InterMat Staff

DeKALB , IL -- Two weeks ago, it would have been hard to predict. Senior Harold Sherrell (Liverpool , NY/Liverpool ) dropped a 3-1 sudden-victory decision to Slippery Rock's Matt Burkholder. Maybe the 220-pound heavyweight's Cinderella Story that led him to a 30-win season ended. If Saturday afternoon at the Convocation Center at Northern Illinois University proved anything, it proved his Cinderella story may be just beginning. He pinned Kent State 's Jermail Porter in the Mid-American Conference Championship finals for his 35th win of the season at the 4:23 mark of the match, giving the long shot his first MAC title. The Bulls, led by a record-tying seven placewinners and champions Sherrell and junior Mark Budd (Orrville, OH/Orrville) (133 pounds), pulled a little but of a Cinderella story of their own, finishing third with 60 points, ahead of 24th-ranked Northern Illinois. It is the highest finish for the Bulls since joining the MAC in 1998-99. "This is an unbelievable conference," head coach Jim Beichner said. "It's so tough. Every single match through the entire weekend was just hard-fought right to the end." Budd also claimed his first Mid-American Conference title with an injury default against Eastern Michigan 's Phillip Plowman. Budd took a 2-0 lead in the first period on a takedown and soon after, Plowman was hurt on a mat return, defaulting the match. Senior Kyle Cerminara (Lewiston, NY/Lewiston-Porter) (197 pounds) came up on the short end once again in his rematch with top-ranked Wynn Michalak, 7-5. Cerminara came out firing, getting a takedown 15 seconds into the match. After a restart, Michalak was able to roll through Cerminara and get a reversal and a three-point near fall, but Cerminara responded with a reveral of his own, making the score, 5-4. Michalak got two escapes and Cerminara got one to close the scoring. With eight seconds left, it looked as if Cerminara might get a takedown, taking Michalak to the mat, but, just like the Feb. 5 showdown where Cerminara lost 3-2, once again, no points were rewarded after the flurry. The second-ranked wrestler in the nation, Cerminara did receive an NCAA wild card bid. Sherrell did not let the previous match affect his, as the heavyweight was able to trade shots with Porter, a 6-6, 280-pound grappler, in the first period, rolling through a possible takedown. "It almost feels better that I had to beat the Kent State kid," Sherrell said. "It would have been great to beat Bubba Gritter (the top-seed and Sherrell's only MAC loss of the year), but my whole season, I've been going against guys way bigger than me. That's, no doubt, the biggest and tallest guy I wrestled all season." In the second period, Sherrell chose to be on top and after a stalemate, got the spread eagle grip on the Golden Flash and was able to seal the pin in 4:32. "He's absolutely the Cinderella story that everybody hopes to have," Beichner said. "He came in and never qualified for a qualifier to get to the New York State Championships. Nobody would ever say Harold Sherrell is going to be a Division I wrestler. He's come along in such a great way. It's such a huge success story because he's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet." At 184 pounds, senior Garrett Hicks (Chautauqua , NY /Chautauqua Lake) closed out his career in style, beating Ohio 's Brian Cesear, 8-0, for third-place. Hicks finishes the season, 24-12. Three other UB wrestlers, senior Cliff Smith (Merrick , NY/Calhoun) (141 pounds), sophomore Dana Gingerich (Spring Grove, PA/DeLone Catholic) (149 pounds) and sophomore Mickey Moran (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler Area) (165 pounds) placed fourth after dropping third-place matches on Saturday. Buffalo finishes behind fourth-ranked Central Michigan , which with 102.5 points wrapped up its fifth straight championship with four first-place finishes. Kent State , ranked 25th in the final NWCA poll, took second with 75.5 points. Behind Buffalo , 24th-ranked Northern Illinois had 56.5 points, Ohio had 25.5 and Eastern Michigan had 13.5. Budd, Cerminara and Sherrell will hit the mats at the NCAA Championships on March 16 in Oklahoma City , OK .

