InterMat Staff

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

Matt Lackey

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

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

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

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

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

Marty Morgan

Fight Now USA Presents Takedown Wrestling from the Brute studios in Des Moines, Iowa at 1460 KXNO. Takedown Wrestling is brought to you by Kemin Agrifoods! Join Takedown Wrestling Host Scott Casber, Ryan Freeman and Brad Johnson with the Takedown Wrestling Headline News. Listen Saturdays 9 to 11 a.m. CT/10 a.m. to 12 noon ET. 9:01: Iowa's Van Meter High School athletic director Rick Roberts to talk about the third annual FanFest and Silent Auction on Sat. 4:30-7:30 p.m. For details call 515-975-4883 9:20: Marty Morgan -- Former University of Minnesota assistant coach, now trainer for two-time NCAA heavyweight champ Cole Konrad who has a Bellator MMA fight this weekend 9:40: Cory Cooperman -- assistant coach at Rutgers University 9:50: Ty Barkley -- Max Muscle Sports Nutrition Update 10:01: Logan Stieber -- won a silver medal at the Junior World Championships in Bucharest, who will be wrestling for Ohio State 10:20: Ellis Coleman -- The Master of the Flying Squirrel. It's not easy for a 66 kg wrestler from Northern Michigan University to be a You Tube sensation, but Ellis Coleman pulled off one of the more interesting moves you'll ever see. Coleman, airborne at the whistle, flew over Mehdi Chooli Zeidvand of Iran and flipped him on his head before he knew what happened. Coleman went on to win the match, and was awarded the bronze medal in his weight division with the move he calls "the flying squirrel" 10:40: Henry Priest -- Producer of the new wrestling movie "Beyond the Mat" 10:50: Maureen Roshar -- Wildrose Casino and Resort Clinton, Iowa Takedown Wrestling is available on radio on AM 1460 KXNO in Iowa, online at Livesportsvideo.com, or on your Blackberry or iPhone with the iHeart Radio App.

Jamill Kelly

Related Link: Well-traveled Stroker has high goals One of the nation's top incoming freshmen, Fredy Stroker (Bettendorf, Iowa), has registered for the 2011 InterMat JJ Classic at 106 pounds. Stroker was a Cadet National Greco-Roman All-American this summer in Fargo. Fredy Stroker (Photo/Dave Jedlicka, jedicheetah.com)

DEKALB, Ill. -- Six home dates, including the annual NIU Showcase Meet, and a trip to Northwestern highlight the 2011-12 Northern Illinois wrestling schedule, which was unveiled Thursday by head coach Ryan Ludwig. Overall, the team will compete in 17 duals and five regular season tournaments during the season as they search for the program's 500th dual win. Currently, the Huskies have accumulated 490 dual victories since the wrestling program was established in 1931. “I'm extremely pleased with the way it came together,” Ludwig said. “We've got a great mix of teams from the west coast and out east – a lot of teams we don't traditionally see here in the Midwest.” After the Wrestle Offs on Oct. 29, Ludwig and the Huskies will open their dual schedule on Nov. 6, when they welcome Stanford and Division III power North Central to the Chick Evans Field House. The triangular will be the first wrestling meet at the venerable facility since Feb. 8, 2002, when NIU toppled SIU-Edwardsville, 37-9. “We're looking at doing a bit of a throwback situation with the crowd there getting a good feel,” the first year head coach said. “It will let our guys experience a different venue, maybe a little like it was in the beginning of the Huskie days.” The team will head to East Lansing, Mich., the following weekend for the Michigan State Open, which annually features some of the best wrestlers in the Midwest. Two weeks later, the Huskies will battle Indiana, SIU-Edwardsville and Campbell in the Hoosier Duals. NIU returns home on Dec. 1, when they host Big Ten foe Purdue in the annual Showcase Meet. The meet with the Boilermakers will be the first time the two schools have meet since Nov. 15, 2008, when Purdue topped the Huskies, 32-9. The Huskies will wrap up the 2011 half of their dual slate on Dec. 21, when they open their Mid-American Conference slate against Kent State, while also facing Cleveland State and Cumberland inside the Convocation Center. Despite having a daunting non-conference schedule, Ludwig believes the true test for the Huskies this year will come from within the conference. “We wrestle teams from all around the country as far as the Pac-12 to the Big Ten, but it always boils down to Mid-American Conference competition,” he said. “That's the true litmus test and the ultimate goal is to win the MAC title.” Following a year-end trip to Evanston, Ill., for the Midlands Championships, the NIU grapplers ring in 2012 with a Jan. 8 dual with Lock Haven. The team then embarks on a month-long road trip that takes them to Ohio (Jan. 13), Central Michigan (Jan. 20), Eastern Michigan (Jan. 22) and Northwestern (Feb. 3) before they return to the Convocation Center Feb. 12 against Tiffin and SIUE. The Huskies wrap up their regular season with a Senior Day match-up against Buffalo on Feb. 18, then head to Athens, Ohio, for the 2012 MAC Wrestling Championships on March 4. NIU will also be looking to extend their 40-year streak of sending at least one wrestler to the NCAA National Championships, which will take place March 15-17 in St. Louis.

