InterMat Staff

DURHAM, N.C. –- Senior Levi Craig, junior Daniel Shvartsman, sophomores Aaron Glover and Kellan McKeon and freshman Wade Van Sickle were all named to the inaugural All-ACC Academic Wrestling Team announced by league officials on Thursday. Duke led all schools with five honorees on this year's team. Maryland placed three student-athletes on the team, while North Carolina, N.C. State and Virginia had two selections apiece. Virginia Tech rounded out the inaugural squad with one honoree. 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. Craig, a 2004 ACC Champion, battled through injuries during his senior season to finish with a 6-11 mark at 174 pounds. Shvartsman posted a 16-15 record at 149 pounds, while Glover went 16-23 and finished fourth at the 2006 ACC Championship at 165 pounds. McKeon registered a 14-20 mark at 125 pounds and Van Sickle posted a 17-22 record in the heavyweight division.

GREENSBORO, N.C. –- North Carolina juniors Spencer Nadolsky and Bobby Shaw were each named to the inaugural All-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Wrestling Team, the league office announced Thursday. Nadolsky and Shaw were two of only three All-ACC grapplers to also earn a spot on the academic squad. 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. Nadolsky (HWT) and Shaw (125) each finished as the conference runner-up in their respective weight classes, but played a crucial role in North Carolina winning its 17th ACC Championship, second in a row and third league title in the last four years. Nadolsky, ranked as high as No. 12 by the NWCA and InterMat, received an at-large bid to the NCAA Championship and finished with a 3-2 mark at nationals. The junior heavyweight finished the season with a record of 42-7 and a team-high 11 pins. Shaw posted a 21-17 overall record at 125.

St. Cloud, MN -- St. Cloud State University wrestling coach Steve Costanzo has announced the signing of John Sundgren to a national and North Central Conference letters of intent to attend St. Cloud State in the fall of 2006. A resident of Blaine, Sundgren is the son of Jim and Kathy Sundgren. A three-time overall Minnesota State High School League Tournament medalist, Sundgren placed second in 2006, fifth in 2005 and second in 2004 at 140-pounds, respectively. At Blaine High School, he tallied a prep career record of 142-32 and was named to the 2006 Academic All-State First Team. Sundgren is expected to wrestle at the 149- or 157-pounds for the Huskies this winter. "I am extremely excited that John has decided on St. Cloud State University," said Coach Steve Costanzo. "John is the type of individual that a coach can build his program around. Combine his character, leadership, academics and athleticism and you have a top quality student-athlete." An NCAA Division II affiliate, St. Cloud State is a member of the North Central Conference - widely recognized as the nation's top Division II wrestling conference. Costanzo will begin his first season as head coach at St. Cloud State in 2006-07. Costanzo previously served as head coach at Dana College from 2000 to 2006. He led Dana to four conference titles and the 2006 NAIA national championship. Founded in 1869, St. Cloud State University is the second largest college in the state of Minnesota with 16,000 students. SCSU's main campus is located on the banks of the Mississippi River in the city of St. Cloud, Minn. - which is located approximately one hour north of Minneapolis-St. Paul.

GREENSBORO, NC –- UNC Greensboro Director of Athletics Nelson E. Bobb announced Wednesday the promotion of Jason Loukides to head coach of the University's wrestling program. Loukides (pronounced Lou-KEY-dehs) has served as the program's assistant coach for the last two seasons. After the completion of a national search for the program's new head coach, Loukides replaces Tom Shifflet, who resigned back on May 17 to become the head coach at Hofstra University. Loukides is the program's third head coach in its 13 year-history. He will officially assume his duties July 1. Jason Loukides"This is an outstanding hire for us because Jason provides continuity to our developing program," said Bobb. "He has a great deal; of experience on a national and international scale. Jason understands our Spartan program and has been instrumental in the development of our current wrestlers. His commitment to excellence on and off the wrestling mat was a major factor in our hiring thoughts." Loukides takes the reigns of a program on the rise. Last season, UNCG had an 11-6 overall mark, including 4-1 in SoCon dual match action. The Spartans finished second at the Southern Conference Championships, also known as SoCon/ACC MatJam, with three individual champions. Four Spartans qualified for the NCAA Championships, equaling a school record and giving the program nine qualifiers in the last four seasons. In his two seasons as an assistant at UNCG, Loukides has helped the Spartans to a 23-11 mark in dual matches, the best two-year mark in the program's history. UNCG won a school record 12 matches in 2004-05 and fell just shy of that mark last year at 11-6. "I am excited about the opportunity to continue building upon what we have established," said Loukides. "The support of Nelson Bobb and our administration here at UNCG makes everything possible and is greatly appreciated. I couldn't be happier than coaching and living in Greensboro." Loukides will also have the task of continuing the Southern Scuffle wrestling tournament that was born under Shifflet. Over the tournament's brief three-year history, it has become a showcase of the best collegiate wrestlers in the country. Last December, 31 teams competed in the Southern Scuffle with the tournament moving to the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. The Coliseum will be the site of the Southern Scuffle in December 2006, as well. Before coming to Greensboro, Loukides spent six years in the world class training program with the U.S. Army in Colorado Springs, CO. Prior to that, he served as a coach for Edinboro's club program for one season and spent two years as a graduate assistant coach at Slippery Rock University. He also assisted with the 2005 Women's World Championship squad and served as head coach for the 2005 North Carolina Junior Nationals teams. "This is great news for UNCG Wrestling because Jason is the right person for that position," said Shifflet of his successor. "He is very passionate about wrestling and goes above and beyond the call for those student-athletes. He has great ties within the wrestling community on both the local and national levels, which will help propel the program to the next level. I know both the returning and incoming wrestlers are very happy about this decision." As a wrestler, Loukides finished fifth at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman trials. He was the champion at 198 pounds at the 1992 USA University Freestyle Championships. In 2001 at the FILA World Championships, he finished first at 214 pounds in Greco-Roman. In addition, he also earned a silver medal in 2003 in Greco International at the Pan American Games and a bronze medal in the freestyle division of the World Military Championships that same year. Also included on his international resume are appearances at three U.S. World Team Trials, all placing fifth or better, and competitions in Russia, Venezuela and other foreign countries. At national powerhouse Edinboro, where he was a college teammate of Shifflet's and competed under wrestling legend Bruce Baumgartner, Loukides finished third in the 1994 EWL Championships at 190 lbs. He advanced to the NCAA Championships held in Chapel Hill, NC, where he was seeded 12th and won his first round match and advanced to the third round of wrestlebacks. Loukides still ranks 23rd all-time at Edinboro on the school's all-time win list, graduating with a career mark of 82-38-2. He was a part of Edinboro's 1994 EWL Regular Season Championship squad. "Jason has a great understanding of the sport and a real love for it," said Baumgartner, a former Olympic Gold Medalist and currently the Director of Athletics at Edinboro. "He helped me out when I was training for some the world championships that I competed in. He has a great work ethic. Jason has always had the ability to analyze the technique of the sport, being able to break things down, and also has a real understanding for the conditioning involved. I think he should do a very good job." Loukides graduated from Edinboro in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in specialized studies and also attained a second bachelor's degree from Colorado Christian University in computer systems in 2001. He also holds a master's degree in envoirnmental education from Slippery Rock (2000) and is close to completing work on a second master's degree in kinesiology.

