InterMat Staff

Courtney Strauss It's official: Courtney Strauss has had the word "interim" removed from his title as head wrestling coach at Bethany College, the Kansas-based school announced Monday. Strauss, a 2015 Bethany graduate, had been named interim head coach of the Swedes mat program during the 2018-19 season. Strauss has been a part of the Bethany wrestling program as a coach since fall 2015. In that time, Strauss has helped to lead practices and been involved in recruiting efforts. During those years, Strauss has coached 16 national qualifiers. Prior to joining the coaching staff at his college alma mater, Strauss made a positive impact for the Bethany wrestling program. He was a three-time NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) National Tournament Qualifier from the years 2012-2014 and earned NAIA Academic All-American honors in 2012. In addition, Strauss was named the NAIA National Wrestling Champion of Character in 2015. If that weren't enough, Strauss holds two significant records for the Swedes mat program: most wins (99) and most pins (50). "Coach Strauss is a successful alumnus of Bethany College who loves God and who loves people," Bethany College President, Will Jones said. "He has done great work with our wrestling team this year. With his leadership and hard work, I am confident our wrestling program will achieve conference and national recognition in the years to come." Strauss is eager to continue his work at his college alma mater. "First off, I would like to thank President Will Jones and Athletics Director Laura Moreno for giving me this opportunity. It truly is a blessing to be given this title and role at Bethany College," Strauss said. "I have been a part of the Bethany College wrestling team since the beginning of the program in 2011 as a competitor and now as a Coach. I am excited to continue being a positive influence to these young men." Located in Lindsborg, Kansas about one hour north of Wichita, Bethany College is a four-year private college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Founded in 1881, Bethany College has an enrollment of approximately 800 students.

Jordan Burroughs shakes Frank Chamizo's hand before their Beat the Streets match (Photo/Juan Garicia) NEW YORK -- Two of the most decorated and well-known recent Olympic wrestlers will square off for the first time as 2012 gold medalist Jordan Burroughs takes on 2008 Olympian Ben Askren as part of the 10th annual "Grapple at the Garden" Beat the Streets (BTS) benefit at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on May 6. Burroughs, who has competed at numerous past BTS events, will battle Askren, who has parlayed his wresting talents into a strong mixed martial arts career in the UFC and other promotions, at 74 kilograms in the highly-anticipated matchup. "Grapple at the Garden" supports Beat the Streets, the largest grassroots inner city wrestling program in the United States, serving as both a fundraiser for the organization and to celebrate its athletes as they compete on the biggest stage in the center of the world. Burroughs, a four-time world freestyle champion (2011, 2014, 2015, 2017), has won eight consecutive BTS benefit matches, downing fellow Olympian Frank Chamizo last year in a thrilling, come-from-behind 8-5 verdict in the main event Supermatch. Burroughs was a threetime All-American at Nebraska, winning two NCAA titles. The Sicklerville, N.J., native also competed at the 2016 Olympics in Rio but did not medal. Burroughs has the most World gold medals in USA history with four, tied with John Smith, Adeline Gray and Tricia Saunders. His five World and Olympic gold medals trails only Smith, who has six. He also has won two World bronze medals, giving him seven World and Olympic medals in his storied career. Askren, who went 1-1 but didn't medal in his lone Olympic appearance, was a four-time NCAA finalist at Missouri, winning the crowns in 2006 and 2007. His MMA career has included wins in his first 19 matches, most recently at UFC 235 last month. He has fought for several other promotions, primarily One Championship and Bellator, in amassing his perfect record. Both Burroughs and Askren competed at 74 kilograms at the Olympic Games. Combined, they represented the USA at this weight class for the last three Olympic Games. "Jordan Burroughs is a great champion who has been a great supporter of Beat the Streets for years, and Ben Askren has made a name for himself with his outsize talent and personality to match," said Beat the Streets Executive Director Brendan Buckley."This is a match that many fans have been hoping for, and we couldn't be more excited to bring them together in a way that will benefit our BTS kids on what is shaping up to be a huge night of wrestling at Hulu Theater." The news follows last week's first announced main event bout, between New Jersey natives James Green (Willingboro) and Anthony Ashnault (South Plainfield). Additional matchups in the Team USA vs. NCAA Champions main events will be announced in the coming weeks. Those will be preceded by several youth matches, with one previously announced: a battle of local State Champions in Jo Jo Aragona (Pope John XXIII HS/New Jersey) vs. Adam Busiello (Eastport-South Manor HS/New York). Tickets for the evening's action are available now via TicketMaster, priced starting at $30 at https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/3B005668AA091B69. A variety of donation packages which include"Grapple in the Garden" tickets are also available at https://www.btsny.org/btsevents or by emailing molalde@btsny.org, beginning at $1000. Doors open on May 6 at 5:30 p.m., with the main event starting at 6 p.m. For the fifth straight year, FloSports will provide live and on-demand coverage on FloWrestling.com. Beat the Streets, Inc. will invite select members of the 2018 U.S. Men's Freestyle World Team, which placed second in the 2018 World Championships and won seven World medals, as well as select top USA women's wrestlers. Beat the Streets Benefit competitions, which began in 2010, have since become a major showcase of the best of international wrestling. This unique and electrifying annual event has helped Beat the Streets raise millions of dollars to support local youth wrestling programs which empower young people in New York City. The first Beat the Streets Benefit was held on the U.S.S. Intrepid, an aircraft carrier docked on the west side of Manhattan. Since then, the benefit has taken place at other notable New York City spots like Grand Central Station and Times Square. Team USA has faced off against teams from around the world including Japan, Cuba, Russia and Iran. Last year, the competition was hosted at the new Pier 17 in the Seaport District and included the highly anticipated Burroughs vs. Chamizo match. The 2018 U.S. World Team, which competed in Budapest, Hungary, featured 2018 World champions Kyle Dake, David Taylor and J'den Cox, 2018 World silver medalist Kyle Snyder, and 2018 World bronze medalists Joe Colon, Jordan Burroughs and Nick Gwiazdowski. Burroughs and Snyder are both multiple Olympic and World champions. Others on the USA team included 2016 World champion Logan Stieber, two-time World bronze medalist James Green and 2017 World silver medalist Thomas Gilman. New York City's Madison Square Garden is one of the most famous sporting and entertainment venues in the world. The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden is an impressive venue with the capacity to seat over 5,000. The theater has hosted notable wrestling events including the 1998 Goodwill Games wrestling competition and the 2017 Grapple at the Garden college wrestling event. About Beat the Streets The mission of Beat the Streets is to develop the full potential of the urban youth and to strengthen the culture of New York City wrestling. BTS works directly with the New York City Department of Education in a public-private partnership to bring the life changing sport of wrestling to over 3,000 New York City student-athletes to help them achieve their personal and athletic goals. Through the operation of wrestling programs in middle and high schools in the five boroughs, BTS and the DOE provide a safe, positive atmosphere in which disadvantaged and at-risk youth can learn the essential life lessons of grit, personal responsibility and teamwork, physical fitness and nutrition, and life-long learning. The goal of fostering strong, well-rounded student-athletes is delivered through coaching, after-school programs, life skills workshops, and summer camps. More information can be found at www.btsny.org. About USA Wrestling USA Wrestling is the National Governing Body for the Sport of Wrestling in the United States and, as such, is its representative to the United States Olympic Committee and United World Wrestling, the international wrestling federation. Simply, USA Wrestling is the central organization that coordinates amateur wrestling programs in the nation and works to create interest and participation in these programs. It has over 230,000 members across the nation, boys and girls, men and women of all ages, representing all levels of the sport. Its president is Bruce Baumgartner, and its Executive Director is Rich Bender. More information can be found at TheMat.com.

Carson Kharchla had a dominant senior season, which included a Walsh Ironman title (Photo/Sam Janicki, SJanickiPhoto.com) One calendar month has passed since the last of the scholastic state champions were crowned in Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania on March 9. Since then, the wrestling calendar has been busy with both the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic and the Wrestling USA Magazine Dream Team Classic, NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Pittsburgh, along with the NHSCA grade-level nationals and the USA Wrestling Junior and 16U Folkstyle Nationals. All that being said, it's time to put a wrap on the 2018-19 scholastic wrestling season with the release of the final national high school weight class rankings. It is a chance to reflect upon what has happened over the past calendar year (i.e. cycle), and to acknowledge the InterMat High School Wrestler of the Year, along with the InterMat First Team All-Americans. Wrestler of the Year: Carson Kharchla (Olentangy Liberty, Ohio), 170 pounds The Ohio State-bound Kharchla took last season's state title, and pushed it to another level over the last 12 months. After a spring and early summer fully of heavy training at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Kharchla went to Fargo for the Junior National freestyle tournament and absolutely dominated what was a very strong path in a rather strong 170-pound weight class. The first four matches in that run were technical superiorities earned while shutting out the opposition, those in the round of 16 and quarterfinal came against fellow All-Americans (in the round of 16 it was a 10-0 victory over Parker Keckeisen). The semifinal result was a 7-4 victory over multiple-time Fargo freestyle champion Travis Wittlake of Oregon, while it was a 10-0 finals victory over Dustin Plott of Oklahoma whose path to the final featured four technical superiorities and a decision. In all, Kharchla beat the second, third, fifth, and sixth-place finisher. During the 2018-19 season, it was dominance just the same, as his 31-0 season included but four matches that were not bonus point affairs. Kharchla did not give up an offensive point during the course of a season that included a second consecutive state title, along with tournament titles at the Walsh Ironman and Brecksville tournaments. Previous Wrestlers of the Year 2018: Gable Steveson (Apple Valley, Minn.) 2017: Vito Arujau (Syosset, N.Y.) 2016: Mark Hall (Apple Valley, Minn.) 2015: Mark Hall (Apple Valley, Minn.) 2014: Chance Marsteller (Kennard Dale, Pa.) 2013: Kyle Snyder (Good Counsel, Md.) 2012: Jason Tsirtsis (Crown Point, Ind.) 2011: Morgan McIntosh (Calvary Chapel, Calif.) Other top-ranked wrestlers 106: Richard Figueroa (Selma, Calif.) The Arizona State verbal commit has lost one match in two seasons of high school wrestling, that coming in the Walsh Ironman finals his freshman season. His dominance during this past season came at both 106 pounds and 113 pounds. Figueroa won the nation's toughest preseason tournament (Super 32 Challenge) and in-season tournament (Walsh Ironman) at the higher weight, while pummeling opposition at 106 pounds on the way to notable titles at the Doc Buchanan Invitational and the state tournament. 113: Alejandro Herrera-Rondon (Seneca Valley, Pa.) The sophomore won a second state title, this one coming with a 48-1 record, his only blemish coming in the Walsh Ironman finals when he lost 2-1 to Figueroa. Most notable among his regular season results were a King of the Mountain title up at 120 pounds, and a Powerade title in this weight class when he beat top five in the nation Jake Rundell (Oak Park River Forest, Ill.) and two-time Cadet world champion Kurt McHenry (St. Paul's, Md.) in the semifinals and finals respectively. 120: Lucas Byrd (Cincinnati LaSalle, Ohio) The senior won a second straight title, finishing 46-1 on the season, his lone loss coming in the final of the Walsh Ironman. Byrd had three wins on the season over wrestlers ranked in the top eight nationally, including a 4-3 win over national No. 2 Ryan Crookham (Notre Dame-Green Pond, Pa.) in the Walsh Ironman semifinals. His career record was 177-17, including a mark of 142-7 over his last three seasons. 126: Kyle Burwick (Hettinger, N.D.) The Wisconsin-bound wrestler was a five-time state champion in North Dakota, and over those seasons amassed a record of 260-8, including wins in 145 straight matches from the start of January during his sophomore year going forward. Burwick placed fourth in Junior freestyle this past summer at 126 pounds. 132: Jordan Decatur (CVCA, Ohio) The Ohio State-bound Decatur finished his senior year with a record of 43-1, the lone loss coming in the semifinals of the Walsh Jesuit Ironman. Tournament titles in 2018-19 included those won at North Canton, Brecksville, Maumee Bay, and the Grizzly Invitational. Decatur was a Junior National freestyle champion last summer, his third Fargo freestyle title in four years, and accrued a record of 134-7 over the three seasons in which he won state titles. 138: JoJo Aragona (Pope John XXIII, N.J.) The Rutgers-bound wrestler capped off an excellent career with an elusive state title during his senior year, which included an elusive major event title at the Beast of the East that came after winning a four-man exhibition bracket at Flo's Who's Number One preseason event. Aragona finished third, second, third, and first in four career state tournaments; concluding his career with a record of 159-6, including 43-0 in his senior season. 145: Ryan Anderson (Bethlehem Catholic, Pa.) The Iowa State-bound Anderson earned a second consecutive state title, a season highlighted by earning Outstanding Wrestler honors at the Walsh Ironman after earning a major decision over national No. 2 Jaden Abas (Rancho Bernardo, Calif.) in the championship match. Anderson's 39-1 campaign also included titles at the Beast of the East and Escape the Rock tournaments. He was also a three-time Super 32 placer, winning the tournament in October 2017. The lone loss this season came to Jagger Condomitti (Northampton, Pa.) by a 5-4 decision in the dual team state final, an opponent that he beat two times prior and two times subsequent. 152: Andrew Alirez (Greeley Central, Colo.) The Northern Colorado bound wrestler went 33-0 during his senior season, capped off by winning a fourth state title, and finished his career with a record of 153-1. The lone loss came in the Doc Buchanan Invitational semifinals of his sophomore year, 1-0 to Jaden Abas. Alirez beat now two-time NCAA All-American Nick Lee in the challenge tournament finals of the World Team Trials at 65 kilos last spring; while extending 2019 NCAA All-American Dom Demas to a third match in the best-of-three trials. 160: Alex Facundo (Davison, Mich.) The nation's top sophomore has won almost everything under the sun so far in his career, though his two-year high school career record is 70-1, the lone loss coming this past season in the finals of the Detroit Catholic Central Invitational -- in the ultimate tiebreaker to Cameron Amine (Detroit Catholic Central, Mich.). Facundo was champion of the Super 32 Challenge this fall, and is a two-time Junior National folkstyle champion, along with a 2018 Cadet World bronze medalist. 182: Parker Keckeisen (Nicolet, Wis.) The Northern Iowa-bound Keckeisen concluded his career with 78 straight wins after losing in the state final his sophomore year, and finished with a career record of 157-11. Keckeisen also placed fifth at state as a freshman, and placed third in Junior freestyle this past summer, the lone loss coming in the round of 16 to Carson Kharchla. 195: Jacob Cardenas (Bergen Catholic, N.J.) The Cornell-bound Cardenas finished his career winning a pair of state titles, while going 69-6 in those seasons that included runner-up finishes at the Beast of the East in both seasons. Cardenas also was a champion of the NHSCA Sophomore and Junior Nationals, along with the Super 32 Challenge this past fall. His losses on the season came in the Beast of the East finals to A.J. Ferrari, who was at Blair Academy at the time before leaving for Bergen Catholic a few weeks later; while the early January loss to Peter Christensen (Montini Catholic, Ill.) was avenged this past weekend in a 6-4 victory at the Dream Team Classic. 220: Braxton Amos (Parkersburg South, W.Va.) Even missing the entirety of his freshman season due to an injury sustained in late September, the top five overall national junior has had a more than full career resume in two high school seasons. Upon return from that injury in July 2017, Amos earned a second straight Cadet National double title in Fargo. Since then, he has added a pair of Super 32 titles, a pair of Walsh Ironman titles, a pair of Powerade titles, and a pair of undefeated state championships; in two seasons at Parkersburg South, Amos has a record of 94-0. 285: Greg Kerkvliet (Simley, Minn.) The nation's top overall senior went 24-0 during his shortened senior season to win a fourth state title, despite missing more than half the year due to an injury sustained during the summer. During said campaign, all but one of Kerkvliet's matches was a first period pin or forfeit (that being a 16-1 technical fall in 1:27). The Ohio State-bound Kerkvliet was a 2017 Cadet World champion in freestyle at 100 kilos and runner-up in 2018 at 110 kilos; in addition, he earned three technical superiority victories this spring in a combined 4:22 over eventual Junior world silver medalist Zach Elam at 97 kilos. Breakdown of nationally ranked wrestlers by state 35: Pennsylvania (2 individuals ranked No. 1 nationally) 33: New Jersey (2) 23: Ohio (3), California (1), Illinois 11: Oklahoma 10: Michigan (1), Iowa 9: Colorado (1), Minnesota (1), Florida, Missouri 8: Wisconsin (1), Indiana 7: New York 6: Maryland 5: Georgia, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas 3: Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia 2: West Virginia (1), Alabama, Montana, North Carolina, Utah 1: North Dakota (1), Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, New Hampshire, South Dakota Note: 34 states in all had a nationally ranked wrestler (i.e. attend a high school in that state).

