InterMat Staff

Across the nation, the months of February and March hold a special place in the hearts and minds of coaches, wrestlers, and fans alike. It is during those months that state tournament glory and legacies are defined. While the feelings and emotions associated with state tournaments are the same across the country, how exactly these events are conducted is not. This feature will examine some of the key aspects of each of the state-level championships throughout the country. These include 43 states that have their own season-ending tournament; the New England Regional Championships -- which include Connecticut, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont ... as well as the National Prep Championships. In addition to the New England Regional and the National Prep Championships, seven other state-level championships are one division events; this includes those held in California, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, New Jersey, and Texas. The other 36 champions have multi-divisional formats ranging anywhere from two to six different classifications based on enrollment -- except for Tennessee, which has separate tournaments for public and parochial schools. Thirty-one of these championships have two, three, or four different divisions. The championships contested in Arizona involve six divisions. Those held in Georgia, Oregon, Utah, and Washington have five. Fifteen states have three divisions, nine have two divisions, and seven have four divisions. Most of these tournaments, 88 when you break it down by divisions, involve 16 wrestlers competing for an individual title. Only 37 tournaments have some other format. This ranges from the 16 tournaments that have 8-man brackets to the 40-man bracket used by the state of California, which admittedly is a single-class tournament for the biggest state in the country. Over the years, the full double-elimination bracket has become the prevailing format of these individual state tournaments. Only those tournaments in Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Tennessee (for Division I only -- two division state), and Wisconsin do not use this format. In Hawaii (20-man bracket) and New Jersey (24-man bracket), the first round losers are eliminated, and it becomes double-elimination at that point. In Illinois (big-school Class 3A), Minnesota, and Wisconsin -- only those wrestlers that lose to a state semifinalist are eligible to wrestle-back for third place. In the 32-man bracket used for Division I wrestling in Tennessee, only those wrestlers that lose to a quarterfinalist can wrestle-back to third place. Only those that lose to a finalist in Illinois' classes 2A and 1A can come back and compete for placement. Most uniquely, the Indiana 16-man bracket is most like a single-elimination tournament. Those losing in the first round are out of the tournament, wrestlers that lose in the quarterfinal compete for places five through eight, while the two semifinal losers wrestle for third place. With the exception of nine tournaments from the 125 that are considered state-level championships, there are either one or two levels of qualifying tournaments. Indiana has three levels of tournaments prior to state, while certain districts in Pennsylvania have to advance through three tournaments in order to make it to state. On the other hand, state championships in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee (Division II only) are truly “open” tournaments. In the overwhelming majority of cases, these qualifying tournaments will create a “symmetrical” state bracket. Most commonly this is a “4x4” system in which four wrestlers exit each qualifier to form a 16-man state tournament bracket. All four quarter-brackets have an individual from each of the qualifiers, as well as one that took each of the four places at those qualifiers. While the ultimate goal in each of these state brackets is to take home the championship, every tournament will recognize a certain number of wrestlers with all-state recognition (i.e. placing at the state tournament). Depending on the state and tournament -- four, six, or eight individuals earn the honors. Six wrestlers placing at state is the most common number, with 77 state-level tournaments utilizing this format. Eighteen tournament brackets place only four wrestlers. This includes all but one of the 17 tournaments that involve eight or nine wrestlers (Georgia Class 1A places six from an eight-man bracket), and also the 12-man bracketed tournaments in Illinois classes 1A and 2A. The remaining thirty state-level tournaments have eight wrestlers earning placement honors. Notably this includes the tournaments in elite wrestling states such as California, Iowa, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania; as well as at the National Prep championships. The vast majority of these state championships (38 out of 45) will officially crown a team champion; only those in Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Wisconsin do not have an official team score kept. All seven of those states crown team champions through a separate dual meet tournament. Ten other states have state-sanctioned dual meet championships as well -- Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee. In determining those teams that eligible to qualify for dual meet state, four states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin) use the first level of qualifying for the individual state tournament to set the field. Only Michigan and North Dakota have a tournament bracket in which every single team battles for the state title, like you would see in basketball. The other 11 states have varying qualifying criteria for dual meet state and/or to make it into the qualification tournaments for dual meet state.

