InterMat Staff

Recruits have a lot to consider when they are choosing which school to compete for in college: Do I like the coach? What about the team? Can I qualify from the conference? How are the academics? Turtogtokh LuvsandorjFor Turtogtokh Luvsandorj, The Citadel's 157-pound Mongolian grappler, the set of questions was much narrower, but tethered to a heavier set of consequences. As a citizen of Mongolia with a temporary student visa his collegiate question was whittled down to, 'Where can I get a scholarship and keep my visa?' Originally from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Turtogtokh (pronounced: ter – tog – tahk) was a National Prep champion and NHSCA All-American at St. Benedicts in New Jersey. Originally there wasn't much stress in finding interested schools -- a well-built kid with 15 years of experience banging heads with the best in Europe and Asia tends to attract the attention of coaches (see: Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov, Alan Gelogaev, the Novachkov brothers). Coaches called and Turtogtokh returned their interest. He had confidence he'd get an offer and retain his student visa, but as the months passed he missed out on a few opportunities and eventually the scholarship offers had disappeared. By the second week of August, Turtogtokh's chances at wrestling in college were dimming quickly. Most schools were less than a week from opening their fall semesters and Tutogtokh was living in a Brooklyn apartment with his Russian girlfriend, no money, and no scholarship offers. If nothing happened he'd be on a plane back to Mongolia. Turtogtokh's twin brother, Turbat, had flown home that summer, choosing to wrestle for the Mongolian National team. Going home would have been easy to do. "Turbat wanted to be with our family," Turtogtokh said. "I didn't want to go home. I love my family but wanted to stay in America." Rob HjerlingIt was the Friday before new students enrolled at The Citadel when head wrestling coach Rob Hjerling called Turtogtokh at his apartment in Brooklyn. "Coach Fleckman at St. Benedicts called me and said Turtogtokh didn't have a school,' Hjerling said. "I knew he wasn't interested in March, but when his circumstances changed he was all ears." Without a normal courting process, Hjerling didn't know too much about Turtogotkh and would have to trust that he'd work hard and be a good student. Turtogtokh's recruitment process became a sprint to complete paperwork, working to get him accepted and secure scholarship money. "We had our first conversation on a Friday and by the next Saturday he's sitting in a chair getting his head shaved and people are screaming at him," Hjerling said. Hjerling is being rewarded for his good faith -- Turtogtokh has delivered on the mat and in the classroom. The 157-pounder is heading into this weekend's Southern Conference tournament with momentum as the conference's final "Wrestler of the Week" fresh off a win over 16th-ranked Thomas Scotton of North Carolina; a 3-0 decision. He's also 15-1 in his last 16 matches. According to Hjerling he's also a sociable team leader, keeping a good attitude throughout the season. Turtogtokh Luvsandorj (Photo/CitadelSports.com)Hjerling also praises the help of assistant coach Plamen Paskalev in teaching Turtogtokh to translate his European style into a more aggressive neutral game plan and improved mat competency– a problem for both freshman and foreigners. Their similar styles and Paskalev's collegiate success (NCAA Division II champion at Central Missouri) has helped Turtogtokh develop his attacks this season. "My biggest problem is locking hands on top. I work a lot with the coaches to improve my top-bottom," Turtogtokh said. Turtogtokh's aggressiveness on his feet and improved mat techniques are what won him the match against Scotton. He drew a stall point, earned an escape, and even secured a riding time point - the trifecta of a solid top-bottom wrestling. Turtogtokh Luvsandorj (Photo/CitadelSports.com)Wrestling aside, how does a 19-year-old only a few days away from returning to Mongolia like living at one of America's strictest military schools? Answering with some diplomacy, Turtogtokh admitted The Citadel wasn't what he'd dreamed college might be; according to him they have "97-percent guys and very strict rules." He also misses his brother (they talk on Skype) but has found a new camaraderie in the relationships with his teammates. With the recruiting process behind him and fully acclimated to a sometimes intimidating school life (he's a business major), Turtogtokh looking forward to making his coaches proud, "My goal is to win the conference and be an All-American," said Turtogtokh, "Coach Rob did a lot for me and I'm very thankful to him to be here."

The mobile Brute adidas studios will be on the road again this week. Friday- Steve Foster, Truman and Scott head to Oklahoma City for a day of filming the Championships of the NAIA. The 53rd Annual NAIA Wrestling National Championships will get underway Thursday at Abe Lemons Arena on the campus of Oklahoma City University. The event will feature three days of action on the mat, capped off with 10 individuals earning national titles on Saturday night and the crowning of a team champion. Archie Randall and the Stars of OCU will play host to this growing conference. Hear Archies words: http://www.intermatwrestle.com/articles/6618 Coach Frank Romano and his Notre Dame College squad have been playing keep away leading the conference as they head in to the championships. Hear Coach Romano's words: http://intermatwrestle.com/articles/6619 NAIA's Manager of Championship Sports Scott McClure- Clearly excited about these Championships: http://intermatwrestle.com/articles/6614 The NAIA Wrestling National Championships will be streamed live via NeuLion, the parent company of JumpTV. All 10 individual weight class Championship bouts on March 6 will be available to view starting at approximately 6:30 p.m. CST. A fee of $7.95 is set to view the Saturday Championship finals event. Click here to order Saturday night’s finals. Saturday- Join Scott Casber, Steve Foster for the call and the action of the Big 12 Championships. Sat., March 6, All Day, preview show at 9:01 AM to 11:00 AM. First Round: 11 a.m.; Second Round: 2:30 p.m. Live from Norman, Okla. • McCasland Field House No Charge Live Stats: various collegiate partner web sites including Sooner Sports and cyclones.com Television: Fox Sports Net (Tape delay) Radio: Takedown Radio Takedownradio.com (Online, 9 a.m. CST) The 2010 Big 12 Wrestling Championship will be held on Saturday, March 6, at McCasland Field House in Norman, Okla. The University of Oklahoma last hosted the event in 2002. Doors open at 10 a.m. CT, with the first round beginning at 11 a.m. CT. All five nationally-ranked league squads will be in action for the 14th annual event. Iowa State will be competing for its fourth-straight Conference title, Oklahoma State for its ninth overall title, OU for its third, Nebraska for its second (co-Champions with ISU last year) and Missouri for the first title in school history. Located in the heart of campus just north of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, the Howard McCasland Field House provides OU and wrestling with a first-class training and competition venue. In 2005, the Field House underwent a $6 million facelift that included a complete interior renovation. Wrestling fans- Please note that Episode 47 of TDR TV is now available on all the top web sites and cable systems around the country. TDR every week! It's appointment Radio and TV! Join us at Takedownradio.com. America's Wrestling Radio Talk Show airs on Supertalk 1570 in Michigan, AM 1460 KXNO in Iowa and on a radio station near you or on line at many of our broadcast partners around the world including Livesportsvideo.com. TDR "the Radio Program" airs 9 AM to 11 AM CST every Saturday morning we look forward to having you listen. Thanks for listening and watching!

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The 53rd Annual NAIA Wrestling National Championships will get underway Thursday at Abe Lemons Arena on the campus of Oklahoma City University. The event will feature three days of action on the mat, capped off with 10 individuals earning national titles on Saturday night and the crowning of a team champion. Thursday’s action will get underway at 1 p.m. CST with a single session of championship round preliminary and first round matches. Two sessions will take place on Friday, starting with a 10 a.m. round of championship quarterfinals along with preliminary, first, second and third round matches of consolation action. The third session, starting at 6 p.m. Friday, will feature championship semifinal matches and two rounds of consolation wrestling. Medal matches will get underway at 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by the championship finals starting at 6:30 p.m. The Wrestling National Championships will be streamed live via NeuLion, the parent company of JumpTV. All 10 individual weight class Championship bouts on March 6 will be available to view starting at approximately 6:30 p.m. CST. A fee of $7.95 is set to view the Saturday Championship finals event. Click here to order Saturday night’s finals. Lidenwood (Mo.) will be seeking its fourth consecutive team title and sixth in program history, but will have to do it with only five returning wrestlers from the 2009 championship squad. The Lions would be in rare company to four-peat. Central State (Okla.) took home four national team titles from 1984-87. In a decade’s span, Central State is the most successful team in five decades of NAIA wrestling, capturing seven titles during the 1980s. Lindenwood follows with five championships during the 2000s. The challenge of maintaining that dominance will begin on Thursday. Five national champions from a year ago will be back to defend their titles, with a pair of grapplers looking to make their third appearance in the championship bout of their respective weight class. Notre Dame (Ohio) senior Adam Koballa captured the 141-pound title as a junior after taking runner-up honors in 2008. The Falcon is 27-2 in his final season. Andrew Sanchez, a junior 197-pounder from McKendree (Ill.), will also be eyeing a spot in the finals for the third time in as many trips to the NAIA Wrestling National Championships. As a freshman in 2008, Sanchez took runner-up honors and followed up with the title in 2009. The junior Bearcat has registered a 33-6 mark heading into Oklahoma City. McKendree’s other national champ, senior Aaron Winning, will look to repeat at 165 pounds and earn his third All-America honor. Winning took seventh at 165 in 2008. Chris Platt, a junior 184-pounder from Southern Oregon, and Simon Fraser (B.C.) heavyweight Arjan Bhullar return to the field to defend their titles. Forty-six All-Americans return to the field to challenge for their right to stand on the podium again. Two-time All-American Tyler Chang of Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) has previously earned accolades at 141 and 149 pounds. The junior, who was ranked third for the final four polls, will take to the mat at 157 pounds. After finishing second at 174 pounds in 2008, Brendon DeCock of Great Falls (Mont.) took home fifth-place honors a year ago. Missouri Baptist’s Ike Okenwa is a two-time placewinner at 197 pounds, finishing seventh in 2008 and fifth in 2009. California Baptist’s Enock Francois, a two-time 174-pound All-American for Northwestern (Iowa), will be looking to reach the podium for the first time in a Lancer singlet after sitting out last season. Francois was the top-ranked 174-pounder for all seven regular season polls and boasts a 34-11 record on the mat in his senior season. A 133-pound All-American a year ago, Kyle Williams of McKendree will make a run at the podium at 141 pounds. Austin Ouellette was a seventh-place finisher at 174 pounds for Montana State-Northern, but has dropped down to 165 pounds for his senior season. For updated information throughout the Championships, click here.

