InterMat Staff

This week's edition of "On the Mat" will feature Don Perkins, Larry Hennig, and Gene LeBell. Perkins was a former superstar for the Dallas Cowboys from 1961-68. During his career he made six Pro Bowls and rushed for 6,217 yards. He is one of 17 people that have been inducted into the Ring of Honor at Texas Stadium. On July 13, Perkins will be at the Celebrity Golf Outing for the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum. Both Perkins and legendary wrestler Dan Gable graduated from West Waterloo and met for the first time two years ago. Hennig was a former pro wrestler who was inducted into the George Trago/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame last year. His son Curt Hennig – known in pro wrestling circles as Mr. Perfect – will be inducted this year. They are the first father and son to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. LeBell is a legendary stuntman who has been featured in over 1000 movies. Known as "The Most Dangerous Man Alive", LeBell is an expert in submission wrestling. In June 1976, he refereed the famous mixed boxing and wrestling match between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki. In 2005 LeBell received the Frank Gotch Award. He also has a Mixed Martial Arts academy in California. "On the Mat" is a weekly wrestling radio program that airs every Wednesday night. This week's broadcast can be heard live from 6-7 p.m. Central Standard Time. The Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, hosts the show. "On the Mat" can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa on 1650, The Fan. Feel free to e-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with questions or comments about the show.

Columbia, Mo. -- Two-time wrestling National Champion Ben Askren (Hartland, Wis.) was nominated for a 2007 ESPY in the category of Best Male College Athlete as announced today by ESPN. Co-presented by HUMMER and Under Armour, the 15th annual celebration will air on ESPN Sunday, July 15, at 8 p.m. (CT). Fans can vote for Askren, as well as other individuals nominated in one of 38 categories, Monday, June 25, through 10:59 p.m. (CT) Saturday, July 7 www.espys.tv. A total of 170 individuals were nominated for a 2007 ESPY. Askren, Missouri's first wrestling national champion and four-time All-American, finished his senior campaign with a spotless 42-0 record that included 29 wins by fall, a school single-season record. Of Askren's 29 falls, 23 were recorded within the first period. In addition, Askren also managed to set Missouri's career falls mark at 91. Throughout the 2006-07 campaign, Askren earned five tournament titles including his third Big 12 title at 174 pounds. Named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational and Southern Scuffle, Askren was also awarded the Gorrarian Award at the Cliff Keen Invitational for most pins in the tournament. The three-time Tiger team captain, closed his collegiate career with a 153-8 mark that included a stretch of 87 consecutive wins dating back to the start of his junior season. One of four individuals nominated for Best Male College Athlete, Askren stands in the category alongside Texas forward Kevin Durant, Ohio State center Greg Oden and Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and ESPY nominee LeBron James, the annual award show will be held at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre.

University of Minnesota senior wrestler Cole Konrad has been named the Big Ten Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year, the conference office announced today. The award is the highest honor an athlete can receive from the Big Ten Conference. Konrad beat out the likes of Ohio State's 2006 Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, Penn State's All-American linebacker Paul Posluszny and Wisconsin's 2007 Big Ten Player of the Year Alando Tucker. Konrad is just the fourth athlete from the University of Minnesota to earn Big Ten – Jesse Owens Athlete of the Year honors since the award was instituted in 1982. He is the first Golden Gopher athlete to win the award since wrestler Damion Hahn won it in 2004. Gymnast John Roethlisberger was the first Minnesota athlete to earn the award in 1983, while Jordan Leopold was honored after leading the hockey team to a national title in 2002. Swimmer Gretchen Hegener won the Suzy Favor Female Athlete of the Year award in 1997. Arguably the greatest wrestler in school history, Konrad capped off his brilliant career with his second straight individual national title in leading the Golden Gophers to their third NCAA championship in the last seven years. He became just the fourth Minnesota wrestler to win multiple NCAA titles and the fifth to earn All-America honors four times in a career. With his 2007 Big Ten heavyweight title, Konrad became only the fifth wrestler in school history to win three Big Ten individual crowns as he helped the Gophers run away with their second straight conference title. He also became just the third wrestler in conference history to win multiple Big Ten Wrestler of the Year awards. Konrad finished his career with a school-record 76-match winning streak, which also ranks as the 13th-longest in Division I history. He posted a career record of 155-13 for a .923 career winning percentage, the fourth-best in school history. His 155 career victories and 50 career pins are both totals that rank second on the school's all-time record charts. Only a minor shoulder injury at the beginning of the 2007 season prevented Konrad from having a chance to challenge both of those marks. This past season, Konrad pinned 13 of the 28 wrestlers he faced and was forfeited to seven times. He went 11-0 against ranked opponents on the year, including a pin of second-ranked Aaron Anspach of Penn State in the NCAA title match. Perhaps the most telling characteristic of Konrad's career was his reputation for coming through in the clutch. Sixteen times during his career, Konrad needed to win his match to clinch a Minnesota victory and all 16 times he delivered. At the finals of the 2007 National Duals, Minnesota trailed Missouri by two points entering the heavyweight bout. Needing only a win, Konrad delivered in dramatic fashion by pinning Tyler Perry to clinch Minnesota's second straight National Duals title. The Big Ten Conference has recognized a Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year since 1982 when Indiana's Jim Spivey earned the inaugural award. The following year, a women's award was created. In 1991-92, as part of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of women's athletics in the conference, the women's award was renamed in honor of former Wisconsin track standout and three-time recipient Suzy Favor.

Two SCSU Husky wrestling recruits were named to the 2007 Wrestling USA Scholastic All-American team. Lucas Munkelwitz (Forest Lake, MN) was named as an All-American, while fellow recruit Tad Merritt (Canby, MN) earned All-American honorable mention honors. Munkelwitz captured the 2007 Minnesota High School State Championship this past season. He finished his career at Forest Lake High School with a 97-18 record while carrying a 2.7 GPA. Munkelwitz finished his career ranked 26th in the nation by Wrestling USA Magazine at 171-pounds. Merritt, an All-American honorable mention, is a two-time Minnesota High School State Champion. He finished his career with a 176-32 record including 116 falls while carrying a 2.88 GPA. Merritt finished his career ranked 20th in the nation by InterMat All-Class High School Rankings at 152-pounds. The Husky's will welcome several newcomers to the wrestling roster in the fall. The first competition is set for Saturday, November 10th in Halenbeck Hall when they will host their Annual Black-Red Classic at 6 p.m.

Bloomington, Ind. -- Former Indiana wrestling All-American Pat DeGain has been named an assistant wrestling coach at Indiana University, head coach Duane Goldman announced today. DeGain, who wrestled for the Hoosiers from 2002-05, most recently spent two years as an assistant at the University of Virginia. "I feel very excited and fortunate to get Pat DeGain back into our program," Goldman said. "As a student-athlete he was a tremendous competitor and leader and he has now proven himself to be an effective coach at Virginia. We relish the opportunity to bring an IU alum back on our staff." DeGain, who finished third in the heavyweight division at the 2005 NCAA Championships, will work with the upper weight divisions and assist in recruiting for the Hoosiers. Virginia posted a 19-15 record in DeGain's two seasons as an assistant after going 5-13 the year prior to his arrival. "It's exciting for me to be a coach under Duane and with Duane after wrestling for him," DeGain said. "I learned a lot from him while I was there so I think things are going to go well. I'm really looking forward to returning to Bloomington." DeGain was a strong recruiter for the Cavaliers, helping them land back-to-back top 25 recruiting classes. His key signees included heavyweight Jack Danilkowicz, who was a FILA Junior National Champion in Greco-Roman. He will be crucial in the development of Hoosier sophomore Nathan Everhart (197) and highly-touted incoming freshman Joe Fagiano (HWT). DeGain graduated from Indiana in 2005 after finishing his career with a 115-31 overall record over his four seasons. As a senior, DeGain finished the year 35-6 and placed third at the NCAA Championships to seal an All-American season. He ended his career ranked fifth on Indiana's all-time career wins list with 115 and became the third IU wrestler to capture a Midlands title. He also took second at the Big Ten Championships in 2005. As a junior, DeGain finished 28-8 on the season. His 28 victories were good for fourth on the team as he also went 17-3 in dual action that year. Of his 28 wins, nine victories were by fall, six were major decisions and one win was by technical fall. He turned in a first-place showing at the Northern Iowa Open and also qualified for the NCAA Championships after a third place finish at the Big Ten Championships. As a sophomore, DeGain posted an 18-match undefeated streak. For the season, DeGain compiled an overall record of 29-7 on the year with a 20-4 dual meet record. In his debut season, the Clarkston, Mich., native was ranked as high as fifth in the nation during the season. DeGain finished the year with a 23-11 record and a 6-2 mark in the Big Ten. He came up just short of All-American status at the NCAA Championship after posting a 3-2 record at Nationals. In high school, DeGain was a two-time state champion and won the last 99 matches of his high school career. He finished his career as the No. 4 wrestler in the NHSCA/Asics Senior rankings. He placed fifth at the 1997 Cadet Freestyle National Championships and took fifth at the 1998 Cadet Greco-Roman National Championships. DeGain and his wife, Nicole, have been married since August 2005.

BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania -- The highly anticipated wrestling movie "VERITAS" will screen during the South Side Film Festival at the Lehigh University Campus in the Packard Lab Auditorium on Thursday, June 21, at 7 pm and on Saturday, June 23 at 2 pm. (200 W. Packer Ave. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) VERITAS means Righteousness, Truth and Integrity… For three time NCAA All American Wrestler, Jon Trenge, it's a reminder for him to do the right thing. Veritas is a feature-length film documenting Lehigh University's 2004-2005 wrestling team and the story of Jon Trenge, who strives to achieve his childhood dream of becoming a National Wrestling Champion for his hometown school. Jon's freshman season is cut short when doctors discover an eye condition so serious that he is told he should never wrestle again or risk losing his eyesight permanently. Jon refuses to accept his doctor's warning and is determined to find a way to wrestle. After undergoing five eye surgeries, he wears homemade protective goggles designed by his father and nearly achieves his goal his sophomore and junior seasons losing in the National Finals. Jon defeats a former National Champion to earn the most wins in Lehigh's storied wrestling history, but many of his opponents intentionally attack his protective goggles injuring and frustrating him. Jon retaliates and gets disqualified from two matches. However, Jon overcomes this setback by using it as an opportunity to learn about himself and grow as a person. He returns to competition invigorated, and the pursuit of his childhood dream ultimately helps him become the man he wants to be. VERITAS has taken the wrestling community by storm as it was recently showcased during the 2007 NCAA Division 1 National Wrestling Championships were it received a standing ovation. Then the film screened at the National High School Wrestling Championships in Virginai Beach, Virginia where it was well received by wrestlers, parents and fans. The screening in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania will be the films homecoming as the film will showcase in the Lehigh Valley, the valley where the inspiring story of a local hero Jon Trenge is known by many. Present at the film festival screenings will be the films director and producer Howie Miller. Following the screening Miller will participate in a question and answer session where audience members can participate in a discussion of the film. The South Side Film Festival (SSFF) premiered in June 2004, with great success, screening 50 films, by 35 filmmakers, from as far as India, the Netherlands, California, Utah, Texas, and all over the East Coast. Since then the festival has showcased films from almost every filmmaking corner of the world. For tickets and more information about the South Side Film Festival please visit http://www.ssff.org. For information regarding the movie VERITAS, future screening dates, DVD sales and fundraising opportunities for wrestling teams please visit http://www.Veritas-Movie.com or http://www.MySpace.com/VeritastheMovie

This week's edition of "On the Mat" will feature Lindsey Durlacher and Harley Race. Durlacher recently made his third World Team by winning the World Team Trials in the Greco-Roman division at 121 pounds. He also won a bronze medal at the 2006 World Championships. A former two-time All-American for the University of Illinois, Durlacher placed second in 1997 at 118 pounds. He currently trains at the U.S. Olympic Training Center as a resident athlete. Race is a member of the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame located in the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum. Known as "Handsome Harley Race" for much of his career, the Missouri native was one of the ring's best brawlers, taking on everyone from coast to coast. A true legend in the professional wrestling business, Race was an eight-time NWA World champion. "On the Mat" is a weekly wrestling radio program that airs every Wednesday night. This week's broadcast can be heard live from 6-7 p.m. Central Standard Time. The Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, hosts the show. "On the Mat" can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa on 1650, The Fan. Feel free to e-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with questions or comments about the show.

