InterMat Staff

USAFA, Colo. -- The Air Force wrestling team will host the All-Academy Championships for the first time since 2007, highlighting the 2011-12 schedule which also features appearances at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, Reno Tournament of Champions and Lone Star Duals. In addition, the Falcons will host Western Wrestling Conference rival Wyoming in their Senior Night competition on Feb. 2. "I am excited about our 2011-12 schedule," said Air Force head wrestling coach Joel Sharratt. "It gives our athletes the challenges they need to be prepared to reach their goals on a weekly basis and over the course of our season. Several top tournaments will give our guys the national exposure they need to be recognized in the RPI and national coaches' rankings, and that is a key for the Falcon program to increase our number of national qualifiers." For the fourth straight year, all of the Falcons' home events, including the Blue-Silver Intrasquad Match on Oct. 26, will be held in Clune Arena. Air Force will host its first dual of the season on Jan. 19, when it welcomes WWC foe Utah Valley to the Academy. Just two days later, the Falcons will host a pair of non-conference opponents in Cal Poly and New Mexico Highlands. Air Force's final home dual of the season is slated for Feb. 2, as it honors its senior class prior to facing WWC rival Wyoming. Meanwhile, the signature event of the Falcons' regular season will be the 18th-annual All-Academy Championships, which will take place on Sunday, Feb. 5. "The institution and staff are excited to be the hosts of the 2012 All-Academy Championships," said Sharratt. "The Air Force Academy will showcase our facilities and program when we host all seven other service academies. This event gives us the opportunity to compete for the All-Academy title and it is such a incredible competition to see these 80 young warriors battle! In this event, every point is earned and battled for--they do not come easy when you are competing in an event like this." Meanwhile, the Falcons also have a slew of road events, including several open competitions to start the season. Air Force will begin the year at the Hokie Open in Salem, Va., on Nov. 6, followed by trips to the Holiday Inn Open in Kearney, Neb., and the Old Chicago Open in Greeley, Colo., on Nov. 19. Air Force also returns to the prestigious Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, Dec. 2-3, to face some of the top wrestlers in the nation, while heading to the Reno Tournament of Champions on Dec. 18. Air Force's road duals include visits to Coe College (Jan. 6) and WWC foes Northern Iowa (Jan. 8), North Dakota State (Jan. 27), South Dakota State (Jan. 29) and Northern Colorado (Feb. 19). On Jan. 14, the Falcons head to the Lone Star Duals in Grand Prairie, Texas, to face some of the top teams in the nation. Despite having few home matches this season, the coaching staff has minimized the amount of time the cadets spend away from the Academy by eliminating mid-week competitions. "Every year, I meet with my program's leadership, both athletes and coaches," said Sharratt. "I took a new direction with this year's schedule that will keep our guys on campus and in the classroom. It will ease the demands that travel can put on our athletes and allow us as a program to maintain our top 10% APR (Academic Progress Rating) as recognized by the NCAA." Air Force caps off the season at the NCAA West Regional on March 3, hosted this year by Northern Iowa. The tournament, which doubles as the Western Wrestling Conference Championships, determines which athletes will qualify for the 2012 NCAA Championships, which will be held March 15-17 in St. Louis, Mo.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Former national champion Jordan Leen has been named an assistant coach with the Virginia wrestling team, head coach Steve Garland has announced. Leen was a four-time NCAA qualifier and three-time All-America selection while competing at Cornell. He was an assistant coach at Duke last season and was recruited to Cornell when Garland was a CU assistant. "I recruited and coached Jordan while I was an assistant coach at Cornell University," Garland said. "The relationship that started at Cornell has grown and strengthened over the years. I have always been a huge fan of his and when the opportunity arose to add him to our staff, it really was a no-brainer. Jordan has a unique combination of talent, intelligence, charisma, mental toughness and drive that few people can match. He was an amazing wrestler at Cornell but most importantly now, I think he is going to be an amazing mentor to our guys. Our program couldn't be adding a better guy." A 2009 graduate of Cornell, Leen was an assistant coach at Duke for the 2010-11 season and worked closely with the middle weights. He recorded a strong career at Cornell, making four straight appearances in the NCAA tournament while wrestling at 149 and 157 pounds. The 2008 national champion at 157 pounds, Leen posted a career record of 118-29 and was a First-Team All-Ivy League selection three times. Leen went 27-3 during his redshirt junior season (2007-08) en route to winning the national championship at 157 pounds. He also was the team captain for the Big Red team which recorded a ninth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. Leen upset three higher-seeded foes on the road to his championship. Leen qualified for the NCAA tournament as a true freshman, going 25-16 and taking third place at the EIWA tournament to earn an automatic bid to NCAAs. He also was named the 2005 Ivy League Rookie of the Year. Leen redshirted the 2005-06 season before posting a big season in 2006-07, as he recorded 37 wins and notched All-America honors after taking eighth place at the NCAA Championships. In his final season with the Big Red (2008-09), Leen won his second EIWA Championship and took third at the NCAA tournament at 157 as he again earned All-America honors. He posted an overall record of 29-3. Leen worked with ESPN as a commentator during the 2010 NCAA Championships. He was one of three former All-Americans selected to provide analysis during the semifinal bouts.

TEMPE -- Recently graduated Arizona State University wrestling standout Anthony Robles will return to the team for the 2011-12 campaign as a volunteer coach, as announced by head coach Shawn Charles on Wednesday. "Anthony is going to bring a wealth of knowledge to our lightweights, especially in the top positiions," ASU head coach Shawn Charles said. "He has knowledge in the sport and a lot of body awareness in the sport that will really help. Arizona State Wrestling is very fortunate to get Anthony to be our volunteer coach." Robles will work with the lightweights on the team and will bring a wealth of knowledge to a very young group of student-athletes that will certainly benefit from his experiences at the collegiate level. Born without a right leg, Robles went undefeated (36-0) during his senior season at Arizona State this past year and was the 2011 NCAA Champion at 125 pounds. He was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the NCAA Championships, tallying the third All-America accolade of his career. Robles notched his third consecutive Pac-10 title as well in 2011 and capped his career with 122 total victories, good for the eighth-best tally in Sun Devil wrestling history. Robles scored 47 technical falls during his tenure at ASU and won 75 percent of his matches with bonus points (92 of 122) for another school record. As a senior, Robles set single-season records for bonus-point wins (31) and technical falls (24) in what was one of the more dominating single seasons in ASU wrestling history. Robles had 53 career wins in duals - good for 10th best in school history - and was named as the Outstanding Wrestler at five events as a senior. Robles was honored at the 2011 ESPY Awards with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance and as the Best Male Athlete with a Disability. This will be Robles' first coaching role of his post-collegiate career. The Mesa, Ariz., native now works as a motivational speaker and has spent much of the summer travelling to assorted events across the country to tell his story. Charles, now in his third year as head coach, also added Travis Pascoe to the coaching staff earlier this summer. Pascoe was an All-America wrestler at Nebraska during his undergraduate years and worked with Charles during his time at Fresno State. The wrestling team will open up the 2011-12 schedule on November 5 at the Eastern Michigan Open in Ypsilanti, Mich.

In the basement of an unassuming building in a heavily Latino influenced town in Northwest New Jersey sits the Standridge Wrestling Academy. The facility has the look and feel of the gym in which Clubber Lane (Mr. T) trained in Rocky III. As recently as three years ago, the upstairs was a bowling alley. It is here that Club Eclipse trains. Led by head coach Matt Ciampa, Eclipse has fostered the development of some of the New Jersey's greatest talents for more than two decades. Their mission statement is simple: "We provide Greco Roman and freestyle training towards earning medals in Fargo. We want wrestlers who have goals of competing for Team New Jersey and plan on returning with medals." In that regard, Club Eclipse has achieved their mission. The club takes credit for more than 135 All-Americans, 29 national champions, and four World-level medals. Eclipse was founded in 1985 by Rick Brodman, then the head of the youth wrestling program in Summit, N.J. When asked about the origin of the club, Brodman recalled, "I was thinking of a logo, and could picture a guy hitting a perfect back arch, like an eclipse, and that's where the name of the club came from." As a coach, Brodman always wanted to stay one step ahead of his pupils in terms of technique. He traveled around the country, visiting other clubs, clinics, and the Olympic Training Center while becoming one of the first silver certified coaches under the USA Wrestling accreditation processes. According to Ciampa, Brodman always stressed technique: "(He'd say) If you did things right, winning would take care of itself." Ciampa himself grew up in Summit under the tutelage of Brodman. Following a mediocre high school career, he enrolled at East Stroudsburg University, a small Division I school that is part of the Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (EIWA). Jack Cuvo, a two-time NCAA champion and wrestling legend, was also at the school at the time, and quickly gravitated toward Ciampa as a training partner. "We'd workout for an hour before practice," says Ciampa. "That was Jack. I didn't know any better. He'd ask me to wrestle live for three straight matches (while the heavier weights wrestled). What was I supposed to do? Tell him no?" During his college days, Ciampa helped out at Eclipse in the offseason while competing in the Olympic styles of freestyle and Greco Roman. In 1991, he placed at University Nationals. Following a frustrating college career plagued by injuries, Ciampa continued to compete at a high level, winning the Northeast Regionals three times, and finishing runner-up at the Olympic Festival. He graduated from East Stroudsburg in 1992, and took over the club from Brodman the following spring. Matt Ciampa at Eclipse practiceToday, Ciampa is considered among the best technicians in an area filled with great wrestling programs. The campus of national powerhouse Blair Academy is a mere 30 miles away. Often times, following their spring season, many of its wrestlers can be found training with Eclipse. Mark Grey, Joey McKenna, and Dylan Milonas are among the current Blair wrestlers that have leveraged Ciampa's high-level technique and the strong training partners at Eclipse to improve their skills. Over the years, Ciampa has continued to develop his understanding of the sport and refined the technique in which he teaches. When asked how he picks up on the subtleties of an almost perfect (but not quite) leg lace, he responds by saying, "I'm constantly thinking about technique." Some people are addicted to smoking, drinking, or gambling. Matt Ciampa is addicted to studying wrestling technique on the Internet. The atmosphere at Eclipse is a refreshing contrast to the boot camp style practices that have become the norm in the U.S. Ciampa's practices are at the same time simple, intentional, and productive. He focuses on technique above conditioning, but also reminds his athletes that "training" (read: conditioning) needs to be done on their own time. One unaccustomed to the mentality of the club might mistake a typical practice for a middle school jamboree or gymnastics lesson. Practices "start" with an adapted version of dodge ball followed by a series of tumbling drills that often finds 215-pounders executing flawless front hand-springs and back flips. An opportunity to stretch leads into a series of drills that makes lifting and throwing seem as routine as brushing your teeth. The remaining hour-and-a-half of practice is spent focusing on technique, simulating real match situations, and wrestling live. Zach Rey trained at Eclipse before winning an NCAA title (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Zach Rey, an NCAA champion at heavyweight for Lehigh, is a former Eclipse wrestler. As a first-year wrestler, Rey went 9-17 his freshman season in high school. Knowing he had to step up his game if he wanted to become competitive, he began training at Eclipse and quickly turned the corner. "I really liked the coaches (at Eclipse)," said Rey, a 2010 University World Team member. "I felt real comfortable there. It was a good fit. I had great workout partners. I went there a few weeks ago and was amazed at the quality of wrestlers, with (Anthony) Ashnault, McKenna ... real competitive wrestlers. It's a great environment for our wrestlers to get better and compete." This past season, Eclipse had 14 All-Americans, five double place winners, three finalists, and two champions on the national level of competition. One of the champions, Mark Grey, won the FILA Junior World Team Trials and placed fifth in the Junior World Championships in Bulgaria. In an interview with USA Wrestling in 2009, Grey attributed his dominance in the par terre position to Ciampa and his ability to set up the move. More recently, Grey referenced the impact of something Ciampa said to him as an eighth-grader following a sloppily-executed arm throw in practice: you can have good habits, or you can have bad habits. "It stuck with me," Grey says, four years later. "You just think about it. I couldn't get rid of it. As I've progressed, and gotten older, I've gone harder and harder, knowing there is someone out there training for me." Both Grey and Rey mentioned the mental edge they gained having Ciampa in their corner. Mark Grey attributes much of his success in the international styles to Matt Ciampa (Photo/BuckeyeWrestling.com)When we were in Fargo, he just focused on the mental toughness (of wrestling)," said Grey, who is ranked as the No. 4 recruit in the country by InterMat. "He's competed at all the higher levels. He talks to you a lot. He's able to communicate with you a lot. He's always talking to you. Talking strategy. When you're in a match, you're very comfortable with him. He's always on your side." Assistant coach Larry Levinstone appreciates what Eclipse has to offer. He was the product of the system through high school and continued training at Eclipse while competing in the open division. He attributes much of his success (six-time Northeast Regional Greco-Roman champion, one-time freestyle champion, University Nationals Greco-Roman All-American, Espoir Nationals All-American, and U.S. World Team Trials qualifier) to Ciampa. "Matt has a coaching style that really worked for me," said Levinstone. "While I didn't get the ideas and concepts right away, it finally clicked when I entered the open division. That is where everything fell into place with my gut wrench. I was never a super talent or highly athletic, but he never faltered in his belief that one day I would have some success. He always treated me the same as everyone else. Matt is one of the underrated coaches, not only in New Jersey, but in the country. I truly believe that statement." Eclipse wrestlers show "Team Tall" sign in FargoLevinstone also appreciates the fun-natured spirit of Eclipse. In 1996, Ciampa reintroduced a phrase made popular by the Summit wrestling team in the late 1980's to describe a great match or a great throw --"Tall." "It was a great compliment to get a 'Tall' comment, and fun too for us as competitors because the Eclipse guys were the only ones in the state that knew the meaning," said Levinstone recently. "(In the) 1996 Cadet National finals we had Nik Fekete competing for the state (of New Jersey) and the club. We decided it would be fun to let the rest of the guys on the trip into the meaning, so we painted our chests and did the international sign for tall, which is extending the arm over the head and flexing your wrist to show height. Other states were looking at us like we were insane but we had a great time doing it. Since then 'Team Tall' has stuck around. It's on our shirts every year and the new kids that come to the club get a kick out of the story behind it." Today, Levinstone is one of four coaches with a broad range of skills and experience that helps out on a volunteer basis. He believes the club attracts some of the best talent in New Jersey because of the workouts. "The workout plans that Coach Ciampa puts together always have a purpose of giving those guys the edge over someone who may be more athletic," said Levinstone. "The depth (of understanding) that these kids are learning is not based upon winning, but becoming better wrestlers." Levinstone also believes the most important aspect of Eclipse is its concentration on the Olympic styles. "We don't do any folkstyle," said Levinstone. "Our club runs from the week after the state tournament until we return to Fargo. We attempt to split the time 50/50 (freestyle and Greco-Roman), which is another reason the club is special. There are not too many clubs in the state of New Jersey where the Olympic styles are promoted. let alone clubs that really do concentrate on Greco as much as we do." Rick Brodman founded Eclipse in 1985The list of former All-Americans on the team's website supports this claim. Of the 135 All-Americans, more than half (71) have been in Greco Roman. As Ciampa himself would say, "Not bad for a small club coached by a bunch of nobodies." Ciampa is self-deprecating but self-aware. He will one moment ride someone for not immediately transitioning into a gut wrench following a perfectly executed slide-by ("shame on you") and the next moment joke with the coaching staff about the mullet he wore in 1989. Many consider his approach to coaching -- his emphasis on technique and lighthearted attitude -- a carbon copy of his mentor. When asked if he would consider this an accurate comparison, Brodman says, "Yeah, I would. I happen to know that Matt Ciampa thinks very highly of me. I love Matthew Ciampa, because the club lives on because of him." The Eclipse season officially ended two weekends ago with the annual coaches' barbeque. Next spring will bring another crop of kids eager to learn from one of the sport's best. If history is any indication of the future, the club will spit out another group of All Americans. That's pretty tall. For more information on the Eclipse Wrestling Club, visit www.eclipsewrestling.com. Jim Beezer accepts feedback at jim@intermatwrestle.com.

