InterMat Staff

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Augsburg College wrestling program is celebrating "Six Decades of Dominance" in the 2009-10 season, and will have a special alumni, family and friends celebration weekend on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 (PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE) at the Kennedy Center, prior to Augsburg's home dual meet with the University of Nebraska-Omaha at Si Melby Hall. The Auggie wrestling tradition started in 1949, and over the past 60 years, the Auggies have become one of the most dominant programs in the country in small-college wrestling, with both athletic and academic excellence as the program's hallmarks. Alumni, family and friends are invited to return to Augsburg on Jan. 22 for a special celebration of 60 years of Augsburg wrestling history. Check-in begins at 4:30 p.m. at the Kennedy Center, with a social, heavy hors d' oeuvres and program at 5 p.m. Celebration attendees receive complimentary admission to the 7 p.m. dual meet between Augsburg and Nebraska-Omaha. A post-meet social will follow at Sgt. Preston's (in the Seven Corners area of Minneapolis) at 9 p.m. If you are interested in attending, fill out the updated RSVP form (available at http://athletics.augsburg.edu/news/2009/9/17/wres091709a.aspx?path=wrestling ) and return it by Dec. 31 to head coach Mark Matzek at matzek@augsburg.edu. For more information on the wrestling weekend, contact Mark Matzek at 612-330-1116 or matzek@augsburg.edu.

The Brute Adidas studios will be lively again this week with the best in sports talk radio, Wrestling Talk! Join Scott Casber, Steve Foster, Chris Arns, James Moncherry, and Randy Crimmins for the best two hours on radio Saturdays at 9 a.m. CST at Takedownradio.com. Our Guests this week include: 9:05: Matt Valenti - Assistant coach at University of Pennsylvania 9:20: Jay Weiss - Head coach of Harvard 9:40: Andrew Hipps - Owner, senior writer, and webmaster of InterMat (Intermatwrestle.com) 10:05: Mike Moyer - Executive Director of the NWCA 10:20: Greg Randall - Head coach of Boise State Missed an episode of TDR? Now You can get TDR on your PDA or iPhone at Lightsout.tv and at iTunes Please note that Episode 25 of TDR TV is now up on all the top web sites around the country and is available for your viewing. Please join us for the show that started it all, Takedownradio.com. America's Wrestling Radio Talk Show is on Supertalk 1570 in Michigan, AM 1460 KXNO in Iowa and on a radio station near you or on line at many of our broadcast partners around the world including Takedownradio.com. We air 9 AM to 11 AM CST every Saturday morning and look forward to having you listen in.

Kansas City, MO -- Joe Boardwine has been named the National Director of FCA Wrestling. Boardwine has been involved in wrestling for more than 28 years as a competitor, coach and administrator. He will serve as the full-time professional administrator for the newly formed FCA Wrestling, which is a part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). FCA Wrestling became the eighth national sports ministry for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Each of these FCA national sports ministries focuses on providing ministry to a community of people who are united around a particular sport by offering opportunities to serve athletes and coaches in that particular sport. “It is an incredible opportunity,” said Boardwine. “When the task force first met, I felt there was a huge need for this in wrestling. I am humbled by the Board asking me to do this. With about 2 million people in the wrestling community, it is a great opportunity for FCA to reach into our sport and highlight the spiritual aspect of it. Nobody is doing this right now, and that is why it is so needed. It is a huge responsibility. I am excited to get involved at the grassroots level and to help build it right from the beginning.” Boardwine, an Aurora, Ohio, native, has been a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney for the past two years as a part of one of Morgan’s most productive wealth management teams in Northeast Ohio. He has continued to serve as a private trainer and part-time wrestling coach, helping motivated wrestlers reach their potential in his community. Boardwine served as the associate executive director of the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) for three years, where he was responsible for all the day-to-day operations of the national organization. He was especially involved in the marketing, finance, information and human resources activities of the organization. During his tenure, the NHSCA saw tremendous growth in its programs, sponsorship and revenue. He continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the organization. Previously, Boardwine served as the Ohio State Chairman of the NHSCA for six years, where he developed a number of new initiatives and programs to grow the sport of wrestling in Ohio. “Joe brings incredible wrestling experience and contacts to this newly created position,” FCA President and CEO Les Steckel said. “But more importantly, he brings a passion to infuse young people with the spirit of Christ.” Boardwine began his coaching career at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (CVCA) in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He was named National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Assistant Coach of the Year while at CVCA and coached teams with state finishes of fifth, third and second. Boardwine and Head Coach Dave Bergen worked together and developed eight individual state champions, 15 state qualifiers, and eight high school All-Americans in three years. Among the stars he mentored was four-time state champion and eventual two-time World Greco-Roman bronze medalist Harry Lester. Boardwine also served as assistant athletic director, director of physical education and head wrestling coach at University School in Hunting Valley, Ohio. He rebuilt a program that had never made the top 20 in the state into a team that finished seventh and fifth in the state standings. He also coached the school’s first individual state champion. Besides creating champion athletes, a number of wrestlers who Boardwine has coached have been successful wrestling coaches and administrators. Among them are Gettysburg College head wrestling coach Andy Vogel, Columbia assistant athletic director Chris Smolk, and Washington and Jefferson College assistant wrestling coach Jarrad Turner. He attended Kent State University, where he was a four-year starter on the varsity wrestling team, team MVP and Golden Flashes captain for three seasons. Boardwine was a two-time Ohio state champion and high school All-American selection for Streetsboro High School in Northeast Ohio. Boardwine got his start in wrestling at the storied Longwood YMCA program in northeast Ohio. “This is great for wrestling and for Christianity,” Boardwine said of FCA Wrestling. “Wrestlers understand sacrifice, discipline and integrity. Some of the key factors in wrestling are also important to the Christian faith. Wrestling kept me on the right path as a youth. Wrestling guided my life until I was able to establish my faith. It allowed me to avoid the pitfalls out there.” It has been a successful first year for FCA Wrestling. In September 2008, a summit was held and a task force of wrestling leaders formed to discuss the national launch of FCA Wrestling. The task force, chaired by USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender, was asked to recruit a national leadership board to oversee the program. In March 2009, the task force announced the selection of Jeff Pratt of Nashville, Tenn., as the volunteer Leadership Board Chairman for FCA Wrestling. Among his tasks was the completion of the formation of the volunteer Leadership Board. FCA Wrestling has since named the members of its Leadership Board, all who are prominent within wrestling, successful citizens, and have a strong commitment to the mission of FCA Wrestling. Included on the Leadership Board are: • Jeff Pratt, Director of Student Ministry Training for Lifeway Christian Resources • Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director • Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, World freestyle wrestling silver medalist • Brandon Slay, National Freestyle Resident Coach for USA Wrestling, Olympic freestyle wrestling champion, • Tim Johnson, FCA Director Midwest Region, national TV wrestling announcer • Sean McNamara, FCA Vice President of Sport Specific Ministries • Nate Carr, Head Wrestling Instructor for Prodigy Training and Fight Center, Olympic freestyle wrestling bronze medalist • John Peterson, Athletes In Action, Olympic freestyle gold medalist and Olympic freestyle silver medalist • Dan Russell, Senior Pastor at Battleground Four-Square Church, four-time NCAA Division II wrestling champion • Stan Zeamer, President and Owner of Utility / Keystone Trailer and Transport Auctions LLC, high school and college wrestling coach, Olympic Team Leader • Mark Mestemacher, Officer of Ceres Consulting LLC, Edwardsville Wrestling Club coach • Joe Slaughter, President and CEO of Herff Jones The Leadership Board will hold its first full meeting at FCA World Headquarters October 28-29, and will discuss the official launch of the FCA Wrestling program. About FCA The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is touching millions of lives... one heart at a time. Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ. FCA is the largest Christian sports organization in the world. FCA focuses on serving local communities by equipping, empowering and encouraging people to make a difference for Christ.

