InterMat Staff

Olympic gold medal-winning wrestler. NCAA mat champ. Long-time wrestling coach and clinician. All of these describe the wrestling career of Doug Blubaugh, who was killed in a motorcycle accident Monday, May 16, 2011 in Tonkawa, Okla. at age 76. However, there is so much more to the life of Douglas Morlan Blubaugh, on and off the mat. A quick look at an incredible life and career Doug Blubaugh was born December 31, 1934 in north-central Oklahoma, growing up on a farm between Tonkawa and Ponca City. Competing on the Ponca City High wrestling team, Blubaugh won the 141-pound title at the 1953 Oklahoma state championships. He then wrestled at Oklahoma State, where he was a three-time NCAA All-American (1955-1957), winning the 157-pound title his senior year at the 1957 NCAAs in Pittsburgh with a decisive 9-3 finals win over Mike Rodriguez of the University of Michigan. Doug BlubaughAfter graduating from Oklahoma State in 1957, Blubaugh focused on his freestyle career, winning two National AAU freestyle titles, and earning gold at the Pan-American Games in Chicago in 1959. Securing a place on the 1960 U.S. Olympic team after defeating Phil Kinyon in a series of bruising battles, Blubaugh made a name for himself at the Rome Olympics, pinning the undefeated world champion from Iran, Emam-Ali Habibi, and ultimately going on to win the gold medal at 160.5 pounds in freestyle. Blubaugh was named the World's Most Outstanding Wrestler in 1960. Having concluded his on-the-mat career, Blubaugh chose to share his knowledge and expertise in wrestling with future generations, as a coach, and as a clinician at wrestling camps across the nation. The Oklahoma native served as an assistant wrestling coach at a number of colleges before becoming head wrestling coach at Indiana University 40 years ago. He also was head coach of the U.S. team at the 1971 Pan American Games in Cali, Columbia. Later that year, he was awarded the Wrestling Coach of the Year by the U.S. Wrestling Coaches Foundation. Doug Blubaugh was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1979. Last fall, he and fellow Olympic gold medalist Shelby Wilson were honored by their alma mater, Ponca City High School, with the unveiling of life-size bronze statues in their Olympic singlets which are now on display at the school. On the evening of May 16, Blubaugh was riding his motorcycle when he was struck by a pickup truck that ran a stop sign in Tonkawa, the town he called home. He was knocked off the bike, fully conscious, and initially refused medical treatment, insisting he could walk home. He died on the way to the hospital in Blackwell, Okla. He was survived by five children -- a first set of twin sons, Dale Edward Blubaugh and Dean William Blubaugh; a second set of twin sons, Dann Morlan Blubaugh and Dana Owen Blubaugh; and one daughter, Dawn Marie Blubaugh Hawkins, along with their spouses, and ten grandchildren. Doug Blubaugh"Doug is a treasure to the wrestling history and heritage in the United States," said National Wrestling Hall of Fame Director Lee Roy Smith. "We suffered a great loss." Doug Blubaugh was eulogized at a funeral held Saturday, May 21 at First Baptist Church in Ponca City. The Rev. Dr. Clyde Glazener -- a friend of Blubaugh's -- presided over the service, assisted by Shelby Wilson, a fellow 1960 Olympic gold medalist wrestler who is also an ordained minister. After the funeral and burial, there was a dinner at the Ponca City High School. Among the guests who shared their memories of Doug Blubaugh: Grady Peninger, his high school wrestling coach who went to take the helm at Michigan State; fellow Olympian and former mat coach at Wisconsin and Ohio State, Russ Hellickson; and Jim Shields, former Oklahoma State heavyweight All-American, now a high school wrestling coach. Legendary coaches weigh in Upon learning of the death of Doug Blubaugh, some of the greatest coaches in college wrestling offered their thoughts. Dan GableDan Gable, 1972 Olympic gold medalist and all-time great coach at the University of Iowa for more than two decades, told Scott Casber in an audio interview for Takedown Wrestling, "I had nothing but the most respect for Doug Blubaugh. He was immensely important to me in my transition from one level to another as far as getting good. All the time since that, we have both respected each other to the highest end." "Doug Blubaugh was a true Oklahoma State wrestling hero," according to John Smith, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, an NCAA champion wrestler and current head coach of the Cowboys. "He was a tough farm kid who overcame adversity to become the best wrestler in the world. He was a good friend who will be greatly missed." Jack Spates, recently retired head coach at the University of Oklahoma, said this of Blubaugh in an audio interview with Takedown Wrestling's Scott Casber: "He was one of the icons of our sport. He touched a lot of lives. He accomplished things as a competitor that so very, very few people in history could only dream about. So in many ways he was a rich man." Grady Peninger knew Doug Blubaugh as his coach, then as his boss. Peninger was wrestling coach at Ponca City High School when Blubaugh won the Oklahoma state title in 1953 ... then was head coach at Michigan State when his former pupil was an assistant. "Doug was a great person. There wasn't a bad bone in his body," said the former Oklahoma State wrestler-turned-Spartans coach. "He was honest to the point that some people took advantage of him. I felt like he was my own son. Doug always felt hard work would settle everything ... He couldn't have been closer if he'd been my son or my brother. He was just a great friend." The wrestler: Impressive physique, strength ... Ask wrestlers of Doug Blubaugh's era to talk about their late friend, and there are universal comments that seem as if everyone is singing from the same songbook. One issue that many addressed: Blubaugh's impressive physique ... and even more impressive strength. "When I first met him, he was a physical specimen. Carved out of rock," said Jack Duncan, who was introduced to Blubaugh in 1961 at a Grady Peninger-run wrestling camp at Michigan State where the gold medalist was a clinician. Wayne Baughman, a three-time Olympian, NCAA champ for the Oklahoma Sooners, and, for nearly three decades head coach at the U.S. Air Force Academy, said, "The first time I remember seeing Doug was when he came to OU to train for the '60 Olympic team. He looked like he was chiseled from a block of granite. He had muscles everywhere, even on his fingers." "I thought I'd been sentenced to death when Port Robertson [Oklahoma wrestling coach] made me Doug's primary workout partner even though I weighed 180 compared to Doug's 160," Baughman continued. "Doug's style was extremely aggressive. He had the hardest head literally, and somewhat figuratively, of anyone I've ever wrestled; and, because of his poor vision, he kept in right in your face. I walked off the mat after every workout feeling as if I'd been the beat up with a jackhammer. I had continuous scrapes, cuts and bruises. He also had the toughest bottom defense I have ever encountered. He was like trying to turn or move a fireplug." Doug Blubaugh pins Emam-Ali HabibiRuss Camilleri, who wrestled on the U.S. Greco-Roman team at the 1960 Olympics, said of Doug Blubaugh, "Strongest guy in the world. In that match with Habibi, (Blubaugh) went into a high bridge, put Habibii on his back, and squeezed, squeezed, squeezed. There was no way Habibi could've gotten out of it. Doug was just too strong." "I wrestled him one time," said Camilleri. "I was 171, he was one weight class down from me. Man, was he strong!" Shelby Wilson, who was a teammate of Blubaugh at Ponca City High School, as well as at Oklahoma State, and then at the 1960 Olympics -- and was a fellow gold medal-winner in freestyle -- described his long-time friend's wrestling style compared to his own: "He was a freight-train guy, very much a physical-type wrestler. I was more of a finesse guy. He used leverage with more power. That said, coming from the same background -- same schools, same coaches -- we both had been brought up on the importance of good, solid position wrestling." One prime example of Doug Blubaugh's toughness: his series of freestyle matches with Phil Kinyon, a U.S. Navy veteran who was enrolled at Oklahoma State. The two Cowboys of different eras (mid 1950s for Blubaugh; early '60s for Kinyon) were on a collision course to see who would wrestle for the U.S. at the 1960 Olympics. Doug Blubaugh wrestles Phil KinyonRuss Camilleri described the two rivals as being similar in a number of ways beyond college alma mater. "Both were compact, muscular and strong. Phil had dark hair, Doug had sandy hair ..." said Camilleri. "They had wrestled each other so often, they knew each other well. Despite the matches ending in draws without a score, they were NOT boring matches. Plenty of tough action." Here's how Wayne Baughman described the Blubaugh/Kinyon battles in his tribute to the late gold medalist in the June 15, 2011 issue of Amateur Wrestling News: "After having battled to numerous draws in previous matches, a winner/U.S. team member had to be determined. The mat was placed under the biggest shade tree on campus, removed from the entire athletic complex. The battle was waged. It was not pretty, or a disappointment to anyone in attendance, except Kinyon and (Myron) Roderick [Oklahoma State head coach]; and they certainly had nothing to be ashamed of. It was like two raging rams charging directly into each other over and over. At the end of the match, Doug was bleeding profusely from his face and forehead and Kinyon's eye was swollen shut. Doug won but it could have gone either way." A muscular work ethic Another aspect that those who knew Doug Blubaugh always mention is his incredible work ethic. Blubaugh himself cited it in an interview with this writer for an InterMat Rewind feature commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1960 Olympics. "Thank God I grew up on a wheat farm in Oklahoma that didn't have electricity or running water 'til during World War II," Blubaugh disclosed. "Doing farm chores built a work ethic. It was hard work. I never lifted weights -- couldn't afford them -- but hefted bales of hay. Strength from working on a farm is different; you get 'endurance strength' from farm work." "His work ethic was unbelievable," said Fran McCann, younger brother of Blubaugh's Olympic teammate Terry McCann. "He did everything for his wrestling camps, and, I mean everything, himself. It came from his farming background." "He would not let anything interfere with his work. He never complained." "He overcame so much," said Shelby Wilson. "He was definitely not a quitter." "We were both Oklahoma farm boys. Things like integrity, honesty, hard work were essentially who you are." Jack Duncan put it very directly: "Doug's work ethic? Second to none." The master clinician After winning the gold medal in 1960, Doug Blubaugh started the next chapter of his life -- sharing his knowledge and love for the sport as a coach, and as a clinician at wrestling camps. Jack Duncan enjoyed a 50-year friendship with Blubaugh that started at the Michigan State wrestling camp run by the Spartan head coach Grady Peninger ... and continued through decades of wrestling camps throughout the nation. "I took 17 kids to that wrestling camp," said the former high school wrestling coach in Pulaski, Va. "We became really good friends in just a week-and-a-half." "I asked if he'd come to Pulaski, he said he would, and he did. People really loved him." "Wherever he would hold camps, we'd go," said Duncan. "Because of Doug, my kids were very successful. We had a record of 220-something and 18." Duncan and Blubaugh formed a partnership to start camps in both northern Virginia as well as in the Richmond area. "We had kids from everywhere -- Cuba, California," according to Duncan. While coaching at Indiana University, Doug Blubaugh established his Top of the World wrestling camp outside Bloomington. Fran McCann, who was head wrestling coach at Indiana State at the time, said, "I had kids at ISU who worked at Doug's camps, and they thought the world of him." Doug Blubaugh and Shelby Wilson"No doubt about it, he was very much a hands-on coach," said McCann. "He loved to see kids improve." Shelby Wilson worked with his friend as a fellow clinician at wrestling camps as recently as this past year. "He trusted me to teach the way he taught," said the Ponca City native. "We both focused on the basics." "Doug traveled the country to help people with wrestling. That was very much his life." "Even though he was 76, he continued to conduct his camps," said Chuck Ford, a former Indiana high school coach who worked at Blubaugh's camps. "He had a huge group of followers that just wouldn't let him go." Jack Duncan gave another reason why Doug Blubaugh was still in demand as a clinician: "Doug could really relate to kids. Likewise, they knew who he was, and respected him." One of the thousands of young wrestlers who participated in a Doug Blubaugh wrestling camp was Matt Hamill. The Cincinnati area native was a three-time NCAA Division III champ at Rochester Institute of Technology who is now a big name in the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships), despite being born deaf. Here's what Hamill said upon learning of the death of the man he had first met at a clinic a quarter-century ago: "Doug Blubaugh, my great friend, mentor and master since 5th grade passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident ... Doug dedicated all his sweat and blood to see me become successful. To this day Doug has been influential in my life and most recently spent a week at my house sharpening up my wrestling for my last fight." Ken Chertow, former U.S. Olympic wrestler, and currently one of the most successful operators of wrestling camps in the nation, wrote this in the foreword of Matt Krumrie's 2010 book The Ultimate Guide to Wrestling Camps: "Though I attended a variety of camps, I chose to attend one specific camp consistently every year from seventh grade through high school and that was Doug Blubaugh's camp. I connected well with coach Blubaugh and chose to work with him every summer. As an NCAA and Olympic champion he was clearly a dominant athlete, but he was also an outstanding teacher of wrestling and a no-nonsense man. He had a clear understanding of what techniques he wanted the campers to focus on and we drilled them repetitively and intensely daily. He also gave us a camp notebook that was very helpful to retaining and developing the moves I learned at camp. To this day I have clear recollections of learning many different techniques at coach Blubaugh's camp ...I successfully executed many of the moves that coach Blubaugh taught me throughout my career at the highest levels of competition. I have also passed along these moves to my students." As Shelby Wilson said, "He was a great coach. He chose to make wrestling his life. He was very much a professional wrestling coach -- he took it very seriously, and gave it his all." Blubaugh's wrestlers speak up Doug Blubaugh came to Indiana University in 1971, serving one year as assistant coach to long-time head coach (and two-time NCAA champ for the Hoosiers), Charlie McDaniel ... then taking the helm for twelve seasons (1972-1984). Blubaugh's time at the Big Ten school in Bloomington was a challenging one. While at Indiana, his teams compiled a 102-144-8 record, for a .415 winning percentage. Fran McCannFran McCann can offer unique perspective on Doug Blubaugh. In addition to being the brother of the late Terry McCann, Fran was head wrestling coach at cross-state rival Indiana State University who coached against Blubaugh and his Hoosiers. "I think he must have been frustrated by some kids' lack of effort," said Fran McCann. "They didn't give him the respect he deserved, and took advantage of his good-naturedness." That said, a number of Hoosier wrestlers who competed for Blubaugh publicly stated their appreciation for their college coach after his passing. Sam Komar was arguably the most accomplished wrestler during Blubaugh's tenure at Indiana. He was a two-time Big Ten champ (1975, 1977) and two-time NCAA All-American, placing fourth at 134 pounds in 1976, and making it to the 142-pound finals at the 1977 NCAAs. "In my opinion, he affected more people to aspire to the sport of wrestling than anybody I've ever known," Komar told the Indianapolis Star. "He was timeless with his knowledge of the sport. Anytime something new and creative came along, he was always right there to take advantage of it." "I wrestled for Doug at Indiana, and he was a great man, coach, and friend," according to Rod Chamberlin, who now resides in Florida. "Without question or debate, Doug was absolutely the best clinician. He had a knack for breaking it down and showing the proper technique. I loved you Doug, and you will be missed." "I am a better man today because of all the love and butt whuppings on the mat with Doug," said former IU wrestler Brent Lee Biddle. "He was like a second father to me and always had time for me even years after I was gone and no longer wrestling. Today there are three beautiful blonde young ladies in the world and if it not for Doug inadvertently introducing me to my future wife, they would never have been. I will miss that man with the hard shell about him and the heart as soft and pure as gold. I love you coach!" Herbert Danica emphasized Blubaugh's ability to shape his wrestlers in positive ways beyond wrestling: "I had the privilege of being a member of the Indiana wrestling team, 1971 - 74. Unfortunately, I did not possess sufficient skills to be successful as a collegiate athlete. Even still, Coach Blubaugh had a major impact on my life as he taught me how to be a man. He treated me and every other team member with the same level of respect. He was a true mentor and a friend. He led by example and always made his expectations clear. Every young man who had the same honor as I in spending time with Coach Blubaugh benefited from the experience in that he grew a person and learned how to conduct themselves with honor, dignity and self-respect." Danica had a special message for the children of his college coach: "As an adult, I can count on one hand the number of people who had a positive influence on my life, changing the course of what could have been. Of those, your father was one of the most important. Be assured, I am only one of many. You have much to be proud of. Cherish your memories and legacy." A beloved figure Doug Blubaugh had a way about him that won over individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you first met him 50 years ago or 15 minutes ago, you felt as if he had been a friend for life. Doug Blubaugh at the 1960 Olympic Games"I first met Doug Blubaugh last year, when he and my friend Shelby Wilson (his 1960 Olympic team mate) visited New Jersey for a coach's clinic," recalled Dennis Damm, who also counted the late Terry McCann among his friends. "I was surprised by Mr. Blubaugh's quiet, initially shy demeanor. However, during our lunch together, he became animated and humorous as he told stories about the golden days of amateur wrestling. He obviously loved his sport." "After I sent him photos of us taken on that day in March, 2010, he responded with a letter of appreciation. I sent him a Christmas card in December and he replied with a letter which said, 'Thank you for your kindness to me. Your friend, Doug.' I thank God for granting me the opportunity to become acquainted with this great man before he was taken away. He was a gentle giant who was not only an amateur wrestling legend, but also a fine human being." Blubaugh's thoughtfulness was also cited by Mike Wolinsky, who posted the following at a website for the Indiana University community to express condolences: "Doug Blubaugh touched my life as a sophomore at Indiana University when I was assigned the task of publicizing the Indiana wrestling program. I worked with him for three years and he took me under his wing like part of his own family. Doug went out of his way to call Ohio University on behalf so that I could pursue a Master's Degree in Sports Administration. He was all that was good about coaching and how he treated people. I always appreciated the fact that he was so humble and had a terrific work ethic. I am a better person today because of my time spent with Doug." "Obviously Doug Blubaugh will always be remembered as a great wrestler," former wrestler/coach Wayne Baughman told Amateur Wrestling News. "However, Doug's wrestling accomplishments are far overshadowed by the wonderful person he was. Doug was a great coach, clinician, role model, mentor, hero and friend to many wrestlers, coaches, officials and fans. I don't believe any other wrestling personality has had more influence on so many wrestling people as Doug Blubaugh." Baughman continued, "Where Doug was really most successful, and at his best, was as a wrestling clinician and an ambassador for wrestling. Doug Blubaugh loved the sport of wrestling and all the people involved ... Everyone I know loved and respected Doug, from little kids to we 'old has been's' and everybody in between." "Doug is so much more than his accomplishments," said Wayne Boyd, the 1969 NCAA champion wrestler from Temple University. "He was a National champion, Olympic champion, coach, clinician and celebrity. But he should be remembered for the man he was at the time of his passing: humble, strong ... A human being I've known, loved and respected for over 40 years. Smart, trusting, kind, generous and a Superman with Coke bottle lenses that allowed him to see the world just a little differently than the rest of us." One of the most touching tributes came from Terry McCann's widow, Lucille, who traveled from California to Oklahoma for Doug Blubaugh's funeral. She told of an incident at the 1960 Olympics that speaks to the character of the man who passed away in May: "Doug Blubaugh was the warmest and most sensitive man I have ever met. He was very instrumental in helping Terry to win a gold medal. The night before his final's match, Terry was depressed and unsure he would be able to win. Doug followed Terry all night and talked to him and reassured him he could do it. Doug told him he couldn't let everyone down who had helped him get this far. Doug had given Terry the confidence he needed to get the job done. I'm happy to have had Doug in my life. I will miss him." Fran McCann echoed the sentiments of his sister-in-law Lucille McCann. "Terry was an aggressive-type guy. Doug was always there as a calming influence. When we'd be working out, Terry tended to be impatient, while Doug was very positive, very reassuring." "Doug was a big, strong guy, very tough on the mat," Fran McCann continued. "Off the mat, a complete gentleman." "Doug never felt he was bigger than the sport," said McCann. "He respected the sport. People identify with that, regardless of their age. They saw that in him, and held him in high esteem because of it." "He had the respect of just about everyone he came across," said Shelby Wilson. "He was a very humble guy." Doug BlubaughFriends described Doug Blubaugh as being incredibly generous ... and not just with his time, as he worked wrestling camps and made appearances for the sport. "Even if he wasn't rich, he would share what he had," said Wilson. "He'd give you the shirt off his back." More than one individual interviewed for this tribute said, if you needed a place to stay, Doug Blubaugh would insist you stay at his home. His generosity extended to sharing friendships. "Thanks to Doug, I met Shelby (Wilson), Myron (Roderick), and so many other wrestling greats," said Jack Duncan. "He didn't drop names or brag about who he knew. Rather, he was modest about who he wrestled and his accomplishments." Walter Jenny, who knew Blubaugh through Tau Kappa Epsilon said of his fraternity brother, "He exemplified the fraternity's ideals of Charity, Esteem and Love in everything he did. He has been an inspiration to our alumni as well as our younger members as they work their way through college." Retired wrestling coach Jack Duncan said of his friend of 50 years, "He was the greatest ambassador for wrestling, for the state of Oklahoma, and for Oklahoma State." Shelby Wilson may have summed it up best: "He has given more to wrestling than he got from it." To learn more about the three U.S. gold medalists at the 1960 Olympics -- Doug Blubaugh, Terry McCann, and Shelby Wilson -- check out this 2010 InterMat Rewind feature. To see Doug Blubaugh in action, watch this video of the 1956 NCAA finals ... and of the former Cowboy pinning Iran's Habibi at the 1960 Olympics. LINKS: 1956 NCAAs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYdiJxH78oo; 1960 Olympics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9DJ2KVNSTk.

