InterMat Staff

The Minnesota wrestling program has added another gem to it 2008-09 recruiting class. Minnesota recruit Tony Nelson is InterMat's 49th best recruit in the country (Photo/The Guillotine)Cambridge-Isanti High School product Tony Nelson, the nation's top-ranked prospect at 215 pounds, signed a National Letter of Intent with the Golden Gophers Friday, head coach J Robinson announced. The 2009 Minnesota Class AAA state champion, Nelson posted a 47-0 record as a senior, including a staggering 35 wins by fall. He also captured the 2009 National Wrestling Championship in the 215-pound class, going 6-0 during the tournament with three pins. In the national championship match, Nelson pinned his opponent in 30 seconds. "We are really happy that Tony has decided to stay in state and attend the University of Minnesota," head coach Robinson said. "He is everything you are looking for a state champion, a national champion and the valedictorian of his high school class. How could you ask for anything more?" Nelson was a state tournament place-winner as a junior and a sophomore, finishing as the runner-up in 2008 after recording a third-place finish in 2007. He also won more than 40 bouts in each of the final three seasons of his prep career, going 44-3 as a junior and 41-6 as a sophomore. In all, Nelson concluded his high school career with an impressive 141-18 record as a prep, including 80 victories by fall, and was named an academic All-American for his success in the classroom. In addition to his prowess on the mat, Nelson also starred on the gridiron as a standout defensive end and linebacker. The 2008 Mississippi Eight Conference Linebacker of the Year, Nelson collected 112 tackles, including 20 for losses, as a senior and earned all-metro and all-conference accolades and received honorable mention all-state recognition from The Associated Press. He finished his three-year football career with 259 tackles. The addition of Nelson, to go along with Thursday's re-signing of Olympian Jake Deitchler, could push Robinson's 2008-09 recruiting class to the top of the national recruiting rankings. Heading into the week, the class already included Jake Kettler (Ramsey, Minn.), Alec Ortiz (Newberg Ore.), Bart Reiter (Gilbertville, Iowa), Pat Smith (Chaska, Minn.), Kevin Steinhaus (Pennock, Minn.), David Thorn (St. Michael, Minn.) and Danny Zilverberg (Wayzata, Minn.) as well as Jake Filkins (Prescott, Wis.) and Austin Waliullah (Rockton, Ill.), who inked Acceptance of Admission forms with the Gophers. The class was ranked No. 6 in the nation according to W.I.N magazine prior the addition of Nelson, Deitchler, Filkins and Waliullah.

Tommy Rowlands

Dan Gable, a two-time NCAA champion from Iowa State and long-time wrestling coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes, and Andy Hamilton, wrestling beat writer for the Iowa City Press-Citizen, will be the featured guests on Wrestling 411 Radio on Thursday, April 23. This Thursday's edition of Wrestling 411 Radio will air at 7 p.m. CST. The show can be heard live by visiting www.wrestling411.tv and clicking on the "Listen Live" link. An archive of the broadcast will be available immediately following the show. Gable was a two-time NCAA champion and three-time All-American for Iowa State from 1968-70. He coached the Iowa Hawkeyes to 15 NCAA team titles from 1977 through 1997. Hamilton is the wrestling beat writer for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. His articles have appeared in a variety of publications, including ESPN.com. Hamilton was named the National Wrestling Media Association Journalist of the Year in 2004 and was given the Dellinger Award in 2005. Wrestling 411 Radio can be heard live by visiting www.wrestling411.tv. Questions for any of the guests are welcome. You may e-mail your questions to Kyle Klingman at kklingman@mediasportsproductions.com.

What a week in college Wrestling. The other foot is yet to drop. Just wait for it.....We return to the Brute Adidas Studios for an in depth look at the happenings and the future of the coming weeks. Take a look at our recent episodes of TDRtv on Takedownradio.com as we strive to do better each and every episode. This week we look to the coming World Team May 30th and 31st in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Our scheduled guests this week include: Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley joins us to discuss the hiring of Cael Sanderson, his expectations and the timeline associated with those in and around the program. This may be one of the greatest sports hiring coupe's in the history of sport. If I were Tim I might consider retiring now. How do you top this one? Dan Wirnsberger- Head Coach of the Bison at Bucknell. We've been following this program since it was brought back and we look to continue that trend. How will the Cael hire affect his recruiting if at all/ Summer Camps and clinics? Wirnsberger has great expectations for his returning squad and high hopes for his incoming recruits. Joe "J-Lau" Lauzon- Lauzon, star of The Ultimate Fighter 5 television reality show talks to us six weeks after knee surgery, UFC lightweight prospect Joe "J-Lau" Lauzon (18-4, 5 KOs, 13 submissions is rehabilitating his leg, and recovery is ahead of schedule. He can't fight until the grafting is fully healed, which probably won't be until the spring of 2010. The 24-year-old Lauzon is not about to rush his recovery, despite his competitive drive, and desire to be fighting again. www.joelauzon.com. Tom Ryan-Hd Coach The Ohio State Buckeyes- Tom Ryan has sparked a remarkable turnaround in this Big 10 powerhouse. Named RevWrestling.com's Coach of the year for the 2nd consecutive year, Ryan has his squad set to challenge for the next several years. Ryan recently lost Tommy Rowlands as asst. on his staff. Rowland's job goes to Buckeye powerhouse J Jaggers. Mo Lawal- Sorry "KING MO"- You either liked him or you didn't and it did not matter in the least to this former Cowboy. He's been around the world and now makes his living in MMA with big wins over Travis Wiuff and Fabio Silva. Mo started wrestling at sixteen. His second year he was state runner-up, and his senior year he won. He then went Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma, competing for three years. His last year he transferred to Oklahoma State and earned third and an all-American honors. Mo went on to win university nationals in freestyle, third at nationals, and few national freestyle titles. Catch up with Mo! Kerry McCoy- Head Coach at Maryland- Every time a head coaching position opens up Kerry McCoy's name keeps popping up. Debbie Yow has got Kerry's back, he's got great facilities, great recruiting capabilities. McCoy's name should come up! Why, back to back ACC Championships, 10th place finish at the NCAA Championships and 3 All Americans. Not too bad for a coach on everyone's radar. Takedownradio.com can be heard each Saturday from 9 AM to 11 AM. We talk to wrestlers, coaches, fans each and every Saturday plus hundreds of hours of additional content each year. Tune in to find out why Dan Gable and many others call us "America's Wrestling Radio Show!"

