InterMat Staff

Jimmy Rollins had been an assistant coach for Lindenwood for five seasons (Photo/Don Adams Jr.) Lindenwood University Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Brad Wachler announced on Friday that Jimmy Rollins has been named the new head coach of the Lions wrestling program. Rollins has been an assistant coach for the Lions for the last five seasons. "I am very honored to be given the opportunity to lead this program," said Rollins. "I am grateful to (former head coach) Chad Smith for bringing me to Lindenwood, and I thank President Shonrock and Brad Wachler for the chance to be the next head coach. I am also thankful for all of the Lindenwood wrestlers for their support throughout this transition. I can't wait for the season so we can continue to build upon the positive momentum of the Lions wrestling program." "The Lindenwood wrestling program has a rich history of success, and Jimmy Rollins is the perfect fit to continue that tradition," said Wachler. "Over the past five years as an assistant coach, Jimmy has demonstrated great technical knowledge of the sport of wrestling, and I am confident that he is now ready to lead this program as its head coach. He is also a great ambassador for Lindenwood University and its Athletic Department as we continue to connect with the strong wrestling community in the St. Charles area. I am looking forward to many more years of success for the Lions wrestling program." For the last five years, Rollins has been the top assistant for the nationally-ranked Lindenwood University wrestling program. He was integral in recruiting four classes that were ranked nationally in the top-15. Rollins also played a big role in the team's transition from NAIA to the NCAA Division II level as the team quickly realized great success on a national stage. Over the last three years, Lindenwood has qualified 15 wrestlers for the NCAA National Championships, and nine have won All-American honors. Last year, Terrell Wilbourn captured the program's first NCAA Individual National Championship. The team has finished in the top-20 in the nation all three years it has been eligible for the NCAA national event, including a seventh-place finish in 2013-14. During Rollins tenure, the Lions finished the conference season third or better in the regular season standings for each of the last three years, including winning its first MIAA Championship in 2014-15. The Lions have been conference tournament runner-ups twice in the four years in the league. Rollins has also helped the team have success in the classroom. Last year, Lindenwood ranked fourth in NCAA Division II in the D2WCA All-Academic wrestling team rankings. Prior to coming to Lindenwood, Rollins was an assistant coach at Midland University, Iowa Lakes Community College, and Dana College. Over his 10 years of coaching, he has worked with 52 All-Americans, 17 national finalist, four national champions, and two Junior Greco Roman All-Americans. Prior to coaching, Rollins was a wrestler at Gloucester County College and Dana. He was a four-time All-American and two-time national champion. He was a member of two team national championships during his playing career, capturing one at Gloucester in 2002 and one at Dana in 2006. Rollins graduated from Dana College in 2008 with a bachelor's of arts in physical education, and earned his masters of education from Lindenwood University in 2013. Rollins' first official competition as the head coach of the Lions will be on Nov. 12 when Lindenwood competes in the Maryville Kaufman-Brand Open in St. Louis.

BOONE, N.C. -- Appalachian State Univeristy wrestling head coach JohnMark Bentley announced the addition of Ryan LeBlanc as an assistant coach and Dominic Parisi as a volunteer assistant coach on Friday. “I am excited about the addition of both Ryan and Dom to the Appalachian wrestling staff,” Bentley said. “Ryan's wrestling, coaching and fundraising experience will vastly benefit our program. Dominic brings a passion and love for Appalachian that is unparalleled. He had an outstanding career here at Appalachian and he is going to be an awesome Coach!” LeBlanc joins Appalachian after spending two years working for the State University of New York at Cortland. He started as a graduate assistant wrestling coach before transitioning to a dual position in coaching and alumni engagement. LeBlanc helped guide the team to a 7th and 13th place finish in the NCAA tournament including seven national qualifiers, four NWCA Scholar All-Americans, four NCAA All-Americans and two separate individual national champions. He also helped create the periodization plan for wrestling, strength and cardiovascular training throughout his seasons. “I am honored to be a Mountaineer,” LeBlanc said. “The Appalachian State University Wrestling program appealed to me as it represents a well-rounded balance of both athletics and academics. I truly believe in Coach JohnMark Bentley's vision for the program and am excited to work with the kind of student-athletes this program attracts.” Prior to SUNY-Cortland, LeBlanc amassed a career wrestling record of 103-51 at Indiana University. During his collegiate career, he was a three-time NCAA qualifier and finished in the round of 12 as a senior, a three-time academic all-American, a two-year captain and a Big Ten Academic all-Conference team member for four straight seasons. LeBlanc was also selected as the Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient, one of the most prestigious conference awards in college athletics. First awarded in 1915, the Medal of Honor is given to one student-athlete from the graduating class of each university who attains “the greatest proficiency in athletics and scholastic work.” He graduated in 2014 from Indiana with a bachelor's degree in exercise science before receiving his master's in sports management in 2016 at SUNY-Cortland. LeBlanc grew up in Morrisville, N.Y., where he played both tennis and soccer in high school. He joins the Appalachian family with his fiancé Morgan Wesner. Parisi joins the wrestling coaching staff as a volunteer assistant coach after graduating from Appalachian State in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in recreation management with a concentration in outdoor experiential education before getting his master's in higher education with a concentration in community college and university leadership at Appalachian as well. Parisi amassed a collegiate wrestling record of 48-21 as a Mountaineer, winning the 125-pound Southern Conference division his senior year as well as being named to the NWCA All-Academic team. As a junior recovering from a sophomore campaign that was cut short by a knee injury, he placed third at the Hokie Open and Keystone Classic before earning a round of 12 finish at the NCAA's. “I am beyond excited and motivated to help coach and give back to a program that has done so much for me during my entire collegiate career as a wrestling student-athlete,” Parisi said. Parisi grew up in Canastota, N.Y. and Concord, N.C. and attended Jay M. Robinson high school.

Turkey's Riza Kayaalp defeated Cuba's Mijain Lopez in the World finals in September (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) While U.S. wrestling fans can express their disappointment that 2012 Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs won't be carrying the flag for Team USA at the Opening Ceremonies in Rio this evening, they can take pride in knowing that at least three other nations will have wrestlers as flag bearers: Haiti's Asnage Castelly, Turkey's Riza Kayaalp, and Cuba's Mijain Lopez. NBCOlympics.com reported Thursday that Kayaalp and Lopez, both world champions in Greco-Roman, will each carry his nation's flag at the Parade of Nations at the 2016 Rio Olympics Friday night. InterMat had reported last weekend that Castelly, a coach at Massachusetts' Springfield Technical Community College, would be the flag bearer for the Haitian contingent. Castelly, competing in men's freestyle in Rio, will be the first wrestler to take to the mats at the Olympics for the Caribbean island nation of Haiti. By contrast, Kayaalp and Lopez both have considerable experience wrestling at the Olympics in the superheavyweight class, now 130 kilograms/286.5 pounds for 2016. This will be Kayaalp's third Olympic Games. He competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, then won the bronze medal at the 2012 London Games. It will be the first time the 26-year-old Kayaalp has served as Turkey's flag bearer. This will be the third consecutive Olympics at which Lopez, a two-time Olympic champion, has carried the flag for Cuba. In addition to his Olympic experience, Kayaalp has earned medals at World Championships, claiming gold at the 2011 Worlds in Istanbul, and bronze medals at the 2009 and 2010 Worlds. Lopez, 33, won gold medals at 120 kilograms/264 pounds at the Olympics in 2008 and 2012. The Cuban has tallied a total of eight medals at World Championships -- five gold, and three silver -- going back to 2005. Kayaalp and Lopez have some history with each other on the mat. Kayaalp lost to Lopez in the 120-kilo semifinals at the last Olympics, having to settle for bronze while Lopez eventually claimed gold. The year before at the 2011 Worlds, Kayaalp beat Lopez for the gold medal. Kayaalp also notched a win over Lopez this past September in the gold-medal match at the World Championships in Las Vegas. Jaime Espinal of Puerto Rico (Photo/Martin Gabor) Update: Gary Abbott of TheMat.com has posted an article listing a total of eight wrestlers who were flag bearers at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2016 Rio Olympics. In addition to Castelly, Lopez and Kayaalp, here are the other wrestlers who carried the flag for their home nations: Augusto Midana, Guinea-Bissau, men's freestyle wrestling, 74 kilograms/163 pounds Nicolae Ceban, Moldova, men's freestyle, 97 kilograms/213 pounds Florian Skilang Temengil, Palau, men's freestyle, 125 kilograms/275 pounds Jaime Espinal, Puerto Rico, men's freestyle, 86 kilograms/189 pounds Isabelle Sambou, Senegal, women's freestyle, 53 kilograms/116 pounds