With the high school wrestling season's start fast approaching, InterMat will be taking fans across the United States of America on a tour of scholastic wrestling. From now until the middle of November, InterMat will introduce fans to the top high school senior wrestlers in the 49 states with scholastic wrestling. From Alaska to Florida, and Maine to California, fans will gain exposure to future college and senior level stars. The rankings within this article do not necessarily reflect those done by InterMat. New Hampshire saw one of its most talented groups of seniors graduate in the spring and will be looking to replace their void in 2012. Among the 2011 graduates include three Division 1 signees, as well as four junior college signees. Among this year's seniors include two NHSCA All-Americans, as well as a Prep All-American. Zachary Bridson1. Zachary Bridson (Timberlane) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 120 Projected College Weight Class: 125 Analysis: Bridson is looking to become a member of an elite group in New England, a four-time New England placewinner, as well as a four-time Division 1 state champ. He has been instrumental in leading the Timberlane Owls to three straight New England titles (four in a row). In the process he has been a New England champ, runner-up, and third-place finisher, as well as a prestigious Beast of the East champion and NHSCA All-American. He has compiled a 135-10 record and is looking to break the schools all time win record of 181 wins this season. Bridson is an honor roll student with a 3.3 GPA and is looking to study criminal justice in college. 2. Steven Dwight (Manchester Memorial) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 285 Projected College Weight Class: 285 Analysis: Dwight is a tremendous two-sport athlete in both wrestling and football. It should come as no surprise that Dwight excels in football as his father was a former NFL player for the Atlanta Falcons. He is a three-time Division 1 state placewinner, as well as a two-time New England placewinner. Dwight also placed third in NHSCSA Juniors this past year. After dropping his first match to a Pennsylvania state runner-up, Dwight won seven straight matches to finish third, avenging his earlier loss in the process. He is also a tremendous power lifter and has won multiple competitions up and down the east coast. Dwight's numbers include an impressive 400-plus bench press, and 650-plus squat. He is being heavily recruited for both football and wrestling and boasts an impressive 3.2 GPA. Tanner Burke3. Tanner Burke (Pinkerton) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 145 Projected College Weight Class: 141/149 Analysis: Burke is looking to become the next member in the elite four-time state championship club. He has won three titles at three different weights. He finished his junior campaign 33-1, including undefeated at 125, losing his only match of the season up a weight to a Massachusetts state champ. He took third at the prestigious 60-team Lowell Holiday Invitational. An impressive 3.5 GPA for Pinkerton Academy, Burke also volunteer coaches at the YMCA club and is a member of Future Business Leaders of America and Distributive Education Clubs of America. 4. David Welch (Tilton) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 170/182 Projected College Weight Class: 174/184 Analysis: Welch has battled injury his entire high school career, but finally completed a full season injury-free as a junior, and the results were tremendous. A Prep New England championship and a seventh-place finish at Prep Nationals showed what Welch can do when healthy. A physical specimen to look at, he is intimidating to all opponents. He is a dark horse contender for a Prep National championship this upcoming season. 5. Josh Medeiros (Pelham) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 113/120 Projected College Weight Class: 125 Analysis: Medeiros has been a mainstay in New Hampshire wrestling the last three years while racking up three Division 2 State titles. He excels on his feet and is nonstop attacking for six minutes. Medeiros plans to take his wrestling to the next level and compete during college. 6. Joey Page (Nashua North) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 152/160 Projected College Weight Class: 157/165 Analysis: Page was a state champion from Nashua North High School at 152 pounds this past season. He is a combination of both speed and power and excels from the neutral position. He is looking to repeat his state performance this season, as well as add a New England title to his resume. Casey Quinn7. Casey Quinn (Hollis Brookline) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 160/170 Projected College Weight Class: 165 Analysis: Quinn won his first Division 2 state title this past season in dominating fashion. After flying under the radar as a sophomore, Quinn went into the state tournament with only one loss as a junior and lost in the finals to the eventual New England champion by decision. He will contend again for top state honors this season. 8. Mike Ponchak (Winnacunnet) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 132/138 Projected College Weight Class: 133/141 Analysis: Ponchak is a three-sport varsity athlete at Winnacunnet where he excels both academically with a 3.3 GPA and athletically. He is a two-time state finalist, winning the title as a junior for Winnacunnet. Ponchak is a tough competitor and excels with his mat wrestling and is fierce on top with legs. He will be looking for a third straight trip to the state finals and a second championship. 9. Dan Roger (Londonderry) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 120/126 Projected College Weight Class: 125 Analysis: Roger had a successful junior campaign for Londonderry this past season at 119 pounds. He can typically be found getting his nose plugged during his matches as he is always taking his physical style to his opponents. He is relentless from neutral and can score from any position. An honor roll student with a 3.5 GPA, Roger represents New Hampshire wrestling well. As Division 1 state champ, he will be looking to uphold that title another year. 10. Zach Hicks (Salem) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 145/152 Projected College Weight Class: 149 Analysis: Hicks is a name that has been around New Hampshire wrestling for quite a while. A two-time state finalist, Hicks always seems to peak at the right moment. He has jumped six weight classes since his freshman year and never missed a beat. Tough on top and always looking to turn his opponent, Hicks will surely be looking at a spot atop the podium this winter. Honorable Mention: Moises Diaz (Manchester Memorial) Zach Daigle (Pinkerton) Luke Morrier (Timberlane) Will Smith (Timberlane) David Garcia (Manchester Memorial) Joey Fitzwater (Manchester Memorial) Anthony Valentin (Manchester Central) Alex Lira (Salem) Tyler Wilson (Londonderry) Jonathan Scheidegger (Sanborn) Team Outlook Division 1: Timberlane has reigned supreme in New Hampshire for the past two decades, winning 18 state titles in 19 seasons, including 11 in a row. Timberlane has also won a record nine New England titles, as well as four in a row. Teams to watch: Manchester Memorial, Salem, Concord, and Manchester Central. Division 2: Goffstown is the returning state champion, but Merrimack and Winnacunnet will be battling them for the team title. Teams to watch: Con Val, Bedford, Milford Division 3: Plymouth ran away with the Division 3 title last year and is always among the cream of the crop. Also in the running is Newcomer Windham, a program that in its first varsity season fielded an impressive squad and produced state champion Tyler Siverhus. Teams to watch: Pelham, Bow

