Wrestling with the Beasts

Santoro Has 5 In First Rcruiting Class For Lehigh

    Pat Santoro’s first recuiting class for Lehigh University’s wrestling team isn’t very long, but it’s deep on talent.
On Wednesday, Lehigh officially released its list of recruits for the 2009-10 season, and the five-member group is led by Austin Meys, a three-time New York state champion projected at 174 or 184.
   Other members of the class include two-time PIAA finalist and one-time champion Joey Napoli of Cumberland Valley (149/157), two-time New Jersey place-winner David Della Torre (125), Maryland Independent School state champion Albert Woody (133) and Watson Sweat, a 197-pounder from Tennessee. Napoli was ranked ninth among all senior recruits by InterMat.
   “We had just one senior in our lineup, so we were not looking for a big class,” said Santoro, the 2009 EIWA Coach of the year. “We wanted to fill a couple of weight classes, which we did. It’s a small-but-talented class and one that should be a great addition to what we have in the room.”
   “Both Meys and Napoli are tough on top, they’re both goers,” said Santoro. “They wrestle hard and like to pin. The big thing with this class is we brought in five guys who love to compete. That’s what we’re looking for. We also have a couple guys who have the ability to make an impact on our program fairly quickly.”

Rey Earns Gold at University Nationals

   Zach Rey is every Lehigh University wrestling fan’s favorite heavyweight.
   Last week, he went unscored upon to win the 120-kilogram (264-pound) weight class at the University Nartional Freestyle Championships in Akron, Ohio.
    “It was actually a very tough tournament,” Rey said. “Ever round, even my first round, was tough. I wrestled a guy who won junior nationals, one who will be next year’s starter at Ohio Statem then the heavuweight from Rutgers, and finally the heavyweight from Michigan.”
    Rey said that he takea more relaxed approach into freestyle tournaments, but still loves college folkstyle.
“Freesytle is more about positioning and mat control than folkstyle,” he said.
   Lehigh’s 13-man contingent was coached by head coach Pat Santoro and assistnat John Hughes.
     “We had some strong results in some big time tournaments,” explained Lehigh head coach Pat Santoro. “Competing and doing well in these tournaments are important for our program, important as we get ready for next season.”
Rey went 5-0 at the tournament. Lehgih’s Alex Caruso took third at 174, Matt Fisk took fifth at 132 and Sean Bilodeau took eighth at 163.

Krom Makes NCAA Semifinals!

Easton’s Alex Krom, a junior at the University of Maryland, has earned a spot in the semifinals of the 2009 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.
The unseeded Krom scored a 10-1 major decision over Kent State’s Drew Lashaway in this morning’s quarterfinal round to secure his spot in the 141-pound semifinals. Krom (24-4) scored a takedown in each period and added near fall points in the third against the 12th-seeded Lashaway for the big victory.
Krom will meet No. 8 seed Ryan Williams of Old Dominion in tonight’s semifinals, which are scheduled to get underway at 7 p.m. tonight. The semifinals of the 79th annual championships will be telecast live on ESPN2 and ESPNU.

Lehigh freshman heavyweight Zach Rey gave up a takedown in the final seconds against once-beaten Kent State giant Jermail Porter in the quarterinfals. The 4-3 loss against the third-seeded Porter, a 6-foot-7 red-shirt senior, dropped Rey into the quarterfinals.

Northampton's Jon Oplinger, a senior at Drexel, lost his 197-pound quarterfinals bout to fourth-seeded Tyrel Todd of Michigan by a major decision. Todd scored takedowns in every period and added riding time for the 8-0 major.

Advancing in the wrestlebacks were Seth Ciasulli (Easton/Lehigh), who scored a pin at 14. Ciasulli, a junior, pinned UNC-Greensboro's Chris Bencivenga in 1:37.

Lehigh senior co-captin Trevor Chinn needed a takedown in the final two seconds to nip West Virginia's David Jarequi 6-4 in the 149 consolations.

N.C. State's Joe Caramanica (Nazareth) was eliminated in the morning conoslations with an 11-6 loss to Hofstra's Justin Accordino, a fellow Pennsylvanian. Caramanica got hit with a five-point move in the final 30 seconds of the bout.

Lehigh 165-pounder Mike Galante was also eliminated in Friday's opening consolation round, losing 4-2 to Tyler Sherfey of Boise State. Sherfey scored a takedown in the first period and gave up a stalling point and an escape in the final period, but still picked up riding time. It seems odd that the wrestler on top is allowed to collect riding time even when it's a direct result of penalized stalling.

Lehigh 174-pounder Alex Caruso gave up three takedowns and fell to Iowa State's Ryan Burk 7-6 after rallying for a takedown and two escapes in the second period. Caruso went on the offensive in the third, but Burk was penalized for just one stalling point en route to eliminating the Lehigh sophomore.

Lehigh 184-pounder David Craig also remained alive in the consys. The No. 8 seed Craig used a second-period escape to hold off Christopher McNeill of Oklahoma State 1-0.

Also at 184, Quakertown's Pat Flynn, a sophomore at Oklahoma, was eliminated after losing 9-5 in the consys to Kent State's Dustin Kilgore.

And, at heavyweight, ESU's Chris Birchler remained alive with a takedown in the final 30 seconds to edge No. 6 seed Mitchell Monteiro of Cal-Bakersfield.

12 Area Wrestlers Get First Round NCAA DI Championship Foes

With 12 area wrestlers competing at the 2009 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, I'm hoping to make frequent updates on the Wrestling With The Beasts blog Thursday through Sunday to update everyone on how they're faring.

