InterMat Staff

LARAMIE, Wyo. -- Wyoming Cowboy sophomore wrestler Joe LeBlanc added another award on Thursday to his quickly-growing collection of hardware, when he was named by the Western Wrestling Conference as its' Wrestler of the Year. The fourth-year league announced its' postseason award winners and LeBlanc received six of seven first-place votes, 20 total points, from WWC head coaches. Northern Colorado's All-American Justin Gaethje received the other first-place vote (13 points) and was runner-up in the voting. Following up on a dominant regular season, LeBlanc (Meeker, Colo.) placed fourth at the 2010 NCAA Championships and earned All-American distinction at 184 pounds for the second straight year. On his way through the bracket, he upset No. 2 seed John Dergo (Illinois) and No. 5 seed Clayton Foster (Oklahoma State) at Nationals. LeBlanc finished three spots higher than his seed at the national tournament and improved on his NCAA finish from last year, after placing fifth in 2009. Now the two-time West Regional champion at 184 pounds, LeBlanc led the `Pokes to the 2010 West Regional team title, as well as the 2010 WWC Regular Season Dual team title. His 2009-10 overall record was 39-6 with 28 bonus point margins. Twelve of his wins came by fall, 12 by way of technical fall and four by major decision. He earned a team-best 69 points this past season in 15 duals, an average of 4.6. LeBlanc tied for No. 6 in the final NCAA Coaches Rankings at 184 pounds and was No. 7 in the final RPI. He placed first (Elite) at the 2009 Cowboy Open, second at the 2009 Body Bar Classic, third at 2009 Las Vegas Invitational and third at the 2009 Reno Tournament of Champions. His career record is now 84-14 with 19 pins, 18 major decisions and 17 technical falls. LeBlanc has not lost a WWC match-up in his two-year career (13-0, including West Regional results). He was the WWC Freshman of the Year in 2008-09 and was recently named the 2009-10 DICollegeWrestling.net West Region Wrestler of the Year. Other awards announced by the WWC on Thursday included Cole VonOhlen (Air Force) as Freshman of the Year and Brad Penrith (Northern Iowa) as 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. 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.

IOWA CITY, IA -- Iowa's three NCAA wrestling champions -- seniors Brent Metcalf and Jay Borschel, and redshirt freshman Matt McDonough -- have been named winners of the Mike Howard Most Valuable Wrestler Award for the 2009-10 season. Iowa's 2009-10 team awards were announced at an awards banquet Saturday. Photo/Iowa Sports InformationThe awards gave the Hawkeyes a chance to reflect on another successful season. Iowa won its 23rd NCAA and 34th Big Ten titles while crowning three NCAA champions, eight all-Americans and two Big Ten champions. The team was undefeated at 23-0 in dual competition, marking the 13th perfect season in school history. Iowa was also 11-0 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena and 8-0 in Big Ten duals, winning its third-straight conference regular season title. Iowa won the 2009 Midlands and 2010 NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals Division I team titles, ending the season on a 61 dual-match winning streak and shutting out eight opponents -- both of which are school records. Metcalf was a two-time NCAA and Big Ten Champion and three-time all-American at 149 pounds with a 108-3 record in three years at Iowa. In 2008, he earned the Dan Hodge Trophy, which is annually presented to the nation's top collegiate wrestler, and the Jesse Owen Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year Award. His 47 career pins rank seventh in school history, and his career winning percentage (.973) ranks second. He posted a 68-1 career dual record, going 24-0 in Big Ten duals and scoring 346 team points in dual competition. The Davison, MI, native is one of four wrestlers in conference history to be named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week five times during their collegiate careers. He was also a two-time (2008-09) Big Ten Championships Outstanding Wrestler, 2008 Big Ten Wrestler of the Year, 2008 NCAA Division I Championships Outstanding Wrestler and 2009 NWCA/Cliff Keen Division I National Duals Outstanding Wrestler. Metcalf is a three-time academic all-Big Ten honoree and Dean's list student, earning a spot on the NWCA Division I all-academic team twice. He also earned the team award for most pins in a season for the second-straight year, sticking 16 opponents in 2009-10. Borschel won his first NCAA title last month, and is one of 19 Iowa wrestlers, in school history, to post an undefeated season record (37-0). He ends his three-year Iowa career with a 98-10 record, winning the 2010 Big Ten and 2009 Midlands titles at 174. The Marion, IA, native is a two-time all-American, three-time NCAA qualifier and three-time Big Ten and Midlands placewinner. Borschel went 62-3 in dual matches and 21-1 in Big Ten duals, scoring 265 team points in dual competition. He led the team in collegiate wins (37), dual wins (23), collegiate and dual winning percentage (1.000) and fastest fall (0:13) this season. Borschel is a three-time academic all-Big Ten selection, earning a spot on the NWCA Division I all-academic team in 2008 and the Dean's List in 2009. He was also named Division I Outstanding Wrestler at the 2010 NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals. McDonough ended the season with a 37-1 record at 125, earning his first NCAA title and all-America honor. He was undefeated at 23-0 and scored 104 team points in dual competition. The 2010 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, 2009 Midlands champion and conference runner-up at 125, McDonough scored bonus points in 28 of his 37 wins. He led the Hawkeyes in major decisions (15), collegiate wins (37), dual wins (23) and dual winning percentage (1.000). The Marion, IA, native also earned the team's John and Dorothy Sill Award, which is presented to the most dedicated wrestler, on and off the mat. The five other Hawkeyes to earn the team's All-America Award were seniors Daniel Dennis, Ryan Morningstar, Phillip Keddy and Dan Erekson, and sophomore Montell Marion. Marion also earned the team's Most Improved Award. Morningstar and senior Chad Beatty shared the Mike J. McGivern Award, which is given to the most courageous wrestler. Dennis ended his four-year Hawkeye career (2006-10) as a two-time all-American and NCAA qualifier with a 69-28 career record at 133 pounds. A two-time Big Ten and Midlands placewinner, the Ingleside, IL, native posted a 44-15 dual record, which includes a 20-2 mark in 2008-09 and a 16-2 record this season. Morningstar ended his Hawkeye career with a 110-40 record that spans four seasons between 157 and 165 pounds (2007-10). He posted a 65-22 career dual record, scoring 231 team points in dual competition. The Lisbon, IA, native is two-time all-American and four-time NCAA qualifier, Big Ten and Midlands placewinner for the Hawkeyes. He started 86 duals in his four-year career and wrestled 25 overtime matches. Keddy finished his four years in an Iowa singlet with a 102-42 record at 184 pounds (2007-10). A three-time all-American, Keddy is a four-time NCAA qualifier, four-time Big Ten and three-time Midlands placewinner. The Vernal, UT, native posted a career dual record of 64-20, including a 23-1 mark last season. He started 84 duals for the Hawkeyes, scoring 256 team points in dual competition. A two-time Big Ten champion and all-American, Erekson ended his Hawkeye career with a 69-37 record at 197 pounds and heavyweight (2006-10). He qualified for the NCAA Championships three times. The Eagle, ID, native started 53 duals for the Hawkeyes, scoring 145 team points in dual competition and pinning 28 opponents. Marion posted a 27-6 record in his first full season in the varsity lineup, earning his first all-America honor. The Des Moines, IA, native has a 37-9 career record and posted an 11-3 dual record this year, going 6-2 in Big Ten duals. Beatty ended his four-year Hawkeye career with a 50-25 record, wrestling between 174 and 197 pounds. He was 17-5 this season, making his second appearance at the NCAA Championships. A two-time Big Ten placewinner from Wilton, IA, Beatty placed third at the 2009 Midlands Championships. Hawkeye senior Dan LeClere was named the J. Donald McPike, Sr., Award winner, which is given annually to the senior with the highest grade-point average. A three-time academic all-Big Ten selection, LeClere is an interdepartmental studies major who was named to the Dean's list in 2007 and the NWCA Division I all-academic team in 2008. The Coggon, IA, native posted a 38-15 career mark in three seasons at 141. He won the 2007 Midlands title and placed fifth at the 2007 Big Ten Championships to earn an automatic NCAA bid. LeClere went 25-8 in dual competition and posted a 10-2 mark at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. 2009-10 University of Iowa Wrestling Team Awards: Mike Howard Award (Most Valuable): Matt McDonough, Brent Metcalf, Jay Borschel Mike McGivern Award (Most Courageous): Ryan Morningstar, Chad Beatty J. Donald McPike, Sr. Award (Highest GPA for graduating senior): Dan LeClere John & Dorothy Sill Award (Most Dedicated Wrestler On & Off The Mat): Matt McDonough All-America Award: Daniel Dennis, Montell Marion, Ryan Morningstar, Phillip Keddy, Dan Erekson Most Pins Award: Brent Metcalf (16) Most Improved Award: Montell Marion