Gregor Gillespie, 2007 NCAA wrestling champ for Edinboro University, will enter the Octagon for the first time at UFC Fight Night 95: Cyborg vs. Lansberg to be held in Brasilia, Brazil on Sept. 24. The former Fighting Scot will be facing Joaquim Silva in a lightweight (155-pound) bout. Silva has a 9-1-0 record. Gregor GillespieGillespie announced he had signed with Ultimate Fighting Championship on his Facebook page Thursday: "About time, finally signed to the UFC. @UFC Fight Night 95 Brazil." Gillespie, 29, brings a perfect 7-0 record in professional mixed martial arts competition. Since launching his pro career in January 2014, all but one of Gillespie's fights ended in the first round. His most recent bout -- ROC 55 in June 2016 -- went the full three rounds, with the Edinboro mat champ winning a split decision over Sidney Outlaw. A native of Webster, N.Y., Gillespie was a four-time NCAA All-American at Pennsylvania-based Edinboro, winning the 149-pound title at the 2007 NCAAs with a 3-1 overtime win over Josh Churella of the University of Michigan in the finals. He was also a three-time champ in both the EWL (Eastern Wrestling League) and PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference). Gillespie completed his mat career at Edinboro having compiled a 152-13 record, for an impressive .921 winning percentage. In his last season at the Pennsylvania-based school, Gillespie served as a coach and administrator for the Edinboro Scotsman Wrestling Club. He later served as an assistant coach at Hofstra University.

Fargo double finalist Max Wohlabaugh is a big upward mover in the senior rankings (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com) With the happenings in Fargo a couple of weeks behind us, there has been adequate time to reflect, analyze, and react to the key results from the event(s). While the top 25 for the Class of 2017 is basically unchanged, there are some shake-ups in the back three-quarters of the top 100 rankings. It includes four new wrestlers not ranked when the initial top 100 for the rising senior group was released in late June. Most notable among them is Max Wohlabaugh (Winter Springs, Fla.). He enters the rankings at No. 50 overall after finishing as runner-up in both Greco-Roman and freestyle at the Junior Nationals in the 160-pound weight class. Two other double All-Americans from Fargo at the Junior level are newcomers to the rankings, No. 85 Matthew Waddell (Gilmer, Ga.) and No. 99 Brent Jones (Shakopee, Minn.); each placed fifth in freestyle, while Waddell was third in Greco-Roman and Jones finished fifth. Each is also a multi-time state champion. The other newcomer is No. 97 Hunter Willits (Pueblo County, Colo.), who placed seventh in Junior freestyle and is a three-time state champion. Four additional wrestlers moved up 15-or-more spots within the Class of 2017 top 100 wrestler rankings. The biggest upward move was by Zach Sherman (Blair Academy, N.J.), who jumps 30 spots to No. 67 overall after a fifth place finish in Junior freestyle at 126 pounds. A pair of wrestlers jumped up 21 positions within the rankings, No. 45 Brandon Courtney (Desert Edge, Ariz.) and No. 62 Parker Filius (Havre, Mont.); Courtney finished third in Junior freestyle at 120, while Filius placed eighth at 138. Each was All-American in that tournament for a second consecutive year. Moving up 15 spots in the rankings was No. 42 Brandon Metz (West Fargo, N.D.), the champion in Junior Greco-Roman at 285 pounds, who also finished third in freestyle. Still anchoring the rankings is Spencer Lee (Franklin Regional, Pa.), who will be competing in the UWW Junior World freestyle championships later this month, as will No. 4 Daton Fix (Sand Springs, Okla.). Competing in next month's UWW Cadet World freestyle championships will be No. 2 Yianni Diakomihalis (Hilton, N.Y.), No. 3 Vitali Arujau (Syosset, N.Y.), and No. 8 Jacob Warner (Washington, Ill.). InterMat Platinum is required to view all the rankings. Link: Top 100 Seniors

The opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games are tonight, which symbolizes a time for the world to finally, maybe, if-only-for-a-moment, celebrate the Games. Brazil has sacrificed a lot to put on these Games. From perilous health conditions to evictions of long-time residents, the Games brought a mixture of darkness and light to the Brazilian condition, which one can only hope ends in societal improvements. I'll be heading down to Rio with a good-size media team from United World Wrestling. We will be creating content throughout the day to both help our current fans connect with their stars and help new fans find a way into the sport. We will be posting interviews, stories, photos, videos, and lots of social media content from now until the end of the Games, and likely beyond. One thing to keep in mind is that viewership counts. For sports like wrestling there is a lot at stake these Olympic Games. This is the first Olympics with a well-matured online presence featuring thousands of hours of live sporting content viewable online and on TV. My guess is that with a lot on the line, wrestling is about to shock the Olympic world. And here's how we do it: Download the NBC Live Sports Application and tune into ALL the wrestling events you can for as long as you can. Aggregate minutes matter. Wrestling has been very quietly breaking records and with even more attention given to viewership I think we might be able to shatter some preconceived notions about the sport's popularity and reach. How to watch from anywhere in the world (re-direct is geo-based): http://go.olympic.org/UWW Follow the Olympics and NBC Olympics on their various social media platforms and be sure to share content about the Games hashtags #Rio2016 #wrestling and #RioWrestle. That's something that we can (and likely WILL) count up at the end of the Games. Engage with content generated by United World Wrestling and its partners. This should happen mostly over social media, but be sure to also prompt your friends, family and wrestling-minded folks to get online and stay online. Go to the Olympic site for wrestling and United World Wrestling from NOW until the end of the Games for all your information. These sites should be locked in as favorites on your mobile and desktop. Enjoy the Games! To your questions … Olympic silver medalist Jamill Kelly is an assistant coach at Stanford (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Q: Any idea why Jamill Kelly stopped competing after his Olympic silver medal in 2004? He's 38 now and looks like he could still be in the mix with the best! It feels like there was so much more left in the tank for him after 2004. He was only 26 years old and was just starting to get really good. It was his life and his career and can only imagine the amount of work that goes into it, so I don't fault him for retiring. But as a fan I feel like we missed what could have been some special moments. -- Mike C. Foley: Rather than speculate on the reasons, I gave Jamill a shout. His answer: I had decided before the Games that regardless of outcome that would probably be it. Financially, it was a struggle those four years and I wasn't ready to go another cycle when nothing's guaranteed and be 30 years old and just starting my life. We didn't have the Living The Dream Medal Fund or sponsorships these guys have today. If things were like they are now I probably would have considered it. The other huge factor was the rule change. I absolutely hated them and that stalled any thought of my potentially competing again. The rule change portion surprised me at first, but the more I considered it the less surprised I was by his logic. The changes were incredibly consequential, especially for a guy who didn't rely a ton on his size. What was once a technical sport went the way of the brute for a few years, with positioning and ball draw clinches becoming the norm. Also his response was/is a solid reminder that wrestling doesn't pay a lot of money. Today, that's changed a bit, but it makes you wonder how many guys like him got out early because they wanted to provide a different lifestyle to their family. It's great to hear the Semnani Foundation is adding an additional cash prize ($20k, $10k, $5k) to U.S. and Iran wrestlers who place at the Olympic Games. When considering how much Jamill was being paid in his prime wrestling years that extra boost is very generous. When I was the No. 1 guy in 2003 and 2004 I was making maybe $25k a year, which was $1k a month from OSU and the rest from my USA Wrestling stipend, bonus for winning nationals and the Trials. In 2001 and 2002 I was making $15k-18k. It was tough. Abdulrashid Sadulaev won his second straight world title in Las Vegas (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Q: On the eve of the Olympics, what makes Abdulrashid Sadulaev such a special wrestler? -- @HalfAgain Foley: Shorthand: The combination of strength and flexibility possessed by a man who lives a purpose-driven life and sacrifices for his passion. That … and he was born in exactly the right place for a man of his values and talents to become an Olympic champion in wrestling. The coaching and effort put in by his family cannot be overstated. I remember reading a quote from him that said he only sought to make sure his parents were never embarrassed by his actions and that he wished to honor them with his wrestling. He then went on to say another dozen things about how it was his responsibility to never let them down. For all we think of him as a physically imposing human, he seems to have been raised with values that make him an equally good person. Q: Have we seen the last of J Rob as the head wrestling coach of the University of Minnesota? -- @ShogunOfSonoma Foley: Given the length of the investigation and the announcement of Brandon Eggum as acting head coach it would seem that the administration is building a case to fire J Rob. Why? I don't know. There is no repercussion to his staying. Are donors backing out? No. Is this still a news story? No. Did he violate the principals of academics or coaching in any other major way in the past 30 years? No. Does he distract? No. There are only negative consequences to firing J. The school will go to court, which will cost them significant money and likely publicize their incompetence in managing this case (and other administrative blunders) over the past few years. Q: What are your thoughts on the five sports just added to the 2020 Olympic Games? What impact does the addition of those sports have on wrestling for 2024 and beyond? -- @JackGillespie5 Foley: I think that the sports chosen for 2024 represent a youth push from the IOC and also reflect what will be popular to watch for denizens of Tokyo. That latter part is important since it incentivizes host nations to bid based on the idea that they can approve sports (within reason) that will appeal to their constituents. In this circumstance that is baseball/softball a sport that has been booted in the past and requires a significant capital expenditure. As for the youth movement, I think that skateboarding and surfing are just sports we think of as youthful but have significant adult followings. I for one really enjoy the World Surf League updates on social media. The impact on wrestling? None that would be negative. The addition of sports only opens the door for wrestling to add another style to the Olympic program. Maybe beach wrestling? MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME The Celebrity and the Samurai: Learn more about the life and struggles of the world's two greatest women's wrestlers of all time. Hope you enjoy. Link: Jordan Burroughs' work ethic comes from his blue-collar dad From ESPN: Pin Kings is a story about high school wrestling teammates who end up on the opposite side of the law. Told through several storytelling platforms, including magazine and podcast. From The Ringer (Bill Simmons' new site) The Olympics Watchability Matrix The "Jason Statham Movies" Quadrant: And finally: Items plotted in the fourth quadrant are supremely watchable and so cool that they actually have negative lameness. These are sports that evoke maximum joy, and you will watch when it beckons time and time again without question or complaint, like Jason Statham taking out a bunch of dudes with guns using only a fire hose in The Transporter 2. Or really, any Jason Statham action movie. There are like, a hundred of them, and they're all great. These are usually the sports with the oldest traditions in the Olympics, the ones that ancient Greeks painted on vases and whatnot. Q: Based on what you know, do you expect Jason Tsirtsis to be eligible to compete in college this upcoming season at a different college? Seems like it could be difficult based on the fact that he was not in good academic standing at Northwestern. -- Mike C. Foley: I think that it would take a full year to regain eligibility for academic probation, unless he had entered summer school which doesn't seem to be the case. Poor guy had a tough year and wish him the best wherever he lands, regardless of whether or not he wrestles. Q: Kaori Icho says men's wrestling is different. I've watched her matches and found the skills she uses are the same. Why does she say that? -- @ShogunOfSonoma Foley: I'd agree that men's and women's wrestling are very different in their execution. The rules are the same, but that doesn't mean that the techniques and tactics are also similar. For Icho the difference has been in acquiring more technical knowledge. Women's wrestling will tend to focus more on a few techniques and then seeing how to become dominant in every facet of that position (i.e. Yoshida's double leg, Adeline's leg lace), whereas most men seek to be well-rounded on their feet and on the mat. Scrambling positions take on more importance, as does positional superiority. These are areas that Icho focuses on in practice and I think carries over to her wrestling. Overall, when you watch the men and women compete you tend to find favored techniques in each style that simply won't work in the other. For example, there are almost no front headlocks in women's wrestling as their weight is distributed in their hips more than shoulders and also have more flexibility up top. Likewise you also see more throws in men's wrestling for pretty much the same reason. Q: I see Daniel Dennis is bringing Spencer Lee as a training partner to Rio. Do you see Lee challenging for a spot on a senior level team during the upcoming quad? -- Mike C. Foley: Certainly challenging. He's an incredible talent who is well-coached at the high school level and next year will be moving to a college program that creates Olympians. I'm suspect about Dennis bringing Lee as his training partner, but that's his preference and he's earned the right to bring anyone he likes. The coaches must approve so who am I to judge? Q: Who are your three biggest locks to win gold in Rio? -- Mike C. Foley: 1. Abdulrashid Sadulaev, freestyle, 86 kilograms 2. Kaori Icho, women's wrestling, 58 kilograms 3. Jordan Burroughs, freestyle, 74 kilograms

