InterMat Staff

Olympic Wrestling needs to jump through two sizable hoops which stand between it and its salvation. The first is this week as the IOC executive board meets to tap one to three sports for consideration for addition to the Olympic program. The executive board, if you remember, is the body which, months ago, recommended a revised block of Olympic "core sports" for the 2020 Olympics and beyond. Wrestling was not one of those included in the block. This meant that wrestling got thrown into the hopper with a bunch of non-Olympic sports seeking new admittance into the Games. The executive board will now determine whether one to three of those sports are worthy of Olympic consideration. If wrestling is not among one of those three, it will not be an Olympic sport in 2020, and probably beyond. If wrestling is picked by the executive board this week, its future is still uncertain. It must face the scrutiny of the assembled IOC this September in Buenos Aires. This fall's IOC assembly will pick the host for the 2020 Olympics, pick a new IOC president (Jacques Rogge is on his way out), vote on the executive board's core sport recommendation, and then vote on whether to add one of the sports picked from this week's proceedings. It's the last of those votes which are of particular interest to wrestling. Technically it is possible that the IOC assembly does not ratify the executive board's new core sport block, thus reverting the Olympic program back to its 2012 form. I say technically possible, because this scenario is not likely. All that is required for ratification is a simple majority of IOC members, and if no majority is reached on the first vote, IOC president Rogge may ask for as many re-votes as he sees fit. The procedures really favor the executive board's recommendation. So if wrestling survives past this week, it must beat out the other sports that survive the present cut, and be accepted by the IOC assembly with a majority of votes. There is no guarantee that wrestling will edge its competition, or even that the assembly will choose to add any sports to the newly established program. The assembly, in the past, has declined to add new sports given a similar opportunity. Wrestling will undergo a serious trial in the coming days, and even if it survives, its future is still far from certain. Thoughts on University Nationals ... Tyrell Fortune's wrestling career has certainly been an odyssey with many twists and turns. He may never compete for a Division I national championship, but at least wrestling has afforded him the chance to receive a college education, and to vie for an Olympic spot. He's going to be dangerous come 2016. I guess I simply forgot how special Andrew Howe is. If this tournament truly indicates that he is back and healthy, our country has one of its very best pound-for-pound wrestlers back. Too bad he isn't 20 pounds lighter or heavier. Ed Ruth earned OW honors at University Nationals (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Ed Ruth hasn't looked quite as good at senior level freestyle events as I would have expected in the past. Regardless, I still see him as one of the favorites to make the 2016 Olympic Team in 2016 at 84 kilos. Yes, I know it's freestyle, but Cam Simaz was an NCAA champ two weights up from Ed; for Ed to go out and beat him says a ton about his talent level. Speaking of the future, I unabashedly believe that Andy Hrovat has the potential to become one of the brightest freestyle coaching minds in this country. His time spent in Ossetia provides him with a unique and invaluable perspective. It's good to see that he'll be one of our coaches for the University World Team. What the hell is Nebraska going to do with its middle weights next year? I'm not sure if this tournament means that James Green is a 149 next year, but I would think it definitely shows that he's too small for 165. That means that Nebraska has two weights for three very good wrestlers in Green, Destin McCauley and Jake Sueflohn. I guess this is the kind of problem that Mark Manning wants to have in Lincoln. I said it before, Ohio State's Nick Heflin should have gotten the award for the most absurdly oversized wrestler at his weight last year in Division I wrestling. I have no clue how he made 174, and the fact that he was only slightly undersized at 211 pounds this past weekend says a great deal about just how big he actually is. He'll be interesting to watch next year at 197. That duck of his will be more effective when he's not trying to hit it under the arms of someone like Matt Brown, where Nick would be working to fit underneath a space about a foot off the ground. Finally the new rules make freestyle wrestling (I didn't catch much of the Greco) into a fantastic spectator sport. I've heard complaints that there are too many tech falls, but I think that the jury is still out on this, and something that makes wrestling events move faster probably helps the sport in the end. Additionally, I think allowing multiple moves on one hold may be the one wild card which allows for the possibility of some dramatic and unexpected upsets; wrestling needs its Cinderella stories. Overall, though, the new rules felt like a breath of fresh air for a sport that has been buried under the debris of disastrous regulation for far too long. Let's all hope wrestling survives the next couple days.

42 kilos: 1st: Austin Gomez (Illinois) dec. Brent Jones (Minnesota), 9-7 3rd: Kaden Gfeller (Oklahoma) dec. Kirk Johansen (Illinois), 9-7 5th: Randon Miranda (California) dec. Drew Mattin (Ohio), 14-10 *True 2nd: Kaden Gfeller (Oklahoma) tech. fall Brent Jones (Minnesota), 14-4 46 kilos: 1st: Devin Brown (Pennsylvania) tech. fall Ian Parker (Michigan), 13-3 3rd: Matthew Schmitt (Missouri) tech. fall Coltan Williams (Texas), 10-0 5th: Ben Freeman (Michigan) tech. fall Jarod Bronstrup (Ohio), 11-0 *True 2nd: Matthew Schmitt (Missouri) tech. fall Ian Parker (Michigan), 11-0 50 kilos: 1st: Spencer Lee (Pennsylvania) tech. fall Daton Fix (Oklahoma), 13-2 3rd: Jack Mueller (Texas) tech. fall Andrew Mehrholz (Illinois), 15-4 5th: Isaac Jimenez (Texas) tech. fall Noah Baughman (Ohio), 10-0 *True 2nd: Daton Fix (Oklahoma) tech. fall Jack Mueller (Texas), 10-0 54 kilos: 1st: Stevan Micic (Indiana) tech. fall Kaid Brock (Oklahoma), 10-0 3rd: Jens Lantz (Wisconsin) dec. Austin Assad (Ohio), 9-5 5th: Jose Rodriguez (Ohio) dec. Kyle Norstrem (Florida), 15-7 58 kilos: 1st: Sean Fausz (Kentucky) tech. fall Nick Lee (Indiana), 11-1 3rd: Bill Crisco (Pennsylvania) tech. fall Mark Voss (Minnesota), 10-0 5th: Lincoln Olson (Michigan) won by forfeit over Isaiah Locsin (California) *True 2nd: Nick Lee (Indiana) tech. fall Bill Crisco (Pennsylvania), 11-0 63 kilos: 1st: Aaron Pico (California) tech. fall Tyler Berger (Oregon), 10-0 3rd: Logan Massa (Michigan) tech. fall Larry Early III (Illinois), 10-0 5th: Joe Smith (Oklahoma) tech. fall Luke Rowh (Minnesota), 10-0 *True 2nd: Logan Massa (Michigan) dec. Tyler Berger (Oregon), 14-11 69 kilos: 1st: Jon Jay Chavez (Idaho) dec. Nick Reenan (Texas), 7-4 3rd: Anthony Valencia (California) tech. fall Taylor Lujan (Georgia), 11-0 5th: Weston Dobler (North Dakota) dec. Tyler Mann (Arkansas), 7-4 76 kilos: 1st: Bo Nickal (Texas) dec. Mark Hall (Minnesota), 8-6 3rd: Chandler Rogers (Washington) pinned Myles Martin (New Jersey), 2:14 5th: Xavier Montalvo (Illinois) pinned Chris Weiler (Pennsylvania), 6:00 84 kilos: 1st: Angus Arthur (Michigan) tech. fall Bobby Steveson (Minnesota), 12-2 3rd: Andrew Marsden (Illinois) pinned Josh Murphy (Ohio), 2:04 5th: Armani Robinson (Ohio) dec. Andrew Fenton (Ohio), 4-0 *True 2nd: Bobby Steveson (Minnesota) tech. fall Andrew Marsden (Illinois), 20-8 100 kilos: 1st: Lance Benick (Minnesota) dec. Roy Nash (Utah), 16-15 3rd: Connor Tolley (Indiana) tech. fall Christian Jenco (New Jersey), 12-0 5th: Jimmy Russell (Michigan) tech. fall Michael Smith (Maryland), 10-0 *True 2nd: Connor Tolley (Indiana) dec. Roy Mash (Utah), 14-6 125 kilos: 1st: Adam Lemke-Bell (Illinois) pinned Nicholas Nader (Ohio), 2:03 3rd: Cordell Soileau (Virginia) pinned Hunter Toppel (Wisconsin), 1:10 5th: Kevin Vough (Ohio) won by forfeit over Gavan Jolley-little (Indiana)

55 kilos: 1st: Nico Megaludis (Nittany Lion WC) won 2 matches to 1 over Zach Sanders (Minnesota Storm), 0-4, 10-0, 4-0 3rd: Thomas Gilman (Hawkeye WC) dec. Evan Silver (Stanford Unattached), 4-2 5th: Dylan Peters (Panther WC) pinned Dominique Price (Midwest RTC), 1:01 7th: Britain Longmire (San Luis Obispo) pinned Jordan Wigger (Citadel Old Timers Club, Inc.), 4:09 60 kilos: 1st: Tyler Graff (Badger WC) won 2 matches to 0 over Cashe' Quiroga (Midwest RTC), 10-0, 5-4 3rd: Joseph Colon (Panther WC) tech. fall Cory Clark (Pleasant Hill), 10-0 5th: Mark Grey (Finger Lakes WC) tech. fall Jade Rauser (Wolverine WC), 11-0 7th: Shelton Mack (Pittsburgh WC) dec. Erik Spjut (NRV Mat Club), 6-5 63 kilos: 1st: Sam Sherlock (Clarion WC) won 2 matches to 0 over Brandon Wright (Viking WC), pin, 13-3 3rd: Jamel Hudson (Blue & Gold WC) dec. Matthew Rappo (Husky WC), 8-2 5th: Ethan Owens (Hawkeye WC) dec. Mike Labry (NYAC), 5-1 7th: John Meeks (Iowa State) dec. Avery Garner (Wolverine WC), 8-2 66 kilos: 1st: James Green (NWTC) won 2 matches to 1 over Jason Chamberlain (Titan Mercury WC), 4-2, 4-5, 3-0 3rd: Kevin LeValley (Minnesota Storm) won by injury default over Joshua Kindig (Columbus WC), 0:29 5th: Nick Dardanes (Minnesota Storm) dec. Hunter Stieber (Ohio State), 6-4 7th: Josh Dziewa (Hawkeye WC) pinned Colin Johnston (Quest), 4:51 70 kilos: 1st: Justin Deangelis (Oklahoma) won 2 matches to 0 over Brandon Kingsley (Minnesota Storm), 8-1, 6-4 3rd: Michael Hooker (CWC) dec. Thomas Gantt (Wolfpack WC), 12-4 5th: Alexander Richardson (VBRTC) pinned Pat Smith (Minnesota Storm), 3:23 7th: Chris Castillo (Bronco WC) tech. fall Mitchell Minotti (Lehigh Valley Athletic Club), 11-0 74 kilos: 1st: David Taylor (Nittany Lion WC) won 2 matches to 0 over Quinton Godley (Wolfpack WC), 3-0, pin 3rd: Michael Moreno (Iowa State) pinned Ian Miller (Golden Pride WC), 5:14 5th: Nestor Taffur (Boston) pinned Taylor Massa (Michigan WC), 1:56 7th: R.J. Pena (NWRTC) tech. fall Alec Ortiz (Minnesota Storm), 22-11 79 kilos: 1st: Andrew Howe (NYAC) won 2 matches to 0 over Logan Storley (Minnesota Storm), 10-0, 13-3 3rd: Matt Brown (Nittany Lion WC) tech. fall Tyler Wilps (Pittsburgh WC), 13-2 5th: Jesse Shanaman (Cornell) won by injury default over John Staudenmayer (Cardinal WC) 7th: Mark Martin (Ohio State) dec. Duke Pickett (Cornell), 5-1 84 kilos: 1st: Ed Ruth (Nittany Lion WC) won 2 matches to 0 over Cam Simaz (Finger Lakes WC), 6-4, 10-0 3rd: Max Thomusseit (Pittsburgh WC) dec. Kenneth Courts (Ohio State), 3-0 5th: Alex Meyer (Hawkeye WC) dec. Gabe Dean (Finger Lakes WC), 6-5 7th: Jack Dechow (VBRTC) won by injury default over Nathaniel Brown (Lehigh Valley Athletic Club) 96 kilos: 1st: Micah Burak (HWC) won 2 matches to 0 over Dustin Kilgore (Suples WC), 10-6, 5-2 3rd: Travis Rutt (Oklahoma) pinned Taylor Meeks (NWRTC), 0:34 5th: Evan Brown (Cyclone WC) tech. fall Cayle Byers (Titan Mercury WC), 10-0 7th: Nick Heflin (Ohio State) won by forfeit over Timmy McCall (Badger WC) 120 kilos: 1st: Tyrell Fortune (Grand Canyon WC) won 2 matches to 0 over Tony Nelson (Minnesota Storm), 7-2, pin 3rd: Nick Gwiazdowski (NYAC/Wolfpack WC) dec. Austin Marsden (Cowboy WC), 7-5 5th: Connor Medbery (Badger WC) dec. Adam Fager (Wolverine WC), 5-0 7th: Spencer Myers (Terrapin WC) dec. Cole Tobin (Badger WC), 7-0

A strong contingent of Penn State Nittany Lion wrestlers competed in the 2013 Asics Freestyle University Nationals, held this weekend at the University of Akron. Four of Penn State's 2013 NCAA finalists placed at the event with three coming home as 2013 University Nationals freestyle champions. Sophomore Nico Megaludis (Murrysville, Pa.) blazed through the 55 kg weight class, going 5-0 with three technical falls to claim the title, including a 4-0 shutout over top seeded Zach Sanders, former Minnesota Golden Gopher All-American. Junior David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio) was untouchable at 74 kg, going 7-0 with four tech falls and three pins to win the championship. He pinned Wolfpack Wrestling's Quinton Godley in the finals. Junior Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.) was dominating at 84 kg, posting a 6-0 mark to win the championship. Ruth had four tech falls in the tournament, including a devastating 10-0 tech fall over Cam Simaz of Cornell's Finger Lakes Wrestling Club in the finals. Sophomore Matt Brown (West Valley City, Utah) came back from a third round upset loss to reel off six more wins, going 8-1 overall to take third at 79 kg. Brown had four tech falls and two pins, including a tech fall over Tyler Wilps in the third place match. Four other Nittany Lions competed on day two of the event, capping off solid tournaments in the consolation bracket at the event. True freshman Jimmy Gulibon (Latrobe, Pa.) went 3-2 at 60 kg while red-shirt freshman Mike Waters (Advance, N.C.) was 4-2 at 63 kg. True freshman Zack Beitz (Mifflintown, Pa.) went 4-2 at 66 kg and junior James Vollrath (Richboro, Pa.) went 3-2 at 74 kg, advancing to the quarterfinals before dropping two straight. A total of 19 Nittany Lions competed at the two-day event, with a number of young Nittany Lions turning in strong performances. In addition to the eight grapplers above who wrestled into day two, 11 other Lions took part in the national championship event. At 60 kg, sophomore Frank Martellotti (Pittsburgh, Pa.) went 3-2 and red-shirt freshman Jordan Conaway (Abbottstown, Pa.) went 2-2. Freshman Caleb Livingston (Drexel Hill, Pa.) went 1-2 at 70 kg and red-shirt freshman Rex Lutz (Easton, Pa.) went 3-2 at 74 kg. Junior Andrew Church (Erie, Pa.) went 2-2 at 79 kg and red-shirt freshman James Frascella (Carmel, Ind.) went 1-2 at the same weight. True freshman Wes Phipps (Grove City, Pa.) and red-shirt freshman Scott Syrek (Chester Springs, Pa.) each went 1-2 at 84 kg while classmate Dylan Dailey (Danville, Pa.) also competed at that weight. Red-shirt freshman Josh Rogers (Pottstown, Pa.) wrestled at 96 kg while sophomore Nick Ruggear (Oxford, Pa.) competed at 120 kg.