Paul Rademacher (Photo/Bob Palermini) Indiana Tech has hired Paul Rademacher as head coach of its new women's intercollegiate wrestling program, the Fort Wayne-based school announced Monday. As InterMat reported in mid-February, Indiana Tech had announced it would launch the first women's college wrestling program in the state of Indiana. The new team is slated to take to the mats for the first time in the 2020-21 school year, completing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). "We are ecstatic to bring Paul into the Warrior Family and lead our women's wrestling program," said Indiana Tech Athletic Director Debbie Warren. "His background in freestyle wrestling, knowledge of the NAIA and overall experience elevated him in this highly competitive search and we look forward to seeing him build the program and grow the sport of women's wrestling in the Midwest." Rademacher brings a strong background as a wrestler and wrestling coach of both male and female athletes at the collegiate and high school levels. Rademacher wrestled at Oregon State from 1999-2003, where he was named to the Pac-10 All-Academic Second Team as a senior. Most recently, he served as associate head coach for the women's wrestling team at Southern Oregon University in Ashland. During his two years with the Raiders he went 14-14 and led the team to an eighth-place finish at the first-ever NAIA National Invitational this past March and a 12th-place performance at the Women's College Wrestling Association (WCWA) Championships in 2018. He coached six All-Americans during his time at Southern Oregon. Prior to his time at SOU, Rademacher served as the head coach for the boys and girls wrestling teams at Henley High School in Oregon for two seasons. Before that, he coached at Mount Vernon High School in Washington State. "I am very excited and honored to be selected to be the first women's wrestling head coach at Indiana Tech," Rademacher said. "It was very obvious that Indiana Tech was fully invested in starting this program and being successful. I believe Fort Wayne will be a great place for women's wrestling and that student-athletes will come from around the country to join the Warriors and be a part of the Indiana Tech community." "The opportunity to start the program from scratch and set a culture of character, integrity, academic and athletic excellence was a major draw for me," Rademacher continued. "I look forward to working with the other athletic programs to continue the national success that Indiana Tech has produced." Indiana Tech is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana's second-largest city, in the northeast part of the state. Founded in 1930, this four-year, private school has an enrollment of approximately 8,600 students.

Danny Irwin was introduced as West Liberty's new head wrestling coach at a Monday press conference WHEELING, W.Va. -- West Liberty University announced Monday that NCAA Division II Coach of the Year Danny Irwin has been hired as the Hilltoppers' new head wrestling coach. The announcement came during a morning press conference at the university's downtown center. "We are tremendously excited to bring in such an impressive young man who has demonstrated success at the highest levels athletically and academically," WLU President Dr. Stephen Greiner said. "Coach Irwin's incredible work ethic combined with his proven ability to recruit and develop high-achieving student-athletes on and off the mat make him a perfect ambassador for his sport and a great fit for our university." Irwin replaces former head coach Mitch Smith, who recently stepped down to accept a position in the private sector that would permit him to spend more time with his growing family. "I want to thank Coach Smith for his hard work and dedication over the past four years," athletic director Lynn Ullom said. "Mitch played an integral role as we upgraded our facilities to the point where we now have some of the best in the region, putting us in position to take the next step. "I'm always looking for the best possible candidate but being able to hand the reins of our storied wrestling program over to the reigning National Coach of the Year is the definition of a home run hire. Coach Irwin's accomplishments speak for themselves, but I was even more impressed by the obvious passion he has for the sport and his student-athletes along with the vision he has for the program. We are thrilled to welcome him to the West Liberty family." Irwin comes to WLU a few weeks after leading Wheeling Jesuit University to a runner-up finish at the 2018-19 NCAA Division II Nationals in Cleveland. All six of Irwin's national qualifiers earned NCAA Division II All-America status with two of them winning national championships. Irwin was honored as the 2018-19 NCAA Division II Coach of the Year in just his second season as a collegiate head man. Just as impressively, a program-record seven members of Irwin's national runner-up squad at WJU were named to the 2018-19 National Wrestling Coaches Association's All-Academic Team. "I'm deeply honored to take over a program with the rich tradition of West Liberty wrestling," Irwin said. "This was an awesome opportunity for me to work with a group of people who are committed to success in every phase of the student-athlete experience. The support this program receives from the alumni, administration and the Ohio Valley wrestling community is overwhelming." The Hilltoppers' new head man began his coaching career with a 2-year stint at Bluffton (Ind.) High School. He led the Tigers to a conference championship before moving into the college ranks as an assistant coach at NCAA Division III Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Ind. The Little Giants posted four NCAA Division III Top 10 finishes during Irwin's nine years on the staff. He won three Regional Assistant Coach of the Year Awards and was a national finalist for the Best of Brands Social Media Award across all NCAA divisions before heading off to Wheeling Jesuit. "My immediate goal at WLU is to get to know the team and the families that support them," Irwin said. "I also want to hear from the alumni base. Each one has a different story but it's the combination of those stories that make West Liberty one of the nation's most tradition-rich wrestling programs. "Winning the Coach of the Year award last month was neat, but it merely reflected the commitment from our coaching staff, support staff, wrestlers and their families throughout the year. The honor just gave me that much more motivation to give my family, my student-athletes and West Liberty University my best every day. I can't wait to get started." An Indiana native, Irwin was a regional champion and 2-time NCAA Division III national qualifier during his collegiate career at Manchester University in North Manchester, Ind. He graduated from Manchester with a bachelor's degree in History. Irwin and his wife, Andrea, live in St. Clairsville, Ohio with their daughter, Addison and son, J.P.

Brian Antonelli coaching at the Walsh Ironman (Photo/Sam Janicki, SJanickiPhoto.com) The National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) is proud to announce Chris Brian Antonelli of Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey as its National High School Wrestling Coach of the Year. All Antonelli has done in his four years as the school's head coach is lead the Buccaneers to four straight NHSCA/USA TODAY Super 25 national championships. Blair nailed down the national title with an impressive showing at the Prep Nationals. The Bucs won the national tournament, outscoring No. 2 Wyoming Seminary (Kingston, Pennsylvania) 354-325. Blair also tied the all-time Prep Nationals record by crowning nine overall individual champs. Antonelli also led the Bucs to team championships at the Beast of the East, Geary and Ironman individual championships. "Wrestling one of the toughest schedules in the country and going through it undefeated is a huge accomplishment for our guys," said Brian Antonelli. "Blair wrestlers competed hard, and they represented the School with class the entire season. We are thankful for the support we received throughout, and we are proud of concluding the high school season with a national championship." "We are extremely pleased to honor Coach Antonelli," said Eric Hess, Executive Director of the NHSCA. "In his four years at Blair, he's built on the school's tremendous tradition, keeping the Bucs as one of the nation's elite programs. He exhibits a strong dedication to supporting and developing his high school student-athletes in the classroom and outside of it." Antonelli joins legendary Blair head coach Jeff Buxton as a NHSCA National Wrestling Coach of the Year. Buxton won the award in 1997. Antonelli is the second straight coach from New Jersey to win the award. David Bell won the award last year. Throughout April, the NHSCA will be announcing the 2018-2019 Coach of the Year honorees in 20 boys' and girls' sports. This marks the 20th consecutive year the NHSCA has honored achievers within the high school athletic community nationwide. Each of the honorees will receive a beautiful plaque. In addition, the Coach of the Year honoree will be displayed in the National High School Digital Sports Hall of Fame that is currently under development. Past NHSCA High School National High School Wrestling Coaches of the Year: 2018 - David Bell - Bergen Catholic HS (New Jersey) 2017 - Mike Palazzo - Lake Highland Prep (Florida) 2016 - Scott Green - Wyoming Seminary (Pennsylvania) 2015 - Mike Powell - Oak Park River Forest HS (Illinois) 2014 - Dave Dean - Lowell HS (Michigan) 2013 - Steve Tirapelle - Clovis HS (California) 2012 - Pat Simpson - Father Ryan HS (Tennessee) 2011 - Cliff Ramos - Collins Hill HS (Georgia) 2010 - Barry Chooljian - Timberlane HS (New Hampshire) 2009 - Jeff Sweigard - Central Dauphin HS (Pennsylvania) 2008 - Bill Jacoutot - Spencerport HS (New York) 2007 - Jerry Winterton - Cary HS (North Carolina) 2006 - Mike Polz - Carl Sandburg HS (Illinois) 2005 - Roy Hall - Davison HS (Michigan) 2004 - Terry Daubert - Northampton HS (Pennsylvania) 2003 - Jeff Jordan - St. Paris Graham HS (Ohio) 2002 - David East - Bakersfield HS (California) Jim Jackson - Apple Valley HS (Minnesota) 2001 - Dave Crowell - Wilson Borough HS (Pennsylvania) Jeff Jordan - Clarksville HS (Tennessee) 2000 - Russ Cozart - Brandon HS (Florida) Scott Legacy - Mount Anthony Union HS (Vermont) Herb Stinson - Aztec HS (New Mexico) 1999 - Lewie Benitz - Lincoln HS (Wisconsin); Keith Healy - Providence Catholic HS (Illinois) Tim Marzuola - Highlands Park HS (Texas) Dick Rhoades - Bald Eagle Area HS (Pennsylvania) 1998 - Wayne Branstetter - Poway HS (California) Scott Davis - Owantonna HS (Minnesota) Greg Urbas - St. Edward (Ohio) 1997 - Jeff Buxton - Blair Academy (New Jersey), Benny Coleman - Choctow HS (Oklahoma) Steve Powell - Easton HS (Pennsylvania)