NDIANAPOLIS, IN -- More fans attend high school basketball and football events than the same sports at the college and professional levels combined, according to a survey conducted by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). During the 2009-10 school year, approximately 336 million fans attended high school regular-season and playoff games in football and girls and boys basketball – more than 2½ times the 133 million spectators who attended events in those sports at the college and professional levels. In addition, attendance at events in the top 16 high school sports from a participation standpoint was approximately 510 million during the 2009-10 school year, including 468 million during regular-season events and 42 million for state association playoff contests. The NFHS surveyed high school athletic directors at small (up to 1,000 enrollment), medium (1,000 to 2,200) and large (more than 2,220) high schools and multiplied the average regular-season attendance (based on the schools that responded) in each sport by the number of schools in each enrollment category that sponsor the sport. A similar method was used to determine overall attendance at postseason events conducted by NFHS member state associations. In addition to basketball and football, others sports included in the survey were baseball, cross country, field hockey, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo and wrestling. Where applicable, attendance for both boys and girls contests was included. When combining attendance at regular-season girls and boys contests, basketball led the way with about 170 million fans, followed closely by football with 166 million. Soccer ranked third at 24 million, followed by baseball (20 million), volleyball (17 million), softball (15.8 million), wrestling (10 million), track and field (6.6 million), ice hockey (6 million), swimming and diving (4.8 million), lacrosse (4.5 million), cross country (3 million), water polo (1.8 million), tennis (1.8 million), golf (1.3 million) and field hockey (800,000). While there are about 40 sports listed in the NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, the remaining sports not included in the attendance survey have minimal participation numbers nationally and would collectively add fewer than a million spectators annually. This is the first attempt (through the means of a survey) by the NFHS, the national leadership organization for high school athletic and performing arts activities, to determine national attendance figures at the high school level. “This first-of-its-kind survey of attendance figures at the high school level is certainly a great sign that high school sports continue to be a big part of communities throughout our nation,” said Bob Gardner, NFHS executive director. “A ticket to a high school sporting event remains one of the best values for the entertainment dollar.” About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,000 high schools and 11 million participants in high school activity programs, including more than 7.6 million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; offers online publications and services for high school coaches and officials; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, speech and debate coaches, and music adjudicators; serves as the national source for interscholastic coach training; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information, visit the NFHS Web site at www.nfhs.org.

