InterMat Staff

Cael Sanderson lifts Bo Nickal after the NCAA finals match at 184 pounds (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Penn State head wrestling coach Cael Sanderson has been named 2018 InterMat Coach of the Year, the amateur wrestling website announced Thursday. It is the fifth InterMat Coach of the Year honor for Sanderson in the 13-year history of the annual award. The 2004 Olympic gold medal-winning wrestler who was a four-time NCAA champ for Iowa State has won four InterMat coaching awards while at the helm of the Nittany Lions (2012, 2016, 2017 and now 2018) … along with Coach of the Year honors for Sanderson when he headed up the Iowa State program in 2007. The other two college coaches who have been named Coach of the Year by InterMat more than once are Oklahoma State's John Smith (twice, in 2006 and 2013) and Ohio State's Tom Ryan (three times, in 2008, 2009 and 2015). Presented each year since 2006 to the best collegiate wrestling coach in all divisions, the award is based exclusively on the balloting of writers and executives at InterMat prior to the announcement of other college wrestling awards. Each staff member is asked to select five coaches and rank them from first to fifth based on their performance for the season just completed. Point values are assigned to each placement, ranging from one point to a wrestler listed fifth on a voter's ballot, up to nine points for a first-place vote. Sanderson received four of the ten first-place ballots for a total of 64 votes to propel him into first place in the voting. In second place was Pat Popolizio of North Carolina State, who earned two first-place votes for a total of 45 points. Close behind Popolizio with 42 points was Michigan's Joe McFarland; the long-time Wolverine coach who recently announced his retirement got two first-place votes. Chris Bono, who took South Dakota State to historic new heights during the 2017-18 season (including the team's first individual NCAA champ in Seth Gross at 133 pounds), got one first-place vote for a total of 24 points to put in him in fifth place in the overall balloting … while Lock Haven's Scott Moore also received one first-place vote for a total of 12 points, placing him eighth in the overall point tally. During the 2017-2018 season, Cael Norman Sanderson continued to build on what some are referring to as the Penn State dynasty, guiding the team to a perfect 13-0 dual-meet record. The Nittany Lions claimed their seventh team title in eight seasons at the 2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. Five of his wrestlers found themselves in the finals … with four leaving Cleveland with individual titles: 2018 InterMat Wrestler of the Year Zain Retherford at 149 pounds; Jason Nolf at 157; Vincenzo Joseph at 165; and Bo Nickal winning the 184-pound championship. 2018 InterMat Coach of the Year Voting Results 1st-5th-Place Votes: 9-7-5-3-1 Total Votes/(First-Place Votes) 1. Cael Sanderson, Penn State 64 (4) 2. Pat Popolizio, North Carolina State 45 (2) 3. Joe McFarland, Michigan 42 (2) 4. Tom Ryan, Ohio State 25 5. Chris Bono, South Dakota State 24 (1) 6. Tom Brands, Iowa 18 7. Steve Costanzo, St. Cloud State 13 8. Scott Moore, Lock Haven 12 (1) 9. Mark Branch, Wyoming, 3 9. Eric Keller, Wartburg, 3 10. Pat Santoro, Lehigh 1 InterMat Coach of the Year Past Winners: 2017: Cael Sanderson, Penn State 2016: Cael Sanderson, Penn State 2015: Tom Ryan, Ohio State 2014: Tim Flynn, Edinboro and J Robinson, Minnesota 2013: John Smith, Oklahoma State 2012: Cael Sanderson, Penn State 2011: Mike Denney, Nebraska-Omaha 2010: Rob Koll, Cornell 2009: Tom Ryan, Ohio State 2008: Tom Ryan, Ohio State 2007: Cael Sanderson, Iowa State 2006: John Smith, Oklahoma State

Vinod Kumar Omprakash will compete at the Freestyle World Cup at 74 kilograms (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Pawan Kumar, shown at a previous Freestyle World Cup, is one of the veteran stars on India's team at the 2018 World Cup. Photo by Tony Rotundo, Wrestlers Are Warriors. The wrestling federation of India has provided its lineup for the 2018 Men's Freestyle Wrestling World Cup at The Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa April 7-8. The World Cup is the annual international dual meet championships, and will feature the top eight men's freestyle wrestling teams in the world. The team is led by 2013 World silver medalist Amit Kumar at 57 kg, who was also a 2012 Olympian. Kumar has been on two India Senior World Teams. Competing at 61 kg is 2016 Olympian Sandeep Tomar, who was also a 2014 World Military champion. Tomar boast Commonwealth Championships gold medals from 2013 and 2016. Two other past Senior World Team members on the India roster are Arun Kumar at 70 kg and Pawan Kumar at 86 kg, both who have competed in two Senior World Championships. Pawan Kumar has won a pair of Commonwealth Championships gold medals in 2011 and 2013. The entry at 65 kg, Sharvan, had a successful 2017 season, winning gold medals at both the Asian Championships and also the Commonwealth Championships. 2016 Cadet World champion Deepak Punia will compete at 92 kg. Punia was fifth at the 2017 Junior World Championships and also competed in the 2017 U23 World Championships. Vinod Kumar Omprakash, the 74 kg World Cup team member, won a silver medal at the 2017 U23 World Championships for India. Ticket opportunities for the World Cup include standard all-session tickets ($75/$50), single-day tickets ($40/$25), and a "The Eastern Iowa Airport Family Four Pack" ($100). Tickets are now available on the University of Iowa Athletics website hawkeyesports.com. Visit worldcupiowacity.com for more information on the event. India Freestyle World Cup Team Roster 57 kg/125.5 lbs. - Amit Kumar 61 kg/134 lbs. - Sandeep Tomar 65 kg/143 lbs. - Sharvan 70 kg/154 lbs. - Arun Kumar 74 kg/163 lbs. - Vinod Kumar Omprakash 79 kg/174 lbs. - Sachin Giri 86 kg/189 lbs. - Pawan Kumar 92 kg/ 203 lbs. - Deepak Punia 97 kg/213 lbs. - Viky 125 kg/275 lbs. - Pushpender Singh India World Cup bios 57 kg/126 lbs. - Amit Kumar Second at 2013 World Championships… 2012 Olympian… Two-time India World Team member… 2013 Asian champion…Fourth at 2015 President Cup (Kazakhstan)… Tenth at 2014 Asian Games… Second at 2014 Dave Schultz Memorial… 2012 Olympic Qualification Tournament champion… Third at 2012 Asian Championships… 2012 Dave Schultz Memorial International champion… 2011 Junior Asian champion… Born December 15, 1993… Age: 24 61 kg/134 lbs. - Sandeep Tomar 2016 Olympian… Seventh at 2017 World Championships…2014 World Military champion… Fifth at 2018 Takhti Cup (Iran)… Third at 2017 Asian Indoor Games…Tenth at 2017 Asian Championships… Tenth at 2017 Dan Kolov Tournament (Bulgaria)… Third at 2016 Golden Grand Prix…2013 and 2016 Commonwealth champion… Second at 2015 Grand Prix of Spain… Third at 2016 Olympic Qualification Tournament… 2016 Asian champion… Third at 2015 Takhti Cup (Iran)… Third at 2013 and 2014 Dave Schultz Memorial International… 2012 Copa Brasil champion (Brazil)… Born February 4, 1991… Age: 27 65 kg/143 lbs. - Sharvan Fifth at 2018 Asian Championships… 2017 Commonwealth champion… 2017 Asian champion… Fifth at 2017 Dan Kolov Tournament (Bulgaria)… Seventh at 2016 Junior World Championships… Ninth at 2014 Cadet World Championships… Born September 7, 1991.. Age: 26 70 kg/154 lbs. - Arun Kumar Second in 2017 Commonwealth Championships… Third in 2013 and 2016 Commonwealth Championships… Two-time Senior World Team member… Fourth in 2015 President's Cup (Kazakhstan)… 2011 Junior Asian champion… Ninth in 2009 Asian Junior Championships… Born July 6, 1991.. Age: 26 74 kg/163 lbs. - Vinod Kumar Omprakash Second at 2017 U23 World Championships… Third at 2018 Aisan Championships… Eighth at 2017 Asian Championships… Fifth at 2016 Golden Grand Prix… Fifth at 2016 Dmitri Korkin Tournament (Russia)… Born January 1, 1994… Age: 24 79 kg/174 lbs. - Sachin Giri Eighth in 2015 Cadet World Championships… Third in 2015 Asian Cadet Championships… Born July 9, 1998… Age: 19 86 kg/189 lbs. - Pawan Kumar Two-time India World Team member… Ninth at 2014 Asian Games… Third at 2014 Commonwealth Games… Ninth at 2014 Asian Championships… 2011 and 2013 Commonwealth champion… Seventh at 2013 Junior Asian Championships… Third at 2012 Hari Ram Grand Prix (India)… Tenth at 2012 Olympic Qualification Tournament… Eighth at 2012 Asian Championships… Third at 2011 Junior Asian Championships… Born October 16, 1993… Age: 24 92 kg/ 203 lbs. - Deepak Punia Fifth at 2017 Junior World Championships… 2017 U23 World Team member… Second at 2017 Junior Asian Championships… Fifth at 2016 Pune Mayor's Cup (India)… 2016 Cadet World champion… Second in 2016 Cadet Asian Championships… 2016 Asian Junior champion… Born: May 19, 1999… Age: 18 97 kg/213 lbs. - Viky Eighth at 2017 U23 World Championships… Third at 2016 Cadet World Championships… Third at 2016 Asian Championships… Born August 3, 1999… Age: 18 125 kg/275 lbs. - Pushpender Singh Third at 2017 Asian Championships… 2017 U23 World Team member…. Born November 11, 1998.. Age: 19

This weekend, the U.S. will host the 2018 Freestyle World Cup. Due to a variety of factors, Iran and Russia will not compete in the event. The U.S. has not won the dual-meet tournament since 2003, but the squad is a heavy favorite this year. The event will likely have a big impact going forward as the field will feature multiple world medals and future contenders. The following is a look at the five biggest questions heading into the event. What do the new UWW rankings really mean? For 2018, UWW debuted a new ranking system. Wrestlers are given points based on their finish in a selected number of ranking events. So far the reviews have been mixed and some of the top competitors have spoken out against the system. The World Cup will feature multiple ranked wrestlers. However, since the event is not a ranking event, even knocking off the number-one wrestler in the world will not help you move up the rankings. If multiple ranked wrestlers fall this weekend, the dissatisfaction with the ranking system might rise and lead to future changes. Japan's Yuki Takahashi defeated Thomas Gilman to win a world gold medal (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Will the World Cup determine the favorite at 57 kilograms? World silver medalist Thomas Gilman will get a chance to avenge the loss he suffered in the finals of the 2017 World Championships. In the second session of the opening day, gold medalist Yuki Takahashi will be there waiting. The field also features 2017 bronze medalist Erdenbatyn Bekhbayar (Mongolia) and 2017 U23 world champion Reineri Andreeu Ortega (Cuba). 57 kilograms is clearly the deepest weight at the World Cup, and the wrestler with the best record could end up becoming the favorite to win the upcoming 2018 World Championships. Cuba's Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez placed fifth at the Rio Olympics (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Is this a changing of the guard for Cuba? Despite being a country roughly the size of Ohio, Cuba has regularly been an impact player in the wrestling world. While Cuban teams have lacked depth in the past, they always seem to have some stalwarts that keep the team in contention. Now, some of those stars are starting to get up there in age. World medalists Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez (61 kilograms) and Livan Lopez Azcuy (74 kilograms) are 34 and 36 years old respectively. Many other members of the Cuba World Cup lineup are also on the older side of 30. While some of these names might move on, there is plenty of talent coming down the pipeline including the previously mentioned U23 world champion at 57 kilograms. Do the new weight classes make the U.S. the 2018 World Championships favorite? For years there was a log jam behind Jordan Burroughs at 74 kilograms. He routinely defeated some of the country's best wrestlers in the trials. Then former 74-kilogram stars Kyle Dake and David Taylor moved up to 86 kilograms, but then a similar log jam developed behind J'Den Cox. Even with this lineup issue, the U.S. was able to break through and win the 2017 World Championship as a team. Now, thanks to the addition of weight classes, the U.S. can field a World Cup lineup that features Burroughs (74 kilograms), Kyle Dake (79 kilograms), David Taylor (86 kilograms) and J'den Cox (92 kilograms) at the same time. If that lineup is able to make it through the trials process, it would be hard to imagine that the team would not be the favorite in 2018. This weekend's World Cup should provide a very nice preview, even without a pair of top teams competing. Japan's Yuhi Fujinami reached the semifinals of Worlds before losing to James Green (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Can Yuhi Fujinami push Jordan Burroughs? Last year at the World Championships, Fujinami made an unlikely run to the semifinals at 70 kilograms. Along the way, he knocked off two-time Asian champion and world medalist Mostafa Hosseinkhani (Iran). Fujinami dropped a two-point match against James Green (USA) in the semifinals, but he wrestled back in the repechage and took bronze. It was an impressive senior level debut for the two-time junior world medalist. Obviously, he will be a heavy underdog against the five-time world champion. However, his style and naive confidence could make this an exciting second session match.

