InterMat Staff

TEMPE, Ariz. -- With over 250 fans in attendance, including several former All-Americans and NCAA Champions, the Arizona State University wrestling program held its annual Maroon and Gold Wrestle-Offs Saturday morning at the Riches Wrestling Complex with the Gold team scoring a 28-16 victory in the team standings. Coached by former Sun Devil and current UFC fighter C.B. Dollaway, the Gold team won six of the 10 bouts contested to defeat the Maroon side that was led by former Sun Devil and current UFC Ultimate Fighter Season 8 contestant Ryan Bader. While there were several thrilling victories on the mats, there also were many victories off the mats as the wrestling community again helped the Sun Devil program and their quest to fully endow the program as nearly $11,000 in both cash contributions and donor commitments were recorded on the day. All the money raised is going toward the Save ASU Wrestling Endowment fund that will ensure the future of the program. On the mats, Ben Ashmore (maroon) got things going in a hurry at 125 pounds as he scored an early takedown of Jason Carrillo and worked on a turn before sticking Carrillo for the pin at 2:59, just one second before the end of the first period. Ashmore's exhibition bout victory staked the maroon team to an early 6-0 lead. Just as quickly as the maroon team got on the board, the gold squad answered as Anthony Robles, the preseason No. 8 wrestler in the nation, recorded an early takedown of his own over David Prado and collected several turns for three near-fall points to build a 15-0 lead in the first period and claim a technical fall victory and the starting position for the Sun Devils. Leading 6-5, maroon's Tyler Bowles padded his squad's lead as he downed Angel Alegre, 4-0, at 133 pounds to push the advantage to 9-5 and set up a showdown with Orlando Jimenez later in the week to determine the starter. Maroon raised its lead to 13-5 following the 141 bout as Chris Drouin, ranked No. 7 in the preseason polls, picked up a 13-3 major decision over Travis Forester. But, that lead was cut down again at 149 pounds as the gold team's Vicente Varela pinned Tony Ruiz in 2:28 to earn six team points and push the score to 13-11 in favor of the maroon team after the 149 bout. At the halfway point, former Sun Devil Markus Mollica was introduced to the crowd and the recent ASU Hall of Fame inductee spoke to everyone about his time as a Sun Devil and the wrestling facility. The four-time All-American and two-time NCAA champion was on hand after his enshrinement into the Hall on Friday night and his appearance at the ASU-Oregon football game Saturday night. With the intermission over, the wrestling resumed with Jerrad Trulson scoring a 13-2 major decision over Josh Calteux at 157 pounds to put the gold team on top, 15-13. With the lead in hand, the gold team would extend the lead with wins in the next three bouts to build a 28-13 advantage with one bout to go. At 165 pounds, Kyle DeBerry picked up a 12-1 major decision over the maroon team's Sal Musto before Jake Meredith won by injury default at 184 pounds over Jake Cranford just 2:43 into the match. The gold team's final victory came at 197 with Thor Moen securing a 6-2 win over Nick Williams. The final bout of the day saw Erik Nye win a 7-0 decision over Imanibom Etukeren to give the maroon team three more points and a 28-16 victory for the gold team. Dollaway and Bader were not the only alums in attendance as two-time All-American and current UFC fighter Cain Velasquez was mat side, as well as many other former Sun Devils, including former NCAA Champion Eddie Urbano (150 pounds in 1985). Current WEC lightweight champion Jamie Varner, who trains at Arizona Combat Sports with Dollaway and Bader, was on hand as well. Prior to the start of the wrestle-offs, Urbano and Patrick Pitsch, a three-time Pac-10 Champion for the Sun Devils, conducted a free technique clinic for the youth wrestlers. Nearly 50 wrestlers were in attendance as the former Sun Devils demonstrated takedown techniques and other wrestling moves. While many of the weight class starters were determined on Saturday, a few question marks remain and will be answered in the coming week, including the starters at 133 (Jimenez vs. Bowles), 157 (Trulson vs. Michael Swigart) and 174 (Eric Starks vs. Emilio Veramontes), a bout that was not contested Saturday due to an injury. Once the starters are determined, the Sun Devils will open their 2008-09 campaign on Saturday, November 8, when they take on Pac-10 foe UC Davis at 7 p.m. inside Mesa High School.

Event: UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote Venue: All State Arena (Rosemount, Illinois) Date: October 25, 2008 There may not be a more overused term in sports than, "Best pound-for-pound fighter in the world!" But, not in the UFC. Anderson SilvaMiddleweight Anderson "Spider" SILVA is da Man. He has been destroying his opponents with a vicious Muay-Thai striking style. His last fight was a one-minute exodus for James Irvin in a light-heavyweight fight. Twice Silva (22-4) has made the dominant Rich Franklin look hopeless in the Octagon. Tonight's victim will be Canadian Patrick "The Predator" COTE (14-4), a slugger with a slugger's chance. He has never been KO'd (until tonight…). Who will be next for the Spider? There aren't many flies wanting to get entangled in the Spider's web right now. Take SILVA @ -650 to KO Cote in the very first round. Lightweight Sean "The Muscle Shark" SHERK (36-3-1) has a tough assignment in trying to derail Tyson GRIFFIN (12-1), whose only loss is to Frankie Edgar. Griffin is also the only man on the planet to have a victory over WEC's Uriah Faber. I think Sherk will attack with his relentless takedowns and Griffin will tumble from position-to-position with his strong ground skills. But, that may not be enough to slow down the cardio machine known as Sherk. Too much muscle, too little takedown defense, leads to a bloody ground-and-pound second round TKO win for SHERK @ -240. Welterweight Josh KOSCHECK (13-2) is a late substitute for Diego Sanchez. He is ready to go, and favored to put Thiago "The Pit Bull" ALVES (21-4) away on the mat. But, not so fast, The Pit Bull looked great in over-powering legendary Matt Hughes. He is a giant of a man at 170 pounds, too. And most of his fights end with a KO. I see an overzealous Koscheck bull-charging and getting caught with a staggering punch that leads to a crowd-pleasing abrupt end to what we all knew would be an interesting fight. Take ALVES @ +130 to pull the upset. Gray MaynardStocky lightweight Gray MAYNARD (6-0-1) is quickly making a name for himself in the UFC at 6-0-1. He is good enough to beat previously undefeated Frankie Edgar. No small task. But does he have the experience to hang with a veteran like Rich CLEMENTI (40-12-1)? The oddsmakers think so. They've made Maynard big favorite. Too big. I'm saying that Clementi @ +210 has enough tools in his arsenal to gain a second round submission over a startled Maynard. Fabricio WERDUM (11-3-1) is a powerful puncher, but also that rare heavyweight who has solid ground skills. He is a strong jiu-jitsu expert. But, the oddsmakers have made him a prohibitive --850 favorite, which makes him unbettable. Shifting the value to his opponent, Junior DOS SANTOS (6-1), I will take a flier on this warrior's KO punching power. Perhaps an over-confident Werdum will see his lights go out from this up-and-comer? Take DOS SANTOS @ +650. Every dog has his day. On the strong undercard: Take Hermes FRANCA @ -190 to beat Marcus Aurelio by third round KO. Take Spencer FISHER @ -350 to pummel Shannon Gugerty with a second round TKO. Take Thales LEITES @ -470 to submit Drew McFedries in the very first round. Take Dan MILLER @ -350 to beat Matt Horwich with a third round submission. Take Josh BURKMAN @ -240 to defeat Pete Sell by decision. A really great fight card, folks! Now let's turn this night of fun into a bank deposit slip. Using our "fictitious" $1000 bankroll, the UFC Monster is going to the mat with the following wagers: Lay $65 to win $10 on the Spiderman. Lay $132 to win $55 on Sherk. Lay $110 to win $143 on Alves. Lay $100 to win $210 on Clementi. Lay $15 to win $ 90 on Dos Santos. Lay $142 to win $75 on Franca. Lay $140 to win $40 on Fisher. Lay $94 to win $20 on Leites. Lay $70 to win $20 on Miller. Lay $132 to win $55 on Burkman. In total we are laying $1000 to win $718. GOOD LUCK and enjoy the fights! More later. The UFC Monster

Daniel Dennis came to the University of Iowa in the fall of 2005 after finishing as a state runner-up twice in Illinois. He stepped into the Hawkeye lineup as a true freshman at 133 pounds and compiled a 20-18 record. Dennis redshirted the following season and went 13-2 wrestling unattached. Last season, he was expected to contend for the 133-pound spot in the lineup, but suffered a broken jaw in November, which kept him off the mat. While Dennis was recovering from his injury, Joe Slaton solidified himself as the starting 133-pounder for the Hawkeyes, posting a 31-5 record and reaching the NCAA finals. Daniel DennisIn April, Dennis made his mark on the national stage by winning the University Nationals title in freestyle at 60 kg, coming through a weight class that included NCAA All-Americans Franklin Gomez and Alex Tsirtsis. Dennis is expected to challenge Slaton for the starting spot in the Hawkeye lineup at 133 pounds this season. RevWrestling.com recently talked to Dennis about the upcoming season, whether he and Slaton battle in practice, whether he would ever consider transferring if he is not in the lineup, whether he would consider moving up to 141 pounds, and much more. You had an outstanding high school career, but never won a state title in Illinois. What drew you to the Iowa program coming out of high school? Dennis: Coming out of high school, I wasn't recruited much by too many Division I schools. The past accomplishments of the program drew me to Iowa. It was always a popular program. It really would have been a dream to get into it. But it wasn't realistic at the time. I got contacted by (Tim) Hartung and (Troy) Steiner. I set up a couple meetings with them and talked to them over the phone. They were out at Senior Nationals in Ohio … and I kind of caught their eye out there. So that's kind of how I ended up at Iowa. You stepped into the lineup as a true freshman for the Hawkeyes in 2005-06. What was that season like for you? Dennis: It was hard. It didn't go the way I wanted to at all. My performance wasn't where it should have been. It was hard for me to transition into college wrestling coming straight out of high school. It was a little bit hard for me to adapt … and I didn't do a very good job of it. It was a rough first year. I kind of had to get things under control. But I feel like I've made a lot of improvements since then. Last season, you suffered a broken jaw in November and missed most of the season. How frustrating was it sitting out and not being able to contribute? Daniel Dennis posted a 20-18 record as a true freshman at 133 pounds. Here he is wrestling two-time NCAA runner-up Chris Fleeger of PurdueDennis: It was extremely hard to do, especially when you feel like you're ready to compete with anyone in the country. And that's what I did feel like last year. I felt like was ready to compete with everyone at my weight class. It's really hard watching. Joe Slaton did a great job last year … for the most part. I know he didn't get what he wanted. I know I didn't get what I wanted. It's real hard sitting and watching, especially when you feel like you should be the one out there. I wrestled once … and things were going well for Joe, so it's kind of hard to take someone out when they are performing well. In April, you won the University Nationals in a weight class that included mulitple NCAA All-Americans. Your performance surprised a lot of wrestling fans across the country. Did you surprise even yourself with your performance? Dennis: No, I wasn't surprised by my performance. I wrestled well in that tournament. I don't think it was a surprise to me. I was expecting it to be two Iowa guys in the finals. Alex (Tsirtsis) and I were on opposite sides. It didn't turn out that way. I expected to win every time I stepped out on the mat. I didn't think I was going to lose to anyone in any of the matches that I was in. I did expect to win all of them. It was a stepping stone to where I want to be at the end of this season … and where I want to be at the end of next season. I wasn't celebrating too much after it. It wasn't the national title I wanted to win by any means. It wasn't going out partying and relaxing after winning it. It shows you that you're up there with everyone. I don't think I needed that. But some other people from the outside looking in may not where my mind is at … and where I belong. I think everyone involved in the program, including the coaches … or at least I would like to think they feel that I'm one of the better wrestlers at that weight. Compare Daniel Dennis as a true freshman wrestling in the Iowa lineup to Daniel Dennis now. How much better have you gotten in the two seasons since you have been in the lineup? Dennis: I feel like I would beat the hell out of me as a freshman. I don't think I was mentally strong enough. I'm sure you're familiar with the saying that the season is a grind … that's what it was for me my freshman year. But that was only because I made it like that. I'm excited. I feel like I'm much stronger mentally. Physically, I don't know how much my strength has gone up. I feel like I was a pretty strong physically my freshman year … just not mentally there. Not mentally in the right mindset for a tough match every time I step out there. It doesn't have to be, but I made it a tough match every time I stepped out there my freshman year. This year, I'm more solid and a more well-rounded wrestler. I feel like I won't have a problem on bottom like I did my freshman year. I just feel like my confidence is there … and I know my ability is much greater than it was my freshman year. Terry Brands just joined the coaching staff. Have you had a chance to work with him? And if so, what has that been like? Dennis: No, I haven't. I'm pretty excited about him coming. I actually haven't even spoken with him yet. I believe he should be here shortly. No, I haven't been able to work with him, but I think it will be really good for our program overall. You will be competing with Joe Slaton for the starting spot at 133 pounds. With that in mind, do you avoid working out with him in practice? Dennis: No. I mean, I wouldn't say that we work out regularly. Obviously, we're competing against each other, but we're competing against ourselves to get better. With that in mind, it doesn't matter who you are going with any day … as long as you're striving to get better. I wrestled with him last weekend. That was the first time in a while. He's a very tough competitor. But, no, we don't steer away from working with each other. We don't work out every day with each other. I wouldn't even say every week with each other. But if we both need a partner, we won't beat around the bush to try to get someone else. If we both need a partner, we'll go. After you won your University Nationals title in April, you were quoted as saying the following about transferring if for some reason you are not the starter: "That's absolutely ridiculous. For me to transfer, I think that would be the dumbest thing I could do." Do you still stand by that? Daniel Dennis will battle Joe Slaton for the starting spot at 133 pounds for the HawkeyesDennis: Yeah. Definitely. To me, and it should be to everyone on our team, it's not about making the lineup. It's really not. You have to have higher goals than that. Obviously, to reach your goal you have to be in the lineup. But your goal shouldn't be simply to make the lineup. I don't want to speak for everyone on our team, but I think it's the case for the majority of the people on our team. And if it's not, they need to rethink what their goals are. I really don't feel like I could grow as much at another other school as I can at Iowa … with the coaching staff that we have. So that has never been an issue … and I don't feel it will be. Would you ever consider moving up to wrestle at 141 pounds? Or are you pretty much set on staying at 133 pounds? Dennis: I don't feel like I'm a real big 133-pounder. So, no, I don't foresee myself moving up a weight class. You've had success in freestyle. Do you plan to continue training freestyle after the season with your sights set on making U.S. World and Olympic teams? Dennis: Yes, I do. As of right now, I definitely do. I don't see too many things intervening with that. I definitely plan on competing internationally after the season wherever I can, but I'm really not looking ahead too much to that right now. I'm just trying to take it one season at a time.

