National Wrestling Coaches Association NWCA


National Wrestling Coaches Association NWCA
Mike Moyer
Executive Director
717-653-8009
717-653-8270 (fax)
mmoyer@nwca.cc
www.nwcaonline.com

NWCA Announces Four Coaches as Lifetime Honorary Members

Each one of them has a legacy and each one of them has a place in history.

A unanimous vote from the full board of the National Wrestling Coaches Association on August 16 in Lake Tahoe, Nev., secured former coaches Dan Hinkel, Tom Jarman, John Sacchi, and Tony Iasiello as Lifetime Honorary Members of the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

Jarman, the long-time wrestling coach and Athletic Director at Division III Manchester College, announced his retirement this season and has long been an active member of the wrestling community.

A coach for over 40 years, Jarman had a career coaching record of 414-144-1 and is also a member of the Division III Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. In addition to his recognition in the D-3 Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, Jarman's been honored by five different halls of fame including the Indiana and Illinois Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame.

"Tom Jarman is a throwback coach, but he's always been at the forefront of mentoring wrestlers as students, athletes and future coaches," said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "His service to wrestling has been instrumental wherever he's coached, whether it is at the Division I level at Northwestern or most recently at Manchester, where he coached the last 18 years."

Jarman's success included eight straight Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference championships from 1992-1999 and then titles in 2002-04 and again in 2007. In 12 of the 18 years Manchester won the conference, Jarman was named Coach of the Year seven times and Midwest Regional Coach of the Year four times, most recently in 2004.

"Tom has been a very industrious leader," said NWCA President Ron Mirikitani. "The entire group we voted in this year was incredibly worthy and we're honored to be recognizing them as Lifetime Honorary Members of our organization."

John Sacchi has graced the mat in New Jersey for 41 years. After retiring as the head coach at Rutgers this past spring, Sacchi left coaching with a career record of 447-162-9, which was second among active head coaches before his retirement.

Before his 17-year run at Rutgers, Sacchi spent two and a half decades at Middlesex Community College and is a member of the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
Sacchi's been honored with two previous NWCA awards - the 25-year service award and the 400 wins certificate. He's also been recognized by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Lifetime Service Award winner.

"John Sacchi is one of the most enjoyable coaches to have been around," said Mirikitani. "He has over 40 years of coaching expertise and has been successful at both the NCAA and NJCAA levels."

Kutztown's Dan Hinkel retired from full-time coaching in 1996, but he's not been away from the coaching corner - he's still serving as a volunteer coach at the school he coached

"Coach Hinkel's been a guru of wrestling at Kutztown," said Mirikitani. "He is loyal to his former coaches and wrestlers and still is a big part of the program at Kutztown."

Hinkel, like the rest of the honorees, has a long list of accolades. While currently serving on the NWCA Board of Directors and a donor to the organization, Hinkel's a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Hall of Fame and the Berks County Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Tony Iasiello stepped away from coaching at Bethlehem Catholic in 2004 and is another worthy honoree.

A member of the PIAA Wrestling Hall of Fame and a Lifetime Service Award recipient from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Iasiello has been active in promoting wrestling and a leader on many different levels.

Iasiello was the only coach Bethlehem Catholic had ever had until his retirement in 2004. He had a 408-222-2 record in the rugged District XI and coached 11 PIAA State Champions and produced two NCAA champions - Tom Sculley and Pat Santoro.

He started the District XI Wrestling Hall of Fame and Scholar Athlete Programs, and has served on the board for the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association as well as the Vice President for Scholastic Affairs with the NWCA for three years. He's also been the president of the District XI Wrestling Coaches.

"There aren't many words that do him justice," said Moyer. "He's first class on every level. He gets things done and is actively seeking to improve the sport."

The National Wrestling Coaches Association, established in 1928, is a professional organization dedicated to serve and provide leadership for the advancement of all levels of the sport of wrestling with primary emphasis on scholastic and collegiate programs. The membership embraces all people interested in amateur wrestling.

The NWCA, through its organizational structure, promotes communication, recognizes achievement, recommends rules and regulations, sponsors events, and serves as an educational and informational source. Additionally, the NWCA strives to foster the sportsmanship and integrity that are the cornerstones of athletic competition.
NCWA Team Events that Included NCAA Comptition this Past Season and the Schedules of Upcoming Events in 08