I've been following the sport of wrestling since the mid-1970s. And I've seen my share of outstanding performers on the collegiate level. With Penn State seniors Bo Nickal and Jason Nolf finishing their standout careers as three-time NCAA champions, a frequently asked question was brought to the forefront once again. Who are the best collegiate wrestlers of all time? It is a daunting and challenging task to compare so many incredible wrestlers from different eras and rank them accordingly. But it's also fun to reflect back on some amazing careers. There is no question that John Smith, Jordan Burroughs and Bruce Baumgartner went on to accomplish incredible feats on the international level after they finished college. They would rank 1-2-3 on most people's list of top Olympic-level wrestlers. The criteria that I used for this list is based on what wrestlers achieved during their college careers. No doubt, you won't agree with all of my selections. These are my personal choices. Here is my list of the best college wrestlers of all time: Cael Sanderson gets his hand raised after winning his fourth NCAA title and finishing undefeated 1. Cael Sanderson, Iowa State There won't be any argument here. Sanderson was the best of all time at the collegiate level. He was the only wrestler to complete a four-year career unbeaten after going an unthinkable 159-0 for the Cyclones from 1998-2002. He won three NCAA titles at 184 pounds before winning at 197 as a senior. He was a three-time Hodge Trophy winner. He also beat some very good wrestlers, including UFC champion and world medalist Daniel Cormier, world silver medalists Brad Vering and Brandon Eggum, and world bronze medalist Justin Ruiz, during his phenomenal college career. He did it with a wide-open, attacking style where he piled up points and put on a show. He was a skilled technician who pushed the pace and also was very mobile for his size. I wish Sanderson could have competed more internationally, but he proved how good he was by winning an Olympic gold medal and a world silver medal in freestyle. Now he's making a run at being the best college coach in history with his dominating run at Penn State. His Nittany Lions have won eight of the last nine national championships. Kyle Dake defeated David Taylor to claim his fourth NCAA title (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) 2. Kyle Dake, Cornell This is a tough one. There were several very strong candidates for the No. 2 spot on this list, but Dake's credentials simply speak for themselves. He won four NCAA titles in four different weight classes (141, 149, 157 and 165 pounds), a feat we may never see again. He won the Hodge Trophy as a senior in 2013. He won his final collegiate match against Penn State's David Taylor, who came back to win his second Hodge Trophy the next year. Dake has a diverse skill set and he is adept at any style of wrestling. He was lethal from the top position in college. Dake won a world title in 2018. 3. Yojiro Uetake, Oklahoma State Other than Sanderson, who he coached, former Iowa State coach Bobby Douglas said Uetake was the best he had ever seen at the collegiate level. Douglas would know. He and Uetake were teammates with the Cowboys. Uetake won three NCAA titles at 130 pounds for Oklahoma State in the 1960s and was undefeated in college. He was twice named Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. Uetake was so dominant he was rarely challenged at the collegiate level. He won Olympic gold medals for Japan in 1964 and 1968. 4. Dan Gable, Iowa State He was the Cael Sanderson of his time, a dominant wrestler whose punishing, push-the-pace style captured the attention of fans beyond wrestling. He was a legend in his home state and across the country with his work ethic and drive to succeed in wrestling. He won national titles at 130 and 137 pounds in 1968 and 1969. He won every college match before dropping his last match in a stunning 13-11 loss to Washington's Larry Owings in the 142-pound finals in 1970. Even with that setback, Gable was still one of the best ever at this level. He went on to win world and Olympic titles for the U.S before coaching the Iowa Hawkeyes to 15 NCAA titles. Pat Smith became the first four-time NCAA champion5. Pat Smith, Oklahoma State He wasn't even the best wrestler in his famous wrestling family, but he definitely had the best college career. Pat Smith was the first wrestler to win four NCAA titles. He finished his career with a 98-match unbeaten streak and won his share of pressure-packed bouts at 158 pounds to make history at the collegiate level. He definitely belongs in the top five on this prestigious list. Pat's older brother, John, is considered the greatest Olympic-level wrestler in history after winning two Olympic gold medals and four world titles. John Smith was a three-time NCAA finalist at Oklahoma State, capturing two titles while going 154-7-2 in college. 6. Logan Stieber, Ohio State Stieber not only won four NCAA titles and the Hodge Trophy, but he led the Buckeyes to a national team title during his remarkable career. He beat his share of studs in his career, including two-time NCAA champion Jordan Oliver at 133 pounds and eventual two-time Hodge Trophy winner Zain Retherford at 141 pounds. He was at his best when it counted most. Stieber was tough on his feet and he was lethal in the top position in college. He went on to win a world title in freestyle wrestling for the U.S. 7. Dan Hodge, Oklahoma When college wrestling's top honor is named after you, it is tough not to have Hodge near the top of this list. He was unbeaten in college as a middleweight while winning three NCAA titles and pinning almost everybody during his career in the 1950s. He went on to win an Olympic silver medal. He went out there and did what you are supposed to do in a wrestling match: pin your opponent. The guy was still crushing apples with one hand while in his 80s. He remains the only wrestler to make the cover of Sports Illustrated. Lee Kemp8. Lee Kemp, Wisconsin He was the Jordan Burroughs of his era, but Kemp was even better than Burroughs was at the collegiate level. Kemp won three NCAA titles at 158 pounds for the Badgers after dropping a close decision in the finals as a freshman. Kemp had a 110-match unbeaten streak. He was a physically gifted athlete who had a strong mental toughness and intelligence to match. He went on to win three world titles in freestyle wrestling. He would have been the favorite to win a gold medal at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, Russia, but was unable to compete because of the U.S. boycott of the Olympics. 9. Mark Schultz, Oklahoma Schultz won one of the biggest and best matchups in NCAA history when he defeated Iowa's Ed Banach in the 1982 NCAA finals at 177 pounds. Banach was on course to winning his third NCAA title as a junior before falling in a wild, high-scoring bout to the powerful Schultz in the finals. Schultz finished his college career with three national titles before going on to win an Olympic gold medal and two world titles for the United States. His brother, Dave, also won NCAA, Olympic and world titles. 10. Kyle Snyder, Ohio State It is crazy to think that Snyder won three NCAA titles as an undersized college heavyweight while becoming the best international wrestler in the world. Snyder didn't wrestle a lot of college matches because he was also competing internationally. But what he did was impressive while wrestling opponents who outweighed him by 40 or more pounds. Two wrestlers he beat in the NCAA finals, Nick Gwiazdowski and Adam Coon, went on to win world medals as heavyweights on the Senior level. Snyder was a four-time NCAA finalist after placing second as a freshman at 197 pounds. Snyder became the youngest world champion in U.S. history in 2015 before becoming the youngest Olympic champion a year later. He added a second world title in 2017 before placing second in 2018. 11. Ed Banach, Iowa Known as Eddie "The Horse" Banach during his college days, Banach was one of the most exciting wrestlers in Hawkeye history while wrestling at 177 and 190 pounds. He recorded 73 pins in his career. The explosive Banach was on course to win his third NCAA title as a junior in 1982 before falling to Mark Schultz in the finals. Schultz went on to win three national titles. Banach came back to win his third national championship in 1983 before winning an Olympic gold medal a year later in Los Angeles. Banach's twin brother, Lou, won two NCAA titles at heavyweight for Iowa before capturing an Olympic gold medal in 1984. 12. David Taylor, Penn State The two-time Hodge Trophy winner was one of the best I've seen at the collegiate level while competing at 157 and 165 pounds. Taylor was a dynamic, aggressive wrestler who had a similar style to his mentor and head coach, Cael Sanderson. Taylor lost a hard-fought, 5-4 finals match to Kyle Dake when Dake captured his fourth NCAA crown in 2013. Taylor was a four-time NCAA finalist and two-time champion for the Nittany Lions. He led Penn State to four NCAA team titles from 2011-14. He went on to win a world title for the United States in 2018. Ben Askren celebrates after winning the NCAA title in 2006 (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)13. Ben Askren, Missouri A four-time NCAA finalist and two-time champion at 174 pounds, Askren twice won the Hodge Trophy as the best wrestler in college. He wrestled a style Hodge liked, pinning a majority of his opponents. He set several records and finished his college career with 91 pins. He was another guy who put on a show when he competed. Askren won his first title over Jake Herbert, who went on to win the Hodge Trophy and a world silver medal. Askren went on to make the 2008 Olympic Team before embarking on a successful career in mixed martial arts. 14. Tom Brands, Iowa Tom and his twin brother, Terry, embodied the hard-nosed, blue-collar style of the Dan Gable-era at Iowa in the early 1990s. Tom captured three NCAA titles at 134 pounds for the Hawkeyes and Terry won two titles at 126. Tom went on to win Olympic and world titles while Terry won a pair of world titles and an Olympic bronze medal. Tom Brands is one of only three wrestlers to win three NCAA titles, an Olympic title and a world title. Mark Schultz and Kyle Snyder also achieved that feat. Tom Brands has coached the Iowa Hawkeyes to three NCAA team titles. 15. John Smith, Oklahoma State He won two NCAA titles and was an NCAA runner-up for the Cowboys during a standout college career. He won national titles in 1987 and 1988 at 134 pounds. Between his junior and senior year, he won a gold medal at the 1987 World Championships. That launched the most amazing run by an American wrestler in history. Smith followed by winning two Olympic gold medals and three more world titles during a remarkable international career. 16. Zain Retherford, Penn State This is a guy who definitely could've been higher on the list. He won two Hodge Trophy awards and three national titles for the Nittany Lions while dominating the competition at 149 pounds. He also was a leader during one of the best runs by a team in NCAA history. He won a Cadet world title and made a Senior world team in 2017. He may be adding more medals on the international scene before he's done. 17. Stephen Abas, Fresno State Abas won three NCAA titles during a superb collegiate career as one of the best lightweight wrestlers of all time. Abas was superb on his feet -- technically sound with the athleticism and toughness to go with it. He was 144-4 in his career with 46 pins at 125 pounds. He went unbeaten during his final two seasons in college. Abas won an Olympic silver medal for the United States in 2004. 18. Lincoln McIlravy, Iowa During Iowa's magical run under legendary coach Dan Gable, McIlravy made a strong run at becoming the first Hawkeye to win four NCAA titles. He won national titles his first two seasons before suffering a stunning loss in the 1995 NCAA finals at his home arena against Steve Marianetti of Illinois. McIlvravy came back after an Olympic redshirt to beat returning champion Chris Bono of Iowa State in the 150-pound finals in 1997. McIlravy went on to win an Olympic bronze medal along with world silver and bronze medals for the U.S. 19. Ed Ruth, Penn State Ruth played a huge role in leading the incredible revival of the Penn State program after Cael Sanderson took over as head coach. He competed at 174 and 184 pounds while winning three national titles for the Nittany Lions after placing third as a freshman. He led Penn State to four NCAA team championships. Ruth made a U.S. world team in 2014 before pursuing a career in mixed martial arts. Ruth was another dominant wrestler who tacked up a ton of bonus points at the collegiate level. He sometimes didn't receive all of the credit he deserved while wrestling alongside David Taylor. But Ruth had a phenomenal career. 20. Gray Simons, Lock Haven He won seven national titles in college from 1959-62 -- three NCAA and four NAIA -- and was named outstanding wrestler in six of those seven tournaments. He was 91-2 in college while competing at 115 pounds. He made the 1960 and 1964 Olympic Team. 21. Kurt Angle, Clarion This is another guy who certainly could have been higher on this list. Angle was a small heavyweight who weighed just over 200 pounds, but he was a tremendous athlete who was strong and explosive for his size. Angle captured NCAA titles in 1990 and 1992 for Clarion University. He was second in the country in 1991. Angle found the perfect weight class internationally, winning a world title in 1995 and an Olympic gold medal in 1996 while wrestling at 220 pounds. He went on to win numerous titles in pro wrestling for World Wrestling Entertainment. 22. Jordan Burroughs, Nebraska I feel bad about having Burroughs this low on the list, but he lands here when just considering his college credentials. He had a superb career for the Huskers. He fell short of placing as a true freshman at nationals before becoming a three-time All-American in three different weight classes. He was third in a stacked bracket at the 2008 NCAA tournament at 149 pounds before winning a national title at 157 in 2009 and adding a second championship at 165 in 2011. He was undefeated during his last two full college seasons. He won the Hodge Trophy in 2011. Burroughs has gone on to an incredible international career. He won the 2012 Olympics along with four world titles and two world bronze medals. 23. Bill Koll, Northern Iowa He was a three-time national champion for Iowa State Teachers College, now Northern Iowa. Koll won three straight national titles from 1946-48 while going unbeaten with a spotless 72-0 record. He was the first wrestler to twice be voted outstanding wrestler at the national tournament. He wrestled for the U.S. at the 1948 Olympic Games. His son, Rob, is the long-time coach at Cornell. Rob Koll coached Kyle Dake to four NCAA titles. 24. Alex Dieringer, Oklahoma State Dieringer was another guy who continually raised his level of wrestling while excelling in college. A Junior world silver medalist in freestyle, he won three NCAA titles for the Cowboys. He captured the Hodge Trophy in 2016. He won the final 82 matches of his career for Oklahoma State. He went 133-4 during his brilliant career with the Cowboys while competing at 157 and 165 pounds. 25. Brent Metcalf, Iowa There is no doubt that Metcalf was one of the most dominating wrestlers at this level. He was a three-time NCAA finalist and two-time champion at 149 pounds while winning the Hodge Trophy. He beat Jordan Burroughs, who went on to win an Olympic gold medal and four world titles, in the NCAA semifinals in 2008. Metcalf led the Hawkeyes to three NCAA team titles and lost just three matches in three seasons. He could've done even more, but he lost a year of eligibility after transferring from Virginia Tech to Iowa. He went on to make four world teams in freestyle wrestling. 26. Bo Nickal, Penn State Nickal led the second wave of Penn State championship teams, capturing three individual titles. He beat past champions Gabe Dean and Myles Martin to win his first two titles at 184 pounds before winning at 197 as a senior. Nickal was another dominant wrestler who won the Hodge Trophy in 2019 with three-time national champion and teammate Jason Nolf also in the mix for that honor. Nickal's go-for-broke style was fun to watch. J'den Cox (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) 27. J'den Cox, Missouri This is a guy who has consistently competed at an extremely high level and knows how to deliver when the stakes are highest. He's a winner, and he continues to prove that. Cox captured three national titles and was a four-time All-American at 197 pounds for his hometown Missouri Tigers before going on to win an Olympic bronze medal, a world bronze medal and a world title for the U.S. in freestyle wrestling. 28. Stephen Neal, CSU Bakersfield One of the best heavyweights of all time, Neal placed fourth, second, first and first in four trips to the NCAA Championships. He won the Hodge Trophy as a senior. A powerful and mobile big man, Neal won a world title for the United States in 1999. After falling to Kerry McCoy in the finals of the 2000 Olympic Trials, Neal pursued a career in the National Football League. He became a starting offensive lineman for New England, collecting three Super Bowl championship rings with the Patriots. 29. Mark Churella, Michigan Wrestlers from past eras sometimes are ranked lower than they should be, but it would be unfair for Churella to fall into that category. He was a three-time NCAA champion who also earned an OW award at the national tournament. Churella was one of the best I've ever seen while competing for the Wolverines in the 1970s. He won two NCAA titles at 150 pounds before bumping up two weight classes to win a national title at 167 as a senior in 1979. 30. Nate Carr, Iowa State This was one of my favorite wrestlers to watch when I was growing up in the 1980s. Carr was a human highlight reel who had all of the intangibles to be a great wrestler with his speed, strength and skill. He won three NCAA titles at 150 pounds while facing strong competition. Carr beat Oklahoma State's Kenny Monday in overtime in the 1982 and 1983 national finals. Monday went on to win Olympic and world titles. Carr captured an Olympic bronze medal in 1988. 31. Jason Nolf, Penn State He had a phenomenal career on powerhouse Nittany Lion teams that won four consecutive NCAA team titles. Nolf was a dominant wrestler at 157 pounds who won three national titles from 2017-19 after finishing second at the NCAA tournament as a freshman. Kerry McCoy32. Kerry McCoy, Penn State Another heavyweight who dominated opponents in the 1990s was McCoy, a two-time national champion for the Nittany Lions. He won 131 of his last 132 matches in college while compiling an 88-match winning streak. He won the Hodge Trophy in 1997. McCoy was a fixture on the international scene for years. He won a world silver medal in 2003 and made the U.S. Olympic Team in 2000 and 2004. He beat 1999 world champion Stephen Neal in the finals of the Olympic Trials in 2000. 33. Randy Lewis, Iowa If not for suffering a dislocated elbow his senior year, Lewis could have made a strong case for being the best Hawkeye ever. Lewis was arguably the most exciting Iowa wrestler of all time with a fearless and relentless style. Lewis placed second at his first NCAA tournament before downing Cal State Bakersfield's John Azevedo 20-14 in the 126-pound national finals in 1979. Lewis followed by winning nationals at 134 pounds a year later before making the 1980 Olympic Team. He finished seventh at NCAAs as a senior in 1981 after badly injuring his elbow during the season. He went on to win an Olympic gold medal in 1984. 34. Jake Varner, Iowa State Another Cael Sanderson protégé, Varner was a four-time NCAA finalist during a stellar career for the Cyclones where he competed at 184 and 197 pounds. Varner captured NCAA titles at 197 pounds during his final two seasons at Iowa State in 2009 and 2010. He went on to win a world bronze medal in 2011 before earning an Olympic gold medal for the United States in men's freestyle wrestling in 2012 in London. 35. Barry Davis, Iowa He had an outstanding career for the Hawkeyes. He captured three NCAA titles, including the tournament OW as a senior. He won an Olympic silver medal in 1984 while still in college. He was named Big Ten Athlete of the Year in 1985. He set school records for wins in a season and career. He went on to win world silver and bronze medals. 36. Cary Kolat, Lock Haven This is another guy who was a tremendous wrestler who probably doesn't receive all of the credit he deserves. Kolat started his career at Penn State, finishing second at NCAAs as a freshman to eventual three-time national champion T.J. Jaworsky of North Carolina. Kolat placed third as a sophomore before transferring to Lock Haven. He followed by winning national titles for Lock Haven in 1996 and 1997. He was 111-7 in college with 53 falls while wrestling at 134 and 142 pounds. Kolat went on to win world silver and bronze medals while making the 2000 Olympic team for the U.S. 37. Jake Herbert, Northwestern Herbert was another dynamic performer who lost just four matches during his standout collegiate career. Herbert was a three-time NCAA finalist and won two titles. He beat eventual Olympic gold medalist Jake Varner in the 2007 NCAA finals, took an Olympic redshirt in 2008 and capped his career with a second NCAA title at 184 pounds in 2009. He won the Hodge Trophy and a few months later won a silver medal for the U.S. at the 2009 World Championships. He was a 2012 Olympian. 38. T.J. Jaworsky, North Carolina Jaworsky was a force at 134 pounds during the 1990s, winning three straight NCAA championships for the Tar Heels. Jaworsky beat Penn State's Cary Kolat, who went on to win two NCAA titles and two world medals, in the 1993 finals. After winning his second title by major decision in 1994, Jaworsky rolled to his third national title in 1995, winning a weight class that included 1998 Hodge Trophy winner Mark Ironside of Iowa. Jaworsky won the inaugural Hodge Trophy in 1995. 39. Carlton Haselrig, Pitt-Johnstown The powerful Haselrig accomplished something we likely will never see again in college wrestling. He won six national titles in a span of three seasons at the collegiate level. The standout heavyweight was an NCAA Division I and II champion from 1987-89. He went on to become a Pro Bowl lineman in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Special mention Carl Adams, Iowa State Lou Banach, Iowa Bruce Baumgartner, Indiana State Ricky Bonomo, Bloomsburg Terry Brands, Iowa Darryl Burley, Lehigh Chris Campbell, Iowa Mike Caruso, Lehigh Gabe Dean, Cornell Eric Guerrero, Oklahoma State Les Gutches, Oregon State Nick Gwiazdowski, North Carolina State Larry Hayes, Iowa State Sammie Henson, Clemson Stanley Henson, Oklahoma State Mark Ironside, Iowa Jimmy Jackson, Oklahoma State Greg Johnson, Michigan State Greg Jones, West Virginia Jim Jordan, Wisconsin Cole Konrad, Minnesota Gerald Leeman, Northern Iowa Isaiah Martinez, Illinois Earl McCready, Oklahoma State Andre Metzger, Oklahoma Pat Milkovich, Michigan State Steve Mocco, Iowa, Oklahoma State Kenny Monday, Oklahoma State Tony Nelson, Minnesota Gene Mills, Syracuse Bill Nelson, Northern Iowa Jordan Oliver, Oklahoma State Rex Peery, Oklahoma State Chris Pendleton, Oklahoma State Ben Peterson, Iowa State Donny Pritzlaff, Wisconsin Kevin Randleman, Ohio State Myron Roderick, Oklahoma State Jake Rosholt, Oklahoma State Tommy Rowlands, Ohio State Rick Sanders, Portland State Wade Schalles, Clarion Dave Schultz, Oklahoma Bill Smith, Northern Iowa Chris Taylor, Iowa State T.J. Williams, Iowa Joe Williams, Iowa Jim Zalesky, Iowa