To members of the MIT community: It is with regret that we write to inform you that the following eight varsity sports will no longer be offered at MIT: Alpine Skiing, Golf, Men's Ice Hockey, Women's Ice Hockey, Men's Gymnastics, Women's Gymnastics, Pistol, and Wrestling. These changes are effective at the conclusion of this academic year. We make this decision with sadness and with great awareness of how painful it will be to many members of the MIT community. The Institute has long been proud of the uncommon breadth of sports it has been able to offer, and our student athletes, coaches, and staff have shown great passion for their programs. However, we also believe that a reduction in the number of our varsity sports is essential to the quality and sustainability not only of the varsity programs that remain, but also of the athletic, recreational, and physical education programs offered to the entire MIT community. In bringing you this news, we want to emphasize that while the current global financial crisis and its severe effect on MIT factored heavily in our decision, the issue of the viability of carrying 41 varsity sports has been with us even in times of relative financial stability. In 2000, the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (DAPER) organized a committee to develop a strategic plan for the department. At that time, the question was raised as to the sustainability of maintaining 41 sports. Since then, every Visiting Committee (which is composed of members of the MIT Corporation and external experts, and which meets every two years) has raised the question of MIT's ability to sustain one of the largest varsity athletics programs in the United States. The numbers are instructive: In the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III, which is where MIT varsity sports compete, the average number of varsity sports carried by an institution is 16. In the NEWMAC Conference, in which MIT competes, the number is 20. In the Ivy League, which resides in Division I, the number is 33. By continuing to offer 33 varsity sports, MIT is offering twice as many as the average Division III school, and will lead the nation in sponsorship at the Division III level, while remaining as committed to athletics as its peer academic institutions. The question of the viability of maintaining 41 sports took on new urgency when the severity of the current economic downturn became clear. In December of 2008, Provost L. Rafael Reif, Chancellor Phillip L. Clay, and Executive Vice President and Treasurer Theresa M. Stone shared a plan for reducing the Institute's spending by $100 million to $150 million—10 to 15 percent—over the next two to three years. With this mandate in mind, DAPER examined all program areas and identified opportunities for reductions in each area: many of the cuts DAPER is making do not affect varsity sports. Both by reducing its number of varsity sports from 41 to 33 and by making other budget cuts within the department, DAPER will reduce its FY 2010 budget by $485,000. This amount represents 5 percent of DAPER's FY 2009 operating-expenses budget of $9.7 million. In deciding which sports to cut, we made use of a management tool developed in 2003 by a subcommittee of the DAPER Advisory Board comprised of coaches, student athletes, faculty, and administrative staff. The Sport Health and Vitality tool monitors the health of each varsity sport at MIT by tracking such areas as student interest, coaching turnover, availability of appropriate competition, quality and proximity of practice facilities, as well as program costs. In 2004 and 2006, the DAPER Visiting Committee of the MIT Corporation reviewed and endorsed the process, and recently, an independent consultant was employed to review the operational structure of DAPER. It too reinforced the veracity of the Health and Vitality process. Eliminating sports that do not meet the criteria established by the Sport Health and Vitality process, rather than reducing spending in all sports, not only helps the Department meet its budget mandate, but supports the core value of excellence in all programming. At this time, assuming the economic climate does not worsen significantly, we do not anticipate any further reductions in our varsity sport offerings. In the coming months, we will work hard to help our student athletes and alumni most affected by this decision; we are developing a method to reach out to our alumni base and will inform alumni as this plan is finalized. While there can be no complete substitute for the special status enjoyed by a varsity sport, there are opportunities for participation at the level of a club sport. In cases where a club sport exists, we hope that former varsity athletes will join in, and where a club sport does not exist, we will help student athletes assess the viability of creating a club team. Since the time we publicly acknowledged the need to reduce the number of varsity sports at MIT, the question of using fund-raising to provide support for sports that are being eliminated has been raised by students, staff, and alumni. While fund-raising is an ongoing and active pursuit in DAPER, the department and MIT's senior administration urge prospective donors to help DAPER enrich and enhance its broad program by contributing to the department's overall mission. We believe that the Institute will, in the long run, be better off for the hard decisions we have made, and we ask you to support them. For further information on this decision, including FAQs and information about the Health and Vitality process, please visit www.mitathletics.com. In closing, we would like to offer our great thanks to the student athletes, alumni, coaches, and staff members who gave so much to the varsity sports we are losing today. Your hard work and dedication will forever be remembered in the history of MIT athletics. Sincerely, Costantino Colombo Dean for Student Life Julie Soriero Director of Athletics Chair, Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation

Kevin Jackson

Tim Curley

NEW YORK -- On April 30, 2009 Beat the Streets Wrestling Program will host its annual gala fundraiser "Golden Night at Guastavino's" in New York City to help continue the organization's work in providing approximately 3,500 boys and girls wrestling opportunities and safe havens for them to practice. In addition, New York City wrestling coaches will be named High School Coach of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year and Middle School Coach of the Year at the Gala. Gathering to show their support for Beat the Streets are wrestling legends Bruce Baumgartner, four-time Olympic wrestling medalist, National Wrestling Hall of Fame and U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame member and Director of Athletics at Edinboro University; Henry Cejudo, 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist; Brandon Slay, 2000 Olympic Gold medalist; and John Smith, Olympic and World Championship Medal Winner. "Beat the Streets is proud to bring together the wrestling community, not just in New York City but the world, to help encourage and support New York City girls and boys' efforts to participate in the sport of wrestling," said Brian Giffin, President and Executive Director of Beat the Streets. "Because of Beat the Streets, thousands of children are instilled with important values such as perseverance, discipline and self reliance, which they will carry with them throughout their lives. We would like to thank Bruce Baumgartner, Henry Cejudo, Brandon Slay and John Smith for showing their support for Beat the Streets' work." "The success of Beat the Streets Wrestling Program in New York City is a true testament to the organization, which has dedicated itself to not only teaching children about the sport of wrestling, but also shaping young minds and preparing them for whatever challenges may come their way, whether it be on the mat or in the class room," said Bruce Baumgartner. The Beat the Streets Wrestling Program is a not-for-profit organization that creates opportunities for boys and girls from New York City schools to participate in after-school wrestling programs in safe and nurturing environments. Beat the Streets provides free coaching, gear and equipment; free access to afterschool training centers in all five boroughs; all-expenses paid trips to the most prestigious training camps in the country; and safe havens for students from the poorest urban neighborhoods seeking to improve their fitness and stay on the right path. Approximately 3,500 boys and girls from New York City schools currently participate in the organization's afterschool programs. Beat the Streets' work has effectively helped the sport of wrestling grow in New York City. In 2005, New York City's Public School Athletic League had 23 teams only in high schools and fewer than 300 kids enrolled. Now New York City has wrestling teams in 58 high schools and 54 middle schools with 3,500 enrollees.

Lee Roy Smith

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern became the center of the college wrestling world Saturday when NU held its annual end-of-the-season banquet at the Wildfire Glenview. W.I.N. Magazine was on hand to present NU senior Jake Herbert his 2009 Hodge Trophy as well as freshman Jason Welch with his 2008 Junior Hodge Trophy, marking the first time since the awards' inceptions that both have gone to members of the same college team. "This occasion was just a great chance to celebrate NU wrestling and one that kind of makes you sit up and take notice of where our program is right now," said Northwestern head coach Tim Cysewski. "The fact that we are the only school to have a national title-winner each of the past three years I think shows this is a great place to come and train to be a champion." This is the 15th season that W.I.N. Magazine and the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, has issued the Hodge Trophy. Winners are selected based on seven criteria: overall record, number of pins, dominance, past credentials, quality of competition, sportsmanship and heart. Herbert won college wrestling's Heisman Trophy equivalent after finishing his career by winning the 2009 NCAA title at 184 pounds to cap a perfect 34-0 season, the second unbeaten season of his career. On his way to four top-three finishes at the NCAA championships, Herbert moved into fifth place among all Division I college wrestlers since the 1974-75 season with a four-year winning percentage of .971 (135-4). "It feels good to know that I'm leaving the program in a great place and knowing that there are guys coming behind me like Jason who can carry on the legacy," Herbert said. "I think Tim and (associate head coach) Drew (Pariano) have built the program up to where it will be successful year in and year out." Welch's Junior Dan Hodge Trophy was presented in recognition of his achievements while at Las Lomas High School in California where he became the 13th wrestler in state history to win three state championships. Welch, who went undefeated his senior year to finish with a career mark of 194-7, translated his high school dominance into success on the college level, placing second in the Big Ten at 157 pounds while qualifying for his first NCAA Championships.

LINCOLN -- USA Wrestling, the national governing body for amateur wrestling in the United States, named Nebraska's Mark Manning and Oklahoma State's John Smith as coaches of the 2009 U.S. Freestyle World Team on Tuesday. Manning will work with USA Wrestling National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones and the rest of the national coaching staff to lead the U.S. delegation at the 2009 World Wrestling Championships in Herning, Denmark, on Sept. 21-27. Manning was selected by USA Wrestling's Freestyle Coach Selection Committee and approved by USA Wrestling's Executive Committee. "This is a very important time for USA Wrestling, and the guys who make this team, to set a new standard of excellence," Manning said. "This is a great challenge, but one in which we must work hard. We need to bring the right mindset to the World Championships to take a step toward being dominant in freestyle wrestling again." Manning has extensive coaching experience on the international level, including head coaching responsibilities for the 2001 U.S. Freestyle World Team. He was an assistant coach on the 1997 U.S. World Team and a staff member of numerous other U.S. World and Olympic teams. The athletes representing the U.S. at the 2009 World Championships will be determined at the World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on May 30-31. Nebraska club coaches Trent and Travis Paulson are the No. 1 seeds at 66 (145.5 lbs) and 74 kilograms (163 lbs) respectively.

