InterMat Staff

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The exact date of the telephone call slips Carter Jordan's memory. But everything else about the conversation is burned into the Wolfpack head wrestling coach's memory. "I remember it was Labor Day Weekend," Jordan says. "I remember that much. I can tell you what time of day it was. I can tell you where I was, where I was standing, what the temperature was that day, the color shorts I had on." The date wasn't important, of course. What mattered was "The Call," the one bearing the news that Darrion Caldwell -- Jordan's team captain, three-time ACC champion, two-time All-American and defending national champion at 149 pounds -- had badly injured his shoulder in a rollerblading accident that would need surgery to repair a torn labrum. Months of exhaustive physical rehabilitation would keep Caldwell out of action for the entire 2009-10 season. Coaches tend to remember things like that, in this case for very good reason. Caldwell, the Wolfpack's first national champion in 16 years, was coming off one of the greatest seasons in the program's history, a 38-1 campaign in which he pinned 17 opponents, went 10-1 against ranked opponents, 7-0 against opponents ranked in the national top 10, and won 29 matches in a row at one point. His only loss the entire year was an injury default, the result of back spasms. After winning his national quarterfinal, semifinal and championship matches by nine, 11 and five points, respectively, all against opponents ranked in the top 10, he was named Most Outstanding Wrestler at the NCAA Championships. Following the season, Caldwell earned a spot on the U.S. World National team with a third-place finish in the 66 kg/145.5 pound weight class at the U.S. World Team Trials, wrestling almost entirely against opponents much older and more seasoned. He later competed with the U.S. World Team at the World Championships in Herning, Denmark. At that point, the sky was the limit for Darrion Caldwell. The good news for Jordan and the Wolfpack is that there is no reason to believe the sky is any lower for Caldwell now than it was last September. NC State's sports medicine staff expects Caldwell to be cleared medically to resume wrestling workouts soon in preparation for the 2010-11 season. "The worst part is over with," Caldwell says. "It put a damper on my year last year, but I'm just ready now to come back and get the team stronger and get the team to where we need to be. I wasn't satisfied with the way things went [with the team] last season. It's going to be a completely different season this year." What happened with the Wolfpack after Caldwell's injury was not fun for anyone involved, espcially Caldwell. The team captain, he had invested blood, sweat and tears into the 2009-10 team, organizing offseason runs and workouts. Every bit as much a teammate as he is a champion, Caldwell's aspirations for 2009-10 were as much about the team as they were about himself and repeating as All-American and national champion. Instead, the Wolfpack fielded a young and inexperienced lineup, without its national champion belwether, then went through a rash of growing pains and injuries. The team finished 8-12 in dual matches. Just one NC State wrestler, sophomore 149-pounder Bobby Ward, qualified for the NCAA Championships, and that was as an at-large entrant. "The way we trained last season, it was great, but the intensity level needs to go up," Caldwell says. "Wins and losses say a lot. Working hard in the room gets you so far, but there comes a time when you need to step up and win. We didn't have that last year. It was frustrating." The most frustrating part for Caldwell was knowing there was virtually nothing he could do about it. Once his season derailed, his ability to make a positive impact was derailed with it. "We tried to involve him as a coach, but it was hard for him," Jordan says. "Anyone who's ever gone through an injury, I don't care what your standing on the team is, even if you're the returning national champion and the team captain, it's just very difficult because you feel so helpless. He did a terrific job of trying to energize the team, especially through such a difficult season. We had one injury after another. I had to lean on him sometimes. It was good to feel his energy, and we can't wait to have him back in the lineup." Jordan knows exactly what he's getting when Caldwell returns to the lineup. With a full season remaining in his career, Caldwell ranks third school history in career victories with a 94-12 record, third in winning percentage at .887, and third in career pins with 50. He is 29 wins and 15 pins shy of setting new school records in those categories, numbers easily within his reach since he's averaged 33 wins and 20 pins in his last two seasons of competition. Not only does Caldwell win, he beats the best. He has a career record of 20-7 against ranked opponents, including an 18-5 mark with against top-10 opponents. He also scores extra points for his team. Of his 94 career victories, 70 have been by fall, technical fall or major decision. That means he has scored an average of 4.88 team points for every bout he has won, compared to three points to a regular victory by decision. "In dual meets, he's almost always worth extra points," Jordan says. "If we need a pin, he can get us a pin. So in dual meets, he makes you incredibly competitive. In tournaments, depending on the size of the tournament, he's going to pile up points as he advances. In the national tournament, he's going to get you in the top 25 just by getting to the semifinals with the extra bonus points that he scores." Off the mat, Caldwell has, over the course of his career at NC State, evolved into a strong team leader. He brings a presence to the practice room and has the utmost respect of his teammates. He's not afraid to call out a teammate when the situation calls for it, but his preferred style of leadership is by example. And he sets a strong example. When younger wrestlers see how hard Caldwell works and how thoroughly he prepares, they can't help but follow his lead. "When you have guys willing to push each other, it makes everyone better," Caldwell says. "We really didn't have those kinds of leaders in the room last year. We had verbal leaders, but we didn't have guys who led by example. You need guys to give that extra effort, to come to practice early and stay late. I feel that by being back in the room this year, I'll do the extra things that rub off on the next guy." Another positive impact Caldwell has on his teammates comes about by beating them up. That's right. Caldwell has to wrestle someone in practice every day, so middleweights from Darrius Little at 133 to Quinton Godley at 174 and everyone in between has the unenviable task of taking on The Champ in practice. Real matches have to be easy after that. "Darrion's gotten to the point now that he can work out with just about anybody in the room," Jordan says. "When you take that talent and the work ethic he has to go along with it, you can't say enough about what it's like to watch him compete up close, the effect it has on the entire team." The upcoming season will be Caldwell's final college season, and while he has a very bright future in international amateur wrestling, including possible Olympic appearances, in his future, his final legacy at NC State is yet to written. Caldwell is not that far away from being the greatest wrestler ever in a program with a rich and storied history. NC State has had three wrestlers who were three-time All-Americans -- Tab Thacker (1982-83-84), Sylvester Terkay (1991-92-93), and Chris Kwortnik (1991-92-93). Caldwell could become the fourth. NC State has had just three wrestlers win four individual Atlantic Coast Conference championships -- Joe Lidowski, Terkay and Thacker. Again, Caldwell could become the fourth. Only one NC State wrestler -- Terkay -- ever won 100 matches in a career. Caldwell needs just six more to reach 100, and 28 more to catch Terkay's 122. NC State has had just five national champions -- Matt Reiss (1980), Thacker (1984), Scott Turner (1988), Terkay (1993), and Caldwell. None repeated. It's asking a lot, but Caldwell could become the first. So even if Caldwell's NC State career ended today, he'd go down as one of the four or five greatest wrestlers in school history. But his career isn't over, and he intends to go out on top. His goals for the upcoming season are high, both for himself and for his team. "I'm looking for a perfect season," Caldwell says. "When I say perfect, I mean no injuries, being ready for every match. Every dual meet I go into, if I take care of things individually, I believe that things will fall into place for the team. "That's what the sport of wrestling is. It's about not giving up that extra point in your match for the team. If you're winning and have a chance for a major decision, do what you have to do to get those extra points. If you're going to lose, lose a decision and not a major. I came in here my freshman year and we got an ACC title. I really think this team here is special and we can do it this year, and I can go out with a bang my senior season."

Grand View University head wrestling coach Nick Mitchell and Intermatwrestle.com journalist Mark Palmer 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. Nick Mitchell is beginning his third season leading the Grand View Viking wrestling program. Grand View, located in Des Moines, Iowa, has placed in the top 10 at the NAIA national tournament the last two years. Mitchell was a three-time All-American at Wartburg College where he also served as an assistant coach for nine years. Mark Palmer is one of the finest wrestling journalists in the nation. You can read his articles on Intermatwrestle.com.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- With the release of the Ohio State wrestling team's 2010-11 schedule, highlights include home matches vs. Big Ten opponents Michigan in January and Minnesota the following month. Also of note are the Buckeye Duals Nov. 21 in which the Scarlet and Gray will welcome programs from around the region to compete at historic St. John Arena. The Buckeyes, who finished second in the regular-season standings in 2009-10, will again contend for the league title in arguably the toughest conference in the country - five Big Ten programs, including Ohio State finished in the Top 10 at the 2010 NCAA Championships. The Scarlet and Gray will begin its conference quest Dec. 19 when it travels to Penn State. The road does not get any easier as the Buckeyes will head to Iowa Jan. 23, Illinois Feb. 4 and Wisconsin Feb. 11. The Buckeyes' home schedule proves just as exciting with Michigan State and Michigan traveling down Route 23 to Columbus Jan. 16 and Jan. 28, respectively. The Spartans return to Columbus in 2010-11 after the Buckeyes wrapped up their regular-season home slate last year with a 30-7 victory vs. Michigan State on Senior Day. Ohio State is hosting the Wolverines in back-to-back seasons for the first time since welcoming them to St. John Arena from 1985-1987. The Buckeyes have won three-straight matches against Michigan and compiled a program-best 29 points against them last season in Columbus. After not facing the Golden Gophers during the conference regular season last year (Ohio State and Minnesota wrestled in the National Duals), the two teams will meet again after a one-year hiatus Feb. 5. The regular season concludes Feb. 19 against Northwestern on Senior Day. Before Ohio State gets into the grind of the Big Ten schedule, it will make the annual trip to Las Vegas for the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Wrestling Invitational. The Buckeyes are the defending champions and look to hold onto the crown Dec. 3-4. Last year, Ohio State compiled 122.5 points en route to the title. Action in the month of December will continue the 12th when Ohio State travels to Edinboro. Meeting for the fourth-consecutive season, the Buckeyes own a three-match win streak against the Fighting Scots. Sandwiched in between its Big Ten opener against the Nittany Lions and the remaining conference schedule, the Scarlet and Gray will open 2011 at the Cliff Keen NWCA National Duals Jan. 8-9. Winning three of four matches, Ohio State finished third in the 2010 edition.

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The defending Big Ten and NCAA champion University of Iowa wrestling team has announced its schedule for the 2010-11 season. The Hawkeyes are set to host seven home meets, including duals with intra-state rival Iowa State and Big Ten foes Michigan State, Ohio State, Indiana and Michigan. The start times for Iowa’s home duals, as well as the television and internet coverage schedule, will be announced at a later date. Iowa will open its 2010-11 home campaign Friday, Nov. 19 with the third-annual Iowa City Duals. Head Coach Tom Brands, who has a career dual mark of 99-26, will be looking to pick up his 100th victory. The list of competing teams, as well as the schedule for the day will be announced at a later date. The remainder of Iowa’s home schedule includes duals with Iowa State (Dec. 3), Michigan State (Dec. 5), Southern Illinois-Edwardsville (Jan. 7), Ohio State (Jan. 23), Indiana (Feb. 6) and Michigan (Feb. 13). The Hawkeyes kick off their road dual schedule with a triangular meet against Cornell College and Tennessee-Chattanooga at Mount Vernon, IA, Nov. 26. The Hawkeyes will also face former Iowa Assistant Coach and NCAA champion Doug Schwab at Northern Iowa (Dec. 9 - 7 p.m.) before heading to Evanston, IL, to defend their Midlands team title Dec. 29-30. Iowa will also have road duals at Oklahoma State (Jan. 14 - 2 p.m.), Northwestern (Jan. 28 – 7 p.m.), Penn State (Jan. 30 – 2 p.m.) and Minnesota (Feb. 20). The Hawkeyes will face Purdue Feb. 11 (6 p.m.) at Penn High School in Mishawaka, IN. Iowa will vy for its 35th Big Ten team title Mar. 5-6 at Northwestern’s Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, IL, and its 24th NCAA team title Mar. 17-19 at the Wacovia Center in Philadelphia, PA. Wrestling season tickets can be ordered from the UI Athletics Ticket Office, at (319) 335-9323, or online at www.hawkeyesports.com. Tickets are $67 for members of the public and $55 for UI faculty and staff. Single meet prices are $10 for adults and $5 for youth if purchased in advance for the Iowa City Duals, Michigan State, SIU-Edwardsville, Indiana and Michigan duals. The price is $13 for adults, $7 for youth and $2 for children ages five and under for the Iowa State and Ohio State duals. The day of the meet tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for youth for the Iowa Duals, Michigan State, SIU-Edwardsville, Indiana and Michigan duals, and $15 for adults, $8 for youth and $2 for children ages five and under for the Iowa State and Ohio State duals.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Virginia head wrestling coach Steve Garland has announced the hiring of Manny Rivera as an assistant coach with the program. Garland also announced that former Cavalier Brent Jones will serve as the team's volunteer coach this season. Rivera is a former All-America wrestler at Minnesota and still is an active wrestler at the international level. "We couldn't be happier that Manny will be joining the UVa wrestling family," Garland said. "He possesses all the qualities of a great mentor and coach for our student-athletes. We feel like we have brought in a very special person and we are excited to see what the future holds." Rivera comes to Virginia after working as an administrative assistant wrestling coach last season at Minnesota, where he assisted in training, motivating and directing student-athletes. He also assisted in structured practices, weight training and conditioning. "I am very excited to join the University of Virginia community," Rivera said. "I am looking forward to working with the Cavalier wrestling program." Rivera also served for two years as an assistant director at the School of Champions in Minneapolis and was a volunteer wrestling coach at Rosemead High School. Rivera had a standout wrestling career at Minnesota. He was a four-year starter for the Golden Gophers and a three-time NCAA qualifier, earning All-America honors in 2008 when he took seventh place at 141 pounds. He also was a member of Minnesota's 2007 NCAA Championship team. Rivera finished his Minnesota career with a 113-40 record and 27 falls. As a senior, he was a team captain. As a junior, he carried a 35-match winning streak at one point during the season - the sixth-longest winning streak in school history. Rivera has been successful at the international level as well. He was a bronze medalist at the 2010 Pan-American Games as a member of the Mexican National Team. A native of El Monte, Calif., Rivera earned a psychology degree from Minnesota in 2008. Rivera replaces Scott Moore, who moved closer to home and accepted a coaching position at Lock Haven. Jones wrestled at Virginia from 2005-10 and finished his UVa career as the school's all-time leader in pins (45) and ranks fourth in career victories (106). "Brent has been around our program for a long time," Garland said. "We are very happy that he has decided to stay in Charlottesville and help our student-athletes. We feel his wealth of competitive experience at the NCAA and especially the international levels will help our program immensely." Jones earned the 2010 Gorrarian Trophy at the NCAA Championships. The award is presented to the wrestler who pins the most opponents in the least amount of time at the championships. Jones recorded a pair of pins in the competition and needed just one minute, 33 seconds to do so. He also was the ACC champion at 197 pounds in 2009 and was named the ACC Championships' Most Outstanding Wrestler that year. Jones was a two-time NCAA qualifier who also won the 2008 University National Freestyle Championship at 211 pounds and the 2006 FILA Junior Freestyle National Championship at 211 pounds.

