InterMat Staff

I like Cornell University head coach Rob Koll; I really do. However, if he continues to make these recruiting press releases a daily ritual, then I am afraid I am going to have to end our friendship. While it goes without saying that the previous statement was obviously meant in good fun, the one thing that is not joke is the amazing job that Koll and staff have been doing thus far in landing elite talent from the Class of 2011. As the calendar switches to October and next month’s early signing period will be here before we know it, there has been no rest for the weary in Ithaca as seemingly every day a new blue chip recruit is informing us that they have selected the Big Red as their college choice. Less than 24 hours after putting the finishing touches on the press release announcing that No. 65 recruit Joe Rendina has decided on the returning NCAA runners-up, I find myself experiencing a touch of deja vu as again I am back on my laptop to formally break the news that for the second straight evening, an InterMat 100 recruit, No. 93 Duke Pickett of Woodberry Forest High School, has given a verbal commitment to the Ivy League institution of higher learning. Pickett, a 2010 Virginia state champion, becomes the third Top 100 honoree and fifth overall student-athlete to pick (no pun intended) Cornell. He joins Rendina, along with No. 79 Caleb Richardson and twin NYS DII champs Craig and Owen Scott. Pickett, who shook off a disappointing sophomore campaign in 2009 that saw him go a steady 32-13 but settle for fourth-place honors at the state tournament, really rallied last season, accumulating a 41-3 overall record at 140 on his way towards earning his first title in two finals appearances. (In 2008, he was the state runner-up at 112.) In a situation where his school also participated in the National Prep tournament, Pickett added a national runner-up finish, with his finals loss coming by a score of 10-5 to recent University of North Carolina commit Evan Henderson of the Kiski School. By virtue of this impressive bounce back season, the multiple-sport athlete (he currently is playing tailback for Tiger football program), will bring a 108-24 career record into his senior campaign. In addition to his second-place finish at Prep Nationals, the future Big Red wrestler has more than held his own against the best the country has to offer, racking up a laundry list of solid credentials, starting with a fifth-place finish at the prestigious Beast of the East in a weight class that coincidentally was won by future teammate Chris Villalonga. With the intent of fully solidifying his position among the nation’s elite, Pickett took his talents to the inaugural FloNationals, a decision that ultimately paid dividends when he emerged with a fourth-place finish to claim all-American distinction. Demonstrating that he also possesses some skills in the international styles, Pickett added another all-American honor to his resume when he placed seventh at the USAW Junior Nationals in freestyle. Projected on the collegiate level as a 157-pounder, Pickett, like the rest of the Cornell Class of 2015 cohort, will have plenty of quality workout partners ready to culminate his natural ability. Whether it be Craig Eifert, Jesse Shanaman, Marshall Peppelman, or any of the other countless studs in the Friedman Wrestling Center, Pickett will have every opportunity in the world to reach his full potential. Everyone at Lighthouse Wrestling sincerely extend their congratulations to Duke, his family, his coaches, as well as our friends at Cornell on what is surely very exciting breaking news for all parties involved. In addition, we wish Pickett and his Tiger teammates the very best of fortune on a successful upcoming season. InterMat was granted permission to republish this article from LighthouseWrestling.com.

There are intriguing matchups that wrestling fans look forward to every college wrestling season. After the 2009 NCAAs, many wrestling fans anticipated seeing the Darrion Caldwell-Brent Metcalf rivalry renewed in 2009-10. But surgery kept Caldwell off the mat last season, which prevented the matchup from happening; Metcalf went on to win the NCAA title. Other times, a highly-anticipated matchup does not take place until the final match of the season ... like in the case of Jay Borschel (Iowa) vs. Mack Lewnes (Cornell) last season. Both cruised through the regular season undefeated and met in the NCAA finals, with Borschel coming out on top. So what are the potential intriguing matchups in Division I college wrestling this season? There are many that have wrestling fans excited about the upcoming college wrestling season. I have chosen one potential matchup in each of the 10 weight classes that I would like to see this collegiate wrestling season. 125: Matt McDonough (Iowa) vs. Logan Stieber (Ohio State) Potential Meetings Before Postseason: January 23, Iowa City, Iowa (Dual Meet) Matt McDonough (Photo/Morgan Hennessy)It's seems virtually impossible for an Iowa Hawkeye wrestler to come out of nowhere, but McDonough somehow managed to do it last season. Sure, he was a three-time state champion and multiple-time All-American in Fargo coming out of high school. But he lost eight times at 133 pounds as a redshirt and opened last season unranked by InterMat. All he did as a freshman was go 37-1 en route to winning the NCAA title in a weight class that included two past NCAA champions. Stieber, who was ranked as the nation's No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2010 by InterMat, has the ability to contend for an NCAA title immediately as a true freshman. He placed third at the U.S. Open after his junior year of high school and many believe he will be in the mix to make the U.S. Olympic Team in 2012. 133: Andrew Hochstrasser (Boise State) vs. Jordan Oliver (Oklahoma State) Potential Meetings Before Postseason: January 8-9, Cedar Falls, Iowa (NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals) February 11, Stillwater, Oklahoma (Dual Meet) Hochstrasser, an All-American in 2009, wrestled sparingly last season, going 8-0, but was unable to compete in the postseason. Many speculated this offseason whether Oliver, who finished fourth NCAAs as a freshman, would move up to 141 pounds for his sophomore season. John Smith felt that Oliver might be better suited for 141 pounds, but Oliver managed his weight and ultimately decided to return to 133 pounds. 141: Kellen Russell (Michigan) vs. Jimmy Kennedy (Illinois) Potential Meetings Before Postseason: December 3-4, Las Vegas, Nevada (Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational) The 141-pound weight class was viewed as wide open last season with six to eight wrestlers in the mix to win an NCAA title. When the dust settled in Omaha, it was a true freshman (Kyle Dake) beating a wrestler who began the season third on his own team's depth chart (Montell Marion). With Dake moving up to 149 pounds and Marion not competing this season, the weight class is once again wide open. But All-Americans Russell and Kennedy, who are both coming off redshirt seasons, will help fill the void of losing both NCAA finalists. Kennedy has twice been an All-American at 133 pounds. He wrestled at 141 pounds as a redshirt last season and finished runner-up at the Midlands to Alex Krom of Maryland. Russell has posted a 63-11 record in two seasons, earning All-American honors in 2009, but did not wrestle a single match last season while redshirting. 149: Darrion Caldwell (North Carolina State) vs. Kyle Dake (Cornell) Potential Meetings Before Postseason: December 3-4, Las Vegas, Nevada (Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational) December 29-30, Greensboro, North Carolina (Southern Scuffle) Kyle Dake (Photo/Morgan Hennessy)This is one of two potential matchups between NCAA champions that could happen this college wrestling season. Caldwell, a 2009 NCAA champion, is the best college wrestler in the country regardless of weight class. Sure, he's coming off surgery and hasn't competed since the summer of 2009, but there isn't a college wrestler in the country that is as skilled and athletic as Caldwell. Dake had a sensational true freshman season, going 34-2 and becoming the first true freshman since Dustin Schlatter (Minnesota) in 2006 to win an NCAA championship. Dake, who was named InterMat Freshman of the Year in 2010, is strong in every position, especially in the top position, and isn't afraid to mix it up and take risks, which is why a potential matchup with Caldwell has wrestling fans excited. 157: Bubba Jenkins (Arizona State) vs. David Taylor (Penn State) Potential Meetings Before Postseason: January 7-8, Hampton, Virginia (Virginia Duals) Jenkins and Taylor were teammates at Penn State last season. The two faced off at the East Stroudsburg Open, with Jenkins edging Taylor, 4-3. Jenkins' bitter divorce from the Penn State wrestling program last season was well documented. He and his then-coach, Cael Sanderson, butted heads and Jenkins, a 2008 NCAA runner-up, transferred to Arizona State for his senior campaign. Taylor was the nation's top recruit in 2009 and has been successful at every level of wrestling. He went 21-2 as a redshirt with his only losses coming to teammates Jenkins and Cyler Sanderson. Expectations are sky-high for Taylor, who has Olympic aspirations. Jenkins, a Junior World champion in 2007, has said this will be his final season of wrestling and that he will not pursue an international wrestling career. So beating Cael's protégé, Taylor, in the NCAA finals would be a redemptive finish to his wrestling career. 165: Andrew Howe (Wisconsin) vs. Jordan Burroughs (Nebraska) Potential Meetings Before Postseason: December 29-30, Evanston, Illinois (Midlands Championships) January 21, Madison, Wisconsin (Dual Meet) Andrew Howe (Photo/Morgan Hennessy)Like 149, this is a potential matchup of NCAA champions. Burroughs was an NCAA champion in 2009 at 157 pounds, but suffered a season-ending knee injury last December that prevented him from defending his title. He was granted a medical redshirt by the NCAA and has moved up to 165 pounds for his final season. Howe is on track to become one of collegiate wrestling's all-time greats. He has reached the NCAA finals in each of his first two seasons at Wisconsin, winning the NCAA title last season. He went 37-0 last season to run his career record to 67-5. 174: Mack Lewnes (Cornell) vs. Ed Ruth (Penn State) Potential Meetings Before Postseason: December 29-30, Greensboro, North Carolina (Southern Scuffle) On paper, this looks like a mismatch and it very well may be. Top-ranked senior vs. freshman. Lewnes, an NCAA runner-up last season, has been one of the most dominant wrestlers in the country over the past two seasons. He was crushing opponents all last season before falling in the NCAA finals to Jay Borschel of Iowa. Don't sleep on Ruth. He has the potential to be a great one. The shy, unassuming Ruth was 14-3 as a redshirt last season with two of those losses coming to teammate Quentin Wright and the other coming to Chris Honeycutt of Edinboro. 184: Kirk Smith (Boise State) vs. Chris Perry (Oklahoma State) Potential Meetings Before Postseason: January 8-9, Cedar Falls, Iowa (NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals) February 11, Stillwater, Oklahoma (Dual Meet) Smith, an NCAA runner-up last season, is the highest returning NCAA finisher and is expected to begin the season ranked No. 1. He is the leader of a Boise State team that is expected to be in the hunt for a team trophy in Philadelphia. Perry, the younger brother of two-time NCAA champion Mark Perry, is an immediate impact wrestler who has high goals in the sport. He was 15-1 as a redshirt and won a bronze medal at the Junior World Championships in Hungary over the summer. 197: Anthony Biondo (Michigan) vs. Sonny Yohn (Minnesota) Potential Meetings Before Postseason: December 29-30, Greensboro, North Carolina (Southern Scuffle) February 11, Ann Arbor, Michigan (Dual Meet) Sonny Yohn (Photo/Morgan Hennessy)These two met twice last season with Biondo coming out victorious in both matches. However, it was Yohn who found a spot on the podium in Omaha, not Biondo. Both move well and like to create action, which has resulted in some crazy scramble situations in their previous meetings. 285: Dom Bradley (Missouri) vs. Alan Gelogaev (Oklahoma State) Potential Meetings Before Postseason: January 8-9, Cedar Falls, Iowa (NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals) February 4, Stillwater, Oklahoma (Dual Meet) With 2009 NCAA champion Mark Ellis no longer in the picture, it will be Bradley's time to shine for the Tigers. A Junior World champion in 2009, Bradley has battled and beaten some of the nation's top collegiate heavyweights. He finished third at the U.S. World Team Trials this past summer, losing only to 2009 World bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev. He notched a victory over former Ohio State standout Tommy Rowlands, who placed fifth at the 2007 World Championships. Gelogaev, who grew up in Russia and trained under wrestling legend Buvaisar Saitiev, wrestled his first season of folkstyle wrestling last season at 197 pounds and became an All-American with a seventh-place finish. He has a lot of tools on his feet, but has struggled mightily on the mat.