Lincoln -- Former Husker wrestler Jim Scherr has been selected as a 2008 inductee into the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame. The current chief executive officer of the U.S. Olympic Committee, Scherr will be honored during a banquet at the World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Tuesday. Scherr was a national champion for Nebraska at 177 pounds in 1984, along with his brother Bill, who captured the title at 190 pounds. Scherr also claimed the Big Eight title in 1984, and finished his Husker career as a two-time All-American after earning sixth-place at the 1982 NCAA Championships. Scherr continued his wrestling career on the international stage after his time in Lincoln. He wrestled freestyle for the U.S. at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, while also claiming two silvers and a bronze medal at the FILA World Championships. A native of Mobridge, S.D., Scherr has served as the CEO of the USOC since 2005 and is the first former Olympian to be named to the position. He helped guide the U.S. to its best performance ever in a non-domestic games last summer in Beijing. The 2008 class includes ESPN's College Football GameDay host Chris Fowler, who graduated from Palmer High in 1980, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb legend Leonard Vahsholtz, former Colorado College football coach Jerry Carle, University of Colorado basketball star Erin Scholz, ice hockey icon Art Berglund and the 1965 state prep baseball champions from Palmer High. For more information on the event, and to make reservation, click on the link below.

EBANON, Tenn. -- James Casadaban, Mikey Davis, Eric Metzler, Adam Myers and BJ Stewart all posted victories, leading the Maroon over the White, 24-21, Saturday during the Cumberland wrestling team's best-of-three intrasquad scrimmage at the practice facility. Casabadan defeated Brian DeCormier in the 157-pound weight class, while Davis was victorious at 141 over Matt Craig. Myers defeated Miles Taylor at 174 and Metzler posted a win at 184 against Landon Barabas. Stewart registered the final victory for the Maroon, at 285 over Justin Virtue. Desean Willis was victorious for the White at 125 over Bryan Waller, while Anthony Melillo posted a win at 133 against Nathan Godsey. Corey Bleaken triumphed at 149 over Andy Shoultz, and Adam Myers collected a victory at 165 over Nick Sasfy. Kyle Studer also won for the White team, at 197 against Tyson Loy. Head coach Jarad Swint and the Bulldogs will have one more intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday, October 25 at 10:30 a.m. in the practice facility. The squad opens the season on Sunday, November 2 at the University of the Cumberlands. The Bulldog JV squad will participate in the University of the Cumberlands Open on November 1.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana University wrestling team hosted their annual Cream and Crimson intrasquad scrimmage Tuesday night. There were a total of 10 matches on the night. The team was split up into two squads, one coached by defending national champion Angel Escobedo and the other headed by three-time NCAA Qualifier and 2007 All-American Andrae Hernandez. Team Escobedo included Geno Capezio, Danny Monaco, Nick Walpole, Ryan Konz, Matt Coughlin, Kyle Samuels, Trevor Perry, Matt Powless, Chandler Coffey and Justin Kuhn. Team Hernandez consisted of Matt Ortega, Scott Kelly, Alex Warren, Vince Ramos, Kurt Kinser, Paul Young, Nick Avery, Eric Cameron, George Malone, and Nick Cook. In the end, it was a 16-16 stalemate between Team Escobedo and Team Hernandez with each side winning five bouts apiece. Scott Kelly vs. Danny Monaco Scott Kelly and Danny Monaco began the night with a 141-pound showdown. Monaco was the first to light the scoreboard, recording a takedown just over a minute into the match. Kelly would then take the next four points with a pair of escapes and a second-period takedown. Monaco began the final period in the down position and got away from Kelly's grasp with 55 seconds remaining in the match to trim his deficit to a lone point at 4-3. The two remained neutral the rest of the way, however, and Kelly added a point for riding time to win the bout, 5-3. Geno Capezio vs. Matt Ortega This match remained scoreless heading into the third period, but Ortega held a two-minute riding time advantage after wrangling Capezio from the top position for the entire second stanza. Ortega combined an instant escape to start the third period with a quick single-leg takedown for a 3-0 lead. He later added another takedown and the riding time bonus for a 6-1 victory. Ryan Konz vs. Vince Ramos Konz and Ramos started out slow before a Konz takedown with thirty seconds left in the first broke the scoreless tie. Following a second-period escape, Konz gave away a free penalty point with two stalling calls against him to make the score 3-1. Ramos got away moments later for his second point of the match. Konz held on, however, and added a riding time point for the 4-2 win. Nick Walpole vs. Alex Warren Following a scoreless first period, Walpole chose the down position to begin the second. He wasted little time escaping in just 22 seconds for the early 1-0 advantage. A minute later, Walpole earned a takedown on the edge of the mat in scramble for the 3-0 advantage. It was Warren's choice in the final period, and he elected to go neutral after coming close on a few shot attempts earlier in the match. Warren got in deep on a few more shots, but Walpole defended each shot before pressing the action in the final 10 seconds for a 3-0 decision. Nick Cook vs. Justin Kuhn It was then time for the big boys to go at it in the heavyweight bout. Cook chose to go down in period number two with score tied at 0-0, and Kuhn made him pay. Kuhn twice turned him for three-point near-falls and a 6-0 edge. Kuhn added on an escape and the riding time bonus point for an 8-0 triumph. Chandler Coffey vs. George Malone The battle between two true freshmen was one of the most aggressive matches of the night as both Hoosiers were pushing the action in the early goings. An unsuccessful granby roll attempt by Coffey caused him three points as Malone caught him on his back for a near-fall. Leading 3-0 with two minutes of riding time, Malone chose to start on the bottom in the final frame. Malone escaped quickly to go up 4-0, but remained on the attack. He nearly snagged a takedown with 20 seconds left before a stalemate was called. Malone kept coming though, getting a takedown at the buzzer to go along with the riding time point for a 7-0 winner. Kyle Samuels vs. Paul Young Young, the first of two Bloomington, Ind., natives to wrestle on the night, was very impressive in the 165-lbs. match-up. He grabbed his first takedown at the two-minute mark of the first period and rode Samuels tough the rest of the way. Young added an escape and takedown in the second period to go ahead 5-0. Samuels then elected to go neutral in the final round. Young was able take him down once again to go up 7-0. After Samuels scored an escaped, the Bloomington South H.S. product went on a five-point flurry at the end that included a takedown and three near-fall points. With a riding time advantage of over three minutes, Young added a bonus point for the 13-1 win. Nick Avery vs. Trevor Perry The 0-0 score was no indication of the actual action in the first period, as both grapplers were quite aggressive despite the lack of a takedown. At one point a powerful shot by Perry forced Avery off the mat and onto the hardwood. The action slowed down a bit in the next two periods. Both Avery and Perry notched escapes from the down position for the only scores of regulation, heading to overtime at 1-1. The match was eventually decided in the second overtime as Avery decided to kick-out Perry and go for the takedown. Perry was able to defend several shot attempts though, and hold on for the 4-3 victory. Eric Cameron vs. Matt Powless In arguably the most exciting bout of the night, Powless took the lead with just 42 seconds left in the contest. Powless's first takedown of the third period tied the score at three points apiece. Cameron was then able to regain the lead with an escape just 28 seconds later. With no riding time advantage for either wrestler, Powless needed to make a move a get a takedown in the final minute. He did just that ... sliding down for a great single-leg to propel himself ahead, 5-4. That score proved to be the final as Powless gave Team Escobedo three points. Matt Coughlin vs. Kurt Kinser With Team Escobedo leading 16-13, it all came down to the marquee match-up of the night; pitting 2007 All-American Matt Coughlin versus NCAA Qualifier Kurt Kinser in a 157-pound contest. There was little action early on. Both Hoosiers were attempting to gain upper body control, causing a stalemate. In fitting fashion, the match eventually was decided in an overtime period. Coughlin nearly got a takedown with five seconds left in regulation, but Kinser fended it off to force the extra time. The first seven minutes weren't enough to determine a winner, but it only took Kinser 25 seconds in OT to claim the win. Kinser converted a front headlock into a takedown on the very edge of the mat. Kinser's win knotted the team score at 16-16 for the night. Indiana begins their regular season on Nov. 9 with the Michigan State Open. The Hoosiers' first home event will be the Hoosier Duals, scheduled for Nov. 29 when Liberty, Ohio, Rutgers, South Dakota State and the University of the Cumberlands visit Assembly Hall.