Six home meets, return trips to Midlands and the NWCA National Duals and some new opponents highlight the 2009-10 wrestling schedule that was released today. The Badgers will wrestle 14 duals next season, not including the NWCA National Duals, and 12 of those opponents placed within the top 25 at the 2009 NCAA Championships. “I’m very excited about the schedule and I’m very excited about everything that’s going on with our program right now,” UW head coach Barry Davis said. “Most of the teams we’re competing against were in the top 25 of the country or better last year so that’s a plus for is. It’s also good to have six home dual meets in Madison. I think we have a pretty well-rounded schedule which will really prepare our guys for the national championships in March, which is the most important thing.” Wisconsin’s non-conference season is tough once again, but 2009-10 brings some new challengers. The season begins Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. in Madison against Old Dominion, who is out of the Colonial Athletic Association. This is just the second time in school history the Badgers and Monarchs are meeting, with Wisconsin winning 33-7 during the 1992-93 season. Old Dominion returns five NCAA qualifiers off last year’s squad that finished second at the CAA Tournament. Two days later, the Badgers travel to Big 12 country to take on Nebraska at 1 p.m. in Lincoln. The Huskers are the defending Big 12 champions and finished fourth at the 2009 NCAA Championships. The team returns a strong squad that includes 2009 NCAA Champion at 157 lbs., Jordan Burroughs, runner-up at 197 lbs. Craig Brester and 2008 All-American at 165 lbs., Stephen Dwyer. Wisconsin leads the all-time series against Nebraska, 7-3-2. The last time these two teams met, the match resulted in a 19-19 tie during the 2004-05 season. The Badgers then wrestle two Pac-10 opponents on Sunday, Nov. 22 in Corvallis, Oregon. Wisconsin will meet Oregon State and Boise State beginning at noon. Oregon State, who is coached by Davis’s former college roommate, Jim Zalesky, traveled to Madison last year when the Badgers tallied a 24-13 win. Wisconsin holds the 5-2 advantage all-time against Oregon State. Boise State placed 12th at the 2009 NCAA Championships and this will be the second meeting between the Badgers and Broncos in as many years. Wisconsin matched up against Boise State in the first round of last year’s NWCA National Duals and fell 24-12. The all-time series between these two teams is tied at 2-2. “I think it’s always nice to have a change in your schedule and go to places you’ve never been before or wrestle teams you’ve never been against,” Davis said regarding the different non-conference opponents on next season’s schedule. “We usually get the best teams anyways with our Big Ten schedule, but it’s nice to have some diversity in the non-conference schedule. It gives you a chance to promote your program other places besides the places you always go to like Nebraska, or the west coast with Oregon State and Boise State.” December continues with Wisconsin returning to the Cliff Keen Invite for the fifth-consecutive year, but this year’s tournament will be held in Primm, Nev., from Dec. 4-5. A week later, Wisconsin meets Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, for its annual meeting which is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Dec. 11. The Badgers head back to the Midlands Championships, which take place Dec. 29-30 in Evanston, Ill. Wisconsin had three wrestlers make it to the finals at last year’s Midlands and placed fourth as a team with 98.5 points. The year 2010 begins with a return trip to Cedar Falls for the NWCA National Duals from Jan 9-10. Pairings for that tournament will be announced at a later date. January also brings the start of Big Ten Conference action and the final non-conference dual of the season. Indiana travels to Madison Friday, Jan. 22 for a 7 p.m. match to begin the always tough conference season. The following night, Wisconsin hosts Northern Colorado for a 7 p.m. dual inside the UW Field House. This will be the third meeting between Northern Colorado and Wisconsin with the Badgers holding the 2-0 advantage. This year’s Border Battle heads back to Minneapolis when Wisconsin takes on the Gophers Friday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. The Badgers’ stay on the road is short as they return Sunday, Jan. 31 to host Penn State at 1 p.m. February begins with three conference duals on the road. Wisconsin visits Purdue on Friday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. in West Lafayette, Ind., and then travels to Champaign, Ill., for a 1 p.m. dual on Sunday, Feb. 7 against Illinois. The Illini finished just two points ahead of Wisconsin for eighth place at last year’s NCAA meet. Wisconsin then makes the first of two trips to Ann Arbor, Mich., when it meets the Wolverines on Valentine’s Day at 1 p.m. to close out the Big Ten road dual schedule. The UW Field House plays host to the final two duals of the season when Northwestern and Iowa come to town. The Wildcats visit Madison Friday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. and the dual season comes to a close Sunday, Feb. 21 when defending Big Ten and NCAA champions Iowa visit Madison. Wisconsin will not face Ohio State or Michigan State during next year’s Big Ten dual schedule. The post-season begins in Ann Arbor as the host of the 2010 Big Ten Championships, which take place March 6-7. Omaha, Neb., plays host to the 2010 NCAA Championships from March 18-20. The UW wrestling team has a lot of talent returning to the 2009-10 squad including All-Americans Andrew Howe and Kyle Ruschell. Seven starters return off last year’s team that finished fourth at Big Ten’s and ninth at NCAA’s and some new faces will work to fill in for the three departing All-Americans. Be sure to stay tuned to UWBadgers.com throughout the summer for updates on the squad as they work towards the 2009-10 season.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Former Davidson head wrestling coach Charlie Parker was inducted into the North Carolina chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in a ceremony held on Sunday, May 17 at the Friday Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. After graduating from Davidson in 1938, Parker took over the head coaching post for the wrestling team and except for a five-year break with the U.S. Army Air Corp in World War II, spent four decades as the Wildcats' wrestling coach. He recorded 104 wins during his career, the top mark of any Davidson coach, and also holds the school record for matches coached. He served in several national amateur wrestling associations, including the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Committee (1959-1960) and the National AAU Committee. One of the highlights of his career was in 1963 when he coached the U.S. wrestling team in the Pan-American games in Brazil. Parker, who died in 1979 following a lengthy illness, edited the NCAA Wrestling Guide and was secretary-treasurer of the Carolina Wrestling Officials Association. He was a certified international wrestling official and a charter member of the National Athletic Trainers Association. Several areas in the Baker Sports Complex on the Davidson Campus are testimony to the impact Charlie Parker had on wrestling at Davidson College. The Charles W. Parker Wrestling Room and the Wildcats' dressing room were both given in his honor by former Davidson wrestlers. “Charlie Parker is truly a legend in Davidson wrestling,” said current Wildcat head coach Bob Patnesky. “He paved the way for many successful people not only in wrestling but in life, and his legacy will live on for a long time.” Parker was inducted into the Davidson Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992, becoming the first honoree to be selected from the wrestling program. He is also the first Davidson representative to earn a place in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Other inductees into the Hall of Fame this year are Dr. Jerry Barker from N.C. State University, former Brevard High School head coach Rex Wells, Davie County High School head coach Buddy Lowery, current Treasurer of the North Carolina chapter of USA Wrestling Lorenzo Carmon and U.S. Amputee Athletic Association Founder and President of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Dick Bryant, who received the Medal of Courage Award.