Zain Retherford defeated Lock Haven's Ronnie Perry to win the NCAA title (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Penn State's Zain Retherford has been named 2018 InterMat Wrestler of the Year, the amateur wrestling website announced Wednesday. Retherford, the 2018 NCAA Division I champ at 149 pounds, is the first InterMat Wrestler of the Year to have earned the honor three times in the 13-year history of the award, and only the second collegiate mat star to have been named Wrestler of the Year by InterMat more than once, joining Missouri's two-time NCAA champ turned mixed martial arts titlewinner Ben Askren who was a two-time InterMat award-winner. Presented each year since 2006 to the best collegiate wrestler in all divisions, the award is based exclusively on the balloting of wrestlers and executives at InterMat prior to the announcement of other college wrestling awards. Each staff member is asked to select five wrestlers and rank them from first to fifth. Point values are assigned to each placement, ranging from one point to a wrestler listed fifth on a voter's ballot, up to nine points for a first-place vote. Retherford received four of the nine first-place ballots for a total of 61 votes. Penn State teammate Bo Nickal, 184-pound champ at the 2018 NCAAs, found himself at the top of three InterMat staffers' ballots, for a total of 55 votes, while Ohio State heavyweight Kyle Snyder earned two first-place votes, for a total of 45 votes. Retherford concluded his collegiate career as a four-time NCAA All-American, and three-time NCAA champ, only the second wrestler to achieve a trio of titles in the more than a century of Penn State wrestling (the other being Ed Ruth, who did it in 2012-2014). The native of Benton, Pa. was 31-0 as a senior, building on a winning streak that concluded at 94 matches, for an overall collegiate record of 126-3. In the coming days, InterMat will announce its selections for Coach of the Year and Freshman of the Year. 2018 InterMat Wrestler of the Year Voting Results 1st-5th Place Votes: 9, 7, 5, 3, 1 Total Votes/(First-Place Votes) 1. Zain Retherford, Penn State 61 (4) 2. Bo Nickal, Penn State 55 (3) 3. Kyle Snyder, Ohio State 41 (2) 4. Zahid Valencia, Arizona State 40 5. Jason Nolf, Penn State 23 6. Seth Gross, South Dakota State 14 7. Spencer Lee, Iowa 7 8. Vincenzo Joseph, Penn State 3 9. Kyle Conel, Kent State 1 9. Yianni Diakomihalis, Cornell 1 InterMat Wrestler of the Year Past Winners: 2017: Zain Retherford, Penn State 2016: Zain Retherford, Penn State 2015: Logan Stieber, Ohio State 2014: David Taylor, Penn State 2013: Kyle Dake, Cornell 2012: Ed Ruth, Penn State 2011: Jordan Burroughs, Nebraska 2010: Jayson Ness, Minnesota 2009: Jake Herbert, Northwestern 2008: Brent Metcalf, Iowa 2007: Ben Askren, Missouri 2006: Ben Askren, Missouri

Kurt McHenry (St. Paul's, Md.), a two-time Cadet world freestyle champion and one of the nation's best overall wrestlers in the Class of 2019, verbally committed to the University of Michigan on Tuesday evening. About seven months ago, McHenry won a Cadet World freestyle title at 46 kilos one year after winning the title at 42 kilos. During the scholastic year, he was champion at the Beast of the East in the 113 pound weight class, but was upset in the National Prep final by the same wrestler he beat to win the Beast of the East. McHenry ended the 2017-18 season ranked No. 2 nationally at 113 pounds. He was also ranked as the No. 2 overall Class of 2019 prospect when those were most recently updated in mid-to-late January. McHenry projects to compete collegiately as a 125 pound wrestler. This piggy-backs a rather strong 2018 recruiting year for the Maize and Blue, who have early signings from three wrestlers currently among the top twenty in their class.

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- United World Wrestling has notified USA Wrestling with an approved revised schedule for the 2018 Freestyle World Cup, hosted by the University of Iowa at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on April 7-8. With Iran and Russia not in the field, and with Mongolia and India added to the event, there are changes in both the pool competition and the order of the bouts. The two-day tournament is broken down into three pool-play sessions, in addition to a medal round. Every team will compete during each session. The new schedule has the United States in Pool A against the nations of Japan, Georgia, and India. Pool B consists of teams from Azerbaijan, Cuba, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. The times of the U.S. duals have not changed from the previous schedule, but the order of the opponents has changed. The USA will face India first, followed by Japan on Saturday, then will battle on Sunday morning against Georgia to complete its pool competition. The revised event schedule is as follows: Saturday, April 7 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Session I 10:00 a.m - USA vs. India on Mat A, Mongolia vs. Kazakhstan on Mat B 11:15 a.m. - Georgia vs. Japan on Mat A, Azerbaijan vs. Cuba on Mat B 2 p.m. - Opening Ceremonies 2:30 p.m. -7:00 p.m. Session II 2:30 p.m. - USA vs. Japan on Mat A 4:30 p.m. - Mongolia vs. Cuba on Mat B 5:45 p.m. - Georgia vs. India on Mat A, Azerbaijan vs. Kazakhstan on Mat B Sunday, April 8 10 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Session III 10:00 a.m. - USA vs. Georgia on Mat A, Mongolia vs. Azerbaijan on Mat B 11:15 a.m. - Japan vs. India on Mat A, Cuba vs. Kazakhstan on Mat B 12:30 p.m. - 5th Place Match at Mat A, 7th Place Match on Mat B 2:15 p.m. - Bronze Medal Match on Mat A 4 p.m. - Gold Medal Match on Mat A Ticket opportunities for the World Cup include standard all-session tickets ($75/$50), single-day tickets ($40/$25), and a "The Eastern Iowa Airport Family Four Pack" ($100). Tickets are now available on the University of Iowa Athletics website hawkeyesports.com. Visit worldcupiowacity.com for more information on the event.

Austin DeSanto at the NCAAs (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Austin DeSanto, NCAA qualifier who was one win shy of earning All-American honors as a freshman at 133 pounds, has been granted a release by Drexel University, according to multiple media reports this week. Drexel head coach Matt Azevedo confirmed the news to PennLive.com. DeSanto is seeking "a tougher room" according to Jon Rugg, his coach at Exeter Township High School in eastern Pennsylvania who is now fielding queries on his former wrestler's behalf from Arizona State, Iowa, Nebraska, Penn State and Virginia Tech, among other schools. More than one media outlet in New Jersey -- including NJ.com -- speculates that DeSanto may find a home at Rutgers, where he might move up to 141 pounds. "It's everybody," Rugg told PennLive.com, referring to the number of colleges reportedly seeking DeSanto. "Just a ton of schools are interested in having him. I don't really know what his plan is weight-wise or how that fits or what coaches are going to fit his style. I'm not one-hundred percent sure. His mom has been texting my assistant and updating us about who he's talking to." "I guess Austin is looking for a tougher room essentially, somewhere to be challenged on a daily basis," Rugg said. "I was never in Drexel's room, so I have no idea what that specifically means." According to PennLive.com, "DeSanto works at a rugged pace in the wrestling room and has been known to run through multiple partners each practice." DeSanto's high school coach confirmed that notion. "He's brutal," Rugg said. DeSanto was a three-time PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) state championship medalist, winning Exeter's first state title in 2017 when he defeated Spencer Lee, handing the prep phenom his first loss of his high school career in the 126-pound finals, which some have labeled as the greatest upset in PIAA championships history. Lee just completed his first season at University of Iowa by winning the 125-pound title at the 2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. That upset vaulted DeSanto into the national spotlight. Sadly, a more recent incident may have tarnished that reputation well beyond the Keystone State. DeSanto considers his move to a new college at a time when his actions during one match at the NCAAs made him the subject of much discussion -- and derision -- on online wrestling forums and in social media. Towards the end of a quarterfinal bout with Michigan's Steven Micic -- a match DeSanto was losing -- it looked like the Drexel freshman had applied a dangerous arm bar on his opponent before an official stepped in to break the hold. Micic -- who eventually placed second at 133 -- questioned if DeSanto knew how to "handle an ass beating." DeSanto's high school coach offered his own opinion. "He didn't do himself any favors there with his actions," Rugg said. "That's pretty easy to see." In fact, coach Rugg told PennLive.com that 'personal growth' may be just as important a factor in DeSanto's eventual success as signing on with a program well-stocked with teammates ready to provide him with more intense practice sessions in the wrestling room. "Austin is a great wrestler, and I think if coaches spent time developing a relationship with him, creating a connection mentally and socially with him, I think they'd have a lot more success with him," Rugg said. "It took us a full year to build a relationship with him where we were able to work with him essentially. I wonder what college coach is willing to put that kind of time and commitment in to build relationship. "I just want him to land in spot where I know he can develop and be successful, and not just in wrestling. If he can be a successful person, he can be a successful wrestler. I think they go hand in hand."