Related Link: Indiana's 2011-12 Schedule BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Head coach Duane Goldman has released the 2011-12 IU Wrestling schedule this week. The Hoosiers begin competition on Nov. 5 at the Eastern Michigan Open and are slated to host six home events, including a Big Ten dual match versus the conference's newest member, Nebraska (Jan. 20). Coach Goldman and his crew head to the state of Michigan on back-to-back Saturdays in early November, wrestling at the EMU Open and Michigan State Open (Nov. 12). Indiana then returns to Bloomington for the next two competitions, playing host for the IU Quad (Nov. 18) and Hoosier Duals (Nov. 26). Three dual matches are scheduled for each of those events; with IU taking on Central Missouri State, Calumet College of St. Joseph and Lindsey Wilson College in the IU Quad while the Hoosier Duals welcome in Northern Illinois, SIU-Edwardsville and Campbell. The weekend of Dec. 10 is currently open, but Coach Goldman expects the Hoosiers to fill that date very soon. Big Ten action starts on Dec. 18 with a road bout at Ohio State. The complete league slate is: Dec. 18 - at Ohio State, 2 pm EST Jan. 6 - IOWA, 7 pm Jan. 13 - at Michigan, 7 pm Jan. 15 - at Michigan State, 2 pm Jan. 20 - NEBRASKA, 7 pm Jan. 29 - ILLINOIS, 2 pm Feb. 5 - PURDUE, 2 pm Feb. 17 - at Northwestern, 7 pm (central time) Additional non-conference showdowns include the ultra-competitive Southern Scuffle (Jan. 1-2), hosted by the University of Chattanooga this season, and dual matches at or on a neutral mat versus SIU-Edwardsville and South Dakota State on Feb. 3 and North Carolina State, VMI and Gardner Webb on Feb. 12.

Related Link: Cornell's 2011-12 Schedule ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Big Red wrestling team has released its 2011-12 schedule that is filled with action at home on East Hill. Cornell will play host to six dual matches, the Body Bar Invitational, the New York State Intercollegiate championships and is a regional site for the National Duals. Coming off a second-place NCAA finish a year ago, Rob Koll's Big Red team opens its season at home against Minnesota on Friday, Nov. 18 at Newman Arena. The Golden Gophers finished seventh at the NCAA tournament last season. Cornell and Minnesota squared off at the 2011 National Duals, with the Big Red earning a 20-16 victory. One day later, the Big Red will play host to the Body Bar System Invitational in Newman Arena. Cornell will face competition from Army, Binghamton, Buffalo, Clarion, Drexel, Ithaca College, Kent State, Lock Haven, Minnesota, Sacred Heart and Virginia. The Big Red travels to Las Vegas, Nev. to defend its 2010 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational title on Dec. 2-3 before breaking for the winter holidays. In its first action of the new year, Cornell will compete at the Southern Scuffle, held for the first time in Chattanooga, Tenn. Cornell will take on EIWA foe Lehigh at home on Jan. 8 before opening its Ivy slate. The Big Red will be in search for its 10th straight Ivy League title and looks to extend its 48-match conference win streak beginning Jan. 14 when it heads to Penn and Princeton. On Jan. 21-22, the Big Red will play host to the New York State Intercollegiate championships with the junior varsity competing against the best teams in the state. A week later, Cornell will hit the road for a dual match on the campus of perennial powerhouse Iowa State. On Sunday, Feb. 12, Cornell will welcome Central Michigan, Oklahoma, Purdue, Illinois and American to Newman Arena as a regional location for the NWCA/Cliff Keen Division I National Dual Meet Championship. There are four regional competitions from which the final team from each location will advance to the championship on Feb. 19. The final event will be held on one of the final team's campuses. The National Duals rounds out Cornell's dual schedule. The Big Red will be in search of its sixth-straight EIWA team title on March 3-4 at Princeton. The 2012 NCAA championships return to St. Louis, Mo. March 15-17. Cornell returns six starters including five NCAA qualifiers and three All-Americans. Included among the returners are two-time NCAA champion, junior Kyle Dake, three-time All-American Cam Simaz and All-American Steve Bosak.