Kettman and Loprieno to go ‘On the Mat’ this week. Tom Kettman, head coach at Don Bosco High School (IA) and Dan Loprieno, head coach at William Rainey Harper College (IL) will be radio show guests this week. “On the Mat" is a presentation of the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and 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. Kettman’s Don Bosco Dons captured their sixth consecutive Class 1A state dual meet championship last weekend in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Don Bosco won their fifth consecutive traditional state championship on February 20th. Dan Loprieno led William Rainey Harper College to the NJCAA team championship Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa. The Hawks claimed five individual All-American honors including 141 pound national champion Josh Kratovil.

Big 12 Championship Sat., March 6, All Day First Round: 11 a.m.; Second Round: 2:30 p.m. Norman, Okla. • McCasland Field House Live Stats: cyclones.com Television: Fox Sports Net (Tape delay) Radio: Takedown Radio (Online, 10 a.m. CST) Cyclone Notebook • The No. 2 Iowa State wrestling team races into the postseason in search of its fourth-straight Big 12 Conference team championship. ISU finished the regular season with a 13-2 overall record in dual action. The Cyclones tied Nebraska (70 pts) last season for a share of the league trophy. • Iowa State’s wins at No. 10 Oklahoma (21-12) and No. 3 Oklahoma State (20-18) Jan. 22-24 mark just the second time in Cyclone history (1971) that ISU has won at OU and at OSU in the same season. Iowa State is perfect in the Big 12 (4-0) with a Feb. 14 victory over No. 17 Missouri, 28-10, and a Feb. 21 win over Nebraska, 34-7. • ISU notched the 1,000th dual victory in program history Feb. 7 at Arizona State with a 30-10 win. ISU is 1,002-263-20 all-time in duals, dating back to 1916. • The Cyclones posted their best National Duals finish since 2000, earning second place Jan. 10 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. ISU beat Bloomsburg, No. 8 Maryland and No. 3 Ohio State before falling to No. 1 Iowa, 19-12. • The Cyclones notched earlier dual victories Nov. 12 in Hilton Coliseum over South Dakota State (43-3), Dec. 19 at UNI, 42-0, Jan. 3 at No. 6 Minnesota, 19-16 and Jan. 16 at home over Illinois by a score of 33-9. • ISU is currently ranked 2/2 in the Intermat and W.I.N. Magazine polls, respectively. • Three Iowa Staters have at least 24 wins this season. Varner (197) is perfect at a 24-0 mark. ISU’s Mitch Mueller (149) and Andrew Sorenson (157) have both tallied 24 wins, as well. Iowa State at The Big 12 Championship • Iowa State has won at least a share of the last three Big 12 Conference Championship team titles (2007-09). ISU tied Nebraska for the title last season in Lincoln, Neb. with a total of 70 points. • The 2009 Big 12 co-championship marked the first ever conference three-peat for the Cyclones in any sport. • Iowa State’s Nick Fanthorpe (133) and David Zabriskie (HWT) notched their second individual conference belts at the 2009 edition of the event. ISU’s Jake Varner was the 184-pound winner in 2008. • Before the 2007 Big 12 team win, the Cyclones previous best performances were second-place showings in 1997, 2000 and 2005. • Since the first Big 12 Conference championship in 1997, there have been 28 individual Iowa State league champions. • The Cyclones have won 15 conference team titles. ISU has taken home the first-place trophy in 1933, 37, 41, 47, 58, 70, 76, 77, 79, 80, 82, 87, 2007, 08 and 09. Scouting The Big 12 Championship • Three Big 12 Conference wrestling squads reside within the top-10 in rankings. No. 2 Iowa State will clash with fourth-ranked Oklahoma State, as well as No. 8 Oklahoma. • Five individual Big 12 champions from last season return to defend their titles. Iowa State’s Nick Fanthorpe (133), Oklahoma’s Kyle Terry (149), Missouri’s Nicholas Marable (165), Nebraska’s Craig Brester (197) and ISU’s David Zabriskie (HWT) brought home top-honors last year. • In Big 12 dual competition, eight grapplers sport undefeated records. Wrestlers with clean league records are: ISU’s Andrew Long (125), 3-0; OSU’s Jordan Oliver (133), 5-0; Oklahoma’s Kyle Terry (149), 5-0; Iowa State’s Jon Reader (165), 4-0; Nebraska’s Stephen Dwyer (174), 4-0; Missouri’s Max Askren (184), 4-0; ISU’s Jake Varner (197), 4-0; and Oklahoma State’s Jared Rosholt (HWT), 5-0. • Since the inception of the Big 12 Conference in 1997, Oklahoma State leads with 50 individual champions. Iowa State’s count of 29 places second over Oklahoma (22), Nebraska (17) and Missouri (12). • The Big 12 regularly crowns some of the top-talent in the nation. Since 1997, Big 12 wrestlers have accounted for 38 NCAA individual champion trophies. Varner Wins, No. 2 Cyclones Dismantle Huskers, 34-7 • No. 2 Iowa State capped off the regular season in dominating fashion Feb. 21 with a 34-7 win over Big 12 foe Nebraska on Senior Day. The highlight match at 197 pounds went to the wire, with top-rated Jake Varner (24-0) turning away Craig Brester (25-1) of Nebraska in overtime, 6-4. • The Cyclones took eight of the 10 contested weights, with five matches resulting in bonus points for the ISU team effort. The victory was the largest Cyclone victory over the Huskers since 1985 (34-4). • Iowa State finished the 2009-10 dual season with a 13-2 overall record, and a perfect 4-0 mark in league action. ISU swept its four Big 12 opponents for the second time in the dual season (2006-07). ISU’s Three-Time NCAA Finalist Varner Continues To Light It Up • Iowa State’s Jake Varner is as dominant as ever at 197 pounds this season. After recording a 31-2 record en route to a NCAA title at 197 pounds in 2009, Varner is undefeated in his senior campaign with 24 victories. • The Bakersfield, Calif., native earned bonus points in 83 percent of his matches this season, with either a major decision, technical fall, pin or forfeit. • Varner holds a 114-10 record in his career, which equates to a .919 winning-percentage. The Cyclone sports an outstanding 61-4 mark in dual competition.

Lincoln -- The Big 12 Conference has announced its 2010 Academic All-Big 12 Wrestling Team, naming four Huskers to the squad, including three who have already qualified for this year's NCAA Championships at Qwest Center Omaha. For the fourth consecutive season, senior Craig Brester claimed a first-team selection to lead Nebraska's honorees. A native of Howells, Neb., Brester has been an academic and athletic standout at UNL while pursuing a degree in Mechanized Systems Management. Fellow senior Stephen Dwyer, a business administration major from Rockton, Ill., earned a spot on the team for the third time. Following a second-team selection in 2009, sophomore Tucker Lane improved his standing to first-team status, while redshirt freshman Josh Ihnen rounded out the cast of talented Huskers. First team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA, and the second team are those who have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA. To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of his team's scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible. Brester, Dwyer and Lane learned last week they will each earn one of the Big 12's automatic bids for the 2010 NCAA Championships. Ihnen is vying for a spot at nationals as well, as the Huskers are currently preparing for the 2010 Big 12 Championships, which take place this Saturday in Norman, Okla. Nebraska's 2010 Academic All-Big 12 First-Team Members Craig Brester (Sr., 197 pounds, Howells, Neb.) - Mechanized Systems Management Stephen Dwyer (Sr., 174 pounds, Rockton, Ill.) - Business Administration Josh Ihnen (RFr., 184 pounds, Sheldon, Iowa) - Finance Tucker Lane (So., Heavyweight, Redvale, Colo.) - Communication Studies

