InterMat Staff

If everything goes as planned, NCAA champion Jake Herbert of Northwestern will be taking an Olympic redshirt during the 2007-08 collegiate season as he chases his dream of wrestling on the United States Olympic team. RevWrestling.com recently caught up with the 22-year-old Herbert and talked to him about growing up wrestling in Pennsylvania, why he chose to attend Northwestern, his desire for a rematch last season with Ben Askren, his performance at U.S. Nationals, his expectations for this weekend's World Team Trials, and much more. Jake Herbert (Photo/John Sachs)You came out Pennsylvania as a one-time state champion, yet you've gone on to become one of the top collegiate wrestlers in the country. There are quite a few examples of one and two-time Pennsylvania state champions going on to have a lot of success in Division I college wrestling. What makes high school wrestling so tough in Pennsylvania? Herbert: I just think the heritage of it. There are so many good wrestlers, so many kids working hard. Pennsylvania has that heritage of being one of the top and most elite wrestling states in the nation, year in and year out. When you're banging with the best guys every day in high school, when you get to college it doesn't matter when you face those two or three-time state champions from states like Wyoming and Wisconsin. You chose Northwestern over Michigan, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, and many other schools. Why Northwestern, a program that hadn't produced an NCAA champion since 1990. What was so enticing about the program? Herbert: I was just really excited about the recruiting class. I knew Ryan Lang was going there, Nick Hayes, and some others, so it was a pretty good recruiting class. Plus, the school gave me the best combination. I wanted Big Ten wrestling. I knew no matter what school I went to, I was going to get a national title … no matter what happens. Northwestern had the city of Chicago going for it, plus it's one of the best academic schools in the nation. You can't wrestle your entire life. I have to have something to fall back on. And I knew that I wanted Big Ten wrestling, so it basically came down to Michigan and Northestern. Michigan signed the kid I beat in the state finals, Josh Weitzel, pretty early, so that kind of sealed my deal. They chose him over me, so I went to NU. You grew out of the 174-pound weight class and moved up to 184 pounds for your junior season. Was it hard moving away from Ben Askren, knowing that he beat you in the NCAA finals, and wanting to avenge that loss? Or was it a sense of relief to know that you won't have to deal with him at 184 pounds? Herbert: I was hoping that I could wrestle Askren at the National Duals. I was actually trying to see if I could potentially get certified to wrestle at 174 for the dual against Missouri. But there wasn't any physical way that I was getting down there. I got a little too big, too fast. Cutting down to 174 my first two years was tough enough as it was … just trying to make it down there in one big cut was just too much to handle. Compare the 2006 NCAA runner-up Jake Herbert to the 2007 NCAA champion Jake Herbert. How much did you improve between your sophomore and junior seasons? Herbert: I improved tremendously, exponentially every year. I try to get better and better. I can feel the difference. It wasn't like I was a lot stronger because I moved up a weight class. Everybody else got stronger. It was more in the little things. I noticed different positions in practice, maintaining better positioning. The basic stuff. Little kids want to hit the flashy moves. They don't realize that holding great head position and a great stance, how are you going to get taken down and scored on if you're doing that constantly? You defeated Jake Varner of Iowa State to win the NCAA title. He had a victory over you in freestyle at the 2005 FILA Junior World Team Trials. Did that past result play into your psyche as you prepared for your NCAA finals match? Herbert: I wanted to face him all year. I hate it when I face someone who has that last win over me, regardless of the style. I just hate having a guy who has the upper hand, so I was kind of excited when I found out that he beat Kish … and I was actually getting a freshman in the NCAA finals. I knew that he was going to be nervous. It was his first time there. I knew it was all coming together. At the U.S. Nationals in April, you lost in the quarterfinals to Tyrel Todd of Michigan, a wrestler you defeated several times this past collegiate season, and then defaulted out of the competition. How would you characterize your performance out in Las Vegas? Herbert: It wasn't what I expected. I tore my meniscus during that match, but I still finished the match … and still feel like I had it won. It just wasn't smart wrestling. I wasn't ready in the first period. Tyrel got up by a lot of points right away and I couldn't come back. I got him in the second period. I was up 2-1 in the third period and just took a stupid shot and got turned for two, so I lost on criteria. He wrestled a hell of a tournament, way above his seed. He beat (Clint) Wattenberg first match and he beat me. He had a good tournament. I'm hoping at the Trials that I'm going to have a better tournament than he ever had. You're very comfortable in scrambling situations. Is your wrestling style more conducive to folkstyle? Herbert: My style might be more conducive to folkstyle right now, but I definitely favor freestyle over folkstyle. I only have four months left of folkstyle in my career, but I probably have another 10 years left in freestyle wrestling. As I start to switch over, I'll have more time to prepare for freestyle, which is why I feel that I'll do better at the Trials. I'll be wrestling smarter. Jake Herbert (Photo/John Sachs)Are you going into the U.S. World Team Trials expecting to win it? Or do look at it as a gauge to see where you are at this point in your freestyle career? Herbert: I don't go into any tournament expecting not to win it. I feel that I should win every tournament that I enter. Are you definitely taking an Olympic redshirt this coming collegiate season? Herbert: Almost. I still think I have to qualify for it by placing at the Trials. But more than likely I will be. What factors played into your decision? Herbert: One of my coaches, Bill Scherr, was telling me that it's just so hard to juggle school, freestyle wrestling, and folkstyle wrestling all at the same time if you want to make a serious run at the Olympics. Why would I half-ass something? I'm either going to go all in or nothing at all. What do you expect your training situation will be like during your Olympic redshirt season? Herbert: It's going to be great. I get all the time off. I don't have any school. I don't have a job restricting me. It's just a time to train and prepare for each tournament and get ready for the Olympic Trials. Do you plan to train mostly at Northwestern during your Olympic redshirt season? Or do you plan to spend some time training at the Olympic Training Center? Herbert: I'll do both. I'll be living at Northwestern, but I plan to be at the OTC a majority of the time. Northwestern had a great junior class this season with you, Ryan Lang, Dustin Fox, and Mike Tamillow. Will all three of those guys compete next year? Or will they be taking Olympic redshirt seasons as well? Herbert: I can't comment on that because I don't know. It's up to the coaches. Tamillow seemed to make big strides between his sophomore and junior seasons. In April, he won the University Nationals and was named Most Outstanding Wrestler. From seeing him day in and day out, what has been the biggest difference in his wrestling lately? Herbert: He holds his position so much better now than when he was a freshman. That's the biggest thing I've noticed. He's so hard to move and get out of position. It's hard to score on somebody who is always in great position. That's one of the things he's really improved on … and his mindset, he's just a brawler. He came in and didn't have very much technique. He was only a one-time state runner-up in high school. He came in with that desire. He knew that he was better than that. He knew that he wanted to be better than that. And he's already an All-American and University national champion. Arguably the top three college wrestlers from this past season will not be competing next season: You, Ben Askren, and Cole Konrad. I'm going to put you on the spot here. In your opinion, who is the best wrestler competing in college next season? Herbert: Oh, I don't know. There are so many. You have that 149 weight class with Schlatter, Gillespie, Churella. Lang will be back. I feel it's so hard to find one person who will dominate … until the season starts and you see who is doing what. There is just so much talent out there in college wrestling. Jake Herbert (Photo/Stephen J. Carrera)Handicap the 185 pound weight class in freestyle. Who do you see as the top three or four competitors to pose the biggest threat to you making a World and Olympic team? Herbert: The top four that are on the ladder right now … Joe Williams, Lee Fullhart, Clint Wattenburg, Andy Hrovat, and then you have Chris Pendleton. I mean, everybody you get there is tough. In the sport of wrestling, on any given day any non-seeded kid can beat a seeded kid. It's not very hard to do. Northwestern brought in a great recruiting class … a class that includes Mike Benefiel, Robert Kellogg, and Ben Kuhar. What kind of impact do you see them making at Northwestern? Herbert: They'll make a great impact. They are the future of the program. They will hopefully do what my class did … but lead this program to an even better finish, top three, and then hopefully have three national title contenders.