Lee Kemp

Six wrestlers associated with the University of Northern Iowa wrestling program will be competing at the 2009 World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa, May 30-31. The winner of each weight class will represent the United States at the World Championships in Herning, Denmark, Sept. 21-27. Cruse Aarhus, Tervel Dlagnev, Moza Fay, Mark Rial, Brett Robbins and Sean Stender will represent the Panthers as they attempt to qualify for the World Championships in Herning, Denmark, Sept. 21-27. Aarhus (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) earned his berth into the team trials by winning the 55 kg/121 lbs. Northern Plains Regional freestyle championship May 16. For the Panthers in 2008-09, he joined the lineup for the Michigan dual at the National Duals (Jan. 10). He then posted nine wins, including a fall the rest of the season. Dlagnev (Arlington, Texas) found his way to Council Bluffs through his second-place finish at the 2009 U.S. Nationals in the 120 kg/264.5 lbs. weight class. So far in 2009, Dlagnev won the Ukrainian Memorial International title, placed second in the Dan Kolov International event and took third in the Takhti Cup. In 2008, he won a pair of titles (New York AC International and World University), while placing third at the U.S. Nationals. Dlagnev won the 2007 and 2008 NCAA Division II heavyweight national titles while at the University of Nebraska-Kearney for head coach Marc Bauer. Dlagnev currently serves as the Panther Wrestling Club coach. Fay (Anamosa, Iowa) was tabbed with a wild card selection into the 2009 World Team Trials at 74 kg/163 lbs. Fay capped his Panther wrestling career with back-to-back All-America seasons at the NCAA Championships. Fay placed fifth at 165 pounds in 2008 and then secured a sixth-place finish in 2009. He finished his Panther wrestling career ranked No. 7 on the all-time wins list with 119 triumphs. Fay made three NCAA appearances and posted as a 12-7 mark in those 19 matches on the national scene. Fay totaled 37 falls in his collegiate days, which ranks as the fifth-most in UNI history. Fay was named a two-time Western Wrestling Conference Wrestler of the Year. Rial (Fort Dodge, Iowa) will compete in the Greco-Roman portion of the World Team Trials at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Rial placed second at the 2009 U.S. Nationals. Rial won the 2008 U.S. Nationals title and placed second at the Dave Schultz Memorial International. Rial wrapped up 2008 with a fifth-place effort at the Vehbi Emre Grand Prix in Turkey. Rial's highlights include a third-place finish at the 2005 and 2007 U.S. World Team Trials, a fourth-place finish at the 2005 U.S. Nationals, a seventh-place effort at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and a fourth-place finish at the 1994 Cadet World Championships. Rial was a national qualifier for UNI in 2001. He currently serves as a conditioning specialist for the UNI wrestling team. Robbins (Bloomington, Ill.) earned his spot into the World Team Trials by winning the 70 kg/154.25 lbs. freestyle title at the 2009 ASICS University & FILA Cadet National Championships. Robbins was a perfect 6-0 in the tournament and won the title with a 0-1, 2-0, 3-1 decision over Albert White, a four-time state champion in Illinois. Robbins saw limited dual action for the Panthers in 2008-09 after missing the majority of the past two seasons following Tommy John surgery. Stender (Eldridge, Iowa) is ranked No. 3 in the U.S. at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and earned his spot at the World Team Trials through the National Open. Stender placed sixth in 2009 U.S. Nationals, third in 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and sixth in 2006 and 2007 U.S. Nationals. Stender also has a strong international wrestling resume by winning the 2008 Dave Schultz Memorial International and then placing second in 2006 and fifth in 2009. Stender took third in the 2008 Kimitri Korkin International. Stender placed third a tthe 2005 NYAC Holiday Championships. He also captured the 2005 Sunkist Kids/ASU International Open. Stender was a three-time All-American at UNI, which included a runner-up finish at the 2005 NCAA Championships. Stender currently serves as a volunteer assistant coach for the UNI wrestling team after serving three seasons as a conditioning specialist for the Panthers.

Dan Hicks, head wrestling coach at Cal State-Fullerton, will be the featured Wrestling 411 Radio guest this Thursday, May 21 at 10 a.m. Wrestling 411 Radio broadcasts live shows on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 10 a.m. CDT. Each show includes a featured guest and brief commentary on the recent happenings in wrestling. Hicks is the head wrestling coach at Cal State-Fullerton, a position he has held since 2002. Hicks was an NCAA champion for Oregon State in 1978 and 1979. Wrestling 411 Radio can be heard live by visiting www.wrestling411.tv. Questions for any of the guests are welcome. You may e-mail your questions to Kyle Klingman at kklingman@mediasportsproductions.com