AKRON, Ohio -- The twelve hours of wrestling over three sessions, two covering all day Saturday and one on Sunday morning, concluded with a set of championship bouts at the FILA Cadet Nationals that were mostly one-sided. Six of the eleven championship bouts ended in technical falls (margin of greater than ten points), five of those not making it out of the first three-minute period; while a seventh match ended in a first period fall. Most notable among the technical fall victories was the one earned by Aaron Pico of California at 63 kilos (138.75 pounds), who was also named the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler. It was the ninth such victory for Pico, the nation's No. 1-ranked overall Class of 2016 wrestler, in as many matches over the two-day event. That victory over Tyler Berger of Oregon came by a 10-0 score at the 2:16 mark. Scores for Pico came in the form of a takedown, push-out, takedown, push-out, and one last takedown followed by a turn. Of significance is that just over ten months ago -- obviously under the "old" rules -- these two wrestled in a three-period bout during the round-robin of Cadet freestyle, a match that Pico won 0-2, 1-0, 1-0. "I was able to make some adjustments (from their previous meeting) against this very tough opponent." said Pico, "I got my offensive attacks and pace going, and was able to break down and through him." This finals match was so reflective of all the matches wrestled this weekend, and of all his matches regardless of style: relentless pressure, precise positional execution, and crazy good hand-fighting. "It's something that my coach (Valentin Kalika) works on with me. I feel very comfortable going forward, not as comfortable going backward, so I aim to always attack." A pair of wrestlers from Saegerstown, Pa., made the FILA Cadet freestyle world team with first period technical fall victories in the championship bout. Devin Brown earned the title at 46 kilos (101.25 pounds) with a 13-3 victory over Ian Parker of Michigan, his fifth technical fall out of six matches wrestled in the tournament. "I can't wait to go to Serbia," said Brown. "It's one of the best feelings ever in my life, and such an honor to represent my country." Spencer Lee, ranked No. 1 overall among junior high wrestlers earned his title at 50 kilos (110.25 pounds) with a 13-2 victory at the 1:19 mark against Daton Fix of Oklahoma, who is ranked No. 7 in the junior high group. This cemented a weekend of eight dominant victories, four by fall and four by technical fall. "I'm looking forward to what's ahead of me (as a wrestler, be it Cadet Worlds or high school)," said Lee, who has already finished as a runner-up in high school level competition at the Super 32 Challenge and FloNationals, and won a fourth consecutive PJW championship two months ago. "There is obviously some pressure, but I think I can continue to even improve." Also winning in dominant fashion was Stevan Micic of Indiana at 54 kilos (119 pounds), who won all seven of his matches by technical fall, and also not giving up a point to any opponent. His last three matches against a trio of top 40 Class of 2015 wrestlers lasted under five minutes in aggregate with the point margin being 32-0; those being against No. 36 Jose Rodriguez of Ohio, No. 38 Austin Assad of Ohio, and No. 27 Kaid Brock of Oklahoma (whom he beat 10-0 in the final at the 2:30 mark). The finals match for Micic featured two takedown/lace sequences and a final takedown to end the proceedings. The five matches prior to the Assad match on Sunday morning were all takedowns followed by a series of laces that ended the proceedings in less than 45 seconds each. This was the third placement finish for Micic at FILA Cadet Nationals, as the No. 31 ranked Class of 2014 prospect had finished fifth and second the prior two years in Akron. "I come ready to wrestle hard and perform my best in these big events (FILA Cadets, Fargo, etc.)," said Micic. "I want to get after it and make a name for myself on the national landscape. Going forward, I would love to thrive in college and compete at the senior international level." Joining Micic as a Class of 2014 wrestler to win his final by technical fall was Sean Fausz of Kentucky at 58 kilos (127.75 pounds). He improved upon last year's third place finish with an 11-1 victory at the 1:47 mark over Nick Lee of Indiana, who is ranked No. 5 overall among junior high wrestlers. This was the seventh technical fall for Fausz out of eight matches, the first six matches of which he scored shutout technical falls. "This was my final year as a FILA Cadet, and I was pretty close to making it last year," said Fausz. "So making the team (this year) was a big goal of mine, and it feels great to have gotten it done. "I am so much better at my turns (from par terre). Last year I scored on only one in the whole tournament, while this year I scored in bunches on top." Two of the three tightest finals matches were also won by Class of 2014 prospects. At 69 kilos (152 pounds), Jon-Jay Chavez of Idaho added a freestyle title to the Greco-Roman title that he won on Friday with a 7-4 victory over Nick Reenan of Texas, who is ranked No. 10 in the Class of 2016, in the final. Reenan scored the match's opening takedown, but Chavez was able to respond with a reversal at the edge and a pair of push-outs to take a 3-2 lead after one period. In the second period, Chavez scored a leg-attack finish at the edge of the mat to stretch the lead, Reenan did respond with a takedown to cut it to 5-4, but Chavez sealed the deal with a fireman's takedown finish inside the last 30 seconds. "It feels awesome and is an amazing accomplishment," said Chavez about his double titles, "I really worked hard for them." He also is undecided about which of the two styles (freestyle or Greco-Roman) he will participate in at FILA Cadet Worlds in Serbia come August. The most anticipated match of the tournament came at 76 kilos (167.5 pounds), where Bo Nickal of Texas (ranked No. 10 overall in the Class of 2014) scored his third victory over Mark Hall (ranked No. 2 in the Class of 2016) in the last calendar year. Last spring, Nickal had victories over Hall at the Cadet Folkstyle and the FILA Cadet freestyle tournaments. Late on Sunday morning, Nickal overcame unfavorable circumstances early in the match to earn a relatively decisive 8-6 victory. "I feel very comfortable going offense verse offense," said Nickal about having Hall's number. "I feel very comfortable working up top (upper-body ties), and that I can beat anyone that I face in any position." About bouncing back from the early 3-2 deficit, a sequence that probably should have been scored as either 3-3 or a 5-3 Nickal lead, "I just kept focused mentally, and felt that I would out-perform him over the six minutes." The bounce back was not immediate, as Hall scored the next takedown to make it 5-2, but then Nickal answered with a takedown of his own to trail 5-4 at the intermission. Then after the intermission, Nickal scored a takedown to gain the lead, and made it 8-5 with a trap-arm gut-wrench right off that. Hall did get a push-out very late in the match for the final margin. Last in this string of matches was a battle of returning Fargo doublers at 100 kilos (220.25 pounds) between Lance Benick of Minnesota and Roy Nash of Utah, Benick also winning Cadet folkstyle last year to earn a triple corwn. On Friday afternoon, Nash earned the finals victory over Benick in Greco-Roman. However, late on Sunday morning, Benick - also ranked No. 6 overall in the Class of 2015 - earned the 16-15 victory in a high-scoring shootout on a takedown with two seconds remaining in the bout. The match went back-and-forth with Benick dominating situations in which he could finish leg attacks, while Nash scored via upper-body-based attacks and the occasional counter. The first period ended in a 7-7 tie. Then with less than a minute to go it was tied at 14-all, Benick having the edge due to scoring the match's only three-point move in the first period via a takedown finished on a gut-wrench. However, Nash scored a pushout to go ahead 15-14 to set up the end of match heroics. "Winning at the buzzer (like I did) feels great," said Benick. "However, I wasn't in shape for the new format (two three-minute periods), and think I could have won by more if in better condition." Rounding out the FILA Cadet World Team members are Austin Gomez of Illinois, champion at 42 kilos (92.5 pounds), and Angus Arthur of Michigan, champion at 85 kilos (187.25 pounds). Gomez scored a 9-7 victory over Brent Jones of Minnesota, the second time Jones lost in the championship match this weekend. He scored the opening takedown, but then trailed 6-2 midway through the first period. That deficit was cut to 7-5 by the intermission. During the second stanza, Gomez tied the match -- going ahead on criteria - as he caught Jones in a scramble for two points. However, that was rendered moot when he scored on a throw, winning the sequence by securing a half-nelson. "I've been waiting for my Cadet year, and the opportunity to make this world team," the freshman-to-be at Glenbard North commented after the match. "I just didn't give up, and listened to my coaches." Arthur joined Chavez in winning both the Greco-Roman and freestyle tournaments this weekend. The nation's No. 47 ranked Class of 2015 wrestler upended Robert Steveson of Minnesota, who is ranked No. 20 in that grade, with a 12-2 technical fall victory at the 3:46 mark. Steveson did earn the match's opening takedown. However, Arthur responded with a takedown ran right into a pair of two-point exposures to make it 6-2 after one. In the second period, Arthur scored four more via a takedown followed by a gut-wrench turn, and finished the deal with a pair of push-outs. "It feels good, and shows that my training has paid off," said Arthur about winning double titles this weekend. "I'm not sure which style I'm going to do (at FILA Cadet Worlds in Serbia) but I know that I can only do one." Rounding out Sunday's titlists was Adam Lemke-Bell of Illinois, who won at 125 kilos (275.5 pounds), a weight class that is not conducted at the FILA Cadet Worlds, with a fall over Nick Nader of Ohio at the 2:03 mark. Of interest here is the fact Lemke-Bell is only a second year wrestler, having picked up the sport during his freshman year of high school at Oak Park-River Forest. "I give all the credit in the world to the OPRF program," said Lemke-Bell. "There is no better coaching staff out there, and I'm incredibly lucky to be in this position to accelerate so quickly." He is also a second-year Cadet in USA Wrestling, and indicated he is looking forward to Fargo this summer, and hopes to make a run at double titles. Finals Results: 42 kilos (92.5 pounds): Austin Gomez (Illinois) dec. Brent Jones (Minnesota), 9-7 46 (101.25): Devin Brown (Pennsylvania) tech. fall Ian Parker (Michigan), 13-3 50 (110.25): Spencer Lee (Pennsylvania) tech. fall Daton Fix (Oklahoma), 13-2 1:19 54 (119): Stevan Micic (Indiana) tech. fall Kaid Brock (Oklahoma). 10-0, 2:30 58 (127.75): Sean Fausz (Kentucky) tech. fall Nick Lee (Indiana), 11-1, 1:47 63 (138.75): Aaron Pico (California) tech. fall Tyler Berger (Oregon), 10-0 2:16 69 (152): Jon-Jay Chavez (Idaho) dec. Nick Reenan (Texas), 7-4 76 (167.5): Bo Nickal (Texas) dec. Mark Hall (Minnesota), 8-6 85 (187.25): Angus Arthur (Michigan) tech. fall Robert Steveson (Minnesota), 12-2 3:46 100 (220.25): Lance Benick (Minnesota) dec. Roy Nash (Utah), 16-15 125 (275.5): Adam Lemke-Bell (Illinois) pinned Nick Nader (Ohio), 2:03 True-Second Match Results: 42 kilos: Kaden Gfeller (Oklahoma) tech. fall Jones, 14-4 46: Matthew Schmitt (Missouri) tech. fall Parker, 11-0 50: Fix tech. fall Jack Mueller (Texas), 10-0 58: N. Lee tech. fall Will Crisco (Pennsylvania), 11-0 63: Logan Massa dec. Berger, 14-11 85: Steveson tech. fall Andrew Marsden (Illinois), 20-8 100: Connor Tolley (Indiana) dec. Nash, 14-6

