-teamers. In his 15th season, the Big Red will once again be led by Rob Koll, who has amassed a 163-62-4 overall record during his tenure leading Cornell to eight Ivy League titles.

LEXINGTON, Va. -- Head coach John Trudgeon and the VMI wrestling program have announced their 2007-08 schedule, one that includes annual trips to some of the most prestigious tournaments on the East Coast, along with five dual meets to be hosted at The Thunderdome, on post at VMI. In all, the Keydets are slated for seven tournaments and 15 dual meets in the upcoming season, capped off with the Southern Conference Championships, being held in Chattanooga, Tenn. on March 8, 2008. The schedule also includes duals with three members of the ACC, along with four showdowns with in-state rivals. Coach Trudgeon's troops open up the season at a quad-meet in Charlottesville, where the Keydets face off with Virginia, Wagner and Anderson on Saturday, Nov. 3. A trip to the Pembroke Classic in Pembroke, N.C. awaits the team the following weekend, as the team makes the trip south on the following Saturday, Nov. 10. A pair of tournaments in Pennsylvania follow, as Penn hosts the Keystone Classic on Nov. 18 in Philadelphia, followed by the Nittany Lion Open hosted by Penn State on Dec. 2. The team's home debut comes on evening of Friday, Dec. 7, as Gardner-Webb comes to town for a 7:30 p.m. start at The Thunderdome. That marks the final competition before winter break for the team, though they will make their annual trip to the Southern Scuffle during the furlough, with the team heading to Greensboro, N.C. on Dec. 29-30. The new year dawns with the Virginia State Championships, being held on Saturday, Jan. 5, though the location has yet to be announced. The Keydets then begin the heart of their dual season, heading north for a tri-meet at George Mason in Fairfax, Va. that will also feature Campbell on Saturday, Jan. 12. The Southern Conference slate begins on Wednesday, Jan. 16, as the Keydets tangle with UNC Greensboro on the road before hosting Davidson on Friday, Jan. 25. The team then steps out of the Conference to renew a tradition, however with a twist. For the first time in three years, the Keydets will participate in the "Rumble on the River", a wrestling showcase at St. Christopher's School in Richmond. However, the opponent will not be Virginia as in years past, but instead will include a tri-meet with The Citadel and Virginia Tech in an event slated for Sunday, Jan. 27. A trip to West Point, N.Y. for the All-Academy Championships is set for Saturday, Feb. 2, as eight military schools do battle for in the 14th annual event. Back-to-back home duals will see the Keydets host SoCon foe Chattanooga on Friday, Feb. 8, while a visit from Delaware State on Wednesday, Feb. 13 marks the first-ever meeting between the programs. A swing through North Carolina the following weekend will have the Keydets face off with Duke on Saturday, Feb. 16 in Durham, while wrapping up the SoCon season against Appalachian State on Feb. 17 in Boone. A showdown with Liberty at The Thunderdome caps off the regular season on Friday, Feb. 22, before heading to Chattanooga for the SoCon Championships on Mar. 8, slated to take place at the McKenzie Arena. The Keydets will be looking to send competitors to the NCAA Championships for the second straight season, as this year's event will be held in St. Louis, Mo. on Mar. 20-22.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -– Two of Penn State's finest young wrestlers, one a true sophomore and one an incoming true freshman, helped lead the United States to a team gold and a team silver medal at the 2007 Pan American Junior Championships. Sophomore Dave Rella (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) and incoming true freshman Jared Platt (Blairstown, N.J.) both came away with titles at the event in Maracaibo, Venezuela Platt claimed two gold medals in the tournament and was named tournament Outstanding Wrestlers. The Blairsville native and graduate of the Blairsville Academy first one a gold medal in Greco-Roman at 96 kg (211.5 lbs.). His performance helped lead Team USA to a second place finish and the silver medal. The soon-to-be Nittany Lion true freshman then won the freestyle gold at 96 kg (211.5 lbs.). He went a combined 6-0 at the championships with three pins. Rella claimed silver in Greco at 74 kg (163 lbs.) and then won the freestyle gold medal at 74 kg (163 lbs.). Rella, who went 21-13 at 165 last year for Penn State as a true freshman, combined to go 5-1 at the tournament. He teamed with Platt to lead Team USA to the freestyle gold medal.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Incoming Buckeye freshman wrestler and U.S. representative Nikko Triggas won a gold and bronze medal Saturday and Sunday at the 2007 Pan American Juniors Championship in Maracaibo, Venezuela. A native of Moraga, Calif., Triggas was crowned champion at 55kg/121 pounds in the Greco-Roman competition before winning the bronze medal at 60kg/132 pounds in the freestyle contest. Triggas and the U.S. men's freestyle team won gold, while the Greco-Roman squad was a silver medalist. In the Greco-Roman competition, Triggas won his first match against Freddy Pylco of Ecuador, 6-1, 6-1. He followed that performance with 3-0, Fall, and 3-2, Fall, victories over Jose Guevara of Venezuela and Mandiez Hidalgo of Cuba, respectively. Triggas' opening freestyle match against Luis Portillo of El Salvador resulted in a 6-0, 2-7, Fall, loss, but he rebounded with a 10-2, 6-1, win against Moises Soto of Panama.