Sharon Dowden of Indianapolis, Ind., a grassroots leader on the state and national levels, has been named Woman of the Year by USA Wrestling, the national governing body for wrestling in the United States. This award recognizes an outstanding woman for her contributions to the sport of wrestling. "It is an honor to receive this award," said Dowden. "I am basically a grassroots person and have worked for the past 25 years toward building a quality program for the kids at the state and regional level. My motto has always been, ‘Do it for the Kids.'" Dowden has been active with the Indiana State Wrestling Association (ISWA) for decades in many capacities. She began her involvement in the sport in 1981, when her youngest sons began competing. "Two of my sons attended a wrestling clinic and decided they wanted to compete. We didn't have a club in our area, at the time, so my husband Mike and I started one," said Dowden. "I didn't know much about wrestling but I loved the kids and came to understand and respect the sport. So, I became the club mom, attending practices, printing up schedules, and accompanying kids almost every Saturday. That led to Friday night sleepovers at the Dowden's and hauling as many kids as possible to tournaments. Sometimes Mike and I drove two vehicles because they wouldn't all fit in our station wagon." An incident at a wrestling tournament a few years later helped Dowden to decide to make a full commitment as a volunteer leader. "I became upset when a young person, working the time clock on my son's mat, was paying little attention to the match," said Dowden. "I questioned the official as to why they were not utilizing adults. That official was Jan Hesser. His reply was, ‘There are never enough adult volunteers. If more people like you would volunteer we wouldn't have this problem. So, Mrs. Dowden you decide. You can either become part of the solution or remain part of the problem.' That was a turning point for me." She served as the ISWA membership director from 1986-2003. When she started as membership director, Indiana had 3,600 wrestlers and 40 clubs. To date, the ISWA has grown to over 8,900 athletes, 800 coaches and 175 member clubs. She is currently serving as Director of Services, and Web Master for the ISWA. She is an Associate Pairing Master in Indiana and a USA Wrestling P3 Pairer. In 1997, she assisted in forming USA Wrestling's Central Region. She served on the Local Organizing Committee for the 2003 World Team Trials and the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, successful national events held in Indianapolis. She has focused on improving communication within the ISWA, and is the publisher of the annual publication, the Indiana Amateur Wrestling News. She has also worked on developing the folkstyle program for the ISWA. She was a leader in the decision of the ISWA to switch from the AAU to USA Wrestling many years ago. Dowden has been inducted into the Indiana Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, and received the 1997 ISWA John Hurrle Award. She is married to Mike Dowden, the Indiana State Chairperson, a member of the Junior Olympic Wrestling Committee as well as USA Wrestling's Board of Directors. All of her involvement in wrestling has been based upon the quest to share quality information with wrestling families and to provide more opportunities for young people to participate in USA Wrestling programs. "Although I realize the importance of involvement at the national and Olympic level, my passion is the grassroots level of wrestling. We need people who are still in the trenches. Without them, we tend to lose touch with why we all began this journey in the first place," said Dowden. Dowden will be recognized and received her award at ceremonies during the ASICS/Vaughan Junior Nationals and Accelerade Cadet Nationals in Fargo, N.D. in July. PAST USA WRESTLING WOMAN OF THE YEAR WINNERS 2006 – Sharon Dowden 2005 – Kim Martori-Wickey 2004 – Patricia Miranda 2003 - Kristie Marano 2002 - Pat Short 2001 - Paula McGahee 2000 - Sandy Stevens 1999 - Sue Siar 1998 - Nancy Schultz 1997 - Tricia Saunders

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- The Penn State wrestling team is celebrating 100 years of wrestling this season and once again faces one of the nation's toughest schedules. Head coach Troy Sunderland has announced the 2007-08 Nittany Lion wrestling schedule and Penn State will host seven outstanding duals. The Nittany Lions also meet Oklahoma State for the first time since 1999-2000. Penn State will take part in 14 regularly scheduled matches and once again take part in the National Duals in January. In addition to a stunning slate of dual match action, Penn State will once again host Wrestle-Offs and take part in the Nittany Lion Open. The schedule once again concludes with the Big Ten Championships and the NCAA Championships in March. The season begins in earnest on Sunday, Nov. 4, when Penn State hosts Wrestle-Offs in Rec Hall at 1 p.m. The annual event then gives Penn State a week to get ready for the season opener as the Maryland Terrapins visit Penn State on Sunday, Nov. 11, in a 1 p.m. match-up. Less than a week later, national power and Eastern rival Hofstra comes to Penn State for a 1 p.m. dual on Saturday, Nov. 17. Penn State then takes a week off to prepare for the 2007 Nittany Lion Open, which will take place on Sunday, Dec. 2. Five days later, a superb two-match swing opens the road slate for Sunderland's Lions. Penn State will visit regional rival Lehigh on Friday, Dec. 7, in a 7 p.m. dual. The Lions will then take to the skies and head to Stillwater, Okla., to face national power Oklahoma State on Sunday, Dec. 9. The time of that dual has yet to be determined. The match-up with the Cowboys will be the first meeting between the two teams in nearly a decade and Penn State's first trip to Stillwater since the 1999-2000 season. After the semester break, Penn State opens up the spring semester with a rugged home dual against regional rival Cornell. The Big Red and Nittany Lions will tangle on Friday, Jan. 4, at 7 p.m. Penn State then makes its return to the 2008 NWCA/Cliff Kean National Duals, hosted by Northern Iowa University in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The field for this year's dual meet championship tournament is outstanding and includes Penn State, Central Michigan, Cornell, Hofstra, Indiana, Iowa State, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Northern Iowa, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oklahoma State and West Virginia. Penn State will return to Iowa less than a week later for its Big Ten opener. The Nittany Lions will visit the Iowa Hawkeyes on Sunday, Jan. 20. The Nittany Lions then visit Ohio State on Friday, Jan. 25, for a 7 p.m. conference match-up before returning home to host Indiana on Sunday, Jan. 27, at 1 p.m. Big Ten road action continues the next week as the Lions visit Northwestern on Friday, Feb. 1 and Illinois on Sunday, Feb. 3. Penn State then hosts three straight conference duals to close out its Big Ten schedule. The Michigan Wolverines will visit what is sure to be a packed Rec Hall on Friday night, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. Michigan State then comes to town a week later for a 7 p.m. match-up on Friday, Feb. 15. The Purdue Boilermakers visit Rec Hall for Penn State's home finale on Sunday, Feb. 17, at 1 p.m. The Nittany Lions close out the dual match schedule with a short road trip to local rival Lock Haven on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 7:30 p.m. "We are very pleased and excited about the schedule that we will face this year. With the new additions to our slate and a return to the national duals, we have created a schedule that will challenge our team every step of the way and prepare us for the Big Ten and NCAA Championships," Sunderland said. We face one of the nation's toughest line-ups every year by facing eight of the country's best teams in the Big Ten. We also continue our outstanding non-conference schedule against some of the nation's top teams like Hofstra, Cornell and Lehigh. Add in a new regional foe like Maryland and local rival Lock Haven and it is easy to get excited about the 100 year campaign." The season will conclude with the two biggest tournaments for Penn State. The 2008 Big Ten Championships will be hosted by the University of Minnesota on Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9, in Minneapolis. Two weeks later, all roads lead to St. Louis as the 2008 NCAA Wrestling Championships return to St. Louis' Scottrade Center (formerly the Savvis Center). The three day title tourney takes place on March 20-22. "We are very disappointed about Aaron Anspach not getting a sixth year of eligibility, but despite that, we have an outstanding group of wrestlers returning. We have two All-Americans and three other national qualifiers returning and a hungry group of guys who are ready to take their shots at becoming national champions. This schedule will serve as a superb test for our team and prepare us exceptionally well for March." Penn State returns seven of ten starters from last year's team as well as two other starters from the 2005-06 campaign and another spot starter from a year ago. Two All-Americans and three more national qualifiers will help give Penn State a talented and veteran line-up. Senior Phil Davis (Harrisburg, Pa.) will be looking to claim his elusive national title and will aim to become Penn State's fourth four-time All-American. Davis has placed seventh (2005), was national runner-up (2006) and finished fifth (2007) at 197 pounds. Junior Jake Strayer (South Fork, Pa.) earned his first All-America honor after his seventh place finish at 133 a year ago at nationals. Strayer will move up to 141 pounds this year for a run at a national title. Senior Mark McKnight (McDonald, Pa.) is a three-time national qualifier at 125 pounds and returns for his final season with the Nittany Lions. Two sophomores who were recently named to the AWN All-Rookie Team return for their second seasons in the Lion line-up as well. Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) went 3-2 at nationals last year and finished in the ‘Round of 12', just one win shy of All-America status. Bubba Jenkins (Virginia Beach, Va.) returns for his second season after qualifying for nationals at 157. Other starters returning include sophomores Dave Rella (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) at 165 and Mike Ward (Mayfield, Ohio) at 184. Ward split starting time at 184 last year with returning junior starter Phil Bomberger (Port Royal, Pa.). Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.), who started periodically at 125 in 2005-06, and David Erwin (Urbana, Ohio), who started most of that season at 165, also return after red-shirt seasons. Erwin looks to move up to 174. A number of talented heavyweights return to vie for the spot opened up by Anspach's graduation, including transfers John Laboranti (Scranton, Pa.) and Stefan Tighe (Erie, Pa.). Penn State went 14-5 overall last year and placed third in the Big Ten dual match standings with a 5-3 mark. The Lions were fourth at Big Tens and 11th at nationals, crowning three All-Americans with one national finalist (Anspach). The Nittany Lions also welcome one of the nation's top recruiting classes as well.

