InterMat Staff

For college wrestling fans, the decision to cancel the 2020 Wrestling Championships for NCAA Division I, II and III because of the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) is understandable ... but understandably disappointing. However, here's a bit of good news: If you ordered tickets from an official NCAA Championship vendor online or over the phone, you will receive a refund. No additional action is needed, according to the official NCAA.com website this week. Did you order your tickets from an official NCAA Championship vendor? Your refund will be automatically delivered (except applicable fees) to the same card used for purchase. You should expect to receive your refund within 30 days after the date of cancellation. In the meantime, you'll receive additional information via email. Need to know more? Customers with specific questions about the refund process may contact the respective event venue(s) or send inquires to the NCAA via email to tickets@ncaa.org. Note: the website cautions, "Please understand that we will be receiving a large volume of calls and emails regarding this decision, and we ask that you allow us five business days to respond to your specific questions."

Joe Rau won a gold medal at 87 kilograms (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) OTTAWA, Canada -- On Friday, the United States qualified four of the six Olympic Greco-Roman weight classes for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Ildar Hafizov (60 kilograms), Alejandro Sancho (67 kilograms), Joe Rau (87 kilograms) and G'Angelo Hancock (97 kilograms) all finished in the top two in their respective weight classes at the Pan American Olympic Qualifier in Ottawa, Canada, to qualify their weight classes for the United States at the 2020 Olympic Games. Rau was the lone gold medalist of the group, while Hafizov, Sancho and Hancock finished with silver medals. Pat Smith (77 kilograms) and Adam Coon (130 kilograms) rebounded from losses to win bronze medals. Rau won his gold medal in anticlimactic fashion, earning a forfeit in the finals at 87 kilograms against Cuba's Daniel Gregorich Hechavarria. He opened his tournament by edging Venezuela's Luis Eduardo Avendano Rojas on criteria (4-4) before defeating Jamaica's Lesyan Osvaldo Cousin Otomuro in the semifinals, 9-1. Hafizov was blanked 7-0 in the finals at 60 kilograms by Cuba's Luis Alberto Orta Sanchez, a two-time Pan American Championships gold medalist. He opened his day by edging Andres Roberto Montano Arroyo of Ecquador, 4-3. Hafizov then cruised to wins in the quarterfinals and semifinals over Brazil's Marat Garipov, 9-0, and Mexico's Samuel Gurria Vigueras, 7-2, respectively. Sancho, like Hafizov, struggled to find any offense in his gold-medal match, losing 7-0 to Julian Stiven Horta Acevedo of Colombia at 67 kilograms. He reached the finals by outscoring his first two opponents 15-2 before losing to the Colombian. Hancock, a three-time senior world team member and past junior world medalist, won his first four matches without surrendering a point to advance to the finals at 97 kilograms. In the finals, Hancock was defeated by Cuba's Gabriel Alejandro Rosillo Kindelan, 11-8. Smith captured a bronze medal at 77 kilograms with a 3-2 win over Jair Alexis Cuero Munoz of Columbia. Coon took a bronze at 130 kilograms by defeating Leo Dalis Santana Heredia of the Dominican Republic. The 25-year-old Coon, a past world silver medalist, raced out to a big lead before Santana suffered a rib injury and was forced to default. The U.S. Greco-Roman team will have one more opportunity to qualify 77 kilograms and 130 kilograms for the 2020 Olympic Games. That opportunity will come at the Last Chance Qualifier in Sofia, Bulgaria, which was recently postponed and will be rescheduled.

The Olympic Team Trials will be held at Bryce Jordan Center on the campus of Penn State Due to the ever-changing impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and out of concern for the health and well being of athletes, fans, staff and the community, USA Wrestling, Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics, the Bryce Jordan Center and U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee have collectively decided to postpone the U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Wrestling, scheduled for April 4-5 at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa. Organizers are working closely with local officials and health experts in hopes of rescheduling the event at the Bryce Jordan Center. Updated event information will be shared as soon as possible. In the meantime, ticket holders are asked to hold on to their tickets until future event details can be finalized.

On Friday, the National High School Coaches Association announced that the 31st High School Nationals will take place May 19-21 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The event was originally scheduled for March 27-29, but has been rescheduled due to the spread of coronavirus. The NHSCA released the following: The NHSCA is pleased to announce that the 31st Annual High School Nationals will be hosted May 19-21, 2020 in the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Weigh-Ins will take place on May 19 and competition will run May 20-21. Full event schedule will be made available soon. Registration for High School Nationals will be extended until May 12, 2020 and participants who have already registered will be honored for the postponed date. Members who have purchased an all-event pass will be honored for High School Nationals. This pass will provide you coaching access for both High School Nationals and the National Duals. All-event passes will remain open for purchase until May 18, 2020. The NHSCA is working with the City of Virginia Beach, the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Virginia Beach housing authority to identify hotel availability.