The National Wrestling Coaches Association Staff and Board of Directors are pleased to announce The NWCA Dan Gable “America Needs Wrestling” Award recipient for 2009 is Jim Brown, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This award is to recognize those individuals who have given significant time and effort to the sport of wrestling. Those efforts must have had significant impact on the preservation or promotion of the sport. Many out there may know Brown as a fun loving wrestling fan who blogs about the sport from, The view from section GG: Musings and opinions on amateur wrestling from a fan’s standpoint. What he has done through his blog is raise awareness from a fans perspective and taken his knowledge of marketing and applied it to fundraising and awareness efforts to the sport of wrestling. “To have my name associated with Dan Gable, is incredibly humbling. I see myself as a wrestling fan, who sees opportunities out there (Tickets for Kids) and instead of waiting on others to do them, I get involved. I am no different from the other wrestling fans out there,” said Brown. One of Brown’s latest efforts to raise awareness of the sport of wrestling is in conjunction with the NCAA for the “Tickets for Kids” program. Where he is raising $10,000 to buy 1,000 tickets to the Saturday morning session of the Division III Championships at the US Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and will be giving them away to kids. The goal is that these children are exposed to the sport of wrestling at a level that will draw them in as future high school and college wrestlers. “This award means a lot to the NWCA and to the sport of wrestling, being able to recognize Jim Brown for the work he is doing to promote wrestling at all levels is what “America Needs Wrestling,” is all about. He is working to reach people at all levels, including those who are not following the sport currently while at the same time being creative about the means he uses,” said Mike Moyer, NWCA Executive Director. In an excerpt from Brown’s blog he wrote the following, “Can we get more kids on the mat? Dan Gable’s latest catchphrase is, “America needs wrestling”. I watched a video where he was wrapping up a clinic session and he explained a little about what he meant, “We need (toughness). If the power goes out and you need heat you need to be able to use a chainsaw. If the chainsaw breaks you need to be able to use an axe.” Wrestling teaches toughness and resiliency in ways that nothing else does. We need “tough” scientists like Norman Borlaug – and “tough” writers like John Irving – and “tough” leaders like Teddy Roosevelt. Where will they come from? You can be sure that some are going to walk off the mat and into greatness.” The presentation of the Dan Gable “America Needs Wrestling” Award will take place at the 2010 NCAA Division III Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

WEST POINT, NY -- The scene unfolds like countless others do on college campuses nationwide every day. A drive through a picturesque campus takes you past ancient stone buildings, tidy rows of houses, and vast athletic fields. All the while, the 15 MPH speed limit helps you avoid the groups and individual runners darting by in reflective jackets, sweats and shorts. The difference here is that it's 20 degrees out, and snowing sideways -- hard. And it's not yet 6 a.m. Welcome to West Point, home of the United States Military Academy. The morning begins as it always does at Army -- with cadets trickling out of their housing units for formation at 6:30 a.m. Though it's not Thursday, every cadet emerges dressed in green camouflage shirts and pants, a black fleece jacket, a black cap and thick tan boots -- Army Combat Uniforms (ACUs). Once senior officers salute their commanders that everyone has been accounted for, the 4,400-person corps of cadets turns and heads in for breakfast. Matthew KylerAthletes sit with their company at breakfast, and their teams at lunch. All-American wrestler Matthew Kyler is part of Company F3, which includes cadets from all classes. Plebes (freshman) sit at one end of the table and start the meal by asking what everyone would like to drink. The meals are chosen daily by a nutritionist, and are served family-style. It's a very efficient system, and Cadet Kyler is a senior with a class at 7:30 p.m. So at the first opportunity to be excused, he quickly finishes his food and heads back to his room. On the way, he jokes with his roommate, fellow "firstie" (senior) Richard Niedbala, about being really efficient at cleaning their room in 5-10 minutes. You just never know when a random inspection might come, and they expect a clean room. It would not be hyperbole to say that Kyler was destined to attend West Point. "I wanted to come here when I was little," says Kyler, who aspired to be a cadet all through grade school. "I got away from that when I got a little older. Then I came up here on a recruiting visit, really liked it and felt like I fit in real well with the team. I just felt at home here." At Clearfield (PA) Area High School, Kyler went 136-13 as a three-time state placewinner (state champ his junior year), a two-time national freestyle champion and a two-time Greco-Roman All-American. He was considering local powerhouses Penn State, Lehigh and Penn, when Army approached him. Matthew Kyler (Photo/Army Sports Information)"I asked him what he was looking at for college options and he said the things that were important were a great school and comfort with the coaches," then-Army assistant and current Stevens head coach Mike Clayton recalls. "We got Matt on campus he loved the history and the honor that came along with our program. It was just a great fit all around." That much was borne out in how quickly Matt adjusted to the West Point culture upon his arrival. He laughs as he tells the story of itching to get out on the mats during the weekly mass athletics period of BEAST (a month-long period of physical and academic training that all plebes go through before beginning freshman year at West Point). "Once the academic year began when I was a plebe and I was busy and working out, I felt it was normal routine," Kyler says. "I was going to school and wrestling, just like high school." Then he grins and adds that wrestling practice is his favorite part of the day. A soft snow falls on the partially frozen Hudson River as light haze settles over campus. A passing boat announces its presence with a horn blast that shakes the stillness of this late winter morning. Normally, Cadet Kyler has 4-5 classes a day. Tuesday is a light day, however, with two early classes in the morning, and a lifting session and practice in the afternoon. Being late to class here is a bad idea, so he trudges through the cold with other cadets to the engineering building for "Topics in Civil Engineering." Civil Engineering is Matt's major, and as any cadet on campus will tell you, one of the most academically rigorous. Today's topic? China's Expanding Economic Influence, and its Ramifications in the South China Sea. Matthew Kyler (Photo/Army Sports Information)As if that wasn't heady enough, he moves on to his next class, a Mechanical Engineering (Dynamics) course where a square-jawed major discusses how to determine the kinetic energy generated when two Humvees crash into each other. "Academics here are pretty tough," Kyler says. "I didn't struggle too much until I got older and into my major. Civil engineering is a lot of work, and it can be tough balancing the wrestling and the school. The first two years here, I was really good at balancing all three. Now, I want to do well in wrestling and in school, and the military stuff... At West Point, it's hard to balance all three [simultaneously] and do all three well." Still, Kyler has somehow managed to thrive in all three. His class schedule complete, he grabs a quick bagel with light cream cheese from a place where even the receipts read "Beat Navy" at the bottom. Back in his room, Kyler jokes with Niedbala about the differences between the tiny rural hamlet of Clearfield and Niedbala's native Geneva, IL, a sprawling suburban village west of Chicago. Kyler will make his first visit there when he attends Niedbala's wedding in June. He walks by the towering new $65 million, 148,000-square foot library (Thomas Jefferson Hall) on the way to Arvin Gym, home of the wrestling facilities. He passes through the maze of wooden lockers and forgoes the leather couches to settle into a desk chair in the wrestlers' room for an interview while Sportscenter plays silently in the background. After the interview, he'll excuse himself to grab a quick bite to eat and study a bit before returning to Arvin for 4:30 p.m. practice. "[Matt] knows exactly who he is and what he wants to be, and that's partially why he's been successful," fellow senior co-captain Ryan Mergen says. "He knows he wants to be a national champion, so that's what he works for. He is completely committed and doesn't deviate from what he should be doing. He's a good kid and a great example." As far as wrestling goes, Kyler's impact on campus was felt immediately. As a freshman at 141 pounds, he went 31-12 and won the Mike Natvig Award (team OW) for the Black Knights, finishing second at EIWAs before losing two close matches at Nationals. Chuck Barbee (Photo/Army Sports Information)He bounced back in a big way as a sophomore, setting an Army single-season record for wins at 43-8 and claiming the EIWA title at 141. At Nationals in St. Louis, he thrilled a capacity crowd by beating four seeded wrestlers in comeback fashion, before eventually losing to Iowa State's Nick Gallick in the fifth-place match. His 7-6 win over Cody Cleveland (UTC) ensured that he'd become another Army All-American. "Matt just doesn't accept losing," Coach Barbee says. "He always believes that he can win and he's willing to put in the effort to do so. He's been a mat rat for four years; drilled, ran, lifted -- done everything he can in the last four years to make himself as good as he could be." Kyler moved up to 149 pounds for his junior year, and won his third straight Mike Natvig Award by going 40-7 and reaching Nationals for a third time. He lost a heartbreaker to Navy's Bryce Saddoris in the EIWA finals on a controversial call, then went 1-2 at Nationals to end his season. Currently ranked No. 10 by InterMat at 149 pounds, Kyler has adjusted more to the weight class and sits at 27-3 heading into the EIWA Championships at Lehigh. He hoped to add to his career record of 141-30 by compiling his third straight season of 40+ wins, but sickness and some minor injuries have seemingly derailed that ambition. Still, he leads the team with 19 bonus point victories, and his coaches believe he looks more comfortable at the weight this year. His goals in his senior year are straightforward: first win an EIWA title, then a National Championship at 149 pounds. No matter what happens, he will graduate as Army's all-time leader in wins and one of the best wrestlers ever at West Point. "When Matt walks out on the mat, he knows that he's going to win and that his moves won't be stopped," senior 197-pounder Richard Starks says. "You can see it in his eyes." There's no question that attending West Point changes an individual, almost always for the better. Upon graduation, Cadet Matthew Kyler will spend the first part of next year doing military drills down at Fort Benning (Ga.), and the second part of the year as the wrestling coach at the US Military Prep School (USMAPS) in Fort Monmouth, NJ. An admittedly old school guy, Kyler says he will definitely don a suit for every match, regardless of opponent or importance. After next year, Kyler must decide whether he wants to enter the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) and train in Colorado Springs for international wrestling competition like former Black Knights All-American Phil Simpson, or serve in the Army. In the Army, he would serve as an infantry officer for four years, then spend the next five in the Army Corps of Engineers. Matthew Kyler (Photo/Army Sports Information)"The decision about whether or go into WCAP or the Army is a lot more difficult now than I would have anticipated three years ago," says Kyler, who adds that he feels obligated to repay the government for their investment into his military and academic education the past four years. If anything, West Point has only reaffirmed values that Matt already had about proper conduct and virtuous behavior. The Honor code -- which states, "a cadet will not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do" -- is the gold standard at Army. "It's a big part of West Point," Kyler says. "People know that if you went to West Point, that you'll be honest [and that] they can trust you at face value. That's a very important thing and becoming a rare thing in America. It's really one of the things that makes West Point a special place." Indeed, there are many parallels that one can draw between success as a cadet and as a wrestler. Starks says that you need to know how to apply those similar characteristics to each individual pursuit, and Kyler agrees. "I've had multiple officers tell me that some of their best lieutenants were college wrestlers," Kyler says. "They weren't necessarily West Point guys, but they told me that they knew if they got a wrestler that he was going to be a tough, hard-nosed person who knew what hard work was, and they knew he was going to be fit and confident about his abilities. I think wrestlers work hard and are very self-driven [and] you need that to be successful in anything." No matter what path he chooses, Kyler is proud of his decision to attend the USMA, one that expanded his worldview and honed his leadership skills. "When I first came here, I was just a [good wrestler] from a small town in PA," Kyler says. "I got to West Point and met a lot of different people who came from all over. Wrestling was the No. 1 thing on my mind at all times. And wrestling is still very important now, but I also realize that there are things more important than wrestling. I've just grown up and become more responsible ... I know exactly what I want in [wrestling and life]."

