InterMat Staff

The mobile Brute adidas studios will hit the road this Saturday for one of our second LIVE road show of the year. Join Scott Casber and Steve Foster for what has now become a tradition on TDR. We'll talk with the wrestlers during and after practice, the coaches and some of the fans that will be on campus. Our host for the weekend is Tom Brands and his Hawkeyes. We'll broadcast from the wrestling room at Carver Hawkeye Arena. This will be a video and audio program. Please feel free to tune in and listen at Takedownradio.com. We'll tell this story on next weeks edition of TDR TV. Missed an episode of TDR? Now You can get TDR on your PDA or iPhone at Lightsout.tv and at iTunes Please note that Episode 30 of TDR TV is now up on all the top web sites around the country and is available for your viewing. TDR every week! It's appointment Radio! Join us at Takedownradio.com. America's Wrestling Radio Talk Show airs on Supertalk 1570 in Michigan, AM 1460 KXNO in Iowa and on a radio station near you or on line at many of our broadcast partners around the world including Livesportsvideo.com. We air 9 AM to 11 AM CST every Saturday morning and look forward to having you listen in.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The Virginia wrestling team, ranked as high as No. 17 nationally, will begin its 2009-10 season this Saturday when it plays host to Anderson and Campbell in a double dual at Memorial Gymnasium. Anderson and Campbell will start the day with a 10 a.m. dual, followed by Virginia facing Anderson at noon. The Cavaliers and Camels will close the day with a 2 p.m. bout. Admission is free to all three matches. Fourth-year head coach Steve Garland welcomes back starters back at eight weight classes from last season and also returns 2009 redshirts Michael Chaires (So., Scotia, N.Y.), Shawn Harris (So., Cleveland, Ohio) and Danny Gonsor (So., Cleveland, Ohio) to the mix. As a team, Virginia is ranked as high as No. 17 nationally in the W.I.N. tournament power index - the team's highest ranking in program history. UVa also is ranked 20th in the preseason InterMat, Amateur Wrestling News and D1Wrestling.net rankings. Six Cavaliers are ranked in the various preseason polls. Chris Henrich (Jr., Lansdale, Pa.) highlights the list of Cavaliers in the individual rankings - he is ranked as high as No. 2 (WIN, D1Wrestling.net) in the 174-pound weight class. Henrich earned All-America honors last season and went 40-3. Brent Jones (Sr., Burke, Va.) is ranked as high as No. 7 at 197 pounds, and Nick Nelson (Jr., Pittsburgh, Pa.) stands as high as 10th at 141. Michael Chaires (So., Scotia, N.Y.) is 16th in the InterMat rankings at 165 pounds, while Ross Gitomer (Sr., Flemington, N.J.), who is coming back from a season-ending knee injury last year, is 17th in the D1CollegeWrestling.net rankings at 125 pounds. Matt Bonson (So., Lewistown, Pa.) is ranked 21st at 133 pounds by D1CollegeWrestling.net. UVa will welcome several new faces to the mix this weekend. Bloomsburg transfer Matt Snyder (R-Fr., Lewistown, Pa.) and true freshman Matt Cubillos (Schenectady, N.Y.) each are expected to see their first action as Cavaliers at 125 and 133 pounds, respectively, while redshirt freshman Mike Salopek (North Huntingdon, Pa.) is slated to compete at 184 pounds as he takes over for three-time ACC champion Rocco Caponi, who graduated in the spring. Virginia has a challenging November ahead. Next week, the Cavaliers will face No. 16 American as well as Bucknell (with four ranked wrestlers) and Gardner-Webb at the ACC Challenge in Chapel Hill, N.C. Two weeks later UVa will square off with No. 13 Central Michigan, perennial power Hofstra and Sacred Heart at the Northeast Duals in Albany, N.Y. Anderson (S.C.) is ranked 10th in the preseason NCAA Division II Super Region I poll. At 133 pounds, Chris Francis is ranked sixth, while J.J. Jackson is ranked third in the region at 157 pounds. Jackson finished 16-8 last season after earning a spot at the NCAA Championships. Luis Audelo is ranked sixth at 197 pounds. The teams last met in the 2007-08 season opener, a 45-3 UVa win at Mem Gym. The Cavaliers own a 2-0 series advantage. Campbell went 8-10 last season and finished fifth in the East Region Championships. Parker Burns (197) and Khiry Reid (285) each finished as runners-up at the region championships. The Camels suffered at 32-9 loss to Virginia last season in Buies Creek, N.C. UVa holds a 2-0 edge in the all-time series.

Balancing a successful wrestling career at a young age is extremely demanding. As one of the toughest sports to compete in and train for the commitment is one few at a young age can do it. Not far behind when it comes to the amount of work athletes have to put in is swimming. For one of the most successful 14-year-old wrestlers, Michael Johnson Jr., it's all in a day's work. Michael Johnson Jr.Johnson, who won 17 national and state wrestling tournaments through 2009, showed his parents his interest in the sport at a very early age. "When Michael was about two years old he was able to turn the TV on by himself," said Michael Johnson Sr. "He had the remote and he stopped on a Northwestern (Wildcat) wrestling meet. When his mom came into the room, he was holding the remote, watching the TV, and was kind of moving back and forth watching the match. Then right before Thanksgiving the whole extended family was in the kitchen except for Grandpa -- who was sleeping on a pillow on the floor -- and Michael. We heard Michael screaming out there with his grandpa so we all ran out there. He had a half nelson on his grandpa who was asleep and he was running in place trying to turn him over." Already involved in competitive swimming, the kid from Downers Grove, Illinois started his wrestling career, but not without some conditions put in place by his mother, Jane, who made a deal with him in kindergarten. If Michael could get "all pluses" on his report card he could be involved in both sports. Michael took the deal and didn't look back. He has never fallen below the standard set by his mom and is now a straight-A student. Success in the classroom didn't translate into immediate success on the mat. "I liked it, but I wasn't good at it at all," said the younger Johnson. "I was frustrated when I was little and thought about quitting, but I stuck with it." While it might not have come easy, a change in wrestling associations gave him the lift he needed. "Michael was in four-year-old preschool and was wrestling kids that were in second and third grade," said his dad. "It was ugly, but he went to a wrestling camp and he had such a good time that we ended up changing clubs to accommodate his swimming and when we changed clubs we saw drastic improvements." He was in an organization that took wrestling more seriously and allowed him to wrestle kids closer to his age with positive results. "When he changed clubs, the wrestling was a lot more serious," said Michael Johnson Sr. "Almost all the kids were state placewinners or state qualifiers. They did freestyle and Greco and the expectations were different. He started beating kids he wouldn't even see because he wouldn't get deep enough into tournaments. Kids who would routinely tech and pin him now he was beating." While the club and age group switch helped, the real reason behind Johnson Jr.'s success was something you can't get from any club or organization. It was his work ethic. "There were guys on my team that were more talented than me," said Michael Johnson Jr. "They just got it faster. But I always wanted to learn more and I worked harder than most kids." Israel Martinez"He has a great focus for the sport," said Israel Martinez, who was recently hired as the head wrestling coach at Montini Catholic High School in Illinois. Martinez has been coaching Johnson Jr. on and off almost Johnson Jr.'s whole career. The last six months Martinez has been Johnson Jr.'s main wrestling coach. "He is a world-class Olympic-style weight lifter," said Martinez, who finished his high school wrestling career in Illinois with a record of 118-1, losing only one match due to an illegal slam. "He is unbelievably strong. If he doesn't make the Olympics one day as a wrestler, I truly believe he could make it as a weightlifter." Michael Johnson Jr. is a three-time Illinois weightlifting champion and won a national title weightlifting, but wanting to be the best wrestler he could be, getting into the freestyle and Greco Roman styles was a given. It took some time, but Johnson Jr. soon was competing at a high level in all three styles. "I read about Brandon, Florida and all the state champs, and Fargo champs, and that really motivated me to do freestyle and Greco," said Johnson Jr. "The first year I did it, I didn't really get it. It is a lot different than folkstyle with a lot faster pace. The third year I did it, I started to get it. It took me a while to get used to being able to lock your hands on top and rolling for points -- what in folkstyle is a bad position is scoring in freestyle and Greco was tough to do." Soon his career started to take off. Twice he has won the USA Wrestling's Triple Crown (a national title in all three styles of wrestling) -- once at Novice and once at the Schoolboy levels. It was a gradual progression, but Johnson Jr. and his dad both pointed to one tournament where he started to turn the corner. "There was one tournament series when I started beating better kids," recalled Johnson Jr. "It was the Boarder Wars Nationals." As he became more successful in wrestling, his swimming career had to be revised. "A year or two ago, Michael realized he was a wrestler who love to swim, not a swimmer who loved to wrestle," said Michael's father. With the schedule he held at the time and the modifications he had to make, many athletes would have dropped one sport or the other, but Johnson Jr. isn't built that way. "Up until last summer when he broke his ankle, it wasn't hard to make the argument that he was a better swimmer than wrestler. When he was in fourth grade we had to switch swim teams because there was a swimming and wrestling conflict. He had to start his swimming workouts on his own. He would wake me up in the morning and we would go a swim workout at the YMCA." While training before the Greco-Roman state championships, Johnson Jr. broke his foot. It caused him to keep swimming on the back burner and put competing at State in serious jeopardy. "He did therapy every day," said Michael Johnson Sr. "He really wanted to make freestyle and Greco Nationals," said his father. "He really wanted to go bad and if there was a way we will go, but it really didn't look like he was going to be able to go. We ended up taping up his ankle and winning the Triple Crown at Schoolboy Nationals. He pretty much wrestled on one leg." Before the tournament he would ice his ankle constantly and during the tournament he would get it taped up by a college trainer. In between matches he would go back to the hotel and soak it in ice water. "Greco was easier than freestyle because people weren't attacking it," said Johnson Jr. "There was one kid that would stomp on it and stuff, but I just had to deal with it and just not let it phase me." That kind of effort and determination doesn't come as a surprise to Martinez. "He lifts weights four times a week," said Martinez. "He swims. He's just a worker. He goes to swimming, then he goes to wrestling, then he goes home and gets his work done. I don't know how many kids are that focused. To do all those things at a high level, it tells you about his work ethic." On the mat, Johnson Jr. feels he is strongest while on his feet and in the top position. "I do a sweep single on the feet and I do a really good wing and arm bar series." "He moves great for a big guy," said Martinez. "He has great motion and great position. When he really grows into his body he is going to be a phenomenal athlete." With such a commitment to athletics, the people around Johnson Jr. might worry about burnout. Johnson Jr. has never given anyone an indication that it will be a concern. "He will walk out of a really intense wrestling practice, his shirt will be soaked, almost like he just got out of a pool," said his father. "He will walk out of the practice and he will have a big smile on his face. He really loves to wrestle." With aspirations of wrestling at the international level as his career moves forward, his swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling schedules will have to continue to be full. The kind of drive Johnson Jr. has shown throughout his athletic career has not given any indication that he will have any issues balancing his ever-expanding world. Three styles of wrestling, swimming at a high level, and competitive weightlifting -- for Johnson Jr., it's just all in a day's work.