Joel Sharratt ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk announced Friday that Joel Sharratt will not return as head coach of the Navy wrestling program. A national search will begin immediately for the program's next head coach. "My gratitude to Joel for his efforts and the many contributions he has made to the Naval Academy over his tenure," said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk. "We have realized some very successful moments that will be remembered for many years to come. On behalf of those within the NAAA and wrestling community, our sincerest appreciation and very best wishes as he moves forward with new opportunities." Sharratt, who guided the Midshipmen to an 8-6 mark in 2020, closed out his Navy career with a 43-24 record. Under his leadership, Navy sent five or more wrestlers to the NCAA Championship in four of his six seasons, including two four-time NCAA qualifiers and one All-American. Four wrestlers completed their careers ranked on Navy's all-time top 20 individual wins list, while student-athletes won four EIWA individual titles under his tutelage. Navy won three All-Academy Championship crowns and placed fifth or better four times. Navy's best finish at the NCAA Championship during Sharratt's tenure was in 2016 when it sent five Midshipmen to the championship and placed 22nd.

Photo/Sam Janicki DES MOINES -- The wild, crazy and chaotic day was finally coming to an end. I glanced around an empty Wells Fargo Arena late Thursday night as I packed up my computer bag and prepared to head back to my hotel. It was the most bizarre and surreal day of my 32-year career as a professional sportswriter. My day began as I put the finishing touches on a feature story nobody will read. It was a piece scheduled for next week on Northern Iowa senior Taylor Lujan, the No. 1 seed at 184 pounds for an NCAA wrestling tournament that isn't going to happen. My day ended covering an Iowa boys' state tournament basketball game that actually did happen. The remarkable run of two-time defending state champion Cedar Falls finally ended in a semifinal loss to a talented Ankeny squad. It was a game, under the circumstances, that maybe shouldn't have even been played. March 12, 2020, was a day many of us will never forget. For those of us who love sports, it was a day packed with an avalanche of emotions. And a day filled with shock, anger, frustration, sadness and reflection. An unprecedented day many of us are still trying to put into perspective. The deadly coronavirus has become so widespread that professional sports leagues started suspending play Wednesday night. The biggest bombshells, as many of us expected, happened the following day. My phone started blowing up early Thursday afternoon on my drive to Des Moines when the NCAA canceled the upcoming basketball and wrestling tournaments. My initial thought was disbelief. How could this be happening? How could they do this to all of the young men and women who have worked so hard for one of the most memorable moments of their lives? It all seems so cruel. And unfair. It's heartbreaking. And gut-wrenching. Listening to how the news impacted passionate wrestling coaches like UNI's Doug Schwab and Wartburg's Eric Keller just tears your heart out. Coaches like those devote so much time, energy and commitment into their athletes and their programs. And they are such positive role models. NCAA Division II and III wrestlers were less than 24 hours from competing in their most important event of the year when their seasons were canceled. The timing of this is so unfortunate. It's just awful. The NCAA was about to stage one of the most memorable wrestling events in history with record-setting crowds expected next week in Minneapolis. I was looking forward to attending my 20th NCAA DI tourney and my first one in person in five years. And looking forward to seeing so many old friends. But now it won't happen. I spent a sleepless Thursday night thinking about the impact this has had and how it has affected so many. I tossed and turned as the same SportsCenter kept replaying on my television. And the same sad stories were continually told. It almost didn't seem real. It was difficult to see when Gonzaga basketball coach Mark Few was informed in the middle of an interview on ESPN that the NCAA tournament had just been canceled. And then be immediately asked for his reaction before having time to process the magnitude of what had just transpired. It's still hard to believe this is happening. It really is. Obviously, steps needed to be taken to ensure everyone's safety. That's the No. 1 priority. And I completely agree with what was done. The health concerns clearly far outweigh any sporting event. But that doesn't make it any easier. My hope is that the NCAA gives athletes like Lujan one final chance to achieve their goals. It would be really unfortunate if it didn't happen. It would also be a shame if a dominant and dynamic wrestler like Spencer Lee was denied an opportunity to ultimately become Iowa's first four-time NCAA champion. The third weekend in March is one of my favorites every year with the NCAA Wrestling Championships taking place. The three-day, six-session extravaganza is as compelling and entertaining as any event in any sport. I have no idea what it's going to be like next week without an NCAA tournament. And how empty it is going to feel. It's difficult to imagine. Or even think about. I just hope and pray we never have to experience it again.

Photo/Sam Janicki, SJanickiPhoto.com Fallout from the spread of coronavirus, or COVID-19, has reached the global sports world. All major professional sports organizations have canceled or suspended their seasons and the NCAA, no doubt feeling immense pressure, has canceled the NCAA Wrestling Championships. For the wrestlers and coaches who have worked so hard this season and who have sacrificed so much over their career, today is day of loss and grieving. The cancellation of the NCAA wrestling tournament is not comparable to the NBA season, because for our athletes the focus of their entire lives has been on winning an NCAA title. The stair-running, weight-cutting and months of sacrifice were all in a pursuit of a single three-day period at the end of a five-month season. The coronavirus has taken away that opportunity. We are accustomed to stability in the United States. For those that travel often planes are generally on time, hotels keep reservations, and planned events go on without many cancellations. The free movement of people here is something most of us don't consider. We've been largely inoculated from the pain and suffering that conflict outside of our control can bring to our families and friends. As we feel this pain of lost sporting events and lives interrupted, it's important to also take lessons forward about how we can be better stewards to those less fortunate. We are lucky and we need to do more coming out of this to take care of those who are less fortunate. Perspective is hard in a time of personal loss, but the wrestling community needs to be reminded that doctors, epidemiologists, virologists, and world leaders are calling for the immediate and widespread containment of coronavirus in order to SAVE LIVES. The number of cases is growing by the hour and that number could see exponential growth once testing kits in the United States are made in large order and calculated by a central source. Those numbers will further sink the stock market, drive many of us into a fearful state, and all but shut down the economy of the United States. It's terrifying, but by limiting these events there will be less spread and a quicker return to normalcy. Don't panic, but also don't make light of the serious life-altering effect this disease is poised to have on the United States. Limit your risks, and maybe more importantly treat others (online and off) with compassion and patience. Everyone will handle this differently. Also, by God's grace, it seems the virus doesn't attack our children, but it does affect the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Be mindful and stay vigilant of their needs. Good luck and stay safe.

