InterMat Staff

Ethan Bosch

Mark Munoz

Jim Andrassy

Mike Dixon

Teague Moore

The Brute Adidas studios will be lively this week with the best in sports talk radio, Wrestling Talk! The gang is getting back together again. Join Steve Foster, Chris Arns, Randy Crimmins and I for the best 2 hours in radio Saturdays at 9 AM CST at Takedownradio.com. Our Guests this week include: Tim Flynn- Head Coach of Edinboro Fighting Scots Brad Penrith- Head Coach of the Panthers of UNI Rex Kendle- Former Michigan State Spartan, now beginning his MMA career Mike Moyer- Executive Director of the National Wrestling Coaches Association Andrew Hipps- The man behind Intermatwrestle.com Missed an episode of TDR? Now You can get TDR on your PDA or iPhone at Lightsout.tv and at iTunes Please note that Episode 21 of TDRtv is now up on all the top web sites around the country and is available for your viewing. Please join us for the show that started it all, Takedownradio.com. America's Wrestling Radio Talk Show is on Supertalk 1570 in Michigan, AM 1460 KXNO in Iowa and on a radio station near you or on line at many of our broadcast partners around the world including Takedownradio.com. We air 9 AM to 11 AM CST every Saturday morning and look forward to having you listen in.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Since the off-season hire of Head Coach Cael Sanderson, wrestling fans have been anxious for the chance to get a closer look at the Penn State Wrestling program. That closer look is now available –literally -- with today’s announcement that a set of exclusive, premium season seats will made available for the team’s home duals this season at Rec Hall. “We’re making a few changes heading into a new era of Penn State Wrestling,” said Greg Myford, Associate Athletic Director, “and we want all of those changes to enhance the experience of both our fans and our team.” Two rows of 20 individual premium seats will be offered this season, just off the mat on the west side of Penn State’s most historic athletic venue. Each of the 40 floor-level seats will come with access to an exclusive hospitality room offering complimentary snacks and soft drinks, a specially designed season ticket, and a copy of the match night media notes and event program. Row one seating, priced at $125 for the season, will be directly on the floor surface with the second row directly behind and slightly elevated at $100 per seat. Fans can call 814.863.1000 and ask for Joel Diamond for more information or to purchase the new seating option. A maximum of four (4) seats per customer will be made available, and seats will be offered to current Nittany Lion Club members and season ticket holders prior to the general public. Fans who have already renewed their season tickets (or paid in full on a new season ticket) can apply that payment towards the purchase of new premium seating. A deadline of September 30, 2009, has been placed on reserving or purchasing the new premium season seats.

Minot State University Athletics Director Rick Hedberg announced the hiring of Robin Ersland, from the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, to re-establish the wrestling program. For the past 15 years, Ersland has been the head wrestling coach and strength coordinator for the UCM Mules. While there, he was responsible for all aspects of the Division II program including initiating a wrestling hall of fame, leading 10 teams to top-20 national team finishes and coaching 30 All-Americans, including one individual national champion. During his almost 30 years of coaching, Ersland has participated at the NCAA Division I, II and III levels. Ersland also served as a coach on various national and international teams. Hedberg says the Minot State Athletics Department is fortunate to receive a coach of this caliber to reinstitute wrestling. "Robin will do a great job of building our wrestling program," Hedberg said. "He has more than 15 years of NCAA Division II head coaching experience, and he’s been successful at the DII level. Robin is well connected in the wrestling community, and I look forward to working with him."

KENT, Ohio -- Two-time NCAA Tournament qualifier Drew Lashaway has returned to the Kent State wrestling program as a volunteer assistant. In another recent staff move, Andrew Wolf was promoted to assistant coach after serving as a volunteer assistant last season. Lashaway makes his coaching debut following a stellar senior season with the Golden Flashes. At 141 pounds, he finished 31-7 and won a Mid-American Conference title. Lashaway went 4-0 in MAC duals, placed first at the Body Bar Invitational and second at the Southern Scuffle. A native of Bowling Green, Ohio, he piled up 91 career victories in four seasons. Lashaway is also working toward a master's degree at KSU. “We're happy to be able to keep Drew around,” Head Coach Jim Andrassy said. “He had full-time offers with other schools, but he chose to stay here. He'll do a nice job of filling the gap between the rest of the coaches and the athletes and he'll be able to show the younger guys how we want things done both on the mat and in the classroom.” Before joining Kent State last season, Wolf spent one year coaching at Mount Union during the 2007-08 season. Prior to coaching, he a four-year letterwinner at Indiana. Like Lashaway, Wolf was an NCAA qualifier and served as a team captain with the Hoosiers. A native of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Wolf was also a FILA Freestyle All-American. “The new position that we got for Andrew was a perfect fit for all of us,” Andrassy said. “He brought some great things to the table last year and our guys have become familiar with him. With this kind of coaching staff, we're looking for even better things come.” The Golden Flashes begin their 2009-10 season with a dual meet at Virginia Tech on Nov. 7.

ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio Wrestling team has released its schedule for the 2009-10 season. Featured on this schedule are six home events, beginning with the Green and White Intrasquad match on November 1. The rest of November for the Bobcats will include trips to Blacksburg for the Hokie Open and East Lansing for the Michigan State Open. Much of the Green and White's December will be spent on the road, with the Bobcat Duals being the exception. After this home meet the team will travel to Northern Colorado, Air Force, The Reno Tournament of Champions and the Southern Scuffle. The `Scuffle in Greensboro will be the last event of the 2009 calendar year for the `Cats. 2010 starts off with the team traveling to the Virginia Duals, then coming home to host Northern Illinois and North Carolina State. Ohio rounds out the first month of 2010 with trips to American and Buffalo. Three of the final four dual meets will take place within the Mid-American Conference, with Kent State coming to the Convo on February 12 and the team traveling to Central and Eastern Michigan. The lone nonconference event among these will be when West Virginia meets the `Cats at the Ohio University Eastern Campus in Saint Clairsville on February 13. The final events of the 2009-10 season are the MAC Championships on March 6 and 7 (Mt. Pleasant, Mi.) and the NCAA Championships on March 18-20 (Omaha, NE).

The inaugural NWCA Coaching Leadership Academy kicked off the 2009 Convention with tremendous momentum. Twenty nine young, aspiring college coaches and twenty four mentors (seasoned veteran coaches, administrators, and business leaders) gathered for a one-day workshop, which was led by internationally renowned coaching development expert, Dr. Dan Gould of Michigan State University. The purpose of the focus group was 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, the goal of the Leadership Academy is to help coaches strengthen their CEO skills and better align their programs with educational values (i.e. improve eligibility and graduation rates, etc.). The NWCA Coaching Leadership Academy features three key components. -Online educational modules that help coaches understand general CEO principles required to protect their teams. -An "in person" workshop where coaches and mentors can collaborate to customize the general principles (learned in the online modules) to meet the unique needs on each campus. -Assigned mentor program so the coaches can receive ongoing help to overcome unique challenges on their respective campuses. "The NWCA, mentors, and the college coaches who attended cannot begin to express their gratitude to the Academy benefactors: John Harmon, Irv Naylor, and Greg Hatcher," said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "These three donors collectively provided enough grant money to pay all travel, lodging, and convention registration expenses for the coaches to participate in the Academy, many of which would not otherwise been able to attend. "Many thanks also needs to be given to Dave Bunning and Mark Mestemacher who collectively have underwritten all of the development costs associated with the Leadership Academy course curriculum. Both of them played pivotal roles in underwriting the entire development of the College Coaches Leadership Academy." Lt. General Martin Steele, retired United State Marine Corps, was also on hand as the keynote speaker for the Academy. His address to the attendees was, "Making Transitions: A Key to Effective Leadership." His message was extremely motivating to all in attendance. "This was a tremendous opportunity for those who have given so much to the sport, but it was also more importantly a time to reach out to those who will shape the future. This will eventually help their athletes, colleges, and communities to shape the future leaders of this sport," said Lt. Gen. Steele. He encouraged the coaches in the room to seize off of each other's strengths rather than attack each other's weaknesses. Also to be better tomorrow than they are today. One of the primary purposes of this Academy was to group coaches according to "likeness of institution," then to assign mentors to each group, and through the use of professional facilitators, stimulate discussion aimed at establishing "best practices" for overcoming some of the greatest challenges on each respective campus. All twenty nine coaches will complete "part two" of the Academy next summer and then their graduation will be celebrated at the 2010 NWCA convention. Coaches and mentors from all collegiate divisions (Division I, II, III, NAIA) were represented at the Academy. One of the primary topics discussed at the workshop was the importance of building relationships with key decision-making people on campus, in the community, with athletes, parents, and alumni. Todd Hibbs, who recently retired as head coach at Olivet College and has now stepped into an administrative role, was brought into the Academy as a mentor and a presenter. His message was delivered on topics that focused on character, integrity, ethics, alumni and administration as opposed to the technical and tactical aspects of coaching. "What I admired the most was the cross learning that took place between the mentors and the coaches. This helped the sport so much more than I have seen before. You had rivals both young and old sharing their experiences with one another, focusing on the important topics that effect our sport daily, not talking double legs and single legs," said Hibbs. "I left that Academy proud of this sport, because we worked together; we shared our faults and our victories." There was talk of the Leadership Academy all through the convention that followed, all of which was extremely positive. "I am very proud that not only do I serve the role as NWCA President, but that I was also selected to be among the mentors for the inaugural NWCA Leadership Academy. To be part of this group is an honor as so much was shared between the experienced coaches and those who are just beginning their coaching careers. Each and every one of us was able to walk away with something," said NWCA President and University of Buffalo head coach Jim Beichner. Coaches who participated in the Academy came from different backgrounds and divisions, some who are just within their first few weeks as a head coach to those within their first five years. Second-year head coach Trent Goodale of South Carolina's Limestone College said, "The NWCA Leadership Academy has been the most beneficial coaching experience I have ever been involved in. I was able to learn from some of the greatest coaches in the country. It showed me that there are many different ways in which a team can be successful, and even the greatest programs and coaches have overcome much adversity. I am very appreciative of the mentors taking time out of their busy schedules to help educate some of the coaches, such as myself, that could be the future of our great sport." A recurring theme throughout the Leadership Academy and the convention was that no program was safe from