An entire day of exciting on-the-mat action. Auctions of one-of-a-kind wrestling collectibles and other must-have treasures. It's all for fun ... and for a great cause. It's the 12th annual Wrestle Against Autism fundraising event, to be held next Sunday, April 14 at the Otterbein University Clements Campus Fitness and Recreation Center in Westerville, Ohio just outside Columbus. The 2019 Wrestle Against Autism tournament is a fundraiser to assist individuals who have been diagnosed with autism. Proceeds from Wrestle Against Autism go to purchase laptops and other learning tools; in addition, another primary benefactor of the event is 4 Paws for Ability, a Xenia, Ohio-based organization that provides service dogs for individuals on the autism spectrum. "We think of Wrestle Against Autism as a tool to raise funds and awareness," event organizer and Ohio wrestling official Jeff Sitler told InterMat. "Not all participants are autistic, but all are there to support someone with autism." The 2019 Wrestle Against Autism tournament is expected to attract approximately 500-700 wrestlers, ranging in age from six to 30-something. If the past is any indicator, the majority of participants are high-school age wrestlers. Eleven mats will be ready for action, "ten of them going full-blast," according to Sitler. Get in on some auction action Wrestle Against Autism blanket for auctionIn addition to ticket sales, entry fees and donations, Wrestle Against Autism also raises funds through auctions held at the tournament. Among the unique wrestling-oriented items up for bid: a Dan Gable-signed singlet, t-shirt, poster and photo ... a unique Vision Quest singlet donated by Frank Jasper, the man who played Brian Shute in the classic 1980s movie ... an autographed pair of RUDIS Kyle Snyder shoes, signed by the three-time NCAA heavyweight champ for Ohio State who is also the youngest Olympic gold medalist - and youngest World Champion -- in American wrestling history.. a.handcrafted "puzzle piece" afghan (puzzle pieces being a symbol for autism) ... and a quilt made from t-shirts from past Wrestle Against Autism tournaments. In addition, a lucky winning bidder will receive a custom-made 10' x 10' Resilite wrestling mat. Auctions will take place during the tournament on Sunday. Wrestling fans unable to make it to the Wrestle Against Autism event in person can place bids online by sending bids by private message on the Wrestle Against Autism Facebook page direct to Jeff Sitler by end-of-day Friday. If that weren't enough, realize that all auction items have been donated ... and all proceeds from the event's auctions will go to benefit efforts to serve those on the autism spectrum and their families. Great gift ideas, great guests, great wrestling In addition to unique items up for auction, the 2019 Wrestle Against Autism event will have items available for sale, including the brand-new "Giant Killer: The Carlton Haselrig Story" about the six-time NCAA heavyweight champ who went on to an impressive NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Each year, the Wrestle Against Autism event attracts some big-time guests. This year is no exception. Among the guests expected at the 2019 Wrestle Against Autism include Jimmie Bell, defensive lineman for the 1997 Rose Bowl champion Ohio State Buckeyes, who is now a media analyst and motivational speaker ... and Mike Hoover, Director of The Make It Fit Foundation, dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by autism by developing and maintaining a community of caring, unified, and knowledgeable individuals dedicated to raising money for autism research, treatment, advocacy, education, and family services. The organization's name and symbol is built on a puzzle piece, which has become the symbol for autism awareness. Make It Fit aspires to "fit" the missing pieces together to help bring about more research, better treatment, and ultimately a cure for autism. If all that weren't enough, this year's Wrestle Against Autism tournament promises to have great on-the-mat action, with wrestlers from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and other nearby states. There will be seven age-based divisions of competition for boys and girls, ages 6 through high school, along with competition for post-high school wrestlers and seniors 30 years of age and older. Want to know more? Visit the Wrestle Against Autism website and Facebook page. And check out this 2017 InterMat feature titled "Many diagnosed with autism have found wrestling is right sport."

Spencer Lee defeated Jack Mueller to claim his second straight NCAA title (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com) IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa sophomore Spencer Lee will be recognized Tuesday inside the House and Senate chambers of the Iowa State Capitol building for his 2019 NCAA wrestling championship. Lee won the 125-pound bracket at the national tournament March 23 in Pittsburgh. He outscored his opponents 55-7 to win the title for the second straight year and become the 23rd Hawkeye to win multiple NCAA championships. Lee entered the NCAA Championships as the No. 3 seed. He was 5-0 in the tournament with one fall, one technical fall, one major decision, and a pair of decisions, including a 5-0 win the finals against fifth-seeded Jack Mueller of Virginia. Lee finished the season 23-3 overall with 18 bonus-point wins. He was named to the Academic All-Big Ten team and earned the Mike Howard Most Valuable Wrestler award at Iowa's annual awards banquet. Tuesday is also Hawkeye Caucus Day at the State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa. The event highlights the accomplishments the University of Iowa is making in Iowa City and across the state. It's a once-a-year chance to meet University of Iowa students, leaders, faculty, and alumni as they showcase the university's continued commitment to statewide service. Students and representatives from more than 30 UI colleges, departments, and programs drape the capitol in black and gold to show state legislators their Hawkeye pride.

Chance Marsteller defeated Evan Wick to place third at the NCAAs (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Lock Haven senior Chance Marsteller is one of the most storied wrestlers in PIAA history with a 166-0 career mark as a four-time state champion for Kennard-Dale High School '14 (and a three-time Outstanding Wrestler selection). The Bald Eagles' first two-time All-American in 22 years, Chance has now signed a contract as a resident/athlete and coach with the Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club (LVWC). He reached the agreement with LVWC coach Jeff Buxton on April 5. An accomplished freestyler who won a University National title in 2017, he first verballed to Penn State before enrolling at Oklahoma State in Fall '14. Marsteller then transferred in January of 2016 to Lock Haven and capped two outstanding seasons (72-7) with NCAA 4th and 3rd place medals. He drew a sustained standing ovation from appreciative home state fans in Pittsburgh by avenging for third his two prior NCAA losses by fall to Wisconsin's Evan Wick (NCAA 3rd, 4th). To earn third place, the No. 5 seed Chance defeated the No. 9, No. 1, No. 3, and No. 4 seeds, including a four-takedown 9-6 consolations win over Iowa top seed, Alex Marinelli. In the 2018 NCAA Championships, Marsteller entered as No. 9 seed to earn 4th place. The standing ovation he received in Pittsburgh's PPG Paints Arena partly recognized his remarkable rebound and rehabilitation from prior substance abuse issues. A significant part of his judge-imposed probation sentence in 2016 involved community service, and he immediately began an extensive role as assistant coach of Kennard-Dale's junior high wrestling team. He'll continue to follow up with those youths, who are two hours southwest of Bethlehem. As support factors, Chance credits his mother, Suzanne, his stepfather and his fiancée, Jenna Thomassy. Marsteller was recently named 2018-19 EWL Athlete of the Year. He led his team to their first two Top 20 finishes since 1997 with Cary Kolat as their top star. Chance became Lock Haven's first two-time All-American since Jamarr Billman in 2000-02 and their 10th overall. At this year's Southern Scuffle, Marsteller pushed Vincenzo Joseph of Penn State (NCAA 1,1,2) to the brink before a 6-5 finals loss. Marsteller was a two-time PSAC champion, OW in '18 and has been a member of EWL All-Academic Teams Chance's success helped bring EWL Coach of the Year honors to Scott Moore. The Eagles finished ahead of seven Big Ten schools including Wisconsin, Northwestern and Illinois. Said Moore, a finalist for national coach-of-the-year: "It's been very rewarding to identify what he needs in his life to be successful and break down and simplify the process for him. It's made me a better coach. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with someone with that skill set. Most impressive has been seeing him develop and mature into a father and leader and captain of the team." Marsteller will join other resident/athletes and coaches with the Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club coached by Buxton, one of the USA's most outstanding high school and freestyle coaches: Darian Cruz, 125; Frank Perrelli, 125/33; Guesseppe Rea, 125/33; Mario Mason, 149/57; Chance Marsteller, 157/65; Richie Lewis, 165/74; Kadeem Samuel, 184/97; Zack Rey, 265