DAVIDSON, N.C. -- The 2009 Davidson Wrestling Coaches Clinic is slated for Friday, October 9, 2009 at the Baker Sports Complex, the Davidson coaching staff announced Thursday. Head Coach Bob Patnesky will cover all aspects of wrestling including coaching techniques, weight management, strength and conditioning, motivation for players, practice plans and match preparation. Bob Patnesky is in his sixth season as Davidson College’s head wrestling coach and already ranks third in all-time victories at the school. Following the season, Davidson earned a fifth-place team finish in the NWCA All-Academic Team rankings, the top ranking in school history. Patnesky and his crew have also lead three athletes to finish third or higher at the 2008 Southern Conference Championships, and have consistently ranked in the top 20 nationwide for GPA. Patnesky has recently been a featured speaker on the nationwide sports talk program, Takedown Radio. Patnesky was the assistant coach at Ohio University prior to taking the helm at Davidson. Patnesky’s own wrestling career includes being the 2000 Eastern Wrestling League champion, helping his team win the EWL crown and a sixth-place finish in the country. He was also a three time Jr. National All-American, a national finalist, individually ranked among the top 12 wrestlers in the country for three years and finished his college career with more than 100 victories. Finally, he competed for the U.S. on a tour of France and Poland in 1999 and earned NWCA Academic All-American accolades. For more information, or to register for the clinic please go online to http://www.davidsonwrestlingcamp.com. Cost is $45 for those who register online, and $60 for those pay at the door. Patnesky’s website and online registration services are managed by Camp Champs, LLC of Greenville, SC. Camp Champs represents several dozen collegiate coaches at the top levels of all sports, including Bobby Cremins, Sylvia Hatchell, Jay Martin, and Allen Terrell. The company provides these coaches and other camp organizers, including current and former professional athletes, non-profit organizations, and others, with income-enhancement products and services centered around their camp programs. With complete customer service and one-on-one account management of camp sites and business, Camp Champs excels in convenience and responsiveness that allows coaches to market and promote their camps and drive higher revenues. For more information on Bob Patnesky and Davidson College Wrestling camps, please visit http://www.davidsonwrestlingcamp.com. For more information on Camp Champs, please visit http//www.campchamps.net. Camp Champs provides online marketing and camp registration services to collegiate sports coaches and other camp organizers. The company, headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, provides various services and products to these coaches. For more information on Camp Champs, please contact Shanda Jeffries by phone at (864) 250-9781, or via e-mail at sjeffries@campchamps.net.

Joe Warren

Brian Keck

Clayton Foster

Takedown Radio’s (TDR) newest and most innovative product, TDR TV, has been added to one of combat sports most popular web sites. TDR TV’s 24th episode is the first to appear on xtremecouture.tv, the on-line presence for the Xtreme Couture enterprise, which is owned by MMA and wrestling icon, Randy Couture. Wrestling and MMA fans will enjoy weekly video recaps of America’s wrestling news via the half hour program. The program is made possible in part by Xtreme Couture, where host Scott Casber covers college and international news, with a little MMA sprinkled in as well. TDR TV provides a new and great way to see where MMA’s next big stars are coming from, that being wrestling! Xtreme Couture is a long standing supporter of Takedown Radio. Now, their support extends to include TDR TV, at nearly the same time they launched their own new video programming, a training DVD titled Wrestling for Fighting. In total, the Xtreme Couture enterprise includes training centers, camps, apparel, training videos, and energy drinks. TDR TV joins a wealth of content on the xtremecouture.tv site including blogs, forums, as well as an MMA store. “TDR and Xtreme Couture have been in lock step regarding advancing the opportunities for wrestlers. The addition of our video programming to their web site exemplifies our mutual goals and visions”, stated TDR’s Scott Casber. As another great example of those synergies, Xtreme Couture has added Pan Am Freestyle Champion Brian Keck as its wrestling coach. Keck has also worked closely with TDR over the years, and on many levels. The TDR web site (takedownradio.com) was recently upgraded. In addition to TDR TV, it’s a great place to hear timely audio interviews via live streams, archived episodes, pod casts, and RSS feeds. California's Black Mat MMA site to carry TDR TV Takedown Radio (TDR) is pleased to learn that Black Matt MMA has added their weekly video broadcast (TDR TV) to the non-profit organizations web site (www.blackmatmma.org). Black Mat MMA, based in Whittier, CA is among the first organizations in the country to improve the lives of under privileged and at risk youths and young adults though martial arts training, wrestling and related life enriching activities. Takedown Radio host Scott Casber is included in a list of impressive people related to the martial arts and wrestling that have volunteered their time and talents to Black Mat MMA. Other notables include MMA sensations Georges St. Pierre, Bas Rutten, and Gina Carano. Phillip Koon, President and Founder of Black Mat MMA, described the addition of TDR TV to their web site, stating “TakeDown TV and radio are much the embodiment of the virtues and values these young men and women aspire to. Now, given the visual impact of the medium, the great stories that are told reach these kids on a level they truly understand.” TDR TV provides new half hour programs to blackmatmma.org every week. TDR TV is also carried by a number of top wrestling and MMA websites. Archived episodes of the TV program, as well as a full compliment of audio programming can be accessed at www.takedownradio.com.

EASTON, PA -- The National High School Coaches Association and the Pennsylvania Army National Guard will hold a free wrestling coaches clinic, October 3rd and 4th, in Indiantown Gap, PA. Ohio State University Head Wrestling Coach, Tom Ryan, will be this year’s featured clinician. This past March, Tom Ryan’s Buckeyes finished 2nd at the NCAA Division I National Championships, their highest finish in their history. In three years, under Ryan’s leadership, the Buckeye’s have produced 12 NCAA All-Americans and three National Championships. “I am excited and looking forward to working with the NHSCA and how they set standards for leadership. I am also very pleased to work with the coaches from Pennsylvania and aware of how the state produces some of the best wrestlers in the country,” Tom Ryan said. For more information regarding the clinic, or to register a spot at the clinic please contact Steve Powell, Head Wrestling Coach of Easton Area High School via E-Mail powells@eastonsd.org. Space is limited. About NHSCA: The NHSCA selects Coaches and Senior Athletes of the Year in 20 boys and girls sports, and sponsors more than two dozen national championship events in 11 sports. The NHSCA, in partnership with Navy Special Operations conducts the Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge in 1200 high schools throughout America. This serves as a replacement for President Kennedy's Council on Fitness that was popular in the 1970's and 1980's. In partnership with the Pennsylvania National Guard, the NHSCA also conducts Character and Leadership Workshops and reach more than 800 Pennsylvania high schools and 9600 athletes and coaches. For more information on all NHSCA programs, visit the NHSCA's web site at www.nhsca.com. Founded in 1989, the National High School Coaches Association is a not-for-profit 501c3 service organization providing support and leadership programs for the nation's 500,000 high school coaches and 10 million high school athletes.