Just 10 days after getting verbal commitments from a pair of NYS DII Champions in the persons of the Scott twins, Cornell head coach Rob Koll had cause to celebrate again when 2010 Michigan state champion Joe Rendina, the No. 65-ranked recruit in the land according to InterMat, announced live on Wrestlingaddix.com that the Big Red had won the sweepstakes for his services. The EIWA conference powerhouse beat out the hometown favorite Spartans of Michigan State (who in their own right have had an impressive start to the class of 2011 recruiting season), as well as the University of North Carolina, who represented the only other institutions to make the final cut on Rendina's short list of schools. Rendina, who will carry a 164-2 record into his senior campaign at Dundee High School, enjoyed what can only accurately be described as a dream season in 2010, going unblemished in all 64 of his bouts en route to his first state crown. In doing so, he successfully achieved an objective that he ambitiously, but confidently dedicated himself to at the youthful age of five. Perhaps for Rendina, all last season symbolized was the culmination of a feat that he had always known was his destiny. A state bronze medalist as a sophomore (65-1) with his only loss coming in the state semifinals, last season was the proverbial nail in the coffin of two previous seasons that had met him with frustration and discontentment. After all, if not for a season ending injury as a freshman and the aforementioned loss in the state semis in '09 (the gentleman who beat him did go on to eventually win the title), Rendina might have already had the hardware that he had worked the entirety of his life to capture. If patience really is a virtue, than this young gentleman is one virtuous individual. It is this perseverance and ability to bounce back from adversity and disappointment that will ultimately make this dynamic student-athlete a real asset to Koll and staff. Nationally, Rendina arrived on the scene at the 2009 Super 32 Challenge, finishing sixth at a stacked 125-pound weight class consisting of current DI wrestlers Devin Carter (Virginia Tech), Nick Arujau (American), Mitchell Port (Edinboro), T.J. Mitchell (Virginia Tech), and Justis Flamio (US Naval Academy), to name a few. Already registered to compete in 2010, the Ithaca, NY-bound standout will be among the favorites in a deep 130-pound weight class. Projected on the collegiate level at either 133 or 141 pounds, Rendina could find himself in position to crack the starting lineup as a true freshman in 2012 following the graduation of the incumbent starter at 133, 2008 All-American Mike Grey. With future teammates like fellow 2011 recruit Caleb Richardson, Cody Kelly, Joe Stanzione, Ryan Dunphy, Mike Nevinger, Chris Villalonga, and returning NCAA champion Kyle Dake, coupled with the coaching prowess of Jeremy Spates and Matt Azevedo, Rendina certainly will not have to look hard to find a guy capable of pushing him to the next level. As the USA Wrestling motto goes, steel sharpens steel. And today, by virtue of his college selection, one Great Lakes State wrestler finds himself several steps closer to becoming one of the sharpest knives in the cabinet. On behalf of everyone here at LHW, we sincerely congratulate Joe, his family, and the Dundee program on today's exciting news. We wish both the young man and his teammates the very best of luck in 2011 as they look to build off of the momentum created by a state runner-up team finish last season. InterMat was granted permission to republish this article from LighthouseWrestling.com.

Hello again Wrestling Fans. We return to the Brute Adidas studios for this weeks show brought to you by Kemin Agrifoods. Join Scott Casber, Geoff Murtha (Simpson) and Ryan Freeman (Ok State) and Randy Crimmins. Geoff Murtha joins us courtesy of Mass Mutual Financial Services, Ryan Freeman courtesy of ATT. Our Guests Include: (All times Central) 9:01 Joe Bastardi- the chief hurricane and long-range forecaster at AccuWeather and a national bodybuilding competitor and our Penn State Wrestling Insider 9:20 Rich Bender- USA Wrestling Executive Director, 9:40 Andrew Hipps- IntermatWrestle.com JJ Classic Update 10:01 Eric Guerrero- Assist. Head Coach for Oklahoma State 10:20 Jim Heffernan- Head Coach of Illinois 10:40 Nick Mitchell- Head Coach Grand View College 10:50 Amy Rubel- Wildrose Resort and Casino Wrestling fans- Episode 77 of TDR TV wrestling news is now on. Check your TV Guide for listings. How to watch and listen- TDR and TDR TV. It's appointment Radio and TV! 4.5 MILLION HOMES AND GROWING! TDR on Radio: LIVE Saturday at 9:00 AM CST on 1460 KXNO in Iowa. Saturday nights at 7:00 PM Eastern on Supertalk 1570 in Michigan, TDR TV: Mediacom Cable Ch. 22. IA, MO, AK, NE, MN, IL Tues. 5 PM, Sat. 10 AM Time Warner Cable NY Ch. 813 Sat. 12 Noon Comcast Cable Tennessee Ch. 96 Fridays 5 PM CATV- CCN, Pennsylvania Ch. 8 Fridays 5 PM Western Reserve Ohio Cable Ch. 9 Fridays at 5:30 (Premiers October 15th) Call your local cable operator and ask them to carry TDR TV TDR on Internet: You can join us 9 to 11 AM Saturday mornings at Takedownradio.com TDR TV On Internet: 31 various web sites now carry your favorite wrestling news show Thanks to our affiliates, our media partners and friends at Livesportsvideo.com. Thanks for watching and listening!

