InterMat Staff

Gable Steveson at the Olympic Trials in early April (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) One of the main reasons why the Olympic/World Team Trials falls on the calendar where it does is because the NCAA tournament is a Trials qualifier. The winner of each of the ten weight classes has the option to enter the Trials with the hope of making the World or Olympic team. Some proponents have advocated for moving the Trials since many NCAA champions still need time to develop and convert to freestyle. However, a few college wrestlers have walked right off the folkstyle mats and then represented the U.S. on the international scene. The following looks at the wrestlers who made men's freestyle Olympic/World teams right after winning an NCAA title, and a few who came very close, from the last five NCAA tournaments. NCAA Champions who made the Olympic/World Team in the same year Kyle Snyder (2016, 2017, and 2018) Snyder might be a special case. He accomplished the rare feat of winning his first Senior-level World title before winning an NCAA title. He made the Olympic/World team after each one of his NCAA titles, as a sophomore, junior and senior. In 2016, Snyder sat and waited in the 97 kg finals as the reigning World champion. 2012 Olympic gold medalist Jake Varner earned the right to face him after winning the challenge tournament. Varner defeated Snyder in the first match 4-4 on criteria. However, the Ohio State wrestler won the next two matches by a combined 10-1 score to make the Olympic team. Snyder went on to become the youngest Olympic gold medalist in the history of American wrestling. After yet another NCAA title, Snyder found himself with a bye to the finals, once again. This time, his opponent was a familiar rival. Kyven Gadson had previously shocked Snyder in the finals of the 2015 NCAA tournament. Two years later, they would face off in the best-of-three finals with a trip to the World Championships on the line. This time, Snyder dominated the contest and took 10-0 and 13-2 victories to make the team. He would go on to pick up his second World championship. Snyder finished his collegiate eligibility with another NCAA title. USA Wrestling implemented the Final X concept in 2018, which meant that Snyder waited in the finals due to his previous World title. Once again, he faced off against Gadson in the finals, and once again, Snyder advanced with a two-match sweep. Snyder would go on to finish second at the World championships. Interestingly enough, Snyder's opponent in the NCAA finals, Adam Coon would win Final X on the Greco Roman side to also make the World team. He went on quite a run at 130 kg and brought home a silver medal. J'den Cox (2016 and 2017) It would be wrong to say that Cox came out of nowhere at the 2016 Olympic Trials. However, few thought he would be able to make the run he did. Not only did he make the team, but he also managed to defeat a pair of Hodge Trophy winners along the way. Cox first ran into veteran Jake Herbert and took an 8-1 decision. He then got by with a 3-1 win over Keith Gavin in order to make the best-of-three series against Kyle Dake. Dake was clearly giving up a lot of size. However, he managed to win one of the three matches. In the end, Cox pulled it out and made the team. At the Games, he broke through and brought home a bronze medal. The following year, Cox found himself facing off with yet another Hodge Trophy winner. He sat in the finals before facing off against David Taylor. The former Penn State wrestler got off to a hot start and handed Cox a 9-3 defeat in the first match. However, Cox leaned on his stellar defense and won the next two 4-3 and 5-3 to advance to the World championships. Zain Retherford (2017) The three-time NCAA champion made his first World team while still in college. Following his second NCAA title as a junior, he entered the 2017 World Team Trials. Retherford made the best-of-three finals after winning the challenge tournament with match-termination victories over Jaydin Eierman (14-2), Nick Dardanes (11-0) and BJ Futrell (10-0). He then bested 2016 Olympian Frank Molinaro in the finals. The reigning U.S. representative won the first match, but Retherford stormed back with a 6-0 win and a 7-4 victory in the deciding match. The Penn State product failed to medal at the 2017 World championships, but he was part of the country's team title. Gable Steveson (2021) During this past collegiate season, Steveson appeared to be on another level. He won his first NCAA title and shared the Hodge Trophy with Spencer Lee. The Minnesota wrestler carried that momentum into the recent Olympic Trials. He won all four of his matches, including a pair over two-time World medalist Nick Gwiazdowski to make the Olympics. The three-time age-group World champion is expected to make a strong push for a medal at the upcoming Games. Best of the Rest Zahid Valencia (2nd at Final X in 2018) After winning his first NCAA title as a sophomore, Valencia walked into a crowded field at the 2018 World Team Trials. He won the challenge tournament with victories over Josh Apser and Alex Dieringer (twice) by a combined 22-1 score. The Arizona State wrestler then advanced to Final X against Kyle Dake. Valencia remained competitive but he dropped two matches via 4-0 and 4-3 scores. Bo Nickal (2nd at Final X in 2019) Following his senior season that saw him claim his third NCAA title and the Hodge Trophy, Nickal entered the 2019 World Team Trials. He advanced to Final X after a pair of victories over former NCAA champion Michael Macchiavello. However, at Final X, Nickal ran into J'den Cox and dropped both matches in the best-of-three series. Nickal would then challenge for a berth on the U23 World team. He won the spot with a pair of victories over Jake Woodley and went on to claim gold at the World event. Yianni Diakomihalis (2nd at Final X 2019) After winning his second NCAA title as a sophomore, Diakomihalis qualified for the World Team Trials in 2019 by winning the U.S. Open. That victory also allowed him to sit in Final X and wait for an opponent. That opponent ended up being Zain Retherford. The former Penn State wrestler won both of the Final X matches and seemingly won the spot on the World team. However, after a challenge to the result in the deciding match, Diakomihalis was granted a special wrestle-off. Once again, Retherford won and took the spot. From the last five NCAA tournaments, only four wrestlers have gone on to make an Olympic or World team. In some ways, this may support the idea of moving the Trials to a more prime position. However, even when college champions do not win their respective brackets, they can still have a sizable and important impact on the resulting team. The tradition alone will keep many fans in favor of the status quo. On top of that, it is hard to top the excitement of a recent NCAA champion taking on some of the best on the senior level.

Second-ranked 170 lber Gabe Arnold (Photo/SE Wrestle; SEWrestle.com) Friday marks the start of a massive weekend at the high school and even middle school level. The Cadet World Team Trials will take place in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. Along with the Cadet Trials, the U15 and Futures division will be conducted. This is the first time the Futures tournament has been held. It will be for wrestlers who are 12 and under. Since the Cadet World Championships were reinstated in 2011, the United States has gained invaluable international experience for wrestlers 17 and under. Having the opportunity to do so in the U15 division will only strengthen wrestlers in that age group as well. Our partners at MatScouts have done an excellent job breaking down all of the Cadet freestyle weight classes earlier today. Please check out their preview for extensive info on their competitors. Here we have targeted five of the most loaded weight classes in the Cadet freestyle event and made our picks for those weights. As always, all rankings courtesy of MatScouts 51 kg Contenders Drew Heethuis - Detroit Central Catholic, MI Nathanael Jesuroga - Southeast Polk, IA Paul Kelly - Poway, CA Vincent Kilkeary - Greater Latrobe, PA Alan Koehler - Prior Lake, MN Marc-Anthony McGowan - Blair Academy, NJ Dalton Perry - Central Mountain, PA Nick Treaster - Newton, KS Kolby Warren - Christian Brothers, MO Kaedyn Williams - Manheim Township, PA This is one of those weights where you'll have some high-quality kids miss out on the top-12, much less an actual placement. First and foremost, you have to start with 2019 Cadet World Champion Marc-Anthony McGowan. McGowan captured his gold medal at 45 kg, but he has shown nothing to indicate he couldn't win this spot at 51 kg. Currently, Marc-Anthony sits atop the national rankings at 113 lbs. After McGowan, three of the top six wrestlers at 113 lbs have entered with #4 Nathanael Jesuroga, #5 Dalton Perry, and #6 Vincent Kilkeary. Jesuroga was the Super 32 third-place finisher in 2020. There he lost in the second round and won eight straight bouts to finish third. 2020 Pennsylvania AAA champion Vincent Kilkeary won that Super 32 weight class, but never met Jesuroga. The eighth-grade sensation, Perry, has a pair of wins over Kilkeary recently. #15 Drew Heethuis, #17 Alan Koehler, and #18 Kaedyn Williams are also ranked 113 lbs that could have an impact. Heethuis was a Michigan D1 champ this year, while Koehler was a Fargo 16U finalist at 88lbs in 2019, and Williams won a PA title this year in the AAA division. Also of note, Paul Kelly is a Fargo freestyle All-American and Kolby Warren was fourth at the U15 World Team Trials in 2019. Picks 1) Marc-Anthony McGowan 2) Nathanael Jesuroga 3) Dalton Perry 4) Vincent Kilkeary 5) Kaedyn Williams 6) Drew Heethuis 7) Kolby Warren 8) Alan Koehler 55 kg Contenders Grigor Cholakyan - St. John Bosco, CA Joe Fernau - Montini Catholic, IL Zan Fugitt - Nixa, MO Mason Gibson - Bishop McCort, PA DJ Gillett - Crescent Valley, OR Cael Hughes - Stillwater, OK Cory Land - Moody, AL Spencer Moore - Walton-Verona, KY Mitchell Neiner - South Kitsap, WA Gable Porter - Underwood, IA Teegan Vasquez - Glacier, MT Kannon Webster - Washington, IL Kamdyn Williams - Manheim Township, PA Daniel Zepeda - Gilroy, CA Even though there's an incredibly deep field here, most observers probably view freshman #4, Mason Gibson, as the odds-on favorite. Though just a freshman, Gibson has made the finals of the Super 32 on two occasions, winning once as an eighth-grader. Gibson advanced to the Pennsylvania AA state finals before falling victim to a slight upset. A pair of experienced competitors from the south may push Gibson the most in Cory Land and Spencer Moore. Land was a 2019 Greco-Roman World Team member and made the 48 kg finals in freestyle. Land has also placed top-three at the Super 32 twice. Moore is a North Carolina signee that reclassified to the Class of 2021 last summer. He doesn't have an extensive freestyle pedigree, has a pair of sixth-place finished at the Super 32 to his credit. This weight includes a pair of wrestlers that finished third at the U15 WTT's in 2019, Grigor Cholakyan and Cael Hughes. Cholakyan did so at 38 kg while Hughes was at 44. Also returning from Hughes' weight class are DJ Gillett and Teegan Vasquez, both of whom finished in the top-eight. Illinois state champion Kannon Webster was third at the Cadet Trials in 2019, competing at 45 kg. There he picked up an 8-5 win over Moore. Iowa's Gable Porter was a state champion in 2020 at 106 lbs, but moved all the way up to 132 to help his team and still made the finals this season. Back at a more normal weight class should suit him well here. Joe Fernau is another Illinois state champ in this bracket. He and Mitch Neiner were top-eight finisher at the U15 WTT's in 2019 at 48 kg. Fernau was fourth and Neiner fifth. One more contender is Kamdyn Williams. Williams was an undefeated freshman at 113 lbs in PA and defeated the returning champion (Kilkeary) and eventual winner (Jacob Van Dee), before failing to make weight at the state tournament. Finally, Zan Fugitt was a Super 32 semifinalist this season. Picks 1) Mason Gibson 2) Cory Land 3) Kannon Webster 4) Gable Porter 5) Kamdyn Williams 6) Cael Hughes 7) Grigor Cholakyan 8) Joe Fernau 65 kg Contenders Tyler Antoniak - Millard South, NE Joey Blaze - Perrysburg, OH Nate Burnett - Elyria, OH Kayd Craig - Gooding, ID Kyle Dutton - Liberty, MO Angelo Ferrari - Stillwater, OK William Henckel - Southbury, CT Brendan Howes - Anoka, MN Daschle Lamer - Crescent Valley, OR Pierson Manville - State College, PA Carter Martinson - Southeast Polk, IA Meyer Shapiro - Bullis School, MD Ethan Stiles - Wyoming Seminary, PA Jude Swisher - Bellefonte, PA Noah Tolentino - Poway, CA Kael Voinovich - Brecksville, OH Now we get to have some fun! The first two weights we mentioned, along with some we didn't, have distinct favorites. The 2019 U15 tournament is well-represented with placewinners from that event. Most notably, Ethan Stiles, who won the 52 kg weight class. Stiles went on to claim gold at the World Championship and also was sixth in 16U freestyle later that summer in Fargo. Pierson Manville and Brendan Howes also finished in the top-eight at Stiles' weight class. Idaho's Kayd Craig was fourth at 57 kg's. Tyler Antoniak was a U15 World Champion in Greco in 2019 at 68 kg. He has since placed first and third at the Nebraska state tournament. #9 Meyer Shapiro is the highest-ranked member of this weight class. Shapiro was a National Prep runner-up in 202 as a freshman. He went 3-2 during his last appearance at Cadet's. One of the veterans of this weight is current junior Kyle Dutton. Kyle is a two-time Missouri state champion who had a strong summer of 2020 on the dual circuit. You can't overlook the latest in the line of Ferrari brothers, freshman Angelo. Ferrari was an Oklahoma state runner-up this season at 152 lbs. Ohio is well represented with undefeated state champion Joey Blaze, super-freshman Kael Voinovich, and two-time placewinner Nate Burnett. Blaze currently sits at #23 in the national rankings. Voinovich and Burnett were in the same DI weight class this season. The freshman downed Burnett in the consolation semis, on his way to a third-place finish. Others to watch include Pennsylvania's Jude Swisher. The Home-Mat Advantage podcast star also has a pair of top-four finishes in PA's AAA division to his credit. William Henckel is one of the top-eighth graders in the nation and should have an impact, even at such a high weight. Picks 1) Meyer Shapiro 2) Joey Blaze 3) Ethan Stiles 4) Jude Swisher 5) Tyler Antoniak 6) Kyle Dutton 7) Noah Tolentino 8) Angelo Ferrari 71 kg Contenders Josh Barr - Davison, MI Levi Haines - Biglerville, PA Jared Keslar - Connellsville, PA Grant MacKay - Laurel, PA Carson Martinson - Southeast Polk, IA Thor Michaelson - Bremerton, WA Enzo Morlacci - Kiski Area, PA Aiden Riggins - Waverly-Shell Rock, IA Braeden Scoles - Kewaskum, WI Joseph Sealey - Highpoint Central, NC Braden Stauffenberg - Montini Catholic, IL Antrell Taylor - Millard South, NE This weight class is set to feature three U15 World Team Trials finalists from 2019. The lone winner from that event was Antrell Taylor, who claimed the silver medal at the World Championships. The Nebraska recruit also made the Fargo 16U finals later that year. The two runner's-up from that tournament are Josh Barr (68 kg) and Aiden Riggins (57 kg). Barr has won Michigan state titles in both of his opportunities, while Riggins dropped Iowa-signee Caleb Rathjen in the 3A state finals to win his first. The highest-ranked wrestler in this bracket is #6 Levi Haines, who is fresh off his first state title in his third trip to the AA finals. Haines was a Super 32 finalist last fall and a fourth-place finisher in the 16U division last year in Fargo. Pennsylvania has a strong contingent at this weight, with Jared Keslar, Grant MacKay, and Enzo Morlacci all projected to be in the mix. MacKay was a AA state champion at 152 lbs and Keslar was fourth at AAA. Morlacci is a former NHSCA freshman national champion that was sixth at the U15 Trials in 2019. Could it be a case of home-field advantage for Braeden Scoles, who is less than 90 miles away from his hometown? Scoles has won Wisconsin state titles in both of his first two years of high school. Two other past U15 WTT placewinners are Thor Michaelson and Braden Stauffenberg. Michaelson was fifth at 62 kg and Stauffenberg was fourth at 62 kg. Picks 1) Antrell Taylor 2) Levi Haines 3) Aiden Riggins 4) Josh Barr 5) Braeden Scoles 6) Braden Stauffenberg 7) Jared Keslar 8) Thor Michaelson 80 kg Contenders Gabe Arnold - Wyoming Seminary, PA Drake Buchanan - Center Grove, IN Noah Mulvaney - Arrowhead, WI Tate Naaktgeboren - Linn-Mar, IA Justin Rademacher - West Linn, OR James Rowley - Crescent Valley, OR Ryder Rogotzke - Stillwater, MN Antony Tuttle - Stillwater, MN Hayden Walters - Crescent Valley, OR This weight doesn't have the depth of some of the smaller ones, but it has some top-line talent. First and foremost is Gabe Arnold, the second-ranked 170 lber in the nation. Arnold is one of the top overall sophomores in the country. He is one that could have challenged for a place on the team in 2020 had the Trials taken place. A pair of teammates from Oregon, James Rowley and Hayden Walters, could present the biggest hurdles for Arnold. Rowley was a runner-up at the Super 32 in October and was a U15 World bronze medalist in 2019. Walters He is ranked fourth in the country. Walters is ranked sixth up at 182 lbs and was fifth at the Super 32. Another Oregon native, Justin Rademacher, figures to be in the mix. Rademacher was a state runner-up in 2020, as a freshman, and was victorious early this season at USAW's Preseason Nationals. Another set of teammates will be in the hunt for the podium in Stillwater, Minnesota's Ryder Rogotzke and Antony Tuttle. Rogotzke was fifth at U15 Nationals in 2019 and later made the top-eight in Fargo's 16U Greco tournament. Tuttle was a U15 runner-up at 75 kg two years ago. Another placewinner from that tournament is Drake Buchanan, who was fourth in that weight class. Coming in on a hot streak is Iowa's Tate Naaktgeboren. Tate ran through a loaded field at Folkstyle Nationals and captured his first state title a few months ago. Picks 1) Gabe Arnold 2) James Rowley 3) Tate Naaktgeboren 4) Ryder Rogotzke 5) Hayden Walters 6) Antony Tuttle 7) Drake Buchanan 8) Noah Mulvaney

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (April 20, 2021) States will have a choice of 12, 13 or 14 weight classes for both boys and girls competition in high school wrestling, effective with the 2023-24 season. This will be the first separate weight classes established for girls in high school wrestling, and it marks the first time that state associations will have a choice in the number of weight classes. The landmark change in weight classes was one of several significant revisions recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee at its April 7-9 meeting held virtually this year. All recommendations were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors. States must select one of the three sets (12, 13 or 14) of weight classes for girls and one of the three sets (12, 13 or 14) for boys. States cannot adopt all three sets and cannot switch back and forth during the season. The following weight classes (in pounds) were established for girls competition (girls wrestling girls), effective July 1, 2023: 12 Weight Classes - 100, 107, 114, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 165, 185, 235. 13 Weight Classes - 100, 106, 112, 118, 124, 130, 136, 142, 148, 155, 170, 190, 235. 14 Weight Classes - 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 155, 170, 190, 235 The following weight classes (in pounds) were established for boys competition (boys wrestling boys or girls wrestling boys), effective July 1, 2023: 12 Weight Classes - 108, 116, 124, 131, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 190, 215, 285 13 Weight Classes - 107, 114, 121, 127, 133, 139, 145, 152, 160, 172, 189, 215, 285 14 Weight Classes - 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 144, 150, 157, 165, 175, 190, 215, 285 "Previous surveys have indicated a varying number of weight classes that states wanted, so the committee attempted to meet the needs of as many people as possible," said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports and student services and liaison to the Wrestling Rules Committee. "We have more and more state associations sponsoring girls wrestling and holding state championships for girls, so the committee believed it was time to establish uniform weight classifications for girls. "The recommended weights were established based upon more than 215,000 assessments from the National Wrestling Coaches Association. We are excited about these changes to weight classes in high school wrestling as we believe it will provide more opportunities for male and female student-athletes to be involved in this great sport." In another major change affecting risk minimization, a separate 5-minute time-out has been established for the onsite health-care professional to evaluate potential head and neck injuries involving the cervical column (HNC) and/or nervous system. "There was a desire to establish a separate injury time-out that concerns the head and neck involving the cervical column and/or nervous system and not connect it with the existing 1½-minute injury time-outs or any other stoppage of the match," Hopkins said. "This separate time-out is supported and covered in existing rules that give the referee the authority to observe the signs, symptoms and behaviors of a concussion and respond appropriately." As a result of the separate HNC time-out, which takes effect next year, a number of other rules in the 2021-22 NFHS Wrestling Rules Book will be altered. The other significant change in high school wrestling rules for 2021-22 addresses the number of matches allowed in one day of competition. Currently, no wrestler shall represent the school in more than one weight class in any meet or wrestle in more than five matches, excluding forfeits, in any one day of competition. A change provides an exception to Rule 1-4-3 as follows: "No wrestler shall wrestle in more than six matches (championship or consolation), excluding forfeits, in any one day of a tournament conducted by the state high school association for qualification to the state high school championships or the specific state championships." This change was enacted as a result of a successful experiment by the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association. Hopkins said that increasing the number of matches from five to six would allow postseason tournaments with more than eight competitors in a weight class to complete the tournament in one day. He said, in many cases, this change would eliminate the need for schools to stay overnight to participate in respective state qualifying tournaments and state championship events. "Since this exception would only allow six matches per day to be wrestled in the postseason qualifying tournament or state championship event, the impact on the total number of matches that an individual wrestles in an entire season would be minimal," Hopkins said. "We do not want to extend this change to the regular season, and this exception would not come into play for the majority of participants." Two other minor changes were made in the rules for next year. Rule 4-5-7 no longer will require low-cut socks to be worn as a part of the weigh-in procedure, and one change was made in Rule 5-1-1 dealing with choice of position during bad time. A complete listing of the wrestling rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on "Activities & Sports" at the top of the home page and select "Wrestling." According to the most recent NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, wrestling is the seventh-most popular sport for boys with 247,441 participants in 10,843 schools. In addition, a total of 21,124 girls are involved in the sport in 2,890 schools. About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,500 high schools and 12 million participants in high school activity programs, including almost eight million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; offers online publications and services for high school coaches and officials; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, speech and debate coaches, and music adjudicators; serves as the national source for interscholastic coach training; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information, visit the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org.

