InterMat Staff

Jake Deitchler has turned a lot of heads in the wrestling world since he burst onto the senior level and earned a spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman team at the age of 18. He became the first high school wrestler to make the U.S. Olympic team since Mike Farina made the Greco-Roman team in 1976. Following his Olympic experience, the precocious Anoka, Minnesota native chose the road less traveled and moved to Colorado Springs to train and wrestle Greco-Roman on a full-time basis at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Jake DeitchlerSince moving out to Colorado Springs, Deitchler, who moved up a weight class from 66 kg (145.5 pounds) to 74 kg (163 pounds), has traveled the world to wrestle in international events against the world's best Greco-Roman wrestlers. Last month, Deitchler made the decision to return to Minnesota after the international wrestling season and join the University of Minnesota wrestling team. RevWrestling.com recently talked to Deitchler about his decision to return to Minnesota, his development as a Greco-Roman wrestler, his worldly experiences, and much more. You recently decided to leave the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs after the international wrestling season and enroll at the University of Minnesota. How did you come to that decision? Deitchler: It was a lot of things. This last year has been a crazy time. I made the U.S. Olympic team obviously at a real young age. That gave me a lot of insight and experience. It was a rush. So I made the decision to come out here. It hasn't been easy. I really miss Minnesota wrestling in general. I have that NCAA question. I want to wrestle at the NCAA tournament. Also, education is really important to me. I need an education. Where do you think you have made your biggest gains in your wrestling since you started training Greco-Roman on a full-time basis? Deitchler: I would say just experience, all around, being better at the game, and also growing into the weight class. I moved up a weight class after the Olympics. At first, I was kind of struggling. A lot of guys were bigger and pushing me around. Now I feel like I'm the guy pushing guys around. Just like anything, it takes time. But it's just a matter of getting experience, getting better, and trying to be the best. I feel like the underdog again because I'm up a weight class, which is great. Jake Deitchler became the first high school wrestler to make the U.S. Olympic team since Mike Farina made the Greco-Roman team in 1976 (Photo/The Guillotine)At the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, you lost the first period of every match you wrestled, but still found a way to win those matches. Have you learned to start your matches faster? Deitchler: Yeah, I would say so. That's definitely one of the things that I saw as a weakness that I needed to work on in my game. From that, I learned that I have the ability to score when I need to, which is a huge tool. Also, if I'm down four or five points, I've learned to keep wrestling no matter what. You sent shockwaves through the wrestling world when you made the U.S. Olympic team shortly after your high school graduation. Your coach, Brandon Paulson, talked about how you picked things up very quickly and just continued to get better. When did you really believe that you could make the U.S. Olympic team and compete in Beijing? Deitchler: Truthfully, it was probably two weeks before the U.S. Olympic Team Trials that I really believed that I had a legitimate shot. I'm really close with my parents. My mother actually came to me and really questioned me. She said, 'Do you really think you can do this?' It was the first time that she had ever done anything like that in my career. It really made me think about it. And then I decided. I was like, you know what, in a high-level sport, or in life, you can't make excuses for anything. You figure out that age shouldn't be an excuse. Why shouldn't I believe that I can beat anybody in the U.S. or the world? Your signature win at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials was over Harry Lester, a wrestler many people thought had the best chance of any U.S. wrestler to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games. Did you study Lester prior to that match and come up with a specific strategy to beat him? Deitchler: We did. With wrestling, you can obviously scout opponents. You don't worry about what they have, but instead just realize what they have. We knew what he had coming into that match. We had watched him and even game planned a little bit. But obviously we stuck to my game plan and what I needed to do to win. Harry Lester announced his retirement shortly after you beat him, but has since come out of retirement. Is he someone you expect to become a rival for years to come? Deitchler: I would have to say yes, but it depends on a lot of things, like remaining in the same weight class. Harry Lester is very talented. He's a good guy. I have a lot of respect for him as an athlete and as a person. The thing about having a great athlete like Harry Lester in our sport is that he pushes our sport and pushes me to new levels. When you have to beat one of the best guys in the world to make the team, it makes you a lot better. Twenty years from now, what do you think you are going to remember most about your whole Olympic experience? Deitchler: Looking back on it, I would have to say just competing with the best in the world. It helped me a lot. It was kind of a rush. It was a crazy time. You're so young and don't really know what to expect. It was the first senior level international tournament of my career, which is kind of funny because a lot of these guys at that point had been to like 35 countries. I have no regrets. It was a really fun time, but the coolest part is how much I learned through it � about myself and about world-class competition. Just getting to see that and experience that was something I'll never forget. Why you have been able to thrive so much under the tutelage of Brandon Paulson? Brandon Paulson (Photo/The Guillotine)Deitchler: I have as much respect for Brandon Paulson as just about anybody I know. I really look up to him. When you get to a high level, there are a lot of people who help you. They become your support system. For me, it was my family, my relationship and faith in God, and Brandon. Those three things. Those are the things I need in my life. Still, to this day, I talk to him on a daily to weekly basis. With Brandon, it's his enthusiasm and the way he lives his life. I respect him as a person. Who he is as a person is somebody that I would like to be like. I'm like, �This guy has it all.' I realized that if I really listened to him, I could do something great. This is a hypothetical question. But had you failed to make the U.S. Olympic team, do you think you would have gone directly to the University of Minnesota instead of to the U.S. Olympic Training Center? Deitchler: To tell you the truth, I never really thought about that. I really wouldn't know at this point. When you're an 18-year-old kid, you're innocent and na�ve. You haven't had to make a lot of big, life decisions. When I made that decision, it was one of those life decisions that you have to make, but you keep on making them your whole life. Since I moved out and started doing things on my own, I'm starting to make a lot of those decisions by myself. The cool part about this last year is the experience I have gained. I could look at this last year as a waste of time because I didn't wrestle folkstyle. But I don't look at it like that. I look at from the standpoint that I've been to seven countries in the last year and a half. I've been wrestling the best guys in the world. There's nothing better that I could do. That's going to give me some experience and confidence going to the University of Minnesota. When you made your decision last summer to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center and not enroll at the University of Minnesota, J Robinson said, "Basically, what you have is someone not honoring their commitment. It's that simple. You hope people will do what they say they're going to do. It's disappointing, but we'll go on." Did those comments bother you? And have you had to reconcile with J? Deitchler: I sat down with J, Joe (Russell), and the coaches, personally and with my family, at different times. When I was at the Olympics in China, it was a whirlwind. I was there 27 days in a row. And then I came home and moved out here. As far as what else was going on in the world at that time, I had no idea. Truthfully. I didn't know what he said. I didn't know what anybody said. To tell you the truth, after I lost at the Olympics, it hurt. I kind of got away. I was hurt by my loss. There were some days that I would feel that pain from my loss. Obviously, I won't let that cloud my future. With J, it's nice because I sat down with him and said, �This is what I want. This is where I need to be.' We definitely cleared the air. I have a lot of respect for J. I'm excited to wrestle for him, as well as Joe, Brandon Eggum, Luke Becker, and all these guys, and be on the team. That's what I want. And I told them that. We definitely cleared the air and answered any questions that needed to be answered. Jake Deitchler moved up a weight class from 66 kg (145.5 pounds) to 74 kg (163 pounds) this season (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)You made the decision to move up a weight class from 66 kg (145.5 pounds) to 74 kg (163 pounds). Why did you decide to move up a weight class? And how has the transition been moving up a weight class? Deitchler: I had to realize that I was 18 years old and still growing. I might continue to grow until I'm 23 years old � because that's what has happened in my family. I had to cut an excessive amount of weight last year. Not too many people knew about that. It takes a lot of discipline. I didn't cut like 20 pounds in two days. I was really smart about it. But it was tough. I actually took a picture of myself before weigh-ins and I'm like, 'Wow, that's me?' I definitely want to move up in weight to keep my love for the sport, allow myself to grow physically, and not worry about cutting weight. I can worry about wrestling. Will you only be training Greco-Roman in the months in which you are not competing collegiately for the University of Minnesota? Deitchler: When I sat down with the coaches, I told them that I'm excited to be here and wrestle folkstyle, to be a part of a team, and to win an NCAA championship as a team and as an individual. Those are the goals. Obviously, I have a passion and love for Greco-Roman wrestling as well. I'll do that in the spring and summer and try to make the U.S. World and Olympic teams. But when I'm there, I'm there to be at the University of Minnesota. In season, I'm going to wrestle folkstyle. Obviously, you have been focusing strictly on Greco-Roman for the past year. Now that you are going to be competing in collegiate wrestling next season, have you started working on your folkstyle technique yet? Deitchler: At this point, I'm focused on Greco because I'm finishing out my season here at the training center. My goal is to move back this summer and get my folkstyle game down, train, get coaching, and work on everything. I'm excited to get back into it. Has there been discussion with the coaching staff at the University of Minnesota as to whether you will compete for a spot in the lineup next season or redshirt? And do you have a preference? Deitchler: We don't really know yet, I guess. I'm going to wrestle this summer and sit down with the coaches. I have to discuss that with him. I'm not even sure yet. Assuming you do compete for a spot in the lineup next season, do you have any idea what weight class you would wrestle? Jake Deitchler (Photo/The Guillotine)Deitchler: Dustin (Schlatter) is a senior next season. The nice thing is that I can make 157 and do it right, but in the same sense, I can get big enough where I can wrestle 165. I'm already pretty big. What weight class I wrestle doesn't really matter to me. I'm just excited to wrestle, be there, and win. It's going to be fun. What excites you about returning to Minnesota? Deitchler: It's funny � the cold weather. It's going to be great going to college, being around people my own age, getting an education, wrestling on a team with guys that love wrestling that I love being around, and just being in Minnesota. That's my home and a place I'm proud to be from. I'm excited to come back and be with my support group as well. Please Note: This story also appears in the May 15 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. For information on how to subscribe, click HERE.

