A couple surprises? I know Cornel finished well last year, but number one is a surprise until you take a look at who they have on their team. Check out the rankings and let us know what you think. WIN will put out more rankings again in October once the coaches announce what weights everyone will be wrestling at officially.

Date Ranked:09/22/2010
Ranked By W.I.N. Magazine

WIN’S 2010-11 PRESEASON NCAA DIVISION I
TOURNAMENT POWER INDEX (TPI)
(September 22, 2010)
Rank School Top 8 TPI
1 Cornell 6 82
2 Boise State 5 73
3 Oklahoma State 6 71.5
4 Minnesota 5 55.5
5 Wisconsin 3 50.5
6 Penn State 5 40
7 Oklahoma 3 39
8 Central Michigan 3 36
9 Illinois 2 33.5
10 Ohio State 3 32
11 Iowa 1 28
12 Missouri 2 26.5
13t Michigan 2 25.5
13t Purdue 2 25.5
15 Edinboro 2 25
16t Arizona State 2 24.5
16t Northwestern 2 24.5
16t Pittsburgh 2 24.5
19 Lehigh 1 22
20 Virginia 1 21.5
21t Binghamton 1 20
21t NC State 1 20
21t Wyoming 1 20
24 Nebraska 1 19.5
25 Kent State 1 18.5
26 Virginia Tech 2 17
27 Penn 1 16.5
28t Iowa State 2 16
28t Cal Poly 1 16
30 Indiana 1 15.5
31 Oregon State 1 15
32 American 1 14.5
33 Maryland 1 14
34 Ohio 1 13.5
35 Stanford 1 12
36 Rutgers 1 11.5
37 West Virginia 1 11
38t Bucknell 1 10
38t No. Colorado 1 10
40 Buffalo 1 9.5
41 Hofstra 0 6.5
42 Utah Valley 0 4.5
43t Cal St. Bakersfield 0 3.5
43t UNC-Greensboro 0 3.5
45 Michigan State 0 3
46 Chattanooga 0 2.5
47t Appalachian State 0 2
47t Navy 0 2
47t North Carolina 0 2
47t Old Dominion 0 2
47t Rider 0 2
52t Boston U. 0 1.5
52t Columbia 0 1.5
52t CS Fullerton 0 1.5
52t Drexel 0 1.5
52t Harvard 0 1.5
52t Lock Haven 0 1.5
52t No. Iowa 0 1.5
59t Citadel 0 1
59t Clarion 0 1
59t Eastern Michigan 0 1
59t George Mason 0 1
59t Liberty 0 1

WIN’s 2010-11 NCAA Division I Preseason Individual Rankings

125 pounds
Rk. Name School Year 2009-10
1. Matt McDonough Iowa Sophomore 1st
2. Brandon Precin Northwestern Senior RS
3. Zach Sanders Minnesota Junior 5th
4. Cashe Quiroga Purdue Sophomore 6th
5. Anthony Robles Arizona State Senior 7th
6. Nikko Triggas Ohio State Junior 8th
7. Brad Pataky Penn State Senior NQ
8. Jarrod Garnett Virginia Tech Junior NQ
9. Rollie Peterkin Penn Senior RS
10. Mike Martinez Wyoming Junior NQ
11. James Nicholson Old Dominion Senior NQ
12. Ben Kjar Utah Valley Senior NQ
13. Frank Perrelli Cornell Junior
14. Nic Bedelyon Kent State Junior RS
15. Joey Fio Boise State Junior Transfer
16. Fred Santiate Boston U. Sophomore NQ
17. Jarrod Patterson Oklahoma Sophomore NQ
18. Jason Lara Oregon State Junior NQ
19. Ryan Mango Stanford Sophomore NQ
20. Frank Lomas CS Bakersfield Junior NQ

133 pounds
Rk Name School Year 2009-10
1. Jordan Oliver Oklahoma State Sophomore 4th
2. Andrew Hochstrasser Boise State Senior
3. Tyler Graff Wisconsin Sophomore 5th
4. Boris Novachkov Cal Poly Junior 7th
5. Mike Grey Cornell Senior NQ
6. Ian Paddock Ohio State Sophomore NQ
7. Kendric Maple Oklahoma Sophomore NQ
8. Kelly Kubec Oregon State Junior NQ
9. Lou Ruggirello Hofstra Senior RS
10. Scotti Sentes Central Michigan Junior NQ
11. Ben Ashmore Arizona State Senior NQ
12. Bryan Ortenzio Penn Junior NQ
13. John Trumbetti Lock Haven Senior NQ
14. Billy Ashnault Rutgers Senior NQ
15. Flint Ray Utah Valley Senior NQ
16. Kevin Smith Buffalo Junior NQ
17. Colin Johnston West Virginia Junior
18. Nate Moore Iowa Junior
19. Zac Stevens Michigan Junior NQ
20. Jimmy Kircher Rider Junior NQ