LARAMIE, Wyo. -- Air Force rookie Cole VonOhlen was honored by the Western Wrestling Conference, as it announced its 2009-10 postseason award winners on Thursday. VonOhlen was the unanimous pick as the Freshman of the Year, while Wyoming’s Joe LeBlanc and Northern Iowa’s Brad Penrith were named WWC Wrestler of the Year and Coach of the Year, respectively. 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 NCAA West Regional. VonOhlen, a native of Jackson, Minn., was the Falcons’ standout performer during the 2009-10 season, finishing as the West Regional runner-up at 141 pounds to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships. He concluded the season with a 31-9 overall record (.775 winning percentage), including a 13-2 dual mark and 5-1 record in WWC duals. He recorded a team-best 12 falls on the year, along with six major decisions and a technical fall. VonOhlen posted six wins over NCAA qualifiers, including a 17-2 technical fall over Cal State Fullerton’s Adin Duenas (ranked 11th at the end of the regular season) and a 10-0 decision against Cal State Bakersfield’s Elijah Nacita (ranked 13th). Meanwhile, eight of his nine losses came by decision, and all came against NCAA qualifiers (including one to NCAA Division II runner-up Mario Morgan of UNO). His lone major decision loss was a 12-4 victory by All-American Mike Thorn of Minnesota. VonOhlen began his freshman campaign with an individual title in the Elite Division of the Cowboy Open and placed sixth at the Kaufman-Brand Open after suffering an injury during the meet. He also secured a fifth-place finish at the prestigious Southern Scuffle, while winning the 141-lb. title at the All-Academy Championships, recording three falls in as many matches. A two-time WWC Wrestler of the Week, VonOhlen became the first Air Force freshman to qualify for the national tournament since 2005, as well as the first Falcon to reach 30 wins in a single season since 2005. He was recently named the 2009-10 DICollegeWrestling.net West Region Freshman of the Year. LeBlanc, the WWC Freshman of the Year in 2009, earned WWC Wrestler of the Year honors after earning All-America distinction at 184 pounds for the second-straight year. A two-time West Regional champion, LeBlanc placed fourth at the 2010 NCAA Championships and finished his season with a 39-6 overall record. Meanwhile, Penrith was named WWC Coach of the Year for the second time in four years after guiding the Panthers to a second-place finish at the NCAA West Regional.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- One of the most interesting aspects of being behind the scenes at a major wrestling tournament is seeing the raw emotion that goes on after matches in the arena concourse and in the locker rooms and warm up areas. Such was the case on Friday on the opening day of competition at the 2010 Brute adidas Nationals at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. The eighth annual event opened with competition in first through eighth grades. And while these are only young boys and girls wrestling, their determination and desire was as great as any wrestler who competes at the high school, collegiate or international level. For those who won, there were congratulatory handshakes and pats on the back, such as the case for 10-year-old Hunter Balk of Missouri. Balk went undefeated on the day and advanced to the fourth grade 70-pound finals, where he will compete for a national championship Sunday. After his win, he walked the concourse with his father and talked on the phone to another family member, sharing the good news. To say Balk was excited about his fantastic day would be an understatement. "On a scale of 1 to 10, I would say this feeling is a 10," said Balk. He has trained with Olympian Ken Chertow at his camps and clinics and trains regularly with the Victory Wrestling Club out of Missouri. "I have great workout partners that I practice with at Victory and that helps me prepare for this." Balk, who placed eighth last year to earn All-American honors in third grade at 65 pounds, is not nervous to be in the finals this year. "I wrestle against some great competition at Victory and that prepares me for a national tournament like this. I am looking forward to wrestling Sunday." While wrestlers like Balk were on a high from their success, there were others who were on the opposite end of the spectrum, such as 14-year-old Brooke Olesen who competed for the Bonner Braves wrestling club of Basehor, Kansas. There were no celebratory calls for her, but there was some sadness as Olesen lost her first two matches and was eliminated from the tournament. Despite the tough day, Olesen was excited about her chance to compete at the Brute adidas Nationals and knows it's a great opportunity to continue to improve as a wrestler. "This tournament is a lot of fun, but it's a challenge because there are some tough wrestlers here," she said. Olesen didn't mind being one of the few girls competing against the boys. In fact, it's something she is used to, and actually enjoys. "The guys are definitely harder to wrestle than the girls," says Olesen. "But I think it's more fun, the guys give me better competition. A lot of them doubt me and think I am going to just fall on my back because I am a girl but I show them different when I am out there." Olesen said she started wrestling over three years ago after following the sport because her brother wrestled. "I tried it and practiced and never wanted to quit. I just kept going and always wanted to be on the mat." Olesen enjoys wrestling so much she hopes to get a scholarship to compete in college someday, in fact, she even knows where she would like to go -- Oklahoma City University. "I took second in a tournament out there last weekend and have to just keep working hard," said Olesen. And despite the losses, she planned to do just that. She was going to wrestle some challenge matches in the FanFest area. That gives kids who have lost a chance to get more matches with officials monitoring the match. "The more I wrestle the better I will get," says Olesen. That was the attitude of many of the competitors on this day. While the goal for many was to make it to Sunday's round and/or become an All-American, the chance to see national competition and different styles of wrestling is what brought them to Kansas City to compete in this event. That was the case with the group of six kids who came down to this event from Willmar, Minnesota, said Frank Swoyer. "We are from Kansas originally, but moved up to Willmar," said Swoyer. "I knew this was a great tournament so I wanted to get some kids from our area to come down here and compete. We came last year too and it's really a great event. What I like is the competition, and the fact the boys get to see wrestlers from throughout the Midwest and throughout the country." For many, it can be eye-opening competing in a big arena in a big environment at a prestigious national tournament like this. But Swoyer had a motivational tactic he hopes helped his Willmar wrestlers. "It can be challenging for kids not used to this kind of environment," said Swoyer. "But I told the kids the mat you wrestle on here is the same size as the mat your wrestle on back home. The competition may be better here, but that will make you better and that's why we come. In fact, I'd love to see more Minnesota kids come down here, it's a great tournament." The chance to compete against kids from different states is what drove a large contingent of wrestlers from Arkansas to the Brute adidas Nationals. Pat Smith, who became the first four-time Division I NCAA champion in history and is one of only two to ever achieve the feat (Cael Sanderson is the other), has set up a training academy in Arkansas and led a number of youth wrestlers to Kansas City. One Arkansas boy competing was Justin Butler, 14, who competed in the eighth grade division at 104 pounds for the Maumelle MatHogs of Little Rock. He faced wrestlers from Oklahoma and Colorado on this day, and was pleased with the opportunity. "I really enjoy the competition, it's fun to get to learn from wrestlers from different states and to see what they do or how they wrestle," said Butler. The kids have fun with the event too. Many were sporting freshly cut Mohawks (Vote for your favorite Mohawak) and others dyed their hair for the event, such as 12-year-old Hunter Howerton of Holton, Kansas. He dyed his hair pink for the event, and seemed to enjoy the camaraderie of being with other teammates who dyed their hair other colors. His teammates dyed their hair such colors as green and orange. "We just thought it would be fun to do," said Holton, who described himself as a fan of the Iowa and Cornell college programs. "This is a tournament where we like to have fun. I like this big tournament and meeting kids from all over the country. We want to win but we have fun doing it." For many of the wrestlers and their families, the tournament also gave them some time to hang out with family and friends. Those who competed today and advance won't compete again until Sunday. On Saturday, the ninth through 12th graders will compete, while the younger wrestlers will get a day off. When it was all said and done on Saturday the emotions were in check for many. Those who won were excited to still be competing and those who lost had gotten over the defeat. "I'm bummed I lost but there will be another tournament," said Olesen. For a wrestler like Balk, he wasn't going to be nervous waiting over a day for his finals match. In fact, he was looking forward to the free time before then. "We're just going to hang out and have fun," he said. "That's what I say, just have fun."

