InterMat Staff

Marcus LeVesseur went where no other Division III college wrestler has ever gone before. From 2002-2007, the Minneapolis native compiled a perfect 155-0 record at Augsburg College and won four NCAA Division III titles, which had never been accomplished. In addition to starring on the mat for Augsburg, LeVesseur also excelled on the gridiron. He was a first-team All-MIAC quarterback for the Auggies. Marcus LeVesseur is one of the rising stars in MMA (Photo/13twentythree Photography)Following his college career, LeVesseur, a four-time Minnesota state champion, jumped into mixed martial arts (MMA). He is now one of the rising stars in the sport. On Friday night, LeVesseur will be featured on an MMA/boxing fight card put on by Seconds Out Promotions called St. Valentine's Day Massacre at Epic in Minneapolis. For information on the event or to purchase tickets, click HERE. RevWrestling.com recently talked to LeVesseur about his record-setting college wrestling career, his MMA career, whether he plans to ever wrestle again, and much more. While you were at Augsburg, you went undefeated (155-0) and won four NCAA titles. When you reflect on that amazing accomplishment, how much does it mean to you? LeVesseur: It means the world to me that I was able to accomplish my goal of being the second wrestler ever to go undefeated in college and win four NCAA titles. After I won my title my sophomore year, I was just amazed. I thought, 'Hey, I could really make this happen.' It helps me out in life now. It makes me think, 'What else great can I accomplish? Or what else do I have the passion to accomplish?' Coming out of high school, you were one of the top recruits in the country. You spent your first year at the University of Minnesota. What was that experience like for you? LeVesseur: That experience was awesome. Minnesota won the national title that season. I think the most important thing I took from that program was how intense they train. I really got used to their workout regiments. From being in the wrestling room at one of the top Division I wrestling programs in the country, I kind of knew how to train like a champion, which I've always done, but I just really took that philosophy my whole entire career. Wear your opponents down and force them to make mistakes. That's the Gophers motto nowadays. I just bought into it. Even though I transferred, I took that philosophy with me. The University of Minnesota had a wrestling room full of very talented wrestlers at the time, especially around your weight. Jared Lawrence won the NCAA title that season at 149 pounds and Luke Becker won the NCAA title at 157 pounds. What was it like working out with Lawrence and Becker? Marcus LeVesseur became the first Division III wrestler ever to win four NCAA titles and finish his career undefeated (Photo/The Guillotine)LeVesseur: It was awesome. I worked out with Luke Becker a few more times than I worked out with Jared Lawrence in the practice room. Those guys are phenoms. It was their fourth year in college. They really accepted me. And I'm really appreciative of that. It was a learning experience. After being highly recruited out of high school, you're kind of on cloud nine. And then after practicing in college, you're like, 'Man, OK, I had no takedowns today in practice. I almost got some, but Becker is so dang strong.' I think a lot of people go through that phase coming into a Division I program, especially a program like the U. Those guys are tough and they taught me a lot. As you're wrestling, some of the guys would just allow things to happen to them … whereas me and a couple guys would always fight through it and be stubborn to the situation. I think a lot of times that pushed the guys that had been there to really exceed their capabilities … and kind of put us back in our place. That was going on a lot and it was awesome. What caused you to make the decision to transfer to Augsburg? LeVesseur: One main thing was that I wasn't happy with everything that was going on at the U and in the wrestling program. And there were a few other key things, like family issues and problems, and then personal and social life problems. Those things just kind of attacked at one time. I just thought, 'OK, what's the best case scenario? And what's the next best scenario?' I spent a lot of time thinking about it. It really didn't help too much that my roommate, Cory Cooperman, was in the same position. Obviously, since we were roommates, we talked about whether we should transfer or stay and fight through it. The best choice for me was to cut ties and focus on school. That was my biggest focus my first month and a half there. I was doing superb in the classroom. I was pretty much getting a 4.0. About a month and a half into it, it became a little more challenging. There were a few more parties to attend. School slipped a little bit. So I'm like, 'Hey, I need to get this in check … because obviously I want to graduate.' And then I thought, 'What about transferring across the river to Augsburg?' Within the rules, I talked to (Jeff) Swenson. He was like, 'Our door is open if that is what you want to pursue.' So it just happened that I ended up wrestling for the Augsburg Auggies. How is your relationship with Jeff Swenson? Jeff SwensonLeVesseur: I value our friendship more than just about anything nowadays. I just think about the life lessons we talked about … and how he has sort of sculpted me into being the man I am … and helped me develop some of my characteristics. Maybe in the public's eye it might not have appeared this way, but I looked at Swenson as like a second father. He really opened up his heart and his arms and was willing to help me with some of the things I was having issues with. But then he was also the coach and helped me get better. He always challenged me to be a better wrestler, a better student, and a better man. And he succeeded in that. We still keep in contact nowadays. He's a great guy. I'm sure you heard the critics when you were in college. There were people who said someone with your talent had no business competing in Division III and should have been competing in Division I. Some people even went as far as to stay that if you broke Cael Sanderson's consecutive wins streak of 159, they wouldn't recognize it because you accomplished it in Division III and not in Division I. When you would hear criticism like that, did it bother you? LeVesseur: No, it didn't bother me. But you would hear it all the time if you went on TheGuillotine.com or TheMat.com. You would see some of the posts. A lot of times, that was my challenge. It motivated me. I was like, OK, we all have our opinions. If saying that is what you feel, I didn't mind that at all. I just used that as a little bit of fuel for the fire. Because of what you accomplished in Division III, there were people who wondered how you might have fared against Division I competition. At the time, did you ever think about how you might do against Division I competition? Marcus LeVesseur won his first three NCAA Division III titles at 157 pounds before moving up to 165 pounds for his senior season at Augsburg (Photo/The Guillotine)LeVesseur: I always thought about it. A lot of the guys that were at the top of the ranks were the guys I was wrestling with all the way up from middle school and high school. I kind of compared myself to them. There was one tournament that I wrestled in (University Freestyle Nationals) where I wrestled several NCAA Division I qualifiers at 165 and 174. I saw some competition there. Admittedly, probably not the toughest competition, but I wrestled some tough guys. I never let that get to me or bother me. I was just like, 'Hey, at some point, I will be wrestling some of these top guys … and that's in the future. When that time comes, then we'll have something to talk about.' Did you ever consider wrestling in the Midlands? LeVesseur: I for sure wanted to wrestle in the Midlands. There was always a conflict with Augsburg's schedule. Of course, I would have liked to have wrestled in the Midlands. When you were in high school, you defeated Olympian Ben Askren handily, 13-4, in the finals of the Bi-State Tournament in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Were you surprised by how successful Askren became after high school? LeVesseur: No, I wasn't surprised at all. Askren has a truly sound, developed, and unorthodox style. He's like Gumby. He can twist and turn. He's very good at countering people's attacks. When I wrestled him, I recognized that early in the match and was able to jump out to a big lead quickly … and then just sort of sat on it. But I wasn't surprised at all by his success. Obviously, if you're wrestling some of the top guys, like Chris Pendleton, year after year, with a similar style to mine, you're going to get good. Askren is a funky wrestler. His motto is "Fear the Funk" because he has a lot of funky stuff that is well-calculated and pinpoint. After your college wrestling career, did you consider pursuing an international wrestling career? Or were you set on getting into MMA? LeVesseur: At first, I was set on MMA. But then in 2007, with the 2008 Olympics approaching, I was training on my own and planned to wrestle in some tournaments. But then I ended up getting injured in November of 2007. I tore my MCL and my PCL. It was a grade II tear on my MCL, so there was no surgery on that. And then I had a slight tear on my PCL, so there was no surgery on that. So rehabbing back from that brought on 2008. My knee wasn't one-hundred percent yet. One of my favorite moves is a high crotch to the left side … and I'm not able to do that yet. So my knee isn't one-hundred percent yet. But when it does get back to one-hundred percent through rehab, I'll be back on the mat wrestling. You have had a successful start to your MMA career. What are you hoping to accomplish in the sport? Marcus LeVesseur is hoping to someday become a champion in a predominant MMA league (Photo/13twentythree Photography)LeVesseur: Ultimately, I'm looking to pursue my career for the next four years as 2012 approaches, so I can be a two-sport athlete, wrestling in tournaments and competing in MMA. I would love to be a champion in a predominant league … whether it's a UFC champion, a WEC champion, an Affliciton champion, or a Strikeforce champion. Those are some of the more credible leagues. I want to have a healthy career fighting in one of those leagues. And then after that, eventually look to open up a school for wrestling and self defense, which would include boxing, kickboxing, and jiu-jitsu. That's long-term, big-picture. I just want to take it year by year. It's an exciting sport and it's growing. If I can stay healthy and have a healthy MMA career, it's going to help with paying off loans and paying bills. What is your current training situation? Do you have a regular training academy or gym? LeVesseur: No. Right now, I'm just working out with several local fighters. I'll be looking to do some jiu-jitsu training at RevolutionMMA. And just the past several weeks I've been making contacts with the Minnesota Mixed Martial Arts Academy and Greg Nelson. But that has yet to be decided. But hopefully in the next few weeks I'll be at those places full-time. After going undefeated in college wrestling, was it tough to deal with losing in MMA? LeVesseur: Nobody likes to lose, especially if they have a strong passion and are a competitor. In wrestling, you can kind of master your style and then make your opponents have to adjust to it. If they don't adjust to it, then you can score points just by making it awkward or by throwing them off … and getting the victory. In the fight world, it's totally different. You have kicks coming at you. If you take someone down, and that guy is good on the ground, you have to watch out for submissions. So there are more ways in MMA to lose. The losses just pushed me to get back in the gym and work harder. Obviously, I know there are people out there who are better than me at pretty much everything I do, so that pushes me in my training sessions. Are there any MMA fighters that you admire? Roger Huerta wrestled at Augsburg before becoming an MMA standout (Photo/Sherdog.com)LeVesseur: I admire one of my real good friends, Roger Huerta. He fought in the UFC seven times. He was 6-1 in UFC fights. I look up to him a lot just because he's a friend of mine who has accomplished great things. This is the guy I was walking down the street with, living the same old life as me. I'm like, OK, I see the path he has taken … and now I'm right behind him, three years later. Besides Roger, I admire Georges St-Pierre. He's an animal. He's technically sound. I like Anderson Silva. Pretty much all the UFC champions right now, even Brock Lesnar. He's a dominating force. He controls the fight very well. As a wrestler, that seems pretty easy … go in there, take him down, control him, and pound him. But really, can you do that every single time? No. That's what makes it a great challenge for me … I have to be skilled in all these areas. I went out to California this past summer to tap into and network in the MMA market out West. I ended up at a Muay Thai school. I was training there for three months, full-time, three workouts per day. Just like wrestling, I'm trying to master my style so that I can keep that style up and cause fits for my opponents. You have a fight scheduled for Friday night at Epic in Minneapolis that is part of an event called the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. What are your thoughts on the fight? LeVesseur: I'm excited for the fight. I've been training real hard for this fight. I've had a couple injuries here and there the past few weeks, but I'm ready to go. Obviously, this is kind of dedicated to Scott LeDoux because of his situation (Scott LeDoux, a former professional boxer and current Executive Director of the Minnesota Boxing Commission, was recently diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease.) My thoughts go out to him and his family. I'm just glad that I can be a part of something this big for somebody so special to boxing and MMA in Minnesota. Your friend and high school teammate, Carey Vanier, is also competing on the card Friday night. Describe your relationship with him. LeVesseur: Carey and I are like brothers. Since I was 5 or 6 years old, he was always my neighbor right across the street. We grew up playing football together, wrestling together, and running around the neighborhood together. He's just a great guy. A very good friend of mine. Now that I'm 26 and he has been my friend for about 20 years, I think that's something very special that a lot of people don't find. If they do, those are good people to keep around you. So now in 2009, here we are, on the same card, fighting for a good cause, and pursuing our careers in MMA. I'm sure he's pumped up. I'm pumped up as well. I can't wait until weigh-ins, the last training session, going over the game plan, which has already been mapped out, and then just execututing.

Teague Moore, head wrestling coach for Clarion University, and Roger Moore, author of a new wrestling book on the military, will be the featured guests on Wrestling 411 Radio on Thursday, Feb. 12. This Thursday's edition of Wrestling 411 Radio will air at 7 p.m. CST. The show can be heard live by visiting www.wrestling411.tv and clicking on the "Listen Live" link. An archive of the broadcast will be available immediately following the show. Teague Moore is in his third year as the head wrestling coach at Clarion University. The Golden Eagles will face Pittsburgh and Cleveland State this weekend. Teague was a three-time All-American for Oklahoma State, winning an NCAA title in 1998 at 118 pounds. Roger Moore provides color commentary for Oklahoma State dual meets on 93.7 KSPI-FM radio in Stillwater and is a feature writer for W.I.N. Magazine. He is also the author of the recently published book "Glory Beyond the Sport: Wrestling and the Military." This new book was published by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum as part of its 2009 exhibit which honors those wrestlers who served in the military. Wrestling 411 Radio can be heard live by visiting www.wrestling411.tv. Questions for any of the guests are welcome. You may e-mail your questions to Kyle Klingman at kklingman@mediasportsproductions.com.