2009 Dan Hodge Trophy winner Jake Herbert and 2006 Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa inductee Jim Duschen will be radio show guests Wednesday night. Jake Herbert recently won the US Nationals freestyle tournament in Las Vegas at 185 pounds. This is the third major achievement Herbert has earned over the last few weeks. In March, he won his second NCAA championship at 184 pounds for Northwestern University and finished his collegiate career as a four-time All-American with a record of 149-4. Herbert will be presented with the Dan Hodge Trophy, given annually to the most dominant college wrestler in the nation, at the Northwestern Wrestling banquet this weekend. Jim Duschen was an All-American for Iowa State University in 1969, placing 5th at 191pounds. He also won Big 8 titles in 1968 and 1969. A native of Waterloo, Iowa, Duschen wrestled for East Waterloo High School and also competed internationally for several years, winning two national Greco-Roman titles and in 1973 he advanced to wrestle at the World Championships in Tehran, Iran. Duschen went on a to have a successful high school coaching career in Nevada where his teams won two state championships. He is currently retired from teaching and coaching but stays involved with wrestling as a referee and clinician. "On the Mat" 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 time on AM 1650, The Fan. Feel free to e-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with any questions or comments about the show.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Select University of Oklahoma freshmen wrestlers displayed impressive performances competing for Underdog Wrestling Club last weekend, April 9-11, at the FILA Junior National Championships in Las Vegas, Nev. Highlighting the championships for Oklahoma was freshman Justin Forrest, as the Peculiar, Mo., native placed first in the 55 kg division. Forrest posted a 4-0 record, capped off with a 6-0, 4-1 best-of-three period win in the finals versus Demetrius Johnson of the Sunkist Kids. With the title, the Sooner freshman earned the No. 1 seed in the upcoming FILA World Team Trials held May 21-23 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Also on the mat for Oklahoma was Keldrick Hall, who took fourth at 96 kg with a 3-2 record. Erich Schmidtke placed fifth with a 5-2 record in the 84 kg division and Joe Bach scored a seventh place finish at 120 kg after a 3-2 showing. In the U.S. Senior National Championships, Derek Peperas posted a 3-1 record in the first day of competition and qualified into the final day where he posted a 2-1 record at 74 kg. Shane Vernon and Eric Lapotsky each posted 2-1 records at 74 kg and 96 kg, respectively. Additionally, Underdog Wrestling club coach David Bertolino also competed in the U.S. Senior National Championships, earning fourth place with a 6-3 mark against competition. With his performance, Bertolino qualified for the U.S. World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa, held May 30-31.

A trio of current University of Northern Iowa wrestlers earned trips to the Junior FILA World Team Trials May 23-24 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Panthers earned trips to the World Team Trials after placing in the top eight at the 2009 United States Nationals Freestyle tournament in Las Vegas on April 10-11. Freshman Ryan Jauch (Crystal Lake, Ill.) placed third in the nation at 55 kg/121.25 lbs. Jauch won his final match by decision over Ladd Rupp (Perry Wrestling), 3-0, 3-0. Sophomore Cruse Aarhus (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) took fifth-place honors in the 55 kg/121.25 lbs. bracket. Aarhus topped Jason Lara (Orange Crush Wrestling Club) in the fifth-place match, 2-2, 6-1. Freshman Steven Fitzgerald (Fresno, Calif.) secured eighth place in the 60 kg/132.25 lbs. category. Fitzgerald dropped a 7-4, 8-2 decision to Anthony Valles (Cyclone WC). Panther Wrestling Club coach Tervel Dlagnev tallied a second-place effort in the senior division. Former Panther Moza Fay (Anamosa, Iowa) posted an undefeated mark in the qualifying tournament but was unable to place in the open division 74 kg/163 lbs. bracket.