San Jose State: participated in the Menlo Open, Menlo Invitational and
California Open at Cal State Fullerton. We plan on attending these
tournaments this coming year, as well. Coach Jim Lucas
The Apprentice School: Open Tournaments Washington & Jefferson Open, UNC Pembroke Open, East Stroudsburg Open, Ashland Simonsen Excavation Invite, Builder Invitational Other Events: Desert Duals, Virginia Duals, Virginia D-I States This Year's Events: W&J Open, UNCP Open, York Spartan Invitational, ESU Open. Ashland Open, Builder Invitational, Desert Duals, Virginia Duals, Va. D-1 States.........Jim Heath , Assistant AD for Media Relations.The Apprentice School ..P: 757-688-4935
SUNY / Albany: Syracuse Open, Alfred State Open, RPI Invitational, Trailblazer Open @ Niagara CC, Springfield Tech CC Open, -Long Island Open @ Nassau CC, MJ Caruso Invitational Doug Cherry Invitational @ Northampton CC, Groundhog Day Invitational @ Bryant College.... Coach STEVE SHAW Bowling Green State: 2006-2007-Muskegon Open and Mott Open both had NCAA wrestlers. 2007-2008-Muskegon Open, Mott Open and the Cliff Keen National Duals.......Coach Ken White. Northeastern University: attended the Syracuse open (DIII schools), Ted Reese Invitational (hosted by University of Southern Maine with attendence of several DIII schools) and the NY vs. MA duals (Hosted by University of Albany and attended by DIII and DII schools). I also believe the Groundhog Day tournament (hosted by Bryant) had DII schools in attendence. Coach Jon Ulrich Winona State University: This years Events: Pointer Open- UW Stevens Point 11/10/07, UWL Duals- UW LaCrosse 12/01/07, Husky Open- St. Cloud State MN 12/08/07, Flash Flanagan Open- Loras College 1/05/08, Worthington Open- MN West College 1/19/08, North Country Open- St. Johns MN College 2/09/08.... Derek Olson ...President WSU Wrestling Club Ohio State University: during the 06-07 wrestling season Ohio State wrestled in the Eastern Michigan Open, and the Niagara Community College Trailblazer invitational. All events had teams sponsored by the NCAA. In 07-08 we plan to wrestle the same schedule and include the Doug Cherry Invitational in Easton PA. Any thing else you need let me know ...Brian Church..Head Club Wrestling Coach..The Ohio State University church.16@osu.edu ..614-496-6369 Grand Valley State: Eastern Michigan Univ. Open, Jayhawk Duals, Ben McMullan Open, Michigan State University Open, Mott Open, Niagara Duals, Trailblazer Tournament, Olivet College Dual Marion Military: Duals : With The University of Oklahoma, DI...University of Central Oklahoma DII... University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee: Pointer Open, Concordia Open, Wisconsin Open
University of Southern Indiana: Patriot Open, Mott Community College Open, Little Indiana State Tournament, Wildcat Invitational, USI Invitational
Dallas announced as 2006 NWCA All-Star Classic host

If the saying “Everything’s bigger in Texas,” is true, then the 2006 NWCA All-Star Classic should be a spectacle for wrestling fans to concentrate on when the Dallas Convention Center Arena hosts the annual event on November 20.

The NWCA All-Star Classic, presented by the United States Marine Corps, is an All-Star wrestling dual pitting the top collegiate wrestlers in the nation against each other in a showcase that is sure to be a preview of the NCAA Division I Championship finals. The event will include 10 collegiate weight classes along with several feature bouts involving college wrestlers with Texas roots.

The 2006 event will be the 41st such event and the third year the event has been held in the beginning of the wrestling season, rather than in the heart of it.

“The NWCA All-Star Classic is one of the nation’s premier wrestling events,” said NWCA President Ron Beaschler. “Having the Dallas-Fort Worth area and the state of Texas host the event will only continue the tradition of the All-Star Classic being a first-class event.”

“The NWCA is also happy to again partner with the United States Marine Corps in presenting this event for the third consecutive year,” Beaschler said. “It’s been a good partnership, not only for us, but for wrestling in general.”

Three groups spearheaded the effort: the Wrestling Association of Arlington, Team Monday and the National Collegiate Wrestling Association.

The Wrestling Association of Arlington is the group that hosts the Lone Star Duals in South Grand Prairie, Texas, each year. The Lone Star Duals is celebrating its 10th anniversary in the 2006-07 season.

Team Monday, a wrestling club headed by 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist Kenny Monday, is also involved. Many of Texas’ top rising stars have emerged out of Monday’s wrestling club.

The National Collegiate Wrestling Association, based in Dallas, also helped push to land the event in Texas. Proceeds will go to help the fledging wrestling program at the University of Texas-Arlington, an NCWA team.

“What the NCWA does to promote the sport of wrestling is phenomenal,” said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. “One of their primary goals is to start new wrestling programs where they didn’t exist or re-start programs at places it once existed.”

“This is one of the things the NCWA is doing to help the sport of wrestling grow in Texas and nationwide,” said Moyer.

Like the Lone Star Duals, the NCWA is celebrating its 10-year anniversary.

Barry Boustead, the tournament director for the Lone Star Duals, is excited in the progress that Texas has made on the national wrestling scene.

“We’ve been trying to do things (in Texas),” Boustead said. “We did the Dream Team Classic last year and brought in kids from all around the nation on the high school level, and now we’re doing the same thing with the college kids.”

“It’s a natural progression,” he said.

“We’re doing this in addition to the Lone Star Duals, the NCWA Championships in March, and RealProWrestling is going to do something down here as well,” said Boustead. “We’re going to have a lot of wrestling in Texas this year.”

While the NWCA isn’t expected to announce the line-up for the 41st All-Star Classic until October, the number of returning national champions and All-Americans should make for an impressive set of matches.

For those that haven’t ventured to the state for the Lone Star Duals, one thing that the folks in Texas traditionally do well, is hospitality and things for fans to do.

