InterMat Staff

GREENWOOD -- Lander head wrestling coach RC LaHaye announced the addition of Trung Duong as a full-time assistant to the wrestling staff on Tuesday. Duong, a 2017 graduate of Newberry College, was a two-time All-American for the Wolves during LaHaye's tenure there, finishing in the top-eight of the national tournament in 2016 and 2017. Duong then served as a graduate assistant coach for Ohio Valley during the 2017-18 season. "In my 12 years as a college coach, I've never coached a harder-working student-athlete than Trung," said LaHaye. "That relentless work ethic, along with countless other qualities, will carry over into the coaching field and he will be a huge asset for our wresting program and for Lander University." Duong earned his bachelor of fine arts degree in English and graphic design.

Minnesota high school state wrestling champion. Finalist at the 1956 NCAA wrestling championships who took on the legendary Dan Hodge. Three-time NCAA All-American and NAIA champ at Mankato State. Successful high school and college wrestling coach. Honored by at least a dozen halls of fame. Roy MinterAll of these describe Roy Minter, whose involvement in wrestling as an athlete and coach spanned five decades. Minter passed away Sunday, September 1 at a hospital in Willmar, Minnesota. He was 83. Roy Armond Minter was born March 25, 1936, in Owatonna, Minn. He attended Owatonna High School, winning a Minnesota state wrestling title as a senior in 1954. Minter then headed west to Mankato, where he was a student-athlete at what was once known as Mankato State University (now Minnesota State University-Mankato). Wrestling for famed coach Rometo "Rummy" Macias, Minter made a name for himself on the mats at Mankato. Among Minter's wrestling accomplishments included being a three-time conference champ, and winning an individual title at the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) national wrestling championships in 1958. Minter was also a three-time NCAA All-American wrestler, placing fourth at 167 pounds at the 1957 and 1958 Nationals ... and making it to the 177-pound finals at the 1956 NCAAs, where he was pinned by legendary "fall guy" Dan Hodge of University of Oklahoma. He also won three AAU national wrestling tournaments. Roy MinterIn his high school and collegiate wrestling career, Minter managed to put together an incredible overall record of 214-7-4. Minter also participated in football at Mankato, earning letters for three seasons as a center. After graduating from Mankato, Minter taught and coached football and wrestling at Worthington High School in Minnesota for ten years ... then moved to Willmar in 1968 where he taught and coached wrestling, football and baseball at Willmar Community College until retirement in 1992. Mike Schultz, who competed at Willmar Community College (now Ridgewater College) for Minter, wrote the following on Facebook: "I am going to miss you Roy Minter.... you were a great Coach/Friend/Role Model! We came in as boys and left as men because of you! Thank you for your guidance and friendship..... you will never be forgotten.... you will be forever loved Roy!! So proud to be known as one of Roy's Boys!! RIP Silver Fox!" Minter has been welcomed into a number of athletic halls of fame, including the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association's Dave Bartelma Wrestling Hall of Fame, and as a charter member of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Mass of Christian Burial for Roy Minter will be Thursday, September 5 at 9:30 a.m. at Church of St. Mary in Willmar. Visitation will take place Wednesday, September 4 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the church and continue one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Daton Fix won a gold medal at the Pan American Games (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) The United States freestyle team is loaded with superstars. And this year is no exception. The U.S. won the team title at the 2017 World Championships before finishing second to Russia last year. The United States is expected to put another very strong, hungry and experienced team on the mat for the freestyle portion of the World Championships this month in Kazakhstan. With the number of weight classes growing from 8 to 10 last year, the U.S. brought even more firepower to the 2018 World Championships. The U.S. lineup is loaded once again and expect the American squad to make a run at the team title once again. This World Championships takes on added significance as it is the main qualifier for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. The top six finishers in each of the six Olympic weight classes qualify their countries for the Olympic Games. Here is a breakdown of the medal chances of each of the 10 USA wrestlers who will compete at the 2019 World Championships. 57 kilograms: Daton Fix Gold: 20 percent Medal: 40 percent Fix has been a fixture on age-group world teams for a number of years now. He's been a Junior world champion and a Cadet world medalist and is coming off a gold-medal showing at the Pan American Games. Fix is competing at his first Senior World Championships, but his experience on the world stage at the age-group levels will help him immensely this year. Fix certainly is good enough to win a medal in Kazakhstan. He knocked off Thomas Gilman, a 2017 world silver medalist, to make the American team. Fix is a tough wrestler who has performed well on the biggest stages in freestyle. He definitely has the capability to land a spot on the medal podium. 61 kilograms: Tyler Graff Gold: 15 percent Medal: 40 percent I'm giving Graff a decent chance to win a medal at his first Senior World Championships. The reason I am doing that is simple. He beat returning world bronze medalist Joe Colon to make the American team. Colon defeated returning world champion Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez of Cuba earlier this year. Rodriguez is ranked No. 1 in the world and Colon No. 2. Graff is coming off a bronze-medal finish at the Medved International where he lost to Russia's Artyom Gebekov before storming back to win a pair of bouts. Graff is a veteran who has waited a long time for this moment. He made two Junior world teams and a University world team. He's won nine international events in his career. Graff is an offensive-minded wrestler who can put points on the board. The key for him will be finishing on his attacks. He's also improved defensively. His progress was evident when he knocked off Colon. Now can he carry that momentum over onto the world stage? Zain Retherford will compete at the World Championships for the second time (Photo/Sandy Slater) 65 kilograms: Zain Retherford Gold: 25 percent Medal: 45 percent This is a weight class the U.S. hasn't fared well in on the Senior level for more than a decade. Zain Retherford could definitely change that. The past Cadet world champion and 2017 Senior world team member has had a heck of a season. He had to overcome some adversity before knocking off an excellent wrestler in two-time Cadet world champion Yianni Diakomihalis to make the U.S. team this year. Retherford is coming off a match he trained hard for and that bodes well for him heading into the World Championships. He's in peak condition and passed a tough test heading into the event. Retherford has wrestled well against foreign opponents and he definitely has the firepower to win a medal this year. He's as tough and hard-nosed as anyone he will face. 70 kilograms: James Green Gold: 35 percent Medal: 60 percent Green is a proven performer here, winning world bronze in 2015 and world silver in 2017. Green has had mixed results over the past couple of years, but he's definitely someone who has the capability to still put points on the board and beat the best wrestlers on the planet. Green's chances may increase even more since this is a non-Olympic weight class as countries put more emphasis on the Olympic divisions with this being a qualifier for Tokyo. Green also has become a strong defensive wrestler. He's tough to score on. He just needs to keep an aggressive mentality when he does have the lead. He is a guy caught in between Olympic classes, so this could be his best shot at winning a gold medal. If he gets on a roll, like he did in 2015 and 2017, there is no doubt he can land a spot on the medal podium this year. 74 kilograms: Jordan Burroughs Gold: 60 percent Medal: 80 percent The four world titles that Burroughs has won have come in the odd-numbered years of 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017. It's 2019 so this could be the year Burroughs wins his fifth world title and ties John Smith's record of six World and Olympic titles. Burroughs is 31 now, but he's still wrestling at a high level. He lost to eventual champion Zaurbek Sidakov of Russia at the 2018 World Championships before coming back to beat two-time world champion Frank Chamizo of Italy in the bronze-medal match. Burroughs has shown a penchant for bouncing back strong after losses and expect him to be ready to turn in a strong performance at the World Championships. And it is an odd-numbered year, so I like his chances. Kyle Dake celebrates after winning his first world title (Photo/Sandy Slater) 79 kilograms: Kyle Dake Gold: 65 percent Medal: 85 percent Dake is a returning world champion and he's a guy you know is going to be in every match. He's an excellent wrestler, and he's also a very smart competitor who rarely makes a mistake. Dake did an amazing job in striking gold at his first World Championships in 2018. He missed significant time with an injury this season, but he came back strong to beat a very good wrestler in Alex Dieringer to make the U.S. Team. Dake has won his share of close matches during his career. His defense is excellent, and he also can score off his own attacks. The key for him will be to avoid those tight, low-scoring bouts that can go either way. Dake has always been a winner and he's proven himself now as a world champion. Even with the time he missed, Dake looks like he will be ready to turn in another memorable performance at the 2019 World Championships. 86 kilograms: Pat Downey Gold: 15 percent Medal: 35 percent Downey will compete here after returning world champion David Taylor suffered a season-ending injury. That obviously was a costly blow to the American team, especially with this being a qualifier for the Olympic Games. There is no doubt that Downey, a past Junior world silver medalist, is a talented and capable wrestler. The key for him will be how consistently he can perform over a number of matches. The U.S. has a long history of wrestlers doing well in their first trip to the worlds. Downey is hoping he can continue that tradition. 92 kilograms: J'den Cox Gold: 60 percent Medal: 80 percent Cox has shown he can deliver on the big stage, capturing Olympic bronze, world bronze and world gold over the past three years. He's a guy who doesn't receive the respect he deserves sometimes when overshadowed by other stars on the loaded American team. This weight class looks like the perfect fit for Cox and he showed that by winning worlds last year in Budapest. Cox is a clutch performer whose style isn't overly flashy. He's a tough, hard-nosed competitor who stays composed in big matches. I wouldn't bet against him. 97 kilograms: Kyle Snyder Gold: 50 percent Medal: 85 percent Snyder lost by a stunning first-period fall in the 2018 world finals against Russian star Abdulrashid Sadulaev a year after Snyder beat him in the 2017 world finals. Snyder has come back strong this season and he continues to show the maturity and composure of someone much older than his age. Snyder is still only 23, but he already has won an Olympic gold medal, two world titles and a world silver medal. He has an incredible resume for someone his age. Like Burroughs, Snyder is a tremendous competitor who has always come back after tough losses. And expect Snyder to do exactly that as he pursues his third world title. Nick Gwiazdowski chats with Bill Zadick at the Pan American Games (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) 125 kilograms: Nick Gwiazdowski Gold: 35 percent Medal: 65 percent Gwiazdowski earned back-to-back world bronze medals in 2017 and 2018. Now he's ready to land a spot in the world finals. Gwiazdowski continues to be a tough matchup at heavyweight. He moves well for his size and his athleticism creates problems for his opponents. He is another guy who consistently knows how to perform when the stakes are highest. Gwiazdowski has had another strong season and he looks primed to have another good performance at his third World Championships. Craig Sesker has written about wrestling for more than three decades. He's covered three Olympic Games and is a two-time national wrestling writer of the year.