Dave Zabriskie, a two-time All-American from Iowa State, Dan Vallimont, an All-American from Penn State, and Jeff Byers, the voice of Penn State Wrestling, will be the featured guests on Wrestling 411 Radio on Tuesday, April 21. This Thursday's edition of Wrestling 411 Radio will air at 7 p.m. CST. The show can be heard live by visiting www.wrestling411.tv and clicking on the "Listen Live" link. An archive of the broadcast will be available immediately following the show. Zabriskie, a native of Branchville, NJ, will be a senior for Iowa State next season. Zabriskie competes at the heavyweight class for the Cyclones, placing sixth and fifth each of the past two seasons. Vallimont, a native of Hopatcong, NJ, will be a senior for Penn State next season. Vallimont competed at the 165 pound weight class for the last half of the 2009 season and placed third at the NCAA tournament in 2008. Byers is the voice of Penn State Wrestling, broadcasting all Nittany Lion wrestling meets for the Penn State Sports Network. In 2006, Byers was named Wrestling Broadcaster of the Year by the National Wrestling Media Association. Wrestling 411 Radio can be heard live by visiting www.wrestling411.tv. Questions for any of the guests are welcome. You may e-mail your questions to Kyle Klingman at kklingman@mediasportsproductions.com.

IOWA CITY, IA -- Hawkeye junior Brent Metcalf has been named the Mike Howard Most Valuable Wrestler for the 2008-09 season. Iowa's team awards for 2008-09 were recently announced. The team awards give the Hawkeyes a chance to reflect on another successful season. Iowa won its 22nd NCAA and 33rd Big Ten titles while crowning five all-Americans and two Big Ten champions. The Hawkeyes posted a perfect 24-0 dual record, ending the season on a 33-match winning streak, and won its second straight Big Ten regular season title with an unblemished 8-0 mark. Hawkeye Head Coach Tom Brands was named Big Ten Coach of the Year for the second straight season. Iowa also reclaimed the national collegiate dual meet attendance record when 15,955 fans crowded Carver-Hawkeye Arena to watch the top-ranked Hawkeyes beat #2 Iowa State, 20-15, on Dec. 6th. A two-time Big Ten champion and all-American at 149 pounds, Metcalf also earned the John & Dorothy Sill Award, which is presented annually to the team's most dedicated wrestler on and off the mat. He has been named Outstanding Wrestler at the Big Ten Championships twice, becoming the first wrestler in conference history to earn the honor in consecutive seasons. In 2009, Metcalf went 37-1 in collegiate competition, 24-0 in dual matches while pinning 20 opponents. The pin total earned him the team's Most Pins Award, and ranks fourth in Iowa school history. Metcalf also shared the team all-America Award with Iowa's four other all-Americans. Juniors Dan Erekson and Ryan Morningstar shared the Mike McGivern Award, which is given annually to the team's most courageous wrestler, and the team's all-America Award. Erekson won his first Big Ten title at heavyweight and earned all-America honors by fighting back through the NCAA consolation bracket to place fourth. He recorded a 27-8 record and went 15-4 in duals. His 13 pins - which were all recorded in the first period - ranked second on the team. Morningstar also earned his first all-America honor by fighting back through the NCAA wrestlebacks for third place at 165 pounds. He posted a 32-6 record, while going 20-4 in dual competition. Seven of his nine post-season matches were decided in overtime. The Hawkeye junior placed second at the Big Ten Championships. Senior T.H. Leet also took home two team awards. He earned the J. Donald McPike, Sr., Award, which is given annually to the senior with the highest grade-point average. He also shared the Coaches Appreciation Award with sophomore Luke Lofthouse and redshirt freshman J.J. Krutsinger. Leet was a two-year academic all-Big Ten honoree and letterwinner at 157 and 165 pounds after transferring from Virginia Tech in 2006. Lofthouse competed at 197 pounds this season, posting a 1-2 mark in collegiate matches. Krutsinger went 8-5 at 125 pounds. Juniors Phillip Keddy and Daniel Dennis each earned an all-America Award. Keddy placed fourth at 184 pounds at the NCAA Championships and second at the Big Ten meet. He posted a 34-5 overall record, going 23-1 in duals. Dennis placed seventh at 133 pounds at the NCAA meet and fifth at the conference championships. His season record of 31-6 included a 20-2 dual mark.

BOONE, N.C. -- JohnMark Bentley, an assistant coach the past three seasons, will become Appalachian State University's head wrestling coach for the 2009-10 season. Bentley replaces Paul Mance, who spent the past 33 years as ASU's head coach. "We're grateful for Coach Mance's years of service to Appalachian as a student-athlete and coach and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors," ASU director of athletics Charlie Cobb said. "We are very excited about Coach Bentley taking the reins of the program and look forward to him leading us to more championships in the future." Bentley arrived at Appalachian in 2006 after spending three years as the head coach at nearby Watauga High School. In his final season with the Pioneers, he led the squad to a third-place finish in the North Carolina state championship and coached three individual state champions. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Davidson in 2002-03. Bentley was a three-time Atlantic Coast Conference champion wrestler at North Carolina from 1997-2001. He was the ACC Wrestler of the Year as a senior and a University Nationals freestyle all-American as a junior. He graduated from UNC with a bachelor's degree in communications in 2001. Under Mance's direction, ASU won eight Southern Conference championships, the last coming in 2003.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Over 500 fans poured into Rec Hall as national wrestling legend Cael Sanderson was introduced as Penn State's new head wrestling coach. Sanderson met a strong contingent of media as well at the introductory event that included a formal press conference. The 29-year old Sanderson comes to Penn State after three extremely successful years as the head coach at his alma mater. Sanderson's teams did not finish any lower than fifth at the NCAA Championships and never had a wrestler not qualify for nationals, getting 30 of 30 grapplers through to the championship tournament. As a wrestler, Sanderson established himself as the most dominant collegiate competitor in NCAA history. In four years, Sanderson never lost. From 1999-2002, Sanderson posted a 159-0 career record (going 39-0, 40-0, 40-0 and 40-0); won four individual National Championships; won four Most Outstanding Wrestler awards at the NCAA Championships (the only wrestler in NCAA history to do so); became the first freshman in NCAA history to win the O.W. honor and won three Dan Hodge Trophies as the nation's best collegiate wrestler (also a collegiate first). He followed up his collegiate career with an Olympic Gold Medal in 2004. The well attended press conference, which was streamed live on www.GoPSUsports.com, concluded with a social on the Rec Hall floor as the Penn State faithful stayed to meet the new Nittany Lion boss. Sanderson stayed throughout the reception to meet the fans, sign autographs and pose for photographs. Penn State Wrestling season tickets for the 2009-10 season can be reserved now. To make a $20 deposit on the best Rec Hall locations, fans should call 1.800.NITTANY between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. Current wrestling season ticket holders do not need to make a new deposit and will simply go through the coming renewal process. Penn State wrestling season tickets are all reserved locations in Rec Hall. The exact seat assignments for new commitments will not be available until the renewal cycle is complete, but new season ticket commitments made now will be assigned locations based on Nittany Lion Club point totals and the time/date the deposit was received by Penn State Athletics. Season ticket pricing for the 2009-10 season will be finalized and announced by July 1, 2009.

