InterMat Staff

Lincoln, Neb. -- Eight Huskers earned victories on Friday night to lead No. 12 Nebraska (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) to a 25-6 win over Purdue in the Tumble N’ Rumble event at the Devaney Center. After winning three of the first five matches, NU collected victories in each of the final five bouts to put away the Boilermakers. Sophomore Aaron Studebaker highlighted the night with his 3-1 win over eighth-ranked Braden Atwood at 197 pounds in the ninth match of the dual. In the opening bout, No. 12 Tim Lambert (125) got the Huskers started on the right note with his 7-2 triumph over the Boilermakers’ Luke Welch. No. 12 Anthony Abidin (141) and Justin Arthur (149) strung together back-to-back wins following Eric Montoya’s 5-2 setback to Danny Sabatello at 133 pounds. Abidin earned a takedown in the first stanza before adding an escape in the second period against Nick Lawrence. Abidin rode out Lawrence in the third period to earn a point for riding time in his 4-0 triumph. Abidin improves to 18-2 this season and holds a career dual record of 11-0. Arthur faced a 5-2 deficit against Nelsen heading into the third period, but notched a reversal from the bottom position before a pair of near falls and added a riding time point in his 10-5 win. At 157 pounds, No. 2 James Green suffered his second loss of the season in 20 matches, as he fell in tiebreaker-1 to Doug Welch, 5-4. Austin Wilson (165) responded in the following match with a 7-5 sudden victory over Pat Robinson. No. 1 Robert Kokesh (174), No. 18 TJ Dudley (184), Studebaker each won by decision before No. 17 Collin Jensen finished the dual with a 10-1 major decision over Tyler Kral. The Huskers return to action in two weeks when they travel to Champaign, Ill., to battle Illinois on Friday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. (CT). On Sunday, Jan. 25, Nebraska hosts Rutgers at the Devaney Center at noon on the Big Ten Network. Results: 125: #12 Tim Lambert (NEB) by dec. over Luke Welch (PUR), 7-2 (NEB 3, PUR 0) 133: Danny Sabatello (PUR) by dec. over Eric Montoya (NEB), 5-2 (NEB 3, PUR 3) 141: #12 Anthony Abidin (NEB) by dec. over Nick Lawrence (PUR), 4-0 (NEB 6, PUR 3) 149: Justin Arthur (NEB) by dec. over Brandon Nelsen (PUR), 10-5 (NEB 9, PUR 3) 157: Doug Welch (PUR) by tiebreaker-1 over #2 James Green (NEB), 5-4 (NEB 9, PUR 6) 165: Austin Wilson (NEB) by sudden victory-1 over Pat Robinson (PUR), 7-5 (NEB 12, PUR 6) 174: #1 Robert Kokesh (NEB) by dec. over Chad Welch (PUR), 9-4 (NEB 15, PUR 6) 184: #18 TJ Dudley (NEB) by dec. over Patrick Kissel (PUR), 8-3 (NEB 18, PUR 6) 197: Aaron Studebaker (NEB) by dec. over #8 Braden Atwood (PUR), 3-1 (NEB 21, PUR 6) HWT: #17 Collin Jensen (NEB) by major dec. over Tyler Kral (PUR), 10-1 (NEB 25, PUR 6)

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team, ranked No. 7 in the latest Intermat Tournament Power Index, took care of No. 23 Indiana in front of a sold out Rec Hall crowd on Friday night. Over 6,200 fans packed Rec Hall in the 22nd straight home sell-out for Penn State and watched head coach Cael Sanderson's squad post a dominating 42-3 victory. The dual meet began at 165 where red-shirt freshman Garett Hammond (Chambersburg, Pa.) took on one of the nation's best, No. 4 Taylor Walsh of Indiana. Hammond fell behind early and then mounted a furious comeback, nearly pulling off the upset as the sold out Rec Hall crowd roared. Hammond dropped a hard-fought 9-6 decision, giving Indiana a brief 3-0 lead. Senior Matt Brown (West Valley City, Utah), ranked No. 4 at 174, made short work of that lead, turning a second period takedown into fall over No. 19 Nate Jackson. Brown got the pin at the 4:10 mark and put the Nittany Lions up 6-3. Red-shirt freshman Matt McCutcheon (Apollo, Pa.), ranked No. 16 at 184, followed Brown's pin up with an even quicker fall. The Lion freshman caught Hoosier Jake Masengale from his feet and turned the Hoosier to his back for a first period pin at the 0:55 mark, putting Penn State up 12-3. Junior Morgan McIntosh (Santa Ana, Calif.) ranked No. 4 at 197, posted a 6-3 decision over IU's Luke Sheridan and senior Jon Gingrich (Wingate, Pa) was a 6-2 winner of Indiana's Garret Goldman at 285. Penn State carried an 18-3 lead into the halftime break. Nittany Lion junior Jordan Conaway (Abbottstown, Pa.), ranked No. 8 at 125, received a forfeit victory at 125, giving Penn State a 24-3 lead coming right out of intermission. Sophomore Jimmy Gulibon (Latrobe, Pa.), ranked No. 10 at 133, was dominant, rolling to a 20-4 technical fall over Indiana's Alonzo Shepherd. Red-shirt freshman Kade Moss (South Jordan, Utah) dominated Sean Brown at 141. The Lion rookie rolled out to a big lead and then turned shoulder control into a throw and a pin at the 5:43 mark. Sophomore Zack Beitz (Mifflintown, Pa.), ranked No. 17 at 149, followed that up with a strong 14-4 major decision with over 4:00 in riding time, putting Penn State up 39-3 with one bout left.. At 157, Penn State senior Dylan Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.), ranked No. 8 at 157, capped off the night with a 2-0 win over Alex Gregory. Alton, who returned to action for the first time at the Southern Scuffle on Jan. 1-2, made his first Rec Hall appearance since last year's finale against Clarion. The Nittany Lions posted a gaudy 24-2 edge in takedowns while winning nine of ten bouts. The Lions picked up 15 bonus points off a forfeit, three pins, a tech fall and a major. Penn State is now 6-0 overall, 2-0 in the Big Ten. Indiana falls to 2-3, 0-2 in the conference. Penn State returns to action on Sunday when it visits No. 3 Ohio State for a 2 p.m. dual meet. The Lions' next home dual is set for Sunday, Jan. 18, when they host Purdue for a 1 p.m. start. A limited number of SRO tickets are available for select Penn State Rec Hall dual meets, although the SROs for the Lehigh dual are sold out. For ticket inquiries, call 1-800-NITTANY. Penn State Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via twitter at www.twitter.com/pennstateWREST and on Penn State Wrestling's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling. The 2014-15 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline. Results: 165: #4 Taylor Walsh IND dec. Garett Hammond PSU, 9-6 / 0-3 174: #4 Matt Brown PSU pinned #19 Nate Jackson IND, WBF (4:10) / 6-3 184: #16 Matt McCutcheon PSU pinned Jake Masengale IND, WBF (0:55) / 12-3 197: #4 Morgan McIntosh PSU dec. Luke Sheridan IND, 6-3 / 15-3 285: Jon Gingrich PSU dec. Garret Goldman IND, 6-2 / 18-3 125: #8 Jordan Conaway PSU win by forfeit 24-3 133: #10 Jimmy Gulibon PSU tech fall Alonzo Shepherd IND, 20-4 (TF; 5:53) / 29-3 141: Kade Moss PSU pinned Sean Brown IU, WBF (5:43) / 35-3 149: #17 Zack Beitz PSU maj. dec. Trevor Moody IND, 14-4 / 39-3 157: #8 Dylan Alton PSU dec. Alex Gregory IND, 2-0 / 42-3 Attendance: 6,281 (22nd straight home sell-out) Records: Penn State 6-0, 2-0 B1G; Indiana 2-3, 0-2 B1G Up Next for Penn State: at #3 Ohio State, Sunday, Jan.11 - 2 p.m. BOUT-BY-BOUT: 165: Red-shirt freshman Garett Hammond (Chambersburg, Pa.) met No. 4 Taylor Walsh at 165. Hammond got in on a low single at the 2:37 mark but he Hoosier senior countered for a takedown and a 2-0 lead. Hammond worked to fight off a Walsh turn and forced a stalemate with 1:34 on the clock. Walsh continued a strong ride, however, building up well over 1:00 in riding time. Hammond worked through a turn effort for a reversal to tie the bout at 2-2 with :40 on the clock and then nearly scored on a single leg. Walsh countered another Hammond shot for a takedown and a 5-2 lead after one period. Hammond chose down to start the second period and Walsh was once again strong on top. The Hoosier built up nearly 4:00 in riding time with a full ride out and led 5-2 with 3:58 in riding time after two. Walsh chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 6-2 lead. Hammond turned a fast low single into a takedown, cutting the lead to 6-4 with :55 on the clock. The Lion freshman cut the senior loose to a 7-4 score, looking for another takedown. Hammond got in on a high single, looking to score again and finished off the score with :15 on the clock, cutting Walsh loose and cutting the lead to 8-6. Hammond's comeback was cut short as the clock expired and the freshman dropped a hard fought 9-6 decision. 174: Senior Matt Brown (West Valley City, Utah), ranked No. 4 at 174, met Indiana's Nate Jackson, ranked No. 19, in one of the dual meet's most anticipated match-ups. Brown took Jackson down quickly, taking an early 2-1 lead. Brown controlled Jackson's leg quickly again, steadily working his way to control of the opposite ankle and a 4-1 lead with 1:30 on the clock. Jackson escaped to a 4-2 score with :40 left and immediately turned a low single into a third takedown and a 6-2 lead after the opening period. Brown chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 7-2 lead. He then turned a low single into a fourth takedown to lead 9-2 with nearly 2:00 in riding time just :30 into the second period. The Lion senior worked his way into control of Jackson's legs from the top, leveraging his way to a turn. After a brief reset, Brown got the pin at the 4:10 mark. The fall was the 27th of his career, 15th all-time at Penn State. 184: Red-shirt freshman Matt McCutcheon (Apollo, Pa.), ranked No. 16 at 184, wrestled Indiana's Jake Masengale. McCutcheon wasted no time in bringing the Lion faithful to their feet, locking up the Hoosier's shoulders from a standing position and turning him to his back. Just seconds later, the Penn State freshman got the fall, a first period pin at the 0:55 mark. 197: Junior Morgan McIntosh (Santa Ana, Calif.), ranked No. 4 at 197, took on IU senior Luke Sheridan. McIntosh steadily worked his way into a scoring position on the Hoosier senior, turning a low shot into a takedown and a 2-0 lead two minutes into the bout. McIntosh maintained control of Sheridan for the rest of the period and led 2-0 with 1:11 riding time after one period. The junior chose down to start the second stanza and quickly escaped to a 3-0 lead. McIntosh countered a slight Sheridan shot and opened up a 5-0 lead with a second takedown, this one with just under :30 left in the period. A short ride out gave McIntosh a 5-0 lead with 1:35 in time after two. Sheridan chose down to start the third period and McIntosh began a strong ride, clinching the riding time point before the Hoosier escaped to a 5-1 score. Sheridan notched a counter takedown late but McIntosh notched a 6-3 decision. 285: Senior Jon Gingrich (Wingate, Pa.) met Indiana's Garret Goldman at 285. Gingrich exploded through a low single early, gaining control of Goldman's left leg and picking up the takedown to lead 2-0. The Lion senior then built up a solid riding time edge, working Goldman's chest to the mat for over 2:00 and nearly turning him for back points at the :25 mark. Goldman was able to roll through the move, however, and Gingrich led 2-0 with 2:29 riding time after one. Goldman chose down to start the second period and Gingrich continued to control the action from the top. Gingrich built up over 3:00 in time before Goldman escaped to a 2-1 score. With the riding time point clinched, Gingrich chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 3-1 lead. Looking to pad his lead, Gingrich blew through a low single for a second takedown and a 5-1 lead with 1:10 on the clock. Gingrich then cut Goldman loose with :35 left but Goldman fought off three solid Gingrich shots down the stretch. Gingrich rolled to the 6-2 win with 3:42 in riding time. 125: Junior Jordan Conaway (Abbottstown, Pa.), ranked No. 8 at 125, received a forfeit victory at 125. Conaway improved to 14-2 on the year with the win. 133: Sophomore Jimmy Gulibon (Latrobe, Pa.), ranked No. 10 at 133, met IU's Alonzo Shepherd. Gulibon exploded off the opening whistle, getting in on a single leg and turning it into a takedown and 2-0 lead seconds into the bout. Shepherd escaped only to get quickly taken down and turned by Gulibon. The Lion sophomore picked up three near fall points to lead 7-1, nearly getting the pin at the :40 mark. Gulibon rode Shepherd out and led 7-1 with 2:21 in riding time after one. Shepherd chose down to start the second stanza and escaped to a 7-2 score but Gulibon was quick to answer. The Lion sophomore slid behind the Hoosier for a takedown and a 9-3 lead. He tacked on another takedown with a fast low single to lead 11-3 at the 1:00 mark. After cutting Shepherd loose, Gulibon forced his foe's head to the mat, worked his way around for another takedown and picked up another point on a second Shepherd stall. Leading 14-1 with 3:52 in riding time, Gulibon chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 15-4 lead. He then bolted through a furious shot, taking Shepherd down again and led 17-4. Gulibon then gained control of Shepherd's arm and turned the Hoosier for three near fall points to pick up the 20-4 tech fall at the 5:53 mark. 141: Red-shirt freshman Kade Moss (South Jordan, Utah) faced off against Indiana's Sean Brown at 141. Moss wasted no time taking a lead, turning a low single into a takedown and a 2-1 lead out of the gates. Moss controlled the action in the center of the mat, forcing Brown backwards as he worked to set up his offense. Moss' efforts paid dividends with a second takedown and a 4-1 lead with under 1:00 left in the opening period. Brown was unable to break free of Moss' control and the Lion led 4-1 with 1:06 in riding time after one period. Brown chose down to start the second stanza and escaped to a 4-2 score. But Moss continued to work his offense, scoring again with a shot low at Brown's ankle. The Lion freshman then worked his way into a turning combination, nearly getting the count. But Brown was able to roll through and Moss cut him loose to a 6-3 score with :25 on the clock. Not to be denied, Moss shot low with :10 left and added one more takedown to up his lead to 8-3 after two periods. Moss chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 9-3 lead. Looking for bonus points, Moss caught Brown's shoulders, locked them up, and quickly threw him to the mat for a fast fall at the 5:43 mark. 149: Sophomore Zack Beitz (Mifflintown, Pa.), ranked No. 17 at 149, met Hoosier Trevor Moody. Beitz quickly gained control of the action, taking Moody down for an early 2-0 lead. The Nittany Lion sophomore then put together a strong ride, looking to turn the Hoosier for back points and a possible pin. Beitz steadily worked his way into a big riding time edge, forced Moody into a stall warning, and then cut him loose to a 2-1 lead. He then dove low at Moody's ankle and rolled through another takedown and led 4-2 after another cut. Beitz used a swift ankle pick to open up a 6-2 lead with :30 on the clock and then nearly picked up near fall points with a turn. But the one-count was not enough and Beitz led 6-2 with 2:28 riding time after one period. Moody chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 6-3 lead. Beitz picked up a point on another stall and then took Moody down again for a 9-3 lead with 1:00 on the clock. Beitz rode Moody out again and carried a 9-3 lead with a clinched riding time point (3:51) into the third period. Beitz chose down to start the third period worked his way to a quick reversal and an 11-3 lead. Moody escaped with :45 on the clock but Beitz's offense was relentless. The Lion sophomore picked up one more takedown and rode his way to a 14-4 major decision with 4:33 in riding time. 157: Senior Dylan Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.), ranked No. 8 at 157, wrestled in Rec Hall for the first time this year against IU's Alex Gregory. Alton nearly caught Gregory out of the gates, trying to turn the Hoosier to his back for a fast fall. But Gregory fought off the move and action resumed in the center circle tied 0-0. The duo then battled evenly for over a minute, with neither man finding an opening. Scoreless after one period, Alton chose down to start the second stanza and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. After a scoreless minute-plus, Alton blew through a high double, looking to notch the bout's first takedown. But Gregory used a solid whizzer to fight off the shot and keep the score at 1-0 after two periods. Gregory chose down to start the third period but Alton was strong on top. The Lion senior maintained control of the Hoosier, breaking him down and forcing his chest to the mat as he built up riding time. Alton built his time edge up over 1:00 and kept control of Gregory. Gregory got to his feet with :45 left, but Alton was too strong, forcing him back down and flattening his chest to the mat. Alton maintained control for the full 2:00 and, with the riding time point, posted the 2-0 win.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Senior Spencer Myers was victorious in his return to the mat as the Maryland wrestling team defeated Harvard, 21-18, in front of 2,091 spectaculars at the inaugural Beauty and the Beast event at the XFINITY Center Friday night. Completing simultaneously with the Maryland gymnastics team, the Terps (5-7, 0-3 Big Ten) jumped out to an 18-6 lead at intermission against the Crimson (0-1). The dual ended up tied going into the heavyweight bout when Myers, an All-American, defeated David Ng by decision to give the Terps thevictory. “We got some hard fought wins tonight,” head coach Kerry McCoy said. “Spencer coming off football, we knew conditioning was going to be a factor and he wrestled a tough kid. He got it done. It was a great overall team performance and I’m excited to get the win.” After Harvard forfeited the opening match at 125 pounds, redshirt junior Geoffrey Alexander put forth a dominant performance at 133, defeating Ryan Osleeb, 15-0. A five-point move in the first period put the Pittsburgh native in control. In a matchup of ranked foes at 141 pounds, Todd Preston put Harvard on the board with a 4-0 win over sophomore Shyheim Brown. RJ De George got theTerps back on track at 149. Wrestling his first career dual match, the redshirt sophomore edged Colby Knight, 3-1. After an impressive showing at the Midlands Championships, redshirt junior Lou Macola continued his roll with a 17-3 win over Tyler Tarsi. At 165 pounds, Tyler Grimaldi started the Crimson comeback with a 10-4 decision win against sophomore Tyler Manion. Junior Josh Snook was unable to stop the Harvard run, falling to Josef Johnson in a match decided by riding time. Michael Mocco then pinned juniorSean O’Malley at 4:16 to make the score 18-15. James Fox tied the match for Harvard with a 4-0 win over Rob Fitzgerald to set up the decider at heavyweight. After notching an escape to begin thesecond period, Myers was able to ride out Ng in the third to seal the dual for the Terps. Maryland returns to action this Sunday at the XFINITY Center. The Terps will take on Navy (3 p.m.) and Lehigh (5 p.m). Results: 125: Josh Polacek (MD) wins by forfeit (6-0) 133: No. 14 Geoffrey Alexander (MD) technical fall over Ryan Osleeb (H), 15-0 (11-0) 141: No. 15 Todd Preston (H) decision over No. 16 Shyheim Brown (MD), 4-0 (11-3) 149: RJ De George (MD) decision over Colby Knight (H), 3-1 (14-3) 157: Lou Mascola (MD) major decision over Tyler Tarsi (H), 17-3 (18-3) 165: Tyler Grimaldi (H) decision over Tyler Manion (MD), 10-4 (18-6) 174: Josef Johnson (H) decision over Josh Snook (MD), 4-3 (18-9) 184: Michael Mocco (H) fall over Sean O’Malley (MD), 4:16 (18-15) 197: No. 8 James Fox (H) decision over Rob Fitzgerald (MD), 4-0 (18-18) 285: Spencer Myers (MD) decision over David Ng (H), 2-0 (21-18)

