InterMat Staff

The Clash, the premier high school wrestling dual meet event in the country, will celebrate its 10th anniversary during the 2011-12 season. The Clash X will take place Dec. 30-31 at the UCR Regional Sports Center in Rochester, Minn. The field is expected to be the deepest and strongest since the event's inception in 2003. InterMat and The Guillotine will be releasing the field of teams for The Clash X in three installments over the next two months, starting with the first 11 teams. 1. Apple Valley, Minnesota Record at The Clash: 46-6 Appearance at The Clash: 10th Returning State Champions: 5 Returning State Placewinners: 7 Apple Valley (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)About Apple Valley: What more can be said about this powerhouse from Minnesota? The Jim Jackson-led Eagles are the two-time defending national champions, 19-time state champions, and four-time Clash champions. What surprises many is this high school has only been open since 1977, but won its first title in 1980. Apple Valley is the envy of all Minnesota wrestling and the Eagles treat The Clash as their Super Bowl. Last season this group of kids destroyed everything in their path, winning the Keith Young Invitational, Minnesota Christmas Tournament, Cheesehead, and The Clash, followed by the state tournament. No school came close to defeating Apple Valley. The Eagles qualified a remarkable 13 wrestlers to the state tournament and ended with seven state champions, two state runner-ups, and a pair of state third-place finishes. In the team dual portion their wrestlers went 39-3 in the three duals. At the end of the season, every poll had this legendary team at the top. Last season will be hard to duplicate, but Apple Valley returns several experienced wrestlers with impressive state and national credentials. Seniors Brandon Kingsley, Dakota Trom and Ben Sullivan - all three state champions (Sullivan's title won in Alaska) - will lead this team. The Eagles also bring back 2010 state champion Daniel Woiwer, and 2011 state champion Mark Hall. State third-place finisher Seth Gross will be returning, as will several underclassmen with experience. 2. St. Paris Graham, Ohio Record at The Clash: 0-0 Appearance at The Clash: 1st Returning State Champions: 5 Returning State Placewinners: 6 Jeff Jordan (Photo/Kevin Schlosser, BuckeyeWrestling.com)About St. Paris Graham: Every year it is the tournament's goal to attract teams in the hunt for the national title. St. Paris Graham certainly fits into the "sweet spot." This legendary team out of Ohio coached by Jeff Jordan will be looking to follow up on its championship finish in last year's Walsh Ironman. It is the program's second Walsh Ironman championship in the last three years. St. Paris Graham can also claim two national championships in the past four years. This past season, the Falcons wrapped up their 11th straight state championship and 13th overall. Ten grapplers qualified for the state tournament and eight wrestled for the championship. Of these eight state finalists, six were state champions. 3. Clovis, California Record at The Clash: 0-0 Appearance at The Clash: 1st Returning State Champions: 2 Returning State Placewinners: 5 Clovis returns five state placewinners, including state champions Daniel Gaytan and Nick Nevills (Photo/ClovisWrestling.com)About Clovis: Another new entrant to The Clash is Clovis, California. Clovis is coming off perhaps the program's best season ever. The Cougars finished the season ranked seventh nationally. In the state of California there is only one team champion and one individual champion in each of the 14 weight classes. Clovis competed in a hard-fought battle with Bakersfield, but managed to wrestle the crown away with 186 points, which was second most ever in California. This deep team qualified all 14 wrestlers for the state tournament, had nine state placewinners, and two state champions. It was the Cougars' ninth team title and individually it made 23 state champions. 4. Simley, Minnesota Record at The Clash: 30-18 Appearance at The Clash: 9th Returning State Champions: 4 Returning State Placewinners: 6 Jake Short (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)About Simley: Coming back to The Clash for its ninth trip is Simley High School out of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. This powerhouse team led by the father-son duo of Jim and Will Short brings a deep and talented team back. Simley finished this past season ranked sixth nationally and is expected to be in the hunt for a national title in 2011-12. The Spartans captured their fourth straight state title this past season, bringing the program total to eight. Jim Short took over this program in 1970 and embarked on a 28-year career as head coach. In 1998, Jim handed the reigns over to his son, Will, a 1993 All-American at the University of Minnesota. Will coached for 10 years and in 2008 Jim rejoined his son as co-head coach. It's impossible to think of Simley without thinking of the Short family. Will is one of four Short brothers to win an individual state championship for Simley. Will's son, Jake, is a two-time state champion heading into his junior season. 5. Carl Sandburg, Illinois Record at The Clash: 22-8 Appearance at The Clash: 6th Returning State Champions: 0 Returning State Placewinners: 2 About Carl Sandburg: Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, Illinois will be celebrating its 60th year of competition. This school of 3,800 kids became a high school wrestling force in Illinois in 1993 when Mike Polz took over as head coach. His son, Conrad, was a three-time state champion who now wrestles at the University of Illinois. Just how dominant has this program been? How about state champion in 2005, 2006 and 2007, and runner-up 10 times. Carl Sandburg also managed a third-place finish 11 times. Since 1993, the program has produced 44 state placewinners and 12 individual state champions. 6. Kasson-Mantorville, Minnesota Record at The Clash: 12-18 Appearance at The Clash: 6th Returning State Champions: 2 Returning State Placewinners: 6 Sam Stoll, who is ranked among the nation's top 25 freshmen by InterMat, was a 2010 InterMat JJ Classic champion (Photo/Johnnie Johnson)About Kasson-Mantorville: Kasson-Mantorville, Minnesota is a relative new power in Minnesota's Class AA. This growing school is 13 miles west of Rochester and appeared in the InterMat Fab 50 throughout much of last season, finishing the season ranked 44th. Coach Paul Mann took over this program in 2003 and has since helped five individuals make it to the top of the podium. The Komets will be making their sixth appearance at The Clash. 7. St. Michael-Albertville, Minnesota Record at The Clash: 20-16 Appearance at The Clash: 7th Returning State Champions: 1 Returning State Placewinners: 4 About St. Michael-Albertville: STMA will be returning for its seventh appearance at The Clash. The Knights have been making plenty of noise in the Minnesota high school wrestling world. STMA finished runner-up to Apple Valley in Class AAA. Seven wrestlers from STMA finished this past season with over 30 or more wins. Coach Dan Lefebvre is coming off his sixth season as head coach. Notable STMA alums include the Thorn brothers (Mike and David) and Chas Betts. 8. Arrowhead, Wisconsin Record at The Clash: 2-4 Appearance at The Clash: 2nd Returning State Champions: 2 Returning State Placewinners: 4 About Arrowhead: Arrowhead will be returning for the second straight year to The Clash. This perennial power finished runner-up in the state tournament in 2011 and is looking improve upon its 26th place finish at The Clash. The Warhawk wrestling team has become a Classic 8 Conference power, claiming conference tournament titles in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2011. The program has produced 15 individual state champions, including three this past season. Arrowhead advanced to the WIAA state team tournament every year from 2004 through 2008, and again in 2011. The Warhawks reached the state semifinals in 2004, 2006, and 2008, and finished runner-up in 2005 and 2011. Arrowhead has produced numerous collegiate wrestling standouts, including the Askren brothers, Ben and Max, both NCAA champions at the University of Missouri. 9. Hastings, Minnesota Record at The Clash: 18-24 Appearance at The Clash: 8th Returning State Champions: 0 Returning State Placewinners: 4 About Hastings: Hastings is led by head coach Josh McLay, the only wrestler ever to win three individual state titles for the program. McLay, also a Junior Nationals double champion, went on to have a successful collegiate wrestling career at the University of Minnesota. Hastings has qualified for the state tournament eight times and won a state championship in 1996. Some of the more well-known alumni, in addition to McLay, include Nik and Dan Lewandowski, brothers who won Division III national titles for Augsburg. 10. Baylor, Tennessee Record at The Clash: 7-5 Appearance at The Clash: 3rd Returning State Champions: 4 Returning State Placewinners: 10 The Baylor School is a Tennessee high school wrestling power. Jordan Leen, a 2008 NCAA champion and three-time All-American for Cornell, wrestled at the Baylor SchoolAbout Baylor: The most decorated team in Tennessee history is returning to The Clash for a third straight year. Ben Nelson, formerly of Minnesota (two-time state medalist at Wayzata High School), heads up this gutsy squad. This program started back in 1949 and had one coach until 1985. Tennessee is one of the few states that crown both a dual meet and tournament team champion. Baylor has won either (or both) in each of the past 14 seasons. Baylor scored 315 points at this year's state tournament, which set a state record. Jordan Leen, a 2008 NCAA champion and three-time All-American for Cornell, wrestled at Baylor. 11. Vacaville, California Record at The Clash: 26-26 Appearance at The Clash: 10th Returning State Champions: 0 Returning State Placewinners: 2 About Vacaville: Vacaville returns for a 10th straight year. This program is celebrating 50 years of wrestling starting in 1961. The Bulldogs won their first state title in 2007. Vacaville has been a force in California and finished a respectable 10th at The Clash this past season. This past season Vacaville became one of only a few teams in the country to win 1,000 dual meets. Coach Adam Wright prides his team on coming to Minnesota every year to wrestle the best teams in the nation in a dual meet format. Steve Elwood can be reached at steveel@rstransportinc.com. This story also appears in the April 15 issue of The Guillotine. The Guillotine has been covering amateur wrestling in Minnesota since 1971. Its mission is to report and promote amateur wrestling at all levels -- from youth and high school wrestling to college and international level wrestling. Subscribe to The Guillotine.