being discontinued. The coach should be doing everything in his power to make sure that his program is well represented on campus and in the community. All intercollegiate wrestling programs are being evaluated against other teams at their respective schools. It is important for every one of our wrestling programs to outperform the other sports at their school in every evaluated area. Tom Layte, at MIT, and Shawn Charles at Arizona State attended the Academy and both represented very challenging situations. They must all figure out a way to completely endow their programs or face certain elimination in the future. In this deteriorating economy, there are many more coaches who will likely find themselves in similar situations. The key is to be proactive with your fundraising and make sure the money is flowing in from alumni and friends before there is a crisis on your campus. Once the announcement is made to eliminate a program, it is generally too late to save it. Charles, who took over the Sun Devils program this summer, is in a unique situation. A little over a year ago, the program was announced as being dropped effective immediately. In a very unique turn of events due to some influential people, the program was reinstated within two weeks, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done by Charles and his staff. "What stuck out to me through this Academy, was the ability I had to sit down with mentors and talk about how to raise money towards an endowment," said Charles. "ASU is in a unique situation thanks to Art Martori who is currently funding the program; however our overall goal is to get the program endowed. I was able to sit down with (Cornell coach) Rob Koll and some of the other mentors to discuss how to effectively fundraise for our program." "This experience has taught me that I need to constantly be cultivating relationships with our alumni, boosters, and community right away. I would recommend this Academy to all coaches." Tom Layte, the part-time Head Coach at MIT, is at another school that desperately needs fundraising help after being dropped this past spring. He at this point is hopefully that the funding is there and that the university will rule in their favor to reinstate the program. "What I took back with me from the Leadership Academy, was information from the areas I did not focus on as much before being a part-time coach. As I have come to learn these areas are vital to my program as our school dropped the program in April due to budget cuts throughout the university. I need to focus my efforts to have a better relationship with my administration, engage my alumni, to grow support in the community and to fundraise at every possible turn. My goal after this Academy is to begin to model our program after more successful programs, and hopefully we will soon see our program reinstated for the 2009-10 season," said Layte. The goal is to eventually have all college coaches and their assistants go through this course, in small groups each year. The NWCA is also discussing trying to expand this Academy to college seniors who are planning to become coaches after graduation. Former Iowa head coach Dan Gable was on hand throughout the Academy as one of the featured speakers but also to listen to what these coaches were saying, along with giving some of his personal advice. "What was interesting to me as an observer," said Gable, "was that I really did not see one person in that room that wasn't taking in every aspect of what was said in that 24-hour workshop. Even for those seasoned veteran coaches, who have been successful like Tom Borrelli, Jim Miller, and Jeff Swenson, when you see coaches like that sitting there taking notes and being entertained and energized about our profession, it gives me a sense of pride." "I looked around and wished that all 265 programs were represented; it would have been a huge momentum leap for this sport, together. If you were at any point questioning what you were doing as a coach this Academy was energizing. We still have a lot of work to be done, and the key is staying energized, which will happen with these coaches. That is where the impact is, in keeping the momentum from what took place with those coaches; that is the impact we are looking for," said Gable. The 24 hours these coaches and mentors spent together hopefully will leave a lasting impression. This was not a time to talk about wrestling and how to coach your athletes to make their skills stronger. This was a lesson in life that many situations will come the way of a college coach, no matter the size of the school you coach at and down the road seeing how to react and what can be learned. It was not about winning and losing, but a lesson in humility and sharing those learning experiences with others. Participants included: Shawn Charles (Arizona State), Mark Branch (Wyoming), Teague Moore (Clarion), Beau Vest (Dana), Tim Homan (Sioux Falls), JohnMark Bentley (Appalachian State), Risto Marttinen (Cal State-Fullerton), Ben Stehura (Cleveland State), Todd Roberts (Millersville), Jason Borrelli (Stanford), Heath Eslinger (Chattanooga), Dax Charles (CSU-Pueblo), Trent Goodale (Limestone), Ryan Smith (Newman), Ben Berogan (Mary), Jason York (Bridgewater State), John Garriques (Centenary), Tony Islas (Knox), Tom Layte (MIT), Casey Brewster (Sacred Heart), Joey Rivera (East Stroudsburg), Joe Pollard (College of New Jersey), Mike Kocsis (Muhlenberg), Clint Manny (Simpson College), Greg Ilaria (Merchant Marine Academy), Casey Stouffer (Mt. St Joseph's), Brandon Brissette (Olivet), Scott Hawes (Hannibal-LaGrange), and Thomas Prairie (Plymouth State). Mentors and Presentors included:Lt. General Martin Steele (ret.), Derek van der Mewre, Dan Gould, Alan Utter, Joe McFarland, Brian Smith, Greg Strobel, Pat Pecora, Paul Kendle, Jim Beichner, Jim Fallis, Ron Beaschler, Jim Miller, Jeff Swenson, Dan Harris, Jim Makovsky, Todd Hibbs, Col. Billy Walker, Tom Borrelli, Rande Stottlemyer, Dave Icenhower, Darrell Randall, Rob Koll, Dave Kemmy and Tom Kessler.

For many high school athletes, the college decision process can be difficult and stressful. But for Trey Stavrum, who competes for the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the decision to commit to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga was anything but difficult and stressful. It was a no-brainer. "The new coaching staff played a big part in my decision to commit to UTC," said Stavrum, who admits that UTC was his first and only choice. "I'm a real big fan of Heath Eslinger and the guys he brought in. It's also real close to home. I'm from Chattanooga." Stavrum is a four-time Tennessee Division II state placewinner. His highest finish at the state tournament came this past season when he placed third at 135 pounds. He has also been a member of four state championship teams at the Baylor School, the same school that produced Jordan Leen, a three-time All-American and NCAA champion for Cornell. Stavrum said that he will likely compete at 145 pounds for his senior season. He projects at 149 pounds in college.

