InterMat Staff

Related Link: Results/Brackets WILKES BARRE, Pa. -- A banner season for the No. 10 Centenary wrestling team continued in the Metropolitan Conference Tournament, Sunday on the campus of King’s College in Wilkes Barre, Pa. The Cyclones won the event for the first time in program history and sent five wrestlers to the NCAA Division III Wrestling Tournament, also a program-first. Senior Will Livingston (Newton, N.J./Kittatinny) will return to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year after defending his title at 133-pounds. He will be joined by junior Tim Lutke (Chatham, N.J./Chatham), who won at 197, and sophomore JD Zitone (Montague, N.J./Port Jervis), who finished first at 285. Senior Dave Alsieux (Belmar, N.J./Manasquan) and freshman Chris Burdge (Newton, N.J./Kittatinny) were named wild cards at 141 and 157, respectively. The Cyclones finished with 104 team points to hold off the defending champion No. 12 TCNJ, which tallied 92. No. 15 York placed third with 70 points, followed by No. 21 Delaware Valley (66.5), No. 24 Elizabethtown (50), No. 13 Wilkes (46.5), NYU (46), King’s (28.5), Hunter (22.5), Scranton (12.5) and Yeshiva (0). Centenary head coach John Garriques was named Coach of the Year and Mike Kessler received Assistant Coach of the Year honors. Burdge took home co-Rookie of the Year with TCNJ’s Steve Godine. CC put six wrestlers in the championships of their weight classes to lead all teams. Eight Cyclones placed, led by the three champions. Alsieux, senior Jon Stillo (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) and Burdge each took second at 141, 149 and 157, respectively. Senior Matt Regan (Boonton, N.J./Boonton) finished in third at 165 and junior Jose Vega (Moonachie, N.J./Wood-Ridge) placed fourth at 125. Stillo dropped a tough 10-9 true-second match to Delaware Valley’s Zak Andrews. Senior Charles Cannella (Kunkletown, Pa./Pleasant Valley) and junior JJ Mitchell (Hackettstown, N.J./Hackettstown) each fell in the wrestleback semifinals at 174 and 184, respectively. The NCAA Division III Wrestling Tournament will take place on March 11-12 in the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wis.

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- The Arizona State University wrestling team sent four individuals with two champions while automatically qualifying six individuals to the national tournament as the 2011 Pac-10 Wrestling Championships came to a close Sunday night inside Gill Coliseum in Corvallis, Ore. Anthony Robles won his third title in a row at 125 pounds and Jake Meredith won the 184 title while Bubba Jenkins (157) and Luke Macchiaroli (197) each took second to pace the Sun Devils to a third-place showing. Boise State won the team title with 147.0 points to edge host Oregon State, who took second place with 137.5 points. ASU was third with 117.0 points while Stanford was fourth with 114.0. The remaining three teams in the tournament included CS Bakersfield, who was fifth with 97.0 points, Cal Poly, who was sixth with 96.5 points, and CS Fullerton, who was seventh with 61.5 points. Robles was solid on the mat once again as he became the 14th different Sun Devil to win three Pac-10 titles and the 18th ASU wrestler to win three conference crowns (includes ASU’s time in the Western Athletic Conference) as he took care of business by scoring a 15-4 major decision over third-seeded and 17th-ranked Jason Lara (Oregon State) in the finals. The last time a Sun Devil won three or more titles in a career came in 2006 when Patrick Pitsch captured the 165 weight class for the third time in a row. Robles won his 22nd technical fall in the quarterfinals with an 18-0 score over Tyler Iwamura (CS Bakersfield) before scoring a 14-1 major decision over fourth-seeded and 22nd-ranked Allen Bartelli (Boise State) in the semifinals. Robles earned a berth to this fourth-consecutive NCAA appearance where he will be one of the favorites to win the national crown. For his domination in the Pac-10 Championships, Robles was voted as the Outstanding Wrestler of the Championships in a vote from the coaches. Meredith, who entered the tournament seeded second but unranked in the nation, advanced to the finals and captured the Pac-10 title at 184 pounds and earned the lone automatic berth to the NCAA tournament at the weight class as he downed unseeded and 30th-ranked Brice Arand (OSU) in a 5-2 decision. Meredith opened his tournament with a 6-0 win over Kelan Bragg (CPU) in the quarterfinals before downing third-seeded and 33th-ranked Todd Noel (CSF) in the semifinals with an 8-0 major decision. Meredith, who placed sixth in the Pac-10 as a freshman and fourth last year as a sophomore, earned his first tournament title of the season after taking second in the Fullerton Open, where he lost in the final to Noel. At 157 pounds, Jenkins reached his second final of a conference after taking second at 149 for Penn State two years ago at the Big Ten Championships, this time facing top-seeded and third-ranked Adam Hall (BSU) for the title. After both men scored on escapes in regulation, neither scored in the sudden victory period before both escaped in the tie-breaker to make it 2-2. After another scoreless overtime, neither man could escape the other, but Hall had built up nine seconds of riding time in the first tie-breaker, giving the Bronco the 2-2 win on riding time. Jenkins opened the tournament with a 19-10 major decision over Alex Elder (OSU) and a 5-2 decision over third-seeded and 25th-ranked Barrett Abel (CPU) in the semifinals. Jenkins automatically qualified for his fourth NCAA appearance. Another finalist was Macchiaroli at 197 pounds, who finished second after an impressive run through the bracket. Unseeded and ranked 33rd nationally, Macchiaroli had not defeated a Pac-10 foe this season and went on to defeat fourth-seeded and 20th ranked Ryan Smith (Cal Poly), 5-3, in the quarterfinals. He then faced the top-seeded and 16th-ranked Matt Casperson (BSU) and took a 6-2 decision to advance the final. In the championship match, Macchiaroli put up a fight, but was unable to upset his third foe in a row, this time falling to second-seeded and 17th-ranked Zach Giesen (Stanford). With his finish in the Top 4 of the weight class, Macchiaroli, a redshirt freshman, will advance to the NCAA Championships. Placing third for the Sun Devils were Eric Starks (174) and Levi Cooper (285). Starks, who was unseeded in the event, dropped an 11-4 decision to second-seeded and seventh-ranked Nick Amuchastegui (SU) in the quarterfinal, but bounced back to win the next two matches for a third-place finish, which he needed to earn to qualify automatically for the national meet. In the consolation semifinals, Starks upset fourth-seeded and 15th-ranked Jacob Swartz (BSU) with a 2-1 decision in the tie-breaker to advance to the third-place match where he upset third-seeded and 29th-ranked Joey Granata (CSB), 6-2. Starks will be making his first NCAA appearance. Cooper, who was the top-seed in the tournament, lost a close 5-3 decision to fourth-seeded and 29th-ranked J.T. Felix (BSU) in the semifinals, but rebounded with two extra-time wins to take third. In the Consolation semifinals, Cooper took Kurt Klimek (CSF) to overtime tied at 1-1 before taking down the Titan for the 3-1 win in sudden victory. Then, in third-place match, Cooper faced his former teammate from his days in Bakersfield, scoring a reversal in the tie breaker to score a 3-2 win over third-seeded and 28th-ranked David Morgan (CSB) to take third place and earn a berth into the NCAA Championships. The remaining four Sun Devils in the tournament all placed as well, including Josh Sandoval (141), Carlos Castro (149) and Kyle DeBerry (165), who placed sixth, and Kalin Goodsite (133), who finished seventh. Sandoval, wrestling up two weight classes, scored a pin over Peter Hoang (CSF) in 2:00 for his lone win in the tournament while DeBerry, in his first action of the season, went 1-3, with a 14-2 major decision over Bryce Whitehead (CSF) for his lone win. On March 9, the NCAA will announce its at-large selections to the NCAA Wrestling Championships to complete the selections for the tournament. The event will take place in Philadelphia, Pa., at the Wells Fargo Center on March 17-19.

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- Colby Covington repeated as Pacific-10 Conference champion at 174 pounds and Clayton Jack claimed the first of his career at heavyweight to highlight the Oregon State’s wrestling’s night at the Pac-10 Championships Sunday at legendary Gill Coliseum. As a team, the Beavers finished second, tallying 137.50 points, behind only Boise State’s championship-winning 147 points. Oregon State also will send six wrestlers with qualifying marks to the NCAA Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia in late March. Wrestlers who earned qualifying marks include Jason Lara at 125, Garrett Drucker at 133, Scott Sakaguchi at 149, Covington at 174, Chad Hanke at 184 and Jack at heavyweight. Hanke advanced to the NCAA Championshjps despite not advancing to the finals at 184. He placed fourth and then defeated Cal Poly’s Ryan Smith, 3-2, for a true fourth-place finish. Covington defeated Nick Amuchastegui, 10-4, to earn the 174 crown and went 3-0 on the day. Jack, meanwhile, picked up his title by defeating J.T. Felix of Boise State, 6-4. The six wrestlers qualified by the Beavers Sunday matches OSU’s total from 2010. Covington, Jack and Lara will return after their visits last season while Drucker, Hanke and Sakaguchi will make their first trips. Session I Recap The Beavers sent five wrestlers to the NCAA Championships after just the morning session, while three other wrestlers remain in contention for an automatic bid. Jason Lara was the first Beaver to reach the NCAA Championships. He earned a bye to start at 125 pounds, then defeated Ryan Mango, 7-2, via decision to reach the finals. He will face Arizona State’s Anthony Robles in the finals tonight; however, with the Pac-10 receiving four allocations at 125, both are guaranteed of going to Philadelphia. Garrett Drucker also advanced to the finals, where he will face off against Boise State’s Andrew Hochstrasser. Drucker downed Kalin Goodsite of Arizona State, 17-3, for a major decision, then won over Stanford’s Ryan Paulsen, 9-6, in the semifinals at 133. Scott Sakaguchi became the third OSU wrestler to automatically qualify for the NCAA Championships. He started the day with a bye at 149 pounds, then defeated Filip Novachkov of Cal Poly via decision, 5-2, to advance to the finals against Boise State’s Jason Chamberlain. The 149 pound weight class was allotted two spots per the NCAA so both wrestlers will head to Philadelphia regardless of the outcome. Colby Covington went 2-0 to earn his second consecutive trip to the NCAA Championships. He defeared Cal Poly’s Steven Vasquez via fall at 4:01, then defeated Boise State’s Jacob Swartz, 10-2, to advance to tonight’s final against Stanford’s Nick Amuchastegui. The winner of the two will be the Pac-10 winner at 174 pounds. Clayton Jack utilized a two-point takedown with just seconds remaining in the third period to down Cal State Bakersfield’s David Morgan, 4-3. Jack started off with a 7-4 win over Atticus Disney to advance and will square off with Boise State’s J.T. Felix in the finals tonight. The Beavers still have three wrestlers who could claim additional NCAA qualifying wins. Brice Arand posted dual upsets – 3-2 over Stanford’s Dan Scherer and 9-2 over No. 1 seeded Kirk Smith of Boise State – and is in the finals against Arizona State’s Jake Meredith. The 184-pound class only has one NCAA allocation. Alex Elder went 1-1 at 157, and will need two wins to claim third. He lost to Arizona State’s Bubba Jenkins, 19-10 to start, but then defeated CSUB’s Andrew Balch, 14-7, and will compete against Stanford’s Kyle Meyer. Chad Hanke, at 197 pounds, lost his first and only bout, 3-2, to Stanford’s Zack Giesen, and had a bye in the consolation quarterfinals and is squaring off against Boise State’s Matt Casperson. There are four allocations at 197. Mike Mangrum (141) went 1-1 in the first session, as did Jon Brascetta at 165 pounds. Brascetta will face Stanford’s Lucas Espericueta in the consolation semis and Mangrum will take on Arizona State’s Josh Sandoval.