USAFA, Colo. -- The Air Force wrestling team gave fans a preview of the 2009-10 season with its annual Blue-Silver Intrasquad Match, held Thursday evening in Clune Arena. The Blue team prevailed, 18-13, as the competitors battled for spots in the Falcons’ starting lineup heading into the season. The first bout of the night came at 125 pounds, where returning starter Andrew Zwirlein (Jr., Nashotah, Wis.) faced off against senior Samuel Sheppard (Ramstein AB, Germany). While Zwirlein’s only points of the match came from a pair of takedowns in the opening period, it proved to be enough, as he was able to hold on for the 4-3 decision, giving the Blue team a 3-0 lead in the match. At 133 pounds, returning letterwinner Tyler Untrauer (So., Midwest City, Okla.) battled rookie Ethan Martinez (Colorado Springs, Colo.) to an 8-7 decision. Untrauer rolled to a 7-1 advantage after one period, but Martinez climbed back into the match, scoring an escape and a takedown in the second period, and earning penalty points after stall warning and cautions against Untrauer. Despite adding just over a minute of riding time, Martinez could not overcome his early deficit, as Untrauer picked up the decision for the Blue team. Freshman Cole VonOhlen (Jackson, Minn.) made it three wins in a row for the Blue team, picking up a decision over Derek Gillespie (Jr., Chesapeake, Va.). After a scoreless opening period, Gillespie notched the first point of the match with an escape near the end of the second period. VonOhlen tied the score with an escape of his own early in the third period and added a takedown to take the lead. With over two minutes of riding time, VonOhlen took the 4-2 victory. The Silver team captured its first victory of the night at 149 pounds, as sophomore Alec Williams (Birmingham, Ala.) scored a 9-1 major decision over classmate Tanner Weltzin (Alexandria, Minn.). After registering a takedown in the opening period, Williams rode out Weltzin for the duration of the second period. He then scored seven points in the final period, including a three-point near fall. Freshman Taylor Hollister (Colorado Springs, Colo.) put the Blue team back in the win column with a 10-3 decision over sophomore Samuel Mitchel (Peru, Ind.) at 157 pounds. Hollister scored four takedowns and accumulated nearly three minutes of riding time as he helped the Blue team extend its advantage to 12-4. In the next match, Joseph Stafford (Jr., Loomis, Calif.) went up against senior captain Justin Shadrix (Bremen, Ga.) at 165 pounds. It was a close battle, as Shadrix used a takedown and a reversal to score a 4-3 decision over Stafford. With his victory, Shadrix got the Silver team back within five points in the team scoring at 12-7. The 174-pound bout saw the return of senior Tyler French (Malta, Mont.), a 2008 NCAA qualifier who missed the latter half of the 2008-09 season due to injury. French went head-to-head with fellow senior Joshua Smith (Orem, Utah). Through the first two periods of action, the only point came on an escape by Smith. However, French opened the third period with a reversal and stayed in control for most of the period before Smith scored another escape. While the score was tied at 2-2 at the end of regulation, French was awarded an extra point with nearly two minutes of riding time, earning a 3-2 win for the Blue team. Next up was a match-up between freshman Josh Mohr (Pewaukee, Wis.) and senior James Ciccone (Mentor, Ohio) at 184 pounds. Ciccone took a 6-4 lead after the first period, scoring two takedowns and a reversal, while adding an escape in the second period. While Mohr was able to start out strong in the final period, tying the score at 9-9, Ciccone registered the last four points, including a point for riding time, to take the 13-9 decision for the Silver team. Juniors Neil Delaney (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and Josh Larson (Windsor, Colo.) met in the 197-pound match, with Delaney winning a 3-1 decision. Delaney scored a takedown and an escape during the bout, while Larson’s lone point came from accumulating 1:16 of riding time. With the win, Delaney helped ice the Blue team’s victory, giving it an insurmountable 18-10 advantage. In the final match, rookie Jared Erickson (Newton, Utah) faced off against senior Stephen Larson (Lakeville, Minn.). After a scoreless opening period, Larson got on the board with an escape and a takedown. While Erickson opened the final period with an escape, Larson added a takedown and an extra point for riding time in a 6-2 decision, as the Silver team cut the final margin to 18-13. The Falcons’ season officially starts next weekend, Nov. 14, when the team heads to Laramie, Wyo., for the annual Cowboy Open, hosted by Wyoming.

Lincoln -- The defending Big 12 champion Nebraska wrestling team begins a new year of competition as the Huskers host the annual wrestle-offs on Friday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m., at the Devaney Center Indoor Track. The free event is held in conjunction with Nebraska’s Fall Coaches Clinic, and will assist the Husker coaching staff in determining NU’s starting lineup for the 2009-10 season. The Huskers finished 2008-09 with a 17-3-1 record, including a share of the Big 12 title and their second straight fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. Nebraska returns a pair of All-Americans from last year’s squad, including 157-pound national champion Jordan Burroughs and 197-pound NCAA runner-up Craig Brester. The Huskers also welcome back 2008 All-American Stephen Dwyer at 174 pounds and 2009 NCAA qualifier Tucker Lane at Heavywight. Behind its four returning national qualifiers, Nebraska is ranked No. 7 in InterMat’s preseason top 25 poll. Eight opponents on the 2009-10 schedule are also in the rankings. Fans will be able to pick up free posters and schedule cards at the wrestle-offs. This year’s poster features a taste of the 2009 NCAA Championships, an event co-hosted by the University of Nebraska at Qwest Center Omaha from March 18-20. The 2009-10 Nebraska wrestling media and recruiting guide will be available for free online this Friday. It can also be purchased for $5 at the Huskers’ first regular season dual on Sunday, Nov. 15, when NU hosts the Wisconsin Badgers at the NU Coliseum at 1 p.m.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- The 101st season of Lehigh wrestling officially gets underway Sunday as the 19th-ranked Mountain Hawks host the Rider Broncs. The Mountain Hawks are coming off a school single-season record 23-1 dual season last year and will be looking to improve on a second place EIWA finish and 28th place NCAA Championships finish. Lehigh will send eight returning starters to the mat today, including five nationally ranked grapplers. The Mountain Hawks will open things up against a Rider squad that went 8-7 in duals last year. Head coach Gary Taylor ranks second among Division I active coaches in career dual wins (346) and his Broncs team features a pair of nationally ranked wrestlers. After 100 seasons, Lehigh’s all-time dual meet record stands at 808-380-22, which ranks sixth among all Division I wrestling programs. Lehigh has won at least 12 duals in each of the last ten seasons. The Lehigh lineup that will take the mat on Sunday is very similar to the one that started and ended last season. Eight of Lehigh’s ten opening day and EIWA tournament starters return with the exceptions being at 149 and 174. There was heavy competition to replace Trevor Chinn at 149 with senior Brian Tanen having earned the first shot at a weight that still has not been decided. Tanen competed at 157 last year, going 12-8 and 2-0 in duals. At 174, deferred freshman Robert Hamlin defeated junior Alex Caruso twice in wrestle-offs to win the opening day nod. Hamlin was Lehigh’s Deferred Wrestler of the Year last year, winning 30 bouts and placing in the top three of five open tournaments. Sunday’s dual marks the season opener for the Mountain Hawks. Lehigh defeated Maryland to win its season opener last season, snapping a two-opener losing streak. The Mountain Hawks have opened their dual season against Rider twice, defeating the Broncs at Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall in 2005 and losing in New Jersey in 2006. Rider is also opening its dual season Sunday afternoon. The Broncs are coming off an 8-7 dual season where they finished third in the CAA and tied for 32nd at the NCAA Championships. Gary Taylor enters his 32nd season as head coach and holds the second most dual meet wins among Division I coaches. Rider graduated All-American Doug Umbehauer, but returns two ranked wrestlers in Michael Kessler (No. 18 at 149) and Ed Bordas (No. 19 at 285). Lehigh leads the all-time series against Rider, having won 13 of the previous 18 meetings. Rider’s most recent victory came in the 2006-07 season opener. Lehigh owns a 7-3 record versus the Broncs in duals wrestled in Bethlehem, with Rider not having won at Lehigh since 1994. The Lehigh-Rider match gets underway at 2 p.m. from Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall. Tickets can be purchased by calling 610-7LU-GAME or by visiting the Lehigh Ticket Office located in Grace Hall.