Penn State's Anthony Cassar has expressed interest in MMA (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Sadly, the college wrestling season is over. However, that doesn't mean the end of articles on college wrestlers. In the past week, there have been a number of feature stories speculating on which wrestlers who are wrapping up their collegiate mat careers might be considering a move to professional mixed martial arts. Among the sources for the stories: ESPN.com ... MMAsucka.com ... and an InterMat Platinum premium subscription feature from senior writer Richard Mann. Before we name any names of potential MMA superstars, there are some basic issues these articles raise. For starters, some would-be MMA fighters want to explore all their options before stepping into a cage or the Octagon. Arguably the biggest potential detour for any top amateur wrestler before signing a contract with UFC, Bellator or any other MMA promotions anywhere in the world: the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Ask just about any top collegiate wrestler to describe his ultimate career goal, and he'll say, "Standing on the top step of the medalists' podium, being presented with an Olympic gold medal while our national anthem is being played." In some of the write-ups about potential MMA stars, the sportswriters name names of those who may be standing in the way of Olympic glory for that particular wrestler ... with the thought that perhaps that athlete may decide to trade in his singlet for fight shorts now, and experience lucrative paydays much sooner than later had he moved on to international wrestling competition first. Another aspect: the changing perception of MMA within the amateur wrestling community ... for the better. Here's how ESPN.com's Ryan Hockensmith described it, citing international MMA superstar Ben Askren: "But 15 years ago, when Askren was starting his illustrious Missouri and international wrestling career, many in his community thought MMA was a violent corruption of their craft and only begrudgingly accepted that it was a new career path for the best wrestlers. "'That was still the dark ages of MMA,' Askren says. "Times have changed. At NCAAs this year, wrestlers, coaches and fans were almost unanimously supportive of the sport. Part of that is the post-grad opportunity it presents." And, while Askren admits to ESPN that there are more opportunities for former college mat champs to pursue an international wrestling career and earn a living at the growing number of regional training centers, these facilities cannot match the potential earning power of a pro MMA career. All that said, MMA promotions have viewed college wrestling as a pipeline for talent for a long time. As InterMat's Richard Mann points out in his article titled "Graduating seniors who could excel in MMA", "At least one All-American from every NCAA Division I tournament from 1979 to 2016 has gone on to have an MMA fight." So ... what elements does a college wrestler need to find fame and fortune in MMA? Each writer appears to have his own unique criteria. "Every senior we watched at NCAAs this year could be beyond successful, but here is a short list of the guys with fun styles and championship potential," wrote MMAsucka.com. "This list focuses mostly on wrestlers who have the ability to get clean, sudden takedowns. This style of wrestling bypasses a lot of jiu-jitsu based scrambling that may spell trouble for some. It also points to the specific athletic potential they possess. "It's worth noting that the modern form of folkstyle has much more funk and leg passing, the wrestler of 2019 is much more prepared for jiu-jitsu than ever before." So ... who made these lists of NCAA wrestlers most likely to enter MMA? Among the individual champs crowned at the 2019 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Pittsburgh a couple weeks ago who were presented as potential MMA stars in at least two of the three articles cited here: Anthony Ashnault, 149-pound champ for Rutgers ... and Penn State's Bo Nickal and Anthony Cassar, champs at 189 and heavyweight, respectively. Each writer makes a strong case for each of the wrestlers named in his article, citing various elements which might result in an MMA career -- everything from actual wrestling technique, to alma mater (yes, some college mat programs seem to have a knack for turning out MMA superstars), to openly stated plans to someday enter the ring/cage/Octagon. Take the time to read each feature ... then file away a copy of each story for future reference, so you can eventually say, "Yeah, I knew that guy would become an MMA champ way back in 2019."

Simpson University will be adding women's intercollegiate wrestling to its sports roster and has named Fan Zhang as head coach, the northern California school announced Friday. Zhang brings a diverse wrestling and coaching experience to the new women's program at Simpson University. This past year, he served as head women's wrestling coach at Grays Harbor College in Aberdeen, Wash. Before heading to the Pacific Northwest, Zhang spent three years as an assistant coach for the storied men's NCAA Division III wrestling program at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa where the Knights have won eight national titles in the past decade, with four of those with Zhang as a coach (one of those as a volunteer assistant while he was earning his Master's degree in Leisure, Youth and Human Services at University of Northern Iowa.) While in Iowa, Zhang also coached the Iowa Girls State Team, leading several junior and cadet female wrestlers to Junior Folkstyle National Champions and ASICS All-American achievements from 2012-18. As a wrestler, Zhang was a seven-time national champion in his native China and was named one of the Top 10 Outstanding Athletes in Beijing, a metro city of over 13 million people, in 1997. Born in Mongolia and raised as a child in Beijing, Zhang moved to the U.S. in 2008. The new women's program at Simpson will take to the mats in fall 2019, joining an existing men's program. Both will compete in the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) West. The new program will be the 19th varsity sport at Simpson, and the 25th women's program in the NAIA. Simpson University is a private, four-year school located in Redding in northern California, about two hours north of Sacramento, the state capital. Founded in 1921, Simpson has an enrollment of approximately 1,200 students.

An attempt to make girls high school wrestling a separate, official sport in the state of Nebraska fell one vote shy of being approved Friday. A proposal to make girls wrestling a sanctioned winter sport under the jurisdiction of the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) failed to gain enough support from the NSAA's Representative Assembly at its annual meeting in Lincoln. To add girls wrestling to the winter sports roster in the Cornhusker State, the NSAA proposal needed 30 of 50 votes -- a 60 percent approval rate. A majority of voters said yes to the girls wrestling proposal; however, the final tally came up just short, received 29 votes in favor of adding girls wrestling as a scholastic sport, with 21 votes against. If the measure had been approved, separate wrestling competition for girls would have been approved for the 2019-20 school year. As it stands now, high school girls in Nebraska can continue to wrestle boys. At the same NSAA meeting, a proposal to make bowling an official sanctioned sport in Nebraska was also rejected. The vote for high school bowling was 23 in favor and 27 against. Girls wrestling continues to grow throughout the nation, both in terms of numbers of individual athletes ... and states that now offer separate state championships for females. Approximately 2,000 more girls wrestled in the U.S. during the 2017-18 school year compared to the previous school year. What's more, 14 states now have a separate state championship for female wrestlers. In 2018, only six states had separate state wrestling championships for girls. Earlier this week, Broken Arrow High School in Oklahoma announced it was launching a separate girls wrestling program, and had hired Oklahoma City University women's wrestling standout Cassidy Jasperson as its head coach.

A team of senior all-stars from across the United States dominated those from the state of Illinois on Saturday evening in an exhibition match conducted by Wrestling USA Magazine, and held just outside of Chicago at Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, Ill. The dual meet started at 220 pounds, and concluded with a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown at 195 pounds, as the matches were wrestled in weight class order with the exception of there being no 106 pound match on the card. Below were the results. United States 45 Illinois 6 220: No. 2 Wyatt Hendrickson (Newton, Kansas) pin No. 6 Jacob Bullock (Cahokia) 285: No. 6 Lewis Fernandes (Voorhees, N.J.) pin Aydin Guttridge (Rockford East) 113: Logan Ashton (Buford, Ga.) decision Michael Leveille (Marist) 2-0 120: No. 3 (at 126) Eric Barnett (Hortonville, Wis.) decision No. 7 Noah Surtin (Edwardsville) 4-2 126: No. 13 Anthony Molton (Lockport) decision No. 7 Sammy Alvarez (St. Joseph Montvale, N.J.) 7-3 132: No. 3 (at 138) Ridge Lovett (Post Falls, Idaho) decision Domenic Zaccone (Stagg) 3-2, overtime 138: No. 6 (at 132) Connor McGonagle (Timberlane, N.H.) decison Justin Benjamin (St. Charles East) 5-0 145: No. 4 Kevon Davenport (Detroit Catholic Central, Mich.) pin No. 20 Nick Termini (Burlington Central) 152: No. 5 Jake Stiles (Montini Catholic) decision No. 4 Sam Dover (St. Edward, Ohio) 4-2, overtime 160: No. 5 Matthew Olguin (Buchanan, Calif.) decision Jared Head (Washington) 2-1 170: No. 8 Edmond Ruth (Susquehanna Township, Pa.) technical fall Quinlan Nelson (Wheaton North) 22-7 182: No. 20 Cade King (Owatonna, Minn.) major decision Sherman Dixon (Shepard) 195: No. 1 Jacob Cardenas (Bergen Catholic, N.J.) decision No. 2 Peter Christensen (Montini Catholic) 6-4

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland -- The schedule for the 2019 Senior Wrestling World Championships was finalized this week with competition set to begin Sept. 14 at the Barys Arena in Nur-Sultan. Nur-Sultan is Kazakhstan's capital city and was previously named "Astana" before being changed late last month in recognition of the country's longtime president Nursultan NAZARBAYEV who recently resigned his office. The world championships will start with Greco-Roman, move to women's wrestling, and conclude with freestyle. The tournament will once again close on the 97kg final, which could feature a third straight finals appearance by the sport's biggest rivals, Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) and Kyle SNYDER (USA). The popular competitors have split results in the previous two world championship finals with Sadulaev winning by 2018 championships in Budapest by fall. Tickets for the 2019 Senior Wrestling World Championships are scheduled to go on sale later this month. Schedule Saturday, September 14 11:00-16:00: Qualification Rounds (GR 55-63-72-82kg) 18:00-19:30: Semifinals (GR 55-63-72-82kg) Sunday, September 15 11:00-16:00: Qualification Rounds (GR 67-87-97kg) 11:00-16:00: Repechage (GR 55-63-72-82kg) 16:45-17:30: Opening Ceremony 18:00-18:45: Semifinals (GR 67-87-97kg) 19:00-22:00: Finals (GR 55-63-72-82kg) Monday, September 16 11:00-16:00: Qualification Rounds (GR 60-77-130kg) 11:00-16:00: Repechage (GR 67-87-97kg) 17:00-17:45: Semifinals (GR 60-77-130kg) 18:00-20:30: Finals (GR 67-87-97kg) Tuesday, September 17 11:00-15:00: Qualification Rounds (WW 50-53-55-72kg) 11:00-15:00: Repechage (GR 60-77-130kg) 16:45-17:45: Semifinals (WW 50-53-55-72kg) 18:00-20:30: Finals (GR 60-77-130kg) Wednesday, September 18 11:00-15:00: Qualification Rounds (WW 57-59-65-76kg) 11:00-15:00: Repechage (WW 50-53-55-72kg) 16:45-17:45: Semifinals (WW 57-59-65-76kg) 18:00-21:00: Finals (WW 50-53-55-72kg) Thursday, September 19 11:00-16:00: Qualification Rounds (WW 62-68kg // FS 57-65kg) 11:00-16:00: Repechage (WW 57-59-65-76kg) 16:45-17:45: Semifinals (WW 62-68kg // FS 57-65kg) 18:00-21:00: Finals (WW 57-59-65-76kg) Friday, September 20 11:00-16:00: Qualification Rounds (FS 70-74-92-125kg) 11:00-16:00: Repechage (WW 62-68kg // FS 57-65kg) 16:45-17:45: Semifinals (FS 70-74-92-125kg) 18:00-21:00: Finals (WW 62-68kg // FS 57-65kg) Saturday, September 21 11:00-16:00: Qualification Rounds (FS 61-79-86-97kg) 11:00-16:00: Repechage (FS 70-74-92-125kg) 16:45-17:45: Semifinals (FS 61-79-86-97kg) 18:00-21:00: Finals (FS 70-74-92-125kg) Sunday, September 22 15:30-17:30: Repechage (FS 61-79-86-97kg) 18:00-21:00: Finals (FS 61-79-86-97kg)