More than a decade after his murder, Dave Schultz remains one of the most respected and beloved figures in amateur wrestling. Respected for his considerable accomplishments on the mat -- 1977 California high school state champ, 1982 NCAA champion at 167 pounds from the University of Oklahoma, 1984 Olympic gold medalist in freestyle at 74 kg/163 lbs, and ten-time Senior Nationals champ -- are just some of the biggest highlights in a career of highlights. Just as important, however, Dave Schultz was beloved for his generous spirit and ease in forming warm, lasting friendships with wrestlers and fans around the world. Alexander and Dave SchultzDave Schultz was very much a family man. He left behind a wife of fourteen years, Nancy, a daughter Danielle, and son Alexander, named for the legendary Russian wrestling champion Alexander Medved. Alexander Schultz turned 21 this past spring. He describes himself as being "built just like my dad" … and his father's easygoing spirit comes through in conversation. Yet the son of Dave Schultz is very much his own man as he charts his own course in life. Sporting interests It might be a surprise to amateur wrestling fans that Alexander Schultz describes his involvement in amateur wrestling to be "minimal." "I wrestled some in middle school," says Alexander. "There was some pressure because of who I am, to be in wrestling, and some of it was self-imposed … No pressure ever from my dad." So what is the main sport of the only son of one of the greatest amateur wrestlers of the late 20th century? Basketball. Alexander says that, in high school, his home was the center of activity in the neighborhood. "Friends would hang out at my house, play basketball, eat, play more basketball … We'd play for four or five hours at a time." Wrestling fans, all is not lost. "I love wrestling," says Alexander. "The sad thing is, basketball and wrestling are in the same season. If they were in different seasons, I'd do both." Alexander Schultz is finding a way to channel his love of wrestling into a new activity: mixed-martial arts training, which he describes as being "real fun." Mixed martial arts would not be unprecedented for Alexander Schultz. His uncle Mark, like Dave an NCAA champion wrestler and 1984 Olympic gold medallist in freestyle, became one of the early superstars in MMA competition. And, after his father's death, Alexander spent considerable time with Kevin Jackson and Dan Henderson, both amateur wrestling greats involved in MMA. "To be successful in mixed martial arts, you have to be good at so many things -– grappling, kickboxing, ground wrestling," according to Alexander. "The art of jiu jitsu -- a form of submission wrestling -- is also critically important." "It's all a chess game, deciding when to use what technique during a match…. It's very much a mental as well as physical game." Life with father at Foxcatcher Alexander Schultz spent most of his formative years at the Foxcatcher compound outside Philadelphia, where his father was coach of Team Foxcatcher at the time of his murder in January 1996 by John du Pont, multimillionaire owner of the facility. Alexander and Dave Schultz"Foxcatcher was family," recalls Alexander. "I grew up having so many 'uncles', many of them great wrestlers of that era." Among the "uncles": Dave Lee, Dan Chaid, Melvin Douglas, Dan Henderson, Kevin Jackson, Kenny Monday, Kendall Cross, Brian Dolph, and Heath Sims. The younger Schultz describes what sounds like a carefree, fun-filled life. "My dad was a great friend, while my mom played the role of the enforcer." "Mom would tuck me into bed, then dad would come up a bit later and we'd go play Super Mario downstairs," muses the 21-year-old Schultz. "He'd also make up great bedtime stories." "When it snowed, dad built a mound next to the house and we'd jump off the roof into the snowpile." "He'd also tie our sleds to the back of the Toyota Tercel and tow us through the snow, to the woods to go sledding." "He also took us hunting on the Foxcatcher estate. We ate what we killed; I ate a lot of groundhog stew," says Alexander. Even though Alexander refers to his mom as being 'the enforcer' of the family compared to his dad, he also describes growing up in a household with plenty of love … and a seemingly relaxed lifestyle. He recalls one specific incident with fondness: "When I was little, I wanted to stay up. I was not going to go to bed. Neither of my folks were the kind to spank us, but there was one time when dad tried to spank me, but he just couldn't. I remember we just laughed about it." The son's warm memories of his father aren't limited to the estate. "He'd come to our elementary school for just about any reason… He'd come to have lunch with us, played soccer with us. I remember more than once he bought all the kids ice cream." "Foxcatcher would be the perfect place to grow up." Remembering January 26, 1996 Alexander Schultz was incredibly open in discussing his father's murder … and the man who committed the crime, John du Pont. "du Pont was almost comic relief," says Alexander. "He said and did strange things, like driving his Lincoln into the pond, and not just once … He went fox hunting in his tank." "Dad and I try to see good in everyone … He didn't see anyone differently. Whether you were a world champion or a janitor, he treated everyone the same, with kindness and respect. That includes du Pont." Immediately before discussing the actual murder for this profile, Alexander Schultz said, "Everyone who was at Foxcatcher has a tough time grasping the reality of it all … du Pont did crazy things but generally didn't hurt people. Though he did some things that were dangerous. One time when he drove the Lincoln into the pond, someone else was in the car with him … He also once pulled a gun on (Team Foxcatcher wrestler) Dan Chaid." The younger Schultz recalls that January day with incredible clarity, especially considering he was only nine years old at the time. "We [Alexander and his then six-year-old sister Danielle] were called out of class about 2:40. We went to the office along with (two-time Olympic medallist wrestler from Bulgaria, Valentin) Jordanov's kids Yoni and Irena, and Will & Laura Shorts' four daughters." Danielle, Nancy, and Alexander Schultz"We were driven to Don and Toni Lyons' house. (The Lyons were not in wrestling, but were family friends.) We drove right past our house, and could see the police and the media in front …" "When we asked what was going on, we were told something like 'du Pont had one of his episodes.'" "While at the Lyons' house, we couldn't watch TV." "Mom came about 5, took us up to a bedroom, then told us. I immediately ran downstairs to tell my friends." "I stayed downstairs crying for a long time." Alexander continues: "We stayed inside for a couple days, staying in the same bedroom (where mom told us the news) that night." "I tried to stay strong during the funeral." A few months after the murder, the funeral and the memorial service, NBC ran a tribute to Dave Schultz during its wrestling coverage of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. The segment, lasting nearly seven minutes, was narrated by then Today show host Katie Couric, but Dave's friends and family did most of the talking. Nine-year-old Alexander was featured at least once during the segment. Early in the piece, he was shown holding his father's 1984 Olympic gold medal around his neck, saying. "If I won a baseball game, he'd rather talk about that than the Olympics." Towards the end of the NBC tribute broadcast during the 1996 Olympics, Nancy Schultz said, "Alexander told me that he missed his dad a lot … but then said, 'Aren't we lucky he was our dad?'" Alexander Schultz today When not playing basketball with his friends, Alexander is taking classes at a community college in Arizona, with the hope of eventually continuing his education at the University of Arizona. He also plans to continue his involvement in mixed-martial arts, hoping to train with Dan "Hollywood" Henderson. And, he's serving as an executive producer of a friend's music CD about to be recorded in the San Francisco Bay area. Alexander Schultz with Dan HendersonHe still keeps in touch with many of his "uncles" -- the great wrestlers who were friends of his father more than a decade ago. His late father's memory still lives on, strong as ever. "I can't go anywhere without hearing from someone who knew my dad," Alexander says. "I wouldn't be who I am now without him."

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. –- The times, date and place have been set for the Special Wrestle-Off between Nate Gallick and Mike Zadick. Gallick and Zadick will meet in a best-of-3 series to determine the final spot on the U.S. World Freestyle Team on Aug. 16 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Gallick beat Zadick in the finals of April's U.S. Nationals at 60 kg/132 lbs., but suffered a foot injury and was unable to wrestle in the U.S. World Team Trials earlier this month. Gallick (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) requested and received permission to take part in the Special Wrestle-Off at a later date because of his injury. He was permitted to do so by virtue of winning U.S. Nationals and having already clinched a berth in the finals of the U.S. World Team Trials. Weigh-ins for the Gallick-Zadick series are scheduled for 3-3:30 p.m. on Aug. 15. The first match of the series is set for 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 16 with the second match to follow at 1:30 p.m. A third match, if necessary, is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. The event is open to the public and admission is free. The winner of the Special Wrestle-Off will qualify for the World Championships on Sept. 17-23 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Zadick, a 2006 World silver medalist, won the U.S. World Team Trials on June 9 in Las Vegas to earn another shot at Gallick. Zadick, an assistant coach at Iowa, will compete along with the other six U.S. World Team members in freestyle at the Pan American Games late next month in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Gallick, a past World University champion, has won the last three meetings against Zadick (Solon, Iowa/Gator WC). Gallick was an NCAA champion for Iowa State and Zadick was an NCAA All-American for Iowa. Gallick, recently hired as an assistant coach at Tennessee-Chattanooga, is trying to make his first World Team on the Senior level. The Special Wrestle-Off will take place during the U.S. World Team freestyle camp, which is scheduled from Aug. 5-18 in Colorado Springs.