Chris Pendleton (left) sent six wrestlers to nationals in year one at Oregon State (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) The abridged 2021 collegiate season saw four new head coaches at the helm at the division one level. Three were first-time head coaches. Taking over a new program is never an easy task, but it had to be remarkably difficult for rookie head coaches and veterans alike during a COVID-interrupted year. These coaches managed to persevere and all put a product on the mat that was equal to or better than years past at their respective institutions. Each new coach has reason to call year one of their regime a success. Even so, we've decided to look at each coach and their current situation to determine what worked and how their program is set up for the future. Scotti Sentes (Campbell) Campbell's first-year head coach, Scotti Sentes, is the only one of the group who was promoted from within his current program. Sentes has been with the team since the 2016-17 season and served as the Camel's associate head coach before the 2019-20 campaign. Under Sentes, Campbell went 8-1, with their only loss coming at the hands of Virginia Tech during the opening weekend of the season. Virginia Tech went on to win the ACC regular-season title and finish unbeaten. Campbell also won their conference, the SoCon, for a third consecutive season and also three-peated at the SoCon Championships. Three of Sentes' wrestlers came away with SoCon titles, while seven made the trip to nationals. Those seven qualifiers set a school record, besting the previous mark of six, set in each of the last two seasons. A pair of Camels, Austin Murphy (11th - 174) and Caleb Hopkins (14th - 184), received top-15 seeds. Of the Campbell wrestlers, only Josh Heil outperformed his pre-tournament seed (20th) as he made it to the Round of 16. Of course, Heil was embroiled in one of the most controversial moments at the NCAA Tournament in years as he was forced to re-wrestle the final seven seconds of a tiebreaker period due to an error with the clock. Murphy had the deepest run of any Campbell wrestler in 2021 as he made it to the Round of 12, where he was shutout by NC State's Daniel Bullard. Campbell developed a strong reputation for recruiting under previous head coach Cary Kolat and that continued with Sentes as the head man. We'll see if that continues as Kolat is farther away from the program. Sentes made some wise decisions by bringing Daryl Thomas and Wynn Michalak to Buies Creeks as assistants. Thomas has developed into an excellent recruiter and the sudden improvements to upperweights like Murphy and Hopkins have to be closely linked to Michalak's influence. The pair entered the NCAA Tournament with just a loss between them. It appears that Campbell will be a force in the SoCon again in 2021-22 as all three of the school's senior national qualifiers have decided to return and use their extra year of eligibility. Cary Kolat (Navy) Sentes had the opportunity to take over at Campbell because Cary Kolat moved on to become the head coach at the Naval Academy. Though the Midshipmen fell in Kolat's dual debut to Pittsburgh, his impact was felt immediately. That was their only loss of the year. Two weeks later, the Midshipmen were able to defeat Lehigh for the first time since 2011. Speaking of snapping losing skids, Navy downed their biggest rival, Army West Point, 20-13, and won the Star Match for the first time since 2016. While Kolat and his staff likely thought an EIWA Championship was in play during year one, Navy dropped four of their five conference final matches and settled for second place behind Lehigh. Even so, that was the school's highest finish at the conference meet since 2013 under Bruce Burnett. The lone EIWA champion for Navy was Cody Trybus, who became the 33rd multiple-time conference champion in program history. Trybus was given the 11th seed in St. Louis, while 165 lber Tanner Skidgel was the only other Navy wrestled seeded in the top-15 (13th). The Midshipman with the deepest NCAA Tournament run was 184 lb freshman David Key, went 2-2. Key picked up wins over 13th seeded Chris Weiler (Wisconsin) and 19th seeded Zac Braunagel (Illinois). Altogether, nine Navy wrestlers qualified for the NCAA Championships. You have to go all the way back to 1969 to find the last Navy team to have sent at least nine. Almost simultaneous with Kolat's hiring, Navy's recruiting received a considerable surge. While the school will probably never compete with the Iowa, Oklahoma State, and Penn State's of the world for the bluest of the blue-chippers, plenty of quality recruits will flock to Annapolis to wrestle for Kolat along with all the Academy offers. The seniors from the Class of 2021 that have committed to Navy combine to form one of the best-recruiting classes in recent memory for the program. It is also very Pennsylvania-heavy, which is not a surprise considering the proximity to campus and the weight of Kolat's name in his home state. Navy is not a program that will be able to benefit from the extra year of eligibility. Their student-athletes are students first and will have to fulfill their military obligations rather than spending another year competing. That certainly hurts in 2021-22 as four of their nine national qualifiers were seniors. Look for Navy to be extremely strong in the upperweights going forward as they return NQ's at 184-285. Key was a freshman in 2021, while Jake Koser (197) and John Birchmeier (285) are both sophomores. With the Ivy schools returning in 2021-22 combined with the departure of the seniors, Navy may take a step back initially, but overall the program is in great hands and should move back towards the top of the league soon. Chris Pendleton (Oregon State) The only Power-five job that was open during the 2020 summer was Oregon State. The Beavers filled the void with Chris Pendleton, who was a crucial figure in the rise of Arizona State wrestling. Immediately, Pendleton and his staff, consisting of Nate Engel, Isaiah Martinez, and Mike Kosoy, hit the recruiting trail and hit it hard. The result was a handful of Oregon's best juniors and seniors committing to stay at home and rebuild the proud Oregon State program, along with some exports from California and many other states. The heavy California presence (Pendleton, Engel, Martinez) on the staff was considered an excellent move as getting some of the top California talent to stay on the West Coast bodes well for the program's future. As for the on-the-mat product in 2021, Oregon State was about what a fan would've expected. The cupboard was certainly not bare for Pendleton and crew, so they had enough pieces to amass a 4-5 dual record and finish second at the Pac-12 Championships. Due to cancelations attributed to COVID, Oregon State missed out on five potential duals this year. Their most notable wins came against Pac-12 rival Cal Poly and Utah Valley. Six Beaver wrestlers qualified for the NCAA Championships, two of which were as a result of their winning Pac-12 titles. Devan Turner and Grant Willits both grabbed their second career Pac-12 crowns. That led to a 16th seed for Turner, while the Willits twins, Grant and Hunter, were seeded 12th and 13th, respectively. These three all won a pair of matches in St. Louis and came up two wins shy of All-American status. The other OSU wrestler that outwrestled his seed was Ryan Reyes, who came in at #31 in the 184 lb bracket. Reyes was able to down 15th seeded Layne Malczewski (Michigan State) before his elimination. The only senior of the group of NCAA qualifiers is Turner, who has already announced his intention to return for the 2021-22 season. Six returners with NCAA experience should made for a solid team next season. The Beavers also have a huge incoming class, some of which can contribute in year one. Continued strong recruiting efforts and development could bring Oregon State to be superpower out west. Ryan LeBlanc (The Citadel) Despite the shortened season, The Citadel was able to post four wins for first-year head coach Ryan LeBlanc. That total matched the school's output for the 2019-20 season and they have not won more than four in a year, dating back to 2015-16 (when they were 5-10). While LeBlanc and assistant coach Luke Welch had their work cut out for them, they've put together a strong foundation to build upon. Though it was a loss, the Bulldogs gave traditional SoCon power Chattanooga a scare 17-15 in dual meet action. That marked the closest dual between the schools since the 2012-13 season. On the winning side, LeBlanc's squad put together lopsided victories over Gardner-Webb, Presbyterian, and Bellarmine in conference action. Individually, The Citadel sent one wrestler to St. Louis, their heavyweight Michael McAleavey. McAleavey had been on the cusp of national qualifying contention the previous year with a 22-18 record. He left nothing to chance in 2021, going 15-3 and winning the SoCon title. He was the school's first SoCon champ since 2015 and earned the 23rd seed at nationals. Having this big man at the end of the lineup helped out in duals as he was responsible for falls in 8 of his 15 wins. The good news is that McAleavey has already announced he was returning for the 2021-22 campaign. In addition, their big man, LeBlanc's team will feature 2020 national qualifier (149) Selwyn Porter and 2020 alternate (165) Dazjon Casto. With the development of another couple of wrestlers, the lineup should be solid next season. One place The Citadel has lagged in prior seasons has been in recruiting. Under LeBlanc and Welch, the changes have been noticed. The Bulldog staff has a handful of commitments from wrestlers up and down the East Coast. Like the other schools above, The Citadel will have to continue to maintain and improve on this new level of recruiting status if they intend on competing with the Chattanooga's, Appalachian State's, and Campbell's of the SoCon. Note: CSU Bakersfield's Luke Smith took over the team in October on an interim basis. Nothing has publicly changed about Smith's standing with the Bakersfield team. In extremely limited action, his Roadrunners went 0-2 in dual action but sent three wrestlers to nationals, with #19 Chance Rich advancing to the Round of 12 at 133 lbs.

Two-time Iowa state champion Ben Kueter (Photo/Cam Kramer; CamKramerPhoto.smugmug.com) State College, Pennsylvania, was the place to be this weekend on the high school circuit as some of the best clubs in the nation converged to compete in the Ultimate Club Duals. Teams came from all over the country, including California and Iowa, to test their skills against many of the best from Pennsylvania. This was truly a club event as the first weight contested was 34 kg (74lbs), so you could conceivably have elementary school kids competing on the same team as high schoolers. It's a cool concept that could be even better going forward. As with any high school event of this magnitude, some unexpected upsets took place. Here are ten notable ones and how they occurred. All rankings courtesy of MatScouts 54 kg - Jacob Silka (JK Squad) over #7 Kael Lauridsen (Team Shutt) 17-13 Two-time Georgia state champion Jacob Silka registered the biggest win of his career when he downed seventh-ranked Kael Lauridsen in an absolute shootout, 17-13. The entire match was one of runs and Lauridsen got it started with four pairs of scores which gave him an 8-0 advantage. Despite trailing 9-2 at the halfway point, Silka came out aggressive with a takedown and two sets of scores from leg laces. A four-point counter from Lauridsen broke up the Silka scoring party, but that didn't crush his spirits. Silka responded with a four of his own, then held off a charge from Lauridsen to win, 17-13. 60 kg - Brock Herman (Team Shutt) over #20 Hunter Mason (JK Squad) 10-0 and #14 Tyler Kasak (MS Magicians) 4-1 What a tournament for Ohio state runner-up Brock Herman. The Brecksville sophomore was a finalist in Ohio's DI class and knocked off undefeated Ismael Ayoub to make the championship match. There he fell by a 3-1 margin to Purdue signee Dustin Norris. Over the weekend, Herman dominated Super 32 sixth-place finisher Hunter Mason, 10-0, before grinding out a 4-1 win over Pennsylvania state champion Tyler Kasak in the finals of the gold pool. By the next time the Matscouts rankings are released, expect to see Herman among them. 60 kg Gregor McNeil (Wyoming Valley RTC) over #14 Tyler Kasak (M2 Magicians) 7-4 Like many of his teammates, Gregor McNeil hasn't shown much lately because Wyoming Seminary hasn't officially competed in their high school season. They have a National Prep tournament in less than two weeks, so McNeil may be able to garner some more big wins there. McNeil did most of his damage off of counters and got two sets of points to go ahead late in the second period after exposing Kasak twice in a scramble. 63 kg - #8 Ben Alanis (Team Shutt) over #1 Shayne Van Ness (Blairstown Wrestling Club) 16-5 This was the big one, seeing the top-ranked 138 lber in the nation going down and in dominant fashion. Ben Alanis was busy off the opening whistle and hustled into a double leg at the edge of the mat with less than 30 seconds elapsed in the match. From there, he only gained more confidence and continued to attack. The icing on the cake came in the second period when he was clamping down with a whizzer and tossed Van Ness to his back for four points, right in front of the Team Shutt bench. The Northern Colorado signee may have flown under the radar for some as he hails from Arizona, but suffice it to say that won't be an issue going forward. 63 kg - #5 Chance Lamer (Poway Elite) over #1 Shayne Van Ness (Blairstown Wrestling Club) 12-6 Top-ranked Van Ness suffered a pair of losses on Sunday as he fell to Chance Lamer in the fifth-place match in the Gold pool. The turning point of the match was a questionable sequence late in the first period. With Van Ness leading 3-2, Lamer was finishing a low attack out the back door and was taken backward by Van Ness. The flurry could have been ruled two in Van Ness' favor; however, four was given to Lamer. In this particular match, and for most of the tournament, there was only one official per mat. That momentum carried over to the second period as Lamer stymied a Van Ness attack and grabbed a takedown to lead, 8-3. While it appeared that Van Ness might mount a comeback late in the match, Lamer used a pair of laces to extend his lead to 12-6. 73 kg - #15 RJ Weston (Team Shutt) over #10 (152) Erik Gibson (M2 Magicians) 6-3 Another upset in the championship bout saw RJ Weston knock off Erik Gibson. Gibson could not compete at the PIAA state tournament due to transfer rules, but was able to compete this weekend and took the early lead with a takedown less than 20 seconds into the match. From there, the man with the mullet (Weston) took control after gaining four points from a gut wrench while in a quadpod. The two were in the position again, after a restart, but Gibson wisely went down rather than give up four more points. 77 kg - #21 (170) Logan Messer (Team Shutt) over #9 (152) Tyler Lillard (JK Squad) 8-1 This upset isn't quite as significant as others since Tyler Lillard is ranked at 152 lbs and Logan Messer is at 170 and the match took place at 169 lbs. Right from the get-go, Messer asserted himself physically and took the early lead after trying to go upper body. As one may expect from the larger wrestler, Messer was able to control ties, the center of the mat, and dictate the pace for the majority of the bout. Messer is an Ohio DI state champion that will attend George Mason in the fall. 83 kg - Griffin Gammell (Sebolt Wrestling Academy) over #6 (170) Trey Kibe (M2 Magicians) 7-6 Iowa state runner-up Griffin Gammell overcame a six-point deficit to knock off top-ten ranked Trey Kibe in another pivotal bout from this gold pool semifinal. Doing all of his work in the second period, Gammell slowly chipped away at the Kibe lead until he was down by a point with approximately 25 seconds remaining. Kibe held onto Gammell's leg, hoping to burn some precious clock. Gammell kept moving and spun to finish a takedown with :15 seconds remaining in the contest. Kibe appeared to be spent and was unable to challenge Gammell on the ensuing restart. 83 kg - #11 TJ Stewart (Blairstown Wrestling Club) over #6 Hayden Walters (Poway Elite) 5-3 This bout between a pair of elite upperweights was more tactical than some of the other matches we've detailed. TJ Stewart got on the board twice in the early going as he collected single legs on Hayden Walters and walked him out of bounds. Walters took the lead late in the first with a takedown. But it wasn't for long as Stewart started the second period with a big double leg for two points. Some fancy footwork at the edge of the mat gave Stewart another point and helped ice the match. It wouldn't be enough, from a team standpoint, as Poway Elite edged Blairstown, 43-41 for fifth place. 89 kg - #15 Ben Kueter (Sebolt Wrestling Academy) over #2 Christian Carroll (M2 Magicians) Fall 1:46 Not only did we have a number one go down, but also a number two in 195 lber Christian Carroll of Indiana. Carroll met up with 15th ranked Ben Kueter in a clash that featured two of the top sophomore big men in the nation. Kueter held an early lead due to a shot clock violation on Carroll, which made the Super 32 champion aggressive. Carroll's leg attack was stuffed by Kueter, who then proceeded to lock up a cradle secure a fall. Despite the fall from the two-time Iowa state champion, Kueter's Sebolt Wrestling Academy teammates fell to M2 on criteria.

Ben Askren at the Beat the Streets NYC "Grapple at the Garden" event in 2019 (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) This isn't the article I intended on writing Sunday morning. That uncertain sentiment seems to be appropriate because I'm not sure exactly what transpired late Saturday night as 2008 Olympian and two-time Hodge Trophy winner Ben Askren took on YouTube star Jake Paul in an unsanctioned pay-per-view boxing match. I'll admit as soon as I heard that this fight was signed, I vowed I wouldn't pay to see this circus. I really didn't even want to watch it. The “highlights” and clips would be all over Twitter Sunday morning and that would be more than sufficient. But, as the event grew closer, my curiosity overtook the sensible part of my brain. Now I kept my promise to myself and did not order the pay-per-view; rather, I went out to Buffalo Wild Wings for a late-night dinner and drinks with my wife. In the last couple of days preceding the fight, my wife asked how I thought it all would turn out on a couple of occasions. She was even slightly intrigued by this spectacle. We agreed that watching it at a bar would be a decent enough proposition. Well, we bailed. At 10:30 eastern, with no end in sight, we went home and called it a night. All of the other concerts, skits, and preliminary fights were too much. My original plan to check ESPN and Twitter when I woke up seemed like the best solution. So Sunday morning came calling, and there it was, in all its glory, the knockdown. Jake Paul stopped Askren via TKO in under two minutes. While I was shocked, I wasn't THAT shocked. My first inclination was to write about the fight and take Askren to task. On Saturday, my Twitter feed was lined with current and former wrestlers imploring Askren to shut this guy up and represent for wrestlers everywhere. Askren showed up looking even less threatening than usual and was beaten by a guy that's famous for….well, truthfully, I don't know exactly what he's famous for. Paul has tons of followers, a substantial social media presence, and is generally unlikeable. And not in the Askren, pro wrestling heel, tongue-in-cheek, way, either. The whole escapade almost made me go into a sanctimonious rant about Askren embarrassing himself, his actual sport, and destroying his credibility. Luckily, I stepped back and reevaluated for a bit. What made me have a change of heart was seeing the clips of Askren and his wife leaving the Georgia Dome, seemingly in great spirits. And why not? They are at least $500,000 (maybe more) richer. I can't say whether this was a fixed fight or just beautifully orchestrated by Paul and his team. Perhaps the fix wasn't exactly in, but they picked a prominent ex-MMA fighter who was never known for his stand-up prowess, only a few months removed from hip surgery, who is past his athletic peak, and challenged him to a boxing match. However, it was engineered, the cards were stacked in Paul's favor. Las Vegas oddsmakers agreed. But, at the end of the day, Askren left with at least half a million dollars in his account for less than two minutes of work. Of course, Askren has a big smile on his face! I'm sure we've all played the hypothetical game with friends or family members before. “How much money would it take for you to get punched in the face by Mike Tyson.” $10,000, $100,000, $1,000,000? What amount of money would you need to do something embarrassing or gross, or test your greatest fears, or even put your life in danger? I know I've had those fun discussions. Well, Ben got to do it for real. A huge sum of money to lose (or have the possibility to lose) to a YouTube fighter who will certainly gloat about it for years and there's video evidence that will never go away. Many in the wrestling community either would not have put themselves in that predicament in the first place. In contrast, others may have taken a crash course in boxing to possibly avoid humiliation. But not Ben Askren. Ben's always been built differently than most wrestlers. He can compartmentalize these seemingly humiliating circumstances and laugh them off like no other. After losing via a brutal flying knee to Jorge Masvidal in the UFC octagon, Askren poked fun at himself and didn't seem to take it too seriously. I witnessed it up close and personal in Fargo, less than a week after the Masvidal fight. While some champions like Ronda Rousey went into hiding after a humiliating defeat, Askren was at 16U and Junior Nationals coaching his kids. Plenty of people gave him little digs about the Masvidal loss and if they were funny, Ben laughed. While Askren can be a polarizing figure in the wrestling and MMA community, those that follow him know about his work with his Askren Wrestling Academy in his home state of Wisconsin. Ben and his brother Max have had great success with AWA and put in the time and effort needed to build a club that can compete on the national level. Three of the four DI All-Americans from Wisconsin in 2021 (Eric Barnett, Keegan O'Toole, and Parker Keckeisen) trained with the Askren's. They have helped revitalize the state on the national level. Before this March, the last time the state produced a DI AA was Alex Dieringer in 2016! You have to go back two more years to 2014 when multiple Wisconsin natives got onto the podium. So if Askren now has a half-million dollars extra at his disposal, I'd imagine a portion of it will go into his wrestling academy and end up benefiting the kids in Wisconsin. I can't argue with that. This isn't the first time that Askren has been a part of a glorified exhibition that was generally set up for him to lose. In 2019, just two months after a controversial win over Robbie Lawler and two months before the Masvidal fight, Askren faced Jordan Burroughs in the main event at the Beat the Streets NYC's Grapple at the Garden. After the event, I praised Askren for essentially sacrificing himself to Burroughs so that his sport could get more exposure and raise a ton of money, in the process. Ben's MMA hype was at an all-time high, and sports media, outside of the wrestling world, was actually interested in this wrestling match. It ended up being a squash in Burroughs' favor, but Askren didn't care, and I left with a new sense of respect for him. So, I guess the question is, why can't this boxing match be viewed in the same light as the Burroughs Grapple at the Garden bout? If Ben is okay with being the subject of another handful of embarrassing GIFs, who am I to judge? Many of us would like to think that we have the high moral ground and self-respect that would allow us to turn down half a million dollars for public embarrassment and ridicule. But would we? I'd like to say I would, but I have a wife and kids, as does Askren. Ben's an intelligent guy; I think he probably realizes that the wrestling/MMA/boxing train has left the station after Saturday night. I'd be shocked if he gets another call for one of these types of events again. I can't speak for Askren, but I'm guessing that's okay. He's laughing all the way to the bank and he doesn't care what you or I think.