Hofstra University Head Wrestling Coach Tom Shifflet today completed his 2006-07 staff with the appointment of two-time NCAA Division I national champion Joe Dubuque as an assistant coach. Dubuque, a three-time NCAA All-American who captured national titles at 125 pounds in 2005 and 2006, posted an overall record of 114-18 including a 69-6 dual mark and a 19-6 Big Ten record in four years at Indiana University. Joe Dubuque (Photo/John Sachs)"We are very excited to have Joe join the Hofstra program," Shifflet said. "Joe has been very successful as a wrestler and just getting to know him recently I can tell he is going to be one heck of a coach. If I hadn't heard of Joe Dubuque and just met him on the street after a short conversation I would walk away saying that guy is successful." Dubuque, a native of Bloomfield, New Jersey native, was a scholastic national champion as a senior and a two-time state champion at Glenn Ridge High School. After redshirting the 2001-02 season at Indiana, he tallied a 23-5 overall record and a 15-3 mark in duals and ranked as high as 12th as a freshman but missed the Big 10 championship due to an injury. A year later, Dubuque qualified for his first NCAA appearance with a fourth place finish at the Big 10 Championships and then went on to earn All-America honors with an eighth-place showing at the NCAA Championships. He finished the year with a 34-9 overall record and a 21-2 dual mark and captured the 125-pound title at the Northern Iowa Open. In 2004-05 Dubuque placed third in the Big 10 Championships and then defeated three ranked opponents on his march to claim the 125-pound title at the national championships. He became the first Hoosier to appear in a NCAA final since Roger Chandler did so in 1997, and the first IU grappler to claim a national championship since Brian Dolph captured the 150-pound title in 1990. He finished the year with a 29-3 overall record, an 18-1 slate in duals, a 6-1 mark in the Big Ten and a 12-2 mark against ranked opponents. As a senior this past season he recorded a 28-1 mark, including a 7-1 record against ranked opponents, and defeated three ranked opponents at the NCAA Championships en route to the 125-pound crown. Dubuque became just the second Hoosier in Indiana history to capture two national titles and the first Hoosier to register back-to-back NCAA crowns. Only the fourth wrestler in Indiana history to earn three All-American awards he helped lead IU to an 18th-place finish at the 2006 NCAA Championships. "Hofstra is a great fit for me," Dubuque said. "I believe that I can bring the right mentality and technique to assist our lightweights earn All-American honors. I am excited for the opportunity to help the program contend for a national title." Dubuque, who earned a bachelor's degree in recreation sports management from Indiana, joins Rob Anspach, who has served as a Pride assistant coach for the past five seasons, on the Hofstra staff.

This week on Takedown Radio: 9:05: Dr. William K. Bauer, Ph.D., Author of "Wrestling-A Boy's First Book." Dr. Bauer wrestled for Slippery Rock and coached as well with many of his young charges going on to national prominence 9:25: University of Iowa Head Coach Tom Brands joins us for his first visit in several years. What's on Tom's mind. Can he get down to business at Iowa and put the nightmare of Virginia Tech behind him? His thoughts on hiring his coach and mentor Dan Gable and more. 10:05: Embattled Fresno State Head Coach Shawn Charles joins for an update on the crisis on the Fresno State campus. Bulldogs aren't happy and they're on the march. 10:20: UFC HVY WT. Champion Tim "The Mainiac" Sylvia. MT Trained Sylvia will face Andre Arlovski in the rubber match that some say has come much to soon. Sylvia will fight anyone anywhere. He's just that tough. Also, co-main event is the feud between Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock UFC 61: Bitter Rivals 10:40: ESPY Nominee Anthony Robles to be on America's Wrestling Radio program, Takedown Wrestling Radio this Saturday. Robles will be wrestling for ASU this fall in Tempe, AZ for Head Coach Tom Ortiz

High school national champion wrestler Anthony Robles of Mesa, Ariz. has been nominated for a 2006 ESPY Award for "Best Male Athlete With A Disability." Robles' nomination marks the sixth consecutive year that a wrestler has been nominated for an ESPY (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) Award. Nominees are selected by a panel of ESPN staff and esteemed journalists. Anthony Robles"This is an incredible honor," Robles said of his nomination. "Not only have so many great wrestlers been nominated for these awards before, but so many great athletes are nominated every year. The ESPY Awards are for the best of the best, and for them to include me in that category with athletes that I see as an inspiration is just an amazing feeling for me." "So many people have helped me to be successful in all areas of my life, including in wrestling. My family, friends, coaches and teammates have all been supportive of me and my career and without them by my side every day, this nomination may not have been possible," Robles added. Also nominated in the "Best Male Athlete With A Disability" category are high school football player Bobby Martin, who was born with a condition called "congenital amputation" which left him with no legs and nordic skier Steve Cook, who won three medals at the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games. Last year, a record three wrestlers were nominated for ESPY Awards. Cael Sanderson was nominated for "Best Male Olympic Performance," Rulon Gardner was nominated for "Best Comeback" and Steve Mocco was nominated for "Best Male College Athlete." Anthony RoblesBorn with just one leg, 17 year-old Robles capped off an amazing career on March 26 by winning the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) national title at 112 lbs. with a 9-1 victory in the finals in Pittsburgh, Pa. The NHSCA invites only seniors in high school who won state titles to its national meet. Robles became the first disabled wrestler to win a title at the NHSCA national championships. As a junior, Robles placed second in the NHSCA national championships for juniors. The win also finished off a perfect 53-0 senior season for him. For his four-year career, Robles posted a record of 131-15 and won two Arizona high school state titles for Mesa High School. He was also undefeated as a junior. Amazingly, Anthony never wrestled until his family moved from just outside of Los Angeles to Mesa before his freshman year. "I think God gave me a gift by only giving me one leg," Robles said after winning his national title. "Other people may not see it that way, but I do." His high school coach, Bob Williams, calls him "the most inspirational athlete I've ever seen." Last weekend, Robles signed a National Letter of Intent to wrestle at Arizona State Univ., a college wrestling powerhouse, where he plans to study Business. In high school, he posted a 3.5 GPA. He aspires to someday become a sports agent and also compete in mixed martial arts. To vote for Robles, visit http://www.espys.tv, click on "Vote Now" and then click on the "Best Male Athlete With A Disability" category and select Robles. The ESPY Awards, created by ESPN in 1993, will be held at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, Calif. on July 12. The show will be televised by ESPN on Sunday, July 16. Past wrestling ESPY winners include Kyle Maynard in 2004 for "Best Athlete with a Disability," Cael Sanderson in 2002 for "Best Male College Athlete" and Rulon Gardner in 2001 for "Male USA Olympic Athlete." In 2003, Eric Larkin, also an Arizona State wrestler, was nominated for "Best Male College Athlete."

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia -- Jake Herbert (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) earned the bronze medal in the 84 kg/184 lbs. weight class at the World University Championships Monday in Mongolia. Herbert opened with a three-period win over K. Majied of Iran, 0-6, 2-2, 3-2. In the semifinals, he was defeated by the eventual champion A. Isaev of Russia, 0-3, 0-3. In the bronze-medal match, Herbert needed three periods to defeat Ch. Ganzorig of Mongolia, 3-9, 3-0, 6-0. Herbert joined Cole Konrad of Minnesota as the U.S. delegation's two medalists from Monday's competition. For more information on the World University Championships, visit the event's official Web site.