This week's edition of "On the Mat" will feature Don Perkins, Larry Hennig, and Gene LeBell. Perkins was a former superstar for the Dallas Cowboys from 1961-68. During his career he made six Pro Bowls and rushed for 6,217 yards. He is one of 17 people that have been inducted into the Ring of Honor at Texas Stadium. On July 13, Perkins will be at the Celebrity Golf Outing for the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum. Both Perkins and legendary wrestler Dan Gable graduated from West Waterloo and met for the first time two years ago. Hennig was a former pro wrestler who was inducted into the George Trago/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame last year. His son Curt Hennig – known in pro wrestling circles as Mr. Perfect – will be inducted this year. They are the first father and son to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. LeBell is a legendary stuntman who has been featured in over 1000 movies. Known as "The Most Dangerous Man Alive", LeBell is an expert in submission wrestling. In June 1976, he refereed the famous mixed boxing and wrestling match between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki. In 2005 LeBell received the Frank Gotch Award. He also has a Mixed Martial Arts academy in California. "On the Mat" is a weekly wrestling radio program that airs every Wednesday night. This week's broadcast can be heard live from 6-7 p.m. Central Standard Time. The Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, hosts the show. "On the Mat" can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa on 1650, The Fan. Feel free to e-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with questions or comments about the show.

Columbia, Mo. -- Two-time wrestling National Champion Ben Askren (Hartland, Wis.) was nominated for a 2007 ESPY in the category of Best Male College Athlete as announced today by ESPN. Co-presented by HUMMER and Under Armour, the 15th annual celebration will air on ESPN Sunday, July 15, at 8 p.m. (CT). Fans can vote for Askren, as well as other individuals nominated in one of 38 categories, Monday, June 25, through 10:59 p.m. (CT) Saturday, July 7 www.espys.tv. A total of 170 individuals were nominated for a 2007 ESPY. Askren, Missouri's first wrestling national champion and four-time All-American, finished his senior campaign with a spotless 42-0 record that included 29 wins by fall, a school single-season record. Of Askren's 29 falls, 23 were recorded within the first period. In addition, Askren also managed to set Missouri's career falls mark at 91. Throughout the 2006-07 campaign, Askren earned five tournament titles including his third Big 12 title at 174 pounds. Named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational and Southern Scuffle, Askren was also awarded the Gorrarian Award at the Cliff Keen Invitational for most pins in the tournament. The three-time Tiger team captain, closed his collegiate career with a 153-8 mark that included a stretch of 87 consecutive wins dating back to the start of his junior season. One of four individuals nominated for Best Male College Athlete, Askren stands in the category alongside Texas forward Kevin Durant, Ohio State center Greg Oden and Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and ESPY nominee LeBron James, the annual award show will be held at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre.

University of Minnesota senior wrestler Cole Konrad has been named the Big Ten Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year, the conference office announced today. The award is the highest honor an athlete can receive from the Big Ten Conference. Konrad beat out the likes of Ohio State's 2006 Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, Penn State's All-American linebacker Paul Posluszny and Wisconsin's 2007 Big Ten Player of the Year Alando Tucker. Konrad is just the fourth athlete from the University of Minnesota to earn Big Ten – Jesse Owens Athlete of the Year honors since the award was instituted in 1982. He is the first Golden Gopher athlete to win the award since wrestler Damion Hahn won it in 2004. Gymnast John Roethlisberger was the first Minnesota athlete to earn the award in 1983, while Jordan Leopold was honored after leading the hockey team to a national title in 2002. Swimmer Gretchen Hegener won the Suzy Favor Female Athlete of the Year award in 1997. Arguably the greatest wrestler in school history, Konrad capped off his brilliant career with his second straight individual national title in leading the Golden Gophers to their third NCAA championship in the last seven years. He became just the fourth Minnesota wrestler to win multiple NCAA titles and the fifth to earn All-America honors four times in a career. With his 2007 Big Ten heavyweight title, Konrad became only the fifth wrestler in school history to win three Big Ten individual crowns as he helped the Gophers run away with their second straight conference title. He also became just the third wrestler in conference history to win multiple Big Ten Wrestler of the Year awards. Konrad finished his career with a school-record 76-match winning streak, which also ranks as the 13th-longest in Division I history. He posted a career record of 155-13 for a .923 career winning percentage, the fourth-best in school history. His 155 career victories and 50 career pins are both totals that rank second on the school's all-time record charts. Only a minor shoulder injury at the beginning of the 2007 season prevented Konrad from having a chance to challenge both of those marks. This past season, Konrad pinned 13 of the 28 wrestlers he faced and was forfeited to seven times. He went 11-0 against ranked opponents on the year, including a pin of second-ranked Aaron Anspach of Penn State in the NCAA title match. Perhaps the most telling characteristic of Konrad's career was his reputation for coming through in the clutch. Sixteen times during his career, Konrad needed to win his match to clinch a Minnesota victory and all 16 times he delivered. At the finals of the 2007 National Duals, Minnesota trailed Missouri by two points entering the heavyweight bout. Needing only a win, Konrad delivered in dramatic fashion by pinning Tyler Perry to clinch Minnesota's second straight National Duals title. The Big Ten Conference has recognized a Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year since 1982 when Indiana's Jim Spivey earned the inaugural award. The following year, a women's award was created. In 1991-92, as part of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of women's athletics in the conference, the women's award was renamed in honor of former Wisconsin track standout and three-time recipient Suzy Favor.

Two SCSU Husky wrestling recruits were named to the 2007 Wrestling USA Scholastic All-American team. Lucas Munkelwitz (Forest Lake, MN) was named as an All-American, while fellow recruit Tad Merritt (Canby, MN) earned All-American honorable mention honors. Munkelwitz captured the 2007 Minnesota High School State Championship this past season. He finished his career at Forest Lake High School with a 97-18 record while carrying a 2.7 GPA. Munkelwitz finished his career ranked 26th in the nation by Wrestling USA Magazine at 171-pounds. Merritt, an All-American honorable mention, is a two-time Minnesota High School State Champion. He finished his career with a 176-32 record including 116 falls while carrying a 2.88 GPA. Merritt finished his career ranked 20th in the nation by InterMat All-Class High School Rankings at 152-pounds. The Husky's will welcome several newcomers to the wrestling roster in the fall. The first competition is set for Saturday, November 10th in Halenbeck Hall when they will host their Annual Black-Red Classic at 6 p.m.