St. Cloud State University Director of Athletics Dr. Morris Kurtz has announced the hiring of Brady Wilson as an assistant coach for the Husky wrestling program, which captured runner-up honors at the 2011 NCAA Division II wrestling championships. The Huskies will also add Tyson Reiner as a graduate assistant wrestling coach to the program in 2011-12. A 2009 graduate of Minnesota State University, Wilson served as a graduate assistant coach at his alma mater in 2010-11 and he received a graduate degree in sports management from Minnesota State University in 2011. Wilson brings a wealth of collegiate wrestling experience to the St. Cloud State wrestling room. At Minnesota State, Wilson was a four-time All-American, a four-time conference champion and a four-time NCAA regional champion during his collegiate wrestling career. At the NCAA Division II championships, Wilson earned top five finishes at 285-pounds in all four seasons of his career, including a second place finish in 2010. He set a record at Minnesota State with 143 wins during his career and he was named MSU's Athlete of the Year and Student-Athlete of the Year in 2010. A 2005 graduate of Faribault High School in Faribault, Minn., Wilson earned MSHSL state champion honors in 2005 while posting a 109-30 career record as a prep athlete. At Faribault High School, Wilson also gained NHSCA, Greco Juniors and Fila Freestyle All-America accolades. Last year at Minnesota State, Wilson helped lead the Mavericks to a 10th place finish at the 2011 NCAA Division II championships. He coached three All-American and six national qualifiers during the 2010-11 season in Mankato. “I've had the privilege to know Brady (Wilson) over the years as a competitor and as a coach,” said Coach Steve Costanzo. “He is an excellent choice to fill the role as head assistant wrestling coach and will help build our young men into life champions on and off the mat. I look forward to working with him and I am confident that he is a great fit for our program.” Reiner joins the SCSU staff after serving as an assistant wrestling coach at Wartburg College during the 2010-11 season. Reiner helped lead Wartburg to a NCAA Division III team title last winter along with first place finishes in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the NWCA/Cliff Keen Division III National Duals. Wartburg saw seven of its athletes earn top seven finishes at the NCAA championships in 2011, including two national individual champions. A 2010 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, Reiner wrestled for the Panthers from 2005 to 2010. A two-time team captain and three-year starter at UNI, Reiner earned one Western Wrestling Confernece crown and was a two-time NCAA Division I national qualifier in college. A native of Mitchell, S.D., Reiner claimed two South Dakota state high school titles and was a two-time state runner-up as a prep wrestler. He was also a two-time high school All-America award winner. “Tyson has earned the respect of his peers as an outstanding leader in and out of the wrestling room,” said Costanzo. “He has proven experience as a winner and will be invaluable to the Husky wrestling program in our quest to retain a top quality program.” In 2010-11, SCSU enjoyed one of its best seasons in team history. The Huskies placed second in the nation at the 2011 NCAA Division II Championships, won the 2011 NCAA Division II Super Region #3 title and set a team record with a 19-2 dual meet record in 2010-11. Senior wrestler John Sundgren won a national title at 157-pounds for the Huskies. The second place national finish was the highest national tournament finish for the Huskies in team history, and the Huskies also posted a solid third place finish at the elite NWCA National Duals in 2011.

Frank Romano

FARGO, N.D. -- North Dakota State head wrestling coach Roger Kish today announced the hiring of Manny Rivera as assistant coach. Manny Rivera"We are excited to have Manny on board," said Kish. "His passion and excitement for the sport will help elevate this program to a new level. I believe our wrestlers will feed off the energy brought to the program by our staff." Rivera joins the program after spending last year as an assistant coach at Virginia and two years as a graduate assistant at Minnesota. While at Virginia, he helped coach two All-America performers. While a graduate assistant for the Gophers, he also served as the assistant director at the School of Champions, a wrestling training program for junior high and high school students. Additionally, he was a volunteer wrestling coach at Rosemead High School. A native of El Monte, Calif., Rivera was a three-time NCAA qualifier at Minnesota and earned All-America honors as a senior after finishing seventh at 141 pounds at the NCAA Championships. He was also a starter on Minnesota's 2007 national championship team. He finished his career with a record of 113-40 and 27 pins and was team captain as a senior. Rivera has continued wrestling after graduating and won a bronze medal at the 2010 Pan-American Games as a member of the Mexican national team. He graduated from Minnesota in 2008 with a degree in psychology.

The 2012 InterMat JJ Classic takes place at the UCR Regional Sports Center in Rochester, Minn. This premier preseason high school wrestling event is open to wrestles in grades 7 through 12. Register. Check out all the latest news on the InterMat JJ Classic ...

Lander Tiger senior Jordan Hanson gave University of Wyoming wrestling coach Mark Branch a verbal commitment on Saturday to wrestle for the Wyoming Cowboys. Jordan HansonHanson was a 2010-2011 Class 3A heavyweight state champion, Wyoming All-State wrestler, Academic All-State wrestler, Tournament of Champions runner-up, Ron Thon Memorial champion, and Thoman Memorial Best of the Best Tournament champion. "I am really looking forward to the opportunity to wrestle for Wyoming at the D1 level," said Hanson. "Coach Branch and the program he has developed has become one of the top 15 in the nation. I am really looking forward to being a part of it." According to Hanson, the coaches from the University of Wyoming began expressing interest in making him a Cowboy early in July. After visiting the campus this past weekend, it has become clear that UW is great fit for him. "I was able to spend a lot of time with the coaches and the team," said Hanson. "They made me feel welcome and as if I was already part of the Cowboys." Hanson will graduate from Lander Valley High School in May of 2012. He expects to begin wrestling during his fall semester at UW.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The 2012 NAIA Wrestling National Championships will take place in Des Moines, Iowa, March 1 - 3, which is a location change from the original agreement. The change occurs because of facility renovations at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, Des Moines Area Sports Commission and Grand View University (Iowa) will host the 2012 event at the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center. “The very nature of the circumstances surrounding this bid process required the NAIA to attract a quality venue and a solid host committee,” said NAIA Championship Sport Manager Scott McClure. “We're confident that the host committee and the city of Des Moines will go the extra mile in making this year's NAIA Wrestling National Championships at the Jacobson Exhibition Center an outstanding experience for our student-athletes, coaches and fans.” The Exhibition Center was completed in 2010. The state-of-the-art facility has fixed seating for 3,500, meeting rooms, concession areas and a second-floor VIP area. The facility has hosted events such as the 2011 Wrestling Corn Cob Nationals, the USA Gymnastics Region IV Championships and is scheduled to host the 2012 Junior High Wrestling State Meet. The 2011 event marked the seventh NAIA Wrestling National Championship held in the state of Iowa. Prior to Cedar Rapids, Sioux City served as hosts for six years in two different stints. The NAIA estimates that 5-8,000 fans attend the wrestling championships each year. The 2013 NAIA Wrestling National Championships will go back to the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The dates will be Feb. 28 – March 2. The championship consists of 10 individual weight classes with five different sessions during the three-day span. Wrestlers qualify for the championships in one of two ways: placing in the top four in any weight class at the Qualifying Group tournament or through an intercollegiate tournament during the season. For more information on qualification, click here. In the history of the sport, there have been 19 national team champions as former member Notre Dame (Ohio) won its second-straight National Championship in 2011. The first NAIA Wrestling National Championships occurred in 1958 and were held in Mankato, Minn. The host school, Mankato State won the inaugural title. Currently, 37 varsity programs sponsor wrestling in the NAIA.

The University of Minnesota Wrestling program has announced a couple of changes on its coaching staff for the 2011-12 season. Brandon Eggum who has been the assistant coach for the last 10 seasons has been promoted to Head Assistant Coach. He takes over after the departure of Joe Russell, who took the head coaching job at George Mason University. The second change is Luke Becker who has been a volunteer assistant for the past nine years is now the Assistant Coach for the Gophers. Brandon Eggum and Luke Becker have both been promoted on the Minnesota staff (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)Head Coach J Robinson who be entering his 26th season at the helm for the Gophers's is really excited about what Eggum and Becker can continue to bring to the program. Staying in the Gopher family was a very important decision for Robinson in this process “One of the things we wanted to do was to keep the continuity in the program,” Robinson said. “I think Brandon and Luke have the philosophy that we strive on and that's being aggressive as well as being dominate. I think they will bring that same thought process into their new jobs.” Eggum, was a three-time All-American and four-year letter winner for the Golden Gophers from 1997 to 2000. As a sophomore, Eggum earned his first All-American certificate with a fifth-place finish at 177 pounds at the 1998 NCAA Championships. He ranks tied for 17th in school history in wins with a 115-23-0 overall record, while his .833 winning percentage ranks tied for 15th. Eggum is tied for 11th place all-time with a stellar 61-11 dual meet record. In Eggum's first season on the Gopher coaching staff (2001) Minnesota earned the program's first national championship with an NCAA record 10 All-Americans. The team also captured the Big Ten Championship, as well as the National Duals Championship. Becker, was the 157-pound national champion at the 2002 NCAA Championships as a junior. He then closed his career with his fourth All-America certificate, earning a fourth place finish. Becker ended his career ranked eighth in school history with a 125-29-0 career record and ranked 10th with 29 career pins. Currently he stands at 11th and 15th respectively in each category. Becker has helped develop 12 All-America honorees including 2010 NCAA champion and Hodge Trophy winner Jayson Ness. Becker also coached Ness and Mike Thorn to Big Ten championships. After serving as one of the key contributors on the mat for Minnesota's first two national titles in 2001 and 2002, Becker was on staff during its run to the 2007 national championship.