The mobile Brute Adidas Studios will hit the road again this week and head to Columbia Missouri and Little Rock, Arkansas. TDR Schedule: Friday Feb. 13th 6:30 PM CST Missouri Vs. Cent. Mich Live Play By Play with Scott Casber and 2 X NCAA Champ Ben Askren Sat Feb. 14 th 9:05 AM to 11:00 AM CST Reg. TDR Show with Special Guests Pat Smith and Greg Hatcher Live from the Jack Stephens Center on the Campus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock On phone or in studio guests include Jeff Murphy with the Kemin review of the National landscape of College Wrestling and Hofstra's Head Coach Tom Shifflet Sat Feb. 14 th 6:30 PM CST TakedownRadio.com presents the inaugural Arkansas State HS Championships. Join Scott Casber and Don Schuler for the presentation of the Finals of this historic event. Special Thanks go out to Pat Smith and Greg Hatcher and their team for the hard work and dedication to purpose in organizing wrestling at the club and HS level in Arkansas. Great work guys. Please note you can listen to these broadcast at no charge at Takedownradio.com courtesy of our partners at Livesportsvideo.com and all of our tremendous sponsors who understand that wrestling is the backbone of all that is good in sports.

Relentless. If there's one word to describe Ohio State's 165-pound sophomore Colt Sponseller, it's relentless. It's a word used repeatedly by the Buckeye's head coach Tom Ryan, assistant coach Joe Heskett, and by Colt Sponseller himself, in separate interviews. Colt Sponseller"He's relentless," says Heskett, who works with RevWrestling.com's No. 2-ranked 165-pound wrestler every day in the Ohio State practice room. "He wants to win so bad. He wants to dominate opponents." "He wrestles all-out, all the time. His gas tank is unlimited. He runs a five-minute mile, all at the same speed. He could run the second mile in five minutes, too." The 2002 NCAA champ at 165 pounds for Iowa State continues, "Colt goes all out in practice, in matches, even in his thinking." Coach Ryan concurs. "He trains like a true champion … A truly relentless competitor." Colt Sponseller even uses the word to describe himself. "I approach life being relentless. Do everything as hard as you can. You don't want to take any shortcuts." This relentlessness has been on display throughout Colt Sponseller's mat career. Among the highlights: A three-time Ohio high school state champ and 2007 NHSCA Senior Nationals champ … then, a 16-4 season as a true freshman at Ohio State last year, and, as of this writing, a 25-3 record as a sophomore. Raised right on a farm Colt Sponseller is very much a product of his upbringing. He grew up on a horse farm in Holmes County, Ohio -- Amish country, northeast of Columbus. "I grew up, helping out," says the Buckeye 165-pound starter. "You're bailing and mowing hay, doing chores, working out. There's not much leisure time." Colt Sponseller is 25-3 this season and ranked No. 2 in the country at 165 pounds by RevWrestling.com (Photo/Kevin Schlosser)"My dad instilled in me the mentality to work hard." As Buckeye head coach Tom Ryan puts it, "He was raised the right way. His mother raises horses, and has an incredible work ethic. His dad has coached wrestling, and also sets high standards." In fact, Colt Sponseller's father Randy helped set the stage for both of his sons to enter the sport of wrestling. (Colt's older brother Clint is a senior at Kent State University in Ohio, wrestling at 149 for the Golden Flashes.) "Dad wrestled in high school," says the Ohio State sophomore. "He runs the youth program back home, and had been a junior high coach." "I started wrestling at about age 4. In sixth grade, I won a state title in youth competition. Wrestling didn't really become serious for me until sixth grade." That may have been just the first in a number of turning points in Colt Sponseller's wrestling career. High school mat star In his freshman year at West Holmes High School, Colt Sponseller compiled a 30-11 record. He qualified for the Ohio high school state tournament, and placed third at 130. By his own admission, a real turning point was the following summer -- and an early sign of his relentless nature: "The summer after freshman year, I didn't take a day off. I worked out with my high school coaches. My work ethic skyrocketed. I turned up my work ethic to a whole new level. I wanted a state title bad." Prior to becoming a Buckeye, Colt Sponseller was a prep standout at West Holmes High School in Ohio (Photo/Kevin Schlosser)Apparently that summer of intensity paid off. As a sophomore, Sponseller compiled a 36-1 record, and won the 2005 Ohio High School Division II title – the first of three. It's that first state championship -- the result of a 16-5 major decision over Grant Hoppel of Columbus St. Francis in the 140-pound finals -- that Colt Sponseller calls, "the most meaningful. My first state title was the first time anyone at my school was a state champ in any sport." Sponseller's high school mat career continued on an upward trajectory. In his junior year, he built a 42-1 record, and won his second Ohio state title -- this time at 152 pounds, edging Josh Rohler of Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, 5-4, in the finals -- then went on to win the 2006 National High School Junior Wrestling Championships at 152. Senior year was the pinnacle of Sponseller's prep career. He was 46-0 that year, capping his career by winning his third Ohio Division II state title, this time in decisive fashion, with a 25-12 major decision over Canal Fulton North's Kyle Haddox in the 160-pound finals. A few weeks later, Sponseller won the NHSCA Senior Nationals championship at 160… claimed Outstanding Wrestler honors for the event … and was named NHSCA's High School Wrestler of the Year. He was also voted Region 4 Wrestler of the Year, and a finalist for the Junior Dan Hodge Trophy, awarded by WIN (Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine) to the nation's top high school wrestler. Sponseller graduated from West Holmes High with an overall record of 154-13. Born to be a Buckeye As expected for a high school wrestler with these accomplishments, Colt Sponseller "got a lot of letters from colleges, starting junior year." Tom Ryan recruited Colt Sponseller to Ohio State (Photo/Kevin Schlosser)"I looked at Iowa State, Kent State, Minnesota," says Sponseller. "I always wanted to be an Ohio State Buckeye." "However, early in my high school days, Ohio State wasn't doing so hot. When Coach Ryan came on board and said he wanted to keep Ohio kids in Ohio, that really spoke to me." Tom Ryan mentions how Colt Sponseller expressed his intense desire to be a Buckeye during the recruiting process: "We talked about running the steps at Ohio Stadium as part of our training program. Guys puke their guts out after that run. But I remember him saying, ‘Coach, I've been waiting to run those steps all my life.'" In his bio in the Ohio State wrestling media guide, Sponseller says, "I chose Ohio State because it is The Ohio State University." Further demonstrating his determination to be a Buckeye, in an article from the Daily Record announcing that he had been voted the newspaper's 2006-07 Athlete of the Year -- which included a one-time college scholarship of $750 -- Sponseller explained how he could accept the scholarship: "I sacrificed a full-ride from three other schools to go to the school I wanted to go to. There isn't a lot of money available for wrestling and I understand that …" A frustrating freshman season Colt Sponseller had a strong first season wearing the Scarlet and Gray, compiling a 16-4 record as a freshman. There's always the issue of whether to redshirt a student-athlete who's new to college. In the case of not redshirting Colt Sponseller, it's something that Coach Ryan wrestles with to this day: "For me, it was a hard decision … We forced it along, but he helped us win some important dual meets." Colt Sponseller started his freshman season with a bang, but had a disappointing Big Tens (Photo/Kevin Schlosser)Part of that questioning may spring from Colt Sponseller's breaking his hand early in his freshman season. "He was out two months," according to assistant coach Joe Heskett. "He missed out on Vegas and other early-season tournaments. He didn't have the opportunity to learn like most freshman do, in those early events." After recovering from the hand injury, Sponseller had an impressive debut for the Buckeyes in December 2007, getting a 3-1 decision over Wisconsin's Jake Donar. He was one of two Ohio State wrestlers to record a perfect 5-0 mark at the 2008 NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals. Yet, ask the Buckeye 165-pounder about the high points of his young college career, and he immediately responds, "I really haven't accomplished anything yet." He quickly follows up with, "I had an alright year ‘til the Big Tens. I just didn't have the tournament I wanted." At the 2008 Big Ten Championships, Colt Sponseller was seeded fourth in the 165-pound bracket. He drew a bye in the opening round, then, in his first match, lost in overtime to Illinois' Roger Smith-Bergsrud, the fifth seed. In the consolation bracket, Sponseller fell to unseeded Luke Manuel of Purdue, and did not place. Nor did he qualify for the 2008 NCAA Division I Championships. "You learn from things," says Sponseller. "The Big Tens motivated me to keep that from ever happening again. I've stepped it up a lot more." Joe Heskett weighs in: "After the Big Tens, Colt has learned strategy. It's definitely helping him win the big-time matches now." "One of his most special attributes is his openness," adds Heskett. "He's open to learning, willing to grow." Sophomore success That openness to learning and relentless pursuit of perfection seems to be paying off for Colt Sponseller in his sophomore year. Right now, he's 25-3, with four pins, five technical falls, and three major decisions. Among the highlights of his second season as the Buckeye 165 starter: placing second at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational … getting a 4-1 win over Jarrod King to help rally the Buckeyes in a win at Edinboro … and being named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week in mid-December 2008. Ask Colt Sponseller to describe his wrestling style, and the first word out of his mouth is, "Relentless. Always in your face, always trying to score. Always looking for the takedown." Joe Heskett"Some guys may have more muscle mass. I know that I can't rely just on superior conditioning. But, if I can get a guy tired by the third period, well, it's helped me win a lot of my matches." "Relentless" is also the first word out of Tom Ryan when asked about his 165 starter's mat style. "His greatest gift is tolerating discomfort. He has unbelievably high threshold for discomfort." Joe Heskett agrees: "He puts in an amazing amount of work. He's able to push his body to incredible extremes … When you wrestle him, he will make you tired." "He has a great belief system. He trains to win." Life beyond wrestling In addition to being relentless on the mat and in the training room, Colt Sponseller brings a similar level of intensity to his studies. As a freshman, he earned All-American Academic honors. When asked about his class work, the sophomore responds, "It's a lot harder this year … It's your responsibility as a student-athlete to do well in the classroom. After all, you can't be a wrestler all your life." So, does Colt Sponseller have a life beyond the practice room and classroom? Yes, apparently in the offseason. The guy who grew up on a farm says, "I love the outdoors -- hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, paintball … I also like hanging out with friends, talking about anything but wrestling." "I love to cook," adds Sponseller. "I'm very much a work-in-progress in the kitchen … With my parents both being busy, I had to learn to fend for myself, doing my own laundry and my own cooking." Colt Sponseller is a business major. Right now, he's not sure what type of career might be waiting for him after graduation, but, in discussing his interest in cooking, he discloses, "I'd like to run my own business someday. Maybe even a restaurant." He's also open to the idea of possibly becoming a coach. "I'd love to be a college coach. I like the intensity. I think I could turn my hard work and determination as a wrestler into a successful coaching career." Colt Sponseller has quickly become a fan favorite (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)Sponseller has nothing but praise for his coaches in Columbus: "I think the coaching staff has really turned things around. They want us to win, to prepare us for success in life. They're great human beings." His coaches return the compliment. "Colt is the prototypical Buckeye, what we want here at Ohio State," says assistant coach Joe Heskett. "He excels in every way. He's a great person, a great student, a great wrestler." "Colt Sponseller and Mike Pucillo have jump-started our rebuilding program," according to head coach Tom Ryan. "(Sponseller's) quickly become a fan favorite here … Expectations are sky-high for him." "Colt Sponseller is good for college wrestling," Ryan continues. "He's equally impressive off the mat, too." "He sets the standard, not just for the team, but for the sport."

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- North Carolina 125-pound freshman Nick Shields has been named Atlantic Coast Conference Wrestler of the Week after helping the Tar Heels nail down a key conference win and a non-conference victory over the weekend. Shields scored a pin and a major decision in victories over NC State and Ohio. The Metairie, La., native got the Tar Heels off to a fast start in the 33-12 win over the Wolfpack with his first career pin in 2:47 against Greyson Mills on Friday. On Saturday, Shields recorded a major decision in North Carolina's 26-12 victory over the Bobcats. Shields dropped Tim Silvers in the final seconds for an 8-0 victory to record his fifth win in the last seven bouts, With the win over the Wolfpack, the Tar Heels (12-7) completed a 4-1 regular season versus ACC competition. North Carolina still has three non-conference dual matches scheduled before the ACC Wrestling Tournament in Blacksburg, Va., March 7.