Contrary to the recent past, there are multiple facets of significant storylines as the 73rd edition of the OHSAA State Wrestling Championships commences today on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. First and foremost, there is expected to be a close battle for the big-school (Division I) state championship. For 13 consecutive years, St. Edward has dominated the scene with state championship margins of more than 20 points in every single year. In fact, in only two seasons has the margin been less than 50 points (1999 and 2009). This year, there is expected to be some scoreboard watching deep into the tournament, as Wadsworth seeks its first state championship since 1942. The Grizzlies have finished inside the top five seven times the last eleven years, the high water mark being third place in 2005. Both teams are similarly constructed, with five core wrestlers that are ranked in the top two statewide. Four seniors -- Gus Sako (125), No. 1 Jamie Clark (130), No. 15 Anthony Salupo (145), and No. 3 Nick sulzer -- along with freshman No. 8 Dean Heil (103) anchor the Eagles squad. For Wadsworth, they are anchored by three seniors -- No. 5 Brad Squire (145), Caleb Busson (189), and Ben Buzzelli (285) -- along with a pair of sophomores in No. 17 Kagan Squire (119) and Nick Tavanello (215). The key to each team's state title hopes will be their other state qualifiers. The Grizzlies have seven other wrestlers in the state tournament brackets for a total of 12, which is the most among any squad across Ohio's three divisions. This includes a pair of seniors in returning state placer Louden Gordon (135) and Bart Randolph (171); along with a quartet of juniors in Alfredo Gray (112), Nate Ball (140), Clay Wenger (152), and Sheldon Brandenburg (160). St. Edward has six other wrestlers in the state tournament - all are either freshmen or sophomores. Edgar Bright (112) and Dominic Abounader (152) are freshmen; while Matt Van Curen (140), Ty Walz (215), and Cadet National All-Americans Mark Martin (135) and Ben Kuhar (285) are sophomores. Should Wadsworth win the state title, they would be the first public school to win the big-school state tournament (either Division I or Class AAA) since Nordonia earned a title in 1977 by a 2-1/2 point margin. Other than in 1988, this was the last time the big-school championship was decided by less than 10 points. Two records related to second place finishes are also in jeopardy with the battle in Division I -- most points scored by a second place team in Division I (134 by St. Edward in 1996), most points scored by a second place team overall (Marion Pleasant with 151-1/2 in 2007, Division III). Unlike in Division I, there is no team race to speak of, as Graham -- ranked among the elite teams in the nation - seeks a tenth consecutive state championship. Last year, the Falcons set a pair of state tournament records -- seven individual champions, and 282 points. Though it doesn't seem likely that the points record would be in jeopardy, those seven state titles could easily be equaled -- and if things go right for Graham, exceeded. Five wrestlers are ranked nationally: No. 18 Ryan Taylor (103), No. 5 Nick Brascetta (119), No. 17 Bo Jordan (130), No. 7 Felipe Martinez (140), and No. 5 Max Thomusseit (189). Additionally, sophomore Isaac Jordan (135) and Matt Stephens (145) are projected as state champions; while defending state champion Kyle Ryan (160) and Huston Evans (171) are ranked second. There are two showcase weights within Division II wrestling this year. Seeking a third state title, No. 7 Ty Mitch from Aurora, has to navigate a 119 pound weight class that features defending state champion Brascetta as well as returning runner-up Brandon Gambucci of Lexington. Mitch is in the opposite half-bracket from both Brascetta and Gambucci, a projected semifinal. Two nationally ranked wrestlers are also featured in the 130 pound weight class -- Bo Jordan along with No. 15 Nate Skonieczny, a sophomore for Walsh Jesuit. Those two wrestlers would be projected to meet in a state semifinal, while two other sophomore returning state placers figure to battle it out for the opposite finals slot -- Kyle Warner of Claymont and Brent Fickel from Padua. Prior to the start of the state tournament series, it figured to be a three-team battle for the small-school state championship in Division III. However, due to relative struggles at both the sectional and district levels, CVCA has most likely been removed from the conversation despite qualifying five wrestlers to the state tournament. Even so, four of the Royals' grapplers could emerge as state finalists -- 16th ranked Nathan Tomasello is favored to win the 103 weight class, Alex Utley is projected to finish runner-up at 171 pounds, while Zak Vargo (135) and Brandon Sommers (145) are involved in less defined weight classes. The favorites in Division III have to be Monroeville, which is anchored by their "big four" of Hunter (119) and Logan (125) Stieber, Cam Tessari (140), and Chris Phillips (171). The Eagles also qualified Cal Clark (135) and Brent Wilkens (189) to the state tournament. Prior to Logan Stieber's career debut, Monroeville had one state finalist in its program history -- Drew Schafer finishing second at 119 pounds in 2003. After the 2010-11 season, it is very likely the school with have four wrestlers as four-time state champions. That “run” starts this year as the nation's top 125 pound wrestler, as well as Class of 2010 prospect Logan Stieber is predicted to become the 19th wrestler in Buckeye State history to win four state titles. He enters the weekend with a career record of 180-1, having not lost since the second weekend of his high school career in the Walsh Ironman final to David Taylor (formerly of Graham, now redshirting as a freshman at Penn State). No. 4 Hunter Stieber, No. 4 Tessari, and No. 1 Phillips each seek third state titles this weekend -- which would put them on pace to win their fourth titles next season. The only team realistically equipped to derail Monroeville this year would be St. Peter Chanel, which has finished runner-up six times since its last state championship in 1988. That championship in 1988 was the last of three consecutive state championships. In addition to those six second place finishes, the Firebirds have contended for titles on other occasions also falling short. They have a Division III high ten state qualifiers, anchored by a pair of two-time state placers in senior Mike Kovach (130) and junior Cody Walters (152). In addition to Hunter Stieber, Tessari, and Phillips -- Ty Mitch, Jamie Clark, and No. 15 Harrison Hightower (152) from University School seek to join a select club of wrestlers winning three state titles in their scholastic careers. Seventeen other wrestlers seek a second state title. The resulting sum is that there are 24 wrestlers seeking a multiple state championship in 22 total weight classes (21 in 20 for defending state champions). Finally, eighteen wrestlers enter the championships with an undefeated record -- that number reflects a total of 16 weight classes. Caleb Busson and Nick Miller (Centerville) both will be in the Division I 189 pound weight class, while Tessari and Chad Sonneberg (Van Buren) both are present at 140 pounds in Division III. Other nationally ranked wrestlers among the undefeated are No. 19 Robert Shepherd (Mason) at 140, Nick Sulzer, Nate Skonieczny, Felipe Martinez, Logan Stieber, and Chris Phillips. Schedule of Wrestling: Thursday (March 4): 3 p.m. starting with the championship first round in Divisions III, II, and I; and then the first round of consolation wrestling. Friday (March 5): 10 a.m. starting with the championship quarterfinals in Divisions III, II, and I; and then the second round of consolation wrestling. 6:30 p.m. will have a concurrent round of championship semifinals and consolation quarterfinals in all three divisions. Saturday (March 6): 10 a.m. with the consolation semifinals and then matches for third, fifth, and seventh in all three divisions. 5 p.m. with the championship match in all three divisions.

