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Central Michigan's national qualifier Corbyn Munson (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) Every year there are wrestlers that have "breakout" seasons. Whether it's wrestlers that are coming off a strong redshirt season, or young wrestlers who have a big jump from experience in the next season, it is always fun to see which athletes separate and improve from year to year In this article series, I am going to highlight a wrestler from every school in each of the seven different conferences that have the potential to breakout. That could mean anything from making a surprising splash at the national tournament, to qualifying for the first time, or even getting some important dual wins for a school. Next up are the thirteen schools that make up the MAC Conference. Past Conference Breakout Candidates SoCon Buffalo - #26 Jay Nivison, 174lbs (So) Nivison already had a bit of a breakout after qualifying at 174lbs for Buffalo last season, but looks like he could have the potential to jump another level. He started the year at 165lbs and had a 5-4 record before bumping up to 174lbs and placed 2nd at the MAC tournament. That's despite wrestling a match down at 165lbs just two weeks before. If he is committed to 174lbs for the entire year, then he could be a much bigger factor. Bloomsburg - Kevon Freeman, 165lbs (Jr) A name that could be familiar to some, Freeman is a transfer to Bloomsburg from Ohio State. A three-time Ohio state champ, he was a top 100 recruit in 2018. Freeman has bounced around in weight with matches at 157lbs and 165lbs. He only has 12 college matches in his career with a 4-8 record. With his pedigree and a chance to establish himself in the lineup for the first time, he could be a contender this season for the Huskies. Central Michigan - #26 Corbyn Munson, 157 (Jr) After qualifying for his first NCAA's last season, CMU will be looking for Munson to take another jump and start getting bigger wins. Munson had multiple ranked wins last season, including matches against Manzona Bryant, Cory Crooks, and Shannon Hanna. He placed 3rd at the MAC conference and was the 25 seed at NCAA's. It was recently announced that he would be bumping up to 157lbs this year. Clarion - Joseph Fischer, 125 (So) After graduating as the #66 overall recruit in 2021, true freshman Fischer had a 23-11 record and made the MAC finals. While he did not get any significant wins, he had overtime losses to Anthony Noto of Lock Haven twice and tight losses to Dylan Shawver and Brandon Kaylor. He may not be able to turn all the close losses into wins, but more consistency and a handful of flipped results make him a name to watch. Cleveland State - DeAndre Nassar, 184lbs (Jr) A 2021 qualifier, Nassar came close to doing it again in 2022 but missed out on an at-large bid. He had an up-and-down season but had wins over multiple qualifiers. Nassar beat Max Lyon and Matthew Waddel in duals, who were both ranked at times throughout the season. Both of his losses at the MAC tournament came in sudden victory matches. Nassar tends to wrestle close matches, but will need some more quality wins and a higher conference finish this season to qualify again. Edinboro - Luke Kemerer, 157lbs (Jr) After spending four years at Pittsburgh at 149lbs, Luke Kemerer hit the transfer portal and is now at Edinboro up at 157lbs. In four years, he had a record of 29-29 and has only started occasional duals for the Panthers. Time will tell what he can do, but the possibility of a change of scenery and a new weight class could allow Kemerer to improve. George-Mason - #31 Logan Messer, 174lbs (So) Logan Messer was a true freshman starter for George Mason and had a very solid season, with a 27-9 record and 4th place finish at the MAC tournament. His biggest win was Thomas Flitz of App State, a three-time qualifier. Both of Messer's losses at the MAC tournament came to the earlier mentioned, Jay Nivison of Buffalo, a 4-3 decision and an overtime loss. If Messer develops like most true freshmen, he could find himself in Tulsa come March. Kent State - #21 Kody Komara, 149lbs (Sr) After qualifying in 2021 and 2022, Komara will be looking to make it three in a row and get his first NCAA tournament win. Komara had a strong MAC tournament, pinning Marcus Robinson in the finals to get his first MAC title. He also had a decision win over Corbyn Munson. Komara has had an inconsistent career, so far, but has shown the ability to win at the conference tournament. Lock Haven - #20 Ashton Eyler, 157lbs (Jr) Last year, Eyler qualified and made the MAC finals in his first year starting for Lock Haven. After wrestling at 174lbs at Iowa Central CC, he dropped to 165lbs and got a 31-11 record. It now sounds like he is planning on continuing his descent and starting at 157lbs. Eyler had multiple ranked wins including matches against Caleb Fish, Riley Smucker, and Joe Grello. If he can continue both his success and improvement, he could potentially find himself in the finals once again. Northern Illinois - Blake West, 125lbs (Fr) Blake West is coming off a great redshirt season with a 25-2 record. The #63 recruit of 2021 had a 67% bonus rate and will be looking to hit the ground running as a starter this season. He hasn't hit top competition yet, but with such a strong record and bonus rate, he will be someone to keep an eye on. Ohio - Kyran Hagan, 141lbs (Sr), #25 Alec Hagan, 149lbs (Sr) Last year, Kyran Hagan started for the first time in his career and had bonus point wins over qualifiers Josh Mason of Bloomsburg and Gabe Willochell of Edinboro. He had an inconsistent season and finished 0-2 at the MAC tournament, but if he can put it together as a senior could find himself at nationals. Also, keep an eye on his twin Alec Hagan at 149lbs, who is also a senior. He was the 21 seed at the 2020 NCAA's, but missed 2021 due to injury and had a 26-8 record last season. Rider - #30 George Walton, 184lbs (Sr) Last year, Walton was on his way to a very solid season before getting injured. He had a dominant 12-5 win over two-time qualifier Bryan McLaughlin of Drexel, while winning the Keystone Classic tournament. If he is able to come back to this season on a similar level, he should find himself at the national tournament for the first time. SIUE - #32 Saul Ervin, 141lbs (Jr) A 2021 qualifier, Ervin is a wrestler that could go on a run in the season. He is a stingy wrestler and all his losses, save for one, were by a margin of three points or less. He's taken wrestlers like Dresden Simon, Ian Parker, and Allan Hart to overtime matches. If he can find more offense this season with his stellar defense, some of those close losses are sure to flip.

Cal Poly's 2x All-American Bernie Truax (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) During the 2021-22 preseason, InterMat debuted our top-50 wrestlers list and revealed all 50 day-by-day in the lead up to the regular season. Our second iteration of this feature will spotlight five wrestlers at a time, going from 50 to number one. For each wrestler, we'll have some basic information along with career highlights, a brief analysis of their collegiate career (with a focus on last season), along with their outlook for the upcoming season. 46) Kaleb Romero (Ohio State) 2022 NCAA All-American Kaleb Romero (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Weight: 184 lbs Year: Senior Career Record: 59-25 Hometown: Mechanicsburg, Ohio Collegiate Accomplishments: 2022 NCAA 6th Place, 2x Big Ten 4th Place, 2020 NWCA First Team All-American 2021 Top 50 Ranking: Not Ranked At the beginning of the 2021-22 season, Ohio State did some shuffling around in their lineup and it appeared that maybe Kaleb Romero was the odd-man out. Those notions were dispelled at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational as Romero made his season debut and won the whole thing. Romero downed past All-American Taylor Venz (Nebraska) and announced himself as a key player in a crowded 184 lb weight class. A fourth-place finish at the Big Ten Championships resulted in a seventh seed for Romero at nationals. That was the same bracket placement as in 2021 when Romero came up a match shy of All-American honors at 174 lbs. After a loss in the quarters to the eventual champion, Aaron Brooks (Penn State), Romero left no doubt in the Round of 12, by majoring Big Ten foe Max Lyon. A match later he turned in his third major of the tournament and downed Marcus Coleman to secure a top-six finish. For the full article, Subscribe to InterMat's Rokfin Page

David Taylor in the 2022 World finals (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) 57 KG #5 Zelimkhan Abakarov (ALB) won the Senior World championships over #3 Thomas Gilman (USA). Bronze medalists at the Senior World championships were Zanabazar Zandanbud (MGL) and Stevan Micic. Abakarov moves up three spots in the rankings to #2 for winning the Senior world championships with victories over Gilman, Micic, #5 Reineri Andreu Ortega (CUB) and #6 Gulomjon Abdullaev (UZB). Micic makes the biggest jump in the rankings after his performance in Belgrade, returning at #4 for his victories over Andreu Ortega, 2021 61 KG world bronze medalist #16 Toshihiro Hasegawa (JPN) and Asian championships runner-up #8 Rakhat Kalzhan (KAZ). Reineri Andreu Ortega returns to the rankings at #5 for beating Abdullaev in repechage to make the bronze medal match where he lost to Micic. 2021 Olympic runner-up #2 Ravi Kumar (IND) drops five spots in the rankings to #7 after a round of 16 loss to Abdullaev. Zandanbud is in the rankings at #16 for beating Wanhao Zou (CHN) for bronze. Zou is in the rankings at #17 for victories over #12 Alireza Sarlak (IRI), #18 Aliabbas Rzazade (AZE), and #20 Darian Cruz (PUR). Cruz is into the rankings at #20 for beating European champion #17 Vladimir Egorov (MKD) in the round of 16. Artem Gobaev won the U23 Russian Nationals over Zhargal Bayanduev. Rustam Zhilyasov and Alexander Kochevoi took bronze. 61KG #3 Rei Higuchi (JPN) won the Senior World Championships over #4 Reza Atri (IRI). Bronze medalists at the Senior World championships were Narankhuu Narmandakh (MGL) and #5 Arsen Harutyunyan (ARM). Higuchi takes the number one spot in the rankings for victories at the world championships over Harutyunyan, #6 Seth Gross (USA), #9 Islam Dudaev (ALB), and Atri. Narmandakh is back into the rankings at #12 for beating #14 Ulukbek Zholdoshbekov (KGZ) and Georgi Vangelov (BUL) on his way to world bronze. Alexander Sabanov (RUS) takes the #20 spot in the rankings after winning U23 Russian Nationals over Gadzhimagomed Gadzhiev (RUS). Said Khunkerov (RUS) and Adam Arkhiev (RUS) took bronze at the U23 Russian Nationals championships. 65KG #16 Rahman Amouzad took gold at the Senior world championships over #15 Yianni Diakomihalis (USA). Bronze medalists at the Senior World championships were #1 Ismail Musuakev (HUN) and #18 Bajrang Punia (IND). Amouzad skyrockets up the rankings to #1 for his victories over #1 Musukaev, #2 Haji Aliyev (AZE), and Diakomihalis. Diakomihalis moves up ten spots in the rankings to #5 for his runner-up finish, where he notched impressive victories over #11 Vazgen Tevanyan (ARM), #18 Punia, #19 Sebastian Rivera (PUR), and Vladimir Dubov (BUL). Punia made a strong return to form at the world championships with wins over two-time world bronze medalist Alejandro Valdes Tobier (CUB), #11 Tevanyan and #19 Rivera to win his fifth World/Olympic medal and move up seven spots in the rankings at #11. Rivera is back in the rankings at #19 for taking fifth at the world championships and beating Ziolkowski champion Tsogbadrakh Tseevensuren (MGL) in the quarterfinals. Rivera won the Matteo Pellicone and Grand Prix of Spain tournaments this year. Dzhambulat Kizinov (RUS) makes his debut in the rankings at #9 for upsetting Senior Russian Nationals bronze medalist #7 Aripgadzhi Abdulaev (RUS) in the U23 Russian Nationals finals. Bronze medalists at the U23 Russian Nationals were Dalgat Abdulkadyrov (RUS) and Umar Umarov (RUS). 70KG #10 Taishi Narikuni (JPN) won the Senior World Championships over #12 Zain Retherford (USA). Bronze medalists were #11 Ernazar Akmataliev (KGZ) and #19 Zurab Iakobishvili (GEO). Narikuni takes the number one spot in the rankings after victories over Akmataliev, Retherford, and #14 Ilyas Bekbulatov (UZB). While a trio of wins over guys in the lower half of the top twenty seems like an odd justification to warrant a number one spot in the rankings, remember that Akmataliev beat Evgheni Zherbaev (RUS) at last year's world championships and Zherbaev is the top-ranked man in Russia and beat former top-ranked #1 Israil Kasumov (RUS) to make the team and Narikuni beat Akmataliev twice this calendar year. #19 Zurab Iakobishvili (GEO) moved up four spots for winning a world bronze medal by notching victories over #18 Servet Coskun (TUR) and #15 Arman Andreasyan (ARM). Bekbulatov returns to the rankings at #14 after making his world championships debut for Uzbekistan where he lost by tech fall to #1 Taishi Narikuni (JPN) and withdrew from the competition afterward. Bekbulatov has beaten world champions Soslan Ramonov, Frank Chamizo, Magomed Kurbanaliev, Nachyn Kuular, Haji Aliyev, and Logan Stieber and has top ten 70 KG wins over #4 Viktor Rassadin (RUS) and #7 Anzor Zakuev (RUS) but the thing with Bekbulatov that limits him is his frequent history of injuries plus choking in big international matches so 14 is the best he can do after coming off a year-long layoff and getting crushed in the world quarterfinals. #6 Alan Kudzoev (RUS) has been removed from the rankings after moving up to 74 KG for the U23 Russian nationals championships where he was eliminated in the round 16 to Bisoltan Arslanov (RUS). Magomed-Emi Eitemeirov (RUS) won the U23 Russian Nationals championships over Gitin Gazimagomedov (RUS). Bronze medalists at the U23 Russian Nationals championships were Georgy Sekinaev (RUS) and Zaurbek Bugolov (RUS). 74KG #2 Kyle Dake (USA) won his fourth world title over #3 Taimuraz Salkazanov (SVK). Bronze medalists at the world championships were #4 Frank Chamizo (ITA) and #16 Younes Emami (IRI). Emami makes a jump three spots up in the rankings to #13 for beating Islamic Solidarity Games champion #14 Turan Bayramov (AZE) in the quarterfinals. Daichi Takatani (JPN) makes his debut in the 74 KG rankings at #17 for beating #18 Nurkhoza Kaipanov (KAZ) in the qualification round. Salkazanov had ranked wins at the world championships over Chamizo (ITA), #12 Soner Demirtas (TUR), and Takatani (JPN). Dake's ranked wins were over Salkazanov and Emami. Alexander Baltuev (RUS) won the U23 Russian Nationals over Umar Mutaliev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the U23 Russian Nationals were Saipulla Alibulatov (RUS) and Iman Ganishov (RUS) 79KG #1 Jordan Burroughs (USA) won his eighth World/Olympic title over #3 Mohammad Nokhodilarimi (IRI). Bronze medalists at the world championships were #14 Vasyl Mykhailov (UKR) and Arsalan Budazhapov (KGZ). Mykhailov moves up eight spots in the rankings to #6 after an impressive run at the world championships that culminated with a world bronze medal after victories over #4 Bolat Sakaev (KAZ), #20 Bekzod Abdurakhmanov (UZB), Georgios Kougiomtsidis (GRE) and Ashraf Ashirov (AZE). Abdurakhmanov is back in the rankings at #20 for beating Iakub Shikhdzhamalov (ROU) and Muhammet Akdeniz (TUR). Khalid Yakhiev (RUS) returns to the rankings at #4 for upsetting Senior Russian Nationals runner-up #6 Magomed Magomaev (RUS) in the finals of the U23 Russian Nationals championships. Bronze medalists at the U23 Russian Nationals championships were Idar Khatanov (RUS) and Ramazan Abuzagidov (RUS). 86KG #2 David Taylor (USA) won his third World/Olympic title with a victory over #1 Hassan Yazdani Charati (IRI) in the finals of the Senior World Championships. Bronze medalists at the Senior World Championships were #12 Azamat Dauletbekov (KAZ) and Boris Makoev (SVK). Dauletbekov (KAZ) had an incredibly impressive world championships performance with wins over standout talents the likes of 2021 Olympic bronze medalist #10 Myles Amine (SMR), 2018 Yarygin bronze medalist Yurieski Torreblanca (CUB), 2018 world bronze medalist Taimuraz Friev (ESP) and Ethan Ramos (PUR). Due to the depth of the top half of 86 KG, Dauletbekov is only able to move up two spots to #10 but he absolutely put himself in the conversation of one of the most dangerous guys in the world outside of the trio of Taylor, Yazdani, and Naifonov. Boris Makoev (SVK) made a strong return to the rankings at #12 after taking bronze at the world championships with a victory over #13 Sebastian Jezierzanski (POL). The reason for his strong return is his victory over #13 Sebastian Jezierzanski (POL) after Jezierzanski had upset #11 Fatih Erdin (TUR) in the qualification round. Tarsan Maisuradze (GEO) is in the rankings at #18 for beating 2021 world bronze medalist #20 Abubakr Abakarov (AZE) in the round of 16. Maisuradze was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Makoev. Senior Russian Nationals runner-up #5 Amanulla Rasulov (RUS) won U23 Russian Nationals over Arslan Bagaev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the U23 Russian Nationals were Ruslan Chertkoev (RUS) and Magomednabi Magomedov (RUS) 92KG #1 Kamran Ghasempour (IRI) won his second 92 KG Senior World Championships title with a victory over #3 J'den Cox (USA). Bronze medalists at the Senior World championships were #13 Osman Nurmagomedov (AZE) and #14 Akhmed Bataev (BUL). Nurmagomedov moves up nine spots in the rankings to #4 for taking bronze at the world championships where he beat #8 Feyzullah Akturk (TUR) and #20 Radoslaw Marcinkiewicz (POL) and earns his #4 spot for his win finals win in the 2021 U23 world championships over #4 Azamat Zakuev (RUS). #14 Miriani Maisuradze (GEO) moves up two spots in the rankings to #12 for beating Bataev (BUL) to win world bronze. Ashkab Saadulaev (RUS) won the U23 Russian Nationals championships over Shamil Gadzhialiev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the U23 Russian Nationals championships were Ivan Kirillov (RUS) and Ramazan Shabanov (RUS). 97KG #2 Kyle Snyder (USA) won his fourth World/Olympic title by beating #4 Batyrbek Tsakulov (SVK) in the Senior World Championships finals. Bronze medalists were #5 Givi Matcharashvili (GEO) and #6 Magomedkhan Magomedov (AZE). Magomedov notched a small upset in the bronze medal match when he pinned #3 Mohammad Mohammadian (IRI). #5 Givi Matcharashvili (GEO) came back after trailing late to use a big four-point counter to beat #7 Vladislav Baitsaev (HUN). Tsakulov moves up one spot to #3 in the rankings for beating Matcharashvili and Baitsaev while #4 Mohammadian falls two spots to #6 for his loss to Magomedov. Matcharashvili ( moves up one spot to #4 for his world bronze medal win over #7 Baitsae along with his victory this year over fellow world bronze Magomedov at the Matteo Pellicone. Soslan Dzhagaev (RUS) won the U23 Russian Nationals championships over Tamerlan Kotsoev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the U23 Russian Nationals championships were Yuri Ivanov (RUS) and Zhorik Dzhioev (RUS). 125KG #2 Taha Akgul (TUR) won his fourth World/Olympic title by beating #12 Lkhagvagerel Munkhtur (MGL) in the Senior World Championships finals. Bronze medalists were #1 Amir Zare (IRI) and #3 Geno Petriashvili (GEO). Akgul moves up to the #1 spot for beating Zare in the semifinals and beating #12 Munkhtur in the finals. Munkhtur moves up nine spots in the rankings to #3 for beating Petriashvili in the semifinals of the Senior World Championships. Abdulla Kurbanov (RUS) won the U23 Russian Nationals championships over Artem Pukhovsky (RUS). Bronze medalists at the U23 Russian Nationals championships were 2021 Junior world bronze medalists Andrey Bestaev (RUS) and Tamerlan Kumyshev (RUS). Pound for Pound Rei Higuchi (JPN) makes his return to the pound-for-pound rankings at #13 for winning the 61 KG world title and his 2016 57 KG Olympic silver medal. Higuchi has pound-for-pound wins over the likes of 2021 65 KG Olympic champion Takuto Otoguro (JPN) and past world champions Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez (CUB), Hassan Rahimi (IRI), and Kyong Il Yang (PRK). 65 KG world champion Rahman Amouzad (IRI) makes his debut in the pound-for-pound rankings at #14 for beating #13 Ismail Musukaev (HUN) and #16 Haji Aliyev (AZE) at the 65 KG Senior World Championships. Kyle Snyder (USA) is back in the rankings at #23 for his fourth World/Olympic championships at 97 KG. Zelimkhan Abakarov (ALB) is back in the rankings at #24 for winning the 57 KG world title over 2021 world champion #3 (57) Thomas Gilman (USA). Abakarov was a pound-for-pound staple in 2018 when he was the top-ranked 61 KG wrestler in the world going into the Russian National championships. The final entry into the pound-for-pound rankings is Taishi Narikuni (JPN) who gets in off the strength of winning the 70 KG world title.

