InterMat Staff

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois head coach Jim Heffernan announced the signing of three student-athletes - including two top-25 national recruits - to National Letters of Intent Thursday. Jamie Clark, of Medina, Ohio, Jed Lightfoot, of Yorkville, Ill., and Jackson Morse, of Alto, Mich., will join the Illini program in the fall of 2010. Clark is the No. 7 overall recruit in the class of 2010 according to InterMat and Morse is No. 21 overall, while Lightfoot is a two-time Junior National All-American. "We feel very fortunate to have signed these three student-athletes this fall," Heffernan said. "All have extremely high goals and have achieved a high level of success at the national level. They fit in well with our current wrestlers and are the type of competitors we want to have. I am anxious to get them to Illinois and look forward to their impact on our program." Clark, from St. Edward High School - Heffernan's alma mater - is a two-time Ohio state champ, earning titles at 112 in 2008 and 119 in 2009. He also finished runner-up to current Illinois freshman Sam White at 103 pounds in 2007. He's the top-ranked national recruit at 130 and was named the Outstanding Wrestler at the Freestyle Cadet Nationals in 2007. Clark will wrestle at 133 for the Illini. "It is nice to get Jamie Clark from national powerhouse St. Edward," Heffernan said. "He has been a major factor in their success, leading them to three team championships and winning two individual state titles with a runner-up finish as a freshman." Lightfoot was the 2009 IHSA Class 2A runner-up at 125 pounds, finishing the season 25-5. He also earned Junior National All-America status, finishing eighth in both 2008 and 2009. Lightfoot led Yorkville to a team runner-up finish at the 2009 IHSA Class 2A dual team state tournament. He will wrestle either at 141 or 149 for Illinois. "Jed was the state runner-up last year as an individual and competed for Yorkville High School, who was the state team runner-up in Illinois," Heffernan said. "Jed also has proven that he can wrestle at the national level, placing twice at the Junior Nationals." Morse won consecutive Michigan Division 2 state titles at 140 in 2008 and 152 in 2009 after finishing runner-up at 125 in 2007. He's the No. 2 national recruit at 152 and the No. 21 overall national recruit, having won consecutive titles at the Super 32 tournament, one of the top national high school tournaments. He won the 145-pound championship in 2008 and took the 152-pound title in 2009, beating the No. 1 national recruit in the title match. Morse also led Lowell High School to the 2009 Michigan state championship. He will wrestle at 157 in college. "Jackson Morse has very similar credentials as Jamie Clark, also winning two state championships along with a runner-up finish," Heffernan said. "Jackson's team, Lowell High School, was the Michigan state team champions last year as well. Both have had a great deal of success individually as well as part of their teams."

Tony Schiena

Paul Pitts

Cisco Cole

Lee Roy Smith

AMES, Iowa -- The No. 2 Iowa State wrestling team was firing on all cylinders Thursday night in Hilton Coliseum. ISU handled South Dakota State 43-3 for the first dual win of Cyclone head coach Kevin Jackson's career. ISU made an impact with its offense in front of a home crowd of 2,528. The Cyclones recorded 29 takedowns to South Dakota State's four. ISU also counted heavily on back points in the contest, scoring six three-point nearfalls and seven two-point nearfalls. “We came in as the more heralded team and we needed to wrestle like it,” Jackson said. “We have a lot of things to learn and only a couple of guys have really taken over at their weight class. The rest will be determined by how we wrestle at the Harold Nichols meet this weekend and then at Omaha.” Making the first dual start of his career at 184 pounds, senior Joe Curran kicked off the 2009-10 Cyclone wrestling campaign in impressive fashion. The Elk Point, S.D. native scored a technical fall over South Dakota State's David Michaud by a score of 17-2 (5:52). Curran notched five takedowns in the match. “Joe has been making the most connections in training and that is why he was out there tonight,” Jackson said. “He and Jerome Ward have a battle going and both have done a good job. Joe went out tonight and went after his man from the start. That is what we are looking for this season.” Two Iowa Staters had pins on their mind Thursday night. Heavyweight David Zabriskie struck first for the Cyclones with a 4:17 stick of SDSU's Jeremy Swier. The fifth-ranked senior had built a 14-3 lead before recording the fall. Two-time All-American junior Jon Reader added six team points to the Cyclone effort with his pin of the Jack's Weston Blasius at 165 pounds. Reader notched the fall in the first period in 1:42. “The matches are the fun part,” Reader said. “We have a veteran team and all of us were here this summer training. It was great to get out and wrestle somebody outside of the wrestling room.” Senior Cyclone Duke Burk proved too much to handle for South Dakota State's Joe Rasmussen at 174 pounds. Burk ran the first period score to 14-1 before finishing off his Jackrabbit opponent with a takedown 21 seconds into the second period for the technical fall, 16-1 (3:21). No. 1-ranked 197-pounder Jake Varner started off his senior campaign with bonus points over 11th-ranked Tyler Sorenson of SDSU. In the premier match of the night, ISU's Varner controlled the bout with a 13-4 major decision. Second-ranked Cyclone 141-pounder Nick Gallick handled his SDSU opponent, Dustin Walraven, by major decision, 14-2. Fellow ISU senior Mitch Mueller followed with a strong 12-5 decision of the Jackrabbits' Nick Hagar. The son of former Cyclone three-time NCAA champion Nate Carr scored bonus points for ISU. Nate Carr, Jr. notched a major decision over Nick Flynn of South Dakota State by a score of 9-1. Senior Iowa Stater Nick Fanthorpe picked up a win by forfeit at 133 pounds. Making the first start of his Cyclone career, true freshman Dallas Collier of Aiea, Hawai'i was dropped by SDSU's Aaron Pickrel by decision, 9-3. ISU hits the mat Saturday for the Harold Nichols/Cyclone Open at the Lied Recreation Center. Action begins at 10 a.m. Results: 184 pounds – Joe Curran (ISU) tech. fall David Michaud (SDSU), 17-2 (5:52) 197 pounds – No. 1 Jake Varner (ISU) major dec. No. 11 Tyler Sorenson (SDSU), 13-4 HWT – No. 5 David Zabriskie (ISU) pinned Jeremy Swier (SDSU), 4:17 125 pounds – Aaron Pickrel (SDSU) dec. Dallas Collier (ISU), 9-3 133 pounds – No. 5 Nick Fanthorpe (ISU) won by forfeit 141 pounds – No. 2 Nick Gallick (ISU) major dec. Dustin Walraven (SDSU), 14-2 149 pounds – No. 9 Mitch Mueller (ISU) dec. Nick Hagar (SDSU), 12-5 157 pounds – Nate Carr, Jr. (ISU) major dec. Nick Flynn (SDSU), 9-1 165 pounds – No. 5 Jon Reader (ISU) pinned Weston Blasius (SDSU), 1:42 174 pounds – No. 12 Duke Burk (ISU) tech. fall Joe Rasmussen (SDSU), 16-1