AMES, IA -- Entering the Big 12 Championships, Oklahoma State was the overwhelming favorite to capture its fourth straight conference crown. Thankfully for the Cowboys, everything went as expected at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. The Cowboys sent seven wrestlers to the championship finals, crowned four champions, and racked up 80 points to capture the title. It was the eighth Big 12 title for Oklahoma State in the last 10 years, and the 41st conference championship in school history. Oklahoma finished a distant second with 52.5 points, while Nebraska (52), Iowa State (47.5), and Missouri (42) rounded out the conference finish. Eight of the 10 champions were second-time winners, while two wrestlers, Nate Gallick of Iowa State (141) and Zack Esposito of Oklahoma State (149), picked up their third straight Big 12 titles. Gallick improved his record to a perfect 30-0 on the season with a hard-fought 5-3 victory in the second tie-break period over two-time NCAA champion Teyon Ware of Oklahoma. "He's probably the hardest guy in the country for me to wrestle," said Gallick. "He's fast, he's strong, he's quick, and he's a real good athlete. He has everything I have to offer … maybe more. So he really challenges me a lot." Esposito, the defending 149-pound NCAA champion, had bit of a scare in the finals against Matt Storniolo. Storniolo led the match 6-4 after the opening period, but Esposito battled back with two takedowns in the second period and two near-fall points in the third period to win 11-8. It marked the second straight year he defeated his Bedlam rival for the conference crown. Esposito, who lost just once all of last season, has lost four times this season (counting the NWCA All-Star Classic). He will likely enter the NCAA Championships as the No. 2 seed behind true freshman phenom Dustin Schlatter of Minnesota. So what's the difference between this season and last? "Everybody's gunning for the guy on top," said Esposito. "I found that out the hard way. I didn't change up my training. I just kept training hard and listening to my coaches. Guys come at you with different techniques." Two-time All-American Sam Hazewinkel of Oklahoma got a little sweet revenge as he won his second conference title with a tight 2-1 victory over Coleman Scott of Oklahoma State, the same wrestler who upset him at last year's Big 12 Championships. "It was just a battle," said Hazewinkel. "He won it last year, I won it this time." With the win, Hazewinkel ran his season record to a 25-1. His lone loss came on Feb. 22 at the hands of Nick Simmons of Michigan State. Both Scott and Simmons are tall, lanky wrestlers, which Hazewinkel says seem to give him the most trouble. "They're tough," said Hazewinkel. "They're starting to figure me out. I just have to keep going over tape, figuring out what I'm doing wrong, and I'm doing right against tall guys. I have two weeks to figure it out." Ben Askren of Missouri put on the most dominating finals performance with a 17-6 major decision over Jacob Klein of Nebraska. Askren recorded eight takedowns in the match to cruise the easy victory and his second Big 12 title. The Tiger continues to dominate every wrestler who steps foot on the mat with him. He currently owns the nation's longest consecutive wins streak, having won 40 straight matches. So can anyone beat Askren? "Cael Sanderson, Mo Lawal maybe," said Askren. "Collegiately, I don't really think so. I just went out there, had some fun, and put it to him. I'm feeling good right now." Gallick was named Most Outstanding Wrestler. Championship Finals: 125 -- No. 1 Sam Hazewinkel (OU) dec. No. 2 Coleman Scott (OSU), 2-1 133 -- No. 1 Nathan Morgan (OSU) dec. No. 2 Tyler McCormick (MU), 5-1 141 -- No. 1 Nate Gallick (ISU) dec. No. 2 Teyon Ware (OU), 5-3 TB2 149 -- No. 1 Zack Esposito (OSU) dec. No. 2 Matt Storniolo (OU), 12-8 157 -- No. 1 Trent Paulson (ISU) dec. No. 2 Kevin Ward (OSU), 2-0 165 -- No. 1 Johny Hendricks (OSU) dec. No. 2 Matt Pell (MU), 2-1 TB1 174 -- No. 1 Ben Askren (MU) maj. dec. No. 2 Jacob Klein (NU), 17-6 184 -- No. 1 Kurt Backes (ISU) dec. No. 3 Raymond Jordan (MU), 4-2 197 -- No. 1 B.J. Padden (NU) dec. No. 2 Jake Rosholt (OSU), 3-0 Hwt -- No. 1 Steve Mocco (OSU) dec. No. 2 Jake Hager (OU), 4-1 Third Place: 125 -- No. 3 Paul Donahoe (NU) dec. No. 4 Austin DeVoe (MU), 10-7 133 -- No. 4 Patrick Aleksanyan (NU) dec. No. 3 Jesse Sundell (ISU), 10-9 141 -- No. 3 Dominick Moyer (NU) dec. No. 5 Ethan Kyle (OSU), 7-4 149 -- No. 5 Robert Sanders (NU) dec. No. 3 Jason Knipp (ISU), 6-3 157 -- No. 4 Will Rowe (OU) dec. No. 5 Michael Chandler (MU), 8-6 165 -- No. 3 Travis Paulson (ISU) dec. No. 4 Marc Harwood (NU), 4-1 174 -- No. 5 Wes Roberts (OU) dec. No. 3 Brandon Mason (OSU), 5-4 184 -- No. 5 Rusty Blackmon (OSU) dec. No. 2 Vince Jones (NU), 6-2 197 -- No. 3 Joel Flaggert (OU) dec. No. 4 Jeff Foust (MU), 6-1 Hwt -- No. 3 Jon May (NU) dec. No. 4 Richard Schopf (ISU), 5-2 Fourth Place Challenge: 157 -- No. 3 Chris Oliver (NU) pinned. No. 5 Michael Chandler (MU), 2:15 Big 12 Championships Session I Recap Complete Big 12 Championships Results