Bloomington, Ind. -- Former Indiana wrestling All-American Pat DeGain has been named an assistant wrestling coach at Indiana University, head coach Duane Goldman announced today. DeGain, who wrestled for the Hoosiers from 2002-05, most recently spent two years as an assistant at the University of Virginia. "I feel very excited and fortunate to get Pat DeGain back into our program," Goldman said. "As a student-athlete he was a tremendous competitor and leader and he has now proven himself to be an effective coach at Virginia. We relish the opportunity to bring an IU alum back on our staff." DeGain, who finished third in the heavyweight division at the 2005 NCAA Championships, will work with the upper weight divisions and assist in recruiting for the Hoosiers. Virginia posted a 19-15 record in DeGain's two seasons as an assistant after going 5-13 the year prior to his arrival. "It's exciting for me to be a coach under Duane and with Duane after wrestling for him," DeGain said. "I learned a lot from him while I was there so I think things are going to go well. I'm really looking forward to returning to Bloomington." DeGain was a strong recruiter for the Cavaliers, helping them land back-to-back top 25 recruiting classes. His key signees included heavyweight Jack Danilkowicz, who was a FILA Junior National Champion in Greco-Roman. He will be crucial in the development of Hoosier sophomore Nathan Everhart (197) and highly-touted incoming freshman Joe Fagiano (HWT). DeGain graduated from Indiana in 2005 after finishing his career with a 115-31 overall record over his four seasons. As a senior, DeGain finished the year 35-6 and placed third at the NCAA Championships to seal an All-American season. He ended his career ranked fifth on Indiana's all-time career wins list with 115 and became the third IU wrestler to capture a Midlands title. He also took second at the Big Ten Championships in 2005. As a junior, DeGain finished 28-8 on the season. His 28 victories were good for fourth on the team as he also went 17-3 in dual action that year. Of his 28 wins, nine victories were by fall, six were major decisions and one win was by technical fall. He turned in a first-place showing at the Northern Iowa Open and also qualified for the NCAA Championships after a third place finish at the Big Ten Championships. As a sophomore, DeGain posted an 18-match undefeated streak. For the season, DeGain compiled an overall record of 29-7 on the year with a 20-4 dual meet record. In his debut season, the Clarkston, Mich., native was ranked as high as fifth in the nation during the season. DeGain finished the year with a 23-11 record and a 6-2 mark in the Big Ten. He came up just short of All-American status at the NCAA Championship after posting a 3-2 record at Nationals. In high school, DeGain was a two-time state champion and won the last 99 matches of his high school career. He finished his career as the No. 4 wrestler in the NHSCA/Asics Senior rankings. He placed fifth at the 1997 Cadet Freestyle National Championships and took fifth at the 1998 Cadet Greco-Roman National Championships. DeGain and his wife, Nicole, have been married since August 2005.

BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania -- The highly anticipated wrestling movie "VERITAS" will screen during the South Side Film Festival at the Lehigh University Campus in the Packard Lab Auditorium on Thursday, June 21, at 7 pm and on Saturday, June 23 at 2 pm. (200 W. Packer Ave. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) VERITAS means Righteousness, Truth and Integrity… For three time NCAA All American Wrestler, Jon Trenge, it's a reminder for him to do the right thing. Veritas is a feature-length film documenting Lehigh University's 2004-2005 wrestling team and the story of Jon Trenge, who strives to achieve his childhood dream of becoming a National Wrestling Champion for his hometown school. Jon's freshman season is cut short when doctors discover an eye condition so serious that he is told he should never wrestle again or risk losing his eyesight permanently. Jon refuses to accept his doctor's warning and is determined to find a way to wrestle. After undergoing five eye surgeries, he wears homemade protective goggles designed by his father and nearly achieves his goal his sophomore and junior seasons losing in the National Finals. Jon defeats a former National Champion to earn the most wins in Lehigh's storied wrestling history, but many of his opponents intentionally attack his protective goggles injuring and frustrating him. Jon retaliates and gets disqualified from two matches. However, Jon overcomes this setback by using it as an opportunity to learn about himself and grow as a person. He returns to competition invigorated, and the pursuit of his childhood dream ultimately helps him become the man he wants to be. VERITAS has taken the wrestling community by storm as it was recently showcased during the 2007 NCAA Division 1 National Wrestling Championships were it received a standing ovation. Then the film screened at the National High School Wrestling Championships in Virginai Beach, Virginia where it was well received by wrestlers, parents and fans. The screening in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania will be the films homecoming as the film will showcase in the Lehigh Valley, the valley where the inspiring story of a local hero Jon Trenge is known by many. Present at the film festival screenings will be the films director and producer Howie Miller. Following the screening Miller will participate in a question and answer session where audience members can participate in a discussion of the film. The South Side Film Festival (SSFF) premiered in June 2004, with great success, screening 50 films, by 35 filmmakers, from as far as India, the Netherlands, California, Utah, Texas, and all over the East Coast. Since then the festival has showcased films from almost every filmmaking corner of the world. For tickets and more information about the South Side Film Festival please visit http://www.ssff.org. For information regarding the movie VERITAS, future screening dates, DVD sales and fundraising opportunities for wrestling teams please visit http://www.Veritas-Movie.com or http://www.MySpace.com/VeritastheMovie

This week's edition of "On the Mat" will feature Lindsey Durlacher and Harley Race. Durlacher recently made his third World Team by winning the World Team Trials in the Greco-Roman division at 121 pounds. He also won a bronze medal at the 2006 World Championships. A former two-time All-American for the University of Illinois, Durlacher placed second in 1997 at 118 pounds. He currently trains at the U.S. Olympic Training Center as a resident athlete. Race is a member of the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame located in the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum. Known as "Handsome Harley Race" for much of his career, the Missouri native was one of the ring's best brawlers, taking on everyone from coast to coast. A true legend in the professional wrestling business, Race was an eight-time NWA World champion. "On the Mat" is a weekly wrestling radio program that airs every Wednesday night. This week's broadcast can be heard live from 6-7 p.m. Central Standard Time. The Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, hosts the show. "On the Mat" can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa on 1650, The Fan. Feel free to e-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with questions or comments about the show.

Sharon Dowden of Indianapolis, Ind., a grassroots leader on the state and national levels, has been named Woman of the Year by USA Wrestling, the national governing body for wrestling in the United States. This award recognizes an outstanding woman for her contributions to the sport of wrestling. "It is an honor to receive this award," said Dowden. "I am basically a grassroots person and have worked for the past 25 years toward building a quality program for the kids at the state and regional level. My motto has always been, ‘Do it for the Kids.'" Dowden has been active with the Indiana State Wrestling Association (ISWA) for decades in many capacities. She began her involvement in the sport in 1981, when her youngest sons began competing. "Two of my sons attended a wrestling clinic and decided they wanted to compete. We didn't have a club in our area, at the time, so my husband Mike and I started one," said Dowden. "I didn't know much about wrestling but I loved the kids and came to understand and respect the sport. So, I became the club mom, attending practices, printing up schedules, and accompanying kids almost every Saturday. That led to Friday night sleepovers at the Dowden's and hauling as many kids as possible to tournaments. Sometimes Mike and I drove two vehicles because they wouldn't all fit in our station wagon." An incident at a wrestling tournament a few years later helped Dowden to decide to make a full commitment as a volunteer leader. "I became upset when a young person, working the time clock on my son's mat, was paying little attention to the match," said Dowden. "I questioned the official as to why they were not utilizing adults. That official was Jan Hesser. His reply was, ‘There are never enough adult volunteers. If more people like you would volunteer we wouldn't have this problem. So, Mrs. Dowden you decide. You can either become part of the solution or remain part of the problem.' That was a turning point for me." She served as the ISWA membership director from 1986-2003. When she started as membership director, Indiana had 3,600 wrestlers and 40 clubs. To date, the ISWA has grown to over 8,900 athletes, 800 coaches and 175 member clubs. She is currently serving as Director of Services, and Web Master for the ISWA. She is an Associate Pairing Master in Indiana and a USA Wrestling P3 Pairer. In 1997, she assisted in forming USA Wrestling's Central Region. She served on the Local Organizing Committee for the 2003 World Team Trials and the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, successful national events held in Indianapolis. She has focused on improving communication within the ISWA, and is the publisher of the annual publication, the Indiana Amateur Wrestling News. She has also worked on developing the folkstyle program for the ISWA. She was a leader in the decision of the ISWA to switch from the AAU to USA Wrestling many years ago. Dowden has been inducted into the Indiana Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, and received the 1997 ISWA John Hurrle Award. She is married to Mike Dowden, the Indiana State Chairperson, a member of the Junior Olympic Wrestling Committee as well as USA Wrestling's Board of Directors. All of her involvement in wrestling has been based upon the quest to share quality information with wrestling families and to provide more opportunities for young people to participate in USA Wrestling programs. "Although I realize the importance of involvement at the national and Olympic level, my passion is the grassroots level of wrestling. We need people who are still in the trenches. Without them, we tend to lose touch with why we all began this journey in the first place," said Dowden. Dowden will be recognized and received her award at ceremonies during the ASICS/Vaughan Junior Nationals and Accelerade Cadet Nationals in Fargo, N.D. in July. PAST USA WRESTLING WOMAN OF THE YEAR WINNERS 2006 – Sharon Dowden 2005 – Kim Martori-Wickey 2004 – Patricia Miranda 2003 - Kristie Marano 2002 - Pat Short 2001 - Paula McGahee 2000 - Sandy Stevens 1999 - Sue Siar 1998 - Nancy Schultz 1997 - Tricia Saunders