Frank Ramano

Archie Randall

Tom Shifflet

Steve Martin

Jesse Castro

Scott McClure

Miles Van Hee

PARK RIDGE, Ill. -- Conference officials announced on Tuesday the preliminary seeds for the 2010 Big Ten Wrestling Championships. The pre-seeds are determined by a vote among the conference’s head wrestling coaches after consideration of regular-season results. This year’s Big Ten Wrestling Championships will be hosted by the University of Michigan at Crisler Arena on March 6-7. Wrestlers from six different Big Ten schools are represented as No. 1 seeds. Iowa leads all schools with three grapplers seeded at the top of their respective weight classes, while Indiana and Minnesota each have two. Illinois, Ohio State and Wisconsin each have one wrestler seeded No. 1. Brent Metcalf (24-0 at 149 pounds), Jay Borschel (28-0 at 174 pounds) and Chad Beatty (13-2 at 197 pounds) represent the top-ranked Hawkeyes as No. 1 seeds. Iowa, which finished the Big Ten season undefeated and won its third-straight dual meet championship, returns two-time defending conference champion Metcalf at 149 and is in search of a third straight title. Entering the meet, Metcalf is the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the nation at 149 pounds, while Borschel is No. 2 at 174 pounds and Beatty is No. 4 at 197 pounds. Indiana boasts two No. 1 seeds, Angel Escobedo (30-0 and 125 pounds) and Nathan Everhart (32-0 at heavyweight). Escobedo is the top-ranked wrestler in the nation at 125 pounds, and Everhart is the second-ranked grappler at 285 pounds, according to InterMat’s weight class rankings. Minnesota’s Jayson Ness (23-0 at 133 pounds) and Dustin Schlatter (14-1 at 157 pounds) top their respective weight classes heading into the Big Ten Championships. Schlatter moved down to the 157 pound weight class midway through the season and checks in at No. 2 nationally at 157 pounds. Ness, the top-ranked 133-pounder in the nation, looks to improve on his fourth-place finish at last year’s Big Ten Championships. Illinois will look to its top-ranked 184-pounder to continue his success at the Big Ten Championships. John Dergo (23-2 at 184 pounds) took fourth in the 174-pound weight class at last year’s conference meet, and the senior, ranked No. 2 nationally, looks to continue his stellar season with a Big Ten Championship. Ohio State’s Reece Humphrey (27-2 at 141 pounds) is seeded No. 1 in his weight class and looks to challenge for a Big Ten Championship at his new weight class. Last year, Humphrey, now wrestling at 141 pounds, earned runner-up honors at 133 pounds and aims for his first conference title. Wisconsin’s Andrew Howe (28-0 at 165 pounds) has marched through the regular season undefeated thus far and looks to repeat as Big Ten Champion in the 165-pound weight class. The sophomore was voted 2009 Freshman of the Year and looks to maintain his top spot in the national rankings. Last year Iowa won the conference championship with a score of 141.0 points, headed by Metcalf, the 2009 Big Ten Wrestler of the Year, who was one of two Hawkeyes to claim an individual title. Illinois placed second (113.5) and Michigan (92.5), Wisconsin (88.0) and Ohio State (80.0) rounded out the top five. Big Ten Championships Pre-Seeds 125: 1. Angel Escobedo, Indiana 2. Matt McDonough, Iowa 3. Zach Sanders, Minnesota 4. Brad Pataky, Penn State 5. Cashé Quiroga, Purdue 6. Nikko Triggas, Ohio State 7. John Deneen, Illinois 8. Drew Hammen, Wisconsin 133: 1. Jayson Ness, Minnesota 2. Daniel Dennis, Iowa 3. Franklin Gomez, Michigan State 4. Tyler Graff, Wisconsin 5. Eric Metzler, Northwestern 6. Zac Stevens, Michigan 7. Ian Paddock, Ohio State 8. Akif Eren, Purdue 141: 1. Reece Humphrey, Ohio State 2. Mike Thorn, Minnesota 3. Montell Marion, Iowa 4. Adam Lynch, Penn State 5. Ryan Prater, Illinois 6. Juan Archuleta, Purdue 7. Dan Osterman, Michigan State 8. Cole Schmitt, Wisconsin 149: 1. Brent Metcalf, Iowa 2. Lance Palmer, Ohio State 3. Kyle Ruschell, Wisconsin 4. Frank Molinaro, Penn State 5. David Cheza, Michigan State 6. Andrew Nadhir, Northwestern 7. Mario Mason, Minnesota 8. Nick Bertucci, Purdue 157: 1. Dustin Schlatter, Minnesota 2. Cyler Sanderson, Penn State 3. Colton Salazar, Purdue 4. Kurt Kinser, Indiana 5. Jake Kerr, Iowa 6. Dave Johnson, Michigan 7. Sean Nemec, Ohio State 8. Clint Arlis, Illinois 165: 1. Andrew Howe, Wisconsin 2. Ryan Morningstar, Iowa 3. Colt Sponseller, Ohio State 4. Dan Vallimont, Penn State 5. Paul Young, Indiana 6. Kyle Bounds, Michigan State 7. Cody Yohn, Minnesota 8. Conrad Polz, Illinois 174: 1. Jay Borschel, Iowa 2. Luke Manuel, Purdue 3. Scott Glasser, Minnesota 4. Dave Rella, Ohio State 5. Jordan Blanton, Illinois 6. Brian Roddy, Northwestern 7. Ian Hinton, Michigan State 8. Justin Zeerip, Michigan 184: 1. John Dergo, Illinois 2. David Erwin, Penn State 3. Phillip Keddy, Iowa 4. Mike Pucillo, Ohio State 5. Travis Rutt, Wisconsin 6. Eric Cameron, Indiana 7. Hunter Collins, Michigan 8. Nick Corpe, Purdue 197 1. Chad Beatty, Iowa 2. Trevor Brandvold, Wisconsin 3. Anthony Biondo, Michigan 4. Patrick Bond, Illinois 5. Sonny Yohn, Minnesota 6. Matt Powless, Indiana 7. Logan Brown, Purdue 8. Cody Magrum, Ohio State 285 1. Nate Everhart, Indiana 2. Dan Erekson, Iowa 3. Cameron Wade, Penn State 4. Ben Berhow, Minnesota 5. Eric Bugenhagen, Wisconsin 6. Corey Morrison, Ohio State 7. Ben Apland, Michigan 8. Alan O’Donnell, Michigan State

NN ARBOR, MI -- In its continued support of Big Ten Wrestling, Cliff Keen Athletic announces their sponsorship of the Big Ten Wrestling Championships event, to be held March 6-7 at Crisler Arena on the campus of the University of Michigan. Cliff Keen Athletic will be on-site at the Big Ten Championships to support the competing teams, along with fan interaction, prize give-aways, and a product display showcase. In December, Cliff Keen began a media partnership program with the Big Ten Network for its Wrestling telecasts of the 2009-10 scholastic calendar. The Ann Arbor, Michigan-based wrestling company showcased its wrestling-specific media to the Big Ten Network each week during the college season. The Big Ten Network boasted some of the premier wrestling dual meet match-ups this season, culminating with LIVE coverage of the Big Ten Wrestling Championships airing March 7th at 2:00 PM. The current media plan includes commercial spots, on-air mentions, spotlights on Cliff Keen and their products each week, as well as a special feature and links on the bigtennetwork.com. For over 50 years, Cliff Keen has been the leading manufacturer of wrestling equipment and uniforms, serving the collegiate, high school, and international wrestling marketplaces, as well as the officiating market. In addition, Cliff Keen has long been a provider to dozens of nationally recognized collegiate wrestling programs. Cliff Keen Athletic is the namesake company of former University of Michigan wrestling coach Cliff Keen, who spent nearly a half-century as the school’s winningest wrestling coach and assistant football coach.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- University of Maryland senior Hudson Taylor has been named one of 36 recipients of the Weaver-James-Corrigan Award, the Atlantic Coast Conference announced Monday. The Weaver-James-Corrigan scholarship is awarded to selected student-athletes -- three from each league institution -- who intend to pursue a graduate degree following completion of their undergraduate requirements. Each recipient has performed with distinction in both the classroom and his/her respective sports, while demonstrating exemplary conduct in the community. Taylor is Maryland's record holder with 159 wins and 85 pins during his career in College Park. The Pennington, N.J., native has a robust list of athletic and academic honors, including two selections to the ACC All-Academic Wrestling Team, including in 2008, when he was named the ACC Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Additionally, Taylor earned the ACC Top-Six for Service Award, and is the vice president of Maryland's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a member of the NCAA SAAC, and was on the NCAA Division I Challenging Athletes' Minds for Personal Success/Life Skills Restructuring Committee at Maryland. Following graduation, Taylor is considering attending law school. The Weaver-James-Corrigan Award is named in honor of the late Jim Weaver and Bob James, as well as Gene Corrigan, all of whom are former ACC commissioners. The league's first commissioner, James H. Weaver, served the conference from 1954-70 after a stint as the Director of Athletes at Wake Forest University. His early leadership and uncompromising integrity are largely responsible for the excellent reputation enjoyed by the ACC today. Robert C. James, a former University of Maryland football player, was named commissioner in 1971 and served in that capacity for 16 years. During his tenure, the league continued to grow in stature and became recognized as a national leader in athletes and academics, winning 23 national championships and maintaining standards of excellence in the classroom. Eugene F. Corrigan assumed his role as the third full-time commissioner of September 1, 1987, and served until August of 1997. During Corrigan's tenure, ACC schools captured 30 NCAA championships and two national football titles. Prior to 1994, the Weaver-James post-graduate scholarships were given as separate honors. The Jim Weaver Award, which originated in 1970, recognized exceptional achievement on the playing field and in the classroom, while the Bob James Award, established in 1987, also honored outstanding student-athletes.