The amateur wrestling world loves a great David-conquers-Goliath story. (Consider "Gardner upsets Karelin" at the 2000 Olympics as Exhibit A.) What's the story behind Edinboro's mat success? Find out for yourself with the new book The Fighting Scots of Edinboro by John Dudley. Not all of these stories involve one individual underdog wrestler knocking off the king of the hill. Sometimes, it's the small-school program that surprises the much larger, better-funded, sure-bet-to-win teams. After World War II, tiny Cornell College of Iowa beating perennial powerhouses Oklahoma State and Iowa State Teachers College (Northern Iowa) to win the 1947 NCAA team title is the classic Cinderella story from sixty years ago. Nowadays, a prime example is little Edinboro University. This public school in northwest Pennsylvania has only about 7,500 students, and competes in NCAA Division II in most sports -- except wrestling, where it's a D1 school. Despite having a total student enrollment that's a fraction of most Division I schools, Edinboro has defeated programs such as Arizona State, Lehigh, Michigan State, Missouri, Penn State, Stanford and Wisconsin, and has experienced more than its share of NCAA All-Americans and individual champions. What's the story behind Edinboro's mat success? Find out for yourself with the new book The Fighting Scots of Edinboro by John Dudley, published by Reedy Press. This 112-page book provides an inside perspective on the past quarter-century of Edinboro's wrestling program, starting with its move from Division II to Division I in 1984, and concluding with Gregor Gillespie's thrilling upset win over Michigan's Josh Churella in the 149-pound finals at the 2007 NCAAs held at the Palace of Auburn Hills, practically in the Churellas' backyard. The right man to tell the Scots' story John Dudley is uniquely equipped to tell Edinboro's story. A sports columnist and wrestling writer for the Erie Times-News, Dudley has covered the Fighting Scots matmen since 1999. He grew up in northwest Pennsylvania where Edinboro is located, wrestling in high school at Cambridge Springs, and then, for a time, at Allegheny College in Meadville. "Once I got a taste of college wrestling and the academic life, I dropped wrestling," discloses Dudley. John DudleyWhen asked how The Fighting Scots of Edinboro came about, Dudley says, "I was an undergrad at Edinboro right after the Division I change. (Coaches) Mike DeAnna and Bruce Baumgartner were there, Sean O'Day won his championship." "I had heard stories about how Edinboro became a D1 program, but didn't know the details." "The story of Jim McDonald (Edinboro athletic director in the early 1980s) and the conversion had never been told. I originally thought the story could be a magazine piece for Sports Illustrated or ESPN The Magazine -- a David vs. Goliath story." "As I started to do the research, Bruce Baumgartner had a throwaway line: 'This could be a book.'" It turns out that Baumgartner -- at this point, Edinboro's athletic director, as well as four-time Olympic medalist -- had received a query from Reedy Press, asking if the St. Louis-based publisher could assist with any of Edinboro's publishing needs. Two-and-a-half years later, John Dudley had his first book … and the Fighting Scots' story could be shared with the rest of the wrestling nation. A humiliating loss that changed everything Edinboro University has had a wrestling program for nearly seventy years. However, arguably, the true turning point took place on January 25, 1984. That night, in Edinboro's McComb Fieldhouse, Clarion University demolished the Fighting Scots 57-0. Then, adding insult to injury, the Golden Eagles asked permission to conduct a post-meet workout -- as if the visiting team hadn't worked up enough of a sweat in winning all ten bouts that evening. Edinboro athletic director Jim McDonald was furious. Although he had never wrestled, as a former basketball player in West Virginia, the competitor in him immediately took Clarion's workout as a slap in the face and as a clarion call that Edinboro needed to put more resources into its struggling, chronically-underfunded wrestling program. He wanted to pick the brain of arguably the most famous figure in U.S. amateur wrestling at the time: Dan Gable, then head coach at the University of Iowa. McDonald placed a call to Iowa City, and immediately got through to the iconic Hawkeye coach. Thus began a powerful Iowa-Edinboro connection that helped take the Fighting Scots to a whole new level and become the program some have labeled "the Iowa of the East." Calling into question a Hawkeye's manhood One of the more fascinating stories in the early pages of The Fighting Scots of Edinboro involves Mike DeAnna's interview with Jim McDonald for the job of head wrestling coach. (Gable had encouraged his assistant to talk to McDonald about the position in Pennsylvania.) DeAnna stopped at Edinboro while driving to the 1984 NCAA Division I Championships at the Meadowlands in New Jersey with his wife Pam. McDonald offered the position to DeAnna on the spot, but the Cleveland-area native wasn't ready to make an immediate commitment; he wanted to think about it, and talk it over with his wife. McDonald demanded an immediate answer. The Edinboro athletic director basically questioned DeAnna's manhood: "You've been sucking from Dan Gable's milk bottle all your life. You need to grow up and become a man!" Tim FlynnIt was a huge gamble, but McDonald realized that, given time, the DeAnnas could talk themselves out of taking the Edinboro job as they traveled to and from the NCAAs. The Edinboro AD pressed harder: "They've got phones all along the turnpike. You've got four hours. If I don't hear from you, I'm going to the next best assistant coach in the country and I'm going to hire him." John Dudley tells the tale of the emergence of the Edinboro wrestling program in the words of the major participants, which gives readers of The Fighting Scots of Edinboro a powerful you-are-there feeling. "I knew early on I needed to focus on the people, not dates and events and stats," says Dudley. "I wanted to appeal to anyone interested in wrestling, not just inside Edinboro or this part of Pennsylvania." "I had a lot of cooperation on the part of everyone involved," continues Dudley. "DeAnna really opened up. Bruce (Baumgartner) was very cooperative and supportive … (Current head wrestling coach) Tim Flynn has one of the best grasps of what media can do to draw attention to his program. He's extremely open, honest, accessible. The Edinboro wrestlers were great, very open. I was able to build on the trust gained in covering the team over the years." Surprises along the way When asked about what surprised him as he conducted interviews for the book, John Dudley immediately responds, "Jim McDonald was my first interview. He was telling the details of the Clarion win, calling Gable for advice. All I had known was the barebones. The details he supplied were both surprising and fascinating." Another surprise for Dudley concerned Josh Koscheck: "I didn't know how badly hurt he was at the 2002 NCAAs, the seriousness of his neck injury, even though I covered him and the team. He kept quiet about it, and was willing to put his own health on the line." "The Koscheck chapter was probably my favorite," continues the Erie Times-News sports columnist and wrestling beat writer. "He opened up about his upbringing, essentially being raised by his grandparents. He never won a state title, didn't draw much attention from other college programs, but, not long after arriving at Edinboro, he expected to win a national title." Universal truths The Fighting Scots of Edinboro is definitely NOT a "homer" book, designed to delight the fans of the program in northwestern Pennsylvania, at the exclusion of anyone else. Author John Dudley deftly weaves universal themes that resonate with wrestling fans everywhere. "It's not just an Edinboro story," says Dudley. "It's a story about the sport. Name me your favorite program, and you'll find a lot in common between Edinboro and what you know." The David vs. Goliath aspect is just one theme explored in multiple ways, throughout the quarter-century since the Fighting Scots suffered that humiliating loss to Clarion in their home gym. Another theme is the interconnectedness of the wrestling community -- phrases such as "it's a small world" and "six degrees of separation" come to mind. For example, the ties that bind the University of Iowa to Edinboro that all started with a phone call to then-coach Dan Gable, and went on to encompass Mike DeAnna, and early Iowa transfers Matt Furey and Mike Hehesy. That Iowa-Edinboro connection went on to reflect what has become the Fighting Scots' wrestling style that was true to the hard-nosed, never-stop reputation that had made the Iowa Hawkeyes the dominant college program for the last three decades of the twentieth century. Yet another theme is the overall stability of the Fighting Scot program over the years since moving up to Division I. "Gable points out that Edinboro manages to be successful even after a disappointing season or two," says Dudley. "For some programs, a tough year or two has an immediate impact on recruiting, which then affects the on-the-mat performance, and a negative cycle begins." "Coaching stability is part of Edinboro's overall success. There's a straight line from DeAnna to Baumgartner to Flynn. A common message, a common philosophy from the start that continues today. What Flynn says now is very much what DeAnna and Baumgartner would've said. If you had been in the room in DeAnna's day and came back now, you'd find a familiarity that's pretty much tradition." Josh KoscheckWhether you are a long-time Edinboro mat program supporter from long before the move to Division I, or a wrestling fan whose awareness of the Fighting Scots is limited to more recent superstars like Josh Koscheck and Gregor Gillespie (or perhaps from those promotional posters of Edinboro wrestlers wearing traditional Scottish kilts), The Fighting Scots of Edinboro is a story worthy of your attention. The Fighting Scots of Edinboro is available for purchase from major online booksellers such as Borders, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon, or direct from the publisher at www.reedypress.com.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- With the Cream and Crimson Intrasquad scrimmage scheduled for Tuesday night, IUHoosiers.com previews the 2008-09 IU Wrestling season … HOOSIERS ARE WELL-STOCKED Head Coach Duane Goldman, IU's all-time winningest wrestling coach, enters his 17th season at the helm of the Hoosier wrestling program with loads of talent returning from last season. Six of eight NCAA qualifiers from a year ago are back donning the Cream and Crimson for the `08-09 campaign. Half of the Hoosier starting line-up is ranked the Intermat/NWCA preseason national rankings. Angel Escobedo leads the way at #1 in the 125-lbs. weight division. Kurt Kinser joins Escobedo in the top-10, coming in at #9 at 149 pounds. Andrae Hernandez is just out of the top-10, slotted 11th. Meanwhile, Matt Coughlin and Nate Everhart are both ranked 14th in their respective weight classes. 125 POUNDS There is little doubt who will man the 125-lbs. slot for Indiana this season as defending national champion Angel Escobedo returns for his junior year. He looks to become the second Hoosier to win back-to-back NCAA titles in the last five years after Joe Dubuque won two straight at 125 pounds in 2005 and 2006. Escobedo is coming off a 39-1 season that saw him win Big Ten and Midlands championships as well. Redshirt junior Wesley Fike will also provide leadership in the weight class, entering his fourth season with the team. Fike has gathered four wins in his career, including a pin as a frosh. Just like Fike, freshman Christopher Tanner is also a graduate of Penn High School and will be wrestling at 125-lbs for the Hoosiers in 2008-09. 133 POUNDS Indiana's Redshirt of the Year recipient, Matt Ortega, is expected to step into the starting lineup right away at 133 pounds. He totaled 10 wins as a redshirt with a pin and three major decisions. Ortega is a four-time New Mexico state champion and was ranked No. 2 nationally coming out of high school. True freshman Geno Capezio is one of three freshmen to reign from Glenbard North High School in Illinois, joining Danny Monaco and Vince Ramos. He twice placed at the state championships, finishing in sixth and fourth his final two seasons. 141 POUNDS Three-time NCAA qualifier and former All-American Andrae Hernandez moves up to the 141-pound weight class for his senior campaign. He has a career win total of 78 that includes 15 pins, 13 tech falls and 11 major decisions. Hernandez looks to make a return to the All-American stand after taking eighth place at the NCAA Championships in 2007 as a sophomore. Junior Scott Kelly will push Hernandez for time in the line-up. Kelly, last season's starter at 141-lbs., knows what it takes to win in the Big Ten, earning three conference victories a year ago. Also competing at this weight will be a pair of freshmen in Danny Monaco and Nick Viterisi. Monaco is a two-time state placer while Viterisi comes from Bloomington South High School after a third-place finish in last year's Indiana state championships. 149 POUNDS This weight class is the most crowded for IU with five wrestlers battling for the right to fill the starting role. The Big Ten's top pin-collector, Kurt Kinser, is the front-runner to start after racking up 18 falls and 32 wins in 2007-08. Kinser had his hand raised three times at the NCAAs last year. Junior Nick Walpole and his 28-14 career record cannot be overlooked, however. He has also shown the ability to put the opposition on its back, posting 10 pins in his first two seasons donning the Cream and Crimson. Sophomore Alex Warren, redshirt freshman Greer Bivenour and true freshman Vince Ramos round out the IU arsenal at 149 pounds. Warren and Ramos are both former state champions. Bivenour totaled four wins and two falls during his redshirt year. 157 POUNDS Matt Coughlin will drop back down to the 157-lbs. weight class for his junior season after competing at 165 pounds a year ago. He climbed the All-American stand as a 149-pound freshmen, finishing in seventh place. Coughlin is coming off a 2007-08 campaign in which he won the Michigan State Open, took fifth at the Big Tens and qualified for the NCAA Championships for the second time. True freshman Ryan Konz will provide depth for IU at the position. Konz finished in the top-three of the Tennessee state championships in each of his four seasons. 165 POUNDS It's three-man race for the top spot at 165 pounds. Redshirt sophomore Paul Young must fend off a pair of brothers in Cooper and Kyle Samuels for extensive time in the line-up. In 2007-08, Young cracked the starting line-up at 174 lbs. several times, snagging 13 total wins on the year. Cooper Samuels, a true freshman, is a highly-touted recruit from Floyds Knobs, Ind. with two state championships on his impressive resume. He holds the Floyd Central school record for most takedowns and most pins. Kyle Samuels, a senior, will also compete at 165 pounds. He earned the Scholastic Achievement Award last year, given to the student-athlete that boasts the highest grade point average on each respective team. 174 POUNDS Juniors Trevor Perry and Seth Parker, along with sophomore Nick Avery are in the running for time at 174 pounds. Perry is the most experienced of the group, starting at 174-lbs. for the majority of his first two NCAA-qualifying seasons. Perry brings an extra element to the table with his knack for earning bonus points. He stuck 12 opponents last year in addition to three major decisions. Avery has started before, filling in and winning two of four matches as a starter for Indiana during his freshman campaign. Meanwhile, Parker is healthy again this year after battling through injuries the past two seasons. 184 POUNDS Eric Cameron, Matt Powless and Chandler Coffey each begin the season at 184 pounds. Cameron, a redshirt sophomore, started seven dual matches for the Hoosiers in 2007-08, winning six of those contests. Overall, Cameron went 11-4 with a tech fall and two major decisions. Powless's ability to garner bonus points could be very beneficial for Indiana in dual matches. He went 8-4 as a redshirt, including two pins, a tech fall and two major decisions. Coffey is a true freshman from near-by Nashville Ind., who tallied a career high school mark of 130-20. 197 POUNDS Junior Justin Kuhn and true freshman George Malone are expected to go head-to-head in the 197-lbs. weight class. Kuhn is a former heavyweight with starting experience, going 4-3 in dual matches last season. He owns a 15-14 career record with five pins and a major decision. Malone has the opportunity to immediately jump into the starting line-up. He is a former Indiana state champion and holds several school records, including most wins and pins in a season and most career pins. HEAVYWEIGHT Nate Everhart is Indiana's top heavyweight after earning the team's Most Improved Wrestler Award a year ago. Everhart, a junior, has added nearly 30 pounds of muscle during the offseason and looks to make his second consecutive trip to the NCAAs. True freshman Nick Cook is another option for Indiana at the heavyweight position. He comes to Bloomington from the state of Virginia, where he was twice the runner-up in the state championships.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Penn State Nittany Lion wrestler Bubba Jenkins (Virginia Beach, Va.) has been selected to participate in the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic. The exhibition event will take place at Ohio State's St. John's Arena on Monday, November 24, at 7 p.m. Jenkins, ranked No. 2 at 149 in the NWCA's pre-season rankings, will face No. 1 Brent Metcalf of Iowa. Jenkins, the defending national runner-up, lost to Metcalf 14-8 in the 2008 NCAA Championships at 149 last year. Metcalf served as Jenkins' foil last year, handing the Nittany Lion All-American three of his six losses during the campaign (Jenkins went 26-6 overall). The selection of Jenkins marks the third straight year that a Nittany Lion has been represented at the prestigious event, annually pitting the top two pre-season wrestlers at each weight class against each other in an exhibition. In 2006, Penn State sent Phil Davis and James Yonushonis and last year Davis took part again.