ROOKINGS, S.D. -— Ellsworth Community College standout Derrick Mehmen has signed a national letter of intent, indicating he will enroll at South Dakota State University next fall and compete for the Jackrabbit wrestling program. Mehmen joins the Jackrabbits after recording 48 wins over two seasons at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa. He earned all-America honors at 197 pounds this past season, with a fifth-place finish at the National Junior College Athletic Association Wrestling Championships. He will have two years of eligibility remaining and will major in education. In high school, Mehmen was a state place-winner his junior year, earning fourth-place honors at Denver High School in Denver, Iowa. "I am very excited to have Derrick join our program," SDSU head coach Jason Liles said. "He is an excellent competitor and will be a tremendous addition to our upper weights." South Dakota State, which finished the 2005-06 season with a 7-11 dual record, will begin competition in the Western Wrestling Conference next winter.

Brendan Buckley continues to build a program at Columbia which will contend for EIWA and national honors. The Lions' 2006 recruiting class is a testimonial to his success in those efforts. The six new Lions include state and National Prep champions, Freestyle and Greco-Roman All-Americans, all exhibiting the quality needed to succeed on a national level. "I'm pleased with this year's recruiting class," Buckley says. "They provide major additions at weight classes where we needed them the most, particularly in the upper weights. Some could step right into our starting lineup, while others will give us quality depth this year." Buckley is especially enthused about his new wrestlers' practice habits. "They're all hard workers," he says. "All six like living in the wrestling room and the weight room. I really like their work ethics." Buckley and his staff set their targets this year on some of the nation's top wrestling schools. "Most of our young men come from historically strong high school wrestling programs," he says, "such as Victor Mocco from Blair Academy, the top-ranked school; Cary Aldrich from Peddie, which has been building a strong New Jersey prep school program; Matt Dunn from Reynolds High, Pennsylvania's state AA champion; and Mike Bossetta from Jesuit High in New Orleans, which has won three straight state titles." Another prospect, Mike Wolfer, comes out of Eastern Pennsylvania's Northampton Area High. "Northampton competes in District 11," the coach notes. "That's the best high school wrestling in the country." The Columbia Class of 2006 (with projected weights): MATT DUNN, 149, Transfer, Pa. (Reynolds HS) Ranked as high as first in the nation (W.I.N. magazine) in his senior season, eventually ranking seventh nationally . . . state champion as a junior and senior . . . four-time state placewinner . . . represented Pennsylvania in the Dapper Dan Classic in Pittsburgh . . . Pennsylvania state recipient of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award . . . won Ohio's famed Ironman Tournament, and was named the Outstanding Wrestler after beating top-ranked Lance Palmer from St. Edward High . . . placed fifth in the Beast of the East . . . third wrestler from Reynolds High, Pennsylvania state AA champions, to attend Columbia, following former captain and EIWA placewinner Steve Popovitch, and present junior 197-pounder Nick Sommerfeld. VICTOR MOCCO, 165, Bernardsville, N.J. (Blair Academy) Latest member of the illustrious wrestling family . . . cousin of Oklahoma State's Steve Mocco . . . four-time National Prep All-American after placing four times at National Preps — third, fifth, sixth twice . . . two-time New England Prep finalist as a student at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire . . . three-time Class A champion at Exeter . . . New Jersey Prep state champion . . . New Jersey freestyle state champion . . . 19-3 as a senior; more than 100 career victories. MIKE WOLFER, 174, Northampton, Pa. (Northampton Area HS) All-Area (Allentown Morning Call) at 171 pounds . . . ranked first in area . . . placed second in Holiday Classic, fifth in District 11 . . . sixth in the district as a sophomore . . . 27-11 as a senior . . . helped Northampton Area High to PIAA 3A championships in 2003 and 2004, as well as team championship of 2003 Virginia Duals . . . Wrestling Scholar-Athlete for the Lehigh Valley Conference. CARY ALDRICH, 184, Warren, N.J. (The Peddie School) Following a solid scholastic career at Watchung Hills High, his wrestling took off in a post-graduate year at The Peddie School . . . National Prep champion and New Jersey State Prep champ at Peddie, going 31-2 . . . defeated Nebraska recruit Bobby Laraway twice in National Preps . . . district champion, seventh in New Jersey State Championships as a high school senior, with a 22-4 record . . . 104-42 career. MIKE BOSSETTA, 197, Mandeville, La. (Jesuit HS) Persevered through tumultuous year due to Hurricane Katrina to earn his second straight Louisiana state championship . . . was forced to begin the school year at Strake Jesuit High in Houston after the hurricane forced his family out of their New Orleans suburb . . . returned to Jesuit High in January to find that his coach had remained in Houston, some of his teammates had moved away, and the Jesuit High gym was unusable . . . nevertheless, won 215-pound state championship after taking 189-pound title as a junior at Jesuit . . . led his team to its third straight state title . . . 32-5 as a senior included 12-4 while in Houston, at 189, and 20-1 back in New Orleans . . . 53-10 as a junior . . . In 2005, was Southeast Regional Freestyle champion at 215, as well as Louisiana state freestyle and Greco-Roman champion . . . All-American after taking third at 215 in 2005 NHSCA National Open . . . ranked among nation's top 25 at 215 (Wrestling USA). KEVIN LESTER, HWT, Nampa, Idaho (Nampa HS) Three-time Idaho state placewinner . . . 2006 state champion at 215 after finishing fourth as a junior and sixth as a sophomore, both at 189 . . . state title capped a 51-2 senior season that included 46 pins and 286 team points . . . Nampa High career record of 149-32 . . . Cadet All-American after placing eighth in 2004 Cadet Greco-Roman Nationals . . . two-time Western Region champion in both freestyle and Greco-Roman . . . six-time state champion . . . twice Reno Worlds runner-up . . . wrestled on Idaho State Cadet Team which placed fourth in 2004 national cadet duals . . .stands 6-foot-5, and has increased his high school weight of 215, to 240 . . . recruited for football by Boise State.

This week on TDR: Archie Randall -- The new head coach of Oklahoma City University joins us Duane Goldman -- Venerable Head Coach of the Hoosiers of Indiana Mike Chapman -- With the PRO Inductions to the Hall of Fame coming up in July, how is he and his staff balancing this event with the pending move of the Museum to Waterloo, Iowa Jay Weiss -- Now entering his 13th year at the helm of the Harvard Crimson wrestling program Rich Fergola -- New Head Coach of Dana College in Blair NB speaks out on his team, his fans, and his critics Join us for a terrific look inside some of America's hottest programs with some of wrestling's most inspirational coaches and figures.

St. Cloud, MN -- St. Cloud State University wrestling coach Steve Costanzo has announced the signing of Russell Smith to a national and North Central Conference letters of intent to attend St. Cloud State in the fall of 2006. A resident of Owatonna, Smith is the son of David and Jean Smith. A red-shirt freshman transfer from Dana College and business major, Smith was the 2005 Minnesota State High School Champion at 171-pounds. A three-time overall Minnesota State High School League Tournament medalist, Smith placed second in 2004 and 2003, respectively. He posted a high school career record of 155-21 and is expected to wrestle at the 184- or 197-pounds for SCSU this winter. "I am truly excited to have Russell in the husky wrestling program," said Coach Steve Costanzo. "Russell is a prime example of what coaches look for from their student-athletes." An NCAA Division II affiliate, St. Cloud State is a member of the North Central Conference - widely recognized as the nation's top Division II wrestling conference. Costanzo will begin his first season as head coach at St. Cloud State in 2006-07. Costanzo previously served as head coach at Dana College from 2000 to 2006. He led Dana to four conference titles and the 2006 NAIA national championship. Founded in 1869, St. Cloud State University is the second largest college in the state of Minnesota with 16,000 students. SCSU's main campus is located on the banks of the Mississippi River in the city of St. Cloud, Minn. - which is located approximately one hour north of Minneapolis-St. Paul.