Here's some primer information:

Lehigh Valley Area Qualifiers
133—Jr. Matt Fisk (Lehigh) 26-7 vs. No. 9 Jr. Lou Ruggirello (Hofstra) 28-3.
141 – Jr. Seth Ciasulli (Lehigh, Easton) 24-8 vs.

No. 11 Jr. Cody Cleveland (Chattanooga) 17-6.
141 – Jr. Alex Krom (Maryland/Easton) 21-4 vs. No. 4 Sr. Alex Tsirtsis (Iowa) 25-5.
141 – Jr. Joe Caramanica (N.C. State/Nazareth) 11-8 vs. No. 9 So. Corey Jantzen (Harvard) 13-2.
149 – No. 12 Sr. Trevor Chinn (Lehigh) 27-7 vs. Fr. Peter Yates (Va. Tech) 36-8.
165 – Jr. Mike Galante (Lehigh) 27-6 vs. No. 7 Jr. Stephen Dwyer (Nebraska) 25-5.
174 – So. Alex Caruso (Lehigh) 19-9 vs. Jr. John Dergo (Ill.) 13-8.
174 – Fr. Shane Smith (Millersville/Upper Perkiomen) 32-13 vs. No. 8 Chris Henrich (Virginia) 36-1.
184 – No. 8 Jr. David Craig (Lehigh) 25-4 vs. Sr. Rocco Caponi (Va.) 15-5.
184 – So. Pat Flynn (Oklahoma/Quakertown) 25-6 vs. Sr. Kenneth Caldwell (Navy) 31-13.
197 – Sr. Jon Oplinger (Drexel/Northampton) 31-5 vs. No. 5 Sr. Dallas Herbst (Wisconsin) 23-3.
285 – No. 11 Fr. Zach Rey (Lehigh) vs. Dustin Porter (Gardner-Webb).

Here's where and when to find information live if you get the chance:

2009 NCAA DIVISION I WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
MARCH 19-21 at Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Mo.
   Session 1 – 12 noon (EDT) Thursday
   Session II – 7:30 p.m. (EDT) Thursday
    Session III – 11 a.m. (EDT) Friday, Live on ESPNU
    Session IV – 7 p.m. (EDT) Friday, Live ESPN2, EPNU
    Session V (All-American consolation finals) – 10:30 a.m. (EDT) Saturday, Live ESPNU
    Session VI (Finals) – 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Live ESPN
    Internet coverage: Lehighsports.com; live audio of Lehigh matches all three days, free of charge, but will not be listed on Lehigh’s Yahoo! Media Player as per licensing agreement..

Entire List of NCAA Division I Qualifiers

Wt Last First School Year Hometown Record Place Conference
125 Byrne Brendan Maryland RSJR Cape May 21-8 1 ACC
125 Garnett Jarrod Virginia Tech FR Newark, DE 39-7 2 ACC
125 Clark Tyler Iowa State SO Davenport, IA 24-6 2 Big 12
125 Fio Joey Oklahoma SO Sandpoint, ID 21-3 1 Big 12
125 Blanc Obenson Oklahoma State RSSR Naples, FL 27-8 3 Big 12