141 pounds
Rk Name School Year 2009-10
1. Jimmy Kennedy Illinois Senior RS
2. Kellen Russell Michigan Junior RS
3. Zack Bailey Oklahoma Senior 4th
4. Tyler Nauman Pittsburgh Junior 5th
5. Germane Lindsey Ohio Senior 6th
6. Mike Thorn Minnesota Senior 7th
7. Chris Diaz Virginia Tech Senior 8th
8. Levi Jones Boise State Senior NQ
9. Filip Novachkov Cal Poly Senior NQ
10. Jamal Parks Oklahoma State Junior NQ
11. Mike Mangrum Oregon State Sophomore NQ
12. Chris Drouin Iowa State Senior NQ
13. Juan Archuleta Purdue Senior NQ
14. Todd Schavrien Missouri Senior NQ
15. Corey Jantzen Harvard Junior RS
16. Nick Nelson Virginia Junior RS
17. Elijah Nacita CS Bakersfield Senior NQ
18. Cole Schmitt Wisconsin Sophomore NQ
19. Anwar Goeres Binghamton Senior NQ
20. Ivan Lopouchanski UNC-Greensboro Sophomore NQ

149 pounds
Rk. Name School Year 2009-10
1. Darrion Caldwell North Carolina State Senior Injured
2. Kyle Dake Cornell Sophomore 1st at 141
3. Frank Molinaro Penn State Junior 5th
4. Torsten Gillespie Edinboro Senior 6th
5. Kevin LeValley Bucknell Senior 7th
6. Jason Chamberlain Boise State Junior NQ
7. Andrew Nadhir Northwestern Senior NQ
8. Desmond Green Buffalo Junior NQ
9. David Cheza Michigan State Junior NQ
10. Mario Mason Rutgers Sophomore NQ
11. Eric Grajales Michigan RS Freshman
12. Brian Stephens Virginia Tech Sophomore NQ
13. Don Vinson Binghamton Sophomore NQ
14. Dean Pavlou Chattanooga Sophomore NQ
15. Nick Fisher Cal Poly Sophomore NQ
16. R.J. Pena Oregon State Sophomore
17. Justin Accordino Hofstra Junior RS
18. Scott Clymer Liberty Junior
19. Ganbayar Sanjaa American Junior
20. Matt Lester Oklahoma RS Freshman

157 pounds
Rk. Name School Year 2009-10
1. Adam Hall Boise State Senior 3rd
2. Justin Lister Binghamton Junior 4th
3. Steve Fittery American Senior 5th
4. Bubba Jenkins Arizona State Senior Transfer
5. Justin Gaethje No. Colorado Senior 7th
6. Kurt Kinser Indiana Senior NQ
7. David Taylor Penn State RS Freshman
8. Jake Deitchler Minnesota Sophomore
9. Jason Welch Northwestern Sophomore RS
10. Kyle John Maryland Sophomore NQ
11. Bryce Saddoris Navy Senior NQ
12. Derek St. John Iowa RS Freshman
13. Colton Salazar Purdue Senior NQ
14. Joe Booth Drexel Sophomore NQ
15. Daryl Cocozzo Rutgers Senior NQ
16. Neil Erisman Oklahoma State Senior NQ
17. Peter Yates Virginia Tech Sophomore
18. Shawn Harris Virginia Junior NQ at 149
19. James Fleming Clarion Sophomore NQ
20. Anthony Jones Michigan State Senior NQ

165 pounds
Rk. Name School Year 2009-10
1. Andrew Howe Wisconsin Junior 1st
2. Jordan Burroughs Nebraska Senior Injured
3. Tyler Caldwell Oklahoma Sophomore 5th
4. Colt Sponseller Ohio State Senior NQ
5. Josh Asper Maryland Sophomore NQ
6. Justin Kerber Cornell Senior NQ
7. Alex Meade Oklahoma State Sophomore NQ
8. Mike Miller Central Michigan Senior NQ at 184
9. Paul Young Indiana Senior NQ
10. Cody Yohn Minnesota Sophomore NQ
11. Shane Onufer Wyoming Junior NQ
12. P.J. Gillespie Hofstra Junior NQ
13. John-Martin Cannon Buffalo Junior NQ
14. Ross Tice Kent State Sophomore NQ
15. Matt Kaylor Binghamton Junior NQ
16. Eren Civan Columbia Junior NQ
17. Thomas Scotton North Carolina Senior NQ at 157
18. Brandon Hatchett Lehigh Junior NQ
19. Donnie Jones West Virginia Senior NQ
20. Gabe Burak Penn Senior NQ