James Green weighs in at Final X in Lincoln (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) NEW YORK -- New Jersey natives James Green (Willingboro) and Anthony Ashnault (South Plainfield) will square off in the first announced Team USA vs. NCAA Champions match during the 2019 "Grapple at the Garden" Beat the Streets (BTS) benefit at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on May 6. The bout between Green, a four-time USA World Team member who earned NCAA All-America honors four times at the University of Nebraska, and Ashnault, the Rutgers graduate senior who last month claimed the NCAA title at 149 pounds, will be part of the 10th annual event, which supports BTS, the largest grassroots inner city wrestling program in the United States. "Grapple at the Garden" serves as both a fundraiser for the organization and to celebrate its athletes as they compete on the biggest stage in the center of the world. Green, who capped a career at Willingboro High School as the first in school history to win a state title with a perfect 29-0 record in 2011, was also the 2017 US Open champion and two-time World medalist (silver, 2017; bronze, 2015). He was also the Big Ten champion at Nebraska in 2014. Ashnault, the first-ever four-time state champion and undefeated wrestler in N.J. history (taking titles at 103, 112, 126, 138 lbs. at South Plainfield HS, will also graduate as Rutgers's only four-time NCAA All-American. The Hodge Trophy finalist completed a perfect 32-0 season, his third Big Ten championship, in March, earning a school record 132 match wins in the process. "It is especially exciting for area wrestling fans to have two of New Jersey's greatest ever squaring off in the Beat the Streets benefit," said Beat the Streets Executive Director Brendan Buckley. "New Jersey continues to produce some of the nation's top wrestlers, and interest in the sport there is at an all-time high. We're pleased to be showcasing these two stars just across the Hudson River at the Hulu Theater at MSG." Additional matchups in the Team USA vs. NCAA Champions main events will be announced in the coming weeks. Those will be preceded by several youth matches, the first announced late last month, another battle of local State Champions in Jo Jo Aragona (Pope John XXIII HS/New Jersey) vs. Adam Busiello (Eastport-South Manor HS/New York). Tickets for the evening's action are available now via Ticketmaster, priced starting at $30. A variety of donation packages which include "Grapple in the Garden" tickets are also available at https://www.btsny.org/bts-events or by emailing molalde@btsny.org, beginning at $1000. Doors open on May 6 at 5:30 p.m., with the main event starting at 6 p.m. For the fifth straight year, FloSports will provide live and on-demand coverage on FloWrestling.com. Beat the Streets, Inc. will invite select members of the 2018 U.S. Men's Freestyle World Team, which placed second in the 2018 World Championships and won seven World medals, as well as select top USA women's wrestlers. Beat the Streets Benefit competitions, which began in 2010, have since become a major showcase of the best of international wrestling. This unique and electrifying annual event has helped Beat the Streets raise millions of dollars to support local youth wrestling programs which empower young people in New York City. The first Beat the Streets Benefit was held on the U.S.S. Intrepid, an aircraft carrier docked on the west side of Manhattan. Since then, the benefit has taken place at other notable New York City spots like Grand Central Station and Times Square. Team USA has faced off against teams from around the world including Japan, Cuba, Russia and Iran. Last year, the competition was hosted at the new Pier 17 in the Seaport District and included the highly anticipated Burroughs vs. Chamizo match. The 2018 U.S. World Team, which competed in Budapest, Hungary, featured 2018 World champions Kyle Dake, David Taylor and J'den Cox, 2018 World silver medalist Kyle Snyder, and 2018 World bronze medalists Joe Colon, Jordan Burroughs and Nick Gwiazdowski. Burroughs and Snyder are both multiple Olympic and World champions. Others on the USA team included 2016 World champion Logan Stieber, two-time World bronze medalist James Green and 2017 World silver medalist Thomas Gilman. New York City's Madison Square Garden is one of the most famous sporting and entertainment venues in the world. The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden is an impressive venue with the capacity to seat over 5,000. The theater has hosted notable wrestling events including the 1998 Goodwill Games wrestling competition and the 2017 Grapple at the Garden college wrestling event. About Beat the Streets The mission of Beat the Streets is to develop the full potential of the urban youth and to strengthen the culture of New York City wrestling. BTS works directly with the New York City Department of Education in a public-private partnership to bring the life changing sport of wrestling to over 3,000 New York City student-athletes to help them achieve their personal and athletic goals. Through the operation of wrestling programs in middle and high schools in the five boroughs, BTS and the DOE provide a safe, positive atmosphere in which disadvantaged and at-risk youth can learn the essential life lessons of grit, personal responsibility and teamwork, physical fitness and nutrition, and life-long learning. The goal of fostering strong, well-rounded student-athletes is delivered through coaching, after-school programs, life skills workshops, and summer camps. More information can be found at www.btsny.org. About USA Wrestling USA Wrestling is the National Governing Body for the Sport of Wrestling in the United States and, as such, is its representative to the United States Olympic Committee and United World Wrestling, the international wrestling federation. Simply, USA Wrestling is the central organization that coordinates amateur wrestling programs in the nation and works to create interest and participation in these programs. It has over 230,000 members across the nation, boys and girls, men and women of all ages, representing all levels of the sport. Its president is Bruce Baumgartner, and its Executive Director is Rich Bender. More information can be found at TheMat.com

The Senior European Championships start Monday in Bucharest. The continental championships for wrestling's strongest region will feature a whopping 18 defending world champions in Greco-Roman, women's wrestling, and freestyle, including megastars Abdulrashid Sadulaev (Russia), Geno Petriashvili (Georgia), and Petra Olli (Finland). For those who have always been wrestling-obsessed the event is already circled on the calendar, but for those who are just dipping their toes in the international styles Euros is the perfect opportunity to buff up on freestyle (and Greco-Roman) and get acquainted with the rivalries and storylines before the World Championships in Nur-Sultan. Be sure to tune in on Trackwrestling.com and follow along on United World Wrestling's social media channels and wherever else you get your news. To your questions … The recent Beat the Streets LA event took place at The Wiltern Theatre (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Q: Any thoughts on the Beat the Streets women's event that recently took place in Los Angeles? Looked like an interesting event. -- Mike C. Foley: The Beat the Streets events are awesome. They bring together a number of top athletes, raise money and awareness for their mission to deliver wrestling to under-privileged communities, and always deliver action-packed events. Everything about the LA event worked. The India vs. USA dynamic worked well, it made press, they raised money for their program, and it increased the exposure of women wrestlers in our community. Also, there was a five-point throw! The LA event is looking to stay female-focused and I think it'll only get more dynamic and draw more fans. Also, these are major events that take a lot of time to put on, so it's awesome to see them being mentioned! Q: From Real Pro Wrestling to Tour ACW (and I'm sure a few other leagues I'm missing), it doesn't seem like the concept of a professional wrestling league has ever caught on. These leagues usually attract top talent and put together intriguing matchups with former college standouts and potential Olympians. It seems that alone should garner some positive momentum, but even for an avid fan it falls flat and develops very little inertia. It seems like the promotional attempts to create a groundswell seem very inauthentic. The pre-match pageantry always tends to adopt a boxing-like approach (i.e. the stare down, the smack talk promo video). It doesn't work. In my opinion, even if you get a stellar match card but don't have a concept that fans feel passionate about (or have some history in a league to the point where a title belt has some prestige) a pro wrestling league will not work. What are your thoughts on a wrestling league with a concept that is not only team focused, but also asks the wrestlers on that team to wrestle only for their home (high school) state? My point is that no one cares about a match with Jordan Oliver and Frank Molinaro when it feels so random and the promotional "vendetta" feels forced. But if JO were representing Pennsylvania and Frank were representing New Jersey and then you put four or five other matches together around them (all top post-grad Pennsylvania guys vs. all top post-grad New Jersey guys), then you have something people care about. It won't need a fake, boxing/MMA style promo to get fans in the stands and keep them there. The attraction is based on a debate that comes up on every district message board in the country. Who is better: Pennsylvania or New Jersey? Maybe throw in teams from California, Ohio, Iowa, Virginia, New York and you have a league or at the very least a six dual meet tournament every year? -- Jake B. Foley: The main issue with professional wrestling leagues is that the majority are funded by benefactors who come to realize that the time suck, brain damage, and monetary loss isn't worth (insert: their personal motivation). The idea behind most professional leagues has been to fund the athletes. That is a noble gesture, but it's not a business model. For the investor there is the belief they are helping the financial pinch felt by athletes pursuing their passion; while the wrestlers -- who pull in between $1,000 and $5,000 -- tend not to be the very best in their weight divisions since those guys are locked into a crowded international calendar. The other truth is that a large majority of the athletes on the Olympic ladder are in stable economic situations. I can't speak for them all, but the RTC system has pumped money into training programs and allowed a number of athletes on the outside of the national team ladder with good incomes. Many are also coaches. The money won't be a factor unless whoever comes into the professional space has a plan to generate income. Maybe not right away, but if there isn't a plan to turn a profit at a company level then these plans will be doomed to fail. I have a plan, but I have no desire to get involved in the space because there is a good chance that I would lose my investment, or not be able to adequately fund it when it needed it the most. Or worse still, make money, but not enough to justify the time suck. The state vs. state is a good marketing ploy and may just work, but instead of a league there should just be events set up quarterly. The issue becomes who would lead that full-time and how much of a gate could it draw? One option is to saddle the events next to existing events where you could capture fans already in the area for wrestling. Maybe the NHSCA Nationals, FloNationals, or Fargo. Oh, and if the professional league is ever about national exposure it is bound to fail. The space is too crowded and the money to enter the market and sustain is not realistic for what is sure to be dreadful returns. Q: How important is an Olympic redshirt year if a wrestler is serious about making an Olympic run? Obviously, people will point to Kyle Snyder as an example of not needing one, but I would think they could be very beneficial to others. Any thoughts on this topic? Along those same lines, who do you expect to take one? I heard Jaydin Eierman is going to take one and Gable Steveson is not, but have not heard about any others. -- Mike C. Foley: Each wrestler will have an individual reason for taking, or not taking, an Olympic redshirt. There is not guiding philosophy outside of the oldest one which is that it would allow the wrestler to concentrate on freestyle. That's pretty broad. Gable is probably better off competing all the time for Minnesota, as it'll give him an advantage in conditioning over the heavyweights who are only competing a few times overseas and training in the room. Also, I think that the focus of the college season is good for a young Gable. Jaydin could use the redshirt year to improve his freestyle technique and strategy. Also, the year off buys him a maturity year to hopefully come back to the NCAA and win a title. As you can see those are much different philosophies and when you apply that to the 20 or so college wrestlers flirting with the idea you can start to see a variety of decision making trees coming into focus, including, but not limited to the reality of if they could really make the team given who is currently atop the ladder. Overall, I think that those with a chance to make the team at 57 kilograms and 65 kilograms should ABSOLUTELY take an Olympic redshirt and add competitive depth to these weight classes. I'm excited to see Yianni, Jaydin, and the rest make their run at these weights. Team USA will only benefit from the competition both in 2020 and in 2024. Q: Next year's NCAA Championships are in an NFL stadium. How do you think this will affect the fan experience with regards to proximity of the spectators to the eight mats on the floor? The floor on a football stadium has to be at least four times larger than the floor on an arena built for basketball/hockey. This was a big topic of speculation among fans at this year's NCAAs in Pittsburgh. Please give us your thoughts on a possible mat arrangement that would maximize the fans experience. -- Rod Q. Foley: I'd have assumed that the stadium would drop a black curtain to limit the size and capacity. Looking at the available tickets, I guess that's not the case. However, it looks like they've blocked the 300-level corners so those really far-off seats won't be for sale. Maybe the curtains will be used there? Does anyone know how many tickets they are selling, or fans they are planning to seat? The first thing they need to do is FINALLY raise the mats for all the sessions! There is no reason to not have a platform. This is a three-day event held once a year and a platform is a minimum standard that should always be met as it adds to every aspect of the event, including the images that TV and photographers are able to create. The United World Wrestling events are all mandated to use raised platforms and the difference in presentation is remarkable. The mat will almost certainly remain the same, since pushing to any one side would limit the other side's ability to see that mat. Overall, I think that the traditional arrangements will remain in place, but with some really, really big screens to view the action you can't see with your naked eye. Q: Which city that has not hosted the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships could benefit from it being held there? Do you think it could happen? -- Gregg Y. Foley: Baltimore would be a terrific host site. There are three airports for the Midwest and western-based fans, and there is easy driving access for the East Coast. There is actually a very good rail system that most fans from New Jersey/New York would probably use to attend the event. For example, I could come down from NYC, watch the finals, and be home in my bed by 2:30 a.m. ET. Baltimore is a cool city but has a large selection of low-cost hotel options, proximity to Washington DC (for fans who want to get more out of their NCAA travel), and has venues to support the crowds. Would also be a nice boon to the city's coffers! Also, don't forget that New Jersey dominated the NCAA tournament this year and Baltimore is close to those families and fans. Oh, and Penn State fans may like the idea … MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME Beach wrestling is pretty cool! Abdulrashid Sadulaev info video Q: For me, when considering the all-time great NCAA champs, I like to consider who they beat to get their titles. How many previous or eventual champs did they beat in their finals. Bo Nickal is now up there; he beat Gabe Dean who already had two and Myles Martin who had one. Kyle Dake would be another one. I think almost everyone (three out of four maybe) he beat in his four NCAA finals was already a champ or eventually became one. So, under this consideration, who are your all-time top 10 (or so) champions of champions? -- Ryan P. Foley: I'd have to do some major research to get the perfect mathematical analysis on these premises, but I do like the theory. Essentially you gain the strength of your opponents and how many times they've won. However, the problem is that sometimes the very best guys box out their division for two, three or four years and might not face another champion in the finals. Maybe they met in the semifinals … that math is making my head hurt. Dake is a good example of someone who beat other national champions, largely because he's a four-time (more opportunity) and moved weight classes every year (could beat a defending NCAA champion). Bo Nickal came out victorious in three NCAA finals, but is his win over Martin discounted because he lost to him the year before? Maybe. Anthony Cassar defeated Derek White to claim in the NCAA title at heavyweight (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com) Q: Do you see Anthony Cassar as a threat to make the world or Olympic team? Seems like he would have some potential in freestyle. He's a past member of the Junior World Team and obviously has a great training situation with the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. I also heard he has MMA aspirations. -- Mike C. Foley: Rumor has it that Cassar has TWO years left on campus. If he keeps improving at his current pace then he is absolutely a threat in 2024, and maybe 2020. As for MMA, I think that like Bo Nickal it's a good fit for him following an attempt to make the Olympic team. Q: Now that Virginia Tech and Rutgers finally broke through, who will be the next school to have their first national champion? And of the three new teams for 2019 (LIU, Little Rock, Presbyterian), who will have the best season? -- Rocco L. Foley: The next team with their first national champion could be the 'Hoos! Jack Mueller into the finals could happen again and if Spencer Lee takes an Olympic redshirt or moves up a weight class that path to a national championship gains some clarity. That might seem like a homerish take, but there aren't many programs who are without a national title who are returning a finalist. Coincidentally they may also win their first NCAA basketball championships this year, too! Oof. I haven't seen any of these programs on the mat. However, I'd think that LIU has the inside track given that their program isn't starting from the ground and they can get access to local talent with a little more ease than the southern schools. Q: Edinboro finished tied for 63rd at the NCAAs this year with 0 points, which appears to be the first time since 1987 they've failed to score team points. In 2015 they were third. How have they fallen this quickly? What needs to happen for them to rebound? Losing longtime coach Tim Flynn surely didn't help, but that's quite the fall. -- Jon G. Bruce Baumgartner is an administrator at the university and was once their athletic director. Honestly, I don't know who better to have checking your six than a 13-time world medalist and president of the national governing body for the sport of wrestling. Tim Flynn's departure was in part due to the perfect opportunity and dwindling opportunities at Edinboro. The PSAC schools are in trouble when it comes to enrollment and that means they are in deep, deep trouble when it comes to sustaining funding for more than a few years. They have the 2015 result, but without something to gin up support from the base they could lose that alumni resource, which for so many smaller schools is the only way to keep them afloat. The problem with the smaller schools is that they have to start with young and hungry coaches, but they rarely have the money to keep them. It's happening right now. Scott Moore is the leading candidate at Maryland and will be working with a budget/facilities increase probably in the neighborhood of 10 times more valuable than that of Lock Haven. He'll also be making three times as much money. Even if he was willing to give up the budget and take only a modest pay increase, I don't think Lock Haven could find the budget. That's the cycle. And if you miss on a hire that can mean a 6 to 10-year slump, less-qualified candidates, and depleted recruiting. All those factors also make programs ripe to be cut by budget-focused AD's.