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- The Penn State wrestling team is celebrating 100 years of wrestling this season and once again faces one of the nation's toughest schedules. Head coach Troy Sunderland has announced the 2007-08 Nittany Lion wrestling schedule and Penn State will host seven outstanding duals. The Nittany Lions also meet Oklahoma State for the first time since 1999-2000. Penn State will take part in 14 regularly scheduled matches and once again take part in the National Duals in January. In addition to a stunning slate of dual match action, Penn State will once again host Wrestle-Offs and take part in the Nittany Lion Open. The schedule once again concludes with the Big Ten Championships and the NCAA Championships in March. The season begins in earnest on Sunday, Nov. 4, when Penn State hosts Wrestle-Offs in Rec Hall at 1 p.m. The annual event then gives Penn State a week to get ready for the season opener as the Maryland Terrapins visit Penn State on Sunday, Nov. 11, in a 1 p.m. match-up. Less than a week later, national power and Eastern rival Hofstra comes to Penn State for a 1 p.m. dual on Saturday, Nov. 17. Penn State then takes a week off to prepare for the 2007 Nittany Lion Open, which will take place on Sunday, Dec. 2. Five days later, a superb two-match swing opens the road slate for Sunderland's Lions. Penn State will visit regional rival Lehigh on Friday, Dec. 7, in a 7 p.m. dual. The Lions will then take to the skies and head to Stillwater, Okla., to face national power Oklahoma State on Sunday, Dec. 9. The time of that dual has yet to be determined. The match-up with the Cowboys will be the first meeting between the two teams in nearly a decade and Penn State's first trip to Stillwater since the 1999-2000 season. After the semester break, Penn State opens up the spring semester with a rugged home dual against regional rival Cornell. The Big Red and Nittany Lions will tangle on Friday, Jan. 4, at 7 p.m. Penn State then makes its return to the 2008 NWCA/Cliff Kean National Duals, hosted by Northern Iowa University in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The field for this year's dual meet championship tournament is outstanding and includes Penn State, Central Michigan, Cornell, Hofstra, Indiana, Iowa State, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Northern Iowa, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oklahoma State and West Virginia. Penn State will return to Iowa less than a week later for its Big Ten opener. The Nittany Lions will visit the Iowa Hawkeyes on Sunday, Jan. 20. The Nittany Lions then visit Ohio State on Friday, Jan. 25, for a 7 p.m. conference match-up before returning home to host Indiana on Sunday, Jan. 27, at 1 p.m. Big Ten road action continues the next week as the Lions visit Northwestern on Friday, Feb. 1 and Illinois on Sunday, Feb. 3. Penn State then hosts three straight conference duals to close out its Big Ten schedule. The Michigan Wolverines will visit what is sure to be a packed Rec Hall on Friday night, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. Michigan State then comes to town a week later for a 7 p.m. match-up on Friday, Feb. 15. The Purdue Boilermakers visit Rec Hall for Penn State's home finale on Sunday, Feb. 17, at 1 p.m. The Nittany Lions close out the dual match schedule with a short road trip to local rival Lock Haven on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 7:30 p.m. "We are very pleased and excited about the schedule that we will face this year. With the new additions to our slate and a return to the national duals, we have created a schedule that will challenge our team every step of the way and prepare us for the Big Ten and NCAA Championships," Sunderland said. We face one of the nation's toughest line-ups every year by facing eight of the country's best teams in the Big Ten. We also continue our outstanding non-conference schedule against some of the nation's top teams like Hofstra, Cornell and Lehigh. Add in a new regional foe like Maryland and local rival Lock Haven and it is easy to get excited about the 100 year campaign." The season will conclude with the two biggest tournaments for Penn State. The 2008 Big Ten Championships will be hosted by the University of Minnesota on Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9, in Minneapolis. Two weeks later, all roads lead to St. Louis as the 2008 NCAA Wrestling Championships return to St. Louis' Scottrade Center (formerly the Savvis Center). The three day title tourney takes place on March 20-22. "We are very disappointed about Aaron Anspach not getting a sixth year of eligibility, but despite that, we have an outstanding group of wrestlers returning. We have two All-Americans and three other national qualifiers returning and a hungry group of guys who are ready to take their shots at becoming national champions. This schedule will serve as a superb test for our team and prepare us exceptionally well for March." Penn State returns seven of ten starters from last year's team as well as two other starters from the 2005-06 campaign and another spot starter from a year ago. Two All-Americans and three more national qualifiers will help give Penn State a talented and veteran line-up. Senior Phil Davis (Harrisburg, Pa.) will be looking to claim his elusive national title and will aim to become Penn State's fourth four-time All-American. Davis has placed seventh (2005), was national runner-up (2006) and finished fifth (2007) at 197 pounds. Junior Jake Strayer (South Fork, Pa.) earned his first All-America honor after his seventh place finish at 133 a year ago at nationals. Strayer will move up to 141 pounds this year for a run at a national title. Senior Mark McKnight (McDonald, Pa.) is a three-time national qualifier at 125 pounds and returns for his final season with the Nittany Lions. Two sophomores who were recently named to the AWN All-Rookie Team return for their second seasons in the Lion line-up as well. Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) went 3-2 at nationals last year and finished in the ‘Round of 12', just one win shy of All-America status. Bubba Jenkins (Virginia Beach, Va.) returns for his second season after qualifying for nationals at 157. Other starters returning include sophomores Dave Rella (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) at 165 and Mike Ward (Mayfield, Ohio) at 184. Ward split starting time at 184 last year with returning junior starter Phil Bomberger (Port Royal, Pa.). Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.), who started periodically at 125 in 2005-06, and David Erwin (Urbana, Ohio), who started most of that season at 165, also return after red-shirt seasons. Erwin looks to move up to 174. A number of talented heavyweights return to vie for the spot opened up by Anspach's graduation, including transfers John Laboranti (Scranton, Pa.) and Stefan Tighe (Erie, Pa.). Penn State went 14-5 overall last year and placed third in the Big Ten dual match standings with a 5-3 mark. The Lions were fourth at Big Tens and 11th at nationals, crowning three All-Americans with one national finalist (Anspach). The Nittany Lions also welcome one of the nation's top recruiting classes as well.

