InterMat Staff

The Junior National freestyle competition in Fargo, which starts on Thursday, is considered to be the Super Bowl event for high school age wrestlers. College wrestling coaches from all across the country convene in Fargo to take in the Junior National freestyle competition in hopes of eventually signing the most talented high school wrestlers in the U.S. Below is a weight-by-weight preview of the Junior National freestyle competition. 98: Leader of the Pack: Ruben Navejas (Washington) Notes: Navejas was a state champion, Cadet National double All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked (13th at 103 pounds). Others to Watch: Jacoby Bergeron (Minnesota), Devon Graville (Illinois), Mike Dauterive (Texas), and Mike Soria (New York) Notes: Bergeron was a state champion, and a Junior National double All-American in 2008. Graville was runner-up in 2009 at the Junior National Folkstyle Championships. Dauterive was undefeated at the Junior National Freestyle Duals in 2009. Soria was a state champion. 105: Leader of the Pack: Jade Rauser (Montana) Notes: Rauser is a two-time state champion, Junior National folkstyle champion in 2009, Junior National freestyle runner-up in 2008, and nationally ranked (12th at 103 pounds) Others to Watch: Jake Schramm (Illinois) and Damien Gomez (California) Notes: Schramm was a Junior National double All-American in 2008. Gomez was a FILA Junior freestyle All-American in 2009. 112: Leader of the Pack: Tyler Cox (Wyoming) Notes: Cox is a multiple-time state champion and nationally ranked (5th at 119 pounds, 33rd in the Class of 2009) Others to Watch: Ryak Finch (Arizona), Robert Deutsch (New Jersey), Robert Dyar (Alabama), Carson Kuhn (Utah), Hayden Zillmer (Minnesota) Notes: Finch is a multiple-time state champion, Junior National double runner-up, and nationally ranked (eighth at 112 pounds, 45th in the Class of 2010). Deutsch is a two-time state finalist, Cadet National freestyle runner-up in 2008, and nationally ranked (ninth at 112 pounds, 30th in the Class of 2011). Dyar was a multiple-time state champion, nationally ranked (14th at 112 pounds), and a Junior National double All-American in 2008. Kuhn is a two-time state champion and Cadet National double All-American in 2008. Zilmer is a state champion, Junior National folkstyle champion in 2009, Cadet National double champion in 2008, went undefeated at the Junior National Freestyle Duals in 2009, and nationally ranked (11th at 103 pounds). Other Returning All-Americans in Freestyle: Brandon Nelson (Indiana), Matthew Gurule (Colorado), Valyen Rauser (Montana), Tanner Moon (Alabama), and Matt Correa (California) 119: Leader of the Pack: Ryan Mango (Missouri) Notes: Mango was a multiple-time state champion, Junior National double All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked (14th at 130 pounds, 100th in the Class of 2009). Others to Watch: Camden Eppert (Indiana), Nico Megaludis (Pennsylvania), Jesse Delgado (California), Alan Waters (Missouri), Sean Boylan (Delaware), and Ty Mitch (Ohio) Notes: Eppert was a multiple-time state finalist, Junior National freestyle All-American in 2008, went undefeated at the Junior National Freestyle Duals in 2009, and nationally ranked (seventh at 119 pounds, 63rd in the Class of 2009). Megaludis is a state champion, FILA Cadet freestyle champion in 2009, and nationally ranked (2nd at 112 pounds, 11th in the Class of 2011). Delgado is a state champion, Cadet National freestyle All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked (third at 112 pounds, 22nd in the Class of 2010). Waters is multiple-time state champion, Junior National double All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked (14th at 119 pounds, 41st in the Class of 2010). Boylan is a multiple-time state champion, Junior National freestyle All-American in 2008, went undefeated at the Junior National Freestyle Duals in 2009, and nationally ranked (sixth at 112 pounds, 43rd in the Class of 2010). Mitch is a two-time state champion, Cadet National freestyle All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked (78th in the Class of 2010). Yet More to Watch: Sharky Slyter (Kansas), Brian St James (Georgia), Brock Banta (Idaho), Rossi Bruno (Florida), and Mike Rhone (Pennsylvania) Notes: Slyter is a returning Junior National freestyle All-American. St James is nationally ranked in his grade and weight class, Bruno is nationally ranked in his grade, and Rhone was a FILA Cadet double All-American in 2009. 125: Leader of the Pack: Louis Trujillo (New Mexico) Notes: Trujillo is a multiple-time state champion, Cadet National freestyle champion, and nationally ranked (sixth at 130 pounds, 13th in the Class of 2010) Others to Watch: David Klingsheim (California), Ladd Rupp (Oklahoma), Nick Wilcox (New York), Frank Goodwin (Maryland), Tyler Rauenzahn (Pennsylvania), Joe Roth (Illinois), Keith Surber (Illinois), and TJ Mitchell (Georgia) Notes: Klingsheim was a two-time state champion and nationally ranked (second at 119 pounds, 27th in the Class of 2009). Rupp was a multiple-time state champion and nationally ranked (eighth at 125 pounds, 53rd in the Class of 2009). Wilcox is a state champion and nationally ranked (54th in the Class of 2010). Goodwin is a two-time National Prep runner-up and nationally ranked (15th at 119 pounds, 63rd in the Class of 2010). Rauenzahn is nationally ranked (16th at 119 pounds, 74th in the Class of 2010). Roth was a state champion and Junior National freestyle All-American in 2008. Surber is nationally ranked (92nd in the Class of 2010). Mitchell is a two-time state champion and nationally ranked (93rd in the Class of 2010). Other Returning All-Americans in Freestyle: Chris Head (Indiana) and Nick Soto (Florida) 130: Leader of the Pack: Sam Sherlock (Pennsylvania) Notes: Sherlock is a state champion and nationally ranked (sixth at 125 pounds, 16th in the Class of 2010) Others to Watch: Frank Cagnina (New Jersey), Cashe Quiroga (Indiana), Justin Lavalle (Minnesota), Devin Carter (Virginia), Josh Keszler (South Dakota), and Ryne Cokeley (Kansas) Notes: Cagnina is a two-time state champion, nationally ranked (ninth at 125 pounds, 19th in the Class of 2010), and went undefeated at the Junior National Freestyle Duals in 2009. Quiroga is nationally ranked (13th at 125 pounds, 65th in the Class of 2009). Lavalle was a two-time state champion, Junior National double All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked (fifth at 130 pounds, 80th in the Class of 2009). Carter is a multiple-time state champion and nationally ranked (first at 112 pounds, 23rd in the Class of 2010). Keszler is a state champion, Junior National freestyle All-American, and nationally ranked (seventh at 119 pounds, 26th in the Class of 2010). Cokeley is a two-time state champion, Cadet National double All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked (22nd in the Class of 2011) Yet More to Watch: Johnni DiJulius (Ohio) and Case Garrison (Oklahoma) Notes: Both wrestlers are nationally ranked for their respective grades. Other Returning All-American in Freestyle: Alex Kostenborder (Oregon) 135: Leader of the Pack: Josh Kindig (Pennsylvania) Notes: Kindig is a two-time state finalist, Junior National double runner-up in 2008, and nationally ranked (third at 135 pounds, ninth in the Class of 2010). Others to Watch: Austin Ormsbee (New Jersey), David Thorn (Minnesota), CJ Napier (Kansas), Jose Mendoza (California), Josh Dziewa (Pennsylvania), Jake Ballweg (Iowa), Zach Zehner (Wisconsin), and Simon Kitzis (Massachusetts) Notes: Ormsbee is a two-time National Prep champion and nationally ranked (fifth at 135 pounds, fifth in the Class of 2011). Thorn was a multiple-time state champion, Junior National freestyle All-Americanin 2008, nationally ranked (seventh at 125 pounds, 30th in the Class of 2009), and went undefeated at the Junior National Freestyle Duals in 2009. Napier was a multiple-time state champion, Junior National freestyle All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked (10th at 135 pounds, 41st in the Class of 2009). Mendoza was a Junior National freestyle runner-up in 2008. Dziewa was a Cadet National double All-American in 2008 and nationally ranked (47th in the Class of 2010). Ballweg is a multiple-time state champion, nationally ranked (58th in the Class of 2010), and went undefeated at the Junior National Freestyle Duals in 2009. Zehner is a state champion and nationally ranked (81st in the Class of 2010). Kitzis was Cadet National freestyle All-American in 2008 and nationally ranked (90th in the Class of 2010). Yet More to Watch: Caleb Ervin (Kentucky), Henry Carlson (Alabama), and Trevor Johnson (North Dakota) Note: Ervin and Carlson are nationally ranked in the Class of 2011. Johnson went undefeated at the Junior National Freestyle Duals in 2009. Other Returning All-American in Freestyle: Jed Lightfoot (Illinois) 140: Leader of the Pack: Andrew Alton (Pennsylvania) Notes: Alton is a state champion, Junior National double finalist in 2008, and nationally ranked (first at 140 pounds, second in the Class of 2010). Others to Watch: Chris Villalonga (New Jersey), Dylan Ness (Minnesota), Luke Vaith (Minnesota), Josh Warner (Idaho), Bart Reiter (Iowa), Kaleb Friedley (Missouri), and Jeremy Davenport (Oklahoma) Notes: Villalonga is a multiple-time National Prep champion and nationally ranked (first at 130 pounds, third in the Class of 2010). Ness is a Junior National folkstyle champion in 2009, Cadet National double champion in 2008, nationally ranked (ninth at 140 pounds, 17th in the Class of 2010), and went undefeated at the Junior National Freestyle Duals in 2009. Vaith was a state champion, Junior National freestyle All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked (eighth at 140 pounds, 90th in the Class of 2010). Warner was a state champion and nationally ranked (16th at 145 pounds). Reiter was a multiple-time state champion and nationally ranked (20th at 135 pounds). Friedley was a FILA Cadet freestyle runner-up in 2009, Cadet National freestyle All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked (82nd in the Class of 2010). Davenport is a two-time state champion, Cadet National freestyle All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked (18th in the Class of 2011). Yet More to Watch: Cody Caldwell (Iowa) and Matt Nereim (Florida) Note: Caldwell is nationally ranked in his grade. Nereim was a FILA Cadet double finalist in 2009 Other Returning All-American in Freestyle: Scott Mattingly (Ohio) 145: Leader of the Pack: Dylan Alton (Pennsylvania) Notes: Alton is a two-time state champion, Junior National double champion in 2008, and nationally ranked (first at 145 pounds, fifth in the Class of 2010). Others to Watch: Destin McCauley (Minnesota), Steven Hernandez (Nevada), Steven Monk (Wisconsin), Jake Snider (Colorado), Justin DeAngelis (Oklahoma), Colin Shober (Pennsylvania), Brad Squire (Ohio), and Blake Roulo (Virginia) Notes: McCauley is a multiple-time state finalist, Cadet National freestyle champion in 2008, and nationally ranked (ninth at 135 pounds, fourth in the Class of 2011). Hernandez is a multiple-time state champion and nationally ranked (fifth at 145 pounds, 15th in the Class of 2010). Monk was a state champion, Junior National folkstyle champion in 2009, Junior National freestyle All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked (10th at 140 pounds). Snider is a multiple-time state champion and nationally ranked (12th at 140 pounds, 33rd in the Class of 2010). DeAngelis is a two-time state champion, Cadet National freestyle runner-up in 2008, and nationally ranked (15th at 145 pounds, 67th in the Class of 2010). Shober is a state champion and nationally ranked (72nd in the Class of 2010). Squire is nationally ranked (85th in the Class of 2010). Roulo was a Cadet National freestyle runner-up in 2008 and nationally ranked (26th in the Class of 2011). Other Returning All-Americans in Freestyle: Parker Madl (Kansas), Gabriel Bird (Florida), and Pat Greco (Illinois) 152: Leader of the Pack: Brock Gutches (Oregon) Notes: Gutches was a multiple-time state champion, Junior National double All-American in 2008, nationally ranked (third at 152 pounds, and 47th in the Class of 2009) Others to Watch: Kendrick Sanders (Florida), Derek Garcia (Washington), Steve Santos (New Jersey), Brandon Rolnick (New Jersey), Joey Cozart (Florida), Vlad Dombroski (California), Tigran Adzheyman (California), and Brandon Wilbourn (Missouri) Notes: Sanders was a multiple-time state champion and nationally ranked (seventh at 145 pounds, 55th in the Class of 2009). Garcia is a multiple-time state champion and nationally ranked (seventh at 152 pounds, 14th in the Class of 2010). Santos was a state champion and nationally ranked (10th at 152 pounds, 85th in the Class of 2009). Rolnick is nationally ranked (15th at 152 pounds, 31st in the Class of 2010) and went undefeated at the Junior National Freestyle Duals in 2009. Cozart is a multiple-time state champion and nationally ranked (ninth at 145 pounds, 32nd in the Class of 2010). Dombroski and Adzheyman were Junior National freestyle All-Americans in 2008. Wilbourn was Junior National freestyle All-American in 2008 and nationally ranked (75th in the Class of 2010). Yet More to Watch: Eric Hess (Pennsylvania), Sam Bennett (Indiana), Michael Kelly (Iowa), Seth Thomas (Oregon), and Zach Skates (Oklahoma) Notes: Hess and Kelly are state champions and nationally ranked in the Class of 2010, while Bennett is also nationally ranked in the Class of 2010. Thomas and Skates are both ranked in the Class of 2011, were Cadet National freestyle All-Americans in 2008, and FILA Cadet double All-Americans in 2009. 160: Leader of the Pack: Derek St John (Iowa) Notes: St John was a Junior National folkstyle champion in 2009, Junior National freestyle runner-up in 2008, nationally ranked (fourth at 160 pounds, 15th in the Class of 2009), and went undefeated at the Junior National Freestyle Duals in 2009. Others to Watch: Dallas Bailey (Oklahoma), Corey Lear (Pennsylvania), Turtogh Luvsandorj (New Jersey), Stephen West (California), Nick Sulzer (Ohio), Nick Proctor (Illinois), Nick Visicaro (New Jersey), and Robert Kokesh (South Dakota) Notes: Bailey was a multiple-time state champion, Junior National freestyle All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked (ninth at 171 pounds, 21st in the Class of 2009). Lear was a state champion, Junior National freestyle All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked (12th at 160 pounds, 52nd in the Class of 2010). Luvsandorj was a National Prep champion and nationally ranked (17th at 160 pounds). West was Junior National freestyle All-American in 2008 and nationally ranked (18th at 160 pounds). Sulzer is a two-time state finalist and nationally ranked (18th at 152 pounds, 37th in the Class of 2010). Proctor is FILA Cadet double All-American in 2009 and nationally ranked (59th in the Class of 2010). Visicaro is a state champion and nationally ranked (61st in the Class of 2010). Kokesh is a multiple-time state champion and nationally ranked (70th in the Class of 2010). Yet More to Watch: Bryce Hammond (California), Ronnie Balfour (Oklahoma), Jesse Shanaman (New Jersey), and Kris Klapprodt (South Dakota) Notes: Hammond and Balfour were Cadet National freestyle runners-up in 2008, and Hammond is also nationally ranked in his grade. Shanaman and Klapprodt went undefeated at the Junior National Freestyle Duals in 2009. Other Returning All-Americans in Freestyle: Preston Kieffer (New Jersey) and Frank Cousins (Florida) 171: Leader of the Pack: Lee Munster (Illinois) Notes: Munster is a two-time state champion, Junior National freestyle All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked (fifth at 171 pounds, eighth in the Class of 2010) Others to Watch: Tyler Beckwith (New York), Michael Evans (Pennsylvania), Michael Moreno (Iowa), Patrick Martinez (California), Tanner Keck (Oklahoma), Kevin Steinhaus (Minnesota), and Reid Chivers (Washington) Notes: Beckwith is a multiple-time state finalist and nationally ranked (eighth at 171 pounds, 11th in the Class of 2010). Evans is nationally ranked (12th in the Class of 2010). Moreno is a two-time state runner-up and nationally ranked (seventh at 160 pounds, 18th in the Class of 2010). Martinez was a state champion and nationally ranked (10th at 160 pounds, 48th in the Class of 2009). Keck was a state champion and nationally ranked (13th at 171 pounds, 77th in the Class of 2009). Steinhaus was a multiple-time state champion and nationally ranked (16th at 160 pounds, 84th in the Class of 2009). Chivers was a state champion and nationally ranked (19th at 189 pounds). Yet More to Watch: Ethan Blackstock (Georgia) and Levi Clemons (Florida) Notes: Blackstock is a two-time state champion and Cadet National double All-American in 2008. Clemons is a state champion and FILA Cadet double All-American in 2009. Other Returning All-Americans in Freestyle: Zach Agostino (New Jersey) 189: Leader of the Pack: Jon Fausey (Pennsylvania) Notes: Fausey was a state champion, Junior National double All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked (second at 189 pounds, 16th in the Class of 2009). Others to Watch: Andrew Campolattano (New Jersey), Max Huntley (New Jersey), Jake Swartz (Washington), Zach White (Oklahoma), Kyven Gadsen (Iowa), and Tyler Lehmann (Minnesota) Notes: Campolattano is a two-time state champion, Cadet National double champion in 2008, and nationally ranked (third at 189 pounds, second in the Class of 2011). Huntley was a – multiple-time state-level champion and nationally ranked (fourth at 189 pounds, 24th in the Class of 2010). Swartz was a multiple-time state champion, Junior National double All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked (5th at 189 pounds, 35th in the Class of 2009). White was nationally ranked (12th at 171 pounds, 71st in the Class of 2009). Gadsen is a two-time state finalist, FILA Cadet freestyle champion in 2009, and nationally ranked (56th in the Class of 2010). Lehmann is a two-time state champion and nationally ranked (62nd in the Class of 2010). Yet More to Watch: Matthew Loew (New York) and Scott Schiller (North Dakota) Notes: Loew is a FILA Cadet double All-American in 2009 and Cadet National freestyle All-American in 2008. Schiller is a state champion and Cadet National freestyle All-American in 2008. Other Returning All-Americans in Freestyle: Harrison Honeycutt (North Carolina) and Mike McGrath (New York) 215: Leader of the Pack: Tony Nelson (Minnesota) Notes: Nelson was a multiple-time state finalist, Junior National freestyle All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked (third at 215 pounds, 49th in the Class of 2009) Others to Watch: Derrick Borlie (Virginia), Grant Haschak (Washington), Nate Gaffney (Pennsylvania), Connor Medbery (Colorado), and Aaron Pavlenko (Arizona) Notes: Borlie was a multiple-time state champion and nationally ranked (sixth at 189 pounds, 60th in the Class of 2009). Haschak was nationally ranked (18th at 215 pounds). Gaffney is a state champion and nationally ranked (99th in the Class of 2010). Medbery is a state champion, Cadet Nationals double finalist in 2008, and nationally ranked (12th in the Class of 2010). Pavlenko is a state champion and Junior National freestyle All-American in 2008. Yet More to Watch: Cody Krumwiede (Iowa), Cody Davis (Texas), and Alex Polizzi (Wisconsin) Notes: Krumwiede is a state champion, FILA Cadet freestyle runner-up in 2009, and Cadet National freestyle All-American in 2008. Davis is a state champion and Cadet National freestyle All-American in 2008. Polizzi went undefeated at the Junior National Freestyle Duals in 2009. Other Returning All-Americans in Freestyle: Josh Davis (New Jersey) and John Acors (New York) 285: Leader of the Pack: Evan Craig (Pennsylvania) Notes: Craig is a multiple-time state finalist, Cadet National double finalist in 2008, and nationally ranked (fifth at 285 pounds, 34th in the Class of 2010) Others to Watch: Jeremy Johnson (Ohio), Spencer Myers (Pennsylvania), Kyle Kober (Iowa), Jacob Mitchell (Oregon), Jake Kettler (Minnesota), and Karl Green (Maryland) Notes: Johnson was a state champion, Junior National freestyle All-American in 2008, nationally ranked (eighth at 285 pounds, 94th in the Class of 2009), and went undefeated at the Junior National Freestyle Duals in 2009. Myers is nationally ranked (ninth at 215 pounds, 38th in the Class of 2010). Kober was a state champion and nationally ranked (11th at 285 pounds). Mitchell was a multiple-time state finalist and nationally ranked (15th at 285 pounds). Kettler was a state champion and nationally ranked (18th at 285 pounds). Green was a Cadet National freestyle All-American in 2008 and nationally ranked (19th at 285 pounds, 91st in the Class of 2010). Yet More to Watch: Austin Blythe (Iowa), Donovan Green (Florida), and Niko Bogojevic (Wisconsin) Notes: Blythe is a two-time state finalist, Cadet National double All-American, and nationally ranked (33rd in the Class of 2011). Green is a FILA Cadet double champion in 2009. Bogojevic went undefeated at the Junior National Freestyle Duals in 2009. Other Returning All-Americans in Freestyle: Sani-Jonathan Fuimaono (Hawaii)