Related Links: Watch JJ Classic Videos View JJ Classic Photos View JJ Classic Placewinners View JJ Classic Brackets ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Fredy Stroker entered Saturday's InterMat JJ Classic on Saturday ranked among the nation's top 20 freshmen before ever donning a high school wrestling singlet. Fredy Stroker (Photo/The Guillotine)The 15-year-old Stroker, who attends Bettendorf High School in Iowa, showed why he is so highly regarded by defeating three state placewinners and a two-time state champion en route to capturing the JJ Classic title at 113 pounds. Stroker used lighting-quick attacks, strong scrambling, and a poise that far exceeds his age to roll through his competition. He pinned state third-place finisher Joey Majerus in the quarterfinals. Then he came from behind to defeat top-seeded Tristan Manderfeld (Foley, Minn.), 7-4, in the semifinals. Stroker capped off his tournament by defeating two-time state champion Jordan Shearer (West Fargo, N.D.), 3-1, in the championship match. Three Gopher recruits win titles, Brancale named OW Three seniors who have committed to the University of Minnesota, Sam Brancale (Eden Prairie, Minn.), Brandon Kingsley (Apple Valley, Minn.), and Michael Kroells (Scott West, Minn.), claimed titles at the JJ Classic. Sam Brancale (Photo/The Guillotine)Brancale, who is ranked as the nation's No. 56 overall recruit, cruised to the championship at 132 pounds, a weight class that included three state champions and several state placewinners. He recorded three pins en route to reaching the semifinals. Brancale then won 9-2 over two-time state placewinner Taner Trembley (LCWM, Minn.) in the semifinals, before winning by the identical score of 9-2 in the finals over state champion Mitchel Lexvold (Kenyon Wanamingo, Minn.). Brancale was voted Outstanding Wrestler of this year's JJ Classic. Kingsley, a three-time state champion and No. 6 overall recruit, registered two pins and two decisions on his way to capturing the title at 152 pounds. He was pushed in the semifinals by eighth-grade phenom Mason Manville, who is ranked as the No. 3 junior high wrestler in the country, but prevailed for the 4-2 victory. Kingsley's victory in the finals came over Adam Cooling (Madelia/Truman/Martin Luther, Minn.), 5-0. Kroells, an undefeated state champion last season, showed why he is among the nation's top big men by pinning Sam Stoll (Kasson-Mantorville, Minn.), a Cadet National double champion and the nation's No. 12 sophomore, to take the title at heavyweight. Three Apple Valley wrestlers win titles Three Apple Valley wrestlers won titles at the JJ Classic. No other program produced more than one champion. Apple Valley's titlists included Kingsley (152), Seth Gross (126), and Mark Hall (145). Seth Gross (Photo/The Guillotine)Gross, a Cadet National freestyle champion this past summer, was dominant throughout the tournament. He won his opening match by pin, and then outscored his remaining three opponents 32-5. He defeated Northern Plains Cadet freestyle champion Ben Brancale (Eden Prairie, Minn.), 8-2, in the championship match. Hall, who is ranked as the nation's No. 1 junior high wrestler, defeated Weston Droegemueller (Wayzata, Minn.), 7-0, to take the title at 145 pounds. Nation's No. 20 freshman shines Lance Benick (Totino Grace, Minn.), the nation's No. 20 freshman, won his first JJ Classic title at 182 pounds, beating Corbin Farrell (Apple Valley, Minn.), 5-2, in the championship match. Benick outscored his opponents 31-11 throughout the tournament. He is coming off a summer in which he went undefeated at the Schoolboy National Duals and 15-1 at the Junior Olympics. Rodriguez knocks off red-hot Sykora to win title at 106 Dante' Rodriguez (Photo/The Guillotine)Dante' Rodriguez (Grand Island, Nebr.), a Junior National Greco-Roman runner-up, put together an impressive string of victories to claim the title at 106 pounds. Rodriguez, who was fifth at the 2010 JJ Classic, was dominant in his first three matches, picking up two pins and a major decision. Then in the semifinals he edged state runner-up Tanner Johnshoy (Prior Lake, Minn.), 3-2. (Johnshoy won the award for most pins in the least amount of time.) Rodriguez then capped off his tournament by beating red-hot Cameron Sykora (Border West, Minn.), a 2011 Grappler Fall Classic champion, 4-2. Prior to the finals Sykora, the No. 1 seed, had outscored his opponents 37-2 and picked up a pin in under a minute. Koethe defeats Sullivan in barnburner at 160 In perhaps the most action-filled finals match, Justin Koethe (Iowa City West, Iowa) defeated Ben Sullivan (Apple Valley, Minn.), 10-7, in a barnburner at 160 pounds. Sullivan, an NHSCA Junior National finalist, scored the first two takedowns of the match off leg attacks, and took a 4-2 lead into the second period. Koethe, a five-time Fargo All-American, battled back, scoring two takedowns of his own in the second period to tie the score at 7-7 heading into the third period. Koethe added an escape and a late takedown to win 10-7. Kuefner becomes first two-time JJ Classic champion Coyte Kuefner (Owatonna, Minn.) pinned Cody Linssen (Park, Minn.), a Minnesota Ninth Grade League state champion, to claim the title at 220 pounds and become the first two-time JJ Classic champion. Kuefner, a two-time Junior National folkstyle All-American, won his title last year at 215 pounds. Eleven No. 1 seeds win titles Of the 14 champions crowned on Saturday, 11 were No. 1 seeds. In addition to top seeds Gross, Brancale, Hall, Kingsley, Koethe, Kuefner, and Kroells winning titles, Josh Alber (Dakota, Ill.), Marcus Peterson (Clarion-Goldfield, Iowa), Cody Anderson (White Bear Lake, Minn.), and Alex Gray (Maple Grove) lived up to their No. 1 seeds. Josh Alber (Photo/The Guillotine)Alber, an undefeated state champion and Cadet National freestyle All-American, surrendered only four points in five matches to win the title at 120 pounds. His victory in the finals came over Andres Gonzales (Mason City, Iowa), 3-1. Peterson defeated Kyle McKenzie (La Crosse Logan, Wis.), 9-1, to win the championship at 138 pounds. Anderson, a JJ Classic runner-up in 2010, won 7-3 over Alex Jackson in the finals at 170 pounds. Gray pinned Schoen Kichler (Waconia, Minn.) to claim the title at 195 pounds. Tough break for bracket-buster Riggs Freshman Austin Riggs (Robinson, Va.) entered the JJ Classic unseeded at 120 pounds and notched the first major upset of the tournament when he knocked off second-seeded Zack Kuhns (Maple River, Minn.), 4-0, in the opening round. Riggs went on to pin his next two opponents in the first period to advance to the semifinals. In the semifinals, Riggs suffered an injury and was forced to default out of the tournament. Seventh-grader Shearer places fifth at 106 Jesse Shearer (West Fargo, N.D.) was the lone seventh-grader to place at the JJ Classic. Shearer dropped his opening match to fourth-seeded Ty Pelot (Two Rivers, Wis.), but went on to win five of his next six matches to place fifth at 106 pounds.

Las Vegas, Nev. -- Current Northern Illinois assistant coach Joe Williams and NIU alumnus T.C. Dantzler (90-93) each won their weight class at the World Team Trials held last weekend and have advanced to the World Championships to be held in Antalya, Turkey in September. Williams won the world team title in free-style wrestling at 185-pounds and advanced to the World Championships after defeating Andy Hrovat in the best of three series. Williams lost the first match against Hrovat in overtime then came back to win the final two matches and punched the former Olympian's ticket to his fifth World Championships appearance. Dantzler earned a place on his fifth U.S. World Team by taking down Keith Sieracki in a two-match sweep in Greco-Roman style wrestling at 163-pounds. The victory marks Dantzler's third consecutive U.S. World Team Trials Championship and fifth of the last six years. Williams and Dantzler will next compete in Antalya, Turkey on September 7-9 at the World Wrestling Games hosted by the international wrestling federation (FILA).

University of Northern Iowa senior student-athlete Nick Baima became the first Panther wrestler to ever earn Academic All-America honors. Baima (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West HS) was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Men's At-Large University Division third team as selected by CoSIDA and announced by coordinating officials on Tuesday. Baima maintained a 3.65 grade point average in philosophy and humanities. Baima was also been named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association's All-Academic team each of the past three seasons. The men's at-large team includes student-athletes from the sports of crew, gymnastics, skiing, fencing, ice hockey, swimming, water polo, field hockey, lacrosse, tennis, wrestling, golf and rifle. Baima (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) capped his UNI career with a mark of 124-42, which ranks No. 6 on the Panthers' all-time win list. He was named Western Wrestling Conference Wrestler of the Year this past season. Baima, 36-8 overall and 8-0 vs. WWC opponents in 2006-07, captured the 165-pound title at the 2007 West Regional and earned his fourth trip to the NCAA Championships. Baima earned the No. 5 seed at the 2007 NCAA Championships in the 165-pound bracket. He secured 11 wins over national qualifiers including: two over Johnny Galloway (Northern Illinois), Shawn Kitchner (Brown), Jason Kiessling (Maryland), Michael Cannon (American), Max Dean (Indiana), Dustin Noack (UC Davis), Michael Patrovich (Hofstra), Nick Pullano (Old Dominion) and Ryan Meyer (South Dakota State). The Academic All-America® Teams program honors male and female student-athletes annually who have succeeded at the highest level on the playing field and in the classroom. Individuals are selected through voting by CoSIDA, the College Sports Information Directors of America; a 2,000-member organization consisted of sports public relations professionals for colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director. The University Division includes all Division I schools, the College Division includes Division II, III and NAIA programs. Since the program's inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA covering all NCAA championship sports. ESPN The Magazine is a provocative and innovative sports publication. Full of insight, analysis, impact and wit, the oversized bi-weekly with a circulation of 1.85 million looks ahead to give fans a unique perspective on the world of sports. For more information about the Academic All-America Teams program, please visit www.cosida.com or e-mail rlipe@bentley.edu.