Related Link: Results/Brackets Kearney, Neb. -- The eighth ranked University of Nebraska Kearney wrestling team scored 127.5 points to win the 2011 RMAC Championships/NCAA Super Regional 4 at San Francisco State University, in San Francisco, Calf. UNK ended Western State two year reign as RMAC Champions in the 11-team race, before Western State’s back to back win, UNK won the tournament from 2000-08. For NCAA purposes, the Lopers qualified six individuals (top four finish) for the NCAA Championships. This year’s tournament is being hosted by UNK at the Health & Sports Center on March 11th & 12th. Juniors T.J. Hepburn (East Hampton, Conn.) at 149 lbs., Dalton Jensen (Missouri Valley, IA) at 141 lbs., and Joey Wilson (Half Moon Bay, CA) at 165 lbs., all earned their first RMAC championships. Hepburn was named RMAC Wrestler of the year as well. Hepburn now 33-3, pinned Mariano Montoya of Highlands in the first round, then earned a major decision against Auesten Moore from Grand Canyon, in the semifinals got a 10-4 decision against Kenny Jordan of Adams State to advance to the finals; where he pinned Mitchell Means of Fort Hays State in 2:29. Jensen improved his recorded to 25-4, by getting a 16-3 major decision against Bery Tack of Mesa State, in the semifinals earned 4-2 decision against Chadron State Jimmy Savala of Chadron State, won by injury default in the finals against Naveed Bagheri of host San Francisco State. Wilson the final RMAC Champ, started the tournament off with an 8-2 decision against Briston Brenton from Chadron State, then in the next round won 8-4 versus Jordan Larsen from Colorado Mines to advance to finals versus Dylan Granard and got 14-11 decision. Fellow junior Caleb Kociemba (Hillsboro, Ore.) entered the tournament with 7-1 record, got back to back decisions without giving up any points to Zack Frazier of Western State and Trent Zempel of Chadron State, to advance to the finals and take on defending 165 lbs. RMAC Champion Victor Carzo of Grand Canyon. Carzo would be the only person to score any points against Kociemba and win 174 lbs. championship on a 9-2 decision. Senior Ben Hohensee (Monett, MO) got a pin and two decision to advance to the finals were Charlie Alexander of Western State was his opponent. Alexander earned 3-1 sudden victory win in dual three weeks, just like the previous meeting the score would be tied at 1 going to the overtime periods where Alexander got an escape to prevail with 2-1 victory. Ross Brunkhardt (Merino, Colo.) would be the final qualifier for UNK at 184 lbs. Brunkhardt went 3-1 in the tournament; his only loss was to the eventual RMAC runner-up Ryan Becerra of Grand Canyon in the semifinals. Among the four Lopers not wrestling at Nationals, sophomore 125 lbs. Josh Smith (Houston, Texas), sophomore 133 lbs. Stephen Weimer (Clovis, Calf.), sophomore 197 lbs. Nick Bauman (Brighton, Colo.) all finished in fifth place with a 3-2 record, and redshirt freshman Jared Hatley (Torrington, WY) went 0-2. The brackets for the NCAA’s will be announced next week.

Related Link: Results/Brackets Platteville, Wis. -- The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse wrestling team earned its 14th straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championship Sunday afternoon in Wiliams Fieldhouse on the campus of UW-Platteville. It is the Eagles' conference leading 15th title in school history. UW-L totaled 132 points while UW-Whitewater was second with 105.5 and UW-Stevens Point third with 103. UW-Oshkosh placed fourth (85) while UW-Platteville was fifth (82) and UW-Eau Claire sixth (51.5). UW-L head coach Dave Malecek was selected the Mertz Mortorelli WIAC Coach of the Year for the fifth consecutive season. Seven UW-L wrestlers won individual titles Sunday, including senior Matt Mauseth who captured his fourth consecutive 149-pound championship with a 8-4 victory over UW-Stevens Point's Kris Magruder. Mauseth is the first wrestler in league history to win four 149-pound titles. After receiving a first-round bye, Mauseth won by fall (:56) over Ryan Borman in the semifinals before defeating Magruder in the title bout. Mauseth was also named the 2011 Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete. Senior Albie McKinney and junior Mike Schmitz both won their third straight WIAC title Sunday. McKinney became the second wrestler in conference history to won three 125-pound crowns as he won by major decision (11-2) over Carl Deluca of UW-Oshkosh. Davey Starks of UW-Eau Claire won four titles from 2000-03. McKinney advanced to Sunday's final after winning by fall (1:23) over Jedd Wilson of UW-Whitewater and by technical fall (16-0, 6:13) over Mack Drees of UW-Platteville. Schmitz is the third wrestler to capture three 174-pound divisions with a major decision (12-3) over Reud Dickerson of UW-Whitewater in Sunday's championship match. UW-L's Josh Chelf (2006-08) and UW-Stevens Point's Cody Koenig (2003-05) also won three championships at 174-pounds. Schmitz earned a pair of wins by fall in his first two matches Sunday, defeating Aaron Geiger of UW-Oshkosh (1:30) and William Christ of UW-Eau Claire (2:47). Schmitz is also the defending NCAA Division III champion at 174-pounds. UW-L senior Cory Ferguson earned the 165-pound title Sunday with a win by decision (6-3) over Jordan Schulte of UW-Stevens Point. It is his second straight championship after finishing second in 2009. Ferguson also defeated Schulte in the 2010 title match. Ferguson received a first-round bye Sunday and then defeated Aaron Konitzer of UW-Oshkosh by major decision (17-4) in the semifinals. Junior Bebeto Yewah won his second straight league crown Sunday as he earned a technical fall (25-10, 5:14) against UW-Whitewater's Dylan Scroeder in the 141-pound division. Yewah won the 133-pound WIAC and NCAA III title a year ago. He had a first-round bye in Sunday's action before winning by fall (5:00) against Kyle Kleuskens of UW-Oshkosh in the semifinals. Yewah was named the 2011 John Peterson WIAC Wrestler of the Meet after winning the 141-pound title. Sophomore Adam Sheley picked up his first WIAC title Sunday, winning the 133-pound division with a decision (4-2) over Jake Fredrickson of UW-Whitewater. He opened the day with a win by fall (2:16) over Neil Manns of UW-Eau Claire and then won by decision (5-3) over Zach Mueller of UW-Oshkosh in the semifinals. Sheley was also named to the 2011 All-WIAC Sportsmanship Team. UW-L sophomore Billy Mayer continued the streak of Eagles winning the 285-pound division as he defeated UW-Whitewater's James Zarate in the title match (6-0). He becomes the fourth straight UW-L wrestler to win the 285-pound crown, joining Jason Ott (200-02), Ryan Allen (2003-06) and Dan Laurent (2007-10). The Eagles have won the last 12 league titles at 285-pounds. After a first-round bye, Mayer defeated UW-Eau Claire's Joe Pitsch by fall (5:57) in the semifinals before getting the championship win over Zarate. The Eagles had a pair of wrestlers, senior Ryan Farwell at 157-pounds and senior Mitch Artist at 184-pounds, finish third Sunday. Farwell earned third-place with a win by decision (8-2) over UW-Oshkosh's Jose Quintana. He opened with a major decision (12-0) over Jon Hagen of UW-Platteville before falling in overtime (2-0) to Ben Strobel of UW-Stevens Point in the semifinals. Farwell was second in 2010. After placing second last season at 184-pounds, Artist earned third-place this year with a win by decision (7-2) over UW-Whitewater's Andrew Pettit. He won by technical fall (16-0, 1:56) against UW-Platteville Wesley Mathieu in his first match Sunday, but lost by fall (3:20) to UW-Oshkosh's Sam Engelland in the semifinals. Artist earned one of eight at-large bids to the NCAA III Tournament and will compete in the championships next weekend. Freshman Tony Piechowski finished fifth overall Sunday at 197-pounds. He defeated UW-Eau Claire's Luke Ortscheid in the fifth-place match by decision (5-2). Piechowski lost by major decision (10-2) to Adam Latella of UW-Whitewater in his first match and by major decision (9-0) to Matt Scott in the consolation round before coming back to defeat Ortscheid. UW-L's seven individual winners, McKinney (125), Sheley (133), Yewah (141), Mauseth (149), Ferguson (165), Schmitz (174) and Mayer (285) automatically qualify for the NCAA Division III Championships with their victories. Artist earned one of the eight at-large bids. The NCAA Division III Championships are scheduled for Friday-Saturday, March 11-12 at the La Crosse Center.

Sioux Falls, S.D. -- The St. Cloud State University wrestling team (19-2) captured first place honors at the 2011 NCAA Division II Super Regional #3 on Sunday, Feb. 27. SCSU tallied 131.0 team points, which edged second place Augustana (120.0 points) - the defending regional champion. Shamus O'Grady (Photo/SCSU Sports Information)SCSU head coach Steve Costanzo was named the Super Regional #3 Coach of the Year and sophomore Shamus O'Grady (Coon Rapids) was named the Super Regional #3 MVP for his first place finish at 174-pounds. The Huskies gained the top spot thanks to three first place finishes at the Regional. SCSU's first title was scored by junior Tad Merritt (Canby), who won the championship with a 4-2 decision over Gavin Nelson of Augustana in the title bout at 165-pounds. Merritt was the top seeded wrestler and was ranked #2 in the latest DII poll. O'Grady added SCSU's second title of the tournament with a 13-3 major decision over Minnesota State's Ben Becker in the championship bout at 174-pounds. O'Grady entered the tournament as the #5 seed and advanced to the title match with a 10-7 decision over the nation's #1 ranked wrestler Luke Rynish of UW-Parkside in the semi-finals. The Huskies triple crown of champions was topped by sophomore Jake Kahnke (Shakopee/Prior Lake H.S.), who ended his run in the 285-pound bracket with a 6-4 victory over Matt Meuleners of Northern State in the title match. This match feature the nation's top two ranked 285-pound wrestlers (#1 Kahnke and #2 Meuleners). All three of the SCSU champions will now advance to the 2011 NCAA Division II championships, which will be held in Kearney, Neb. on March 11-12. The trio will be joined at the NCAA championships by five other Huskies in 2011. This group includes junior Eric Ellington (Fairview Heights, Ill./East St. Louis H.S.) at 133-pounds, senior Gabe Suarez (Las Vegas, Nev./Cimarron H.S.) at 141-pounds, sophomore Jacob D. Horn (Ephrata, Wash.) at 149-pounds, senior John Sundgren (Blaine) at 157-pounds and junior Luke Munkelwitz (Forest Lake) at 197-pounds. Ellington punched his ticket to nationals with a second place finish at 133-pounds. In the title match, Ellington lost a close 3-1 decision against UW-Parkside's Cody Zimmerman. A transfer from Rend Lake C.C. this season, Ellington will be making his first trip to the NCAA nationals this winter. At 141-pounds, Suarez gained his fourth consecutive trip to nationals with a third place finish at the regional. In the bout for third place, Suarez scored a big 4-3 decision against MSU Moorhead's Brady Scheenberger. Of note, Suarez was ranked #8 in the latest DII poll and Scheenberger was ranked #3. At 149-pounds, Horn lost a close 4-3 decision against Nate Herda of Augustana in the semi-finals before coming back to win the third place match by a 4-1 decision over Jesse Westphal of Minnesota State. This is Horn's first NCAA bid. At 157-pounds, Sundgren also earned his 4th trip to nationals with a second place finish at the regional. In the title match, Sundgren lost a tough 9-6 decision to Dillon Bera of UW-Parkside. At 197-pounds, Munkelwitz gained his 3rd bid to nationals with a fourth place finish. This marks the top finish at the regional for SCSU during the Costanzo era, as the Huskies have finished in second place in 2010 and 2009. SCSU will be looking forward to the upcoming NCAA championships with hopes of improving on the Huskies' 7th place finish at the 2010 championships.