It is exactly one month prior to the start of the 2009 FILA Grappling World Championships, set for the Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, Dec. 12-13. USA Wrestling will host the competition. Grappling, also known as submission wrestling, is recognized as a new form of international wrestling. The No-Gi competition will be held on Dec. 12, with the Gi competition on Dec. 13. The U.S. is the defending World Team champions in both disciplines. The U.S. Grappling World Team was determined at the Grappling World Team Trials in Phoenix, Ariz. in late October. The complete U.S. Grappling World Team will be announced next week, after the final spots on the roster are being determined by committee selection. The U.S. team will be coached by USA Grappling National Coach Ricardo Liborio of Coconut Creek, Fla. Liborio is the coach of the respected American Top Team program and is a legend in the Grappling and Jiu-Jitsu communities. “Hosting the World Championships will provide a lot of tough competition because it is held in the United States,” said Liborio. “It will be hard work for our team. We will have more competition than ever before.” Many of the members of the U.S. Grappling World Team participate in a training camp conducted by Liborio at the American Top Team facility in Coconut Creek from Dec. 5-10 in preparation for the competition. At this time, the following nations have indicated they will participate in the Grappling World Championships: Austria, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Nigeria, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, United States. FILA hosted its first Grappling World Championships in Lucerne, Switzerland in December 2008. Tickets are available at the door, or for purchase in advance through Ticket Leap. Prices are $20 for adults, $10 for Seniors (65 and older) and $10 for Youth (15 and under). Order your tickets online now by visiting the following website: Click here to purchase Grappling World Championships tickets The last time that USA Wrestling hosted a World Championships event in the United States was in 2003, when the Freestyle World Championships were hosted in Madison Square Garden in New York City. Make plans now to attend the 2009 Grappling World Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Dec. 12-13, and see the best Grapplers in the world battling for world titles.