Hempstead, NY -- Hofstra University senior Lou Ruggirello has been named the 2011 Colonial Athletic Association Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the CAA announced Wednesday. The CAA honors one Scholar-Athlete, who excel both athletically and academically, in each of its 22 championship sports. Nominees for the award must be a starter or important reserve on their team and must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.25. The winners were selected by a vote of the sports information directors at each CAA institution. Ruggirello, who won his second CAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year award after receiving the honor in 2009, is a four-time CAA champion and NCAA qualifier at 133 pounds and earned his first All-America award this year by placing seventh at the NCAA Championships in Philadelphia last month. A senior majoring in finance, the Walden, New York native is a four-time CAA Commissioner's Academic Award recipient and a five-year member of the Hofstra Athletics Academic Honor Roll. He is also a two-time (2008-09) member of the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic Team. Ruggirello posted a 32-5 overall record in 2010-11 including a 17-1 mark in dual matches with 13 wins by fall. In his Pride career, Ruggirello finished second on the Hofstra all-time career victory list with a 131-26 record including a 72-7 mark in duals. The CAA also announced the four other Scholar-Athletes of the Year in the winter sports. Earning Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors were Old Dominion junior Trian Iliadis in men's basketball, Georgia State sophomore Cody Paulk in women's basketball, Old Dominion senior Kristofer Hagg in men's swimming and diving, and Towson senior Brooke Golden in women's swimming and diving. Including Ruggirello, all five honorees had a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better.

Lowell Lange, of the famed 1947 Cornell College NCAA championship team, and Steve Knipp, retired high school coach at East Waterloo High School, 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. Lowell Lange compiled a career record of 140-2 and was a three-time NCAA champion at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. His first title came as a freshman in 1947 at 136 pounds when Cornell won team titles at the NCAA tournament and the AAU Nationals. The 1947 Cornell College wrestling team will be inducted into the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa in Waterloo on Saturday. Waterloo native Steve Knipp taught and coached at East Waterloo High School for over 30 years. Knipp led the Trojans to the 1983 Class 3A state championship and has done tremendous volunteer work in Waterloo and Cedar Falls; ensuring tournaments in the area are well run and properly staffed. Knipp will be receiving the Russ Smith Community Impact Award at the Glen Brand Hall of Fame ceremony.

Mark Cody

NORMAN, Okla. -- Mark Cody, the reigning national college wrestling coach of the year, has been named the head wrestling coach at the University of Oklahoma. He succeeds Jack Spates, who retired from the position following the 2011 season, his 18th with the Sooners. Cody, who comes to OU after nine years at American University, led the Eagles to a program-best fifth-place finish at the recently completed NCAA Championships. The team produced three All-Americans after qualifying six for the tournament, while also posting a school record 3.48 grade point average. "The wrestling community has watched Mark Cody do remarkable things with his teams at American," said Joe Castiglione, Oklahoma's Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Athletics Director. "He has maximized limited resources to take a program that was once struggling and transform it into one of the strongest in the country. Along the way, he has earned the respect of his peers as not only a great program builder, but an outstanding teacher and leader. "We have watched Mark's work and spoken with a number of people in the profession who are familiar with him. He is held in very high regard and has proven his ability to operate a program at an extremely high level." Cody said it was tradition and the people of the Sooner state that attracted him to the job. "I think back on Tommy Evans, Stan Abel, Jack Spates and the other men who coached there and I really appreciate the tradition they established," Cody said. "It's a responsibility to take that over, but it's also encouraging because it's a school that appreciates and expects success." Two stints at Oklahoma State taught the New York native all he needed to know about Oklahomans. "People make the place and I have always loved the people in Oklahoma," he said. "I lived there twice and always felt they were some of the nicest people in the world." Recent improvements at OU's wrestling facility caught Cody's attention and said things like the upgrades at the Port Robertson Center send a strong message. "The improvements to the facilities indicate a commitment to the sport and that's something that has a great impact on recruiting," he said. "The cupboard is full there in terms of the resources and I look forward to getting started." Cody's work at American has been impressive. He took over the program just after it had been dropped and then resurrected. Just 4.5 scholarships were available for seven wrestlers. Finally, in 2005, the Eagles broke through with their first national qualifiers. It went on to post top 25 team finishes in the NCAA Tournament from 2006-2011. In 2008, American added wrestling as only its third fully-funded sport. "People thought I was crazy when I took the job, but we always had a plan for recruiting, fund-raising and running the program," said Cody. Some $180,000 were raised in the programs first year and that total has risen to nearly $1 million over the length of Cody's nine seasons. Now he can look back on a tenure that included the school's first national champion, 14 All-Americans and 16 NCAA qualifiers (all since 2005) and 21 academic All-Americans. Cody came to American after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at Oklahoma State. He helped OSU to a Big 12 Championship and a fifth-place finish at the 2002 NCAA Championships. In addition, the squad earned recognition from the NWCA as a top-25 academic team, and two were named Academic All-America by the NWCA. Nine were also named to the Academic All-Big 12 team. Before joining Oklahoma State, Cody served as the upper-weights coach for 12 years at the University of Nebraska. During that time, he was responsible for bringing in some of the nation's top recruiting classes, including national champions Tolly Thompson (Hwt.) and Brad Vering (197). Vering later became a two-time Olympian with Cody in his corner. While Cody was at Nebraska, 23 Cornhuskers were named All-America, including Rulon Gardner, who later captured the heavyweight gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Cody spent the 1986-87 season as an assistant coach at Oklahoma State. He was also an assistant at Bloomsburg University during the 1985-86 season and for the University of Missouri in 1984-85. As a student-athlete, Cody was a three-time All-American. He spent two years at the State University of New York at Delhi before transferring to Missouri in 1983. His greatest success came during his senior season, 1984-85, when he earned All-America status and was named the team's Most Outstanding Wrestler. Cody still ranks in Missouri's single season top-10 for falls (17) and winning percentage (.875). He graduated from Bellevue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business. A member of the New York Athletic Club, he was a 198-pound finalist at the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials. A native of Binghamton, N.Y., Cody and his wife, Holly, have three sons, George, Charlie and Henry.