Related Link: Results/Brackets CORVALLIS, Ore. -- The Boise State wrestling team captured the sixth Pac-10 Conference team title in program history, Sunday (Feb. 27) night, thanks to four individual champions and two runner-up finishes in the seven team tournament held at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Ore. Photo/Pac-10.orgThe Broncos held off Oregon State at the top of the team standings as Boise State finished the tournament with 147.0 total points. The Beavers fought to a close second with 137.5 points. "It feels great to bring [the title] back," head coach Greg Randall said Sunday night. "Oregon State took it from us last year, so it is nice to come up here and take it back. For the program it means we are continually moving on, able to contend for a Pac-10 Championship every year." Sunday proved to be a drama filled day for both Boise State and Oregon State, as the teams went back and forth in the team standings throughout the final session. The Broncos had built a slight advantage heading into the championship session, leading Oregon State (125.5 points) with 126.0 points. Just two matches into the final session Oregon State overtook Boise State however, as the Beavers moved in front with 129.5 points while the Broncos remained at 126.0. With their team needing an answer more than ever, Andrew Hochstrasser, Jason Chamberlain, Adam Hall and Kurt Swartz responded winning four titles in five matches to secure the top spot in the final standings. "They knew what they had to do. They knew their back was against the wall. They were winning for themselves, but they knew if they did that the team title would take care of itself." Hochstrasser struck first for Boise State as he wrestled to the second individual Pac-10 title of his career at 133 pounds. Hochstrasser met Garrett Drucker of Oregon State on Sunday night, who he had already beat twice during the regular season. Hochstrasser showed why he is the nation's current No. 2 ranked wrestler at 133 pounds, scoring three take downs and one near fall en route to an 11-0 major decision. Hochstrasser won his first individual conference title as a redshirt sophomore in 2009. Chamberlain helped extend Boise State's team lead two matches later at 149 pounds, as he beat Scott Sakaguchi of Oregon State by 5-2 decision to win the second Pac-10 title of his career as well. Chamberlain gained an early 3-0 advantage over Sakaguchi, but a pair of escapes put the match back within reach early in the final period. Chamberlain would clinch his fifth win of the season over Sakaguchi with a takedown near the end of regulation (00:15) to give the Broncos their second individual title of the night. Chamberlain won his first Pac-10 championship as a freshman in 2009, and placed third at the conference tournament in 2010. Adam Hall gave Boise State's fan base its most thrilling match of the day next at 157 pounds as he looked to defend his 2010 Pac-10 title against Bubba Jenkins of Arizona State. Jenkins beat Hall earlier this season, 12-4, in an exhibition match that did not count toward their official records. Just a month later Hall exacted his revenge with a 2-1 win in overtime at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invite. On Sunday it was Hall that would find a way to grind out a triple overtime slugfest that finally ended as Hall finished the third OT with a 00:07 riding time advantage. By rule, a riding time advantage after triple overtime is an automatic point. As the two wrestlers sat in a 2-2 deadlock, the riding advantage point helped Hall remain a perfect 23-0 on the season. "Hochstrasser, Chamberlain and Hall have had a target on them all year long. They showed today why they are some of the best wrestlers to ever put on a Boise State uniform." Swartz capped Boise State's run in the team standings next at 165 pounds where he scored a 4-0 decision over Trevor Hall of Cal State Bakersfield. Swartz, a redshirt senior, wrestled to his first Pac-10 Conference title after scoring a takedown and a reversal in the first two periods. He held off Hall for a scoreless third period to clinch the win. Swartz's victory gave Boise State a 12.5 point lead over Oregon State with just two matches remaining, and because the Beavers could only score up to 12 points left in the tournament his win clinched team title. The win also secured an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament for Swartz, as the Pac-10 was only allocated one spot at 165 pounds. "Swartz did a great job. He had to win this tournament to even qualify for the NCAA tournament. He knew that coming in and got it done." Swartz is joined by six other Broncos who also wrestled to automatic NCAA tournament bids on Sunday. Aside from Hochstrasser, Chamberlain, Hall and Swartz, Alan Bartelli, Levi Jones and J.T. Felix also clinched NCAA bids. Bartelli did so with a third-place finish at 125 pounds, while Jones earned his spot with a runner-up finish at 141. Felix also clinched with a second-place finish at heavyweight. After Boise State and Oregon State, the final team standings were; Arizona State (117.0 points), Stanford (114.0), Cal State Bakersfield (97.0), Cal Poly (96.5) and Cal State Fullerton (61.5). This marks the fourth conference team title for head coach Greg Randall. He also led the Broncos to the Pac-10 championship in 2004, 2008 and 2009. Boise State won Pac-10 titles under former head coach Mike Young in 2000 and 2002. Next on the schedule for Boise State is a three week lay-off before heading to Philadelphia, Pa. for the 2011 NCAA Championships, March 17-19. The Broncos will have to wait a little over a week to find out how many at-large bids they will receive to nationals.

ITHACA, N.Y. -- Three Cortland wrestlers won individual conference titles and two others earned national “wild card” berths at the Empire Collegiate Wrestling Conference (ECWC) Championships, hosted by Ithaca College. The Red Dragons finished second out of nine schools in the final team standings with 135 points. All 10 of Cortland's entries placed fourth or better in their weight classes. Ithaca, which boasted six individual champions, won the title with 153 points, followed by Cortland (135), Brockport and Messiah (90 each), and Lycoming (75) in the top five. Senior Dave Colagiovanni (Mahopac) won the 125-pound title, sophomore Jared Myhrberg (Queensbury) captured the 197-pound crown and sophomore Corey James (Kingston) finished first in the 285-pound (heavyweight) weight class. All three earned automatic berths into the NCAA Div. III Championships March 11-12 in La Crosse, Wis., with their titles. In addition, the brother combination of senior Aljamain Sterling (Uniondale) at 141 pounds and sophomore Troy Sterling (Uniondale) at 157 pounds were among the five NCAA “wild cards” selected by the league's coaches following the meet. Colagiovanni will be going to nationals for the third time. He qualified as a wild card at 133 pounds as a freshman in 2007 and won the ECWC 133-pound title in 2008. He's using his final year of eligibility this winter after receiving a medical hardship due to injury last season. Despite seeing limited time due to injury again this year, Colagiovanni entered the conference tournament as the top seed at 125 pounds. He pinned his first two opponents, then edged second-seeded Max Cohen of Ithaca in the finals, 3-1, on a takedown in sudden-victory overtime. Colagiovanni will bring an 11-4 record into nationals. Myhrberg and James also entered as top seeds in their weight classes. Myhrberg pinned his first opponent, won 4-3 in the semifinals and claimed the 197-pound title with a 10-5 decision over Lycoming's Russel Korbul in the finals. Myhrberg is 27-2 on the season. James, now 28-1 in his first season with the Red Dragons, won four matches on his way to the 285-pound crown. He won his opener 7-1, then earned a pair of 3-1 decisions before winning 6-2 in the finals against Ithaca's Matthew Mahon. The Sterling brothers each reached the finals of their weight classes before losing. Aljamain, seeded second at 141 pounds, won his opening two bouts 6-0 and 5-2. In the finals against top-seeded and defending champion Jeremy Stierly of Ithaca, Aljamain trailed 1-0 entering the third period. He started the period in the down position but could not escape over two minutes and lost 2-0 after riding time was awarded. He then defeated Lycoming's Mike Maurer, 4-2, in the “true” second-place match. He is 24-5 on the season and will be making his second straight NCAA appearance. He was a wild card at 133 pounds last year. Troy, the third seed at 157 pounds, met a fate similar to his brother's. He started with three wins, including a 6-4 win over the second seed in the semifinals. In the finals against top-seeded Derek Brenon of Ithaca, Troy took a 2-0 lead on a first-period takedown. Brenon picked up escape points in the first and second periods to tie the match. Troy started down in the third, but couldn't escape and Brenon accumulated the riding time needed for the tiebreaking point and a 3-2 decision. Troy is 29-8 this winter and will be wrestling at nationals for the first time. Three Red Dragons posted third-place finishes – freshman Brian Bistis (Whitehouse Station, NJ/Hunterdon Central), sophomore Andre Berry (Uniondale) and freshman James Ondris (Massapequa Park/Massapequa) at 174 pounds. Bistis went 3-2 as the third seed at 133 pounds, including a 17-0 technical fall in the third-place match. Berry, seeded fifth at 149 pounds, beat the fourth seed, 9-7, before losing 9-7 to the top seed in the semifinals. He won two matches in the wrestlebacks before losing in the true second-place match. Ondris, the sixth seed at 174 pounds, knocked off the third seed, 3-2, in his opening match before falling to the second seed, 5-2. He won twice in the wrestlebacks and finished with a 2-2 mark. Two Red Dragons finished fourth with 2-2 records. Sophomore Will Parks (Shoreham/Longwood) won two of his first three matches at 184 pounds before dropping an overtime decision in the third-place bout. Sophomore Jonathan Conroy (South Plainfield, NJ) split two matches in the championship bracket, then won his first wrestleback before falling 5-3 in the third-place match.

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. -- Saint John’s earned seven national entrants with a second-place finish out of 15 teams at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional on Saturday, Feb. 26, in Sheboygan, Wis. The second-place finish and seven tournament-bound student-athletes are both program bests. The 2011 NCAA Division III Championships are scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, March 12, in La Crosse, Wis. Augsburg won its eighth consecutive NCAA regional with a total of 153.5 points, followed by SJU (125.5) and Concordia-Moorhead (124). Both the Auggies and Johnnies recorded three champions each. SJU managed to accumulate 125.5 points despite not having a wrestler at 125 pounds. The Johnnies, however, led all participating schools with seven entrants; followed by Augsburg and Concordia with five each (Concordia also has one alternate). SJU set a school record with three Great Lakes regional champions, breaking the old mark of two set in 2009 (Mogi Baatar and Minga Batsukh). The Johnnies have now qualified two or more wrestlers to the NCAA Championships 21 of the last 22 seasons. The previous record for most entrants in a single season was six, set in 1983 (NAIA) and 1998 (NCAA), head coach Brandon Novak’s sophomore season. Senior Minga Batsukh (22-1 record; Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia/St. Benedict’s Prep, N.J.) became the eighth Johnnie in school history to make four national tournament appearances with a 5-2 win over Augsburg’s Tony Valek in the 149-pound championship match. The region title is the second of his career and first since he won the 141-pound bracket in 2009. Following a first-round bye, Batsukh posted a win by injury default and a technical fall in the semis before the championship victory. Senior Matt Baarson (24-3 record; Brooklyn Park, Minn./Champlin Park), the top-ranked wrestler at 165 pounds, will make his third consecutive trip to nationals after winning the regional tournament. He allowed three points the entire day, posting two technical falls and back-to-back 5-0 wins, including the shutout of St. Olaf’s Josef Waples in the title bout. Senior Chris Sandy (21-5 record; Spirit Lake, Iowa) earned a trip to nationals by winning the 141-pound bracket. The No. 2 seed, Sandy received a first-round bye and posted a 15-4 major decision before earning a narrow 6-5 victory in the semis. He then defeated St. Olaf’s Ryan Timmerman 9-3 in the championship match. Junior Matt Pfarr (26-7 record; Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) earned a spot at the national meet with a second-place finish at 174. He recorded a major decision, pin and an 8-6 decision in the semifinal match before falling to third-ranked Zach Molitor of Augsburg, 4-3. He then posted a 4-1 win in the true-second match to stamp his ticket without the use of a wild-card bid. Senior Tony Willaert (20-10 record; North Mankato, Minn./Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial) will make his first trip to nationals in two weeks after finished second at 197 pounds. He amassed two pins and an 8-1 decision in the semis before falling to second-ranked Jared Massey from Augsburg in the championship match, 11-2. Junior Dustin Baxter (21-7; Fairbanks, Alaska/West Valley) received an at-large bid after finishing second at 184 pounds. He won a pair of close matches before falling to top-ranked Phil Moenkedick from Concordia-Moorhead in the title match. He then dropped the true-second match by a score of 7-3. Baxter led the majority of the match until he allowed a takedown and back points as time expired. Junior Chad Henle (23-8 record; Spicer, Minn./New London-Spicer) earned the Johnnies’ second at-large bid to bring the total to seven after finishing third at 133 pounds. He won his first match before falling to Concordia-Moorhead’s Daron Hohbein via pin with one minute left in the match. He cruised through wrestlebacks, however, posting back-to-back major decisions to claim third. Senior Drew Larson (13-9 record; Willmar, Minn.) claimed fourth at 157 pounds after battling back in wrestlebacks. He won his first match but fell to Isaac Roberson of Lakeland (Wis.) in the quarterfinals. Larson won two more consolation matches before falling to Roberson again, 2-1, in the third-place match. Roberson earned an at-large bid to the national tournament. Junior John Linn (8-14 record; Foley, Minn.) won his first match at heavyweight, a 4-1 win over the fifth seed, but lost the quarterfinal match to Augsburg’s Chad Johnson. He earned a pin in his first consolation match and was eliminated by a narrow 3-1 decision to the eventual fifth-place winner.

