InterMat Staff

When Billy Murphy casually walked off the mat at the Regional Recreation Sports Center in Rochester, Minnesota on the night of February 28 after putting a 17-1 beatdown on his opponent in the NJCAA finals at 133 pounds, the wrestling world was eagerly anticipating his next move. Billy MurphyWhy so much buzz? Because anyone who has seen the 21-year old California native compete will tell you that he has all the tools to accomplish great things in the sport. In high school, Murphy went 168-3, won two California state titles, and an NHSCA Nationals title. During the recruiting process, Murphy fell in love with Tom Brands and the style of wrestling he preached. Murphy originally committed to Virginia Tech when Brands was there. But in the spring of Murphy's senior year, Brands was hired to take over at Iowa, so Murphy chose to be a Hawkeye. "Once Tom came out to my house and I met him, I canceled all my other visits," said Murphy. "I was convinced I wanted to wrestle for him." As a redshirt at Iowa, Murphy went a perfect 15-0. But academic and financial hardships forced him to leave the school and wrestling program during the spring semester of his first year in Iowa City. After Murphy left the Iowa program, he began working and competing in local mixed martial arts (MMA) events in Iowa, before making the decision to enroll at Iowa Central Community College during the spring semester in 2008. He focused on his schoolwork and practiced with the team his first year at Iowa Central. Billy Murphy dominated the 133-pound weight class at the 2009 NJCAA Championships and won the Outstanding Wrestler award (Photo/Johnnie Johnson)Iowa Central assistant coach Troy Bennett mapped out a plan for Murphy to stay in the program for a year and a half and then transfer to a Division I school. The plan was in place. As long as Murphy could get his academics in order, everything else would take care of itself, because wrestling was the easy part for Murphy. As he puts it, "Wrestling is second nature." This past season, Murphy stepped into the lineup at Iowa Central and looked like a man among boys competing at the NJCAA level. The only blemish on his record was a close loss to Division I All-American Daniel Dennis of Iowa. At the 2009 NJCAA Championships, Murphy won by pin or technical fall in every one of his matches and picked up the Most Outstanding Wrestler award in the process. He was one of five NJCAA champions for Iowa Central, who won the NJCAA team title for the fourth consecutive season and broke the all-time NJCAA tournament scoring record. "It was kind of the same as it was my junior and senior years of high school," said Murphy, who went 107-0 in his final two years of high school. "I don't want to say it was getting boring, but it was getting pretty slow as far as having good competition. But I think the guys around me, the wrestlers and coaches, made it a lot more enjoyable. We had a good practice room. It was real hard, real tough. But at the same time, we were pretty laid back. We knew what we had to do. We had a lot of confidence as team. I had a good experience at Iowa Central. The coaches really looked after me and helped me out." In high school, Billy Murphy went 168-3, won two California state titles, and was an NHSCA Nationals champion (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)But Murphy was never able to get on track academically. "I've been struggling for the last two years," said Murphy. "Being out of my element, I think, is the way to put it. I wasn't too motivated as far as academics and going to class. I could never put my finger on it. But I was just out of my element." Not only was Murphy struggling academically and financially, but aside from his coaches at Iowa Central, he didn't know who trust. "It was frustrating in the sense that I was getting told so many different things about what I needed to do," said Murphy. "After a while, I started figuring out that I was just being told what I wanted to hear. I started talking to other people and they would tell me that these classes weren't transferrable. I was basically getting used. I think it was honestly because they didn't think I was going to succeed anyway and they just needed me then and there. But I mean, that's neither here nor there. I don't really care. I'm responsible for myself." Shortly after Murphy won the NJCAA title, he pretty much gave up on school and came to the realization that transferring to another college was not in the cards. "I think once I came into my own and realized I wasn't motivated and school is not for me at this point, I had to make that choice about what I needed most," said Murphy. "I don't have anything financially. I wasn't going to get enough at any Division I school due to my grades. Once I put it all together, it was kind of sad that I had to leave." Murphy has done some MMA fighting on the side since 2007. He has fought at small, local venues in Iowa, compiling a 5-0 record with three knockouts and two unanimous decisions. However, because his focus has been primarily on wrestling, Murphy's MMA training has been almost nonexistent. He has rolled around with Iowa Central assistant coach Troy Bennett a few times. But that's pretty much the extent of his MMA training. Billy Murphy was one of five NJCAA champions for Iowa Central this past season (Photo/Johnnie Johnson)With his future uncertain, Murphy made a call to former Iowa Central wrestler Joe Soto, a rising MMA star who he has known since he was young, growing up in California. Soto is part of the Nor Cal Fighting Alliance, an MMA academy located in Santa Rosa, California. This past Friday, Soto became the champion in the Bellator promotion and collected a $100,000 bonus check. Soto, who has built a record of 7-0, has earned $175,000 for his three-fight stint in Bellator. "Joe put in a good word to his manager for me," said Murphy, whose MMA nickname is Mighty Mouse. "He said, 'Come on out. We're inviting you.' Joe and I are going to live in an apartment in Santa, Rosa, California. So I'm going to start training and go from there." Murphy's short-term MMA goal is simple: Get in shape and improve in all aspects of MMA. He admits that he's mostly just a wrestler competing in MMA at this point. Murphy's long-term goal is to be the WEC champion at 135 pounds. Even though MMA is Murphy's focus now, he's not ready to give up on his wrestling career. He admits that he loves freestyle wrestling and still has goals he wants to accomplish in wrestling, like making the U.S. Olympic team in 2012. But for now, it's strictly MMA. "I have to be completely dedicated to fighting," said Murphy. "I want to get to the top." To read a November 2008 profile story on Billy Murphy for InterMat, click HERE.

