InterMat Staff

Dan Hicks, head wrestling coach at Cal State-Fullerton, will be the featured Wrestling 411 Radio guest this Thursday, May 21 at 10 a.m. Wrestling 411 Radio broadcasts live shows on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 10 a.m. CDT. Each show includes a featured guest and brief commentary on the recent happenings in wrestling. Hicks is the head wrestling coach at Cal State-Fullerton, a position he has held since 2002. Hicks was an NCAA champion for Oregon State in 1978 and 1979. Wrestling 411 Radio can be heard live by visiting www.wrestling411.tv. Questions for any of the guests are welcome. You may e-mail your questions to Kyle Klingman at kklingman@mediasportsproductions.com

NORFOLK, Va. -- W.I.N. Magazine released its annual wrestling recruiting class rankings, with Old Dominion's group pegged as the sixth best class in the nation. It is the highest ranking ever for ODU and the fourth top ten recruiting class under head coach Steve Martin in just five years. ODU's newcomers were ranked ninth in the early recruiting class rankings released in December. "The coaching staff at Old Dominion University is pleased to announce the signing of six athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2009-10 academic year," said Martin. "All of these athletes excel in the classroom, are nationally ranked wrestlers and are good citizens on and off the mat. We had a priority to fill many needs at several weight classes and we accomplished that goal. Furthermore, we thought it was very important to compete with the Big Ten and Big 12 teams head-to-head for these athletes so that we can continue to compete and grow as a national power. All of these wrestlers have aspirations to become national champions and All-Americans." ODU's class boasts six wrestlers to NLI's: #3 John Nicholson (Des Moines, Iowa), brother of current ODU All-American James Nicholson, #7 Justin LaValle (Apple Valley, Minn.), #10 Joey Sheridan (Tulsa, Okla.), #15 Eric Dunnet (Voorhees, N.J), #16 Jack Burbank (Virginia Beach, Va.) and Wrestling USA Special Mention Chad Lowman (Des Moines, Iowa). It is the highest ranking ever for an Old Dominion recruiting class. Since Martin and the new coaching regime took over, W.I.N. has ranked the ODU classes 10th (04-05), 10th (05-06), 16th (06-07), 10th (07-08) and now 6th (08-09). Nicholson is ranked in the top five in three separate publications and is one of two recruits ranked in InterMat's Top 100, a gauge of the best high school wrestlers in the nation regardless of weight class. Nicholson ranks 14th in the Top 100 after finishing second at the NHSCA Junior Nationals this year. A two-time Iowa state champion, he will join brother James at ODU after being recruited by several Big Ten and Big 12 powers. Nicholson is projected to wrestle at 157 lbs for the Monarchs. LaValle will come to ODU ranked seventh by InterMat and Wrestling USA, and eighth by W.I.N. The projected 133-pounder was a USA Wrestling Junior National All-American in 2008, and finished in 5th place at the event this season. He is a two-time Minnesota state champion and is the second recruit ranked in the InterMat Top 100, checking in at 80th overall. Sheridan is also ranked in the top ten for his weight class, coming in from Tulsa, Oklahoma, he ranks 10th in the nation. He is a three-time state champion as well as the 2007 USA Wrestling Cadet National Champion. He's projected to wrestle at the 174 lb weight class for Old Dominion. Eric Dunnet rounds out the lightweight recruits, projected as a 125/133-pounder for the Monarchs. He ranks 15th in the nation according to Wrestling USA and is a New Jersey State finalist. He finished second in the state tournament this year and finished sixth at the USA Wrestling Junior Nationals in 2008. Burbank is a local heavyweight prospect for Coach Martin, out of Cox High School in Virginia Beach. He is a two-time Virginia state champion, a sophomore national champion in 2007 and an NHSCA High School All-American in 2008. The recruiting class is rounded out by three Virginia state wrestlers, in Chris Cabe (Chantilly, Va.), Billy Curling (Chesapeake, Va.) and Matt Brunke (Henrico, Va.). Cabe finished fourth at the Virginia AAA State Tournament in the heavyweight division. Curling is projected as a 184-pounder for the Monarchs after reaching the state semi-finals this year and taking fourth place for the Great Bridge Wildcats. Brunke will add depth to the 157-pound weight class as a third place finisher in the AAA State Tournament this season. The Monarchs are coming off one of the best seasons in program history, finishing with 17 dual victories and the highest national ranking ever, at 16th in the country. ODU boasted its second ever Division I National Finalist in Ryan Williams, becoming the second All-American in as many years for Coach Martin. The team graduated only Williams and will boast a strong, experienced core in addition to this phenomenal recruiting class in 2009-10. W.I.N. Magazine Recruiting Class Rankings: 1. Minnesota 2. Oklahoma State 3. Nebraska 4. Oklahoma 5. Virginia Tech 6. Old Dominion 7. Virginia 8. Iowa 9. Cornell 10. Michigan 11. Ohio State 12. Northern Iowa 13. Wyoming 14. Missouri 15. Navy 16. West Virginia 17. Edinboro 18. North Carolina State 19. Boise State 20. Purdue