Mongolia's Bekhbayar Erdenebat is a two-time world medalist (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) The wrestling federation of Mongolia has provided its lineup for the 2018 Men's Freestyle Wrestling World Cup at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa, on April 7-8. The World Cup is the annual international dual meet championship featuring eight of the top men's freestyle wrestling teams in the world. Leading the Mongolia team is two-time World bronze medalist Bekhbayar Erdenebat at 57 kg, who won his bronze medals at the 2015 and 2017 World Championships. Erdenbat was a 2016 Olympian and also a 2012 Junior World champion. 2014 World bronze medalist Mankakhnaran Ganzorig will compete at 74 kg. He has won other World-level medalist including a bronze at the 2015 World Military Games and a bronze at the 2013 University World Games. The team also features two-time Olympian Uitumen Orgodol at 86 kg, who boasts a 2014 World Military gold medal and has been a silver medalist at the Asian Senior Championships on two occasions. Another international veteran on the team is heavyweight Zolboo Natsagsuren, who was fifth at the 2017 World Championships and has won four Asian Championships medals. He was also third at the respected Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix in Russia in both 2017 and 2018. American fans will remember Ganbayar Sanjaa, the entry at 70 kg. Sanjaa was a two-time NCAA Div. I All-American for American University, and also competed at Colby CC, where he was an NJCAA national champion and two-time national finalist. He was third in the 2005 Asian Junior Championships. Ticket opportunities for the World Cup include standard all-session tickets ($75/$50), single-day tickets ($40/$25), and a "The Eastern Iowa Airport Family Four Pack" ($100). Tickets are now available on the University of Iowa Athletics website hawkeyesports.com. Visit worldcupiowacity.com for more information on the event. Mongolia Freestyle World Cup Team Roster 57 kg/125.5 lbs. - Bekhbayar Erdenebat 61 kg/134 lbs. - Tuvshintulga Tumenbileg 65 kg/143 lbs. - Batnagnai Batcguluun 70 kg/154 lbs. - Ganbayar Sanjaa 74 kg/163 lbs. - Mandakhnaran Ganzorig 79 kg/174 lbs. - Gantulga Iderkhuu 86 kg/189 lbs. - Uitumen Orgodol 92 kg/ 203 lbs. - Turtogtokh Luvsandorj 97 kg/213 lbs. - Batzul Ulziisaikhan 125 kg/275 lbs. - Zolboo Natsagsuren Mongolia World Cup bios 57 kg/126 lbs. - Bekhbayar Erdenebat 2016 Olympian… Third at 2015 and 2017 World Championships… Four-time Mongolian World Team member… 2012 Junior World champion… 2018 President Cup of Buryatia Republic champion (Russia)... 2018 Takhti Cup champion (Iran)… 2015, 2016 and 2017 Mongolia Open champion… 2017 Dan Kolov Tournament champion (Bulgaria)… 2016 Grand Prix of Spain champion…Second at 2015 Golden Grand Prix… Second at 2015 President Cup of Kazakhstan… 2015 Asian champion… Third at 2015 Alexander Medved Prizes (Belarus)… Third at 2015 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix (Russia)…Third at 2014 International D. A. Kunaev Tournament (Kazakhstan)…2014 Grand Prix of Germany champion… Third at 2012 President Cup of Buryatia Republic (Russia)… Seventh at 2012 Asian Championships… Fourth at 2011 New York Athletic Club International… 2011 Dmitri Korkin Tournament champion (Russia)… Fifth at 2011 Junior World Championships… Second at 2009 Cadet Asian Championships… Born August 13, 1992… Age: 25 61 kg/134 lbs. - Tuvshintulga Tumenbileg Two-time Mongolian World Team member… Third at 2018 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix (Russia)… 2016 and 2017 Mongolia Open champion… Fifth at 2013 and 2017 President Cup of Buryatia Republic… Third at 2016 Asian Championships… Second at 2016 Yasar Dogu (Turkey)… Ninth at 2016 Dan Kolov Tournament (Bulgaria)… Ninth at 2015 Junior World Championships… Third at 2015 Mongolia Open… Fifth at 2015 Asian Games… 2014 World University champion… Ninth at 2014 Mongolia Open… Eighth at 2012 Junior Asian Championships… Fifth at 2011 Junior Asian Championships… Ninth at 2010 Junior Asian Championships… Second at 2009 Cadet Asian Championships… Born January 22, 1992.. Age: 26 65 kg/143 lbs. - Batnagnai Batcguluun Third at 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 President Cup of Buryatia Republic (Russia)… Third at 2014 and 2016 Asian Championships… Third at 2016 Grand Prix of Paris (France)… Fifth at 2015 World Military Games… Third at 2014 World Military Championships… Seventh at 2014 Asian Games… Third at 2014 World University Games… Fifth at President Cup of Buryatia Republic (Russia)… Tenth at 2012 President Cup of Buryatia Republic (Russia)… Born July 23, 1989… Age: 28 70 kg/154 lbs. - Ganbayar Sanjaa Fourth in 2018 Bill Farrell International… Fourth at 2010 Sunkist Kids International Open… Fifth in 2009 Sunkist Kids International… Competed for American University in the USA… Sixth in 2012 NCAA Championships… Fourth in 2011 NCAA Championships… Also competed at Colby CC in the USA, where he was a 2009 NJCAA national champion and 2010 runner-up… Four-time Mongolian Junior and Cadet National champion… Third in 2005 Asian Junior Championships… Born June 24, 1987… Age: 30 74 kg/163 lbs. - Mandakhnaran Ganzorig 2016 Olympian… Third at 2014 World Championships… Six-time Mongolian World Team member… Second at 2018 President Cup of Buryatia Republic… Second at. 2013 and 2018 Asian Championships… Fifth at 2018 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix (Russia)… Third at 2017 Ali Aliev Tournament (Russia)… Third at 2013 and 2017 President Cup of Buryatia Republic (Russia)… 2016 Grand Prix of Spain champion… 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 Mongolian Open champion… Third at 2016 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix (Russia)… Ninth at 2015 Golden Grand Prix… Third at 2015 World Military Games… Second at 2015 President Cup of Kazakhstan… Third at 2015 Asian Championships… Fifth at 2015 Alexander Medved Prizes (Belarus)… 2014 World Military champion… 2014 International D. A. Kunaev Tournament champion (Kazakhstan)… Third at 2014 Yasar Dogu champion (Turkey)… 2014 Golden Grand Prix champion… Third at 2013 University World Games… Third at 2013 Grand Prix of Germany… Fifth at 2012 Olympic Qualification Tournament… Ninth at 2012 International Ukrainian Tournament… Fourth at 2011 New York Athletic Club International… Third at 2011 President Cup of Buryatia Republic (Russia)… 2010 Asian Games champion… Second at 2009 Asian Championships… Ninth at 2006 Greco-Roman World University Championships… Born May 11, 1986… Age: 31 79 kg/174 lbs. - Gantulga Iderkhuu Fifth at 2016 President Cup of Buryatia Republic (Russia)… Second at 2016 Mongolia Open… Third at 2015 Asian Championships… Third at 2014 President Cup of Buryatia Republic (Russia)… Seventh at 2011 Junior Asian Championships… Born March 31, 1992… Age: 26 86 kg/189 lbs. - Uitumen Orgodol Two-time Olympian…. Four-time Mongolian World Team member…Third at 2013, 2015 and 2018 President Cup of Buryatia Republic (Russia)… Second at 2016 and 2018 Asian Championships…Third at 2017 International D. A. Kunaev Tournament (Kazakhstan)… Third at 2017 Dmitri Korkin Tournament (Russia)… Second at 2013, 2015 and 2017 Mongolia Open…Second at 2015 and 2017 President Cup of Buryatia Republic…Third at 2016 Grand Prix of Spain…2016 Olympic Qualification Tournament champion…Ninth at 2016 Yasar Dogu (Turkey)… Third at 2016 Dan Kolov Tournament (Bulgaria)… Third at 2015 World Military Games… Second at 2015 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix (Russia)… 2014 World Military champion…Second at 2015 President Cup of Kazakhstan… Third at 2014 Asian Championships… Ninth at 2014 Mongolia Open… Seventh at 2014 Golden Grand Prix… Seventh at International D. A. Kunaev Tournament (Kazakhstan)… Seventh at 2013 Asian Championships…Third at 2012 Mongolia Open …Born March 29, 1989… Age: 29 92 kg/ 203 lbs. - Turtogtokh Luvsandorj Fifth at 2018 Asian Championships… Third at 2018 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix (Russia)… Third at 2017 Mongolia Open…Third at 2017 President Cup of Buryatia Republic (Russia)… Fifth at 2016 International D. A. Kunaev Tournament (Kazakhstan)… Second at 2016 President Cup of Buryatia Republic (Russia)… 2016 Mongolia Open champion… Eighth at 2016 Yasar Dogu (Turkey)… Third at 2016 Grand Prix of Paris (France)… Tenth at 2015 International D. A. Kunaev Tournament (Kazakhstan)… Born July 31, 1990… Age: 27 97 kg/213 lbs. - Batzul Ulziisaikhan Second at 2018 President Cup of Buryatia Republic (Russia)… Third at 2018 Takhti Cup (Iran)… Fifth at 2017 Asian Championships… Second at 2017 Mongolia Open… Fifth at 2015 and 2016 President Cup of Buryatia Republic (Russia)… Born August 1, 1994… Age: 23 125 kg/275 lbs. - Zolboo Natsagsuren Fifth at the 2017 World Championships… Two-time Mongolian World Team member… Third at 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018 President Cup of Buryatia Republic… Third at 2011, 2017 and 2018 Asian Championships… Third at 2017 and 2018 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix (Russia)… Second at 2017 International D. A. Kunaev Tournament (Kazakhstan)… Third at 2017 Mongolia Open… Fifth at 2017 President Cup of Buryatia Republic (Russia)… 2016 Prune Mayor's Cup champion (India)… Second at 2016 Mongolia Open… Fifth at 2016 Asian Championships… Third at 2014 Dmitri Korkin Tournament (Russia)… Second at 2014 Miners' Fame Tournament… Second at 2014 Asian Championships…Second at 2013 Dan Kolov Tournament (Bulgaria)… Eighth at 2013 Yasar Dogu (Turkey)… Fifth at 2012 Dmitri Korkin Tournament (Russia)…Fifth at 2012 Hari Ram Gran Prix (India)… Born December 14, 1990… Age: 27

Wrestling apparel brand RUDIS continues to invest in the sport of its birth and has announced the signing of Kyle Snyder, the first and only wrestler to win the NCAA, World, and Olympic championships as a collegiate athlete. On the heels of his third consecutive national title and the conclusion of a momentous collegiate career, Kyle Snyder continues to make history as a trailblazing athlete. Upending the status quo is normal for the international phenom, and his emergent partnership with RUDIS proves just that. Kyle announced his anxiously anticipated decision by penning a letter to the sport, titled "Dear Wrestling" and publishing it on social media. The final paragraph reads: "There is nothing I can do to completely return all that you have given me. I know that you deserve greatness. I know that you deserve more. Every choice I make is a reflection of you, and this decision is no different. Your stories deserve to be told by someone who knows you, understands you, believes in you, and comes from you. Because of this, RUDIS is the only place for us to continue our journey." The letter can be found in full on Kyle's Twitter profile, @Snyder_man45 (and below). Serving the amateur wrestling community, RUDIS has honored some of the greatest names in the history of the sport, including Dave Schultz, Kenny Monday, Brandon Slay, Cary Kolat, Lincoln McIlravy, Russ Hellickson, and more. The company's website (therudis.com) states: "Born from wrestling and built for wrestling. RUDIS was created with a single vision in mind: be the most accurate and authentic expression of the sport through apparel. The core values of wrestling govern our every action and drive us to continually innovate, serve, and connect with those who love this sport." RUDIS Co-founder and President Jesse Leng describes the groundbreaking partnership, saying: "What makes this truly electrifying are the reasons behind Kyle's decision. His belief in our vision and purpose make this moment very meaningful and it speaks to his love for the sport. Kyle brings intensity and passion to everything he does and his impact is going to be massive. Our goals and paths are aligned in that we aim to dominate the sport from head to toe. There's no better person I can think of to do this with than Kyle Snyder. I know the way in which he lives his life will not only impact RUDIS, but the entire sport of wrestling for years to come. This is a moment when we are called to challenge ourselves to become something greater." Those who work hard can become champions; those who are true to themselves can become legends. Together, Kyle Snyder and RUDIS will tell the story of a living legend -- one who stands on the shoulders of giants and serves as a model for those that follow him. The pair seek to elevate the sport of wrestling and embolden its community. Read more about Kyle's decision on the RUDIS website (therudis.com). To receive important updates, follow RUDIS @the_rudis and Kyle @snyderman45 on social media. For inquires, please contact info@therudis.com.