NORMAN, Okla. -- In its final preseason event of the season, the University of Oklahoma's wrestling squad saw the Red team dominate the White squad by a 27-6 final margin at the annual Red/White scrimmage in Norman Thursday evening. "I thought this was a good outing for us," head coach Jack Spates said. "This team has to improve in several areas, but in reality you have to remember this is the beginning of the season and guys will get better. Tonight was the first time this year our guys have been under the lights and we have identified where we need to get better." The evening began with a defensive battle at 125 pounds between redshirt freshman Justin Forrest and true freshman Jarrod Patterson. Patterson struck first late in the opening period with a takedown to lead 2-0. Patterson added an escape in the second and only surrendered an escape point to Forrest in the third to take the victory, 3-1, and give the White team a 3-0 advantage. The 133-pound bout was decided late in the third period between a pair of freshmen, Nick Lester and Alex Ekstrom. Lester led 6-2 in the final period after two early takedowns before Ekstrom stormed back with a takedown and nearfall to steal the advantage, 7-6. With just 25 seconds remaining, Lester reclaimed the lead with a reversal and held on to win 9-7 after riding time, tying the team scores at three. Zack Bailey then recorded the victory at 141 pounds over Kendric Maple with a takedown in each of the first two periods. Maple was only able to post an escape in the final stanza to give Bailey a 6-1 win after riding time. Defending Big 12 champion Kyle Terry controlled the 149-pound bout, blanking Matt Lester by a 7-0 margin. The Midwest City, Okla., product posted a takedown in the first and second periods and added a reversal in the third to win 7-0 after riding time and give the Red team a 9-3 lead. Next up was the 157-pound bout, and for the second match in a row a Terry came out on top. Chad Terry, twin brother of Kyle, posted a narrow win over fellow senior Shane Vernon, 5-4. After a scoreless opening period, Terry struck first with a reversal after choosing the down position to begin the second. Vernon quickly countered with a reversal of his own to tie the match at two. A Terry escape to end the second period gave the Midwest City, Okla., product a 3-2 lead. Vernon took back the lead, 4-3, with a reversal after choosing the down position to start the final stanza. Terry then recorded another reversal with 38 seconds to go to take the win, 5-4. At 165 pounds, freshman Tyler Caldwell posted a 4-1 victory over redshirt sophomore Derek Peperas. Caldwell used a takedown in the first and an escape in the second to lead 3-0 entering the third. Peperas posted an escape in the third but could not overcome the early deficit, bringing the White team back within six points, 12-6. Junior Jeff James then posted an impressive 16-3 major decision win over Nolan McBryde at 174 pounds. The El Reno, Okla., product posted four takedowns and two nearfalls to defeat the freshman, extending Red's lead to 16-6. Sooner fans witnessed a battle at 184 pounds between Erich Schmidtke and Ian Daube. Schmidtke jumped out to an early 4-2 lead after the first period off two takedowns, but Daube pulled back to within one, 5-4, with a takedown in the second. Schmidtke put the match out of reach with 13 seconds left in the match with a takedown to win 7-5, giving the Red team a 19-6 advantage. Eric Lapotsky took the drama out of the 197-pound bout with a 15-0 blanking over Keldrick Hall. Lapotsky, a senior from Mt. Carmel, Pa., recorded two takedowns and four nearfalls on the night. After a scoreless first period in the heavyweight match, Joe Bach posted the bout's first points over Nathan Fernandez in the second frame with an escape. After choosing the down position to begin the third period, Fernandez recorded a reversal to lead 2-1. The Lawton, Okla., native held on to win, 3-1, after riding Bach the remainder of the final period. "I am pleased about this evening, but now it is time to go against someone else," Spates said. "Our guys will get back in the room and focus on getting better. We look forward to the start of the season." The Sooners will begin the 2009-10 campaign on the road next Wednesday, Nov. 11 when they travel to Edmond to take on the University of Central Oklahoma at 7 p.m. MATCH-BY-MATCH RESULTS 125: Jarrod Patterson (White) dec. Justin Forrest (Red), 3-1 133: Nick Lester (Red) dec. Alex Ekstrom (White), 9-7 141: Zack Bailey (Red) dec. Kendric Maple (White), 6-1 149: Kyle Terry (Red) dec. Mat Lester (White), 7-0 157: Chad Terry (Red) dec. Shane Vernon (White), 5-4 165: Tyler Caldwell (White) dec. Derek Peperas (Red), 4-1 174: Jeff James (Red) maj. dec. Nolan McBryde (White), 16-3 184: Erich Schmidtke (Red) dec. Ian Daube (White), 7-5 197: Eric Lapotsky (Red) tech fall Keldrick Hall (White), 15-0 HWT: Nathan Fernandez (Red) dec. Joe Bach (White), 3-1