EDMOND -- NCAA Division II national wrestling champion Central Oklahoma has picked up six recruits for the 2007-08 season, including five in-state products who won a combined nine state championships. Signing with the 15-time national champion Bronchos were high school standouts Trey Branscum of Ponca City, Kelly Henderson of Tahlequah, Shawn Ledford of Pawnee and Randy Tonche of Sallisaw, with UCO also adding a pair of junior college stars in Tommy McCarty of Bristow and Tim Elliott of Wichita, Kan. "I'm certainly excited about this group of young men who will be joining our program," said veteran coach David James, named Division II Coach of the Year after leading UCO to the national title this season. "It's an outstanding class and we certainly expect a lot of big things from each one of them. "They have all experienced a great deal of success in their careers and we're looking forward to having them a part of our UCO family." Branscum enjoyed an amazing career at Class 5A powerhouse Ponca City, winning three straight state championships. He won at 119 pounds as a sophomore, 125 as a junior and 130 as a senior and is expected to be a 133- or 141-pounder at UCO. Henderson was a three-time Class 5A state placer at Tahlequah, winning one title, and earned All-State honors as a senior. He's a projected 157- or 165-pounder for the Bronchos. Ledford compiled an impressive 128-17 career record at Pawnee and was a three-time state finalist in Class 2A, winning back-to-back championships his last two years. Also an All-Stater, he is expected to compete at 141 or 149 pounds at UCO. Tonche was a three-time state finalist at Sallisaw, finishing as runner-up his first two years before capping his career with a Class 3A state title. The All-Stater is a projected 197- or 285-pounder in college. McCarty was a two-time juco All-American at Labette (Kan.) Community College, placing fourth as a freshman and third this season at 174 pounds. He was a three-time Class 3A state finalist at Bristow, winning two crowns, and will compete at 174 next season. Elliott was also a two-time All-American at Labette, earning Outstanding Wrestler honors this season after capturing the 125-pound national championship following a fifth-place finish as a freshman. He won a Kansas high school state title as a senior at Wichita State and will wrestle at 133 next year for the Bronchos. UCO will return four All-Americans from this year's national championship team.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State wrestling assistant coaches Joe Heskett and Tommy Rowlands continued their U.S. Olympic Team bids by earning spots on the U.S. Senior World Team roster after winning their respective weight classes at the 2007 U.S. Senior World Team Trials Saturday and Sunday at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas. Heskett defeated Casey Cunningham, 2-1, in the best of three series at 74 kg/163 pounds and Rowlands outlasted Steve Mocco, 2-0, at 120 kg/264.5 pounds. As members of the U.S. Senior World Team, Heskett and Rowlands will compete in the Pan American Games July 13-29 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the 2007 World Wrestling Championships Sept. 17-23 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Heskett decisioned Cunningham, 3-0, 3-1, in the first match before Cunningham evened the bout at 1-all with a 1-0, 4-1 decision over the Buckeye coach. After losing the first period, 1-0, in the third and deciding bout, Heskett clinched the final two periods, 3-2 and 1-0, for the victory. Rowlands beat Mocco, 1-1, 1-0, 1-0 in the first match and went on to seal the win with a 2-0, 1-0 decision in the second bout. In April, Heskett and Rowlands won the 2007 U.S. Senior National Championships, automatically qualifying for the U.S. team trials.

Steve Silver of Forney, Texas, who is a leader within wrestling on the Senior and age-group levels, has been named Man of the Year by USA Wrestling, the national governing body for wrestling in the United States. This award recognizes an outstanding man for his contributions to the sport of wrestling. "I am honored to get the award," said Silver. "I try to do whatever I can to contribute to wrestling. This means I must be contributing, in order to get recognized with this award." Silver served as Team Leader of the 2006 U.S. World Freestyle Team, which competed in Guangzhou, China, and placed third in the team standings with four medalists. Silver does business in China, and used his expertise of the nation and provided support staff to assist the team during the entire time there. He was also the Team Leader for the 2005 U.S. Freestyle World Team, which competed in Budapest, Hungary. He will also serve as Team Leader for the 2007 U.S. Freestyle World Team which will compete in Baku, Azerbaijan. "I don't have anybody in family that competes at the Olympic level. I feel that these athletes need help. The athletes trying to make World and Olympic teams need all the support they can get. I like helping them, and I feel I can assist in many ways. I have gotten to know these guys, and have gotten close to many of them." Silver has been involved in wrestling throughout his life, competing as an athlete and serving as a coach and leader for wrestling on the youth and high school levels. Silver wrestled for Spencerport High School in New York and at the Univ. of Alabama for three years under coach Pat Milkovich before starting his business career. He is a wrestling parent, as six of his seven children have participated, including two of his daughters. Silver founded and coached a youth wrestling club in Forney, Texas. He hired 1988 Olympic champion and 1989 World champion Kenny Monday to coach the club, now called Team Monday. He has supported the wrestling team at Bishop Lynch High School, which has become a nationally recognized program. Bishop Lynch has placed as high as second at the National Prep School Championships. Silver and his father-in-law have given a joint gift of $100,000 to Bishop Lynch High School for its wrestling room. "The reason I am passionate is that I have four boys who wrestled, two girls who wrestled and I wrestled. We are a wrestling family. Before this, I was involved in baseball. Many kids I worked with went into professional baseball. These guys really didn't need the help like the wrestlers did. I ran a wrestling club for two years for my boys, then I got Kenny Monday involved. The kids from Texas and others don't have a path to follow. Even if you have talent, there is not a clear path. Since then, we have had kids on the Dream Team and winning the Dave Schultz High School Excellence award. We think this is a great sport and a great opportunity. If you read about a kid from Texas winning in Fargo at Junior or Cadet Nationals or getting a college scholarship, it is not unbelievable anymore," said Silver. Many of his children are still competing in athletics. Clay Silver wrestles on the team at UT-Arlington, and previously wrestled for the Univ. of Texas-Dallas, school with compete at the NCWA Championships. Sons Luke Silver will be competing for Oklahoma State, and has won the Dave Schultz High School Excellence award. Son Johnny Koepp is a talented high school junior wrestler, and is being recruited by major college programs. Troy Silver is a high school freshman, and was a Prep School High School All-American this year. Daughter Jessie Silver competed in gymnastics at the Univ. of Alabama. Silver has been a team leader on trips to Russia and Mongolia and China with USA Wrestling and Athletes in Action. These tours have provided top youth wrestlers a chance for cultural experiences and challenging international competition. Professionally, Silver owns the Steve Silver Company, an import furniture business in Dallas, Texas. Over the last 20-plus years, the company has grown over $150 million in sales and has 500 employees worldwide in five nations. Silver was recognized and received his award at ceremonies during the 2007 U.S. World Team Trials in Las Vegas last weekend. PAST USA WRESTLING MAN OF THE YEAR WINNERS 2006 – Steve Silver 2005 – Al Bevilacqua 2004 – Jeff Levitetz 2003 - Set Agonian 2002 - Al Kastl 2001 - James Ravannack 2000 - Rulon Gardner 1999 - Duane Morgan 1998 - Scott Beck 1997 - Rick Tucci 1996 - Dave Schultz 1995 - Leroy Evans 1994 - James E. Scherr 1993 - Arthur J. Martori 1992 - Bruce Baumgartner 1990 - Eugene Barone 1989 - John Vaughan 1987 - Dave Rudrud 1986 - Jeff Blatnick 1985 - Dr. Dan Gould 1984 - Gary Thompson 1983 - Don Sondgeroth 1982 - Frank Rader 1981 - John Roberts 1980 - Rick Bay 1979 - Ben Bennett 1978 - Werner Holzer 1977 - Vince Zuaro 1976 - Ken Kraft 1974-75 - Russ Hellickson 1973 - Jack Stanbro 1972 - Melvin Jones 1971 - Bud Linholm 1970 - Rex Peery

The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling and Judo, featuring the nation's top Olympic hopefuls in both exciting sports, will begin exactly one year from today in Las Vegas, Nev. The Trials will be held June 13-15, 2008 at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The event will feature contests in each of the 18 Olympic wrestling weight classes in the three Olympic styles (men's freestyle, men's Greco-Roman, women's freestyle) as well as the 14 Olympic judo weight divisions to be contested at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Tickets for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling and Judo went on sale on June 9, and had a very successful first weekend of sales. All sports fans should order their tickets as soon as possible to guarantee the best seating locations. Tickets are available now by calling 866.388.FANS or online at unlvtickets.com For this event, the Thomas & Mack Center has a seating capacity of 12,500. Tickets have been made available equally to both wrestling as well as judo fans on a first come, first serve basis. It is recommended that judo fans call 866.388.FANS in order to secure seats in the preferred judo areas of the arena. Others can either order by phone or via the internet. All-session tickets are priced $150 for VIP seating, $75 for lower level and $40 for upper level. Competition will be held on four mats simultaneously with wrestling taking place on three mats and judo on the fourth. Wrestling will be contested all three days (June 13-15) and judo will be contested on June 13-14. There will be two sessions each day. On Friday, June 13, the schedule includes seven judo weight classes, four women's freestyle weight classes and two men's Greco-Roman weight classes. On Saturday, June 14, the schedule features seven judo weight classes, three men's freestyle weight classes and three men's Greco-Roman weight classes. On Sunday, June 15, there will be scheduled four men's freestyle weight classes and two men's Greco-Roman weight classes. No judo will be contested on June 15. If there are judo weight divisions that the United States has not been qualified to compete in at the Olympic Games, the division will not be contested at Trials. USA Wrestling expects almost 200 wrestlers to participate in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. "We are very excited about what promises to be an outstanding U.S. Olympic Team Trials. This is the most important event we host in the United States every four years, where we select our Olympic Team, which competes in the most important sports event in the world, the Olympic Games," said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender. "We look forward to holding the competition in Las Vegas, and having a great turnout by the wrestling community to support America's Team." With eight athletes expected to compete in the Trials for each weight division, as many as 112 judo players will be eligible for berths on the U.S. Olympic Team. "These will no doubt be one of the most exciting Olympic Trials in the history of USA Judo. Las Vegas is one of the world's most exciting places to host a sporting event; top that with the fact that we are combining our sport of Judo with a proven popular sport of wrestling that has in the past attracted over 11,000 spectators and some 200 media to previous events," said Jose H. Rodriguez, USA Judo CEO. "Lastly add to this equation the partnership with Las Vegas Events and the United States Olympic Committee and you have the making of a great athlete-oriented and entertaining sport show in the best show town in the world." More information on hotel headquarters will be available soon. For a seating chart for the U.S. Olympic Trials, visit: http://www.themat.com/eventfliers/2008/2008TrialsTickets.pdf

Columbia, Mo. –- Missouri wrestler Tyler McCormick (Leawood, Kan.) received his second career ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America award today as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). A two-time third-team university division member of the men's at-large category, McCormick recorded a 3.95 grade-point average in business management while also claiming his second career All-America honor at 133 pounds at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships March 17, in Auburn Hills, Mich. McCormick, now entering his senior year of eligibility, is one of five Big 12 honorees on a list that includes athletes from 10 different sports. A total of 46 men from eight different districts were named to one of three different University Division teams. As a sophomore McCormick earned third team ESPN The Magazine All-America honors in addition to All-District VII first team accolades in both 2006 and 2007.