Have you ever seen a 300-pound man attempt a back flip? After the circuit lift many of T.R. Foley's friends couldn't wait to de-robe and get their photo taken.I'd just finished a circuit lift with three-dozen Megatron-sized Mongolian wrestlers and was lying in the grass appealing to all available deities to please repair my quads quickly enough to walk to dinner. Suddenly, in the way you know someone's staring at you from across the room, I was jarred into sitting upright. What greeted me was one of the younger wrestlers, donning no clothes, save his banana-hammock underwear, doing cartwheels and finishing them off by throwing his hands to the sky, and his knees to his chest -- the way an Olympic diver might build momentum from the spring board. Because nobody at camp spoke a lick of English and I was compelled by my good nature to save a life, I said what I was thinking, "Hey! Uh, this guy's not going to ... I mean ... he's not ... c'mon, really guys?" They ignored my appeal. Once more the banana-hammocked hero with thighs too large to sprint trotted down the grass and knocked-off a practice cartwheel and leapt into the air, fingers tickling the sky. By now a crowd of Mongolian wrestlers clad in nothing but their underoos had created a small runway from which the keg-shaped gymnast was going to perform his stunt, and in all likelihood break his neck. My conscience clear, I sat up and waited for the fall. A little more speed, a touch more determination and Boom! a cartwheel into a double-back handspring finished off by a pinwheel-perfect back flip. Whichever God I thought was helping me to push lactic acid from my spindly legs had obviously been pre-occupied in protecting this oversized Dominique Moceanu as he completed his floor routine. I limped to dinner and the big ol' gymnast gave a firm middle finger to the laws of physics. A storm was brewingI'd arrived at the training camp that afternoon from Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia, where I'd been staying for a few days as Turtogtokh Luvsandorj set up my arrival at camp. And this wasn't just any ordinary wrestling camp, it was the training camp for Usukhbayar, arguably the most popular wrestler in Mongolia. A four-time Nadaam champion, he's something of an immortal and for good reason. The last time he won Nadaam was 2009 he endured a three-hour semifinals match that only ended when he went belly-to-belly with his opponent. Saying his name lights up a room, he's nothing short of the Michael Jordan of Mongolian Bokh (wrestling). When Turtogotkh dropped me at camp (he was preparing for the World Team Trial in Mongolia) he imparted three directions: make a shoveling motion when I wanted to eat, clasp my hands by my ear when I wanted to sleep, and break out my stance when I wanted to wrestle. Everything else he said, would be easy. The Mongolian Bokh training camp was structured a lot like the summer wrestling camps I used to work at The University of Virginia. The first full day was to consist of of an early morning conditioning workout followed by breakfast. Then it was Nap. Lunch. Nap. Wrestle. Nap. Lift. Dinner. Nap. Yogurt. Bed. Lose the fresh made yogurt and it's a pretty universal training camp. It was shaping up to be a great time, but the morning after my arrival wrestling practice was cancelled because the weather had turned "cold," which is a problem for a sport that is performed outdoors in nothing more than a speedo and an open-breasted half-jacket. Big man here is wearing a del, the traditional winter coat worn by most MongoliansMongolians are some of the hardiest people on the planet -- their name is almost synonymous with burly tough men. This is a tough place, the average year-round temperature in Ulan Bator is 27 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the coldest national capitol in the world - you have to be a tough dude or dudette to make a living in a place where losing a glove means losing a finger. Tough as they are, these particular Mongolians had less-than-zero tolerance for temperature change, outside of 70, 71 and 72 degrees meant drastic measures to cool down or warm-up. You've seen the shirtless photos - it was 74 degrees. When the decision was made to cancel practice due to "cold" I was wearing sandals, a t-shirt and cargo shorts and would testify in court to having broken a sweat. My new friends had busted out their full length, heavy jackets, called dels and camp ground to a frigid halt. That "cold snap" preceded an ear-ringing thunderstorm that had me legitimately frightened and clutching my iPod. Our ger, the traditional home for nomadic Mongolians, pulsed from the pressure changes and before we closed the overhead flap (an "orkh") it had already started to drizzle. Later it rained. And finally, after several hours of meteorological foreplay, it began to pour. Wrestlers playing chessThe rain lasted another two days, and through it was frustrating to have wrestling cancelled it was obvious from the faces of the nomadic herders nearby that the rain was welcome, it meant fatter sheep for the brutal winter. By Wednesday morning the camp was all but out-of-commission with some guys left playing chess and others packing their bags to make it back in town for this weekend's Trials. I got the first ride out on Wednesday morning with Usukhbayar, who was actually wearing a Michael Jordan t-shirt. I'm back at the training camp early next week with Turtogtokh where I expect to wrestle twice-a-day and perfect my double leg (read: double-back handspring). I've purchased the entire traditional outfit including some handmade boots specific to Mongolian Bokh and hat worn into and out-of the wrestling area. I've also followed the lead of my new Mongolian friends and decided to pickup a del to protect me from the cold and rain -- I also bought banana hammocks in case my engine overheats. If it doesn't get cold enough to wear the del now, I'll certainly find use for it at home in the Windy City, however for everyone else's sake I'll leave the underwear in Mongolia. T.R. Foley's all-or-nothing Kickstarter deadline is fast approaching. Be sure to support his project if you can and read his blog at http://www.wrestlingroots.org and on Facebook at http://facebook.com/wrestlingroots.