Columbia, Mo. -- Extending its season opening win streak to seven straight years, a program best, the eighth-ranked Missouri wrestling team held off Illinois, 18-16, in the Hearnes Center marking the Tiger's second consecutive victory over the Fighting Illini. Five Tigers won their bouts, two decided by a mere one point. "We had a lot of close matches tonight," Missouri Head Coach Brian Smith said. "We've got to get the team attacking more and being more offensive. They looked good, but there's always room to improve. It's a long journey to the end of the season." Second-ranked All-American Maxwell Askren (Hartland, Wis.) collected his first win at 184 pounds, besting 10th-ranked John Dergo, 9-4. Askren's victory set the Tigers on a three-match win streak that included a 4-1 win by Brent Haynes (Kansas City, Mo.) at 197 pounds and a fall by No. 1 ranked heavyweight Mark Ellis (Peculiar, Mo.). Haynes was one of two redshirt freshmen in Missouri's lineup to claim their first career dual victory. Tiger 133-pounder Nathan McCormick (Leawood, Kan.) took a one point win, 3-2, over Daryl Thomas. The last time two Missouri redshirt freshmen made their first career start and won their bouts came in 2006 against Ohio State. Then redshirt freshman Ellis and teammate John Olanowski claimed victories at HWT and 125 pounds, respectively. "Brent looked good tonight," Smith said. It was exciting to see him fight through his match and get the win." Missouri's defending national champion, Ellis, extended his win streak to six straight bouts, dating back to day one of the 2009 NCAA Championships. Ellis has recorded 23 falls in his career, tying for 10th in Missouri's career falls record book. Down 16-15 entering the final bout of the night, senior two-time All-American Nicholas Marable (Collierville, Tenn.) came through with a 3-2 win over Conrad Polz to secure a Missouri victory. Marable and Polz were scoreless through the first period, one of five matches that were scoreless in the first three minutes of action. Marable put up three points in the second period with his escape from the down position and takedown in 45 seconds. Polz was held to one escape in the second and third, while Marable was hit with stalling late in the third, but held on for the victory. The Tigers continue action at home next Friday, Nov. 20, at Noon (CT) against Cal Poly. The first of two duals on the day, Missouri will host its second Big Ten opponent of the season, Purdue, at 7 p.m. (CT). All former Missouri wrestlers and coaches are invited back to Columbia, Mo., for a wrestling homecoming, Nov. 20-22. Former wrestlers and coaches will be recognized during the Purdue dual as well as at Saturday's, Nov. 21 football game against Iowa State. For more information, or to register, please visit www.mutigers.com. Results: 174: #7 Jordan Blanton (ILL) dec. #20 Dorian Henderson (MU), 7-4 184: #2 Max Askren (MU) dec. #10 John Dergo (ILL), 9-4 197: Brent Haynes (MU) dec. #13 Patrick Bond (ILL), 4-1 HWT: #1 Mark Ellis (MU) pinned Pat Walker (ILL), 3:54 125: John Deneen (ILL) maj. dec. Troy Dolan (ILL), 9-0 133: Nathan McCormick (MU) dec. Daryl Thomas (ILL), 3-2 141: Ryan Prater (ILL) dec. Todd Schavrien (MU), 15-9 149: Eric Terrazas (ILL) dec. Brandon Wiest (MU), 4-2 157: Clint Arlis (ILL) dec. Patrick Wright (MU), 3-2 165: #7 Nick Marable (MU) dec. Conrad Polz (ILL), 3-2

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa -- The North Central College wrestling team improved to a perfect 4-0 in the early stages of its season on Wednesday, scoring a 19-16 victory at Cornell College. The Cardinals won the first match of the evening, as Nathan Fitzenreider claimed a 9-3 decision at 133 pounds. After Cornell's Kevin Donahue won by major decision at 141, North Central's Tim Gingerich responded with a 10-6 win at 149. Cornell's Nicholas Laughlin won by pin at 157 before the Cardinals put up four straight wins to seal the match. Ron Uccardi, Cowan Brown and Gabe Youel won by decision at 165, 174 and 184, and Vinnie Sapienza won a 10-1 major decision at 197. Youel now has 126 career victories, tying Noah Fitzenreider '07 for fourth place in school history. North Central travels to Evanston, Ill., for the Northwestern University Duals on Saturday. Results: 125 – Timothy Hood (CC) dec. Joe Norton, 8-6. 133 – Nathan Fitzenreider (NCC) dec. Tigue Snider, 9-3. 141 – Kevin Donahue (CC) maj. dec. Andrew Zobac, 12-4. 149 – Tim Gingerich (NCC) dec. Zach Wilson, 10-6. 157 – Nicholas Loughlin (CC) pinned Jake Sandborn, 2:13. 165 – Ron Uccardi (NCC) dec. Joe Hambleton, 6-4. 174 – Cowan Brown (NCC) dec. Cliff Robertson, 3-2. 184 – Gabe Youel (NCC) dec. Andrew Roberts, 4-2. 197 – Vinnie Sapienza (NCC) maj. dec. Robert Widmer, 10-1. 285 – Wyatt Bauman (CC) dec. Rod Knowlton, 2-1, OT.