The NWCA is excited to announce it has secured a $30,000 grant that can be utilized to scholarship “up-and-coming” college coaches who have been nominated by their peers to participate in a “one of a kind” Coaches Leadership Academy “focus group” in conjunction with this year’s NWCA Convention in Ft. Lauderdale. To a large extent, the future success of college wrestling lies in the hands of these aspiring young coaches. “The NWCA is extremely grateful for the generosity of our Academy benefactors John Harmon, Irv Naylor, and Greg Hatcher who have collectively established the $30,000 scholarship grant. Further, NWCA benefactors Dave Bunning and Mark Mestemacher should be acknowledged for their roles in underwriting the entire development of the College Coaches Leadership Academy,” said NWCA President Jim Beichner. “It is clear that these individuals are determined to make sure our young, aspiring college coaches have the necessary skills and resources to navigate through these very challenging economic times.” The purpose of this focus group is to utilize “peer group discussion” among college coaches, athletic administrators, and CEOs to develop ‘best practices” for protecting and strengthening intercollegiate wrestling programs through this challenging economy. Specifically, we want to help coaches strengthen their CEO skills and better align their programs with educational values. Nationally renowned coaching development expert, Dr. Dan Gould from Michigan State University, will be facilitating these discussions. In addition, he will be collaborating with some of our nation’s top athletic administrators, coaches, and CEOs (with wrestling backgrounds) to begin the develop of faculty who will serve as facilitators at regional “Coaching Leadership” workshops around the nation once the training program is fully functional. The 2009 Leadership Academy consists of the following coaches: John Mark Bentley, Ben Berogen, Jason Borrelli, Mark Branch, Brandon Brissette, Shawn Charles, Dax Charles, Heath Eslinger, John Garriques, Trent Goodale, Scott Hawes, Scott Hinkle, Tim Homan, Greg Ilaria, Tony Islas, RC LaHaye, Tom Layte, Clint Manny, Risto Marttinen, Joe, Pollard, Tom Prarie, Todd Roberts, Ryan Smith, Ben Stehura, Casey Stouffer, Beau Vest and Jason York. Mentors for the 2009 Leadership Academy are as follows: Ron Beaschler, Jim Beichner, Tom Bold, Tom Borrelli, Jim Fallis, Mark Gumble, Dan Harris, Todd Hibbs, Dave Icenhower, Paul Kendle, Rob Koll, Jim Makovsky, Joe McFarland, Darrell Randall, Rande Stottlemyer, Greg Strobel, Jeff Swenson, Alan Utter, and Colonel Billy Walker. On behalf the NWCA Board of Directors, we would like to encourage all college coaches (head and assistants) to attend the 2009 NWCA Convention scheduled for August 6-9. Wrestling’s challenges must be solved by wrestling people. There has never been a more important time for the wrestling community to work together. We hope that we will see a record attendance this year!