CLEVELAND -- Redshirt sophomore Kendrick Maple won the FILA Junior Nationals freestyle title at 63 kilograms on Sunday at the Cleveland Public Auditorium. Maple, a 2010 NCAA qualifier at 133 pounds, defeated Penn States’ Samuel Sherlock, 3-1, 2-0, to take home the 138.75 pound championship. Additionally, incoming freshman Sam Wheeler and Cody Brewer finished fourth and fifth, respectively. OU redshirt freshman Justin DeAngelis also finished fifth. The Junior age group consists of 17-20 year olds, featuring some of the nation’s top wrestlers, as well as underclassmen from the college level. The champions in each of the seven Olympic weight classes, plus 50 kg/110 lbs., advance to the best-of-3 finals for the FILA Junior World Team Trials. The Junior World Team Trials are set for May 19-20 in Franklin, Ind. The top six finishers in the seven Olympic classes, plus 50 kg, qualify for the Junior World Team Trials. There were 357 wrestlers entered in the FILA Junior freestyle class.

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Freshmen Alan Waters and Drake Houdashelt of the Tiger wrestling squad posted impressive finishes this weekend at the 2011 ASICS FILA Junior Nationals, as each took third place in the freestyle category in their respective weight classes in Cleveland, Ohio. Waters, who went 39-7 with an NCAA appearance as a true freshman at 125 pounds for the Tigers, opened with a 7-0, 1-0 decision over Sean Boylan (Husky Wrestling Club). He followed that up with a 6-0, 6-0 technical fall over Robert Dyar (NYAC-Harlem) before knocking off Mike Rhone (Mat Town USA), by a 5-0, 7-3 decision. Waters was bounced from the championship bracket in the quarterfinals, losing to Jesse Delgado (Meathead WC), the eventual champion of the 55 kg/121.25 pound class, by a 5-1, 1-0 decision. Waters bounced back in the consolations, winning his first match on that side of the bracket by a 6-0, 7-0 technical fall over Zack Nelson (Samurai) before toppling Caleb Richardson (Blair Academy) by decision, 1-0, 2-0, in the third place contest. Wrestling at 70 kg/154.25 pound weight class, Houdashelt bounced back after a second round loss to win his next eight matches, securing third place. Winning his first match by a 6-0, 6-0 technical fall, Houdashelt fell by a 2-0, 0-3, 4-2 decision in the second round to Steve Santos (NYAC-Harlem) to fall to the consolation round. He was the winner of his first wrestleback match by forfeit, and then rallied off two technical falls in a row, the first by a 6-0, 6-0 final and 7-1, 6-0 in the second. He rallied past Christopher Castillo (Bronco Wrestling Club) in the next match, as he overcame an 0-6 loss in the first period to win the next two, 4-0 and 7-0. He pinned his next opponent in 0:51 in the second round, and moved to the third place match after taking an 0-2, 4-1, 2-0 decision. In his final match, he knocked off Justin Koethe (Trojan Wrestling Club) by decision, winning 13-6, 4-3. Houdashelt redshirted this season for the Tigers, and went 23-5 wrestling in opens over the course of the season. Of his 23 wins, 16 came by bonus points.

Related Link: InterMat High School Rankings The following wrestlers have been selected No. 1 in the nation to end the 2010-11 high school campaign, and they comprise the InterMat High School All-American First Team for this season. Morgan McIntosh (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Wrestler of the Year: Morgan McIntosh Weight Class: 189 High School: Calvary Chapel, California Class: Senior About McIntosh:On the way to a third state championship, McIntosh had an undefeated senior season in which he did not give up a takedown. The Penn State-bound grappler was champion at the Walsh Ironman, Five Counties Invitational, and FloNationals to go with a pin during the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic. Last offseason, McIntosh was a Junior National freestyle champion and finished third at the FILA Junior Nationals in freestyle. 103: Nathan Tomasello High School: CVCA, Ohio Class: Sophomore About Tomasello: Tomasello was undefeated at 43-0 in winning a second state title in as many years of high school, as he earned titles at the Walsh Ironman, Medina, and Top Gun tournaments. This past offseason, he was champion of the FILA Cadet Nationals in freestyle, third in freestyle at Cadet Nationals, and a Super 32 Challenge runner-up. 112: Anthony Ashnault High School: South Plainfield, New Jersey Class: Sophomore About Ashnault: Though he was an undefeated state champion as a freshman, and a double Cadet National All-American over the summer, it was at the Super 32 Challenge in late October that Ashnault burst onto the national consciousness. His last five victories on the way to the title were over a quartet of 2010 state champions and an additional National Prep champion. Like in the freshman campaign, Ashnault was an undefeated state champion with a 42-0 record. 119: Jimmy Gulibon High School: Derry Area, Pennsylvania Class: Junior About Gulibon: Despite a maiden Walsh Ironman championship, a third title at the POWERade, and a third state title -- none of those accomplishments will be what defines Gulibon this season. Instead it was a mid-January event in which he went up a weight class to take on fellow No. 1 in the nation Nico Megaludis; despite holding a late lead, Megaludis scored a takedown inside the last 30 seconds to win 4-3. Heading into the senior year, Gulibon has 111 wins against just three losses (the third of which was a disqualification in his first tournament as a freshman for an illegal slam). 125: Nico Megaludis High School: Franklin Regional, Pennsylvania Class: Senior About Megaludis: The Penn State-bound Megaludis capped off one of the finest high school careers of any prep wrestler in Keystone State history with a 135-match winning streak, not losing in high school since a 1-0 state semifinal loss his freshman year. The 170-1 career mark included three state titles and becoming only the third wrestler to win four titles at the POWERade. 130: Jesse Thielke High School: Germantown, Wisconsin Class: Senior About Thielke: His Greco-Roman exploits are known to all across America, as the repeat winner of FILA Junior National titles is now seeking a third straight Junior World team trip. However, Thielke's scholastic record is very distinguished, as the four-time state champion ended high school on a 100-match winning streak after starting his career on a separate 85-match streak. The only loss (to Jake Sueflohn, who is ranked No. 2 at 140 pounds this year) coming in the sectional final as a sophomore, which was avenged the next week in the state final. Thielke also beat No. 2 Zach Horan in the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic 8-3. After a year at the Olympic Training Center, he is planning to enroll at Wisconsin in 2012-13. 135: Hunter Stieber High School: Monroeville, Ohio Class: Senior About Stieber: While David Taylor is the only four-time champion in Walsh Ironma history, Stieber joined Chris Villalonga as the only other wrestlers to make the finals four times at what is arguably the nation's best in-season high school tournament. Winning as a freshman, Steiber lost in the championship match the next two years, before upending No. 2 Austin Ormsbee (a 2010 Junior National freestyle champion) in this year's final. For the senior year, Stieber went 54-0 to cap off a 203-2 high school career. Like his older brother Logan, Hunter will be attending Ohio State next year. 140: Jason Tsirtsis High School: Crown Point, Indiana Class: Junior About Tsirtsis: The two-time FloNationals champion and Super 32 Challenge runner-up has also been freestyle All-American in three Fargo appearances (twice as a Cadet, and last summer finishing third at the Junior level). Tsirtsis is also a three-time state champion in as many years, undefeated his last two seasons, with an unofficial career mark of 129-2. 145: Nick Hodgkins High School: Wyomissing, Pennsylvania Class: Senior About Hodgkins: Since falling 4-2 in the state semifinal last year to eventual state champion A.J. Schopp, all Hodgkins has done is win. He came back to finish third at state as a junior, won the NHSCA Junior Nationals, won the Super 32 Challenge over No. 3 James Green, won a title at the Beast of the East, was an undefeated state champion at 47-0, and defeated No. 2 Alex Dieringer by a 7-2 score in the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic. Hodgkins ends his career with two state titles and placements of second, first, third, and first. Hodgkins has yet to select a college. 152: Destin McCauley High School: Apple Valley, Minnesota Class: Senior About McCauley: Like fellow No. 1 Thielke, McCauley will be spending the next year at the Olympic Training Center before planning to enroll at the University of Wisconsin in 2012-13. The anchor of Apple Valley's national championship team was a six-time state finalist, only failing to win a state title his sophomore year. The 2010 Junior National freestyle champion finished his high school career with two 50-0 seasons after that loss. 160: Bryce Hammond High School: Bakersfield, California Class: Senior About Hammond:Having chosen to stay home and attend Cal State Bakersfield, Hammond earned a second consecutive state title; then he finished his high school career with a win in the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic and a NHSCA Senior National championship. 171: Logan Storley High School: Webster, South Dakota Class: Senior About Storley: The rarest of phenomena, Storley is a six-time state champion. Over the last year, Storley was a NHSCA Junior National champion, Disney Duals Association Division gold medalist, and a Junior National freestyle champion. He has signed to wrestle at the University of Minnesota 215: Tanner Hall High School: Meridian, Idaho Class: Senior About Hall: After going 17-20 as a freshman state qualifier at 171 pounds, Hall finished his last three years with a 123-5 record along with three state titles. Since the end of the junior year, Hall was a double FILA Cadet National champion, double FILA Junior National All-American, and double Junior National finalist (freestyle champion). Also earning a title in this year's Walsh Ironman, Hall will join Thielke and McCauley in delaying his college enrollment by one year to be a resident athlete at the Olympic Training Center. 285: Donny Longendyke High School: White Bear Lake, Minnesota Class: Senior About Longendyke: After a one-and-done state tournament as a freshman 215-pound wrestler, Longendyke made three consecutive state finals earning state titles the last two years. The Nebraska bound grappler had a 92 match win streak from the time of his state finals loss as a sophomore to the loss in the sectional final this past year (that loss was avenged in the state final); he went 138-4 in his last three years of high school. Longendyke has also been a double All-American the last two summers in Fargo. Below is a count of the number of wrestlers ranked from each state in the top twenty of their respective weight classes. 39: PA 26: OH 25: IL 23: CA, NJ 17: IA 16: MN 12: MI 11: FL 10: NY 9: MO, WI 7: VA 6: IN 5: MD 4: NE, OK, OR, WA 3: CO, KS, SD 2: GA, ID, MT, NC, TX, UT 1: AZ, KY, MA, NM In all, wrestlers from 32 states appear in the weight class rankings. InterMat will also be releasing updated grade level rankings this week.