174 pounds
Rk. Name School Year 2009-10
1. Mack Lewnes Cornell Senior 2nd
2. Chris Henrich Virginia Senior 3rd
3. Jordan Blanton Illinois Junior 5th
4. Ben Bennett Central Michigan Sophomore 6th
5. Scott Giffin Penn Senior 7th
6. Nick Amuchastegui Stanford Junior 4th at 165
7. Mike Benefiel Oklahoma State Junior NQ
8. Jon Reader Iowa State Senior NQ at 165
9. Luke Manuel Purdue Senior NQ
10. Colby Covington Oregon State Senior NQ
11. Mike Letts Maryland Senior RS
12. Scott Glasser Minnesota Senior NQ
13. Dorian Henderson Missouri Junior NQ
14. Ed Ruth Penn State RS Freshman
15. Ethen Lofthouse Iowa RS Freshman
16. Ryan Patrovich Hofstra Junior RS
17. Justin Zeerip Michigan Junior NQ
18. Brad Darrington Utah Valley Junior NQ
19. Bagna Tovuujav George Mason Junior NQ
20. Byron Sigmon UNC-Greensboro Senior NQ

184 pounds
Rk. Name School Year 2009-10
1. Kirk Smith Boise State Senior 2nd
2. Joe LeBlanc Wyoming Junior 4th
3. Dustin Kilgore Kent State Sophomore 7th
4. Chris Honeycutt Edinboro Junior RS
5. Chris Perry Oklahoma State RS Freshman
6. Jerome Ward Iowa State Junior NQ
7. Quentin Wright Penn State Sophomore RS
8. Steve Bosak Cornell Sophomore NQ
9. Grant Gambrall Iowa Sophomore
10. Jeff James Oklahoma Senior NQ
11. Tommy Spellman Virginia Tech Senior NQ
12. Austin Trotman Appalachian State Junior NQ
13. Nick Purdue Ohio Junior NQ
14. A.J. Kissel Purdue Junior RS
15. Josh Ihnen Nebraska Sophomore NQ
16. Andrew Saunders UNC-Greensboro Senior NQ
17. Jason McCroskey Chattanooga Sophomore NQ
18. Eric Cameron Indiana Senior NQ
19. Zac Thomusseit Pitt Junior NQ
20. James Hamel Buffalo Senior NQ at 197

197 pounds
Rk. Name School Year 2009-10
1. Cam Simaz Cornell Junior 3rd
2. Trevor Brandvold Wisconsin Senior 6th
3. Sonny Yohn Minnesota Junior 8th
4. Clayton Foster Oklahoma State Senior 6th at 184
5. Brent Haynes Missouri Sophomore NQ
6. Matt Wilps Pitt Junior NQ
7. Logan Brown Purdue Senior NQ
8. Anthony Biondo Michigan Senior NQ
9. Matt Powless Indiana Junior NQ
10. Zack Giesen Stanford Senior NQ at 184
11. Mike Salopek Virginia Sophomore NQ at 184
12. Erik Schuth Ohio Senior NQ
13. Cody Mangrum Ohio State Sophomore NQ
14. Micah Burak Penn Sophomore NQ
15. Riley Orozco CS Bakersfield Senior NQ
16. Luke Lofthouse Iowa Senior
17. Chad Hanke Oregon State Junior
18. Joe Kennedy Lehigh Junior NQ
19. Tyler Smith Rider Junior NQ
20. Matt Casperson Boise State Senior NQ

Heavyweight
Rk. Name School Year 2009-10
1. Zach Rey Lehigh Junior 3rd
2. Jarod Trice Central Michigan Junior 8th
3. Dom Bradley Missouri Junior
4. Alan Gelogaev Oklahoma State Junior 7th at 197
5. Ben Berhow Minnesota Senior NQ
6. Brandon Williamson West Virginia Senior NQ
7. D.J. Russo Rutgers Senior NQ
8. Cameron Wade Penn State Junior NQ
9. Brendan Barlow Kent State Sophomore NQ
10. Ryan Tomei Pittsburgh Senior NQ
11. Clayton Jack Oregon State Junior NQ
12. Tucker Lane Nebraska Junior NQ
13. Nathan Fernandez Oklahoma Senior NQ
14. Christian Brantley No. Iowa Junior NQ
15. Ricardo Alcala Indiana Senior NQ
16. Kurt Klimek CS Fullerton Senior NQ
17. Ziad Haddad North Carolina Sophomore NQ
18. John Danilkowicz Virginia Senior NQ
19. David Wade Eastern Michigan Senior NQ
20. Odie Delaney The Citadel Junior NQ

Des Moines’ selection, with Iowa State as the host school, is one of two sites for the wrestling championships for 2013 and 2014. Oklahoma City was chosen for the 2014 championships.