ITHACA, N.Y. -- It has been announced by Rob Koll, the David R. Dunlop '59 Head Coach of Wrestling, that Cory Cooperman, a three-time All-American and three-time EIWA champion for Lehigh, has been named assistant coach of the Big Red wrestling team. Koll has also announced that Damion Hahn, a two-time NCAA champion at Minnesota, has been named the volunteer assistant coach. The Big Red is coming off a fifth-place finish in last year's NCAA tournament. Cooperman compiled a 99-12 record for the Mountain Hawks, including a 65-7 mark in dual meets. He is 12th on Lehigh's all-time wins list and has the fifth-most dual victories in school history. Last season, Cooperman went 28-2, losing only to Oklahoma's Teyon Ware. He took titles at the Southern Scuffle and the EIWA tournament and finished third at the NCAA championships. It was his second-consecutive third-place finish and he took seventh in 2004 for his first All-America honor. He wrestled at both 133 and 141 during his career. Cooperman was a psychology major at Lehigh. Hahn, who wrapped up his Golden Gopher career in 2004 12th all-time and currently ranks 13th in career victories at Minnesota with a 118-21-0 record over his career, including a 33-1 mark during his senior season in 2003-04. Hahn became the third wrestler in school history to capture two NCAA Championships when he won back-to-back crowns in 2003 and 04. He became just the fourth four-time All-American, as well as the fifth three-time Big Ten Champion in school history. He was awarded the 2004 Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year Award, which is awarded to the top male athlete in the Big Ten Conference. Hahn earned a B.A. in an inter-college program relating to education/youth studies and

High school national champion wrestler Anthony Robles will appear on The CBS Early Show at approximately 8:42 a.m. Eastern on Wednesday, June 21. Born with just one leg, 17 year-old Anthony Robles of Mesa, Ariz. capped off an amazing career on March 26 by winning the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) national title at 112 lbs. with a 9-1 victory in the finals. The NHSCA invites only seniors in high school who won state titles to its national meet. Robles became the first disabled wrestler to win a title at the NHSCA national championships. As a junior, Robles placed second in the NHSCA national championships for juniors. The win also finished off a perfect 53-0 senior season for him. For his four-year career, he posted a record of 131-15 and won two Arizona state titles. He was also undefeated as a junior. Amazingly, Anthony never wrestled until his family moved from just outside of Los Angeles to Mesa before his freshman year. He aspires to someday compete in mixed martial arts after he completes his collegiate wrestling career at Arizona State Univ., where he will study Business. Recently, Anthony has been featured on ESPN's Cold Pizza, CNN, as the ABC World News Tonight Person of the Week. World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and Ultimate Fighting Championships also honored him at their pay-per-view events and he has thrown out the first pitch before a Diamondbacks-Giants game. "I think God gave me a gift by only giving me one leg," Robles said after winning his national title. "Other people may not see it that way, but I do." His coach, Bob Williams, calls him "the most inspirational athlete I've ever seen." This past weekend, Anthony signed a National Letter of Intent to wrestle at Arizona State Univ., a college wrestling powerhouse, where he plans to study Business. In high school, he posted a 3.5 GPA. He also hopes to one day compete in mixed martial arts competition.

TEMPE, Ariz. -- National high school champion Anthony Robles and two-time California runner-up Chris Drouin have signed National Letters of Intent to become student-athletes at Arizona State University this fall, Sun Devil Head Coach Thom Ortiz announced Monday. The duo will begin their education programs and competition regiments with the Sun Devil wrestling program in time for the upcoming 2006-07 season. "I am excited to have Anthony and Chris as part of our program," Ortiz said. "Both of these young men have done well at the high school level and I feel both will have a bright future with Arizona State. Anthony has overcome so much and worked hard to become not only a state champion, but a national champion as well. Chris excelled with a fairly new high school program and advanced all the way to the state finals twice, showing he has what it takes to compete. Both of these men bring impressive credentials with them to campus and I look forward to their contributions to helping the continued resurgence of our wrestling program." Robles is a local talent that comes to Tempe by way of nearby Mesa High School where he competed for the Jackrabbits for four years. Born with one leg, Robles captured national attention as he went undefeated over his last two years of competition, building a 96-0 record and winning the Arizona 5A state championship in each season. Following his senior campaign, Robles was invited to the NHSCA Senior National Championships in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he won the 112 pound weight class in the tournament. The Outstanding Wrestler of the state 5A meet each of the last two years, Robles built a 131-15 career record. As a junior, he won the 103 weight class and ran wild through the state bracket, winning three bouts by fall, one by a 17-0 technical fall and the finals bout in a 13-0 major decision. As a senior, Robles wasted little time in winning his second crown as he pinned all four opponents. For his efforts, he was named the Arizona Republic Wrestler of the Year and the Mesa Republic Male Athlete of the Year. Drouin also had an impressive prep career as he was a two-time California state runner-up for the Pumas of Chaparral High School in Temecula, Calif. The second-ranked wrestler in the state at 135 pounds, Drouin compiled a 51-2 record in his junior season before going 46-2 as a senior. Both years, he won the CIF Southern Section and CIF SS Masters tournaments to earn a berth into the state meet. A member of the Los Angeles Times All-Star Team in 2006 and The Californian 2005 and 2006 All-Valley Wrestler of the Year, Drouin became the first wrestler from CHS to advance to the finals of the state meet in the eight-year history of the school as he made the finals as a junior. Robles and Drouin will join Randel Aleman (Las Vegas, Nev.), David Green (Oviedo, Fla.), Shawn Jones (Snake River, Idaho), Kenny Lester (Oviedo, Fla.) and Todd Schavrien (Poway, Calif.) as the class of recruits headed to Tempe. Prior to the signing of Robles and Drouin, national wrestling publication Intermat had the Sun Devils' incoming class ranked as the seventh-best in the nation this year. Incoming Recruits for 2006-07 Academic Season: Randel Aleman (Las Vegas, Nev.) Chris Drouin (Temecula, Calif.) David Green (Oviedo, Fla.) Shawn Jones (Snake River, Idaho) Kenny Lester (Oviedo, Fla.) Anthony Robles (Mesa, Ariz.) Todd Schavrien (Poway, Calif.)

AMES, Iowa -- NCAA champion and Big 12 Conference's Most Outstanding Wrestler Nate Gallick was named Iowa State's 2006 Male Athlete of the Year, announced today by the ISU athletics department. Gallick, a senior from Tucson, Ariz., produced one of the best individual seasons in ISU's storied wrestling program in 2005-06. The 141-pounder capped off the year by going undefeated (35-0) en route to the 2006 national title. Gallick was the marked man at 141 pounds during the year, earning the top spot at his weight class in the preseason rankings. He defeated all contenders, beginning the year by capturing his second Midlands title. He later became just the 11th wrestler in ISU history to win three conference titles, earning Most Outstanding Wrestling Award honors at the 2006 Big 12 Championship. His top competition came from Oklahoma's Teyon Ware, who defeated Gallick in the finals of the 2005 141-pound NCAA Championship. Gallick got revenge against Ware on all four occasions in 2005-06, defeating his nemesis in the finals of the NWCA All-Star meet (4-1), Big 12 Championship (5-3) and the NCAA Championship (3-2). The three-time All-American ended his career with a 106-23 record. *Janet Anson, a junior gymnast, was named Iowa State's 2006 Female Athlete of the Year.

