InterMat Staff

Two-time state third place finisher Jared Ball (Hilliard Darby, Ohio) verbally committed to Chattanooga on Tuesday night. The No. 89 overall ranked Class of 2018 wrestler also finished fourth at the Flo Nationals this spring after finishing third at the Walsh Jesuit Ironman during the 2016-17 season. Ball projects to compete collegiately as a 184/197.

Colton Schultz became America's first Cadet Greco-Roman world champ since 1997 (Photo/Richard Immel) ATHENS, Greece -- On Tuesday, Cohlton Schultz accomplished something that had not been done by an American wrestler in 20 years. He became a Cadet world champion in Greco-Roman, the first since Josh Etu in 1997, and the first Cadet Greco-Roman medalist since 2013. (Note: The Cadet World Championships were not contested from 2000-2009.) After scoring a pair of falls and a 1-0 victory to reach the finals, Schultz came from behind to edge Hungary's Balint Vatzi 3-1 in the gold-medal match at 100 kilograms. Trailing 1-1 late in the match, Schultz scored a go-behind takedown with 12 seconds remaining in the match, which gave him the victory. It was Schultz's second victory this year over Vatzi, a Cadet European champion. Schultz becomes the first American to earn a medal at the 2017 Cadet World Championships, which kicked off on Monday in Athens, Greece. Schultz, a Colorado native, is ranked as the nation's No. 1 overall wrestler in the Class of 2019 by InterMat. He was also a member of the Junior World Team in Greco-Roman. Mason Reiniche (69 kilograms) and Jake Hendricks (76 kilograms) will compete in repechage tomorrow (Wednesday) on the final day of the Greco-Roman competition.

Ben Askren (Photo/ONE Championship) Is Ben Askren saying goodbye to his pro mixed martial arts career, trading the cage for the executive suite? The answer is yes, according to the CEO of ONE Championship, the MMA organization where the former Missouri wrestling champ now holds its welterweight title. Chatri Sityodtong, founder and head of ONE Championship, announced on Facebook that Askren would face Shinya Aoki in late November, concluding with this statement: "Ben has made the decision to retire after this fight to become an executive at ONE ..." Here's the entire message from Sityodtong: "I am thrilled to announce two world title fights for ONE Championship: Immortal Pursuit in Singapore on November 24! Angela Lee (8-0) vs Mei"V.V" Yamaguchi (16-10) Ben Askren (17-0) vs Shinya Aoki (39-7) Angela and Mei have agreed to what will arguably be the most anticipated rematch in the history of martial arts in Asia. Also, for the 1st time in ONE history, two athletes from the same team will go to battle for a world title. In what will be a ferocious contest between two great white sharks, Shinya Aoki and Ben Askren have decided to lay it all on the line. Win or lose, this fight will be Ben's last. Ben has made the decision to retire after this fight to become an executive at ONE. You do not want to miss this mega event in Singapore!" As of early evening Monday, there was no message from Askren on social media ... though he retweeted a tweet from Tim Kennedy which said, "He has always done it his own way. @BenAskren has made the best look like amateurs. He won at prize fighting. Leaving the sport untouched." The 33-year-old Askren -- a former Bellator welterweight champ who successfully defended his ONE Championship belt this past weekend -- has crafted a perfect 17-0 record since launching his MMA career in 2009. The man Askren is slated to face in his final fight -- Aoki -- is an experienced veteran, holding a 39-7-1 professional record, and 5-1 record competing for the ONE Championship organization. "Aoki is most known for his grappling pedigree, as 25 of his professional victories have come by way of submission," according to LowKickMMA.com. "He's coming off of a loss, but prior to that he had won nine consecutive bouts, and he may very well be able to offer Askren a challenge." Just a couple days ago, after scoring a TKO on Sweden's Zebaztian Kadestam at 4:06 of the second round at ONE Championship event in Shanghai on Sept. 2, Askren appeared to be calling out would-be challengers ... with no hint of trading his fight shorts for a business suit. "I haven't got hit one time my last two fights, so someone please come into this cage who can actually hit me," said the Wisconsin native. "I'm open to a super fight. I'm open to any welterweight on planet Earth. Bring it, baby," Askren added. Prior to launching his pro MMA career, Askren was a highly accomplished amateur wrestler. He was a four-time NCAA finalist for the University of Missouri, winning titles in 2006 and 2007. Askren earned a place on the U.S. men's freestyle team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Want to go to college and participate on a varsity video game team? You might want to put Boise State on your short list. Yes, the same Boise State that eliminated its NCAA Division I wrestling program without warning at the end of the 2016-17 season. ESPN was among the first to report that Boise State had approved a varsity video game team and will begin competitive play in September. The school is one of 42 in the National Association of Competitive eSports, the governing body that regulates operation of collegiate programs. Boise State joins Utah, Georgia State and Miami University (Ohio) as the only varsity eSports programs at universities that also compete in major college football. (Interestingly, all four schools once had intercollegiate wrestling programs as well.) Just to be absolutely clear ... there is no connection between the launch of Boise State's eSports program, and the school's decision to axe its long-time Bronco wrestling program this spring. For starters, the new eSports program is NOT controlled, operated or funded by the BSU athletics department (as was the case with wrestling). Boise State's eSports program is an academic program, backed by its College of Education and College of Innovation and Design. And, despite having "sports" in the word "eSports", these programs have no connection to the NCAA. The organization that wrestling and other varsity sports on hundreds of college campuses across America has no oversight of eSports programs at any of its member schools. According to the Idaho Statesman, Boise State's new eSports team will compete in five games in its first season: League of Legends, Overwatch, Hearthstone, Rocket League and Heroes of the Storm. The number of players in each tournament will vary depending on the game. Some will be five-on-five, while others will feature one-on-one competition. Team members are ranked in tiers that amount to a depth chart. Starters and backups for competition exist like they do in classic sports. There are national championships with March Madness-like brackets and competitions are sometimes broadcast on, you guessed it, ESPN. The Stateman reports that Boise State that its new eSports program has university support, much like varsity athletic programs. The school is planning space for an eSports arena, and will eventually offer scholarships to team members, who will wear official Boise State colors and logos. Boise State's Dr. Chris Haskell, an assistant professor in educational technology and the school's eSports advisor, told the Idaho Statesman that a key to success of these programs is being among the first ... citing BSU's groundbreaking decision 30 years ago to install blue turf on its football field, a choice that has become a key aspect of Boise State's overall brand. "If you come in early and you have a lot to offer, you become magnetic," said Haskell. "Part of it was recognizing, not if it will grow, but when and how much and how do we use that Blue Turf thinking."