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville wrestling coach David Ray has signed David Devine (Petersburg), A.J. Smith (Justice), Chase Odeen (Coal City) and Sawyer Smith (Aberdeen, Wash.). SIUE will enter the second year of transition to NCAA Division I. David Devine Jr. will wrestle in the heavyweight class. Devine was the Illinois state champion his junior and senior seasons. He finished his high school career with a 137-9 overall record. “David is natural athlete; he will have an instant impact on the team’s success.” Ray said. “I am very excited to have a solid heavyweight.” A.J. Smith is expected to compete in the 197-pound weight class. Smith placed twice in the State Tournament. Smith placed fourth his junior season and third in his senior year. He finished with an overall high school record of 121-18. “A.J. is a very intelligent competitor both in the class room and on the mat,” Ray said. “He shows determination when he is in competition and is always looking for ways to score a big move.” Odeen received All-Academic honors at Coal City High School. He will be competing in the 157- or 165-pound weight classes. Odeen was a three-time state place winner. He placed fourth his sophomore year, first his junior year and second in his senior year. Chase finished his high school career with a 133-20 record. “Odeen wrestles at a relentless pace,” Ray said. “He has a great attitude that will elevate his work ethic and dedication in workouts.” Sawyer Smith will compete at 197-pound weight class. Ray said. Smith placed seventh in the state of Washington his junior year finishing 29-5 and was 14-1 before his senior season was ended by an injury. “He is physically very strong and has a desire to wrestle NCAA Division I,” said Ray.

Chris Ayres

Bruce Burnett

Gary Taylor

Iowa State University head wrestling coach Kevin Jackson and Scott Casber from Takedown Radio will be radio show guests Wednesday night. Kevin Jackson was recently named the new head wrestling coach at Iowa State University. Jackson previously had been the national freestyle coach for USA Wrestling from 2001-2008 and the head coach of the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club in Arizona. As an athlete, Jackson had a tremendous wrestling career. After winning two state championships at Eastern High School in Lansing, Michigan, Jackson became a three-time All-American at Louisiana State University. LSU dropped its wrestling program after Jackson’s junior year and he transferred to Iowa State where he helped the Cyclones win their last NCAA team championship with a 2nd place finish at 167 pounds in 1987. Jackson went on to have a phenomenal international career, winning World titles in 1991 and 1995 and an Olympic gold medal at 180.5 pounds in Barcelona, Spain in 1992. Scott Casber is the owner and operator of Takedown Radio in central Iowa. Casber does a great job of interviewing the top coaches, athletes and contributors in the sport of wrestling each week. Casber also broadcasts from prominent wrestling tournaments across the nation. He recently was named the Mike Chapman Impact Award Winner, along with Bob Ferraro, by WIN Magazine. “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.

