InterMat Staff

Related: InterMat's Junior & Cadet Nationals Coverage Section For a 16th consecutive year, the ASICS/Vaughan Junior & Cadet National Championships return to the FARGODOME in Fargo, North Dakota. This year's events will commence on July 16 with the start of Cadet Women's competition, and the Junior National freestyle finals marking their conclusion on July 23. However, the primary four events of the week kick off on Sunday with the start of the Cadet National Greco-Roman competition. Now with seven different competitions (Junior & Cadet Women, Junior Women Duals, Junior & Cadet Greco-Roman, and Junior & Cadet freestyle) held over eight days, the week in Fargo remains the largest single wrestling tournament in the world. It is also -- bar none -- the preeminent compilation of elite scholastic wrestlers in the United States. Over the years, many NCAA finalists and U.S. Olympians have competed in these tournaments. Given its perch on top of the scholastic wrestling calendar, what stories should one eye during the week of Fargo? 1. Breakout performances Every year in Fargo it seems there are some freshmen-to-be that make an opening statement to their high school careers with a Cadet National title. Last year, there was a trio of wrestlers that won Cadet National Greco-Roman titles, while another trio was champions of the Cadet National freestyle tournament. Rising to the top step of the podium in Greco-Roman were Joey McKenna (Blair Academy, N.J.), Hayden Tuma (Centennial, Idaho), and Patrick Coover (Blair Academy, N.J.). Those earning titles in freestyle were Brent Fleetwood (Smyrna, Del.), Jered Cortez (Glenbard North, Ill.), and Chance Marsteller (Kennard-Dale, Pa.). Coover and Cortez move onto the Junior level this year, while the other four seek repeat Cadet titles, and possibly even augment them with a stop sign in the style they did not win last year. Five of the six wrestlers -- all but Fleetwood -- are ranked in the top 13 for the Class of 2014 (Marsteller is ranked No. 1 in this class). Likewise in 2009, six incoming freshmen earned "stop signs" during the week of Fargo. Dylan Akers (Flower Mound, Texas), Oliver Pierce (Allen, Tex.), and Brooks Black (Blair Academy, N.J.) were Greco-Roman champions; while Brad Perkins (Oak Park, Mo.), Joey Dance (Christiansburg, Va.), and Ben Whitford (St. Johns, Mich.) were champions in freestyle. Additionally, Dance and Whitford took second place in Greco-Roman. This past year, Black and Whitford were double champions at the Cadet level, while Pierce added a Cadet freestyle title to go with the prior year's Greco-Roman title. Black and Whitford are ranked second and third respectively in the Class of 2013, with Pierce occupying the eleventh position. It was a trio of wrestlers in 2008 that picked up Fargo championships headed into their freshman years, when Nick Roberts (North Star, Pa.), Mark Grey (Blair Academy, N.J.), and Taylor Massa (St. Johns, Mich.) each swept their way to Greco-Roman and freestyle titles. Roberts also doubled as a Cadet in 2009, while skipping last year due to FILA Junior World Team commitments; Grey was a double Cadet finalist in 2009 (Greco-Roman champion), and a double All-American in his Junior debut last year; Massa earned double Cadet titles in 2009, and earned All-American honors in both styles as a Junior last year. In 2007, when the group of wrestlers that just graduated high school were about to enter high school, two wrestlers each won titles in Cadet Greco-Roman and freestyle. Greco-Roman championships were won by Andrew Campolattano (Bound Brook, N.J./Ohio State) and Jesse Thielke (Germantown, Wis./USOTC); while Hunter Stieber (Monroeville, Ohio/Ohio State) and Chris Phillips (Monroeville, Ohio/North Carolina State) won freestyle titles. Some wrestlers to keep an eye on this summer include: Fox Baldwin (Fla.): No. 2 ranked Class of 2015 -- Combined 14-1 at the Cadet Duals (7-0 Greco Roman, 7-1 freestyle) Matthew Kolodzik (Ohio): No. 3 ranked -- FILA Cadet freestyle third place at 101 pounds Michael Johnson Jr. (Ill.): No. 4 ranked -- multiple time Tulsa Nationals and Tulsa KOC champion, projected to compete at 285 pounds Davion Jeffries (Okla.): No. 5 ranked -- Cadet National freestyle third place at 84 pounds in 2010 Ke-Shawn Hayes (Mo.): No. 6 ranked -- Combined 16-2 at the Cadet Duals (9-1 freestyle, 7-1 Greco Roman) Dylan Lucas (Fla.): No. 8 ranked -- Cadet National double All-American at 91 pounds in 2010 (Greco-Roman champion, freestyle seventh place), and FILA Cadet National double All-American in 2011 (Greco Roman champ at 101, freestyle fifth at 110) 2. Cadet to Junior transition For many of the stars of "Fargo week" last year, there will be a significant transition this coming year, and some new challenges for them to face. Eleven wrestlers that made the finals in both Greco-Roman and freestyle at the Cadet last year make the jump to the Junior level. While many of these young men are expected to do very well in the upcoming tournaments, there will be more challengers for their thrones -- both in quantity and quality. One of the most interesting things to follow year-in and year-out is how the new group of Junior-level competitors is able to transition. In many cases, they thrive -- and that is what helps identify whom the true stars of scholastic-aged wrestling are. Three wrestlers that doubled as Cadets last year make their Junior level debuts in Fargo -- Ben Whitford (St. Johns, Mich.), Jordan Rogers (Mead, Wash.), and Brooks Black (Blair Academy, N.J.). There are six wrestlers that made the finals in both styles at the Cadet level last year, but won just one title, making their debuts in Junior competition. Four of these wrestlers won their title in Greco-Roman, falling short in freestyle: Jacob Schmitt (St. Johns, Mich.), Jack Hathaway (Iowa City West, Iowa), Tyler Coates (Ellensburg, Wash.), and Adam Coon (Fowlerville, Mich.). The other two were runner-up in Greco-Roman, but earned their "stop sign" at the end of the week in freestyle: Austin Hood (Louisburg, Kans.) and Brandon Jeske (Cox, Va.). The final two wrestlers took second place honors in both styles: TJ Fox (Field, Ohio) and Doug Vollaro (Oviedo, Fla.). 3. Will the championships return to Fargo? Over the years, there has always been some chatter about the tournament staying in the present format, staying in Fargo, and the like. However, there will be some real conversations conducted in the coming months about where the event will be held going forward and in what format. Last year, USA Wrestling placed a RFP (request for proposals) from groups wishing to host the Junior and Cadet National Championships. In addition to Fargo, N.D. wishing to retain the event, there were at least two other sites wishing to obtain the events. Those groups will be able to observe the proceedings, assess their interest levels, and make their case to USA Wrestling -- with decision likely to be made within the next two months. 4. Participation trending downward, but Fargo still remains the "place to be" in offseason wrestling One of the discussions topics posed within the wrestling community is if participation within the Olympic styles is down at the high school level. A very legitimate way to examine this is to look at participation trends at the Cadet and Junior Nationals over the previous six years -- which also happens to be the period of time for which data was available through TrackWrestling. Any number of possible rationale have been proposed. One of the theories is that the rule changes within freestyle and Greco-Roman have made the sports less popular, less translatable to scholastic wrestling, and therefore less promoted to high school aged wrestlers. Another theory is that the proliferation of opportunities for scholastic-style competition during the spring and summer months has made it possible for wrestlers to get a high level quantity and quality of competition without competing in the Olympic styles. Despite those two theories and the many more that are out there, the Junior & Cadet National Championships remain a primary destination for high school aged wrestlers during the offseason, especially for those seeking to make a name for themselves among the prominent wrestlers in the country. College coaches from across the country travel to Fargo, N.D. for the competition. The major national wrestling publications will make their presence known during the course of the competition as well. The competitions remain a critical measuring stick in determining the elite high school aged wrestlers in America. 5. As to why the significance of Fargo … InterMat explored the topic in a May 2010 feature, which explored the number of NCAA All-Americans that also competed (most notably earning All-American honors) at the Cadet and Junior Nationals, as well as the number of Junior & Cadet National placewinners who then went on to earn All-American status at the NCAA Division I Championships. Based on an audit of the 2011 NCAA All-American list, and the list of Fargo All-Americans over the years, the (unofficial) number of NCAA All-Americans that were also Fargo AAs broken down by weight was as follows: 125: 6 133: 6 141: 7 149: 4 157: 7 165: 7 174: 5 184: 4 197: 5 285: 6 That would be a total of 57 from the 80 (71.25 percent) All-Americans this past season, which is a relatively high number within the range that was shown during the 2006-2010 tournament study. Of some interest, that list does not include NCAA champions Anthony Robles, Jordan Burroughs, or Dustin Kilgore; nor does that include runner-up finishers Frank Molinaro, Nick Amuchastegui, or Robert Hamlin. 6. Key vertical pairing reminders The Cadet and Junior Nationals are conducted using a bracketing concept known as vertical pairing, which essentially is a hybrid of double elimination and round-robin competition. At the start of the tournament, the wrestlers in each weight class are placed into two pools. The first match of the tournament for each wrestler will be against the one right next to them on the chart. If it was an eight-person chart: 1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4, 5 vs. 6, and 7 vs. 8. If it was a nine-person chart, those four matchups would hold with the wrestler 9 getting a bye. From that point of the tournament onward, wrestlers are eliminated when they lose for a second time. The assignment of matches for a given round will start at the "top of the list" with each wrestler assigned a match against the "first available" opponent; a wrestler with a bye in the previous round becomes the "top of the list." In the eight person example, the second round matches would place 1 vs. 3, 2 vs. 4, 5 vs. 7, and 6 vs. 8. In the nine person example, second round matches would place 9 vs. 1, 2 vs. 3, 4 vs. 5, and 6 vs. 7, with 8 getting the bye. At the point that four wrestlers remain alive in a pool, they earn All-American honors, as they will finish in the eight placing positions. Should it go from five or six wrestlers remaining to three remaining, the fourth position is determined by a tiebreaking procedure. If possible, head-to-head is utilized. However, if it is not possible to use head-to-head, total classification points are used to determine the All-American finisher (if a tie exists there, then an extra match will be staged to determine the All-American finisher). As a refresher, and for those unfamiliar with classification points, they are awarded as follows: 5: Pin, disqualification, forfeit, etc. 4: Technical fall 3: Decision 1: Scoring a point in a loss when the opponent does not score 5 classification points 0: Failing to score within a match, or during a loss in which the opponent scores 5 points If the pool has three wrestlers remaining with less than two losses, the "round-robin" will ensue. Prior matches involving those wrestlers "carry forward," along with the classification points earned in those matches. After the round-robin is complete, the wrestler with the most classification points will win the pool (and advance to the first place match); head-to-head is the first tiebreaker in the case of a tie, then it goes to total points earned in pool competition. If a pool goes from four remaining to two remaining, the two wrestlers with less than two losses will either (1) wrestle if they haven't met already in pool competition (2) if a match involving them has occurred in pool competition, that match's winner is the pool champion. The third and fourth-place finisher will be determined by tie-breaking procedure: head-to-head, total points, and match if necessary. The most obvious part of the vertical pairing/pool competition format is that wrestlers finishing first in the two pools meet for the championship, those finishing second meet for third, those finishing third meet for fifth, and those in fourth place meet for seventh overall. Schedule of Events All times reflect Central time zone Day 1 (Saturday, July 16): 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. -- Cadet girls 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. -- Cadet girls medals Day 2 (Sunday, July 17): 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Cadet Greco-Roman 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. -- Cadet Greco-Roman Day 3 (Monday, July 18): 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Cadet Greco-Roman 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Junior Greco-Roman 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. -- Cadet Greco-Roman medals 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. -- Junior Greco-Roman Day 4 (Tuesday, July 19): 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. -- Junior Greco-Roman 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. -- Junior girls 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. -- Junior Greco-Roman 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. -- Junior girls 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. -- Junior Greco-Roman medals Day 5 (Wednesday, July 20: 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. -- Junior girls 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 -- Cadet freestyle 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. -- Junior girls medals 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. -- Cadet freestyle 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. -- Junior girls duals Day 6 (Thursday, July 21): 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Junior girls duals 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. -- Junior freestyle 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. -- Junior freestyle 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. -- Cadet freestyle Day 7 (Friday, July 22): 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Cadet freestyle 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Junior freestyle 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. -- Cadet freestyle medals 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. -- Junior freestyle Day 8 (Saturday, July 23): 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. -- Junior freestyle 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. -- Junior freestyle medals Fargo Coverage InterMat will again be providing coverage of the Junior & Cadet National Championships, starting with this feature. InterMat senior writer Andrew Hipps will be providing recaps of all the championship sessions, while InterMat high school analyst Josh Lowe will be offering perspective on various aspects of the event. InterMat contributor Steve Elwood will also be providing a feature. For yet another year, TrackWrestling.com will be providing updated results throughout the championships. Video coverage -- in terms of matches and interviews -- will be available through TheMat.TV, as well as through Flowrestling.com. Photo coverage will be provided by Tech-Fall.com, The Guillotine, The Predicament, JediCheetah.com, and others. Finally, for further coverage throughout the championships, check out TheMat.com.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Lindsey Durlacher, a Greco-Roman wrestling star who passed away unexpectedly last month, was memorialized today at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Following a service to celebrate Durlacher's life, both a bench and a tree were dedicated in his honor at the training complex. The memorial and dedications were the result of a combined effort between the U.S. Olympic Committee, USA Wrestling and the Durlacher family. Durlacher passed away in his sleep at the age of 36 on June 4 in Denver. He was a longtime resident athlete at the OTC. "Lindsey showed skill, character and dedication both on and off the mat, and we were proud to have him as a resident athlete at the Colorado Springs OTC," said Mike English, USOC chief of sport operations. "While his untimely passing was a huge loss for the sport community, we hope that these memorials will help perpetuate his legacy." "It is a fitting tribute to one of our great champions," said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender. "He was a mainstay of our U.S. Olympic Training Center resident wrestling program. We are pleased that his memory will live forever with a bench and tree in his honor in this special setting." The bench is located outside the OTC's Sports Center II building, which houses the wrestling room, the weightlifting gym, the strength & conditioning gym and USA Weightlifting. Meanwhile, the tree is located in a nearby courtyard outside the USA Shooting building, just a few steps from the gymnasium in Sports Center I, where Durlacher competed in a number of wrestling competitions. "This is a huge honor for Lindsey," said Michael and Dave Durlacher, Lindsey's brothers. "So many great athletes come through the U.S. Olympic Training Center and we are really appreciative of this recognition." Durlacher was a bronze medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2006 International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA) World Championships in Guangzhou, China. In addition, he placed fifth at the 2007 FILA World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, helping lead the United States to its first-ever world team title in Greco-Roman wrestling. He was also a member of the 2005 U.S. World Team.