Jim Beichner

Craig Turnbull

Dr. John Fitzgerald

The 2009 Junior Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota get underway on Sunday with the start of Greco-Roman competition at 9:30 a.m. CDT. Below is a weight-by-weight breakdown of the Junior National Greco-Roman competition. Note: This weight-by-weight preview was based on individuals registered on TrackWrestling.com as of Wednesday evening (7/15/09). 98: Leader of the Pack: Ruben Navejas (Washington) Notes: Navejas was a state champion, Cadet National double All-American in 2008, and is nationally ranked (13th at 103 pounds). Others to Watch: Jacoby Bergeron (Minnesota), Mike Dauterive (Texas), and Mike Soria Notes: Bergeron was a state champion and Junior National double All-American in 2008. Dauterive was a Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. Soria was a state champion. 105: Leader of the Pack: Jade Rauser (Montana) Notes: Rauser is a two-time state champion, Junior National folkstyle champion in 2009, Cadet National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008, and is nationally ranked (12th at 103 pounds). Others to Watch: Jake Bellis (Illinois), Chris Bostic (Arizona), and Jake Schramm (Illinois) Notes: Bellis was a Junior National Greco-Roman champion in 2008 and went undefeated at the Junior National Greco-Roman Duals. Bostic was a FILA Cadet Greco-Roman champion in 2009. Schramm was a Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. 112: Leader of the Pack: Tyler Cox (Wyoming) Notes: Cox is a multiple-time state champion and is nationally ranked (fifth at 119 pounds, 33rd in the Class of 2009). Others to Watch: Ryak Finch (Arizona), Robert Dyar (Alabama), Valyen Rauser (Montana), Jeff Vesta (Kansas), Bricker Dixon (Missouri), Caleb Richardson (Virginia), Tanner Moon (Alabama), and Matthew Rabinowitz (Louisiana) Notes: Finch is a multiple-time state champion, nationally ranked (eighth at 112 pounds, 45th in the Class of 2010), and was also a Junior National double runner-up in 2008. Dyar is a multiple-time state champion, Junior National double All-American in 2008, and is nationally ranked (14th at 112 pounds). Rauser is a two-time state finalist and a Cadet National double All-American in 2008. Vesta is a two-time state runner-up and a Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. Dixon is a two-time state runner-up and a Cadet National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. Richardson was a state champion and a Cadet National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. Moon is a two-time state runner-up and a Cadet National double All-American in 2008. Rabinowitz was a state champion and a Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. 119: Leader of the Pack: Ryan Mango (Missouri) Notes: Mango is a multiple-time state champion, Junior National double champion in 2008, and is nationally ranked (14th at 130 pounds, 100th in the Class of 2009). Others to Watch: Rossi Bruno (Florida), Brian St James (Georgia), Sharky Slyter (Kansas), Brock Banta (Idaho), Michael Nakagawa (Hawaii), Drew Van Anrooy (Oregon), and Mike Rhone (Pennsylvania) Notes: Bruno is a two-time state champion, FILA Cadet Greco-Roman runner-up in 2009, Cadet National Greco-Roman runner-up in 2008, and is nationally ranked (15th in the Class of 2012). St James is a state champion and is nationally ranked (16th at 112 pounds, 95th in the Class of 2010). Slyter was a Junior National double All-American. Banta was a state champion and a FILA Junior Greco-Roman All-American in 2009. Nakagawa was a state champion and a Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. Van Anrooy was a FILA Cadet Greco-Roman runner-up in 2009. Rhone was a FILA Cadet double All-American in 2009. Huff went undefeated at the Junior National Greco-Roman Duals. 125: Leader of the Pack: David Klingsheim (California) Notes: Klingsheim is a two-time state champion, nationally ranked (second at 119 pounds, 27th in the Class of 2009), and was a FILA Junior Greco-Roman runner-up in 2009. Others to Watch: Nick Wilcox (New York), Frank Goodwin (Maryland), and Aaron Runzo (Virginia) Notes: Wilcox was a state champion, Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008, and is nationally ranked (54th in the Class of 2010). Goodwin is a two-time National Prep runner-up, and is nationally ranked (15th at 119 pounds, 63rd in the Class of 2010). Runzo is a two-time state runner-up and a Cadet National Greco-Roman champion in 2008. 130: Leader of the Pack: Justin Lavalle (Minnesota) Notes: Lavalle is a two-time state champion, Junior National double All-American in 2008, and is nationally ranked (seventh at 130 pounds, 80th in the Class of 2009). Others to Watch: Josh Keszler (South Dakota), Jake Walters (Michigan), Kade Moss (Utah), Ryne Cokeley (Kansas), Drew Lexvold (Minnesota), Tyler Liberatore (Florida), and Travis Himmelman (Colorado) Notes: Keszler is a multiple-time state champion and is nationally ranked (eighth at 119 pounds, 26th in the Class of 2010). Walters was a state champion and a Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. Moss is a multiple-time state champion and is nationally ranked (86th in the Class of 2010). Cokeley is a two-time state champion, Cadet National double All-American in 2008, and is nationally ranked (22nd in the Class of 2011). Lexvold was a state champion and a Cadet National Greco-Roman champion in 2008. Liberatore was a FILA Cadet Greco-Roman champion in 2009. Himmelman went undefeated at the Junior National Greco-Roman Duals. 135: Leader of the Pack: Josh Kindig (Pennsylvania) Notes: Kindig is a two-time state finalist, FILA Junior double All-American in 2009, Junior National double runner-up in 2008, and is nationally ranked (3rd at 135 pounds, 9th in the Class of 2010). Others to Watch: Robby Fisher (Minnesota), Zach Zehner (Wisconsin), Stephen Swiggett (Delaware), Joe Locksmith (Florida), Dan Osterman (Michigan), and Ryan Niemann (Michigan) Notes: Fisher is a two-time state champion, Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008, and is nationally ranked (sixth at 135 pounds, 36th in the Class of 2009). Zehner was a state champion and is nationally ranked (81st in the Class of 2010). Swiggett was a state champion and a Cadet National Greco-Roman runner-up in 2008. Locksmith went undefeated at the Junior National Greco-Roman Duals. Osterman, Niemann, and Schenk were all scholastic state champions. 140: Leader of the Pack: Dylan Ness (Minnesota) Notes: Ness was a Junior National folkstyle champion in 2009, Cadet National double champion in 2008, Cadet National Greco-Roman champion in 2007, nationally ranked (ninth at 140 pounds, 17th in the Class of 2010), and went undefeated at the Junior National Greco-Roman Duals. Others to Watch: Luke Vaith (Minnesota), Josh Warner (Idaho), Kevin Timothy (Florida), Matt Nereim (Florida), Bo Schlosser (Illinois), and Raider Lofthouse (Utah) Notes: Vaith is a two-time state finalist and is nationally ranked (eighth at 140 pounds, 90th in the Class of 2009. Warner was a state champion, FILA Junior Greco-Roman All-American in 2009, and is nationally ranked (16th at 145 pounds). Timothy was a multiple-time state champion and was a Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. Nereim was a FILA Cadet double All-American in 2009. Schlosser was a Cadet National Greco-Roman runner-up in 2008. Lofthouse is a multiple-time state champion and a Cadet National double All-American in 2008. 145: Leader of the Pack: Steven Hernandez (Nevada) Notes: Hernandez is a multiple-time state champion and is nationally ranked (fifth at 145 pounds, 15th in the Class of 2010). Others to Watch: Steven Monk (Wisconsin), Pat Smith (Minnesota), Paul Liguori (New York), Blake Roulo (Virginia), Kory DeBerry (Arizona), and Brady Lee (Oregon) Notes: Monk is a state champion, Junior National folkstyle champion in 2009, and is nationally ranked (10th at 140 pounds). Smith (Minnesota) was a Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. Liguori was a Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. Roulo is nationally ranked (26th in the Class of 2011) and went undefeated at the Junior National Greco-Roman Duals. DeBerry (Arizona) is a two-time state champion and was a Cadet National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. Lee was a Cadet National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. 152: Leader of the Pack: Kendrick Sanders (Florida) Notes: Sanders is a multiple-time state champion, Junior National Greco-Roman champion in 2008, nationally ranked (seventh at 145 pounds, 55th in the Class of 2009), and went undefeated at the Junior National Greco-Roman Duals. Others to Watch: Brock Gutches (Oregon), Joey Cozart (Florida), Tyler Sheridan (California), Josh Castellano (Illinois), Eric Hess (Pennsylvania), Seth Thomas (Oregon), and Taylor Smith (Ohio) Notes: Gutches is a multiple-time state champion, Junior National double All-American in 2008, and is nationally ranked (third at 152 pounds, 47th in the Class of 2009). Cozart is a multiple-time state champion, Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008, nationally ranked (ninth at 145 pounds, 32nd in the Class of 2010), and went undefeated at the Junior National Greco-Roman Duals. Sheridan was a Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. Castellano was a FILA Junior Greco-Roman runner-up in 2009 and went undefeated at the Junior National Greco-Roman Duals. Hess is a two-time state finalist and is nationally ranked (73rd in the Class of 2010). Thomas was a FILA Cadet double All-American in 2009, Cadet National double All-American in 2008, and is nationally ranked (17th in the Class of 2011). Smith was a Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. 160: Leader of the Pack: Corey Lear (Pennsylvania) Notes: Lear was a state champion and is nationally ranked (12th at 160 pounds, 52nd in the Class of 2009). Others to Watch: Stephen West (California), Robert Kokesh (South Dakota), Mike Curby (Michigan), Kyle Detmer (Kansas), Erin O’Dell (Florida), Joey Moorhouse (Illinois), and Cameron Vlahos (Indiana) Notes: West is nationally ranked (18th at 160 pounds). Kokesh is a multiple-time state champion and is nationally ranked (70th in the Class of 2010). Curby is a state champion, Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008, and went undefeated at the Junior National Greco-Roman Duals. Detmer is a two-time state finalist and a Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. O'Dell was a FILA Junior Greco-Roman All-American in 2009. Moorhouse was a Cadet National Greco-Roman runner-up in 2008. Vlahos went undefeated at the Junior National Greco-Roman Duals. 171: Leader of the Pack: Ethen Lofthouse (Utah) Notes: Lofthouse is a multiple-time state champion, Junior National double All-American, and is nationally ranked (third at 171 pounds, 17th in the Class of 2009). Others to Watch: Patrick Martinez (California), Tyler Beckwith (New York), Michael Evans (Pennsylvania), Mark Sternberg (Illinois), Reid Chivers (Washington), Levi Clemons (Florida), and Ethan Blackstock (Georgia) Notes: Martinez was a state champion, Junior Nationals Greco-Roman All-American, and is nationally ranked (10th at 160 pounds, 48th in the Class of 2009). Beckwith is a two-time state finalist and is nationally ranked (eighth at 171 pounds, 11th in the Class of 2010). Evans was a Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008 and is nationally ranked (12th in the Class of 2010). Sternberg was a FILA Junior Greco-Roman champion in 2009, Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008, and is nationally ranked (18th at 171 pounds). Chivers was a state champion and is nationally ranked (19th at 189 pounds). Clemons was a state champion and a Cadet National Greco-Roman champion in 2008. Blackstock is a two-time state champion and a Cadet National double All-American in 2008. 189: Leader of the Pack: Jon Fausey (Pennsylvania) Notes: Fausey was a state champion, Junior National double All-American in 2008, and is nationally ranked (second at 189 pounds, 16th in the Class of 2009). Others to Watch: Andrew Campolattano (New Jersey), Jake Swartz (Washington), Craig Kelliher (Minnesota), Tyler Lehmann (Minnesota), Joel Bauman (Minnesota), Ben Brooks (Illinois), Matthew Loew (New York), Scott Schiller (North Dakota), and Jay Taylor (Florida) Notes: Campolattano is a two-time state champion, Cadet National double champion in 2008, and is nationally ranked (third at 189 pounds, second in the Class of 2011). Swartz is a multiple-time state champion, Junior National double All-American in 2008, and is nationally ranked (fifth at 189 pounds, 35th in the Class of 2009). Kelliher was a Junior National Folkstyle champion in 2009. Lehmann was a two-time state champion, Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008, and is nationally ranked (62nd in the Class of 2010). Bauman (Minnesota) was a state champion and a Junior National Greco-Roman runner-up in 2008. Brooks was a FILA Cadet double All-American in 2009 and a Cadet National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. Loew was a FILA Cadet double All-American in 2009. Schiller was a state champion and a Cadet Nationals double All-American in 2008. Taylor was a FILA Cadet double All-American in 2009. 215: Leader of the Pack: Grant Haschak (Washington) Notes: Haschak is nationally ranked (18th at 215 pounds). Others to Watch: Connor Medbery (Colorado), Michael Sojka (Illinois), John Acors (New York), Cody Davis (Texas), Diego Bravo (Arizona), Kyle Caylor (Kansas), and Aaron Pavlenko (Arizona) Notes: Medbery was a state champion, Cadet National double finalist in 2008, and is nationally ranked (12th in the Class of 2011). Polizzi (Wisconsin) was a FILA Junior Greco-Roman All-American in 2009 and went undefeated at the Junior National Greco-Roman Duals. Sojka was a Cadet National Greco-Roman champion in 2009. Acors was a FILA Cadet Greco-Roman champion in 2009 and a Cadet National double All-American in 2008. Davis was a state champion and Cadet National double All-American in 2008. Bravo went undefeated at the Junior National Greco-Roman Duals. Caylor and Pavlenko were state champions. 285: Leader of the Pack: Evan Craig (Pennsylvania) Notes: Craig is a two-time state finalist, Cadet National double finalist in 2008, and is nationally ranked (fifth at 285 pounds, 34th in the Class of 2010). Others to Watch: Kyle Kober (Iowa), Spencer Myers (Pennsylvania), Jacob Mitchell (Oregon), Jake Kettler (Minnesota), Karl Green (Maryland), and Niko Bogojevic (Wisconsin), and Donovan Green (Florida) Notes: Kober was a state champion, Junior National Greco-Roman runner-up in 2008, and is nationally ranked (11th at 285 pounds). Myers is nationally ranked (ninth at 215 pounds, 38th in the Class of 2010). Mitchell is a two-time state finalist, Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008, and is nationally ranked (15th at 285 pounds). Kettler was a state champion, Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008, and is nationally ranked (18th at 285 pounds). Green was a Cadet National double All-American in 2008 and is nationally ranked (19th at 285 pounds, 91st in the Class of 2010). Niko Bogojevic was a Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008 and went undefeated at the Junior National Greco-Roman Duals. Green was a FILA Cadet Nationals double champion in 2009.