Missouri head wrestling coach Brian Smith (Photos/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com)

The 2020 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships were scheduled to be held at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis The NCAA Wrestling Championships in all three divisions -- along with all the remaining winter and spring championships -- have been canceled due to the spread of coronavirus. The NCAA released a statement late Thursday afternoon. "Today, NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors canceled the Division I men's and women's 2020 basketball tournaments, as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships. This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities." The news came after several professional sports leagues, including the NBA, NHL, MLB and MLS -- along with conference tournaments and schools -- suspended competition. The NCAA Division II and Division III Wrestling Championships were scheduled to take place Friday and Saturday, with Division I set for March 19-21 in Minneapolis. On Wednesday, the NCAA announced that the championship events would take place without fans before making the move to cancel the events on Thursday. Earlier in the day, it was announced that other wrestling events like the NAIA Women's Wrestling Invitational and Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic were canceled. The decision to cancel the 2020 NCAA Wrestling Championships is not totally unprecedented. Since the very first NCAAs in 1928, the Nationals were cancelled in 1942 through 1945 during World War II when most male college athletes were serving in the U.S. military or at factories producing aircraft, tanks and other equipment, as well as weaponry and munitions. The NCAAs returned to the college wrestling schedule in March 1946, and were held at Gallagher Hall at Oklahoma State University at the invitation of then head wrestling coach Art Griffin. The Cowboys won the 1946 NCAA team title by just one team point, edging out what was then called Iowa State Teachers College, now University of Northern Iowa, 25-24.

T.J. Miller (Photo/Loras College Athletics) CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- On Thursday, prior to the NCAA Division III Championships, the National Wrestling Coaches Association honored the six finalists for the NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year and announced the winner as selected by his peers. This award is presented to the coach that has demonstrated outstanding effort throughout the season in developing and elevating their program on campus and in the community. The awards are presented by Defense Soap, the official Hygiene partner of the NWCA. "In continuing our mission, Defense Soap is proud to partner with the NWCA, to keep wrestlers on the mat with our products and education in hygiene." Guy Sako, Founder and CEO of Defense Soap. The recipient of this year's NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year is TJ Miller of Loras College. Coach Miller is in his fourth year as head coach his team is coming off the school's best season in history having captured the NCAA Division III National-Runner up Trophy in 2019. This year saw the Duhawks knock off perennial power Wartburg and end their 27-year streak of conference titles and in doing so secured Loras' first conference title in school history. "Coach Miller has done a great job at Loras College and has continued in his father's footsteps as a championship program builder." Said Mike Moyer, NWCA Executive Director. "It's no surprise that in his short time at the helm he has been able compete at the national level." 2020 NCAA DIVISION III COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD FINALISTS Central Region Charles Mason - College of Mt. St. Josephs Northeast Region Mike Sugermeyer - Western New England University Southeast Region Joe Favia - Stevens Institute of Technology Mideast Region Joe Galante - The College of New Jersey Lower Midwest Region - TJ Miller - Loras College Upper Midwest Region Dave Malecek - University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

The 2020 NAIA Women's Wrestling Invitational was scheduled to be held at Harold Newman Arena The NAIA Women's Wrestling Invitational has been canceled. The NAIA announced Thursday that it will cancel the remainder of its winter championship events due to the spread of coronavirus, including the NAIA Women's Wrestling Invitational, which was scheduled to take place Friday and Saturday in Jamestown, N.D. The NAIA released the following statement: "Effective immediately, all remaining NAIA winter championship events will be canceled, including those that are currently underway. "The health and safety of our student-athletes, as well as all involved in our championship events, is the NAIA's highest priority. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 developments and NAIA leadership will work closely with our member institutions to determine the best path forward for future NAIA events, including all spring 2020 championships."

The Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic -- formerly known as the Dapper Dan -- has been canceled due to the spread of coronavirus. The event was scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 14. Directors Kraig Nellis and Phillip Mary issued the following statement: The Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic has been canceled for this weekend. The Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic local organizing committee thanks the wrestlers, parents and coaches for your patience and understanding. For the fans who purchased tickets we ask for time enabling us to determine our next course of action because we will make every effort to reschedule the event. A special THANK YOU to all our sponsors for their support. Kraig Nellis and Philip Mary Co-Directors