Related Link: Results/Brackets LEXINGTON, Va. -- On Saturday, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy wrestling team competed at the 2011 Centennial Conference Championships and went on to win its fourth-consecutive league title at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Va. Kings Point racked up a total of 115 team points. Jordan Alfaro (Fayetteville, N.C.) defeated Abe Evans of Gettysburg College by fall to capture the 125-pound crown for the second-straight season. In the 141-pound class, James Beshada (South River, N.J.) finished second as he lost to Ryan Bridge of Stevens Institute of Technology by major decision. 149-pounder Martin Bell (Eaton Rapids, Mich.) picked up his first-ever conference championship when he defeated C.J. Caserta of Stevens (7-5 dec.). 157-pounder Dan Twito (Cedar Falls, Iowa) beat Leo Dormann of Stevens by a 7-2 decision for his second-consecutive conference title. 165-pounder Vincent Renaut (Plymouth, Mass.) Defeated Eric Levenseller of Johns Hopkins by a decision of 7-2. 174-pounder Justin Diesel (Minisink Valley, N.Y.) fell to Ryan Dormann of Stevens (2-1 dec.; TB1). Diesel qualified as an NCAA alternate. 184-pounder Scott Lowe (Euclid, Ohio) defeated Nate Murren of Ursinus College by a decision of 2-1. Heavyweighter Judd Connell (Hastings, Minn.) won the 285-pound title with a 6-5 decision over Brock Glotfelty of McDaniel College. Connell was also named the Outstanding Wrestler of the Meet. Impressively, Kings Point had a wrestler in the final round in all but two weight classes. Head Coach Greg Ilaria and Assistant Coach Beau Bruno received Coaching Staff of the Year accolades for their dominant season. Kings Point finished the regular season with a 14-2 record. Head Coach Greg Ilaria and the Mariners return to action on March 11-12 when they wrestle in the NCAA Division III Championships at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wis. Renaut will be looking to repeat in the 165-pound division, while Alfaro, Bell, Twito, Lowe and Connell will be aiming for their first national championships.

Related Link: Results/Brackets ITHACA, N.Y. -- Seven Ithaca wrestlers have qualified for the NCAA Championships after Saturday’s Empire Collegiate Wrestling Conference (ECWC) Championships. Six Bombers earned automatic bids by winning individual titles and the conference’s five wild-card selections included a seventh Ithaca wrestler. Junior Seth Ecker (Pottstown/Pottstown, Pa.), junior Jeremy Stierly (Owen J. Roberts/Pottstown, Pa.) , senior Blaine Woszczak (Wall/Manasquan, N.J.), sophomore Derek Brenon (Immaculate Heart/Watertown), senior Nick Sanko (Hamburg Area/Lenhartsville, Pa.), senior David Priest (Wyomissing/Douglassville, Pa.) all won their weight class to clinch trips to the NCAA Championships, which will be held March 11-12 at Wisconsin LaCrosse. Junior Matt Mahon (Brighton/Rochester) received one of the wild-card berths. In addition, junior Max Cohen (Williamsville East/East Amherst) was picked as the first of three alternates (who can either replace an NCAA qualifier who's unable to compete or be chosen by the NCAA to round out a bracket). Ithaca’s six conference champions are the program’s highest total since 1994 when six Bombers claimed ECWC championships en route to winning the NCAA title. As a team, Ithaca scored 153 points to claim the team championship. Ecker was named the meet's Most Outstanding Wrestler and Marty Nichols was named ECWC Coach of the Year for the fifth time in the last 10 years. The team title was the Bombers' third in four years and seventh overall. Ithaca's six champions At 133 pounds, Ecker won his second career ECWC title. As he did to win the 2009 championship, he upset top-seeded Mike McInally of Rochester Institute of Technology in the final, winning this year’s crown with a 5-3 overtime decision. Ecker and McInally entered the tournament ranked fourth and third, respectively. Ecker held a 3-0 lead early in the third period,; after McInally tied the score to force overtime, Ecker won with a reversal. Ecker recorded his seventh and eighth pins of the season to advance to the final. He needed 2:36 to pin his quarterfinal opponent and 2:02 to stop the third seed. Ecker is 28-3 on the season and 74-15 as a Bomber. Stierly defended his conference title at 141 pounds with a 2-0 win in the final. Stierly scored a second-period escape and earned the riding time point as the third period ended. The title bout pitted Stierly, ranked second nationally, against Division III’s fourth-ranked wrestler. To reach the final, he pinned his first opponent in 1:48, then recorded a 16-4 major decision over the fourth seed in the semifinal round. Stierly, who was seeded first at the tournament, improved to 19-1 with three pins this season (and 76-16 in his career). Woszczak, the top seed at 149 pounds, rallied for a 7-5 win in the final to claim his second straight conference championship. He scored the winning points on a takedown with 40 seconds to go. Woszczak, ranked second nationally, recorded a pin 5:34 into his quarterfinal bout then rallied to beat the fifth seed 9-7. He is 32-2 this winter with nine pins. He extended his school-record career total to 134 victories. Woszczak, who earned a wild card bid to nationals as a sophomore, will be making his third trip to the NCAA Championships. The nation’s top-ranked wrestler at 157 pounds, Brenon will be making his first career trip to nationals after posting a 3-2 win in the final. Brenon opened competition with a 12-4 major decision (his fourth of the year) then outscored the fifth seed 11-4. The top-seeded Brenon is 23-1 this season and 42-7 in his career. At 165 pounds, Sanko earned his first bid to the NCAA Championships by upsetting the top seed in the final. Sanko earned an escape point in the third overtime period after his opponent was penalized a point for stalling to record a 3-1 victory. He won his quarterfinal bout by major decision after outscoring his opponent 10-2, then blanked the third seed 6-0 in the semifinals. Sanko is now 17-5 this season with four major decisions and 36-17 overall. Top-seeded Priest will be making his third trip to nationals after winning his second career ECWC title. Priest, who’s ranked ninth nationally, cruised to an 11-2 major decision in the final, recording his 100th career win in the process (he’s the 17th Bomber to reach that level). He pinned his first 174-pound opponent in 2:15, then needed 3:21 to record his seventh fall of the year. The senior is 23-3 this year and 100-29 as a Bomber. Cohen and Mahon both recorded second-place finishes, losing to the top seed in the finals. At 125 pounds, second-seeded Cohen lost in overtime to the top seed in the final. Cohen beat the seventh seed 8-4 in the quarterfinals and edged the third seed 5-4 in the semifinal round. Cohen raised his season record to 17-8. Mahon, who was seeded second and ranked ninth nationally, also placed second. He notched his team-leading 15th pin of the season (in 1:29) to reach the semifinals, then rallied for a 6-3 win Mahon, who’s 20-8 this season and 64-23 in his career, used a takedown and a near fall in the final 25 seconds to beat the third seed 6-3. Ithaca’s other two entrants were also place-winners. At 184 pounds, fourth-seeded junior Keith Dickey (Cedar Cliff/New Cumberland, Pa.) placed third with a 3-1 overtime win in the third/fourth-place bout. Dickey won 3-2 to reach the semifinals before losing 6-0 to the top seed. He’s now 11-9 on the season. Freshman Shane Bartrum (Oswego/Oswego), the fifth seed at 197 pounds, placed fourth. He posted Ithaca’s first upset of the tournament, knocking off the fourth seed with a 5-2 decision. He extended the top seed (who’s ranked fifth nationally) before losing 4-3 in the semifinal round. Bartrum is 10-14 this year.

Related Link: Results/Brackets FINDLAY, Ohio -- The No. 1 UNO wrestling team earned its third straight NCAA Super Region 2 title on Saturday at the Koehler Fitness and Rec Center on the campus of Findlay University, as all 10 Maverick wrestlers finished in the top four of their respective weight classes to advance to the NCAA National Championships, set for March 11-12 in Kearney, Neb. UNO finished with 156.5 team points to beat out Ashland (126.0) and Central Oklahoma (106.0). Five UNO wrestlers earned regional titles, as the two-time defending national champions will send all 10 of their wrestlers to nationals for the second straight year. Senior Mario Morgan qualified for his fourth career NCAA Championships with a dominating first-place performance at 141 pounds. It marked the third regional title for the top-ranked Morgan, who defeated Ashland's Kyle Kanaga 9-5 in the final. Junior Esai Dominguez then left no doubt as to who the best wrestler in the 149-pound bracket was with three straight dominating wins to capture his first career regional title. The top-ranked Dominguez earned a 24-8 technical fall win in the final over Ashland's Daniel Genetin. Dominguez was named the Super Region 2 Wrestler of the Year for his performance. Sophomore George Ivanov will make his second straight trip to nationals after winning his first career regional. The No. 1 Ivanov defeated Central Oklahoma's Cory Dauphin 3-2 to cap a 4-0 weekend. At 174 pounds, third-ranked senior Ryan Pankoke earned his second straight trip to the national tournament with a 2-0 decision over Bryce Sopko of Limestone in the final. Pankoke will take a 30-match win streak into the NCAA Championships. Senior Aaron Denson will make his fourth trip to nationals after a 4-0 first-place weekend. The No. 3 Denson beat Tanner Keck (Central Oklahoma) 2-1 in the finals. Morgan, Dominguez and Ivanov all finished second at the 2010 NCAA Championships. Pankoke finished third and Denson did not place, but the Millard South alum finished second in 2009. Fourth-ranked Matt Baker wrapped up his first career national tournament appearance with a second-place finish at 197 pounds. Baker went 2-1 on the weekend and lost to Charles Morgan of King College 3-2 after giving up a late takedown. The Mavs' four unranked wrestlers all turned in stellar performances to shore up their first career spots in the national tournament field in two weeks. Josh Keszler went 4-1 and finished third at 125 pounds; Trent Cox also went 4-1 to finish third at 133 pounds; Nathan Sigman went 2-2 to place fourth at 165 pounds and Taylor Escamilla finished third at 285 pounds with a 4-1 record. Super Region 2 Wrestler of the Year: Esai Dominguez