A pair of InterMat top 50 recruits, Dirk Cowburn (No. 49) and Drake Houdashelt (No. 50), made verbal commitments on Thursday. Both will be staying in-state. Dirk CowburnCowburn, who competes for Coudersport High School in Pennsylvania, made a verbal commitment to Penn State. Houdashelt, who competes for Fort Zumwalt West High School in O'Fallon, Missouri, chose Missouri. Cowburn is a two-time Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class AA state champion. He has won both his state titles at 152 pounds. Cowburn has also had success in the international styles. In 2007, Cowburn was Cadet Nationals champion in Greco-Roman and was a runner-up in freestyle. Last summer, he was runner-up at Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman. He says that he will wrestle at 160 or 171 for his senior season and project as a 165 or 174-pounder in college. "I've always wanted to go to Penn State," Cowburn told InterMat on Thursday night. "It has always been pretty high on my list. There were a few schools that I was looking at -- like Nebraska and Oklahoma State. They were really high on my list. But I think what set Penn State apart from the other schools was the training partners ... and the people that go there I know pretty well. Having the best coach at Penn State really helps a lot too. He will be able to help me reach my goals." Cowburn said that he plans to redshirt his first season at Penn State. Drake HoudasheltHoudashelt is a three-time Missouri state placewinner with a career record of 112-12. This past season, Houdashelt posted a record of 38-3 and captured the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Class 4 state title at 140. He was a state runner-up as a sophomore and finished fifth as a freshman. He was a 2009 NHSCA Junior Nationals runner-up and placed third at the Super 32 Challenge. "It's close to home, I'll have good workout partners, and I like the coaches," Houdashelt said of his decision to go to Missouri. He also considered Nebraska and Old Dominion. Houdashelt said that he will likely compete at 160 for his senior season and projects as a 157-pounder in college. Missouri also recieved a verbal commitment from the No. 41-ranked recruit, Alan Waters of Park Hill High School in Missouri. Waters is a projected 125-pounder.

Easton, PA -- The 2009 NHSCA Senior National Wrestling Championships Highlight Show will air on ESPNU on July 20, 2009 at 2 pm-2:30 pm. The event took place at the Virginia Beach Convention Center from April 3, 2009 until April 5. Individuals participating in the event came from 49 states and ranged between 14 different weight classes. Participants have either won their state title or have been in the finals of their state wrestling tournament during their high school career. About the NHSCA: The NHSCA selects Coaches and Senior Athletes of the Year in 20 boys and girls sports, and sponsors more than two dozen national championship events in 11 sports. The NHSCA, in partnership with Navy Special Operations conducts the Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge in 1200 high schools throughout America. This serves as a replacement for President Kennedy's Council on Fitness that was popular in the 1970's and 1980's. In partnership with the Pennsylvania National Guard, the NHSCA also conducts Character and Leadership Workshops and reach more than 800 Pennsylvania high schools and 9600 athletes and coaches. For more information on all NHSCA programs, visit the NHSCA's web site at www.nhsca.com. Founded in 1989, the National High School Coaches Association is a not-for-profit 501c3 service organization providing support and leadership programs for the nation's 500,000 high school coaches and 10 million high school athletes.