Darrion Caldwell

Tom Erikson

Scott Goodale

Eric Guerrero

The 10th annual NHSCA National Wrestling Duals take place this weekend at the Wicomico Youth Civic Center in Salisbury, Maryland. This event, which is also referred to as the “The Battle at the Beach,” is comprised of 112 teams with competition in three age divisions: High School, which will feature a field of 64 teams, Middle School, which will feature a field of 24 teams, and Elementary, which will feature a field of 24 teams. The following is a compilation of wrestlers to watch. This is based on the pre-registration list. *AC = All-Class Rank (InterMat) 103 Shyheim Brown (Diesel/Central Dauphin PA), 20th AC 103 Earl Hall (South Florida Lightning/South Dade FL) Nick Roberts (Renegade Force Black/North Star PA) Evan Link (Young Guns Black/Penn Cambria PA) Jack Hatahaway (Pinnacle White/Iowa City West IA) 112 Jimmy Gulbion (Young Guns Black/Derry Area PA), 4th AC 103 BJ Suitor (Wrecking Crew Red/Swan Valley MI) Zach Beitz (Renegade Force Green/Juniata PA) Jake Smith (Madmen/Robinson VA) Matt Sausman (Shore Thing Teal/Camden Catholic NJ) Brian Realbuto (Iowa Style Wrestling/Somers NY) 119 Nico Megaludis (Young Guns Black/Franklin Regional PA), 2nd AC 112 Nick Arujau (SIR Wrestling/Syosset NY), 20th AC 125 Zach Horan (Renegade Force Black/Nazareth PA), 7th AC 112 Bryan Whitt (Virginia Thunder/Norfolk Academy VA), 17th AC 112 Arty Walsh (Renegade Force Green/Wyomissing PA) Luke Frey (Diesel/Montoursville PA) Mason Beckman (Wayne Danger/Reynolds PA) Jake Crawford (Madmen/Millbrook VA) 125 Michael Garofalo (Renegade Force Black/Colonial Forge VA), 10th AC 125 Shane Gentry (Virginia Thunder/Colonial Forge VA), 12th AC 119 Eric Chandler (South Florida Lightning/Braddock FL) Jared Germaine (Wrecking Crew Red/Swan Valley MI) Tyler Biscaha (Shore Thing Teal/Jackson Memorial NJ) Simon Rice (Diesel/Central Dauphin PA) Tyler Keselring (Wrestling Addix Black/Greenville MI) Jake Corrill (Pinnacle White/Moeller OH) Zach Huxford (Shore Thing White/Jackson Memorial NJ) 130 Sam Sherlock (Renegade Force Black/West Mifflin PA), 6th AC 125 Derrik Russell (Shore Thing Teal/Jackson Memorial NJ) Tyler Buckman (Diesel/Central Dauphin PA) David Makara (Young Guns Black/Burrell PA) Drew Wagenhoffer (SIR Wrestling/High Point NJ) Wendell Cannon (Team Delmarva/Sussex Tech DE) Mitch Minotti (All Business/Easton PA) 135 Josh Dziewa (Renegade Force Black/Council Rock South PA), 46th c/o 2010 Wilson Metellus (South Florida Lightning/South Dade FL), 19th AC 135 Mike Morales (Shore Thing Teal/Brick Memorial NJ), 16th AC 130 Jordan Beverly (Shore Thing White/Point Pleasant Boro NJ) James Green (Team Fury/Willingboro NJ) Ty Davis (Pinnacle White/Lakota West OH) Alex Pelliciotti (SEPA Blue/Boyertown PA) 140 Anthony Baldosaro (Renegade Force Black/Eastern Regional NJ), 4th AC 140 Kodie Silvestri (SIR Wrestling/Walkill Valley NJ), 15th AC 135 Taylor Walsh (Shore Thing White/Camden Catholic NJ), 16th AC 135 Colin Shober (Premium Select/Schuylkill Valley PA) Mark Hartenstine (All Business/Easton PA) Jordan Moss (Wayne Danger/Sharon PA) Robert Shepherd (Virginia Thunder/Mason OH) Andrew Lenzi (Iowa Style Wrestling/Fordham Prep NY) Kenny Stank (Diesel/Central Dauphin PA) Jake Gregerson (Illinois Underclassmen/Althoff Catholic IL) 145 Joey Napoli (Wayne Danger/Cumberland Valley PA), 4th AC 145 Kendrick Sanders (South Florida Lightning/South Dade FL), 7th AC 145 Shawn Fayette (Pinnacle White/Miamisburg OH), 18th AC 130 Jake