Archie Randall

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Penn State head wrestling coach Cael Sanderson has finalized his new staff as two of his assistants at Iowa State will join three members of the former staff to complete the new wrestling brain trust. Cody Sanderson, Cael's brother, has been named associate head coach while Casey Cunningham has been tabbed head assistant coach. The positions mirror the twosome's positions at ISU. The duo assisted Sanderson at Iowa State during the new Lion mentor's successful run at the helm of the Cyclones. In addition to the two new hires, Sanderson has announced that former staffers Matt Dernlan, Troy Letters and Aaron Anspach will all remain at Penn State with each assuming new duties. The moves finalize Penn State's new wrestling staff as Sanderson embarks upon his first year at the helm of the Nittany Lion program. Over the past three seasons, the Sanderson brothers and Cunningham have led Iowa State to second, fifth and third place finishes at the NCAA Championships and have qualified all 30 of their wrestlers for nationals. A total of 15 Iowa State wrestlers earned All-America status during the last three campaigns. Cody Sanderson served as associate head coach at Iowa State during brother Cael's three-year run as mentor of the Cyclones. Prior to joining Cael in Ames, Cody was the head coach at Utah Valley State (now Utah Valley University), where he started the school's wrestling program from scratch in 2003. Sanderson's efforts helped create the nation's first Division I wrestling program started from scratch in 30 years. Prior to beginning the program at UVSC, Cody served as administrative assistant at Iowa State from 2001 to 2003. As an athlete, Sanderson was a two-time national finalist at 133 pounds, advancing to the NCAA title bout in 1999 in the Bryce Jordan Center and in 2000 in St. Louis. He ended his stellar Cyclone career with a 116-33 record, including a 33-3 mark his senior year. He also claimed the Big 12 title as a senior and helped spur ISU to a National Runner-Up finish at the NCAA Championships in 2000. Sanderson graduated from Iowa State in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in pre-medicine. He wife, Sarah, was a standout Gymnast at Iowa State and the couple has three children (sons Kade and Mason and daughter Tylar Ann). Cunningham served as Cael Sanderson's assistant head coach last season at Iowa State. Prior to his one year stint in Ames, he was an assistant coach at Central Michigan for seven years (2001-2008). During his tenure at CMU, he helped lead 18 Chippewas to All-American honors and 35 Mid-American titles. During Cunningham's last season as an assistant, Central Michigan finished seventh at the 2008 NCAA Championships. CMU dominated the MAC during Cunningham's time with the Chippewas, winning the last 10 regular season championships (including all seven during his run as an assistant). As a wrestler, Cunningham is among Central Michigan's all-time greats. He capped off his collegiate career in 1999 by winning the 157-pound title in the Bryce Jordan Center, earning the school's first Division I national title and only the second individual title in school history in any sport. The two-time All-American (he was national runner-up in 1998) won three MAC championships (1996, 1997 and 1999) and was twice named MAC Wrestler of the Year (1998 and 1999). Cunningham finished his Chippewa career with a 134-19 record. An accomplished international competitor, Cunningham won the 2008 Pan American Games silver medal and retired from international competition in 2008. Cunningham earned his bachelor's degree in sociology with an emphasis in criminal justice from CMU in 1999. His wife, Tara (Nott), is an Olympic champion, having won the gold medal in weightlifting at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. The couple has three sons, Hayden, Asher and Ryder. Three members of the former coaching staff will remain at Penn State, but each in a new position. Dernlan will now serve as the program's Director of Wrestling Operations, Letters has moved to the assistant coach position (volunteer) and Anspach will now slide over to work and coach with the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. In addition, Tiffany Clark, the former office manager, has assumed the title of Administrative Assistant for Wrestling. Cael Sanderson was named the 12th head coach in Penn State's long wrestling history on April 17, 2009, and officially welcomed to the Penn State family at a public introduction and press conference on April 20. Penn State Wrestling season tickets for the 2009-10 seasons can be reserved now. To make a $20 deposit on the best Rec Hall locations, fans should call 1.800.NITTANY between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. Current wrestling season ticket holders do not need to make a new deposit and will simply go through the coming renewal process. Penn State wrestling season tickets are all reserved locations in Rec Hall. The exact seat assignments for new commitments will not be available until the renewal cycle is complete, but new season ticket commitments made now will be assigned locations based on Nittany Lion Club point totals and the time/date the deposit was received by Penn State Athletics. Season ticket pricing for the 2009-10 season will be finalized and announced by July 1, 2009.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Two-time national champion and former IU grappler, Joe Dubuque, is returning to Bloomington for the 2009-10 season as an assistant coach for the Hoosier wrestling program. Dubuque spent the last three years as an assistant at Hofstra University. “We are very excited to have Joe rejoin us at IU,” said Head Coach Duane Goldman. “He is the one of the most decorated athletes to ever represent IU. To have him here as a coach is tremendous for our staff, as well as our student-athletes. Joe brought so much to us as an athlete; I am looking forward to him being in the coaching seat.” This past season, Dubuque helped Hofstra to a 27th-place showing at the NCAA Championships. Now back at IU, he joins his former teammate Pat DeGain as Indiana’s two assistant coaches. While a Hoosier, Dubuque was a three-time NCAA All-American who captured national titles at 125 pounds in 2005 and 2006, posted an overall record of 114-18, including a 69-6 dual mark and a 19-6 Big Ten record in four years at Indiana University. As a senior during the 2005-06 season he recorded a 28-1 mark, including a 7-1 record against ranked opponents, and defeated three ranked opponents at the NCAA Championships en route to the 125-pound crown. Dubuque became just the second Hoosier in Indiana history to capture two national titles and the first Hoosier to register back-to-back NCAA crowns. In 2004-05 Dubuque placed third in the Big 10 Championships and then defeated three ranked opponents on his march to claim the 125-pound title at the national championships. He became the first Hoosier to appear in a NCAA final since Roger Chandler did so in 1997, and the first IU grappler to claim a national championship since Brian Dolph captured the 150-pound title in 1990. He finished the year with a 29-3 overall record, an 18-1 slate in duals, a 6-1 mark in the Big Ten and a 12-2 mark against ranked opponents. A year earlier Dubuque qualified for his first NCAA appearance with a fourth-place finish at the Big 10 Championships and then went on to earn All-America honors with an eighth-place showing at the NCAA Championships. He finished the year with a 34-9 overall record, a 21-2 dual mark and captured the 125-pound title at the Northern Iowa Open. Dubuque, a native of Bloomfield, New Jersey, was a scholastic national champion as a senior and a two-time state champion at Glenn Ridge High School. After redshirting the 2001-02 season, he tallied a 23-5 overall record and a 15-3 mark in dual meets, and ranked as high as 12th as a freshman, but missed the Big 10 Championships due to an injury. Dubuque earned a bachelor's degree in recreation sports management from Indiana. He and his wife, Jaime, have a son named Chase.

Hello again wrestling fans. It's another special week in wrestling as Johnnie Johnson and I head to Stillwater, Oklahoma and the Inductions and Honors Weekend at the Hall of Fame. Saturday June 6 we take the Brute Adidas studios of TDR back on the road and we'll air LIVE from the Hall of Fame Library. From 9 to 11 AM CST we'll do our best to present to you what this special weekend is all about. Our scheduled Guests include: Steve Garland of Virginia Chris Ayres of Princeton BJ Thomas of Undefeated Sports Nutrition and many many more Thanks for listening to America's Wrestling Radio Talk Show. Takedown Wrestling Radio. Tune in to Takedownradio.com from 9 to 11 AM CST on a computer near you or a radio station near you. You can also order the podcast of TDR on Itunes.