Jacob Pauli, an NCAA champion pole vaulter for Northern Iowa, and Alex Dolly, a volunteer assistant coach at Michigan State, will go "On the Mat" this Tuesday, August 30. "On the Mat" is a presentation of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. The show can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa each Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00 PM Central on AM 1650, The Fan. This week's show will be broadcast on Tuesday, August 30 at 5 p.m. An archive of the show can be found on www.themat.tv. E-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with any questions or comments about the show. During the months of August and September the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum will conduct "champions" interviews with champion athletes and coaches outside the sport of wrestling. There will also be regular interviews with wrestlers and coaches. This week's "champion" interview is with Jacob Pauli. Pauli was an NCAA champion in the pole vault for Northern Iowa in 2001. He was a member of the 2007 World championship team and an Olympic alternate in 2008. Dolly was a four-year starter for the University of Northern Iowa wrestling team, reaching the round of 12 at the NCAA tournament in three of those years. He is currently a volunteer assistant coach at Michigan State. Dolly will represent Ireland in the upcoming World Championships.

With the high school wrestling season's start fast approaching, InterMat will be taking fans across the United States of America on a tour of scholastic wrestling. From now until the middle of November, InterMat will introduce fans to the top high school senior wrestlers in the 49 states with scholastic wrestling. From Alaska to Florida, and Maine to California, fans will gain exposure to future college and senior level stars. The rankings within this article do not necessarily reflect those done by InterMat. This list represents the Top 10 seniors in the state of Tennessee along with 5 honorable mention selections. The wrestlers comprising this Top 10 list have amassed 14 state titles in 21 state final appearances. One wrestler in this list will attempt to become the second wrestler to earn five Tennessee state championships, one will seek his fourth title, and yet another will seek to make his fifth finals appearance in search of his third state title. The wrestlers in this article hail from all corners of the state including Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, and Memphis. Seven different schools are represented in the Top 10 list, climbing to ten when you add the honorable mentions. A slight edge goes to DII as they have six wrestlers in the top ten versus four for DI, however DI evens the score picking up four of the five honorable mention slots. Several schools claim multiple wrestlers on the list with Father Ryan leading the way with three, though one of those traces his roots back to McCallie. All but one wrestler in the top ten has been in the state finals with eight of them capturing titles. Three of our honorable mention wrestlers also hold state titles. While competing in the state of Tennessee this group of 10 seniors has amassed 14 state titles, 21 state final appearances, 29 state medals, and 2 Outstanding Wrestler awards at the state tournament. Throughout their careers they have an official record sporting 1,151 wins against 154 losses, giving them an 88.2% win percentage. Five different wrestlers from this group have accounted for 8 different medals at the NHSCA grade level national championships (freshman, sophomore, and junior); two at the junior level, four at the sophomore level, and two at the freshman level. This group has had no place winners at the Super 32 but does carry a 24-20 mark from the tournament. Taking a look at performances in the international styles, only three of the wrestlers have ever competed at the USAW Asics/Vaughan Junior & Cadet National Championships (Fargo), but those three wrestlers carry an 11-8 record. However, one of those three has earned FILA Cadet All-American status. Five of the Top 10 seniors have represented Team Tennessee at either the Cadet or Junior National Duals and tout an overall record of 30-17 from those events. Several of these wrestlers can be found amongst the various national rankings as recognition for the work they have put in, but it doesn't determine the outcome of a single match they will wrestle. Some of them will move on to college wrestling, be it DI or DII, NAIA, NWCA, etc. and others will end their careers on the mats in Franklin, Tenn. on Feb. 18. Beyond the numbers and statistics, every wrestler on this list has achieved things that many wrestlers strive for through every grueling practice and every punishing tournament. They have won titles, lost important matches, and pushed their bodies to bend and break the will of an opponent who has the exact same goal in mind. They are wrestlers ... and regardless of what other sports they may compete in, it is the wrestling mentality that they will carry with them and be better because of it. 1. Zach Watson (Baylor) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 126 Projected College Weight Class: 125 Zach WatsonAnalysis: Leading this year's class of seniors in Tennessee is University of Virginia commitment Zach Watson. Watson is a four-time state champion who will look to become Tennessee's second five-time state champ this season. Watson brings with him a career record of 148-3 which includes no losses in the state and has garnered one outstanding wrestler award at the state tournament (his eighth grade season). On the national scale, Watson has found his largest success at the NHSCA grade level events where he was second as a sophomore and third as a Junior both at 119 pounds. Wrestling for Baylor has allowed Watson to see higher level competition in season where he sports a 5-1 record at The Clash (2011) and has placed first and second at the Southeast Prep School Slam. Watson has competed at the Super 32 once in 2010 where he finished with a 3-2 record. Not competing heavily in the international styles, Watson has represented Tennessee once at the Cadet duals in 2008 but has not seen any other major freestyle or Greco-Roman competitions. While on the mat Zach shows excellent technique from all positions coupled with superb natural balance. Watson is not a physical wrestler, opting instead for a style that leans more towards agility and speed. However, that isn't to say Watson can't handle a more physical match as he has faced several including wrestling his junior season at 125 for his team when 119 was the weight he competed at during post and preseason national events. Zach is an excellent college prospect who could produce great results at Virginia. 2. Campbell Lewis (Soddy Daisy) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 132/138 Projected College Weight Class: 133/141 Analysis: Campbell Lewis comes in as our second wrestler who doesn't know how to lose at the state tournament. Campbell has made the DI state finals three times and has had his hand raised every time. His first two titles came at 125 and his most recent at 130. Campbell has found success at nearly every level of competition he has entered while compiling his high school record of 99-12. Campbell LewisCampbell is a two-time place winner at the NHSCA grade level nationals; first as a freshman and seventh as a sophomore at 125; however he was 2-2 as a junior at 130. Lewis has attended the Super 32 twice and while failing to place both times, does carry a 9-4 overall record including a 6-2 mark last year. Campbell has also shown a willingness to test himself in the international styles competing at Junior Duals, Fargo, and the Southeast Regionals. Lewis was injured during the 2011 Junior Duals but finished second in the Southeast Region in freestyle at 140. In 2009 Lewis was the Southeast Region champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. If you had to choose one word to describe Campbell's wrestling style it would likely be gritty. Lewis isn't a wrestler who tends to awe you with flashy technique or overwhelming strength, instead solid positioning, a consistent pace, and a willingness to fight for every point are the things many wrestling observers notice. However, don't get too relaxed as Lewis does have the ability to hit the big move as was evidenced by his throw that ultimately won him a tough state semi-finals match against a wrestler who will appear later in this list. 3. Michael Hooker (Father Ryan/McCallie) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 152 Projected College Weight Class: 149 Michael HookerAnalysis: Michael Hooker continues the trend in this list of wrestlers who have made the state finals every year. Michael Hooker has made four appearances in the DII state finals and came away with two state titles; one at 112 his eighth grade year and the second at 145 as a junior. Sandwiched between those state titles were runner-up finishes at 125 and 135. Hooker spent the first four years of his career wrestling at McCallie in Chattanooga where he compiled a 160-10 career record but has moved to Nashville's Father Ryan for his senior year. Hooker has two significant national placings in his high school career; a fifth-place finish at the NHSCA Junior Nationals at 145 to go along with a fifth-place finish at the 2009 FILA Cadet Greco-Roman Nationals. Staying active in the international styles, Hooker has represented Team Tennessee twice at the USAW National Duals (once at Juniors and once at Cadets), competed once at Fargo in 2009, and claimed a first-place finish in freestyle and third place in Greco-Roman at the 2009 Southeast Regional. He has also spent at least one summer on a wrestling tour in Europe rather than competing in Fargo. Michael picked up a championship in the Southeast Prep School Slam last season after finishing third the prior year. Hooker is a wrestler who is solid from all three positions on the mat but like many high school wrestlers may struggle on bottom when he enters the college ranks, primarily for lack of being there much in high school. Hooker has long used a strong leg-ride from the top position as one of his go-to moves. However, early in his career he struggled to score points with it against tougher opponents but has found more success there in his junior season. Hooker is a major dual-threat in neutral with the ability to create his own offense and to use his excellent hips to convert counter throws. This big move potential combined with strong top work has allowed Hooker to collect right at 100 falls at this point in his career. 4. McCoy Newberg (Independence) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 170 Projected College Weight Class: 174/184 McCoy NewbergAnalysis: The fourth wrestler on the list, McCoy Newberg, is the first to break the trend of reaching the state finals each year. Starting out as a middle weight Newberg wasn't even his team's starter as a freshman. However, Newberg has made a consistent march up the ranks in the state since that time. Newberg took third in the state as a sophomore at 152 before claiming a DI state title as a junior at 160. Putting an exclamation point on his rise Newberg was named the DI Outstanding Wrestler at last year's state tournament. Newberg has compiled an in-season record of 129 wins against 17 losses during his career at Independence. Like others on this list Newberg has continued to test himself outside of the state where he has competed in the Super 32 twice and attended the NHSCA grade level nationals three times. Newberg finished second as a freshman at 145, eighth as a sophomore at 152, and missed placing with a 4-2 record as a junior at 160 at the NHSCA nationals. Newberg has also found his way to higher level competitions on the freestyle circuit during the summers. Newberg has been a member of Team Tennessee twice at the USAW National Duals where he has compiled an 11-4 record in freestyle. Newberg finished second at the 2011 Southeast Regionals at 171 in freestyle. Attending Fargo twice, Newberg compiled a 4-2 record as a Cadet and returned as a Junior to once again finish 4-2 while picking up a win over another returning Cadet All-American. Newberg is a tall, lanky wrestler who understands how to use his leverage well. It is this writer's opinion that he may have the most upside of the top four wrestlers when placed in a college wrestling room. Newberg's frame looks as if he could add considerable muscle as he matures and grows into a solid college upper-weight. Newberg wrestles an active style for an upper-weight wrestler and has a wide array of scoring holds from both neutral and top. Newberg is a crafty wrestler as well, understanding how to get an opponent to relax before he takes that period or round ending shot. Good, natural hips, an attitude that loves seeking out strong wrestling competition, and room to continue to improve in all three positions should keep Newberg an attractive prospect for college coaches. If he is able to add more chain wrestling from neutral, Newberg may become the most desirable recruit who hasn't committed from this crop of Tennessee seniors. 5. Cody Davis (Pigeon Forge) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 182/195 Projected College Weight Class: 184/197 Cody DavisAnalysis: Cody Davis is a wrestler who understands all about moving up in the world as he has done so each year in weight and step on the podium. As a freshman Davis placed 6th in the DI tournament at a 160 pounds. He followed that up with a sophomore performance that put him in the state finals at 171 where he eventually lost 1-0 in triple overtime to the defending state champion at 160 pounds. Finally, as a junior, Davis moved up to 189 where he navigated his way to his first state title. However, Davis' success hasn't been limited to inside the Tennessee borders ... this two- sport athlete (Davis play middle linebacker on the football team) has tasted national competition in folkstyle and the international styles. Davis finished sixth at the NHSCA Sophomore Nationals at 171 with a 5-3 record and then returned to Virginia Beach where he went 3-2 in the Junior Nationals at 189 with both losses coming to wrestlers who would place. Davis hasn't remained satisfied with competing in a tournament that closely follows the high school season; he has twice attended the Super 32 where he has a 4-4 overall record. Davis has sporadically competed in the international styles claiming a Southeast Regional freestyle championship in 2009 as a 171 pound Cadet and a third place medal in Greco-Roman the same year. Davis also was a member of Team Tennessee at the USAW Junior Duals in 2011 where he had an overall record 6-5 (4-3 freestyle, 2-2 Greco-Roman). Stylistically, Davis wrestles a physical style from his feet showing strong hand-fighting skills. However, he is no slouch on the mat as he has 90 falls in his high school career. Cody will likely have to make a choice between playing football and wrestling in college but believes wrestling may be the better path for him. Given a solid academic background and a reputation as a disciplined and hard-working athlete, Davis is likely to be a solid asset to whatever program he chooses to join. 6. Austin Woods (Franklin) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 132 Projected College Weight Class: 133 Austin WoodsAnalysis: Austin Woods is one of two wrestlers in the top 10 who have not won a Tennessee state title. Woods is a two-time DI state place winner finishing third as a sophomore and third as a junior both at 130. Last year Woods was defeated by the second ranked senior, Campbell Lewis, 8-6 in the state semi-finals before wrestling back to third. What places Woods so high on this list are his two wins last season over the seventh ranked senior, Cole Moseley, 3-0 and 8-4. Woods hasn't seen much competition outside of the state but did compete at the NHSCA Junior Nationals where he finished 1-2. Woods displays strong skills on his feet but is solid in most positions. Playing to his strength on his feet, Woods wrestles at a solid pace and works his opponents while staying in solid position. This makes him tough to score on and leaves him ready to capitalize when his opponents force a bad position. 7. Cole Moseley (Father Ryan) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 138/145 Projected College Weight Class: 141/149 Cole MoseleyAnalysis: Cole Moseley is our final wrestler who has reached the state finals every year. Moseley captured a DII state title as a freshman at 103 and has gone on to finish second at 112 and 130. Moseley lost in the finals his sophomore year to the eighth ranked wrestler in this list in quadruple overtime. Moseley has compiled a career record of 120-19 through three seasons of competition. Getting outside of the state Moseley has attended the NHSCA age group nationals twice. As a sophomore Moseley was 4-2 at 119 while as a junior he finished 3-2 with both losses coming to wrestlers who would place in the top six. Off-season injuries, including a rib injury this year, and other commitments have kept Moseley from seeing much out-of-state competition in freestyle or Greco-Roman. A tactical and cerebral wrestler, Moseley wrestles a controlled and solid match against most competition. Moseley is not the type of wrestler to physically overwhelm many opponents and instead tends to force his opponents into positions where they make a mistake, and he is able to capitalize. An intelligent student to go along with his wrestling acumen, Moseley is a member of multiple honors societies and his college interests include the Air Force Academy, UNC, Princeton, Army, and Virginia. 8. Alex Ward (McCallie) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 138 Projected College Weight Class: 133/141 Alex WardAnalysis: Alex Ward is a three-time DII state placer while wrestling for the McCallie Blue Tornado's. Ward finished fourth at 103 as a freshman, first at 112 as a sophomore, and second at 125 as a junior while compiling a 115 and 25 record. Ward captured his first state title by defeating our seventh ranked senior, Cole Moseley, 7-6 in a match that went into the fourth overtime period. Last season Ward lost in the state finals to top rated senior Zach Watson. Ward hasn't competed outside of the state much aside from a few in season tournaments but did attend the Super 32 this past season where he finished with a 3-2 record. Ward also earned a third-place finish at the Southeast Prep School Slam during his junior campaign. Ward is a wrestler who scrambles well and is solid from the top position. This Blue Tornado wrestler has shown a strong leg ride, power-half series and also commonly looks for tilts from top, favoring those that come from a cross-wrist ride. In neutral Ward uses his relatively lanky frame to his advantage using an underhook, throw-by to single leg and a front headlock series to pick up solid takedowns. Ward is an Eagle Scout and National Honor Society member who has expressed interest in heading west to continue his college career with interest in Utah Valley University, Boise State, and Cal Poly. 9. T.J. Holmes (Father Ryan) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 182 Projected College Weight Class: 184/197 T.J. HolmesAnalysis: T.J. Holmes is a wrestler who has shown remarkable improvement in the time he has been in the Fighting Irish starting line-up. Holmes is a two-time DII state placer finishing third as a sophomore at 160 and winning a state title as a junior at 189. In two seasons of competition, Holmes has compiled a career record of 72-13. In his state title winning junior campaign, Holmes took only one loss, a 6-4 decision to a wrestler from Ohio powerhouse Archbishop Moeller, while racking up 18 falls. Holmes has competed in only one major national tournament, the NHSCA Junior Nationals, where he compiled a 5-2 record while taking losses to the fourth and fifth-place finishers. Like his teammate Moseley, Holmes is a smart tactical wrestler who controls the pace of his matches well. In moving up in weight over the last year, Holmes added a lot of strength which has complimented his style of picking and choosing his shots well. Not an overly aggressive wrestler, Holmes is comfortable winning a decision once he has built his lead against a tough opponent. Holmes hasn't made any college decisions at this point but is interested in continuing his career in college. It is this writer's hope that he finds the proper fit and continues his involvement in the sport. 10. Matthew Cate (Baylor) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 152/160 Projected College Weight Class: 157 Analysis: Matthew Cate has been one of the more consistent and hard-working wrestlers in the state over the past few seasons. While Cate is one of two wrestlers in this list not to win a state title he is a three-time DII state placer; finishing third at 140 as freshman, 3rd at 152 as a sophomore, and runner-up at 152 as a junior. Cate may not have picked up a state title yet but he has several quality wins including one over last year's state champion and defeating at least one Fargo All-American in the past season. Cate is a solid wrestler who doesn't surrender many points and is rarely out of a match ... in the previous two seasons Cate has only surrendered two bonus point losses, both major-decisions. Cate has compiled a record of 107-32 while wrestling for the Red Raiders which includes an 8-3 record competing at The Clash and a second-place finish at the Southeast Prep School Slam. If you wanted to sum up Cate's wrestling style in one word it would probably be pressure. Cate's strong motor allows him to keep pressure on his opponent from all three positions. In neutral Cate uses active hands that are constantly pawing at his opponent's head and good foot movement to keep the pressure on his opponent. When found in the down position Cate keeps a fairly constant flow of motion and is rarely shy about looking for the reversal. From the top position, Cate looks for his spiral ride early and is often looking to trap the far triceps and switches quickly to a high-single should his opponent reach their feet. Honorable Mention: Patrick Benson (Bradley Central) -- DI state champion at 285, two-time placer Jack Boone (Notre Dame) --Two-time runner-up, three time placer in DI Barrett Gauger (Baylor) -- DII state champion at 285 Holden Schay (Houston) -- DI state champion at 171, two-time placer John Shrader (Franklin) -- State runner-up, two-time placer in DI