Marques Gales This Labor Day weekend, Marques Gales has earned a promotion. After four years as part-time head wrestling coach at Trinity College, Gales' status has been elevated to full-time by the Connecticut-based school. Here's what coach Gales posted on his Facebook page Sunday: "Excited and grateful for this opportunity. Thanks to my former and current assistant coaches and student-athletes that played a big part in it happening. Let's get it!" In Trinity's official announcement, Marques Gales was a bit more formal, but no less appreciative of the advancement. ""I am extremely honored to become full-time as the Head Wrestling Coach. I would like to thank former Athletic Director Mike Renwick and Interim Athletic Director Kristen Noone for making it happen," said Gales. "Serving as head coach in a full-time capacity is a huge step towards helping our program reach its fullest potential," Gales continued. "My assistants and I will have more time to spend on the daily, behind the scenes tasks necessary for the program to thrive. We are now able to be more creative with our practice schedule and we'll have more time to spend with our student-athletes during the day." Gales has accomplished much as part-time head coach since taking the helm of Trinity's Bantam wrestling program after the resignation of coach Stephen Makein in 2013. In his first year, the team sent two representatives to the NCAA Division III Championships for the first time since 2001. Gales was also honored for his outstanding effort as one of three to share the 2014 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Rookie Coach of the Year honors. Trinity improved its win total by five from two to seven in 2015-16 with a 7-11 overall record, and won another five matches last winter. The Bantams finished ninth in the 2016 New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Duals Championship Tournament, its best finish since 2012-13, and 16th in last year's NCAA Division IIII Regional Championships. Last year's team finished seventh in the nation in team GPA (3.31) and returns 10 starters this winter from last year's regional championship squad. Gales accomplished all this at Trinity while also employed by Capitol Region Education Council's (CREC) Academy of Aerospace and Engineering Middle School in Windsor as an associate instructor. Founded in 1823, Trinity College is a private, four-year liberal arts school located in Hartford, Conn. The historic school has approximately 2,200 students. Trinity's sports teams, the Bantams, compete in NCAA Division III.

Nick Suriano (Photo/Juan Garcia) Nick Suriano will be able to wrestle at Rutgers University this fall, after all. The Big Ten has granted the former Penn State wrestler an immediate eligibility waiver, meaning the New Jersey high school mat star will not be required to sit out a season before wrestling for the Scarlet Knights, according to NJ.com. On Sunday the conference that's home to both Penn State and Rutgers approved a waiver request that clears Suriano's transfer without his having to lose a year of eligibility, sources told NJ Advance Media. Earlier this summer, there were reports that Penn State would block any attempt by Suriano to leave the program. However, the PSU athletic department released a statement saying they had granted him his release from the program. From there it was up to the Big Ten on whether or not Suriano would have to sit out one season before being able to return to action. After nearly a month, the Big Ten Academics and Eligibility subcommittee ruled in favor of Suriano on Sunday. Once Suriano's enrollment at Rutgers is finalized, he will most likely be considered as a sophomore, eligible to wrestle for three full seasons ... and with the potential of three national titles. As InterMat reported Aug. 8, the original deal would have had Suriano sit out the 2017-18 season, limiting his eligibility to just two seasons. Suriano will likely face his former teammates when Penn State comes to Rutgers for a dual meet on Jan. 28, 2018. As a Penn State wrestler, Suriano compiled a 16-3 record at 125 pounds during his freshman season in 2016-17. Suriano is arguably one of the all-time great wrestlers to come out of New Jersey. Wrestling for Bergen Catholic High School, Suriano compiled a perfect 159-0 record, racking up four NJSIAA (New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association) titles. He also won numerous individual championships at national tournaments such as Super 32 and Beast of the East.

Services have been announced for former Pennsylvania high school wrestling coach Dennis Leyman, who died in his home Friday evening of undisclosed causes. He was 65. Visitation for the former North Star coach and superintendent will take place Wednesday, Sept. 6 at Hoffman Funeral Home, 409 Main Street, Boswell, Penn. from 2-8 p.m., with a vigil for the deceased at 2 p.m. that day. Funeral Mass will take place Thursday at 10 a.m. at All Saints Church in Boswell, with Rev. Fr. John Voytek as celebrant. Dennis P. Leyman started as an assistant wrestling coach at North Star High under Marshall Policicchio, Leyman became the head coach in 1982, a position he held until 2000. His teams went 162-100-4 in dual meets and won four District 5 championships. As Cougar head coach, Leyman had two wrestlers earn individual PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) wrestling titles: Gary Kaltenbaugh in 1983 and Kyle Szewczyk in 1997. One of his Leyman's state champs weighed in on his coaching style. "He would get the most out of anyone," Szewczyk told Eric Knopsnyder of the Tribune-Democrat. "He could maximize someone's potential, regardless of what that potential was. If it was to be a one-time regional qualifier or a state champion, he made sure you got there." The current Waynesburg Central assistant coach added, "He was authoritative every day. He was intense. Practice was extremely organized, and he was very old school. There was no messing around. What he said was rule." "He was one of the (North Star) coaches, along with Marsh Policicchio, that set the standard," said Tim Rosa, the Cougars current head coach. "They set the standard for what we are trying to achieve. He is in the hall of fame as a coach. He really continued that North Star tradition and is one of the guys that I look up to as a coach." "My observation was that Dennis was a quiet, no-nonsense kind of guy who always got the most out of his talent," said Pennsylvania wrestling writer Tom Elling. "He coached in District 5, which produced many great coaches including Ed Clark, Rod Hoover, Bill Creps, to name a few. He was well-respected across the state." For those reasons, Leyman was named the state's Class AA coach of the year in 1990 and was inducted into the District 5 Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2015. Born March 30, 1952 in Bridgeston, N.J., Leyman went to Bridgeston High School and then to Glassboro State College in New Jersey. He then came to southwest Pennsylvania in 1977 to teach industrial arts. Leyman later became principal at North Star Middle School while continuing to coach wrestling at the high school. In 2002, he became superintendent of the district located in Somerset County in southwest Pennsylvania until his retirement in 2010. Leyman is survived by his wife of 28 years, Martha; three sons; and ten grandchildren.