TheMat.com Playlists (Interviews & Matches): U.S. Open Freestyle U.S. Open Greco-Roman U.S. Open Women's Freestyle FILA Junior Freestyle FILA Junior Greco-Roman

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- North Carolina assistant wrestling coach Cary Kolat made a miraculous run through the U.S. Open advancing all the way to the finals after a three-year absence from competition. Kolat, who will turn 38 next month, had been guiding other wrestlers at the North Carolina Regional Olympic Training Center in Chapel Hill when he decided to make a run for the 2012 Olympic Games. Kolat last wrestled competitively in 2008 when he was vying for a spot on the 2008 Olympic team and just last year became the Director of Wrestling Operations at North Carolina before being elevated to assistant coach during the 2010-11 season. After training with several wrestlers at the North Carolina Regional Olympic Training Center Kolat decided to make a run at the Olympics one more time after being a two-time NCAA Champion and a member of the 2000 United State Olympic Wrestling squad. Kolat entered the U.S. Open unseeded and advanced all the way to the finals knocking off second-ranked Josh Churella in the process. With the win Kolat earned a place in the finals against two-time NCAA Champion Teyon Ware who checked in a decade younger than Kolat. Kolat took the first period from Ware, 1-0, before dropping the second period 5-0. Ware and Kolat battled to a 1-1 draw in the third period as Ware would claim the win. The top eight ranked wrestlers in the U.S. will earn and invitation to the World Team Trials in Oklahoma City, Okla. set for June 9 of this year. With the run to the finals of the U.S. Open Kolat has a chance to be among the eight selected for a shot to represent the U.S. at 66 kg in the 2012 Olympics.

Fullerton, Calif. -- Cal State Fullerton today announced that its intercollegiate wrestling and women's gymnastics programs will be terminated. The action was considered at the end of the 2009-10 academic year, but the programs were given the opportunity to continue operating if they could fund their own annual budgets. Extensive fund-raising campaigns enabled them to compete in 2010-11 but came up short of a subsequent goal of a two-year funding commitment by a Mar. 1 deadline given to them. All pre-existing scholarships will be honored until the student-athletes' eligibility has expired. Wrestlers and gymnasts who wish to transfer to other schools will be given blanket releases. "It is with great sadness that we must eliminate two great Olympic sports that have a long history at Cal State Fullerton," said Director of Athletics Brian Quinn. "Unfortunately, we just do not have the resources to continue sports that are not sponsored by the Big West Conference. "We want to thank wrestling Coaches Dan Hicks and Risto Marttinen and gymnastics Coaches Jill Hicks and Richard Gishi for their dedication and hard work for the student-athletes. We also want to thank our many donors for their support in helping keep the programs over the past few years." Wrestling dates to 1968 at Cal State Fullerton. Dan Hicks, who arrived from Oregon State in 2002-03, is only the fourth head coach in the program's history. The Titans never won a team championship but boast 31 conference champions, 12 Div. I and 3 Div. II All-Americans and 87 NCAA Div. I national qualifiers including at least one in the 26 seasons prior to this one. Gymnastics dates to 1976 when the program achieved national attention from its outset, winning its first 71 matches. Fullerton won the 1979 national championship (AIAW) and had three second-place (2 AIAW, 1 NCAA) and five third-place (3 AIAW, 2 NCAA) finishes to go with 10 conference championships and nine regional titles, all between 1976 and 1995. The program produced 34 All-Americans but none since 1989. Jill Hicks is only the fourth head coach in this program's history, moving up from an assistant's role for the 2007 season.