NORFOLK, Va. -- W.I.N. Magazine released its annual wrestling recruiting class rankings, with Old Dominion's group pegged as the sixth best class in the nation. It is the highest ranking ever for ODU and the fourth top ten recruiting class under head coach Steve Martin in just five years. ODU's newcomers were ranked ninth in the early recruiting class rankings released in December. "The coaching staff at Old Dominion University is pleased to announce the signing of six athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2009-10 academic year," said Martin. "All of these athletes excel in the classroom, are nationally ranked wrestlers and are good citizens on and off the mat. We had a priority to fill many needs at several weight classes and we accomplished that goal. Furthermore, we thought it was very important to compete with the Big Ten and Big 12 teams head-to-head for these athletes so that we can continue to compete and grow as a national power. All of these wrestlers have aspirations to become national champions and All-Americans." ODU's class boasts six wrestlers to NLI's: #3 John Nicholson (Des Moines, Iowa), brother of current ODU All-American James Nicholson, #7 Justin LaValle (Apple Valley, Minn.), #10 Joey Sheridan (Tulsa, Okla.), #15 Eric Dunnet (Voorhees, N.J), #16 Jack Burbank (Virginia Beach, Va.) and Wrestling USA Special Mention Chad Lowman (Des Moines, Iowa). It is the highest ranking ever for an Old Dominion recruiting class. Since Martin and the new coaching regime took over, W.I.N. has ranked the ODU classes 10th (04-05), 10th (05-06), 16th (06-07), 10th (07-08) and now 6th (08-09). Nicholson is ranked in the top five in three separate publications and is one of two recruits ranked in InterMat's Top 100, a gauge of the best high school wrestlers in the nation regardless of weight class. Nicholson ranks 14th in the Top 100 after finishing second at the NHSCA Junior Nationals this year. A two-time Iowa state champion, he will join brother James at ODU after being recruited by several Big Ten and Big 12 powers. Nicholson is projected to wrestle at 157 lbs for the Monarchs. LaValle will come to ODU ranked seventh by InterMat and Wrestling USA, and eighth by W.I.N. The projected 133-pounder was a USA Wrestling Junior National All-American in 2008, and finished in 5th place at the event this season. He is a two-time Minnesota state champion and is the second recruit ranked in the InterMat Top 100, checking in at 80th overall. Sheridan is also ranked in the top ten for his weight class, coming in from Tulsa, Oklahoma, he ranks 10th in the nation. He is a three-time state champion as well as the 2007 USA Wrestling Cadet National Champion. He's projected to wrestle at the 174 lb weight class for Old Dominion. Eric Dunnet rounds out the lightweight recruits, projected as a 125/133-pounder for the Monarchs. He ranks 15th in the nation according to Wrestling USA and is a New Jersey State finalist. He finished second in the state tournament this year and finished sixth at the USA Wrestling Junior Nationals in 2008. Burbank is a local heavyweight prospect for Coach Martin, out of Cox High School in Virginia Beach. He is a two-time Virginia state champion, a sophomore national champion in 2007 and an NHSCA High School All-American in 2008. The recruiting class is rounded out by three Virginia state wrestlers, in Chris Cabe (Chantilly, Va.), Billy Curling (Chesapeake, Va.) and Matt Brunke (Henrico, Va.). Cabe finished fourth at the Virginia AAA State Tournament in the heavyweight division. Curling is projected as a 184-pounder for the Monarchs after reaching the state semi-finals this year and taking fourth place for the Great Bridge Wildcats. Brunke will add depth to the 157-pound weight class as a third place finisher in the AAA State Tournament this season. The Monarchs are coming off one of the best seasons in program history, finishing with 17 dual victories and the highest national ranking ever, at 16th in the country. ODU boasted its second ever Division I National Finalist in Ryan Williams, becoming the second All-American in as many years for Coach Martin. The team graduated only Williams and will boast a strong, experienced core in addition to this phenomenal recruiting class in 2009-10. W.I.N. Magazine Recruiting Class Rankings: 1. Minnesota 2. Oklahoma State 3. Nebraska 4. Oklahoma 5. Virginia Tech 6. Old Dominion 7. Virginia 8. Iowa 9. Cornell 10. Michigan 11. Ohio State 12. Northern Iowa 13. Wyoming 14. Missouri 15. Navy 16. West Virginia 17. Edinboro 18. North Carolina State 19. Boise State 20. Purdue

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville wrestling coach David Ray has signed David Devine (Petersburg), A.J. Smith (Justice), Chase Odeen (Coal City) and Sawyer Smith (Aberdeen, Wash.). SIUE will enter the second year of transition to NCAA Division I. David Devine Jr. will wrestle in the heavyweight class. Devine was the Illinois state champion his junior and senior seasons. He finished his high school career with a 137-9 overall record. “David is natural athlete; he will have an instant impact on the team’s success.” Ray said. “I am very excited to have a solid heavyweight.” A.J. Smith is expected to compete in the 197-pound weight class. Smith placed twice in the State Tournament. Smith placed fourth his junior season and third in his senior year. He finished with an overall high school record of 121-18. “A.J. is a very intelligent competitor both in the class room and on the mat,” Ray said. “He shows determination when he is in competition and is always looking for ways to score a big move.” Odeen received All-Academic honors at Coal City High School. He will be competing in the 157- or 165-pound weight classes. Odeen was a three-time state place winner. He placed fourth his sophomore year, first his junior year and second in his senior year. Chase finished his high school career with a 133-20 record. “Odeen wrestles at a relentless pace,” Ray said. “He has a great attitude that will elevate his work ethic and dedication in workouts.” Sawyer Smith will compete at 197-pound weight class. Ray said. Smith placed seventh in the state of Washington his junior year finishing 29-5 and was 14-1 before his senior season was ended by an injury. “He is physically very strong and has a desire to wrestle NCAA Division I,” said Ray.