FRESNO, Calif. -- Fresno State Athletics Director Thomas Boeh announced today that effective July 1, 2006, the university will discontinue the intercollegiate wrestling program and reinstate the men's cross country program. The action is taken as a cost-reduction measure and a significant component of a long-range strategic plan for Fresno State athletics, Boeh said. "Fresno State is committed to success within the Western Athletic Conference as well as the provision of the very best student-athlete experience possible for all our sponsored programs, Boeh said. "There is strong desire on the part of the university and its constituents to have Fresno State advance to a level of national prominence and compete consistently among the nation's best. Unfortunately, the rapidly rising costs associated with an NCAA Division I-A athletics program have caused many institutions around the country with similar aspirations to re-evaluate their sports programming. Here at Fresno State, we found our department in the same position," said Boeh. In 2005-06, the average NCAA Division I-A athletics department budget was $32.3 million, compared to Fresno State's $22 million. "Given today's industry standards, it is very clear that to remain a sustainable I-A program we need to find more efficiencies," Boeh said. "This adjustment will enable us to direct an adequate amount of resources, in the form of money, facilities, support services and staff, toward the support and advancement of all of our student-athletes." Scholarship offers to returning student-athletes and incoming freshmen who have signed letters of intent will be honored until they have completed four years of school at Fresno State or transfer to other institutions. Affected student-athletes will continue to have full use of training and academic facilities and may compete individually if they choose. The contract for head wrestling coach Shawn Charles will be honored until June 30, 2007. He will be reassigned within the Department of Athletics in the coming academic year. The announced change means the restoration of men's cross country after a three-year absence from Fresno State. This action is intended to help advance the men's track and field program, which has been operating at a significant disadvantage since the discontinuance of men's cross country in fall 2003. Boeh said the program will greatly help the men's track and field program return to conference championship level. The men's cross country program will require no additional scholarships and will carry a roster of 10-12 student-athletes. Boeh said among the considerations that led to the decision to discontinue wrestling were: -- An anticipated net annual financial savings of $350,000-$400,000 (not likely to be fully realized until 2008), which will help the long-term financial stability of the athletics program. -- Wrestling is not a sponsored sport with the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and is not a broad-based NCAA championship sport. -- The lack of a dedicated wrestling practice facility, locker room and cost-efficient and reasonable competitive venue. -- Wrestling carries a roster of approximately 34 student-athletes and does not have a comparative women's program. -- The recent low level of academic achievement by the wrestling program's student athletes.

MADISON, Wis. -- Former two-time NCAA champion Donny Pritzlaff has joined the Wisconsin wrestling program as an assistant coach, head coach Barry Davis announced Thursday. Pritzlaff will join Davis and current assistant coaches Bart Chelesvig and Cory Wallman. "I'm very glad to have Donny back with Wisconsin wrestling," Davis said. "He brings intensity and a strong work ethic to the program as well as world-level experience." Donny PritzlaffPritzlaff, a 2002 graduate of the University of Wisconsin, continues to wrestle at the national and international levels. Less than three weeks ago, Pritzlaff won the 74 kg weight class at the World Team Trials to earn the right to represent the United States at the World Championships in China in late September. The Lyndhurst, N.J., native is excited to come back to the place where he won two NCAA titles and three Big Ten championships. "I'm thrilled to be involved with the Wisconsin wrestling program again because it is an exciting program with a lot of energy," Pritzlaff said. Pritzlaff's familiarity with the program and his status as one of the best current wrestlers in the world will both help him be an effective coach for the Badgers. "I know a lot about the university and the athletic department from my time here," Pritzlaff added. "Also, as a current wrestler, I'm at the forefront of the sport and am up on the latest techniques, which I can pass on to our athletes." Pritzlaff is the latest in a string of former Badgers to return to Madison to work with Wisconsin wrestling. Two-time NCAA All-American and Big Ten champion Tom Clum was recently named the USA Wisconsin Wrestling Club coach by the National Office of USA Wrestling. Ed Gutnik and Kelly Flaherty joined Clum on the Wisconsin Wrestling Club staff, Gutnik as an assistant coach and Flaherty as the strength coach. Tony Black, who served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Badgers for the past two years, will be the new Wisconsin Wrestling Club administrator. The presence of Pritzlaff, Clum and Gutnik will offer UW wrestlers a chance to practice, wrestle and drill with top talent to improve their skills. It will also surround current wrestlers with the history and tradition of the program. "Having these guys come back says a lot about the program because they want to make a commitment to the future of Wisconsin wrestling," Davis said. "They have all been through exactly the same things that our athletes are growing through. They will help the program go to the next level." Donny Pritzlaff was a three-time Big Ten champion (1999-2001), a two-time NCAA champion (2000 and 2001) and a four-time All-American at the 165 weight class. His career winning percentage of .894 (135 wins, 16 losses) stands as the second best in program history while his 135 career wins ranks fourth. Since completing his eligibility in 2001, Pritzlaff has stayed involved in the wrestling community. While helping the Badgers as a volunteer coach in 2001-02, Pritzlaff was able to train and complete his undergraduate degree, which he did in 2002. Following graduation, Pritzlaff accepted a position to become an assistant coach at Hofstra University. He has continued to train and wrestle competitively while building coaching experience and hopes to compete in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's Jake Herbert (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) will represent the United States next week at the seventh World University Wrestling Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Herbert will weigh in June 19 in the 84 kilo (185 pound) weight class and will wrestle on June 20. For more information on the biennial event, visit the World University Wrestling Championships official Web site. "I am really excited to be representing Northwestern and the United States at this World Championship," Herbert said. "This is my first shot to prove to everyone that I am the best in the world. I have trained for 21 years for this competition and I know I am ready." Herbert is coming off one of the best seasons in Northwestern history, putting together a perfect 36-0 record before falling in the NCAA finals.