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Cael Sanderson is back. Sanderson, an Olympic gold medalist and widely considered the greatest college wrestler ever, showed that he's still got it, even after a seven-year layoff, by winning three matches at the 2011 U.S. World Team Trials to advance to tonight's best-of-three finals against 2009 World silver medalist Jake Herbert. The 31-year-old Sanderson, who coached Penn State to a national championship this past season, opened with a victory in three periods over Raymond Jordan. He followed that up with a pin over Chris Pendleton in the Challenge Tournament semifinals. Sanderson then defeated one of his former wrestlers at Iowa State, Jon Reader, in two straight periods in the finals of the Challenge Tournament. He will now face 2009 World silver medalist Jake Herbert in tonight's best-of-three finals series. Returning U.S. World Team member Brent Metcalf was pushed in the Challenge Tournament, but prevailed to advance to the best-of-three finals series. He beat Kyle Ruschell in three periods in the semifinals and then needed three periods to beat Josh Churella in the finals. Metcalf will now get another shot at Teyon Ware, the wrestler who beat him in the quarterfinals of the 2011 U.S. Open. Nick Simmons pinned returning U.S. World Team member Obe Blanc in the Challenge Tournament finals at 55 kilos. He will face 2011 U.S. Open champion Sam Hazewinkel in the best-of-three finals series. For Simmons, it will be his second appearance in the best-of-three finals at the Trials. He was a U.S. World Team Trials runner-up in 2009. Hazewinekl has won three U.S. Open titles (two in Greco-Roman, one in freestyle), but has yet to make a U.S. World Team. The other freestyle wrestler to come through the Challenge Tournament was Steve Mocco at 120 kilos. Mocco defeated Junior World champion Dom Bradley and 2009 U.S. World Team member Tommy Rowlands. A pair of 2011 U.S. Open champions in Greco-Roman, Joe Betterman and Ben Provisor, cruised through the Challenge Tournament on Saturday to advance to the best-of-three finals series. Betterman, who won the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in 2008, was unscored upon in his two matches during Saturday's first session. He will battle two-time returning U.S. World Team member Jeremiah Davis in the best-of-three finals series. Betterman defeated Davis in this year's U.S. Open finals, 0-1, 1-0, 1-0. Provisor had wins over Aaron Briggs and Andy Bisek in the Challenge Tournament. He will wrestle Jake Fisher in the best-of-three finals series. Top-seeded John Lorenz advanced to the best-of-three finals at 96 kilos, beating Justin Millard in the Challenge Tournament finals. Lorenz will now face Justin Ruiz, a seven-time U.S. Open champion and 2005 World bronze medalist, in the best-of-three finals series. In the women's freestyle competition, Adeline Gray defeated nine-time World medalist Kristie Davis to win the Challenge Tournament at 63 kilos by injury default. Davis took the first period of the match, but suffered an injury early in the match. She continued to wrestle, but was clearly in pain. Gray came back to win the second period to force a third period. Gray jumped out to an early lead in the third period and ultimately Davis was forced to injury default. Gray will now take on 2010 World silver medalist Elena Pirozhkova in the best-of-three finals. Alyssa Lampe came through the Challenge Tournament at 48 kilos, beating Whitney Condor, C.C. Weber, and Victoria Anthony. Lampe will take on 2008 World champion Clarissa Chun for a spot on the 2011 U.S. World Team. Tonight's best-of-three finals are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. CDT. Friday's Best-of-Three Finals Matchups Freestyle: 55 kg: Sam Hazewinkel (Sunkist Kids) vs. Nick Simmons (Sunkist Kids) 66 kg: Teyon Ware (Nittany Lion WC) vs. Brent Metcalf (New York AC) 84 kg: Jake Herbert (New York AC) vs. Cael Sanderson (Nittany Lion WC) 120 kg: Tervel Dlagnev (Sunkist Kids) vs. Steve Mocco (New York AC) Greco-Roman: 60 kg: Joe Betterman (Sunkist Kids) vs. Jeremiah Davis (U.S. Army) 74 kg: Ben Provisor (Sunkist Kids) vs. Jake Fisher (New York AC) 84 kg: Justin Ruiz (New York AC) vs. John Lorenz (U.S. Army) Women's Freestyle 48 kg: Clarissa Chun (Sunkist Kids) vs. Alyssa Lampe (Sunkist Kids) 63 kg: Elena Pirozhkova (Gator WC) vs. Adeline Gray (New York AC)

Related Link: Results/Brackets SHEBOYGAN, Wis. -- For the ninth straight year, the Augsburg College wrestling team claimed the championship at the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional, finishing with a 28-point margin of victory on Saturday at Lakeland College. The Auggies, ranked No. 3 in the latest Division III national poll, will send five individuals -- three weight-class champions, a runner-up and a "true-second" finisher -- to the upcoming NCAA Division III National Championships, to be held March 11-12 in La Crosse, Wis. Augsburg finished with 153.5 points, as the only school with all 10 of its wrestlers finishing in the top six places in their weight classes in the competitive region. The Auggies finished 28 points ahead of second-place St. John's (125.5) and 29 ahead of third-place Concordia-Moorhead (124.0). Augsburg has won each of the Great Lakes Regional titles since joining the region in 2003. The Auggies have won a Division III-record 11 national championships in the last 20 seasons, while also earning a trophy (finishing in the top four in NCAA national competition) 22 straight years, the longest active streak of any NCAA wrestling program, regardless of division. Jared Massey (SR, Circle Pines, Minn./Centennial HS) dominated the 197-pound weight class at the regional, capturing the crown with two first-period pins in his opening matches and major-decision wins in the semifinals and finals, including an 11-2 win in the championship match over Tony Willaert of St. John's. Massey, the 2009 national champion at 197 and a third-place finisher last year, is now 17-1 on the season and will compete in his third national tournament. In his three seasons at Augsburg, Massey is now 75-3, including a 17-1 record this season. Of his 75 wins at Augsburg, 46 (61.3 percent) are "bonus-point" decisions -- major decisions, technical falls or pins. Including his 5-2 record at Division I Wisconsin in 2003-04, Massey is now 80-5 as a collegiate wrestler. Zach Molitor (SR, Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti HS), also a two-time Augsburg All-American, will compete in his third national tournament following his dominant title at 174 pounds. Molitor recorded three first-period pins leading up to the championship match, which he won 4-3 over Mathew Pfarr of St. John's. Molitor is now 25-3 on the season with 13 pins. He finished third nationally last season at 174, while finishing sixth in 2009. He is now 88-17 in his three seasons at Augsburg and 106-30 in his collegiate career. After competing in the national tournament the last two seasons at 165, Orlando Ponce (SR, Hialeah, Fla./Hialeah-Miami Lakes HS) will compete this year at 157, after scoring the weight-class title at the regional. Ponce opened with a 16-1, technical-fall win, followed by a major-decision win en route to the title, which he won 8-3 over Justin Berns of Concordia-Moorhead. Last year's national runner-up at 165, Ponce is now 31-5 on the season and 87-29 in his three seasons at Augsburg. He has won 14 straight matches, including all 11 (with two pins, three major decisions and a technical fall) since moving to 157. Tony Valek (JR, Belle Plaine, Minn./Scott West HS) will also compete at the national tournament for the third time, after finishing second at the regional at 149 pounds. He opened the regional with two first-period pins, but was edged 5-2 in the finals. Last year's national runner-up at 149, Valek is now 34-5 on the season with 16 pins. He is now 99-23 in his three seasons at Augsburg. Chad Johnson (FY, Ferryville, Wis./De Soto HS) will compete at the national tournament for the first time, after rallying to score a "true-second" finish at heavyweight. After falling 4-2 in the semifinals, Johnson claimed two wins in wrestlebacks to secure third place, then scored a 5-2 win over Tom Bouressa of Concordia-Moorhead in the "true-second" match to clinch the national tournament berth. Johnson is now 29-9 on the season, having won 19 of his last 21 matches. Four Auggies finished fifth in their weight classes -- Josh Roberts (SO, Grand Forks, N.D./Central HS) at 125, Boyd Suparat (SO, North Branch, Minn.) at 133, Brandon Bahr (JR, Bemidji, Minn.) at 165 and Brad Baus (JR, Mukwonago, Wis.) at 184. WIll Keeter (FY, Twin Falls, Idaho) finished sixth at 141. 2011 NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional Team Standings -- 1. Augsburg (Minn.) 153.5; 2. St. John's (Minn.) 125.5; 3. Concordia-Moorhead (Minn.) 124.0; 4. North Central (Ill.) 90.0; 5. Elmhurst (Ill.) 85.0; 6. St. Olaf (Minn.) 71.5; 7. Augustana (Ill.) 54.0; 8. Chicago (Ill.) 42.5; 9. Lakeland (Wis.) 33.0; 10. Milwaukee School of Engineering (Wis.) 28.5; 11. Pacific (Ore.) 19.0; 12. Wheaton (Ill.) 16.0; 13. Concordia-Wisconsin 15.5; 14. Knox (Ill.) 14.5; 15. Maranatha Baptist (Wis.) 0.5.

Related Link: Results/Brackets SPOKANE, Wash. -- Clackamas Community College won the team title with 109 points at the 2011 National Junior College Athletic Association national wrestling tournament in Spokane, Wash. Clackamas held the top spot since early in the competition Friday, Feb. 25. There was only a one-point spread between Clackamas and second-place North Idaho College at the end of the championship semi finals Saturday, Feb. 26. The lead expanded to a 13.5-point difference after the consolation semi finals. Clackamas clinched the tournament team title with 10.5 points over second-place North Idaho College. The tight team race ended with Rend Lake College in third place with 94 points and Iowa Central Community College in fourth place with 93 points. “This was an extremely competitive tournament with the national championship on the line until the very end,” said NIC Athletics Director Al Williams. “The tournament was a great representation of the parity and competiveness of teams across the nation. We’re honored to have had the opportunity to hold the tournament in our region.” North Idaho College and Rend Lake Community College of Illinois both had two individual national champions. The tournament’s four returning national champions all made it to the tournament finals. Victor DeJesus of Iowa Lakes Community College defended his 2010 national championship, taking Jason Gray of Highline Community College in a hard-fought 3-2 decision to become a two-time national champion at 149 pounds. Jamelle Jones defeated Walker Clarke at 197The 197-pound bracket pitted defending national champion Walker Clarke of Labette Community College against North Idaho College’s Jamelle Jones, who was looking to win his second national championship after winning the title in 2008 while wrestling in the 184-pound weight class for St. Louis Community College-Meramec in Missouri. The score was tied at 0 at the end of the first period, until Jones scored a one-point escape at the start of the second period followed by a two-point takedown to lead 3-0 midway in the second period. Forty-two seconds into the period, Jones turned Clarke into a near-fall position and then scored a pin. With the pin, North Idaho College received six points, taking the team from fourth to second in the tight team race. In another dramatic contest, the 2010 heavyweight champion Tyrell Fortune of Clackamas defeated Iowa Central’s Seth McGregor 4-3 to win his second consecutive national title at 285. North Idaho College was the host college for the NJCAA national tournament for the first time. The event was held at the Spokane Convention Center and included a total of 250 wrestlers representing 36 community colleges across the country. Visit www.nic.edu/athletics/wrestlingnationals for complete tournament results. Team Results 1 Clackamas Community College 109 2 North Idaho College 98.5 3 Rend Lake College 94 4 Iowa Central Community College 93 5 Labette Community College 85.5 6 Harper College 84 Lincoln College 84 8 Northwest College 72.5 9 Muskegon College 69 10 Highline Community College 67.5 All-Americans (The top five are recognized by the NJCAA) 125 First: Mike Garofalo, Nassau Community College Second: Josh Heinzer, Iowa Central Community College Third: Steven Romero, Highline Community College Fourth: Jeff Vesta, Neosho County Community College Fifth: T. T. Prayther, Rend Lake College Sixth: Kyle McCrite, North Idaho College Seventh: Garret Jones, Labette Community College Eighth: Eduardo Dominguez, Harper College 133 First: Tyler Holloway, Rend LakeCollege Second: Jesse Hillhouse, Northwest College Third: Brandon Wright, Iowa Central Community College Fourth: Martin Gonzalez, Clackamas Community College Fifth: John Miller, Nassau Community College Sixth: D’Marcus Spencer, Lincoln College Seventh: Tim Hubbard, Mercyhurst North East Eighth: Wismit Moinius, North Iowa Area Community College 141 First: Wilson Metellus, Ellsworth Community College Second: Vinnie DiGravio, Mercyhurst North East Third: DaMonte Riley, Lincoln College Fourth: Sean Turner, Muskegon College Fifth: Cody Randall, Clackamas Community College Sixth: Kodie Silvestri, Nassau Community College Seventh: Casey Williams, Itasca Community College Eighth: Jace Campbell, Colby Community College 149 First: Victor DeJesus, Iowa Lakes Community College Second: Jason Gray, Highline Community College Third: Frankie BueneFuente, Bergen Community College Fourth: Mark Marianovich, Lincoln College Fifth: Michael Perez, Labette Community College Sixth: Tyler Peet, Alfred State College Seventh: Adam Will, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Eighth: Justin Schumacher, Western Wyoming Community College 157 First: PJ Starnes, Harper College Second: Jeremy Bommarito, North Idaho College Third: Justin Pencook, Glouscester County College Fourth: Matt Melendrez, Clackamas Community College Fifth: Eric Jones, Highline Community College Sixth: Eric Telford, Muskegon College Seventh: Quinten Haynes, North Iowa Area Community College Eighth: Scott Verner, Western Wyoming Community College 165 First: Isaiah Williams, Rend Lake College Second: Derek Mestrovich, Clackamas Community College Third: Dan McGillivray, Iowa Lakes Community College Fourth: Isaiah Tatum, North Iowa Area Community College Fifth: Troy Ireland, Niagara County Community College Sixth: Theo Jensen-Innis, Rochester Community and Technical College Seventh: Jake Mason, North Idaho College Eighth: Lance Wade, Nassau Community College 174 First: Jesse Nielsen, North Idaho College Second: Keithen Cast, Northwest College Third: Travis Peralta, Ridgewater College Fourth: Khari Washington, Harper College Fifth: James Haywood, Lincoln College Sixth: Jules Doliscar, Nassau Community College Seventh: Carl Foreside, Iowa Central Community College Eighth: John McArdle, Middlesex County College 184 First: Nick Petersen, Northwest College Second: Austin Moorehead, Rend Lake College Third: Brett Sanchez, Clackamas Community College Fourth: Ray Hall, Labette Community College Fifth: Arber Bebo, Harper College Sixth: Marlon Baker, Mercyhurst North East Seventh: Michael Johnson, Lincoln College Eighth: Teagan Franco, Yakima Valley Community College 197 First: Jamelle Jones, North Idaho College Second: Walker Clarke, Labette Community College Third: Nick Pica, Iowa Central Community College Fourth: Darren Faber, Highline Community College Fifth: Trent Flegel, Muskegon College Sixth: Vinny Campanille, Ellsworth Community College Seventh: Fred Moses, Lincoln College Eighth: Cully Butterfield, Itasca Community College 285 First: Tyrell Fortune, Clackamas Community College Second: Seth McGregor, Iowa Central Community College Third: Adam Chalfant, Harper College Fourth: Matt Wyss, Iowa Lakes Community College Fifth: Reno Redleaf, Labette Community College Sixth: Kyle Gibas, Niagara County Community College Seventh: Karl Green, Rend Lake College Eighth: Ryan Steverson, Muskegon College Awards NJCAA Wrestling Man of the Year: Bergen Community College Head Coach Mike Massenzio Hall of Fame Inductees: Western New England College Wrestling Coach Anibal Nieves and SCIFIT Board Member and former longtime coach at Black Hawk Community College in Illinois Denton Smith Falls Award: (Most falls in the least amount of time) Eric Telford, 157 of Muskegon College, with four falls Sportsmanship Award: Walker Clarke, 197, Labette Community College Non-Scholarship Coach of the Year: Coach Paul Schmidt of Nassau Community College Scholarship Coach of the Year: Josh Rhoden of Clackamas Community College Wrestler of the Year: Jamelle Jones, 197, North Idaho College