InterMat senior writer T.R. Foley answers reader questions about NCAA wrestling, international wrestling, recruiting, or anything loosely related to wrestling. You have until Thursday night every week to send questions to Foley's Twitter or email account. Do you want to read a past mailbag? Access archives. The United 4 Wrestling event in LA attracted 3,500 fans (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Wrestling has never looked better. From the wild success of Rumble on the Rails, to the last-minute heroics that defined the salvation and execution of United 4 Wrestling ever, the cause to save Olympic wrestling had a stellar week in terms of dollars raise, media attention, and showmanship aimed at impressing the IOC. The success of the event wasn't just a much-needed media boost here at home, but a well-timed international publicity coup that corresponded with FILA's Extraordinary Congress. Not only was the media forced to write 1,000-word missives on the innate diplomatic successes of the sport, but also the gains made by a governing body eager to make sweeping changes. There is a long way to go, but if the response of the IOC's Jaques Rogge is an indication, the Congress and President Lalovic did more than enough to impress the executive committee. More needs to be done to spotlight the positive effect wrestling has on women and ethnic minorities in developing countries. If wrestling makes the journey to Buenos Aires we will need to see programs developed to not just profile these individuals, nations and causes, but to make sure they are financially supported. In fact, FILA already operates a Colorado Springs-like facility in Dakar, Senegal that draws in the top six wrestlers from Sub-Sahara Africa to train under the tutelage of a World champion coach -- many of whom are women. FILA, under roi fainéant Raphael Martinetti, did little to sponsor this type of outreach. Under Lalovic that will change, as their PR efforts will be improved and their commitment to the global reach of wrestling expanded and promoted. The wrestling community shouldn't become complacent. We are still weak in many areas and have to do much, much more to adapt our sports to modern times. We need to fix our uniforms in America and abroad, we need to further increase the number of women involved in the sport, and we need better coverage for international events. Oh, and one of you enterprising young readers needs to reach out with the idea of a takedown-only wrestling league. Send me the basics and I'll help you mold that sucker into an attention-grabbing style that would be internationally successful and the next discipline of the soon-to-be-rescued sport of Olympic wrestling. To your questions ... Q: Do you think it would have made sense to invite several members of the Mexican wrestling team to participate in the Beat the Streets event held in LA last week? I know the Mexican team isn't very good, and two of their last three Olympians were born and raised in the U.S., but Hispanics are the fastest growing demographic in the United States, and LA County is 48% Hispanic. If USA Wrestling wants to "beat the streets" in the southwest part of the country they might want some help putting a familiar looking face on the product they are selling. -- Dan K. Foley: The Mexican team is a little weak, but there were serious efforts put towards making contact with members of their national team. In the end, time became the primary consideration and the event couldn't afford another no-show. I've been told that next year's event will capitalize on the local demographics. I should also mention that there were plenty of interesting ideas being offered up by interested parties. Without consulting them, I suggested flying in Turtogtokh and Ugi from Mongolia. Ended up that there was little to no chance they would have made it in time. It's a shame, but understandable since my flight from Ulaanbaatar last week was delayed for 36 hours. Can't overstate how impressive it was that CPOW, Beat the Streets-LA and USA Wrestling were able to salvage the event. Very cool stuff. Q: Do you think Logan Stieber has the tools and skills to be the next four-time NCAA champ? -- Gregg Y. Foley: YES! Stieber beat Opan Sat of Russia, the world's No. 1 wrestler at the Rumble on the Rails. On the college mats he seems unchallenged and has the type of focus and certainty of skill that convinces me he can win two more titles without dropping a match. Q: So Jordan Burroughs is 54-0 on the senior level. I believe this is the best starting record of any U.S. wrestler's international career. Has anyone else started out going undefeated for this long? Does anyone else have a comparable streak? John Smith? -- Danny C. Foley: No comparable streak comes to mind outside of the longer runs by both Alexander Karelin and Saori Yoshida. Karelin's number hasn't been accurately recorded, though it was 13 years long, and could be estimated at well north of 200 straight victories. Saori YoshidaRegarding Yoshida, according to Wikipedia, "Until January 20, 2008, Yoshida had never lost an international match at the senior level and held a streak of 119 consecutive victories (until) American Marcie Van Dusen defeated her, 2-0 during the Team World Cup series in Beijing, China." She also went on to have another 58-match winning streak, which was then broken, but didn't preclude her from winning her third Olympic gold medal in 2012. Burroughs is the best pound-for-pound wrestler in the world today. His streak is the longest in the sport and he seems untouchable under the new rules, but it's important to remember that he will, at some point, lose a match. It might be a bad call. It might be to a teammate that has spent years training with him. Hell, it might even come due to injury, but streaks are meant to end and like Karelin's and Yoshida's it won't be only sad -- it'll be a moment for reflection and a celebration of greatness. Multimedia Halftime No kidding, you have to check out FILA on Facebook. I've been helping them build their presence, and there are plenty of awesome photos and videos on their page. Like 'em and be sure to engage with the product. This WILL directly help our cause for reinstatement. Few examples of articles and photo essays I've done for FILA over the past month. Share them! Mongolian Open African Traditional Wrestling Profile of FILA President Nenad Lalovic Somebody got the message that Wrestling is Everywhere, (WrestlingEverywhere.com) and maybe lifted some footage from WrestlingRoots.org. Cool video. Q: I really like your ideas about making the sport of wrestling more understandable. With that in mind, has anyone thought about lining up our weight classes with MMA (lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, etc.)? -- Dave in Norfolk Foley: FILA, at the behest of the IOC, has decided to eliminate their support of grappling and amateur MMA after the 2013 championships. That separation means they need to grow a distance between themselves and these disciplines. Support for MMA and grappling has ALWAYS been an issue between FILA and the IOC. Always. From French wrestling historian Guy Jaouen: The inaugural international Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896 included a small wrestling meet, commonly and incorrectly referred to in history books as Greco Roman style -- which is absolutely wrong. The style of wrestling at these Games was actually arranged in a dirt pit at one end of the Panathenaic Stadium under local Greek rules, called Palema, which had effectively been trialled at the predecessor events of the IOC Olympics, or the Zappas Olympic Games. Not surprisingly, leg takedowns were permitted in these competitions. The Zappas Olympics were held in Athens in 1859, 1870 and 1875 and there is even a thorough sporting record kept of champions at these events. The next IOC Olympics were held in Paris in 1900 as part of the Exposition Universelle and were such a debacle that they did not even include a wrestling meet. Apparently no amateur wrestlers could be found because one of the highlights of the Exposition was the Professional Greco Roman World Championship, which was being held at the same time. The 1904 Olympic Games were then moved across the Atlantic to the USA city of St. Louis as part of the World's Fair and just as in Athens the wrestling was conducted under the rules of the most popular local style, Catch as Catch Can wrestling. The European's were offended because nearly all the wrestling medals were won by Americans. The following year the "Deutsche Athleten-Verband" was formed in Duisburg, in true German fashion they took command of all amateur Greco-Roman wrestling and weightlifting competitions in continental Europe. The DAV conducted an amateur Greco Roman World Championships from 1904 till 1913 but after WW1 the IAWF (now FILA) took over the event. The 1906 Intercalated Olympics returned to Athens and despite protests against it, the wrestling was once again held under the now extinct Greek Palema rules (freestlye). At the 1908 London Olympics an attempt was made to run concurrent competitions in both Greco Roman and Catch as Catch Can at the White City Stadium but this didn't stop the growing sense of rivalry between the popular styles. By the time of the Stockholm Olympics in 1912, only Greco-Roman wrestling competitions were permitted to be held and in a further sub to the organizers of Catch as Catch Can, demonstrations of the Icelandic folk wrestling style called Glima were also conducted. The following year there were plans to create an international body just for wrestling but this was put on hold as it had instead morphed into the "Internationaler Verband fur Schwerathletik" that included not just Greco-Roman wrestling but also Weight Lifting, Boxing and Tug of War, once again with the exclusion of the Anglophone Catch as Catch Can style. The Great War prevented an Olympics in 1916 and stifled any further developments but at the first post war 1920 Antwerp Games & IOC Conference it was decided that each sport should have its own international body and that the International Amateur Wrestling Federation (FILA) should conduct tournaments in the two popular international styles, Greco Roman and Catch as Catch Can, the latter having its rules modified and name changed to Freestyle to apparently make it more appealing as a global sport, or at least not offend the Europeans anymore. All of the submission finishes that gave Catch as Catch Can its unique character were forbidden and the 3-second supine pinfall was replaced by a supine touch fall the same as in Greco Roman. Outside of the control of FILA in the USA, Catch as Catch Can wrestling further evolved into two separate offshoots, the performance art called professional wrestling and the competitive scholastic sport of collegiate folkstyle wrestling.Q: Where is the line? FILA may recommend going to six weights to appease the IOC. Let's remember there used to be 10. Is there a point when being in the Olympics is a loss? -- Matt C. Foley: We have to accommodate for women's wrestling. Don't like it? Too bad. Equality is necessary, and if we improve our product, specifically the dreadfully boring Greco-Roman style, then we can have more medals. Q: Cael Sanderson after winning four NCAA championships went on to win an Olympic gold medal and now is a successful coach. Do you think Kyle Dake will have such a career after winning four NCAA titles? Why or why not? -- Gregg Y. Foley: I find it difficult enough to predict winners and losers on a weekly basis, much less the possible future coaching talents of current wrestlers. My instinct is that he'll stay committed to wrestling through 2016 and become a coach after he meets his on-the-mat needs. After that, he'd certainly be a great addition to any staff, and possibly, one day, a head wrestling coach. Rant of the Week! Q: Hey, you need to start calling out wrestlers/wrestling styles too. Why on earth is Kyle Dake being promoted as some savior? His style is so BORING!! Last week in NYC just showed what he did his entire college career. Attempt no shots and go to overtime. Yawn! I'm done promoting wrestling if that is what is considered wrestling. -- Steve M. Keep this family in your thoughts: Jonathan Kaloust, a Navy Seal and former wrestler at Binghamton died last week during a training exercise in Fort Knox, Ky. He was 23.

The FILA Cadet and University Nationals will be held this coming weekend on the campus of the University of Akron. Greco-Roman competition will be held on Friday, with freestyle competition slated for Saturday and Sunday. Wrestling will start at 9 a.m. ET on each day. Championship matches for Greco-Roman will be held as part of the second session on Friday, which starts at 3 p.m., while freestyle finals will be held during the Sunday morning session. Here are five things to watch across the events. 1. Cadet star gazing If the initial grade level rankings for the 2013-14 season were to be published today, four of the five number one ranked wrestlers would be slated to compete in the FILA Cadet freestyle competition to be held on Saturday and Sunday. The following is a breakdown of each of their respective weight class fields. California native Cade Olivas is projected to be the nation's top junior high wrestler for the 2013-14 season. He is registered at 46 kilo (92.5 pounds) for this weekend's event. His resume could already be an article in and of itself: two Super 32 Challenge middle school titles, multiple Ohio TofC titles, multiple Roller World of Wrestling triple crowns, the 2013 Cadet National folkstyle title, et al. Others in his weight bracket include 2013 Tulsa Nationals champion Austin Gomez (Illinois); Kade Gfeller (Oklahoma), 2012-13 runner-up at Tulsa KOC and Tulsa Nationals to Olivas and Gomez respectively; as well as 2011-12 Tulsa KOC and Tulsa Nationals champion Louie Hayes (Illinois). Spencer Lee (Pennsylvania) is currently the nation's top junior high wrestler, and is projected to be the top Class of 2017 wrestler come next month. This weekend he is registered in the 50 kilo (110.25 pounds) weight bracket. During the 2012-13 season, Lee finished runner-up at both the Super 32 Challenge and FloNationals, and won a fourth consecutive PJW championship. Primary challengers for Lee include Kyle Norstrem (Florida), who is ranked No. 16 in the Class of 2016 and is the defending Cadet National and FILA Cadet National champion in Greco-Roman; defending Junior National freestyle champion Tanner Rohweder (Iowa); National Prep champion Jack Mueller (Texas), runner-up at the Preseason Nationals; Cadet freestyle third-place finisher Nolan Hellickson (Iowa); returning FILA Cadet freestyle runner-up Chris Cuccolo (New York); and returning FILA Cadet freestyle third-place finisher Doyle Trout (Nebraska). Zahid Valencia (California) is the nation's top-ranked Class of 2015 wrestler, and has already won a pair of USA Wrestling titles while in high school; a Cadet National freestyle title last summer, and a Junior National folkstyle title this spring. This weekend, he headlines a solid field of wrestlers at 58 kilos (127.75 pounds). Primary challengers include two of the nation's top 50 seniors-to-be (Class of 2014): No. 36 Cole Weaver (Michigan) and No. 48 Coy Ozias (Virginia). Four other notable Class of 2014 wrestlers in this field include three-time state finalist, and 2012 state champion, Isaiah Locsin (California); Sean Fausz (Kentucky), who was third in this event last year; Mark Voss (Minnesota), who was fourth in this event last year; and Jacob Rubio (Texas), who finished fourth in both styles at the Cadet Nationals last summer in Fargo. Others to watch include Julian Flores (California), who is ranked No. 18 in the Class of 2016, and Nick Lee (Indiana), who is ranked No. 5 among junior high wrestlers. Lastly Aaron Pico (California) is the nation's top Class of 2016 wrestlers, and among the best overall high school aged wrestlers. Pico has already won a pair of Cadet National double titles, and this spring added a Junior National folkstyle title and a FILA Junior National double championship. Though one might call Pico a strong favorite, it isn't for a lack of competition with six other grade level ranked wrestlers in the field: Logan Massa (Michigan), ranked No. 8 in the Class of 2015; Ronnie Gentile (New Jersey), No. 12 in the Class of 2015; Joseph Smith (Oklahoma), ranked No. 16 in the Class of 2015; Fredy Stroker (Iowa), ranked No. 17 in the Class of 2015; Tyler Berger (Oregon), ranked No. 38 in the Class of 2014; and Larry Early (Illinois), ranked No. 40 in the Class of 2015. In addition, the list of registrants includes two-time Cadet freestyle champion Seth Gross (Minnesota), who also won a FILA Cadet national title last year; FILA Cadet runner-up Anthony Giraldo (New Jersey); as well as a pair of excellent Michigan natives in Nick Bennett and Justin Oliver. 2. New rules will be in effect Last week, FILA held an Extraordinary Congress in Moscow, Russia as a result of the IOC's decision to remove wrestling from the Olympic Games -- at least tentatively -- effective in 2020. Part of FILA's reaction, in an attempt to keep wrestling in the games, was a revamp of the rules. These new rules go into effect immediately in FILA events, and therefore will be utilized this weekend. Please note that USA Wrestling has yet to decide if these new rules will be adopted during 2013 for domestic competition at the Cadet/Junior levels and below. Much has been stated about the new rules. However, some of the key concepts in freestyle competition are the following: Matches consist of two three-minute periods (as opposed to the old best-of-three format with two minute periods). Matches will have cumulative scoring; end of match ties will be settled by the same criteria that used to decide periods. Passivity has been brought back into play with a warning system, and the eventual placement of the passive wrestler on a "shot clock," where they have 30 seconds to score or else the other wrestler gets a "caution-and-one." If the first period is scoreless, the officials will determine the wrestler whom is more passive, and place them on the "shot clock." The technicall fall, which will end the match, comes at a ten-point advantage (instead of a six-point advantage, a five-point move, or two three-point moves ending a period). Takedowns are to be worth two points (instead of one point) with additional revisions to the scoring structure for higher amplitude moves. While it is my opinion that the wrestlers (and coaches) will -- more or less -- effectively adapt to the new rules, it will still be interesting to see how things play out. Things to watch include potential changes in match techniques and tactics, as well as the flow of the matches. I am also interested to see how effectively the new rules are conveyed to the officials, and how effectively the officials are able to navigate the changes. Fan and spectator perception will also be interesting to track, though I think greater sample size than a couple of events will be needed to determine that. 3. Deep Cadet weight groups At present, 39 wrestlers in the FILA Cadet Nationals freestyle competition are nationally ranked for their grade level. The breakdown by weight classes is as follows: 42 kilos (92.5 pounds): 1 46 (101.25): 1 50 (110.25): 2 54 (119): 4 58 (127.75): 5 63 (138.75): 7 69 (152): 5 76 (167.5): 8 85 (187.25): 3 100 (220.5): 3 125 (275.5): 0 All weight classes but 125 kilos (275.5 pounds) qualify their champion to the FILA Cadet World Championships to be held later this summer. Of particular interest to me is the field at 76 kilos (167.5 pounds). Based on registration, the joint favorites would have to be Mark Hall (Minnesota) and Bo Nickal (Texas), each of whom won Cadet National freestyle titles last summer in Fargo. While one could say Hall has a greater resume, and success against the field at large, Nickal has demonstrated an ability to beat Hall -- pair of victories last year in folkstyle (Cadet Folkstyle Nationals) and freestyle (FILA Cadet Nationals). Three other wrestlers in this field were runner-ups last summer in freestyle at the Cadet Nationals: Myles Martin (New Jersey), Kimball Bastian (Utah), and Chandler Rogers (Washington); Martin lost in the final to Hall, Bastian to Nickal in a battle of Greco-Roman national champions, and Rogers fell to Christensen whom he beat in the Greco-Roman final. Additional nationally ranked wrestlers in the field at 76 kilos include Beau Breske (Wisconsin), second at the Cadet Folkstyle Nationals this spring; Chris Weiler (Pennsylvania) and Xavier Montalvo (Illinois), Cadet National double All-Americans last summer; as well as Jelani Embree (Michigan). 4. Filthy good University Nationals talent Just take a check of the registration list for the University Nationals freestyle competition to be held on Saturday and Sunday. There are national champions and All-Americans through virtually every weight class, in addition the normal crop of younger wrestlers seeking the chance to compete and develop heading into a succeeding season where they'll be seeking spots in lineups and on the NCAA podium. Winners in the University Nationals qualify for competition in the World University Games this summer, and top two finishers qualify for the World Team Trials to be held in late June in Stillwater, Oklahoma. At the 55-kilo (121 pounds) weight class, one can look forward to a possible Nico Megaludis vs. Zach Sanders showdown. In two years of collegiate wrestling, without taking a redshirt, Megaludis has finished as national runner-up in both seasons; while Sanders capped off four All-American honors with a third-place finish in 2012. In fact, it was Megaludis who sent Sanders to the consolation bracket in 2012, his 7-4 quarterfinal victory was at the time viewed as an upset (the seventh seed beating the second seed). Also here will be defending champion Evan Silver. Defending University Nationals champion and NCAA runner-up Jason Chamberlain headlines a field at 66 kilos (145.5 pounds) that features five other past and present All-Americans: Evan Henderson, James Green, Kevin LeValley, Nick Dardanes, and Mike Nevinger. Also in this weight class is the very talented Josh Kindig, who has made significant noise in age group freestyle competition over the course of his career. The friendly rivalry between Kyle Dake and David Taylor has the chance to list another chapter this coming weekend in the 74-kilo (163-pound) competition at the University Nationals. Dake beat Taylor 5-4 in the NCAA final just over two months ago to cement arguably the greatest college career in history; four titles, four years, four weight classes, all without a redshirt. Taylor's collegiate resume is not too shabby either -- three NCAA finals appearances, including a title in 2012 to cement a season in which he won the Hodge Trophy. The two wrestled at the Olympic Trials last year, a match that Dake also won. (Editor's note: It's now being rumored that Dake will not be competing this weekend despite being registered.) To be forgotten in this weight class -- though he really shouldn't be -- is fellow NCAA champion Derek St. John, who won the 157-pound weight class this past year, and has the chance to repeat as national champion next year; St. John was fourth and second (to Dake) in his two prior collegiate seasons. Also present here is Ian Miller, who won the University Nationals at 70 kilos (154 pounds) last year. The next weight class, 79 kilos (174 pounds), features three excellent wrestlers in Andrew Howe, Logan Storley, and Matt Brown. Howe has a trio of top three finishes at the NCAA tournament, including his title in 2010, was runner-up to Burroughs in the 2012 Olympic Trials, and was also a University Nationals champion in 2011. Storley has earned a pair of NCAA All-American honors (sixth and fourth) in his two years of collegiate competition after graduating high school in 2011; while Brown was runner-up at the NCAA tournament this past year in the 174 pound weight class, including a 3-2 semifinal victory over Storley. Ed Ruth, arguably the nation's most talented collegiate wrestler, anchors the field at 84 kilos (185 pounds). He has dominated his way to national titles each of the last two years after finishing third as a freshman. Primary challenger in this weight class is Cayle Byers, who was third at 197 pounds in the 2012 NCAA tournament. Dustin Kilgore is the lead figure at 96 kilos (211.5 pounds), and seeks a repeat University Nationals title. He also was a two-time NCAA finalist at 197 pounds (champion in 2011, runner-up in 2013), finished third in both the 2011 University Nationals and World Team Trials, and finished fourth at the Olympic Trials in 2012. Additionally in this weight class is Taylor Meeks, who finished fourth at the NCAA tournament this year after losing 8-6 to Kilgore in the national semifinals. Lastly the competition at 120 kilos (264.5 pounds) is loaded with collegiate champions from three different divisions: Tony Nelson (Division I), who is also the defending University Nationals champion; Tyrell Fortune (Division II); and Eric Thompson (NAIA). Also present here are a trio of past Division I All-Americans: Nick Gwiazdowski, Spencer Myers, and Jeremy Johnson. Projected favorites in the other two weight classes would be Tyler Graff, a three-time NCAA All-American coming off third-place finishes at the NCAA tournament and U.S. Open, and two-time NCAA fifth-place finisher Tyler Nauman; Graff is registered at 60 kilos (132), while Nauman is entered at 70 (154). 5. Picking FILA Cadet freestyle champions Based on registered participants, the following wrestlers are my picks to win their weight classes … 42 kilo (92.5 pounds): Cade Olivas from California 46 (101.25): Daton Fix from Oklahoma 50 (110.25): Spencer Lee from Pennsylvania 54 (119): Stevan Micic from Indiana 58 (127.75): Zahid Valencia from California 63 (138.75): Aaron Pico from California 69 (152): Mason Manville from New Jersey 76 (167.5): Mark Hall from Minnesota 85 (187.25): Robert Steveson from Minnesota 100 (220.5): Lance Benick from Minnesota 125 (275.5): Gavin Jolley-Little from Indiana Note: Information related to entrants is based on registered wrestlers as of 9 p.m. CT on Tuesday. Josh Lowe will be providing coverage of the FILA Cadet and University freestyle Nationals on Saturday and Sunday with primary focus on the Cadet (high school aged) competition. A recap story will be posted on InterMat about the Cadet tournament, while periodic live updates will be provided through the weekend via twitter (http://www.twitter.com/JoshMLowe).