Ethan Lizak was a three-time All-American for Minnesota (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine) The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center (PRTC) has announced the addition of three-time All-American Ethan Lizak to its freestyle program. He will join the program in June 2019. "We are very excited to add Ethan to our team and culture. We look forward to maximizing his development as a wrestler, but more importantly as a leader. Ethan will fit in very well with BJ Futrell at 65K and a potential 57K wrestler that we may be adding to the PRTC soon. Plus, Ethan will have great lightweight training partners among the 125-149 pounders at Penn and Drexel as well as many of the top lightweights in the nation who live within the 250-mile PRTC radius. It's going to be fun taking the supreme skills Ethan has on the top position in Folkstyle and creatively transferring those strengths to make him very dangerous on top in Freestyle," said PRTC Executive Director Brandon Slay. A native Pennsylvanian and two-time state champion, Ethan recently completed his NCAA career at the University of Minnesota where he was one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the country. He was a four-time NCAA qualifier, an NCAA finalist in 2017, and finished fourth and seventh in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Ethan earned the nickname "The Backpack" for his ability to dominate opponents from the top position, often electrifying fans with his technique. He has also had freestyle success having been an All-American at Fargo and representing the U.S. as a Junior World Team Member. Ethan joins current PRTC freestyle athletes B.J. Futrell, Earl Hall, Chase Pami, Richard Perry, and Dan Vallimont. Added Ethan, "I'm excited to come back to Pennsylvania and be a little closer to my family including my brother, Jake Lizak, who is on the Penn wrestling team. Joining the PRTC allows me to train with some accomplished wrestlers like BJ Futrell. Coach Slay is a successful full-time Freestyle coach who will help teach me freestyle and work toward the goal of making a world team. The wrestling ecosystem in Philadelphia has a lot of resources with thriving programs such as the PRTC, Penn, Drexel, and Beat the Streets Philly. I look forward to growing as a leader in the midst of it."

Nick Goebel has been named head women's wrestling coach at Tiffin University. Goebel most recently coached at King University in Tennessee, joining King's staff in the fall of 2018 following a stint as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Findlay. The King University women's wrestling team finished fifth at the Women's Collegiate Wrestling Association (WCWA) National Championships. The Tornado had eight All-Americans. He was also a wrestler at Findlay, where he was a three-time All-America honoree, finishing third twice and fourth at the NCAA National Championships. Each of those years he won the region championship en route to All-America honors. During his sophomore season, Goebel posted a record of 35-10 before going 40-5 as a junior and 27-1 as a senior. Those 40 victories set a new Findlay record for wins in a season. Goebel graduated from Findlay in 2017 with a degree in strength and conditioning and is currently working on his Master in Education from Findlay. "We are excited to have Nick join our Dragon family," said Athletic Director Lonny Allen. "With his background and experience as a competitor and coach, we think he will be a great fit as a mentor to our student athletes." "I am very excited for this opportunity to be the Head Women's Wrestling Coach for Tiffin University," said Goebel. "I'm looking forward to building this program and to help these women reach their goals on and off the mat. Tiffin has a great wrestling program and I'm very blessed for this opportunity to be added to the staff. Northwest Ohio is my home and there is no better place for me to start my new career." Tiffin University is a four-year, private school located in Tiffin, Ohio, about an hour southeast of Toledo. Tiffin has an enrollment of approximately 4,300 students. The school announced it would be launching a women's wrestling program in September 2017 to join the existing men's program. Tiffin intercollegiate sports compete in NCAA Division II.

Maryville head wrestling coach Mike Denney MANHEIM, Pa. -- The Maryville Saints reigned atop the academic world of NCAA Division II Wrestling, repeating as team champions and leading with 15 honored individuals in the 2019 National Wrestling Coaches Association Division II All-Academic team and individual rankings, released Tuesday. The Saints topped the team rankings for the second year running with a GPA of 3.5558, with LIU-Post taking runner up honors with a 3.4283. Colorado School of Mines (3.4280), Indianapolis (3.3414) and Newman (3.2931) rounded out the top five. "It is really important that we honor those in our sport who are truly being student-athletes," Maryville head coach Mike Denney said. "I am really appreciative that we can honor that, and we are proud of our guys who are doing well academically. We try to honor our All-Academic on the same levels as our All-Americans, that's how important the student-athlete is to our program." Those ranked individually included 212 student-athletes from 41 institutions. Two National Champions also earned All-Academic honors, with 157 pound champion Matt Malcom from Nebraska-Kearney and 174 pound title winner Connor Craig of Wheeling Jesuit among those 212 honorees. A total of 30 student-athletes who earned All-American honors at the 2019 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships earned All-Academic honors as well. Maryville led the way individually with 15 wrestlers honored, while Upper Iowa placed 12 student-athletes on the All-Academic listing. Colorado School of Mines, Indianapolis, St. Cloud State and Nebraska-Kearney all had 11 student-athletes honored. Super Region 5 led the way with 50 individuals honored, while 44 student-athletes from Super Region 4 received All-Academic accolades. In order for a student-athlete to be nominated to the Division II All-Academic Team, he must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale, with that benchmark at 3.25 for those who qualified for the 2019 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships and 3.0 for those who earned All-American status for the 2019 season. The athlete must also have competed in a minimum of six dates of competition. Five student-athletes earned All-Academic honors for the fourth time in their career: Issac Deaton (Nebraska-Kearney), Tyler Mies (Newman), Cody Nelson (Upper Iowa), Allan Person (Central Missouri), and Brett Velasquez (St. Cloud State). TOP 20 TEAMS Team Place GPA Maryville University 1 3.5558 LIU Post 2 3.4283 Colorado School of Mines 3 3.428 University of Indianapolis 4 3.3414 Newman University 5 3.2931 Urbana University 6 3.2766 Gannon 7 3.2667 Ashland University 8 3.2455 Mercyhurst 9 3.2395 Lake Erie 10 3.2095 Drury Wrestling 11 3.1889 St Cloud State 12 3.1868 Chadron State 13 3.1817 University of Mary 14 3.1785 Colorado Mesa 15 3.1634 Northern State University 16 3.1612 University of Nebraska at Kearney 17 3.1084 Seton Hill 18 3.0899 West Liberty University 19 3.0606 Central Missouri 20 3.0378 NWCA DII Scholar All-Americans Wrestler School Yr Wgt Major Fenner, Jerry Ashland University Sr 141 Sports Management Morell, Dan Anthony Ashland University Sr 125 Supply Chain Management Price, Christian Harlan Ashland University RJr 174 Entrepreneurship & Business Management Romanzak, Bret Steven Ashland University RJr 165 Business Management Hale, Corbin Bellarmine University Fr 149 Exercise Science Lucas, Brandon Bellarmine University Fr 125 Accounting McCorkle, Josh Bellarmine University So 285 Music Gregor, Troy Belmont Abbey College RSr 141 Business Management Hampton, Dominique Central Missouri RSo 184 Digital Media Person, Allan Central Missouri Sr 174 Masters Degree in Engineering Haskell, Caleb Chadron State Jr 149 Business Kile, Brandon Chadron State Jr 133 Business Mgmt Westcott, Collier Chadron State Jr 184 Sports and Recreation Mgmt Bracken, Lovell Colorado Mesa Fr 133 BA in Psychology Donald, Negus Colorado Mesa Jr 174 BA in Kinesiology Jason, Buhr Colorado Mesa RSr 165 BS in Exercise Science Erickson, Lukas Colorado School of Mines Sr 141 Mechanical Engineering Fidel, Ryan Colorado School of Mines So 157 Mechanical Engineering Gambrell, Robert Colorado School of Mines Jr 174 Mechanical Engineering Lavengood, Matthew Colorado School of Mines RJr 125 Mechanical Engineering Lykins, Skyler Colorado School of Mines So 157 Petroleum Engineering Ottum, Noah Colorado School of Mines So 149 Engineering Physics Saunders, Brandon Colorado School of Mines Sr 285 MS Mechancial Engineering Shelton, Trenton Colorado School of Mines Jr 184 Petroleum Engineering Stogdill, Jake Colorado School of Mines RSo 125 Civil Engineering Ventura, Connor Colorado School of Mines Jr 184 Electrical Engineering Woods, Jacob Colorado School of Mines Jr 133 Civil Engineering Brumfield, D'andre CSU Pueblo Jr 133 Business Management Diggs, Isaiah CSU Pueblo Jr 157 Engineering Seaton, Josiah CSU Pueblo RSr 125 Accounting Caswell, Tucker Drury University Fr 149 Business Administration Clines, Trenton Drury University Jr 174 Finance Curnutt, Cody Drury University Jr 285 Bachelor of Science Hansen, Chris Drury University RFr 133 Exercise Physiology Harper, Colin Drury University Jr 149 Organizational and Leadership Communication Melton, Ben Drury University Sr 285 Secondary Education Raccioppi, Michael East Stroudsburg University RJr 174 Health & Physical Education Flint, Dalton Emmanuel College So 149 History Education Ball, Brandon Fort Hays State University Jr 141 Technology Studies Ball, Jonathan Fort Hays State University So 149 Finance Luellen, Isaiah Fort Hays State University Fr 165 Spanish Robinson, Micquille Fort Hays State University Sr 184 Construction Management Scantlin, Anthony Fort Hays State University So 149 Technology Studies Vajnar, Conrad Fort Hays State University So 157 Accounting Balas, Owen Gannon University Fr 157 Pre law Day, Connor Gannon University So 165 PTherapy Hertel, Austin Gannon University So 133 Biology Hutchison, Gehrig Gannon University Fr 197 Sport Exercise Science Leise, Joel Gannon University RFr 184 Mech Engineering Marscio, Nico Gannon University Fr 157 CRJ Mcguire, George Gannon University Sr 157 Accounting, marketing, entreprenuership Messai, Faris Gannon University Jr 149 Accounting/ health mgmt Swartley, Keith Gannon University So 285 Sport ex sci Young, Nick Gannon University Fr 141 Business Admin Boggs, Nick Lake Erie College Sr 157 Criminal Justice Glogouski, Blake Lake Erie College Jr 125 Sport Management Glogouski, Forrest Lake Erie College Sr 133 MBA O'Hearon, Sean Lake Erie College So 165 Marketing Bland, Daniel Limestone College Jr 285 Sports Management Reggler, Raekwon Limestone College Sr 197 Psychology Rose, Matthew Limestone College RJr 149 Business Green, Marshall Lindenwood Jr 165 Economics and International business Heil, Derek Lindenwood Sr 141 Biological Sciences Cellular and Mole Chemistry Hitchcock, Tanner Lindenwood Fr 133 Excercise Science Jacquez, Isaac Lindenwood Fr 125 Criminal Justice Sociology Jolas, Kyle Lindenwood Gr 165 Master's in Higher Education Londoff, Gavin Lindenwood Jr 149 Business Administration Calderone, Joe LIU Post Gr 141 Physical Education DiGennaro, Thomas LIU Post Fr 197 Philosophy Dushaj, Anthony LIU Post Fr 165 Adolescent Education: Social Studies Espineira, Daniel LIU Post So 165 Business Administration Langan, James LIU Post Fr 174 Criminal Justice Malico, Mark LIU Post So 197 Health Sciences McClure, Dan LIU Post Jr 184 Criminal Justice Nagosky, Tim LIU Post Fr 285 Mathematics Anderson, John Maryville University RSo 174 Exercise Science DeWitt, Gavin Maryville University So 149 Psychology Harrington, Tyler Maryville University Jr 165 Mathematics Education Jokerst, Jeffrey Maryville University So 133 Biology Kelly, Bailey Maryville University So 184 Mathematics Education Kreith, Tyler Maryville University So 125 Financial Services McGhee, Nick Maryville University Jr 149 Biomedical Science Pisciotta, Anthony Maryville University Fr 125 Cyber Security Pratt, Matthew Maryville University RJr 174 Communication Radik, Logan Maryville University So 285 Psychology Sherertz, Ethan Maryville University Sr 197 English Education Stegall, Tyler Maryville University Fr 141 Secondary Education Vasilev, Mladen Maryville University So 174 Cyber Security Viehmann, Christopher Maryville University Fr 165 Exercise Science Waggoner, Alex Maryville University Jr 133 Exercise Science Foster, Nick McKendree University Jr 174 Education Gillissie, Chris McKendree University Jr 165 Sociology Kemper, Isaiah McKendree University Sr 149 Exercise Science Povlick, Marcus McKendree University Jr 125 Math Grass, Logan Mercyhurst University Jr 165 Biology Robb, Jacob Mercyhurst University So 285 Biology Sisk, Jeff Mercyhurst University Jr 141 Intelligence Studies McGuire, Ryan Millersville University Fr 133 Undecided Wuestner, David Millersville University Sr 285 Assessment, Curric. & Teaching, Educational Foundations Elwood, Seth Minnesota State Sr 157 Sport & Exercise Psychology (GRAD) Johnston, Zach Minnesota State Jr 174 Management Rathman, Kyle Minnesota State So 149 Interdisciplinary Studies Saltou, Logan Minnesota State Jr 165 Finance Turriff, Trevor Minnesota State So 184 Interdisciplinary Studies Hayden, Liam Minot State University So 133 Physical Education Jones, Je-Mario Minot State University Fr 197 Computer Science Will, Jordan Minot State University Fr 285 Accounting/Finance Clary , Zack Newberry College So 133 English Gant, Zebrandon Newberry College Fr 184 Sociology Martinez, Timmy Newberry College Sr 133 Criminal Justice Balavage, Ivan Newman University