The 2009 Cadet Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota will kick off with the Greco-Roman competition on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. CDT. Below is a weight-by-weight breakdown of the Cadet National Greco-Roman competition. Note: This weight-by-weight preview was based on individuals registered on TrackWrestling.com as of Wednesday evening (7/15/09). 84: Leaders of the Pack: Dylan Akers (Texas) and JJ Dorrell (Missouri) Notes: Both were undefeated at the Cadet National Greco-Roman Duals. Others to Watch: Nkosi Moody (Illinois) and Zach Howell (Delaware) 91: Leader of the Pack: Colton Howell (Missouri) Notes: Howell was a double Cadet Nationals All-American in 2008, runner-up at the adet National Folkstyle Championships in 2009, and was undefeated at the Cadet National Greco-Roman Duals. Others to Watch: Phillip Laux (Iowa) and Bobby Nachreiner (Wisconsin) Notes: Laux is a double FILA Cadet Nationals All-American in 2009. Nachreiner is a Cadet National folkstyle champion. 98: Leader of the Pack: Nick Roberts (Pennsylvania) Notes: Roberts was a scholastic state champion this past season, double Cadet Nationals champion in 2008, and was undefeated at the Cadet National Greco-Roman Duals. Others to Watch: Cory Clark (Iowa), Dylan Thompson (Colorado), and Sam Brancale (Minnesota) Notes: Clark was a scholastic state champion this past season, double Cadet Nationals All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked by InterMat (17th at 103 pounds, 45th in the Class of 2012). Thompson was a double Cadet Nationals runner-up in 2008. Brancale was a USA Wrestling Schoolboy Triple Crown winner in 2008, and finished third at the Cadet National Folkstyle Championships in 2009. 105: Leader of the Pack: Tyler Fraley (New Jersey) Notes: Fraley was a double Junior National finalist in 2008 and went undefeated at the Junior National Greco-Roman Duals Others to Watch: Bryce Evans (Washington), Joey Dance (Virginia), Alex Moore (Ohio), Jack Hathaway (Iowa), Corey Keener (Pennsylvania), Skylar Wood (Missouri), Jacob Schmitt (Michigan), and Devon Lotito (Pennsylvania) Notes: Evans is nationally ranked (19th at 103 pounds). Dance is nationally ranked (11th in the Class of 2013). Moore was a FILA Cadet Greco-Roman All-American in 2009 and a Cadet National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. Schmitt and Lotito both went undefeated at the Cadet National Greco-Roman Duals. 112: Leader of the Pack: Mark Grey (New Jersey) Notes: Grey was a double Cadet Nationals champion in 2008, National Prep champion, undefeated at the Cadet National Greco-Roman Duals, and nationally ranked (second at 103 pounds, seventh in the Class of 2012). Others to Watch: Brandon Jeske (Virginia), Nathan Kraisser (Maryland), Derek Elmore (Illinois), Ben Whitford (Michigan), Eric Friedman (Maryland) Notes: Jeske was a FILA Cadet Greco-Roman champion in 2009 and nationally ranked (third in the Class of 2013). Kraisser is a state champion, FILA Cadet double All-American in 2009, and nationally ranked (15th at 103 pounds, 28th in the Class of 2012). Elmore is a Cadet Folkstyle champion and nationally ranked (18th at 103 pounds). Whitford is nationally ranked (fifth in the Class of 2013). Friedman is a National Prep runner-up and nationally ranked (49th in the Class of 2012). 119: Leader of the Pack: Alec Mooradian (Michigan) Notes: Mooradian was a state champion, went undefeated at the Cadet National Greco-Roman Duals, and is nationally ranked (31st in the Class of 2012). Others to Watch: Kevin Norstrem (Flordia) and Peter Russo (Oregon) Notes: Norstrem was a state champion, FILA Cadet Greco-Roman All-American in 2009, and is nationally ranked (fourth in the Class of 2013). Russo was a Cadet National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. 125: Leader of the Pack: Zach Horan (Pennsylvania) Notes: Horan was twice a state runner-up, Cadet Nationals double All-American in 2008, and nationally ranked (seventh at 112 pounds, 14th in the Class of 2011). Others to Watch: Jacob Falk (Utah), Zane Richards (Illinois), Brian Crutchmer (Oklahoma), Tyrell Galloway (Nebraska), Jared Donar (Wisconsin) Notes: Falk was a Cadet National Greco-Roman runner-up in 2008. Richards went undefeated at the Cadet National Greco-Roman Duals. Crutchmer was a Cadet National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. Galloway and Donar are state champions. 130: Leader of the Pack: Alex Dieringer (Wisconsin) Notes: Dieringer went undefeated at the Cadet National Greco-Roman Duals. He was also a double Cadet Nationals All-American in 2008 and is nationally ranked (23rd in the Class of 2011). Others to Watch: Matt Kelliher (Minnesota) and Casey George (Idaho) Notes: Kelliher is a state champion, Cadet National Folkstyle third-place finisher in 2009, and is nationally ranked (20th at 119 pounds, 20th in the Class of 2011). George is a state champion. 135: Leader of the Pack: Luke Smith (Illinois) Smith was a Cadet National Folkstyle runner-up in 2009 and went undefeated at the Cadet National Greco-Roman Duals. Others to Watch: Oliver Pierce (Texas), Eric Hoffman (Maryland), and Tim Riley (Pennsylvania) Notes: Pierce was a Cadet National Folkstyle champion in 2009 and is nationally ranked (9th in the Class of 2013). Hoffman is nationally ranked (18th in the Class of 2013). Riley went undefeated in the Cadet National Greco-Roman Duals. 140: Leader of the Pack: Zach Brunson (Oregon) Notes: Brunson was a state champion, Cadet National Folkstyle champion in 2009, double Cadet Nationals All-American in 2008, and is nationally ranked (13th in the Class of 2012). Others to Watch: Josh Clark (Virginia), Logan Addis (Arizona), Brooks Climmons (Georgia), and Ryan Lubeck (Wisconsin) Notes: Clark was third at Cadet National Folkstyle in 2009 and a Cadet National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. Addis was a Cadet National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. Climmons went undefeated at the Cadet National Greco-Roman Duals and is nationally ranked (14th in the Class of 2013). Ryan Lubeck went undefeated at the Cadet National Greco-Roman Duals. 145: Leader of the Pack: Justin Koethe (Iowa) Notes: Koethe was a FILA Cadet Greco-Roman runner-up in 2009 and went undefeated at the Cadet National Greco-Roman Duals. Others to Watch: Brad Dolezal (Wisconsin) and Michael Nord (North Dakota) Notes: Dolezal was twice a state finalist, placed third at Cadet National Folkstyle Championships in 2009, and was a Cadet National Greco-Roman All-Americain in 2008. Nord is a two-time state champion and was a Cadet National Folkstyle champion in 2009. 152: Leader of the Pack: Taylor Massa (Michigan) Notes: Massa is a state champion, Cadet National Folkstyle champion in 2009, Cadet Nationals double champion in 2008, went undefeated at the Cadet National Greco-Roman Duals, and is nationally ranked (second at 145 pounds, first in the Class of 2012). Others to Watch: Cody Allala (Virginia), Jayshon Wilson (Pennsylvania), Bubba Scheffel (Maryland), Nathan Burak (Colorado), and Ophir Bernstein (Texas) Notes: Allala was a state champion and is nationally ranked (17th in the Class of 2012). Wilson is nationally ranked (38th in the Class of 2011). Scheffel was a state champion. Burak was a FILA Cadet Greco-Roman All-American in 2009. 160: Leader of the Pack: Dylan Reel (Illinois) Notes: Reel was a state champion, FILA Cadet double All-American in 2009, and is nationally ranked (36th in the Class of 2012). Others to Watch: Sam Brooks (Illinois), Jake Waste (Minnesota), Justin Irrabaren (California), and Patrick Rhoads (Missouri) Notes: Brooks was a FILA Cadet Greco-Roman champion in 2009. Waste went undefeated at the Cadet National Greco-Roman Duals and was a Cadet National Folkstyle champion in 2009. Irrabaren was a Cadet National Greco-Roman All-American in 2008. Rhoads was a FILA Cadet double All-American in 2009 171: Leader of the Pack: Devin Peterson (Wisconsin) Notes: Peterson was a Cadet National Folkstyle champion in 2009 and went undefeated at the Cadet National Greco-Roman Duals. Others to Watch: Brandon Griffin (Oregon), Lucas Sheridan (California), Dwight Howes (Colorado), and Michael Ettore (Florida) Notes: Griffin was a state champion and is nationally ranked (42nd in the Class of 2012). Sheridan was a Western Junior Regional Greco-Roman champion in 2009. 189: Leader of the Pack: Tanner Hall (Idaho) Notes: Hall was a state champion and FILA Cadet double All-American in 2009. Others to Watch: Adam Coon (Michigan) and Zack Rutt (Minnesota) Notes: Coon was a Cadet National Folkstyle runner-up in 2009 (215). Rutt was also a Cadet National Folkstyle runner-up in 2009. 215: Leader of the Pack: Brooks Black (Pennsylvania) Notes: Black went undefeated at the Cadet National Greco-Roman Duals and was a double Schoolboy Nationals champion in 2008. Others to Watch: Eric Mason (Kansas) and Joe Scanlan (Iowa) Notes: Both were double Schoolboy Nationals champions in 2008. 285: Leader of the Pack: Devin Pommerenke (Michigan) Notes: Pommerenke was a state champion and went undefeated at the Cadet National Greco-Roman Duals. Others to Watch: Donny Longendyke (Minnesota), Zach Corl (Pennsylvania), and Caleb White (Iowa) Notes: Longendyke was a Cadet National Folkstyle third-place finisher in 2009 and went undefeated at the Cadet National Greco-Roman Duals. Corl was a Walsh Ironman runner-up in 2008. White was a Cadet National Folkstyle runner-up in 2009.

Jake Herbert

The National Wrestling Coaches Association is pleased to announce their 2009 Annual Convention, to be held at the Bahia Mar Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on August 6-9th. This year’s convention features many informative sessions that will be beneficial to both the scholastic and collegiate coaching communities. The NWCA Convention is the time for coaches to interact with one another outside of the wrestling season, paired with informational sessions on how to take a more proactive approach to being the coach and “CEO” of your team. This year’s focus for the collegiate divisions is, “To Protect and Promote Your College Program.” Scholastic Coaches will focus on: Leadership, coaching development, technique and networking. For the Scholastic Coach: • Creating and sustaining a positive team culture • Coaching Development (risk management, recruitment and retention of wrestlers) • Systematic teaching for success on the mat • NFHS rules review • Being a leader in “off the mat” areas For the Collegiate Coach: • Best Practices for improving retention and graduation rates of student-athletes • Creating and sustaining a positive team culture • Division I “Mock NCAA Selection Process” • Protecting your intercollegiate wrestling team • Change of Season Discussion Highlighting the event will be legendary Coach Dan Gable as this year’s guest speaker for the NWCA Conventions opening luncheon on Friday, August 7th. Coach Gable is the University of Iowa’s all-time winningest wrestling coach from 1977-1997. His career coaching record totals 355-21-5, leading the Hawkeyes to 15 NCAA Team Championships including nine consecutive championships (1978-1986). In the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany, he won a gold medal without surrendering a point to any of his opponents. He has been appointed to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Gable has also been named the top wrestler of the 20th century by Gannett News Service. He was listed as one of the top coaches in the 20th century by ESPN. Along with being named Iowa’s top “sports figure” in the past 100 years. The convention luncheon featuring Coach Gable will take place August 7, 2009, at noon in the Grandview Ballroom of the Bahia Mar Hotel. Extra tickets for the luncheon can be purchased by calling the NWCA Office. Also addressing the convention attendees will be Dan Gould the Director of the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports and a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the Michigan State University. Gould is a professor with a specialty in applied sport psychology. He has co-authored two books, Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology (with Bob Weinberg) and Understanding Psychological Preparation for Sport: Theory and Practice of Elite Performers (with Lew Hardy and Graham Jones). Gould partnered with the NWCA in 2008 to aid in the development of the Coaching Education Programs and the NWCA Leadership Academy that is being unveiled prior to the convention. The featured clinicians are Tom Borrelli of Central Michigan University and Brian Smith of the University of Missouri, both coaches who have produced many talented college wrestlers along with promoting their teams to the community. Coach Borrelli has been the head coach at Central Michigan for 17 years. In that time he has also been named the NWCA Bobb Bubb Coaching Excellence Award Winner and the NWCA and WIN Magazine National Coach of the Year. Coach Smith has been with the Missouri Tigers for the past 10 years. Smith has local roots growing up in Fort Lauderdale and starting his coaching career at Western High School. Smith has also been honored as an NWCA National Coach of the Year. There will be an additional technique session specifically for the scholastic coaches hosted by Dave Crowell, Head Coach at Nazareth High School (Pennsylvania). Crowell has been honored five times as the Pennsylvania State Coach of the Year and has also been named an NWCA National Coach of the Year. Space is still available for coaches wishing to attend, registration can be completed online. The full convention registration is $225; there is a $50 discount for multiple coaches from the same school with the purchase of one full registration. For more information on the NWCA Convention you can contact the NWCA Office at 717-653-8009 or by going to our website at www.nwcaonline.com.