Four teams have been added to the field for The Clash X, which takes place Dec. 30-31 at the UCR Regional Sports Center in Rochester, Minn. The latest teams to accept invitations are Marist (Ill.), Punahou (Hawaii), Anoka (Minn.), and Atwater-Cosgrove-Grove City (Minn.). Twenty eight teams have now been announced for the 32-team event. The field for The Clash X already includes seven of the nation's top 10 teams from the final InterMat Fab 50 poll of the 2010-11 season. Those seven teams include No. 1 Apple Valley (Minn.), No. 3 Brandon (Fla.), No. 4 St. Paris Graham (Ohio), No. 5 St. Edward (Ohio), No. 6 Simley (Minn.), No. 7 Clovis (Calif.), and No. 10 Wisconsin Rapids (Wis.). Below is a look at the latest entrants to The Clash X. Marist, Illi. Marist, located in Chicago, was an all-male school until 2002. The school has a rich wrestling tradition. Marist won state championships in wrestling in 1974 and 1975, and finished as state runner-up in 1976. The RedHawks are guided by head coach Brendan Heffernan, a former Division I wrestler at Illinois who comes from a highly-successful wrestling family at St. Edward, Ohio. His oldest brother, Brian, was the first state champion at St. Edward in 1978. His older brother, Jim, was a four-time All-American at Iowa and currently serves as the head wrestling coach at Illinois. Marist was ranked sixth in Illinois' 3A by IllinoisMatman.com heading into the state series, but fell to third-ranked Minooka, 27-24, at sections. The RedHawks finished last season with a 23-6 dual meet record. Punahou, Hawaii Punahou was named the No. 1 U.S. high school athletics program by Sports Illustrated in both 2008 and 2009. The Punahou boys have won five straight state wrestling championships and seven overall. Last season, Punahou, coached by Matt Oney and Jimmy Takatsuka, outdistanced runner-up Kamehameha by 38 points. Punahou returns three indvidual state champions, including two-time state champion Todd Murakawa. Anoka, Minn. Anoka has a long and storied wrestling tradition, especially in Greco-Roman. Five Anoka alums have been on the U.S. Olympic Team in Greco-Roman. Those wrestlers include Jim Hazewinkel, Dave Hazewinkel, Dan Chandler, Brandon Paulson, and Jake Deitchler. Anoka claimed a state championship in wrestling in 1990. Jake Begin became Anoka's 49th individual state wrestling champion when he captured the title at 160 pounds in 2011. Atwater-Cosgrove-Grove City, Minn. ACGC will be making its Clash debut. The Falcons had five state placewinners this past season and three return this season, including 2010 InterMat JJ Classic champion Hayden Rouser. ACGC finished the regular season ranked fifth in the state by The Guillotine, but failed to qualify for the state tournament after losing narrowly in the section finals.

2008 World champion Clarissa Chun and 2009 World bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev will be radio show guests this week. "On the Mat" is a presentation of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum and can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa each Wednesday from 5:00 - 6:00 PM Central time on AM 1650, The Fan. Feel free to e-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with any questions or comments about the show. “On the Mat” is archived on themat.com. Chun won the World Team Trials championship in the women's freestyle division at 105.5 pounds in June in Oklahoma City and will represent the United States at the World Championships next month in Istanbul, Turkey. She won the World title in 2008 and placed 5th in the Olympics that year. Dlagnev also won the World Team Trials at 264 pounds in the men's freestyle division. He won a bronze medal at the World Championships in 2009 and was a two-time NCAA Division II champion for University of Nebraska-Kearney.