Former Buena Vista wrestler and mixed martial arts expert Jason Black will be making his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debut on June 12 in Hollywood, Florida. Black is a 1996 graduate of Buena Vista. The UFC is widely regarded as the world's leading mixed martial arts sports association. Mixed martial arts is an intense and evolving combat sport in which competitors use interdisciplinary forms of fighting that include jiu-jitsu, judo, karate, boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and others to their strategic and tactical advantage in a supervised match. "This upcoming match is important to me because it gives me the opportunity to fight on the biggest mixed martial arts stage," said Black who currently lives in the Quad Cities. Black will be facing Thiago Tavares in a 155 pound match. Black is 22-2-1 since turning professional in 2000. Tavares is 15-0. Black's match is one of nine matches on the card for UFC Fight Night which will be broadcast on Spike TV at 8 p.m. Central Daylight Time. His match will be televised if time permits. Black was a two-time All-American while wrestling for the Beavers. He placed sixth at the NCAA National Championship in 1994 at 158 pounds. The following year, Black moved up to the 167 pound weight class and won the Iowa Conference title and placed third nationally. Black, who has competed nationally and internationally, has fought the majority of his professional career at welterweight. This will be the first time that he dips all the way down to 155 pounds. "Wrestling in college gave me the good mental base I need to cut weight from 185 pounds to 155 pounds," Black commented. "It also taught me to forge ahead when things get rough." Regardless of the outcome of the match on June 12, Black will continue his training as he attempts to move up the UFC ladder.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -– The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team returned from its trip to Pitesti, Romania, with a bevy of individual titles and a number of superb showings during the 2007 FILA Junior World Championships. Head coach Troy Sunderland and assistant coach John Hughes guided 10 different individuals through the event. Bringing home individual titles at the event in Petesti were senior heavyweight Aaron Anspach (Columbia, Pa.), junior Phil Davis (Harrisburg, Pa.) and freshman Bubba Jenkins (Virginia Beach, Va.). Anspach went 3-0 and won the title at 120 kg, Davis was 3-0 at 96 kg and won the crown while Jenkins went 4-0 at 66 kg to claim his title. In addition, freshman Dave Rella (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) was runner-up at 74 kg with a 4-1 mark and sophomore David Erwin (Urbana, Ohio) was runner-up at 85 kg with a 4-1 record. Other Nittany Lions competing at the event, by weight, were: 60 kg -- Mark McKnight (McDonald, Pa.) (0-2), Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.) (0-1); 66 kg -- Jake Strayer (South Fork, Pa.) (0-1); 85 kg – Phil Bomberger (Port Royal, Pa.) (0-1), Mike Ward (Mayfield, Ohio) (0-1). Tim Haas (Camp Hill, Pa.) and Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) also made the trip but did not compete in the event. Shortly thereafter, five Nittany Lions took part in the FILA Junior World Team Trials in Colorado Springs, Colo., under the guidance of assistant coach Matt Dernlan. Jenkins continued his hot summer with a first place finish at 66 kg. His title earned him a spot on the world team that will compete in Beijing, China, on August 16-21. Freshman Eric Caschera (South Williamsport, Pa.) was runner-up at 50 kg and Rella was runner-up at 74 kg. Ward competed but did not place at 85 kg and heavyweight Stefan Tighe (Erie, Pa.) competed but did not place at 120 kg. Pataky and heavyweight John Laboranti (Scranton, Pa.) will both be competing in the U.S. Senior World Team Trials in Las Vegas, Nev., on June 9-10. The duo will be coached by Sunderland and assistant Dave Hart. The Nittany Lion wrestlers are wrapping up a superb freestyle season that included the above mentioned events as well as solid tournaments in April. Strayer won the individual title at 63 kg at the 2007 University Freestyle National Championships back in late April. Strayer was one of seven Penn State placers at that event. Davis was third at 96 kg, Erwin was third at 79 kg, McKnight was fourth at 55 kg, Rella was fifth at 74 kg, senior James Yonushonis (Philipsburg, Pa.) was fifth at 84 kg and Laboranti was sixth at 120 kg. Earlier in April, Jenkins and Rella claimed crowns at the 2007 FFILA Junior National Championships. Rella took the crown at 74 kg while Jenkins won the title at 70 kg. Three other Nittany Lions placed as well. Caschera was fourth at 50 kg, Ward was sixth at 79 kg and Tighe was third at 120 kg.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -– Penn State Nittany Lion wrestler Aaron Anspach was denied a sixth-year of eligibility by the NCAA, thus ending his hopes at another national title run in 2007-08. Anspach ends his Penn State career as the 2007 National Runner-Up at heavyweight. The native of Columbia, Pa., had two seasons cut short by injuries and wrestled in 85 bouts over the course of five years, an average of only 17 matches per season. Of those 85 bouts, a third (27) was during his true natural red-shirt season in 2002-03. Over the course of his final four years, he missed the bulk of two with injuries and wrestled in 58 bouts, an average of less than 15 per season. Anspach went 22-4 this year and advanced all the way to the national title bout, falling to repeat national champion Cole Konrad of Minnesota in the finals. He was also the 2007 Big Ten runner-up. Three of his four losses were to Konrad. Wrestling one of the toughest individual schedules in the nation, ten of his 26 bouts this year were against nationally ranked opponents. Anspach leaves Penn State with a 43-15 career record and a perfect 12-0 mark in major decisions.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Angel Escobedo of the Indiana wrestling team has been named Wrestler of the Week by TheMat.com, the publication announced on Wednesday. Escobedo earned the honor by garnering a spot on the World Junior Championship Team on Saturday, May 26. Escobedo will wrestle for the chance to become a world champion at the Junior World Championships on Aug. 21-26 in Beijing, China. Escobedo topped a stacked field to earn the 60-kilogram (132-pound) freestyle title at the FILA Junior World Team trials at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. TheMat.com selects an Athlete of the Week each week at any level of wrestling, from youth programs through the senior level. Escobedo was dominant in the Saturday challenge, winning all six periods to take first place at the elite event. He began the event by dropping Oklahoma wrestler Henry Roman 5-0 and 7-0, and then followed that with a strong win over Harvard signee Corey Jantzen, 3-1 and 8-0. In the finals, Escobedo faced the Olympic Training Center's own Pat McCaffrey, and Escobedo topped the two-time Junior World bronze medalist with a pair of 1-0 victories to take first place in the challenge. In the Saturday final, Escobedo squared off with a familiar opponent in Northwestern grappler Brandon Precin. Escobedo defeated Precin in the IU-NU dual meet on Feb. 11 and then followed that with a 14-3 major decision at the Big Ten championships on March 3. In Saturday's final, Escobedo was topped 1-0 in the first period of round one, then took the next two periods, 3-0 and 2-0, to win the round. He then swept round two by scores of 3-0 and 1-0 to win the championship. The Griffith, Ind., native will be joined on the Junior World Team in the freestyle division by David Taylor (50 kg), Tyler Graff (55 kg), Bubba Jenkins (66 kg), Jake Kerr (74 kg), Louis Caputo (84 kg), Taylor Moore (96 kg) and Dom Bradley (120 kg). Escobedo wrapped up his debut season for the Hoosiers by finishing in third place at the Big Ten Championships and in fourth at NCAAs. The Griffith, Ind., native posted a 39-7 record on the year with 14 pins. Those totals rank him in a tie for sixth and seventh, respectively, on the IU wrestling single-season lists all-time. His 39 victories were the most ever by an IU freshman.

The 2007 NCAA champion University of Minnesota wrestling program will hold its 20th Annual Golf Classic on Monday, June 4 at Gopher Hills Golf Course in Miesville, Minn. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m., with a shot-gun start scheduled for noon. The cost for the event is $140 per person, which includes golf, dinner, social and a gift, or $50 for just the dinner and social which starts at approximately 5 p.m. The University of Minnesota Wrestling Golf Classic is the primary fundraiser for the Gopher wrestling program and is an integral part of why the program has reached the elite status it enjoys today. Come help support your Golden Gophers and have a great time. 2007 University of Minnesota Wrestling Golf Classic Gopher Hills Golf Course 26155 Nicolai Ave. Cannon Falls, MN 55009 View Flier View Registration Form View View Tee/Green Sponshorship Form For more information, contact Luke Becker at 612-625-9356.