West Virginia head coach Tim Flynn (right) (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) 1). Can Air Force's Wyatt Hendrickson breakthrough and All-American next season? Wyatt Hendrickson did it all last season for Air Force. Made a U20 World Team in the summer, had an undefeated regular season, then won a Big 12 title, and was named OW for the conference. He fell at the NCAA tournament, though and ultimately did not finish as an All-American. Heavyweight right now in college wrestling is arguably the toughest it's ever been. It will be something to watch this season to see if Hendrickson can navigate that gauntlet and finish as an All-American. 2). How will Cal Baptist fare in year one? Cal Baptist will compete in their first season in Division one and the Big 12 this year. That's a tall task for any program, but they'll have some talent on the roster in their first year including U20 World Silver Medalist Mitchell Mesenbrink. It's tough to know what to expect from a new program, but it will certainly be entertaining to follow. Here's a chat I had with Coach Moore recently about their transition to D1 and expectations for next season. Derek Moore Interview 3). David Carr at 165 Arguably the most surprising result in the Big 12 last season was David Carr losing in the second round of the NCAA tournament to Hunter Willits of Oregon State. The 2021 NCAA champion came in as the #1 seed and a heavy favorite to win a title again at 157. He bounced back and finished third but this year will move up to 165. This could create a really intriguing matchup in the Big 12 as Mizzou's Keegan O'Toole was the NCAA champion at that weight last season. 4). Can anyone beat Missouri? O'Toole, the Elam brothers, Allan Hart, Peyton Mocco, and the rest of the Tiger squad came back into the Big 12 last season and walked away with a Big 12 conference title. Iowa State was able to knock them off in the regular season, Oklahoma State will return most of their roster from last season(with a few expected lineup tweaks after the departure of AJ Ferrari), and OU has some returning starters and did a great job in the transfer market last season. Can they or any other teams in the conference emerge and compete with Mizzou? 5). How can Stephen Buchanan add to his legacy at Wyoming? I wrote a bit more in-depth piece on this recently. Stephen Buchanan could go down as one of the all-time greats in Wyoming history. But he's still writing that story. What will the ending be? Stephen Buchanan Feature 6). What will Utah Valley get with a healthy Demetrius Romero? Romero was a Big 12 champion and All-American in 2021. In 2022, his season was cut short due to injury. He applied for a medical redshirt and should be back here again at 174 for the Wolverines. If he can stay healthy it will be interesting to see what he does at what will likely be the Big 12's best weight class next season. 7). Can South Dakota State get an All-American? Clay Carlson was one match away from being an All-American last season. Cade DeVos and AJ Nevills were NCAA qualifiers, Tanner Sloan made a U23 World Team this summer and Bennett Berge won a U20 World Medal. There are a host of guys on this roster who could potentially be the guy that breaks through and finishes in the top 8. Will one do it and who will it be? 8). What does Oklahoma have in their transfers? OU did well in the transfer portal in the last year. Wyatt Henson, Mosha Schwartz, and Gerrit Nijenhuis were all big pickups this offseason for the Sooners. Where do they fit into the lineup and how will they perform? That's a solid influx of talent on the OU roster. Let's see what they're able to do in Norman. 9). Can this be Tim Flynn's best dual team at West Virginia? Tim Flynn has been building and developing his program at West Virginia since 2018. In his first four seasons, his teams went 4-14, 4-12, 7-3, and 6-8. Their best record, the 7-3 season, came during the shortened 2020-21 campaign. This season they've certainly developed the most depth they've had on their roster to this point, including All-Americans Killian Cardinale and Peyton Hall. It feels like this could be the year they get Flynn's best dual record and tops that 7-3 season. They open things up with three very winnable duals at home with Northern Colorado, Glenville State, and Edinboro. Then later they have Fairmont State, Ohio, and Chattanooga along with Air Force, Clarion, and Lock Haven. All of those you would argue they'll be favored in which would give them nine wins. On the road at Missouri, Pitt, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma along with tough tests vs. Iowa State and Northern Iowa at home make up the rest of the slate for the Mountaineers. Wins in two of those would give Flynn his best dual record % since arriving at WVU. 10). Can Fix beat Bravo-Young and win an NCAA title at Oklahoma State? Daton Fix has done it all for OSU. Three NCAA finals appearances and two World Teams and a World Medal while still in college. There are few that have resumes comparable. The one mark he's yet to get though, is an NCAA title. He'll have a shot to do that and avenge his two losses to Bravo-Young near his hometown in Tulsa this year. It will be one of the biggest storylines surrounding the entire NCAA tournament in March. 11). What giants can Northern Iowa slay? Last year they knocked off Oklahoma State in Stillwater and nearly beat Iowa State at home. Their win at Oklahoma State will be something their program will talk about for some time and will likely go down as one of the defining dual wins of the program. Can they get another one? 12). Does North Dakota State get an All-American this season? North Dakota State has had a strong dual team nearly every year they've been in the Big 12. They've only had two losing dual seasons since 2016 and one was their first year in the conference. But they've yet to get an All-American or top eight finish at the NCAA tournament since entering the Big 12 in the 2015-16 season. Jared Franek got a tough draw at the NCAA tournament last season, but certainly has the talent to do it. Other NCAA qualifiers Dylan Droegemueller and Owen Pentz return to the Bison lineup as well.

Oklahoma State 149 lber Victor Voinovich (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) The abridged 2020-21 season was one that took place amongst many Covid-relations regulations and concerns. As a result, the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility to all active student-athletes during that season. What happened was that coaches used freshmen as needed, rather than in the past where they were either competing or redshirting. Last year we saw a sense of normalcy return to wrestling and many wrestlers from the Class of 2021 were redshirted and had varying degrees of success. Here are the freshmen who redshirted during the 2021-22 season and look to be in the mix for a starting role this year. Each redshirt freshman is listed with their 21-22 record, notable wins they may have racked up, and their ranking coming out of high school. 125 #26 Stevo Poulin (Northern Colorado) 2021-22 Record: 6-0 #30 in the Class of 2021 Notable Wins: (W) over Anthony Molton (Campbell) 7-1 NR Cooper Flynn (Virginia Tech) 2021-22 Record: 15-3 #20 in the Class of 2021 Notable Wins: (W) over Korbin Meink (Campbell) 6-5TB (W) over Zurich Storm (Campbell) 8-2 (W) over Braxton Brown (Maryland) 4-1 (W) over Jacob Allen (Navy) 12-3 #29 Braxton Brown (Maryland) 2021-22 Record: 16-5 #70 in the Class of 2021 Notable Wins: (W) over Gary Steen (Penn State) 14-4 (W) over Jacob Allen (Navy) 2-0 (W) over Jace Koelzer (Northern Colorado) Fall 1:10 (W) over Logan Ashton (Chattanooga) 7-0 133 NR Wyatt Henson (Oklahoma) 2021-22 Record: 18-2 #16 in the Class of 2021 Notable Wins: (W) over Angelo Martinoni (CSU Bakersfield) 10-2 (W) over Quinn Kinner (Rider) 7-3 (W) over Heath Gonyer (Appalachian State) 6-2 141 #21 Lachlan McNeil (North Carolina) 2021-22 Record: 6-1 #7 in the Class of 2020 Notable Wins: (W) over Ryan Jack (NC State) 3-1 149 #18 Victor Voinovich (Oklahoma State) 2021-22 Record: 16-1 #15 in the Class of 2021 Notable Wins: (W) over Chris Sandoval (Northern Colorado) 4-1 (W) over Noah Castillo (Chattanooga) 3-2 (W) over Zach Price (South Dakota State) 5-3 #23 Chance Lamer (Michigan) 2021-22 Record: 17-2 #8 in the Class of 2021 Notable Wins: (W) over Lawrence Saenz (Cal Poly) 10-4 (W) over Marcus Robinson (Cleveland State) 10-7 (W) over Graham Rooks (Indiana) 8-6 (W) over Brock McMillen (Pittsburgh) 7-1 #24 Paniro Johnson (Iowa State) 2021-22 Record: 19-6 #45 in the Class of 2021 Notable Wins: (W) over Zach Price (South Dakota State) 12-4 (W) over Matthew Williams (Army West Point) 15-5 (W) over Kanen Storr (Michigan) 9-5 #27 Shayne Van Ness (Penn State) 2021-22 Record: 2-0 #5 in the Class of 2021 #28 Brock McMillen (Pittsburgh) 2021-22 Record: 6-1 #75 in the Class of 2021 Notable Wins: (W) over Matthew Williams (Army West Point) 10-2 (W) over Kanen Storr (Michigan) 6-5 #32 Ethen Miller (Maryland) 2021-22 Record: 26-6 #43 in the Class of 2021 Notable Wins: (W) over Anthony Brito (Appalachian State) 17-0 (W) over Anthony White (Rutgers) 3-1 #33 Anthony White (Rutgers) 2021-22 Record: 21-4 #69 in the Class of 2021 Notable Wins: (W) over Brent Moore (Clarion) 3-1SV (W) over Marshall Keller (Princeton) 10-0 (W) over Max Brignola (Lehigh) 4-2SV (W) over DaShawn Farber (Lock Haven) 4-1 157 #22 Paddy Gallagher (Ohio State) 2021-22 Record: 17-2 #1 in the Class of 2021 Notable Wins: (W) over Cameron Robinson (Iowa State) 7-6 #27 Luka Wick (Cal Poly) 2021-22 Record: 12-0 #33 in the Class of 2021 165 #22 Mikey Caliendo (North Dakota State) 2021-22 Record: 14-2 #73 in the Class of 2021 Notable Wins: (W) over Austin Kraisser (Iowa State) 8-6 (W) over Austin Yant (Northern Iowa) 5-2 (W) over Tanner Cook (South Dakota State) 8-4 #23 Alex Facundo (Penn State) 2021-22 Record: 12-3 #2 in the Class of 2021 Notable Wins: (W) over Evan Barczak (Drexel) 3-1SV (W) over Matt Lee (Penn State) 3-2 174 #30 Joey Milano (NC State) 2021-22 Record: 25-6 #23 in the Class of 2021 Notable Wins: (W) over DeAndre Nassar (Cleveland State) 7-3 #33 Jake Null (Purdue) 2021-22 Record: 21-8 #42 in the Class of 2021 Notable Wins: (W) over Gavin Kane (North Carolina) 8-5 (W) over Drew Nicholson (Chattanooga) 12-5 NR Cael Valencia (Arizona State) 2021-22 Record: 12-4 #13 in the Class of 2021 Notable Wins: (W) over Hayden Hastings (Wyoming) 3-2 (W) over Tyler Eischens (Stanford) 10-8SV NR Luca Augustine (Pittsburgh) 2021-22 Record: 12-5 #35 in the Class of 2021 Notable Wins: (W) over Jaden Fisher (Buckenll) 10-9 197 #28 Jaxon Smith (Maryland) 2021-22 Record: 23-6 #36 in the Class of 2021 Notable Wins: (W) over Matt Correnti (Rider) 4-2 (W) over Garrett Joles (Minnesota) 8-5 (W) over Bobby Striggow (Michigan) 9-5 285 #26 Nathan Taylor (Lehigh) 2021-22 Record: 27-10 #177 in the Class of 2021 Notable Wins: (W) over Riley Smith (Navy) 9-5 (W) over Ryan Catka (Navy) x3 (W) over Ben Goldin (Penn) 6-1 (W) over Jake Slinger (Pittsburgh) Fall 3:52 (W) over Brandon Whitman (North Carolina) 2-0