Boiling Springs, N.C. -- The Gardner-Webb Wrestling Team, in partnership with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, is pleased to announce its First Annual 'GWU Wrestlers Run for the Son' charity fundraising event which will take place on Saturday, October 3 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. In this special fundraising opportunity open to everyone, each GWU Wrestling team member will run as many laps around the track in Spangler Stadium at Gardner-Webb University as he can in one hour. The GWU Wrestling team is looking for sponsors for each wrestler. These sponsorships can be a specified amount per lap, or simply a one-time donation. The Bulldog Wrestling program will donate half of all proceeds directly to the campus of Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization. All donations are tax deductible and will include the option of a membership into the Bulldog Club for the amount donated. "We are really excited about this event. It is the first time we have done anything like this, and it gives us the opportunity to help out our campus FCA group,” commented Assistant Coach Daniel Elliott. “We will be able to give back to the University in the Christian realm, and also help out our fellow athletes in the FCA. This gives us the opportunity to use our position as a college athletics team to work within the community with something other than wrestling. It should be a very good event for everyone involved." The ‘GWU Wrestlers Run for the Son’ event will take place at the Gardner-Webb Football Center on the morning of Saturday, October 3rd, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Refreshments and a cookout for all participants and supporters will immediately follow the conclusion of the one-hour run. If you would like to take part in this great opportunity please contact Assistant Coach Daniel Elliott at (704) 406-2139.

Linda Shields

Mike Allen

2006 World Champion Bill Zadick and 2000 Olympic Champion Brandon Slay will be radio show guests Wednesday night. Bill Zadick won four high school state titles in Montana. Zadick was a two-time NCAA All-American and 1996 NCAA champion at 142 pounds for the University of Iowa. He won the gold at the World Championships in 2006 at the age of 33 in the 145.5 pound freestyle division in Guangzhou, China. He also placed 7th in the World in 2001. Zadick recently retired from competition and is currently the Resident Coordinator and Assistant National Coach at USA Wrestling. Brandon Slay won an Olympic gold medal in 2000 in Sydney, Australia at 167 pounds. Slay recorded a stunning defeat of Russian Bouvaisaa Saitiev by a score of 4-3 in overtime in the pool round. Saitiev is considered one of the greatest wrestlers in the history of the sport, winning Olympic gold in 1996, 2004, and 2008 and won an amazing six world titles. A native of Amarillo, Texas, Slay was a two-time NCAA runner-up for Pennsylvania University and is now on staff at USA Wrestling as the Resident Freestyle Coach. “On the Mat" is a presentation of the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum and can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa each Wednesday from 5:00 - 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.

Most guys who have only two fights don’t dominate guys with over 20 fights. Most guys who don’t train a ton the last few months due to commitments to amateur wrestling camps and helping his little brother among others at the University of Missouri train in wrestling don’t look good in their third fight. Usually this is a recipe for an eye opening, potential disaster. Then the truth begins to set in; most of us aren’t Ben Askren. Askren dominated Friday night against his more experienced opponent, winning with an impressive north-south choke 1:15 into the first round at the Scott Casber-promoted DM MaxFights “Ballroom Brawl.” We began the night with many questions surrounding Askren’s MMA development, whether he was ready for such a test. I was reminded that nobody that has entered the MMA realm past or present has the background of Ben “Funky” Askren. I saw Ben about an hour before his fight. I walked up introduced myself, and wished him good luck. When I looked in his eyes, I saw a calm fighter, one who looked to have a secret. He knew he was going to circle, be patient and take Delanoit down, and submit him. We all knew that was going to be his game plan, but we didn’t know how easy it would be. Delanoit (13-8) looked to stand and trade punches early, Askren went for a shot, and Delaniot did a good job of sprawling until they clinched in the fence. Keeping double under hooks, Delanoit fended off the Askren inside trip attempt. After a couple knees and some posturing against the cage, Askren dropped levels and used a single leg of sorts to get the fight to the mat. It looked as though Askren may have fallen into a triangle choke with his head in position near Delanoit’s legs, but Askren coolly used his top game to control Delanoit, rotate to gain side control and sink in the choke. In a post fight interview, Askren admitted that his striking needs work, and that when it gets even a “little” better, he would like to stand and strike more. Askren can take anybody down and win in this fashion on any venue; he will need to develop solid combos to work in harmony with his wrestling. These are things he’s aware of ... now it’s not a matter of “if” but “when” Ben Askren is on a big stage. Training with other former collegiate wrestlers at the Arizona Combat gym will further develop his game. If we thought others looked good making the transition from NCAA champion to MMA fighter, we haven’t seen anything yet. Let the Askren hype train begin, Dana White, Scott Coker, you’re on the clock, it’s time for “Funky” on a big stage. Around the cage ... Thoughts from UFC 102: Randy Couture re-signs with UFC for six more fights, loses to a tough Antonio Nougeria ... Jake Rosholt looked impressive with a third-round submission via arm triangle over fan favorite Chris Leben. Rosholt used his takedowns and impressive improved striking to keep Leben off-balance the entire fight. Awesome performance by Rosholt on the main card. It looked every bit as dominant as college teammate Johny Hendricks' win at UFC 101’s main card. Rosholt was also awarded a $60,000 bonus for submission of the night, Team Takedown is on a roll ... Aaron Simpson, a two time All-American at Arizona State, won his UFC debut by beating the popular Ed Herman. Herman, who has six fights in the UFC, was dominated by Simpson in the standup game with great accuracy in his striking and dropped and stunned Herman in the middle of the first round, and ending the round with his powerful takedowns wearing Herman out and leading to a knee injury, Herman could not continue in the second. Simpson is now 6-0 ... Mark Munoz, a 2001 NCAA champion for Oklahoma State, grinded out a controversial three-round split decision to former Rider University and NCAA qualifier Nick Catone. Both fighters fought with grit and determination, both landing takedowns and brutal right hooks. Catone stunned Munoz early, but Munoz had the better ground game, look for a rematch ... Well’s that it for this week. Check out former Michigan state alum Gray Maynard. who is co headlining UFC’s Fight Night on Wednesday, September 16 against former Augsburg wrestler Roger Huerta. Also in action that night are former wrestlers C.B. Dollaway, Mike Pyle, and Mark Piece.