On March 14, UNCG Athletics Director Kim Record announced to the team and the public the school's plan to terminate UNCG's wrestling program. The following day, as four Spartan wrestlers prepared for the NCAA National Championships, not knowing their own fate, and having been described as "middle-tiered" by their own AD, the protest and outcry began. The response from the wrestling community was instantaneous and unanimous: outrage, sadness and a demand for an answer to the question, "Why?" For those of you who have not experienced it, it's tough to describe the dedication of the wrestling community. While the sport's popularity may not rival that of basketball or baseball, the loyalty of its fans is second to none. For several years, Greensboro has been strongly pushing its image of being a "Tournament Town." If UNCG cancels its wrestling program, you can say goodbye to three wrestling tournaments: the Southern Scuffle, the Super 32 Challenge and the N.C. High School Athletic Association's state championships. All three tournaments are held at the Greensboro Coliseum and their annual net economic impact for the city is an estimated $6.7 million. "Losing these tournaments would significantly hurt our business," says Kenny Giard, owner of the Corner Bar, located on Spring Garden Street within a half-mile of the coliseum. "We depend strongly on coliseum traffic, and the wrestling alumni have supported us for years." In a UNCG press release, the athletics director said, "While UNCG will not have a team, we anticipate the Southern Scuffle can still be a successful Greensboro community event." To think there could still be a tournament after shutting down the team is laughable. Does Record also expect to host the Southern Conference tournament in 2012? College coaches all across the country are united in their consensus of their boycott of UNCG's Scuffle. North Carolina high school coaches have spoken up and said they would no longer support the Super 32, and although the high school championships is not an event that can be boycotted, there is a strong demand for another host city. Record has described this effort as "misplaced anger." Anyone who thought that this issue would just "blow over" is remarkably mistaken. Isaac Newton said, "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." Well, this is the reaction that the often overlooked wrestling community has shown. If you visit any high school wrestling tournament in the country, there's a good chance you will see some vendor selling cliched wrestling T-shirts with a common theme, "Never Give Up!" Not surprisingly, this is the unofficial mission statement of the wrestling community regarding this decision. Officials at UNCG claim that this is strictly an economic decision, that the $308,000 budget can be better spent. If this is truly an economic issue, then why should the city of Greensboro throw away millions so that the university can reallocate (not save) 2.9 percent of its athletic budget? For 18 years UNCG wrestling fans have rooted for the team to get a "major decision." Now we need the city of Greensboro and its officials to make a "major decision" to help keep this outstanding program alive and undo this tragic mistake. Every year the wrestling program tries to break records. It seems that this year, Record broke the program. The website saveUNCGwrestling.com has the latest information on how you can help support and save this great program. Keith Ritter is a former UNCG student and former captain of the Spartan wrestling team.

CLEVELAND -- The semifinals are set at the 2011 U.S. Open in Greco-Roman and women's freestyle competition. Friday brought few surprises. In Greco-Roman, all seven No. 1 seeds cruised to the semifinals. Zac Nielsen of the Minnesota Storm pulled the stunner of the round by shutting out second-seeded Justin Millard, 4-0, 1-0, at 96 kg. Nielson will now face six-time U.S. Open champion and World bronze medalist Justin Ruiz of New York AC in the semifinals. Faruk Sahin, the U.S. representative at the past two World Championships at 66 kg, fell in the second round at 74 kg to Jonathan Anderson. All No. 1 seeds and No. 2 seeds advanced to the semifinals in the women's freestyle competition. Two No. 3 seeds, Sharon Jacobson of the U.S. Army (55 kg) and Cianah Hee of Cumberlands (59 kg), were upset in Friday's quarterfinals. Jacobson was defeated by Shauna Isbell of Lindenwood in the quarterfinals, while Hee fell to Amanda Hendey of San Diego Hot Beaches. Men's freestyle preliminaries are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday. The semifinals in all three divisions are scheduled to begin at noon. Greco-Roman Semifinal Matchups 55 kg: No. 1 Spenser Mango (U.S. Army) vs. No. 4 Nikko Triggas (New York AC) No. 3 Paul Tellgren (USOEC/Minnesota Storm) vs. Dmitry Ryabchinskiy (New York AC) 60 kg: No. 1 Joe Betterman (Sunkist Kids) vs. No. 4 Marco Lara (U.S. Army) No. 2 Jeremiah Davis, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) vs. No. 3 Chad Vandiver (Sunkist Kids) 66 kg: No. 1 Harry Lester (U.S. Army) vs. Jon Cox (U.S. Marines) No. 2 Glenn Garrison (U.S. Army) vs. No. 3 C.P. Schlatter (Minnesota Storm) 74 kg: No. 1 Jake Fisher (New York AC) vs. Kendrick Sanders (New York AC) No. 2 Ben Provisor (Sunkist Kids) vs. No. 3 Andrew Bisek (Minnesota Storm) 84 kg: No. 1 Cheney Haight (New York AC) vs. No. 4 Mark Stenberg (USOEC) No. 2 Jordan Holm (Minnesota Storm) vs. No. 3 Peter Hicks (U.S. Army) 96 kg: No. 1 Robert Smith (New York AC) vs. No. 4 R.C. Johnson (Sunkist Kids) No. 3 Justin Ruiz (New York AC) vs. Zac Nielsen (Minnesota Storm) 120 kg: No. 1 Dremiel Byers (U.S. Army) vs. No. 4 Steve Andrus (Michigan WC) No. 2 Tim Taylor (U.S. Army) vs. No. 3 Brandon Rupp (U.S. Army) Women's Freestyle Semifinal Matchups 48 kg: No. 1 Clarissa Chun (Sunkist Kids) vs. Erin Golston (New York AC) No. 2 Victoria Anthony (New York AC) vs. No. 3 Nicole Woody (Gator WC/OCU) 51 kg: No. 1 Whitney Conder (Gator WC) vs. Joey Miller (Gator WC/OCU) No. 2 Jessica Medina (Sunkist Kids) vs. No. 3 Gabrielle Henry (New York AC) 55 kg: No. 1 Helen Maroulis (New York AC) vs. No. 4 Michaela Hutchison (Gator WC/OCU) No. 2 Kelsey Campbell (Sunkist Kids) vs. Shauna Isbell (Lindenwood) 59 kg: No. 1 Deanna Rix (Sunkist Kids) vs. No. 4 Jenna Burkert (New York AC) No. 2 Ashley Hudson (Gator WC/OCU) vs. Amanda Hendey (San Diego Hot Beaches) 63 kg: No. 1 Kristie Davis (Gator WC/OCU) vs. No. 4 Othella Lucas (U.S. Army) No. 2 Elena Pirozhkova (Gator WC) vs. No. 3 Veronica Carlson (New York AC) 67 kg: No. 1 Erin Clodgo (Sunkist Kids) vs. No. 4 Britteny Roberts (Gator WC/OCU) No. 2 Adeline Gray (New York AC) vs. No. 3 Christen Paysee (Cumberlands) 72 kg: No. 1 Ali Bernard (Gator WC) vs. No. 4 Kendra Lewis (Lindenwood) No. 2 Iris Smith (U.S. Army) vs. No. 3 Melissa Simmons (Gator WC/OCU)

All times Eastern Thursday, April 7 FILA Junior Greco-Roman Preliminaries through Finals 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Friday, April 8 Women's Freestyle - Championship Tournament - Session I Preliminaries and Consolations 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Greco-Roman - Championship Tournament - Session I Preliminaries and Consolations 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Men's Freestyle - Qualification Tournament - Session I Preliminaries and Consolations 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Men's Freestyle - Qualification Tournament - Session II Preliminaries and Consolations 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Women's Freestyle - Championship Tournament - Session II Quarterfinals and Consolations 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Greco-Roman - Championship Tournament - Session II Quarterfinals and Consolations 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 9 Men's Freestyle - Championship Tournament - Session III Preliminaries, Quarterfinals, and Consolations 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Men's Freestyle - Championship Tournament - Session IV Semifinals, Consolations, 5th Place and 7th Place Matches 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Women's Freestyle - Championship Tournament - Session IV Semifinals, Consolations, 5th Place and 7th Place Matches 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Greco-Roman - Championship Tournament - Session IV Semifinals, Consolations, 5th Place and 7th Place Matches 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Men's Freestyle, Women's Freestyle, & Greco-Roman - Session V Championship Finals, 3rd Place Matches, and Awards 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sunday, April 10 FILA Junior Freestyle - Session I Preliminaries and Consolations 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. FILA Junior Freestyle - Session II Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Consolations, and Medal Round 3:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