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Over 2,400 fans packed Rec Hall to get a first look at the start of a new era in Penn State Wrestling as the team held an intrasquad dual meet. Head coach Cael Sanderson showcased 22 wrestlers in an 11-bout dual meet with no team scores kept. The outstanding crowd got its first look at Penn State's returning veterans, four All-Americans and a talented crop of true freshmen. The evening began with a surprise at 174, where red-shirt freshman Justin Ortega (Oxford, Pa.) posted a convincing 6-2 win over senior David Erwin (Urbana, Ohio). True freshman Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.) followed that up with a rousing 10-1 major decision over J.R. Brown (Bellefonte, Pa.) at 184. In an exhibition bout at 184, Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) posted a solid 8-2 win over sophomore David Crowell (Easton, Pa.), notching three takedowns in the win. True freshman Luke Macchiaroli (Tempe, Ariz.) notched a 5-3 win at 197 over sophomore Clay Steadman (McKean, Pa.), getting the bout's only takedown in the opening period. Two ranked Nittany Lions then posted two dominating performances as sophomore Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio), ranked No. 20 at HWT, posted a 15-0 decision over Brendan Herlihy (Fairfield, Conn.) at the 7:00 mark. No. 8 Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) was brilliant in a 16-1 technical fall over Tom Reynolds (Skillman, N.J.) in just 3:17 at 125. In a spirited bout at 133, sophomore Tyler Saltsman (Concord, N.H.) notched a takedown with just :03 left in sudden victory time to post a 6-4 (SV) win over Bryan Pearsall (Lititz, Pa.). A bout of cramps in his right calf forced sophomore Colby Pisani (Ridgway, Pa.) to injury default against senior Adam Lynch (Mifflinburg, Pa.), who lead 2-0 at the time of the default. All-American Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.), ranked No. 6 at 141, was convincing with a 12-4 major over James English (York, Pa.) at 149. Senior All-American Cyler Sanderson (Heber City, Utah), ranked No. 5 at 157, then faced true freshman David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio) at 157 and came away with a hard-fought 11-4 win. True freshman Jake Kemerer (Greensburg, Pa.) used a last-second takedown to post a 4-3 win over No. 9 Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) at 165 to close out a rousing evening. Penn State opens up the dual meet season at Lehigh on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. Penn State's first home dual is slated for Sunday, Nov. 15, at noon when the Bloomsburg Huskies invade Rec Hall. Penn State Wrestling season tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now. The five-event package (which does not include the Nittany Lion Open) costs $30 for adults ($6 per event) and $25 for youth ($5 per event). Single event tickets will cost $8 for adults and $6 for youth. Group sales are available once again for groups of 15 people or more. Group prices are $5 in advance and $6 walk-up. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 1.800.NITTANY between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. All Penn State events will once again air live on Forever Broadcasting's WRSC(1390 AM) and on GoPSUsports. com as well. The 2009-10 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline. #14 Penn State Hosts Intrasquad Dual Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009 - Rec Hall - State College, Pa. 174: Justin Ortega dec. David Erwin, 6-2 184: Ed Ruth maj. dec. J.R. Brown, 10-1 Exhib 184: Quentin Wright dec. David Crowell, 8-2 197: Luke Macchiaroli dec. Clay Steadman, 5-3 285: #20 Cameron Wade tech. fall Brendan Herlihy, 15-0 (7:00) 125: #8 Brad Pataky tech. fall Tom Reynolds, 16-1 (3:17) 133: Tyler Saltsman dec. Bryan Pearsall, 6-4 (SV) 141: Adam Lynch inj. def. Colby Pisani, (Pisani cramping) 149: #6 Frank Molinaro maj. dec. James English, 12-4 157: #5 Cyler Sanderson dec. David Taylor, 11-4 165: Jake Kemerer dec. #9 Dan Vallimont, 4-3 Final Score: No team scores kept Attendance: 2,400 (appx.) Records: Penn State 0-0, 0-0 Big Ten Up next: Penn State visits Lehigh to open up the 2009-10 season on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. BOUT-BY-BOUT: 174: Senior David Erwin (Urbana, Ohio), coming off a season missed with an injury, met freshman Justin Ortega (Oxford, Pa.) at 174. Erwin went on offense early and notched his first takedown at the 2:40 mark and led 2-1 after an Ortega escape. The senior then countered an Ortega shot to nearly notch another takedown, but Ortega forced a stalemate with 1:00 left in the period. Erwin had one final shot at points as the period ended but could not score. Trailing 2-1, Ortega chose down to start the second stanza and quickly escaped to a 2-2 tie. Erwin continued to be the aggressor, but Ortega's defense kept the senior from putting any more points on the scoreboard. Ortega got hit with a first stall warning with 1:00 left in the second period. Ortega lifted Erwin with just :20 left and took the senior down for a 4-2 lead as the second period ended. Erwin chose down to start the third stanza but could not work out from a strong Ortega ride. Erwin gave up a stall point as well and Ortega broke open a 5-2 lead. The red-shirt freshman picked up a riding time point to post a convincing 6-2 win. 184: Sophomore J.R. Brown (Bellefonte, Pa.) took on true freshman Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.) at 184. Ruth wasted no time notching an early takedown, quickly opening up a 2-0 lead just :14 into the bout. Brown escaped after a :22 Ruth ride to cut the lead to 2-1 and action returned to the center of the mat. The Harrisburg native added a second takedown midway through the period and then put together a strong ride to build up a 1:44 riding time edge while riding Brown out. Leading 4-1, Ruth chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 5-1 lead. The freshman then worked his way quickly around Brown to gain control of the bout with a third takedown, leading 7-1 with 1:30 left in the middle period. Ruth was dominating on top, not allowing Brown any room to maneuver on his way to another ride out. Ruth led 7-1 with an assured riding time point thanks to a 3:16 advantage. Brown chose neutral to start the third period, but Ruth quickly added another takedown with a quick counter to a Brown shot. Leading 9-1 with just over a minute left, Ruth began looking for a way to turn the Bellefonte native to his back for bonus points. Brown was able to keep his shoulders off the mat, but Ruth's dominating performance on top led to another ride out and a convincing 10-1 major decision (with the riding time point). Ex. 184: All-American Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) met David Crowell (Easton, Pa.) in an exhibition bout at 184. Wright, a 2009 All-American at 174, met sophomore David Crowell (Easton, Pa.). Crowell had the first opening in the high-energy bout, but Wright was able to counter, step over the talented sophomore, and gain control for a takedown of his own and a 2-0 lead with 1:07 left. Wright maintained control over Crowell for the rest of the opening period to take a 2-0 lead into the second stanza. Wright chose down and quickly escaped to a 3-0 lead. The Wingate native then immediately turned into Crowell, looking for another scoring opportunity. But Crowell was equal to the task, looking for his own chances to score while keeping Wright from building on his lead. But a quick high single from Wright with just :17 left in the period gave the All-American a 5-0 lead as the period ended. Down 5-0, Crowell chose down to start the final stanza and quickly escaped to a 5-1 deficit. Wright worked a strong, low double leg to up his lead to 7-1 with just over :30 left and secured his riding time point in the process. Crowell added an escape as the bout wound down to cut into Wright's lead. Wright walked away with a solid 8-2 win. 197: Sophomore Clay Steadman (McKean, Pa.) took to the mat at 197 against true freshman Luke Macchiaroli (Tempe, Ariz.). Macchiaroli got the first takedown of the bout, finishing off a low double on the edge of the mat with just :45 left in the opening bout. Steadman escaped quickly to cut the lead to 2-1 with just over :30 left and action resumed, neutral, in the center circle. Steadman chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 2-2 tie with 1:54 left in the period. Steadman took a low shot but Macchiaroli deftly countered, worked his way around the sophomore and got a second takedown to up his lead to 4-3 after a quick Steadman escape. Steadman quickly turned into Macchiaroli, looking to finish a high single. But the true freshman forced a stalemate to keep his lead with :40 left on the clock. Leading 4-3, Macchiaroli chose down to start the third period and escaped after :40 work to up his lead to 5-3. Steadman looked to score off a reset with :40 left, but Macchiaroli was able to fight off the move (although he picked up a stall warning in the process). Macchiaroli held on for a 5-3 win. 285: Sophomore heavyweight Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio), ranked No. 20 at HWT, met senior Brendan Herlihy (Fairfield, Conn.). Wade finished off a single leg to get the bout's first takedown and lead 2-0 at the 1:17 mark. The sophomore then quickly turned Herlihy to his back for three back points and a 5-0 lead. He then rode the senior out to take a 5-0 lead into the second period. Herlihy chose neutral to start the second period. Wade added a second takedown after a Herlihy stall and led 7-0 with just over :30 left in the period. Herlihy gave up a stall point as the period ended and Wade led 8-0 after two periods. Wade chose down to start the final stanza and escaped to a 9-0 lead. Wade countered a Herlihy shot and got his own takedown with 1:10 left, adding another three point near fall to lead 14-0 with :34 left in the bout. Wade then rode Herlihy out, added the riding time point, and notched a 15-0 technical fall at the 7:00 mark. 125: Junior Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) took on freshman Tom Reynolds (Skillman, N.J.) at 125. Pataky will enter the 2009-10 season ranked No. 8 by Intermat. Pataky wasted no time in getting his first takedown, taking a 2-0 lead just over :10 into the bout. He quickly turned Reynolds for three near fall points and led 5-0 with 2:12 left. After resetting, Pataky added a two point near fall move and was up 7-0. Pataky added another two point turn and led 9-0 with 1:00 left. Pataky picked up one more two point near fall point before Reynolds escaped to an 11-1 deficit with :40 left. Pataky was undaunted, adding one more takedown to lead 13-1 with 2:25 in riding time after one period. Pataky chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 14-1 lead. Pataky added a final takedown to post a 16-1 technical fall at the 3:17 mark. 133: The 133-pound bout featured redshirt freshman Bryan Pearsall (Lititz, Pa.) taking on sophomore Tyler Saltsman (Concord, N.H.). Pearsall notched the first takedown after a mad scramble on the edge of the mat with 1:24 left, taking a 2-0 lead. Pearsall was able to ride Saltsman for the rest of the period, not allowing the New Hampshire native off the mat to lead 2-0 heading into the second stanza. Pearsall then chose down and escaped to a 3-0 lead with 1:30 left in the middle period. Pearsall began playing defense and Saltsman made the freshman pay, getting a takedown and two near fall points with a swift move as the second period ended. The four point move allowed Saltsman to lead 4-3 heading into the third period. Saltsman chose down to start the final stanza but Pearsall was too strong, building up a large riding time edge to secure a riding time point and maintaining control for the full two minutes. Pearsall's riding time point tied the bout at 4-4, forcing a sudden victory period. Saltsman used a strong high double with just :03 left to pull out a thrilling 6-4 sudden victory win. 141: Sophomore Colby Pisani (Ridgway, Pa.) met senior Adam Lynch (Mifflinburg, Pa.) at 141. Pisani was hampered from the get go by sever cramping in his right calf, delaying action while the Penn State training staff worked to try and get him ready to go. Pisani tried to return to action, Lynch notched the first takedown, countering a Pisani shot and taking a 2-0 lead with :45 left. Pisani then cramped again and the Penn State training staff and coaching staff stopped the bout, giving Lynch the injury default win. 149: Sophomore All-American Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.), ranked No. 6 at 141, took on freshman James English (York, Pa.) at 149. Molinaro wasted no time in getting the first takedown, working English to the mat for a 2-1 lead (after an escape. Molinaro countered an English attempt at a quick pin and upped his lead to 4-1 with 1:18 left in a furious opening period. Another English escape cut the lead to 4-2. Molinaro used a quick move behind English to up his lead to 6-2 after the first period with 1:13 in riding time. Molinaro chose down to start the middle stanza and quickly escaped to a 7-2 lead. The sophomore All-American continued to pour on the offense, adding a fourth takedown at the 1:10 mark to up his lead to 9-2. Trailing 9-2, English chose down to begin the final period and escaped to a 9-3 deficit. English looked to score, trying a low single on Molinaro, but the Lion sophomore used his quickness to work behind the freshman for a fifth takedown and an 11-3 lead. English escaped with :22 left to cut Molinaro's lead to 11-4, but the Lion All-American had secured a riding time point with over 3:00 in time. The riding time point allowed Molinaro to post a convincing 12-4 major decision. 157: 2008 All-American Cyler Sanderson (Heber City, Utah), ranked No. 5 at 157, met true freshman David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio). Sanderson made his first seconds on a Rec Hall mat count with a sizzling four point move (takedown and two near fall points) right out of the gates against Taylor. Sanderson added a second takedown and two more near fall points to up his lead to 8-1 with 1:21 left in the period. A third takedown with :40 left gave Cyler a 10-3 lead after a Taylor escape. Leading 10-3, Sanderson chose down to start the second period. Taylor was able to ride Sanderson for nearly a minute before the All-American was able to escape to an 11-3 lead. Trailing 11-3 and needing back points, Taylor chose top to start the third period and nearly turned the senior for back points right off the opening whistle. But Sanderson was able to fight back to parallel and keep his eight-point lead. Taylor put together a very strong ride, maintaining control of Sanderson while trying to lock in on a cradle. But Sanderson was able to fight off every Taylor scoring effort and wind out the period. The strong ride out allowed Taylor to work up a 1:41 riding time edge and keep the bout to a regular decision. Still, Sanderson's sizzling start allowed the All-American to walk away with an 11-4 decision. 165: 2008 All-American Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.), ranked No. 9 at 165, met true freshman Jake Kemerer (Greensburg, Pa.). The talented duo traded early shots with neither wrestler breaking through to score in the first period. Tied at 0-0, Kemerer chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Like the first period, neither grappler was able to find an opening to mount a serious scoring threat and Kemerer kept a 1-0 lead heading into the final period. Vallimont chose down to start the third stanza and quickly escaped to a 1-1 tie. The senior All-American then took a 3-2 lead with a solid takedown (and Kemerer escape) with 1:15 left. Kemerer worked to score himself and, with just :05 left, finished off a strong high double to post a thrilling 4-3 win over the All-American Vallimont.

