InterMat Staff

Columbia, Mo. -- Two-time All-American Matt Pell will return to Missouri as an assistant wrestling coach as announced today by Tiger Head Coach Brian Smith. A 2007 graduate, Pell has spent the last two seasons at the University of Virginia as an assistant coach and replaces former Missouri assistant Shawn Charles. Charles was recently hired as the Head Coach at Arizona State. "I am very proud to have Matt Pell coming home to coach at Mizzou," Smith said. "He had a great career here as a student-athlete and over the past two years he has developed under Coach (Steve) Garland's tutelage as an outstanding recruiter and coach. Coach Pell will be on staff at all of the Tiger Style Camps this summer." During his four year career at Missouri, Pell earned top-eight finishes at the 2005 and 2007 NCAA Championships. Pell wrestled in three different weight classes throughout his time as a Tiger, earning his first All-America nod at 184 pounds and his second, a third place finish at 165 pounds, his senior year (2007). Pell was a key member of Missouri's 10-man lineup in 2007 and aided the team to its highest NCAA finish in program history, third. Additionally, Pell was the recipient of the Gorarrian Award for most falls at the 2007 NCAA Championships, four. In four years, Pell managed a 121-35 career record and was a four-time NCAA qualifier. "I'm excited to come home to Missouri," Pell said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity and experience that Coach Garland provided me over the past two seasons. I learned a lot during my time at Virginia and hope to bring what I've learned back to Missouri." As an assistant at UVA, Pell coached the Cavaliers to one of their best seasons in program history (2008) crowning two ACC Champions and sending three individuals to the NCAA Championships. In 2009, Pell and the UVA wrestling staff coached 174-pounder Chris Henrich to All-America honors. Henrich became the 10th All-American in Virginia's wrestling history and first since 2004. "While at Missouri we never reached our goal of winning a national team title," Pell said. "I look at the team that is in place now at Missouri and I'm anxious to get back to Columbia and go to work. I think Missouri has a solid group of guys that have the capability to win a national title. I'm looking forward to working with, and helping develop, some of the wrestlers that are on the Missouri team."

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- A trio of former Oklahoma State wrestlers were tripped up at the World Team Trials Sunday in Council Bluffs, with Obenson Blanc taking third at 55 kilograms, Chris Pendleton getting knocked out in the consolation bracket of the challenge tournament at 84 kilograms and Steve Mocco losing his championship series at 120 kilograms. A 2008 Olympian, Mocco was favored to win over Tervel Dlagnev, who had to fight his way through the challenge tournament just to face the former Cowboy NCAA champion. Dlagnev won the first match of the series by a 0-1, 1-0, 2-0 score, but Mocco came back to win the second match, 0-3, 3-0, 2-2. The deciding bout went to Dlagnev, 3-1, 1-1. Blanc was a third-place finisher in the challenge tournament after suffering a 1-0, 0-1, 1-0 upset defeat at the hands of former Arizona State Sun Devil and current West Virginia assistant coach Danny Felix in his first bout. Once in the consolation bracket, Blanc regrouped to beat Minnesota’s Zach Sanders by a 1-0, 1-0 score before crushing Utah Valley’s Ben Kjar in the third-place bout by a convincing 3-0, 4-0 score. Blanc wrestled high school standout and Ohio State signee Logan Stieber for true third and handed the youngster a 1-0, 2-0 defeat in that bout. Blanc’s third-place finish was a surprise to many, as he was the highest-seeded wrestler in the 55 kilogram challenge tournament. As for Pendleton, the former Cowboy NCAA champion had a productive showing for someone who has been largely out of competitive wrestling this year. He started his run with a 7-0, 7-0 technical fall win over former Edinboro wrestler and current Oregon State staffer Alex Clemsen in the first round, then came back to beat former Iowa State Cyclone David Bertolino by a comfortable 6-3, 1-0 margin. Eventual champion Bryce Hasseman knocked Pendleton from the championship bracket in the semifinals with a 0-4, 1-1, 2-0 defeat. Pendleton’s day came to a close with a 1-0, 4-1 loss to Eric Luedke.

USA Wrestling proudly announces the Living the Dream Medal Fund. We have created the Fund with the purpose of allowing the entire wrestling community to participate in celebrating and honoring the hard work of our champions. While we understand that no wrestling champion wrestles ‘for the money”, this Fund will send a strong message to our elite athletes that their glory is our collective glory and their hard work and dedication is appreciated. U.S. World and Olympic team members are our ambassadors to the global wrestling community. The long journey from pee wee wrestler to an Olympic medalist requires a level of determination, of sweat, of pain, of time on the road, and in the gym, and on the mats…of dieting, deprivation, almost madness. The few that survive that journey and win deserve our support. The Fund is being established to award stipends for gold medal, silver medal, and bronze medal finishes at this years World Championships in Copenhagen, the 2010 and 2011 Worlds, and the 2012 Olympic Games. For the World Championships, the plan is to offer $50,000 for a gold medal,$25,000 for a silver, and $15,000 for a bronze For the London 2012 games, the plan is to offer $250,000 for a gold medal, $50,000 for a silver, and $25,000 for a bronze. It is important to note that contributions to this Fund will only go directly to pay the awards referred to above to each athlete that achieves their spot on a World or Olympic podium. The Fund will incorporate and utilize the existing stipends from USA wrestling and stipends as made available by the USOC. The Fund will be maintained as a restricted and segregated fund by USA Wrestling.* It will be overseen by a board that includes representatives of USA wrestling as well as a group of stewards who have helped establish the Fund and will assist in financially underwriting it. We are now looking for donations from $5 to $5,000 from our brothers and sisters in the wrestling community. It is this extended family of wrestlers, of cauliflowered crusaders, where we will find support and strength to back our athletes. “This is huge, history-making news for the U.S. wrestling program,” said National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones. “This can change the face of wrestling history. This is a great opportunity for our athletes and coaches. They are excited and thankful.” We appreciate your help. We need it. Our champions need it. To donate, click HERE. Art Martori Dave Barry Richard Tavoso Mike Novogratz Stan Dziedzic USA Wrestling USOC *This announcement summarizes the purpose of and provides general information regarding the living the dream medal fund. Additional information pertaining to the fund may be obtained from USA Wrestling, including information regarding return of contributions to donors in the event the full amount of the fund is not awarded after conclusion of the 2012 Olympic Games based on the performance of the USA Wrestling 2009, 2010 and 2011 World Teams and 2012 USA Olympic Wrestling Teams.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- It was a weekend filled with first-time winners in the freestyle competition at the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Seven weight classes, seven first-time winners. Six of those winners were 26 years old or younger, and in the eyes of many, considered young, rising stars. The other winner, a seasoned veteran who many people believed was past his prime. His name: Danny Felix. On Sunday, the 35-year-old Felix battled his way through a weight class -- 55 kg -- that was filled with youth. In the Challenge Tournament, he defeated two college-age wrestlers and a high school wrestler half his age. On Sunday night, Felix defeated U.S. Nationals champion Nick Simmons to make his first U.S. World team. "It's indescribable, really," said an emotional Felix after his finals victory. "I've just been working so hard and for so long. I've moved from state to state, just trying to pursue my dreams." In Felix's corner coaching him was World champion Sammie Henson, a man who has been through thick and thin with Felix. "Me and Sammie are best friends," said Felix, who made the decision to move down from 60 kg to 55 kg after Henson retired from competition. "Me and Sammie know each other probably better than our wives. I shouldn't say that, but … He's so special to me. He's in my heart. I've always been there for him through his tournaments and stuff. He's there for me now. It's perfect. I don't think it could have worked out any better." Felix now sets his sights on competing at the 2009 World Wrestling Championships in Herning, Denmark, Sept. 21-27. "I can't wait to get back in the room and work some things and scout my opponents and people who are in my weight in the world," said Felix. "I feel I'm the best guy out there. If I wrestle to my ability, I'm the best guy." The other three U.S. World Team Trials champions crowned on Saturday night in the freestyle competition were Trent Paulson (66 kg), Jake Herbert (84 kg), and Tervel Dlagnev (120 kg). Paulson, a Council Bluffs native, electrified his home crowd, with two straight victories over Challenge Tournament champion Jared Frayer. For Paulson the last two days have been an emotional rollercoaster. Last night, his twin brother, Travis, lost in the best-of-3 finals at 74 kg to Dustin Schlatter. "Last night kind of broke my heart," said Paulson, who won an NCAA title in 2007 for Iowa State. "It was pretty hard for me to get going today. I did the best thing I could do to lift Travis' spirits, which was make that World team, and bring him as my training partner." Herbert, who recently capped off his collegiate wrestling career at Northwestern with his second NCAA title, needed three matches to defeat Bryce Hasseman. Herbert had high praise for his finals opponent. "Bryce is very tough," said Herbert. "He's been wrestling fantastic. Each year, he gets better and better. He's so big and he's so strong. And he's so solid in position. It's really hard for me to get moving and get through him. He's probably the biggest 84-kg guy in the world." He likes the makeup up the new-look U.S. World team. "I'm excited," said Herbert. "We have a great World team. We're pretty young. Great group of guys. It's going to be fun. The rest of the world better watch out because USA is coming." "We're all really close, which is great," continued Herbert. "That's just going to help that team unity." Dlagnev, who won the Challenge Tournament, defeated 2008 Olympian Steve Mocco in an intense, controversial three-match series. "It feels amazing, especially in front of so many of my friends and family," said Dlagnev, who won two NCAA titles at Nebraska Kearney, a college located less than 200 miles from Council Bluffs. "My coaches have been so great. I can't take any of the credit." All three U.S. World Team Trials champions crowned in the Greco-Roman competition on Sunday night were first-time champions. Those wrestlers included Jeremiah Davis (60 kg), Faruk Sahin (66 kg), and R.C. Johnson (96 kg). Davis, who started his Greco-Roman career at Northern Michigan before joining the U.S. Army wrestling team, defeated teammate Glenn Garrison in two straight matches. Five U.S. Army wrestlers reached the Greco-Roman finals, three won titles, and several placed. So what's the competition like in the wrestling Army room? "It's ridiculous," said Davis. "It's Nationals every day. That's how I could describe it." Sahin, who was born and raised in Turkey but naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 2004, defeated Mark Rial in two straight matches, posting shutouts in all four periods. "I knew all of my opponents," said Sahin, who admitted that he was battling injuries and wasn't ready for the competition. "It was all tactical and it worked. They are all great wrestlers. I love wrestling with them. I wish I were their age so I could go push them a little harder." Johnson, a Minnesota native who spent time at Northern Michigan before moving to Colorado Springs to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. He placed third at the Trials in 2006, 2007, and 2008. "I feel good," said Johnson. "It's about time. Long overdue." In the women's freestyle competition on Sunday night, Clarissa Chun (48 kg), Tatiana Padilla (55 kg), Elena Pirozhkova (63) won titles. BEST-OF-3 FINALS RESULTS FREESTYLE 55 kg/121 lbs. Danny Felix defeated Nick Simmons, 2 matches to 1 Felix dec. Simmons 0-1, 2-0, 1-0 Simmons dec. Felix, 1-1, 2-0 Felix dec. Simmons, 2-1, 1-0 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Trent Paulson defeated Jared Frayer, 2 matches to 0 Paulson dec. Frayer, 1-0, 0-3, 2-2 Paulson dec. Frayer, 2-0, 1-0 84 kg/185 lbs. Jake Herbert defeated Bryce Hasseman, 2 matches to 1 Herbert dec. Hasseman 0-1, 3-2, 1-0 Hasseman dec. Herbert, 0-1,1-0, 3-1 Herbert dec. Hasseman, 1-0, 1-1 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Tervel Dlagnev defeated Steve Mocco, 2 matches to 1 Dlagnev dec. Mocco, 0-1, 1-0, 1-0 Mocco dec. Dlagnev, 0-3, 3-0, 2-2 Dlagnev dec. Mocco, 3-0, 1-1 GRECO-ROMAN 60 kg/132 lbs. Jeremiah Davis defeated Glenn Garrison, 2 matches to 0 Davis dec. Garrison, 2-0, 0-1, 2-0 Davis dec. Garrison, 4-0, 5-0 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Faruk Sahin defeated Mark Rial, 2 matches to 0 Sahin dec. Rial, 2-0, 1-0 Sahin dec. Rial, 1-0, 5-0 96 kg/211.5 lbs. R.C. Johnson defeated Peter Gounaridis, 2 matches to 0 Johnson dec. Gounaridis, 1-0, 1-0 Johnson dec. Gounaridis, 4-3, 1-0 WOMEN'S FREESTYLE 48 kg/105.5 lbs. Clarissa Chun defeated Alyssa Lampe, 2 matches to 0 Chun dec. Lampe, 4-0, 1-1 Chun pins Lampe, 0:17 55 kg/121 lbs. Tatiana Padilla defeated Leigh Jaynes, 2 matches to 1 Jaynes dec. Padilla, 3-0, 1-0 Padilla pinned Jaynes, 0-3, 1:27 Padilla dec. Jaynes, 2-0, 2-0 63 kg/138.75 lbs. Elena Pirozhkova defeated Vanessa Oswalt, 2 matches to 0 Pirozhkova dec. Oswalt, 2-0, 4-0 Pirozhkova dec. Oswalt, 2-0, 4-1