EDMOND, Okla. -- Trailing 7-0 after the initial two bouts, the 18th-ranked University of Oklahoma wrestling team rallied to take control of Central Oklahoma by winning the next seven matchups to earn its first win of the season, 27-10. "We got off to a tough start but our team never lost confidence," head coach Jack Spates said. "Our guys will be fine and I am proud of the way they fought back. For the most part, we wrestled well but certainly have some areas where we need to improve." Zach Bailey righted the ship for Oklahoma, dominating Scott Berens at 141 pounds with four takedowns and a reversal to win, 17-4 Senior Kyle Terry turned in another impressive Sooner performance at 149 pounds, putting Oklahoma in the lead for the first time, 8-7. The defending Big 12 champion used five takedowns and a nearfall to claim the victory over Austin Standage, 14-3. Chad Terry extended OU's lead to 11-7 with a 12-5 victory over Eden Bernstein at 157 pounds. The Midwest City, Okla., product scored three takedowns and two reversals, including one in the first period, to record his first win of the season. Sooner redshirt sophomore Derek Peperas scored the match's first points at 165 pounds after a scoreless first period with a takedown in the second. Broncho Derrick Adkins inched within one point, 3-2, with an escape in the third. Adkins was unable to come back, as Peperas used 2 minutes 16 seconds of riding time to win by a 4-2 margin. Jeff James was a takedown machine at 174 pounds, scoring 10 takedowns against Cody Rowell to win by major decision, 23-10. The victory extended Oklahoma's team lead to 18-7. Erich Schmidtke then shutout Broncho Kenny Meredith, 5-0, at 184 pounds with a takedown in each of the second and third periods. With 1 minute 20 seconds remaining in the third period at 197 pounds, Sooner senior Eric Lapotsky scored a takedown against Jarrett Edison to lead 5-1. With the clock showing 40 seconds remaining in the match, Lapotsky recorded Oklahoma's first fall of the dual season. The evening's drama peaked in the last match of the evening between OU's Nathan Fernandez and Broncho Dustin Finn. Finn scored a takedown in the first and added an escape in the second to lead 3-1. Another Finn takedown in the third made it 5-3 in favor of the Broncho before Fernandez scored a takedown with one second remaining to force overtime. With 24 seconds left in the sudden death extra period, Finn scored a takedown to win, 7-5. Central Oklahoma led 7-0 after the first two bouts of the evening. Casey Rowell shutout Sooner Justin Forrest at 125 pounds, 8-0, with three takedowns. Broncho Trison Graham then earned an 8-5 decision over Alex Ekstrom at 133 pounds. Next up for Oklahoma is the Brockport/Oklahoma Gold Classic this Saturday, Nov. 14 in Brockport, N.Y. The Sooners will attempt to win their 11th straight team title at the event. Results: 125: Casy Rowell (UCO) maj. dec. Justin Forrest (OU), 8-0 133: Trison Graham (UCO) dec. Alex Ekstrom (OU), 8-5 141: Zack Bailey (OU) maj. dec. Scott Berens (UCO), 18-4 149: Kyle Terry (OU) maj. dec. Austin Standage (UCO), 14-3 157: Chad Terry (OU) dec. Eden Bernstein (UCO), 12-5 165: Derek Peperas (OU) dec. Derrick Adkins (UCO), 4-2 174: Jeff James (OU) maj. dec. Cody Rowell (UCO), 23-10 184: Erich Schmidtke (OU) dec. Kenny Meredith (UCO), 5-0 197: Eric Lapotsky (OU) fall Jarrett Edison (UCO), 6:20 HWT: Dustin Finn (UCO) dec. Nathan Fernandez (UCO), 7-5

Mankato, Minn. -- Second-ranked Minnesota State used four falls in eight contested matches to top Waldorf College 37-6 in a non-conference dual at Bresnan Arena. The match opened the dual season for the Mavericks, now 1-0-0 on the season. Returning All-American Andy Forstner (Madelia, Minn.) put the Mavericks up big early with a fall in 4:31 at 125 pounds over Jeff Ohenmous. Following an MSU setback at133 pounds, freshman Robby Fisher (Bloomington, Minn.) opened his Maverick career in big fashion with a 16-3 major decision win at 141. A Waldorf forfeit to freshman Jesse Westphal (Janesville, Minn.) put the Mavericks up 16-3 heading into 157 pounds where senior Darren Olsen (Davis, Ill.) tacked on a pin at 3:23. The Warriors’ Brandon Porter took a hard-fought 15-9 decision from senior Justin Turek (New Prague, Minn.) at 165 pounds but it was all Mavericks from that point on. Sophomore Tel Todd (Bozeman, Mont.) crafted a 5-3 decision at 174 pounds, followed by a fall from returning national qualifier Ben Becker (Fort Dodge, Iowa) in just 57 seconds. The Warriors and Mavericks matched forfeits at 197 pounds, leading the way for three-time All-American Brady Wilson (Faribault, Minn.) to close out the dual with a fall in 1:53. Minnesota State will wrestle four individual tournaments before returning to dual action, beginning this weekend at the Harold Nichols Open in Ames, Iowa. The all-day tournament is hosted by Iowa State University.