Matt Homan, general manager of the Iowa Events Center, said that the wrestling tournament is a major step forward in getting Des Moines recognized as a site for athletic events as well as a convention center in the Midwest.

“This is a major achievement for us and those who have worked so hard over the years to make sure we would get it,” Greg Edwards, president of the Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It shows that we always need to keep working to get these kinds of events even when we don’t get it right away.”

“This is a major championship and one that should help us continue to grow in establishing this city as place to visit,” Homan said. “Our partners in this effort have worked very hard and we need to celebrate it, and then make sure we continue to work hard to make sure Des Moines sells itself for the future.”

Both Edwards and Homan said that one change in the bid was that Iowa Events Center officials were able to find additional room to meet a minimum 15,000-seat capacity.

The NCAA’s selection of Des Moines came after the city made an unsuccessful attempt in 2005 to land the popular post-season championship, in competition with major cities throughout the U.S.

“We looked at what we had to deal with and we came up with some extra seating for the early rounds,” Homan said. “Putting down eight mats takes up a lot of space so we had to do some adjusting.”

The tournament is considered one of the biggest events sought by Des Moines officials in their bid to make the city a stop for NCAA events. In 2008, the NCAA held its track and field championships at Drake Stadium.

Wells Fargo also hosted a first and second round of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament in 2008.

The NCAA also announced:

– Iowa State has been chosen to host the 2014 regional of the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament,

–Upper Iowa has been chosen to host the 2012 NCAA Division II wrestling championships in Cedar Rapids.

–Grinnell has been chosen to the host the 2012 NCAA Division III men’s and women’s indoor track and field championships.

A member of NU's 100-win club, Bryan Snyder will begin his first season as assistant coach

Lincoln - The Nebraska wrestling team has announced the return and addition of one of the most decorated student-athletes in program history, as Bryan Snyder has been named an assistant coach for the Huskers.The only four-time All-American and four-time conference champion in school history, Snyder comes back to the Husker wrestling program in its 100th anniversary season (2010-11). The Easton, Pa., native spent last year as the head assistant coach at Arizona State and helped guide five Sun Devils to the 2010 NCAA Championships in Omaha. Snyder began his coaching experience as an assistant at Harvard in 2002-03, while returning to the Husker wrestling program as a graduate assistant coach for two seasons (2003-04 and 2004-05), as NU went 38-5-1 in duals and finished fifth at the 2004 NCAA Championships.

As a wrestler, Snyder ranks No. 1 on Nebraska’s all-time winning percentage chart (.925), compiling a 136-11 record from 1999-2002. He claimed All-America accolades and a Big 12 championship all four years, while finishing as the NCAA runner-up at 157 pounds in 2001 and 2002. He amassed over 30 wins per season three times, including his 43-3 record as a sophomore that stands as the second-best single-season mark in school history. A four-time NWCA All-Academic selection, Snyder was named the 2002 Nebraska Male Student-Athlete of the Year and graduated with a double major in Sociology and Communication Studies.

Snyder is one of 18 members in Nebraska’s 100-win club. Current NU wrestling strength and conditioning coach Jason Powell is also a part of that impressive group with a 109-24 record. Snyder and Powell were varsity teammates for two seasons (2000-01; 2001-02) and led the Huskers to eighth-place finishes at the NCAA Championships both years.

Prior to Nebraska, Snyder was a three-time state place-winner and a 1997 state champion at Easton (Pa.) High School. He finished with a 112-12 record and was one of the nation’s most highly-regarded recruits.

Snyder and Powell join head coach Mark Manning and assistant coach Tony Ersland to form the nucleus of the NU coaching staff for the 2010-11 season. Manning, the 2009 Dan Gable Coach of the Year, enters his 11th season, while assistant coach Tony Ersland will begin his fifth year.

Bryan Snyder
Assistant Coach
Record at Nebraska: 136-11
All-American: 1999 (4th), 2000 (5th), 2001 (2nd), 2002 (2nd)
Big 12 Champion: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002

Bryan Snyder Athlete Biography

“I have met with Andrew and informed him of our decision that he is no longer part of the Iowa State wrestling program,” Jackson said in a statement. “We have had previous discussions and Andrew understood what kind of conduct is expected of an Iowa State student-athlete. I deeply regret that this decision was necessary.”