Paul Bradley and Biff Walizer will represent LionHeart at Ring of Combat XXII on Nov. 21 in Atlantic City, NJ. Bradley, 8-0 as a professional, will face Dante Rivera, 10-3, in a battle for the R.O.C. Middleweight Championship. Both Bradley and Rivera are veterans of Spike T.V's, The Ultimate Fighter. Rivera performed well in season 7 defeating Matt Riddle on the season finale. Bradley, a veteran of season 9, was undefeated on the show but forced to leave early due to a medical condition. Lightweight Biff Walizer, 2-1, will take on Dom Stanco, 5-2, of Bellmore Kickboxing in a Main Card Matchup. For tickets please contact Chad Dubin: chad@lionheartfighters.com 814.280.1982 Event details available at www.ringofcombat.com.

STILLWATER, Okla. -- Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith announced that the annual Orange and Black ranking matches are set for 7 p.m. on Nov. 13 at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Admission is free and the event will be broadcast live on KSPI-FM radio beginning at 6:45 p.m. The Cowboys have capable candidates at several weight classes, most notably at 157 pounds, where incumbent starter Newly McSpadden and Neil Erisman are both capable of being everyday starters. The Orange and Black matches could play a role in determining who gets the starting nod early in the season. Other weight classes to watch will be 133 pounds, 149 pounds, 174 pounds and 184 pounds. At 133, Tyler Shinn and Chris Notte both figure to be impact wrestlers for the Cowboys in 2008-09. Shinn has made his name wrestling at 125 pounds throughout his collegiate career, but now gets a chance to stake claim to the title of starter at 133 with 2008 NCAA champion Coleman Scott graduated. In order to do that, he will have to prove himself against Notte, who won a junior college national title while at Nassau CC last year. The 149-pound weight class is highlighted by returnee Quinten Fuentes and redshirt freshman Luke Silver. Though Fuentes owns the edge on experience, he did not quite do enough while starting last year to be able to stake claim to the starter's role this year. Silver is a good option for Smith and the reality is that both could see time during the dual match season. Perhaps the most wide-open weight class for the Cowboys is 174 pounds. With former 174-pounder Brandon Mason making the move to 165 pounds this year, it opens the door for Cody Hill, Kevin Wainscott and Kyle Griffin to push for the role of starter at 174. Hill wrestled at 184 pounds a year ago but injuries sidetracked him as the year went along. Wainscott is the most mature of the group and is a good competitor, with Griffin looking to crack into the lineup after redshirting at 165 pounds a year ago. Though Jared Shelton would appear to be the favorite to start for the Cowboys at 184 pounds after moving from 197, he will have to get through competition with redshirt freshmen Chris McNeil and Adam Rosholt. Probable Oklahoma State Lineup Heading Into Orange and Black Ranking Matches 125 pounds: Obenson "Obe" Blanc 133 pounds: Tyler Shinn or Chris Notte 141 pounds: Jamal Parks 149 pounds: Quinten Fuentes or Luke Silver 157 pounds: Newly McSpadden or Neil Erisman 165 pounds: Brandon Mason 174 pounds: Cody Hill or Kevin Wainscott or Kyle Griffin 184 pounds: Jared Shelton or Chris McNeil 197 pounds: Clayton Foster 285 pounds: Jared Rosholt

For nearly a month, Northwestern has been in the midst of preseason practice as it looks to build upon the program's recent successes. As Northwestern draws closer to the start of the 2008-09 wrestling season, head coach Tim Cysewski's squad took some time out to be recognized for its outstanding achievements over the course of the past two years during the Oct. 18 football game versus Purdue. Among those on hand were Northwestern's back-to-back NCAA individual champions, Dustin Fox (Galion, Ohio/Galion) and Jake Herbert (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny). Fox, who twice reached All-American status, finished his collegiate career by taking home the championship in the heavyweight division last March in Saint Louis, claiming the first heavyweight title by a Wildcat since 1932. Herbert is a three-time All-American who capped off his 32-0 2007 season with an NCAA crown in the 184-pound weight class. After taking one year off from Northwestern in an attempt to qualify for the Olympics, Herbert is back for NU as a sixth-year senior in search of his third Big Ten title and second NCAA championship. Junior Brandon Precin (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg) earned All-American honors for the first time in 2008, finishing 37-9 overall and claiming seventh place at 125 pounds in the NCAA tournament. Precin and Herbert are joined this year by fellow NCAA qualifier at 141 pounds Keith Sulzer (Cleveland, Ohio/St. Edward) and newcomers such as freshman Jason Welch (Walnut Creek, Calif./Las Lomas), winner of the Junior Dan Hodge Trophy as the nation's best high school wrestler as a senior. Northwestern's student-athletes weren't the only members of the program receiving recognition on Saturday. Andrew Pariano, who was promoted to the position of associate head coach during the off-season, was acknowledged for being honored by the NWCA as Assistant Coach of the Year. Pariano, a 2000 graduate of Northwestern, is in his fourth year as a member of Northwestern's coaching staff. NU opens the 2008-09 season on Nov. 9 at the Michigan State Open and hosts its first home match on Dec. 4 against Northern Illinois.

In wrestling, the prize of perfection has its pressures. Just ask Cael Sanderson (159-0 at Iowa State) … or Dan Gable (181-1 in high school and college … with that one blemish on a perfect record at the hands of Larry Owings in Gable's last collegiate match.) Scott Winston built a perfect 137-0 record throughout his prep career at Jackson Memorial High School in New Jersey, where he was a three-time state champ … and the only wrestler in state history to graduate with an undefeated record with at least 100 wins. While in high school, he claimed a Junior Nationals freestyle crown in 2007. In 2008, RevWrestling.com ranked him No. 1 in the entire nation among all high school wrestlers in all weight classes. Scott WinstonNow Winston is enrolled at Rutgers University, where he is expected to be the Scarlet Knights' starter at 157 pounds as a true freshman … and there's considerable pressure from some fans, hoping that prep perfection continues in college. However, to mix metaphors, it's a whole new ballgame for Winston. He's competing in one of the toughest weight classes in college, loaded with talented veterans, a number of them NCAA All-Americans. Luckily for Scott Winston, he has one very familiar face in his corner at Rutgers: Scott Goodale, the man who was his high school coach the first three years. You're not in high school anymore It may be only about 40-50 miles from Scott Winston's high school to the Rutgers campus in Piscataway, New Jersey … but, so far, the college experience is far removed from what the freshman had experienced before leaving home. "(Scott) had an unbelievable high school career but now he's low man on the totem pole," acknowledges Goodale, now in his second year as head coach of the Scarlet Knights. "However, the transition has been solid so far -- his training, his academics. It's been a smooth month-and-a-half. He's not afraid to learn." "The most important lesson I've learned so far moving from high school to college is, time management is everything," according to Scott Winston. "It's something I kept hearing before coming to Rutgers, and didn't fully grasp it until now. There are so many elements of my life that need to fit into a day: classes, study, workouts, eating on schedule. That's all clicked into place now, and I'm doing well." When asked how wrestler and coach were reunited for Round Two at Rutgers after three years together at Jackson Memorial High School, Scott Goodale says, "He could've gone anywhere. Family is very important to him." The tale of the two Scotts "Coach Goodale is a big reason I came here," according to Scott Winston. "He's the best motivator in my life. He's able to say the right thing at the right moment. He's convinced me that I can do what needs to be done." Winston considered a number of Midwestern collegiate wrestling powerhouses, including the University of Iowa, University of Illinois, and Iowa State. He made one official visit to the heartland, to check out the home of the Fighting Illini. But in a published report, Winston admitted his three-day trip to Champaign-Urbana, "I was homesick. I've been away from home before, but, for some reason, being away this time didn't feel right. I'm very close with my family." In the interview for RevWrestling.com, when asked about the recruiting process, Winston said, "I'm a Jersey boy. Family's here, I've got a coach I know, great workout partners. It feels right." The Winston-Goodale partnership goes back a number of years. "I first saw Scott in action in seventh grade," recalls his coach. Scott Winston grew up in Edison, New Jersey … but, in his first months of high school, his parents moved the family to the Jersey shore area, and, around Thanksgiving of his freshman year, Scott was enrolled at Jackson Memorial. It was then that Scott Winston started wrestling for Scott Goodale. A path to prep perfection In his first year at Jackson, Scott Winston was 22-0 at 140 pounds. However, his quest for a New Jersey state title was dashed when he broke his wrist at the end of the season, eliminating him from postseason tournaments. As a sophomore, Scott moved up to 145, rolled up a 39-0 record, and claimed his first state championship in March 2006. It was then that Scott says the pressure of perfection really started to mount. "No one had to push me to win. I really didn't let the pressure get to me. I simply trained harder." Junior year, the wins continued to roll in … while the loss column remained blank, adding up to a 40-0 record. At the end of the 2007 season, Scott Winston won his second New Jersey prep title, this time at 152. A couple months later, he won the Junior National title in Fargo -- which he describes as the high point of his wrestling career so far. As a senior, Scott Winston moved up to 160 pounds, and held tight to perfection, with a 36-0 final season. In the New Jersey state finals, he pinned Scott Kelly of Sacred Heart in the second period in front of a crowd of nearly 11,000 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City to claim his third state title (the twenty-second wrestler to achieve this distinction) … and conclude his prep career with an unblemished 137-0 record. Incredibly, Scott Winston remained cool, calm and collected before his final high school match. According to Doug Withstandley, in his first year as coach at Jackson after Scott Goodale had moved on to Rutgers, "Before the state final, we were on a back mat and next thing I know he and a bunch of other Shore guys are jumping on me and arm-barring me." It may have been another matter after winning that third title. Scott Winston received two standing ovations from the crowd at the 2008 New Jersey state tournament -- first, immediately after winning his third title, and, a few minutes later, when presented with a plaque by Brick Memorial head coach Dan O'Cone, president of the New Jersey Wrestling Coaches Association. Scott GoodaleScott Winston's former high school coach, Scott Goodale, was unable to be in Atlantic City when his prot�g� won his third state title with perfect prep career. That weekend, Goodale was coaching Rutgers at the 2008 EIWA (Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association) Championships at Franklin & Marshall in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. However, Scott Winston's mom -- and Jackson Memorial assistant coach Rob Connor -- contacted Coach Goodale by phone with the great news. "It was really emotional for me," said Goodale in a published interview. "If I was there, I don't know if I would have been able to handle it because I'm a very emotional person." Impressive even in the early years Long before high school and Rutgers, Scott Winston was introduced to wrestling at age four. "Dad wrestled in high school for two years," says the Scarlet Knight freshman. "However, mom actually got me into it. I was energetic, with energy to burn … I liked (wrestling) right away. It wasn't boring." While in grade school, Winston competed in recreational-league wrestling programs. It was in seventh grade that he wrestled in a public school program. It was then that Scott Goodale first saw Scott Winston in action. According to a newspaper account, Winston was competing at the New Jersey Kid States Tournament as a seventh-grader against Frank Molinaro. "I was coaching Molinaro, along with Vinnie Santaniello, and it was an eye-opening experience," Goodale is quoted as saying. "Scotty beat him, 3-2. I never thought anybody would beat Frank Molinaro when he was in eighth grade. I said, 'This kid is going to be real good.'" (To provide an indication of Molinaro's credentials … one year before Winston became a three-time New Jersey state champ, Molinaro became the 21st three-time state champ.) The formula for success Ask Scott Goodale to analyze what has made Scott Winston successful, and he says, "He puts a lot of time into (wrestling). He's a real student of the sport. He loves to succeed on a big stage. He's not fazed by top competition." Ask Scott Winston to analyze his wrestling style, and he replies, "I'm pretty aggressive. In high school, I had a good defense. I like working on my feet." Coach Goodale realizes that some might question putting the true freshman into the Rutgers lineup right away to compete at 157 pounds. "We wanted someone to compete right away. He's ready to go right now. He may redshirt sometime in the future." "We realize it's a tough weight class. He'll face up to fifteen of the top twenty guys." "The competition in my weight class doesn't really cross my mind," according to Winston. "I know they work hard. I plan to work harder. I'm focused on what I need to do. I actually enjoy working out, all with one thing in mind -- to get better." A winner in all aspects When asked to describe Scott Winston's demeanor and attitude, Coach Goodale responds, "He has a very outgoing personality … He got the respect of New Jersey with how he handled himself in his prep career and the pressure of being undefeated. He's a real role model, someone who'd stay for two hours to sign kids' autographs, and work with kids at wrestling camps." Scott Winston (Photo/Ben Fogletto)That seems appropriate, given Winston's ultimate career goal of being a high school history teacher and a wrestling coach. "I would want my wrestlers to be winners in all aspects of their lives," says the Rutgers freshman. "I want them to be hard workers. I want them to be respectful students." For Winston, family is the key. "I wouldn't be anywhere without my dad. He's a hardworking guy who gets up at 3 a.m. every day, digging holes every day. His example reminds me every day of the importance of hard work." Scott Winston also describes himself as being religious. "Before a match, I used to listen to my iPod to get all fired up. Now I pray to God. It's a much calmer approach." "Everything I've gotten is from Him." As of this writing, Scott Winston's college wrestling career is ahead of him. He has huge goals: "I want to go out training hard, attacking opponents, all with the goal of being on top of the podium." Considering his perfect 137-0 prep record in New Jersey, Scott Winston may be well-equipped to realize those goals.