MINNEAPOLIS -- For the second year in a row, Augsburg College wrestler Ryan Valek (Sr., Belle Plaine, Minn./Scott West) was named to the 2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America College Division Men's At-Large Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), it was announced on Tuesday. A third-team selection last year, Valek was one of 15 student-athletes named to the first team this year. A total of 48 male student-athletes were named to the three Academic All-America teams. A three-time All-American wrestler for the Auggies, Valek repeated his individual national runner-up finish at 165 pounds in the 2005-06 season, finishing 41-4. His lone losses on the season came to a defending Division I All-American, the 2006 Division II national champion and the 2006 Division III national champion. Valek had a 28-match winning streak during the season. Valek also finished second nationally in 2004-05 with a 34-7 record, while finishing seventh nationally in 2003-04 with a 38-10 record. He finished his career with a 133-39 record, accumulating 39 pins, four technical falls and 20 major decisions, and was a part of Auggie teams that won a national title in 2004-05, while finishing second twice (2002-03, 2003-04) and third this season. Academically, Valek is an accounting major with a 3.74 grade-point average. He earned National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Scholar All-America honors in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and was named an Augsburg Senior Honor Athlete (the highest honor Augsburg gives senior student-athletes) in 2006. Valek was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V first team for the second year in a row in May. Since 1981, Augsburg student-athletes have earned 18 Academic All-America honors from CoSIDA, including seven first-team selections. Valek is the fourth Auggie to ever earn two Academic All-America honors, joining Josh Cagle (wrestling, 1999-2000), Scott Hvistendahl (football, 1997-98) and Karen Sterner (women's track and field, 1986-87). The ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America program is administered by CoSIDA. Top student-athletes from non-Division I programs, who have already earned Academic All-District first-team honors, are eligible for inclusion on the team. Student-athletes must have a grade-point average above 3.20 (4.0 scale) and have outstanding athletic credentials. The Academic All-America ballot is voted on by a committee of CoSIDA members. The men's at-large team awards student-athletes in 12 sports -- golf, rifle, volleyball, gymnastics, skiing, water polo, fencing, ice hockey, swimming, wrestling, lacrosse and tennis. From other Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schools, joining Valek on the first team were Gustavus Adolphus senior tennis player Roy Bryan, and St. John's senior hockey player Adam Hanna. St. Cloud State senior tennis player Tony Larson was also named to the first team in the College Division. In the University Division (Division I schools), Minnesota senior swimmer Travis Beckerle was named to the first team, along with Minnesota State Mankato junior hockey player David Backes.

Stanford, Calif. -- Stanford head coach Kerry McCoy, who helped sophomore Tanner Gardner to All-America honors this past year, announced the Cardinal's 2006-07 schedule today. McCoy will begin his second season on The Farm next fall as he prepares the 2006-07 Cardinal squad for one of the most challenging schedules in program history. Stanford ended the 2005-06 season with a 8-7 record in dual matches and a seventh-place finish at the Pac-10 Championships. Next season, the Cardinal will wrestle in 18 duals and will travel to the most competitive tournaments in the country as Stanford prepares to vie for the conference title and earn multiple bids to the NCAA Championships. Stanford will begin its quest for the 2007 Pac-10 Championship with a challenging regular season schedule that includes four teams who finished last season ranked in the top-25. Stanford will face off against all nine Pac-10 opponents this season, helping the Cardinal prepare for the conference tournament, which will be held in Bakersfield next March. The Cardinal will jump right into its competitive schedule just one week after the intrasquad meet. Stanford will begin the season with wrestle-offs on Sat., Oct. 28 at noon, setting the stage for the first competition at the Avalon Duals in Edinboro, Pa., on Sunday, Nov. 4. The Cardinal is slated to take on Mercyhurst, Maryland and Edinboro - who ended the 2006 campaign with a No. 16 ranking. The Cardinal will then travel to Fargo, N.D. on Nov. 11 for the Bison Open before returning to the West for its first Pac-10 competition at Cal State Fullerton on Nov. 17, followed by the Cal Open on Sat., Nov. 18. The next weekend, Stanford will head to Fresno for the first-ever California Dual Meet Championship, where the lineup is yet to be determined. In December, Stanford will return to the Las Vegas Invitational and the Reno Tournament of Champions before making its first trip to Greensboro, N.C. for the Southern Scuffle on Dec. 29-30. The Cardinal will kick off the new year and the beginning of the dual season by hosting the Stanford Duals on Jan. 5, with where they will compete against Columbia, Lehigh and UC Davis. Stanford will then host San Francisco State and Fresno State on consecutive weekends before diving into the conference season, where the Cardinal will take on Cal State Bakersfield, Oregon, Cal Poly, Arizona State, Boise State, Oregon State, and Portland State. For extra experience, individuals and redshirts may also attend the Eastern Michigan Open on Nov. 4, the Central Missouri State Open or the Cowboy Open on Nov. 12, Midlands at the end of December and the Central Missouri Denker Open on Jan. 20. On Feb. 24-25, the Cardinal will compete at the Pac-10 Championships in Bakersfield before closing out the season at the NCAA Championships on March 15-17 in Detroit, Mich.