Long was a redshirt freshman with a 27-7 record at 125 pounds last season and advanced to the NCAA Championship title match in March.

The event will be held outdoors on the flight deck on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier which is docked on the west side of Manhattan in New York City. Thousands of wrestling fans packed the area around the mat, with the city skyline in the background.

Each year, the Beat the Streets Gala is held to celebrate wrestling and raise funds for Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc., the successful program which has provided wrestling opportunities for thousands of middle school and high school students in New York City.

“We have raised over $900,000 tonight,” said Mike Novogratz, organizer of the event and the U.S. Freestyle World Team Leader. “All of the money will go to send kids to camp and to support our coaches.”

Metcalf, from the Univ. of Iowa, met Bubba Jenkins, then at Penn State, four times in college, winning each time. Included was a victory in the 2008 NCAA finals. Metcalf’s college career has ended with two NCAA titles and a runner-up finish. Jenkins will be a senior next year at Arizona State.

It was the first time that Metcalf and Jenkins met in freestyle. Both have great freestyle backgrounds. Metcalf was a 2009 U.S. Open runner-up, and Jenkins was a 2007 Junior World Champion.

The first period was scoreless, and Jenkins won the ball pull and grabbed the leg on the clinch. Jenkins tried to get Metcalf down to the mat, but Metcalf scored a two-point counter crotch lift to win the period, 2-0.

The second period, Metcalf was in control more, scoring a takedown early, earning some exposure points, and winning by a 6-0 technical fall.

It was the final bout of a seven-match card, which included middle school and high school matches featuring New York City youth wrestlers, then also featured all three international styles.

Two members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic freestyle team won matches, Ben Askren (Tempe, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Andy Hrovat (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

Askren defeated Moza Fay (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC), 2-0, 9-2. Askren had some amazing counters to come out with the first-period win, then was able to open up his offense in the second period for a technical fall.

Hrovat needed three periods to defeat Kyle Cerminara (Philadelphia, Pa./New York AC), 0-5, 2-1, 7-1. Cerminara won the upperbody positions to dominate the opening period, but Hrovat edged him in the second period to force a deciding third period. Hrovat was able to score exposure points from the mat to score a technical fall to win the match.

Perhaps the wildest match of the night was in Greco-Roman, when Ellis Coleman (Oak Park, Ill./New York AC) edged 2008 Olympian Spenser Mango (St. Louis, Mo./New York AC) in three periods, 5-3, 1-6, 2-1. Coleman won the first period on a five-point throw. Mango won the second period with two three-point throws. With Mango holding the edge in a 1-1 tie late in the third period, Coleman used a gymnastic twist move to score the winning takedown point to beat Mango. The athletes normally compete at different weight classes, with Coleman at 66 kg and Mango at 55 kg.

The women’s freestyle match ended in an exciting manner, when Leigh Jaynes (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) suddenly pinned Kelsey Campbell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids). Campbell won the first period 1-0, and was in on a shot in the second period when Jaynes countered for exposure and the fall.

The evening began with a pair of folkstyle matches featuring New York City talent. The Middle School match at 135 pounds went to Will Wilson of the Lions WC of Staten Island, who beat Shateek Palmer of Roosevelt Island Middle School in Manhattan. In the High School bout at 150 pounds, Jorge Jimenez of Herbert Lehman High School in the Bronx defeated Andre Antoine of Sheepshead Bay High School in Brooklyn, N.Y.

This is the seventh Beat the Streets Gala event, which have all been successful fundraisers for New York City wrestling. It was the first time that there was a wrestling card included with the event.

BEAT THE STREETS GALA
Battle on the Intrepid
At New York, N.Y., May 13, 2010

Middle School 135 lbs. –Will Wilson dec. Shateek Palmer
High School 150 lbs. – Jorge Jimenez dec. Andre Antoine
Women’s freestyle 59 kg – Leigh Jaynes pin Kelsey Campbell, 0-1, 0:41
Greco-Roman 66 kg –Ellis Coleman dec. Spenser Mango, 5-3, 1-6, 2-1
Men’s freestyle 74 kg – Ben Askren dec. Moza Fay, 2-0, 9-2
Men’s freestyle 96 kg – Andy Hrovat dec. Kyle Cerminara, 0-5, 2-1, 7-1

MAIN EVENT – Men’s freestyle 66 kg – Brent Metcalf dec. Bubba Jenkins, 2-0, 6-0

By Gary Abbott USA Wrestling 05/13/2010

Unlike the super hero blockbuster, which stars Robert Downey, Jr. and boasts a soundtrack full of AC/DC tracks, wrestling will be the focus at Wadsworth Wrestling Club in Franklin at the 7th annual Ironman, set for May 21-23, 2010.