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State head wrestling coach Kevin Jackson has announced that former Cyclone assistant coach and NCAA champion Chris Bono and former Columbia head assistant wrestling coach Yero (yah-ROO) Washington are joining the ISU wrestling staff as assistant coaches. Bono has been head coach at Tennessee-Chattanooga the past three seasons, where his teams won a trio of Southern Conference titles and he was the league’s coach of the year three times. Washington was a club and volunteer wrestling coach at Columbia for the 2008-09 season. He has coached at Columbia for a decade, including a stint as head assistant wrestling coach from 2004-07. “Both Chris and Yero have been world-class wrestlers who have had a successful run of 10 years of coaching,” Jackson said. “Both understand exactly what it takes to be an NCAA champion and a successful international competitor and will guide our wrestlers to their goals. Yero will work with our lighter weights, Chris with the middle weights and I will work considerably with the upper weights. They both have administrative experience as NCAA coaches and that will be of great assistance to me as well.” Bono joined the UTC staff in 2005 after serving nine years as a wrestling assistant coach at Iowa State, where he graduated in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science. He then worked for former Cyclone head coach Bobby Douglas as an assistant coach and was the Cyclones’ head assistant coach for the his final three years (2002-2005) in Ames. Bono was named the National Wrestling Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year in 2002 for his role in ISU’s success that season. The Cyclones compiled a 17-5 dual match record and were NCAA runners-up with five wrestlers earning All-America status. “First and foremost, I am coming back to the school I love, my alma mater,” Bono said. “I know Kevin well, have worked with him in the past and believe in his vision for Iowa State wrestling.” Bono was a three-time All-American at Iowa State, winning 130 matches from 1994-97, including the NCAA 150-pound championship in 1996. He ranks fifth on the ISU’s all-time wins list. A four-time NCAA participant, he placed fifth at the national meet as a sophomore and second as a senior. Bono won the Big Eight Conference title as a junior and was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the inaugural Big 12 Conference Championship in 1997. “Chris has a great passion for Iowa State University,” Jackson said. “He wants to be here. His experience will ease my transition to collegiate coaching.” Bono has had a distinguished post-collegiate freestyle wrestling career. He was a U.S. World Championships team member in 2001, 2002 and 2005. He won U.S. national titles in 2003 and 2005. “I have known Yero for many years and he is extremely skilled, has coaching experience and will be a great teacher for our wrestlers, especially in the lighter weights,” Jackson said. “He has trained under me and knows what we want to do here.” Washington first joined the Columbia staff in 2002, as a graduate assistant. After a year as a resident athlete at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, pursuing a berth on the United States Olympic Wrestling Team, Washington returned to Columbia in 2004. “The primary reason I’m headed to Iowa State is Kevin Jackson,” Washington said. “Kevin is an extraordinary leader. The fact that Iowa State is a collegiate wrestling powerhouse was also a factor in my decision.” Washington also participated in the Olympic Trials for the 2000 Games after winning the Northwest Regional Qualifier. The 1998 Sunkist International Tournament champion, he has been a member of the U.S. National team, America’s World Cup team and America’s Nations Cup teams. Born in Berkeley, Calif., Washington was a California state champion in high school in Porterville. A two-time junior college All-American at Fresno City (Calif.) College, Washington won the California State Junior College Championships. Transferring to Fresno State, he twice made All-American, in 1996, when he finished sixth in the nation at 134 pounds, and 1997, when he was third in the nation. He served as chief assistant wrestling coach at Fresno City College from 1997 to 1999, and was on the 1999-2000 Fresno State staff, working closely with Stephen Abas, a three-time NCAA champion, along with Stan Greene, a two-time NCAA All-American. Washington earned his bachelor of science degree from Fresno State in 1999.

Matt Pell

Jack Spates

The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) has announced its annual Division I All-Academic Top 30 Team and the NWCA Individual All-Academic wrestling team for the 2008-09 season. For the second straight year, American University took home top team honors while five NCAA Division I Champions highlighted the individual team. Mark Cody’s American University Eagles led the Division I teams with GPA of 3.2839 after tying with Duke University in 2008. American was closely followed by Harvard University which had their highest team finish under head coach Jay Weiss. Rounding out the top five teams are Stanford University, Duke University, and Davidson College. All eleven conferences were represented in the top 30 teams with the EIWA leading the way with six teams. For teams to be eligible for consideration, the team GPA is comprised of 12 student athletes, including the 10 wrestlers that were the entries in the NCAA tournament conference qualifier. If teams had less than 10 entries for their respective qualifier, they may fill those spots with wrestlers that competed in at least one varsity dual during the season. “We are finding that year in and year out, coaches strive to have their team’s listed as an All-Academic Team. This is another measure of success for these programs,” said Executive Director Mike Moyer. “There is so much more to wrestling than what is done on the mat and we see just one part of that here with the All-Academic Team.” The 2008-09 All-Academic individual team is highlighted by a total of 51 NCAA Qualifiers, 17 NCAA All-Americans, 8 NCAA Finalist and 5 NCAA Champions. In total 73 individuals representing 45 schools are being honored this year on the All-Academic Team. The five NCAA Champions earning a spot on the individual team are: Jarrod King of Edinboro University (3.78) a Health and Physical Education –Human Performance major, Stephen Luke of the University of Michigan (3.35) a Biology major, Jake Herbert of Northwestern University (3.179) a Communication Major, Fraklin Gomez of Michigan State (3.098) majoring in Human Resources, and J. Jaggers of the Ohio State University (3.02) in Communications. Sitting at the top of the All-Academic Team is NCAA Qualifier Nicholas Amuchastegui of Stanford University who holds a 3.928 in Mechanical Engineering. Rounding out the top five individuals were Liberty’s Christian Smith (3.92), Tucker Lane (3.919) of Nebraska, Jeffrey Newby (3.82) of Utah Valley, and Jarrod King (3.78) of Edinboro University. Individually, wrestlers must have at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA, been an NCAA qualifier or won 60 percent of his total schedule – and must have competed in at least 60 percent of said schedule. The other way to qualify for the All-Academic team is have a 3.0 cumulative and been an NCAA All-American. “The student-athletes on this All-Academic Team exemplify what we are looking for in the sport of wrestling. You see teams and individuals from the largest institutions that sponsor wrestling to the smaller colleges listed. There is diversity here that you do not always get to see when it comes to compiling these type of teams,” said Jim Beichner NWCA President. Utah Valley State led all schools with four wrestlers earning All-Academic accolades followed by The United State Military Academy (ARMY), Old Dominion University, and Northwestern University with three individuals named to the All-Academic Team. “As a coaches association, we look forward to recognizing the accomplishments of our coaches and wrestlers each year. This is just another way to showcase our sport’s close alignment with educational values,” said Moyer.

Danny Felix

Sammie Henson

ITHACA, N.Y.­ -- Jeremy Spates will join the Cornell wrestling staff as an assistant coach, it was announced by Rob Koll, the David R. Dunlop ’59 Head Coach of Wrestling. Spates comes to East Hill after serving as an assistant coach at Oklahoma the past five seasons. Spates will assist the Big Red in all areas of coaching, including recruiting and on-the-mat instruction. A former 149-pounder, he will work with all Cornell wrestlers but will specialize with the middle to lower weight classes. “I have known Jeremy for a very long time, and I helped him with his technique when he was in junior high,” Koll said. “We tried to get Jeremy to join our staff a few years ago, but the timing was not right. We are very glad to have him back in New York. Jeremy will bring a unique perspective to our staff, having wrestled and coached in the Big 12.” Spates helped lead Oklahoma to a 16-4 dual record this season, its best in its past five campaigns. The Sooners crowned two Big 12 champions and qualified eight wrestlers for the NCAA tournament. In his five seasons, Spates has helped Oklahoma notch two top-three team finishes at the NCAAs. At the 2004 national tournament, Oklahoma crowned a 141 pound champion, Teyon Ware, and produced four All-Americans. The Sooners followed with five All-Americans in 2005 and its second-straight third-place team finishes. Spates served as an interim assistant coach for the 2004-05 season, and he was promoted to assistant coach prior to the 2005-06 campaign. A three-time NCAA qualifier, Spates finished his wrestling career at Missouri with a 106-38 record and was only the 10th Tiger in MU history to reach 100 wins. Spates rounded out his senior campaign by placing fifth at the NCAA tournament to earn All-America honors. The first Missouri three-time captain, he was invited to compete at the 2004 National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic, where he defeated Cornell All-American Dustin Manotti. A 1999 Norman HS graduate, Spates was a high school All-American and a three-time junior All-American. He earned an Oklahoma state championship while wrestling for the Tigers. Spates is the son of Jack Spates, who coached the Big Red from 1988-93. Jack Spates had a 74-14-1 record as the fifth head coach of Cornell and tops all wrestling coaches with a .837 winning percentage. He led the Big Red to five Ivy titles and placed first at the EIWA tournament his last two seasons. The Big Red’s 10th-place mark at the NCAA tournament in 1993 was Cornell’s best in 32 years. Jack Spates is currently in his 16th season as the head coach at Oklahoma. He has led the Sooners to top-four placings nationally in six of the past 10 seasons.