Fight Now USA Presents Takedown Wrestling from the Brute studios in Des Moines, Iowa at 1460 KXNO. Takedown Wrestling is brought to you by Kemin Agrifoods! Join Takedown Wrestling Host Scott Casber and Brad Johnson with the Takedown Wrestling Headline News. Listen in this Saturday for Takedown Wrestling 9 to 11 a.m. CT/ 10 a.m. to 12 noon ET. This weeks guests include: 9:01 Mark Manning, Nebraska head coach 9:20 Steve Garland, Virginia head coach 9:40 Brendan Buckley, Cal Poly head coach 9:50 Max Muscle Minute with Ty Barkley 10:01 Rob Koll, Cornell head coach 10:20 Cung Le 10:40 Kyle Dake, Cornell two-time NCAA champion 10:50 Amy Ruble, Wildrose Casino and Resort in Emmetsburg, Iowa Jeff Lehey's band will be playing at the greenwood lounge on Ingersol tonight 9 to 1 We may be treated to a surprise in studio guest, UFC fighter Jeremy Stephens! Join us LIVE 9 to 11 a.m. CT for Takedown Wrestling. Listen on radio, on computer, your Blackberry or iPhone with the iHeart Radio App. KXNO.com, Takedownradio.com, iHeart Radio App.

Head Coach Pat Pecora (36th season) and the Pitt-Johnstown wrestling program have added 16 new wrestlers for the 2011-12 season, including six former Pennsylvania State Place-winners. Highlighting the class are Travis McKillop (Lower Burrell, Pa.), Burrell High School's 2011 PIAA State Champion at 160 lbs., and Penn Cambria High School's Evan Link (Cresson, Pa.), the 2010 and 2011 state runner-up at 112 lbs. Of the 16 incoming wrestlers, six were former Pennsylvania State-Place-winners and four others qualified for the PA State Tournament. In addition, Coach Pecora added 2010 PA State Place-winner Zak Newton (Cresson, Pa./Penn Cambria H.S.), who played football at St. Francis University last season, and Sean O'Connell (Farmington, Conn./Farmington H.S.), a transfer from Anderson (S.C.) University. “Once again, I believe we have added some young men who will make an immediate impact on our program and some who will make an impact a few years down the road,” Coach Pecora said. “Overall, another great recruiting class.” Heading this year's recruiting class are McKillop and Link. McKillop, whose cousins were former football standouts at the University of Pittsburgh, posted a 52-2 overall record in 2010-11 on his way to winning the PA State title at 160 lbs. McKillop, currently ranked third in the nation in his weight class, finished his high school career with a 163-31 record. He also represented Pennsylvania in the 2011 Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic in Pittsburgh. Link will join his brothers Nathan and Ryan on the Mountain Cats squad. Link, currently ranked sixth in the nation, is a two-time PA State Runner-up at 112 lbs. He finished with a 42-2 record in 2010-11 and a 138-20 career record. Coach Pecora is also bringing in four former Pennsylvania State Place-Winners. Mike Pavasko (Homestead, Pa./Steel Valley H.S.) is coming off of a 36-8 season and a fourth-place PIAA finish at 152 lbs., while Portage Area High School's David Kephart (Portage, Pa./Portage Area H.S.) had a 36-4 overall record in 2010-11 and placed seventh at 189 lbs. Newton placed fifth at the PIAA Tournament in 2010 at 189 lbs., but chose to play football at St. Francis out of high school. Corey Aungst (Claysburg, Pa./Claysburg-Kimmel H.S.) placed eighth at 145 lbs. in 2011. Four PA State Qualifiers will also continue their collegiate wrestling careers at Pitt-Johnstown. They include: AAA State Qualifiers Nikos Garafola (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield H.S.) (189 lbs., 39-6 record) and Damian Lascoli (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg, H.S.) (160 lbs., 29-9 record) and AA State Qualifiers Brian Gibbons (Buffalo Mills, Pa./Bedford H.S.) (171 lbs., 38-6 record) and Dylan Killian (Annville, Pa./Annville-Cleona H.S.) (152 lbs., 40-6 record). In addition, several others will join the team in 2011-12. O'Connell will transfer to Pitt-Johnstown from Anderson. True freshmen include: Felipe Arias (135 lbs., Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson H.S.), Christian Bosco (160 lbs., Jeannette, Pa./Penn Trafford H.S.), Jarek Dudek (145. lbs, Kittanning, Pa./Kittanning H.S.), Gio Giorgio (125 lbs. West Lawn, Pa./Wilson H.S.), Zach Leda (HWT. New Kensington, Pa. /Kiski Area H.S.) Alphabetical List of the 2011-12 Pitt-Johnstown Wrestling Recruits NAME HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL H.S. WT. SR RECORD. H.S. HONORS Felipe Arias Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson 135 lbs. Corey Aungst Claysburg, Pa/Claysburg-Kimmel 145 lbs. 42-6 2011 PIAA AA 8th-Place Christian Bosco Jeannette, Pa./Penn Trafford 160 lbs. Jarek Dudek Kittanning, Pa./Kittanning 145 lbs. Nikos Garafola Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield 189 lbs. 39-6 2011 PIAA AAA State Qualifier Gio Giorgio West Lawn, Pa./Wilson 125 lbs. Brian Gibbons Buffalo Mills, Pa./Bedford 171 lbs. 38-6 2011 PIAA AA State Qualifier David Kephart Portage, Pa./Portage Area 189 lbs. 36-4 2011 PIAA AA 7th-Place Dylan Killian Annville, Pa./Annville-Cleona 152 lbs. 40-6 2011 PIAA AA State Qualifier Damian Lascoli Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg Area 160 lbs. 29-9 2011 PIAA AAA State Qualifier Zach Leda New Kensington, Pa./Kiski Area HWT. Evan Link Cresson, Pa./Penn Cambria 112 lbs. 42-2 2-time PIAA AA State Runner-up Travis McKillop Lower Burrell, Pa./Burrell 160 lbs. 52-2 2011 PIAA AA State Champion Zak Newton Cresson, Pa./Penn Cambria 189 lbs. 39-8 2010 PIAA AA 5th-Place Sean O'Connell Farmington, Conn./Farmington 184 lbs. Mike Pavasko Homestead, Pa./Steel Valley 152 lbs. 36-8 2011 PIAA AA 4th-Place The Mountain Cats are coming off of a 15-2 dual meet season, a second-place finish at the NCAA Division II Super Region I Tournament and a tie for 10th-place finish at the National Tournament. Seven wrestlers advanced to the 2011 Division II National Tournament. Three became All-Americans, including sophomore Ryan Link (133 lbs.) (Cresson, Pa.) (4th-Place), senior Chris Dempsey (HWT.) (Sewickley, Pa.) (5th-Place), and red-shirt freshman Jack Bachman (141 lbs.) (Greensburg, Pa.) (8th-place). In the classroom, Zach Lundgren (157 lbs.) (DuBois, Pa.) earned First-Team NWCA All-Academic Team honors, while Josh Krupa (HWT.) (Bedford, Pa.), Myers Miller (165 lbs.) (Bolivar, Pa.), and Keith Ryan (157 lbs.) (Shirleysburg, Pa.) were honorable mention choices. Pitt-Johnstown will open the 2011-12 season at the Washington & Jefferson Collegiate Open on November 12, before making their home debut against West Liberty (WV) University on November 18 at 7 p.m. in the Sports Center.