O’Hara (Diesel/Crestwood PA) Ryan Kemerer (Team Travis/Boyertown PA) Ryan Dunphy (Triumph/Passaic Valley NJ) Ben Dorsay (Virginia Thunder/Cox VA) Joe McAuley (Shore Thing White/Bishop Ahr NJ) Tyler Hain (SV River Boyz/Warrior Run PA) Jayshon Wilson (Renegade Force Black/Carlisle PA) Austin Sommer (All Business/Northampton PA) Joey Kielbasa (Illinois Underlcassmen/Crystal Lake Central IL) Owen Scott (Shore Thing Teal/Lyons NY) Robert Henderson (Young Guns Black/United PA) 152 Marshall Peppelman (Diesel/Central Dauphin PA), 2nd AC 152 Steve Santos (Shore Thing White/Brick Memorial NJ), 10th AC 152 David Helmer (Virginia Thunder/Langley VA) Bryce Busler (Wayne Danger/Cumberland Valley PA) Corey Mock (Copperheads Wrestling Club/Chapel Hill NC) Troy Hernandez (SIR Wrestling/Kittatiny NJ) Alex Eggers (South Florida Lightning/Osceola FL) Bo Candelaria (Premium Select/Middletown PA) Ben Carter (South Florida Lightning/Baron Collier FL) 160 Dan Yates (Young Guns Black/Hesperia MI), 2nd AC 160 Ryan Leblanc (Lewis County/Morrisville Eaton NY), 9th AC 160 Mark Havers (Ragin Raisins/Bradford PA), 33rd c/o 2011 James Fleming (Renegade Force Black/West Mifflin PA) Nick Visicaro (Triumph/Long Branch NJ) Tristan Warner (Wayne Danger/Cumberland Valley PA) Michael Curby (Wrestling Addix Black/Hillsdale MI) Dylan Reel (Illinois Underclassmen/Washington IL) Patrick LaBuz (Diesel/Hazleton PA) Wade Rivera (All Business/Parkland PA) 171 Michael Evans (Diesel/Cumberland Valley PA), 14th c/o 2010 Jimmy Sheptock (All Business/Northampton PA), 15th AC 160 Jake Dorulla (Wrestling Addix Black/Rockford MI) Ryan Callahan (SIR Wrestling/Walkill Valley NJ) Jim Resnick (SEPA Blue/Penncrest PA) Ed Shupe (Renegade Force Black/Council Rock South PA) Nathaniel Brown (Wayne Danger/Lewistown PA) Ryan Olep (Wrecking Crew Red/Lowell MI) Zach Agostino (Shore Thing White/Egg Harbor Twp NJ) 189 Jon Fausey (Diesel/Line Mountain PA), 2nd AC 189 Andrew Clement (Virginia Thunder/Grassfield VA), 6th AC 171 Mac Mancuso (Shore Thing Teal/Holy Spirit NJ), 11th AC 189 Alex Thomas (Team Delmarva/Sussex Tech DE), 20th AC 189 Angelo Malvestuto (Shore Thing White/Niagara Wheatfield NY) Patrick Callender (SEPA Blue/Council Rock North PA) Zach Benzio (Premium Select/Connellsville PA) Dillon Kern (Wrestling Addix Black/Fowlerville MI) Andrew Petroski (Renegade Force Black/Springfield Delco PA) Joe Piro (All Business/Northampton PA) 215 Derrick Borlie (Madmen/Millbrook VA), 6th AC 189 Tony Dallago (Diesel/Central Dauphin PA), 9th AC 189 Spencer Myers (Wayne Danger/Selinsgrove NJ), 9th AC 215 Zac Bennett (Wayne Danger/Westmont Hilltop PA) Willie Wiggins (South Florida Lightning/South Dade FL) Billy George (Triumph/Long Branch NJ) Nate Gaffney (Young Guns Black/Connellsville PA) Kevin Innis (Shore Thing White/St Peter’s Prep NJ) Matthew Loew (Ragin Raisins/Wantagh NY) Nick Ruggear (Renegade Force Black/Oxford Area PA) Nick McDiarmid (Wrecking Crew Red/Fowlerville MI) Josh Davis (Shore Thing Teal/Freehold Boro NJ) 285 Jimmy Lawson (Shore Thing White/Manchester NJ), 2nd AC 285 Evan Craig (D2 Mighty Ducks/Abington Hts PA), 5th AC 285 Jack Burbank (Virginia Thunder/Cox VA) Danny Walker (Team Fury/Delsea Regional NJ) Tyler Cowman (Diesel/Wyoming Valley West PA) Carl Buchholz (Renegade Force Black/Great Valley PA) Tyler Demott (SV River Boyz/Benton PA) Henry Chirino (South Florida Lightning/Hialeah American FL) Joe McElhinney (Ragin Raisins/Cochranton PA) Devin Pommerenke (Wrecking Crew Red/Rogers City MI)