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- Just over three years ago, Dustin Schlatter won an NCAA title as a true freshman at the University of Minnesota, accomplishing something many did not expect coming into that year. On Saturday night at the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Schlatter once again accomplished something that no one thought would happen coming into this year. The 23-year-old Schlatter, who is wrestling his first season of freestyle since high school, defeated U.S. Nationals champion and hometown favorite Travis Paulson in two consecutive matches to make the U.S. World Team. “I took a year off to redshirt this year,” said Schlatter, a three-time All-American for the Gophers. “You always need goals. My goal from the start was to make the World team. We had planned on going to a couple international tournament and what not. This was the goal the whole year. This is what I was training for.” All four periods that Schlatter won were 0-0 at the end of regulation and ended up in the clinch. Thankfully for Schlatter, luck was on his side. He won the ball draw all four periods, which allowed him to start the tiebreaker period with Paulson’s leg, which allowed him to score the winning takedown in each of those periods. “I never like going to the clinch, obviously, if I can avoid that,” said Schlatter. “It’s something we have been working on a lot. It’s something you have to work on when you wrestle freestyle, especially in this high level of competition. It’s going to go there from time to time. So I felt like I was well prepared for it.” It might not have been the way Schlatter wanted to win, but he’ll take it. “Obviously, I wanted to take him down and score,” said Schlatter. “But he’s real strong. He has good positioning, kind of similar to me in that respect. So I knew that if someone did get a takedown that would probably be the period because that’s a strength for both of us, I believe. It just so happened that no one got the takedown during the period.” Schlatter felt that if he redshirted, he had to make the most of it. “Last year at NCAAs, I fell well short of what I wanted,” said Schlatter, who placed seventh at that event. “I think I needed a break. I was just battling some injuries that year and the year before. I just need to take a step back and focus on me and what I needed to work on. I talked it over with the coaches and we decided to redshirt. We talked about how I need to make some goals. If I was going to take the redshirt year, it needs to be advantageous and I need to get something out of it. The goal was to make the World Team.” Schlatter was one of three first time U.S. World Team Trials champions crowned in the freestyle competition on Saturday night. The other two were Shawn Bunch (60 kg) and Jake Varner (96 kg). Bunch had to battle through the Challenge Tournament on Saturday just to get the chance to face U.S. Nationals champion Mike Zadick, who earned an automatic berth in best-of-3 finals. Bunch, who trains at the Ohio Regional Training Center in Columbus, Ohio, used his quickness and explosiveness to defeat Zadick in two straight matches. Both matches, though, went all three periods, and involved several controversial calls. “I feel great knowing that all the hard work I put in, all the sacrifices I’ve made in my life could lead to this, getting that opportunity to win that gold medal, which I’ve always wanted to do since I was younger, when I first started wrestling,” said Bunch. “I want to be a World champ, Olympic champ. That’s my goals. And I want to achieve them.” Varner defeated 2008 Olympian Andy Hrovat in two consecutive matches. It has been a breakthough year for Varner, who won his first NCAA title this past March, after losing in the NCAA finals two years in a row, then won his first U.S. Nationals title in April, and just won his first U.S. World Team Trials title. “You have bad years,” said Varner, who was coached by a pair of Olympic champs, Cael Sanderson and Kevin Jackson. “You go out there and wrestle. Sometimes it doesn’t go your way. This year I guess everything fell in my place. I worked hard for it. It worked out where I came out on top, so that’s always fun.” In the Greco-Roman competition, the USOEC program in Northern Michigan made a statement by crowning three champions: Spenser Mango (55 kg), Harry Lester (74 kg), and Chas Betts (84 kg). “You can see we’re coming up,” said Betts, who defeated five-time U.S. World Team member T.C. Dantzler. We’ve been saying it for years. And now it’s finally coming in. And tomorrow, I wouldn’t be surprised if there are guys who either came through our program or are in still in our program make two or three more spots out of it. So it’s a good sign.” Mango, a 2008 Olympian, had no trouble with World bronze medalist Lindsey Durlacher, winning in consecuitive matches. “I made the Olympic team last year, but wanted to build on that,” said Mango. “I had to get this World team spot first and then go to the Worlds and get a gold.” Lester, who retired after the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and the decided to come back and move up a weight class, won two straight matches over Jess Hargrave to make his third U.S. World team. He feels good about his decision to move up a weight class. “I’m healthier,” said Lester, a two-time World bronze medalist. “I’m having a lot more fun. It makes for a lot better wrestling, a lot more enjoyment of the sport.” The other Greco-Roman champion crowned on Saturday night was World champion Dremiel Byers, who defeated Brandon Rupp in consecutive matches. The women’s freestyle champions crowned on Saturday night were Jessica Medina (51 kg), Deanna Rix (59 kg), Adeline Gray (67 kg), and Ali Bernard (72 kg). Sunday's competition at the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials gets underway at 9 a.m. CT at the Mid-America Center. BEST-OF-3 FINALS RESULTS FREESTYLE 60 kg/132 lbs. Shawn Bunch defeated Mike Zadick, 2 matches to 0 Bunch dec. Zadick, 3-0, 1-3, 2-1 Bunch dec. Zadick, 3-0, 0-2, 1-0 74 kg/163 lbs. Dustin Schlatter defeated Travis Paulson, 2 matches to 0 Schlatter dec. Paulson, 1-0, 1-0 Schlatter dec. Pauslon, 1-0, 1-0 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Jake Varner defeated Andy Hrovat, 2 matches to 0 Varner dec. Hrovat, 0-1, 3-0, 1-0 Varner dec. Hrovat, 0-1, 2-0, 1-0 GRECO-ROMAN 55 kg/121 lbs. Spenser Mango defeated Lindsey Durlacher, 2 matches to 0 Mango dec. Durlacher, 3-0, 5-0 Mango dec. Durlacher, 2-0, 3-0 74 kg/163 lbs. Harry Lester defeated Jess Hargrave, 2 matches to 0 Lester dec. Hargrave, 4-4, 1-0, 1-0 Lester pinned Hargrave, 3-0, 0:29 84 kg/185 lbs. Chas Betts defeated T.C. Dantzler, 2 matches to 1 Betts dec. Dantzler, 1-0, 0-1, 1-0 Dantzler dec. Betts, 2-0, 2-1 Betts dec. Dantzler, 1-0, 0-1, 1-0 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Dremiel Byers defeated Brandon Rupp, 2 matches to 0 Byers dec. Rupp, 2-0, 1-0 Byers dec. Rupp, 1-0, 2-0 WOMEN’S FREESTYLE 51 kg/112.25 lbs. Jessica Medina defeated Patricia Miranda, 2 matches to 1 Miranda dec. Medina, 3-0, 1-4, 3-1 Medina dec. Miranda, 1-0, 0-4, 4-3 Medina dec. Miranda, 0-1,1-1,1-0 59 kg/130 lbs. Deanna Rix defeated Kelsey Campbell , 2 matches to 1 Campbell dec. Rix, 2-0, 1-0 Rix dec. Campbell, 3-0, 1-0 Rix dec. Campbell, 1-0, 1-0 67 kg/147.5 lbs. Adeline Gray defeated Christen Paysse, 2 matches to 0 Gray dec. Paysse, 4-0, 3-0 Gray pinned Paysse, 1:59 72 kg/158.5 lbs. Ali Bernard defeated Jenna Pavlik, 2 matches to 0 Bernard dec. Pavlik, 4-2, 7-2 Bernard dec. Pavlik, 7-0, 4-0