In a cooperative effort, USA Wrestling and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will present an exhibition men’s freestyle wrestling dual meet as part of the NCAA Fan Festival which is held alongside the 2010 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Omaha, Nebraska. The event is called the Big Ten vs. Big 12 Challenge and will feature wrestlers who competed for universities in these prestigious conferences as undergraduates. The competitors are now pursuing their Olympic dreams in men’s freestyle wrestling. It will be held at Exhibit Hall C of the Qwest Center Omaha on Friday, March 19 from 1:45 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. Central, as part of the annual NCAA Fan Festival. This is just a short indoor walk north from the Qwest Center Omaha, site of the 2010 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. The dual meet will be held on the mats where USA Wrestling’s Team USA will hold their popular public workouts between sessions of the NCAA Division I Championships each day. Admission to the Fan Festival is free, so there will be no charge to watch the men’s freestyle action. For the Big Ten vs. Big 12 Challenge, there will be close to 1,000 seats and many more standing room only viewing opportunities provided matside on a first-come, first-serve basis. In addition, as many as 1,000 fans will be able to watch the dual meet on two large projection screens flanking the main stage within the Fan Festival. “This is a great concept,” said USA Wrestling National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones. “It brings the NCAA and USA Wrestling together, with a mission to produce both the best college wrestlers as well as the world’s greatest wrestlers. This event is five weeks before our U.S. Open Wrestling Championships. Our athletes will have a chance to push themselves out on the mat.” For those who cannot attend the NCAA Division I Championships in person, the Big Ten vs. Big 12 Challenge will be webcast live on NCAA.com/wrestling and available through TheMat.com, with USA Wrestling's Jason Bryant calling the action. The rules for the Big Ten vs. Big 12 Challenge have been modified. Instead of having individual match winners, there will be a cumulative point total for each conference. Team scores will be based upon adding up the technical points scored in each match by the athletes. At the end of the dual meet, the points will be tallied up, and the winning conference team will be announced. Will it be the Big Ten or the Big 12 which comes out on top of this challenge match this year? Another rule modification is that each match will consist of two, two-minute periods. There will not be any third periods contested, which is possible in an international freestyle match. There are expected to be eight matches which count towards the team total for the Big Ten vs. Big 12 Challenge. Two other exhibition matches are also expected to be held. “With the cumulative scoring, it is truly a conference rivalry, not an individual rivalry. That was our goal with this competition,” said Jones. The lineups for the Big Ten team, as well as the Big 12 team, have not yet been finalized, but will be announced when they are available. The participants will all have high national rankings on Freestyle Team USA, including some athletes who have been past U.S. Olympic team members or U.S. World Team members. This year’s NCAA Fan Festival will feature wrestling exhibit booths, displays, memorabilia, interactive games, souvenirs, food and beverage sales, and a number of other featured events. In addition to the Big Ten vs. Big 12 Challenge, the lineup Friday includes a USA Wrestling autograph session at 3:15 p.m. and the annual Semifinals Preview Show featuring Nate Carr, Scott Casber and Wade Schalles at 4 p.m. Central. For more information on the NCAA Fan Festival at the 2010 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Omaha, Nebraska, visit: NCAA.com/wrestling

"I hated it when I first started." In wrestling, athletes have to have a love of the sport in order to be willing to put in the work any wrestler knows is necessary to even be competitive much less successful. Most successful wrestlers start early in their career and if at a young age they don't enjoy it -- most kids don't come back. Tyler NaumanAt least one wrestler has broken that trend. Not only has he competed, he has had success at the highest level of Division I wrestling. The quote at the beginning of this story came from University of Pittsburgh sophomore Tyler Nauman. He was not a fan of wrestling early on, but has turned around his early opinion and is ready to make a run at his first All-American finish. "I hated it when I first started," said Nauman. "My older brother wanted to try it so my dad took us to practice. I hated practice. It was so boring. I did two or three practices and I stopped for like a year or two." A couple of years later, Nauman, a native of Middletown, Pennsylvania, decided to try it again. "One day there was an open tournament in Middletown and my dad asked, 'If I wrestle, would you wrestle?'" said Nauman. "We both did it. I saw him wrestle and I had so much fun. I have never stopped since." Watching his dad was step one. Step two was a coaching change in the youth program. "My dad (Mike Nauman) took over the elementary program," said Nauman. "I am the kind of kid who needs to be up and active. I can't just sit there and watch technique. Once my dad took over, we played games, we wrestled live and everything. It was fun. That is what kept me interested." Nauman came up through the youth program slowly. He wrestled at a weight he was comfortable with and wrestled when he was comfortable. When he got to junior high, he started to make a change. "I was doing it for so long it became my favorite sport," said Nauman. "I played other sports up until high school, but I started doing the best in wrestling so that probably was the main reason." Tyler Nauman (Photo/Pitt Sports Information)At that point he focused exclusively on wrestling and the results really showed. He was a four-time placewinner at the PIAA state championships. He was undefeated until state as a freshman and placed seventh. His competition was better his sophomore season, but he still completed the year undefeated. "The week of districts (the week before state) I got mono," said Nauman. "I was supposed to have it checked out the week before state, but I never did go because I knew they wouldn't let me wrestle. (With mono) I ended up losing a close one and took third." Nauman's junior year ended one point short of a state championship. His senior year he finished the job and won it all, defeating Central Dauphin's Marshall Peppelman, a freshman at the time, in the finals. Nauman's bread and butter his entire wrestling career has been on the mat. He is a dominate guy on top and almost as good on the bottom. "My best position is top," said Nauman. "I'm a tilter. I am pretty good on bottom. I take bottom all the time. I am not really worried about getting out." "He is pretty good on top," said University of Pittsburgh coach Rande Stottlemyer. "That is what he prides himself on. Mat wrestling is pretty important. We start two periods on the mat and his mat skills are pretty good whether it is top or bottom. You need those kinds of skills in Pennsylvania. PA kids are known for that -- mat wrestlers. (Tyler) is at a different level." Rande StottlemyerStottlemyer saw the skills, but saw even more. "He had a real competitive spirit," said Stottlemyer. "He is one of those guys who hates to lose. He is one of those guys who loves to compete. He likes to get his hand raised and wants to stand on the top of that podium. I don't know that you just teach someone that." Attending Pittsburgh was never much of a decision. "I actually only took one official visit and that was here to Pitt," said Nauman. "After I came here on my visit I really liked it. I liked the feel and I just went with it. I signed early. I got it over with so I didn't have to deal with it my senior year." One of his reasons for coming to Pitt was strange considering the 'compete now' mentality of today's athlete, but shows more about Nauman than almost anything else. "Pittsburgh had a fifth-year senior at my weight class, which some people might not like because they will have to wrestle him off and they might not start," said Nauman. "But I knew that would make me better every day in the room." Things did not go smoothly for Nauman once he got into the Panther wrestling room. "I am not going to lie ... When I first got here I didn't know what to think," said Nauman. "I might not have scored an offensive point -- other than an escape -- for the first two or three weeks. I wasn't used to that, but I just kept working to try to get better. Getting my butt beat like that really helped. I was going to opens and was beating kids and making the finals. That just helped me a lot." Instead of getting frustrated with his early struggles, he realized he had some things to work on and improved those areas. When he came into college, Nauman needed work on his feet. It still would not be considered his strength, but his early work with the coaches would help him become a more well-rounded wrestler. Two-time NCAA champion J Jaggers of Ohio State needed overtime to defeat Tyler Nauman at the 2009 NCAA Championships in St. Louis, Missouri (Photo/Bob Tuneburg, BuckeyeWrestling.com)After his redshirt year, a more well-rounded Nauman advanced to the NCAA Championships his redshirt freshman season. After a win in the opening round of the 141-pound bracket, he found himself face to face with the defending NCAA champion -- J Jaggers of Ohio State. "I don't feel that I get scared when I go out there," said Nauman. "I have an attitude that when I go out there I am going to win no matter what. That kid is going to have to beat me, but (before the Jaggers match) I was nervous. I went out and gave up an early takedown. I ended up turning him and tying the match. I felt it should have been a five count, but they gave me two and it went into overtime. I think I froze up a little bit and he caught me at the end of overtime. I feel that helped me for this year because I know now even if I get the No. 1-ranked guy, I can wrestle with everybody." "It was one of those where we thought we could win," said Stottlemyer. "He literally got thrown on his hind end and Jaggers, being the competitor he is, scored with no time left in that period that won the match for him. Tyler is such a great competitor. The more the lights go on, the more he likes it." This season Nauman has taken his game to the next level. He completed the regular season with a 30-3 record and helped lead the Panthers to their first league championship. Tyler Nauman (Photo/Pitt Sports Information)"The coaching staff has been pushing us," said Nauman. "The intensity -- whether it be conditioning, showing technique or whatever, the intensity of our practices has just gone way up. Our practices are so much better I feel that is a big reason not only I am so much better, but the reason the whole team has been a lot better. On my part I think I have been working on the little things. I wasn't the best on my feet. I have been working on my shot defense or little things that have helped me set up my couple of offensive shots I have." "Experience is always a great teacher, knowing what to expect," added Stottlemyer. "There are some things he still needs to work on, but the difference from last year is now he knows how deep the water is. That will help him when he gets out there again." Nauman feels if he keeps working on the little things and improving in all areas he will be able to make a run towards an NCAA championship this season. When his college career is complete, Nauman wants to get into teaching and coaching rather than going the international route. That line of thinking is perfect for someone who nearly didn't even get past the youth program en route to a possible All-American or NCAA champion wrestler.