INDIANOLA -- In a word, it was special. That's the attribute senior 157-pounder Carrington Banks (Stockbridge, Ga.), and senior heavyweight John Helgerson (West Union) put on top-ranked Wartburg's 206.5-point finish at the 2011 Iowa Conference Championships Feb. 25. The duo was among seven individual champions for Coach Jim Miller's program as it won its 19th consecutive and 29th overall league title inside Cowles Fieldhouse on Simpson's campus. “I just wanted to be able to help the team,” Banks said of his first title. “This is one of the most special things I've ever been a part of – being one of the 10 finalists.” “I've got to give all of this to the coaching staff,” Helgerson added after he won his second individual championship. “They've been there for me and all of us in support and working hard in the room. This is a great feeling.” Banks and Helgerson were joined by sophomore 133-pounder Thomas Mirocha (Davenport), senior 149-pounder Jacob Groth (Marshalltown), junior 174-pounder Bradley Banks (Stockbridge, Ga.), junior 184-pounder Dylan Azinger (DeWitt, Iowa), and junior 197-pounder Byron Tate (Clinton) atop the individual awards stands. They were part of 10 finalists with senior 125-pounder Mark Kist (Eagle Grove), senior 141-pounder Matt Kelly of Dubuque and senior 165-pounder Adam Weber of Waterloo. Helgerson and Tate concluded the evening with a pair of impressive finals' victories, with Tate, as part of Dick Walker Outstanding Wrestler honors, posting 31 points to defeat the University of Dubuque's Sam Johnson by technical fall, and Helgerson rolling up 17 first-period points to defeat Coe's Alex Burkle by technical fall. “It's tremendous what this team accomplished,” Miller said after his squad finished just a point and a half shy of tying the meet record of 208 set in 2008 by Wartburg. “To finish the way we did was especially good with seven champs and then to have Byron and John wrestle so well to wrap it up. We still have some big goals in mind with these 10 national qualifiers, and we need to get some work done towards meeting those goals.” Wartburg continued some other sparkling streaks. The seven individual champions marked the eighth time in the last nine years the Orange and Black have had five-or-more, and the multiple winners spotlighted the 21st straight championship that they've had two-or-more. NOTES: The Knights earned 10 national qualifiers for the fifth consecutive year. They begin preparations for the 2011 NCAA Division III Championships next week. The meet is Friday and Saturday, March 11 and 12, at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wis. … Tate's OW honor was the program's 15th all-time and and sixth since 2000. … Wartburg's all-time IIAC individual champion total moved to 179. … The seven individual titles equaled the 2008 squad's accomplishments, while the 10 finalists' effort met the 2003 squad's achievements.

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Hello again Wrestling Fans! Weeks away from conference championships and then its the SOLD OUT NCAA Championships. This week we're in our Brute studios. Join Scott Casber, Ryan Freeman, Geoff Murtha, Steve Foster in studio and our own Jeff Murphy brought to you by Kemin Agrifoods. This week we look at the Hawkeyes through the eyes of one who knows "Two-Time National Champion", "Four-Time Big Ten Champion", "Three-Time Big Ten Wrestler of the Year", "Dan Hodge Award Winner", "Four-Time Midlands Open Champion", and "Two-Time MVW team award winner". Mark Ironside The Iowa HS State Championships are over and our own Bob Selby was there. He'll provide an important wrap on the action. We'll Talk with Coach Mike Fussilli about the New York States and what's new at World Wide Sports. The University of Northern Iowa is turning important corners and some say sooner than expected, Doug Schwab joins us to discuss his conference, team and the future for the panthers. Congrats to UNI's Caleb Flores for the win of the WWC Wrestler of the Week Honors. Finally Jeff Murphy will join us for our Kemin Big 10 and Big 12 review. Join us LIVE 9 to 11 AM CST for Takedown Wrestling. KXNO- Iowa, Supertalk 1570 Michigan Listen on radio, Takedownradio.com Listen on your computer, I Heart Radio app on your Blackberry or I Phone with the I Heart Radio App. Our Guests Include: (All times Central) 9:01 Mark Ironside- Broadcast voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes 9:20 Bob Selby- Iowa State HS State Championships Finals review 9:40 Mike Fussilli- World Wide Sport Supply/ New York States 10:01 Doug Schwab- Head Coach University of Northern Iowa 10:20 Jeff Murphy- Kemin's Top 20 Report 10:50 Amy Ruble- Wildrose Resorts

MOUNT PLEASANT -- Central Michigan redshirt freshman Scott Mattingly (Uniontown, Ohio/Lake HS) has been named the Mid-American Conference Wrestler of the Week. Mattingly picked up one of the biggest wins of his young career on Sunday to help the Chippewas secure a share of the conference championship, rallying from an early 2-0 deficit to defeat Kent State's Chase Skonieczny, 3-2, in the 141-pound bout. Mattingly tied the score with a reversal in the second period, then started the third period on top and rode Skonieczny for the entire two minutes to earn the decisive riding time point. Mattingly's victory provided three critical team points in the Chippewas' 20-14 win, which created a three-way tie between CMU, Kent State and Ohio for the MAC title. The conference championship is CMU's 12th in the past 13 seasons. Mattingly earns the MAC's weekly honor for the first time in his career. He is the third different Chippewa to be named MAC Wrestler of the Week this season. CMU is off this week before traveling to Northern Illinois for the MAC Championships March 5-6. The Chippewas have won nine consecutive conference tournament titles.

Charleston, S.C. -- The league office announced on Wednesday that redshirt junior Justin Sparrow has been named Southern Conference Wrestler of the Week for all competitions from February 16-22. Sparrow (Gastonia, N.C.) continued his hot streak in 2011 this past week by beating both of his opponents at North Carolina and against Gardner-Webb. On Wednesday at UNC, Sparrow upset the Tar Heels’ No. 22 Antonio Giorgio in a thrilling 6-5 victory. On Saturday in the regular season finale, the 184-pounder handed Gardner-Webb’s Jonathan Velazquez his first loss of the season with a 4-0 decision. Since January 1, Sparrow is 12-3 with all three of his losses coming against opponents ranked in the top 20. He has a win over a ranked opponent, three pins and a major decision over that span. The Citadel has now garnered three SoCon Wrestler of the Week awards this season as Sparrow joins teammate Turtogtokh Luvsandorj, who captured the award on January 5 and February 2. The Bulldogs return to action on Saturday, March 5 when they compete in the SoCon Championships in Boone, N.C. For more information on Bulldog Wrestling, visit CitadelSports.com.