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- Session II of the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials concluded on Saturday afternoon at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The best-of-3 finals matches in the weight classes contested today, will take place in tonight’s Session III, which gets underway at 6:30 p.m. CT. Below is a recap of the action that took place in Session II. Freestyle: Saturday’s Session II did not bring many surprises in freestyle. Two of the three No. 1 seeds, Shawn Bunch (60 kg) and Dustin Schlatter (74 kg), advanced to tonight’s best-of-3 finals. And the other Challenge Tournament champion was 2008 Olympian Andy Hrovat, who moved to 96 kg after competing at 84 kg for the U.S. Nationals. In the Challenge Tournament finals, Bunch defeated Coleman Scott in straight periods, 3-0, 1-0, in a rematch of the 2008 U.S. Nationals finals at 60 kg. Bunch will now face Mike Zadick tonight, which is a rematch of the finals at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and 2009 U.S. Nationals -- both won by Zadick. Schlatter, who took a redshirt year at the University of Minnesota, blanked Ryan Churella in straight periods, 2-0, 1-0, in the Challenge Tournament finals at 74 kg. Tonight Schlatter will face hometown favorite Travis Paulson, who competed at nearby Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs. Hrovat needed three periods to defeat J.D. Bergman, 3-0, 0-3, 1-0, to advance to the best-of-3 finals tonight against Jake Varner. Greco-Roman: Coming into the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials, the 55 kg weight class in the Greco-Roman competition was one of the most anticipated weight classes in the event. The weight class includes four U.S. Nationals champions, including World bronze medalist Lindsey Durlacher and Olympian Spenser Mango. Both were lower seeds in the semifinals in the semifinals … and both came out victorious. Durlacher, who retired after the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials before deciding to compete again this season, topped 2009 U.S. Nationals champion Jermaine Hodge in the semifinals, 1-0, 3-0, to advance to tonight’s best-of-3 finals. Mango, who competed at 60 kg at the U.S. Nationals, defeated rival Sam Hazewinkel in a thrilling match. Mango won the first period 2-1 and was leading 5-0 in the second period before Hazewinkel locked up a bear hug and put Mango to his back, nearly picking up the pin. But Mango was able to fight off his back and eventually held on to win the period, 5-4, and take the match in two straight periods. In the other three Greco-Roman weight classes being contested today, 74 kg, 84 kg, and 120 kg, the U.S. Nationals champions earned automatic berths in tonight’s best-of-3 finals by virtue of placing in the top five in the World Championships. Those wrestlers include Harry Lester (74 kg), T.C. Dantzler (84 kg), and Dremiel Byers (120 kg). At 74 kg, Jess Hargrave defeated Jake Fisher in the Challenge Tournament finals, 1-0, 0-1, 2-0, to advance to tonight’s best-of-3 finals against Lester. At 84 kg, Chas Betts topped Aaron Sieracki in the Challenge Tournament finals, 1-0, 1-0, and will now face Dantzler. The Challenge Tournament champion at 120 kg in Greco-Roman was Brandon Rupp, who will battle World champion Dremiel Byers tonight. Women’s Freestyle: The four women who came out victorious in the Challenge Tournament finals were Jessica Medina (51 kg), Deanna Rix (59 kg), Christen Paysse (67 kg), and Ali Bernard (120 kg). Saturday’s Finals Matchups: Freestyle: 60 kg: Mike Zadick vs. Shawn Bunch 74 kg: Travis Paulson vs. Dustin Schlatter 96 kg: Jake Varner vs. Andy Hrovat Greco-Roman: 55 kg: Lindsey Durlacher vs. Spenser Mango 74 kg Harry Lester vs. Jess Hargrave 84 kg T.C. Dantzler vs. Chas Betts 120 kg: Dremiel Byers vs. Brandon Rupp Women’s Freestyle: 51 kg: Patricia Miranda vs. Jessica Medina 59 kg: Kelsey Campbell vs. Deanna Rix 67 kg: Adeline Gray vs. Christen Paysse 72 kg: Jenna Pavlik vs. Ali Bernard

U.S. Nationals champions in men’s freestyle have advanced to the best-of-3 final-round series on Saturday night. They will meet the Challenge Tournament winner in the final-round series. WORLD TEAM TRIALS FREESTYLE SEEDS 60 kg/132 pounds U.S. Nationals champion – Mike Zadick, Solon, Iowa (Gator WC) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Shawn Bunch, Columbus, Ohio (Gator WC) 2. Matt Valenti, New York, N.Y. (Lehigh Valley Athletic Club) 3. Andy Simmons, Lansing, Mich. (Sunkist Kids) 4. Nick Gallick, Tucson, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids) 5. Drew Headlee, Morgantown, W.Va. (Sunkist Kids) 6. Coleman Scott, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC) 7. Reece Humphrey, Indianapolis, Ind. (Ohio State) 8. Daniel Dennis, Ingleside, Ill. (Hawkeye WC) 74 kg/163 pounds U.S. Nationals champion – Travis Paulson, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Dustin Schlatter, Massillon, Ohio (Minnesota Storm) 2. Ryan Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC) 3. Jon Reader, Davison, Mich. (Cyclone WC) 4. Andrew Howe, Cedar Lake, Ind. (New York AC) 5. Lloyd Rogers, Chattanooga, Tenn. (unattached) 6. Mack Lewnes, Annapolis, Md. (New York AC) 7. Moza Fay, Anamosa, Iowa (Panther WC) 96 kg/211.5 pounds U.S. Nationals champion – Jake Varner, Bakersfield, Calif. (Sunkist Kids) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Kyle Cerminara, Lewiston, Pa. (New York AC) 2. Wynn Michalak, Mount Pleasant, Mich. (Gator WC) 3. Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC) 4. Brandon Halsey, Vista, Calif. (No Mercy) 5. J.D. Bergman, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC) 6. Sean Stender, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) 7. Mike Tamillow, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) 8. Clayton Foster, Kamiah, Idaho (Gator WC) 9. Brent Jones, Burke, Va. (Cavalier WC) 10. Eddie Phillips, Woodland, Mich. (Cliff Keen WC) WORLD TEAM TRIALS GRECO-ROMAN SEEDS U.S. Nationals champions in Greco-Roman who have also placed in the top five at the World Championships have advanced to the best-of-3 final-round series on Saturday night. They will meet the Challenge Tournament winner in the final-round series. In the other weight classes, all qualifiers must compete in the Challenge Tournament. 55 kg/121 pounds Challenge Tournament Seeds 1. Jermaine Hodge, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) 2. Sam Hazewinkel, Centerville, Ohio (Sunkist Kids) 3. Spenser Mango, St. Louis, Mo. (New York AC) 4. Lindsey Durlacher, Colorado Springs, Colo (New York AC) 5. Nate Engel, St. Helena, Calif. (Sunkist Kids) 6. Max Nowry, Wheeling, Ill. (USOEC) 7. Ryan Mango, St. Louis, Mo. (New York AC) 8. Anthony Hayes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (USOTC) 9. Jonathan Pattison, Windsor, Colo. (U.S. Marine Corps) 74 kg/163 pounds U.S. Nationals Champion - Harry Lester, Marquette, Mich. (New York AC) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Jake Fisher, Platte City, Mo. (New York AC) 2. Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (New York AC) 3. Jess Hargrave, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) 4. Andrew Bisek, Chaska, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) 5. Jacob Deitchler, Ramsey, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) 6. Ben Provisor, Stevens Point, Wis. (Sunkist Kids) 7. Steve Forrest, Hubert, N.C. (U.S. Marine Corps) 8. Aaron Briggs, Tucson, Ariz. (USOEC) 9. Anton Gottfredson, Laguna Hills, Calif. (USOTC) 10. Tim Bleau, Ishpeming, Mich. (USOEC) 84 kg/185 pounds U.S. Nationals champion - T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (unattached) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Aaron Sieracki, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) 2. Chas Betts, St. Michael, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) 3. Walter Hoffman, Bossier City, La. (U.S. Air Force) 4. Gabe Dretsch, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) 5. Jacob Ison, Athens, Ohio, (Bobcat WC) 6. Peter Hicks, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) 7. Chad Hemerson, Monterey, Calif. (USOEC) 8. Talan Knox, Salt Lake City, Utah (USOEC) 9. Joshua McAllister, Camp Lejeune, N.C. (U.S. Marine Corps) 10. Jim Gibson, Clarion, Pa. (Clarion WC) 120 kg/264.5 pounds U.S. Nationals champion - Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Brandon Rupp, Pocatello, ID (New York AC) 2. Erik Nye, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids) 3. David Arendt Jr, Port Washington, Wis. (U.S. Marine Corps) 4. Mark Simmonds, Minneapolis, Minn. (U.S. Air Force) 5. Timothy Taylor, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) 6. Pete Kowalczuk, Colorado Springs, Colo. (USOEC) 7. Akil Patterson, Frederick, Md. (New York AC) WORLD TEAM TRIALS WOMEN’S FREESTYLE SEEDS U.S. Nationals champions in women’s freestyle have advanced to the best-of-3 final-round series on Saturday night. They will meet the Challenge Tournament winner in the final-round series. 51 kg/112.25 pounds U.S. Nationals champion - Patricia Miranda, Colo. Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Katherine Fulp-Allen, Half Moon Bay, Calif. (New York AC) 2. Jessica Medina, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) 3. Stephanie Murata, Minden, Nev. (Sunkist Kids) 4. Gabrielle Henry, Columbus, Ohio (Univ. of the Cumberlands) 5. Emily Harper, DeForest, Wis. (Victory School of Wrestling) 59 kg/130 pounds U.S. Nationals champion - Kelsey Campbell, Milwaukie, Ore. (Sunkist Kids) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Deanna Rix, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) 2. Schuyler Brown, Montpelier, Va. (USOEC) 3. Natasha Umemoto, Oklahoma City, Okla. (Sunkist Kids) 4. Nena Garcia, Clyde, Ohio (Univ. of the Cumberlands) 5. Shannon Reeves, Cuyuhoga Falls, Ohio (Univ. of the Cumberlands) 67 kg/147.5 pounds U.S. Nationals champion - Adeline Gray, Denver, Colo. (New York AC) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Sheila McCabe, San Diego, Calif. (OCU Stars) 2. Amber Miracle, Berlin, Wis. (USOEC) 3. Lauren Knight, Vallejo, Calif. (Univ. of the Cumberlands) 4. Christen Paysse, Fullerton, Calif. (Univ. of the Cumberlands) 5. Stefenie Shaw, Waterford, Conn. (OCU Stars) 72 kg/158.5 pounds U.S. Nationals champion - Jenna Pavlik, Colorado Springs, Colo. (USOTC) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Ali Bernard, New Ulm, Minn. (Gator WC) 2. Kendra Lewis, Houston, Texas (Univ. of the Cumberlands) 3. Lacey Novinska, Fennimore, Wis. (OCU Stars) 4. Erin Clodgo, Richmond, Vermont (USOEC) 5. Melissa Simmons, Ridgefield, Wash. (OCU Stars)