The phrase "heavyweight champ" carries a lot of weight in the world of sports. For example, at one time it held special glamour in the world of professional boxing. And it still has critical importance in college wrestling, where, in a close dual meet or tournament, it's often up to the big man in the final match to determine which team comes out the winner. In the more than 75 years of NCAA wrestling championships, a number of big men have found fame beyond winning at least one heavyweight title. For some, success comes from within the sport -- for example, Olympic medallists Bruce Baumgartner, Lou Banach and Chris Taylor, or coaches Kerry McCoy (Stanford), Kirk Trost (Michigan) and Charles McDaniel (Indiana). Others have become famous beyond the mat: NFL stars Stephen Neal, Carlton Haselrig, Curley Culp, Jim Nance and Jess Lewis … professional wrestlers Kurt Angle, Sylvester Terkay, Dick Hutton, Dale Lewis and Earl McCready … and even a larger-than-life movie star (Tab Thacker of Wildcats and the Police Academy series). As you might expect, the school that has won the most NCAA team titles -- Oklahoma State -- also leads the way in producing the most NCAA heavyweight champs, with ten. However, the school that's second in NCAA heavyweight titlewinners is the University of Minnesota, with five: Tony Nelson (2012 and 2013)... Cole Konrad (2006 and 2007) … Brock Lesnar (2000) … Verne Gagne (1949) … and Leonard Levy (1941). Let's take a look at the accomplishments of each of these Golden Gopher heavyweight champs: Leonard Levy Born and raised in Minneapolis, Leonard "Butch" Levy was a two-sport star at the University of Minnesota, making a name for himself on the football field and on the mat. He was an All-Conference lineman for the Gophers during their undefeated 1941 season, when the team outscored its opponents 186-38 on its way to an NCAA national championship. 1941 was a great season for the Minnesota matmen as well. The team compiled a 6-1-1 record, losing only to perennial powerhouse Oklahoma State, and tying the University of Northern Iowa. In the thirteen-man heavyweight bracket at the 1941 NCAA's held at Lehigh University, Butch Levy was seeded second, behind Oklahoma State's Loyd Arms. On his way to the finals, the 6', 260-pound Gopher defeated John Kearns of Penn State 3-2, then got a 4-2 victory in overtime over Lafayette's John Thomas, the third seed. In the title bout, Levy met up with fourth-seeded Larry Pickett of Yale, who had pinned two of his opponents and shut out the third 7-0. However, the Gopher prevailed over the Yale man 5-2, becoming the first NCAA heavyweight champ from the University of Minnesota, and only the third national titlewinner for the school. Leonard LevySadly, Levy's college mat career was cut short by a broken foot midway during the 1941-42 season, according to the 1942 Gopher yearbook, and he was unable to compete in the Big Tens or the NCAA's. Apparently Levy recovered from the injury; later that year, in the NFL draft, he was selected by the Cleveland Rams. However, he delayed his professional football career until 1945 to serve in the Navy for three years during World War II. At the end of the 1948 NFL season, Levy retired from football and became a professional wrestler in the American Wrestling Association in the Twin Cities. He was an NWA Tag Team titleholder on two occasions with two Minnesota gridiron/grappling alums: first, with Verne Gagne, then later, with Leo Nomellini. Levy passed away in 1999 at age 78. Verne Gagne Born on a Minnesota farm in 1926, Verne Gagne lost his mother at age 14. He moved in with family near Robbinsdale High School, a wrestling dynasty in the 1940s… and a great mat career was launched. Weighing in at 185 pounds, Gagne was a two-time Minnesota high school state champ at heavyweight in 1942 and 1943. Gagne was also an all-state star on the gridiron for Robbinsdale, and was recruited to play football for the University of Minnesota in 1943. However, wrestling quickly became Gagne's main college sport; as a freshman, he won the 1944 Big Ten conference championship at 175 pounds. After that first season, Gagne left campus to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps at El Toro, California for two years during World War II, where he played football and taught hand-to-hand combat. He returned to Minnesota in 1946, and wrote the second chapter of a very successful amateur sports career. In March 1947, Gagne won the Big Ten heavyweight title; then, at the 1947 NCAA's, he lost to eventual champ Dick Hutton of Oklahoma State in the semifinals. The following season, Gagne -- now a junior -- won yet another Big Ten title (this time at 191 pounds), then, a couple weeks later, claimed the title in the same weight class at the 1948 NCAA's at Lehigh. He also was an alternate for the US team at the 1948 London Olympics. Gagne's senior season was the cherry on top of a stellar college career. He was undefeated in regular dual-meet action, and won his fourth Big Ten title -- the first wrestler from any school at any weight to do that. Gagne, now a heavyweight, qualified to compete at the 1949 NCAA's at Colorado State where he was seeded second behind defending champ Dick Hutton. The Cowboy was a big bear of a man, who, at 5'10" and 245 pounds, outweighed the Minnesotan by about thirty pounds. Verne GagneIt was destined that the two would meet in the finals. Gagne pinned Brigham Young's Alvin Dailey in the first round, defeated Iowa's Bob Geigel 5-1 in the quarterfinals, and got a 4-2 victory over Homer Barr of Penn State in the semis. In the heavyweight title match between Gagne and Hutton, the score was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, despite the Cowboy scoring a takedown at the end… but there was a question as to whether Hutton had gained control before the clock ran out. Under the rules of the time, the officials declared Gagne the winner based on a few seconds' advantage in riding time … denying Hutton his third title, and the chance to be the first four-time NCAA champ. (Hutton won his third championship the following year, also on a referee's decision!) After graduating from Minnesota, Gagne played professional football for the Green Bay Packers until a legal dispute made him hang up his helmet and enter the world of professional wrestling, where he enjoyed a career in the American Wrestling Association that spanned four decades and included numerous individual and tag-team titles. He still resides just outside the Twin Cities. Brock Lesnar Brock Lesnar shares some common points with Minnesota's two heavyweight champs before him. Like Verne Gagne, Lesnar grew up as a farm boy. As with Levy and Gagne, Lesnar was a two-sport star, playing football and wrestling in high school at Webster, South Dakota. And, like the other Gopher heavyweight champs before him, Lesnar too became a professional wrestler. However, at 6'4" and 285 pounds -- and with a 20" neck, 52" chest and a physique that Dan Gable declared "turns more heads than Cindy Crawford in a thong" -- Lesnar was quite a bit larger in size than his Minnesota predecessors (and many of his opponents). In fact, it's safe to say that the massive, muscular Minnesotan became the biggest thing to hit college wrestling in years. Lesnar's college career started at Bismarck Junior College in North Dakota, where he dominated the National Junior College Athletic Association competition, racking up an incredible 56-3 record in his two years at BJC, culminating with the 1998 NJCAA heavyweight championship. Brock Lesnar's physique and take-no-prisoners wrestling style turned more than a few heads … including that of J Robinson, University of Minnesota's head coach, who brought the South Dakota native to the Golden Gophers for his junior year where he built up a near-perfect 24-1 regular-season record against Division I competition. Lesnar claimed the 1999 Big Ten heavyweight title by shutting out Illinois' Karl Roesler 7-0. The massive Minnesotan was seeded second at the 1999 NCAA's, where, on his way to the finals, he pinned one opponent in just 22 seconds and held the other three to just four points vs. his 26. However, in the finals, Big Brock met his match in top-seeded Stephen Neal; the defending champ from Cal State Bakersfield defeated Lesnar 3-2. Senior year was pretty much a replay of the previous season, with Lesnar losing only one regular-season bout, to Iowa's Wes Hand. However, two weeks later, in a bit of payback, Lesnar defeated the Hawkeye big guy in the finals of the 2000 Big Tens. It would not be the last time the two rivals would do battle. At the 2000 NCAA's in St. Louis, top-seeded Brock Lesnar pinned three of his four pre-finals opponents to find himself going for the heavyweight title against familiar foe Wes Hand. The Iowan just missed winning the match in regulation, lacking just four seconds of riding time. Instead, in the tiebreaker, Lesnar escaped from Hand in 21 seconds to win the match -- and the 2000 NCAA title -- 3-2 TB. Brock LesnarAfter college, Brock Lesnar considered a career in freestyle wrestling, or the NFL… but chose professional wrestling. After two years in the "minor leagues" Lesnar was introduced to WWE fans as "the next big thing." A few months later, he beat The Rock for the WWE heavyweight championship, the youngest man (age 25) to win a WWE title. In 2004, Lesnar left pro wrestling, and, after trying out for the Minnesota Vikings, then entered mixed-martial arts competition, culminating in the UFC Heavyweight Championship. In 2011, Lesnar retired from the UFC, and has returned to WWE. Cole Konrad Cole Konrad enhances the University of Minnesota's reputation for producing big men of championship caliber, by being the first Golden Gopher to win not one but two NCAA heavyweight titles. (Verne Gagne also won two national collegiate titles; in addition to his 1949 heavyweight title, he claimed the 191-pound crown in 1948.) "King" Cole was born in Wisconsin in 1984. He attended Freedom High School -- the same school as Garrett Lowney, Minnesota's heavyweight prior to Konrad -- where he compiled a 101-15 overall record, with 65 of those wins by pin. Konrad completed his prep career by winning the 2002 Wisconsin high school state title, along with the freestyle and Greco-Roman titles at the 2002 Junior National Championships. Quoting the 2006-2007 Minnesota wrestling media guide, Cole Konrad "came to Minnesota a bit under the radar but had the desire to carry on the tradition of great Gopher heavyweights." Elsewhere in the media guide, the 6'3", 280-pound Konrad is described as "destined to go down as one of the greatest wrestlers in Minnesota history." Now that Cole Konrad has completed his career as a Golden Gopher, his mat accomplishments back up that statement: A 154-13-0 overall record (second greatest number of wins in school history), with 50 of those pins by pin. Undefeated his junior and senior seasons, racking up the longest win streak in school history at 76. A three-time Big Ten heavyweight champ. A four-time NCAA All-American (only the fourth in school history). A three-time NCAA finalist… and two-time NCAA heavyweight champ. At Konrad's first NCAA's in 2004, the fifth-seeded sophomore placed fourth after losing to Oklahoma's Leonce Crump in the semifinals. The following year, Konrad, seeded second, lost a heartbreaker to his main college nemesis, Oklahoma State's Steve Mocco, in the finals 3-1, SV 1. It was after this loss -- the third to Mocco during the 2004-05 season -- that Konrad started to turn things around his Cowboy rival. During the 2005-06 season, Konrad beat Mocco at the All-Stars, and in an end-of-match stunner, pinned him at the National Duals finals. It all culminated in one last showdown in the finals of the 2006 NCAA's. The Golden Gopher got a 5-2 double tiebreaker victory over the Cowboy big man to end Konrad's perfect season on a perfect note. Cole Konrad (Photo/John Johnson)Starting his senior season, there was considerable pressure on Cole Konrad's broad shoulders to maintain perfection … and he did, winning all his matches, including his third Big Ten title. At the 2007 NCAA's at Auburn Hills, Michigan, the defending champ iced his college career by pinning finals rival Aaron Anspach of Penn State (the man Konrad beat two weeks earlier in the Big Ten finals) at 1:53 in the first period. What could make Konrad's senior year any sweeter? He was named University of Minnesota 2007 Male Athlete of the Year. Having graduated from Minnesota with a degree in business and marketing education, Cole Konrad wrestled freestyle for a time, and even accepted an invitation to try out for the NFL New York Jets. In early 2010, Konrad launched his career in MMA, and, later that year, won the Bellator Heavyweight Championship. Tony Nelson At the 2012 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, Anthony Nelson became Minnesota's fifth-ever heavyweight titlewinner, defeating the defending champ Zack Rey of Lehigh, 4-1, in the 285-pound finals... then successfully defended his title by beating Big Ten rival Mike McMullan of Northwestern, 6-2, in the title match at the 2013 NCAAs, joining Cole Konrad as a two-time NCAA heavyweight champ. Tony Nelson celebrates after winning the NCAA title (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)Nelson joined the elite club of Golden Gopher heavyweight champs as a sophomore, bringing a 31-2 record and the 2012 Big Ten 285 lb. title to the national championships. He also grabbed the heavyweight titles at the Southern Scuffle and Bison Open. For all these accomplishments, Nelson was selected the University of Minnesota's 2012 Male Athlete of the Year, and was in the running for Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year. As a freshman, Nelson earned All-American honors by placing seventh at the 2011 NCAAs. A 2009 grad of Cambridge-Isanti High School north of the Twin Cities, Nelson was a two-time Minnesota state champ, at 197 pounds and at heavyweight. In high school, Nelson compiled an impressive 141-18 overall record, with an incredible 80 pins. He won the 2009 National Wrestling Championship at 215 pounds, and was considered to be the nation's top prospect at that weight. Nelson also earned honors on the gridiron as a defensive end and linebacker, and an Academic All-American for his success in the classroom. Nelson differs from previous Minnesota heavyweight champs in terms of how he's put together. Standing 6'2" and weighing in about 225 pounds, Nelson does not have the sheer heft of a Cole Konrad, nor the carved-from-granite musculature of a Brock Lesnar. Rather, Nelson's background as a lighter-weight wrestler has helped him overcome bulkier opponents with greater agility and endurance. More to come? In terms of producing top-flight big men, the University of Minnesota has had more than its fair share of success over the years, starting with Clifton Gustafson, 1937 Big Ten heavyweight champ and two-time NCAA All-American heavyweight in 1937 and 1938. In the more than 80 years of NCAA championships, of the Minnesota wrestlers who have won at least one NCAA title, more than half weighed in at 175 pounds or more. And, if anything, Minnesota's success in the upper weights seems to have been growing stronger in recent years. Among the Minnesota heavyweights since 1990 to have been All-Americans but did not win an NCAA title: Billy Pierce -- three-time NCAA All-American (1993, 1995 and 1996), 1993 Big Ten heavyweight champ Shelton Benjamin -- two-time All-American (1997 and 1998) Garrett Lowney -- two-time All-American (2001 and 2002), 2001 Big Ten heavyweight champ, two-time Olympian (2000 and 2004, winning the bronze medal in Greco-Roman competition at the 2000 Sydney Games before wrestling his first match as a Golden Gopher). What accounts for this success? Ask the man who was an NCAA champ for Minnesota at 177 in 1991, Marty Morgan. The three-time All-American is now an assistant coach at his alma mater, focusing on working with the big men. In an earlier interview InterMat, when asked why the Golden Gophers seem to have great success with their heavyweight wrestlers, Marty Morgan replied, "When we train heavyweights, we expect them to do everything the lighter-weight guys do. There's no slacking off, no cutback in the amount of running or weight work or practice matches. We want our heavyweights to go the full six minutes without slowing down." The legacy of great Golden Gopher heavyweights started 70 years ago shows no signs of ending anytime soon.