1980 Olympian Chuck Yagla and 2008 World Champion Clarissa Chun will be radio show guests Wednesday night. Waterloo, Iowa native Chuck Yagla will be inducted this weekend into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Yagla was a state runner-up for Waterloo Columbus High School in 1972 at 145 pounds. He went on to the University of Iowa where he was a three-time All-American and two-time NCAA champion, winning the Outstanding Wrestler award as a senior in 1976 at 150 pounds. A member of two world teams, Yagla was a 1980 Olympian and unfortunately did not have the opportunity compete in Moscow, Russia due to then President Carter's boycott of the Summer Games. Yagla was one of top wrestling officials in the nation for several years, working the NCAA Division I tournament for 13 years before recently ending his officiating career. Clarissa Chun won the women's freestyle division at 105.5 pounds last weekend at the World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Chun placed fifth in the 2008 Olympics and won the 2008 world title. A native of Hawaii, Chun was a US Nationals champion in 2006 and a three-time University Nationals champion. She attended Missouri Valley College. "On the Mat" can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa each Wednesday from 5:00 - 6:00 PM Central time on AM 1650, The Fan. Feel free to e-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with any questions or comments about the show.

At age 14, Alex Cisneros has already accomplished a lot on the wrestling mat. Alex CisnerosTake a look at just some of the titles he’s won in his just-completed freshman year at Selma High School in California: Reno Tournament of Champions. Five Counties Invitational. The Western Junior Freestyle Tournament in Las Vegas. The 2009 CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) 103-pound state title. In fact, Cisneros won every tournament he entered … and every match he wrestled, compiling a 46-0 record in his first year of high school competition. If that weren’t enough, Cisneros maintains a 4.1 grade point average in college prep classes, is active in his school’s ROTC program, and helps young kids at his church with their Bible studies. And he’s very modest about all of it. “He’s a kid who’s never opened his mouth and said 'I’m going to do this or I’m going to do that,’” Sam Lopez, his high school coach, told the Fresno Bee. “He just wrestles. I mean, he wants to win, there is no doubt about that. But he’s not a kid that’s going to put himself out there and brag about himself. It’s hard to believe a kid can be that humble, because if I was that good, I’d be telling everybody who would listen.” California’s youngest state champ When asked for this article to name the greatest accomplishment of his decade-long wrestling career, Alex Cisneros immediately replied without hesitation, “Winning the state title. It’s the biggest by far. It’s so much more meaningful because my brother Joe had won it.” At age 14, Alex Cisneros was the youngest wrestler ever to win a state title in California (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)In March, Alex Cisneros became only the seventh freshman to win a state championship in the 35-year history of the event in California. Making that achievement all the sweeter: At age 14, Cisneros was the youngest to win a state title in the Golden State … the first freshman champion to go undefeated all season … and the second member of his family to win a state title as a freshman, following in the footsteps of his older brother Joe who did it in 2004. At the 2009 CIF state championships in Bakersfield, Cisneros was the top seed in the 40-man bracket at 103 pounds. In his first match, he got a 15-0 technical fall over Norwalk’s Steven Joyce … while, in the second round, he pinned Michael Nolasco of El Modena at 1:42. Cisneros followed up with a 1:10 fall over Beyer’s Jake Congleton in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, the Selma freshman shut out Vinny Moita of De La Salle, 4-0. Now it was time for the state title match. Before the tournament, there had been a lengthy profile of Alex Cisneros in the Fresno Bee … and a lot of speculation in the wrestling community throughout California -- and beyond. Much of that buzz centered on whether Cisneros was on his way to becoming only the second four-time state champ in California history … before he had even wrestled a single match at the state tournament. The only wrestler to win four CIF titles weighed in with his perspective. Before the state tournament, Darrel Vasquez, who, until recently, had been an assistant coach at Harvard, told the Fresno Bee, “He's done far more than I ever did [at his age]. I didn't win a schoolboy state title, I didn't win a cadet state title. I won tournaments and was always right there, but I never won the big tournaments going into my freshman year like he has." Alex Cisneros (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)Would Cisneros be able to deal with the pressure, and make some history? Just before the championship match, Alex Cisneros was comforted by the sight of a familiar face: “As I was walking to the mat for the finals, it was great seeing Joe in the front row.” For the 103-pound title, Alex Cisneros faced off against Stevan Knoblauch of Clovis West, who brought a 26-5 record to the state tournament. The undefeated freshman from Selma kept his perfect record, getting a decisive 11-1 victory over his sophomore opponent, and earning the state championship in one of the few states where all wrestlers compete in a single class. What helped Cisneros win the title? Here’s Sam Lopez’s analysis: “At the state finals, both wrestlers were equal on their feet. However, on top is where (Alex) came through, using the Mendoza double tilt.” “Most kids work on their strengths, focusing on what they’re already good at. Alex works on his weaknesses, and it’s one way he continues to get better and better.” A gamble in Las Vegas pays off About a month after winning the California state title, Alex Cisneros entered the Western Regional Tournament in Las Vegas … with a bit of a gamble. “We bumped him up to 112 to give him more competition,” discloses Sam Lopez, who was named 2009 Wrestling Coach of the Year by the Fresno Bee. Turns out that gamble paid off big time for the newly crowned 103-pound CIF champ. Alex Cisneros won the 112-pound title at the Western Junior Freestyle tournament for high school wrestlers April 8-10 in Las Vegas … by beating a string of other prep state champs, including Christopher Ornelas of Arizona, Minnesota’s Mike Fuenffinger, Ryan Nakagawa of Hawaii, Utah’s Carson Kuhn, and Steven Romero of the state of Washington. In the finals, Cisneros pinned Iowa high school state champ Eric DeVos at 1:59 to win the event’s title. An early start toward success Alex Cisneros first started wrestling at age 3. “We lived in Ventura (California),” says the 14-year-old state champ. “I’d go to wrestling practice with my older brother Joe. I’d roll around on the mat. I thought it was fun.” Alex Cisnerous finished his freshman season undefeated at Selma High School (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)“My dad also wrestled in high school.” Alex Cisneros started participating in the wrestling program at the Boys and Girls Club in Ventura. He started competing in school as a fifth grader, which was about the time his parents, David and Jocelyn Cisneros, started taking him to tournaments, including major ones such as the Reno Tournament of Champions, and the Tulsa Nationals, where he went up against the top mat talents from across the nation. Wrestling has remained fun for Cisneros, even as he’s gone up against older, top-ranked talent from across the nation … and had to deal with all the attention leading up to the state tournament in March. “I’m never focused on the pressure, but on having fun,” says Cisneros. “Going undefeated, along with all the hype, put on some pressure. But I’m pretty much used to that.” “I had already been to some