South Dakota State Director of Athletics Justin Sell and head wrestling coach Jason Liles announced Friday the hiring of former Iowa Lakes Community College head coach and University of Iowa wrestler Ty Eustice as assistant coach for the Jackrabbit wrestling program. “I am extremely excited to have Ty as our first full-time assistant wrestling coach at South Dakota State,” Liles said. “He has had excellent mentors during his career and his pedigree of success both as an athlete and as a collegiate coach is exceptional. Ty is a perfect fit for SDSU and there's no question that he will impact our program.” A Blue Earth, Minn., native, Eustice has experience at every level of NCAA wrestling, competing at Division I and coaching at Division II and Division III. "I'm very excited to get back to the Division I level and work with guys who are passionate about the sport, and who are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to become successful,” Eustice said. "SDSU is a school that is thriving and growing. The Jackrabbits have a great tradition and are dedicated to excelling at the highest of levels.” Eustice spent the last two seasons as the head coach at Iowa Lakes. He became one of the nation's youngest head coaches when he was hired in July 2009. In his time at ILCC, Eustice led the Lakers to a 14-11 dual meet record and two top-10 national tournament places. ILCC qualified 17 wrestlers for nationals during his tenure, including a two-time national champion, six All-Americans and two Academic All-Americans. Prior to his time at Iowa Lakes, Eustice served as assistant wrestling coach at Cornell College, a Division III institution in Mount Vernon, Iowa. In his lone season, the Rams finished eighth at the NCAA Championships and had three All-Americans. Before Cornell, Eustice spent two years at Division II Minnesota State University, Mankato as a graduate assistant. In his time at MSU, Eustice earned a Master of Arts degree in sports management while helping the Mavericks secure two top-five team finishes, two individual national champions, and 12 All-Americans. Eustice was a four-year letterwinner at the University of Iowa from 2001-06. After redshirting as a freshman, Eustice compiled a 111-29 collegiate record, including a 28-3 mark his senior season. He received all-American recognition his junior and senior years, placing fifth and second at the NCAA Championships, respectively. Eustice received the team Mike Howard Most Valuable Wrestler his senior year and the team Mike McGivern Most Courageous Wrestler Award his redshirt freshman year. He was a two-time team captain, four-time NCAA Division I National Qualifier and a Cadet, Junior and FILA Junior National Freestyle All-American. Eustice graduated in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in art. In his prep days at Blue Earth High School, Eustice won four individual state titles.

Devin Peterson (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.), the nation's No. 22 recruit, gave a verbal commitment to Wisconsin on Friday. Peterson was a FILA Junior National Greco-Roman champion this past spring. Last summer, Peterson captured a Junior National Greco-Roman title (171) and became a Junior National freestyle All-American (189) in Fargo. He is also a two-time state runner-up and Cheesehead Invitational champion. Peterson projects as a 184-pounder in college. Peterson becomes the third InterMat Top 100 recruit from the Class of 2012 to commit to Wisconsin, joining St. Paris Graham (Ohio) wrestlers Isaac Jordan and Ryan Taylor. InterMat caught up with Peterson and talked to him about his decision to commit to Wisconsin and more. Devin Peterson (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)What went into your decision to commit to Wisconsin? Peterson: I'm pretty good friends with Jesse Thielke. That played a big part in my decision. Barry Davis came over the other night and we talked. There was a lot on the table to pass up and I just can't leave Wisconsin. After the coaching changes in Madison, you're certain that Thielke is going to honor his commitment to attend Wisconsin? Peterson: Yeah, he is. Barry flew out last night to Colorado. If you look on Jesse Thielke's Facebook and Destin McCauley's Facebook, they're all in. That's what it is. They're all in ... and that means they're coming to Wisconsin. We all talked to each other about it. Those two are staying and I'm coming. What did you think of Donny Pritzlaff and Jared Frayer leaving Wisconsin? Peterson: At first, I saw it as a big problem. But I was just patient and waited to see what coaches would be coming. Kyle Ruschell is coming. He's the new assistant coach as of today. Did you consider any other colleges besides Wisconsin? Peterson: Yeah, I looked at Michigan. The coaches talked to me. I talked to Donny today. I'm pretty positive he wants to come back to Wisconsin in a couple years. It was hard for him to leave. I'm hoping he'll come back in a couple years and we'll be here waiting for him. I'm sure you take a lot of pride in Wisconsin wrestling. How important was it to you to stay in your home state for college? Peterson: It's pretty good. I just didn't feel like leaving Wisconsin. I don't want to be far from home. I'm only two hours away from home and it's going to be easy for my dad to watch me. It just feels good that I can represent the state that I've lived in. You chose not to take your official visits and committed early. Why the early decision? Peterson: I didn't want to deal with any of that. I can just go to Wisconsin and put my focus there. It gives me a head start on everything. Devin PetersonWhat are you hoping to accomplish before arriving at Wisconsin? Peterson: I hope to win the (FILA Junior) World Championships next year. That's what I'm shooting for. You have had national success in all three styles. You were a Triple Crown winner at the Cadet level. Do you favor one style over another? Peterson: I don't know. I like freestyle. I'm pretty good at it. Greco is easier, I guess. But I like doing them all. I just like wrestling. Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals in wrestling? Peterson: I'm hoping to win the NCAAs at least twice. After college, I'm going to shoot for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics. That's what I'm going for. Do you plan on wrestling in Fargo later this month? Peterson: Yes. What weight class do you plan to compete at in Fargo? Peterson: I'm probably going to go down to 171 for Greco and then go up to 189 for freestyle.

For Alex Cisneros, the nation's No. 7 recruit, Cornell University just felt right. Alex Cisneros (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)So on Friday the three-time state champion for Selma High School (Calif.) gave a verbal commitment to the Big Red. "I was looking at the academics," said Cisneros, who also considered Lehigh, Army, and Old Dominion. "Cornell is an Ivy League school and they're the best for academics. Cornell has a great team too. I know most of the team, so it feels like family when I'm around them." Cisneros has been a Big Red wrestling fan for 10 years. He has been a regular at Cornell's summer wrestling camps and has formed relationships with the wrestlers and coaches. One Big Red wrestler in particular that he has formed a friendship with is Kyle Dake, a two-time NCAA champion in two seasons at Cornell. "I met Dake at camp last year and ever since then we have been talking almost every day," said Cisneros, who plans on majoring in either electrical engineering or mechanical engineering at Cornell. Cisneros will join his Selma teammate, close friend, and training partner Nick Pena at Cornell. Pena was an InterMat Top 100 recruit from the Class of 2011. According to Cisneros, the two "have basically lived at each others' houses." Alex Cisneros (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)"It's just another chapter in our books together," said Cisneros of having the opportunity to wrestle with Pena in college. "He and I have been wrestling together for a long time. It feels great." Cisneros has won his state titles at 103, 112, and 125 pounds. He currently tips the scales at 140 pounds. He is uncertain on what weight he will end up wrestling in college. "Right now I really don't know where I'll end up," said Cisneros, who has compiled a high school record of 144-2. "I know that I could blow up and get a lot bigger, so it's pretty open." With one year of high school wrestling remaining, Cisneros has a chance to become California's second four-time state champion ever. He would join Darrell Vasquez, who won four titles from 1999 to 2002 for Bakersfield High School. "That would mean a lot, but I just have to take it one match at a time," said Cisneros. "I have to get through the first match of the season first."

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia -- The Citadel's Turtogtokh Luvsandorj went 4-1 en route to capturing the Mongolian World Team Trials last week. The reigning Southern Conference Wrestler of the Year will be attempting to represent his home country at the World Championships in Turkey in September. Luvsandorj (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia) will be bumping up to wrestling at 174 pounds in the upcoming season and is not guaranteed a spot on the national team despite winning the trials. Unlike the American World Team Trials, winning the Mongolian tournament does not automatically earn you a spot on the national team as team officials they will now begin deliberations about who they think is the best representative for the country. Luvsandorj is coming off a stellar sophomore season at The Citadel in which he went 38-10 and competed at the NCAA Championships for the second consecutive year. He was one win short of tying the single season school record for most victories and became the highest ranked wrestler in school history this season when he came in ranked in the top-10 of all four major wrestling polls in early February.