Cary Kolat (right) was hired by Navy following the 2019-20 season (Photo/Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com)Last week, American University announced the hiring of Jason Borrelli as their new head coach for the 2021-22 campaign. With the EIWA head coaching carousel finished spinning (for new), we at InterMat have decided to look at all of the coaching hires by conference schools since 2000. American, like a handful of others, has not been in the EIWA for that entire time period, but for intents and purposes of this article, we will document all the schools currently in the league. American (Joined EIWA in 2002-03; previously in CAA) Jason Borrelli (2021-22) replaced Interim HC Jason Grimes (2021) Jason Grimes (2021) replaced Teague Moore (2011-21) Teague Moore (2011-21) replaced Mark Cody (2002-03) Mark Cody (2002-03) replaced Rob Puzio (2000-02) Army West Point Kevin Ward (2014-15) replaced Joe Heskett (2010-14) Joe Heskett (2010-14) replaced Chuck Barbee (2000-10) Binghamton (Joined EIWA in 2013-14; previously in CAA) Kyle Borshoff (2017-18) replaced Matt Dernlan (2012-17) Matt Dernlan (2012-17) replaced Pat Popolizio (2007-12) Pat Popolizio (2007-12) replaced Tony Robie (2005-06) Tony Robie (2005-06) hired as program was reinstated Brown Todd Beckerman (2013-14) replaced Dave Amato (1983-2013) Bucknell Dan Wirnsberger (2005-06) hired as program was reinstated Tim Wittman (2000-02) replaced John Hangey (1997-2000) Columbia Zach Tanelli (2016-17) replaced Carl Fronhofer (2011-16) Carl Fronhofer (2011-16) replaced Brendan Buckley (2000-11) Cornell Rob Koll (1993-2021) Drexel (Joined EIWA in 2013-14; previously in CAA) Matt Azevedo (2011-21) replaced Jack Childs (1976-2011) Franklin & Marshall Mike Rogers (2010-21) replaced Pete Schuyler (1998-2010) Harvard Jay Weiss (1995-2021) Hofstra (Joined EIWA in 2013-14; previously in CAA) Dennis Papadatos (2014-21) replaced Rob Anspach (2011-14) Rob Anspach (2011-14) replaced Tom Shifflett (2006-11) Tom Shifflett (2006-11) replaced Tom Ryan (1997-06) Lehigh Pat Santoro (2008-21) replaced Greg Strobel (1996-08) Long Island (Joined EIWA in 2019-20; previously known as LIU Post in Division II) Joe Patrovich (2014-21) hired as program was reinstated Navy Cary Kolat (2020-21) replaced Joel Sharratt (2014-20) Joel Sharratt (2014-20) replaced Brian Antonelli (2013-14) Brian Antonelli (2013-14) replace Bruce Burnett (2000-13) Penn Roger Reina (2017-21) replaced Alex Tirapelle (2014-17) Alex Tirapelle (2014-17) replaced Rob Eiter (2008-14) Zeke Jones (2005-08) replaced Roger Reina (1986-2005) Princeton Chris Ayres (2006-21) replaced Michael New (1998-2006) Sacred Heart (Joined EIWA in 2011-12; previously in East Region 2010-11; previously in CAA) John Clark (2017-21) replaced Andy Lausier (2011-17) Andy Lausier (2011-17) replaced Casey Brewster (2007-11) Casey Brewster (2007-11) replace Andy Seras (2002-07) Andy Seras (2002-07) replaced Brian Reardon (1999-02)

(Photo/Richard Immel; RImmelPics.com) In late 2005, InterMat published an incredible article entitled 20 best high school wrestlers over the past 20 years. In that article, Justin Kerr whittled down an impressive list of high school superstars from 1986-2005 into a top-20. This article became a go-to for fans ever since they have argued about which of these wrestlers were, in fact, the best. Topics like these are generally fun, as there are generally no correct answers. In Justin's article, the number selection (Cary Kolat) is a pretty unanimous pick for the best wrestler during that time period and perhaps, ever. Likewise, our number one is pretty straightforward, but there are plenty of arguments to be made along the way. One key factor to consider when consuming an article like this is, we are judging these competitors based on their bodies of work during their high school years. Collegiate and Senior-level accomplishments are not considered. As you'll see, a large handful of these wrestlers we've tabbed went on to have plenty of success in college and afterward. A few did not. With 15 recruiting classes having passed since InterMat's “20 for 20”, we decided to make another list that will encompass 2006-2020. Below are the five honorable mentions, followed by 25 of the top recruits from that time period. 21-25 have a brief explanation of their high school accolades, while 1-20 has more details, along with their post-high school achievements. After number one, we have other notables that were not included. Honorable Mentions Bryce Brill: Class of 2014 (Illinois) - Three-time Illinois champion and top 152 lber in the country. Was ranked higher than Jason Nolf/Bo Nickal coming out of college. Never got on track at Northwestern due to injuries. Henry Cejudo: Class of 2006 (Arizona/Colorado) - Supreme talent. Was known early in the process he probably wasn't going to college, which hurt recruiting rankings. Won Olympic gold only two years later, in 2008. David Craig: Class of 2006 (Florida) - Top recruit in 2006. Undefeated in high school and Junior National champ. Qualified for NCAA's three times and made the Round of 12 as a true freshman. Jason Nolf: Class of 2014 (Pennsylvania) - Three-time Pennsylvania state champion in high school with only one loss. Experienced similar success at Penn State with three national titles and only three losses (one via injury default). Ben Whitford: Class of 2013 (Illinois/Michigan) - Incredible Fargo performances. Late in the game, there were questions about his status in college. Ultimately, he never wrestled at the DI level. Jumped into the Senior level in 2019 and showed why he was so highly regarded. 25) Scott Winston (Rutgers) Jackson Memorial High School, Jackson, New Jersey Class of 2008 High School Stats: Three-time New Jersey Champ, Undefeated (Injured as a freshman) 24) Keegan O'Toole (Missouri) Arrowhead High School, Hartland, Wisconsin Class of 2020 High School Stats: Four-time Wisconsin Champ, 2019 Junior National Freestyle 3rd, 2019 Who's #1 winner, 2018 Junior National Freestyle Champ, 2018 Super 32 Champ 23) J'den Cox (Missouri) Hickman High School, Columbia, Missouri Class of 2013 High School Stats: Four-time Missouri Champ, 2012 Junior National Freestyle Champ, 2011 Cadet Greco-Roman National Champ, 2011 Cadet freestyle 3rd 22) Alex Marinelli (Iowa) Graham High School, Miamisburg, Ohio Class of 2016 High School Stats: Four-time Ohio Champ, Four-time Walsh Ironman finalist (two-time champ), 2014 Super 32 runner-up 21) Cohlton Schultz (Arizona State) Ponderosa High School, Parker, Colorado Class of 2019 High School Stats: Four-time Colorado Champ, 2017 Cadet World Champion (Greco), 2018 Junior World bronze medalist (Greco), 2018 U23 World Team member (Greco) 2019 Junior World silver medalist (Greco) 20) Greg Kerkvliet (Ohio State/Penn State) Simley High School, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota Class of 2019 High School Record: 222-36 While the numbers in the loss column far outnumber anyone else on this list, Greg Kerkvliet was able to compete in Minnesota as a middle schooler at the upperweights. As a senior, Kerkvliet was unbeaten and earned the Junior Schalles Award after pinning 21 of 22 opponents. It was his fourth Minnesota state title. Greg's only loss as a junior came when he bumped up a weight class to take on the top recruit in the nation, Gable Steveson (who we'll get to later). On the international front, Kerkvliet made the world finals at the Cadet level, on two occasions, winning in 2017 and taking the silver in 2018. Kerkvliet originally signed with Ohio State and spent the first semester of the 2019-20 season in Columbus before transferring to Penn State. Initially, news broke that Kerkvliet would not be able to compete in 2021 due to injury, but he was able to make his way back and broke into the starting lineup for the Nittany Lions. Despite being physically limited, Kerkvliet was able to take fourth in the Big Ten and seventh at his first NCAA Championship event. Recently, Kerkvliet went 1-2 at the Olympic Trials. 19) Zain Retherford (Penn State) Benton High School, Benton, Pennsylvania Class of 2013 High School Record: 131-3 Zain Retherford's 131-3 record in high school seems impressive on the surface, but unreal once you consider that Zain could not compete as a junior due to the PIAA's transfer rules. Even so, Retherford bookended his high school career with state titles, one at Line Mountain while at 103 lbs and the second at Benton, while competing at 138 lbs. Retherford set the tone for an undefeated senior season by claiming a Cadet World Championship in 2012. Later that year, he would win the Super 32 and the Walsh Ironman before finishing 47-0 as a senior. Simply put, Retherford has been one of the best collegiate wrestlers of the past decade. Zain got the call as a true freshman and handed junior Logan Stieber his final collegiate loss, during dual meet competition. After a loss in the NCAA consolations later that year, Retherford would never be beaten again in college. He amassed a 126-3 record, winning his last 94 matches in a row. Retherford also was awarded the Hodge Trophy as both a junior and senior. During his last three seasons, Retherford's lowest bonus point rate came as a senior when he “only” did so 83.8% of the time. Zain also made the 2019 Senior World Team. 18) Morgan McIntosh (Penn State) Calvary Chapel High School, Santa Ana, California Class of 2011 High School Record: 189-5 Morgan McIntosh suffered all five of his high school losses as a 160 lb freshman competing in single-class California. From that point, he did not lose again. McIntosh moved up to 171 as a sophomore, before winning his final two titles at 189 lbs. Nationally, McIntosh won FloNationals twice, along with the Walsh Ironman. Before moving on to Penn State, Morgan moved up to 215 lbs for Fargo and cleaned house with a national title in freestyle. The 2011 recruiting class was huge for Penn State in establishing themselves as a potential dynasty. The three-time All-American McIntosh was a big part of that puzzle. He took the mat as a true freshman and missed the podium, but came back and AA'ed the remaining three seasons. McIntosh finished as a two-time Big Ten champion and was the top seed at the 2016 NCAA Championships. His lone loss during his senior year came in the NCAA finals to J'den Cox. 17) Andrew Alton (Penn State) Central Mountain High School; Mill Hall, Pennsylvania Class of 2010 High School Record: 178-8 While most on this list are three and four-time (or more) state champions, Andrew Alton checks in with “only” two. Alton, along with twin brother Dylan, established themselves as two of the most dominating high school wrestlers during this time. During his two state title seasons, Alton pinned 63 of 91 opponents while competing in deep Pennsylvania brackets. Seven of those eight losses for Andrew came as a freshman, when he went on to take third in the state. On the freestyle scene, Alton won a pair of Junior National titles and was third at FILA Junior Nationals in 2009. The Alton brothers were cornerstones of Cael Sanderson's first full recruiting class while at Penn State. Andrew competed right away for Penn State and advanced to the NCAA Round of 12 after earning the sixth seed. He only qualified for the national tournament on one more occasion and did not make it to the podium. During his first two years with Penn State, Alton racked up 30 falls. After that, his collegiate career was derailed by multiple injuries. 16) Nick Suriano (Penn State/Rutgers) Bergen Catholic High School, Paramus, New Jersey Class of 2016 High School Record: 159-0 One of the all-time greats in New Jersey high school wrestling history, Nick Suriano was just the fourth wrestler to claim four NJSIAA titles and the second four-time to finish undefeated (joining future college teammate Anthony Ashnault). Suriano is the only New Jersey wrestler to win four titles individually and add four team titles. Another piece of history for Suriano is his involvement in the longest match in high school wrestling history. At “Who's #1”, Suriano outlasted Daton Fix in a 33-minute bout that featured no time limits in sudden victory. Nick also was a two-time winner at the Super 32. He defeated an eighth-grade Spencer Lee to win the title in 2012. Nick started his collegiate journey at Penn State and won 16 of his first 17 matches before getting injured in the final dual of the year. He was unable to wrestle in the postseason and later transferred to Rutgers. Suriano made history for the Scarlet Knights by becoming their first national finalist in 2018 and champion a year later. Though he hasn't competed collegiately during the last two years, Suriano does have another year of eligibility remaining. 15) AJ Ferrari (Oklahoma State) Allen High School, Allen, Texas Class of 2020 High School Record: 96-1 AJ Ferrari spent his first two years of high school in Allen, Texas, where he captured a pair of state titles and won the first of two Walsh Ironman titles. Ferrari spent time at Blair Academy and Bergen Catholic, both in New Jersey, but could never compete in the postseason for either school. On the freestyle side, Ferrari won a Cadet National title at 170 lbs in Fargo before his sophomore year in high school. In 2018, Ferrari earned a spot on the Cadet World Team and returned from Croatia with a bronze medal. An injury prevented Ferrari from competing at the high school level as a senior. Ferrari took the collegiate scene by storm in 2021 by winning a national title at 197 lbs as a true freshman for Oklahoma State. AJ went 20-1 on the season and finished the year on a ten-match winning streak. Because of NCAA eligibility relief, Ferrari will have four more years of college eligibility in the future. 14) Yianni Diakomihalis (Cornell) Hilton High School, Rochester, New York Class of 2017 High School Record: 243-3 The high school Class of 2017 was loaded at the top! Yianni Diakomihalis was regarded as the third-best recruit in that group, one that included Spencer Lee and Daton Fix. Diakomihalis was a four-time New York state champion and closed his high school career with 210 consecutive wins. That put Diakomihalis in select company as one of only seven four-timers from New York. Yianni also joined an elite club by being one of only two US wrestlers to win multiple Cadet world championships. He was the world champion at 58 kg in 2015 and 63 kg in 2016. Yianni has become one of the biggest stars in college wrestling after winning NCAA titles in each of his first two seasons. Over those two years, Diakomihalis has tallied a 66-1 record. In recording a national championship as a freshman, Diakomihalis was just the second Cornell wrestler (Kyle Dake) to win one in his first year. Diakomihalis has been at the top of the Senior freestyle ladder, as well. He won the 2019 US Open and competed in Final X later that summer. 13) Cody Gardner (Virginia Tech/Ohio State) Christiansburg High School, Christiansburg, Virginia Class of 2007 High School Record: 182-6 The top recruit in the high school Class of 2007, Cody Gardner, was head and shoulders above his competition in Virginia, cruising to four state championships with 135 falls. Gardner was the victor at the Beast of the East on three occasions and earned a stop sign with a Fargo Junior freestyle title in 2006. He also won a pair of Walsh Ironman crowns. Many of those accolades were won by defeating the late Jared Platt, a Blair Academy star ranked right behind Gardner. The two frequently met in large tournaments. Gardner stayed local and attended Virginia Tech for a semester. He left the program and later competed at Ohio State, before briefly competing for DIII Delaware Valley in 2010-11. Gardner's college career was disrupted by off-the-mat issues and he passed away in 2016 at 28 years old. 12) Anthony Valencia (Arizona State) St. John Bosco High School; Bellflower, California Class of 2015 High School Record: For most of their high school years, Anthony Valencia was the most decorated wrestler than brother Zahid. Anthony was a four-time California state finalist and came away with three titles. Before his senior year, Anthony made the Junior World Team at 74 kg and finished ninth. One of the most notable wins for Valencia came in the finals when he dominated Isaiah Martinez. Anthony was able to take an Olympic redshirt as a freshman at Arizona State based on his success on the Senior level. He was third at the US Open, defeating NCAA runner-up Tyler Caldwell for that placement and followed with a top-eight showing at the World Team Trials. On the high school mats, Valencia was able to win the Walsh Ironman as a junior and senior. Anthony, along with Zahid, were cornerstones of Zeke Jones' first recruiting class at Arizona State. In 2021, the Sun Devils were able to finish four at the NCAA Championships and earn a team trophy for the first time since the 1990's. Anthony helped the cause by getting onto the NCAA podium for the first time when he finished eighth. That placement could have been higher, but Valencia was slowed by an injury in the quarterfinals. Anthony captured Pac-12 titles in all four seasons he competed for ASU. 11) Jason Welch (Northwestern) Las Lomas High School; Walnut Creek, California Class of 2008 High School Record: 194-7 Jason Welch was a three-time California state champion and a four-time finalist. He became just the 13th wrestler (at the time) to win three times in California. During his junior campaign, Welch made the trek to Ohio and announced himself as the best 160 lber in the nation with a title at the Walsh Ironman. That same year, he also won the Reno Tournament of Champions. Welch was known for his funk before it became more commonplace at the high school level. In addition to his wrestling prowess, Jason was a star on the football and soccer fields for Las Lomas. Welch started right away for Northwestern and made the Big Ten finals though he came up two matches shy of the NCAA podium. After a redshirt, Welch finished top-six in the nation the following three years. After winning a Big Ten title in 2013, Welch was the top-seed at the NCAA Championships, but ended up finishing second. 10) Bo Jordan (Ohio State) Graham High School; St. Paris, Ohio Class of 2013 High School Record: 182-1 Looking back at the high school Class of 2013, it was an extremely talented group, with four wrestlers who won multiple NCAA titles; however, most concluded that Bo Jordan was the top recruit. Jordan was a four-time Ohio state champion and a two-time Ironman champ. In each of those wins, Bo downed the eventual two-time NCAA champion, Isaiah Martinez. While Jordan didn't have the credentials in the international styles, like others on this list, he was excellent against a challenging field in Ohio. Jordan's only high school loss came early in his freshman season, during a tiebreaker situation. Bo stayed in-state to wrestle for Ohio State and was a four-time All-American. For his first three years, Jordan never finished lower than third place. During his lone NCAA finals appearance, he fell on the strength of a controversial point for a headgear pull. While Jordan was slowed by injuries at the end of his career, he still managed to finish fifth as a senior and was a three-time Big Ten finalist and one-time champ. 9) Zahid Valencia (Arizona State) St. John Bosco High School; Bellflower, California Class of 2015 High School Record: 158-1 No wrestler on this list had the weight jump like Valencia experienced during his high school career. Zahid was a 106 lber as a freshman and finished at 182 lbs. Between his junior and senior seasons, Valencia jumped from 132 to 182. All the while, Valencia maintained his dominance. His only high school loss came in the state semifinals, his junior year, while wrestling with a broken foot. Valencia became only the second wrestler to win the Walsh Ironman all four years of high school. Zahid took part in the second “Who's #1” Dual and earned a win over eventual NCAA champion, Myles Martin, in sudden victory. In the summer before he arrived at Arizona State, Valencia made the finals of the Grand Prix of Spain and competed at the Junior World Championships. Valencia immediately had success at Arizona State, going 38-1 as a freshman, suffering his only loss of the year in the national finals. He would win NCAA titles in each of the next two years. As a sophomore, Valencia went unbeaten and avenged his prior loss to Mark Hall. While at ASU, Valencia made two more Junior World Team's and was able to come home with a silver medal in 2017. 8) Chance Marsteller (Oklahoma State/Lock Haven) Kennard-Dale High School; New Park, Pennsylvania Class of 2014 High School Record: 166-0 For most of their high school careers, Chance Marsteller was viewed as the top wrestler in the Class of 2014, not Kyle Snyder. Impressive international credentials, ended up giving Snyder the nod. That isn't to take anything away from Marsteller, who went undefeated in Pennsylvania and won four state titles. Marsteller's dominance at a young age drew comparisons to one of his childhood coaches, Cary Kolat, which is the highest compliment possible for Pennsylvanians of a certain age. Marsteller became only the fifth wrestler to finish his career in PA unbeaten. On three occasions, Marsteller was tabbed as the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Pennsylvania state tournament. He also was a two-time Super 32 winner and earned a place on the Cadet World Team in 2012. Marsteller signed with Oklahoma State and spent two years wrestling for the Cowboys before transferring back to Pennsylvania and enrolling at Lock Haven. Chance rebounded from some off-the-mat legal issues to finish as a two-time All-American for Lock Haven, taking fourth as a junior and third as a senior. While competing for the Bald Eagles, Marsteller went 72-7. 7) Daton Fix (Oklahoma State) Charles Page High School; Sand Springs, Oklahoma Class of 2017 High School Record: 168-0 Four state titles and an unblemished mark in high school helped make Daton Fix the most sought-after Oklahoma high schooler in over a decade. Before getting to Stillwater, Fix had a pair of Junior World medals to his name, including gold in 2017. He also earned a bronze at the Cadet level and claimed silver at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games. Also, as a Cadet, Fix won gold medals in both freestyle and Greco-Roman at the Pan-American Championships in 2013 and 2014. Fix's trapped-arm gut wrench made him a match-up nightmare in freestyle at the age-group level. Due to redshirts and Olympic redshirts, Fix has only seen action in two collegiate seasons since enrolling at Oklahoma State. In both years, Fix has finished as an NCAA runner-up. Daton also added another Junior World bronze to his collection and, in 2019, he unseated World Silver medalist, Thomas Gilman, for his place on the Senior World Team. 6) Mark Hall (Penn State) Apple Valley High School; Apple Valley, Minnesota Class of 2016 High School Record: 277-4 The unquestioned top wrestler in the Class of 2016, Mark Hall cemented his name in high school wrestling lore by becoming the first wrestler to win six Minnesota state championships. Hall finished his high school career with 171 straight wins and racked up 189 falls. On the freestyle scene, Mark was a Cadet World Champion in 2014 and took third at the Grand Prix of Spain after his junior year of high school. That same year, Hall made the first of his three appearances on the Junior World Team. After graduation and before starting at Penn State, Hall won the first of his two gold medals at Junior Worlds. Hall really solidified his standing at that high school level when he majored Anthony Valencia at Who's #1 in the fall of 2014. Hall went on to Penn State and was pulled from redshirt during his first year at State College and proceeded to win a national championship. Over the next two year, Hall would lose in the national finals to Zahid Valencia. In 2020, after capturing his third Big Ten title, Hall was the top seed heading into the ill-fated NCAA Championships. 5) Logan Stieber (Ohio State) Monroeville High School; Monroeville, Ohio Class of 2010 High School Record: 184-1 The lynchpin of a quartet called the “Monroeville Four,” Logan Stieber led a group of four, four-time Ohio state champions at a tiny school that never previously produced a state champion. As a freshman, Stieber squared off with David Taylor in the finals of the Walsh Ironman at 103 lbs. It was one of the most anticipated matches of the year nationally, and one of the biggest in many years in Ohio. Stieber fell to Taylor, but never lost again versus high school competition, winning his last 179 matches. He also had plenty of success pre-college in freestyle, placing fourth at the Senior World Team Trials in 2009 after taking third at the US Open. That same year, Stieber was a runner-up at the Junior World Team Trials. In 2008, Stieber was a double Junior National champion in Fargo. Logan Stieber led Ohio State to its only team title in their long, storied wrestling history. Stieber also became the first Big Ten wrestler to win four NCAA titles and only the fourth wrestler to accomplish the feat at the DI level. Up until 2019, Stieber was a fixture on the international scene, making three World Championship team, highlighted by a gold medal at World's in 2016. 4) David Taylor (Penn State) Graham High School; St. Paris, Ohio Class of 2009 High School Record: 180-2 The “Baby-Faced Assassin” David Taylor won a pair of Ohio state titles at 103 lbs, then 112, before hitting a big growth spurt and finishing at 135 lbs. No worries, though. Taylor still claimed his fourth state title and also became the first high schooler to win the Walsh Ironman four times. Before his junior year, Taylor was double Junior National champion in Fargo. He also had a title in both styles as a Cadet to his credit. Also, in the summer of 2007, Taylor won FILA Juniors and competed at the Junior World Championships. Taylor was named the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award for the 2008-09 season. David lived up to his top billing in college, making four national finals, winning two titles, and amassing a 143-3 record. In each of his NCAA championship-winning seasons, Taylor earned the Hodge Trophy. Taylor dominated at the 2018 World Championships, which marked the first appearance at the Senior world level for the former Nittany Lion. David just earned a place on the Olympic Team this summer by blanking his competition during the entire Trials process. 3) Spencer Lee (Iowa) Franklin Regional High School; Murrysville, Pennsylvania Class of 2017 High School Record: 144-1 Spencer Lee was on the verge of becoming only the sixth wrestler to navigate through four years of high school competition in Pennsylvania without a loss. That was until his final match when he wrestled on a damaged knee and fell to future Iowa teammate Austin DeSanto. Even so, Lee finished as a three-time PA state champion. Before that season, Lee claimed a 2014 Cadet World championship and added two more at the Junior level in the following years. Lee was a three-time Walsh Ironman champion and a three-time finalist at the Super 32 (winning twice). Lee went to Iowa, where he immediately won a national title as a true freshman. He added two more since and also has a pair of Hodge Trophy's to his name. With another year of eligibility remaining, Lee currently sports a 75-5 record and is 30-0 over the past two years. He was also an integral part of Iowa's first team title since 2010. 2) Kyle Snyder (Ohio State) Good Counsel High School; Woodbine, Maryland Class of 2014 High School Record: 179-0 Junior World Champion (before SR year), Junior World bronze Snyder put together a 179-0 record despite only wrestling three years in high school. After winning a Junior World title in the summer of 2013, Snyder spent his senior year at the Olympic Training Center. While at Good Counsel, Snyder won three National Prep championships and surrendered only a single takedown during three years of competition. Snyder's battles in Fargo with J'den Cox were legendary. He came away with stop signs in Cadet freestyle and Junior Greco in weight classes that featured the future two-time world champion. Snyder went to Ohio State and became the first heavyweight to capture three NCAA titles since Carlton Haselrig did so in 1987-89. After his freshman year, Snyder etched his name into USA Wrestling history books by becoming the youngest wrestler to win a world title. A year later, he was the youngest American to win an Olympic gold medal. 1) Gable Steveson (Minnesota) Apple Valley High School; Apple Valley, Minnesota Class of 2018 High School Record: 210-3 There were discussions when Steveson was a senior in high school that he may, in fact, be the best recruit….EVER! I may not be ready to cosign on that opinion, but Steveson is undoubtedly the top recruit since heavyweight Steve Mocco came out of Blair Academy in 2001. Gable won two Cadet World championships and a Junior World title, before his senior year of high school! He joins Diakomihalis as the only two American's to win multiple Cadet World Championships. Steveson's last “high school” loss came in varsity competition as an eighth-grader in the Minnesota state finals. From there, he reeled off 171 straight wins and captured four state titles. The only time that Steveson went to Fargo, he came away with a Cadet freestyle national title. Through three years of collegiate competition, Steveson has amassed a 68-2 record with undefeated seasons in 2020 and 2021. Steveson is a two-time Big Ten champion and a three-time All-American. He won a national title in 2021 and was the top seed at the canceled 2020 tournament. Earlier this month, Steveson clinched a spot on the Olympic team by dominating two-time world bronze medalist Nick Gwiazdowski. Other notable top recruits from 2006-20: 2006: Mike Grey (NJ), Lance Palmer (OH) 2008: Mario Mason (NJ), Jordan Oliver (PA), Tyler Graff (CO) 2009: Eric Grajales (FL), Chris Perry (OK), Kyle Dake (NY), Ed Ruth (PA) 2010: Chris Villalonga (NJ) 2011: Destin McCauley (MN), Nico Megaludis (PA) 2012: Taylor Massa (MI) 2013: Adam Coon (MI), Isaiah Martinez (CA), Joey Dance (VA), Anthony Ashnault (NJ) 2014: Bo Nickal (TX), Nick Nevills (CA) 2015: Logan Massa (MI), Vincenzo Joseph (PA), Myles Martin (NJ), Fox Baldwin (FL) 2016: Nick Reenan (TX) 2017: Vito Arujau (NY) 2018: Aaron Brooks (MD), Mason Parris (IN), David Carr (OH) 2019: Carson Kharchla (OH), Andrew Alirez (CO) 2020: Patrick Kennedy (MN), Dustin Plott (OK), Braxton Amos (WV)