big tournaments before the state championships, which took some of the pressure off.” In fact, Alex Cisneros snagged the title at every tournament he entered this past season, including the Reno Tournament of Champions, Five Counties Invitational, MidCals Invitational, the Central Sequoia League Championships, the Sequoia-Sierra Divisionals, the Central Section Grand Masters, and the Clovis West Shootout. It’s a family affair The Cisneros family is very much in Alex’s corner … and then some. “His dad delivers fuel, working at night,” according to Sam Lopez. “He takes his son to early-morning workouts, and attends Alex’s matches.” Sam LopezAlex Cisneros weighs in: “Four or five days a week, dad takes me to the gym at 5:30 a.m. after he’s worked all night.” Coach Lopez adds, “Dad works with Alex on technique, striving to make him a better wrestler.” “Mom is also very supportive,” Lopez continues … a thought backed up by Alex. “When we lived in Bakersfield, dad would have to go to work even earlier, so mom took us to practice early,” says Cisneros. “They both want Alex to succeed in life,” according to Lopez. “They see wrestling as the way to do that. After all, you need to be a champion out in the real world.” Alex Cisneros serves as something of a champion in his role as a big brother. “I set the example for my three younger brothers -- Jacob, who will be seven in August, Josh, who’s ten, and Chris, who’s 12. I try to be the role model for them through wrestling.” One of a kind “I’ve been coaching for about 20 years, and I’ve never seen anyone quite like Alex,” says Sam Lopez, who just completed his first season as head wrestling coach at Selma High. “His work ethic is amazing. He’s very mature for his age; you’d think he was 20. He’s incredibly coachable.” Lopez, who once wrestled at Fresno State, elaborates. “Alex’s anticipation is incredible for his age. He does a great job wrestling angles. His positioning is outstanding.” “Like all the great ones, he makes things look easy, but he works incredibly hard.” "When he comes to practice, he is really focused," Lopez told the Fresno Bee. "The guy doesn't waste time. For being a freshman, he's drilling hard and working hard. It's just business. He's not screwing around.” “He’s one of those guys who leads by example,” Lopez said in an interview for this article. “After winning huge tournaments like Reno, Five Counties, it could be expected that he might want to take it easy, or brag on what he’s just done. But just comes in to work, then stays to help roll up the mats.” Alex Cisneros (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)“I think he’s willing to outwork other guys in his weight class.” For Cisneros, it means early-morning workouts with weights in the gym, then, after a full day of classes, at least a couple hours of wrestling practice. But, the 2009 103-pound state champ isn’t comfortable taking it easy. "I always think if I am laying down on the couch, there is someone else out there working just to beat me. I tell myself I have to push harder and harder every day to get to the next level," Cisneros told the Fresno Bee, in a quote that sounds very much like what Dan Gable said as an Iowa State wrestler and force in freestyle. “Alex has incredible time-management skills,” concludes coach Lopez. “He’s mature beyond his years.” Driven to compete Sam Lopez also cites another trait that makes Alex Cisneros a winner: An incredible competitive drive that’s on display on the wrestling mat … and off it, too. “He finds a way to win. He has a very aggressive style, always pushing the pace. He can apply pressure from the bottom, from all positions. He’s incredible at leg riding and grapevining.” “He loves to compete, even in practice. He hates to be taken down, whether it’s by a teammate, or one of us coaches.” In a separate interview, Alex Cisnero’s self-analysis lines up with his coach’s: “I see myself as an all-out, in-your-face wrestler. I’ll be setting the limit, wrestle my style.” Lopez, who is a special ed teacher, also sees that competitive fire in Alex Cisneros outside of wrestling. “Alex is a leader in our school’s ROTC program,” according to Lopez. “He’s very focused on being the best. I think he likes the structure, likes preparing for inspections.” Alex Cisneros (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)In fact, Alex Cisneros considers ROTC to be his favorite class. “I’m thinking about the U.S. Naval Academy or other military service academy,” says Cisneros. “I’m interested in a career in civil engineering. The academies would provide a great education in that field, with career opportunities after.” One could also imagine Cisnero’s competitive fire comes through in his favorite sport outside of wrestling: paintball. Yet Alex Cisneros has a quieter, more contemplative side as well. He is a young man of deep religious faith, active in his church, Valley Life Christian Church in Selma, who enjoys helping kids study the Bible. With all his mat talent, a powerful work ethic, an unquenchable competitive spirit, and a love of working with youngsters, it might make sense that Alex Cisneros might someday want to be a wrestling coach. When asked, he immediately responded, “Yes” but then followed up, “Right now, I’m living one year at a time, one match at a time.” For wrestling fans from Selma, California to Selma, Alabama, it’ll be fun to see what more great things Alex Cisneros accomplishes … one match at a time, one year at a time.

Nick Purler

Randy Lewis

We are pleased to announce that the Iowa's legendary NBC Affiliate, WHO TV 13 will be adding TDR TV news to their Web site offerings starting immediately. WHO TV 13 has, along with Des Moines Sports Station 1460 KXNO has embraced the wrestling community and joins a growing list of Radio and TV affiliates who are now airing TDR TV. Most recently SuperTalk 1570 Flint- Saginaw, Michigan joined our family in airing the radio program Saturday evenings 7 to 9 PM eastern. About TDR TV: TDR TV is an off shoot of Takedown Wrestling Radio. TDR is a 13 year old weekly radio program that airs Saturdays through the year. TDR's primary goal is to continually tell the story of wrestling. TDR TV engages younger demo's with video, pictures, graphics and a hot set. More information can be found at TakedownRadio.com.

CEDAR BLUFFS, Iowa -- Former Wildcat Jake Herbert competed as the top seed in the 84-kg weight class in the 2009 World Team Trials Sunday in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and came away successful in his attempt to qualify for his first U.S. World Team. Herbert defeated former Bloomsburg wrestler Bryce Hasseman in the final 0-1, 1-0, 3-1, punching himself a ticket to Denmark to battle the globe’s best at the 2009 Wrestling World Championships Sept. 21-27. A year ago, Herbert became a member of the U.S. University World Team during his redshirt season from Northwestern in his bid to reach the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. On Sunday, the 2009 Hodge Trophy winner became one of the youngest members of this year’s senior squad. “This isn’t just the result of three months of training, it’s years and years and years of hard work,” Herbert said. “Everyone out on the mat knows that but it’s hard for people on the outside to see all that goes into winning an event like the World Team Trials. It’s just unbelievable.” Herbert’s victory at the U.S. Championships back on April 13 guaranteed him a spot in the finals this weekend in Council Bluffs while Hasseman, an NCAA qualifier while at Bloomsburg in 2004-05, advanced through the preliminary rounds for the right to face Herbert. In freestyle wrestling scoring, each period begins with a score of 0-0 and a wrestler must win two of three periods to advance. A native of Wexford, Pa., Herbert finished his college career as Northwestern's leader in winning percentage (.973) and second in career wins with a 149-4 career record. He won the 2007 and 2009 NCAA title at 184 pounds while also becoming Northwestern’s first three-time Big Ten champion.