AMES, IA -- The Big 12 Championships got underway on Saturday morning in Ames, Iowa, at Hilton Coliseum. After the semifinals, Oklahoma State, who has won the past three Big 12 titles, has a firm grasp on the team race with 59 points and seven finalists. Oklahoma, who has four finalists, sits in second place with 35 points. Missouri (32), Iowa State (25), and Nebraska (17) round out the rest of the field. Nate Gallick of Iowa State (141) and Zack Esposito of Oklahoma State (149) will both be vying for their third straight Big 12 titles. Gallick defeated Chris McCormick of Missouri in the semifinals, 10-1, to advance to the finals, where he'll face a familiar foe in two-time NCAA champion Teyon Ware of Oklahoma. The two have met six times over the past three seasons, with Gallick winning five of the meetings, including two this season. Ware's lone win over Gallick, however, came in the all-important NCAA finals last season. "I just have to keep moving against Gallick," said Ware, who pinned Dominick Moyer of Nebraska in the semifinals. "I can't let up on the edge of the mat. That's how he's scored on me the last few times we've wrestled. You have to come wrestle every match, every minute, every moment." Esposito, the defending NCAA champion, won convincingly over Robert Sanders of Nebraska in the semifinals. He will now face Matt Storniolo of Oklahoma in the finals, the same wrestler he defeated to claim his second Big 12 title a year ago. "I wrestled a little tight, but it's nice to get that first match out of the way," said Esposito. "I just have to wrestle at a high pace, work my shots, and execute well. I want to go to the NCAA Championships with a good feeling." All 10 top-seeds and nine No. 2 seeds advanced, which should set up for some very intriguing finals match-ups. The only No. 3 seed to advance to the finals was Raymond Jordan of Missouri, who won narrowly, 11-10, over true freshman Vince Jones of Nebraska. At125 pounds, two-time All-American Sam Hazewinkel of Oklahoma will face All-American Coleman Scott. Scott upset Hazewinkel at last year's Big 12 Championships, but Hazewinkel has won all three meetings since. "I felt really good in my first match," said Hazewinkel, who defeated Austin Devoe of Missouri, 12-2, semifinals. "I had a game plan, so I just went out and executed it. I felt like it was one my best matches all season." Hazewinkel says that his loss to Scott at last year's Big 12 Championships gives him extra motivation going into the finals. "I wanted to be a four-time Big 12 champion and obviously he took that away last year," said Hazewinkel. "He did a good job. We've always had close matches. I'm just going to go out and try to duplicate what I did last match, wrestle in the zone." At 197 pounds, B.J. Padden of Nebraska and Jake Rosholt will battle in the Big 12 finals for the second straight year. Padden defeated Rosholt, 6-2, in the Big 12 finals. However, Rosholt came back to beat Padden, 10-9, in the NCAA semifinals. The two wrestlers have met twice this season, with Padden winning both matches. Semifinals: 125 -- No. 1 Sam Hazewinkel (OU) maj. dec. No. 4 Austin DeVoe (MU), 12-2 125 -- No. 2 Coleman Scott (OSU) dec. No. 3 Paul Donahoe (NU), 4-1 133 -- No. 1 Nathan Morgan (OSU) dec. No. 4 Patrick Aleksanyan (NU), 8-3 133 -- No. 2 Tyler McCormick (MU) vs. No. 3 Jesse Sundell (ISU), 7-4 141 -- No. 1 Nate Gallick (ISU) maj. dec. No. 5 Ethan Kyle (OSU), 10-1 141 -- No. 2 Teyon Ware (OU) pinned No. 3 Dominick Moyer (NU), 4:45 149 -- No. 1 Zack Esposito (OSU) maj. dec. No. 5 Robert Sanders (NU), 12-3 149 -- No. 2 Matt Storniolo (OU) dec. No. 3 Jason Knipp (ISU), 4-2 TB 157 -- No. 1 Trent Paulson (ISU) dec. No. 5 Michael Chandler (MU), 5-3 157 -- No. 2 Kevin Ward (OSU) dec. No. 3 Chris Oliver (NU), 3-1 165 -- No. 1 Johny Hendricks (OSU) dec. No. 4 Marc Harwood (NU), 11-4 165 -- No. 2 Matt Pell (MU) dec. No. 3 Travis Paulson (ISU), 4-1 174 -- No. 1 Ben Askren (MU) dec. No. 5 Wes Roberts (OU), 6-3 174 -- No. 2 Jacob Klein (NU) dec. No. 3 Brandon Mason (OSU), 3-0 184 -- No. 1 Kurt Backes (ISU) dec. 5 Rusty Blackmon (OSU), 8-5 184 -- No. 3 Raymond Jordan (MU) dec. No. 2 Vince Jones (NU), 11-10 197 -- No. 1 B.J. Padden (NU) maj. dec. No. 4 Jeff Foust (MU), 10-2 197 -- No. 2 Jake Rosholt (OSU) dec. No. 3 Joel Flaggert (OU), 7-5 Hwt -- No. 1 Steve Mocco (OSU) pinned No. 4 Richard Schopf (ISU), 1:25 Hwt -- No. 2 Jake Hager (OU) dec. No. 3 Jon May (NU), 3-2 TB Complete Big 12 Championships Results

UFC 58: CANADA vs. UNITED STATES Saturday, March 4, 2006 Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada The UFC Monster is on his way out to Las Vegas for this big event. Vegas oddsmakers give only one Canadian (Georges St. Pierre) a chance to beat an American in this eight-fight card event (betting odds listed next to projected winner). I see it a little brighter for the Canucks, as I see three wins coming from north of the border. After going a respectable 6-3 in the last UFC 57, including a nice underdog win on Joe Riggs, I'll take another shot at predicting this week-end's fight card. Let's go to the winner's window. Trying to bet with my head, and not my heart, here's how I see them: Diego SANCHEZ (16-0) vs. John ALESSIO (22-8) CANCELLED Diego has gotten sick with some type of stomach ailment and is unable to fight. No alternate opponent was announced and the match was cancelled. Spencer FISHER over Sam STOUT (8-1-1) by KO in the 2nd round Fisher is a last second replacement for Kenny FLORIAN, who is unable to fight due to back problems. Both Fisher and Stout are aggressive punchers, not afraid to go toe-to-toe. Stout is known for his "hands of stone," but it is Fisher who gets the upper hand in this affair. Fisher (no betting line available) sends Stout to the canvass in the second … USA 1-0. Tom MURPHY (4-1) over Christophe MIDOUX (9-4) by KO in 2nd round I don't know much about these two