At USA Wrestling, our number one priority is always the safety of our athletes and their families, all our members, our national staff and the entire U.S. wrestling community. With that in mind, USA Wrestling's Executive Committee, its newly-created Coronavirus Advisory Committee, and members of the national staff met on Wednesday, March 11 to discuss the rapidly evolving situation concerning Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Coronavirus Advisory Committee includes Dr. Tom Price, past U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services; Dr. Bernard Feldman, UWW Medical Commission member and Hall of Fame wrestling physician; and John Bardis, past U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services and longtime USA Wrestling leader. As part of the national effort to contain the further spread of the virus, based on the information that is available from the experts in the medical community and our government agencies, as well as our partner members in the sports community, USA Wrestling has made the following decisions concerning its events and activities as an organization: • USA Wrestling will evaluate its events and activities based on those that are essential to our mission and responsibilities, and those that are non-essential. • Events and activities deemed essential will be conducted in a way that puts the health and safety of those involved as the primary focus, while still meeting the responsibilities of the organization. • Events and activities deemed non-essential, while still important to our community of wrestlers and to USA Wrestling, may be canceled or postponed to a later date, based on the best available information from the experts, and consistent with the best practices that will support the national effort to manage the current health crisis. USA Wrestling considers the qualifying and final trials events which select the U.S. Olympic Team, as well as the qualifying events and final trials events for U.S. age-group World Teams, as essential competitions. Most other events and activities may be considered non-essential. Working with our host organizers, our partner organizations and local health authorities, planning for the Last Chance Olympic Team Trials Qualifier in Millersville, PA and the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling in University Park, PA will proceed as announced, with daily monitoring of the situation. All options will be considered in this process. Any adjustments to this plan will immediately be announced in order to effectively select and train the U.S. wrestling team for the 2020 Olympic Games. A similar approach will be taken concerning the U.S. age-group World qualifying events. The status of the remaining USA Wrestling National and Regional Events will be announced individually. USA Wrestling strongly recommends that organizers of its sanctioned events immediately contact their local health department for guidance on hosting activities in their communities. USA Wrestling also strongly recommends that leaders of these events consider canceling or postponing their events which are non-essential over the next 60 days until more information becomes available from the experts. Across the country, the Coronavirus situation is evolving rapidly. USA Wrestling, as a steward for the sport of wrestling in our nation and a good citizen of the world, will provide regular updates to the public as we deal with the challenges we all face together. Please regularly visit USA Wrestling's website TheMat.com and its social media platform for the most current information. Note: For inquiries concerning state and local events, practices and activities, please contact your local and state-level contacts.

Four individuals who have made major contributions to the sport of wrestling in the state of Iowa will be welcomed into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame's Class of 2020, the Cresco, Iowa-based amateur wrestling hall announced Monday. This year's honorees: Tom Hogan: three-time state medalist including one state title; three-time NCAA Division 3 All-American and D3 NCAA champion; renowned high school coach. Col. Thomas L. Huff USAF DC Ret. -- Waterloo West, University of Iowa -- three-time state champion, two-time Big Ten champion, two-time NCAA All-American, multiple US Armed Services championships, two-time final Olympic Trials place winner. G. Wyatt Schultz -- Postville, Cedar Rapids -- Owner and publisher of The Predicament and sports photographer whose work has appeared in Wrestling USA, USA Wrestler, Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine, and Sports Illustrated. Chad Zaputil -- Centerville, University of Iowa -- four-time state entrant, two-time state champion, three-time Big 10 Conference champion, three-time NCAA tournament finalist. These 2020 honorees will be welcomed into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in a special induction ceremony and banquet at the Cresco Country Club south of Cresco on Monday, April 13, 2020. The 51st Annual Awards Banquet and Induction Ceremony will begin with a social hour starting at 5:30 p.m. followed by a banquet at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and advance registration is required. Banquet tickets are available at the Cresco Chamber of Commerce at (563) 547-3434 or CIA Insurance in Cresco at (563) 547-2382. The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame's sole purpose is the promotion of amateur wrestling in Iowa. The IWHOF has a rich history of honoring native Iowans at our annual awards banquet and induction ceremony. The inaugural banquet was held in 1970. When we conclude the 51st annual awards banquet on April 13th, 2020, our roster of inductees will include 137 outstanding individuals for their contributions to amateur wrestling.