It's not often you get a UFC pay-per-view card with a fairly lopsided main event that offers a pretty strong card. But UFC 160 does just that, even though there isn't a ton of doubt that heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez will pulverize Antonio Silva's face for the second time in 12 months. Richard and John break down the main card and then discuss other news of the day. Vitor Belfort may have earned the knockout of the year, but his use of testosterone replacement therapy was an equally prominent storyline. Also, it's time for the debut of "Who's the dumber MMA agent?" Do you want to listen to a past episode? Access archives.

Despite there being plenty of rumors about who is applying for which job and why, these lists are difficult to verify. Some coaches will miss out on one position and apply to another, while some will pull their names from contention for personal reasons, or because their current bosses were able to raise their salaries. These are probably not the only coaches in contention for a job, but they are some of the most often mentioned, and well-qualified candidates. Bloomsburg John Hughes: A 1995 NCAA champion or Penn State, Hughes has been on the coaching circuit since 2000 when he took a position with the Pittsburgh Wrestling Club. Since then he's put in a lengthy tenure as the head of the Nittany Lion Wrestling club, as an assistant to Troy Sunderland at Penn State, and just finished his third full season in Lehigh where he's helped head coach Pat Santoro rebuild the Mountain Hawks' winning tradition. Were Hughes to be hired he'd only be 20 minutes from his home in Stillwater, Pa. Brad Dillon: Pat Santoro's most trusted advisor, Brad Dillon has coached with the highly successful head coach for nine years, including four years at Maryland and five at Lehigh. A widely respected coach at 30, Dillon is among the youngest of the coaches to be placing his name in contention for top jobs. Dillon is from Allentown, Pa. Todd Beckerman: A two-time All-American at Nebraska, Todd Beckerman has been with the Maryland Terrapins program for nine seasons. Originally hired away from a two-year coaching stint by then-head coach Pat Santoro, Beckerman remained on staff when Kerry McCoy took over five seasons ago. Not only has Beckerman played a part in creating several All-Americans for the Terrapins, but he's also one of the most active and well-known advocates for social media within wrestling. Josh Moore: Popular and charismatic, Josh Moore is a 2004 NCAA finalist from Penn State. Since graduating Moore has spent the last nine seasons as an assistant coach at Kent State. Moore's arrival sparked that program's turnaround, which has included several All-Americans and the programs first NCAA champion since 1983, Dustin Kilgore. Moore, who is from Western, Pa., had been rumored to be looking at head coaching positions in the past, but has taken few interviews, due to his stated loyalty to the Golden Flashes. What they need: Bloomsburg is replacing an incredible mat coach in John Stutzman. His guys worked hard, stayed (mostly) out of trouble and were able to churn out All-American performances. With that as a base, the program could use an infusion of energy, like Moore's, that might help capture more Pennsylvania recruits, or the confident and well-structured leadership of Hughes and Dillon. Beckerman would bring the program into more national notoriety through his outreach. Whoever they choose, Bloomsburg needs to keep their momentum going forward, and none of these applicants pose much of a risk to the programs stability, though it'll be important to the administration to see which of these candidates provides the clearest, and most economically solvent, plan for the future. Brown Todd Beckerman: See above. Brad Dillon: See above. Jeff Buxton: Arguably the best high school coach of the last fifty years, Jeff Buxton is hoping to parlay his success at Blair into a college coaching career in Providence. A native of Rhode Island, Buxton's six national titles in 30 years at Blair stands as some testament to his overall coaching ability, to say nothing of the dozens of future NCAA champions who wrestled for him at Blair. Jared Frayer: The 2012 Olympian and two-time NCAA All-American for Oklahoma has been on the assistant coaching circuit since 2003. He's put in stints at Harvard, Iowa, Wisconsin and currently Oklahoma. Well-liked by his wrestlers and with a string of successful weight class coaching successes, Frayer is one of the most accomplished wrestlers looking for a head coaching position this spring. John Clark: A two-time All-American for Ohio State, John Clark has been an assistant coach at Brown for the past five seasons. An intelligent guy and capable recruiter, Clark was on staff when the Brown program was close to being dropped in 2011. The campaign to keep it alive was successful. What they need: The Brown program has struggled for many years. There have been few wins, and even less excitement. That tradition doesn't bode well for the incumbent coaching staff, as many athletic directors look for change in these situations. Beckerman's forward thinking and Frayer's status within the community are both awesome, but it's difficult not to be intrigued by the idea of Buxton as head coach. Kevin Dresser (Christiansburg, VA Tech) is an example of how a high school coach can make an immediate impact on a major Division I program. Brown needs a major, substantive spark. Unlike other programs they need to win and win quickly, a thought that will likely guide their hiring process. Lock Haven Technically opens in two weeks Scott Moore: The two-time All-American spent seven seasons as the head assistant coach at Virginia, before taking the assistant coaching position at Lock Haven in 2011. Like his brother, Josh, Scott is well-liked and has name identification in Pennsylvania. He's currently the acting head coach of the program and is from Western Pennsylvania. Dennis Papadatos: Currently an assistant coach under C.D. Mock at North Carolina, Papadatos earned his reputation as an assistant coach at Binghamton under Pat Popolizio for five seasons where he helped coach 16 NCAA qualifiers and two All-Americans. What they need: After the sudden dismissal of Robbie Waller, the Lock Haven fans are looking for a stable leader who can build some excitement around results. Though not well supported by the university the program has massive resources in the area and deep pocketed donors who with winning could be compelled to contribute. Papadatos was part of Binghamton's transformation and has seen what it takes to build a winning program. Moore, who saw the same thing under Garland at Virginia, might look to diversify his application by bringing on a head assistant coach with the same last name. If that happens, then there is little question that they would bring a momentum to the school that would otherwise be impossible to replicate. Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Alex Clemsen: The head assistant wrestling coach at Virginia, Alex Clemsen has been an assistant coach since graduating Edinboro in 2007 splitting time between Oregon State (two seasons) and Virginia (four seasons). The Missouri native was an All-American for Edinboro, and has been pivotal in the development of UVa's upperweights, including the program's first-ever three-time All-American, Chris Henrich. Tony Ersland: An assistant coach for the past 13 seasons, Ersland is the most experienced candidate for any of the open positions. Currently the assistant coach at Nebraska under Mark Manning, Ersland has been the upperweights coach for some of Nebraska's biggest success stories. Matt Lackey: A 2003 NCAA champion for the University of Illinois, Lackey has spent the last three seasons as the assistant coach at Buffalo, but was let go when head coach Jim Beichner was fired. Prior to joining the Buffalo staff, Lackey spent two years as an assistant at Lock Haven. Jeremy Spates: Cornell assistant Jeremy Spates has been assistant coach for nine seasons, with his first five being accumulated at Oklahoma. The 2004 All-American for Missouri, Spates is from coaching royalty, as his father Jack Spates was the head wrestling coach at Oklahoma form more than twenty seasons. In addition to the consul of his father, Spates has the advantage of participating in the inner machinations of the Cornell program, arguably the best run of any Division I wrestling program. What they need: The newest of Division I programs, SIUE needs a coach who knows how to implement the structure of a winning program. It's vital to the school, and to wrestling as a whole that the candidate chosen doesn't just focus on mat success, but also in what it takes to create fundraising and fan support. Spates' pedigree is going to be difficult for other candidates to outclass, but Clemsen has experience in a similar situation and Ersland has a mountain of understanding on how to run a big time college program.

Shane Sparks of BadgerStateWrestling.com catches up with Ohio State's Logan Stieber at the Askren Wrestling Academy. Stieber, a two-time NCAA champion in two seasons, recently notched a win over Russia's Opan Sat, the No. 1-ranked freestyle wrestler in the world at 60 kilos. View the interview on BadgerStateWrestling.com.

Manheim, Pa. -- The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) has announced its annual Division I All-Academic Top 30 Teams and Individual All-Academic wrestling team for the 2012-13 wrestling season. Harvard University is honored as the nation's top academic wrestling program, while four NCAA Champions (Cornell's 4x Champ Kyle Dake, Oklahoma State's Chris Perry, Penn State's 2x Champ Quentin Wright, and Oklahoma's Kendric Maple) headlined the individual list. Harvard, led by head coach Jay Weiss, had a team Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.418 to take home top honors. The Crimson were champions in 2011 and finished last year second with a 3.37 GPA. This championship finish marked the program's third win in the past four years and the tenth time that the program has finished in the top 10 under Weiss. The runner-up in this year's team competition was the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Following a top finish last year, Mark Manning's squad again delivered a strong performance with a 3.32 team GPA. Rounding out the Top 10 teams was Stanford University (3.25), Indiana University (3.24), University of Virginia (3.24), Brown University (3.23), Lehigh University (3.23), Old Dominion University (3.16), Duke University (3.15), and Penn State University (3.15). There were a total of 10 teams showing up on the All-Academic squad that finished in the top 30 at this year's NCAA Division I Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. Leading the way was 3x defending team champs Penn State and runner-up and third place finishers Oklahoma State and Minnesota. The team GPA was determined using a system that includes 12 student-athletes from each program. A total of 10 of these came from the wrestlers that were entries in the NCAA tournament conference qualifier. If teams had less than 10 entries for their respective qualifier, they were allowed to fill those spots with wrestlers that competed in at least one varsity dual during the season. On this year's Individual All-Academic Team there are 82 total athletes, four NCAA Champions, four NCAA Runner-Ups, 21 All-Americans, and 72 NCAA qualifiers. Joining the four NCAA Champions were four runner-ups including Lehigh's Robert Hamlin and Penn State's Matthew Brown, Nicholas Megaludis, and David Taylor. The student-athlete with the highest GPA was Matthew Brown from Penn State University. Brown, who had a 3.97 GPA in Criminology, was also named the NCAA Elite 89 award winner. Rounding out the Top 5 of the individual list were Virginia's Matthew Snyder (3.95), Hofstra's Steve Bonanno (3.77), North Dakota State's Evan Knutson (3.755), and Ohio State University's Cody Magrum (3.745). Virginia had the most individuals on the list as eight of their student-athletes finished on the All-Academic team. Ohio University and Penn State finished second with four student-athletes on the team. "The NWCA All-Academic Team and Individual Team is one of the best acknowledgements that we can give to our coaches and athletes at the end of a physically grueling season� said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "These young men have proved that they are not only talented competitors but are leaders in the classroom as well. The NWCA Board of Directors and staff look forward to watching these student-athletes continue their success at the collegiate level and eventually as the leaders of the future once they earn their college degrees. For a list of the Top 30 teams, click here. For a list of the individual team, click here. About the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) The National Wrestling Coaches Association, established in 1928, is a non-profit organization for the advancement of all levels of the sport of wrestling with primary emphasis on developing coaches who work in academic environments. The membership embraces all people interested in amateur wrestling. The three core competencies of the NWCA are: coaching development, student-athlete welfare, and promotion of wrestling.