North Carolina State's Darrion Caldwell sent shockwaves through the wrestling world when he defeated Iowa's Brent Metcalf to win the NCAA title at 149 pounds this past season. Caldwell parlayed that performance into making his first U.S. National Freestyle Team by placing third at the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa. InterMat recently talked to Caldwell about whether he plans to wrestle this season or redshirt, whether pursuing a football career is still a possibility, what his experience was like at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, how he wants to be remembered as a wrestler, and much more. Darrion Caldwell (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)There has been a lot of speculation as to whether you will wrestle this season at North Carolina State or redshirt. What's your plan? Caldwell: Right now my plan is to redshirt. November is two months away. I'm just getting ready for the 2010-2011 season, but also getting ready to train with my teammates and work the incoming freshmen. Why redshirt this season? Caldwell: For me personally, it's the best decision. I have to maintain my grades and make sure I graduate. I'll graduate in December of 2010 or in the spring of 2011. So is football out of the equation right now? Caldwell: Yes, right now football is out of the equation. I'm taking steps toward winning an Olympic gold medal in 2012. Hopefully I can earn a spot on the U.S. World Team at the next couple U.S. World Team Trials. I heard that you once ran a 4.5 40 in the rain. Is that true? Caldwell: Yes, that is true. Actually, it wasn't in the rain, but the rain had just stopped about 30 minutes ago, so it was pretty slippery. You placed third at the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials, losing in the finals of the Challenge Tournament to Jared Frayer. You made your first U.S. National Team, but missed out making the U.S. World Team. Describe your emotions after that tournament? Caldwell: I felt like there was a lot of work that has to be done. I still feel that way. The preparation I have been putting in since May to become a solid freestyle wrestler has helped a lot. I feel like it has also helped my folkstyle game tremendously. Darrion Caldwell defeated 2008 Olympian Doug Schwab en route to placing third at the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)You spent some time training at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs this past spring and summer. What was that experience like for you? Caldwell: It was good. I got to work out with the best wrestlers in America and get coached by the best coaches in America. I learned what I need to do to better my game at freestyle from the greats like John Smith, Brandon Slay, Bobby Douglas, and Zeke Jones, just to name a few. It was a tremendous opportunity. I have just been enjoying myself ... enjoying everything that has been coming my way. This is what I love to do. I can honestly say that since I have been out there, I love wrestling that much more. It has become a part of me. When I got out there, I didn't know what to expect, but it has just made me that much more passionate about the sport. Having spent time with members of the U.S. World Team this spring and summer, what are your expectations for the U.S at the World Championships in Herning, Denmark? Caldwell: I'm looking for a strong start and a strong finish from the team. We have great guys on the team from the bottom up. I feel like everyone on the team is capable of winning the gold medal at the tournament or at least placing. It's as simple as that. I don't feel like we have any holes. This past college wrestling season, you lost by technical fall to Brent Metcalf at the NWCA All-Star Classic before beating him in the NCAA finals. What did that loss at the NWCA All-Star Classic to Metcalf to do to you? Caldwell: It basically told me that I had to get mentally tougher and be more under control. I feel like everything changed after that match. I feel like I got that much better after that loss. Darrion Caldwell defeated Iowa's Brent Metcalf, 11-6, to win the NCAA title (Photo/Tech-Fall.com.com)Many people viewed Brent Metcalf unbeatable in college. Was the Metcalf hype overblown? Caldwell: No, I definitely don't believe it was overblown. He's a tremendous wrestler. His credentials basically speak for themselves. There's not much that you can say about his record that is bad. You can look at his films and there is not much that he does wrong. He rarely loses. So I definitely don't feel like it was overblown. Did you thrive on being the underdog in your NCAA finals match against Metcalf? Caldwell: No, I always just feel like the best man should win. That's something that has been instilled in me since I was young. My dad always said the best man should win. And growing up, he put it in my head that I'm the best man out there. Nobody should be able to beat me. There are a lot of very talented wrestlers returning to college wrestling this season, including U.S. World Team members Dustin Schatter and Jake Varner. Brent Metcalf and Jordan Burroughs both return. Who do you view as the best pound-for-pound college wrestler competing this season? Caldwell: That's a very hard question to answer. There's not just one person I can say. There are a lot of great wrestlers, like you said, Schlatter, Varner, Metcalf and Burroughs. I feel like they are the most dominant wrestlers in college. That's just my opinion. Darrion Caldwell (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)You wrestle for a program, North Carolina State, that is not one of the traditional powers in college wrestling. Coming out of high school, what colleges showed interest in you? And why did you decide on North Carolina State? Caldwell: Indiana showed interest. I liked the coaching staff. Reggie Wright was there at the time. Nebraska showed interest. And obviously North Carolina State. Those were the main three that I was interested in ... that showed interest in me. I chose North Carolina State because I thought could excel academically and also do two sports. When your wrestling career is over, how do you want to be remembered? Caldwell: Basically I want to be remembered as a funny guy off the mat ... and on the mat, dangerous and entertaining. I want people to say, 'Man, that guy is good. I would pay twice the admission to see him wrestle.'