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan wrestling head coach Joe McFarland announced Tuesday (Sept. 28) the addition of Brian Dolph to the coaching staff. Dolph, an NCAA champion and 11-year collegiate coaching veteran, will serve as the Wolverines' volunteer coach while overseeing the freestyle program at Michigan's USA Wrestling Regional Training Site. "I'm excited to reconnect with Brian," said McFarland. "I coached him earlier in my career when I was down at Indiana, and I've stayed in touch with him over the years. I know he's been wanting to get back into college coaching; so, I think he's excited about coming up here, and we're excited about having him. He's got a great wrestling mind, and he just loves being on the mat. I think he can help us out in a number of different areas, not only with his collegiate background but with his freestyle background as well. We're looking to take our program here to the next level, and I think Brian will play a big role in that endeavor." "I feel like I am a good fit with the rest of the staff here," said Dolph. "We all have similar philosophies, and I think we'll work well as a team. I think my experience as a coach at all levels will be an asset to the program, and with the experience I have, I'll be able to really connect with the kids. I think they will respect that and listen to what I have to offer. I'm looking forward to getting started." Prior to his arrival at Michigan, Dolph worked on the coaching staffs at Pennsylvania (1994-2003) and Cleveland State (2006-07) and served as head coach at Massillon Perry High School (2004-06) and North Canton Hoover High School (2007-10) in Ohio. He was instrumental in developing a competitive middleweight corps at Penn and helped guide nine different Quaker wrestlers to NCAA All-America honors over his tenure. Among his most decorated pupils are Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA finalist Brandon Slay, NCAA champion Brett Matter and two-time All-Americans Rick Springman and Yoshi Nakamura. While at Perry High School, Dolph earned back-to-back Stark County Wrestling Coach of the Year honors (2004, '05) and coached a pair of future NCAA champions in Michigan's Steve Luke (2006-09) and Minnesota's Dustin Schlatter. As a collegiate wrestler at Indiana University (1986, '88-90), Dolph compiled one of the most esteemed careers in Hoosier program history, spending his final two seasons under McFarland's leadership. He became Indiana's first NCAA individual champion in 50 years as a senior in 1990 by capturing the 150-pound NCAA title, earning an 11-5 decision over Northern Iowa's Gary Steffensmeier in the championship bout. A three-time NCAA All-American, Dolph also posted national finishes of third (1989) and eighth (1988) and, at the time of his achievement, was the first Hoosier wrestler in program history to register three consecutive All-America performances. Dolph's 127-9 career record ranks fourth in all-time wins at Indiana, while his 46 wins during the 1989-90 season and .934 career winning percentage remain IU program records. In addition to his success at the NCAA Tournament, Dolph captured two Big Ten titles at 150 pounds (1989, '90), advancing to the finals in each of his final three seasons, and won the prestigious Midlands Championship in 1989. After graduation, Dolph completed a successful 10-year run in the 68kg/149.5-pound and 76kg/167.5-pound freestyle divisions, qualifying for the World and Olympic Trials every year. He was the 167.5-pound runner-up at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials and traveled to Sydney, Australia, as an alternate on the U.S. Olympic Team. Dolph was a six-time national team member and a champion of several international tournaments, including the Alexander Medved International in Russia, where he did not give up a single point. A native of Canton, Ohio, Dolph received his bachelor's degree in health and physical education from Indiana in 1990. He and his wife, Jenelle, have a son, A.J.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- With the Lehigh wrestling team set to officially begin practice in less than two weeks, head coach Pat Santoro announced the Mountain Hawks 2010-11 schedule on Monday. Lehigh will wrestle eight home dual meets and will take on six of the top 15 finishers from last year’s NCAA Championships. The Mountain Hawks finished 17th at last year’s NCAA tournament and should benefit from having the 2011 NCAA tournament in Philadelphia, a mere hour from Lehigh’s campus. “I’ve always told our guys that to get to the top you have to compete against the best,” said Santoro who begins his third season as head coach. “That’s what this schedule does. Right out of the chute we’re facing teams like Pitt, Penn State and Michigan plus Virginia, Missouri and George Mason at the Northeast Duals. We’re facing a number of top-15 teams in the first five weeks of the season.” Santoro continued, “We have some young guys and some guys with experience, but very early on we’ll find out where we are and what we need to be working on to get ready for the postseason. The postseason is always going to be the focus for our program and this schedule that we’ve put together should prepare our team well for March. ” The 102nd season of Lehigh wrestling begins with the annual wrestle-offs, scheduled for Thursday, October 28 inside Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall. The dual season begins on Friday November 5, when the Drexel Dragons come to town. Lehigh has won 90 percent of its duals (39-4-1) in Pat Santoro’s first two seasons as head coach. The following weekend brings a pair of tough tests against long-time in-state rivals. On Friday November 12, Santoro will square off against his alma mater when the Mountain Hawks face Pittsburgh. Two days later, Lehigh will face Penn State at Rec Hall in the 99th meeting between the longtime rivals. As a prelude to the Lehigh-Lafayette football game on November 20, the Mountain Hawks will face rival Michigan on Friday November 19 in the first of two duals this season slated for Stabler Arena. Lehigh and Michigan will be wrestling a dual meet for the 34th straight season, with the Mountain Hawks having won the last two duals. For the fourth straight year, Lehigh will spend Thanksgiving weekend in the capital region of New York as the Mountain Hawks will take part in the Northeast Duals at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, N.Y. on November 27. Lehigh will wrestle three duals on the day beginning with NCAA 15th-place finisher Virginia and tenth-place finisher Missouri before wrapping up against George Mason. In March, Bucknell will host the EIWA Championship for the first time. Lehigh will get a preview of Lewisburg when the Mountain Hawks face Bucknell on Friday December 3. The final dual of the fall semester will be Sunday, December 12 when Lehigh hosts Central Michigan at Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall. After breaking for final exams and the holidays in December, action will pick up once again on December 29 and 30 when Lehigh heads to Evanston, Illinois for the Midland’s Championships, hosted by Northwestern. Last year Lehigh made its first Midlands appearance since 2004 and the Mountain Hawks came away with a school-record six place-winners. Lehigh will usher in 2011 with its fourth straight appearance at the Virginia Duals, January 7-8 at the Hampton Coliseum. The Mountain Hawks have posted back-to-back second place finishes at the Duals, losing to Central Michigan in 2009 and Oklahoma State in 2010. The Mountain Hawks will follow up their Virginia Duals appearance by facing two of their oldest rivals. On January 15, Lehigh travels to Annapolis, Maryland to face Navy and then on Thursday January 20, the Mountain Hawks will welcome four-time defending EIWA Champion and NCAA runner-up Cornell to Stabler Arena. Lehigh and Cornell staged a memorable dual last year in Ithaca, N.Y. with the Mountain Hawks winning the final three weight classes to earn a 15-15 tie. The next weekend will be a busy one for the Brown and White. Lehigh heads to Blacksburg, Virginia to meet the Hokies of Virginia Tech on January 28. Two days later its back home to Leeman-Turner Arena as the Mountain Hawks host EIWA rivals Harvard and Brown. Lehigh’s three February duals will all be against EIWA opponents. The Mountain Hawks will host American on Sunday February 6 at Grace Hall. Following a weekend off, Lehigh will visit upstart Rutgers on Thursday the 17th before wrapping up the dual season against Penn inside Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall on February 20. Bucknell will host the 107th EIWA Championships at Sojka Pavilion on March 5 and 6, while the NCAA Championships will be in Philadelphia at the newly renamed Wells Fargo Center (formerly Wachovia Center) March 17-19. “We’re excited to have the NCAAs in Philadelphia,” Santoro explained. “It’s great for east coast wrestling. There are a very high percentage of schools that will be within driving distance. Not having to travel as far will certainly be helpful for our team. I know the fans are excited about it and our wrestlers are excited too.” The Mountain Hawks return four NCAA qualifiers including EIWA Champion and All-American Zach Rey for the 2010-11 season.

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Takedown Wrestling Media and Western Reserve Cable's Channel 9 have established a relationship that will bring the popular TDR TV amateur wrestling program to over 50,000 homes in the NE Ohio area three times per week. The first broadcast of TDR TV on Channel 9 in NE Ohio will be Friday October 15th at 5:30 PM Fridays, 10 PM Saturday nights and 11 PM Tuesday nights. (Check your local listings for availability on additional channels.) TDR TV is a 30-minute weekly TV show that covers all aspects of amateur wrestling in the U.S. Host Scott Casber updates viewers on the latest developments in high school, college and international wrestling, conducts insightful interviews with the sport�s top wrestlers and coaches, and shares his passion for the �oldest and greatest sport� in a fun, fast-paced show. TDR TV is already available on the Mediacom cable TV system serving six Midwestern states, Time Warner Sports NY, Comcast Cable in Tennessee and can be viewed online at www.TakedownRadio.com and at over thirty other affiliated amateur wrestling web sites. �The NE Ohio area is a hotbed for championship wrestling at both the high school and collegiate levels,� said Channel 9 Managing Producer Jeff Cole. �We are pleased to be adding Takedown Wrestling Media�s news program, TDR TV, for all of our subscribers who appreciate this outstanding and demanding sport.� Casber, founder of Takedown Wrestling Media, said, �This is an important step forward for the athletes, coaches and fans of wrestling across the country. Western Reserve Cable's Channel 9 is a respected name around the country. They understand wrestling fans and the need for promotion of the sport in order to continue its positive growth. This is a special opportunity to partner with Channel 9 in the distribution of TDR TV. We understand the responsibility we have in this undertaking and will do our best to present wrestling in a positive manner.� �Western Reserve Cable's Channel 9 will present our weekly TV program throughout the prime wrestling hotbed in Ohio where collegiate wrestling got its start more than a century ago, and is home to a number of great programs at Kent State, The Ohio State, Cleveland State, Ohio and many others,� said Casber. �In addition, we�ll now be seen in the part of the country that features some of the best prep and high school wrestling programs in the nation.�

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- During meetings held at the U.S. Olympic Assembly this past weekend, USA Wrestling’s Executive Director Rich Bender of Colorado Springs, Colo. was unanimously elected as the chair of the U.S. Olympic Committee’s National Governing Body (NGB) Council. The mission of the NGB Council is to “assist the National Governing Bodies and Paralympic Sports Organizations as they strive to achieve sustained competitive excellence.” Bender was selected for this volunteer leadership position by the chief executives of the National Governing Bodies and Paralympic Sports Organizations affiliated with the U.S. Olympic movement. He will complete the term which was previously held by Skip Gilbert of USA Triathlon, which includes the current four-year Olympic quadrennial that runs through the 2012 London Olympic Games. “USA Wrestling has flourished under Rich’s decade of leadership as Executive Director and the organization is one of the strengths within the NGB family,” said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. “I am excited to have Rich in such an important leadership position and am confident that he will serve the NGBs and the Olympic movement with distinction. We look forward to working with him and the NGB Council as we develop programs and opportunities that benefit U.S. athletes and their Olympic and Paralympic dreams.” The NGB Council is an organizational entity which is included in the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, and is also included in the bylaws of the U.S. Olympic Committee. The combined activity of the organizations included in the NGB Council includes the presentation of over 60,000 sports events each year and represents over 13,000,000 individual NGB members. “It is very exciting to be involved with an organization which is committed to helping NGBs to improve their operations and serve as a voice within the U.S. Olympic Committee,” said Bender. “I am humbled to be chosen by a group which includes many of America’s top sports executives.” Bender believes that the NGB Council will continue to play an increasingly important role in the growth and success of Olympic sports in the United States. “The NGBs have the daily responsibility of managing the Olympic sports in our nation, preparing America’s athletes for success on the international level and ensuring the growth and expansion of Olympic sports programs in the United States. We are the 365-day-a-year operation of the U.S. Olympic movement,” said Bender. In February 2001, Bender was named Executive Director of USA Wrestling and has served in that position since. Bender had served as Acting Executive Director for USA Wrestling prior to being offered the position on a permanent basis. He has been a full-time employee with USA Wrestling for over 22 years. Prior to his current position, Bender served as the Associate Executive Director of Programs, where he oversaw USA Wrestling’s events, National Teams and developmental programs activities. He previously served as USA Wrestling’s National Events Director, managing the organization’s regional, national and international events. Bender supervised major events including the 1995 World Freestyle Championships, age-group World Championships, the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, the U.S. Olympic Festival, the World Cup, the Goodwill Games, and numerous World Dual meets. He also directed the combined ASICS/Vaughan Junior and Cadet National Championships, the world’s largest wrestling competition. Bender also served as the Competition Manager for wrestling at the 1996 Olympic Games, working for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG). Bender organized a staff which presented one of the best Olympic wrestling competitions in history. Over 115,000 fans witnessed the wrestling competition in Atlanta. As Executive Director, he has made a commitment to strengthen USA Wrestling’s membership and put the organization on its most solid financial footing in history. The organization has also focused on providing a safer environment for its participants. Bender has also welcomed the sport’s legends back to active involvement with USA Wrestling. USA Wrestling set three all-time membership records in the recently completed 2009-10 season in the categories of athlete members, sanctioned events and registered clubs. USA Wrestling’s combined membership, including athletes, coaches and officials, reached 175,883 last season. USA Wrestling’s budgeted revenue was $6.3 million dollar in fiscal year 2001-2002, Bender’s first full year as Executive Director, in comparison to $9.1 million in revenue for the current 2010-11 fiscal year. Women’s wrestling has flourished during Bender’s tenure. The sport was added to the Olympic program at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. USA Wrestling’s women’s program has seen the addition of a U.S. Olympic Training Center Resident Athlete Program and the hiring of a National Women’s Coach, which led to a second-place finish at the 2003 World Championships. Also during his service as Executive Director, USA Wrestling won its first World Team Title in Greco-Roman wrestling in 2007. Bender served as a U.S. Olympic Committee intern in the fall of 1988, working for USA Wrestling. He was hired as Events Assistant for USA Wrestling in January 1989, and became Manager of National Events in September 1989. He has served on the Board of Directors for the United States Olympic Committee, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the National Wrestling Coaches Association. He received a degree in Sports Management and a minor in Business Administration from Wisconsin-La Crosse in 1988. Bender was a three-sport athlete at Boscobel High School, earning two varsity letters each in football, baseball and wrestling. He and his wife Michelle have three daughters, Madeline, Chloe and Gabriella.