This week's edition of "On the Mat" will feature NCAA Division II wrestling coaches Marc Bauer, Jim Makovsky and Mike Denney. Marc Bauer led the University of Nebraska-Kearney to its first NCAA Division II team championship last season in Cedar Rapids, IA. The Lopers clinched the title in the final bout of the tournament when Tervel Dlagnev won his second consecutive title in the 285 pound division. A perennial power in Division II, UNK has three team runner-up finishes at nationals this decade and won the NWCA National Duals in 2003 and 2007. This season is Bauer's 10th as UNK's head coach. Jim Makovsky returns four All-Americans from last season's Minnesota State University team which won the NWCA National Duals and finished a mere one half point from winning the team national championship. MSU was 20-1-1 in dual meets last season and Makovsky was named North Central Conference Coach of the Year. Makovsky is in his 15th season as the head coach at MSU. Mike Denney is beginning his 29th season as the head coach at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Denney's UNO Mavericks have won four NCAA Division II championships, including three in a row from 2004-2006. Among his many awards, Denney was named both ‘Man of the Year' by Amateur Wrestling News and WIN Magazine's Dan Gable Coach of the Year in 2006. UNO placed third in the nation last season and return two-time NCAA champions Cody Garcia (125) and Todd Meneely (149), along with six other All-Americans. "On the Mat" can be hard live on the internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa each Wednesday from 5:00 - 6:00 PM Central time on 1650, The Fan. Feel free to e-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with questions or comments about the show.

A great big THANK YOU to UNI Head Coach Brad Penrith and his staff, The Panther Wrestlers and fans for a memorable weekend. Watch for a fun and informative video we produced on campus to be released soon on TDR TV at Takedownradio.com This week the Brute Adidas studios head to "The Barn" Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines, Iowa. Join Steve Foster, Jeff Murphy, Grant Turner and Richard Fergola for the LIVE broadcast of the USA Wrestling Preseason Folkstyle Nationals. Big Thanks to Coach Brian Keck and the good folks at USA Wrestling and TheMat.com for making this Broadcast possible. Event Website http://www.preseasonnationals.com/ 34 States 22 State Champions 33 State Runner-ups. 500 wrestlers have registered with 2 days remaining. Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Kansas, North Dakota, Minnesota, Georgia, Washington, West Virginia, Nebraska, Illinois, New York, Michigan, Virginia, Oregon, Colorado, Missouri, California, Louisiana, Kentucky, Connecticut, Arizona, Texas, Maryland, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Idaho, South Dakota, Utah, New Jersey So join us for this monster event. It's going to be great! Saturday 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM for radio and Internet and 11:30 to end on Takedownradio.com.

The lineups for the 2008 NWCA All-Star Classic have been released. The event, which is slated for November 24 at St. John Arena in Columbus, Ohio, includes four returning NCAA champions and seven NCAA runner-ups. The returning NCAA champions competing in the event include J Jaggers of Ohio State at 141 pounds, Brent Metcalf of Iowa at 149 pounds, Jordan Leen of Cornell at 157 pounds, and Mike Pucillo of Ohio State at 184 pounds. Jaggers, who shocked many by winning the NCAA title as the No. 6 seed, will face Iowa State's Nick Gallick, a returning fifth-place finisher at 141 pounds. Metcalf, who won the 2008 Rev Wrestler of the Year award after going 35-1 en route to winning the NCAA title at 149 pounds, will take on Bubba Jenkins of Penn State in a rematch of last season's NCAA finals match. Metcalf won that meeting by a score of 14-8. Leen, who upset three highly-ranked wrestlers en route to winning the NCAA title, will face Mike Poeta of Illinois. Like the Metcalf-Jenkins match, this match at 157 pounds is rematch of last season's NCAA finals match, which Leen won by a score of 5-4. Pucillo, whose NCAA finals win at 184 pounds secured Ohio State's second-place team finish last season, will battle Iowa's Phil Keddy. Lineups: 125: Troy Nickerson (Cornell) vs. Charlie Falck (Iowa) 133: Joey Slaton (Iowa) vs. Jayson Ness (Minnesota) 141: J Jaggers (Ohio State) vs. Nick Gallick (Iowa State) 149: Brent Metcalf (Iowa) vs. Bubba Jenkins (Penn State) 157: Jordan Lenn (Cornell) vs. Mike Poeta (Illinois) 165: Nick Marable (Missouri) vs. Mack Lewnes (Cornell) 174: Steve Luke (Michigan) vs. Jay Borschel (Iowa) 184: Mike Pucillo (Ohio State) vs. Phil Keddy (Iowa) 197: Jake Varner (Iowa State) vs. Hudson Taylor (Maryland) 285: Jake Rosholt (Oklahoma State) vs. Kyle Massey (Wisconsin)

NORFOLK, Va. -- The 2008-09 ODU wrestling schedule was released today, announcing the slate for the 22nd ranked team in the nation. Head coach Steve Martin will again face a brutal schedule this season as the team travels to face No. 5 Missouri, No. 6 Oklahoma State, No. 14 Central Michigan and No. 20 Oklahoma, and will host No. 25 Northern Iowa. ODU will also play host to the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament this season, at Oscar Smith High School on March 6-7. The ODU wrestling team boasted a 17-3 dual record a year ago in one of the best seasons in program history. This year, the 22nd ranked Monarchs will attempt to repeat the promising year against a tough schedule early. The Monarchs will open the season with the annual Blue/Silver Intersquad on October 26 in the Athletic Administration Building at ODU, at 12:30. The regular season begins with five straight dates on the road. The team will travel to the Michigan State Open tournament on November 9 and then return to the Commonwealth for the Hokie Open tournament at Virginia Tech November 16. ODU's first dual will be a major test against two of the top teams in the nation, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma on November 22 and 23. The Cowboys are ranked 6th in the preseason by W.I.N. Magazine while the Sooners are ranked 20th. Old Dominion will have the Northeast Duals on November 29, and they will face Harvard, No. 5 Missouri and Bloomsburg. ODU will then take nearly a month's break before they host their first opponent of the year, the Panthers of UNI. Northern Iowa is ranked 25th in the preseason and will be a key matchup for the Monarchs this season. ODU will then split up and head to the Midlands and Southern Scuffle Tournaments on December 29-30 before coming back home and hosting a quad meet on January 4. ODU plays host to Purdue, UNC Greensboro and George Mason on the 4th at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. The quad is set to begin at 2:00 pm. Martin will return to the Virginia Duals on January 9-10 at the Hampton Coliseum, a tournament they took third at in 2007-08. The CAA Duals will follow in Fairfax on January 17. The following week ODU will travel to face Bucknell and No. 14 Central Michigan. The Chippewas will host the Monarchs in the first ever matchup. ODU will also travel to Rider and NC State at the end of the year. Virginia wrestling fans will be enthused to hear that ODU will play host to both the Virginia Cavaliers and the Virginia Tech Hokies at the end of the 2008-09 regular season. The Cavs, coming to Norfolk on February 8, will be looking to rebound after a 23-12 loss to the Monarchs a year ago, while the Hokies, entertained on February 19, return a home and home matchup of which ODU took a 26-9 victory last year in Blacksburg. Martin continues to schedule tough opponents to train his grapplers for the CAA Tournament and potential slots at the NCAA Tournament. A year ago, a record six of his wrestlers qualified for the championship. This year, the conference tournament will be hosted by Old Dominion, giving the Monarch wrestlers home mat in the qualifying tournament. The tournament will be held at Oscar Smith High School on March 6-7.