1948 U.S. Olympic Team As we gear up for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, a question immediately comes to mind: How have U.S. wrestlers performed at past Olympics? One common measure is the number of gold, silver and bronze medals Team USA members have brought home from previous Olympics going back to the 1904 Games in St. Louis, the first modern Olympics to feature wrestling. The big picture USA leads the way in total medals in wrestling In terms of total individual medals handed out in all types of wrestling -- men's and women's freestyle, and Greco-Roman -- from 1904 up through the 2012 London Games, the U.S. leads the way, with a total of 125 medals of all types. U.S. wrestlers have claimed the most bronze and silver medals, with 32 and 43 each, respectively. U.S. grapplers have brought home 50 gold medals, second only to the USSR in terms of gold with 62. (That figure applies only to gold medals won during the existence of the Soviet Union. There are separate figures for Russia, which ranks seventh overall in terms of wrestling gold medals, with 25.) One more fun fact about U.S. wrestlers' medal haul over the more than a century of participation at Olympic Games: with 125 medals overall, Team USA has claimed nearly one in ten of all the medals awarded -- 1,199 -- in all types of wrestling since 1904. Which teams rank behind Team USA wrestlers in terms of total Olympic medals earned? The old Soviet Union is second overall, with 116 (62 gold, 31 silver and 23 bronze). Sweden is third, with 84 Olympic wrestling medals (28 gold, 27 silver, 29 bronze), with neighboring Finland right behind, with 83 medals total (26 gold, 28 silver, 29 bronze). In fifth place is Bulgaria, with 68 total medals (16 gold, 32 silver, 20 bronze). Rounding out the top ten countries earning Olympic medals in wrestling: Japan (6th place, 68 total medals); Turkey (7th, 58 medals); Hungary (8th, 54 medals); Russia (9th, 48 medals); and South Korea (10th, 35 medals). U.S. tops in total medals in freestyle ... In terms of total number of medals awarded in men's and women's freestyle from 1904 through 2012, the U.S. also leads the way, with a total of 110 medals -- 47 gold, 37 silver, and 26 bronze. That total medal haul is nearly twice that of the second-ranked country, the USSR, which could claim a total of 56 medals -- 28 gold, 15 silver, and 13 bronze -- during the time of its existence. Coming in third is Japan, with 49 total medals -- 20 gold, 12 silver, 13 bronze. Turkey ranks fourth overall in freestyle medals, with 36 -- 17 gold, 11 silver, eight bronze. Right behind Turkey is Bulgaria with 35 total medals, including seven gold, 17 silver, and 11 bronze. Rounding out the top ten overall in freestyle medals: Iran is sixth, with 33 total medals (five gold, a dozen silver, 16 bronze); Sweden is seventh, with 26 medals (eight gold, ten silver, eight bronze), closely followed by Scandinavian neighbor Finland with 25 (eight, seven, and ten). In ninth place is Russia, with 22 medals (13 gold, five silver, four bronze) ... with South Korea claiming tenth, with four gold, nine silver, and seven bronze medals. ... but tied for 14th in Greco By comparison, Team USA's Greco-Roman medal performance isn't quite in the same league as its success in freestyle. In fact, the U.S. ranks fourteenth in total medals earned in Greco, with a total of fourteen -- three gold, six silver, and five bronze. (The U.S. is tied with Russia for fourteenth place.) Which country has excelled in Greco? The now-defunct Soviet Union ranks at the top, having earned a total of 60 medals -- 34 gold, 16 silver, 10 bronze. Finland is a close second, with 58 medals -- 18 gold, 21 silver, 19 bronze ... closely followed by Sweden, with 20 gold, 17 silver, and 19 bronze to add up to a total of 56 medals in Greco. In fourth place is Hungary, with 36 medals -- 16 gold, and ten each in silver and bronze. Bulgaria came in fifth with 31 medals -- nine gold, 14 silver, eight bronze. The rest of the top ten in Greco: Romania is sixth (six gold, eight silver, 13 bronze); Turkey placed seventh with 20 (11 gold, five silver, four bronze); Poland in eighth place with 19 (five gold, eight silver, six bronze). Italy and Germany tied for ninth with 18 medals -- five gold, four silver, nine bronze for the Italians ... while the Germans earned four gold, nine silver, and five bronze medals. Team USA medalists in men's freestyle Meet the men from the U.S. who earned medals in freestyle wrestling competition, listed by each individual Olympics. 1904 St. Louis Light-flyweight: Robert Curry, gold; John Hein, silver; Gustav Thiefenthaler, bronze. Flyweight: George Mehnert, gold; Gustave Bauer, silver; William Nelson, bronze Bantamweight: Isador Niflot, gold; August Wester, silver; Louis Strebler, bronze Featherweight: Benjamin Bradshaw, gold; Theodore McLear, silver; Charles Clapper, bronze Lightweight: Otto Roehm, gold; Rudolph Tesing, silver; Albert Zirkel, bronze. Welterweight: Charles Erickson, gold; William Beckmann, silver; Jerry Winholtz, bronze. Heavyweight: Bernhoff Hansen, gold; Frank Kugler, silver; Fred Warmbold, bronze. 1908 London Bantamweight: George Mehnert, gold. Featherweight: George Dole, gold Lightweight: Not in Olympics. Welterweight: Not in Olympics. Middleweight: Not in Olympics. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1912 Stockholm Bantamweight: Not in Olympics Featherweight: Not in Olympics Lightweight: Not in Olympics Welterweight: Not in Olympics Middleweight: Not in Olympics Heavyweight: Not in Olympics 1920 Antwerp Bantamweight: Not in Olympics Featherweight: Charles Ackerly, gold; Samuel Gerson, silver; Philip Bernard, bronze Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Welterweight: Not in Olympics. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-Heavyweight: Walter Maurer, bronze Heavyweight: Nat Pendleton, silver; Fred Meyer, bronze 1924 Paris Bantamweight: Bryan Hines, bronze Featherweight: Robin Reed, gold; Chester Newton, silver Lighweight: Russell Vis, gold Welterweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-Heavyweight: John Spellman, gold Heavyweight: Harry Steel, gold Allie Morrison won gold in 19281928 Amsterdam Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Featherweight: Allie Morrison, gold Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Welterweight: Lloyd Appleton, silver. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1932 Los Angeles Bantamweight: Robert "Bobby" Pearce, gold Featherweight: Edgar Nemir, silver Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Welterweight: Jack VanBebber, gold. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-Heavyweight: Pete Mehringer, gold Heavyweight: John Riley, silver 1936 Berlin Bantamweight: Ross Flood, silver Featherweight: Francis Millard, silver Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Welterweight: Frank Lewis, gold Middleweight: Richard "Dick" Voliva, silver Light-Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1948 London Flyweight: No medals for U.S. Bantamweight: Gerald "Gerry" Leeman, silver Featherweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Welterweight: Leland Merrill, bronze. Middleweight: Glen Brand, gold Light-Heavyweight: Henry Wittenberg, gold Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1952 Helsinki Flyweight: No medals for U.S. Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Featherweight: Joe Henson, bronze Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Welterweight: Bill Smith, gold. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-Heavyweight: Henry Wittenberg, silver Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1956 Melbourne Flyweight: No medals for U.S. Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Featherweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Welterweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: Dan Hodge, silver Light-Heavyweight: Peter Blair, bronze Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Shelby Wilson, Terry McCann and Doug Blubaugh won gold medals at the 1960 Olympics in Rome1960 Rome Flyweight: No medals for U.S. Bantamweight: Terry McCann, gold Featherweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: Shelby Wilson, gold Welterweight: Doug Blubaugh, gold Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1964 Tokyo Flyweight: No medals for U.S. Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Featherweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Welterweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: Dan Brand, bronze Light-Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1968 Mexico City Flyweight: Richard Sanders, silver Bantamweight: Donald Behm, silver Featherweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Welterweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1972 Munich Light-flyweight: No medals for U.S. Flyweight: No medals for U.S. Bantamweight: Richard Sanders, silver Featherweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: Dan Gable, gold Welterweight: Wayne Wells, gold Middleweight: John Peterson, silver Light-Heavyweight: Ben Peterson, gold Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Superheavyweight: Chris Taylor, bronze 1976 Montreal Light-flyweight: No medals for U.S. Flyweight: No medals for U.S. Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Featherweight: Gene Davis, bronze Lightweight: Lloyd Keaser, silver Welterweight: Stan Dziedzic, bronze Middleweight: John Peterson, gold Light-Heavyweight: Ben Peterson, silver Heavyweight: Russ Hellickson, silver Superheavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1980 Moscow U.S. boycott Bobby Weaver was one of seven gold medalists for Team USA in freestyle in 1984 in LA1984 Los Angeles Light-flyweight: Bobby Weaver, gold Flyweight: No medals for U.S. Bantamweight: Barry Davis, silver Featherweight: Randy Lewis, gold Lightweight: Andy Rein, silver Welterweight: Dave Schultz, gold Middleweight: Mark Schultz, gold Light-Heavyweight: Ed Banach, gold Heavyweight: Lou Banach, gold Superheavyweight: Bruce Baumgartner, gold 1988 Seoul Light-flyweight: No medals for U.S. Flyweight: No medals for U.S. Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Featherweight: John Smith, gold Lightweight: Nate Carr, bronze Welterweight: Kenny Monday, gold Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: Bill Scherr, bronze Superheavyweight: Bruce Baumgartner, silver 1992 Barcelona Light-flyweight: No medals for U.S. Flyweight: Zeke Jones, silver Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Featherweight: John Smith, gold Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Welterweight: Kenny Monday, silver. Middleweight: Kevin Jackson, gold Light-heavyweight: Chris Campbell, bronze Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Superheavyweight: Bruce Baumgartner, gold Kendall Cross celebrates after winning an Olympic gold medal in Atlanta in 19961996 Atlanta Light-flyweight: No medals for U.S. Flyweight: No medals for U.S. Bantamweight: Kendall Cross, gold Featherweight: Tom Brands, gold Lightweight: Townsend Saunders, silver Welterweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: Kurt Angle, gold Superheavyweight: Bruce Baumgartner, bronze 2000 Sydney Flyweight: Sammie Henson, silver Bantamweight: Terry Brands, bronze Featherweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: Lincoln McIlravy, bronze Welterweight: Brandon Slay, gold Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Superheavyweight: No medals for U.S. Jamill Kelly finished with a silver medal in Athens2004 Athens Bantamweight: Stephen Abas, silver Featherweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: Jamill Kelly, silver Welterweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: Cael Sanderson, gold Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Superheavyweight: No medals for U.S. 2008 Beijing Bantamweight: Henry Cejudo, gold Featherweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Welterweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Superheavyweight: No medals for U.S. 2012 London Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Featherweight: Coleman Scott, bronze Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Welterweight: Jordan Burroughs, gold Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: Jake Varner, gold Superheavyweight: No medals for U.S. Current men's freestyle weight classes for 2016: Bantamweight -- 57 kilograms/125 pounds; Lightweight -- 65 kilograms/143 pounds; Welterweight -- 74 kilograms/163 pounds; Middleweight -- 86 kilograms/189 pounds; Heavyweight -- 97 kilograms/213 pounds; Superheavyweight -- 125 kilograms/275 pounds. Past men's freestyle weight classes*: Light-flyweight -- 48 kilograms/105 pounds; Flyweight -- 52-54 kilograms/114-119 pounds; Bantamweight -- 54-57 kilograms/119-125 pounds; Featherweight -- 60-63 kilograms/132-138 pounds; Lightweight -- 65-70 kilograms/143-154 pounds; Welterweight -- 76-78 kilograms/167-172 pounds; Middleweight -- 73-87 kilograms/161-191 pounds; Light-Heavyweight -- 80-97 kilograms/176-213 pounds; Heavyweight -- 72-100 kilograms/159-220 pounds; Superheavyweight -- 100-130 kilograms/220-286 pounds. *A range represents actual weights which varied from year-to-year/Olympics to Olympics. Team USA medalists in women's freestyle Here are the names of the U.S. wrestlers who earned medals in women's freestyle competition, listed by each individual Olympics. Note: Three new weight classes -- bantamweight (53 kilograms/116 pounds), welterweight (58 kilograms/128 pounds), and light-heavyweight (69 kilograms/152 pounds) -- have been added for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Sara McMann after winning a silver medal2004 Athens Flyweight: Patricia Miranda, bronze Middleweight: Sara McMann, silver Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 2008 Beijing Flyweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: Randi Miller, bronze Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 2012 London Flyweight: Clarissa Chun, bronze Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Current women's freestyle weight classes for 2016: Flyweight -- 48 kilograms/106 pounds; Bantamweight -- 53 kilograms/116 pounds; Welterweight -- 58 kilograms/128 pounds; Middleweight -- 63 kilograms/139 pounds; Light-heavyweight -- 69 kilograms/152 pounds and Heavyweight -- 75 kilograms/165 pounds. Team USA medalists in men's Greco-Roman This is the list of men's Greco-Roman wrestlers who brought home hardware in Olympic competition. 1908 London Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Super-Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1912 Stockholm Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1920 Antwerp Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1924 Paris Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1928 Amsterdam Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1932 Los Angeles Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1936 Berlin Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1948 London Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1952 Helsinki Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1956 Melbourne Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1960 Rome Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1964 Tokyo Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1968 Mexico City Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1972 Munich Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Superheavyweight: Chris Taylor, bronze 1976 Montreal Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1980 Moscow U.S. Boycott Steve Fraser is one of three American Greco-Roman wrestlers to win an Olympic gold medal1984 Los Angeles Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-heavyweight: Steve Fraser, gold Heavyweight: Greg Gibson, silver Superheavyweight: Jeff Blatnick, gold 1988 Seoul Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: Dennis Koslowski, bronze Superheavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1992 Barcelona Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: Dennis Koslowski, silver Superheavyweight: No medals for U.S. 1996 Atlanta Flyweight: Brandon Paulson, silver Bantamweight: Dennis Hall, silver Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Light-heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Superheavyweight: Matt Ghaffari, silver 2000 Sydney Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Welterweight: Matt Lindland, silver Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: Garrett Lowney, bronze Superheavyweight: Rulon Gardner, gold 2004 Athens Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Welterweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Superheavyweight: Rulon Gardner, bronze 2008 Beijing Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Welterweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: Adam Wheeler, bronze Superheavyweight: No medals for U.S. 2012 London Bantamweight: No medals for U.S. Lightweight: No medals for U.S. Welterweight: No medals for U.S. Middleweight: No medals for U.S. Heavyweight: No medals for U.S. Superheavyweight: No medals for U.S. Current men's Greco-Roman weight classes for 2016: Bantamweight -- 59 kilograms/130 pounds; Lightweight -- 65 kilograms/143 pounds; Welterweight -- 75 kilograms/163 pounds; Middleweight -- 85 kilograms/187 pounds; Heavyweight -- 98 kilograms/215 pounds; Superheavyweight -- 130 kilograms/286 pounds. Past men's Greco-Roman weight classes*: Light-flyweight -- 48 kilograms/105 pounds; Flyweight -- 52-54 kilograms/114-119 pounds; Bantamweight -- 56-59 kilograms/123-130 pounds; Featherweight -- 60-63 kilograms/132-138 pounds; Lightweight -- 65-70 kilograms/143-154 pounds; Welterweight -- 72-78 kilograms/158-172 pounds; Middleweight -- 73-87 kilograms/161-191 pounds; Light-Heavyweight -- 82-97 kilograms/180-213 pounds; Heavyweight -- 82-100 kilograms/180-220 pounds; Superheavyweight -- 93-130 kilograms/205-286 pounds. *A range represents actual weights which varied from year-to-year/Olympics to Olympics. Want to know more about past U.S. success on mat at the Olympics? Here are three InterMat features you might enjoy: All about Allie Morrison, 1928 Olympic gold medalist from Marshalltown, Iowa ... the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics ... and a look back at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, with a focus on the three freestylers from Team U.S.A. who brought home the gold: Terry McCann, Shelby Wilson, and Doug Blubaugh.