Mike Cannon

Mark Cody

What do you get the wrestler or wrestling fan for the holidays? There are a number of winning gift options available to appeal to all ages, from the little ones who might someday be mat superstars and superfans ... to those old enough to remember wrestling without shirts and headgear. Here are some books, videos and other gifts sure to score big points with the wrestling fanatics on your holiday gift list this year. (NOTE: We realize this is NOT a complete listing of all wrestling gift ideas, but some items you might not know about, that are worthy of your consideration.) Books Fiction NearFall by Joe Reasbeck. A series of five novels which focus on two Iowa brothers and a group of their friends who grow up in the sport of wrestling. The first book in the series -- NearFall I: The Adventures of Matt and Mike -- was published in 2008; anticipated release date for book two: mid-November 2009. -Information: http://www.nearfallbooks.com -To order: http://www.nearfallbooks.com Pinned by Alfred Martino. A novel about two New Jersey high school wrestlers, Ivan Korske and Bobby Zane, who come from radically different backgrounds, yet are destined to meet on the mat. Read an InterMat article about the book. -Information: http://www.alfredmartino.com To order: direct from the author at Alfred@ListenandLive.com or from Amazon.com To Be The Best by H.L. Hertel. The story of Ron and Nick Castle, Midwestern brothers who dream of being high school state wrestling champs but encounter daunting physical and psychological challenges. Read an InterMat article about the book. -Information: http://www.hhcastle-mac.com -To order from Amazon.com Vision Quest by Terry Davis. The classic coming-of-age novel about a thoughtful high school wrestler, Louden Swain, as he tries to find his place in the world. The basis for a popular 1980s movie with soundtrack (see "Multimedia") To order from Amazon.com Wrestling Spoken Here by Milt Sherman. An upbeat novel, aimed at junior and senior high readers, about a high school sophomore who's experiencing his first season as a wrestler and grappling with all sorts of issues on and off the mat. Read an InterMat article about the book. -To order from Amazon.com Non-Fiction The African-American Wrestling Experience produced by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum. African American participation in wrestling has a depth and richness of culture to mankind's oldest sport. -To order from the Hall of Fame Web site, visit https://www.donate.net/donationSelector/basket_add_item.asp?shopper_id=1421583&dept_id=1000&sku=1000101 A Century of Penn State Wrestling compiled by the Penn State Wrestling Club. You don't have to be a Nittany Lions fan to enjoy this fact-filled, photo-filled history of 100 years of Penn State wrestling, and the coaches and wrestlers who wrote some history of their own on the mats. Read an InterMat article about the book. -To order, visit http://www.pennstatewrestlingclub.org Cowboy Up by Kim Parrish. This book provides an all-access pass to follow the Oklahoma State Cowboy wrestling program for the entire 2004-2005 season, getting to know individual wrestlers and head coach John Smith. Read an InterMat article about the book. -Available for purchase from the Oklahoma State wrestling office at 405.744.3288 or the Oklahoma Heritage Association at 1.888.501.2059. A Distant Flame by Jack VanBebber, as told to Julia VanBebber. Moving, inspirational story of wrestler Jack VanBebber who overcame a near-fatal childhood accident and the Great Depression to become a three-time NCAA champ for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, and a 1932 Olympic gold medalist. Read an InterMat article about the book. -Available for purchase at the publisher's Web site: http://www.newforums.com/store/book_contents.asp?numberpage=1&images=on&display=full&category=&searchstr=19920103&searchfield=itemid The Fighting Scots of Edinboro by John Dudley. The story of the wrestling program at tiny Edinboro University in northwest Pennsylvania, a David of schools going up against the Goliaths of college wrestling with considerable success, with individual NCAA champs like current MMA star Josh Koscheck, and Gregor Gillespie. Written by John Dudley, a sportswriter/columnist for the Erie Times-News who has covered Edinboro wrestling since 1999. Read an InterMat article about the book. -Available for purchase direct from the publisher at http://www.reedypress.com Glory Beyond the Sport: Wrestling and the Military, by Roger Moore; contributions by Jay Hammond, Jamie Moffatt, and Don Sayenga. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum honors the bonds between wrestling and the military with a book that salutes those who served who once wrestled. Read an InterMat article about the book. -To order direct from the Hall of Fame Web site: https://www.donate.net/donationSelector/basket_add_item.asp?shopper_id=1425660&dept_id=1000&sku=1000103 Grappling Glory: Celebrating a Century of Minnesota Wrestling and Rassling by Ross Bernstein. Large-format book, chock full of photos and info, on high school and college wrestling in the state of Minnesota, as well as professional wrestling. -To order from Amazon.com History of Collegiate Wrestling: A Century of Excellence by Jarius K. Hammond and various contributors. A carefully researched, lavishly produced 400-page book, covering 100 years of college wrestling year-by-year. Accented with individual profiles of significant wrestlers, coaches and programs. -To order direct from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Web site online: https://www.donate.net/donationSelector/basket_add_item.asp?shopper_id=1425660&dept_id=1000&sku=1000100 The Imaginary Girlfriend by John Irving. Well-known for bestselling novels such as The World According to Garp and The Cider-House Rules, Irving tells of his exploits in prep school and college where wrestling figured prominently in his life. -To order from Amazon.com Legends of the Mat: Stories of 34 of America's Greatest Wrestlers of All Time by Mike Chapman. Famed wrestling historian Mike Chapman serves up concise but information-filled profiles of all-time mat greats such as Bruce Baumgartner, Doug Blubaugh, Dan Gable, Terry McCann, John Smith, more. -To order online: http://www.wrestlingmuseum.org/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IWIAMOS&Product_Code=LOM&Category_Code=B1 Mat Snacks: Wrestling Stories to Feed the Spirit and Tickle the Funny Bone by Jack Spates. Humorous stories from the world of amateur wrestling, compiled by the head coach of the University of Oklahoma Sooners. -To order from Barnes & Noble Oklahoma Shooter: The Story of Dan Hodge by Mike Chapman. The biography of Dan Hodge, three-time NCAA champ at University of Oklahoma, 1956 Olympic silver medalist, an amateur and professional boxer, and a pro wrestler. Read an InterMat article about the book. -To order, send $22.95 plus $5 shipping and handling to: Culture House Books, P.O. Box 283, Newton, Iowa 50208 or call 641.791.3072. Season on the Mat: Dan Gable and the Pursuit of Perfection by Nolan Zavoral. A year in the life of the Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling program ... the 1996-1997 season, Dan Gable's last as head coach. To order from Amazon.com Strobel: Stories From a Life With Wrestling by Jamie Moffatt. Brand-new book about Greg Srobel, three-time Oregon high school state champ, two-time Oregon State NCAA champ (1973, 1974), former Team Foxcatcher coach, and, for 13 years, head coach at Lehigh. Read an InterMat article about the book. -For ordering information, contact Mark Palmer at mark@intermatwrestle.com. Wisconsin Wrestling: 1940-2007 by the Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association. A nearly 200-page book, tracing the rich history of amateur wrestling in the state of Wisconsin, in words and photos. -To order, visit http://www.wwca.org/wwca/YearbookCategories.jsp Wrestlers at the Trials by Jamie Moffatt. A fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at how US Olympic wrestling teams have been put together from 1960-1988, in the words of wrestlers who realized their Olympic dreams ... and those who didn't. Read an InterMat article about the book. -For more information or to order, email Mark Palmer at mark@intermatwrestle.com. Wrestling: A Boy's First Book by William Bauer. Not a how-to-wrestle book, but a great introduction to the sport for 7-9 year-olds and their parents who are new to wrestling. Appealing color illustrations. Read an InterMat article about the book. -To order, visit http://www.drwkbauer.com or purchase by emailing the author at YPHD@aol.com. The Wrestling Presidents: From Pins to Patriots. Thirteen of the nation's Presidents have wrestled. This book, produced by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum, tells of the mat exploits of each of these grapplers-in-chief. -To order from the Hall of Fame: https://www.donate.net/donationSelector/basket_add_item.asp?shopper_id=1421583&dept_id=1000&sku=1000102 Wrestling the ABCs by Tom and Veronica Davids. A fun, rhyming ABC book on the sport of amateur wrestling, with illustrations by Robert Lence, who has worked on animated films for Disney and Pixar, and foreword by Dan Gable. -To order, visit http://www.wrestlingtheabcs.com This is just a sample of wrestling books available. For more great wrestling book gift ideas -- including instructional books, conditioning books, historical works, novels, biographies and more -- visit the Amateur Wrestling Bookstore in association with Amazon.com at Tom Fortunato's "The Web's Best of Amateur Wrestling" Web site. Multimedia National Wrestler NCAA championship videos: Now you can own DVDs of the NCAA Division I championship finals from 2009 back through the 1990s, with some selected events of the 1970s and 80s, too. For more information and to order online, visit http://www.nationalwrestler.com Penn State wrestling videos: A huge collection of Nittany Lion wrestling action from the 1940s to more recent times. Among the highlights: 1930s Grantland Rice Sportslight film on PSU wrestling, 1953 NCAAs (hosted by Penn State), EIWA championships from the 1950s, and video of individual PSU mat stars like Kerry McCoy, all which can be put on DVD. For details on what's available, contact Paul Karwacki at Penn State's Paterno Library at ppk107@psu.edu University of Wyoming vintage wrestling videos: Wyoming's American Heritage Center archives has silent films of the 1958 and 1959 NCAA finals, as well as Skyline Conference championship footage from 1954 and 1955, which can be transferred onto DVD. An unmatched opportunity to see old-school college wrestling. For more information, contact archivist John Waggener at Waggener@uwyo.edu Veritas documentary: Compelling film about Jon Trenge, a two-time Pennsylvania high school state champ and NCAA All-American for Lehigh who wears protective eye goggles because he has detached retinas. A behind-the-scenes look at a top wrestler at one of the top college wrestling programs (coached by Greg Strobel at the time). Available for purchase at http://www.veritas-movie.com Vision Quest movie: One of the iconic movies of the 1980s, it's a version of Terry Davis' young adult novel about a Washington State high school wrestler coming to terms with his sport, his father and the older woman who's renting a room at his house. Stars Matthew Modine, future Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker, Linda Fiorentino, and, in one of her first movie roles, Madonna, as a singer in a bar. Available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Vision-Quest-Matthew-Modine/dp/6305161909/ref=pd_bxgy_m_img_b Vision Quest soundtrack: If the music from the 1985 movie doesn't get you fired up, nothing will. Among the classic selections: Only the Young by Journey, Hot Blooded by Foreigner, Lunatic Fringe by Red Rider, Shout to the Top by The Style Council, and two songs by Madonna: Gambler and Crazy for You. Available for purchase at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Vision-Quest-Original-Soundtrack-Picture/dp/B000000OPQ/ref=pd_sim_b_2 Subscriptions Amateur Wrestling News magazine: For over fifty years, AWN has provided timely coverage of high school and college wrestling developments. For more information, visit http://awn.awnonline.com. To subscribe: 1.800.275.8551. The Crossface magazine: Your source for kids, high school, college and senior wrestling in the state of Wisconsin. To subscribe: http://wiwrestling.com/Crossface/indexcrossface.html The Guillotine newsmagazine: For the amateur wrestling community in the state of Minnesota, this is the publication. Covers youth, high school, college and international wrestling. To subscribe: http://www.theguillotine.com/subscrib.html Pennsylvania Wrestling Newsmagazine: Winner of the 2009 NWMA (National Wrestling Media Association) "Publication of the Year", PWN bills itself as "the No. 1 state wrestling publication" for its coverage of junior high, high school and college wrestling in the Keystone State. To subscribe: http://www.gobanana.com/pwn The Predicament magazine: The publication that covers high school and college wrestling in the state of Iowa. Available in a traditional printed form, as well as online, and an "Ultimate Ticket" print/online combination. To subscribe: http://www.thepredicament.com/signup/signup.asp WIN magazine: Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine covers all aspects of amateur wrestling -- youth, high school, college and international -- from coast to coast. For more information, visit http://www.win-magazine.com. To subscribe, visit the Web site or call 1.888.305.0606. Wrestling USA magazine: The magazine that advertises itself as "the voice of schoolboy, high school and college wrestling." Also includes "Where Are They Now?" historical features. For more information, visit http://www.wrestlingusa.com. To subscribe, visit the Web site or call 1.800.359.1850. InterMat Platinum: The amateur wrestling Web site InterMat serves up unique, premium content -- exclusive profiles, one-of-a-kind audio interviews, recruiting information, and more -- available only to InterMat Platinum subscribers. To subscribe: https://intermatwrestle.com/platinum Kolat.com online video subscription: One of the superstars of amateur wrestling in the 1990s, Cary Kolat, has created a Web site with an archive of over 1,200 instructional videoclips, available online by subscription. For more information, visit http://www.kolat.com. To subscribe: http://www.kolat.com/join Technique Wave: From the folks who created the popular amateur wrestling Web site FloWrestling.com, Technique Wave is a constantly growing collection of wrestling technique videos from across the nation from the nation's best coaches and wrestlers, introducing athletes to a wide range of wrestling styles and techniques, available online by subscription only. For more information and to subscribe: http://www.flowrestling.org/technique_wave Welcome surprises ... Heroes of Wrestling II Trading Card Set: Stuff their stocking with this unique trading card set features 36 different wrestlers who have competed over the past 20 years, from A (Ben Askren) to Z (Bill Zadick, Mike Zadick). To order: http://www.wrestlingmuseum.org/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IWIAMOS&Product_Code=HOWITCS&Category_Code=NI "The Epic of Gilgamesh" Poster. Beautifully illustrated poster, numbered and signed by artist Tadaaki Hatta, 1965 NCAA champ for Oklahoma State, brings to life the oldest piece of literature in the world, about the oldest sport in the world. Written nearly 4500 years ago, it tells the story of a great king named Gilgamesh who wrestles Enkidu, a wild man from the forest. http://www.wrestlingmuseum.org/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IWIAMOS&Product_Code=TEMOG662&Category_Code=NI Still haven't found what you're looking for? If you're still seeking the perfect gift, here are some other online sources you might check out: Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute & Museum online store has a unbeatable assortment of books, posters, wrestling videos/DVDs, collectibles, wearables, even wrestling gear. http://www.wrestlingmuseum.org/Merchant2/merchant.mvc? DanGable.com online store features books, videos, apparel and even autographed items from the legendary Iowa State wrestler, 1972 Olympic gold medalist and Iowa Hawkeye head coach. http://www.dangable.com Cael Sanderson online store has a wide range of merchandise -- wrestling shoes, apparel, accessories, posters, memorabilia, and videos -- hand-selected by Sanderson who was undefeated in college and a 2004 Olympic gold medalist, and is now head coach at Penn State. http://www.caelsanderson.com/store "The Web's Best of Amateur Wrestling" Web site has a heavyweight selection of wrestling books and some DVDs as well. http://www.wrestlingsbest.com/wresbook.html