Ben Askren is still in possession of the ONE Championship welterweight belt. The former NCAA wrestling champ and Olympian successfully defended his title in Shanghai Saturday night, scoring a TKO over Sweden's Zebaztian Kadestam at 4:06 of the second round. BloodyElbow.com used the word "manhandled" to describe Askren's treatment of Kadestam, while MMAFighting.com described the former Mizzou mat star title defense as a "one-sided performance." "Askren quickly slammed Kadestam on the ground early in the opening round, getting to the mount position and landing hard shots," MMAFighting.com reported. "Kadestam didn't do anything but survive, but made it to the second round." In the second round, Askren continued what worked for him in Round One, maintaining his ground and pound. Eventually Kadestam "turtled up" (to quote BloodyElbow.com). The referee stopped the fight at four minutes of the second. Askren is now 17-0 (with one no-contest) in his pro mixed martial arts career, while Kadestam dropped to 9-4. After the fight, Askren said he wants to face more challenging challengers. "I haven't got hit one time my last two fights, so someone please come into this cage who can actually hit me," said the former Mizzou Tiger. "I'm open to a super fight. I'm open to any welterweight on planet Earth. Bring it, baby," Askren added. Prior to launching his pro MMA career in 2009, Askren was a highly accomplished amateur wrestler. He was a four-time NCAA finalist for Missouri, winning titles in 2006 and 2007. Askren earned a place on the U.S. men's freestyle team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Two-time state champion Grant Aronoff (St. Thomas Aquinas, Fla.) verbally committed to Penn. The projected 141/149 was champion of the NHSCA Freshman and Sophomore Nationals earlier in his career, and placed fourth at the Super 32 Challenge last fall. He is ranked No. 41 overall in the Class of 2018, and ended the 2016-17 season ranked No. 9 nationally at 138 pounds.

A trio of U.S. wrestlers who earned medals at the recent 2017 World Wrestling Championships -- along with a couple other special guests -- will be featured on the Takedown Radio broadcast this Saturday, Sept. 2. Join Tony Hager and Brad Johnson for the two-hour broadcast from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Central available on KXNO 1460 AM radio and online at www.KXNO.iHeart.com or TakedownWrestle.com Here's this Saturday's guest list: 9 a.m. J'Den Cox - 2017 World bronze medalist 9:20 a.m. Alli Ragan - 2017 World silver medalist 9:40 a.m. Terry Steiner - United States Women's head coach 10 a.m. Kyle Snyder - 2017 World gold medalist 10:40 a.m. Rulon Gardner - 2000 Olympic gold medalist

The Apprentice School's Director of Athletics, Michael W. Allen, has named Micah Amrozowicz Head Wrestling coach. Micah Amrozowicz"Micah was a no-brainer. He is a former apprentice, he has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to working and navigating down in the yard, and being a former wrestler and assistant coach, he bleeds Builder wrestling. I am excited to see how the next chapter unfolds under Coach Amrozowicz's leadership," states Allen. A native of Virginia Beach and Kellam High School, Amrozowicz is a former two-time NCWA All-American who spent the last 10 seasons as an assistant coach for the Builders. Amrozowicz ended one of the best two-year runs in the modern era of Apprentice School wrestling finishing second at 133 pounds in 2007 and put together a two-year record of 84-18. He was also named the Outstanding Wrestler at the 2007 Virginia Duals as the Builders finished second in the American College Division. His freshman season he set what was then the school record for wins in a season as he finished 45-8. He came to the Builders after two years at Virginia Military Institute where he was 47-29. He took fourth at 133 pounds in the Southern Conference Championships as a sophomore in 2004. Amrozowicz is a 2009 Advanced graduate of the Apprentice School as a welder. He has worked as a designer, planner and currently serves as a welding Foreman in the welding department. He graduated in 2013 from Old Dominion University with a BS in Occupational Technical Studies as a Training Specialist. In his ten previous seasons as an assistant coach, Amrozowicz has helped coached over 30 National Collegiate Wrestling Association All-Americans. "I am thankful for the opportunity to continue my coaching career at The Apprentice School, and look forward to giving back to the school that has given me so much. I look forward to building championships while helping develop leaders for this company. This is a special program to be a part of and it has been exciting seeing it grow and seeing where it is headed. A special thanks to Bruce Shumaker for being a mentor over the last 10 years, and most importantly my wife and family that has been nothing but supportive. GO BUILDERS!," states Amrozowicz.