Augustana head wrestling coach Jason Reitmeier announced Wednesday that Tim Weber from Hartford, S.D., and Jake Lillie from St. Michael, Minn., have committed to the Vikings for the 2011-12 season. Weber is a 2011 graduate of West Central High School, where he was a six-year letterwinner. He racked up 173 career wins and was a five-time state qualifier, notching two runner-up finishes. Weber earned two region titles and was named all-conference three times. Other career totals included 353 takedowns and 86 pins. He is expected to wrestle at 165 or 174 pounds for Augustana. “Tim is very athletic and a multi-sport star,” Reitmeier said. “He has a controlled style with great position and is good from all positions on the mat. He also has a big frame, and we are looking forward to getting him bigger to compete in the middle or upper weights.” A 2011 graduate of St. Michael-Albertville, Lillie was a six-time letterwinner during his prep career. He collected all-conference honors four times and was a two-time state qualifier. Lillie also accumulated more than 100 career wins. He will wrestle at 157 or 165 pounds. Said Reitmeier: “Jake comes from a winning program with great tradition. He is used to being pushed hard and will fit in to what we are trying to accomplish as a team. Jake is technically strong on his feet and will develop in other positions in our room.” The two join Jon Gorter from Pipestone, Minn., Mark Vetter from Yankton, S.D., Brandon Chesnut from Onawa, Iowa, Riley McManus from Wayne, Neb., Zachary Friederich from Lonsdale, Minn., Lance Shaull from Tea, S.D., Alex Burghardt from Watertown, S.D., Shawn Hatlestad from New London, Minn., Garret Heiberger from Hartford, S.D., JD Herst from St. Louis, Mo., Taylor Harris from Harrisburg, S.D., and Bret Johnson from Story City, Iowa, in Augustana's 2011-12 recruiting class. Augustana finished third and had seven All-America honorees at the 2011 NCAA Championship. The Vikings, who took second at the Super Regional Three Championship, finished the dual season with a record of 14-2 and were the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference champions with a flawless 7-0 conference campaign. Located in Sioux Falls, S.D., Augustana College is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Related Link: 2011-12 Schedule Lincoln -- Highlighted by five guaranteed home duals and seven matches against teams who finished last season ranked in the top 25, the Nebraska wrestling program released its schedule for the 2011-12 campaign Wednesday. After celebrating the program's 100th anniversary season last year, the Huskers will embark on another historic season as they are set to join the Big Ten Conference on July 1. Nebraska will kick off their season on the East Coast with four duals in the state of Pennsylvania. In its first dual, the Huskers will take on Bucknell for the second straight year (Nov. 10), before wrestling in a trio of matches at the Hershey Duals on Nov. 12 against North Carolina, Navy and Kent State in Hershey, Pa. After a trip to the prestigious Las Vegas Invitational on Dec. 2-3, the Huskers will return home for their home opener against Wyoming on Dec. 10. The Huskers defeated Wyoming last season in Laramie, Wyo., 20-12. The Huskers will then hit the road for duals against South Dakota State and North Dakota State on Dec. 17 and 18, respectively, before traveling to Tempe, Ariz., to wrestle in the ASU duals on Dec. 29. Four out of the five guaranteed home duals next season will take place against Big Ten opponents, including a visit from defending national champion Penn State on Friday, Feb. 3. NU opens Big Ten competition with two straight home duals against Ohio State on Jan. 6 and Iowa on Jan. 13. Iowa finished third at last season's NCAA Championships and won the 2010 team title. Nebraska will wrestle in its first conference away match on Jan. 20 at Indiana, but will promptly return to Lincoln to face off against Purdue on Jan. 22. The remaining conference dual matches will be on the road against Michigan State (Jan. 27), Wisconsin (Jan. 29) and Minnesota (Feb. 5). The Huskers will wrestle in the NWCA National Duals, which has changed its format this season to a 2-weekend event. The opening weekend kicks off on Feb. 11-12 and works as a qualifier for the Final Four National Duals on Feb. 18-19. Sites for the National Duals are still being determined. Nebraska did not participate in the National Duals last season. Nebraska will close its regular season with a home dual against Northern Iowa on Feb. 19, unless one of the schools advances to the Final Four National Duals that weekend. NU will begin its post-season competition at the Big Ten Championships on March 3-4 in West Lafayette, Ind., and will then travel to the NCAA Championships in St. Louis, Mo., which run from March 15-17 at the Scottrade Center. Click on the link above to view the full 2011-12 wrestling schedule.

Related Link: The Clash X: Introducing six more teams Related Link: The Clash X: Introducing the first 11 teams Six more teams have been added to the field for The Clash X, which takes place Dec. 30-31 in Rochester, Minn. All six are making their Clash debuts. The six first-time entrants introduced in this article join the 17 teams previously announced. The previously-announced teams include Apple Valley (Minnesota), St. Paris Graham (Ohio), Clovis (California), Simley (Minnesota), Carl Sandburg (Illinois), Kasson-Mantorville (Minnesota), St. Michael-Albertville (Minnesota), Arrowhead (Wisconsin), Hastings (Minnesota), Baylor (Tennessee), Vacaville (California), St. Edward (Ohio), Wisconsin Rapids (Wisconsin), Christiansburg (Virginia), Colonial Forge (Virginia), Archbishop Moeller (Ohio), and Forest Lake (Minnesota). Nine more teams will be announced at a later date, which will round out the 32-team field. 18. Rapid City Central, South Dakota Record at The Clash: 0-0 Appearance at The Clash: 1st Returning State Champions: 0 Returning State Placewinners: 5 About Rapid City: Rapid City Central is one of three South Dakota teams making its first trip to The Clash. There are two divisions in South Dakota and the Cobblers are the largest school (enrollment 1963) in the big school division (A). Head coach Lance Peterson just completed his ninth season, but this is not his first shot as a head coach. Peterson suffered a career-ending injury in his third year at Northern State (Aberdeen) and took the head coaching job at a local, private high school while he finished his undergrad degree. He was 20 years old. He later joined his high school coach Dan Mahoney as an assistant at RCC. Joining Peterson as assistants are two well-known South Dakota wrestlers, both three-time state champions: Dave Gorsuch and John Buxton. Rapid City Central has won six state titles and boasts 50 individual gold medal winners from a program that was started in 1958. 19. Mitchell, South Dakota Record at The Clash: 0-0 Appearance at The Clash: 1st Returning State Champions: 2 Returning State Placewinners: 4 About Mitchell: The Kernels of Mitchell, South Dakota bring a storied and exciting team to The Clash. Head coach Travis Carpenter's squad will be looking for its seventh overall team state title in 2012. The program brings back two state champions and a set of twins, Jason and Justin Greenway, who are first cousins of Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway. Mitchell is one of two high schools in town and has an enrollment of 600. The Kernels also wrestle in the larger of the two classes (A). Coach Carpenter is entering his seventh season, but has been with the program since he graduated in 1991. He has the proud honor of having an assistant, Tom Star, who was his former coach at Mitchell. The program was started in 1962 and has had 75 state finalists and 40 state champions. Perhaps their most recognizable alumni is Adam Feldman, who went on to win an NCAA Division II title for South Dakota State. 20. Pierre, South Dakota Record at The Clash: 0-0 Appearance at The Clash: 1st Returning State Champions: 1 Returning State Placewinners: 6 About Pierre: The third addition to The Clash from South Dakota comes from the middle of the state and is located in the capital city. The Pierre Governors (enrollment 800) are coached by Ryan Noyes, who is also an alumni of the school. He was a three-time state placewinner and has been at the helm for six years. This up-and-coming program started in 1966 and became team champions in 1974. Pierre has produced 30 individual state champions. Noyes wrestled under legendary head coach Rick Jensen, who compiled a lofty 93-1 record at Pierre and was one of a select few grapplers who won four state championships. Jensen went on to South Dakota State and was a two-time Division II champion. Another well known alumni of Pierre is three-time state champion Tyler Bryant, who was also an All-American at South Dakota State. 21. Lewiston, Idaho Record at The Clash: 0-0 Appearance at The Clash: 1st Returning State Champions: 1 Returning State Placewinners: 5 About Lewiston: It is the goal of The Clash recruiting team to attract new teams from states that have not been represented in the past. Lewiston, Idaho is one these. Lewiston has been ranked in the top three in Idaho for several years and is hungry for its first state title. Idaho has five separate classes to determine a champion. In addition, each school can enter two wrestlers per weight class. It is possible for two kids from the same school to wrestle for the state title. Coach Dan Maurer, in his 11th season as head coach, brings a young but thirsty team to The Clash. Lewiston is one of the oldest schools in the state, opening in 1908, and beginning its wrestling program in 1968. Lewiston has had 15 individual state champions. They are one of the few schools in the country with a high school that starts in 10th grade. 22. Jefferson, Georgia Record at The Clash: 0-0 Appearance at The Clash: 1st Returning State Champions: 2 Returning State Placewinners: 8 About Jefferson: When wrestling fans think of wrestling powerhouse programs in Georgia, Collins Hill is typically the first program that comes to mind. That might soon change. Jefferson, Georgia is about to explode onto the national scene. This powerhouse out of the northeast part of the state just won its 11th straight state title from traditional scoring. Georgia has two state tournaments and Jefferson has won the last 10 dual team tournaments. There are five divisions in Georgia, and Jefferson is in 2A. They usually either travel out of state or take on 5A teams to get comparable competition. Head coach Doug Thurmond has been the head coach during this long run of championships after following longtime coach Jack Keen. They return a very strong team and The Clash X will be the program's first long travel trip to take on the nation's finest. 23. Prior Lake, Minnesota Record at The Clash: 0-0 Appearance at The Clash: 1st Returning State Champions: 0 Returning State Placewinners: 2 About Prior Lake: The Lakers of Prior Lake, Minnesota are excited to make their maiden voyage to The Clash. Head coach Joe Block took over this struggling program in 2000 and in his first three seasons compiled a record of 6-67. This must have been brutal to someone like Block, who was a two-time state champion for Le Center in the late 1980s. Block went on to wrestle at Drake and finished his career at Minnesota. Prior Lake (1950 students) is in the large class in Minnesota and won its first section championship in 2006. Last season, Prior Lake finished third at the state tournament, which was the highest finish ever for the program. The Lakers have had a total of nine state champions, with Jake Kahnke being perhaps the most decorated alumni. Kahnke, who wrestles at St. Cloud State, finished as an NCAA Division II runner-up at heavyweight this past season. Steve Elwood can be reached at steveel@rstransportinc.com. This story also appears in the June 24 issue of The Guillotine. The Guillotine has been covering amateur wrestling in Minnesota since 1971. Its mission is to report and promote amateur wrestling at all levels -- from youth and high school wrestling to college and international level wrestling. Subscribe to The Guillotine.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team was honored by the Big Ten Conference as the Big Ten's 2010-11 Men's Team of the Year. Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson was also tabbed as the 2010-11 Big Ten Men's Head Coach of the Year. The Nittany Lion wrestlers were the 2011 Big Ten Champions, claiming the school's first ever conference title, in early March in Northwestern and then winning the 2011 NCAA National Championship in Philadelphia on March 17-19 in front of a partisan Penn State crowd at the Wells Fargo Center. Penn State posted a superb 17-1-1 dual meet record which included both the Virginia Duals title and a co-championship at the Southern Scuffle. Penn State set a school record with a 6-1-1 Big Ten dual meet as well. Penn State beat out the Ohio State men's basketball team and the Wisconsin football team to claim the honor. Sanderson's Lions rode the strong performance of eight national qualifiers including five All-Americans (all of whom finished in the top three and one of which won a national crown). Sophomore Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) capped off an historic March run by winning the 184-pound crown as the No. 9 seed. Wright began March with a Big Ten title as well as Big Ten Championship Most Outstanding Wrestler honors. Junior Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) became a three-time All-American by advancing to the finals at 149. Molinaro also won the 149-pound Big Ten title. Red-shirt freshman David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio) capped off a stunning rookie campaign by advancing to the finals at 157 to become a freshman All-American as national runner-up. Taylor was the Big Ten Wrestler of the Year and Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Sophomore Andrew Long (Creston, Iowa) rolled to a third place finish at 133 at the NCAA Championships to become a two-time All-American. Long also won the Big Ten crown. Red-shirt freshman Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.) also rolled to a third place finish at 174 and collected the Gorriaran Award at NCAA's for most pins in the least time. Ruth was the Big Ten champion as well. Penn State's run at NCAA's was historic for the school and east coast wrestling as well. The crown was Penn State's first since 1953; the Nittany Lions become only the sixth team in the nation to win more than one NCAA team title; the 107.5 team points is a Penn State record (and marks the first time PSU scored over 100); the Nittany Lions now have 22 individual champions (among 19 individuals), 7th all-time in the nation; Penn State had five All-Americans for the first time since 1998 (the school record is eight, set in 1987); Penn State had five wrestlers finish in the top three nationally for the first time since 1953; Penn State had three national finalists for the first time since 1999. Sanderson's overall conference Coach of the Year honor is the latest in a long line of accolades won the veteran mentor. He was named 2011 Big Ten Wrestling Coach of the Year and earned numerous national Coach of the Year awards from various national publications. Sanderson's Big Ten Wrestling Coach of the Year honor, combined with his Big 12 Coach of the Year honors won while at Iowa State, makes him the only coach in NCAA history to earn coach of the year laurels from both the Big Ten and Big 12. Sanderson now sports a 30-7-2 dual meet record at Penn State in two seasons and is 74-17-2 in five years as a head coach. The 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist has also returned to the competitive arena, winning the 2011 U.S. World Team Trials crown at 84 kg and will head to Istanbul, Turkey, this September for the 2011 World Championships. Sanderson beat out Ohio State men's basketball coach Thad Matta and Purdue men's basketball coach Matt Painter for the honor. Penn State is already prepping for the upcoming season. The season ticket package for the 2011-12 campaign features seven home duals (the Nittany Lion Open is not part of the package and the Intrasquad is free) and costs only $42 for all seats, the same price as last year. Fans can place new orders for season tickets by calling Joel Diamond at 814-867-2557. A $5 per order handling fee will be added to new season ticket holders. Current season ticket holders from last year will receive their renewal notices later this summer and information on single dual tickets will come as the season approaches. With season ticket sales already brisk, Penn State will be capping the number of total season tickets sold (combining new applications and renewals from last year), so fans wishing to purchase new season tickets are encouraged to do so quickly. All information for purchasing new season tickets is also available online at is www.GoPSUsports.com/tickets/m-wrestl-tickets.html . Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via twitter at www.twitter.com/pennstatepat and on Penn State Wrestling's facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling. The 2010-11 Penn State Wrestling season has been presented by The Family Clothesline. The full 2011-12 Penn State Wrestling Schedule is as follows:

John Murray, former head wrestling coach at Ithaca College, and Ret. Lt. Col. Steve Banach will go "On the Mat" this Wednesday, June 22. "On the Mat" is a presentation of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. The show can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa each Wednesday from 5:00 - 6:00 PM Central on AM 1650, The Fan. Archives of past shows can be found on www.themat.tv. E-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with any questions or comments about the show. Murray was the head wrestling coach at Ithaca College for 15 years before retiring in 1995. He led his team to NCAA Division III championships in 1989, 1990, and 1994. Murray's 1994 championship was the last time a school other than Augsburg or Wartburg won an NCAA Division III title. Murray currently owns and operates Advantage Sport & Fitness based out of Ithaca, New York. Banach is a former Commander of the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. He led the first Airborne Combat Jump Invasion into Afghanistan in 2001, shortly after 9/11. In 2003 he led his Ranger Battalion again for a second combat jump into Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Banach, the older brother of Olympic champions Ed and Lou Banach, placed fifth at the New York state wrestling championships. In college, he wrestled at Clemson and the University of Iowa.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Brendan Buckley, head wrestling coach at Ivy League member Columbia University in New York for the last 11 seasons, has been named Cal Poly's head wrestling coach. Brendan Buckley will assume his new role on July 5Mustang director of athletics Don Oberhelman tapped Buckley to succeed John Azevedo, who retired this month after 10 seasons at Cal Poly, the last eight years as head coach, and Mark Perry, who resigned in April to become associate head coach at the University of Illinois. Azevedo and Perry served as co-head coaches at Cal Poly for the 2010-11 season. Buckley will assume his new role on July 5. “Brendan has an excellent record in developing student-athletes,” said Oberhelman. “Brendan has demonstrated that he knows how to fulfill his first responsibility as a coach, which is to make sure we honor our commitment to our student-athletes' academic achievement. We've hired the right coach to ensure we continue to honor those ideals. “Brendan also believes, as I do, that all of our student-athletes should strive to leave Cal Poly with a diploma and a championship,” Oberhelman added. “I'm very excited about what he will accomplish at Cal Poly.” Buckley, who earned a 14-3 win at 142 pounds in Fresno State's 24-16 dual meet victory against Cal Poly in 1997 at Mott Gym, praised Cal Poly's reputation for athletic and academic excellence. “Cal Poly athletics has a rich tradition that I am well aware of. My goal is to add to those traditions,” Buckley said. “I am really excited to be here and I can't wait to begin working with the team. We will strive for excellence on the mat and in the classroom.” Buckley received the Bob Bubb Coaching Excellence Award for NCAA Division I on May 31. Presented by the National Wrestling Coaches Association the award recognizes an outstanding coach who epitomizes the qualities and characteristics of a role model and mentor for developing young student-athletes. Last year, Buckley led the Lions to a 9-6 overall record and a third-place finish in the Ivy League. The team placed seventh overall at the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Championships in March and two wrestlers advanced to the round of 16 at the NCAA Division I National Championship. Off the mat, Columbia shined in the classroom as well, ranking third nationally with a 3.2917 team cumulative grade-point average. The Lions have been named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association Academic Team each year under Buckley's guidance and have ranked in the top 10 in five of those years. Buckley's accomplishments at Columbia include five years of nationally ranked recruiting classes, 20 NCAA qualifiers and a school-record eight EIWA placewinners in the 2006-07 season. In the last six years, Columbia has earned 26 All-Ivy League selections, 16 NCAA qualifiers and the program's first All-American in 23 years. Matt Palmer finished eighth in the 2005 and 2007 NCAA Championships at 165 and 174 pounds, respectively. In 2008-09, Buckley coached heavyweight Ryan Flores to the program's first EIWA title since 1995. Buckley was named EIWA Coach of the Year as he led the Lions to a fourth-place finish at the 2005 EIWA Championships, the team's best finish at the meet since 1931. The Lions also won the EIWA Wrestling Officials Sportsmanship Award. Columbia made further improvements in 2007, as the team earned its first-ever top 25 ranking, eight wrestlers placed at the EIWA Championships, four team members qualified for nationals and Palmer earned his second All-America honor. Buckley, 71-84-1 in 11 dual meet seasons with the Lions, came to Columbia from the University of Virginia, where he was the top assistant coach from 1998 to 2000. He helped lead the Cavaliers to two straight top-25 finishes in the NCAA Championships, while helping develop three All-Americans and seven NCAA qualifiers, including national finalist Steve Garland at 125 pounds. Prior to Virginia, Buckley was the chief assistant coach at UC Davis as well as at Sacramento City College. During his tenure at Sacramento CC, five wrestlers earned All-America status. Originally from Long Island, Buckley lived in Buffalo, N.Y., before moving to Orlando, Fla. He was a high school All-American and Florida state champion at 135 pounds for Lake Howell High and then starred at Clemson where he made the freshman All-American team his first year and reached the NCAA Round of 16 as a 142-pound sophomore. When Clemson dropped wrestling after the 1994-95 season, Buckley transferred to Fresno State, where he wrestled under Dennis DeLiddo. Buckley was a Western Athletic Conference champion for the Bulldogs and earned All-America status with a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Championship at 142 pounds in 1997. Buckley graduated from Fresno State in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in speech communication and completed his master's degree in sports management at Columbia. Buckley and his wife Julia will celebrate their first wedding anniversary Aug. 28.

Harbor Beach Fort Lauderdale Resort Home to the 2011 NWCA Convention The 2011 NWCA Convention will be held at the Harbor Beach Fort Lauderdale Resort and Spa by Marriott, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The convention sponsored by Asics, Cliff Keen and Resilite, will be held August 4-7, 2011. The three day convention will be preceded by the NWCA Coaching Leadership Academy August 3-4, with 60 coaches from all divisions completing the training for the third year of the Academy. As in the past there will be both collegiate and scholastic sessions, including guest clinicians. This year's featured Clinicians are: Mark Cody head coach at The University of Oklahoma and current NWCA Coach of the Year and Bryan Snyder assistant coach at The University of Nebraska. This year's convention will focus on allowing both head and assistant coaches to grow as professionals within the coaching community. High school and college coaches from around the country are encouraged to join in this expansive networking opportunity with other coaches and wrestling companies. One of the many benefits of the convention is being able to address the governing bodies of the NCAA and the NFHS who will both have staff on site to discuss the new rule changes being implemented for the 2011-12 season, so that coaches can have a better understanding of why the changes were made and how they will be carried out. Sessions will range in topic from: Using technology in recruiting Choosing your team captain and assistant coaches Laws of performance Managing your career Building a successful and sustainable program All other session topics can be found on the NWCA Convention Page Convention attendees are able to take advantage of a $99 per night room rate during the convention, for more information on the hotel and how to reserve your room please visit the NWCA Website listed below. Convention registration can also be done through the NWCA Website through the Ticket Leap Registration Button. The Full Convention Registration is $225 also with the purchase of a Full Convention Registration an assistant coach from the same school can be registered for $175. The NWCA Board of Directors and NWCA Staff look forward to welcoming you to Harbor Beach, with the goal that this will be another productive and educational experience for all coaches. For more information visit the NWCA website (http://www.nwcaonline.com/nwcawebsite/events/nwcaconvention.aspx) or call the NWCA Office at 717-653-8009 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 717-653-8009 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. 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.