Tristan Warner

Tervel Dlagnev

Jason Borrelli

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois head coach Jim Heffernan announced the promotion of Carl Perry to the position of associate head coach on Tuesday. Perry is in his eighth year on the Fighting Illini coaching staff and has helped produce 19 All-Americans and six NCAA finalists during his seven years at Illinois. He brings expertise along with experience, as he was the 2000 NCAA champion at 141 pounds and a two-time All-American. "Carl is a very important member of our staff and is very deserving of this promotion," Heffernan said. "He is integral to all of our efforts from coaching to recruiting to the many administrative duties he performs. I am extremely happy to have him on our staff as we continue to work toward winning Big Ten and NCAA championships." Perry has been instrumental in the success of Illinois' lightweights and middleweights over the past seven seasons, particularly in the development of three-time All-American Mike Poeta and two-time All-American Jimmy Kennedy. He also coordinates team travel and often drills with Illini wrestlers during practice. "It is an honor to be named associate head coach," Perry said. "I'm excited to stay at Illinois, which I have great passion for as an alumnus, and I'm thankful for the support from athletic director Ron Guenther, our administration and Jim Heffernan. I look forward to continuing to help build Illinois wrestling into the perennial national title contender we all believe it can be." Perry was a four-time NCAA qualifier during his wrestling career and compiled a 13-6 career record at the NCAA Championships. He was a two-time team captain and finished his time as an Illini student-athlete in the top 20 of career wins (98) and winning percentage (.748). He also helped the 2000 Illini squad to the best dual winning percentage in school history (.933), as the team was 14-1 in duals that season.

NEW YORK -- Two-time All-American Roman Fleszar has joined the Columbia wrestling coaching staff, head coach Brendan Buckley announced today. "We are very excited to have Roman Fleszar joining our staff," said Buckley, the Andrew F. Barth Head Coach of Wrestling. "He grew up not too far from Columbia where he won two state titles for Kittatinny High School in New Jersey before he went on to be a two-time NCAA All-American at Hofstra University. We feel Roman has a tremendous amount of knowledge to share with the team." Wrestling at 133 pounds, the Newton, N.J., native was a two-time All-American, placing seventh as a junior and fifth as a senior for the Pride. He was also a three-time East Coast Wrestling Association conference champion. Fleszar arrives to Morningside Heights after coaching at Centenary College for one season. Prior to his stint with the Cyclones, Fleszar worked closely with the Stillwater-Fredon Youth Wrestling Club where he built and aligned a youth program focusing on training and technique. "Roman will serve as a terrific role model and mentor for the young men on our team. We know he will have an immediate impact on our program and are eager for him to begin work immediately," added Buckley. In addition to his two state titles at Kittatinny, Fleszar was a three-time state finalist and Beast of the East Champion as a senior. A 2001 graduate of Hofstra, Fleszar majored in video/television with a minor in art history.