As the wrestling season's start is fast approaching, InterMat will be taking fans across the United States of America on a tour of scholastic wrestling. From early August until the middle of November, InterMat will introduce fans to the top senior wrestlers in the 49 states with scholastic wrestling. From Alaska to Florida, and from Maine to California, fans will gain exposure to the potential stars of future NCAA Championships. The rankings within this article do not necessarily reflect those done by InterMat. Did you a miss a Wrestling 49 feature? Visit Wrestling 49 archives. These wrestlers come from the western mountains of Madison County to the Atlantic Ocean in Wilmington. They range from 285 pounds to 112 pounds with both of these wrestlers having won folkstyle All-American honors this past spring. The top two wrestlers have each won multiple All-American honors at the Junior & Cadet Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota. Many of these wrestlers have won All-American honors during the past couple of years and most have proven themselves by defeating state champions from other states. North Carolina wrestling powerhouse Winston-Salem Parkland High School is the home to two wrestlers listed in the Wrestling 49 Top 10 (one also in honorable mention), while its rival Davie County has one in the Top 10 and one in honorable mention. Six wrestlers listed in the Wrestling 49 article are proud members of the acclaimed Arrichion Wrestling Club. These club members travel all along the east coast to major tournaments and team events. All of these wrestlers are looking to either enhance or make a name for themselves on the national level during the 2010-11 wrestling season. Below are the Top 10 senior wrestlers from North Carolina. 1. Harrison Honeycutt High School: Lake Norman Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 215 Projected College Weight Class: 197 Harrison HoneycuttAnalysis: Honeycutt is North Carolina's top wrestler and highest-ranked recruit for the upcoming season. He is a three-time All-American in Fargo and has a 3.5 GPA. As a rising freshman, Honeycutt prepared himself for high school by competing at Cadet Nationals Nationals (freestyle and Greco-Roman) in Fargo. He won just one match in these two events. Nonetheless, this helped the tall, gangling freshman get ready for high school competition. Honeycutt placed fifth at the North Carolina high school 3A state tournament his freshman season competing at 189 pounds. The summer of 2008 he returned to Fargo determined to make his mark. Honeycutt placed sixth in Greco and fifth in freestyle, becoming a Cadet double All-American for Team North Carolina. During his sophomore season Honeycutt won his first high school state championship at 189 pounds and finished the season undefeated with a 53-0 record. The summer of 2009 Honeycutt returned to Fargo for the third time. In Greco he defeated highly-rated Kyle Caylor (KS) and Matt Loew (NY) and eventually placing fifth earning him Junior All-American honors at 215 pounds. Last fall, Honeycutt was the runner-up at 215 pounds in the Super 32 Challenge in Greensboro, N.C. His junior season Lake Norman High School had moved up to the 4A state classification and Honeycutt moved up a weight class to 215 pounds. This did not matter as Honeycutt finished the season again undefeated winning his second state championship. He took a break from the spring and summer tournaments in 2010, but now is gearing back up and hopes to win his third straight state championship. Honeycutt enters his senior season at Lake Norman High School with a 105-match winning streak and has not given up a takedown in the last two seasons while wrestling for the Wildcats. He will compete again in the 215-pound weight class and will wrestle in college in the 197-pound weight class. Honeycutt is getting a lot of notice from college recruiters, but as of now is still open on where to further his wrestling and academic career. High on his list are: Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Arizona State, NC State, and Kent State. 2. Collin Campbell High School: Person Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 285 Projected College Weight Class: 285 Colin CampbellAnalysis: Campbell started the sport of wrestling when he joined the Arrichion wrestling club in the ninth grade. During his sophomore season he placed sixth in the 4A 285-pound classification. In the offseason Campbell competed extensively with his wrestling club, traveling around the country in folkstyle and freestyle events. The summer of 2009 Campbell traveled to the Cadet Nationals in Fargo. There he decided to try his skills in Greco. Even though Campbell had never wrestled in a Greco match before, he finished eighth and earned All-American honors. In freestyle he finished 3-2, losing close decisions to fourth-place winner Doug Vollaro (Florida) and champion Donny Longendyke (Minnesota). He competed in several college open tournaments during the fall of 2009, placing and winning matches. All of this hard work paid off for Campbell. He finished his high school junior season undefeated, winning his first state championship and not giving up any points in the state tournament. Last July Campbell went 2-2 in the Junior Greco division at Fargo. He went 7-2 in freestyle, earning him Junior All-American honors by placing fifth. To date, Campbell has earned multiple All-American honors. Along with his Fargo accomplishments, he has placed twice at FILA Cadet Nationals. Last fall he placed fifth in the Super 32 and placed fourth at Flo Nationals last spring. This summer he won a silver medal in the District All-Star division of the Disney Duals finishing with an 8-1 record. Campbell is an athletic heavyweight with a good shot. He is currently being recruited by Penn State, Michigan, and Rutgers. 3. Adonis Wright High School: Parkland Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 125/130 Projected College Weight Class: 141 Analysis: Adonis Wright didn't start wrestling until his freshman season in high school. For an inexperienced wrestler being on a perennial wrestling powerhouse team like Parkland High School, starting time is hard to come by. Nonetheless, Wright stayed on course, taking his lumps in the practice room and honing his skills. This all paid off when he won the 4A 125-pound high school state championship the very first season he qualified for the North Carolina state tournament. Wright finished the season with a 57-2 record. He may be the best true athlete among North Carolina's top wrestlers this season. With cat-like quickness and agility added to a strong stocky frame, this could be the formula for another state championship for Adonis Wright. This season Wright is being looked upon to lead Parkland High School in its quest for a fifth consecutive state individual tournament and dual team state championship. Wright looks to continue his education and wrestling career next year. He has Appalachian State, UNC Pembroke, Pratt Community College, and Ellsworth Community College recruiting him. 4. Stout Watson High School: Forsyth Country Day Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 171 Projected College Weight Class: 174 Analysis: Watson, like many top wrestlers, has a steep family tradition in the sport of wrestling. His brother, Johnny, won four state championships, twice placed at Prep Nationals and is currently in the Naval Academy. Stout Watson won his first state championship as a seventh-grader and the won again his eighth-grade season. Seventh and eighth-grade wrestlers are allowed to compete in the North Carolina Independent High School State Championships. His next two seasons, though, were cut short by injuries. As a junior, Watson won his third state championship and went on to place fourth at Prep Nationals. At Prep Nationals he lost a 3-0 decision to champion Chris Moon in the quarterfinals. He then defeated two-time New England runner-up Johann Roebelene, Blair Academy's New Jersey state champion Brad Bishop and Maryland state champion Ethan Keiser. In the consolation finals he lost in overtime to Virginia state runner-up Sam Law. For the 2010-11 season Stout Watson is looking for his fourth state championship and a National Preps title. Watson is a very skilled and technical wrestler. With an injury-free season, he should make his mark again in North Carolina and at Prep Nationals. Watson is a good student and is still open as to where to go and wrestle for in college. The Naval Academy, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech are high on his list. 5. Tom Puckett High School: Butler Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 140 Projected College Weight Class: 141/149 Tom PuckettAnalysis: Puckett, another Arrichion wrestler, has yet to win a high school state championship, even though he is still one of North Carolina's best wrestlers. As a freshman Puckett was the 4A state runner-up at 112 pounds. As a sophomore Puckett was injured in the regional tournament, but still fought back the next week with a fourth-place finish in the state tournament at 119 pounds. Last year Puckett decisioned two-time state champion Ben Creed in the semifinals, advancing to the state tournament finals for the second time in three years. In the finals he lost a hard-fought 5-4 decision to Adonis Wright. Although Puckett has yet to win the big prize in North Carolina, he has proven himself against state champions from other states in big offseason tournaments. Last spring at the USA Wrestling Northeast Regional he defeated Ohio state runner-up and Central Michigan commit Ty Davis. Puckett also defeated two-time Idaho state champion and Cadet Nationals Greco runner-up Casey George. Puckett has three older cousins that were North Carolina 4A state champions and all three went on to compete in college. So far Puckett is keeping an open mind for his college choice. Bloomsburg, Purdue, Boise State, and Arizona State are schools that have been recruiting him. 6. Scott Hardiman High School: Hibriten Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 135 Projected College Weight Class: 141 Scott HardimanAnalysis: Scott Hardiman is a Pennsylvania native that moved to North Carolina before his freshman year in high school. He is a two-time Team North Carolina Fargo National Team member. Hardiman placed fifth as a freshman in the 2A state tournament. He was beaten by Cardinal Gibbons' Matt Johnson in overtime in the semifinals his sophomore season and went on to finish third. Last year his high school team moved up to the 3A classification and so did last season's champion, Johnson. They met again in the state tournament semifinals, but this time Hardiman won a 6-2 decision. Hardiman went on to win his first state championship. His record the last two seasons is 95-3. He wrestled all last season with an injured shoulder. His spring surgery went well. He is now fully recovered and ready to defend his state championship. Hardiman is a very technical and slick wrestler who keeps a wrestling mat in his basement for year-round workouts when he is not practicing with his Arrichion club members. He is currently interested in Virginia Tech, Maryland, Appalachian State, and UNC Greensboro. 7. Dylan Cala High School: South Point Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 152 Projected College Weight Class: 157 Dylan CalaAnalysis:Cala first burst on the North Carolina wrestling scene by going undefeated at the USA Wrestling Schoolboy Nationals as an eighth-grader. He used this momentum and won the 3A 125-pound championship, where he slipped by two-time state champion and current UNC Greensboro wrestler Daniel Ownbey with a 5-4 decision. Cala found himself in the state finals again his sophomore season, but he dropped a 4-2 decision to Parkland senior and current Princeton wrestler Luis Ramos. After just 10 matches, Cala saw his junior season disappear due to a knee injury. The knee is heeled and he is now ready to compete for another North Carolina state championship. Cala has a great shot along with a lot of quickness and agility. His overall high school record is 109-3. He wants to go to college to continue his education and wrestling career. 8. Ray Farnsworth High School: St Stephens Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 119 Projected College Weight Class: 125 Analysis:Farnsworth is a very agile and skilled wrestler. He has beaten multiple high school state champions the last two years at various tournaments along the East Coast. Farnsworth was a state qualifier at 2A Bandys his freshman year. The next year he transferred to 3A St. Stephens and went undefeated winning his first state championship at 103 pounds. The spring of 2009 Farnsworth finished third in the NHSCA Sophomore Nationals at 103 pounds. Last season he made the 3A 112-pound state finals, but lost his only match of the season to sophomore sensation Garrison White. This set his record the last two years at 98-1. This season Farnsworth will be in search of his second state championship and another rematch with White should be on the horizon. Farnsworth says he would love to be a Tar Heel wrestler at North Carolina next year, but is still open for recruitment. 9. Michael Waters High School: Davie Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 119 Projected College Weight Class: 125 Analysis:Waters' only loss last season was a November matchup with Farnsworth. After that he compiled a 50-1 record and won the 4A 112-pound state championship. Waters was a state sixth-place winner as a freshman and a state runner-up his sophomore season. He has put a lot of work into the offseason and is getting noticed for it. In June he went undefeated wrestling for the Arrichion club team, compiling an 8-0 record in the District All-Star Division of the Disney Duals. At this tournament he defeated several state champions and placewinners from Pennsylvania and Ohio. Waters is interested in possibly attending a service academy. He has been contacted by Oregon State and Penn State about his wrestling future. Look for Waters to move up a weight class for his senior season. Another great matchup with Farnsworth could be in store at the annual St. Stephens dual tournament just before Thanksgiving! 10. Jovontae Coleman High School: Parkland Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 130/135 Projected College Weight Class: 141 Analysis: Coleman came up short at the state tournament last season, but when you wrestle a senior three-time state champion and North Carolina's No. 2 senior recruit to a close decision in the state finals that gets people to notice you. Coleman, like Wright, is a Parkland wrestler that only started the sport his freshman season. He learned the trade in the highly competitive Mustangs wrestling room. As a sophomore Coleman wrestled where Parkland needed him and was a state qualifier. At last years state tournament he defeated highly-regarded Joe Morrison by a major decision in the semifinals and lost to Tyrone Eatman by a decision in the state finals. Coleman has a very similar body frame and style as teammate Adonis Wright. They are also very similar in athletic ability, quickness, and agility. Coleman is hungry for his first state championship and it will be hard for anyone to deny him this coming February. Appalachian State and UNC Pembroke have been recruiting Coleman. Honorable Mention: Ben Creed (Cary) Matt Cusack (Davie) Joe Morrison (Panther Creek) Dale "Boomer" Boyd (Laney) Antwan Davis (Parkland) Cody Roberts (Madison) Sheldon Sales (Chatham Central) Zach Jarmillo (Havelock) Jake Nelson (Bandys) Josh Smith (Ashbrook)

With the fall semester starting at Kent State last week and wrestling practice less than a month away, the program got a glimpse of their future with the verbal commitment of Pennsylvania state champion Nick Carr. A two-time state placewinner and the first state champion in school history at South Fayette High School; Carr has his eyes set on defending his title before starting his college career. Nick Carr (Photo/Lisa Wilps)"I am very happy to say that I am going to attend Kent State and wrestle in college for the Golden Flashes," stated Nick Carr over the phone when speaking of his verbal on Monday night. "I really loved everything about the school and the direction wrestling program is headed; when you put the two of them together they made Kent the place for me." A two-time Pennsylvania state placewinner at 145 pounds, Nick has amassed an 87-15 record in three years of varsity competition. He expects to wrestle 149 in college but could see time at 141 as an underclassman or grow into a 157 as an upperclassman. Carr chose Kent State over a list of schools that included Virginia, Pitt, and Penn. "There were a lot of things that I liked about Kent State. The wrestling team has challenged themselves to get better every year to the point that they are consistently turning out All-Americans," said Carr when speaking of his decision. "They have a great coaching staff, some great wrestlers coming back, and a great recruiting class coming in. The location is perfect; I love the campus, and just think Kent is the ideal fit for me." Not only has Nick been an outstanding wrestler he has been a standout student as a member of the National Honor Society with a 3.6 accumulative GPA. "I have a lot of goals my senior year but I want to work hard to keep my grades up so I can earn some academic scholarship money to help out the team when I get to college," responded Carr. "I don't want to just maintain my GPA; it would be nice to improve it." Looking ahead to his final season of high school wrestling he hopes to set the bar higher as well. "It was great to win a state title last year so that goal doesn't change other than you want to defend. I want to have an undefeated season and work on the things that are going to make me a dominant wrestler,' commented Carr. "I want to work on top and I don't want to give up offensive points, it will make me a better wrestler and get me ready to compete in college." Nick became the third wrestler in the Class of 2011 to give his verbal commitment to Kent State joining Oak Harbor's Ian Miller and Wheeling Park's Kyle Bauer. Miller, a two-time Ohio state place winner; Bauer, a three-time West Virginia state placer; and Carr are each expected to sign their National Letters of Intent during the November signing period. All three are expected to enroll for classes next fall and each hopes to be competing for a spot in the starting lineup. Wrestling with Nick Carr You can call Nick Carr an under the radar recruit as he can't be found in the InterMat top 100 but that doesn't mean he won't crack the all-class or individual weight class rankings by the end of the year. Without a national freestyle or Greco-Roman resume, Carr stands on his scholastic record and a potential second Pennsylvania state championship carries a lot of weight. "It would be nice to be ranked but I don't wrestle for rankings…. I wrestle to win. I want to be the best wrestler I can be," offered Carr. "You can learn from your wins and you can learn from your losses. You can work on what you need to work on or you can spend time on what you do well. Simply put there is always something you can learn and something you can improve." With three seasons in the varsity lineup Nick has shown progress each year. Nick Carr (Photo/Lisa Wilps)As a freshman he attended classes at South Fayette High School but wrestled for Chartiers Valley through a co-op agreement between the two schools. Carr went 17-5, took second in his section, and placed sixth in the WPIAL at 135 pounds for the Colts. "It was tough not making it to state as a freshman because I thought I could have placed if I was there. A lot of wrestling is mental and once I understood that it helped me the next year." With South Fayette restarting their wrestling program in 2008 Nick stayed home to wrestle for the Lions, moved up to 145, won his first WPIAL title, and finished with a 38-8 record by placing fifth at state as a sophomore. Last season Carr went 32-2 overall wrestling at 145 and 152 pounds. He won his section for the first time, took home his second WPIAL title and finished second at regionals. Making his second trip to state Nick knocked off a pair of undefeated seniors and future college wrestlers. He beat Aaron Fry 5-3 in quarterfinals and Jordan Moss 6-3 in the finals; Fry will be wrestling this season for Lock Haven while Moss will be at Pitt. "I don't think I did anything different between my sophomore and junior years, it was more a case of just a lot of hard work coming together. While I may not compete year round I do train year round and that probably helps. I am probably on the wrestling mats three days a week and lifting five days a week," stated Carr when asked what took him from fifth to first. Nick is expected to start next season at 152 pounds before dropping to 145 in January. "It feels good to make my college decision before I start my senior year. It takes a lot of pressure off so I can have fun and focus on wrestling instead of recruiting," concluded Carr. "There are a lot of people that have helped me get to this point so it would be hard to mention everyone by name but I appreciate the support my coaches, my family, and my teammates have given me over the years. I am going to do my best to continue making them proud in the future." InterMat was granted permission to republish this article from BuckeyeWrestling.com. http://www.buckeyewrestling.com/?q=node/37585