STILLWATER, Okla. -- Oklahoma State's Obenson Blanc will wrestle for Team USA as it competes at the Pan American Games in Maracaibo, Venezuela from April 24-25. Blanc was named to the American senior freestyle team after a strong showing at the U.S. National Championships in Las Vegas this past weekend, where he finished as the runner-up at 55 kilograms. "This is a great opportunity in my first event right out of college," Blanc said. "It's a great start and I'm looking to build on what I have going. It's an honor to be part of this team and I'm excited to represent my country." Blanc, who compiled a 30-10 overall record with eight wins over ranked opponents wrestling for the Cowboys in 2008-09, is working on a master's degree in international studies at Oklahoma State. He will train in Stillwater for the Pan American Games and will continue his senior-level training in the Cowboy wrestling room upon return.

Joe Parisi, head wrestling coach at Lindenwood College, and Trent and Travis Paulson, 2009 U.S. National champions in freestyle, will be the featured guests on Wrestling 411 Radio on Tuesday, April 14. This Tuesday'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. Parisi is the head wrestling coach at Lindenwood College, a position he has held for the past 15 years. Lindenwood has won five of the past eight NAIA team titles, including the 2009 championships held in Oklahoma City, Okla. Trent and Travis Paulson, identical twin brothers who were three-time All-Americans at Iowa State University, each won a title at the U.S. National Championships in freestyle this past weekend. Trent won his title at 145.5 pounds while Travis won the 163 pound title. Both are club coaches at the University of Nebraska. 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.

Chris Bono

LAS VEGAS -- A trio of Oklahoma State wrestlers were crowned as FILA U.S. Junior Freestyle champions after winning their title bouts at the junior national championships Saturday, with Cowboy freshman Jordan Oliver recognized as the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. Oliver pinned Iowa State's Andrew Long just 42 seconds into the second period of his championship bout at 60 kilograms Saturday. His path to the title included a technical fall and two pins. Fellow OSU freshman Alex Meade rallied to topple Columbia's Eren Civan by a 0-3, 3-0, 1-0 score in the 74-kilogram title bout and Cowboy signee Chris Perry won the 84-kilogram bracket with a 0-3, 4-2, 3-2 win over Penn State's Quentin Wright in the championship bout. By virtue of their respective championships this weekend, Oliver, Meade and Perry automatically qualify for the finals at the FILA Junior World Team Trials in Colorado Springs from May 23-24. Making things more interesting is the fact that Oklahoma State assistant Eric Guerrero will coach the U.S. Junior World Team as it trains for and competes at the Junior World Championships in Ankara, Turkey this summer. Other Cowboys competing at the event were Chris McNeil, who placed seventh at 84 kilos with a 1-2, 5-2, 1-0 win over Central Michigan's Ben Bennett Saturday, and incoming signee Ladd Rupp, who placed fourth after losing a 3-0, 3-0 decision to Northern Iowa's Ryan Jauch.

LAS VEGAS -- Illinois freshman Jordan Blanton (Richmond, Ill.) won the 79 KG/174 lbs weight class at the FILA Junior National Freestyle Championships Saturday, defeating Chris Spangler of Cyclone Wrestling Club and Iowa State, 2-1, 2-0 in the championship match. The victory qualifies Blanton for the Junior World Team Trials on May 18-23 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. "I started out a little sluggish since it's been a couple weeks since I've really wrestled," Blanton said. "But once it went on, I started getting into a groove and when the finals came I started doing some good things. It was nice to get out and compete again after my performance at NCAAs. I've been itching to get out on the mat." Blanton defeated Mohammad Nasere of the S.K. Golden Boys in the first round, 1-5, 8-4, 5-1, before earning a 6-0, 8-2 technical fall over Randy Larson of the BWC. He followed that win with a 4-0, 6-0 victory over Ryan DesRoches of MeatHead Wrestling Club and Cal Poly, then defeated Cody Yohn of the Minnesota Storm and University of Minnesota, 3-0, 0-2, 3-0. Blanton then dispatched Spangler in the title bout for his first Fila Junior National championship and a berth to the Junior World Team Trials. The winner of each weight class at the Junior World Team Trials will become a member of the United States team that will compete at the Junior World Championships in Ankara, Turkey, August 4-9. Blanton recently finished a successful rookie campaign in which he went 27-11 and finished fourth at the Big Ten Championships.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Former Cyclone All-Americans Trent and Travis Paulson were victorious in title bouts at the U.S. Senior Nationals, winning the 66-kilogram (145.5-pound) and 74-kilogram (163-pound) weight divisions, respectively. Former Cyclone NCAA champion and assistant coach Chris Bono placed seventh in the 66-kilogram division. Former ISU All-American David Bertolino finished fourth at 84 kilograms (185 pounds). Trent Paulson went 4-0 over the event to take first-place honors. He defeated Kyle Ruschell, 3-1, 3-0, in first round action. Paulson then dominated Joe Johnston by technical fall, 6-0, 6-0. In the semifinals, Paulson edged 2008 Olympian Doug Schwab, 1-0, 1-2, 1-0. In the 66-kilogram final, the former Cyclone NCAA champion took down No. 7-seed Brent Metcalf, 0-1 3-0 3-0. Paulson scored payback against Metcalf, who had beaten the former Cyclone at the 2008 Olympic Team Trials. Paulson took third at the event, while Metcalf came up short in placing. Wrestling one weight division above his twin brother, Travis Paulson was equally successful. To begin, he scored a technical fall of Hayden Harrison, 7-0, 6-0. Paulson then moved past current Cyclone 165-pounder Jon Reader by a score of 5-0, 4-0. In semifinal action, Paulson shut out Ryan Churella, 1-0, 3-0. Paulson took down second-seeded Keith Gavin, 0-1, 1-0, 1-0, to take the 74-kilogram title. Travis Paulson only gave up one point over the tournament. The mark is bettered only by current Cyclone Jake Varner, who shut out all of his opponents on his way to the 96-kilogram (211.5-pound) title. Individual champions in each weight class draw the top seed for the U.S. World Team Trials May 30-31. The top seven placewinners in each weight class qualify for the World Team Trials. The 2009 USA Wrestling World Team Trials, presented by the U.S. Marines, will be hosted in Council Bluffs, Iowa, at the Mid-America Center. Related: Video Interview: Trent Paulson Video Interview: Travis Paulson TheMat.com's Coverage of 2009 U.S. Nationals Flowrestling Coverage of 2009 U.S. Nationals