University of Minnesota assistant wrestling coach Joe Russell will be honored with the 2007 Medal of Courage from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Russell will be inducted, along with other special award winners and the class of 2007 Distinguished Members, at the 2007 Honors Weekend Banquet and Induction Ceremony this Saturday, June 2, in Stillwater, Okla. The Medal of Courage is presented annually to a wrestler or former wrestler who has overcome what appeared to be insurmountable challenges, which may be physical, mental or other handicaps that make his or her achievements all the more uplifting. Russell, who has spent the last 11 seasons as an assistant coach under J Robinson, has helped lift the Golden Gopher wrestling program to new heights despite having to deal with severe physical challenges caused by a motorcycle accident just before his senior year in high school. One of the top high school wrestlers in the nation, Russell won two state titles while compiling a 90-1 record through his junior year at Gresham High School in Oregon. He won both the freestyle and Greco-Roman titles at the 1985 Junior Nationals and was an Espoir National Champion and placewinner at the Espoir World Championships. In addition, Russell claimed two World School Boy championships. In 1985, however, Russell's life changed when a horrifying motorcycle accident left him partially paralyzed on the left side of his body. He was riding on the back of a friend's motorcycle when a truck pulled out in front of them and, in an effort to avoid the truck, the cycle flipped and the bike's foot peg jammed three inches into Russell's skull. Russell spent three weeks in a drug-induced coma and the process of recovery was long and grueling, but he did recover and has not let his physical challenges stop him from achieving both on and off the mat ever since. Zach Sanders to Receive National Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award University of Minnesota incoming freshman wrestler Zachary Sanders will be recognized as the national winner of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award at the 2007 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Honors Weekend Banquet and Induction Ceremony this Saturday, June 2, in Stillwater, Okla. A native of Wabasha, Minn., Sanders was a five-time state champion and compiled a career record of 223-5 at Wabasha-Kellogg High School. He won the Class A 119-pound title in 2007, the 112-pound title as a junior and sophomore, and the 103-pound title as a freshman and eighth grader. Sanders ended his high school career with three undefeated seasons. He had a 3.58 GPA in high school. The Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award is presented annually to a high school senior who has demonstrated outstanding wrestling success, scholastic achievement, character, citizenship and community service. The awards program is named in honor of the late Dave Schultz, an Olympic and world champion, who set an example for excellence both on and off the mat.

This week's edition of "On the Mat" will feature Mike Chapman and Mike Allen, two of this year's National Wrestling Hall of Fame award winners. The Honors Weekend Banquet and Induction Ceremony for the National Wrestling Hall of Fame will take place on June 1-2 in Stillwater, Okla. Chapman is currently the executive director of the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum and is this year's recipient of the Order of Merit. The Order of Merit is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of wrestling, other than success as an athlete or coach. Chapman, a professional journalist with a passion for wrestling, has been a leader within the sport for decades with a focus on the promotion of the sport. His involvement has been at many levels, including as a publisher, author, historian, publicist and speaker. In 1994, he founded W.I.N. Magazine and was the creator of the Dan Hodge Trophy, which is given annually to the nation's top collegiate wrestler. Mike Allen has been selected to receive the Lifetime Achievement for Officials Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. This award recognizes outstanding service as a wrestling or pairing official or judge. Inductees are honored in the Vince Zuaro Officials Room at the Museum. Having officiated for over 26 years, Allen is considered one of the top college and high school referees in the nation. Allen has been a referee at 15 NCAA Div. I National Wrestling Championships. He has worked many of the other major college wrestling events, including the Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10 and other conferences. "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.