Hempstead, NY -- Hofstra University Head Wrestling Coach Tom Shifflet has been given a four-year contract extension to coach the Pride through the 2013-14 season, Director of Athletics Jack Hayes announced Monday. Shifflet, who became the 10th head wrestling coach in University history in May, 2006, has recorded a 47-30-4 record in four seasons with the Pride. In addition, Hofstra has captured three Colonial Athletic Association championships with 13 student-athletes claiming individual conference titles. He has also coached a total of 24 Pride wrestlers to the NCAA Championships including seven or more Pride wrestlers in three of the four years. As a team, Hofstra has placed in the top 15 in two of the championships and Pride wrestlers have earned All-America honors six times during his tenure. Tom ShiffletHis first season as the Hofstra Head Wrestling Coach in 2006-07 was one for the record books. Shifflet directed the Pride to an 18-4-2 dual record, a final record season ranking of ninth, the program’s sixth straight Colonial Athletic Association championship and the school’s seventh consecutive conference title, an upset victory of top-ranked Minnesota in November, a sixth-place finish at the NWCA National Duals and, most importantly, a seventh-place finish at the 2007 NCAA Championships in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Along the way, the Pride developed four All-Americans, seven conference champions including the CAA Wrestler of the Year and the Rookie of the Year. For Shifflet’s efforts, he was named the Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year. In 2007-08 Shifflet directed the program to its 11th consecutive winning season with a 13-8 overall record and a 6-0 conference while leading Hofstra to its seventh straight CAA wrestling championship and eighth consecutive conference title. Along the way the Pride faced 13 Top 25 opponents and posted victories over No. 4 Iowa State, No. 13 Edinboro and No. 22 Old Dominion. Hofstra placed third at the Southern Scuffle, 10th in the Cliff Keen-Las Vegas Invitational, first in the CAA Championships with three conference champions and seven national qualifiers, and 15th in the NCAA Championships with two All-Americans and the Gorrarian Award winner. In 2008-09, Shifflet, faced with a rebuilding season, captured the University’s ninth consecutive conference championship with three individual champions, posted a 10-6 dual record and a 5-1 mark in the CAA and sent eight wrestlers to the NCAA Championships in St. Louis. He was also named CAA Coach of the Year. Last season was a year filled with injuries to starters in three weight classes while a fourth was red-shirted as the Pride struggled through a 6-12-2 season. Nonetheless, three Pride wrestlers qualified for the NCAA Championships in 2010. Tom Shifflet (Photo/Tony Rotundo, Tech-Fall.com)Shifflet came to Hofstra after four seasons as head wrestling coach at UNC Greensboro. His tenure at UNCG was marked by annual improvements in recruiting, recognition and success. He also created and organized the annual 35-team Southern Scuffle wrestling tournament, which is one of the largest and more competitive Division I regular season tournaments in the country. During his tenure at UNC Greensboro Shifflet recorded a 32-32 dual meet record and had nine wrestlers qualify for the NCAA Championships. A three-time All-American and a four-time national qualifier as a student-athlete at national powerhouse Edinboro University from 1992 through 1995, Shifflet began his coaching career as an assistant at Georgia State University in1995, helping the Panthers post back-to-back winning seasons, and develop three conference champions and four NCAA qualifiers. In 1997 Shifflet left Georgia State to begin a five-year tenure as an assistant coach at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. During his time with the Big Red, Shifflet coached 24 NCAA qualifiers, three NCAA All-Americans and helped head coach Rob Koll to a pair of Ivy League championships in 1999 and 2001. More importantly, Cornell was also consistently ranked among the nation’s top-15 programs. His final Big Red recruiting class placed fifth at the 2006 NCAA Championships in Oklahoma City.

Event: UFC 119: Mir vs. Cro Cop Venue: Conseco Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, Indiana) Date: September 25, 2010 Winning $4 on last UFC 118's card may have saved the UFC Monster from getting his "pink slip" from InterMat's senior management team. I had the audacity to go against both Gray Maynard and Frankie Edgar, two great wrestlers who won as underdogs, after being advised that I may be on the wrong side of each wager. Betting against wrestlers can be hazardous to your wallet. Picking against them on a wrestling site may be hazardous to your employment! But a modest profit and a slap on the hand has apparently saved my job! So, please read on ... In the first UFC ever in the state of Indiana, 11 fights are scheduled, but with no titles on the line. That means that all fights are just three rounds, and with two fights scheduled for FREE on Spike TV, quick finishes on the main card will lead to more viewing of the interesting undercard. Tonight's featured match pits former heavyweight champion Frank Mir against legendary striker Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic. Let's get the ball rolling and pick some winners, as we try to stay ahead of the bookmaker's traps and build our bankroll. Frank Mir is a rare heavyweight who not only has solid striking, but few big men have the submission arsenal that he does. Cro Cop is a weather-beaten athlete whose better days are behind him. He has struggled to finish his opponents, and it is unlikely that he will catch Mir napping. It is more likely that Mir will stand and trade punches until the opportunity to grab Cro Cop presents itself. And, once it does, Mir will lock up a painful kimura and a broken arm will end this one. Lay the –225 on Mir. Cro Cop's broken arm wins Frank the submission of the night. Light heavyweight Ryan Bader, former Arizona State All-American wrestler, is unbeaten in his MMA career. Strangely, he has become an over-powering striker who throws fists until he overwhelms you with his ground-n-pound. But that strategy will be disastrous against Rogerio Nogueira, Minotauro's younger brother. While Bader's career is on the rise, Nogueira's is on the downside. I'm not sure it is wise to go to the mat with a Nogueira, but my guess is that's what Bader will do. Proof of his dominance will soon be evident as the ref pulls Darth off the battered Brazilian. Bader –165 is the play here. Shawn "Muscle Shark" Sherk once dominated the lightweight division. But injuries, age, and a change in fighting styles (from dominant wrestler to short-armed boxer) have taken its toll on Sherk's career. His 32-4-1 record is still awesome, but a battle with undefeated, up-and-comer Evan Dunham, a Couture protégé, is not a good match-up for him. A long layoff won't help, and Dunham's huge reach advantage will spell doom. A decisive decision will justify the –240 risk. Once upon a time, Matt Serra was the welterweight champion. And, once upon a time, about four years ago, he fought tonight's opponent, Chris "Lights Out" Lytle in the The Ultimate Fighter 4 show. He won a controversial decision, and Lytle is delighted to get the opportunity to redeem himself in front of his hometown fans. The brash East Coaster Serra will thrive as a distinct underdog. Though known for his relentless attacks and heavy hands, surprisingly Lytle wins most of his fights by submission or decision. And, Matt Serra will not get submitted. His Renzo Gracie black belt was the first to be awarded to an American. I see this as the Fight of the Night with back-and-forth action, and both fighters showing their guts and letting their hearts hang out. Serra wins a decision, if he doesn't knock him out. Take Serra and grab the +120 underdog odds. If the above fight isn't the F-O-N, this one will be. Melvin "The Young Assassin" Guillard is a beast who has gotten better while training with Greg Jackson. His striking is crisp and his focus is renewed. But Jeremy Stephens has lead in his paws. Stephens is a better wrestler ... though he rarely uses that skill set. He prefers a powerful overhand right to do his speaking. This one should be toe-to-toe bomb throwing. Guillard has been known to gas (see Diaz fight), and that will be his downfall here. A thundering right-left-right combo will end this late in the second round. Another 'dog cashes! Let's try Stephens with a generous +140 price tag. This is KO of the night. Now let's take a quick look at the intriguing undercard ... You can see the following two fights FREE on Spike TV. Heavyweights Matt "Meat" Mitrione and Joey "Mexicutioner" Beltran will try to prove whose got the better blasting power. Don't look for much mat action here. Mitrione will be the one landing the lucky punch. He wins and cashes at –140. C.B. "The Doberman" Dollaway is another former ASU standout who has shown an erratic career inside the Octagon. His task of putting away Canadian journeyman Joe Doerksen won't be easy. Doerksen is a submission artist whose experience makes him very dangerous. Dollaway has a tendency to be overaggressive, and extending arms on a grounded opponent will lead to disaster. Hopefully Dollaway will know that and this will end with another TKO by the Doberman. Lay the –295. Julio Paulino has already beaten Terry Martin and Yundt, two UFC guys. While T.J. Grant looked bad against Johny Hendricks. Grant may be better skilled, but Paulino will have his hand raised when this one is over. Take the +140. I like Waylon Lowe at –120 to outwrestle Steve Lopez and finish him in the second. Thiago Tavares has some of the best jits around and has fought often in the UFC. Laying –300 on him to beat an inexperienced, small venue fighter like Pat Audinwood is a gift. Tavares chokes him out in the first round. In a circus sideshow, heavyweight 5-10" Mark Hunt, who hasn't won a fight in over four years, takes on a 6-7 300-pound giant in Sean McCorkle, who hasn't fought outside of Indianapolis. But guess whose beaten Hunt? Josh Barnett, Gegard Mousasi, Alistar Overeem, Melvin Manhoef, and Fedor Emelianenko. My God. E'nuff said. I'll take my chances on him and lay the –235 juice. First round KO. So let's see what we can do with our "fictitious" $1000 bankroll. Let's lay $225 to win $100 on Frank Mir to finish Mirko with submission of the night. Let's lay $99 to win $60 on Ryan Bader to keep his streak alive. Let's lay $144 to win $60 on Evan Dunham over the "Muscle Shark." Let's lay $70 to win $84 on Matt Serra in the fight of the night against Lytle. Let's lay $70 to win $98 on Jeremy Stephens' haymaker KO of the night. Let's lay $49 to win $35 on Meat Mitrione's fists. Let's lay $120 to win $40 on C.B. Dollaway to dominate. Let's lay $30 to win $42 on Paulino's mild upset over T.J. Grant. Let's lay $60 to win $27 on Hunt's knockout power. Let's lay $43 to win $40 on Lowe's powerful ground-n-pound. Let's lay $90 to win $30 on Thiago Tavares showing off his jits. OK, so in total, we are risking $1000 to win $616. Let's do it! Don't forget to donate part of your profits to your local youth wrestling program where tomorrow's champions are born. Enjoy the fights. I know I will.