Scottsdale, AZ -- 2008 Olympic wrestling gold medalist and author Henry Cejudo is headed to Ohio for the final stretch of his Olympic training. With less than a year until the 2012 London Games, the 24 year-old wrestling powerhouse chose Ohio Regional Training Center for its elite training program. Starting September 1, Ohio will be his home base for the next 11 months. Cejudo hopes to add another gold medal to his remarkable life story and Ohio Regional Training Center will play an important role in achieving that dream. "We couldn't be more excited about the addition of Henry,” stated Tommy Rowlands, Director of Ohio Regional Training Center. “Henry Cejudo is the reigning Olympic Champion and could have chosen any training location in America to help him reach his goal of bringing home the gold in 2012. He is a first class athlete and individual. The expectations for our organization reflect Henry's expectations of himself. It's a perfect fit. Columbus, Ohio is now home to Henry Cejudo." Lou Rosselli, Head Coach of Ohio RTC, had this to say about Henry's decision, "We are excited to help Henry reach his goal of repeating as Olympic champion. Our training environment is the best place for him to achieve that, and we are excited he is on board." “I researched a number of elite training facilities across the country,” said Cejudo. “I chose Ohio Regional Training Center because it was the best fit for me. I am excited to be a part of their world-class program.” The youngest gold medalist in United States wrestling history, Henry Cejudo achieved his dream of becoming an Olympian at 21-years-old. An improbable goal for an unlikely hero, his character and spirit were strengthened through a childhood spent fighting for survival on and off the mat. The dedication, determination and desire that propelled him from adversity to Olympic gold will serve him again in 2012. For more information about Henry Cejudo, visit www.henrycejudo.com. To learn about Ohio Regional Training Center, visit www.ohiortc.com. About Henry Cejudo Olympic gold medalist and author, Henry Cejudo, achieved his dream of becoming an Olympic gold medalist at just 21 years old. Henry made history by becoming the youngest American wrestler to bring home the gold. The American born son of undocumented immigrants from Mexico, Cejudo spent his early years in fear of his criminal father and immigration officials. He struggled to find consistency in his chaotic world as he fought for survival on and off the wrestling mat. His amazing story of determination and triumph has won the hearts of America. A story that was captured by Henry Cejudo and Bill Plaschke in a book titled “American Victory.” Henry continues to achieve his dreams, inspiring millions of young athletes and helping troubled youth through his story and his work with numerous charities. Many have expressed that Cejudo represents everything that is right with this country and that his journey embodies the ethos of the American Dream. To learn more about Henry Cejudo visit his website at www.henrycejudo.com. About Ohio Regional Training Center The Ohio Regional Training Center was formed in Columbus, Ohio in June 2008 with the goal of creating a world-class training environment for Olympic freestyle wrestling. Since that time, the organization has grown to recruit and support eight of the best wrestlers that America has to offer in Henry Cejudo, Shawn Bunch, Tommy Rowlands, Reece Humphrey, Tervel Dlagnev, JD Bergman, James Yonushonis, and Colt Sponseller. The Ohio RTC also just recently won the inaugural Regional Site National Championship for 2011, as recognized by USA Wrestling, the national governing body for the sport. The ORTC is led by Head Coach, Lou Rosselli. Rosselli was a 1996 Olympian, 3x U.S. Open Champion, and a past United States World Team Coach. Lou Rosselli is also the current head assistant coach at Ohio State University. To learn more about the Ohio RTC, visit www.ohiortc.com.