Event: UFC 134: Silva vs. Okami Venue: HSBC Arena (Rio de Janerio, Brazil) Date: August 27, 2011 Tonight's UFC card comes to us from Brazil and features a whole slew of young, aggressive fighters from the hotbed of mixed martial arts. The city known for its large stable of jiu-jitsu fighters, sold out their venue in a matter of hours. Tonight it's Brazil vs. the World. And the greatest fighter in UFC history, middleweight Anderson "The Spider" Silva, will try to avenge his last loss, a DQ for illegal kick to Yushin Okami. But Silva is an outrageous -525 favorite, so I see no value there in betting on him. But I don't see Okami winning either, as his style is made-to-order for the Spider. Okami loves to strike and clinch. But Silva will stay his distance. Okami has great takedown defense, but Silva doesn't try to take you down. I think the best bet with the best value is to take +700 on Silva winning by submission. Why? Okami has never been submitted. That's why. I can see Silva knocking Okami to the canvas with his lethal strikes, then pouncing on him, and securing a choke hold to end it. At +700, I'll certainly take my chances on that happening. I will also be betting that the fight does NOT go 4.5 rounds, and I will lay -205 on that winner. Silva wins by submission in the second round. In another revenge match, light heavyweight Maricio "Shogun" Rua will look to avenge his only submission loss of his career to Forrest Griffin. The oddsmakers have Shogun at -225 to do it, and I agree. Except for his decisive loss to Jonny "Bones" Jones, Shogun has been steam-rolling through opponents. Forrest is game, but Rua wins a decision here, and I go to the winner's window again. Heavyweight Minotauro Nogueira is a legend in MMA. But his better days are behind him. Today he looks old, slow, and out-of-touch with today's MMA athlete. Enter one Brendan Schaub, a knockout beast, who ends most of his fights (6 KOs in less than 1:30 minutes) in the very first round. One athlete is on the way up, while the other is fading into the sunset. Which would you take? I'll take Schaub and lay the -250. He wins again by first round KO. My best bet of the night is Edson Barbosa -300, a lightweight monster who has strong jits, but knocks everybody out instead. His opponent, Ross Pearson, is a made-to-order victim, as he likes to stand and trade punches. That strategy won't work here. Barbosa ends it in the first round securing "Knockout of the Night" at 6:1. His muscle flex on top of the octagon cage will tell you everything you need to know. Look out for Edson Barbosa. He's the real deal. Finally I find an underdog I can play. I like Russian Stanislav Nedkov to hang with Brazilian striker Luis Cane. Cane is a deadly striker, but somewhat slow on his feet. Nedkov can counter-punch and dance, and something tells me he can cash at +190 by outscoring his opponent and winning a close decision. Oddsmakers see this fight ending with another Cane KO. I see it differently. I'll take the juicy price on Nedkov. Now let's take a quick look at the undercard ... I love lightweight Spencer "The King" Fisher, who brings it every time out. He is a relentless stalker who strikes with both punches and kicks, but he will have his hands full tonight with Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert Thiago Tavares, who is the -220 favorite here. I will pass on this fight, as I think Tavares will probably win, but Fisher is a wounded dog who will fight for his UFC life. He has lost two in a row, and a third loss might give him his pink slip. That scares me. If you want to see a beast with great jits, look no further than middleweight Brazilian Rousimar Palhares. He is big and strong, with experience, and his ground game is as good as it gets. He will break your ankle with his hands. Dan Miller has strong jits, as well. But hometown crowd and a stronger ground game leads to a third round submission win for Palihares. Lay the -250. Another Brazilian, welterweight, Paulo Thiago, is on a different level that his opponent, David Mitchell, a green up-and-comer. With two consecutive losses Thiago gets his game back on track here as a heavy -400 favorite. A second round choke hold wins this one. Former WEC star, lightweight Rafael Assuncao, has more experience and a more rounded game than his opponent tonight, highly-touted Johnny Eduardo. A unanimous decision at -165 gets me another winner on tonight's card. Yuri Alcantara has never fought outside of Brazil. Tonight he will challenge for KO of the night at +500 odds. A convincing body shot TKO will end this in the first round, and give Alcantara -400 a travel visa for the United States. Another mismatch will find Erick Silva -270 winning a decision over Luis Ramos. And finally, I sniff out another underdog, Yves Jabouin +160, who will surprise the crowd with an abrupt KO to start the third round. We won $137 on the last UFC 133 card. Let's see if we can do it again? Here's what we will do with our "fictitious" $1000 bankroll: Let's lay $ 20 to win $140 on the Spider to win by submission. Any other result, we lose. Let's lay $103 to win $50 on Silva/Okami UNDER 4.5 rounds in their title fight. Let's lay $112 to win $50 on Shogun Rua to get his revenge on Forrest Griffin. Let's lay $125 to win $50 on Brendan Schaub to KO and retire Minotaura Nogueira. Let's lay $40 to win $78 on Stanslav Nedkov to pull an upset. Let's lay $100 to win $25 on Paulo Thiago's experience to get the job done. Let's lay $54 to win $20 on Erick Silva. Let's lay $80 to win $20 on Yuri Alcantara. Let's lay $125 to win $50 on Rousimar Palhares to break a limb. Let's lay $50 to win $30 Rafael Assuncao to roll … Let's lay $40 to win $64 on Yves Jabouin. ... and we will pass on Fisher vs. Tavares. In all we are risking $999 to win $627, playing 9 faves, 2 'dogs, and one no play. Don't forget to give part of your winnings to support your local youth wrestling program, where tomorrow's champions are born! Enjoy the fights. I know I will.