Paul Bradley (12-1) showcased his impressive stand up and well rounded fight game this past Friday night at the Strikeforce Challenger Fights in Tulsa, Oklahoma by dominating Levi Avera (12-5). Bradley, who improved his record to 12-1, won by a unanimous decision over Avera with all three judges scoring the fight 30-27. "I was pleased with the win Friday night and felt like I was able to dominate the fight no matter where it went," said Bradley. "I am going to go back to the gym Monday and continue training full time to move closer to a Strikeforce title. Fighting in a great organization like Strikeforce was awesome and it feels great to be a part of such an impressive fight league. I am looking forward to fighting for them as soon as possible."

Ryan Churella

Matt Valenti

Shawn Charles

Dennis Hastert

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. Between now until the middle of November, InterMat will introduce you to the top senior wrestlers in the 49 states with scholastic wrestling. From Alaska to Florida, and from Maine to California, you will gain exposure to the potential stars of future NCAA Championships. Did you miss a Wrestling 49 article? Check out the archives. The Illinois 2010 class has plenty left to prove before the next level begins. At first glance the 2010 class is not an imposing group, especially considering the classes that preceded them. Since the Class of 2005, Illinois wrestling seniors have stepped up their game each year and produced some of the top wrestling classes in the country. The Class of 2010 features its own share of All-Americans and state champions that want to make their mark as well. Led by Lee Munster and Nick Dardanes, the top seniors in Illinois boast six current or former high school All-Americans in the top 10. In addition, the 2010 class returns three state champions and three runner-ups. While the Class of 2010 may not be as deep as past years, there are plenty of talented wrestlers who have unfinished business to take care of before heading off to college. 1. Lee Munster School: Fox Lake Grant 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 189 Projected College Weight Class: 184 Scouting Report: Munster entered the Illinois high school scene in 2006-07 under a lot of hype and fanfare. The quiet and unassuming Munster has not failed to deliver as is evident by his 120-6 career record. He is a returning state champ and the only multiple-time champ ... also with a title at 119 pounds as a freshman. Munster completed his junior season with a sparkling 47-0 record and the title at 171. Lee MunsterA solid freestyler, Munster is a two-time Illinois freestyle state champion and three-time All American. The Illinois champion finished second at the Asics Junior Nationals at 171 pounds this summer. Munster has been part of the Illinois State Freestyle Team competing at the junior level since his freshman year and was able to contribute to the state's unprecedented historic run of three consecutive National Dual team titles. Munster set the all-time Grant High School record for number of pins in a single season his junior year. He was the high school team Co-MVP and was selected as the Outstanding Wrestler in every tournament he competed in 2009. A seven-time National Judo champion and a six-time International Judo champion as rated by the United Stated Judo Association, Munster has shown future Olympic potential. Munster is ranked as the No. 8 recruit in the country by InterMat. Academically, he has been recognized as an All-Academic athlete each season. Combine solid academics with rock solid wrestling skills and Munster has college champion potential. Munster verbally committed to Northwestern University during his junior season and will sign during the November early signing period. 2. Nick Dardanes School: Oak Park-River Forest 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 140 Projected College Weight Class: 133 Nick DardanesScouting Report: Dardanes and his twin brother, Chris, transferred to Oak Park-River Forest following their sophomore season. Dardanes parlayed that into an individual championship for himself while leading the Huskies to Illinois (AAA) big school team title along with his brother. The 2009 returning state champion and Asics Junior Nationals finalist, Dardanes is ranked No. 20 nationally by InterMat. A very physical wrestler Dardanes, a two-time All-American, combines strength, speed and technique into a very dominating style of wrestling. Dardanes is considering Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri. 3. Keith Surber School: O'Fallon 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 135 Projected College Weight Class: 133 Keith SurberScouting Report: Surber, a two-time All American is a hard-working, quick learner, who always looks for a way to get better. A proven winner on the folkstyle national level, the NHSCA National finalist in 2008 is ranked as the No. 98 recruit in the country by InterMat. In addition, he is one of two returning three-time All State wrestlers, the only one in AAA. Surber, who has 140 career wins, is always looking to wrestle the best competition in tough matches and brackets. His 32 on the ACT indicates that he takes his academics seriously. Surber is looking at Arizona State, Nebraska, Northwestern, U.S. Naval Academy, and Oklahoma. 4. Nick Proctor School: Neuqua Valley 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 160 Projected College Weight Class: 165 Nick ProctorScouting Report: Proctor, who is ranked as the No. 67 recruit in the country by InterMat, uses an aggressive offensive style, mixing single and double leg attacks. Proctor would prefer a tech fall over a pin. Proctor is a two-time All-State middleweight who has also garnered All American honors three times, including a runner-up finish in 2009 (160). He was a FILA Cadet finalist in 2009 as well. A diversified wrestler, Proctor is a B student with a 25 ACT and NCAA Division I skills. Proctor is considering Michigan State, Old Dominion, Missouri, Nebraska, and Illinois. 5. Chris Dardanes School: Oak Park-River Forest 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 135 Projected College Weight Class: 133 Scouting Report: Transferring with his brother from Fenwick, Dardanes helped lead the Huskies to their first AAA state title in 2009. Dardanes loves the pressure of the big matches. Chris DardanesA three-time All-State wrestler, Dardanes has done well on the national mat, reaching the FILA Cadet finals in 2008 and becoming an Asics All American in 2009. He has the heavy hands of a brawler that all coaches seek. His style of wrestling is reminiscent of the 'Iowa Style.' Dardanes is very focused on wrestling and is a tireless worker, constantly improving with a tremendous upside. Dardanes is considering Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois. 6. Jake Miller School: Murphysboro 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 145 Projected College Weight Class: 141/149 Scouting Report: Miller won the state title in Class A as a freshman at 103 pounds. The lone Class A (small school) representative in the top 10, Miller is as solid as his big school peers. He is very good on his feet and his single leg attack is virtually unstoppable. Jake MillerAlong with Surber, Miller returns seeking his fourth All State medal while entering his senior year with a sparkling 118-4 record. Mill also carries a solid 3.94 grade point average, is ranked 15th in his class, and has a NCAA Division I qualifying ACT score as well. Miller is looking at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Cornell, and Wyoming. 7. Matt Dwyer School: Hononegah 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 189 Projected College Weight Class: 184/197 Matt DwyerScouting Report: Dwyer, a two-time All-State wrestler with a sparkling 139-19 record, is currently in transition as he competes for that state title one more time in 2010. A counter wrestler, Dwyer is becoming more of an attack wrestler with some grind and pounding mixed in. His two older brothers, Stephen and David, are successful collegiate wrestlers. Stephen is a Division I All-American at Nebraska, while David was an NJCAA All-American at Lincoln College who has transferred to McKendree. Dwyer's drive and determination are what will make him a collegiate wrestler. Dwyer is deciding between Nebraska and Northern Illinois. 8. Zach Smith School: Boyland 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 215 Projected College Weight Class: 197 Zach SmithScouting Report: Using an aggressive style, Smith (106-12) likes to wrestle on his feet and get as many takedowns as possible. A constant well set up attack has become extremely efficient for Smith en-route to the 2009 state title. He is seldom out of position and this sound position enables him to neutralize a wide variety of opponents and set his attacks from a variety of situations. He is considering Illinois State, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois, and North Dakota State for football, but is open to wrestling in college. 9. Sterling Hecox School: Harlem 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 215 Projected College Weight Class: 197 Sterling HecoxScouting Report: Much like Munster, Hecox entered high school with lots of predictions of greatness. His 117-17 record indicates that he is one of the best as does his qualifying for state three times. In 2009, Hecox reached the podium for his first All State accolades. Hecox uses a Greco-based upper body style. Often his unorthodox but very technical attack poses many problems for the competition. The 26 ACT and 4.27/4.0 grade point average assure that there will be no classroom issues with Hecox. With plans to be a pharmacist, Hecox has the grades. Hecox is looking at Northern Illinois, Northwestern, Illinois, Iowa, Princeton, Brown, and Harvard. 10. Colton Rasche School: Montini Catholic 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 135 Projected College Weight Class: 133 Scouting Report: The state runner-up at 130, Rasche features a lot of offensive takedowns and an attack style of wrestling. Typical of his Montini teammates' all-out style, he would prefer a tech fall to a pin. Well versed in freestyle as well, Rasche followed up his 2009 FILA Cadet All-American status by becoming an Asics USA All-American in 2009. Colton RascheRasch, a three-time All-Stater, is a hard worker in the practice room, willing to help anyone while pushing himself to the limit to be a champion. Rasche is considering the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy having secured the necessary Congressional recommendation.