Joe Duca, who will be a senior at Paulsboro High School in New Jersey, has informed InterMat that he has given a verbal commitment to Rutgers. Joe DucaDuca is a two-time New Jersey state placewinner and is ranked as InterMat's No. 88 senior recruit in the country. In 2008, Duca compiled a 39-3 record and placed fourth at 112 pounds. This past season, Duca was 42-1, with his only loss coming in the state finals at 119 pounds to Vinnie DelleFave of Toms River East, 3-2, in four overtimes. He has a career record of 114-14. "I'm comfortable with the coaching staff at Rutgers,” Duca told InterMat. "I want to stay in Jersey, too." Duca is a projected 125/133-pounder in college. Duca's father, Joe Sr., was a state champion in 1979 for Paulsboro, which is what Joe has his sights set on for his senior season. "I want a win a state title and then a High School Senior Nationals title," said Duca, who plans to compete at 125 pounds for his senior season.

Cain Velasquez

Heath Eslinger

Zach Tanelli

On Monday, Hofsta added to an already solid 2010 recruiting by receiving a verbal commitment from Matthew Loew of Wantagh, New York. Matthew LoewLoew was a runner-up at the 2009 NYSPHSAA (Division I) State Championships at 189 pounds competing for Wantagh High School. He is a two-time NHSCA Nationals All-American, finishing runner-up in 2008 and sixth in 2009 at 189 pounds. Loew was a Cadet Nationals All-American in freestyle last summer in Fargo, placing fourth at 189 pounds. This past April, Loew won a FILA Cadet Nationals title in freestyle and placed third in Greco-Roman. "Hofstra is good school," Loew told InterMat when asked why he chose the school. "It's really close to where I live. I'm going to enjoy being close to my family while I go to school. I'm really excited to be on the team and see where the program goes. I kind of wanted to make the decision before the wrestling season started. I kind of always knew that I wanted to go to Hofsta, so it was an easy decision to make." Hofstra has already received verbal commitments from New York Class of 2010 wrestlers Nick Arujau and Cody Ruggirello, which excites Loew. "I think it's great," said Loew, who expects to compete collegiately at 197 pounds. "It's a good recruiting class for Hofstra. I think the team is going to be great in a few years." Loew is preparing to compete at the Junior Nationals Championships in Fargo, which get underway this weekend. He plans to compete in both Greco-Roman and freestyle at 189 pounds. "There are a couple good guys at my weight," said Loew. "Last year I was an All-American. I'm looking to come back and be an All-American again."

Jackson Morse of Lowell, Michigan has given a verbal commitment to Illinois. Jackson MorseMorse, who is ranked as the No. 21 senior recruit in the country by InterMat, chose Illinois over Big Ten schools Michigan and Northwestern. He is expected to compete at 157 or 165 pounds in college. �I felt like I fit in well with the Illinois program,� Morse told InterMat. "I really connected with the coaches." Morse said he has developed a close relationship with Illinois assistant coach Carl Perry. He also said he wanted make the decision early so that he could focus on his senior year. "It�s pretty stressful," said Morse of the recruiting process. "So I just kind of wanted to get the decision out of the way." Jackson MorseMorse, who competes for Lowell High School in Michigan, is a three-time state finalist and a two-time state champion in Division 2. As a freshman, Morse went 42-5 and was a state runner-up at 125 pounds. He compiled a 37-2 record as a sophomore and won the state title at 140 pounds. This past season, Morse went 43-1 en route to winning the state title at 152 pounds. He also won the 2008 Super 32 Challenge at 145 pounds. As for college wrestling goals at Illinois? "I would like to win multiple national titles and win a national title as a team," said Morse.

Upper Iowa Head Wrestling Coach Heath Grimm announced today that Nick Shandri has signed an athletic scholarship to complete his wrestling and academic career as a Peacock. Shandri, a native of Urbandale, Iowa, competed for Wartburg College last season at 197 pounds and fell just one match short of earning All-American honors at last season's NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships. Wartburg went on to win the NCAA's Division III title last season. A graduate of Southeast Polk High School, Shandri avenged a third-place finish at state in 2005 by winning a state title in 2006. The grappler compiled a 122-18 record as a Ram. He is the son of Ken and Barb Shandri and plans to continue pursuing a degree in communications at Upper Iowa.

Despite what was a tough late winter and early spring for Fargo, North Dakota, the middle of summer will have the same feel as it has had since 1996. For the fourteenth straight year, the ASICS/Vaughan Junior & Cadet National Championships return to the Fargodome from July 18 through July 25. The competition in Greco-Roman and Freestyle represents the largest wrestling tournament in the world, and also the greatest assemblage of elite scholastic wrestlers in the United States. Over the years, this event has had many an NCAA finalist and United States Olympian come through its wings. So what is in store for this year? Here's a touchdown worth of insights. 1. Break-out performances Every year in Fargo it seems there are some freshmen-to-be that make an opening statement to their high school careers with a Cadet National title. Last year it was Nick Roberts (North Star, PA), Mark Grey (Blair Academy, NJ), and Taylor Massa (St John's, MI) earning titles in both the Greco-Roman and Freestyle competitions. Massa is the nation's top wrestler in the Class of 2012 per InterMat, and Grey is ranked seventh. All three of these young men will be seeking repeat as double Cadet National champions in the coming weeks. Going back to 2007, Hunter Stieber (Monroeville, OH) and Chris Phillips (Monroeville, OH) earned titles in the Freestyle competition, while Jesse Thielke (Germantown, WI) and Andrew Campolattano (Bound Brook, NJ) were winners in Greco-Roman. Phillips and Campolattano are the top two wrestlers in the Class of 2011, while Thielke and Stieber rank sixth and tenth respectively. In the summer of 2006, when the current group of seniors-to-be was incoming freshmen, three wrestlers took home titles in the Cadet National Freestyle tournament; Logan Stieber (Monroeville, OH), Andrew Alton (Central Mountain, PA), and Jamie Clark (St Edward, OH). Stieber, Alton, and Clark rank first, second, and sixth respectively according to InterMat in the Class of 2010. Four members of the graduating senior class had Fargo titles as part of their scrapbooks from their summer before ninth grade. In another juxtaposition for this pair of wrestlers, David Taylor (Graham, OH/Penn State) and Eric Grajales (Brandon, FL/Michigan) -- InterMat's top two wrestlers for this class -- earned championships at Fargo in 2005. Also with titles were Alec Ortiz (Newberg, OR/Minnesota) and Tyler Cox (Campbell County, WY/Wyoming). Some wrestlers to eye on this summer include: Brandon Jeske (Virginia) Ranked third by InterMat -- FILA Cadet Greco-Roman champion at 110, competing at 112 pounds Kevin Norstrem (Florida) Ranked fourth by InterMat -- FILA Cadet Greco-Roman All-American at 119, projected to compete at 119 pounds Ben Whitford (Michigan) Ranked fifth by InterMat, projected to compete at 112 pounds Brandon Sorensen (Iowa) Ranked sixth by InterMat, projected to compete at 119 pounds Brad Perkins (Missouri) Ranked eighth by InterMat -- FILA Cadet Freestyle champion at 92.5, projected to compete at either 91 or 98 pounds Joey Dance (Virginia) Ranked 11th by InterMat -- FILA Cadet Freestyle champion at 110, competing at 105 pounds 2. Making the proverbial "leap" The Junior National Championships offer a venue for wrestlers to make a couple types of "leaps." There are the seniors-to-be that are seeking to impress the mass of college coaches that attend these championships. In addition to identifying talent and ability, these championships have a unique way in revealing the true character of a wrestler. How does a wrestler respond to facing truly elite competition? How does the wrestler face the adversity that is associated with tight matches? How does a wrestler battle through multiple elimination matches? After two years of competing as cadets, it is time for a number of wrestlers to make that progression to the junior level. This includes four wrestlers that won double championships (Greco-Roman and freestyle) last summer at the Cadet Nationals -- Hayden Zilmer (Crosby-Ironton, MN), Cody Brewer (Oak Park, MO), Dylan Ness (Bloomington Kennedy, MN), and Andrew Campoloattano (Bound Brook, NJ). Jahwon Akui (St. Rita, IL) also was a double champion last summer, but is not slated to compete in Fargo this summer. A two-time double champion at the Cadet level, Zillmer would have to be considered an early favorite at the 105 pound weight class. Campolattano is very likely to make an immediate impact as part of the Junior 189 pound weight class. On the other hand, both Brewer and Ness are likely to find the junior level much more challenging. Look for Brewer to be competing in either the 119 or 125-pound weight class, and expect Ness to compete at 140 pounds. 3. Grappling with change in Greco-Roman With the rule changes that went into effect internationally after the 2004 Athens Olympics, and were then implemented in Fargo competition starting with 2006, there had been a proliferation of 1-1 periods in Greco-Roman. This meant there was no scoring in the first 60 seconds of wrestling from the neutral position ... and then in the :30-:30 in which each wrestler had the reverse lift position, neither was able to score. The winner of the period would be the wrestler that locked first because they scored in the back half of the :30-:30 for not being turned. However, this is no longer, as USA Wrestling implemented the changes in Greco-Roman established by FILA for this season -- the first after the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Each period in Greco-Roman now begins with wrestlers in neutral for 90 seconds and then there is one ordered hold for 30 seconds. This ordered hold can either be the par terre position or the reverse lift position. It should be interesting to see what the implications of this rule change are on the Greco-Roman competition in Fargo, which commences on Saturday and continues through next Tuesday (7/18 to 7/20 cadets, and 7/19 to 7/21 juniors). 4. International Phenom In just over three months, a high school junior-to-be immigrant from the Ukraine has made a major bolt onto the radar of the wrestling cognoscenti. In four major competitions, Nazar Kulchytskyy (Prarie du Chien, WI) has yet to lose a match. Kulchytskyy was a junior freestyle state champion in Wisconsin at 140 pounds, champion of the Northern Plains Junior Regional in freestyle at 140 pounds, and went 13-0 over the Junior National Duals in Greco-Roman and freestyle at 145 pounds. Most notable among the wins in his portfolio are the one at the Northern Plains Regional over Ness (5-3, 3-0), and then a 3-0, 1-0 victory over Chris Villalonga (Blair Academy, NJ) in the Junior Freestyle Duals. Look for Kulchytskyy to compete at either 140 or 145 pounds in Fargo in at least the freestyle competition, and possibly in Greco-Roman as well. Will he be the next Sidd Finch; or is he instead a real, true superstar in the Olympic styles? 5. The graduates among us One of the more intriguing stories over the past few years in Fargo has been a seeming erosion of graduated seniors from the competition pool in the Junior National Championships. The trend seems to be that more and more of these wrestlers are transitioning to their respective college campuses during the summer term. These wrestlers therefore get an early acclamation of what the collegiate wrestling experience is like, and some even get a head start academically by taking a class or two during the summer term. Already it is expected that the top-ranked graduated senior David Taylor will not appear in Fargo. On the other hand, there are collegiate programs that want their incoming freshmen to partake in the process necessary to compete in Fargo (training, etc.), and then to compete in the championships. 6. Learn vertical pairing rules There is a change in the tiebreaker procedure should wrestlers be tied for either third or fourth place in a pool, presuming each has already lost two times. In previous years, classification points took precedence, even if there was a head-to-head match between the two competitors. This year, a head-to-head match would take precedence over classification points. On average, this influences a small amount of the 64 weight classes contested in Fargo. One example of a two-way tie for third in the pool that would have changed under this year's rule came in Pool B of the 171-pound junior freestyle weight class. Kyle Cuthbertson (Alabama) beats Ryan Loder (California). However, with both wrestlers eliminated in the same round, points were the first tiebreaker. Loder had 26 to Cuthbertson's 21, and thereby was awarded the higher place in the pool. One example of a two-way tie for fourth in the pool, which means that one wrestler earns All-American honors while the other does not, that would have changed under this year's rule occurred in Pool B of the 189-pound junior freestyle weight class. Cody Magrum (Ohio) beat Justin Rau (Iowa). However, both wrestlers were eliminated in the same round, and points were the first tiebreaker. Rau had 18 to Magrum's 16, and as a result earned the All-American spot despite losing the head-to-head match. For those unfamiliar with classification points, they are awarded as follows: 5 points -- Win by pin, disqualification, forfeit, etc. 4 points -- Win by technical fall 3 points -- Win by decision 1 point -- Scoring a point in a loss when the opponent does not score 5 classification points 0 points -- Failing to score within a match or during a loss in which the opponent scores 5 points 7. Will the notion of "Fargo" soon be obsolete? In recent years, the Junior & Cadet National Championships came to be known as "Fargo" in the wrestling vernacular in deference to the host city for the event over these last fourteen years. However, starting in 2011, this vernacular may no longer be applicable from multiple fronts. First, USA Wrestling has opened the right to host the Junior & Cadet National Championships to bid. This means that other cities could express interest in hosting the event, and move them from Fargo. Second, there is also the possibility that the Junior & Cadet National Championships will no longer be held as a combined event. There are a variety of rumors as to how USA Wrestling plans to structure these two events, along with the Kids National Championships event. Further details should come out of the State Leaders' Summit, which will be held in conjunction with the Junior & Cadet National Championships. Schedule of Events Saturday, July 18 Cadet Greco-Roman commences, two sessions; 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 19 Junior Greco-Roman commences, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; combined cadet and junior session, 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 20 Combined cadet and junior session, 9 a.m. to noon; junior women's freestyle commences 9a.m. to 2p.m., finals from 3p.m. to 5 p.m.; Cadet Greco-Roman finals from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 21 Junior Greco-Roman continues, 9 a.m. to noon; junior women's duals, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; junior Greco-Roman finals from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 22 Cadet freestyle commences, two sessions; 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 23 Junior freestyle commences, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; combined cadet and junior session, 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 24 Combined cadet and junior session, 9 a.m. to noon; cadet freestyle finals from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; junior freestyle continues, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 25 Junior freestyle finals from 9 a.m. to noon Fargo Coverage InterMat will continue its coverage of the upcoming ASICS/Vaughan Junior & Cadet National Championships with a mailbag column written by high school analyst Josh Lowe to be published on Thursday. While questions are welcomed about any subject related to high school wrestling, those about "Fargo" will be of higher priority. If you want to e-mail a question for use in the column, please e-mail josh@intermatwrestle.com with the word 'MAILBAG' in the subject line (name and home town/state would be appreciated as well). InterMat senior writer Andrew Hipps will be providing coverage from Fargo, North Dakota throughout the course of the event. In addition, Josh Lowe will be providing daily thoughts and perspective on the happenings in Fargo. For yet another year, Track Wrestling (http://www.trackwrestling.com) will be providing updated results throughout the championships. Finally, for further coverage throughout the championships, check out http://www.themat.com.