Alex Dieringer earned the Outstanding Wrestler Award NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Team USA had six individual champions in men's freestyle as the Bill Farrell Memorial International wrapped up at the historic New York Athletic Club on Saturday night. In one of the most anticipated finals, National Team member and three-time NCAA champion Alex Dieringer of the Titan Mercury WC defeated Zelimkhan Khadjiev of France by fall in 3:32. Dieringer led 14-2 when he secured the fall. Khadjiev was fifth in the 2015 World Championships. Based upon his strong effort, Dieringer was named Outstanding Wrestler in the freestyle tournament. "I got taken down right away. But I know how to stay poised and stay in my attacks, stay in my tie-ups, keep moving forward, and don't' give him any spaces where he can get those double legs. I knew if I kept moving forward and keeping to my ties, I was going to be all right," said Dieringer. Dieringer has moved up to 79 kg, after competing the last few years at 74 kg. Read complete story on TheMat.com ... Results 57 kg 1st - Samat Nadyrbek Uulu (Pittsburgh/Kyrgyzstan) tech. fall Tim Lambert (Sunkist Kids), 11-0 3rd - Zane Richards (Titan Mercury WC) dec. Austin Miller (Buffalo Valley RTC), 9-0 61 kg 1st - Jon Morrison (NYAC/MWC) dec. Tyler Graff (Titan Mercury WC), 6-5 3rd - Seth Gross (Sunkist Kids) tech. fall Alan Waters (Titan Mercury WC), 11-1 4:04 65 kg 1st - Evan Henderson (TMWC) pin Ilman Mukhtarov (France), 0:26 3rd - John Simmons (NYAC/MWC) dec. Earl Hall (Titan Mercury WC), 10-6 70 kg 1st - Sayatpek Okasov (Kazakhstan) dec. Kyle Ruschell (NYAC/bwc), 6-3 3rd - Meirzhan Ashirov (Kazakhstan) dec. Sanjaa Ganbayar (Mongolia), 6-5 74 kg 1st - Thomas Gantt (Titan Mercury) tech. fall Dan Vallimont (NYAC/PWC).11-0, 3:47 3rd - Franklin Gomez (Puerto Rico) tech. fall Nestor Taffur (Colombia), 10-0 2:41 79 kg 1st - Alex Dieringer (TMWC) pin Zelimkhan Khadjiev (France), 3:32 3rd -Michael Evans (Buies Creek RTC) dec. Josh Asper (Navy-Marine Corps RTC), 8-5 86 kg 1st - Joe Rau (Minnesota Storm) 2nd - Saken Aitzhanov (Kazkhstan) 3rd - Nick Reenan (Wolfpack Wrestling Club) 4th - Evan Hansen (VWC) 5th - Pool Greifo (Peru) RR 1 Rau tech. fall Hansen, 10-0, Aitzhanov dec. Reenan, 13-6 RR 2 - Rau dec. Pool Greifo (Peru), 5-4, Aitzhanov dec. Hansen, 4-0 RR 3 - Aitzhanov dec. Greifo, 6-0; Reenan tech. fall Hansen, 12-1 RR 4 - Reenan forfeit Greifo, Rau tech. fall Aitzhanov, 12-1 RR5 - Hansen forfeit Greifo, Rau tech. fall Reenan, 10-0 92 kg 1st - Iliskhan Chilayev (Kazakhstan) tech. fall Kenneth Courts (TMWC), 16-6, 4:48 3rd - Elhan Assadov (Kazakhstan) dec. Nikko Reyes (Valley RTC), 5-2 97 kg 1st - Ty Walz (TMWC) dec. Deron Winn (TMWC) , 4-2 3rd - Austin Schaefer (NYAC/FLWC) dec. Blaize Cabell (Valley RTC), 6-2 125 kg 1st - Inkar Yermukambet (Kazakhstan) dec. Oleg Boltin (Kazakstan), 4-2 3rd - Mamed Ibragimov (Kazakhstan) dec. Zachery Roseberry (Navy-Marine Corps RTC), 7-4

Russia's Gadzhimurad Rashidov battling Iran's Hassan Rahimi at the World Cup (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) USA Wrestling and the organizing committee for the Freestyle World Cup in Iowa City have received confirmation from contacts in U.S. Congress that the issues affecting the Russian wrestling team's participation in the Freestyle World Cup will not be resolved. The World Cup is the annual international dual meet championship, and will be held at Carver-Hawkeye Arena at the University of Iowa, April 7-8. An inquiry by Iowa Senator Charles E. Grassley was answered by the Consular Section of the Embassy of the United States of America in Moscow, Russia. In this response, it was reported to Senator Grassley that: "Due to the staffing reduction forced on the U.S. Mission in Russia by the Russian Federation, there is very limited appointment availability for visa interviews at this time. In the current situation, the Embassy is not able to provide expedited appointments for sporting events." The lateness of the visa request by the Russian Wrestling Federation was a factor in the inability of the U.S. Embassy to grant expedited appointments for the team, according to the response. In anticipation that the Russian team may not be able to attend, USA Wrestling has invited two major freestyle wrestling powers, Mongolia and India, to participate in the event. The visa process for both national teams has begun. "It is extremely unfortunate that Russia will not be able to compete at the Freestyle World Cup this year. With the reality of this situation, USA Wrestling is pleased that the wrestling federations of Mongolia and India have responded to support the World Cup and are making plans to be here for the event. We will have an outstanding competition showcasing international wrestling in Iowa City next weekend, and we are excited to host those nations that will be attending," said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender. USA Wrestling will provide complete updates on the composition of the new delegations, the changes to the competition schedule and other important information as it becomes available.

Reineris Salas Perez (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) The wrestling federation of Cuba has provided its lineup for the 2018 Men's Freestyle Wrestling World Cup at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa, on April 7-8. The World Cup is the annual international dual meet championships featuring eight of the top men's freestyle wrestling teams in the world. Cuba brings a veteran team with numerous past Olympic, World and Pan American medalists. 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Livan Lopez Azcuy will compete at 74 kg. He boasts three other World medals, including World silver medalist in 2011 and 2013 and a World bronze medal in 2014. Three other World Championships medalists add firepower to the lineup. 2013 and 2014 World silver medalist Reineris Salas Perez, who was also fifth at the 2016 Olympics, will compete at 97 kg/213 lbs. Salas was a 2015 Pan American Games champion. 2014 and 2017 World bronze medalist Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez will compete at 61 kg. Bonne was fifth in the 2016 Olympic Games and also competed in the 2012 Olympic Games. 2016 Olympian Alejandro Valdes Tobier, who won a 2017 World bronze medal, will compete at 65 kg. Valdes Tobier has won three Pan American Championships. Two other veteran stars for Cuba will also compete. Two-time Pan American champion Franklin Maren Castillo is entered at 70 kg, while 2015 Pan American champion Yurieski Torreblanca Queralta is on the team at 86 kg. Ticket opportunities for the World Cup include standard all-session tickets ($75/$50), single-day tickets ($40/$25), and a "The Eastern Iowa Airport Family Four Pack" ($100). Tickets are now available on the University of Iowa Athletics website hawkeyesports.com. Visit worldcupiowacity.com for more information on the event. Cuban Freestyle World Cup Team Roster 57 kg/125.5 lbs. - Reineri Andreeu Ortega 61 kg/134 lbs. - Yowlys Bonne Rodriquez 65 kg/143 lbs. - Alejandro Enrique Valdes Tobier 70 kg/154 lbs. - Franklin Maren Castillo 74 kg/163 lbs. - Livan Lopez Azcuy 79 kg/174 lbs. - Yoan Zulueta Morales 86 kg/189 lbs. - Yurieski Torreblanca Queralta 97 kg/213 lbs. - Reineris Salas Perez 125 kg/275 lbs. - Yudenny Alapajon Estevez Cuba World Cup bios 57 kg/126 lbs. - Reineri Andreeu Ortega 2017 U23 World champion… Third in 2017 Pan American Championship… Ninth in 2018 Cerro Pelado International (Cuba)… 61 kg/134 lbs. - Yowlys Bonne Rodriquez Third in 2014 and 2017 World Championships… Fifth in 2016 Olympic Games… 2002, 2012, 2014 2017 and 2018 Cerro Pelado International Freestyle champion (Cuba)… 2012 Olympian… Third in 2016 Pan American Championships… Second in 2016 Golden Grand Prix of Spain… 2016 Canada Cup champion… Third in 2013 and 2016 Cerro Pelado International (Cuba)… Fourth in 2015 Cerro Pelado International (Cuba)… 2002 Junior Pan American champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2005 Pan American Champion… Born November 11, 1983… Age: 34 65 kg/143 lbs. - Alejandro Enrique Valdes Tobier 2016 Olympian… Third in 2017 World Championships… 2013 and 2018 Granma Cup champion (Cuba)… 2010, 2013, 2014 Pan American champion… Seventh in 2010 and 2011 World championships… 2016 and 2017 Canada Cup champion… Second in 2016 Golden Grand Prix… 2016 Waclaw Ziolkowski Memorial champion (Poland)…Second in 2016 Cerro Pelado International (Cuba)… First place in Olympic Qualification Tournament… Second in 2016 Pan American Championships… Fifth in the 2015 Cerro Pelado International (Cuba)… Second in the 2015 Central American and Caribbean Games… Born November 18, 1988… Age: 29 70 kg/154 lbs. - Franklin Maren Castillo 2013 and 2017 Pan American champion… Second in 2015 Pan American Games… 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Cerro Pelado International champion (Cuba)… Seventh in 2018 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix (Russia)… 2017 Canada Cup champion… Third in 2015 Cerro Pelado International (Cuba)… Third in 2012 and 2013 Cerro Pelado International… Born March 9, 1987… Age: 31 74 kg/163 lbs. - Livan Lopez Azcuy 2011 and 2013 World silver medalist… Third in 2012 Olympics… Third in 2014 World Championship… Second in 2018 Cerro Pelado International… Second in 2014 Pan American Championships… Seventh in 2017 World Championships… 2012, 2016 and 2017 Cerro Pelado International champion… Ninth in 2016 Golden Grand Prix… Tenth in 2016 Olympic Games… 2016 Grand Prix of Spain champion… 2016 Canada Cup champion…First place in 2016 Olympic Qualification Tournament… 2011 and 2016 Pan American champion…Seventh in 2015 World Championship… Third in 2015 Pan American Games… Seventh in 2015 World Cup… Third in 2015 Cerro Pelado International… 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games champion… Born January, 24, 1982… Age: 36 79 kg/174 lbs. - Yoan Zulueta Morales Fifth at the 2018 Cerro Pelado International (Cuba)… 86 kg/189 lbs. - Yurieski Torreblanca Queralta 2015 Pan American Champion… 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Cerro Pelado International champion (Cuba)… Fifth at the 2018 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix (Russia)…Eighth at the 2017 World Championship… 2017 Canada Cup champion…Fifth at the 2015 Cerro Pelado International… Third at the 2014 Cerro Pelado … Third at the 2013 Pan American Championship… 97 kg/213 lbs. - Reineris Salas Perez Second in 2013 and 2014 World Championships… Fifth in 2016 Olympic Games… 2006 and 2007 Junior World bronze medalist…Fifth in the 2018 Cerro Pelado International (Cuba)… 2016 and 2017 Cerro Pelado International champion…Second in 2016 Golden Grand Prix… 2016 Grand Prix of Spain champion… 2016 Canada Cup champion… 2016 Waclaw Ziolkowski Memorial champion (Poland)…First place at the 2016 Olympic Qualification Tournament… Second in 2014 Pan American Games… 2015 Pan American Games champion… 2015 Cerro Pelado International champion…2014 Central American and Caribbean Games champion… 2014 Cerro Pelado International freestyle champion… 2011 Granma Cup Greco-Roman champion… 2006 Pan American champion… Born March, 17 1987… Age: 31 125 kg/275 lbs. - Yudenny Alapajon Estevez Second in 2016 and 2017 Pan American Championships… 2016 and 2017 Cerro Pelado International champion… Third in 2018 Cerro Pelado International… Eighth in 2018 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix...