The United States freestyle team captured their first world team title last week in Paris. The squad's historic performance came with a full complement of surprises and substantive enough for a week's worth of unique and hot takes. I came away with a lot of impressions, but I thought the following five were the most salient and telling of the team's direction and reason for success. 1. Thomas Gilman proved he's a legit USA 57-kilogram wrestler for Tokyo 2020. While the weight class at the 2017 World Championships lacked some of the depth from previous years, little can detract from the composure and gamesmanship Gilman showed while on the mat. Though he will have plenty of domestic challenges, his knack for finding a way to win in Paris required the type of focus and preparation his opponents seemed to lack. Gilman has some technical deficiencies (finishing single legs), but chugging into the challenging international calendar I think he has capability to keep turning heads. 2. Logan Stieber (61 kilograms) and Zain Retherford (65 kilograms) will be just fine. Stieber and Retherford didn't make the podium, they tended to wrestle well. A better draw for Stieber and a little more clock management by Zain and the duo could have made medal runs at the World Championships. Stieber has proven he has the ability to win overseas, should he have made it past Adam Batirov, Zain was likely to crush opponents in the quarterfinals and semifinals. Jordan Burroughs celebrates after winning a world title at 74 kilograms (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) 3. Jordan Burroughs never left. Just like it was difficult to comprehend the stress Burroughs felt heading into Rio, or the disappointment he endured afterward, it's equally difficult to understand the feeling of accomplishment he enjoyed in coming back to win a fifth world title. Burroughs is not that young, and he's not as quick or mobile as in year's past, but it was evident throughout Paris 2017 that Burroughs could arguably be named the most mentally tough wrestler in the history of USA Wrestling. I know that I was inspired, but I can also tell you that my 23-year-old British videographer was ecstatic to see every match in which Burroughs wrestled. Without knowing much about the sport, he migrated to Burroughs' mental toughness and, frankly, badassery, from the first match through the last. The day after the tournament he was looking online to find and buy an All I See is Gold shirt. What separates Burroughs isn't just inherent star power that comes with winning five titles, it's the horsepower he employs in each match and that incredible one-of-a-kind will to win he seems to tap into year after year. 4. Helen Maroulis is the gnarliest woman on the planet. I have to think watching her dominate (and foot sweep) her way to the world title gave the men's freestyle team a boost in their competition. All hail the queen. 5. USA Wrestling is a vibrant, cohesive organization. From the president to the executive director to media staff and beyond, every member of the USA Wrestling staff has bought into the idea that they can win at this level. I'm fortunate enough to see a lot of international federations and national teams operate and I can think of none that is as inclusive, willing to accept new ideas and implement game-winning formulas as much as USA Wrestling. The potential of the team at the development level is only made stronger when considering the overall financial and emotional health of the organization. USA Wrestling is absolutely a leading national federation. To your questions … Q: Which current Junior is most likely to make the Senior men's team next year: Spencer Lee, Daton Fix, Mark Hall, Zahid Valencia, or Gable Steveson? -- Irv O. Foley: Zahid or Gable since the two new weight classes are in the upper weights (79 kilograms and 92 kilograms) and either give them a direct opportunity to compete, or could draw some competition away. While I think that Thomas Gilman is the man for a few years, I think that Daton Fix could be a game changer. After seeing his domination at the Junior World Championships it's tough to remember that he's only entering college. Q: How the hell can wrestling build a solid fan base if there is no consistent way to watch It? I have a Flo Pro account, which is stupid expensive and I couldn't watch Worlds on that. Watch all the matches for 10 bucks on Track … No thanks. Available on NBCSN from 3-5:30, oh wait, not available for you. All the matches on YouTube, not available in your country. Seems like I need to buy a different subscription for every major wrestling event. I just have to read play-by-play updates, but I hate reading. -- Will H. Foley: I would have given you a video response, but alas I don't have those resources. Look, if you can't spend $10 for 20-plus days of World Championships coverage (180-plus hours), or make your way to a TV with NBCSN or the Olympic Channel, then there isn't much that anyone can do for you. I'd also tell you that United World Wrestling put out a nightly video recap for free and that more than 250 accredited media were on site to share their perspective on the events. Also, add in the 18-plus highlight videos made the SAME DAY by United World Wrestling and the interviews conducted by Track, Flo and USA Wrestling, and there is no excuse for not spending the $10 to watch your favorite sport live. Q: What did you make of David Taylor's tweet about J'den Cox? I read it as sour grapes. I don't think it reflects well on Taylor. I have always kind of liked Taylor, but after his behavior at the Trials and this tweet, it feels like he has some growing up to do. -- Mike C. Foley: I can only imagine Taylor's frustration at seeing Cox's semifinal match. He believes that he was wronged at the Trials, and perceived a lack of urgency in Cox after he was fireman carried in the semifinals. While I don't know if his response was perfect, I can definitely see his motivation and understand his frustration. I don't think it's maturity thing, I think this is the result of having two of the world's best 86-kilogram wrestlers competing within the same nation. If I could recommend anything it would be to allow DT a little leniency. He was professionally frustrated and absolutely not a bad person, or immature. MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME Snyderlaev and Team USA Q: What is the reasoning for the weight classes being different between freestyle and Greco-Roman? I never understood why they became different in 2013. Although there aren't that many senior level wrestlers competing in both styles, there are many Junior and U23 wrestlers doing both styles, and it would make more sense to align the weight classes. The new freestyle weights are good. The only improvement I would suggest is changing 74 and 79 to be 75 and 80, and changing 97 to be at least 98. That way the gaps get progressively larger. Lastly, why will there be no 2-kilogram weight allowance on the second day of competition starting in 2019? Why not have just 1 kilogram on Day 2? -- Jeff S. Foley: I don't have the full rationale of the Technical Commission's choice to alter the Greco-Roman weights, but I don't see any reason that they needed to be the same. There are very few wrestlers competing in both styles and the weight options are pretty close to each other. The Junior, U23 and Senior weights are now all the same, too. The weight classes look to add more opportunities to the big men. The scientific, technical, referee and other expert committees all weighed in on the categories and found these to be amenable to the most number of countries. This particular plan is a mixture of ideas presented by Japan, Iran and Russia with the support of the United States. The idea is to eliminate all wiggle room for cutting weight at the Olympic Games. The athletes competing on the second day will also have several hours to rehydrate and recover before the night's finals. Q: Crazy that Russia didn't win a single gold medal at the Worlds in any style. When was the last time that happened? What do you think contributed to that? I have my theories, but wanted to know what you thought. -- Mike C. Foley: 1951 ... maybe? As I don't think they competed. My guess is that they are coming off an Olympic year a little banged up and Team USA is in top form. The gap had been closing for some time at the Junior level and the USA is seeing the results now at the Senior level. Q: With the new weight classes, do you think we will see Abdulrashid Sadulaev move down to 92 kilograms? -- Mike C. Foley: No. Sadulaev is competing for Olympic titles and it makes no sense for him to buffer 10 pounds for three years as others get acclimated to the weight class. He will be just fine at 97 kilograms next year. Q: In a recent mailbag you made a comment about Kevin Jackson being the best hire-to-task as developmental coach. I hope you are right. I hope he has found his niche. I'm fearful that you are wrong, because as supreme an athlete and competitor as he was, and as outstanding a man he is, his track record as a program leader is spotty at best. His tenure as national team coach had our lowest output of world & Olympic medals in 40-plus years. He ran Iowa State from legit title threat to laughing stock. I understand there may be more factors contributing to those bad experiences than simply KJ's presence. Maybe he simply has bad timing. I don't know. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm fearful we're seeing the high-water mark in developmental performance in these next couple years. -- Sam G. Foley: KJ is the man and is absolutely going to thrive in this role. I understand your viewpoint, but his enthusiasm, knowledge of the sport and compatibility with members of the organization and young wrestlers will equate into an enormous amount of developmental improvement. I'm a big believer in his impact on the lives of his wrestlers and think USA Wrestling is blessed to have him in that room. NCAA ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK By Bob D. Many pundits on other sites are dismissing Ohio State's chances to challenge Penn State next year with or without Nick Suriano (still in limbo as of 8/24/17). I see it as very close with Nathan Tomasello at 125, Luke Pletcher at 133, transfer Joey McKenna and Ke-Shawn Hayes at 141/149 (both listed at 141/149), Micah Jordan at 157, transfer Te'Shawn Campbell at 165, then Bo Jordan, Myles Martin, Kollin Moore and Kyle Snyder at 174-285. Remember, PSU came out of the Big Ten with only two champs before they crushed the field at NCAAs. But even if they win five titles, get a couple of 5s from Cutch and Nevills, and 8 or so from Cortez at 141, that might not be enough to win it. Ohio State could get three titles at 125, 197 and 285, a couple of 2s at 174 and 184, mid-level AAs from McKenna (who's actually a title threat at 141) and Micah Jordan, a low-level AA from Hayes, mid to low level AA for Pletcher, and maybe even a podium spot from Campbell. PSU's bonus advantage (returning bonus points) is 8 with McKenna and Campbell on Ohio State's roster, which is not insurmountable. I crunched the numbers and it looks pretty close from my perspective. I see PSU as a slight favorite with Suraino and Ohio State as a slight favorite with Suriano elsewhere. And to muddy the waters, Bo Jordan had two close matches with Mark Hall, each winning one, while wrestling on one foot, Martin is 2-4 vs. Nickal but has beaten him two of the last three (2016 NCAAs and 2017 Big Tens), and Vincenzo Joseph has to navigate Imar and Logan Massa to win again.