J.D. Bergman

Jared Frayer, who served as an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin for the past two seasons, resigned from his position on Friday, according to sources. Jared Frayer spent the past two seasons at Wisconsin (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Frayer's resignation comes less than a week after Donny Pritzlaff resigned from his position as associate head coach at Wisconsin. It was announced on Friday that Pritzlaff has been hired as an assistant coach at the University of Michigan. Wisconsin had NCAA finishes of fourth (2010) and 10th (2011) with Frayer on the coaching staff. He played a key role in Wisconsin's recruiting efforts and helped the Badgers land the nation's No. 4 recruiting class in 2011. As a competitor, Frayer placed in the top six at the U.S. World or Olympic Team Trials seven times, which included three runner-up finishes. He was a U.S. Open champion in 2010 and placed eight times at the U.S. Open. He was also an NCAA runner-up and two-time All-American at the University of Oklahoma.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ross Thatcher has been named the volunteer assistant coach for the Ohio State wrestling team, head coach Tom Ryan announced. Thatcher was the volunteer strength and conditioning coach for the Buckeyes from 2005-08. "As a native of Columbus, we are excited about having Ross involved with the program again," Ryan said. He has a passion to teach and understands the skills and consistency needed to develop talent." Most recently, Thatcher served as the volunteer assistant coach at Oklahoma, a position he held since 2009. Thatcher was part of the coaching staff that helped the Sooners finish fifth at the 2010 NCAA Championships. A graduate of Bishop Ready High School, Thatcher began his coaching career at his alma mater, Penn State in 2000. An assistant coach for the Nittany Lions until 2003, Thatcher continued his coaching career at Ohio State. He was part of the Buckeye coaching staff that guided the Scarlet and Gray to its first of two runner-up finishes at the NCAA championships in 2008. During that season, the Buckeyes boasted three NCAA finalists - J Jaggers, Mike Pucillo, and J.D. Bergman - with Jaggers and Pucillo winning NCAA titles. Overall, Thatcher has assisted in coaching 30 All-Americans, five national finalists and three NCAA champions. A three-time finalist and two-time Ohio state champion for Bishop Ready, Thatcher was a four-time letterwinner at Penn State. In 2000, he was named team captain and capped his career by garnering All-America honors. Following his career at PSU, Thatcher wrestled for the New York Athletic Club, where he was a two-time Sunkist International Open champion, champion at the New York Athletic Club International Open, Dave Schultz International Open champion and was named Northeast Regional Outstanding Wrestler and champion. Additionally, he was a Bronze medalist for the 2001 U.S. Pan-American team and was a member of the U.S. World University Games Freestyle and Greco Roman squads. In 2006, Thatcher served as former Buckeye, World Team member and Olympic alternate Tommy Rowlands' training partner in preparation for the world championships and Olympics. Additionally, Thatcher was an assistant coach for the 2006 USA Junior Fila world team. While working with the Sooners, the Columbus, Ohio, native created Oklahoma Elite, a kids club that reached No. 1 in the state, while also winning the Tulsa national tournament. Thatcher has extensive experience with grassroots efforts of building wrestling kids' clubs programs as he was instrumental in establishing the Nittany Lion Kids Club in State College, Pa., and the Buckeye Wrestling Club in Columbus. Thirteen of Thatcher's kids' club participants are currently wrestling at the collegiate level. Thatcher graduated from Penn State in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in health and human development. Thatcher arrives in Columbus with his wife, Jen and daughter Emma.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- California Baptist University Director of Athletics Dr. Micah Parker announced Friday the hiring of Lennie Zalesky as the Lancers' new wrestling coach. Zalesky replaces the program's first-ever coach, John Petty, who resigned after three years at the helm. Zalesky comes to Riverside after nine years as the head coach at NCAA Division I UC Davis. He was a three-time NCAA All-American and a former assistant coach at powerhouse Iowa and has extensive coaching experience at both the prep and collegiate levels as well as international experience as an athlete. “We are thrilled to have Coach Zalesky join the Lancer family,” said Parker. “Lennie's collegiate experience as an athlete and a coach are outstanding. He is a winner who also fits the mission of CBU athletics, which is to ‘honor Christ through excellence in athletics.' Our goal is to become a major factor in NCAA Division II wrestling nationally, and we feel like we are blessed with the right person to lead us there.” Zalesky coached nine seasons at UC Davis before the program was dropped prior to the 2010-11 season. In those nine seasons, he coached numerous Pac-10 placers, four conference champions and had 27 athletes qualify for the NCAA Championships. Perhaps his best season came in 2007 when he was named Pac-10 Coach of the Year and also coached the Aggies' first-ever NCAA Division I National Champion in any sport in Derek Moore (141 pounds), which helped UC Davis finish 22nd at the NCAA National Championships, its best showing ever. Moore was also named Outstanding Wrestler. In 2009 and 2010, his teams earned a perfect Academic Progress Rate score, ranking as one of the top teams in the nation. “I am really excited to be a part of an institution and program like CBU's,” said Zalesky. “The mission of the school and the commitment it is making towards wrestling is both refreshing and exciting for me. Not only in CBU a great school to recruit to, but there aren't many Christian universities that have wrestling, which gives us a nice niche to work with. The pieces are in place for us to be successful, and I am looking forward to getting started.” Prior to beginning his coaching career in 1986, Zalesky was a three-time All-American wrestler at Iowa. During his time there, he helped the Hawkeyes to four straight national championships, and he notched a record of 73-2-1 in his last two seasons. He was twice the national runner-up at 142 pounds and won three Big Ten titles. His first coaching job came at his alma mater where he served under the legendary Dan Gable from 1986-90. He then spent eight seasons as the head wrestling coach at Palmer High School in Palmer, Alaska. In 2010, he was inducted into the Alaska Wrestling Hall of Fame. He also spent two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Indiana and then was the dean of students and wrestling coach at Culver Military Academy in Culver, Ind., for two years prior to taking the UC Davis job in the summer of 2011. After his collegiate wrestling career concluded, Zalesky began competing internationally, winning a handful of tournaments from 1983-86. He won a silver medal in the 1983 Pan American Games, the 1984 World Cup, 1984 Tblisi Tournament in Russia and the 1983 Canadian Cup. Zalesky graduated from Iowa in 1983 with a degree in finance and later earned another bachelor's in education and Russian language in 1990, also from Iowa. He earned a master's from Indiana in Slavic linguistics and literature in 2000. He was recognized five times in the 1990s for outstanding achievement by the American Council of Teachers of Russian. He currently serves as an athletics' development officer at UC Davis.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan head wrestling coach Joe McFarland announced today (Friday, June 17) the hiring of Sean Bormet and Donny Pritzlaff as assistant coaches for the Wolverine program. Sean Bormet"I consider Sean and Donny two of the best coaches in the country," said McFarland, "and to be able to get both of them in here as part of our coaching staff is just incredible. There's no question that they are going to help elevate this program to new and great heights. Our goal is to win Big Ten and NCAA championships, and I think with these guys on board, we have every intention of doing that. "Both of them are champions. They are great students of the sport. They have great rapport with their athletes, they're well respected in the wrestling community, and they're close friends and work well together. I know they are excited about this opportunity, and I'm excited to get them here and get going." "It is an honor and I am excited to be heading back to the University of Michigan," said Bormet. "Over the last decade, I have gained tremendous insight and experience at every level of amateur wrestling as a coach both nationally and internationally, and I look forward to bringing these contributions to the Michigan wrestling program. Given our extraordinary coaching staff and a new state-of-the-art U-M wrestling center, I am eager to get started and begin mentoring young men to reach their full potential on and off the mat." Donny Pritzlaff"I am very excited to be at the University of Michigan," said Pritzlaff. "I have always had great respect for the Michigan program and interest in working with the Wolverines. The athletic department is committed to winning NCAA championships in wrestling, and I will use my coaching knowledge and experience to help reach that goal. Joe and Sean are both great Michigan Men, and I am positive this staff will lead our student-athletes to excellence in the classroom and on the mat." As the owner and founder of the Overtime School of Wrestling in Naperville, Ill., Bormet molded the training center into the nation's premiere wrestling club, producing numerous champions and All-Americans at all age levels since its opening in 2001. Considered among the nation's top freestyle coaches, Bormet is a three-time winner of the Terry McCann Award as the USA Wrestling Freestyle Coach of the Year (2006, '08, '10) and serves on USA Wrestling's Executive Coaches Council. He was a member of the coaching staff for three U.S. World Championship Teams (2006, '09, '10) as well as the 2008 Olympic Team and 2010 World Cup Team. Among his most decorated post-collegiate wrestlers are 2008 Olympian Andy Hrovat (84 kg), 2009 World silver medalist Jake Herbert (84kg) and 2006 World bronze medalist Donny Pritzlaff (74kg). As a Wolverine student-athlete (1991-94), Bormet was a two-time NCAA All-American at 158 pounds, placing second as a senior (1994) and third as a junior (1993). He captured back-to-back Big Ten 158-pound titles (1993, '94) and won the prestigious Midlands at 158 pounds in 1993. Bormet posted a 125-21 career record, ranking 13th among Michigan's all-time winningest wrestlers, and accumulated 44 career falls to list fourth on the program's all-time pins list. Pritzlaff comes to Michigan after serving five seasons as an assistant coach at Wisconsin (2007-11) -- the last two as associate head coach -- where he helped revitalize the Badgers' program over his tenure. Wisconsin placed among the top 10 teams at the NCAA Championships in each of the last three seasons, including a fourth-place finish in 2010. Sean Bormet and Donny Pritzlaff coaching Andrew Howe (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Pritzlaff was instrumental in developing the Badger middleweight wrestlers as a sound technician and competitive training partner. Among the notable performers under his tutelage were NCAA champion and three-time All-American Andrew Howe, NCAA finalist Craig Henning and All-Americans Tyler Turner, Zach Tanelli and Kyle Ruschell. As Wisconsin's recruiting coordinator, Pritzlaff helped land three top-20 recruiting classes according to InterMat, including the nation's No. 2 class in 2008 and the No. 4 class in 2011. During his collegiate career at Wisconsin (1998-2001), Pritzlaff was a two-time NCAA 165-pound champion (2000, '01) and four-time NCAA All-American, placing fifth as a junior at 165 pounds (1999) and sixth as a freshman at 150 pounds (1998). Pritzlaff claimed three straight Big Ten titles at 165 pounds (1999-2001) and posted a 135-15 career record to list fourth among Wisconsin's all-time wins leaders. He was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.

As the NWCA Coaching Leadership Academy reaches its third year of existence, a modified Leadership Academy curriculum is being offered to 25 current or aspiring coaches who are currently coaching at or wish to pursue coaching positions at faith-based schools. The development of this special module is in response to the 14 new intercollegiate wrestling teams being established at faith-based schools, in the past 15 months. This Academy Workshop represents a collaborated effort between the NWCA and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Dr. Dan Gould of Michigan State University a nationally renowned coaching development expert and the architect of the NWCA Leadership Academy will deliver the CEO training program for the coaches while Carl Perry, the new FCA National Director for wrestling, will oversee the delivery of the faith-based component of the curriculum. The two-day workshop, which will have 25 coaches along with seven mentors and several guest speakers, is being hosted by FCA Board member, Mark Mestemacher and the staff at the Jon Davis Wrestling Center in Edwardsville, Illinois. The NWCA has awarded a full "scholarship" to each of these coaches which covers transportation, meals, lodging, and tuition. This funding was provided by donors who firmly believe in the importance of providing young coaches with the tools and training necessary to be successful coaches. The coaches invited to the leadership academy include: James Bailey, Tim Bradley, Paul Collum, Timothy Ferreira, BJ Futrell, Marcus Gordon, Allen Hackmann, Roosevelt Hadley, Joseph Hawkins, George Hiler, Nick Matiash, Jon McGovern, Andrew Nicola, Paul Reedy, Doug Reese, Kelly Revells, Anderson Sainci, Ben Sprunger, Eric Terrazas, Cy Wainwright, Jason Warthan, Anthony Willaert, Trent Zempel, and Joshua Zupancic. Mentors for the FCA Workshop are: John Azevedo – head coach at Cal Poly Jesse Castro – head coach at Liberty University Jim Miller – head coach at Wartburg College Ron Mirikitani – former head coach at St. Louis Meramec Carl Perry – FCA Wrestling National Director David Ray – head coach SIU Edwardsville Greg Strobel – former head coach, Lehigh Guest speakers for this workshop include: Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert , wrestled at Wheaton College then went on to teach and coach both wrestling and football. In 1999 he was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives and to date is the longest serving Republican Speaker in history. Tom Jarman is the former head coach and Athletic Director at Manchester College. He co-authored Wrestling for Beginners, which remains one of the top-selling books for young wrestlers. He was 1963 NCAA national wrestling champion at 158 pounds and a two-time All-American while a student at Wheaton College. leadDale Neuburger – special consultant to the USOC and 22 governing bodies will be on hand to deliver a special presentation on fundraising. “The fact that we are able to scholarship these twenty-five coaches for this workshop is a testament to the donors who believe in the sport of wrestling and the coaches who are mentoring our future leaders. Being able to pair this endeavor with the FCA is a great opportunity for us to help educate coaches who want to coach at faith-based schools around the country,” said Mike Moyer, NWCA Executive Director. The goal of the Academy is two-fold: to help coaches strengthen their CEO skills in an effort to protect their programs and to promote best practices for improving retention & graduation rates. Since 2009, the NWCA has provided scholarship to 60 college coaches who have completed the course and this August, the NWCA will scholarship an additional 60 coaches to take part in the Academy. To learn more about the NWCA Coaching Leadership Academy visit http://www.nwcaonline.com/NWCAWebSite/coachingdevelopment/leadership.aspx . 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.

Sources have confirmed that Sean Bormet, three-time USA Wrestling Freestyle Coach of the Year and head coach of the Overtime School of Wrestling in Naperville, Ill., has accepted one of the two vacant assistant coaching positions at the University of Michigan. Sean BormetBormet, a 1994 NCAA finalist and two-time All-American for the Wolverines, said in a letter to his Overtime wrestlers that he thought it was time to pursue the new challenges as a coach and will be moving his family to Ann Arbor. This is Bormet's second stint as a Michigan assistant, having coached there during the 1999-2000 season. He was also the assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin from 1994-1999. Bormet's Overtime School of Wrestling will remain open as they search for a new head coach. Bormet will stay involved with the program. Sean Bormet (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Michigan recently let go their top two assistants, Mike Kulczycki and Kirk Trost, a former NWCA Assistant Coach of the Year. Times have been tough in Ann Arbor the past few seasons. Though the Wolverines finished 15th at the NCAA last season with the crowning of NCAA champion Kellen Russell, they'd placed outside of the top 10 in each of the past three seasons. Increasing competition in the Big Ten and the meteoric rise of Penn State seemed to have prompted the abrupt change. Michigan is still looking to fill one more assistant coaching position. Rumors of a mega-staff have been circulating for several days, ignited by Sunday's resignation of University of Wisconsin assistant coach Donny Pritzlaff. However, nothing can be confirmed at this time.