Ronnie Perry at the 2018 NCAA Tournament (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Little more than a decade ago, Ronnie Perry was a rising senior at Solanco High School with a 66-26 career record, zero appearances (let alone medals) at Pennsylvania's high school state tournament, and perhaps little reason to expect an onslaught of calls from college wrestling coaches. But what he did have was a renewed sense of focus, uncommon urgency to get better, and a belief that his best wrestling was still ahead of him. Perry went 26-8 that season and capped it with a seventh-place finish at the state tournament, which included an 8-0 loss to eventual two-time NCAA champion Vincenzo Joseph in the first round. That finish was a strong indication of growth for Perry and a good early example of what would become a trend for him: that he could keep beating the odds to win bigger and bigger events. Perry's only concrete offer to wrestle at the next level came in a conversation with Lock Haven coach Scott Moore, and it was a modest one. Moore knew how Perry was being trained by legendary Solanco coach John Little and saw enough in his motor and attitude to believe he and his staff could develop him. "He's like, 'Hey, listen, 500 bucks is what I can do for you," Perry said. "At that point, I was so naive, I didn't even realize that guys were getting recruited. I didn't know the whole situation or even how it worked. I was just excited to come to school and get to work." Perry arrived at Lock Haven as a wide-eyed 125-pounder and left as a 149-pound NCAA finalist. He was a near-perfect portrait of Lock Haven's "The Rise" philosophy as well as the Bald Eagles' ability to mine deep for unheralded talent and transform it. Perry finished his career with a 136-43 record, three appearances at the NCAA tournament and that magical run to the 2018 finals. Perry was, in fact, the first-ever No. 15 seed to reach an NCAA championship match, which he lost by a 6-2 decision to Penn State's Zain Retherford. Perry beat higher-seeded wrestlers in the Round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals to get that shot at Retherford, including a major upset over No. 2 seed Brandon Sorensen of Iowa in the Round of 16. Ronnie Perry at the 2018 NCAA Tournament (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Ever since then, Perry has been on a fast track to where he is now as Moore's official right-hand man. Lock Haven recently announced Perry's promotion to head assistant coach, taking the place of Nate Carr, who departed to take the head job at Davidson. Perry started his coaching career as a volunteer assistant and was most recently the head women's coach and a men's assistant. "Ronnie has been with me from all stages, as a recruited athlete, more of a recruited walk-on, to a wrestler who overachieved, who bought into the system and the process and became a huge leader in our room," Moore said. "He came in as a volunteer coach, and then moved into the head women's coach and men's assistant. "He's kind of been all the way through the journey and been here eight or nine years and has been big in our program with, I think, a lot of stages, just proving that you can win at this level, and then proving that he's committed and he's loyal to our program." As part of Perry's transition to a bigger role in Lock Haven's men's program, he is going to leave his post as the first head of the Bald Eagles' women's program. Lock Haven is at the beginning of the process to hire for that job, but Perry said he expects the process to move quickly with the season on the horizon. Both he and Moore also note that the core staff of coaches at a small program will always have their hands on everything, anyway. Perry will be a key piece of the puzzle for both men's and women's teams as the embodiment of what Lock Haven hopes its wrestlers can achieve as a small fish in Division 1's big pond. "He has a story to tell," Moore said. "And I think that's the power and the message is that he has a story to talk about his experience and how he adapted and overcame the challenge of being a Division 1 wrestler, and then how he made that next step in becoming a national finalist. "Now, it's exciting for him and for me to have him full force and on the men's side, and to be able to give back. I think he's a loyal guy. He's a worker. He's a servant. And now for him to be able to give back 100% to the university and to the program, we're going to see a lot of success. He's going to continue to build and progress into being a head coach one day." The modest beginnings of Perry's wrestling career, which didn't always mesh well with the dangers of his hobby of motocross racing, are now an asset in his ability to connect with the struggles of his wrestlers. Perry has been where many of Lock Haven's wrestlers are coming out of high school and where they hope to go. Perry knows better than most that being underappreciated by other schools or flat-out written off is far from a death sentence to wrestling goals. In fact, Perry looks back with a little gratitude that he hadn't pushed himself too far, too quickly in the sport, and that he left so much room for growth when he got to college. "I'll tell you what, I think that played a big role," he said. "Some of my experiences in high school and maybe not wrestling all the time played a big role in how motivated I was when I got to school. You know, I wasn't burnt out from doing too much. I was hungry, excited to learn and excited to continue the hard work." Perry just happened to fall into an ideal situation, which was a silver lining behind all the tumbles he took on his bike that cost him mat time. He linked up with a mentor in Moore who made Perry's development a personal mission of his, with a little help toward the end when he had Chance Marsteller and Dan Neff as training partners who pushed him to another level. Now, Perry is in a position to try and help a very good Lock Haven team find its collective spark and make the same ascent he did. Meanwhile, life has come full circle for him. Perry is spending a little more time on the bike that indirectly funneled him to wrestle at Lock Haven a decade ago, only this time he's got no time for the falls and broken bones. "I raced a couple of times this summer," he said. "I'm a little slower than I used to be, a little more timid. I get that itch every now and again to get after it, but I'm a little smarter nowadays, for sure."

"Grow the sport," it's a phrase we have all shouted proudly as any wrestler or fan knows, wrestling is truly the greatest sport of all time. The idea of standing alone on a mat with one opponent in front of you, ready to take you down, ready to give everything they have to stop you from stepping foot on that podium you so desperately want to reach; the other opponent within you, that little voice of doubt that attempts to distract, deter and sabotage you before the match even begins countered by a coach standing in your corner, who fully believes in you and your abilities, owner of that single voice that can drown out the doubt when you think your body cannot physically take anymore, a mentor who can allow you to fully see your own potential, pushing you to conquer your fears, your doubts and your opponents. The correlations between the sport and life are pretty obvious, but for those not well versed, I will offer some insight: Wrestling, the very word means to struggle, and struggle is something every single person on this earth will encounter at some point in their life. If we can teach our youth how to struggle, and struggle well, they will be equipped to face life's challenges, taking problems head on and not backing down when things get tough, or situations seem bleak. While the concept may be difficult for our youth to fully understand at a young age, we can use the sport of wrestling to teach some of life's greatest lessons: self-discipline, accountability, hard work, perseverance, and grace. These principles form a strong foundation everyone can benefit from; they set a standard, create strategy, technique, self-awareness, goals and personal growth, as well as build strong communities. It is rare you will ever encounter a wrestling room where an athlete is practicing alone, without a training partner, without someone else who is committed to being the very best version of themself. Another great benefit of this sport, while it teaches self-discipline and self-reliance, it also builds community. In all the wrestling rooms I've wandered in, I've witnessed teammates mentally and physically pushing one another with this idea of, "iron sharpens iron." Despite competing one-on-one, it is the team and the coach who struggle alongside the wrestler, who not only witness, but also live out the day-to-day struggle in an attempt to get better, an attempt to become the best version of yourself. So when I think of wrestling, I think of overcoming with the support of a special kind of community who doesn't just rally behind you on your best days, no, the wrestling community comes alongside you even on your worst day to remind you that you can do it, you can make something of yourself, you can overcome whatever is set before you because you've trained for this, you've sacrificed for this, you've committed to the preparation and you can take on the opponent or obstacle set before you. These concepts made me fall in love with the sport even as an outsider looking in. The idea of starring down our obstacle, embracing the struggle it brings, knowing we will learn and grow from it; I have to ask, who in their right mind would not encourage everyone to experience this type of life-training, this transformational experience? As a community, the wrestling world always talks about growing the sport, increasing visibility, obtaining higher enrollment numbers, and maintaining participation from youth to the high school levels and beyond; while I am well aware of the many obstacles that stand in our way to make this a possibility, I believe we have to start somewhere. With my recent transition as the Director of Development and Communications for Beat the Streets National, I am making it my personal mission to help grow the sport and expose as many youth to wrestling as possible, in order to positively alter their life trajectory while using this great sport as the vehicle to achieve just that. Like everything else in life, this has to start with preparation. Every athlete knows you cannot just sign up for a tournament or take on a challenge without a plan, without a clear goal in mind, without being prepared or having the proper equipment. There is a level of confidence that is achieved just by coming into a situation well-prepared. Beat the Streets recently launched the #GearUp campaign with the objective to better equip the student-athletes we serve, in order for them to enter the wrestling room with confidence, equipped, geared up and ready to wrestle. Statistics show there are clear physical and emotional benefits for youth to participate in sports; however, youth in poverty are 6x more likely to quit sports due to the associated costs. While wrestling is a relatively low-cost sport in comparison to others, shoes, headgear, workout clothing--it all adds up! Beat the Streets National is a non-profit organization that serves 10 chapters reaching 37 cities, with over 8,400 student-athletes, many of which are new to the sport and live in underserved communities stricken by poverty. When families from underserved communities are forced to choose between gas money to get to work or a new pair of wrestling shoes, groceries or headgear, the electric bill or workout clothes for their child, is there really a choice at all? The families involved with Beat the Streets are already overcoming so many obstacles placed in front of them, and they do it with such grit and a relentless determination to be the best versions of themselves. You see, when our youth decide to participate in Beat the Streets programming, they also choose to commit to their goals, to their teams, to their coaches, to the community; they commit to buying into Beat the Streets mission, to positively alter their life trajectory, to apply the principles and lessons learned through the sport to their everyday life and be an example to their siblings, to their peers, to their neighbors. It is our duty as members of the wrestling community, to ensure these youth have the resources they need to be successful on and off the mat, because if we choose to turn a blind eye, we are doing our great sport a disservice, we are stunting its' growth and neglecting the very youth who can change the landscape of wrestling. Thanks to very generous sponsors (Asics, Gear 2 Compete, Resilite and Good Sports), your support can stretch further than ever. For every $50 donation made by supporters to the #GearUp campaign, our sponsors are donating $200 worth of brand-new gear for our student-athletes! Each year, Beat the Streets aims to grow enrollment rates and expose as many children as possible to the sport, to the mentoring and youth development programs BTS has to offer. As programs grow, so does the need for gear. This year Beat the Streets National is asking the wrestling community to get involved, to fill the need and to help grow the sport and change lives as we aim to #GearUp 2,000 youth wrestlers by raising $100k by December. There are two ways wrestling fans can support our efforts: Donate to our general crowdfunding page or create a fundraising team. Every single donation, every dollar helps meet a need, and there is no donation too small. Because the community is at the center of this great sport, Beat the Streets has created a friendly competition you may have seen on social media. We are asking the wrestling community to get involved, to help share Beat the Streets mission with family. friends and followers by becoming Team Leader's and going head-to-head with each other in an attempt to take over the Leaderboard. There are several college programs, podcasts, wrestling advocates, media outlets and coaches' wives who have already stepped up as Team Leaders and are establishing their teams. Every week Team Leaders are recognized for raising the most money, establishing the largest team, acquiring the most donations (no matter the total amount raised) and achieving their fundraising goal in order to earn BTS swag and bragging rights while helping Beat the Streets #GearUp the youth we serve. Together we can create change, we can impact lives and we can work to grow the sport! Join or support #TeamIntermat here: Check out Team Intermat's team fundraising page for Beat the Streets National

2019 NCAA Champion Mekhi Lewis (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) Welcome to a new, regular feature for InterMat! Every day, for the next few months, we'll look into the recent history of a DI wrestling program with our "Ten Years of…" feature. Even if you're a die-hard supporter of a particular school, there will be good information you may have forgotten. For others, it's a quick way to learn about a program you may not be familiar with. We're going in alphabetical order for this one, so next up is...Virginia Tech! NCAA Qualifiers (85) 2022 #24 Sam Latona (125 lbs), #4 Korbin Myers (133 lbs), #28 Collin Gerardi (141 lbs), #11 Bryce Andonian (149 lbs), #28 Connor Brady (157 lbs), #2 Mekhi Lewis (174 lbs), #15 Hunter Bolen (184 lbs), #10 Nathan Traxler (285 lbs) 2021 #2 Sam Latona (125 lbs), #3 Korbin Myers (133 lbs), #6 Bryce Andonian (149 lbs), #27 Connor Brady (157 lbs), #4 Mekhi Lewis (165 lbs), #27 Dakota Howard (174 lbs), #5 Hunter Bolen (184 lbs), #18 Hunter Catka (285 lbs) 2020 #18 Joey Prata (125 lbs), #28 Collin Gerardi (133 lbs), #18 Mitch Moore (141 lbs), #20 Bryce Andonian (149 lbs), #28 BC LaPrade (157 lbs), #7 David McFadden (165 lbs), #31 Cody Hughes (174 lbs), #2 Hunter Bolen (197 lbs), #18 John Borst (285 lbs) 2019 #14 Korbin Myers (133 lbs), #24 Mitch Moore (141 lbs), #26 Ryan Blees (149 lbs), #17 BC LaPrade (157 lbs), #8 Mekhi Lewis (165 lbs), #6 David McFadden (174 lbs), #3 Zack Zavatsky (184 lbs), #10 Tom Sleigh (197), #22 Billy Miller (285 lbs) 2018 Kyle Norstrem (125 lbs), #9 Dennis Gustafson (133 lbs), Brent Moore (141 lbs), #12 Ryan Blees (157 lbs), #2 David McFadden (165 lbs), Hunter Bolen (174 lbs), #6 Zack Zavatsky (184 lbs), #3 Jared Haught (197 lbs), Andrew Dunn (285 lbs) 2017 #2 Joey Dance (125 lbs), #6 Solomon Chisko (149 lbs), #14 Sal Masrtiani (157 lbs), #4 Zach Epperly, #5 Zack Zavatsky (184 lbs), #4 Jared Haught (197 lbs), #3 Ty Walz (285 lbs) 2016 #2 Joey Dance (125 lbs), #7 Solomon Chishko (141 lbs), #8 Nick Brascetta (157 lbs), #14 David McFadden (165 lbs), #8 Zach Epperly (174 lbs), #5 Zack Zavatsky (184 lbs), #6 Jared Haught (197 lbs), #3 Ty Walz (285 lbs) 2015 #3 Joey Dance (125 lbs), Kevin Norstrem (133 lbs), #4 Devin Carter (141 lbs), #7 Sal Mastriani (149 lbs), Nick Brascetta (157 lbs), #7 Zach Epperly (174 lbs), Jared Haught (197 lbs), #10 Ty Walz (285 lbs) 2014 #16 Joey Dance (125 lbs), Dennis Gustafson (133 lbs), #4 Devin Carter (141 lbs), #10 Zach Neibert (149 lbs), Chris Moon (165 lbs), Austin Gabel (174 lbs), #16 Nick Vetterlein (184 lbs), #14 Chris Penny (197 lbs), Ty Walz (285 lbs) 2013 #5 Jarrod Garnett (125 lbs), Erik Spjut (133 lbs), Zach Neibert (141 lbs), #8 Nick Brascetta (149 lbs), #7 Jesse Dong (157 lbs), #3 Peter Yates (165 lbs), Austin Gabel (174 lbs), Nick Vetterlein (184 lbs), Derrick Borlie (197 lbs), David Marone (285 lbs) NCAA Champions Mekhi Lewis (2019 - 165 lbs) NCAA All-Americans 2022: Korbin Myers (133 - 6th), Bryce Andonian (149 - 3rd), Mekhi Lewis (174 - 2nd) 2021: Sam Latona (125 - 6th), Korbin Myers (133 - 4th), Hunter Bolen (184 - 7th) 2019: Mekhi Lewis (165 - 1st), David McFadden (174 - 5th), Zack Zavatsky (184 - 8th) 2018: David McFadden (165 - 5th), Zack Zavatsky (184 - 6th), Jared Haught (197 - 2nd) 2017: Joey Dance (125 - 5th), Solomon Chishko (149 - 6th), Sal Mastriani (157 - 8th), Jared Haught (197 - 4th), Ty Walz (285 - 4th) 2016: Solomon Chishko (141 - 6th), Nick Brascetta (157 - 3rd), David McFadden (165 - 6th), Zach Epperly (174 - 3rd), Jared Haught (197 - 6th), Ty Walz (285 - 4th) 2015: Devin Carter (141 - 3rd), Nick Brascetta (157 - 4th), Zach Epperly (174 - 7th), Ty Walz (285 - 7th) 2014: Joey Dance (125 - 4th), Devin Carter (141 - 2nd), Chris Penny (197 - 6th) 2013: Jarrod Garnett (125 - 6th), Zach Neibert (141 - 8th), Nick Brascetta (149 - 8th), Peter Yates (165 - 4th) NWCA All-Americans David McFadden (165 - First Team) Hunter Bolen (184 - First Team) NCAA Round of 12 Finishers Sam Latona (2022 - 125) Bryce Andonian (2021 - 149) Mekhi Lewis (2021 - 165) Tom Sleigh (2019 - 197) Zach Epperly (2017 - 174) Zack Zavatsky (2016 - 184) Joey Dance (2015 - 125) Sal Mastriani (2015 - 149) Zach Neibert (2014 - 149) Jesse Dong (2013 - 157) ACC Champions 2022: Korbin Myers (133), Mekhi Lewis (174), Nathan Traxler (285) 2021: Sam Latona (125), Korbin Myers (133) 2020: Hunter Bolen (184) 2019: Mekhi Lewis (165), David McFadden (174), Zack Zavatsky (184) 2018: Dennis Gustafson (133), Brent Moore (141), David McFadden (165), Jared Haught (197) 2017: Joey Dance (125), Solomon Chishko (149), Zach Epperly (174), Zack Zavatsky (184), Jared Haught (197), Ty Walz (285) 2016: Joey Dance (125), Zack Zavatsky (184) 2015: Joey Dance (125), Devin Carter (141), Nick Brascetta (157) 2014: Dennis Gustafson (133), Devin Carter (141), Zach Neibert (149), Chris Penny (197) 2013: Jarrod Garnett (125), Nick Brascetta (149), Jesse Dong (157), Peter Yates (165), David Marone (285) Dual Record 2021-22: 9-4 2021: 9-0 2019-20: 11-3 2018-19: 9-5 2017-18: 14-3 2016-17: 18-1 2015-16: 16-2 2014-15: 14-2 2013-14: 18-5 2012-13: 16-3 ACC Tournament Placement 2021-22: 2nd 2021: 2nd 2019-20: 5th 2018-19: 2nd 2017-18: 1st 2016-17: 1st 2015-16: 2nd 2014-15: 3rd 2013-14: 1st 2012-13: 1st NCAA Tournament Team Placement 2021-22: 8th (52.5 points) 2021: 15th (36.5 points) 2019-20: No Tournament 2018-19: 11th (50 points) 2017-18: 8th (47.5 points) 2016-17: 6th (63.5 points) 2015-16: 4th (82 points) 2014-15: 10th (54 points) 2013-14: 8th (49 points) 2012-13: 10th (43.5 points) Head Coaching History Tony Robie (2017 - Present) Kevin Dresser (2006 - 2017) Best Lineup (Comprised of Wrestlers between 2013-22) 125 - Joey Dance: 4x NCAA Qualifier (#2 x2, #3, and #16 seeds), 2x NCAA All-American (4th, 5th), 3x ACC Champion 133 - Korbin Myers: 3x NCAA Qualifier (#3, #4, and #14 seeds), 2x NCAA All-American (4th, 6th), 2x ACC Champion, 2x NCAA Qualifier for Edinboro 141 - Devin Carter: 4x NCAA Qualifier (#4 x2, #6 and #9 seeds), 3x NCAA All-American (2nd, 3rd, 5th), 4x ACC Champion 149 - Bryce Andonian: 3x NCAA Qualifier (#6, #11 and #20 seeds), 2022 NCAA All-American (3rd), 2021 NCAA Round of 12 Finisher, 3x ACC Runner-Up 157 - Nick Brascetta: 4x NCAA Qualifier (#8 x2 seed), 3x NCAA All-American (3rd, 4th, 8th), 3x ACC Champion 165 - Peter Yates: 4x NCAA Qualifier (#3 and #6 seeds), 2x NCAA All-American (4th, 5th), 2x ACC Champion 174 - Mekhi Lewis: 3x NCAA Qualifier (#2, #4, and #8 seeds), 2019 NCAA Champion, 2x NCAA All-American (1,2), 2x ACC Champion 184 - Zack Zavatsky: 4x NCAA Qualifier (#3, #5 x2, and #6 seeds), 2x NCAA All-American (6th, 8th), 3x ACC Champion 197 - Jared Haught: 4x NCAA Qualifier (#3, #4 and #6 seeds), 3x NCAA All-American (2nd, 4th, 6th), 2x ACC Champion 285 - Ty Walz: 4x NCAA Qualifier (#3 x2 and #10 seeds), 3x NCAA All-American (4th, 4th, 7th), 2017 ACC Champion Recruiting Number of Big Boarder's Per Year 2022: #8 TJ Stewart (VA), #16 Caleb Henson (GA), #81 Tom Crook (FL), #204 Aiden Lacoma (VA) 2021: #20 Cooper Flynn (TN), #44 Trey Kibe (PA) 2020: #13 Hunter Catka (PA), #26 Sam Hillegas (PA), #32 Clayton Ulrey (PA), #48 Eddie Ventresca (NJ), #113 Sam Fisher (VA), #143 Koby Allred (VA) 2019: #17 Connor Brady (OH), #22 Bryce Andonian (OH), #40 Sam Latona (AL) 2018: #56 Mitch Moore (OH) 2017: #19 Mekhi Lewis (NJ), #24 John Borst (VA), #50 Hunter Bolen (VA) 2016: #47 Brent Moore (OH), #53 Kyle Norstrem (FL), #71 Jarrett Degen (MT) 2015: #17 David McFadden (NJ), #54 Dayton Racer (IA), #62 Andrew Dunn (PA) 2014: #10 Solomon Chishko (PA), #28 Zack Zavatsky (PA) 2013: #6 Joey Dance (VA), #16 Kevin Norstrem (FL), #29 Zach Epperly (VA), #86 Dennis Gustafson (VA), #93 Jared Haught (WV) For past teams: Air Force American Appalachian State Arizona State Army West Point Binghamton Bloomsburg Brown Bucknell Buffalo Cal Poly Campbell Central Michigan Chattanooga Clarion Cleveland State Columbia Cornell CSU Bakersfield Davidson Drexel Duke Edinboro Franklin & Marshall Gardner-Webb George Mason Harvard Hofstra Illinois Indiana Iowa Iowa State Kent State Lehigh Lock Haven Maryland Michigan Michigan State Minnesota Missouri Navy NC State Nebraska North Carolina North Dakota State Northern Colorado Northern Illinois Northern Iowa Northwestern Ohio Ohio State Oklahoma Oklahoma State Oregon State Penn Penn State Pittsburgh Princeton Purdue Rider Rutgers Sacred Heart SIU Edwardsville South Dakota State Stanford The Citadel Utah Valley Virginia