MINNEAPOLIS -- A trio of All-Americans will represent the University of Minnesota wrestling team this year as captains, Gophers head coach J Robinson announced this week. Senior Mike Thorn and juniors Zach Sanders and Sonny Yohn have been tabbed to lead the team, which returns seven starters from last season, as the Gophers look to compete for their fourth national championship of this decade. “We have three great leaders on our team this season that represent the aggressive and dominating style and attitude our team wants to bring to the mat this year,” Minnesota head coach J Robinson said. “It’s going to be a fun year with these three leading our team.” Thorn returns to Minnesota as a senior after earning his first All-America honor in 2009-2010. The St. Michael, Minn. native earned a Big Ten championship as a junior at 141 lbs. before finishing seventh at the NCAA championships. Thorn finished off his junior campaign by scoring a comeback pin over Virginia Tech’s Christopher Diaz to push his career record to 72-39 with 23 pins and 15 major decisions. Excelling off the mat as much as on it, the business marketing major also earned Academic All-Big Ten and NWCA All-Academic Team honors in 2009-2010. Sanders, a junior, is a two-time All-American at 125 lbs, having placed fifth at nationals as a sophomore and sixth as a redshirt freshman. The Wabasha, Minn. native recovered from a first round loss at the NCAA tournament last year to record a career-best fifth-place finish, earning a 6-2 win over Purdue’s Cashe Quiroga in his final match. Sanders holds a 68-17 overall record with 12 career pins. Yohn enters his junior year fresh off his first appearance at the NCAA tournament, competing at 197 lbs. The Alamos, Colo. native wrestled to an eighth-place finish at nationals earning All-America honors after earning runner-up honors at the 2010 Big Ten Championships. Yohn holds a 38-28 career record, going 27-13 in his sophomore season. Yohn’s younger brother, Cody, joins the Gophers this year as a freshman. Minnesota opens the 2010-11 season on Nov. 13 at the Bison Open in Fargo, N.D.

Hello again Wrestling Fans. We return to the Brute Adidas studios for this weeks show brought to you by Kemin Agrifoods. Join Scott Casber, Geoff Murtha (Simpson) and Ryan Freeman (Ok State) and Randy Crimmins. Geoff Murtha joins us courtesy of Mass Mutual Financial Services, Ryan Freeman courtesy of ATT. Our Guests Include: (All times Central) 9:01 John Smith- Head Coach Oklahoma State 9:20 John Smith- Head Coach Oklahoma State (Continued) 9:40 Rob Hjerling- Head Coach of the Citadel Bulldogs 10:01 Rob Koll- Head Coach Cornell University 10:20 Shawn Charles- Head Coach AZ State 10:40 Tony Wenck- Big Brothers Big Sisters 10:50 Maureen Roshar - Wildrose Resort and Casino Wrestling fans- Episode 76 of TDR TV wrestling news is now on. Check your TV Guide for listings. How to watch and listen- TDR and TDR TV. It's appointment Radio and TV! 4.5 MILLION HOMES AND GROWING! TDR on Radio: LIVE Saturday at 9:00 AM CST on 1460 KXNO in Iowa. Saturday nights at 7:00 PM Eastern on Supertalk 1570 in Michigan, TDR TV: Mediacom Cable Ch. 22. IA, MO, AK, NE, MN, IL Tues. 5 PM, Sat. 10 AM Time Warner Cable NY Ch. 813 Sat. 12 Noon Comcast Cable Tennessee Ch. 96 Fridays 5 PM CATV- CCN, Pennsylvania Ch. 8 Fridays 5 PM Western Reserve Ohio Cable Ch. 9 Fridays at 5:30 (Premiers October 15th) Call your local cable operator and ask them to carry TDR TV TDR on Internet: You can join us 9 to 11 AM Saturday mornings at Takedownradio.com TDR TV On Internet: 31 various web sites now carry your favorite wrestling news show Thanks to our affiliates, our media partners and friends at Livesportsvideo.com. Thanks for watching and listening!

As the wrestling season's start is fast approaching, InterMat will be taking fans across the United States of America on a tour of scholastic wrestling. From early August until the middle of November, InterMat will introduce fans to the top senior wrestlers in the 49 states with scholastic wrestling. From Alaska to Florida, and from Maine to California, fans will gain exposure to the potential stars of future NCAA Championships. The rankings within this article do not necessarily reflect those done by InterMat. Did you a miss a Wrestling 49 feature? Visit Wrestling 49 archives. This is a list I have compiled of the Top 10 senior recruits in Washington, plus 10 honorable mention honorees. There are many more great wrestlers but we had to limit to 20, so this is it. All of these wrestlers have proven themselves on the mat and all should have great seasons. As in every season, some will have great joy at the end of the season and others will feel the sting of what might have been. We salute all the wrestlers whose past deeds have earned them a position on this list of honor and we also salute the thousands of wrestlers not listed here that will go out and give their all on the mat. Although a few select teams travel outside of the region to seek out national competition, the biggest gauge of Washington's area's talent will be seen once again this year at the Tri-State Classic taking place in Coeur d'Alene the third weekend of December, and the Pac Coast Championship held in Vancouver, Washington the first weekend of January. Below is a look at the Top 10 high school senior recruits from Washington's Class of 2010-11. Chris Castillo (Photo/Dave Jedlicka, jedicheetah.com)1. Chris Castillo School: Zillah Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 160 Projected College Weight Class: 149 Analysis: The No. 1-ranked senior is Chris Castillo. Castillo is a three-time state champion who is looking to join the elite fraternity of Washington four-time state champions. Only five wrestlers have won four titles in Washington. Castillo has also proven himself on the national level by going to Schoolboy Duals and dominating along with placing in Fargo as both a Cadet and Junior. 2. Ruben Navejas School: Kentwood Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 112 Projected College Weight Class: 125 Analysis: Navejas won the state 4A 103 title in 2009 after placing fifth in state as a freshman. He followed that up by winning the USAW Junior National freestyle title in Fargo in the 98-pound weight class. In 2010 he was defeated in the state final by Steven Hopkins, who has also placed at Nationals. They split four matches between them last year. Navejas went back to Fargo in 2010 and took second in the Junior 105 weight class. 3. Scotty Bacon School: Republic Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 152 Projected College Weight Class: 149 Analysis: Bacon is a two-time state champ in the B Division, the smallest division in the state. However, Bacon has proven himself by winning the Tri-State tournament in Idaho as both a sophomore and a junior. He was voted the Outstanding Wrestler at Tri-State in 2010. He went back to the NHSCA Junior Nationals in Virginia in March of 2010 and took third place. Note: I have been informed that Bacon has moved to California for his senior year. More details to follow. Antonio Brown (Photo/Dave Jedlicka, jedicheetah.com)4. Antonio Brown School: Orting Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 130 Projected College Weight Class: 125 Analysis: With a third-place finish as a freshman, and runner-up finishes as a sophomore and junior, Brown looks to finally add the title of state champion 1A in 2010-11. He was champion at the prestigious Tri-State tournament in Idaho. 5. Dylan Rutledge School: Auburn Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 189 Projected College Weight Class: 184 Analysis: Rutledge was the 4A state champion at 171 in 2010 and placed third as a sophomore in 2009 at 160. He also placed first at the Tri-State tournament and at the Pac-Coast tournament. Josh Lauderdale (Photo/Dave Jedlicka, jedicheetah.com)6. Josh Lauderdale School: Lakeside in Spokane Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 140 Projected College Weight Class: 141 Analysis: Tough kid who is just a couple of moves away from going for a third title this year, but instead he will be looking to capture his first state title as a senior. Lauderdale competes in 1A and has taken second, third and second the past three seasons. Each time he was defeated in close matches by a multiple-time state champs. This year looks to be his turn. He also has a 4.0 GPA, which should be of interest to many college coaches. He is the younger brother of a three-timer who is currently wrestling at Oregon State University. 7. Nikko Veltri School: Orting Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 152 Projected College Weight Class: 149 Analysis: Orting competes in 1A, but goes with the big boys in many larger tournaments during the season ... and has great success. The program has a Top 10 senior recruit almost every season and has two this season. Veltri placed third as a sophomore and was the 1A state champion last season at 145. 8. Brian Chamberlain School: Moses Lake Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 215 Projected College Weight Class: 197 Analysis: Moses Lake has been producing champions for decades and this season looks to be a big one for Chamberlain. He placed sixth as a freshman, but didn't place as a sophomore. Last season he was the 4A 215 champion and plans on returning to claim a second title. His practice partner is the returning 4A state champion at 285 and steel always sharpens steel. Dylan Hyder (Photo/Dave Jedlicka, jedicheetah.com)9. Dylan Hyder School: Yelm Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 125 Projected College Weight Class: 125 Analysis: Hyder flirted with a state title in his first two trips to the Mat Classic, taking second as a freshman and third as a sophomore. Last season he won the 3A title at 119 and looks to see if he can gain a second straight title and a fourth state medal. 10. Josh Musick School: Enumclaw Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 160 Projected College Weight Class: 157 Analysis: Another tough brother from a family of wrestlers who has his sights set on winning his first state title. He competes in 3A and took third and second in state over the past two seasons. He comes from a school with a long tradition of winning. Honorable Mention: Bryce Evans (Rogers) Hunter File (Enumclaw) Chris Mayolo (LaCenter) Billy Rhoads (Deer Park) Amando Deleon (Othello) Easton Hargrave (Tumwater) Caleb Thornhill (Yelm) Manny Ybarra (Quincy) Kabe Fluaitt (Moses Lake) Cameron Wade (Archbishop Murphy)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The University of Illinois announced its 2010-11 schedule Wednesday, highlighted by a season-opening dual against Missouri for the second-straight year and a Big Ten dual in December for the first time since 1996. The Illini begin the season by squaring off with Missouri on Friday, Nov. 12, at the Jon Davis Wrestling Center in Edwardsville, Ill., and will host Purdue on Sunday, Dec. 19, at 1 p.m. in a Big Ten clash just before the holidays. “As usual, our schedule is very challenging,” Illinois head coach Jim Heffernan said. “We try to make sure that our wrestlers face some of the best teams and individuals nationally throughout the year to best prepare them for the postseason. Between our duals and tournament schedule, we have achieved that.” After facing Missouri on Nov. 12, the Fighting Illini’s next event will be the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational on Dec. 3-4, one of the top early tournaments in collegiate wrestling. Illinois then returns home for final exams before hosting Purdue on Dec. 19. Just before the calendar turns to the new year, the Illini compete in the 48th annual Midlands Championships in Evanston, Ill., on Dec. 29 and 30. Illinois then welcomes West Virginia to Huff Hall on Jan. 7 before continuing Big Ten action at Northwestern on Jan. 14 and at Wisconsin on Jan. 16. The Illini return home to wrestle SIU Edwardsville on Jan. 21 and Minnesota on Jan. 23. The Orange and Blue will travel to Ann Arbor, Mich., to face the Wolverines on Jan. 30 before coming back to Huff Hall on Feb. 4 to face Ohio State. On Feb. 11, the Illini square off with Penn State in University Park, Pa., before traveling to Lock Haven for a dual on Feb. 12. Former Illini NCAA champion Matt Lackey currently is an assistant coach at Lock Haven. After returning home from the east coast, the Illini welcome Indiana to Huff Hall for the final dual of the season as well as the third-annual “Great Escape” promotion. The 2011 Big Ten Championships will be held at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Ill., on March 5-6, 2011, and the 2011 NCAA Championships will be held in the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pa., from March 17-19.