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- The Bucknell wrestling team held its annual intrasquad match Tuesday night in Davis Gym and the two evenly matched teams split 10 individual matches, but a pin by Shane Riccio and a technical fall by Andy Rendos proved to be the difference as the Blue squad defeated the Orange, 21-17. Both teams had four freshmen in their lineups, while the Orange squad had three of the team’s six NCAA qualifiers from last year. Rendos and Riccio were the only two NCAA qualifiers on the Blue team. Freshman Jack Ingram wrestled at both 125 and 133 pounds for the Blue squad. The match started at 133 pounds with senior three-time NCAA qualifier David Marble defeating Ingram by major decision, 19-6. It was the first of three straight victories for Orange, which went up 10-0 early as Zac Hancock and Kevin LeValley followed with wins by decision at 141 and 149. LeValley’s 6-0 win over John Regan was the lone shutout of the match. Brantley Hooks then won the first of five straight bouts for the Blue team. The senior had two takedowns and an escape, while Corey Lear recorded three escapes in his 5-3 loss. Rendos followed with an easy win over Scott Sechler. Rendos, an All-American at 165 pounds last year, posted three near-falls and did not allow Sechler to score a point after the first period. A takedown with 1:27 remaining in the third period staked Rendos to an 18-2 lead and he had a large advantage in riding time as well. At 174 pounds, Riccio pinned Nicholas Czapla in 5:50. Riccio was leading 10-1 at the time of the pin. Rob Waltko won a competitive match at 184 pounds over 2009 NCAA at-large qualifier David Thompson. Waltko was up 4-1 in the first period, but Thompson narrowed the score to 5-4 in the third. A late takedown by Waltko sealed the victory and avenged a 6-3 loss to Thompson in last year’s intrasquad match. The two heaviest weight classes featured a lot of inexperience with three freshmen and one sophomore (Kevin Foley) who wrestled only nine matches last year. Freshman Joe McMullan defeated Foley at 197 pounds by an 18-7 major decision. That victory staked the Blue team to a 21-10 advantage. The heavyweight bout was an even matchup between freshmen Conor Sweeney and Darin Rockwell. The score was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation. Finally, Sweeney scored an escape in the sixth overtime period, giving him a 2-1 decision. The final match of the night was Ingram against Derrik Russell at 125 pounds. Russell posted a 10-2 major decision over Ingram, who had wrestled less than two hours earlier against Marble. Russell scored six points in the third period on two takedowns, one escape and riding time. Bucknell’s season will officially get underway on Sunday, Nov. 15, when the Bison travel to Chapel Hill, N.C., to face North Carolina, Virginia and Virginia Tech. Bucknell’s first home match will be Nov. 27 when it hosts Iowa and Rutgers in Sojka Pavilion. For tickets to that match, call 570-577-1000. Blue 21, Orange 17 125: Derrik Russell (O) maj. dec. Jack Ingram (B), 10-2 *133: David Marble (O) maj. dec. Jack Ingram (B), 19-6 141: Zac Hancock (O) dec. Adam Healey (B), 8-3 149: Kevin LeValley (O) dec. John Regan (B), 6-0 157: Brantley Hooks (B) dec. Corey Lear (O), 5-3 165: Andy Rendos (B) tech. fall Scott Sechler (O), 19-2 (5:33) 174: Shane Riccio (B) pinned Nicholas Czapla (O), 5:50 184: Rob Waltko (B) dec. David Thompson (O), 7-4 197: Joe McMullan (B) maj. dec. Kevin Foley (O), 18-7 HWT: Conor Sweeney (O) dec. Darin Rockwell (B), 2-1 sv * starting weight

Pat Popolizio

John Hangey

Jason Peters

At first glance, it might have seemed like a foregone conclusion that Evan Knight, a senior at Urbandale High School in Iowa, would end up donning a cardinal and gold Iowa State singlet. After all, his father, Steve Knight, was an All-American for the Cyclones and spent three seasons on the Iowa State coaching staff. His uncle, Dan Knight, was also an All-American for the Cyclones. Three other Iowa high school seniors with Iowa State in their blood, Michael Moreno, Kyven Gadson, and Trevor Voelker, have already announced their intentions to be Cyclones. Evan KnightBut on Tuesday, Knight chose a different path than his father and uncle when he gave a verbal commitment to Rob Koll and the Cornell Big Red. Knight chose Cornell over Iowa State, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Arizona State. He projects collegiately at 184 pounds. Knight is a two-time Iowa Class 3A state champion and three-time state finalist. As a freshman, Knight finished runner-up at 152 pounds. He claimed the 160-pound state title as a sophomore. Last season, as a junior, Knight moved up two weight classes and won the state title at 189 pounds. He was a Cadet Nationals freestyle All-American in 2007. "Cornell is unlike any other school," said Knight, who plans to study developmental sociology. "They have a national championship caliber program, unbeatable academics, and the best coaching and workout partners in the country for my weight." Steve Knight and Rob Koll trained together at Team Foxcatcher in the early 90's and developed a lasting friendship. "From the time I was young my dad has been talking about Cornell and Koll's ability as a great coach," said Knight. "My dad believes he is one of the most technical guys in the sport, as a wrestler and as a coach." Knight says that his father, who has national and international success both as a wrestler and coach, was instrumental during the recruiting process. Steve Knight with Iowa State greats Bobby Douglas, Kevin Jackson, Cael Sanderson, and Chris Bono"He was instrumental in the fact that he knows and communicates with numerous college coaches," said Knight. "It's was easy for coaches to contact me because they had a friendship with him and that was cool. That helped me a lot." Cornell is on the brink of landing one of the nation's top recruiting classes. Knight, who is ranked as the No. 50 recruit in the country, becomes the fourth InterMat Top 100 recruit from the Class of 2010 to give a verbal commitment to Cornell, joining No. 3 Chris Villalonga (Blair Academy, NJ), No. 4 Marshall Peppelman (Central Dauphin, PA), and No. 99 Jesse Shanaman (Blair Academy, NJ). "All of those guys happened to be on my visit," said Knight. "They are all tough. It's exciting to know how tough our team could be." Knight credits much of his wrestling success to Excel Wrestling, a nationally-renowned program operated by his father. Evan Knight (Photo/Wyatt Schultz)"Excel Wrestling has definitely developed me into the wrestler I am today," said Knight. "My dad coaching the program has helped me greatly. He has worked with me every day since I was six. Excel has allowed me to work with some of the best technicians in the world through camps and traveling. I have had opportunities to wrestle all through Europe and this summer Japan." Knight's goals for his final season of high school wrestling are to be an undefeated state champion, making the FILA Junior World Team, and win a Junior Nationals title in Fargo. As for college and beyond, Knight has high aspirations and believes that he will be in the perfect environment in accomplish his goals on and off the mat. "There have been many national champions as true freshmen," said Knight. "I think with a lot more preparation I will be ready to get the job done." "I am training to become the very best I can be and I'm looking at a freestyle career after college. I think the coaching staff at Cornell can get me to where I need to be to accomplish all of my goals in wrestling and academically."