The new rules that came out of the FILA extraordinary congress were a real step in the right direction. Two-point takedowns completely change the dynamic of the sport for the better. Wrestling needs to reward the offensive, chance should favor the bold, and the new rules do just that. The new international wrestling rules were used during Sunday's United 4 Wrestling event in Los Angeles (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)On Wednesday I sent a tweet to the FILA Twitter account imploring whomever manning that account to make that day the last time balls are ever pulled out of a bag to determine the outcome of a wrestling match. Wacky as it sounds, FILA complied with my request. I therefore take full credit for the rule change while gleefully celebrating to an end to one of the most embarrassing chapters in wrestling history. Before the last Olympics I wrote a series of articles previewing the wrestling portion of the Games. When I got to the point explaining the ball pull, I had to channel Dave Barry and preface with "I'm not making this up." I can still hardly believe that the procedure existed. It's almost as if FILA brought in a panel of bad comedy writers to brainstorm on the most madcap way to break a tie in a wrestling match. As mind-numbingly terrible a feature as the ball grab was, it may still not be as bad as the last iteration of the Greco-Roman rules where Olympic gold medals were awarded to the people who were really good at stalling and laying on their bellies. The ball grab turned freestyle into the butt of jokes, enforced par terre turned Greco into an abomination. Now, hopefully we can look forward to brighter days. The new rules possess greater fidelity to the spirit of the sport. They foster more action and should create a visually appealing product. The rules, however, do not make freestyle accessible to the casual fan, and they still demand high levels of knowledge from the highly involved. Jake Herbert fell in the Olympic Games quarterfinals to Sharif Sharifov of Azerbaijan (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Remember the Jake Herbert vs. Sharif Sharifov match from the quarterfinals of the London Olympics? Of course you do. You most certainly recall a sequence where Sharif was in on a double, Jake threw him back and rolled him through with a chest lock, and then Sharif scrambled out and ended up on top of Jake. Nobody knew how the hell to score it, and not just the people watching at home; the judges, ref, and even a FILA official all were at a loss. I've re watched the sequence a few times, and while I can understand a variety way to score it, I'm pretty darn certain the score that got thrown up was the wrong one. This speaks to freestyle's big problem: some situations are totally ambiguous, and in others the rules are terribly difficult to understand. I can foresee a moment in the future where I'm watching some freestyle wrestling with a buddy (just kidding, I can't foresee this, but bear with me) and several questions are raised. Buddy: Hey, why'd they score that 4-2 for the guy getting the takedown? Me: Well, the momentum of the takedown carried the opponent to his back, but then the guy shooting got rolled through and his back was exposed, and so it's two exposure points, plus two points for the takedown, and two exposure points for the other guy. Buddy: Hey! The same thing just happened but they scored it differently. Me: No. See, this time the defensive guy stopped the attacker's momentum before rolling him through, thus making it "his move." Buddy: What gives! That guy just tried a throw and got taken down but they scored no points. Me: No, that's called a slip throw. Buddy: Um … the same thing just happened but they ruled it a take down. Me: No … No … No. He secured the takedown before the other guy fully slipped to the mat. Buddy: All right, I know all the rules, I understand the criteria for exposure, and for takedowns, and for three-point moves, and five-point moves, but that guy right there almost hit a really awesome move that barely didn't work, but it didn't meet any criteria for any of those scores, but they gave him a point anyway. That was wrong, right? Me: No, it was right. It was an appreciation point. Buddy: A WHAT?!!! One of the big complaints about freestyle (and Greco) when it was recommended for exclusion from the Games was that it was a sport only for experts. For better or worse, this is still true, and it always will be. Olympic wrestling is filled with subtlety and nuance and the accompanying controversy, and while that might prevent access to the casual viewer, it is what simultaneously also makes it great. Finally I have some bad news. We are all basking in the glow of a great week for wrestling, albeit one that featured a thorough ass whipping at the hand of an Iranian team before their unscheduled departure, but what came from the FILA extraordinary congress should make us very concerned. It's hard to divine what goes on in the hearts and minds of the members of the IOC executive board, their inner workings are utterly opaque. However, lately I've begun to speculate on a big reason for their initial decision to propose the exclusion of wrestling from the Games. Disregarding the Greco/freestyle distinction and I have a feeling the IOC does, wrestling award 56 medals to men, and a mere 16 to women. Greco-Roman wrestling does not have a women's competition. There's even women's boxing now. I can't, off the top of my head, think of another men's Olympic sport without a female analogue. I understand why we give more medals to men than women at this point in the development in the sport of women's wrestling, but my opinion could not be any more irrelevant. Wrestling's gender inequality undoubtedly weighs heavily on the minds of the IOC board, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if this was the real culprit in wrestling exclusion in the first place. Because FILA's bureau and member delegations couldn't summon the courage to take the tragic but necessary steps in jettisoning Greco-Roman wrestling, this gender inequality may be the real culprit in Olympic wrestling's demise at the end of this month.

Jordan Burroughs improved to 54-0 in his international career (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) LOS ANGELES -- An incredible day for wrestling was capped by an amazing performance by arguably the best pound-for-pound wrestler on the planet. Olympic and World champion Jordan Burroughs put his immense talents of full display to put an exclamation point on the United 4 Wrestling event on Sunday afternoon before a boisterous crowd of 3,500 fans at the L.A. Sports Arena. Read the rest of the story ... Results Senior Level Freestyle: 66 kilos: Jordan Oliver (USA) dec. Magomed Kurbanliev (Russia), 7-6 60 kilos: Opan Sat (Russia) tech. fall John Pineda (Canada), 10-0 66 kilos: Haislan Garcia (Canada) dec. Soslan Ramonov (Russia), 6-3 84 kilos: Jon Reader (USA) tech. fall Tamerlin Tagziev (Canada), 12-2 55 kilos: Artas Sanaa (Russia) dec. Sam Hazewinkel (USA), 5-2 96 kilos: Chris Pendleton (USA) tech. fall Manjot Sandhu (Canada), 11-0 48 kilos: Jasmine Mian (Canada) dec. Victoria Anthony (USA), 4-2 51 kilos: Genevieve Haley (Canada) dec. Jessica Medina (USA), 11-5 63 kilos: Elena Pirozhkova (USA) dec. Danielle Lappage (Canada), 4-2 72 kilos: Brittney Roberts (USA) dec. Justina DiStasio (Canada), 7-2 60 kilos: Opan Sat (Russia) dec. Coleman Scott (USA), 6-2 66 kilos: Jordan Oliver (USA) dec. Haislan Garcia (Canada), 5-2 74 kilos: Jordan Burroughs (USA) tech. fall Saba Khubetzhty (Russia), 14-3 Youth: 60 pounds: Patricia Arana pinned Viviana Garcia, 4:30 90 pounds: Cade Olivas pinned Randon Miranda, 2:30 126 pounds: Zander Wick dec. Jimmy Felix, 11-0 126 pounds: Jaden Abas dec. Daniel Long, 6-4 Replay Video Interviews

InterMat senior writer T.R. Foley answers reader questions about NCAA wrestling, international wrestling, recruiting, or anything loosely related to wrestling. You have until Thursday night every week to send questions to Foley's Twitter or email account. Do you want to read a past mailbag? Access archives. They're taking their ball and going home. The Iranian national team has backed out of their commitment to wrestle against Team USA in Los Angeles. Details are few, but the team has decided to forgo their next match and is heading directly back to Tehran. It's unclear the impact this will have on what was very positive media from Wednesday's Rumble on the Rails event in New York City. However, I expect that this will invalidate at least some of the goodwill messaging put forward by the national media. In the meantime we should all do our best to support the sport on the West Coast and attend the event. Wrestling needs to show it's resiliency. The Russians have agreed to wrestle, the Canadians are on board, and though nothing is confirmed there is rumor that a super match MIGHT be in the works. To your questions ... Q: Any "on the rise" smaller programs to look for in Division I next year? For example Bloomsburg having the strong dual season this year, and F&M with Richard Durso. My other question is what are the chances Louisville makes a program? -- Nathan M. Foley: Bloomsburg has to name a new head coach for me to back their season. I am confident they'll hire the right guy for the job, just no telling what the impact that hire would have on the current team. I'd look out for N.C. State. The Wolfpack's sophomore heavyweight and 2012 All-American Nick Gwiazdowski is coming off redshirt, and under Pat Popolizio they'll be sure to have one or two young wrestlers start transitioning to national success. Northwestern still has two-time All-American heavyweight Mike McMullan, and national finalist candidate Jason Tsirtsis, along with a half-dozen other All-American candidates. Those aren't really smaller programs, but they are the lesser-sized within their conference. I think F&M's Durso is a lock for All-American and that could bring up a few more guys. Brown has talented wrestlers and with a new coach might be in the position to make quick gains. Boston University will have a lot of emotional support and could see some gains. Louisville would be a stretch to start a program. They have plenty of extra cash in the coffers and their athletic director has mentioned funding a new program, but they're not from an area where wrestling is part of the conversation. Also, I haven't heard of any marketing campaigns, or personal appeals being directed at the athletic department to start a program. For Louisville to start a program they'd have to see the financial appeal. It's much more likely they start men's and women's lacrosse programs. Q: Just watched Rumble on the Rails on NBC Sports. Very well done event. Too bad I almost didn't know it was on TV! I was lucky I could set my DVR from work during lunch time. We have to be able to promote these events better! I would bet the viewership would have been great if it was prime time with some good promotional build-up. Also: no USA vs. Russia on TV!? Side note: Now that SU is moving over to the ACC .. .maybe they'll consider bringing their wrestling team back? -- CB, Syracuse Foley: They didn't show the USA v. Russia? Wow. I was at the event and didn't realize there wasn't continued coverage. The event was pretty well publicized, even if the word hadn't trickled down to everyone. I've never seen more media on-hand for a wrestling event in the United States, and as I wrote earlier, I think that the positive messaging coming from the event will make its way to the IOC Executive Board and the rest of the IOC voters. Syracuse could very well start a program, but AGAIN there needs to be a movement to have them change their mind. Why not start a women's program in addition to the men's? Sports are about publicity and if Syracuse came out with an announcement that they were reinstating wrestling during this time of international turmoil AND would become the first Division I team to offer scholarships to female wrestlers, they'd have more media than they could handle. It'd fundamentally change the way their sports program would be seen by outsiders. They'd be innovators. And remember, that the move would also be covered by ESPN, since fifty percent of the staff in Bristol graduated from Newhouse School of Journalism. Who is selling this idea to the school? Who should be? Let's find these people, put together a silent, or public campaign and get wrestling reinstated at the 'Cuse! Q: As a Lock Haven University alumni, I was rather disappointed to see Robbie Waller fired. Given the school's lessened commitment to wrestling, I'm not sure what administrators expected. He barely had one recruiting class get through and yet was beginning to make strides. My only thought is that someone showed great interest in the position that administrators felt was better move. My only thought is that unless it's Cary Kolat himself the program will probably not be better off with the next head coach. I hate to say that, but in my time at LHU the school's support of wrestling seemed very underdeveloped given it is the school's only Division 1 men's sport and, despite its small size, has a history of pumping out talented wrestlers. Who do you see as the next head coach at LHU and, given the school's very low interest in promoting the wrestling program, is there any way the next coach bring any more success that Waller? Or is he just being set up to be fired in four years? -- Ryan P. Foley: It's apparently a long story with twists, turns, hurt feelings and accusations of poor coaching, but Waller's dismissal wasn't surprising to at least some Lock Haven supporters. Waller seems like a nice guy and I don't know all the facts of his firing, just that sometimes change is needed by both parties. Lock Haven won't give up on wrestling, but they do need someone to come through who inspires them to give more attention and funding to the program. They need wins, and in four years Waller had more than other sports, but not enough to necessarily win over the administration. On a personal level, it's difficult for me to not advocate for Scott Moore. We wrestled together and I know that Scott would pour everything into making that program bigger and better. I also think that he'd prefer to bring along his brother Josh Moore from Kent State, a move that if financially feasible would all but guarantee the program massive success. The Moore Brothers are both from western Pennsylvania, have insane name identification and are well-respected, well-rehearsed coaches. They also bring outsized energy to a program that could use a shot of life. I'm very biased in this opinion, but I do think that they are the best, and maybe only coaches for the job. As for being fired in four years? Not these two. Q: The IOC has been clear that FILA was not doing its job as an international governing body. Wouldn't it be fair to say the leaders of USA Wrestling were also not doing their jobs? Also why is it only Martinetti has been forced out at FILA, shouldn't there be more changes than that? -- Zach A. Foley: The King is Dead! Long Live the King! Nobody knows what is going on inside these organizations. Like the IOC itself they are closed off, and when lit have traditionally shown massive organizational failures. USA Wrestling is far from perfect and their leadership shares blame for many of our domestic failures. Like with any organization there is some stagnation in roles, but with both FILA and USA Wrestling the people meant to keep checks on those in power, are, as one very skeptical individual recently described to me, "getting their bread buttered by the bosses." What would be the benefit of a dramatic change in leadership? I think it would make the new body much more beholden to their audience. Because any shakeup at USA Wrestling would cause media attention, the new individuals set in place would be held more accountable. The General installed by coup always has to be worried that the same might happen to him should he not represent the needs of the people. (I saw this first-hand in Chad.) The real question becomes what do we do if wrestling is dropped from the Olympic Games? It would seem apparent that everyone should be fired. Everyone. You cannot let the world's first sport lose representation in the Olympic Games. If you do, and then you run for office, or keep it, then you are essentially telling the world that you value your skill set above the needs of the sport. Imagine something similar happening inside the corporate structure?! The Founder and CEO of JetBlue got tossed by his board of directors after he let passengers get stranded on the runway for 10 hours. The man CREATED the company and yet was still accountable to his board. Why the hell should wrestling be any different? As for FILA you have to imagine that there just won't be any more FILA. The sport will no longer be under the umbrella of the Olympics, which means that competitive governing bodies could emerge. There is REAL potential in a partnerships between the United States, Japan and Abu Dhabi for a governing body that gives all grappling and wrestling sports an equal chance. Those talents and above-the-board operations could lead to a non-Olympic renaissance of all grappling sports. But first, let's try and keep our Olympic status. Q: Is there a magazine or website that has all the state champs from every state? -- Mike C. Foley: I think USA Wrestling Magazine prints a list, but I'm not certain. Readers? Q: Looks like Greco-Roman wasn't a big hit at the Rumble on the Rails. Should they have put their matches before freestyle? -- Mike R. Foley: No. Why would we want to further protect the sport from its failures? This is what is so infuriating about wrestling. The facts are simple, Greco-Roman doesn't intrigue and doesn't sell. Running them last only proved that point. Rumble on the Rails was a raucous affair for most of the five-hour program, but once the Greco-Roman wrestlers appeared on the mat fans, journalists, and even dignitaries FLED Vanderbilt Hall. Silence. Those who did remain began the process of networking and discussing which bars to attend post-match. There were no cheers, no oohs, and no noise, because for 25 minutes there were no takedowns, no action. Wrestling is in a period of self-analysis and adjustment, but it needs to see these next three months as a period of total and complete reconstruction. Greco-Roman is supported by the acting President of FILA and many of the Bureau members, so it is unlikely to be removed. However, the fact remains that it has always been the lesser of the two disciplines in terms of fan involvement and media excitement. But more importantly there are several statements that have been supporting Greco-Roman but are simply not true. Greco-Roman is NOT the traditional form of wrestling. The discipline was developed by a Frenchman in the late 19th century and was added to the Olympic Games because he very intelligently changed the name from "flat hands" wrestling to "Greco-Roman" in a marketing ploy that would recall the original Olympic Games. If anything, Greco-Roman is one the least traditional disciplines in the Olympic Games. Discuss, steeplechase, javelin are all much more traditional that Greco-Roman, and they've stayed totally unchanged. Greco-Roman is wholly and completely different than its original 19th century form. I repeat, Greco-Roman is NOT the traditional form of wrestling. There are dozens of traditional forms that have much more historical resonance, some dating back as many as 7k years. Many of these style are also MUCH more popular and marketable for wrestling. Mongolian bokh, Lucha Canaria, and Lutte Senegalese are all traditional forms that are already more popular than Greco-Roman. There is Indian Kushti (700+) and Turkish Oil Wrestling (652), along with another dozen more that would crush Greco-Roman in terms of antiquity. There is no substantive argument in keeping a sport that has little fan support and that couldn't easily be replaced by a more exciting, more inclusive style. In short, it's time to retire Greco-Roman and guarantee complete competitive equality for women. If wrestling doesn't offer complete equality, we will not make it into the 2020 Games. We should move to seven freestyle weights for men, and seven for women. The final four medals will be broken into takedown-only tournaments: one team, one individual for both men and women. Five on five for the team events (race to three), and a no weight class takedown tourney for the individual tournament. Nation vs. Nation team events draw ENORMOUS crowds on television and in person. We've seen in Senegal and Mongolia that the takedown-only format is both highly competitive and rewards the hardest working, most-technical wrestlers, as evidenced in certain wrestlers winning multiple titles year after year. Takedown-only events would be the ENTRY POINT for sports fans to get interested in the sport. It would allow them the opportunity to get more invested in the sport, because we could describe simple holds and techniques because they always lead to one, simple conclusion: Takedowns. Just like with soccer and basketball, whose sports have advanced metrics and endless analysis, wrestling could enjoy media-saturation if the outcomes were easy to determine. I have visions of analysts sitting around with highlighters circling where Reece Humphrey was able to secure the TAKEDOWN against the Korean wrestler because his foot was placed JUST SO on his inside trip. If a fan knows that falling down first is how you lose, then the media and analysts can give you 100 million reasons it did, or didn't happen. But when it's two guys hand-fighting, with rules that are too complicated for ninety percent of wrestling fans to understand, then we can't do the simple analysis on television. You be the judge. Alexander Karelin loses out on four Olympic titles because he unlocked his hands in a clinch. Is that wrestling? Is that REAL competition? The single biggest upset in wrestling history is a 14-minute long match with only moderate fan cheering, largely because nobody, including then President Juan Antonio Samaranch, understood who won, or why. On the other side, a very briefly edited video of a takedown-only team event in the middle of Africa. More than 10k crazed fans, cheers, and excitement. Please try and imagine what that could be like at the Olympics. Karelin vs. Gardner Chad vs. Central Africa Rant of the Week! In response to Olympian Jake Herbert's accusation that he wasn't donating money to the cause to Save Olympic Wrestling, and that he was personally stiffed $7k, Mike DiSabato of Cage Fighter responded. The clothing salesman who recently acquired Kyle Dake, went to Twitter to call Herbert a "douche bag" among several other less-than-flattering names. Oh, and he goes on to claim that poor sponsorship of athletes led to the murder of Dave Shultz. Here are the screen shots of his Twitter Feed: (THIS IS WHY YOU NEED TO BE ON TWITTER!) Herbert antagonizes DiSabato, who he believes owes him $7k, but is currently making enough money to offer Kyle Dake a six-figure contract ... Re: Jake Herbert's intelligence ... Calling Herbert "a(n) arrogant prick" ... On why DiSabato thinks Jake isn't making any financial gains post-wrestling ... Herbert's performance at the 2012 Olympics was deemed subpar by DiSabato ... DiSabato seems to be making the point that John DuPont wouldn't have killed Dave Shultz had there been an apparel company to sponsor wrestlers ... DiSabato believes the UFC's Dana White has acted in the same manner ...