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The Western Wrestling Conference has announced its award winners for the 2008-09 season. Wyoming's Mark Branch was voted Coach of the Year, Wyoming's Joe LeBlanc was named Freshman of the Year and UNI's Moza Fay earned Wrestler of Year honors. The awards were voted on by the league's head coaches. Branch, who just completed his first season as the Cowboys' head coach, has been named the 2008-09 WWC Coach of the Year. Branch led Wyoming to a share of the WWC regular season title with a perfect 5-0 dual record in league matches. The Cowboys posted a 15-3 overall dual mark this season. Wyoming qualified four wrestlers to the NCAA Championships and earned the program's first-ever freshman All-America award when LeBlanc captured fifth-place honors in the 184-pound bracket. Branch also oversaw a squad that earned nine all-WWC honors in 2008-09. The Cowboys' LeBlanc (Meeker, Colo.) has been named WWC Freshman of the Year. LeBlanc became the first-ever freshman All-American in the history of Wyoming wrestling when he placed fifth in the 184-pound bracket at the 2009 NCAA Championships. LeBlanc earned a spot into the NCAA Championships by winning the 184-pound West Regional title. LeBlanc posted a 45-8 overall record, which included a 15-2 mark in dual action. He won three tournament titles. His 45 wins tied for third-place on UW's single-season victories list. He had two double-didgit winning streaks during the season (10 and 11). LeBlanc posted 14 major decisions, five technical falls and seven pins. UNI's Fay (Anamosa, Iowa) has been named WWC Wrestler of the Year for the second consecutive season. Fay earned back-to-back All-America honors at 165 pounds by placing sixth at this year's NCAA Championships. Fay entered the NCAA tournament as the No. 4 seed in the 165-pound bracket. Fay posted a season mark of 29-7 overall mark with a 12-4 dual record. Fay won the 2009 NCAA West Regional title and was named the Outstanding Wrestler at the regional meet. He won the 165-pound title at the Loras Open (Nov. 8). Fay took third at 165 pounds at Midlands (Dec. 29-30). Fay capped his career with 119 wins and 37 falls. The Western Wrestling Conference is comprised of seven schools including the Air Force Academy, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Utah Valley and Wyoming. The conference formed in April 2006.

Members from the "Save Carson-Newman Wrestling" effort, as well as Lindenwood head coach Joe Parisi and Tommy Rowlands, a two-time NCAA champion for Ohio State and 2007 World Team member, will be the featured guests on Wrestling 411 Radio on Thursday, April 9. 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. Members of the "Save Carson-Newman Wrestling" effort will join Wrestling 411 Radio. Robert and Paul Tucker, both former Carson-Newman wrestlers, will join assistant coach Justin Ransom for a discussion about ways to save this Division II wrestling program that was recently cut. Parisi is the head wrestling coach at Lindenwood College, a position he has held for the past 15 years. Lindenwood has won five of the past eight NAIA team titles, including the 2009 championships held in Oklahoma City, Okla. Rowlands serves as a volunteer assistant coach at Ohio State and is the executive director of the Ohio Regional Training Center. An NCAA champion for Ohio State in 2002 and 2004, Rowlands placed fifth at the 2007 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships in 2007. 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.

NORFOLK, Va. -- Old Dominion University senior wrestler Ryan Williams (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) was named the Colonial Athletic Association Wrestler of the Year today, following his terrific season on the mat for ODU. Williams was an NCAA Finalist, CAA Champion and became the all-time leader in wins for ODU this season and caps his career off with the league's top honor. Williams was an eighth seed at Nationals at 141 lbs and won four matches before finally falling to the third seed and defending national champion in the finals. He defended his CAA title this season and led ODU to a top 20 finish at the NCAA Tournament. Williams was a catalyst for the Monarchs all season, going 39-4 overall, including a remarkable 22-1 dual effort, leading the Monarchs to a 17-6 year. Williams became the highest nationally ranked individual under the Martin coaching regime, listed at third in the country in the final rankings, and he led ODU to its highest national team ranking in school history, at 16th in the country. With his season, Williams became the all-time leader in wins at ODU, with 137. He led the team in major decisions this season with ten, and added five pins. Hofstra's Tom Shifflet was named CAA Coach of the Year and the Pride's P.J. Gillespie earned Rookie of the Year honors.

2009 Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa inductees Eric Voelker and Mike Chapman will be radio show guests Wednesday night. Eric Voelker was a successful high school wrestler at Dallas Center-Grimes (IA). He went on to have a terrific collegiate career at Iowa State University where he was a three-time All-American and won two individual NCAA titles at 190 pounds in 1987 and 1989. Voelker also helped the Cyclones win the NCAA team title in 1987. Voelker currently teaches and coaches at high school alma mater. Mike Chapman is considered by many as the leading wrestling historian in the United States. He has written 21 books, 14 of those about wrestling. Among his many contributions to the sport include: starting WIN Magazine, founding the Dan Hodge Trophy, and creating the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum where he currently serves as its executive director. Chapman has been named Wrestling Writer of the Year five times by four different publications. Voelker and Chapman are two of six new members who, on April 18, will be inducted into the Class of 2009 Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa, which is located inside the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa. The other inductees are Leon (Champ) Martin, Franc Freeman, Vic Marcucci and Jim Craig. "On the Mat" 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 time on AM 1650, The Fan. Feel free to e-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with any questions or comments about the show.