Brandon Rolnick of the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey is one of the nation's top high school wrestlers. Rolnick, who is ranked as the No. 27 recruit in the country by InterMat, has won some of the most prestigious high school events, including the Walsh Ironman, Cadet Nationals, and FILA Cadet Nationals. He has placed in the top three at Prep Nationals in each of the past three seasons. This past summer, Rolnick placed third at Junior Nationals in freestyle at 152 pounds. Last Friday, Rolnick gave his verbal commitment to Princeton. InterMat recently caught up with Rolnick. Brandon RolnickWhy was Princeton the best fit for you? Rolnick: For a number of reasons. First of all, growing up in New Jersey and going to Lawrenceville, it's a pretty easy transition. It's a big networking system around here. A lot of my teachers go to Princeton. In terms of wrestling, I know that I will have a lot of support there. It's obviously a great school. I also like the social scene too. I didn't want to make a decision solely based on wrestling when I feel that college is a little bit bigger than that. Another reason is Chris Ayres. I know that he can work wonders with the program. He's a great wrestler and a great coach. I feel like I'll be taken care of at Princeton. There will be critics who say that you will never be able to reach your full potential as a wrestler unless you compete for school ranked in the top 10. How do you respond to people who say that? Rolnick: Obviously, I disagree. If you take a look at Cornell's program, UPenn's program, Harvard's program ... You have guys placing high at NCAAs, if not winning NCAA titles. Coming from a school like Lawrenceville that doesn't even really have a wrestling program, I have made it work here. With Ayres at Princeton, it's not going to be an issue. He's talked about possibly having me take an Olympic year in college to train out at the Olympic Training Center. At Lehigh, he has had so much success, even as an assistant coach, so I have a lot of faith in him. Also, I know the Rider guys really well. I work out there two or three times a week. It's about two blocks away and right down the street from Princeton. I've been going there a few times a week ... and they have been bringing in some of their younger college guys to work out with me. Their volunteer assistant coach, Doug Umbehauer, is also really supportive. I have been working out with him a lot and he does a good job. I don't think I'll really need the supplement, but it's there if I need it. I'm not saying I'm not going to have my growing pains that everyone who goes into college has. Even this year I'm trying to wrestle more college kids. I'm going to the East Stroudsburg Open on November 21. I'm just trying to get acclimated to the college style. They are tougher on top in college. The mat wrestling is going to be my hardest transition. Like I said, I'm going to obviously go through the pains of becoming a college wrestler. We also got a couple kids that can roll around on the mat. I know they are looking to recruit another assistant coach too. Princeton has gotten verbal commitments from a few other wrestlers from the Class of 2010. Have you gotten to know any of them? Rolnick: A little bit. I wrestled with Ryan Callahan at the end of my middle school career ... actually in the state finals. So I've known him. He's a New Jersey guy and our parents talk. Then I met Robert Shepherd, who is from Ohio. I didn't get a chance to talk to him much, but he seemed like a nice kid and that he was really dedicated to the program. Lawrenceville is a boarding school with strong academics. How important was it for you to be at a boarding school with strong academics to prepare for college? Rolnick: It was huge. I have been living away from my parents for four years already. I don't have anyone standing over my shoulder telling me when to do my work, when to go to practice, and when to have fun. I have been dealing with time management on my own for like four years. Freshman year is a lot more strict trying to get used to being able to go to college. They initially have two-hour study halls that are mandatory. And then they get a little bit more relaxed sophomore and junior year. Now, this year ... It's on me to get my work done. If you take a look at my GPA, my freshman year I had like a 2.9. Sophomore year I had like a 3.2 ... and I have just gotten progressively better. Junior year I had like a 3.6 or 3.7, so the system works pretty well. I have learned to deal with academics on my own. College will be a little bit bigger of a step in terms of not really having anyone look after you at all. But in terms of boarding school, I think it was a good thing to do. Blair Academy is the premier wrestling program not only in New Jersey, but also in the country. Did you ever considering attending Blair Academy? Rolnick: Yeah ... actually I got into Blair Academy. My parents were pushing me to go to Blair. I really had a tough time with that decision. Blair is also a boarding school with good academics. But when it came down to it, I just liked Lawrenceville better as a school overall. I talked with one of my club coaches, Ernie Monaco, at Edge Wrestling. He basically said, 'Look, if you stick with us and go to Lawrenceville, you'll still be able to become a great wrestler. If you like Lawrenceville better, you should just go to the school you like most.' I took his advice and worked closely with those guys and with some other club coaches ... and I got it done at a school that I like better and where I felt more comfortable. I also like having a little bit more control over my schedule. I can choose whether or not I want to go to certain tournaments ... and if I need to get the work done, I can take that time off and get the work done at Lawrenceville. I feel like with Buxton, he's going to be a little overbearing ... and I would have to go to all the tournaments he wants me to go to. Obviously, there are exceptions, like if you have SATs, but like I said, I just want to have a little more control over my schedule and take a break when I want to take a break ... and I have that ability at Lawrenceville. Living in New Jersey, have you worked out much in the Blair Academy wrestling room? Rolnick: Oh yeah ... I love the room. The room is great. I work out there probably two or three times a week in the summer. You don't have to think about anything. Buxton works on everything you need to work on. Brandon Rolnick placed third at the 2009 Junior Nationals in freestyle at 152 pounds despite beating finalist Joey Cozart. He scored a 1-0, 4-0 victory over Nebraska recruit Brandon Wilbourn of Missouri in the third-place match (Photo/Dave Jedlicka/jedicheetah.com)Have you decided what you are going to do study at Princeton? Rolnick: No ... I have no idea. I was also looking at UPenn and Harvard. I thought if I went to UPenn, I would want to go to Wharton. I feel like Princeton just had a better liberal arts program. I thought I could take my time and decide what I want to do when I get there. What was the recruiting process like for you? Rolnick: It was bittersweet. I loved going and meeting the teams and the excitement of being in a new school ... and having the choice all over again on what school I wanted to go to. Then again, it was very stressful because of all the SAT prep, everyday speculation about which school is better, which one you think you can get into ... It's overbearing. It's always kind of looming over your head. At the end of the process, it's great to be done and know what school you're going to. But it's also pretty horrible having to call up the coaches and say, 'Look, I know your job is invested in what kind of kids you can get into your school, but I can't come to your school.' During the process, coaches are calling every week and you get to know them all pretty well ... It's really heartbreaking. I guess they are professionals and they deal with that all the time, but it's still tough. You have finished in the top three at Prep Nationals the past three seasons. How important is it to you to get that Prep Nationals title? Rolnick: It's huge. I'm going to be gunning for it hard. I have a lot of people supporting me. I'm going to win it this year. I have to. It's not about winning it as much as going there fully prepared. If I lose, I want to know that I tried my best. The past couple years it has been rough. My best training has come at other schools because there's not much going on at my school. A lot of times it's just a waste of two hours of my life. During the summer, like for Fargo, I'm always well trained because all I have to focus on is wrestling. I have all the time in the world to train. In the winter, it's pretty hard to keep up with the Blair team when I'm not practicing as hard. But this season, I've been working out at Rider, as I've said. And I'm going to be working out with Ayres a little bit too. I have faith that they can get me in the best shape and put me in a position to win it this year. Looking ahead to college, have you pinpointed to what you hope to accomplish on the wrestling? Rolnick: Not exactly. Obviously, everyone wants to win the big tournament at the end of the year. But I feel like I'm going to take it one season at a time. Try to set little goals and then work my way up to the big tournament. I just really want to get better one day at a time ... and stay more focused on wrestling my best, rather than winning and losing, especially the first year. I know that I'm going to suffer more losses than I'm ever used to losing my first year as a true freshman. I want to stay positive. Obviously, I want to win, but I'm more focused on getting better and improving on aspects that are weak.

College wrestling coaches Brad Penrith (UNI), Heath Grimm (Upper Iowa) and Jim Miller (Wartburg) will be radio show guests Wednesday night. Penrith is in his 10th year as the head wrestling coach at University of Northern Iowa. The Panthers had their wrestle-offs last Saturday in the West Gym on the UNI campus and will begin the regular season on Saturday at the Loras College tournament in Dubuque, Iowa. Two of the top returnees for UNI are sophomores Christian Brantley (285) and Trent Washington (141), both NCAA qualifiers last season. Originally from Windsor, New York, Penrith was a three-time NCAA finalist as a member of the Iowa Hawkeyes, including winning the 1986 NCAA title at 126 pounds. He also won a silver medal at the 1991 World Championships. Grimm begins his 10th season as the head wrestling coach at Upper Iowa University and the Peacocks are the only NCAA Division II wrestling team in the state of Iowa. Upper Iowa placed 10th in the nation last year and looks to improve on that performance this season. The Peacocks will be led by All-American seniors Travis Eggers (2nd, 157) and Mitch Norton (5th, 174). Grimm hails from tradition rich Osage, Iowa and he was a two-time NCAA Division III All-American for Luther College in the early 1990s. Upper Iowa will open their season on Saturday at the NIACC Open in Mason City, Iowa. Miller’s Wartburg Knights won the NCAA Division III championship last season, their seventh title in the last 14 years. Wartburg returns three All-Americans from last year’s squad, junior Mark Kist (3rd, 125), junior Matt Kelly (3rd, 133) and junior John Helgerson (3rd, 285). Wartburg has captured the last 17 Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships, considered by many as the toughest league in the nation for Division III wrestling. The Knights have also won their last 132 conference dual meets, dating back to 1994. A Waterloo, Iowa native, Miller was a two-time NCAA Division II Champion at 134 pounds for UNI in the mid 1970s where he also placed second and fourth in the NCAA Division I tournament. This is the 19th season Miller has been the head coach at Wartburg. "On the Mat" is a presentation of the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum and can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa each Wednesday from 5:05 - 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.

Minneapolis -- The University of Minnesota Wrestling team and head coach J Robinson will host a Public Practice on Saturday, Nov. 7. The event is completely free and open to the public, as well as the media. Gopher Wrestling's Public Practice will take place in the gymnasium in the Bierman Field Athletic Building and will begin at 9:00 a.m. There will be plenty of seating for spectators as the new edition of Minnesota Wrestling hits the preseason home-stretch, just a week away from their first competition. The Minnesota football team plays host to Illinois at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, and fans are welcome to come and take in a little wrestling practice before making the short walk down to TCF Bank Stadium. There are still some great seats available for the game, so fans don't miss a chance for a maroon and gold filled Saturday with a preview of Gopher Wrestling followed by Gopher Football action. Minnesota will be looking to return to the top of both the Big Ten and NCAA in 2009-10 led by seniors Jayson Ness (Bloomington, Minn.) and Dustin Schlatter (Massillion, Ohio). The pair will each be gunning for their fourth All-America certificate this season while Ben Berhow (Hayward, Minn.), Zach Sanders (Wabasha, Minn.) and Mike Thorn (St. Michael, Minn.) look to return to the NCAA Tournament. The Golden Gophers begin their season on Nov. 14 at the Bison Open in Fargo, N.D. Minnesota's first dual of the season is at home in Williams Arena on Nov. 28 when they host Cal State-Bakersfield. The following week, the Gophers get their first ranked opponent when they visit the sixth-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys.

PITTSBURGH -- Pitt junior wrestler Ryan Tomei has been named the Eastern Wrestling League’s Wrestler of the Week following his dominating performance at the Buffalo Open on Sunday. Tomei (Irwin, Pa./Penn-Trafford) breezed through five matches en route to the heavyweight title. He opened the tournament with a first-period fall and followed it up with two straight major decisions to advance to the semifinals. In the semis, Tomei claimed an 8-2 win over Jason Weber of Buffalo and a 9-2 finals win over Patrick Gilmore of Maryland for the title. The junior redshirted last season and has returned as possibly the biggest surprise heavyweight in the country. The Wrestler of the Week honor is Tomei’s first of his career. Pitt got off to a strong start on the weekend with 14 wrestlers placing in the Buffalo Open, including three who won their weight class – Dane Johnson at 141, Matt Wilps at 197 and Tomei at 285. The Panthers will host their annual Blue and Gold intersquad match Thursday at 6 p.m. at Fitzgerald Field House