Aaron Pico in the 2016 Olympic Team Trials (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) The UFC event on Saturday is uncharacteristically light on former wrestlers, but that is not the case for the Bellator show on the same night. The card will feature several former college wrestlers and one rather famous world medalist. Another world medalist already fought this week, but the fight proved to be a struggle. Check out the results from that bout as well as a preview of the wrestlers on this weekend's Bellator show. Thursday: ONE Championship 161 Ritu Phogat vs. Tiffany Teo On Thursday in Singapore, ONE Championship got an early start to the weekend. The card featured the return of Ritu Phogat against Tiffany Teo. Phogat was a gold medalist at the 2016 Commonwealth Championships and a silver medalist at the 2017 World U23 Championships, and she is also one of the famous Phogat sisters who represent India on the international scene. Her sister Sangeeta is also married to Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia. While she did have some success with her wrestling in this fight, she was not able to pull out the victory. Teo locked on a rear-naked choke and finished via submission with eight seconds left in the first round. With the loss, Phogat falls to 7-3 in MMA. Saturday: Bellator 286 AJ McKee vs. Spike Carlyle As the son of UFC veteran Antonio McKee, it was expected that AJ would eventually fight MMA, but he still came up through the wrestling ranks. In high school, he was a CIF Southern Sectional champion for Long Beach Poly. He then spent time in college at both Notre Dame College and Cerritos College. While at Cerritos, he won a CCCA state championship. McKee will need that wrestling against Spike Carlyle. Although Carlyle left the UFC in 2020 after going only 1-2 in the promotion, he averaged 3.34 takedowns per 15 minutes of fight time. Since leaving the promotion, he has gone on a five-fight win streak that pushed his record to 14-3. This will be McKee's first fight since losing the Bellator featherweight title back to Patricio “Pitbull” Freire as well as his first fight at lightweight. Aaron Pico vs. Jeremy Kennedy After going 4-3 in his first seven MMA fights, Aaron Pico, the former wrestling phenom, has appeared to hit his stride in the sport. He is currently riding a six-fight winning streak that dates back to 2020. With that being said, Jeremy Kennedy likely represents his toughest test since 2019. Pico skipped college and went directly into his MMA career after excelling in freestyle wrestling. He won a gold medal at the 2013 Cadet World Championships and was a two-time world medalist on the Junior level. In 2016, he made the finals of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, but came up short against Frank Molinaro in a three-match series. From 2016-2018, Kennedy went 3-1 in the UFC with his only loss coming against current UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. After leaving the promotion, he signed with Bellator in 2020. So far in his new home, he has split a pair of victories over Matt Bessette and Emmanuel Sanchez around a loss to Adam Borics, who also defeated Pico. Juan Archuleta vs. Enrique Barzola This fight features yet another former wrestler who will likely need to rely on his background to earn a victory. Archuleta was a two-time CCCA champion for Sacramento City College before transferring to Purdue. As a junior for the Boilermakers, he finished fourth in the Big Ten and qualified for the NCAA tournament. He has been fighting exclusively for Bellator since 2018 and has gone 7-3. However, he enters this fight after back-to-back losses. Enrique Barzola did not come up wrestling, but it is a big part of his approach to fighting. He fought 10 times in the UFC from 2015 to 2020. During that time, he averaged 4.20 takedowns per 15 minutes. After leaving the UFC and joining Bellator, he has gone 2-1 with a victory over NCAA champion Darrion Caldwell. Max Rohskopf vs. Mike Hamel After starting his career with five-straight wins, Max Rohskopf took a short-notice fight against Austin Hubbard in the UFC. The former North Carolina State wrestler had a lot of success early, but he faded and bowed out of the fight after two rounds. Following the loss, he was released from the promotion. He has since bounced back with a pair of wins. Rohskopf was a two-time NCAA qualifier for the Wolfpack during his collegiate days. As a junior in 2016, he defeated John Staudenmayer and David McFadden to win the ACC tournament at 165 pounds. Mike Hamels currently holds a 9-5 record as a professional. He signed with Bellator in 2020 and dropped his first two matches with the promotion. However, Hamels has bounced back with wins over Bryce Logan and Killys Mota. Rohskopf's bout will be part of the preliminary card that airs live on YouTube at 7:00pm ET, while the rest of the wrestlers will compete on the main card. That portion of the card is scheduled for Showtime at 10:00pm ET.

2x Minnesota All-American Patrick McKee (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) During the 2021-22 preseason, InterMat debuted our top-50 wrestlers list and revealed all 50 day-by-day in the lead up to the regular season. Our second iteration of this feature will spotlight five wrestlers at a time, going from 50 to number one. For each wrestler, we'll have some basic information along with career highlights, a brief analysis of their collegiate career (with a focus on last season), along with their outlook for the upcoming season. 50) Jonathan Millner (Appalachian State) 2x Appalachian State All-American Jonathan Millner (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) Weight: 149 lbs Year: Senior Career Record: 92-21 Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina Collegiate Accomplishments: 2x NCAA All-American (6th, 8th), 3x SoCon Champion 2021 Top 50 Ranking: Not Ranked In each of the last two years, Jonathan Millner finished the year on the NCAA podium. During that span, five of his eight losses occurred at the NCAA Tournament. Millner became only the second multiple-time All-American in Appalachian State wrestling history. To clinch All-American honors in Detroit, Millner defeated Iowa's Max Murin, 8-1. A match later, he downed Kyle Parco, who was responsible for one of his losses at the 2021 tournament. Millner has also dominated SoCon competition with three titles and he has been unbeaten in conference duals over the last three years. For the full article, Subscribe to InterMat's Rokfin Page

Rutgers Assistant Coach Joe Pollard (left) at the 2022 NCAA Championships (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) With the fall semester underway, college wrestlers are busy not only acclimating to their new slate of classes but also preparing for the upcoming season, all while trying to fit in time for family and friends. For some athletes, this is their first time away from home or being out on their own. Taking in all of this change at once can be difficult. “Whenever high schoolers are coming into college for wrestling, they're still kids,” said Nick Lee, a two-time national champ who graduated from Penn State in May. “There is some maturing to do there. A lot of kids are ready for that and some kids have a hard time; they haven't been away from home.” It's not only the younger wrestlers who are dealing with a lot. InterMat spoke with Big Ten coaches over the summer and asked them what they believe are the biggest challenges facing college wrestlers today. A constant theme throughout the responses was mental health. While an NCAA survey released in May showed improvements in levels of hopelessness since the fall of 2020, rates of mental exhaustion, anxiety and depression in student-athletes are still 1.5 to 2 times higher than identified before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Big Ten formally announced the launch of its Mental Health and Wellness Cabinet in May 2020. Indiana head wrestling coach Angel Escobedo said overall he believes the Big Ten is doing a great job of putting resources toward mental health but that they could always add more. “I think we've got to continue to add more mental health counselors at schools, just because these kids are going through a lot,” he said. “They went through COVID, they went through not being in school and transitioning back to being in school, all while balancing their college life and balancing their own lives. And, you don't know if they lost somebody along the line.” What are the challenges? There are a lot of different factors that could impact a wrestler's mental health. Some are old challenges such as weight cutting and dealing with injuries, while others are newer such as social media and Name, Image, and Likeness. “There are so many distractions,” Illinois coach Mike Poeta said. “Social media is just out of control with the amount of comments and how judged all the time they are for everything they do. I know social media is really tough. They have a lot of distractions with rumors going around with NIL. You're definitely going beyond wrestling coach and managing a lot of stuff with that.” Rutgers assistant Joe Pollard also has concerns about how NIL is affecting his athletes. While he's overall supportive of athletes being able to make money while in college, he said it's important to help make sure they don't lose sight of their priorities: family, academics and making sure they are set up for future success. Pollard also expressed concern for athletes dealing with injuries. “I think a big part of mental health is kids that get injured. Because everybody who's here is an elite-level athlete and they're not used to being injured,” Pollard said. “So, it's like OK, now I'm not in the lineup, I'm on the side and now my coach is focusing on these guys and I'm not really in the limelight. Then they start to have issues there.” Making sure athletes have proper nutrition and mental health resources while cutting weight is a priority for Escobedo. As the season goes on, he said, maintaining weight wears on the athletes. “We have a sports psychologist that works with our team every day, we have two of them,” he said. “And I think that's huge. I think I'm a big advocate for mental health. I always tell my guys that I see a therapist, and I think it's really important to continue to grow in that aspect.” What are they doing about it? Before practice starts in Champaign, Poeta makes a point to take his wrestlers through some breathing exercises or meditation to block out everything outside of the wrestling room. “We are here for the next hour and a half; our minds are shut off from the outside world,” he said. “So, we do some techniques and strategies to really clear their minds. Now let's really have a good practice where we're growing, getting better, figuring some stuff out. We don't just talk about mental strategies, we do them.” Poeta doesn't just have his wrestlers engage in these techniques, he does them himself. A few years ago, breathing exercise and meditation would have been looked down on as “foofoo,” he said, but now he says there's evidence to support that these strategies help not only with wrestling but also at home and in the workplace. He believes that making these mind-clearing techniques a regular part of his practices is going to benefit his program in the long run. “These guys are really good wrestlers and being in the right mindset is what's going to get them to perform the best and have fun out there,” he said. For Escobedo, the best way to show support for his athletes during a challenging time was by making himself vulnerable. The past year has been tough for the Hoosiers, as Escobedo was dealing with the death of his younger brother. Instead of keeping his emotions to himself, Escobedo opened up to his athletes and was honest about what he was going through. “I don't want to fake it and just act like I'm this big tough guy because to me, that's not right,” he said. “I won't be able to see my athletes and what they're going through if I'm trying to hide it myself. So, I'm just opening up to them so that they can open up to me.” What advice do they have for wrestlers? Despite the challenges, the coaches also spoke about the resources and support systems available to their athletes. Pollard praised the Rutgers athletic department for providing the program with tools to help their student-athletes, including a team sports psychologist and wellness team within the department. One key piece of advice Pollard had for college wrestlers of any age is to set a schedule and stick to it. “Set your schedule then don't negotiate with yourself on what your schedule is,” he said. “My schedule is my schedule, the standard is the standard. How you get to that standard can vary from athlete to athlete. But once you set your schedule, there's no negotiating. If you do that, then your priorities will most likely stay in order.” In his five years of college, Lee went through the lows of losing in the first round of NCAA championships his freshman year and having the NCAA championships canceled his junior year to winning his two individual and three team titles. Over that time, he's developed perspective. His advice for college wrestlers is not to get too caught up in themselves and remember that wrestling is a team sport and that the team aspect is important. It's also important, he said, to be able to take a step back and remember that wrestling is a sport and that “there are a lot more important things in their life.” As for those freshmen still trying to find their footing, Lee encourages keeping an open mind. “Be honest with your support system, your coaches, your parents, your teammates,” he said. “Be really open and be willing to change. If you can do those things, it will be a lot easier to transition. But there will always be a transition period and it's going to be easier for some people than it will be for others. But everyone can make it through that transition period. You've just got to be open, be honest and willing to change.”

Nick Suriano at the 2022 NCAA Championships (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Cliff Keen Wrestling Club announced today (Wednesday, Sept. 28) the addition of two-time NCAA champion Nick Suriano to its senior-level freestyle roster. Suriano, who captured the 125-pound NCAA title last March in Detroit, will compete in the 57kg freestyle weight class "We are thrilled Nick has chosen to continue to make Michigan his home," said Michigan head coach Sean Bormet. "He brings a tremendous amount of intensity and tenacity to the mat when he trains and competes, and he will be a great addition to our lightweights. Nick is fanatical about winning, and more importantly, he is fanatical about preparing to win. He is focused on the right things all the time. That is a trait that will serve him well as he takes his wrestling career to the world stage. I'm excited for his future." "I will continue to accelerate and merge with Cliff Keen and Michigan Wrestling," said Suriano, "and I embrace the opportunity to become a World and Olympic champion by the summer of 2024." One of the nation's top lightweight wrestlers over the last five years, Suriano captured two NCAA titles over his collegiate career (2017-19, '22), winning at 133 pounds as a junior (2019) before capturing the 125-pound crown as a senior at Michigan (2022). He was a three-time NCAA All-American, also taking second place at 125 pounds as a sophomore (2018). Following his senior season, he was a finalist for the Dan Hodge Trophy, presented annually to the nation's top collegiate wrestler. Suriano compiled an 86-7 record in college, including a perfect 16-0 mark last year, and earned bonus points in more than 70 percent of his career wins. He was a two-time Big Ten champion (2019, '22) and added tournament titles at both the Midlands Championships and CKLV Invitational. He was the first NCAA champion in Rutgers school history and, in 2019, was named the Scarlet Knights' Male Athlete of the Year. Suriano has quickly earned freestyle success since making his senior-level debut in 2019. He has medaled at 57kg at three international events, including gold at the 2021 Henri Deglane Grand Prix and silver at the 2021 Matteo Pellicone, a UWW Ranking Series event. Suriano also placed fourth at the 2019 U.S. Nationals, posting a 4-1 record, to qualify for the Olympic Trials.