University of Minnesota two-time All-American wrestler Jayson Ness has been selected to participate in the 43rd annual National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Star Classic. Ness will wrestle on Nov. 24 at St. John's Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The event will be televised live on ESPNU. The event, hosted this fall by Ohio State University, annually invites the nation's top wrestlers to compete in a dual meet format that serves to showcase the nation's top wrestlers and to celebrate those athletes as ambassadors to their sport. "It's a great way to get the season started," Ness said. "It'll be a great test to see where I'm at early in the season and to test myself against some of the best wrestlers in the country. It's an honor to be chosen and I'm looking forward to it." Although Ness' opponent has yet to be announced, the junior will be competing in the 133 lb. class after earning All-American accolades at the 125 lb. level each of the last two seasons. Ness makes the transition to 133 pounds for the 2008-09 season after recording a 39-2 record at 125 pounds last season. "Considering I've moved up a class, I was surprised to be picked just because there are a lot of good wrestlers [at 133]." Ness said. "It's going to be a great atmosphere, so I'm looking forward to it." Ness, who tied a single-season school record with 20 pins during the 2007-08 season, is one of four returning starters and one of two returning All-Americans for a Minnesota squad that is just two years removed from a national championship. The Bloomington, Minn. native was the national runner-up at 125 lbs. at the NCAA Championships in St. Louis, Mo. last March. Although the NWCA All-Star event is nationally televised and features some of the college wrestling's most accomplished athletes, Ness' participation will not count as an official event and the result of his match will not affect his 2008-09 official record. Minnesota wrestling begins its season just one month from today, and gets underway with its 2008-09 calendar at the Bison Open on Nov. 15. Minnesota's first home event of the season comes when the team hosts Oklahoma State in a New Year's Day dual meet at the Sports Pavilion at 2:00 p.m. For tickets, call 1-800-U-GOPHER or contact the Gopher Ticket Office at 612-624-8080.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio State wrestling team reported to fall practice nearly a month ago and after just four weeks of practice, the Buckeyes will hold their official team wrestle offs at 8 p.m. Thursday in St. John Arena. Admission is free. The wrestle offs will be streamed live on Buckeye Vision on the official website of Ohio State athletics at OhioStateBuckeyes.com. The chance to compete "under the lights" in St. John Arena, the competition venue for the wrestling team, has been an ongoing process since the team reported to campus Sept. 18. About 10 minutes away at the Steelwood Athletic Training Facility, the Buckeyes have been getting back into the routine of strength training and competitive practices. As a result, the finalists for wrestle offs Thursday have been determined, with the exception of the 141 and 184-pound weight classes. At 125 pounds, sophomore Nikko Triggas, a 2008 NCAA qualifier, will face freshman Pat Harrington. Harrington defeated freshmen Garrett Henry and Pat Zamaria for a chance to compete Thursday. Junior and two-time NCAA participant, Reece Humphrey and Brian Kelly will square off at 133 pounds, while junior Lance Palmer, a two-time All-American, and freshman Jared Kusar will battle at 149 pounds. Kusar defeated classmate Caleb Messerall in preliminary action. Heading into the middleweight matches, senior NCAA qualifier Jason Johnstone will meet junior AJ Agazarm at 157 pounds. Agazarm was vying for a spot in the finals at 165 pounds, but will replace freshman Sean Nemec. Next up at 165 pounds is sophomore Colt Sponseller vs. freshman Ross Ambrose. One of the larger brackets, there will be a total of four matches wrestled at the conclusion of wrestle offs. During the early stages, Agazarm defeated Robel Campbell before Agazarm lost to Ambrose. Transfer Dave Rella and freshman C.J. Magrum will face each other at 174 pounds. Rella downed freshman T.C. Pendleton, while Magrum defeated classmate Jeremy Sanders. Freshman Cody Gardner and sophomore John Weakley will vie for the top spot at 197 pounds. Weakley, a sophomore, beat freshman David Crowley, who defeated classmate Dominic Jontony. Gardner was successful against junior Jason Cook. It will be a pair of freshmen in Pat Walsh and Johnny Hiles in the final at heavyweight. Hiles defeated freshman Zach Stolarsky in preliminary rounds. Although junior Corey Morrison was victorious over Walsh, who topped classmate Dalton Britt in earlier rounds, Morrison will be unable to wrestle. 2008 Ohio State Wrestle Offs 8 p.m. Oct. 16 St. John Arena 125 - Nikko Triggas vs. Pat Harrington 133 - Reece Humphrey vs. Brian Kelly 149 - Lance Palmer vs. Jared Kusar 157 - Jason Johnstone vs. AJ Agazarm 165 - Colt Sponseller vs. Ross Ambrose 174 - Dave Rella vs. C.J. Magrum 197 - John Weakley vs. Cody Gardner 285 - Pat Walsh vs. Johnny Hiles

Some people's dreams take them from small towns to big cities. For Oklahoma State freshman wrestlers Jordan Oliver and Alex Meade, it was the opposite. Their dreams took them from cities on the East Coast to Stillwater, Okla. Oliver, who not only won three Pennsylvania state championships, but also won the 2008 national championship, has always wanted to succeed in wrestling. And he knew he could reach those goals coming to Oklahoma State. "It's the best wrestling school in the country," Oliver said. "I knew I could succeed if I came here. The coaching staff and your workout partners are amazing. You can't really beat that. I wanted to be a part of the Oklahoma State tradition." Oliver finished his senior year undefeated with a record of 40-0 and a prep career record of 175-5. He watched the path that former OSU wrestler Coleman Scott took from high school. Scott is also from Pennsylvania and only about five minutes from where Oliver grew up. "I've watched Coleman since I was in about the sixth grade. I liked the way he wrestled and he was someone I could look up to and relate to. I watched him go from the East Coast to Oklahoma State and I've seen all the success he's had here." The move from city life to college-town life wasn't too difficult for Oliver. He said the transition was much easier because he knew Meade would be coming as well. Meade, who won three Delaware state championships while finishing with a prep record of 125-4, said life in Stillwater is definitely different. "One difference is that people out here are really friendly," Meade said. "Out east, people don't really talk as much as people do here." Oliver agrees that people are much friendlier in Stillwater, including his head coach. Before he came to OSU, Oliver said he was a little intimidated because he saw John Smith as "The John Smith" who was a six-time World champion and is internationally recognized. But once Oliver arrived in Stillwater his view of Smith completely changed. "He's a lot more approachable now than before I came here. He was a little intimidating before but now I can talk to him about anything. I have a relationship with him now where I can come up to him and ask him things and go over stuff." That kind of relationship with Smith and with their Cowboy teammates will only help Oliver and Meade, both of whom will likely redshirt this season to prepare them for careers that may well put them right next to John Smith, Coleman Scott and the long list of Oklahoma State NCAA champions.

Predicting post-high school success for a talented high school wrestler can be an extremely difficult task. As many college coaches have come to find out, wrestling talent becomes only a small part of the equation. Work ethic, commitment, coachability, and other variables factor into the equation. Let's take a look back at RevWrestling.com's top-five high school seniors from the preseason rankings over the past three seasons and see how each has panned out. Each wrestler is given a letter grade based on his ability to live up to his national high school ranking thus far in his career. 2006 1. David Craig (Florida) David Craig (Photo/Danielle Hobeika)High School: Craig was an absolute monster as a high school wrestler at national powerhouse Brandon High School in Florida. He won three state titles and compiled an unblemished record of 179-0. As RevWrestling.com's high school analyst wrote at the start of Craig's senior season, "David Craig has been the top 171-pounder in the nation since his sophomore year. In 2005-2006, to paraphrase Shakespeare, he stands over all others at his weight class like a colossus." Post High School: Craig has not lived up to his billing at Lehigh. He is now entering his junior season and has yet to find a spot on the All-American podium. He was one match away from All-American status as a freshman at 184 pounds and missed most of his sophomore season because of academic issues. Grade: C Although Craig has yet to live up to his billing as the next great college wrestling star, he did reach the round of 12 in his only NCAA appearance as a true freshman, which is no small task. He still has two more seasons of college wrestling, so it's not fair to write him off as a complete bust yet. 2. Henry Cejudo (Arizona/Colorado) Henry Cejudo (Photo/Danielle Hobeika)High School: Cejudo was a phenom. His dominance in high school wrestling (four-time state champion) was overshadowed by his dominance in the international styles of freestyle and Greco-Roman. In freestyle, Cejudo completely dominated several highly touted stars, including Mike Grey, Franklin Gomez, and Paul Donahoe … just to name a few. But Cejudo's most impressive victories came on the senior level in events such as the NYAC and Sunkist tournaments. He crushed NCAA champion Jason Powell and also defeated Besik Kudukhov from Russia, a Junior World champion at the time who would later win a World title on the senior level. Post High School: Cejudo's post high school career has been well documented. He made the decision to forgo college wrestling to live and train in Colorado Springs at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Cejudo steadily climbed the U.S. ladder in freestyle while training under the tutelage of Terry Brands. In 2006, Cejudo became the first high school wrestler to win the U.S. Nationals since USA Wrestling became the national governing body for the sport in 1983. In 2007, he made the U.S. World Team. In 2008, Cejudo won an Olympic gold medal. Grade: A Yeah, I would say winning an Olympic gold medal just three years removed from getting your high school diploma gets you an A. 3. Billy Murphy (California) High School: Murphy might not have been the most technically-polished wrestler in high school, but he made up for it by wrestling an aggressive, attacking style. He was often compared to the Brands brothers. So it was no surprise when he signed to wrestle for Tom Brands, first at Virginia Tech, then at Iowa. Murphy compiled a prep career record of 168-3 in California and was a two-time Junior Nationals champion, earning Outstanding Wrestler honors as a junior. Post High School: As a redshirt, Murphy went 15-0 at 133 pounds and won titles at Spartan Classic, Kaufman-Brand Open, and Northern Iowa Opens. But in February of his redshirt season, Murphy was dismissed from the team at Iowa because of grades and behavior problems. Following his dismissal, Murphy began competing in local MMA events in Iowa. He enrolled at Kirkwood Community College before transferring to Iowa Central Community College. Grade: D Nobody has ever questioned Murphy's wrestling talents. His perfect record as a redshirt proves that he has the potential to be a very successful Division I wrestler. Whether he can get his off-the-mat issues resolved remains to be seen. 4. Garrett Scott (Pennsylvania) High School: Many considered Scott to be the best high school wrestler to come out of wrestling-rich Pennsylvania since the great Cary Kolat. Scott made two appearances in Fargo, winning Cadet Nationals titles in freestyle after his eighth and ninth grade seasons. He was a three-time state champion, but was unable to go for his fourth state title … because he was suspended for violating his charter school's Internet use policy. That was not the only off-the-mat issue with Scott during his senior year. He and three others were arrested by state police for possession of drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop, although Scott said the pipe that was found was not his. Post High School: Scott's off-the-mat issues followed him to Penn State. He lost his wrestling scholarship at Penn State when he enrolled as a part-time student his freshman year in 2006-2007. He was not on the Penn State wrestling roster that season. He was suspended before the start of last season after an arrest for underage drinking. Scott eventually found himself back on the mat … and defeated returning All-American Jake Strayer to make the lineup for the Nittany Lions. He showed flashes of what made him one of the top recruits in the country, like his 8-0 thumping of All-American Nick Gallick of Iowa State and his victory over highly-regarded Kellen Russell of Michigan, but battled knee injuries and inconsistency. A banged up Scott, wrestling with an LCL tear, reached the round of 12 at the NCAAs. Following the season, Scott found himself in trouble again and was dismissed from the team. He has since transferred to Edinboro, where he is expected to redshirt this season. Grade: C Like Murphy, wrestling talent has never been the issue with Scott. He is extremely tough on the mat and has a great feel for the sport. At this point, nothing would surprise me with Scott. He has the potential to be an NCAA champion and multiple-time All-American if he is committed to the sport. But that commitment has been missing for several years now. 5. Mike Grey (New Jersey) Mike Grey (Photo/Danielle Hobeika)High School: Grey is best known for becoming the first four-time state champion in New Jersey, which is an amazing accomplishment when you consider how much wrestling talent is in the state (not even including Blair Academy). He posted a 157-2 record and also picked up a Junior Nationals title and an NHSCA Nationals title. Post High School: Grey originally committed to Lehigh, but changed his mind in late summer and decided to enroll at Cornell. Grey stepped into the lineup for The Big Red last season as a freshman and made an immediate impact. He posted a 42-9 record and became an All-American by placing sixth at the NCAAs. For his efforts, Grey was named 2008 Rev Freshman of the Year. Grade: A- Grey has lived up to his billing. He is in a great situation at Cornell and should challenge for an NCAA title this season. 2007 1. Kirk Smith (Idaho) High School: Smith won four national championships in high school. He was also a four-time state finalist in Idaho, winning the state title twice. Post High School: As a true freshman, Smith wrestled unattached during the few weeks of the season. After winning the Southern Scuffle, Smith became the 184-pound starter for Boise State. He went on to become the first true freshman and the first Boise State wrestler since 2006 to earn All-American honors as he placed eighth at the NCAAs. Grade: A- Smith showcased his talents in his first season in the Boise State lineup. Expect him to move up on the All-American podium this season and possibly challenge for an NCAA title. 2. Albert White (Illinois) High School: White, a product of the infamous Harvey Twisters, is one of the best high school wrestlers the state of Illinois has ever produced. As a high school wrestler at Chicago St. Rita High School, White posted a record of 200-4 and won four state titles. He was also a Junior Nationals champion in Fargo. Post High School: White originally committed to the University of Illinois, but grade issues landed him at North Iowa Area Community college instead. He dazzled in his first year at NIACC, posting a 31-3 record and winning the 149-pound NJCAA title. He is expected to redshirt this season at NIACC before transferring to a Division I school. Grade: C White has yet to fulfill his promise as a Division I wrestler, but was very impressive in his one season at the junior college level. 3. Clayton Foster (Idaho) High School: Foster, like Kirk Smith, hails from the state of Idaho. He won three Idaho state titles and compiled a record of 160-11. He was also a two-time national champion at 189 pounds. Post High School: Foster began his first year at Oklahoma State as a redshirt, but was pulled out of redshirt at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals. He posted a 22-11 record competing at 197 pounds. He showed flashes of his great potential when he took down eventual NCAA champion Phil Davis of Penn State twice in a match. This past summer, Foster won on a bronze medal at the 2008 FILA Junior World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. Grade: B Foster was solid in his first season in the Oklahoma State lineup, but not spectacular. He wrestled some good matches, but never seemed able to break through and beat the highly-ranked opponents. His FILA Junior World medal should give him some additional confidence heading into this season. 4. Corey Jantzen (New York) Corey JantzenHigh School: For many years, Corey Jantzen was known primarily as Jesse Jantzen's little bro. The older Jantzen became a New York wrestling icon after he won four New York state titles and became an NCAA champion at Harvard. But when Corey Jantzen reached high school, he quickly made a name for himself. He became a four-time county champion and two-time New York state champion with a career record of 185-7. As a high school senior, Jantzen competed in the Midlands and placed seventh. One of the most impressive accomplishments on his high school resume was his victory on the senior level in freestyle over two-time NCAA runner-up Chris Fleeger at the NYAC tournament. Post High School: Jantzen, like his older brother, was an NCAA qualifier for Harvard as a freshman. He posted a 14-8 record, but missed seven weeks of the season due to injury. Grade: B Jantzen might not have quite lived up to his hype in his first season at Harvard, but still turned in a solid freshman campaign. He was also a bit undersized competing at 141 pounds. Keep in mind that his older brother, Jesse, also failed to become an All-American as a freshman, but then went on to become a three-time All-American and an NCAA champion his senior season. 5. Cody Gardner (Virginia) High School: Gardner, who wrestled for national powerhouse Christiansburg High School in Virginia, won nearly everything as a prep wrestler. He dominated the 215-pound weight class nationally and won big event after big event. He picked up four Virginia state titles and amassed a record of 186-6. Post High School: Gardner enrolled at Virginia Tech as a heavyweight, but quit the team in December of 2007. His father, Keith, was quoted in the Roanoke Times as saying, "He didn't have that burning desire to wrestle. If you talk to him, he's not going to wrestle (ever again). He's kind of hung up his shoes. It's kind of a shock, but I knew something was wrong. His heart wasn't in it. It was his choice to leave." But Gardner made the decision to return to the sport in May and wrestle at Ohio State. He is expected to compete at 197 pounds for the Buckeyes. From all accounts in Columbus, Gardner is back on track with his wrestling career. Grade: D 2008 1. Mario Mason (New Jersey) High School: Mason starred at Blair Academy in New Jersey. He compiled an extremely impressive high school wrestling resume, which included winning titles at NHSCA Nationals and Junior Nationals (freestyle) after his junior and senior seasons. He also won three National Prep titles. Post High School: Mason is attending the University of Minnesota. He will wrestle at 149 pounds, but it remains to be seen whether he will redshirt or compete in the lineup for the Gophers this season. Grade: Incomplete 2. Scott Winston (New Jersey) High School: Winston went 137-0 and won three New Jersey state titles. He's the only wrestler New Jersey history to win at least 100 matches and graduate with an undefeated record. He won a Junior Nationals title in freestyle in 2007, but did not compete in Fargo this past summer. Post High School: Winston is enrolled at Rutgers University and wrestling under his former high school coach, Scott Goodale. He is expected to be in the lineup at 157 pounds this season. Grade: Incomplete 3. Mike Mangrum (Washington) High School: Mangrum won three Washington state titles, but made a name for himself by his performance in national events. He won national titles in Fargo four times. This past May, Mangrum won a gold medal at the Junior Pan Am Championships in freestyle. Post High School: Mangrum attends Oregon State University. It has not been determined whether Mangrum will compete for the Beavers this season or redshirt. Grade: Incomplete 4. Jason Welch (California) Jason Welch (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)High School: Welch was the recipient of the Junior Dan Hodge Trophy -- an award presented to the nation's top high school wrestler. He compiled a high school record of 194-7 and won three California state titles. He finished his high school career on a 142-match winning streak. He also competed in the Midlands as a high school senior, placing sixth. Post High School: Welch attends Northwestern University. Although no official announcement has been made, Welch is expected to compete in the lineup for the Wildcats this season at 157 pounds. Grade: Incomplete 5. Nate Moore (Iowa) High School: Moore posted a high school record of 181-3. He was a four-time Iowa state finalist and two-time state champion who went undefeated over his final two seasons. He was also a two-time Junior Nationals champion in Fargo. Post High School: Moore attends the University of Iowa. He is expected to redshirt this season and compete unattached at 125 pounds. Grade: Incomplete