America's Wrestling Radio program TDR returns to our Brute Adidas studios in Des Moines for another incredible show. This week we salute more champions and recognize some special athletes and coaches. Scheduled to join us this week include: Rider University Bronc Doug Umbehauer, who went 5-1 at Nationals and finished 3rd in the nation at the 79th NCAA Championships a few weeks ago. In doing so he also earned his 100th career victory. Coach Gary Taylor had high hopes for his graduating Senior. After winning one of his qualifying matches the stoked Umbehauer gave his asst. head coach a shot to the gut that had John Hangey saying "my Ribs are medium rare." Umbehauer described his 3rd place match with Phil Keddy. "It was fun wrestling because he wrestles like me," Umbehauer said. "It was like a street fight." Umbehauer went on to wrestle Ohio State's Mike Pucillo and lost a close one 3-2. Mark Ellis- Heavyweight for the Tigers of Missouri. Mark became only the 2nd NCAA Champion in Tiger Wrestling history and he did it in his backyard,St. Louis, Missouri. It was a drama filled heavy weight battle as previous number 1 ranked Ellis faced off against Duke Blue Devil Konrad Dudziak. The Blue Devil is the first in the programs history to make it to the finals. He ends the season with a loss the the 2nd seed Ellis. The Tigers went on the make history as they crowned 5 All Americans, the programs best finish. Josh Chang- TDR's January HS Wrestler of the month. Josh attends Mingus High School in Cottonwood, AZ and is coached by Tom Wokash. The 17 year old senior has wrestled for seven years, currently wrestling at 135 lbs. and owns a 144-10 overall high school record. In addition to competing in swimming and track, Josh carries a 4.0 grade average and was named to the National Honors Society. Josh's brother went on to wrestle for Embry Little University in nearby Prescott, AZ. His future plans may very well follow his brothers footsteps. Josh is the 17th four time State Champion in Arizona history. Kenny Rice- The venerable voice of Sports and Inside MMA on HDNet joins us to discuss coming UFC and Strikeforce events as well as the ongoing feud between Dana White and Sherdog's news editor and writer Loretta Hunt. Should journalists prepare for a backlash when anything unsavory is written about the UFC or is this standard fare in this day and age? We'll get Kenny's opinion. Mark Manning- Nebraska's Head Coach has been named the Big 12 Coach of the year for the 2nd straight year. Manning, his coaching staff and athletes won their first Big 12 Title this season. The Huskers last won the conference when it was the Big Eight back in 1995. Nebraska posted a 17-3-1 record on the year. We'll talk to Mark about the team chemistry and what the title means for the future growth of his program. Manning is now the winningest coach in Husker history. Tim Flynn Head Coach of Edinboro University was recently named the PSAC Coach of the Year for the eighth time in twelve years. Flynn coached Jarrod King to a National title in St. Louis at 165 pounds. It was Tim Flynn who guided the Fighting Scots to its 11th EWL title in the last 12 years and its 10th PSAC title in that same period. His current record stands at 136-39-4. Quite an accomplished coach. It's no wonder you hear his name come up every time a top coaching position comes available. Tune in this and every Saturday at 9 AM CST to America's Wrestling Radio program. Takedownradio.com Let us hear from you. Email us a Svideoman@aol.com

Wartburg head wrestling coach Jim Miller and Tommy Rowlands, a two-time NCAA champion for Ohio State and 2007 World Team member, will be the featured guests on Wrestling 411 Radio on Tuesday, April 7. This Tuesday'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. Miller just completed his 18th season as the head wrestling coach at Wartburg College by winning the school's seventh Division III NCAA Wrestling title. The Knights crowned two champions and had seven All-Americans at the tournament. Rowlands serves as a volunteer assistant coach at Ohio State and is the executive director of the Ohio Regional Training Center. An NCAA champion for Ohio State in 2002 and 2004, Rowlands placed fifth at the 2007 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships in 2007. 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.

There's a powerful connection between the sport of wrestling, and warfare that goes back centuries. That link continues today; modern soldiers are still being schooled in wrestling and other personal combat techniques. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum has served to honor these bonds between wrestling and the military in a number of ways, including an exhibit at the Stillwater, Oklahoma hall, a fan fest event to coincide with the 2009 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at St. Louis, and a brand-new, 100-page book, Glory Beyond the Sport: Wrestling and the Military, written by Roger Moore, with contributions by Jay Hammond, Jamie Moffatt, and Don Sayenga, published by the Hall of Fame. The results of a grassroots campaign The genesis for these tributes was very much a grassroots effort that tied into programs already underway at the amateur wrestling hall. "The idea came from some University of Oklahoma wrestlers who were military veterans," according to Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum. "They approached us, asking us to recognize the connections between wrestling and the military, and honor military contributions." "This was a natural that fit into our educational outreach programs," Smith continues. "We've been working on subjects that broaden awareness of the sport, by telling the stories of Hall of Fame members. We've had programs honoring the contributions of African-Americans to wrestling, and our Pins to Patriots, which told the stories of U.S. Presidents who once wrestled. The idea of doing a 'wrestling and the military' tribute seemed to be an appropriate extension of our educational outreach. We've had so many Hall of Fame members involved in the military." "Because there are so many who have wrestled and served in the military, we had to set some sort of criteria," says the director of the Stillwater Hall. "We focused on NCAA champs, Inter-Service champs, Olympians, World Team members, and Hall of Fame members. Our thought was, �Let's try to get as many profiles as we can, and create a database.'" The process started with a committee charged with creating a military exhibit. The chairman of the committee was Bud Belz, Sergeant, United States Marine Corps (USMC); with Committee Ambassador Edwin Corr, Captain, USMC. Other members included Major Wayne Baughman, U.S. Air Force (USAF) (Retired); Col. Dave Bennett, USAF (Retired); Capt. John Heiner, USMC; Capt. Josiah Henson, Navy; Gen. Ron Fogelman, USAF; Gen. Charles Krulak, USMC; Bill McNamara, U.S. Army; Gen. Dean Sangalis, USMC (Retired); and Lt. Col. Dale Sullivan, Army � along with Bobby Douglas, National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member; Jim Keen Sr., Chairman of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame; and Lee Roy Smith. The main focus was to create a permanent exhibit, with a kiosk that will allow visitors to pull up names of individuals, and learn their stories. The Hall of Fame then contracted Roger Moore, respected wrestling writer who had covered the sport for the Stillwater News-Press, to do the book, Glory Beyond the Sport, which, as Lee Roy Smith describes it, "served as a roadmap for research." Commemorating service and sacrifice The book Glory Beyond the Sport is organized into major sections, starting with "A Short History" that provides an overview of how wrestling and military history go hand-in-hand. Next, a chapter titled "A Presidential Sport" which tells the stories of the thirteen U.S. Commanders in Chief who at some point in their lives were wrestlers� from the well-known, such as Abraham Lincoln, to those in the 'who knew?' category, like Calvin Coolidge and William Howard Taft. A state champion wrestler in high school in Illinois, Donald Rumsfeld was a three-year starter at Princeton (University). He later became Secretary of Defense during George W. Bush's presidencyOne president singled out for special consideration in the book was Theodore Roosevelt, who had been a sickly child, but, thanks to involvement in active sports such as boxing and wrestling, became an advocate for incorporating combat sports in military training. "Teddy Roosevelt thought it was important that wrestling would be the supreme combat method for military training, over other combat methods such as jiu-jitsu and judo," according to Lee Roy Smith. Glory Beyond the Sport then tells the stories of individuals who are National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum's Outstanding American honorees, were once wrestlers, and served in the armed forces. Among the individuals profiled in this chapter that are familiar names outside the world of wrestling: George Washington, Norman Schwarzkopf (Commander in Chief of Operations for Desert Storm in the early 1990s), and Donald Rumsfeld (Secretary of Defense under President George W. Bush). Chapter Four serves up profiles of the 55 Distinguished Members of the Hall of Fame who have military and mat backgrounds. "It was striking how many served their country, but they don't talk about it," says Smith. "They didn't think twice about serving." Among the stories told in this section of Glory Beyond the Sport include all-time wrestling legends Bill Koll, Gerry Leeman, Dan Hodge, Doug Blubaugh, Tommy Evans, and Lloyd Keaser. Doug Zembiec wrestled at the US Naval Academy. In 1995, he earned All-American honors at 177 pounds. He was a rifle company commander who led 168 Marines in the first conventional ground assault on Fallujah, Iraq in April 2004, where he earned the nickname "Lion of Fallujah." Zembiec was killed in May 2007 in BaghdadNext, the "Above and Beyond" chapter shares stories of wrestlers who have served their country with honor, from World War I to the present day. "One of the most impressive is Tom Norris, a two-time ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) champ at the University of Maryland who was a Navy SEAL. Disguised as a Vietnamese, his heroic actions rescued pilots who were shot down over Vietnam, despite having been shot in the head." Norris later was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. The chapter titled "The Ultimate Sacrifice" profiles a half-dozen individuals who gave their lives in military service, including Ray Mendoza, Big Ten champ for Ohio State in the 1990s, and Doug Zembiec, known as "the Lion of Fallujah" who was an All-American wrestler at the U.S. Naval Academy. Glory Beyond the Sport concludes with chapters on present-day opportunities for athletes to participate in wrestling while serving their country� and a chapter celebrating diversity, and how the military has opened doors for wrestlers well beyond the mat. To purchase a copy of Glory Beyond the Sport, visit the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum Web site at www.wrestlinghalloffame.org, or by calling 405.377.5243.