2x NCAA All-American Jack Mueller (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) Welcome to a new, regular feature for InterMat! Every day, for the next few months, we'll look into the recent history of a DI wrestling program with our "Ten Years of…" feature. Even if you're a die-hard supporter of a particular school, there will be good information you may have forgotten. For others, it's a quick way to learn about a program you may not be familiar with. We're going in alphabetical order for this one, so next up is...Virginia! NCAA Qualifiers (66) 2022 #32 Patrick McCormick (125 lbs), #25 Brian Courtney (133 lbs), #33 Dylan Cedeno (141 lbs), #14 Jake Keating (157 lbs), #19 Justin McCoy (165 lbs), #25 Michael Battista (184 lbs), #17 Jay Aiello (197 lbs), #23 Quinn Miller (285 lbs) 2021 #32 Patrick McCormick (125 lbs), #10 Louie Hayes (133 lbs), #20 Brian Courtney (141 lbs), #16 Justin McCoy (157 lbs), #12 Jake Keating (165 lbs), #30 Vic Marcelli (174 lbs), #11 Jay Aiello (197 lbs), #20 Quinn Miller (285 lbs) 2020 #4 Jack Mueller (125 lbs), #20 Louie Hayes (133 lbs), #27 Justin McCoy (157 lbs), #32 Cam Coy (165 lbs), #7 Jay Aiello (197 lbs), #23 Quinn Miller (285 lbs) 2019 #5 Jack Mueller (125 lbs), #26 Sam Krivus (141 lbs), #25 Cam Coy (165 lbs), #29 Will Schany (184 lbs), #7 Jay Aiello (197 lbs) 2018 #12 Louie Hayes (125 lbs), #10 Jack Mueller (133 lbs), #14 Sam Krivus (149 lbs), Andrew Atkinson (165 lbs), Will Schany (174 lbs), Tyler Love (285 lbs) 2017 #10 Jack Mueller (125 lbs), #6 George DiCamillo (141 lbs), Sam Krivus (149 lbs), Andrew Atkinson (157 lbs) 2016 Nick Herrmann (125 lbs), #6 George DiCamillo (133 lbs), Andrew Atkinson (157 lbs), #14 Zach Nye (197 lbs), Pat Gillen (285 lbs) 2015 Nick Herrmann (125 lbs), #12 George DiCamillo (133 lbs), Joe Spisak (141 lbs), Andrew Atkinson (157 lbs), #4 Nick Sulzer (165 lbs), #5 Blaise Butler (174 lbs), Zach Nye (197 lbs) 2014 Nick Herrmann (125 lbs), #16 Joe Spisak (141 lbs), #7 Gus Sako (149 lbs), #10 Blaise Butler (157 lbs), #3 Nick Sulzer (165 lbs), #11 Stephen Doty (174 lbs), Jon Fausey (184 lbs), Zach Nye (197 lbs) 2013 #8 Matt Snyder (125 lbs), #11 George DiCamillo (133 lbs), Joe Spisak (141 lbs), Derek Valenti (149 lbs), Jedd Moore (157 lbs), #8 Nick Sulzer (165 lbs), Jon Fausey (174 lbs), Stephen Doty (184 lbs), Mike Salopek (197 lbs) NCAA Champions None NCAA All-Americans 2021: Louie Hayes (8th - 133) 2019: Jack Mueller (2nd - 125) 2017: Jack Mueller (6th - 125), George DiCamillo (2nd - 141) 2015: Nick Sulzer (5th - 165) 2014: Nick Sulzer (4th - 165) 2013: Jedd Moore (6th - 157), Nick Sulzer (8th - 165) NWCA All-Americans Jack Mueller (125 - First Team) Jay Aiello (197 - First Team) NCAA Round of 12 Finishers Brian Courtney (2022 - 133) Justin McCoy (2022 - 165) Jay Aiello (2022 - 197) Louie Hayes (2018 - 125) Jack Mueller (2018 - 133) George DiCamillo (2013, 2015, 2016) Blaise Butler (174 - 2015) Matt Snyder (125 - 2013) ACC Champions 2020: Jay Aiello (197 lbs) 2019: Jack Mueller (125 lbs) 2016: George DiCamillo (133 lbs) 2015: George DiCamillo (133 lbs), Nick Sulzer (165 lbs) 2014: Blaise Butler (157 lbs), Nick Sulzer (165 lbs) 2013: George DiCamillo (133 lbs) Dual Record 2021-22: 4-6 2021: 3-3 2019-20: 8-6 2018-19: 12-10 2017-18: 4-10 2016-17: 10-6 2015-16: 6-7 2014-15: 10-7 2013-14: 18-3 2012-13: 16-4 ACC Tournament Placement 2021-22: 5th 2021: 4th 2019-20: 4th 2018-19: 6th 2017-18: 5th 2016-17: 4th 2015-16: 4th 2014-15: 1st 2013-14: 3rd 2012-13: 2nd NCAA Tournament Team Placement 2021-22: 30th-tie (10.5 points) 2021: 31st-tie (11.5 points) 2019-20: No Tournament 2018-19: 23rd (20.5 points) 2017-18: 31st (10.5 points) 2016-17: 15th (29.5 points) 2015-16: 48th (3.5 points) 2014-15: 19th (26.5 points) 2013-14: 23rd (18.5 points) 2012-13: 21st (23.5 points) Head Coaching History Steve Garland (2006 - Present) Best Lineup (Comprised of wrestlers from 2013-22) 125 - Jack Mueller: 4x NCAA Qualifier (#4, #5, and #10 x 2 seeds), 2x NCAA All-American (2nd, 6th), 2020 NWCA First Team All-American, 2019 ACC Champion 133 - Louie Hayes: 3x NCAA Qualifier (#10, #12, and #20 seeds), 2021 NCAA All-American (8th), 2018 ACC Runner-Up 141 - George DiCamillo: 4x NCAA Qualifier (#6 x2, #11, and #12 seeds), 2017 NCAA All-American (2nd), 3x ACC Champion, 3x NCAA Round of 12 Finisher 149 - Derek Valenti: 3x NCAA Qualifier, 2011 NCAA All-American (8th), 2x ACC Runner-Up 157 - Jedd Moore: 2x NCAA Qualifier, 2013 NCAA All-American (6th), 2013 ACC Runner-Up 165 - Nick Sulzer: 4x NCAA Qualifier (#3, #4, and #8 seeds), 3x All-American (4th, 5th, 8th), 2x ACC Champion 174 - Blaise Butler: 2x NCAA Qualifier (#5 and #10 seeds), 2014 ACC Champion, 2015 NCAA Round of 12 Finisher, 2016 NCAA Qualifier for Missouri 184 - Jon Fausey: 3x NCAA Qualifier (#12 seed), 2012 ACC Champion 197 - Jay Aiello: 4x NCAA Qualifier (#7 x2, #11, and #17 seeds), 2020 NWCA First Team All-American, 2022 NCAA Round of 12 Finisher, 2020 ACC Champion 285 - Quinn Miller: 3x NCAA Qualifier (#20 seed) Recruiting Number of Big Boarder's Per Year 2022: #30 Michael Gioffre (CA), #53 Garrett Grice (NE), #62 Jack Gioffre (CA), #90 Kyle Montapero (NC), #104 Nick Hamilton (NE), #154 Griffin Gammel (IA), #167 Keyveon Roller (TN), #210 Nick Sanko (NY) 2021: #58 Rocco Contino (CA), #152 Erik Roggie (VA), #207 Haydn Danals (OH), #220 Gavin Cagle (TN), #252 Kyren Butler (OH) 2020: #68 Dylan Cedeno (NJ), #155 Patrick Noonan (PA), #183 Evan Buchanan (VA), #190 Noah Villarreal (IL) 2019: #73 James Whitaker (MI) 2018: #69 Ben Kamali (MI) 2017: #13 Cam Coy (PA), #40 Brian Courtney (PA), #71 Quinn Miller (GA), #81 Brian Kennerly (PA) 2016: #15 Jack Mueller (TX), #17 Micky Phillippi (PA), #117 Louie Hayes (IL), #121 Jay Aiello (VA), #127 Edwin Rubio (NY) 2015: #14 Fox Baldwin (FL), #24 Sam Krivus (PA), #46 Cameron Harrell (MD), #58 Jabari Moody (IL), #147 Corbin Allen (VA) 2014: #19 Garrett Peppelman (PA), #86 Chance McClure (GA), #91 Will Schany (NE) 2013: #36 Tyler Askey (GA), #49 TJ Miller (NJ), #109 Andrew Atkinson (VA), #153 Addison Knepshield (PA) For past teams: Air Force American Appalachian State Arizona State Army West Point Binghamton Bloomsburg Brown Bucknell Buffalo Cal Poly Campbell Central Michigan Chattanooga Clarion Cleveland State Columbia Cornell CSU Bakersfield Davidson Drexel Duke Edinboro Franklin & Marshall Gardner-Webb George Mason Harvard Hofstra Illinois Indiana Iowa Iowa State Kent State Lehigh Lock Haven Maryland Michigan Michigan State Minnesota Missouri Navy NC State Nebraska North Carolina North Dakota State Northern Colorado Northern Illinois Northern Iowa Northwestern Ohio Ohio State Oklahoma Oklahoma State Oregon State Penn Penn State Pittsburgh Princeton Purdue Rider Rutgers Sacred Heart SIU Edwardsville South Dakota State Stanford The Citadel Utah Valley

2x NCAA All-American Vito Arujau (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) Earlier today, InterMat released our preseason rankings. With ten weight classes and two sets of team rankings, there can be a lot of information to sift through. That's why we've put together “Beyond the Rankings,” to single out some of the changes made to the rankings since the last update. Also, remember that no true freshmen were considered at this point. 125: There were some significant changes here. First and foremost, 2x ACC champion Jakob Camacho (NC State) was removed. Camacho suffered a significant injury and is expected to be unavailable for the bulk of the 2022-23 campaign. In his place, Jarrett Trombley, a two-time national qualifier at 133 lbs, is supposed to drop down and take his spot for NC State in the interim. For the full article, Subscribe to InterMat's Rokfin Page

2x Big 12 champion Demetrius Romero (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Welcome to a new, regular feature for InterMat! Every day, for the next few months, we'll look into the recent history of a DI wrestling program with our "Ten Years of…" feature. Even if you're a die-hard supporter of a particular school, there will be good information you may have forgotten. For others, it's a quick way to learn about a program you may not be familiar with. We're going in alphabetical order for this one, so next up is...Utah Valley! NCAA Qualifiers (35) 2022 #21 Taylor LaMont (125 lbs), #17 Haiden Drury (133 lbs), #24 Evan Bockman (197 lbs) 2021 #7 Taylor LaMont (125 lbs), #28 Ty Smith (133 lbs), #33 Cameron Hunsaker (149), #2 Demetrius Romero (174 lbs) 2020 #17 Taylor LaMont (133 lbs), #19 Kimball Bastian (174 lbs), #8 Tate Orndorff (285 lbs) 2019 #20 Matt Findlay (141 lbs), #9 Demetrius Romero (165 lbs), #14 Kimball Bastian (174 lbs), #20 Will Sumner (184 lbs), #19 Tanner Orndorff (197 lbs), #15 Tate Orndorff (285 lbs) 2018 #7 Taylor LaMont (125 lbs), Demetrius Romero (165 lbs), Kimball Bastian (174 lbs), Tanner Orndorff (197 lbs), Dustin Dennison (285 lbs) 2017 Tanner Orndorff (197 lbs), Dustin Dennison (285 lbs) 2016 Chasen Tolbert (125 lbs), Jade Rauser (133 lbs) 2015 #15 Chasen Tolbert (125 lbs), Jade Rauser (133 lbs), Ethan Smith (174 lbs) 2014 Jade Rauser (125 lbs), Avery Garner (141 lbs), Abner Cook (165 lbs), Adam Fager (285 lbs) 2013 Jade Rauser (125 lbs), Josh Wilson (149 lbs), Adam Fager (285 lbs) NCAA Champions None All-Americans 2021: Taylor LaMont (125 - 5th), Demetrius Romero (174 - 6th) 2016: Jade Rauser (133 - 8th) NCAA Round of 12 Finishers Matt Findlay (2019 - 141) Demetrius Romero (2019 - 165) Taylor LaMont (2018 - 125) Conference Champions Big 12 2021: Demetrius Romero (174) 2019: Demetrius Romero (165) West Region/WWC 2015: Jade Rauser (133) 2014: Avery Garner (141) 2013: Josh Wilson (149), Adam Fager (285) Dual Record 2021-22: 5-6 2021: 2-4 2019-20: 3-11 2018-19: 10-14 2017-18: 8-6 2016-17: 5-6 2015-16: 4-10 2014-15: 2-9 2013-14: 6-9 2012-13: 6-4 Conference Tournament Placement Big 12 2021-22: 12th 2021: 10th 2019-20: 11th 2018-19: 6th 2017-18: 8th 2016-17: 9th 2015-16: 8th West Regional/WWC 2014-15: 4th 2013-14: 4th 2012-13: 3rd NCAA Tournament Team Placement 2021-22: 52nd-tie (2 points) 2021: 21st (20.5 points) 2019-20: No Tournament 2018-19: 29th-tie (11.5 points) 2017-18: 43rd-tie (4 points) 2016-17: 53rd-tie (1.5 points) 2015-16: 38th (8 points) 2014-15: 58th-tie (1 point) 2013-14: 64th-tie (0.5 points) 2012-13: 46th-tie (3.5 points) Head Coaching History Greg Williams (2006 - present) Best Lineup (Comprised of wrestlers from 2013-22) 125 - Taylor LaMont: 4x NCAA Qualifier (#7 x2, #17 seeds), 2021 NCAA All-American (5th), 2021 Big 12 Runner-Up, 2018 NCAA Round of 12 Finisher 133 - Jade Rauser: 4x NCAA Qualifier, 2016 NCAA All-American (8th), 2015 West Regional Champion, 2016 Big 12 3rd Place 141 - Matt Findlay: 2019 NCAA Qualifier, 2019 NCAA Round of 12 Finisher 149 - Josh Wilson: 2x NCAA Qualifier, 2013 West Regional Champion 157 - Danny Snediker 165 - Demetrius Romero: 3x NCAA Qualifier (#2 and #9 seeds), 2021 NCAA All-American (6th), 2x Big 12 Champion 174 - Kimball Bastian: 3x NCAA Qualifier (#14 and #19 seeds) 184 - Will Sumner: 2019 NCAA Qualifier 197 - Tanner Orndorff: 3x NCAA Qualifier (#19 seed) 285 - Tate Orndorff: 2019 NCAA Qualifier (#15 seed), 3x NCAA Qualifier and 2021 NCAA All-American (8th) for Ohio State Recruiting Number of Big Boarder's Per Year 2022: #176 Abel Nava (WA), #217 Mark Takara (CA) 2021: #234 Yusief Lillie (WA) 2020: #85 Braxton Mikesell (WA) 2016: #26 Taylor LaMont (UT), #96 Durbin Lloren (CA), #131 Gary Jantzer (UT) 2014: #47 Kimball Bastian (UT), #53 Roy Nash (UT) 2013: #45 Dalton Brady (AZ), #66 Grant LaMont (UT), #130 Jed Mellen (UT) For past teams: Air Force American Appalachian State Arizona State Army West Point Binghamton Bloomsburg Brown Bucknell Buffalo Cal Poly Campbell Central Michigan Chattanooga Clarion Cleveland State Columbia Cornell CSU Bakersfield Davidson Drexel Duke Edinboro Franklin & Marshall Gardner-Webb George Mason Harvard Hofstra Illinois Indiana Iowa Iowa State Kent State Lehigh Lock Haven Maryland Michigan Michigan State Minnesota Missouri Navy NC State Nebraska North Carolina North Dakota State Northern Colorado Northern Illinois Northern Iowa Northwestern Ohio Ohio State Oklahoma Oklahoma State Oregon State Penn Penn State Pittsburgh Princeton Purdue Rider Rutgers Sacred Heart SIU Edwardsville South Dakota State Stanford The Citadel

New Iowa Hawkeye Real Woods (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) The transfer portal. It's the mysterious new development in college athletics that signals the downfall of civilization if you're an old-school college football fan. While having the access to transfer rather freely can have its downsides, there are plenty of positives associated with the portal, which respect to wrestling. With only one wrestler being able to compete at the NCAA tournament per weight, that can sometimes be an issue. Others on this list have graduated from their original institute and are looking for a graduate program not offered at their school. Some are going closer to home, while others are making a jump from a smaller, non-contending program to a powerhouse. Whatever the reason, there was plenty of movement in the offseason and if you can get past the stigma of the portal, it can add some fun to an otherwise slow period in college wrestling. We've picked through the transfers and narrowed them down to the top 15 wrestlers who went through the portal within the last year. Rankings are based on their potential impact on their new team and individually in pursuit of a national title and/or All-American honors. 1. Real Woods (Iowa) - Stanford transfer The Iowa Hawkeyes were hit hard by graduation this offseason losing five past All-Americans. That blow was lessened by the transfer of Real Woods from Stanford. Woods will slot in perfectly at 141 lbs for the departed 2021 NCAA runner-up, Jaydin Eierman. He comes in at number one on this list based on his likelihood to win an NCAA title. For the full article, Subscribe to InterMat's Rokfin Page