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling is THE premier program in the region and has the tradition and following that is comparable to any other in the country. The Mocs dominate the Southern Conference year after year, winning 24 titles in the last 32 seasons. Chattanooga is currently riding a string of five consecutive SoCon Championships and coming off a 12-10 season in 2008-09. UTC looks to return nine of 10 starters to its line-up that includes one former All-American and SoCon Wrestler of the Year, the SoCon Freshman of the Year, five NCAA qualifiers and four All-SoCon wrestlers. When the head coaching position became available in June, following Chris Bono's resignation, UTC's Director of Athletics Rick Hart knew that all of the aforementioned accolades would attract attention from top-quality candidates from all over the country. When the position was officially opened, applications poured in from everywhere. Hart and his search committee patiently and painstakingly sifted through the pile of resumes, vitae and letters of recommendations of some very qualified candidates. “Because we have such a strong tradition of comprehensive excellence in our wrestling program at UTC, we knew that this was going to be a coaching search conducted on a national scale,” stated Hart. “We knew that the position would attract some top candidates, but we owed it to our student-athletes, alumni and wrestling supporters to make sure that no stone was left unturned when looking for the right person to guide our program.” After the intensive national search was finished, it was clear to Hart that the man for the job was right here in the Mocs' backyard. Saturday, Hart introduced UTC alumni and former wrestler Heath Eslinger as the 11th head coach of the Chattanooga Mocs Wrestling program. The announcement was made in the McKenzie Arena's Hall of Fame Room in front of more than 60 alumni, fans, supporters and media. “This is a great opportunity for me and my family,” stated Eslinger. “The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga means a lot to me and the Mocs wrestling program means a lot to me. I am very thankful for the opportunity to lead this program and get it going in the right direction.” Eslinger, a 2000 graduate of UTC with a degree in Exercise Science, Health and Leisure Studies, brings over seven years of coaching experience at both the collegiate and high school levels. He spent the last three years building Cleveland High School Wrestling in nearby Cleveland, Tenn., into one of the top programs in the state. He also spent two years as an assistant coach at Bradley Central High School in Cleveland, helping that program to state titles both seasons. A three-time SoCon Champion and the 2000 SoCon Wrestler of the Year, Eslinger left UTC as the all-time leader in wins with a career record of 120-18. His 120 victories still rank second on the Mocs all-time list. This is not Eslinger's first return to the collegiate coaching ranks at his alma mater. He served as an assistant coach for the Mocs for two seasons under Terry Brands from 2002-04. Eslinger is now the third former Moc to return to UTC as a current head coach. Both football coach Russ Huesman and men's golf coach Mark Guhne are graduates of UTC. Eslinger's proven track record as a wrestling coach, ties to the community, first-hand knowledge of the passion and tradition involved with UTC wrestling alumni and his desire to bring excellence to the Mocs' are all reason why he is the perfect fit to lead the program for years to come. Heath Eslinger – Chattanooga Mocs Head Wrestling Coach Biography Heath Eslinger (pronounced ESS-leen-guhr) was named the 11th head coach of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling program on July 11, 2009. A former Southern Conference Wrestler of the Year and UTC alum, Eslinger brings over seven years of experience in coaching at both the collegiate and high school levels. Eslinger spent the last three seasons building the Cleveland High School wrestling program in Cleveland, Tenn., into one of the premier programs in the state. The Blue Raiders finished in the top-3 in the state duals and traditional standings in each of the last two seasons. Last year, he had Cleveland ranked as high as No. 9 in the southeast region while guiding a school-record six wrestlers to state placings, including three finalists. During his time at Cleveland High School, Eslinger was able to successfully raise money for the program. He also helped build a $250,000 weight training facility for the school. He raised the profile of the wrestling program in the community by more than doubling the size of the roster since his arrival. He was also a well-respected physical education teacher at the high school. Prior to his time at Cleveland High School, Eslinger spent two years as a student pastor at First Baptist Church in Cleveland. His responsibilities dealt with all aspects of a mega-church student ministry. He orchestrated events and camps for over 250 students and organized leaders and curricula for each. Eslinger gained valuable collegiate coaching experience as an assistant at UTC under Terry Brands from 2002-04. There he learned the ins and outs of recruiting, fundraising, budgets and the overall administration of a collegiate athletic program. Fresh out of college, Eslinger returned to his high school alma mater, Bradley Central in Cleveland, for his first coaching experience. As an assistant for the Bears, he helped guide Bradley Central to state titles in 2001 and 2002. He also served as an elementary physical education teacher in Bradley County school system. Eslinger won four letters with the Mocs from 1995-2000. He posted a 120-18 all-time record, winning three Southern Conference titles and qualifying for the NCAA Championships three times. His 120 wins broke the school's all-time record and is still the second highest win total in UTC history. Respected by his teammates, Eslinger was tabbed as team captain all four years of his collegiate career. He was the Southern Conference Wrestler of the Year in 2000 and the SoCon Tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler that same season. His senior year he climbed as high as No. 6 in the nation. Eslinger's prep career was just as impressive and included two state titles at Bradley Central High School. He was captain of the first team to win a state title for the Bears and the 1995 TSSAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler. Eslinger and his wife, Brandi, have three daughters, Brookelyn (4) and twins, Madelyn and Keelyn (2). He is very involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and won the organization's Jim Slater Leadership Award in 2008. In 2007, he earned the FCA's Gerry Stephens Influence Award. A noted speaker, Eslinger has also been featured at camps and events all across the southeast for the past five years, including groups of up to 2,000 at a time.