PARK RIDGE, IL -- Iowa 133-pound wrestler Daniel Dennis has been named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week. It is the first time the junior from Ingleside, IL, has earned the honor. Dennis, who is ranked number one in the nation in the Intermat/NWCA/NWMA poll and by W.I.N. Magazine, posted two Big Ten road wins against ranked opponents last weekend. He scored a 3-2 victory over defending Big Ten champion Franklin Gomez of Michigan State Friday night in East Lansing. It was only the second loss of the season for Gomez, who was ranked first by Amateur Wrestling News and W.I.N. Magazine at the time. Dennis followed with a 6-3 victory over #9 Jake Strayer of Penn State Sunday afternoon at University Park. The Hawkeye junior is 21-2 in collegiate competition this season, 16-2 in dual matches and 4-0 in Big Ten duals. He has won his last six bouts. Dennis is the third Hawkeye to earn the honor this season. Senior Alex Tsirtsis (141) was named Dec. 9 after the Iowa-Iowa State dual, and junior Dan Erekson (Hwt.) followed on Jan. 27 after wins against Wisconsin and Illinois. With only two weeks left in the 2008-09 regular season, the top-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes (20-0, 4-0 Big Ten) will host its final Big Ten duals in Carver-Hawkeye Arena this weekend. Iowa will put a 34-match winning streak on the line when it hosts #25 Purdue (11-4-1, 0-3-1 Big Ten) Friday at 7 p.m. and #8/#13 Minnesota (14-5, 4-1 Big Ten) Sunday at 2 p.m. The Iowa-Minnesota dual will be aired live on Iowa Public Television and taped delay at 7 p.m. on the Big Ten Network. Tickets are available from the UI Athletic Ticket Office at 800-464-2957, 319-335-9327 or www.hawkeyesports.com.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Sophomore D.J. Russo (Netcong, N.J.) was named the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Wrestler of the Week, the group announced Monday. The heavyweight earned the honor after pinning American's Quinton Pruett in the final bout of the match to clinch the victory for the Scarlet Knights. RU faced a four-point deficit heading into that final bout and Russo pinned Pruett in 3:06 to earn six points and propel Rutgers to a 19-17 victory over No. 21 American. "D.J. has been doing great things for us all year and he came through again," said Rutgers head wrestling coach Scott Goodale. "It doesn't get any better than that when a heavyweight earns a pin to win the match." It was Russo's ninth pin of the season as the redshirt sophomore improved his record to 24-11 overall and 14-6 in dual competition on the year. The victory extended RU's school-record victory total to 19 as the Scarlet Knights improved to 19-5 on the season and 7-1 in the EIWA. Rutgers also handed American its first loss in the conference. The Scarlet Knights will travel to Annapolis, Md. this Friday to face EIWA foe Navy at 7:00 p.m.

THIS WEEK With only two weeks left in the 2008-09 regular season, the top-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes (20-0, 4-0 Big Ten) host its final Big Ten duals in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa will put its 34-match winning streak on the line when it hosts #25 Purdue (11-4-1, 0-3-1 Big Ten) Friday at 7 p.m. and #11/#13 Minnesota (14-5, 4-1 Big Ten) Sunday at 2 p.m. ON THE AIR Radio - Steven Grace and two-time Hawkeye NCAA champion and four-time all-American Mark Ironside will call the action live on AM-800, KXIC and www.hawkeyesports.com. Broadcasts are available using the Hawkeye All-Access subscription ($14.95 per month or $119.95 per year). Television - Iowa Public Television will air a live broadcast of the Iowa-Minnesota dual, while the Big Ten Network will air a taped-delay broadcast of the match Sunday at 7 p.m. Tim Johnson, Jim Gibbons and former Hawkeye Head Coach Dan Gable will call the action for the broadcast. Internet - Press releases, meet results and audio broadcasts are available on the University of Iowa's website, www.hawkeyesports.com. Current staff and student-athlete head shots can be found at pics.hawkeyesports.com. HAWKEYE WRESTLING TICKET INFORMATION Tickets for Iowa's two remaining home duals are on sale at the UI Athletic Ticket Office at 800-464-2957, 319-335-9327 or www.hawkeyesports.com. Against Purdue, tickets purchased in advance are $10 for adults and $5 for youth. Tickets purchased at the meet are $12 for adults, $6 for youth. UI students and children ages five and under will be admitted free. Against Minnesota, tickets purchased in advance are $13 for adults, $7 for youth and $2 for children ages five and under. Tickets purchased at the meet are $15 for adults, $8 for youth and $2 for children ages five and under. Due to the possibility of a sellout crowd, the first 1,000 general admission University of Iowa students will be admitted free of charge after they log-in to their student account at www.hawkeyesports.com to reserve a seat and download a free paper ticket. After that allotment is sold out, students may purchase reserved seats at the youth price. SO LONG SENIORS Four Hawkeye seniors will be honored before the Iowa-Minnesota dual on Sunday. Charlie Falck (Stawberry Point, IA), Alex Tsirtsis (Griffith, IN), Derek Coorough (Hillsboro, WI) and T.H. Leet (Atlanta, GA) will be making their final collegiate appearances in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. DENNIS NAMED BIG TEN WRESTLER OF THE WEEK Iowa 133-pound wrestler Daniel Dennis has been named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week. It is the first time the junior from Ingleside, IL, has earned the honor. Dennis, who is ranked number one in the nation in the Intermat/NWCA/NWMA poll and by W.I.N. Magazine, posted two Big Ten road wins against ranked opponents last weekend. He scored a 3-2 victory over defending Big Ten champion Franklin Gomez of Michigan State Friday night in East Lansing. It was only the second loss of the season for Gomez, who was ranked first by Amateur Wrestling News and W.I.N. Magazine at the time. Dennis followed with a 6-3 victory over #9 Jake Strayer of Penn State Sunday afternoon at University Park. The Hawkeye junior is 21-2 in collegiate competition this season, 16-2 in dual matches and 4-0 in Big Ten duals. He has won his last six bouts. Dennis is the third Hawkeye to earn the honor this season. Senior Alex Tsirtsis (141) was named Dec. 9 after the Iowa-Iowa State dual, and junior Dan Erekson (Hwt.) followed on Jan. 27 after wins against Wisconsin and Illinois. PURDUE BOILERMAKERS Purdue is ranked 25th in the USA Today/NWCA/Intermat coaches poll. The Boilermakers are 11-4-1 (0-3-1 Big Ten) with wins over Eastern Michigan (33-6), Campbellsville (44-0), Northern Illinois (32-9), Mt. St. Joseph (30-15), Notre Dame OH (26-15), George Mason (24-15), UNC-Greensboro (30-9), Central Florida (44-9), Findlay (45- -1), Ashland (35-3) and East Stroudsburg (49-0), losses to Old Dominion (12-22), Illinois (11-29), Indiana (12-21) and Ohio State (10-28), and a 19-19 tie with Penn State. Head Coach Scott Hinkel is 21-12-1 in his second season at his alma mater. Hinkel was an all-American at Purdue, competing for the Boilermakers from 1984-87. He is assisted by Tom Erikson (Oklahoma State, 1987), Glenn Lanham (Tennessee, 1988) and Chris Fleeger (Purdue, 2008). The Boilermakers are led by senior Jake Patacsil (149) and sophomores Luke Manuel (165), A.J. Kissel (184) and Logan Brown (197). Patascil is ranked eighth in the nation, and brings a 28-4 overall record and 3-1 Big Ten mark to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Manuel is ranked 16th in the nation with a 21-9 record, while Kissel is 14th with a 24-6 record and Brown 13th with a 24-8 mark. MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS Minnesota is 14-5 (4-1 Big Ten) and ranked 11th in the nation USA Today/NWCA/Intermat coaches poll and 13th by W.I.N. Magazine. The Golden Gophers have posted wins over Portland State (54-0), Northern Colorado (42-4), North Dakota State (36-6), Army (26-15), Air Force (41-3), Harvard (28-20), Buffalo (27-13), Wisconsin (22-15), Penn State (21-18 & 20-19), Arizona State (26-12), Michigan State (30-6), Ohio State (18-16) and Northwestern (18-16), and losses to Nebraska (18-21), Oklahoma State (13-23), Iowa (7-27), Ohio State (12-25) and Michigan (16-17). Head Coach J Robinson is 346-115-3 in 23 years at Minnesota. He has coached 11 NCAA champions, 39 Big Ten champions and 89 all-Americans at Minnesota. He has led the Golden Gophers to six Big Ten and three NCAA titles. Robinson served as interim head coach at Iowa in 1984, when then-Head Coach Dan Gable coached the U.S. Olympic team. He was also an assistant coach (1976-83) and graduate aassistant (1972-76) at Iowa. Robinson is assisted by Minnesota alums Joe Russell (1992), Brandon Eggum (2000) and Luke Becker (2003). Minnesota is led by junior Jayson Ness (133), sophomores Mike Thorn (141) and Ben Berhow (Hwt.), and redshirt freshman Zach Sanders (125). Ness, who was a two-time all-American and Big Ten finalist at 125, is ranked fifth in the nation at 133 with a 27-4 record. Sanders is ranked eighth with a 29-3 record, Thorn is eighth at 25-10 and Berhow is 21-6. THE SERIES Purdue - Iowa leads the series, 34-4-3, and has won the last 22 meetings. The Hawkeyes also hold an 18-1-2 advantage in Iowa City. Iowa won the last meeting (36-3) in 2007 at West Lafayette. Purdue's last win in the series was 23-9 at Iowa City in 1961. Minnesota - Iowa leads the series, 64-24-1, and is 30-12 in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes won the last meeting (27-7) at the 2009 Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals in Cedar Falls last month. Minnesota's last win in the series was a 29-13 victory in Iowa City to close out Iowa's 2006-07 dual season. MARQUEE MATCH-UPS There are eight marquee match-ups based on the probable starters for this weekend's duals. The individual rankings listed below are the most recent from the NWCA/Intermat/NWCA poll. Iowa vs. Purdue 149 - #1 Brent Metcalf (Iowa) vs. #8 Jake Patascil (Purdue) Metcalf is 24-0 and riding a 56-match winning streak. Patascil is 28-4 and has won 10 of his last 11 matches. Metcalf who has a 1-0 record in the series - posted a 18-5 major decision at the 2007 Midlands finals. 165 - #3 Ryan Morningstar (Iowa) vs. #16 Luke Manuel (Purdue) This will be the first meeting between Morningstar and Manuel. Morningstar, who will be making his 62nd consecutive career dual start, is 21-4 in collegiate matches and 16-4 in duals. Manuel is 21-9 and 1-3 in Big Ten duals. 184 - #3 Phillip Keddy (Iowa) vs. #14 A.J. Kissel (Purdue) Keddy is 20-0 in dual competition and on a 10-match winning streak. Kissel is 24-6 and has won 10 of his last 11 matches. This will be the first meeting between the two. 197 - #18 Chad Beatty (Iowa) vs. #13 Logan Brown (Purdue) Beatty and Brown have not met in collegiate competition. Beatty is 12-3 with a 3-1 Big Ten dual record, and has won his last four matches. Brown is 23-8 this season and also has a 3-1 record in Big Ten duals. Iowa vs. Minnesota 125 - #4 Charlie Falck (Iowa) vs. #8 Zach Sanders (Minnesota) Hawkeye senior Charlie Falck will be competing in his final dual in Carver-Hawkeye Arena against Minnesota's Sanders. Falck enters the weekend with a 17-1 season record, going 15-0 in duals and 4-0 in Big Ten duals. He has won his last five matches. Sanders is 29-3 and 3-2 in Big Ten duals. His two Big Ten losses were to Penn State's Brad Pataky (14-7) and Northwestern's Brandon Precin (8-7). It will be the first meeting between the two as Falck did not compete at the 2009 National Duals due to injury. 133 - #1 Daniel Dennis (Iowa) vs. #5 Jayson Ness (Minnesota) Dennis handed Ness his second loss of the season (6-4) when the two met at the National Duals. The Hawkeye junior has won his last six matches and brings a 21-2 record to the dual. Ness is 27-4 with a 4-1 Big Ten dual record. 141 - #2 Alex Tsirtsis (Iowa) vs. #8 Mike Thorn (Minnesota) Tsirtsis will also be competing in his final dual at Carver-Hawkeye. He has a 2-0 record against Thorn - pinning him in 1:16 at the 2007 Iowa-Minnesota dual and scoring a 2-1 win at the 2009 National Duals. Tsirtsis has won his last four bouts and is 20-2 this season. Thorn is 25-10 and has a 4-1 Big Ten dual mark. Hwt - #7 Dan Erekson (Iowa) vs. Ben Berhow (Minnesota) Erekson is 1-0 against Berhow - scoring a 3-2 decision at the 2009 National Duals. The Hawkeye junior had won eight of his last nine matches before posting an injury default in last week's dual at Michigan State. Erekson is 17-6 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten. Berhow is 21-6 and has won his last seven bouts. HAVEN'T WE MET? Following are past results between the Hawkeyes and their probable Purdue and Minnesota opponents that were not mentioned previously in the release. 157 - Matt Ballweg (Iowa) vs. Tyler Safratowich (Minnesota), 0-1 Safratowich maj. dec. Ballweg, 11-3 - at 2009 Keen/NWCA National Duals 165 - Ryan Morningstar (Iowa) vs. Scott Glasser (Minnesota), 1-0 Morningstar dec. Glasser, 6-4 - at 2009 Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals 174 - Jay Borschel (Iowa) vs. Nick Corpe (Purdue), 1-0 Borschel maj. dec. Corpe, 9-0 - at 2008 Big Ten Championships 174 - Jay Borschel (Iowa) vs. Kaleb Young (Minnesota), 1-0 Borschel maj. dec. Young, 12-3 - at 2009 Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals 184 - Phillip Keddy (Iowa) vs. Sonny Yohn (Minnesota), 1-0 Keddy maj. dec. Yohn, 11-3 - at 2009 Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals LAST MEETING - HAWKEYES DOMINATE PURDUE, 36-3 Iowa won nine of 10 matches to defeat Purdue (36-3) at West Lafayette, IN, on Jan. 26, 2007. Senior Mario Galanakis scored his 35th career victory at 133, decking Sean Schmaltz in 2:48. Griffith, IN, native and Iowa junior Alex Tsirtsis had a happy homecoming with a 20-10 major decision over Nick Bertucci at 141. Hawkeye senior 149-pounder Alex Grunder upset Purdue's 11th-ranked Jake Patacsil, 7-5. Grunder avenged an earlier season loss to Patacsil with the win and scored his fifth straight victory. Hawkeye junior Mark Perry kept the Hawkeyes on track with a 2:27 pin over Justin Fraga at 165. Senior Eric Luedke (174) and redshirt freshman Phillip Keddy (184) followed with decisions to make the team score 32-0. Purdue scored its only points of the night at 197 when Nathan Moore defeated Iowa redshirt freshman Rick Loera, 6-0. Hawkeye heavyweight Matt Fields scored his 55th career win with a 14-4 major decision over David Pisarck to end the dual. Iowa 36, Purdue 3 125 - Charlie Falck (I) maj. dec. Brandon Tucker (P), 17-9 133 - Mario Galanakis (I) pinned Sean Schmaltz (P), 2:48 141 - Alex Tsirtsis (I) maj. dec. Nick Bertucci (P), 20-10 149 - Alex Grunder (I) dec. Jake Patacsil (P), 7-5 157 - Ryan Morningstar (I) dec. Jake Murphy (P), 3-1 165 - Mark Perry (I) pinned Justin Fraga (P), 2:27 174 - Eric Luedke (I) dec. Jason Martin (P), 11-7 184 - Phillip Keddy (I) dec. Nick Skinner (P), 3-2 197 - Nathan Moore (P) dec. Rick Loera (I), 6-0 Hwt. - Matt Fields (I) maj. dec. David Pisarcik (P), 14-4 LAST MEETING - IOWA DEFEATS MINNESOTA, 27-7 Iowa defeated Minnesota (27-7) in the second round of the 2009 Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls Jan. 10. The Hawkeyes picked up their 60th National Duals victory in the win over Minnesota. Junior Daniel Dennis, who is ranked fifth at 133, posted his 30th career win with a 6-4 upset over fourth-ranked Jayson Ness of Minnesota. Top-ranked junior Brent Metcalf posted his 49th straight win with a 23-8 technical fall in 6:22 over Minnesota's Brian Peterson at 149 to remain undefeated. Juniors Jay Borschel (174) and Phillip Keddy (184) posted major decisions as the Hawkeyes won the final five bouts to seal the team win. Iowa 27, Minnesota 7 125 - Zach Sanders (M) dec. J.J. Krutsinger (I), 10-5 133 - Daniel Dennis (I) dec. Jayson Ness (M), 6-4 141 - Alex Tsirtsis (I) dec. Mike Thorn (M) 2-1 149 - Brent Metcalf (I) tech. fall B. Peterson (M), 23-8, 6:22 157 - Tyler Safratowich (M) maj. dec. Matt Ballweg (I), 11-3 165 - Ryan Morningstar (I) dec. Scott Glasser (M), 6-4 174 - Jay Borschel (I) maj. dec. Kaleb Young (M), 12-3 184 - Phillip Keddy (I) maj. dec. Sonny Yohn (M), 11-3 197 - Chad Beatty (I) dec. Chris McPhail (M), 9-4 Hwt - Dan Erekson (I) dec. Ben Berhow (M), 3-2 HAWKEYES GO 2-0 ON FIRST BIG TEN ROAD TRIP The top-ranked Hawkeyes picked up two Big Ten wins while covering 1,700 miles on a four-day bus trip last weekend. The team left Iowa City Thursday, posted a 22-15 victory over unranked Michigan State Friday night at East Lansing, traveled from Michigan to Pennsylvania Saturday and pounded #22 Penn State (31-6) Sunday afternoon at University Park before heading back to Iowa. Six Hawkeyes went 2-0 on the trip. The Spartans put up a strong fight Friday night at Jenison Field House in front of 1,103 fans, but the Hawkeyes held on for their 33rd straight win. Iowa jumped out to a 16-0 lead with wins at the first four weights. Iowa senior Charlie Falck posted his 85th career win with a 25-13 major decision over Eric Olanowski at 125 to start the dual. In the night's marquee match, Hawkeye junior Daniel Dennis handed Franklin Gomez his second loss of the season with a 3-2 victory at 133. Dennis, who is ranked first in the nation by Intermat/NWCA/NWMA, improved to 20-2 with the win. Davison, MI, native Brent Metcalf celebrated his homecoming by sticking David Cheza in 4:41 at 149. Michigan State posted three straight one-point wins at 157, 165 and 174 to make the team score 16-9. Hawkeye juniors Phillip Keddy (184) and Chad Beatty (197) both posted decisions to seal the team victory. Beatty picked up his 25th career victory with the win. Hawkeye junior heavyweight Dan Erekson was injured in the first period of his match and could not continue - defaulting to Alan O'Donnell to end the dual. Iowa posted its 20th season win Sunday when it pounded #22 Penn State, 31-6, at Rec Hall. Iowa won eight matches in front of over 5,000 fans to post its 34th straight victory. Iowa started the dual at 165 pounds, jumping out to a 16-0 lead with wins at the first four weights. Third-ranked junior Ryan Morningstar rebounded from his loss Friday night at Michigan State with a 5-4 win over #20 Dan Vallimont at 165. Iowa sophomore Colby Covington followed with a 3-2 upset over #16 Quentin Wright at 174, recording his first dual win in a Hawkeye singlet. Covington was wrestling up a weight for injured Hawkeye starter Jay Borschel. Keddy posted his 65th career win and his 10th straight victory with a 25-10 technical fall in 6:59 over Jack Decker at 184. Keddy remains undefeated in dual competition (20-0) and has a 23-1 season mark. Beatty scored his second pin of the season - sticking J.R. Brown in 5:26. Penn State freshman heavyweight Cameron Wade used a significant weight advantage to beat Iowa redshirt freshman Brodie Ambrose, 4-0. Ambrose, who was wrestling up a weight class, is a 197-pounder for Iowa. The Hawkeyes bounced back to take the next four weights and seal the team win. Falck controlled his 125-pound match with #13 Brad Pataky, posting a 9-3 win. Falck, who is ranked fourth in the nation with a 17-1 record and 15-0 dual mark, snapped Pataky's six-match winning streak and extended his own to five. Dennis posted his second big win of the weekend with a 6-3 decision over #9 Jake Strayer at 133. Dennis, who jumped to the top of the 133-pound rankings last week, is on a six-match winning streak and is 21-2. Second-ranked Alex Tsirtsis followed at 141 with a 6-2 win over Frank Molinaro to improve to 20-2. Metcalf posted his fifth straight pin and 57th straight victory at 149 when he decked Penn State's Colby Pisani in 2:18 at 149. Pisani was wrestling for injured Penn State starter Bubba Jenkins, who is ranked second in the nation. Metcalf picked up his 60th career win with the victory and is 25-0 this season. Penn State closed out the dual at 157 with Tim Darling's 5-4 victory over Hawkeye sophomore Matt Ballweg. WRESTLING SUMMER CAMPS For dates and more information about 2009 Iowa Wrestling Summer camps visit www.iowawrestlingcamps.com. HAWKEYES LOOK TO EXTEND STREAKS Iowa has won its last 34 duals, and its last 27 duals away from Iowa City. The school record for overall consecutive dual wins is 42 (1994-97), and for consecutive away dual wins is 31 (1994-97). The 34 straight wins rank third in school history, while the 27 away victories rank second. Junior Brent Metcalf (149) has a streak of his own, winning his last 56 bouts. Former Hawkeye Jim Zalesky (1981-84) holds the school record for consecutive wins with 89. CARVER-HAWKEYE ARENA Carver-Hawkeye Arena has been the home of Iowa wrestling since 1983. The Hawkeyes are 167-18 (.902) in the arena, which includes a record 10 victories during the 1986 season. Iowa has recorded 16 undefeated seasons in the arena, with the most recent (8-0) occurring in 2002-03. The dual wrestling attendance record for Carver-Hawkeye Arena is 15,955, set when Iowa defeated Iowa State (20-15) on December 6, 2008. The arena seats 15,500 for a dual wrestling meet. HAWKEYES SET ATTENDANCE RECORD Iowa set the national collegiate dual meet attendance record of 15,955 when it hosted #2 Iowa State Dec. 6 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The previous record of 15,646 was set Feb. 1, 2002, when Minnesota hosted Iowa at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The Hawkeyes won the Iowa State dual, 20-15. CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE The Hawkeye wrestling staff of Tom Brands, Terry Brands, Doug Schwab, Mike Zadick and Jared Frayer earned a total of one Olympic gold medal, one Olympic bronze medal, six NCAA titles, 11 conference titles and 15 all-America honors. Their combined college career wrestling record is 487-83-2 (.858). H. A. W. K. CLUB PARTIES After 15 years at the First Avenue Club, the post-meet H.A.W.K. club parties will have a new location for the 2008-09 season. All parties will be held on the second floor of Kinnick Stadium's Brechler Pressbox. Using the Gate D entrance, take one of the elevators to the second floor, take a left out of the elevator and another left at the hallway. The final season party will be held after the Minnesota dual. HAWKEYE WRESTLING HISTORY Iowa's overall dual meet record is 848-215-30 (.789) in 97 seasons. The Hawkeyes have won 21 national titles and 32 Big Ten titles. Iowa's 49 NCAA champions have won a total of 76 NCAA individual titles, crowning six three-time and 14 two-time champions. The Hawkeyes' 101 Big Ten champions have won a total of 182 conference titles. There have been seven four-time, 18 three-time and 24 two-time Iowa winners. Iowa's 135 all-Americans have earned all-America status 273 times, including 17 four-time, 27 three-time and 33 two-time honorees. UP NEXT Top-ranked Iowa (20-0, 4-0 Big Ten) will close out the 2008-09 regular season with a Big Ten road trip. The Hawkeyes will wrestle at #18/#23 Indiana (14-4-1, 1-2-1 Big Ten) Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. (CT) at University Gym. Iowa will then travel to #16/#13 Nortwestern (9-5-1, 2-2-1 Big Ten) for its final dual of the season Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. (CT). The dual will be held at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