Rob Koll

Jeremy Spates

The U.S. Greco-Roman team is coming off a disappointing Olympic Games as only one wrestler, Adam Wheeler (96 kg), came home with a medal (bronze). In 2007, the U.S. Greco-Roman team won the World title, which had never been accomplished. Was the performance in 2007 merely an aberration? Time will tell. Wheeler has retired from the sport to become a police offer. Past World medalists Brad Vering and Justin Ruiz have also retired. World champion Joe Warren has been out of the sport for two years. But there are still several talented and experienced Greco-Roman wrestlers competing, including World bronze medalists Lindsey Durlacher (55 kg) and Harry Lester (74 kg), as well as World champion Dremiel Byers (120 kg). Will we see some new blood break through in Greco-Roman and compete at the World Championships in Herning, Denmark? Or will it be the same names we have grown accustomed to see winning this event? Below is a weight-by-weight preview of the Greco-Roman competition at the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials. 55 kg: Spencer Mango had a breakthrough season in 2008, winning both the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Olympic Team Trials. He placed eighth at 2008 Olympic Games. Mango, though, decided to compete up at 60 kg for April’s U.S. Nationals, where he was runner-up. He will be making the move back down to 55 kg this weekend. In Mango’s absence, Armed Forces champion Jermaine Hodge won his first U.S. Nationals title, defeating Sam Hazewinkel in the finals. Hazewinkel is a two-time U.S. Nationals champions, but he has yet to make a World or Olympic team. Lindsey Durlacher, a 2006 World bronze medalist, lost to Hazewinkel in the Challenge Tournament at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials and left his shoes on the mat, signifying that he’s retiring from the sport. But he changed his mind and has opted to compete again this season. He recently placed third at the U.S. Nationals. USOEC wrestlers Nate Engel and Max Nowry placed fourth and fifth respectively in this weight class at the U.S. Nationals. Prediction: Spenser Mango over Sam Hazewinkel 60 kg: Joe Betterman defeated Spenser Mango to win the 2009 U.S. Nationals title at 60 kg (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)This was the lone weight class the U.S. failed to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games. Ironically, the U.S. has arguably the best 60 kg wrestler in the world in Joe Warren, who was suspended in 2007 after failing his second drug test. Warren is now competing in MMA. In Warren’s absence, Joe Betterman has stepped up and become the No. 1 man. Betterman defeated Mango to win the U.S. Nationals. Nathan Piasecki placed third at the U.S. Nationals, with his only loss coming to Betterman in the semifinals. Glenn Garrison and Jeremiah Davis have won U.S. Nationals titles in the past … and should challenge for the title. Garrison has a win over Betterman this season at an international event in Slovenia. Marco Lara placed sixth at the U.S. Nationals, but wrestled a close match with Betterman in that event. Jimmy Chase placed fourth at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials down a weight class at 55 kg. Prediction: Joe Betterman over Glenn Garrison 66 kg: This weight class lost some firepower when Harry Lester and Jake Deitchler opted to move up to 74 kg. But there are still several talented and experienced competitors, including U.S. Nationals champions Faruk Sahin and Mark Rial, as well as past Olympian Oscar Wood. Sahin, a Military World champion, won his second U.S. Nationals title in April, defeating Rial in the finals. It was Rial’s first event since the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Wood placed third at the U.S. Nationals, losing only to Rial. Jacob Curby has shown that he has the tools to challenge for the title. He has been runner-up at the U.S. World Team Trials … and won the Dave Schultz Memorial this season. C.C. Fisher placed fifth at the U.S. Nationals, but nearly defeated Sahin the semifinals, losing a close match in three periods. Teyon Ware, a two-time NCAA champion from Oklahoma, made the switch from freestyle and has a victory over Wood this season. Prediction: Faruk Sahin over Mark Rial 74 kg: Harry Lester, a two-time World bronze medalist, completely dominated the competition at 74 kg at the 2009 U.S. Nationals (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)Harry Lester, like Durlacher, left his shoes on the mat at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials last summer signifying his retirement from the sport, only to change his mind and come out of retirement. I think it’s safe to say that most the U.S. coaches and wrestling fans are thrilled about Lester’s return. Lester, who moved up from 66 kg, completely dominated his competition at the U.S. Nationals. The fat and happy (his words) Lester plowed through the competition, which included a dominating win over Jake Deitchler, the wrestler who upset him at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Lester gets an automatic berth in the best-of-3 finals by virtue of winning the U.S. Nationals and being a past World medalist. Lester’s friend and training partner, Jake Fisher, finished runner-up to Lester at the U.S. Nationals. Fisher is a two-time New York AC International champion. Cheney Haight, who was runner-up at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, lost in the second round at the U.S. Nationals to Jess Hargrave, but came to avenge that loss in the third-place match. Deitchler, who placed sixth at the U.S. Nationals, shocked the wrestling world when he made the U.S. Olympic team at the age of 18 last summer. He has spent this last year at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, but recently made the decision to return to return to Minnesota and wrestle collegiately for the Gophers. Another talented Minnesota wrestler, Andy Bisek, has the tools to challenge for the title. Bisek was runner-up at the 2008 U.S. Nationals … and defeated Deitchler for fifth place at this past U.S. Nationals. Prediction: Harry Lester over Jake Deitchler 84 kg: Brad Vering owned this weight class from 2002 to 2008. During that time span, Vering made four U.S. World teams, two U.S. Olympic teams, and earned a silver medal at the 2007 World Championships. After the 2008 U.S. Olympic Games, Vering retired from competition. It appears that the lone wrestler to unseat Vering from a U.S. World team, Jake Clark, has moved up to 96 kg. Enter T.C. Dantzler, who has moved up from 74 kg. The charismatic Dantzler, who has competed in five World Championships and the Olympics, topped Aaron Sieracki to win his fourth U.S. Nationals title in April. Dantzler gets an automatic berth in the best-of-3 finals … since he won the U.S. Nationals and has placed in the top five at the World Championships. Sieracki is a veteran who has proven that he can compete with the top wrestlers in the weight class, but he has yet to make a U.S. World or Olympic team. Chas Betts is a young and talented wrestler who has steadily climbed the U.S. ladder in this weight class. He placed third at the U.S. Nationals, losing only to Dantzler. Walter Hoffman was a surprise fourth-place finisher. Other wrestlers in the mix in this weight class include Gabe Dretsch, Jacob Ison, and Peter Hicks. Prediction: T.C. Dantzler over Chas Betts 96 kg: Brad Ahearn, who moved up this season from 84 kg, defeated R.C. Johnson to win his second straight U.S. Nationals title at 96 kg (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)Brad Ahearn has made the move up to 96 kg for the second time in his career. Ahearn, who has primarily wrestled at 84 kg throughout his career, moved up to 96 kg in 2007, before moving back down to 84 kg last season. He broke through and won his first U.S. Nationals title in 2008. Prior to that, Ahearn had never reached the finals of any senior-level event. He lost in the semifinals at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, competing with an injured hand. He has since moved back up to 96 kg and won his second straight U.S. Nationals title. Jake Clark, who competed in the 2006 World Championships, moved up to 96 kg and won the Northern Plains Regional in Waterloo. Clark is an extremely talented wrestler who has won national titles in each of the age-group levels. R.C. Johnson has been a serious contender in this weight class in recent years, but has not yet been able to make a U.S. World or Olympic team. He was runner-up to Ahearn at the U.S. Nationals. Justin Millard was third at the U.S. Nationals, losing in the second round to Zac Nielson, but came back to finish a strong third. Nielson was a member of the 2008 Junior World team … and has proven that he can compete with the top wrestlers in this weight class. Others to watch include Deon Hicks, Pete Gounaridis, and John Wechter. Prediction: Jake Clark over Brad Ahearn 120 kg: Dremiel Byers, a 2002 World champion and 2007 World medalist is the prohibitive favorite in this weight class. He won his eighth U.S. Nationals title in April … and has taken control of this weight class since Rulon Gardner hung up the shoes. He gets to sit out the Challenge Tournament … since he won the U.S. Nationals and is a past World champion and World medalist. Brandon Rupp, who is trains at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, was runner-up at the U.S. Nationals. Erik Nye had a solid U.S. Nationals, finishing third. Tim Taylor has been solid in this weight class for many years and beaten many tough wrestlers throughout his career, including Byers. David Arendt and Mark Simmonds are also challengers in this weight class. Prediction: Dremiel Byers over Tim Taylor