(Photo/Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) It's a very difficult time to be a high school coach. This week a story ran in the New Jersey Herald outlining a lawsuit filed against Blair Academy. One of their former wrestlers claims he was a victim of bullying and hazing and that Brian Antonelli, who was Head Coach at the time, turned a blind eye to it. Last month, Antonelli stepped down as Head Coach but maintains his position at the school as Assistant Athletic Director. How much of it is true? Who knows. Bullying is a serious matter and 'rites of passage' and hazing is an antiquated excuse that's rightfully no longer accepted. What is clear, though, is that coaches at the top high school wrestling programs have been increasingly under fire. Last summer, at emerging PA program Forest Hills, Head Coach Jake Strayer was accused of not handling a racial situation within the program. He remains as Head Coach, but Junior High Head Coach Bill Bassett was relieved of his duties. It led to the fracturing of a homegrown program. A few months before that, amid turmoil and allegations of misconduct, Izzy Martinez, who had Montini Catholic situated among the Top 10 nationally ranked high school teams annually, resigned. In 2018, Dave Bell of Bergen Catholic, a staple in the Top 10 team rankings, was accused by a wrestler of making inappropriate comments and advances. Notice a trend? While we must be vigilant - we have to ensure that the environment our youth are in is a safe and fostering place - we know, too, that there are often ulterior motives. If a kid doesn't crack the starting line-up, if a kid didn't have the performance he (or the parent) expected him to, if a program gets a promising transfer… These can, and do, lead to charges of misconduct. It's always difficult to ascertain the veracity of the claims, one way or another. The guilty coaches, of course, should be gone. But to be sure, there are also filers of frivolous suits because a high school athletic situation didn't quite play out the way they had hoped. I spoke to another high school coach yesterday, one who routinely has his team among the nation's best. He told me, 'We spend a lot of time fearing someone will run to the papers about this or that. We always have to make sure things are buttoned up and not misconstrued.' To Your Questions… How long do you think it will take for Coach Borrelli to bring in elite talent, and put American on the map? - @jsk1631 Remember when Madison Square Garden went nuts for David Terao? It only takes one run to let high schoolers know they can win at a given program. I've always viewed American as a good gig. No one is expecting them to win team titles. The threshold is to put some guys in contention and get someone on the podium once in a while and build from there. I think Borrelli accomplishes that rather quickly. What are your top 5 teams for next week's NJCAA Championship?! - @CCCWrestling It's been difficult to get a feel for the national pecking order this year with NJCAA being so regional. Clack is a lock for the title. Pratt is great through the lightweights but almost needs to be perfect. And I like Iowa Central to overperform. Clackamas Pratt NE Oklahoma Western Wyoming Iowa Central If you can make one wrestling rule change to what would it be? - @PSUWRfan Although I say 'that's the dumbest thing in sports' about three things everyday, the slip headlock is truly stupid. Get rid of it. Also, get rid of riding time. It not only makes the sport boring as hell, it somehow manages to get the refs to leave them off the hook for what is nothing more than stalling. Give me takedowns worth three points and a pushout rule in folk, too. How many D1 coaches did not reach All-American status? @CubHorner I walk to the mound. I look out at the bullpen, motion to my right wrist. I'm calling in The Almanac. Jason Bryant's got this. With 79 active Division I wrestling programs, two are currently without head coaches. Illinois' Jim Heffernan retired last week and Jason Borrelli left to take the vacant post at American University. We're going to consider #KeepStanfordWrestling as an active team for the purposes of the research. There's also more than one answer to the question, depending on the intended answer. Of the 77 remaining schools, 28 are led by wrestlers who weren't Division I All-Americans. Of those, 23 are led by wrestlers who were not All-Americans at any collegiate level, which leaves 49 as Division I All-Americans. Presbyterian's Mark Cody holds the distinction of being the only Division I coach who was an All-American in two divisions - placing twice at SUNY-Delhi in the NJCAA and fifth in Division I at Missouri in 1985. The non-Division I All-Americans: Nebraska's Mark Manning was a three-time Division II All-American and a two-time champion at Nebraska-Omaha. He reached the Division I bloodround in 1985. Davidson's Andy Lausier was a Division III All-American at Lycoming, while Bellarmine's Spencer Adams and Northern Illinois' Ryan Ludwig were both NAIA All-Americans. Adams placed three times at Campbellsville from 2009-2012, while Ludwig was a three-time All-American from 1997-1999 at Findlay, which was an NAIA school at the time, but is currently Division II. George Mason's Frank Beasley finished seventh at Lincoln College in the NJCAA before continuing his college career at Bloomsburg. What's the latest on the Illinois coaching hire. - No one. I just have an update. The search committee had a shortlist of four candidates, all of whom did Zoom interviews: Doug Schwab, Mark Branch, Mike Poeta, and Tony Ramos. They are moving extremely fast. It sounds as if the decision will come soon, perhaps (early) next week. Who are three 2022 true freshmen who can AA next year? - @jagger712 Gimme Paddy Gallagher. He's gonna start at 157 and though it will be relatively deep and perhaps contain two NCAA Champs (Carr / O'Connor), I think he can get on the podium. In my Crystal Ball rankings, I had Shayne Van Ness AA'ing at 149. But there is talk that Nick Lee goes 149 and any suggestion that SVN goes 157 is foolish. I see Bartlett or SVN at 141 if Lee goes up. The only other guy I could see AAing out the gate from 2021 is Dean Hamiti (157), who's going to Wisconsin. I don't think any of the other heavy hitters in the class start. Maybe Alex Facundo, but that's a big if.

(Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Rachel Gallardo is a Dietetic Intern at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Rachel will be graduating with her Master's in Nutrition in August and will sit for the Registered Dietitian exam following graduation. She has a background in sports and performance nutrition from working with Appalachian State's Performance Nutrition program and completing her Master's research project, NUTRITION AND BODY COMPOSITION CHANGES ACROSS A COMPETITIVE SEASON IN COLLEGIATE WRESTLERS. Weight management out-of-season may seem difficult, but with the right combination of physical activity and eating habits, it's easier than you think! Many wrestlers experience significant weight gain post-season due to changes in eating habits and frequency of training. Here are some tips for better managing your weight in the off-season: HYDRATE: Drink plenty of water! Our bodies are around 60% water, which aids in body temperature regulation, digestion, and oxygen delivery to different parts of the body. Drinking water also helps with feeling full! Aim to drink half your body weight in ounces and adjust for activity levels and the temperature for the day. EAT THE RAINBOW: Non-starchy vegetables have fewer calories than starchier vegetables and more processed foods. For example, 100 calories of carrots are about 25 baby carrots, while 100 calories of potato chips are around 9 potato chips. Non-starchy vegetables provide a higher quantity of food with higher quality nutrients compared to more processed or fast foods. Some examples of non-starchy vegetables include: tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, onions, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, and spinach. INCORPORATE LEAN PROTEIN: Consuming lean protein helps to preserve lean body mass, aka muscle mass. Lean protein sources include skinless white meat poultry, ground turkey (97-99% fat-free), lean cuts of beef (eye of round, top round, sirloin, flank steaks), pork loin, white fish, eggs, low-fat cottage cheese, and non-fat Greek yogurt. PRACTICE: Keeping up with strength and conditioning in the off-season aids in gaining strength and keeping weight managed. Cardio training - exercise that increases your heart rate - is most effective for burning fat and keeping weight down. Weight training aids in increasing lean body mass (muscle mass), strength, and bone mineral density which helps in injury prevention. Live wrestling is another great way to get your heart rate up and keep your technique in the off-season! If your school has a Registered Dietitian (RD/LDN) who is a board-certified specialist in sports dietetics (CSSD), please consult with them to find an eating plan that works best for you.

2021 NCAA All-American Louie Hayes (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) The University of Virginia has earned the reputation of being one of the top academic institutions in the country and head coach Steve Garland wants his athletes to make the most of their time on Grounds. Coach Garland has designed the program around six pillars: Mind, Body, Relationships, Compete in Such a Way, Servanthood and Academics. However, at a school like UVA, academics are always at the forefront and Garland has high expectations in the classroom and on the mat. "As a program, we want our wrestlers to have the opportunity to not just graduate from the University of Virginia with one degree, but also to finish their Master's degree at some of the top grad schools in the nation." As a UVA grad, Garland has a unique perspective of the requirements of his wrestlers. Because UVA requires that students complete their degree in four years, those that choose to wrestle their fifth year have the opportunity to complete a graduate program. Garland credits his experience as a student-athlete with his focus as a coach. "When I was in my fifth year, I was in the continuing education program and didn't complete my masters--it is one of my biggest regrets from my time competing. I don't want them to make that same mistake". That focus has led to multiple wrestlers leaving Grounds with a Master's Degree since Garland took over in 2006. Louie Hayes, a redshirt senior from Illinois, earned All-American honors this season, finishing in eighth place in St. Louis. Louie will be the first to tell you that he wasn't the best student before coming to Charlottesville. Coach Garland took a chance because he saw both the academic and athletic potential in Hayes. "During the recruiting process, Coach worked with me to lay out a five-year plan; I knew when I got to Charlottesville that I would be leaving with my master's." Hayes finished his Bachelor's last year and is now completing his master's in Commerce with a track in Marketing and Management from the McIntire School of Commerce, one of the top-rated business schools in the country. Hayes credits the coaching staff with helping him work around a demanding academic schedule. "The coaches have been very supportive of my academic goals. They were always willing to come in early or squeeze in a practice during their lunch breaks to accommodate my schedule". After graduation, he plans to return to the Chicago area and is in the process of interviewing with different firms to find the best fit. Hayes followed a similar educational path as former Hoo, Nick Nelson. Nick Nelson was a member of Coach Garland's first recruiting class after taking the helm at UVA; he finished as an ACC champion and a 3x NCAA qualifier. "From day one, Coach pushed the importance of excellence in everything we do on the mat and in the classroom," Nelson stated. The academic support both within the program and the athletic department was incredible, and that he wouldn't have been able to complete his grad program without the tools they have in place. "I knew I wasn't going to be the smartest guy to attend UVA, but I knew if I worked hard enough and used the tools they gave me, I would finish with my grad degree in five years." Nelson said it was a big recruiting boost for him that there was an expectation that he would finish both an undergrad and graduate degree from a top-ranked school in the five years he would be wrestling. Though Nelson wasn't initially accepted into the undergrad business program, he earned an invitation to complete the fifth year program at the McIntire School of Commerce. He said initially that the Dean didn't think he would be successful in the program if he was an active student-athlete, but Nelson was determined to show him that wrestlers have the self-determination and grit to be elite athletically and academically. "Coach Garland was incredibly proud and supportive….he was willing to work with me to balance the demands of school, wrestling, and cutting weight and I wouldn't have been successful without that support". Nelson is now a successful trader in Chicago working on the CBOE and is serving as an assistant coach for Oak Park and River Forest High School. Nick Sulzer is one of the most accomplished wrestlers in UVA history. Sulzer was a three-time All-American at 165 pounds for the Cavaliers. He was also named to the NWCA All-Academic Team twice and was named UVA's Top Athletic Scholar Award. Sulzer completed his Bachelor's in Psychology and finished his master's in Higher Education Administration at the Curry School of Education--one of the top-rated education schools in the country. Sulzer stated that during his recruiting, they laid out a five-year plan for him to finish with a master's, even though he wasn't sure what path he wanted to pursue at the time. "Thinking back on my time at UVA, Coach really prioritized academics. When we came in as a freshman, our expectations were pretty clear - strive to get over a 3.0, attend study hall and academic meetings, and go to all of your classes. But it wasn't just talk. He held you to those standards and you didn't want to let him down". Sulzer reiterated that the support and flexibility in scheduling workouts around a difficult academic schedule was a major factor in his success. He also credits Coach Garland and his high school coach, Greg Urbas at St. Eds, with emphasizing the importance of education and using athletics as a tool to help advance your education. "They made sure we knew our effort in school was more important than wrestling, and someday wrestling would end. When you have coaches you look up to prioritizing academics, you can't help but follow suit". Sulzer is currently employed by a prominent government agency. Garland estimates that nearly 75% of wrestlers who compete through five years have left the program with a master's degree. Of the returning wrestlers who will be back for their 5th year (Brian Courtney, Michael Battista, Quinn Miller and Denton Spencer), three have already been accepted to a grad program and the fourth is awaiting notification. Jay Aiello will also be completing his program at the McIntire School of Commerce next season. Garland recognizes that their time wrestling at UVA may be short, but it is a major step on the path to success. "I really want them to get the most out of their time here and be set up for the rest of their lives".