Two-time state champion Zak Coates of Henry Sibley has verbally committed to compete for Southwest Minnesota State next season. He won the 171-pound Class AAA title this year and the 160-pound title as a Junior. He also placed fourth at 145 pounds as a sophomore. Coates had a senior season record of 39-2. He ended his high school career with a record of 182-40. He recently won the 160-pound title at the first-ever FloNationals Tournament. Zak's high school coach is Wayne Beaman.

After three very successful years as the NWCA Coaching Development Coordinator, Neil Turner is resigning his position effective April 1 to turn his focus back to MatTown USA. During Turner’s tenure, the NWCA developed a comprehensive list of online coaching development courses for the high school and youth level. Turner was instrumental in the development of the NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching course. This course was a collaborative effort between the NWCA and NFHS and is now an integral part of the NFHS coaching certification program. In addition, Turner also helped oversee the development of the following NWCA online courses designed to grow the number of wrestlers, coaches, and wrestling teams at every level: - Reducing Risk and Liability of in Wrestling - Best Practices for the Recruitment and Retention of wrestlers ages 6-18 - Scholastic Coaches Resource Manual - NWCA Coaches Corner Technique Library In addition, Turner also took on the oversight of the NWCA State Chairman Program, working with an NWCA Representative in each of the states that sponsors high school wrestling. Turner greatly enhanced improving relationships throughout these states and making the State Chairman Program an organized and resourceful group. Turner is now going to turn his attention back to his life-long passion of growing Mat Town USA in to a premier wrestling center for youth wrestlers in the mid Pennsylvania region. “Few, if any people in the wrestling community have Coach Turner’s breadth of wrestling knowledge from the youth level through the collegiate level,” said executive director of the NWCA Mike Moyer. “Neil fully grasps the educationally based athletics philosophy and has lived by these principles while coaching at the NCAA Division I, III, high school, and youth levels. We will certainly miss him in his everyday role as Director of Coaching Development, but fortunately, we can continue to benefit from the knowledge and wisdom he will undoubtedly continue to share with our association,” said NWCA President, Jim Beichner. The NWCA Board of Directors and Staff wish Coach Turner the best of luck in his future endeavors at Mat Town USA.

AMES, Iowa -- Jake Varner and David Zabriskie, NCAA wrestling champions at 197 pounds and heavyweight at the 2010 NCAA Championships , were named Iowa State’s Outstanding Wrestlers Thursday evening at the ISU Wrestling Awards Banquet held in Hickory Hall. Honored alongside the two Cyclone seniors for achieving All-America status was 125-pound redshirt freshman Andrew Long. Iowa State placed third nationally for the second-straight year. Varner, a two-time NCAA titlist at 197 pounds and four-time finalist, received the Most Falls Award. The Bakersfield, Calif., native stuck 10 opponents in his final Cyclone campaign. Varner concluded his standout career with a 121-10 record. Zabriskie, Iowa State’s first heavyweight national champion since the legendary Chris Taylor, went 116-22 in his career. Long was named the squad’s Freshman of the Year. The Creston, Iowa, native notched a 27-7 record en route to his national runner-up finish. Long also garnered the Progress Award, given to the ISU wrestler who makes the most strides individually throughout the season. For the fourth time in his career, ISU’s Nick Fanthorpe garnered the Total Commitment Award. Fanthorpe capped his career with a 2-2 mark at the NCAA Championships to bring his career record to 100-32. The Naperville, Ill., native is the 35th member of ISU’s “100-Win Club.” Fanthorpe, along with fellow senior teammate Joe Curran were honored with the Outstanding Academic Award, which is given to the two wrestlers with the highest grade-point average. Additional academic recognition was given to Curran, Fanthorpe, Mitch Mueller and Kyle Simonson. Fanthorpe and Mueller were Big 12 All-Academic first team members. Mueller notched the Most Improved Award after going 27-9 for the best mark in his ISU career. Mueller was knocked out of contention in this season’s NCAA Championships just one win shy of All-America status. The Dr. Wise Burroughs Leadership Award, given to the wrestler who demonstrates the most leadership on the team, was received by two-time All-American Jon Reader. The Davison, Mich., native also notched the Most Takedowns Award.

Great 8: Now its eighth year, the Brute adidas Nationals continue to be a showcase of youth wrestling talent from across the country. But the tournament does more than give wrestling fans a glimpse of future stars, it also helps give back to the sport. Find out how by reading the preview below. The first annual Brute adidas Nationals was held in Lincoln, Nebraska in 2003. The second annual event was held in 2004. At that tournament, a young man by the name of Henry Cejudo finished second in the sophomore division, losing to Ben Ashmore of Texas. It's now 2010 and the Brute adidas Nationals is in its eighth year. This year's event takes place April 2-4 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, MO. Nearly 1,500 wrestlers in grades 1 through 12 from over 40 states are expected to compete in a folkstyle event for a chance to be crowned a national champion or for a chance to earn All-American honors. In attendance at this year's event will be Cejudo, who has added a few impressive credentials to his resume since that loss in 2003, none bigger than a 2008 Olympic Gold Medal in freestyle wrestling. He returns to the Brute adidas Nationals, where he will be on hand to sign autographs and meet with the wrestlers, coaches and fans, as a prime example of what hard work and determination can lead to. He's not just a wrestler, but an inspiration to young athletes across the country who have dreams, hopes and aspirations to be the best they can be. "Henry provides an inspiration to wrestlers at all levels with his story and real life experience," says Jeff Bowyer, Tournament Director for the Brute adidas Nationals. "Henry works well with the kids and is young enough to be able to relate to what they are experiencing and what they're going through. Henry is extremely successful at getting his message across to the kids." That message is Follow your Dreams and Never Give Up. A perfect example of a wrestler following his dreams -- and not giving up -- is Tanner Madl of Kansas. A few weeks ago Madl wasn't sure he was going to be able to participate this weekend because of a broken foot. But late last week he got clearance from the doctor and will be able to compete. Now Madl, the 2009 5th grade Most Outstanding Wrestler and a three-time Brute adidas Nationals champion, will be able to attempt to win a fourth title. "We love this tournament and Tanner is pumped to get on the mat again," says Perry Madl, Tanner's father. "We can't wait to get back and compete against some great wrestlers and be involved with the many great people who come to this tournament from across the country." Then there are clubs and teams that make the trip to Kansas City, banded together like family, like the group of 15 kids from Allen, Texas. These team members are part of the 2010 Texas UIL state tournament championship team and the Texas Dual State champions. The coach of this group is Jerry Best, a four-time Oklahoma high school state champion, a three-time Division II champion, an Espoir National freestyle champion, and former coach at the University of Central Oklahoma. Among this group from Allen are two Texas high school state champions and a Fargo cadet national champion. Best has helped build the Allen program into one of the most successful in Texas and helped turn the community into a wrestling hot bed. In addition to the individuals and clubs from throughout the country, this tournament has also attracted competitors from other countries. This year is no different, as the nephew of the President of Honduras will be competing in the event. Those types of individuals and types of teams will be a part of what is sure to be another great Brute adidas Nationals event this weekend, says Andrew Hipps, senior editor of InterMat, which will be providing coverage of the event throughout the weekend. "The competition on the mat will be intense because so many wrestlers from across the country will be working hard to achieve their goals," says Hipps. "It's great to see so many dedicated wrestlers, coaches and fans in one arena, giving it their all. Watching these kids participate in a sport they love and seeing how determined they are is something any true fan will cherish." B.A.N. Provides Support Off The Mat Scott Casber of Takedown Radio (takedownradio.com) will broadcast the event live, and is excited to see some of America's future stars compete. "The Brute adidas Nationals is one of the premier wrestling events in the country," says Casber, who will be filming a future Takedown Radio TV show Saturday morning from the arena. "It's an opportunity for wrestlers and families from across the country to come together under one arena to compete, but also to help the sport of wrestling grow and prosper." What Casber was referring to was the off the mat support the tournament provides. In addition to a free FanFest, highlighted by Cejudo autograph sessions and also featuring wrestling vendors and suppliers, as well as free educational seminars and clinics for parents, wrestlers and fans, the Brute adidas Nationals helps give back to the sport of wrestling. Profits from this event are used to grow wrestling all levels throughout the country and used to assist youth, high school and college programs. For example, in 2009 B.A.N. funds helped provide uniforms and apparel for teams from Maryvale High School, Buford Middle School and the Forest City Little Indians wrestling club. In 2008 B.A.N. funds assisted in helping West Chester University purchase a new wrestling mat. In 2007 B.A.N. funds helped two Arkansas high schools purchase mats to start a new program. In 2004, funds helped assist New Mexico Highlands with start up costs for funding a new wrestling program. Since 2003 the tournament has helped give back $50,000 to wrestling programs at all levels. In addition, many wrestling clubs utilize this event as a fundraiser for their clubs and programs by providing 175 volunteers necessary to run the weekend event. A donation for their services is made to their club from the R.E.A.C.H.E.S. (Rewarding Educational Athletic Choices Helping Each Sport) program, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2007 in an effort to promote, protect and preserve amateur athletics in its truest form. R.E.A.C.H.E.S. provides athletic opportunities to athletes of all ages and abilities in a unique environment with the profits of each event earmarked for specific needs in that sport (get more information at www.reachessports.org). On the Mat The top eight place finishers from each division in each weight class will receive awards and Brute All-American certificates. The top two wrestlers in each weight class will receive a free custom designed Brute singlet to wear for the finals. Each finalist's coach will receive a free Adidas coaching shirt to wear for the finals. In addition, an "Outstanding Wrestler" award will be presented to each grade (1-12). The format will be a traditional bracket system tournament. Each wrestler is guaranteed a minimum of two matches.
There will be no seeding -- it's a blind draw (weight classes with five or less wrestlers will be round robin format). For the first time in 2010 there will be challenge matches for wrestlers who lose their first two matches, giving kids an opportunity for extra competition. In addition, the event attracts many college coaches for a last chance recruiting opportunity for athletes in the high school division (there is a coaches recruiting day planned for 2011). There is also a parade of All-Americans prior to Sunday's finals and a 2010 B.A.N. highlight video that will be played and available to participants. "The goal of the tournament is to provide all athletes with an opportunity to experience an NCAA Championship-type experience at all grade levels and provide an overall, family wrestling experience for the weekend," says Bowyer. A weekend that will be sure to provide memories that last a lifetime. And maybe a glimpse at a future Olympian or collegiate star, just like Cejudo in 2004. Matt Krumrie is a longtime wrestling journalist and author of the new book, The Ultimate Guide to Wrestling Camps, available at wrestlingcampguide.com.

ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. -- InterMat has announced the release of preschool wrestling rankings. The rankings will include the Top 25 preschool wrestlers in the country in three age group levels: 5-year-olds, 4-year-olds, and 3-year-olds. The preschool wrestling rankings will be included with InterMat's Platinum subscription beginning on May 1. Walter Schultz, who attends International Falls Montessori in Minnesota, is the top-ranked 3-year-old wrestler in the country. (Photo/Mike Schultz)InterMat's preschool wrestling rankings were created in response to a growing demand by both high school and college wrestling coaches across the country. Wrestling coaches believe that having a clear view into the next wave of future stars is critical to their recruiting efforts. "Preschool rankings will give coaches a leg up in identifying future All-Americans in their programs," said former college wrestling coach Donnie Dinges. "You cannot start the recruiting process soon enough." InterMat's preschool wrestling rankings will be released in conjunction with InterMat's already established high school and junior high wrestling rankings schedule. "We are very excited about this new offering for wrestling fans," said InterMat president Jeremy Hipps. "Our sport demands that we start evaluating the best talent at a very young age. We are viewing this as a win-win for fans, parents, and coaches." The top five wrestlers in each age group will be distributed to both national and local media outlets after each release. "We want to be sure that these kids get recognized on a national level for being dominant wrestlers on the mat," added Hipps. Preschool Wrestling Rankings The complete rankings (Top 25) will be available with InterMat's Platinum subscription beginning on May 1. 5-Year-Olds: 1. Owen Harala (Sunny Hollow Montessori, MN) 2. Jonathan Andrews (Haering Court Kids, TN) 3. Matthew Peters (Solon Pre-K, IA) 4. Joshua Beilke (Bellevue Montessori East, WA) 5. Arthur Stearns (Henderson Pre-K, NV) 4-Year-Olds: 1. John Isabella (Newark Little Tikes, NJ) 2. Tim Grathwol (Fargo West KinderCare, ND) 3. Dave Duce (Evansville Bright Bearings, IN) 4. Gavin Kukowski (Green Bay Pre-K, WI) 5. Danny Zillmer (Enid Pre-K, OK 3-Year-Olds: 1. Walter Schultz (International Falls Montessori, MN) 2. Peter Orr (New York SOAR, NY) 3. Tommy Tadros (Arlington Park Kids, IL) 4. Steven Sutherland (Story City Beginnings, IA) 5. Thomas Petit (Detroit Honey Pot, MI)

WATERLOO -- Two special awards will be presented at the 2010 Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa inductions on Saturday, April 17. Norman Borlaug and Russ Smith will be recognized posthumously at the event scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum. Norman Borlaug will be recognized for his tremendous contributions to humanity. Borlaug passed away on September 12, 2009. It is estimated that Borlaug saved over a billion lives through his agricultural production techniques. He is also one of six people to win the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. Borlaug was born and raised in Cresco, Iowa, placing second at the state wrestling tournament in 1932. He also wrestled at the University of Minnesota, lettering from 1935 through 1937. A special award recognizing Borlaug’s contributions will be presented to Don Gooder. Gooder, the last living founder of the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in Cresco, will accept on behalf of Cresco. “(Borlaug) is in a select wrestling group from Cresco,” said Gooder. “His greatest impact to wrestling is his example.” Russ Smith will be honored for his contributions to wrestling through writing, and for his commitment to advancing the sport within his community. Smith passed away on Feb. 25, 2009. Smith is best-known for his 47-year career at the Waterloo Courier, including 34 years as the newspaper’s sports editor. He began work for the Courier in 1942, and in 1974 he authored a book on Dan Gable called “The Legend of Dan Gable: The Wrestler.” As sports editor Smith gave wrestling top billing, providing it front page sports coverage. He also served as the longtime moderator for the local “Sports of Sorts Club,” featuring national and local sports figures. “Russ did things for wrestling that nobody else was doing at the time,” said Kevin Evans, sports editor at the Courier for 15 years immediately following Smith. “The kind of coverage he gave the state tournament and national tournament was unparalleled.” The first Russ Smith Community Impact Award will be presented to members of Smith’s family. The award will be given in subsequent years to a person demonstrating exceptional local impact on wrestling. Schedule of Events April 17 Saturday, April 17: Tolly Thompson Kids Clinic, 11 a.m. This free youth clinic is open to wrestlers ages 5-18. For more information or to sign up, contact Kent Sesker at (319) 233-0745 or kent@wrestlingmuseum.org. Special awards and inductions into Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa, 1 p.m.

This week the mobile Brute adidas studios of Takedown Wrestling Media will be live from Kansas City, Missouri's Municipal Auditorium for the 2010 Brute adidas Nationals. We go to air at 9 a.m. and will talk with some of the kids, coaches and special guests. Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo is scheduled to attend to meet all the kids. Should be a really fun weekend of great folkstyle wrestling action. Wrestling fans: Please note that Episode 51 of TDR TV is now available on all the top web sites and cable systems around the country. TDR every week! It's appointment Radio and TV! Join us at Takedownradio.com. America's Wrestling Radio Talk Show airs on Supertalk 1570 in Michigan, AM 1460 KXNO in Iowa and on a radio station near you or on line at many of our broadcast partners around the world including Livesportsvideo.com. TDR "the Radio Program" airs 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. CST every Saturday morning we look forward to having you listen. Thanks for watching and listening!