Steve Fraser, Greco-Roman National Teams Coach for USA Wrestling, will be the featured Wrestling 411 Radio guest this Wednesday, May 20 at 10 a.m. Wrestling 411 Radio broadcasts live shows on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 10 a.m. CDT. Each show includes a featured guest and brief commentary on the recent happenings in wrestling. Fraser is the head coach for the Greco-Roman National Team at USA Wrestling. In 1984, Fraser became the first American to win a gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling. In 2007, Fraser coached the United States to its first Greco-Roman team title at the World Championships. Wrestling 411 Radio can be heard live by visiting www.wrestling411.tv. Questions for any of the guests are welcome. You may e-mail your questions to Kyle Klingman at kklingman@mediasportsproductions.com

Mike Moyer

WAYNESBURG, Pa. -- Ron Headlee’s work in turning the Waynesburg University wrestling team from an afterthought to a nationally-recognized program is just the latest in his long line of accomplishments on the mats. This June, Headlee will be recognized for those accomplishments when he is inducted into the Washington/Greene Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. The induction ceremonies, which will take place on June 11 and 12 and feature 16 different individuals, will highlight more than 30 years as a wrestler and a coach, which began when he graduated Waynesburg Central High School in 1978. After leaving WCHS, Headlee became a three-time NAIA All-American wrestler at Messiah College, and became the school’s first NCAA Division III Wrestling All-American after placing fifth at the national tournament in 1982. He was also the school’s record holder for wins (101) at the time of his graduation. After finishing his own competitive days, Headlee moved onto very successful stints as a high school coach at both Jefferson-Morgan High School and his alma mater of WCHS. While with J-M, Headlee led his squads to an 111-25-1 record and five Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) team titles during his nine years with the Rockets. From there, Headlee went on to spend a handful of years at WCHS as an assistant, before leaving coaching in 2007. After a very brief hiatus, Headlee returned to coach the Yellow Jackets to a 10-4 record in 2008-09 and complete one of the most amazing turnarounds in Waynesburg and Division III wrestling histories. Prior to Headlee’s arrival, the Jackets enjoyed just two wins in three years. With his induction into the Washington/Greene Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Headlee joins the likes of Pittsburgh mayor Luke Ravenstahl, former University of Wisconsin football coaching great Barry Alvarez, NFL head coach Marvin Lewis and NFL Hall of Famer Bill George. Headlee also becomes the latest in a line of athletes, coaches and administrators with ties to Waynesburg University. Included in that list are coaching legend and current Athletic Director Rudy Marisa, coaching great John F. Wiley and former NFL wide receiver Don Hermann.

Adam Frey To visit Adam Frey's Web site, click HERE.