Greg Kerkvliet left, Macey Kilty center, Benji Peak right; photos courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) The U.S. Olympic team is set, and there are only 100 days until the Olympics in Tokyo. However, it is never too early to start looking forward to 2024. The following names the favorite in all 18 Olympic weights. Obviously, some wrestlers will move around in weight, others will retire and some might come out of nowhere. With that being said, this is a "way too early" version of the 2024 team. Men's Freestyle 57 kg: Spencer Lee Obviously, this prediction will depend on a lot of variables. The most notable of which will be how Lee returns from yet another knee injury. Following his third NCAA finals victory, the Iowa wrestler revealed that he was competing with "no ACLs." Despite the dominant college season and qualifying as an NCAA champion, Lee chose to not compete at the Olympic Trials. Since joining the Hawkeyes, Lee's primary focus has been on folkstyle. However, he was one of America's best age-group level freestyle wrestlers with multiple World championships. On top of that, during the 2020 season, Lee took a break from folkstyle to enter the 2019 U.S. Nationals, where he defeated all five of his opponents by a combined 52-6 score. In the semifinals, he scored a 14-4 match-termination victory over Vito Arujau, who made the recent Trials' finals. In order to make the team, Lee would need to best former Iowa wrestler Thomas Gilman. Despite spending time in the same room, Gilman has made a point of calling out his successor and advocating for a match. The match has never happened before, and if it ends up happening in the 2024 Trials finals, the entire wrestling World will probably be watching. 65 kg: Yianni Diakomihalis Back in 2019, many thought Diakomihalis was going to end up being the favorite for the 2020 Games. After winning his second NCAA title with wins over Chad Red, Dom Demas, Jaydin Eierman and Joey McKenna, he immediately transitioned to freestyle and won the U.S. Open. In that tournament, he picked up impressive victories over Frank Molinaro, Jordan Oliver and Zain Retherford. Diakomihalis kept up that momentum with a 10-8 win over Bajrang Punia at the 2019 Beat The Streets event. That summer, the Cornell wrestler went on to add titles at both the Yasar Dogu and Waclaw Ziolkowski Memorial. However, he came up short in Final X against Zain Retherford and was kept off the 2019 World team. After taking an Olympic redshirt during the 2020 season, the Ivy League chose not to participate during the 2021 collegiate season. Diakomihalis kept busy in various freestyle events where he defeated the likes of James Green, Sammy Sasso, Anthony Ashnault, and Vladimer Khinchegasvhili. Despite the extensive focus on freestyle, Diakomihalis dropped matches against eventual champion Jordan Oliver and Nick Lee at the Trials and ended up finishing fourth. He is expected to return to Cornell and the college mats. By the time 2024 rolls around, Diakomihalis will be only 25 years old. 65 kg is routinely one of the strongest weights domestically. However, he spends a lot of time wrestling against high-quality freestyle opposition and will have plenty of time to adapt his scrambling style to best some of his domestic rivals. 74 kg: Kyle Dake It would be hard to look at the recent Trials final at 74 kg and not see a passing of the torch. Dake won a pair of matches over Jordan Burroughs and qualified for his first Olympics. On top of that, he was thoroughly dominant as he made his way through the challenge tournament. After a pair of World Championships at 79 kg, Dake is widely considered to be one of the favorites for gold at the upcoming games. Dake is not particularly young, as he will be 33 in 2024. However, that is close enough to prime for a wrestler that he should be able to hold down the spot at 74 kg. He will be pushed by some of the rising stars at 74 kg, including Isaiah Martinez. With that being said, Jason Nolf was a three-time NCAA champion, and Dake ran through him at the Trials in less than a minute. Even if the field is able to close the gap on Dake, he may find himself still the clear leader in the division. 86 kg: David Taylor Like Dake, Taylor is a bit older than some might expect since he was kept off World teams by Burroughs' dominance. The former Penn State wrestler will be 33 in 2024, which is certainly not retirement age, but it is hard to believe that he will not be feeling the effects of time. With that being said, Taylor has been utterly dominant domestically since J'den Cox exited the 86 kg weight class. On top of that, since falling against Cox in the finals of the 2017 World Team Trials, Taylor has gone undefeated with victories over the likes of Yurieski Torreblanca, Boris Makojev, and Hassan Yazdani. Some commentators suggested that Taylor had slowed down a bit following his 2019 injury suffered against Drew Foster at the Beat The Streets event. However, he recently made his way through the Trials without surrendering a single point. His opponent in the finals, Bo Nickal, had previously stated that he was prepared to move on from wrestling and start an MMA career following the Trials. That leaves Zahid Valencia as Taylor's toughest remaining challenge at 86 kg. The two have never met before and a bout in the finals of the 2024 Trials would undoubtedly be a marquee match. 97 kg: J'den Cox The expected showdown between Cox and Kyle Snyder never happened at the 2020 Olympic Trials after Cox failed to make weight. However, it could certainly happen at the next Trials. After winning bronze medals at the 2016 Olympics and 2017 World championships at 86 kg, Cox moved up to 92 kg and won a pair of World titles at the non-Olympic weight. He moved up to 97 kg and won nine straight matches prior to the trials, including wins over Reineris Salas, Yonger Bastida, Hayden Zillmer, and Nate Jackson. Obviously, Snyder will be Cox's toughest test at the new weight. If Cox remains at 97 kg, their first meeting will likely occur prior to 2024. The extra time will also probably help Cox become better accustomed to the weight class. Even if Cox was not the favorite in 2021, he likely will be when the 2024 Trials come around. 125 kg: Greg Kerkvliet The wrestler representing the U.S. at the upcoming Olympic Games will be only 21 years old. So it might be odd to imagine a new wrestler holding the spot in a few years. However, Gable Steveson is already showing up at WWE shows and seems intent to move on following the upcoming tournament. If Steveson sticks around, he will and should be the favorite. At this point, that does not seem likely. Steveson leaving competitive wrestling behind will not create a void at heavyweight. There will still be several top contenders, including two-time World medalist Nick Gwiazdowski, Steveson's collegiate rival Mason Parris and Kerkvliet. Among that group, the favorite today has to be Gwiazdowski. However, Parris was able to take matches off him at the RTC Cup. While Parris also had the advantage over Kerkvliet on the college mats this year, Kerkvliet got the best of the Michigan wrestler in the rematch under freestyle rules at the Trials. Not only did Kerkvliet win the match against Parris at the Trials, there is reason to believe that he will continue to improve over the years. He returned very quickly following an injury this year. He is still very young, and pretty much everyone seems to improve in the Penn State room. By the time the 2024 Trials happen, Kerkvliet will probably be the favorite to make the team. Women's Freestyle 50 kg: Sarah Hildebrandt After spending the majority of her international career at 53 and 55 kg, Hildebrandt dropped down to 50 kg for the Olympics. As one might expect, it turned out to be a smart move as the 2018 World silver medalist earned her spot on the Olympic team. Hildebrandt sat in the finals and waited for Victoria Anthony, who she dispatched in two matches with a combined 22-2 score. Hildebrandt is still only 27 years old, so she should be near her prime in 2024. There is some impressive young talent at 50 kg, including Sage Mortimer and Emily Shilson. However, Hildebrandt seems to have more than enough to turn back those types of challenges. It is possible she will move up during the non-Olympic years before dropping back down for the next Trials. 53 kg: Jacarra Winchester Winchester got the opportunity to sit in the finals of the recent Olympic Trials after picking up a gold medal at the 2019 World Championships. In the finals, she bested challenge tournament winner Ronna Heaton in two straight matches, including a dominant 12-2 victory in the deciding bout. After her performance at the Trials, it is hard to see anyone knocking her out of the spot. However, she will turn 29 this October. She will not be old by any means in 2024. However, it could open the door for a younger wrestler to make a push. At this point, the smart money is on Winchester. 57 kg: Xochitl Mota-Pettis Mota-Pettis had her coming-out party at the 2020 Senior Nationals. She made the finals with an upset over Alli Ragan via fall in the quarterfinals. However, Mota-Pettis ultimately came up short in the finals against Lauren Louive. Despite making the finals, Mota-Pettis still needed to qualify for this year's Trials. She entered the Last Chance Qualifier and faced off against Louive in the finals once again. While Louive had won by fall back in October, Mota-Pettis reversed that result with a dominant 14-2 victory. At the Trials, Mota-Pettis was knocked out of the running for a spot on the team by Ragan. The veteran got her revenge with a 9-2 decision. Despite coming up short this year, "XMP" still has plenty of time to grow. On the same weekend where she wrestled in the Senior Nationals tournament, she also entered the Junior Nationals tournament. With a few more years of experience, she could make a run and hold down the spot at 57 kg. It certainly won't be easy since Olympic gold medalist Helen Maroulis is still only 29 years old. 62 kg: Macey Kilty Kilty turned 20 less than a month before the Olympic Trials. Her youth certainly did not hold her back. She won the challenge tournament with impressive victories over Desiree Zavala, Mallory Velter and Maya Nelson. Kilty then faced off against Kayla Miracle in the best-of-three finals and actually forced a third match with a round-two victory. However, she suffered a shoulder injury in the third match and bowed out. The 20-year-old certainly has time to improve and develop, and she was already only one match away from making the team. Kilty will be training with the Tar Heel Wrestling Club, so she certainly will not be wanting for coaching. Look for her upward trajectory to continue over the next few years. 68 kg: Tamyra Mensah-Stock This year Mensah-Stock made a strong case for herself as the best women's freestyle wrestler in the country. She not only turned back a strong challenge from high schooler Kennedy Blades (more on her later) to make the Olympic team, but also earlier in the year, she picked up a dominant 4-0 victory over fellow Olympian Adeline Gray. The 28-year-old wrestler already has won a pair of World medals, and she looked just as dominant this year. It is hard to imagine anyone challenging her at this weight from now until after the 2024 Olympics. 76 kg: Kennedy Blades Despite still being in high school, Blades went on a memorable run at the Trials at 68 kg. She knocked off Rachel Watters, Alexandria Glaude and Forrest Molinari. She came up short against Mensah-Stock in the finals. However, she scored in those matches and held her own as best she could. If she continues to develop and grow, Blades could easily be the representative at the 2024 Olympics. Adeline Gray has been a fixture of the World team since 2011 and might bring home yet another medal in Tokyo, but she will be 33 for the next Trials. Blades might have given her a tough match this year based on her performance one weight down at the Trials. Greco-Roman 60 kg: Taylor LaMont This summer, Ildar Hafizov will head to his second Olympics, but it will be his first representing the U.S. after attending the event on behalf of Uzbekistan in 2008. Hafizov will be one of U.S. Greco's best chances for a medal at the upcoming Games. However, he is already 33 years old. His opponent in the finals, Ryan Mango, indicated on Twitter that he would be returning in September for "one more dance." So there might be some new blood at 60 kg in 2024. Two of the younger prospects at this weight are Taylor LaMont and Dalton Roberts. LaMont qualified for the Trials in Greco even though he wrestled full time on the collegiate mats for Utah Valley. He did lose on the frontside of the bracket against Roberts. However, once he finishes college and starts focusing solely on Greco, he could be a force to reckon with. 67 kg: Benji Peak Peak had about as great of a performance as possible without winning at the Trials. He dropped only one match, which came in the finals of the challenge tournament against veteran Ellis Coleman. Peak had the lead in the match but ultimately could not hold on for the victory. Coleman would go on to lose to Alejandro Sancho and leave his shoes on the mat. Even though Peak was not victorious at the recent Trials, he has shown some clear aptitude for Greco. By making the National team, he should be able to refine his skills and make some overseas trips over the next few years. If he can improve, he could find himself on the Olympic team in 2024. 77 kg: Kamal Bey Many have expected Bey to take over this weight on the senior level for the last few years. After bypassing college to begin focusing only on Greco, Bey won a Junior World Championship in 2017. The following year, he made his first senior-level World team and won a pair of matches but failed to place at the 2018 World Championships. In 2019, Bey made it to Final X. However, he was unable to make the World team after coming up short against Pat Smith. Bey's quest to make the Olympic team got off to a solid start at the 2019 Senior Nationals. He defeated all five of his opponents, including Jake Fisher, and in the process, he qualified for the Trials. However, in October of 2020, it was announced that USADA had suspended Bey for the year for a whereabouts violation. Due to the suspension, he was eliminated from contention for the Olympics. For the last few years, Bey has been one of the country's most dynamic scorers in Greco. If he can refine his skills and win matches against wrestlers who want to slow down the pace and control, he should be able to make his way onto the next Olympic team. 87 kg: John Stefanowicz This weight was one of the wildest of the Trials and most uncertain going forward. Going into the tournament, it looked like a final between former Cuban competitor Alan Vera and Joe Rau was inevitable. However, John Stefanowicz upset both of those competitors to make the Olympic team. On top of that, both Rau and veteran Jon Anderson left their shoes on the mat to signal their retirement. In theory, this makes Stefanowicz the favorite for 2024. However, if the bracket plays like it did this year, it could be anybody's chance. 97 kg: Tracy Hancock Going into the Olympic Trials, the biggest sure thing on the Greco side was Hancock. He will not turn 24 until July, but he has already cemented himself as the best Greco wrestler in the U.S. at 97 kg. He easily dispatched Braxton Amos in the finals even though Amos had gone on a magical run through both the Last Chance Qualifier and challenge tournament. Hancock clearly represents the country's best chance to bring home a medal in Greco. It is hard to see anyone coming up through the ranks who could challenge Hancock's domestic supremacy. The field's best hope is that his size, length and physicality convince him to make a run at the UFC heavyweight title and move on from wrestling. 130 kg: Cohlton Schultz Since the summer of 2019, Schultz's only domestic losses in Greco have come against Adam Coon. The two have met five times with Coon winning all five of their matches. Schultz came the closest in their first match of the Olympic Trials finals. There Schultz kept it close but ultimately dropped the bout 3-3 on criteria. Despite wrestling collegiately, Schultz seems intent on making improvements to his Greco game. He made a somewhat risky trip to the Matteo Pellicone only a few weeks before the NCAA tournament. Arizona State seems to be onboard with Schultz's plan. He is in a great position to improve, and he is already pushing Coon despite being only 20 years old. At the very least, Schultz will be in position to challenge once again for the Olympic team in 2024.

Jimmy Rollins left, Steve Costanzo center, Dalton Jensen right (Photos/Lindenwood athletics; SCSU athletics; UNK athletics) If you say "Blair wrestling," nearly every fan of our beloved sport will immediately imagine the powerhouse Blair Academy and start listing off its alumni. They do so with good reason; their success on the mat has been well-documented, producing All-Americans and national champions at the collegiate level. I mean, sure, that's good, but I know of an even better wrestling Blair. If you find yourself traveling along Interstate 29, take a westward journey along Hwy 30 at the Missouri Valley exit in Nebraska. Feel free to stop and grab yourself a bite to eat before driving towards the setting sun and your visit to the small town of Blair, Nebraska. A population of roughly 8,000 people and a town spread over six square miles will greet you. What you will not see is the wrestling history that is created. Why? Because Dana College, which operated from 1884 through 2010, no longer exists. Founded by Danish pioneers, Dana was an NAIA powerhouse that won a national championship in 2006. The history of the town of Blair reads like a horror story, complete with the tragic injury of a child at the hands of a dangerous train turntable. An actual plague of locusts. And, of course, a historic Carnegie library being engulfed in flames due to an electrical fire. That train accident spawned a Supreme Court case, Sioux City & Pacific Railroad Company vs. Stout. I mean, come on. How is this town not on every historian's "must visit" list? At the very least, if you want to learn about wrestling history, this is the place for you. Dana College was a Great Plains Athletic Conference powerhouse, winning the conference title from 2007 through its final season in 2010. The program was a mainstay on the national level as well, finishing in the top-10 at the NAIA national championship six times. They were the 2006 NAIA Men's Wrestling National Champions in 2006. This program, much like another Nebraska wrestling program, was one of the best in the nation at the time of its demise. Much of the success, including a national title in his final season at the helm, was under a leader who has gone on to pilot a Division II wrestling program that has stood atop the NCAA for the last four years. Two-time NCAA Division II wrestling All-American Gavin Nelson hails from the area. He found success up I-29 wrestling for Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Nelson put together successful seasons in 2009 and 2010 to stand on the podium as a junior and a senior for the Vikings. A Missouri Valley High School alumni, he hails from the area and was in high school during much of that Dana College wrestling success. Another wrestler from the area, Dalton Jensen, made the journey in high school from Missouri Valley in Iowa to Blair to train at Dana College. He found himself a national champion training partner there as Jensen worked to grow his craft. Jensen graduated as one of the winningest Iowa high school wrestlers of all time and ended his career with two state titles. Why did he make the 10-minute drive over to Dana College? How about for a training partner from New Jersey. Wait, did I say that there was a kid from New Jersey just hanging out in Blair, Nebraska? I did. Jimmy Rollins wrestled for Dana College after a successful high school career that saw him earn entry into the South Jersey Hall of Fame in the same class as Jordan Burroughs. Rollins found himself driving through the farm fields of Nebraska on the way to Dana College with his new head coach Steve Costanzo. There just seems to be something about Nebraska that brings out the best in those South Jersey kids. Steve Costanzo is a man who needs no real introduction in the Division II wrestling world. A coach who has won six NCAA championships, including the last four. In his 15 seasons as the leader of the St. Cloud State Huskies, other than in 2006-2007, he has never finished lower than 12th. What is truly remarkable is that the Huskies have finished first or second nine times since he took over in the 2006-2007 season. Why is this a story though, what made me take the time to find Blair, Nebraska on a map and lookup its odd history? How about this? All three coaches who finished in the top-three in the 2021 NCAA Men's Division II National Championship are connected by that little town. Steve Costanzo coached Jimmy Rollins, who trained with Dalton Jensen. And now all three lead successful Division II wrestling programs. Their programs finished first through third, taking home team trophies. Jimmy Rollins secured his highest finish in Division II as leader of Lindenwood; third. Dalton Jensen earned his highest team finish as leader of the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers; they finished runner-up and were one match away from winning the whole thing. Steve Costanzo kept his Huskies on top, winning their fourth title in a row. Not bad production for a town just five times the size of Central Park. I caught up with all three leaders and asked them about their unique relationship and how it came into being and how it feels to have ties to the small Nebraska community. Bryce Villa: Jimmy, You were the person who pointed out what all three of you had in common with me. What was it like earning your first D2 team trophy with these two, given the shared history? JR: It was great! We are striving as a program to reach the top of the mountain and to be able to share the moment with these guys is tremendous. Costanzo helped change my life and I owe so much to him, the staff, and my teammates from Dana College. Dalton is a great friend who I can't say enough good things about. We actually met when a buddy of mine who was from his hometown stopped by the Ace Hardware (I believe) in Missouri Valley and wanted to introduce me to Dalton. He was stocking shelves at the family store and I told him to come on over whenever he wanted to work out. A friendship that began at a local home improvement store. There is almost nothing more midwest than that. It made me think, though, these two have a history on the mat, so what would happen now? BV: Dalton, How would a match between you and Jimmy go now? DJ: I don't think Jimmy or myself are in a position to wrestle a 7-minute match now, haha. We did have a dual a couple years ago that came down to a tiebreaker and maybe the best solution would have been for him and I to wrestle for the win. I think last time we wrestled, he was coming off a 133 lb national title and I was coming off a state championship at 125 lbs. Needless to say, it wasn't that close. I truly believe that the NCAA rules committee needs to explore this option for future tiebreaker criteria. I say, settle it on the mat. I am thinking of a dual between coaching staff to determine all duals tied after regulation. But what does the man who brought a New Jersey kid out to the cornfields of Nebraska have to say about the program that helped begin his success? BV: Steve, Dana University grew to a powerhouse program that laid the groundwork for your success today. What was it about that opportunity that drew you to such a blip on the map? SC: Dana College gave me my first opportunity to be a head coach at the collegiate level. Growing up in a small town (Bennington, NE), I felt very comfortable coaching in a small college environment. I really owe Dana College a lot. It was a great opportunity for me to develop, learn and adjust while not feeling the pressure of having to win. In addition, I learned that my passion for wrestling and helping kids grow was not just a job for me, but a lifestyle that I wanted to live. If you ever get the chance to speak with Coach Costanzo, I highly encourage you to take that time. There are few men at his level of success that are so willing to answer questions. He has found success at two different programs taking them to the promised land, but he is one of the fastest coaches in the country to answer emails from a lowly "writer" like myself. He is genuine and that is why he has been able to get powerhouse athletes to come to wherever he happens to be. Even Blair, Nebraska. BV: Jimmy, Nebraska is a long way from New Jersey. Why Dana and why Costanzo? What do you remember fondly about that time? JR: For me, I looked at some different schools, but Coach Costanzo and the staff at Dana College kept enforcing that I was going to earn a degree at Dana College. I realized that I had a lot of maturing I needed to do and getting away from New Jersey was something I knew would be good for me. To be honest, at the time, I had no idea what the NAIA even was. Costanzo picking me up from the airport and talking to me about harvest season on the ride from Omaha was different. I quickly realized this was a whole new world to me. The team, community, and staff at Dana College were incredible and our team was a family. I was definitely the Jersey guy on the team, but we had some great talent and teammates that made you feel welcome while holding you accountable. There are a lot of stories and way too many to get into, but Nancy Costanzo and the rest of the family really took me in and I will be forever grateful for that. Costanzo brought Rollins to the midwest and guess what, he is still here. Now Rollins has pushed his team towards the top of the wrestling ranks joining his old takedown partner and leader. BV: Steve, We all want our protégé to succeed, now you have Jimmy trying to knock off the throne. What is that like? SC: I am so proud of the man Jimmy has become! He has such a passion for the sport of wrestling and coaching. He has an enthusiastic and energy-driven coaching style. There is no doubt why kids want to compete for him. He is a motivator and wants to be the best! I talk to my college wrestling coach fairly often and neither of us are even in the coaching ranks. The bonds we make with our leaders stay with us forever. BV: Steve, How often does your phone alert you that one of these two is trying to pick the brain of the master? SC: Dalton and Jimmy are doing such a fantastic job. Their work ethics are second to none. I feel like these young men will do whatever it takes to be the best and run their program ethically and morally. They will be in this business a long time and will have much success. Their Universities are very lucky to have such class act people in Jimmy and Dalton! I am not sure in Division II if you can get a more ringing endorsement than that statement from Coach Steve Costanzo. Dalton Jensen was so close to earning his first national title as head coach of Nebraska-Kearney and the Lopers held the lead going into the final match of the tournament. Incredibly, the young man of this bunch is out here pushing his mentors. BV: Dalton, You trained with Jimmy and Steve, now you're running one of Costanzo's chief rivals. The wrestling community is so small sometimes, did you think you would be coaching against these other two like this? DJ: I grew up in Missouri Valley, Iowa, which is only 10 miles from Blair. I graduated high school in 2007, so during my high school career, Dana was dominating the NAIA scene. That created a great opportunity for me to drive just down the road to find some guys to beat on me and make me better. Jimmy was more than happy to hand out those beatings to me. I believe a great coach translates to any division. So, to see Jimmy and Steve have the success, they are having doesn't surprise me one bit. It is crazy how small the wrestling world! These three universities have selected incredible men to run their wrestling programs and it shows. Dalton Jensen continues to keep Nebraska-Kearney a contender year in and year out. Jimmy Rollins has taken Lindenwood to their greatest success in Division II thus far. And, of course, Steve Costanzo remains the king of Division II wrestling. I cannot wait to see these three run it again next season as they build a rivalry that goes back to their journeys crossing Blair Bridge and entering the small town of Blair, Nebraska.

Jason Borrelli (center) coaching in the 2021 NCAA Finals (Photo/Sam Janicki, SJanickiPhoto.com) WASHINGTON - Coming off 13 successful seasons as head wrestling coach at Stanford University, Jason Borrelli is switching coasts. American University Director of Athletics & Recreation Dr. Billy Walker has announced Borrelli, the two-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year, as the head coach of AU Wrestling. "I'm tremendously excited to announce Coach Jason Borrelli as American University's Head Wrestling Coach," said Walker. "Coach Borrelli has demonstrated excellence in all facets of running a nationally respected program. He takes great pride in cultivating a family atmosphere in his program, and has a laser-like focus on ensuring his student-athletes succeed on and off the mat. Most importantly, Coach Borrelli has proven he does things the right way -- with integrity, respect, and a deep sense of caring for the development of each of his student-athletes. I'm thrilled to welcome Jason, Jenna, Carter, Lincoln and Jackson to the AU Eagles Family!" Borrelli leaves Stanford following a historic season for the program. The Cardinal swept the Pac-12 awards including Borrelli's second Coach of the Year honor, seven of 10 Cardinal starters qualified for the NCAA Championships, and Stanford finished with two All-Americans and its first national champion since 2004 in redshirt sophomore Shane Griffith. "Jenna and I are thrilled to be joining the American University family and look forward to raising our children in the nation's capital," said Borrelli. "I would like to thank Dr. Billy Walker and the entire search committee for their confidence in selecting me as AU's next head wrestling coach. It is a tremendous honor to lead this program. "American Wrestling has a strong tradition and I will work tirelessly to build upon its past success. In 2007, Josh Glenn proved that you can win an NCAA title at American. Now, it is time to set our sights on finding out which student-athletes will follow in his footsteps and help take the program to even greater heights. I am eager to get started and look forward to developing champions on and off the mats. Go Eagles!" Over Borrelli's 13 seasons, the Cardinal sent 35 different wrestlers to the NCAA Championships a total of 64 times. In 2016-17, Stanford set a program record with nine NCAA qualifiers. Borrelli's wrestlers garnered a total of 15 All-America honors and 21 individual Pac-12 championships. His 21 conference champions were the most during any 13-year span in program history. Borrelli led the Cardinal to the program's first Pac-12 Championship in 2019 and was named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year. The Cardinal posted 122 dual meet victories in Borrelli's 13 years, making him the program's all-time winningest coach. Borrelli's Stanford teams placed in the top 20 at the NCAA Championships four times, with the program achieving the feat just three other times prior to his tenure. The 2020 NCAA Tournament was shaping up to be a record-setting event for the program before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cardinal qualified five wrestlers for the championships, including four freshmen - the most by any school in the nation. Off the mat, Borrelli's teams thrived academically. The Cardinal finished in the top 16 among all Division I programs in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) team GPA standings each season. Borrelli has mentored 23 NWCA Scholar All-Americans (44 total awards) and has had 50 wrestlers earn 98 Pac-12 All-Academic honors. The Cardinal also had five Pac-12 Scholar-Athletes of the Year during Borrelli's tenure. Borrelli has proven to be one of the finest recruiters in the nation. In seven of his 12 recruiting seasons, the Cardinal landed nationally ranked recruiting classes in Intermat's top 25, with six of those classes falling in the top 15. The 2018 class was the highest in program history at No. 7, while the 2014 class was tabbed ninth overall by Intermat. In addition to his coaching duties, Borrelli served on the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee for five years. In 2010, Borrelli graduated from the NWCA's inaugural Leadership Academy; a program designed to equip collegiate coaches with the necessary skills to lead a successful program. A former Central Michigan standout, Borrelli started at Stanford as an assistant coach in 2008 and quickly helped guide the Cardinal to one of its most successful seasons in school history with a 19th-place finish nationally. Prior to coming to Stanford, Borrelli served on the Central Michigan coaching staff. In his first year with the Chippewas, the program won its ninth consecutive Mid-American Conference Championship. A Mt. Pleasant, Michigan native, Borrelli was a two-time Michigan state champion in high school before beginning his career at Central Michigan in 2001. A four-year starter at 125 and 133 pounds, he was part of five consecutive team Mid-American Conference (MAC) championships. As a junior in 2005, he captured the 133-pound MAC title. Borrelli qualified for the NCAA Championships at 133 pounds twice, in 2005 and 2006, and captained the Chippewa team as a senior. A four-year NWCA Scholar All-American, Borrelli graduated from Central Michigan in December 2005 with a degree in business administration. Borrelli and his wife, Jenna, were married in July 2009. They have three sons, Carter, Lincoln and Jackson. What They're Saying about Coach Borrelli "Jason is a tremendous wrestling coach and an even better person. Coach Borrelli cares deeply about each of his team members and works hard to optimize each person's success in the classroom and on the mat. Jason was a young coach when he became the head coach at Stanford, and since that time he has coached champions on the mat, mentored leaders off the mat and guided hundreds of young people to success in life after sports." Bob Bowlsby, Commissioner of the Big 12 Conference and former Stanford Athletics Director "I want to congratulate American University for hiring a terrific wrestling coach! Coach Borrelli is the ultimate transformational coach, and he has a demonstrated history of developing exceptional student-athletes who excel both on and off the wrestling mat." Mike Moyer, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) "Jason Borrelli is a bright leader and developer of men. He'll do a fantastic job in his new role at American." Zeke Jones, Three-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year at Arizona State, World Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist

Lucas Byrd after winning the 2021 NCAA fifth-place match (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) On Thursday, the wrestling world was shocked by the retirement of Illinois head coach Jim Heffernan. Coach Heffernan had been at the helm of the Fighting Illini program since the 2009-10 season and was an assistant coach at the school for 17 years prior. Needless to say, Heffernan has been synonymous with Illinois wrestling for generations of wrestlers. Heffernan's departure has led to plenty of speculation between wrestling fans as to who the Illini's next head coach will be. Before InterMat plays that guessing game, we've decided to outline precisely what the new leader will have to work with. What does the opening have going for it and what will need to improve going forward? Those questions and many others are answered below. The Conference The Big Ten speaks for itself. Any vacancy in the Big Ten will elicit interest from top-tier coaching candidates. Blue-chip assistants and current head coaches-alike. The name-brand recognition when recruiting, as well as the in-conference schedule, are attractive to big-time recruits. In addition to the schedule, the number of national qualifiers is always intriguing. In other conferences, low-level competition (low RPI numbers) coupled with only one or two automatic qualifying slots, make it challenging to push wrestlers through to nationals. No need to worry about either in the Big Ten. It's relatively rare for Big Ten jobs to open, so whenever one presents itself, most coaching candidates tend to pounch. Since 2015, only seven head coaching hires have been made in the conference. Of those seven, five went to an assistant already on staff (Angel Escobedo - Indiana, Sean Bormet - Michigan, Roger Chandler - Michigan State, Brandon Eggum - Minnesota, Matt Storniolo - Northwestern). Only Maryland (Alex Clemsen) and Wisconsin (Chris Bono) went outside of their existing staff. With highly qualified assistants like Jeremy Hunter and Mike Poeta on staff, there's the possibility that Illinois stays in-house, too. While we'll get into the facilities and salaries later, as a whole, the Big Ten is going to be at minimum competitive with each of these areas, which helps it look attractive to potential coaching candidates. The School Illinois is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois, with over 30,000 undergraduates. US News and World Report's latest rankings had Illinois ranked 47th nationally and 15th among public universities. Only Michigan and Wisconsin were among public Big Ten schools ranked higher. Northwestern ranks higher when factoring in private schools in the league. That bodes well for recruiting, which has trended towards academically strong institutions in recent years. In particular, Illinois' engineering program is well thought of, ranking sixth nationally. The Roster Provided there is no mass exodus after the next head coach is announced, there is plenty of talent returning for the Fighting Illini. Illinois had five national qualifiers in 2021 and four of them were either freshmen or sophomores. The only senior was All-American Dylan Duncan. At this time, there is no news about whether Duncan intends to return for the 2021-22 campaign. The second All-American last season was Lucas Byrd, who was just named to InterMat's All-Freshman team years. While Lucas emerged late in the year this season, he should develop into a consistent national title threat for the Illini. The remaining three qualifiers are all sophomores. Heavyweight Luke Luffman and the Brauangel twins, Danny and Zac. Luffman was a true sophomore, while the Braunagels have used redshirts. After the big five is Justin Cardani, who qualified for nationals in 2020, at 125 lbs, along with Matt Wroblewski. Matt is a junior 197 lber that spent the bulk of the year in the national rankings. This nucleus helped Illinois to a 5-3 dual record in 2021 and should keep the Illini competitive against almost anyone not named Iowa or Penn State. Illinois started the 2021 campaign off with four consecutive wins over Indiana, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Purdue. Their final win came during the last two weeks of the year, against in-state rival Northwestern. Looking past the leading returners for Illinois, the cupboard is far from bare as they have been able to keep some in-state talent at home after the return of Poeta in the summer of 2017. Most likely to take a leap in 2021-22 is Danny Pucino, who could be Duncan's successor. Pucino was 6-0 at 141 lbs last season (0-1 at 149) and logged a win over national qualifier Dylan D'Emilio (Ohio State), 12-7. Luke Odom was a true freshman in 2021 and went 2-3 between 157 and 165 lbs. While all three losses came to legit competition, Odom's closest margin in those defeats was six points. Others like E'lan Heard and Trey Sizemore were highly touted coming out of high school and have lots of potential. The Illini also has a promising class of incoming freshmen. If the current coaching staff is retained, I'd expect most of them to continue to Champaign. It's hard to tell if they will matriculate if an outside crew is hired. Leading the way is Dylan Connell (Marian Central, IL) and Maximo Renteria (Buchanan, CA). Both were not able to get a chance to win their fourth state title this year. With Illinois having a long history of pulling in California kids and Renteria's high school coach an alum (Troy Tirapelle), he may not be swayed by the idea of having a new staff. Another incoming freshman is Joe Braunagel (Althoff Catholic, IL). It's safe to say that he probably comes in, provided the rest of his family is satisfied with the school/staff. The Facilities In a general sense, the facilities available for Illinois are fine. They would compare favorably to most programs in the nation. With 22 All-Americans in the last decade and a pair of two-time national champions (Jesse Delgado and Isaiah Martinez), the pieces are in place for high-caliber wrestlers to thrive in Champaign. The only problem is that many of their rivals have opened shiny, state-of-the-art gigantic facilities over the past couple of years. Others, like Iowa, have one in the pipeline. More than anything, these are a huge recruiting tool, more than a necessity to develop talent. There's also the underlying belief (whether it's true or not), that an administration or alumni support the program enough to build a stand-alone structure that houses six mats (for instance). Since the facilities don't exactly match up with the Penn State's, Ohio State's, and Minnesota's of the conference, someone on the new staff will need to be a master recruiter; one that able to convince top recruits to sign, even without the fancy bells and whistles. The Salary According to the University of Illinois' "Gray Book," Heffernan's salary was just north of $195,000. Provided a similar amount is offered to the next head coach, that amount should be enough to pique the interest of most, if not all, assistant coaches and many current head coaches. Often, when a coaching position opens at a smaller institution, the head coach's salary offer does not approach that of the first assistants at Big Ten programs. The Administration The athletic department is led by AD Josh Whitman who has been with the school since February of 2016. Whitman played football at Illinois before stints with a handful of NFL teams in the early 2000's. Under Whitman's direction, the school has hired a basketball coach (Brad Underwood) that has taken the Illini from 11th in the B1G during the 2017-18 season, to second in 2020-21. This December, Whitman hired Bret Bielema to head their football program. Bielema was previously in the Big Ten at Wisconsin from 2006-12, where he led the Badgers to a pair of Rose Bowl appearances. After spending five years in charge of the Arkansas program, Bielema worked as a position coach for two NFL teams until his hire by Whitman. Whitman also hired Bielema's predecessor, Lovie Smith, who was famous for leading the Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl. During searches for wrestling coaches, I like to look at the athletic directors hiring tendencies for other sports (especially high-profile ones) to see if there's any pattern. With Whitman's most scrutinized hires (football/basketball), he has preferred prior head coaching experience. Underwood was Oklahoma State's head coach before he was hired and women's basketball coach, Nancy Fahey, was already in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Women's gymnastics coach Nadalie Walsh also had a long resume as a head coach. Those trends were broken with the hire of women's volleyball head coach Chris Tamas, previously an assistant at Nebraska, and women's tennis coach Evan Clark. Evan had been an assistant coach with the Illini before getting elevated to the head position. Trying to read between the lines, Whitman probably values head coaching experience. And why wouldn't he? The hire of women's tennis coach Evan Clark, leaves open the possibility of selecting either Hunter or Poeta. However, with so many great assistant coaches potentially interested in this job, it wouldn't be surprising to see Whitman break his tendencies and go with a new face rather than experience. The Recruiting Base Aside from the conference, one of the most critical factors Illinois has going for it is the strength of its in-state talent. Any prospective coach would love to hop into a situation with so much DI talent within its borders. While it's possible to win at a high level without being in a wrestling hotbed (Arizona State, Virginia Tech, North Carolina/NC State), most would pick the fertile grounds of Illinois if given the opportunity. In 2021, 29 Illinois natives qualified for the NCAA Championships. Seven of them went on to earn All-American honors. In sort of a weird, fluke occurrence, North Carolina's Austin O'Connor became the first Illinois native to win an NCAA title since his coach, Tony Ramos, did so in 2014. You have to go back to 2003 to find an Illinois native who won a title wrestling for the Illini (Matt Lackey). Though there's a ton of talent in-state, few have managed to win national championships, though, again, it's probably just an odd stat. For years, fans have thought Illinois needed to keep talent at home. Generally, they've been able to keep a large chunk of kids in-state. For instance, all eight of their 2020 national qualifiers were homegrown recruits. That statement should be amended to keeping the elite talent at home. Along with O'Connor going to North Carolina, a pair of blue-chippers that finished in the top-four in St. Louis for Iowa were Jacob Warner and Tony Cassioppi. Both are from Illinois. To entice the top-25 type kids to stay at home, there needs to be a different "aura" surrounding the program. Similar to the feeling that Tom Ryan instilled at Ohio State when he took over in 2006. Before Ryan, did the Buckeyes keep strong talent at home? Sure, but they were also just as likely to leave. That's why, as mentioned before, someone with an inane ability to recruit and bond with the Illinois high schoolers needs to be on staff, whether as the head coach or assistant(s). Poeta had five years of experience on the club level before coming back to the college ranks and it has shown with an uptick in recruiting. They need to continue this and expand on it. The "We Will Win" mantra from Whitman's office, along with the renewed excitement surrounding the football and basketball programs, could trickle into the minds of prospective wrestling recruits down the line.

J'den Cox at the 2019 World Championships (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Just before the Olympic Trials started in Fort Worth, news began to ripple through the crowd that J'den Cox had missed weight and would not compete in the tournament. As a returning medalist at the non-Olympic weight of 92kg, Cox had a bye into the semifinals at 97kg. Many had anticipated a Saturday night matchup between Cox, a two-time world champion and 86kg Olympic medalist, and Kyle Snyder, the defending Olympic champion at 97kg and a two-time world champion. As more information became public, it emerged that Cox claimed he was told the wrong weigh-in time by his coach, USA Wrestling National Freestyle Developmental Coach Kevin Jackson. Weigh-ins ended at 8:00am, but Cox did not make weight until 8:13am, according to published reports. The tournament committee met and decided that Cox could not enter, since he did not make weight in the time allotted. (Quick aside: international weigh-ins work differently than college. In college, wrestlers must be in the weigh-in area when the weigh-in begins or they cannot weigh in. Internationally, there is a weigh-in window, and wrestlers can come at any time during that window. The window ends two hours before wrestling begins.) Cox was a serious threat to win the trials and medal in Tokyo this summer. Leaving him out of the tournament and depriving fans of the potential Cox vs. Snyder final generated a lot of discussion about whether or not Cox should have been permitted to wrestle even though he missed the weigh-in. At the heart of any discussion is the question of which rules really matter, and which rules are worth disregarding to reach a desired outcome. Is the desire to send the best possible team to Tokyo worth breaking a rule? Which rules are worthy of breaking and are then, by definition, less important than other rules? Would letting Cox wrestle allow him an unfair advantage, and is whether or not breaking a rule gives an advantage the only criteria worth considering when allowing a rule to be broken? These are hard questions to answer. All athletic competitions are a distortion of reality. The rules create an artificial environment where certain regulations and procedures are agreed to by all competitors and enforced by officials. These rules include who is eligible to compete and how a competition takes place. Weight classes sort athletes by size. A takedown is worth two points. You must weigh in at a certain time to be in the tournament. Interlocking fingers is against the rules. Making weight two hours before the event begins is an arbitrary rule, but every wrestling rule is arbitrarily decided, and the competitors are tasked with knowing and understanding these rules so they can effectively compete in this specific version of distorted reality. Applying the rules differently to different competitors may create a result that is desirable to some while others disagree. There is a value judgment that must be made anytime the rules are not applied in the way everyone had previously agreed to. In the case of Cox, is the potential of him winning an Olympic medal worth applying a separate set of rules to one athlete, possibly at the expense of others he may beat along the way? Inherent in the belief that Cox should have been able to compete is the assertion that weighing in 13 minutes late should not disqualify a wrestler, or at least not disqualify a wrestler of Cox's quality. That leads to two more questions. First, how late is too late? If 8:13 is OK, what about 8:14? What about 8:45? Could he weigh-in after his first match? Second, how good does a wrestler need to be in order to merit an exception to the rules? Should only serious medal threats be granted exceptions? Who decides if someone is a serious medal threat? If this grace should only be extended to serious contenders, what happens if a low-seeded wrestler had shown up at 8:13? Would Cox be allowed to wrestle, but the other wrestler removed from the tournament? There is no value judgment in these questions; these are just questions that must be answered before deciding to grant one wrestler an exception to the rules. It is possible to determine that the desired end (getting a medal contender into the tournament) justifies the means (giving exceptional treatment to one competitor) in this case. One level removed from whether or not Cox should have been able to wrestle is how that decision affects the other competitors at 97kg. A spot on the Olympic team was not the only prize last weekend in Fort Worth. Wrestlers competed for spots on the National Team. The top three athletes in each weight class receive financial support, training opportunities, and international competition slots. As of today, Kyle Snyder, Kollin Moore, and Kyven Gadson are 1, 2, and 3 on the national team ladder. Inserting Cox into the 97kg bracket could have resulted in one of those guys losing a national team spot and the others dropping down on the ladder, as well as losing the Olympic spot to a wrestler who did not follow the same rules as everyone else. One can argue that this is a worthwhile tradeoff to get the best team to Tokyo, but it is necessary to consider any potential loss, financial or otherwise, incurred by the other wrestlers in the bracket who followed the rules and weighed in on time. Finally, it is worth considering the argument that Cox gained no benefit by weighing in late. This should not be automatically assumed true. He had less time to recover after the weigh-in than someone who weighed in earlier. On the other hand, he had more time to get his weight down than every other competitor. In the end, it doesn't really matter, which is true in this specific case. What matters more is the idea that breaking a rule should be overlooked if the competitor doing it is good enough and breaking the rule does not result in an unfair advantage to the rule breaker. This will create a hierarchy of rules where some are considered too important to break while others are more flexible. There is not necessarily anything wrong with this, but someone has to decide where the line is drawn. USA Wrestling decided that weighing in on time was important enough a rule to enforce it to the letter. Some may call that arbitrary, but as discussed earlier, all rules are arbitrary, and someone must be charged with making enforcement decisions. Is it more important to treat all competitors fairly or equally, and who is the arbiter of fairness? Furthermore, when giving unequal treatment, how much notification should the other competitors receive? Snyder had a bye into the finals. Cox was to be given a bye to the challenge tournament semifinals. They were not treated equally to the other wrestlers at 97kg. However, USA Wrestling published the procedure for team selection months in advance, and everyone in the weight class knew ahead of time what it would take to make the Olympic team. Allowing Cox to weigh in late and still compete would have been more unequal treatment, but maybe it would not have been unfair to the other competitors. How one views this bit of potential unequal treatment may depend on whom it affects. A fan who wants to see both Cox vs. Snyder and the strongest possible team might be fine with it. Moore and Gadson, their coaches, and their fans might be less so, for reasons previously discussed. What is the right thing to do in a scenario like this? USA Wrestling could bend the rules or stick to the published guidelines. The other 195 wrestlers in the challenge tournament made weight on time. One did not. The fact that the one is a world champion whose coach may have passed along some incorrect info complicates things further, and, no matter what anyone thinks of the situation, 13 minutes is not a long time. USA Wrestling made the call to hold everyone to the same weigh-in timing standard. That is a tough call to make when the result is disqualifying a world champion. There does not appear to be an easy, no-doubt-about-it answer, but the committee can at least say that they voted to uphold the published rules for conducting the tournament. J'den Cox had indicated he will appeal the decision. He might win and get a chance to make the team. He might deserve that chance. Whoever hears his appeal will have to weigh all the evidence, and there are big questions that will be part of the deliberations. Which rules matter? Which rules can be bent or broken without damaging the fairness and integrity of the event, selection process, or sport?

Nathan Tomasello at the Olympic Trials (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) This morning, on social media, 2015 NCAA champion and national team member, Nathan Tomasello, announced that he will be moving to Oklahoma to train at the Oklahoma RTC. Tomasello stated that situation appeals to him because of the presence of Sooners head coach Lou Rosselli, who was an assistant coach at Ohio State while Tomasello was in college. He'll also have the opportunity to work with 2012 Olympian Sam Hazewinkel, who currently serves as the head coach of the Oklahoma RTC. Tomasello served as an assistant coach at Duke for the 2020-21, which was his first collegiate coaching post. He came to Durham after earning All-American honors four times for the Buckeyes, placing third three times after winning a national title as a redshirt freshman. As a senior, Tomasello became only the 15th wrestler to win four Big Ten championships. Recently, Tomasello made the national team after finishing third at the Olympic Trials. As the seventh seed, Tomasello shook off a 3-2 loss to runner-up Vito Arujau and posted 13-6 and 12-6 wins over Sean Russell and Zane Richards, respectively, to grab third place at 57 kgs. In 2019, Tomasello was a runner-up at the Bill Farrell, the Cerro Pelado, and Senior Nationals.