Sean Russell battles Iowa's Spencer Lee (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine) Former Gophers 125-pounder Sean Russell has joined the Minnesota Storm as he pursues a future in freestyle wrestling while staying in Dinkytown. Russell, a 2017 All-American with Edinboro, joined the Gophers the summer before the 2018-19 season. After joining the Gophers Russell was dominant at 125-pounds all season long finishing third at the Big Ten Championships at Williams Arena before a Bloodround finish at the NCAA Championships. Now it's time for Russell to focus on freestyle wrestling as he works towards success on the domestic and international scene. "I had a great final season of my career at Minnesota and I can't imagine a better place to pursue my freestyle wrestling career than here with the Minnesota Storm," Russell said. "Dustin Schlatter is an incredible coach plus the resources and training partners I'll have here in Dinkytown are unmatched." Russell joins an RTC that includes Gophers such as Tony Nelson, Jayson Ness, and Dylan Ness as well as world team competitors such as Hayden Zillmer. The group is coached by 2009 World Team Member Dustin Schlatter, another former Gophers great.

Frank Lignelli, whose connections to Clarion University athletics as a wrestler, coach and athletic director spanned from the end of World War II to 1990, passed away Sunday, September 1. He was 94. "He can truly be called the person responsible for Clarion's outstanding athletic tradition, and was the catalyst for the Golden Eagles' greatest successes for more than six decades," according to the school's official announcement. How Lignelli became that major force at Clarion is something of a happy accident. Upon completing his service in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946, Lignelli was accepted to Penn State. "As was the custom then, Penn State asked Lignelli to attend California State for a year or two and then transfer to Penn State," said the Clarion tribute to Lignelli. "His transcripts, however, were mistakenly sent to Clarion University instead, and the long-time love affair between Lignelli and Clarion began." Frank LignelliAs a Clarion student-athlete, Lignelli earned four varsity letters as a wrestler at 175 pounds ... as well as receiving letters in football and baseball. After graduating from Clarion in 1950, Lignelli taught at North Versailles and Monongahela High Schools before returning to Clarion to teach and coach in 1957. An assistant football coach for the next 13 seasons, Lignelli restarted the wrestling program in the 1959-60 season, coaching for seven seasons. As head wrestling coach, Lignelli claimed a 69-11-1 overall record which included the PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) title in 1965. In 1966, he became Clarion's third athletic director, serving in that position for two decades. After taking a one-year sabbatical leave, Lignelli returned to serve as A.D. through December 31, 1990. During Lignelli's time as athletic director, Clarion athletic teams won 11 national championships, 59 PSAC titles, 22 PSAC runner-up finishes, 40 PSAC-West crowns, and numerous NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) district titles. For these achievements, Lignelli was welcomed into the NAIA and EWL (Eastern Wrestling League) Halls of Fame, the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, the PSAC Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the National Association of Collegiate Athletic Directors (NACDA) Hall of Fame. "We were deeply saddened to learn that Frank Lignelli has passed away," said Clarion Director of Athletics Dr. Wendy Snodgrass. "He devoted his life to making Clarion University a better place for all students and our especially our student-athletes, helping to give them the college experience that they deserve. In doing so, our programs enjoyed unprecedented success, and created a legacy that we all share pride in. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Joyce, his children Joy and Lee, and all other family and friends that were touched by his life." Visitation for Frank Lignelli will be held on Thursday, September 5 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Gobles Funeral Home in Clarion. The funeral will be held on Friday, September 6 at the First United Methodist Church in Clarion.