Mike Kirk

Shane Valko

EDMOND, Okla. -- Pittsburgh-Johnstown 133-pound national champion Shane Valko has been named the 2009-10 NCAA Division II Wrestler of the Year, it was announced Tuesday. Valko is the third winner of the award, sponsored by the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches' Association and voted on by eight regional representatives from around the country. Nebraska-Kearney heavyweight Tervel Dlagnev took the inaugural award in 2008, with Nebraska-Omaha 157-pounder Todd Meneely winning it last year. Each of the four regions nominated a candidate, with Valko the Super Region One nominee. The senior star finished with 28 points to easily claim the coveted honor. Upper Iowa 165-pound national champion Travis Eggers of Super Region Three was runner-up in the voting. Wisconsin-Parkside 149-pound national champion Craig Becker was the Region One representative and Nebraska-Kearney 174-pound national winner Marty Usman the Super Region Four nominee. Valko capped a dominating 2009-10 season by capturing the 133-pound title with a 6-3 win over previously unbeaten Cody Garcia of Nebraska-Omaha on March 13 in Omaha, Neb., winning the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler honor in the process. A product of Forest Hills High School in Windber, Pa., Valko finished the season 28-1 with 16 bonus-point wins and he ended his career with a 20-match winning streak. Valko was a four-time national qualifier and three-time All-American for the Mountain Cats, placing fourth at 141 pounds in 2008 and runner-up at 133 in 2009 after losing a tiebreaker decision in the finals. He ended with a 115-30 career record, including a 56-2 mark the last two years.

Troy Nickerson

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Brian Stephens, the ACC champion at 149 pounds who helped Virginia Tech to a share of first place during the regular season, was voted the ACC Freshman of the Year. Maryland 197-pound senior Hudson Taylor, who finished his collegiate career as the Terrapins’ first ever three-time wrestling All-American, has been voted the 2009-10 Atlantic Coast Conference Wrestler of the Year by the league’s head coaches. The honor is the second for Taylor, who was also voted ACC Wrestler of the Year as a sophomore in 2008. ACC Coach of the Year honors went to Virginia’s Steve Garland, who guided the Cavaliers to their fourth conference championship and their first since 1977. Taylor, a four-time ACC Wrestler of the Week during the regular season, was voted the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the ACC Championships on March 6. Taylor then earned All-America honors for the third straight year with a fourth-place finish in last weekend’s NCAA Championships at Omaha, Neb. Taylor, a native of Pennington, N.J., finished the season 42-4 and leaves Maryland as the school's all-time winningest wrestler with a 165-28 career record. Virgnia Tech’s plans originally called for Stephens to take a redshirt year, but an injury to returning starter Pete Yates thrust Stephens into a starting role before the Hokies competed in their first ACC match. Stephens responded by winning 23 total matches, including a streak of 12 in a row late in the season. Stephens posted a 4-0 record in the ACC regular-season competition, then earned an automatic NCAA berth by winning the ACC Championship in his weight class. The Piqua, Ohio, native earned a national ranking from several publications. Garland, a former Virginia standout who just completed his fourth season as the Cavaliers’ head coach, led his team to a 16-6 dual match record during the regular season. Virginia was consistently ranked among the nation’s top 25 teams. Virginia then peaked in postseason, winning the ACC Championship in a tough, three-way battle with Maryland and Virginia Tech. The Cavaliers saw a school-record eight wrestlers qualify for the NCAA Championships. Led by All-America 174-pounder Chris Henrich, Virginia led all ACC teams with a school-record 34 team points at the NCAAs. The Cavaliers placed 15th in the overall scoring. The showing was the second-best ever for Virginia, topped only by a 10th-place finish in 1957.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Maryland 197-pound senior Hudson Taylor, who finished his collegiate career as the Terrapins' first ever three-time wrestling All-American, has been voted the 2009-10 Atlantic Coast Conference Wrestler of the Year by the league's head coaches. Steven Bell, Alex Krom, Kyle John and Josh Asper joined Taylor as Maryland wrestlers to be named All-ACC performers. The honor is the second for Taylor, who was also voted ACC Wrestler of the Year as a sophomore in 2008. Taylor, a four-time ACC Wrestler of the Week during the regular season, was voted the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the ACC Championships on March 6. Taylor then earned All-America honors for the third straight year with a fourth-place finish in last weekend's NCAA Championships at Omaha, Neb. A native of Pennington, N.J., Taylor finished the season 42-4, tying for the most wins in the nation, and leaves Maryland as the school's all-time winningest wrestler with a 165-28 career record. His 24 pins this season set a school single-season record and also led the country.