In any discussion of all-time great high school wrestling coaches, the name Bob Siddens automatically comes up. Siddens coached at Waterloo West in Iowa from 1950-1977, where his "lads" (as he referred to his wrestlers) claimed eleven state team titles and 51 individual championships. To many wrestling fans, Siddens is known as "the man who coached Dan Gable in high school." Still others might remember him as an NCAA referee. Now all these facets of Robert Saunders Siddens' life -- and more -- are presented in a brand-new, 224-page book titled Siddens! Win with Humility, Lose with Dignity -- But Don't Lose! by Don Huff and Mike Chapman. Meet Bob Siddens Bob Siddens was raised in the small town of Eagle Grove, in north-central Iowa, about a dozen miles from Humboldt, the hometown of early 1900s professional wrestling legend Frank Gotch. (Interestingly, according to the book Siddens!, the future high school coach wrestled in front of a crowd for the first time at age 5 at a professional wrestling event in Council Bluffs, Iowa, taking on his twin brother Charlie.) Siddens wrestled at Eagle Grove High School, where he was a four-time state tournament qualifier ... and a two-time runner-up. He continued his education -- and wrestling career -- at what was then called Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa), where he was teammates with NCAA champs (and future college coaches) Gerry Leeman and Bill Koll. [Link to Bill/Rob Koll Rewind feature] After graduation, Siddens returned to his high school alma mater to coach wrestling for one year ... then, in 1950, accepted the head coaching position at Waterloo West. In his 27 years at the helm, Siddens built a dynasty. His Wahawks compiled a 327-26-3 record (including a 88-dual win streak over seven years), winning eleven team titles, with 51 individuals winning Iowa state championships. (Two of the best-known: Dale Anderson, and Dan Gable.) Siddens also had a long career as a mat official for high school and college matches, serving as a referee in 24 NCAA championships. He is now enjoying retirement in Waterloo. A division of labor, a labor of love The authors of Siddens! know their subject well. Both consider Bob Siddens a friend. Don Huff wrestled for Bob Siddens at Waterloo West (one of four Huff brothers who took to the mats for the Wahawks), winning Iowa high school state titles at 95 pounds in 1956, and at 112 in 1957. He continued his mat career at Colorado State College, then at the University of Iowa. Huff returned to West High, serving as Siddens' assistant coach for ten years before taking the helm in 1978. Huff was head coach of the wrestling Wahawks for 20 years. Bob Siddens and Dan Gable"When coach Siddens came to Waterloo, I was 11," said Don Huff. "I've known him for 60 years." A native of Waterloo, Mike Chapman is an award-winning writer, having authored more than two dozen books, many of them about wrestlers and wrestling. He also founded WIN (Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine) and what is now known as the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo. Don Huff had come up with the idea of writing a tribute to his high school coach. But he was a bit concerned about taking on the project. "I'm not an experienced book writer," Huff disclosed. "When I actually started writing the book, I asked Mike for help." Together, the two came up with a division of labor for the Siddens book. "Mike did quite a bit of the historical part of the book," said Huff. "He got into more of the growing-up years, Siddens' high school, college, the service. I did the years of Siddens as coach." With these assignments in mind, Mike Chapman and Don Huff each interviewed Bob Siddens and his wife Joyce. "He was very willing to talk," according to Huff. "He likes to talk about his wrestlers and the sport." "We talked to a lot of his guys and the stories are pretty much the same. Everybody who wrestled for him thought their time was the best, yet they also thought they were the only ones who felt that way." What makes Siddens a winner Much has been made about the impressive stats that Bob Siddens' teams compiled in his more than a quarter-century as Waterloo West coach ... and the impressive roster of wrestlers who competed for him. Among his wrestlers who won Iowa high school state titles, then went on to become NCAA champs: Dale Anderson (Michigan State), Rich Binek (Iowa State), and Dan Gable (Iowa State). How did Bob Siddens do it? There is a nuts-and-bolts, how-to-coach element ... and a more personal, human element. "He expected his wrestlers to be warmed up when they got to the wrestling room," said Don Huff. "When he came to West, the room was so small, he had to divide the team into three groups. Each group worked out while the other two watched ... There were 100 guys in the program at one time." Dan Gable and Bob SiddensThat procedure remained in place when the Wahawk matmen moved into larger digs when the present Waterloo West High opened in the mid 1950s. It paid dividends in terms of each group of wrestlers getting the instruction and attention they needed from coach Siddens ... and provided those who were on the sidelines an opportunity to learn by observing. Huff said that Siddens was respected by his own wrestlers and their parents, as well as by coaches and wrestlers in other schools. "Guys from other high schools who went on to college would come to the room to work out," according to Huff. "It's about his leadership abilities," said Mike Chapman. "I don't think there are too many others who have those qualities." "Siddens was a very intuitive and skilled motivator ... Readers will take away some insights as to how to mentor young people." As Huff pointed out, "He has a master's degree in counseling, and served as a high school counselor for nearly 20 years. He knew how to meet his kids on their level." "He has a lot of compassion for those who wrestled for him," Huff continued. "There are coaches with great records who have wrestlers who don't care about their coach." Mike Chapman concurred with that thought: "I can't think of ever hearing anyone say anything that could be considered even slightly negative about him." A fitting tribute Mike Chapman described Siddens! Win with Humility, Lose with Dignity -- But Don't Lose! as "more a tribute than a straight biography." With that in mind, along with providing a narrative of the major chapters in Bob Siddens' life, the book features quotes and letters from a number of his wrestlers who pay tribute to their coach and mentor ... and provide the reader with insights into the man who contributed so much to wrestling, and to the lives of his wrestlers. Siddens! also includes the year-by-year dual-meet records for the Waterloo West wrestling program during coach Siddens' tenure, and lists the individuals who placed at the Iowa state championships. What's more, the book is a visual treasure-trove , with more than four dozen great photos of Bob Siddens as a child, as a wrestler, and as coach. As Don Huff said, "Young coaches might like to read it, not how to run a practice, but to get insights into a successful wrestling coach." To purchase the Siddens! book, contact Don Huff by email at donwhuff@Q.com, or by phone (319) 233-2404. The book may also be ordered by sending a check for $19.95 + $5 for shipping to: Don Huff, 3444 Rosehill Terrace, Waterloo, IA 50701.