United World Wrestling's film "The Celebrity and the Samurai" takes a look at the careers and lives of three-time Olympic gold medalists Saori Yoshida and Kaori Icho.

Oklahoma head wrestling coach Mark Cody (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com) This week's Takedown TV covers the world of wrestling, from college to Olympics and beyond. Among this week's features: Three college coaches -- Oklahoma's Mark Cody, Wisconsin's Barry Davis and Kevin Dresser of Virginia Tech -- weigh in on the NWCA proposal for future changes to Division I wrestling (including possible schedule changes). Bruce Burnett discusses the selection of Tom Brands, Mark Manning and Lou Rosselli as volunteer men's freestyle coaches for the 2016 Olympics United World Wrestling's documentary on Mongolia's first Olympic freestyle medalist. Watch this week's episode here ... or at the Takedown Wrestling's YouTube Channel. In addition, Takedown Wrestling TV is aired on these television networks. All air times are Central. Cablevision: Sundays at 4 p.m. Charter Cable: Thursday at 6:30 p.m., Friday 11:30 p.m. and Monday 2:30 p.m. Comcast Cable: Friday at 5:00 p.m. Cox Cable: Sunday 9:30 a.m. Fight Network HD: Sundays at 4:00 p.m. KWEM, Stillwater, Oklahoma: Tuesday 7:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Long Lines Cable: Daily at 5:30 p.m. Mediacom Cable: Sundays at 10:30 a.m. MidCo Sports Network: Saturday 10:00 a.m. and Sunday at 9:00 a.m. SECV8: Friday at 5:00 p.m.

Jason Tsirtsis is an NCAA champion, two-time All-American and three-time NCAA qualifier (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine) Jason Tsirtsis, 2014 NCAA 149-pound champ for Northwestern, revealed the reasons why he won't be wrestling for the Wildcats this upcoming season during a FloWrestling interview with Mark Bader on Wednesday. "I had a rough year last year in a couple different areas of my life," Tsirtsis disclosed. "I got put on academic probation. I fell short in one of my classes, so I got released for a year, and I have to go somewhere else to finish my last year of wrestling eligibility-wise if that's what I want to do. Pretty much that's why I'm transferring." Tsirtsis said he was happy at Northwestern and was "really excited" about the direction of the program. "I'm not a leaving for a better program or anything like that," said Tsirtsis. "It just didn't work out academically." Tsirtsis is not sure yet if he will be eligible to compete this upcoming season. He said that he's been talking to three schools: Iowa State, University of Northern Iowa and Arizona State about transferring. While he doesn't have a specific deadline for announcing a college decision, he said, "The quicker, the better." The Crown Point, Indiana native said he had been placed on academic probation during winter quarter this year. To stay at Northwestern, he needed to earn a C; instead, he received a D+ for that class. "Last September, my sister passed away in a tragic car accident, which definitely was brutal on our family," said Tsirtsis. "Then in late October, my best childhood best friend -- we're still best friends -- he passed away tragically with a heart attack. So those two things mentally put me in a tough state last year." Tsirtsis, a four-time Indiana high school state champ, got off to a tremendous start at Northwestern, winning the 149-pound title at the 2014 NCAAs. He also won the Big Ten conference crown at 149 that year, and was named 2014 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and 2014 InterMat Freshman of the Year. The following year he won his second Big Ten title, and placed third at 149 at the 2015 NCAAs, earning All-American honors. This past season he compiled a record of 15-9 and qualified for the NCAAs, going 2-2 in New York City.

Kenny Monday coaching in Fargo (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com The Tar Heel Wrestling Club has named Kenny Monday as its head coach. "Bringing Kenny on is huge for our development as a program," UNC head wrestling coach Coleman Scott told InterMat. "We want to win national, world, and Olympic titles in Chapel Hill and he will be a huge part of that." The 54-year-old Monday has coached at all levels of wrestling, and has worked as the wrestling coach with the Blackzilians, a mixed martial arts camp. He is a two-time Olympic medalist, winning gold in 1988 and silver in 1992. Monday was also an NCAA champion and three-time NCAA All-American at Oklahoma State. He helped guide Scott to an Olympic bronze medal in 2012. His son Kennedy Monday, a two-time state champion, is an incoming freshman at UNC. The Tar Heel Wrestling Club currently has three full-time senior level athletes training: Tony Ramos, Josh Kindig and Braden Atwood. "We are looking to build on them and add a few more in the next year or so," Scott said.

Andy HamiltonAward-winning wrestling writer Andy Hamilton will be the featured guests on this week's edition of the On the Mat wrestling broadcast on Wednesday, Aug. 3. Hamilton recently became content manager for Trackwrestling.com. Prior to that, he had covered amateur wrestling for the Des Moines Register and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. On the Mat is a presentation of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. The show can be heard live on the Internet at 1650thefan.com or locally in Northeast Iowa each Wednesday at 5 p.m. Central on AM 1650, The Fan. A podcast of the show is available on mattalkonline.com.