This spring, much was made about the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson being the first African-American player in Major League Baseball. There were special ceremonies at baseball parks across the country, along with countless articles, TV news stories and commentaries, commemorating Robinson joining the then New York Dodgers in 1947. Simon RobertsThis spring also marked the 50th anniversary of a similar milestone in college wrestling history. In March 1957, University of Iowa wrestler Simon Roberts won the 147-pound title at the NCAA championships at the University of Pittsburgh … becoming the first African-American to claim a national collegiate mat title. Simon Roberts' historical first may not have received all the attention of Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball, but it was commemorated in articles, and his induction into the Glen Brand Hall of Fame at the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute & Museum in Waterloo, Iowa this April. Then again, that might just be in keeping with the low-key nature of things in Pittsburgh in 1957… and with Simon Roberts' personality. And, perhaps the fact that Roberts had already opened doors three years earlier. As a wrestler at Davenport Central High School -- the largest school in the state at the time -- he became the first high school state champ of color in Iowa in 1954. "I really didn't have much of a chance to think about it [being the first African-American college wrestling champ] at the NCAAs," says Roberts from his home in Los Angeles. "I didn't realize I was first until I saw it in the paper the next day after winning the title." However, considering the climate of change in the U.S. at the time, Roberts' title win can be considered a watershed event. To provide a bit of historical perspective: In addition to being the year that the Soviet Union launched the satellite Sputnik -- beating the United States into space -- 1957 was also key in terms of race relations in the country. In late summer of that year, Little Rock Central High School was the scene of unrest as U.S. National Guard troops were brought in under orders from President Dwight Eisenhower to help integrate the school, three years after the Supreme Court overturned the long-standing practice of "separate but equal" educational facilities -- one set of schools for whites, one for blacks -- in large sections of the country. Other major events in the civil rights movement -- desegregation of the University of Alabama and Ole Miss, sit-ins at lunch counters, Freedom Summer, the march from Selma to Montgomery -- were in the future when Roberts won the collegiate championship. Putting it in terms of black and white It was well into the interview -- after talking about how he entered the sport, his high school and college career, and his teammates -- that the subject of racism came up … and it was the interviewer's doing. When asked if he experienced racism firsthand as a wrestler, Roberts' immediate response was in reference to his time as an Iowa Hawkeye: "I had such a great group of guys around me, I didn't have time to think about it … We never really had a conversation about it." Roberts was unaware of stories about African-American wrestlers being forced to wear uniforms that covered pretty much their entire bodies in an attempt to hide their race from wrestling fans -- this in the era where many wrestlers, including the Hawkeyes, competed in trunks, stripped to the waist. (This was before today's one-piece singlets.) "Wrestling was often discouraged between whites and blacks at the time," says the 1957 NCAA 147-pound champ. "When I was in high school at Davenport, Henry Philmon -- who was just a couple years ahead of me -- had opponents refuse to wrestle him because of his color. However, I was never aware of an opponent withdrawing because of my color." "The only time I can remember any open discrimination was Stillwater [Oklahoma], at the nationals [in 1956]," according to Roberts. "The Iowa team went downtown for our post weigh-in meal. They seated the entire team, about a dozen of us, including me. But the waitress brought glasses of water for everyone but me. Barron Bremner [Iowa heavyweight] seemed to notice it right away, didn't say anything to me, but got up and went over to talk to the waitress. She motioned toward the kitchen, so Barron went through the doors into the kitchen. He was there a few minutes, came out, then the manager or owner motioned to the waitress. They talked a bit, then she brought a glass of water to me. That was the end of it. I was served my meal with the rest of the team without any incident. And we didn't discuss it either." Too short for basketball Simon Roberts was introduced to wrestling when he was cut from the basketball team as a ninth grader. "I was told I was too short," says Roberts. "I was only 5'2" at the time." "A couple of my friends talked to me about wrestling at the time, but I was still intent on making the basketball team. However, when I got cut from the basketball team again as a sophomore, I decided to try out for wrestling, and made the team." Simon RobertsBy the middle of his sophomore year, Roberts was wrestling varsity for head coach Jim Fox. "Our team took second at state that year," remembers Roberts. "I was the only varsity wrestler who didn't qualify for state that year." "I got a lot of great experience in the varsity wrestling room, going up against great talent." Simon Roberts' mat career had a bit of a setback his junior year; he had dislocated his knee playing defensive back for the Davenport Central football team, so wasn't able to wrestle until about halfway through the season. "I managed to qualify for state, but didn't place." Roberts uses the word "fantastic" to describe his senior year. Davenport Central won the team title at the Iowa high school state tournament… and Roberts won the 133-pound individual title. (This was back when Iowa had a single-class state tournament.) In the 133 finals of the 1954 Iowa prep tournament, Roberts came out the winner in his match against three-time state champ Ron Gray of Eagle Grove. With that victory, Roberts helped write history in two ways: as being the first African-American state champ in the Hawkeye state … and in denying Gray his chance to be the first four-time titlewinner in Iowa. Go west … to Iowa City After graduating from Davenport Central with a state title under his belt, it was time for Simon Roberts to choose a college. "Jim Fox was good friends with Dave McCuskey [head coach] at Iowa," says Roberts. "I also visited Iowa State…but felt more comfortable at the University of Iowa." "I made a great choice to go to Iowa … Dave McCuskey was a tough guy. He ran you through your paces, but he was a fair guy," according to Roberts. "He gave me every chance to excel." 1957 Iowa Hawkeyes"He helped produce a lot of great wrestlers." When Simon Roberts was at Iowa City, he was just one of a number of greats. From 1954 through 1958, the University of Iowa had eight individuals win Big Ten titles, and a total of five Hawkeyes become NCAA champs. Roberts' winning ways In his sophomore year -- his first season of NCAA eligibility -- Simon Roberts qualified for the 1956 NCAAs at Oklahoma State. In the 137-pound bracket, the unseeded Hawkeye won his first two matches before being defeated by fifth-seeded John Pepe of Penn State. The following year, Roberts built an overall record of 13-1-1, placed second at the 1957 Big Ten conference championship at 147 pounds … but really made history a couple weeks later at the NCAAs at the University of Pittsburgh. Ron GrayOut of 27 wrestlers in the 147-pound bracket at Pitt's Fitzgerald Fieldhouse, Roberts was seeded sixth. He drew a bye in the opening round, then defeated Oregon State's Larry Wright 8-3. In the quarterfinals, the Hawkeye topped Jack Anderson of Minnesota State 5-3. In the semifinals, Roberts upset second-seeded Dick Heaton of Northern Iowa 3-2 to advance to the finals, where he would face a familiar foe: Ron Gray -- yes, the same guy Roberts wrestled for the 1954 Iowa high school state title! Ron Gray was a man of considerable mat accomplishments. After winning three Iowa state championships, he enrolled at Iowa State. He was the 1957 Big Eight champ at 147. At the NCAAs, the fourth-seeded Cyclone had shut out two opponents and edged 1957 Big Ten champ Werner Holzer of Illinois 10-8 in the quarterfinals. According to the account of the Roberts-Gray 147-pound title match in Jay Hammond's The History of Collegiate Wrestling, the cross-state rivals were tied 2-2 at the end of regulation. In the first overtime period, the Hawkeye rode out the Cyclone, then scored an escape in the second for a 2-0 victory, the 1957 NCAA championship, and a place in the history books. "Ron Gray is a super-nice guy," says Roberts. "We talked after both of our matches, which, by the way, were the only two times we ever wrestled. He was very gracious afterwards, which says a lot about him, since I caused him to miss out on being the first four-time Iowa state champ, and being a three-time college champ." (Gray went on to win the NCAA title in 1958 and 1959. After graduating from Iowa State, Gray started a long coaching career that culminated as head coach at Kent State University in Ohio for twenty-five seasons. Gray led the Golden Flashes to nine Mid-American Conference team titles, and was named MAC Coach of the Year five times.) In his senior year at Iowa, Simon Roberts compiled a 12-0-1 record, claiming the 147-pound title at the 1958 Big Tens by defeating Indiana's Nick Petronka in the finals. As Big Ten champ and defending national titlewinner, Roberts was seeded first at 147. However, in his first match at the 1958 NCAAs at University of Wyoming, the Hawkeye's dream of a second title was ended by Earl Dearing of Oregon in overtime. Teammate memories Roberts completed his college career at the University of Iowa with a Big Ten title, an NCAA title, three varsity letters, a degree in sociology … and a lot of positive memories. Characteristic of Roberts' modesty, before talking about his own accomplishments, he shared warm recollections of some of his Hawkeye teammates. "One of my first experiences in the Iowa wrestling room involved a little guy who came up to me and said, 'Wanna roll around with me?' I took him up on his offer, and he threw me around the room." "The guy was Terry McCann," said Roberts, identifying the tough-as-nails two-time NCAA champ at 115 pounds (1955 and 1956), who eventually brought home a gold medal from the 1960 Rome Olympics. "He took me under his wing." "Terry would get up at 5 a.m. and run 5-6 miles every morning. He'd come knocking at my door, asking if I wanted to join him. I'd fake sleep." "Terry was one of the greatest athletes I've ever known," according to Roberts. Roberts talks with fondness about the other NCAA champs during his days at Iowa. "Dick Govig was the 123-pound champ at the 1954 nationals … Interestingly, we shared the same high school coach, Jim Fox, who was Dick's coach at Britt [Iowa] before coming to Davenport. Dick had been team manager; Fox put him in to wrestle, and he beat a guy from one of the Waterloo high schools. That was the beginning of his wrestling career." Gary KurdelmeierKen Leuer, who won the 191-pound title at the 1956 NCAAs, "was the source of excellent motivation for me," according to Roberts. "He was a good pal." When asked about the late Gary Kurdelmeier, 1958 NCAA champ at 177 pounds who became head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes in the early 1970s -- and who laid the foundation for the Dan Gable dynasty by hiring the Cyclone champ/Olympic gold medallist as an assistant coach -- the first thing that Roberts said was, "An innovator, as a wrestler, coach and college administrator. He was always a step ahead in his thinking about wrestling. He liked to call me to talk about ideas he had … He was instrumental in getting me involved in the letterwinners' club." Simon Roberts also owes a debt of gratitude to teammates who helped make him the mat champion that he was. "My toughest matches in college were in the Iowa wrestling room," says the Davenport native. Among the guys Roberts mentioned were Iowa Falls native Ralph Rieks, the 137-pounder for Iowa who was the 1957 Big Ten champ, and an NCAA All-American the following year. "I had hellfire matches with Ralph. I had to get past him to wrestle in actual wrestling meets." Del Rossberg was another frequent practice-room opponent, who Roberts describes as "a fantastic wrestler from West Waterloo … Each week, we'd go at it to see who'd wrestle that weekend in competition. Always real close. Truly a great friend." Another Iowa teammate with a Waterloo connection is Gene Luttrell, long-time coach at Waterloo Columbus High, and 137-pound Big Ten Champ in 1958 -- the same year Roberts won the conference crown at 147. "He would ride you, stuck to you like glue," Roberts recalls. "What a super guy." Life after college Simon Roberts' life off the mat was rich and varied. The resume of this father of nine includes six years at the Davenport post office … and six years as commissioner on the Davenport Park Board in the early 70s -- the first African-American elected to political office in the Mississippi River city of approximately 100,000. Roberts also served in education. In the mid 1960s, he became wrestling coach at Alleman Catholic High in Rock Island, Illinois. Among the wrestlers he coached was Mark Johnson, who is now head coach at the University of Illinois. Later, he was director of adult education at Eastern Iowa Community College and at Black Hawk College across the river in Moline. Roberts retired as special assistant to the president at Black Hawk in 1995, relocating to sunny southern California, where his parents and sister lived at the time. He still resides in Los Angeles. For all his accomplishments on and off the mats, Simon Roberts has been honored in a number of ways. In 1992, he was inducted into Davenport Central's Hall of Honor; in addition, he is a member of the Iowa State High School Hall of Fame, the Iowa Foundation Hall of Fame, and the University of Iowa Hall of Fame. Most recently, Simon Roberts was welcomed into the Glen Brand Hall of Fame at the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute & Museum. The man who introduced him at the induction ceremony was another history-maker: former Iowa State head coach Bobby Douglas, who was the first African-American high school state champ in Ohio (1959), and the first black U.S. Olympic wrestling team member (1964). Simon Roberts was welcomed into the Glen Brand Hall of Fame at the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute & Museum.In an interview with wrestling writer/historian Mike Chapman, Douglas said, "For me as a youngster, when I heard about Simon Roberts winning the NCAA title, that really motivated me. Back then, I was reading everything I could get my hands on about the sport and to discover there was a black champion meant that I could dream of doing things in the sport, too." "If there is someone you could compare Simon Roberts to -- well, to me, he was the Jackie Robinson of the sport of wrestling. I went into wrestling heart and soul after I found out about him. Simon was definitely a pioneer."