Hello again wrestling fans. It's a special week in wrestling and it has all come down to this weekend as we are on the edge of the 2009 World Team Trials. Saturday, May 30 The Brute Adidas studios of TDR will be LIVE from the Mid America Center VIP lounge. From 9 to 11 AM we'll do our best to present to you what is expected from the athletes and what you the fans can expect from the event. These athletes are looking to earn the honor of representing the USA at the World Championships in Herning, Denmark in September. Our scheduled Guests include: Mitch Hull Mark Schultz Zeke Jones Kevin Jackson + More For those unable to attend the World Team Trials, sponsor LiveSportsVideo.com will stream live coverage of the action from the Mid America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, May 30-31. Let all fans know to watch this FREE (to you) web cast at: http://www.livesportsvideo.com There will be live streams from two mats throughout the entire competition. Included in each day's coverage will be all of the matches of the Championship Series in each weight class, as well as Challenge Tournament finals matches. Many of the preliminary matches will also be broadcast each day. Thanks for listening to America's Wrestling Radio Talk Show. Takedown Wrestling Radio.

Donny Pritzlaff

Bart Chelesvig

The 2009 U.S. World Team Trials take place Saturday and Sunday at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The champions will represent the U.S. at the World Championships in Herning, Denmark. This year’s field in the freestyle competition is full of young, rising stars looking to break through. At the 2009 U.S. Nationals, all seven champions crowned were first-time winners. Those wrestlers included Nick Simmons (55 kg), Mike Zadick (60 kg), Trent Paulson (66 kg), Travis Paulson (74 kg), Jake Herbert (84 kg), Jake Varner (96 kg), and Steve Mocco (120 kg). Below is a weight-by-weight preview of the freestyle competition at the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials. 55 kg: With 2008 Olympic champion Henry Cejudo not competing, Nick Simmons becomes the favorite to win this weight class and represent the U.S. at the World Championships. Simmons broke through and won his first U.S. Nationals title in April, defeating Obe Blanc in the finals. Simmons receives an automatic berth in the best-of-3 finals. High school phenom Logan Stieber placed third at the U.S. Nationals, but is coming off a loss last weekend to Tony Ramos in the finals of the Junior FILA World Team Trials. Veteran Danny Felix had a disappointing U.S. Nationals where he failed to place, but he received a wildcard into the event. He placed second in the 2009 Dave Schultz Memorial International Open. Michael Martinez, a college wrestler at Wyoming, is an experienced freestyle who spent time at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Other wrestlers who could figure into the mix at this weight class include college wrestlers Ben Kjar, Ben Ashmore, and Brad Pataky. Finals Prediction: Nick Simmons over Danny Felix 60 kg: Mike Zadick defeated Shawn Bunch to win the U.S. Nationals title at 60 kg (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)Mike Zadick, who won a World silver medal in 2006, was impressive in winning the U.S. Nationals title last month. But he has struggled in the last two world-level events in which he has competed, going a combined 0-3, which has given him extra motivation going into this season. Zadick has earned an automatic berth in the best-of-3 finals. Shawn Bunch will be looking to make his first U.S. World team after finishing second to Zadick at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials and 2009 U.S. Nationals. Matt Valenti, who won two NCAA titles for Penn, finished third at the U.S. Nationals. Andy Simmons wrestled well at the U.S. Nationals, finishing fourth. There are several young, talented wrestlers in this weight class who have the ability to challenge, including Coleman Scott, who finished runner-up at the 2008 U.S. Nationals, and collegiate stars Reece Humphrey, Nick Gallick, and Daniel Dennis. Jordan Oliver, who recently made the FILA Junior World team, also qualified in this weight class. Finals Prediction: Mike Zadick over Shawn Bunch 66 kg: Trent Paulson, a Council Bluffs native, is coming off his first U.S. Nationals title last month. Paulson, who placed third at the Alexander Medved International, will be looking to make his first U.S. World team wrestling in his hometown. He gets to sit out the Challenge Tournament since he won the U.S. Nationals. Doug Schwab placed fifth in the 2007 World Championships, but went 0-2 at the Olympic Games, and then lost twice at the U.S. Nationals to place fourth. Brent Metcalf finished runner-up at the U.S. Nationals, just weeks after he competed at the NCAAs for Iowa. U.S. Nationals third-place finisher Brian Stith has had a great freestyle season. He was runner-up at both the New York AC event and Dave Schultz Memorial … and also has two wins over Schwab. Jared Frayer, who was runner-up at the 2006 U.S. World Team Trials, will contend for the title. He finished fifth at the U.S. Nationals after a 10-month layoff. Former U.S. World team member Chris Bono is coming off a disappointing U.S. Nationals performance, where he placed seventh, but he should also figure into the mix. Earlier this year, Bono defeated Stith to win the Dave Schultz Memorial. Josh Churella, who trains at the Overtime School of Wrestling, is a young and talented wrestler who could make some noise in this weight class. Another wrestler to keep your eye on is collegiate star Darrion Caldwell, who received a wildcard into the event. Finals Prediction: Doug Schwab over Trent Paulson 74 kg: Dustin Schlatter finished third at the U.S. Nationals at 74 kg (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)Travis Paulson, like twin brother Trent, won his first U.S. Nationals title in April, which gives him an automatic berth in the best-of-3 finals, and will be looking to make his first U.S. World team wrestling in his hometown of Council Bluffs. Keith Gavin, a World University bronze medalist in 2008, finished runner-up to Paulson at the U.S. Nationals. Dustin Schlatter, who never lost a match at Cadet and Junior Nationals in Fargo while in high school, finished third at the U.S. Nationals. He also placed third at the Dave Schultz Memorial earlier this year. Ryan Churella is steadily improving and has the tools to challenge for the title. He finished fourth at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Dave Schultz Memorial, and U.S. Nationals. Collegiate stars Jon Reader and Andrew Howe both placed at the U.S. Nationals and should figure into the mix. Zack Esposito won a silver medal at the Cerro Pelado event in Cuba, but did not compete at the U.S. Nationals. If he does compete in Council Bluffs, he poses a threat to contend in this weight. Mike Poeta, who is coming off an outstanding collegiate career at Illinois, could also be a factor. Finals Prediction: Dustin Schlatter over Travis Paulson 84 kg: Jake Herbert made a smooth transition from collegiate wrestling to freestyle wrestling, winning the U.S. Nationals less than a month after finishing his collegiate career at Northwestern. Herbert, a two-time NCAA champion, had previously never placed at the U.S. Nationals, but will now be looking to parlay his first U.S. Nationals title into his first U.S. World Team Trials title. By winning the U.S. Nationals title, Hebert does not have to compete in the Challenge Tournament. Bryce Hasseman has put together a nice season, winning the Dave Schultz Memorial and the Dan Kolov International. He was third at the U.S. Nationals, losing only to Herbert in the semifinals. Eric Luedke, who was runner-up to Herbert at the U.S. Nationals, has been steadily improving. He was runner up at the Dave Schultz Memorial, Dan Kolov International, and Pan American Championships. David Bertolino is coming off a fourth-place finish at the U.S. Nationals. Other wrestlers in this weight class who should figure into the mix include Tom Meester, Brandon Sinnott, Travis Pascoe, and Carl Fronhofer. Finals Prediction: Jake Herbert over Bryce Hasseman 96 kg: Jake Varner won the U.S. Nationals at 96 kg without surrendering a single point (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)Jake Varner wrestled like a man on a mission at the U.S. Nationals, winning the title without surrendering a single point. Varner, who won an NCAA title for Iowa State in March, has a wrestling style that is very conducive to the current freestyle rules. He receives an automatic berth in the best-of-3 finals. Varner’s stiffest challenge may come from Andy Hrovat, who has decided to move up from 84 kg. Hrovat, a 2008 Olympian, was caught and pinned by Tom Meester in the opening round of the U.S. Nationals before defaulting out of the event. Kyle Cerminara wrestled well at the U.S. Nationals, finishing runner-up to Varner. Former Central Michigan standout Wynn Michalak is coming off a third-place finish at the U.S. Nationals, which included victories over Mike Tamillow and Dallas Herbst. Tamillow, despite not placing at the U.S. Nationals, has put together a solid season, finishing in the top three in three international tournaments. Herbst was fourth at the U.S. Nationals. Sean Stender finished third at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, but suffered an injury at the U.S. Nationals and defaulted to sixth. Another challenger in this weight class is Kurt Backes, a fourth-place finisher at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and bronze medal at the Cerro Pelado. Brandon Halsey placed fifth at the U.S. Nationals, losing only to Varner and Herbst. Finals Prediction: Jake Varner over Andy Hrovat 120 kg: Steve Mocco is the man to beat in this weight class. Mocco, who placed seventh at the 2008 Olympic Games, has won six international events this season. He recently won the U.S. Nationals over Tervel Dlagnev. Mocco will receive an automatic berth in the best-of-3 finals. Dlagnev, a 2008 University World champion, has solidified himself as the top contender to Mocco in this weight class. He owns a victory over Mocco this season at the New York AC International event in November. Les Sigman, who won four NCAA titles for Nebraska Omaha, placed third at the U.S. Nationals, losing only to Dlagnev in the semifinals. The young and talented Dom Bradley, a collegiate wrestler at Missouri, placed fourth at the U.S. Nationals. Ryan Tomei, Bubba Gritter, and Michael Irving also placed at the U.S. Nationals in this weight class. Finals Prediction: Steve Mocco over Tervel Dlagnev