Five Stanford wrestlers were honored by the Pac-10 when the conference announced its 2009 academic awards today. Redshirt freshman Nick Amuchastegui, junior Jake Johnson and junior Tyler Parker earned spots on the Pac-10 All-Academic First Team, while senior Luke Feist and sophomore Cameron Teitelman were named to the second team. Amuchastegui, an undeclared major with a 3.93 GPA, finished his redshirt freshman season with a 29-8 record, matching teammate Zack Giesen's 2007 effort as the third-winningest rookie in school history. In the course of his notable freshman campaign, the Talent, Ore. led the team with 75 dual points, was the Pac-10 runner-up at 165 pounds and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships. He upended two ranked opponents during the year, including a stunning upset of fifth-seeded Nick Marable in his first career NCAA Championship match. Johnson earned his second consecutive Pac-10 academic honor after being named to the second team as a sophomore last season. The junior 184-pounder boasts a 3.45 GPA as a management science and engineering major and led the Cardinal with 31 wins and nine major decisions this year. Johnson finished the season with a 31-15 record after posting a career-best third-place finish at the Pac-10 Championships. Parker, whose redshirt junior season was plagued by injury, finished the year with a 4-3 overall record and took sixth place at the Pac-10 Championships. Parker, who was named to the Pac-10 All-Academic Second Team as a sophomore in 2007, is a management science and engineering major with a 3.71 GPA. Feist, a civil engineering major with a 3.02 GPA, was honored for the third consecutive year. After earning honorable mention as a sophomore in 2007, Feist has been a second team selection the last two seasons. The Cardinal senior ended his Stanford career with an 83-64 record, with a 24-15 mark coming during his senior season. A three-time NCAA qualifier and four-time Pac-10 placer, Feist leaves The Farm as the ninth-winningest wrestler in school history. Teitelman, a management science and engineering major with a 3.39 GPA, went 15-19 and claimed sixth place in the Pac-10. The sophomore posted 19 dual points and three pins as Stanford's starting 141-pounder in 2008-09. To be eligible for selection to an academic team, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.0 overall grade-point average and be either a starter or significant contributor.

LINCOLN -- The Nebraska wrestling team has invited the public to attend its annual postseason banquet on Saturday, April 18. The event will be held in the ballroom of the city campus Student Union, beginning with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and a buffet dinner following at 6 p.m. Cost is $30 per person. Husker fans will have the chance to mingle with the Nebraska coaches and wrestlers before the dinner and catch the awards presentation afterwards. Head Coach Mark Manning and his staff will announce the recipients of Nebraska's team awards, including academic honorees and senior recognition. The Huskers earned fourth place at the 2009 NCAA Championships on March 21, their second consecutive top-five finish. Four NU wrestlers earned All-America honors, including a national title and undefeated season from junior Jordan Burroughs at 157 pounds. Reservations for the banquet must be made through Ellen Shutts at (402) 472-9430 or at eshutts@huskers.com by Monday, April 13.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- The Penn State Wrestling Club held its annual awards banquet on Sunday at the Nittany Lion Inn, and true freshman Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) was honored with three awards at the event. The annual event is held to honor and recognize the achievements of the Penn State wrestling team each year. Wright, an All-American as a true freshman after his sixth place finish at 174 this year, won the William Neidig Award for the Outstanding Wrestler of the Year; the Joe Scalzo Award for the Best Freestyle Wrestler and the Bill Koll Award, given to the Outstanding Freshman Wrestler. The Bald Eagle Area graduate posted a team-best 33-13 record this season, including a 15-7 mark in duals. He went 7-4 n the post-season, going 3-1 and advancing to the 2009 Big Ten Finals at 174 to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships. In St. Louis, Wright was seeded 11th but went 4-3 to claim sixth place and become Penn State's first true freshman All-American since 1998. Fellow freshman All-American Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) was honored with the Kaye Vinson Award as the Most Improved Wrestler. Molinaro capped off a stunning post-season run by claiming eight place at the 2009 NCAA Championships at 141 pounds. Molinaro posted a 23-19 mark in his first season as a starter for the Nittany Lions, including a 9-12 dual meet mark. He placed eighth at the 2009 Big Ten Championships but his solid RPI and strength of schedule earned him an elusive at-large wild card bid to nationals. The New Jersey native took advantage by becoming the second straight Penn State wild card to earn All-America status. Senior Jake Strayer (South Fork, Pa.) won the Charles M. Spiedel Award for the senior with the most career dual meet wins. Strayer leaves Penn State with an 82-29 career record and was a 2007 All-American (taking 7th at 133). He advanced to the `round of 12' two other times (missing out on All-America status each time by just one victory). Strayer went 18-10 at 133 this year and posted a 2-2 mark at NCAAs. He will leave Penn State as an multiple winner of Academic All-America and Academic All-Big Ten laurels as well. Red-shirt freshman Colby Pisani (Ridgway, Pa.) was honored with the Larry Reilly Courage Award, for `showing courage in wrestling to help the team'. Pisani gallantly filled in for injured starter Bubba Jenkins at 149 pounds, moving up a weight class and wrestling with determination throughout much of the Big Ten dual meet season. Pisani competed in six dual meets for the Nittany Lions at either 149 or 157. Sophomore Adam Lynch (Mifflinburg, Pa.) won the Eleventh Man Award for leadership and dedication. Lynch went 16-12 at three different weights for Penn State and made his Nittany Lion dual meet debut against Purdue in January. True freshman James English (York, Pa.) won the Academic Excellence and Community Service Award this season. English, a Central York High School graduate, posted a 4.0 grade point average in the division of undergraduate studies. English was also involved in many of Penn State's charity efforts and activities outside the wrestling room. Senior manager Scott Ely (Kennett Square, Pa.) was given the Carl A. Winterburn Award, given to the manager who demonstrates year round support of the Penn State wrestling program. Ely is a native of Kennett Square, Pa., and is in his third year as a manager for the wrestling program. Scott is Co-President of the Wrestling Affiliate Club this year and served as Treasurer last year. He is a marketing major. Monty Christiansen won the Ed Sulkowski Award and W. Johnston Oberly was given the Outstanding Alumnus Award.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Troy Sunderland has resigned as head coach of the Nittany Lion wrestling program, effective today, Director of Athletics Tim Curley announced. Penn State will begin a national search for his successor immediately. Troy Sunderland leaves Penn State with a 115-90-2 overall dual meet record, having coached Penn State to four top 10 finishes at the NCAA Championships, including a third place finish in 2008 (Photo/BuckeyeWrestling.com)Sunderland, a 1993 Penn State graduate, recently completed his 11th season as head coach of the Nittany Lions. He leaves Penn State with a 115-90-2 overall dual meet record, having coached Penn State to four top 10 finishes at the NCAA Championships, including a third place finish last year. This past season, Penn State went 8-12-2 and placed 17th at nationals. Sunderland has coached three individual National Champions, 24 All-Americans and seven Big Ten Champions during his tenure. "I am proud of what we've accomplished at Penn State during my tenure as head coach," Sunderland said. "While we did not achieve the ultimate goal of winning a national title, I feel that this program is on the cusp of accomplishing that elusive goal. I am pleased with where this program is headed and wish the next coach here the best of luck as the Penn State wrestling family continues to strive for the national title." Sunderland was a three-time All-American as a wrestler at Penn State, becoming a national runner-up twice. An EWL and Big Ten Champion, Sunderland ended his Penn State wrestling career with a 100-13-3 overall record. "Troy Sunderland has always represented Penn State with honor and integrity," Curley said. "As an athlete and a coach, he has embodied the values of Penn State athletics. We are thankful for all he has given to this University and wish him all the best."