EVANSTON, Ill.-- No. 20 Wisconsin was fueled by two top-10 match wins and three pins as it defeated No. 18 Northwestern, 30-16, Friday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena. In the first match of the night, Rylan Lubeck faced 2014 NCAA champion and 2014 Big Ten champion, Jason Tsirtis. Top-ranked Tsirtis had the first takedown of the night to take an early 2-0 lead on Lubeck in the first period. Lubeck managed an escape in the third period, but it wasn’t enough as Tsirtis answered with another takedown to finish the match, 5-1, and gave Northwestern an early 3-0 advantage. In all too familiar fashion, Jarod Donar met up with Ben Sullivan at 157 lbs. The two had faced each other a little over a week ago at the Midlands Championships. Donar started with a quick takedown and led 2-0 after the first period. In the second period, Sullivan did a reversal for two points. Donar followed up with an escape and led 3-2 at the end of the second. Donar logged the first of many wins on the night for the Badgers after tallying a fall over Sullivan at 5:30. It was an All-American match up when No. 3 Isaac Jordan lit up the mat with No. 7 Pierce Harger at 165 lbs. Jordan didn’t allow the bout to last long and registered a pin at 2:21. Jordan recorded his sixth pin of the season and defeated his fifth ranked opponent this season. Wisconsin took an 18-3 advantage after the Wildcats forfeited at 174 lbs. Ricky Robertson took to the mat against Mitch Sliga at 184 lbs. After going scoreless in the first period, Robertson took a 3-0 lead with an escape and takedown in the second period. He finished with a 4-0 decision after gaining a point from riding time, giving the Badgers a 21-3 advantage at intermission. No. 10 Timmy McCall dropped a 7-6 decision to Northwestern’s Alex Polizzi despite keeping it a close match throughout all three periods. In the most anticipated match of the night, No. 5 Connor Medbery matched up against No. 2 Mike McMullan at heavyweight. The top-five showdown definitely lived up to the hype. Medbery wasted no time getting started and posted a takedown in the first minute of the first period. Medbery started the second period on the bottom and managed a quick escape. McMullan tied it up with a takedown, but Medbery escaped, giving him a 4-3 advantage. McMullan escaped at the start of the third to tie it up again at 4-4. It was back-and-forth the entire bout, as Medbery had another takedown in third that was only followed by a two-point reversal from McMullan. McMullan could not hold on, as Medbery escaped in the last 30 seconds of the bout and sealed the deal, 7-6. Medbery won his biggest challenge of the season and took down his second ranked opponent of the season. At 125 lbs., Ryan Taylor posted Wisconsin’s third pin of the night at 5:47 over No. 20 Dominick Malone giving UW a secure 30-12 lead over the Wildcats. Jesse Thielke fell by a 16-5 major decision to NU’s Jameston Oster in the last bout of the night. Wisconsin returns home for the first time in exactly a month to host Purdue 1 p.m. Sunday at the UW Fieldhouse. Results: 149 #1 Jason Tsirtis (NU) dec. Rylan Lubeck (WIS), 6-1 0 3 157 Jarod Donar (WIS) fall Ben Sullivan (NU), 5:30 6 3 165 #3 Isaac Jordan (WIS) fall #7 Pierce Harger (NU), 2:21 12 3 174 #18 Frank Cousins (WIS) win by forfeit 18 3 184 Ricky Robertson (WIS) dec. Mitch Sliga (NU), 4-0 21 3 197 #12 Alex Polizzi (NU) dec. #10 Timmy McCall (WIS), 7-6 21 6 HWT No. 5 Connor Medbery dec. No. 2 Mike McMullan (NU), 7-6 24 12 125 Garrison White (NU) win by forfeit 24 12 133 #14 Ryan Taylor (WIS) fall #20 Dominick Malone (NU), 5:47 30 12 141 Jameson Oster (NU) maj. dec. Jesse Thielke (WIS), 16-5 30 16

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The No. 16 Virginia wrestling team won both of its pool-play matches Friday in the Virginia Duals at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Va. Virginia (7-2) opened with a 38-6 win over The Citadel before clinching the Poquoson River Pool with a 20-15 victory over No. 17 Rider. Virginia will compete in the Gold bracket on Saturday, which features winners of each of the tournament’s four pools. UVa will wrestle No. 10 Edinboro at 2 p.m. and then will take on either No. 6 Virginia Tech or No. 24 Old Dominion at 8:30 p.m. in the championship or third-place match. FloWrestling will broadcast the Virginia Duals through its subscription service FloPro. Links to the broadcast as well as live results will be available on VirginiaSports.com. “I'm so proud of the ways the guys fought today,” Virginia head coach Steve Garland said. “Starting with Nick Herrmann, who came all the way back from a 7-1 deficit against Rider and then George DiCamillo fought off his back and came back to beat a highly ranked guy. It was big to get Blaise Butler back in the lineup and he got the pin that iced the Rider match after all the time off. It was just a great day. These guys have gone through a lot the last week and a half and I am so proud of the way we responded. We have another great team tomorrow at 2 p.m. though, so it’s time to refocus.” After missing the last month with an injury, fifth-ranked Blaise Butler (R-Jr., Belvidere, Ill.) returned to his starting spot at 174 pounds with a vengeance, pinning both of his opponents. Second-ranked Nick Sulzer dominated in recording a tech fall and major decision at 165, while Nick Herrmann (Jr., Amarillo, Texas), No. 17 George DiCamillo (R-So., Highland Heights, Ohio) and No. 20 Zach Nye (R-Jr., Enola, Pa.) each won both of their matches at 125, 133 and 197, respectively. Virginia finished the day with a 20-15 win over Rider (7-2), which is ranked as high as 10th nationally. UVa scored a pair of comeback win to open dual and set the tone for the match. Herrmann rallied from a 7-1 first-period deficit to record an 11-9 win over JR Wert in sudden-victory time. DiCamillo fell in an early 5-0 hole when he was taken then and then put on his back and nearly pinned, but he battled back for a 10-6 triumph over Robert Deutsch. After Rider won the next three matches to take a 9-6 advantage, the Cavaliers got bonus-point wins from Sulzer and Butler to take the lead for good. Sulzer won by a 16-4 major decision over Curt Delia, and Butler followed with a pin of Ryan Wolfe, giving UVa a 16-9 lead. Nye clinched the dual with an 8-0 major decision over Jeff McElwee at 197. In its first match Friday, Virginia scored six bonus-point wins among its eight victories in rolling to a 38-6 win over The Citadel (2-1). The Cavaliers got pins from DiCamillo, Andrew Atkinson (R-Fr., Lynchburg, Va.) and Butler at 133, 157 and 174, respectively. Sulzer and Tyler Askey (R-Fr., Newnan, Ga.) picked up technical falls at 165 and 184, respectively, while Patrick Gillen (R-Jr., Shelton, Conn.) scored a major decision at heavyweight. No. 16 Virginia 38, The Citadel 6 125: Nick Herrmann (Virginia) dec. Joaquin Marquez (The Citadel), 5-2; UVa 3-0 133: No. 17 George DiCamillo (Virginia) pinned Aaron Hansen (The Citadel), 1:35; UVa 9-0 141: Ty Buckison (The Citadel) dec. Justin VanHoose (Virginia), 3-1; UVa 9-3 149: Matthew Frisch (The Citadel) dec. TJ Miller (Virginia), 8-3; UVa 9-6 157: Andrew Atkinson (Virginia) pinned Aaron Walker (The Citadel), 2:27; UVa 15-6 165: No. 2 Nick Sulzer (Virginia) tech fall Will Connell (The Citadel), 17-2; UVa 20-6 174: No. 5 Blaise Butler (Virginia) pinned Kenneth Radford (The Citadel), 5:56; UVa 26-6 184: Tyler Askey (Virginia) tech fall Kendal Hennings (The Citadel), 16-0; UVa 31-6 197: No. 20 Zach Nye (Virginia) dec. Marshall Haas (The Citadel), 3-0; UVa 34-6 285: Patrick Gillen (Virginia) major dec. Joe Bexley (The Citadel), 13-1; UVa 38-6 No. 16 Virginia 20, No. 17 Rider 15 125: Nick Herrmann (Virginia) dec. JR Wert (Rider), 11-9 (SV); UVa 3-0 133: No. 17 George DiCamillo (Virginia) dec. Robert Deutsch (Rider), 10-6; UVa 6-0 141: Chuck Zeisloft (Rider) dec. Justin VanHoose (Virginia); 9-4; UVa 6-3 149: Bryant Clagon (Rider) dec. No. 11 Gus Sako (Virginia), 3-1; tied 6-6 157: No. 20 Chad Walsh (Rider) dec. Andrew Atkinson (Virginia), 3-1 (SV); Rider 9-6 165: No. 2 Nick Sulzer (Virginia) major dec. Curt Delia (Rider), 16-4; UVa 10-9 174: No. 5 Blaise Butler (Virginia) pinned Ryan Wolfe (Rider), 4:52; UVa 16-9 184: Clint Morrison (Rider) dec. Tyler Askey (Virginia), 3-1; UVa 16-12 197: No. 20 Zach Nye (Virginia) major dec. Jeff McElwee (Rider), 8-0; UVa 20-12 285: Greg Velasco (Rider) dec. Collin Campbell (Virginia), 2-1; UVa 20-15 **Individual rankings according to InterMat