Columbia, Mo. -- Two-time All-American Matt Pell will return to Missouri as an assistant wrestling coach as announced today by Tiger Head Coach Brian Smith. A 2007 graduate, Pell has spent the last two seasons at the University of Virginia as an assistant coach and replaces former Missouri assistant Shawn Charles. Charles was recently hired as the Head Coach at Arizona State. "I am very proud to have Matt Pell coming home to coach at Mizzou," Smith said. "He had a great career here as a student-athlete and over the past two years he has developed under Coach (Steve) Garland's tutelage as an outstanding recruiter and coach. Coach Pell will be on staff at all of the Tiger Style Camps this summer." During his four year career at Missouri, Pell earned top-eight finishes at the 2005 and 2007 NCAA Championships. Pell wrestled in three different weight classes throughout his time as a Tiger, earning his first All-America nod at 184 pounds and his second, a third place finish at 165 pounds, his senior year (2007). Pell was a key member of Missouri's 10-man lineup in 2007 and aided the team to its highest NCAA finish in program history, third. Additionally, Pell was the recipient of the Gorarrian Award for most falls at the 2007 NCAA Championships, four. In four years, Pell managed a 121-35 career record and was a four-time NCAA qualifier. "I'm excited to come home to Missouri," Pell said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity and experience that Coach Garland provided me over the past two seasons. I learned a lot during my time at Virginia and hope to bring what I've learned back to Missouri." As an assistant at UVA, Pell coached the Cavaliers to one of their best seasons in program history (2008) crowning two ACC Champions and sending three individuals to the NCAA Championships. In 2009, Pell and the UVA wrestling staff coached 174-pounder Chris Henrich to All-America honors. Henrich became the 10th All-American in Virginia's wrestling history and first since 2004. "While at Missouri we never reached our goal of winning a national team title," Pell said. "I look at the team that is in place now at Missouri and I'm anxious to get back to Columbia and go to work. I think Missouri has a solid group of guys that have the capability to win a national title. I'm looking forward to working with, and helping develop, some of the wrestlers that are on the Missouri team."

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- A trio of former Oklahoma State wrestlers were tripped up at the World Team Trials Sunday in Council Bluffs, with Obenson Blanc taking third at 55 kilograms, Chris Pendleton getting knocked out in the consolation bracket of the challenge tournament at 84 kilograms and Steve Mocco losing his championship series at 120 kilograms. A 2008 Olympian, Mocco was favored to win over Tervel Dlagnev, who had to fight his way through the challenge tournament just to face the former Cowboy NCAA champion. Dlagnev won the first match of the series by a 0-1, 1-0, 2-0 score, but Mocco came back to win the second match, 0-3, 3-0, 2-2. The deciding bout went to Dlagnev, 3-1, 1-1. Blanc was a third-place finisher in the challenge tournament after suffering a 1-0, 0-1, 1-0 upset defeat at the hands of former Arizona State Sun Devil and current West Virginia assistant coach Danny Felix in his first bout. Once in the consolation bracket, Blanc regrouped to beat Minnesota’s Zach Sanders by a 1-0, 1-0 score before crushing Utah Valley’s Ben Kjar in the third-place bout by a convincing 3-0, 4-0 score. Blanc wrestled high school standout and Ohio State signee Logan Stieber for true third and handed the youngster a 1-0, 2-0 defeat in that bout. Blanc’s third-place finish was a surprise to many, as he was the highest-seeded wrestler in the 55 kilogram challenge tournament. As for Pendleton, the former Cowboy NCAA champion had a productive showing for someone who has been largely out of competitive wrestling this year. He started his run with a 7-0, 7-0 technical fall win over former Edinboro wrestler and current Oregon State staffer Alex Clemsen in the first round, then came back to beat former Iowa State Cyclone David Bertolino by a comfortable 6-3, 1-0 margin. Eventual champion Bryce Hasseman knocked Pendleton from the championship bracket in the semifinals with a 0-4, 1-1, 2-0 defeat. Pendleton’s day came to a close with a 1-0, 4-1 loss to Eric Luedke.