Richard Starks

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. Between now until the middle of November, InterMat will introduce you to the top senior wrestlers in the 49 states with scholastic wrestling. From Alaska to Florida, and from Maine to California, you will gain exposure to the potential stars of future NCAA Championships. Did you miss a Wrestling 49 article? Check out the archives. Below is a look at the top 10 high school senior recruits from Nevada's Class of 2010. Steven Hernandez (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)1. Steven Hernandez School: Bishop Gorman 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 152 Projected College Weight Class: 157 Scouting Report: Hernandez was an NHSCA Sophomore and Junior Nationals champion. He was also a Fargo All-American in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. 2. Johnny Field School: Bishop Gorman 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 171 Projected College Weight Class: 174 Scouting Report: Field was the 4A state champion and finished fourth at the Reno Tournament of Champions. The only problem is that Field is also a very good baseball player, so there is no telling what he will do in college. 3. Nick Wooden School: Spring Creek 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 145 Projected College Weight Class: 144 Scouting Report: Wooden is a three-time state champion and winner of the Sierra Nevada Classic. His only two losses last year came at the Reno Tournament of Champions, where he placed seventh. 4. Jordan Cronin School: Incline 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 285 Projected College Weight Class: 285 Scouting Report: Cronin is a three-time state champion and placed fourth at the Reno Tournament of Champions, where he lost to Brian Soloman of El Reno twice. Cronin has not lost to a wrestler from Nevada since he was a freshman. 5. Allen Haines School: Boulder City 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 135 Projected College Weight Class: 144 Scouting Report: Haines is the defending 3A state champion and placed third in the Las Vegas Holiday Classic. 6. Skyler Bleck School: Lowry 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 152 Projected College Weight Class: 157 Scouting Report: Bleck is a two-time defending 3A state champion looking to win his third. 7. Kasey Jones School: Battle Mountain High School 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 152 Projected College Weight Class: 157 Scouting Report: Jones is a two-time defending A/2A state champion. 8. Aaron Garcia School: Cimarron-Memorial High School 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 189 Projected College Weight Class: 184 Scouting Report: Garcia was third in the 4A State Championships. He also finished second in the El Cajon Invitational and second in the Las Vegas Holiday Classic. Garcia is also a very good football player. 9. Clayton Souza School: Eureka High School 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 189 Projected College Weight Class: 197 Scouting Report: Souza is the A/2A defending state champion. He is also a very accomplished football player. 10. Cody Serfoss School: Tonopah High School 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 152 Projected College Weight Class: 157 Scouting Report: Serfoss is the defending A/2A state champion. He was third the year before. He is also a very good baseball pitcher.

11,270 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2009, according to the American Cancer Society. Augustin A. Garcia, MD, an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University Of Southern California Keck School Of Medicine said, “Cervical Cancer is the second most common malignancy in women worldwide, and it remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths for women in developing countries.” Cervical Cancer is a very serious disease that should not be over looked. It can be diagnosed to anyone. University of the Cumberlands alumni Becky D’Ambrosia is a victim fighting for her life against cervical cancer. Her young life has been altered by this merciless disease. From Defiance, Ohio, D’Ambrosia was a female wrestler. She showed true promise when she won the United States Girls Wrestling Association (USGWA) National Tournament in high school and decided to further her career at the University of the Cumberlands in 2001. She was graduated in 2005 with a major in Psychology. Kip Flanik, Cumberlands head women’s wrestling coach said, “Becky is a great person and a wrestler that I could always count on. Everyone on the team loved her and knew they could go to her with any problems.” After D’Ambrosia graduated from UC she moved to Phoenix, Arizona to begin work on her master’s degree. Her life was set. She was happy with her fiancé, that she just married recently, and was starting a new life. In March of 2009, D’Ambrosia was diagnosed with cervical cancer. In April she had surgery, but the ruthless cancer had already spread to her abdominal cavity. Sadly, last month, August, the doctors gave D’Ambrosia only six months to live. “I have strong faith and that has carried me through the tough days. I know I will be okay regardless of what happens,” D’Ambrosia said to Jack Palmer of the Crescent News in a phone interview. D’ Ambrosia’s tragic situation really took the people who cared for her by surprise. “I was heart-broken when I found out. She is such a great person,” said Flanik. Past team mates of D’ Ambrosia’s also stated grief to her situation. Toccara Montgomery, an alumnus of UC and former teammate of Becky’s said, “I was in disbelief that someone my age and that I was close with could be struck by such a tragic disease.” Alaina Berube, also a UC alumnus and friend of D’ Ambrosia’s said, “I was a year younger than Becky, but we were still close. I was just shocked when I found out. It is really a tragic situation. I never expected it to happen to friends that I knew.” Even though the doctors were not optimistic about Becky’s chances, Flanik described D’ Ambrosia’s attitude as very positive and having a strong relationship with God, when he went to visit her at the Phoenix Baptist Hospital. D’ Ambrosia’s unfortunate story demonstrates how serious and deadly cervical cancer is for women. Dr. Garcia, states that, “Early epidemiology data demonstrated a direct casual relationship between cervical cancer and sexual activity. Major risk factors observed include: sex at a young age, multiple sexual partners, promiscuous male partners, and history of sexually transmitted disease.” Other causes of cervical cancer are weak immune systems, conditions that weaken the immune system like HIV/AIDS, smoking, and using oral contraceptives for more than ten years. The best way to avoid this nasty disease is prevention. According to TheHPVTest.com, women should get regular Pap testing to catch the cervical cancer before it spreads. Also it is very smart to get the HPV test and the new HPV vaccine. Cervical cancer is only found in women according to Dr. Garcia, so all women should become knowledgeable about this killer disease. Taking care of the body with regular checkups is the best way to prevent the disease. It may be too late to reverse the course of action of cervical cancer in Becky, but it is not too late to help educate young women across the world about the devastation that can be caused by such an evil disease. Educate and protect yourself. For more information visit www.webmd.com.