125 Futrell Bernard Illinois FR Oak Forest, IL 23-12 6 Big Ten
125 Escobedo Angel Indiana RSJR Griffith, IN 22-3 1 Big Ten
125 Falck Charlie Iowa RSSR Arlington, IA 22-4 3 Big Ten
125 Watts Mike Michigan SR Riverton, UT 14-11  Big Ten
125 Olanowski Eric Michigan State RSFR Virginia Beach, VA 20-17 7 Big Ten
125 Sanders Zachary Minnesota RSFR Wabasha,MN 35-7 5 Big Ten
125 Precin Brandon Northwestern JR Orland Park, IL 27-3 2 Big Ten
125 Triggas Nikko Ohio State SO Moraga, CA 20-15  Big Ten
125 Pataky Brad Penn State RSSO Clearfield, PA 28-9 4 Big Ten
125 Bonanno Steve Hofstra FR Wantagh, NY 28-13 2 CAA
125 Nicholson James Old Dominion RSSO Des Moines, IA 35-2 1 CAA
125 Chamberlain William Duquesne JR Shippensburg, PA 26-9 1 East Regional
125 Reber Derek Bucknell FR Lewisburg, PA 31-10 3 EIWA
125 Nickerson Troy Cornell RSJR Chenango Forks, NY 20-0 1 EIWA
125 Garner Prescott Navy FR Wes Linn, OR 28-14 5 EIWA
125 Peterkin Rollie Penn SO Wellsley, MA 21-5 2 EIWA
125 Moser Ian Bloomsburg RSSO Dover, DE 22-12 3 EWL
125 Ivanco Jay Clarion RSSO Monroville, PA 19-12 2 EWL
125 Donahoe Paul Edinboro RSSR Davison, MI 31-0 1 EWL
125 Sentes Scotti Central Michigan FR North Fort Myers, FL 25-6 1 MAC
125 Bedelyon Nicholas Kent State SO Lewistown, PA 25-8 2 MAC
125 Robles Anthony Arizona State RSSO Mesa, AZ 25-6 1 Pac-10
125 Owen Brian Boise State FR Spokane,WA 12-7 4 Pac-10
125 Zoetewey Brandon Cal State Bakersfield SR San Ramon, CA 24-6 2 Pac-10
125 Orozco Marcos UC Davis SR Vacaville, CA 21-8 3 Pac-10
125 Johnson Demetrius Chattanooga RSFR Brighton, TN 10-6 1 SoCon
125 Mustari Anthony Northern Colorado RSJR Greeley, CO 26-8 2 WWC
125 Martinez Michael Wyoming RSFR Pagosa Springs, CO 37-9 1 WWC
133 Bell Steve Maryland RSJR Connellsville, PA 24-4 1 ACC
133 Rappo Michael North Carolina RSSO Holland, PA 24-8 2 ACC
133 Little Darius North Carolina State FR High Point, NC 18-15 3 ACC
133 Bonson Matt Virginia RSFR Lewistown,PA 17-7 4 ACC
133 Fanthorpe Nicholas Iowa State JR Naperville, IL 20-4 1 Big 12
133 Schavrien Todd Missouri SO Poway, Calif. 14-11 3 Big 12
133 Notte Christopher Oklahoma State JR Wantagh, NY 27-7 2 Big 12
133 Kennedy James Illinois JR Ingleside, IL 28-4 3 Big Ten
133 Dennis Daniel Iowa RSJR Ingleside, IL 27-4 5 Big Ten
133 Gomez Franklin Michigan State RSJR Brandon, FL 22-2 1 Big Ten
133 Ness Jayson Minnesota RSJR Bloomington, MN 33-7 4 Big Ten
133 Humphrey Reece Ohio State RSJR Indiapolis, IN 26-3 2 Big Ten
133 Strayer Jake Penn State RSSR South Fork, PA 16-8 6 Big Ten
133 Ruggirello Lou Hofstra JR Walden, NY 28-3 1 CAA
133 Hutter Kyle Old Dominion JR New Lenox, IL 22-12 2 CAA
133 Smith Christian Liberty Grad Chesapeake, VA 23-12 1 East Regional
133 Marble David Bucknell JR Harpersville, NY 27-10 4 EIWA
133 Grey Mike Cornell SO Rockaway, NY 22-8 2 EIWA
133 Fisk Matthew Lehigh RSJR Wyalusing PA 26-7 3 EIWA
133 Baker Joe Navy SR Poway, CA 14-0 1 EIWA
133 Deubel Rick Edinboro RSSR Chagrin Falls, OH 27-11 2 EWL
133 Conroy Jimmy Pittsburgh JR South Plainfield, NJ 21-11 1 EWL
133 Beebe Conor Central Michigan RSJR Western Springs, IL 22-12 2 MAC
133 Mitcheff Dan Kent State RSJR Lorain, OH 23-8 1 MAC
133 DeShazer Tristen Northern Illinois RSSO Wichita, KS 21-11 3 MAC
133 Hochstrasser Andrew Boise State RSSO Tooele, UT 30-2 1 Pac-10
133 Novachkov Filip Cal Poly RSSO Sunnyvale,CA 22-7 3 Pac-10
133 Kimbrell Thomas Cal State Bakersfield RSSR Daswonville, GA 25-12 5 Pac-10
133 Dillashaw Tyler Cal State Fullerton RSSR Angels Camp, CA 27-7 6 Pac-10
133 Kubec Kelly Oregon State RSFR Everett, WA 21-7 2 Pac-10
133 Low Brandon UC Davis RSSO Honolulu, HI 14-8 4 Pac-10
133 Celorrio Frank Appalachian State JR Hialeah, FL 26-13 1 SoCon
133 VomBaur Cory Wyoming RSJR Vacouver, WA 27-12 1 WWC
141 Krom Alex Maryland RSJR Easton, PA 21-4 1 ACC
141 Ramirez Vincent North Carolina RSSR Durham, NC 31-8 3 ACC
141 Caramanica Joe North Carolina State JR Nazareth, PA 11-8 5 ACC