2x NCAA qualifier for Gardner-Webb Rodrick Mosley (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) Every year there are wrestlers that have "breakout" seasons. Whether it's wrestlers that are coming off a strong redshirt season, or young wrestlers who have a big jump from experience in the next season, it is always fun to see which athletes separate and improve from year to year. In this article series, I am going to highlight a wrestler from every school, in each of the seven different conferences, that have the potential to breakout. That could mean anything from making a surprising splash at the national tournament, to qualifying for the first time, or even getting some important dual wins for a school. Up first, are the nine schools that make up the SoCon Conference. Appalachian State - Heath Gonyer, 141lbs (So) After a redshirt season where he went under .500, Gonyer had a very solid year in 2021-22 with a 25-9 record and making the SoCon finals. He had two wins over Wil Gil, a 2022 qualifier from Franklin & Marshall. Gonyer finished the season 10-2 in his last 12 matches, with both losses coming in overtime to #19 Shannon Hanna of Campbell. If he can take another jump, then Gonyer could end up in the rankings and qualify this season. Campbell - JoJo Aragona, 157lbs (Jr) One of the top recruits in 2019, Aragona seems primed to be a factor on the national scene this year. In 2020, he was down at 141lbs and finished with a record of 13-12 at Rutgers. After not wrestling in 2021, he transferred to Campbell and had a 4-2 record at 157lbs. He finished 3rd at the conference meet, with both losses coming to 2021 qualifier Cody Bond. If Aragona is able to stay healthy, I expect better results after another season acclimating to 157lbs. Chattanooga - #23 Brayden Palmer, 133lbs (Jr) A 2022 qualifier, Palmer has already shown that he can compete at a high level with a 24-9 record. After spending the first two years of his career at Clarion at 141lbs, he looked even better at 133lbs at Chattanooga. He had wins over qualifiers Brian Courtney and Codi Russell and made the SoCon finals. If he can be more consistent throughout the season, then he could climb even higher in the rankings. Gardner-Webb - #32 Rodrick Mosley, 165lbs (Jr) Mosley has already qualified twice, so he is someone fans should keep an eye on to make some serious noise in March. At the 2021 tournament, he beat Virginia's Jake Keating, but had close losses to All-Americans Cam Amine and Zach Hartman. At NCAA's in 2022, he once again had two close losses, this time to Izzak Olejnik of NIU and Bubba Wilson of Nebraska. After a 2022 SoCon title, Mosley seems primed to take a jump and be able to better compete in this difficult weight class. The Citadel - Jonathan Chesser, 285lbs (Fr) Last year the Citadel graduated #27 Michael McAleavey and looked ready to reload the spot with Chesser. He had a 15-6 record while splitting time between 197/285lbs and redshirting. His results at heavyweight have promise though, with a 12-2 record and seven bonus wins. While Chesser did not beat anyone ranked, he has promise if he continues to grow and develop into 285lbs. Davidson - Gavin Henry, 184lbs (Jr) Henry is one of two juniors expected to start for the Wildcat's young team. While he had a record under .500, there were matches that could indicate him taking a step forward. He had a 9-6 win over Matthew Waddell of Chattanooga, a three-time national qualifier. With new coach Nate Carr Jr at the helm, there is an opportunity for someone to step up and have a big impact this season. VMI - Zach Brown, 184lbs (Jr) Similar to Gavin Henry of Davidson, Brown did not have the best record last season but did have a win over a 2022 qualifier. At the Journeyman Classic, Brown was able to beat AJ Burkhart of Lehigh 8-3. Brown missed most of the second half of the season due to injury, but could be someone to keep an eye on through the season now that he is healthy again. Bellarmine - Devan Hendricks, 165lbs (Jr) Bellarmine is still transitioning to Division 1, so they are unable to qualify for the postseason for a few more years. They still have quality wrestlers though, and Hedricks could be a factor this season. After spending two seasons at 174lbs, he had his biggest career win at 165lbs last season over two-time qualifier Rodrick Mosley. Presbyterian - David Bertrand, 184lbs (So) A true freshman starter, Bertrand had a 15-13 record last season. He had some close losses to quality wrestlers last season, so this is more of a projection. He won the Life University and Georgia Opens. Bertrand seems like a candidate that is primed to take a jump next season.

2013 NCAA All-American Ugi Khishignyam (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Welcome to a new, regular feature for InterMat! Every day, for the next few months, we'll look into the recent history of a DI wrestling program with our "Ten Years of…" feature. Even if you're a die-hard supporter of a particular school, there will be good information you may have forgotten. For others, it's a quick way to learn about a program you may not be familiar with. We're going in alphabetical order for this one, so next up is...The Citadel! NCAA Qualifiers (19) 2022 #22 Dazjon Casto (157 lbs), #28 Michael McAleavey (285 lbs) 2021 #23 Michael McAleavey (285 lbs) 2020 #33 Selwyn Porter (149 lbs) 2019 #22 Sawyer Root (197 lbs) 2018 Sawyer Root (197 lbs) 2017 Aaron Walker (157 lbs) 2016 Aaron Walker (157 lbs) 2015 Joaquin Marquez (125 lbs), Matt Frisch (149 lbs), #16 Aaron Walker (157 lbs) 2014 Ugi Khishignyam (141 lbs), Matt Frisch (149 lbs), Aaron Walker (157 lbs), #11 Turtogtokh Luvsandorj (165 lbs), Marshall Haas (197 lbs) 2013 #6 Ugi Khishignyam (141 lbs), Matt Frisch (157 lbs), Odie Delaney (285 lbs) NCAA Champions None NCAA All-Americans 2014: Turtogtokh Luvsandorj (165 - 6th) 2013: Ugi Khishignyam (141 - 4th), Odie Delaney (285 - 7th) NCAA Round of 12 Finishers Dazjon Casto (2022 - 157) SoCon Champions 2022: Dazjon Casto (157) 2021: Michael McAleavey (285) 2015: Matt Frisch (149), Aaron Walker (157) 2014: Ugi Khishignyam (141), Aaron Walker (157), Marshall Haas (197) 2013: Ugi Khishignyam (141), Matt Frisch (157), Odie Delaney (285) Dual Record 2021-22: 6-5 2021: 4-6 2019-20: 4-6 2018-19: 2-10 2017-18: 1-12 2016-17: 3-10 2015-16: 5-10 2014-15: 7-5 2013-14: 11-3 2012-13: 7-6 SoCon Tournament Placement 2021-22: 5th 2021: 5th 2019-20: 4th 2018-19: 4th 2017-18: 5th 2016-17: 6th 2015-16: 6th 2014-15: 3rd 2013-14: 2nd 2012-13: 3rd NCAA Tournament Placement 2021-22: 41st-tie (4 points) 2021: 60th-tie (0 points) 2019-20: No Tournament 2018-19: 63rd-tie (0 points) 2017-18: 65th-tie (0 points) 2016-17: 66th-tie (0 points) 2015-16: 69th-tie (0 points) 2014-15: 58th-tie (1 point) 2013-14: 31st (13 points) 2012-13: 20th (27 points) Head Coaching History Ryan LeBlanc (2020 - present) Rob Hjerling (1999 - 2020) Best Lineup (Comprised of wrestlers from 2013-22) 125 - Joaquin Marquez: 2015 NCAA Qualifier, 2015 SoCon Runner-Up 133 - Aaron Hansen: 2x SoCon Runner-Up 141 - Ugi Khishignyam: 2x NCAA Qualifier (#6 seed), 2013 NCAA All-American (4th), 2x SoCon Champion 149 - Matt Frisch: 3x NCAA Qualifier, 2x SoCon Champion 157 - Aaron Walker: 4x NCAA Qualifier (#16 seed), 2x SoCon Champion 165 - Dazjon Casto: 2022 NCAA Qualifier, 2022 SoCon Champion, 2022 NCAA Round of 12 Finisher 174 - Turtogtokh Luvsandorj: 4x NCAA Qualifier (#11 seed), 2014 NCAA All-American (6th), 2x SoCon Champion 184 - Sawyer Root: 2x NCAA Qualifier 197 - Marshall Haas: 2014 NCAA Qualifier, 2014 SoCon Champion 285 - Odie Delaney: 4x NCAA Qualifier, 2013 NCAA All-American (7th), 2012 NCAA Round of 12 Finisher, 4x SoCon Champion Recruiting Number of Big Boarder's Per Year 2022: #142 Hayden Watson (IN) 2021: #243 Drake Miller (GA) For past teams: Air Force American Appalachian State Arizona State Army West Point Binghamton Bloomsburg Brown Bucknell Buffalo Cal Poly Campbell Central Michigan Chattanooga Clarion Cleveland State Columbia Cornell CSU Bakersfield Davidson Drexel Duke Edinboro Franklin & Marshall Gardner-Webb George Mason Harvard Hofstra Illinois Indiana Iowa Iowa State Kent State Lehigh Lock Haven Maryland Michigan Michigan State Minnesota Missouri Navy NC State Nebraska North Carolina North Dakota State Northern Colorado Northern Illinois Northern Iowa Northwestern Ohio Ohio State Oklahoma Oklahoma State Oregon State Penn Penn State Pittsburgh Princeton Purdue Rider Rutgers Sacred Heart SIU Edwardsville South Dakota State Stanford

Building a winning wrestling program at the collegiate level doesn't happen overnight. Unless you hire Tom Brands or Cael Sanderson, it's a multi-year process. For everyone else, it usually requires a few years to put your own stamp on the program and a culture change. The last two words may be the most important. Culture change. They also may be the most difficult to define. You may not be able to describe a culture change, but it's the type of thing you know when you see it. That happens to be the case for Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Heading into their fifth year under the leadership of head coach Jim Gibson, VMI is in the process of restoring its program to the glory years of the mid-1990s and early 2000s, when the Keydets finished in the top three in the Southern Conference three times between 1995-2003. Twice during that span, VMI shared conference championship honors and three times they finished as runner-up. Known as the recruiting specialist at Bucknell, before his arrival in Lexington, Gibson is ready to see his first full recruiting class at VMI enter their senior season. Those early classes helped establish this culture change that is slowly taking effect. That bunch includes upperweights Zach Brown (184) and Tyler Mousaw (197), who have spent time in their careers in the national rankings. Both are looking to break through to the national tournament for the first time. InterMat recently took a trip to VMI's campus…strike that "Post", to get a better understanding of the school and its wrestling program. As one may expect, it is a military college, so discipline plays a huge role in daily life around the post. That's not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to wrestling, though. The wrestlers that we spoke to chose VMI because of the structure that the school provides. Plenty of freshmen (and upperclassmen) at your "normal" universities put too much emphasis on the social aspect of college and, as a result, academics slip. That's not a problem at VMI. One of the misconceptions regarding the school is that you are required to serve in the military upon graduation. Many cadets choose to go this route and are commissioned into one of the service branches upon graduation; however, it is not a requirement. The coaching staff explained that the school and its required ROTC classes can be a good barometer of whether or not a Cadet wants to commission. Coach Gibson stated that plenty of cadets, "have an idea of whether or not they want to commission and end up changing it, one way or another, after a few years." With so many colleges out there, they can tend to blend together aesthetically. VMI isn't one of those. Around 1800 students live in the barracks, on post, which is just over 134 acres. Those numbers make VMI one of the smallest DI schools in the nation (and not just wrestling schools). The "small school" feel was evident to the coaching staff and I, as we ran into the Superintendent (akin to a school president), Cedric Wins, during my informal tour. VMI is nestled in the Shenandoah Valley, in southwest Virginia, with a picturesque view of "House Mountain" from the barracks. After a walking tour on post, we headed to Cormack Field House, home to the VMI wrestling squad. At Cormack, we are able to speak with the VMI coaching staff, along with some of the team members. Also, Coach Gibson talked about some of the prominent locations we saw during our tour. The morning after my visit to VMI, there was some tangible evidence of the culture change coach Gibson and staff are implementing. Two of Virginia's top wrestlers from the Class of 2023 (Eric Doran - Great Bridge and Toby Schoffstall - Liberty Christian) both had given the staff verbal commitments. Below are links to the interviews and tour (Located on our Rokfin page) Interviews Head Coach Jim Gibson Assistant Coach Ryan Hunsberger Assistant Coach Eddie Klimara 184 lber Zach Brown 197 lber Tyler Mousaw 285 lber Josh Evans Freshman 133 lber Dyson Dunham Freshman 149 lber Ryan Vigil Tour Locations Cormack Hall (Upper Level) Cormack Hall (Competition Level) Comack Hall (Training Room) Cormack Hall (Locker Room) Cormack Hall (Weight Room) Foster Stadium Cameron Hall

Zack Ryder at the 2022 U17 World Team Trials (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) With most of the very top-level recruits from the Class of 2023 already spoken for, it's time for most schools to focus their attention on the current high school juniors. That was the case for Penn State, which received a verbal commitment from one of the top overall wrestlers in the Class of 2024, Zack Ryder (Minisink Valley, NY). Today, Ryder announced his choice via social media. Ryder is currently the fourth overall wrestler in the junior class and the second-ranked 182 lber in the nation. Last week, Ryder competed at Who's #1 and fell to Illinois' Brayden Thompson, 4-3. Earlier this summer, Ryder picked up some hardware at the U17 World Championships, when he grabbed the bronze medal at 80 kg. To make the team, Ryder downed Wisconsin's Connor Mirasola in two-straight matches at the U17 Trials. There are other notable placements from Ryder that make him one of the most sought-after recruits in the nation. At the beginning of his sophomore year, Ryder finished third at 157 lbs at the Walsh Ironman. A few months earlier, he was fifth at the Super 32. Last summer, Ryder brought home a stop sign from Fargo when he won the 16U bracket in freestyle at 152 lbs. Ryder already has a pair of New York state titles under his belt, heading into his junior year. At the next level, Ryder projects as a 184 lber for the Nittany Lions. Penn State has Michigan's Josh Barr in the mix in the Class of 2023, who could go 174/184 for them in the future. Aside from Barr, there isn't a clear-cut 184 lber waiting in the wings for the Nittany Lions, at least once Ryder is slated to step foot on campus. While PSU has a verbal from the Class of 2025, this is their first verbal from the Class of 2024. For more on the recruiting front, check out InterMat's Commitment Page.