Pat O'Connell, assistant wrestling coach at Joliet Junior College who was instrumental in bringing back the school's intercollegiate mat program in 2017, passed away Sunday, March 31 after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 62. Pat O'ConnellPatrick J. O'Connell wrestled, and ran track and cross country at Joliet East High School outside Chicago, and at Millikin University in Decatur, Ill. where, as a wrestler, he was a four-time letterwinner. O'Connell was a teacher and a coach for over 40 years, most of that time in the Joliet, Ill. community, serving at Joliet East and Joliet Central high schools before making his mark with the return of the wrestling program at Joliet Junior College after a nearly 30-year absence of the sport. O'Connell launched his coaching career at his high school alma mater in 1979 with Sam Parker ... then the coaching team of Parker and O'Connell moved to Joliet Central in 1983-84, and O'Connell began his 27-year association as assistant for the Steelmen under hall of famer Mac McLaughlin. After a three-year stint as head coach at Central, O'Connell served as an assistant to Gardner Coughlen before taking on the assistant coaching position at Joliet Junior College. Pat O'Connell's obituary lists three high points of his wrestling coaching career: helping guide Joliet Central to the 1985 IHSA (Illinois High School Association) State Wrestling Championship ... being inducted into the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association Hall of Fame in 2017 ... and spearheading the revival of the Joliet Junior College wrestling program in 2017. Founded in 1901, Joliet Junior College is the nation's oldest two-year public college. JJC had a successful wrestling program from the 1960s into the mid-1980s. In May 2016, the two-year college located southwest of Chicago announced it would be again be offering intercollegiate wrestling. The program returned to the mats starting in the 2017-18 school year ... with Pat O'Connell on the staff as an assistant to head coach A.J. Blahut. In a 2017 interview with the Joliet Herald-News at the time of his induction into the IWCOA Hall of Fame, O'Connell said, "One of our selling points is that this is a hot bed," referring to the Joliet area. "There's so much talent here and there were kids at JJC that I knew were good wrestlers. That was the best fit for them, but they didn't have wrestling at the time, so we missed out on a few. They hired A.J. early and gave him time and he was able to see kids and talk to them." Visitation for Patrick O'Connell will be Friday, April 5, 2019, from 2-8 p.m. at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, Ill. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 6, 2019, at St. Mary Nativity Catholic Church, 702 N. Broadway St., Joliet, with Father Jerome Kish officiating. There will be no procession to the church from the funeral home. Interment will be at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Joliet. In lieu of flowers, donations made in O'Connell's name may be made to Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL, 60431 or to Takedown Cancer at www.takedowncancer.org.

Cassidy Jasperson History was made Monday in Oklahoma -- home state to all-time wrestling greats such as Dan Hodge and John Smith -- when Broken Arrow High School announced the establishment of the state's first girls wrestling program ... and the hiring of Cassidy Jasperson as the new program's head coach. Jasperson just concluded a successful mat career at Oklahoma City University, where she was captain of the women's wrestling program. Jasperson's accomplishments include becoming a five-time collegiate all-American, winning the bronze medal at the 2017 U.S. Senior Open and finishing third at the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) National Women's Invitational. In her college career, Jasperson crafted a 75-32 overall record with 47 pins. "Wrestling has had such a positive impact on my life, and I am excited to have been chosen to lead the first girls' program in the state of Oklahoma," said Jasperson. "I can't wait to get started and introduce the female athletes in Broken Arrow to this amazing sport." Steve Dunn, executive director of athletics at Broken Arrow, a 3,800-student high school in suburban Tulsa, said of the history-making decision to establish a girls' wrestling program, and hire Cassidy Jasperson as the program's first coach: "At Broken Arrow, we consistently seek new ways to lead and follow our students into the future. We take pride in doing our part to expand girls wrestling here in Oklahoma. "Coach Jasperson is the perfect fit to lead our new program," Dunn continued. "She is a proven technician of the sport, but what stood out the most is her high energy and infectious personality. Our young ladies will greatly benefit from her leadership and experience on the mat." Jasperson, who will be graduating from OCU with a degree in elementary education this spring, will be a classroom teacher at a yet-to-be-determined school in the Broken Arrow public school district. The Broken Arrow High School girls wrestling program is expected to compete in dual meets and tournaments starting this fall. During the 2018-19 school year, 87 girls wrestled in Oklahoma high schools. The Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association -- which governs high school sports in the Sooner State -- is looking to add a girls' division as an exhibition state tournament as early as 2020. Across the nation, girls wrestling participation has grown exponentially over the past 25 years. Since 1994, the number of girls who wrestle in high school has grown from 800 to more than 16,500 nationwide. Fourteen states now have sanctioned girls state wrestling championships. John Smith, a legendary figure in the sport of wrestling as an NCAA champ and Olympic gold medalist who is now head coach at Oklahoma State, weighed in with his opinion of Broken Arrow High's decision to launch the state's first girls' prep wrestling program, saying, "Broken Arrow is setting the example I hope all schools in Oklahoma follow. I want to encourage all parents, coaches, student-athletes and athletic administrators in Oklahoma to join the wave for gender inclusion that is building across our country in the greatest character-building sport there is: wrestling."

Lock Haven's Scott Moore was named EWL Coach of the Year (Photo/Tim Barnhart) Just prior to the NCAAs, Kerry McCoy announced that he was resigning as head wrestling coach at the University of Maryland. The opening is an interesting one. On one hand, Maryland is a Big Ten program, close to fertile recruiting grounds and not that far removed from success. On the other hand, the program will lose a lot of talent in addition to their coach. All-American heavyweight Youssif Hemida graduates as well as former ranked recruits Alfred "Baby J" Bannister, Ryan Diehl and Josh Ugalde. Whoever ends up with the head job will certainly have plenty of opportunities, but it will have to be a nearly complete rebuild. The following are some realistic candidates who might get a chance to start the turnaround. Scott Moore On a recent episode of FloWrestling Radio Live, host Christian Pyles indicated that Moore is currently the front runner for the gig. However, at this point nothing has been finalized. Moore's recent run of success as the head coach of Lock Haven would make him a strong candidate for the Maryland coaching spot. The Bald Eagles are coming off back-to-back top-20 finishes. Two seasons ago Ronnie Perry made the national finals and this past season Chance Marsteller finished third in the deep 165-pound weight class. Despite coaching a mid-major program, Moore has shown the ability to recruit top talent. His 2016 recruiting class was ranked 14th by InterMat ahead of major conference teams such as Wisconsin, Illinois and Oklahoma State. Todd Beckerman Beckerman spent his high school days at Dematha Catholic High School, which is only a seven-minute drive from College Park. After becoming a two-time All-American at Nebraska and a coaching stint at Navy, Beckerman took an assistant job with the Terps. During his eight years at Maryland, he served under both McCoy and Pat Santoro. In his time there, the squad had 16 different conference champions and seven All-Americans. In 2014, Beckerman left Maryland and took the head coaching position at Brown. In his first season with the team, he coached Ophir Bernstein to Brown's first All-American finish in 16 years. His 2017 recruiting class was ranked 19th by InterMat and included three top-100 recruits. Cary Kolat In between stints as a college assistant, Kolat ran a very successful private wrestling club in Maryland. He had a very positive impact on the level of competition in the state, and he continues to do well there in recruiting. Despite his ties to the area, it would like likely be hard to pry him away from his spot at Campbell. The former Olympian has been leading the Camels since 2014, and the team has won two SoCon championships in the last three seasons. Donny Pritzlaff has helped Rutgers rise to national prominence (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Donny Pritzlaff Pritzlaff may not have a direct connection to Maryland, but he has assisted in the rise of the Rutgers program who recently picked up their first two national champions in Nick Suriano and Anthony Ashnault. Judging by the recent success of wrestlers coming out of New Jersey high schools, someone with Pritzlaff's connections could take advantage of an underappreciated the recruiting ground and make waves at a school like Maryland. Prior to coming to Rutgers, Pritzlaff previously served as an assistant at Wisconsin and Michigan, so he is no stranger to the Big Ten. Jimmy Sheptock It seems unlikely that Maryland will stick with someone from the old regime considering their recent lack of success. However, some assistants have been able to make improvements after being given a chance. For example, Roger Chandler has made steady strides at Michigan State after taking over for Tom Minkel. Sheptock has been on staff at Maryland since 2016, and he was named interim head coach after McCoy stepped down. He was a three-time ACC champion and two-time All-American at Maryland. He then moved into coaching where he made a stop at Drexel before returning to the Terps in 2016. In his first season, he helped lead four wrestlers to the national tournament.

John Stutzman (Photo/UBBulls.com) CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Mid-American Conference announced today three wrestling postseason awards for the 2019 season. Buffalo's John Stutzman was named MAC Coach of the Year, while Missouri's Jaydin Eierman was selected as MAC Wrestler of the Year for the second consecutive year and teammate Brock Mauller was named MAC Freshman of the Year. All three awards were voted on by the conference's head wrestling coaches following the conclusion of the 2019 NCAA Wrestling Tournament. Buffalo head coach John Stutzman completed his sixth season in leading the Bulls wrestling program and finished with a 12-5 overall record, 5-2 in the MAC. Stutzman enjoyed his finest year as he led the Bulls to 12 dual wins in 2018-19, tying the school record for most dual wins in a season since returning to the Division I ranks in 1998. Buffalo won a school-record five MAC duals and placed second at the MAC Championships, its highest ever finish. Two Bulls won individual titles at the 2019 MAC Championships, including Troy Keller (165) and Brett Perry (197). Buffalo had six national qualifiers this year, its most since 2011. Missouri junior Jaydin Eierman wrestled to a third-place finish at 141 pounds at the 2019 NCAA Wrestling Championships to earn his third consecutive All-America honor. His only loss at the NCAA Tournament came to top-seeded and two-time national champion Yianni Diakomihalis of Cornell in a 6-5 decision. A native of Columbia, Mo., Eierman's third-place finish earned him his third All-America honor in three seasons and it was his best finish ever at the NCAA Championships. Eierman finished his junior season with a 27-4 overall record with a team-high 17 falls. He now has 38 pins in his three years as a Tiger. He also claimed his third MAC Championship this season. Missouri true freshman Brock Mauller won the 149-pound 2019 MAC Championship and earned his first career All-American honor with a sixth-place finish at the 2019 NCAA Wrestling Championship. After burning his redshirt midway through his true freshman season, replacing injured All-American Grant Leeth, Mauller led all Mizzou wrestlers with 32 wins, the most by a Mizzou true freshman since four-time national champion J'den Cox had 38 in 2013-14. A native of Columbia, Mo., Mauller earned his first career MAC title and posted an incredible 28-2 mark en route to earning the No. 4 seed at the NCAA Championships. His only two losses during the regular season came against Iowa State's Jarrett Degen, and Mauller defeated Degen when it mattered the most, earning a win at the NCAA Championships. Mauller finished sixth at the NCAA Championships and closed his true freshman season with a 32-5 overall record, earning his first career All-America honor.

Alec Pantaleo lifts Kaleb Young in the consolation semifinals of the NCAAs (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan senior Alec Pantaleo will remain at his alma mater to continue his international wrestling career with the Cliff Keen Wrestling Club, the club announced Monday (April 2). Pantaleo, who completed his collegiate career as a three-time NCAA All-American last month, is a previous junior world team member in freestyle. "Alec has been a high-character leader and made significant contributions at Michigan," said head coach Sean Bormet. "He is one of the most explosive wrestlers I have coached and lives a very disciplined lifestyle on and off the mat. Those attributes will serve him well at the senior level. We believe in Alec and are thrilled he has chosen to join the Cliff Keen WC to continue his U.S. freestyle career." "I love where I'm at right now, and I love the people I'm around," said Pantaleo. "I'm excited to make freestyle my career. It's my favorite style of wrestling, and I've been waiting to focus on it exclusively for a little while now. I think given the opportunity to train it full time and around some of the great minds at Michigan, there's no way that I'm not going to improve and get better. I'm just really excited about where life is going right now. I think it's only going up from here." Pantaleo was a three-time NCAA All-American at 149 and 157 pounds over his collegiate career at Michigan (2015-19), most recently claiming third place -- his best NCAA finish -- last month in Pittsburgh. He captured a Big Ten title at 157 pounds as a junior and accumulated a 94-22 career record. A late arriver to freestyle wrestling, Pantaleo has quickly established himself as one of the nation's top middleweights. He represented the United States at 66kg/145.5 pounds at the 2016 Junior World Championships and, in his second year on the senior level, took third place at both the U.S. Open and World Team Trials Challenge Tournament last summer at 70kg/154 pounds. He is slated to compete in the U.S. Open later this month (Fri-Sat., April 26-27) in Las Vegas, Nevada.