HAMPTON, Va. -- With Edinboro's lineup depleted coming into the 2015 Virginia Duals, the Fighting Scots needed someone to step up on Friday. That's just what Patrick Jennings did. The redshirt junior picked up two key wins to help the tenth-ranked Fighting Scots defeat Chattanooga 21-17 and West Virginia 21-16. The two wins helped Edinboro capture the James River Pool and advance to Saturday's semifinals. They will face 16th-ranked Virginia in a rematch of last year's finals. The Cavaliers edged Edinboro 20-19 a year ago. Virginia Tech, ranked sixth, faces 24th-ranked Old Dominion in the other semifinal. The Fighting Scots had been missing Austin Matthews at 157 lbs. for over a month, and Zach Towers, the starter at 174 lbs., has missed several matches recently. Now they must also make up for the loss of two-time All-American A.J. Schopp at 133 lbs. Jennings won by fall over Chattanooga's Levi Clemons, pinning the Moc at 2:25. He then rallied for a 7-6 decision over West Virginia's Weston Vonegidy, gaining the winning point on riding time after knotting the match with a takedown with 33 seconds remaining. The Fighting Scots also received the usual strong efforts from Mitchell Port, Dave Habat and Vic Avery. Port and Habat won by major decisions against Chattanooga and picked up falls against the Mountaineers. Avery added a major decision against the Mocs. #10 EDINBORO 21, CHATTANOOGA 17 Edinboro lost the first two matches and the last two, but in between won five of six to edge Chattanooga. Four of those five wins were by bonus points, with Jennings winning by fall at 174 lbs. and Mitchell (141 lbs.), Dave Habat (149 lbs.) and Vic Avery (184) claiming major decisions. The lone match pitting ranked wrestlers got the match underway, with tenth-ranked Sean Boyle defeating 19th-ranked Kory Mines 5-2 at 125 lbs. Boyle won thanks to takedowns in the first and second periods. Nick Soto, ranked 16th at 133 lbs., rudely welcomed Anthony Rivera to the Edinboro lineup as Rivera suffered a 20-4 loss by technical fall in his first match replacing All-American A.J. Schopp. Port, ranked second at 141 lbs., followed with a 12-1 major decision against Mike Pongracz and third-ranked Dave Habat won a 14-5 major decision at 149 lbs. over Shawn Greevy. Kasey Burnett-Davis, who made his return to the lineup after missing the Midlands Championships, lost 7-6 on a takedown with three seconds to go to Austin Sams to make give the Mocs an 11-8 lead. Casey Fuller returned the favor with a takedown with 26 seconds to go plus riding time for an 8-6 decision over Justin Lampe at 165 lbs. Jennings followed with his fall at 2:25 over Clemons to give Edinboro the lead for good. Avery, ranked 12th at 184 lbs., followed with 13-1 major decision over John Schrader. That gave the Scots the necessary cushion as Chattanooga won the final two bouts. Vince Pickett dropped a 6-4 decision in sudden victory to Scottie Boykin, and Jared Johnson handed Warren Bosch a 7-2 defeat at heavyweight. #10 EDINBORO 21, CHATTANOOGA 17 125 -- #10 Sean Boyle (UTC) dec. #19 Kory Mines (EU) 5-2 133 -- #16 Nick Soto (UTC) tech. fall Anthony Rivera (EU) 20-4 141 -- #2 Mitchell Port (EU) maj. dec. Mike Pongracz (UTC) 12-1 149 -- #3 Dave Habat (EU) maj. dec. Shawn Greevy (UTC) 14-5 157 -- Austin Sams (UTC) dec. Kasey Burnett-Davis (EU) 7-6 165 – Casey Fuller (EU) dec. Justin Lampe (UTC) 8-6 174 – Patrick Jennings (EU) fall over Levi Clemons (UTC) 2:25 184 -- #12 Vic Avery (EU) maj. dec. John Shrader (UTC) 13-1 197 – Scottie Boykin (UTC) dec. Vince Pickett (EU) 6-4 sv Hwt – Jared Johnson (UTC) dec. Warren Bosch (EU) 7-2 #10 EDINBORO 21, WEST VIRGINIA 16 Mines got the Scots off to a fast start with a 6-4 sudden victory decision over Zeke Moisey at 125 lbs. Moisey had defeated Boyle earlier in the day. Mines improved to 20-6 thanks to a takedown five seconds into overtime. It was his 75th career win. Cory Stainbrook won a 10-2 major decision over Rivera (3-6), but Port and Habat won by second period falls. Port, now 22-0 and 118-15 for his career, disposed of 11th-ranked Mike Morales at 4:26. Habat boosted his records to 21-1 and 119-25, respectively, with a fall at 4:52 over Louis Colonna. West Virginia would close to 15-10 with decisions at 157 and 165 lbs. Brutus Scheffel won a 5-2 decision over Burnett-Davis (10-8) and Ross Renzi won a 6-4 decision over Fuller (14-8) with a takedown with 13 seconds to go. Jennings trailed 6-4 late in his match with Weston Vonegidy. He would use the takedown with 33 seconds to go to barely gain riding time while improving to 20-7. Avery is now 18-5 after using a first period takedown, a third period escape and riding time for a 4-1 decision over Bubba Scheffel. West Virginia was unable to come up with the necessary falls in the last two matches to upset the Scots, winning both by decision. Pickett would lose his sixth straight match to fall to 12-10 with a 5-2 loss to Jake A. Smith, and Warren Bosch (10-1) was a 6-4 loser to Anthony Viczcarrondo at heavyweight. #10 EDINBORO 21, WEST VIRGINIA 16 125 -- #19 Kory Mines (EU) dec. Zeke Moisey (WVU) 6-4 sv 133 – Cory Stainbrook (WVU) maj. dec. Anthony Rivera (EU) 10-2 141 -- #2 Mitchell Port (EU) fall over #11 Mike M orales (WVU) 4:26 149 -- #3 Dave Habat (EU) fall over Louis Colonna (WVU) 4:52 157 – Brutus Scheffel (WVU) dec. Kasey Burnett-Davis (EU) 5-2 165 – Ross Renzi (WVU) dec. Casey Fuller (EU) 6-4 174 – Patrick Jennings (EU) dec. Weston Vonegidy (WVU) 7-6 184 -- #12 Vic Avery (EU) dec. Bubba Scheffel (WVU) 4-1 197 – Jake A. Smith (WVU) dec. Vince Pickett (EU) 5-2 Hwt – Anthony Viczcarrondo (WVU) dec. Warren Bosch (EU) 6-4

HAMPTON, Va. -- The 18th-ranked Old Dominion Monarchs advanced to the Gold Bracket as the No. 4 seed after defeating Nebraska-Kearney and No. 25 Bucknell on Friday. The Monarchs will take on No. 6 Virginia Tech tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. in the semifinal round on mat two. In the first match of the day against Nebraska-Kearney, the third-ranked team in Division II, Old Dominion won nine out of the 10 matches to defeat the Lopers 39-6. No. 16 Brandon Jeske started the match off strong at 125 lbs., winning by tech fall (17-2) over junior Connor Bolling, who was the Division II NCAA Regionals runner-up last season. At 149 lbs., No. 6 Chris Mecate was challenged by redshirt-sophomore Keith Surber, but Mecate came out with the 6-0 decision. No. 10 Alexander Richardson recorded the first fall of the day by pinning Destin McCauley at 149 lbs., a Nebraska transfer and a NCAA Regional participant. TC Warner took to the mat against All-American Chase White in the 157 lbs. bout and defeated the MIAA runner-up by a 3-0 decision. No. 15 Tristan Warner continued to shine at 165 lbs., taking down Devin Aguirre by a fall at 2:35. After six bouts, the Monarchs led UNK by a score of 22-6. Austin Coburn was up next at 174 lbs., where he took down Casey Powell by a 9-1 major decision. All-American Jack Dechow (184 lbs.), No. 26 Kevin Beazley (197 lbs.) and Matt Tourdot (HWT) closed out the match for the Monarchs. No. 2 Dechow notched a 16-1 tech fall over Chance Bila, while Beazley recorded a 6-4 sudden-victory win over two-time national champion, Romero Cotton. Tourdot won the last bout of the match by a 17-0 tech fall over Ivan DeLeon. Old Dominion returned to the mat just 30 minutes after the match with Nebraska Kearney ended to take on 25th-ranked Bucknell. Jeske once again set the tone for the match, winning the 125 lbs. bout by fall (4:36) over NCAA qualifer and No. 14 Paul Petrov. After ODU dropped the 133 lbs. match, Mecate (141 lbs.) came out strong with a 12-3 major decision over Tyler Smith. Richardson picked up another win for the Monarchs, this time defeating Victor Lopez 4-2 in sudden victory. TC Warner suffered a loss to Rustin Barrick at 157 lbs., bringing the score 13-6 in favor of ODU. Tristan Warner dominated the 165 lbs. bout, taking down Connor Wagh by a 17-1 tech fall. Coburn, Dechow and Beazley recorded the last three wins for ODU to secure the 27-10 over No. 25 Bucknell. Coburn won by an 8-2 decision over Joey Krulock, while Dechow defeated Thomas Sleigh by an 8-3 decision. Beazley notched a 5-3 decision over Tyler Lyster snapping his seven-bout winning streak and giving the Monarchs a 27-6 advantage heading into the heavyweight bout. Tourdot fell to No. 18 Joe Stolfi in the final match of the day by a 10-2 decision, but Old Dominion defeated the Bison to advance to the gold bracket held tomorrow afternoon. The Monarchs will face No. 6 Virginia Tech in the semifinals at 2:00 pm tomorrow. Live results can be found on trackwrestling.com and a live feed can be found on Flowrestling.com FloPro service. For an in depth look to everything Monarchs Wrestling, make sure to follow the team on Facebook, Twitter (@ODUWrestling) and YouTube and on ODUsports.com. Fans can join in on the conversation by using the hashtag #ODUWREST. Match #1: Old Dominion defeated Nebraska-Kearney 39-6 125 - Brandon Jeske (Old Dominion) over Connor Bolling (Nebraska-Kearney) TF 17-2 133 - Daniel DeShazer (Nebraska-Kearney) over Michael Hayes (Old Dominion) Fall 5:11 141 - Chris Mecate (Old Dominion) over Keith Surber (Nebraska-Kearney) Dec 6-0 149 - Alexander Richardson (Old Dominion) over Destin McCauley (Nebraska-Kearney) Fall 4:45 157 - TC Warner (Old Dominion) over Chase White (Nebraska-Kearney) Dec 3-0 165 - Tristan Warner (Old Dominion) over Devin Aguirre (Nebraska-Kearney) Fall 2:35 174 - Austin Coburn (Old Dominion) over Casey Powell (Nebraska-Kearney) Maj 9-1 184 - Jack Dechow (Old Dominion) over Chance Bila (Nebraska-Kearney) TF 16-1 197 - Kevin Beazley (Old Dominion) over Romero Cotton (Nebraska-Kearney) SV-1 6-4 285 - Matt Tourdot (Old Dominion) over Ivan DeLeon (Nebraska-Kearney) TF 17-0 Old Dominion's team score was adjusted by -1.000 for unsportsmanlike like conduct Match #2: Old Dominion defeated Bucknell 27-10 125 - Brandon Jeske (Old Dominion) over Paul Petrov (Bucknell) Fall 4:36 133 - Grimaldi Gonzalez (Bucknell) over Michael Hayes (Old Dominion) Dec 3-1 141 - Chris Mecate (Old Dominion) over Tyler Smith (Bucknell) Maj 12-3 149 - Alexander Richardson (Old Dominion) over Victor Lopez (Bucknell) SV-1 4-2 157 - Rustin Barrick (Bucknell) over TC Warner (Old Dominion) Dec 7-4 165 - Tristan Warner (Old Dominion) over Connor Wagh (Bucknell) TF 17-1 174 - Austin Coburn (Old Dominion) over Joey Krulock (Bucknell) Dec 8-2 184 - Jack Dechow (Old Dominion) over Thomas Sleigh (Bucknell) Dec 8-3 197 - Kevin Beazley (Old Dominion) over Tyler Lyster (Bucknell) Dec 5-3 285 - Joe Stolfi (Bucknell) over Matt Tourdot (Old Dominion) Maj 10-2

HAMPTON, Va. -- Behind a pair of pins from freshman Zach Epperly, the sixth-ranked Virginia Tech wrestling team won a pair of matches in pool play at the Virginia Duals Friday, defeating Kent State 29-15 and Arizona State, 25-15 inside ! the Hampton Coliseum. For Tech (6-1), Joey Dance, Devin Carter, Epperly and Ty Walz all won both of their matches on the day. “Overall, we weren’t very good today,” said Tech head coach Kevin Dresser. “We made too many dumb mistakes that cost us at 133 pounds against Kent State and then again at 149 and 197 pounds against Arizona State. We have to come ready to fist fight for as long as it takes.” With the wins, the Hokies advance to Saturday’s gold pool, where they will take on No. 22 Old Dominion on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the semifinals. Video is available for a fee on FloWrestling and free live stats are available through TrackWrestling. Tech is scheduled to be on Mat 2 once again. #6 Virginia Tech (5-1) 29, Kent State (4-6) 15 125: #4 Joey Dance (VT) dec. Del Vinas, 8-3 133: #13 Mack McGuire (KSU) fall #19 Kevin Norstrem, 4:06 141: #3 Devin Carter (VT) tech fall Chance Driscoll, 29-14 (6:06) 149: #14 Sal Mastriani (VT) fall Mike DePalma, 2:05 157: Jake Spengler (VT) dec. Andrew Candiello, 14-7 165: Tyler Buckwalter (KSU) dec. Chad Strube, 7-1 174: #10 Zach Epperly (VT) fall Jerald Spohn, 2:11 184: Austin Gabel (VT) dec. Mike Vollannt, 8-3 197: Cole Baxter (KSU) fall Jared Haught, 1:40 285: #7 Ty Walz (VT) dec. Mimmo Lytle, 5-0 #6 Virginia Tech (6-1) 25, Arizona State (4-4) 15 125: #4 Joey Dance (VT) dec. Ares Carpio, 6-3 133: #19 Kevin Norstrem (VT) dec. Judson Preskitt, 5-4 141: #3 Devin Carter (VT) maj. dec. Matt Kraus, 14-4 149: Christian Pagdilao (ASU) dec. #14 Sal Mastriani, 7-2 157: Oliver Pierce (ASU) dec. Jake Spengler, 4-2 165: Chad Strube (VT) fall Jacen Petersen (ASU), 2:28 174: #10 Zach Epperly (VT) fall Ray Waters (ASU), 3:33 184: #2 Blake Stauffer (ASU) dec. Austin Gabel, 3-1 197: Josh DaSilveira (ASU) fall Jared Haught, 5:32 285: #7 Ty Walz (VT) dec. Chace Eskam, 7-6