Sean BoylanSean Boylan of St. Mark's High School in Delaware has given a verbal commitment to Bloomsburg. Boylan is a two-time Delaware state champion. Last season, Boylan posted a 42-3 record en route to winning the state title at 112 pounds. Over the course of his career, Boylan has been a Super 32 Challenge champion, Beast of the East champion and three-time placewinner, FILA Cadet Nationals champion, and Junior Nationals All-American in freestyle. He has 126 career wins. Boylan, who is projects at 125 pounds in college, also took unofficial visits to Penn State, Lehigh, Old Dominion, and Rutgers before deciding on Bloomsburg. "On my visit to Bloomsburg I felt a connection with the coaches and the team," said Boylan. "The campus is awesome. It felt like the right fit for me."

Nick Sulzer and Anthony Salupo have been close friends and training partners for several years. The two high school seniors from St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio decided a while back that they would give their verbal commitments on the same day. Anthony Salupo and Nick SulzerThat day came Saturday. Sulzer gave his verbal commitment to the University of Virginia, while Salupo gave his verbal commitment to Lehigh University. "Nick and I are really close, "said Salupo, who was hanging out with Sulzer on Saturday. "I'm excited because we're not going to be too far away from each other. Lehigh University and the University of Virginia are only a few hours apart. We'll compete in a lot of the same events, so we'll be able to see each other during college." Sulzer, who is ranked as the No. 36 recruit in the country by InterMat, is an NHSCA Junior Nationals champion, Junior Nationals All-American in freestyle, and three-time Ohio state placewinner. He has been a state runner-up twice, losing in the state finals as a freshman and last season as junior. His No. 1 goal heading into his senior season is finish on top of the podium at the state tournament. "I still have not won a state title yet," said Sulzer. "That's what I want the most. Other than that, I would like to be ranked No. 1 in the country and try to lead my team back to the top of the rankings." Nick SulzerSulzer has two older brothers, Aaron and Keith, who wrestle at the Division I level. Aaron went 15-6 last season as a true freshman at Eastern Michigan. Keith, a redshirt junior at Northwestern, is a two-time NCAA qualifier. "My brothers are always helping me to improve to the next level," said Sulzer. "When they come back to visit home they beat me up pretty good, basically teaching me that this is what I can expect in college. I always talk to them about how I can get better, and they always have something to say to improve my ability." Sulzer, who projects collegiately at 174 pounds, will be reunited with two former St. Edward wrestlers at the University of Virginia, Danny Gonsor and Shawn Harris. "I chose the University of Virginia because I felt really comfortable with the coaches and the team � almost as if I was still at St. Ed's," said Sulzer. "Ultimately, it was the best choice for me because I felt comfortable in the environment, and the wrestling with the top academics is really hard to pass up." He is also excited about the opportunity to train with Chris Henrich, who posted a 40-3 record last season as a sophomore and earned All-American honors by placing seventh at 174 pounds. "Chris was a really big factor in my decision," said Sulzer. "He loves to wrestle and is always trying to get better. I really admired that. He's really tough in certain areas where I lack, so I am looking forward to trying to learn as much as possible from him." Anthony Salupo (Photo/The Guillotine)Salupo is a two-time Ohio state placewinner and a two-time NHSCA Nationals All-American. This past season, Salupo compiled a 43-4 record and placed third at the state tournament in Ohio. He was fifth as a sophomore. He chose Lehigh over Iowa State. "I really liked the location," said Salupo of Lehigh. "I like the fact that it's a small school, but there are still a lot of things to do in the area. I really like the coaches a lot. I felt like I connected with the coaches really well. They have a great integrated business and engineering program there that I really want to get into." Salupo, who projects at 149 pounds in college, is relieved the recruiting process is over. "It was stressful, but at the same time, it was exciting to get calls from different colleges and different people who were interested in me," said Salupo. "So it was exciting, but also stressful. I'm a little relieved to have it done and over with so that I can focus on the season." Salupo, like Sulzer, says his No. 1 goal this season is to win a state title. After that, he will set his sights on accomplishing his college goals. "I'm most likely going to redshirt my first year," said Salupo. "After that, I'm hoping to be a conference champion, All-American, and an NCAA champion at Lehigh."

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Defending national champion Darrion Caldwell of NC State will undergo shoulder surgery on October 5 and will miss the 2009-10 season. Caldwell, a rising senior, will have one year of eligibility remaining after the 2009-10 season and will return to action with the Wolfpack wrestling team in 2010-11. Caldwell won the NCAA championship at 149 pounds this past March, concluding a dominating season in which he went 38-1, his only loss due to an injury default. He followed that by earning a spot on the U.S. National Team in June and wrestled at the Heydar Golden Grand Prix at Azerbaijan in July. With one season remaining, Caldwell currently ranks third in NC State history in career wins, falls and won-lost percentage. He is NC State’s first multiple All-American since 1992-93 and its first national champion since 1993.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan wrestling head coach Joe McFarland announced Tuesday (Sept. 22) the addition of former Wolverine Ryan Churella (2003-06) to the coaching staff. Churella, a three-time NCAA All-American and Big Ten champion, will serve as the Wolverines' volunteer coach during the 2009-10 season after serving three years on staff in various positions, including video coordinator and director of wrestling operations. "I think Ryan is going to be a great addition to our staff," said McFarland. "He's young, he's enthusiastic, and he's great in the wrestling room -- not just from a competitor standpoint but also for his knowledge of the sport. I'm excited about what he's going to be able to bring to the team. He's been through the program and he's familiar with our system, so it's going to be an easy transition. Instead of worrying about his own training and travel, he's going to be able to concentrate on coaching now, working out with the guys and teaching them the same things that made him so successful. It's going to be a nice change for him, and it's going to be great for our program." As a Wolverine wrestler (2003-06), Churella was a three-time NCAA All-American and Big Ten Conference champion at 149 and 165 pounds, just the eighth Wolverine in program history to accomplish such a task. In his final season at Michigan, Churella posted a near-perfect 29-1 record and advanced to the 165-pound final at the NCAA Championships. His 117-18 career record places him sixth in the U-M record book for career winning percentage (.867) and 17th in career wins. He also ranks ninth among the all-time pin leaders with 35 career falls. After graduating from Michigan, Churella completed a successful three-year run in the 74 kg/163-pound freestyle division, earning consecutive top-four finishes at the U.S. Senior Nationals (2008,'09) and posting similar performances at the 2008 Olympic Trials (fourth) and 2009 World Team Trials (third). Churella also captured gold medals at the 2007 Henri Deglane Challenge and 2008 Canada Open. Originally from Northville, Mich., Churella was a Senior High School National champion (2001) and a two-time state champion at Novi High school. Churella earned his bachelor's degree from Michigan in 2006. He currently lives in Ann Arbor.