Most Americans who traveled to Rome this summer were on vacation. They went to see the landmarks such as the Sistine Chapel, the Colesseum, Trevi Fountain ... to savor the cuisine ... and soak up some la dolce vita (the good life). Fifty summers ago, sixteen young men from the United States traveled to the capital of Italy strictly for business. All brought home lasting memories. Three -- Terry McCann, Shelby Wilson, and Doug Blubaugh -- came home with gold medals in freestyle wrestling from the 1960 Olympics. U.S. Wrestlers at the 1960 Olympics Freestyle: Eliot Gray Simons 52kg/114.5 lbs. 5th Terry McCann 57kg/125.5 1st Louis Giani 62kg/134.5 DNP Shelby Wilson 67kg/147.5 1st Doug Blubaugh 73kg/161 1st Ed DeWitt 79kg/174 4th Dan Brand 87kg/192 5th Bill Kerslake Heavyweight 8th Greco-Roman: Dick Wilson 52kg/114.5 lbs. DNP Larry Lauchle 57kg/125.5 DNP Lee Allen 62kg/134.5 8th Ben Northrup 67kg/147.5 DNP Fritz Fivian 73kg/161 DNP Russ Camilleri 79kg/174 8th Howard George 87kg/192 DNP Dale Lewis Heavyweight DNPMeet the medalists The three U.S. wrestlers who earned gold in 1960 were all from the American heartland, and had wrestled at collegiate powerhouse programs ... yet each had unique aspects of his mat career to set him apart from his fellow teammates. Terry McCann was the oldest of the three "golden boys," wrestling in Rome at age 26. Born March 23, 1934, Terrence John McCann was the eldest of six children. Growing up on northwest side of Chicago, he was short in stature, but that didn't keep him from competing in various sports in the neighborhood. Incredibly, he was introduced to Olympic wrestling by visiting a sweet shop ... "I was at a candy store and saw a picture of this little guy, Allie Morrison, getting a gold medal for wrestling," McCann told wrestling writer/historian Mike Chapman for his 2006 book, Legends of the Mat, mentioning Morrison, an Iowan who had won gold at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. "I was very impressed. I thought he was just a little guy, and that if he could do something so special in sports, so could I. That was the start. I had a vision." McCann discovered the sport that was right for a guy his size -- 5'4". As a youngster, McCann competed in local wrestling events in his hometown ... then wrestled at Carl Schurz High School, where he became a three-time Chicago city champion. As a senior, McCann won the 112-pound title at the 1952 Illinois state championships, pinning his finals opponent in just 37 seconds. (For years, this was the fastest fall in a title match at the Illinois state wrestling tournament.) After graduating from Schurz, McCann enrolled at the University of Iowa. Wrestling for head coach Dave McCuskey, the lean-muscled McCann found his greatest success his last two years as a Hawkeye. In his junior year, McCann won his first Big Ten title (defeating Richard Meeks of Illinois in the finals); two weeks later, he pinned Oklahoma State's Dave Bowlin in the 115-pound finals at the 1955 NCAAs at Cornell University. Senior year, McCann earned another Big Ten title (pinning Indiana's Manuel Pihakis in the title match), followed by his second 115-pound national title, shutting out Bill Hulings of Pittsburgh, 6-0, at the 1956 NCAA Championships at Oklahoma State. It was the capstone of a great career at Iowa; in his last two years as a Hawkeye, McCann never lost a match. After graduating from Iowa, McCann won the first of three straight national AAU freestyle titles (1957-1959) at 125 pounds. The Chicago native was also undefeated in a string of eight dual meets with the Soviet Union in the late 1950s. Doug Blubaugh: Coming into the world on the last day of 1934, Douglas Morlan Blubaugh was nine months younger than Terry McCann ... stepping onto the mats in Rome at age 25. When asked what made him a formidable wrestler, Blubaugh responded, "Thank God I grew up on a wheat farm in Oklahoma that didn't have electricity or running water ?til during World War II. Doing farm chores built a work ethic. It was hard work. I never lifted weights -- couldn't afford them -- but hefted bales of hay. Strength from working on a farm is different; you get ?endurance strength' from farm work." Doug BlubaughDoug Blubaugh was introduced to wrestling by his older brother Jack, who had won a Pan-American wrestling championship in 1955, and just missed making the U.S. wrestling team for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. The younger Blubaugh competed on the Ponca City High wrestling team, winning the 141-pound title at the 1953 Oklahoma state championships. For college, Blubaugh headed 30 miles south of home, to what was then called Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State). His first wrestling coach was Art Griffith; his senior year, his former teammate, Myron Roderick, took the reins of the legendary program. Blubaugh was a three-time NCAA All-American, placing third at 147 pounds at the 1955 NCAAs... then just missing out on the 157-pound title at the 1956 NCAAs by losing 4-3 in the finals to Illinois' Larry TenPas. However, the following year, Blubaugh grabbed the title at that weight at the 1957 NCAAs in Pittsburgh with a decisive 9-3 finals win over Mike Rodriguez of the University of Michigan. Even while at Oklahoma State, Blubaugh was laying the groundwork for an international wrestling career. He tried out for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics as a nineteen-year-old, but did not make the U.S. team. After graduating from Oklahoma State, Blubaugh won the 1957 National AAU freestyle title (and Outstanding Wrestler honors), then, later that year, joined the Army. After basic training at Fort Knox and Airborne school at Fort Benning, Blubaugh was assigned to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he could concentrate on his wrestling training. In 1959, Blubaugh won a title at the Pan-American Games in Chicago, equaling the feat of his older brother Jack, who was a 1955 Pan Am champ ... thus becoming the first set of U.S. brothers to earn gold at the Pan Ams. Shelby Wilson: At age 23, Shelby Autrie Wilson was the youngest of the three U.S. gold medal winners in Rome, and among the youngest of the entire U.S. wrestling team. And, unlike McCann and Blubaugh, Wilson did not have any international experience. In fact, he had not won a single high school state title, nor an NCAA championship. Wilson, the oldest of four children, was born July 14, 1937 in north-central Oklahoma. He was introduced to wrestling in junior high, and had a great mat career at Ponca City High School -- the same school as Doug Blubaugh -- losing only three matches. Sadly, all three of those losses were at the Oklahoma high school state tournament. Wilson placed third twice, and was runner-up his senior year, but never won a state title. Wilson was recruited by the University of Oklahoma, but chose to wrestle for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Again, the Ponca City native had a near-perfect career as a Cowboy, winning two Big Eight conference titles, defeating the same wrestler -- Oklahoma's Paul Aubrey -- in the 137-pound finals in 1958 and 1959. However, Wilson suffered two critical losses in college, both in national title matches. At the 1958 NCAAs at the University of Wyoming, Wilson lost in the 137-pound finals to Aubrey, 11-9. At the 1959 NCAAs at the University of Iowa, Wilson was upset by Iowa State's Larry Hayes in the title bout, 11-3. Shelby Wilson came back to Oklahoma State in the fall of 1959, thinking he had some eligibility left by using a redshirt year for an injury that had kept him competing as a sophomore, but the NCAA ruled him ineligible for the championships. At that point, Wilson's college coach, Myron Roderick, urged him to try out for the 1960 U.S. Olympic wrestling team. "My heart wasn't really in freestyle at the time," according to Wilson. "My only experience was at the 1959 AAUs ... I had no ?Olympic dream.'" Getting there Led by U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestling coach Port Robertson (long-time coach at the University of Oklahoma) and Greco-Roman coach Briggs Hunt (who normally headed up the wrestling program at UCLA), sixteen U.S. wrestlers boarded a Pan American World Airways DC7 propeller plane in New York City with other U.S. Olympic athletes for the trip to Rome to compete in the Summer Games of the XVII Olympiad. Shelby Wilson, Terry McCann, Doug Blubaugh (Photo/AWN)However, getting on board that flight to Rome wasn't as easy as flashing a boarding pass to the stewardess. In fact, for the three eventual gold medalists, the specific journey to the 1960 Olympics had begun months earlier ... with each wrestler having at least one individual who was instrumental in putting them on the right path to Rome. Terry McCann was blessed to have two family members who helped him. One was his wife Lucille, who encouraged her husband to pursue his Olympic dream first realized in that Chicago candy shop where he saw the magazine featuring Allie Morrison and his 1928 Olympic gold medal. McCann believed the wrestling training opportunities were best in Oklahoma, so Lucille urged him to move the entire family from Chicago to Tulsa, where he could train at the YMCA. While in Tulsa, he worked out with his younger brother Fran, who wrestled at Oklahoma State at the time. (Fran later transferred to Terry's alma mater, Iowa, where he earned All-American honors at the 1962 NCAAs.) Phil Kinyon made a positive impact on Shelby Wilson's quest for Olympic glory. Wilson spent the summer of 1960 at the farm of Kinyon, a powerfully built wrestler who had international mat experience from competing in the Navy before joining the Oklahoma State roster in the early 1960s, where he won the 157-pound crown at the 1961 NCAAs. "We went at each other every day," said Wilson. "We worked out, ran, worked his farm, then would wrestle two twelve-minute matches. That's where I perfected my moves ... Phil was a very important part of my Olympic victory and without him, I'm not sure what would have happened." For Doug Blubaugh, it was fellow Army soldier Ed DeWitt, a 1956 NCAA champ at 167 pounds for the University of Pittsburgh, who made the 1960 U.S. Olympic freestyle team at 174 pounds. "For six months I worked out with Ed every day," Blubaugh told writer Jamie Moffatt for the 2009 book Glory Beyond the Sport: Wrestling and the Military. "He was tough on me. If I hadn't had him there as a partner, I would never had won an Olympic gold medal." Blubaugh also gave full credit to another training partner at West Point. "If it weren't for Al Rushatz, I would never have won my Olympic gold medal." From Ames to Norman to Rome Medals awarded at 1960 Olympics Freestyle Flyweight -- 52kg/114.5 lbs. Gold: Ahmet Bilek, Turkey Silver: Masayuki Matsubara, Japan Bronze: Ebrahim Seifpour, Iran Bantamweight -- 57kg/125.5 Gold: Terry McCann, USA Silver: Nezhdet Zalev, Bulgaria Bronze: Tadeusz Trojanowski, Poland Featherweight -- 62kg/134.5 Gold: Mustaff Dagistanli, Turkey Silver: Stancho Ivanov, Bulgaria Bronze: Vladimir Rubashvili, USSR Lightweight -- 67kg/147.5 Gold: Shelby Wilson, USA Silver: Vladimir Synyvaski, USSR Bronze: Enyu Vlachev, Bulgaria Welterweight -- 73kg/161 Gold: Doug Blubaugh, USA Silver: Ismail Ogan, Turkey Bronze: Muhammed Beshir, Pakistan Middleweight -- 79kg/174 Gold: Hasan Gungor, Turkey Silver: Georgy Skhirtlauze, USSR Bronze: Hans Antonsson, Sweden Lt. Heavyweight -- 87kg/192 Gold: Ismet Atli, Turkey Silver: Gholamreza Takhti, Iran Bronze: Anatoli Albul, USSR Heavyweight Gold: Wilfried Dietrich, Germany Silver: Hamit Kaplan, Turkey Bronze: Savkuds Dzarasov, USSR Greco-Roman Flyweight -- 52kg/114.5 lbs. Gold: Dumitru Parvulescu, Romania Silver: Osman E-Sayed, Unit. Arab Rep. Bronze: Mohammed Paziraei, Iran Bantamweight -- 57kg/125.5 Gold: Oleg Karavayev, USSR Silver: Ion Cernea, Romania Bronze: Dinko Petrov, Bulgaria Featherweight -- 62kg/134.5 Gold: Muzahir Sille, Turkey Silver: Imre Polyak, Hungary Bronze: Konstanin Vyrupaycz, USSR Lightweight -- 67kg/147.5 Gold: Avtandil Koridze, USSR Silver: Branislav Martinovic, Yugoslavia Bronze: Gustav Freij, Sweden Welterweight -- 73kg/161 Gold: Mithat Bayrak, Turkey Silver: Gunter Maritschnigg, Germany Bronze: Rene Schiemeyer, France Middleweight -- 79kg/174 Gold: Dimitar Dobrev, Bulgaria Silver: Lother Metz, Germany Bronze: Ion Tarana, Romania Lt. Heavyweight -- 87kg/192 Gold: Tevfik Kis, Turkey Silver: Krali Bimbalov, Bulgaria Bronze: Givi Karatoziya, USSR Heavyweight Gold: Ivan Bogdan, USSR Silver: Wilfried Dietrich, Germany Bronze: Bohurnil Kubat, CzechoslovakiaIt would take more than tough workout partners and the encouragement of family to ensure a trip to Rome. In the summer of 1960, wrestlers had to clear two sets of hurdles to make the U.S. Olympic wrestling team. The first hurdle: A wrestler had to win his weight class at the 1960 U.S. Olympic Trials at the Armory on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames. In more recent times, winning the Trials ensured a wrestler a trip to the Olympics. However, in 1960, a second hurdle was added. In late July and early August, the top three wrestlers in each weight class from the Trials participated in an extended Olympic Training Camp at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, with the winner qualifying for the U.S. Olympic team. By all accounts, the Olympic Training Camp was a grueling experience. The weather was brutally hot, with temperatures well into the 90s. Wrestling mats set up both inside the gym and outdoors were slick with humidity. There was no refuge from the heat and humidity in the un-air conditioned dorms. Jamie Moffatt's book Wrestlers at the Trials told of how some wrestlers soaked their bedsheets in cold water in an attempt to get some sleep in the stifling hot rooms. In an interview for this article, Shelby Wilson said, "Blubaugh and I brought a box fan, then put wet towels in front of it." The wrestlers' workouts were just as brutal as the weather. "We ran 4-5 miles in the morning, ran the football stadium stairs in the afternoon, on top of two-a-days (practices)," said Russ Camilleri, San Jose State wrestling alum who competed at 177 pounds at the 1958 NCAA Championships, and earned a place on the 1960 Olympic Greco-Roman team at 174 pounds. "It was a tough, tough experience," echoed Shelby Wilson. "In a typical day, got up, went to the mat about 6:30, calisthenics ?til 7:05 -- and not jumping jacks, either -- then a workout, then breakfast, then sprints on the football field, or stair runs." "We were drinking saline water out of 10-gallon containers like it was going out of style," Wilson added. However, to Camilleri's mind, it was all worth it: "When it came time to compete in Rome, the kids were in fantastic shape. Oklahoma prepared us for it." Wilson backed that notion: "We were pushed, but we were in shape. We were incredibly well-prepared for Rome." Each of the 1960 Olympic gold medalists -- Terry McCann, Shelby Wilson and Doug Blubaugh -- had to overcome unique challenges beyond the heat in his quest to compete in Rome. For McCann, it was an injury ... then a hospitalization. Just before the 1960 Olympic Trials, McCann injured his knee, and was unable to wrestle at the qualifying event at Iowa State. The Olympic Committee ruled that McCann could have another chance; at the Olympic Training Camp, the former Hawkeye went up against two-time NCAA champ Dave Auble from Cornell University. After winning their first match in the best-of-three series, McCann suffered another potential setback -- he collapsed from the heat, and was hospitalized. After a brief stay, the Chicago native came out of the hospital to defeat his Big Red rival Auble to become the 125.5-pound freestyle wrestler on the 1960 U.S. Olympic team. For Blubaugh, it was rival who just wouldn't quit. Blubaugh battled Phil Kinyon -- yes, Shelby Wilson's summer training partner -- thirteen times in four years in freestyle competition, with the first twelve ending in draws, eleven of them scoreless. Five of these matches were specifically to determine who would wrestle in Rome. In their last match, Blubaugh scored a takedown ... and a place on the U.S. freestyle team at 161 pounds. As for Wilson, he earned a spot on the Greco team with two victories over Ben Northrup ... but preferred to compete in freestyle, so he had to defeat the winner from the Trials in Ames, Frank Bettucci, who had been on the 1956 Olympic team. Wilson defeated Bettucci in their first match; the second match was never wrestled because his opponent had left the Training Camp. Wilson was going to Rome to compete in freestyle at 147.5 pounds; Ben Northrup wrestled Greco-Roman for the U.S. in the same weight class. Despite their impressive wrestling credentials and rigorous training, none of the U.S. wrestlers was apparently favored to medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics. In its Olympics preview, Sports Illustrated did not include a single U.S. wrestler on its pre-Games depth chart for wrestling. In the explanatory text for the chart, the popular sports weekly wrote of the unique winning aspects of the Russians, Japanese, Turks and Iranians in freestyle competition, and Russians, Swedes, Finns and Turks for Greco Roman ... while dismissing the Americans' chances with this line: "U.S. colleges don't use the international style, where the instantaneous touch rule applies, making this Olympic team weaker than it should be." When in Rome ... The Rome Olympics were held August 25 through September 11, 1960. There were 5,349 athletes -- 4,737 men, and 612 women -- from 83 countries, competing in 17 sports. (By contrast, just over 11,000 athletes from 204 countries competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.) Recent Olympics have served as an opportunity for their hosts to showcase cutting-edge architecture; Beijing's "Bird's Nest" National Stadium and "the Cube" swimming venue for the 2008 Olympics immediately come to mind. Fifty years ago, Rome took a two-prong approach, with some venues looking space-age modern, such as the Palazzo dello Sport and the smaller Palazzetto dello Sport, designed by noted Italian architect Pier Luigi Nervi ... while others were actually ancient. 1960 Olympics Basilica of Maxentius at nightTake the wrestling venue. Wrestlers in freestyle and Greco-Roman -- 324 in all, from 46 countries -- competed in the ruins of the Basilica of Maxentius, completed in 312 AD as the largest structure in the Roman Forum. While nowadays the word "basilica" is used to describe a place of worship, in ancient Rome, the Basilica of Maxentius functioned as a courthouse, council chamber and meeting hall. (The structure served as a model for the Basilica of St. Peter in Vatican City, constructed in the 1500s.) The wrestling mats were framed by the three remaining arches from the basilica. Because much of the original vaulted roof structure was long gone (it had fallen in an earthquake in the seventh century), wrestling took place essentially outdoors. David Maraniss' 2008 book Rome 1960: The Olympics That Changed The World said the ancient ruins-turned-wrestling venue had been "ingeniously transformed into a three-mat wrestling venue, replete with floodlights, outdoor grandstands, and a row of twenty telephone booths for deadline journalists." (Realize that wrestling writers had to use these phones to dictate their stories to their editors; this was before today's personal communication devices, laptop computers, and the Internet.) In its 1960 Olympic reporting, Amateur Wrestling News said the Basilica of Maxentius "accommodated 7-8,000 spectators. Two sessions, morning and night, were held for 10 days. Attendance at all sessions was good and the finals were complete sellouts at $8.05, no reserved seats. There were no signs or scoring indicators used and no announcements to tell the audience what contestants were performing. No Olympic ceremony after each event or class led to further confusion. No one could understand the announcer." The U.S. wrestlers were not usually among the spectators, so it was rare for them to see each other compete. "We were kept in a dressing room before matches," recalled Shelby Wilson. According to Maraniss, high temperatures during the Rome Games were usually in the 90s, sometimes inching over 100 degrees. Matches were scheduled for daytime and evenings; more than one wrestler interviewed for this article talked about the intense summer sun shining on the mats, making them hot to the touch. As Russ Camilleri put it, "In par terre, if you were in the down position, you didn't want to stay there long." The mats themselves were not the foam-core mats with a smooth, bonded vinyl surface -- generally referred to by the wrestling community by the brand-name Resilite -- which had been introduced in the U.S. in the late 1950s and had revolutionized American high school and college wrestling. (Read InterMat Rewind "Old School Strategy" story.) "The Olympic mats had a strange cover that I would describe as being felt," said Ed DeWitt, who wrestled freestyle for the U.S. at 174 pounds. "Never saw anything like it ... I'm not sure what it was filled with -- could have been horsehair." "We had a Resilite practice mat that we had brought with us at the Olympic Village. The Olympic mats were hard to move around on." Speaking of workouts ... Shelby Wilson remembered two-a-day practice sessions in Rome. "We had a bit of a rebellion," said the former Cowboy All-American. "The team started backing off. We weren't going to work like demons." "The coaches got ticked off, called Blubaugh to ask what was going on." "I don't think there was a better-conditioned team." Life off the Olympic mats By contrast to the ancient Basilica of Maxentius site for the wrestling, the Olympic Village was brand-new, and, according to DeWitt, designed to serve as housing for Rome residents after the 1960 Games. "The housing was constructed of steel, glass, aluminum and stone," said DeWitt, who wrestled for coach Ed Peery at the University of Pittsburgh. "The buildings were up on stilts -- I think it was for parking for future residents." (In an August 2010 Associated Press article commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Opening Ceremonies for the Rome Games, "the 1960 Olympic Village is badly deteriorating under the strain of residential housing.") DeWitt shared a room with Doug Blubaugh at the Olympic Village; Russ Camilleri roomed with Dan Brand. Both pairs had been friends before Rome -- DeWitt and Blubaugh from the Army, Camilleri and Brand, from working out together at the University of Nebraska, as Camilleri was stationed at the Air Force facility in Lincoln while Brand wrestled for the Cornhuskers. "For the mess halls, they grouped us together by similar country," said DeWitt. "We went to the English-speaking hall, along with athletes from the UK, Australia, South Africa. There was another hall for Eastern European countries, another for Asians, serving food that would appeal to athletes from that part of the world." "There was also an international mess hall that was open late. We'd eat there after practice, or after matches at night. But you had to be selective about what you chose to eat, because you didn't recognize a lot of it." While the trip to Italy was no Roman holiday, it wasn't all work and no play for the U.S. wrestlers. "We were there about 4-5 days in advance, so we got to do some sightseeing," recalled Shelby Wilson. DeWitt echoed that notion, saying, "We each got a free bus pass, which made it easy to see the city." In separate interviews, DeWitt and Camilleri each told a story about an incident while out seeing the sights. "We were about to get on a carriage for a tour," recalled Camilleri. "We had a girl as our tour guide. A house painter working on a scaffold over our heads said something to her like, ?Bring them over here and I'll dump paint on them.'" "I told them, ?One of us might know Italian,'" said Camilleri, whose father came to America from Sicily at age 14, and spoke Italian at home. "The tour guide apologized profusely for the rest of that tour." "The Italians didn't realize Russ knew Italian," said DeWitt. "He set them straight." Not all the sightseeing took place on the streets of Rome. Camilleri also talked about the social room at the Olympic Village, "a place for entertaining the athletes, and meeting with families," as the U.S. Greco 174-pounder described it. "Lots of Hollywood stars and celebrities would stop by -- Bing Crosby (actor/singer, famous for White Christmas) and his wife Kathryn, Grace Kelly, Tina Louise ... I remember sitting with Bing and I kept calling him, ?Mr. Crosby' and he kept asking me to call him Bing. Grace Kelly was gorgeous -- as beautiful as she was on film. (Kelly had been an Academy Award-winning actress who, at age 26, became Princess Grace of Monaco in the mid 1950s.) Her brother was an Olympic rower ... Tina Louise towered above just about everyone. She had to be 6'1" in heels," Camilleri said of the actress who folks not even born in 1960 might recognize as playing the glamorous-but-clueless actress Ginger in the sixties sitcom Gilligan's Island that's still seen in reruns decades later. At least two of the U.S. wrestlers came away with magical memories of their time in the Eternal City. "Rome was Rome," said Camilleri. "Gorgeous, historical, perfect weather. A wonderful time in a wonderful place." Shelby Wilson backed up that sentiment: "A great historical experience to be in Rome, to compete in the ancient ruins of Rome. How could one hope for a better experience?" The Cold War, fought in Rome Even a setting as beautiful as Rome could not escape from the clouds of the Cold War. During the 1950s and into the 60s, there was considerable tension between the world's two superpowers, the U.S. and the Soviet Union ... tension that reached new heights just days before the Games began. The USSR put on trial Francis Gary Powers, pilot of a U.S. U2 spy plan that had been shot down earlier that year. The Olympics were viewed as yet another battlefield in the Cold War, as the athletes from the two superpowers and the nations that considered themselves allies to one or the other, engaged in combat on the track, in the swimming pool, and on the wrestling mat. The topic of the Cold War and its impact on the 1960 Olympics was an ongoing theme throughout David Maraniss' book Rome 1960 ... and a topic that came up repeatedly in interviews for this article, with stories of how officials scored wrestling matches based not on objective observation, but on national ideologies. This was not unique to Rome; it was a fact of life at the 1952 Helsinki and 1956 Melbourne Games ... and in subsequent Olympics as well. In Rome 1960, Maraniss shared the story of a Greco-Roman wrestler from Bulgaria who threw a match to help a Russian win the gold medal: "Late in a semifinal match between Dimitro Stoyanov of Bulgaria and Avtandil Koridze of the Soviet Union, with the score tied and both wrestlers facing elimination from gold medal contention if it ended in a draw, Stoyanov suddenly seemed to lose his fighting will. His dive allowed Koridze to win, and keep the gold medal away from Branislav Martinovic of Yugoslavia. Almost alone among Eastern Europeans, the Bulgarians were thought to be loyal to the Soviets to the point of athletic obedience. Yugoslavia and Hungary, by contrast, took pride in beating the Big Reds. Only four years earlier, at the 1956 Melbourne Games, Hungary defeated the USSR 4-0 in water polo just after the Soviets had crushed the Hungarian revolution. That confrontation was the stuff of legend, contested with such ferocity that it became known thereafter as the ?Blood in the Water' match." The Russians denied there was a fix. However, the International Wrestling Association disqualified the Bulgarian, and gave the Russian a penalty point. They did not disqualify Koridze -- the eventual gold medal winner in Greco at 67 kg/147.5 pounds -- because they could not prove he was in on the fix. Incidents such as this -- and the general Cold War tensions that prevailed fifty years ago -- factored into Americans' interest in how their athletes did in Rome. As Shelby Wilson said in an interview for this story, "When I got home, everyone want to know if I beat a Russian." A whole different ballgame in 1960 Firsts at the 1960 Olympics An Associated Press article commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Opening Ceremonies at the 1960 Rome Games included this series of firsts: First Olympics broadcast on TV. CBS paid $600,000 to the Rome organizing committee -- not the International Olympic Committee (IOC) -- for the broadcast rights. The network sent three on-air reporters to Rome, and had Jim McKay (this was before he became the host of ABC's Wide World of Sports) serve as the anchorman back in New York City. Each day, videotapes were sent on regularly-scheduled Alitalia flights. The time difference made it possible for CBS to broadcast tapes of early-in-the-day events in prime time in the U.S. First Olympics with a major doping scandal. Danish cyclist Knud Enemark Jensen collapsed during his race under the influence of Roniacol -- a blood circulation medication -- and died the same day. The IOC created a medical committee in 1961, issued its first list of banned substances in 1967 and started testing athletes a year later. First African-American flag carrier: Decathlete Rafer Johnson was chosen by his U.S. Olympic teammates to carry the Stars and Stripes to lead the American athletes at the Opening Ceremonies. (Johnson won the gold medal in Rome.) First African to win a marathon. Abebe Bikila of Ethiopia ran barefoot and won a night marathon in front of the Colosseum, starting the age of African dominance in long-distance races. First introduction to sports superstars. Among the great athletes featured at the Rome Olympics who went on to become household names: boxer Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay back then), sprinter Wilma Rudolph, decathlete Rafer Johnson, and basketball hall of famers Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Jerry Lucas, Walt Bellamy and coach Pete Newell.For anyone whose experience with international wrestling is limited to, say, the 2010 U.S. World Team Trials, or 2008 Olympics, the 1960 Olympics would seem very foreign. For starters, there were no women wrestling in the ruins of the Basilica of Maxentius. The first Olympics to feature women's freestyle wrestling was the 2004 Athens Games. At the 1960 Rome Olympics, there were eight weight classes each in freestyle and Greco-Roman, compared to seven weights each in today's international wrestling events. Fifty years ago, matches were 12 minutes each ... and the scoring system was radically different than what we know today. In 1960, there was a black mark system that determined a wrestler's fate as he moved through the bracket. If a wrestler lost by a decision, he received two black marks. If a wrestler was pinned, he suddenly had four black marks. A draw counted as two black marks against both wrestlers. If that sounds punitive ... wrestlers who won a match by a regular decision still earned one black mark! The only way to avoid any black marks was to pin your opponent. If a wrestler tallied a total of six black marks, he was out of the competition -- even if he had won all his matches! Wrestling for gold Sixteen wrestlers from the U.S. all started competition in Rome with the same dream: to bring home a gold medal. The eight U.S. Greco-Roman wrestlers participated in five days of competition in the last week of August; none earned a medal. The eight American freestyle grapplers competed September 1-6 ... some with great success. Here's how three of the U.S. freestylers realized their golden moment fifty years ago: Terry McCann: Despite being a married family guy by the time he arrived at the University of Iowa, McCann had earned a fearsome reputation which he brought with him to Rome. Shelby Wilson said of his Olympic teammate, "At his peak, McCann was an animal. When he wrestled Dick Delgado (Oklahoma) at the (1956) NCAAs at Oklahoma State, he was most impressive." "He could pysch himself up like other guy I've seen -- gripping his headgear, walking the side of the mat like a caged tiger." "When they were about to wrestle, McCann grabbed his headgear, let it stretch way out, then snap back to hit himself in the head. He then crossed the mat all the way over into Delgado's corner. Proceeded to give Delgado a whipping." (McCann beat the Sooner 6-1 in the semifinals, and went on to win his second NCAA title. Delgado won the 115-pound title in 1958 and 1959.) McCann took that intensity into the Olympic competition. In his first match on September 1, the former Hawkeye decisioned Vesterby of Sweden. The next day, McCann pinned Hanni of Switzerland at 1:40. On September 3, McCann earned a decision over Panama's Campbell. That smooth path to success hit a major detour with the next match, vs. Tauno Jaskari of Finland. "We were wrestling outdoors and it rained in Rome the day of that match," McCann told wrestling historian Mike Chapman for his 2006 book Legends of the Mat. "They cancelled all the outdoor matches and I went up to my room to sleep. About 8 p.m., someone was shaking me, saying to wake up, I had to go wrestle. By the time I got to the arena, the Finn was already up on the mat ready to go. I always needed a good 30 minutes to warm up and get myself prepared but I had no time at all. I went out there ice cold." 1960 U.S. Olympic Freestyle TeamJaskari beat McCann, throwing cold water on the Chicagoan's Olympic dream he had carried with him for two decades. Fran McCann remembered the events, even though he was half a world away. "I was fishing in northern Wisconsin," said Terry McCann's younger brother, now an instructor at the University of Notre Dame, in an interview for this story. "Back then, the matches weren't televised, and there was no Internet to provide coverage. The last word we had received by phone was that Terry had lost, so we thought he was out of the competition." Meanwhile, back in Rome, Doug Blubaugh was concerned about Terry McCann after the upset loss, so the Oklahoma State Cowboy followed his teammate as he headed away from the wrestling venue. "I just hung in the shadows and trailed him," Blubaugh told Legends of the Mat author Chapman more than 40 years after that night. "I knew he didn't want to talk to anyone. He was really depressed. He was considered our best hope for a gold medal and he felt like he had let everyone down ...his family, friends and teammates, and himself ... He finally stopped on a bridge over the Tiber River, looking down into the water. I just came up and put a hand on his shoulder and said, ?We have a tough day tomorrow, Terry, we should go back.'" Shelby Wilson remembers that McCann had been discouraged by the realization he would have to pin his next opponent -- Michail Shakov of the USSR -- in order to stay alive in his quest for gold. With the black marks he had already accumulated, a simple decision over the Soviet would not be enough to continue into the medal round. Terry McCann had wrestled Shakov before, when the USSR team toured the U.S. in 1958. It was the only match out of eight vs. the Russians that McCann did not win; the bout ended in a draw. With all this pressure, the 26-year-old father of five stepped out onto the mat on September 6 to face his Soviet rival. In less than a minute -- 48 seconds to be exact -- McCann had pinned Shakov, avoiding any additional black marks, and was still in contention for gold. After scoring a fall over the Russian, there was no stopping Terry McCann. Later that evening, McCann pinned Trojanowski of Poland, then scored a decision over Zalev of Bulgaria, to claim the freestyle gold medal at 57 kg/125.5 lbs (bantamweight). "We had a big celebration on the north side of Chicago," said Fran McCann. "A friend baked a cake in Terry's honor." Shelby Wilson: The Ponca City native may have had a queasy feeling of déª vu soon after arriving in Rome. Wilson, who had battled a flu bug upon arriving at the Olympic Training Camp in Oklahoma and spent some time in the infirmary, was laid low by an illness before the start of the Olympics. "In Rome, I got even sicker. Dry heaves all night long," said Wilson. "Took a couple days off, and bounced back even stronger. I think the rest may have actually helped me." Wilson had been slated to wrestle six matches, but drew a bye in one of the rounds. In a 2007 interview with this writer for an InterMat Rewind profile, Wilson described the 1960 Olympics as "the easiest tournament I was ever in." Asked to clarify that seemingly bold statement, Wilson immediately responded: "It was only one match a day for five days. It wasn't hard because I was totally prepared -- physically, mentally, spiritually ... I was in the best shape I'd ever been in. Everything in the plan was coming in line. Perfect preparation." In his first round bout on September 1, Shelby Wilson earned a decision over Gian of India. The next day, the Cowboy All-American got a decision over Finland's Peltoniemi. Wilson's third opponent was Kazno Abe of Japan. Here's how Wilson described the situation in the book Tales of Gold: An Oral History of the Summer Olympic Games, Told By America's Gold Medal Winners by Lewis H. Carlson and John J. Fogarty: (Abe) and the Russian, Vladimir Sinyavski, who was a two-time world champion and number-one contender for the Olympic gold medal at the time, were big rivals. They had wrestled in '59, just before the World Games. Abe beat Sinyavski in Japan and lost to him in Russia, so they figured one or the other was going to win the gold medal. The Japanese were very innovative in their wrestling, and they had just introduced what we call the "high crotch" series, which is a deep move to the outside, like a duck-under. Abe was very good at using that move, and few wrestlers from other countries had ever seen it. Wilson continued the story: As he was stepping onto the platform to wrestle Abe, Sinyavski, who was coming off the platform having just won his match, "looked me straight in the eye, and made a kind of slight wrestling gesture like the high crotch move ... He was warning me to watch out for that move." Wilson speculated that Sinyavski wasn't giving that advice to be nice, but with the hope that the U.S. wrestler might score an upset win over Abe, thus providing the Soviet with an easier future opponent in Wilson. Sinyanski got his wish; Wilson defeated Abe, 10-2, right in front of the USSR wrestler's eyes. "Terry McCann and Doug Blubaugh told me that I had the Russian psyched out. They said, ?We think you can beat this guy,'" according to Wilson. Wilson, not normally one to try to psych out opponents, upped the psychological warfare the next day when he faced Sinyanski on the mat. The former Cowboy performed an atypically aggressive warm-up routine, making himself appear to be more fearsome to his opponent, like McCann had at the 1956 NCAAs. It may have worked; Wilson took Sinyanski down five times in the first period, sending the Soviet into retreat mode. In fact, Sinyanski failed to score at all. Wilson advanced to the medal rounds. In his last match in Rome, Wilson earned a decision over Mostaf Tajiki of Iran, knocking him out of the tournament. He had to await the results of a match between a Bulgarian and a Korean. If the bout ended in decision or draw, the Oklahoman would automatically win the gold medal. Rather than watch the match, Wilson awaited the results in the dressing room. Despite having his opponent in a pinning predicament through much of the 12-minute match, the Bulgarian failed to score a fall on the Korean ... so Shelby Wilson received the gold medal in freestyle competition at 67 kg/147.5 pounds. Doug Blubaugh: In what the other Ponca City native described as "perhaps the toughest weight class," Blubaugh got off to a tremendous start at the 1960 Olympics. In his first match on September 1, Blubaugh pinned Canada's Boese at 2:21. The next day, the former Cowboy secured a fall at 3:35 over Bruggman of Switzerland. Blubaugh continued his pinning ways into his third match, getting a fall vs. Sweden's Carlsson at 6:12. However, the match that solidified Blubaugh's reputation was his fourth in Rome, taking on the world champion from Iran, Emam-Ali Habibi. The Iranian was highly decorated, having won a freestyle gold medal at 67 kg at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, gold at 73 kg at the Asian Games in 1958, and the 73 kg title at the 1959 Worlds. In fact, Habibi has been described as being undefeated in freestyle competition, and was considered a prohibitive favorite to win a second Olympic gold medal. In his quest to repeat his Melbourne success, Habibi was true to form in his bouts leading up to his fateful meeting with Blubaugh at the Rome Olympics. The Iran pinned his first opponent from Korea in less than two minutes, then earned decisions over rivals from Sweden, Pakistan, and Italy. On September 6, Blubaugh stepped onto the mat against the unbeaten -- and "unbeatable" -- Habibi, not really knowing what he was up against; the Oklahoman said he usually didn't look to see who he was wrestling before a match. Here's how Blubaugh described his match against the Iranian: "At the start of my match with Habibi, he comes right after me and knocks me on my butt. I get out of it, get up and boom, he does it again. Once more, I get out of it but am now behind by five points. I tell myself he can't do that to me a third time, so when he comes after me again, I flip him onto his back, hold him tightly while he is vainly bridging, and pin him." "The Epic Struggle" PosterThe world champion, finding himself in the rare position of being on his back, struggled mightly for what seemed liked an eternity, but Blubaugh secured the pin at 2:37 ... scoring one of the most exciting wins in modern Olympic wrestling history. It's a moment that has been immortalized in a famous poster of the pinning moment titled "The Epic Struggle;" silent film of the match is available for viewing on YouTube. It's surprising to realize that the Blubaugh-Habibi bout was NOT the gold medal match. After knocking off the champ, Blubaugh had two more matches that day ... pinning Bashir of Pakistan, then getting a decision over Turkey's Ogan to claim the gold medal in freestyle at 73 kg/161 pounds (welterweight). Months later, having returned to farming in Oklahoma, Blubaugh was out plowing a field when a package arrived. It was his award as the world's Outstanding Wrestler for 1960, obstensibly for defeating the unbeatable Habibi. Habibi came to the 1961 World Championships in Toledo, Ohio, seeking a rematch with Blubaugh. However, Blubaugh wasn't there -- as he put it, "in 1961, the gold medalists were not invited to the training camp." Blubaugh could not make a living from wrestling, and, by the rules of that era, even becoming a wrestling coach compromised a wrestler's amateur status. So Blubaugh returned to farming. Incredibly, that wasn't the end of the Blubaugh-Habibi connection. In the late 1970s -- nearly two decades after The Epic Struggle in Rome -- Habibi was seeking to have his family escape the political turmoil taking place in his native Iran at the time. The Habibi family relocated to New Albany, Indiana at the time Blubaugh was head wrestling coach at Indiana University in Bloomington, about an hour or so away. In the early 1980s, the sons of the two 1960 Olympic rivals were on opposing high school wrestling teams in the Hoosier state, but there was no second-generation Habibi-Blubaugh match. However, according to Blubaugh, the two Olympic rivals had dinner together about five years ago. Not since the Roaring 20s ... The 1960 Rome Olympics were the first time the U.S. had three wrestlers earn gold medals since the 1924 Games in Paris. In terms of number of gold medalists from a U.S. wrestling team, Rome still ranks among the more successful Olympics ever. Newspaper accounts stressed the "upset" nature of Terry McCann, Shelby Wilson and Doug Blubaugh each winning gold. Sports Illustrated was not the only "expert" to not anticipate any American grapplers taking the top step of the award podium in its pre-Olympics coverage. However, there were those who had no such doubts. Along with the "golden boys" themselves, another individual who did not seem at all surprised was U.S. freestyle coach Port Robertson. "Last year, American wrestling coaches set up an Olympic development committee, and last night, you saw the first tangible proofs of that organization," Robertson told the Associated Press in a September 7 interview. Robertson said one of the committee's most important efforts was the establishment of the three-week camp, held at the University of Oklahoma, where he was head wrestling coach. "That kept the boys really in their toes as they had to keep in shape and keep wrestling hard to make the team." Robertson also credited increased opportunities for American wrestlers for international experience. As part of a cross-cultural program, Russian wrestlers had come to the U.S. to compete in a series of matches in 1958, with the U.S. matmen going to Russia to wrestle in 1959. Golden legacies What happened to the gold medal winners from the 1960 U.S. Olympic wrestling team? Doug Blubaugh concluded a wrestling career of more than 400 victories and just 17 defeats, then shared that experience with others as a college coach, first as an assistant at Michigan State for seven years. While coaching the Spartans, Blubaugh also served as feeestyle coach of U. S. teams in the 1971 Pan American Games and World Championships. In 1972, Blubaugh headed south to Indiana University, where he was head coach of the Hoosiers for a dozen years. By the mid 1980s, he resumed what he described as one of his two passions -- farming (the other passion being wrestling) -- back in his native Oklahoma ... though he still participates in instructional wrestling camps and other wrestling-related events. (Update: Doug Blubaugh was killed in a motorcycle accident in Oklahoma in May 2011. He was 76 years old.) Doug Blubaugh and Shelby Wilson flank a good friendShelby Wilson also became a wrestling coach, serving at both the college and high school level, including seven years as head coach at the University of Colorado. More recently -- from 1985-2005 -- Wilson served as an assistant coach at Owen Valley High School at Spencer, Indiana, not far from his present home in Bloomington. While in Colorado in the early 1970s, Wilson and his wife Gretchen established The Stronghold Youth Foundation, a Christian-based service organization that continues in Bloomington, providing furniture and other housekeeping basics to students in need at Indiana University. Blubaugh and Wilson are being honored by their Oklahoma hometown with bronze statues at the Ponca City High School Fieldhouse, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Rome Olympics. After the Olympics, Terry McCann enjoyed a golden life. Not long after returning from Rome, McCann was featured on boxes of Wheaties -- a distinction reserved for top athletes -- and even appeared in a commercial for the breakfast cereal. He continued to serve the sport he loved, as a volunteer coach in Chicago for the Mayor Daley Youth Foundation, where the team won six AAU national freestyle titles and five Greco-Roman titles. McCann was instrumental in the establishment of what is now USA Wrestling. A natural, versatile athlete, McCann became an avid surfer and an executive in various organizations in that sport. McCann also put his leadership skills to work as executive director of Toastmasters International for a quarter-century. Then, in April 2005, Terry McCann was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a lung disease caused by asbestos, which the wrestler was exposed to in that refinery job in Oklahoma while training for the Olympics. He passed away on June 7, 2006 at age 72. All three of the 1960 Olympic gold medalists are Distinguished Members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater. Terry McCann was inducted into the Hall in 1977, Doug Blubaugh was welcomed in 1979, and Shelby Wilson in 1982. Four other wrestlers from the Rome Games are also in the Hall: Gray Simons in 1978, Bill Kerslake in 1982, Lou Giani in 2003, and, earlier this summer, Russ Camilleri. Related Content 1960 Olympic wrestling highlight of venue and Greco Roman and freestyle wrestling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHpLdW0PaGo Blubaugh vs. Habibi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9DJ2KVNSTk Shelby Wilson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFe4dc5zu3A Want to know more? Read the InterMat Rewind profiles of Terry and Fran McCann ... and Shelby Wilson. For more photos of wrestling at the Olympics 50 years ago, visit the "1960 Rome" photo album at the Olympic Wrestling Yahoo! Group.