Clarion, Pa. -- The Ohio wrestling team (4-2, 0-1 MAC) opened the 2015 calendar year with a 42-5 win over the Clarion Golden Eagles on Thursday evening in Clarion, Pa. in the Waldo S. Tippin Gym. The Bobcats won all but one of the bouts, recording four pins, two tech. falls, one major decision and three decisions to account for their victory. Ohio took an early 9-0 lead over Clarion in the first two duels, with redshirt freshmen Zac Hassan (Wheaton, Ill.) earning a 10-7 decision and junior Kagan Squire (Wadsworth, Ohio) pinning Seth Carr in 2:33. The pin was Squires first of the season as he improved his record to 10-6. The Golden Eagles responded at the 141-class, with Sam Sherlock posting a tech. fall over Joel Shump in 5:23. The Bobcats mirrored Clarion, with redshirt junior No. 9 Tywan Claxton recording a tech. fall in 5:18 over Brodie Zacheri. The win marks Claxton’s sixth-consecutive triumph, improving his overall record to 19-1. The momentum continued for Ohio, with redshirt junior Spartak Chino (Wheaton Ill.), redshirt senior No. 20 Harrison Hightower (Strongsville, Ohio) and redshirt junior No. 11 Cody Walters (Macedonia, Ohio) pinning their respective opponents. Chino improved his overall record to 11-6, while Hightower earned his fifth-consecutive victory and increased his season record to 16-6. Walter’s win marks his 13th consecutive triumph, improving his record to 19-1. The Bobcats continued to sweep the remaining weight classes, solidifying their 42-5 victory. Results: 125: Zac Hassan (Ohio) dec. over Hunter Jones (Clarion), 10-7 (Ohio 3, Clarion 0) 133: Kagan Squire (Ohio) pinned Seth Carr (Clarion), 2:33 (Ohio 9, Clarion 0) 141: Sam Sherlock (Clarion) tech. fall over Joel Shump (Ohio), 21-5 5:23 (Ohio 9, Clarion 5) 149: No. 9 Tywan Claxton (Ohio) tech. fall over Brodie Zacheri (Clarion), 16-0 5:18 (Ohio 14, Clarion 5) 157: Spartak Chino (Ohio) pinned Evan Delong (Clarion), 4:00 (Ohio 20, Clarion 5) 165: No. 20 Harrison Hightower (Ohio) pinned Kyle Braddock (Clarion), 2:27 (Ohio 26, Clarion 5) 174: No. 11 Cody Walters (Ohio) pinned Michael Pavasko (Clarion), 3:59 (Ohio 32, Clarion 5) 184: Andrew Romanchik (Ohio) dec. with riding time over Danny Sutherland (Clarion), 2-0 (Ohio 35, Clarion 5) 197: No. 17 Phil Wellington (Ohio) major dec. Ryan Darch (Clarion), 13-4 (Ohio 39, Clarion 5) HWT: Jesse Webb (Ohio) overtime dec. over Evan Daley (Clarion), 4-2 (Ohio 42, Clarion 5) Up Next for the Bobcats Ohio will return to the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio to take on Central Michigan (2-4, 2-0 MAC) at 7 p.m. The Chippewas take on the Bobcats following a 13th place finish at the Southern Scuffle on Jan. 1 & 2 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Two CMU grapplers placed in the top ten of their weight class, with No. 13 Zach Horan finishing fourth at 141 and Colin Heffernan placing eighth at 149.

WASHINGTON -- Fueled by three falls, the University of Oklahoma wrestling team defeated American, 30-13, Thursday night inside Bender Arena. The Sooners fell in an early 7-0 hole after dropping the first two matches but went on to secure seven of the final eight bouts to grab their first dual win since Nov. 1, improving to 4-4 on the season. "It was a good win for us," said OU head coach Mark Cody, who served at the helm of American from 2002-11. "They have a good, well-coached team. We avenged losses at 149 and 157 (from the Aloha Open), and those two individuals stuck to a solid strategy. Our conditioning looked good, but we still have some work to do on our technical skills." The dual started at 125 pounds, where American’s 18th-ranked David Terao defeated OU freshman Ryan Millhof by a 7-4 decision. American’s Josh Terao then topped sophomore Sean Williams by decision, 10-1, at 133 pounds. OU’s first win of the day came at 141 pounds from freshman Trae Blackwell, who tallied a 7-5 decision of American freshman Michael Sprague. The Sooners then took the lead, which they would hold for the rest of the contest, behind a Shayne Tucker fall at 149 pounds. The redshirt freshman caught sophomore Tom Page in the second period, pinning him in 3:32. Thirteenth-ranked Justin DeAngelis moved to 13-3 for his redshirt senior campaign with a 3-2 decision of American junior John Boyle at 157 pounds, while OU redshirt sophomore Clark Glass downed sophomore Brad Mutchnik by decision, 8-2. The 174-pound bout pitted OU redshirt sophomore Matt Reed against American freshman Nick Carey. Reed pinned Carey in 0:25, building the Sooners’ advantage to 21-7. American returned the favor at 184 pounds when sophomore Jason Grimes pinned Brooks Climmons in 1:21. The Sooners then closed the dual with two wins from freshman Andrew Dixon and redshirt sophomore Ross Larson. At 197 pounds, Dixon tallied a 7-3 decision of sophomore Brett Dempsey before Larson, ranked No. 12 by InterMat, posted his team-high 13th fall of the season, doing so in 0:44 against freshman Scot Augustine at heavyweight. Up next, the Sooners will face Hofstra at noon CT on Sunday, Jan. 11, in Long Island, N.Y. The dual will be the last in a string of road competitions for OU before it returns to Norman on Friday, Jan. 16, to begin a six-dual home stretch. Results: 125 No. 18 David Terao dec. Ryan Millhof, 7-4 133 Josh Terao maj. dec. Sean Williams, 10-1 141 Trae Blackwell dec. Michael Sprague, 7-5 149 Shayne Tucker fall Tom Page, 3:32 157 No. 13 Justin DeAngelis dec. John Boyle, 3-2 165 Clark Glass dec. Brad Mutchnik, 8-2 174 Matt Reed fall Nick Carey, 0:25 184 Jason Grimes fall Brooks Climmons, 1:21 197 Andrew Dixon dec. Brett Dempsey, 7-3 HWT No. 12 Ross Larson fall Scot Augustine, 0:44

The ink was barely dry on the UFC 182 post mortem pieces before news came out that Jon Jones would go straight from defending his light heavyweight title into rehab. But on the bright side, his positive drug test appears to come with a lot less punishment than some of his fellow fighters have endured. Also, Donald Cerrone kicked Myles Jury's butt (literally and figuratively) and decided it was easy enough to take a rematch with Ben Henderson just two weeks later. All that and then some on this week's episode. Do you want to listen to a past episode? Access archives.

Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier faced off Saturday night for the light heavyweight title of the world. While most wrestling fans on social media were pulling for Cormier, it was Jones who won the fight, even taking down the two-time Olympic wrestler on three occasions. That Cormier lost was a disappointment to many wrestling fans, but the class with which he handled the setback and the deluge of personal attacks by Jones exemplified the wrestler's class. Cormier showed fans the means to improve not through blustery proclamations, but in the honest, eye-piercing and resolute determination of a wrestler. Cormier showed the sporting world that character can trump accomplishment. Daniel Cormier at the United 4 Wrestling event in 2013(Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)That was an important character to own this week when it was reported that Jones had tested positive for cocaine in the month leading up to his title fight. Again, despite having an opening to take advantage of Jones' misfortune, Cormier responded with an earnest and well-described wish for his recovery. In the torrent of news about Jones and the cocaine abuse (not to mention VERY suspicious testosterone levels) it was Cormier that received the spotlight -- and for deserving reasons. I'd love nothing more than to see Cormier win the UFC light heavyweight title, but in a sports world rotten with flawed figures immune to admitting defeat, I'd rather have a one-loss Cormier as a role model to young wrestlers than I would the most recent version of champion Jones. To your questions ... Q: Thoughts on the new law in California for football regarding full contact in practice? -- Tony R. Foley: No brainer. Football is dying. Nothing can save the sport from the PR disaster caused by the admission that hits to the head causes trauma, including the scary-as-hell CTE. The sport is withering away on the brain stem and we have front row seats to the disaster. The NFL's "Heads Up" movement won't do much to change the NFL's future because mothers -- now given the heart-wrenching details of the consequences of slapping skulls together for years on end -- won't allow their sons to play the sport. As time passes the numbers of participants will plummet and so will the numbers of fans and ad revenue. Add in the increased medical costs assumed by the NFL and massive bills for litigations and settlements at ALL levels and you have a sport with no more than 30 years left of commercial viability. If you want to see contact, grow masculinity and see skill, support rugby sevens. Q: Just wondering, as an example, I see Ohio State did not compete in the Midlands or Southern Scuffle. If Logan Stieber or some of his teammates wanted to compete as open, would their coach be upset with them? For a wrestler not to compete from December 14 to January 4, won't he/she get rusty? I think university wrestlers don't have enough matches to begin with, 32 matches a year, compared to 50 of a high school kid! All that practice for 32 matches a year is a lot of fluff -- all that practice is really working for Taylor Massa -- Paul L. Foley: Let's turn that theory on its head. Do you think that 50 matches is too much for a high school student? The difference is the quality of competition and how much time it takes to prepare and recover from events. Most wrestlers in high school can finish a weekend tournament because many of their matches aren't difficult. In college almost no match is "easy" and almost all cause some sort of minor soreness or pain. When our top athletes reach the international level that number of matches drops to 15-20 a year. I'd argue that wrestling should have a single semester season which runs at least four weeks shorter, and which would have fewer matches. That would mean better matches once they are competed and allow for the sport to optimize fan involvement. We don't want to suffer from an over-saturation, a la the UFC, but we also want our athletes to remain sharp. Taylor Massa is a stud! Q: I saw that Brent Metcalf is wrestling Aaron Pico at Agon, and Jason Welch is wrestling DSJ -- Andrew L. Foley: Agon has risen from the ashes and put together one hell of a show. The freestyle rules seem to attract the best guys in the world (shocker, I know) and that means Agon is able to better promote their presentation. I'll definitely be watching this one, as I suspect will many fans of international wrestling. Q: Back when I competed in the Midlands there were a lot of post-grads competing. Late 80's-90's. Since the Scuffle has taken away a lot of the top college teams, why doesn't the Midlands award any post-college wrestler $500 if they win a title and $250 for a finals appearance? Can they do this? If so, what are your thoughts? -- Joe P. Foley: I doubt they'd be allowed to hand out prize money at an NCAA event, even if only to post-grads. The problem with Midlands and post-grads is that the style isn't freestyle, there is an excellent chance of getting hurt and (as you stated) they don't earn money for participation. The other issue is that there are enough post-grad wrestling opportunities now between expanded budgets at the club and national level, that many wrestlers don't need the extra matches in order to stay sharp -- they can travel overseas. MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME In Focus: Bubba J Cormier after the loss Link: Wrestling Diplomacy Q: So my original devil's advocate question was going to be "Why NOT add a pushout point to college wrestling?" Then it dawned on me that edge wrestling does not happen on its own -- somebody is teaching it. From junior high on up, former wrestlers turned coaches are the ones that have taught today's wrestlers how to wrestle at the edge of the circle. It was more comfortable for them and it is safer for their teams. Can we break that cycle? Is there ANY support from the coaching ranks to add a pushout rule to collegiate wrestling? -- Brad B. A follow-up statement/question ... Q: After watching the tOSU/Iowa dual this past weekend, I'm finally on board with you that the pushout rule is something to be considered in college wrestling. About half of those matches had almost zero action from the neutral position and included a lot of backing out and edge wrestling. This trend toward inaction is finally starting to get to me as a wrestling fan. The sport is a tough enough sell when it's exciting but if we are going to be subjected to 2-1 matches decided by riding time for 5 out of 10 dual matchups, then even as a hardcore wrestling fan I'd rather spend my entertainment dollars elsewhere. Is there any consideration from the powers that be to make rule changes forcing some offensive action? Pushout or otherwise? (Disclaimer: this is not meant to disparage wrestlers like Stieber, Jordan, and Sorensen who actually put on a show.) -- Pat S. Foley: Very interesting and valid point about what wrestlers are being taught in the room. Teams have styles and those styles are being promoted by the coach. The support for a pushout rules is growing among fans and (I think) college coaches. Almost every wrestling fan wants the same outcome -- for wrestling to have more scoring and to create exciting matches. Right now the lack of an out-of-bounds line is resulting in too much scrambling on the edge and not enough technical action. There is blatant stalling that is not being credited with points for opponents. Too much of the sport has become gamesmanship, and that means less action. Less action means fewer viewers. It's always a terrible idea to predict the actions of the NCAA Competition Committee, but I suspect we will see a pushout added to next year's rules. The rules might not be exactly like the one seen at the international level, but the success of that rule in creating action has become too incredible for the NCAA to ignore. Q: What did you think about the fact that the Big Ten Network broadcasted all the matches for the Midlands on the Internet for free vs. Flo's coverage which had to be paid for? The Southern Scuffle unfortunately was available only on Flo's premium service as well. They very well could do the same for conference tournaments and the NCAA tournament, but ESPN3 will more likely also broadcast them for free. I can understand certain things being only available to premium members, but why not broadcast the wrestling to all when other sites already do it for free? You think they might do that someday? Maybe when they reach critical mass and can afford to do so? -- Frank C. Foley: Well, all three charge for their online video use, and that I don't think will ever move over to a free platform. That BTN didn't this time is because the event was being broadcast and is a part of many people's cable package. However, know that in having a cable package you pay for that channel every month. ESPN charges one of the highest monthly rates to cable companies, and just last week announced plans to run their entire selection through an app for $20/month. I don't know Flo's financials, but I'm 99 percent sure that they will never stop charging for video content as it provides them a massive annual revenue stream.