Dr. Bill Welker has plenty to share with the amateur wrestling community. The former wrestler/coach/official has been generous in sharing his knowledge and experience about the sport over the decades. Welker produced the classic instructional DVD titled The Pancake Takedown Series ... and continues to share his insights into wrestling in ongoing ways, as co-host with his son on The Rick Welker Show radio broadcast, and in his own "Mat Talk" column which appears in every issue of Wrestling USA magazine. If that weren't enough, Welker has found time to write books about the oldest and greatest sport. authored The Wrestling Drill Book , the classic instructional which earlier this summer earned an award at the 2019 Independent Press Awards Program. Just two years ago, Welker shared his life story on and off the mat in his 2017 memoir, A Sparrow's Spirit, which was declared winner in the sports category by the Beverly Hills Book Awards judges. Now Welker shares his passion for wrestling with a brand-new novel, A Wrestler's Curse, now available from RoseDog Books. Meet Bill Welker Welker -- widely known in the wrestling community as Billy -- was born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania -- coal country -- where he was introduced to wrestling in third grade. He won a PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) state title in 1963, following in the footsteps of his older brother Floyd (1959 champ) and a cousin Harold who won his PIAA crown at the Keystone State's very first state championship in 1938. Welker went on to be a teacher for 40 years, as well as serve as a wrestling coach and wrestling official, and was involved in crafting the rules for the sport. For all his contributions to wrestling, Welker has been welcomed into a number of wrestling Halls of Fame, including the Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame, and National Wrestling Hall of Fame, West Virginia Chapter. Meet Jacob Christian, star student-athlete A Wrestlers Curse tells the story of Jacob Christian, a high-achieving young man in the classroom and in wrestling. On top of that, Jacob was "raised right" by loving, supportive parents who have instilled in him a strong moral compass, a well-developed spiritual sense, and sincere empathy for others. Oh, and Jacob has been diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which the novel describes as "an emotional anomaly that causes one to fixate on personal matters, be it positive or negative." As A Wrestler's Curse lays out in its opening pages, Jacob's father -- a former wrestler himself -- signed him up for youth wrestling in fifth grade. "Jacob -- having OCD -- took the sport very seriously," according to the novel, absorbing every word of his coaches' instructions, keeping a journal, and being passionate about drilling ... all key ingredients to his success in the sport. Welker has first-hand experience with OCD. "I've had OCD all my life," Welker told InterMat. "It's not curable. I'd describe it as being both a blessing and a curse. In terms of a blessing, it helps me make sure to stick with a project until it is completed. As a curse, well ... it can sometimes lead to negative thoughts." "I was blessed to have had a great therapist who helped me through it." "Writing is like wrestling" Bill Welker has been writing about wrestling for 45 years, beginning with the "Mat Talk" column for Wrestling USA magazine. He started work on his first book -- The Wrestling Drill Book -- in 2003. Even though A Wrestler's Curse is his first novel, Welker brings a lot of writing experience -- and wrestling knowledge -- to this new book. "Writing is like wrestling," said Welker, who now lives in Wheeling, West Virginia. "John Irving (former wrestler and author of the best-selling novel The World According to Garp) said that his wrestling background helped him with his writing. It's like drill work." "I've always thought that whenever you write about something, you should have a deep knowledge of the subject," according to Welker., who said he did considerable research for A Wrestler's Curse, especially concerning the various gyms and arenas where the wrestling action takes place. "I really enjoyed writing A Wrestler's Curse. Even though I had the ending figured out before I really started writing it, ideas came to me as I was putting it together, taking the story in different directions." Take the journey with Jacob Christian… A Wrestler's Curse takes the reader along the journey of Jacob Christian's life in wrestling and in the classroom as a youngster, high school student, and in college ... taking on the "coming of age" challenges that just about anyone can relate to in their own lives. The outcomes are sometimes amusing, sometimes heartbreaking ... but always genuine, and seemingly true to the main character's strong moral character. All that makes this young adult novel appropriate for most junior high and high school-age readers. What's more, A Wrestler's Curse is especially compelling for wrestlers and other young athletes. In addition to plenty of realistic, on-the-mat action, the book takes readers inside wrestling rooms and at competitive venues at the high school and college level to deliver a strong you-are-there perspective. Rob Koll, head wrestling coach at Cornell University, described A Wrestler's Curse as "an inspirational tale on confronting the various aspects of growing up and accepting responsibility for one's actions in life. It is a battle between a boy's human nature and his spiritual beliefs." Bob Ferraro, founder and executive director of the National High School Coaches Association, weighed in with his thoughts on Welker's novel, saying, "A Wrestler's Curse takes you on a journey on how some obstacles were overcome to achieve goals in both wrestling and life. A must-read for the wrestling community and those who love the thrill of competition." A Wrestler's Curse is available for purchase via Amazon. Individuals seeking a signed copy of Welker's new novel may email him at mattalkwv@hotmail.com.

Zain Retherford celebrates after beating Yianni Diakomihalis (Photo/Juan Garcia) WILKES-BARRE, Pa. -- After all the controversy and adjudication Zain Retherford was finally able to turn back the challenge of Yianni Diakomihalis and earn a spot on the 2019 U.S. World Team. Less than an hour away from where he wrestled in high school, Retherford scored a 2-1 victory. In the past Diakomihalis was able to score with his dynamic scrambling ability, but that was not the case here. "The last time we wrestled left a bad taste in my mouth," Retherford said after the match. "It wasn't that I got injured, it was because of the way I approached the match, I was not excited. I was angry, and you're not having fun when you are angry, and it is hard to score points and wrestle your style. I competed for fun this time, and that what has always been true to me. When I wrestled in the Penn State singlet it was fun. Life is short, you have to enjoy it." In the match things got off to a quick start. Retherford penetrated with a single attempt. Diakomihalis initiated a scramble. The Penn State coaching staff thought the opponent exposed and tossed the challenge brick. After a break it was determined that there was not a score. Yianni Diakomihalis and Zain Retherford get into a scramble (Photo/Juan Garcia) Next Diakomihalis was in deep on a shot. Retherford was able to sit the corner and put two points on the board with an exposure. As the first period ended, Diakomihalis got in deep on another attacked, but the time expired before he could score. Early in the second period, Retherford got back on his offense. This time it was Diakomihalis attempting to sit the corner. The referee signaled two points for the exposure, but it was white paddled and did not go on the scoreboard. Zain Retherford gets in a shot before a stalemate was called (Photo/Juan Garcia) As the match went on it was clear that Retherford would be able to run out the clock. However, he continued to attack and then hold on for the stalemate. The strategy worked. In the waning seconds of the match, the referee called a caution and one against Diakomhalis for using his leg against Retherford's head. That point was also white paddled, and the final score read 2-1. Prior to this match, Diakomihalis had never scored fewer than six points in a match against Retherford. Here he was only able to score via the failed challenge. Clearly Retherford made the necessary adjustments to win the bout. Retherford will now enter the 2019 UWW World Championships, which take place Sept. 14-22 in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. Four wrestlers enter the championships with rankings: No. 1 Bajrang Punia (India), No. 2 Takuto Otoguro (Japan), Selahattin Kilicsallayan (Turkey) and No. 4 Sayatbek Okassov (Kazakhstan). Diakomihalis famously defeated Punia at the 2019 Beat the Streets.

In July, Kyle Crutchmer signed a contract with Bellator MMA. Now the former Oklahoma State wrestler has a date for his debut with Bellator. The Tulsa native will have his first fight with the promotion at Bellator 233 at WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Okla. on Friday, November 8. Here's what Crutchmer posted on Instagram this week: An opponent has yet to be announced for Crutchmer's Bellator debut. The only bout the promotion has made official for Bellator 233 is the top-of-the-card middleweight (185-pound) match between John Salter (16-4) and Costello van Steenis (12-1). Kyle CrutchmerPrior to joining Bellator this summer, all of Crutchmer's pro MMA bouts have been within the Xtreme Fighting League in his native Oklahoma. The 26-year-old former Cowboy wrestler has compiled a 4-0-0 record as a welterweight (170 pounds), with two wins by submission, one by technical knockout, and one unanimous decision. Before launching his MMA career in June 2016, Crutchmer was a two-time NCAA All-American for Oklahoma State, placing fifth at 174 pounds at the 2015 NCAAs, and seventh in this same weight class at the 2017 NCAAs. In addition, Crutchmer was twice a Big 12 conference champ. He graduated from the Stillwater school in spring 2017.