125 1. Angel Olea - Fresno City 2. Joe Cabanas - Cerritos 3. Jaime Martinez - Santa Ana 4. Brandon Benvenuti - Sierra 5. Marty Rubalcava - Fresno City 6. Addison Hay - Bakersfield 7. Edgar Paez - Modesto 8. Jose Quezada - East Los Angeles HM Ariann Martinez - Santa Ana Riley Burger - Cuesta Sergio Valdez - Skyline Tim Quigg - Victor Valley 133 1. Gabe Aguilar - Santa Ana 2. Todd Wilcox - Sierra 3. Derek Ellis - Shasta 4. Justen Lockling - Sacramento City 5. Mike Schultz - Cuesta 6. Ryan Giovenco - Cerritos 7. Alberto Arreola - West Hills 8. Matt Higa - Lassen HM Charles Chatman - Santa Rosa Danny Varela - Palomar Galen Williams - Fresno City Ryan Richards - Cerritos 141 1. Mike Koehnlein - Cerritos 2. Mike Vassar - Sierra 3. Bobby Schofield - SA 4. Steven De La Cruz - Chabot 5. Brad Kumara - Lassen 6. Daniel Osmer - Modesto 7. Kevin Thonseng - Fresno City 8. Bryan Williams - Sacramento City HM Boy Medina - MSAC Chris Brusato - Sacramento City Jose Mondragon - Palomar Ray Bowen - Victor Valley 149 1. Ian Millan - Rio Hondo 2. Shad Maniguilt - West Hills 3. Jose Navarro - Santa Ana 4. Tim Navarrete - Shasta 5. Jarrin Miller - Sierra 6. Bronson Gerl - Cerritos 7. Randy Dressler - Lassen 8. Adam Obad - Modesto HM David Stupplebeen - MSAC John Banke - Cuesta Shane Crosley - Moorpark 157 1. Alfonso Sanchez - Fresno City 2. Matt Thomas - Shasta 3. Vlad Kochev - Moorpark 4. Eric Sauvageau - Cerritos 5. Frankie Flores - Modesto 6. Adrian Gonzalez - East Los Angeles 7. Dan Kennedy - Santa Ana 8. Rafael Munoz - Lassen HM Alfredo Solis - Palomar Matt Kent – Sierra 165 1. Zeth St. Clair - Sierra 2. Nico Phillips - MSAC 3. Sean Barbour - SA 4. Blake Willard - Cuesta 5. Dustin Reid - Shasta 6. Clayton McFarlane - Palomar 7. Daniel Wosek - Cerritos 8. Paul Bracamonte - Fresno City HM Cesar Ponce - East Los Angeles Eric Lopez - WV Matt Boger - Fresno City Matt Klingler - GB Robert Carothers - Sacramento City Travis Sakamoto - WV 174 1. Mike Cavanaugh - Bakersfield 2. Luis Onofre - SA 3. Mike Fucci - Sierra 4. Eric Smith - Fresno City 5. Ryan Cummings - Cuesta 6. Cody Vasconcellos - Sacramento City 7. Steven Martinez - West Hills 8. Michael Grijalba - Modesto HM Gerson Nkunku - Sacramento City Matt Cox - Fresno City 184 1. Caleb Gerl - Cerritos 2. Matt Garcia - West Hills 3. Edward Melitosyan - West Valley 4. Derek Rottenberg - Shasta 5. Steven Urquizo - Fresno City 6. Justin Gomez - Santa Ana 7. Shawn Michalek - Sacramento City 8. Josh Villagomez - MSAC HM Derek Flesher - Palomar Jon Anderson - MSAC Justin Walker - Fresno City 197 1. Sal Feliccia - Rio Hondo 2. Jacob Bingham - Sierra 3. Tyler Garcia - Santa Ana 4. Julian Silva - MSAC 5. Tyler Blair - Fresno City 6. Mario Delgado - Cerritos 7. Kyle Roh - Santa Ana 8. JT Minto - Shasta HM Alex Osante - Palomar Angel Romero - Palomar BJ Mosley - Sacramento City Garrett Valenzuela - Sacramento City Jibri Jackson - Cerritos Matt Schugg - Skyline 285 1. Matt Gibson - Sierra 2. Juan Enriquez - Cerritos 3. Dyllan Snavely - Sacramento City 4. John Hernandez - Moorpark 5. Austin Garza - Fresno City 6. Ziek Sanchez - MSAC 7. Frank Ayala - MSAC 8. Carson Camen - Lassen HM Chris Shannon - Santa Ana Morgan Lujan - Sacramento City Tim Pugsley – Palomar Team Rankings 1. Sierra 2. Santa Ana 3. Cerritos 4. Fresno City 5. Shasta 6. Sacramento City 7. West Hills 8. Rio Hondo 9. Mt. San Antonio 10. Modesto 11. Cuesta 12. Bakersfield 13. Lassen 14. Moorpark 15. West Valley East Los Angeles

Back from Las Vegas and the hospitality of Randy and Kim Couture and their extended Family. Thanks to one and all who made this weekend a memorable one. A special thank you to our friends at the Las Vegas Hooters Casino and Hotel and to Film Star and comedian Bobby Slayton who made his stage available to us for our video interviews. This week we fire up the mobile Brute Adidas studios and head up to Brad Penrith's House, West Gym and the University of Northern Iowa Panthers. We will shoot this for the new TDR web site as well as audio distribution. Something new and something old. It's getting to be wrestling season and I can't wait. Tune in this week to Takedownradio.com Saturday for 9 AM to 11 AM CST for America's Wrestling Radio Talk Show, Takedown Wrestling Radio. Thanks for listening and for watching.