High school event (one division) open to wrestlers in grades 7-12 Scholastic style (folkstyle) rules Registration rate: $35 if registered on or before September 20. $45 after September 20. The high school weight classes approved by the National Federation of State High School Association's rules committee in 2011 will be used. Those weight classes are 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 182, 195, 220, and 285 No weight allowance 2-2-2 periods for championship bracket matches, 2-1-1 periods for consolation bracket matches Minimum rest time between matches is 15 minutes Headgear is not required Certified officials will be used Each of the 28 finalists will receive custom, limited edition InterMat JJ Classic finalist fight shorts from Cradle Gear Weight classes will be seeded by a committee and will be based on state, regional, and national accomplishments USA Wrestling-sanctioned event. Wrestlers must have a current USA Wrestling membership card. Not a USA Wrestling member? Purchase USA Wrestling membership card The head official will conduct a skin check of all wrestlers prior to the start of the event. The official will make the decision whether or not a wrestler can compete. If a wrestler has a skin condition, the wrestler must have a current physician's statement at the skin check which clears him for competition. Officials may disqualify a wrestler if a skin condition appears active

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Utah Valley University sophomore heavyweight Diego Avalon (Corpus Christi, Texas/Mary Carroll HS) has been named the Western Wrestling Conference's Wrestler of the Week as announced by league officials. Avalon led UVU to its 10th consecutive win on the season and also a 3-0 start in Western Wrestling Conference action Saturday night at North Dakota State. Avalon, normally a 184 lbs. competitor, stepped up to wrestle at heavyweight for the Wolverines. With the dual score notched at 15-15, Avalon was able to beat the Bison's Tyler Hemmesch, 3-2, to give Utah Valley the 18-15 victory. UVU has been wrestling without a "real" heavyweight grappler this season and Avalon has stepped up for the Wolverines on a number of occasions but none bigger than his last victory. The undersized Avalon, who gave up at least 80 lbs. in the match, scored first on an unsportsmanlike call against Hemmesch in the first. After an escape tied it up in the second, Avalon scored on a takedown to take a 3- 1 lead. The UVU sophomore then kept Hemmesch at bay, only allowing another point on riding time, to win his match and the dual in dramatic fashion. Utah Valley is now 10-2 overall and (3-0 WWC). Avalon's season record is now 10-12 (3-3 duals) with all of his dual matchups coming at heavyweight. The Western Wrestling Conference is comprised of seven schools including the Air Force Academy, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Utah Valley and Wyoming. Other nominees: Air Force - Karl Oeser, Fr., 184 lbs., Wichita, Kan. (Maize HS) North Dakota State - Gabriel Mooney, Sr., 141 lbs., Greenbush, Minn. (Greenbush-Middle River HS) Northern Colorado - Kenny Hashimoto, Jr., 141 lbs., Thornton, Colo. (Thornton HS) Northern Iowa - Alex Dolly, Sr., 184 lbs., Mishawaka, Ind. (Mishawaka HS) South Dakota State - Tyler Sorenson, Jr., 197 lbs., Garretson, S.D. (Garretson HS) Wyoming - Michael Martinez, R-Fr., 125 lbs., Pagosa Springs, Colo. (Pagosa Springs HS)

The 2009 World Team Trials, presented by the U.S. Marines, will be hosted at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, May 30-31. This event will determine the athletes who will represent the United States at the 2009 World Wrestling Championships in Herning, Denmark, Sept. 21-27. Competition will be held in the three Olympic styles of the sport: Greco-Roman, men's freestyle and women's freestyle. The Local Organizing Committee is the Council Bluffs Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We are very pleased that USA Wrestling is bringing the World Team Trials to Council Bluffs. We believe that this is one of a series of events that will put Council Bluffs on the national map," said Bob Mundt, President and CEO of the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce. "Wrestling is very popular in this area, and many World-class wrestlers come out of this region. We take great pride in our wrestling tradition." The nation's best Olympic-caliber wrestlers will be on display, including numerous past Olympic and World medalists, as well as collegiate national champions and All-Americans. Ticket prices have been established, including a number of discount programs for current USA Wrestling members. All-Session tickets cost $45 for adults and $30 for youth (high school and younger). However, current USA Wrestling youth members (high school and younger) can receive an All-Session ticket for just $15. The single day price is $30 for adults and $20 for youth (high school and younger). However, current USA Wrestling youth members (high school and younger) can receive a single day ticket for just $10. "USA Wrestling is excited to bring this outstanding event to Council Bluffs," said USA Wrestling National Events Director Pete Isais. "It is nice to form a partnership with the Council Bluffs CVB to provide discounts for USA Wrestling youth members. Our goal is to expose top international wrestling to more fans, with a focus on young athletes." USA Wrestling has hosted this popular event in the state of Iowa in the past. Most recently, the World Team Trials were held in Sioux City, Iowa in 2006 and in Ames, Iowa in 2005. Iowa and the surrounding Midwest states are considered a hotbed for amateur wrestling, with a strong fan following for the sport. Athletes must qualify to participate in the World Team Trials, through a series of qualifying events and performance standards. In addition to determining the athletes who will represent the United States at the 2009 World Championships, the World Team Trials will also identify the members of the U.S. national team for 2009-10 in all three styles. The top three athletes in each weight class are considered members of Team USA. In addition to the best wrestlers from all across the nation, there are expected to be numerous participants who are either natives of Iowa and Nebraska, or attended college in those two wrestling-rich states. Council Bluffs natives Trent and Travis Paulson, who were college wrestling stars at Iowa State, are among the nation's top freestyle wrestlers and are expected to compete in this event. The Paulsons attended Lewis Central High School, and are currently training for their international careers at the Univ. of Nebraska in Lincoln. Numerous other athletes with a strong local connection are expected to participate. For more information on this exciting event and other USA Wrestling programs, please visit TheMat.com (www.TheMat.com) WORLD TEAM TRIALS, presented by the U.S. Marines At Council Bluffs, Iowa, May 30-31 SATURDAY, MAY 30 Men's Freestyle: 60 KG, 74 KG, and 96 KG Greco-Roman: 55 KG, 74 KG, 84 KG, and 120 KG Women's Freestyle: 51 KG, 59 KG, 67 KG and 72 KG 9:00 am – 11:30 am - Session I - Preliminaries, Quarterfinals and Consolations 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm - Session II - Semifinals, Consolations, Consolation Semifinals and Challenge Tournament Finals 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm - Session III – Final World Team Trials and Third Place Matches SUNDAY, MAY 31 Men's Freestyle: 55 KG, 66 KG, 84 KG and 120 KG Greco-Roman: 60 KG, 66 KG, and 96 KG Women's Freestyle: 48 KG, 55 KG, and 63 KG 9:00 am – 11:30 am - Session I - Preliminaries, Quarterfinals and Consolations 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm - Session II - Semifinals, Consolations, Consolation Semifinals and Challenge Tournament Finals 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm - Session III – Final World Team Trials and Third Place Matches, followed by the presentation of the 2009 U.S. World Championship teams

Cornell University head wrestling coach Rob Koll and three-time All-American Gregor Rob Koll and Gregor Gillespie will be the featured guests on Wrestling 411 Radio on Tuesday, Feb. 10. This Tuesday's edition of Wrestling 411 Radio will air at 7 p.m. CST. The show can be heard live by visiting www.wrestling411.tv and clicking on the "Listen Live" link. An archive of the broadcast will be available immediately following the show. Koll is in his 16th season as the head wrestling coach at Cornell University. His teams have consistently placed in the top ten at the NCAA tournament, including top five finishes in 2004 and 2005. Cornell is currently ranked third in the nation with an 8-2 record for the season. Gillespie, a senior at Edinboro University, is currently ranked first in the nation at 157 pounds. A three-time All-American, including an NCAA title at 149 pounds in 2007, Gillespie has compiled a 31-0 season record. He is 142-10 during his career at Edinboro. Wrestling 411 Radio can be heard live by visiting www.wrestling411.tv. Questions for any of the guests are welcome. You may e-mail your questions to Kyle Klingman at kklingman@mediasportsproductions.com.

Doug and Mack Reiter will be radio show guests this week "On the Mat" on Wednesday, February 11. Doug is the father of the ultra-successful Reiter brothers who have competed at Don Bosco High School in Gilbertville, IA, since the 1997-1998 season. Joe, Mack, Eddie and Bart Reiter have combined to win eight individual state championships and 14 state medals over the last 11 years. Bart is currently a senior and wrestling at 135 pounds for Don Bosco High School and is seeking to win his fourth state championship in Des Moines, IA on Saturday, February 21. If Bart wins his fourth title, the Reiter's will become the first family in Iowa history to have two brothers win four state championships. Bart has committed to continue his wrestling career at University of Minnesota. Only the Gibbons family (Ames/Waterloo Columbus, 10) and Light family (Lisbon, 9) have won more Iowa state titles. Don Bosco is ranked number one in the state in Class 1A and is the favorite to win the traditional and dual state championships for the fourth year in a row. Mack Reiter was a four-time state champion from 2000-2003 where he compiled a record of 182-3 with 134 falls. He went on to the University of Minnesota where he was a three-time All-American at 133 pounds and won an NCAA team championship in 2007. Mack is currently a graduate assistant at Minnesota and aspires to become a Division I athletics director. "On the Mat" can be heard live on the internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa each Wednesday from 5:00 - 6:00 PM Central time on AM 1650, The Fan. Feel free to e-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with any questions or comments about the show.