Troy Steiner

The Augustana wrestling team crowned four individual champions and the Vikings went on to win the team title at the 2010 Super Region #3 wrestling championships in Aberdeen, S.D. The Vikings finished with 120.5 points to outdistance runner-up St. Cloud State, which had 108.5 points. It is Augustana's first regional title since 2005 when the Vikings went on to finish second in the nation. Laramie Shaffer (133 pounds), Nate Herda (149 pounds), Marcus Edgington (157 pounds) and Ty Copsey won regional titles, while Jay Sherer (141 pounds) finished second. In addition, Al Meger (125 pounds) and Gavin Nelson (165 pounds) finished third. These seven wrestlers will advance to the NCAA Division II National Championships March 12-13 in Omaha, Neb. The Vikings gained additional honors when head coach Jason Reitmeier was named the Super Region #3 Coach of the Year. It is Reitmeier's second Region Coach of the Year Award. He won the award in 2005. The top seed, Shaffer, a transfer from Iowa State, scored first and maintained a 5-4 lead late in the match against Upper Iowa's Kyle Pedretti. In the final seconds, Shaffer countered a shot attempt by Pedretti and scored a late takedown to secure the 7-4 win. Herda, the top seed as a redshirt freshman, put together a workmanlike performance in defeating third-seeded Derek Bomsted of MSU Moorhead 12-7. After trailing early, Herda strung together a series of takedowns to pull away for the victory. Edgington, also seeded first, used a flurry of points in the final minute to rally for a 9-6 win over over No. 2 seed John Sundgren of St. Cloud State. Edgington trailed 5-4 before getting an escape with 23 seconds left. However, Sundgren still had over a minute of riding time accumulated. Needing a takedown, Edgington was successful on a shot and took Sundgren down to his back and managed to get a 2-point near fall in the process to seal the win. Copsey had an equally tough time in winning his second regional title. Seeded No. 1, Copsey edged No. 2 seed Lucas Munkelwitz of St. Cloud State. After a scoreless first period, Copsey scored an escape in 1 second to start the second period. Leading 1-0 heading into the final period, Copsey managed to ride Munkelwitz until the last 37 seconds of the period before surrendering the escape. With a riding time point secured, Copsey staved off late shots by Munkelwitz. The Vikings nearly went 5-0 in the finals. However, Sherer was the victim of a defensive pin against MSU Moorhead's Brady Schneeberger at the 6:45 mark. Sherer got a late takedown to tie the score at 7-7. With less than 30 seconds remaining, Sherer attempted to turn Schneeberger to get back points. However, in the process he rolled too far and had both of his shoulders on the mat. Nick Henning (184 pounds) almost advanced to nationals, however he lost a 6-4 decision to SMSU's Craig Draper-Johnson in a true fourth place match. Carl Serck (174 pounds) and Lance Peters (285 pounds) each finished in fifth place but had faced the fourth-place finisher earlier in the day. Copsey, a regional champion in 2008 and a runner-up in 2009, will be making his third appearance at nationals, as will Sherer. Meanwhile, Meger will make the trip to nationals for the second-straight year. The remaining four national qualifiers will be making their first trip to nationals. Team Scores - Final 1. Augustana – 120.5 2. St. Cloud State – 108.5 3. Upper Iowa – 95 4. Minnesota State – 84.5 5. MSU Moorhead – 73 6. Southwest Minnesota State – 53.5 7. Northern State – 46.5 8. U-Mary – 43

Blair Academy wins 30th consecutive National Prep title One of the great streaks within scholastic wrestling continued for yet another year this past weekend, as Blair Academy, NJ won their 30th consecutive title at the National Prep Wrestling Championships held on the campus of Lehigh University this past weekend. With six champions, two finalists, one third, and two other lower placers -- the Buccaneers dominated the field to score 274 points. Winning titles for Blair was top-ranked Evan Silver (112), ninth-ranked Mark Grey (119), Todd Preston (130), third-ranked Austin Ormsbee (135), top-ranked Chris Villalonga (145), and second-ranked Michael Evans (189). Runners-up included 10th ranked Max Hvolbeck (103) and Brooks Black (285). Rounding out the placers were eighth-ranked Jesse Shanaman (152) placing third, Russ Parsons (125) placing fifth, and Brad Bishop (160) taking home eighth. Second place for the tournament went to Wyoming Seminary with 237 points. The three champions for the Blue Knights were Chris Moon (160), top-ranked Mike McMullan (285), and fifth-year Donald McNeil (215). McNeil earned honors for most falls in the least time and most team points scored in the tournament, as he swept to the title with five wins by fall. Another pair of wrestlers -- ninth-ranked Dominick Malone (112) and Eric Morris (130) earned runner-up honors. Simon Kitzis (125), ranked sixth nationally, placed third, while four other Wyoming Seminary wrestlers placed lower in the standings. Rounding out the champion wrestlers for 2010 were Will Mason (Cape Henry Collegiate, VA) at 103 pounds; Jeffrey Ott (Belmont Hill, MA) at 125; Evan Henderson (Kiski Prep, PA) at 140; seventh- ranked Jason Luster (Kiski Prep, PA); and 13th-ranked Tanner Eitel (Bishop Lynch, TX). Link to results: http://gimp.escapesports.on-rev.com/LiveResults/2010_NatPreps.pdf Two finals involving ranked wrestlers steal show in New York Though there are team scores maintained at the NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships held in Albany, NY -- the battle between the sections and for individual titles takes greater precedence. In the Division I championships, there were two finals matches involving ranked wrestlers going up against one another. At 125 pounds, No. 5 Nick Arujau (Syosset) defeated No. 14 Justis Flamio (Mahopac) 7-5; while No. 9 Andrew Lenzi (Fordham Prep) defeated No. 15 Cody Ruggirello (Valley Central), 2-1, at 135 pounds. Rocky Point, Huntington, and Wantagh were the lead teams in this showcase event -- the only ones with multiple finalists. Eighth-ranked Stephen Dutton (140), Anthony Volpe (160), and Billy Coggins (171) came home with titles for Rocky Point. Huntington went 2-1 in finals bouts -- Nigel McNeil (112) and Damon McQueen (119) winning titles, while Louis Puca (160) came up short in his finals bout. On the other hand, Wantagh went 0-for-3 in championship matches as Joe Barbato (103), Joe Kavanagh (171), and Matthew Loew (189) all stood on the second step of the awards podium. Rounding out the state champions in Division I were Mark West (Happauge) at 96 pounds, No. 19 Alex Dierna (Wayne) at 103, Nick Meinsen (John Glenn) at 130, Giussepe Lanzi (Amsterdam) at 152, No. 11 Angelo Malvestuto (Niagara Wheatfield) at 189, No. 4 Kyle Colling (Pioneer) at 215, and No. 14 Lance Moore (Johnson City) at 285. It was only four schools having multiple championships in the small-school Division II tournament, this being the seventh year for the Empire State having two classifications. Owen (152) and Craig (160) Scott won titles for Palmyra-Macedon; Nick Wilcox (130) and No. 3 Tyler Beckwith (171) swept finals matches for Greene; Quinton Murphy (125) was a champion, while Kacee Sauer (285) took second for Holley; while Derak Heyman (140) and Josh Mauel (145) both took second for Tioga. Other champions in Division II were Tristan Rifeburg (Norwich) at 96 pounds, Abdulgawi Mohammed (Lackawanna) at 103, Arik Robinson (Peru) at 112, Penn Gottfried (Ardsley) at 119, Derek Pfluger (Sandy Creek) at 135, Tyler Peet (Unadilla Valley) at 140, Chris Nevinger (Letchworth) at 145, Colin Palmer East Aurora) at 189, Nick Gwiazdowski (Duanesburg) at 215, and Aaron Kroll (Gowanda) at 285. Link to results: (Division I) http://www.nysphsaawrestling.com/DivisionI.pdf (Division II) http://www.nysphsaawrestling.com/DivisionII.pdf Four teams win titles in Sooner State, three in dominant fashion In a state that defines wrestling throughout the sport’s history in the United States, Oklahoma held its state wrestling championships this past weekend in Oklahoma City. The only close team battle was in the big-school division, Class 6A, where Broken Arrow outlasted Tulsa Union and Muskogee by a margin of 103-94-87. Dominant upper-weight wrestling by the Tigers won them the title. Zach Skates (160), Cody Johnson (189), and Terry Williamson (285) won titles; while Keithen Cast (171) took home second place. From five finalists, only two Hurricanes -- Josh Walker (112) and No. 11 Ronnie Balfour (171) -- won titles; while Brian (125) and Kyle (152) Crutchmer along with Connor Baxter (130) took second place. Muskogee also had four in the finals, splitting those matches. Dylan Fields (135) and No. 7 Quincy Mondaine (215) won titles, while Miles Andrews (140) and Marselle McVay (145) took second place. Two other nationally ranked wrestlers won titles in the big-school classification; No. 11 Devin Aguirre (Ponca City) at 145, and No. 10 Justin DeAngelis (Jenks) at 152. Claremore dominated the show in the 5A classification with seven in the finals, four of whom won titles, on the way of 147 points. Champions were Calib Freeman (112), Josh (130) and Nick (140) Haugen, along with Jordan Basks (135). Runners-up were Gunnar Woodburn (103), Michael Williams (125), and Josh Cunningham (189). Finishing second with five finalists was Altus with 87-1/2 points; however, only Alex Cobos (103) was able to take home a gold medal. Taking second were Kellan Torres (140), Jeremy Delzer (145), Drake Martel (152), and Trevor Sterling (160). Other nationally ranked champions were No. 16 Jared Porter (Carl Albert) at 145, No. 20 Cory (160) and No. 10 Cody (285) Dauphin for El Reno. Tuttle and Sallisaw led the proceedings in Class 4A, as the teams combined to win seven of the weight class championships. Tuttle took home top honors with 167-1/2 points, with four champs out of six finalists. Winning titles were Colton Roberts (112), Zach Beard (140), Cole Gracey (171), and No. 9 Shane Woods (215); while Sterling Hawkins (125) and Dallas Gracey (135) took second place. Sallisaw scored 123-1/2 points anchored by four finalists - three championships won by Jett Shell (103), Rhett Leach (119), and No. 10 Jeromy Davenport (145), while Nick Copeland (152) took second. The other ranked wrestler to take home a title was No. 16 Matt White (Woodward) at 160 pounds. Finally, in the small-school Class 3A tournament, Perry dominated the tournament with 132 points anchored by a trio of champions in Matt Manley (103), No. 20 Ian Fisher (130), and Colton Gallo (152); while Trent Williams (135) finished in second place. Cascia Hall was runner-up in the tournament with 81-1/2 points, anchored by the title won by No. 1 Kyle Cowan (215), as well as that won by Daniel Zabienski (285); runners-up were Jacob Haylock (140) and Mikey Sutton (160). Results: (6A) http://www.ossaa.com/Portals/0/docs/OSSAA%20Forms/Wrestling/6A%20final%20brackets.pdf (5A) http://www.ossaa.com/Portals/0/docs/OSSAA%20Forms/Wrestling/5A%20final%20brackets.pdf (4A) http://www.ossaa.com/Portals/0/docs/OSSAA%20Forms/Wrestling/4A%20final%20brackets.pdf (3A) http://www.ossaa.com/Portals/0/docs/OSSAA%20Forms/Wrestling/3A%20final%20brackets.pdf Other individual state tournaments -- results/brackets: Delaware: http://www.aidupontwrestling.com/2010_DIAA.pdf Hawaii: Idaho: (5A) http://idahowrestlingnews.com/state/2010/home5A.html (4A) http://idahowrestlingnews.com/state/2010/home4A.html (3A) http://idahowrestlingnews.com/state/2010/home3A.html (2A/1A) http://idahowrestlingnews.com/state/2010/home2A.html Kansas: (6A) http://south.usd259.org/statewrestling/web/6ahome.htm (5A) http://south.usd259.org/statewrestling/web/5ahome.htm (4A) http://www.kansaswrestling.org/4astate/4astatehome.htm (3-2-1A) http://www.321wrestling.org North Carolina: (4A) http://test.escapesports.com/Results/2010/NCHSAA_4A_Championships.html (3A) http://test.escapesports.com/Results/2010/NCHSAA_3A_Championships.html (2A) http://test.escapesports.com/Results/2010/NCHSAA_2A_Championships.html (1A) http://test.escapesports.com/Results/2010/NCHSAA_1A_Championships.html Oregon: http://www.osaa.org/wrestling South Carolina: http://test.escapesports.com/Results/2010/2010_SCHSL_State.html Texas: http://www.uil.utexas.edu/athletics/wrestling/state/results.html West Virginia: (AAA) http://www.wvmat.com/10aaa.htm (AA/A) http://www.wvmat.com/10aa.htm Wisconsin: http://www.trackwrestling.com/predefinedtournaments/VerifyPassword.jsp?tournamentId=1132009 Wyoming: (4A) http://www.whsaa.org/stateevents/wrestling/4A/4Ahome.htm (3A) http://www.whsaa.org/stateevents/wrestling/3A/3Ahome.htm (2A) http://www.whsaa.org/stateevents/wrestling/2A/2Ahome.htm Dual Meet state tournament -- results/brackets: Delaware: Illinois: (3A) http://www.ihsa.org/activity/wr/2009-10/3bracket.htm (2A) http://www.ihsa.org/activity/wr/2009-10/2bracket.htm (1A) http://www.ihsa.org/activity/wr/2009-10/1bracket.htm Indiana: http://www.nwcaonline.com/nwcaonline/results/scorebook/LiveCvgMeetsIN.aspx Iowa: http://www.nwcaonline.com/nwcaonline/results/scorebook/LiveCvgMeetsIA.aspx Maryland: http://www.mpssaa.org/wintersports/wrestling/release.asp?release_id=29 Michigan: http://www.mhsaa.com/Sports/Wrestling/2010TeamFinals.aspx The week ahead ... -- Individual bracket tournaments in California, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New England (regional), New Jersey, and Ohio -- Dual meet tournaments in Minnesota and Wisconsin

