Max Rohskopf defeated Nebraska's Austin Wilson in a dual meet last season (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com)MANHEIM, Pa. -- With the nation's top wrestlers on display, there will be plenty for Ohio wrestling fans to cheer about at the 51st annual NWCA All-Star Classic on November 5 at Cleveland State University's Wolstein Center.
NC State's Max Rohskopf becomes the fourth wrestler with Ohio ties set to participate. The Wolfpack senior moves down to a new weight class this year and he'll tangle with 2015 All-American Brian Murphy of Michigan.
The event, presented by The Brewer-Garrett Company and hosted by the Wrestlers in Business Network, has served as the major kick-off event for the wrestling season since becoming and early-season event. In 2012, the event moved to the first weekend of the major college wrestling calendar and has been a fixture ever since.
This is Rohskopf's second straight appearance in the event. He topped Oklahoma's Clark Glass 9-2 in last year's event in Atlanta.
"You've got two very dynamic wrestlers here," said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "Rohskopf's got length and leverage while Murphy's an outstanding athlete. We know the Ohio fans will like to see another native in the event, although I don't think it would matter much in terms of who to root for because Murphy's from 'that state up north'."
Both wrestlers missed placing at the 2016 NCAA Division I championships. Rohskopf, a big part of NC State's stellar 2015-16 season, entered as the No. 5 seed at 165 pounds but was upset early and bounced from the tournament and finished 1-2. Murphy, who was saddled with injuries for much of the season, reached the NCAA quarterfinals before falling to Kent State's Ian Miller. In the consolations, Murphy's bid to repeat at 157 pounds as an All-American was ended by Rohskopf's teammate, Tommy Gantt.
A native of Killbuck, Ohio, Rohskopf went 16-4 last season and enters the All-Star Classic with a 49-33 overall record. He's a two-time NCAA qualifier. Murphy is a three-time NCAA qualifier. He placed seventh as a sophomore and enters the event with a 59-30 career record.
Murphy hails from Carol Stream, Illinois and wrestled at national powerhouse Glenbard North. A four-time state placewinner and three-time finalist, he was also a four-time All-American in Fargo, winning the Cadet freestyle national championship in 2010.
The two have not met in college.
Rohskopf's latest appearance will be the 11th all-time at the All-Star Classic by Wolfpack wrestlers and they hold a 4-6 all-time record. Murphy will make Michigan's 37th appearance. Wolverine wrestlers are 15-18-3 all-time and have never lost a match by more than a decision.
2016 NWCA All-Star Classic Presented by The Brewer-Garrett Company
Hosted by the Wrestlers in Business Network
November 5, 2016 - Wolstein Center, Cleveland State University
Time: Showcase Matches 6 p.m.; Main Event 7 p.m.
Tickets: $15 GA, $100 Preferred Seating/Social. Group options available.
Tickets available at www.goallstarclassic.com or Wolstein Center Box Office ( 844-407-2279) or Northeast Ohio Discount Drug Marts.
Streaming: Trackwrestling.com
Officially Announced Matchups
125:
133: Zane Richards, Sr. (Illinois) vs. Eric Montoya, Sr. (Nebraska)
141:
149:
157: Brian Murphy, Sr. (Michigan) vs. Max Rohskopf, Sr. (NC State)
165: Isaac Jordan, Sr. (Wisconsin) vs. Daniel Lewis, So. (Missouri)
174:
184: Gabe Dean, Sr. (Cornell) vs. Myles Martin, So. (Ohio State)
197: Brett Pfarr, Sr. (Minnesota) vs. Brett Harner, Sr. (Princeton)
285: Ty Walz, Sr. (Virginia Tech) vs. Connor Medbery, Sr. (Wisconsin)
About the National Wrestling Coaches Association
The National Wrestling Coaches Association, established in 1928, is a non-profit organization for the advancement of all levels of the sport of wrestling with a primary emphasis on developing coaches who work in academic environments. The membership embraces all people interested in amateur wrestling. The three core competencies of the NWCA are: coaching development, student-athlete welfare, and the promotion of wrestling.
About Wrestlers in Business Network (WIBN)
Wrestlers in Business Network is a registered 501 C-3 that strives to unite the thousands of wrestlers that have graduated from the sport and are now in their respective careers. Our mission is to build a community that serves as a platform to connect our members and facilitate business and job opportunities across the nation by leveraging a talent rich pipeline of wrestling alumni, with the ultimate byproduct of increasing reinvestment back to the sport. http://www.wrestlersinbusiness.org
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