Alaska's Nathan Hoffer was pretty much wide open with his college decision ... that is until Ben Askren came to a wrestling camp in Alaska. "I was wrestling around with Ben Askren," said Hoffer, who is ranked as InterMat's No. 74 recruit in the country. "He wanted me to come to Missouri, but then he moved to Arizona and told those guys about me. He really got me interested in Arizona State and about the guys in the program, how it's coming up, how they have the Sunkist Kids. I just felt like it was the best wrestling program for me." Hoffer, a three-time Alaska state champion for East Anchorage High School and a 2009 NHSCA Junior Nationals champion at 140 pounds, told InerMat that he chose Arizona State over Old Dominion, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Wyoming. Hoffer is the second InterMat top 100 recruit to commit to Arizona State in the past four days. On Friday, Arizona State received a verbal commitment from Louis Trujillo of New Mexico, who is ranked as InterMat's No. 15 recruit in the country. Ironically, Trujillo defeated Hoffer, 4-3, in the semifinals of NHSCA Sophomore Nationals. Hoffer still has wrestling goals he would like to accomplish before he heads to Tempe. "I want to win state for the last time, obviously," said Hoffer. "I want to set the takedown record in Alaska. I'm going to go to Reno this winter and want to win that after taking third last year." Hoffer is expected to compete at 141 pounds in college.