Krumwiede a big hero for Waverly-Shell Rock The Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa was home to one of the most dramatic state tournament races that any state has ever seen. Three of the nation's top sixteen teams put it on the line for the title in the Hawkeye State. Despite the absence of 2010 state runner-up Grady Gambrall at 135 pounds, No. 9 Iowa City West still entered as a slight favorite over No. 12 Bettendorf and three-time defending champions No. 16 Waverly-Shell Rock. Heading into the championship matches, Bettendorf held a five point lead on Waverly-Shell Rock (148-143) with Iowa City West another point behind (142). Starting the last session in third, the Trojans had competitors in four of the first five weights. They split those matches, with one of those wins being a head-to-head final against Bettendorf. No. 9 Phillip Laux (103) and Jack Hathaway (125) won titles, while Kegan Wakefield (119) and Dakota Bauer (130) fell to nationally ranked opponents. Hathaway's win was a 6-1 victory over No. 19 Connor Ryan. At that point, Iowa City West had a 150-148 lead over Bettendorf, and Waverly-Shell Rock was in third with 143 points. However, the Go-Hawks had three remaining finalists, including one head-to-head with Bettendorf at 285 pounds. That match represented Bettendorf's last chance to score points, as they only had two finalists -- Connor Ryan having already lost at 125 to Hathaway. The first of the Waverly-Shell Rock finalists was Jordan Rinken (140), who had scored a key 4-2 overtime victory over No. 20 Elijah Sullivan of Iowa City West in the semifinal round. However, he was upset 3-1 in overtime by Brian Warren (Des Moines North/Hoover). No. 10 Cody Caldwell (152) would win his third state title with a 9-3 decision over Trey Lewis (West Des Moines Valley) to set the match for all the marbles. Heading into 285 pounds, Iowa City West still led Bettendorf by two (150-148), but Waverly-Shell Rock had 147 points. Therefore, the winner of the 285 pound match between two-time state champion No. 4 Cody Krumwiede (Waverly-Shell Rock) and defending state champion Brodie Berrie would take home the team title trophy as well. In that match, Krumwiede earned the 10-0 major decision to secure a third state title for himself, and the fourth in a row for the Go-Hawks. Davenport Assumption (125-1/2) won the Class 2A title upending defending champion Denver-Tripoli (98-1/2) and Ballard Huxley (97) by close to 30 points, while Logan-Magnolia (86) ended the seemingly perpetual vise grip that Don Bosco (74-1/2) has had on the Class 1A title. For access to all brackets, results, and team standings for all three classes: https://www.iahsaa.org/wrestling/2011%20Tournament/11wrresults.html Power programs hog titles in Illinois Class 2A Three of the best programs in all of Illinois, and also the nation as a whole, compete in the medium-school classification in Illinois. Among the fourteen weight class champions, twelve came from No. 14 Marmion Academy, No. 21 Crystal Lake Central, and No. 30 Montini Catholic. Five Cadet wrestlers won titles -- No. 16 Johnny Jimenez (103), No. 12 Jered Cortez (112), George Fisher (119), No. 3 Ben Whitford (130), and Bryce Brill (135). Jimenez defeated both No. 3 Barlow McGhee of Rock Island and returning Class 3A placer Cameron Kennedy from Richmond-Burton by 3-0 scores in his last two matches. Cortez avenged last weekend's loss to Kevon Powell of Montini Catholic with a 6-2 victory in the final to earn the rubber match victory and a state gold medal. Fisher avenged a loss from last weekend as well with a 5-2 victory over Alphonso Vruno of Sandwich in the final. Four Tigers wrestlers earned state titles -- Trevor Jauch (140) and No. 8 Joey Kielbasa (152) became three-time champions, No. 4 Austin Marsden (215) won his second, while No. 2 Gage Harrah (189) earned a maiden state title. Kielbasa beat No. 7 Stephen Robertson of Montini Catholic 8-3 in overtime to avenge a loss in the Dvorak final; this match placed a pair of wrestlers seeking their third state title against one another. Finally three Bronco wrestlers earned state titles -- Frank Baer (145), Dimitri Willis (160), and Ross Ferraro (285). Willis upset two-time state champion Dylan Reel of Washington 3-1 in overtime in the semifinals for the key victory of his championship run. That was Reel's first loss at the state tournament, as the junior had won titles the two previous years. Rounding out state champions in Class 2A was No. 7 (at 130) Zane Richards of Carbondale at 125 pounds and AJ Messenger of Yorkville at 171 pounds. For full Class 2A brackets: http://www.ihsa.org/activity/wr/2010-11/web/2abrk.htm More Land of Lincoln nuggets The Class 3A competition at 125 pounds featured four undefeated wrestlers to start the proceedings. However, at the end of the show on Saturday night, only No. 17 Danny Sabatello (Stevenson) finished the season unblemished. Steve Galiardo (Chicago St. Patrick) was the first to go down, losing 8-6 in overtime to Trent Atkins (Cary Grove) in the opening round. Galliardo's tournament came to an end without a wrestleback match when Atkins lost 1-0 in the quarterfinal. Down in the lower half of the draw, No. 11 Eddie Klimara (Providence Catholic) upended Nick Drendel (West Aurora) 7-2 in the semifinal match. This result set up the rematch of last year's final at 119 pounds where Sabatello upset Klimara. The same exact result happened this year, Sabatello winning his second state title by a 4-3 decision. The anticipated three state champions at 171 pounds were reduced to two when No. 2 Jahwon Akui (Chicago St. Rita) was precluded from competing due to a disciplinary problem at school earlier in the week. However, two of the nation's elite juniors still were left to duke it out in No. 15 Sam Brooks (Oak Park River Forest) and Steve Congenie (Villa Park). Heading into the finals, the pair of wrestlers had combined for five pins in their six matches -- only Brooks had a match that went the distance, a 3-2 semifinal victory over Dustin Ventimiglia (Belleville West). The championship match resulted in a 15-8 upset victory for Congenie, which makes him a two-time state champion. Other highlights saw No. 17 Lucas Smith (Wheeling), No. 9 Josh Marchok (Schaumburg), and No. 7 Jack Allen (Hinsdale Central) cap off undefeated seasons with a state championship. Smith earned an 8-0 major decision over No. 19 Brian Murphy (Glenbard North) at 140 pounds, Marchok won the title with a pin in the final at 215 pounds, and Allen defeated No. 11 Chris Lopez (Carl Sandburg) 5-2 in the 285 pound final. For full Class 3A brackets, check out http://www.ihsa.org/activity/wr/2010-11/web/3abrk.htm. Also contested was the Class 1A tournament, its brackets are here: http://www.ihsa.org/activity/wr/2010-11/web/1abrk.htm Losing is unacceptable in the Hoosier State The Indiana State Wrestling Championships are essentially a single elimination tournament. Though placement is conducted out to eight wrestlers, one must win their opening round match to place; quarterfinal losers place fifth through eight, and semifinal losers wrestle for third place. In fitting fashion, there were nine undefeated state champs and another four that had just one loss. Finishing the season as undefeated state champions were Nathan Boston (Lawrence North) at 103 pounds, Mason Todd (Pendleton Heights) at 112, Neal Molloy (Danville) at 130, No. 1 Jason Tsirtsis (Crown Point) at 140, No. 9 Eric Roach (Crown Point) at 145, Chad Welch (Castle) at 160, No. 17 Drake Stein (Princeton) at 171, and Trey Reese (Indian Creek) at 215. Joining his twin brother as a state champion was Doug Welch (Castle) at 152 pounds; unlike Chad, Doug lost one match during the course of the season. Like teammate Reese, Ethan Raley (Indian Creek) won a state title at 135 pounds; however, he also lost one match during the season. The other two state champions to finish the year with just one loss were No. 18 Jared McKinley (Perry Meridian) and Garrett Goldman (Bloomington North). The worst record for a state champion this year was 45-4, and that was possessed by 285 pound champion Jeremiah Harvey (Culver Community School). For full bracket: http://www.ihsaa.org/dnn/Portals/0/Boys%20Sports/Wrestling/2010-11/1011StateBrackets.pdf Other state tournaments this past weekend Alabama http://www.trackwrestling.com/predefinedtournaments/VerifyPassword.jsp?tournamentId=1464009 (6A, 5A, 1A-4A) Colorado http://www.trackwrestling.com/predefinedtournaments/VerifyPassword.jsp?tournamentId=1536009 (Class 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A) Delaware (Dual Meet) http://www.doe.k12.de.us/infosuites/students_family/diaa/files/14_Brackets.pdf (Division I, II) Florida http://www.fhsaa.org/sports/wrestling (3A, 2A, 1A) Georgia http://www.ghsa.net/congratulations-2010-2011-ghsa-traditional-wrestling-champions (5A, 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A) Kentucky http://www.khsaa.org/wrestling/2011/state/khs2011home.htm Missouri http://www.mshsaa.org/Activities/Info/Wrestling.aspx (Class 4, 3, 2, 1) Nebraska Class A: http://www.nsaahome.org/textfile/wrest/classa.htm Class B: http://www.nsaahome.org/textfile/wrest/classb.htm Class C: http://www.nsaahome.org/textfile/wrest/classc.htm Class D: http://www.nsaahome.org/textfile/wrest/classd.htm Nevada http://www.niaa.com/sports/wrest/2009-10/files/TPB-WR (4A, 3A, 2A) New Mexico http://www.trackwrestling.com/predefinedtournaments/VerifyPassword.jsp?tournamentId=1439009 (Class 5A, 4A, 3A) North Dakota (Class A, B) Individual: http://www.metrotournament.com/2011StateWrestling/IndividualBrackets.html Dual Meet: http://www.metrotournament.com/2011StateWrestling/DualBrackets.html Tennessee http://tssaa.org/2010Champions/StateWrestling/home.htm (Division I, II) Virginia http://www.vhsl.org/athletics/wrestling_boys/wrestling_tournament_information (Group AAA, AA, A) Washington http://wiaa.com/subcontent.aspx?SecID=319 (4A, 3A, 2A, 1A, 1B/2B) State tournaments this coming weekend Individual Bracket: Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, National Prep, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Dual Meet: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Michigan

INDIANAPOLIS -- The NCAA has announced the qualifier allocations for the 2011 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships as listed in the chart below. Each qualifying tournament was awarded spots per weight class based on current year data. Each wrestler was measured on the following: Division I winning percentage; rating percentage index (RPI); and coaches ranking. For each wrestler that reached the threshold in at least two of the three categories, his qualifying tournament was awarded a qualifying spot in that weight class. Each qualifying tournament was awarded a minimum of one wrestler per weight class, which will go to the tournament champion, even if they did not have any wrestlers reach at least two of the three thresholds. NCAA tournament spots for each qualifying event will be awarded at the tournament based solely on place-finish. After all of the qualifying events have concluded, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee will meet in-person to select the remaining 48 at-large qualifiers, which will be announced on March 9. All weight classes will consist of 33 wrestlers. The at-large selections will be made based on the following criteria: head-to-head competition; qualifying event placement; quality wins; results against common opponents; winning percentage; RPI; coaches ranking and the number of matches contested at that weight class. The complete listing of the 33 wrestlers in each weight class for the final coaches’ panel rankings, as well as the second RPI for the 2010-11 season can be found by logging on to www.ncaa.com. A full description of the entire selection process in the 2011 Division I Wrestling Championships Handbook which is available at NCAA.org.