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA -- The top-ranked Hawkeye wrestling team picked up their 20th season win Sunday afternoon when they pounded #22 Penn State, 31-6, at Rec Hall in University Park, PA. Iowa (20-0, 4-0 Big Ten) won eight of the 10 matches to score its 34th straight dual win. Penn State fell to 7-10-2 (0-4-2) in front of over 5,000 fans. Iowa started the dual at 165 pounds, jumping out to a 16-0 lead with wins at the first four weights. Third-ranked junior Ryan Morningstar rebounded from his loss Friday night at Michigan State with a 5-4 win over #20 Dan Vallimont at 165. Iowa sophomore Colby Covington followed with a 3-2 upset over #16 Quentin Wright at 174, recording his first dual win in a Hawkeye singlet. Covington was wrestling for injured Hawkeye starter Jay Borschel. Third-ranked junior Phillip Keddy posted his 65th career win and his 10th straight victory with a 25-10 technical fall in 6:59 over Jack Decker at 184. Keddy remains undefeated in dual competition (20-0) and has a 23-1 season mark. Iowa junior Chad Beatty, who is ranked 18th at 197, scored his second pin of the season - sticking J.R. Brown in 5:26. Penn State freshman heavyweight Cameron Wade used a significant weight advantage to beat Iowa redshirt freshman Brodie Ambrose, 4-0. Ambrose, who was wrestling up a weight class for injured starter Dan Erekson, is a 197-pounder for the Hawkeyes. Iowa bounced back to take the next four weights and seal the team win. Senior Charlie Falck controlled his 125-pound match with #13 Brad Pataky, posting a 9-3 win. Falck, who is ranked fourth in the nation with a 17-1 record and 15-0 dual mark, snapped Pataky's six-match winning streak and extended his own to five. Junior Daniel Dennis posted his second big win of the weekend with a 6-3 decision over #9 Jake Strayer at 133. Dennis, who jumped to the top of the 133-pound rankings last week, is on a six-match winning streak and is 21-2. Second-ranked Alex Tsirtsis followed a 141 with a 6-2 win over Frank Molinaro to improve to 20-2 (17-1 in duals) this season. Top-ranked Brent Metcalf posted his fifth straight pin and 57th straight victory at 149 when he decked Penn State's Colby Pisani in 2:18 at 149. Pisani was wrestling for injured Penn State starter Bubba Jenkins, who is ranked second in the nation. Metcalf picked up his 60th career win with the victory and is 25-0 this season. Penn State closed out the dual at 157 with Tim Darling's 5-4 victory over Hawkeye sophomore Matt Ballweg. With only two weeks of competition remaining in the 2008-09 regular season, Iowa will host its finals Big Ten duals next weekend in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes will host #25 Purdue (11-3-1, 0-2-1 Big Ten) Friday at 7 p.m. and #8 Minnesota (13-5, 3-1 Big Ten) Sunday at 2 p.m. The Iowa-Minnesota dual will be aired live on Iowa Public Television and taped delay on the Big Ten Network at 7 p.m.

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The No. 18-ranked University of Michigan wrestling team rebounded from an early deficit to win the final six individual bouts and claim a dominant 28-7 victory over intrastate Michigan State on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 8) at Jenison Field House. The Wolverines won eight total matches, earning bonus in two, to improve to 3-0-1 against Big Ten Conference competition. Despite a pair of losses in the opening four matches, Michigan set the early tone in the dual to reclaim the lead for good at the halftime intermission. Senior Michael Watts (Riverton, Utah/Riverton HS) and junior/sophomore Aaron Hynes (Mt. Morris, Mich./Flint Kearsley HS) rallied from deficits to capture pivotal decisions at 125 and 157 pounds, respectively, and put the Wolverines in control of the contest. Watts gave up the first takedown against the Spartans' Eric Olanowski in the opening bout but reeled off seven consecutive points to claim the 7-2 decision. The Wolverine senior, ranked 17th in the latest NWCA/InterMat poll, evened the score with a quick escape in the second and immediately squared up and shot in deep on a single leg for his first and final lead. Watts used a three-point turn midway through the third to blow open the match and, fighting off a late scramble, held on to ride out the frame. Hynes had a similar deficit to make up late in the 157-pound contest, trailing by two after MSU's Anthony Jones controlled the opening two frames with three low single legs. The Wolverine wrestler immediately cut Jones loose to extend the gap and quickly shot in on a single leg. Jones spun around and nearly scored, but Hynes rolled to catch him, putting to the Spartan wrestler back for three points and his first lead of the match. Jones came to his feet in the waning seconds, but Hynes used a hard return to put an exclamation point on a 9-7 decision. Sophomore Kellen Russell (High Bridge, N.J./Blair Academy), ranked fifth nationally at 141 pounds, picked up Michigan's other win in the first half of the dual, controlling from start to finish en route to a 5-2 decision against Collin Dozier. The Spartan wrestler initiated the first attack, shooting in on a single leg, but Russell scrambled to the top position to gain the advantage. He added a reversal off of a standing switch early in the second and rode out the entirety of the third, using a series of hard returns to maintain control and accumulate 2:49 in time advantage. The win was Russell's 14th in a row. Michigan carried the momentum out of the break and was the dominant team for the remainder of the dual. Sophomore/freshman Justin Zeerip (Fremont, Mich./Hesperia HS) earned his fifth dual win of the season with a 3-0 shutout against Rex Kendle at 165 pounds. The Wolverine wrestler controlled the pace through a scoreless first period and took the only lead he needed on a reversal midway through the second. Zeerip rode out the entirety of the final period, accumulating 2:10 in time advantage to avenge his loss to Kendle in the last meeting between the pair -- at last season's EMU Open. Fifth-year senior captain Steve Luke (Massillon, Ohio/Perry HS), the nation's top-ranked 174-pounder, converted on six takedowns -- four in the first period -- against Ian Hinton en route to a 15-4 major decision. All of Luke's takedowns were single legs and all came on the edge of the mat, where Hinton took up residence for much of the match, inducing three stalling calls. The Wolverine captain rode out the third period, building 4:05 in time advantage, to improve to 20-0 on the season. Junior/sophomore Anthony Biondo (Clinton Twp., Mich./Chippewa Valley HS) also spent much of his match in the top position, earning 3:18 in riding-time advantage to cap a 10-5 decision against Nick Palmieri. Biondo, ranked 13th nationally, struck with a quick first-period takedown and, despite giving up a late reversal, held onto a two-point edge after an escape and two MSU stalling calls. The Spartan wrestler scored out of a flurry midway through the second period to even the score, but Biondo controlled the remainder of the match with a reversal and third-period takedown. Palmieri spoiled Biondo's attempt at the major with a pair of late shots and subsequent stalemates as the Wolverine settled for the decision and his third straight win in Big Ten action. Fifth-year senior captain Tyrel Todd (Bozeman, Mont./Bozeman HS) made little work of the Spartans' Tyler Dickinson in the 197-pound match, using a nearwrist-head scoop combination to secure the fall at the 1:41 mark. Todd struck immediately on a single-leg takedown before going to work on top, eventually threading the needle to earn his sixth pin -- and 10th bonus win -- in 15 matches this season. Junior/sophomore Eddie Phillips (Woodland, Mich./Lakewood HS) knocked off a familiar foe in the final bout at heavyweight, defeating high school teammate Alan O'Donnell, 3-1, midway through the sudden-victory overtime. After the two wrestlers traded escapes and little else through regulation, O'Donnell secured the first scoring opportunity of the overtime frame, shooting deep on a single leg. He lifted the leg high and drove it to the edge of the mat in an attempt to finish but ran out of room as the wrestlers moved off the mat. Just seconds later Phillips converted on the same move, using double underhooks to set up a single leg and, this time, finishing it on the edge of the mat. Today's dual meet will be aired via same-day tape-delay at 9 p.m. on the Big Ten Network. The dual will re-air on Tuesday (Feb. 10) at 1 p.m. The Wolverines will return home next weekend to host a pair of Big Ten Conference meetings against rival Ohio State and Penn State. U-M will face the Buckeyes at 7 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 13), before squaring off against the Nittany Lions at 7 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 14). Both matches will be held at Cliff Keen Arena.

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. -- Claiming six champions to go along with 18 placewinners, the Augsburg College wrestling team split its squad to compete at the St. John's University North Country Open and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Invitational on Saturday. The Auggies had three champions, one runner-up and 10 placewinners at the North Country Open, while claiming three champions, two runners-up and eight placewinners in winning the 11-team Wisconsin-Eau Claire Invitational. Augsburg is the top-ranked team in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III national rankings. Willy Holst (SR, Prescott, Wis.), ranked No. 1 nationally at 149 pounds, collected four first-period pins -- including two pins of under one minute -- to win his weight-class title at the North Country Open. Holst is now 20-1 on the season with seven pins. At 197, No. 2-ranked Jared Massey (JR, Circle Pines, Minn./Centennial HS) scored two pins among his four wins, including a 30-second pin in the championship match, to win his weight class at the North Country Open. Massey is now 21-1 on the season. Heavyweight Andy Witzel (JR, Fulda, Minn.), ranked No. 7 nationally, improved to 26-6 on the season with three wins to claim his weight class. At the Wisconsin-Eau Claire meet, Jason Adams (JR, Coon Rapids, Minn.), ranked No. 5 nationally at 157, claimed his weight class with four bonus-point wins -- a pin, technical fall and two major decisions. Adams is now 31-5 on the season. Zach Hansen (JR, Albert Lea, Minn.) scored the 149-pound championship at the Wisconsin-Eau Claire meet with three victories, as did heavyweight Tyson Barrett (JR, Excelsior, Minn./Minnetonka HS). Tony Valek (FY, Belle Plaine, Minn./Scott West), ranked No. 6 nationally at 141, finished in second place in his weight class at the North Country Open, as did Zach Molitor (SO, Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti HS), ranked No. 7 nationally at 174, and Orlando Ponce (SO, Hialeah, Fla./Hialeah-Miami Lakes HS) at 165 at the Wisconsin-Eau Claire meet. Seth Flodeen (SR, Cannon Falls, Minn.), ranked No. 5 nationally at 125, placed third in his weight class at the Wisconsin-Eau Claire meet, as did Kris Krier (SR, Woodbury, Minn.) at 184. Jake Grygelko (JR, Loretto, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS) placed third for the Auggies at the North Country Open. Augsburg closes its dual-meet season next Friday (2/13) at 7 p.m., with a match at No. 10-ranked Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Lincoln –-- The Nebraska wrestling team spotted Oklahoma a 15-3 lead headed into intermission, but the fourth-ranked Huskers claimed the final five matches of the night to earn an 18-15 dual win over No. 14 Oklahoma in Norman on Sunday. NU stayed perfect in Big 12 action with a 3-0 mark and 15-2-1 overall, while the Sooners fell to 1-3 in the conference and 15-3 overall. Redshirt freshman Tucker Lane started the dual with a win for the Huskers, defeating Nathan Fernandez, 3-1, at heavyweight. Lane, ranked No. 19 in the nation, exchanged escapes with No. 16 Fernandez, before earning the winning takedown with 38 seconds left in the match. OU captured the next four matches from 125 to 149, including a major decision and a tech fall, to take a 15-3 lead headed into the intermission. It was all Nebraska after the break, though, as Jordan Burroughs started the comeback at 157 pounds against Chad Terry. Burroughs was held scoreless through the first period and the majority of the second before earning his first takedown with under a minute left in the period. He added three more takedowns in the final period to pull away, 9-4, and now stands six takedowns short of breaking the dual takedown record (98) he set last season. Stephen Dwyer posted a 4-0 decision over Ryan Smith at 165, by riding the Sooner out in the second period. Dwyer notched a quick escape in the final period and earned the only takedown of the match with 37 seconds left. In the only matchup with two top-10 wrestlers, third-ranked Brandon Browne used a reversal in the second period to score the first points in his match with No. 7 Jeff James. The Sooner escaped so start the third to tie the match at two, but Browne posted two third-period takedowns to take the 6-3 win. Vince Jones tied the dual at 15 with his 3-0 decision over No. 19 Pat Flynn at 184 pounds. For the second time in the past three duals, Jones rode his opponent the entire second period and used an early escape in the third for the win. After winning the Missouri dual on Jan. 31 for NU with a decision, Craig Brester accomplished the feat again, this time topping No. 11 Eric Lapotsky with a 5-2 decision to give NU the 18-15 victory. Brester ended the first period with a late takedown and escaped in the second, but Lapotsky notched a quick escape of his own in the third to cut the lead to 3-1. Brester posted the winning takedown with 1:39 left to rebound from his loss last Thursday. Nebraska continues with two road duals next Saturday in Chapel Hill, N.C. The Huskers face UNC Greensboro at 6:30 p.m. CT and square off with North Carolina at 8 p.m. CT. Huskers.com will provide a full preview of the duals on Thursday.

The eighth-ranked Golden Gopher wrestling team salvaged a weekend split Sunday afternoon by downing the No. 16 Northwestern Wildcats 18-16 at the Sports Pavilion. Major decisions from Ben Berhow, Jayson Ness and Scott Glasser helped Minnesota avenge a Big Ten loss to Michigan on Friday and improved to 4-1 in the conference. The victory was Minnesota's ninth straight dual meet win over the Wildcats – the Gophers have not lost to Northwestern head-to-head since 1996. Glasser got things started on the right foot for the Gophers. He handily defeated Kyle Bertin by a 12-3 major decision in the 165-pound match, improving his season mark to 19-11 and putting the Gophers up 4-0. Back-to-back losses at 174 and 184 pounds put Minnesota back in a hole, however. Redshirt freshman Kaleb Young and Northwestern's Robert Kellogg went to a sudden-victory overtime period tied 3-3 in the 174-pound bout, but a Kellogg takedown just 38 seconds into the frame gave the Wildcats a victory in the match by a 5-3 decision. Fellow redshirt freshman Sonny Yohn had a tall order at 184, as he matched up against top-ranked and undefeated Jake Herbert. Yohn held his own during the first period, trailing just 4-1 after three minutes, but the 2007 NCAA champion soon took over and cruised to a 16-5 major decision. Herbert improved to 23-0 on the season and has not lost since the 2006 NCAA title match. Trailing 7-4 in the meet, Minnesota needed clutch performances by upper weight wrestlers Gordon Bierschenk (197) and No. 19 Berhow (heavyweight). Bierschenk delivered in a thrilling way against Northwestern's Jake Schoen, using a late second period takedown to grab a 3-2 lead and then holding on during the final frame to claim the victory. Berhow made short work of Paul Rands in the heavyweight match, scoring six takedowns and a nearfall en route to a 16-5 major decision win. Minnesota led 11-7 at the meet's halfway point. The meet's marquee match-up came at 125 pounds between the Gophers' No. 7 Zach Sanders and No. 3 Brandon Precin. The pair, which entered the match with a combined 43-2 record on the season, battled through an epic match. An early nearfall propelled Precin to a big 6-0 lead early in the third period. Sanders, however, managed to tie the match at seven apiece with a last-second three-point nearfall. Precin desperately avoided the pin in the waning seconds of the match to win 8-7 on the strength of the bonus riding time point. No. 4 Ness continued his winning ways by sound defeating Eric Metzler by a 12-4 major decision at 133 pounds. Eighth-ranked Mike Thorn also notched a very business-like 5-1 decision over his ranked opponent, No. 16 Keith Sulzer. The light weight victories staked Minnesota to an 18-10 lead. Needing only to avoid major bonus points in the final two matches to gain the team victory, the Gophers held on despite losses by Joe Grygelko (4-3 to Andrew Nahdir at 149 pounds) and No. 17 Tyler Safratowich (10-3 to #14 Jason Welch at 157). The victory improved Minnesota's record to 14-5 overall. The Gophers travel to Madison Friday to take on No. 17 Wisconsin and then head down to Iowa to tackle the top-ranked and defending national champion Hawkeyes Sunday. Sunday's meet will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network beginning at 2 p.m.