This week's edition of "On the Mat" will feature Steve Fraser and Jeremy McLaughlin. Fraser is the Greco-Roman National Teams coach for USA Wrestling and a former three-time Olympic coach. In 1984 Fraser won a gold medal in the 198-pound weight class at the Olympics. It was the Greco-Roman medal won by an American at the Olympics Games. A regular columnist for W.I.N. magazine, Fraser has authored his own book called "Victory: Being Mentally Tough On and Off the Mat". It includes a biography of his wrestling career and several of his columns from W.I.N. With the World Team Trials complete, Fraser will discuss the upcoming World Championships and the prospects of the latest seven-member Greco-Roman World team. McLaughlin is a junior in college who wrestles for the University of Oregon. At this year's Pac-10 tournament he placed fifth in the 149-pound weight division for the Ducks. McLaughlin has taken a three-month long mission trip to Namibia, Africa to help care for AIDS victims. He also made a trip to Thailand last year after the area was destroyed by a tsunami. McLaughlin has made seven missions trips. This summer McLaughlin hopes to establish the first Namibian wrestling club. "On the Mat" is a weekly wrestling radio program that airs every Wednesday night. This week's broadcast can be heard live from 6-7 p.m. Central Standard Time. The Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, hosts the show. "On the Mat" can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa on 1650, The Fan. Feel free to e-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with questions or comments about the show.

LAS VEGAS -- On Sunday night at the 2007 U.S. World Team Trials at the Convention Center in Las Vegas, five wrestlers earned an automatic berth into the finals through USA Wrestling's qualification criteria. Of those five wrestlers, four came out victorious and earned a spot on the 2007 U.S. World Team that will compete at the World Championships on Sept. 17-23 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The lone wrestler who received an automatic berth into the finals but failed to make the U.S. World Team was Chris Bono at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Bono lost a tight three-match series to rival Doug Schwab, who entered the Challenge Tournament as the No. 5 seed. The other freestyle champions were Henry Cejudo (55 kg/121 lbs), Joe Williams (84 kg/185 lbs), and Tommy Rowlands (120 kg/264.5 lbs). Cejudo and Rowlands became first-time U.S. World Team Trials champions. Cejudo, who became the first high school wrestler ever to win U.S. Nationals in 2006, dropped the opening period of the first match to No. 3 seed Matt Azevedo, but cruised the rest of the way and won in two straight matches. The 26-year-old Rowlands, who won his first U.S. Nationals title in April, took care of longtime rival Steve Mocco in two straight matches. Williams, who moved up this year from 74 kg/163 lbs, made his sixth U.S. World Team with an exciting, three-match victory over 2006 U.S. World Team Trials member Andy Hrovat. On the Greco-Roman side, Joe Warren (60 kg/132 lbs), Harry Lester (66 kg/145.5 lbs), and Justin Ruiz (96 kg/211.5 lbs) repeated as U.S. World Team Trials champions. Warren, a 2006 World champion, completely dominated rising USOEC star Joe Betterman in two straight matches. Warren used his aggressive, attacking style to outscore Betterman 21-3 in the two matches. Lester, like Warren, completely dominated his finals opponent, Jacob Curby. The 23-year-old Lester, who earned a World bronze medal in 2006, registered a first-period pin in the opening match, and then followed it up with a shutout (7-0, 7-0) to take the series and make his third straight U.S. World Team. Ruiz, who won a World bronze medal in 2005, defeated a familiar opponent in Adam Wheeler in two straight matches. Both matches went all three periods, but Ruiz proved to be too much for Wheeler. In the women's competition, Stephanie Murata (48 kg/105.5 lbs), Marcie Van Dusen (55 kg/121 lbs), and Sara McMann (63 kg/138.75 lbs) were crowned champions. Audio Interviews Joe Warren Harry Lester Justin Ruiz Tommy Rowlands Doug Schwab Joe Williams Brackets Day 1 Recap

LAS VEGAS -- On Saturday night at the U.S. World Team Trials at the Las Vegas Convention Center, five of the seven champions crowned in the men's competition were past U.S. World Team members. Those wrestlers were Daniel Cormier in freestyle, and Lindsey Durlacher, TC Dantzler, Brad Vering, and Dremiel Byers in Greco-Roman. In the much-anticipated finals match at 96 kg/211.5 lbs, Cormier won in consecutive matches over Mo Lawal. Cormier, a five-time U.S. Nationals champion, defeated his former Oklahoma State teammate and friend for the second time in two months. The first time occurred in the finals of the U.S. Nationals in April. Cormier was fifth in the 2003 World Championships and fourth in the 2004 Olympic Games. Durlacher, a 2006 World bronze medalist, cruised to an easy two-match victory over 20-year-old rising star Spenser Mango, who upset U.S. Nationals champion Sam Hazewinkel in the Challenge Tournament. Dantzler, who was fifth at the 2006 World Championships, won two straight matches over longtime rival Keith Sieracki at 74 kg/163 lbs to make his fifth U.S. World Team. In a battle of past U.S. World Team members at 84 kg/185 lbs, Vering defeated 2007 World Cup silver medalist Jake Clark in consecutive matches to make his fourth U.S. World Team. Byers, a 2002 World champion, rebounded from a disappointing third-place finish at the U.S. Nationals, to earn a spot once again on the U.S. World Team with two straight victories over U.S. Nationals champion Russ Davie. Joe Heskett was the only first-time U.S. World Team Trials winner crowned on Saturday night in the men's competition. In a rematch of the U.S. Nationals finals, Heskett needed three matches to defeat veteran Casey Cunningham and earn a spot on the U.S. World Team. The lone weight class contested on Saturday in which a 2007 U.S. World Team member has yet to be determined was at 60 kg/132 lbs in freestyle. U.S. Nationals champion Nate Gallick was held out of competition due to injury and will face Challenge Tournament champion Mike Zadick at a later date. Zadick, a 2006 World silver medalist, defeated Zach Roberson in a close and exciting best-of-three series. In the women's competition, Patricia Miranda (51 kg/112.5 lbs), Leigh Jaynes (59 kg/130 lbs), Katie Downing (67 kg/147.5 lbs), and Kristie Marano (72 kg/158.5 lbs) were crowned champions. The U.S. World Team Trials champions crowned this weekend qualify for the World Championships on Sept. 17-23 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Audio Interviews Lindsey Durlacher Brad Vering Daniel Cormier Mike Duroe Dremiel Byers Joe Heskett TC Dantzler Brackets