Cade Olivas (Photo/Rob Preston)This weekend's Doc Buchanan Invitational hosted by Clovis, Calif. is the best in-season tournament in the western third of the United States. The event features close to 20 nationally ranked wrestlers, including two that are first in the nation, and three more that are second nationally. The 100-team field includes four Fab 50 squads: No. 4 Clovis, No. 6 Buchanan, No. 11 Bergen Catholic (N.J.), and No. 27 Bakersfield. Three of the weight classes are projected to feature three nationally ranked wrestlers, and most feature a mass of returning California (and other states) state placers. Below is a weight-by-weight overview of the event. 106: Cade Olivas (St. John Bosco) is the nation's top-ranked wrestler in this weight class, and a strong favorite to win the title, even with another top five national wrestler present in Junior National Triple Crown winner Randon Miranda (Quartz Hill). Others to watch include Cadet Nationals double champion Nico Aguilar (Gilroy) along with state qualifier Bryce Morita (Clovis West). 113: Returning state champion Justin Mejia (Clovis) is the nation's second-ranked wrestler in this weight. He should be sternly tested with another pair of nationally ranked wrestlers present: No. 10 Ian Timmins (Wooster, Nev.), a Cadet Nationals double finalist; and No. 4 (at 106) Tomas Gutierrez (Pomona, Colo.), a returning state champion. Others to watch include returning state placers David Campbell (Mission Oak) and Javier Alaniz (Clovis West), along with state qualifiers Andrew Nelms (Porterville) and Zander Silva (San Marino). 120: Nick Suriano (Bergen Catholic, N.J.) is ranked No. 2 nationally in this weight class, and undefeated through two-plus years of high school competition. While he is the favorite here, there are two other nationally ranked wrestlers in the weight class: No. 14 (at 113) Navonte Demison (Bakersfield), a returning state third place finisher, and No. 20 Devan Turner (Dixon). Other to watch include returning state placers NicoColunga (Oakdale), Isaiah Palomino (Bellarmine Prep), and Tristen Gilliland (Clovis); multi-time state champion Kyson Levin (Pleasant Grove, Utah); Reno TOC champion Travis Torres (Pomona, Colo.); 2013 Cadet freestyle All-American Chris Deloza (Clovis North); along with state qualifier Ross Arve (Buchanan). 126: In addition to the pair of nationally ranked wrestlers, No. 7 (at 132) Israel Saavedra (Modesto) and No. 19 Durbin Lloren (Buchanan), there is an abundance of quality depth. Other returning state placers include Jaden Enriquez (Mission Oak), Peter Lipari (Bergen Catholic, N.J.), and Russell Rohlfing (Sonora). Enriquez was a Cadet National folkstyle and Greco-Roman champion, as well as a freestyle All-American; Lipari was a Junior National freestyle All-American. Others to watch include state champions Nelson Jones (Pleasant Grove, Utah) and Michael Soler (Lake Stevens, Wash.), notable freshmen Jacob Greenwood (Poudre, Colo.) and Alex Felix (Gilroy), along with returning state qualifier J.J. Figueroa (Bakersfield). 132: Wrestlers to watch in this weight class, which is bereft a nationally ranked wrestler two-time state champion Ben Anderson (Pleasant Grove, Utah), returning state placer Julian Flores (San Marino) and Carlos Herrera (Bakersfield), along with dynamite freshmen in Shane Griffith (Bergen Catholic, N.J.). 138: Without a nationally ranked wrestler, this is one of the tournament's weaker weight classes. Lynchpin figures are returning state placers Isaiah Hokit (Clovis) and Evan Wick (San Marino). Others to watch include former state placer Khristian Olivas (Clovis), state champion Cole Van Anrooy (Roseburg, Ore.), state qualifiers Greg Gaxiola (Buchanan) and Lauren Angelhina (Bergen Catholic, N.J.), freshman sensation John Manning (Juan Diego, Utah), and Nick Valadez (Pitman). 145: This is the final of three weighs featuring three nationally ranked wrestlers. The group is led by returning state third placer McCoy Kent (Enochs), who is ranked No. 8 nationally. He is joined in the rankings by No. 15 Jeremy Thomas (Santiago Corona), a returning state qualifier who placed third at the Walsh Ironman; as well as No. 19 Zander Wick (San Marino), a returning state qualifier who won the Southwest Kickoff Classic. Others to watch include state placer Joseph Dominguez (Northview), state qualifier Lane Barnes (Clovis), and notable freshman Jake Ryan (Oakdale). 152: Leading the way in this weight class is No. 17 Justin Thomas (Santiago Corona), already a two-time state placer and just a junior. Others to watch include state champion Layne van Anrooy (Roseburg, Ore.); state placers Connor Francis (Buchanan) and Nigel Ruiz (Bishop Amat); along with state qualifiers Jared Hill (Clovis), and Luke Troy (San Marino). 160: This is the second of three weight classes in the tournament that does not feature a nationally ranked wrestler. The likely favorite is two-time state qualifier Dominic Kincaid (Clovis), who is ranked No. 1 in this weight class by The California Wrestler. Others to watch include returning state placer Alex Garcia (Christopher), 2013 state placer Lorenzo de la Riva (Folsom), state qualifiers Ricky Padilla (Northview) and Zack Velasquez (Ponderosa), and notable freshman Anthony Montalvo (Buchanan). 170: The obvious anchor here is the nation's top-ranked overall senior Anthony Valencia (St. John Bosco), who is ranked No. 2 in this weight class. Others to watch include state placers Josh Hokit (Clovis, Calif.), Joe Grello (Bergen Catholic, N.J.), and Koy Wilkinson (Pleasant Grove, Utah); state qualifier Mason Koshiyama (Folsom); and Powerade runner-up Cade Belshay (Buchanan). 182: The nation's No. 1-ranked wrestler in this weight class is Zahid Valencia (St. John Bosco), and he is the obvious favorite here. Others to watch include Kevin Mulligan (Bergen Catholic), ranked No. 15 nationally; state champion Haydn Maley (Roseburg, Ore.); as well as state placers Matt Penyacsek (Gilroy) and A.J. Nevills (Clovis); 195: No. 19 Ritchie Brandt (Liberty-Madera), a state runner-up last year, leads the way in this weight class. Other contenders include Powerade runner-up Young Woo An (Buchanan), state champions Hunter Brown (Centennial, Nev.) and Cody Vigoren (Lake Stevens, Wash.), state placers Alec Gamboa (Madera) and Austin Flores (Clovis North); as well as state qualifier Adam Prentice (Clovis) 220: This is the shallowest weight in the Golden State this year, and as such is the weakest in this Doc Buchanan event. A couple wrestlers to note are Kai Dill (Buchanan), Mark Penyacsek (Gilroy) and freshman Seth Nevills (Clovis). 285: Leading the way here is returning state placer Joey Alvarez (Selma), ranked No. 17 nationally. Others to watch include Dane Drimmer (Chaparal), Hexton Coronado (Clovis), and Zack Levatino (Buchanan).

The Jack Pinto Cup Dual Series, international Greco-Roman wrestling competitions hosted by USA Wrestling, will change its format in 2015 and feature two challenge dual meets in Colorado in late January. The 2015 Jack Pinto Cup - Greeley will be held at the Bank of Colorado Arena at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo. on Friday, January 23 at 5:30 p.m. It will be held alongside the UNC vs. Oregon State NCAA Div. I college dual meet, scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. The 2015 Jack Pinto Cup – The Springs will be held in the Heritage Ballroom at the Antlers Hilton Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo. on Sunday, January 25, with the doors opening at 1:30 p.m., with competition starting at 2:00 p.m. This is the third year for the Jack Pinto Cup, in loving memory of six-year-old Jack Pinto who lost his life in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in Newtown, Conn. Active in a number of sports, Pinto was a wrestler with the Newtown Youth Wrestling Association, a USA Wrestling club in his hometown. In the past, the Jack Pinto Cup featured international dual meets with four U.S. teams competing against four international teams in a tournament format. This format has been consistent throughout the history of the event, which has been held in Colorado Springs since it was created in 2005. Previous names of this event were the Kit Carson Cup and the Kiki Cup. In 2013, with the support of the Pinto family, the event was named in Jack Pinto’s honor. This year, the format will be changed to a challenge dual meet series, in a format similar to a boxing or Mixed Martial Arts card. A top athlete from the United States will battle a top international athlete from another nation in a number of different matches. The format change has been championed by USA Wrestling’s National Greco-Roman Coach Matt Lindland, who joined the national staff in 2014. Lindland, an Olympic and World silver medalist as a Greco-Roman wrestler, also had a career as an athlete, coach and promoter in MMA. The change has been made to help better promote and showcase Olympic-caliber Greco-Roman wrestling and the star athletes from the sport. “The format change is designed to make it more entertaining and a fan-friendly event. The plan is to bring the wrestling community together to see our best athletes. This is a social event, with international wrestling as the entertainment. The athletes are excited about the new format and can’t wait to put on a great show for the fans,” said Lindland. “We are honored to have Jack remembered through this annual competition and hope that it serves as an inspiration to young athletes everywhere. The kindness shown to us by USA Wrestling and the entire wrestling community is a reflection of the values our children learn by participating in youth wrestling,” said Jack’s father Dean Pinto. The lineups for the Jack Pinto Cup Dual Series this year have not yet been completed, but will be announced shortly. The Jack Pinto Cup - Greeley is a new concept, where USA Wrestling will partner with a local college wrestling program to bring Greco-Roman wrestling to a different audience. Fans will have the chance to see great wrestling on both the international level and the Div. I college level. Northern Colorado is led by first-year coach Troy Nickerson, a past NCAA champion and U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete. The UNC Bears will battle No. 18 ranked Oregon State of the Pac 12 in a highly-anticipated match. “The University of Northern Colorado is excited to bring world class wrestling to Greeley, Colorado in conjunction with our collegiate dual versus Oregon State University. This event will bring a great atmosphere to our arena while exposing Greco Roman wrestling at a higher level,” said UNC head coach Troy Nickerson. Tickets for the UNC vs. Oregon State dual and Jack Pinto Cup - Greeley are $7 for adults and $5 for youth (13 & Under), Faculty/Staff and Seniors. You can purchase them beforehand by calling by calling 970-351-4409 or online at http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?organ_val=22218&event_val=AWRE The Jack Pinto Cup – The Springs will be a presented with high production values, on a raised stage with music, lighting and a professional public address announcer. There will be tabled seating available matside at the event, with a food and beverage service available for fans. There are expected to be as many as 10 matches on the card, with a number of U.S. stars who live and train in Colorado Springs. The Main Event will feature 2014 World bronze medalist Andy Bisek (Colorado Springs, Colo./Minnesota Storm) at 65 kg/165 lbs., who had the top American Greco-Roman performance at the 2014 World meet in Uzbekistan. The Co-Main Event will feature two-time Olympian and five-time World Team member Spenser Mango (Colorado Springs, Colo./Army WCAP) at 59 kg/130 lbs. Another top American star expected on the card is two-time World Team member Robby Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at heavyweight. Matside tables with 10 seats are still available for the event for $1,000 each table. Individual non-tabled seats for other spectators are available for $10 each. Those seeking tables or tickets for the Jack Pinto Cup – The Springs should contact Tyler Gonzales of USA Wrestling at the national office at 719-598-8181 ext. 601, or via email at tgonzales@usawrestling.org. Tickets can be mailed upon request or will be available at Will Call at the Antlers Hilton during the event. The foreign athletes for both dual meets will be selected from a number of international teams that are coming to train with Greco-Roman Team USA at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in January. Expected teams include Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Japan and South Korea. These athletes will also compete in the Greco-Roman portion of the annual Dave Schultz Memorial International at the U.S. Olympic Training Center on Thursday, January 29. For information, contact Gary Abbott of USA Wrestling at 719-659-9637 or gabbott@usawrestling.org

EDWARDSVILLE, IL. -- In its first Southern Conference action of the season, Appalachian State University wrestling jumped out to a big lead against SIUE and didn't look back winning 34-9. Dominic Parisi gave Appalachian a quick start by pinning Cameron Kelly 1:32 into the match. The win was Parisi's 20th of the season. At 133, Vito Pasone stretched the Appalachian lead to 11 with a 16-0 technical fall over Kenny Baldridge. Michael Longo followed up Pasone's victory with his fourth pin of the season. Longo pinned Angelo Silvestro 7:41 into the match to give App State a 17-0. The Mountaineers continued to roll when Javon Johnson earned a 9-2 decision victory over Karsten Van Velsor. At 157 pounds, Zack Strickland pinned Erik Travers 5:28 into the bout to increase the Appalachian lead before Nick Kee won a major decision victory at 165 pounds. The Mountaineers would then drop three decisions in a row at 174 pounds, 184 pounds, and 197 pounds. Denzel Dejournette finished the night off with a major decision win over Chris Johnson. Appalachian improved to 3-6 in dual meets and will host a tri-meet versus Campbell and Binghamton at Varsity Gym on Sunday. Results: 125 - Dominic Parisi (APP) pinned Cameron Kelly (SIUE), 1:32 (6-0, App) 133 - Vito Pasone (APP) wins by technical fall Kenny Baldridge (SIUE), 16-0 (11-0, App) 141 - Mike Longo (APP) pinned Angelo Silvestro (SIUE), 4-2 SV1, 7:41 (17-0, App) 149 - Javon Johnson (APP) def. Karsten Van Velsor (SIUE), 9-2 (12-0, App) 157 - Zachary Strickland (APP) pinned Erik Travers (SIUE), 5:28 (26-0, App) 165 - Nick Kee (APP) maj dec. Connor McMahon (SIUE), 12-4 (30-0, App) 174 - Jake Residori (SIUE) def. Forrest Przybysz (APP), 7-4 (30-3, App) 184 - Derek Nagel (SIUE) def. Dominick Vetell (APP), 7-3 (30-6, App) 197 - Jake Tindle (SIUE) def. Tyler Radford (APP), 6-0 (30-9, App) 285 - Denzel Dejournette (APP) maj dec. Chris Johnson (SIUE), 10-1 (34-9, App)

LEXINGTON, Va. -- Another match, another rally as the Virginia Military Institute rebounded from an 18-7 deficit, winning the final five matches of the night to top visiting Sacred Heart University 26-18 in Cocke Hall Wednesday night in non-league action. VMI (3-3) rallied for a second match after topping Franklin & Marshall College 24-19 in the Keydets’ last match on Dec. 12. The Keydets had nearly a month off between action and took their home mat for the first time this season. Sacred Heart (0-5) picked up a surprise win at 125 pounds as Patrick Skinner pinned VMI’s Dalton Henderson at the tailend of the first period to take a 6-0 lead. But VMI took the lead for the first time after Hunter Starner and Emmitt Kelly logged a decision and major decision, respectively. Starner won his bout 9-4 over Tim Johnson while Kelly collected an 11-3 win over Jay Oakes at 141 pounds. But the Pioneers wrested the lead back from VMI as Brendan Goldup and Casey Mitchell won by fall at 149 and 157 pounds respectively. Down but not out, VMI would get a spark at 165 pounds from Shabaka Johns. The sophomore Keydet trailed 4-0 at the end of the first period before cutting John Vrasidas’ lead in half, 4-2, with a takedown. Johns gave up an escape early in the third period, trailing 5-2 before scoring a takedown with 52 seconds left. Vrasidas nabbed a 6-4 advantage with an escape with 44 seconds to go, but Johns snared a takedown in the final five seconds to force sudden victory. After the grapplers remained neutral for nearly the entire minute of extra time, Johns drove Vrasidas to the mat near the boundary line to earn the 8-6 victory. VMI continued its rally during the second-ever meeting with Sacred Heart as Mark Darr won 5-3 over Conan Schuster. After a scoreless first period, Darr escaped 14 seconds into the second stanza before being taken to the mat with just over a minute left in the period. No more points were scored in the second but Schuster was hit with two cautions, while Darr was tagged with one as well. The Keydet got hit with a second caution to start the third, meaning neither wrestler could jump early without surrendering a point to his opponent. Schuster escaped six seconds into the third, going up 3-1 on Darr, but the junior scored a takedown and two near fall points, which needed review to confirm, to secure a 5-3 win over Schuster and keep the Keydets’ hopes alive. The 184 pound bout was another nailbiter as Derek Thurman scored three points in the third period to squeak past Elliot Antler 4-3. Antler went up 2-1 in the first and extended his lead with an escape in the second. But Thurman chose bottom in the third, escaped 25 seconds in, trailing 3-2 but hitting a takedown with 11 seconds on the clock and riding out Antler for the win, pulling VMI within striking distance of the lead, down just 18-16. Sparked by his teammates close bouts, 197 pounder Urayoan Garcia vaulted VMI past Sacred Heart with an 11-3 major decision, thanks to over three minutes of riding time. The second period was good to Garcia, who scored six of his points in the middle stanza. With his riding time secured, Garcia logged a takedown with 50 seconds left to get the major decision over Sasha Oliinyk and four points on the board for VMI, taking the lead for the first time since the 141 pound match at 20-18. With the win not yet secured and Sacred Heart within a decision of stealing a win, VMI got a win by fall at 285 pounds as Juan Adams nearly pinned his foe, Dan Hayden in the first period, but the Pioneer stayed off his back to end the period. Adams did not require much time in the second, sticking Hayden 47 seconds into the second to secure the 26-18 win for VMI. After nearly a month off, VMI will need to recover quickly as the Keydets head to Washington, D.C. for a pair of duals on Sunday. VMI opens action in the capital with Harvard University at 11 a.m., followed by a 1 p.m. dual with host American University. Both matches will be contested in the Eagles’ Bender Arena. Results: 125: Patrick Skinner (Sacred Heart) WBF Dalton Henderson (VMI) 2:48 (0-6) 133: Hunter Starner (VMI) DEC Timothy Johnson (Sacred Heart) 9-4 (3-6) 141: Emmitt Kelly (VMI) MAJ DEC Jay Oakes (Sacred Heart) 11-3 (7-6) 149: Brendan Goldup (Sacred Heart) WBF Jack Krall (VMI) 2:31 (7-12) 157: Casey Mitchell (Sacred Heart) WBF Samuel Paulay (VMI) 2:00 (7-18) 165: Shabaka Johns (VMI) DEC SV-1 John Vrasidas (Sacred Heart) 8-6 (10-18) 174: Mark Darr (VMI) DEC Conan Schuster (Sacred Heart) 5-3 (13-18) 184: Derek Thurman (VMI) DEC Elliot Antler (Sacred Heart) 4-3 (16-18) 197: Urayoan Garcia (VMI) MAJ DEC Sasha Oliinyk (Sacred Heart) 11-3 (20-18) 285: Juan Adams (VMI) WBF Dan Hayden (Sacred Heart) 3:47 (26-18)