Isaiah Martinez (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Graduating redshirt senior wrestler Isaiah Martinez announced on Friday morning that he will continue his wrestling career as a member of the Illinois Regional Training Facility. The two-time NCAA champion, and four-time Big Ten champion, finished his Illinois career with a 116-3 record to set a new program record. "I am extremely pleased to announce that I will be continuing my international level career with the IRTC at the University of Illinois," said Martinez. "This is the place that I have called home for the past five years and I am grateful to be given the opportunity to continue working on my dreams here in Champaign. Our goals have always been the same, it's to win world and Olympic gold medals. More importantly, it's to maximize our athletic potential and become the best wrestler possible. I believe that my coaches and staff have my best interest as a person and as an athlete. It gives me tremendous joy to be able to pursue my dreams and to better the University of Illinois. Wrestling program for a while longer. Thank you to all who made this possible." The mission of the Illinois Regional Training Center is to "support the World and Olympic dreams of its members," per the IRTC website. "This is a central location where the best wrestlers in the area can come and train with one another under a staff that has a wealth of Freestyle and Greco-Roman knowledge on the world stage. The mission of the IRTC is to not only help the best athletes, but also the wrestlers looking to jump levels by having access to some of the best training partners and coaches in the country." "Understandably, Isaiah was getting a lot of interest in terms of where he would be training as a post-graduate," said Illinois head coach Jim Heffernan. "The fact that he chose to stay at Illinois and be a part of our program speaks volumes of his character and loyalty. He is the most successful wrestler in his history of our program and we were all looking forward to him building his legacy as he starts his international career. He has been and will continue to be a huge asset to our program." Isaiah Martinez will continue his wrestling career next weekend as part of the 2018 Freestyle World Cup in Iowa City next weekend. Martinez is one of two wrestlers on the Team USA roster at 74 kilograms (163 pounds). For complete coverage of Fighting Illini wrestling, go to FIGHTINILLINI.com and follow @IlliniWrestling on Twitter and Instagram.

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Single-day tickets are now available for purchase to the 2018 UWW World Cup at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on April 7-8. Day passes are $40 for adults and $25 for youth 18-years-old and younger. Visit hawkeyesports.com/DayPass or contact the UI Athletics Ticket Office at 800-IA-HAWKS to purchase a single-day ticket. "The Eastern Iowa Family Four Pack" is also available for $100. All-session single tickets are $75 for adults and $50 for youth. All UWW World Cup tickets include admission to "Gable's Garden," an outdoor entertainment festival that includes non-alcoholic beverages, beer, wine, and food from local vendors. "Gable's Garden" is open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. outside the North Entrance of Carver-Hawkeye Arena, near the Dan Gable statue. The University of Iowa is also now selling parking passes for the UWW World Cup. Parking passes are $40 for all sessions (three sessions) or $20 per day (two days). Parking is available at hawkeyesports.com/WorldCupTickets and at the UI Athletics Ticket Office. WORLD CUP FORMAT The two-day tournament is broken down into three pool-play sessions, in addition to a medal round. Every team will compete during each session. The event schedule is as follows: Saturday, April 7 10 a.m. - Session I 2 p.m. - Opening Ceremonies 2:30 p.m. - Session II (autograph session to follow United States' dual at 2:30 p.m.) Sunday, April 8 10 a.m. - Session III 12:30 p.m. - 7th Place Match, 5th Place Match 2:15 p.m. - Bronze Medal Match 4 p.m. - Gold Medal Match

George Kovach PHILADELPHIA -- Drexel Athletics Hall of Famer and former wrestling standout George Kovach passed away Monday at the age of 53. Kovach was a three-time NCAA qualifier and three-time East Coast Conference champion at heavyweight in 1983, 1985 and 1986. He was named the ECC Most Outstanding Wrestler for the 1986 season. Kovach helped lead the Dragons to their first and only ECC title in 1985. Under the guidance of legendary Drexel coach Jack Childs, the Dragons posted a 15-1 record that year, which still stands as the best mark in school history. He finished his career with 79 victories and 26 pins, tied for the third most in school history. "George was one of the Drexel Wrestling all-time greats," head coach Matt Azevedo said. "He has always been an amazing supporter of the program. George embodied the passion it takes to be a champion on the mat as well as off with his lifelong dedication to helping grow the sport of wrestling. He will be dearly missed." In addition to his induction into the Drexel Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004, Kovach is in the process of being inducted into the West Chester East High School Sports Hall of Fame. Because of his love for the sport, he was a wrestling referee for 15 years and mentor to many up-and-coming wrestlers in his community. Kovach is survived by his wife, Beth (nee McGrath); his parents, George and Jean (nee D'Angelo); brothers, John and Colleen (nee Rysak) and Stephen and Deborah (nee Spiritosantos); in-laws, Regina McGrath, Vince McGrath and Ann, Greg McGrath and Eileen, Pat Rambo and Liz, Mary McGrath and Mark; nieces, Anna, Lilly, Ashley, Caitlin, Ginny and Grace; nephews, Daniel, Travis, Greg Jr., Luke and Vince III; and numerous grand-nieces and grand-nephews. An evening visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday at the James J. Terry Funeral Home in Coatesville. A morning visitation will be held the following day from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at St. Peter Church in Coatesville, followed by the service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations can be made in Kovach's memory to the Travis Manion Foundation, PO Box 1485, Doylestown, Pa., 18901.

The coaching carousel was given a sizable push this week when Sammie Henson was ousted as the head wrestling coach at West Virginia University after only four seasons at the helm. Henson's run at West Virginia started with promise when unheralded freshman Zeke Moisey finished as a runner-up at the 2015 NCAAs. The style of wrestling combined with his successes as an assistant at Mizzou and a variety of other schools gave significant hope to Mountaineer fans that their move to the Big 12 would be filled with hardware. But the championships never came. Another three years and only Moisey made it back onto the national stage, finishing eighth at the 2018 NCAAs. Henson, as head coach, was ultimately responsible for those lack of results. There is no question that Henson is a superb, almost peerless wrestling coach, but his lack of wins at West Virginia showed the wrestling community that there is now much more to account for as the head wrestling coach. Gone are the days of middling .500 coaching careers lasting 30-plus years and mediocrity being able to rule a program. Though Henson very well may have turned around his performance by 2020, there was no guarantee of future wins and the trend wasn't in his favor. One silver lining for the wrestling community is that West Virginia was aggressive in searching for a winning program. West Virginia did what wrestling fans want from athletic programs. They demanded excellence and were proactive in finding solutions. I hope that this latest setback doesn't deter Henson from his dreams of being a top-flight head coach. While it didn't happen for him at WVU, he no doubt learned lessons from the experience, whether it be wrestler management, alumni relations or some other skill necessary for the modern coach-CEO to succeed. Schools like West Virginia are starting to treat wrestling like football and basketball -- tough love, but filled with second and third chances. Wrestling, and Sammie, deserve that opportunity. To your questions … Joe McFarland talks with Alec Pantaleo (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Q: I think it's commendable when a coach retires and leaves a program in a great place. That's what Joe McFarland did at Michigan. The Wolverines were a trophy team and the future looks extremely bright. Do you wish more coaches would do that, rather than just hang on? -- Mike C. Foley: As I mentioned above, there has been an increase in pressure by athletic departments for top coaches to act more like CEO's. Coach McFarland's last seven years are a testament to his ability to adapt and excel at the CEO-type model for big-time head wrestling coaches. In October of 2010, I wrote a story for InterMat critiquing college coaches. I listed Joe McFarland as a coach who is 'under a watchful eye' after the Wolverines finished 43rd at the NCAAs the previous season. There is plenty over the past seven-plus years that I may have forgotten, but the unkind response of the Michigan fan base, and cold shoulder from Coach McFarland stuck with me. A year later I was asked in a mailbag about McFarland's initial changes (coaches, recruiting, facilities) and I mentioned that I was impressed with the recent developments. Now, seven full seasons later, McFarland steps off the mat with a top five program capable of challenging for the NCAA title in 2019, best-ever alumni support, a stand-alone wrestling facility and a coaching staff many consider one of the best in the nation. Congrats to McFarland on his incredible career and the positive influence he has had on hundreds of his former wrestlers and staff. Q: With Chris Bono becoming the coach at Wisconsin who do you see becoming the next coach at South Dakota State University? -- Gregg Y. Foley: Sammie Henson? Maybe too soon. I think Ethan Kyle, the associate head wrestling coach at Wyoming, would be a solid option for the job. He's been under Branch's wing for almost a decade, wrestled for John Smith and seems to be a professional member of the coaching community. Maybe he's not the same name identification, but he makes a hell of a lot of sense. J Jaggers at the NCAAs (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Q: Cleveland State is thought to be a potential sleeping giant because of its location, in the heart of wrestling-rich Ohio. When that job recently opened up, I immediately thought J Jaggers might be a good fit since he's from that area and obviously knows a thing or two about winning. CSU scored zero points this season at the NCAAs in their home city! So how much of a risk would it be? Not much of one if you ask me. -- Mike C. Foley: Jaggers is a perfect fit for the hometown program. However, I would hope that in negotiating his terms he (or any other coach) would insist on institutional support, including an increased budget and staffing size. I don't know that there are any location-based super powers looming. There is an incredible amount of competition at the top of college wrestling and the programs that are winning are not always the traditional powers, but they are programs with strong institutional support. Q: What has changed on the youth development level that has made the U.S. Cadets and Juniors so competitive on the world level in their age groups? It seems a philosophy change happened a while ago and what is the exact philosophy? And outside of some of the more well-known names like Spencer Lee, Daton Fix, Gable Steveson, Mark Hall, Yianni Diakomihalis etc. who else should fans be looking out for? -- Marcus R. Foley: I've written about the development of USA youth and I maintain that the largest factor in their development is online access to wrestling technique and matches. When I was in high school I had NEVER seen a college wrestling match. Maybe my example is extreme, but in 1999 the only way for me to watch big-time college wrestling would've been to catch the NCAA finals on tape delay at 1 a.m., or grab a copy of an Iowa Public Television video of the Hawkeyes. Today, high school wrestlers (and youth wrestlers of all ages) can go onto their phones are watch tens of thousands of hours of matches and technique, largely for free. That is an incredible change in the development of wrestling that has been accelerated by sport specialization and changes by USA Wrestling. The national federation has looked to focus developmental camps on weight classes more than age groups, for example sending Lee to Colorado Springs with the senior-level team to help bolster lightweight rounds, rather than doing a Cadet-only type camp. As for who's next … could be anyone. Print out InterMat's top 100 recruits and throw dart. It's that unclear who will emerge in 2020 or 2021. Q: Do you think Spencer Lee or Yianni Diakamohalis will be a four-time time NCAA champion? -- Gregg Y. Foley: I do. I think that Spencer Lee will be a four-time NCAA champion. He executes perfect technique, has the ability to funk, is a hammer on top, and is the most mentally tough wrestler I've ever seen. There may be losses, but when the lights come on and medals that matter are on the line I think Lee is among the best we will ever see. Ever. Yianni is also special, but I think that he's a bit more susceptible given his unique style and the likelihood that he increases weight classes each year and may find his way into a buzzsaw or two. Also, with the ACL tear his funk might be limited. Yes, Lee also had an ACL tear, but he's not as dependent on tricky knees and isn't wrestling against the same horsepower and brute strength Yianni will face as he creeps up in weight. Both of these guys are going to be legends. I just feel more confident in Lee's ability to close out all four titles! Q: The Kyle Snyder-Adam Coon rivalry, while exciting, highlighted the oddity of the 88-pound weight gap that exists in NCAA wrestling between the 197-pound and 285-pound weight classes. What are your thoughts about the potential benefits of adding a "light heavyweight" NCAA weight class at around 215 pounds? Both the level below college (high school) and the level above college (senior international) have light heavyweight classes (at 220 pounds and 213 pounds, respectively). Why is the NCAA anomalous in this regard? -- Avi G. Foley: While I agree that a 215-225 pound weight class would make for compelling matchups and put the USA in better alignment with international freestyle, I think that any adjustment would have to come from the significant movement of all the weight classes. There is just no room for an 11th weight class at the NCAA level. The only way you could convince me of an 11th weight would be to make the NCAA tournament a team-based dual meet event with only match scores to determine the winner. Do that and you'd have my vote. Q: What's the status of Russia and Iran competing in the Freestyle World Cup? Do you expect both will be out? -- Mike C. Foley: Iran is 100 percent out of the Freestyle World Cup. From the news reports it looks like the commitment of the Russians is in place, but there are some considerable hurdles to clear if they are to make it to Iowa by next week.