The 2009 Brute Scholastic Showcase Presented by the NWCA brought some of country's best wrestlers to York, Pennsylvania. However, it was a team from Pennsylvania that took home championship. Pennsylvania Blue, a team that had six state champions on its roster, rolled through the tournament and emerged as the only undefeated team. After winning their qualifying pools, Illinois, Indiana Blue, Indiana Gold, Maryland, Pennsylvania Blue, and Virginia Blue were grouped into the Championship Pool. Illinois went 4-1 in this pool losing only to Pennsylvania and handled Maryland to secure second place in the pool. Maryland made an impressive run through its qualifying pool, allowing its two opponents just 15 team points. Maryland dropped two duals in the Championship Pool, but their 117-pounder Pat Prada finished the tournament 7-0 and was named the Outstanding Wrestler. Along the way Prada defeated two state champions, a state runner-up and four other state placers. Taking home the Sportsmanship Award was New York Red. New York Red went 5-0 after finishing third in its qualifying. For complete results and pool standings, go to www.intermatwrestle.com.

With the high school wrestling season's start fast approaching, InterMat will be taking fans across the United States of America on a tour of scholastic wrestling. From now until the middle of November, InterMat will introduce fans to the top high school senior wrestlers in the 49 states with scholastic wrestling. From Alaska to Florida, and Maine to California, fans will gain exposure to future college and senior level stars. Although Nevada does not produce the same number of All-Americans that states like California, Ohio, and Pennsylvania do, but Nevada produces some very good wrestlers every year. Nevada had six wrestlers that earned All-American honors in Fargo, and also a FILA Cadet National champion. Last year multi-time Fargo All-American Napoleon Aniciete (Las Vegas) signed with Utah Valley University. Some of the past Nevada standout wrestlers include NCAA Division I runner-up Chase Pami from Cal Poly (Cimmeron-Memorial, two-time 4A state champion), two-time Division I All-American Bryce Saddoris of the Naval Academy (Spring Creek, four-time 3A state champion). Also included in this list are current UFC stars Ryan Bader (McQueen, two-time 4A state champion) and Frank Mir (Bonanza, 4A state champion). Nevada has 105 high schools that are divided into three divisions for wrestling. The main population centers are Las Vegas and Reno, with the rest being mostly rural areas. 1. Ray Waters (Spring Valley) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 170 Projected College Weight Class: 174 Ray WatersAnalysis: Waters is a senior from Las Vegas. He lost in the 4A state finals to Fargo All-American Napoleon Aniciete. This was a battle of All-Americans because Waters was also an All-American in Fargo in 2010. You have to give Waters a lot of credit. He was wrestling and winning everything at 160, and he dropped down to 152 just so he could wrestle Aniciete. Waters finished the season with a record of 56-2. He won many large tournaments last year, including the Las Vegas Holiday Classic. 2. Jace Billingsley (Lowry) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 160 Projected College Weight Class: 165 Analysis: Billingsley is a three-time 3A state champion out of Winnemucca. Winnemucca is a medium -sized town in the northern rural area of the state. Billingsley placed second in the Sierra Nevada Classic and won it the previous season. He is also a standout running back during football season and a pitcher for the baseball team. 3. Bronson Ashjian (Cimmeron-Memorial) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 138 Projected College Weight Class: 141 Analysis: Ashjian, who wrestles for perennial Nevada power Cimmeron-Memorial in Las Vegas, finished this past season with a record of 59-3. He is a two-time 4A state champion. 4. Steven Elicegui (Wooster) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 171 Projected College Weight Class: 174 Analysis: Elicegui is the defending two-time 4A state champion out of Wooster High School in Reno. He placed first at the 2011 West Junior Regional in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. 5. Broc Westlake (Reed) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 195 Projected College Weight Class: 197 Analysis: Westlake, who wrestles for Reed High School in Reno, is the defending 4A state champion. He finished the season with a record of 37-6. He also placed fourth in the Sierra Nevada Classic. 6. Gus Duncan (Lowry) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 145 Projected College Weight Class: 149/157 Analysis: Duncan was the 3A state champion at 140 in 2011 and the 3A state champion at 130 his sophomore year. He is going for the lucky No. 3 this year. 7. Marcus Judd (Palo Verde) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 182 Projected College Weight Class: 184 Analysis: Judd finished the 2011 season with a record of 47-5. He won the Las Vegas Holiday Classic and finished third in the 4A state tournament. Palo Verde High School is located in Las Vegas. 8. Curtis Lampert (Spanish Springs) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 120 Projected College Weight Class: 125 Analysis: Lampert wrestles out of Reno. He finished third in 2010 and second in 2011. Hopefully with some hard work he will make his way to the top of the podium in 2012. His season record for 2011 was 40-8. 9. Dakota Sargent (Indian Springs) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 152 Projected College Weight Class: 157 Analysis: Sargent, who wrestles for Indian Springs, is the defending 2A state champion. Starting Sargent's sophomore season, he started working on only wrestling and has improved tremendously. 10. Ryan Nelson (Lowry) Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 182 Projected College Weight Class: 184 Analysis: Nelson wrestles for 3A power Lowry. He is the defending 3A state champion and finished second in 2010.