141 Nelson Nick Virginia SO Pittsburgh,PA 23-10 4 ACC
141 Diaz Christopher Virginia Tech SO Camden, DE 35-10 2 ACC
141 Gallick Nick Iowa State JR Tucson, AZ 28-4 2 Big 12
141 Hoehn Marcus Missouri SR Farminton, MO 29-8 1 Big 12
141 Parks Jamal Oklahoma State RSFR Tulsa, OK 27-8 3 Big 12
141 Prater Ryan Illinois SO Plainfield, IL 11-15 7 Big Ten
141 Tsirtsis Alex Iowa SR Griffith, IN 25-5 4 Big Ten
141 Russell Kellen Michigan SO High Bridge, NJ 26-2 1 Big Ten
141 Thorn Michael Minnesota RSSO Saint Michael,MN 29-15 5 Big Ten
141 Sulzer Keith Northwestern JR Cleveland, OH 19-12 6 Big Ten
141 Jaggers J Ohio State RSSR Northfield, OH 23-7 3 Big Ten
141 Molinaro Frank Penn State RSFR Barnegat, NJ 19-16 8 Big Ten
141 Tanelli Zach Wisconsin RSSR Milburne, NJ 25-4 2 Big Ten
141 Accordino Justin Hofstra RSFR Wilkes-Barre, PA 23-11 2 CAA
141 Williams Ryan Old Dominion SR Mechanicsburg, PA 35-3 1 CAA
141 Harner Tim Liberty SR Norristown, PA 25-8 1 East Regional
141 Simpson William Army SR Nashville, TN 18-6 4 EIWA
141 Jantzen Corey Harvard SO Shoreham, NY 13-2 2 EIWA
141 Ciasulli Seth Lehigh RSJR Easton, PA 24-8 1 EIWA
141 Rappo Richard Penn JR Holland,PA 18-7 3 EIWA
141 Nauman Tyler Pittsburgh RSFR Middletown, PA 28-7 1 EWL
141 D'Alie Anthony Central Michigan RSJR Waterford,WI 14-9 2 MAC
141 Lashaway Drew Kent State RSSR Bowling Green, OH 29-5 1 MAC
141 Drouin Chris Arizona State RSSO Temecula, CA 26-6 2 Pac-10
141 Fish Cory Boise State JR Spokane, WA 18-9 4 Pac-10
141 Nacita Elijah Cal State Bakersfield RSSO Bakersfield, CA 33-11 1 Pac-10
141 Duenas Adin Cal State Fullerton RSSO Gilroy,Ca 20-7 3 Pac-10
141 Cleveland Cody Chattanooga RSJR Tullahoma, Tn 17-6 1 SoCon
141 Bencivenga Christopher North Carolina-Greensboro RSSR Davie, FL 29-10 2 SoCon
141 Washington Trenton Northern Iowa RSFR Omaha, NE 14-7 1 WWC
149 Stabile Nicholas North Carolina RSSO Lenhartsville, PA 27-9 2 ACC
149 Caldwell Darrion North Carolina State SO Rahway, N.J. 33-0 1 ACC
149 Balum Kellon Virginia JR Herndon, PA 10-11 3 ACC
149 Yates Peter Virginia Tech FR Conyers, GA 36-8  ACC
149 Mueller Mitch Iowa State JR Iowa City, IA 20-7 2 Big 12
149 Sanders Robert Nebraska RSSR Blanding, UT 26-15 3 Big 12
149 Terry Kyle Oklahoma RSJR Midwest City, Okla. 28-1 1 Big 12
149 Metcalf Brent Iowa RSJR Davison, MI 33-0 1 Big Ten
149 Palmer Lance Ohio State JR Columbia Station, OH 27-3 3 Big Ten
149 Jenkins Bubba Penn State JR Virginia Beach, VA 24-1 2 Big Ten
149 Patacsil Jake Purdue RSSR Sunrise, FL 33-8 4 Big Ten
149 Ruschell Kyle Wisconsin RSJR Critenden, KY 26-7 5 Big Ten
149 Roberts Michael Boston U. RSSR Albany, NY 31-10 2 CAA
149 Gillespie Paul Hofstra RSFR Long Beach, NY 19-13 1 CAA
149 Cathell Matt Delaware State RSSO  16-0 1 East Regional
149 Borshoff Kyle American SO Pittsford, NY 26-4 3 EIWA
149 Kyler Matthew Army JR Clearfield, PA 39-5 2 EIWA
149 LeValley Kevin Bucknell SO Hugo, CO 28-13 6 EIWA
149 Meagher Daniel Cornell SO Bow, NH 14-10  EIWA
149 Chinn Trevor Lehigh RSSR Canadaigua, NY 27-7 4 EIWA
149 Saddoris Bryce Navy SO Spring Creek, NV 40-5 1 EIWA
149 Grajales Cesar Penn SO Brandon, FL 25-8 5 EIWA
149 Hickman George Bloomsburg RSSR Wilmington, NC 23-12 2 EWL
149 Gillespie Torsten Edinboro FR Webster, NY 26-17 6 EWL
149 Fittery Matthew Lock Haven RSSR Denver, PA 29-7 1 EWL
149 Jauregui David West Virginia RSSR Santa Ana, CA 14-5 3 EWL
149 Green Desmond Buffalo FR Henrietta, NY 38-7 2 MAC
149 Brown Steven Central Michigan RSJR Hermon, NY 21-6 1 MAC
149 Chamberlain Jason Boise State FR Springville,UT 26-7 1 Pac-10
149 Barnes Heinrich Oregon State SR Pretoria, South Africa 35-5 2 Pac-10
149 Waddell Daniel Chattanooga RSFR Chattanooga,TN 12-9 1 SoCon
149 Polkowske Mitchell Northern Colorado FR LaJara, CO 28-6 1 WWC
149 Kittleson Trevor Northern Iowa RSSO St. Ansgar, IA 27-9 2 WWC
157 Scotton Thomas North Carolina RSSO Willingboro, NJ 20-13  ACC
157 Hamrah Kody North Carolina State SR Middlesex, N.J. 31-8 1 ACC