With the high school wrestling season's start fast approaching, InterMat will be taking fans across the United States of America on a tour of scholastic wrestling. From now until the middle of November, InterMat will introduce fans to the top high school senior wrestlers in the 49 states with scholastic wrestling. From Alaska to Florida, and Maine to California, fans will gain exposure to future college and senior level stars. The rankings within this article do not necessarily reflect those done by InterMat. The 2010-2011 wrestling season in the state of Montana was not to be soon forgotten. When the dust settled and the smoke cleared, from the Class 4 tornado that destroyed the Metra in Billings, the state's wrestling fans saw the breakup of the All-Class State Wrestling Tournament that has made the state's wrestling community a family since 1987. However, that is not to say that the state didn't enjoy one of the finest years on record in terms of overall talent. The season was one for the books. Jade Rauser of Broadwater (Class B-C) finished his high school career with a 175-0 record and set the state win record in the process. Dallen Brauer of Forsyth (Class B-C),'s quest to be a four-time champ was interrupted by Choteau's Jessie Werdahl. Brauer avenged his loss the following week by beating Werdahl, 4-1, at the Tournament of Champions, a non-sanctioned end of the year tournament held in Great Falls. Tanner Sprenkle of Billings Senior scored in the final seconds of his thriller with Great Falls High's Josh Morin to tab his fourth state title (Class AA). While in Class A, the Laurel Locomotives upset Havre for the team title. Heading into the 2011-2012 season, the caliber of top-tier wrestling talent is as good as it has ever been in the Treasure State. Expectations on national rankings and wrestlers moving on to the college level are as sky high as the Montana clouds. With the renovation of the Metra, the 2012 All-Class Tournament will reconvene in Billings. This year has the possibility of four wrestlers joining the elite group of four-time Montana state champions: Luke Zeige (Glasgow), Luke Schlosser (Conrad), Ben Stroh (Chinook), and Cole Mendenhall (Great Falls High). This Top 10 represents all three of Montana's classifications (AA-A-BC). Class B-C and Class AA are well represented, with Class A having only one wrestler. All prospective wrestlers were considered based on in-state record, state championships, All-American honors on either the Cadet or Junior level, Fargo and Reno tournaments, and finally the NHSCA events in Virginia Beach. 1. Ben Stroh High School: Chinook (Class B-C) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 189/215 Projected College Weight Class: 184/197 Ben Stroh (Photo/Chinook HS Yearbook Staff)Analysis: Stroh is a senior at Chinook High School in Chinook, Mont. He is a three-time Montana state champion and is expected to join an elite group of Montana wrestlers to win four consecutive titles. Overly dominant in running his high school record to 108-2, his last two seasons he remains undefeated. He currently holds the Montana record for consecutive pins with 61. Stroh's state championships were earned at 160 pounds, 171 pounds, and 189 pounds respectively. Nationally, Stroh competed and placed in the Tulsa Nationals, Rocky Mountain Nationals, Reno Worlds, and most recently sixth at Fargo's USAW Junior Nationals. Ben also maintains a 3.3 GPA. Ben was selected as an All-State football player on the Chinook 2011 state championship team, both at fullback and middle linebacker. The son of Robin and Lisa Stroh, Ben is currently drawing interest from Minnesota, Iowa, Boise State, and Wyoming. His brother, Robert, is currently a member of the Wyoming Cowboys wrestling team. He will no doubt be drawing national attention as the season approaches. 2. Luke Zeiger High School: Glasgow (Class B-C) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 145 Projected College Weight Class: 141 Analysis: A household name on the Montana wrestling scene since finishing his freshman campaign with a stunning state finals victory over Val Rauser (Broadwater Co./ Utah Valley), Zeiger has thrust himself into the national recruiting picture by winning the 2011 NHSCA Junior Nationals in Virginia Beach. He is known for being one of the best pinners in the state and is almost inescapable from the referee's position, when in control. Zeiger is hoping to wrestle for the University of Nebraska but also has a handful of area programs showing interest. 3. Cole Mendenhall High School: Great Falls High (Class AA) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 135 Projected College Weight Class: 133/141 Analysis: One of, if not the most reliable/steady wrestlers in the state, Cole Mendenhall, with a record of 130-4, has been impressive in his campaign to be the third Great Falls Bison to win four state titles. The pedigree of the Bison program has turned out such names as Bill and Mike Zadick (Iowa), Jeff Thompson (Minnesota), and the Young brothers, Bobby, Dustin, and Jesse (Boise State). Mendenhall's accolades include: Jug Beck Tournament champion and Outstanding Wrestler, Rocky Mountain Nationals champion, multiple-time Western Regionals champ in all styles, Big Horn Nationals champion, Reno World champion, USAW folkstyle All-American. Mendenhall has beaten many nationally-ranked wrestlers along the way, include pinning Val Rauser last year, while splitting 1-1 with him on the season. His lone loss was by only one point. Prominent wrestling experts state that Mendenhall is a top-caliber recruit who will be an asset to whichever respective program he ends up representing at the collegiate level. His desire is to attend a Division I school that will challenge him both on the mat and in the classroom. 4. Josh Morin High School: Great Falls High (Class AA) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 140 Projected College Weight Class: 133 Analysis: With physical build and manner, this product of Great Falls High's traditional in-your-face style of wrestling, Morin excelled in 2011 by beating Glasgow's Luke Zeiger and four-time state champion Tanner Sprenkle of Billings Senior, while totaling a career record of 105-11. Morin, a product of two former world championship bodybuilders, has a great work ethic that translates onto the mat. A two-time finalist, the attribute that sets him apart is his desire to always challenge the best opponents possible. Despite not possessing the accolades of some others on this list, Morin's best wrestling years seem to be in front of him. He will be a valuable college wrestler to whichever program he chooses. His accomplishments include two-time Western Regional Triple Crown winner, Rocky Mountain Nationals four-time All-American, Rocky Mountain Nationals champion, Big Horn Nationals All-American, USAW folkstyle All-American, and ranked as high as ninth in USAW Future Olympian rankings. His desire is to attend Oregon State, but listed North Dakota State, Rider, and Cal Poly as other schools of interest. Morin maintains a 3.85 GPA and is in the top ten percent of his class of 350-plus. 5. Dallen Brauer High School: Forsyth (Class B-C) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 152 Projected College Weight Class: 141 Analysis: Refocused for his senior year, Brauer has put forth the type of career that undoubtedly helps him get the noticed by college coaches. With win totals hitting 40-plus last season, his only loss was a controversial one in the state finals against Jesse Werdhal of Choteau High. Brauer, however, avenged this loss the following week in the TOC, tournament held after the season to decide a true "state champion"-- due to Montana's All-Class wrestling tournament being a three-division format. With a record of 129-4, 93 of those wins coming by fall Brauer is a three-time finalist, winning two state titles. He has led his Dogie teammates to be one of the toughest teams in the tri-state area, coached by Scott Weber. He competed at the Disney Duals and showed just how dynamic a grappler he can be, going 6-1 in the contest. University of Great Falls, Dickinson State, and various NAIA, and NCAA Division II schools are showing interest. 6. Luke Schlosser High School: Conrad (Class B-C) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 130 Projected College Weight Class: 125 Analysis: Being one of the smaller guys in the room, Schlosser has the skills to beat every guy in his practice room at Conrad High School. Likewise, dominating is part of his quest to become a four-time Montana state champion. The aforementioned is expected to be the best wrestler in his weight class for another consecutive season. Projected to compete at 119 for his senior campaign, Schlosser has risen to the challenge beating Top 10 member Taylor French and honorable mention member Chris Nile. Schlosser holds a 3.3 GPA and has cued the attentions of some Ivy League schools. Interested to see what schools start calling as his technique and toughness reach new heights, this Montana champ has lots of options. University of Great Falls will no doubt be added to the list, as his older brother, Scott, a three-time state champion, competes for the Argos. Schlosser has a high school record of 101-5 and went undefeated in 2011. He also won the 2011 TOC in Great Falls. 7. Grant Boggs High School: Helena High (Class AA) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 112 Projected College Weight Class: 125 Analysis: Helena High's Grant Boggs placed seventh and was one of four Montana wrestlers who earned All-American honors at the USAW Cadet Greco Roman Nationals in Fargo, N.D. At the Tournament of Champions, Boggs decisioned Karson Kukes (Laurel), 9-2, to claim the 98-pound crown. The Bengal grappler recently garnered the Class AA championship, while going an undefeated 35-0. Boggs, along with Bengal teammate Gabe Schroeck, are expected to compete at the FILA Cadet World Championships in Szombathely, Hungary this weekend. He will represent Team USA in the Greco-Roman portion of the event at 110 pounds. Boggs will no doubt have the option for college wrestling. 8. Eli Hinebaugh High School: Havre (Class A) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 171 Projected College Weight Class: 157 Analysis: Despite being ranked towards the bottom of this list, this young man demonstrates well his talent on the mat. In fact, when seeking opinions from several of the states wrestling gurus, almost all of them were in universal agreement that this Blue Pony stud was one of the most dynamic wrestlers in the state. He follows the lineage of three older brothers who won at least one state title in their careers. Eli showed next-level potential late in the 2011 season by winning a state title for Havre at the Class A wrestling championship held in Butte. The following week, Hinebaugh dominated the stiff competition at the TOC. Using his unorthodox "Hinebaugh Style" will no doubt leave college scouts intrigued as they watch Hinebaugh's quest for another state title. MSU-Northern will lead the group of college interests, as his older brother won a national title for the Lights in 2011. 9. Taylor French High School: Forsyth (Class B-C) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 125 Projected College Weight Class: 125 Analysis: Two-time Forsyth finalist Taylor French showed his prowess again on the mat in 2011. The Dogie grappler showed grit by winning the 2011 state title in dominant fashion. He sports a high school record of 83-5 with 60 pins and placed fifth at NHSCA Nationals in Virginia Beach this year. 10. Clay Cathey High School: Billings Skyview (Class AA) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 130 Projected College Weight Class: 125 Analysis: This high-flying Skyview Falcon is a tough customer. He had tremendous battles with Cole Mendenhall in 2010 and 2011, showing he is worthy of recognition on this list of Montana Elite. A three-time Class AA finalist, Cathey placed fourth at NHSCA Nationals and earned a silver medal at the Disney Duals. His Skyview team placed fourth this summer in a national dual tournament in Florida, in which he went unbeaten. Receiving some interest from several mid-major Division I programs, Cathey continues to perfect his technique under Coach Rich Malia, who has sent a solid handful of Falcons to wrestle at the Division level, most notably his own sons, Ty (Nebraska/Iowa State), Joey (Nebraska), and Bo (Oregon). Watch for Cathey's technique and aggressiveness to be much improved in 2012. So far undecided on his college choice, time will tell how this Montana wrestler's future will play out. Honorable Mention: Bryce Weatherston (Belgrade) Teague Jones (Harlem) Chris Nile (Forsyth) Brandon Weber (Forsyth) Ben Sulser (Billings Senior)

The nation's 12th-ranked sophomore, Sam Stoll (Kasson-Mantorville, Minn.), has registered for the 2011 InterMat JJ Classic at heavyweight. Stoll was a Cadet National double champion this summer. He was also undefeated at the Cadet National Duals and AAU Junior Olympics. Sam Stoll (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)

Fight Now USA Presents Takedown Wrestling from the Brute studios in Des Moines, Iowa at 1460 KXNO. Takedown Wrestling is brought to you by Kemin Agrifoods! Join hosts Scott Casber, Kevin Down and Brad Johnson with the Takedown Wrestling headline news. Listen Saturdays 9 to 11 a.m. CT/10 a.m. to noon ET. This week's guests: 9:01 Scott Goodale, Rutgers head wrestling coach 9:20 Mark Cody, American head wrestling coach 9:40 Russ Cozart, Brandon High School (Fla.) head wrestling coach 9:50 Ty Barkley, Max Muscle Sports Nutrition 10:01 Nick Gallo, TW Promotions (Asics) 10:20 Jim Zalesky, Oregon State head wrestling coach 10:40 Loretta Hunt, MMA writer & co-author of "Let's Get It On" by Big John McCarthy 10:50 Amy Ruble, Wildrose Casino and Resort in Emmettsburg, Iowa Takedown Wrestling is available on radio on AM 1460 KXNO in Iowa, online at Livesportsvideo.com, or on your Blackberry or iPhone with the iHeart Radio App. Paulson to co-host Takedown on Saturday On the heels of the announced lineup for Saturday's Takedown Wrestling Radio comes the addition of Former Iowa State three-time All-American Travis Paulson to the already stacked lineup for the broadcast. The Former No. 1-ranked U.S. wrestler at 74 kilograms (162.8 pounds) over the past year, will join Scott Casber in studio for the broadcast and will serve as guest Co-Host. Paulson, a three-time All-American for the Cyclones, ended his Iowa State wrestling career with a collegiate record of 106-32, tying Billy Kelly (1984-87) and Zach Roberson (2001-04), on the all-time Iowa State win list. Travis Paulson competed in high school and at Iowa State with his twin, Trent. Trent was also a three-time All-American at Iowa State and a member of the U.S. Freestyle team. Travis Paulson's performance on the mat was replicated in the classroom, as he earned Academic All-Big 12 accolades all four years. Paulson graduated from Iowa State in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in business management and minor in entrepreneurship studies. Paulson will be training for the 2012 Olympic Games and can be an example as a coach and as someone wrestling toward a goal and the lifestyle that goes with getting to that goal." Paulson has excelled in a post-collegiate competition, including winning the 2010 World Team Trials championship at 74 kg. He underwent knee surgery in December, limiting his competitive options heading into 2011. Travis earned three Iowa prep wrestling titles at Council Bluffs-Lewis Central and posted a prep record of 174-3, including 87-0 his final two seasons. Paulson joins a list of talented athletes that have served as co-host on Takedown Radio over the years. The list includes Drew Pariano, Ty Eustice, Chad Wiltsey, Jim Zalesky, Ed Banach, Dan Gable, Barry Davis, Mark Schwab, Troy Steiner, Terry and Tom Brands, Mark Cody, Brian Smith, Randy Couture, Bobby Douglas, Tim Sylvia, Cael and Cody Sanderson, Jim Miller and many others.