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Lehigh head coach Pat Santoro has announced the addition of five student-athletes who will join the Mountain Hawks wrestling program in the fall. With the loss of just three seniors to graduation, Santoro’s first recruiting class at Lehigh is small, numbers-wise but big on talent, as the incoming group totaled five state championships and should bolster the depth of a Lehigh program that won a school-record 23 duals last season. “We had just one senior in our lineup, so we were not looking for a big class,” explained Santoro, the 2009 EIWA Coach of the Year. “We wanted to fill a couple of weight classes, which we did. It’s a small, but talented class and one that should be a great addition to what we have in the room.” Three of the five state titles in the incoming class were won by Austin Meys, who comes to Lehigh from Shenendehowa High School in New York. Meys was a five-time place winner in New York and amassed a career record of 263-8 in high school. He captured his first state title as an eighth grader at 103 before adding state championships in his junior (at 171) and senior (at 189) seasons. Meys was undefeated in his final two seasons, highlighted by a 45-0 senior campaign with 42 of those victories coming by fall, the second most pins in the nation. Meys was also twice named Outstanding Wrestler at the New York State tournament and was just the third wrestler to win five Section II titles. He owns third and first place finishes at the Cadet Freestyle Nationals and is ranked in the top 100 nationally and top 10 at his weight class by InterMat. Meys, whose brother Hunter is a sophomore at Boston University, projects at 174 or 184 for the Brown and White. Joey Napoli is the second member of the incoming class who has earned recognition on the national level. Napoli is a two-time state finalist and 2008 PIAA AAA Champion from Cumberland Valley High School. Competing at one of both Pennsylvania’s and the nations’ toughest weight classes, Napoli went 45-1 at 145 as a senior with the lone loss coming in the state finals. Napoli bounced back with an impressive showing in the postseason, beating Kendrick Sanders at the annual Dapper Dan Classic in Pittsburgh, before winning a Senior High School National Championship in Virginia Beach. Napoli is ranked ninth in the nation among senior recruits by InterMat. He becomes the third NHSCA National Champion to attend Lehigh out of high school, joining Rick Hepp and Jon Trenge. Napoli plans to study engineering at Lehigh and projects at 149 or 157 for the Mountain Hawks. “Both Meys and Napoli are tough on top, they’re both goers,” said Santoro. “They wrestle hard and like to pin. The big thing with this class is we brought in five guys who love to compete. That’s what we’re looking for. We also have a couple guys who have the ability to make an impact on our program fairly quickly.” New Jersey native David Della Torre should bring increased depth to Lehigh’s group of lightweights. Della Torre sported a 115-21 career record for River Dell High School and capped his career by reaching the state finals at 112 as a senior. He also went 43-3 as a junior to place fourth at 103, and owns the second most wins in school history. Della Torre should provide solid depth for the Mountain Hawks at 125. Albert Woody comes to Lehigh from the McDonogh School in Baltimore, Maryland. A three-time Maryland place winner and two-time National Prep place winner, Woody compiled a 147-51 career record, which culminated in a Maryland Independent Schools state title. Previously placing fourth and second in the state tournament, Woody dropped a weight class to 130, going 45-4 in his senior season. Woody, who projects at 141, also earned eighth and fourth place finishes at the National Prep Championships at Stabler Arena. He wrestled alongside Josh Fitch, a member of Lehigh’s 2008 recruiting class, at McDonogh. Rounding out the incoming class is Watson Sweat from the Ensworth School in Nashville, Tennessee. Sweat is a three-time state place winner who placed fourth at 189 as a sophomore and then added sixth and third place finishes at 215 in his final two seasons. He should provide depth at the upper weights, especially 197 for the Mountain Hawks. Lehigh returns almost its entire team for the 2009-10 season, including nine starters, seven NCAA qualifiers and two EIWA Champions.