Related Link: Cadet National Duals Greco-Roman Results DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A year ago, Illinois entered the Cadet National Duals as one of the favorites in the Greco-Roman competition after winning titles in two of the three previous years, but fell to Pennsylvania in the pool competition prior to the finals. The wrestlers from the Land of Lincoln were determined not to let that happen this year. On Thursday, Illinois captured the Cadet National Duals championship in Greco-Roman with a 39-32 victory over Pennsylvania Red in the championship match. "We won the little battles," said Illinois coach George Kirgan, who also coaches at the high school and club levels in Granite City, Ill. "We scored points when we needed to. We got the pins when we needed to. We stayed off our backs when we needed to. We did all the good things that make a good team." Illinois entered this year's event seeded sixth, but finished 9-0 en route to winning the championship. "We knew the seeding points weren't really true to the talent of our team," said Kirgan, who wrestled collegiately at Nebraska and Northern Illinois. "We just used that to motivate the guys." Illinois also had to overcome adversity after losing its 145-pounder, Zachary Pickering, who was disqualified earlier in the competition against Wisconsin. "The kids rallied behind each other, said Kirgan. "We had a great camp. That made us a team and helped allow us to win those close matches." In Thursday's championship match, Jabari Moody got things started for Illinois against Pennsylvania, winning in three periods at 84 pounds. Moody, an IL/USAW Cadet double champion and Cadet Nationals folkstyle champion, finished a perfect 8-0 in the Greco-Roman competition. "He's a tough kid," Kirgan said of Moody, the younger brother of seven-time national champion Nkosi Moody. "I really think he'll do well in Fargo. He'll be one of the frontrunners." Nicholas Koch received a forfeit at 91 pounds, which extended the lead to 8-1 in favor of Illinois. Pennsylvania bounced back to win the next two matches with Ethan Lizak and Darian Cruz, which cut the deficit to 8-7. Lizak, a PIAA state runner-up this past season for Parkland, shut out Austin Ryan, 3-0, 2-0, at 98 pounds. Cruz, a Super 32 Challenge champion, Beast of the East champion, and NHSCA Sophomore Nationals champion, blanked Matthew Rundell, 6-0, 1-0, at 105 pounds. Illinois then went on a six-match run, winning every weight class from 112 pounds through 140 pounds, outscoring Pennsylvania 22-1 during the run. That run started with Jon Marmolejo's 4-0, 2-1 victory over Cole Walter at 112 pounds. Darius Henry, a FILA Cadet Nationals Greco-Roman champion, continued his dominance at 119 pounds, beating Zach Kelly, 6-0, 6-0. Henry finished 7-0 in the Greco-Roman competition. At 125 pounds, Michael Sepke scored a shutout victory over Justin Staudenamyer, 1-0, 4-0. Jake O'Mara was dominant at 130 pounds, winning the first period 7-0 before pinning Demetri D'Orsaneo in the second period. "Jake O'Mara really wrestled his butt off," said Kirgan. "He was relatively unknown. His pin in the championship was huge for us." Xavier Montalvo picked up a shutout technical fall shutout victory 7-0, 6-0, over Seth Decker at 135 pounds. Mitchell Alexander registered a shutout victory against Garrett Hammond 8-0, 5-0, at 140 pounds, which gave Illinois a commanding 30-8 lead. Pennsylvania battled back, winning by forfeit at 145 pounds, and then getting victories at 152, 160, and 171 pounds to cut the deficit to 31-26 heading into the final three matches. But Illinois sealed the dual meet and national championship with victories from Sage Hecox at 189 pounds and Edgar Ruano at 215 pounds, before giving up a forfeit at 285 pounds to close the dual meet. "It's about getting momentum, where you get one win after another win," said Kirgan. "When we were losing, it was about stopping the bleeding and getting back to what we do best ... keeping it simple, controlling the positions, winning the one-point matches, and winning the position game." With this year's championship, Illinois has now won the Cadet National Duals title in Greco-Roman three of the past five years. "This is a huge event for Illinois," said Kirgan. "We take great pride in the Duals. We thank USA Wrestling for putting on a great tournament, giving these kids the opportunities to wrestle in these big national tournaments when they're young." Michigan Red defeated New Jersey, 41-24, to finish third in the competition. Michigan Red's only loss throughout the three-day event came to Illinois in the pool competition. Wisconsin claimed fifth place with a 46-26 victory over Utah. Last year's champion, Minnesota, finished seventh. Championship: Illinois 39, Pennsylvania Red 32 84: Jabari Moody (Illinois) dec. Luke Karem (Pennsylvania Red), 1-0, 0-2, 2-0 91: Nicholas Koch (Illinois) forf. Colin Mashack (Pennsylvania Red) 98: Ethan Lizak (Pennsylvania Red) dec. Austin Ryan (Illinois), 3-0, 2-0 105: Darian Cruz (Pennsylvania Red) dec. Matthew Rundell (Illinois) 6-0, 1-0 112: Jon Marmolejo (Illinois) dec. Cole Walter (Pennsylvania Red), 4-0, 2-1 119: Darius Henry (Illinois) tech. fall Zach Kelly (Pennsylvania Red), 6-0, 6-0 125: Michael Sepke (Illinois) dec. Justin Staudenamyer (Pennsylvania Red), 1-0, 4-0 130: Jake O`Mara (Illinois) pinned Demetri D`Orsaneo (Pennsylvania Red), 7-0, 1:16 135: Xavier Montalvo (Illinois) tech. fall Seth Decker (Pennsylvania Red), 7-0, 6-0 140: Mitchell Alexander (Illinois) dec. Garrett Hammond (Pennsylvania Red), 8-0, 5-0 145: Connor Burns (Pennsylvania Red) forfeit Zachary Pickering (Illinois) 152: Chance Marsteller (Pennsylvania Red) pinned Davonte Mahomes (Illinois), 1:49 160: Troy Hembury (Pennsylvania Red) dec. Richard Robertson (Illinois), 1-0, 3-2 171: Raymond O`Donnell (Pennsylvania Red) pinned Joey Ariola (Illinois), 2-8, 8-1, 0:39 189: Sage Hecox (Illinois) dec. Javon Reyes (Pennsylvania Red), 2-0, 4-2 215: Edgar Ruano (Illinois) pinned Austin Buttry (Pennsylvania Red), 1:16 285: Nazar Mirenenko (Pennsylvania Red) forf. Adarios Jones (Illinois) Third Place: Michigan Red 41, New Jersey 24 84: Brandon Paetzell (New Jersey) dec. Dalton Roberts (Michigan Red), 7-0, 1-6, 5-1 91: Lincoln Olson (Michigan Red) dec. Dan Boychuck (New Jersey), 0-1, 2-1, 1-0 98: Joe Garcia (Michigan Red) dec. Tyler Casamenti (New Jersey), 2-0, 2-0 105: Joseph Ghione (New Jersey) dec. Logan Griffin (Michigan Red), 7-1, 6-5 112: Joseph McKenna (New Jersey) dec. Zac Hall (Michigan Red), 6-1, 6-0 119: Cole Weaver (Michigan Red) dec. Xaviel Ramos (New Jersey), 0-6, 6-5, 4-1 125: Anthony Gonzales (Michigan Red) dec. Anthony Ashnault (New Jersey), 0-3, 3-3, 3-1 130: Zehlin Storr (Michigan Red) dec. John Van Brill (New Jersey), 2-0, 7-0 135: Riley Hanson (Michigan Red) dec. Myles Martin (New Jersey), 3-0, 1-0 140: Toby Hague (New Jersey) dec. Logan Marcicki (Michigan Red), 7-1, 4-1 145: TJ Barnes (Michigan Red) dec. Dillon Artigliere (New Jersey), 2-0, 4-0 152: Andrew Garcia (Michigan Red) dec. Dylan Milonas (New Jersey), 5-0, 4-1, 0-0 160: Johnny Sebastian (New Jersey) dec. Shon Powell (Michigan Red), 7-3, 5-3 171: Jadean Bernstein (New Jersey) dec. Teddy Warren (Michigan Red), 7-0, 3-2 189: Mitchell Tyler (Michigan Red) dec. Corey Damiana (New Jersey), 4-3, 1-0 215: Brian Moran (Michigan Red) pinned Jeff Miller (New Jersey), 0:57 285: Miguel Correa (Michigan Red) dec. Carmine Goldsack (New Jersey), 2-0, 2-2 Fifth Place: Wisconsin 46, Utah 26 84: Brock George (Utah) dec. Walker Christensen (Wisconsin), 2-0, 5-4 91: Joe Mondragon (Utah) dec. Dillon Koenigs (Wisconsin), 2-1, 5-0 98: Ty Pelot (Wisconsin) tech. fall Jaydon Rogers (Utah), 6-0, 9-2 105: Jens Lantz (Wisconsin) dec. Dusty Hone (Utah), 1-0, 1-0 112: Branson Ashworth (Utah) dec. Andrew Crone (Wisconsin), 1:11 119: Gabriel Grahek (Wisconsin) dec. Antonio Meikel (Utah), 3-1, 2-2 125: Jacob Armstrong (Utah) dec. Kyle Mezera (Wisconsin), 3-2, 3-1 130: Joseph Nelson (Wisconsin) dec. Landon Knutzen (Utah), 6-0, 5-2 135: Grant LaMont (Utah) dec. Mitchell Berenz (Wisconsin), 8-0, 2-1 140: Travis Hettinga (Wisconsin) pinned Dalton Harmon (Utah), 0:30 145: Kimball Bastian (Utah) dec. Jared Scharenbrock (Wisconsin), 0-3, 4-0, 5-0 152: Jared Schaaf (Wisconsin) dec. Jake Tolman (Utah), 2-0, 1-0 160: Jake Stilling (Wisconsin) tech. fall Nick Sorenson (Utah), 10-4, 8-1 171: Aaron Rothwell (Wisconsin) dec. Kohler Smoot (Utah), 3-1, 1-0 189: Quinn Faust (Wisconsin) pinned Daviaire Dickerson (Utah), 1:03 215: Dakota Johnson (Wisconsin) pinned Roy Nash (Utah), 8-1, 0-2, 0:58 285: Alex Lennartson (Wisconsin) dec. Zac Dawe (Utah), 1-1, 2-0 Seventh Place: Minnesota 37, Missouri 31 84: Double Forfeit 91: Gannon Volk (Minnesota Storm) tech. fall Carter Behler (Missouri), 7-0, 6-0 98: Ke-Shawn Hayes (Missouri) tech. fall Blane Tschida (Minnesota Storm), 6-0, 7-0 105: Reid Lyden (Minnesota Storm) tech. fall Matt Barmann (Missouri), 6-0, 6-0 112: Devan Richter (Missouri) pinned James Pleski (Minnesota Storm), 5-3, 0:13 119: Seth Gross (Minnesota Storm) pinned Seth Brayfield (Missouri), 4-3, 1:58 125: Brett Stolarczyk (Minnesota Storm) pinned Colston DiBlasi (Missouri), 4-0, 0:23 130: Aaron Trio (Minnesota Storm) dec. Montel Maggitt (Missouri), 7-1, 5-1 135: Mason Moreno (Minnesota Storm) tech. fall Tyler Brown (Missouri), 6-0, 8-0 140: Grant Leeth (Missouri) dec. TJ O'Hara (Minnesota Storm), 1-0, 2-0 145: Dayton Racer (Missouri) dec. Jake Deutchlander (Minnesota Storm), 4-4, 3-0, 1-0 152: Austin Boniface (Minnesota Storm) pinned Tony Clinesmith (Missouri), 0:33 160: Brennan Johnson (Missouri) pinned Gus Phillips (Minnesota Storm), 1:12 171: Joseph Bradford (Missouri) dec. Isaac Josephson (Minnesota Storm), 6-5, 3-3 189: Matt McClimens (Missouri) dec. Will Balow (Minnesota Storm), 1-0, 6-0 215: J'den Cox (Missouri) tech. fall Nathan Preston (Minnesota Storm), 6-0, 8-0 285: Sam Stoll (Minnesota Storm) pinned Jacob Semple (Missouri), 0:32 All-Tournament Team 84: Jabari Moody (Illinois) 8-0 91: Gannon Volk (Minnesota Storm) 9-0, Isaac Jimenez (Texas) 7-0 105: Darian Cruz (Pennsylvania Red) 9-0 112: Joseph McKenna (New Jersey) 9-0 119: Darius Henry (Illinois) 7-0 125: Anthony Gonzales (Michigan Red) 7-0 135: Grant LaMont (Utah) 9-0, Bo Nickal (Texas) 7-0, Fox Baldwin (Florida Blue) 7-0, John Edwards (Georgia Red) 7-0 140: Mitchell Alexander (Illinois) 9-0 152: Chance Marsteller (Pennsylvania Red) 9-0, Andrew Garcia (Michigan Red) 7-0 171: Jadean Bernstein (New Jersey) 9-0, Kacee Hutchinson (North Carolina) 6-0 189: Tyler Andreason (Florida Blue) 7-0, Tyler Denova (Georgia Red) 7-0 215: Carter Shipley (Florida Blue) 7-0, Edgar Ruano (Illinois) 6-0 285: Nazar Mirenenko (Pennsylvania Red) 9-0, Sam Stoll (Minnesota Storm) 8-0