NORFOLK, Va. -- Old Dominion University wrestling will take on six opponents that were ranked in the top 25 last season, as ODU head coach Steve Martin released the 2010-11 schedule Wednesday afternoon. ODU begins the 2010 campaign with its annual Blue/Silver intersquad match on Sunday, October 24 before hitting the road for its first 11 events of the season. "We're excited to release the schedule, just in our dual meets we face seven teams that were in the top 20 last season," Martin said. "We're also excited about our home matches, facing three teams that were ranked in the top 25. The basis of the schedule is to have us at peak performance at the end of the year." The Monarchs will compete in the Hokie Open and Binghamton Open on consecutive weekends to begin the year. The Hokie Open will consist of nationally ranked programs such as Virginia Tech, Iowa State, Virginia and Kent State. ODU won six individuals at last year's event, including returners James Nicholson, Kyle Hutter, John Nicholson and Joe Budi. The Monarchs open match play on Nov. 20 at Northern Iowa and take on eight-time national champion Iowa State Nov. 21. The Panthers had four NCAA qualifiers last season while the Cyclones sent their entire squad for the fourth-straight year, producing two champions and three All-Americans. Old Dominion will stay in the Midwest to compete in the Hoosier Duals on Nov. 27 before returning east, traveling to American on Dec. 19. American had three all-Americans (second most) and finished tied for 14th at last year's NCAA Championships. ODU finishes 2010 at the Southern Scuffle and the Midlands Tournaments. ODU will face South Dakota State, Liberty, Northern Illinois and Indiana at the Hoosier Duals. South Dakota State and NIU each produced one national qualifier last year. Liberty produced six national qualifiers while the Hoosiers had six as well, with four returning after helping IU 14th place tie with American at the NCAA Championships. The Southern Scuffle will feature national title contender and 2009-10 runner-up Cornell, as well as Minnesota, Edinboro, and Kent State. The Midlands features some of the top teams in the country, including 23-time national champion and reigning champion Iowa. New to this year's field will be seven-time national champion Oklahoma, and Nebraska, who finished 12th at the NCAA Championships last season. ODU begins the new year at the Virginia Duals on Jan. 7-8 in Hampton before competing at the CAA Duals a week later. This year's duals will feature several top 20 teams, including Arizona State, Bucknell, Edinboro, Kent State, Penn State and Virginia. The Monarchs begin their home portion of the schedule on Sunday, Jan. 23 when they host George Mason. The match will be Youth Wrestling Night, featuring 3-4 youth matches during halftime. Old Dominion goes back on the road for two-straight matches, traveling to Central Michigan and NC State before ending the season with three-straight home matches. The Chippewas were one of just four teams to send their entire 10-man lineup to the NCAA Championships last year (Iowa, Iowa State and Oklahoma the others). They ranked as high as No. 6 during the year and have won nine-straight Mid-American Conference Championships. ODU begins the home stand on Feb. 10 versus Virginia Tech and follows that with a tri-meet, hosting Binghamton and UNC Greensboro on Feb. 13. The match against the Hokies will be fan appreciation and Spirit Night. The Monarchs will host Virginia on Feb. 20, which will also be senior day. The Hokies sent six wrestlers to last year's championships, producing one All-American, ranking as high as No. 14 during the year, while the Cavaliers had eight qualifiers, and finished 15th overall. Binghamton finished 21st at the NCAA Championships.

Bob Buzzard, 1972 Olympian and two-time All-American for Iowa State, and Dan Gable, 15-time NCAA championship coach for the University of Iowa, will go “On the Mat” this Wednesday, September 22. “On the Mat" is a presentation of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. The show can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa each Wednesday from 5:05 - 6:00 PM CST on AM 1650, The Fan. E-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with any questions or comments about the show. Buzzard was an Olympian on the 1972 Greco-Roman Olympic team at 149.5 pounds. A two-time All-American for Iowa State in 1964-65, Buzzard was part of the Cyclones’ first NCAA championship team in 1965. Gable, a 15-time NCAA championship coach for the University of Iowa and a 1972 Olympic champion, will discuss his experience at the recent World Championships in Moscow, Russia.

DAVIDSON, N.C. -- Davidson head wrestling coach Bob Patnesky announced the addition of Michael Childs to the staff as an assistant wrestling coach Tuesday. Childs, a four-year letter winner as a student-athlete at Drexel, brings a wide range of experiences to the Wildcats. "Michael comes to us with a wealth of knowledge," said Patnesky. "He has been around wrestling all of his life and is very excited for the opportunity to coach here. He will contribute to our program in a variety of ways." The Wayne, Pa. native spent six years as a high school head wrestling coach beginning in 2001. Childs began at Friends Select School in Philadelphia where he doubled participation rates and coached a wrestler to a top-12 finish at the National Prep Tournament. He then served as the head coach at Springfield Township H.S. in Erdenheim, Pa. for four years, where he increased participation rates and coached a wrestler to a fourth-place finish at the state championships. Most recently, Childs was assisting at his high school alma mater, Radnor, where as a student he posted a 91-19 record and a top-eight finish at the state championships, and was a freestyle state champion and a two-time Keystone State Games Champion. He spent the 2008-09 academic year at Penn State, where was a volunteer coach for the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club while serving as an academic tutor and mentor for student-athletes. Childs gained international experience beginning in 2007, serving as the manager and head wrestling coach at the Grip House in Glasgow, Scotland, a Muay Thai/mixed martial arts gym. He oversaw daily operation of the gym and trained professional fighters from throughout the UK and Europe in wrestling. Childs is the son of Jack Childs, who has been the head coach at Drexel for the past 35 years and has been inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Pennsylvania Chapter and the Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame. Michael competed for his father at Drexel, and graduated with a degree in psychology in 2003. Childs is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association and is currently pursuing a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification.

Troy Nickerson, the 2009 NCAA 125-pound NCAA champion and only five-time New York State champion has been added to the FLWC coaching staff. Nickerson placed at the NCAA Championships each of his four seasons with the Cornell Big Red, finishing second, third, first, and fourth. As a team captain in 2010, Nickeson led the Big Red to an unprecedented second-place team finish. He battled through major shoulder injuries his final two seasons at Cornell, which have required a number of reconstructive surgeries to repair. Nickerson will be taking most of this season to recover from these injuries, but plans on returning to competition in a quest to represent the USA Wrestling team in the 2012 Olympic Games. As a prep wrestler, Nickerson set new standards in New York State, winning a record five state titles for nearby Chenango Forks High School. A product of Section IV wrestling, and five-time Section IV champ, Nickerson will bring not only his skills and success to the FLWC program, but also his understanding of the demands for success in the Southern Tier area. The mission of the FLWC is to promote all levels of wrestling within the Finger Lakes region of New York State, and Nickerson's duties with the FLWC will focus on training and coaching the FLWC college team. He will also assist in the coaching of all levels of FLWC athletes, which consists of youth, high school, college and senior level wrestlers. Nickerson will be joining an FLWC coaching staff that also includes: Clint Wattenberg, Matt Azevedo, Mitch Clark, Eric Toftegaard, Mike Rodriguez, Josh Arnone, Brian Cook, Brian Alves, Matt Bogumil and Gene Nighman.

BLACKSBURG -- Former Ohio State University standout Lance Palmer has joined the Virginia Tech wrestling program as the volunteer assistant coach, as announced Tuesday by head coach Kevin Dresser, after wrapping up a stellar collegiate career. Palmer will be heavily i! nvolved with on-mat training with the middleweights and will help out in numerous other areas as well. A four-time All-American at Ohio State, Palmer took runner-up honors at 149 pounds his senior season at the NCAA Tournament. He also won the Big Ten title his final year, beating Iowa’s Brent Melcalf 9-3 in the finals. For his career, the Lakewood, Ohio, native posted a 121-31 record, including an impressive 61-8 mark over his final two seasons. He went 31-3 as a senior and was a tri-captain for the Buckeyes. “Lance came in and loved Virginia Tech and our direction,” Dresser said. “Lance Palmer is a huge name and has the reputation for being one of the hardest workers in Division I wrestling. The Hokie Wrestling Nation is fired up!” Palmer was a four-time Ohio prep state champion at St. Edward High, posting a 150-6 career record. He also was a 2006 Senior National Champion at 140 pounds.