Fight Now TV Presents Takedown Wrestling in the Brute studios. Takedown Wrestling is proudly presented by Kemin, Inspired Molecular Solutions! This Saturday it's Takedown Wrestling Radio from 9 to 11 a.m. CT/10 a.m. to noon ET. Join Scott Casber, Steve Foster, Terry Cook, our own Jeff Murphy and Brad Johnson live from Des Moines, Iowa. This week Bob Selby takes my place as I announce both the NY and LA Beat The Streets events. This week's guests: 9:03 Reece Humphrey, U.S. men's freestyle wrestler 9:20 Joe Russell, George Mason head wrestling coach 9:40 Patrick Hadley, Adam Frey Film producer 9:50 Tyler Barkley, Max Muscle Sports Nutrition Update 10:00 Scott Hinkel, Purdue head wrestling coach 10:20 Kevin Jackson, Iowa State head wrestling coach 10:40 Jake Herbert, U.S. men's freestyle wrestler 10:50 Amy Ruble, Wildrose Casino and Resort Fans, athletes, coaches: This is your sport. Join in the conversation live. Ask questions. Call 866-333-5966 or 515-204-5966. Takedown Wrestling is available on radio on AM 1460 KXNO in Iowa, online at Livesportsvideo.com, or on your Blackberry or iPhone with the iHeart Radio app. (Click on KXNO under Sportsradio.)

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Lutte Licensing Group, LLC (Lutte) announced today an exclusive sponsorship, licensing and marketing agreement with four-time NCAA champion & 2013 Dan Hodge Trophy winner Kyle Dake. Kyle Dake defeated Hassan Tahmasebi of Iran on Wednesday night (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Lutte, which also holds the exclusive licensing and manufacturing rights to mixed martial arts brands Cage Fighter and CF Athletic, entered the authentic athletic mixed martial arts branded apparel business in 2007 and has been a prominent supporter of the mixed martial arts and mixed martial artists at all levels of the sport since entering the Octagon at UFC 74. Dake, who made history in March by becoming the first ever athlete to win four NCAA championships in four different weight classes, is the first athlete in the history of the sport in the United States to receive a multi-year guaranteed contract to endorse both an apparel & shoe brand immediately following the completion of his collegiate wrestling career. In 2011, Lutte also signed two-time NCAA champion, Jordan Burroughs, to a then historic multi-year endorsement agreement to represent the CF Athletic brand's growing wrestling apparel category. The agreement between Lutte and Dake is also historic as Dake will not only wear CF Athletic combat apparel to train and compete in at the international level, but he will also be the first athlete in the history of the sport to put his name on a wrestling shoe immediately following the commencement of his collegiate career. Dake's yearly compensation will likely garner him well over six figures per year as Lutte is the first company in the history of the sport of wrestling to pay an athlete a percentage of sales in line with the rates received by athletes in other major professional sports in the United States. The announcement of this historic business relationship between Lutte (which means Wrestling in French) and Dake comes on the heels of the International Olympic Committee's announcement in February that the IOC executive board recommended the sport of wrestling bedropped from the Olympic program in 2020. "We believe in the sport of wrestling long term and we believe in Kyle Dake," says Lutte's Founder & President Michael DiSabato, a former D1 wrestler at The Ohio State University. "Wrestling is the oldest and greatest sport in the world and has always been the cornerstone of our brand and the athletes we choose to endorse. We believe in wrestling at all levels and our deal with Kyle shows that the numbers are significant enough in our sport to compensate athletes who compete in the sport fairly," says DiSabato. "The name Dake means winner as Kyle has represented himself and our sport at the highest level both on the mat and in the classroom." Kyle Dake won four NCAA Division I championships at Cornell (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Lutte is expected to launch its on-the-mat relationship with Dake today as the Ithaca, N.Y. native is scheduled to debut on the international wrestling scene at the Rumble on the Rails event set for the historic Grand Central Station in New York City this afternoon against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Dake will also compete later this year for a spot on the U.S .World Team in Stillwater, Okla., in June. Lutte has already begun work on the first generation CF Athletic KyleDake signature shoe set for release later this year. The CF Athletic Dake signature shoe is to be appropriately named, The Revolution. "One thing is clear to me and many in wrestling, we need to change the way our sport is marketed and the way our athletes are compensated. Look at the UFC, NBA, NASCAR, PGA and the NFL for examples. The athlete story is what builds brands and builds fan interest. The REVOLUTION is coming." Says DiSabato. Lutte Licensing Group, LLC is a boutique manufacturing and licensing company started by Michael H. DiSabato. Lutte Licensing Group owns exclusive licensing rights to prominent mixed martial arts brands including Cage Fighter and CF Athletic. Cage Fighter. CF is worn by undefeated UFC title contender and two-time U.S. Olympian Daniel Cormier. CF has also been worn by some of the finest athletes in mixed martial arts including Chuck Liddell, B.J. Penn, Urijah Faber, Forrest Griffin, Gray Maynard, Mo Lawal, Mark Coleman, Kevin Randleman, Josh Thompson, Phil Davis, Chris Weidman and Mike Swick. DiSabato is also credited for developing the first and only mixed martial arts lifestyle brand, MMA Elite, to be sold to Walmart stores in both the U.S. and Canada.

NEW YORK -- Team USA made a statement on Wednesday night in New York with a convincing 8-1 victory over world wrestling power Russia at the Rumble on the Rails at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal. Jordan Burroughs improved to 53-0 in his international wrestling career (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)All five men's freestyle matches were won by the U.S., as well the lone women's freestyle match. Russia's lone win came in the final match of the dual meet in Greco-Roman. World and Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs extended his international win streak to 53, but needed three periods to do against Saba Khubetzhty at 74 kilos. The first period went to Khubetzhty 1-1, as the Russian scored the last point in the period with a pushout. Burroughs came back strong to win the second period 5-0, and closed out the match with a 7-3 victory in the final period. Current college stars Logan Stieber and David Taylor came through with big victories for Team USA. Stieber, a two-time NCAA champion in two seasons at Ohio State, stunned world No. 1 Opan Sat, 5-7, 6-0, 3-0, at 60 kilos. Stieber jumped out to a 3-0 lead early, scoring with a takedown and ankle lace. But Sat battled back to win the opening period 7-5, with all of his points coming from a flurry. Stieber was dominant in the second period, winning 6-0. The final period came down to the leg clinch, and Stieber came out on top with a three-point crotch lift. Taylor, a runner-up at this year's U.S. Open, was dominant from start to finish against Magomed Kurbanaliev. After Taylor took the opening period 7-2, he threw Kurbanaliev to his back early in the second period to earn the fall. Olympic bronze medalist Coleman Scott won in three periods over Artas Sanaa at 60 kilos. Scott won the first period 1-0, scoring a one-point takedown. Sanaa came back to win the second period by scoring from the leg clinch. In the third period Scott used a three-point double leg takedown in the final 30 seconds to win the period 3-0 and take the match. Scott Casber interviews Kurt Angle at the Rumble on the Rails (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Brent Metcalf came from behind to defeat Soslan Ramanov, 0-2, 1-0, 7-0, at 66 kilos. In the only women's freestyle match, Helen Maroulis, a 2012 World silver medalist, pinned Irina Kisel (Russia) early in the second period. The U.S. picked up wins in two of the three Greco-Roman matches contested. Kendrick Sanders earned a 1-0, 1-0 victory over Asker Orshokdugov at 66 kilos. Ben Provisor followed up with a three-period victory over Ambako Vachadze, 1-0, 0-1, 1-0. Russia's one win came in the final match of the dual meet, where Evgeni Saleev came from behind to defeat Jordan Holm, 0-1, 1-0, 1-0. Earlier in the day, Iran won six of seven matches against a Team USA squad in men's freestyle. The lone bright spot for Team USA came at 74 kilos, where Kyle Dake, in his first international match since ending his college wrestling career as a four-time NCAA champion, topped Hassan Tahmasebi, 2-0, 1-0. USA 8, Russia 1 Men's freestyle 60 kilos: Coleman Scott (USA) dec. Artas Sanaa (Russia), 1-0, 0-1, 3-0 60 kilos: Logan Stieber (USA) dec. Opan Sat (Russia), 5-7, 6-0, 3-0 66 kilos: Brent Metcalf (USA) dec. Soslan Ramanov (Russia), 0-2, 1-0, 7-0 74 kilos: David Taylor (USA) pinned Magomed Kurbanaliev (Russia), 7-2, 0:16 74 kilos: Jordan Burroughs (USA) vs. Saba Khubezhty (Russia), 1-1, 5-0, 7-3 Women's freestyle 55 kilos: Helen Maroulis (USA) pinned Irina Kisel (Russia), 2-0, 0:35 Greco-Roman 66 kilos: Kendrick Sanders (USA) dec. Asker Orshokdugov (Russia), 1-0, 1-0 74 kilos: Ben Provisor (USA) dec. Ambako Vachadze (Russia), 1-0, 0-1, 1-0 84 kilos: Evgeni Saleev (Russia) dec. Jordan Holm (USA), 0-1, 1-0, 1-0 Iran 6, USA 1 Men's freestyle 55 kilos: Mehdi Taghavi (Iran) dec. Obe Blanc (USA), 0-1, 1-0, 5-2 60 kilos: Masoud Esmailpour Joybari (Iran) dec. Reece Humphrey (USA), 1-0, 6-0 66 kilos: Mehdi Taghavi (Iran) dec. Kellen Russell (USA), 3-1, 0-2 74 kilos: Kyle Dake (USA) dec. Hassan Tahmasebi (Iran), 2-0, 1-0 84 kilos: Ehsan Lashgari (Iran) dec. Keith Gavin (USA), 1-0, 1-0 96 kilos: Hamed Tatari (Iran) dec. J.D. Bergman (USA), 3-1, 1-0 120 kilos: Khomeil Ghasemi (Iran) dec. Tervel Dlagnev (USA), 1-1, 1-0

USA 8, Russia 1 Men's freestyle 60 kilos: Coleman Scott (USA) dec. Artas Sanaa (Russia), 1-0, 0-1, 3-0 60 kilos: Logan Stieber (USA) dec. Opan Sat (Russia), 5-7, 6-0, 3-0 66 kilos: Brent Metcalf (USA) dec. Soslan Ramanov (Russia), 0-2, 1-0, 7-0 74 kilos: David Taylor (USA) pinned Magomed Kurbanaliev (Russia), 7-2, 0:16 74 kilos: Jordan Burroughs (USA) vs. Saba Khubezhty (Russia), 1-1, 5-0, 7-3 Women's freestyle 55 kilos: Helen Maroulis (USA) pin Irina Kisel (Russia), 2-0, 0:35 Greco-Roman 66 kilos: Kendrick Sanders (USA) dec. Asker Orshokdugov (Russia), 1-0, 1-0 74 kilos: Ben Provisor (USA) dec. Ambako Vachadze (Russia), 1-0, 0-1, 1-0 84 kilos: Evgeni Saleev (Russia) dec. Jordan Holm (USA), 0-1, 1-0, 1-0 Iran 6, USA 1 Men's freestyle 55 kilos: Mehdi Taghavi (Iran) dec. Obe Blanc (USA), 0-1, 1-0, 5-2 60 kilos: Masoud Esmailpour Joybari (Iran) dec. Reece Humphrey (USA), 1-0, 6-0 66 kilos: Mehdi Taghavi (Iran) dec. Kellen Russell (USA), 3-1, 0-2 74 kilos: Kyle Dake (USA) dec. Hassan Tahmasebi (Iran), 2-0, 1-0 84 kilos: Ehsan Lashgari (Iran) dec. Keith Gavin (USA), 1-0, 1-0 96 kilos: Hamed Tatari (Iran) dec. J.D. Bergman (USA), 3-1, 1-0 120 kilos: Khomeil Ghasemi (Iran) dec. Tervel Dlagnev (USA), 1-1, 1-0