This interview was published with permission of OhioWrestlingSite.com, the premier source for Ohio wrestling information. He failed to place at Junior Nationals in high school. Though he was a three-time NCAA All-American, his highest NCAA finish was fourth place. He finished a disappointing seventh place at NCAAs his senior year. Though always well-respected, his name is seldom mentioned in a discussion of the greatest wrestlers to come out of Ohio in the past decade. And yet, while many much more celebrated wrestlers have long since hung up their shoes, Andy Hrovat will soon became the first Ohio wrestler to represent the United States in World or Olympic freestyle competition in almost a decade. Andy Hrovat (Photo/John Sachs)Along the way, the former Lakewood St. Edward's grappler sent shockwaves through the U.S. wrestling community by pinning Mo Lawal, believed by many to be the best wrestler this country has regardless of weight. Never the strongest, the fastest, or the flashiest of competitors, Hrovat is a true testament of what can be accomplished by ordinary athletes with extraordinary commitment to not only training hard, but learning as much as possible. OhioWrestlingSite.com had the opportunity to speak with Hrovat about his recent accomplishment and upcoming challenges. Ohio Wrestling Site: I'd like to talk first about your big win over Mo Lawal. Lawal just beat the defending world champion and many consider him to be the best pound-for-pound wrestler in the U.S. What was your strategy going into the match? Hrovat: My strategy was, first of all, I didn't want to let him control my wrist. He considers himself the best wrestler off a wrist tie in the world, that's where he gets a lot of his shots. He pulls the wrist, gets you stepping and heavy footed … I do a good job of keeping my right hand back. My plan was, once he reached for the wrist, to front headlock him with my opposite hand. I did that, and once I did that he started to freak out, and started backing out, I just kept it in the middle of the mat, and didn't veer from my strategy. Ohio Wrestling Site: Can you tell us about the flurry of action leading up to the pin in the Lawal match? Hrovat: When I was scouting him, I noticed he wrestles a lot off his knees- he's real explosive off his knees- he can re-shoot into you from that position. I just kept his head trapped, I had a front body lock, I was over both arms. I was just trying to hold it and wait, trying to expose him … but he ducked, he put himself in a bad position … I just drove into him, and put him right to his back and held him. Ohio Wrestling Site: Your senior year you probably entered as a co-favorite along with Victor Sveda and Damion Hahn, yet placed a disappointing seventh -- while a wrestler you had defeated numerous times, Rob Rohn, claimed the NCAA title. Did you consider retiring from the sport at that point? Hrovat: Absolutely not. I always had goals of wrestling after college. What happened in college was a learning experience for me, and I wasn't gonna quit just yet! Ohio Wrestling Site: I'd like to talk about your training situation. Unlike high school and college wrestlers, wrestlers training for international competition have to structure their own training. How does a typical day of training look for you? Hrovat: I actually have a coach who structures everything for me … that being Sean Bormet. I sit down before every competition, and we put together a plan, he breaks down my conditioning, my agilities, what I should be doing at each practice, he plans my lifting. Ohio Wrestling Site: Who are your main training partners then? Hrovat: The past month I've been training with Kevin Vogel, who is the volunteer assistant coach, he's really good to work with for me because he wrestled Greco, so he's really good with front headlocks and gut wrenches. The other two guys I've been training with are Kirk Trost and Greg Wagner -- two heavyweights, I like working out with them because they give me a different look, it's slower, but I can't rely on power … it's just a different feel and a different look. The other two guys I've been training with are Donny Pritzlaff and Clint Wattenberg in Chicago. Ohio Wrestling Site: You've been training with Wattenberg? (Wattenberg was the wrestler Hrovat defeated in the finals of World Team Trials). Hrovat: Yes, the three of us went to Naperville, IL and Sean (Bormet) had a camp before the Trials. Jake Herbert and Mike Tamillow from Northwestern were also there. Ohio Wrestling Site: I understand that you nearly defeated Cael Sanderson in a tournament in 2004. I am stunned when I see Sanderson merely get scored upon. What can you tell us about that match? Hrovat: That was actually my first tournament up at 185. It was at the Manitoba Open, he came out, he scored the first four points, then I scored the next six points and was winning 6-4 with about :20 left. I got him in a front body lock, tilted him for two, I think I got a couple shots on him, maybe turned him once, I can't remember everything … late in the match I tried to throw him, he countered and put me right to my back and pinned me. Ohio Wrestling Site: Andy, besides Mo Lawal, you've wrestled the following World or Olympic Champions: Cael Sanderson, Yoel Romero of Cuba, and Sazhid Sazhidov of Russia. Who do you view as the toughest wrestler of this group and how would you compare their styles? Hrovat: The toughest is Cael. You can't scout him, he does everything so well. He can counter, good short offense, great shots. He never loses his cool in a match. The most athletic was Romero, by far. He's so fast and strong. With Sazhidov, he's hard to wrestle, he did some weird things, like arm drags to opposite-side high-crotch. Andy Hrovat (Photo/John Sachs)Ohio Wrestling Site: Andy, you placed a very respectable 4th at HS Nationals but never placed at Junior Nationals in high school. Though you achieved NCAA All-American status three times in college, your highest placement was fourth. Now, you're No. 1 on a much higher level. Has it sunk in yet? Hrovat: No, it hasn't sunk in it at all. You know, I really don't want it to sink in. I prepare for every competition the same … if I start to put it on a pedestal I might start thinking differently when I'm training. Ohio Wrestling Site: Clearly you have moved to a much higher level since college, what do you think the difference has been? Hrovat: Everything started coming together … I've been picking up things here and there, working with a lot of different people. I worked with Sean Bormet and Tony Robie in college, but then after college I spent a lot of time at the Olympic Training Center for the first your years, I worked out with Cael before he went to the Olympics, I worked out with Charles Burton before he went to the 2000 Olympics … Lincoln McIlravy, I worked out with him for a while, Kevin Jackson, Lou Rosselli. Brandon Slay, he taught me my gut wrench. I've picking those guys' brains for years, and that knowledge is finally coming together, and helped me develop my match strategy. It finally came together this year. Ohio Wrestling Site: Your finals series at World Team Trials was against Clint Wattenberg. Wattenberg defeated you at NCAAs your senior year. What were you thinking going into that match, did the loss at NCAAs give you extra incentive? Hrovat: No … I haven't thought about NCAAs since they ended. I moved on and started thinking about freestyle. Before the match, I did think about the fact that I hadn't beaten him in a long time -- he tells me that I did beat him at the Cadet World Team Trials when were 15 years old, but I don't even remember that. Not only had he beaten me in college, but he had beaten me several times since in freestyle at the U.S. Open. But every match he had beaten me in came down to the last ten seconds … so that right there gave me extra incentive, not to put myself in a position to lose in the last few seconds. Ohio Wrestling Site: Since college, you have competed as low as 163, yet found much more success at the 185-pound class. What do you think has made you more successful at the higher weight? Hrovat: When I was in college, I was a real small 184. I would leave practice probably five pounds under weight. I just didn't really want to cut weight. After college, I just started growing, and my muscles were maturing, it just got real hard for me to get down to 163. I'm still a real small 84-kilogram (185-pound) guy, but I always pride myself on being strong. If you're strong, you can compete at any weight. Ohio Wrestling Site: With all due respect, in many ways you are not as physically imposing as some of the beasts that compete internationally at 185 lbs, guys like the Yoel Romero. Clearly you have compensated for this with other attributes. What do you think has separated you from so many others? Hrovat: I study the sport … you have to be smart. I treat it like a chess match. One time a guy may beat me, but I come back the next time with something new and surprise him. It's a war out there, you can't expect to do the same thing over and over again and be successful. I've always changed and added to my style. I remember Tadaaki Hatta came up to me after NCAAs my sophomore year, when I didn't place, and said "People scout you, people know what you do. If you're not constantly changing, they will get an advantage". I've tried to be constantly adapting. Ohio Wrestling Site: Speaking of Coach Hatta, you competed for national power Lakewood St. Edward's in high school, how much of an impact did that have on your career? Hrovat: Being in a program like that in high school, and having those expectations of success, it taught you how to handle those situations, big matches. Andy Hrovat (Photo/John Sachs)Ohio Wrestling Site: From there you went to Michigan, along with Mike Kulczycki, and you were soon followed by St. Ed's "blue-chippers" Ryan Bertin and Mark Moos. How much of a role did you have in them ending up there? Hrovat: (Laughs): I wish I could say I had huge role, but Bertin, he's a real smart kid, and he chose Michigan for the academics as well as the wrestling. But yeah, you could say I opened the door for those guys to come. Ohio Wrestling Site: Well, it's worked out well, as the above group has accounted for a total of eight All-American finishes so far. Hrovat: Yea, well hopefully we can keep it going. Ohio Wrestling Site: Now I have a tough question for you … what individual do you think has had the biggest impact on your wrestling success? Hrovat: (Pauses): That is a tough one. Recently, I would have to say it's Sean Bormet. After college, I was just kind of going around, without guidance, and he took me under his wing, taught me how to train and prepare for the matches. That's the biggest reason I was able to do what I did last weekend. Ohio Wrestling Site: Finally, what advice do you have for young wrestlers who want to get where you are? Hrovat: I would just tell them to have fun and enjoy what you do. I've been wrestling since I was 5 -- 21 years I've been enjoying wrestling, and that's all I've ever wanted to do. Have the passion for it, and continue to have fun with it. High school kids have to drive themselves and should want to become the best, but at the same time, you shouldn't put too much stress on yourself to go out and win everything … you should always go out and have fun. Ohio Wrestling Site: Sounds like a great outlook. Andy, thanks for the interview and on behalf of all of Ohio, good luck in China! Hrovat: Thank you.

Frank Santana joins Steve and I this Saturday as we go on location to Champion's Wrestling School where Cael Sanderson and Mike Land will conduct a clinic with athletes and parents. Our Guests on the Live line include: Stanford Head Coach Kerry McCoy -- Stanford Cardinal Head Coach Kerry McCoy, a leading example of our current crop of fine young coaches New Air Force Head Coach Joel Sharrett -- Joel is set to take over this high flying program on the heels of a legend, Wayne Baughman. Exactly what did he learn from Coach Burnett? West Point Head Coach (US Military Academy) Chuck Barbee -- What does the future hold for the Black Knights/Cadets? Olivet Head Coach Todd Hibbs -- This will be our first visit with 2nd year Head Coach Todd Hibbs. Todd has done a remarkable job with this program that was slated for the cutting room floor. Cael Sanderson -- This will be the first appearance for Coach Sanderson since he accepted the position at ISU. Mike Land -- This NCAA champion of the 70's still has it goin on and Frank Santana's got him back on the mat teaching America's youth the finer points of life and wrestling!