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. Between now until the middle of November, InterMat will introduce you to the top senior wrestlers in the 49 states with scholastic wrestling. From Alaska to Florida, and from Maine to California, you will gain exposure to the potential stars of future NCAA Championships. Did you miss a Wrestling 49 article? Check out the archives. Below is a look at the top 10 high school senior recruits from Georgia's Class of 2010. 1. Joel Smith Joel SmithSchool: Collins Hill High School 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 145 Projected College Weight Class: 141/149 Scouting Report: Smith really began to establish himself as Georgia's top recruit during his impressive run through Collins Hills' 08-09 campaign. Smith placed second at the Toshiba Midwest Classic (his only loss of the year) and torched the competition at The Clash, making the All-Tournament Team. After running through all comers in Georgia's 5A classification, Smith finished his season with an impressive seventh-place finish at NHSCA Junior Nationals. 2. T.J. Mitchell School: Collins Hill High School 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 125 Projected College Weight Class: 125/133 Scouting Report: I once heard a great wrestler say, “God blessed me as a winner," and I'm not sure that any quote could fit Mitchell any better. This guy is at his best when the lights come on and he finds himself in a big match. He's not flashy but as I mentioned earlier the kid just wins ... and wins a lot. He's one of the most decorated youth wrestlers in Georgia's history and has continued his success with two state championships in high school and multiple All-American finishes. If he finds a way to move his match intensity into the practice room, he'd easily move up to No. 1. 3. Acton Pifer School: Lassiter High School 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 130 Projected College Weight Class: 133/141 Scouting Report: I'm sure that if I compiled this list four years ago, Pifer would not be found anywhere near the top. The fact that you find him here is a testament to this wrestler's two best attributes. The first being his tremendous work ethic. Acton will out work 99% the room day in and day out. The second being he is an incredibly smart wrestler. When you put those two qualities in one person, it's a recipe for dramatic improvement. The amazing thing about Acton is that he doesn't show any sign of stopping. He has a very impressive goal list, and I only expect to see great things from him in the future. 4. Joe Denova School: Harris County High School 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 135 Projected College Weight Class: 133/141 Scouting Report: It's hard not to like Mr. Denova. You never hear him complain, he's always ready to work, and he brings home All-American certificates like it's his job. In his two most recent trips out to Fargo, Denova has come home with three All-American honors. This South Georgia resident doesn't lack collegiate wrestling skills either. He has multiple state championships medals hanging with those All-American certificates, and is hoping to bring home Georgia's first Super 32 belt. 5. Derrick Laney School: Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 215 Projected College Weight Class: 197 Scouting Report: Laney's state tournament ticker tape reads "First Match: Fall 0:39, Second Match: TF 17-2, Third Match: Fall 0:35, Finals Match: Fall 0:52." He shows that much dominance and I had to live with some criticism for ranking Laney so high last year. Luckily for me, he decided to show he was one of the premier big men in the Southeast by placing higher than any other Georgia wrestler at NHSCA Junior Nationals (fiftth). For lack of a better description, Laney is bigger, faster, and stronger than just about anyone that steps on the mat with him. The two time state champion is so powerful that less than ten percent of his matches have gone the distance, and I would be willing to wager a month's salary (as small as that is with our furlough days) that he's not going to let up on that percentage anytime soon. 6. Ethan Blackstock Ethan BlackstockSchool: Alexander High School 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 189 Projected College Weight Class: 174/184 Scouting Report: If you like physical wrestling, this is your guy. Blackstock clubs, bangs, and smashes his way through all comers and has racked up two state championships doing it. He's no slouch leaving the Georgia borders behind either. This four-time Fargo All-American is an absolute monster in the Olympic styles. His explosive style has turned him into a crowd favorite no matter where he wrestles. Ethan's natural gifts are not wasted on someone lacking work ethic. He might be the biggest “mat rat” in Georgia and is constantly looking to better himself no matter the season. If there was a way to track the hours our athletes spent on the mat I would bet the name Ethan Blackstock would show up somewhere near the top. 7. Brian St. James School: Centennial High School 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 119 Projected College Weight Class: 125 Scouting Report: BSJ, as he's referred to in Georgia, is what I like to refer to as a sleeper. He's not going to impress you with lots of flashy motion or by piling up double digit point totals every match. Due to this “grind it out” mentality it's easy to overlook St. James when compiling a list such as this. But that's exactly what this Centennial wrestler wants you to do. BSJ has made a career of staying out of the limelight and doing what he does best -- win wrestling matches. His most impressive display of this attitude came from his team's annual trip up to Spencerport, New York. St. James was in a brutal 112 bracket where, just as always, people counted him out. At the end of the day, there was BSJ smiling as the top of the podium leaving everyone wondering, “How does that guy do it?” 8. Stephen Spadlin Stephen SpadlinSchool: Camden County High School 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 119 Projected College Weight Class: 125 Scouting Report: The Spradlin family is synonymous with South Georgia wrestling, and Stephen definitely fits the billing. He's a hard wrestler to forget due to his fast pace style and crazy curly locks. But no matter if its wrestling or hair style that leaves the impression, you won't be disappointed by catching one of his matches. Spadlin could quite possibly be the most physically imposing light weight in Georgia. He has remarkably heavy hands for his lanky build and uses them extremely well to wear down opponents. His possible matchup with the afore mentioned St. James is one of the most anticipated matchups of the year. 9. Kevin Ulmer School: Parkview High School 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 119/125 Projected College Weight Class: 125/133 Scouting Report: Ulmer is as hard a worker as anyone else in the state. He has a hunger to improve himself each practice and that hunger is evident when he steps on the mat to compete. His goal is to be the hardest worker in the state and believes winning will be a byproduct of that goal. He has some tough challenges ahead of him this year moving up a classification, but preparing for that jump will not be a problem for Ulmer. Rest assured when he steps onto the mat come February he will have put in the time to be successful at that level, and when the time comes to transition his work ethic over to a college room he handle tackle that obstacle with the same ferocity as he does all others. 10. Matt Schneider School: Milton High School 09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 145 Projected College Weight Class: 141 Scouting Report: Mr. Schneider's only loss last season came to the No. 1 wrestler on this list in the state finals. That's not a bad season for the final entry. Schneider is another one of those guys that is easy to forget about due to his quiet demeanor, but he's all business when he steps on the mat. Schneider separates himself from his competition due to his prowess on top. He's extremely comfortable in his crab ride and has begun to really rack up the points from that position. If he notches a few more big wins in his belt, don't be surprised to see his name rising up some coaches recruiting list.