Related Links: Watch JJ Classic Videos View JJ Classic Photos View JJ Classic Placewinners View JJ Classic Brackets ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Fredy Stroker entered Saturday's InterMat JJ Classic on Saturday ranked among the nation's top 20 freshmen before ever donning a high school wrestling singlet. Fredy Stroker (Photo/The Guillotine)The 15-year-old Stroker, who attends Bettendorf High School in Iowa, showed why he is so highly regarded by defeating three state placewinners and a two-time state champion en route to capturing the JJ Classic title at 113 pounds. Stroker used lighting-quick attacks, strong scrambling, and a poise that far exceeds his age to roll through his competition. He pinned state third-place finisher Joey Majerus in the quarterfinals. Then he came from behind to defeat top-seeded Tristan Manderfeld (Foley, Minn.), 7-4, in the semifinals. Stroker capped off his tournament by defeating two-time state champion Jordan Shearer (West Fargo, N.D.), 3-1, in the championship match. Three Gopher recruits win titles, Brancale named OW Three seniors who have committed to the University of Minnesota, Sam Brancale (Eden Prairie, Minn.), Brandon Kingsley (Apple Valley, Minn.), and Michael Kroells (Scott West, Minn.), claimed titles at the JJ Classic. Sam Brancale (Photo/The Guillotine)Brancale, who is ranked as the nation's No. 56 overall recruit, cruised to the championship at 132 pounds, a weight class that included three state champions and several state placewinners. He recorded three pins en route to reaching the semifinals. Brancale then won 9-2 over two-time state placewinner Taner Trembley (LCWM, Minn.) in the semifinals, before winning by the identical score of 9-2 in the finals over state champion Mitchel Lexvold (Kenyon Wanamingo, Minn.). Brancale was voted Outstanding Wrestler of this year's JJ Classic. Kingsley, a three-time state champion and No. 6 overall recruit, registered two pins and two decisions on his way to capturing the title at 152 pounds. He was pushed in the semifinals by eighth-grade phenom Mason Manville, who is ranked as the No. 3 junior high wrestler in the country, but prevailed for the 4-2 victory. Kingsley's victory in the finals came over Adam Cooling (Madelia/Truman/Martin Luther, Minn.), 5-0. Kroells, an undefeated state champion last season, showed why he is among the nation's top big men by pinning Sam Stoll (Kasson-Mantorville, Minn.), a Cadet National double champion and the nation's No. 12 sophomore, to take the title at heavyweight. Three Apple Valley wrestlers win titles Three Apple Valley wrestlers won titles at the JJ Classic. No other program produced more than one champion. Apple Valley's titlists included Kingsley (152), Seth Gross (126), and Mark Hall (145). Seth Gross (Photo/The Guillotine)Gross, a Cadet National freestyle champion this past summer, was dominant throughout the tournament. He won his opening match by pin, and then outscored his remaining three opponents 32-5. He defeated Northern Plains Cadet freestyle champion Ben Brancale (Eden Prairie, Minn.), 8-2, in the championship match. Hall, who is ranked as the nation's No. 1 junior high wrestler, defeated Weston Droegemueller (Wayzata, Minn.), 7-0, to take the title at 145 pounds. Nation's No. 20 freshman shines Lance Benick (Totino Grace, Minn.), the nation's No. 20 freshman, won his first JJ Classic title at 182 pounds, beating Corbin Farrell (Apple Valley, Minn.), 5-2, in the championship match. Benick outscored his opponents 31-11 throughout the tournament. He is coming off a summer in which he went undefeated at the Schoolboy National Duals and 15-1 at the Junior Olympics. Rodriguez knocks off red-hot Sykora to win title at 106 Dante' Rodriguez (Photo/The Guillotine)Dante' Rodriguez (Grand Island, Nebr.), a Junior National Greco-Roman runner-up, put together an impressive string of victories to claim the title at 106 pounds. Rodriguez, who was fifth at the 2010 JJ Classic, was dominant in his first three matches, picking up two pins and a major decision. Then in the semifinals he edged state runner-up Tanner Johnshoy (Prior Lake, Minn.), 3-2. (Johnshoy won the award for most pins in the least amount of time.) Rodriguez then capped off his tournament by beating red-hot Cameron Sykora (Border West, Minn.), a 2011 Grappler Fall Classic champion, 4-2. Prior to the finals Sykora, the No. 1 seed, had outscored his opponents 37-2 and picked up a pin in under a minute. Koethe defeats Sullivan in barnburner at 160 In perhaps the most action-filled finals match, Justin Koethe (Iowa City West, Iowa) defeated Ben Sullivan (Apple Valley, Minn.), 10-7, in a barnburner at 160 pounds. Sullivan, an NHSCA Junior National finalist, scored the first two takedowns of the match off leg attacks, and took a 4-2 lead into the second period. Koethe, a five-time Fargo All-American, battled back, scoring two takedowns of his own in the second period to tie the score at 7-7 heading into the third period. Koethe added an escape and a late takedown to win 10-7. Kuefner becomes first two-time JJ Classic champion Coyte Kuefner (Owatonna, Minn.) pinned Cody Linssen (Park, Minn.), a Minnesota Ninth Grade League state champion, to claim the title at 220 pounds and become the first two-time JJ Classic champion. Kuefner, a two-time Junior National folkstyle All-American, won his title last year at 215 pounds. Eleven No. 1 seeds win titles Of the 14 champions crowned on Saturday, 11 were No. 1 seeds. In addition to top seeds Gross, Brancale, Hall, Kingsley, Koethe, Kuefner, and Kroells winning titles, Josh Alber (Dakota, Ill.), Marcus Peterson (Clarion-Goldfield, Iowa), Cody Anderson (White Bear Lake, Minn.), and Alex Gray (Maple Grove) lived up to their No. 1 seeds. Josh Alber (Photo/The Guillotine)Alber, an undefeated state champion and Cadet National freestyle All-American, surrendered only four points in five matches to win the title at 120 pounds. His victory in the finals came over Andres Gonzales (Mason City, Iowa), 3-1. Peterson defeated Kyle McKenzie (La Crosse Logan, Wis.), 9-1, to win the championship at 138 pounds. Anderson, a JJ Classic runner-up in 2010, won 7-3 over Alex Jackson in the finals at 170 pounds. Gray pinned Schoen Kichler (Waconia, Minn.) to claim the title at 195 pounds. Tough break for bracket-buster Riggs Freshman Austin Riggs (Robinson, Va.) entered the JJ Classic unseeded at 120 pounds and notched the first major upset of the tournament when he knocked off second-seeded Zack Kuhns (Maple River, Minn.), 4-0, in the opening round. Riggs went on to pin his next two opponents in the first period to advance to the semifinals. In the semifinals, Riggs suffered an injury and was forced to default out of the tournament. Seventh-grader Shearer places fifth at 106 Jesse Shearer (West Fargo, N.D.) was the lone seventh-grader to place at the JJ Classic. Shearer dropped his opening match to fourth-seeded Ty Pelot (Two Rivers, Wis.), but went on to win five of his next six matches to place fifth at 106 pounds.