Mike Poeta

Moza Fay

NEWTON, Iowa -- Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine (WIN) is announcing the winners of six of the magazine’s major awards for 2009. The following is a list of the awards and the recipients: Mike Chapman Impact Award: Scott Casber, Takedown Radio/TV Bob Ferraro, National High School Coaches Association Dan Gable Coach of the Year: Mark Manning, University of Nebraska Junior Hodge Trophy: Chris Perry, Stillwater (Okla.) High School Schalles (Pinning) Award: Josh Patterson, Binghamton University Junior Schalles (Pinning) Award: Eloheim Palma, Cary (N.C.) High School Journalist of the Year: Tim Johnson, Big Ten Network/ESPN (Note: WIN had already announced the winner of the Hodge Trophy -- for the nation’s best collegiate wrestler -- in late March, when Jake Herbert of Northwestern was honored.) The following are biographical sketches of each of the award winners: Mike Chapman Impact Award -- Named after Mike Chapman, the founder of WIN and current director of the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa. Scott Casber is the founder of Takedown Radio/TV, which is beginning its 13th year of providing wrestling fans an Internet site (TakeDownRadio.com) to follow national events on nearly every level of amateur wrestling, including the NCAA championships, NWCA National Duals and World Team Trials. Scott Casber“I think it is important to give the wrestling public a broad picture of the wrestling culture across the country,” Casber said. “We usually only think about what is in our backyard. Wrestling is so much more to all people. We discover the passion for wrestling is even greater than I thought 13 years ago when we started the program.” In addition, Scott and his co-host Steve Foster travel all over the country covering in-season college tournaments and dual meets. They will also be introducing a highlight news show format on wrestling this fall on cable and satellite systems. “The miles that Scott has put on traveling around to broadcast live at wrestling events and practice rooms is staggering,” said WIN publisher Bryan Van Kley. “He deeply loves wrestling and wrestlers and works with every fiber of his being to promote our great sport to the max.” Scott is a native of Des Moines, Iowa, who fell in love with wrestling when he attended Iowa working on a marketing/promotions degree in the early 1980s and wore the Herky mascot uniform at Hawkeye wrestling matches. “I could see wrestling up close and personal,” said Casber. “I noticed that these guys were real people, who struggled with real problems, struggled to maintain their identity. They struggled with real issues whether they were self-created or not.” Bob Ferraro, a native of Easton, Pa., serves as the CEO/Founder of the National High School Coaches Association, which puts on over 100 state, regional and national events in 20 sports, including the NHSCA Senior Nationals in wrestling, which recently held its 20th anniversary of the event. During the past two decades, the event now offers national competition for all four grades of high school. “I felt we needed the high visibility sports to get wrestling the attention that it needed,” said Ferraro. “I felt that if we could build an organization with more than one sport, we could make a much bigger impact on the sport.” “What impresses me so much about Bob is his vision for wrestling,” said Van Kley. “He looks at the bigger picture beyond just an event or particular situation. The High School Nationals has turned into a "can't-miss" event which has been a great tool for prospective college wrestlers and the coaches who are recruiting them. All of this is because of Bob's vision for that event and the NHSCA as an organization.” Ferraro, who finished second nationally at the 1970 NCAAs at 150 pounds for Indiana State and later served as head coach at Bucknell, said he created the NHSCA when he was looking for national competitions for his son, Bobby, who in turn will take over the NHSCA in June 2010, when Bob retires. “I feel kind of a relief that my vision will be fulfilled and I’m excited about my son’s vision being implemented,” said Bob. “He is a very creative guy and has been with us for about two years now. He is ready to take off with his own vision.” Dan Gable Coach of the Year -- Named after the legendary University of Iowa coach who won 15 NCAA team championships between 1978 and 1997. Mark Manning has been a head coach at the Division I level for 12 years, including the past nine at Nebraska, where his Cornhuskers captured their first Big 12 championship — sharing the honor with Iowa State — and finishing fourth at the NCAAs for a second consecutive year. Manning also saw Jordan Burroughs become the school’s tenth NCAA champion when the junior captured the 157-pound title, while 197-pound Craig Brester (2nd), 174-pound Brandon Brown (4th) and 184-pound Vince Jones (6th) earned All-American honors. Mark ManningIn addition, Nebraska finished 17-3-1 in dual meet competition and captured the Las Vegas Invitational in December. All of this happened after Manning was forced to dismiss a pair of returning national qualifiers, including 