Chicago, Ill. -- University of Iowa Head Wrestling Coach Tom Brands was named one of 50 Big Ten Icons by the Big Ten Network earlier today. Big Ten Icons, presented by Discover, is the network's most ambitious multi-platform initiative to date. The program is counting down the top 50 student-athletes in Big Ten history based solely on their collegiate playing careers. The countdown of the 50 student-athletes began with Brands, who is No. 50, and Penn State volleyball star Megan Hodge, who was No. 49. Icons 50 through 21 will be unveiled between now and Sept. 16 at www.BigTenIcons.com. The website also will feature essays, video and other key facts about each student-athletes' career. Viewers can also participate in the "Talk of the Locker Room" contest with a chance to win the $10,000 grand prize. Weekly winners will take home a 55-inch Phillips HD television. Brands, who wrestled for Iowa from 1989-92, was a four-time All-American and three-time NCAA champion in the 134-pound division. He was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the 1992 NCAA Championships. The native of Sheldon, Iowa, led the Hawkeyes to consecutive national titles and posted an individual career record of 158-7-2. "It is an honor to be selected as part of such an exclusive and competitive group of athletes," said Brands. "The Big Ten Conference has a strong tradition and that is something we are working on continuing with the Iowa wrestling program." A three-time Big Ten Wrestling Coach of the Year honoree, Brands is in his fifth season at the helm for the Hawkeyes. A 1996 Olympic gold medalist and member of wrestling's Hall of Fame, Brands is only the eighth wrestling coach at the University of Iowa. He has an 82-6 overall and 29-3 Big Ten coaching record at Iowa, and a 99-26 career mark. Iowa has won the last three NCAA and Big Ten team titles, posting a 68-1 dual record. The Hawkeyes have also won the last three Big Ten dual meet regular season titles, sporting perfect 8-0 conference dual marks each year. In an essay for www.BigTenIcons.com, former Chicago Tribune sports editor Dan McGrath writes, "Iowa wrestlers are tough, committed, disciplined people. For more than 20 years, Tom Brands has personified those traits for the Iowa Hawkeyes." To read the entire essay and watch a video feature on Brands, visit his Big Ten Icons locker at www.BigTenIcons.com. Hawkeye fans will have to tune in to where quarterback Chuck Long ranks in the Big Ten Icon list. The life-size bobblehead of Long, which was created as part of a promotion that kicked off the 2010 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament in March, will be on display at FRYfest Friday, and inside the Krause Family Plaza at Kinnick Stadium before Iowa kicks off the season against Eastern Illinois Saturday. Long played quarterback for the Hawkeyes from 1981-85 and still holds school records for passing attempts in a career (1,203), completions in a career (782), consecutive pass completions (22), completion percentage in a season (67.1) and career (65.0), passing yards in a career (10,461), touchdown passes in a season (27) and career (74) and total offense for a career (10,254). The television show, hosted by legendary college sports broadcaster Keith Jackson, debuts Sept. 18 following a Big Ten Network football telecast in which Icon No. 20 will be revealed. The countdown continues at 8 p.m. (CT) every Tuesday night through the end of football season and into the spring. The No. 1 Big Ten Icon will be revealed around the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament. About the Big Ten Network: A joint venture between the Big Ten Conference and Fox Networks, the Big Ten Network is the first internationally distributed network dedicated to covering one of the premier collegiate conferences in the country. With approximately 350 live sporting events, and nearly all of them in HD, the network is the ultimate destination for Big Ten fans and alumni across the country, allowing them to see their favorite teams, regardless of where they live. The network operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, showcasing a wide array of classic-to-current sports and televising more Olympic sporting events and women's sports than has ever been aired on any other network. Original programming highlights activities and accomplishments of some of the nation's finest universities. Each year, the network offers between 35 and 40 football games, 105 regular season men's basketball games; 55 women's basketball games; dozens of Big Ten Championship events; studio shows; coaches' shows; and classic games. The network is available to more than 75 million homes across the United States and Canada, and currently has agreements with more than 300 affiliates, including AT&T U-Verse, Atlantic Broadband, Cablevision, Charter, Comcast, Cox (Cleveland, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Omaha), DirecTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Rogers Cable (Canada), Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct (Canada), Time Warner Cable and Verizon FiOS. For updated information on the Big Ten Network, go to www.BigTenNetwork.com.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The Purdue wrestling team added Pete Rogers to its coaching staff on Thursday, naming him an assistant coach with the Boilermaker grapplers. Rogers comes to Purdue from Lakeland College, where he served as the Muskies’ head coach for nine years and vaulted them into the upper echelon of NCAA Division III Wrestling. “I’m very excited to be a part of the Boilermaker wrestling family,” said Rogers. “I’ve seen great things happening at Purdue and I can’t wait to get in there and work with the guys.” In his time at Lakeland, located in Sheboygan, Wis., Rogers took the Muskie program from one that could barely field a roster to a pair of NCAA Division III Top-30 finishes in 2009 and 2010. In the 2007-08 season, Rogers led the squad to its first-ever national ranking in addition to a 13-5-1 dual record, a Northern Wrestling Association (NWA) title and mentored just the second NCAA Championship qualifier in school history in Paul Hartt. The Muskies also posted a 5-0 record that season against the rival and talented Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The following season, Rogers took Lakeland to a 21th-place finish at the NCAA Championships with Hartt and heavyweight standout Adam Sutter, and in 2010 Sutter became just the third All-America honoree in school history with a third-place showing at the national tournament as the Muskies placed 26th as a team. Rogers is no stranger to the Big Ten Conference, having wrestled collegiately for Ohio State University from 1996-to-2000. A four-time varsity letterwinner, he built an 80-63 career mark for the Buckeyes, including a 20-4 mark in his senior campaign that included a spot as a team captain and a third-place showing at the Big Ten Championships. Rogers also led the team in pins as a junior and was named the Buckeyes’ Most Dedicated Wrestler as a senior. A native of Oostburg, Wis., Rogers was an elite high school wrestler, posting a remarkable 145-1 prep record and a trio of Wisconsin State High School Championships. Among his collegiate recruiters was current Boilermaker head coach Scott Hinkel, who is excited at his second chance to make Rogers a part of the Purdue Wrestling family. “We’re very excited about Pete joining the team,” said Hinkel. “He brings a wealth of experience to our program, not only in wrestling, but in coaching and in managing a program. He had the passion and competitiveness to take Lakeland from the bottom to the top, and we think he can bring that to our program and help us as we push to the upper half of the Big Ten and the NCAA.” Rogers has a master’s degree in education from Lakeland and a bachelor’s degree in sport and leisure studies from Ohio State. He and his wife, Brandi, have two children, Isabella and Gabriel. Rogers will officially join the Boilermakers on Saturday, Sept. 11.