Aaron Polansky, the state chairman of Massachusetts/USA Wrestling, is continually searching for ways to promote wrestling. Officially dubbed Ironman Series Seven, the tournament boasts a slogan stating “You get what you earn,” challenging wrestlers from around the nation to converge on New England and compete for the weekend.

The tournament is not only meant to attract some of the best wrestlers from the Northeast, but also serves as a qualifying for event for Team Massachusetts Cadet and Junior National Teams. These teams will compete in the prestigious USA Wrestling ASICS/Vaughan Junior and Cadet Nationals in July in Fargo, North Dakota.

Some wrestlers who have competed in previous Ironmans include former NCAA Division I All-American Dave Shanaman, NCAA Division III National Champion Vin Renault, as well as 2x Division III NCAA Finalist Ryan Malo, as well as Jimmy Hamel of University of Buffalo. Rollie Peterkin, who recently placed eighth at the US Open in men’s freestyle, also competed in the Ironman as a scholastic wrestler.

Not only providing an excellent environment for competition, the Ironman has also been instrumental in providing financial stability for Massachusetts USA Wrestling.

“This initiative was single handedly responsible for bringing Massachusetts USA Wrestling out of the red and into the black seven years ago,” said Polansky.

In the same time, USA Wrestling athlete membership under Polansky’s watch has gone from 340 to nearly 800 wrestlers.

Polansky, the inventor of The WrestlinGame, said, “Over the past seven years, we have had wrestlers travel from as far as Pennsylvania, Illinois, and even California to compete in our Ironman tournament. A lot of our Ironman Champions have gone on to compete at the Division I level. The tournament has grown over the years and provides us with a great opportunity to give back.”

If the competition for all of the champions isn’t already enough, an additional highlight for all champions will be the trophies, which stand close to 5 feet tall.

In addition to the Ironman, Polansky has been busy adding programs and tournaments in Massachusetts to grow wrestling. Through a partnership with Dollamur Sport Surfaces, the Stance in Motion Program has allowed for over 10 wrestling mats to be provided to new programs throughout the state of Massachusetts.

As a way to provide increased benefits for its members, Massachusetts USA Wrestling has also offered many clinics to its athletes.With support from USA Wrestling and the NWCA, Polansky has arranged appearances that have included Henry Cejudo, Kevin Jackson, John Smith, Dan Gable, Cael Sanderson, Zeke Jones, Kerry McCoy, Tommy Rowlands, Jared Frayer, Teague Moore, Rulon Gardner, and Mitch Clark to name a few.

“We’ve had a lot of help from New View, Inc. of Hopkinton, a local booster who has provided us with support to take these guys to some of the premier restaurants around town while they are in Boston for their visits. It’s nice to be able to treat our elite athletes to the best. We are grateful for the support,” he said.

In November, as part of the USA Wrestling Athlete Appearance Program, Massachusetts USA Wrestling was able to bring in 1988 Olympic Bronze Medalist Nate Carr for a clinic. Polansky made it a point to express a serious interest in securing the Brands Brothers for a 2011 Clinic, but understands they are in high demand for the time being. If they’re reading, this is a formal invitation.

As a father of five young daughters, Polansky’s most recent initiative is the proposal to add Girls Wrestling as a formally recognized high school sport in the state of Massachusetts. A proposal is on the agenda for presentation at the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Wrestling Committee Meeting scheduled for May 13th of this week. Polansky is optimistic.

“We need to go big or go home when it comes to promoting our sport. Wrestling is life for a lot of us,” he said.

With this being said, thoughts that Ironman Series Seven may have AC/DC providing a live soundtrack in the background may not be too far fetched.

By Tony Black USA Wrestling 05/13/2010

These stats are kept meticulously even in high school. Some wrestlers go crazy for this information, and not just the recruiters. Programs scour the nation for people with large amounts of matches wrestled, massive amounts of pins, technical galore and so much more. Fans automatically are drawn to the wrestlers that have large numbers. Once they’re drawn in, they’ll start researching the numbers. Ask any wrestling fan that avidly follows a wrestler about the persons stats and they’ll be able to tell you how many wins they had, how many losses, how many of those wins were from pins, techs, how long the longest match lasted and how long the shortest match was.