Las Vegas, Nev. -- Current Northern Illinois assistant coach Joe Williams and NIU alumnus T.C. Dantzler (90-93) each won their weight class at the World Team Trials held last weekend and have advanced to the World Championships to be held in Antalya, Turkey in September. Williams won the world team title in free-style wrestling at 185-pounds and advanced to the World Championships after defeating Andy Hrovat in the best of three series. Williams lost the first match against Hrovat in overtime then came back to win the final two matches and punched the former Olympian's ticket to his fifth World Championships appearance. Dantzler earned a place on his fifth U.S. World Team by taking down Keith Sieracki in a two-match sweep in Greco-Roman style wrestling at 163-pounds. The victory marks Dantzler's third consecutive U.S. World Team Trials Championship and fifth of the last six years. Williams and Dantzler will next compete in Antalya, Turkey on September 7-9 at the World Wrestling Games hosted by the international wrestling federation (FILA).

University of Northern Iowa senior student-athlete Nick Baima became the first Panther wrestler to ever earn Academic All-America honors. Baima (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West HS) was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Men's At-Large University Division third team as selected by CoSIDA and announced by coordinating officials on Tuesday. Baima maintained a 3.65 grade point average in philosophy and humanities. Baima was also been named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association's All-Academic team each of the past three seasons. The men's at-large team includes student-athletes from the sports of crew, gymnastics, skiing, fencing, ice hockey, swimming, water polo, field hockey, lacrosse, tennis, wrestling, golf and rifle. Baima (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) capped his UNI career with a mark of 124-42, which ranks No. 6 on the Panthers' all-time win list. He was named Western Wrestling Conference Wrestler of the Year this past season. Baima, 36-8 overall and 8-0 vs. WWC opponents in 2006-07, captured the 165-pound title at the 2007 West Regional and earned his fourth trip to the NCAA Championships. Baima earned the No. 5 seed at the 2007 NCAA Championships in the 165-pound bracket. He secured 11 wins over national qualifiers including: two over Johnny Galloway (Northern Illinois), Shawn Kitchner (Brown), Jason Kiessling (Maryland), Michael Cannon (American), Max Dean (Indiana), Dustin Noack (UC Davis), Michael Patrovich (Hofstra), Nick Pullano (Old Dominion) and Ryan Meyer (South Dakota State). The Academic All-America® Teams program honors male and female student-athletes annually who have succeeded at the highest level on the playing field and in the classroom. Individuals are selected through voting by CoSIDA, the College Sports Information Directors of America; a 2,000-member organization consisted of sports public relations professionals for colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director. The University Division includes all Division I schools, the College Division includes Division II, III and NAIA programs. Since the program's inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA covering all NCAA championship sports. ESPN The Magazine is a provocative and innovative sports publication. Full of insight, analysis, impact and wit, the oversized bi-weekly with a circulation of 1.85 million looks ahead to give fans a unique perspective on the world of sports. For more information about the Academic All-America Teams program, please visit www.cosida.com or e-mail rlipe@bentley.edu.

EDMOND -- NCAA Division II national wrestling champion Central Oklahoma has picked up six recruits for the 2007-08 season, including five in-state products who won a combined nine state championships. Signing with the 15-time national champion Bronchos were high school standouts Trey Branscum of Ponca City, Kelly Henderson of Tahlequah, Shawn Ledford of Pawnee and Randy Tonche of Sallisaw, with UCO also adding a pair of junior college stars in Tommy McCarty of Bristow and Tim Elliott of Wichita, Kan. "I'm certainly excited about this group of young men who will be joining our program," said veteran coach David James, named Division II Coach of the Year after leading UCO to the national title this season. "It's an outstanding class and we certainly expect a lot of big things from each one of them. "They have all experienced a great deal of success in their careers and we're looking forward to having them a part of our UCO family." Branscum enjoyed an amazing career at Class 5A powerhouse Ponca City, winning three straight state championships. He won at 119 pounds as a sophomore, 125 as a junior and 130 as a senior and is expected to be a 133- or 141-pounder at UCO. Henderson was a three-time Class 5A state placer at Tahlequah, winning one title, and earned All-State honors as a senior. He's a projected 157- or 165-pounder for the Bronchos. Ledford compiled an impressive 128-17 career record at Pawnee and was a three-time state finalist in Class 2A, winning back-to-back championships his last two years. Also an All-Stater, he is expected to compete at 141 or 149 pounds at UCO. Tonche was a three-time state finalist at Sallisaw, finishing as runner-up his first two years before capping his career with a Class 3A state title. The All-Stater is a projected 197- or 285-pounder in college. McCarty was a two-time juco All-American at Labette (Kan.) Community College, placing fourth as a freshman and third this season at 174 pounds. He was a three-time Class 3A state finalist at Bristow, winning two crowns, and will compete at 174 next season. Elliott was also a two-time All-American at Labette, earning Outstanding Wrestler honors this season after capturing the 125-pound national championship following a fifth-place finish as a freshman. He won a Kansas high school state title as a senior at Wichita State and will wrestle at 133 next year for the Bronchos. UCO will return four All-Americans from this year's national championship team.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State wrestling assistant coaches Joe Heskett and Tommy Rowlands continued their U.S. Olympic Team bids by earning spots on the U.S. Senior World Team roster after winning their respective weight classes at the 2007 U.S. Senior World Team Trials Saturday and Sunday at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas. Heskett defeated Casey Cunningham, 2-1, in the best of three series at 74 kg/163 pounds and Rowlands outlasted Steve Mocco, 2-0, at 120 kg/264.5 pounds. As members of the U.S. Senior World Team, Heskett and Rowlands will compete in the Pan American Games July 13-29 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the 2007 World Wrestling Championships Sept. 17-23 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Heskett decisioned Cunningham, 3-0, 3-1, in the first match before Cunningham evened the bout at 1-all with a 1-0, 4-1 decision over the Buckeye coach. After losing the first period, 1-0, in the third and deciding bout, Heskett clinched the final two periods, 3-2 and 1-0, for the victory. Rowlands beat Mocco, 1-1, 1-0, 1-0 in the first match and went on to seal the win with a 2-0, 1-0 decision in the second bout. In April, Heskett and Rowlands won the 2007 U.S. Senior National Championships, automatically qualifying for the U.S. team trials.