You may not recognize Greg Plitt's name … but you've probably seen plenty of him. After all, the Maryland high school state champ from the mid 1990's is now a fitness model/actor who has appeared in a number of fitness magazines (on the cover and inside) … and is currently featured in a TV commercial with an amateur wrestling theme. Greg PlittGreg Plitt has led an active life. In the years between high school and being featured on TV and in major magazines, Greg Plitt attended the United States Military Academy at West Point … and became an Army Ranger. He's now an aspiring actor, who, in addition to the wrestling-themed commercial, had a part in the Matt Damon movie The Good Shepherd. Greg Plitt is a young man of considerable accomplishments. In conversation, he comes across as eager, enthusiastic and energetic. He obviously takes on life with great zeal, saying that he owes a lot of his attitude to having been a wrestler. Yet, he is incredibly modest and humble about what he has achieved, seemingly with an anyone-can-do-this-if-they-put-their-mind-to-it attitude. The prep wrestler gets back into the (red) zone This spring, Greg Plitt has appeared in TV commercial for Old Spice Red Zone Skin Conditioner, putting his experience as a wrestler to work. In the commercial, Plitt (wearing a red singlet, appropriately, since the product is part of Old Spice Red Zone product line) brings his opponent to the mat and puts him in a pinning predicament. The opponent comments on how soft and supple Plitt's skin is. Referee slaps the mat, blows his whistle and the product appears onscreen. The commercial is only 30 seconds, but it took considerably more time to bring it to life. Here's how Plitt describes the process: "I went to an initial audition, then got two callbacks. They knew I was a wrestler, which may have helped…" Greg Plitt"It took about a month from the audition to the actual filming of the commercial." "It was a SAG -- Screen Actors' Guild -- job, so we were paid the standard day rate of $537 for filming. If the commercial never ran, that would've been all I received. But, I'm paid residuals every time it runs, which is great." When asked if his mat experience came into play in the shooting of the spot, Plitt says, "We were shown storyboards with the script on them. The producers knew they wanted us to start on our feet, and end up on the mat. They let us come up with various options, but it had to look good on screen. We did probably 30-40 takes over the course of seven hours of filming." "It was fun to get back out on the mat and get the blood going again." Trading skates for a singlet Although he loved all sports as a youngster, ice hockey was Greg Plitt's primary passion. He first laced up the skates at age three, following the lead of his granddad and his dad, and, for nearly a decade, it was THE sport for the Baltimore-area native. His parents stressed athletics and academics. "We had a summer supplemental reading list when I was in grade school," Plitt recalls. "Dad would always ask how I was doing, if I was making my way through the list. If he felt I wasn't making enough progress, he'd make me do a workout, starting with 100 laps in the pool, 100 sit-ups, 100 push-ups, etc." "Instead of thinking of the workouts as punishment, I really came to enjoy them. The workouts made me a better player, with more energy. I actually would try to get him to increase what I had to do … I think this is where I got my drive to work out, to take care of myself, that has stayed with me even today." "It also helped me become a better student. I didn't want to fail, and disappoint my folks." Greg PlittThen Plitt describes the life-changing moment when he was forced to take up a new sport: "At age 12, dad had forgotten to pay my hockey league bill, so I couldn't play." "Luckily, as they say, when one door closes, another opens. There were flyers at school announcing the start of wrestling season…" "I won states as a seventh grader. Seniors suddenly seemed to know who I was, which was cool." "I never went back to hockey," adds Plitt. "I went at wrestling all-out." "My dad was really into it, too. He'd get these technique tapes featuring guys like Wade Schalles. We'd watch them together, then practice what we'd seen on tape." Greg Plitt can recall one specific example when one of those living-room lessons came into direct use during an actual match: "Getting ready for states senior year, dad showed me a tape featuring Granby rolls. In the state finals, the score was tied zero-zero with 41 seconds left. I was in the down position; I popped up, and, using the Granby roll, put him on his back, scoring back points, and winning the state title at 189." "I remember dad having tears in his eyes. It was a special moment that we shared together." At the end of his high school wrestling career, Plitt was a Maryland state champ, and a two-time high school prep All-American (placing second in the nation his senior year). In addition, he played football and was on his school's golf team. Like sister, like brother (in his own way) "In high school, I got some offers from college wrestling programs out west," says Plitt. "However, at the time, my sister was at Annapolis (at the United States Naval Academy), and was transformed. I liked what it had done for her. The way she carried herself, with such confidence and integrity." "I was accepted at Annapolis, and ready to go. But there was something nagging at me, that I might be merely following in her footsteps. I had been contacted by the wrestling coaches at West Point after the finals of the high school prep national wrestling tournament. After much thinking and discussion with my family, I decided that would be the direction I'd take." Plitt entered West Point one week after graduating high school as the class of 2000. Upon graduation in May 2000, he was appointed Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Infantry branch. Greg Plitt"They say West Point is a leadership school, but I think it's a place where leaders become even better leaders," according to Plitt. "It's all about management -- time management, learning how to use limited resources to maximum effect, how to work with others as a team." "There are no parties, no frats. It's all about getting ready for work, and your career in the military … It's like being submerged under water for four straight years, then coming up for air." "Being at West Point helped me focus on the horizon, on long-range goals, rather than just getting through a day… It really helps you find out who you really are. Not just your strengths, but your shortcomings as well, and how to overcome them." From West Point to the Army Rangers After graduation from West Point, Plitt set his sights on being a Ranger, the elite soldier corps of the U.S. Army. He entered the U.S. Army Ranger School, where "I went from being 215 (pounds) down to 165 in 65 days during training." "Everything is designed to test you, to put you through the stress that simulates combat," adds Plitt. "You go out on missions with very little sleep, trying to keep each other motivated, to solve problems … It's incredible leadership training, and a real boost to your self-confidence. You gain a degree of integrity and honor that becomes part of every decision you make and everything you do." Greg PlittIn the "Frequently Asked Questions" section of his Web site (www.gregplitt.com), Plitt says, "Hands down, the best part of the military for me was the awesome responsibility of leading soldiers. Day in and day out, you are constantly burning the midnight oil to improve yourself physically and mentally in order to be the best leader for your soldiers … The job comes with a tremendous amount of sacrifice and hard work, but it is completely outweighed by the degree of job satisfaction you feel. To have soldiers look to you for direction whether on or off the field of battle is extremely humbling and inspiring." Greg Plitt completed his five years of service in May 2005. As he says at his website, "My military experience will forever be one I will keep close to my heart. My time in the service as rewarding as it was demanding. The greatest experience I had in the military was the awesome responsibility of leading soldiers. Never forgotten, but forever missed." Wrestling's role in all this Greg Plitt has achieved great things on -- and off -- the mat. And he gives the sport of wrestling considerable credit for making him the man that he is today. "Wrestling is like no other sport," says Plitt. "It's both a mental game and a physical game. It's also an independent endeavor, and a team sport. But, unlike most team sports, it is just you on the mat. You can't depend on anyone else to bail you out during a match." "Wrestling has helped me through all phases of my life -- West Point, Army Rangers, and now my acting career -- in so many ways. You learn lessons from losing, failing -- not to give up, to try a new approach to try to succeed the next time. This helps me in my present career dealing with rejection. Rather than stay down about it, I think, �OK, what can I do differently next time to make myself better, to help me get that next job?'" "I also gained the satisfaction of dedicating yourself to your goals," adds Plitt. "You remember the journey, not necessarily the end-state, for instance, being on the podium. You appreciate all the hard work and sacrifice you put into getting a title, or whatever your goal. You also realize that when the going gets tough, you don't bail out. You see it as a journey, a long-range thing, not a momentary gratification." "The champions are the ones who go out to run at 5 a.m., even when it's pouring rain. They pass on going to the party that might be fun while it's going on, but will be forgotten the next day." Plitt said that attitude has helped him to build and maintain his physique into a condition that puts him on the covers of major magazines such as Men's Fitness and helped him land the Old Spice commercial. More than just muscle is shaped from this attitude. "I think wrestling can really shape what you're capable of," Plitt adds. "If you're the fourth seed and accept that judgment of you, you'll probably come in fourth. But if you go in with the attitude �I should be first' you'll be more likely to realize your dream." "A young mind is so fragile," concludes Plitt. "It can go either way. I was blessed to have loving, supporting parents. With encouragement, hard work and a focus on long-range goals, anyone can be a champion." Watch Old Spice commercial with Greg Plitt: UPDATE: On Sunday, Jan. 17, 2015, Greg Plitt was hit and killed by the southbound Metrolink Antelope Valley Line commuter train in Burbank, Calif. outside Los Angeles while walking or running between the rails. Some sources state he was filming a video for a commercial or segment for a reality TV series. Plitt was 37.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue athletics director Morgan J. Burke today announced the hiring of Scott Hinkel as the 13th head wrestling coach in school history. Hinkel, a 14-year assistant coach and former All-American for the Boilermakers, has served as interim head coach since Jessie Reyes resigned March 31. "I'm just so excited to be the head coach at my alma mater. It's what I wanted personally and for the program," Hinkel said. "I appreciate Morgan and Roger Blalock (senior associate athletics director who oversees wrestling) for having confidence in me and entrusting me with this program. I know when you're on the inside of a program that hasn't enjoyed a lot of recent success, there is pressure to look outside, so it means a lot to me to be selected. "Our Purdue wrestling family - current student-athletes and their parents and our alums - have been extremely supportive, and that means a great deal. I reached out to a few of them for their assistance, but many others contributed theirs voluntarily. This program means a lot to me; I'm energized and ready to go." In his first order of business as head coach, Hinkel announced that Tom Erikson will move into the role of top assistant coach. Erikson, a two-time All-American at Oklahoma State who joined the Purdue staff in 1997, primarily is responsible for the upper-weight divisions. "I can't say enough about how much Tom's support the last two months means to me," Hinkel said. "He has the credentials that would have made him a top candidate to be the head coach, but he chose to put all his energy into helping me, and I can't thank him enough. He's a tremendous asset to our program." Hinkel will have one assistant coaching vacancy to fill. "We conducted a thorough national search and found the ideal candidate to be one of our own," Burke said. "Scott did a heck of a job putting together a plan of action both athletically and academically for this program. His aspirations are high, and his excitement is contagious. The fact that he is a Purdue person is a plus, but let me stress that Scott demonstrated his ability and his desire to lead the program and was our first choice. He had tremendous endorsements from both college and high school coaches and from our own student-athletes. He believes very strongly that Purdue can be an elite wrestling program and win a national championship." Said Blalock: "In talking with a lot of people from the wrestling community across the country, we found Scott to be extremely well respected. He has done a tremendous job as an assistant coach for us, both on and off the mat. We are excited to have him as our new head coach." As an assistant at Purdue since 1993, Hinkel worked primarily with wrestlers in the lighter weight classes. He assisted with scouting and recruiting and handled a large amount of the correspondence from the wrestling office. He has been active in the recruitment of former Purdue wrestlers for the John Purdue Club. Hinkel also wrote the Purdue wrestling newsletter, the Purdue Wrestling Dispatch. Earlier, Hinkel spent seven years with the Boilermakers as both a student-athlete and a coach. He competed from 1984 to 1987, received his bachelor's degree from the School of Liberal Arts in 1988 and became a teacher's assistant in the physical education department. Hinkel served as a volunteer assistant coach in 1989 and as a graduate assistant coach in 1990. He earned a master's degree in physical education from Purdue in 1990. As a student-athlete at Purdue, Hinkel earned All-America honors in 1987 in the 126-pound weight class and received Academic All-Big Ten accolades. He was the first of only two wrestlers in school history to accomplish both in the same season (Tim Dernlan followed suit in 1998). Hinkel ranks first in program history in career falls (45) and back points (391) and is second in career wins (127). His record of 127-50 (.718) ranks 15th on the career winning percentage list. Hinkel also owns two of the top 10 single-season win totals, registering 36 in 1986-87 and 35 in 1985-86. Between his Purdue stints, Hinkel taught physical education and history and served as head wrestling coach at East Chicago (Ind.) Central High School from 1990 to 1993. His teams compiled a 40-16 dual meet record (.714 winning percentage). He coached the school's first state champion in 1993 and guided his team to a fifth-place finish at the Indiana State High School Championships the same year. A native of Fairfield, Ohio, the 42-year-old Hinkel (born Dec. 31, 1964) is married to the former Irina Maksimets. The couple has two daughters, Varya and Valentina.

Columbia, Mo. -– Missouri two-time All-American Tyler McCormick (Leawood, Kan.) earned his second consecutive ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VII Men's At-Large honor after finishing his junior campaign with a 3.95 grade-point average in business management. McCormick, Missouri's 133 pound starter, capped off his season with a sixth place finish at the 2007 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. One of 11 individuals from 10 different sports named to the District VII University Division, McCormick is now eligible for All-America honors. McCormick and Northern Iowa senior Nick Baima were the only two wrestlers named to the District VII first team. A total of 83 men from eight different districts were named to their respective All-District first team for both their academic and athletic accomplishments throughout the course of the 2006-07 campaign. Only eight of these individuals were wrestlers. McCormick is one of six Big 12 competitors named to the all-district first team and one of two Big 12 wrestlers honored. As a sophomore McCormick earned third team ESPN The Magazine All-America honors in addition to All-District VII first team accolades.