As the wrestling season's start is fast approaching, InterMat will be taking fans across the United States of America on a tour of scholastic wrestling. From early August until the middle of November, InterMat will introduce fans to the top senior wrestlers in the 49 states with scholastic wrestling. From Alaska to Florida, and from Maine to California, fans will gain exposure to the potential stars of future NCAA Championships. The rankings within this article do not necessarily reflect those done by InterMat. Did you a miss a Wrestling 49 feature? Visit Wrestling 49 archives. South Dakota is gaining momentum on the national wrestling scene. The state may have just sent its best class of recruits to take the next step in college. Last year's class was led by Robert Kokesh (Nebraska), Seth Lange (Minnesota), Josh Keszler (UNO), and Jayd Docken (Augustana). The 2010-2011 class does not fall far off and is led by Fargo champion Logan Storley of Webster. The highly-touted Storley is making his bid for a sixth title and looks to join only one other South Dakotan that has accomplished the feat, Kirk Wallman (Freeman). The duo from Rapid City Stevens High School of Kris Klapprodt and Jarret Jensen would make a very nice addition to any college team and be able to compete with the best. Clint Wilson, Garret Heiberger, and Derrick Walraven all have wrestled in the national tournament and have gained valuable experience that will help them be successful not only on the mat this year, but on the mat in college as well. South Dakota is really working hard on building its summer wrestling programs as more and more kids are competing during the summer months. Look for Rapid City Stevens and Sturgis to continue battling for the top spot in South Dakota wrestling and entering in national rankings as a team during the season. South Dakota is also very proud to have had Les Sigman (Sturgis) compete for Team USA as a U.S. World Freestyle Team member this year. Keep up the great work, Les! Logan Storley1. Logan Storley School: Webster Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 171/189 Projected College Weight Class: 174 Analysis: Coming off a Fargo title in freestyle, Logan Storley looks to go out with a bang in South Dakota as he is going for his sixth state title this year. He has been compared by many to Lincoln Mcllravy, a South Dakota native who went on to win three NCAA titles at Iowa and three World-level medals in freestyle. 2. Kris Klapprodt School: Rapid City Stevens Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 171/189 Projected College Weight Class: 174 Analysis: Right on the heels of Storley sits Klapprodt, a very fierce competitor that will not back down from a brawl or a challenge. He was a Junior Nationals freestyle All-American in Fargo as well as the runner-up to Storley at NHSCA Nationals in Virginia Beach. Jarret Jensen3. Jarret Jensen School: Rapid City Stevens Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 160 Projected College Weight Class: 157 Analysis: The Stevens duo of Klapprodt and Jensen look to knock off the Sturgis Scoopers this year in the Class A tournament. Their best match of the season may come in the practice room. Jensen's father was a standout wrestler for SDSU. 4. Garret Heiberger School: Tri Valley Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 152 Projected College Weight Class: 157 Analysis: Heiberger looks for his third state title this year. A very strong wrestler that will succeed at the college level. 5. Clint Wilson School: Sturgis Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 215 Projected College Weight Class: 197 Analysis: Wilson looks to put the Sturgis Scoopers on his back as they try to defend their state title. He is also a standout on the football field for the Scoopers as well. Derrick Walraven6. Derrick Walraven School: Huron Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 152 Projected College Weight Class: 149 Analysis: Walraven looks to defend his state title this year and guide the Huron Tigers to a state championship as well. Derrick's brother, Dustin, is a member of the SDSU wrestling team and was one match away from qualifying for the NCAA Championships. 7. Sawyer Hoffman School: Watertown Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 145 Projected College Weight Class: 149 Analysis: Hoffman looks to rebound from his runner-up finish last year. He is the heart of a very tradition-rich Watertown Arrows wrestling team. 8. Tanner Donelon School: Garretson Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 145 Projected College Weight Class: 141 Analysis: A two-time state champ with a runner up finish, Donelon returns for his senior season and looks to prove that he belongs with the top five on the list. Brady Edgar9. Brady Edgar School: Redfield Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 130 Projected College Weight Class: 133 Analysis: Edgar, who is also a two-timer and a runner-up, looks for a third title. Behind Edgar are a group of Redfield wrestlers that look to dethrone Wagner as three-time champs. 10. Taylor Harris School: Harrisburg Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 285 Projected College Weight Class: 285 Analysis: Earning the state heavyweight title last year, Harris returns to defend his title. He is a very strong and mobile heavyweight. Honorable Mention: Jordan Redmond (Milbank) Pat Waring (Miller/Highmore) Tim Weber (West Central) Eric Reiff (Parkston) Thomas Geyer (Kimball)

The Banachs, the Brands, the Altons, and now the Scotts. For as long as I can remember, the sport of amateur wrestling has been no stranger to its fair share of historic tales involving twin brothers who have gone on to lead their respective schools to national prominence. For Cornell University head wrestling coach Rob Koll, the hope is that there is magic in another set of siblings as late last night, Craig and Owen Scott broke the news on their Facebook accounts that they have elected to verbally commit to the reigning EIWA team champions/NCAA national runners-up. The brothers, who enter their senior campaign as both returning individual and NYS DII team champions, become the second and third blue-chip members of the Class of 2011 to announce their intentions to continue their academic and athletic careers at the Ithaca, New York-based campus. They are joined by Caleb Richardson of Blair Academy who several weeks ago become the first student-athlete to commit to Koll and his staff. Sharing the No. 7 spot on the New York Top 10 in InterMat's Wrestling 49 series, winning at all levels is something that has become a rite of passage for the dynamic duo from Palmyra-Macedon High School. Combining for a quintet of All-State honors (Craig: fourth in 2008, second in 2009, state champion in 2010; Owen: fourth in 2009, state champion in 2010), the brothers Scott have been every bit as successful nationally as they have been within the friendly confines of the Empire State. Despite not making the podium in Rochester as a freshman, nationally it would be Owen who distinguished himself first, finishing as the NHSCA Freshman Nationals runner-up in Virginia Beach. A third-place finish the following year among his grade level peers would make it a cool 2-for-2 for Owen. However, not to be outdone, Craig would add a pair of All-American finishes to his resume as well, taking sixth in 2009 before improving his position by one slot, finishing fifth at the NHSCA Junior Nationals. Should they decide to make one final trip to Virginia to close out their scholastic careers, it goes without saying that both will be primed and prepared to claim the national titles that have thus far escaped their individual grasps. Expected to compete at 160 (Owen) and 171-pounds (Craig) respectively in 2011, the brothers are being projected at 174 and 184/197 on the collegiate level. In doing so, they will join what has quickly become a very stacked collection of Big Red upperweights, consisting of the likes of two-time All-American Cam Simaz, 2010 NCAA qualifier Steve Bosak, as well as 2010 recruits Matt Cunningham, Michael Alexander, Jace Bennett, Evan Knight, and Billy George. One thing is for certain, with a top level assistant coach in the person of former two-time NCAA champion Damion Hahn cultivating the Cornell big guys, regardless of who wins the starting spots, Cornell will be rock-solid from 174-197. But alas, as a native NYer, I would be lying if I did not say that I hope it is two of my guys (the Scott brothers) who are the ones making some serious noise on behalf of the EIWA perennial powerhouse Big Red. Commenting on the breaking news, both brothers were candid in stating that they have always wanted to attend the Ivy League institution of higher learning, emphasizing the educational opportunities as well as the overall strength of the wrestling program as primary factors in helping them to reach this mutual decision. Summing it up, Craig put it best when he said, "The more I thought about it, I could not see myself anywhere but Cornell." Both Owen and Craig cited interest in Binghamton, Virginia Tech, and Hofstra before ultimately letting their hearts and minds lead them to their dream school. On behalf of all of the amazing people at LHW, I sincerely congratulate both Owen and Craig, their family, and their coaches on this immense accomplishment. We wish them all continued success in 2011 and beyond! InterMat was granted permission to republish this article from LighthouseWrestling.com.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Bill Zadick of Colorado Springs, Colo. has been named as the National Freestyle Developmental Coach and Assistant National Freestyle Coach for USA Wrestling. Bill ZadickZadick has served on the national staff in the position of Resident Coordinator and Assistant National Freestyle Coach since January 2009. As the National Freestyle Developmental Coach, Zadick will oversee the programs intended to improve the quality and quantity of men’s freestyle athletes prior to the Senior level. He will also work to expand and improve the quality of volunteer freestyle coaches. In addition, Zadick will be responsible for the performance and development of elite teams at all levels in cooperation with National Team and Resident Coaches. “I was blessed to have come from some amazing programs growing up in wrestling. It has given me a unique perspective on development,” said Zadick. “I had some great coaches who had a huge impact and influence on my career from the earliest ages which carried through my entire career. I have a unique experience and passion for this new opportunity and a vision for where it can go.” Zadick reached the top of the freestyle wrestling world in 2006, when he won a World gold medal at 66 kg/145.5 pounds in Guangzhou, China. His younger brother Mike won a silver medal at 60 kg/132 pounds at the 2006 World Championships, making them the first U.S. brothers to reach the World finals on the same year since Tom and Terry Brands in 1993. Zadick also competed in the 2001 World Championships, placing seventh. He was a runner-up at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in 2000 and 2008. He was a three-time U.S. Nationals runner-up (2003, 2006, 2008) and a two-time World Team Trials runner-up (1999, 2002). Zadick won a bronze medal at the 2007 Pan American Championships, and won the Sunkist Kids International Open in 1997 and 1998. He won a NCAA Div. I title for the Univ. of Iowa in 1996 and was a two-time All-American, competing for the legendary Dan Gable. Originally from Great Falls, Montana, Zadick won four high school state titles for Great Falls High School (1988-91). He was active in USA Wrestling’s age-group programs as a youth and through college. Zadick was a U.S. Olympic Training Center Resident athlete from 2004-2008, where his freestyle career flourished on the mat. In his previous role within USA Wrestling, Zadick was a liaison between the U.S. Olympic Training Center and the resident athletes in all three styles. He was also part of the national freestyle coaching staff at all levels over the past two seasons. “Bill Zadick is a huge asset to this organization, who will lead a very important part of the USA Wrestling program,” said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender. “We are confident that he will excel in his new role with our freestyle team effort.” “We had several quality candidates for this position. Bill’s national reputation and his passion for this position gave us great confidence that he will do an outstanding job for our sport,” said USA Wrestling National Teams Director Mitch Hull. “Bill comes with a wealth of knowledge at the highest level. He has come through the national developmental program as an athlete and has worked with many of the coaches. Bill has a big challenge ahead of him. Our success in Rio de Janiero in 2016 and beyond is in his hands,” said National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones. Zadick looks forward to his new assignment within USA Wrestling. “Now more than ever, development is critical to our long term success as a nation,” said Zadick. “I look forward to working in this position with all of my energy and using every resource available. I seek to help create success for our grassroots coaches. Our coaches are one of the most important pieces of this puzzle. I also aim to improve the skills, technique and tactics of our athletes, as they progress through college and become Senior athletes on the international level. I feel tremendous responsibility with this position and am excited about the challenge and the opportunity.”