Event: UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira Venue: Rose Garden Arena, Portland, Oregon Date: August 29, 2009 Randy Couture and UFC MonsterIn my opinion, this is the best UFC card ever. At least until Dana White sets the next one … and, this is despite the fact that there is not one title fight on the eleven-fight card! It is the mission of the UFC Monster to study the Las Vegas betting line and the line movement as it relates to mixed martial arts, in order to find opportunities to beat the daylights out of the bookie, and turn passive fans into passionate winners. And, I’m on a roll with four (4) straight winning sessions (UFC #’s 98, 99, 100, 101 for a total net profit of $680) since posting such predictions on InterMatt. Just think, anyone following my predictions would now have earned a lifetime Platinum subscription to this Web site! Not bad. Let’s take a look at these epic battles, starting with the featured event pitting two MMA heavyweight legends, Randy “The Natural” COUTURE (16-9-0) vs. Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” NOGUEIRA (31-5-1). Randy is fighting in his backyard, the question is will he have much left at age 46? Nogueira is also a battered warrior, looking much older than his age of 33. Randy wins this one with a classic lesson on dirty boxing. Nogueira needs just one opportunity to end the fight with a submission, but Randy hasn’t been submitted in seven years and he will make it difficult to get anything but a hometown decision with a convincing clinic. This time Randy’s a favorite at –175. When the opening line came out on light heavyweights Keith “the Dean of Mean” JARDINE (14-6-1) and Thiago SILVA (13-1-0), I couldn’t believe that they made Silva a +185 underdog, so I invested. Over the next few weeks the public joined the parade and now you will be lucky to find Silva at +125. Jardine is a vicious kicker and can make an opponent look bad enough to win a decision. He also has plenty of striking power that often ends the fights with little doubt as to the winner. But Thiago Silva is a beast, whose only loss was to the Dragon Lyota Machida. Silva ends his fights with knockouts, and I see this as a toe-to-toe war with one man soon to drop. Hopefully that man will be the ex-bounty hunter, Keith Jardine. The value lies with the Brazilian. Take Silva at +125 or whatever you can get. I’ll call it a second-round KO. This is my “Fight of the Night.” When middleweights Nate “The Great” MARQUARDT (31-8-2) takes on Demian MAIA (11-0-0), we have a truly great striker and ground expert against one of the world’s elite jiu-jitsu black belts. The winner most likely gets a title shot at Anderson “Spider” Silva. Both make for interesting fights, but this one holds my interest. I agree with Dana that if Maia gets you to the mat, it’s flat-out over. His suffocating submission holds leave no room for escape. He is a reincarnate of the legendary Royce Gracie. And, he’s a juicy ‘dog at +145, but I believe that Marquardt is the far superior striker, and has the takedown defense and jits experience to avoid getting caught by the boa constrictor. Maia’s on a mission to prove that jiu-jitsu leads all mixed martial arts disciplines, but Nate ain’t buying! Take Marquardt and lay the –175. He earns a close decision over a determined Maia. Middleweight Chris “The Crippler” LEBEN (18-5-0) is a fan favorite due to his aggressive, banging style. He throws haymakers and pushes forward, and unless you can get him to the mat, you will soon see stars. His opponent, Jake ROSHOLT (5-1-0) is well known for being a multiple NCAA wrestling champion with Okie State, and someone who likes to take it to the mat. His UFC debut was a disastrous loss to Dan Miller, who choked him out within minutes. Inexperience could again be Rosholt’s Achille’s heal, if he tries to stand and trade punches with Leben. But, I like the value of a great wrestler against a dominant puncher and the +120 on Rosholt puts me in his camp for this one! He wins by decision. … and in the remaining main card event, we have two light heavyweights, Brandon “The Truth” VERA (10-3-0) against a red-hot Krzysztof “The Polish Experiment” SOSZYNSKI (19-9-1). Vera has forever been knocking on the door of contention, but a slump put him back down the long UFC ladder with time running out. His stand-up game, led by aggressive kicking, should hold Soszynski at bay. If Vera can avoid going to the mat and getting submitted, he will win another judge’s decision as a –200 favorite. And, now let’s look at the undercard. Middleweight Ed “Short Fuse” HERMAN (17-6-0) should have enough experience in ground work to submit up-and-comer Aaron “A-Train” SIMPSON (5-0-0). A second-round rear-naked choke ends this one with Herman cashing at a nice price of –120. Gabriel “Napao” GONZAGA (10-4-1) once was considered the heir apparent for the heavyweight crown after crumpling up Mirko Cro Cop’s body with a lethal kick to the head. But Randy soon ended that dream, and now Gonzaga climbs the ladder again. He will take on journeyman Chris “The Crowbar” TUCHSCHERER (17-1-0), who has fought in lesser venues against unknown opponents. His only hope will be to land a “lights out” punch before Gonzaga breaks his arm with a powerful submission. This one lasts less than two minutes with Gonzaga chewing the camera up, and “the Crowbar” sprawled on the mat with a dangling arm. It’s okay to bridge jump at –350 as this one will be easy. I am following a simple strategy in the next two fights. I see two heavyweight fights that should be closer than the bookies make the odds, so I will take BOTH underdogs and hope to at least split, to make a nice profit. If either ‘dog wins, we add to the bankroll. It’s called leverage on your money. Justin “The Nsane1” McCULLY (9-4-2) is a reckless goofball with a puncher’s chance of beating policeman Mike RUSSO (11-1-0), a real life cop. He’s worth the risk at +225. And, big Tim “The Thrashing Machine” HAGUE (10-1-0) will find a way to end Todd DUFFEE’s unbeaten streak (5-0-0). He wins by second-round KO and cashes at +160. Middleweights Mark “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” MUNOZ (5-1-0) and Nick CATRONE (7-1-0) are former collegiate wrestlers (Okie State and Rider) who will take this to the ground to settle. Munoz is the better wrestler and will control this one as a --200 favorite. Mark looked great in yesterday’s weigh-ins, as well. Not an ounce of fat anywhere. In the only lightweight fight on the card Evan DUNHAM (8-0-0) will learn that he is not yet ready for primetime, as Marcus “Maximus” AURELIO (19-7-0) takes him apart before winning a third-round submission by armbar. Aurelio offers great value at –140. So, that’s it. Action on every fight, with seven (7) favorites and four (4) underdogs. Every fighter eventually gets clocked. And, the UFC Monster is due to take a beating. But I’ve learned from Dan Gable that you will NEVER win expecting to lose! So, I’m planning on heading to the winner’s window (again) still unbeaten for InterMat. I hope I’m not alone! Let’s get it on!!! Let’s take a look now at how to distribute our risk over the UFC fight card, using our “fictitious” $1000 bankrol … Main card: Let’s lay $175 to win $100 on Randy “the Natural” Couture. Let’s lay $ 80 to win $100 on Thiago Silva. Let’s lay $ 60 to win $75 on Jake Rosholt. Let’s lay $140 to win $80 on Nate “the Great” Marquardt. Let’s lay $100 to win $50 on Brandon Vera. Undercard: Let’s lay $90 to win $75 on Ed “Short Fuse” Herman. Let’s lay $105 to win $30 on a bridge jump on “Napao” Gonzalez. Let’s lay $40 to win $90 on Justin McCully. Let’s lay $40 to win $64 on Tim Hague. Let’s lay $100 to win $50 on a very fit Mark Munoz. Let’s lay $70 to win $50 on Marcus Aurelio. In total, we are risking $1000 to win $764. Enjoy the fights and don’t forget to support your local youth wrestling programs where future champions are born.