157 Moore Jedd Virginia FR Marion,OH 28-13 3 ACC
157 Dong Jesse Virginia Tech FR Westerville, OH 32-9 2 ACC
157 Sanderson Cyler Iowa State JR Heber City, UT 18-7 4 Big 12
157 Chandler Michael Missouri SR High Ridge, MO 27-6 2 Big 12
157 Burroughs Jordan Nebraska JR Sickerville, NJ 30-0 1 Big 12
157 Terry Chad Oklahoma RSJR Midwest City, Okla. 16-7  Big 12
157 Erisman Robert Oklahoma State RSSO De Soto, KS 31-9 3 Big 12
157 Poeta Michael Illinois RSSR Highwood, IL 13-0 1 Big Ten
157 Kinser Kurt Indiana RSSO Bloomington, IN 18-8 6 Big Ten
157 Hynes Aaron Michigan RSSO Flint, MI 20-13 5 Big Ten
157 Jones Anthony Michigan State SO Highland Park, MI 23-13 7 Big Ten
157 Safratowich Tyler Minnesota RSSR Park Rapids, MN 29-12 3 Big Ten
157 Welch Jason Northwestern FR Walnut Creek,CA. 23-8 2 Big Ten
157 Johnstone Jason Ohio State RSSR Massilon, OH 20-12  Big Ten
157 Salazar Colton Purdue RSSO Midway, UT 14-12 4 Big Ten
157 Bonilla-Bowman Jonny Hofstra RSJR Pomona, NY 22-7 1 CAA
157 Kessler Michael Rider RSJR Randallstown, MD 25-11 2 CAA
157 Smith Shaun Liberty JR Parkersburg, WV 12-12 1 East Regional
157 Leen Jordan Cornell RSSR Soddy Daisy TN 23-2 1 EIWA
157 O'Connor J.P. Harvard JR Oxford, NY 30-3 2 EIWA
157 Dragon Matt Penn JR Dallas,PA 25-7 4 EIWA
157 Winston Scott Rutgers FR Jackson NJ 38-7 3 EIWA
157 Moley Matt Bloomsburg JR Phoenixville, PA 31-5 1 EWL
157 Harrison Hadley Clarion JR McKean, PA 20-13 4 EWL
157 Gillespie Gregor Edinboro JR Webster, NY 37-1 2 EWL
157 Goodman Ryan West Virginia RSFR Greensburg, PA 8-9 3 EWL
157 Deutsch Bryan Northern Illinois RSSO Columbia City, IN 20-10 1 MAC
157 Hall Adam Boise State RSSO Bonners Ferry, ID 31-4 2 Pac-10
157 Pami Chase Cal Poly RSJR Las Vegas, NV 22-7 1 Pac-10
157 Knox Joseph Chattanooga RSJR Signal Mtn. TN 16-10 1 SoCon
157 Gaethje Justin Northern Colorado SO Safford, AZ 22-6 1 WWC
165 Mueller Keegan North Carolina RSSR Dallas, TX 32-7 1 ACC
165 Reader Jonathan Iowa State SO Davison, MI 25-6 3 Big 12
165 Marable Nick Missouri JR Collierville, TN 23-6 1 Big 12
165 Dwyer Stephen Nebraska JR Rockton, IL 25-5 2 Big 12
165 Smith Ryan Oklahoma RSFR Prineville, OR 15-11 5 Big 12
165 Mason Brandon Oklahoma State RSSR Shenandoah, IA 26-9 4 Big 12
165 Smith-Bergsrud Roger Illinois RSSR Lake Bluff, IL 19-10 6 Big Ten
165 Young Paul Indiana RSSO Bloomington, IN 29-13 7 Big Ten
165 Morningstar Ryan Iowa RSJR Lisbon, IA 27-5 2 Big Ten
165 Zeerip Justin Michigan RSFR Freemont, MI 8-18 8 Big Ten
165 Kendle Rex Michigan State RSSR Edwardsburg, MI 22-13  Big Ten
165 Sponseller Colt Ohio State SO Glenmont, OH 30-6 4 Big Ten
165 Vallimont Dan Penn State RSJR Lake Hopatcong, NJ 21-10 3 Big Ten
165 Manuel Luke Purdue RSSO Nevada City, CA 25-13 5 Big Ten
165 Howe Andrew Wisconsin FR Cedar Lake,IN 26-4 1 Big Ten
165 Patrovich Ryan Hofstra RSSO Islip, NY 20-8 3 CAA
165 Brown Chris Old Dominion RSJR Chesapeake, VA 27-6 1 CAA
165 Lapham Jason Rider SR West Chazy, NY 26-11 2 CAA
165 Brooks Jeremy Millersville JR Linden, PA 30-8 1 East Regional
165 Rendos Andrew Bucknell JR Brockway, PA 28-6 2 EIWA
165 Lewnes Mack Cornell SO Annapolis, MD 35-0 1 EIWA
165 Galante Mike Lehigh RSJR Ocean City, NJ 27-6 3 EIWA
165 Pletcher Matt Rutgers SR Easthampton, NJ 33-11 4 EIWA
165 Schmelyun Rick Bloomsburg JR New Oxford, PA 31-13 5 EWL
165 King Jarrod Edinboro RSJR Connellsville, PA 27-5 1 EWL
165 Headlee Ethan Pittsburgh SO Waynesburg, PA 24-14 3 EWL
165 Jones Donald West Virginia RSJR Slickville, PA 10-3 2 EWL
165 Stewart Trevor Central Michigan SR Canton, MI 23-8 1 MAC
165 Sherfey Tyler Boise State RSSR Kenewick, WA 25-8 1 Pac-10
165 Davis Keegan Oregon State JR Salem, OR 25-13 3 Pac-10
165 Amuchastegui Nick Stanford RSFR Talent, OR 28-6 2 Pac-10
165 Garvin William Chattanooga RSSR Hoover, AL 22-9 1 SoCon
165 Fay Moza Northern Iowa RSSR Anamosa, IA 25-4 1 WWC
174 Henrich Christopher Virginia SO Lansdale, PA 36-1 1 ACC
