Fast forward five years. The Journeymen/Brute Northeast Duals, which takes place at Hudson Valley Community College in New York's Capital Region, is now comprised of 17 Division I programs, including seven programs ranked in the top 25. Two of those programs, Oklahoma State and Iowa, are the most storied college wrestling programs in history. It has become one of the most prestigious early-season events in college wrestling.
"It's an honor to have traditional Midwest powers come to the East," said Journeymen Wrestling founder and event director Frank Popolizio. "I realize these programs have a choice to go wherever they want in the country and they're trying to give back."
With such a star-studded field of teams already in place, it would be easy for Popolizio to just sit back and let the event sell itself. But he doesn't view it like that.
"I view it like, OK, it's going to get me some attention, but now I have maximize that and make sure there is not a stone unturned," said Popolizio.
Last year's event drew close to 1,800 fans. Popolizio's goal is to get 2,500 at this year's event. Not only has the event increased awareness for big-time college wrestling to fans in New York's Capital Region, but also to members of the Journeymen Wrestling Club. One of the Journeymen Wrestling Club's sayings is "It's imperative that you're around greatness."
Every year, Popolizio brings Olympians, NCAA champions, NCAA All-Americans, and Division I coaches to his club. Already this year he's brought in Division I coaches Pat Santoro, John Hughes, and J Robinson, as well as Olympians Eric Guerrero, Doug Schwab, and Ben Askren.
Says Popolizio, "When you have that kind of influence constantly in your face, how do you not become inspired?"
Just recently, two Journeymen Wrestling Club members, Austin Meys and Zach Clemente, signed with Division I programs. Meys, a two-time New York state champion, signed with Lehigh, while Clemente, a New York state champion, signed with Virginia.
"What's happened is that these guys have become inspired to the point where it's now becoming normal to wrestle in college," said Popolizio. "So it's like we have it cranking and now it's just starting to happen."
To assist wrestling fans attending the 2008 Journeyman/Brute Northeast Duals, RevWrestling.com has put together a brief analysis of 20 of the premier wrestlers at the event, as well as five freshmen who are expected to make an impact this season.
Collegiate Stars (20 Premier Wrestlers):
1. Brent Metcalf (Iowa, 149)
Last season, the 149-pounder from Iowa won a Big Ten championship, Big Ten Outstanding Wrestler award, NCAA title, NCAA Outstanding Wrestler honors, Hodge Trophy, and Rev Wrestler of the Year award. He finished the season with a 39-1 record, getting 12 pins, seven technical falls, and nine major decisions.
2. Joe Slaton (Iowa, 133)
Slaton finished last season with a 31-5 record and was NCAA runner-up at 133 pounds. Despite his breakout season, he is expected to be in a dogfight just for a starting spot in the Hawkeye lineup this season. His teammate and rival at 133, Daniel Dennis, won the University Nationals title in freestyle.
3. Nick Marable (Missouri, 165)
Marable begins the season ranked No. 1 in the country at 165 pounds after finishing third at the 2008 NCAA Championships. He recently competed at the NWCA All-Star Classic.
4. Jared Rosholt (Oklahoma State, Heavyweight)
Rosholt is the No. 1-ranked big man in the land. He posted a 33-5 mark last season and finished fourth at the NCAA Championships. His older brother, Jake, was a three-time NCAA champion for the Cowboys who is now a rising star in mixed martial arts (MMA).
5. Jay Borschel (Iowa, 174)
Borschel placed third at the NCAA Championships in his first season in the Hawkeye lineup. He was a four-time Iowa state champion who compiled a record of 163-1 with 95 pins.
6. J.P. O'Connor (Harvard, 157)
O'Connor, who is one of only three four-time New York state champions, became the first freshman All-American ever at Harvard in 2007. He repeated as All-American last season, placing sixth at 149 pounds. The pre-med major has moved up to 157 pounds for his junior campaign.
7. Hudson Taylor (Maryland, 197)
Taylor was the ACC Wrestler of the Year last season after placing third at the NCAA Championships. He became Maryland's first All-American since 1997 and first Terp to compete at the NWCA All-Star Classic in nearly 40 years.