The name Marty Morgan has long been synonymous with the Minnesota Gopher wrestling program. Morgan, a native of Bloomington, Minnesota, became a three-time All-American, two-time NCAA finalist, NCAA champion, and accumulated a record of 110-12 while donning a Gopher singlet. (Morgan also won a Division II title at North Dakota State as a true freshman before transferring to the University of Minnesota.) He won the prestigious Big Ten Medal of Honor for his excellence on the mat and in the classroom. Following his collegiate wrestling career, Morgan, who has two older brothers (Gordy and John) that wrestled in the Olympic Games, went on to have a successful international wrestling career. He made two U.S. World teams in Greco-Roman and also competed in the World Cup. Marty Morgan (Photo/The Guillotine)Morgan then spent 16 years as an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Minnesota. Of those 16 years, 12 were spent as J Robinson's top assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Morgan landed several top recruiting classes and was widely considered to be one of the nation's top collegiate assistant wrestling coaches. The program saw great success during Morgan's collegiate coaching career. During his final 10 seasons, he helped guide the Gophers to six Big Ten team titles, nine consecutive top-two conference finishes, and three NCAA titles. In early September, Morgan resigned from his assistant coaching position at the University of Minnesota to train former Gopher Brock Lesnar in mixed martial arts (MMA) on a full-time basis. RevWrestling.com recently caught up with Morgan and asked him what led him to his decision to leave the University of Minnesota program and whether he would consider returning as a collegiate wrestling coach. Morgan also talked about Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and much more. You recently made the decision to resign from the University of Minnesota as the head assistant coach to train Brock Lesnar in mixed martial arts (MMA) on a full-time basis. Your decision to leave the program and the sport surprised a lot people in the wrestling community. What were the primary reasons for your decision? Morgan: Well, obviously I've been in that head assistant role for 12 years. As enjoyable as it, it's still … being in the same position for a long time. It got to the point where I figured that I needed to make some kind of move. With Brock coming to me and offering me something that was full-time, I just figured the two things went together well. You start to kind of worry a little about where your market value is as a coach … as of right now, as compared to where it may be in four or five years. So I just kind of thought, 'Well, here is an opportunity to step out and do something different for a while.' Brock's not going to be fighting for an extremely long period of time, but while he's doing it I thought it would be a nice change of pace. What was the hardest part about stepping away from the University of Minnesota wrestling program? Morgan: Probably leaving the athletes that are currently there. And also a lot of the alumni that I'm well connected to. There are guys who have been graduates in the last 10 years that are still really close to the program that I have close ties to. I know those guys were sad to see me go. They understood, but they were a little bit bummed out by it. And there are some athletes on the team that you grow a little bit more attached to. It makes it tough. But I guess that just goes with college sports. What is the likelihood of you returning to the University of Minnesota in the future? Morgan: I don't know what J's timeline is. I've always told J that it's not my place to put a timeline on him or make him feel like he has a timeline. I definitely would be interested in the head coaching position if it were to open up. But as of right now, I'm going to concentrate on Brock. I'm pretty involved in real estate as well. So I'm just kind of going to kind of concentrate on my real estate career, work with Brock for the time being, and see what happens down the road. So are you saying that you would not return to the University of Minnesota in an assistant coaching role again? Morgan: You never want to say never with things, but it's not in my plans. As of right now, I would prefer to do something different and see where I'm at … and then find out what kind of timeline … see what happens with the program, see if there is any kind of change. As of right now, I think I kind of have a game plan to move forward in real estate and maybe something else in the fight world as well. Is becoming a head coach for a Division I college wrestling program one of your career aspirations? Morgan: Becoming a head coach at the University of Minnesota has been. Not necessarily at another school. I have a lot of local ties, family, friends, alumni, wrestling community, so I've never felt like I've wanted to go elsewhere. And I still don't. The only other program I've ever thought would be of interest is North Dakota State … because I went to school there. But otherwise, no, my goal had always been to take over at the University of Minnesota. But once again, you have to sometimes make a change in order to make sure my market value stays where I need it to be. Entering last season, the expectations for the University of Minnesota Gopher wrestling program were extremely high. You were coming off a national championship season and had an extremely accomplished and experienced senior class. But the season was marked by injuries and inconstancy. You ended up finishing 10th at the NCAA Championships. Was last season the most frustrating season of your coaching career? Morgan: No, I don't think so. There were some other years in there. Prior to our run of eight or nine top-three finishes in a row … my first four or five years coaching were very frustrating. We had very poor finishes at the national tournaments with some decent teams. We were just having a hard time figuring out a year-end game plan. And then things change. Last year was a bit of an anomaly. I think it was a lot of things combined. We still had great kids that put forth the effort. I think if you have a lot of guys that are really into it and they're putting forth the effort, it doesn't feel as diminishing when things don't go your way. So by no means would I consider it to be one of the worst years. You come from a family of accomplished wrestlers and boxers. How did you become interested in MMA? Brock Lesnar (Photo/Sherdog.com)Morgan: Well, I've followed it and considered it when I first got out of wrestling. It wasn't what it is today, so I chose the path to coach. But more than anything else, I like coaching. I like working with guys. Brock was one of the guys I worked with when I was at the University of Minnesota … and we work well together. I had been training him for the past two years, but it was kind of a run-back-and-forth type of training. With his fight career escalating and obviously a title fight coming up, he asked me if I would ever want to do it on a full-time basis so that I can just concentrate on him and not be running back and forth from practice to practice and doing all this other stuff. So my interest then grew quickly. Really, the work I do with Brock is very similar to what I do with wrestlers. I train him and try to peak him for a certain fight or wherever we are at with his training. The actual coaching and strategy is done by Greg Nelson at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy. He has been there for years. Greg and I work together. My thing is more or less to oversee Brock and make sure he's feeling good and getting the right kind of training. I can also work in as a partner because of my size. So it kind of works in a dual way. I heard through the grapevine that you were once pursuing an MMA career and actually training to fight Chuck Liddell, but suffered an injury while training and never fought. Is that true? Morgan: No, actually what happened was … when the UFC was just getting going, there were some agents that I was working with that asked if I wanted to fight a guy named Chuck Liddell. Nothing was signed, no contracts were written. I hadn't signed anything. I had no idea who Chuck Liddell was at the time … because he hadn't fought yet either. I never even got any further than that. I just chose not to do it because at the same time I just got hired as the head assistant at the University of Minnesota. At that time, fighting wasn't what it is now. You would have had to fight for a long time to get to the point where these guys are at now. That story is probably just getting passed on a little bit. I just thought it was interesting that I remembered that. I can't think of the agent was, but he said, 'How about fighting this guy named Chuck Liddell?' And I had no idea who he was. Now, thinking back, it would have been awfully strange. It probably would have been a situation where I would have started off 0-1. Brock Lesnar seemed to make huge gains between his first UFC fight against Frank Mir and his second UFC fight against Heath Herring. What part of Lesnar's game do you think has he improved on the most in recent months? Morgan: Probably striking. We're constantly working on his overall game, but probably his striking and then just his demeanor going into the fights. We slowed him down a little bit. He was coming out like gangbusters in both his first two fights … and one time it cost him the fight. The more he knows, the more control he has, the more calm he is. I think his striking game is getting better. He's also developing knees and kicks. He's lethal on his feet. The better he gets there, the more comfortable he is when he gets takedowns. I would say that's where some of his best improvements have been made. Lesnar will face Randy Couture on November 15 in one of the most-highly anticipated fights in UFC history. What will be the key for Lesnar to come out victorious against Couture? Morgan: Well, I think Randy's boxing skills have gotten better and better. Even at his age now, I think he's getting better with moving. I think Brock is going to have to be sharp on his feet in his striking game. When it does go to the ground, he's going to look for submissions. A lot like he did with Herring, he's going to have to control him when he has him down. But I think it's mostly working on his striking and being able to catch Randy on his feet. I think Randy is going to want to keep it on his feet as much as he can. You made two U.S. World teams in Greco-Roman and competed while Couture was also having success on the senior level in Greco-Roman. He was one weight class above you. Did you ever train with him? Or get to know him on a personal level? Morgan: Yeah, he was on both the U.S. World teams that I was on. So he was the guy one weight class above me. We trained together. I got to know him really well. I consider him a friend. I wrestled him three times too. I moved up a weight when my brother was still wrestling, so I wrestled Randy a couple times in Greco and one time in freestyle. Good guy, hard worker. He was a grinder back then and he still is. Lately, there has been a trend for accomplished U.S. wrestlers to pursue MMA careers, rather than continuing to compete internationally in freestyle or Greco-Roman. Do you think this trend could have a negative effect on future U.S. World and Olympic teams? Marty Morgan landed several top recruits during his time at Minnesota. Here he is coaching Roger Kish at the 2008 NCAA Championships (Photo/The Guillotine)Morgan: Yeah, I do. With the way FILA has been treating wrestling … constantly dropping weight classes, the horrific rule changes. They are cutting opportunities. While opportunities are being cut, guys are getting frustrated with it and they see a money outlet in fighting. I think we're going to start losing some of the better guys. Ben Askren is considering it … and Mo Lawal, Johny Hendricks, and Jake Rosholt are fighting. I think it will definitely have an impact on wrestling in the U.S. For the fighting world, I think it's a good thing. I do think there will be so many wrestlers involved in this now because we've had some great success in fighting, but we've only had a handful of successful guys in there. Now we're getting a handful a year getting into it. Pretty soon, just like Brock vs. Randy, it's going to be wrestler vs. wrestler in a lot of these big-time fights. You have recruited and signed many top recruits throughout your coaching career, some from Minnesota, but many from states all throughout the country. In your opinion, how does the talent pool coming out of Minnesota high schools right now stack up against other states? Morgan: In the past, we've seen probably two or three blue chips a year … maybe less sometimes. I think in the next few years, Minnesota is going to see more and more blue chips. I think there has been a real influx of folkstyle wrestling in our state. Realistically, we've just started a full-fledged folkstyle wrestling program six or seven years ago. Now we have kids in eighth or ninth grade who have wrestled as many folkstyle matches as they have freestyle matches, which is one of the keys to states like Ohio and Pennsylvania. They've have had a great folkstyle feeder systems for years. I think it's starting to become more and more evident that our kids are getting more matches and getting better at folkstyle. Our 14-and-under division won the dual meet nationals, Greco and freestyle. There are a lot things that my brother Gordy is doing … and Jared Lawrence and Luke Becker at Pinnacle. Those guys are all working with the kid levels, so we have some pretty high caliber guys working with young kids. I think it's going to start showing more and more. I think it's going to get harder and harder for the University of Minnesota to get those kids because you can only get so many a year. But I could see in the future having four or five legitimate Division I kids every year. Marty Morgan's nephew, Ben Morgan, won a state high school title in Minnesota last season as an eighth-grader at 112 pounds (Photo/The Guillotine)Your brother's son and your nephew, Ben Morgan, won a Minnesota state high school title as an eighth-grader last season at 112 pounds. What did that mean to you to see him win a state title? Morgan: It was exciting. It surprised me. I knew Ben was good and that he was improving at a drastic rate. I couldn't believe that he was capable of keeping himself together and winning it. As far as overall career-wise, it's great, but it's also a little added extra pressure. In the long run, I hate to say it, but an eighth-grade state title hasn't meant a whole lot yet in the state of Minnesota for future collegiate stars and Olympic hopefuls. It doesn't mean a whole lot. He has to keep getting better. He can't worry about how many titles he wins, he just has to keep worrying about getting better at wrestling. You have a history of not only recruiting and signing many of the nation's top 184 and 197-pounders, but also developing them into very successful collegiate and international wrestlers. Most recently that list includes Tim Hartung, Brandon Eggum, Damion Hahn, and Roger Kish. This season, Sonny Yohn is expected to step into the Gopher lineup as a freshman at 184 pounds. How great can he be? Morgan: Well, he had shoulder surgery, so he has to recover from that. Prior to that, I could see some good things happening. He has a lot of things to work on technically, but he does have a couple things we saw in high school that I think are great advantages for him. He's very good on top. He's a very good scrambler. He's a fun wrestler to watch. I think his mat skills will carry him a long way. I foresee him having a good career. He still has Brandon Eggum there overseeing him. I think Sonny will still end up doing very well. I don't know how quickly he'll be in there at that level. But I know he'll be up on top before he's done. Please Note: This story also appears in the October 17 issue of The Guillotine. The Guillotine has been covering amateur wrestling in Minnesota since 1971. Its mission is to report and promote amateur wrestling at all levels -- from youth and high school wrestling to college and international level wrestling. For information on The Guillotine, click HERE.

This week's edition of "On the Mat" will feature wrestling legends Al Bevilacqua and Doug Blubaugh. Al Bevilacqua has been a leader in the wrestling world for decades at many different levels. Bevilacqua served as an educator with the Massapequa (NY) Public Schools from 1961 to 1994 where he served as the head wrestling coach from 1962-1977. He is currently the chairman of the Metropolitan Wrestling Association Beat the Streets program, which is bringing wrestling to inner-city schools in New York City. Among his many awards, Bevilacqua was named Man of the Year by USA Wrestling in 2005 for his great contributions to the sport. Doug Blubaugh won an Olympic gold medal at 160.5 pounds in Rome, Italy in 1960 where he pinned six-time world champion Emamali Habibi of Iran in the finals. He pinned six opponents at the Olympics and was named as the World's Outstanding Wrestler in 1960. Blubaugh was a three-time All-American at Oklahoma State University and won an NCAA title in 1957 at 157 pounds. A native of Ponca City, Oklahoma, he also won the AAU National Championship three times (1957-1959) and won gold at the 1959 Pan American Games. "On the Mat" can be hard live on the internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa each Wednesday from 5:00 - 6:00 PM Central time on 1650, The Fan. Feel free to e-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with questions or comments about the show.