Four-time state champion David Taylor (135) of St. Paris (Ohio) Graham High was named to the First Team for the third consecutive year and junior Logan Stieber (125) of Monroeville (Ohio) High also earned a repeat selection to the 14-member First Team as the 24th annual ASICS All-America Wrestling Team was announced today. The ASICS All-America Team, selected by a nationwide panel of wrestling experts, is the only national all-star team for which wrestlers enrolled in all four high-school grades are eligible. ASICS is a title sponsor of the ASICS Vaughan USA Wrestling Fargo Junior National Championships and is a major benefactor of the sport at all levels. “This team represents the best of the best in our schools today,” said Neil Duncan and Nick Gallo of ASICS and TW Promotions, Inc. “We are proud to have these young men, with their talent and work ethic, representing us. They are clearly the World and Olympic champions of the future.” Members of the First Team, as well as the ASICS Wrestler of the Year, will be honored prior to the finals of the ASICS Vaughan USA Wrestling Junior National Freestyle Championships in July at Fargo, N.D. The ASICS All-America Team includes eight wrestlers at each of the 14 high school weight classes – the First, Second, and Third Teams and five Honorable Mention selections. Wrestlers are considered at the weight class at which they competed in their state tournament or the National Prep Championships this year. This year’s First Team includes a record eight underclassmen – seven juniors and one sophomore. Stieber, a three-time Ohio Division 3 state champion, could join Taylor as a three-time First Team member next member. Also named were two-time National Prep champion Chris Villalonga (130) of Blairstown Township (N.J.) Blair Academy, whose senior teammate, National Prep champion Edward Ruth, also was named to the team at 171; two-time state champions Devin Carter (112) of Christiansburg (Va.) High, Jamie Clark (119) of Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward High, Dylan Alton (145) of Mill Hall (Pa.) Central Mountain High and Marshall Peppelman (152) of Harrisburg (Pa.) Central Dauphin High; Andrew Alton (140), twin brother of Dylan, who won his first state title this year; and sophomore state champion Nick Brascetta (103) of Graham. Chris Perry (189) of Stillwater (Okla.) High joined Taylor as four-time state champions on the First Team. Seniors Jake Kemerer (160) of Greensburg (Pa.) Hempfield High and Eloheim Palma (285) of Cary (N.C.) High were two-time state champions and Tony Nelson (215) of Cambridge (Minn.) Cambridge-Isanti High won his first state title this year. Blair Academy led all schools with seven overall selections, including two First Team and two Third Team selections. Graham and Central Mountain had two First Team members each, and Graham was second to Blair Academy with four overall selections. Monroeville had three selections. Seven other schools had two: Central Dauphin, St. Edward, Eureka (Mo.) High, Perry (Okla.) High, Rio Rancho (N.M.) and Troy (N.Y.) LaSalle Institute each had two wrestlers selected. The team also includes three brother combinations. In addition to the Altons, Logan Stieber was joined by sophomore brother Hunter (119), along with senior twins Nick (152) and Matt Lester (160) of Eureka. The 14 First Team members combined to post 29 state high school or National Prep championships, along with six Junior National and six Cadet National titles. The Second and Third Teams rival the First Team. The Second Team combined for 36 state or National Prep titles, including a five-time champion, two four-time champions and three three-time champions, to go with three Junior National and seven Cadet National titles. The Third Team boasts 24 combined state titles, two Junior National and three Cadet National crowns. Pennsylvania and Ohio each had four First Team selections. Pennsylvania placed 19 wrestlers on the squad, including eight on the top three teams. Ohio’s 10 top-three selections topped all states, and Ohio and New Jersey each had 14 overall selections. New York was next with eight selections, followed by California (seven), Missouri (six), Oklahoma (five) and Illinois (four). The 112 wrestlers selected come from 29 states. (For more information, contact Gary Abbott of USA Wrestling at (719) 598-8181.) 2009 ASICS All-America Team First Team 103 Nick Brascetta So Graham HS St. Paris, OH 112 Devin Carter Jr Christiansburg HS Christiansburg, VA 119 Jamie Clark Jr St. Edward HS Lakewood, OH 125 Logan Stieber* Jr Monroeville HS Monroeville, OH 130 Chris Villalonga Jr Blair Academy Blairstown Township, NJ 135 David Taylor* Sr Graham HS St. Paris, OH 140 Andrew Alton Jr Central Mountain HS Mill Hall, PA 145 Dylan Alton Jr Central Mountain HS Mill Hall, PA 152 Marshall Peppelman Jr Central Dauphin HS Harrisburg, PA 160 Jake Kemerer Sr Hempfield HS Greensburg, PA 171 Edward Ruth Sr Blair Academy Blairstown Township, NJ 189 Chris Perry Sr Stillwater HS Stillwater, OK 215 Tony Nelson Sr Cambridge-Isanti HS Cambridge, MN 285 Eloheim Palma Sr Cary HS Cary, NC Second Team 103 Alex Cisneros Fr Selma HS Selma, CA 112 Ryak Finch Jr Safford HS Safford, AZ 119 Shane Young Sr Penn-Trafford HS Harrison City, PA 125 Sam White Sr Perry HS Massillon, OH 130 Louis Trujillo Jr Rio Rancho HS Rio Rancho, NM 135 Eric Grajales* Sr Brandon HS Brandon, FL 140 Collin Palmer* Sr St. Edward HS Lakewood, OH 145 R.J. Pena Sr Sprague HS Salem, OR 152 Brock Gutches Sr Crater HS Central Point, OR 160 Matt Lester Sr Eureka HS Eureka, MO 171 Chris Phillips So Monroeville HS Monroeville, OH 189 Andr. Campolattano So Bound Brook HS Bound Brook, NJ 215 Glenn Carson Sr Southern HS Manahawkin, NJ 285 Roger McCovey Sr Del Norte HS Crescent City, CA Third Team 103 Mark Grey Fr Blair Academy Blairstown Township, NJ 112 Evan Silver So Blair Academy Blairstown Township, NJ 119 David Klingsheim Sr Liberty HS Brentwood, CA 125 Tony Ramos Sr Glenbard North HS Carol Stream, IL 130 Felipe Martinez Fr Graham HS St. Paris, OH 135 Josh Kindig Jr Blue Mountain HS Schuylkill Haven, PA 140 Kyle Dake Sr Lansing HS Lansing, NY 145 Joey Napoli Sr Cumberland Val. HS Mechanicsburg, PA 152 Nick Lester Sr Eureka HS Eureka, MO 160 Zach Toal Sr Troy Christian HS Troy, OH 171 Ethan Lofthouse Sr Mountain Crest HS Hyrum, UT 189 Jonathan Fausey Sr Line Mountain HS Herndon, PA 215 Orlando Scales Sr Elder HS Cincinnati, OH 285 Bobby Telford Jr St. Mark’s HS Wilmington, DE Honorable Mention (listed in alphabetical order) 103: Nick Francavilla, So, High Point HS, Sussex, NJ; Jimmy Gulibon, Fr, Derry HS, Derry, PA; Brenan Lyon, Sr, Ithaca HS, Ithaca, MI; Joe Orecchio, So, Paterson, NJ Don Bosco Preparatory; Jade Rauser, So, Broadwater County HS, Townsend, MT. 112: Jesse Delgado, Jr, Gilroy HS, Gilroy, CA; Robert Deutsch, So, Eastern HS, Voorhees, NJ; Zach Horan, So, Nazareth HS, Nazareth, PA; Nico Megaludis, So, Franklin Regional HS, Murrysville, PA; Jerome Robinson, Jr, St. Ignatius HS, Cleveland, OH. 119: Sean Boyle, Sr, Blair Academy, Blairstown Township, NJ; Tyler Cox, Sr, Campbell County HS, Gillette, WY; Camden Eppert, Sr, Highland HS, Anderson, IN; Hunter Stieber, So, Monroeville HS, Monroeville, OH; Alan Waters, Jr, Park Hill HS, Kansas City, MO. 125: Brandon Kingsley, Fr, Apple Valley HS, Apple Valley, MN; Jon Morrison, Sr, Carl Sandburg HS, Orland Park, IL; Zach Neibert, Sr, Graham HS, St. Paris, OH; Ladd Rupp, Sr, Perry HS, Perry, OK; Jesse Thielke, So, Germantown HS, Germantown, WI. 130: Ryan Mango, Sr, The Whitfield School, St. Louis, MO; Jarrod Patterson, Sr, Cushing HS, Cushing, OK; Dale Shull, Sr, Fort Lupton HS, Fort Lupton, CO; Erik Spjut, Sr, The Woodlands HS, The Woodlands, TX; Joe Waltko, Sr, North Allegheny HS, Wexford, PA. 135: Mac Bailey, Sr, Oak Park HS, Kansas City, MO; Alex Ekstrom, Sr, Palmyra-Macedon HS, Palmyra, NY; C.J. Napier, Sr, Columbus HS, Columbus, KS; Austin Ormsbee, So, Blair Academy, Blairstown Township, NJ; Ian Paddock, Sr, Warsaw HS, Warsaw, NY. 140: Anthony Baldosaro, Jr, Eastern HS, Voorhees, NJ; Alex Bridgeford, Sr. Harry A. Burke HS, Omaha, NE; Dane Johnson, Sr, Shady Side Academy, Pittsburgh, PA; Max Ortega, Sr, Rio Rancho HS, Rio Rancho, NM; Luke Vaith, Sr, Hastings HS, Hastings, MN. 145: Zach Clemente, Sr, LaSalle Institute, Troy, NY; Steven Hernandez, Jr, Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas, NV; Taylor Massa, Fr, St. Johns HS, St. Johns, MI; Scott Sakaguchi, Sr, Clovis HS, Clovis, CA; Kendrick Sanders, Sr, South Dade HS, Homestead, FL. 152: Bobby Barnhisel, Sr, Fenwick HS, Oak Park, IL; Cody Compton, Sr, North County HS, Bonne Terre, MO; John Greisheimer, Sr, Wantagh HS, Wantagh, NY; Jason Luster, Fr, The Blue Ridge School, Dyke, VA; Trent Weatherman, Sr, Ballard HS, Huxley, IA. 160: Tyler Caldwell, Sr, Goddard HS, Goddard, KS; John Nicholson, Sr, Roosevelt HS, Des Moines, IA; Derek St. John, Sr, Iowa City West HS, Iowa City, IA; Stephen Swan, Sr, Perry HS, Perry, OK; Dan Yates, Sr, Hesperia HS, Hesperia, MI. 171: Dallas Bailey, Sr, Catoosa HS, Catoosa, OK; Caleb Kolb, Sr, Grove City HS, Grove City, PA; Morgan McIntosh, So, Calvary Chapel HS, Santa Ana, CA; Lee Munster, Jr, Grant HS, Fox Lake, IL; Alec Ortiz, Sr, Newberg HS, Newberg, OR. 189: Derrick Borlie, Sr, Millbrook HS, Winchester, VA; Tony Dallago, Sr, Central Dauphin HS, Harrisburg, PA; Max Huntley, Sr, Blair Academy, Blairstown Township, NJ; Austin Meys, Sr, Shenendehowa HS, Clifton Park, NY; Jake Swartz, Sr, Auburn HS, Auburn, WA. 215: Ernest James, Sr, Longwood HS, Middle Island, NY; Stryker Lane, Sr, Norwood HS, Norwood, CO; Joe McMullan, Sr, Wyoming Seminary Preparatory, Kingston, PA; Brandon Palik, Sr, Saucon Valley HS, Hellertown, PA; Nick Pica, Sr, Concord HS, Concord, CA. 285: Ken Altarac, Sr, LaSalle Institute, Troy, NY; Evan Craig, Jr, Abington Heights HS, Clarks Summit, PA; Jeremy Johnson, Sr, Brecksville HS, Broadview Heights, OH; Jimmy Lawson, Jr, Manchester HS, Manchester, NJ; Sean Owen, Sr, Clearfield HS, Clearfield, PA.

IOWA CITY, IA -- Several current or former University of Iowa wrestlers are set to compete at the 2009 U.S. Men's Freestyle World Team Trials, which are set for Saturday and Sunday at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, IA. Winners of this tournament will represent the United States at the 2009 World Wrestling Championships in Herning, Denmark, Sept. 21-27. Iowa's volunteer assistant coach Mike Zadick (60 kilograms/132 pounds) and former Hawkeye Steve Mocco (120 kilograms/264.5 pounds) clinched berths in their respective finals by winning titles at the 2009 U.S. National Freestyle Championships in Las Vegas in April. They will meet the winner of the challenge tournament from their respective weight classes in a best-of-three final round series. Three Hawkeyes will face off in the 66 kilogram/145.5 pound challenge tournament. Hawkeye senior-to-be Brent Metcalf placed second at the U.S. Nationals, while assistant coach Doug Schwab placed fourth and strength and conditioning coach Jared Frayer placed fifth. The Hawkeye trio will battle for the chance to face U.S. National Champion Trent Paulson in the final. Former Hawkeye Eric Luedke (84 kilograms/185 pounds) placed second at the U.S. Nationals, but will have to make it out of the challenge tournament for a rematch with U.S. National champion Jake Herbert. Hawkeye all-Americans Daniel Dennis (60 kilograms /132 pounds) and Ryan Morningstar (74 kilograms/163 pounds) earned bids to the World Team Trials with recent wins at qualifying tournaments. Dennis won a title at the Northern Plains Regional earlier this month, while Morningstar placed second at the University Nationals. World Team Trials competition is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. each day. Reserved seat and general admission tickets to the event are available at the Mid-America Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at ticketmaster.com or midamericacenter.com or charge by phone at 800.745.3000. LiveSportsVideo is scheduled to provide live internet coverage from the tournament via their web site, www.livesportsvideo.com.