Fresh on the heels of partnering with Fight Now TV, Takedown Wrestling is pleased to announce that Cageradio.com will air both the Takedown Wrestling and USA Wrestling Weekly TV programs to a broad based and fast growing world wide audience on Cageradio.com. Prior to the addition of Cageradio.com Takedown Wrestling's national TV audience was estimated to be at 11 Million homes per week. Takedown Wrestling airs 52 new 30 minute shows Fresh each Tuesday after 12 noon Eastern. USA Wrestling Weekly airs 52 new 30 minute shows Fresh each Friday after 5 PM Eastern Takedown Wrestling is a 30-minute weekly TV news program covering all aspects of amateur wrestling in the U.S. Host Scott Casber updates viewers on the latest developments in college and international wrestling, conducts insightful interviews with the sport's top wrestlers and coaches, and shares his passion for the “oldest and greatest sport” in a fun, fast-paced show. Takedown Wrestling and USA Wrestling Weekly are is available on the Fight Now TV Network, Mediacom cable TV system serving six Midwestern states, Time Warner Sports NY and Texas, Comcast Cable in Tennessee, Long Lines Cable and on the air in Oklahoma, Ohio and Pennsylvania as well as other systems and can be viewed online at www.TakedownRadio.com and at over thirty other affiliated amateur wrestling and MMA websites. “Cageradio.com covers MMA like a blanket. We wanted to go in depth to the origins of many of today's MMA stars” said CageRadio.com founder Jon Motsenbocker . “We're excited to be adding both Takedown Wrestling and USA Wrestling Weekly programs for all of our fellow competition junkies." Scott Casber, founder of Takedown Wrestling Media, said, “This is another great step forward for athletes, coaches and fans of wrestling across the country. CageRadio.com is an important name in the business. They understand the MMA and wrestling communities. We view this is a very special opportunity to partner with Cageradio.com in the distribution of both Takedown Wrestling and USA Wrestling Weekly.” About Takedown Wrestling Takedown Wrestling was started 15 year ago as a single one-hour radio program broadcast from Clear Channel's KXNO studios in Des Moines. TDR quickly added Internet distribution of its audio format and over time began to broadcast live events along with its weekly program. Founder Scott Casber is well-known throughout the wrestling and MMA community, speaking to groups around the country and promoting the sport wherever he can. Takedown Wrestling TV was born as an addition to the radio program, initially available only on the Internet, but now available on 31 different web sites, as well as on TV in over 11 million homes nationally. About Cageradio.com Cageradio.com was founded by Jon Motsenbocker of Cage Agents MMA Management. CAMM is a full-service fighter management team, committed to providing a wide range of high-quality, integrated and personal services for the professional fighters we represent. Cage Agents MMA Management is proud to be teaming up with Thrive MMA Training Center in Fresno, California. CageRadio.com can be found online at Cageradio.com, Twitter.com/cageradio, Facebook.com/cageradio

Charleston, S.C. -- The Citadel Wrestling program announced the addition of 15 new wrestlers to the program on Wednesday. The 15 newcomers hail from eight different states and two countries including South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Germany. The group has tallied 14 state titles, 31 state placers and four participants at prep nationals, including two placers. "I feel like as though we have a great class coming in this year," said Bulldogs Head Coach Rob Hjerling, entering his 13th season as the head of The Citadel Wrestling program. "Several of the incoming wrestlers will be able to compete immediately and I feel as though we addressed our recruiting needs in a big way." 2011-2012 Additions Weston Beck brings three state titles along with a runner-up title to The Citadel from Rock Hill High School at the 4A South Carolina state level at 130 pounds. Beck is a four-time state finalist, three-time team MVP and was the Male Athlete of the Year at his high school to go along with an impressive career record of 235-9. He also earned Most Outstanding Wrestler in the state of South Carolina at the 4A level. Vincent Bellaran is one of three New Jersey products in this year's class as he comes down from St. Benedict's Prep and was teammates with incoming freshman Chris Dowdy and current Bulldog Turotogtokh Luvsandorj. Bellaran participated in prep nationals and finished with an overall high school record of 101-35 at 171 pounds. Zachary Bennett comes from Franklin High School in Tennessee as a two-time state placer in Tennessee at 152 pounds. Francis Boykin is a local product out of Hanahan High School where he was a state champion his senior year and also placed third in the state in South Carolina at 135 pounds. He was named outstanding wrestling in South Carolina at the 2A level his senior season. Kyle Casaletto heads south from Southern Regional High School in New Jersey where he was a three-time placer in the state championships and finished runner-up on two occasions at 112 pounds and at 125 pounds. He finished with a career record of 123-17 and was named the team MVP three times along with all-district and all-region on three separate occasions. Will Connell comes in as a three-time state finalist at Lugoff-Elgin High School as he won the state title twice and finished as a runner-up a third time at 171 pounds in South Carolina. Matt Devine enters out of Sumter High School where he was a state champion his senior year and also a state qualifier in his high school career in South Carolina at 140 pounds. Chris Dowdy is a three-time prep school All-American out of St. Benedict's Prep in New Jersey, the same school that reigning SoCon Wrestler of the Year Turtogtokh Luvsandorj attended. Dowdy recorded a record of 144-42 in high school at 140 pounds and lettered all four years. He was a three-time prep national placer and a prep national finalist. Marshal Haas is an overseas transplant coming from Patch American High School in Germany after placing first and second in Europe at 189 pounds. Jared Hemmings is a two-time state placer, including a runner-up finish, at Greater Christian Academy in Georgia at the 2A level at 171 pounds. Aaron Hensen is another local product out of Summerville High School who is a four-time state champion at 125 pounds and finished second at NHSCA. His team won the 2007 state title while he was named the most outstanding wrestler at the 4A level and most outstanding wrestler in the state of South Carolina. Hensen compiled a career record of 154-11. Charles Holt won a state title and also finished runner-up in 3-A at Myrtle Beach High School at 140 pounds in South Carolina. Sam McCauley is coming off a state title at Croatan High School in North Carolina at 140 pounds. He also placed fifth in the state earlier in his career. Jared Michael heads south from North Myrtle Beach High School where he was a two-time state placer and a state finalist his junior year in South Carolina at 189 pounds and at the 3-A level. Thomas Philbrick comes to The Citadel out of Loudon County High School in Virginia where he placed fifth in the state at 135 pounds. Stay current on Bulldog Wrestling on all new CitadelSports.com.

The NCAA Division I Championships/Sports Management Cabinet during its conference call on June 24 approved selection criteria changes for the Division I Wrestling Championships. The changes require a wrestler to compete in at least eight matches in the weight class in which the wrestler plans to compete. They also set the pre-allocation number per weight class at 29, meaning that four of the 33 spots available in each class are reserved for at-large selections. Wrestlers must meet or exceed two of the criteria to reach the “bronze standard,” which is the level at which wrestlers become eligible for at-large selection to the championships field. Previously, wrestlers had to meet only one of the following criteria to be eligible for at-large selection: Top 33 RPI Top 33 coaches ranking (2/22/12 measure) .700 winning percentage against all competition One win against a wrestler receiving automatic qualification via an earned position Qualifying event placement one below automatic qualification Additionally, a wrestler must have participated in his respective conference or regional qualifying tournament to be considered for an at-large selection to the championships. All of the changes are effective for the 2011-12 season. Cabinet members supported the minimum of eight matches to maintain a competitive balance and help the Division I Wrestling Committee manage at-large selections. They also believe it helps strengthen the weight-management plan for the sport, ensuring that student-athletes compete regularly at the desired competition weight class rather than wrestle in multiple classes. By fixing the number of pre-allocated positions per weight class at 29, the cabinet feels that student-athlete performance during the regular season will be the driving factor in the wrestler's selection to the national championships.

T.R. Foley's Wrestling Roots project to document and promote traditional wrestling around the world can be found on the Wrestling Roots Facebook page ... and the Wrestling Roots website. He's been in Asia for the last two months researching his upcoming book. I remember sitting in the University of Virginia Wrestling room in 1999 listening to then-captain, now-coach Steve Garland and a half-dozen other wrestlers fantasize about what they would do if they ever win the NCAA championship. Almost every celebration included some use of available props, in this case ankle bands. Guys floated the idea of using them as a grenade (you've seen this before), others would lift them high above their head and then fall rigid to the mat like a tree in the forest. Still others had totally complicated, totally unprintable ideas they thought they'd like to express to 18k screaming fans. It was a comical moment that left an impression on me about the range of emotions and desires in the head of a post-match competitor. However, the truth is post-match victory celebrations in American folkstyle are exceedingly rare, in fact, they're almost non-existent. Darrion Caldwell celebrates after beating Brent Metcalf in the 2009 NCAA finals (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)The most famous post-NCAA victory celebration might belong to Darrion Caldwell after his cow-catching, headlocking, totally improbable victory over cement-fisted Terminator Brent Metcalf in the 2009 NCAA finals. The floor routine he executed amazed both for its athleticism and its candor (you really can't plan a full floor routine ... can you?) Caldwell had scored an upset against the leader of the most hated team in college wrestling and the crowd seemed willing to give him some leeway in expressing his emotions. Of course, Metcalf had a different opinion of the celebration and ended it prematurely with his now-famous push. The incident caused a major debate among fans about the appropriate response after winning an NCAA title, a debate that seems irreconcilable. Like most Americans I was brought up with "act like you've been there before," "win with class" and similar mantras aimed at preventing individuals from inflicting further emotional trauma on their opponent. But that shouldn't be the case in wrestling where the individual performs alone in front of thousands of people and in risking loss and humiliation is battle creates immense stress on his psyche -- a stress best released in the form of a dance (maybe a jig?). But currently American competitors in all sports are chastised for celebrating these physical accomplishments, ostensibly to protect the self-confidence of the competitor. I'm not advocating for gloating at the expense of an opponent, just the option for these guys to celebrate their accomplishment in full. For T.R. Foley, flapping his wings made him feel a part of the Mongolian culture and after seven weeks of travel and months of research this celebration helped relieve the stressIn Mongolia the celebration is a long-established tradition dating back more than 800 years. Winning wrestlers sprint towards the crowd and perform a 2-3 second eagle dance, both in recognition of the eagle (a national symbol) and to draw attention to their accomplishment in winning a sometimes long, but always brutal affair. Regardless of who wins, the lower-ranking wrestler then ducks beneath the arm of the higher-ranking wrestler and is patted on the rear. At that point the winning wrestler the jogs over to the shrine (recently a flag of Mongolia) and encircles it while flapping his wings twice more. He then jogs over to a village elder sitting on the side and receives a kiss and handful of fried dough pieces to distribute as he sees fit -- usually tossing them into the crowd, or towards the shrine as a show of gratitude. By contrast American competitors are taught to keep their heads down and walk off the mat. Lame. Why not allow them to express their exultation? Display their joy within an agreed upon set of parameters? The typical NCAA champion has worked for over 15 years to achieve their goal, yet any natural impulse he might have is stymied by peer pressure to be respectful to the loser. To make matters worse they then have to go explain these emotions to Quint “Lax” Kessenich. In some ways this type of PR-driven false modesty is as American as diabetes, but we shouldn't keep accepting it full-ladle. Now is as good a time as any to contribute ideas on how to allow these competitors a few moments to celebrate; yes, maybe even dance. Bubba Jenkins loved to put on a show as a collegiate wrestling competitor (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Despite our lack of dancing, Americans aren't without our own celebratory traditions. Hugging your coach after a significant win is commonplace (I did this after my biggest wrestling achievement) but we should expand on that tradition and allow the individual to let go of their emotional energy during the post-match rush of adrenaline. I'm not advocating tee shirt guns, fireworks and intro music, but maybe something crowd-inclusive, a symbolic dance not unlike the eagle flapping his wings, or ten seconds to walk the stage and blow kisses to their mother or father or high school coach -- I also like back flips. Are we so puritanical as to continue hastening these celebrations until they start only consisting of hugs and tears? If we don't change the rules then the only kids who get to celebrate are those like Bubba and Darrion who don't mind rule-breaking, and even they will start to receive retroactive penalties for their self-expression. I say let all the kids spread their wings, give them a moment to boast, they deserve at least that much from fans and their dark overseers, the NCAA. I understand that Americans will probably never accept victory celebrations. The NFL forbids group celebrations, but (kinda) allows for individual and the NCAA severely penalizes both individual and group celebrations, but allows for hugging -- always hugging. The NBA is less celebration-averse but those jokers tend to Dougie after every layup, thereby decreasing the worth of their dancing. Maybe celebrations are part of the reason soccer is so popular world wide? The fleet-footed ones are allowed to display the relief of their frustrations with coordinated dances and mini-plays -- fans can relate because soccer itself is essentially a stress-building activity (made so much worse by vuvezelas). The post-goal dance is cathartic for the individual and enjoyable for the fans and I don't think it's anyone's feelings are being hurt. Flapping before the fourth round of NaadamMost traditional wrestling cultures (like the Mongolian tradition I've experienced first-hand and which seems free of overly prideful boasting) incorporate dancing into the pre and post-match competitions and we should allow for the same. It seems unlikely that the NCAA would ever allow for such individual expression at-large; they're too bastardized by bureaucracy and hamstrung by process to ever allow for the happiness of 18-22 year olds. Our current tradition is really nothing more than a system meant to protect the feelings of individuals, we've shown little interest in promoting our cultural ideals (outside ticket sales and merchandising). Gloomy I know, but all hope for the future of incorporating traditional dance into our sport isn't lost. There still remains one way to teach fans about the power and elegance of a classy post-match dance. Next year there will be two Mongolians ranked in the top ten nationally, Turtogtokh of the Citadel and Ganbayaar of American. I haven't talked to them yet, but wouldn't it be brilliant if Gana, after winning the NCAA championship, sprinted to the edge of the mat, opened his arms wide and showed off his eagle? Wouldn't we all take note and share a smile? It'll probably never happen, and that's too bad, because I bet you some of the wrestlers -- the guys who've worked their entire lives to achieve one goal -- would really like the chance to spread their wings.