Two-time NCAA champion and 2008 Olympian Ben Askren is one of the most colorful personalities in wrestling, and he has taken the MMA world by storm, compiling a perfect 6-0 record in under two years. He defeated Ryan Thomas and Dan Hornbuckle to win Bellator's welterweight tournament, and is facing Lyman Good next month for the welterweight championship. InterMat recently spoke with Ben Askren about his wrestling and MMA accomplishments and his current training. Ben Askren (Photo/Bellator)Can you reflect on your wrestling accomplishments and what they mean to you? Askren: They mean a lot because they are something I put a life's worth of work into and it was totally worth it. You've volunteered as an assistant wrestling coach for the University of Missouri. Is coaching wrestling something you have aspirations of doing? Askren: Yeah I thought for a long time I would be a DI college head coach, but with the new MMA career I don't really know where I am going to end up now. I would still love to coach, though. What made you decide to transition into MMA? What was that transition like? Askren: MMA was something I watched and enjoyed since the early days and I always wanted to try it. The transition has been very smooth and I am enjoying it immensely. Can you talk a bit about how your wrestling career helped you transition into MMA? Askren: Wrestling is a great base to have and the same hard work and dedication that it takes to be good in wrestling is the exact same thing it takes to be good at MMA. What was it like transitioning to BJJ with a wrestling background? Which do you think is more important for your ground game? Askren: I love BJJ and I think both are equally important for MMA. If you have one without the other you are very incomplete. Compared to wrestling, what do you think of the talent level in MMA in your weight class? Askren: I think the MMA talent is lower just because there are some many great wrestlers who have been doing it all their lives, while most mixed martial artists didn't start doing MMA until they are adults. Tell me a bit about your training at American Top Team. Askren: My first year of MMA was at ATTMO and my BJJ coach was Kiko France and he taught me so much about the sport. Who are you training with now? Describe your relationship to him/them. Askren: I am at the Lion's Den at Scottsdale, AZ, my two main coaches are Kiko (who moved from Missouri), and Mario Francis who helps with my boxing. I have a great relationship with both of these guys and they help me tremendously. Can you tell me a bit more about their styles or training philosophy? Askren: Coach O believes in a lot of movement and doesn't think MMA people keep their hands up enough, and don't move enough. Kiko is great for me because he has a strong top game and since that is where I am a lot, it really helps. Ben Askren (Photo/Bellator)Can you talk about how you train for BJJ? Askren: I am not scared to put myself in bad positions like a lot of wrestlers are, because I know that while this may be counterproductive in the short term, it will really help in the long term. What does your current training situation look like? Do you train twice a day? Askren: Usually twice a day, sometimes three with my new lifting program. I have been working a lot on stand up because it is the weakest part of my game and I need to improve it. How come everyone always thought you trained at Arizona Combat Sports? I think I've even seen that reported. Askren: I trained there three days. And I am not sure. You've been quoted as saying, "I would be surprised if I get submitted with a triangle or an armbar, ever." Can you talk about your strategy (training-wise) that makes you so confident about that? Askren: Well, I am very confident in those positions, even if someone gets it locked up I think I will escape without getting in too much trouble. Plus as of now none of the best guys at BJJ in my weight compete in MMA. The longer I do BJJ, the better I will get. A lot of critics say you are arrogant and should show more humility. How would you respond to that? Askren: Well, that is their opinion and I partially agree with them. To be an elite athlete you need to be part arrogant and part humble you just need to know when to let each of these personalities come out. As a competitor I feel I have a great grasp on this. If people who were close to me told me I was arrogant I would change, but I have never heard this. What advice would you give a wrestler going into MMA? Askren: Keep an open mind and work hard. Do you agree that wrestling is the best MMA base to have? Askren: I think even though you see so many wrestlers doing well, this is debatable. I think there are other factors that could lead to us being successful (sheer numbers and ability to adapt could be two other factors.) You've written before on facebook that if a wrestler gets a takedown and doesn't punch the guy, he shouldn't have any advantage on the judges scorecard. Can you talk a little about that? Ben Askren (Photo/Bellator)Askren: Yes. I can't stand when a wrestler gets a takedown and doesn't even try to pass guard or hit. If you do no damage, you should score no points. MMA is always considered to be more cut-throat and wrestling more close-knit. How would you compare the MMA scene to the wrestling scene? Askren: Well I just think that the money that is in MMA draws more snaky people into because everyone is trying to make a buck and hustle somebody. The wrestling community is like a family, maybe a dysfunctional one, but a family nonetheless. A much more wholesome sport. Are there any MMA fighters or wrestlers you admire? Askren: I admire John Smith because of his skill, innovation and tenacity. At this point there are no fighters that I look up to. What's your strategy for defeating Lyman Good? Askren: Take him down and choke him. You were unsuccessful in your attempts to medal at the '08 Summer Olympics. What was the experience like for you? Askren: I am very bitter about it because I only had one goal in mind and I fell short, when you work so long for something and you come up short it is disheartening, especially because I feel like I executed my technique and strategy poorly and being flawless is something I pride myself on. When you reflect back on your Olympic Team Trial experience, what emotions or thoughts come up for you? Askren: It was an awesome feeling because it was a goal I had for so long. However, I didn't get to soak in it because my real goal was the gold medal and I knew I had to keep working for that. Do you prefer competing in MMA to grappling and wrestling tournaments? Askren: No, I enjoy all of it. In your career you seem to always want to face the toughest competition. Would you ever want to fight for the UFC? Askren: Yes. Ben Askren (Photo/Bellator)How do you think you'd stack up against, say, GSP or Jon Fitch or Josh Koscheck? Askren: I feel like I match up well with anyone in my weight class. Can you say a bit more about that? Askren: I feel like with my skill set, tenacity and endurance that I am not an easy fight for anybody to have and I can give everyone fits. So you think if you had to fight GSP tomorrow, you'd be ready to go? Askren: I will be more ready in a year, but if I had to be, why not, I love to compete. Anyone you want to mention or any sponsors you want to thank? Askren: Yeah, I would like to thank Cage Hero and Everlast. Yael Grauer is a freelance writer living in Western Wisconsin. Her writing has been featured in Ultimate MMA magazine and the Performance Menu: Journal of Health and Athletic Excellence. She writes regularly for MMA HQ.

HEMPSTEAD, NY -- Three regular season tournaments and 21 dual matches, including six contests against teams that placed in the top 25 at the NCAA Championships last March, highlight the 2010-11 Hofstra wrestling schedule, Pride Head Coach Tom Shifflet announced Wednesday. The Pride, who will compete in the Cliff Keen-Las Vegas Invitational (Dec. 3-4), the Southern Scuffle in Greensboro, North Carolina (Dec, 29-30, and the New York State Collegiate Wrestling Championship in Binghamton, New York (Jan. 22-23), begin their 64th season with three-match dual meets at Edinboro University on November 6, and at the University of Missouri on November 21. At Edinboro, the Pride will face the host Fighting Scots, who placed 16th in the NCAA Championships, Newberry College, and Purdue University, which placed 28th in the NCAAs last March. At Missouri, Hofstra will face the Tigers, who placed 10th in the NCAA Championships, along with NAIA power Lindenwood University, which has won five national titles and finished second twice in the last 10 years, and Oregon State University. December will see the Pride travel to the Cliff Keen-Las Vegas Invitational, which returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center after being held in Primm, Nevada last year. Hofstra will host the Terrapins of the University of Maryland, which placed 20th in the NCAAs, on December 11 in the first of five home matches this season. The Pride close December at the Southern Scuffle. Hofstra will host the Tar Heels of North Carolina on January 8 before heading to the CAA Duals in Fairfax, Virginia the following Saturday against four conference-members to be announced. The Pride will return to the New York State Collegiate Championship for the first time since 2002 on January 22-23. The Pride will host Army on January 26, Cornell University, which placed second in the NCAAs last March, on February 5 and CAA-foe Rider on February 16. Hofstra will also have road matches at the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University in Philadelphia (Jan. 30), Lock Haven University (Feb. 9), Harvard University and Brown University in Cambridge, Massachusetts on February 12, and at Princeton on February 19.