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio -- The first-ever FloNationals wrestled to their completion on Sunday afternoon at Walsh Jesuit High School, just outside of Cleveland, Ohio. It was a great showcase for underclass wrestlers and also a close to the scholastic-style wrestling season. Of the 14 weight class champions, only two were seniors, eight were juniors, and four sophomores won FloNationals championships. In post-match interviews with the champions, all but three stated their intention of competing in freestyle and/or Greco-Roman heading towards Fargo in July. Michigan underclassmen, and a few seniors, traveled to this event in droves -- and it turned into a showcase for many of their prominent underclassmen. Foremost among those is the No. 1 sophomore in the nation Taylor Massa (152) from St John's, MI. Massa -- third nationally in his weight -- won two matches by fall on Saturday heading into a Sunday where he would face two ranked opponents. He outlasted Steven Keogh (Apple Valley, MN) in the semifinals by a 7-5 score, which set up a match of the top two sophomores in the nation -- and the last match of the first annual FloNationals. In that match, Jason Luster (Pittsburgh Wrestling Club/Kiski Prep, PA) -- ranked sixth nationally in the weight class -- opened up like a ball of fire with two early takedowns to take a 4-2 lead after the end of one period. However, Massa was able to weather that storm, as he almost scored a takedown right at the end of the first period, but time had run out. Luster opened the second period with an escape, but Massa countered with a takedown after Luster had been warned for his first stalling. A Luster escape before the end of the period gave him a 6-4 lead through two periods. However, the third period would be the "Taylor Massa Show." Massa scored an early escape, a penalty point when Luster was hit for a second stalling, and then got a takedown with around one minute to go. After Luster's second injury time, Massa chose down, and scored a late escape to make the final score 9-6 in favor of Massa. "I just kept it going, and thought that I could win the match if I continued to press the pace," commented Massa. "Though we had been in many of the same tournaments, we had never wrestled each other before." Fellow sophomore Freddie Rodriguez (Holt, MI) bookended his scholastic-style season with major tournament titles at 103 pounds, having also won the preseason Super 32 in this weight class. However, Rodriguez wrestled the in-season at 112 pounds. "My coach wanted to get a teammate into the lineup at 103 pounds," said Rodriguez. "However, towards the end of the year, I was planning to make the cut down to 103, but I was wrestling much better than I expected at 112, so it was like why bother (cutting weight)." Rodriguez won matches by technical fall and a pair of pins on Saturday. In the morning semifinal round on Sunday, Rodriguez defeated 18th-ranked Kevon Powell (Montini Catholic, IL) by 15-6 major decision. Then in the championship final, Rodriguez won a key scramble to score the opening takedown, and the dominance started from there against the number one ranked Cody Phillips (Union County, IN). Already ahead by enough to score a major decision, Rodriguez secured the fall in 5:10. "I always want to pound, pound, pound; attack, attack, attack; no matter the score," commented Rodriguez about his exciting and dynamic style of wrestling. A pair of junior two-time state champions from Michigan also won weight class titles -- Connor Youtsey (119) from Mason and Devin Pommerenke (285) of Rogers City. Youtsey avenged a loss to fellow junior Josh Fisher (Roane County, WV) at the preseason Super 32 Challenge in the FloNationals final with a 3-2 victory, which was keyed by a first period takedown. "I learned a little bit about his style and what to expect," said Youtsey when asked about his prior match with Fisher. Pommerenke capped off a tournament in which he pinned all three of his opponents with a second period fall over Jeff Tarley (Bethlehem Center, PA) off of a big throw. "I normally work off of a high single leg, which I learned from wrestling at Jeff Jordan's camps," commented Pommerenke. "However, when the big throws are there, my Greco-Roman experience and big shoulders make me confident and comfortable in the upper-body ties." The Pittsburgh Wrestling Club traveled a very strong delegation to the FloNationals, from approximately two hours to the east. Three of its wrestlers won championships -- Jimmy Gulibon (112) and Travis Shaffer (135) from Derry Area, as well as Tyler Wilps (171) from Chartiers Valley. Gulibon, a sophomore and two-time state champion, is ranked second in the nation at 112 pounds. Prior to the finals, he won by a 17-0 technical fall and three matches by major decision. In the final against 18th ranked Joey Dance (Christiansburg, VA) -- Gulibon secured a first period takedown and second period reversal to score enough points for a 4-2 victory. "I was a little bit nervous, but Joey really wrestled a great match against me," Gulibon commented. "I battled hard to win the match, and I'll keep working hard and continue practicing during the off-season." The junior Shaffer, coming off a fourth place finish in the Pennsylvania state tournament scored two victories against state champion wrestlers ranked nationally in the top ten on Sunday at the FloNationals. That came after a Saturday evening 5-1 quarterfinal victory against last year's NHSCA Junior National champion Vinny Fava (Elmwood Park, NJ). Shaffer opened the semifinal against fourth-ranked Jake Sueflohn (Arrowhead, WI) with a takedown and then had a barrage of tilts to take a 13-0 lead after one period. A takedown early in the second period secured a 15-0 technical fall victory. In the final against eight-ranked Chris Dardanes (Oak Park River Forest, IL) -- Shaffer scored a second period takedown and early third period takedown to take a 4-0 lead. After a Dardanes escape and takedown, Shaffer was cut loose and fended off a very deep shot by Dardanes to secure the 5-3 decision. "I didn't get much respect, but I didn't always wrestle my best," stated Shaffer about where he stood coming into the tournament. "I worked on the little things to get better; also I wrestled the opponent and the match instead of the name and credential." One of two seniors to win a FloNationals championship was the University of Pittsburgh bound Wilps, who upended top seed Ryan Olep (Lowell, MI) 5-2 on Saturday night to advance to the semifinal round against Jackson Bratcher (Eastbrook, IN). In that semifinal match, Wilps used a third period rideout -- along with a second period escape -- to score a 2-0 victory when adding in the point for accruing a greater than one minute riding time advantage. Trailing 3-2 in the third period against two-time state runner-up Devin Peterson (Wisconsin Rapids, WI), Wilps was able to score a takedown relatively early in the period. He then rode Peterson out until the last few seconds of the match, and used the riding time advantage point for a 5-4 victory. "That's usually how it happens when I ride my opponents for a significant length of time," Wilps observed when asked about his tendency to let opponents based up to their feet, and then taking them back down to the mat. "My opponent gets more tired and frustrated, and then it just becomes easier for me." Another pair of teammates also emerged as champions at the inaugural FloNationals. Jason Tsirtsis (130) and Eric Roach (145) both won titles from Crown Point, IN. Tsirtsis won a finals matchup involving a pair of sophomores, which was one of the four matches placing nationally ranked wrestlers head-to-head. The sixth-ranked Tsirtsis, a two-time state champion, had won one match by technical fall and three matches by major decision prior to the final against 17th ranked Nate Skonieczny (Walsh Jesuit, OH). Tsirtsis won by 2-1 decision, with a second period penalty point while Skonieczny was riding in the top position serving as the difference. However, he had to fend off a very deep single-leg attack from Skonieczny that led to a prolonged scramble -- one in which Skonieczny had multiple chances to score -- and ended in a stalemate with under 20 seconds left. "I just had to keep scrambling, or probably lose the match," observed Tsirtsis. "It was an intense and nerve-wracking situation." The pair of teammates has been partners going back to their days in youth wrestling. Tsirtsis commented that "they push each other, and help to make one another better." Outstanding Wrestler honors went to the champion of the 189-pound weight class, Morgan McIntosh from Calvary Chapel, CA. The two-time state champion is ranked third nationally in his weight class and third among all members of the Class of 2011 regardless of weight class. McIntosh won two matches by fall on Saturday before dominating his way to a 13-7 victory over state runner-up Gabe Dean (Lowell, MI) in the semifinal round. Then in the final, he turned it up even more for a match against state champ and three time state placer Nick Miller (Centerville, OH). McIntosh was on the verge of securing a technical fall when he pinned Miller off of a beautiful shot that set up a toss to the back. "My coaches prepared me great for the opponent, and the match was fun," McIntosh said in assessing the finals match. "It's awesome to be named Outstanding Wrestler (at the first ever FloNationals)." However, teammate Tank Knowles -- ranked eighth nationally -- was upset in the finals at 215 pounds by Nick Gwiazdowski (Duanesburg, NY). Gwiazdowski, who came into the tournament unranked secured two crucial "ride outs" in short time situations in order to win the match 4-3 in the tiebreaker. After Knowles scored a go-ahead reversal in the third period, Gwiazdowski responded with one of his own inside the last 30 seconds to go up 3-2. However, he was called for locking hands, which tied up the match. Gwiazdowski did not let Knowles escape late in the third, or in the tiebreaker after Gwiazdowski had escaped in the first portion of the :30-:30. "My goal was to come here and win it, to get some recognition in the rankings," commented Gwiazdowski about the tournament. "I just had it in my mind to get the job done." A pair of wrestlers from the Gopher State won titles at the FloNationals. Matt Kelliher (Apple Valley, MN) -- ranked 17th nationally - won the 125 pound weight class, as he dominated both of his matches on Sunday winning by fall against Jenkins Monzey (Georgetown Prep, MD) and Steven Rodrigues (Fox Lane, NY). "I got a better warm-up in today, my (older) brothers got me motivated today after watching yesterday's matches online," said Kelliher. "Other people were looking for a little more, and I tried to dominate today." The other senior to win a championship was Zak Coates (Henry Sibley, MN) -- who came back from a 9-4 deficit at the start of the third period against fellow senior Damien Perry (Mentor, OH). Coates scored two takedowns and a two-point near fall, along with an additional point for riding time advantage to tie the score at 11-11 heading into overtime. The two-time state champion, ranked 20th nationally, secured the overtime takedown to win 13-11. "I knew I had to stay confident," said Coates about the comeback. "I was in better shape, so I knew if I kept after it, I would be able to win the match." Rounding out the weight class champions was the winner of the opening match, one that paired nationally ranked junior wrestlers at 140 pounds against one another. James Green (Willingboro, NJ) -- ranked 10th nationally -- came back to beat No. 18 Pete Baldwin (Osceola, FL) by a 6-5 score. Trailing 3-2, and with his opponent having greater than one minute of riding time, Green rallied back to win the match with two blast double takedowns during the third period. "I work on that attack a lot in practice," said Green. "By repetition, I keep getting better at that attack. Precise practice makes perfect." Finals Results: 103: Freddie Rodriguez (Holt, MI) pinned No. 1 Cody Phillips (Union County, IN), 5:10 112: No. 2 Jimmy Gulibon (Pitt. WC/Derry Area, PA) dec. No. 18 Joey Dance (Christiansburg, VA), 4-2 119: Connor Youtsey (Mason, MI) dec. Josh Fisher (Roane County, WV), 5-2 125: No. 17 Matt Kelliher (Apple Valley, MN) tech. fall Steven Rodrigues (Fox Lane, NY), 15-0 130: No. 6 Jason Tsirtsis (Crown Point, IN) dec. No. 17 Nate Skonieczny (Walsh Jesuit, OH), 2-1 135: Travis Shaffer (Pitt. WC/Derry Area, PA) dec. No. 8 Chris Dardanes (Oak Park River Forest, IL), 5-3 140: No. 10 James Green (Willingboro, NJ) dec. No. 18 Pete Baldwin (Osceola, FL), 6-5 145: Eric Roach (Crown Point, IN) dec. Jordan Wohlfert (St. John's, MI), 3-1 152: No. 3 Taylor Massa (St. John's, MI) dec. No. 6 Jason Luster (Pitt. WC/Kiski Prep, PA), 9-6 160: No. 20 @ 171 Zak Coates (Henry Sibley, MN) dec. Damien Perry (Mentor, OH), 13-11 171: Ty Wilps (Pitt. WC/Chartiers Valley, PA) dec. Devin Peterson (Wisconsin Rapids, WI), 5-4 189: No. 3 Morgan McIntosh (Calvary Chapel, CA) pinned Nick Miller (Centerville, OH), 4:43 215: Nick Gwiazdowski (Duanesburg, NY) dec. No. 8 Tank Knowles (Calvary Chapel, CA), 5-3 285: Devin Pommerenke (Rogers City, MI) pinned Jeff Tarley (Bethlehem Center, PA), 3:29 View Brackets