Chris Ayres

Bruce Burnett

Gary Taylor

Iowa State University head wrestling coach Kevin Jackson and Scott Casber from Takedown Radio will be radio show guests Wednesday night. Kevin Jackson was recently named the new head wrestling coach at Iowa State University. Jackson previously had been the national freestyle coach for USA Wrestling from 2001-2008 and the head coach of the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club in Arizona. As an athlete, Jackson had a tremendous wrestling career. After winning two state championships at Eastern High School in Lansing, Michigan, Jackson became a three-time All-American at Louisiana State University. LSU dropped its wrestling program after Jackson’s junior year and he transferred to Iowa State where he helped the Cyclones win their last NCAA team championship with a 2nd place finish at 167 pounds in 1987. Jackson went on to have a phenomenal international career, winning World titles in 1991 and 1995 and an Olympic gold medal at 180.5 pounds in Barcelona, Spain in 1992. Scott Casber is the owner and operator of Takedown Radio in central Iowa. Casber does a great job of interviewing the top coaches, athletes and contributors in the sport of wrestling each week. Casber also broadcasts from prominent wrestling tournaments across the nation. He recently was named the Mike Chapman Impact Award Winner, along with Bob Ferraro, by WIN Magazine. “On the Mat" can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa each Wednesday from 5:00 - 6:00 PM Central time on AM 1650, The Fan. Feel free to e-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with any questions or comments about the show.