Former Penn State wrestling champ Ed Ruth will be taking on Legacy Fighting Alliance veteran Jason Jackson in a welterweight (170-pound) bout at Bellator 231 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Friday, October 25. The 28-year-old Jackson brings a 10-3 record in a pro MMA career going back to April 2012. Known as "The Ass-Kicking Machine," Jackson is familiar to many MMA fans for appearing on Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series (as it was called at the time) in 2017. More recently, Jackson had been competing for LFA (having won the welterweight title for that organization in July) but will be making his second appearance for Bellator, having signed a multi-fight deal with the organization earlier this month. Jackson is on a three-fight win streak, most recently earning a split decision victory earlier this summer. Ruth, also 28, is a well-known, highly respected figure in the amateur wrestling community who has now made a name for himself in MMA. The three-time NCAA mat champ for the Nittany Lions has crafted a 7-1 MMA record since launching his pro career right from the start with Bellator in November 2016. Ruth's one loss: in the grand prix quarterfinals against Neiman Gracie. Since then, Ruth defeated UFC veteran Kiichi Kunimoto by second-round TKO at Bellator 224 in July ... and was granted a contract extension with Bellator just two weeks ago. In addition to Ruth vs. Jackson, the Bellator 231 card will feature a heavyweight bout between Frank Mir and Roy Nelson.

Chandler Rogers after picking up a fall in his final match at Oklahoma State (Photo/Oklahoma State Athletics) COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The Air Force Academy wrestling team announced Friday, Aug. 30, that former Oklahoma State wrestler and two-time NCAA All-American Chandler Rogers will be joining AF's wrestling staff as the Director of Operations. "We are excited about the addition of Chandler Rogers to our program," head coach Sam Barber said. "His experience as a two time All-American at Oklahoma State will provide a valuable perspective to our coaching staff and program as we add a new position of Director of Operations to our program." As the Director of Operations, Rogers' duties will include general office support, logistics related to the team's overall function, as well as social media support. "It is an honor and a privilege to be the Director of Operations at the United States Air Force Academy," Rogers said. "I look forward to starting my career in sport at such a prestigious institution and being surrounded by future leaders who will go on after graduation to defend our great country." In addition to his new position with the squad, Rogers will also continue to pursue his wrestling career, training at the Air Force Regional Training Center as well as the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, also located in Colorado Springs, Colo. "I am extremely excited to chase my goals of becoming a World and Olympic Champion in Greco-Roman in Colorado Springs at the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center and the Air Force Regional Training Center," Rogers said. "The phenomenal facilities and word-class coaching staffs at the Training Center and Air Force will greatly impact my growth on the mat, personally and professionally. My wife and I are grateful for the opportunity provided to us by Coach Matt Lindland, USA Wrestling and Air Force Wrestling." Though his Senior Greco-Roman career is just beginning, Rogers has established himself as a formidable opponent to all. In college, Rogers was a four-year starter for the Cowboys, a three-time NCAA qualifier and a two-time All-American. Prior to that, he made the 2012 Cadet World Team in Greco-Roman and went on to finish eighth in the world. In April, Rogers competed in his first international tournament since 2012, representing the USA men's freestyle team at the 2019 Pan American Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Rogers was instrumental in the USA's historic showing as the squad swept all 10 gold medals in freestyle for the first time in history. Since then, Rogers took third at the U.S. Open in Senior Greco and later recorded a second-place finish at the U23 Greco World Team Trials. The Falcons get the 2019-20 season started with the Cowboy Open, Saturday, Nov. 2, in Laramie, Wyo. Air Force's first home dual comes against Big 12 rival Wyoming, Saturday, Nov. 16, inside Clune Arena.

A GoFundMe page has been established for Jamie Kelly, former Old Dominion University wrestler who later returned to his college alma mater as an assistant coach. Kelly passed away unexpectedly this week at age 44. The page, which was established "for the future benefit of Jamie and Jacqueline's children," has raised approximately $17,000 of an eventual goal of $50,000. Jamie KellyBorn in Norfolk, Virginia, Jamie Robert Kelly was a student-athlete at Great Bridge High School, where he was twice a Virginia state wrestling championships finalist for legendary coach Billy Martin. Kelly was described in his obituary as "a contributing member of the Great Bridge Wildcat wrestling dynasty." Kelly continued his academic and athletic career in the Commonwealth of Virginia as a student at Old Dominion University. In his four years as a Monarch wrestler, Kelly compiled a 90-38 record. As a senior, Kelly qualified for the NCAA Division I Championships as a wild card selection. Among his collegiate mat accomplishments: winning the Virginia Intercollegiate state championship at 158 pounds ... a three-time Old Dominion Invitation champ ... and runner-up at the CAA (Colonial Athletic Association) championships. Kelly later returned to ODU in fall 2003 as an assistant to yet another coaching legend, head coach Gray Simons. He also served as head wrestling coach at Cox High School in Virginia. Kelly then crafted a career in the Department of the Navy. Old Dominion wrestling posted this message on its Facebook page: "This past Tuesday we lost one of our own in Jamie Kelly. Jamie was an NCAA Qualifier and an ODU team captain. He wrestled for coach Martin at the local Great Bridge High School and continued on to wrestle at ODU under coach Simons and graduated in '98. Our thoughts are prayers are with the Kelly family at this time. Please consider helping out his family members during this difficult time and times to come." Jamie Kelly is survived by his parents John and Jackie; his wife of 16 years, Jacqueline; two children, Elizabeth and Owen; his sister, Mandy Young (Jeremy), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws and extended family. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 31, 2019 at St. Stephen, Martyr Roman Catholic Church, Chesapeake, Va. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Friday at the church.

Services have been scheduled for Vinnie Harvey, wrestler at St. Edmond High School and Iowa Central Community College who drowned this past weekend in Lake Okoboji in northwestern Iowa. He was 23. Vinnie HarveyA Mass of Christian Burial will take place Saturday, August 31, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 211 South 13th Street, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Burial will follow immediately at Corpus Christi Cemetery. Vincent Richard Harvey was born in December 1995 in Fort Dodge. The 2014 St. Edmond graduate participated in both wrestling and football. Harvey was a runner-up at the 2014 Iowa state wrestling championships and concluded his high school mat career as all-time wins leader in wrestling at the Fort Dodge school. Harvey stayed in his hometown to continue his athletic and academic career, attending Iowa Central Community College where he remained active on the wrestling mat and gridiron. "After college, family continued to be very important to Vinnie," according to Harvey's obituary. "He worked with his dad and was a brother his sisters could always count on for a laugh. If he wasn't watching the WWE or sitting on a dock listening to music you could find Vinnie at the gym, lifting weights and rattling off movie quotes with his friends. The family lake house was his absolute favorite place to be. His best friends were his brothers and sisters and his friends were like family to Vinnie." It was at Lake Okoboji near the Iowa-Minnesota border where Vinnie Harvey had spent last Saturday night, and was reported missing Sunday morning. That day, the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office posted a plea for information on social media regarding the missing Harvey, who it identified as "a high school wrestling coach." On Tuesday, the sheriff's office issued a press release saying that a body found approximately 45 yards from shore was that of Harvey, according to the Fort Dodge Messenger-News. Vinnie Harvey is survived by his parents, Joe and Kelly; siblings, Frankie (Josie Heesch) of Fort Dodge; Teddie of Des Moines; Eddie of Lexington, Kentucky; Corie (Sean) Inks of Williams; Maggie; Gracie; Josie all of Fort Dodge; maternal grandmother, Lorraine Wignall; nephews, Carson Inks; Thielen Fausnaugh and niece, Emmersyn Inks.