What kind of game-changing moves can propel a wrestler or coach from average or even less-than-adequate performance ... to a much higher level of success? Not just on the mat ... but also in all aspects of life? Long-time wrestler and coach Chad Parks shares his own unique insights gained from experiences that transcend sports, to have a positive impact on life, in his new book, "Game Changing Moves: Life Lessons Learned from the Locker Room and Beyond," now available from Crosstraining Publishing. Meet Chad Parks Chad Parks is a wrestling coach, teacher and strength training specialist based in Kansas. Prior to that, Parks was indeed a wrestler. He says he was first introduced to the sport as a newborn, as his mother took him to matches that his father coached. Parks can count more than 1,000 matches during his on-the-mat career. In addition to his work as an instructor, Parks offers inspiration to others to reach their full potential through life with Jesus, both as a professional speaker, and as a blogger. How the book came about You could say that Chad Parks built his book "Game Changing Moves" from a foundation constructed from his extensive experience as author of his "Coach P's Perspectives" blog. "I started blogging about four or five years ago," Parks told InterMat. "I got good feedback." "I noticed that a lot of my favorite bloggers had written books. I thought that might be an appropriate direction for me to share my insights and experiences with a wider audience." "I contacted a buddy of mine for help," Parks continued. "He put me in touch with someone who works on manuscripts. That person told me he wanted a manuscript by spring break, which lit a fire under me to put my book together. He liked what I came up with, making some slight revisions." "Other friends suggested Crosstraining.com as a possible publisher. They publish for Fellowship of Christian Athletes." "The whole process took about 18 months," Parks disclosed. "God's timing is better than mine." Describing "Game Changing Moves" "The majority of content in the book is similar to topics I'd written about in my blog. I'd describe the content of "Game Changing Moves" as being wrestling-focused and faith-based." Chad ParksAs Parks explained, each chapter is its own story. Each chapter is a concise, three-to-five-page presentation of a particular topic -- "Relational Leadership", "Keys to Becoming a Champion", "Passion and Enthusiasm" and "Bend Don't Break" are typical chapter titles. Each chapter wraps up with that Parks titles "Game Changing Moves" that provides readers with three questions designed to help readers review what they've just read ... guide their thinking ... and act upon it. The concise chapter format is reader-friendly; if a reader is pressed for time, he or she can digest a single chapter in a matter of minutes ... or continue reading chapter-after-chapter if time permits. "The book 'Organizational Leadership' is one I really liked, especially for its format," Parks told InterMat. Parks also wanted "Game Changing Moves" to be appropriate for readers of all ages and backgrounds. "I try to take complex concepts and make things clear and simple. It's appropriate for young athletes, yet the content applies to businesses and others in positions of leadership." One of the aspects of the book is that incorporates Scriptures as appropriate to the lessons in the book. "I wanted the book to be uplifting and encouraging," said Parks. "I wanted it to be appropriate for all ages. In fact, I have a couple friends who read it to their kids as devotionals." All of these elements -- the concise format, a universality in message appropriate to all ages and backgrounds, a positive tone, and incorporating religious lessons to illustrate and reinforce key concepts -- are the product of Chad Parks' own background. "It's much like my coaching -- presenting a skill in a way high school wrestlers can grasp right away," according to the long-time wrestling coach. "That approach has helped me with learning anything new," Parks continued. "I think that works for others too." Positive change starts from within the book Chad Parks coachingFor decades, wrestlers and coaches have turned to instructional books and videos to learn new techniques ... sharpen their skills ... and gain a competitive advantage. "Game Changing Moves" offers similar benefits by giving readers real, practical tools to help make positive moves in all aspects of life -- not just on the wrestling mat, but also in areas beyond sports, such as relationships, leadership, and faith. Through his book, Chad Parks provides life-changing inspiration, using clear, concise lessons (one per chapter), with thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter that make the contents all the more applicable. You don't have to be a wrestler on a quest for a state, national or international title -- or a coach who instructs and guides young athletes -- to gain value from Parks' writings. "Game Changing Moves" has a universality of message that is positive, encouraging, and, indeed, game- and life-changing. "Game Changing Moves: Life Lessons from the Locker Room and Beyond" is available at Amazon.com as well as from the publisher, CrosstrainingPublishing.com.

What a week it was for Team USA men's and women's wrestlers at the 2017 World Championships in Paris! Relive the excitement ... by checking out this week's Takedown TV. You'll catch the action highlights ... along with interviews with the wrestlers that made it happen. Watch online or on these cable networks/channels: Cablevision: Sundays at 4 p.m. Charter Cable: Thursday at 6:30 p.m., Friday 11:30 p.m. and Monday 2:30 p.m. Comcast Cable: Friday at 5 p.m. Cox Cable: Sunday 9:30 a.m. Fight Network HD: Sundays at 4 p.m. KCWI 23: Saturday 4 p.m. KWEM Stillwater, Oklahoma: Tuesday 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Long Lines Cable: Daily at 5:30 p.m. Mediacom Cable: Sundays at 10:30 a.m. MidCo Sports Network: Saturday 10 a.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m. SECV8: Friday at 5 p.m. Suddenlink Cable: Check your local listings. Multiple air times. Time Warner Cable Sports: Saturday at 12 p.m. Western Reserve Cable: Tuesday at 11 p.m., Friday at 5:30 p.m., Saturday at 10 p.m.

Registration has opened for the 2017 InterMat JJ Classic, a premier preseason high school wrestling tournament that takes place on Saturday, Oct. 21, at the UCR Regional Sports Center in Rochester, Minnesota. The event is open to wrestlers in grades 7 through 12. Wrestlers who register prior to Oct. 1 will save $10 on the entry fee. Proceeds from the event go toward the Justin Kukowski Foundation, which provides scholarships for people living with cancer. For more information on the JJ Classic, visit the event website. To register for the JJ Classic, click here.