Mike Ritchey ASHLAND -- Mike Ritchey, who shaped the culture of Southern Oregon University athletics over the course of four decades in the department, announced his retirement Tuesday after 25 seasons as the Raiders' head men's wrestling coach. A nine-time regional coach of the year and the two-time NAIA Coach of the Year, Ritchey's role in sustaining SOU's status as a national powerhouse began with his run as the team's first four-time NAIA All-American from 1984-88. After winning one NAIA team championship, one NWCA dual championship and overseeing 22 of the Raiders' 35 NAIA individual titles, he'll leave matched with his predecessor, Bob Riehm, as the longest-tenured head coach in the history of SOU athletics. "I would like to thank God for the opportunity to be a part of the SOU community for 36 years and feel he has a plan for my future in retirement," Ritchey said. "All things come to an end and this is my ending as a head coach. I feel the time is right in my life and in the program's trajectory that we find a fresh set of eyes and new philosophies to bring the program back to prominence. I am so grateful to have coached so many great young men; there are too many to mention. I feel our current wrestlers are ready to make some 'Natty' noise next year and I'm so very sorry that I can't continue in this role for many different reasons. However, I will be involved as long as possible." Ritchey, starting with his first season in 1995-96, guided the Raiders to 23 consecutive winning dual records and finished with an overall mark of 235-107. Beloved by a long line of colleagues and student-athletes for an affable, selfless approach to teaching and passion for competition, his teams captured 14 conference or regional championships and, since 2009, placed second in the team standings at the NAIA Championships five times. "In a lot of ways, Mike has been one of my mentors since I've been here," SOU Director of Athletics Matt Sayre said. "He has always embodied commitment, responsibility and respect and cultivated a family dynamic in his program and with the other coaches and staff here in our department. He could be counted on for his honest evaluation of issues affecting SOU Athletics, and as a selfless, dependable team player. He did great things for SOU as our wrestling coach, and I wish him great things in his retirement." A product of Salem, Ritchey was named the Raiders' most inspirational wrestler after their first perfect dual season in 1987-88, when he went on to notch his fourth consecutive NAIA top-six finish at 126 pounds. Before taking over as head coach, he was an assistant for five seasons under Riehm and Bob Bergen. His debut campaign would be the first of 12 in which the Raiders put forth a top-five showing at the national meet. His signature accomplishment came in 2001, when SOU entered the NAIA Championships with a No. 5 ranking but accumulated 158 points behind 11 All-America efforts to capture the program's fourth title, edging out Missouri Valley's 151.5 points. Ritchey was subsequently recognized as the NAIA's top coach. He oversaw 136 All-America performances in total. Among his star pupils were Brock Gutches, the seventh four-time national champion in NAIA history, and Mitchell Lofstedt, the first individual in NAIA history to win three 125-pound titles. In 2017, Tyler Cowger became the sixth Raider under Ritchey to unlock a feat only Ritchey had previously accomplished, reaching All-America status for the fourth time. In 2009, Ritchey led the Raiders to the NWCA dual meet title with four marquee wins in two days. Four years later, after SOU produced four individual champs and took second by a margin of six points behind powerhouse Grand View (Iowa) in the team standings, he received top national coaching honors again. "I want to thank President Linda Schott and Matt Sayre, as well as the faculty and staff at SOU for their support of wrestling," Ritchey said. "As an alum of the program, my heart will never be far from the 'Band of Warriors.' "A heartfelt thank you goes out to my family: my mom in Heaven, my dad for getting me into the sport and helping along the way, my sisters Denise Zimmerman and Vicki Bash and their families for all they do and have done with our family in allowing me to pursue my dreams for so long. To my colleagues, past and present: thank you for the inspiration, motivation, and appreciation that you have given me. And finally I want to acknowledge the amazing role my coaches - Bob Buzzard, Bob Riehm and my mentors specifically, Dan Speasl, Bob Bergen and Timmy - have played in SOU's wrestling success." The Raiders secured one last banner under Ritchey at inaugural Cascade Conference Championships in 2018. He oversaw the SOU women's wrestling program that same season, and had a brief stint as an assistant athletic director. SOU will conduct a national search for Ritchey's replacement in the coming weeks. Added Ritchey: "I'd like to sum it all up in the words of Forrest Gump, who in the middle of the desert suddenly stops running and says: 'I am pretty tired. Think I'll go home now.' God bless the Band of Warriors, and keep running forward."

The 2020 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships will take place at U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings The brackets have been released for the 2020 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. The event takes place March 19-21 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Link: Brackets

A look inside U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis, site of the 2020 NCAAs (Photo/Trex Commercial Products) In an unprecedented move, the NCAA announced late Wednesday afternoon that its national sports championships -- including the 2020 NCAA championships in all three divisions -- will be closed to fans, and open only to athletes, coaches, limited families and essential staff, due to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Mark Emmert, NCAA President, issued the following statement: "The NCAA continues to assess the impact of COVID-19 in consultation with public health officials and our COVID-19 advisory panel. Based on their advice and my discussion with the NCAA Board of Governors, I have made the decision to conduct upcoming championship events with only essential staff and limited family attendance. While I understand how disappointing this is for fans of our sports, my decision is based on the current understanding of how COVID-19 is progressing in the United States. This decision is in the best interest of public health, including that of the coaches, administrators, and, most importantly, our student-athletes. We recognize the opportunity to compete in an NCAA national championship is an experience of a lifetime for students and their families. Today we will move forward and conduct the championships consistent with current information and will continue to monitor and make adjustments as needed." In the years since the first NCAA Wrestling Championships took place at Iowa State in 1928, the only time the Nationals were not was during World War II. The mat championships were suspended from 1942 through 1945. The event resumed in March 1946. The World Health Organization called the coronavirus a pandemic on Wednesday. "This is the first pandemic caused by coronavirus," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared at a briefing in Geneva. On Wednesday, the Ivy League announced a decision to cancel all spring athletics practice and competition through the remainder of the academic year amid further developments.

Spencer Lee is seeded No. 1 at 125 pounds (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com) Today, starting at 4 p.m. ET, the NCAA revealed the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in each weight class. The NCAA's selection show, which will unveil the seeds and brackets, is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET and can been be seen at NCAA.com. Below is a look at the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds revealed so far. Note: Refresh to see the latest updates.