A commemorative edition poster featuring the 2019 U.S. Women's Wrestling World Team, designed by team member Victoria Francis, is now available for purchase at rimmelpics.com. All proceeds from this poster will be donated to Wrestle Like A Girl. This one-of-a-kind poster may be ordered in two horizontal print sizes with three distinct printing options. Choose from a traditional paper print, a foam-mounted print, or a stylish metal print to add to your wrestling collection. Every poster sold will directly impact women's wrestling in the U.S. by way of donation to Wrestle Like A Girl, whose mission is to empower girls and women through the sport of wrestling to become leaders in life. "I was excited when this opportunity presented itself," said Francis, who designed this poster while simultaneously training to compete at the World Championships. "It is a great opportunity for our women's team to be seen in wrestling rooms or little girls bedrooms, while also giving back to a great group like Wrestle Like A Girl." Among the U.S. stars featured on the poster are four-time World champion Adeline Gray, two-time World finalist Alli Ragan, World silver medalist Sarah Hildebrandt, and World bronze medalist Tamyra Mensah-Stock. The U.S. Women's World Team will compete at the 2019 World Championships, Sept. 14-22, in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. Visit www.rimmelpics.com to order your poster and support U.S. women's wrestling! 2019 U.S. Women's World Team Commemorative Poster Order Options Paper Print (Glossy or Lustre Finish) • 12"x18" - $20 • 20"x30" - $45 Foam-Mounted Print • 12"x18" - $55 • 20"x30" - $125 Metal Print • 12"x18" - $100 • 20"x30" - $175 Order Now

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Sacred Heart University Wrestling head coach John Clark announced the addition of Will Switzer to serve as the team's assistant coach. He joins fellow assistant Jon Fausey and Clark to bring the staff up to three. Will Switzer"I'm very excited to welcome Will Switzer to the coaching staff here at Sacred Heart University! Coach Switzer wrestled at Lehigh University and will be a tremendous role-model to the student-athletes on our team!" Prior to SHU, Switzer served as the head varsity wrestling coach at Liberty High School from 2016-2019 as he worked with wrestler's ages 14-18 to develop skills and technique for competition. He also served as a wrestling official at the Maryland State Wrestling Association from 2010-12. Switzer is a graduate of Lehigh University and was on the wrestling team for the Mountain Hawks which is one of the top wrestling programs in the nation. In his freshman season, Switzer posted an impressive 17-8 record competing unattached in open tournaments as he placed second at the Wilkes Open, and fifth at the Shorty Hitchcock Memorial Classic, posted impressive win over Penn State starter Bryan Pearsall in Nittany Lion Open. Throughout his career, he posted an overall record of 11-12 and a 2-7 dual eligibility record.

La PLUME, Pa. -- The Keystone College Athletic Department has announced the hiring of Lance Moore as the new head wrestling coach on Tuesday. "I am looking forward to taking over the program," expressed Moore. "I have a lot of roots and ties to the area." "Northeast Pennsylvania is a wrestling hotbed and I believe there is a lot of potential here to turn the program into an NCAA powerhouse. This program has a lot of history and I look forward to continuing the rich tradition of Keystone Wrestling." Lance MooreMoore comes to the Giants after serving as an assistant coach at the University of Scranton from 2016-19. Moore graduated from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland in 2015 with a communications degree. While at Cortland, Moore qualified for the NCAA Tournament at heavyweight in 2014 in addition to being named National Wrestling Coaches NWCA Academic All-American. Moore finished his collegiate career with over 100 victories and was a four-time place winner at the New York State Collegiate Tournament. At Niagara County Community College, Moore finished third in the nation in 2012 and was named a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American. Moore was a two-time PIAA state medalist for nearby Lackawanna Trail High School before moving to Johnson City, New York his senior year where he was an undefeated state champion in 2010. Moore was the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) Senior National Runner Up and NHSCA National Open Champion. Moore finished his high school career with a record of 141-16.

Erik Wince GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Erik Wince has stepped down as Greensboro College's head wrestling coach to join the wrestling staff at Division I American University, interim Director of Athletics Dr. Robin Daniel announced Tuesday. Kevin Birmingham, an assistant coach for the Pride the past two seasons, will succeed Wince as head coach. "Erik has built a solid foundation for our wrestling program, and we wish him all the best for the future," Daniel said. Wince became the Division III Pride's inaugural head coach in February 2015 and guided his teams to 18 dual victories during the past four seasons. In addition, Wince coached multiple wrestlers who achieved individual rankings and one who earned All-American honors in 2017. "I want to thank President (Lawrence D.) Czarda, former Director of Athletics Bryan Galuski, and Assistant Director of Athletics Randy Tuggle for entrusting me with the opportunity to build the Greensboro College wrestling program from the beginning," Wince said. "This has been an unbelievable experience, and I wouldn't have traded it for anything. "This has been a very difficult decision, but I am confident the program is headed in the right direction and that it will continue to grow and flourish with the outstanding support it has from the administration. My family and I are extremely excited to start this new chapter at American University, but we will certainly miss our Greensboro College family! I wish the wrestling program and all Greensboro College athletics the best of luck and GO PRIDE!" Daniel said Birmingham has earned the opportunity to be head coach. "His dedication to the sport of wrestling, but even more so to the personal development of our student athletes, is evident daily," Daniel said. "I look forward to seeing where he takes our wrestling program." Birmingham came to Greensboro College prior to the 2017-2018 season following stints at Green Hope High School and the University of Mount Union. Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Birmingham was a four-year wrestler at Division I Davidson College, where he qualified for the NCAA tournament in 2014. "I would like to thank President Czarda and Dr. Daniel, along with the administration of Greensboro College, for trusting me to take on the head wrestling coach position," Birmingham said. "I would also like to thank Erik Wince for all that he has done for this program the last four seasons and trusting me the last two seasons as his assistant coach. "He has done a great job building this program from scratch. Coaching under him has truly been an honor, and he will be greatly missed. I am confident and ready to continue to help this program of young men achieve their goals both on and off the mat."

NEW YORK --The Nike Sport Hijab was a game-changer for access to sports for Muslim girls. Made with lightweight, breathable wicking material and a pull-on design that keeps the Hijab in place during activities, the sport Hijab helped remove one more barrier to access. However, due to the price, the sport Hijab was out of reach for many NYC youth wrestlers. That changed this past season as BTS Board Member Hooman Tavakolian, through his charity "Hoomanities", donated sports bras Nike Sport Hijabs to Beat The Streets to be distributed to the Public Schools Athletic League's Muslim female wrestlers. Reflecting on the donation Mr. Tavakolian said “It is imperative that support is given to further grow the sport for these Muslim women. It is with great hope women's wrestling will continue to grow. With everyone in the world helping to bring wrestling to all females we can grow the sport as a whole and allow us to focus on our similarities and find our differences beautiful. This will help grow the sport and have more female presence. It will also give young females self-confidence in life and how to deal with challenges.” Taft Campus Junior Hind Doucoure, who made the finals of the New York City Championships this spring and received a Nike Hijab at the start of the season noted, “The Nike Hijab is a milestone for Muslim women in sports. It has made wrestling much more enjoyable than a traditional hijab that gets in the way when competing. I feel that is has opened opportunities for young girls to pursue athletic careers no matter what race or religion they belong to.” BTS Girls Development Director Emma Randall added “As a female in a male-dominated sport like wrestling, there are many barriers to entry. Some are easy to spot such as participating in a gender non-conforming sport or feeling a part of the team. Some are harder such as only having access to a male cut singlet that exposes more of your body, lacking a sports bra for daily practices and competitions, or lack of access to a hijab for sport instead that maintains coverage while wrestling. Hooman and his charity, 'Hoomanities', has been very helpful in reducing barriers for women who want to wrestle, but not have the financial means or ability to purchase a hijab made for sport. We truly appreciate his effort to make our sport accessible for all girls and boys in NYC.” Mr. Tavakolian concluded, “I am very involved in the world of sports, especially wrestling. My focus has been on empowering at-risk youth around the world, with a focus in the Middle East. Being a Muslim Iranian-American, I am familiar with the cultural and religious restrictions and expectations. Empowering female athletes who may be restricted by religious and cultural limitations is a big step.”