Event: UFC 100 Venue: Mandalay Bay Events Center (Las Vegas, Nevada) Date: July 11, 2009 Wow! UFC 100: The best mixed martial card ever (until 101, 102, etc.). Two title fights and a bunch of legendary big name fighters make up this Battle Royal. Tickets for this affair sold out in a few hours, before the public ever got a chance to grab one. I know I tried ... $1000 singles were all that were left. Dana owns a cash cow. The UFC Monster is on a mission to beat the Vegas bookies at mixed martial arts. We have won our previous two cards, with a net profit of $248.50, as posted right here on InterMat. Let’s go for the trifecta, and take a look at tonight’s card for value in the Vegas line. One of the two title fights pits heavyweight Brock Lesnar (3-1) in a revenge match against current champion Frank Mir (12-3). Lesnar, the former NCAA wrestling champion, is a freak of strength and speed. His brute strength and sledgehammer fists, combined with his dominant wrestling skills, make him almost unbeatable. Mir is a rare heavyweight who wins most of his fights by nasty submissions, including breaking Tim Silvia’s arm and taking Brock out with a knee bar. Three years removed from a serious motorcycle accident, Mir is now at the peak of his game. His demolishing of Nogueira is one for the ages. The key to this fight may be Marty Morgan, lifelong University of Minnesota assistant coach, who now serves as Brock’s mentor. If Marty has taught the big man how to defend jiu-jitsu, he wins. If not, Mir will be patient and find a way to win by submission, his only chance. I think Marty did his job, Lesnar at -220 wins this one by TKO in the very first round. Go Gophers!!! The co-main event brings Thiago “Pit Bull” Alves (22-4) into the octagon against Georges St. Pierre (18-2) for the welterweight (170 pounds) title. GSP is recognized as one of the very best fighters in the world. The Canadian’s blend of speed and powerful explosiveness with endless cardio, makes him dominate most fights. Alves is a beast, the biggest welterweight on the planet. His game is hammer-time, knockouts, knockouts, knockouts. Will he be able to catch GSP, or will he spend his evening on his back eating fists? I like the outrageous value the bookies have made on him at +240. You don’t get rich betting against GSP, but I’ll pick my spot with a hungry fighter on a roll. Alves gets his KO early in the second round. Light heavyweight (205 pounds) Dan Henderson (24-7), a former Olympic wrestler and a 12-year veteran of MMA who has never been knocked out, takes on British fighter Michael “The Count” Bisping (18-1). These two were the most recent coaches on The Ultimate Fighter TV show. Bisping’s Brits kicked ass this year! Tonight Hendo gets the revenge. He won’t get KO’d and he has some of the best take-down defense out there. Plus his iron chin and rock hard head make him your worst nightmare. A smart Bisping will dance his way to a decision, but Bruiser catches Twinkle Toes here, and ends this ballet midway through the second period with some ugly ground and pound. Hendo at -220 looks like a steal to me! Welterweight Jon Fitch (22-3) will try to end Paulo Thiago’s undefeated (11-0) streak when they take to the mat. Fitch, the former Purdue wrestler, is better in all phases of fighting than Thiago, except jiu-jitsu, where Fitch has enough defense to avoid getting submitted. Thiago is coming off a surprise KO of Josh Koscheck, who was dominating him until the lucky blow landed. Fitch is the prohibitive -500 favorite, so no value there, but he still takes the Brazilian to school and wins a convincing decision. Middleweight (185 pounds) Yoshihiro Akiyama (12-1-2) makes his much heralded UFC debut against veteran journeyman Alan “The Talent” Belcher (13-4), who is supposed to be the reputable first steppingstone in Akiyama’s UFC journey. But, the last time they threw a well-advertised fighter to open up against Alan, he ended it with a guillotine choke against Denis Kang. Very impressive. Can lighting strike twice? ... at +220 I’ll take my chances on Belcher that it can! A surprise knockout in the second period ends this one. Light heavyweight Mark Coleman (15-9) will someday be in the UFC HOF. He invented ground-and-pound, and once looked invincible. But, those days are long gone. Today he is a weather-beaten shell of his best, a gasser with the huge heart of a former champion. It’s hard not to love former Buckeye wrestler Mark Coleman. His opponent, Stephan Bonnar (14-5) is best known for his epic battles with Forrest Griffin. Bonnar is dangerous and well educated in all phases of MMA, including some Muay-Thai work in Thailand. But he looked bad against Jon Jones and he has been plagued by injuries. Both fighters could use a good performance. I have a feeling that there is a reason that Coleman landed on UFC 100’s card. It is in the history of the sport. Tonight we get to see one last G-n-P show for the ages. It’s Hammer time. Mark “the Hammer” Coleman at +270 to end this before he gasses (second-round TKO). The rest of the undercard looks like this: Lightweight (155 pounds) Mac Danzig pulls an upset against Jim Miller (13-2) with a rear-naked choke submission in the third round. Nice underdog at +160. Light heavyweight Jon “Bones” Jones (8-0) is mowing down his UFC opponents. His unorthodox spinning kicks and strikes with lightning fast attacks have overwhelmed his opponents. His opponent, Jake “Irish” O’Brien (11-2), is an aggressive former Purdue wrestler, whose best chance will be to take it to the mat and smother Bones. I see little value on laying -400, but that’s the side I’d be on. Bones ends it with a second round KO. O’Brien goes back to the drawing board. Welterweight Dong “Stun Gun” Hyun Kim looks to keep his unbeaten (11-0-1) record intact as he does battle with Canadian TJ Grant. A precision striker (Kim) against a good submission artist who always pushes the pace. Will he get an armbar submission before he goes lights out? I don’t think so. A small play on Kim at -250 is in order. He KO’s Grant early in the third. Middleweight CB Dollaway (9-2) is a former Arizona State All-American wrestler, and a product of the TUF show. Dollaway looks better every time out, but he will have his hands full with former Central Florida NCWA national champion Tom “Filthy” Lawlor (5-1-1). Lawlor’s conditioning and wrestling skills will set him up to spring a surprise triangle choke upset over CB in the third round. Lawlor at +200 is too good to pass up. Lightweight Matt Grice (10-2) can brag of being a four-time Oklahoma state wrestling champion, but those credentials won’t impress Shannon Gugerty (11-3) who at -140 will earn a convincing decision and send me to the winner’s window (again). That’s six (6) favorites and five (5) underdogs, a nice balance with some luck. OK, now let’s go for three (3) in a row. With our fictitious $1000 bankroll let’s make the following wagers with your favorite Las Vegas sportsbook: Lay $154 to win $70 on Brock Lesnar to get his revenge over Frank Mir. Lay $100 to win $240 on “Pitbull” Alves to shock the world with a 1st round KO of GSP! Lay $176 to win $80 on Hendo to school Bisping. Lay $100 to win $20 on Fitch to crush Thiago’s unbeaten streak. Lay $60 to win $132 on Belcher to ruin Akiyama’s UFC debut. Lay $60 to win $162 on Mark Coleman to honor his HOF career with a victory in UFC 100. Lay $80 to win $ 20 on Jon “Bones” Jones to stay undefeated. Lay $60 to win $ 96 on Danzig to upset Jim Miller. Lay $60 to win $120 on Tom Lawlor to upset CB Dollaway. Lay $75 to win $25 on “Stun Gun” Kim to put TJ Grant’s lights out. Lay $70 to win $50 on Gugerty to use his good ground game to beat Grice. In total, we are laying $995 to win $1020. Good luck, and please don’t forget to donate some of your winnings to your local youth wrestling program! Enjoy the fights.

Cody Ruggirello of Walden, New York has informed InterMat that he has given a verbal commitment to Hofstra. Ruggirello, the younger brother of current Hofstra wrestler Louie Ruggirello, is a four-time New York state placewinner and a 2007 state champion. This past season, Ruggirello placed third at the NYSPHSAA (Division I) State Championships at 125 pounds. In April, Ruggirello placed fourth at the NHSCA Junior Nationals at 130 pounds. "I decided to give a verbal to Hofstra because I have a lot of confidence in Coach Shifflet and the rest of the coaching staff," Ruggirello told InterMat. "I believe that I can reach all of my academic and athletic goals there. My older brother, Louie, wrestles for Hofstra and it will be awesome to be on the same team as him. Hofstra seems like a perfect fit for me and I'm really excited to be going there." Hofstra has already received a verbal commitment from Nick Arujau, who is ranked as InterMat's No. 42 senior recruit. Ruggirello defeated Arujau to win the 2007 NYSPHSAA (Division I) state title at 103 pounds. Ruggirello is expected to compete at 141 pounds for Hofstra.

The 11th class is comprised of living wrestlers Nick Bockwinkel, longtime world heavyweight champion in the AWA; Ricky Steamboat, a superstar in the WWF, and Fritz Von Goering, who wrestled many of the top stars of the 1950s and '60s, and all five of the other inductees at one point in his long career. Three deceased wrestlers are also being inducted: Bronko Nagurski, Luther Lindsay and Karl Gotch. Bockwinkel was the son of former pro star Warren Bockwinkel and was a top college football prospect at Oklahoma University before injuries put him on the sidelines. He then turned his attention to pro wrestling full time, early in the 1950s. Over the next 30 years, he wrestled every major star in the business and held the AWA world heavyweight title for nearly seven years, as well as dozens of lesser belts. One of the most popular heels in wrestling history, he has been president of the Cauliflower Alley Club (CAC) for the past several years and resides in Las Vegas. A native of Hawaii, Steamboat was an amateur wrestler in Florida before entering the pro ranks in 1976, for Verne Gagne's AWA. He entered the WWF in 1985 and became known as The Dragon and often struck karate poses in the ring, and electrified the crowds with his skills and antics. His title bouts with Ric Flair are among the best matches of the past two decades. Ricky captured the NWA world championship in 1989. He retired 1994 and lives today in Denver, N.C., working for the WWE. Von Goering was a street-tough kid from Chicago when he turned pro in 1950. He learned the business the hard way, traveling around the country to take on the biggest names in the industry and learning all he could. He spent gym time with pure wrestlers like Dick Hutton, Lou Thesz and Luther Lindsay to learn the craft and today is one of the last from his generation. He won numerous regional titles in his 27-year career. He lives in Campbell, California. From northern Minnesota, Bronko Nagurski is one of the greatest football players of all time, and is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Professional Football Hall of Fame. While starring with the Chicago Bears in the late 1930s, Nagurski approached Lou Thesz about wrestling in the off-season and used his great athletic skills to become a huge draw in wrestling, holding the world NWA title several times in the late 1930s and early 1940s. He died in 1990, at age 82. Lou Thesz was one of many who considered Luther Lindsay the best African-American wrestler of all time. Big, powerful and fast, he played football at Hampton Institute in Norfolk, VA, and later in the Canadian football league. He then turned to pro wrestling and was trained by Stu Hart in the art of hooking. Well known for his skills and athletic abilities in the ring, he was popular outside the ring as well. He died from a heart attack during a match in 1972, at the age of 47. Karl Gotch holds a near mythical spot in the history of wrestling. A native of Belgium, he made the 1948 Olympic team at age 18. He then moved to England, where he trained in the legendary Wigan “Snake Pit,” learning hooking and ripping techniques that made him one of the most feared wrestlers of all time. He was an absolute legend in Japan and all places were shooting ability is revered. He died in 2007 at age 82 in Florida. The official inductions will take place at noon on Saturday in the Gable museum right after our broadcast. For more information, persons can contact Kent Sesker, marketing director, at 319-233-0745. Sure to be a good time. Be sure to join us LIVE for America's Wrestling Radio Talk Show on a radio station near you or on line at many of our broadcast partners including Takedownradio.com. We air 9 AM to 11 AM every Saturday morning and look forward to having you listen in.