2021 ACC champion Sam Latona (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) The 2021 collegiate season is in the books, but there's still plenty to talk about in this, the most unusual of all wrestling seasons. One bit of normalcy in this uncertain season was some new freshmen that burst onto the scene. Even as many argue against giving wrestlers sixth and seventh (or eight) years of competition, the college game continues to evolve in favor of younger wrestlers. For the third time in four NCAA Tournaments, and the fifth time in seven, we saw two freshmen ascend to the top of the NCAA podium. Seeing a freshman win a national title used to be a rare occurrence; however, at least one has gotten his hand raised on the big stage on Saturday night for the last seven NCAA Tournaments. Those two national champions weren't the only freshmen that had their share of success at the national championship. 13 other freshmen made their way into the top-eight of their respective weight classes, with two finishing in third place. That made for some difficult choices at a few different weights. After some debate, here's Intermat's All-Freshman team for the 2021 season. Please note that Intermat's Freshman of the Year was already announced on March 24th. 125 - Sam Latona (Virginia Tech) Typically the 125 lb weight class is filled with impact freshman and there are some difficult choices to be made about the top spot. From 2014-19 there was only one season with less than two freshmen who achieved All-American honors at 125 lbs (2016). This year, Sam Latona was the only rookie to make the podium at this weight in St. Louis. While most fans took notice of Sam after a 20-2 redshirt campaign in 2019-20, Latona announced himself to the entire collegiate wrestling community after a dramatic win over reigning ACC champion Jakob Camacho (NC State) in dual meet action. The last-second four-point move propelled the Hokies over their conference rival and helped them earn a regular-season ACC title. Latona would add a second win over Camacho in the finals of the ACC championship, which locked up a perfect regular season for the Alabama-native and a second-seed at the NCAA Tournament. While Latona at nationals, he did pick up a win over the eventual third-place finisher (Patrick McKee - Minnesota) in the championship round. Sam finished his initial season in Blacksburg with a 14-3 record, three major decisions, and three wins over eventual All-Americans. Second Team - Robbie Howard (Penn State) NCAA fifth-place finisher Lucas Byrd (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) 133 - Lucas Byrd (Illinois) Interestingly enough, the Big Ten was responsible for all four of the All-Americans that won their final match of the year, national champion Roman Bravo-Young (Penn State), third-place finisher, Austin DeSanto (Iowa), along with freshmen Lucas Byrd (fifth) and Chris Cannon (seventh). Byrd finished his freshman year with a 17-4 record and three of those losses came to wrestlers that placed in the top-four at nationals. The freshman from Cincinnati, Ohio, may have gone overlooked for the bulk of his freshman year, but made the country take notice as he pushed DeSanto to the brink in the Big Ten semifinals. Lucas clinched his place on the podium by downing two-time ACC champion Micky Phillipi (Pittsburgh) in the bloodround 6-2 in tiebreakers. Philippi came into the tournament as the fifth seed, while Byrd was seeded seventh. Byrd clearly claimed the spot on the first team with a pair of victories over second-teamer Cannon. He downed the Wildcat 7-1 for third-place in the Big Ten and again, by a 4-1 margin, in the consolation quarters at nationals. Second Team - Chris Cannon (Northwestern) Dylan D'Emilio (Photo/Sam Janicki; SamJanickiPhoto.com) 141 - Dylan D'Emilio (Ohio State) Perhaps the most difficult choices for this team took place at 141 lbs, as there were only four freshman national qualifiers at the weight. What separated Dylan D'Emilio from the pack is that he was the only one from the quartet to earn a win at nationals. He picked up three, in fact. At the beginning of the season, many would not be surprised to see a Buckeye freshman get first-team honors, as Anthony Echemendia was penciled in as Ohio State's starter. D'Emilio ended up getting the nod down the stretch and responded with wins over national qualifiers Drew Mattin (Michigan) and Parker Filius (Purdue) in February. A 3-2 showing at the Big Ten Championships left D'Emilio without an automatic bid, but he was selected as an at-large and seeded 30th. After dropping his first match, Dylan bounced back with three straight wins, including downing the 19th (Lane Peters - Army West Point) and 20th (Brian Courtney - Virginia) seeds. D'Emilo finished the year with a 10-8 record for the Buckeyes. Second Team - McKenzie Bell (Rider) Kyle Parco during his consolation run (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) 149 - Kyle Parco (Fresno State) It's unreal that 149 lbs saw a pair of wrestlers made the podium, both from California schools that have vowed to cut their programs after the 2021 season. While most fans expected Jaden Abas to contend for All-American status this season, not many could have projected that Kyle Parco would have done so, as well. Parco competed at 141 lbs during the regular season, but bumped up after losing a wrestle-off heading into the postseason. That proved to be a good move for the Bulldog, who finished third in the conference and headed into nationals with the 17th seed. The loss at the conference tournament was the only blemish on the resume for Parco prior to St. Louis. Kyle's first NCAA tournament started with a win over EIWA champion PJ Ogunsanya (Army West Point). He then met the top-seed, Sammy Sasso (Ohio State), and gave the Buckeye all he could handle before falling, 11-10. In back-to-back-to-back matches, Parco took out the #9 Legend Lamer (Cal Poly), #6 Bryce Andonian (Virginia Tech), and #7 Jonathan Millner (Appalachian State) seeds, ensuring a place in the top-six. Parco has already signed to continue his collegiate career at Utah Valley University. Second Team - Jaden Abas (Stanford) Cade DeVos in regular season action (Photo/SDSU athletics) 157 - Cade DeVos (South Dakota State) This was the most difficult decision of the entire team. There were four or five 157 lbers that could have warranted discussion for one of the top two spots. Ultimately, it was a first-round win by Cade DeVos over fellow freshman, #15 Chase Saldate (Michigan State), that cemented his place on the first team. DeVos' two remaining bouts at the national tournament came against eventual All-Americans. As a whole, DeVos' record this year does not look impressive; however, he squared off with some high-caliber competition. Eight of his 11 losses came at the hands of opponents who earned top-ten seeds at nationals. Aside from the win over the Big Ten's fourth-place finisher, Saldate, DeVos also notched a pair of wins over Jacob Wright (Wyoming), who had only lost twice heading into the Big 12 Championships. Second Team - Andrew Cerniglia (Navy) Keegan O'Toole in his NCAA 3rd place bout (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) 165 - Keegan O'Toole (Missouri) One of the top recruits in the high school Class of 2020, Keegan O'Toole did not disappoint during his true freshman season. O'Toole lost to eventual NCAA runner-up Jake Wentzel (Pittsburgh) in the NCAA quarterfinals for his only setback of the year. The young Tiger bounced back with wins over four top-ten seeds to grab third place. O'Toole finished the year with an astounding 65% bonus-point rate after racking up six falls and five technical falls. He also faced a solid schedule pre-NCAA's. Six of his 13 wins before St. Louis came against wrestlers that would ultimately compete at the national tournament. The Mizzou freshman also staked his claim to the top spot among freshmen at 165 lbs as he picked up a head-to-head win over the second team's Cameron Amine in the Round of 16 at the NCAA Championships. Second Team - Cameron Amine (Michigan) 2021 NCAA Champion Carter Starocci (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) 174 - Carter Starocci (Penn State) A 19-0 redshirt season set the bar extremely high for Carter Starocci as he took over the 174 lb weight class for Penn State. While replacing a national champion and three-time finalist like Mark Hall is a difficult proposition for any wrestler, Starocci matched his predecessor by winning a title as a freshman. After losing his debut to Donnell Washington, Starocci won nine consecutive bouts to roll into the Big Ten finals. There he fell to Iowa's three-time All-American, Michael Kemerer. The PSU 174 lber was able to avenge that loss in the national finals with a 3-1 win in sudden victory. Starocci finished the year with four wins over eventual All-Americans, an impressive figure for a COVID-shortened season that saw him only wrestle 16 matches. Throughout the year, Starocci showed maturity beyond his years by four wins in extra time, all coming against veteran competitors. Second Team - Donnell Washington (Indiana) Parker Keckeisen's NCAA 3rd place bout (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) 184 - Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa) 184 lbs saw a pair of freshmen square off in the national third-place bout and it was Parker Keckeisen who prevailed 5-4 over John Poznanski to take home the honors. Keckeisen's 6-4 loss in the NCAA semis, to eventual champion Aaron Brooks (Penn State), was the first, and only, setback of the year for the Panther. Though he didn't see action in dual competition until late January, Keckeisen made his presence known quickly by upsetting All-American Dakota Geer (Oklahoma State) in his second career dual. A week later, he downed eventual All-American Brit Wilson (Northern Illinois). With his win over Tate Samuelson (Wyoming) in the Big 12 finals, Parker became the third consecutive (all-different) Panther 184 lber to win a conference title. Keckeisen earned his place in the NCAA quarterfinals when he locked up a takedown in the sudden victory period to drop fifth-seeded Hunter Bolen (Virginia Tech), 4-2. At Nationals, Parker was victorious over the fifth, sixth (Poznanski), and seventh (Wilson) seeds. Second Team - John Poznanski (Rutgers) 2021 NCAA champion AJ Ferrari (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) 197 - AJ Ferrari (Oklahoma State) Who would have guessed that after the NCAA Championships, one of the new darlings of the wrestling world would be AJ Ferrari? Celebrations, quotable interviews, and social media dances aside, Ferrari showed his mettle on the mat by controlling the top-seeded Myles Amine (Michigan) in the NCAA semis, before neutralizing, high-scoring Nino Bonaccorsi (Pittsburgh) for the title. Ferrari was thought to be one of the top recruits in the Class of 2020, evidenced by a Cadet World bronze medal in 2018 and did not disappoint on the college mat. Ferrari's first five collegiate bouts resulted in bonus points, with three coming via tech fall. He lost only once during 21 collegiate matches and finished the year on a nine-match winning streak. Ferarri's larger-than-life personality sometimes obscured the fact that he demonstrated extraordinary grit on the mat and a high wrestling IQ. AJ was already named Intermat's Freshman of the Year in late March. Second Team - Rocky Elam (Missouri) Arizona State's Cohlton Schultz (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) 285 - Cohlton Schultz (Arizona State) For the second consecutive NCAA Tournament, we saw two freshmen climb the NCAA podium at 285 lbs, a feat that previously had not been accomplished since 2012. A head-to-head win in the consolation quarters ensured that Cohlton Schultz got the nod over Greg Kerkvliet. The win represented Schultz's highest-scoring contest of the year. He put up 14 points against Kerkvliet's eight. Interestingly enough, both were Cadet World Champions in 2017, Kerkvliet in freestyle, Schultz in Greco. The Sun Devil big man cruised into the NCAA Championships with a 10-0 record and a Pac-12 title under his belt. Schultz's breakout came during the regular season when he defeated veteran's Carter Isley (Northern Iowa) and Gannon Gremmel (Iowa State) on the same day. He would later earn a second win against Gremmel during the consolation semis at nationals. Cohlton finished the year in fourth place in St. Louis, with both of his defeats coming against Iowa's Tony Cassioppi. Second Team - Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State)

Richard Perry in the 2018 US Open semifinals (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Today, while driving to yet another doctor's appointment in Philadelphia, I noticed a man, probably in his mid-thirties, attempting to cross a busy intersection while in a wheelchair. What caught my eye wasn't the wheelchair itself, but this man had a young girl, probably two or three years old, sitting on his lap. Immediately I was overcome with emotion as tears filled my eyes. I looked over towards my husband and said out loud, "that could be you, that could have very well been you with our Zeke!" A look of bewilderment came upon his face, one that neglected to recall all he's overcome these past two and a half years as he has battled his way back on the mat. My husband, Richard Perry, Senior-level and world-class wrestler, 2018 National Team Member at 86kgs, my best friend, Pennsylvania Regional Training Center athlete and father of our three beautiful children, was injured in a horrific incident on August 27th, 2018, while training with US Marines at a National Team Training Camp. The injuries he sustained left him completely paralyzed for months, unable to speak, to move, to eat on his own, left with permanent brain damage, and lasting effects that would bring most men to their knees. He often forgets the prognosis given to us time and time again, one that seemed more like a promise than a probability, that he would be bedridden and, at best, in a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. Richard Perry shortly after the incident in 2018 (Photo/Perry family) While almost three years ago, it seems like just yesterday, our entire world was turned upside down in the blink of an eye. I would be lying if I didn't tell you the drama and details of the actual incident would make for a riveting read. However, I want to tell of an untold story, a piece of the puzzle that is truly remarkable. It was August 30th, 2018, just a few days after my husband's initial injury in California. I was sitting in the waiting room in the ICU while the National Team members and coaches visited with an unconscious Richard Perry; I'm certain some of which, thought it would be the last time they ever saw him alive. At this point, the doctors were trying to convince me Richard wasn't going to make it, and if he did survive, he would have to live out his days in a hospital bed. They warned me to prepare for the worst and asked me to come to grips with reality. My husband always had an unshakable faith, so while he was unable to speak life into this grim situation, in an attempt to make him proud, I clung to that very faith, praying for a miracle. Instead, every day upon my return to the hospital, I was met with more bad news; infections, fevers, lack of response, inability to swallow, seizures, meningitis. My reality was quickly becoming my worst nightmare as all of our dreams and plans we once looked forward to, were crumbling all around us. Yet there I sat, with a smile on my face and hope in my heart, praying that these men visiting, these brothers of his, his teammates, would say something, do something that would somehow help him, that would wake him up, would fix him. I just needed to know he was still in there; I needed to know our children would be able to see their father again, that I would be able to hear, "I love you," once more. I looked up and saw a familiar face, one Rich had introduced me to several times over the past year at various Senior level tournaments; a man Richard greatly admired and always had incredible things to say when he spoke of him, Assistant Coach and Manager of Freestyle Programs, Coach Joe Russell. He sat beside me and asked if he could share something with me.I had no idea how his words, his story, would forever change our lives. Richard Perry with Joe Russell (Photo/Perry family) "Gina, I don't know if Richard ever told you about me, but when I was in high school, I was in a very serious motorcycle accident. I've never quite understood why I was chosen for this position at USA Wrestling, but I know now God has put me here for this specific purpose," he was so sincere and you could tell by the expression on his face and the tone in his voice, the words he would speak next would bring hope, the very hope I would cling to for weeks, months and even years to come. Coach Russell went on to tell me of his own brain injury that left a portion of his brain on the concrete floor of his high school parking lot. He told me of the grim prognosis the doctors gave his parents and his brother, fellow wrestler, Dan Russell. He shared with me the pain and the fears of his family, that this once prominent, successful high school wrestler would never again talk or walk, would never again leave his hospital bed. Coach told me of his brother Dan, who, with a fighting spirit, would not accept this news or the possibility that Joe wasn't going to be around to grow up with him. Instead, he fought and he prayed and he pushed his brother. Joe warned me that it would first be worse before it got any better. He shared with me the pain, the disappointment and the trials he had to face during his recovery. Then, he shared with me the victories: the first eye movements, the first words he uttered to his brother. He shared the moments of his first steps, the pain but success of his first run, and he shared his first few attempts at wrestling again. Coach explained while he was in the hospital, he would only respond to one person, his brother Dan. He shared that while in the hospital, he heard Dan speaking to him; he was just unable to respond. Most importantly, he told me Richard was still in there, that wrestlers are built differently, that Richard was made differently, that he knew whatever God had planned, He would see it through, and He would see our family through. For the first time in almost a week since Richard's injuries, I was given actual hope. I had something I could cling to, something I could look forward to. I finally had the option to hold an expectation other than death. For me, that was enough. In the weeks and months to follow, the details Coach Russell shared of his own experience unfolded in our story as Richard began to respond but only to Zeke, our 5-month-old son. Richard would start by tracking us with his eyes and then slowly, he began to move his fingers on his right hand. He uttered an "I love you," and ignited a deep fire of hope and faith once more. What seemed like the entire wrestling community from all over the world, rallied behind our family, behind Richard. They shared similar stories filled with trials and tribulations, but when met with faith and support, became stories of overcoming and perseverance. These very stories continued to give our own family hope, and served as great inspiration. As time passed, we rode the unexpected roller coaster of recovery until Richard was able to have the brain surgery necessary to remove the portion of his skull that penetrated into his brain. When we headed back to Philadelphia, Richard spent nearly three more months in an inpatient facility learning how to talk, learning to move his left hand, use his fingers and control his arms. He had to learn how to walk, write, read, chew, shower, cook, climb stairs, hold a conversation, etc. It was in this hospital that Coach Joe Russell drove from DC to visit Richard and spend time with him. I was unable to be present during his visit, but I'm sure Joe discovered that he was right all along; Richard was built differently, as most wrestlers are, he knew Richard would meet head-on and overcome every obstacle placed before him, just as he did himself. Believe me, my husband did just that; he accepted every challenge given to him by doctors, therapists and nursing staff. This husband, father of three, and once-rising wrestler was told he would most likely never walk again, and upon hearing his fate, he challenged himself to overcome, and was determined to walk out of the hospital. On November 16th, 2018, around 11am, Richard Perry, unassisted, walked out of his hospital room, into an elevator, down the hallway and into our car! His determination and perseverance met with faith and hope, led to what we believe, are modern-day miracles. After countless doctors appointments, cognitive, speech and physical therapies, and specialized strength and mobility sessions, in December of 2020, Richard Perry returned to the mat and began to train once again with his Coach Brandon Slay and the rest of the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center in Philadelphia. We aren't certain what comes next, no one truly is, but we are aware it takes just one pivotal moment, one incredible conversation to change circumstances, to inspire belief and create hope. Today, I wanted to share our story with you in the hope that it inspires you to keep fighting, keep pushing forward and to never limit yourself. Soon, I will share the untold stories of many wrestlers at every level, from across the nation. You see, Coach Russell was absolutely correct, wrestlers are built differently, they overcome on and off the mat.

Georgia's Vladimir Khinchegashvili after winning an Olympic gold medal in 2016 (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) With the European, African, and Asian Olympic Games qualifiers completed, we now have a better understanding of what to expect the field will look like for the world Olympic qualifier where the US will be sending Jordan Oliver to qualify 65 KG. To qualify their country for the Olympics, athletes must make the finals of the last chance qualifier. The Big Four #3 (70) Ilyas Bekbulatov (UZB)- 2015 Russian Nationals champion, 2017 European champion, 2018 European runner-up, 4x Yarygin champion ('13,'15,'17,'18), 2021 Russian Pro League champion. Key Wins: Soslan Ramonov (2015 Russian Nationals finals), #7 (74) Magomed Kurbanaliev (2015 Russian Nationals), #8 David Baev (2021 70 KG Russian Pro League finals), #10 Akhmed Chakaev (2018 Yarygin finals), #11 Naachyn Kuular (2018 Yarygin). Key Losses: #7 (74) Magomed Kurbanaliev (2014 Intercontinental Cup), Toghrul Asgarov (2015 European Games), #4 Haji Aliyev (2018 European Championships finals), Soslan Ramonov (2018 Indian Pro League), Julian Gergenov (2019 Russian Nationals), Ernazar Akhmataliev (2021 Asian OG qualifier) #13 Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL)- 2016 70 KG European champion, 2017 65 KG world runner-up, 2017 70 KG European runner-up, 2018 70 KG European runner-up, 2019 70 KG European bronze, 2020 70 KG European champion 2019 70 KG world bronze, 2020 70 KG Individual world cup champion. Key Wins: #1 (70) Israil Kasumov (2017 70 KG European championships), #4 Haji Aliyev (2018 International Ukrainian tournament), Vladimir Khinchegashvili (2018 International Ukrainian tournament) #5 Heydar Yavuz (2020 70 KG Individual World Cup finals) #14 (70) Zurab Iakobishvili (2019 70 KG world bronze medal match), #1 (74) Zaurbek Sidakov (2016 70 KG European championships). Key Losses: #4 (74) Frank Chamizo (2015 world championships, 2017 70 KG European championships finals), #7 (74) Magomed Kurbanaliev (2018 70 KG European finals), Frank Molinaro (2016 Olympics), #14 (70) Zurab Iakobishvili (2017 65 KG world finals), #8 David Baev (2019 70 KG world championships), #2 Vazgen Tevanyan (2021 European OG Qualifier) Jordan Oliver (USA)- 2019 U.S. Open champion, 2019 Bill Farrell Memorial champion, 2021 Olympic Trials champion, 2020 Matteo Pellicone runner-up. Key Wins: #14 Yianni Diakomihalis (2021 Olympic Trials), Joey McKenna (2019 U.S. Open finals, 2021 Olympic trials finals), Toghrul Asgarov (2018 Beat the Streets). Key Losses: #15 Bajrang Punia (2019 Dan Kolov finals, 2020 Matteo Pellicone finals), #14 Yianni Diakomihalis (2019 U.S. Open), #10 Akhmed Chakaev (2018 Ziolkowski). Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO)- 2015 57 KG world champion, 2016 57 KG Olympic champion, 2017 61 KG European champion, 2017 61 KG world bronze medalist, 2019 European Games runner-up. Key Wins: #1 Gadzhimurad Rashidov (2016 57 KG world cup), Hassan Rahimi (2015 57 KG world finals), #7 (57) Rei Higuchi ( #4 Haji Aliyev (2016 61 KG European championships, 2016 Olympics), #10 Akhmed Chakaev (2017 European championships finals, 2019 European Games), Logan Stieber (2017 61 KG world championships). Key Losses: #3 (70) Ilyas Bekbulatov (2018 European championships), #10 Akhmed Chakaev (2018 world championships), #1 Gadzhimurad Rashidov (2017 61 KG world championships), #3 Ismail Musukaev (2019 world championships), #4 Haji Aliyev (2019 European Games finals), #2 Vazgen Tevanyan (2021 European OG Qualifier). The Breakdown A very credentialed trio of wrestlers will be standing opposite of Oliver in the form of #3 (70) Ilyas Bekbulatov (UZB), #13 Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL), and 2016 57 KG Olympic champion Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO). Bekbulatov, a 2017 European champion for Russia and 2020 European champion, was the heavy favorite to qualify Uzbekistan at the Asian qualifier, but was chin whipped and pinned by eventual champion Ernazar Akhmataliev of Kyrgyzstan. Two-time world medalist #13 Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL) and 2x World/Olympic champion Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO) have prestigious resumes with multiple wins over world and Olympic medalists, but failed to qualify at the European Olympic qualifier due to losses to 2020 Individual World Cup champion #2 Vazgen Tevanyan (ARM). Now that we know the big three that Jordan Oliver will be dealing with, how does he stack up against the field? While there is no easy match at all against the trio of Gadzhiev, Bekbulatov, and Khinchegashvili, each one has a specific path to victory that Oliver can realistically pull off. Khinchegashvili would test Oliver's ability to chain wrestle through his leg attacks and having the gas tank to keep pressure on opponents late into a match which, based on Oliver's showing at the Olympic Trials, he should be fine. Gadzhiev will test Oliver's patience and reattacks as Gadzhiev is notoriously defensively stingy and a master at winning low-scoring matches. Bekbulatov will be the most well rounded of the three against Oliver, but if Oliver can control his ties and not get behind off an early score to Bekbulatov's chest wrap, arm throw, or uchi mata and take advantage of Bekbulatov's suspect gas tank late, like Haji Aliyev in the 2018 European finals, then Oliver can definitely take come out on top of this field. There is a possibility that Turkey could be sending #5 (70) Heydar Yavuz or 2019 European champion Mustafa Kaya, but even with them having the greater pedigree than Selehattin Killicsallyan, who was the European qualifier rep, both men have notorious hard cuts down to weight so it's still up in the air who Turkey would send. Both Yavuz and Kaya are clear title contenders and I am interested to see what choice Turkey makes moving forward.

Jordan Oliver in match two of the Olympic Trials finals (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Intermat hit the road over the weekend and traveled to Chapel Hill, North Carolina to film content for an upcoming segment on the site. We were also able to catch up with Jordan Oliver, just about a week after winning the 65 kg Olympic Trials in freestyle. Oliver was fresh off a workout with national team member Nathan Tomasello as he prepares for the Last Chance Qualifier in a few short weeks in Bulgaria. In our talk, Oliver discusses the differences in his mindset between this Trials and past events and much more.