InterMat high school analyst Josh Lowe spoke with one semifinalist in each weight class. 103: No. 12 George DiCamillo (St. Ignatius, OH) -Beat Nathan Tomasello (CVCA, OH) 3-2 in the quarterfinal round *On wrestling Tomasello many times in practice and through youth: "I go into every match to win, and I have to look past facing a friend when it's time to wrestle the match." 112: No. 2 Jimmy Gulibon (Pittsburgh WC/Derry Area, PA) -Beat Grant Greene (St Anthony's, NY) 10-2 in the quarterfinal round *On the goals and expectations of a two-time state champion, as well as what he focuses on at a tournament such as this one: "I come here to compete, get competition, and do my best. I always respect the competition, but I'm here to win matches." 119: Kyle Bauer (Wheeling Park, WV) -Beat Brandon Nelsen (Lawrence North, IN) 5-3 in the quarterfinal round *On how his match went against a state champion, and former Junior National freestyle All-American: "I started the match really strong with two early takedowns. Got slightly tired at the end, and had to fend off my opponent's attack." 125: No. 17 Matt Kelliher (Apple Valley, MN) -Beat Jimmy Nehls (Downers Grove North, IL) 11-7 in the quarterfinal round *On his great starts, and mid-to-late match struggles: "I wrestled very well to get out to a lead. However, I didn't worry as much about how I win -- just that I win." 130: No. 6 Jason Tsirtsis (Crown Point, IN) -Beat Nick Hannan (Massillon Perry, OH) 14-2 in the quarterfinal round *On his approach to early round matches: "I try to do the same thing in every match, get after it 100 percent of the time, wrestle six minutes hard without hesitation, and with constant pressure on the opponent." 135: No. 8 Chris Dardanes (Oak Park River Forest, IL) -Beat Matt Cimato (LaSalle, PA) 11-2 in the quarterfinal round *On his goals at FloNationals before competing at the University of Minnesota: "I want to dominate and have fun; it's a great learning experience to wrestle with (some of) the collegiate rules." 140: Duke Pickett (Woodberry Forest, VA) -Beat Brian Gibbs (Bedford, MI) 2-1 in the quarterfinal round *On receiving encouragement from his coaches: "My coaches guided me along, they encouraged me to push the pace, and it's much easier to wrestle when getting great encouragement." 145: Eric Roach (Crown Point, IN) -Beat Elijah Hull (Lewis County, WV) 9-3 in the quarterfinal round *On wrestling much better in the last two matches, after narrowly escaping in the tiebreakers his opening match: "I didn't get in that great a warm-up, but after that match, I kept it going. I'll be sure to get a much better warm-up before the semis tomorrow." 152: No. 6 Jason Luster (Pittsburgh WC/Kiski Prep, PA) -Beat Jordan Moss (Pittsburgh WC/Sharon, PA) 5-2 in the quarterfinal round *On having to battle a club member in the quarters, and tomorrow in the semifinal: "I've wrestled Moss a few times in practice, but that's it. I got two takedowns to win the match. I wrestled McKillop during the regular season, and beat him by 3 or 4 points." 160: Nick LeForce (Carlisle, OH) -Beat Rafael Rodriguez (Adrian, MI) 7-5 in the quarterfinal round *On finally being somewhat healthy after an injury laden career: "I broke my back in each of my first three years of high school, finally had surgery last year. This was my first full season since eighth grade, when I won a junior high state title. I do want to wrestle in college, though I'm not getting much attention yet. I'll be focusing on freestyle after this, with competing in Fargo as the goal." 171: Sam Wheeler (Copley, OH) -Beat Todd Gaydosh (Padua, OH) in the quarterfinal round *On making a profound leap from sophomore to junior year, and what it will take to do the same heading into his senior season: "Just keep doing what I did last summer -- working hard, getting lots of match experience (40 matches) with the freestyle, and lifting weights." 189: No. 3 Morgan McIntosh (Calvary Chapel, CA) -Pinned Nick Brown (Gahanna Lincoln, OH) in the quarterfinal round *On being teammates -- and classmates -- with Tank Knowles, the No. 8 ranked wrestler in the country: "Tank is the best training partner I could ever have, we push each other, and help each other get better." 215: Beau Wenger (Fairless, OH) -Beat No. 17 Cody Davis (The Woodlands, TX) 1-0 in the quarterfinal round *On competing at FloNationals after failing to place at state (Wenger was an Ironman runner-up): "I came in here with a chip on my shoulder, and hoping to build positive momentum heading into college. Just because I didn't win a state title doesn't mean I can't work my darndest to thrive in college." 285: Kyle Connors (Tecumseh, MI) -Beat Max Gladstone (Findlay, OH) 9-6 in the quarterfinal round *On the key to that quarterfinal win: "(Gladstone) got the early takedown, but I then caught him high and got a reversal to the back for five. I then had to withstand a surge, and did so with a takedown at the end."

Angel Escobedo

Kevin Jackson Barry Davis Jay Weiss Brent Metcalf Matt McDonough Jayson Ness Kyle Dake J.P. O'Connor