Zach Sanders (119) of Wabasha (Minn.) Wabasha-Kellogg High, the nation's only five-time state champion this year, and four-time Virginia state champion Cody Gardner (215) of Christiansburg High are repeat selections to the 14-member First Team as the 22nd annual ASICS All-America Wrestling Team was announced today. The ASICS All-America Team, selected by a nationwide panel of wrestling experts, is the only national all-star team for which wrestlers enrolled in all four high-school grades are eligible. ASICS is a title sponsor of the ASICS Vaughan USA Wrestling Fargo Junior National Championships and is a major benefactor of the sport at all levels. "This team represents the best of the best in our schools today," said Neil Duncan of ASICS and TW Promotions, Inc. "We are proud to have these young men, with their talent and work ethic, representing us. They are clearly the World and Olympic champions of the future." Members of the First Team, as well as the ASICS Wrestler of the Year, will be honored prior to the finals of the ASICS Vaughan USA Wrestling Junior National Freestyle Championships in July at Fargo, N.D. The ASICS All-America Team includes eight wrestlers at each of the 14 high school weight classes – the First, Second, and Third Teams and five Honorable Mention selections. Wrestlers are considered at the weight class at which they competed in their state tournament or the National Prep Championships this year. Sanders and Gardner are two of the four First Team members to finish their careers with at least four state titles. Joining them are Illinois standouts Albert White (152) of Chicago St. Rita High and Mike Benefiel (171) of Lombard Montini High, who also ended their careers with four state crowns. Illinois, the only state with more than one selection to the First Team, had three, as sophomore Tony Ramos (112) of Carol Stream Glenbard North High also was selected. Ramos is one of five underclassmen on the squad. He is joined by fellow sophomore David Taylor (103) of St. Paris (Ohio) Graham High and juniors Mario Mason (140) of Blairstown (N.J.) Blair Academy, Alex Meade (145) of Camden Wyoming (Del.) Caesar Rodney High and Jason Welch (160) of Walnut Creek (Calif.) Las Lomas High. The rest of the First Team: Matt Ortega (125) of Rio Rancho (N,M.) High, Tyler Nauman (130) of Middletown (Pa.) High, Corey Jantzen (135) of Shoreham (N.Y.) Shoreham-Wading River High, Clayton Foster (189) of Kamiah (Idaho) High and Dom Bradley (285) of Blue Springs (Mo.) High. Blair Academy led all schools with six wrestlers selected – one to the First Team, two to the Second Team, one to the Third Team and two Honorable Mention selections. Lakewood (Ohio) Edward High had five selections – all Honorable Mention – and Caesar Rodney, Rio Rancho, St. Rita, Dallas (Texas) Bishop Lynch High, Kansas City (Mo.) Oak Park High, Massillon (Ohio) Perry High, Pennsburg (Pa.) Upper Perkiomen High, St. Paris (Ohio) Graham High and Tulsa (Okla.) Union High each had two wrestlers selected. The 14 First Team members combined to post 38 state high school or National Prep championships, along with four Junior National and seven Cadet National titles. The Second and Third Teams are not far behind. The Second Team's record is nearly identical: 32 state titles, including four four-time champions, to go with two Junior National titles and seven Cadet National titles. The Third Team boasts 29 combined titles, three Junior National and four Cadet National crowns. Ohio had the most overall selections, placing 17 wrestlers on the squad. Pennsylvania had 15 selections and New Jersey had 13, including a national-best eight selections on the First, Second and Third Teams. Close behind were Illinois (nine), California (seven) and Delaware and Oregon (five). The 112 wrestlers selected come from 27 states. 2007 ASICS All-America Team First Team 103 - David Taylor, So, Graham HS, St. Paris, OH 112 - Tony Ramos, So, Glenbard North HS, Carol Stream, IL 119 - Zach Sanders, Sr, Wabasha-Kellogg HS, Wabasha, MN 125 - Matt Ortega, Sr, Rio Rancho HS, Rio Rancho, NM 130 - Tyler Nauman, Sr, Middletown HS, Middletown, PA 135 - Corey Jantzen, Sr, Shoreham-Wading River HS, Shoreham, NY 140 - Mario Mason, Jr, Blair Academy, Blairstown, NJ 145 - Alex Meade, Jr, Caesar Rodney HS, Camden Wyoming, DE 152 - Albert White, Sr, St. Rita HS, Chicago, IL 160 - Jason Welch, Jr, Las Lomas HS, Walnut Creek, CA 171 - Mike Benefiel, Sr, Montini HS, Lombard, IL 189 - Clayton Foster, Sr, Kamiah HS , Kamiah, ID 215 - Cody Gardner, Sr, Christiansburg HS, Christiansburg, VA 285 - Dom Bradley, Sr, Blue Springs HS, Blue Springs, MO Second Team 103 - Logan Stieber, Fr, Monroeville HS, Monroeville, OH 112 - Eric Grajales, So, Brandon HS, Brandon, FL 119 - Jordan Oliver, Jr, Easton HS, Easton, PA 125 - Dan White, Jr, The Peddie School, Hightstown, NJ 130 - Kellen Russell, Sr, Blair Academy, Blairstown, NJ 135 - Trevor Melde, Jr, Delbarton HS, Morristown, NJ 140 - Luke Silver, Sr, Bishop Lynch HS, Dallas, TX 145 - Eric Medina, Sr, Blair Academy, Blairstown, NJ 152 - Tim Darling, Sr, Nazareth HS, Nazareth, PA 160 - Colt Sponseller, Sr, West Holmes HS, Millersburg, OH 171 - Kirk Smith, Sr, Centennial HS, Boise, ID 189 - Sonny Yohn, Sr, Alamosa HS, Alamosa, CO 215 - Deron Winn, Sr Liberty HS, Liberty, MO 285 - Zach Rey, Sr, Hopatcong HS, Hopatcong, NJ Third Team 103 - B.J. Futrell, Jr, Mount Carmel HS, Chicago, IL 112 – Eric Olanowski, Sr, Floyd E. Kellam HS, Virginia Beach, VA 119 - Connor McDonald, Sr, Sussex Central HS, Georgetown, DE 125 - Boris Novachkov, Sr, Fremont HS, Fremont, CA 130 - Tyler Graff, Jr Loveland HS, Loveland, CO 135 - Chris Diaz, Sr, Caesar Rodney HS, Camden Wyoming, DE 140 - Jamal Parks, Sr, Tulsa Union HS, Tulsa, OK 145 - Jake Deitchler, Jr, Anoka HS, Anoka, MN 152 - Scott Winston, Jr, Jackson Memorial HS, Jackson, NJ 160 - Michael Chaires, Sr, Christian Bros. Academy, Albany, NY 171 - Justin Danz, Sr, Ponderosa HS, Shingle Springs, CA 189 - Jerome Ward, Sr, St. Rita HS, Chicago, IL 215 - Jared Platt, Sr, Blair Academy, Blairstown, NJ 285 - Jarod Trice, Sr Highland Park HS, Highland Park, MI Honorable Mention (listed in alphabetical order) 103: Jamie Clark, Fr, St. Edward HS, Lakewood, OH; Jon Morrison, So, Carl Sandburg HS, Orland Park, IL; Mark Rappo, Jr, Council Rock South HS, Holland, PA; Sam White, So, Perry HS, Massillon, OH; Shane Young, So, Penn-Trafford HS, Harrison City, PA. 112: Dan Kelly, Sr, Delaware Valley Regional HS, Frenchtown, NJ; Ben Sergent, Jr, Troy Christian HS, Troy, OH; Bo Touris, Sr, Lakota West HS, West Chester, OH; Chris Villalonga, Fr, Blair Academy, Blairstown, NJ; Thomas Williams, Jr, South Hills HS, West Covina, CA. 119: Tyler Clark, Sr, Bettendorf HS, Bettendorf, IA; Troy Dolan, Sr, Derry HS, Derry, PA; Matt McDonough, Jr, Linn-Mar HS, Marion, IA; Chris Sheetz, Sr, Upper Perkiomen HS, Pennsburg, PA; Nikko Triggas, Sr, Campolindo HS, Moraga, CA. 125: Nate Moore, Jr, Iowa City West HS, Iowa City, IA; Collin Palmer, So, St. Edward HS, Lakewood, OH; R.J. Pena, So, Sprague HS, Salem, OR; Andy Pokorny, Sr, Bennington HS, Bennington, NE; John Starzyk, Sr, Providence HS, New Lenox, IL. 130: Collin Dozier, Sr, Frank W. Cox HS, Virginia Beach, VA; Kelly Kubec, Sr, Lake Stevens HS, Lake Stevens, WA; Matt Mariacher, Sr, Iroquois HS, Elma, NY; Scott O'Donnell, Sr, Oak Park HS, Kansas City, MO; Norman Richmond, Sr, Thomas Jefferson HS, Portland, OR. 135: Tony Jameson, Jr, Austintown-Fitch HS, Youngstown, OH; Walter Peppelman, Jr, Central Dauphin HS, Harrisburg, PA; Ryan Prater, Sr, Plainfield Central HS, Plainfield, IL; Max Shanaman, Sr, Blair Academy, Blairstown, NJ; Vicente Varela, Sr, Rio Rancho HS, Rio Rancho, NM. 140: Seth Easter, Jr, Nitro HS, Nitro, WV; T.J. Hepburn, Sr, Ledyard HS, Ledyard, CT; Zack Kemmerer, Sr, Upper Perkiomen HS, Pennsburg, PA; Michael Mangrum, Jr, Riverside HS, Auburn, WA; Frank Molinaro, Sr, Southern Regional HS, Manahawkin, NJ. 145: Luke Ashmore, Sr, Bishop Lynch HS, Dallas, TX; Kevin Hardy, Sr, Solon HS, Solon, OH; Jamal Lawrence, Sr, Merrillville HS, Merrillville, IN; Nick Nelson, Sr, Shaler HS, Glenshaw, PA; Seth Vernon, Sr, Tulsa Union HS, Tulsa, OK. 152: Tommy Abbott, Sr, St. Mark's HS, Wilmington, DE; Sean Bilodeau, Sr, The Brooks School, North Andover, MA; Ryan Goodman, Sr, Greater Latrobe HS, Latrobe, PA; Andrew Howe, Jr, Hanover Central HS, Cedar Lake, IN; Thomas Straughn, Sr, Perry HS, Massillon, OH. 160: Chris Bullins, Sr, Dalton L. McMichael HS, Mayodan, NC; Sean Nemec, Sr, St. Edward HS, Lakewood, OH; Paul Paddock, Sr, Warsaw HS, Warsaw, NY; Ryan Smith, Sr, Crook County HS, Prineville, OR; Quentin Wright, Jr, Bald Eagle Area HS, Wingate, PA. 171: Jordan Blanton, Jr, Richmond-Burton HS, Richmond, IL; Hunter Collins, Jr, Gilroy HS, Gilroy, CA; Dustin Kilgore, Sr, Berea HS, Berea, OH; Brian Roddy, Jr, St. Edward HS, Lakewood, OH; Rob Waltko, Sr, North Allegheny HS, Wexford, PA. 189: Scott Cust, Sr, Great Bridge HS, Chesapeake, VA; Ryland Geiger, Jr, Scappoose HS, Scappoose, OR; Chris Honeycutt, Sr, St. Edward HS, Lakewood, OH; Jamelle Jones, Sr, Dover HS, Dover, DE; Jimmy Waters, Sr, Lewis Central HS, Council Bluffs, IA. 215: Ryan Flores, Sr, Buchanan HS, Clovis, CA; Tyrell Fortune, Jr, Parkrose HS, Portland, OR; Kellen Harris, Sr, Sharon HS, Sharon, PA; Pat Mahan, Sr, Owatonna HS, Owatonna, MN; Justin Wieller, Sr, Northampton HS, Northampton, PA. 285: Brendan Barlow, Sr, Westerville Central HS, Westerville, OH; Atticus Disney, Jr, Andover Central HS, Andover, KS; Tucker Lane, Sr, Nucla HS, Nucla, CO; Elijah Madison, Jr, Oak Park HS, Kansas City, MO; Cameron Wade, Sr, St. Peter Chanel HS, Bedford, OH.

JOHNSTOWN, PA -– Head Coach Pat Pecora and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown wrestling program have signed 20 recruits for the 2007-08 season, including 2007 Pennsylvania State Champion Matt Moore (Blairsville, Pa./Blairsville H.S.) and 2006 State Champion Nikko Leitzel (Ridgway, Pa./Ridgway H.S.). In addition, Pennsylvania State Runner-Ups Cody Myers (Three Springs, Pa./Southern Huntingdon H.S.) and Nathan Link (Cresson, Pa./Penn Cambria H.S.) Of the 20 incoming recruits, eight are Pennsylvania State Place winners, while five others qualified for the State Tournament and seven others were Regional qualifiers. "This could be one of our best recruiting classes in the 31 years I've been at Pitt Johnstown," Coach Pecora said. "It has both quality and quantity." Heading this year's recruiting class are State Champions Moore and Leitzel. Moore, who represented Pennsylvania in this year's PA vs. USA Dapper Dan Wrestling Tournament, posted a 36-1 record as a senior on his way to winning the 2007 state title at 160 lbs. Moore wrapped up his high school career with a 146-14 overall record. Leitzel, the 2006 PA State Champion at 140 lbs. and a third place finisher in 2007, had a 46-1 record and claimed the title at the North West Regional Tournament en route to his state title. Leitzel finished his high school career with a 156-13 overall record. Pitt Johnstown also signed a pair of State runner-ups in Myers and Link. Myers, a two-time State runner-up at 119 lbs., was 38-2 as a senior, while Link finished second in the state at 130 lbs. with a 45-4 record in 2006-07. In addition, four other 2005 PA State place winners signed with Pitt Johnstown. McGuffey High School's Matt Scherich (West Finley, Pa.) was the AAA Southwest Regional Runner-up and placed fourth at the state tournament at 125 lbs. Scherich recorded a 37-6 record as a senior. Jon Moore (Leechburg, Pa./Kiski Area H.S.), whose brother Jordan is also in this year's recruiting class, placed sixth at the states at 189 lbs. after earning the AAA Southwest Regional title. Scherich was 34-9 in 2006-07 and 73-27 in his career. The Mountain Cats also signed Zach Lungren (Dubois, Pa./Dubois Area H.S.) and Brock Leitzel (Ridgway, Pa./Ridgway H.S.), pair of eighth place finishers. Lungren, who was 36-8 as a senior, was the AAA Northwest Regional Runner-up at 160 lbs., while Leitzel, the cousin of Nikko Leitzel, finished third at the AA Northwest Regional tournament. Leitzel wrapped up the 2006-07 season with a 43-5 record. Coach Pecora also added five PA State Qualifiers. Damian Majocha (Lower Burrell, Pa./Burrell H.S.), the brother of former Mountain Cat heavyweight Zach Majocha, had a 42-7 record on his way to winning the Southwest Regional title at 171 lbs., Penn Cambria High School's Paul Myers (Cresson, Pa.) placed fourth at the Southwest Regional Tournament at 125 lbs. Myers had a 40-11 record as a senior. Other State Qualifiers include: Jason Kylor (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon Area H.S.), Phil Slaugh (Hanover, Pa./Hanover H.S.) and Bobby Wolford (Falling Waters, Pa./Mercersburg Academy). Kylor finished third at the Southwest Regional tournament at 189 lbs., while Slaugh placed fourth at the Southeast Regional Tournament at 160 lbs. Wolford was a three-time PA State Prep School Place winner.