Thursday saw the kickoff of the Cadet Folkstyle Nationals in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The event held at the UNI Dome is the first leg of the USA Wrestling Triple Crown for all age divisions, for Cadets and Juniors the second and third legs will be held in July in Fargo. The first day of the tournament pared the field down to the semifinals and consolation quarterfinals, and the event will conclude tomorrow. Below are the championship semifinal pairings. 88: Christopher Martino (Idaho - 8th grade) vs. Jore Volk (Apple Valley, Minn. - 8th grade), Tristan Stafford (Arkansas - 8th grade) vs. Mason Gehloff (Waseca, Minn.) 94: Matthew Hogue (Wayzata, Minn.) vs. Roddy Romero (Post Falls, Idaho), Maxximus Martinez (California - 8th grade) vs. Guy Clevenger (Catoosa, Okla.) 100: Blake West (Owatonna, Minn.) vs. Jordan Williams (Collinsville, Okla. - 8th grade), Drake Ayala (Fort Dodge, Iowa) vs. Alex Almeyda (New Milford, N.J. - 8th grade) 106: Nicolar Rivera (Wisconsin - 8th grade) vs. Stephen Roberson (Portage, Ind.), Jacob Mann (Ladue Horton Watkins, Mo.) vs. Colton Drousias (Mt. Carmel, Ill.) 113: Mason Campshure (Kaukauna, Wis.) vs. Kyle Lake (Buchanan, Calif. - 8th grade), Hunter Garvin (Iowa - 8th grade) vs. Tom Crook (Florida - 8th grade) 120: Carter Smith (Holt, Mo.) vs. No. 16 (at 113) Nick Bouzakis (Lake Highland Prep, Fla.), Caleb Rathjen (Ankeny, Iowa) vs. Jesse Mendez (Mt. Carmel, Ill. - 8th grade) 126: Robert Avila (Nevada - 8th grade) vs. Jack Ganos (Arrowhead, Wis.), Jack Thomsen (Union, Iowa) vs. Teague Travis (Father Tolton Catholic, Mo.) 132: Randy Myers (Castle View, Colo.) vs. Jared Simma (St. Thomas Aquinas, Kansas), Angel Flores (Coronado, Colo.) vs. Cayden Hughbanks (Maize, Kansas) 138: Devin Gomez (Valley Center, Kansas) vs. Aaden Valdez (Pueblo East, Colo.), Brayden Thompson (Illinois - 8th grade) vs. Antonio Segura (Regis, Colo.) 145: Robert Paul Perez (California - 8th grade) vs. Cougar Andersen (Skiatook, Okla.), Gavin Peterson (Maple Grove, Minn.) vs. Manuel Rojas (Michigan - 8th grade) 152: Amado Castellon (Cimarron Memorial, Nev.) vs. Jorden Douglass (Attica, Ind.), Joseph Martin (Buchanan, Calif. - 8th grade) vs. Robert Deters (Castle, Ind.) 160: Duwayne Villalpando (Maize, Kansas) vs. Quayin Short (Simley, Minn.), Andrew Wenzel (Dakota, Ill.) vs. Brady Spaeth (Cadott, Wis.) 170: Sam Skillings (Menomonie, Wis.) vs. Colton Hawks (Holt, Mo.), Gavin Wedemeier (Waverly-Shell Rock, Iowa) vs. Greyden Penner (Liberty, Mo.) 182: Kyle Haas (Maize, Kansas) vs. Rocky Elam (Staley, Mo.), Peter Ming (Elk Grove, Calif.) vs. Isaac Banker (Bonduel, Wis.) 195: Daniel Striggow (Orono, Minn.) vs. Silas Alred (Shenandoah, Ind.), Bret Kostka (Osseo, Wis.) vs. Gavin Carter (Topeka-Wasburn Rural, Kansas) 220: Ryan Cochran (Claremore, Okla.) vs. Nathaniel Deasey (Chandler, Ariz.), Lucas Walker (Waverly-Shell Rock, Iowa) vs. Chris Island (Vacaville, Calif.) 285: Robert Gentry (Indiana) is the only wrestler Below are the consolation quarterfinal pairings. 88: Owen Dunlap (Illinois - 8th grade) vs. Camron Phetxoumphone (Iowa - 8th grade), Caleb Drousias (Mt. Carmel, Ill. - 8th grade) vs. Phoenix Blakely (Dakota, Ill. - 8th grade) 94: Elijah Anthony (Frankfort, Ind. - 8th grade) vs. Jager Eisch (Oconto Falls, Wis.), Evan Frost (Holy Cross, La. - 8th grade) vs. Logan Frazier (Crown Point, Ind. - 8th grade) 100: Jack Gioffre (California - 8th grade) vs. Chance Lamer (Crescent Valley, Ore.), Jacob Frost (Holy Cross, La.) vs. Gabe Whisenhunt (Oregon - 8th grade) 106: Mitchell Mesenbrink (Wisconsin - 8th grade) vs. Michael Gioffre (California - 8th grade), Kade Orr (Buhl, Idaho) vs. Michael Edwards (Oklahoma - 8th grade) 113: Sam Freeman (Walled Lake Central, Mich.) vs. Zachary Keal (Mill Valley, Kansas), Haynie Juraun (Firebaugh, Calif.) vs. Nick Novak (New Prague, Minn.) 120: Vance Vombaur (Windsor, Colo.) vs. Ivan Morris (Douglas County, Colo.), Ben Lunn (Shakopee, Minn.) vs. T.J. Daugherty (Walled Lake Central, Mich.) 126: Avree Abben (Osage, Iowa) vs. Khyler Brewer (Staley, Mo.), Cody Goodwin (Indiana - 8th grade) vs. Max Sanderfoot (Kimberly, Wis.) 132: Bailey Thelen (Two Rivers, Wis.) vs. Adam Thebeau (Belleville East, Ill.), James Johnston (Davison, Mich.) vs. Evan Azurdia (San Fernando, Calif.) 138: Cole Ramos (Kenosha, Wis.) vs. Jayden Rittenbury (Fenton, Mich.), Johnny Akin (St. Thomas Aquinas, Kansas) vs. Isaac Ortegron (Fond du Lac, Wis.) 145: Hunter Meinzen (Missoula Big Sky, Mont.) vs. Clayton Whiting (Oconto Falls, Wis. - 8th grade), Jack Patting (Rock Island Alleman, Ill.) vs. Jimmy Colley (Michigan - 8th grade) 152: Will Hansen (Greene County, Iowa) vs. Tahjae Jenkins Harris (Huron, S.D.), Tyler Ross (Lawson, Mo.) vs. Brock Ellis (Chesterton, Ind.) 160: Carl Leuer (St. Michael-Albertville, Minn.) vs. Asa Terrell (Mt. Carmel, Ill.), Kodiak Stephens (Ebbetts Pass, Calif.) vs. Diego Chavez (Arizona - 8th grade) 170: Mitchell Nowlan (Andover, Minn.) vs. Brayden Dillow (Chanute, Kansas), Phillip Dozier (Illinois - 8th grade) vs. Lucas Cochran (Box Elder, Utah) 182: Ethan Tegels (Cadott, Wis.) vs. Cael Knox (Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Iowa), Travis Dohmen (Simley, Minn.) vs. Dorian Walters (Lathrop, Mo.) 195: Jacob Peacy (Wisconsin - 8th grade) vs. Cruz Partain (Vian, Okla.), Kieth Miley (Missouri - 8th grade) vs. Jalin Peralta (Buchanan, Calif.) 220: Jack Haglund (Zumbrota-Mazeppa, Minn.) vs. Aurelius Krumholz (Gaylord, Mich.), Braxton Mikesell (Central Valley, Wash.) vs. Girard Jones (Menomonie, Wis.) 285: only one participant