Davis, Calif. -- Colby Covington won the 174-pound title and Mike Mangrum rallied from a first round loss to finish third at 141 pounds to lead Oregon State to its 18th Pac-10 Wrestling Championship Saturday at The Pavilion in Davis, Calif. Oregon State finished with 127.0 total points after seeing six Beaver wrestlers finish in the top three of their respective weight classes. Boise State finished second with 125.0 points while Cal Poly was third with 120.0 points. Arizona State placed fourth with 104.5 points while Cal State Bakersfield finished fifth with 97.0 points. Stanford (87.0), UC Davis (79.0) and Cal State Fullerton (77.0) were sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively. "It was a team effort," said Oregon State head coach Jim Zalesky. "In this tournament everybody contributed and scored points. It was a good team effort. Covington won it and I think that's important. Mangrum came back and the way he got beat in the first round and came back to place third was a great effort. I think they paced us and everybody else really came in and contributed." Oregon State last won the Pac-10 team title in 2007. The Beavers will send five wrestlers to the 2010 NCAA Division I Championship in Omaha, Neb. At 125, Arizona State's Anthony Robles won the title for the second straight year after defeating Oregon State's Jason Lara by a 9-3 decision. He and Lara earned automatic spots at the NCAA Championships as did Stanford's Ryan Mango and Cal State Fullerton's Andre Gonzalez who finished third and fourth, respectively. The 133-pound final saw Boris Novachkov of Cal Poly, the third seed, narrowly edge UC Davis' Brandon Low, the top seed. Low earned a takedown with less than 15 seconds remaining to tie the score at three points a piece, but Novachkov earned a bonus point for amassing over two minutes of riding time. The Pac-10 received five qualifying spots at 133 and will send Novachkov and Low as well as Oregon State's Kelly Kubec who was third and Arizona State's Ben Ashmore who was fourth. Stanford's Justin Paulsen will also make the trip to the postseason. Cal State Fullerton's Adin Duenas was named Most Outstanding Wrestler after outlasting six wrestlers ranked in the top-25 nationally to win the 141-pound championship. Duenas, the No. 4 seed, topped Boise State's Levi Jones, the No. 1 seed, in Friday's semifinals. He defeated Cal Poly's Filip Novachkov by a 9-3 decision to win the individual title and earn a spot at the NCAA Championships. "This award means a lot because I didn't expect it at all," said Duenas. "Coming in seeded fourth and taking first means a lot. It came down to wrestling hard and never giving up and good things come to those who work hard. The top six guys in my weight were all ranked nationally in the top-25 so to come out in first place is really big for me." The 141-pound bracket also earned five qualifying spots. Duenas will be joined by Filip Novachkov, Mangrum, Elijah Nacita of Cal State Bakersfield who was fourth and Arizona State's Chris Drouin who placed fifth. UC Davis won its first individual championship since 2007 when Barrett Abel earned a 12-9 decision over Cal Poly's Nick Fisher to claim the 149-pound title. In addition to Abel and Fisher, Boise State's Jason Chamberlain will advance to the postseason after finishing third. At 157 pounds, Boise State's Adam Hall snapped two-time defending champion Chase Pami's streak with a 5-1 decision to claim the title. Hall and Pami will advance to the NCAA Championships as will Arizona State's Te Edwards who finished third. The 165-pound bracket only had one automatic qualifying spot which went to Stanford's Nick Amuchastegui who edged Oregon State's Dan Brascetta by a 2-1 decision. Covington's win at 174 also stopped Boise State's Nathan Lee from winning his third straight title. Covington edged Lee with a 3-2 decision to win the championship and earn one of three qualifying spots for the NCAA Championship. Lee and Ryan DesRoches of Cal Poly earned the other two places. The 184-pound bracket and the 197-pound bracket only received two spots apiece. Kirk Smith, ranked No. 1 in the country, pinned Cal State Bakersfield's Michael Larson at the 4:46 mark to win his second straight individual title. He and Larson both advance to the NCAA Championship. At 197, Cal State Bakersfield's Riley Orozco won his first title with an 11-5 decision over Cal Poly's Ryan Smith. Smith and Orozco will both move on to the postseason. The heavyweight class was another deep bracket as five spots were awarded to the Pac-10 for the NCAA Championships. Cal State Bakersfield's Mitch Monteiro won his second consecutive title with a 9-5 decision over Oregon State's Clayton Jack. Monteiro and Jack will be joined by Ricky Alcala of UC Davis who finished third and Kurt Klimek of Cal State Fullerton, the fourth place finisher. Boise State's Sam Zylstra, the No. 6 seed, narrowly defeated Erik Nye of Arizona State, seeded second, to earn the fifth and final spot. The 2010 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships begin March 18 in Omaha, Neb.