A little over a week ago the top 18 to 20-year-old wrestlers in the world descended upon Tallinn, Estonia, to compete for a chance to become world champion. While success at this tournament is often a good predictor of future wrestling greatness, and some of these wrestlers will no doubt go on to become world and Olympic medalists, there's no telling where any given wrestler will be 5 or 10 years from now. One such path for these world-class athletes to embark upon is the one that leads to the world of mixed martial arts, where wrestlers of their caliber can make a very significant impact. There is certainly precedent for this to occur, as quite a few top fighters were once their country's top age-group wrestler. Read on to find out who … Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto Many fans know that Japanese MMA superstar Yamamoto took to the mats in 2007 as the Beijing Olympics loomed, in the hopes that he would realize his lifelong dream of becoming an Olympic champion. However, few fans realized just how good a wrestler he actually was. Yamamoto owns a very strong resume that includes items like three-time Arizona state champ (as a guest of Townsend Saunders), Japanese Collegiate Nationals champ, Japanese Senior Nationals runner-up, and 2007 World Team hopeful. He first turned heads on the mat by winning both the 1990 and 1991 Cadet Nationals in freestyle and competing at both years' Cadet World Championships. Yamamoto tragically passed away in 2018 from stomach cancer. RIP Kid. Marcus LeVesseur Before putting in a solid but slightly disappointing 22-7 MMA career, the super-talented LeVesseur went 155-0 as a four-time Division III national champ. Though this is the lynchpin of his resume, he was one heck of an age-group wrestler as well. LeVesseur won four Minnesota high school state titles and was a phenomenal Cadet/Junior wrestler. In four years at Fargo he placed first through fourth in successive years, defeating or placing ahead of future Division I champs Greg Jones, Jesse Jantzen, and Zack Esposito in the process. He also made a Cadet World Team in 1999, placing sixth at the Worlds ahead of great wrestlers like World/Olympic/European medalist Andrey Stadnik of Ukraine. Possibly his signature performance, LeVesseur beat Keith Gavin, Tyron Woodley, Bryce Hasseman, and two other Division I wrestlers to win the 2004 University Nationals. He went on to place 10th in a stacked 74-kilogram class at University World Championships. Heath Sims As an integral member of the legendary Team Quest that featured top Greco-Roman wrestlers like Matt Lindland, Dan Henderson, Chael Sonnen, and Randy Couture, and as head coach of the groundbreaking Evolve MMA in Singapore, Sims is one of the more under-appreciated fighters and coaches in MMA history. As a wrestler, Sims won everything from two California state titles, to the 1998 California Junior College State Championships, to Greco Senior Nationals, to the 2000 Olympic Team Trials, eventually going 1-1 in Sydney. Impressive as these accolades are, his only world medal came in the Espoir (20 and under) division in 1991 where he took silver. Ilir Latifi Watch UFC fan favorite Ilir Latifi fight today and it will quickly become clear that he is an extremely powerful individual. What you may not know however, is that the Swedish-Albanian brute honed that power as one of the best Junior Greco-Roman wrestlers in his home country of Sweden. In a part of the world known for its Greco-Roman wrestling, Latifi is the owner of several very impressive medals. Winning gold and silver at the Junior Nordic Championships in 2001 and 2002 respectively, and a bronze at the Swedish Senior Greco Nationals in 2005, Latifi was the real deal. To illustrate the level of Latifi's skill, these were the very same tournaments that featured world/Olympic medalists Mark O. Madsen (recently signed by the UFC) and Jimmy Lidberg. Latifi trains with both, along with all the stud wrestlers at American Top Team to this very day. Genki Sudo MMA fans from the early 2000's will surely be thrilled to see "The Neo-Samurai" Genki Sudo on this list. An extraordinarily entertaining fighter, Sudo is a product of the extremely high-level, lighter-weight, amateur wrestling scene in Japan. One of the slickest, most daring, high-amplitude takedown artists of his day, it was as one of Japan's best Junior Greco wrestlers in the mid 1990's that he developed such ability. In fact, Sudo made it to the 1996 Junior World Championships as a result of winning collegiate and Junior division national titles in Greco-Roman wrestling. Always present in the Japanese wrestling scene, in addition to being on the team at vaunted Takushoku University, he studied under Japanese legend Noriaki Kiguchi for years, a man who in 1969 gave Dan Gable all he could handle. Having taken the reins at his alma matter in 2008 as coach of the Greco-Roman team, Sudo recently coached Japan's only medalist Ken Matsui at the 2019 Greco-Roman Junior World Championships. Mike van Arsdale Iowa native Mike van Arsdale is another competitor who doesn't get mentioned enough in the conversation discussing the best wrestlers to ever compete in MMA. Having been in the MMA ring/cage with some of the very best fighters of his generation and always performing well, van Arsdale was a much better wrestler than he was a fighter. Mike was successful at every level and in every style. He was a state champ at West Waterloo High, won Junior Nationals, and took second at Junior Worlds before ever suiting up for the Iowa State Cyclones. This catapulted him to an outstanding NCAA career where he became three-time All-American and a national champ for Iowa State. Van Arsdale continued wrestling after college, taking home many prestigious medals at tournaments like the World Cup and Military Worlds. He rolled from international wrestling right into fighting. Van Arsdale has since used his pedigree to become a highly sought-after MMA, wrestling and fitness coach. Bubba Jenkins (Photo/Bellator) Bubba Jenkins Currently taking his fighting talents on the road in an attempt to finally break through and realize his combative potential, Bubba Jenkins was a major high-profile acquisition for the MMA world back in 2011. It's easy to see why, considering Jenkins was Virginia state champ, NHSCA Senior Nationals champ, Fargo Cadet Freestyle All-American, NCAA DI champ, University Nationals champ and Junior world champ. Initially teetering between pursuing international freestyle wrestling and fighting, it was ultimately Bubba's age-group success that helped him decide. In a late 2012 interview with Ultimate Grappling Magazine, when asked why he chose to pursue MMA and not the Olympics, Jenkins alluded to a feeling of satisfaction as his reason for leaving his first love. He said something to the effect of "I won Junior Worlds in 2007 so in a way I've already been the best in the world in wrestling…" Dan Severn The very first world-class wrestler to enter MMA, pioneer Dan Severn has been in the game so long that the term "MMA" didn't even exist when he began fighting. Severn burst onto the scene at UFC 4 and proudly flew the flag for wrestlers everywhere. He got into the event in the first place because of his extensive amateur wrestling credentials and was determined to do his sport proud. Severn's career and credentials are almost as extensive in wrestling as they are in MMA, and considering he fought 127 fights, that is saying something. In addition to being a two-time Division I All American at Arizona State University and a very successful senior level wrestler in both styles, Severn reached the very top of the world as an age-group wrestler. He won multiple AAU national titles in freestyle and Greco-Roman on his way to winning the Junior World Championships in 1977. Asen Yamamoto Also known as Asen Sasaki, this Japanese wrestling standout is the nephew of the aforementioned dearly departed superstar Kid Yamamoto. Carrying the torch for the fighting/wrestling Yamamoto family of Japan, the kid has some big shoes to fill. With high expectations to contend with, both because of his family and his credentials, Yamamoto has his work cut out for him. While he is clearly committed to fighting despite his iffy record, perhaps the young fighter (22) can take some comfort in knowing that he can still exit MMA if need be and head back to wrestling to make good on his considerable potential. As a teen Greco-Roman wrestler representing Japan, Yamamoto won Cadet Worlds in 2013. He later relocated to Hungary to take advantage of their world-class facilities and coaching where he continued to wrestle. He hasn't ruled out taking a shot at the Tokyo Games in 2020. Daniel Cormier The wrestling exploits of Daniel Cormier are well-documented in the MMA world. His Olympic appearance in 2004, Olympic debacle in 2008, stranglehold on the U.S. 96-97 kilo World Team spot for six straight years, runner-up finish to Cael Sanderson in the NCAA, and even his two NJCAA national titles are mentioned frequently. Lesser-known are Cormier's Greco-Roman and age-group accolades, which overlap quite a bit. While "DC" made his name in collegiate and freestyle wrestling, he was quite the Greco-Roman wrestler as well. Though this may be unknown by most of Cormier's MMA fans, it shouldn't be a surprise as he has used his upper-body game and clinch-work to great effect inside the cage. Cormier was an NHSCA All-American and four-time Fargo All-American as a high schooler in Louisiana. Of his four Fargo trophies, two came in Greco-Roman, including the one earned in his best showing, a runner-up finish in 1997 as a Junior wrestler. He also scored a bronze medal at the 1995 Cadet World Championships in Greco-Roman.