8. Charlie Falck (Iowa, 125)
Falck is a two-time All-American for the Hawkeyes, placing eighth in 2007 and sixth in 2008. He notched a win last season over 2008 NCAA champion Angel Escobedo of Indiana.
9. Raymond Jordan (Missouri, 174)
Jordan placed fifth at the NCAA Championships last season to pick up his first All-American medal. He has moved down a weight class to 174 pounds and could become just the fourth Tiger to become an All-American in more than one weight class.
10. Max Askren (Missouri, 197)
Askren, the younger brother of Olympic freestyle wrestler Ben Askren, is a returning All-American and two-time Big 12 champion. He served as Ben's training partner leading up to the Olympic Games.
11. Phil Keddy (Iowa, 184)
Keddy went from 14-16 as a freshman to 28-11 and All-American last season as a sophomore. He was runner-up at the University World Team Trials in May to 2007 NCAA champion Jake Herbert of Northwestern.
12. Louis Caputo (Harvard, 184)
Caputo was an All-American two seasons ago, placing seventh at the NCAA Championships. But last season he suffered a season-ending injury at the Lone Star Duals in January.
13. Mike Cannon (American, 174)
Last season, Cannon became just the sixth American University wrestler ever to earn All-America honors after placing sixth at the NCAA Championships. He finished the season with a 30-6 record and was named NWCA Academic All-American for the second consecutive season.
14. Obe Blanc (Oklahoma State, 125)
Blanc, who transferred to Oklahoma State from Lock Haven, was an All-American in 2007. He did not compete last season as he took an Olympic redshirt.
15. Brandon Mason (Oklahoma State, 165)
Mason is a three-time NCAA qualifier and All-American in 2007. He has moved down one weight class to 165 pounds for his senior season.
16. Trevor Stewart (Central Michigan, 165)
Stewart won the MAC title and picked up three victories at the 2008 NCAA Championships despite suffering knee injuries and a broken hand during the season.
17. Alex Tsirtsis/Dan LeClere (Iowa, 141)
The Hawkeyes have two very talented wrestlers at this weight class. Both were four-time state champions. Tsirtsis was an All-American in 2006 and redshirted last season. LeClere posted a 28-11 record last season and was a Midlands champion.
18. Matt Moley (Bloomsburg, 157)
Moley was 34-11 last season and placed eighth at the 2008 NCAA Championships. He was also runner-up at the EWL Championships.
19. Steve Mytych (Drexel, 125)
Last season, Mytech set the Drexel single-season record with 38 victories. He needs just 30 more victories to become Drexel's all-time winningest wrestler.
20. Mike Miller (Central Michigan, 174)
Miller was an All-American as a freshman in 2007. He took an Olympic redshirt last season.
Super Frosh (Five Impact Freshmen):
1. Jamal Parks (Oklahoma State, 141)
Parks is one of the nation's top freshmen. He was a three-time Oklahoma state champion who was ranked No. 1 in the country at his weight class as a high school senior. He compiled a record of 16-1 last season as a redshirt.
2. Troy Dolan (Missouri, 125)
Dolan was a three-time Pennsylvania state champion. He was a Super 32 and Powerade champion. As a redshirt last season, Dolan was 28-6 and placed in the top five in his weight class at six tournaments, including two first-place finishes.
3. John Connor McDonald (Lehigh, 125)
McDonald was a three-time Delaware state champion who won over 150 matches as a high school wrestler. He was also a Junior Nationals champion in 2006.
4. Jared Trice (Central Michigan, Heavyweight)
As a redshirt, Trice won the heavyweight title in the freshman/sophomore division at the Michigan State Open. He was also a third-place finisher at both the Eastern Michigan Open and Kent State Open.
5. Max Shanaman (Missouri, 149)
Shanaman came to Missouri from national powerhouse Blair Academy in New Jersey. He was a three-time National Prep champion and two-time Junior Nationals All-American. He was awarded a medical redshirt last season due to injury.
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