Ian Goldsmith, creator of the interlude dance, and Greg Halsor, an All-American wrestler from Wartburg, will go “On the Mat” this Wednesday, August 24. “On the Mat" is a presentation of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. The show can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa each Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00 PM Central on AM 1650, The Fan. An archive of the show can be found on www.themat.tv. E-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with any questions or comments about the show. Goldsmith is a senior theater and psychology major at the University of Northern Iowa. He created the interlude dance, which has received national recognition. Halsor has spent over 20 years in the grappling arts. Growing up wrestling in Iowa, he was a state champion for Cedar Falls High School in 1993 and an All-American at Wartburg in 1997. Halsor began teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the Cedar Valley in 2000. He is the only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt in Northeast Iowa, one of the highest ranking practitioners in the state.

Matt Lackey

WATERLOO -- The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum will recognize Rulon Gardner as this year's inductee into the Alan & Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Champions. An induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 1, 2011, at the Christensen Center Commons on the campus of Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minn. Alan and Gloria Rice, namesakes of the hall of champions, have been instrumental to the success of Greco-Roman wrestling in the United States. Alan Rice was a Big Ten champion and an All-American for the University of Minnesota. In 1956 he won double national titles in Greco-Roman and freestyle. He also placed fifth at the 1956 Olympics and was coach of the 1972 Greco-Roman Olympic team. He and his wife, Gloria, helped found the Minnesota Wrestling Club. The club enjoys the unique distinction of placing a wrestler on every World and Olympic team since 1964, a record unequalled in American wrestling history. The Alan & Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Champions is located inside the Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo. "I'm glad to have another opportunity to recognize the great champions of Greco-Roman wrestling," said Rice. "I am looking forward to continued success at the World Championships and the Olympic Games." Gardner is the most decorated Greco-Roman wrestler in the United States. He shocked the world at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, when he defeated legendary Russian wrestler Alexander Karelin in the finals of the superheavyweight division. Karelin had won 12 World and Olympic titles up to that point. Gardner also won the 2001 World Championships and captured a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. Gardner joins the Class of 2009 in this elite Hall. The inaugural class included Olympic champions Steve Fraser and Jeff Blatnick and World champions Mike Houck, Dennis Hall and Joe Warren. The Jim and Olive Morgan family will be given the first Greco-Roman Legacy Award for their tremendous accomplishments in wrestling, specifically in the Greco-Roman discipline. A family of 12 kids (six boys and six girls) Jim passed along his boxing and wrestling skills to his boys. John, Gordy and Marty Morgan (sons of Jim and Olive) won a combined 10 national Greco-Roman titles and competed in two Olympics and two World championships. Alan Rice will also be recognized for his contributions to wrestling. Alan will accept the inaugural Alan Rice Leadership Award. In subsequent years, this award will be given to someone who exhibits leadership and service within Greco-Roman wrestling. Ticket prices are $50 and can be purchased online at dgm-nwhof.ticketleap.com or by calling the museum at 319-233-0745. A reception will begin at 6:00 pm, followed by dinner at 7:00 and honors ceremony at 8:00.

BUFFALO, NY -- Buffalo head wrestling coach Jim Beichner has announced the hiring of new head assistant coach Matt Lackey, a former NCAA national champion. Lackey will be assuming the role immediately after spending two seasons as an assistant at Lock Haven University. Matt Lackey"I've had the privilege to know Matt for many years and I am confident that he is a great fit for our staff and our wrestlers," Beichner said. As a collegiate wrestler for the University of Illinois, Lackey was a 2003 national champion among his three trips to the All-American podium. He was also named the Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year for his efforts on the mat. On an international level, Lackey is a two-time Olympic Trial qualifier and finished fourth at the 2008 U.S. Senior Nationals. His career of success started all the way back in high school, where he won two high school state titles in Illinois out of his home town of Moline. While at the University of Illinois, he wrote his name throughout the program's record book. He sits seventh in career wins (120), and has the best single-season winning percentage after finishing 38-0 in his senior season; his career record of 120-14 (.896) is also good for best career winning percentage. "I welcome the opportunity to work for and learn from Jim (Beichner). We have mutual respect and we'll fit well together," Lackey said. "My credentials as an athlete prove that I have a lot of knowledge that I'm ready to share with these students." Lackey's winning pedigree will fit in well with the current Buffalo staff. Assistant Ricky Deubel, a three-time national qualifier returns for his second season and fellow assistant Jeff Catrabone will start his seventh year with the program this winter. Catrabone also offers Big Ten experience after earning All-American status for three seasons and 160 wins while at Michigan. "What Coach Beichner has done has been phenomenal and I'm excited to improve upon what he's already done," Lackey said. "With all the support from the administration, the great recruiting class coming in and the new renovations, the sky is the limit for this program." Joining Matt in Buffalo will be his girlfriend Elisa and their two daughters, Payton and Anna. "This is an exciting time for UB wrestling and Coach Lackey will surely help our program take the next step at the national level," Beichner said. "I would like to welcome Matt and his family to UB."

VESTAL, N.Y. -- Binghamton wrestling coach Pat Popolizio has added former Buffalo associate coach Frank Beasley to his staff as head assistant coach for the 2011-12 season. Beasley replaces Dennis Papadatos, who resigned after five noteworthy years with the program. Beasley was the head assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the University at Buffalo, helping steer that program to its finest three-year span in team history. The Bulls have sent 14 wrestlers to the NCAA Championship since 2008 and have crowned five individual conference champions. Last season, Beasley spearheaded a squad that produced six NCAA qualifiers, eight nationally-ranked wrestlers, four Mid-American Conference (MAC) champions including the Most Outstanding Wrestler and multiple team wins over top-25 programs. Simultaneously, his academic commitment has resulted in five individuals earning NWCA All-Academic honors. "We are very excited to have Frank as our newest addition to the Binghamton wrestling coaching staff," Popolizio said. "He has proven to be one of the best recruiters in the country and brings professional experience and a strong work ethic, which will help elevate our program. Frank will be a great role model for our current and future student-athletes." Beasley's recruiting efforts have resulted in four classes that have been among the finest in the country and his current incoming class was ranked as high as No. 11 in the nation. Before Buffalo, Beasley was an assistant coach at Bloomsburg for two seasons, helping that program produce its first All-American in more than a decade and add another All-American and nine national qualifiers in all. In addition, the Huskies won 12 duals in 2006-07 - the most most wins in 16 seasons. He enjoyed an elite wrestling career at Lincoln College and Bloomsburg, earning NJCAA All-America honors at Lincoln in 2004 (165 lbs.) and was a starter and team captain at Bloomsburg, finishing fourth at the 2006 Eastern Wrestling League Championship. Beasley accumulated more than 80 collegiate wins at 157, 165 and 174 pounds with nearly half coming by pin. His multitude of academic achievements included becoming a two-time Academic All-American, four-year National Dean's List honoree and recipient of education and English department honors at Bloomsburg. Beasley earned a dual degree in English and education from Bloomsburg in 2006, graduating Cum Laude. He then received his master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Bloomsburg with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Beasley has worked numerous camps and clinics, most notably serving as head wrestling coach for the NWCA/USA Wrestling All-American Tour to Russia in June 2010. He is a native of Odin, Illinois.