Peyton Omania celebrates after a win at the Junior Worlds (Kadir Caliskan, United World Wrestling) EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State wrestling redshirt freshman Peyton Omania has elected to take an Olympic redshirt for the 2019-20 season, MSU wrestling head coach Roger Chandler announced Wednesday. Omania, from Concord, Calif., will take the year off to train in hopes to make the 2020 USA Wrestling Greco-Roman Olympic Team at 67 kilograms. "Peyton is a world class Greco-Roman wrestler and the time is right for him to completely focus on making the 2020 Olympic Team," Chandler said. "He is getting better every time he steps on the mat and this is a unique opportunity for him to place the majority of his training towards Greco-Roman." The three-time World Championships team USA member most recently collected a bronze medal at the 2019 Greco-Roman Junior World Championships in Tallinn, Estonia. Omania recorded a 5-1 outing at the Championships, including three tech fall wins on his way to the semifinals. After falling to 2019 European Junior Champion Giorgi Shotadze of Georgia, Omania bounced back to knock off Xin Huang (6-5) of China to bring home the bronze medal for Team USA. Omania became the first Spartan wrestler to earn a world medal since Franklin Gomez's silver medal at the 2011 World Championships in Istanbul.

The oldest and greatest sport continues to welcome growing numbers of participants at the high school level. The number of girls and boys participating in high school wrestling showed continued growth during the 2018-19 school year, bucking a trend of lower participation rates in high school sports overall, according to a report issued by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) on Monday. Boys' wrestling was one of four sports ranked among the top ten to see an increase in the number of participants. During the 2018-19 school year, 1,877 more boys went out for high school wrestling than in the previous year. (247,411 boy wrestlers in high school during the 2018-19 school year vs. 245,564 in 2017-18.) Girls' wrestling continued to see incredible growth. This past school year, 4,562 more girls participated in high school wrestling than in the previous academic year -- a 27% increase in just one year. (21,124 girls wrestled in high school in the 2018-19 school year compared to 16,562 in 2017-18.) These growth trends in boys' and girls' wrestling counter an overall decline in sports participation levels. During the 2018-19 school year, 7,937,491 high school students participated in sports ... a decline of 43,395 from the 2017-18 school year. This is the first decline in overall participation levels since the 1988-89 school year. The biggest contributors to the decline: football and basketball, each seeing fewer participants. This year's survey -- officially titled the 2018-19 High School Athletics Participation Survey, conducted by the NFHS -- indicated participation by high school students in 70 different sports, as well as 14 adapted sports for students with disabilities. The survey has been conducted each year since 1971-72.

A son of a three-time college wrestling champ who later became a high school mat coach -- with an NFL career in between -- has been arrested in the murder of his parents. Dylan Bennett, 22, was arrested at a hotel in Cancun, Mexico, by Mexican authorities for the murder of former NFL lineman Barry Bennett and his wife, Carol, both 63, who were found dead in their home last week in Long Prairie, Minnesota, a small town about two hours northwest of Minneapolis. Dylan's car was found at the crime scene. He allegedly took Carol Bennett's SUV and drove to Columbus, Ohio, where he booked a flight to Cancun. Authorities charged Dylan Bennett with two counts of second-degree murder without premeditation. Barry BennettBorn in December 1955 in Long Prairie, Minn., Barry Bennett was a Minnesota state wrestling champ in high school at South St. Paul. Upon graduation, Bennett headed west to Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. where he was a major force in football and wrestling, winning two NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Association) along with an NCAA Division III mat title. "Barry Bennett is the greatest athlete ever to walk through these halls, the greatest Cobber we've ever had," Concordia College head football coach Terry Horan told the Star-Tribune. Horan also described Bennett as "the gentlest giant." Dennis Koslowski, a bronze and silver Olympic medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling, also shared his recollections of Barry Bennett the college wrestler. "He was three years older than me, and already a two-time NAIA champion by the time I was a freshman at Minnesota-Morris,'' Koslowski told the Minneapolis newspaper. "I was at the NCAA Division III meet in 1978 in Wheaton, Illinois, just traveling with our team, and I saw Barry win his third national title there. "He was in the final against a guy from Mount Union who was just a brick wall -- built beyond belief.'' (The Star-Tribune found the wrestler was named Ken Wilcox.) "I remember thinking, 'This is going to be a great match,''' Koslowski said. "And then Bennett went out there and folded him like an accordion. He was so strong and athletic." Bennett was drafted into the NFL right out of college. He was a defensive lineman for 11 seasons, from 1978 to 1988, with the New Orleans Saints, New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings. More recently, Bennett had served as a physical education teacher and wrestling coach at the Long Prairie-Grey Eagle school until retirement five years ago. A memorial service for Barry Bennett will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 29, 2019, at the Long Prairie-Grey Eagle High School Gymnasium.

Wayne Boyd (right) resigned from the Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com) Wayne Eric Boyd, co-founder and director of development for Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC), has resigned from the organization after a jury came to a split verdict in the trial where the former wrestler, producer and wrestling entrepreneur had been accused of physically and sexually abusing two women at his California ranch three years ago. In a statement issued Monday after the verdict, TMWC said, "Mr. Boyd has submitted his immediate resignation to Titan Mercury Wrestling Club." The 72-year-old Boyd, a state, conference and national champion wrestler, had faced a total of eight charges relating to an alleged assault at his Sky Valley ranch near Palm Springs in 2016. On Monday, the jury acquitted Boyd of five charges but found him guilty of three other charges: a sexual assault charge, a physical threat charge, and an assault and battery charge, all pertaining to one of the two reported victims, according to KESQ-TV. Boyd maintains his innocence. Again quoting from the statement issued by Titan Mercury, "Mr. Boyd has informed us that he '...will be vigorously pursuing his appeal on all these charges; all of which were totally unfounded especially in light of the fact that the Prosecution granted the victim immunity for perjury and theft of money from me.'" Boyd is scheduled to be sentenced on November 15. Boyd has long been a fixture in amateur wrestling. The Long Island native was a three-time Virginia state wrestling champion at Norview High School in Norfolk, Va. Boyd then headed to Temple University, where he won EIWA (Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association) and NCAA mat titles in 1969. He was inducted into the Temple's athletics hall of fame in 1978. In addition to his role in helping to establish Titan Mercury and the American Wrestling League, Boyd is also founder of WEB Productions, a multimedia entertainment firm.