Hello again Wrestling Fans. We return to the Brute Adidas studios for this weeks show brought to you by Kemin Agrifoods. Join Scott Casber, Geoff Murtha (Simpson) and Ryan Freeman (Ok State) and Randy Crimmins. Geoff Murtha joins us courtesy of Mass Mutual Financial Services, Ryan Freeman courtesy of ATT. The World Championships will be getting underway in Russia. Best of luck to our US Athletes. For a complete schedule and to follow the results of Team USA Visit the special section on TheMat.com Our Guests Include: 9:01 Brian Smith- Head Coach of the Tigers of Missouri. Another remarkable recruiting class and a camping trip. We'll catch up with Coach Smith. 9:20 Conor Youtsey- One of America's Top recruits commits to Army. We'll discuss the process he went through and his goals for the future. 9:40 Andrew Hipps- of IntermatWrestle.com The InterMat JJ Classic is set to take place on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at the UCR Regional Sports Center in Rochester, Minnesota. The InterMat JJ Classic promises to be loaded with national talent. Hundreds of wrestlers in grades 7-12 are expected to participate. There will be 32-wrestler brackets for each of the 14 standard high school weight classes from 103 through 285 pounds. Because of the event's location, the InterMat JJ Classic is expected to attract top high school wrestling talent from across the Midwest. However, the tournament is open to wrestlers from all across the United States. 10:01 Joe Heskett- NEW Head Coach of the US Military Academy at West Point, NY. Off to a fast start for this young coaching prodigy. 10:20 Greg Randall- Head Coach of the Boise State Broncos - tried and true, Randall and his Broncos are planning on a tough season. The Pac 10 Beckons! 10:40 Gray Maynard- Former Michigan State Spartan has been slowly building his MMA career. After dismantling Kenny Florian at UFC 118 in Boston he finally gets the title shot he deserves. It'll be wrestler vs. Wrestler as Maynard gets ready to face Edgar. Sponsored by Xtreme Couture 10:50 Amy Williams (Rubel)- Wildrose Resort and Casino Wrestling fans- Episode 73 of TDR TV wrestling news is now on. Check TV Guide for listings. How to watch and listen- TDR and TDR TV. It's appointment Radio and TV! 1.78 MILLION HOMES AND GROWING! TDR on Radio: LIVE Saturday at 9:00 AM CST on 1460 KXNO in Iowa. Saturday nights at 7:00 PM Eastern on Supertalk 1570 in Michigan, TDR TV: Mediacom Cable Ch. 22. IA, MO, AK, NE, MN, IL Tues. 5 PM, Sat. 10 AM Time Warner Cable NY Ch. 813 Sat. 12 Noon Comcast Cable Tennessee Ch. 96 Fridays 5 PM CATV- CCN, Pennsylvania Ch. 8 Fridays 5 PM (Premiers September 10th) Call your local cable operator and ask them to carry TDR TV TDR on Internet: You can join us 9 to 11 AM Saturday mornings at Takedownradio.com TDR TV On Internet: 31 various web sites now carry your favorite wrestling news show Thanks to our affiliates, our media partners and friends at Livesportsvideo.com. Thanks for watching and listening!

Boiling Springs, N.C. -- Gardner-Webb graduate and assistant coach for wrestling Daniel Elliott has been promoted to the Associate Head Coach for Wrestling announced today by the Gardner-Webb athletics department. “Naming Daniel Associate Head Coach is a natural progression of his involvement in the Gardner-Webb University wrestling program. First, as a student-athlete where he was a national qualifier, and most recently as an assistant coach, Daniel has worked tirelessly to improve his own skills and the abilities of the student-athletes on our wrestling team,” stated Chuck Burch, Vice President for Athletics. “As Associate Head Coach, along with our Head Coach, Dick Wince, and Graduate Assistant Conor Beebe, I am confident that Daniel's number one goal will be the continued development of the wrestling program.” Elliott begins his fifth season with the Gardner-Webb program, having served the last three seasons as an assistant coach. Elliott served as a graduate assistant for his first two years on the GWU wrestling staff following a stellar collegiate career for head coach Richard Wince. Since moving over to the bench as a coach, Elliott has seen at least one GWU wrestler make it to the NCAA Championships in each of the last four years, including Dustin Porter who has reached the NCAA Championships in each of the last four years. Fellow GWU grappler Rob Tate reached the Championships in 2006-07, earning the Runnin' Bulldogs lone victory at the national event. Elliott, who is in charge of the practice schedules and working with the student-athletes on the mat, has worked hard in raising money for the GWU Wrestling program and its new building. His fundraising efforts have allowed the Runnin' Bulldog wrestling program to move into a new building, which when fully renovated will be one of the nicest wrestling only facilities in all of NCAA Division I with offices, locker room, team room, bathrooms and a large practice area. During his career for the Runnin' Bulldogs, Elliott was a two-time NCAA Qualifier. He was also a two-time regional champion at 149. In his last regional meet, Elliott was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler. He finished the regular season with a record of 39-2 during his senior campaign and was ranked 10th in the nation in the final standings. Elliott holds the school record for career wins, single-season wins in addition to consecutive wins. He also led the team in each of his last three seasons in takedowns. Elliott graduated in May 2006 with a double major in history and communications. Elliott then went on to earn his masters in sports sciences and pedagogy from Gardner-Webb in the summer of 2008. “This is a natural step in Daniel's progression toward being a great college head coach,” commented Coach Wince. “His work ethic and dedication are exceptional.”

ROCHESTER, NY -- The RIT Athletics family mourns the passing of former wrestler and member of the RIT Hall of Fame, Anthony (Tony) Wallace. Tony died Saturday night while on duty with the Hoonah (Alaska) Police Department, where he served as an officer since 2008. According to officials, Tony and a colleague were confronted by a lone gunman, and both officers died as a result of injuries suffered in the attack. Wallace was an All-American wrestler at RIT from 1998-2002. He was just the third member in the history of RIT wrestling to earn three All-American honors, finishing his career with a 108-27 record. As a freshman, Wallace competed at the NCAA Championships, finishing seventh in the 174-pound weight class, earning All-American honors. Two years later, Wallace continued his success placing seventh at nationals in the 174-pound weight class earning his second All-American honors. In 2002, Wallace, bulked up to the 184-pound weight class and placed eighth at nationals, giving him his third All-American honor in four years. As a senior captain, Wallace finished the season with a 27-5 record and was a two-time champion at the RIT Invitational in 1998 and 2001, and won several other tournaments. After finishing his wrestling career at RIT, Wallace, a business administration major, was an assistant coach for the Tigers from 2003-05. He worked in the RIT Office of Public Safety until 2008 when he went to work in Alaska.

COLORADO SPRINGS -- Past World champions Dremiel Byers and Kristie Davis will lead the 21-member U.S. wrestling team into the World Championships on Sept. 6-12 in Moscow, Russia. The seven-day competition will start with the Greco-Roman tournament, followed by women's freestyle and men's freestyle. The U.S. has a talented team, mixed with veteran stars and some exciting young newcomers. The USA seeks to improve on its performance from last year, when it returned with three individual medalists. Davis, formerly Kristie Marano, is a two-time World champion (2000, 2003). She has dropped down to 67 kg/147.5 lbs. She won a silver medal in her last trip to the Worlds in 2007. She is a U.S. record nine-time World medalist, winning a medal each of the nine previous times she competed at a World Championships. Byers won his World title in 2002, when the Greco-Roman World Championships were held in Moscow. In addition, Byers won a World silver medal in 2009 and a World bronze medal in 2007 at 120 kg/264.5 lbs., making him the first American Greco-Roman wrestler to win a World medal of each kind. The U.S. freestyle team is led by returning World silver medalist Jake Herbert at 84 kg/185 lbs. 2006 World silver medalist Mike Zadick will make his third appearance in the Worlds in freestyle wrestling at 60 kg/132 lbs. 2005 World bronze medalist Justin Ruiz is back on the Greco-Roman team. He is making his fifth trip to the Worlds. He competes at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. 2008 World bronze medalist Tatiana Padilla has made her third straight World Team at 55 kg/121 lbs. Padilla was fifth in the World in 2009. Olympian Spenser Mango has made his second straight World Team in Greco-Roman at 55 kg/121 lbs. Byers and Zadick also are past Olympians. Two members of the women's freestyle team are past University World champions, Elena Pirozhkova at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and Stephany Lee at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. Mango is a past University World champion in Greco-Roman. Six of the seven U.S. Greco-Roman team members have competed in a previous World Championships, with only Jake Fisher at 74 kg/163 lbs. in his first World meet. Only two of the seven U.S. Women's team members are in their first World Championships, Alyssa Lampe at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and Kelsey Campbell at 59 kg/130 lbs. Four men's freestyle team members will be in their first Senior World Championships: Obe Blanc at 55 kg, Brent Metcalf at 66 kg, J.D. Bergman at 96 kg and Les Sigman at 120 kg. Two-time NCAA Div. I national champions on the men's freestyle team are Metcalf and Herbert. Sigman won four NCAA Div. II national titles. Defending champion teams are Russia in men's freestyle, Turkey in Greco-Roman and Azerbaijan in women's freestyle. At the 2009 World Championships in Herning, Denmark, the United States placed sixth in women's freestyle, seventh in men's freestyle and 15th in Greco-Roman. The U.S. teams are in their final acclimation training camps overseas, with Greco-Roman in the Czech Republic, and men's and women's freestyle in Germany. Each team will then travel to Moscow for their competition. There will be complete daily coverage from the World Championships from Moscow on TheMat.com, which is USA Wrestling's website. Included will be audio coverage of each session, plus video interviews, session wrap-up stories, results brackets, a live chat room and more features. To follow the U.S. athletes in Moscow, go to TheMat.com Special Section at: http://www.themat.com/specialevents/2010/worlds/default.php?EventID=23959 Also posted in the Special Section are complete previews for each weight class, along with a Team USA Media Guide. WORLD WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE Monday, Sept. 6 Greco-Roman 55 kg (Mango), 66 kg (Sahin), 96 kg (Ruiz) Tuesday, Sept. 7 Greco-Roman 60 kg (Davis), 84 kg (Clark), 120 kg (Byers) Wednesday, Sept. 8 Greco-Roman 74 kg (Fisher); Women's freestyle 48 kg (Lampe), 51 kg (Medina) Thursday, Sept. 9 Women's freestyle 55 kg (Padilla), 59 kg (Campbell), 63 kg (Pirozhkova) Friday, Sept. 10 Women's freestyle 67 kg (Davis), 72 kg (Lee); Freestyle 55 kg (Blanc) Saturday, Sept. 11 Freestyle 60 kg (Zadick), 84 kg (Herbert), 96 kg (Bergman) Sunday, Sept. 12 Freestyle 66 kg (Metcalf), 74 kg (Paulson), 120 kg (Sigman) U.S. GRECO-ROMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ROSTER 55 kg/121 lbs. – Spenser Mango, St. Louis, Mo. (New York AC) 60 kg/132 lbs. – Jeremiah Davis, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) 66 kg/145. lbs. – Faruk Sahin, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) 74 kg/163 lbs. – Jake Fisher, Boise, Idaho (New York AC) 84 kg/185 lbs. – Jake Clark, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force) 96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Justin Ruiz, Boise, Idaho (New York AC) 120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) Coaches – Steve Fraser (Colorado Springs, Colo.); Momir Petkovic (Colorado Springs, Colo.); Rob Hermann (Pensacola, Fla.); Dan Hicks (Camp LeJeune, N.C.) College affiliations – Northern Michigan USOEC (Mango, Davis, Fisher), Nebraska (Ruiz), Clark (Minnesota), North Carolina A&T (Byers), Selcuk Univ. (Sahin), Michigan (Coach Fraser), U.S. Naval Academy (Coach Hicks) U.S. WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ROSTER 48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Alyssa Lampe, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) 51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Jessica Medina, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) 55 kg/121 lbs. – Tatiana Padilla, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) 59 kg/130 lbs. – Kelsey Campbell, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) 63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Elena Pirozhkova, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) 67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Kristie Davis, Oklahoma City, Okla. (New York AC) 72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Stephany Lee, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) Coaches – Terry Steiner (Colorado Springs, Colo.); Vladislav Izboinikov (Colorado Springs, Colo.); Keith Wilson (Colorado Springs, Colo.); Link Davis (Oklahoma City, Okla.) College affiliations – Oklahoma City (Davis, Coach Davis), Northern Michigan USOEC (Lampe), Univ. of the Cumberlands (Medina), Lindenwood (Padilla), Arizona State (Campbell), Missouri Valley (Lee), Iowa (Coach Steiner), Oklahoma (Coach Wilson), Central Oklahoma (Coach Davis), Moscow State Univ. of PE (Izboinikov) U.S. FREESTYLE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ROSTER 55 kg/121 lbs. – Obe Blanc, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC) 60 kg/132 lbs. – Mike Zadick, Solon, Iowa (Gator WC) 66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Brent Metcalf, Iowa City, Iowa (New York AC) 74 kg/163 lbs. – Travis Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) 84 kg/185 lbs. – Jake Herbert, Evanston, Ill. (New York AC) 96 kg/211.5 lbs. – J.D. Bergman, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC) 120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Les Sigman, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC) Coaches – Zeke Jones (Colorado Springs, Colo.); Bill Zadick (Colorado Springs, Colo.); Brandon Slay (Colorado Springs, Colo.); John Smith (Stillwater, Okla.); Terry Brands (Iowa City, Iowa) College affiliations – Iowa (Zadick, Metcalf, Coach Brands, Coach Zadick), Oklahoma State (Blanc, Coach Smith), Iowa State (Paulson), Lock Haven (Blanc), Northwestern (Herbert), Ohio State (Bergman), UN-Omaha (Sigman), Arizona State (Coach Jones), Univ. of Pennsylvania (Coach Slay)

Former Husker All-American Justin Ruiz will put his talents to test on the international level as he will take part in the 2010 World Wrestling Championships in Moscow, Russia from Sept. 6-12. Ruiz is part of the 21-member U.S. wrestling team that also includes former Nebraska club coach Travis Paulson. Ruiz qualified for the 2010 World Championships after he won the Greco-Roman 96-kilogram (211.5 pounds) title at the U.S. World Team Trials in June. Ruiz had previously retired from the sport of wrestling but made a remarkable comeback as he will be competing in his fifth World Championship competition with hopes of returning to the medal stand after claiming bronze in 2005. A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, Ruiz was a two-time All-American for the Huskers in 2002 and 2003. He was named the team's Redshirt of the Year in 1999 and also earned Most Improved Wrestler and Most Dedicated Wrestler awards during his career. He finished with a 43-16 record, including a 16-5 mark in 2002-03. Paulson will compete for the U.S. as the 74-kilogram freestyle champion. He qualified for the squad by defeating 2010 NCAA champion Andrew Howe (Wisconsin) in the World Team Trial after also defeating his twin brother, Trent. Both Paulson's were Nebraska club coaches during the 2008-09 season. The seven-day competition will start with the Greco-Roman tournament, followed by women's freestyle and men's freestyle. Daily coverage of the 2010 World Championships will be available on TheMat.com, provided by USA Wrestling. http://www.themat.com/specialevents/2010/worlds/default.php?EventID=23959 2010 U.S. World Championships Schedule Monday, Sept. 6 Greco-Roman 55 kg (Mango), 66 kg (Sahin), 96 kg (Ruiz) Tuesday, Sept. 7 Greco-Roman 60 kg (Davis), 84 kg (Clark), 120 kg (Byers) Wednesday, Sept. 8 Greco-Roman 74 kg (Fisher); Women's freestyle 48 kg (Lampe), 51 kg (Medina) Thursday, Sept. 9 Women's freestyle 55 kg (Padilla), 59 kg (Campbell), 63 kg (Pirozhkova) Friday, Sept. 10 Women's freestyle 67 kg (Davis), 72 kg (Lee); Freestyle 55 kg (Blanc) Saturday, Sept. 11 Freestyle 60 kg (Zadick), 84 kg (Herbert), 96 kg (Bergman) Sunday, Sept. 12 Freestyle 66 kg (Metcalf), 74 kg (Paulson), 120 kg (Sigman)

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Takedown Wrestling Media and CCN have established a relationship that will bring the popular TDR TV amateur wrestling program to over 18,000 homes in Pennsylvania's Central Susquehanna Valley area. TDR TV's national audience is now estimated at 2 Million homes. TDR TV's first broadcast on CCN Channel 8 in Danville, Lewisburg, Milton & Watsontown will be 5 PM Friday September 10th. TDR TV is a 30-minute weekly TV show that covers all aspects of amateur wrestling in the U.S. Host Scott Casber updates viewers on the latest developments in high school, college and international wrestling, conducts insightful interviews with the sport's top wrestlers and coaches, and shares his passion for the “oldest and greatest sport” in a fun, fast-paced show. TDR TV is already available on the Mediacom cable TV system serving six Midwestern states, Time Warner Sports NY, Comcast Cable in Tennessee and can be viewed online at www.TakedownRadio.com and at over thirty other affiliated amateur wrestling web sites. “Pennsylvania's Central Susquehanna Valley is a hotbed for championship wrestling at both the high school and collegiate levels,” said CCN Managing Producer Larry Zapotocky. “We are pleased to be adding Takedown Wrestling Media's news program, TDR TV, for all of our subscribers who appreciate this outstanding and demanding sport.” Casber, founder of Takedown Wrestling Media, said, “This is an important step forward for athletes, coaches and fans of wrestling across the country. CCN Channel 8 is a historical name in cable. They also understand the wrestling community. This is a special opportunity to partner with CCN in the distribution of TDR TV.” “CCN will present our weekly TV program in the eastern U.S., where collegiate wrestling got its start more than a century ago, and is home to a number of great programs like Bucknell, Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and others,” said Casber. “In addition, we'll now be in a part of the country that features some of the best high school wrestling programs in the nation.”