Related Link: Northwestern's 2011-12 Schedule EVANSTON, Ill. -- Looking to build on one of the winningest dual seasons in Northwestern history, head coach Drew Pariano announced today (Friday) the Wildcats' 2011-12 tournament and dual schedule. NU will feature in at least eight home competitions, including the 49th annual Midlands Championships as well as a Jan. 13 tilt with defending NCAA champion Penn State. "We have a perfect mix of returning starters as well as young guys who are ready to step into key roles for the first time in their careers," said Pariano, the 2010-11 Amateur Wrestling News Rookie Head Coach of the Year. "All of them have been training hard in the offseason, with many guys competing in national and international events to prepare for the upcoming year, so we are looking forward to the start of fall practice." NU will attempt to win a season-opening dual against a talented Stanford program for the second straight year, this time doing so in Chicagoland on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Marist High School. The 'Cats then will get their first taste of tournament competition at the Michigan State Open (Nov. 12) and the Keystone Classic (Nov. 20) in Philadelphia, where last year NU placed second in the team standings. Following a trio of home nonconference duals in December, Northwestern will welcome many of the nation's top collegiate wrestlers to Welsh-Ryan Arena when it hosts the 49th annual Midlands Championships on Dec. 29-30. Fans are encouraged to be on the lookout for early-bird Midlands ticket specials that will be announced in coming weeks to secure optimal reserved seating options. January promises to be jam-packed with Big Ten action for NU, with seven of Northwestern's eight conference duals falling in that calendar month. The stretch leads off with a home test against Michigan on Jan. 6, followed two days later by a trip to Madison, where NU will look for a second straight victory over Wisconsin. A challenging weekend looms the following week when the Wildcats host defending Big Ten and NCAA champion Penn State at 7 p.m. on Jan. 13 and then travel to take on perennial title contender Iowa on Sunday. As it does each year, Northwestern will welcome former 'Cats back to Evanston for Alumni Weekend, this year doing so on Friday, Jan. 20, for a home dual against Michigan State. The month closes with a road swing to in-state rival Illinois and Purdue on Jan. 27-29, respectfully. NU steps out of conference two final times in early February before closing the dual slate on Senior Night against Indiana (Feb. 17). Championship season will see Northwestern travel to West Lafayette and the campus of Purdue for the conference tournament -- which for the first time will include traditional power Nebraska -- and then to St. Louis and the Scottrade Center for the NCAA Championships March 15-17. The Wildcats walked away with individual national championships each of the last two times St. Louis hosted the event, with Dustin Fox claiming the heavyweight title in 2008 and Jake Herbert winning his second 184-pound championship in 2009. Northwestern returns nine wrestlers with starting dual experience, including 2011 NCAA qualifiers Levi Mele (133), Kaleb Friedley (141) and All-American Jason Welch (157). NU posted an 18-2 record a year ago, including a 6-2 mark in Big Ten action.

Randy Lewis

Jack Hathaway (Iowa City West, Iowa), an InterMat Top 100 recruit, has registered for the 2011 InterMat JJ Classic at 126 pounds. Hathaway compiled a 53-3 record en route to winning a state title this past season. He was a Cadet National double finalist in 2010, winning a title in Greco-Roman. Jack Hathaway (Photo/Wyatt Schultz, The Predicament)

Related Link: Grade Level Rankings Arguably the biggest event of the whole wrestling year came to its conclusion three weeks ago -- the Junior and Cadet Nationals in Fargo, N.D. Despite all the highlight matches, intriguing events, and interesting happenings the five No. 1 positions remain unchanged. Ben Whitford was a Junior National double champion (Photo/Dave Jedlicka, jedicheetah.com)Class of 2012: Taylor Massa (St. Johns, Michigan) Class of 2013: Bo Jordan (St. Paris Graham, Ohio) Class of 2014: Chance Marsteller (Kennard Dale, Pa.) Class of 2015: Zahid Valencia (St. John Bosco, Calif.) Class of 2016: Mark Hall (Apple Valley, Minn.) However, that was about the only thing that was left unchanged. In three of the five groups, there is a new No. 2 wrestler. Class of 2013: Ben Whitford (St. Johns, Mich.) Class of 2015: Matthew Kolodzik (Miami Valley, Ohio) Class of 2016: Aaron Pico (California) Whitford swept the Greco-Roman and freestyle tournaments at the Junior Nationals last month in the 135-pound weight class. In six Fargo competitions, he now has five titles and six finals appearances to his credit. Kolodzik finished fifth in the Cadet freestyle at 105 pounds. Finally, Pico swept his way to titles in both Greco-Roman and freestyle at the Cadet Nationals in the 119 pound weight class. This year's senior group has excellent geographical diversity in its talent, with the top ten kids each coming from a different state; 14 states are represented in the Top 20, 18 in the Top 50, and 21 in all. The excellent group of seniors in the Buckeye State, anchored by Nate Skonieczny, leads all states with 14 in all from Ohio among the Top 100. Next on the list is Pennsylvania, who has ten ranked Class of 2012 wrestlers. Iowa's excellent senior class, which will be participating in the Wrestling USA Magazine Dream Team Classic this coming year, has nine ranked wrestlers. This represents a tie for the third most with Minnesota and Illinois. Geographical diversity, as well as wrestlers from Ohio and Pennsylvania, dominates the Class of 2013 rankings. The top nine wrestlers reside from different states, 13 states are represented in the Top 20 wrestlers, while the Top 50 is made up of wrestlers from 21 states. Seven wrestlers each from Ohio and Pennsylvania are in the Class of 2013 rankings. Three states with four are next -- Michigan, New Jersey, and Minnesota. Chance Marsteller toyed with opponents in Fargo (Photo/Dave Jedlicka, jedicheetah.com)Again, there is geographic balance in the Class of 2014 rankings, with 12 different states represented in the Top 20 and 23 states among the Top 50. However, Pennsylvania wrestlers dominate the class rankings with seven in all, led by the sensational Marsteller. Five wrestlers that attend high school in New Jersey appear in the rankings, along with four wrestlers from high schools in California, Maryland, and Michigan. Among incoming ninth-graders in the Class of 2015, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma lead the way with four in the Top 25 rankings. Yet again, this is not a surprise given the longstanding history of talent in the Keystone State, and its excellent PJW state tournament series for wrestlers prior to high school. Additionally, the underclassmen in Oklahoma represent some excellent groups of per capita talent. Finally, a trio of Pennsylvania and Minnesota wrestlers is featured among the Top 15 junior high wrestlers in the nation; California also has a pair of wrestlers in this select group.