Sure, amateur wrestling is tough, demanding ... yet it's one of the most democratic of all sports in the U.S. You don't need to be a certain height or weight or have a specialized body-build to compete; in fact, it's one sport that's open to individuals of all sizes and weights, where athletes compete only against individuals of similar size. In an era where public officials and school administrators are preaching inclusiveness and seeking to increase opportunities for those who have often found themselves on the sidelines, wrestling is one activity that is available to anyone. In fact, you can be "differently able" -- blind, deaf, missing limbs, learning disabled, or a survivor of a near-fatal accident -- and not only succeed, but become a champion. Here are some prime examples of individuals who might be labeled "handicapped" by some, yet overcame physical challenges to become winners on the mat, and beyond. Anthony Robles: Unstoppable NCAA champ Anthony Marc Robles is one college wrestler that folks who don't know a takedown from a touchdown might recognize. After all, this summer he was a featured guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Robles was honored on the 2011 ESPY Awards broadcast with not one but two awards: The Jimmy V Award for Perseverance -- named for the late college basketball coach Jim Valvano, and given to a "member of the sporting world who has overcome great obstacles through physical perseverance and determination," according to ESPN -- and Best Male Athlete with a Disability. All these honors topped off an incredible senior season for the Arizona State 125-pounder. Robles had a perfect 36-0 record, won the Pac-10 conference championship, then defeated the defending national champ, Matt McDonough of the University of Iowa, in the finals, 7-1, to win the title at 125 at the 2011 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia. He was also named Outstanding Wrestler at the nationals. Anthony Robles (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Robles did all this, despite having been born without his right leg. Growing up in Mesa, Arizona, Robles was first introduced to wrestling in ninth grade. Despite getting off to a rocky start -- with more losses than wins his first year -- Robles compiled a 129-15 overall record at Mesa High School, winning two Arizona state titles. As Robles said, "I didn't get into the sport for the attention. I wrestle because I love wrestling." "Wrestling helped me to mature. I got so much self-confidence from the sport," said Robles, a three-time NCAA All-American. "I love the sport. But from here on out my wrestling competition days are over, and I'll be focusing on my next goal, which is to be a motivational speaker. I'll be around wrestling all my life. I love it so much." The 22-year-old Robles was even more philosophical when presented with his Jimmy V award at the ESPYs: "Every soul who comes to Earth with a leg or two at birth must wrestle his opponents knowing it's not what is, it's what can be that measures worth. Make it hard, just make it possible, and through pain I'll not complain. My spirit is unconquerable. Fearless, I will face each foe, for I know I am capable. I don't care what's probable, through blood, sweat and tears, I am unstoppable." Nick Ackerman: Double-leg amputee, Div. III champ Ten years ago, Nick Ackerman made headlines -- and was featured on NBC's Today show -- for winning the 174-pound title at the 2001 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships, earning Outstanding Wrestler honors at the Nationals, and being named co-winner (along with Iowa State's Cael Sanderson) of the Hodge Trophy, presented to the best college wrestler in the nation. Ackerman, who grew up in Colfax, Iowa, achieved greatness on the wrestling mat, despite having both his legs amputated below the knee at 18 months to prevent the spread of bacterial meningitis. (Unlike Robles, who ditched his prosthetic leg as a youngster and used crutches to get around, Ackerman wears his everywhere, except when he wrestled.) Nick Ackerman (Photo/WIN Magazine)A senior at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, Ackerman won the NCAA title with a 13-11 victory over defending champ Nick Slack of Augsburg who was on a 69-match winning streak. After the win, Ackerman was honored with a standing ovation that lasted at least two minutes. Yet, after claiming the title and OW honors, Ackerman told reporters, "I didn't want to be known as the best wrestler without legs. I just wanted to be the best wrestler." Ackerman's national collegiate championship was acknowledged by the NCAA in its celebration of its 100th birthday as one of the top 25 "defining moments" in college sports, right up there with Jesse Owens' four world records in 1935, tennis great Arthur Ashe's ground-breaking wins in 1965, the legendary 1979 national basketball title game featuring Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson, and Doug Flutie's "Hail Mary" pass in 1984. In an ESPN documentary saluting the NCAA's 25 greatest moments, the sports network said of Nick Ackerman's accomplishment, "In a life defined by overcoming obstacles ... the wrestler that would not be called disabled was instead called a national champion." Ackerman had been involved in various sports as a kid, including baseball, soccer, and football, but discovered wrestling as a third-grader. One-by-one, he winnowed down his roster of sports activities until focusing all his energy on the mat sport. He earned a place on the Colfax-Mingo High School varsity team, compiling a 71-38 record. He capped a 32-8 senior season by placing sixth in the 152-pound weight class in the Iowa state tournament, one of the toughest in the nation. As a wrestler at Simpson College, Ackerman had a couple truly memorable moments prior to the 2001 NCAAs. As a sophomore, he was awarded the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Medal of Courage, presented to an athlete who has overcome insurmountable challenges. In his junior year, he took on Cael Sanderson at the Simpson Duals. While the future Olympic gold medalist defeated the Simpson Storm matman by technical fall, Ackerman won the praise of Sanderson and his coach, Bobby Douglas, who said in an interview, "He is a remarkable individual, to be able to compete the way he has." An avid outdoorsman who loves hunting and fishing, Nick Ackerman had planned a career as a park ranger. However, with all the publicity generated by winning the title, he started to hear from other amputees. One in particular -- a 27-year-old who had just lost a leg in a car accident -- was especially moving to Ackerman, who discovered he had an ability to answer questions and provide guidance to others who had lost limbs. That led him to serving other amputees, crafting prosthetics at American Prosthetics and Orthotics in Davenport, Iowa ... and, perhaps, just as important, providing counseling from a unique perspective of living that life. A decade after first appearing on Today, Nick Ackerman was again profiled on the NBC morning show in May 2011. Talking to Evan Light, a youngster originally from India who lost his feet in an accident and now lives with his adopted family in Indiana, Ackerman -- now a 31-year-old husband and father himself -- said, "If I had an opportunity to have my legs, I wouldn't take it. I wouldn't! I like where I'm at." The Today profile also pointed out that Nick Ackerman's grandfathers had lost their legs, in accidents, decades ago. As his mom Cindy said on the show, "Nicholas was put on this earth to live the life his grandfathers couldn't live." Dustin Carter: Making state, without limbs Dustin Carter made headlines three years ago for qualifying for the 2008 Ohio high school state wrestling championships. "Making state" is a tremendous honor for any high school wrestler and a point of pride for an athlete's family, school and community; for Carter, a 103-pounder from Hillsboro High School (about an hour east of Cincinnati), it was all the more newsworthy because he has no arms or legs. More accurately, Carter's legs end at his hips; his right arm stops just past his elbow, while his left arm is even shorter. He lost the rest from amputations at age 5 because of meningococcemia, an acute bacterial infection of the bloodstream. Dustin Carter (Photo/OhioVarsity.com)Dustin Carter's quest for a state title got the attention of the mainstream media. He was subject of profiles by CBS News and The New York Times; the Cincinnati Enquirer -- a newspaper that traditionally offers minimal coverage of amateur wrestling -- featured lengthy articles and extensive photo-essays on his path to the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, site of the Ohio high school state tournament. As CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman opened his piece on Carter, "This is not one of those typical stories about the sweet boy who overcame his disabilities. It's the story about an ornery brat, who did just the same." To say Carter struggled in school would be an understatement. At one point he was earning straight Fs. "I was a troublemaker. Me and dad used to fight a lot," Dustin Carter told CBS. "I was very disrespectful." Then, in eighth grade, Carter told his parents he wanted to take up wrestling. At first, he got thrown around -- a lot. However, with years of hard work in the Hillsboro wrestling room, things started to turn around. He became focused. Self-disciplined. With that, his performance on the mat -- and in the classroom -- went up. As a senior, Dustin Carter compiled a 41-2 record. And, yes, by placing third in his region, he qualified to compete at the 2008 Ohio Division II Wrestling Championships. Despite "feeling small" in the Ohio State arena that seats up to 19,000, Carter won a match in triple overtime to make it to the 103-pound quarterfinals, where he was knocked into the consolation round. He just missed out on placing among the top eight in his weight class ... but, after his last match, earned an extended standing ovation from the crowd. "His perseverance speaks for itself," Scott Goodpaster, Carter's trainer, told The New York Times. "He wants to win. He wakes up every day wanting to win. This is his passion, and he bleeds for it. He works so hard to get by in life." "I don't look at myself as different," said Carter. "I wrestle like anybody else. I go to school like anybody else. I can live on my own like anybody else. I can do anything anybody else can do. I don't like people feeling sorry for me. Some people do." Carter continued, "As soon as they hear my name, I want them to say, 'That's a sweet wrestler.' I'm doing this for me, but if there's people out there that use what I do as inspiration, I'm doing it for that, too. I just want to prove anything is possible." Matt Hamill: Competing in silence on the mat, in the Octagon Like Dustin Carter, Matt Hamill is another wrestler from southeast Ohio who overcame physical challenges to find success on the mat. Hamill's success in high school and college led him to the Octagon, as a competitor in the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships) ... despite being deaf. Matt HamillHamill was introduced to wrestling by his stepfather, who was coach at Loveland High School in suburban Cincinnati. Wrestling is a tough sport to learn, made all the more difficult when there are communication challenges to potentially hinder understanding. "I learned through demonstrating and (having someone) show me pictures of how you wrestle," Hamill told ESPN RISE. "(I'd say), 'Oh, OK, I can do that one.' Then I just wrestled and learned the moves. Sometimes after wrestling practices, I worked by myself to learn my technique and my skills and movements." Hamill overcame those challenges to place as high as third at the Ohio high school state tournament, and be featured in a Sports Illustrated for Kids collector card. Hamill started his college career at Purdue University; after one season, he transferred to the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he really came into his own on the mat. While at RIT, Hamill earned three NCAA Division III wrestling titles -- 167-pound champ in 1997, 190 in 1998, and 197 in 1999. What's more, Hamill was named the USA Deaf Sports Federation Athlete of the Year for 1997, and, later, earned a place in the NCAA Division III Wrestling Hall of Fame. After college, Hamill took his mat talent to international competition. Among his accomplishments: winning a silver medal in Greco-Roman, and a gold medal in freestyle at the 2001 Summer Deaflympics. The Loveland, Ohio native gained entry into the world of mixed martial arts in a story that sounds straight out of Hollywood. Hamill was working as a bouncer at a restaurant in upstate New York when he was forced to eject some rowdy football players. As Hamill tells the story, "One of them tried to fight me off so I put him in a cobra choke and threw him out. Everybody was watching like they couldn't believe it." Then in that moment from a movie, a patron told Hamill he should get involved in the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships). Hamill was one of 3,000 individuals to apply for UFC's The Ultimate Fighter 3 series ... and one of a dozen who made it onto the show, despite having only one MMA fight (a victory). With his tenacity on display on TUF, he made a favorable impression with the UFC and its fans, and his career in the Octagon was launched. Stepping into the cage to fight would be daunting for anyone; being deaf presented Hamill with additional challenges. "I'm deaf, I can't hear the noise," Hamill said. "I can't hear the coach either; I have to use my own game plan. Sometimes people underestimate me because I can't hear, but they have no idea what I'm capable of. There are no distractions for me, nothing to get me nervous." However, Hamill went on to say that he could feel the vibration generated by the screaming, cheering fans. In five years in the UFC, Hamill had 13 fights, and compiled a 9-4 record. In August 2011, Hamill announced his retirement, citing persistent injuries that made training -- and fighting -- even more difficult. Hamill became a fan favorite for his never-stop-fighting style in the Octagon. Perhaps just as importantly, however, "The Hammer" helped shatter perceptions of what it takes to be successful in amateur wrestling and UFC. As Maggie Hendricks wrote in her Cagewriter column for Yahoo! Sports, "Despite not being able to hear his coaches' instructions during fights, he was still able to put together a respectable MMA career. He also changed attitudes by showing that a lack of hearing doesn't mean a lack of toughness or capability in the cage." Even though he's no longer competing in the UFC, Matt Hamill will still be a force to be reckoned with. He will continue to run his Mohawk MMA training facility, and his story is the subject of an independent film titled Hamill with a planned release for fall 2011. Robert Russell: Sightless ... peerless By any measure, Robert W. Russell crafted a successful life. He wrestled at Yale. Earned scholarships to Oxford University. Became a college professor. Was honored by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Russell achieved greatness in wrestling and beyond, despite being blind. Robert RussellBorn in Binghamton, N.Y. in 1924, Russell suffered an accident at age 5 that left him blind in one eye. Within a few years, Russell lost sight in both eyes. Russell was introduced to wrestling in high school at the New York Institute for the Blind, where he graduated at age 16 in 1940. He attended Hamilton College for two years, then transferred to Yale University, where he competed on the varsity wrestling team. He earned his Bachelors at Yale in 1944, and his Masters in English the following year at the same school. His academic achievements made it possible for Russell to attend famed Oxford University in England on scholarship. It was there he met his first wife, Elisabeth, who he married in 1951. Russell returned to the U.S., launching his teaching career at tiny Shimer College in northwestern Illinois. In 1955, he came to Franklin & Marshall to accept a position in the English department, where he served until retirement in 1990. According to his National Wrestling Hall of Fame biography, not long after arriving at the Lancaster, Pa.