“I think everyone that came down for the Olympic Trials in 2000 and Lone Star Duals in the past realize that the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a great place to come for anything,” said Boustead.

“The weather’s generally better than most places in the country that time of year. There are lots of hotels, restaurants, activities, just lots of things to do,” he said. “And the venue is great. The Dallas Convention Center Arena is a great place to watch and a great place for fans to come to watch – it’s really easy to get to.”

“One things that Texas is known for and what we try to do is be good hosts,” Boustead said. “Of all the things we do, it’s the one thing we succeed at best. Anyone that comes down is going to have a good time there.”

With the NWCA All-Star Classic as the next event headed to Texas, it makes Boustead and other event organizers like Jim Giunta of the NCWA and Steve Silver happy.

“It’s an opportunity for us to participate in a high-caliber collegiate event in addition to the Lone Star Duals,” said Boustead. “It’s an opportunity for our kids to see national championship-level competition for those that haven’t been able to travel.”

“It also brings a lot of coaches down here, so that’s a good thing,” he said.

“We’re definitely pleased to have the opportunity to host this event in Texas and to lend a hand in helping develop the collegiate wrestling scene in a state that hasn’t had varsity collegiate wrestling since the 1970’s,” said Moyer. “We’re looking forward to it.”

The 2005 event was one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. Held in Stillwater, Okla., at the Gallagher-Iba Arena on the campus of Oklahoma State University, four defending NCAA champions were defeated in the event.
The National Wrestling Coaches Association, established in 1928, is a professional organization dedicated to serve and provide leadership for the advancement of all levels of the sport of wrestling with primary emphasis on scholastic and collegiate programs. The membership embraces all people interested in amateur wrestling.

The NWCA, through its organizational structure, promotes communication, recognizes achievement, recommends rules and regulations, sponsors events, and serves as an educational and informational source. Additionally, the NWCA strives to foster the sportsmanship and integrity that are the cornerstones of athletic competition.

Clinicians announced for annual NWCA Coaches Clinic at NCAA Division I Championships

Manheim, Pa. The National Wrestling Coaches Association announced that Russ Cozart, Terry Brands and Greg Jones will be the featured clinicians at the annual NWCA Coaches Clinic at the 2006 NCAA Division I Championships in Oklahoma City March 16-18, 2006.
"We're excited to have such a cross-section of talent represented at this year's clinic," said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "The level of knowledge these three men possess from the high school to collegiate to Olympic levels is phenomenal."
Terry Brands, the current freestyle resident coach for the U.S. Olympic Training Center, was a 2000 Olympic bronze medalist and collegiately, is a two-time NCAA champion while wrestling under Dan Gable at Iowa.
Brands' coaching career started at his alma mater before moving on to Nebraska for two seasons and then Montana State-Northern for a season. Brands most recently coached at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for three seasons, grooming the Mocs into one of the premier programs in the Southeast and setting the table for the program to move forward.
A three-time NCAA finalist, Brands is revered as one of the sport's most intense competitors and coaches.
"The name Brands is synonymous with success," Moyer said. "Having Terry as a part of our coaches clinic really gets us excited about this year."
Russ Cozart has led Brandon High School in Brandon, Fla., to 422 consecutive dual meet victories in what's simply referred to as "The Streak." Brandon's won 16 Florida state championships and 15 of them under Cozart. He's coached 56 wrestlers to state championships and produced 135 state placewinners.
In 2005, Brandon High School wrestlers and graduates earned nine medals including five champions at the USA Wrestling Cadet & Junior Nationals in Fargo, N.D. Current high school senior David Craig won both freestyle and Greco titles, while Eric Grajales won a cadet freestyle championship, Marco Toledo won a junior Greco title and Franklin Gomez won a junior freestyle championship. Cozart's son Rocky won a junior Greco title and current Penn freshman Cesar Grajales doubled up with medals, finishing second in Greco and third in freestyle.
Collegiately, he's coached Division I All-Americans Josh Lambrecht (Okalahoma) and Bret Gustafson (UT Chattanooga) along with NAIA All-American Matt Juncal (Cumberland College).
Cozart wrestled at Alabama and is an eight-time Veterans National Freestyle Champion, winning them between 1997-2004 and a seven-time Veterans World Champion. He was an Olympic Trials qualifier in 1980.
Greg Jones was one of the most dominant wrestlers in NCAA Division I history, winning three championships and being named the 2005 Outstanding Wrestler after he won his third national championship.

Currently an assistant coach at his alma mater of West Virginia, Jones is dynamic and a solid technician.

"Very few wrestlers have had the chance to do what Greg Jones did as a competitor on the collegiate level," Moyer said. "Now we have the chance to welcome Greg into the coaching fraternity and there's no doubt he will be as successful on the bench as he was on the mat."

Jones is the only Mountaineer to ever go unbeaten during a season, doing it twice, and the only Mountaineer to win an NCAA championship. He amassed a career record of 126-4.

Jones is no stranger to NWCA events, winning all three matches in his career at the NWCA All-Star Classic.

"We're excited to have such a great staff at this year's event," Moyer said. "It will be one of the best clinics we've ever had."

The National Wrestling Coaches Association, established in 1928, is a professional organization dedicated to serve and provide leadership for the advancement of all levels of the sport of wrestling with primary emphasis on scholastic and collegiate programs. The membership embraces all people interested in amateur wrestling.