BLACKSURG, Va. -- In front of a school-record crowd of 1,763 fans, the 13th-ranked Virginia Tech wrestling squad overcame the flu and won key matches with bonus points to down defending ACC champion Maryland 22-15 on Sunday night at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Va. With the win, the Hokies move to 18-1 on the season and 3-0 in the ACC, while the Terrapins dropped to 7-8-1 and 2-2 in the conference. "It was good to get out of there with a win, especially with the caliber of program that Maryland has," Tech head coach Kevin Dresser said. "We did not talk about it much publicly, but six of our 10 guys had the flu this week. All of them sucked it up and wrestled. To get the win, considering the week we had, we will take it." Freshman Jarrod Garnett, ranked 14th at 125 pounds, started the duel strong for Tech taking a 10-5 decision from Brendan Byrne of Maryland. Freshman Brock LiVorio, at 133 pounds and sophomore Chris Diaz, at 141 pounds, fell to 11th-ranked Steven Bell and 11th-ranked Alex Krom of Maryland, respectively, by major decision, as the Terrapins took the team lead 8-3. The Hokies battled back though, behind freshman Pete Yates, ranked 20th at 149 pounds, who dominated the Terrapins' Dex Lederer. Yates scored seven take downs in the second period, the last coming at the 4:44 mark of the match, to earn a technical fall over Lederer, who suffered an ankle injury in the first period. A 6-2 decision by Maryland's Kyle John over freshman Jesse Dong at 157 pounds briefly gave the Terrapins the lead at 11-8, but sophomore Matt Epperly scored a late take down in the third period over Brian Letters at 165 pounds to win 3-1 and even the team scoring up at 11 apiece. Tech would win three of the final four matches to secure the victory over Maryland. Freshman Anthony Trongone and sophomore Tommy Spellman both earned major decisions over their opponents at 174 and 184 pounds, respectively. Sophomore D.J. Bruce competed well against 10th-ranked Hudson Taylor of Maryland at 197 pounds, but fell 11-3. Heavyweight David Marone responded for the Hokies, though. The Broomfield, Colo., native registered an early take down and rode the momentum to victory, sealing the duel for Tech with a 4-2 decision over Patrick Gilmore of Maryland. Marone's victory gave the Hokies a 22-15 win over the Terrapins. The 1,763 fans in attendance broke the old attendance record of 1,638, with Bud Foster, defensive coordinator for the Hokie football team, sitting on the bench as honorary coach. The Hokies also honored several other Tech programs in attendance. Tech will return to the mat on Feb. 15 against Duke. The Blue Devils 8-3 overall with a 1-2 record in conference matches. Results will be available on hokiesports.com after the duel.

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- The No. 3 Big Red wrestling team won its second match of the day after picking up a 27-12 victory over Hofstra on Sunday night. Sophomore DJ Meagher and senior Jordan Leen won by fall to pick up valuable bonus points for Cornell. The Big Red moves to 8-2 for the season. No. 2 ranked Troy Nickerson opened the day for the Big Red at 125 against Pride freshman No. 20 Steve Bonanno. Nickerson scored the only point of the first period with a takedown with a minute left, and the Big Red wrestler rode his opponent out for the remainder. Bonanno started the second period down on the mat and after 30 seconds, he made an escape. With 31 seconds left in the period, Nickerson took a 4-1 lead with another takedown. Nickerson grabbed another point with an escape from his opening down position and with 1:13 left in the match scored another takedown. Nickerson quickly let his opponent loose looking for team bonus points with a major decision. The Big Red wrestler caught his opponent with four seconds left on the clock for a takedown and with 1:44 in riding time, Nickerson won a 10-2 major decision. With the win Nickerson moves to 12-0 for the season. At 133 pounds, No. 12 Mike Grey faced off against No. 8 Lou Ruggirello of Hofstra. The two wrestlers traded scoring opportunities throughout the first period, but neither was able to pull through until with six seconds left on the clock, Ruggirello notched a takedown. Grey chose to start the second period down on the mat, but was unable to escape allowing Ruggirello to rack up 2:04 in riding time. Grey cut Ruggirello loose from his starting down position to start the third period looking to score. The Pride wrestler countered a shot by Grey and came out on top to go up 5-0 with the takedown. Grey was unable to get away and with 3:39 in riding time, Ruggirello won a 6-0 decision. Sophomore Corey Manson squared off against Justin Accordino at 141 pounds. Manson and Accordino scrambled 30 seconds into the period and the Big Red wrestler came out on top to take a 2-0 lead. Accordino rolled away from Manson for an escape, but with 52 seconds left on the clock the Big Red grappler grabbed his opponent's leg and pulled him to the mat for another two points. With 30 seconds left in the period, Accordino rolled out and grabbed Manson for a reversal. Thirteen seconds later, Manson got to his feet and broke away for an escape. Accordino escaped from his initial down position to start the second, and with 1:41 left in the period Manson notched another takedown. Accordino escaped, but with 55 seconds left in the period the Pride wrestler got hold of Manson. Accordino caught him in a bad position allowing the Hofstra grappler to catch him on his back to win by fall in 4:05. With the six team bonus points, the Pride took a 9-4 lead. At 149 pounds, sophomore DJ Meagher wrestled Jeff Rotella. Meagher earned a takedown at the edge of the mat with a little less than a minute off the clock. The Big Red wrestler rode out his opponent for a minute before tilting him to his back. Meagher grabbed back six team points for the Big Red, winning by fall in 2:06. At 157 pounds, returning NCAA champion Jordan Leen faced No. 16 Jonny Bonilla-Bowman. Bonilla-Bowman came out quick in the first period looking to score early, but neither wrestler was able to convert on chances and the two were scoreless after three minutes. The Pride wrestler chose to start the second period at neutral. Leen got hold of one of Bonilla-Bowman's legs with 30 seconds left in the period and earned the first points of the bout with a takedown. Leen quickly escaped from his starting down position in the third period, and with a quick turn grabbed two more points with a takedown. Bonilla-Bowman got to his feet with Leen holding on, and two fell back to the mat. The Pride wrestler took injury time, but quickly returned to the mat. With 1:13 left in the period, Leen titled his opponent to earn three back points and was looking for more. Leen earned six more points for the Big Red, winning by fall in 6:44. After an intermission break, No. 1 ranked Mack Lewnes faced Ryan Patrovich at 165 pounds. Neither wrestler was able to score in the first period, and Patrovich earned the only point of the second with an escape from his starting down position. Lewnes tied the match with an initial escape of his own in the third period. Lewnes had a hold of one of Patrovich's legs and was looking to sweep him to the mat, but time ran out before he was able to finish. The two wrestlers traded scoring opportunities back and forth in the sudden victory round, but each countered out of their opponents shots. With four seconds left, Lewnes grabbed a hold of his opponent and took him to the mat to score the match-winning takedown to win a 3-1 decision. With the win, Cornell lengthened its lead to 19-9. At 174 pounds, No. 6 Steve Anceravage took on No. 10 Alton Lucas. Neither wrestler was able to score in the first period. Lucas chose to start the second period down on the mat, but was able to escape from Anceravage. Anceravage quickly escaped from his starting down position to score the only point of the third. With 1:58 in riding time, Anceravage won a 2-0 decision. Sophomore and No. 16 ranked Justin Kerber wrestled against Ben Clymer of Hofstra at 184 pounds. With a minute off the clock, Kerber earned the first points of the match with a takedown. After 19 seconds, Clymer grabbed his first point with an escape. Kerber started the second period down on the mat and quickly got to his feet for an escape. With 59 seconds left in the period, Kerber grabbed hold of one of Clymer's legs and fought his way to another takedown and rode his opponent out for the remainder of the period. Clymer chose to start the third period down on the mat, and after 30 seconds flipped out of Kerber's clutches for an escape to bring the score to 5-2. With 1:42 in riding time, Kerber won a 6-2 decision. With three more team points, Cornell took a 25-9 lead and locked up the dual victory. At 197 pounds, freshman Cam Simaz took the mat against Joe Fagiano. After a scoreless first period, Simaz grabbed the first point with an escape from his starting down position. With 1:17 left in the period, Simaz grabbed hold of one of Fagiano's legs and muscled his way to a takedown and racked up riding time as the period wound down. Simaz went on the attack after Faginano escaped from his opening down position looking for points. Simaz grabbed three more takedowns, but Fagiano fled from his opponent for the remaining 40 seconds to avoid a major. With 1:27 in riding time, Simaz won an 11-4 decision. Cornell took a 28-9 lead after 197 pounds, but the Big Red sideline was penalized a team point for unsportsmanlike conduct after the bout. At heavyweight, No. 12 Zach Hammond faced Jordan Enck. After a scoreless first period, Hammond escaped from his opening down position after 39 seconds. Enck tied the match in the third with a quick initial escape. Neither wrestler scored for the remainder of the match to send the bout into sudden victory. Despite solid scoring chances, the bout remained tied after a minute of sudden victory. Hammond started the first overtime down on the mat ,but after 30 seconds was unable to escape. Enck then started in the down position and quickly escaped to take a 2-1 lead and would win the match by a 2-1 decision. The Big Red will wrestle its final two home matches of the season next weekend when it plays host to Princeton on Feb. 14 and Penn on Feb. 15.

Atlantic City, NJ -- In what Guy Metzger from HD Net Fights called, "the fight of the night," and "the most entertaining fight to call," Paul Bradley won an impressive decision Friday night against Team Quest's Nathan Coy. In front of a packed house at Boardwalk Hall, Bradley used a vicious counter attack on his feet and some crushing leg kicks, to beat Coy at the inaugural World Cagefighting Alliance (WCA) event. The fight was a 3 round, stand up slugfest that only went to the ground 2 times during the entire fight for a combined 30 seconds. Bradley has improved to 10-0 in his professional MMA career and looked great after dropping down to his new weight class of 170. "I started my career at 205, dropped to 185, and now, after a few months of very strict dieting, felt awesome fighting at 170 pounds. At this weight, I am ready to take on any and all challengers. I really mean that. I feel that I am finally ready to get back to the biggest MMA stage in the world and, if the UFC is interested, I would fight for them tomorrow. I want to test myself against the best in the world."