Last week FILA published its first men's freestyle World rankings, which is extremely encouraging. The rankings have some problems, among them is that they seem to lack internal logic as how much to weigh certain events, but what they reveal more than anything is a more systemic problem with wrestling itself. The rankings only look at results from this past year, which makes sense, but in 2013, only six of London's 14 Olympic finalists have competed. I'm willing to bet that not all eight of the remaining finalists have retired, and that we will see at least half of them at the next World Championships. Unfortunately, they have little incentive to participate in the meantime, as these World rankings will have no effect on their draw at Worlds. As of now, these World rankings are replete with faces and names that I guarantee won't be particularly relevant come time for the World Championships. I'm appreciative that FILA has tasked someone like Mr. May with formulating these rankings. I hope that at some point in the future these rankings grow some teeth. Opan SatAt the Beat the Streets Gala this week, also known as "The Rumble on the Rails" we will be treated to seeing the wrestling from some of the names from the newly minted rankings. One of the world's No. 1-ranked wrestlers (and he should be), who will show up this week in New York is Russia's 60-kilo triple European champion Opan Sat. Other than his wrestling, which is superb, a few things jump out about Mr. Sat. First off he has a really cool name; it almost sounds like he's from the future. The second thing you may notice is Opan's appearance. We think of Russia as a European nation, but Sat's features are more paradigmatically Asian. This should remind us that Russia in its vastness is not monolithic, rather, it's a state which is an amalgamation of many different smaller countries. These smaller countries are home to people from hundreds of different ethnicities. While someone who is technically Russian living next to the Baltic Sea may have fair skin and blue eyes, a Russian who grew up on the coast of the Sea of Japan will likely look very different. Opan Sat is from a semi-autonomous republic contained with Russia known as the Tyva Republic, nestled between Siberia and Mongolia. Ethnically, Sat is Tuvan, more closely related to Mongolians than an ethnic Russian. Though wrestling is the national sport of the Tyva Republic, for a Tuvan to ascend to the top in Russia is fairly rare. The landscape of Russian wrestling is dominated by natives of Caucuses mountain republics like Ossetia, Dagestan, or Kabardino-Balkaria. This is what really makes wrestling special. A young man from a forgotten corner of the planet, of a people that almost nobody has ever heard of, will walk step on a mat in the middle of Manhattan, and there he will be a star. Only in wrestling will you see stories like that of Opan Sat. The state of the Iranian wrestling team Komeil GhasemiI heard someone remark on the unfortunate absence of Iran's Olympic silver medalist 74-kilo wrestler Sadegh Goudarzi and 96-kilo World champ Reza "The Panther of Juybar" Yazdani from the Iranian contingent this week for the USA-Iran dual meet. This is still a very good team, essentially the same squad that crushed the USA six matches to one at this past World Cup. Six of its seven wrestlers either have won a World or Olympic medal, or will seriously threaten for one at the next World Championships. If this is indeed Iran's current No. 1 team, I would probably rank it as the third best team in the world, placing the assembled best wrestlers of Russian and Azerbaijan as Nos. 1 and 2, respectively. Considering the beating they laid on us the last time we met, I am very concerned about the U.S.'s chances in this dual meet. 55 kilos: Iran's Hassan Rahimi is a World bronze medalist. He's beaten Nick Simmons in the past, and at the World Cup comfortably beat an overmatched Zach Sanders. 60 kilos: Iran's Masoud Esmailpour Jouybari has never placed at a world-level tournament and lost to Coleman Scott at last year's World Cup. This year's World Cup was a different story altogether, as Esmailpour overwhelmed Scott with his physicality, horsing him around with a vicious underhook for several takedowns. The way he wrestled, I half expected him to slip on a black Iowa warmup after he stepped off the mat. 66 kilos: Iran's Mehdi Taghavi Kermani is a multiple-time World champ. This isn't to say he's unbeatable. He's endured some questionable losses over the past couple years and did not place in London. That being said, when he faced Brent Metcalf in Tehran a few months ago, it was pretty ugly, and quick as Taghavi blew Metcalf out of the water. 74 kilos: I'm not going to pretend to know much about the Iranian here. Hassan Tahmasebi should be a nice test for Kyle Dake. 84 kilos: Olympic bronze medalist Ehsan Lashgari is compact, quick, and very, very strong. He has uncanny timing with his snatch singles. 96 kilos: Hamed Tatari beat J.D. Bergman in Tehran, though the match was fairly competitive. Perhaps the U.S. has a chance here. 120 kilos: Komeil Ghasemi now has two wins over Tervel. In the last match in Iran, he hit what appeared to be a super duck on him. I sort of thought that the first win over Tervel was a fluke, but that super duck ... wow. Like I said, seeing how we match up with Iran, our chances don't look too great, but hope springs eternal. There's probably going to be a ton of happy Iranian wrestling fans in New York this week. Hopefully this event gives the sport the showcase it sorely needs ahead of the IOC board meeting.

Mike Moyer

EDINBORO, Pa. -- Eastern Wrestling League Commissioner Bruce Baumgartner today announced the addition of two teams beginning in 2013-14. George Mason University and Rider University are joining the EWL after previously competing in the Colonial Athletic Association. The addition of George Mason and Rider brings the EWL back to seven teams, including Bloomsburg, Clarion, Cleveland State, Edinboro and Lock Haven. West Virginia departed following the 2011-12 season for the Big Eight and Pittsburgh, the EWL Tournament champion in 2012 and '13, is leaving for the Atlantic Coast Conference. It also marks the first time the EWL has expanded since Virginia Tech, now also a member of the ACC, joined the conference in 1999. "We are extremely happy to announce the addition of George Mason and Rider," related Baumgartner, who also serves as the Director of Athletics at Edinboro. "We add two very sound wrestling programs with solid traditions. It brings the EWL back to seven teams and we will continue to have a quality season-ending qualifying tournament. In addition, this solidifies schedules with the teams meeting in a round-robin format. We welcome George Mason and Rider to the EWL. Their addition allows us to maintain the national respect for the Eastern Wrestling League." Baumgartner stressed that the league's coaches will meet in the future to work out details in the transition year. With schedules virtually in place, the league will likely not begin the round-robin duals until 2014-15. He also noted that Cleveland State will host the 2014 EWL Championships on Saturday, March 8, 2014. "Myself and the entire coaching staff are very excited about joining the EWL," commented long-time Rider head coach Gary Taylor, who has 390 career wins in 35 years as head coach. "It is with great respect and appreciation that we accepted the invitation from EWL Commissioner Bruce Baumgartner." "The EWL's history of success over the years speaks volumes to the fact that they consistently are one of the elite NCAA Div 1 wrestling conferences in the country. Since 1984 the EWL has produced 25 NCAA Champions and hundreds of All Americans. We look forward to being a part of this prestigious wrestling league and will work hard to contribute to the future success of the EWL." George Mason head coach Joe Russell echoed Taylor's sentiments. "We are excited to join the EWL. The league has stood the test of time and has produced some great wrestlers. We will need to improve as a whole to be competitive in this league. The bar has been raised and we are going to make positive gains as a result. This is a good day for Mason Wrestling." Edinboro head coach Tim Flynn sees the expansion as a positive move for the conference. "We're very happy George Mason and Rider have decided to join us," he stated. "Regionally it makes a lot of sense. It provides us with two solid teams. We look forward to competing against them." In fact, Edinboro has a dual scheduled against Rider in 2013-14. Rider was a member of the Colonial Athletic Association for wrestling since 2002 and placed second at the 2013 CAA Championships. The Broncs were previously members of the East Coast Conference and the East Coast Wrestling Association from 1975-2001 and won 13 ECC/ECWA Championships. They served as host for the NCAA Division I National Champions in 2001 in Philadelphia and in 2002 in Albany. Rider competes in all other sports in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. George Mason moves to the Atlantic 10 Conference effective July 2013. Russell took over as the head coach of the Patriots in July 2011. The former Minnesota assistant coach now looks to continue rebuilding their wrestling fortunes in the EWL. The Patriots earned five Colonial Athletic Association championships since joining the conference in 1992.

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. -- Rider University has accepted an invitation to join the Eastern Wrestling League, Rider Director of Athletics Don Harnum announced. “Rider University and the EWL both have a long history of Division I wrestling success,” said Harnum. “When you combine great wrestling tradition with our geographic compatibility, I am confident this partnership will be beneficial to all involved. We look forward to competing in the EWL next season.” Current EWL members include Lock Haven University, Clarion University, Bloomsburg University, Edinboro University and Cleveland State University. The EWL announced that George Mason has also accepted an invitation to join the EWL for 2013-14. “I am very excited, as is our entire staff, about joining the EWL,” said Rider head coach Gary Taylor, the second most winningest active coach in the NCAA with 390 victories at Rider. “It is with great respect and appreciation that we accepted the invitation from EWL Commissioner Bruce Baumgartner." Rider was a member of the Colonial Athletic Association for wrestling since 2002 and placed second in the 2013 CAA Championships with four NCAA qualifiers. The CAA announced recently that it is no longer sponsoring a championship in the sport of wrestling. The EWL has had seven NCAA individual National Champions since 2001 and in just the last two years produced 10 All-Americans. Edinboro has won 12 EWL Titles and finished 14th at the 2013 NCAA Championships. “The EWL's history of success over the years speaks volumes to the fact that they consistently are one of the elite NCAA Division I wrestling conferences in the country,” added Taylor, who has coached 13 All-Americans and 64 individual conference champions at Rider. “Since 1984 the EWL has produced 25 NCAA Champions and hundreds of All-Americans. We look forward to being a part of this prestigious wrestling league and will work hard to contribute to the future success of the EWL.” Rider was a member of the East Coast Conference and the East Coast Wrestling Association from 1975-2001 and won 13 ECC/ECWA Championships. Rider has twice served as host for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, in 2011 in Philadelphia, PA and in Albany, NY in 2002. The Broncs return four NCAA qualifiers and have added three nationally ranked recruits for the 2013-14 season.