Ohio State University announced Friday it has reached a monetary settlement with survivors in 11 of the 18 lawsuits pending against the school regarding sexual assault claims related to Richard Strauss, a university-employed physician from 1978 to 1998 who died by suicide in 2005. The 11 lawsuits represent nearly half of the nearly 350 individuals who have brought claims against the university. The parties participated in a confidential mediation overseen by a federal court judge in Cincinnati for nearly a year. According to a statement issued by Ohio State on Friday, the school anticipates completing the final procedural steps in the process in the coming weeks. The statement went on to say that Ohio State continues to participate in the mediation process with the survivors involved in the seven remaining lawsuits. Funds in the settlement will be allocated on an individual basis based on the harm and damages experienced by each survivor, according to the news.OSU.com website . A special master, independent of the university and trained in sex abuse trauma, will oversee the settlement process. Funds in the settlement will be allocated on an individual basis based on the harm and damages experienced by each survivor, OSU.com continued. A special master, independent of the university and trained in sex abuse trauma, will oversee the settlement process. No taxpayer, tuition or donor funds will be utilized. All funds for individual survivors of Strauss related to this settlement will draw from existing institutional discretionary funding. Further details regarding the settlement will be available as the legal process moves forward. However, attorneys for a number of plaintiffs who have yet to reach a settlement wrote a letter last week to the presiding judge in the case, U.S. District Judge Michael Watson, saying that negotiations between them and the university have broken down. They accused the university of not negotiating "in good faith," the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported. Those problems persist, said Robert Allard, a San Jose, California lawyer representing about 85 victims, who characterized the claims of those individuals as being "far more severe," adding that, in his opinion, the university had appeared to abandon negotiation in favor of litigation the cases in court. The Cleveland newspaper went on to report that attorneys for another group of 83 victims said in a news release that they were excluded from the negotiations that led to the settlement and that they are "extremely concerned that this is not a full and fair settlement for survivors." At least one of Strauss' victims who is not part of the just-announced settlement openly said he intends to continue the fight. "We want the truth and we want justice," Brian Garrett told WCMH-TV, the NBC affiliate in Columbus. "And the way to get that is to take this to court, put everybody on the stand, let the truth come out so the public can hear it." "The rest of us guys that didn't settle today, we are in it to the end," Garrett said. "We want this to go to trial. We want this to go to court." However, one former Ohio State wrestler who was among the first to bring attention to Strauss' sexual assaults nearly two years ago, is among the victims to be a part of the just-announced settlement with Ohio State. "It didn't need to take two years, so I'm happy that this day has finally come," Michael DiSabato told the Columbus Dispatch Friday. "Not just for me, but the 350-plus (plaintiffs) ... we finally get to say, 'Someone listened.'" That said, the early whistleblower admitted it's still too early for him to have closure. "Our voices were heard, and that's what today means to me," Mike DiSabato said. "It's on the record, for eternity, that the Ohio State University accepts responsibility."

Rulon Gardner stunned Alexander Karelin at the 2000 Olympic Games The National Wrestling Hall of Fame announced on Tuesday that it will host "Miracle on the Mat: Gardner Shocks Karelin" at 2:45 p.m. on March 21 on the main stage at the NCAA Wrestling Tournament Fan Fest in The Armory in Minneapolis. The event will feature the video from the 2000 Olympic Games when Rulon Gardner upset three-time Olympic champion and nine-time world champion Alexander Karelin, followed by a roundtable discussion featuring Hall of Fame Distinguished Members Gardner, Dan Chandler and Mike Houck. Prior to the video and stage presentation, Chandler, Gardner and Houck will be joined by Minnesota Wrestling Greats for an autograph session at 2 p.m. Held in conjunction with the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Fan Fest is free to the public. Fan Fest will be open from 1-6 p.m. on Friday, March 20, and from 12-5:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 21. After showing the historic video, the trio will discuss Gardner's shocking victory over the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame member who is considered the greatest Greco-Roman wrestler of all time. Gardner was quietly confident going into the 2000 Games in spite of the fact that legendary heavyweight Karelin stood in his way. Great defense kept Gardner in the match and in the second period, when they started in the clinch, Karelin briefly lost his grip to give up his first point in six years and the Olympic gold medal. "It's been 20 years since Rulon Gardner stunned Alexander Karelin to win the Olympic Greco-Roman heavyweight gold medal, and it remains one of the most incredible and inspirational events in sports history," said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the Hall of Fame. "We are excited to give fans at the NCAA Wrestling Championships the opportunity to relive the excitement of the match and hear insight and stories from Rulon, his corner coach Dan Chandler and Mike Houck about the greatest upset in Olympic wrestling history." Gardner returned to the top of the podium the next year, becoming the first U.S. Greco-Roman wrestler in history to win both a World and Olympic gold medal. Two years later, after losing a toe in a snowmobiling accident, he won the 2003 World Team Trials and finished 10th in world competition. His amazing recovery was completed in 2004 when he returned to the podium, winning a bronze medal to become only the second U.S. Greco-Roman wrestler to win two Olympic medals. Gardner was honored with the 2000 James E. Sullivan Award, the 2000 ESPY for Male Olympic Athlete and the 2000 U.S. Olympic Committee Sportsman of the Year. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 2010 and into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum's Alan and Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Champions in 2011. One of the most successful Greco-Roman wrestlers and influential Greco-Roman coaches in U.S. history, Chandler was Gardner's corner coach in 2000. He has been a member of the U.S. Greco-Roman coaching staff for every Olympic Games since 1988, including being head coach in 2012, while also coaching several U.S. World teams. He was a member of U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman teams in 1976, 1980 and 1984 and competed in the world championships in 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981 and 1983. Chandler was a 12-time national Greco-Roman champion, capturing seven AAU titles and five United States Wrestling Federation/USA Wrestling titles, and a two-time Pan American gold medalist. Chandler was an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota from 1975-85 and was the head wrestling coach at St. Thomas University from 1986-88. The Minnesota native has been a leader at the state and local level, including serving as a state coach for Minnesota USA Wrestling and the Minnesota Storm. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 2013. Despite odds stacked against him, including three former champions in his weight class, Houck made history in 1985 when he became the first American to win a gold medal in Greco-Roman, defeating defending world champion Igor Kanygin of Russia in the finals. He was a four-time Greco-Roman national champion, capturing three USA Wrestling titles and an AAU title, and competed in three world championships. He narrowly missed competing in the Olympic Games, finishing second at the trials in 1984 and 1988. He coached the U.S. Greco-Roman national team from 1990-95 and was instrumental in developing the U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete program. During his tenure, the United States finished in the Top 10 in the world championships four out of five years and won the Pan American Games for the first time ever. U.S. wrestlers won six world or Olympic medals, including a gold in 1995 by Dennis Hall, a Distinguished Member inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011. Houck was named Sportsman of the Year for 1985 by the United States Olympic Committee and was nominated for the Sullivan Award. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 2008 and into the Greco-Roman Hall of Champions in the Charter Class of 2009. National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum America's shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1976 to honor the sport of wrestling, preserve its history, recognize extraordinary individual achievements, and inspire future generations. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has museums in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa. The Stillwater, Oklahoma, location reopened in June 2016 following a $3.8 million renovation while the Waterloo, Iowa, location reopened in March 2019 after undergoing a $1.4 million renovation. Both museums now feature interactive exhibits and electronic kiosks, as well as the opportunity to watch NCAA Championship matches from the 1930s to present day. Stillwater also has the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors where the greatest names in wrestling are recognized, including iconic granite plaques presented to Distinguished Members since the Hall of Fame opened in 1976. The museum has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world, including the most collegiate and Olympic wrestling uniforms. Wrestling truly is for everyone and the diversity and accessibility of the sport continues to be highlighted through exhibits featuring females, African-Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Latino Americans. There is also a library featuring historical documents, including NCAA guides and results, as well as books on the sport. For more information about the Hall of Fame, please visit www.NWHOF.org.