Darrion Caldwell

Tom Erikson

Scott Goodale

Eric Guerrero

The 10th annual NHSCA National Wrestling Duals take place this weekend at the Wicomico Youth Civic Center in Salisbury, Maryland. This event, which is also referred to as the “The Battle at the Beach,” is comprised of 112 teams with competition in three age divisions: High School, which will feature a field of 64 teams, Middle School, which will feature a field of 24 teams, and Elementary, which will feature a field of 24 teams. The following is a compilation of wrestlers to watch. This is based on the pre-registration list. *AC = All-Class Rank (InterMat) 103 Shyheim Brown (Diesel/Central Dauphin PA), 20th AC 103 Earl Hall (South Florida Lightning/South Dade FL) Nick Roberts (Renegade Force Black/North Star PA) Evan Link (Young Guns Black/Penn Cambria PA) Jack Hatahaway (Pinnacle White/Iowa City West IA) 112 Jimmy Gulbion (Young Guns Black/Derry Area PA), 4th AC 103 BJ Suitor (Wrecking Crew Red/Swan Valley MI) Zach Beitz (Renegade Force Green/Juniata PA) Jake Smith (Madmen/Robinson VA) Matt Sausman (Shore Thing Teal/Camden Catholic NJ) Brian Realbuto (Iowa Style Wrestling/Somers NY) 119 Nico Megaludis (Young Guns Black/Franklin Regional PA), 2nd AC 112 Nick Arujau (SIR Wrestling/Syosset NY), 20th AC 125 Zach Horan (Renegade Force Black/Nazareth PA), 7th AC 112 Bryan Whitt (Virginia Thunder/Norfolk Academy VA), 17th AC 112 Arty Walsh (Renegade Force Green/Wyomissing PA) Luke Frey (Diesel/Montoursville PA) Mason Beckman (Wayne Danger/Reynolds PA) Jake Crawford (Madmen/Millbrook VA) 125 Michael Garofalo (Renegade Force Black/Colonial Forge VA), 10th AC 125 Shane Gentry (Virginia Thunder/Colonial Forge VA), 12th AC 119 Eric Chandler (South Florida Lightning/Braddock FL) Jared Germaine (Wrecking Crew Red/Swan Valley MI) Tyler Biscaha (Shore Thing Teal/Jackson Memorial NJ) Simon Rice (Diesel/Central Dauphin PA) Tyler Keselring (Wrestling Addix Black/Greenville MI) Jake Corrill (Pinnacle White/Moeller OH) Zach Huxford (Shore Thing White/Jackson Memorial NJ) 130 Sam Sherlock (Renegade Force Black/West Mifflin PA), 6th AC 125 Derrik Russell (Shore Thing Teal/Jackson Memorial NJ) Tyler Buckman (Diesel/Central Dauphin PA) David Makara (Young Guns Black/Burrell PA) Drew Wagenhoffer (SIR Wrestling/High Point NJ) Wendell Cannon (Team Delmarva/Sussex Tech DE) Mitch Minotti (All Business/Easton PA) 135 Josh Dziewa (Renegade Force Black/Council Rock South PA), 46th c/o 2010 Wilson Metellus (South Florida Lightning/South Dade FL), 19th AC 135 Mike Morales (Shore Thing Teal/Brick Memorial NJ), 16th AC 130 Jordan Beverly (Shore Thing White/Point Pleasant Boro NJ) James Green (Team Fury/Willingboro NJ) Ty Davis (Pinnacle White/Lakota West OH) Alex Pelliciotti (SEPA Blue/Boyertown PA) 140 Anthony Baldosaro (Renegade Force Black/Eastern Regional NJ), 4th AC 140 Kodie Silvestri (SIR Wrestling/Walkill Valley NJ), 15th AC 135 Taylor Walsh (Shore Thing White/Camden Catholic NJ), 16th AC 135 Colin Shober (Premium Select/Schuylkill Valley PA) Mark Hartenstine (All Business/Easton PA) Jordan Moss (Wayne Danger/Sharon PA) Robert Shepherd (Virginia Thunder/Mason OH) Andrew Lenzi (Iowa Style Wrestling/Fordham Prep NY) Kenny Stank (Diesel/Central Dauphin PA) Jake Gregerson (Illinois Underclassmen/Althoff Catholic IL) 145 Joey Napoli (Wayne Danger/Cumberland Valley PA), 4th AC 145 Kendrick Sanders (South Florida Lightning/South Dade FL), 7th AC 145 Shawn Fayette (Pinnacle White/Miamisburg OH), 18th AC 130 Jake O’Hara (Diesel/Crestwood PA) Ryan Kemerer (Team Travis/Boyertown PA) Ryan Dunphy (Triumph/Passaic Valley NJ) Ben Dorsay (Virginia Thunder/Cox VA) Joe McAuley (Shore Thing White/Bishop Ahr NJ) Tyler Hain (SV River Boyz/Warrior Run PA) Jayshon Wilson (Renegade Force Black/Carlisle PA) Austin Sommer (All Business/Northampton PA) Joey Kielbasa (Illinois Underlcassmen/Crystal Lake Central IL) Owen Scott (Shore Thing Teal/Lyons NY) Robert Henderson (Young Guns Black/United PA) 152 Marshall Peppelman (Diesel/Central Dauphin PA), 2nd AC 152 Steve Santos (Shore Thing White/Brick Memorial NJ), 10th AC 152 David Helmer (Virginia Thunder/Langley VA) Bryce Busler (Wayne Danger/Cumberland Valley PA) Corey Mock (Copperheads Wrestling Club/Chapel Hill NC) Troy Hernandez (SIR Wrestling/Kittatiny NJ) Alex Eggers (South Florida Lightning/Osceola FL) Bo Candelaria (Premium Select/Middletown PA) Ben Carter (South Florida Lightning/Baron Collier FL) 160 Dan Yates (Young Guns Black/Hesperia MI), 2nd AC 160 Ryan Leblanc (Lewis County/Morrisville Eaton NY), 9th AC 160 Mark Havers (Ragin Raisins/Bradford PA), 33rd c/o 2011 James Fleming (Renegade Force Black/West Mifflin PA) Nick Visicaro (Triumph/Long Branch NJ) Tristan Warner (Wayne Danger/Cumberland Valley PA) Michael Curby (Wrestling Addix Black/Hillsdale MI) Dylan Reel (Illinois Underclassmen/Washington IL) Patrick LaBuz (Diesel/Hazleton PA) Wade Rivera (All Business/Parkland PA) 171 Michael Evans (Diesel/Cumberland Valley PA), 14th c/o 2010 Jimmy Sheptock (All Business/Northampton PA), 15th AC 160 Jake Dorulla (Wrestling Addix Black/Rockford MI) Ryan Callahan (SIR Wrestling/Walkill Valley NJ) Jim Resnick (SEPA Blue/Penncrest PA) Ed Shupe (Renegade Force Black/Council Rock South PA) Nathaniel Brown (Wayne Danger/Lewistown PA) Ryan Olep (Wrecking Crew Red/Lowell MI) Zach Agostino (Shore Thing White/Egg Harbor Twp NJ) 189 Jon Fausey (Diesel/Line Mountain PA), 2nd AC 189 Andrew Clement (Virginia Thunder/Grassfield VA), 6th AC 171 Mac Mancuso (Shore Thing Teal/Holy Spirit NJ), 11th AC 189 Alex Thomas (Team Delmarva/Sussex Tech DE), 20th AC 189 Angelo Malvestuto (Shore Thing White/Niagara Wheatfield NY) Patrick Callender (SEPA Blue/Council Rock North PA) Zach Benzio (Premium Select/Connellsville PA) Dillon Kern (Wrestling Addix Black/Fowlerville MI) Andrew Petroski (Renegade Force Black/Springfield Delco PA) Joe Piro (All Business/Northampton PA) 215 Derrick Borlie (Madmen/Millbrook VA), 6th AC 189 Tony Dallago (Diesel/Central Dauphin PA), 9th AC 189 Spencer Myers (Wayne Danger/Selinsgrove NJ), 9th AC 215 Zac Bennett (Wayne Danger/Westmont Hilltop PA) Willie Wiggins (South Florida Lightning/South Dade FL) Billy George (Triumph/Long Branch NJ) Nate Gaffney (Young Guns Black/Connellsville PA) Kevin Innis (Shore Thing White/St Peter’s Prep NJ) Matthew Loew (Ragin Raisins/Wantagh NY) Nick Ruggear (Renegade Force Black/Oxford Area PA) Nick McDiarmid (Wrecking Crew Red/Fowlerville MI) Josh Davis (Shore Thing Teal/Freehold Boro NJ) 285 Jimmy Lawson (Shore Thing White/Manchester NJ), 2nd AC 285 Evan Craig (D2 Mighty Ducks/Abington Hts PA), 5th AC 285 Jack Burbank (Virginia Thunder/Cox VA) Danny Walker (Team Fury/Delsea Regional NJ) Tyler Cowman (Diesel/Wyoming Valley West PA) Carl Buchholz (Renegade Force Black/Great Valley PA) Tyler Demott (SV River Boyz/Benton PA) Henry Chirino (South Florida Lightning/Hialeah American FL) Joe McElhinney (Ragin Raisins/Cochranton PA) Devin Pommerenke (Wrecking Crew Red/Rogers City MI)

Steve Fraser, Greco-Roman National Teams Coach for USA Wrestling, will be the featured Wrestling 411 Radio guest this Wednesday, May 20 at 10 a.m. Wrestling 411 Radio broadcasts live shows on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 10 a.m. CDT. Each show includes a featured guest and brief commentary on the recent happenings in wrestling. Fraser is the head coach for the Greco-Roman National Team at USA Wrestling. In 1984, Fraser became the first American to win a gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling. In 2007, Fraser coached the United States to its first Greco-Roman team title at the World Championships. Wrestling 411 Radio can be heard live by visiting www.wrestling411.tv. Questions for any of the guests are welcome. You may e-mail your questions to Kyle Klingman at kklingman@mediasportsproductions.com