USA Wrestling will host the U23 World Team Trials at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minn., October 6-8. This will be the qualifying event in all three Olympic disciplines for the U23 World Championships, set for Bydgoszcz, Poland, November 21-26. This is a new World Championships being hosted by United World Wrestling for the first time. Athletes who are between 19-23 years old can enter (Born 1994-1998), with 18-year-olds (Born 1999) able to compete with a medical and parental certificate. This age group covers a variety of talented athletes, including wrestlers who are college graduates, others still competing in college and even some of the nation's best high school upperclassmen. The championship finals in all weight classes will be a best-of-three series between the winners of the semifinals. Women's freestyle and four Greco-Roman weights (66 kg, 75 kg, 85 kg and 98 kg) will be contested on Saturday, October 7. Men's freestyle and four Greco-Roman weights (59 kg, 71 kg, 80 kg, & 130 kg) will be contested on Sunday, October 8 The entry fee for the U23 World Team Trials is $50 (a $20 discount) for those staying at one of the host hotels listed on the event website. The deadline for the discounted entry fee is Tuesday, October 3 at 10:00 p.m. MST. Online registration will begin on September 5. Those who book other hotel arrangements or register onsite will pay a $70 entry fee. All participants must hold a 2017-18 USA Wrestling Open license, which can be purchased on-line at usawmembership.com The event will feature the 2017 UWW weight classes contested on the Senior level which are: Men's freestyle: 57 kg, 61 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg, 97 kg, 125 kg Greco-Roman: 59 kg, 66 kg, 71 kg, 75 kg, 80 kg, 85 kg, 98 kg, 130 kg Women's freestyle: 48 kg, 53 kg, 55 kg, 58 kg, 60 kg, 63 kg, 69 kg, 75 kg In this World Team Trials, the competition will be single elimination, with a repechage for those who lose to a gold-medal finalists resulting in two bronze medals. Click here for U23 World Team Trials website U23 WORLD TEAM TRIALS SCHEDULE At Rochester, Minn., October 6-8 Friday, October 6 2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Mandatory Check-in, Weigh-in Card Pickup, and Waiver Drop-off · Women's Freestyle: All weights · Greco Roman: 66kg, 75kg, 85kg, & 98kg 3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Medical Check & Weigh Ins · Women's Freestyle: All weights · Greco Roman: 66kg, 75kg, 85kg, & 98kg 4:00p.m. - Women's Freestyle (All Weights) Seeding Meeting 4:00p.m. - Greco-Roman (66kg, 75kg, 85kg, & 98kg) Seeding Meeting Saturday, October 7 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Session I: Preliminaries, Quarterfinals, Semifinals · Women's Freestyle: All weights · Greco Roman: 66kg, 75kg, 85kg, & 98kg 2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Mandatory Check-in, Weigh-in Card Pickup, and Waiver Drop-off · Men's Freestyle: All weights · Greco Roman: 59kg, 71kg, 80kg, & 130kg 3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Medical Check & Weigh Ins · Men's Freestyle: All weights · Greco Roman: 59kg, 71kg, 80kg, & 130kg 4:00p.m. - Men's Freestyle (All Weights) Seeding Meeting 4:00p.m. - Greco-Roman (59kg, 71kg, 80kg, & 130kg) Seeding Meeting 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Session II: Final Trials- Best of 3 Series: Match #1, Match #2 and Match #3 (if needed), & Repechage · Women's Freestyle: All weights · Greco Roman: 66kg, 75kg, 85kg, & 98kg Sunday, October 8 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Session III: Preliminaries, Quarterfinals, Semifinals · Men's Freestyle: All weights* · Greco Roman: 59kg, 71kg, 80kg, & 130kg 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Session IV: Final Trials - Best of 3 Series: Match #1, Match #2 and Match #3 (if needed), & Repechage · Men's Freestyle: All weights · Greco Roman: 59kg, 71kg, 80kg, & 130kg

Mark Ellis Mark Ellis, 2009 NCAA heavyweight champ for the University of Missouri, is one of six athletes who have been selected to be inducted into Mizzou's Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame, the school announced Monday. Ellis and the other five outstanding Missouri Tiger athletes will be formally inducted on Friday, Oct. 20 in a ceremony and celebration to be held at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Columbia, Mo. In addition, the honorees will be recognized at the Mizzou Football Homecoming game the next day against Idaho. Mark Ellis is the only Tiger wrestler to have won a heavyweight crown in the long history of Mizzou wrestling. Ellis won the 285-pound title at the 2009 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. In addition, the native of Peculiar, Mo. was a two-time NCAA All-American, earning that honor in 2009 and 2010. Ellis compiled a 90-39 career record, with one-third of those wins by pin. He won the 2010 Mizzou Wrestling Ed Lampitt Total Tiger Award for his well-rounded academic and athletic success, and was named the team's Most Outstanding Wrestler in 2009. Other all-time great Missouri student-athletes who are Class of 2017 Mizzou Athletics Hall of Fame include Tim Lauder (baseball); Adrianne Perry (gymnastics); Dennis Poppe (football); Rhea Taylor (softball); and Sean Weatherspoon (football). The Friday, Oct. 20 induction ceremony at the Columbia Hampton Inn is open to the public. A limited number of tickets are available for the general public to purchase for $40 by ordering online at TSFMizzou.com/HalllofFame.

SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco State Director of Athletics Charles Guthrie announced the appointment of Jason Welch as the head coach of the wrestling program on Monday. Jason Welch (Photo/Milena Wick)"Jason brings a significant breadth of skills to our department and his local ties to the wrestling community will serve our wrestling program extremely well," said Guthrie. "His passion and strategic vision for Gator wrestling will enable our program to build on its rich tradition on and off the mat." Welch brings his technical acumen to San Francisco after having most recently serving as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Northwestern, where he graduated with a major in English. The 2016 Olympic hopeful has also competed as an athlete in the 2014 World Team Trials and for the Chicago Regional Training Center and Titan Mercury Wrestling Club. Additionally, Welch served as head coach at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Illinois, and runs a series of prestigious wrestling camps. "I am honored and grateful for this opportunity. I would like to thank President Wong, Charles Guthrie, and the entire search committee for trusting me with the future of SF State wrestling," said Welch. "It has always been my dream to lead a program and to give back to the California wrestling community. I'm very excited for this next step and the chance to build on the program's successful past." As a senior at Northwestern, Welch won a Big Ten championship and placed second at the NCAA championships, making him a three-time NCAA All-American. As a redshirt junior, he was invited to wrestle at the 46th NWCA All-Star Classic and placed fourth for All-American honors. Welch won the famed 49th Midlands tournament hosted by Northwestern and led his squad to its highest team place at the tournament with a second-place finish. As a redshirt sophomore, Welch qualified for the NCAA tournament again and placed sixth to earn All-American honors. Welch started as a true freshman and qualified for the NCAA Wrestling National Championship Tournament. "Jason was one of the most exciting wrestlers to ever don the purple singlet, and it was an honor to coach him for most of his collegiate and senior campaigns," said Northwestern Head Coach Matt Storniolo, who was an assistant who worked closely with Welch during his All-American days. "He was a fierce competitor and I expect him to be no different in his new role. We wish him the best of luck." The Walnut Creek, California native inherits a Gators program that went 64-78 over the last decade. He takes over from San Francisco State alumnus Lars Jensen, a member of both the California Wrestling Hall of Fame and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Jensen led the Gators to the program's only NCAA Division II National Championship in 1997. Welch attended Las Lomas High School, where he lettered in wrestling, soccer, and football, but it was on the mat where he began to make a name for himself. En route to four finals and three state championships, Welch amassed 119 consecutive victories and an overall win-loss record of 194-7. He was awarded the Dan Hodge Trophy, given to the best-all around high school senior in the country. Last season, the Gators placed sixth at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championships. Two Gator wrestlers were named to the Division II All-Academic Wrestling Team and to the RMAC Wrestling Honor Roll. SF State sponsors 12 sports including men and women's soccer, men and women's basketball, men and women's cross country, women's indoor and outdoor track and field, baseball, softball, women's volleyball, and men's wrestling.