174 Trongone Anthony Virginia Tech RSFR Glendora 26-14 2 ACC
174 Burk Ryan Iowa State JR Peoria, IL 17-7  Big 12
174 Jordan Raymond Missouri SR New Bern, NC 30-4 2 Big 12
174 Browne Brandon Nebraska RSSR Plattsmouth, NE 26-3 1 Big 12
174 James Jeff Oklahoma RSSO El Reno, Okla. 22-6 4 Big 12
174 McSpadden Newly Oklahoma State RSSR Vinita, OK 19-7 3 Big 12
174 Dergo John Illinois JR Morris, IL 13-8 4 Big Ten
174 Perry Trevor Indiana RSJR Davison, MI 26-15 6 Big Ten
174 Borschel Jay Iowa RSJR Marion, IA 27-3 3 Big Ten
174 Luke Steve Michigan SR Massillon, OH 27-0 1 Big Ten
174 Hinton Ian Michigan State RSFR Mishawaka, IN 19-17 8 Big Ten
174 Rella David Ohio State JR Akron, OH 20-13 5 Big Ten
174 Wright Quentin Penn State FR PA Furnace, PA 29-10 2 Big Ten
174 Meys Hunter Boston U. FR Cliffton pk NY 29-10 4 CAA
174 Tovuujav Mendbagana George Mason FR Ulaanbaatar City, Mongolia 24-7 1 CAA
174 Lucas Alton Hofstra SR West Babylon, NY 24-6 2 CAA
174 Decker Eric Old Dominion RSJR Wells Bridge, NY 26-17 3 CAA
174 Smith Shane Millersville RSFR Pennsburg, PA 32-13 1 East Regional
174 Cannon Michael American RSSO Mechanicsville, MD 30-0 1 EIWA
174 Riccio Shane Bucknell JR Warren, NJ 32-14 3 EIWA
174 Anceravage Steve Cornell RSSR Bloomsburg, PA 27-4 2 EIWA
174 Herbert Justin Franklin & Marshall SR New Milford, PA 23-11  EIWA
174 Caruso Alex Lehigh RSSO Green Brook, NJ 19-9 4 EIWA
174 Rebertus Luke Navy FR Elkton, MD 34-9 5 EIWA
174 Giffin Scott Penn RSFR Berlin, NJ 16-10 6 EIWA
174 Brenner Kurt West Virginia RSSR Rochester, PA 18-4 1 EWL
174 Rock Nate Buffalo JR Ephrata, PA 26-14 2 MAC
174 Miller Mike Central Michigan RSSO Uniontown, OH 26-6 1 MAC
174 Lee Nathan Boise State RSJR Payson, AZ 18-3 1 Pac-10
174 McCroskey Jason Chattanooga RSFR Hixson, TN 17-10 1 SoCon
174 Sigmon Byron North Carolina-Greensboro RSSO Claremont, NC 17-9 3 SoCon
174 Onufer Shane Wyoming RSFR Auburn, WA 42-9 1 WWC
184 Barone John Duke RSJR Shirley, N.Y. 36-6 3 ACC
184 Caponi Rocco Virginia RSSR Uniontown, OH 15-5 1 ACC
184 Spellman Thomas Virginia Tech SO Newton, NJ 24-9 2 ACC
184 Ward Jerome Iowa State RSFR Evergreen Park, IL 23-11 2 Big 12
184 Henderson Dorian Missouri RSFR Columbia, Mo. 20-13  Big 12
184 Jones Vince Nebraska SR Sicklerville, NJ 31-6 1 Big 12
184 Flynn Patrick Oklahoma JR Quakertown, PA 25-6 3 Big 12
184 McNeil Christopher Oklahoma State RSFR Lawton, OK 24-11 4 Big 12
184 Blanton Jordan Illinois FR Richmond, IL 26-8 4 Big Ten
184 Cameron Eric Indiana JR Cincinnati, OH 21-18 6 Big Ten
184 Keddy Philip Iowa RSJR Vernal, UT 29-3 2 Big Ten
184 Biondo Anthony Michigan RSSO Clinton Twp, MI 18-13 5 Big Ten
184 Herbert Jake Northwestern RSSR Wexford,PA 29-0 1 Big Ten
184 Pucillo Mike Ohio State RSJR Strongsville, OH 19-1 3 Big Ten
184 Kissel A.J. Purdue SO Sheboygan, WI 27-8  Big Ten
184 Patterson Joshua Binghamton JR Ontario, NY 41-4 1 CAA
184 Umbehauer Doug Rider RSSR Shamong, NJ 19-4 2 CAA
184 Daggett Christopher Liberty SR Parkersburg, WV 25-13 1 East Regional
184 Gevelinger Matthew Brown SR Mineral Point, WI 24-12 4 EIWA
184 Thompson David Bucknell SO West Liberty, OH 22-14 5 EIWA
184 Kerber Justin Cornell RSSO Emmetsburg, IA 30-10 2 EIWA
184 Caputo Louis Harvard JR Blue Springs, MO 30-5 3 EIWA
184 Craig David Lehigh JR Brandon, FL 25-4 1 EIWA
184 Caldwell Kenneth Navy SR Liberty, IN 31-13 6 EIWA
184 Honeycutt Christopher Edinboro FR North Ridgeville, OH 30-6 1 EWL
184 Moran Mickey Buffalo SR Pittsburgh, PA 23-11 3 MAC
184 DiDona Vincenzo Central Michigan RSSR Cleveland, OH 25-12 2 MAC
184 Kilgore Dustin Kent State RSFR Berea, OH 31-3 1 MAC
184 Smith Kirk Boise State SO Boise, ID 36-1 1 Pac-10
184 Orozco Riley Cal State Bakersfield RSSO Fallon, NV 27-11 2 Pac-10
184 McKee Mikal North Carolina-Greensboro SO Asheville, NC 31-12 1 SoCon
184 Dolly Alex Northern Iowa RSSR Mishawaka, IN 11-4 2 WWC
184 LeBlanc Joe Wyoming RSFR Meeker, CO 40-6 1 WWC