Norman Ernest Borlaug may be the most accomplished former wrestler of the 20th century. Norman Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 (Photo/NobelPrize.org)Borlaug never won an Olympic gold medal, or a national collegiate or conference title, or even a high school state title. His coaching career was brief, serving as a freshman wrestling coach while in college. However, the former high school and college wrestler’s accomplishments as an agricultural scientist are nothing short of astonishing … and life-saving. Borlaug helped develop disease-resistant wheat used to fight famine in poor countries. His “Green Revolution” breakthroughs in developing high yields of wheat saved millions -- if not billions -- of lives from starvation throughout the world. For these accomplishments, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970, and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007, among his dozens of worldwide honors. He was also named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential minds of the 20th century. Norman Borlaug died September 12, 2009 in Dallas from complications caused by lymphoma. He was 95. My "introduction" to Norman Borlaug In the summer of 2007, I spent a week in Iowa for a wrestling research trip. I planned to visit the archives of the three major state schools -- University of Iowa, Iowa State, and Northern Iowa -- for general research, as well as for specific research at the library at Cornell College for a Rewind article to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Mount Vernon, Iowa college becoming the smallest school to ever win an NCAA team title (in 1947). While in Iowa, I thought it would also make sense to visit the two wrestling museums in the state -- the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute & Museum in Waterloo, and, about an hour north, the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in Cresco. I spent an entire day in Cresco, a small farming community in northeast Iowa, about halfway between Waterloo and Rochester, Minnesota (home of world-famous Mayo Clinic). After touring the wrestling hall (which honors amateur wrestlers born in Iowa), I went to the town library to learn more about all the great wrestlers and coaches who had come out of this town of 4,000 just south of the Minnesota border. In the 70-plus years of the Iowa state wrestling tournament, Cresco High School can claim more individual state champs than any other school in the state, except for the much-larger Waterloo West, Dan Gable’s prep alma mater. Among Cresco’s most famous mat alums: the man who coached Gable at Iowa State (Harold Nichols)… and the man who hired Gable as an assistant at Iowa (Gary Kurdelmeier). Norman Borlaug is yet another. Norman Borlaug was presented with the Congressional Gold MedalThe day before I was at the Cresco library, Norman Borlaug had been presented with the Congressional Gold Medal. It was front-page news in all the Iowa newspapers that day, with a photo of a then-93-year-old Borlaug receiving the medal from then-President George W. Bush. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of instant time-travel to see news photos of the elderly-yet-still-vigorous Borlaug at the White House, then contrast those to the pictures of him as a young agricultural researcher in the 1940s … and, then, going back to the Cresco High School yearbooks of the early 1930s. But those photos, articles and annuals all helped me gain an understanding of Norman Borlaug the scientist, small-town farm boy, and amateur wrestler. An Iowa-born farm boy Norman Borlaug was born on his grandparents’ farm in Howard County, Iowa on March 25, 1914 -- two years after the sinking of the Titanic, and before the U.S. became involved in World War I. He was the first child of Henry and Clara Borlaug, whose ancestors had come from Norway to the U.S. in the 1860s, first settling in Wisconsin, then to northeast Iowa. Norman was the only Borlaug boy; all his siblings were sisters. They grew up on a 100-acre farm just outside Cresco. His first eight years of education were at a rural one-room schoolhouse… then, for high school, he came into town. “Originally, my ambition was to be a high school science teacher and athletics coach,” Borlaug said in a 2004 interview for Minnesota, the University of Minnesota alumni magazine. “I was captain of the high school football team, was on the wrestling team, and played baseball.” According to the 1932 Spartan -- the yearbook at Cresco High -- Norman E. Borlaug was a General Course student, instead of being on a College Prep or Normal School (teacher college) track. In his yearbook bio, baseball is not listed among his sports; it mentions track (junior year), and, in his sophomore through senior years, football and wrestling. Other activities listed: Ag (Agriculture) Club all four years, and Boys’ Club his last two years. A Spartan mat career By the 1930s, Cresco High was already a wrestling powerhouse in the state of Iowa. That mat legacy was born in 1921, when the high school started its wrestling program. It became a force to be reckoned with in 1925, when Dave Bartelma became head coach. In his first three seasons at the helm, Bartelma’s teams were undefeated in dual-meet competition … and Cresco’s first state champ was crowned. Dave Bartelma left Cresco for four years, then returned in 1931. Under his leadership in the early and mid 1930s, the Spartans had seventeen individual state champs, and won two team titles. Among Norman Borlaug’s teammates on the Cresco wrestling team who went on to some fame after high school: Harold and Don Nichols (each winning NCAA titles in the late 1930s at the University of Michigan), and Dale Hanson, who won the 128-pound crown -- and Outstanding Wrestler honors -- at the 1939 NCAAs for the University of Minnesota. In 1932 -- Norman Borlaug’s senior year -- the wrestling program won all eight of its dual meets, beating teams from Waterloo, Dubuque, New Hampton, Carroll, and Eagle Grove, Iowa. However, according to the yearbook, the team was “handicapped during the latter part of the season by a flu epidemic, which kept several of the boys from competing at the District and State meets.” Despite that illness, the Spartans won the state district meet, and qualified six wrestlers for the state tournament, including Borlaug. At the 1932 Iowa high school state championships -- held at Iowa State in Ames -- three Cresco wrestlers placed: Don Maland won the 85-pound title … Davis was third at 115, and Borlaug third at 145. Borlaug was one of sixteen wrestlers to earn a varsity letter. The road to college In that 2004 interview for the Minnesota alumni magazine, Norman Borlaug recalled his struggles to get into college after graduating from Cresco High in 1932, during the depths of the Great Depression: After high school, I didn't have enough money for college, so I stayed in Iowa, but there were no jobs except during the peak harvest seasons. Norman Borlaug on Minnesota cover In February 1933, I entered a Midwest AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) tournament in Cresco. Most of the other entrants were university wrestlers. I hadn't wrestled for a year but got into the finals and wrestled a person from Iowa State Teachers College [now University of Northern Iowa]. He beat me in overtime. As I was leaving, the coach said, "You should come to Iowa State Teachers College." There were no athletics scholarships at that time, but the coach said he would get me a job. Shortly before I was to leave for Iowa, George Champlin, a football player for the University of Minnesota who lived in Cresco, drove up. He said, "My dad said you should be at the University of Minnesota. I'm going to early football practice tomorrow. Come and ride along. You can hitchhike back if you don't like it there." I went and never came back. The Spartan becomes a Gopher Norman Borlaug’s entry into the University of Minnesota wasn’t quite as straightforward as the previous statement suggests … as the future Nobel Peace Prize winner is quoted in the 2004 cover story for the school’s alumni magazine: I had a good high school academic record, but when I came to Minnesota they said, "You're short a year of credits." At that time Minnesota didn't count ninth grade as high school, so they said I had to take a special exam. I took it and flunked it and figured, hell, I'm a complete washout. But George took me to see Fred Hovde, dean of the General College, which was just starting. George told him what had happened and Hovde said I should start in General College. I spent fall and winter quarters there and had very good grades, so Hovde said I could transfer to any of the University's colleges. I went to the forestry college. Borlaug found time to participate in sports at Minnesota, playing baseball and wrestling for the Golden Gophers. However, because of a conflict with afternoon lab classes, he had to quit the baseball team. By contrast, the wrestling team was more flexible about its workout schedules, Borlaug stayed with that sport, competing for three seasons. In 2004, he told the Minnesotan alumni magazine, “At the end of my sophomore year, I had a good record. I think I won nine of 11 bouts.” At least once in his college career, Borlaug wrestled one of his old Cresco High teammates, Harold Nichols. “Nick” had chosen another Big Ten school, the University of Michigan, and was joined by a number of other former Spartan wrestlers. (For a couple seasons in the late 1930s, over half of the Wolverine starting lineup was from Cresco.) Both Borlaug and Nichols wrestled at 145 pounds in the same conference, so it was inevitable that the two former teammates would end up mat rivals in college. According to the 1937 Michiganesian -- the student yearbook at Michigan -- Nichols pinned Borlaug in the dual meet. Lasting legacies from Minnesota While at the University of Minnesota, Norman Borlaug did not win a Big Ten or NCAA title; from checking the records at Jay Hammond’s WrestlingStats.com website, Borlaug did not place at any of the conference or national championships, either. However, he