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IOWA CITY, Iowa -- A retirement celebration for Dan Gable will be held June 4 at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. The affair will be called “Gable's Gold: A Celebration of Dan Gable's Legacy”. The Hall of Fame coach will be honored with a reception and banquet that is open to the public. Tickets for the reception and sit-down dinner are $50 per person, or $500 for a table of 10, and available through the University of Iowa Athletic Ticket Office. Tickets can be purchased at hawkeyesports.com, over the phone at (319) 335-9323 or (800) IA-HAWKS, or in person at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena West entrance. Ticket office hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To order online, go to hawkeyesports.com and scroll over the tickets option and select “Buy Tickets” from the available options. On the next page you will want to select the group “Gable's Gold: A Celebration of Dan Gable's Legacy”. On the next page you will be able to enter in your ticket quantity and any special requests. Tickets are limited and must be purchased before May 27. The reception is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. with dinner scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and a special program scheduled to follow. Featured speakers include former college and Olympic teammate Ben Peterson; Hawkeye head wrestling coach Tom Brands; former Hawkeye wrestlers Mike DeAnna and Terry Brands; and UI Director of Athletics Gary Barta. Gable is considered, by most, to be the best collegiate wrestling coach in history. He was Iowa's head coach for 21 years and compiled a 355-21-5 record that included 15 national and 21 Big Ten team titles.

KENT, Ohio -- Thursday, April 7, 2011, was declared "Dustin Kilgore Day" according to the city of Kent. An official proclamation was presented to the Kent State junior by Mayor Jerry Fiala Thursday morning at the Bowman Breakfast, held inside the KSU Student Center. The Berea, Ohio native was recently named Mid-American Conference Wrestler of the Year after becoming the first wrestler in Kent State history to win an NCAA title. The 197-pound champion was also the first MAC wrestler since 1999 to win a national title. During the NCAA Championships in Philadelphia, Kilgore broke program records for career victories (135) and wins in a single season (38). He also earned his third consecutive MAC title and became just the second two-time All-American in school history. The Bowman Breakfast, a tradition since 1963, is sponsored by Kent State University and the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce.

NORMAN, Okla. -- The University of Oklahoma wrestling program has created an assistance fund for freshman Ronnie Balfour, who was recently diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Balfour won the state championship last year as a senior at Union High School in Tulsa and was among the nation's top-ranked college recruits. Donations to help the Balfour family pay for medical bills and other costs associated with treatment may be sent to the OU Athletics Department at the address listed below. Please make checks payable to “OU Foundation” with Ronnie Balfour's name listed in the memo line, or call 405-325-8215 to donate by credit card. Mail to: OU Athletic Development McClendon Center for Intercollegiate Athletics 180 W. Brooks Norman, OK 73019

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. -- James Nicholson was named Colonial Athletic Association Wrestler of the Year, the league announced on Tuesday. The voting was conducted by the CAA coaches. Also receiving honors for the Monarchs were Eric Dunnet, Scott Festejo and Tristan Warner, who earned All-Freshman accolades. Nicholson capped his outstanding career with a 35-3 record this season and earned All-America honors for the second time in his career, becoming the first ODU two-time All-American since Buddy Lee, who did it in 1980 and 1982. The Des Moines, Iowa native became the first CAA wrestler to win four-straight conference championships when he won the 125-pound championship this season. Nicholson started the year winning his first 31 matches, going 19-0 in dual matches, recording eight pins, nine major decisions and three technical falls. He finishes his career tied atop ODU's all-time wins list with Chris Brown, as each wrestler has 138 victories. The senior earned the No. 4 seed at the NCAA Championships and started his run with a second period pin over Cal State Bakersfield's Tyler Iwamura. After a second round loss, he fought back to win three-straight matches, all against seeded wrestlers, to clinch All-American honors. Dunnet went 9-4 on the year, taking fifth place at the Hokie Open and second at the Binghamton Open. He had six major decisions on the year. Festejo earned his all-freshman honor at 141 pounds, where he went 8-10 on the season. He delivered two dual meet wins and three major decisions. Warner led all ODU freshman with 18 victories while wrestling at 174 pounds. He notched two pins and three major decisions on the season. He took third at the season opening Hokie Open and second at the Pembroke Classic. 2010-11 CAA All Freshman Team 125: Bubba McGinley, BU 133: Eric Dunnet, ODU 141: Scott Festejo, ODU 149: Zach Clemente, Hofstra 157: Ramon Santiago, Rider 165: Frank Miele, Rider 174: Tristan Warner, ODU 184: John Paris, Binghamton 197: Cody Reed, Binghamton 285: Kevin Innes, BU Coach of the Year Tom Shifflett, Hofstra Wrestler of the Year James Nicholson, ODU Freshman of the Year John Paris, Binghamton

Fight Now USA Presents Takedown Wrestling from our mobile Brute studios brought to you by Kemin Agrifoods LIVE from Missouri! Join Takedown Wrestling Host Scott Casber and a great roster of surprise guests at the Brute adidas Nationals in Independence Missouri. Over 15 hundred young wrestlers and their families will converge on the Independence Events Center in Missouri for a fun filled and action packed weekend. Saturday morning from 9 to 11 we'll talk to the event organizers from Brute and some of those coaching and competing as well. You can Join in from 9 to 11:00 AM this Saturday for Takedown Wrestling at (KXNO.com and I Heart Radio on smart phones) This weeks guests include: 9:01 John Purnell, The Bonomo Twins 9:20 Jeff Bowyer- Dir Sports Marketing Henson Group, Brute Adidas Nationals 9:50 Tyler Barkley- Max Muscle 10:50 Amy Ruble- GM Wildrose Casino and Resort in Clinton Iowa Don't forget For incredible pictures of this years NCAA Championships check out Kevin Schlosser's Buckeye Wrestling Web Site photos at http://www.buckeyewrestling.com/?q=image/tid/1837 Join us LIVE 9 to 11 AM CST for Takedown Wrestling. Listen on radio, on computer, your Blackberry or I Phone with the I Heart Radio App. KXNO.com, Takedownradio.com, I Heart Radio App