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. -- Rider University Wrestling Head Coach John Hangey has announced the hiring of former All-American Dylan Alton as Volunteer Assistant Coach. A 2013 All-American at 157 for Penn State, the three-time national qualifier was a member of four-straight National Championships for the Nittany Lions. Dylan Alton"We are very excited to announce the hiring of Dylan Alton as our volunteer assistant coach for the 2017-18 season," said Hangey. "Dylan brings a wealth of talent, experience and success at all levels to our program. Having wrestled and earned All-America honors for Penn State University, Dylan will provide a training perspective from a perennial Top 10 program." Following his graduation from Penn State, Alton served for two years as Assistant Coach for the West Point Wrestling Club. He was responsible for the team's business activities such as budgeting, fundraising, and organizing travel plans. Alton was also accountable for recruiting high school talent to West Point by cold calling and regular home visits to introduce the wrestler and their family to the program. He facilitated daily team practices and conducted targeted workouts to reach and maximize full potential. Alton directed individual study sessions with wrestlers to analyze match-film and prepare plans of action for each upcoming match.

Helen Maroulis gets her hand raised after winning a world title in Paris (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Last week, Helen Maroulis won her third straight world-level championship in dominant fashion. The move up to 58 kilograms did not slow her down one bit, and she scored five technical falls on the way to the gold medal. The following is a by-the-numbers look at the stats and milestones that stood out from her performance. Over the course of the five matches, Maroulis outscored her opponents 53-0. She scored technical falls in all five matches without yielding a single point. On the day, Maroulis landed 13 takedowns. Seven of those 13 takedowns came via counter offense as she scored on go-behinds or reattacks. Maroulis saved her best for last. In the finals against Marwa Amri (Tunisia), she scored her first four-point takedown of the day with a foot sweep and nearly registered the fall. Maroulis earned the top position in parterre 10 times during the tournament. She turned these 10 opportunities into nine leg laces and a gut wrench for 20 of her 53 points. Maroulis also scored an exposure in a scramble against Yessica Oviedo Perez (Dominican Republic) in her quarterfinal bout. As previously stated, Maroulis did not allow any of her opponents to notch a point, so it goes without saying that she did not give up a takedown. She stoned 12 takedown attempts. In the finals, Amri attempted four takedowns, but Maroulis was able to stop them all. In the competition, she earned seven counter takedowns, which means that she was able to turn 58 percent of her opponents' attacks into points. Thanks to her technical falls, the American finished her day after only 13:05 of mat time. If every match went the full six minutes, she would have wrestled 30 minutes. That means she saved herself nearly 17 minutes of wrestling time. Since finishing with a bronze medal at the 2014 World Championships, Maroulis has gone 58-1 with her only loss coming earlier this year at the International Ukrainian Tournament.

Robby Smith, Helen Maroulis and Kyle Snyder (Photos/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) The first year of a new Olympic cycle typically brings its share of changes and new storylines. And this year was no exception. The 2017 World Championships, held Aug. 21-26 at AccorHotels Arena, was another compelling tournament with plenty of interesting events unfolding. The six-day competition saw the U.S. men's freestyle team earn a dramatic one-point win over Russia for its first team title in 22 years. Jordan Burroughs won his fourth world title and Kyle Snyder his second. The American women finished second in the team race with Helen Maroulis winning a world title and Alli Ragan reaching the finals for the second straight year. Here is the breakdown of American performances by style from Paris: Greco-Roman The U.S. was nowhere to be found in the quarterfinal round. No American wrestler made it past the second round and none won more than one match as the U.S. Greco-Roman struggles continued in big events. The U.S. finished in a team for 30th place in the team standings with one point. The U.S. finished 5-9 overall in the two days of Greco competition in France. The U.S. has won only four total medals at the World and Olympic level in Greco since it won the World team title in 2007. The U.S. started strong before finishing 3-5 overall on the opening day in Paris. First-time World team members Pat Smith, Mason Manville and Tracy Hancock each won one match for the American squad. Two-time Olympian Ben Provisor, competing at his first Worlds, went 0-1. On Day 2 in Paris, Olympians Robby Smith and Ellis Coleman went 1-1. Veterans Ildar Hafizov and Cheney Haight lost in the first round. The U.S. struggled being able to score offensive points against its defensive-minded opponents, particularly late in close matches. Rules changes, where there is no forced par terre, seemed to work against the Americans as well in bouts that were low scoring. The good news for the U.S. is Manville and Hancock are just 20 years old, and Junior World champion Kamal Bey is only 19. There are some talented young wrestlers in the American program who could be making a big impact soon on the Senior level. Grade: D Women's wrestling Reigning Olympic gold medalist Helen Maroulis turned in one of the most dominant performances ever by an American in crushing the competition in Paris. Maroulis won all five bouts by technical fall as she won her matches by a combined 53-0 score. Her weight class wasn't overly strong or loaded, but it was still remarkable what she did after moving up two weight classes. Maroulis also took seventh months off after Rio. Maroulis has now been the best in the world for the last three years in three different weight classes. She is definitely in the conversation when you talk about who is the best women's wrestler in U.S. history. Alli Ragan turned in a superb showing by finishing second in the world for the second straight year. Newcomer Becka Leathers, who is just 20 years old, also looked impressive in collecting a bronze. Veteran Victoria Anthony took fifth for the second time in her career, but still is undersized for her weight class. Even with three-time world champion Adeline Gray out with an injury, the American women turned in a very respectable performance at the 2017 Worlds. The U.S. finished in a tie for second place in the team standings. Japan is still head and shoulders above the rest of the planet in women's freestyle and rolled to the team title in Paris with a very young group of talented athletes. Grade: B+ Freestyle In what will go down as one of the biggest wins in American freestyle wrestling history, Kyle Snyder won a clash of titans by scoring a takedown in the final seconds to rally past Russian Abdulrashid Sadulaev in an epic finals bout at 213 pounds. The U.S. and Russia were tied in the team standings entering the final match of the tournament between Snyder, a 2016 Olympic champion and 2015 world champion, and Sadulaev, an Olympic and two-time world champion. Snyder spun behind Sadulaev to earn a dramatic one-point win, giving the American team a dramatic one-point win in the team standings. It was the first U.S. men's freestyle title in 22 years. American Jordan Burroughs also beat a Russian, past world champion Khetik Tsabolov, in the finals. Burroughs scored two takedowns in the final minute to prevail. Burroughs now owns a combined five World and Olympic titles. The U.S. also had silver medalists in Thomas Gilman and James Green along with bronze medals from J'den Cox and Nick Gwiazdowski. It was a tremendous showing by the American squad, and a perfect way to cap an entering competition in Paris. The American team, for the most part, is still very young. Snyder and Zain Retherford are still in college while Gilman and Gwiazdowski haven't been wrestling full-time in freestyle for very long. The future looks very bright for this Olympic cycle. The U.S. certainly delivered with a masterful showing at the 2017 World Championships. Grade: A+