Mark Manning (right) has led Nebraska since the 2000-01 season (Photo/Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com) With the retirement of longtime Illinois head coach Jim Heffernan on Thursday, a marquee vacancy opened up in the nation's toughest wrestling conference. While we and the rest of the wrestling world can speculate on potential replacements for Heffernan at a later date, Intermat has went through the hiring history for head coaches in the conference since 2000. They are listed below, by school. Indiana Angel Escobedo (2018-19) replaced Duane Goldman (1992-2018) Illinois ??? Jim Heffernan (2009-10) replaced Mark Johnson (1992-2009) Iowa Tom Brands (2006-07) replaced Jim Zalesky (1997-2006) Maryland (Joined the Big Ten in (2014-15) Alex Clemsen (2019-20) replaced Kerry McCoy (2008-2019) Kerry McCoy (2008-19) replaced Pat Santoro (2003-08) Pat Santoro (2003-08) replaced John McHugh (1978-03) Michigan Sean Bormet (2018-19) replaced Joe McFarland (1999-2018) Michigan State Roger Chandler (2015-16) replaced Tom Minkel (1991-2015) Minnesota Brandon Eggum (2016-17) replaced J Robinson (1986-2016) Nebraska (Joined the Big Ten in (2011-12) Mark Manning (2000-01) replaced Tim Neumann (1985-2000) Northwestern Matt Storniolo (2015-16) replaced Drew Pariano (2010-15) Drew Pariano (2010-15) replaced Tim Cysewski (1989-2010) Ohio State Tom Ryan (2006-07) replaced Russ Hellickson (1986-2006) Penn State Cael Sanderson (2009-10) replaced Troy Sunderland (1999-2009) Purdue Tony Ersland (2014-15) replaced Scott Hinkel (2007-14) Scott Hinkel (2007-14) replaced Jessie Reyes (1992-07) Rutgers (Joined the Big Ten in (2014-15) Scott Goodale (2007-08) replaced John Sacchi (1989-2007) Wisconsin Chris Bono (2018-19) replaced Barry Davis (1993-2018)

Daton Fix and the Oklahoma State staff (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com) College wrestling's crown jewel is indisputably the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. Prior to COVID, each year thousands of fans would make a pilgrimage to the host city, spending three days of bliss watching the best college folkstylers compete for the title of national champion. There is no doubt this custom will come back with a vengeance in March of 2022. While the event itself is remarkable and one of the few NCAA championships across all sports that makes money, it does have its downside. Coaches and athletes have come to understand that, while the regular season has its uses, those three days in March are of the utmost importance. This means more stars sitting out matches to rest. This means fewer big events during the season as some programs shift away from grueling schedules. This means the regular season could use a boost. Despite the many symptoms that suggest the regular season may be of dwindling importance, dual meet attendance was growing before the spring of 2020 shutdown. Per the figures compiled by Jason Bryant, Iowa led the nation in average attendance once again and had more than 10,000 fans for every dual for the first time since records have been kept. 24 schools reported an average of at least 1000 fans per home meet, tying the record set in 2018-19. 38 schools had average support of at least 700 patrons which far exceeded the previous high. The dual meet is thriving, despite the growing "perform in March at all costs" mentality. What if there were a way to add an event that features both the prestige of an NCAA championship and the casual fan allure of the dual meet? Ever since the Division I National Duals was canceled for the 2017-18 season, there has been discussion of how an NCAA Dual Meet Championship might look. Remember that the National Duals was an NWCA event. The NWCA Multi Divisional National Duals continues to be held in regular years, it simply does not include Division I and there is an appetite among many to fill that hole. Having an additional NCAA championship event on the schedule is appealing for many reasons, not least of which is the potential to have ESPN, who has broadcast every match of the DI national tournament for years now, expand their coverage of college wrestling. Figuring out how to make such an event work is a daunting task. The normal college season that lasts from November 1st past mid-March is a grind. Trying to fit tournaments in alongside duals both conference and non-conference alike while making sure your program is peaking for the postseason keeps coaches up at night. Adding in another marquee event is difficult. This is why having the NCAA attached is crucial. The National Duals rarely, if ever, had all the top teams participating with almost all the power schools skipping it at times during its run. Ideally, an NCAA Dual Championship would have its own national title attached. Whether that means taking the team aspect from the individual tournament, a controversial topic to be sure, or having a split season, the NCAA crown would ensure the highest level of participation. One of the toughest issues to tackle in making such an event is to figure out who would qualify. As I sat down to do this article, I had two main goals for that process in mind: 1) Ensure every team started the season with a chance to win if they performed on the mat. 2) Create as many meaningful events as possible throughout the season. As I worked through that, I found myself gravitating to a model that already exists in sports. Now, before I tell you where I got the inspiration I want you to promise to hear me out. You've made it this far. Some of you are going to have a knee-jerk reaction due to your distaste for the sport involved, but I'm telling you, the model fits well even if the sports are very different. Deal? The model that I based much of the qualifying on is taken from soccer's men's World Cup qualifying. What most Americans know as the men's World Cup, the 32 team tournament held every four years, is actually the World Cup finals. The qualifying matches are also a part of the World Cup, creating a chance for tiny countries all over the globe to play meaningful matches in a quest to advance. This model meets my two criteria above and fits well into college wrestling's current structure. While the soccer model is divided on geographic lines, I'm going to use the conferences instead to minimize the disruption to the existing schedule. The first aspect of any dual championship that must be decided is the number of teams. There are arguments to be made for anything from 4 to 16 qualifying for the main event. We have seen a final four setup at the NWCA event in years past, but with the NCAA attached, I feel we should go bigger. 8 is reasonable as well, and better than 4, but when you start talking about qualifying, it is a bit too limiting with 7 conferences involved. 16 seems to be the right number. It allows most, if not all, conferences to have an automatic bid into the final stage, and can be wrestled in a weekend with 4 duals for those that reach the finals. I would suggest limiting the consolation bracket as dual tournaments can be brutal and with this event adding to the schedule, it would be best to minimize the number of duals contested where prudent. A single-elimination tournament with the semi-final losers wrestling for third seems to be a good fit here. So, 16 teams, and I mentioned previously every team would have a chance to make it at the start of the season. However, not all conferences are created equal. The World Cup model accounts for this as UEFA, which encompasses Europe, the Big 10 equivalent, gets more qualifying spots than any 2 other federations combined. While that is likely going to be the case most years, I believe we should use a modified version of the previous year's NCAA team scoring to allocate the qualifying spots. This would allow the conferences to know, as they build their schedules, how many bids they have in a given year while also allowing conferences to earn more as they perform better. I did mention a modified scoring aspect. This is to account for the fact that dual strength is not the same as tournament strength. I would do two things to adjust the final scoring from the NCAA tournament. One is I would take out any wrestler that is not eligible to wrestle next season. This is simple. We are trying to allocate the spots for the next season so those who can't compete should not have an impact. The second adjustment is to give teams 15 points per NCAA qualifier. An example to illustrate why. Let's say you have Spencer Lee on your team and no one else that can qualify for the NCAA tournament. You get Spencer's 24.5 plus 15 for your one qualifier for a total of 39.5. Now, I have Cam Amine and Kanen Storr with no other qualifiers. Combined, they scored 12 points. If we just use tournament scoring, you win easily. However, in a dual, while Spencer likely scores bonus against whoever I throw out, Amine and Storr are probably going to beat whoever you throw out. So, the worst case for those three matches is a 6-6 tie. Storr and Amine need one bonus point or my 125 needs to not get pinned for me to come out ahead. So, with the qualifier points, my Amine/Storr combination now sits at 42 (their 12 points scored plus 15 qualifier points for each), just in front of Lee. This is a closer approximation of dual strength. Since all seniors are eligible to return next season none were removed from the formula this time. The following list shows the top 20 scores using this formula. One note, I counted any NCAA qualifier whether they withdrew before the tournament or were added late because of a withdrawal. I wouldn't want to put a team in a position where making the right call for an athlete's health could potentially harm the team/conference in this calculation. 1. Iowa; 10 qualifiers; Points: 129; Qualifier Points 150; Total: 279 (Big Ten) 2. Penn State; 9 qualifiers; Points: 113.5; Qualifier Points 135; Total: 248.5 (Big Ten) 3. Oklahoma State; 10 qualifiers; Points: 99.5; Qualifier Points 135; Total: 234.5 (Big 12) 4. Missouri; 10 qualifiers; Points: 64; Qualifier Points 150; Total: 214 (MAC) 5. NC State; 9 qualifiers; Points: 68; Qualifier Points 135: Total: 203 (ACC) 6. Minnesota; 9 qualifiers; Points 64; Qualifier Points 135; Total: 199 (Big Ten) 7. Arizona State; 8 qualifiers; Points 74; Qualifiers Points 120; Total: 194 (Pac-12) 8. Michigan; 8 qualifiers; Points 69; Qualifier Points 120; Total: 189 (Big Ten) 9. Nebraska; 9 qualifiers; Points: 38; Qualifier Points 135; Total: 173 (Big Ten) 10. Lehigh; 10 qualifiers; Points: 11.5; Qualifier Points 150; Total: 161.5 (EIWA) 11. Iowa State; 8 qualifiers; Points 37.5; Qualifier Points 120; Total: 157.5 (Big 12) 12. Virginia Tech; 8 qualifiers; Points 36.5; Qualifier Points 120; Total: 156.5 (ACC) 13. North Carolina; 8 qualifiers; Points 36; Qualifier Points 120; Total: 156 (ACC) 14. Northwestern; 7 qualifiers; Points 45; Qualifier Points 105; Total: 150 (BigTen) 15. Navy; 9 qualifiers; Points 7.5; Qualifier Points 135; Total: 142.5 (EIWA) 16. Stanford; 7 qualifiers; Points 35.5; Qualifier Points 105; Total: 140.5 (Pac-12) 17. Purdue; 8 qualifiers; Points 15.5; Qualifier Points 120; Total: 135.5 (Big Ten) 18. Michigan State; 8 qualifiers; Points 13; Qualifier Point 120; Total: 133 (Big Ten) 19. Virginia; 8 qualifiers; Points 11.5; Qualifier Points 120; Total 131.5 (ACC) 20. Oklahoma; 7 qualifiers; Points 17; Qualifier Points 105; Total 122 (Big 12) The most glaring examples of this formula straying from the final NCAA tournament standings are Lehigh and Navy. They both likely benefited from the Ivy League not competing this season, which gave the EIWA teams who did wrestle more qualifiers than they otherwise would have had. This is a one-off situation that is not likely to repeat itself. Given that Cornell and Princeton probably would have finished in the top 20 had they competed, I don't think this will skew too much. The two teams most harmed by the qualifier points were Pitt (40.5 NCAA points) and Rutgers (37.5 points). They finished 22nd and 24th respectively. However, half their lineup missed the NCAA tournament. In a dual format, that makes a difference as we saw above. Could they beat Michigan State or Virginia head-to-head? Of course, it is possible. The good news for them is that they can "steal" a bid by performing on the mat. These standings are only for determining the allocations. Much like the individual qualification system, the teams who make use of the allocated spot will be determined on the mat. You may have noticed that the SoCon is the only conference that did not have a team in the top 20. To ensure that all teams have a path to the championship, we must adjust. In the event a conference has no teams that would otherwise earn a bid, they will receive one allocation, just as they do in individual qualifications. For these purposes, we'll give Oklahoma's allocation to the SoCon. I am also referencing the top 20 instead of the top 16. One aspect of World Cup qualifying I find particularly interesting is that certain bubble spots playoff against bubble finishers from another area. Stealing that concept, if we were allocating for next season based on the above, those teams who finished in the top 12 would qualify for the final 16 directly. Each spot ranked 13-16 would be paired with the corresponding spot 17-20 in a dual to see who qualified for the final 16. For example, the ACC has four teams in the top 20. Two are in the top 12 so the top two qualifiers out of the ACC are guaranteed to wrestle in the final 16. The third ACC spot is 13th. That is the highest-ranking non-automatic spot so the third ACC qualifier would take on the SoCon champion as they are in the #20 allocation. The fourth ACC qualifier would (#19) would battle #14 which is the sixth Big Ten qualifier. It would look like this: ACC #3 vs SoCon #1 Big Ten #6 vs ACC #4 EIWA #2 vs Big Ten #8 Pac 12 #2 vs Big Ten 7 The final allocations would look like the table below, though if the Stanford decision holds, that allocation would go away and everyone below would shift up one. Teams moving conferences or discontinuing their programs should always be accounted for when determining allocation spots. Big Ten: 5 Automatic; 3 Wrestle-in; 8 Total ACC: 2 Automatic; 2 Wrestle-in; 4 Total Big 12: 2 Automatic; 0 Wrestle-in; 2 Total EIWA: 1 Automatic; 1 Wrestle-in; 2 Total Pac-12: 1 Automatic; 1 Wrestle-in; 2 Total MAC: 1 Automatic; 0 Wrestle-in; 1 Total SoCon: 0 Automatic; 1 Wrestle-in; 1 Total The initial bracket would look something like this: #1 Big Ten(1) vs. #16 Pac-12(2)/Big Ten(7) winner #9 Big Ten(5) vs. #8Big Ten(4) #5 ACC(1) vs. #12 ACC(2) #13 ACC(3)/SoCon(1) winner vs. #4 MAC(1) #3 Big 12(1) vs. #14 Big Ten (6)/ACC(4) winner #11 Big 12(2) vs. #6 Big Ten(3) #7 Pac-12(1) vs. #10 EIWA (1) #15 EIWA(2)/Big Ten(8) winner vs. #2 Big Ten(2) Immediately, we notice some issues with the first-round match-ups. The top two teams from the ACC square off in round one while the Big Ten also has an intra-conference dual right off the bat. This is easy to fix. We'll add the stipulation that the lower seed in any given round of 16 dual can be shifted up or down a line to avoid such issues. Since the 13 line could also be an ACC team, we'll bump ACC #2 to the 11, putting Big 12 #2 on the 12. The Big Ten's #5 can only move down since moving them up would keep them in the same dual. So, switch Big Ten #5 and EIWA #1. Now, we have this: #1 Big Ten(1) vs. #16 Pac-12(2)/Big Ten(7) winner #9 EIWA(1) vs. #8 Big Ten(4) #5 ACC(1) vs. #12 Big 12(2) #13 ACC(3)/SoCon(1) winner vs. #4 MAC(1) #3 Big 12 (1) vs. #14 Big Ten(6)/ACC(4) #11 ACC(2) vs. #6 Big Ten (3) #7 Pac-12(1) vs. #10 Big Ten(5) #15 EIWA(2)/Big Ten(8) vs. #2 Big Ten(2) One note, we'd need to do the same with the wrestle-in matches in some years as it doesn't make sense to have two teams from the same conference battling for a spot having already wrestled through conference qualifying. Conference qualifying would, ideally, feature as many single duals events as possible to maximize the number of meaningful events on the schedule. In a perfect world, a full round-robin would occur within the conference, allowing for a useful ranking of the teams. However, with the understanding that the qualification spots would need to be determined by a certain time, depending on when the dual meet championships would be held, and conferences varying drastically in size, I would leave the details up to each conference to determine. This, again, is borrowed from the World Cup model. The various federations do different things to determine their qualifiers and the conferences should have the flexibility to do the same. Giving the conferences control over their qualifying will also allow them to maintain rivalry duals if they so choose and factor in what happens to those schools that don't qualify. This gives conferences the most autonomy to make a schedule that works for their member schools while also giving them a chance for glory. What I would like to see, when a full round-robin isn't possible, is either smaller pools within the conference doing round-robins with the potential for additional duals based on where teams finish. It might also make sense to have a conference dual tournament, though to maximize the number of dates with NCAA qualification attached, I'd prefer to see each individual dual hosted by one of the participating schools rather than all the schools gathering in one location. We have seen that schools can draw a crowd by hosting dual meets that, largely, don't have much meaning in the grand scheme of things. Imagine what they might be able to do with one or more NCAA qualification matches each season? In the end, this is all speculation and fantasy for now. However, this is a legitimate path to a more substantive regular season that would be easier to sell to broadcast companies and casual fans alike. We know that the NCAA tournament is thriving and we've seen evidence that duals can draw crowds as well. If we can find a way to add an NCAA Dual Championship and, in addition, use it to improve the DI college wrestling regular season, we would be fools not to try.

Michael Kemerer after the 2021 NCAA Semifinals (Photo/Illinois Sports Information) In a spoof of a classic Tommy Boy scene, Michael Kemerer announced on Wednesday that he would be returning to the Hawkeye lineup next year. What it means for Iowa and the rest of the wrestling landscape is that the Hawkeyes will have all ten starters back from a team that won the national title even though they probably left some points on the table. But the undercurrent - on message boards and social media - was one of snide commentary. "That's gonna make him how old!?" The topic had started long before, actually. Every year after the NCAA Championships end, rabid fans discuss the prospects for their teams the following year, thus starting a bickering parade. And this year, it largely centered around how long some of these 'kids' were gonna stay in college. It all, of course, has been exacerbated by COVID and the 'free year.' And because Iowa's lineup is filled with upperclassmen (and because, well, they're Iowa), they took the brunt of the heat. Eight of ten Iowa starters will be in a season of at least one 'bonus' year. 125 - Sr. Spencer Lee (5th) 133 - Sr. Austin DeSanto (5th) 141 - Sr. Jaydin Eierman (7th) 149 - Jr. Max Murin (5th) 157 - Sr. Kaleb Young (6th) 165 - Sr. Alex Marinelli (6th) 174 - Sr. Michael Kemerer (7th) 184 - Jr. Nelson Brands (4th) or So. Abe Assad (3) 197 - Jr. Jacob Warner (5th) 285 - So. Anthony Cassioppi (4th) Hawkeye fans, of course, counter that Penn State fans should shut up because it's only a matter of time before the Nittany Lion lineup looks like a Hall of Fame reunion pic. "Michael Beard has been out of high school for four years and is still gonna be a freshman!" they retort. And everybody comments on Stevan Micic, who will be, should he return, eight years removed from high school graduation. Look, I was against the free year. I thought there were too many loose strings that would actually make college coaches' lives even more difficult. But that argument isn't the same as complaining about the ages. The free year was given - that's the rule - and everyone is playing under the same circumstances. The NCAA could have put in a stipulation that athletes affected by COVID can compete but only appear in four NCAA Championships. That would have changed things for, say, Jaydin Eierman, and AJ Ferrari, and Carter Starocci. But they didn't, and this is what we have. So you old, righteous geezers need to accept it and stop shouting at the clouds, 'When are you gonna be done with college and move on with your life? Don't you want to start a career? A family?' Uh. Pal. Just because you're miserable doesn't mean we all have to be. This is a personal choice and the wrestlers opting to stay in school are saying - no, screaming - 'this is fun'. It's odd that, in a sport like wrestling where axioms are ubiquitous, the community would fail to have the perspective to enjoy life and live it to the fullest. College is more halcyon than it is hellish. You do understand that, right? While you're punching a clock, Michael Kemerer is gonna be at the diner with his buds. When you're wasting your company's time deciding what to get for lunch, ol' Kemdawg is gonna be throwing a frisbee in the quad. About the time you get home from soccer practice, Kemerer's gonna hit up a house party. He'll then wake up, about the time you go to Home Depot, and get ready to go to Kinnick for a football game. When it's all said and done, Kemerer will have another degree and can go on to do all the glorious things that you do on a day-to-day basis. But right now, he's gonna compete for a National Title with the Iowa Hawkeyes. To your questions… Break down the candidates for the Illinois job - everybody I will always try to answer questions that I can and not put out hypotheticals. But this one has been asked by so many. My only answer is that it's too soon to tell. There hasn't been a shortlist discussed and there really isn't a surprise or 'wow' candidate that wouldn't be mentioned with any other school opening - Donny Pritzlaff, Bryan Snyder, Zach Esposito, etc. To be honest, Coach Heff's retirement caught me off guard a bit. Why now? Sure, he's long in the tooth; he's been with the program for 29 years. But the Illini have a pretty strong team returning and frankly, if he was going to step down, I would have thought it would have been a few short years ago when Mark Perry was there. Anyway - what is probably more fitting to discuss is how good of a job it is. At Illinois and in the Big Ten, you're on solid footing. And the state not only loves their wrestling (they are 3rd nationally in high school participation) but also produces some of the best prospects in the country. We'll hear more in the coming days. But for now, I'll say that I think Jeremy Hunter and Mike Poeta should either be considered for the Head position or retained. Think of the great lightweights that Illinois has had under Hunter. Another guy would be Tony Ramos, who has Illinois ties, is a terrific and relentless recruiter, and has a big-ish brand. A Throwback Name Khetag Pliev, Lakota East, Ohio Pliev was a 3x state champ and won SR Nationals. He moved to Canada and represented them at worlds a few times, including the 2012 Olympics. I have no idea why someone his age would want to be fighting on lowly MMA cards, but his finger fell off in the middle of a fight last week. HIS FINGER FELL OFF. They couldn't find it. The Public Address announcer in the arena literally asked spectators to help look for it. It was eventually found lodged in his glove. Can 174 2022 rival or even surpass the 2008 149 bracket or are we not ready for this conversation yet? - @TheGoatFollower The 2008 149 NCAA bracket is the gold standard in terms of depth and what the guys in the field had done or would do. Six of the eight placers would win titles, the other two would make a final. Jordan Burroughs was 3rd. You get the point. In March, 174 was won by Freshman Carter Starocci over veterans Michael Kemerer and Mikey Labriola. Kemerer is already a four-time All-American and Labriola is on that pace, as well. It sounds like that trio could be joined by Shane Griffith, Mekhi Lewis and Hayden Hidlay - two titlists and a finalist. Perhaps Evan Wick as well. While it's approaching all-time status, you still have to give a clear edge to 2008 149. 149 NCAA Placings - 2008 vs. 174 NCAA Projections - 2022 Don't forget to cancel your Peacock subscription. The wrestling community will love you for reminding them. - @schuyler23 Yes. Cancel your Peacock. Now love me, wrestling community. If the Olympic Trials were actually held in 2020, how different would our Men's Freestyle team look? - @codyocho5 Great question. I'm of the opinion that our team is our team. For instance, I'm not going to rewrite history and say that if the trials were re-wrestled that Yianni, who most people picked, would have won instead of J.O. There isn't a factor you can point to there that suggests timing had anything to do with it. You could make a case that freaky stuff wouldn't have emerged - Spencer, Suriano, or J'den. But your picks would probably remain the same. In other words, if you thought Spencer was going to win in 2021, you probably would have picked Spencer in 2020. Taking strictly the 2021 field (that means no Spencer, Nick, or J'den), there is only one weight I see that might have gone differently one year ago: 125kg. At Final X 2019, Gable was nipping on the heels of Gwiz. The action on the mat was close and the scores were as close as mathematically possible: 4-4 and 3-3. In 2020 Gable might have won, but I promise you it wouldn't have the shellacking that we saw last weekend. Gable has improved dramatically over the previous year. It's incredible, really.