2021 NCAA All-American Clay Carlson (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) Welcome to a new, regular feature for InterMat! Every day, for the next few months, we'll look into the recent history of a DI wrestling program with our "Ten Years of…" feature. Even if you're a die-hard supporter of a particular school, there will be good information you may have forgotten. For others, it's a quick way to learn about a program you may not be familiar with. We're going in alphabetical order for this one, so next up is...Stanford! NCAA Qualifiers (56) 2022 #33 Logan Ashton (125 lbs), #4 Real Woods (141 lbs), #23 Jaden Abas (149 lbs), #5 Shane Griffith (165 lbs), #26 Tyler Eischens (174 lbs) 2021 #26 Jackson DiSario (125 lbs), #21 Real Woods (141 lbs), #8 Jaden Abas (149 lbs), #17 Requir van der Merwe (157 lbs), #8 Shane Griffith (165 lbs), #27 Nick Stemmet (197 lbs), #25 Nathan Traxler (285 lbs) 2020 #28 Jackson DiSario (125 lbs), #3 Real Woods (141 lbs), #29 Tyler Eischens (157 lbs), #3 Shane Griffith (165 lbs), #12 Nathan Traxler (197 lbs) 2019 #20 Gabe Townsell (125 lbs), #31 Mason Pengilly (133 lbs), #14 Requir van der Merwe (149 lbs), #8 Nathan Traxler (197 lbs), #24 Haydn Maley (285 lbs) 2018 Gabe Townsell (125 lbs), Mason Pengilly (133 lbs), Paul Fox (157 lbs), #9 Keaton Subjeck (174 lbs), Nathan Traxler (197 lbs), #7 Nathan Butler (285 lbs) 2017 Gabe Townsell (125 lbs), Connor Schram (133 lbs), #3 Joey McKenna (141 lbs), Paul Fox (157 lbs), Keaton Subjeck (165 lbs), Peter Galli (174 lbs), Zach Nevills (184 lbs), Josh Marchok (197 lbs), Nathan Butler (285 lbs) 2016 #10 Connor Schram (125 lbs), #2 Joey McKenna (141 lbs), #13 James Wilson (165 lbs), Keaton Subjeck (174 lbs), Garet Krohn (184 lbs), #16 Nathan Butler (285 lbs) 2015 Evan Silver (125 lbs), Connor Schram (133 lbs), Garrett Schaner (149 lbs), #10 James Wilson (165 lbs), Nathan Butler (285 lbs) 2014 #13 Evan Silver (125 lbs), #11 Ryan Mango (133 lbs), #16 James Wilson (165 lbs), Kyle Meyer (174 lbs), Dan Scherer (197 lbs) 2013 Evan Silver (125 lbs), Bret Baumbach (165 lbs), Dan Scherer (285 lbs) NCAA Champions Shane Griffith (2021 - 165) NCAA All-Americans 2022: Real Woods (141 - 6th), Shane Griffith (165 - 2nd) 2021: Jaden Abas (149 - 7th), Shane Griffith (165 - 1st) 2017: Paul Fox (157 - 7th) 2016: Connor Schram (125 - 8th), Joey McKenna (141 - 3rd) 2015: James Wilson (165 - 8th) NWCA All-Americans Real Woods (141 - First Team) Shane Griffith (165 - First Team) Nathan Traxler (197 - Second Team) NCAA Round of 12 Finishers Real Woods (2021 - 141) Nathan Traxler (2019, 2021, 197/285) Mason Pengilly (2019 - 133) Paul Fox (2018 - 157) Nathan Butler (2018 - 285) Joey McKenna (2017 - 141) James Wilson (2016 - 165) Ryan Mango (2014 - 133) Pac-12 Champions 2022: Real Woods (141), Tyler Eischens (174) 2021: Jaden Abas (149) 2020: Real Woods (141), Shane Griffith (165) 2019: Requir van der Merwe (149), Nathan Traxler (197) 2017: Joey McKenna (141), Zach Nevills (184) 2016: Connor Schram (125), Joey McKenna (141), James Wilson (165) 2015: James Wilson (165), Nathan Butler (285) 2014: Evan Silver (125), Ryan Mango (133), James Wilson (165), Dan Scherer (197) 2013: Bret Baumbach (165) Dual Record 2021-22: 5-4 2021: 5-3 2019-20: 11-4 2018-19: 9-4 2017-18: 7-5 2016-17: 10-3 2015-16: 11-4 2014-15: 11-4 2013-14: 17-5 2012-13: 6-16 Pac-12 Tournament Placement 2021-22: 3rd 2021: 3rd 2019-20: 2nd 2018-19: 1st 2017-18: 4th 2016-17: 2nd 2015-16: 4th 2014-15: 3rd 2013-14: 2nd 2012-13: 5th NCAA Tournament Team Placement 2021-22: 19th (31.5 points) 2021: 17th (35.5 points) 2019-20: No Tournament 2018-19: 40th (5.5 points) 2017-18: 34th (8.5 points) 2016-17: 24th (16 points) 2015-16: 19th (24 points) 2014-15: 35th-tie (8 points) 2013-14: 40th-tie (7 points) 2012-13: 38th-tie (5.5 points) Head Coaching History Rob Koll (2021 - Present) Jason Borrelli (2008 - Present) Best Lineup (Comprised of Wrestlers from 2013-2022) 125 - Connor Schram: 3x NCAA Qualifier (#10 seed), 2016 NCAA All-American (8th), 2016 Pac-12 Champion 133 - Ryan Mango: 4x NCAA Qualifier (#7, #8, and #11 seeds), 2x NCAA All-American (5th, 6th), 2x Pac-12 Champion 141 - Real Woods: 3x NCAA Qualifier (#3 and #4 seeds), 2022 NCAA All-American (6th), 2020 NWCA First-Team All-American, 2x Pac-12 Champion 149 - Jaden Abas: 2x NCAA Qualifier (#8 seed), 2021 NCAA All-American (7th), 2021 Pac-12 Champion 157 - Paul Fox: 2x NCAA Qualifier, 2017 NCAA All-American (7th), 2018 NCAA Round of 12 Finisher 165 - Shane Griffith: 3x NCAA Qualifier (#3, #5 and #8 seeds), 2x NCAA All-American (1,2), 2021 NCAA Champion, 2020 NWCA First Team All-American, 2020 Pac-12 Champion 174 - Keaton Subjeck: 3x NCAA Qualifier (#9 seed), 2x Pac-12 Runner-Up 184 - Zach Nevills: 2017 NCAA Qualifier, 2017 Pac-12 Champion 197 - Nathan Traxler: 5x NCAA Qualifier (#8 and #12 seed), 2x NCAA Round of 12 Finisher, 2019 Pac-12 Champion, 2022 NCAA Qualifier/ACC Champion for Virginia Tech 285 - Nathan Butler: 4x NCAA Qualifier (#7 and #16 seeds), 2018 NCAA Round of 12 Finisher, 2015 Pac-12 Champion Recruiting Number of Big Boarder's Per Year 2022: #2 Daniel Cardenas (CO), #9 Hunter Garvin (IA), #108 Brook Byers (CO), #117 Jack Darrah (MO) 2021: #82 Nico Provo (CT) 2020: #120 Kyle Rowan (OH), #182 Nick Stemmet (IL), #197 Charlie Darracott (GA) 2019: #11 Jaden Abas (CA) 2018: #25 Real Woods (NM), #28 Shane Griffith (NJ) 2016: #36 Nathan Traxler (IL), #49 Brandon Dallavia (NJ), #61 Requir van der Merwe (NJ) 2015: #141 Austin Flores (CA), #149 David Shownumi (PA) 2014: #8 Joey McKenna (NJ), #71 Mason Pengilly (CA), #80 Paul Fox (CA), #87 Brian Rossi (IL), #108 Isaiah Locsin (CA), #127 Boomer Fleming (OR) 2013: #25 Connor Schram (PA), #69 Nathan Butler (KS), #90 Garet Krohn (CO), #192 Tommy Pawleski (IL) For past teams: Air Force American Appalachian State Arizona State Army West Point Binghamton Bloomsburg Brown Bucknell Buffalo Cal Poly Campbell Central Michigan Chattanooga Clarion Cleveland State Columbia Cornell CSU Bakersfield Davidson Drexel Duke Edinboro Franklin & Marshall Gardner-Webb George Mason Harvard Hofstra Illinois Indiana Iowa Iowa State Kent State Lehigh Lock Haven Maryland Michigan Michigan State Minnesota Missouri Navy NC State Nebraska North Carolina North Dakota State Northern Colorado Northern Illinois Northern Iowa Northwestern Ohio Ohio State Oklahoma Oklahoma State Oregon State Penn Penn State Pittsburgh Princeton Purdue Rider Rutgers Sacred Heart SIU Edwardsville South Dakota State

Bo Nickal at the 2020 Olympic Trials (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) The UFC has a rare weekend off and this weekend in the MMA world overall is not particularly stacked. However, there are a few key fights that wrestling fans might not want to miss. Friday: Bellator 285 Benson Henderson vs. Peter Queally On Friday, Bellator returns to Ireland for a show headlined by a former UFC champion. Henderson will take on Dublin native Queally. During his collegiate days, Henderson wrestled for Dana College. At the NAIA school, he was a two-time All-American. He finished fifth at 157 pounds as both a junior and senior, and he exhausted his eligibility in 2006. Later that same year, Henderson made his professional MMA debut. In 2010, he defeated Jamie Varner for the WEC lightweight title, but dropped the belt to Anthony Pettis' on the promotion's final show before it was absorbed into the UFC. Two years later, Henderson defeated Frankie Edgar for the UFC lightweight title. He defended the belt three times before losing it to Pettis. Henderson joined Bellator in 2016. He has fought for both the Bellator welterweight and lightweight titles, but came up short in each challenge. Queally has been fighting professionally since 2012. He signed with Bellator in 2019 and has gone 2-2 with the promotion. In his last fight, Queally faced off against Patricky "Pitbull" Freire with the vacant Bellator lightweight title on the line and suffered a second-round knockout. Yoel Romero vs. Melvin Manhoef Romero was a six-time World/Olympic medalist in freestyle for Cuba. He won a gold medal at 85 kg in 1999 and followed that up with a silver medal at the 2000 Olympic Games. Romero was also a multiple-time champion at the Pan American Games/Championships where he picked up victories over Americans Tommy Rowlands, Brandon Eggum, Andy Hrovat, and Cael Sanderson. In 2007, Romero defected to Germany where he also started his MMA career. In 2011, he signed with UFC where he won his first eight fights to earn a shot at the interim middleweight championship against Robert Whittaker. Romero ultimately came up short in an instant classic fight. He left the UFC in 2020 after dropping a decision against middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. He has fought twice since for Bellator. Romero dropped a decision against former Penn State wrestler Phil Davis and then defeated former Northwestern wrestler Alex Polizzi. Manhoef is a veteran of 50 MMA bouts and 52 kickboxing fights. Over the course of his career, he has picked up victories over the likes of Mark Hunt, Kazushi Sakuraba and Remy Bonjasky. The well-traveled veteran has been fighting exclusively with Bellator since 2014 and has gone 4-4 with the promotion. In his last fight, he lost via second-round knockout against former Wisconsin-Whitewater wrestler Corey Anderson. The main card of Bellator 285 will air live on Showtime at 4:00pm ET. Tuesday: Dana White's Contender Series 2022: Week 10 Bo Nickal vs. Donovan Beard Last month Nickal had his second professional MMA fight on week three of the Contender Series, and he won the bout in only 62 seconds. Nickal did not even absorb a single strike. While he was not awarded a UFC contract, he was invited back for a second fight. Beard might not have the higher profile in this fight, but he does have an edge in experience. He holds a 7-1 record as a professional and is coming off a fourth-round submission victory over Miles Lee for the Cage Fury FC middleweight title. The victory over Lee is an interesting wrinkle in this fight. While Lee clearly does not have the wrestling credentials of Nickal, he did finish fifth in Pennsylvania as a senior and made the Fargo finals in 2017 before coming up short against current Iowa wrestler Jacob Warner. Nickal, of course, was a four-time NCAA finalist and three-time champion. He won the Hodge Trophy following his senior year where he went undefeated and won his third title. Nickal continued to wrestle on the freestyle circuit and won a gold medal at the 2019 U23 World Championships. Nickal then mostly turned his attention to MMA. He fought twice as an amateur in 2021 and scored two quick finishes. Earlier this year, he turned professional and has won both of his fights in a combined 95 seconds. DWCS Week 10 will air live on ESPN+ at 8:00pm ET. The bout between Nickal and Beard is expected to be the main event.

Austin Gomez in the 2022 Big Ten Semifinals (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) It's officially preseason for NCAA Wrestling. It's time to really start reflecting on what's to come. Storylines, potential matchups, events, and all of the spectacle and fanfare that come with a college wrestling season. That being said, I'm here to do my job, which is to highlight some of those things and get you excited about what's to come. I aim for this to help you prepare your mind and body for what will undoubtedly be an excellent season of college wrestling. Similar in some ways to what it must have been like for Louden Swain to prepare for the biggest match of his life. This is why I'm going to use quotes from the 1985 movie Vision Quest to remind us of some of the exciting things we have to look forward to this season. Being that I'm a Big Ten Correspondent, this will focus on the Big Ten primarily. So let's get it started, and let's get it started in the best way possible, with the quote that opens the movie. "My name's Louden, Louden Swain. Last week I turned 18. I wasn't ready for it. I haven't done anything yet. So I made this deal with myself. This is the year I make my mark." - Louden Swain The whole premise of the movie is basically laid out here. A young man who feels he hasn't made his mark, and makes the drastic decision to cut 20 or so pounds to make 168 and wrestle Brian Shute. For those who don't know, he's generally understood as less of a man and more of a god, and wrestling him might as well be a death sentence. That didn't bother Louden. He set his sights on a goal and went for it. The other piece which is important here is that he saw it as his last chance. This was his senior year, and now he was legally a man, but didn't feel like one. It was now or never. I imagine that same feeling resonates with many of the Seniors who haven't yet become All-Americans. This is not an attempt to disparage the tremendous careers of some excellent wrestlers, but simply to point out that despite a lot of success, they haven't reached the podium. We all have some of our favorite wrestlers who always got close, but seemed to fall just short, and it's heartbreaking every time. For fans, coaches, and athletes for sure. This isn't designed to apply pressure to these athletes, but rather to have them embrace the naive courage of Louden Swain. Here is a list of the guys with one more chance to make their mark: Malik Heinselman, Ohio State, 125 Jack Medley, Michigan, 125 Liam Cronin, Nebraska, 125 Boo Dryden, Nebraska, 133 Cale Davidson, Nebraska, 285 Parker Filius, Purdue, 141 Max Murin, Iowa, 149 (voted an All-American in the 2020 season, but I imagine standing on the podium is still a driving factor in his return this year) Garrett Model of Wisconsin, 157 Bailee O'Reilly, Minnesota, 174 Michial Foy, Minnesota, 197 Matt Finesilver, Michigan, 184 Cam Caffey, Michigan State, 197 Andrew Davison, Northwestern, 197 Jaron Smith, Maryland, 285 For the athletes on this list, I hope you make a deal with yourself. This is the year you make your mark. Onto the next quote. "But all I ever settled for is that we're born to live and then to die, and… we got to do it alone, each in his own way. And I guess that's why we gotta love those people who deserve it like there's no tomorrow. 'Cause when you get right down to it - there isn't." - Louden Swain This is the end of the movie. Last line that Louden delivers as Steve Perry of Journey passionately sings "Only the Young". It's an iconic shot of him being held up by his team (despite the fact that the dual is clearly not over yet. I can't imagine the team point implications here. Not good for Thompson High. Act like you've been there before.) This goes to another batch of Seniors. Some of the ones who, looking back, we are going to feel so lucky that we got to watch. Spencer Lee is coming back after his series of knee issues, and you know he's going to wrestle like there's no tomorrow. Roman Bravo Young, this is his last ride. There are Gable Steveson rumors that he'll be back, which until recently I thought were erroneous… Now I think it's more likely than not that he will return for one last ride. Max Dean going to match his brother for NCAA Championships, Mason Parris with one final shot to win an NCAA title. The Big Ten is full of guys who deserve it like there's no tomorrow. And for them, there is no tomorrow. These are the guys I'm ready to cheer for one last time in their college singlets. Alright Vision Quest, what do we have next? "I got a bulletin for you, Otto: wrestling is not a team sport! When you're out there on the mat with another guy who's quicker and faster than you, there's not a whole helluva' lot a team can do for you." - Louden Swain Philosophically, I disagree with this in many ways. However, I'm being dishonest if I don't agree that in the literal sense, it's accurate. Regardless, this is a way for me to focus on some of the individual contributors on some Big Ten teams that likely won't be battling for a trophy in March, but nonetheless, you should watch for some of their standouts. Maryland has Jaxon Smith at 197, who took fifth at U23s this summer. He's been a focus of mine, so this shouldn't come as a shock, but also look for Ethen Miller at 141 to jump into the fold right away, as well as Braxton Brown at 125. Indiana has Cayden and Graham Rooks at 141 and 149, both of whom have been solid contributors for them. The Hoosiers also have Derek Gilcher at 157 and Donnell Washington at 184. Washington at one point got a win over Carter Starocci when they were freshmen at 174, and at times last year looked like an All-American contender. I think that Purdue is going to be a top half of the Big Ten team next year, but I also feel like they need more recognition for some of their studs. They lose Schroder at 125, but Matt Ramos will be going down to 125, and has looked good at that weight. We also get Kendall Coleman with another year of recovering from a tough knee injury. Remember, he didn't get back on the mat until just before last season started. You've also got Stoney Buell expected to jump into the lineup for them, a big recruit out of Dundee High School in Michigan, who could have a big impact. Another team worth mentioning here is Northwestern. They actually don't really fit the quote, since as a team last year they qualified all 10 wrestlers to the tournament, so literally, their whole team was there to train with and cheer for each other. Regardless, this is a team that had 4 All-Americans, three of them returning, and a National Champion (not returning), and yet I don't feel there's a lot of talk about them. So that's what I'm doing here. Talking about them. Although now we are talking about teams that qualified all of their wrestlers a year ago and had a National Champion. This quote got out of hand. Let's bring it back to something fun. "Hey, Carla? I'd do it again" - Louden Swain "So would I" - Carla If you don't know what this quote is referring to, then I'm surprised you've made it this far in the article. Also, stop reading it and watch Vision Quest immediately, then come back and finish reading… (for those who this applies to) Welcome back! Okay, this is Austin Gomez, right? Can you think of a more fun guy to watch wrestle that for a moment we didn't think we'd get to watch wrestle again? He was so dynamic at Iowa State, and was as dangerous as they get. A blue-chip recruit who seemed more comfortable throwing (literally and figuratively) caution to the wind to win. Scared money don't make money right? He transfers to Wisconsin, bumps up two weights, and wins the Big Ten title by beating an NCAA finalist in the process. It wasn't the easiest path, and there were some difficulties along the way, but I like to think he'd do it again. Oh wait, he will. One last ride for Austin Gomez, and I've got my popcorn ready. What's next? "Big guys aren't better. 168 happens to be the toughest division in the state - maybe in the whole god d*** world." - Louden Swain This isn't 100% accurate. He's 3 pounds off. Do you realize that 165 this year will have 3 NCAA Champs, an NCAA finalist, and several returning All-Americans? Not to mention both David Carr and Keegan O'Toole had won U20 World Titles as well. This weight is so deep that you had Patrick Kennedy and Alex Facundo ranked 17th and 24th to start the year. As far as the Big Ten is concerned, we'll get Cam Amine (Michigan), Dean Hamiti (Wisconsin), Carson Kharchla (Ohio State), Bubba Wilson (Nebraska), Patrick Kennedy (Iowa), Alex Facundo (Penn State), and Andrew Sparks (Minnesota) currently ranked by us here at Intermat, so we'll have that to look forward to, which is nice. "I was in the room here one day... watchin' the Mexican channel on TV. I don't know nothin' about Pele. I'm watchin' what this guy can do with a ball and his feet. Next thing I know, he jumps in the air and flips into a somersault and kicks the ball in - upside down and backwards... the god***** goalie never knew what the f*** hit him. Pele gets excited and he rips off his jersey and starts running around the stadium waving it around his head. Everybody's screaming in Spanish. I'm here, sitting alone in my room, and I start crying. [pause] That's right, I start crying. Because another human being, a species that I happen to belong to, could kick a ball, and lift himself, and the rest of us sad-assed human beings, up to a better place to be, if only for a minute... let me tell ya, kid - it was pretty god***** glorious. It ain't the six minutes... it's what happens in that six minutes." - Elmo This is the quote everyone knows. This is the one that really, perfectly, puts everything into perspective. It reminds everyone why what we are about to see is important. Keep in mind, when Elmo says this to Louden, he hasn't wrestled the match yet. He hasn't even made weight yet! This is an impromptu speech by a hotel cook. And d*** does it hit. My Big Ten equivalence won't match this speech, but not much can. I just think of the several rounds of 6 minutes that we'll get to begin the Big Ten season with at the MSU Open, and finish the Big Ten season with at the Big Ten Championships in Ann Arbor. It's going to be a tremendous season, clearly with a lot to look forward to. Just let it soak in for a moment. With every six-minute match (7 minutes, I guess, but let's not miss the point here) in these tournaments, we'll get to see to pretty god***** glorious things happen. "I'm speechless. You've broken new ground here, Louden! This is professional stuff! We're gonna' draaaggg this dinky school paper right into the twentieth century! I mean, where do you get your ideas?" - Margie Epstein This encapsulates Earl Smith's reaction to editing this piece before it was published. Onto the next one. "I don't know. Nobody likes to think about it (death). I don't like to think about it. But if you don't, you might go through life thinking you've got plenty of time. You put off the really important stuff until later, and pretty soon, before you know it, there's no more time left, you've blown it." - Louden Swain I never realized how much this movie focuses on life and death. Up until looking for quotes from the movie for this assignment, I thought this movie was about wrestling and a weird kid with impeccable balance. Turns out it's about something much more than the face-value content offered. Anyway, I'm choosing to connect this with a team that is full of dudes who have made the most of every minute of their time. A team that won't have to look back on their life at the end and wish that they had done more with their time. Penn State. Regardless of your allegiances, it's impossible to reasonably look at what Cael and company have done and not be completely amazed. I am a Detroit Pistons fan, and as such developed healthy hatreds for the San Antonio Spurs, as well as LeBron James. Looking back, I spent a long time hating some pretty amazing teams and players over the last 20 years of the NBA, and I kind of wish I had appreciated it more in the moment. I didn't, and I can't have that time back. I blew it. Don't do that with these teams. Appreciate them for what they are. Historically great. This year's team brings back three guys going for their third National Title (RBY, Starocci, and Brooks), a dude going for his second National Title (Max Dean), and Kerkvliet starting the year ranked second at Heavyweight. Beau Bartlett dropping to 141, and Alex Facundo stepping into their lineup at 165. They won the NCAA title last year, and still return 5 AA's, and 8 NCAA Qualifiers. This team has been so good that it would be a shame if you didn't take a moment to appreciate what they've been able to do in the past, and what they aim to do this season. Don't put off appreciating them before there's no more time left and you've blown it. I hope this lights your pilot light for the upcoming NCAA wrestling season. Rock on! The 2022 NCAA Champion Penn State Nittany Lions (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com)