Thursday saw the kickoff of the Junior Folkstyle Nationals in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The event held at the UNI Dome is the first leg of the USA Wrestling Triple Crown for all age divisions, for Cadets and Juniors the second and third legs will be held in July in Fargo. The first day of the tournament pared the field down to the semifinals and consolation quarterfinals, and the event will conclude tomorrow. Below are the championship semifinal pairings. 100: Eli Griffin (Cascia Hall, Okla.) vs. Alec Hunter (Oshkosh, Wis.), Kael Brisker (Wilton, Iowa) vs. Kolton Stacey (Shelley, Idaho) 106: Jaden Verhagen (Kaukauna, Wis.) vs. Blake Peiffer (Port Washington, Wis.), Jason Henschel (Goddard, Kansas) vs. Tommy Larson (East Troy, Wis.) 113: Darrick Stacey (Shelley, Idaho) vs. No. 2 (at 106) Jeremiah Reno (Liberty, Mo.), Aaron Nagao (Esperanza, Calif.) vs. Andrew Chambal (Davison, Mich.) 120: Jake Svihel (Totino Grace, Minn.) vs. Savion Dixon (Paloma Valley, Calif.), Will Vombaur (Windsor, Colo.) vs. No. 3 (at 113) Eric Barnett (Hortonville, Wis.) 126: Cody Phippen (Platte County, Mo.) vs. Gavin Ayotte (Uintah, Utah), Jacob Shack (South Anchorage, Alaska) vs. Marcus Castillo (Mountain View Marana, Ariz.) 132: Jackson Currier (Colstrip, Mont.) vs. Domenic Zaccone (Stagg, Ill.), No. 11 (at 126) Ridge Lovett (Post Falls, Idaho) vs. Terrell Barraclough (Layton, Utah) 138: Sebas Swiggum (Apple Valley, Minn.) vs. John Mears (Belgrade, Mont.), No. 18 Dawson Sihavong (Bullard, Calif.) vs. Legend Lamer (Crescent Valley, Ore.) 145: Spencer Schickram (Ponca City, Okla.) vs. We Reachal (Chicago Washington, Ill.), No. 11 (at 138) Lawrence Saenz (Vacaville, Calif.) vs. No. 3 Brock Hardy (Box Elder, Utah) 152: No. 12 Alex Facundo (Davison, Mich.) vs. Trey Munoz (Trabucco Hills, Calif.), Bubba Wilson (Manhattan, Kansas) vs. Isaac Wilcox (Olympus, Utah) 160: Austin Brenner (St. Cloud Tech, Minn.) vs. Jalin Harper (Manhattan, Knasas), Isaiah Luellen (Rossville, Kansas) vs. Tanner Lofthouse (Mountain Crest, Utah) 170: Colter Bye (Crestwood, Iowa) vs. Nolan Paar (Oak Creek, Wis.), Anthony Zach (Waukee, Iowa) vs. No. 19 (at 160) Josh Ramirez (Dubuque Wahlert, Iowa) 182: Brandyn Van Tassell (Maple Mountain, Utah) vs. Evan Bockman (Grace Christian, Alaska), Nate Dooley (Allen, Texas) vs. No. 2 Jack Jessen (Willowbrook, Ill.) 195: Wyatt Hendrickson (Newton, Kansas) vs. Nick Stemmet (Yorkville, Ill.), No. 3 A.J. Ferrari (Allen, Texas) vs. No. 5 Garrett Joles (Boyceville, Minn.) 220: No. 4 Zach Elam (Staley, Mo.) vs. No. 11 Boone McDermott (Dubuque Wahlert, Iowa), Aric Bohn (Mukwanago, Wis.) vs. Jacob Somlai (Brookfield Central, Wis.) 285: No. 4 Anthony Cassioppi (Hononegah, Ill.) vs. Keegan Wilkinson (Pleasant Grove, Utah), No. 10 Nash Hutmacher (Chamberlain, S.D.) vs. Tyler Deloof (Lowell, Mich.) Below are the consolation quarterfinal pairings. 100: Michael Huscher (Sioux Falls Lincoln, S.D.) vs. Ryan McKitrick (Utah), Ronan Schuelke (Glenbard North, Ill.) vs. Sage Mortimer (American Leadership, Utah) 106: Humberto Duarte (Rancho, Nev.) vs. Anjelo Vigilia (Western, Nev.), Aidan Lenz (Castle View, Colo.) vs. Austin Bashi (West Bloomfield, Mich.) 113: Sean Spidel (Powers Catholic, Mich.) vs. Andrew Hughes (Grand Ledge, Mich.), Hunter Leake (Buchanan, Calif.) vs. Diego Ortega (Western, Nev.) 120: Michael Lundin (Holy Cross, La.) vs. Garrett Ricks (Box Elder, Utah), Harley Williamson (Euless Trinity, Texas) vs. Xavier Rico (Queen Creek, Ariz.) 126: Ryan Spangler (Sultana, Calif.) vs. Kaden Anderlik (Crestwood, Iowa), Jason Valencia (Northview, Calif.) vs. Jacob Frias (Desert View, Ariz.) 132: James Emmer (Rio Rancho, N.M.) vs. Kyri Beasley (Muskogee, Okla.), Brock Luthens (Hutchinson, Minn.) vs. Jacob Edwards (Troy Christian, Ohio) 138: Nico Carrasco (Morenci, Ariz.) vs. Salvador Silva (Walden Grove, Ariz.), Sam Stuhl (Ellsworth, Wis.) vs. Ethan Leake (Buchanan, Calif.) 145: Avry Mutschler (Lowell, Mich.) vs. Colby Njos (Anoka, Minn.), Trent Dooley (Allen, Texas) vs. No. 10 Michael Weber (Forsyth, Mont.) 152: Ryan Steffen (Crestwood, Iowa) vs. Cameron Haddock (Southlake Carroll, Texas), Joshua Otto (Arrowhead, Wis.) vs. Chance Fry (Lincoln East, Neb.) 160: Nathan Fuller (River Falls, Wis.) vs. Noah Blake (Del Oro, Calif.), Sam Peters (Freedom, Wis.) vs. Zach Lee (Kaukauna, Wis.) 170: Jacob Anderson (South Anchorage, Alaska) vs. Tanner Shields (Delta, Utah), Kelby O'Reilly (Goodhue, Minn.) vs. No. 14 Billy Higgins (Skutt Catholic, Neb.) 182: James Anding (Pacific, Mo.) vs. Julian Broderson (Davenport Assumption, Iowa), Bryce Alsteen (Kaukauna, Wis.) vs. James Noel (Pulaski Academy, Ark.) 195: J.J. Dixon (Tacoma Lincoln, Wash.) vs. Stephen Buchanan (Neillsville, Wis.), Thomas Penola (Zionsville, Ind.) vs. Rowan Morgan (Mounds View, Minn.) 220: No. 16 Chance Trussell (Morgan, Utah) vs. Kyle Cornwell (Elwood, Ind.), Korbin McLaughlin (Skiatook, Okla.) vs. Greg Hagan (Dowling Catholic, Iowa) 285: Luis Rodriguez (Kansas) vs. Max Darrah (Whitfield, Mo.), Andy Garcia (Pueblo East, Colo.) vs. Jesse Cherry (Webster City, Iowa)

The University of Minnesota unveiled renderings of what the new wrestling facility that will open later in 2018. Head coach Brandon Eggum also announced possible weight changes to four NCAA Qualifiers for the Gophers, two of which are All-Americans. Those four include Ethan Lizak (125 to 133), Mitch McKee (133 to 141), Tommy Thorn (141 to 149) and Steve Bleise (149 to 157). The new wrestling facility will be a complete renovation of Bierman Gym inside the Bierman Athletic Center. Formerly the practice facility for Gopher Men's Basketball, this space became available with the completion of the Athletes Village, which includes the Cunningham Basketball Performance Center. With its move to the new facility, the wrestling team will leave behind the cramped wrestling room deep in the Bierman basement that the program has called home since the early 1970s. Brandon Eggum coaching at the NCAAs (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine) "We would like to thank the generous supporters that made this wrestling facility a reality," said head coach Brandon Eggum. "Many All-Americans, National Champions, National Team Championships and lifelong friendships were made in that old basement. We are bringing all those past successes with us to our new facility, where we plan to build another era of greatness for this incredible program." "We are welcoming one of the nation's top recruiting classes this fall and those freshmen, along with all our returning guys and every future Gopher wrestler, will have everything they need right at their fingertips now. Starting later this year, our facility will be at the center of Athletes Village, in the same building as our brand-new Nutrition Center and the Lindahl Academic Center. We now have a truly complete facility for our program." This project will renovate 9,300 square feet of gym space, with approximately 7,500 square feet of dedicated mat space. Natural light will fill the space from the oversized, floor-to-ceiling windows. A 1,100-square-foot cardio room will be safely partitioned just off the mat. There will also be plenty of viewing space at mat level, one of the many firsts for the program in this new facility. A new mezzanine level above the practice room will offer great views as well. The mezzanine will include new coaches' offices, a video room, and a lounge where the program's storied history will be on display. Be sure to follow the Gophers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram so you can get all the latest updates on the new wrestling facility.

Givi Matcharashvili was a Junior world silver medalist (Photo/Richard Immel) The wrestling federation of Georgia has provided its lineup for the 2018 Men's Freestyle Wrestling World Cup at The Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa April 7-8. The World Cup is the annual international dual meet championships, and will feature the top eight men's freestyle wrestling teams in the world. Georgia is bringing a talented young team, with a number of rising stars. Perhaps the most experienced World Cup competitor for Georgia is Levan Kelekhsashvili at 70 kg, who was fifth in the 2013 Senior World Championships. He also placed fifth in the 2018 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix in Russia. A two-time age-group World medalist on the roster is Givi Matcharashvili at 97 kg, who was second in the 2017 Junior World Championships and third at the 2013 Cadet World Championships. In 2017, he won European titles at both the U23 and Junior levels. The team also features a pair of past Junior World bronze medalists, Tarzan Maisuradze and Tariel Gaphrindashvili, both entered at 79 kg. Maisuradze won his Junior World medal in 2015, while Gaphrindashvili claimed his Junior World medal in 2016. Another tough competitor is Lasha Lomtadze at 61 kg, who boasts a silver medal at the respected Stepan Sargsyan Tournament in Armenia in 2016 and a silver medal at the Intercontinental Cup in Russia in 2012. Ticket opportunities for the World Cup include standard all-session tickets ($75/$50), single-day tickets ($40/$25), and a "The Eastern Iowa Airport Family Four Pack" ($100). Tickets are now available on the University of Iowa Athletics website hawkeyesports.com. Visit worldcupiowacity.com for more information on the event. Georgia Freestyle World Cup Team Roster 57 kg/125.5 lbs. - Teimuraz Vanishvili 61 kg/134 lbs. - Lasha Lomtadze 61 kg/134 lbs. - Giorgi Revazishvili 65 kg/143 lbs. - Magomed Saidovi 70 kg/154 lbs. - Levan Kelekhsashvili 79 kg/174 lbs. - Tarzan Maisuradze 79 kg/174 lbs. - Tariel Gaphrindashvili 86 kg/189 lbs. - David Khutsishvili 97 kg/213 lbs. - Givi Matcharashvili 97 kg/213 lbs. - Zviadi Metreveli 125 kg/275 lbs. - Giorgi Meshvildishvili Georgia World Cup bios 57 kg/126 lbs. - Teimuraz Vanishvili Second at 2018 International Ukrainian Tournament… Fifth at 2018 Club World Championships… Third at 2017 Alrosa Cup (Russia)… Third at 2013 Junior European Championships… Eighth at 2016 U23 European Championships… Third at 2015 Cadet European Championships… Fifth at 2014 Cadet World Championships… Tenth at 2012 Cadet European Championships… 61 kg/134 lbs. - Lasha Lomtadze Second at 2016 Stepan Sargsyan Tournament (Armenia)… Eighth at 2015 Takhti Cup (Iran)… Ninth at 2012 Ali Aliev Tournament (Russia)… Second at 2012 Intercontinental Cup (Russia)… Fifth at 2012 Golden Grand Prix… 2011 Junior World Cup champion… Ninth at 2011 G. Kartozia & V. Balavadze Price (Georgia)… Seventh at 2010 Golden Grand Prix… Third at 2009 Junior European Championships… Born January 10, 1991… Age: 27 61 kg/134 lbs. - Giorgi Revazishvili Seventh at 2018 International Ukrainian Tournament… Third at 2018 Takhti Cup (Iran)… Third at 2016 Golden Grand Prix… Seventh at 2016 Pune Mayor's Cup (India)…. Third at 2016 Grand Prix of Paris (France)… Fifth at 2014 Olympia Tournament (Greece) 65 kg/143 lbs. - Magomed Saidovi Sixteenth in 2018 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix (Russia)… 70 kg/154 lbs. - Levan Kelekhsashvili Fifth in 2013 World Championships… Fifth in 2018 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix (Russia)… Fifth in 2017 Club World Championships… Third in 2017 Alrosa Cup (Russia)… Third in 2013 and 2017 Stepan Sargsyan Tournament (Armenia)… Eighth in 2017 G. Kartozia & V. Balavadze Price (Georgia)… Fifth in 2016 Club World Championships… Fifth in International D. A. Kunaev Tournament (Kazakhstan)… Ninth in 2014 World Cup…Second in 2013 Intercontinental Cup (Russia)… Third in 2008 and 2009 Cadet European Championships… Born January 5, 1992… Age: 26 79 kg/174 lbs. - Tarzan Maisuradze Third at 2015 Junior World Championships… 2014 Junior European champion….Third at 2015 Junior European Championships… Third at 2012 Cadet World Championships… Third at 2017 Alrosa Cup (Russia)… Ninth at 2017 Alexander Medved Prizes (Belarus)… Third at 2017 G. Kartozia & V. Balavadze Price (Georgia)… Seventh at 2013 Henri Deglane Challenge…. Born February 22, 1995… Age: 23 79 kg/174 lbs. - Tariel Gaphrindashvili Third at 2016 Junior World Championships… Third at 2016 European Championships… Fifth at 2016 U23 European Championships… Fifth at 2017 Club World Championships… Third at 2016 Pune Mayor's Cup (India)… Second at 2014 Olympia Tournament (Greece)… Fifth at 2013 Cadet World Championships… Fifth at 2013 Cadet European Championships… 86 kg/189 lbs. - David Khutsishvili Third at 2017 Alrosa Cup (Russia)… Third at 2017 Stepan Sargsyan Tournament (Russia)… Second at 2017 G. Kartozia & V. Balavadze Price (Georgia)… Third at 2016 International D. A. Kunaev Tournament (Kazakhstan)… 97 kg/213 lbs. - Givi Matcharashvili Second at 2017 Junior World Championships… Third at 2013 Cadet European Championships… 2017 U23 European champion… 2017 Junior European champion… Ninth at 2017 U23 World Championships… Eighth at 2018 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix (Russia)… Eighth at 2017 Stepan Sargsyan Tournament (Armenia)… Eleventh at 2016 Junior World Championships… Second at 2016 Junior European Championships… Third at 2013 U23 European Championships… 2014 Cadet World Championships… Third at 2013 Cadet World Championships… Born May 17, 1997… Age: 20 97 kg/213 lbs. - Zviadi Metreveli Fifth at 2017 G. Kartozia & V. Balavadze Price (Georgia)… Tenth at 2015 Yasar Dogu (Turkey)… Tenth at 2015 Takhti Cup (Iran)… Eighth at 2014 UWW Golden Grand Prix (Azerbaijan)…. 2014 Golden Grand Prix champion (France)… 125 kg/275 lbs. - Giorgi Meshvildishvili Third at 2018 International Ukrainian Tournament… Third at 2017 International D. A. Kunaev Tournament (Kazakhstan)… Third at 2017 Alany Tournament (Russia)… Third at 2017 Alrosa Cup (Russia)… Second at 2017 Stepan Sargsyan Tournament (Armenia)… Third at Waclaw Ziolkowski Memorial (Poland)… Third at 2017 G. Kartozia & V. Balavadze Price… Fifth at 2016 Club World Championships… 2016 European Nations Cup Champion…Third at 2012 and 2016 Stepan Sargsyan Tournament (Armenia)… Fifth at 2015 Ali Aliev Tournament (Russia)… Second at 2015 U23 European Championships… Ninth at 2015 Takhti Cup (Iran)… 2014 Dmitri Korkin Tournament champion (Russia)… 2014 Golden Grand Prix champion (France)… Ninth at 2013 World University Games… Fourth at 2012 Moscow Lights (Russia)… Born December 12, 1995… Age: 22