guys. But, I know enough to see a KO by Murphy (-160) … USA 2-0. Jason LAMBERT (19-5) over Rob MACDONALD (3-1) by KO in 2nd round I think Lambert has too much experience for MacDonald, being in fights with the legendary Marco Ruas, as well as Wesley "Cabbage" Correira and Tim Silvia. Lambert has won nine of his last ten fights, including wins over Travis Wiuff and Marvin Eastman in the past nine monthes. Lambert (-400) puts this one away in the second with a powerful kick to the head … USA 3-0. Yves EDWARDS (28-8-1) over Mark HOMINICK (9-4) by SUBMISSION in the 1st round Edwards is lightning quick and comes at you from all angles with numerous spinning kicks and submission moves. Not only does Edwards have a mountain's worth of experience, but he is a jiu-jitsu specialist fighting against a kick boxer. I'll take the ground expert every time. Edwards (-550) cruises here with a first round submission (rear naked choke) … USA 4-0. Mike SWICK (9-1) over Steve VIGNAULT (11-5) by KO in 1st round After saying I would always take a jiu-jitsu fighter over a kick boxer, not here. This fight never makes it to the mat. "Quick" Swift (-600) puts the lights out on Vignault, who's going up in weight for this fight, winning with a first round KO over an opponent who has lost two of his past three … USA 5-0. Joe DOERKSEN (27-7) over Nate MARQUARDT (25-6-1) by SUBMISSION in the 2nd round This is a big upset. Doerksen has had a long and storied MMA career, with fights against Matt Hughes, Eugene Jackson, David Loiseau, Joe Riggs, and Matt Lindland. Marquardt has spent most of his career in Japan fighting in Pancrase competition, His last fight was an impressive victory over the very tough Ivan Salaverry. I think the fight will stay up with both fighters throwing punches and kicks. But Doerksen (+190) finds a way to bring it to the mat and submits Marquardt with a second round arm bar…..Canada breaks through … USA 5-1. Georges ST.PIERRE (11-1) over BJ PENN (10-2-1) by TKO in 2nd round BJ Penn is the last man to beat Matt Hughes. He even went up in weight to do it. Incredible performance. Then he disappeared again. That's BJ. But, ST. PIERRE is simply a man on a mission. He gets better with every fight. He is quicker and stronger and more determined with every notch in his belt. He wants Hughes' belt in the worst way, and BJ isn't going to be able to stop him here. I see some serious "ground-n-pound" by St. Pierre. Big John McCarthy pulls Georges (-150) off a battered BJ midway through the second … USA 5-2. David LOISEAU (15-4) over Rich FRANKLIN (21-1) by KO in 2nd round Big upset. Franklin has looked awesome in holding the middleweight crown. But LOISEAU, like training partner ST. PIERRE, is on a mission to wear a championship belt. He can do it here, if he is able to catch Franklin with a head kick and bring the champion to the mat. I see it happening. Franklin's 21-1 record is impressive, but for a school teacher, like him, to just drift into this profession seems like a short termed success story to me. Get ready to crown a new champion. "The Crow" (+250) ends this one with a roundhouse kick to the head … USA 5-3 Final. Well, that's it for now. The next UFC will be April 15 in Anaheim with Tito Ortiz coming back to fight Forrest Griffin. Good luck and enjoy the fights. See you at the winner's window. The UFC Monster

On the one hand, it can be quite silly to examine bracket sheets and look ahead to exciting potential wrestling matches. Outside of first round pairings, there are no guarantees in a wrestling tournament. You have to earn each and every win in order to advance, and when you get to the extreme skill level of NCAA wrestling, even the smallest of mistakes can cause an upset. On the other hand, wrestling fans are only human and during the down time leading up to the postseason, one can't help but speculate on various possible matches. The temptation becomes even greater when you look at the successes of various wrestlers who, although competing in the same conference and in the same weight class, have yet to step on the mat against each other. This is a big, big weekend for Division I college wrestling. A lot of important matches are going to take place. Here are the top-12 match-up that may or may not occur. 12 -- No. 7 Tyrone Byrd (Illinois) vs. No. 8 Phil Davis (Penn State) -- BIG TEN CONFERENCE Both Byrd and Davis have looked strong this season, but have yet to face each other. Last year, Davis was 2-1 against Byrd but lost to him in their only postseason bout. If they meet this weekend, it will most likely be for the 197-pound Big Ten title, which will obviously have an impact for both schools on the team race. NCAA SEEDING IMPLICATIONS: Negligible. It would probably be good to get on the bottom side of the bracket, but it would appear that the important thing would be to win in the placement rounds of wrestle-backs. 11 -- No. 3 Mark Perry (Iowa) vs. No. 5 R.J. Boudro (Michigan State) -- BIG TEN CONFERENCE Perry has been out for a while with an injury and it's difficult to tell if he'll be back at one-hundred percent. If he isn't, he will certainly have his hands full with Boudro, who's been wrestling very well, despite a recent loss to Gabriel Dretsch (Minnesota). NCAA SEEDING IMPLICATIONS: If Perry loses, his No. 3 seed would very much be at stake. With the inconsistency that No. 4 Jacob Klein (Nebraska) has shown, the No. 3 slot could possibly go to Boudro or No. 6 Mike Patrovich (Hofstra). 