The NWCA, through its organizational structure, promotes communication, recognizes achievement, recommends rules and regulations, sponsors events, and serves as an educational and informational source. Additionally, the NWCA strives to foster the sportsmanship and integrity that are the cornerstones of athletic competition.

Wrestling Competes at NWCA National Duals

Unseeded Sun Devils face eighth-seeded Missouri in the opening round

The Arizona State University wrestling team stands 4-4 overall and 2-0 in the Pac-10 following a 1-2 showing last week and heads into the 2006 NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals ranked No. 18 in the latest national polls. The Sun Devils will be one 16 teams competing for the national team dual meet championship when the event gets underway at the UNI Dome on the Northern Iowa campus in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Saturday and Sunday. ASU, which is not one of the eight seeded teams, will open the meet Saturday at 9 a.m. CST when it faces eighth-seeded and No. 9 nationally ranked Missouri.

THE INVITED
Fifteen of the 16 teams entered into the event hold national rankings with one, Kent State, receiving votes in the latest NWCA/USA Today Top 25 poll (January 10). Eight of the Top 10 teams in the nation will be on hand, including No. 1 Oklahoma State, No. 2 Minnesota, No. 3 Oklahoma, No. 5 Michigan, No. 6 Iowa, No. 7 Central Michigan, No. 8 Iowa State and No. 9 Missouri. The remaining teams are No. 12 Cornell, No. 13 Northwestern, No. 14 Nebraska, No. 18 Arizona State, No. 19 Hofstra, No. 23 Northern Illinois, No. 24 Northern Iowa and Kent State. The eight teams in the Top 10 (in order of their listing above) are also the eight seeded teams in the event.

NATIONAL DUAL HISTORY
ASU has competed in the National Duals 13 of the 16 years it has been conducted and holds a 29-27 overall record. The Sun Devils, who have placed in the Top 8 on eight occasions, advanced to the finals each of the first two years (1989 and 1990) before falling to Oklahoma State both times to place second overall. ASU will look to rebound from a tough tournament one year ago as the Sun Devils did not win a dual for the first time, going 0-2 with losses to Michigan (24-16) and Central Michigan (20-19).

FAMILIAR START
At the 2003 National Duals in Columbus, Ohio, the Sun Devils were seeded eighth and finished the tournament with a 3-2 record and seventh place in the standings. Their first dual of the competition was against Missouri, which the Sun Devils won, 19-17. Upon winning, ASU then faced Oklahoma State, the Sun Devils' possible opponent in the second round.

INSIDE TRACK
Each week throughout the 2005-06 season, Sun Devil Assistant Coach Aaron Simpson will provide an inside look at the team as he submits journal entries to thesundevils.com. Visit the wrestling page on the official athletic web site of Arizona State Athletics to see what Coach Simpson has to say about a previous meet, the team's preparations and other interesting facts and stories about the Sun Devils.

MATCH HONORS
Along with the weekly journal, the coaching staff will select a wrestler of the match. This week, both Alex Pavlenko (174) and C.B. Dollaway (184) were selected for their upset victories at Minnesota while Dollaway earned the honor for his outstanding performances in the Sun Devil Duals. To see all the winners this season, visit thesundevils.com and click on the link in the latest journal entry from Coach Simpson.

TEN IN A ROW
In its first of two duals Sunday at the Sun Devil Duals, Arizona State took on Pac-10 foe UC Davis and scored a 25-18 victory over the Aggies to not only stretch its record to 2-0 on the season in the conference, but also gave ASU its 10th victory in a row over Pac-10 teams. The Sun Devils' last loss came in the final dual of the 2004 season when they absorbed a 20-17 setback on the road to Cal State Bakersfield. The loss snapped a nine-dual winning streak as well, giving ASU victories in 19 of its last 20 and 26 of 28 under Head Coach Thom Ortiz.

DOMINATING DOLLAWAY
C.B. Dollaway made his return to the starting spot at 184 at Minnesota last week and is 3-0 following a trio of victories. He opened the week by upsetting No. 11 Roger Kish of Minnesota with a controlled 3-0 decision. Then, Sunday, at the Sun Devil Duals, Dollaway opened the day with an 8-2 decision over Tyler Bernacchi, the third-ranked wrestler in the Pac-10, before closing out his opening weekend with a pin of No. 6 Kurt Backes of Iowa State at 1:06. Because of his early success, Dollaway moved into the national rankings for the first time this year, holding the No. 8 position. He also is ranked No. 2 in the Pac-10.

MR. 100
Heading into his senior season, Ryan Bader stood 88-34 in his career with the Sun Devils. So far this season, Bader has compiled an 14-2 record to bring his career mark to 102-36, making him the 21st Sun Devil to reach 100 wins in a career. Bader captured victory No. 100 with a 6-1 decision over Mitch Kuhlman at Minnesota. Bader also won both of his bouts at the Sun Devil Duals against UC Davis and Iowa State to add to his total.