Terrence J. McCann, an Olympic Gold Medal winner in freestyle wrestling and a leader in the sport of wrestling, died June 7. McCann helped found a new national governing body for the sport, the United States Wrestling Federation (now called USA Wrestling) and is credited with the United States' increasing involvement in the international wrestling scene. He spent four years as president of USA Wrestling and six years on the board of FILA, the international governing body of wrestling. In addition, he served for many years in various capacities on the United States Olympic Committee. "Terry was a tremendous wrestler as well as a leader within wrestling and the Olympic family," said Jim Scherr, CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs. "His tenure as president (of USA Wrestling) marked a time of significant progress for the sport. He was a well-respected leader within the Olympic family and rose to the top of the USOC. He was noted for his honesty and passion for the National Governing Bodies and the athletes. He hired me to serve as executive director of USA Wrestling in 1990. I am proud to call him a mentor and a friend. I would not have the opportunity to serve in my present capacity were it not for Terry." It is ironic that the job that funded his dreams of winning a Gold Medal in wrestling is said to have caused his asbestos-related cancer. McCann, of Dana Point, California, won the 1960 Gold Medal after working at an oil refinery in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the late 1950s while training for the Olympics. In April 2005, McCann was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare cancer linked to asbestos exposure. Shortly after the diagnosis, he joined a class action lawsuit against asbestos manufacturers and became a spokesman against a proposal before Congress to impose limits on litigation against those companies. He appeared recently in a national television commercial denouncing the proposal. McCann's legacy in the sport of wrestling almost didn't happen. The day of the 1960 Olympic trials, he nearly missed competing because of illness and a debilitating knee injury. Against all odds, he won the test and went on to score a dramatic Olympic victory in Rome. After his heady accomplishment, McCann said he learned a lesson about success. "That it is a journey, and that having arrived at a high point guarantees nothing about the rest of the trip." A fellow Olympic wrestler and coach, Werner Holzer, calls McCann "the greatest of them all." "During my 50 years in the sport of wrestling, as an athlete, coach and administrator, I have seen all the great wrestlers," Holzer says. "Some of them had great technique, others were incredibly tenacious and had great endurance; some had tremendous strength, still others had catlike speed, agility and balance. Terry had it all; he was the most complete wrestler, the one who excelled the most in every aspect of the sport." "Although his stature was small, his attitude, confidence, courage and leadership while representing the sport both nationally and internationally was that of a giant," recalls Lee Roy Smith, a 1983 World Silver Medalist who coached for Arizona State University and the U.S. National Freestyle Team and is now executive director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma. "He always felt it was important for anyone involved in the sport to conduct himself in an ethical and sportsmanlike way, yet no one wanted to win more than he did." McCann took great delight in helping young wrestlers. He was a volunteer coach of Greco-Roman wrestling at the Minnesota Wrestling Club and later of freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling at the Mayor Daley Youth Foundation in Chicago, Illinois, where McCann was born and grew up. Under his direction the Youth Foundation won six consecutive freestyle national championships and five Greco-Roman national championships. He also coached contenders in World, Pan-American and Olympic Games, with six of the wrestlers earning top medals. "We often spoke about training and coaching philosophies and what types of strategies and techniques each of our U.S. wrestlers needed to defeat a particular opponent," says Smith. "The record book shows that during his tenure as president of USA Wrestling and as a member of FILA Bureau, the U.S. Freestyle Team experienced one of its most successful eras in world competition." Russ Hellickson, a 1976 Olympic Silver Medalist in wrestling, an NBC Olympic wrestling commentator and wrestling coach at Ohio State University since 1986, credits McCann for his success. "My continued involvement in wrestling is a direct result of the encouragements and teachings of Terry McCann," he wrote in a letter supporting McCann's nomination to the Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1977. "He served as the wrestling coach of the Mayor Daley Youth Foundation during my early years of international competition. Without his urgings and confidence, I am certain that I would not have continued to compete in wrestling." After his Olympic victory McCann worked for various associations. In 1975 he was named executive director of Toastmasters International, a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Southern California that helps people develop their communication and leadership skills. After retiring in 2001, he served for two years as executive director of the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA), the official working trade association of more than 300 surf industry suppliers. An avid surfer, McCann was active in Surfrider Foundation, an environmental group, serving as the Foundation's president from 1993 to 1997. McCann was the first University of Iowa wrestler to win Olympic gold and earn three all-America honors, and the second to win two NCAA individual titles. Competing for the Hawkeyes from 1954-57, he also won two Big Ten titles. McCann graduated from the University of Iowa in 1957 with a B.S. from the school of business administration. McCann is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lucille; seven children; 18 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother and two sisters.

BLOOMSBURG -- Bloomsburg University has named Carl Fronhofer as it new assistant wrestling coach. Fronhofer comes to Bloomsburg after spending two seasons as an assistant at the University of Pittstburgh, his alma mater. At Pitt, Fronhofer was in charge of techniques and training methods in the wrestling room as well as recruiting. "This is a great career opportunity for me and I am very excited to have a chance to work with John (Sutzman) and the entire Bloomsburg team," said Fronhofer. "I have gotten to know coach Stutzman over the last few years and know that he has the team headed in the right direction." "Bloomsburg has several good veterans back in Mike Sees and Mike Spaid who I look forward to working with," Fronhofer continued. "Plus, John has brought in great class of freshman who l can't wait to start coaching." A 2003 graduate of Pittsburgh, Fronhofer earned All-Americans as a senior, advancing to the NCAA Division I finals at 174 pounds. In his career at Pittsburgh, Fronhofer won 123 matches against just 39 losses. His win total is the third-highest in Panthers history. As a freshman, Fronhofer became just one of five first-year Pittsburgh wrestlers to win 30 matches in a season when he finished the year 30-11. He qualified for his first NCAA Championships and won his first Nationals match. Also that year, Fronhofer won his second consecutive FILA Junior National Greco-Roman title at 167.5 pounds and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler for the second time as well. Fronhofer won an EWL (Eastern Wrestling League) title at 165 pounds in 2001 and qualified for his second straight NCAA meet. During the season, he was a perfect 11-0 in dual meets. After a third straight appearance at NCAAs as a junior in 2001-02, Fronhofer moved up a weight class prior to his senior year. After finishing second at the EWL Championships, Fronhofer won five straight matches before dropping the championship match to Robbie Waller of Oklahoma by a 7-3 decision. He earned All-American honors for his second-place finish, the first Panthers' All-American in three years and first finalist in 13 years. Bloomsburg head coach John Stutzman is looking forward to having someone like Fronhofer on his staff. "I am excited to have someone the caliber of Carl join my staff," said Stutzman. "Carl brings a strong work ethic, and a wealth of experience both collegiate and internationally. As a athlete he was a four-time NCAA qualifier, EWL champion, NCAA Division 1 finalist, and a five-time US Open Freestyle and Greco Roman All-American. I believe he is one of the best young coaches in the country and he will give our wrestlers the mental edge to compete at the highest level." Fronhofer is a 2003 graduate of Pittsburgh with a degree in sociology. He was a NCWA first team Academic All-American as a senior.