197 Taylor Hudson Maryland RSJR Pennington, NJ 31-7 2 ACC
197 Drury Dennis North Carolina RSJR Jenkintown, PA 27-8 3 ACC
197 Jones Brent Virginia RSJR Burke, VA 29-6 1 ACC
197 Bruce Daniel Virginia Tech SO Naperville, IL 28-15 4 ACC
197 Varner Jake Iowa State JR Bakersfield, CA 26-2 2 Big 12
197 Askren Maxwell Missouri JR Hartland, WI 26-5 3 Big 12
197 Brester Craig Nebraska RSJR Howells, NE 29-3 1 Big 12
197 Lapotsky Eric Oklahoma JR Mt. Carmel, PA 22-8 5 Big 12
197 Foster Clayton Oklahoma State SO Kamiah, ID 27-5 4 Big 12
197 Bond Patrick Illinois RSJR Chesapeake, VA 16-12 3 Big Ten
197 Beatty Chad Iowa RSJR Muscatine, IA 18-4 4 Big Ten
197 Todd Tyrel Michigan SR Bozeman, MT 21-1 1 Big Ten
197 Brown Logan Purdue RSSO Covington,OH 29-13 5 Big Ten
197 Herbst Dallas Wisconsin RSSR Winneconne, WI 23-3 2 Big Ten
197 Hall John Boston U. SO Palo Alto CA 25-10  CAA
197 Oplinger Jon Drexel RSSR Bath, PA 31-5 2 CAA
197 Byers Cayle George Mason SO Chugiak, AK 27-5 1 CAA
197 Fagiano Joe Hofstra SO Harwood Height, IL 17-8 4 CAA
197 Strawn Jesse Old Dominion JR Holton, KS 33-11 3 CAA
197 Bennet Raymond Millersville SO Clarks Summit, PA 19-13 1 East Regional
197 Silber Charles American SR Scotch Plains, NJ 22-12 5 EIWA
197 Starks Richard Army JR Midway, KY 33-6 2 EIWA
197 Simez Cameron Cornell RSFR Allegan, MI 34-9 1 EIWA
197 Bradshaw Patrick Edinboro RSJR Saegertown, PA 25-7 1 EWL
197 Hamel James Buffalo FR Watick, MA 30-12 2 MAC
197 McClure John Eastern Michigan RSSR West Ottawa, MI 14-15 1 MAC
197 Chine Eric Kent State RSSR Youngstown, OH 22-11 4 MAC
197 Chriswell Brent Boise State RSSO Port-Orchad,WA 13-1 1 Pac-10
197 Halsey Brandon Cal State Bakersfield RSSR Oceanside, CA 20-3 2 Pac-10
197 Feist Luke Stanford RSSR Sandpoint, ID 22-13 3 Pac-10
197 Delaney Andrew The Citadel FR Santa Rosa Beach, FL 25-16 1 SoCon
197 Anderson Andrew Northern Iowa RSSR Sioux City, IA 26-7 1 WWC
197 Sorenson Tyler South Dakota State RSJR Garretson, SD 14-2 2 WWC
285 Dudziak Konrad Duke RSSO Bayonne, NJ 27-2 1 ACC
285 Dobies Justin North Carolina RSSR Garfield Heights, OH 27-8 2 ACC
285 Marone David Virginia Tech SO Broomfield, CO 31-14 3 ACC
285 Zabriskie David Iowa State JR Branchville, NJ 30-2 1 Big 12
285 Ellis Mark Missouri JR Raymore, MO 26-3 2 Big 12
285 Lane Tucker Nebraska RSFR Redvale, CO 26-12 3 Big 12
285 Fernandez Nathan Oklahoma RSSO Lawton, Okla. 20-10 5 Big 12
285 Rosholt Jared Oklahoma State RSJR Sandpoint, ID 30-4 4 Big 12
285 Wise John Illinois RSJR Pittsfield, IL 21-7 3 Big Ten
285 Everhart Nathan Indiana JR Orland Park, IL 25-15 5 Big Ten
285 Erekson Daniel Iowa JR McCall, ID 22-6 1 Big Ten
285 Berhow Benjamin Minnesota RSSO Hayward,MN 26-9 4 Big Ten
285 Morrison Corey Ohio State RSJR Shaker Hts. OH 19-13  Big Ten
285 Massey Kyle Wisconsin RSSR Champlin, MN 23-8 2 Big Ten
285 Bordas Eddie Rider JR Montgomery, NY 26-8 1 CAA
285 Porter Dustin Gardner-Webb RSJR Burton, OH 31-5 1 East Regional
285 Flores Ryan Columbia FR Clovis, CA 32-3 1 EIWA
285 Hammond Zach Cornell RSSR Galloway, NJ 18-12 5 EIWA
285 Birchler Christopher East Stroudsburg JR Fairfield, NJ 23-5 3 EIWA
285 Rey Zachery Lehigh RSFR Hopatcong, NJ 21-4 2 EIWA
285 McLean Trey Penn JR Merlin, OR 18-10 6 EIWA
285 Russo III Rutgers RSSO Netcong, NJ 31-14 4 EIWA
285 Goff Rashard Cleveland State RSSR Brandon, FL 30-9 1 EWL
285 Fendone Joe Edinboro RSSR Salem, NH 27-6 2 EWL
285 Sheaffer Zach Pittsburgh RSSR Carlisle, PA 18-9 4 EWL
285 Rogers Dustin West Virginia RSSR Corning, CA 19-5 3 EWL
285 Trice Jarod Central Michigan RSFR Highland Park, MI 22-10 2 MAC
285 Porter Jermail Kent State RSSR Akron, OH 28-1 1 MAC
285 Monteiro Mitchell Cal State Bakersfield RSJR Paso Robles 28-6 1 Pac-10
285 Jack Clayton Oregon State RSFR Vacaville, CA 21-9 3 Pac-10
285 Alcala Ricardo UC Davis RSSO Arvin, CA 16-10 2 Pac-10
285 wine josh VMI SO massaponax 14-6 1 SoCon
285 Brantley Christian Northern Iowa RSFR Homewood, IL 25-8 1 WWC