10 -- No. 1 Nate Gallick (Iowa State) vs. No. 2 Teyon Ware (Oklahoma) -- BIG 12 CONFERENCE The winner of Nate Gallick vs. Teyon Ware at the Big 12 Championships will likely earn the top seed at the NCAA Championships.I know it's a bit surprising to throw such a long-running rivalry onto a list consisting mostly of not-yet-happened match-ups. But when you've got two wrestlers of the quality of Gallick and Ware, it's difficult not to get excited every time they step on the mat. And before you can say "snore-fest," take a look at their last match. Both wrestlers scored takedowns. Moreover, although Ware has been criticized for being too defensive in the past, that's just not the case this season. He won 10-3 against No. 5 Andy Simmons last week and scored a tech fall against No. 14 Charles Griffin on the 12th of this month. Gallick has won both meetings this season, but the two-time NCAA champ Ware is always a threat to win. NCAA SEEDING IMPLICATION: Important, but only so much. These two are the class of the field and fans should expect to see them in the finals in Oklahoma City. Earning the No. 1 seed by winning the conference would be nice, but both know which bout really matters. 9 -- No. 3 Jake Rosholt (Oklahoma State) vs. No. 4 B. J. Padden (Nebraska) -- BIG 12 CONFERENCE Can B.J. Padden remain perfect against Jake Rosholt this season?The standing NCAA champ at 197 is 0-2 against Padden this season and could lose to him a third time this weekend. NCAA SEEDING IMPLICATIONS: Obviously, you've got to throw No. 4 Joel Flaggert (Oklahoma) into the equation here. How these three finish will determine their seeds. If Rosholt wins the conference, he will hold his No. 3 seed. If he loses, he moves up to the top bracket, which is probably a more difficult road to the finals since it most likely will contain the impressive sophomore from Central Michigan -- Wynn Michalak. 8 -- No. 7 Mike Poeta (Illinois) vs. No. 8 Matt Nagel (Minnesota) -- BIG TEN CONFERENCE These two haven't faced each other this season, but have similarities on their records. Both have wins over Travis Paulson (Iowa State) and losses to Matt Pell (Missouri) and Nick Baima (Northern Iowa). Most people favor the more-offensive Poeta in this bout, but, as he's proven in the past, it's quite possible that Nagel can keep things close and steal a win at the end or in OT. NCAA SEEDING IMPLICATIONS: More important than you may think. We're talking about No. 7 vs. No. 8 here, but the unclear status of No. 3 Troy Letters and No. 4 Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov creates some important potential outcomes in the NCAA consolation bracket. Let's say that whoever gets the No. 7 seed makes it to the quarterfinals and loses. If the injured Letters were to be upset by the powerful No. 6 Matt Pell, there could very well be an injury default to be had in the consys. Let's further hypothesize that No. 4 Abdurakhmanov loses in the semi's to No. 1 Ryan Churella (Michigan). For whatever reason, Abdurakhmanov doesn't have a good track record in the consolation bracket (see the 2004 Midlands and the 2005 NCAA's) so it's possible that he could be upset there. I know this is looking at permutations that are very difficult to predict, but it seems like No. 7 seed could possibly have an easier road to a top-four finish than a No. 8 seed. 7 -- No. 4 Matt Lebe (West Virginia) vs. No. 14 Seth Martin (Lock Haven) -- EWL CONFERENCE Lebe is currently ranked No. 4 in the nation in a weight class that is fairly wide open (at least after No. 1 Alex Tirapelle of Illinois). He beat Martin in a wild 10-9 bout on Feb 12, but then lost to Edinboro's Matt Hill (ranked No. 3 in the EWL's) a week later. On paper, the finals will see Lebe face Martin, but with a win in the books already over Lebe, you can't count out Hill. NCAA SEEDING IMPLICATIONS: Lebe needs to win the conference, if he wants to keep his No. 4 seed. If he doesn't, a number of Big Ten studs such as Brandon Becker (Indiana), Craig Henning (Wisconsin), or C.P. Schlatter (Minnesota) could leapfrog over him. 6 -- No. 7 Roger Kish (Minnesota) vs. No. 2 Ben Wissel (Purdue) -- BIG TEN CONFERENCE Roger Kish184 is the only weight class where the first, second and third place-winners from last year's NCAA's have graduated. Therefore, the field is the most wide-open of any weight class. What complicates matters is that many of the top guys haven't gone head-to head yet, including these two. No one in the weight class is undefeated and the rankings are probably the most fragile. If Minnesota wants to succeed in the postseason, Kish will have to deliver for them. This should be a good bout as both wrestlers have reputations for being active. NCAA SEEDING IMPLICATIONS: The Big Ten is so stacked at this weight that the NCAA seeding will be determined by a great number of matches outside of this bout. This match would appear to be a semi final but it's possible that it could occur in the consolation bracket. The final Big Ten placements will greatly affect who gets what seed. 5 -- No. 1 Wynn Michalak (Central Michigan) vs. No. 2 Kyle Cerminara -- MAC CONFERENCE These two have met this season, with Michalak winning 3-2 in the dual meet. However, one can't help but get excited when two kids from non-powerhouse schools are ranked first and second in the nation. NCAA SEEDING IMPLICATIONS: Whoever wins should get the No. 1 seed. 197 is a tough weight class, so it probably would be nice to be on the top half of the bracket. 