Brian Realbuto works to turn Navy's Jadaen Bernstein in Las Vegas (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) After moving up two weight classes last season, Cornell's Brian Realbuto is expected to move back down a weight class to 165 pounds next season, according to Big Red head wrestling coach Rob Koll. "He had to have surgery after last year's NCAA tournament and I am not sure he has kept the size to go 174," Koll wrote about Realbuto in his Cornell wrestling newsletter. "In the case that Brian is at 165 we have a cast of characters competing for the 174 starting nod." Realbuto is a two-time All-American, finishing as the NCAA runner-up at 157 pounds in 2015. Last season, Realbuto spent several weeks ranked No. 1 at 174 pounds. He claimed his second straight EIWA title. He entered the NCAAs seeded No. 2, but suffered an injury in his first match and was eliminated after dropping his first two matches. Realbuto enters his senior campaign with record of 92-16. In addition, two-time NCAA qualifier Mark Grey is expected to move back down to 133 pounds for the Big Red. He competed at 141 pounds last season and compiled a 7-9 record. "Mark Grey plans on making his way back down to his former weight class," wrote Koll. "In the two years Mark wrestled at 133 he made the rounds of 12 and 16 at the NCAA tournament respectively. Mark has struggled with health issues but if he can stay healthy and effectively manage his weight, there is no reason to believe he could not finish his career as an All-American. Mark will face stiff competition from teammate Chas Tucker." Cornell is coming off a seventh-place finish at the 2016 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in New York City. The Big Red lost NCAA champion Nahshon Garrett (133) and two-time NCAA qualifier Duke Pickett (174) to graduation. Two-time NCAA champion Gabe Dean (184) returns for his senior season. "Although it will be difficult to replace Nahshon Garrett and Duke Pickett I am confident this year's team will actually have more overall balance than last year's team," wrote Koll.

Cole Manley Two-time state placer Cole Manley (Altoona, Pa.) verbally committed to Virginia Tech on Tuesday evening. The 2015 state runner-up at 106 pounds placed third in the state at 126 this past season. Ranked No. 77 overall in the Class of 2017, he is a projected 133/141 in college, and joins No. 35 Hunter Bolen (Christiansburg, Va.) as a top 100 commit to the Hokies.

Two-time state champion Devin Bahr (West Salem, Wis.) verbally committed to the University of Wisconsin late on Monday evening. The projected 149/157 pound wrestler is ranked as the No. 68 overall wrestler in the Class of 2017. Bahr placed fifth at 145 pounds in the Flo Nationals this past spring, and ended the 2015-16 season as the No. 19 overall ranked wrestler at 152 pounds. He joins No. 33 Kyle Lawson (Olentangy Liberty, Ohio) and No. 45 Paul Konrath (Connections Academy, Ind.) as top 100 commits for the Badgers.

Jason Tsirtsis battles Minnesota's Jake Short at the Big Ten Championships (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine) Jason Tsirtsis, 2014 NCAA Division I wrestling champ, has left Northwestern University, head wrestling coach Matt Storniolo confirmed to InterMat Tuesday. "Jason is no longer enrolled at NU," Storniolo said in an email to InterMat. "Out of respect to Jason I will not go into any detail. When I last spoke with Jason Iowa State was one of the schools that he was looking into." News of Tsirtsis' departure from the Evanston, Illinois Big Ten school was first revealed on Takedown Radio on Saturday, July 30. Takedown's Tony Hager posted this message on his Twitter on Monday: "National Champ Jason Tsirtsis is no longer enrolled @NorthwesternU per Northwestern Athletic Department." Tsirtsis made a splash as a freshman at Northwestern, being named 2014 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and 2014 InterMat Freshman of the Year. He was a three-time NCAA championships qualifier for the Wildcats, winning the 149-pound title at the 2014 NCAAs with a 3-1 OT win over Josh Kindig of Oklahoma State in the finals, and earning All-American honors the following year by placing third at 149 at the 2015 NCAAs. Tsirtsis earned back-to-back Big Ten titles in 2014 and 2015, and was a two-time Midlands finalist, winning the championship in 2014. This past season he compiled a record of 15-9 and qualified for the NCAAs, going 2-2 in New York City. Prior to enrolling at Northwestern, Jason Tsirtsis wrestled at Crown Point High School, where he was a four-time Indiana state champ, only the eighth wrestler in the Hoosier state to do so. He was the nation's No. 1 recruit by InterMat coming out of high school. Just last month, Jason's older brother Alex Tsirtsis was named head wrestling coach at Chicago mat powerhouse Mount Carmel High School.

Pin Kings is a true story of two high school wrestling teammates ESPN has launched one of its most ambitious storytelling initiatives ever with the multiplatform presentation of Pin Kings, the true story of two high school wrestling teammates and how their lives intersected into adulthood through drug trafficking, law enforcement and, ultimately, sports. Television, print, digital and audio content all will tell the same story but in formats that fit the specific audiences of each platform. Pin Kings debuted Monday with the first of 16 podcast episodes offered daily and will culminate with a one-hour, prime-time SC Featured television special on Monday, Aug. 22, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Throughout August, the multiplatform presentation also will include a long-form feature in ESPN The Magazine, a digital treatment on ESPN.com, an advance airing on WatchESPN and the ESPN App and a preview of the television special in the weekly SC Featured segment on SportsCenter. "ESPN's mission is to serve sports fans anytime, anywhere, and Pin Kings fits that mission by serving content to sports fans in every manner they consume it," said Victor Vitarelli, senior coordinating producer, ESPN Features Unit. "This is new ground for us. We have never done an original programming cross-platform production of this magnitude." Written and produced by ESPN The Magazine senior writer Brett Forrest and ESPN producer Jon Fish, Pin Kings tells the story of Alex DeCubas and Kevin Pedersen, co-captains of their high school wrestling team in Miami, whose lives took totally opposite turns. DeCubas became the biggest trafficker of Colombian cocaine on the east coast, while Pedersen became a DEA agent tasked with taking down the Colombian cartels and their American partners, which included his former teammate and friend DeCubas. Through it all, the lives of the two men continually returned to their experiences in wrestling. Pin Kings traces their story from the beginning until their surprising lives today. The Pin Kings timeline on ESPN platforms: Fri., July 31 The Sporting Life on ESPN Audio previews Pin Kings Mon., Aug. 1 ESPN Audio Pin Kings series of 16 episodic podcasts begins Thu., Aug. 18 Pin Kings digital treatment posts on ESPN.com Fri., Aug. 19 One-hour Pin Kings TV special available on WatchESPN and ESPN App Sun., Aug. 21 SC Featured on SportsCenter previews Pin Kings television special Mon., Aug. 22 One-hour Pin Kings SC Featured special debuts 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2 Fri., Aug. 26 Pin Kings feature appears in NFL Preview issue of ESPN The Magazine A more detailed look at ESPN's multiplatform presentation of Pin Kings: ESPN Audio Podcasts -- Following the success of Dunkumentaries -- ESPN Audio's first long-form podcast series -- ESPN Audio again delves into that genre with its first foray into an episodic series with the 16-episode Pin Kings. Narrated by Brett Forrest and Jon Fish, Pin Kings offers a compelling and comprehensive examination of the lives of Alex DeCubas and Kevin Pedersen that spans four decades -- from the two as high school wrestling teammates, to adversaries on opposite sides of the law. The series takes a look at the global landscape during the '90s and '00s, taking listeners from the suburbs of Miami, through the mountains of Colombia, to the beaches of Bimini and the halls of justice, all while threading the disparate paths taken by DeCubas and Pedersen. Forrest and Fish traveled extensively across the U.S. -- from Las Vegas to Vermont to Minnesota to South Florida -- and to various cities in Colombia, including within the walls of a prison and observing a simulated drug "air drop" whereby bales of narcotics are transferred from a plane to a waiting boat. The episodes are 20-30 minutes in length and include podcast-exclusive interviews with more than 20 individuals related to the story. ESPN The Magazine -- Pin Kings, a story written by Brett Forrest, is a 5,000-word feature that will appear in the NFL Preview Issue of ESPN The Magazine, on sale August 26. The Magazine will follow the full arc of the story between convicted drug smuggler Alex DeCubas and DEA agent Kevin Pedersen, champion high school wrestling teammates who would find themselves opposing each other in South Florida's drug wars. ESPN.com -- The digital presentation of Pin Kings will appear on ESPN.com on August 18 and will include Forrest's 5,000 word story as well as original animation, video and interactive maps designed to give fans a deeper understanding of the intricacies of the story. SC Featured on Television --.The hour-long TV special SC Featured: Pin Kings will debut Monday, Aug. 22, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The program will tell the story of former high school wrestling teammates Alex DeCubas and Kevin Pedersen, who later become adversaries on both sides of the law. The special includes exclusive interviews with the two main subjects as well as behind-the-scenes access at a Colombian maximum-security prison, infrared video from the U.S. Coast Guard of the Nerma, a ship used in DeCubas' smuggling operation and never-before-seen images of a submarine DeCubas built for smuggling. The weekly SC Featured segment on the Sunday, Aug. 21, editions of SportsCenter will preview the full-length program. WatchESPN -- Prior to the television premiere of Pin Kings on August 22, the full one-hour program will be made available to stream on WatchESPN and the ESPN App on Friday, Aug. 19. The program also will be available through video on demand via multichannel providers.