India has competed in past World Cups (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) In light of media reports that the Russian men's freestyle wrestling team may not attend the Freestyle World Cup in Iowa City and the recent decision of Iran not to send their team, USA Wrestling has invited two major freestyle wrestling powers, Mongolia and India, to participate in the event. The World Cup is the annual international dual meet championship, and will be held at Carver-Hawkeye Arena at the University of Iowa, April 7-8. At this point, USA Wrestling has received no information from the Russian Wrestling Federation or the international wrestling federation United World Wrestling that Russia is not attending. As the hosts of the event, USA Wrestling still has an expectation and hope that Russia will participate. However, in order to ensure a full set of teams for this important competition, USA Wrestling has proactively sought commitments from Mongolia and India to compete in the event. The visa process for both national teams has begun. "USA Wrestling and our hosts in Iowa City are looking forward to hosting the Russian delegation at the World Cup. In light of recent news concerning the Russian team's situation, we have also invited Mongolia and India to Iowa City. Should the issues concerning Russia's participation be resolved and Russia is able to make it to Iowa City to wrestle, we will plan accordingly. If not, our fans, our sport and the host broadcasters from NBC and the Olympic Channel will still have a full field of top teams at the World Cup," said Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director. Both Mongolia and India have supplied preliminary rosters to USA Wrestling for their World Cup team, and both nations have committed to bringing strong teams, which will feature a number of Olympians, World medalists, World Team members and Continental medalists to Iowa City. Mongolia and India have participated in past Freestyle World Cup competitions, and have placed among the top nations in men's freestyle at the Olympic and World levels a number of times. Iran, which was added to the field as a replacement to Turkey, only recently informed the hosts that they would not participate in the Freestyle World Cup. Mongolia was invited at that time and decided to participate. USA Wrestling will provide complete updates on the composition of the new delegations, the changes to the competition schedule and other important information as it becomes available. "There will be outstanding competition showcasing amazing athletes and teams at the World Cup, and we look forward to hosting the world in Iowa City next weekend," said Bender. Tickets can be purchased for the two-day event at WorldCupIowaCity.com/tickets.

Sammie Henson West Virginia University Director of Athletics and Associate Vice President Shane Lyons announced today that wrestling head coach Sammie Henson's contract will not be renewed for the 2018-19 season. "I want to thank Coach Henson for his time here leading our wrestling program," Lyons said. "We will immediately begin a national search to identify our next wrestling coach. I firmly believe WVU can excel in wrestling, and I look forward to our future success." In his four years at West Virginia, Henson compiled a 27-39 overall record and a 5-14 Big 12 mark. His 2018 squad finished 6-7, ninth at the Big 12 Tournament and 30th at the NCAA Championships with one All-American.

Zeke Jones (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) SAN FRANCISCO -- The Pac-12 Conference has announced the 2018 Pac-12 Wrestling awards as voted on by the Pac-12 coaches. ARIZONA STATE swept the Conference honors as Zahid Valencia repeated as Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year and teammate Kordell Norfleet was voted Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. ARIZONA STATE's Zeke Jones was selected Pac-12 Wrestling Coach of the Year. PAC-12 WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Zahid Valencia, Arizona State Valencia becomes the first Pac-12 wrestler to repeat as Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year since Arizona State's Eric Larkin earned the honor three straight seasons (2001-03). The sophomore capped an undefeated season with an NCAA title at 174 pounds, finishing the year with a perfect 32-0 record. The two-time All-American became the 11th Sun Devil to earn an NCAA championship. The Bellflower, Calif., native successfully defended his Pac-12 title at 174 pounds and boasts a two-year record of 70-1. During the 2017-18 season, he twice earned Pac-12 Wrestler of the Week honors and was named Most Outstanding Wrestler at both the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational and the Virginia Duals. He recorded nine falls, including his NCAA quarterfinal match win that occurred in 0:38, and paced the Sun Devils with 63 points. PAC-12 FRESHMAN/NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Kordell Norfleet, Arizona State Norfleet, who hails from Chicago, Ill., took top honors at the Pac-12 Championships at 184 pounds to qualify for the NCAA Championships. He finished the season with a 12-13 record, 7-7 in dual meets, and becomes just the third Sun Devil to be tabbed Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year. PAC-12 WRESTLING COACH OF THE YEAR: Zeke Jones, Arizona State Jones earns his second consecutive Pac-12 Wrestling Coach of the Year honor. Jones led the Sun Devils to a top 10 ranking this season and a successful defense of their Pac-12 title as he had six wrestlers top the podium at the Pac-12 Championships. Under the guidance of Jones, the Sun Devils went on to post a 10th-place finish at the NCAA Championships, its highest team finish since 2010-11, and collected three All-America honors (Valencia, Jason Tsirtsis and Josh Shields).

Sam Hazewinkel (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com) OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma City University has chosen Sam Hazewinkel as its men's wrestling head coach. Hazewinkel had been on the Central Oklahoma coaching staff as an assistant coach the past two years. Hazewinkel became a four-time NCAA all-American wrestling for the University of Oklahoma, then competed for the United States in the Olympics. The Stars went 8-2 in duals with two all-Americans and three Sooner Athletic Conference individual champions. OCU finished 20th in the NAIA Championships, second in the SAC Championships and ranked 20th in the national postseason rankings in 2017-18. "I'm excited to have someone with Sam's experience leading Oklahoma City University men's wrestling," Oklahoma City athletic director Jim Abbott said. "Sam has excelled as a student-athlete, competitor and coach, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact that he has on OCU wrestling." Hazewinkel said, "I am excited to be the head coach, but I'm more excited to teach the philosophies that will drive these young men to be successful in the classroom, on the mat and in life. I've had a lot of great people help me become who I am. I'm ready to help these next generations of young men become successful. Oklahoma City University is giving me the opportunity and support to see this happen. I couldn't be more encouraged and excited to get started." With Central Oklahoma, Hazewinkel helped the Bronchos go 31-5 in duals the past two seasons with the program's first unbeaten dual record in 2016-17. Central Oklahoma had four NCAA Division II all-Americans including 125-pound national champion Eli Hale from 2016-18. Hazewinkel achieved the Olympic dream by clinching a spot on Team USA for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Hazewinkel is a four-time U.S. Open champion, two-time Pan American champion and nine-time U.S. national team member. Hazewinkel was a 2008 University World Greco-Roman Champion. The same year, he served as alternate for the Olympics. Hazewinkel's family was awarded the National Wrestling Hall of Fame legacy award as his father Dave and uncle Jim were also Olympic wrestlers. Sam and his father, Dave, are the only father-son Olympians in American wrestling history. During his college career, Hazewinkel earned four all-American nods and three Big 12 championships. Hazewinkel finished as NCAA runner-up at 125 pounds with a 25-1 record as a senior with three third-place national finishes. He posted a 132-10 mark for the Sooners. He owns a communications degree from Oklahoma. Hazewinkel went unbeaten during his high school career at Pensacola Christian Academy (Fla.). He went 140-0 with three state championships. Sam is married (Rachel) and has two children (Josh and Ava).

Dan Gable taking in the Iowa-Illinois dual meet (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com) WATERLOO, Iowa --The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum is hosting a special autograph signing with Dan Gable at the UNI-Dome on Friday, March 30 at 11 a.m. The signing will take place during USA Wrestling's Folkstyle Nationals. "This is a great way to generate interest for the World Cup in Iowa City the following weekend," said museum namesake Dan Gable. "I'm proud to be part of two successful USA Wrestling events on back-to-back weekends. Gable is arguably the greatest athlete and coach ever. In 1972 won a gold medal at the Munich Olympics without surrendering a point. As the head coach at the University of Iowa he led the Hawkeyes to 15 NCAA team titles in 21 years, compiling a 355-21-5 dual meet record. The UNI Dome has been an excellent facility for wrestling competitions. The UNI Dome was also where Dan Gable won his final NCAA tournament as the head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes in 1997, setting the record for most points scored at 170. All are welcome to attend this special autograph signing at the UNI Dome. That National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum is located at 303 Jefferson St. in Waterloo. The museum will be open on Friday, March 30 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, March 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 319-233-0745 or e-mail dgmstaff@nwhof.org.