Mason City, IA -- In November, North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, IA announced the return of college wrestling to the school after a 32 year hiatus. The Trojans last fielded a team in 1976 and won the national championship in 1973. Thirty-two years later, the Trojans will once again field a team. Head Coach Richard Fergola was announced as the skipper for the revival of the Trojan wrestling program in March and in two months as compiled possibly one of the nation's top recruiting classes in non-division I. "I am very excited about these thirty-three young men that have committed to our program," stated Fergola. The 2007-08 Trojan wrestling team will be made up of ten different states including nineteen individuals from Iowa. The Trojans will be represented by states such as Nebraska, Minnesota, California, Arizona, Virginia, Maryland, Missouri, Colorado, and Illinois. There were fourteen individual state championships won among this years group, with eleven All-American honors, three national championships, seven nationally ranked individuals and one high school All-American. The in-state talent that will help begin the inaugural season at NIACC is very rich with experience and local ties. Nineteen individuals hail from Iowa. They consist of Lowen Reams (Charles City), Jeffrey Short (Garner), Nathan Jones (Ankeny), Jordan Bartoszek (Mason City), Tyler Eckerman (Garner), T.J. Moen (Des Moines), Emory Ochoa (Garner), Tom Parcher (Charles City), Ben Riedinger (Council Bluffs), A.J. Youngblut (Raymond), Jeff Ragan (Mitchellville), Nick Fox (Riceville), Clarence Jordan (Waterloo), Jordan Graham (Mason City), Jason Schweer (Waverly), Tyler Pilcher (Fairfield), Luke Stika (Cresco), Jadd Dithmart (Ogden), and Hiram Serrano (Muscatine). The Iowa group is highlighted by a handful of state placers and state champions. Leading this group is four-time state placer and two-time state champion T.J. Moen from Saydel High School. Moen made the finals three times winning two titles and also placing seventh as a sophomore. Moen was very successful on the national scene winning a Cadet Greco National Championship and placing third in Junior Greco in Fargo. Moen is currently the No. 12 rated senior in the country by Wrestling USA magazine and No. 7 by Intermat. A handful of state placers from Iowa will help bring the Trojans back to national prominence. Lowen Reams from Charles City placed 3rd in 2006. Jeffrey Short from close by Garner-Hayfield placed 5th. Nathan Jones, a team-mate of Moen for Saydel, placed 6th in 2007. Don Bosco will be represented by A.J. Youngblut who finished 7th. The heavyweights will be led by a couple of state runners-up in Luke Stika and Jadd Dithmart. Both placed 2nd respectively at 189. Stika for Cresco-Crestwood and Dithmart for Ogden. Hiram Serrano placed 6th at heavyweight. Bordering state Nebraska will be well represented with three very accomplished young men. Leading the way will be three-time undefeated state champion DaVaughn Perkins. Perkins comes to NIACC from Omaha North High School where he went 86-0 with three titles. Perkins also claimed a Cadet National Championship and All-American honors in Fargo. Perkins is the No. 6 rated senior in the nation as rated by Wrestling USA magazine, No. 10 by Intermat and is a Top 100 recruit. Also, from the Omaha area is Bennington's Sylas Stender. Stender was a three-time state placer claiming the state championship in 2007. Lastly from the Cornhusker state is Jerald Parker of Lincoln Northstar High School. Parker was a two-time state placer, finishing as the state runner-up in 2007. Arizona will also be providing a trio of student-athletes for NIACC's new program. All three come from Camp Verde High School, a powerhouse in Arizona that is always loaded with talent. 2x state placer and heavyweight state champion Beau Tudor will make his way to Iowa to continue his academic and athletic career. Tudor won the 2007 state championship while placing third in 2006. Brothers and former team-mates of Tudor's are Aaron and Tyler Hancock. Aaron claimed two state titles for Camp Verde and was ranked No. 21 in the nation in 2005 by Wrestling USA magazine. Tyler was a two-time state placer finishing fourth and sixth. Just north of Iowa is Minnesota which will provide NIACC with two very talented young student-athletes. Out of Burnsville is David Bjorkstrand. Bjorkstrand was a two-time Minnesota state placer, finishing third and fifth respectively. Bjorkstrand was also successful on the national scene claiming All-American honors on both the Cadet and Junior level in Fargo finishing sixth twice. Heavyweight state runner-up Jacob Schotanus from Southland High School will look to make an impact at heavyweight. Six other states each have one individual that will join the Trojans. Leading this group is arguably the top recruit in the country in Albert White. White hails from Harvey, IL where he claimed four Illinois state championships for St. Rita High School. White also claimed the 2006 Junior National Freestyle title in Fargo. White is currently the No. 1 rated senior in the country by Wrestling USA magazine, No. 2 by Intermat, No. 1 by Amateur Wrestling News, No. 1 by W.I.N. magazine and the No. 3 recruit in the nation by Intermat. The east coast will provide two student-athletes from storied programs. Hailing from Baltimore, MD is two-time state runner-up Samuel Burdych from Archbishop Curley High School. Timothy Hill comes to Iowa from nationally ranked Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake, VA. Tim was a Virginia state qualifier and placed 6th at the Iron Man Tournament. Cody Hogan comes to Iowa from Richmond, MO where he was a four-time state placer finishing his senior year as a state champion and finishing third twice and second as a freshman. Hogan also finished as a high school senior All-American placing 5th at NHSCA Senior Nationals in Virginia Beach in 2007. Hogan is currently ranked No. 8 by Wrestling USA magazine and No. 7 by Intermat. Rounding out the class will be three transfers that could make an immediate impact for the Trojans. These three young men all competed in college for another program and will get back on track at NIACC. Head Coach Richard Fergola comes to NIACC from Dana College. Both Evan Howe and Glenn Rhees wrestled for Dana College in 2005 and will be making their way back into college wrestling at NIACC. Rhees was highly decorated as a prep placing fourth in the California state championships and claimed three Junior Greco All-American honors in Fargo. As a red-shirt, Rhees placed second at the prestigious Kaufman-Brand Open at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Howe hails from Colorado where he was a state qualifier. Jordan Graham who is originally from Mason City, was a starter for powerhouse Wartburg, before coming back to Mason City. "NIACC and my coaching staff did an absolutely wonderful job in the recruitment of these student-athletes," said Fergola. I am very excited about our first year at NIACC and the opportunity to coach such an elite level group."

One week and counting until the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductions weekend and let me tell you I'm excited to help to bring this event to you LIVE. It would not be possible with out the support of our sponsors. I thank each and every one of them. Please take time to join us either Live or in our archived section on Takedownradio.com. Our program is now available through Pod casting. We are America's Wrestling Radio Program. Joining us in studio special guest co-host will be Eric Van Kley, new Head Coach of the Central College Dutch in Pella Iowa. This might be the next step and challenge for this former wrestler and young coach. We'll take a look at expectations of him and those he has for program at central. This week on TDR: Greg Warren, Former Missouri Tiger standout, now national touring comedian rejoins us for a look at the funny side of wrestling. This guy is FUNNY with a capital F. Greg's available for your institution or program for fund raiser. Gerald Brisco, Former OK St. Cowboy joins us to regal us with stories of life on the road in the WWE. NCAA level wrestlers have changed the face of professional wrestling at the same time these athletes have given back to the sport they love so well. Ben Askren, NCAA champion, AA at Missouri. It may be a little early to do a "Where are they now" segment but this paragon of wrestling excellence will join to share what he is doing, what titles he is chasing, what brand of flying disc he recommends and what is going on at the emerging powerhouse that is Brian Smith's University of Missouri. He might even share a little insight in to what Max A. is doing to get ready for Vegas. LeRoy Smith, former collegiate Coach and fund raising professional is now heading wrestling's National Hall of Fame and directing the efforts for the future of this institution. He'll join us for a Hall of Fame preview, to describe the events that will unfold during the inductions weekend next week. A reminder, we will be broadcasting several programs LIVE and conducting a number of special and select interviews during our 3 day journey into wrestling history. See our schedule below. Greg Strobel, Head Coach of Lehigh will join us for his final visit prior to camps. We'll take a look at what one must do to prepare himself to compete in different climates and elevations. Enduring camps and differing coaching styles. how do we learn? Greg will share his insight. Brad Penrith, Head Coach of the University of Northern Iowa will join us to take a look at the Panthers summer camps and competition schedules. Recruits that have signed and those that are still on the sill. Recently this talented former wrestler had shoulder surgery, correcting a life time of built up injuries. How he endured the constant pain is beyond me. We'll catch up with him. Please take time to join us either Live or in our archived section on Takedownradio.com. Our program is now available through Pod casting. We are America's Wrestling Radio Program. We will be broadcasting the Inductions into the Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma Live! We'll start with a special Thursday May 31st program Thursday May 31st- 6- 9 PM Oklahoma State Cowboy Head Coach John Smith and his Coaching staff go one-on-one with Scott Casber on Takedownradio.com LIVE from Freddy Paul's Steak House. We'll also talk with Hall of Fame Director LeRoy Smith and Board Member Stan Zeamer. Many don't know it but Stan donates office space to the NWCA. he is also partly responsible for the state chapter movement around the country. A visionary and a mover and shaker. Friday June 1st- 6-9 PM live from the Wrestling Hall of Fame- Scheduled Guests include, New Inductees, Honorees, Recent Inductee's, Members of the Board of Directors etc. Saturday June 2nd- LIVE from the Ball Room at the OSU Student Union 9 AM to 11 AM we will broadcast our regular program special guests include our inductees and other VIP's including Jim Keen 6:30 PM LIVE from the Ball Room at the OSU Student Union First time ever you'll get to hear the inductions around the world at Takedownradio.com during our evening spectacular. We'll start with some brief opening remarks and then send the broadcast to the podium where Sandy Stevens will provide the reading of the bios of our Inductees and then we'll be able to hear the responses from our inductees as well. Full schedule is below: 8:10 p.m. Sandy Stevens will ask the first honoree to come up with their presenter and stand center stage while he reads the honorees bio: DSHSE- Zach Sanders, Presenters are Ron Sanders and Spencer Yohe, President of the Minnesota State Chapter of the NWHOF 8:16 p.m. Second Honoree, Official-Mike Allen, Presenters are Denise Allen and Vince Zuaro, Distinguished Member of the NWHOF and founder of this award 8:24 p.m. Third Honoree, Order of Merit-Mike Chapman, Presenters is Danny Hodge, Distinguished Member of the NWHOF&M, and Board of Governor member Stan Zeamer 8:32 p.m. Fourth Honoree, Medal of Courage-Joe Russell, Presenters are Brandon Paulson and Board of Governor member Alan Rice 8:40 p.m. Fifth Honoree, Outstanding American-Ret. General Ronald Fogleman, Presenters are Wayne Baughman Distinguished Member of the NWHOF and James Ravannack, Board of Governor member and President of USA Wrestling. (Following his acceptance speech request that the honoree remain at the podium for the presentation of his induction ring by his wife Jane) 8:48 p.m. Sixth Honoree, Outstanding American- Michael Novogratzr, Presenters are Robert Novogratz (father) and Distinguished Member of the NWHOF Alan Rice. (Following his acceptance speech request that the honoree remain at the podium for the presentation of his induction ring by his wife, Sukey Caceres) 8:56 p.m. Seventh Honoree, Distinguished Member-Barry Davis, Presenters is his father Elmer. (Following his acceptance speech request that the honoree remain at the podium f or the presentation of his induction ring by his wife, Nan) 9:04 p.m. Eighth Honoree, Distinguished Member-Greg Gibson, Presenter is his high school coach Max Birch. (Following his acceptance speech request that the honoree remain at the podium for the presentation of her induction ring by his Junior College Coach Leon Donahue) 9:12 p.m. Ninth Honoree, Distinguished Member-Larry Kristoff, Presenter is his son Mark Kristoff (Following his acceptance speech request that the honoree remain at the podium for the presentation of his induction ring by his wife, ??) 9:20 p.m. Tenth Honoree, Distinguished Member-Bill Weick, Presenter is Bruce Baumgartner, DM (Presentation of ring by his wife Rossellen) 9:28 p.m. Sandy will request all Honorees come up to the Podium for a final group photo... 9:30 p.m. Sandy will announce conclusion of the program and wish everyone a safe return to your home destination…