Some people may think that only a mathematician can handle so much numbers and what they mean, but wrestlers, coaches and fans seek them out. They crave them. The championships is no exception. I was able to make it out to Omaha this past year and everyone was talking about Metcalf, Palmer, Ohio, Iowa, Cornell… and their numbers. They talked about Jayson Ness, the 133 pounder from Minnesota who went undefeated the entire season, along with the eight others that came into the three day tournament with an undefeated record. On the way out, they were talking about the five seniors that completed four years as four-time All Americans and the five that became the only ones with an undefeated season.

If you still don’t believe me that wrestlers, fans and coaches are numbers driven, Mike Johnson, of Manassas, Virginia, has compiled an 18 page report of numbers from the NCAA championships in Omaha. I might not be that convincing, but that report will convince almost anyone.

Iowa Wrestling Coach Tom Brands

Look at Tom Brands. A fiery wrestler and NCAA champ for Iowa, as well as an assistant coach there for 12 years, left for Virginia Tech in the 2004-05 season. The Hokies went 1-16 that year.

The next season they were 16-4 and won the ACC. But Brands had a chance to return as head coach at Iowa, the mecca of college wrestling, and did so after the conclusion of the 2005-06 season.

He also took three recruits back with him — Brent Metcalf, Dan LeClere and Jay Borschel. Ever heard of them? You should if you follow college wrestling.

Brands’ first year as head coach was a down year by Iowa standards, 14-5 and an NCAA finish of eighth as the aforementioned trio were forced to redshirt. That changed as the Hawkeyes went 21-1 in 2007-08 and 24-0 in 2008-09, winning the NCAA team title both seasons and currently on a winning streak of 38 straight dual meets.

Look to the east and you’ll see similar goings-on. Cornell has established itself as one of the top teams in the East with head coach Rob Koll, a 1984 PIAA champ from State College and 1988 NCAA champ from North Carolina.

He recruits Pennsylvania and New York and while he doesn’t always have the type of lineup to compete with the Iowas and Minnesotas, he has enough stars to ensure high finishes at the NCAA Championships.

Another program is emerging at Maryland. Led by Kerry McCoy, a two-time NCAA champ at Penn State, the Terps last week beat Cornell 18-17 by scoring nine points in the last two bouts for the win.

As a result, Maryland is ranked sixth and Cornell seventh this week by InterMat.
Insert Image of Cael

There’s another change taking place at Penn State. By no means are we comparing the Nittany Lions to any upstart program. State has been a solid program from the get-go, with periodically great teams in each decade.

All but the current decade in which the team hasn’t always lived up to the potential the recruits in the room automatically provided.

Iowa St Wrestling Cael Sanderson

When Olympic champion Cael Sanderson took over in April, he said his plan was to make Penn State into a perennial championship contender. What his followers have to realize is that a plan has to have a beginning, and the beginning of Sanderson’s plan is to redshirt a number of talented wrestlers this season.

Thus far — and it is early — that lineup has yielded four very good wrestlers, three wrestlers with nice potential but aren’t consistently going to win big matches, and three wrestlers who likely won’t be in next season’s lineup.

That said, it’s probably good enough to win 14 or 15 matches, perhaps crown one Big Ten champ and earn a good handful of All-America certificates.

Next season the bar will be raised, expectations will be higher, intensity surrounding the program should regain a feverish pitch, one that probably hasn’t been seen since the 1992-93 and 1997-98 seasons.

The program hasn’t been devoid of talent since then by any means, with six winning seasons, three national champs and some good showings in the Big Ten championships.

Sanderson’s plan can be reduced to simple terminology. Currently, when you think college wrestling, you think Iowa. His goal: when you think college wrestling, you’ll think Penn State.

The plan is in place; the first steps are under way. Plans take time. If this plan succeeds, fans in this wrestling-crazy state will have a good time.

COLLEGE NOTES: Rankings remain the barometer of any sport. It’s no surprise Iowa is ranked No. 1. The Hawkeyes are followed in the InterMat rankings by Iowa State, Ohio State, Minnesota and Oklahoma State. Lehigh is 12th, Penn State 13th, Edinboro 19th and Pitt 25th. In Division II, Pitt-Johnstown is 10th, Mercyhurst 11th, Gannon 17th and Kutztown 20th. In Division III, Wisconsin-LaCrosse is first while Delaware Valley is seventh, Wilkes 18th and Lycoming 22nd.

Since April and the introduction of Cael Sanderson as Penn State’s head coach, Nittany Lion wrestling has been the hottest topics of conversation among the United States wrestling community.