There has been a growing trend in college wrestling the past few years when it comes to the recruiting process -- everything is happening sooner. Wrestlers are committing earlier and earlier each year and the amount of late recruiting and signings is going down. Freddie Rodriguez (Photo/Michigan Grappler.com)The first big time wrestling recruiting news for the high school Class of 2012 comes from right here in Michigan as two-time state champ and Fargo double champ Freddie Rodriguez has informed Michigan Grappler that he has already made his college plans, he will be staying in Ingham County and wrestling for the Michigan State Spartans. "I have been a Michigan State fan since I was little and I've always wanted to be a Spartan," said Rodriguez on a phone call to Michigan Grappler. "When I went and saw the campus I got to see the athletic academic support buildings and it ensured me that MSU can help me stay on task and do good academically. From a wrestling standpoint I know I will work hard on improving my skills, but I feel the academic support at Michigan State will be really good for me." Rodriguez, who is currently ranked sixth in Class of 2012 by InterMat, will also be able to go to school and compete close to home, just minutes from his hometown of Holt. "It's near home for me and I know I have my family there to support me and I like being close to my parents, plus my family and friends will be able to watch me throughout my career," said Rodriguez. Rodriguez, who won Division 1 state titles at 103 and 112 pounds his freshman and sophomore year, has been one of the premiere wrestlers in the country ever since coming up on the youth scene, and throughout his career he has attended numerous Michigan State camps and clinics. According to him, his confidence in the MSU staff was a big part in his decision as well. "I have known (MSU assistant coach) Chris Williams since I was really little and he wrestled for State. I have worked with him a lot so I wouldn't want to go somewhere where another coach would have to get to know me and how I wrestle -- Chris already knows what kind of kid I am, how I wrestle, and how to coach me." Rodriguez follows a line of the nation's top juniors in the past couple years to make very early commitments, including Logan and Hunter Stieber of Ohio (Ohio State) and Nico Megaludis of Pennsylvania (Penn State). He is the first wrestler in the country from the Class of 2012 to announce his college plans. "I am happy to get it done early so I don't have to wait around and think about it or have to feel the stress of the whole process," said Rodriguez. "I know where I want to be, so why not get it done now?" Last summer, Rodriguez competed in just about every national event that he could find and racked up a laundry list of big wins and tournament titles. He won the FILA Cadet Nationals in both styles, FloNationals, USAW Folkstyle Nationals, and the Fargo Junior Nationals in both styles. Wrestling most of this summer at 103 and 105 pounds, many might question his size for college, with the lightest weight class being 125 pounds. However, Rodriguez is confident it will not be an issue. "I don't feel like my weight is going to be an issue because I know my work ethic is good and as long as I push myself in the room I will have success on the mat, no matter what size I am." Freddie Rodriguez (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)He has been widely considered one of the best wrestlers in Michigan and the country throughout his grappling career. However, Rodriguez's recent summer success has officially propelled him into the national forefront. He has beaten just about every notable wrestler in the country at 103/112 pounds, and his aggressive, high paced style of wrestling has not changed since winning his second state title in March. "I think before this summer I was considered one of the better kids from Michigan, but my name wasn't really known that much nationally," said Rodriguez. "But after everything I've done this summer I feel I have made a big name for myself. The difference for me has been that I have been wrestling a lot smarter and been more aggressive. In the past I have not been real aggressive at big national tournaments but this year I have really turned up my aggressiveness and was heavy on people's heads and it has made a big difference." Rodriguez's commitment falls just days after one of the best Michigan wrestlers from the class of 2011, Roger Wildmo, also gave a verbal commitment to the Spartans. He will also join former Lansing area standout Dan Osterman of St.Johns, who competed as a true freshman this year for MSU, and the Spartan wrestling team is starting to gain a good crop of homegrown talent. "I feel that when others see that we are staying home to wrestle at Michigan State that they will see that we can build a team with pure Michigan guys and it would be a lot more special to win a title with guys who grew up together, training together and traveling together." While Rodriguez is a grade behind Wildmo and three grades behind Osterman, he could very well end up competing right alongside them sooner than you would think, as he does not rule out the idea of waiving his redshirt year and wrestling right away. "I think I will wrestle right away, but it depends on how big I am, how I feel, and what the coaches want me to do, but I think I will be ready to compete right away." If you glance at Freddie Rodriguez's track record you might think he is almost already in college. However, he still has two full years of high school wrestling left before moving on to the next level and he says he still has a lot to do before getting to college. This year he and his brother Martin, a freshman, will wrestle for Grand Ledge High School, but he will also be competing in a couple more big-time preseason events before the MHSAA season kicks off, the Grappler Fall Classic (Oct. 16 in Tecumseh, MI) and the Super 32 Challenge (Oct. 30-31 in Greensboro, NC). Rodriguez also gave thanks to MSU coach Tom Minkel for giving him the opportunity to continue his career in college as well as his parents and family for their support over the years. Luckily for them they will be able to continue supporting him and not have to drive far to do it as the blue-chip prospect will be right up the road in East Lansing. InterMat was granted permission to republish this article from MichiganGrappler.com.

Earlier this morning, Tioga High School rising senior Derak Heyman, a two-time NYS DII finalist and 2009 state champion, was named as one of the Top 10 members of NYS' Class of 2011 as a part of the InterMat Wrestling 49 series. This was only the start of the good news for this immensely talented young man and his family as several hours later, he revealed to Lighthouse Wrestling that after weighing all of his options, he had elected to give a verbal commitment to reigning Colonial Athletic Association champions, the Bearcats of Binghamton University. In doing so, Heyman becomes the second blue chip recruit in less than a week from the Empire State to officially break the news of his college plans; He joins fellow two-time state finalist (albeit different divisions) Grant Greene, who on the 25th of this month, broke the news that he would be continuing his academic and athletic pursuits at Northwestern University. Heyman is the first elite wrestler to announce his intentions to compete for Coach Pat Popolizio and staff. Arriving on the scholastic scene as a physically mature eighth-grader (when Tioga was still competing in the DI tournament), Heyman, while unable to place in a deep 112-pound weight class, did give NYS enthusiasts a preview of what they could expect in the coming years, beating future NYS champion Vinnie DiGravio in the opening round of the 2007 state tournament. While a bad draw would result in him dropping his next two matches to the eventual third and fourth-place finishers in the state, the experience was one that that would both educational and beneficial for the future Bearcat student-athlete. 2008 would have a sort of deja vu feeling to it for Heyman, who despite being the only freshman in a 125-pound weight class filled with upperclassmen, was successful for the second consecutive year in winning his initial match to advance to the quarterfinal round of the DI tournament. Unfortunately, bad luck would again plague Heyman as he would be defeated in his two matches (this time to the eventual state runner-up and the wrestler placing fourth). While the end result may not have been what Heyman was hoping for, one thing was for certain, competing against a more experienced caliber of opponent served as excellent preparation for the NHSCA Freshman Nationals, a tournament that the Section IV wrestler was able to medal in, finishing third and earning the first of what has been a career filled with All-American honors. Sophomore year would represent a dream season for Heyman as he enjoyed not only his finest in-state performance, but also really turned it on nationally, claiming the 130-pound NYS DII title (Tioga switched divisions between 2008 and 2009), as well as finishing as the national runner-up in Virginia Beach at NHSCA Sophomore Nationals. In both instances, the No. 9-ranked senior in NYS really put his offense on display, outscoring his state opponents by a tally of 41-13, and defeating his first four opponents at the NHSCA event by a margin of 33-8, before dropping a narrow 8-6 decision in the title bout to New Jersey's James Green. 2010 was another promising year for the returning finalist, compiling a more than impressive 45-2 overall record with his only losses coming at the hands of two-time NYS DI Champion/current Lehigh true freshman Stephen Dutton (3-1), and in the DII state title match to Tyler Peet (6-5). But alas, showing the heart and perseverance embodied by all champions, rather than hark on the loss, Heyman, would quickly rebound and put an emphatic ending on his junior campaign by yet again achieving All-American honors, finishing four at the Junior National tournament. Now only a few months away from the commencement of his scholastic career, Heyman knows that he will take to the mat as heavily favorite to win the 140-pound title that just barely escaped his grasp last season. With the majority of the 2010 state placewinners at 135 and 140 having graduated, the question might not be, will Heyman end his high school career as a two-time state champion, but rather, how dominant will he be in taking home the hardware in 2011? Projected as a 141-pounder at the next level, Heyman might find himself in a position to walk right into an immediate starting job with the incumbent, Anwar Goeres, set to complete his NCAA eligibility at the end of the upcoming season. On behalf of everyone here at LHW, sincerely congratulate Derak and his family on the selection to the Top 10 seniors list, as well as the joyous news that he will be representing the state university for years to come. We wish him the very best of luck on a very successful and injury-free senior season! InterMat was granted permission to republish this article from LighthouseWrestling.com.

Manheim, Pa. -- The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Board of Directors meeting concluded at the annual NWCA Convention at the Delray Beach Marriott in Delray Beach, Fla., Aug. 5, 2010. The board recognized outgoing NWCA President, Coach Jim Beichner, for his exemplary leadership of the association. Among the many extraordinary accomplishments under his direction was the development of an innovative Coaches Leadership Academy. Not only was Coach Beichner instrumental in helping to develop the curriculum but he also played a major role in implementing a scholarship program designed to provide all head college coaches with the opportunity to enroll in the Academy at no cost. “This Academy is one of the most significant accomplishments of the NWCA in its 82 year history,” said executive director, Mike Moyer. Coach Brian Smith, the head coach at the University of Missouri, assumed his role as NWCA President with his two-year term beginning at the completion of the board meeting. The Board of Directors voted Rob Koll, head coach at Cornell University, as President-elect. He will serve a two-year term in that role before his term as NWCA President officially begins. The NWCA added high school coaches Wayne Branstetter of California and Craig Hanson of Washington to the Board of Directors as new scholastic representatives for the next two-year cycle. Collectively, these coaches have combined for over 60 years of coaching experience, have both been named state coach of the year and hold multiple other awards. They will work closely with the NWCA’s scholastic directors and John Licata, the NWCA Coaching Development Coordinator. They will be replacing Brian Smith (Moon Valley/Arizona) and Les Combs (Bend/Oregon) who have competed their terms. “Both Coach Smith and Coach Combs have made significant contributions to the NWCA as evidenced that under their leadership, the membership grew from approximately 1,000 to 8,500 scholastic coaches. We are forever grateful for their tireless efforts to grow our organization,” said Mike Moyer. A significant element in the board meeting involved the passing of the Coaching Code of Ethics. The Board expressed its intent to elevate scholastic and collegiate wrestling to the highest of standards among all sports. The Code of Ethics will be an integral educational component of the NWCA’s educational outreach programs. “We are extremely grateful to the primary architects of the code of Ethics, Todd Hibbs (former head coach at Olivet College), Dr. Dan Gould (Professor at Michigan State University), and Ron and Jan Mirikitani (NWCA Board Members),” said NWCA President, Brian Smith. In addition, the board passed the NWCA strategic plan and goals, which highlights the three core competencies of the NWCA: Coaching Development, Student-Wrestler Welfare, and Promotion and Advocacy for Wrestling. The board also adopted a position statement of securing unanimous support of all Division I coaches for a “reformatted” National Dual Meet Championships for the 2012 season. The Board has also pledged its full support in collaborating with the coaches of the non Division I levels to design an alternative National Dual Meet format that is viable. In the absence of this unanimous support, the National Duals will be dissolved at the completion of the 2011 Championships. The goal is to develop a model that places more emphasis on the outcome of each dual meet throughout the season. In doing so, the Board expects to significantly grow the spectator and media base at the institutional level. If successful, this should position wrestling to grow its spectator and media base at the conference and national levels as well. The National Wrestling Coaches Association, established in 1928, is a non-profit organization for the advancement of all levels of the sport of wrestling with primary emphasis on developing coaches who work in academic environments. The membership embraces all people interested in amateur wrestling. The three core competencies of the NWCA are: Coaching Development, student-athlete welfare, and promotion of wrestling.

Head Coach Rob Eiter announced a change to the start time of Penn's dual with EIWA rival Bucknell on Jan. 29, with the first bout now scheduled for 3 p.m. in The Palestra. The Quakers, who return seven previous NCAA Championships qualifiers including former 2010 All-America Scott Giffin and 2008 EIWA champion Rollie Peterkin, open their 2010-11 campaign with the annual Intrasquad Meet on Nov. 6. The tournament season begins on Nov. 14 at the Binghamton Open. Penn's first home dual is Jan. 9 against Bloomsburg.