Hempstead, NY -- Former Hofstra University Head Wrestling Coach Tom Shifflet, who resigned last month following the Pride's fourth Colonial Athletic Association championship in his five seasons, has been named the 2011 CAA Wrestling Coach of the Year, the CAA announced Tuesday. Shifflet led the Pride to a 14-4-1 regular season dual match record including a 5-1 mark against CAA opposition, the program's ninth CAA title in the past 10 years, and a 26th-place finish at the 2011 NCAA Division I Championships in Philadelphia. In the process, Shifflet and his staff produced four conference champions, seven NCAA qualifiers and two All-Americans in 2011. It is his third CAA Coach of the Year award after earning the honor in 2007 and 2009. In addition to the Coach of the Year award announcement, James Nicholson of Old Dominion University was named the CAA Wrestler of the Year and John Paris of Binghamton University was named the CAA Rookie of the Year, in the vote by the CAA coaches. Nicholson, the CAA Champion, earned All-America honors at the NCAA Division I Championships, placing eighth in the 125 pound weight class. Paris finished runner-up in the CAA Championships at 197 pounds and heads up the CAA All-Rookie Team. Hofstra red-shirt freshman Zach Clemente (Troy, NY), who recorded a 16-14 record including a 3-1 mark in the CAA, was named to the 2011 CAA All-Rookie Team. That team includes 125 Bubba McGinley of Boston University, 133 Eric Dunnett of Old Dominion, 141 Scott Festejo of ODU, 149 Zach Clemente of Hofstra, 157 Ramon Santiago of Rider University, 165 Frank Miele of Rider, 174 Tristan Warner of ODU, 197 Cody Reed of Binghamton and 285 Kevin Innes of Boston University. Coach of the Year: Tom Shifflet - Hofstra Wrestler of the Year: James Nicholson - Old Dominion Freshman of the Year: John Paris - Binghamton 2010-11 CAA All Freshman Team: 125: Bubba McGinley, BU 133: Eric Dunnett, ODU 141: Scott Festejo, ODU 149: Zach Clemente, Hofstra 157: Ramon Santiago, Rider 165: Frank Miele, Rider 174: Tristan Warner, ODU 184: John Paris, Binghamton 197: Cody Reed, Binghamton 285: Kevin Innes, BU

STILLWATER, Okla. -- Seeds have been finalized in men’s freestyle for the U.S. Open, set for Friday and Saturday at Public Hall in Cleveland, Ohio and five wrestlers with Oklahoma State connections are included on the list of seeded wrestlers. At 55 kilograms, Obe Blanc is the No. 1 seed. 2008 NCAA champion Coleman Scott is the No. 5 seed at 60 kilos and current Gator Club assistant Bryce Hasseman is the No. 5 seed at 84 kilos. 2008 All-American Jack Jensen is seeded fourth at 96 kilos and 2005 NCAA champ Steve Mocco is the No. 5 seed at 120 kilos. Additionally, current Cowboys Josh Kindig and Matt White will both compete at the FILA Junior National Championships held as part of the same event. In men’s freestyle, the top eight seeds in each weight class will not compete until Saturday. The committee selected alternates in some of the weight classes. A men’s freestyle qualifying tournament for the U.S. Open will be held on Friday in the freestyle weight classes with 20 or more wrestlers entered. A qualifying tournament will be held at 60 kg/132 lbs., 66 kg/145.5 lbs., 74 kg/163 lbs. and 84 kg/185 lbs. The top eight finishers in the men’s freestyle qualifying tournament will join the top eight seeds in the final day of the U.S. Open on Saturday. A qualifying tournament will not be held at 55 kg/121 lbs., 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and 120 kg/264.5 lbs. since fewer than 20 wrestlers were entered in those divisions. All wrestlers in those three weight classes will compete only on Saturday. The top seven finishers in each weight class from all three styles at the U.S. Open will qualify for June’s U.S. World Team Trials in Oklahoma City.

The 2011 U.S. Open gets underway on Friday in Cleveland, Ohio. Several collegiate wrestlers are entered in the freestyle competition, including two NCAA Division I champions and six NCAA Division I All-Americans. Last year Andrew Howe captured a U.S. Open title after his sophomore season at Wisconsin. Howe, a three-time All-American, will not compete at this year's U.S. Open, but is expected to wrestle at the U.S. World Team Trials in June. The 2010 U.S. Open saw 13 collegiate wrestlers place. Which collegiate wrestlers will shine this year at the U.S. Open? Below is a list of 10 collegiate wrestlers who could make an impact this weekend at the U.S. Open in Cleveland. Two-time NCAA champion Jordan Burroughs is the No. 5 seed (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Jordan Burroughs College: Nebraska Weight Class: 74 kg Outlook: Burroughs is coming off a dominant collegiate season. He went 36-0 and finished his collegiate wrestling career with his second NCAA title. Burroughs also won the Dan Hodge Trophy and was voted InterMat Wrestler of the Year. Expectations are very high for Burroughs in freestyle. Many believe he is the future for the U.S. in this weight class ... and some believe that future is now. He possess a rare combination of speed, power, and athleticism. As a collegiate competitor, Burroughs had wins over Andrew Howe, a 2010 U.S. Open champion, and Dustin Schlatter, a 2009 U.S. World Team Trials champion. Burroughs, the fifth seed, will have to navigate through a field that includes U.S. World Team members Schlatter and Trent Paulson. Dom Bradley College: Missouri Weight Class: 120 kg Outlook: Bradley finally cracked the Mizzou lineup for the postseason as a junior, after sitting behind NCAA champion Mark Ellis the previous two seasons, and finished third at the NCAAs. Bradley was a 2009 Junior World champion in freestyle. He has fared well on the senior level and is a member of the U.S. National Team. He has finished third at the U.S. World Team Trials the past two years. Last year he notched a victory over past U.S. World Team member Tommy Rowlands. Bradley, the third seed, is competing in a heavyweight class this is loaded with talent. It includes four past U.S. World or Olympic Team members. 2011 NCAA champion Dustin Kilgore is the No. 8 seed (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Dustin Kilgore College: Kent State Weight Class: 96 kg Outlook: "Killer" became Kent State's first NCAA champion in wrestling last month by winning the crown at 197 pounds with a pin over then-undefeated Clayton Foster of Oklahoma State. Kilgore has been successful in age group events throughout his career ... and last year he began making waves on the senior level by placing fourth at the U.S. World Team Trials. Kilgore grew up just outside Cleveland in Berea, Ohio, so having the U.S. Open in Cleveland might prove to be an advantage for him. He comes in as the No. 8 seed and will likely see 2009 U.S. World Team member Jake Varner in the quarterfinals. Sonny Yohn College: Minnesota Weight Class: 96 kg Outlook: Yohn earned his second straight All-American honor at Minnesota this past season by placing seventh at 197 pounds. He has a strong freestyle pedigree with success in age group events and on the senior level. Yohn placed fifth at the 2010 University World Championships last October in Turin, Italy. He was also fifth at the U.S. Open a year ago. If that's not enough fifths ... Yohn is the fifth seed at 96 kg. Jarod Trice is a two-time All-American at Central Michigan (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Jarod Trice College: Central Michigan Weight Class: 120 kg Outlook: "Doughboy" became a two-time All-American (with one season remaining) by placing fourth at the NCAAs last month. He has been very successful in age group events in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. Trice was a University Nationals double champion last spring. He competed at the 2010 University World Championships in Greco-Roman and placed eighth. if the seeds hold true at 120 kg, Trice, the seventh seed, will face 2009 World bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev in the quarterfinals. Ryan Tomei College: Pittsburgh Weight Class: 120 kg Outlook: Tomei was the sixth-seeded heavyweight at the NCAAs last month, but was upset in the opening round. He came back to win two matches in the consolation bracket, but fell short of All-American honors. Tomei placed fifth at the U.S. Open in 2009. He earned the eighth seed at 120 kg. Mario Mason College: Rutgers Weight Class: 66 kg Outlook: Mason, a two-time NCAA qualifier, was ranked in the top 10 most of the season, even climbing to as high as third in the nation at 149 pounds. He entered the NCAAs as the No. 7 seed, but failed to earn All-American honors, going 2-2 and losing in the round of 12. Mason is a freestyle-first wrestler. He not only enjoys it more, but his style is better suited for freestyle than collegiate wrestling. He was inactive last spring, but in 2009 competed in both the U.S. World Team Trials and the FILA Junior World Team Trials. He went 1-2 at the U.S. World Teams Trials, but opened some eyes at that event by wrestling a competitive match against 2008 U.S. Olympian Dough Schwab. He was runner-up to Jason Chamberlain at the 2009 FILA Junior World Team Trials. Mason is unseeded at 66 kg. Frank Perrelli College: Cornell Weight Class: 55 kg Outlook: Perrelli had a strong season at Cornell, winning over 30 matches, but had a disappointing NCAAs, going 1-2 at 125 pounds. He was a University Nationals champion last spring, which qualified him for the 2010 U.S. World Team Trials, but chose not to compete. Perrelli is seeded eighth at 55 kg. Chris Honeycutt earned All-Americans honors at 184 (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Chris Honeycutt College: Edinboro Weight Class: 84 kg Outlook: Honeycutt entered the NCAAs last month undefeated and as the top seed at 184 pounds. He wound up placing fifth to earn his first All-American honor. Honeycutt has been successful in freestyle age group events (fourth at the 2008 FILA Junior Nationals), but is still looking to make his mark on the senior level. P.J. Gillespie College: Hofstra Weight Class: 74 kg Outlook: Gillespie, a junior, earned his first All-American honor by placing eighth at 165 pounds after entering the NCAAs unseeded. He was a fifth-place finisher at University Nationals in freestyle in 2008. Gillespie is unseeded at 74 kg. Other collegiate wrestlers to watch at the U.S. Open: Jarrod Garnett (60 kg), Erik Spjut (60 kg), Billy Ashnault (66 kg), Frank Hickman (74 kg), Jake Salazar (74 kg), Nick Heflin (84 kg), C.J. Magrum (84 kg), Blake Rosholt (96 kg), Elijah Madison (120 kg), and Mike McClure (120 kg).