Adeline Gray and Geneva Gray The Bacone College women's wrestling program announced the hiring of Geneva Gray, the sister of three-time world champion and Olympian Adeline Gray, to its coaching staff. The 23-year-old Gray, a Denver native, has coached wrestling at the high school level for the past three years. She is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado. She also competed on the women's soccer team at McPherson College. While in high school she was a three-year varsity letterwinner in soccer, while also receiving letters in cross country, track and field, wrestling and academics. Bacone College added its women's wrestling program in May of 2015. The program is led by head coach Brett Oleson.

Simon Roberts Last week, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame invited the wrestling community to submit nominations for the Class of 2017, which will be inducted during the annual Honors Weekend on June 2-3, 2017 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. This writer believes that former University of Iowa wrestler Simon Roberts deserves to be welcomed into the Hall as a Distinguished Member in 2017. Roberts is truly a pioneer whose groundbreaking accomplishments as first African-American to win an NCAA title in 1957 make him a historic figure worthy of inclusion into the Hall. Born in Davenport, Iowa, Roberts wrestled at Davenport Central High School in the early 1950s. Roberts first made history by winning the 133-pound championship at the 1954 Iowa high school state tournament, becoming the first wrestler of color to win an individual state championship in one of the true wrestling hotbeds of the nation. Roberts then headed west from Davenport to Iowa City, to wrestle at the University of Iowa for head coach Dave McCuskey. As a Hawkeye in the mid-1950s, Roberts was teammates with Iowa mat champs such as Terry McCann, Ken Leuer and Gary Kurdelmeier. Roberts was a finalist at the 1957 Big Ten conference championships, and a three-time NCAA qualifier (1956-58). At the 1957 NCAAs at the University of Pittsburgh, Roberts made it to the 147-pound finals where he faced Ron Gray of Iowa State. Roberts defeated his cross-state rival, 2-2, 2-0 in overtime to become the first black NCAA champ. Simon Roberts with Iowa teammates in 1957Realize the era when Roberts won an NCAA title, it was rare to see African-Americans in college wrestling. (Roberts was the only black starter on the Hawkeyes during his time on the team.) The year he won his championship, the nation was embroiled in issues of race. Angry groups of protesters tried to deny access to African-American students at Little Rock Central High School; President Dwight Eisenhower sent federal troops to ensure the diversity of the student body. On a more personal level, Roberts himself experienced discrimination when he was initially denied service at a diner in Stillwater when joining his Iowa teammates for dinner during the 1956 NCAAs at Oklahoma State. (Hawkeye heavyweight Barron Bremner quietly persuaded the owner to serve his black teammate.) After graduating from Iowa, Roberts continued to break down barriers, as he became the first African-American to coach wrestling in his native Quad Cities (at Rock Island's Alleman Catholic High), and the first black to hold elected office in his hometown of Davenport. Simon Roberts has been inducted into a number of Halls of Fame, including the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in Cresco, Iowa; Glen Brand Hall of Fame (for Iowa-born wrestlers) at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa; the University of Iowa Hall of Fame in Iowa City; Davenport Central's Hall of Honor; the Iowa State High School Hall of Fame; and the Iowa Foundation Hall of Fame. The timing is right for Roberts to be welcomed into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, as 2017 will be the 60th anniversary of his historic, groundbreaking NCAA title win. To nominate Simon Roberts for Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for 2017, please download a nomination form, complete it, and return it to the Stillwater Hall before Sept. 1, 2016. Want to know more about Simon Roberts? Check out this in-depth InterMat profile.

Dustin May will return to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College for the 2016-17 school year as an assistant coach under Coach Joe Renfro. May was a member of the wrestling coaching staff in 2014 during the first year of the reinstatement of the program after a 22 year hiatus. During the 2014 season with the help of Coach May and current assistant coach Dennis Siegmann the Norsemen captured the NJCAA National Championship setting the current national junior college point record. May was a four-time Kansas State Champ for Derby High School from 1998-2001 (103, 119, 130, 135) and was recently enshrined in the Derby High School Hall of Fame. He went on to wrestle at a four year school before transferring to Labette Community College and Coach Joe Renfro. At Labette, May finished as NJCAA National Runner-up at 141 lbs. in 2004. He then coached under Renfro at Labette for four years before leaving for Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where his parents resided. He then spent four years as an assistant high school coach at Union before eventually leaving to help re-start the NEO program in August of 2013. He left NEO after the 2013-14 season to work outside the wrestling world, but soon found he missed his wrestling and again contacted Coach Renfro. As an assistant he will reside in Russell Hall supervising the wrestling student-athletes. "I love wrestling and have found it my passion and I really can't imagine doing anything else." He will also be enrolled at Missouri Southern University, Joplin, in an effort to finish his undergraduate degree requirements. According to Coach Renfro, "I am excited to welcome Dustin back to our coaching staff. He is an excellent technician and his wrestling knowledge is tremendous. It is also my hope that Dustin will successfully complete his bachelor degree at Missouri Southern."

Singlets from past and present United States Olympic wrestlers The National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum announced that it will be "Celebrating Wrestling at the Olympics" during August, tailoring exhibits to emphasize Olympians and their achievements. "Everyone is excited about the Olympic Games. We are fortunate to have memorabilia from the Olympics dating back to the beginning of the 20th Century, so we thought it was the perfect time to display it," said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the NWHOF. "We even have the medal platform from the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles that visitors can stand on for their own Olympic moment." Visitors can get their picture taken on the medal stand from the 1984 Olympic Games. Thirty-seven Distinguished Members of the Hall of Fame have combined to win 40 gold medals, and gold medals won by Oklahomans Frank Lewis from Cushing in 1936, Doug Blubaugh from Ponca City in 1960, and John Smith from Del City in 1988 and 1992 are all on display. The four World Championship gold medals and the Sullivan Award won by Smith, who is the wrestling coach at Oklahoma State University, are also on display. The gold medal won and the uniform and shoes worn by Brandon Slay in 2000 when he orchestrated one of the biggest upsets in United States wrestling history can also be viewed. Boasting the largest collection of Olympic wrestling uniforms and memorabilia, the museum has singlets from current American Olympians Jordan Burroughs, who won a gold medal in 2012, Adeline Gray and Kyle Snyder as well as Steve Fraser, who won the United States first Greco-Roman gold medal in 1984, and Kenny Monday, who won a gold medal in 1988 and a silver medal in 1992. Children will be able to search exhibits for American flags, and earn a prize for completing the "Flag Find" and additional USA merchandise from Rudis and Cliff Keen has been added to the gift shop. There are portraits of 41 Americans who have won Olympic gold including Oklahoma natives Blubaugh, Kendall Cross, Lewis, Monday, Bobby Pearce, Smith, Jack VanBebber, Wayne Wells, and Shelby Wilson. Replicas of posters from 24 Olympic Games are featured as well as a collection of Olympic jewelry from two-time Olympic gold medalist Bruce Baumgartner. Baumgartner competed in the Olympics 1984, 1988, 1992 and 1996, tying him with Mark Fuller for the most appearances by an American wrestler. There is also a cabinet in the entryway that was crafted by Baumgartner. The lounge area has a floor to ceiling photograph from the 1960 Olympics where wrestling was contested outdoors in the world-famous Coliseum in Rome, Italy, and there is a collection of pins from Olympic and World Championships. The United World Wrestling area features an electronic kiosk with the UWW Hall of Fame, which honors the greatest names in the sport from around the globe, as well as memorabilia. Visitors can also visit the William S. Hein Library which has wrestling books from around the world, including several highlighting the Olympics. The NWHOF reopened in June following a $3.8 million renovation that included a complete demolition and rebuild of the interior. The museum now features interactive exhibits and electronic kiosks, as well as the opportunity to watch NCAA Championship matches from the 1930s to present day. Located on the corner of Hall of Fame Avenue and Duck Street, the museum is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for military veterans and seniors (65 and older), $3 for students and $15 for a family. Children 5 and under and active military with an ID are free. For more information, visit www.nwhof.org or telephone (405) 377-5243. National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum Recognized as America's shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1976 to honor the sport of wrestling, preserve its history, recognize extraordinary individual achievements, and inspire future generations. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has museums in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa. The Stillwater, Oklahoma, location reopened in June 2016 following a $3.8 million renovation and now features interactive exhibits and electronic kiosks, as well as the opportunity to watch NCAA Championship matches from the 1930s to present day. It also has the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors where the greatest names in wrestling are recognized, including iconic granite plaques presented to Distinguished Members since the Hall of Fame opened in 1976. The museum has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world, including the most collegiate and Olympic wrestling uniforms. Wrestling truly is for everyone and the diversity and accessibility of the sport continues to be highlighted through exhibits featuring females, African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Latino Americans. There is also a library featuring historical documents, including NCAA guides and results, as well as books on the sport. For more information about the Hall of Fame, please visit www.NWHOF.org.