MADISON, Wis. -- After 16 years with the Wisconsin wrestling team, Bart Chelesvig is resigning from his position as assistant coach. With Chelesvig’s departure, Donny Pritzlaff will move into the role of associate head coach for the Badgers. “It’s been an honor to work with the Wisconsin wrestling team the last 16 years and I am confident the program is heading in the right direction,” Chelesvig said. “My time here has been very memorable but I feel it is time for me to move on to a new chapter in my professional life. It has been a pleasure to work with Barry (Davis), my fellow assistant coaches and all the great wrestlers that have come through the Badger wrestling program within the last 16 years.” Chelesvig has been on the UW coaching staff since Davis accepted the head coaching position during the 1994-95 season. He also wrestled under Davis while at Iowa from 1987-92. Chelesvig helped coach Wisconsin’s upper-weight wrestlers and also handled the team’s office operations off the mat. Chelesvig’s official last day with the team will be Aug. 31. “Bart has been a big part of our program’s success since I’ve been at Wisconsin,” Davis said. “Even though Bart is moving on, I’m sure he will continue to follow and stay in touch with the program. We wish him all the best as he continues his career.” Pritzlaff will be named associate head coach of the Badger wrestling program, beginning Sept. 1. Pritzlaff, a two-time NCAA champion and three-time Big Ten champion while wrestling under Davis at Wisconsin, begins his fourth season on the Badger coaching staff. He works with UW’s middle-weight wrestlers and helped Andrew Howe reach the NCAA finals in his freshman season. After college, Pritzlaff served as a volunteer assistant coach with the Badgers before moving on to work as an assistant at Hofstra for three years. The Lyndhurst, N.J., native concluded his competitive wrestling career last summer when he trained for the 2008 Olympic Team Trials. Prtizlaff currently lives in Madison with his wife Robin and daughter Adalena. “Donny has been a great addition to our coaching staff and we’re excited about the future with him as associate head coach,” Davis said. “He was a very hard-working wrestler and he has used those skills to develop into a great coach. Our program is heading in the right direction and I am fully confident Donny will do everything he can to help continue the success of Wisconsin wrestling.”

GAFFNEY, S.C. -- Limestone College Director of Athletics Mike Cerino has announced that Trent Goodale has been named the Head Coach for the Saints wrestling program. Goodale served as the Interim Head Coach for Limestone during the 2008-09 season. “I am very excited about the opportunity to continue to build the wrestling program at Limestone College,” said Goodale. “There is a lot of work yet to be done for this program to be where I want it to be. I very much believe in this program and this school. I look forward to what is yet to come.” Goodale was named Interim Head Coach in the fall of 2008 after former coach Ben Stehura accepted the head coaching job at Cleveland State University The Limestone wrestling program continued to be successful under Goodale’s direction in 2008-09. The team was nationally-ranked for several weeks, and sent two wrestlers to the NCAA Division II National Tournament. Goodale also coached Joby Shreckhise to an All-American finish at nationals. Goodale first joined the Saints’ staff as an assistant coach in 2006. A native of Osage, Iowa, he attended the University of Iowa where he earned a bachelor of arts in communication studies. He was a four-year letterwinner for the Hawkeyes and was a 2004 NCAA Division I national qualifier. He was also a two-time Fila Junior All-American in freestyle. Goodale’s prior coaching experience includes volunteering as an assistant coach during college with the Iowa City West High School and working several University of Iowa Athletic Camps.

MITCHELL, S.D. -- Dakota Wesleyan University athletic director Curt Hart announced Tuesday afternoon that he has hired former Tiger wrestler and assistant coach Matt Sedivy to be the 10th head wrestling coach in school history. Sedivy, a 2006 graduate of Dakota Wesleyan, emerged as the favorite from an excellent pool of candidates thanks to his passion for coaching, his knowledge of the sport and his ties to the school, the community and South Dakota wrestling. Hart said he is excited for Sedivy to pick up where former coach Josh Hardman left off. Matt Sedivy“We’re extremely excited to announce Matt as the new DWU head wrestling coach,” Hart said Tuesday. “We felt very fortunate that a number of outstanding, qualified individuals were interested in the job, and it was great for us that one of our alumni emerged as our top candidate. Matt’s passion and enthusiasm for Dakota Wesleyan will make him a great fit here, and we think he’ll be able to take our wrestling program where we want it to go.” In addition to his experience as a wrestler and a student assistant coach at Dakota Wesleyan, Sedivy also spent two years as a graduate assistant coach under Jason Liles at South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D., where he gained valuable experience coaching, recruiting South Dakota and the surrounding area and learning how to run a program. Sedivy coached SDSU’s first NCAA Division 1 National Qualifier in addition to three NAIA All-Americans during his time at DWU. Most recently, Sedivy was an assistant wrestling coach at Grand Island Senior High School in Grand Island, Neb., under former DWU head wrestling coach Mike Schadwinkel. Sedivy coached Grand Island to the 2009 “Class A” State Championship. His squad also had seven individual state finalists, four individual state champions and it set state records for scoring and pins at the state tournament. Sedivy received a Bachelor of Arts from Dakota Wesleyan in 2006 in Physical Education with a minor in coaching. He received a Master’s of Science from South Dakota State in 2008 in Health, Physical Education and Recreation with a specialization in Sports Pedagogy. He was a member of the dean’s list and a recipient of Cum Laude honors and the Physical Education Alumni Medal. Sedivy’s background also includes a mission trip to Peru in the summer of 2005. The search for a new head wrestling coach began immediately after Hardman resigned in mid-April to become the head wrestling coach at the NCAA Division II University of Indianapolis. In four years at DWU, Hardman led the Tigers to a 15-35-1 dual record, and he coached three NAIA All-Americans, 24 National Qualifiers and seven All-GPAC wrestlers. Sedivy, who spent one year as a student assistant under Hardman, will officially start at Dakota Wesleyan on June 15, but he will be on-campus, along with Hardman, to conduct the Tiger Youth Wrestling Camp for grades K-7 on June 4-5 at the Christen Family Recreation Wellness Center on the DWU campus. Sedivy inherits a talented team that features numerous returning upperclassmen, including one returning All-American, two returning All-GPAC selections and seven returning NAIA National Qualifiers.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- Rutgers wrestling head coach Scott Goodale announced the signing of three scholastic standouts – Dan Seidenberg (Raritan, N.J.), Sam Kuntz (Peachtree City, Ga.) and Cullen Isenberg (Stewartsville, N.J.) – during the spring signing period. “We are excited that we are bringing in a class that has great potential to be successful at this level,” said Goodale. “The one thing that sticks out the most is the fact there is tremendous upside with all of the wrestlers we are bringing in. I think we did a good job of going out-of-state and solidifying our line-up and roster with guys who want to be All-Americans and National Champions.” Seidenberg was a three-time New Jersey state qualifier out of Raritan High School. He was a two-time runner-up in the state tournament and placed third as a senior this past winter at 171 pounds. He joins his brother, Dave, who will be a sophomore with the Scarlet Knights next season. Kuntz, a product of Peachtree Ridge High School in Georgia, took home the 2009 Georgia State title and captured sixth place at the NHSCA High School Nationals at 189 pounds this past winter. He finished his final season with a 42-2 record. Isenberg was a four-time National Prep place winner, finishing fifth as a freshman, third as a sophomore, second as a junior and fourth as a senior, at 135 pounds out of Wyoming Seminary High School in New Jersey. Scholastic standouts Alex Abramat (Cypress Bay, Fla.), Evan Brewer (Hunterdon, N.J.) and Luke Rigoglioso (Wayne, N.J.) also committed to the Scarlet Knights and will enroll at the University this fall. Abramat, who posted a 41-3 record as a senior at Cypress Bay High School, was a four-time district winner, three-time regional champion and two-time county title holder. He was a runner-up at the Florida State championships this past winter. A product of Hunterdon Central High School, Brewer was an honorable mention All-Skyland Conference selection who won the District 17 title and advanced to the New Jersey state regionals at 135 pounds his senior season. Rigoglioso was a four-time District Four champion, two-time Region One title holder and two-time New Jersey state qualifier out of Wayne Valley High School. His brother, Matt, will be a senior with the Scarlet Knights next season. The latest additions to the program join Vinnie DelleFave (Toms River, N.J.), Carl Buchholz (Malvern, Pa.) and Alex Pagnotta (Woodbine, Md.), who signed with the program last fall. Rutgers is coming off a school record-breaking 20-win season in dual competition and enters the 2009-10 campaign with a strong cast of veterans returning, including two of its three 2008-09 National qualifiers in Scott Winston (Jackson, N.J.) and D.J. Russo (Netcong, N.J.).

Barry Davis

Joel Greenlee

Dan Hicks

1952 Olympic champion Bill Smith and two-time All-American Moza Fay will be radio show guests Wednesday night. Council Bluffs, Iowa, native Bill Smith was a two-time NCAA champion for Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa), winning titles at 165 pounds in 1949 and 1950. He also won the national AAU championship three times. Smith went on to win Olympic gold at 160.5 pounds in Helsinki, Finland in 1952. He coached for many years at the high school, college and international levels. Smith is one of the only Americans who can claim a victory over the legendary Dan Hodge. Smith, along with the late Glen Brand, a 1948 Olympic champion, will be honored this weekend at the World Team Trials in Council Bluffs. Moza Fay recently was awarded the wildcard selection in the 163 pound freestyle division to compete this weekend at the World Team Trials. Fay placed second to Mike Poeta of Illinois at the Northern Plains Regional tournament in Waterloo, IA, on May 16. Fay was Anamosa High School's (IA) first state champion, where he won titles as a junior and senior. He won 130 matches as a UNI Panther and placed fifth and sixth in the last two NCAA tournaments at 165 pounds. “On the Mat" 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.