CLOSING IN
Ryan Bader's chase for 100 victories is not the only place in the record books he is nearing in on. Following last week's action, Bader is 7-1 and has improved his career dual record to 44-19 overall. His win total ties him for the 17th-most in program history with Shawn Charles, who went 44-15-5 from 1990-93. With at least 10 duals remaining on the schedule in 2006, Bader could reach the Top 10 in dual victories, needing just seven more wins to tie for 10th overall. Joining him in this chase is another senior, Jeremy Mendoza. After going 8-0 in duals so far this season, Mendoza improved to 34-15 overall in his dual meet career and will need seven more on the season to crack into the Top 20.

MENDOZA ON A TEAR
Jeremy Mendoza, a senior walk-on starter from Temecula, Calif., has made the most of his senior season so far as he has climbed to No. 6 in the national rankings with a 20-1 record and the championship title at the 2005 Reno Tournament of Champions. Mendoza also has built an 8-0 record in dual competition this season and his lone loss came in the finals of the Las Vegas Invitational to Cornell's Troy Nickerson, currently ranked No. 5 in the nation. Mendoza entered the season with a career mark of 52-39 and is now 72-40 in his career.

RAISING CAIN
Before the turn of the New Year last season, Cain Velasquez had built a 14-3 overall record with two of his losses coming to Greg Wagner of Michigan at the Las Vegas Invitational and Steve Mocco of Oklahoma State in the final of the Reno Tournament. After that loss to Mocco, Velasquez would run off 18 victories in a row to win the Pac-10 title before finishing fourth at the NCAA Championships. This season, Velasquez holds a 20-3 record with his losses coming at the hands of Wagner in Las Vegas, Mocco in the finals of the Reno event and Cole Konrad of Minnesota. Those three men were also the lone wrestlers to defeat Velasquez one year ago. At the National Duals this weekend, Velasquez could get a chance at revenge with all three as No. 1 Oklahoma State, No. 2 Minnesota and No. 5 Michigan are all entered into the tournament.

LOOKING BACK: NATIONAL DUALS 2005
For the first time in 16 appearances in the National Duals, the Sun Devils failed to win a dual as they were bounced from the tournament with an 0-2 record. Arizona State opened the tournament with a 24-16 loss at the hands of Michigan, the No. 3 seed in the event, before falling to Central Michigan, 20-19, in the consolation bracket.

ADDING CROWNS
Jeremy Mendoza (125) and Brian Stith (157) won the second and third, respectively, individual crowns this season for the Sun Devils by taking first place at the Reno Tournament of Champions. The duo joins Cain Velasquez (285) as the only individual champions on the year after the Sun Devil big man won the season-opening East Stroudsburg Open.

STRONG SENIORS
In their final campaigns for the Sun Devils, four seniors have fared quite well on the mats this season as the quartet has combined for a 57-6 overall record. Jeremy Mendoza leads the way with a 20-1 mark while Cain Velasquez stands 20-3. Ryan Bader is 14-2 with C.B. Dollaway, who just returned to the starting line up, is 3-0.

RETURNING STRONG
Four Sun Devils have started their seasons in strong form as each has accumulated more than 13 wins and lost no more than three matches. Jeremy Mendoza and Cain Velasquez each have 20 wins (20-1 and 20-3, respectively) while Ryan Bader (14-2) and Brian Stith (13-1) round out the strong starters.

SCOUTING: MISSOURI
The Tigers enter the dual ranked ninth in the nation and seeded eighth in the tournament bracket with a 6-0 record on the season. Brian Smith's Tigers are led by Ben Askren, the top-ranked wrestler in the nation at 184 pound. Askren is one of seven Tigers currently ranked in the Top 20 nationally and is joined in the Top 5 by No. 4 Matt Pell at 165.

SUN DEVILS VS. TIGERS
Arizona State holds a 2-0-0 advantage in the series, winning both duals on neutral mats. The most recent meeting saw the Sun Devils take a 19-17 decision in the first round of the 2003 NWCA National Duals held in Columbus, Ohio. The first meeting was a 34-9 victory for ASU on January 21, 1989, in the second of three duals at the Oklahoma State Cowboy Duals.

MARQUEE MATCH-UPS
Four bouts will feature a meeting of Top 20 foes, including matches at 125, 165, 184 and 197. Those meetings will see No. 6 Jeremy Mendoza (125) against No. 18 Austin DeVoe; No. 11 Patrick Pitsch (165) against No. 4 Matt Pell; No. 8 C.B. Dollaway (184) against No. 17 Raymond Jordan; and No. 14 Ryan Bader (197) against No. 15 Jeff Foust.

SCOUTING: POSSIBLE MEETINGS
After the first round meeting with Missouri, the Sun Devils will face either Oklahoma State or Kent State. ASU has not had much success against the Cowboys as OSU leads the series, 36-3, while the Sun Devils and Golden Flashes have not met. Here are the other possible opponents ASU could face with the series records (ASU listed first) for those meetings: Iowa (1-21-1); Nebraska (4-9-1); Michigan (3-3); Northern Illinois (0-0); Oklahoma (14-20-1); Cornell (1-0); Central Michigan (1-1); Northern Iowa (5-2); Iowa State (5-20); Northwestern (3-0); Minnesota (9-8) and Hofstra (0-0).