Michael Patrovich HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Hofstra University Head Wrestling Coach Dennis Papadatos today announced the appointment of two-time All-American and Hofstra alumnus Michael Patrovich as an assistant coach on the Pride staff. "Bringing Mike back home to Hofstra was extremely important to me," Papadatos said. "I cannot imagine anyone being a better fit for the position here. He is the total package and our coaching and wrestling philosophies go hand in hand. He will have such a positive effect on all aspects of the program, and the community should be thrilled that they can cheer for Mike Patrovich again in his new role of now helping me lead our fine group of young men accomplish their goals. To say I am excited about it would be an extreme understatement. I jumped on the opportunity when it presented itself. I have the highest regard for him and am so pleased to have his help on my staff." Patrovich, who enjoyed a stellar scholastic career at Islip High School as well as an outstanding collegiate career at Hofstra from 2002 through 2007, returns to the Pride after holding several successful scholastic coaching positions since 2008. Patrovich has served as the assistant varsity wrestling coach at Eastport South Manor School from November 2013 through March 2016. In the past three seasons, Eastport South Manor placed seventh in Suffolk County with two county champions and one state champion in 2014, 12th in Suffolk with a county and a state champion in 2015, and fourth in Suffolk with two county and one state champion. Patrovich also served as head varsity wrestling coach at Half Hollow Hills West High School from November 2008 through March 2013 turning the program into a top 10 program. In 2012, Half Hollow Hills West placed 10th in Suffolk County with a county champion and a state finalist. A year later, they placed eighth in Suffolk with a county and a state champion, all program firsts for Half Hollow Hills West. He also served as head varsity football coach at Half Hollow Hills East from 2011 through 2013. A four-time NCAA qualifier at three different weight classes. Patrovich earned All-American honors by placing fourth at 174 pounds in 2006 and sixth at 165 pounds in 2007. During his Hofstra career, he posted a 106-30 record, captured three Colonial Athletic Association individual championships from 2005 through 2007 and earned the CAA Wrestler of the Year award in 2006 and the CAA Championship Most Outstanding Wrestler award in 2007. In 2009, Patrovich was voted to the CAA Silver Anniversary Team. Patrovich was a two-sport standout at Islip High School excelling in wrestling and football. On the mat, he was a four-time All-Suffolk County honoree, a three-time county champion and All-New York State award winner, two-time New York State finalist, 2001 state champion and high school national champion. He also received the 2001 Dellecave Award, presented to the best student-athlete in Suffolk County. On the gridiron, he received all-league and all-county honors and was a finalist for the Hansen Award as the best player in the county. Patrovich is also the owner and head coach of the Barn Brothers/631 Elite Wrestling Club for youth of all ages since 2007. He holds a bachelor's degree in physical education from Hofstra. Patrovich and his wife Jeneane, have three children Trevor (7), Gia (4), Ella (2). The Patrovich family resides in Manorville, NY.

J Robinson and Brandon Eggum (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com) The University of Minnesota today announced that Brandon Eggum has been named the acting head coach of the school's wrestling program. Eggum will assume this new position immediately. "Given the University's internal investigation of Coach Robinson, it is important to have clear and continued leadership as the program prepares for the 2016-17 academic year," said Minnesota Director of Athletics Mark Coyle. "Coach Eggum is an effective leader and will ensure continued stability within the wrestling program." Eggum joined Minnesota's coaching staff in 2001 immediately after finishing his wrestling career with the Gophers. As a wrestler at Minnesota, Eggum was both a four-time letterwinner and a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. He finished his final three seasons as an All-American and won two individual Big Ten titles. He ranks among the program's 20 best all-time in wins and winning percentage. On the international level, Eggum won silver medals at the 2001 World and 2002 Pan American Freestyle Championships. As a coach, Eggum has been with the Minnesota staff for each of the program's three national titles, as well as five Big Ten team championships. Gopher wrestlers have won 27 individual conference crowns and 62 All-America medals with Eggum on staff. He has served as the program's head assistant coach for the past five seasons. The University is conducting an ongoing internal investigation into Head Coach J Robinson and allegations made against him earlier this year. Robinson is currently on administrative leave.

Narsingh Yadav Narsingh Yadav has been cleared by India's National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) disciplinary panel, allowing him to wrestle at the 2016 Rio Olympics Monday, according to multiple media reports. Last week, Narsingh Yadav had been replaced in men's freestyle competition at 74 kilograms/163 pounds by Parveen Rana by the Indian Olympic Association last week. Narsingh then claimed his food supplements and water supply had been sabotaged, and had filed an appeal. "We kept in mind that in the past, till June 2, none of his samples were positive. It was inconceivable that one-time ingestion would be of benefit. Therefore the panel is of the view that the one-time ingestion was not intentional," NADA Director General Naveen Agarwal said. "The panel concludes that the athlete deserves the benefit of article 10.4 of the NADA's anti-doping code. Keeping in view that he was victim of sabotage, the panel exonerates the athlete from charges of anti-doping rules of NADA." Upon learning that he would be wrestling in Rio, Narsingh thanked those who had supported him, and added, "I was sure that I would get justice, that's why I never stopped practicing. I knew it was a conspiracy against me. Hopefully, I will a win a medal in Rio." Narsingh Yadav had been picked by the Wrestling Federation of India instead of two-time Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar for the 2016 Olympics after he had earned a bronze medal at the 2015 World Championships. The Delhi High Court ruled in favor of Narsingh. In reporting today's announcement that Narsingh Yadav would be wrestling in Rio, ESPN wrote, "The theatrics of the episode which played out over the past week could well put a Bollywood potboiler to shame."

Both Tyron Woodley and Lance Palmer won MMA titles over the weekened It was a championship weekend for former NCAA All-American wrestlers Tyron Woodley and Lance Palmer each claimed MMA titles Saturday night. Woodley, a two-time NCAA All-American for the University of Missouri, knocked out Robbie Lawler to win the Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight crown at UFC 201 at Atlanta's Philips Arena ...while Palmer, an Ohio State wrestling alum, won back the World Series of Fighting featherweight title at WSOF 32 at XFINITY Arena in Everett, Wash. Woodley made short work of Robbie Lawler, knocking out the champ with "one crushing right hand" (to quote ESPN.com) at 2:12 of the first round, making it the fastest finish in UFC welterweight title fight history. Saturday marked the fifth knockout of Woodley's UFC career ...while, for Lawler, it was only the second time he had been knocked out in MMA competition (the first time being back in 2004). "I was relaxed in the back," said Woodley, Mizzou's first Big 12 champ. "I was nervous that I wasn't nervous. I knew what Robbie brought to the table. He's a tough competitor. This is not the first fight I would have picked. He's a friend of mine, and I admire his career. Hats off to Robbie. Ever since I stepped in this Octagon, I've had this mission. It feels amazing." "It is what it is," said Lawler, who had held the welterweight belt for a year-and-a-half. "He feinted me, my hand was down and he came over the top and caught me." With the win, Woodley (16-3) becomes the seventh new UFC champ in as many months. Lawler drops to 27-11 overall, with one no-contest. Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the country, Lance Palmer reclaimed the WSOF featherweight title with a majority decision win over Alexandre Almeida in a rematch of previous championship fight at WSOF 26 in December. The judges' scores for the five-round bout were all over the map: 49-46, 48-48 and 50-45. "Although Palmer carries a strong wrestling pedigree, he wasn't able to put it to use," MMAJunkie.com said of the four-time Ohio high school state champ and four-time NCAA All-American for the Buckeyes. "Almeida used his size and length well, similar to the first fight, keeping Palmer's takedowns at bay while throwing strikes from outside range." "The real story of the fight comes from Palmer whose improved footwork and head movement could be seen as the most important aspect of this victory," the official WSOF website wrote . "The Team Alpha Male fighter controlled the octagon, kept a steady pace, picked his shots and kept Almedia at bay most of the fight." Palmer not only gains the title, but improves to 11-2 overall, while Almeida is now 18-6.