SAO PAULO, Brazil -- Old Dominion University sophomore Justin LaValle took first place at the Pan Am Juniors this past weekend, winning the 66kg freestyle weight class and helping the United States to a first place finish. LaValle started the tournament with a 3-2, 5-1 win over Mexico's Jesus Rodriguez and followed that with a 6-0, 7-0 victory over Guatemala's Danny Chajon. The ODU sophomore defeated Luis Centeno of Puerto Rico in the semifinals 5-4, 3-0 and knocked off Gaelan Malloy from Canada 4-2, 1-0 in the finals. LaValle redshirted last season after going 17-13 as a freshman at 133 pounds. 66 kg/145.5 lbs. 1st - Justin Lavalle (USA) 2nd - Gaelan Malloy (Canada) 3rd - Jefrre Avila (Dominican Republic) 3rd. – J. Rodriguez Montoya (Mexico) 5th – Rafael Jesus (Brazil) 5th – Luis Centeno (Puerto Rico) 7th – Diego Reyes Grande (El Salvador) 8th – Ivan Fridman (Argentina) 9th - Danny Chajon (Guatemala) Freestyle Team Standings 1 United States 65 2 Canada 62 3 Mexico 46 4 Brazil 45 5 Argentina 30 6 Puerto Rico 30 7 Dominican Republic 28 8 Ecuador 14 9 Guatemala 13 10 El Salvador 12 11 Venezuela 9 12 Honduras 8 13 Peru 6

The nation's No. 3 senior recruit, Jimmy Gulibon, did not want much to do with the recruiting process. Jimmy GulibonSo the shy, unassuming 17-year-old who attends Derry Area High School (Pa.) got his college decision out of the way early. Four days after the early contact period began, Gulibon gave a verbal commitment to Penn State. He becomes the highest-ranked recruit from the Class of 2012 to commit thus far. "I don't really like to tell coaches that I don't want to go to their school," said Gulibon, a three-time state champion. "I'm too nice. I just needed to get the decision out of the way." So what sold Gulibon on Penn State? "The awesome coaches," said Gulibon, who has gone 111-3 in his high school wrestling career. "I checked out the facility and it was really nice. One of my buddies will be going to school there. There are a lot of really good kids on the team. And also they're No. 1 in the country." Gulibon says that he did not seriously consider any other school besides Penn State. "There are a lot of great schools, but I was just looking forward to going to Penn State," said Gulibon, who has not yet chosen a field of study. Gulibon, who won his most recent state title at 119 pounds, will enter a wrestling room at Penn State filled with credentialed wrestlers, and many around his weight. Two-time All-American Andrew Long will have one year of eligibility remaining when Gulibon arrives on campus. His friend and Young Guns Wrestling Club training partner Nico Megaludis, who defeated Gulibon this past season, will be entering his second year at Penn State. Another one of Gulibon's former training partners, Frank Martellotti, is also on the Penn State team and close in weight. Gulibon is uncertain whether the coaches will want him to redshirt or contribute right away as a true freshman. "Whatever the coaches want me to do, I'll do," said Gulibon, who projects as a 125/133-pounder. "But I'm thinking that I might want to step in right away and wrestle." Jimmy GulibonGulibon lives an hour and a half drive away from the Penn State campus. He says he became a Penn State wrestling fan as soon as Cael Sanderson became head coach in 2009. Gulibon is excited about the fact that his future coach is competing again. "I think it's awesome," said Gulibon. "If he can win a World title and an Olympic title, that would be incredible. I watched the Herbert match a couple weeks ago. He was just on him the entire time." In addition to winning three Pennsylvania state titles, Gulibon has won titles at many of the nation's most prestigious high school wrestling events, including POWERade (three times), Walsh Ironman, and FloNationals. Still, he feels like he has things he needs to accomplish before he arrives at Penn State. "I just want to do my best and hopefully win all the tournaments I go to," said Gulibon. " I want to improve on top ... actually, improve on everything." Gulibon has high goals and believes that Penn State has what he needs to accomplish those goals. "I would love to be an All-American and hopefully I can become an NCAA champion," said Gulibon. "I think with the coaches at Penn State, I possibly can."

Jahwon Akui (St. Rita, Ill.), who was ranked as the No. 13 recruit in the Class of 2011, has informed InterMat that he has committed to Iowa Central Community College. Akui will wrestle and play football for the Tritons. He becomes the third wrestler ranked among the nation's top 30 recruits in the Class of 2011 to commit to Iowa Central this year, joining No. 24 Edwin Cooper (Providence Catholic, Ill.) and No. 29 Terrell Wilbourn (Francis Howell Central, Mo.). Jahwon AkuiAkui won an Illinois state championship in 2010 at 171 pounds. This past season, Akui built a perfect 26-0 record heading into the state tournament, but a suspension prevented him from having the chance to defend his state championship. He was a Cadet Nationals double champion in 2008. In 2009, Akui captured double titles at FILA Cadet Nationals. He won his second straight Junior Nationals folkstyle championship at 171 pounds this spring. Akui was also an All-State running back on the St. Rita football team. He rushed for over 5,000 yards in his high school career. InterMat caught up with the 18-year-old Akui and talked to him about his decision to commit to Iowa Central, his love for wrestling and football, whether he plans on wrestling in Fargo later this month, and much more. What went into your decision to commit to Iowa Central? Akui: I thought it was a really good fit for me. I thought it would be a way for me to get ready for Division I. I had seen that a few good guys committed there. One of my best friends, Edwin Cooper, committed there, so I figured me and him could enjoy another two years together, wrestling and competing together. Were you set on wrestling and playing football in college? Akui: At first, I was kind of thinking about just playing football. But then I realized it would have been hard not to be able to wrestle. I wanted to wrestle, but I knew I wouldn't give up football. I knew Iowa Central was one of the only schools that would give me the opportunity to do both. I figured what better place to wrestle than Iowa Central. Looking ahead, do you plan to specialize in one of the sports after your career at Iowa Central? Or do you plan to continue doing both? Akui: I'm going to specialize in one of the sports. By going to a junior college, I felt that I would still have the time to do both. It also gives me time to make a decision on whether I want to wrestle or play football. When do you start football practice at Iowa Central? Akui: I start football Aug. 8. Jahwon AkuiWhat other schools did you consider? Akui: I considered Arizona State, Michigan State, and then mostly other junior colleges. You mentioned your relationship with Edwin Cooper. How long have you known Cooper? Akui: We've known each other for a while now. We've been on numerous (Team Illinois) teams together. We wrestled in the same conference. We hang out a lot on weekends. We actually took most of our recruiting visits together because we were looking at a lot of the same schools. He's just one of my good friends, one of my good wrestling buddies. It's going to be awesome to be able to room together and wrestle together. What was his reaction when you told him that you were going to be joining him at Central? Akui: I think he was excited. At first, I was the one talking about Iowa Central. I didn't know if he was going to go. Then I found out online that he committed. I knew there was a good chance that we could go to Iowa Central together. He was just glad about it. He knew we were going to be roommates the minute I said I was going to Iowa Central, so I think he was pretty excited about it. It's just a great opportunity for both of us. You were a part of Team Illinois that recently won double titles at the Junior National Duals. What was that experience like for you? Akui: It was awesome. I thought it was an amazing experience being able to be on the dual team and wrestle with a lot of the best wrestlers in the state of Illinois. We just wanted to go out there and prove a point. A lot of times we don't get to go out and compete against other states, so when we do get the chance to do it we take a lot of pride in it. At the Junior Duals, that's where most of the best kids go. We just wanted to go out there, compete, do our best, and win a few titles. Last year we won one. This year we won two. This year was a successful year for our state. You were unable to compete at the state tournament this past season. What did that do to you? Akui: It was tough. Not being able to compete was the big thing for me. It was just hard to not be able to go out there and defend my title. You hear people talking. I didn't get over it for a while. I didn't get over it until I got back on the mat at Folkstyle Nationals. After I won Folkstyle Nationals, I kind of put it behind me. It was just an experience I learned from. That's how I kind of took it. Where do you plan to wrestle weight class-wise at Iowa Central? Akui: I'm going to be a 174-pounder until maybe I get a little slimmer. Then maybe I can make 165. I plan on wrestling 174 for at least the two years at junior college. Is it tough maintaining your ideal wrestling weight while also playing football? Akui: Actually, when I was a sophomore making 171 pounds, I had problems getting back down to my wrestling weight after football season. Then as junior I still kind of struggled with it. This year as a senior I had to have the right diet and do the right things to get my weight down. It usually only takes a week or two to actually come down from about 190 to 171. I try to do it a healthy way where I have a lot of energy still. I don't think it's that big of a problem like it used to be when I was younger. You were a running back in high school. Do you plan to stay at running back in college? Akui: Yeah, I plan on being a tailback for Iowa Central. I don't play much defense. Jahwon AkuiCompare your love for football with your love for wrestling. Akui: Football is an awesome sport altogether. I'm American ... so I think everybody loves football. Everybody goes to the games because they're exciting. I play video games like Madden and NCAA all the time. It has just been my dream since I was a little kid. With wrestling, it's a one-on-one sport. You can take out all your frustration and anger. You go out there by yourself and you can get the job done beating another guy. That's the difference between the two. Football is a team sport. You have to count on other players, whereas in wrestling you know you need to get the job done. Since I've been wrestling, I've learned the difference between the two. I've loved competing as an individual. You don't have to depend on a lot of people as a wrestler. What are you most looking forward to in your first season at Iowa Central? Akui: I'm looking forward to being able to go out there and wrestle against a lot of good guys. I plan on winning a national championship next year. I'm also excited to compete against Iowa in a dual next season. I think I might be a little more excited for that than the junior college national championship. Do you plan on wrestling at Junior Nationals in Fargo later this month? Akui: I'm still thinking about it. It's usually a last-minute thing for me. I'm trying to get my body healthy so that I'll be ready to compete in football for a starting spot. But if I'm completely healthy and healed up, then I'm going to go to Fargo and compete for Greco-Roman and freestyle titles. You have had success in all three styles. Do you favor any of the styles? Akui: I used to be a huge Greco guy. As I've gotten older, I haven't practiced Greco as much in the summer. I started having more success in folkstyle and freestyle. I kind of like freestyle a little bit better than any style. Do you plan on wrestling freestyle and/or Greco-Roman while you're at Iowa Central? Akui: Yeah, I think I'm going to try freestyle for a while. I'm going to see how my college season goes, and then maybe try to join one of the clubs in Iowa.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Former Purdue wrestler and volunteer assistant coach Chris Fleeger was announced as the head wrestling coach at Darton College, in Albany, Ga., on Thursday. Fleeger wrestled for the Boilermakers from 2001 to 2006, finishing as an NCAA Championship runner-up twice and earning All-America honors three times. “I'm very excited to have the opportunity to go to Darton and take over a program with so much support and potential,” said Fleeger. “It's an opportunity for me to grow as a coach and a person and I can't wait to start working with the team.” Chris FleegerOne of the top lightweight wrestlers in Purdue history, Fleeger had a career record of 86-9, finishing third nationally at 125 pounds in 2002, second at 125 pounds in 2003 and second at 133 pounds in 2006. He owns the second-best career winning percentage in school history, taking .905 of his matches, including a 32-1 (.970) sophomore season, also the second-best in school history. He's third on Purdue's career back point list, and his 2003 season is still third in Purdue's history on the single-season list. Fleeger also had several successful outings in international competition as a Boilermaker, winning bronze medals at the 2002 World University Wrestling Championships in Edmonton, Alberta, and 2001 Pan American Championships. After Purdue, Fleeger trained with the New York Athletic Club at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. He competed in several international tournaments, winning the 60 kg/132 lb. weight class at the 2006 Sunkist Kids Arizona State International Open in Tempe, Ariz. He returned to West Lafayette in 2007, when he began his time with the Boiler Elite Wrestling Club, which he worked with in conjunction to his time as a volunteer assistant coach at Purdue. “We're very happy for Chris,” said Purdue head coach Scott Hinkel. “This is a fantastic position for Chris to start his career as a head coach, and learn a lot of the things that go along with time in the room and on the mat. Darton has hired an amazing coach and technician and the program will benefit greatly from it.” Darton College Athletics Director Michael Kiefer added, “We are excited to have Coach Fleeger joining us as our Head Wrestling Coach. His success as a wrestler and coach will be of great asset to our program. He was the ideal candidate in a deep pool of applicants, and I am confident he will continue the growth of the wrestling program and take it to great heights.” A native of Trout Run, Pa., Fleeger received his bachelor's degree from Purdue in health and fitness in August of 2008.