Steve Silver of Forney, Texas, who is a leader within wrestling on the Senior and age-group levels, has been named Man of the Year by USA Wrestling, the national governing body for wrestling in the United States. This award recognizes an outstanding man for his contributions to the sport of wrestling. "I am honored to get the award," said Silver. "I try to do whatever I can to contribute to wrestling. This means I must be contributing, in order to get recognized with this award." Silver served as Team Leader of the 2006 U.S. World Freestyle Team, which competed in Guangzhou, China, and placed third in the team standings with four medalists. Silver does business in China, and used his expertise of the nation and provided support staff to assist the team during the entire time there. He was also the Team Leader for the 2005 U.S. Freestyle World Team, which competed in Budapest, Hungary. He will also serve as Team Leader for the 2007 U.S. Freestyle World Team which will compete in Baku, Azerbaijan. "I don't have anybody in family that competes at the Olympic level. I feel that these athletes need help. The athletes trying to make World and Olympic teams need all the support they can get. I like helping them, and I feel I can assist in many ways. I have gotten to know these guys, and have gotten close to many of them." Silver has been involved in wrestling throughout his life, competing as an athlete and serving as a coach and leader for wrestling on the youth and high school levels. Silver wrestled for Spencerport High School in New York and at the Univ. of Alabama for three years under coach Pat Milkovich before starting his business career. He is a wrestling parent, as six of his seven children have participated, including two of his daughters. Silver founded and coached a youth wrestling club in Forney, Texas. He hired 1988 Olympic champion and 1989 World champion Kenny Monday to coach the club, now called Team Monday. He has supported the wrestling team at Bishop Lynch High School, which has become a nationally recognized program. Bishop Lynch has placed as high as second at the National Prep School Championships. Silver and his father-in-law have given a joint gift of $100,000 to Bishop Lynch High School for its wrestling room. "The reason I am passionate is that I have four boys who wrestled, two girls who wrestled and I wrestled. We are a wrestling family. Before this, I was involved in baseball. Many kids I worked with went into professional baseball. These guys really didn't need the help like the wrestlers did. I ran a wrestling club for two years for my boys, then I got Kenny Monday involved. The kids from Texas and others don't have a path to follow. Even if you have talent, there is not a clear path. Since then, we have had kids on the Dream Team and winning the Dave Schultz High School Excellence award. We think this is a great sport and a great opportunity. If you read about a kid from Texas winning in Fargo at Junior or Cadet Nationals or getting a college scholarship, it is not unbelievable anymore," said Silver. Many of his children are still competing in athletics. Clay Silver wrestles on the team at UT-Arlington, and previously wrestled for the Univ. of Texas-Dallas, school with compete at the NCWA Championships. Sons Luke Silver will be competing for Oklahoma State, and has won the Dave Schultz High School Excellence award. Son Johnny Koepp is a talented high school junior wrestler, and is being recruited by major college programs. Troy Silver is a high school freshman, and was a Prep School High School All-American this year. Daughter Jessie Silver competed in gymnastics at the Univ. of Alabama. Silver has been a team leader on trips to Russia and Mongolia and China with USA Wrestling and Athletes in Action. These tours have provided top youth wrestlers a chance for cultural experiences and challenging international competition. Professionally, Silver owns the Steve Silver Company, an import furniture business in Dallas, Texas. Over the last 20-plus years, the company has grown over $150 million in sales and has 500 employees worldwide in five nations. Silver was recognized and received his award at ceremonies during the 2007 U.S. World Team Trials in Las Vegas last weekend. PAST USA WRESTLING MAN OF THE YEAR WINNERS 2006 – Steve Silver 2005 – Al Bevilacqua 2004 – Jeff Levitetz 2003 - Set Agonian 2002 - Al Kastl 2001 - James Ravannack 2000 - Rulon Gardner 1999 - Duane Morgan 1998 - Scott Beck 1997 - Rick Tucci 1996 - Dave Schultz 1995 - Leroy Evans 1994 - James E. Scherr 1993 - Arthur J. Martori 1992 - Bruce Baumgartner 1990 - Eugene Barone 1989 - John Vaughan 1987 - Dave Rudrud 1986 - Jeff Blatnick 1985 - Dr. Dan Gould 1984 - Gary Thompson 1983 - Don Sondgeroth 1982 - Frank Rader 1981 - John Roberts 1980 - Rick Bay 1979 - Ben Bennett 1978 - Werner Holzer 1977 - Vince Zuaro 1976 - Ken Kraft 1974-75 - Russ Hellickson 1973 - Jack Stanbro 1972 - Melvin Jones 1971 - Bud Linholm 1970 - Rex Peery

The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling and Judo, featuring the nation's top Olympic hopefuls in both exciting sports, will begin exactly one year from today in Las Vegas, Nev. The Trials will be held June 13-15, 2008 at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The event will feature contests in each of the 18 Olympic wrestling weight classes in the three Olympic styles (men's freestyle, men's Greco-Roman, women's freestyle) as well as the 14 Olympic judo weight divisions to be contested at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Tickets for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling and Judo went on sale on June 9, and had a very successful first weekend of sales. All sports fans should order their tickets as soon as possible to guarantee the best seating locations. Tickets are available now by calling 866.388.FANS or online at unlvtickets.com For this event, the Thomas & Mack Center has a seating capacity of 12,500. Tickets have been made available equally to both wrestling as well as judo fans on a first come, first serve basis. It is recommended that judo fans call 866.388.FANS in order to secure seats in the preferred judo areas of the arena. Others can either order by phone or via the internet. All-session tickets are priced $150 for VIP seating, $75 for lower level and $40 for upper level. Competition will be held on four mats simultaneously with wrestling taking place on three mats and judo on the fourth. Wrestling will be contested all three days (June 13-15) and judo will be contested on June 13-14. There will be two sessions each day. On Friday, June 13, the schedule includes seven judo weight classes, four women's freestyle weight classes and two men's Greco-Roman weight classes. On Saturday, June 14, the schedule features seven judo weight classes, three men's freestyle weight classes and three men's Greco-Roman weight classes. On Sunday, June 15, there will be scheduled four men's freestyle weight classes and two men's Greco-Roman weight classes. No judo will be contested on June 15. If there are judo weight divisions that the United States has not been qualified to compete in at the Olympic Games, the division will not be contested at Trials. USA Wrestling expects almost 200 wrestlers to participate in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. "We are very excited about what promises to be an outstanding U.S. Olympic Team Trials. This is the most important event we host in the United States every four years, where we select our Olympic Team, which competes in the most important sports event in the world, the Olympic Games," said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender. "We look forward to holding the competition in Las Vegas, and having a great turnout by the wrestling community to support America's Team." With eight athletes expected to compete in the Trials for each weight division, as many as 112 judo players will be eligible for berths on the U.S. Olympic Team. "These will no doubt be one of the most exciting Olympic Trials in the history of USA Judo. Las Vegas is one of the world's most exciting places to host a sporting event; top that with the fact that we are combining our sport of Judo with a proven popular sport of wrestling that has in the past attracted over 11,000 spectators and some 200 media to previous events," said Jose H. Rodriguez, USA Judo CEO. "Lastly add to this equation the partnership with Las Vegas Events and the United States Olympic Committee and you have the making of a great athlete-oriented and entertaining sport show in the best show town in the world." More information on hotel headquarters will be available soon. For a seating chart for the U.S. Olympic Trials, visit: http://www.themat.com/eventfliers/2008/2008TrialsTickets.pdf