Cael Sanderson

Event: UFC 97: Redemption Date: April 18, 2009 Venue: Bell Center (Montreal, Canada) Welcome to any new readers from InterMat! Let me introduce myself. I am the infamous UFC Monster, and my mission is to find weaknesses in the Las Vegas betting line, and capitalize on them in order to help make our readers a profit from the efforts and achievements of mixed martial arts fighters, many of whom have had successful amateur wrestling careers! I do it for the fun and challenge of beating the bookmakers, and for the love of the sport. I hope you enjoy our efforts. There is no more overused phrase in fighting than "pound-for-pound, best in the world!" � but, trust me, Anderson "Spider" SILVA (23-4) is just that! In the middleweight division (185 lbs), there is the Spider, and there is everybody else. Silva fights Thales LEITES (14-1) in the main event. Both Brazilians on winning streaks, Silva has won nine (9) straight. Jiu-jitsu guru Leites has won seven (7). But Silva has been crushing people! His lethal Muay Thai clinch with devastating knees, elbows, and pinpoint striking, make short work of most of his opponents. If it goes to the ground with Leites, Silva can win there, too (See Travis Lutter and Nate Marquardt for details)� In a sport where bridge-jumping (laying high odds on favorites) is all out stupid, this one is as sure of a winning bet as you are going to get. Spider thinks he let his fans down in his last lethargic win over Patrick Cote. I pity poor Thales, who will be asleep mid-way through the second round. Take SILVA and lay the lumber @ -525 to win by second-round TKO. Who's next? Nate, the Great? Damian Maia? Or maybe GSP at a catch weight? Roy Jones, Jr. in a boxing match? Only time will tell. And, speaking of knockouts, light-heavyweight Chuck "The Iceman" LIDDELL (21-6) faces Mauricio "Shogun" RUA (17-3) in what many expect to be the fight-of-the-night. This epic battle would have been best about three (3) years ago, when each were on the top of their respective food charts, with devastating KO power that has become their trademarks. But, today Chuck has lost two of his last three, and Rua has looked like an out-of-shape has been. He most recently labored to win a decision over Mark Coleman, an ancient UFC dinosaur, who cut weight to make light-heavyweight! It was ugly. Both fighters have much to prove. The loser will get a "pink slip" from Dana White, UFC President. Just a month short of 40 years old, the legendary Iceman will somehow find the opening, as he so often does, to take out the former Pride fighter with a lightning quick overhand right that turns the lights out on a once promising Shogun career. LIDDELL @ -200 wins by second-round KO. Two standup fighters, light-heavyweights Krzysztof "the Polish Experiment" SOSZYNSKI (17-9-1) and Brian "All-American" STANN (6-1) square up against each other in what should be a punching show, until Soszynski decides to take it to the mat, where he will submit the former Iraq War veteran with an armbar in the third round. Take SOSZYNSKI @ -150 to cash your ticket. In another battle of violent heavyweight strikers, we have Cheick KONGO (23-4-1) against Antoni HARDONK (8-4). Neither has a ground game, both can knock you out in a heartbeat. The linesmakers have posted Kongo has a big favorite, probably due to his experience, long reach, and aggressive style. But, they offer up Hardonk with some great value @ +250, with a kicker's chance of winning. I remember early on in UFC folklore, watching Brazilian Marco Ruas kick and kick and kick the legs of Canadian Paul Varlens, until the Grizzly Bear toppled on weak pins. I saw Maurice Smith do the same to Mark Coleman � and most recently, Keith Jardine, the Bounty Hunter, used the tactic to upset the Iceman. It's hard to fight aggressively, when you can barely stand up! In a big upset, take HARDONK @ +250 to have his hand raised, as Kongo rubs his calves on the mat. Dana must want some fierce knockouts tonight, as the remaining main card event pits former WEC champion Steve "Robot" CANTWELL (7-1) against brawler Luiz "Banha" CANE (10-1-1). Buckle up. This will be a three round war. Cantwell is relentless in his attacks, Cane will attempt to get in close and use some dirty boxing and rough-house muscle to wear his opponent down, in order to apply a submission. Will he be able to? Or will Cantwell stave off the attack? But, this isn't World Extreme Cage-fighting (WEC). It's the UFC. Take CANE @ -325 to win a majority decision. On the undercard: Light heavyweight Elliot "The Fire" MARSHALL (6-2) beats Vinny MAGALHAES (3-3-1) by decision in a fight with no betting odds posted. Welterweight Ryo "Piranha" CHONAN (15-9), whose flying scissors heal hook beat Anderson Silva many moons ago, finds a way to win a split decision over TJ GRANT (13-2). Chonan, the �200 favorite does not warrant a play. Lightweight Matt "Handsome" WIMAN (10-4) goes back into his wrestling background to control the fight with puncher, Sam "Hands of Stone" STOUT (14-5, and with one tie with Joey Clark). Take WIMAN as a slight underdog @ +120 to win a decision. Lightweight Mark BOCEK (6-2) is a member of America's Top Team, and it shows. His all-around game should be enough to dominate a game David BIEKHEDEN (13-6). Lay the �260 and wish that you had bet more � Bocek wins by third-round submission, rear-naked choke. Middleweight Denis KANG (31-11-1) was a big disappointment in his highly-touted UFC debut, where he dominated Alan Belcher for two rounds, only to get caught in a chokehold that ended his night with a loss. He will have enough to beat Xavier Foupa-Pokam (20-9), but laying �325 offers little value. A small play only is warranted until Kang proves his meddle. Kang wins by armbar submission in the second round. One of my favorite fighters is Canadian Jason "The Athlete" MacDONALD (22-11), who often cashes underdog tickets with his under-rated ground game of submissions, and his never-quit attitude. He takes on Nate "Rock" QUARRY (16-3), best remembered for being cold-cocked by Rich Franklin, and needing back surgery to return to the Octagon. If MacDonald saw Damian Maia put Quarry in a fight-ending body triangle, you know this one may end the same. Why not? I bet MacDonald early @ +110, the public is pounding him late. He now is posted at "pick it" �110 or greater. Call it another mild upset. The Crow is back! David LOISEA (18-8), another Canadian sidekick of Georges St. Pierre is back to show off his kicking skills against Ed "Short Fuse" HERMAN (16-6). I like Loiseau to win a narrow decision against a game and determined Herman, who will be fighting for his UFC survival. Take the Crow @ -130. Early bird gets the worm. Twelve (12) fights all on one exciting UFC card. Is it any wonder that Dana has the sports community frothing at the mouth for more, more, more? Tickets for UFC 100 in Las Vegas on July 11th sold out in hours with most tickets selling for $500-$1000 each! Man, what a cash cow! So, let's get our fair share. Let's take on Vegas with our "fictitious" bankroll!!! Here's my money management math: Let's lay $260 to win $50 on the Spider catching another victim in his web. Easy $$$. Lay $200 to win $100 on the Iceman putting Shogun out cold. Lay $110 to win $40 on Cane to maul Cantwell. Lay $66 to win $60 on MacDonald to submit Quarry. Lay $60 to win $40 on Soszynski over Stann. Lay $104 to win $40 on Bochek to submit Bielkheden. Lay $65 to win $50 on the Crow over Short Fuse. Lay $30 to win $75 on Hardonk in a shocking upset over Kongo. Lay $65 to win a Jackson ($20) on Kang over Foupa-Pokam. Lay $40 to win $48 on Wiman over Stout. No bet on Marshall vs. Magalhaes. No bet on Chonan vs. Grant. In total we are betting a dime ($1000) to win a nickel and change ($523). GOOD LUCK, and enjoy the fights! I know I will. More later. The UFC Monster