Anthony Robles

Brendan Buckley

Carl Adams

Faruk Sahin

The first season of Golden Gopher Wrestling, was 1910. The first conference title for Golden Gopher Wrestling, was 1910. Since its inception 100 years ago, the wrestling program at the University of Minnesota has been synonymous with winning. And the greatest run of success, has undoubtedly been during the tenure of current head coach J Robinson. Now is his 24th season, Robinson has assembled a team that can rank among his best by season's end. For a coach who has already won six Big Ten titles, and three NCAA titles, that may seem like a lofty statement. However, with the culture of the winning and the long history of success that has been Gopher Wrestling throughout the years, high expectations and lofty goals come with the territory. The consensus for the Golden Gophers in the preseason polls is No. 5 national ranking, including in the USA Today/NWCA/InterMat preseason Top-25. A talent laden line-up will be led by five returners with NCAA meet experience, three of which who have been named All-American. The head of that class are seniors and three-time All-Americans Jayson Ness and Dustin Schlatter, while sophomore Zach Sanders has already earned All-America status. There is ability in the line-up from top-to-bottom, and quality depth in every spot. Add to the mix, the nation's No. 1 ranked recruiting class and the Gophers look as strong as ever, ready to make a run at the Big Ten and NCAA titles. 125 Already an All-American, Zach Sanders (Wabasha, Minn.) enters his sophomore season as a staple at the top of the Gopher line-up. His 39 wins in 2008-09 led the team while his 19 in dual meet action were tied for the team lead. He broke on to the scene in a big way in his rookie campaign, winning his first 15 matches with the first six by either, fall, tech fall, or major decision. With six falls last season, he was among the team leaders while his nine major decisions and five technical falls were each the Gophers' best mark. He also had a win streak last season of 12-straight, which came after his first loss and left him with a 23-1 record as Big Ten play opened. With five wins over ranked opponents last season, Sanders begins his sophomore season ranked fourth in most preseason polls at 125 pounds. "He is a young leader for us," head coach J Robinson said. "He has a great motor and is a great example of Minnesota wrestling. He's very exciting, aggressive and intense." Sanders leadership will be called upon this season, as he heads a young group at 125. Backing him up will be freshman Thane Antczak (Prairie Farm, Wis.) and Austin Waliullah (Rockton, Ill.). 133 https://admin.xosn.com/pics22/400/VM/VMQHXSXRPCMGXJK.20090207034831.jpgFor one final season, Jayson Ness (Bloomington, Minn.) will take the mat for the Golden Gophers. In his already brilliant career Ness (right) has been named All-America three times and won the 2007 Big Ten title. He opens his final season ranked second at 133 in every preseason publication. "The goal for Ness is to return to the finals and put it all together for a National Championship," Robinson said. Coming off a good summer of training, the high expectations are more than warranted. In his first season at 133, he racked up 38 wins as well as 19 falls to lead the team and set a new career pins record with 54 at the end of his junior season. His chase for an NCAA title in his final season will coincide with his quest, along with teammate Dustin Schlatter, to become just the sixth and seventh four-time All-Americans in team history. After missing an entire season due to injury last season, sophomore Cody Marcicki (Lapeer, Mich.) will add valuable dept this season. Meanwhile freshmen Tom Giaimo (Appleton, Wis.) and David Thorn (St. Michael, Minn.) get their first taste of college wrestling. Thorn is the younger brother of current Golden Gopher junior Mike Thorn. 141 After a breakout campaign as a sophomore, Mike Thorn (St. Michael, Minn.) enters his junior season ready to build on his first career appearance at the NCAA Championships. Entering the season, he is ranked as high as ninth at 141 pounds in some publications. "He got in a lot of good work over the summer," Robinson said of Thorn. "He is bigger and stronger and has really shown some great improvement." In his first season as a regular starter, Thorn went 12-10 in dual meets and 5-3 in the Big Ten. His season began with 12 consecutive wins, with six of the first seven by fall. He closed the season with 10 pins which was second on the team among starters. Now as an upperclassmen, he will be asked to lead a very deep and talented group at 141. Freshman Austin Enoch (Redmond, Ore.) had an impressive season last year as a redshirt with 10 wins, as did sophomore David Zilverberg (Wayzata, Minn.) with nine wins. Zilverberg, however, may spend time at 149 this season. Jake Mellmer (Dickinson, N.D.) and Ryan Blake (Chicago, Ill.) as a junior and sophomore respectively will add more experience to the group. As the younger brother of former Gopher three-time All-American Mack Reiter, freshman Bart Reiter (Gilbertville, Iowa) begins his collegiate career with four state titles on his resume. 