Mike Moyer

WAYNESBURG, Pa. -- Ron Headlee’s work in turning the Waynesburg University wrestling team from an afterthought to a nationally-recognized program is just the latest in his long line of accomplishments on the mats. This June, Headlee will be recognized for those accomplishments when he is inducted into the Washington/Greene Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. The induction ceremonies, which will take place on June 11 and 12 and feature 16 different individuals, will highlight more than 30 years as a wrestler and a coach, which began when he graduated Waynesburg Central High School in 1978. After leaving WCHS, Headlee became a three-time NAIA All-American wrestler at Messiah College, and became the school’s first NCAA Division III Wrestling All-American after placing fifth at the national tournament in 1982. He was also the school’s record holder for wins (101) at the time of his graduation. After finishing his own competitive days, Headlee moved onto very successful stints as a high school coach at both Jefferson-Morgan High School and his alma mater of WCHS. While with J-M, Headlee led his squads to an 111-25-1 record and five Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) team titles during his nine years with the Rockets. From there, Headlee went on to spend a handful of years at WCHS as an assistant, before leaving coaching in 2007. After a very brief hiatus, Headlee returned to coach the Yellow Jackets to a 10-4 record in 2008-09 and complete one of the most amazing turnarounds in Waynesburg and Division III wrestling histories. Prior to Headlee’s arrival, the Jackets enjoyed just two wins in three years. With his induction into the Washington/Greene Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Headlee joins the likes of Pittsburgh mayor Luke Ravenstahl, former University of Wisconsin football coaching great Barry Alvarez, NFL head coach Marvin Lewis and NFL Hall of Famer Bill George. Headlee also becomes the latest in a line of athletes, coaches and administrators with ties to Waynesburg University. Included in that list are coaching legend and current Athletic Director Rudy Marisa, coaching great John F. Wiley and former NFL wide receiver Don Hermann.

Adam Frey To visit Adam Frey's Web site, click HERE.