STICK IT TO'EM
So far this season, the Sun Devils have combined to pin 20 opponents with nearly half of those (eight in total) have come during dual meets. Cain Velasquez (285) leads the team with six falls while Jeremy Mendoza (125) is just behind him with five. Brian Stith (157), Alex Pavlenko (174) and Ryan Bader (197) also have contributed two falls to the total.

PAC PLACEMENTS
Stanford, the host of the 2006 Pac-10 Championships, released updated rankings for the conference January 10 with seven Sun Devils holding positions in the Top 6 and the team moving ahead of Cal Poly for first in the team rankings. Jeremy Mendoza (125), Brian Stith (157), Ryan Bader (197) and Cain Velasquez (285) are each ranked No. 1 in their respective weight classes while Pat Payne (149), Patrick Pitsch (165) and C.B. Dollaway (184) each sit second. This week's rankings mark the first time this season Dollaway has appeared in the Top 6 conference rankings.

DEFENDING CHAMPS
Arizona State won the 2005 Pac-10 Wrestling Championships to not only capture its second crown in three years, but also the 15th in the history of the program. Brian Stith (157) upset Matt Gentry of Stanford, the defending Pac-10 and NCAA champion, to win his weight class and earn Outstanding Wrestler of the Championships. Cain Velasquez (heavyweight) also secured a title, the first of his career, before being named as the Pac-10 Wrestler of the Year. C.B. Dollaway (184) and Ryan Bader (197) each advanced to the finals of their respective weight classes before placing second. Thom Ortiz was selected Coach of the Year after leading the team to its 15th Pac-10 title.

RETURNING ALL-AMERICANS
Arizona State has three All-Americans returning to its lineup this season, including a pair of first-time honorees from a year ago. Last year, Brian Stith earned his first national accolade by placing sixth at 157 pounds while Cain Velasquez took fifth in the heavyweight division to earn his first honor. Ryan Bader is the Sun Devils' third All-American returning after earning the acclaim in his sophomore campaign of 2003-04.

AT THE HELM
Thom Ortiz returns for his fifth season as the head coach of the Sun Devils and has compiled a 47-30-1 overall record at Arizona State and stands 27-2-0 in Pac-10 duals. The 2003 and 2005 Pac-10 Coach of the Year will be assisted by Aaron Simpson and Eric Larkin. Simpson is starting his eighth season while Larkin is set to begin his second. All three members of the staff also wrestled for the Sun Devils at one time with Ortiz competing on the 1988 NCAA Championship team and Larkin winning the 2003 NCAA 149 championship. Combined, the trio won nine All-America honors and nine Pac-10 individual crowns.

RICHES WRESTLING COMPLEX
On Saturday, January 7, the Sun Devils dedicated their new training facility in a joint celebration with the gymnastic team. The Riches Wrestling Complex, the John Spini Women's Gymnastics Training Center and the Cavanagh/Dickey Olympic Sports Plaza were dedicated and showcased as fans and over 200 supporters toured two of the premier training centers in the nation while both teams showcased their teams by holding practices. The facilities are located off Sixth Street behind the Kajikawa Football Practice Fields and beyond the outfield wall at Farrington Softball Stadium.

WELLS FARGO ARENA
Wells Fargo Arena, which opened in 1974, is a 14,198-seat facility that plays host to Sun Devil wrestling and other ASU varsity teams, including men's and women's basketball, gymnastics and volleyball. In the time the wrestling program has called WFA home, the team has captured one national title, two runner-up finishes and 16 conference crowns, including 15 as members of the Pac-10. Individually, five Sun Devils earned national titles while 55 different athletes captured 103 conference crowns and 66 individuals combined to secure 94 All-America honors.

LAST TIME OUT
Arizona State competed in a trio of duals with one taking place on the road and two duals coming against Top 7 ranked foes. The Sun Devils opened the week with a close 23-19 loss at undefeated and No. 2 Minnesota. Alex Pavlenko (174) and C.B. Dollaway (184) upset ranked foes before Ryan Bader (197) brought the Sun Devils to within one point of victory, but No. 2 Cole Konrad escaped with a 3-2 decision over No. 4 Cain Velasquez to give the hosts the win. Back home for the Sun Devil Duals, the Sun Devils opened with a come-from-behind defeat of Pac-10 foe UC Davis, 25-18, before falling in a narrow decision to No. 7 Iowa State, 26-23. Once again, Dollaway gave the Sun Devils something to cheer for as he pinned the No. 6 wrestler in the nation, Kurt Backes, in 1:06.

NEXT TIME OUT
Pac-10 dual action gets underway next weekend as the Sun Devils play host to a pair of conference foes inside Wells Fargo Arena. Arizona State first plays host to Oregon State at 7 p.m. Friday night before welcoming Oregon at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The duals with the Oregon schools are two of the final four home duals of the season and two of the last three to be held at Wells Fargo Arena. The final WFA dual will take place February 12 at 2 p.m. against conference rival Stanford. The Sun Devils also will hold a "home" dual against Fresno State two days earlier at 7 p.m., but the venue of the meeting with the Bulldogs is still being determined.