AMES, Iowa -- The following is a statement from Iowa State athletics director Jamie Pollard: STATEMENT FROM IOWA STATE A.D. JAMIE POLLARD (Regarding Cael Sanderson's departure to Penn State) "Cael (Sanderson) shared with me today that he has accepted the head coaching position at Penn State. I am extremely saddened for our institution's student-athletes, staff, alums and fans. It is a difficult day for all Cyclones as we cope with the departure of a truly outstanding and accomplished student and coach. Cael's unblemished collegiate record, Olympic glory and promising start as a coach all came while he was representing Iowa State University and he will forever be recognized as a Cyclone." "During the last week, Cael and I talked numerous times and we had several in-depth and personal discussions about this decision. Those talks included me asking what, if anything, could we do to keep him at Iowa State. I also asked President (Gregory) Geoffroy, Bill Fennelly and Greg McDermott to reach out to Cael and they all did so. In the end, Cael said that he appreciated everything Iowa State and our fans had done for him but he believes winning a national championship will be easier at Penn State. He said the high school talent in Pennsylvania and surrounding states is the best in the country and the kids in that area grow up wanting to wrestle for the Nittany Lions. He also said their overall athletics department resources are the best in the country." "I know this has been a very challenging and emotional decision for Cael and his family. I encourage all of our fans to put aside their disappointment and, instead, respect Cael for making a decision that he believes is in the best interest of his family. We are sad to see him leave, but we certainly wish him the best." "We will begin a national search for his replacement immediately and focus our full attention on identifying and recruiting a new coach who can add to the Iowa State championship legacies of former coaches Hugo Otopalik, Dr. Harold Nichols and Jim Gibbons."