Dave Kemmy

Hello InterMat readers. My name is Tony Nguyen and I'm the newest member of the InterMat family! I was recently hired at InterMat to cover mixed martial arts, specifically focusing in on amateur wrestlers who make the transition to MMA. Wrestling fans often times follow wrestlers from the time they are in high school through their college wrestling careers. Unfortunately, many wrestlers get minimal media coverage when they switch to MMA. Our goal is to highlight successful wrestlers making the transition to MMA. On my first assignment, I will be traveling to Des Moines tonight (August 28) with InterMat senior writer Andrew Hipps. Our colleague and friend, Scott Casber, is promoting a MaxFightsDM event called the “Ballroom Brawl.” It’s also the first all-pro MMA card in Des Moines (www.maxfightsdm.com). One name on this card that may intrigue InterMat readers: Ben Askren. Ben Askren (2-0) vs. Matt Delanoit (13-6) Ben Askren’s wrestling career has been well documented. Two-time NCAA champion. Two-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner. 2008 Olympian. Very few MMA fighters have the past experience and skill set that Askren brings to the table. But the question remains: Can he take the next step? After watching what NCAA champions like Brock Lesnar, Josh Koscheck, Johny Hendricks, and Mark Munoz have accomplished in MMA in a relatively short period of time, one can conclude that Askren has limitless potential. Ben Askren faces his stiffest test against Matt Delanoit (Photo/BenAskren.net)Delanoit is 13-6 professionally. He has great fight experience and comes from a solid camp, Top Gun MMA. He already has a fight booked after the Askren fight. He will be on the main Adrenaline MMA card against Jeremy Lang live on HDNet September 18 in Council Bluffs, Iowa Who will win? The fans ... That's who. Questions will be answered. Askren is making a huge jump in competition. A win here puts him in line to get to a bigger venue like the UFC, Strikeforce, or even the previously mentioned Adrenaline MMA card. A loss will set him back six months of basic training. Askren plans to move to Arizona, where he will be an assistant wrestling coach at Arizona State and train at Arizona Combat Sports, that already has UFC fighters and former amateur wrestlers like Ryan Bader and C.B. Dalloway. I believe that once Askren finds his rhythm, range, and gets the takedowns, he will secure a three-round decision over Delanoit. I want everyone to know that as InterMat readers, you have a voice. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, article suggestions, or wrestlers turned MMA fighters you would like us to research. Or better yet, if you are like me, a former high school wrestler who is training, or has trained, that would like to shed light on what it’s like, shoot me a line. It’s tough with the UFC Monster always picking winners, so I try to stay away from making predictions. Make sure to read his analysis and predictions before UFC events. For all the latest MMA news, rumors, and more, check out my Twitter page at www.twitter.com/tonynguyenmma.

NORMAN, Okla. -- University of Oklahoma head wrestling coach Jack Spates announced the hiring of Michael Lightner as assistant coach Thursday. “It is with great joy that I announce the official hiring of Michael Lightner,” Spates said. “He will make a tremendous addition to our staff. His passion for our great sport, our student-athletes and this university is going to have a great impact on our program. ” Lightner served as volunteer assistant last season with the Sooners and club coach in 2007. His new duties include recruiting for the program, directing the Oklahoma Open and summer camps, as well as training and instructing current Sooner wrestlers. A product of Marlow, Okla., Lightner recorded one of the most impressive wrestling careers in Oklahoma history from 1998-2001. He claimed the national title in 2001 and was four times crowned Big 12 champion at 141 pounds. Lightner became a four-time All-American, an honor only nine others in school history have claimed. He can be found in various school records, including second in career wins with a 144-16 record. His 37-0 record his senior season led him to the national title and he became the 13th Sooner to go undefeated in a season. “I loved my time here at OU and am excited to have a bigger role in the program,” Lightner said. “I am excited to step in and help bring the program back to national prominence. This staff’s goal is to lead OU to its first national title since 1974.” Wrestling at Marlow High School, Lightner recorded a 130-1 overall record, capturing the state title all four years. The four-year letterman also claimed second at Junior Nationals. After his career with the Sooners, Lightner remained at OU as a club coach from 2001-2004 while training for international competition. During that three year stint, Oklahoma won the Big 12 conference title in 2002, claimed seven individual conference champions, 17 All-Americans and three national champions. In 2005 Lightner moved to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., to focus on his international wrestling career. In 2005 he was crowned champion at U.S. Nationals and the World Team Trials and was named as a World Team member. The following year he was runner-up at U.S. Nationals and placed second at the U.S. World Team Trials. He is married to his wife of two years, Lindsey.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Alex Clemsen has been named assistant wrestling coach at Virginia, as announced today by UVa head coach Steve Garland. Clemsen, a 2007 Edinboro graduate, served the last two years as Oregon State's Director of Wrestling Operations. "We are very excited to have Alex joining our staff," Garland said. "As a student-athlete he trained in one of the most successful systems in the country at Edinboro and as the director of operations at Oregon State he has worked with some of the best coaches around. He is a very intelligent, passionate and hard-working guy who has a lot to offer our kids." Clemsen boasts an impressive resume. During his time at Oregon State, the Beavers had seven NCAA qualifiers, one All-American and an Academic All-American. At Edinboro, Clemsen was an All-American and four-time NCAA qualifier while posting a 121-35 career record. He was just the 14th wrestler to win four Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championships, and he also was named an Eastern Wrestling League Champion. He ended his career with the ninth-most wins in Edinboro history. At the international level, Clemsen was a University Nationals All-American and a University World Team Trials runner-up. Clemsen also was a two-time Academic All-American, graduating with the highest GPA of any wrestler in school history. At Moberly Senior High School, Clemsen finished with a 158-7 career record and was an All-American. He twice posted perfect records, while winning the Missouri state championship three times and advancing to the state finals all four years. Clemsen also holds the state record with 27 tournaments won. In addition, he received Academic All-America honors. A native of Moberly, Mo., Clemsen graduated in 2007 from Edinboro with a bachelor's degree in business administration with concentrations in financial services and marketing.

Louis Trujillo of Rio Rancho High School in New Mexico has informed InterMat that he has given a verbal commitment to Arizona State. Trujillo is ranked as InterMat's No. 15 recruit from the Class of 2010. Trujillo is a three-time New Mexico state champion. He is also a three-time NHSCA Nationals champion and a Cadet Nationals champion in freestyle.