Alex Ryan
Assistant Media Relations Director
Arizona State Univeristy
SID for: Cross Country, Soccer, Track & Field
Water Polo and Wrestling
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NWCA Opening Celebration Social

I hope all of you are excited about the upcoming NCAA Wrestling Championships and the events leading up to the Championship finals. Once again the NWCA will be kicking off the NCAA Championships with a pre-tournament Opening Celebration social which will be held at the Hard Rock Cafe from 9-12 midnight on Wednesday, March 16. As a token of our gratitude for your support of the NWCA we would like to offer you and a guest a complimentary ticket to this exciting event.

The "Simmons Cooper Firm" Social will feature live acoustical music, wrestling videos, along with complimentary beer / soda and light hor d'oeuvres being served. Since we are limited in space, we would greatly appreciate it if you could RSVP via email or phone to Jeff bowyer at 717-653-8009 or jpbowyer@nwca.cc <<mailto:jpbowyer@nwca.cc>mailto:jpbowyer@nwca.cc> prior to Monday, March 7th. Once we receive an RSVP from you we will forward your complimentary tickets to you in the mail. (A Ticket is Required for admission and NO Tickets will be available at the door). I have attached a social flyer with additional information of the event.

Again, thanks for all your support and if you have any questions or problems during your visit to St.Louis, please feel free to contact me on my cell phone listed below.

Sincerely;

Jeffrey M. Bowyer

Vote for New Categories on the NCAA 75th Anniversary Celebration

Vote at www.nwcaonline.com

In the spirit of celebrating 75 years of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, the NCAA and the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) are asking wrestling fans across the country to help name the three greatest coaches, the greatest match, the greatest team and the greatest moment of the NCAA Wrestling Championships. Winners will be announced during the 2005 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, March 18-20, in St. Louis, Missouri. This is your chance to recognize the great coaches, teams and moments of the NCAA Wrestling Championships from the past 75 years.

The NCAA will reveal these category winners at a special celebration in between Friday sessions of the Division I Wrestling Championships. The 75th Anniversary Celebration will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 18 at St. Louis Union Station and will also include the naming of the 75th Anniversary Team, a roundtable discussion with the honorees, video highlights of the sport's greatest moments and an autograph session.

Fans can vote until February 6, 2005, at the National Wrestling Coaches Association website, www.nwcaonline.com.

Voting for the NCAA 75th Anniversary Team Ends January 12

Vote Today

(Manheim, PA) Wrestling fans across the country have one week left to vote for the NCAA 75th Anniversary Team that will be honored at the 2005 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, March 17-19, in St. Louis, Missouri. Voting to name the 15 wrestlers to the 75th Anniversary team ends on January 12, 2005. This is your chance to recognize the heroes and champions of our great sport from the past 75 years by voting at <http://t.lt04.net/c.asp?ltk=1975825_37842137>www.nwcaonline.com.

Five honorees will be selected from each of three ballots listing 15 lightweight, 15 middleweight and 15 heavyweight wrestlers. For the final week of voting, the public can vote for all three groups. The NCAA will reveal the 75th anniversary team at a special celebration at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Friday, March 18, 2005.

Fans can vote until January 12, 2005, at the National Wrestling Coaches Association Web site, www.nwcaonline.com, or access the ballot at <http://t.lt04.net/c.asp?ltk=1975826_37842137>www.ncaasports.com.

The complete list of nominees:

Lightweights

Rick Sanders, Portland State - 1965-68, two-time NCAA champ, 103-2-0 with 46 falls at 115 lbs.

Elliott "Gray" Simons, Lock Haven - 1959-62, three-time NCAA champ, 91-2-0 at 115 lbs

Gene Mills, Syracuse - 1977-81, two-time NCAA champ, 144-5-1 with 107 falls at 118 lbs.

Rex Perry, Oklahoma State - 1933-35, three-time NCAA champ at 118 lbs.

Dave Auble, Cornell - 1958-60, two-time NCAA champ, 51-1-0 with 18 falls at 123 lbs.

Ed Peery, Pittsburgh - 1955-57, three-time NCAA champ, 51-1-0 at 123 lbs.

Stephen Abas, Fresno State - 1998-02, three-time NCAA champ, 144-4-0 with 32 falls at 125

Dwayne Keller, Oklahoma State - 1968, 1970-71, two-time NCAA champ, 64-1-0 with 13 falls at 126 lbs.

Randy Lewis, Iowa - 1978-81, two-time NCAA champ, 127-11-1 with 64 falls at 126 lbs.

Yojiro Uetake, Oklahoma State - 1964-66, three-time NCAA champ, 57-0-0 with 11 falls at 130 lbs.

Tom Brands, Iowa - 1989-92, three-time NCAA champ, 158-7-2 with 46 falls at 134 lbs.

John Smith, Oklahoma State - 1984-88, two-time NCAA champ, 157-7-2 with 40 falls at 134 lbs.

Dan Gable, Iowa State - 1968-70, two-time NCAA champ, 96-1-0 with 72 falls at 137 lbs.

Myron Roderick, Oklahoma State - 1954-56, three-time NCAA champ, 28-2-0 with 7 falls at 137 lbs.