The Sanderson story line has brought a heightened level of excitement to this season for fans, no matter their affiliation to Penn State.

The anticipation can clearly be felt, but the question is how can that anticipation be tangibly measured in State College and across the state of Pennsylvania.

The 29-year-old Sanderson doesn’t worry about the expectations that come with the enthusiasm of his arrival.

“I know there is a lot of excitement,” he said. “I have been fortunate to have been raised to have a mind set that I can focus on the process and what it takes to be successful and not worry about anything other than what I can control.

“Nobody is going to put more pressure on me to win, at least I am not going to feel it, than me.”

Sanderson has also spread that game plan to those closest to his dreams for Penn State. And in turn, they are happy to explain every element of these expectations.

Wrestling matters during football season

The first sign that this is a new era of Penn State Wrestling is that fans, students and professors are talking about wrestling in October.

Frank Molinaro, a New Jersey native and 141-pound All-American for the Nittany Lions a season ago, is enlightening his professors about the program.

“I go to half my classes and my teachers are asking me about Cael, how the new coach is, how the programs going. It seems like everyone is really looking forward to wrestling season this year,” Molinaro said.

Penn State Associate Head Wrestling Coach Cody Sanderson, who followed younger brother Cael to Happy Valley, has experienced a new phenomenon.

“It doesn’t matter where I go or who I talk to. People have heard about Cael coming in and they’re excited to see what he can do. That’s everybody from the lawn maintenance guys to the nurses at the hospital.

“Everywhere I’ve been people want to talk about wrestling, being at Penn State during football season that’s quite an accomplishment.”

Packing into Rec Hall

The Nittany Lions will have only five home duals this season and only one home dual prior to January. That should leave a vastly growing fan base chomping at the bit to see the product that the new coaching staff is putting on the mat.

Half a season of anticipation combined with season ticket numbers that have almost doubled will make Rec Hall a raucous and thrilling venue to compete in.

“We’re seeing the students energized,” said Penn State wrestling sports information director Pat Donghia. “We’re seeing a public that’s constantly saying how excited they are that Cael’s here.

“Everyone loved (former coach) Troy (Sunderland), but there’s an excitement now with Cael coming in, people are starting to attach themselves not just to this year, but what they see happening in years down the road.

“I think there is a tangible vibe you can put your thumb on. People are ready for this program to do something very special. You can look at how our season ticket sales are going and people want to get in on the ground floor of that.”

Last season, Penn State roughly had a 1,000 season ticket holders. Since April there have been 700 new season ticket applicants and that list continues to grow. Rec Hall will also feature 40 premium floor seats for every home dual. The premium mat-side seating was announced on September 3 and each seat sold for $100 to $125 for the season. Nearly all those seats were sold by October.

Recruiting

The impact of the Sanderson hiring in State College is clear based on ticket sales and the buzz floating around the campus. The bigger impact can be measured through the recruiting success Penn State has had in the last seven months.

Sanderson’s recruiting impact actually started many months before his move to Pennsylvania. The nation’s top recruit, David Taylor from Ohio, and three-time Arizona state champion Luke Macchiaroli were Iowa State recruits who followed Sanderson to Penn State. Also, 2008 All-American Cyler Sanderson made the decision to transfer from ISU so that he could compete one more season for his brothers.

However, it did not take long for Sanderson to find success recruiting in Pennsylvania. Four days after he was hired, Andrew and Dylan Alton, highly-ranked recruits in the country, gave verbal commitments to the Nittany Lions. That was followed up by verbals from two more Pennsylvania stand-outs, Sam Sherlock and Dirk Cowburn.

“On a state level, people have always talked about what Penn State could be if we could harness the program and get everybody excited about coming into the state or staying in the state,” said Matt Dernlan, Penn State’s Director of Wrestling Operations.

“It’s never going to be easy because we’ve got the best kids in the country so everybody is going to be fighting for them. Hopefully, as soon as these kids start wrestling in the baby programs they start dreaming about wearing the blue and white, wrestling for Cael and Penn State.”

Quentin Wright, a 2009 All-American at 174 pounds for Penn State gave his take on why the Nittany Lion Wrestling program is garnering such big commitments.

“Penn State’s becoming the premier program in the country, that’s what we’re developing into right now,” said Wright, a sophomore who will redshirt this season. “All these kids in the states around here understand wrestling and they know you need to go where your best competition is. When the best competition in the world is in your room that makes a big difference in recruiting.

“Cael coming to Penn State has given Pennsylvania a whole other spark. A reason to put your guts and soul into the sport and try to wrestle for Penn State.”