Yianni Diakomihalis defeated Zain Retherford in the U.S. Open finals (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com) The fourth and almost certainly final edition of Final X returns on Monday. Zain Retherford and Yianni Diakomihalis will look to finish their best-of-three series that started back in June. At the time, Retherford seemingly won both matches to make the 2019 U.S. World Team. The second match came down to the final exchange and has since been nullified via arbitration. That has set the stage for Monday in Wilkes Barre, Pa. If Retherford wins one match, he is on the team, while Diakomihalis will need to win back-to-back matches to represent the U.S. at the World Championships. The following is a by-the-numbers preview. The numbers include all collegiate matches for both wrestlers as well as all senior level matches tracked by USA Wrestling and United World Wrestling. Head-to-head matches In addition to their two matches at Final X, Retherford and Diakomihalis also faced off at this year's U.S. Open and Yasar Dogu tournaments with the Cornell wrestler winning both matches. After four matches the two are split at 2-2, and they are also even in terms of match points at 25 a piece. In those matches Diakomihalis has scored 16 points via eight takedowns, while Retherford has put up 14 points on six takedowns. In their second match at Final X, the former Penn State wrestler scored the only four-point takedown in their series. Both wrestlers have registered four exposures in the series, but Diakomihalis registered the only four-point turn. It was the difference in their match at the Yasar Dogu, which ended up being a 9-5 match. While Retherford has been the aggressor at times in the neutral position, Diakomihalis seems to have the edge in the takedown department. He has finished much cleaner overall and been able to turn Retherford's attempts into offense. In order to earn that spot on the World Team, Retherford will need to make the most of his opportunities in the top position. Match termination rate In college the top position was perhaps Retherford's best position. He scored 54 falls during his collegiate career and had a 58 percent match termination rate. However, he has not been able to fully adapt that finishing ability to the freestyle circuit. In freestyle, Diakomihalis actually has the better match termination rate. In his nascent senior-level career, he has stopped the bout early in 44 percent of his matches. On the other hand, Retherford's match termination rate falls all the way to 42%. After registering 54 falls on the college matches, he has only three in his senior-level career with all three coming against overmatched opposition at the 2017 Grand Prix of Spain. In this series, Retherford has had his moments in the top position. He has not been able to fully transition his dominant top game from folkstyle to freestyle, but he has been able to score following takedowns. Diakomihalis seemed vulnerable to turns in the series, but Retherford was unable to turn him in their most recent match at the Yasar Dogu. Match Points Thanks to his takedown prowess, Diakomihalis has averaged 9.6 points per match and only 4.3 points against during his freestyle career. Retherford has a slightly lower points per match rate at 7.8, but he also allows fewer points per match with only 3.1. In his victories, Retherford's defense has been even stronger as he is allowing only 1.8 points per match. Diakomihalis has turned up the volume in his wins and averaged 10.3 points per match. In an interesting wrinkle, Diakomihalis has actually performed better against international opposition than domestic in terms of putting up points. He has scored 10.3 points per match on the international circuit and only 9.2 against those representing the U.S. On the other hand, Retherford has scored 8.0 points per match domestically and only 7.09 internationally. One possible explanation for Diakomihalis' international scoring success is that wrestlers are not ready for his folkstyle scrambling game. Normally scrambling in freestyle is a dangerous game since it is so easy to expose. Despite this Diakomihalis has been extraordinarily effect when it goes to counter his opponents' offense. Strength of schedule Retherford certainly has more international experience than the current college student. However, Diakomihalis has taken on a variety of opposition and picked up some signature wins. At Beat the Streets he defeated the top ranked wrestler at this weight No. 1 Bajrang Punia (India). Later in the summer he also knocked off No. 6 Sayatbek Okassov (Kazakhstan) at the Ziolkowski Memorial. On the other hand, Retherford has faced several ranked wrestlers in his own right. However, all three of his opponents who are currently ranked by UWW all defeated him, including No. 2 (70 kilograms) Adam Batirov (Bahrain), No. 4 (70 kilograms) Andrey Kvyatkovskyy (Ukraine) and No. 3 (61 kilograms) Gadzhimurad Rashidov (Russia). There are some obvious issues with the UWW ranking system. However, the rankings do make it clear that Diakomihalis has made the most of his opportunities against top competition, which is part of the reason why many are excited to potentially see what he can do at the World Championships. Bottom line Despite the controversial nature of the series between Diakomihalis and Retherford all of the matches have been tight and exciting affairs. Diakomihalis seems to have the edge in the neutral position, but Retherford has shown that he can score when he needs points. Retherford will need to take advantage of his limited opportunities from the top position, while Diakomihalis needs to be able to score off counters and his own offense to make it to the World Team. Things seem to be trending in favor of Diakomihalis. He won their most recent bout, and it was the highest margin of victory to date. On top of that, Retherford suffered an injury in the match. Diakomihalis goes into Monday as the favorite, but nobody should be surprised if Retherford escapes with another victory and finds himself in Nur-Sultan next month.

After one year, Jason Renteria has left the University of Iowa wrestling program. The two-time Illinois state champ, who had originally committed to Iowa then wrestled one season at University of Nebraska before re-committing to the Hawkeyes in June 2018, is no longer with the program, an Iowa spokesperson told the Des Moines Register Monday afternoon. Jason RenteriaThe news report also said Renteria is no longer listed on the official University of Iowa online student directory. The school did not say why Renteria is no longer at the school. Renteria had initially planned to wrestle at Iowa but changed his mind and competed one year for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. During the 2017-18 season, Renteria compiled an 8-4 record at 133 pounds for the Lincoln-based school. He placed fifth at the 2018 Big Ten championships, and qualified for the 2018 NCAA Division I championships, but failed to make weight and therefore was unable to compete. In mid-June of last year, Renteria left Nebraska for Iowa ... but did not wrestle a single match for the Hawkeyes during the 2018-19 season. Prior to enrolling at Nebraska, Renteria made a name for himself on the mats at Oak Park and River Forest High School located just outside Chicago, where he was a four-time Illinois state finalist and two-time state champ. In 2017 he had been ranked by InterMat as the No. 7 132-pounder in the nation.

Leroy Vega WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue head coach Tony Ersland rounded out his coaching staff Monday, naming Leroy Vega as his volunteer assistant coach for the 2019-20 season. A three-time NCAA All-American, Vega will work primarily with the lower weight classes. Vega's name is widely known on the Indiana high school wrestling scene, from his days on the mat and to most recently, his days in the corner. He joins the Purdue staff after eight years as the head coach at his alma mater, Portage High School, in northwest Indiana. During his span as head coach, Vega had 41 Indiana High School Athletic Association state tournament qualifiers, with 10 appearing in the finals and three Portage wrestlers claiming an individual title. In 2015, the Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association named Vega its coach of the year. As a prep at Portage, Vega was a two-time state champion in 1996 and 1997. His success translated on the international scene as well. In 1998, Vega placed ninth at 60 kilograms the UWW Junior Greco-Roman World Championships. The following year, competing at 54 kilograms in freestyle, he placed seventh at the world championships. Vega wrestled collegiately at Minnesota from 1999 to 2002 and scattered his name throughout the legendary program. Individually, Vega earned All-America honors three times at 125 pounds and captured the Big Ten Conference 125-pound title in 2002. His performances helped the Gophers win three Big Ten team titles and back-to-back NCAA team titles in 2001 and 2002. Vega tallied a career record of 135-26, with his 135 wins ranking fifth all-time at Minnesota and his .839 winning percentage ranking 17th. He owned a career dual record of 65-14, with the 65 wins tied for seventh on the Gophers' individual dual wins list. Prior to his head coaching appointment at Portage, Vega was named the inaugural head coach at Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting, Indiana, with the birth of the program in 2008. He was at the helm through the 2009-10 season before returning to his roots in Portage. Vega earned his Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and teaching from Minnesota in 2002. He and his wife, Sarah, have two daughters, LillyAnna and Lilah, and a son, Lydon.