OREM, Utah -- As voted by its coaches, the Western Wrestling Conference has announced postseason award winners for the 2010-11 season. Utah Valley senior 125-pounder Ben Kjar was named WWC Wrestler of Year, 184-pound Northern Iowa redshirt freshman Ryan Loder was the unanimous WWC Freshman of the Year and Wyoming head man Mark Branch was chosen by his peers as the WWC Coach of the Year. The Wrestler of the Year and Freshman of the Year awards were voted on by the league's head coaches this past week, while the Coach of the Year balloting was determined after the West Regional Tournament. Wrestler of the Year: Ben Kjar (Utah Valley), 125 lbs., Sr., Centerville, Utah (Viewmont HS) Following up on a dominant career at UVU, Kjar became the underdog story of the NCAA Championships as he went from unseeded to place fourth at the 2011 NCAA Championships in Philadelphia. With the placement Kjar became Utah Valley's first-ever All-American. On his way through the bracket, he upset No. 4 seed James Nicholson (Old Dominion), No. 5 seed Zachary Sanders (Minnesota) and No. 7 seed Ryan Mango (Stanford) at Nationals. Kjar also found himself in the semifinals against the No. 1 seed and eventual champion Anthony Robles (Arizona State) and Kjar gave his undefeated opponent his closest match of the season at 4-2. At the West Regional the No. 2 seeded Kjar was upset in his first bout of the tournament and almost didn't even make it to Nationals as he had to wrestle all the way back to earn his qualifying spot. Kjar did just that however as he went on to win his next four matches in a row. He finished the season with a 30-8 overall record. Kjar also posted an 8-1 dual mark and also went a solid 11-2 versus WWC opponents on the year. Kjar was ranked No. 11 in the final NCAA Coaches Rankings at 125 pounds and was No. 8 in the final RPI. He was named the WWC Wrestler of the Week on Jan. 5 after he placed third at the Southern Scuffle with a 5-1 record. Kjar won the Cowboy Open, placed second at the Kaufman-Brand Open and seventh at the prestigious Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. He will leave UVU as its most winningest wrestler in school history as he's compiled a career 129-35 mark. He was also recently named the 2010-11 D1CollegeWrestling.net WWC Wrestler of the Year. Freshman of the Year: Ryan Loder (Northern Iowa), 184 lbs., RFr., Granite Bay, Calif. (Granite Bay HS) Loder was the Panthers' standout performer during the 2010-11 season, finishing as the West Regional champion at 184 pounds to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships. In the finals of the regional tournament, Loder defeated now three-time All-American and No. 1 seed Joe LeBlanc (Wyoming) 4-3 to win his first regional crown. Loder entered the NCAA championships as the No. 6 seed and advanced to the round of 12 before bowing out to eventual All-American and No. 4 seeded Travis Rutt (Wisconsin) by a narrow 4-2 margin. He finished the season with a 30-11 overall record, which lead UNI in wins. Loder also finished his Western Wrestling Conference dual season with a 4-1 record, falling only to Wyoming's LeBlanc by a narrow 6-5 margin. He also won 23 of his last 28 matches, including a string of 12 straight wins that included victories over six ranked opponents. A three-time WWC Wrestler of the Week, Loder recorded six wins by fall, six by major decisions and three by technical falls while having none of those verdicts scored against him. Loder placed fifth at the prestigious Midlands Championships and posted three consecutive wins over ranked opponents during the 2011 National Duals, upsetting No. 12 Mike Larson (Missouri), 3-1, Ohio State's No. 20-ranked Cody Magrum, 6-4, and No. 11 Chris Perry (Oklahoma State), 8-2. He was also recently named the 2010-11 D1CollegeWrestling.net West WWC Freshman of the Year. Coach of the Year: Mark Branch (Wyoming) Branch, who just completed his third season as the Cowboys' head coach, was named the 2010-11 WWC Coach of the Year. The honor is Branch's second during his tenure at Wyoming, as he was previously named the Coach of the Year following his first season, 2008-09. Branch led his team to their second consecutive West Regional/WWC Tournament Championship as his Cowboys led the way at the qualifying tournament with 93 points, finishing six points ahead of UNI who placed second. He also led Wyoming to a second place WWC regular season finish with a 5-1 dual record in league matches. He also helped Wyoming qualify six wrestlers to the NCAA Championships -- three more than any other school in the conference -- and coached two more All-Americans as 165-pounder Shane Onufer placed fifth and 184-pounder Joe LeBlanc finished sixth at the championships. The Western Wrestling Conference is comprised of seven schools including the Air Force Academy, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Utah Valley and Wyoming. The conference formed in April 2006.

Joe Tiboni, Jack Childs, and Bill Zadick will go “On the Mat” this Wednesday, April 6. “On the Mat" is a presentation of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. The show can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa each Wednesday from 5:00 - 6:00 PM CST on AM 1650, The Fan. An archive of the broadcast is available on USA Wrestling's website www.themat.com. E-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with any questions or comments about the show. Tiboni co-wrote the recently released wrestling movie “Win Win.” The movie, which has received extremely positive reviews and was featured at the Sundance Film Festival, stars Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, and Bobby Cannavale. Tiboni wrestled for four years at New Providence High School in New Jersey. Childs recently retired as the head wrestling coach at Drexel after serving 35 years in the position. His 510 dual meet wins was the most among all active Division I wrestling coaches. He coached two All-Americans during his tenure. Zadick currently serves as the developmental freestyle wrestling coach as USA Wrestling. He was a 2006 World champion and a 1996 NCAA champion for the University of Iowa. Zadick will be inducted into the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa on Saturday, April 16.