PHILADELPHIA -- Penn upped its Ivy League record to 3-0 on Saturday with a pair of wins over Harvard (35-12) and Brown (34-6) in The Palestra. On Senior Day, graduating wrestler Andrew Coles made the most of his final home dual bouts in The Palestra with a pair of pins. He needed 2:10 to lock Bryan Panzano of Harvard's shoulders the mat. In his second bout against Bran Crudden of Brown, Coles registered the pin in 4:20. "I have been lucky to have the chance to wrestle this year," Coles said. "I have tried to take advantage of that and to come away with two pins in my final home meets is special." Penn had a total of four pins over the two meets. Trey McLean pinned Harvard's Spencer DeSena at 2:41 and Thomas Shovlin added a pin over Brown's Branden Stearns at 4:27. After a forfeit at 125 gave Penn a quick 6-0 lead against Harvard with a 5-3 decision over Thomas Picarsic at 133 pounds. Neither man scored in the first period and Picarsic scored first with a reversal midway through the second period. Ortenzio countered with a reversal of his own with 45 seconds left in the second frame, but Picarsic took a 3-2 lead with an escape before the whistle. Ortenzio evened the score with a quick escape in the third period and the two spent the rest of the period shooting for two points in hopes of avoiding overtime. It was Ortenzio who earned the hard-fought deuce with a shot at the end of the period, locking in two points with one second left. Zack Kemmerer defeated Johnny Motley at 141 pounds via technical fall, 19-3.Kemmerer scored backpoints in each period, with the two he earned in the final period after a takedown securing the bonus points for Penn. Walter Peppelman got Harvard on the board with an 8-4 win over Brett McCurdy at 149 pounds. Up next was the dual's marquee matchup between No. 18 Matt Dragon and No. 4 J.P. O'Connor at 157 pounds. Dragon had the chance for first scoring, shooting to the leg early on, but O'Connor was able to pull away before Dragon could lockup both legs. Dragon was again close on the edge of the mat near the scorers table, but could once again not control enough for two points and the two went to the second period scoreless. In the second, O'Connor chose bottom and scored the first point of the match on a technical violation to Dragon for fleeing the mat. O'Connor followed with two more on a reversal. Dragon got a point back with an escape near the end of the period and headed to the third down by two. Dragon chose bottom and was almost turned by O'Connor, but regained his position avoiding the nearfall. O'Connor rode tough for the rest of the period and his riding time advantage gave him the 4-1 decision, cutting Penn's lead to 14-6. After the first of Coles' two pins on the day at 165, Scott Giffin added more bonus points for Penn at 174 with a major decision over Andy Olsen, 15-6. No. 10 Louis Caputo won via disqualification over Colin Hitschler at 184 pounds, adding six more points to Harvard's score. Hitschler was DQ'd at the 6:59 mark of the match after his fourth penalty point of the match. Hitschler was penalized for unnecessary roughness in the first period followed by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty – the first two points of the match for either man. Caputo scored a point of his own at the start of the second period with an escape for a 3-0 lead. Hitschler then was hit with his second stalling warning which resulted in two points for Caputo. Hitschler managed an escape in the third period, but a second unnecessary roughness was enough for the disqualification right before the final buzzer. Thomas Shovlin ensured no momentum was carried over at 197 with a technical fall over Sean Murphy. Shovlin had a seven-point first period with a takedown and two nearfalls. He allowed Murphy to only score via escapes on his way to the 19-4 win. McLean closed out the match with his first-period pinfall over DeSena. McLean was up 5-1 at the time of the fall. After a ceremony honoring the nine seniors who will graduate from Penn in May, the Quakers again needed only three bouts to take a double-digit lead over its opponent, earning bonus points with major decisions from Ortenzio and Kemmerer to go with a decision win from Mark Rappo at 125. After those three bouts, Penn had an 11-0 lead. After Ricky Bailey got three back for Brown with a decision at 149, Penn won the next three bouts by a combined score of 13-0 to take a commanding 24-3 lead. Dragon defeated Bryan Tracy, 4-0, followed by Dragon's second fall of the day at 165. Giffin the put up his second major of the day with a 14-2 win at 174 over Bran Crudder. Hitschler took Matt Gevelinger to overtime, but could not complete the win at 184, falling, 6-4, in sudden victory. After Shovlin's fall at 197, McLean finished off another win with a 17-4 major over Zach Zdrada. Penn, 10-5, is back in action next weekend with a pair of Ivy matches in New York – against Columbia on Saturday and No. 3 Cornell on Sunday.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- Facing a four-point deficit heading into the final bout of the night, Rutgers relied on heavyweight D.J. Russo (Netcong, N.J.) and the sophomore delivered, pinning Quinton Pruett to give the Scarlet Knights wrestling team a 19-17 come-from-behind victory over No. 21 American at the College Avenue Gymnasium Saturday evening. Russo's takedown in 3:06 ignited a celebration on the Scarlet Knights' bench and in the crowd of nearly 1,000 inside the gym. "D.J. has been doing great things for us all year and he came through again," said Rutgers head wrestling coach Scott Goodale. "It doesn't get any better than that when a heavyweight earns a pin to win the match. I was proud the way the guys hung tough and battled back. Anytime you can get a win against a strong program like American, that is special." The victory extends RU's school-record victory total to 19 as the Scarlet Knights improved to 19-5 on the season and 7-1 in the EIWA. Rutgers also handed American its first loss in the conference as the Eagles fell to 10-4 overall and 4-1 in the EIWA. The Scarlet Knights posted their eighth victory in their past nine dual meets and handed the Eagles their first loss in five matches. Down 17-13 entering the evening's final bout at heavyweight, Russo jumped out on top early and pinned Pruett in 3:06 to give the Scarlet Knights' their first lead of the evening and the lead at the end. American jumped out to an early 6-0 lead with victories in the first two bouts at 125 and 133 pounds. American's Thomas Williams escaped with a 6-4 decision over RU's Matt Fusco (Belleville, N.J.) at 125 pounds before American's Jasen Borshoff posted an 8-2 decision over Rutgers' Mike DeMarco (Lyndhurst, N.J.) at 133 pounds. Freshman Trevor Melde (Hewitt, N.J.) picked up the Scarlet Knights' first victory of the match, earning a 10-5 decision over American's Matt Mariacher at 141 pounds to cut the lead in half. Rutgers and American traded major decisions at 149 and 157 with a pair of nationally-ranked wrestlers on the winning end. At 149 pounds, American's Kyle Borshoff, ranked 12th nationally, posted an 11-0 major decision over RU's Kellen Bradley (Newton, N.J.). The Scarlet Knights got those four points right back at 157 pounds when freshman Scott Winston (Jackson, N.J.), ranked 11th nationally, used a two-point takedown as time expired in the bout to earn a 9-1 major decision over Patrick Graham to cut the Eagles' lead back to three points. Winston added to his team-leading victory total with his 33rd win of the season – one of the best in the nation. RU continued its momentum in the next bout with senior Matt Pletcher (Eastampton, N.J.) earning a 6-3 decision over American's Christopher Stout at 165 pounds to tie the match up at 10-10 through six bouts. Pletcher's win was the 71st of his career, moving him into a tie a tie for 23rd place on the Rutgers all-time wins chart. He is 71-43 in his career. The Eagles' Mike Cannon, ranked second in the nation, put American back on top with a 14-2 major decision at 174 pounds. The Scarlet Knights came right back with a 4-1 decision by McPaul Ogbonna (East Hanover, N.J.) over American's Andy Semple at 184 pounds to draw within one point at 14-13. American built a four-point lead as Andrew Silber earned a 7-2 decision over Mahmoud at 197 pounds prior to set up the final-bout dramatics. Prior to the match, the Scarlet Knights honored their three seniors – Karim Mahmoud (Wallington, N.J.), Matt Pletcher (Eastampton, N.J.) and Mike Whalen (Lake Hiawatha, N.J.) – in a special ceremony. The Scarlet Knights will travel to Annapolis, Md. next Friday to face Navy at 7:00 p.m.

LEXINGTON, Va. -- Title wins by seniors Joe Baker (Poway, Calif.) and Casey Caldwell (Liberty, Ind.), along with rookie Luke Rebertus (Elkton, Md.) helped lead the Navy wrestling team to the 2009 USAA All-Academy Championship team title Saturday evening at Cocke Hall in Lexington, Va. It's the eighth time Navy has claimed the team crown in the 15-year history of the tournament and the fifth time in the last six years. Navy, who placed nine of its 10 competitors, finished the tournament with a 15-point advantage over second-place Army, who a year ago snapped the Mids' four-year All-Academy winning streak. Army, who led all teams with five individual champions, earned 90 points, better than 20 points more than The Citadel, who finished third with 69.5 points. Navy has won 53 individual crowns in All-Academy Championship history, including 27 of the 60 titles over the last five years. The Mids won the team title in 1995, `97, `99, `04, `05, `06, `07 and `09, while they have claimed five or more individual titles in 1997, `99, `04, `05, `07 and in `08. "Overall I thought it was a balanced effort by our wrestlers," said ninth-year Navy head coach Bruce Burnett. "We struggled a little bit against Army head-to-head, so we've got our work cut out for us in preparing for that dual in a few weeks. But it was a great opportunity for us to get back out there on the mat and find some success as we close in on the conference and national tournaments." Baker, who is ranked 10th in the nation at 133 pounds, dominated the competition from start to finish, as he became only the fifth Navy wrestler to win three or more individual titles at the All-Academy championship, joining the likes of Greg Gingeleskie (1997-98-99), Mark Conley (2000-01-02), Tanner Garrett (2004-05-06) and Matt Stolpinski (2005-06-07-08). The 2008 All-American turned in back-to-back technical falls against Air Force's Derek Gillespie and The Citadel's Phil Greene before pinning third-seeded Phil Greene of the Merchant Marine Academy at 3:43 in the title bout. Baker also won tournament titles in 2006 and `08. "Joe looked really good today," said Burnett, who has seen Baker's career ravaged by injuries. "He was clearly the better wrestler in each of his bouts and continues to battle his way back." Rebertus, meanwhile, became one of only a handful of Navy wrestlers to win an All-Academy title in his freshman season. As the tournament's top seed at 174 pounds, Rebertus pinned the Coast Guard's Kevin Robinson in the opening round and followed up by posting a 16-2 major decision over fourth-seeded Erik Schott of the Merchant Marine Academy. Not only did the Navy rookie pick up a 10-2 major decision over No. 2 seed J.C. Oddo of The Citadel in the championship match, he joined an elite group of Navy freshmen who have reached 30 wins. He is now one of only four Navy freshman to achieve 30 wins, joining John Reich (30 in 1979-80), Tyrone Neal (37 in 1998-99) and teammate Bryce Saddoris who picked up 35 wins a year ago. Rebertus, who is 20th in the country in his weight class, also extended Navy's stronghold at the 174-pound weight class, as Stolpinski won four consecutive titles from 2005-08. "I was happy for Luke to win as a freshman," said Burnett. "I think he's finally getting back into competition shape after tweaking his knee a few weeks ago." Earning his first All-Academy title was Caldwell at 184 pounds, who has produced a 27-11 record in his final season at the Academy. The top-seeded wrestler in the weight class, Caldwell earned back-to-back bonus point wins to reach the finals. He opened with a 21-6 win over Norwich's Jordan Ferguson and continued on by defeating Brian Hurley of The Citadel, 12-4. After Air Force's unseeded Brett Boyce knocked off second-seeded Jon Drew of Army in the semis, Caldwell dismissed Boyce in the finals, 7-3, to claim his first collegiate title. "It was a workman's effort by Casey today," added Burnett. "Casey isn't a flashy wrestler, he just continues to come back at you. He looked solid in all of his matches." An additional four wrestlers earned appearances in championship bouts, but came up just short of winning the title. Rookie Prescott Garner (West Linn, Ore.) squeezed past VMI's Johnathan Pope in the opening round, 9-8, before flattening Air Force's Andrew Zwirlein's shoulders to the mat and picking up his 13th pin of the season. With the pin, Garner moves into sole possession of ninth on the Mids' single-season falls list, the most by a lightweight wrestler in school history. Garner, who was the top-seeded wrestler heading into the competition, was edged in the finals by third-seeded Tyler Sim of The Citadel by a 7-5 count. Junior 141-pounder Matt Pagan (Carteret, N.J.) also lost a heartbreaker, falling to Army's Casey Thome, 3-1, in the championship. Pagan, who has gained the confidence of Burnett in recent weeks, earned an 11-3 major decision over VMI's David Yost in the opener and moved into the finals after handing third-seeded James Beshada a 6-1 loss in the semis. In perhaps the most exciting match of the evening, Army's Matt Kyler managed to upset Navy sophomore Bryce Saddoris (Spring Creek, Nev.) at 149 pounds. Saddoris, ranked sixth in the country, easily made his way to the finals after posting a 19-1 technical fall over Air Force's Alec Williams followed by a pin against No. 4 seed Pierre Frazile of The Citadel. Kyler, meanwhile, found his way to the finals by way of back-to-back falls. The aggressor throughout the match, Saddoris was turned on a counter-offense move, giving Kyler, ranked 11th nationally, the extra points needed to win his second straight All-Academy title. With his pair of wins at the tournament, Saddoris has matched his win total from a year ago, and with 35 victories, he stands tied for 12th on the Mids' single-season wins list. Senior Philip Neese (Lexington, S.C.) fought his way to a second-place finish at 197 pounds and put up a solid performance in the championship bout. Neese turned back VMI's Ronnie Ellsworth in the opening round, 8-2, and followed up with a semifinal victory over Air Force's James Ciccone, who had upset the third seed in the preliminaries. Neese, though, could not get ahead in the finals, as 20th-ranked Richard Starks of Army picked up his second consecutive All-Academy crown. Earning a third-place finish at 165 pounds was second-year standout Matt DeMichiel (Whitesboro, N.Y.), who finished the day with a 3-1 record. DeMichiel opened the day on a positive note with an 11-3 victory over VMI's Matthew Brock. However, top-seeded Steve Crozier of Air Force was able to slip past his Navy foe, 8-6, sending DeMichiel to the consolation bracket. DeMichiel pinned Army's Mike Gorman to earn an opportunity to face The Citadel's Derek Sickel in the third-place bout. It was a rematch of the Dec. 18 match at the Reno Tournament of Champions where Sickel absolutely man-handled DeMichiel en route to a 14-3 major decision. This time around, it was DeMichiel who owned Sickel, winning the match, 5-1. "I was really proud of Matt and how he battled back after losing what was a good match against a quality wrestler," said Burnett. "He lost to Sickel pretty badly earlier this year and he could have easily packed it in. He responded exactly how you'd hope a wrestler would and challenged himself to go right after the win." Finally, Navy senior heavyweight Tyler Moyer (Bremerton, Wash.) placed fourth after dropping a heartbreaker to The Citadel's Aaron Brown in sudden victory (3-1). The only weight class the Mids did not place in was at 157 pounds, where senior Joel Ahern (Herkimer, N.Y.) was forced to withdraw after suffering a concussion in his semifinal match against fourth-seeded Connor Keating of Norwich. Navy's seniors will wrestle for the final time in their careers at Halsey Field House when the Midshipmen play host to EIWA foe Rutgers on Friday evening. Action is set for 7:00 pm at Halsey Field House