FARGO, N.D. -- Roger Kish was introduced as North Dakota State University's fourth head wrestling coach in the 54-year history of the program during a press conference Thursday, June 30, at the Fargodome. NDSU Director of Athletics Gene Taylor made the announcement. Roger KishKish replaces Hall of Fame head coach Bucky Maughan, who retired this summer after 47 years at the University. A standout wrestler at the University of Minnesota, Kish completed his second year as an assistant wrestling coach at NDSU. Kish was a graduate assistant for the Gophers in 2008-09. The Lapeer, Mich., native was a two-time All-American and two-time NCAA runner-up for the Gophers at 184 pounds. He had a career record of 117-27 for the Gophers. As a sophomore, he went 35-7 en route to a Big Ten title and an NCAA runner-up finish. In his junior season, Kish was 37-3 and was the Big Ten and national runner-up. He was also a team captain. Kish graduated from Minnesota in May 2008 with a bachelor's degree in business and marketing education. He was also a two-time cadet national champion and also captured a USA Wrestling junior national title. At Lapeer West High School, he was a four-time Michigan state champion. Kish is the son of Roger and Brenda Kish. His older brother, James, wrestled at North Carolina.

American University Head Wrestling Coach Teague Moore has announced the promotion of Kyle Borshoff '10 to assistant coach. "We're excited to have Kyle join the staff as a full-time assistant," Moore commented. "His knowledge of American University wrestling and his experience will be an important tool in the recruiting process. Kyle's ability to organize and manage team activities are also valuable skills necessary to build our program." Borshoff served as a volunteer assistant coach in 2010-11, helping American to its best season in program history. American placed fifth at the NCAA Championships and crowned three All-Americans, with rising-senior Ryan Flores becoming just the second Eagle to reach the NCAA Finals. American placed fourth at the EIWA Championships as Steve Fittery, Flores and Matt Mariacher each captured individual titles. The Eagles' 14 dual meet victories set a record for most wins in a season. American also excelled in the classroom last year. The team was ranked second in the country in combined GPA, earning a record 3.4812. Six Eagles were named NWCA Academic All-Americans, setting a new NWCA record, while Flores and Daniel Mitchell posted the third and fifth-highest individual GPA's in Div. I wrestling. Borshoff graduated from the Kogod School of Business in May 2010 with a degree in business administration. He was a two-time All-American as an Eagle, a two-time Midlands Placewinner and three-time NCAA Qualifier. He graduated with a career record of 102-39 and currently ranks fifth in career wins, fifth in career falls, fourth in career technical falls and sixth in career major decisions. In his last season with the Eagles, Borshoff earned his second consecutive All-America honor by placing eighth at the NCAA Championships to become one of only four student-athletes in American history to earn multiple All-America honors. He finished the 2009-10 season with an overall record of 28-8 and a dual meet record of 16-0, and recorded four tech falls and four falls. Borshoff placed fifth at the EIWA Championships and seventh at the Midlands Championships as a senior, and was ranked as high as third in the InterMat College Rankings. Borshoff earned his first All-America honor in 2009, placing seventh at the NCAA Championships and recording a 33-7 overall record. He finished third at the EIWA Championships and fourth at the Midlands Championships. Borshoff first qualified for the NCAA Championships as a freshman after a fourth-place showing at the EIWA Championships, making him the first true freshman in American history to qualify for Nationals.

Carl Fronhofer NEW YORK -- Carl Fronhofer, an assistant coach with the wrestling program the last three years, has been named Columbia's new Andrew F. Barth Head Coach of Wrestling, Dr. M. Dianne Murphy, Director, Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education announced today. "I am thrilled we were able to promote Carl. He is an excellent leader and teacher, who has mentored and coached some of our top wrestlers in the upper weight classes over the past three years," Murphy said. "He is an outstanding recruiter who understands Columbia and The Ivy League. Most importantly, Carl has built strong relationships with our wrestling student-athletes and alumni over the past few years. He was a natural and perfect fit." Fronhofer, a former All-American at the University of Pittsburgh, came to Columbia in August 2008 after two seasons as the top assistant at Bloomsburg University. Prior to his time with the Huskies, Fronhofer spent three seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh. During his coaching tenure, Fronhofer helped coach five of his student-athletes to All-American honors. "I am truly privileged to have the opportunity to lead the Columbia Wrestling program," said Fronhofer. "I look forward to continued success, and that success begins now. I'm extremely excited to begin July recruiting. It is going to be a great summer." Fronhofer accumulated a record of 123-39 while wrestling for Pitt, ranking third in the Panthers' record book for wins. During that span, Fronhofer qualified for the NCAA Championships each of his four years. He capped his illustrious career by earning All-America honors as a senior, after reaching the NCAA finals at 174 pounds. By doing so, he became the first All-American for the Panthers in three years, and was the first NCAA finalist for the program in 13 years. That same season, Fronhofer was named Academic All-American, and the 2003 Eastern Wrestling League Wrestler of the Year.

Related Link: Grade Level Rankings Though summer is just a couple of weeks old, July is right upon us. It is time to start thinking about the 2011-2012 wrestling season. As the official contact period for NCAA Division I programs with prospective Class of 2012 student-athletes begins, the time is upon us to establish the initial graduating class rankings for the year. As always, the senior class (now Class of 2012) expands to a Top 100 ranking, 50 wrestlers will be ranked in both the classes of 2013 and 2014, 25 incoming freshmen from the Class of 2015 will be ranked, while 15 junior high wrestlers representing graduation in 2016 and beyond are ranked. Class of 2012 Taylor Massa (Photo/MichiganGrappler.com)A quartet of rising seniors has separated from the pack heading into the mid-summer period. Leading the pack is Taylor Massa (St. Johns, Mich.). This three-time state champion has a high school record of 179 wins against zero losses, and is already a two-time FILA Junior National freestyle champion. This past year, he won the "Olympic weight class" of 163 pounds in April and earned the Junior World Team spot at the Trials in May. In addition, Massa has earned a pair of double championships at the Cadet Nationals, was a double All-American last summer at the Junior Nationals, and is a four-time Super 32 Challenge placewinner (third, second, second, third). Second in the rankings is three-time state champion Jason Tsirtsis (Crown Point, Ind.). For his high school career, he has a record of 124-2, and is undefeated the last two years. Tsirtsis is already a three-time Fargo All-American in freestyle (fourth and second as a Cadet, third as a Junior). He also is a two-time FILA Cadet Nationals champion, two-time FILA Junior Nationals placewinner, a two-time Super 32 Challenge runner-up, and a two-time FloNationals champion. Mark Grey (Photo/Bob Tuneberg, BuckeyeWrestling.com)Rounding out the quartet of wrestlers is Jimmy Gulibon (Derry Area, Pa.) and Mark Grey (Blair Academy, N.J.). Gulibon, a three-time state champion, has a career high school record of 111-3. During the senior season, he will be seeking a repeat Walsh Ironman title, a fourth state title, and to become only the fourth ever to win four titles at the POWERade. This past May, Grey joined Massa as a member of the FILA Junior World Team when he won the 121-pound weight class at the FILA Junior World Team Trials. During the coming year, Grey will seek to become a four-time National Prep champion, and the first wrestler to ever win four titles at the Beast of the East. Already in his career, Grey has earned double All-American honors three times in Fargo (twice as a Cadet and last year as a Junior). Among the InterMat Top 100 wrestlers, Ohio has the most ranked with 14 in all, nine of them in the Top 50. Next in the list is Pennsylvania with 10, followed by Iowa and Illinois with nine each, Minnesota with eight, while California and Michigan have seven each ranked. Perennial power St. Paris Graham, Ohio leads the way with four ranked wrestlers -- No. 21 Huston Evans, No. 44 Isaac Jordan, No. 47 Ryan Taylor, and No. 65 Case Garrison; Brandon, Fla. has a trio of wrestlers ranked -- No. 9 Tyler Liberatore, No. 13 Rossi Bruno, and No. 36 Clark Glass; while multiple programs have a pair ranked. Class of 2013 Bo Jordan (Photo/Kevin Schlosser, BuckeyeWrestling.com)The oldest son of St. Paris Graham head coach Jeff Jordan, Bo Jordan has established himself as the leader of the pack in the rising juniors group with a very impressive first two years of high school. In his two year career, Jordan has amassed 85 wins against just one loss, which came during his freshman season to Nate Skonieczny in the Top Gun final and was avenged in the state semifinals. He has two state titles and was a Walsh Ironman champion this past year. Rounding out the top five are Brooks Black (Blair Academy, N.J.), Ben Whitford (St. Johns, Mich.), Brandon Jeske (Cox, Va.), and Cody Wiercioch (Charleroi, Pa.). Fifteen wrestlers from Pennsylvania (8) and Ohio (7) make up the bulk of the 50 wrestlers featured in this class ranking. Five wrestlers are from New Jersey, while four each are from Michigan, Minnesota, and Missouri. A trio of the wrestlers in the ranking each attends St. Edward, Ohio and St. Johns, Michigan. With each also having a pair of Class of 2012 wrestlers in the Top 100, both programs have five ranked wrestlers in the upper two grades. Ranked for St. Edward are No. 12 Dean Heil, No. 18 Domenic Abounader, and No. 35 Edgar Bright; while No. 3 Ben Whitford, No. 25 Jacob Schmitt, and No. 38 Josh Pennell are raked for St. Johns. Class of 2014 Chance MarstellerThere is absolutely zero equivocation about the wrestler that heads the group that just completed their freshman year of high school. Chance Marsteller (Kennard-Dale, Pa.) finished the year undefeated at 42-0, and dominated his way to a POWERade championship as well as a state title. Last summer, Marsteller was a Cadet National All-American in Greco-Roman and a freestyle champion. Having spent significant time at the Olympic Training Center, and coming off of an undefeated Cadet National Duals in both styles, look for Marsteller to dominate his way to double Cadet National titles later in July. Rounding out the top five of a very impressive group in this class is Kyle Synder (Good Counsel, Maryland), Solomon Chisko (Canon-McMillan, Pa.), Nick Nevills (Clovis, Calif.), and Bryce Brill (Marmion Academy, Ill.). Snyder was undefeated at 215 pounds, while winning titles at the Beast of the East, Mount Mat Madness, and National Prep Championships. Chisko finished third in the state as a freshman 130 pound wrestler, was a POWERade runner-up, and third at the Super 32 Challenge. Nevills was a state champion at 285 pounds in the single class California state tournament, and finished runner-up at the Cheesehead. After a Cadet National freestyle runner-up finish last summer, Brill had an impressive freshman year anchored by titles at the Dvorak and state tournament. Blair Academy, N.J. has an awesome group in this grade with four of its wrestlers ranked -- No. 9 Joey McKenna, No. 13 Patrick Coover, No. 18 Dylan Milonas, and No. 27 P.J. Klee. When considering the presence of Mark Grey, Todd Preston, and Brooks Black in the Class of 2012 and 2013 rankings, the Buccaneers have seven ranked wrestlers in their program. Class of 2015 Zahid ValenciaThe excellent feature written by InterMat senior writer Andrew Hipps provided a profile on some of the top incoming freshmen for the coming season. Zahid Valencia (St. John Bosco, Calif.) is currently the top incoming freshman, and has already shown signs of positive success against high school competition. This includes the October 2010 Southwest Kickoff Classic title in Las Vegas as well as a fifth place finish at the 2010 Flo Nationals. Some of the top wrestlers not featured in the earlier article include: Dylan Lucas (Brandon, Fla.), who was a state champion as an eighth-grader for Tampa Bay Christian and a Cadet National Greco-Roman champion last summer; the trio of Michael Kemerer, Josh Maruca, and Josh Shields that won PJW 13/14 division state titles this past year and will all compete for Franklin Regional, Pa. this fall; and Tristan Rifenburg (Norwich, N.Y.) who is already a two-time state finalist before even entering ninth grade. Class of 2016+ Mark Hall (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)With one season remaining before entering the ninth grade, Mark Hall (Apple Valley, Minn.) already has accomplishments that many wrestlers can only dream of when they exit high school. After a state runner-up finish at 119 pounds while competing for Ryle, Ky. during the 09-10 season, Hall transferred onto the nation's top-ranked team, Apple Valley, and was a key part of their success this past season. He earned a state title with a 46-3 record to end the high school season ranked No. 16 at 130 pounds as a seventh-grader. Already this offseason, he has added to his impressive wrestling resume with a dominant age group championship at the Ohio Tournament of Champions, and an undefeated record in both styles at the Schoolboy National Duals. The next three wrestlers in the rankings are Mason Manville (Virginia), Aaron Pico (California), and Luke Pletcher (Pennsylvania). Manville has won two legs of the Roller World of Wrestling Triple Crown each of the last two years, including back-to-back titles at the Tulsa Nationals, and is also a two-time Super 32 Challenge junior high division champion. He dominated his way to double titles at Schoolboy Nationals this week, where he did not surrender a single point in 10 matches. Pico was a Roller World of Wrestling Triple Crown winner in 2009-10 while competing in the 12-and-under division, and was a dominant champion in the 15-and-under division at the Tulsa Kickoff Classic and Tulsa Nationals during 2010-11. Along with winning the Super 32 Challenge junior high division title this past year, Pletcher won a fourth PJW championship -- this time in the 13/14 division; with a championship next year, he would join Jimmy Gulibon in rarified air as a five-time PJW state champion.