The OHSAA State Wrestling Championships are held at the Schottenstein Center (Photo/Craig Brown) Hours after the governor of Ohio recommended that indoor sporting events within the state take place without fans in the stands because of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Ohio High School Athletic Association has announced that attendance at its state tournaments -- including the 2020 OHSAA State Wrestling Championships -- will most likely be limited to immediate family members of the athletes competing at those events. This year's Ohio state mat championships are scheduled to take place this weekend -- Friday, March 13-Sunday, March 15 -- at Schottenstein Center on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus. The OHSAA -- which governs scholastic sports within the state of Ohio -- issued the following statement Wednesday, not long after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine spoke Tuesday afternoon, urging that indoor sporting events in Ohio take place without fans in the stands because of the appearance of at least three cases of coronavirus within Cuyahoga County (home to Cleveland) in recent days. "At this time, the OHSAA is proceeding with our upcoming tournaments as scheduled," the high school sports organization stated within hours of Gov. DeWine's press conference. "We are in constant communication with state and local officials and will monitor any developments and provide updated information as needed. We encourage teams and fans to take the extra precautions that we provided to our member schools in early March and that are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Our tournament venues are taking extra measures to assist with the safety of the student-athletes, coaches, officials and fans." In addition to the state wrestling championships, other major high school sporting events scheduled to take place this week -- possibly without fans in the stands -- include the girls state basketball championships at Ohio State's St. John Arena, beginning Thursday, and the state hockey champions on Saturday and Sunday at Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Tuesday. DeWine said it is not only the safety of the spectators but for anyone the spectators might come in contact with afterwards. "We would hope that anyone who has the responsibility for conducting these events will make the right decision," DeWine said. The governor also recommended that other indoor events with large numbers of individuals in attendance -- including concerts and classroom instruction -- consider other plans. At least two state universities -- Ohio State and Kent State University -- have announced suspension of in-person classes on their respective campuses. Information regarding tickets already sold and what type of media coverage will be permitted is still to be released "as soon as possible" according to the OHSAA.

You could win a luxurious 2020 Infiniti Q50 sedan -- and help the CSU Bakersfield wrestling program -- by purchasing a raffle ticket in this year's "Ride in Style" Roadrunner wrestling car raffle fundraiser. All proceeds will benefit the CSUB wrestling program. Each ticket is just $100. Only 1,000 raffle tickets will be sold ... but there's no limit on the amount of tickets an individual may purchase. What's more, you need not live in Bakersfield -- or California, for that matter -- to purchase a ticket. This car raffle is open to wrestling supporters anywhere. In fact, you can purchase tickets online. Don't wait! The prize drawing will take place Wednesday, April 8 between 5:30-7:30 p.m. Pacific during a celebration of CSUB Roadrunner wrestlers at Infiniti of Bakersfield. To purchase your raffle ticket(s) online, click here. WWW.Bakersfieldwrestling.com Participants need not be present to win. However, the drawing winner will be responsible for taxes and license and must be at least 18 years of age. Need a bit more persuasion? Be sure to listen to Stephen Neal -- two-time NCAA heavyweight champ for the CSUB Roadrunners who went on to win a World freestyle title, then earn three Super Bowl rings playing for the New England Patriots -- as he make makes his pitch for participating in the Cal State Bakersfield/Coyote Club Amateur Wrestling "Ride in Style" car raffle fundraiser.