EDMOND, Okla. -- Unbeaten 157-pounder Todd Meneely of Nebraska-Omaha has been selected as the 2008-09 NCAA Division II Wrestler of the Year after winning his third straight national championship this season. Meneely is the second winner of the award, sponsored by the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches' Association and voted on by eight regional representatives from around the country. Nebraska-Kearney heavyweight Tervel Dlagnev took the inaugural award last year. Each of the four regions nominated a candidate, with Super Region Two nominee Meneely finishing with 28 points to edge out runner-up Cy Wainwright of Newberry and Super Region One by one point. Minnesota State-Mankato's Tommy Abbott was the Super Region Three representative and Arsenia Barksdale of Adams State the Super Region Four nominee. Meneely, a native of Omaha, went a perfect 27-0 this season with 10 falls, seven major decisions and three technical falls. He was only scored on offensively three times (three takedowns) and won five tournament titles this year. A three-time regional champion, Meneely captured the Division II national title at 149 pounds in 2007 and '08 before moving up to 157 this season and winning a third consecutive crown March 13-14 in Houston, Texas. He finished with a 85-5 career record in three years with the Mavericks. Meneely was the driving force behind a UNO team that went undefeated in duals and ran away with the national team championship this season. He was named the Outstanding Wrestler at the NWCA Division II National Duals in January. A four-time state champion at Skutt Catholic High School in Omaha, Meneely was a Freestyle and Greco Junior National champion in 2002.

TEMPE -- The Pacific-10 Conference announced its annual wrestling award winners and Anthony Robles, a sophomore on the Arizona State University team, has been voted as the Pac-10 Wrestler of the Year, it was announced Wednesday. The 10th different Sun Devil to earn the wrestler of the year honor, Robles was selected in a vote of the conference coaches after winning his first Pac-10 title at 125 pounds and garnering All-America honors. A native of Mesa, Ariz., Robles entered the Pac-10 Championships as the top-seed in his weight class, holding a 7-0 record against Pac-10 foes. At the Championships, Robles was voted as the Most Outstanding Wrestler as he went 3-0 with two wins by technical fall and one by pin en route to his first Pac-10 title. One year after falling in the finals, Robles came back and opened with a 16-0 technical fall in the first round before pinning Andre Gonzalez of CS Fullerton at 3:23 in the semifinals. In the championship match, Robles rolled his way to a 17-1 technical fall over Brandon Zoeteway of CS Bakersfield. Following his first title, Robles added another first as he claimed All-America honors by going 4-2 overall and placing fourth at the NCAA Wrestling Championships in St. Louis, Mo. Seeded 12th in the tournament, Robles opened with a 5-0 victory over Nikko Triggas of Ohio State before upsetting No. 5 Charlie Falck of Iowa, 8-3. In the quarterfinals, Robles assured himself of All-America honors as he upset No. 4 Brandon Precin of Northwestern with a 9-0 major decision. In the semifinals, however, No. 1 Paul Donahoe of Edinboro knocked Robles into the consolation rounds with a 5-2 decision before Robles again scored an upset with a 19-10 major decision over No. 11 Zachary Sanders of Minnesota. In the medal round, Precin came out on top with a 3-1 decision, giving Robles a fourth-place showing. Overall, Robles ended his sophomore season with a 29-8 record overall and, of those 29 wins, 25 produced bonus points. On the year, Robles won a team-high 10 matches by technical fall, a team-high nine by pin fall and added three by major decision and two more by forfeit. Historically, Robles is one of 10 Sun Devils that have collected 15 conference wrestler of the year honors, which stands as the most of any team in the league with Oregon State in second with eight total honors. Overall since the Pac-10 began awarding the wrestler and coach of the year awards in 1979 and the addition of the newcomer award in 2000, the Sun Devil program has accumulated 30 total awards (15 coaching honors with 15 wrestler of the year) with OSU's 16 and Boise States' nine rounding out the Top 3. BSU moved into third this year after Greg Randall was named Pac-10 Coach of the Year and Jason Chamberlain was named Newcomer of the Year. Robles also became the first wrestler in the lowest weight class to win the Pac-10 honor since former Sun Devil Gary Bohay won in 1983 while competing at 126 pounds. Outside of Robles and Bohay, the only other wrestler under 141 pounds to win the award was OSU's Babak Mohammadi (134 pounds) in 1994. Bohay's honor was the first for the Sun Devil program and since then, Pac-10 Wrestler of the Year honorees have included Eddie Urbano (1985), Adam Cohen (1986), Mike Davies (1987 & 1988), Dan St. John (1989 & 1990), Ray Miller (1992 & 1993), Steve Blackford (2000), Eric Larkin (2001, 2002 & 2003) and Cain Velasquez (2005).