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 and Brad Johnson with the Takedown Wrestling Headline News. Listen in this Saturday for Takedown Wrestling 9 to 11 a.m. CT/ 10 a.m. to 12 Noon ET. This week's guests include: 9:01 Steve Martin, Head coach of Old Dominion 9:20 John Stutzman, Head coach Bloomsburg 9:40 JT Weiss, Head coach of Harvard, 9:50 Max Muscle Minute with Ty Barkley 10:01 Pat Santoro, Head coach of Lehigh. 10:20 Leo Kocher, Head coach University of Chicago 10:40 Joe Bastardi, Penn State Wrestling Insider 10:50 Amy Ruble Wildrose Casino and Resort in Emmetsburg, Iowa Join us LIVE 9 to 11 a.m. CST for Takedown Wrestling. Listen on radio, on computer, your Blackberry or iPhone with the iHeart Radio App. on KXNO.com and Takedownradio.com.

Eric Braley of Around The Corner Productions and radio personality Brian Marshall 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. Braley, along with partner Michael Rueber, founded Around The Corner Productions in 2006 while they were students at University of Northern Iowa. Their company is a full service production house serving the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area with customized video production services. Marshall is a radio personality and professional wrestling advocate. He will be discussing the events taking place during the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame weekend July 22-23.

Andy Hrovat, a 2008 Olympian, has spent most of his life competing in wrestling events year-round. He has traveled all across the world and represented the U.S. at the World Championships and Olympic Games. Andy Hrovat (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Now the 31-year-old has made the decision to retire from competition. "I'm retiring from wrestling," Hrovat told Flowrestling.com's Mark Bader via Skype. "I'm going to start a new phase of my life, take on the whole coaching role and make the transition." Hrovat, who wrestled collegiately at the University of Michigan, made his first U.S. World Team in 2006 at 84 kilos. Two years later, Hrovat represented the U.S. at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Hrovat has battled injuries and disappointments over the past two years. Last year he failed to make the U.S. National Team for the first time in five years. This year he failed to place at the U.S. Open and U.S. World Team Trials. Hrovat was coached by Overtime founder Sean Bormet, who recently accepted an assistant coaching position at Michigan. "I knew if something didn't go well at the Trials that I would have to reevaluate everything," said Hrovat. "I talked to Sean the night after the Trials. He basically told me the same thing ... just to evaluate what's going, how everything is going, and what my motivation is. It was never really the lack of motivation or the want to wrestle. I want to win. I want to win a World title. I want to win an Olympic title. But you never know when your body is just going to give out on you." Andy Hrovat battles Quentin Wright in the first round of the 2011 U.S. World Team Trials in Oklahoma City, Okla. (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Hrovat spent nine months training in Russia this past season. He wrestled in six tournaments in Russia. "It was great," said Hrovat of being in Russia. "I love the fact that I was able to go over there. I had a blast with the training, meeting the new people, trying to learn the language as much as I could, and just being in a different environment. Of course, I knew it was going to help me in my future, just being there around some of the best wrestlers in the world. You're going to learn something. You're going to learn how to train people. You're going to learn certain techniques. You're going to learn strategies. I took everything away from it." Hrovat is thankful for all the support he has had along the way. "I just want to thank everybody who has supported me," said Hrovat. "New York Athletic Club, Michigan, Overtime, USA Wrestling, Flowrestling, Cliff Keen, ASICS, my family, the Churella family. There have been so many good people out there that have helped me. Mike Novogratz, Chael Sonnen helped me a lot with my Russia trips this past year. I just want to thank everybody. It was a good time."

Air Force wrestling head coach Joel Sharratt announced today the arrival of the Class of 2015. This year's incoming freshman class features 11 wrestlers, including four entries from the Academy Prep School. Featured in the group are four high school state champions and an NCWA All-American. “We are excited to welcome all our incoming cadet wrestlers in the class of 2015,” said Sharratt. “These guys bring in a wealth of talent and accolades that together combine for 27 state placing honors and nine athletes who have more than 100 high school victories in their prep career.” “I am very proud of the effort put forth by the Academy, my staff and these athletes to close out our 2015 recruiting class,” continued Sharratt. “The Air Force Academy application process takes a lot of time and effort and so many people play a part of the successful completion of each cadet's application. It is exciting for me to see the way our admissions office worked hand in hand to close out the appointment offers for each of our young men, as well as the yeoman's effort by Trapper Carpenter and Sam Barber to get it done.” “In our effort to add depth at strategic weights we also focused on recruiting the right guys with the right work ethic in our 2015 class,” said Sharratt. “In 2011-12 we are looking to raise the level of intensity in all aspects of the program and these young men will have to be ready to battle when we kick things off. They have the talent and we expect them to be ready to meet the challenges ahead of them in our training and competition.” Following is a listing of this year's newcomers, along with a brief summary of their previous athletic accomplishments: Jack Carda, Pukwana, S.D. – Two-time state medalist, including a runner-up finish … career record of 108-30. Daniel Cotton, Phoenix, Ariz. – Three-time state medalist, including two runner-up finishes … career record of 117-10. Jeremy Delzer, Altus, Okla. – Three-time state medalist, including a runner-up finish. Cody Hancock, Phelan, Calif. – Attended the Academy Prep School … finished in the top 12 in the state in 2010 … career record of 160-41. Joshua Hastings, Pleasant Hill, Mo. – Three-time state medalist, including two runner-up finishes … career record of 148-33. Dalton Henderson, Owatonna, Minn. – Attended the Academy Prep School … three-time state medalist … state champion … career record of 143-29 … All-American at NCWA Nationals in 2011, finishing as runner-up. Dylan Hyder, Yelm, Wash. – Four-time state medalist … two-time state champion … fifth-place at NHSCA Junior Nationals in 2010 … career record of 124-11. Roger Jones II, Brandon, Fla. – Attended the Academy Prep School … state qualifier at 135 pounds in 2010 … career record of 103-32. Elijah Levee, Mandeville, La. – Four-time state champion … career record of 205-31 … 129 career falls. Carter McElhany, Colorado Springs, Colo. – Four-time state medalist … two-time state champion … 2008 USA Wrestling All-American … career record of 157-8. Garrett Wells, Corvallis, Ore. – Attended the Academy Prep School … placed fourth in state in 2010 … compiled a season record of 37-5 … two-time conference champion. Air Force Wrestling Class of 2015 Name Hometown (High School) Jack Carda Pukwana, S.D. (Kimball/White Lake HS) Daniel Cotton Phoenix, Ariz. (Sandra Day O'Connor HS) Jeremy Delzer Altus, Okla. (Altus HS) Cody Hancock Phelan, Calif. (Martin Luther King HS/AFA Prep) Joshua Hastings Pleasant Hill, Mo. (Pleasant Hills HS) Dalton Henderson Owatonna, Minn. (Owatonna HS/AFA Prep) Dylan Hyder Yelm, Wash. (Yelm HS) Roger Jones II Brandon, Fla. (Brandon HS/AFA Prep) Elijah Levee Mandeville, La. (Mandeville HS) Carter McElhany Colorado Springs, Colo. (Coronado HS) Garrett Wells Corvallis, Ore. (Crescent Valley HS/AFA Prep)

Northwestern Head Wrestling Coach, Drew Pariano, has announced the addition of Bill Scherr as the Director of Olympic Development for the Wildcat Wrestling Club. Scherr, a former World Champion and Olympic bronze medalist, was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1998. Bill was instrumental in Northwestern's resurgence as he has coached Jake Herbert to multiple NCAA Championships as well as a World Silver Medal in 2009. Scherr also mentored Dustin Fox to the 2008 NCAA and Big Ten Title as well as Mike Tamillow and Matt Delguyd to Big Ten Championships. Scherr will be directly involved with the 2012 Olympic Development of the Wildcat Wrestling Club in conjunction with the greater Chicago area. Scherr will work with current Olympic hopeful Brandon Precin (55kg) as well as Junior World Team member Lee Munster (84kg). In addition, Scherr will be training Olympic hopefuls who will be moving into the Chicago area in preparation for the Olympic Trials which are scheduled to take place in Iowa City, April 21st and 22nd, 2012. Scherr comes to the Wildcat Wrestling Club from the financial sector where he is a vice president at Goldman Sachs & Co. He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1984 where he was a three-time All-American and 1984 NCAA National Champion. He received his MBA in 1989 from the Indiana University Kelley Graduate School of Business. While at Indiana, he served as assistant wrestling coach from 1985-89. In 1989 he helped coach the Hoosiers to an undefeated 14-0 record and a runner-up finish at the Big Ten Championships. Bill Scherr's Wrestling Resumé 1985 World Champion; five-time World Medalist 1988 Olympic Bronze Medalist Distinguished Member of National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Class of 1998 South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2003. 1984 NCAA National Champion; three-time All-American 1980 National Junior USA Wrestling (USAW) Champion Six-time USA Senior Freestyle National Champion (1982, '87, '88, '89, '90, '92). National Senior Greco-Roman Champion 1988 Pan American Games Champion 1990 Goodwill Games Gold Medalist International Experience Bill won five consecutive world-level medals during his wrestling career, including a World Championship in 1985 and an Olympic bronze in 1988. He has been an active member of the U.S. and world wrestling communities for more than 20 years, serving as a distinguished coach at the collegiate and national level. In addition to competing in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Bill has a personal connection to the Olympic movement and was a chairperson for the 2016 Chicago Olympic Bid. Professionally, Bill has more than 15 years of business and investment-banking experience. He is currently a vice president in Goldman Sachs' Private Wealth Management group and has been with the company since 1990.