149 In his first season with the Golden Gophers last year, Mario Mason racked up 14 wins against just two losses. Now, after his redshirt year, he is slated as the starter at 149 pounds. "He'll be taking over the spot held by Dustin Schlatter," Robinson said. "We have high expectations for him, after his redshirt season last year." His career started in dominant fashion with a 20-7 win in his first match, which he then backed up with a 15-3 win later the same day. At 149 pounds last season, he posted a 12-1 record, losing only in the championship match at the Kaufman-Brand Open, by just one point. His ability to compete with top competition was further proven as he ended the season wrestling up a weight class, and posting a 2-1 mark at 157 pounds. The rest of the field at 149 brings a wealth of experience including sophomores Joe Grygelko (Greenfield, Minn.), Luke Mellmer (Dickinson, N.D.) and Brian Peterson (Richmond, Minn.). Grygelko and Peterson split time in the starting line-up last season, appearing in 16 and seven dual meets respectively. Grygelko, who also may see time at 157, and Peterson each won seven total matches last season. Competing in open meets, Mellmer enters the season off a 4-4 campaign. Finally freshmen Wesley Richard (Dillingham, Alaska), Pat Smith (Chaska, Minn.) and Danny Zilverberg (Wayzata, Minn.) join the group. Richard was a redshirt last year while Zilverberg (the younger brother of current Gopher David Zilverberg) begins his college career fresh off an undefeated state championship season as a high school senior. 157 There will be a major hole to fill at 157 this winter, with the graduation of Tyler Safratowich, who posted 32 wins last season on his was to All-American laurels. The leading candidate to replace Safratowich is freshman Jake Deitchler (Anoka, Minn.). Deitchler gained notoriety in 2008 when he became the first high school wrestler since 1976 to qualify for the United State Olympic team. After the 2008 summer Olympics he put college off for a while and spent the next year training full time at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Now after a year of training full time, he has decided to come back to the University of Minnesota, and the Gophers are excited to have him. Coach Robinson describes Deitchler's style as aggressive, offensive and intense, and he has the ability to pick up right where Safratowich left off. Sophomore Joel Hill (Overland Park, Kans.) will back up Deitchler and will gain more experience after appearing in four open tournaments last season. 165 https://admin.xosn.com/pics11/400/PH/PHZDOBLLPEGNMZN.20090923231315.jpgThe 165 spot will be in good hands this winter, as three-time All-American Dustin Schlatter (Massillion, Ohio) makes the move up two weight classes . After redshirting last season, Schlatter (below) will join teammate Jayson Ness in the quest to become four-time All-Americans in their senior year. The 2006 NCAA Champion at 149 pounds, a bigger, stronger, and rejuvenated Schlatter will also chase his third Big Ten Championship, but his first at 165. "He's finally healthy after taking a year off," Robinson said. "We're looking for him to recapture National Championship form this season." Despite moving up two weight classes, he is still garnering national respect, as he is ranked No. 1 at 165 in the preseason by InterMat, and has earned a No. 2 ranking by Amateur Wrestling News. Backing up, and gaining valuable experience, behind Schlatter this season will be freshman Alec Ortiz (Grand Ronde, Ore.). Ortiz is a heralded recruit who earned multiple All-America honors in high school on his way to four undefeated state championship seasons. 174 The race for the top spot at 174 is as wide open as any, but has several strong candidates. Among the leaders heading into the open season are senior Matt Everson (Mitchell, S.D.) and junior Scott Glasser (Bismarck, N.D.). After splitting time between weight classes, Everson ended last season as the starter at 174 pounds. He placed seventh at the Big Ten Tournament and was just a match away from the NCAA Tournament in his first season back from a two-year tour in Iraq. He won his first two matches last season, as well as his last and will try to ride that momentum into his last season. Glasser was the top Gopher at 165 last season and, despite fighting through injuries, won 19 matches and started every Big Ten dual. He won 15 of his first 17 matches as a sophomore, and now bigger and stronger he will look to return to that form as he battles for the top spot at 174. Also in the mix are Kaleb Young (Tenstrike, Minn.) and Cody Yohn (Alamosa, Colo.) after posting 17 and 14 wins respectively last season. Young earned the start in 18 dual meets as a freshman, winning his first three and seven overall. "Kaleb wants to get better," Robinson said. "He's always striving to get better, and as a starter last year he'll be looking to start again. Yohn was a redshirt a season ago and claimed championships at the Kaufman-Brand Open and Flash Open as well as runner-up honors at the Bison Open and the Minnesota West Open. After a summer spent improving, he will only add to the interesting competition at 174 this winter. Adding even further depth at the spot is senior Nate Matousek (Glencoe, Minn.) who returns after a year away from wrestling, as well as freshmen Steven Avalos (Mundelein, Wis.) and Kevin Steinhaus (Pennock, Minn.). 