-based college, Russell sought out the wrestling room for some exercise. That's where he met coach Roy Phillips. The two of them began exercising together, using their mutual love of the sport of wrestling as their motivation. Russell quickly became an ardent fan of the F&M wrestling program, and one of its most active supporters. Here's how he described his passion for the sport: "In wrestling, I was in charge -- really in charge -- and it felt good. I felt somehow free, strong and free." For all he did for wrestling at Franklin & Marshall, Robert Russell was presented with the Medal of Courage award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2000. Russell passed away in early 2011 at age 87. Les Anderson: Polio couldn't keep him from wrestling For more than 60 years, Leslie A. Anderson has had a life in wrestling ... first as a champion wrestler in high school and at Iowa State, then as a long-time assistant coach for the Cyclones, and, now, as an instructor at wrestling camps and on DVDs. Hard to believe he was once told to give up wrestling because of polio. Poliomyelitis is an acute viral infectious disease spread from person-to-person that causes inflammation of the spinal cord and brain. The disease sometimes causes paralysis in limbs and muscles used in breathing, which can cause death. Prior to the development of vaccines in the mid 1950s and early 60s, polio was a very common, greatly feared disease that paralyzed and killed thousands each year. Les AndersonIn the early 1950s, Les Anderson was a successful wrestler in Clarion, Iowa when he was diagnosed with polio. He had compiled an impressive 63-1-1 overall record for head coach Dale Brand, winning the 103-pound title at the 1954 Iowa high school state championships, and 119-pound runner-up at state the following year. Anderson's doctors advised him to give up wrestling. However, Les and his parents had other ideas as he continued his academic and mat career at Iowa State, wrestling for head coach Harold Nichols. As a Cyclone, Anderson was a three-time NCAA All-American (1958-1960), winning the NCAA title at 130 pounds in 1958 and at 137 in 1960. He was also a two-time Big Eight conference champ. After graduating from Iowa State in 1960, Les Anderson launched his long coaching career as head wrestling coach at Blue Earth High School. In four seasons with Anderson at the helm, Blue Earth always finished among the top ten high schools in Minnesota. In 1964, Anderson returned to his alma mater to serve as assistant coach to Harold Nichols for a decade before becoming head coach at University of Washington until that program was eliminated. The Iowa native returned to Iowa State in 1977, where he continued to assist Nichols, then successor coach Jim Gibbons. During Anderson's time on the coaching staff, the Cyclones were five-time NCAA team titlewinners, placing second six times, and coming in third four times. Anderson has been honored by a number of Halls of Fame, including the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1984, the Iowa High School Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1985, and, in 2004, the Iowa State Athletic Hall of Fame, and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Anderson continues to be involved in amateur wrestling. In addition to participating in wrestling camps and producing instructional materials, in 2010 the former Cyclone wrestler/coach launched TheWrestlingSite.com which provides online training videos as well as recruitment tools that help high school wrestlers "get noticed" by college coaches. Jack VanBebber: From crushing injury, Olympic gold Jack VanBebber survived a near-fatal accident as a child ... yet went on to achieve the highest levels of success in wrestling at the top college program of the era, then win an Olympic gold medal. VanBebber was born on a farm outside Perry, Okla. -- the birthplace of another amateur wrestling great, Dan Hodge -- in 1907. When he was six years old, VanBebber fell off a farm wagon and was run over by one of the wheels. The metal rim pushed his breastbone back towards his spine. The family doctor was concerned about damage to the heart and lungs, and what kind of life Jack would lead if he were to survive, saying he might be a cripple for life. Jack VanBebberRecovery took seven years, with repeated health setbacks that caused Jack VanBebber to miss nearly two full years of school. However, he made it to eighth grade, where an incident introduced him to wrestling. In junior high, VanBebber got into a fight on the playground. The wrestling coach, Frank Briscoe, made the two combatants put on boxing gloves to settle things under supervision. The 5'7", 107-pound VanBebber got knocked out ... but the coach saw something in the youngster. Briscoe encouraged VanBebber to build up his strength and stamina with a walking and exercise program. VanBebber set his sights on making the high school wrestling team ... earning a spot on the practice squad his freshman and sophomore years. By junior year, he made the varsity team at Perry High School, where, in his two seasons, he had a perfect record, and Oklahoma state titles. After graduating from Perry in 1927, VanBebber enrolled at Oklahoma State (then called Oklahoma A&M) where he wrestled for legendary coach Ed Gallagher. VanBebber was at the Stillwater school during the depths of the Great Depression; back then, there were no full-ride scholarships for wrestlers, nor was there financial aid. In addition to classes and wrestling, VanBebber held down three jobs at once, including working nights at a funeral home. Jack VanBebber was an integral ingredient to the success of Oklahoma State wrestling during its time as the No. 1 collegiate mat program in the nation. In his three years as the starter at 165 pounds, VanBebber never lost a match, winning NCAA titles in 1929-1931 ... and becoming only the second three-time NCAA champ. What's more, VanBebber claimed three National AAU mat titles. In 1932, VanBebber set his sights on wrestling at the Olympics, held that year in Los Angeles. The former Cowboy overcame some incredible obstacles at the 1932 Games -- getting slugged by a Canadian opponent, then nearly missing the gold-medal match because of a time change. VanBebber made it to the arena in the nick of time, then upset mat veteran Eino Leino of Finland -- owner of a bronze, silver and gold medal from the three previous Olympics -- to bring home the gold medal in freestyle. After the Olympics, Jack VanBebber became an instructor and wrestling coach at Texas Tech. A couple years later, he was hired by Phillips Petroleum, where he met his wife Julia (who wrote a book about him titled A Distant Flame. Other than time in the Army during World War II, VanBebber worked at Phillips until his retirement in 1972. Despite his near-fatal accident as a six-year-old, VanBebber had a long and healthy life. He passed away in 1986 at age 79. Jack VanBebber was welcomed as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in its inaugural year, 1976. Rulon Gardner: Despite learning disability, tamed the Siberian Tiger More than a decade after winning an Olympic gold medal, Rulon Gardner is still one of the most recognized, respected and beloved individuals in amateur wrestling. The Wyoming dairy farmer who defeated the unbeatable Alexander Karelin of Russia -- known as the Siberian Tiger -- at the 2000 Sydney Olympics has overcome incredible obstacles in his life, including near-death experiences involving motorcycles and snowmobiles. Rulon GardnerYet many of the most knowledgeable wrestling fans may not realize that Gardner has battled -- and beat -- an opponent his entire life: a learning disability. Here's how Gardner shared his story in his 2005 book Never Stop Pushing: When I started kindergarten ... almost immediately I was diagnosed with a learning disability and targeted for special education ... I wasn't at the same level as kids my age. The other students always seemed smarter, faster. Everyone was a better reader than I was. I couldn't spell simple words, couldn't keep up in most of the learning exercises. I had a hard time absorbing and applying what the teachers were telling us. ... The other kids sensed I wasn't able to keep up. Some wanted to help me; others would ignore me, making me feel invisible. Some would laugh at me. In high school, Rulon Gardner excelled in sports, earning letters in wrestling, football, and track and field. He won the heavyweight title at the Wyoming state wrestling championships in 1989. However, the classroom was loaded with even tougher challenges. Throughout high school, Gardner's reading level was that of a fifth-grader. Guidance counselors told him he'd never finish college. But he did ... starting first at Ricks College (now Brigham Young University-Idaho), then transferring to the University of Nebraska, where, with hard work and tutoring, he graduated with a degree in physical education at age 24. During that time, Gardner wrestled for the Cornhuskers, where he earned All-American honors by placing fourth in the heavyweight bracket at the 1993 NCAAs. Gardner was a two-time Olympian, earning a bronze medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2004 Athens Olympics. However, his performance at the 2000 Sydney Olympics was the stuff of legend. In the gold-medal match, the then-30-year-old Gardner faced the fearsome Karelin, a three-time Olympic gold medalist who had not lost a match in thirteen years, and had not been scored on in six years. Karelin was known as the Siberian Tiger for his fierce, take-no-prisoners wrestling style ... and The Experiment for his carved-from-granite musculature. However, Gardner found a way to wear down the Tiger, winning the gold medal. Among the other honors Gardner earned in 2001: the James Sullivan Award for amateur athlete of the year, the ESPY for U.S. Olympic male athlete of the year, and the Jesse Owens Award. In 2010, Gardner was welcomed as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Ryan Ludwig was named head coach at Northern Illinois in May, replacing Dave Grant. Ludwig spent the past six seasons as an assistant coach at Northern Illinois. InterMat caught up with Ludwig and talked to him about why he is the right fit for the position, whether people put too emphasis on wrestling credentials when evaluating coaches, how he should be evaluated as a head wrestling coach, and much more. You were recently hired to lead the Northern Illinois wrestling program. This is your first opportunity to be a head wrestling coach. Why do you feel you are the right person to lead the Northern Illinois program? Ludwig: I feel that I'm the right person to lead the program here at Northern Illinois not only because of my drive, but also because of my experience here at the school. I have great relationships within the athletic department and school, and also with our wrestlers. I really think that between my assistant coaches and me, we have the right vision and the right determination and work ethic to take this program to the next level. You had a lot of success as a college wrestler at the NAIA level, finishing as a three-time All-American and national runner-up, but never competed at the Division I level. Do you think people put too much emphasis on wrestling credentials when evaluating coaches? Ryan LudwigLudwig: I do. I don't think necessarily that it always translates as far as your success as a wrestler versus what kind of coach you're going to be. Ultimately, you have to have a vast knowledge of wrestling. But I also think that guys who things haven't come as naturally for understand what it takes to progress through the different levels of wrestling to get better, to stick with your training, to believe in the program, and to ultimately reach your goals. I think that typically when you're dealing with most kids coming into the wrestling world, they've got a lot of improving to do, whether it be physically, mentally, or technique-wise, and as a coach you have to know how to get there. Having all the ability in the world and being blessed with certain gifts that make things easier in your life may not quite translate as far as understanding how to coach a kid who might not have those certain gifts. What are some of the changes that will happen in the program with the coaching change? Ludwig: First and foremast, there's an extreme level of excitement about the program right now. There's a lot of excitement and enthusiasm in the air. We've got tremendous leadership, not only from the coaching staff, but also from our leaders within the team. There have been elevated levels of training in the offseason that have really elevated the levels of some of our guys. We are already seeing differences. Expectation levels have risen ... That is coming from the coaching staff and also within the peers. I think generally here, with a fresh look and some fresh excitement and some higher expectations, I think the air and the excitement in the Northern Illinois wrestling room right now is at an all-time high and we're excited about this year. Northern Illinois is viewed by many as a potential goldmine because it is one of only three Division I programs in a powerhouse wrestling state and it is surrounded by some strong wrestling states. How much potential do you think the program has at Northern Illinois? Ludwig: I think there is a vast amount of potential here. We're very excited about that, especially being in a state like Illinois. Obviously, it's a traditional high school wrestling powerhouse state. These kids are top-notch kids here. We start recruiting in the state. We're looking to build our recruiting base from these kids in the state. We're getting some fresh looks from some in-state kids that we're really excited about. That hasn't been the case in a couple years. Being in the Midwest, we're surrounded by states that are traditional powerhouses. With the amount of Division I opportunities out there, I think there are a lot of kids who will be taking a hard look at Northern Illinois. What are some obstacles that Northern Illinois' wrestling program faces? Ludwig: I would say basically the same obstacles most programs face. We're going to bring our kids in and train them as hard as possible. Obviously, when you're sitting in the middle of Big Ten country, there are those kind of aspects as far as recruiting the same kind of kids as they are. You obviously want to get top-notch athletes and things like that. I try not to look so much at what our challenges are. I try to look at what our opportunities are. We're offering an elite training environment, a Division I opportunity. We're in the heart of the Midwest. I think within time and selecting the right recruits, we're going to be in the running with all the teams around us. I saw a quote recently from UFC fighter Jacob Volkmann where he talks about his opponent, who wrestled at the NAIA level. Volkmann said of his opponent, "He's an NAIA wrestler. You know what NAIA is? It's like a high school wrestler, so it's like a college wrestler going against a high school wrestler." As a former NAIA wrestler, what do you make of that quote? Ryan Ludwig (Photo/NIU Media Services)Ludwig: I think to downplay wrestling at any level is a bit risky as far as keeping programs and building our sport. I have a tremendous amount of respect for wrestling, period. Wrestling is the same, whether it be junior college or Division I. Of course, the bulk of the talent is in the Division I level. But everybody at every level is working as hard as they possibly can and wrestling the toughest opponents that they can. I have nothing but respect for wrestling at all levels. For anybody who can through a season and train as hard as these guys do, to have anything less than mutual respect for any wrestler out there is ridiculous. The Northern Illinois program has produced seven All-Americans at the Division I level in wrestling. The last Northern Illinois wrestler to become an All-American in wrestling is Ben Heizer in 2004. How important is it for the program to get wrestlers on the podium in March? Ludwig: It's extremely important. As a matter of fact, that's one of our primary goals. I think we've got a great shot at doing that this year. We're super excited about that opportunity. We've got some guys working very hard for that goal, not only get on the stand, but to get to the top of the stand. In any program, especially when you're trying to break through to a new level, not only recruiting-wise but competitive-wise, it's always one of your primary goals to get a guy on the stand at the All-American level. Not only that, but also in the conference we're looking to do big things. This conference has become a power. If we can do things within our conference, I think that's going to translate nationally as well. Northern Illinois finished 5-11 in dual meets last season and qualified two wrestlers for the NCAAs. One of those wrestlers, Brad Dieckhaus, returns this season. What is the outlook for the program this coming season? Ryan Ludwig (Photo/NIU Media Services)Ludwig: We're really optimistic about this year. Of course, Brad Dieckhaus is returning at 184. He's a tremendous leader. He really has his head in the right spot. He really tries to get his teammates motivated. He's an absolute workhorse. He has his eyes and his mind on the prize this year. He's looking to do big things. He has been training his tail off this summer. I'm excited about what he's capable of next year. We're looking kind of exciting in the lower weights. Nick Smith returns as a true sophomore down at 125. He had 22 wins last year as a true freshman. He got a little dinged up at the end of the year. We were hoping to get him to the tournament, but he just got a little bit too nicked up at the end of the year. But he had a great season for us as a true freshman. An exciting transfer is Rob Jillard from Liberty University. The kid has a lot of potential. He is kind of an unorthodox wrestler, but I think with the right training and being in an environment here where he's going to be wrestling the kind of teammates pushing him every day, he's looking to break through. Another kid that I'm looking for big things from this year is Kevin Fanta. He's a former state champion here in Illinois. I'm looking for a breakthrough year for Kevin. He has been spending a lot of time in the weight room this summer, making a lot of gains. Pretty powerful kid. It will be interesting to see how things shake out at 149. It's going to be someone young, but we also feel that it will be somebody talented. We've got Matt Smith, who will be a redshirt freshman for us. He's from Allegan, Mich. He's a guy who won quite a few matches in redshirt last year and we think that he could possibly be a frontrunner for that position. At 157, we lose Bryan Deutsch to graduation. He was a three-time national qualifier for us. It always hurts to lose someone like Bryan because he was a real soldier, but I think we've got some talented, hard-working kids coming up behind him. Sam Bennett is going to be a redshirt freshman that is looking to fill that role. I also look for Ty Loethen, an incoming freshman from Missouri, to possibly challenge for that spot too. At 165, Matt Mougin is returning for us. He dealt with a few injuries last year. He's getting healthy this year. We're looking for him to make some strides this year at 165. Ryan Ludwig (Photo/NIU Media Services)At 174, Caleb Busson out of Wadsworth, Ohio, is the frontrunner for that position. He was kind of thrown out there in the middle of the year last year. Our starter got injured and we called on Caleb to be the starter ... He kind of went in as a baptism by fire. He had a few rough goes, took a few lumps, but started to piece some things together at the end of the year and actually placed at the MAC tournament. So we're excited about his potential. He's been working hard this summer too, spending a lot of time in the weight room and wrestling room. Again at 184, we've got Brad Dieckhaus, returning MAC champion. At 197, we look for some contested battles there as far as the starter. We have a MAC placer in Mike Lukowski returning as a senior, but I expect some younger guys to also challenge for that spot. At heavyweight, we will have a new face in there as far as the last couple years go. A kid named Jared Torrence, who is a bit of an unknown, but a super hard-working kid with a lot of hustle. I think he may surprise some people this year. So I would say our strength right now is probably the lower weights, but I think we've got some guys in there who are really going to open some eyes and do some big things for us. How do you believe that you should be evaluated as head wrestling coach at Northern Illinois? Ludwig: I think if you've got your kids doing the right things, behaving themselves, working hard ... I would say the key word is progress, making the right strides to where you want to be on a yearly basis, making improvements, doing the right things in the classroom and the community, and also raising your level of wrestling each year, I think that's the key to evaluation. I'm a guy who wants to build this program correctly and with the right kind of people. If that's not translated to overnight success, that's OK with me. It's constant progress to where we want to be. I think ultimately if we do that the right way, we'll be successful not only for one year, but for years to come.

Marty Morgan