EWING, N.J. -- After 35 seasons of guiding one of the most successful wrestling programs in the history of the sport, The College of New Jersey's David “Ice” Icenhower is retiring. David IcenhowerIcenhower made the announcement official during the annual Lions' Wrestling Camp where he was surrounded by the current team as well as a number of alumni, who coach throughout the state and bring their high school teams to the camp run by their mentor. “I have always believed in gut feelings and my gut told me it was time to retire and bring some young blood into TCNJ's wrestling program,” Icenhower said. “My family, TCNJ, and wrestling are the three dominant forces in my life. I have been blessed as all three have been great to me. The young men who have wrestled for me have made it a memorable journey. I look forward to watching the Lions' wrestling team roar in the future.” Icenhower took over the program in the 1976-77 season and guided the Lions to unprecedented heights. He left his mark both on the Ewing campus and at the national level as he is only one of four coaches at any NCAA level to surpass 500 wins. Icenhower finished his career with a tremendous 535-80-4 dual-meet record and ranks second in career wins at the Division III level. He trails only Jare Klein from Olivet College (569), while Oregon State's Dale Thomas is the all-time leader with 616 victories. Icenhower does hold an impressive edge over those in the 500-win club leading the way in winning percentage at 86.7 percent. He joined that exclusive club by keeping the Lions ranked among the nation's elite year-after-year. Icenhower boasted six undefeated seasons and reached the 20-win plateau three times, including a school record 21 wins in 2003-04. He won five national championships, including the College's first in any sport in 1979. The other titles came in 1981, 1984, 1985, and 1987 and he led the Lions to top-five finishes on 20 occasions. One of the more magical nights of his career came on November 7, 2009 when he not only gained his 500th career win, but helped the program record its 600th victory. Following the win, he was joined at center mat by several hundred alumni and former Lion coaches Mike Curry and Dick Williams. “'Ice' has served the college with the utmost pride, integrity and professionalism during the past 35 years. He was the driving force in directing and leading our wrestling program to national prominence,” noted TCNJ Director of Athletics and Recreation John Castaldo. “Year in and year out his teams ranked among the nation's elite and his outstanding record speaks for itself. He is surely well respected by his colleagues at TCNJ, in the community, in the state, and on the national scene. We wish him all the best in his retirement years.” During Icenhower's career, he was named the Division III Coach-of-the-Year in 1979 and 1987 and has produced 129 All-Americans, including 20 Division III individual champions and one Division I titlist. His wrestlers also shined in the classroom as 27 were cited as NWCA Scholar-Athlete honorees since 1997. Under Icenhower, the Lions won 26 Metropolitan Conference championships, including 14 in a row from 1984 until 1998. He was named the MET Coach of the Year 14 times, with the most recent coming in 2007. In 1982, Icenhower became the only Division III coach to serve as a head coach in the prestigious East-West All-Star Meet. The honor repeated itself in 1997 when he was once again tapped to serve as a coach for the All-Star Meet, becoming the first Division III coach to serve twice on the staff of the East-West All-Star Meet. At the 1999 NCAA Championships, Icenhower was inducted into the NWCA Division III Hall of Fame and joined an elite club of just four coaches in all divisions that have coached over 100 NCAA All-Americans. Icenhower's teams also won 10 New Jersey Athletic Conference championships outright and tied for another, posting a 56-5 league mark during that 14-year period (1980–93). In 1988, TCNJ also won the inaugural NJAC postseason tournament. A 1971 graduate of Lehigh University and a product of the school's wrestling program, Icenhower was a captain on the team that finished seventh at the NCAA Tournament. He was twice a member of the NCAA Wrestling Sports Committee and has chaired its Division III subcommittee. Icenhower also served two terms on the National Wrestling Coaches Association Board of Directors. In 1986, he served as tournament director for the NCAA Division III Championships, which was hosted by TCNJ. The College has started the process of naming Icenhower's successor. His retirement is effective as of September 1.