4 -- No. 4 Mack Reiter (Minnesota) vs. No. 2 Chris Fleeger (Purdue) -- BIG TEN CONFERENCE Mack ReiterThe 133-pound weight class in the Big Ten features three wrestlers who have won the conference tournament in the past. Mack Reiter won it last year. Tom Clum won at 125 in 2004 and Chris Fleeger won at 125 in 2003. The seeding at this weight for this weekend's tourney has been interesting. Fleeger beat Clum on Jan 29, 8-4, and Reiter has faced neither. However, both Clum and Fleeger have missed the first half of the season so the Gopher earned the No. 1 seed on the strength of being standing Big Ten champ and having competed for an impressive 25-4 record thus far. NCAA SEDDING IMPLICATIONS: Despite being seeded behind Reiter for the Big Tens, Fleeger is ranked No. 2 nationally. If Fleeger were to win, the rankings would probably remain as they are with Reiter staying at No. 4 and Clum staying at No. 5. If Reiter could win over Fleeger, he'd probably move up to the No. 3 seed and push Fleeger to No. 4 and the other side of the bracket. 3 -- No. 1 Josh Glenn (American) vs. No. 5 Joe Mazzurco (Cornell) -- EIWA CONFERENCE These two highly-ranked wrestlers haven't met yet this year. It could be an exciting, close bout or Glenn could dominate in the way that he's been doing for most of the season. NCAA SEEDING IMPLICATIONS: There's an argument that Josh Glenn should get the No. 1 seed at the NCAA's. He has only one loss (to Ben Wissel) and he's pinned or majored a good number of the top guys. If he were to lose, he could drop a few places, and be put him on the other side of the bracket. Another big win from him could solidify his No. 1 ranking, depending on what happens at this weight class at the Big Ten Championships. 2 -- No. 1 Joe Dubuque vs. No. 2 Nick Simmons -- BIG TEN CONFERENCE These two split last year with Dubuque winning in the dual and Simmons winning in the Big Ten semi's. However, the two haven't faced each other this year. NCAA SEEDING IMPLICATIONS: With Simmons recent win over at-the time No. 2 Sam Hazewinkel (Oklahoma), the winner of this bout will most likely get the No. 1 seed while the loser takes No. 2. 1 -- No. 3 Troy Letters (Lehigh) vs. No. 4 Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov (American) -- EIWA CONFERENCE Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov In my mind, this is the single biggest potential match-up this weekend. Without a doubt it is the most enigmatic. It's completely unclear how recovered Letters is from his injury. Moreover, because of the limited competition he's faced this season, it's completely unclear just how good Abdurakhmanov is. The standout 165-pounder for American University seemed to suffer a knee injury while bumping up to wrestle Navy's Matt Stolpinski, so maybe he's not one-hundred percent either. NCAA SEEDING IMPLICATIONS: It looks like the winner of this bout will get the No. 3 seed and the loser will get No. 4. However, if a not completely healthy Letters decides to forfeit to save himself for the NCAA's, it's unclear if he'll keep his seed. Maybe, but it's tough to imagine Letters not going for his fourth straight league title.

Ames, Iowa -- College wrestling's Mat Madness is here as Iowa State plays host to the Big 12 Wrestling Championships Saturday in Hilton Coliseum. Action begins with first-round bouts at 11 a.m. Semifinal matches are at noon with the championship round slated for 7 p.m. The Big 12 will qualify 38 wrestlers for the NCAA Championships, which will be held March 16-18 in Oklahoma City, Okla. Iowa State University hosts the Big 12 Championships for the third time since the formation of the conference in 1997. Oklahoma State returns seven conference champions in what should be another heated conference tournament. Saturday, March 4, Hilton Coliseum Schedule 11 a.m. - First round Noon - Semifinals 4 p.m. - Consolations 7 p.m. - Finals Tickets Adult reserved - $17 Youth reserved - $7 (high school age and younger) Adult general admission - $10 Youth general admission - $7 For tickets call the Iowa State athletic ticket office at 1-888-ISU-Cyclones (1-888-478-2925); fans can order tickets online at www.cyclonestickets.com or in person through 5 p.m. Friday at the ISU athletic ticket office. Tickets will go on sale at Hilton Coliseum at 10 a.m. Saturday. Reserved seat tickets are $17 for adults and $7 for youth high school age and younger. General admission seating is $10 for adults and $7 for youth high school age and younger. 2005 Big 12 Conference Team Scoring/champions 1. Oklahoma State 95.5 (7) 2. Iowa State 49 (2) 3. Nebraska 47.5 (1) 4. Oklahoma 45 5. Missouri 35 125 pounds Sam Hazewinkel - Oklahoma Coleman Scott - Oklahoma State Paul Donahoe - Nebraska Austin DeVoe Missouri Ben Hanisch - Iowa State Oklahoma's Sam Hazewinkel blitzed through the 2004-05 regular season schedule unbeaten before being dealt his first loss in the Big 12 finals by Oklahoma State true freshman Coleman Scott. Scott received most outstanding wrestler honors at the 2005 conference tournament in Omaha, Neb. Last season, Scott came in as the third seed and pinned No. 2 seed former Nebraska NCAA qualifier, Matt Keller (now at UT-Chattanooga) late in the third period. Hazewinkel comes into this week's tournament with a 25-1 record and is gunning to retain the Big 12 title he won in 2004 when he beat Nebraska NCAA champion Jason Powell, 5-2. Hazewinkel has already defeated Scott twice this season (6-4, 2-0) as OSU swept Bedlam. Scott, a freshman All-American in 2005 who is possibly the tallest 125-pounder in the