2007 NCAA champion Paul Donahoe at 125 pounds, because of an off-the-mat incident. Then a week before the Big 12 tournament, Manning and his team had to deal with the death of Thayes Browne, the 49-year-old mother of a pair of Huskers (Brandon and Cameron, a 197-pound sophomore), who died from a heart attack while watching another son at the Nebraska state high school tournament. Manning said this year’s events made his realized he chose the right profession. “That’s why you coach; to make an impact on young men’s lives and obviously we had a lot of teaching moments this year; from not only with our young guys but to our veterans who were tested,” said the 45-year-old Manning. “I believe the faith element of our program was really put to the test and came out with flying colors.” Junior Dan Hodge Trophy -- Named after Dan Hodge, the former three-time University of Oklahoma national champion (1955-57) who never allowed a takedown in his college career. He also pinned 36 of his 46 victims. Chris Perry is the top-ranked 189-pounder from Stillwater, Okla., where he won four state of Oklahoma high school championships. He also is the brother of Mark Perry, the 2003 Junior Hodge Trophy winner who later earned two NCAA championships at Iowa (2007-08), and the nephew of Oklahoma State coach John Smith, who will coach the younger Perry next year. “Growing up, even though John Smith is my uncle and Mark Perry is my brother, it’s always been a goal for me to do what they’ve done,” Chris added. “I never look at it as pressure. I look at it as a possible accomplishment for me.” Chris Perry also captured the Junior Nationals in freestyle last summer in Fargo, N.D., and recently won the Junior FILAs in Las Vegas in April. For his high school career, Chris Perry was 133-1 with 70 falls. Schalles Award -- Names after Wade Schalles, who set the college pin record at Clarion (Pa.) State where he also won two NCAA championships (1972-73). During his career, Schalles defeated 153 of 159 opponents and pinned 109. Josh Patterson of Binghamton racked up 22 falls and finished the season 46-6. His 46 wins were also the most of any Division I wrestler. The junior also became Binghamton’s first Division I All-American, finishing seventh at the NCAA Championships at 184 pounds. “I realized I was going to be able to accomplish my goals at Binghamton,” said Patterson, who also has had two brothers wrestle for the Bearcats. He felt achieving the program’s first All-American honor and winning an award like the Schalles will help Binghamton get other top-level kids. “I really think it’s going to put us on the map and show kids they can come to a school like Binghamton and become All-Americans,” he said. Junior Schalles Award Eloheim Palma of Cary (N.C.) only let one of his 62 victims in an undefeated season go the distance when he settled for a 10-4 decision of the state tournament; netting the heavyweight his fourth state championship. Eloheim PalmaOverall, Palma pinned 50 opponents this year and also earned 10 forfeits and one technical fall. For his career, Palma pinned 159 opponents in compiling a 225-9 mark in four years. “I don’t feel that I’ve won a match unless I pin someone,” said Palma, who also captured the NHSCA Senior National Championship as the nation’s top-ranked heavyweight and will compete for North Carolina State next fall. “When you pin someone there is no doubt that you beat someone.” “Everyone will talk about how hard a kid works but this wrestler is special,” said his high school coach Jerry Winterton. “Eloheim outworks everyone in the room. As a heavyweight it is amazing how he'll run sprints, lift weights, do pull-ups and all the extras to better himself.” Journalist of the Year Tim Johnson is a native of Morning Sun, Iowa, and current resident of Champaign, Ill., where he serves as the regional director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Champaign. The former Coe College wrestler and high school wrestling coach also has spent the past 20 years broadcasting college wrestling matches; most recently the past two years for the Big Ten Network and ESPN. Among his highlights this year was handling the play-by-play for the Iowa-Iowa State dual meet, Dec. 6, which drew a national-record 15,955 fans to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. “When do I get the most excited about wrestling?” said Johnson. “It’s when the place is up for grabs. The record crowd was exciting. When you’ve got Dan Gable (as a color commentator) going nuts next to you, it’s always exciting to me. My arm gets a little tired trying to keep him in his seat sometimes.” Johnson also was part of the ESPN’s broadcast team that carried the quarterfinals, semifinals, placement matches and finals live at this year’s NCAA tournament in St. Louis, Mo. “I do expect ESPN’s coverage to grow because they are very happy with the interest,” Johnson said. “The producer, John Vassallo, is one of the greatest leaders I’ve ever been around. He is for wrestling and the reason and driving force behind 12 hours of live wrestling on ESPN.”

Kevin Dresser

Kurt Backes

Bucky Maughan

Jack Childs

Scott Hinkel

Steve Garland