Dan Gable watches the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena (Photo/Mark Lundy) Dan Gable, 1971 world champion and 1972 Olympic gold medalist, will be the primary guest for this week's "On the Mat" on Wednesday, Aug. 30. This week's co-host, Jason Bryant of mattalkonline.com, will talk about the just-concluded World Championships in Paris, where the U.S. men's freestyle team not only won the team championships, the first time that has happened since 1995. "On the Mat" is a presentation of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. The show can be heard live on the Internet at 1650thefan.com or locally in Northeast Iowa this Thursday at 5 p.m. Central on AM 1650, The Fan. A podcast of the show is available on mattalkonline.com.

Richard Carlson won his MMA debut Richard Carlson, who completed his collegiate wrestling career at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse this spring, wrapped up his summer as a winner in his pro mixed martial arts debut in the town where he went to college. Carlson, a two-time NCAA Division III All-American at UW-La Crosse, won his first MMA bout at the 3 River Throwdown XII event in La Crosse's Copeland Park Saturday evening, finishing off rival Ruben Rios, Jr. with a guillotine choke about halfway through the first round. "I threw him to his back right away, then he ended up getting back up," Carlson told InterMat. "I landed a few leg kicks before cornering him to the cage and throwing him again. When I was attempting to ground and pound I slipped into a guillotine choke and he tapped out." The fight was over at 2:40 of Round 1. "I've never felt an adrenaline rush like that," said Carlson on his Facebook page. "The reaction from the crowd was awesome as well. I was feeding off that, as well." Carlson, a native of Arden Hills, Minn., first got the idea of becoming an MMA fighter after teaching wrestling classes at Ironworks Training Center in Holmen, Wis. "Once I was there and starting jumping in with the muay thai and jiu-jitsu classes, I just said I had to give this a try," Carlson told the La Crosse Tribune prior to his MMA debut. "Seeing it in person is totally different. It's such an adrenaline rush." Despite a successful start in MMA, Carlson's primary focus is Greco-Roman competition, with a dream of wrestling at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He has been competing in Greco during his collegiate off-season, and even spent some time this summer at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Carlson's next competition will be the 2017 U23 World Team Trials in early October, with hopes of earning a spot on the Team USA Greco squad competing at the World Championships in Poland in late November. As for Carlson's future plans ... "I'm still concentrated on Greco Roman wrestling, but eventually I plan to shift over to MMA full time," Carlson told InterMat. "Right now fighting is for fun and just to get my feet wet with the sport. I have the U23 trials coming up in October. I will be training for that so I likely won't fight again until December or later." Carlson graduated from UW-La Crosse this spring with a degree in chemistry. He compiled an 84-26 record, bringing home NCAA Division III All-American honors at 174 pounds in 2015 and 2017. Carlson's college coach sees a bright future for his recent grad, whatever he pursues. "He's really passionate about wrestling and really whatever he does," said UW-La Crosse head wrestling coach Dave Malecek. "When he sets his mind to it, whether it's college style wrestling, Greco, and now fighting, he's really driven in what he does."

Services have been announced for Johnny Fiebelkorn, a 17-year-old high school wrestler killed in a rollover accident Saturday near Buffalo. Johnny FiebelkornA funeral service for Johnathan R. "Johnny" Fiebelkorn will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Ross Funeral Home, 10 Eckerson Ave., Akron, N.Y. Fiebelkorn was just starting his senior year at Akron Central High School just east of Buffalo, where was continuing as Tiger wrestling team captain. Johnny Fiebelkorn had been a rear passenger in a vehicle being driven by his older brother Matt Fiebelkorn at 1 a.m. Saturday. The Buffalo News reported that the vehicle hit a set of railroad tracks and rolled over, causing the unbelted wrestler to be partially ejected from the rear window. He reportedly died at the scene. The other two occupants – his brother, and a cousin -- survived the crash without serious injuries. Fiebelkorn's coach since the seventh grade, Danny Klonowski, said Johnny held records for most wrestling wins at the school and still had his senior year ahead of him. He also had been to the wrestling state tournaments three times, had been voted most valuable wrestler on the team in his junior year and had been the captain for four years. "This was going to be our best season in the history of the school. He was by far our most accomplished and best wrestler, but it was not just his wrestling," said Klonoski. "He really had the character you'd want your son to have." In addition to wrestling, Johnny Fiebelkorn had been captain of the football team, a Student Council member and a member of the 2015 Homecoming Court. He also enjoyed four-wheeling and deer hunting. Counselors will be available Monday and Tuesday at Akron Central High for classmates, family and friends.

Army Master Sgt. Corey Hood -- who died in a parachuting accident in Chicago two years -- may have a road named in his honor at the high school where he wrestled and played football, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported Friday. Corey HoodSome of Hood's friends are lobbying West Chester Township trustees to rename Lakota West Drive -- which circles Lakota West High School, Hood's alma mater -- in the late Army parachutist's honor. Hood, a member of the Army Golden Knights parachute team, was injured after colliding with a Navy Leap Frog parachute team member while performing a stunt at the Chicago Air and Water Show in August 2015. Hood died the next day. He had just turned 32. Hood joined the Army one week after graduating in 2001 from Lakota West in north-suburban Cincinnati. He had served five tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan before becoming a Golden Knights parachute team member in 2010. During his 14 years of service, Hood earned two Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service medals, five Army Commendation medals, and five Army Achievement medals. In addition, Hood also received the Master Parachutist, Pathfinder, Air Assault and Combat Action badges. Lakota West teacher Jason Cronk, who had Hood in his chemistry class, told the Enquirer, "You name a street or a building after something (or someone) you value. I'd like to have people ask, ‘Who was Corey Hood?'" "Corey wasn't a great student at West as far as what his transcript showed," Cronk said, then added, "Corey found himself in the Army. He was a rock star, a poster child for the U.S. Army." One West Chester Township trustee -- Lee Wong -- said renaming the road would not affect any businesses. The only major facility on Lakota West Drive is the high school of the same name. "Corey Hood definitely has a big heart for our community," said Wong. "He stayed connected to our community. He was an inspiration to our community." Township trustees are expected to approve the decision at their next meeting Sept. 12.