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Duke redshirt sophomore Evan Botwin upset No. 17 Sam Speno in thrilling fashion at 141 pounds to lift the Blue Devils to a thrilling 18-17 victory over No. 22 NC State in ACC wrestling action this evening at Reynolds Coliseum. “That win was for the team,” said Botwin. “I wanted to beat him. I lost to him earlier and I knew it was going to come down to me when I saw the other two scores before me. Coach [Lanham] said before I went out ‘This is what little kids dream about’ and he’s right. I did that for the team.” Duke (5-1) got off to a fast start, winning each of the first three bouts for a 9-0 advantage and led by as many as 12, before NC State (7-3) roared back to take a 17-15 lead heading into the final match of the night. Trailing 15-3 with four bouts remaining, the Wolfpack picked up three straight wins with bonus points to grab its first lead of the night 17-15 heading into the heart-stopping performance from Duke’s Botwin. “This match was a gut check for everyone,” said head coach Glen Lanham. “Everybody wrestled hard. Win or lose. It was a gut check for our team. I’m going to give them off tomorrow and then we’re going to go back and focus and we have another ACC dual Sunday. Words can’t describe it. Coaches dream about moments like this. It keeps a coach going. I’m five years younger right now.” Speno, already owning a win on the year against Botwin, used a pair of early takedowns for a 4-1 advantage after the first period. Starting the second period on top, Botwin was able to get the tilt for 3 nearfall points to tie the match. The Chestnut Hill, Pa., native, confident in his ability on top, took a lead on a second stalling call and rode out the final four minutes of the match for the clinching victory. “After I got the tilt I wasn’t thinking anything, just next points and I have to get back on top and can’t give up any points. I knew it was close and I just drove him back flat. I saw everyone on their feet cheering and that gave me inspiration to do it for them.” Redshirt freshman Jake Faust joined Botwin in the exciting victories column, upsetting No. 15 Max Rohskopf in a 3-2 decision to cap Duke’s great start out of the gates. Redshirt seniors Marcus Cain and Immanuel Kerr-Brown garnered the first two wins of the night at 149 and 157 pounds, respectively. Faust, after a fantastic first period, scored on a reversal in the second period for the 2-0 lead. A locking hands penalty on Rohskopf gave Faust the 3-0 lead and the Bellville, Ohio native held off the fellow Ohioan for the victory to cap Duke’s great start out of the gates. Cain opened the dual at 149 pounds with a hard-fought 5-3 decision over Brian Hamann. Cain grabbed the lead in the first period and never relinquished it en route to his 11th win of the year. Kerr-Brown used a thrilling sequence in the second period to come away with a 4-3 decision. Trailing 3-0 midway through the second stanza, Kerr-Brown escaped and seconds later took down Chad Pyke. Kerr-Brown escaped seconds into the third period and held off Pyke’s shots in the closing 90 seconds for the win. The Blue Devils nearly took a 12-0 lead as redshirt junior Trey Adamson suffered a heart-breaking 6-5 decision to Pete Renda. After trailing 4-0 in the second period, Adamson rallied to take a 5-4 advantage with an escape and takedown late in the third period. However, a second stalling call against Adamson and an ensuing escape by Renda put the Wolfpack sophomore ahead for NC State’s first win of the night. Jacob Kasper gave the Blue Devils another three points to make it 12-3 with a 3-2 decision over Nicky Hall. The sophomore used a gutsy third period of riding to build his riding time to over a minute and give him his 16th win of the year and second career ACC victory. With Duke leading 12-3, All-American Conner Hartmann extended the Blue Devils’ lead to 12, with a 9-4 decision over Michael Boykin before NC State raced into the lead. Hartmann lead 6-2 in the third and looked like he might go for the major decision before Boykin made it interesting when he pulled within two, 6-4. The redshirt junior finished with a takedown in the final 15 seconds to come away with his fourth career ACC win. The Blue Devils continue their ACC schedule Sunday, Jan. 11 at the Pitt Duals. Duke will wrestle ACC foe Pittsburgh and non-conference opponents Eastern Michigan and Lock Haven. Results: 149: Marcus Cain (Duke) decision Brian Hamann (NCSU), 5-3 Duke 3, NC State 0 157: Immanuel Kerr-Brown (Duke) decision Chad Pyke (NCSU), 4-3 Duke 6, NC State 0 165: Jake Faust (Duke) decision No. 15 Max Rohskopf (NCSU), 3-2 Duke 9, NC State 0 174: Pete Renda (NCSU) decision Trey Adamson (Duke), 6-5 Duke 9, NC State 3 184: Jacob Kasper (Duke) decision Nicky Hall (NCSU), 3-2 Duke 12, NC State 3 197: No. 5 Conner Hartmann (Duke) decision Michael Boykin (NCSU), 9-4 Duke 15, NC State 3 285: No. 3 Nick Gwiazdowski (NCSU) fall Brendan Walsh (Duke), 1:08 Duke 15, NC State 9 125: Joe DeAngelo (NCSU) major dec. Thayer Atkins (Duke), 14-4 Duke 15, NC State 13 133: Bryce Meredith (NCSU) major dec. Bailey Jack (Duke), 12-1 Duke 15, NC State 17 141: Evan Botwin (Duke) decision No. 17 Sam Speno (NCSU), 6-4 Duke 18, NC State 17

Two-time NCAA champ at Iowa State. Two national freestyle titles. A college coaching career that spans more than four decades. An entrepreneur who has developed unique products to help make wrestlers -- and the sport -- better. All of these describe Carl Adams, who, until this past March, was the long-time head wrestling coach at Boston University. Now Adams shares his life story -- and his secrets to help anyone find success in any endeavor -- in his new book "Think It, Believe It. Do It." Part memoir but mostly a guidebook for readers to achieve their own brand of success, Adams shares his inspiring stories of how he overcame the odds to achieve greatness, offering ideas and guidance that readers will find motivational and practicable. Meet Carl Adams Carl AdamsThe son of migrant workers, Carl Adams and his family settled on Long Island when the future mat champ/coach was in second grade. After winning a New York State title in high school, Adams headed west to Iowa State, to wrestle for legendary coach Harold Nichols, and count among his teammates Dan Gable. As a Cyclone, Adams was a two-time NCAA champ (weights, years). Upon graduating from college, Adams launched his 41-year coaching career at age 22 as an assistant at Iowa State ... then became a head coach at 27. He recently completed 36 years at the helm at Boston University, which eliminated its wrestling program effective at the end of the 2013-14 season. Over the years, Adams became an author, creator of instructional videos, and developer and entrepreneur of game-changing workout equipment such as the ADAM takedown machine. How did his latest book -- "Think It. Believe It. Do It." -- come about? "I outlined the book about three years ago," Adams told InterMat. "When the (BU wrestling) program got cut, I had time on my hands. From April through August, I had nothing on my plate, so it seemed to be a great time to bring the book to life." "I wanted to write a book that's motivational, about how much potential each of us has," Adams continued. "I talked about my mentors -- my parents and coaches. I had a great high school coach, and a wonderful college experience." An entrepreneur is born "If you stayed involved in coaching -- at least back when I got started, in the 1970s -- it was difficult to raise a family. However, belief in using my wrestling background helped me to realize the ADAM takedown machine." "That process showed me the importance of things like solving one problem at a time, sticking with something until completion. That mindset helps individuals with any endeavor, whether it's coaching or business." "I saw Coach Nichols put together successful wrestling camps," said Adams, who worked a number of his Iowa State coach's summer camps. "I thought I could do something similar." "As I started to write this book, it occurred to me that there things I did in the sport of wrestling that would be applicable to readers outside wrestling," said Adams. "Take the Seven Pillars of Winning (described in the book). I put it in terms of what worked for me, yet is information that can work for others." "We all need to do things to make ends meet, put our kids through college, purchase a home, etc." Adams continued. "I wanted to let folks know you don't need a ton of money to start a business. In fact, I did it without debt, without loans. If you believe what you want to do, and stay with your task, you can achieve great things." Carl Adams was a two-time NCAA champ at ISU"It's not just about the product. It's about getting it to market. And it's about having the right mindset. You have to set your mind to achieve greatness." "People set goals but don't always think of how to achieve things," according to Adams. "Commitment is a word that's all-important. Take wrestling. It takes so much to be successful in the sport. Commitment to your goals." "I wanted the book to be for anyone -- not just those in the wrestling community -- who wants to succeed." "Everything starts with the mindset. Knowing that you can achieve anything with the right mindset drives everything. If people have that mindset, they can figure things out, and get things done." "This is my fourth book," said Adams. "The other three are instructionals. All my products -- books, equipment, instructional videos -- are designed to help people do better." "I've been so blessed. I want to share those blessings -- and what I've learned from wrestling, and as an entrepreneur -- to do what I can to help others. I feel I should pass along what I've learned." Guided by great mentors Carl Adams with Ben Peterson and Harold NicholsDuring the course of this interview, Carl Adams cited a number of individuals who served as mentors to help him develop as a professional and as an individual, starting with his college coach, Harold Nichols. "Nick was like a second father to me. He hired me for his equipment business, to work his (wrestling) camps. I learned the business from Nick." "He was very much an entrepreneur -- his wrestling camps, real estate, even his pottery collection." "I showed him the drawings for ADAM, and he backed me financially." "My dad worked the s--- out of us," Adams chuckled. "He put us to work in the businesses he started and ran. That, and my experience working with Coach Nichols, really shaped me and my entrepreneurial attitude." Adams' list of mentors didn't stop there. "When I was 23, I wrote my first book, because I had seen Bobby Douglas writing books." "I was blessed to have been on the (Iowa State) team with Gable," Adams added. "To watch him was to learn how to win." A new book ... and a new position at BU As if writing and promoting a new book weren't enough, Adams still has a career position ... at the school where he had coached for three-and-a-half decades. "BU offered me a new position, Coordinator of Student-Athlete Services. Coaches have me talk to their athletes, as well as to their recruits. I have the same office, the same desk, the same computer. The only thing that has really changed is that I'm no longer coaching." "I don't feel empty at all," Adams continued. "I feel I gave all to wrestling. My angst is for the alumni, wrestlers and parents, now that BU no longer has a wrestling program." When asked to sum up the purpose of "Think It. Believe It. Do It", Adams said, "It's a book about getting things done. Eliminating the fear of failure. Being persistent, being committed. You have to keep pecking away at a problem. In time, you will get to the solution." Not everyone will have the opportunity to pick the brain of Carl Adams, a man who has achieved so much as a wrestler, coach and business professional who has shared his experience and expertise in the sport with the wrestling community. "Think It. Believe It. Do It" is about as close as most of us will come to that opportunity to have Adams as a mentor. Using his own life and experiences as the foundation, Adams builds on those cornerstones to share what has worked for him, in an upbeat, positive presentation that can inspire anyone who wants to achieve more. You don't have to be a wrestler or coach -- or even a fan of the sport -- to gain from "Think It. Believe It. Do It." It has practical, actionable guidance that can help any would-be entrepreneur. Carl Adams' "Think It. Believe It. Do It" is available in e-book format for the Amazon Kindle, as well as in paperback from CarlAdams.com.