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State Director of Athletics Tim Curley has confirmed that wrestling legend Cael Sanderson has accepted the position as the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling program. Sanderson, who recently finished his third year as mentor at Iowa State, will take over the reigns of Penn State's program as its 12th head coach. Cael Sanderson (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)Sanderson will be introduced to the Penn State community and the media at an introductory press conference on Monday, April 20, at 2 p.m. The event will be in Rec Hall and is open to the public. All those in attendance will be able to view the press conference portion of Sanderson's introduction as the new leader of the Nittany Lion wrestling family. The event will be streamed live on www.GoPSUsports.com. The 29-year old Sanderson comes to Penn State after three extremely successful years as the head coach at his alma mater. Sanderson's teams did not finish any lower than fifth at the NCAA Championships and never had a wrestler not qualify for nationals, getting 30 of 30 grapplers through to the championship tournament. In 2007, Sanderson's rookie campaign, he led ISU to a 13-3 dual meet record and the first of three straight Big 12 Championships. An NCAA Runner-Up finish in Detroit capped off a wildly successful year as the Cyclones crowned one national champion and Sanderson was honored as Big 12 Coach of the Year, National Rookie Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year. The next year, Sanderson led ISU to a 16-4 dual meet mark, another Big 12 title and a fifth place finish at nationals. Iowa State's seven All-Americans in 2008 were the most at the school since 1993. This past season, Sanderson's team went 15-3 in duals, won its third straight Big 12 title and took third place at the NCAA Championships in St. Louis (just 12 points out of first place). The Cyclones also crowned another national champion. In three years, Sanderson's teams went 44-10, won three conference crowns, qualified all 30 wrestlers for nationals, and earned 15 All-America awards and two individual national titles. As a wrestler, Sanderson established himself as the most dominant collegiate competitor in NCAA history. In four years, Sanderson never lost. From 1999-2002, Sanderson posted a 159-0 career record (going 39-0, 40-0, 40-0 and 40-0); won four individual National Championships; won four Most Outstanding Wrestler awards at the NCAA Championships (the only wrestler in NCAA history to do so); became the first freshman in NCAA history to win the O.W. honor and won three Dan Hodge Trophies as the nation's best collegiate wrestler (also a collegiate first). He wrestled his first three years at 184 and them moved to 197 as a senior. The four-time All-American's four-year streak of perfection was called the No. 2 most outstanding achievement in collegiate sports history by Sports Illustrated and the NCAA called his final win (in the 2002 NCAA 197-pound championship) one of the NCAA's "25 Defining Moments" for its Centennial celebration. His wrestling career culminated in 2004 when the Heber City, Utah, native won the 84 kg Olympic Gold Medal in Athens, Greece. After graduating in 2002, he spent 2003 and 2004 as a special assistant in the athletic department at Iowa State before joining the ISU coaching staff as an assistant coach in 2004-05. He was promoted to the assistant head coach position the next year and then became the Cyclones' head coach for the 2006-07 season. Penn State Wrestling season tickets for the 2009-10 season can be reserved now. To make a $20 deposit on the best Rec Hall locations, fans should call 1.800.NITTANY between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. Current wrestling season ticket holders do not need to make a new deposit and will simply go through the coming renewal process. Penn State wrestling season tickets are all reserved locations in Rec Hall. The exact seat assignments for new commitments will not be available until the renewal cycle is complete, but new season ticket commitments made now will be assigned locations based on Nittany Lion Club point totals and the time/date the deposit was received by Penn State Athletics. Season ticket pricing for the 2009-10 season will be finalized and announced by July 1, 2009.

RevWrestling.com has learned from multiple sources that Iowa State coach Cael Sanderson will be conducting a team meeting at 3 p.m. CST today to announce his intentions to take over as head coach at Penn State. Speculation is that the contract will make him the highest paid active college wrestling coach � and is a substantial increase from his salary at Iowa State. Sanderson, who is considered the greatest collegiate wrestler ever, took over as head coach at Iowa State in 2006. RevWrestling.com will post additional details when they become available.

Harry Lester, 2009 National Greco-Roman champion at 163 pounds, and Chris Pendleton, a club coach at Oklahoma State, will be the featured guests on Wrestling 411 Radio on Thursday, April 16. This Thursday's edition of Wrestling 411 Radio will air at 7 p.m. CST. The show can be heard live by visiting www.wrestling411.tv and clicking on the "Listen Live" link. An archive of the broadcast will be available immediately following the show. Lester recently won the 163 pound Greco-Roman title at the U.S. Nationals. Lester is a two-time World medalist, placing third at 145.5 pounds in 2006 and 2007. His performance at the 2007 World Championships helped the United State win its first ever Greco-Roman team title. Pendleton is currently a club coach at Oklahoma State University. A two-time NCAA champion and three-time All-American, Pendleton helped coach three Cowboy wrestlers to championships at the FILA U.S. Junior Freestyle Championships. Wrestling 411 Radio can be heard live by visiting www.wrestling411.tv. Questions for any of the guests are welcome. You may e-mail your questions to Kyle Klingman at kklingman@mediasportsproductions.com.

TEMPE -- Don Bocchi, Senior Associate Athletic Director at Arizona State University, has announced a change in leadership for the Sun Devil wrestling program with the departure of eight-year head coach Thom Ortiz. A national search for his replacement will begin immediately. Thom Ortiz (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)"I want to thank Thom Ortiz for his eight years of service and dedication to the Sun Devil program," Bocchi said. "It is never easy to see one of your own leave, but we believe our program can return to the top of the national standings, as well as the Pac-10 Conference, and that begins immediately as we start our search for Thom's replacement." Ortiz, a former All-American and Pac-10 champion at ASU, has served as the head coach for his Alma mater since the 2001-02 season. During his time in the Valley of the Sun, his teams posted an overall record of 79-60-1 and went 44-13-0 against Pac-10 foes. During the 2008-09 season, Ortiz worked with a pair of All-Americans as both Anthony Robles (125) and Chris Drouin (141) advanced to the national semifinals before placing fourth and sixth, respectively. During his eight-year tenure, Ortiz' Sun Devils tallied 17 All-America honors with three national finalists, including 2003 NCAA Champion Eric Larkin (149).