NORMAN, Okla. -- Brittney Schumann, Sam Hazewinkel and Russell Czeschin were named to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District at-large teams today. Selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), the teams honor excellence in the classroom and competition. Schumann and Hazewinkel were named to the first team and will advance to the national ballot for the Academic All-America teams. Czeschin was named to the second team. A total of 10 student-athletes from each of the eight CoSIDA districts were named to the first team and will be considered for national honors by a CoSIDA committee. The men's Academic All-America at-large team will be announced June 12 with the women's team to follow on June 14. Nominated by members of CoSIDA, candidates for the Academic All-America team must be a starter or key reserve with legitimate athletic credentials and at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale. They must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at the school and they must have completed one full academic year at the school. The at-large teams are filled with student-athletes from sports that don't have individual Academic All-America teams. At OU, those teams include wrestling, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's golf, and men's and women's gymnastics. Schumann, who completed her Sooner eligibility by earning first team All-America honors on the vault at the 2007 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships, earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors as a junior. The McQueeney, Texas, native has a 3.95 GPA in health and exercise science and will be attending medical school after completing her undergraduate degree in December. She was the 2007 NCAA Regional beam champion and the 2007 Big 12 champion on the vault. She earned Big 12 Gymnast of the Week honors three times in 2007 (seven times in her career) and is OU's nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year and Big 12 Sportsperson of the Year. She is a three-time NCAA All-American and won Big 12 titles on the floor exercise in 2007 and the all-around in 2006. She also was the co-champion of the all-around at the 2006 NCAA Regional. Schumann was part of four consecutive NCAA-qualifying gymnastics teams at OU and helped the Sooners to an all-time best finish of eighth in 2007 and a first-ever NCAA Regional team title in 2006. Active away from competition, Schumann is completing her second term as president of the OU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. She also served this year as chair of the Big 12 SAAC and was vice chair of the conference SAAC in 2005-06. She has served two terms as a representative on the NCAA SAAC in addition to the three terms on the Big 12 and OU SAAC groups. She is a three-time honoree on the Big 12 All-Academic first team and was named a 2006 Women's Gymnastics Coaches Association Academic honoree. She is a six-time member of the President's Honor Roll at OU (4.00 grade point average) and has been named as an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient. She has won the OU Athletics Director's Leadership Award twice and was OU's 2007 Big 12 Conference Medal Award winner for excellence in athletics and academics. She also is an eight-time honoree on the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll and as a Sooner Scholar. Hazewinkel closed his Sooner career with a runner-up finish at the 2007 NCAA Wrestling Championships at 125 pounds. He finished the season 24-1 and ended his Sooner career with a 131-10 record. A native of Pensacola, Fla., Hazewinkel has a 3.52 GPA in communication. He is a four-time NCAA All-American, one of only nine Sooner wrestlers all-time to earn All-America honors four times. His 2007 runner-up finish followed three third-place finishes. He won the Big 12 title at 125 pounds three times and was second once. He was named the Oustanding Wrestler of the 2007 Big 12 Championships and ended his career ranked ninth all-time on the career win list. He is a two-time Academic All-Big 12 first team honoree and this marks his first selection to the CoSIDA All-District Academic team. He is a two-time member of the President's Honor Roll and has been selected to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll and Sooner Scholar list 10 times. He has been very involved with the Olympic wrestling program and currently is ranked number one of the Olympic ladder. He won the 2005 U.S. National title and added the 2007 Greco-Roman national title after entering competition unseeded. He was named Most Outstanding Wrestler after the 2007 title following his wins over the number one and number two seeds. Czeschin, a sophomore from Independence, Mo., has a 3.75 cumlative GPA in health and exercise science. He earned NCAA All-America honors on the floor at the 2007 NCAA Championships after finishing tied for third. He helped the Sooners to a second-place NCAA team finish after competing on OU's 2006 national championship squad. He tied for second on the floor during the team finals, tying his career high with a 9.65. He also finished tied for third on the floor. He was the runner-up on the floor at the 2007 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference meet, helping the Sooners win their third consecutive MPSF team title. He posted his career high on the vault as a freshman at the 2006 NCAA Championships. He earned MPSF Gymnast of the Week honors in 2006 after winning the vault and tying for first on the floor exercise in OU's win over Air Force. He was named to the 2006 All-America Scholar Athlete first team by the College Gymnastics Association and was named to the 2007 MPSF All-Academic first team in April. This is his first all-district selection by CoSIDA.

CORVALLIS, Ore. -– Oregon State wrestler Jeremy Larson has been named to the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Men's At-Large Academic All-District 8 Team as a second-team selection, it was announced Thursday. Larson (Hermiston, Ore./Hermiston HS), a senior, earned a Pacific-10 Postgraduate Scholarship, was a Pac-10 All-Academic first team pick, won the Pac-10 championship at 174 pounds and was one win from All-America honors. The squad includes NCAA Division I athletes in wrestling, fencing, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, skiing, swimming, tennis, volleyball and water polo from Oregon, Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawai'i, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Washington and British Columbia. To be eligible for Academic All-District honors, an athlete must be a starter or significant substitute on his team and have a grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.

Augustana College wrestler Cody Henriksen has been named to the 2006-07 ESPN the Magazine Men's At-Large College Division Academic All-District VII First Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The College Division consists of schools from NCAA Divisions II and III, as well as NAIA schools. Henriksen, a senior from Arlington, S.D., carries a 3.74 grade point average as a biology and philosophy major. Earlier this month, Henriksen was one of 29 male student-athletes who participated in winter sports to be awarded an NCAA postgraduate scholarship. Henriksen was a three-time All-American for the Viking wrestling team, posting a 73-33 career record in the process. A three-time All-North Central Conference performer, Henriksen placed third at the 2007 Division II National Championships at 174 pounds after accumulating a 25-8 record. In 2006, he placed fourth at nationals at 165 pounds, after finishing sixth at 165 pound in 2005. That season, the Vikings were the national runner-up. A two-year captain, Henriksen was a three-time NWCA All-Academic team selection. In addition, he is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, is a student mentor and is a volunter at Children's Care Hospital. After graduation, Henriksen plans to attend dental school. As an academic all-district first team selection, Henriksen moves on to the national ballot for possible selection to the Academic All-America Teams. 2006-07ESPN the Magazine Men's At-Large College Division Academic All-District VII First Team Name, Yr., GPA, Major, School Bill Gaul, Sr., 4.00, Chemical Engineering, Missouri-Rolla Mark Vallee, Sr., 4.00, Mechanical Engineering, Colorado Mines Brian Borchers, Sr., 3.82, Mathematics/Computer Science, Wartburg Cody Henriksen, Sr., 3.74, Biology/Philosophy, Augustana (S.D.) Tyler Tate, Jr., 4.00, Biology/Pre-Medicine, Maryville Andy Shelley, Sr., 3.84, Mechanical Engineering, Missouri-Rolla Zachary Kerr, Sr., 3.92, Accounting, Nebraska Wesleyan Jared Feddersen, Sr., 3.92, History/Social Science, Central College Nathan Anderson, Jr., 3.83, Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Nebraska Wesleyan Mark Pfeifer, Sr., 3.79, Health/Physical Education, Chadron State

University of Northern Iowa senior wrestler Nick Baima was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VII Men's At-Large University Division team as selected by CoSIDA and announced by coordinating officials on Thursday. For making the 10-member team, Baima, who has a 3.65 grade point average in philosophy and humanities, will now advance to the national ballot for Academic All-America consideration. 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.) wrapped 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 this season, captured the 165-pound title at the West Regional and earned his fourth trip to the NCAA Championships. Baima earned the No. 5 seed at the 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). Baima has also been named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association's All-Academic team each of the past three seasons. The academic all-district team honors student-athletes who excel both on the playing field and in the classroom. The awards are sponsored by and on voted on by the members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). District VII includes schools in the states of Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Selections are open to student-athletes who have reached sophomore academic standing and carry at least a 3.20 G.P.A. The university division includes Division I schools. District VII Winners University Division Kevin Bretting (Wyoming), Sr., Loveland, Colo. - 3.81, Kinesiology and health promotions Kyle Schafer (Air Force), Sr., Irvine, Calif. - 3.89, Operations Research Nick Baima (UNI), Sr.,Glen Ellyn, Ill. - 3.65, Philosophy and Humanities (double major) Mike Eickman (Nebraska-Omaha), Sr., Grand Forks, N.D. - 3.94 Pre Dentistry/Psychology Adam Cole (Denver), So., Park City, Utah - 3.84, Finance and Marketing Jacques Bouchard (Iowa), Sr., Rio Rancho, N.M. - 3.59, Microbiology Tyler McCormick (Missouri), Jr., Leawood, Kan. - 3.95, Business Management Justin Raines (Air Force), Jr., Knoxville, Tenn. - 3.86, System Engineering Management Chris Miller (Creighton), Sr., Omaha, Neb. - 3.98, Finance and Accounting Rene Reisshauer (Denver), Sr., Erfurt, Germany - 3.64, Management/Marketing Stephen Tetrault (Nebraska), Jr., Lincoln, Neb. - 3.86, Math

St. Cloud Minn. -- Head wrestling coach Steve Costanzo has announced the signing of junior college standout Josh Williams (Banks, Ore.) to North Central Conference and National Letters of Intent to attend St. Cloud State University and wrestle for the Huskies in 2007-08. Williams attended Southwest Oregon Community College, where he was a two-time NJCAA All-American while wrestling for the Lakers. He finished sixth in the 2006 tournament at 125-pounds and fourth this past year at 133-pounds. He is a past four-time Oregon High School state finalist and a two-time state champion while wrestling for Banks (Ore.) High School. He is projected to compete at 133-pounds. "Josh is an outstanding student-athlete who will make excellent contributions to the Husky wrestling program," Costanzo said. "He is a very smart and tactical wrestler who does not make a lot of mistakes. It will be great having his experience at our lower weights." St. Cloud State University is an NCAA Division II affiliate and the Huskies are members of the always rugged North Central Conference. SCSU was founded in 1869, and it enrolls over 16,000 students. The University is located in the city of St. Cloud, Minn., which is situated on the scenic banks of the upper Mississippi River – approximately one hour northwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul. SCSU's 2006-07 WRESTLING SIGNEES Joe Andersen*, 149, Bemidji, MN (Bemidji HS) Lucas Munkelwitz*, 174, Forest Lake, MN (Forest Lake HS) Jordan Foy, 125, Ellsworth, WI (Ellsworth HS) Aaron Stolp, 125, Elk River, MN (Big Lake HS) Jon Schiewe, 133, Chicago, IL (St. Patrick HS) Josh Williams, 133, Banks, OR (Banks HS/Southwest Oregon CC) Tad Merritt, 157, Canby, MN (Canby HS) Brad Padgett, 184, Buckley, WA (White River HS/Highline CC) Andrew Peralta, 285, Thief River Falls, MN (Lincoln HS) Chris Schiewe, 285, Chicago, IL (Gordon Tech/Triton CC) (*early signee)

The next two editions of "On the Mat" will feature four of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum's Class of 2007 award winners. The Honors Weekend Banquet and Induction Ceremony for the National Wrestling Hall of Fame will take place on June 1-2 in Stillwater, Okla. This week's edition of "On the Mat" will feature Barry Davis and Joe Russell, two of this year's honorees. Davis will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member after a successful international and college career. In 1984 he won a silver medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Calif., and was a two-time World medallist in 1986 & '87. While competing for the University of Iowa Davis became a three-time NCAA champion and four-time All-American. He was also a four-time Big Ten champion and holds the record for the most wins (162) in school history. Davis currently serves as the head wrestling coach at the Univ. of Wisconsin. Russell will receive the Medal of Courage, an award presented annually to a wrestler or former wrestler who has overcome what appear to be insurmountable challenges, which may be physical, mental or other handicaps that make his or her achievements all the more uplifting. While in high school Russell was one of the top wrestlers in the nation, winning two state titles and earning a 90-1 record through his junior year at Gresham High School in Oregon. Russell won major competitions such as the Junior Nationals and the Espoir Nationals, and competed on U.S. Schoolboy and Espoir World Teams. While still in high school, Russell earned national rankings in Greco-Roman on the senior level. During high school Russell was involved in a near-fatal motorcycle accident that led to numerous injuries. Despite his limitations, Russell still competed at the University of Minnesota as a wrestler and is now an assistant coach under head coach J Robinson. "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.