184 The spot at 184 is just another in the Gopher line-up that should be in good hands this season. Sonny Yohn (Alamosa, Colo.) returns for his sophomore season after starting a majoring of the Gophers' matches last season. "Sonny broke into the starting line-up late last year," Robinson said. "He had a great spring, he's diligent, and he's a great example of what you want in an athlete." Yohn has caught eyes nationally already in the preseason, gaining a No. 18 ranking by Amateur Wrestling News. He ended last season by going 3-2 at the Big Ten Tournament to earn seventh place honors. He began his run with a win over the No. 13 ranked wrestler it country, his second win over a ranked wrestler on the season. Now with a ranking of his own, he will be one of the many young leaders for the Gophers in 2009-10. 197 Another spot that opens the season with competition for the starters role is at 197, and at the forefront are a pair of wrestlers that were in different weight classes last year. Junior Brent Eidenschink (Detroit Lakes, Minn.) was a part-time starter at 184 as a sophomore while fellow junior Joe Nord (Waconia, Minn.) found himself in the starting line-up at heavyweight at times last season. Eidenschink won six total matches and Nord won 11 last season. "He has great experience after starting as a freshman and sophomore," Robinson said of Eidenschink. "He's bigger and stronger now, and moving up a weight class will help his strength and size." On the flip side, a trimmed down Nord will provide quality competition for the top spot. He was 11-3 against Heavyweight competition last season and 5-1 in dual meets. He closed last season with four wins in five matches, including two over ranked opponents. That momentum should carry over nicely to his new spot at 197. Providing the youth at 197 this year will be freshmen Greg Antonson (Eau Claire, Wis.) and Jake Filkins (Prescott, Wis.). HWT Finally, at heavyweight, the Gophers can look to another quality veteran and expect great results. Junior Ben Berhow (Hayward, Minn.) made his second consecutive NCAA Tournament last season and is ranked among the best heavyweights in the country in the preseason. "He's been close and this could be a breakthrough year," Robinson said. "He gained confidence last season, he knows what to do and he'll take his shots." Berhow has been known to take chances and is one of the most offensive heavyweights in the Big Ten, if not the nation. His chances paid off last season as he went 8-0 in Big Ten dual meets, on his way to 27 total victories and a fourth place finish at the Big Ten tournament. Now as an upperclassman, the goal is to improve and make deep runs at both the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments. Learning behind Berhow this winter will be a pair of freshmen in Jake Kettler (Ramsey, Minn.) and Tony Nelson (Cambridge, Minn.). Each begin their Gopher careers fresh off Minnesota state titles, Kettler at heavyweight and Nelson at 215, giving the Gophers a very talented group of big men. Schedule It will be a daunting schedule, as always, for the Golden Gophers as they celebrate their 100th year. This year's slate is highlighted by seven home dual meets while the complete schedule includes three of the top four teams from last year's NCAA Championship meet, as well as 10 teams that placed in the top-20. Eight opponents can be found on the NWCA/InterMat Preseason Top-25, paced by the preseason number one and defending national champion Iowa Hawkeyes. For the fifth straight year, the season gets underway at the Bison Open as the Golden Gophers head to Fargo, N.D. on Nov. 14. A week later, on Nov. 21, they head to the Kaufman-Brand Open hosted by Nebraska-Omaha. The Gophers host their first home meet of the season on Saturday, Nov. 28 when Cal State Bakersfield visits Williams Arena. December begins with a road trip to perennial power and No. 6 ranked Oklahoma State on Friday, Dec. 4, before a home match with No. 7 Nebraska on Thursday Dec. 10. On Sunday, Dec. 13, Minnesota is back on the road as they travel to Northern Colorado, before taking some time off for the Holidays. After the break, the Golden Gophers close out the month in Greensboro, N.C. for the Southern Scuffle on Dec. 29-30. On Jan. 3, Minnesota returns home to the Sports Pavilion and opens 2010 with their third top-10 team in No. 2 Iowa State. The following weekend, it's off to Cedar Falls, Iowa for the National Duals on Jan. 9-10. The next action for the Golden Gophers is a weekend swing to Michigan to open the Big Ten season. As for the Big Ten slate this season, it will not include Northwestern or Ohio State as they are the two league teams the Gophers do not face in 2009-10. On Jan. 22 and 23, Minnesota travels to No. 21 Michigan State and Michigan respectively. January then closes with the season's first set of back-to-back home duals. On Friday, Jan. 29 No. 11 Wisconsin visits Williams Arena, and then on Sunday, Jan. 31 Minnesota hosts Purdue. After Big Ten road duals at Illinois and No. 15 Indiana on February 5 and 6 respectively, the Golden Gophers get the luxury of closing out the regular season at home. On Sunday, Feb. 14, in one of the most anticipated matches every season, Minnesota hosts No. 1 Iowa in Williams Arena. Then the regular season comes to a close at the Sports Pavilion on Friday Feb. 19 in a meet with No.14 Penn State. With March, comes tournament time and Minnesota will be on the road at the Big Ten Championships on Mar. 6-7 in Ann Arbor, Mich. and at the NCAA Championships in Omaha, Neb. on Mar. 18-20. It will be another exciting season on the mat, as the Gophers carry the tradition of the last 100 years, into the next century of Minnesota Wresting.