accomplished some things while at the Twin Cities school that have had an enduring, positive impact. For starters, while at Minnesota, Norman Borlaug met Margaret Gibson at a coffee shop where they both worked in the Dinkytown neighborhood near campus. The two were married in September 1937 … and the marriage lasted nearly 70 years. (She passed away from complications from a fall in March 2007, at age 95.) Margaret and Norman had two children, Norma Jean "Jeanie" Laube and William Borlaug, five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Norman BorlaugHe also is credited with helping to bring Dave Bartelma -- his coach at Cresco -- to the University of Minnesota to become the Golden Gophers’ first full-time wrestling coach. That had implications far beyond the campus or the Big Ten. As Borlaug told the Minnesota alumni magazine in 2004, “He would put me and another wrestler on a bus and send us to parent/teacher meetings at Minnesota schools to demonstrate wrestling. Eventually the sport caught on in high schools.” In fact, “Bart” is often referred to as “The father of wrestling in Minnesota” for his efforts to launch high school wrestling programs throughout the state, and for being instrumental in establishing the Minnesota State High School Wrestling Tournament in 1938. One of the referees at that first state championship was none other than Norman Borlaug. (Borlaug also served as a freshman wrestling coach while in grad school at Minnesota.) Of course, Borlaug’s most profound accomplishment at the University of Minnesota involves his education in forestry and agriculture. It was a challenge, as he told his alma mater’s magazine five years ago: “I didn't have money, so occasionally I dropped out of school to work. There were all sorts of emergency programs under President Franklin Roosevelt. I worked for the U.S. Forestry Service off and on from 1935 to 1938. The University gave me a good, broad foundation.” Borlaug earned his bachelor’s degree in forestry from Minnesota in 1937. As an undergrad, he had listened to a presentation by University plant pathologist E.C. Stakman. As he told the Minnesota, “I went and was very impressed and said, ‘If I ever have a chance to go to graduate school, I would like to study under him.’ When I heard him speak, it changed my life, my whole career.” A life of science Norman Borlaug had been scheduled to join the U.S. Forestry Service on January 1, 1938 … but received a letter, seeking a delay until June. In the meantime, he studied under Professor Stakman, earning a master's degree in plant pathology in 1939 and my doctorate in 1942. Norman Borlaug (Photo/Borlaug Foundation)After completing his studies at Minnesota, Borlaug was hired by duPont as a microbiologist, leading research on industrial and agricultural bacteriocides, fungicides and preservatives. He tried to enlist in the military to serve in World War II, but was told his work at duPont was too important for the war effort. One of his achievements at duPont: developing a glue for packages that would withstand saltwater, so that cartons of food and other critical supplies could safely get to U.S. troops in the Pacific. In July 1944, Borlaug was selected to head up the newly the newly established Cooperative Wheat Research and Production Program in Mexico, which was a joint venture by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture. The goal: to boost wheat production in Mexico, which at the time was importing a large portion of its grain. He spent the first decade working on cultivating wheat that was resistant to disease. By 1963, his breakthroughs had ensured that the Mexican wheat harvest was six times what it had been twenty years earlier. By the 1960s, Borlaug’s success in Mexico was being exported to other nations of the world -- including India and Pakistan -- in what became known as the “Green Revolution” to provide food to feed millions. In 1964, Borlaug was made the director of the International Wheat Improvement Program, as part of the newly established International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo, or CIMMYT), an autonomous international research training institute developed from the Cooperative Wheat Research Production Program. He worked with this organization for most of the rest of his life, officially retiring from CIMMYT in 1979… but continuing to serve as a senior consultant for years after. In 1984, Borlaug started teaching at Texas A&M University, where he was the Distinguished Professor of International Agriculture, and the holder of the Eugene Butler Endowed Chair in Agricultural Biotechnology. Reports indicate he was going to work just about every day at the university until early summer 2009. The Nobel Peace Prize For a lifetime of agricultural research that fed millions of the world’s hungry, Norman Ernest Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970. The story goes, that the Nobel Committee, based in Norway, called the Borlaug residence to share the good news at 4 a.m. Mexico City time… but the man who grew up on a farm in Iowa had already left for work, traveling to the test fields west of the city. Margaret Borlaug had a driver take her to the fields so she could tell her husband about the Nobel. Apparently Norman Borlaug’s first reaction was that it was a hoax. He finally came to accept the good news, and, in December 1970, traveled to Oslo, Norway to accept the prize. In his Nobel Lecture, Borlaug said, “When the Nobel Peace Prize Committee designated me the recipient of the 1970 award for my contribution to the 'green revolution', they were in effect, I believe, selecting an individual to symbolize the vital role of agriculture and food production in a world that is hungry, both for bread and for peace.” In addition to the Nobel Peace Prize, Borlaug was honored with dozens of honors and awards. In the mid 1980s, the University of Minnesota named a wing in the new science building Borlaug Hall. In July 2007, he was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Less than two weeks prior to his death, the Borlaug Learning Center at the Northeast Iowa Research and Demonstration Farm was dedicated in Nashua, Iowa, about 40 miles from Cresco. Wrestling’s influence on Borlaug Look up Norman Borlaug’s biography at the Nobel Committee’s website, and the opening paragraph hints at his wrestling background: “A vigorous man who can perform prodigies of manual labor in the fields, he brings to his work the body and competitive spirit of the trained athlete, which indeed he was in his high school and college days.” The IowaHawk blog mentioned wrestling in its assessment of what made Borlaug special: “In many respects Norman Borlaug was the quintessential Iowan -- the tough, humble Norwegian Lutheran kid who grew up splitting time between farm chores and small town playing fields. At Cresco High he played baseball, football and wrestled. His skills as a grappler earned him a spot on the University of Minnesota varsity team and eventual induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. We Iowa fans would have preferred he stayed home and wrestled for the Hawkeyes rather than the archrival Gophers, but we'll forgive him that minor transgression.” Norman Borlaug (Photo/Nobel Peace Center)No less a wrestling expert than former University of Iowa head coach Dan Gable weighed in on the mat aspect of Borlaug’s makeup. In a speech to the Davenport (Iowa) Grid Club just days after Borlaug’s passing, the legendary wrestler and coach said of his fellow Iowan (who he knew through their common bond of wrestling): "He was a tremendously competitive individual, and he channeled that competitiveness into his research," Gable said. "His work saved lives, but the intensity of that work was born in the approach he used as he competed." Norman Borlaug seemed to agree. "Wrestling taught me some valuable lessons," he told the University of Minnesota in 2005. "I always figured I could hold my own against the best in the world. It made me tough. Many times, I drew on that strength. It's an inappropriate crutch perhaps, but that's the way I'm made." In addition to his honors regarding his lifesaving agricultural work, Norman Borlaug had been acknowledged by the wrestling community as well. He received the Outstanding American award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1992, and was welcomed into the University of Minnesota's National M Club Lifetime Achievement Hall of Fame in 1994. In 2002, Borlaug was inducted into the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum Hall of Fame … and, two years later, earned a place in the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in his hometown in 2004.

ITHACA, N.Y. -- Three-time NCAA qualifier Matt Azevedo joins the Cornell Wrestling staff for his first season as a volunteer assistant coach, after spending the last seven campaigns as an assistant coach for Cal Poly. Azevedo opened his collegiate career competing for two years for Arizona State, where he advanced to the NCAA tournament. For his final two seasons, Azevedo wrestled for Iowa State and qualified for the NCAAs each campaign. “We are very excited to add Matt to our coaching staff,” Rob Koll the David R. Dunlop ’59 Head Coach of Wrestling said. “He will bring a wealth of knowledge to our entire team, and Matt adds a great deal of experience from both national and international levels.” After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education from Iowa State in 2002, Azevedo continued his wrestling career and went on to be a seven-time US National place winner. He won the 2008 U.S. Open National Championship, where he beat out eventual Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo and was selected Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. The Las Vegas native took second at the U.S. Freestyle World Team Trials in the summer of 2007. He finished second at the U.S. Freestyle Nationals in 2005 and 2006, and Azevedo also placed third at the World Team Trials in 2006. Azevedo and his wife Brooke reside in Ithaca. He is the nephew of Cal Poly head coach John Azevedo.