USA Wrestling proudly announces the Living the Dream Medal Fund. We have created the Fund with the purpose of allowing the entire wrestling community to participate in celebrating and honoring the hard work of our champions. While we understand that no wrestling champion wrestles ‘for the money”, this Fund will send a strong message to our elite athletes that their glory is our collective glory and their hard work and dedication is appreciated. U.S. World and Olympic team members are our ambassadors to the global wrestling community. The long journey from pee wee wrestler to an Olympic medalist requires a level of determination, of sweat, of pain, of time on the road, and in the gym, and on the mats…of dieting, deprivation, almost madness. The few that survive that journey and win deserve our support. The Fund is being established to award stipends for gold medal, silver medal, and bronze medal finishes at this years World Championships in Copenhagen, the 2010 and 2011 Worlds, and the 2012 Olympic Games. For the World Championships, the plan is to offer $50,000 for a gold medal,$25,000 for a silver, and $15,000 for a bronze For the London 2012 games, the plan is to offer $250,000 for a gold medal, $50,000 for a silver, and $25,000 for a bronze. It is important to note that contributions to this Fund will only go directly to pay the awards referred to above to each athlete that achieves their spot on a World or Olympic podium. The Fund will incorporate and utilize the existing stipends from USA wrestling and stipends as made available by the USOC. The Fund will be maintained as a restricted and segregated fund by USA Wrestling.* It will be overseen by a board that includes representatives of USA wrestling as well as a group of stewards who have helped establish the Fund and will assist in financially underwriting it. We are now looking for donations from $5 to $5,000 from our brothers and sisters in the wrestling community. It is this extended family of wrestlers, of cauliflowered crusaders, where we will find support and strength to back our athletes. “This is huge, history-making news for the U.S. wrestling program,” said National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones. “This can change the face of wrestling history. This is a great opportunity for our athletes and coaches. They are excited and thankful.” We appreciate your help. We need it. Our champions need it. To donate, click HERE. Art Martori Dave Barry Richard Tavoso Mike Novogratz Stan Dziedzic USA Wrestling USOC *This announcement summarizes the purpose of and provides general information regarding the living the dream medal fund. Additional information pertaining to the fund may be obtained from USA Wrestling, including information regarding return of contributions to donors in the event the full amount of the fund is not awarded after conclusion of the 2012 Olympic Games based on the performance of the USA Wrestling 2009, 2010 and 2011 World Teams and 2012 USA Olympic Wrestling Teams.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- It was a weekend filled with first-time winners in the freestyle competition at the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Seven weight classes, seven first-time winners. Six of those winners were 26 years old or younger, and in the eyes of many, considered young, rising stars. The other winner, a seasoned veteran who many people believed was past his prime. His name: Danny Felix. On Sunday, the 35-year-old Felix battled his way through a weight class -- 55 kg -- that was filled with youth. In the Challenge Tournament, he defeated two college-age wrestlers and a high school wrestler half his age. On Sunday night, Felix defeated U.S. Nationals champion Nick Simmons to make his first U.S. World team. "It's indescribable, really," said an emotional Felix after his finals victory. "I've just been working so hard and for so long. I've moved from state to state, just trying to pursue my dreams." In Felix's corner coaching him was World champion Sammie Henson, a man who has been through thick and thin with Felix. "Me and Sammie are best friends," said Felix, who made the decision to move down from 60 kg to 55 kg after Henson retired from competition. "Me and Sammie know each other probably better than our wives. I shouldn't say that, but … He's so special to me. He's in my heart. I've always been there for him through his tournaments and stuff. He's there for me now. It's perfect. I don't think it could have worked out any better." Felix now sets his sights on competing at the 2009 World Wrestling Championships in Herning, Denmark, Sept. 21-27. "I can't wait to get back in the room and work some things and scout my opponents and people who are in my weight in the world," said Felix. "I feel I'm the best guy out there. If I wrestle to my ability, I'm the best guy." The other three U.S. World Team Trials champions crowned on Saturday night in the freestyle competition were Trent Paulson (66 kg), Jake Herbert (84 kg), and Tervel Dlagnev (120 kg). Paulson, a Council Bluffs native, electrified his home crowd, with two straight victories over Challenge Tournament champion Jared Frayer. For Paulson the last two days have been an emotional rollercoaster. Last night, his twin brother, Travis, lost in the best-of-3 finals at 74 kg to Dustin Schlatter. "Last night kind of broke my heart," said Paulson, who won an NCAA title in 2007 for Iowa State. "It was pretty hard for me to get going today. I did the best thing I could do to lift Travis' spirits, which was make that World team, and bring him as my training partner." Herbert, who recently capped off his collegiate wrestling career at Northwestern with his second NCAA title, needed three matches to defeat Bryce Hasseman. Herbert had high praise for his finals opponent. "Bryce is very tough," said Herbert. "He's been wrestling fantastic. Each year, he gets better and better. He's so big and he's so strong. And he's so solid in position. It's really hard for me to get moving and get through him. He's probably the biggest 84-kg guy in the world." He likes the makeup up the new-look U.S. World team. "I'm excited," said Herbert. "We have a great World team. We're pretty young. Great group of guys. It's going to be fun. The rest of the world better watch out because USA is coming." "We're all really close, which is great," continued Herbert. "That's just going to help that team unity." Dlagnev, who won the Challenge Tournament, defeated 2008 Olympian Steve Mocco in an intense, controversial three-match series. "It feels amazing, especially in front of so many of my friends and family," said Dlagnev, who won two NCAA titles at Nebraska Kearney, a college located less than 200 miles from Council Bluffs. "My coaches have been so great. I can't take any of the credit." All three U.S. World Team Trials champions crowned in the Greco-Roman competition on Sunday night were first-time champions. Those wrestlers included Jeremiah Davis (60 kg), Faruk Sahin (66 kg), and R.C. Johnson (96 kg). Davis, who started his Greco-Roman career at Northern Michigan before joining the U.S. Army wrestling team, defeated teammate Glenn Garrison in two straight matches. Five U.S. Army wrestlers reached the Greco-Roman finals, three won titles, and several placed. So what's the competition like in the wrestling Army room? "It's ridiculous," said Davis. "It's Nationals every day. That's how I could describe it." Sahin, who was born and raised in Turkey but naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 2004, defeated Mark Rial in two straight matches, posting shutouts in all four periods. "I knew all of my opponents," said Sahin, who admitted that he was battling injuries and wasn't ready for the competition. "It was all tactical and it worked. They are all great wrestlers. I love wrestling with them. I wish I were their age so I could go push them a little harder." Johnson, a Minnesota native who spent time at Northern Michigan before moving to Colorado Springs to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. He placed third at the Trials in 2006, 2007, and 2008. "I feel good," said Johnson. "It's about time. Long overdue." In the women's freestyle competition on Sunday night, Clarissa Chun (48 kg), Tatiana Padilla (55 kg), Elena Pirozhkova (63) won titles. BEST-OF-3 FINALS RESULTS FREESTYLE 55 kg/121 lbs. Danny Felix defeated Nick Simmons, 2 matches to 1 Felix dec. Simmons 0-1, 2-0, 1-0 Simmons dec. Felix, 1-1, 2-0 Felix dec. Simmons, 2-1, 1-0 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Trent Paulson defeated Jared Frayer, 2 matches to 0 Paulson dec. Frayer, 1-0, 0-3, 2-2 Paulson dec. Frayer, 2-0, 1-0 84 kg/185 lbs. Jake Herbert defeated Bryce Hasseman, 2 matches to 1 Herbert dec. Hasseman 0-1, 3-2, 1-0 Hasseman dec. Herbert, 0-1,1-0, 3-1 Herbert dec. Hasseman, 1-0, 1-1 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Tervel Dlagnev defeated Steve Mocco, 2 matches to 1 Dlagnev dec. Mocco, 0-1, 1-0, 1-0 Mocco dec. Dlagnev, 0-3, 3-0, 2-2 Dlagnev dec. Mocco, 3-0, 1-1 GRECO-ROMAN 60 kg/132 lbs. Jeremiah Davis defeated Glenn Garrison, 2 matches to 0 Davis dec. Garrison, 2-0, 0-1, 2-0 Davis dec. Garrison, 4-0, 5-0 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Faruk Sahin defeated Mark Rial, 2 matches to 0 Sahin dec. Rial, 2-0, 1-0 Sahin dec. Rial, 1-0, 5-0 96 kg/211.5 lbs. R.C. Johnson defeated Peter Gounaridis, 2 matches to 0 Johnson dec. Gounaridis, 1-0, 1-0 Johnson dec. Gounaridis, 4-3, 1-0 WOMEN'S FREESTYLE 48 kg/105.5 lbs. Clarissa Chun defeated Alyssa Lampe, 2 matches to 0 Chun dec. Lampe, 4-0, 1-1 Chun pins Lampe, 0:17 55 kg/121 lbs. Tatiana Padilla defeated Leigh Jaynes, 2 matches to 1 Jaynes dec. Padilla, 3-0, 1-0 Padilla pinned Jaynes, 0-3, 1:27 Padilla dec. Jaynes, 2-0, 2-0 63 kg/138.75 lbs. Elena Pirozhkova defeated Vanessa Oswalt, 2 matches to 0 Pirozhkova dec. Oswalt, 2-0, 4-0 Pirozhkova dec. Oswalt, 2-0, 4-1