Imagine wrestling for a Big Ten program, then spending four years away from school -- and the mat ... then, in your first year back in college, winning an NCAA Division III title. Jared MasseyThat is the story of Jared Massey in a nutshell. The Circle Pines, Minnesota native wrestled at the University of Wisconsin, dropped out after a couple seasons plagued by injuries. After four years off, Massey enrolled at Augsburg College, where he won the 197-pound crown at the 2009 NCAA Division III Championships. Now the 26-year-old Massey hopes to end his college mat career as a three-time All-American, and win his second national title for the Auggies. Building a strong foundation in wrestling Like so many wrestlers, Jared Massey was introduced to the sport thanks to a family member. "My uncle moved back to Minnesota from Utah when I was a kid," according to the Augsburg 197-pounder who grew up in Blaine, Minnesota. "He started the Screaming Eagles. Me and two other brothers of mine joined, one younger, one older." Jared Massey (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)Massey was a seven-year-old third grader when he first took to the mat at the Brooklyn Park-based wrestling club. "I never really struggled with wrestling. I liked it from the start." Jared Massey's wrestling career continued at Centennial High, located just outside the Twin Cities. During his prep career, Massey amassed an overall record of 175-23, including 110 pins. He was a four-time Minnesota state tournament qualifier (including as an eighth grader), winning two state titles. His first -- as a junior -- was the Class AAA title at 171 pounds at the 2002 State Championships, concluding a near-perfect 47-1 record that year. The following year, Massey capped off a perfect 48-0 season by winning the Class AAA 189 crown as a senior. He then went on to place seventh at the 2003 NHSCA Senior Nationals, and earn a place on Wrestling USA magazine's All-American team in 2003. If these accomplishments weren't enough ... Jared Massey's name appears frequently in his school's record books. He has the top winning percentage of any Centennial wrestler, having had his arm raised at the conclusion of 88.38% of his matches. He's tied with his brother Kyle for the most wins in a season, with 48. He's second in overall wins. Second in total pins. Second in overall points scored (901). When asked for his best memory of his high school career, Massey responded, "Winning the state title my junior year. I was underrated that year. The kid I beat in the finals was from Apple Valley, which made it all the sweeter." Jared Massey has other positive memories of his time as a Centennial wrestler. "It was neat to see how our team progressed over the years," said the current Augsburg matman. "Getting to wrestle with my brothers was great, too." On, Wisconsin ... Thanks to his impressive mat credentials, Jared Massey was actively recruited by a number of colleges. "I got to visit Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin, which was my last trip." Massey decided to become a Badger. "The Wisconsin coaches made trips to see me," said Massey, when asked why he chose the Big Ten school in Madison. "It was only four hours from home. I really loved the campus." "I loved wrestling for the Badgers. I wrestled at some tournaments. Then I injured my thumb, and was out the rest of the season." "The next season, I had arthroscopic knee surgery, but came back from that. Then I messed up the other thumb. More surgery. Out for the rest of the season." "Then I left college. Not the wisest thing to do." ... then a four-year layoff "I left in the middle of my second year," Massey continued. "I went home, worked for a company that made clean-air units." Massey returned to the Wisconsin capital. "I went to talk to the coaches at Madison Area Technical College, but it didn't work." "I worked at a stone company and, at nights, as a bouncer. I lived with my brother Kyle who was wrestling at Wisconsin at the time. I was living the college life, without going to college." "Every once in a while, I'd work out with some of the individuals on the Wisconsin wrestling team. But that was a bit awkward for me." Back home "One of my high school coaches -- Sam Barber -- was an assistant at Augsburg. He had been talking to me about moving back," said Jared Massey. Sam Barber"He never gave up on me." "Barber wanted what was best for me. He thought Augsburg would be the right place." Massey went to a local community college, got caught up on his credits, then enrolled at Augsburg. "It was an adjustment," admitted Massey. "It was like I was a freshman again, getting into the college routine. However, wrestling came right back to me." "A D3 room is different. Augsburg is a very team-oriented room, compared to D1. More focused on the team, rather than on individuals. More technique-oriented. In D3, the guys may not be state champs ..." Reflecting on his leaving Wisconsin, Massey said, "I made a rash decision. I'm happy where I am, but, when you're a kid, you dream of wrestling in Division I and in the Big Ten." Auspicious Auggie Despite a four-year layoff, Jared Massey returned to wrestling in a big way. In his first year competing for Augsburg College, the junior compiled a 30-1 record. At the 2009 NCAA Division III Championships in Cedar Rapids, Massey scored a fall and two wins by major decision to win the 197-pound title ... becoming the 44th Auggie to win a national mat championship. In the championship match, Massey scored three takedowns, a reversal and a two-point near-fall in what the Minneapolis Star-Tribune described as "a dominating performance," accumulating nearly four-and-a-half minutes of riding time toward a 11-2 major decision over Ryan Malo of Williams College of Massachusetts. "To be able to come back in the first year and win was huge," said Massey. "Showing people that I was able, and proving it to myself." Last year, Massey was 29-1. He earned All-American honors by placing third at 197 at the 2010 NCAA Championships. A veteran's perspective What's it like to be a few years older than your teammates? "I might get a little more respect, knowing a little more," Massey, 26, responded. "I feel I need to be a leader ... I need to push myself." Mark MatzekAugsburg's head coach for three seasons, Mark Matzek, offered his perspective as someone who's only a couple years older than his starter at 197. "Everyone looks up to a big, strong national champ. He takes care of business." The physical aspect also comes into play. "I think I'm the same guy all along," Massey said. "I have to do more to keep my body in shape." "I can tell the difference between now, and when I was 18. My training isn't right with these guys (my teammates). I need more recovery time. That said, I don't like to sit things out." "To be strong and healthy is huge," Massey continued. Coach Matzek weighed in. "With all the experience he's had, he knows his body, his positioning." "He's a phenomenal athlete, very quick, explosive. Not your typical 197. Moves like a 141." "He has an incredible work ethic. Works very hard. He's usually in the top three in our runs." "He's faced some adversity this year, a big-time nagging injury, but seems to be turning the corner, fighting through it." As of this writing, Jared Massey is 13-1 for the season, recently winning the 197-pound title at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 12 with four victories, including two falls and a major decision. Massey is ranked No 2 in the nation at 197 behind Wartburg's Byron Tate, who handed Massey his only loss of the season at the battle of the 'burgs on Feb. 4. What's next As the season winds down -- and a college wrestling career wraps up -- both Jared Massey and his coach look to the future. Jared Massey (Photo/Stephen Geffre, Augsburg College)"My major is exercise science," said Massey. "I want to stay in sports." "I plan to see about coaching." Mark Matzek sees that as a definite possibility for his 197-pounder. "Jared is coaching material ... I see it in the room. We have a 220-pound freshman heavyweight who works with Jared, and is learning so much from him." "You won't meet a nicer guy," Matzek said of Massey. "I'll see the fruits of my labor when guys like Jared do well after they leave, be successful, raise families." In the meantime, both men are focused on the next few weeks. "My expectation is another national championship for Jared," said coach Matzek. Massey concurred: "Knowing I've done it before, I can be national champ again." This story also appears in the Feb. 25 issue of The Guillotine. The Guillotine has been covering amateur wrestling in Minnesota since 1971. Its mission is to report and promote amateur wrestling at all levels -- from youth and high school wrestling to college and international level wrestling. Subscribe to The Guillotine.

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Senior Byron Sigmon and No. 16 Ivan Lopouchanski led UNCG to a sweep on Tuesday as the Spartans downed Gardner-Webb, 37-6, at Gardner-Webb in the afternoon. After a two-hour trip back, UNCG flattened Campbell, 38-4, at Fleming Gymnasium on Tuesday evening. Senior Byron Sigmon wrestled for his final time at Fleming Gymnasium and ended it in style as he pinned Campbell's Peter Comis at the 5:48 mark. No. 16 Ivan Lopouchanski collected a technical fall over the Camels' Michael Jordan to win his 36th match of the year. With his 36th win, he passed Daren Burns, UNCG assistant wrestling coach, for the school record of most wins in a single season. "I'm happy for him," said Burns after the victory. UNCG saw its record improve to 8-11 on the season with the wins. Gardner-Webb fell to 6-15, while the Camels dismal season continued as they fell to 4-18. UNCG's 34 point victory over the Camels was the largest margin victory this season for UNCG. UNCG took eight of the ten bouts at Gardner-Webb, highlighted by three pins, two major decisions, and a technical fall. The Spartans went a perfect 2-0 at eight of the 10 weight classes on the day. Manny Ramirez (125 pounds) started the day off with a 25-10 victory over the Runnin' Bulldogs Brett Kostern. Jamel Johnson quickly followed with a victory thanks to a technical fall, 24-9, over Alex Hamm. Gardner-Webb cut the nine point deficit down to six after Richie Spicel got the best of UNCG's Michael Crowley, 3-1. Lopouchanski needed only 10 seconds in the second period to pin Morgan McDaniel to stretch UNCG's lead out to 12. A 9-5 victory from Gardner-Webb's Alex Medved (157) over Justin Rice would be the last one the Runnin' Bulldogs would see the rest of the day. UNCG ripped off five bouts in a row capped off by pins from Caylor Williams (197) and Peter Sturgeon (285), who only needed 46 seconds to claim the win. UNCG returned home to take on the Campbell Camels for Senior Night. Prior to the match, Sigmon (174) and Alejandro Soto-Perez (141) were honored for their contributions as a Spartan. The Spartans continued to roll as they took the first four bouts of the evening and jumping out to a 16-0 lead, capped off by Lopouchanski record-breaking match. Camels' Jake Fose (157) scored a 13-5 victory over Soto-Perez to provide Campbell with all of its points on the evening. Again, UNCG would win the last five bouts to secure a 38-4 victory and clamping down its third consecutive win. Elijah Adams (184) got an escape with three seconds left in the match to win, 8-7, over Campbell's John Merickel. The Spartans return to action on March 5, when they travel to participate in the Southern Conference Championships in Boone, N.C. UNCG 37 Gardner-Webb 6 125: Manny Ramirez (UNCG) maj. dec. Brett Kostern (GWU), 25-10 133: Jamel Johnson (UNCG) tech. fall Alex Hamm (GWU), 24-9, 5:55 141: Richie Spicel (GWU) dec. Michael Crowley (UNCG), 3-1 149: No. 16 Ivan Lopouchanski (UNCG) fall Morgan McDaniel (GWU), 3:10 157: Alex Medved (GWU) dec. Justin Rice (UNCG), 9-5 165: Brett Miller (UNCG) dec. Justin Guthrie (GWU), 7-6 174: Byron Sigmon (UNCG) maj. dec. Erin O'Dell (GWU), 12-0 184: Elijah Adams (UNCG) dec. Jonathan Velazquez (GWU), 5-4 197: Caylor Williams (UNCG) fall Blake Salyer (GWU), 1:46 285: Peter Sturgeon (UNCG) fall Tyler Arrowood (GWU), 0:46 UNCG 38 Campbell 4 125: Manny Ramirez (UNCG) maj. dec. Tanner Bidelspach (CU), 20-7 133: Jamel Johnson (UNCG) maj. dec. Gabe Gardner (CU), 14-6 141: Michael Crowley (UNCG) dec. Ethan Carmody (CU), 5-1 149: No. 16 Ivan Lopouchanski tech. fall Michael Jordan (CU), 16-1, 3:52 157: Jake Fose (CU) maj. dec. Alejandro Soto-Perez (UNCG), 13-5 165: Brett Miller (UNCG) maj. dec. Joel Caudill (CU), 11-1 174: Byron Sigmon (UNCG) fall Peter Comis (CU), 5:48 184: Elijah Adams (UNCG) dec. John Merickel (CU), 8-7 197: Caylor Williams (UNCG) fall Justin Sparrow (CU), 2:44 285: Peter Sturgeon (UNCG) dec. Parker Burns (CU), 5-2

Hempstead, NY -- Senior Lou Ruggirello and sophomore Steve Bonanno each posted tech fall victories to lead seven Pride winners in a 26-10 Hofstra victory over the Black Knights of Army at the Mack Sports Complex Tuesday night. The victory was Hofstra’s fifth consecutive dual match win and the 10th in the last 11th outings as the Pride close out their dual match season with a 14-4-1 mark. The Black Knights of Army fall to 7-9. The Pride jumped out to a 10-0 lead behind back-to-back tech falls from Bonanno and Ruggirello. Bonanno (22-10) downed junior Travis Coffey, 18-3 at 125 pounds for his fifth straight win. Ruggirello (26-3) followed with a 16-0 tech fall over sophomore Jordan Thome at 133 for his 12th consecutive victory. Army senior Casey Thome put the Black Knights on the board with a 4-1 decision over junior Vince Varela (18-12) at 141 pounds to cut the deficit to 10-3. Hofstra red-shirt freshman Zach Clemente (14-12) posted a late third period rally with a takedown and a two-point nearfall to notch a 6-4 win over sophomore Daniel Young at 149 pounds. At 157, Army junior James Rafferty tallied a 6-2 decision over Pride sophomore Tyler Banks (18-15) before Hofstra junior P.J. Gillespie (24-6) recorded a 13-3 major decision over Army senior Jake Vetter at 165 pounds for a 17-6 lead in the match. Army sophomore Collin Wittmeyer notched a 11-2 major decision over Pride sophomore Matt Spataro (7-16), who was wrestling up two classes, at 174 pounds to close the deficit to 17-10. But the Pride finished with three consecutive wins as junior Ben Clymer (18-8) rallied back from a first period nearfall to post an 8-5 victory over freshman Wil Brown at 184 pounds. Freshman Matt Loew (13-21) recorded his fifth straight win with an 8-1 decision over Army junior Daniel Mills at 197 pounds. Hofstra sophomore Paul Snyder (22-14) closed out the match with a 6-1 victory over junior Orion Ross at 285 pounds for the final 26-10 margin. The Pride will now prepare for the 2011 CAA Wrestling Championships at Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey on Friday-Saturday, March 4-5. Results: 125 Steve Bonanno (Hofstra ) TF5 Travis Coffey (Army) 18 - 3 (6:54) 133 Lou Ruggirello (Hofstra ) TF5 ordan Thome (Army) 16 - 0 (5:00) 141 Casey Thome (Army) DEC Vicente Varela (Hofstra ) 4 - 1 149 Zach Clemente (Hofstra ) DEC Daniel Young (Army) 6 - 4 157 James Rafferty (Army) DEC Tyler Banks (Hofstra ) 6 - 2 165 Paul Gillespie (Hofstra ) MD Jacob Vetter (Army) 13 - 3 174 Collin Wittmeyer (Army) MD Matt Spataro (Hofstra ) 11 - 2 184 Ben Clymer (Hofstra ) DEC Wil Brown (Army) 8 - 5 197 Matt Loew (Hofstra ) DEC Daniel Mills (Army) 8 - 1 285 Paul Snyder (Hofstra ) DEC Ross, Orion (Army) 6 - 1

PARK RIDGE, Ill. -- The Big Ten Conference office today issued a public reprimand of Minnesota wrestling head coach J Robinson for violating the Big Ten Sportslike Conduct Agreement following Minnesota's dual match against Penn State on February 13, 2011. Robinson's post-match comments were in violation of Big Ten Sportslike Conduct Agreement 10.01.1.A.6. The Big Ten Sportslike Conduct Agreement states that "It shall be the responsibility of each member university to ensure that all of its students and all individuals employed by or directly associated with it comport themselves in a sportslike manner when representing their university, especially at intercollegiate athletic contests." J Robinson on Frank Molinaro's injury timeout following Penn State-Minnesota ...