Olympic gold medal-winning wrestler. NCAA mat champ. Long-time wrestling coach and clinician. All of these describe the wrestling career of Doug Blubaugh, who was killed in a motorcycle accident Monday, May 16, 2011 in Tonkawa, Okla. at age 76. However, there is so much more to the life of Douglas Morlan Blubaugh, on and off the mat. A quick look at an incredible life and career Doug Blubaugh was born December 31, 1934 in north-central Oklahoma, growing up on a farm between Tonkawa and Ponca City. Competing on the Ponca City High wrestling team, Blubaugh won the 141-pound title at the 1953 Oklahoma state championships. He then wrestled at Oklahoma State, where he was a three-time NCAA All-American (1955-1957), winning the 157-pound title his senior year at the 1957 NCAAs in Pittsburgh with a decisive 9-3 finals win over Mike Rodriguez of the University of Michigan. Doug BlubaughAfter graduating from Oklahoma State in 1957, Blubaugh focused on his freestyle career, winning two National AAU freestyle titles, and earning gold at the Pan-American Games in Chicago in 1959. Securing a place on the 1960 U.S. Olympic team after defeating Phil Kinyon in a series of bruising battles, Blubaugh made a name for himself at the Rome Olympics, pinning the undefeated world champion from Iran, Emam-Ali Habibi, and ultimately going on to win the gold medal at 160.5 pounds in freestyle. Blubaugh was named the World's Most Outstanding Wrestler in 1960. Having concluded his on-the-mat career, Blubaugh chose to share his knowledge and expertise in wrestling with future generations, as a coach, and as a clinician at wrestling camps across the nation. The Oklahoma native served as an assistant wrestling coach at a number of colleges before becoming head wrestling coach at Indiana University 40 years ago. He also was head coach of the U.S. team at the 1971 Pan American Games in Cali, Columbia. Later that year, he was awarded the Wrestling Coach of the Year by the U.S. Wrestling Coaches Foundation. Doug Blubaugh was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1979. Last fall, he and fellow Olympic gold medalist Shelby Wilson were honored by their alma mater, Ponca City High School, with the unveiling of life-size bronze statues in their Olympic singlets which are now on display at the school. On the evening of May 16, Blubaugh was riding his motorcycle when he was struck by a pickup truck that ran a stop sign in Tonkawa, the town he called home. He was knocked off the bike, fully conscious, and initially refused medical treatment, insisting he could walk home. He died on the way to the hospital in Blackwell, Okla. He was survived by five children -- a first set of twin sons, Dale Edward Blubaugh and Dean William Blubaugh; a second set of twin sons, Dann Morlan Blubaugh and Dana Owen Blubaugh; and one daughter, Dawn Marie Blubaugh Hawkins, along with their spouses, and ten grandchildren. Doug Blubaugh"Doug is a treasure to the wrestling history and heritage in the United States," said National Wrestling Hall of Fame Director Lee Roy Smith. "We suffered a great loss." Doug Blubaugh was eulogized at a funeral held Saturday, May 21 at First Baptist Church in Ponca City. The Rev. Dr. Clyde Glazener -- a friend of Blubaugh's -- presided over the service, assisted by Shelby Wilson, a fellow 1960 Olympic gold medalist wrestler who is also an ordained minister. After the funeral and burial, there was a dinner at the Ponca City High School. Among the guests who shared their memories of Doug Blubaugh: Grady Peninger, his high school wrestling coach who went to take the helm at Michigan State; fellow Olympian and former mat coach at Wisconsin and Ohio State, Russ Hellickson; and Jim Shields, former Oklahoma State heavyweight All-American, now a high school wrestling coach. Legendary coaches weigh in Upon learning of the death of Doug Blubaugh, some of the greatest coaches in college wrestling offered their thoughts. Dan GableDan Gable, 1972 Olympic gold medalist and all-time great coach at the University of Iowa for more than two decades, told Scott Casber in an audio interview for Takedown Wrestling, "I had nothing but the most respect for Doug Blubaugh. He was immensely important to me in my transition from one level to another as far as getting good. All the time since that, we have both respected each other to the highest end." "Doug Blubaugh was a true Oklahoma State wrestling hero," according to John Smith, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, an NCAA champion wrestler and current head coach of the Cowboys. "He was a tough farm kid who overcame adversity to become the best wrestler in the world. He was a good friend who will be greatly missed." Jack Spates, recently retired head coach at the University of Oklahoma, said this of Blubaugh in an audio interview with Takedown Wrestling's Scott Casber: "He was one of the icons of our sport. He touched a lot of lives. He accomplished things as a competitor that so very, very few people in history could only dream about. So in many ways he was a rich man." Grady Peninger knew Doug Blubaugh as his coach, then as his boss. Peninger was wrestling coach at Ponca City High School when Blubaugh won the Oklahoma state title in 1953 ... then was head coach at Michigan State when his former pupil was an assistant. "Doug was a great person. There wasn't a bad bone in his body," said the former Oklahoma State wrestler-turned-Spartans coach. "He was honest to the point that some people took advantage of him. I felt like he was my own son. Doug always felt hard work would settle everything ... He couldn't have been closer if he'd been my son or my brother. He was just a great friend." The wrestler: Impressive physique, strength ... Ask wrestlers of Doug Blubaugh's era to talk about their late friend, and there are universal comments that seem as if everyone is singing from the same songbook. One issue that many addressed: Blubaugh's impressive physique ... and even more impressive strength. "When I first met him, he was a physical specimen. Carved out of rock," said Jack Duncan, who was introduced to Blubaugh in 1961 at a Grady Peninger-run wrestling camp at Michigan State where the gold medalist was a clinician. Wayne Baughman, a three-time Olympian, NCAA champ for the Oklahoma Sooners, and, for nearly three decades head coach at the U.S. Air Force Academy, said, "The first time I remember seeing Doug was when he came to OU to train for the '60 Olympic team. He looked like he was chiseled from a block of granite. He had muscles everywhere, even on his fingers." "I thought I'd been sentenced to death when Port Robertson [Oklahoma wrestling coach] made me Doug's primary workout partner even though I weighed 180 compared to Doug's 160," Baughman continued. "Doug's style was extremely aggressive. He had the hardest head literally, and somewhat figuratively, of anyone I've ever wrestled; and, because of his poor vision, he kept in right in your face. I walked off the mat after every workout feeling as if I'd been the beat up with a jackhammer. I had continuous scrapes, cuts and bruises. He also had the toughest bottom defense I have ever encountered. He was like trying to turn or move a fireplug." Doug Blubaugh pins Emam-Ali HabibiRuss Camilleri, who wrestled on the U.S. Greco-Roman team at the 1960 Olympics, said of Doug Blubaugh, "Strongest guy in the world. In that match with Habibi, (Blubaugh) went into a high bridge, put Habibii on his back, and squeezed, squeezed, squeezed. There was no way Habibi could've gotten out of it. Doug was just too strong." "I wrestled him one time," said Camilleri. "I was 171, he was one weight class down from me. Man, was he strong!" Shelby Wilson, who was a teammate of Blubaugh at Ponca City High School, as well as at Oklahoma State, and then at the 1960 Olympics -- and was a fellow gold medal-winner in freestyle -- described his long-time friend's wrestling style compared to his own: "He was a freight-train guy, very much a physical-type wrestler. I was more of a finesse guy. He used leverage with more power. That said, coming from the same background -- same schools, same coaches -- we both had been brought up on the importance of good, solid position wrestling." One prime example of Doug Blubaugh's toughness: his series of freestyle matches with Phil Kinyon, a U.S. Navy veteran who was enrolled at Oklahoma State. The two Cowboys of different eras (mid 1950s for Blubaugh; early '60s for Kinyon) were on a collision course to see who would wrestle for the U.S. at the 1960 Olympics. Doug Blubaugh wrestles Phil KinyonRuss Camilleri described the two rivals as being similar in a number of ways beyond college alma mater. "Both were compact, muscular and strong. Phil had dark hair, Doug had sandy hair ..." said Camilleri. "They had wrestled each other so often, they knew each other well. Despite the matches ending in draws without a score, they were NOT boring matches. Plenty of tough action." Here's how Wayne Baughman described the Blubaugh/Kinyon battles in his tribute to the late gold medalist in the June 15, 2011 issue of Amateur Wrestling News: "After having battled to numerous draws in previous matches, a winner/U.S. team member had to be determined. The mat was placed under the biggest shade tree on campus, removed from the entire athletic complex. The battle was waged. It was not pretty, or a disappointment to anyone in attendance, except Kinyon and (Myron) Roderick [Oklahoma State head coach]; and they certainly had nothing to be ashamed of. It was like two raging rams charging directly into each other over and over. At the end of the match, Doug was bleeding profusely from his face and forehead and Kinyon's eye was swollen shut. Doug won but it could have gone either way." A muscular work ethic Another aspect that those who knew Doug Blubaugh always mention is his incredible work ethic. Blubaugh himself cited it in an interview with this writer for an InterMat Rewind feature commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1960 Olympics. "Thank God I grew up on a wheat farm in Oklahoma that didn't have electricity or running water 'til during World War II," Blubaugh disclosed. "Doing farm chores built a work ethic. It was hard work. I never lifted weights -- couldn't afford them -- but hefted bales of hay. Strength from working on a farm is different; you get 'endurance strength' from farm work." "His work ethic was unbelievable," said Fran McCann, younger brother of Blubaugh's Olympic teammate Terry McCann. "He did everything for his wrestling camps, and, I mean everything, himself. It came from his farming background." "He would not let anything interfere with his work. He never complained." "He overcame so much," said Shelby Wilson. "He was definitely not a quitter." "We were both Oklahoma farm boys. Things like integrity, honesty, hard work were essentially who you are." Jack Duncan put it very directly: "Doug's work ethic? Second to none." The master clinician After winning the gold medal in 1960, Doug Blubaugh started the next chapter of his life -- sharing his knowledge and love for the sport as a coach, and as a clinician at wrestling camps. Jack Duncan enjoyed a 50-year friendship with Blubaugh that started at the Michigan State wrestling camp run by the Spartan head coach Grady Peninger ... and continued through decades of wrestling camps throughout the nation. "I took 17 kids to that wrestling camp," said the former high school wrestling coach in Pulaski, Va. "We became really good friends in just a week-and-a-half." "I asked if he'd come to Pulaski, he said he would, and he did. People really loved him." "Wherever he would hold camps, we'd go," said Duncan. "Because of Doug, my kids were very successful. We had a record of 220-something and 18." Duncan and Blubaugh formed a partnership to start camps in both northern Virginia as well as in the Richmond area. "We had kids from everywhere -- Cuba, California," according to Duncan. While coaching at Indiana University, Doug Blubaugh established his Top of the World wrestling camp outside Bloomington. Fran McCann, who was head wrestling coach at Indiana State at the time, said, "I had kids at ISU who worked at Doug's camps, and they thought the world of him." Doug Blubaugh and Shelby Wilson"No doubt about it, he was very much a hands-on coach," said McCann. "He loved to see kids improve." Shelby Wilson worked with his friend as a fellow clinician at wrestling camps as recently as this past year. "He trusted me to teach the way he taught," said the Ponca City native. "We both focused on the basics." "Doug traveled the country to help people with wrestling. That was very much his life." "Even though he was 76, he continued to conduct his camps," said Chuck Ford, a former Indiana high school coach who worked at Blubaugh's camps. "He had a huge group of followers that just wouldn't let him go." Jack Duncan gave another reason why Doug Blubaugh was still in demand as a clinician: "Doug could really relate to kids. Likewise, they knew who he was, and respected him." One of the thousands of young wrestlers who participated in a Doug Blubaugh wrestling camp was Matt Hamill. The Cincinnati area native was a three-time NCAA Division III champ at Rochester Institute of Technology who is now a big name in the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships), despite being born deaf. Here's what Hamill said upon learning of the death of the man he had first met at a clinic a quarter-century ago: "Doug Blubaugh, my great friend, mentor and master since 5th grade passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident ... Doug dedicated all his sweat and blood to see me become successful. To this day Doug has been influential in my life and most recently spent a week at my house sharpening up my wrestling for my last fight." Ken Chertow, former U.S. Olympic wrestler, and currently one of the most successful operators of wrestling camps in the nation, wrote this in the foreword of Matt Krumrie's 2010 book The Ultimate Guide to Wrestling Camps: "Though I attended a variety of camps, I chose to attend one specific camp consistently every year from seventh grade through high school and that was Doug Blubaugh's camp. I connected well with coach Blubaugh and chose to work with him every summer. As an NCAA and Olympic champion he was clearly a dominant athlete, but he was also an outstanding teacher of wrestling and a no-nonsense man. He had a clear understanding of what techniques he wanted the campers to focus on and we drilled them repetitively and intensely daily. He also gave us a camp notebook that was very helpful to retaining and developing the moves I learned at camp. To this day I have clear recollections of learning many different techniques at coach Blubaugh's camp ...I successfully executed many of the moves that coach Blubaugh taught me throughout my career at the highest levels of competition. I have also passed along these moves to my students." As Shelby Wilson said, "He was a great coach. He chose to make wrestling his life. He was very much a professional wrestling coach -- he took it very seriously, and gave it his all." Blubaugh's wrestlers speak up Doug Blubaugh came to Indiana University in 1971, serving one year as assistant coach to long-time head coach (and two-time NCAA champ for the Hoosiers), Charlie McDaniel ... then taking the helm for twelve seasons (1972-1984). Blubaugh's time at the Big Ten school in Bloomington was a challenging one. While at Indiana, his teams compiled a 102-144-8 record, for a .415 winning percentage. Fran McCannFran McCann can offer unique perspective on Doug Blubaugh. In addition to being the brother of the late Terry McCann, Fran was head wrestling coach at cross-state rival Indiana State University who coached against Blubaugh and his Hoosiers. "I think he must have been frustrated by some kids' lack of effort," said Fran McCann. "They didn't give him the respect he deserved, and took advantage of his good-naturedness." That said, a number of Hoosier wrestlers who competed for Blubaugh publicly stated their appreciation for their college coach after his passing. Sam Komar was arguably the most accomplished wrestler during Blubaugh's tenure at Indiana. He was a two-time Big Ten champ (1975, 1977) and two-time NCAA All-American, placing fourth at 134 pounds in 1976, and making it to the 142-pound finals at the 1977 NCAAs. "In my opinion, he affected more people to aspire to the sport of wrestling than anybody I've ever known," Komar told the Indianapolis Star. "He was timeless with his knowledge of the sport. Anytime something new and creative came along, he was always right there to take advantage of it." "I wrestled for Doug at Indiana, and he was a great man, coach, and friend," according to Rod Chamberlin, who now resides in Florida. "Without question or debate, Doug was absolutely the best clinician. He had a knack for breaking it down and showing the proper technique. I loved you Doug, and you will be missed." "I am a better man today because of all the love and butt whuppings on the mat with Doug," said former IU wrestler Brent Lee Biddle. "He was like a second father to me and always had time for me even years after I was gone and no longer wrestling. Today there are three beautiful blonde young ladies in the world and if it not for Doug inadvertently introducing me to my future wife, they would never have been. I will miss that man with the hard shell about him and the heart as soft and pure as gold. I love you coach!" Herbert Danica emphasized Blubaugh's ability to shape his wrestlers in positive ways beyond wrestling: "I had the privilege of being a member of the Indiana wrestling team, 1971 - 74. Unfortunately, I did not possess sufficient skills to be successful as a collegiate athlete. Even still, Coach Blubaugh had a major impact on my life as he taught me how to be a man. He treated me and every other team member with the same level of respect. He was a true mentor and a friend. He led by example and always made his expectations clear. Every young man who had the same honor as I in spending time with Coach Blubaugh benefited from the experience in that he grew a person and learned how to conduct themselves with honor, dignity and self-respect." Danica had a special message for the children of his college coach: "As an adult, I can count on one hand the number of people who had a positive influence on my life, changing the course of what could have been. Of those, your father was one of the most important. Be assured, I am only one of many. You have much to be proud of. Cherish your memories and legacy." A beloved figure Doug Blubaugh had a way about him that won over individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you first met him 50 years ago or 15 minutes ago, you felt as if he had been a friend for life. Doug Blubaugh at the 1960 Olympic Games"I first met Doug Blubaugh last year, when he and my friend Shelby Wilson (his 1960 Olympic team mate) visited New Jersey for a coach's clinic," recalled Dennis Damm, who also counted the late Terry McCann among his friends. "I was surprised by Mr. Blubaugh's quiet, initially shy demeanor. However, during our lunch together, he became animated and humorous as he told stories about the golden days of amateur wrestling. He obviously loved his sport." "After I sent him photos of us taken on that day in March, 2010, he responded with a letter of appreciation. I sent him a Christmas card in December and he replied with a letter which said, 'Thank you for your kindness to me. Your friend, Doug.' I thank God for granting me the opportunity to become acquainted with this great man before he was taken away. He was a gentle giant who was not only an amateur wrestling legend, but also a fine human being." Blubaugh's thoughtfulness was also cited by Mike Wolinsky, who posted the following at a website for the Indiana University community to express condolences: "Doug Blubaugh touched my life as a sophomore at Indiana University when I was assigned the task of publicizing the Indiana wrestling program. I worked with him for three years and he took me under his wing like part of his own family. Doug went out of his way to call Ohio University on behalf so that I could pursue a Master's Degree in Sports Administration. He was all that was good about coaching and how he treated people. I always appreciated the fact that he was so humble and had a terrific work ethic. I am a better person today because of my time spent with Doug." "Obviously Doug Blubaugh will always be remembered as a great wrestler," former wrestler/coach Wayne Baughman told Amateur Wrestling News. "However, Doug's wrestling accomplishments are far overshadowed by the wonderful person he was. Doug was a great coach, clinician, role model, mentor, hero and friend to many wrestlers, coaches, officials and fans. I don't believe any other wrestling personality has had more influence on so many wrestling people as Doug Blubaugh." Baughman continued, "Where Doug was really most successful, and at his best, was as a wrestling clinician and an ambassador for wrestling. Doug Blubaugh loved the sport of wrestling and all the people involved ... Everyone I know loved and respected Doug, from little kids to we 'old has been's' and everybody in between." "Doug is so much more than his accomplishments," said Wayne Boyd, the 1969 NCAA champion wrestler from Temple University. "He was a National champion, Olympic champion, coach, clinician and celebrity. But he should be remembered for the man he was at the time of his passing: humble, strong ... A human being I've known, loved and respected for over 40 years. Smart, trusting, kind, generous and a Superman with Coke bottle lenses that allowed him to see the world just a little differently than the rest of us." One of the most touching tributes came from Terry McCann's widow, Lucille, who traveled from California to Oklahoma for Doug Blubaugh's funeral. She told of an incident at the 1960 Olympics that speaks to the character of the man who passed away in May: "Doug Blubaugh was the warmest and most sensitive man I have ever met. He was very instrumental in helping Terry to win a gold medal. The night before his final's match, Terry was depressed and unsure he would be able to win. Doug followed Terry all night and talked to him and reassured him he could do it. Doug told him he couldn't let everyone down who had helped him get this far. Doug had given Terry the confidence he needed to get the job done. I'm happy to have had Doug in my life. I will miss him." Fran McCann echoed the sentiments of his sister-in-law Lucille McCann. "Terry was an aggressive-type guy. Doug was always there as a calming influence. When we'd be working out, Terry tended to be impatient, while Doug was very positive, very reassuring." "Doug was a big, strong guy, very tough on the mat," Fran McCann continued. "Off the mat, a complete gentleman." "Doug never felt he was bigger than the sport," said McCann. "He respected the sport. People identify with that, regardless of their age. They saw that in him, and held him in high esteem because of it." "He had the respect of just about everyone he came across," said Shelby Wilson. "He was a very humble guy." Doug BlubaughFriends described Doug Blubaugh as being incredibly generous ... and not just with his time, as he worked wrestling camps and made appearances for the sport. "Even if he wasn't rich, he would share what he had," said Wilson. "He'd give you the shirt off his back." More than one individual interviewed for this tribute said, if you needed a place to stay, Doug Blubaugh would insist you stay at his home. His generosity extended to sharing friendships. "Thanks to Doug, I met Shelby (Wilson), Myron (Roderick), and so many other wrestling greats," said Jack Duncan. "He didn't drop names or brag about who he knew. Rather, he was modest about who he wrestled and his accomplishments." Walter Jenny, who knew Blubaugh through Tau Kappa Epsilon said of his fraternity brother, "He exemplified the fraternity's ideals of Charity, Esteem and Love in everything he did. He has been an inspiration to our alumni as well as our younger members as they work their way through college." Retired wrestling coach Jack Duncan said of his friend of 50 years, "He was the greatest ambassador for wrestling, for the state of Oklahoma, and for Oklahoma State." Shelby Wilson may have summed it up best: "He has given more to wrestling than he got from it." To learn more about the three U.S. gold medalists at the 1960 Olympics -- Doug Blubaugh, Terry McCann, and Shelby Wilson -- check out this 2010 InterMat Rewind feature. To see Doug Blubaugh in action, watch this video of the 1956 NCAA finals ... and of the former Cowboy pinning Iran's Habibi at the 1960 Olympics. LINKS: 1956 NCAAs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYdiJxH78oo; 1960 Olympics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9DJ2KVNSTk.