Mike Caruso, Lehigh - 1965-67, three-time NCAA champ, 57-1-0 with 6 falls at 123 lbs

Middleweights

Wayne Martin, Oklahoma - 1934-36, three-time NCAA champ, 39-2-0 with 21 falls**145

Stan Henson, Oklahoma State - 1937-39, three-time NCAA champ, 33-1-0**155

Bill Koll, Northern Iowa - 1943, 1946-48, three-time NCAA champ, 37-0-0 with 15 falls**145

Bill Nelson, Northern Iowa - 1947-50, three-time NCAA champ**155

Tommy Evans, Oklahoma - 1951-54, two-time NCAA champ, 42-1-0 with 20 falls**147

Wade Schalles, Clarion - 1971-74, two-time NCAA champ, 153-5-1 with 106 falls**158

Lee Kemp, Wisconsin - 1975-78, three-time NCAA champ, 143-6-1 with 47 falls**158

Mark Churella, Michigan - 1976-79, three-time NCAA champ, 132-13-0 with 41 falls**167

Nate Carr, Iowa State - 1980-83, three-time NCAA champ, 122-17-1**150

Darryl Burley, Lehigh - 1979-83, two-time NCAA champ, 94-5-1 with 33 falls**142

Jimmy Zalesky, Iowa - 1981-84, three-time NCAA champ, 131-8-1 with 26 falls**158

Tim Kreiger, Iowa State - 1986-89, two-time NCAA champ, 116-3-2**150

Pat Smith, Oklahoma State - 1990-94, four-time NCAA champ, 121-5-2 with 30 falls**158

Lincoln McIlravy, Iowa - 1993-97, three-time NCAA champ, 96-3-0 with 12 falls**150

Cary Kolat, Penn State & Lock Haven - 1993-97, two-time NCAA champ, 111-7-0 with 53 falls**142

Joe Williams, Iowa - 1994-98, three-time NCAA champ, 129-9-0 with 20 falls**158

175 to Heavyweight

Ed Banach, Iowa - 1980-83, three-time NCAA champ, 141-9-1 with 73 falls 177lbs

Chris Campbell, Iowa - 1974-77, two-time NCAA champ, 121-5-4 with 22 falls 177lbs

Dick DiBattista, Pennsylvania - 1941-43, two-time NCAA champ, 37-0-0 175lbs

Carlton Haselrig, Pittsburgh-Johnston - 1986-89, three-time NCAA champ, 143-3-1 HWT

Dan Hodge, Oklahoma - 1955-57, three-time NCAA champ, 46-0-0 with 36 falls 177lbs

Dick Hutton, Oklahoma State - 1947-50, three-time NCAA champ and runner-up, 42-1-1 with 15 falls HWT

Jess Lewis, Oregon State - 1968-70, two-time NCAA champ, 76-1-0 with 50 falls HWT

Mark Lieberman, Lehigh - 1975-79, two-time NCAA champ, 85-6-0 with 43 falls - 177lbs

Stephen Neal, Cal State-Bakersfield - 1996-98, two-time NCAA champ, 153-9-0 with 71 falls HWT

Cael Sanderson, Iowa State - 1999-02, four-time NCAA champ, 159-0-0 with 61 falls 184lbs

Mark Schultz, UCLA & Oklahoma - 1979-83, three-time NCAA champ, 97-15-0 177lbs

Chris Taylor, Iowa State - 1972-73, two-time NCAA champ, 87-0-1 with 44 falls HWT

Earl McCready, Oklahoma State - 1928-30, first three-time NCAA champ** heavyweight

Greg Strobel, Oregon State - 1971-74, two-time NCAA champ, 124-5-1 with 43 falls**190

Kurt Angle, Clarion - 1988-92, two-time NCAA champ, 116-10-2**275

Ben Peterson, Iowa State - 1970-72, two-time NCAA champ, 74-4-0 with 24 falls** ####

Wrestling Fans Across the Country asked to Name the NCAA 75th Anniversary Team

Voting for the NCAA 75th Anniversary Team Ends January 12

Vote Today at http://www.nwcaonline.com

(Manheim, PA) Wrestling fans across the country have one week left to vote for the NCAA 75th Anniversary Team that will be honored at the 2005 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, March 17-19, in St. Louis, Missouri. Voting to name the 15 wrestlers to the 75th Anniversary team ends on January 12, 2005. This is your chance to recognize the heroes and champions of our great sport from the past 75 years by voting at www.nwcaonline.com.

An esteemed group of wrestling historians have nominated a total of 45 wrestlers for the wrestling community to vote on. The 45 wrestlers have been grouped into three categories, which consists of 15 wrestlers each: lightweights (115 lbs-141 lbs), middleweights (142 lbs-174 lbs) and heavyweights (177 lbs-285 lbs). Please know that nominations are selected on NCAA performance only. Five honorees will be selected from each of three ballots listing 15 lightweight, 15 middleweight and 15 heavyweight wrestlers. For the final week of voting, the public can vote for all three groups.

The NCAA will reveal the 75th anniversary team at a special celebration at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Friday, March 18, 2005.

Fans can vote until January 12, 2005, at the National Wrestling Coaches Association Web site, <http://www.nwcaonline.com/>www.nwcaonline.com, or access the ballot at <http://www.ncaasports.com/>www.ncaasports.com.