Robbie Waller

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. -- Lock Haven University has announced that Robbie Waller will assume the reins of the Bald Eagle wrestling program. Waller, a Western Pa. native and former NCAA Division I National Champion at the University of Oklahoma begins his tenure in Mat Town, U.S.A., after four seasons as assistant coach at his alma mater. Waller is a 2003 graduate of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and has spent the last four seasons as a top assistant with the Sooners. Working under head coach Jack Spates, Waller assisted in all facets of the program, including recruiting some of the nation’s top scholastic wrestlers. Waller, who claimed an individual national championship in 2003, is very excited about his opportunity with a storied program like Lock Haven. "I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to lead such a tradition-rich program,” Waller said. “Our coaching staff, athletes, and administration are committed to returning Lock Haven University wrestling back to National prominence.” Before returning to Norman, Okla., Waller spent time at the University of Missouri, Columbia. While at Missouri, he served as a graduate assistant and an assistant coach, helped them to 13th and 11th place finishes in ’04 and ’05, respectively, and earned a Master’s degree in Education in 2007. Waller is no stranger to the elite level of wrestling competition. Along with his 2003 title, he was also a four-time NCAA qualifier and an All American in 2002. As in his own wrestling career, Waller has been quick to help his athletes excel on the mats. He has coached 12 NCAA Division I All-Americans and four NCAA Finalists. In 2006, Waller helped Oklahoma to a third-place finish at the NCAA National Championship. A Latrobe native, Waller was inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006. He is a graduate of Mount Pleasant Area High School where he won a 1998 Pennsylvania State Championship. Waller finished his scholastic career with a remarkable 128-3 record, was a two-time State Runner-up, and a FILA Junior Freestyle Champion. Lock Haven University Director of Athletics Sharon Taylor is very pleased with the appointment of Waller. “The traits that made Robbie Waller attractive as the associate head coach do not change with his taking over the program. He has been to the top of the NCAA as an athlete and in the coaching ranks and is highly respected by colleagues and other competitors. He knows what it takes to be successful and to translate that success to others. The team has responded remarkably well to coach Waller in the short time he’s been in Lock Haven, and I hope that everyone will give him and his staff the support they need to accomplish what they and the wrestlers have set out to do.” Waller has taken over the program following the recent retirement of Rocky Bonomo, who was Lock Haven’s head coach over the last seven seasons. An assistant coach is expected to be named within the week.

Lincoln McIlravy

Bob Sapp

Ryan Patrovich

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - South Dakota State University 197-pounder Tyler Sorenson (Garretson, S.D./Garretson HS) has been named the Western Wrestling Conference's Wrestler of the Week as announced by league officials. Sorenson recorded four technical-fall victories, outscoring his opponents 75-12 in the process, in winning the 197-pound title at the season-opening Warren Williamson/Daktronics Open Nov. 7 in Brookings, S.D. He defeated Brian Lunde of the University of Regina in the first round, 19-2, then posted an 18-2 win over Joe Skow of the University of Sioux Falls. In the semifinals, Sorenson won 19-4 over Taylor Yliniemi of Minnesota State, Moorhead, before claiming the title with another 19-4 victory over North Dakota State’s Drew Ross. Sorenson also was named the Co-Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. 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.

Mack Reiter

The 64th year of Missouri wrestling is set to get underway Thursday, Nov. 12, at 6:30 p.m. (CT) in the Hearnes Center. Eighth-ranked Missouri will square off against border opponent Illinois in the first of six home meets. Fans wearing black and/or gold can purchase a $3 ticket at the door, while members of the military can purchase a $2 with a valid military ID. Thursday’s dual marks the ninth time in program history that Missouri will open its season against the Fighting Illini. The two teams last met in 2001 and Missouri won the dual, 20-13. Illinois holds a 19-8 advantage in the all-time series that dates back to the 1927-28 campaign. Competing at Illinois in 1927, the Fighting Illini took the 24-3 win over Missouri, the first of six season-opening victories over the Tigers. Prior to the 2001-02 campaign, Missouri won its last season opener against Illinois in 1987 under the direction of then-Head Coach Wes Roper, 19-15. Both teams will take to the center circle with five wrestlers ranked among the top-25 in the nation in their respective weight class. The 2009-10 campaign marks the eighth straight year in which the Tigers open the season ranked among the top-15 in the nation. For Illinois, 2009 marks the first time in over 10 years that the Fighting Illini are not ranked. Missouri returns three All-Americans to its 10-man lineup with 2009 defending heavyweight National Champion Mark Ellis ranked the highest of his teammates at No. 1 in the nation. Fellow seniors and two-time All-Americans Maxwell Askren and Nicholas Marable begin the season ranked among the top-10 at 184 and 165 pounds, respectively. Askren, down one weight class from his previous three years of collegiate competition, stands at No. 2 in the nation behind three-time All-American and 2008 National Champion Mike Pucillo of Ohio State. Marable, a third place finisher at the 2008 National Championships and seventh-place finisher one year ago, enters the campaign ranked No. 7. Three Missouri wrestlers, Askren, along with junior Todd Schavrien and sophomore Dorian Henderson, are competing in different weight classes from one year prior. Schavrien, a 2009 NCAA qualifier at 133 pounds, has bumped up to 141 this fall, while Henderson, a 2009 NCAA qualifier at 184 pounds, has dropped to 174 pounds. Both Schavrien and Henderson open the season ranked, Schavrien at No. 18, Henderson as high as No. 14. Two redshirt freshman are slated to make their first dual appearance Thursday night in the Hearnes Center. Nathan McCormick will wrestle at 133 pounds while Brent Haynes will enter the lineup at 197 pounds. Haynes will take on 12th-ranked senior and three-time NCAA qualifier Patrick Bond of Illinois.

Dave Grant