Christmas and the New Year have come and gone, many of the big bracket tournaments are done, though some remain in the regular season. The dual meet season has begun in earnest. Here is what is ahead for each team during the upcoming week. No. 1 Oak Park River Forest, Ill. -- dual met vs. Glenbard West, Ill. on Thursday; triangular meet on Saturday at No. 18 Marmion Academy, Ill. with No. 9 Montini Catholic, Ill. No. 2 St. Paris Graham, Ohio -- dual meet vs. Mason, Ohio on Thursday; travel to Valley View (Ohio) Invitational on Saturday No. 3 Blair Academy, N.J. -- travel to Geary (Okla.) Invitational on Friday and Saturday No. 4 Clovis, Calif. -- host Doc Buchanan Invitational on Friday and Saturday; dual meet vs. Clovis East, Calif. on Tuesday 1/13 No. 5 Wyoming Seminary, Pa. -- travel to Eastern States Invitational at SUNY-Sullivan (Loch Sheldrake, N.Y.) on Friday and Saturday No. 6 Buchanan, Calif. -- travel to Clovis, Calif. for the Doc Buchanan Invitational on Friday and Saturday No. 7 Franklin Regional, Pa. -- dual meet at McKeesport, Pa. on Wednesday; host Westmoreland County Coaches Association Tournament on Friday and Saturday No. 8 Southeast Polk, Iowa -- triangular meet at Des Moines (Iowa) North with Hoover Co-op on Thursday No. 9 Archer, Ga. -- participate in state dual meet series on Saturday, area championships No. 10 Broken Arrow, Okla. -- quad meet on Thursday at Putnam City, Okla. with Edmond Memorial and Enid; travel to Geary (Okla.) Invitational on Friday and Saturday No. 11 Bergen Catholic, N.J. -- travel to Clovis, Calif. for the Doc Buchanan Invitational on Friday and Saturday; host St. John Vianney, N.J. in dual meet on Tuesday 1/13 No. 12 Stillwater, Okla. -- triangular meet on Thursday at Sand Springs, Okla. with Booker T. Washington; travel to Geary (Okla.) Invitational on Friday and Saturday; dual meet vs. Cushing, Okla. on Tuesday 1/13 No. 13 Bethlehem Catholic, Pa. -- dual meet at Parkland, Pa. tonight (1/7); dual meet at Easton, Pa. on Friday; dual meet vs. Stroudsburg, Pa. on Saturday No. 14 Poway, Calif. -- dual meet vs. Canyon Crest on Thursday No. 15 Lowell, Mich. -- dual met at East Grand Rapids, Mich. tonight (1/7); travel to Great Lakes Championships in Fort Wayne, Ind. on Saturday No. 16 Carl Sandburg, Ill. -- dual meet vs. Rockford Stagg, Ill. on Friday; dual meet at Glenbard North, Ill. on Saturday No. 17 St. Edward, Ohio -- travel to Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.) Super Duals on Saturday No. 18 Apple Valley, Minn. -- dual meet vs. Rosemount, Minn. on Friday; travel to Burnsville (Minn.) Invitanional on Saturday No. 19 Montini Catholic, Ill. -- dual meet at Marist, Ill. on Friday; triangular meet at No. 18 Marmion Academy, Ill. with No. 2 Oak Park River Forest, Ill. on Saturday No. 20 Neosho, Mo. -- triangular meet on Thursday at Ozark, Mo. with Nixa, Mo.; host triangular meet on Friday against Westminster Christian, Mo. and Monett, Mo.; triangular meet on Tuesday 1/13 at Republic, Mo. with Camdenton, Mo. No. 21 Massillon Perry, Ohio -- dual meet vs. North Canton Hoover, Ohio on Thursday No. 22 Tuttle, Okla. -- dual meet vs. Altus, Okla. on Thursday; travel to Geary (Okla.) Invitational on Friday and Saturday; quad meet on Tuesday 1/13 at Lawton McArthur, Okla. with Yukon, Okla. and Westmoore, Okla. No. 23 Bettendorf, Iowa -- dual meet vs. Pleasant Valley, Iowa on Thursday No. 24 Bound Brook, N.J. -- dual meet against Hunterdon Central, N.J. tonight (1/7); compete in Somerset County Tournament on Saturday No. 25 St. Michael-Albertville, Minn. -- dual meet at Big Lake, Minn. on Thursday; travel to Kiffmeyer Duals at St. Cloud Tech, Minn. on Saturday No. 26 Marmion Academy, Ill. -- host triangular meet on Saturday against No. 2 Oak Park River Forest, Ill. and No. 9 Montini Catholic, Ill. No. 27 Bakersfield, Calif. -- travel to Clovis, Calif. for Doc Buchanan Invitational on Friday and Saturday No. 28 Glenbard North, Ill. -- home dual meet on Friday, dual meet vs. No. 16 Carl Sandburg, Ill. on Saturday No. 29 Evansville Mater Dei, Ind. -- dual meet vs. Evansville Central, Ind. on Thursday; travel to St. Louis, Mo. for the Gateway to the Best Tournament on Saturday No. 30 Don Bosco Prep, N.J. -- travel to Hampton, Va. for the Virginia Duals (National Division) on Friday and Saturday No. 31 Crook County, Ore. -- travel to Dallas (Ore.) Tournament on Saturday No. 32 Delta, Ohio -- triangular meet on Thursday at Swanton, Ohio with Patrick Henry, Ohio; travel to Perrysburg (Ohio) Invitational Tournament on Friday and Saturday No. 33 Mesa Mountain View, Ariz. -- dual meet vs. Mesquite, Ariz. on Thursday No. 34 Belle Vernon, Pa. -- travel to Franklin Regional, Pa. for the Westmoreland County Coaches Association Tournament on Friday and Saturday No. 35 South Dade, Fla. -- dual meet vs. Palmetto, Fla. tonight (1/7); travel to Flagler (Fla.) Rotary Tournament on Friday and Saturday No. 36 Greater Latrobe, Pa. -- dual meet at Hempfield Area, Pa. tonight (1/7); travel to Franklin Regional, Pa. for Westmoreland County Coaches Association Tournament on Friday and Saturday No. 37 St. Peter’s Prep, N.J. -- dual meet vs. Wall Township, N.J. on Thursday; quad meet at Jackson Memorial, N.J. on Saturday; dual meet vs. Summit, N.J. on Monday 1/12; dual meet vs. Bayonne, N.J. on Turesday 1/13 No. 38 Brecksville, Ohio -- host triangular vs. Amherst, Ohio and Avon Lake, Ohio on Thursday; travel to Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.) Super Duals on Saturday No. 39 Phillipsburg, N.J. -- dual meet vs. Kittatinny, N.J. tonight (1/7); travel to Hoptacong, N.J. for H-W-S Tournament on Friday and Saturday No. 40 Kaukauna, Wis. -- dual meet at Fond du Lac, Wis. on Thursday No. 41 Elyria, Ohio -- triangular meet on Thursday at Strongsville, Ohio with Mayfield, Ohio No. 42 McDonogh, Md. -- dual meet vs. Loyola, Md. tonight (1/7); travel to Hampton, Va. for the Virginia Duals (National Division) on Friday and Saturday No. 43 DePaul Catholic, N.J. -- dual meet at Eastside, N.J. on Saturday No. 44 Brighton, Mich. -- double dual at Grand Blanch, Mich. tonight (1/7) against Churchill and Franklin; travel to Great Lakes Championships in Fort Wayne, Ind. on Saturday No. 45 Dayton Christian, Ohio -- travel to Army National Guard Duals (Summerville Arena, W.Va.) No. 46 Delbarton, N.J. -- multiple dual meets on Saturday; dual meet at Morristown, N.J. on Tuesday (1/13) No. 47 St. Johns, Mich. -- dual meet vs. Mason, Mich. tonight (1/7); travel to Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.) Super Duals on Saturday No. 48 Cumberland Valley, Pa. -- dual meet against Boiling Springs tonight (1/7); dual meet against Central Dauphin East on Thursday No. 49 Post Falls, Idaho -- host multiple team dual meet event on Thursday; host River City Duals on Friday and Saturday No. 50 Brandon, Fla. -- travel to Manatee (Fla.) Duals on Friday and Saturday

So much has happened in the high school wrestling world over the last couple of weeks since we last were together with a High School Lowe Down column. That said, the biggest development and debate has to be over who the No. 1 team in the country is. Keeping it simple here, based on the rankings of 12-24-14; No. 1 St. Paris Graham (Ohio) went to No. 3 Blair Academy (N.J.) and fell to a 27-24 defeat, as the host Buccaneers took home victories in eight weight classes. Seeing the No. 1 team in the country lose certainly opens up the rankings for a debate. Not just between the incumbent No. 1 and the team that beat the No. 1, but also the current No. 2 (Oak Park River Forest, Ill.). Keep in mind the mission of the Fab 50 national team rankings. The intent is to use retrospective data, results from tournaments and dual meets, to assess how teams look prospectively (i.e. going forward). Three further points: (1) the rankings have to account for both dual meet and tournament performance potential (2) the rankings should reflect how each team can perform with their best personnel that will be available to them going forward (3) the rankings should also reflect the body of work each team has amassed during the season-to-date. Let's analyze the lineup for each team in question, based on their results to date: 106: Both OPRF and Graham have a wrestler that is superior to the wrestler which Blair possesses. Anthony Madrigal (OPRF) is ranked around 15th nationally, and Justin Stickley (Graham) falls outside the national rankings; while Matthew Vinci (Blair) would not be part of any rankings conversation. 113: All three teams have a nationally ranked wrestler. Jason Renteria (OPRF) is ranked inside the top five, Mitch Moore (Graham) is inside the top ten, and Zach Sherman (Blair) fits in the back part of the rankings. At the Ironman, Moore was the champion with a 6-1 win over Renteria in the final; however, at the Super 32, Moore went 2-2 in matches against nationally ranked wrestlers -- wins over Rivera and Cray, losses to Vega and Baughman. One of the obvious reasons we are going through this intellectual exercise is that Sherman upset Moore 4-2 in the dual meet. During this season, Sherman finished eighth at the Ironman going 1-3 against nationally ranked wrestlers (split matches with Mattox, lost to Brown, and lost to Hoskins); he then finished fourth at the Beast, losing to nationally ranked Paetzell and un-ranked Alec Kelly. Renteria was undefeated at The Clash and runner-up at Ironman, and beat fellow top five ranked wrestler Gomez at the Preseason Nationals. 120: All three teams have relatively similar wrestlers, though the nationally ranked wrestlers are on the roster of OPRF (Alex Madrigal) and Graham (Eli Stickley); Requir van der Merwe (Blair) is not nationally ranked. It is interesting that over the last two seasons, Stickley placed both years at the Ironman (3rd/2nd), van der Merwe failed to place, and yet van der Merwe beat Stickley both years in the dual meet. This seems to be a matchup specific thing, as peripheral performances by each wrestler (i.e. Stickley at Super 32 and van der Merwe at the Beast in each year) also suggest Stickley to be the superior wrestler. Madrigal has made extreme growth as a wrestler over the last year, turning from a varsity debutant to a nationally ranked wrestler (placed 6th at Ironman, undefeated at The Clash). 126: Both Graham and OPRF have a wrestler that is superior to the wrestler which Blair possesses. Eli Seipel (Graham) is ranked around 15th nationally, and Gabe Townsell (OPRF) is just outside the rankings; while the Blair starter, whether it's Andrew Merola or Andrew Monohan would not be part of any rankings conversation. 132: Both Blair and Graham have a wrestler that is superior to the wrestler which OPRF possesses. Charles Tucker (Blair) is ranked inside the top ten, Rocky Jordan (Graham) is just outside the top ten, while Jamie Hernandez (OPRF) would not be part of any rankings conversation. Jordan beat Tucker at the Ironman by 6-4 decision, but Tucker has the greater resume. In the dual meet, Tucker did not wrestler, and Jordan upended Monahan by 7-2 decision. 138: Matthew Kolodzik (Blair) is a top five national wrestler at the weight class, and is better than the wrestler that either Graham or OPRF possess. Graham brings to the table freshman Ryan Thomas, who is very talented but was majored by Kolodzik in the dual meet; while OPRF has Savonne Bennette, a senior and returning state qualifier. 145: Larry Early (OPRF) is a top five national wrestler at the weight class, and is better than the wrestler that either Graham or Blair possesses. Early was out of the OPRF lineup at the Walsh Ironman, and returned to the lineup at The Clash; his backup was 2-2 at the Ironman, making the second day, but that's a major downgrade from a likely weight class runner-up. Brent Moore (Graham) and Michael Monica (Blair) have split matches this season. Moore won at the Ironman on the way to placing fourth, while Monica was a match short of placing; Monica flipped the outcome in the dual meet, winning a 7-3 decision that is probably more reflective of the head-on matchup. 152: All three teams have a nationally elite wrestler at the weight class. Isaiah White (OPRF) and Jordan Kutler (Blair) are inside the top five, while Kyle Lawson (Graham) is inside the top fifteen. White won the Ironman, including a 3-1 win over Lawson in the quarterfinal; while Kutler was third at the Ironman, but earned an 8-2 win over Lawson in the dual meet. Lawson placed seventh at the Ironman. 160: Alex Marinelli (Graham) is ranked first in the nation at present in this weight class, and upended former Blair wrestler Mason Manville 3-1 in overtime in the Ironman final. Marinelli beat the new Blair starter, Brandon Dallavia, by 14-7 decision in the dual meet. Dallavia placed third in the 170 pound weight class at the Ironman, and is ranked around fifth nationally in his new weight class. OPRF has natonally ranked Matthew Rundell in this weight class, who is ranked between 15th and 20th at the present time. 170: Kamal Bey (OPRF) is clearly ahead of the starter that either Graham or Blair possesses. Bey is ranked within the top ten, after finishing second at the Ironman; while Garrett Jordan (6th at the Ironman) and Peter Bearse (8th at the Beast down at 160) do not fit into a national rankings conversation. Jordan squeezing out a placement finish at the Ironman was key to Graham's finish; however, that one placement is one of the least sustainable aspects of the Ironman performance (more consistently is a match or two short of placement). The replacement for Dallavia in the Blair lineup (Dallavia swaps into Manville's slot) is Bearse. This trade of Bearse for Dallavia is the mirror of OPRF getting Early and taking out their backup at 145, i.e. a 20 point swing. In the dual meet on Saturday, Jordan beat Bearse by 5-2 decision. 182: Chase Singletary (Blair) is a nationally ranked wrestler, presently inside the top 15, while the options for OPRF (Max Metzger) or Graham (Hayden Bronne) are not close to that. Singletary earned a win by fall over Metzger at the Ironman, and a match with Bronne would be similar bonus points, though Blair bumped Singletary up to 195 in the dual meet. A hypothetical bout between Metzger and Bronne would be a toss-up. 195: This weight class is the one of two where the teams are relatively weak, again it's a relative thing. Blair Academy and OPRF wrestlers placed at the Ironman, while the Graham wrestler went 1-2. Neil Putnam (Blair) upended Ben Bergen (OPRF) by 5-2 decision for seventh place, while Kanan Sarver did not place. In the dual meet, Putnam went up a weight class to 220 and secured a major; while Sarver lost 7-1 to Singletary. 220: Blair Academy has the best wrestler of the three in this weight class, obviously, with David Showunmi. The Ironman champion and Junior National freestyle All-American is ranked around tenth nationally. Oak Park River Forest was missing state qualifier Allen Stallings at the Ironman, who would have done anything from win multiple matches to low place. Graham now has returning state placer Josh Couchman, who is up one weight from ideal, and made his debut this past weekend in getting majored by Putnam 12-3. 285: In both bracketed tournaments this year Blair has not entered a 285 pound wrestler, for dual meets they have shifted the lineup to slide Showunmi here. While Jordan over-achieved for Graham at 170 in the Ironman, Adam Lemke-Bell under-achieved in this weight for OPRF, getting pinned twice and exiting the tournament without a win. In competition the week before, Lemke-Bell upended a returning Illinois state placer. The Graham wrestler in this weight class (Dylan Nave) is a relative non-factor. In dissecting the three rosters, I reach the conclusion that Oak Park River Forest has the most complete team, and should be ranked No. 1 in the nation. They have talented wrestlers in all fourteen weight classes, and can thrive in both a tournament and dual meet setting. A full-strength OPRF lineup scores right around 200 points, if not a few more, at the Walsh Jesuit Ironman. In the two opening dual meets at The Clash, Oak Park River Forest went 12-2 matches with Pleasant Valley (Iowa) and 11-3 with Simley (Minn.); if not for using back-up wrestlers, those dual meets are 14-0 and 13-1 respectively. Then, the day one bracket final against nationally ranked Shakopee (Minn.) was 12-2 in matches, though it would likely have been 14-0 but for using back-up wrestlers. The day two championship pool was domination more the same. The Huskies went 12-2 in matches with nationally ranked Bettendorf (Iowa) and Carl Sandburg (Ill.), and went 9-5 with Apple Valley (Minn.), likely 10-4 if using Rundell at 160. The debate for me is more about St. Paris Graham and Blair Academy. In the bracketed tournament format of the Walsh Ironman, St. Paris Graham scored over 200 points, though for analytical purposes one can peg it at 200; while Blair Academy would have been looking at about 170 points with Manville out of the lineup. While breaking down the dual meet is a little more art than science, since Blair Academy wrestled pretty close to a "base lineup", it hinged on three key outcomes -- all of which went in favor of Blair: the upset at 113, the matchup-specific favorable outcome at 120, and the tossup at 145. That said, Blair Academy did lose the chance to earn a victory at 132 with Tucker out of the lineup. In conclusion, Graham is the better bracketed tournament team, while Blair Academy might be the better dual meet team. In making this week's determination that Graham should be No. 2, and Blair Academy No. 3, it is my judgment that a hypothetical Graham/OPRF dual meet is more likely to be competitive than a Blair/OPRF dual meet. However, should Blair Academy have a "clean" remainder of the season, they will likely end up No. 2 over St. Paris Graham, as the in-season resume will be much greater. Notable remaining events for each team: OPRF: -Dual meets against nationally ranked Montini Catholic (Ill.) and Marmion Academy (Ill.) on Saturday -Dual meets against nationally ranked Carl Sandburg (Ill.) and Clovis (Calif.) next Saturday -host Huskie Invitational two weeks from Saturday -individual bracket and dual meet state tournament Graham: -Dual meet against nationally ranked St. Edward (Ohio) next Saturday -individual bracket and dual meet state tournament Blair Academy: -Geary (Okla.) Invitational this weekend -Garden State Duals next Saturday, likely to face a nationally ranked team in there -Dual meet at St. Edward (Ohio) two weeks from Saturday -Dual meets against Bergen Catholic (N.J.), Wyoming Seminary (Pa.), and Bound Brook (N.J.) the following Saturday -National Prep Championships