Princeton Director of Operations Julia Salata (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Growing up, Julia Salata was always surrounded by boys. Being an only child, she was at the mercy of the children in her neighborhood – which happened to be very male-dominant. Because of this, she gravitated towards the things boys like so she would fit in – from tackle football, street hockey, and whatever else young boys used to do before today's technology-driven activities. She remembers watching WWE SummerSlam on VHS and loving every second of it. She grew to love pro wrestling while other girls her age were watching Disney movies and playing dress-up. Simpler times. Her personal wrestling debut came in eighth grade when her middle school was starting up a wrestling program for the first time ever. Already playing sports like hockey, softball, volleyball, track and field (just to name a few), she begged her mom to let her sign up. After a warning from her mother saying, “this is not like what you watch on TV,” Julia continued to convince her mom that this is what she wanted to do. Once she won districts, the rest is history. What's even more impressive, is that she had to compete against all boys. Some of the boys she beat were club guys who were expected to make some noise at the high school level. She saw success immediately. Her future high school coach saw her performance and just had to have her on the team. This would be the first female he's ever coached on his high school team. Little did she know, her life was going to change. Quick sidebar to set the stage and remind people of the days before women were given the equal opportunity they have now in terms of scholastic wrestling. If women wanted to wrestle for their school, they were wrestling boys. Up until college, most women had to find success while battling it out with boys their age and size (unless competing at Fargo or similar national tournaments). Once it was time for college, the number of options for women wrestlers was very slim. We have come a long way since then, but it is always nice to remember how things used to be. To put it into perspective, Julia said “I was maybe 1 of 20 girls wrestling in the state of Michigan at the time.” Because of this, Julia is still fully engaged in her role at Wrestle Like a Girl. Her position as Sr. Manager of Women's Collegiate Advancement is playing a vital part in helping the NCAA establish, facilitate, and legitimize the growing need and demand for women's wrestling. More on that later. Back to Julia's inspiration to continue to pursue wrestling. She was JV her first season, ending the season with a .500 record. She participated in Fargo that year as well. Although she was disappointed that she didn't place, she witnessed one of her friends, CC Weber, claim a Women's Fargo National Title. This was the motivation she needed. Well, that plus one other thing… Julia's father and her made a deal. If Julia won Fargo the following year, she would be allowed to get a tattoo. After witnessing her first season with an average-at-best record, her father agreed, really liking his odds. Guess who ended up getting a tattoo the following year. A year and a half into the sport, she was already a National Champion! Julia Salata at the 2017 World Team Trials (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) If you follow wrestling enough, you most likely heard her name in discussions, or seen her on Twitter. To summarize her results as a competitor, you'd need one of those long scrolls the jester used in the medieval days. She was a multiple-time All-American in college and twice an undefeated champion. She immediately became an assistant coach at King University in Tennessee, right after she was done competing there collegiately. King University was, and still is, a perennial women's wrestling powerhouse. While coaching, she also made multiple national teams and amassed a very respectable career as a competitor. I can go on and on about her contributions to the sport. Now that we have some background, let's explore her new role at Princeton as Director of Operations. In the past, we've seen this position utilized in a few ways. One way I've seen it implemented in a creative way, was to bring on a young, recently graduated wrestler who was looking to get into coaching. The Director of Operations can be used as an extra coaching position to improve workout partners in the room. Typically, this person is the one who makes things happen behind the scenes, maybe booking hotels, running errands, administrative, work, etc. This was just one of the many ways to implement this role. Princeton, being unique in its approach, had other things in mind. Due to Julia's role at Wrestle Like a Girl (WLAG), she became very familiar with Princeton Head Coach, Chris Ayres, and maybe moreso his wife, Lori. As some of you may know, Lori Ayres is heavily involved with women's wrestling and helping advance the sport in the state of New Jersey, and around the country. “The idea of bringing Julia in to fill this position was largely due to Lori,” Coach Chris Ayres stated. “There was no hesitation once we knew the position would be opening. I never really had any second thoughts” (It makes you wonder who the real brains behind the Princeton program has been all these years…) “The obvious end-goal is to have a women's varsity team at Princeton. The first step to that is getting an established club team and having a women's wrestling presence on campus” Salata mentioned. She recently retired from competing at the end of 2021, so the timing could not have been more perfect. She went on a visit in April to make sure this is what she really wanted. “That trip really solidified it for me.” Between the beautiful Ivy League campus, and the atmosphere surrounding the program, it was a no-brainer for her. “I've lived in Tennessee for 11 years. I wouldn't just uproot my life and move for anybody.” Julia was more than thrilled to take the job. She knew it would be a huge change in her life. Just like any decision we need to make in life, there is always that negative thought that lingers in the back of your mind… “Imposter Syndrome” was a word that Julia mentioned in our brief discussion. That's exactly the phrase I was looking for, as I was trying to formulate some type of question asking how she felt making the jump from coaching women's wrestling to NCAA Division 1. She felt she had a little bit of this “imposter syndrome” coming from a women's wrestling background. Once she came to fruition that “the fact that I have the support of the coaching staff is so huge. And it's a testament to the culture they have there… Believing that women have a role in these kinds of roles.” As mentioned, Princeton did reach out to her. This helps alleviate any doubt. On the contrary, Julia mentioned she still needed to earn the respect of the guys, explaining “I'm kind of coming into their men's division 1 space – I get that. But it has been fantastic so far, everyone has been super welcoming.” A perfect example is when Julia told me the story of her first time in the room, sitting down along the wall before practice starts. She walked into the room and was immediately greeted by a Princeton wrestler. She didn't have her glasses on, so she has terrible vision and can only see a blurry figure. “Hi Julia, I'm Patrick. Nice to meet you.” Julia, with a smile on her face, then proceeds to say “Holy crap! It's Pat Glory.” She was so impressed that he could have easily ignored her and had that chip on his shoulder being a returning NCAA runner-up. But, he was the first to greet her. This has since been a common theme. “All of the guys are so welcoming. That's just how the culture is there. I truly believe they buy into the progress of women's wrestling and excited to have me on board.” It's safe to say, she is excited for this opportunity – as is the entire program. Excited, anxious, and maybe a little nervous best describe her recent life change. “I've been on national teams. I've coached high-level athletes at RTC camps. This is still that, but different.” Julia explained how she always had loved the idea of coaching at this level… “But 7-8 years ago, this was not an option to even wrestle at this level. Now, to be on staff at one of the best (and quickly improving) teams in the nation, is just so cool.” Not just a great wrestling program, but a program that is so “forward-thinking” as Julia perfectly put it. Forward-thinking in all aspects of life. They know life is greater than this sport alone. The tee shirts the squad wore at NCAAs in Detroit were just an appetizer of figurative statements they are making when it comes to the equality in wrestling. Plain black shirts with “Grow Women's Wrestling” on the front. “Bridge the D1vide” written in white text, minus the ‘D1' portion of the word, which was in blue. It goes without saying, the coaching staff looked very fashionable in them. I'll let them argue over who looked best amongst themselves. Anyway, the shirts make the statement that they are here to help support the sport. This hire exclaims, “we are part of the solution.” This hire is a historical one, but not the least bit surprising from Princeton, which has been at the forefront of equality in the sport of wrestling over the last decade or so. Many schools have talked the talk. They are one of the first teams to really walk the walk. What is there to not like about the Princeton wrestling program? Two returning NCAA runner-ups (Patrick Glory – 125lbs and Quincy Monday – 157lbs), last year's 3rd place team finish at the EIWA Championships, and a full returning line-up plus a talented recruiting class. Off the mat, they are one of the top programs in the country when it comes to marketability. Ivy League – check. Incredible networking opportunities – check. Social media presence – check. The energy and excitement of the program is unmatched. Julia Salata (right) coaching at Fargo (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) When I asked Coach Ayres why Julia was the top candidate, “Well, one, why not a female? Secondly, she's a great wrestler. She is a great wrestling mind and is doing big things. It just made sense. It was an easy decision to have her come to Princeton.” It's a unique situation because she is part-time with her role at Princeton. She can do her remote work for WLAG as needed, but is currently working from the coaches' office at the school. He bragged for Julia, “she is young, but she's in a very powerful leadership position. She has big tasks in front of her, and to see her handle those things and watch her operate the way she does…” he started to laugh “she gets a little bit out of this deal, we get A LOT out of it.” As mentioned, she will be heavily involved with the women's side of the RTC. I would imagine it's very comforting and reassuring as a young female wrestler seeing a women coach. “…when you go to tournaments like the women's nationals at Fargo, there's just not enough women coaches. There are way more men coaching women than women coaching” Ayres stated. He continued, “We need more women in leadership positions.” He continued more about the lack of women in leadership roles. “It's no wonder wrestling is where we are… We are light-years behind other sports in terms of women representation.” This entire movement is not just for competitive opportunities. It also supports expanding employment opportunities for women within the sport of wrestling. Many of us, myself included, forget about the latter. Princeton has been at the forefront for numerous things outside of wrestling, which in turn, help sustain a healthy culture and atmosphere inside the program. One final talking point from Coach encapsulates his vision for Julia: “When those young RTC athletes, boys and girls, walk into practice and see Julia as a leader, she is a great example of a mentor. Those kids will quickly realize that. That's what I'm most excited about.” Until the season starts, Julia is settling into her new home in Princeton, NJ. She is ecstatic about the lifestyle change. She is a self-proclaimed “foodie” so she could not be in a better location for her passion. Being roughly halfway between Philadelphia and New York City, she has endless options of great pizza, deli subs, bagels, and much more. But, as things change, some remain the same. One of her first realizations was the passion behind the food, including the infamous ‘Taylor Ham vs pork roll' debate. With an almost terrified look on her face, she exclaimed “I've been here for like 18 hours, and already getting dragged into this debate!” Her stance of now – “It's a good breakfast sandwich, whatever you want to call it is up to you.” I'm not from New Jersey but being non-committed to this issue seems to be a serious offense. To make matters worse, she said Detroit-style pizza is her favorite. Thankfully, Princeton does not discriminate against lesser styles of pizza, and still allows Julia to be employed at the university. Coach Ayres and staff are excited to have her as part of the team, and slowly indoctrinate her taste buds with real pizza.

Legend Lamer (left) at the 2022 Pac-12 Championships (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) There have been some legendary sibling combos in NCAA history. The first ones that come to mind are the Brands, Smiths, and Schultz's. However, a new brother combo may become the next best sibling combo in NCAA history. The Lamer brothers from Corvallis, Oregon have built their roots within the NCAA wrestling scene. Brawley, the cautious and academic brother, led the charge by joining Cal Poly. Next, Legend, the carefree and lighthearted brother, joined Brawley's footsteps and joined the Mustangs. Chance, debatably the best wrestler of the four, joined the Michigan Wolverines. Lastly, Daschle, the social butterfly and youngest, recently committed to Cal Poly too. Their roots began when Brawley landed in San Luis Obispo in 2017. "I wasn't getting recruited by a lot of schools and my dad knew one of the old coaches, Michael Hatcher," Brawley said, "My dad called him up and sent him some videos of me wrestling and I was good enough to go there. I took a recruiting trip down there and it was absolutely gorgeous. I'm really big into academics and Cal Poly was a perfect match for me." Legend joined Brawley in 2019 and began to build upon the legacy, finishing 12-5 as a redshirt. Next season, he took the wrestling world by storm, sneaking into the NCAA Championships as the ninth seed as a redshirt freshman. On August 26th, Daschle committed to Cal Poly, meaning three of the four brothers will compete alongside each other for the first time ever. High school senior Daschle Lamer (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) "It's really special," Daschle said. "I had the chance to wrestle with my other brother Chance in high school, but never had the opportunity to wrestle alongside Legend and Brawley. I'm really excited about it." Brawley said, "It's really exciting. Daschle is a lot younger than me so I finally get to be on a team with him. I was really pumped when I heard he committed here." Since committing to Cal Poly, the brothers have realized their bond will continue to grow over time. "Personality-wise, we are very different from each other," Brawley said. "But, our bond is super close, even Chance. Whenever we are all together, we are best friends and hang out and do everything together." Legend said, "We all got a lot closer after we got to college. When we hang out, it's a lot more special now." The Lamer bond has allowed each one to flourish on the mat too. Each one has used the other as motivation to become the best wrestler in their weight class. "Building off each other's success is huge," Legend said. "We are competitive guys and when we see one guy working hard, we want to match it. It's been huge for us to have each other to build off of." Daschle said, "I look up to my brothers. They are my idols and when I see them working hard and having the mindset of being an NCAA champ, that's what I want too." Chance Lamer at the 2020 Junior Trials (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Although Chance may not be alongside the other three, Brawley, Legend, and Daschle support him and vice versa. "We joke around with Chance a lot but there is no competitiveness," Legend said. "We root for him and he roots for us. Michigan comes to Cal Poly this year so that will be really cool to watch him compete and he watch us compete." Although none of the brothers have brought home silverware in college yet, they believe their impact has already been noteworthy. "Four brothers going division one is pretty incredible," Brawley said. "That seems like a pretty cool thing to accomplish. Hopefully, we can go down as one of the best wrestling families by the time we are done." Brawley Lamer (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com)