EASTON, Pa. -- The production and broadcast teams are set for the first-ever live national broadcast of the 20th annual National High School Seniors Wrestling Championships presented by the U.S. Navy, which will be produced by the NHSCA and aired on ESPN360.com. ESPN's Quint Kessenich will provide play-by-play announcing and Jeff Blatnick will serve as color analyst. Marty Ehrlich will serve as Executive Producer for the event, and Chris Lincoln will direct the event. Both have over 20 years experience producing major sports and entertainment events around the globe. Kessenich has covered wrestling, college and professional lacrosse, basketball, football, track and field and horse racing for the ESPN family of networks as a commentator and sideline reporter. A former All-American lacrosse goalkeeper, Kessenich attended the Johns Hopkins University from 1987 to 1990, and has covered 15 NCAA lacrosse championships as ESPN's TV analyst. The native of Lynbrook, N.Y. also wrestled and played soccer in high school. A gold medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Blatnick has become a renowned wrestling color analyst, working on Olympic, collegiate and high school wrestling broadcasts nationwide. He has appeared as an analyst on ABC, ESPN, Madison Square Garden Network, and Prime Ticket Cable. He also is one of the nation's premier motivational speakers. Kessenich and Blatnick recently were part of the broadcast team for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, which also aired on the ESPN family of networks. During his career, Ehrlich has held lead roles in the production of the Tour de France, the National Hockey League, college football and basketball. Lincoln has produced and directed many sports and entertainment events, including the National Hockey League, college basketball and the America's Cup. "We're very pleased to have assembled a telecast team with the experience and the credentials of Marty Ehrlich, Chris Lincoln, Quint Kessenich and Jeff Blatnick," NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. "This is a historic opportunity to acquire nationwide exposure for the NHSCA and for high school wrestling's signature event. The opportunity to work with these consummate professionals will make this a historic and first-rate broadcast." The telecast will air live on ESPN360.com on Sunday, April 5 from 7-9 p.m. ET, and will be followed by a 30-minute highlight show that will air on ESPNU in July. Over one-fourth of the 2,628 wrestlers who are registered to compete – more than 700 in all – have won at least one state championship during their careers, and more than 1,300 are state placewinners. "Our collaboration with ESPN360.com is a huge step forward for the NHSCA," NHSCA founder Bob Ferraro Sr. said. "This is a unique opportunity to bring the finals of the Senior Nationals, the nation's most prestigious scholastic wrestling event, live to our loyal wrestling fan base. We're very excited to bring this outstanding event to ESPN360.com." Last year's National Seniors Championship attracted 818 competitors from a record 49 states. The finals featured an outstanding field, including five two-time state champions, seven three-time state champions and three four-time state champions. The 28 finalists combined for 51 state or National Prep Championships titles in their careers. The National High School Seniors Wrestling Championships is open to any high-school senior wrestler who has been a finalist in his high school state tournament or the National Prep Championships, with several wild-card entries through a petition system. The National Juniors, Sophomores and Freshman Championships are open events, with any wrestler eligible to enter at his grade level. For a complete list of Championships and Convention events, visit the NHSCA's web site at www.nhsca.com. To watch the broadcast live, click on the following link: http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/espn360/index?id=5118 This link will become active during the broadcast. The NHSCA continues its involvement in high-profile high school sports events across the board. In addition to a full schedule of wrestling events, the NHSCA conducted its annual 7-on-7 football championships at storied Hoover High School in Hoover, Ala. in July, and hosted the NHSCA High School Basketball Festival Dec. 26-30 at Salisbury, Md. Formerly the Lions Club Holiday Classic, a long-standing event on the sports calendar of Maryland's Eastern Shore, the NHSCA hosted the 20th anniversary event with a field that included over 30 teams from five states. The NHSCA also has entered a sponsorship agreement with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) for the state football and wrestling championships. Founded in 1989, the National High School Coaches Association is a not-for-profit 501c3 service organization providing support and leadership programs for the nation's 500,000 high school coaches and 10 million high school athletes. About ESPN360.com ESPN360.com is ESPN's broadband sports television network that gives fans a 24/7 online destination delivering more than 3,000 live, global sports events annually. It is available at no cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection from an affiliated service provider. ESPN360.com is currently available in nearly 25 million homes via approximately 45 Internet service providers (ISPs) nationwide, up 40 percent in 2008 and more than triple its distribution just 2 years ago. Among the affiliated ISPs are AT&T, Verizon, RCN, Insight, Frontier, Cavalier, Charter, Mediacom, Conway, Grande Communications and many more. In addition, ESPN360.com is also available at no cost to approximately 18 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers connected to on-campus educational networks and on-base military networks (those with ".edu" and ".mil" domains).

NEW YORK -- On April 18, 2009 the Beat the Streets Wrestling Program will launch a new youth sports program that introduces boys and girls ages 5 to 10 years to Olympic style wrestling. The 11-week program takes place at the organization's Manhattan headquarters and costs $25, with 100% of the proceeds going to further Beat the Streets' efforts to provide free wrestling training, equipment and field trips to middle and high school students during the school year. More than 3,500 girls and boys currently participate in the school year programs. The youth program will be a fun, interactive class taught by Beat the Streets' leading instructors and assistants who will teach Olympic style wrestling techniques. Participants in the youth program take part in group training sessions and then are separated according to body weight to engage in drills with their peers. The 11-week program concludes with a mock tournament to introduce the children to competition. "Beat the Streets is committed to expanding the sport of wrestling to children of all ages across New York City, and the youth program is a great way for parents and caregivers to introduce kids to sports since wrestling is open to boys and girls of all shapes and sizes," said Brian Giffin, President and Executive Director, Beat the Streets. "Through wrestling students can learn the value of hard work, determination and persistence, life skills they can take with them both on and off the mat." The youth program will take place at Beat the Streets' headquarters located at St. Anthony's Memorial Gym in Lower Manhattan. The Beat the Streets Wrestling Program is a not-for-profit organization that primarily focuses on creating opportunities for boys and girls from New York City middle and high schools to participate in after-school wrestling programs in safe and nurturing environments. For the middle and high school participants Beat the Streets provides free coaching, gear and equipment; free access to afterschool training centers in all five boroughs during playing season; 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. 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 only 23 high school teams and fewer than 300 kids enrolled. Now New York City has wrestling teams in 58 high schools and 54 middle schools.