country, has put it together during his sophomore season. Scott is one of the toughest wrestlers to score on as a result of his lanky frame and long reach. Hazewinkel has defeated Scott in three of their four career matches. Scott has downed Nebraska's Paul Donahoe three times this season. Donahoe, a Roy Hall protégé, has all the accolades from Davison High School in Michigan and had Virginia Tech's Brent Metcalf and Iowa State top-10 2005 recruit Jonathan Reader as teammates. Donahoe has compiled an impressive 22-6 record in his first season replacing Keller and is second on the team behind fellow freshman Vince Jones, with nine pins. Donahoe helped propel Nebraska to the National Duals semifinals with pins against Iowa and Michigan. Donahoe has the potential to make a deep run in the NCAA Championships and earn All-America status. Missouri's Austin DeVoe seeks his first NCAA Championships appearance after missing the 2005 Big 12 meet due to injury. The absence of former three-time NCAA qualifier Grant Nakamura opened the door at Iowa State for sophomore Ben Hanisch. Four of the five 125 pound starters are nationally ranked with Hazewinkel, Scott and Donahoe rated in the top 10. 133 pounds Nathan Morgan - Oklahoma State Tyler McCormick - Missouri Patrick Aleksanyan - Nebraska Jesse Sundell - Iowa State Joe Comparin - Oklahoma Nathan Morgan, the 2005 Big 12 champ as a true freshman (like Coleman Scott) is on a roll, going through his sophomore season with just one loss. The Bakersfield, Calif., native missed All-America status by just one match at the NCAA Championships last season, falling to North Carolina's Evan Sola, 4-0, in the consolations. Morgan has been one of the hottest wrestlers in the country, downing Minnesota's Big 10 champion and All-American Mack Reiter twice, hometown counterpart Darrell Vazquez of Cal Poly and Penn State's Jake Strayer. Morgan comes into the Big 12 Championships ranked second nationally but fell to Edinboro's No. 1 rated and 2005 NCAA runner-up Shawn Bunch in the second round of the national tournament last season. Morgan's only blemish this season came in the Reno Tournament of Champions finals to UT-Chattanooga's (and former Nebraska wrestler) Matt Keller in overtime. Missouri's Tyler McCormick is nationally ranked. McCormick would have most likely would have qualified for the 2005 NCAA Championships, but had to default by injury while leading Nebraska's third-seeded Dominick Moyer in the Big 12 semifinals and Iowa State's Jesse Sundell whom McCormick has beaten three times in his career. McCormick was named the most recent Big 12 Wrestler of the Week after beating Keller, 4-2. Since Moyer bumped up to 141 pounds, Cal-State Fullerton transfer Patrick Aleksanyan entered the starting lineup and had a solid dual season with 14 wins, seven of them in dual competition. Joe Comparin was Oklahoma's 133-pound representative at the 2005 Big 12 Championship. Comparin beat ISU's Sundell in the first round but couldn't top the Cyclone for third place. 141 pounds Nate Gallick - Iowa State Teyon Ware - Oklahoma Dominick Moyer - Nebraska Chris McCormick - Missouri Ethan Kyle - Oklahoma State Iowa State's Nate Gallick is 6-1 against two-time national champion Teyon Ware of Oklahoma and has beaten the Sooner this season. Gallick is aiming for his third straight Big 12 title after defeating Ware in last season's Big 12 final and Nebraska All-American Matt Murray in 2004. Ware, like Gallick, has dominated all his opponents this season and comes in with only one loss on the season - to Gallick. The departure of Oklahoma State All-American Daniel Fishkorn from the Cowboy roster makes this bracket unpredictable. 149 pounds Zack Esposito - Oklahoma State Matt Storniolo - Oklahoma Jason Knipp - Iowa State Ryan Davis/Robert Sanders - Nebraska Marcus Hoehn/Josh Wagner - Missouri Defending national champ Zack Esposito has been dominating, except for a pair of losses to Minnesota's Dustin Schlatter. Esposito major decisioned Oklahoma's Matt Storniolo in last year's Big 12 final. Esposito has beaten Storniolo five times in his decorated career. Jason Knipp has emerged as a dependable starter for the Cyclones as he scored a huge upset over No. 11 James Woodall from Penn State in ISU's non-conference victory over the Nittany Lions. The junior has wrestled well in open tournaments and gave Iowa's second-ranked Ty Eustice two, hard-fought matches (10-8, 6-3). Ryan Davis, an Oklahoma State transfer, has been splitting time with fellow freshman Robert Sanders at 149 pounds. Davis had a decorated high school career at Blair Academy, locking down Asics first-team prep All-American status and three national prep titles. Missouri's Wagner has been nationally ranked for most of the dual season but has split time with Hoehn at 149 pounds. 157 pounds Trent Paulson - Iowa State Kevin Ward - Oklahoma State Michael Chandler - Missouri Shane Vernon/Will Rowe - Oklahoma Chris Oliver - Nebraska Kevin Ward beat Trent Paulson in second round of the Big 12 Championships last season, pulling a 7-4 upset as the fourth seed downed the top-seeded Cyclone. Paulson had defeated Ward, the defending conference champion, earlier in the season soundly and has a 5-3 decision over the Cowboy this year. Paulson garnered All-American status after making a successful transition from 149 pounds during his sophomore campaign. Winning his first three matches in his second NCAA Championships appearance, the junior downed the defending national champion Matt Gentry of Stanford, before falling to eventual champion Ryan Bertin of Michigan. Paulson posted an impressive win over Indiana upstart Brandon Becker, who roared through the consolations to fifth-place after losing his first match. At the 2005 NCAA meet, Ward lost to Iowa's eventual 2005 NCAA runner-up Joe Johnston. Oliver is a former four-time Nebraska state champ who split matches with Ward, lost to Missouri's Michael Chandler in overtime and Oklahoma's Will Rowe via major decision. 