In March, Richard Fergola was introduced as the new head wrestling coach at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) in Mason City, Iowa, a program that was recently reinstated. Richard FergolaFergola has proven time and again that he can recruit the nation's top wrestlers. Before coming to NIACC, Fergola spent three years at Dana College, two years as head assistant and one year as head coach, where he helped the Vikings land the No. 4 and No. 1 non-Division I recruiting classes in the country. Since taking over at NIACC, Fergola has inked several top national recruits, including Albert White, DaVaughn Perkins, TJ Moen, and Cody Hogan. RevWrestling.com recently caught up with Fergola and talked to him about his experience at Dana, how he landed such an outstanding recruiting class, what the timetable is for winning at NIACC, and much more. You spent three years at Dana College, two of those years were as head assistant coach and one year as head coach. When you reflect on the time you spent at Dana, how would you describe that experience? Fergola: It was one of the greatest coaching experiences of my career. I mean, I love Dana College. It was tough leaving there. I had a great group of young men there and a great coaching staff. It was hard to walk away from it. Winning a national championship while we were there, and winning an academic national championship, I wouldn't trade it for the world. Beau Vest will be Dana's third head coach in three seasons. What's going on there? Fergola: Coach Costanzo was there for seven years. We won a national championship. When that happened, I think that kind of vaulted some new opportunities for him. He was a three-time All-American at UNO, so he was presented an opportunity to coach at the Division II level. He felt that winning that national championship opened up an opportunity for him. It was something he couldn't turn down. It was a great deal for him. And it was a great deal for me to take over and be the head coach at Dana. It's weird … in our profession timing sometimes isn't always the best. My wife and I had no plans on leaving Dana. We just bought a home there two years ago, so we weren't going to leave. This came along here at NIACC kind of at weird time … and it was something that I couldn't refuse. For a coach, the opportunity to just coach college wrestling and not do anything extra … I've been teaching high school special education for 11 years now, and I've been teaching it while I've been a wrestling coach. I was presented an opportunity to come to NIACC and just coach college wrestling and just concentrate on that. It was just an all-around great situation for my whole family. We just couldn't say no. So, it's not Dana. Dana is a great place to coach. It has great kids. It's in a great location. Dana wrestling is having great success. It's just unfortunate that other opportunities came available that were just too good to pass up. When did you first hear that North Iowa Area Community College would be reinstating the wrestling program? Fergola: Well, like any other guy, I'm on the Internet, so I saw an article on InterMat that they are reinstating wrestling. I was like, 'Oh, that's cool.' Anytime I see a wrestling program reinstated I think that's great. I didn't think much of it. That was in November, so we were just getting kicking at Dana. And then I got a phone call from the athletic director. He asked me to send my stuff in, so I sent my stuff in. It just kind of went from there. He wanted to meet with me, so it just all kind of happened from that. You brought in an outstanding recruiting class that includes several top national recruits Albert White of Illinois, DaVaughn Perkins of Nebraska, TJ Moen of Iowa, Cody Hogan of Missouri, among others. It's arguably a top five recruiting class regardless of division. How were you able to bring in such an outstanding recruiting class? Fergola: I have always been a firm believer that in college wrestling the name of the game is recruiting. You have to get the top guys if you want to contend. I don't know, just my years of experience, persistence to get the best guys in the country, and selling our program. That's what we had to do at Dana. Recruiting at Dana was sometimes difficult, but we always made it happen. I'm in Iowa, too. NIACC pushed the right button when they started wrestling here because North Iowa is just a hotbed, especially with Cael Sanderson being at Iowa State, Tom Brands at Iowa, Brad Penrith at Northern Iowa. Kids want to come out here and go on and wrestle Division I in those programs. We just went after the best guys. I have a great assistant coach who was huge in that deal. We were just able to get some good kids. Do you expect those wrestlers like Albert White, DaVaughn Perkins, TJ Moen, and Cody Hogan, to wrestle in the lineup two years? Or do you expect them to redshirt a season? Fergola: Well, you know, I think those are things we just play by ear. Generally speaking, from the beginning, most junior college coaches who get blue chip Division I athletes, typically the plan would be to wrestle them one year and then redshirt them the other year so that they can get three years at a Division I level school. That's normally what you would do, but sometimes those things change. You just have to wait until they get here, wait to see how things pan out, and then just go from there. There has been a lot of talk that DaVaughn Perkins has committed to Iowa State. Is that correct? Fergola: Well, you know, people all over the Internet are saying that, but I don't think it's official. I know that's where he wants to go. I know that after he signed with us that he did go there for the spring football game. I know that he told Coach Sanderson that's where he wants to go after NIACC. Obviously that will be in two years. That's where he wants to go. How about any of your other recruits? Can you shed any light on where they might end up after NIACC? Fergola: None of them have made any commitments yet. Albert White originally verbally committed to Illinois, but I don't know what Albert wants to do. TJ Moen was originally planning on going to Tennessee Chattanooga. He may still want to go back there after NIACC. In two years, things can change. If they have a lot of success here, you just never know what's going to happen. As of right now, we don't have anybody really stepping in stone where they're going to go after NIACC. We're just kind of concentrating on trying to win a national title here first, getting their academics going in the right direction, and trying to help them fulfill their dreams. NIACC is situated right in the heart of big time Division I college wrestling with Iowa State, Iowa, Northern Iowa, and Minnesota not too far. How important is for you to build relationships with Division I head coaches in the area like Cael Sanderson, Tom Brands, Brad Penrith, and J Robinson. Where you can say, 'Hey, I've got this great kid who I think could make an impact in your program?' Fergola: Obviously, it's very important. Those are awesome coaches at storied programs. We're definitely going to build a relationship with those coaches. Hopefully guys will start to come out of NIACC, head in those directions, and have success. That's one thing that has been on my to-do list is to work with those guys. The first thing I did when I got hired here was I e-mailed them all … and I know them all personally … just making sure if they have guys they want to send here, that's great. And then we'll definitely have a relationship with them. It's just great being in this area. The college wrestling in this area is just phenomenal. I'm just privileged to be in this area. What's the timetable for success at NIACC? You're taking over a program that hasn't fielded a team since 1976. Is it realistic to think this program could compete for a national title in its first year? Fergola: Well, that's our goal. Any program that I've ever been involved with or been in control of, that's always our goal. Obviously, academics is No. 1 with us. We want our kids doing well in school. That was our goal at Dana and that will be our goal here at NIACC. Those are the first things we're going to get under control. I think potentially on paper with the guys we have right now on our team, I think we have a great shot at doing that. We're going to believe that. That's something that we're definitely going to push for. I think we'll be right there. But like I said, things can change. You always have to deal with injuries and eligibility. Things like that can always come into play. I think on paper right now we have a pretty good squad. How's junior college recruiting different from NAIA recruiting? Fergola: Well, NAIA has a different set of regulations and procedures. It's a little different. Most NAIA schools are private schools. It's pretty expensive to attend most NAIA institutions. Most of them are in the $20,000 to $30,000 range, so that makes it difficult on a coach sometimes, having to put a student-athlete in that position to spend that kind of money. I think that's probably the biggest thing. A lot of people don't understand the NAIA. What they don't understand is that there are a lot of very talented wrestlers at that level. I think that makes it difficult. In comparison to junior college, I think junior college is a little bit easier in the fact that you don't have a lot of academic acceptance standards holding you back. At Dana, kids have to get an 18 or above just to get into school. And I'm not saying that's a good thing, because obviously we want academic standards. That makes it a little bit easier to get certain students into school here and help them achieve what they want to achieve. I think that's probably the biggest thing … that you just don't have a lot of those things holding you back to getting into a JUCO. I would have to say that's the main difference. Richard FergolaPrior to coaching at Dana, you spent some time coaching at the junior college ranks at Neosho County Community College in Kansas. How did that experience prepare you for the opportunity at North Iowa Area Community College? Fergola: When I was at Neosho County, that helped a lot. I got to know a lot of the JUCO coaches. I kind of know how it works. I understand the schedules. I know pretty much all the JUCO coaches across the country, and have relationships with them. I think that really helped to really understand what goes in these ranks. I've coached in the national tournament twice. I think that really helped me a lot. It's definitely a lot better than coming into this level not knowing anything, so it was definitely a big help. You obviously have roots in the state of Kansas, having wrestled and coached there. What's it going to take to get Division I wrestling in Kansas? Do you see that ever happening? Fergola: There are a lot of great people in that state who are huge advocates to get that started there. When I was still living there and coaching there, I tried to be as much a part of that as I could. I think what it's just going to come down to is that the right people see the light and understand how huge it could be. Kind of like how with NIACC starting wrestling here. The right people saw that it could be a huge ordeal here and ran with it. They are going to benefit from starting the program because it's going to do nothing but help promote the school and get more students. Kansas needs Division I wrestling. Whatever school gets it is going to be a powerhouse because there are some great athletes in that state. It's phenomenal because Kansas is pretty well known as a wrestling state too. They've done well on the national level: freestyle, Greco, folkstyle. If you look at some other states that aren't known as wrestling states that have Division I wrestling, and you're just like, 'Why doesn't Kansas have it?' Hopefully it will happen someday. I think it's just going to come down to the right people understanding how important it would be and just making it happen. Maybe this isn't a fair question since you just took over a new program, but do you have aspirations of someday becoming a Division I head coach? Fergola: I think every coach has those aspirations. Right now, I'm concentrating on getting the job done at NIACC. Whatever the future brings, the future brings. Just like athletes, they all have aspirations of wrestling at the Division I level. I like this level. I enjoyed it when I coached it before. We're just going to get the ball rolling, see what we can do at NIACC, and see what happens.

This week's edition of "On the Mat" will feature Gary Abbott and J.D. Oliva. Abbott is the Director of Communications and Special Projects for USA Wrestling. He has worked with USA Wrestling since 1988, directing the organization's communications activities. One of amateur wrestling most prolific writers, Abbott was named W.I.N. Magazine's Journalist of the year in 2002. The National Wrestling Media Association named him Publicist of the Year in 1991. Abbott will discuss the upcoming World Team Trials that will be taking place in Las Vegas on June 9-10 as well as the National Wrestling Hall of Fame inductions that took place this past weekend. Oliva was a former University of Illinois wrestler who has recently produced and directed a new wrestling movie called "7 Minutes". He is also the producer of "The Wrestling Recap", a popular wrestling highlight show featuring former Northern Iowa wrestler Jeff Harrison. "7 Minutes" premieres Saturday, June 9, at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois. Showtime is at 7 p.m. There will also be a viewing at the Al Ringling Theater in Baraboo, Wisconsin, on June 19th as well as a special viewing at the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum on a date yet to be determined. This movie will be available for purchase later this summer at www.7minutes-movie.com. "On the Mat" is a weekly wrestling radio program that airs every Wednesday night. This week's broadcast can be heard live from 6-7 p.m. Central Standard Time. The Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, hosts the show. "On the Mat" can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa on 1650, The Fan. Feel free to e-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with questions or comments about the show.