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The Bucknell wrestling team continued its recent hot streak on Sunday as it traveled to Michigan State and defeated the Spartans 25-12. It was the fourth straight win for the Bison, who are ranked 25th nationally. Bucknell (4-1), which has won four straight matches for the first time since late in the 2009-10 season, won for the first time in three tries in the short series with Michigan State (3-5). The difference was bonus points as four of the Bison’s six individual victories were by major decision, tech fall or fall. No. 16 Paul Petrov got the match started well for Bucknell at 125 pounds as he pinned Mitch Rogaliner is just 19 seconds. After a one-point decision by Hermilo Esquivel over Grim Gonzalez at 133 cut the Bison lead in half, Bucknell reeled off three straight victories. Tyler Smith returned to the lineup with a 9-1 major at 141, while Victor Lopez pitched a 2-0 shutout at 149. Rustin Barrick followed with a 12-3 major decision at 157 to stake Bucknell to a 17-3 advantage. The Spartans could only draw as close as five points (17-12) after three consecutive decisions at 165, 174 and 184. A win by 5-2 decision at 197 by Tyler Lyster over Nick McDiarmid clinched the match for the Bison, who defeated a member of the Big Ten for the first time since the program was reinstated prior to the 2006-07 season. Nationally ranked Joe Stolfi finished the match off with a win for Bucknell, posting a dominating 15-0 tech fall at 285 pounds. It was his team-high 20th victory of the season and he is 5-0 in duals this year. The Bison will have a short break before taking part in the Virginia Duals in Hampton, Virginia, this Friday and Saturday, Jan. 9-10. Results: 125: No. 16 Paul Petrov (BU) pinned Mitch Rogaliner (MSU), 0:19. BU leads, 6-0 133: Hermilo Esquivel (MSU) dec. Grim Gonzalez (BU), 4-3. BU leads, 6-3 141: Tyler Smith (BU) major dec. Garth Yenter (MSU), 9-1. BU leads, 10-3 149: Victor Lopez (BU) dec. Nick Trimble (MSU), 2-0. BU leads, 13-3 157: Rustin Barrick (BU) major dec. Roger Wildmo (MSU), 12-3. BU leads, 17-3 165: Ryan Watts (MSU) dec. Robert Schlitt (BU), 8-3. BU leads, 17-6 174: Nick Proctor (MSU) dec. Rory Bonner (BU), 4-2. BU leads, 17-9 184: John Rizqallah (MSU) dec. Tom Sleigh (BU), 3-2. BU leads, 17-12 197: Tyler Lyster (BU) dec. Nick McDiarmid (MSU), 5-2. BU leads, 20-12 HWT: No. 19 Joe Stolfi (BU) tech. fall Luke Jones (MSU), 15-0 (4:49). BU wins, 25-12

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- UNI grabbed its first MAC win of the dual season, beating Eastern Michigan, 24-15. The Panthers grabbed seven of the 10 matches. “It’s a win, but there’s a lot to work on,” said head coach Doug Schwab. “But those things can be corrected and they will be for next week.” UNI got off to a quick lead with a forfeit at 125 pounds. EMU bounced back with two second-period falls. It was Gunnar Wolfensperger who got the spark going for UNI at 149 pounds. His decision win narrowed EMU’s lead, 12-9. Jarrett Jensen tied up the team score when he took down the MAC’s No. 4 Brandon Zeerip in a 3-1 decision and was just seconds shy of earning riding time. Cooper Moore regained the Panthers’ lead with an 8-4 decision over EMU’s Devan Marry. Curt Maas kept the Panthers rolling by dominating with a series of takedowns early in the 174-pound match. He went on to win 10-5 over Austin Geerlings. At 184 pounds, Cody Caldwell jumped out to a fast start with a takedown and nearfall points and 2 minutes, 50 seconds in riding time. He went on to win 9-4 with 3:11 in riding time. Cody Krumwiede entered the UNI dual lineup for the first time this season. He fell 10-4, and Anthony Abro earned 1:04 in riding time. UNI continued to lead 21-15. Blaize Cabell secured the team win with a 9-3 decision over Gage Hutchinson. “It’s not just going to happen over night, but guys are showing more fight,” said Cabell. UP NEXT This was the start of a home stretch for UNI wrestling. The Panthers host Northern Illinois 7 p.m. Jan. 9 for Defeat Dementia / Keith Young Night. Keith Young was a three-time All-American for UNI from 1949-51. Fans are asked to wear purple. UNI will return 2 p.m. Jan. 10 to host Buffalo. The first 500 fans will receive T-shirts from Hy-Vee. Results: 125 – Dylan Peters (UNI) wins by forfeit 133 – Vincent Pizzuto (EMU) pinned Leighton Gaul (UNI) 3:43 141 – Michael Shaw (EMU) pinned Jesse Etherington (UNI) 3:59 149 – Gunnar Wolfensperger (UNI) dec. Nicholas Barber (EMU) 8-4 157 – Jarrett Jensen (UNI) dec. Brandon Zeerip (EMU) 3-1 165 – Cooper Moore (UNI) dec. Devan Marry (EMU) 8-5 174 – Curt Maas (UNI) dec. Austin Geerlings (EMU) 10-5 184 – Cody Caldwell (UNI) dec. Mike Curby (EMU) 9-4 197 – Anthony Abro (EMU) dec. Cody Krumwiede (UNI) 10-4 285 – Blaize Cabell (UNI) dec. Gage Hutchinson (EMU) 9-3

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The top-ranked University of Iowa wrestling team won four straight matches to erase a 14-6 deficit and defeat No. 7 Ohio State, 18-14, on Sunday afternoon in front of 6,558 fans at St. John Arena. "It came down to the wire and it came down to us or them," said UI head coach Tom Brands. "We won six, but they had a guy score big bonus points. We want to score points the entire match. We want to put points on the board." The Hawkeyes were quiet through the first three and two-thirds matches. Thomas Gilman used an escape in the first tiebreak to defeat ninth-ranked Nathan Tomasello, 2-1, at 125, but Cory Clark ran out of time in a 7-5 loss at 133, and Josh Dziewa was blanked, 15-0, at 141. Brandon Sorensen didn't fare much better through two periods at 149, but the redshirt freshman scored three takedowns in the final frame to erase a 5-2 deficit and defeat All-American Hunter Stieber, 9-7. "I kept going to my attacks and I kept coming after him," said Sorensen. "In the first period I needed to finish through shots and score, but in the third period I did finish and I kept coming. I kept coming and that was the difference." Michael Kelly forced the action throughout the match, at 157, but he lost a leg in the third period and gave up a takedown as time expired, falling 5-2 and giving Ohio State an 11-6 lead at intermission. The Buckeyes then grabbed their largest lead of the afternoon when No. 9 Bo Jordan defeated No. 7 Nick Moore, 9-2. Trailing 14-6, Iowa's final four went to work. Evans chipped into the Ohio State lead in a match emblematic of the dual. He started slow, allowing a takedown in the opening period, but he scored the final five points, a takedown in the second and a reversal in the third to win, 5-2. Sammy Brooks then cut the lead to 14-12, recording Iowa's only first-period takedown of the dual and holding on for a 3-2 win. Iowa grabbed the lead for good when Burak shed his redshirt and defeated seventh-ranked Kyle Snyder, 2-1, at 197. The match was scoreless after one period, but Snyder needed injury time between periods allowing Burak to start on bottom. Snyder piled up over a minute of riding time in the second, but Burak escaped to grab a 1-0 lead. Snyder started neutral and awarded Burak an escape to start the third, but the wrestlers went another two minutes without scoring and Burak held on for the decision. "I'm not happy with the how I wrestled," said Burak. "I'm glad I got the victory. I've lost to him before so it kind of got a monkey off my back, but I didn't wrestle how I know I can wrestle." Iowa led 15-14 when third-ranked Bobby Telford sealed the comeback with a 4-0 decision against tenth-ranked Nick Tavenello at 285. "This team better score some first period takedowns," said Brands. "If you look at where we are and what our ability is, and what I know it is, and what 6,000 people saw... they didn't see a team that attacks very well in the first period. We need to do that. That is going to be the difference." Iowa (7-0, 3-0) concluded a seven-day road trip with a Midlands team title, four individual Midlands champions, and a 2-0 mark in Big Ten duals. The Hawkeyes return to action Jan. 11 at Oklahoma State. The dual begins at 2 p.m. (CT). NOTES -- Attendance was 6,558... Burak made his season debut wrestling attached... Clark's loss was his first of the season, and his first career loss in Big Ten duals... All-Americans Burak (10-0), Evans (16-0) and Telford (16-0) are undefeated on the season. Results: 125 -- #4 Thomas Gilman (IOWA) dec. #8 Nathan Tomasello (OSU), 2-1 TB1; 3-0 133 -- #9 Johnni DiJulius (OSU) dec. #4 Cory Clark (IOWA), 7-5; 3-3 141 -- #1 Logan Stieber (OSU) tech. fall #6 Josh Dziewa (IOWA), 15-0; 3-8 149 -- #10 Brandon Sorensen (IOWA) dec. #5 Hunter Stieber (OSU), 9-7; 6-8 157 -- #6 Josh Demas (OSU) dec. Michael Kelly (IOWA), 5-2; 6-11 165 -- #9 Bo Jordan (OSU) dec. #7 Nick Moore (IOWA), 9-2; 6-14 174 -- #3 Mike Evans (IOWA) dec. #12 Mark Martin (OSU), 5-2; 9-12 184 -- #8 Sammy Brooks (IOWA) dec. #12 Kenny Courts (OSU), 3-2; 12-14 197 -- #6 Nathan Burak (IOWA) dec. #7 Kyle Snyder (OSU), 2-1; 15-14 285 -- #3 Bobby Telford (IOWA) dec. #10 Nick Tavanello (OSU), 4-0; 18-14

Iowa 18, Ohio State 14 125: No. 4 Thomas Gilman (Iowa) dec. No. 8 Nathan Tomasello (Ohio State), 2-1TB 133: No. 9 Johnni DiJulius (Ohio State) dec. No. 4 Cory Clark (Iowa), 7-5 141: No. 1 Logan Stieber (Ohio State) tech. fall No. 6 Josh Dziewa (Iowa), 15-0, 4:37 149: No. 10 Brandon Sorensen (Iowa) dec. No. 5 Hunter Stieber (Ohio State), 9-7 157: No. 6 Josh Demas (Ohio State) dec. Mike Kelly (Iowa), 5-2 165: No. 9 Bo Jordan (Ohio State) dec No. 7 Nick Moore (Iowa), 9-2 174: No. 2 Mike Evans (Iowa) dec. No. 12 Mark Martin (Ohio State), 5-2 184: No. 8 Sam Brooks (Iowa) dec. No. 12 Kenny Courts (Ohio State), 3-2 197: No. 6 Nathan Burak (Iowa) dec. No. 7 Kyle Snyder (Ohio State), 2-1 285: No. 3 Bobby Telford (Iowa) dec. No. 10 Nick Tavanello (Ohio State), 4-0 Live Blog Iowa at Ohio State

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- Senior All-Americans Robert Kokesh (174) and James Green (157) each captured weight class titles at the Defense Soap and Flips Wrestling Southern Scuffle at McKenzie Arena on Friday. The Huskers finished fourth as a team with 116 points. Four-time defending national champion Penn State took home the team title with 165 points, while Missouri (150) and Oklahoma State (135.5) also notched top-three finishes. Kokesh, the top-ranked wrestler at 174 pounds, completed his tournament run with a 3-2 decision over No. 4 Matt Brown of Penn State in the finals. Over the course of the Southern Scuffle, Kokesh collected three pins and one major decision. He improves to 21-0 on the season and wins his third tournament title. Green, the No. 1 seed at 157 pounds, took down Jason Nolf of Penn State in the finals by a 7-4 margin. Green’s performance at the tournament included one pin and two major decisions over the span of five matches. He is now 18-1 this season and wins his second tournament title of the 2014-15 campaign. No. 20 Anthony Abidin took third place at 141 pounds after a 6-1 showing during the two-day event. No. 17 Tim Lambert placed fifth with a 6-2 record at the Southern Scuffle. Unattached wrestler Tyler Berger (149) earned a sixth-place finish at the tournament, while 184-pounder TJ Dudley finished eighth. Eric Montoya (133), Justin Arthur (149), Austin Wilson (165), Aaron Studebaker (184), Spencer Johnson (197), Micah Barnes (197) and Collin Jensen (HWT) also competed for the Huskers at the Southern Scuffle. Dustin Williams (165) and Derek White (197) each wrestled unattached at the tournament. The Huskers return home to host Purdue next weekend at the Devaney Center. The dual, set for Jan. 9 at 7 p.m., will be part of Tumble N’ Rumble, which will also feature a Nebraska women’s gymnastics meet on the Devaney floor at the same time.