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- Just over three years ago, Dustin Schlatter won an NCAA title as a true freshman at the University of Minnesota, accomplishing something many did not expect coming into that year. On Saturday night at the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Schlatter once again accomplished something that no one thought would happen coming into this year. The 23-year-old Schlatter, who is wrestling his first season of freestyle since high school, defeated U.S. Nationals champion and hometown favorite Travis Paulson in two consecutive matches to make the U.S. World Team. “I took a year off to redshirt this year,” said Schlatter, a three-time All-American for the Gophers. “You always need goals. My goal from the start was to make the World team. We had planned on going to a couple international tournament and what not. This was the goal the whole year. This is what I was training for.” All four periods that Schlatter won were 0-0 at the end of regulation and ended up in the clinch. Thankfully for Schlatter, luck was on his side. He won the ball draw all four periods, which allowed him to start the tiebreaker period with Paulson’s leg, which allowed him to score the winning takedown in each of those periods. “I never like going to the clinch, obviously, if I can avoid that,” said Schlatter. “It’s something we have been working on a lot. It’s something you have to work on when you wrestle freestyle, especially in this high level of competition. It’s going to go there from time to time. So I felt like I was well prepared for it.” It might not have been the way Schlatter wanted to win, but he’ll take it. “Obviously, I wanted to take him down and score,” said Schlatter. “But he’s real strong. He has good positioning, kind of similar to me in that respect. So I knew that if someone did get a takedown that would probably be the period because that’s a strength for both of us, I believe. It just so happened that no one got the takedown during the period.” Schlatter felt that if he redshirted, he had to make the most of it. “Last year at NCAAs, I fell well short of what I wanted,” said Schlatter, who placed seventh at that event. “I think I needed a break. I was just battling some injuries that year and the year before. I just need to take a step back and focus on me and what I needed to work on. I talked it over with the coaches and we decided to redshirt. We talked about how I need to make some goals. If I was going to take the redshirt year, it needs to be advantageous and I need to get something out of it. The goal was to make the World Team.” Schlatter was one of three first time U.S. World Team Trials champions crowned in the freestyle competition on Saturday night. The other two were Shawn Bunch (60 kg) and Jake Varner (96 kg). Bunch had to battle through the Challenge Tournament on Saturday just to get the chance to face U.S. Nationals champion Mike Zadick, who earned an automatic berth in best-of-3 finals. Bunch, who trains at the Ohio Regional Training Center in Columbus, Ohio, used his quickness and explosiveness to defeat Zadick in two straight matches. Both matches, though, went all three periods, and involved several controversial calls. “I feel great knowing that all the hard work I put in, all the sacrifices I’ve made in my life could lead to this, getting that opportunity to win that gold medal, which I’ve always wanted to do since I was younger, when I first started wrestling,” said Bunch. “I want to be a World champ, Olympic champ. That’s my goals. And I want to achieve them.” Varner defeated 2008 Olympian Andy Hrovat in two consecutive matches. It has been a breakthough year for Varner, who won his first NCAA title this past March, after losing in the NCAA finals two years in a row, then won his first U.S. Nationals title in April, and just won his first U.S. World Team Trials title. “You have bad years,” said Varner, who was coached by a pair of Olympic champs, Cael Sanderson and Kevin Jackson. “You go out there and wrestle. Sometimes it doesn’t go your way. This year I guess everything fell in my place. I worked hard for it. It worked out where I came out on top, so that’s always fun.” In the Greco-Roman competition, the USOEC program in Northern Michigan made a statement by crowning three champions: Spenser Mango (55 kg), Harry Lester (74 kg), and Chas Betts (84 kg). “You can see we’re coming up,” said Betts, who defeated five-time U.S. World Team member T.C. Dantzler. We’ve been saying it for years. And now it’s finally coming in. And tomorrow, I wouldn’t be surprised if there are guys who either came through our program or are in still in our program make two or three more spots out of it. So it’s a good sign.” Mango, a 2008 Olympian, had no trouble with World bronze medalist Lindsey Durlacher, winning in consecuitive matches. “I made the Olympic team last year, but wanted to build on that,” said Mango. “I had to get this World team spot first and then go to the Worlds and get a gold.” Lester, who retired after the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and the decided to come back and move up a weight class, won two straight matches over Jess Hargrave to make his third U.S. World team. He feels good about his decision to move up a weight class. “I’m healthier,” said Lester, a two-time World bronze medalist. “I’m having a lot more fun. It makes for a lot better wrestling, a lot more enjoyment of the sport.” The other Greco-Roman champion crowned on Saturday night was World champion Dremiel Byers, who defeated Brandon Rupp in consecutive matches. The women’s freestyle champions crowned on Saturday night were Jessica Medina (51 kg), Deanna Rix (59 kg), Adeline Gray (67 kg), and Ali Bernard (72 kg). Sunday's competition at the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials gets underway at 9 a.m. CT at the Mid-America Center. BEST-OF-3 FINALS RESULTS FREESTYLE 60 kg/132 lbs. Shawn Bunch defeated Mike Zadick, 2 matches to 0 Bunch dec. Zadick, 3-0, 1-3, 2-1 Bunch dec. Zadick, 3-0, 0-2, 1-0 74 kg/163 lbs. Dustin Schlatter defeated Travis Paulson, 2 matches to 0 Schlatter dec. Paulson, 1-0, 1-0 Schlatter dec. Pauslon, 1-0, 1-0 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Jake Varner defeated Andy Hrovat, 2 matches to 0 Varner dec. Hrovat, 0-1, 3-0, 1-0 Varner dec. Hrovat, 0-1, 2-0, 1-0 GRECO-ROMAN 55 kg/121 lbs. Spenser Mango defeated Lindsey Durlacher, 2 matches to 0 Mango dec. Durlacher, 3-0, 5-0 Mango dec. Durlacher, 2-0, 3-0 74 kg/163 lbs. Harry Lester defeated Jess Hargrave, 2 matches to 0 Lester dec. Hargrave, 4-4, 1-0, 1-0 Lester pinned Hargrave, 3-0, 0:29 84 kg/185 lbs. Chas Betts defeated T.C. Dantzler, 2 matches to 1 Betts dec. Dantzler, 1-0, 0-1, 1-0 Dantzler dec. Betts, 2-0, 2-1 Betts dec. Dantzler, 1-0, 0-1, 1-0 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Dremiel Byers defeated Brandon Rupp, 2 matches to 0 Byers dec. Rupp, 2-0, 1-0 Byers dec. Rupp, 1-0, 2-0 WOMEN’S FREESTYLE 51 kg/112.25 lbs. Jessica Medina defeated Patricia Miranda, 2 matches to 1 Miranda dec. Medina, 3-0, 1-4, 3-1 Medina dec. Miranda, 1-0, 0-4, 4-3 Medina dec. Miranda, 0-1,1-1,1-0 59 kg/130 lbs. Deanna Rix defeated Kelsey Campbell , 2 matches to 1 Campbell dec. Rix, 2-0, 1-0 Rix dec. Campbell, 3-0, 1-0 Rix dec. Campbell, 1-0, 1-0 67 kg/147.5 lbs. Adeline Gray defeated Christen Paysse, 2 matches to 0 Gray dec. Paysse, 4-0, 3-0 Gray pinned Paysse, 1:59 72 kg/158.5 lbs. Ali Bernard defeated Jenna Pavlik, 2 matches to 0 Bernard dec. Pavlik, 4-2, 7-2 Bernard dec. Pavlik, 7-0, 4-0