The Wrestling Changed My Life Podcast today announced that it will interview J Robinson and Barry Davis during the 2020 WIN Show/NCAA Fan Fest. The interviews will take place as follows: Friday (3/20), 2p.m. J Robinson Saturday (3/21), 2:30 p.m. Barry Davis Location: Booth 19 Both interviews will feature live Q&A with fans. About the Wrestling Changed My Life Podcast Hosted by Ryan Warner, the Wrestling Changed My Life Podcast features in-depth interviews with wrestlers and coaches to learn how the sport shaped and molded their lives. By stitching together stories of sacrifice, triumph, defeat and perseverance, the Podcast takes the listener deep inside the world's oldest sport. To date, the Podcast has published 105 episodes with guests such as Dan Gable, J Robinson, Bobby Douglas, Tom Brands, and Tom Ryan. To subscribe to the podcast, listeners can visit WrestlingChangedMyLife.com or text "Wrestle" to 555-888. About the WIN Show/Fan Fest Fan Fest is a free, 2-day event taking place Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21. Fan Fest Hours are 1-6 p.m. Friday and 12-5:30 on Saturday. The event is taking place at the Armory in downtown Minneapolis, just a few blocks from U.S. Bank Stadium.

Patrick McKee received an at-large berth at 125 pounds (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine) INDIANAPOLIS -- The NCAA announced the 48 at-large selections for the 2020 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Minneapolis. Seeding and brackets for this year's event will be revealed tomorrow, March 11, during the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Selection Show on NCAA.com at 6 p.m. ET. At-large selections 125: Nic Aguilar Rutgers 24-11 Big Ten Justin Cardani Illinois 16-10 Big Ten Michael Colaiocco Penn 23-7 EIWA Fabian Gutierrez Chattanooga 18-9 SoCon Patrick McKee Minnesota 17-8 Big Ten 133: Casey Cobb Navy 17-13 EIWA Codi Russell Appalachian State 26-10 SoCon Todd Small Iowa State 18-12 Big 12 Zack Trampe Binghamton 12-3 EIWA 141: Shakur Laney Ohio 21-10 MAC DJ Lloren Fresno State 22-6 Big 12 Mitch Moore Virginia Tech 17-8 ACC Salvatore Profaci American 26-9 EIWA 149: Jimmy Hoffman Lehigh 19-7 EIWA Tanner Smith Chattanooga 25-9 SoCon Yahya Thomas Northwestern 16-8 Big Ten Max Thomsen Northern Iowa 20-8 Big 12 157: Zac Carson Ohio 22-11 MAC Jahi Jones Maryland 12-8 Big Ten Alexander Klucker Lock Haven 14-10 MAC Mike Van Brill Rutgers 19-18 Big Ten Kaleb Young Iowa 15-5 Big Ten 165: Ebed Jarrell Drexel 18-7 EIWA Peyton Mocco Missouri 27-12 MAC Kennedy Monday North Carolina 20-8 ACC Bailee O`Reilly Minnesota 22-11 Big Ten Bernie Truax Cal Poly 18-11 Pac 12 Evan Wick Wisconsin 23-4 Big Ten 174: Mason Eaglin Duke 21-13 ACC Hayden Hastings Wyoming 23-10 Big 12 Jacob Oliver Edinboro 25-6 MAC Phillip Spadafora Maryland 17-16 Big Ten Brandon Womack Cornell 14-7 EIWA 184: Trevor Allard Bloomsburg 24-4 MAC Jonathan Loew Cornell 26-13 EIWA Tate Samuelson Wyoming 19-14 Big 12 Travis Stefanik Princeton 17-7 EIWA Owen Webster Minnesota 22-12 Big Ten 197: Stephen Buchanan Wyoming 26-13 Big 12 Wyatt Koelling Missouri 20-7 MAC Jordan Pagano Rutgers 22-8 Big Ten Hunter Ritter Minnesota 20-10 Big Ten Jackson Striggow Michigan 20-10 Big Ten Cole Urbas Penn 21-13 EIWA 285: Tyler Bagoly Clarion 16-6 MAC Max Ihry Northern Illinois 20-10 MAC Zachary Knighton-Ward Hofstra 23-14 EIWA Ben Sullivan Army West Point 16-8 EIWA

OTTAWA, Canada -- The U.S. men's freestyle team won all six of its finals on Monday night at the Pan American Championships in Ottawa, Canada, and ran away with the team trophy, scoring 205 points. In second place was Canada with 120, and Cuba rounded out the top-three with 100 points. Those picking up individual titles for the USA included Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder, Anthony Ashnault, Yianni Diakomihalis, Tyler Graff and Tony Nelson. 2012 Olympic champion and four-time World champ Burroughs won his fourth Pan American Championships gold medal after a tense bout with 2011 World silver medalist Franklin Gomez of Puerto Rico. Read complete story on TheMat.com ...