Mark Perry

As the wrestling season's start is fast approaching, InterMat will be taking fans across the United States of America on a tour of scholastic wrestling. From early August until the middle of November, InterMat will introduce fans to the top senior wrestlers in the 49 states with scholastic wrestling. From Alaska to Florida, and from Maine to California, fans will gain exposure to the potential stars of future NCAA Championships. The rankings within this article do not necessarily reflect those done by InterMat. Did you a miss a Wrestling 49 feature? Visit Wrestling 49 archives. A year removed from watching as their state brethren put forth one of the finest performances at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, the expectation for New York wrestlers runs high. This is especially true of the talented group of young men who will enter the collegiate ranks next season, as the pressure to build off of and continue the line of success will fall directly on their shoulders in the years to come. However, judging by the credentials that the Class of 2011 will carry into their respective senior seasons, the future looks bright and Empire State enthusiasts need not worry about the ball being fumbled anytime soon. Despite having had the bar set mighty high by the last few senior classes that have come before them, it is our sincere and objective opinion that it will be this core group of upperclassmen, consisting of 37 All-State grapplers that will establish a new standard of excellence for the N-Y. This Top 10, representing seven different sections (I, II, IV, V, VIII, XI, and the CHSAA) within the Empire State, was drawn from a senior class that has accumulated 39 All-American honors to go along with the aforementioned 37 All-State performances, and truly does succeed in identifying the creme de la creme from both of the state's two divisions (seven from Division I, four from Division II). In evaluating their collective accolades, we were astonished at the statistics that were uncovered: 24 NHSCA All-American distinctions and 17 All-State honors. If not convincing enough, it was also revealed this special group of 11 seniors had combined to win eight state titles among two divisions, finish as the state runner-up six times, and account for six appearances in the finals of various national tournaments, with one of our wrestlers emerging with the championship hardware. Competing in the international styles, two of the selected few have been successful in proving themselves to be three-dimensional (folk, free, Greco) in their wrestling abilities by virtue earning All-American honors on either the Cadet or Junior level while competing under the FARGODOME. While there are very few certainties in this sport, one guarantee that can be made is that led by this ambitious and talented class of wrestlers, the upcoming season should prove to be another exciting and fun-filled year for anyone who calls themselves a New York wrestling enthusiast. 1. Nick Gwiazdowski High School: Duanesburg (Division II/Section II) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 215 Projected College Weight Class: 197/285 Nick GwiazdowskiAnalysis: The current No. 19 recruit in the country according to InterMat, no Empire State wrestler had a more complete and successful 2010 campaign than did the rising senior from Duanesburg. Commencing with a third-place finish at the prestigious Super 32 Challenge (considered the premier offseason tournament in the nation), it was evident from the get-go that Gwiazdowski was a man on a mission, looking to improve upon a third-place finish in the DII state tournament the prior year. Compiling an overall record of 49-1 (with the lone loss coming at the hands of 2010 two-time NYS state champion/University of Oklahoma true freshman Kyle Colling), Gwiazdowski would cruise to the title that had alluded him his first two years of high school, pinning his first two opponents before outscoring his final two by a margin of 13-4 to claim the 215-pound DII hardware. Not content to rest on his laurels, the product of the Journeymen Wrestling Club would follow his impressive in-state performance by testing himself against the finest talent in the nation by participating in the inaugural FloNationals. This would be a decision that would pay major dividends as Gwiazdowski utilized his full repertoire of skills in defeating California's highly regarded Tank Knowles, 5-3, in the finals to earn his spot atop the podium. In doing so, he secured his third folkstyle All-American distinction to go along with a runner-up finish at the 2009 NHSCA Sophomore Nationals, and a fifth-place finish at the NHSCA Freshman Nationals. Gwiazdowski would lock up the No. 1 spot in the Top 10 in July when he became the only rising senior in NY to be crowned a double All-American in the International styles in Fargo (finishing third in both freestyle and Greco). While still keeping his options open, the self described "solid in all three positions" wrestler did say that at the moment he is considering schools such as Binghamton, Penn State, Lehigh, and Virginia, to name only a few. 2. Grant Greene High School: St. Anthony's (Division I/CHSAA) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 125 Projected College Weight Class: 125 Analysis: A household name on the NY wrestling scen since finishing as the DII state runner-up as an eighth-grader, Greene has continued to flourish within the Empire State, making the DI state finals the past two years (winning in 2009 at 112 pounds). Armed with one of the best dumps that we have ever seen in our collective years following the world's oldest and greatest sport, Greene will enter 2011 with the opportunity to lay claim to the title of best wrestler ever to compete in the Catholic League. Should Greene be successful in accomplishing what most NY wrestling aficionados are predicting (a second state title), he would join current University of Pennsylvania freshman/2010 NYS DI champion Andrew Lenzi as the only grapplers in league history to win multiple titles. If this achievement is not enough, it should also be noted that the rising senior from Cold Spring Harbor is on track to surpass the 200 career victories mark, further etching his name into the annals of NY wrestling history. With wins over both the No. 3 and No. 8 (twice) wrestlers in this Top 10 during his run to the title as a sophomore, Greene's selection to the No. 2 spot was justified and indisputable. The scary thing for his foes is that we believe we have not yet seen the best version of this talented student-athlete. In chatting with Greene following his state title loss in 2010, the gentleman was very candid about wanting to compliment his immense physical skills by using the offseason to become a more mentally tough wrestler. Working like a madman with his longtime personal coach, former two-time World freestyle champion Vougar Oroujov, it is more certainty than question that Greene will enjoy a breakout season as senior (which is saying a lot when you consider his already impressive credentials on the mat). In addition to his success in NYS, the St. Anthony's wrestler is no stranger to national success as well. In fact, much like the student-athlete that precedes him on this list, Greene has been consistent in that he has earned an All-American honor in each of his three seasons competing on the scholastic level. As a freshman, he would enjoy his highest national finish thus far, taking home fourth at the NHSCA Nationals. The following March, he would return to Virginia Beach and emerge with a still impressive fifth-place finish. This past season, Greene would put an exclamation mark on his junior campaign by finishing eighth at the aforementioned FloNationals. Before recently giving a verbal commitment to Northwestern University, Greene was also considering Cornell, North Carolina, and Virginia. 3. Bob Dierna High School: Wayne (Division I/Section V) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 135 Projected College Weight Class: 133/141 Analysis: One of, if not the most reliable/steady wrestlers in NY State, Dierna will come into his senior season with the opportunity to become a five-time state placewinner. He is one of two wrestlers on this list that will have the ability to accomplish such (joining No. 6 Casey Lanave). As an eighth-grader, the Wayne High School product, despite being slightly undersized, counted on his supreme talent to aid him in finishing fifth in the 2007 DI tournament � 2008 would be a banner year for Dierna as he would go on to win the first of what hopefully will end up being a pair of NYS DI crown, defeating the likes of Damon McQueen (2010 NYS DI champion/NHSCA Senior Nationals bronze medalist) and Sean McCormick (2010 NHSCA Junior Nationals champion) in ascending to the top spot at the 96-pound weight class. Dierna would enter 2009 as the favorite to repeat as a titlist and seemed well on his way to doing just that until he ran into a man on a hot streak, the No. 2 wrestler Greene, who came out possessed, locking up a cradle and getting the fall to dash Dierna's goal of repeating. To his credit, Dierna would show great perseverance, shaking off the loss to finish third at 112 pounds. Last season, competing in what was arguably the deepest weight class in NYS (the only weight class with two selections on this Top 10 list), Dierna would again have to settle for less than a title, finishing fourth with his losses coming to eventual champion Nick Meinsen (freshman at Binghamton) and Lanave. As impressive as the Wayne High School wrestler has been on the NY scene, it was his national credentials, coupled with the opinions of several prominent NY wrestling experts that ultimately landed him in the No. 3 spot on this list. Winning an NHSCA Junior Nationals championship last season to go along with a third -place finish as a sophomore, Dierna has repeatedly proven time and time again that he can hang with the nation's elite. While we were unable to reach him for comment regarding his future plans, we are confident in stating that we believe him to be a top-caliber recruit who will be an asset to whichever respective program he ends up representing at the collegiate level. 4. Nigel McNeil High School: Huntington (Division I/Section XI) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 119 Projected College Weight Class: 125 Nigel McNeil (Photo/TheMatSlap.com)Analysis: If Gwiazdowski had the best 2010 among the talented core of rising seniors, then McNeil no doubt was a close second. A non-state qualifier through his first two years at renowned Suffolk County powerhouse Huntington, McNeil enjoyed the proverbial dream season as a junior, compiling an unblemished 38-0 record en route to the 112-pound DI state crown (including a 13-10 semifinal win over 2009 state champion Brian Realbuto). McNeil's success would carry over to the national stage as well, as he would go on to finish as the NHSCA Junior Nationals runner-up (with his loss coming in the closing seconds to fellow NYer, the previously mentioned McCormick). Despite not possessing as collective a list of accolades as other members of this list, McNeil's selection was based as much on his ceiling as it was on his scholastic career thus far. In fact, one trusted individual who is familiar with the world of DI college wrestling assessed McNeil as having perhaps the biggest upside of any wrestler in the Class of 2011. His ability to blend strength and quickness with polished technique makes him the prototypical hot commodity. McNeil is one of only two New York wrestlers to land in the InterMat Top 100 recruits in the country (currently No. 97). Similar to Dierna, McNeil was unavailable for comment. However, with an endless ceiling like his, perhaps one of the reasons he was unable to respond to our inquiry was that he was too busy answering the phone from all of the calls he is seemingly receiving from coaches hungry to land a natural athlete such as himself. 5. Joe Kavanagh High School: Wantagh (Division I/Section VIII) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 189 Projected College Weight Class: 174/184 Joe KavanaghAnalysis: Much like his Long Island brother, McNeil, 2010 marked a coming-out party for the talented junior from Nassau County. After qualifying, but not placing at the DI tournament in Albany in 2009, Kavanagh, who I have heard described as a "scores in bunches" type of offensive wrestler, refocused and put forth the type of junior campaign that undoubtedly gets you noticed by DI college recruiters. With a win total hitting 40+ last season, Kavanagh could have been well on his way towards putting together an immaculate/undefeated season if not for Long Island rival/current University of Virginia freshman Billy Coggins, who issued the Warrior student-athlete his only two losses on the season (including a 3-2 decision in the State finals). Eager to put the loss behind him, it had been Kavanagh's intention to compete at the NHSCA Junior Nationals in an attempt to the show the country just how dynamic a grappler he can be when pitted against the nation's elite. However, an injury during trailing derailed that plan, leaving Kavanagh temporarily concerned how his absence might affect his stock on the recruiting market. Fortunately for the young man, hometown school Hofstra University, who have had the pleasure of watching him develop the past three years, had seen enough and offered him a scholarship. Kavanagh, whose dream has always been to compete for the Gold and Blue of the HU Pride, gladly accepted, giving the Hempstead, NY-based school a verbal commitment in early July. Having previously earned All-American honors as a sophomore by placing fourth at NHSCA Nationals, Kavanagh, who along with Greene also trains with the Russian legend Oroujov, will step onto the mat in 2011 as a heavy favorite to win the state title that has thus far escaped his determined grasp. 6. Casey Lanave High School: Chenango Forks (Division I/Section IV) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 135 Projected College Weight Class: 133/141 Analysis: Once hailed as the possible second coming of Troy Nickerson, a comparison that has to do as much with the fact that both attended the same high school as it did with Lanave's unmatched early success (state finalist as a seventh-grader), the Chenango Fork's rising senior has yet to land on the top step of the podium, making him perhaps one of the most decorated grapplers in state history not to have won the "big one." This is a label that the four-time All-State wrestler hopes to remove by the end of his scholastic career. With the aforementioned Dierna expected to be in his weight class for a second consecutive season, this will be an objective that is, as the expression goes, easier said than done. However, working in Lanave's favor is the fact that the last time these two blue-chippers met in Albany, it was he and not the 2010 NHSCA Junior Nationals champion emerging with the "w" in the third-place match. Hence, he would seemingly own the mental edge should these two be opposite each other in the 2011 NYS finals. A bronze medalist the past two years at the DI tournament, Lanave also has a fifth-place finish as a freshman to his name. Making these accomplishments jump off the page is the notion that in each instance, Lanave may have been competing in the toughest weight class in the state (96 as a seventh-grader, 119 as a freshman, 125 as a sophomore, 130 as a junior). Cultivated/groomed by 2009 USA Wrestling Developmental Coach of the Year Rich Gumble, as well as the famed staff at the Shamrock Wrestling Club, Lanave would have been much higher on this list if not for the fact that the majority of his national success has occurred in the international styles. A four-time Cadet Nationals placewinner, with his highest finish being fourth place in freestyle in 2008, Lanave has more than proven that the potential is there to hang with and get the best of the nation's cr�me de la cr�me. However, before he can elevated on this list, we felt it was necessary that he first compile an equally valid resume as a folkstyle wrestler. Lanave did not respond to inquiries regarding his plans for 2012 and beyond. 7. Craig Scott & Owen Scott High School: Palmyra-Macedon (Division II/Section V) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 160 (O) & 171 (C) Projected College Weight Class: 174 (O) & 184/197 (C) Analysis: Without fear of sounding clich�, let us say that to separate one Scott brother from the other would be like separating the hydrogen atoms from the oxygen atom in water, the yin from the yang, and for you soap opera watching mothers reading this article, Luke from Laura (a reference to infamous couple on General Hospital). Craig and Owen are a dynamic duo and deserve to be recognized together (like any twin combination), because above all else, they are the ones who have pushed each other to a greater level of greatness. In fact, so influential is this tag team that last season they led their high school to the unofficial DII team title in Albany. They are expected to do it again in 2011. As the closest thing that New York has to the Alton brothers, both enter the upcoming season with an individual state title to defend. For Craig, in addition to making it 2-for-2 in respective year, 2011 will mark his opportunity to go 4-for-4 in NYS tournament placement. As a freshman he finished fourth, with his only loss in the championship bracket suffered at the hands of four-time NYS DII champion Alex Ekstrom (entering his second year at the University of Oklahoma). A year later he would wrestle his way into the spotlight, earning a berth in the state finals, before having to settle for a runner-up finish. Last season, all of the stars aligned properly for this future Ivy Leaguer as he pinned one of his opponents and outscored the other three by a margin of 27-4 to seize the 160-pound DII title. He did this only minutes after walking brother, Owen, win the hardware at 152 pounds. Owen ScottSpeaking of Owen, it might have been easy to get lost in the shadows when you have such an accomplished twin brother. Such was not the case with Owen, who despite not making All-State as a freshman, has enjoyed every bit the same level of success as Craig. Finishing fourth as sophomore in 2009, Owen would blitz the state in his junior campaign, outscoring his four opponents by a tally of 33-4, with a pin in walking to his first state crown. Combined, the terrible twosome accounted for an 83-4 record last season. If it is Craig with a slight edge with regard to NYS credentials, it would be Owen leading the way on the national scene. With both having earned a pair of NHSCA All-American finishes, it is Owen's national runner-up finish as a freshman and third-place finish as a sophomore just barely edging out Craig's sixth-place finish as a sophomore and fifth-place performance last season. While yet to be finalized, both brothers indicated that they are in the process of verbally committing to Coach Rob Koll and his Cornell Big Red. Stay tuned for the official announcement. 8. Steven Rodrigues High School: Fox Lane (Division I/Section I) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 130 Projected College Weight Class: 133/141 Steven RodriguesAnalysis: Formerly the No. 74 recruit on the InterMat Top 100 recruits list, Rodrigues being spotted at No. 8 is indicative of the overall strength of the senior class. Despite being ranked towards the bottom, this young man is no joke. In fact, unbeknownst to them, when seeking opinions from several of his fellow Top 10 seniors, almost all of them where in universal agreement that the Fox Lane stud was one of the hardest working, most determined, wrestlers in the Empire State. It is this work ethic that they predicted would yield SRod a state title in his senior campaign. Finishing second and third respectively the past two years in weight classes that included the likes of Greene and Dierna in 2009 (112) and Nick Arujau (three-time NYS DI champion) and Justis Flamio (three-time NYS DI finalist) last season at 125, the self-described "Iowa style" wrestler will hit the mat in 2011 as the odds on favorite to bring home the 130-pound state title. Echoing the sentiments of his colleagues, such a glorious ending to his scholastic career could not happen to a more deserving student-athlete. Taking his talents to the big stage, Rodrigues was a runner-up at the inaugural FloNationals last season. This, when added to the NHSCA Sophomore All-American honor (sixth) he earned the previous year, is a testament to the potential that this young man possesses. Entertaining a wide variety of collegiate options, Rodrigues shared with us that at the moment, he was considering offers from schools in the Big Ten (Iowa, Ohio State, and Indiana), Big 12 (Oklahoma), and ACC (Maryland) conferences. With his "tenacious trying to physically, mentally, emotionally break my opponents every time I step on the mat," mentality, whichever program is fortunate enough to land his services will be getting a diamond in the rough. He's the kind of gentleman who will not only make himself better, but will make his teammates better by virtue of setting a positive example in the wrestling room. 9. Derak Heyman High School: Tioga Central (Division II/Section IV) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 140 Projected College Weight Class: 141 Analysis: A two-time DII state finalist/2009 champion, Heyman, who referred to himself as a scrambler, has some unfinished business at 140 pounds and will stay at this weight for the second consecutive season with the hopes of claiming the state title that slipped through his fingers by the narrowest of margins (a 6-5 loss in the finals). With the wrestler that defeated him in the title match having graduated, Heyman, who capped off his junior season with an overall record of 45-2, will be a heavy favorite in 2011 to wrap up his much heralded high school career with yet another DII crown. In addition to his incredibly distinguished performance within the borders of the Empire State, it is perhaps the resume that he has compiled in Virginia Beach that has us the most excited to see what this student-athlete will do at the next level. With All-American honors in each of his first three seasons, Heyman is the only member of this 2011 class with the chance to become a four-time NHSCA Nationals All-American. The journey to accomplish such a feat commenced in 2008 when he finished with the bronze medal as a freshman. One year later, Heyman would put forth his best effort, advancing all the way to the national finals before coming up a little short in the title match. As a junior last season, Heyman continued to show why he is on the radar of all of the DI college coaches in NYS, finishing a respectable fourth. With a third, second, and fourth already to his name, might it be the Tioga HS product's destiny to conclude his career with the only spot that he has thus far not earned? Heyman certainly is prepared to do all that is required to make the answer an emphatic YES! While still officially on the market, when we chatted with him a few weeks ago, Heyman did suggest that he is leaning towards committing to defending Colonial Athletic Association champion Binghamton University. 10. Kyle Wade High School: Islip (Division I/Section XI) Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 152/160 Projected College Weight Class: 157 Analysis: To say that state titles run in the Wade family would be the understatement of the year. Having watched his two older brothers, Chris and Lance, both reach the pinnacle in 2005 and 2007 respectively, little brother has witnessed firsthand what it takes to go all the way. In fact, in what might closely resemble a case of d�j� vu, Kyle's path to NYS glory bares a striking resemblance to that of his middle brother. Like Lance, Kyle was successful in earning his spot in the DI finals as a junior, only to drop the title match to a fellow blue-chipper (Lance lost to former UVA wrestler Michael Chaires; Kyle was defeated by Brown University freshman Giuseppe Lanzi). The good news is that if history means anything, Wade would be the most confident individual in NYS in 2011. After all, as proven on two occasions, there are three certainties in life -- death, taxes, and a Wade winning the state title as a senior. While still undecided whether he will return to the 152-pound weight class for a second straight year or make the move up to 160, it is likely that regardless of his choice, the Islip High School product will be the preseason No. 1. Despite not being someone who participates in a plethora of national tournaments, as a freshman, Wade did demonstrate an ability to challenge and defeat his national counterparts, finishing as the NHSCA Nationals runner-up in 2008. Projected as a 157-pounder at the next level, Wade admitted to having serious interest in top programs -- hometown favorite Hofstra and perennial EIWA contender Lehigh. He would be an asset to both programs. Honorable Mention: Joe Barbato (Wantagh): Two-time NYS DI All-State (sixth in 2009, second in 2010), 2010 NHSCA Junior National All-American (third) Abdulgawi Mohamed (Lackawanna): 2010 NYS DII champion, 2010 NHSCA Junior Nationals champion Arik Robinson (Peru): Three-time NYS DII champion (2008-2010), 2010 NHSCA Junior Nationals placewinner (fourth) Colton Perry (Windsor): Three-time NYS DII placewinner (third in 2008, third in 2009, fourth in 2010) Chris Perez (Levittown-MacArthur): Two-time NHSCA All-American (2009-sixth, 2010- seventh) Sean McCormick (Johnson City): Three-time NYS DI placewinner (2008-second, 2009-fourth, 2010-fifth), two-time NHSCA All-American (2010-champion, 2008-fourth) Vin Fischetti (Monsignor Farrell): 2010 NYS DI place-winner (fifth), 2010 NHSCA Junior National All-American (eighth) Matt Ross (Rocky Point): 2009 NHSCA Sophomore National All-American (eighth), 2008 NYS DI placewinner (fifth) Pat Hogan (Peru): Two-time NYS DII placewinner (sixth in 2009, fourth in 2010) Lewis Cucchiara (Gates-Chili): 2010 NYS placewinner (third), 2010 NHSCA Junior National All-American (seventh) Andy Lyman (Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk): Two-time NYS DII placewinner (sixth in 2009, third in 2010), 2009 NHSCA Sophomore National All-American (eighth) Louis Puca (Huntington): 2010 NYS DI finalist at 160 Nick Lalone (Cato-Meridian): Two-time NYS DII placewinner (sixth in 2008, second in 2010), 2009 NHSCA Sophomore National All-American (fourth) Chanse Menendez (Hauppauge): Two-time NHSCA All-American (2008-second, 2010-sixth) Michael Almaviva (Shenendehowa): Two-time NHSCA All-American (2008-champion, 2009-fifth)

Matt Winninger with NationalWrestler.com and Marty Dickey of Waterloo 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. Former University of Wyoming wrestler Matt Winninger operates NationalWrestler.com which seeks to increase the exposure of amateur wrestling by providing championship videos for fans, coaches and athletes. At Wyoming, Winninger won the Western Athletic Conference championship at 157 pounds in 1999 and was an NCAA tournament qualifier. Marty Dickey won a high school state championship for Waterloo (IA) West High School in 1966 at 120 pounds for legendary coach Bob Siddens. He also wrestled collegiately at Iowa State University. Dickey ran the WaHawk Wrestling Club in Waterloo for over a decade and helped produce many champions from Northeast Iowa.