165 pounds Johny Hendricks - Oklahoma State Matt Pell - Missouri Travis Paulson - Iowa State Jarrod King - Oklahoma Marc Harwood - Nebraska 2005 NCAA champion Johny Hendricks is back to defend his Big 12 crown after edging out Missouri's Tyron Woodley in the finals last year. In just his second match of the season, Hendricks may have set the tone with a convincing 5-2 decision over Lehigh's former national champion Troy Letters. Travis Paulson, a 2004 All-American at 157 pounds, missed All-American status by one match. Hendricks and Missouri's Matt Pell have each defeated Paulson twice this season, accounting for the Cyclone's only losses. 174 pounds Ben Askren - Missouri Jacob Klein - Nebraska Brandon Mason - Oklahoma State David Bertolino - Iowa State Wes Roberts - Oklahoma Three of the top 10 wrestlers at 174 pounds in the nation are from the Big 12. Missouri pinning machine Ben Askren has already victimized Nebraska's Jacob Klein with a fall and major decisioned Brandon Mason of Oklahoma State and Iowa State's David Bertolino. Askren downed Oklahoma's Wes Roberts for his 100th career win at Mizzou but had to score three takedowns in the third period. The 8-6 decision marked Askren's first win this season not resulting in bonus points. Askren will be looking to claim his second Big 12 title, the first in 2004, when he defeated Oklahoma State's Chris Pendleton to capture outstanding wrestler honors. Mason, a Council Bluffs product, has been nationally ranked in the top 10 and could finish runner-up. Bertolino was in the national rankings temporarily after downing Roberts, 7-6. The ISU sophomore beat Mason in the first round at the Kaufman-Brand Open before the Cowboy avenged that loss in the wrestlebacks. Klein was as hot as anybody in January, helping Nebraska to a third-place finish at National Duals and knocking off Iowa's Mark Perry, Michigan's Nick Roy and Central Michigan's Brandon Sinnott. Klein was an All-American at 165 pounds in 2004, placing seventh, but missed All-America status by one match last season. 184 pounds Kurt Backes - Iowa State Vince Jones - Nebraska Justin Dyer - Oklahoma Raymond Jordan - Missouri Rusty Blackmon - Oklahoma State Iowa State's 2004 All-American Kurt Backes' most impressive win this year was a major decision against Penn State's top-ranked Eric Bradley. Backes, the defending Big 12 conference champ, has been strong against league competition. Backes routed Nebraska's Vince Jones in the dual season finale with a 19-3 technical fall win. Oklahoma's Justin Dyer has historically given Backes the most trouble. Their matches have been high-scoring, explosive affairs. Backes prevailed over the Sooner, 10-8, in January. Nebraska's Vince Jones has beaten Arizona State's C.B. Dolloway and Iowa's Paul Bradley, two wrestlers who defeated Backes this season. Jones has amassed 15 pins, good for third in the Big 12, behind Ben Askren (174, Missouri) and Steve Mocco (HWT, Oklahoma State). 197 pounds Jake Rosholt - Oklahoma State Joel Flaggert - Oklahoma B.J. Padden - Nebraska Jeff Foust - Missouri Joe Curran - Iowa State It is really a toss-up between B.J. Padden of Nebraska, Jake Rosholt of Oklahoma State and Oklahoma's Joel Flaggert, ranked between third and fifth nationally. Padden has fared better against Rosholt, downing the two-time national champion three times in his career. This Big 12 trio made their presence felt last year at the NCAA Championships, as Rosholt, Flaggert and Padden place first, fourth and fifth, respectively. Rosholt downed Padden, 10-9, in the 2005 NCAA semifinals, and Flaggert defeated Padden, 7-6, in the wrestlebacks, underscoring the Big 12's 197-pound dominance. Last season, Flaggert had the toughest road to All-American status as he drew eventual runner-up Sean Stender of Northern Iowa in his first round match at the national tourney. Padden defeated the current top-ranked wrestler at 197 pounds, Wynn Michalak of Central Michigan, 5-3 to finish fifth. After falling to Stender, 13-6, Flaggert rallied in the consolations for a 6-1 NCAA effort to place fourth. Missouri's Jeff Foust was the 2004 Big 12 champion. Curran, a true freshman, was thrown into the fire in his first year at Iowa State and responded with pins early in the season against Iowa and Utah Valley State and scoring a fall in the Virginia Tech dual. HWT Steve Mocco - Oklahoma State Jake Hager - Oklahoma Jon May - Nebraska Richard Schopf - Iowa State Sean Connole - Missouri OSU's Steve Mocco, a two-time national champion, cruised to his first Big 12 title last season, after giving up a reversal to Iowa State two-time All-American Scott Coleman -- the first offensive points scored on him all year. Oklahoma's Jake Hager is ranked fifth nationally. Mocco pinned Hager in their first meeting but Hager kept Mocco within a decision in the second battle. Fox Sports Net will broadcast the Big 12 Championships on tape delay March 12 at 12:30 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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