InterMat senior writer T.R. Foley answers reader questions about NCAA wrestling, international wrestling, recruiting, or anything loosely related to wrestling. You have until Thursday night every week to send questions to Foley's Twitter or email account. Do you want to read a past mailbag? Access archives. Your job this month is to support wrestling. You are to vote, you are to attend events, and you are to be a publicity generator. Your Facebook friends will be inundated with your appeals. You WILL Save Olympic Wrestling. For quick reference here are the things you should be doing at this moment, or have completed in the past week. Please don't read the Mailbag, until you've completed your assignments. The TA will be checking your work. Vote for Wrestling. Vote for Kyle Dake. Support the Curby Cup (Chicago), Sunday, May 12. Support Rumble on the Rails (New York City), Wednesday, May 15. Support the United-4-Wrestling (Los Angeles), Sunday, May 19. Like FILA_Official on Facebook. To your questions ... Q: What do you think of Blair academy hiring Solomon Fleckman as their head coach? Why was Charles Danhof not promoted from interim to head coach? -- Gregg Y. Foley: Solomon Fleckman has a history at Blair Academy, and unless he's become a worse coach with experience, I see him being the right fit for the program. He's a smart, engaging guy with a tough streak that earns him respect with his wrestlers. Fleckman has a tough role to fill, stepping in for the legendary Coach Buxton, but he'll manage what he can, and I think, do a superb job. Q: I've noticed recently that guys will compete for multiple teams at a tournament, like Reece Humphrey at the U.S. Open wrestling for the NYAC and Ohio RTC. Would you be able to shed some light on these teams? Are wrestlers awarded a scholarship so to speak if they wrestle for a club, or are they expected to work a nine to five and compete on an elite level after putting in a day at the office? Do different teams cater to different styles like in MMA with Team Alpha Male primarily pumping out the little guys while the Blackzillians are known for their striking? How does a wrestler decide to join or represent a certain team? -- Curt H. Foley: Non-profit clubs set up by wealthy individuals have supported the efforts of our international wrestlers for decades. Sunkist Kids, NYAC, and Gator were some of the best-known entities in the sport. The wrestlers would work as coaches, or train at Colorado Springs, and earn additional income through the non-profit contributions of the clubs. The wrestlers are given a 1099 for their monies, and made responsible for any tax liability it might create. Recently, the training situation, aided by relaxed NCAA regulations, has moved towards college campuses, with Ohio State, Cornell and Michigan all hosting top-notch teams. Those teams work out together and earn funding from local donors. However, they also receive monies from their traditional backers like the NYAC and Sunkist Kids. These powerhouses, along with Titan Mercury WC, are the ones to accumulate team points because they fund wrestlers from all different clubs and independents. As for why they decide each program, that depends on their needs. The Ohio RTC is probably best known for its lightweights, but that doesn't exclude them from having some heavy-hitters in the upperweights. Really, it's all about relationships. If you know a guy, or have worked before with the coaches on staff (how Michigan landed Herbert), you'll make the decision to train. As for the money, that too comes from pre-existing relationships. If you're coming from a school that has a nice relationship with Sunkist Kids and the Martori's are treating you well, then it figures you stay under their banner. Q: I read a couple of articles about the India Wrestling League scheduled to kick off this November. I was wondering what your thoughts were on this league. Is this something that can sustain and grow, or will it go the way of the Real Pro Wrestling? -- Dan K. Foley: I love the idea and I think that the Indian sports market is prepared to explode along with its middle class. Indians are obsessed with cricket. Not like we are with football, but an everyday, every moment passion for the sport like soccer that doesn't take a major seasonal hiatus. Though this has been true since British colonization, cricket was difficult to monetize because the games could last as many as three days. Finally a few bright Indians got together and said, "Hey, our rules make it difficult for fans to understand. I think we need to make a change." Enter: The IPL. Shorter than three-day long cricket matches, the IPL games take 2.5 to 3 hours and are littered with cheerleaders, hot women in the crowd, sponsorships, rule reminders, good commentary, and rife with storytelling. On my trip three weeks ago I was not only capable of picking up the rules in 30 minutes. I was cheering for a team, and by the end standing outside the hotel entryway cheering on the Chennai Super Kings! IWL could do much the same thing. One of the ideas is that you can play the reruns in an abbreviated manner, much like they do IPL. Instead of just showing the live event which still features plenty of camera angles and smash cuts, the IWL would show matches, but cut through the highlights to build the drama. It takes away from the live aspect of the event, but adds an incredible amount of excitement. Though Indian wrestling has very simple rules, it's my understanding they'll be using freestyle rules. There are currently 6 teams and an expected 30 total matches. Wrestlers from around the world have also been invited to participate. My thought is that it'll have support, and will build on that support over time. However, I think the reaction to the IOC's May, and possible September decisions, will decide how popular the league will become. If they are able to capture the emotions of a disappointed wrestling community, or if they are able to piggyback the jovial disposition of a recently approved sport, then the IWL could be a big deal. Q: Who is Bloomsburg going to hire? -- John K. Foley: There are plenty of solid young candidates. The most important part is that they hire someone who can become the coach/CEO that the spot needs. For that I'd look to the schools that have head coaches who taught their assistants these lessons. Cornell has a stable of solid options, as does Virginia with Alex Clemson who went to college in Pennsylvania. Lehigh has a great one in Brad Dillon, and Maryland with two-time Nebraska All-American Todd Beckerman. MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME Asian Championships Real Pro Wrestling Wrestling needs more of this: Beat the Streets LA's new short film: Stella(r) Kids Q: One of the more popular events in the Olympic events happens to be beach volleyball in particular women's beach volleyball. I am not trying to be disrespectful to our great and wonderful sport, but I think beach wrestling would be a better substitute for Greco-Roman for the person who's never watched wrestling. Now if you have guys in fight shorts or practice pants (you know the ones that resemble biker shorts) and for women a two-piece that resembles a women's track uniform or the beach volleyball two pieces. Do you think that FILA would go for it? I think the IOC could eat up if they are looking for you're looking TV. ratings because there would be an element of sex appeal. Would the athletes go for it? Do you think it would cheapen the sport? What do you think? -- Marcus R. Foley: You know that sex sells, but you feel guilty because it might make you look misogynist. Don't fret. There is some major support from WOMEN for what you're advocating. And the attitudes about sex in sports is changing rapidly. Singlets aren't made for women, and the only sexism comes from insisting that they wear the same uniform as men. This is the actually the same argument that the Australian women's basketball team used when they decided to change their uniforms for the Olympics. Yeah, some miserable, un-fun woman had a public moaning, but this was THEIR decision. What's wrong with wanting to look good while you compete? And they DO look good. Women should move over to something more flattering. Two-pieces might not be the perfect answer, but there are some much, much better options that could be made available. Not only would this promote better viewership, but it might also promote more participation by women who right now see wrestling as the ultimate male sport. As for the men, we too have to bag the singlet. Depsite being all that most American fans know to be the uniform of wrestling, the singlet IS NOT THE TRADITIONAL OUTFIT OF WRESTLING. In fact, in a sport that has spanned more than 9k years of recorded competition, singlets have only been used from 50. You do the math, but I'm pretty sure that barely registers as a blip on the radar. The most traditional outfit would be shorts with no shirt, and shoes that match in style, but that can have differing flare. For men, singlets need to be replaced with fight shorts and either short sleeve or long sleeve rash guards. Ridiculous as you think it seems, there are wide swaths of humanity who cannot get past the awkwardness of two men in tight singlets rolling around with each other. Call them small-minded, moan till you're miserable, but you are never going to overcome the association between singlet wrestling and negative sexual connotations until the outfits are less revealing in the crotch. Changing the outfits would also generate MILLIONS of dollars in apparel sales, and create a more comfortable environment for pubescent teenagers just entering the sport. Wrestling should always be about the wrestling. Singlets are a distraction that has NO cultural significance outside of the wrestling community's nostalgia for what they think it means to other people. Ironically, singelts represent the exact opposite of what we want them to represent. Seriously, get on board already. The singlet is dead. Q: Just to add to your discussion on NCAA venue location. What about Kansas City? I know that the last time they were here in 2003 it probably didn't get the best response. Since then Kansas City has added the Sprint Center downtown, which holds around 18,000, the Power and Light District right across the street, a premier place for socializing, drinks, and food. Also many hotels have been added and renovated to accommodate many incoming events. It has been a great host for the Big 12 basketball tournament and a regional site for the NCAA basketball tournament. KCI is only 20 minutes away and many area high schools would be able to accommodate workout sessions if needed. Of course I am a little biased, but would love to see it back here and I believe a central, Midwest location is the best for college wrestling and making it profitable. Your thoughts? -- Robert Foley: I'm sorry, Robert, but there is no way I could endorse Kansas City. The sport needs to go bigger, and that means being seen in major media markets. I like your city. I've had fun and gotten into trouble in your city. But to be a main attraction the sport is going to have to be seen by more people, not fewer. I'll be in town again soon, and will be sure to give the Power and Light District some close inspection. Maybe that'll change my mind. Q: Quick question for your mailbag. The wrestling community is very vocal about the ball grab/clinch and we're all saying the same thing ... that it's terrible. It's been hated on since it was implemented by FILA (for good reason, it sucks). WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO TO CHANGE THIS RULE? Who do I have to write letters to?! I'm sick of watching great matches be decided by this garbage. Just at this year's U.S. Open Oliver vs. Metcalf, Oliver vs. Russell, Stieber vs. Humphrey, the list goes on forever. I'm trying to be proactive and I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like to do something about this nonsense. The 2/3 periods rule and pushout rule are also terrible but I think the clinch is the worst thing to happen to our sport. -- Danny Foley: The ball draw is dead. No matter what happens with the sport, and with FILA it will be eliminated. Not saying that the hair-brained ideas of what comes next won't be equally irritating, but it's a start. We'll also see a return to cumulative scoring and more passivity calls. I like the pushout rule, but it can't be worth as much as a takedown, which I think will also be addressed in the rule changes. Q: Destin McCauley: what do you think he does at Nebraska? If memory serves me correctly, he is projected at 149 or 157. Jake Sueflohn just moved up to 149, and he was a Big Ten finalist. At 157, there is two-time All American James Green. Both will be juniors. Do you think after postponing college for two years, McCauley redshirts? Do you think he wrestles off one of these two guys? Or do you think Nebraska shuffles the weights. -- Mark K. Foley: DMac is going 149 and I'd project him as a high All-American or national finalist. The kid might be wishy-washy on where he'd like to study, but when it comes time to scrap he can lay down a beating. Remember that he has a win over Hunter Stieber Introducing the new Mailbag feature: Informative Rant of the Week! Re: Las Vegas hosting the U.S. Open. Because it's FREE, or nearly so. Why are the PA State Wrestling Championships held in Hershey, or all places? Because the GIANT Center is Free. Why is it free? Because the Herco Company OWNS it, as well as a fair amount of the local hotels and eating establishments, to say nothing of the adjacent Outlets and Hershey Amusement Park. Several years ago, PSU/Bryce Jordan Center put in a bid to sponsor the PA States Wrestling tourney -- and put in an incredibly low-ball bid -- but still lost! They were furious and did some digging -- they unearthed the Herco deal and complained to PIAA about "the unfairness of it all ... " Herco simply came out a said that 'all was fair' because they were willing to "eat" the Arena cost for PIAA because they made it up on the back end with their local monopoly in services. Same for Vegas. Airfare is incredibly cheap because it's subsidized. Hotel rooms are incredibly cheap because they're subsidized. Food is incredibly cheap, and amazingly plentiful, because it's subsidized. The Vegas Convention Center is incredibly cheap, or free, because it's subsidized. These are all subsidized by the casinos that support these events and activities, via the Vegas Convention Center Authority, whose mission is to promote ATTENDANCE IN VEGAS, anywhere in Vegas and for any reason, because the town/casinos make up the 'loss-leaders' in gambling take. So long as Vegas is willing to step up and make it cheap to be there, especially on 'off-season' times like the U.S. Open in April/May, they'll be held there. -- Mike R. Since it's the time of year for graduation speeches, I thought I'd leave you with arguably the greatest of all-time.

Without any major MMA card on the horizon, Richard and John analyze the latest news. Anderson Silva picked up a $50,000 fine by skipping a press conference. That's just unprofessional. AmIRight, Nick Diaz? Bellator has a new reality show coming out. Which is good, since The Ultimate Fighter isn't stale at all and Joe Riggs needs a paycheck. Oh, and that crappy heavyweight boxer that's best known for hitting himself in the face during a bout? He's got Dana White's attention. Dana hasn't been trolled since... Wait, Chael Sonnen fought for the title again? Nevermind. Do you want to listen to a past episode? Access archives.

Roger Kish just completed his second season as head wrestling coach at North Dakota State. He led the Bison to the Western Wrestling Conference (WCC) regular season title with a perfect 5-0 dual meet record. Kish also produced his first All-American. InterMat recently caught up with Kish. You're coming off a season in which you won the WWC dual meet title, finished second in the West Regional, and 30th at the NCAAs. What's your overall assessment of the season you had? Kish: Overall, we had an up-and-down season. Our guys compete hard. They continue to work and train hard. That's all we can ask out of them. We made a lot of mistakes throughout the year. But we keep bouncing back, learning, and getting better. Overall, I think the boys did a good job. We're happy with where we're at. Our ultimate goal is to continue to get better. Trent Sprenkle became your first All-American by placing fifth at 125 pounds. How gratifying was it for you as a coach to see him finish his career on the All-American podium? Roger Kish (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine)Kish: That's an important piece. The guy has worked hard. He has been there. He's had the experience. He was a round of 12 finisher the last three years. He came across some tough guys. A couple years back he caught Ryan Mango in the round of 12. The previous year he wrestled Zach Sanders in the round of 12. And this year obviously he wrestled Matt McDonough in the round of 12. I think having that experience under his belt and being put in those pressure situations and being able to learn from it is important. Outside of that you couldn't ask for a better ending to a career for a kid like that. He's just one of those guys who works hard day in and day out. He does it with a smile on his face. It's good to see a young man who has been there and worked so hard to come away with the All-American title. That was big for him. We were happy as coaches to see him succeed in that way. As you touched on, Sprenkle had a win over three-time NCAA finalist Matt McDonough of Iowa in the round of 12. What did you tell him before he faced McDonough? Kish: Our conversation really revolved around an opportunity. We talked a bit about going out there, wrestling hard, and laying it all out there. We were expecting a low-scoring, hard-fought match. We knew it was going to tough. I think that kind of played to our advantage. We capitalized on his mistakes. For us, the conversation was, 'Hey, we've got to be tougher than this guy for seven-plus minutes. If we do that and wrestle with confidence and take advantage of opportunities, then we'll be successful. Steven Monk entered the NCAAs as the No. 5 seed at 165 pounds, but fell short of All-American honors when he lost in the round of 12. What does he need to get to the next level? Kish: Steve is a unique talent. He has the ability to wrestle through positions that you see a lot of wrestlers uncomfortable in. That played in his favor throughout the year. He just has to continue to get better. There are different positions he has to work on. He has to find some more opportunities to attack and score points. He knows that's what he needs to work on. You have landed a recruiting class that includes three InterMat Top 100 recruits in Mitch Bengtson, Preston Lehmann, and Clayton Ream, plus several state champions. What excites you about the recruiting class you're bringing in? Mitch Bengtson (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine)Kish: Ultimately, the biggest deal is these kids are seeing our program continue to improve and take big steps. They recognize it. They understand it. And they want to be a part of it. They see the tradition of North Dakota State. That's important. As far as the individuals, they're all experienced kids. These are kids that have wrestled every day their whole lives. That experience is an important part of being successful at this level ... having all those matches under your belt and ultimately continuing to want to get better. Our goal is to recruit kids who really fit the culture here ... that is having the work ethic and the style of wrestling we're looking for. We're going to be in-your-face, let's wrestle hard, push the pace, and continue to pressure. Just that style of wrestling is something we look for. That's a big part of being successful. It all plays a role in what we're looking for ... and continuing to build a program here. Do you anticipate all of your incoming freshmen will redshirt? Or is there a chance that some could content for spots in the lineup? Kish: There are opportunities for guys who come in at a high level to earn their spot within the ten starters. It will take time. We want to definitely get them in here, get them on the mat, have an opportunity to see where they're at and see their potential, and make a decision down the road. How do you sell your program at North Dakota to potential recruits? Kish: The wrestling tradition is strong here. That's important. When we talk to different recruits it's being able to share with them the same visions that we have. The university itself is a great academic school. There's a rich tradition of wrestling here. That's what kids like. As we continue to have success in the wrestling area, it will continue to grow and stand out. Every piece is important when you try to share that with potential recruits. In what area have you grown the most as a head coach in your two seasons at North Dakota State? Kish: I think it's being able to help our student-athletes on a personal level, getting to know them personally and help them through different situations along the way. The majority of your kids are going to have some tough times along the way, so you need to adjust to each individual and help them personally and help them continue to be successful. That's the piece I'm confident we'll continue to do well with ... creating those personal relationships and make sure they know we're here for them. How much does it benefit your program to have the Junior & Cadet Nationals in Fargo every summer? Kish: I think that's important. They've had it here for 17, 18 years now. Having the opportunity to show off our program, our university, our campus, and the city of Fargo when all these kids are right here in town is important. We often have kids talk to us about it. We get a lot of people interested in the program because of the tournament. It's nice to have a lot of the best kids in the country right in our backyard. Roger Kish battling Jake Varner in the 2008 NCAAs (Photo/The Guillotine)As a competitor at the University of Minnesota, you were an NCAA runner-up as a sophomore, finished third at the NCAAs as a junior, and then battled an injury as a senior. How much do you look back on your own career and wonder what could have been if you would have stayed healthy? Kish: That's a great question ... It's wrestling, it's part of the sport. Injuries are part of the sport and being able to adjust to those. I'm one of a million different wrestles who have come across injuries along the way. You could definitely look back. But ultimately I try to look forward. I try to move on, look forward, and try to help the sport of wrestling. I try not to look back too much on the difficult parts. I look back and focus on all the good things my career has brought me. That's what I focus on. Did you contemplate wrestling freestyle after you college career? Or weren't you healthy enough to be able to do that? Kish: After so long your body just doesn't hold up. I definitely thought about it. I contemplated it a lot of times. Unfortunately, there are limitations on what your body can do. I opted to go the coaching route. I wanted to be involved in wrestling ... It's my biggest passion. I want to continue to grow my career as a coach and do everything I can to help young guys that way. When you came out of high school as one of the nation's top recruits, did you even know North Dakota State existed? Kish: Yeah, I competed in Fargo myself years ago, so I was familiar with Fargo and the big national tournament out here. When you get out here for a week at a time, you get opportunities to walk around and see the campus and university ... so I was very familiar with the university and the program. There are a lot of great things about this place. Then I went to Minnesota and became even more familiar with North Dakota State. We are only a few hours up the road. We would always come out here for the Bison Open. Roger Kish and Bret Maughan coaching at the NCAAs in Des Moines (Mark Beshey, The Guillotine)Where do you see the North Dakota State wrestling program going in the next five years? Kish: We're just going to try to get better every year. We're going to continue to help our young guys develop and be successful. Our ultimate goals are to continue to compete for the conference championships. We want to get as many guys to the NCAA tournament as possible. We want to start producing multiple All-Americans year in and year out. We want to start finding some guys in that national title match, and winning NCAA titles. Those are our goals. That's what we're going to continue to train for, compete for, and recruit for. That's where we want this program and I think we're headed in the right direction. This story also appears in the May 10 issue of The Guillotine. The Guillotine has been covering wrestling in Minnesota since 1971. Its mission is to report and promote wrestling at all levels -- from youth and high school wrestling to college and international level wrestling. Subscribe to The Guillotine.