The nation's top-ranked junior high wrestler, Mark Hall (Apple Valley, Minn.), will be wrestling in the 2011 InterMat JJ Classic. Hall won a state championship this past season as a seventh-grader at 130 pounds while wrestling for the nation's No. 1 program, Apple Valley. Mark Hall (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)

PEMBROKE -- Athletic department officials at the University of North Carolina on Pembroke announced the hiring of Othello Johnson as its sixth wrestling head coach on Tuesday afternoon. "I am very honored to take over such a successful program," said Johnson. "I look forward to continuing the success the program has built over the last five years under Coach Jamie Gibbs. I believe there is much more UNCP Wrestling is capable of, and I am very excited to be leading the Braves into the future." Johnson takes over the reins of a tradition-rich wrestling program from his mentor, Jamie Gibbs, who resigned after five years at the helm of the Braves in July. Johnson, who has served UNCP as an assistant coach in each of the past five seasons, will begin his duties in the athletic department immediately. He will also serve as a lecturer in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department at UNC Pembroke. Johnson brought his expertise to the coaching world as an assistant coach for the UNCP wrestling team in 2006, playing an integral role in leading the Braves to five-straight top-30 appearances. As an assistant coach, he mentored seven NCAA all-Americans and eight student-athletes to NWCA All-Academic Team accolades. In addition, 16 student-athletes made appearances at the NCAA Division II National Championships during his most recent stint. Over the last five years, UNCP has churned out a 51-40 dual meet clip, while also registering a slew of impressive finishes at distinguished tournaments, most notably a third-place honor at the Midwest Classic in December and a sixth-place finish at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals in January. UNCP posted its best finish (T-17th) at the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championships after being ranked No. 11 in the final regular season national poll. He has also served a previous stint as a student assistant coach with the UNC Greensboro wrestling team, as well as undertaking adjunct teaching positions at both Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst and at Robeson Community College in Lumberton. He also serves as a camp instructor for the annual Ken Chertow Wrestling Camps. He is certified in both Red Cross CPR and First Aid and has attended each of the last three National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) conventions. Johnson began his athletic and academic career at Colby (Kan.) Community College in 2001, twice (2002, 2003) capturing all-American accolades from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). As a freshman, he turned in a seventh place finish at the NJCAA National Championships and highlighted Colby's runner-up finish at the 2003 event with a sixth place finish. The Trojans finished just 4-1/2 points for the national team title at the 2003 NJCAA National Championships. He also captured all-academic honors from the NJCAA as a sophomore as well. After earning his associate's of arts degree from Colby CC in 2003, he moved on to UNC Greensboro where he was a two-time starter for the Spartans during the 2003-04 and 2004-05 campaigns. As a junior, he helped lead UNCG to a third place finish at the Southern Conference Tournament, and then took home sixth place laurels at the Southern Scuffle during his senior season. Johnson earned his bachelor's degree in exercise and sports science from UNCP in 2007, and then earned his master's degree in physical education from UNCP in 2010. Johnson and his fiancé, former UNCP basketball and track & field/cross country standout Ivy Ramsey, celebrated the birth of their first child, Norah, in November of 2009.