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Imagine shadowing an NCAA champion wrestler 24/7. You'd learn how he trains ... find out what's going on in his mind during a match ... and discover how he deals with defeat, injuries, making weight and other challenges of the sport. Most of us don't have the opportunity to follow every move of a national collegiate mat champ and, rarer still, get inside his head. Here's the next best thing: Michael Bonora's brand-new book Wrestling With Your Destiny. Bonora was a two-time All-American for Rhode Island College who won the 141-pound title at the 2008 NCAA Division III Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In his book, Bonora shares his journey through the sport, from his early days in youth wrestling, through high school in New Jersey, and then in college, culminating at the nationals. It is what it is Wrestling With Your Destiny is something of a hybrid. It's not a traditional memoir or autobiography like those from, say, Olympic gold medalists Henry Cejudo or Rulon Gardner. Nor is it one of those how-to-wrestle books with step-by-step instructions detailing specific moves. Nor is it strictly a motivational book intended to fire up a competitor emotionally. Michael BonoraIn a way, Bonora's book brings elements from each of these types of books together in a compact, 126-page package. Wrestling With Your Destiny takes the reader through Michael Bonora's life, so it is something of an autobiography ... though just about all of it is through the lens of wrestling. The book does incorporate instructional material, but, in the sense of instructions on how to overcome various challenges that any wrestler at any age will face, no matter his or her skill level. And, while it's not one of those rah-rah, "you can do it!" books designed specifically to motivate and inspire athletes to greater performance, Bonora serves up plenty of genuine support and encouragement to which any athlete can relate ... especially in a solitary sport like wrestling. The back cover provides insight into the intention of the book: Join Michael Bonora as he recounts the inspiring moments of his wrestling career in hopes of helping you reach your goals. As you dive into this book, you will get a unique glimpse into the mental, emotional, and physical aspects of wrestling. Through unrelenting dedication, Bonora was able to reach his goals and now is passing his knowledge onto you. Wrestling With Your Destiny takes the reader through Michael Bonora's life in the sport, starting in first grade, and concluding with his last match in college. Michael Bonora works from the top (Photo/RIC Sports Info)Each chapter title is something of a landmark in his mat career: "High School" "Recruitment" "Rhode Island" "Midlands" "Adversity" "Cedar Rapids." Each chapter ends with "What You Can Take Away From This Chapter" -- a concise checklist that recaps the major lessons to be gleaned from that section of the book, and helps reinforce the "teachable moments" that Michael Bonora struggled through, learned from, and used as a foundation for the future. (Throughout the book there are situations where Bonora recalls a similar situation, thinks about what happened then, and, if a different outcome is desired, takes a different direction.) The book Bonora wishes he had in school What was the motivation for writing Wrestling With Your Destiny? "As a younger wrestler, I wanted a book to help me," said Bonora. As he wrote in the book's preface, "I could have used a book like this; to hear from someone who had been through an entire academic wrestling career and could share what he had learned. Throughout my career I often sought out sayings to express how I left and people to whom I could relate. I always wondered if I was doing everything possible to perform to the best of my ability. Was I thinking the right thoughts, drilling the correct way, lifting the most important muscles? On these pages, I hope I can show you what worked for me and at the very least point you in the right direction." Putting pen to paper, then getting it into shape Perhaps Michael Bonora knew he was destined to write this book. As he said in the interview for this article, "After all my matches, I wrote notes to myself, starting in eight grade ... Every match is a learning experience." Bonora didn't waste any time turning those notes into the beginnings of a book. Michael Bonora was an NCAA champion in 2008"The day after winning nationals, I flew to Italy," said the 2008 Division III champ. "I actually started writing it by hand on the trip." "I wrote it in three months, then started editing it over the course of three years," according to Bonora. "The original manuscript was twice as long as the finished book." "I originally thought my 90,000-word manuscript was great, but in talking to others -- like Alfred Martino (author of the wrestling novel Pinned) -- I decided it was too long, with too many personal references," Bonora disclosed. The trimming process wasn't that much different than the challenge of dropping those stubborn last pounds to make weight before a match. "It was especially hard to take things out," said the author. "I decided to only keep things that progressed the story, or taught a lesson." "I had a file I called 'Homeless Material' with things like a wrestler's diet, and workout ideas. I decided that much of this information was worth sharing, so I started a blog." (You can access his blog at www.michaelsmat.com) "I wanted to make it appealing and accessible to younger readers," said Bonora. "I kept thinking about how many wrestlers I know who don't read." "I wanted it to be relatable and readable for anyone from eighth grade through college ... I thought, perhaps people could relate to an average guy who puts in the time and effort and really wants to succeed." "I'd like to think someone who reads it is already a step ahead of the competition by being receptive to setting goals and achieving them." Destined to be a winner Wrestling With Your Destiny is sure to appeal to any wrestler who has dreams, is willing to set goals, learn from mistakes (and victories), and put in the hard work toward realizing those dreams. There are a couple specific aspects about the book that truly make it a winner. For starters, there's a powerful you-are-there perspective. Bonora has a gift for taking readers inside his world. His descriptions of some of his matches are especially strong -- not just an account of who's doing what on the mat, but also what's taking place inside his head -- his doubts, his analysis of what his opponent is doing, drawing from similar situations in the past. The book is also incredibly practical. This isn't pie-in-the-sky fantasy, nor is it heavy-duty philosophical navel-gazing. Instead, Bonora shares useful information that any wrestler at any age or skill level can put to work immediately, and throughout the course of his or her career. The end-of-chapter checklists guide the reader to think about what he's just read ... which reinforces learning. Whether your goal as a wrestler is to win Olympic gold, bring home a title from the NCAAs, be crowned a champ at your state tournament, or be the starter on your wrestling team, Michael Bonora's Wrestling With Your Destiny is a great guidebook on your journey to make your dreams a reality. Wrestling With Your Destiny is available for purchase online as a paperback as well as for Kindle from Amazon.com.

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State assistant wrestling coach and former two-time NCAA 190-pound champion Eric Voelker is resigning to pursue a call to the ministry. Voelker, a three-time NCAA All-American as a Cyclone from 1987-89, had joined the staff of Iowa State head coach Kevin Jackson last fall. “Eric has been a valuable asset to our wrestling program,” Jackson said. “He is respected by our wrestlers, alumni and prep coaches in Iowa and across the country. He is a great leader, which will serve him well in the ministry.” Voelker will be joining the staff of his church, Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines. “This past year has given me cause to refocus,” Voelker said. “For many years I have been moving been toward full-time ministry and believe that now is the time to go ‘all in,' to use our Cyclone language.” Voelker had high praise for Jackson. “Kevin is a great leader and working with him and the Iowa State wrestling program has been a special time in my life,” Voelker said. “The Iowa State wrestling program has a top-notch staff, a very supportive athletics department and a committed booster community. I am confident great achievements lie ahead.” Jackson knows that Voelker will continue to be a part of the Cyclone wrestling family. “More than anything, Eric made an impact on our wrestlers by example,” Jackson said. “They see him as an individual who wouldn't ask for any effort from another that he would not ask of himself. His place in Iowa State history is assured.” Jackson says a search for Voelker's replacement is underway.

MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin associate head wrestling coach Donny Pritzlaff has resigned his position effective immediately, head coach Barry Davis announced Sunday. Pritzlaff, who wrestled at UW from 1998-2001, spent five seasons as a Badger assistant coach. “I want to thank Donny for the time he spent as an assistant in helping our program reach the heights we have,” Davis said. “He has decided to explore other options and we wish him the best.” With Pritzlaff's resignation, Jared Frayer will be promoted to the role of top assistant coach. Frayer has been an assistant on the wrestling staff for two seasons. Before joining UW's staff, he served as the strength and conditioning coach for the Iowa wrestling program for one season. Frayer was also an assistant coach at Harvard for three years. A two-time All-American at Oklahoma, Frayer brings a wealth of wrestling experience on the national level. He has four top-four finishes in the World Team Trials at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and has placed in the top five at the U.S. National Freestyle tournament five times. Frayer finished fourth at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in 2008.

Hempstead, NY -- Hofstra All-American wrestler Lou Ruggirello has been named to the 2011 Capital One Academic All-America University Division Men's At-Large third team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The Men's At-Large program for the Academic All-America(r) includes the sports of fencing, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, skiing, swimming and diving, tennis, water polo and wrestling. Ruggirello's honor is the third Capital One Academic All-America award received by a Hofstra student-athlete during the 2010-11 academic year. Seniors Dana Bergstrom and Tiffany Yovino were both named to the Capital One Women's Soccer Academic All-America first team last November. Ruggirello becomes the 26th Hofstra student-athlete to earn Academic All-America honors from CoSIDA and is the first Pride wrestler to receive the award. Ruggirello, who won his second Colonial Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete of the Year award in April after receiving the honor in 2009, is both a four-time CAA champion and NCAA qualifier at 133 pounds. He earned his first All-America award this year by placing seventh at the NCAA Championships in Philadelphia in March. A senior majoring in finance, the Walden, New York native is a four-time CAA Commissioner's Academic Award recipient and a five-year member of the Hofstra Athletics Academic Honor Roll. Ruggirello, a Capital One Academic All-District I first team selection, is a two-time (2008-09) member of the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic Team. He posted a 32-5 overall record in 2010-11 including a 17-1 mark in dual matches with 13 wins by fall. In his Pride career, Ruggirello finished second on the Hofstra all-time career victory list with a 131-26 record including a 72-7 mark in duals. To be eligible for Academic All-America(r) consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director. The Academic All-America(r) program has honored thousands of student-athletes since its inception in 1952. It encompasses all sports in which the NCAA conducts championships. There are separate teams selected in football, women's volleyball, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball and men's and women's track and cross-country. For student-athletes in other sports, such as wrestling, lacrosse, swimming, tennis, golf, hockey, they are eligible for the men's and women's at-large programs. Currently, a Capital One Academic All-America(r) University Division (NCAA Division I participants) team and a College Division team (combining NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, Canadian, and two-year schools) are selected for each sport category. Beginning with the 2011-12 academic year, this national program will grow to four programs - with NCAA Division I, Division II and Division III teams and a separate College Division program combining NAIA, Canadian and two-year school honorees. The Capital One Academic All-America(r) Program is a highly selective scholar-athlete honor. Approximately 1,950 of the 12,000 student-athletes nominated annually receive "First-Team Academic All-District" honors, and only 820 currently gain the prestigious Capital One Academic All-America(r) honor; of those 820, only 288 earn prestigious Academic All-America(r) First Team accolades. The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA, www.CoSIDA.com), now in its 55th year as an organization, was founded in 1957-making it the second oldest management association in intercollegiate athletics. Today, it is a vibrant 2,700-plus member national association comprised of the sports public relations, communications and information professionals throughout all levels of collegiate athletics in the United States and Canada. For more information about the Academic All-America(r) Teams program, please visit www.cosida.com. About Capital One Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a financial holding company whose subsidiaries, which include Capital One, N.A. and Capital One Bank (USA), N. A., had $122.2 billion in deposits and $197.5 billion in total assets outstanding as of December 31, 2010. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One offers a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients. Capital One, N.A. has approximately 1,000 branch locations primarily in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. A Fortune 500 company, Capital One trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "COF" and is included in the S&P 100 index.

Henry Cejudo, and Olympic gold medalist, has returned to wrestling, but opted not to compete at the 2011 U.S. World Team Trials. He tells Flowrestling why. Watch more video of World Team Trials 2011 on flowrestling.org