At the 2010 World Championships in Moscow, Russia, September 10-12, the seven members comprising the U.S. Freestyle Team went a combined 4-7. The U.S. tied for 22nd place with five team points. It was the first time the U.S. did not medal in men's freestyle since 1975 ... and must be considered the worst performance at this event in modern history. In the days since the competition, the results have yielded much head-scratching, finger-pointing, theorizing, and Monday morning quarterbacking. In the words of Zeke Jones, who serves as the national men's freestyle coach, "It's terrible." Jake Herbert (Photo/Tony Rotundo, Tech-Fall.com)The No. 1 explanation for the bad performance has to be that the team didn't peak when they needed to. In mid-July a U.S. team traveled to the very tough Heydar Aliyev Golden Grand Prix in Azerbaijan, put four wrestlers in the finals, and won two bronze medals. Americans defeated many decorated wrestlers at the event and the results put wind in the sails of U.S. wrestling fans. That wind left seven weeks later. At the World Championships, the American wrestlers simply did not show up with their best game. Travis Paulson (74 kg) and Les Sigman (120 kg) both lost to opponents they had beaten earlier in the year. Obe Blanc (55 kg) got pinned in a match he was winning and two returning World silver medalists, Mike Zadick (60 kg) and Jake Herbert (84 kg), failed to win a match. One reason given for the lack of U.S. success has been the current rules of freestyle wrestling, instituted by FILA. The rules are so unforgiving that matches are decided by the smallest of factors. So small that it is often difficult to replicate success. Of the seven weight classes, three 2009 World champions -- Mehdi Taghavi of Iran (66 kg,) Zaurbek Sokhiev of Uzebekistan (84 kg) and Khadjimourat Gatsalov of Russia (96 kg) -- failed to repeat. 55 kg and 66 kg saw first-time champions crowned. To win a match a wrestler must win two out of three two-minute periods. FILA has said they adopted this system to allow for weight classes to be competed in one day (a bracket with a bunch of matches that only last four minutes will go faster than one where each match is six) but there is also criticism that the two-out-of-three-period system hurts American wrestlers. U.S. wrestlers have been known to execute late-match comebacks via strong conditioning, but a wrestler can't come back in minutes five and six if a bout only lasts four. If a period ends 0-0 one wrestler will reach into a back and grab one of two colored balls. If the ball is his color he is allowed to grab one of his opponent's legs. He has thirty seconds to score. If he does, he wins the period. If he can't score, his opponent wins the period. Periods won in this fashion can feel monumentally unsatisfying for a fan and oftentimes seem very arbitrary. Over time, they yield results that show great inconsistencies in success. The ball grabs may go a wrestler's way one year and not his way the next. Mike Zadick (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)FILA has good reason to ignore criticism of the current rules since they have resulted in far fewer cries of corruption. International wrestling is filled with passion and -- even under the best rule systems of the past -- can feature action that is very difficult to score. An official could call something exactly as he saw it and fans from one country would agree with him while fans from another would not. This isn't to say that all claims of cheating and payoffs were without merit. But the new rules also allow for less actual corruption since the refs are a much smaller part of deciding matches than they used to be. But while the lack of outrage and decline in accusations of conspiracy may be good for FILA, it certainly doesn't seem to help bring in fans. A person introduced to freestyle wrestling tends to be surprised to learn how significant a factor the colored ball grab is. Take the same fan and explain to them how a folkstyle match was won on riding time and they are far less incredulous. Because luck is an undeniable part of the modern freestyle landscape, things usually either fall your way with wrestler A or B. This year, everything went against the U.S. And when that happens it's time to acknowledge that something is going on beyond luck. Ben Askren (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)Unfortunately for fans of American wrestling, the U.S. is the land of opportunity. Many of our most successful wrestlers move on after winning World or Olympic medals. Kurt Angle went on to professional wrestling. Stephen Neal went on to play football for the Patriots. Cael Sanderson went on to coach at the college level. Ben Askren, Mo Lawal, and many others have joined the ranks of MMA. Even Henry Cejudo has taken two years off since winning gold in 2008. Many wrestlers from Russia and former Soviet Republics will openly admit that they come from troubled areas. Wrestling is really all they have and they tend to stick around until someone better beats them. This result is medals ... lots of them. It's also difficult to begrudge U.S. athletes for making money outside of international wrestling after working so hard, but it also should make our decreasing medal count less surprising. USA Wrestling's Living the Dream Medal Fund does help keep wrestlers around, but when Ben Askren cannot make the U.S. World Team and then go on to make a hundred grand in MMA, it can be hard for U.S. wrestlers not to simply follow the money. And make no mistake about it, a big part of the success of wrestlers in MMA is due to the mat wrestling they get from folkstyle, not freestyle. If freestyle's evolution away from folkstyle wrestling has resulted in decreased success, then it must be noted it is also possible that folkstyle's evolution has not helped things either. One of the greatest strides folkstyle has made in the past two decades is in the realm of funk. Collegiate wrestling has become more and more adept in developing last-second methods in fighting off all-but-scored takedowns. There is far more diving through opponents legs, far more acrobatic flips to free a leg and far more putting one's head underneath an ankle from crazy positions. While these exciting, action-packed scrambles are filled with purpose, there is an argument to be made that becoming skilled in these dogfights is antithetical to scoring situations in freestyle wrestling. At this year's Worlds, the main problem was neither the setups nor the penetration of the team's leg attacks. It was finishing them. At 66 kg, 84 kg and 120 kg all three opponents scored off of U.S. offensive shots. Most of these points were match-deciders. Perhaps more surprising than the poor performance by the U.S. this year is Russia's continued dominance. Each of the former Soviet Republics has become its own powerhouse. Georgia won the Worlds in 2003, but Russia has been unstoppable since. Russia's dominance shows that success is worth striving for and we shouldn't just shrug our shoulders at the current rules. I do believe that USA Wrestling understands what is needed to get there. It is not a chess position that can't be won. We just need to get much better and much smarter. With that in mind, much has been made of U.S. wrestler Andy Hrovat, who has made the decision to leave the U.S. and train in Russia for seven months. How successful he is at the U.S. World Team Trials next summer will certainly indicate if this is a direction more of our athletes should go.

DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke University wrestling head coach Clar Anderson has announced that three-time All-American and 2008 NCAA champion Jordan Leen will join the Blue Devil program as an assistant coach. Leen will assist Anderson and assistant coach Glen Lanham in day-to-day duties and will work closely with the middle weight classes. "We are very excited to have Jordan join our staff," Anderson said. "I have no doubt that he will be able to translate his recent success at Cornell to our student-athletes and make us a better team. He recently competed for a similar prestigious academic school and won a national title along with two All-America honors. He adds a fresh insight into our program and will be very instrumental to our continued improvement." A 2009 graduate of Cornell University, Leen joins the Blue Devils after a stellar four-year career with the Big Red. He earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament all four years and captured All-America recognition in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Wrestling at 149 and 157 pounds during his collegiate career, the native of Soddy Daisy, Tenn., compiled a career record of 118-29 for an 80.3 win percentage. He was named to the All-Ivy League First Team three years and the second team once. As a rookie for the Big Red, Leen garnered the Ivy League Rookie of the Year award and was named to the All-Ivy First Team. He posted a 25-16 record in his first season and took third at the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Tournament to earn an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. After redshirting in 2005-06, Leen came back and had a breakout year in 2006-07. He posted a career-best 37 wins and eight falls from 149 pounds en route to an eighth-place finish in the NCAA Tournament. Leen registered arguably his best season as a redshirt junior, winning the NCAA title in the 157-pound division. He compiled a 27-3 overall record and captained the team to a ninth-place showing at the NCAA Tournament. Individually, Leen upset three competitors en route to his first-place finish. In his final season with the Big Red, Leen won his second EIWA Championship and took third at the NCAA Tournament. He posted an overall record of 29-3, marking second consecutive season he lost just three bouts. This past year Leen joined ESPN as a commentator during the 2010 NCAA Tournament. He was one of three former All-Americas selected to provide analysis during the semifinal bouts. The Blue Devils open the 2010-11 season on Nov. 6-7 at the Citadel Open and the Hokie Open, respectively.

HOBOKEN, N.J. -- Stevens Institute of Technology Head Wrestling Coach Mike Clayton recently announced the hiring of Damion Logan (Garfield, N.J.) as the Ducks' head assistant coach for the upcoming 2010-11 season. Logan joins the Stevens coaching staff after a successful two-year stint as the head assistant wrestling coach at the University of Pennsylvania from 2004-06. “Damion adds an additional dynamic to our room to help us ensure that the nation's top wrestlers are attracted to our program,” said Clayton. “He will help us continue to focus on providing world-class academic support, wrestling training, and character development to our student-athletes. Our team's success, both on and off the mats, is due to tremendous efforts on the part of the Stevens community's support, the support of our growing fan and alumni base, and the amazing work ethic of our wrestlers.” While at Penn, Logan helped haul in a pair of top-5 recruiting classes in 2004 and 2005. In addition to assisting then-head coach Zeke Jones – now with USA Wrestling – with the day-to-day operations of the Penn program, the Garfield, N.J. native played an integral role in the development of three Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) champions, three All-Ivy selections, and a trio of NCAA Division I All-Americans in Matt Feast, Matt Herrington, and Matt Valenti. While at Penn, Logan also helped produce a pair of All-Ivy Academic honorees during his tenure. Prior to his time with the Quakers, Logan enjoyed a decorated career at the University of Michigan. As a member of the Wolverines, Logan twice qualified for the NCAA Division I National Championships. A two-time NCAA Division I All-American, he served as the team's captain in 2000. “I am very pleased and honored to become part of the Stevens family. I am looking forward to working with the student-athletes, administration, and athletic department at one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the country,” said Logan. “I believe Coach Mike Clayton and I have a great outlook for the future and development of the Stevens wrestling program. I am looking forward to the upcoming 2010-11 wrestling season, and plan on producing a positive experience for our current and future student-athletes.” A standout at St. Joseph Regional High School, Logan was a three-time NJSIAA New Jersey State Wrestling Champion and four-time NJSIAA state finalist. Logan received his B.A. in Sports Management from the University of Michigan in 2001. Since graduating he has also aided in the development of the APEX wrestling school, while gaining professional experience in several commercial and educational career fields.