Mike Poeta

Moza Fay

NEWTON, Iowa -- Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine (WIN) is announcing the winners of six of the magazine’s major awards for 2009. The following is a list of the awards and the recipients: Mike Chapman Impact Award: Scott Casber, Takedown Radio/TV Bob Ferraro, National High School Coaches Association Dan Gable Coach of the Year: Mark Manning, University of Nebraska Junior Hodge Trophy: Chris Perry, Stillwater (Okla.) High School Schalles (Pinning) Award: Josh Patterson, Binghamton University Junior Schalles (Pinning) Award: Eloheim Palma, Cary (N.C.) High School Journalist of the Year: Tim Johnson, Big Ten Network/ESPN (Note: WIN had already announced the winner of the Hodge Trophy -- for the nation’s best collegiate wrestler -- in late March, when Jake Herbert of Northwestern was honored.) The following are biographical sketches of each of the award winners: Mike Chapman Impact Award -- Named after Mike Chapman, the founder of WIN and current director of the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa. Scott Casber is the founder of Takedown Radio/TV, which is beginning its 13th year of providing wrestling fans an Internet site (TakeDownRadio.com) to follow national events on nearly every level of amateur wrestling, including the NCAA championships, NWCA National Duals and World Team Trials. Scott Casber“I think it is important to give the wrestling public a broad picture of the wrestling culture across the country,” Casber said. “We usually only think about what is in our backyard. Wrestling is so much more to all people. We discover the passion for wrestling is even greater than I thought 13 years ago when we started the program.” In addition, Scott and his co-host Steve Foster travel all over the country covering in-season college tournaments and dual meets. They will also be introducing a highlight news show format on wrestling this fall on cable and satellite systems. “The miles that Scott has put on traveling around to broadcast live at wrestling events and practice rooms is staggering,” said WIN publisher Bryan Van Kley. “He deeply loves wrestling and wrestlers and works with every fiber of his being to promote our great sport to the max.” Scott is a native of Des Moines, Iowa, who fell in love with wrestling when he attended Iowa working on a marketing/promotions degree in the early 1980s and wore the Herky mascot uniform at Hawkeye wrestling matches. “I could see wrestling up close and personal,” said Casber. “I noticed that these guys were real people, who struggled with real problems, struggled to maintain their identity. They struggled with real issues whether they were self-created or not.” Bob Ferraro, a native of Easton, Pa., serves as the CEO/Founder of the National High School Coaches Association, which puts on over 100 state, regional and national events in 20 sports, including the NHSCA Senior Nationals in wrestling, which recently held its 20th anniversary of the event. During the past two decades, the event now offers national competition for all four grades of high school. “I felt we needed the high visibility sports to get wrestling the attention that it needed,” said Ferraro. “I felt that if we could build an organization with more than one sport, we could make a much bigger impact on the sport.” “What impresses me so much about Bob is his vision for wrestling,” said Van Kley. “He looks at the bigger picture beyond just an event or particular situation. The High School Nationals has turned into a "can't-miss" event which has been a great tool for prospective college wrestlers and the coaches who are recruiting them. All of this is because of Bob's vision for that event and the NHSCA as an organization.” Ferraro, who finished second nationally at the 1970 NCAAs at 150 pounds for Indiana State and later served as head coach at Bucknell, said he created the NHSCA when he was looking for national competitions for his son, Bobby, who in turn will take over the NHSCA in June 2010, when Bob retires. “I feel kind of a relief that my vision will be fulfilled and I’m excited about my son’s vision being implemented,” said Bob. “He is a very creative guy and has been with us for about two years now. He is ready to take off with his own vision.” Dan Gable Coach of the Year -- Named after the legendary University of Iowa coach who won 15 NCAA team championships between 1978 and 1997. Mark Manning has been a head coach at the Division I level for 12 years, including the past nine at Nebraska, where his Cornhuskers captured their first Big 12 championship — sharing the honor with Iowa State — and finishing fourth at the NCAAs for a second consecutive year. Manning also saw Jordan Burroughs become the school’s tenth NCAA champion when the junior captured the 157-pound title, while 197-pound Craig Brester (2nd), 174-pound Brandon Brown (4th) and 184-pound Vince Jones (6th) earned All-American honors. Mark ManningIn addition, Nebraska finished 17-3-1 in dual meet competition and captured the Las Vegas Invitational in December. All of this happened after Manning was forced to dismiss a pair of returning national qualifiers, including 2007 NCAA champion Paul Donahoe at 125 pounds, because of an off-the-mat incident. Then a week before the Big 12 tournament, Manning and his team had to deal with the death of Thayes Browne, the 49-year-old mother of a pair of Huskers (Brandon and Cameron, a 197-pound sophomore), who died from a heart attack while watching another son at the Nebraska state high school tournament. Manning said this year’s events made his realized he chose the right profession. “That’s why you coach; to make an impact on young men’s lives and obviously we had a lot of teaching moments this year; from not only with our young guys but to our veterans who were tested,” said the 45-year-old Manning. “I believe the faith element of our program was really put to the test and came out with flying colors.” Junior Dan Hodge Trophy -- Named after Dan Hodge, the former three-time University of Oklahoma national champion (1955-57) who never allowed a takedown in his college career. He also pinned 36 of his 46 victims. Chris Perry is the top-ranked 189-pounder from Stillwater, Okla., where he won four state of Oklahoma high school championships. He also is the brother of Mark Perry, the 2003 Junior Hodge Trophy winner who later earned two NCAA championships at Iowa (2007-08), and the nephew of Oklahoma State coach John Smith, who will coach the younger Perry next year. “Growing up, even though John Smith is my uncle and Mark Perry is my brother, it’s always been a goal for me to do what they’ve done,” Chris added. “I never look at it as pressure. I look at it as a possible accomplishment for me.” Chris Perry also captured the Junior Nationals in freestyle last summer in Fargo, N.D., and recently won the Junior FILAs in Las Vegas in April. For his high school career, Chris Perry was 133-1 with 70 falls. Schalles Award -- Names after Wade Schalles, who set the college pin record at Clarion (Pa.) State where he also won two NCAA championships (1972-73). During his career, Schalles defeated 153 of 159 opponents and pinned 109. Josh Patterson of Binghamton racked up 22 falls and finished the season 46-6. His 46 wins were also the most of any Division I wrestler. The junior also became Binghamton’s first Division I All-American, finishing seventh at the NCAA Championships at 184 pounds. “I realized I was going to be able to accomplish my goals at Binghamton,” said Patterson, who also has had two brothers wrestle for the Bearcats. He felt achieving the program’s first All-American honor and winning an award like the Schalles will help Binghamton get other top-level kids. “I really think it’s going to put us on the map and show kids they can come to a school like Binghamton and become All-Americans,” he said. Junior Schalles Award Eloheim Palma of Cary (N.C.) only let one of his 62 victims in an undefeated season go the distance when he settled for a 10-4 decision of the state tournament; netting the heavyweight his fourth state championship. Eloheim PalmaOverall, Palma pinned 50 opponents this year and also earned 10 forfeits and one technical fall. For his career, Palma pinned 159 opponents in compiling a 225-9 mark in four years. “I don’t feel that I’ve won a match unless I pin someone,” said Palma, who also captured the NHSCA Senior National Championship as the nation’s top-ranked heavyweight and will compete for North Carolina State next fall. “When you pin someone there is no doubt that you beat someone.” “Everyone will talk about how hard a kid works but this wrestler is special,” said his high school coach Jerry Winterton. “Eloheim outworks everyone in the room. As a heavyweight it is amazing how he'll run sprints, lift weights, do pull-ups and all the extras to better himself.” Journalist of the Year Tim Johnson is a native of Morning Sun, Iowa, and current resident of Champaign, Ill., where he serves as the regional director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Champaign. The former Coe College wrestler and high school wrestling coach also has spent the past 20 years broadcasting college wrestling matches; most recently the past two years for the Big Ten Network and ESPN. Among his highlights this year was handling the play-by-play for the Iowa-Iowa State dual meet, Dec. 6, which drew a national-record 15,955 fans to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. “When do I get the most excited about wrestling?” said Johnson. “It’s when the place is up for grabs. The record crowd was exciting. When you’ve got Dan Gable (as a color commentator) going nuts next to you, it’s always exciting to me. My arm gets a little tired trying to keep him in his seat sometimes.” Johnson also was part of the ESPN’s broadcast team that carried the quarterfinals, semifinals, placement matches and finals live at this year’s NCAA tournament in St. Louis, Mo. “I do expect ESPN’s coverage to grow because they are very happy with the interest,” Johnson said. “The producer, John Vassallo, is one of the greatest leaders I’ve ever been around. He is for wrestling and the reason and driving force behind 12 hours of live wrestling on ESPN.”

Kevin Dresser