Kevin Jackson

Event: UFC 111: St Pierre vs. Hardy Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey Date: March 27, 2010. The UFC returns to the East Coast tonight as it resumes its pay-per-view parade of great mixed martial arts fights. Tonight's featured fight is a welterweight championship bout between hard-hitting Englishman Dan Hardy (23-6) and champion Georges St. Pierre (19-2), who is coming off an injury. Heavyweights, Frank Mir (13-4) and undefeated Shane Carwin (11-0) will decide the interim championship, with the winner facing a recovering Brock Lesnar. Stomach ailments almost ended his career! The rest of the card has many interesting fights, as well, so let's take a look at the action and see if the UFC Monster can keep his winning streak alive. InterMat readers who would have followed my advice would now be lifetime InterMat Platinum subscribers. But remember, only gamble with money you can afford to lose. There are no sure things in betting, but GSP beating Dan Hardy is about as close as it gets. Is there any reason to think that St. Pierre won't pin Hardy's back to the mat in the opening seconds of this fight with a locomotive, steam-rolling, double-leg takedown? And, once there, he will reign down with those vicious elbows, until the ref pulls him off. Hardy's only hope is to unload and land his first punch. I have better odds of winning tonight's Powerball. Take GSP at any price if you can find someone foolish enough to take it! Does anyone dislike Brock Lesnar more than former heavyweight champion Frank Mir? I don't think so. And big Frank is ready to break Shane Carwin's arm tonight to prove it. Mir wants a final re-match with Lesnar in the worst way, but stopping Carwin's unbelievable first round KO streak will the obstacle in his way. Carwin has never seen the second round! And he won't tonight either. As scary as Shane Carwin is, the sight of a 250-pound Mir grabbing an appendage and twisting it off your body is even more frightening. After dodging a few punches, Mir will soon lock up with Carwin, and before you know it, the will be sprawling on the ground. The next thing you will see will be Mir with his hand raised, Carwin's face in pain, and the UFC Monster headed to the winner's window again! Lay the -150. Welterweight Jon Fitch (24-3) may be the best wrestler in the UFC. He was supposed to battle jui-jitsu slugger Thaigo Alves, but the Pitbull is out with some potentially serious head issues. We wish him the best in his recovery. So, Muay Thai, knee-kicking Ben Sauders (8-1-2) enters the octagon as a late substitution. Saunders was already on the card, scheduled to fight popular wrestler Jake Ellenberger, and now Jake is the odd man out. No fight for him tonight. I am taking a longshot hunch that Saunders may just be lucky enough to grab the back of Fitch's neck, and put his lethal plume around it, as he unloads those crushing knee strikes up against Fitch's crumpling body. Of course, to do that, he will need to avoid being dragged to the mat by Fitch, which is no small feat. That's why he is a +325 underdog. But, Saunder's is a dog that bites. I'm giving him my bone. This next fight between lightweights Jim Miller (16-2) and Mark Bocek (8-2) is more of the same. I think Miller is the better all-around fighter, bigger, stronger, betrter striker, and with "lights out" submission skills. But I think Bocek gets better every time out, and he needs just a little opening to strike like a cobra. What will that opening be? Let's call it a quick reversal that leads into a rear-naked choke, BJ Penn style, as he pulls the big upset. Take Bocek +375 as the value is too good to pass up. Lightweight Kurt "Batman" Pellegrino (20-4) has been around forever. His opponent Frabricio "Moerngo" Camoes (10-4-1) is in a due-or-die situation where another loss will most like be his UFC pink slip. I'm not sure why this match is on the main card, but I'll make a solid play on Pellegrino -210 to win by submission. On the undercard, the first two fights can be seen FREE on Spike TV tonight. Nate Diaz (11-5) needs to turn his losing streak around. He will do that tonight with another long-legged triangle choke over slugger Rory Markham (16-5) in this lightweight match. Lay the -260. I love the way Matt "The Immortal" Brown (13-7) fights. He brings it. He never backs up. He strikes with fists, elbows, and knees. He kicks and he punches, and he kicks and he punches, and he punches and he kicks. Ricardo "Big Dog" Almeida is cutting weight and cutting weight, and is now entering the Octagon as a welterweight. Not a good idea. His attack will be to go to the mat with Matt and trying a submission. He's also favored to do so. I like Brown's value at +140. I'm playing another 'dog here. In a middleweight bout, I see Rousimar "Toquinho" Palhares (19-2) defeating Tomasz "Gorilla" Drwal (17-2) by armbar submission. Lay the -220 and hope that Palhares doesn't get knocked out. Matt Riddle (3-1) is an awesome leg-rider and top fighter. His mission tonight is to stop undefeated Greg Soto, 7-0, in another welterweight match-up. He earns a decision doing so at a reasonable -220. Who is Rodney "Shonuff The Master" Wallace (9-1)? And what about the guy he is fighting, Jared Hamman (11-2)? I guess we will see what these light heavyweights can do when they make their Octagon debuts tonight. My research puts me on Wallace to win by knockout. I'll lay the modest -130. So let's see how we can do with our "fictitious" $1000 bankroll. Let's lay $180 to win $30 on GSP. Let's lay $150 to win $100 on Frank Mir. Let's lay $ 40 to win $130 on Ben Saunders. Let's lay $ 40 to win $150 on Mark Bocek. Let's lay $105 to win $50 on Batman Pellegrino. Ley's lay $130 to win $50 on Nate Diaz. Let's lay $60 to win $ 84 on Matt Brown. Let's lay $110 to win $50 on Rousimar Palhares. Let's lay $110 to win $50 on Matt Riddle. Let's lay $65 to win $50 on Rodney Wallace. So all-in-all, we are risking $990 to win $744. Let's give the remaining $10 to your local youth wrestling program, where tomorrow's champions are born! Enjoy the fights. I know I will.

Early this afternoon, I learned from a person very close to the situation that 2010 152-pound New York State DI champion Giuseppi Lanzi has selected the Bears of Brown University as his college choice. As gifted in the classroom as he is on the wrestling mat, Lanzi, with good reason, had his pick of top colleges/universities. However, as was explained to me, the Rhode Island-based university has always felt like the right fit for the Amsterdam High School product. Therefore, when he formally received the acceptance letter from the school long rumored to be his No. 1 choice, it became a fitting ending to a scholastic career that has been nothing short of remarkable. A third-place NYS finisher in 2009 at140, Lanzi was a known commodity on the national stage perhaps long before the majority of Empire State wrestling enthusiasts realized how a rare a talent they had on their hands. A NHSCA Freshman Nationals champion in 2007, Lanzi toyed with his competition, winning by bonus points in nearly all of his matches. After coming one victory short of a second consecutive All-American finish in Virginia Beach as a sophomore, the future EIWA conference wrestler worked his way back onto the medal stand, finishing seventh (at 140) at the Junior National tournament. (His only losses coming at the hands of the eventual second and third-place finishers.) In addition to his success at the NHSCA grade level tournaments, Lanzi demonstrated that he was more than capable of competing on the national scene in an all-grade format when he placed seventh at the prestigious Super 32 Challenge at 152. This was the start of what would prove to be a historic senior campaign for the Journeymen Wrestling Club team member. Unblemished (38-0; 25 pins) heading into the state tournament, for Lanzi, the time in Albany must have had a “new day, same story” kind of feel to it as one-by-one he steamrolled all foes standing in the way of his claiming one of the few honors/titles that had alluded during him his high school career. Kicking off the NYS tournament with a 13-1 major decision victory (over Conner Lorenzo of Brighton), Lanzi would lock up All-State honors quickly in the quarterfinals, putting Chenango Forks’ wrestler Jordan Barnett on his back and sticking him in less than a minute to punch his ticket to the semifinals. However, again, Lanzi left no doubt in people’s minds that 2010 was going to be his year, scoring early and often from all positions en route to another 13-1 major decision (this time the victim being Nassau County Champion James Ondris of Massapequa). The representative of Section II would make it an even sweep of Long Island’s finest one round later, just missing bonus points in a 13-6 decision over Islip junior, Kyle Wade (a former NHSCA Freshman Nationals runner-up). For his efforts, Lanzi was a deserving recipient of the Outstanding Wrestler Award for the DI tournament. As if the aforementioned was not already sufficient, it should be noted that Lanzi donned the singlet one final time in his scholastic career, leading Team NY to a hard fought victory over Western Pennsylvania (WPIAL) in the undercard of the Dapper Dan Classic. Pitted against Zach Shannon, who was coming off of a solid fourth-place finish at the PA AAA State tournament, Lanzi wrestled intelligently and emerged with a clutch 2-1 decision. Lanzi exits Amsterdam with an astounding 248-34 career record. Having recently posted a 10th place team finish at the EIWA tournament, Brown has been in the midst of a rough patch the last few years. However, the addition of Lanzi as well as six other talented individuals, has given coach Amato and staff reason to believe that a resurgence will soon await the Ivy League institution. In addition to our protagonist, the Bears will welcome a class of 2014 that features the likes of 125-pounder Vinny Moita (CA; 2010 CIF state qualifier, 2009 Reno Tournament of Champions runner-up, 2009 CIF state third place, 2008 Reno Tournament of Champions sixth Place), 125-pounder fellow NYer, Billy Watterson (2010 NYS DI third place at 119), Michigan grappler Dan Flowers (also projected at 125 on the collegiate level; 2009 Michigan D2 state runner-up, 2007 Michigan D2 state qualifier), Nassau County champion Dan Cataldi (projected as a 149-pounder at the next level), as well as pair of Keystone Staters in the persons of Jared Kay (165/174) and Pat LaBuz (157; 2010 PIAA AAA state sixth place, 2009 NHSCA Junior Nationals third place, 2009 PIAA AAA state qualifier, 2008 NHSCA Sophomore Nationals fifth place, 2008 PIAA state qualifier). On behalf of everyone at LHW, we sincerely congratulate Giuseppi and his family on this immense and truly amazing accomplishment. Those of us who have been privileged enough to watch your career, share in the pride of witnessing you realize your dream! Link: Original (LighthouseWrestling.com)