The University of Minnesota wrestling program has announced the addition of nine student-athletes who will join the Golden Gophers next season. Joseph Grygelko, Luke Mellmer, Joe Murphy and David Zilverberg signed National Letters of Intent, while Ryan Blake, Austin Enoch, Eric Johnson, Brian Peterson and Jared Rickert signed Acceptance of Admission forms and will join the program as recruited walk-ons. These nine individuals will join Minnesota's list of fall signees which includes Cody Marcicki, Zach Sanders, Sonny Yohn and Kaleb Young, along with Torrey Line, who signed earlier this spring. "We are extremely excited about this class," assistant coach Joe Russell said. "We believe these guys will all be great student-athletes for the University of Minnesota. Half of the individuals in this class are Minnesota high school graduates. We believe that shows our commitment to keeping Minnesota kids at home as well as trying to bring in the best student-athletes from around the country." A native of Loretto, Minn., Joe Grygelko is a four-time state place-winner out of St. Michael-Albertville High School. Grygelko claimed the 2007 state title at 145 pounds in leading the Knights to their fourth consecutive Class AA team championship. He finished his prep career as the school's all-time leader in wins with a 218-30 career record. Luke Mellmer, the brother of current Gophers Marc and Jake Mellmer, won his second straight 145-pound state title this past season, compiling a 45-1 overall record in his senior year at Dickinson High School. Mellmer is also a two-time Cadet All-American. Joe Murphy won his second consecutive state title by claiming the 130-pound championship in Class A in 2007. A native of Burnsville, Minn., Murphy won the 125-pound title in 2006 and took fourth at 112 pounds in 2005. A native of Long Lake, Minn., David Zilverberg was the state runner-up at 125 pounds in Class AAA this past season. He led Wayzata High School to conference and section titles and the state consolation championship in 2006-07. David follows in the footsteps of his father Pat and uncles Larry and Dan, who all wrestled for the Golden Gophers. Ryan Blake is a state place-winner out of Marist High School in Chicago, Ill. He capped off his senior year by leading his high school team to a conference title with a perfect 7-0 dual meet record. Austin Enoch was selected as Oregon's NWCA High School Wrestler of the Year after posting a perfect 41-0 record on his way to the Class 6A state title at 140 pounds. A native of Redmond, Ore., Enoch compiled a 154-5 record during his high school career and won three individual state championships. A native of Albert Lea, Minn., Eric Johnson was the Class AAA state runner-up at 119 pounds in 2006. Johnson led his high school team to a conference title with a perfect 9-0 dual meet record last season. Richmond, Mich., native Brian Peterson helped his high school team to the 2006 Division 3 state title and a second-place finish in 2007. He was a state place-winner at 140 pounds in 2006. Jared Rickert placed third at 140 pounds in Division 1 in the state of Wisconsin last season. A native of Sparta, Wis., he compiled a 48-2 overall record during his senior year.

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Riches Wrestling Complex, the training home of Arizona State University wrestling and one of USA Wrestling's Olympic Regional Training sites, recently welcomed some of the nation's top international competitors for a World Team training session. Sponsored by the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club, several wrestlers came to Tempe between May 11-17 to prepare for the World Team Trials that will be contested in Las Vegas, Nev., June 9-10. Several top-notch wrestlers were on hand to train, including seven men ranked in the Top 10 on the May 2007 USA Wrestling Freestyle lists. Among those wrestlers were four ranked in the Top 2, including Chris Bono (No. 1 at 66kg), Joe Williams (No. 1 at 84kg), Nick Simmons (No. 2 at 55kg) and Casey Cunningham (No. 2 at 74kg). Also ranked in the Top 10 were No. 6 Zach Roberson (60kg), No. 2 Ben Askren (74kg) and current ASU assistant coach Eric Larkin (No. 7 at 66kg). Here are some of the top competitors that were on hand for the training sessions: * Eric Larkin: a current assistant coach for the Sun Devils, Larkin won the 2003 NCAA title at 149 for ASU and was named the Dan Hodge Award Winner that year after capping a four All-American campaign * Nick Simmons: was a four-time All-American at Michigan State * Ben Askren: won the last two NCAA Championships at 174 pounds by going undefeated at Missouri. The four-time All-American also was named the Dan Hodge Award Winner each of the past two years * Max Askren: younger brother of Ben Askren, Max was the No. 1 seed at 197 in the NCAA Championships this past year as a redshirt freshman * Joe Williams: a three-time NCAA Champion at Iowa before adding six USA Championships, five World Team appearances and three Olympic appearances * Chris Bono: a three-time All-American at Iowa State, Bono was also an NCAA Champion before earning berths on two World Teams * Zach Roberson: the former Iowa State standout was a three-time All-American and one-time champion * Casey Cunningham: the first NCAA Division I individual national champion in the history of all sports at Central Michigan, Cunningham was also a two-time All-American Kenny Monday, the 1988 Olympic Champion, was on hand in a coaching capacity. Monday, the first African-American to earn gold in Olympic wrestling history, was a three-time All-American and one-time NCAA Champion at Oklahoma State before finding success internationally. Also assisting with coaching duties during the training camp were current Sun Devil Head Coach Thom Ortiz, a three-time All-American at ASU and member of the 1988 NCAA Championship team, and Sun Devil Assistant Coach Aaron Simpson, a two-time All-American during his days in Tempe. Former Sun Devils Zeke Jones, the current head coach at Penn, and Shawn Charles were on hand to coach the freestyle wrestlers while James Johnson, a two-time Greco-Roman national champion and World Team member, also advised the wrestlers in attendance.

Dover, DE -- Delaware State University Director of Athletics Chuck Bell announced today that Reggie Wright has been appointed head wrestling coach. "Coach Wright's wrestling background and experience at Oklahoma State and Indiana will allow him to take the program to a successful era," said Bell. Reggie will be joining the DSU community after serving the past five years as an assistant wrestling coach at Indiana University. At IU, his main duties included working with team technique and principally with the middleweights. During his tenure with Hoosier program, he coached 10 All-Americans and six Academic All-Americans. Reggie Wright"I am blessed to get this opportunity to be a part of a program that's on its way up. DSU has made a commitment to the wrestling program and I am committed to the work it will take to build a successful program," stated Wright. The Chicago, Ill. native saw success on the mat himself, placing third at the Acropolis Tournament in Athens, Greece, in the 66kg/145.5 lbs. Wright also placed fourth in the U.S. Open in 2003 and competed at the Olympic Trials in Indianapolis. During his collegiate career at Oklahoma State University he earned All-American honors three times and finished as a three-time defending Big 12 champion wrestling in the 145-pound class. Wright also served as the team captain during his last three seasons. He helped the Cowboys to 72 dual wins, including a 48-match unbeaten streak. Wright received his bachelor's degree in sociology for Oklahoma State in 2001 and just recently completed his masters at Indiana University in sports management. "We are committed to the wrestling program and we are looking forward to working with Coach Wright. They will have the full allotment of scholarships that is allowed by the NCAA, so he will have the opportunity to get the type of athletes needed for success," concluded Bell.

COLUMBUS, Ohio –- The Ohio State wrestling program has set its dates for the 2007 Coaches Clinic for Oct. 25-26 in St. John Arena. Junior High and High School coaches in the state of Ohio will receive an information packet in the fall. The price is $110.00 per coach. The Buckeyes also will hold their annual wrestle-offs Oct. 25. For more information as it becomes available, including how to register online or through the mail, log on to www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com or www.thebuckeyewrestlingclub.com.

GETTYSBURG, Pa. -- Gettysburg wrestling coach and assistant director of athletics Troy Dell has been named athletic director at Frostburg State University in an announcement made on Friday. He leaves Gettysburg after 10 years as the wrestling coach, the last five of which he also served as the assistant director of athletics overseeing facilities. "Troy has been a loyal friend and colleague for many years and his service to his alma mater has been extraordinary," Gettysburg Director of Athletics David Wright said. "For the past 16 years he has played a critical role in this department. He began his time at Gettysburg as a talented student-athlete and he leaves as a well respected professional. Troy is ready for this new challenge in his professional career, and I know he will be successful in leading Frostburg State's program." Dell, a 1995 graduate of Gettysburg College, returned as the interim head coach of the wrestling program for the 1997-98 season. He was officially named to the post the following summer and has led the Bullets to six top-three finishes in the Centennial Conference, including second place in 1996 and 2000. In addition, he has coached seven CC champions, most recently junior Matt Shank (Reedsville, Pa./Indian Valley) and sophomore Andrew Goldstein (Easton, Pa./Easton), who won championships at 149 and 157 pounds, respectively, in 2007. As a student at Gettysburg, Dell won 88 matches during his career, a mark that still stands fourth on the program's career list. He holds the Bullets' records for technical falls in a career and single-season and career match terminations.