Lehigh Advances 7 to NCAAs

Lehigh University is sending seven wrestlers to the 2009 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.

The seven wrestlers all qualified for the national tournament during the 105th EIWA Championships that concluded on Sunday at the Palestra on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania.

All seven wrestlers earned automatic berths by virtue of their placing at the EIWA tournament.

Seth Ciasulli, a junior 141-pounder from Easton High School, junior 184-pounder David Craig and freshman heavyweight Zach Rey all made the EIWA finals, which begin 6:30 p.m. today.

Mike Galante (165), Alex Caruso (174) and team captains Matt Fisk (133) and Trevor Chinn (149) qualified by finishing in the top four. Galante, a junior, needed to finish third for the automatic berth, and did so with a 7-3 decision over Matt Pletcher of Rutgers.

Fisk, also a junior, used a takedown in overtime to edge Bucknell’s David Marble for third placed. Chinn, a senior, finished fourth with a 3-2 loss to American’s Kyle Borshoff , and Caruso also finished fourth

“We can compete with anybody,” Fisk said of Lehigh’s effort at the tournament. “We’ve got to go all the time, no more waiting. We’re fighters, we’re strong and we need to keep fighting.”

Nationals take place March 19-21 in St. Louis.

ESU Wrestlers in EIWAs

East Stroudsburg University’s Chris Birchler is fourth at 285 pounds and Shane Mallory is seventh at 197 pounds in the coaches preseeding for the 2009 EIWA Championships, which will be held this weekend at the Palestra at the University of Pennsylvania.

Birchler has a 21-4 record as a junior, including five wins by fall, and is 46-14 in his first two years at ESU. He is fourth behind Ryan Flores (Columbia), Zach Rey (Lehigh) and Trey McLean (Penn). The preseeds are used as a starting point for the seeding meeting for the championships which will be held on Friday night.

Mallory, a redshirt junior, has posted a 19-8 record this season and was hot down the stretch, with a pin and two major decisions in the Warriors’ final three duals of the year. A week prior he dropped a 6-5 decision to Army’s Richard Starks, who is expected to be the top seed at 197 when the final bracket is announced.

Other Warriors who received votes in the preseeding process are redshirt senior Matt Swallow (9th, 133), redshirt senior Scott Heckman (9th, 149) from Bangor and redshirt freshman Thad Frick (9th, 165), a Nazareth High School graduate.

Action gets underway on Saturday at the Palestra, with the championship and wrestleback rounds scheduled for Sunday.

Lehigh Wrestlers Heading Into EIWA Championships

The EIWA Championships are taking place Saturday at Sunday at the Paletra on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania.

Action begins 10 a.m. Saturday with the preliminary round. Quarterfinals are scheduled for 12:30 p.m., and consolations should run until 5:30 p.m.

On Sunday, the smeifinals begin at 10:30 a.m., and the consolation finals at 1;30 p.m. The Championship finals are at 6:30 p.m.

LEHIGH EIWA TOURNAMENT ENTRANTS RECORD
125 - John McDonald (Fr., Rehoboth, Del.) 8-8
133 - No. 14 Matt Fisk (Jr., Wyalusing, Pa.) 22-6
141 - No. 20 Seth Ciasulli (Jr., Easton, Pa.) 20-8
149 - No. 12 Trevor Chinn (Sr., Canandaigua, N.Y.) 25-7
157 - Sean Bilodeau (Fr., Harvard, Mass.) 14-13
165 - No. 14 Mike Galante (Jr., Ocean City, N.J.) 24-5
174 - Alex Caruso (So., Green Brook, N.J.) 15-7
184 - No. 9 David Craig (Jr., Brandon, Fla.) 21-4
197 - Joe Kennedy (Fr., Milford, Pa.) 20-11
285 - No. 10 Zach Rey (Fr., Hopatcong, N.J.) 19-3

On the Internet
Sunday night’s EIWA finals will be broadcast on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320
as well as Lehighsports.com, beginning at 6:15 p.m. Steve Lomangino handles
the commentary.

20 Area Wrestlers Still Alive in PIAA 2A Championships

    HERSHEY | Championship time means movie time for Saucon Valley’s wrestling team, and it seems to be paying off.
    At regionals last week, head coach Chad Shirk played “Veritas: The Jon Trenge Story,” for his team, and three wrestlers qualified for the PIAA Class 2A Championships here at the

Giant Center, which run through Satrurday.
   On Thursday night, they watched “Vision Quest,” with Matthew Modine, and while 171-pound sophomore Ian Gimbar thought it was “kind of cheesey,” the underdog story went full circle for him.
    Gimbar, who entered the state tournament after finishing fourth in the Southeast Region, upset Southwest champion Tyler Capitosti, a senior from United, in the preliminary round to qualify for this morning’s 8 a.m. quarterfinals.
     Gimbar is one of 12 area wrestlers who won preliminary bouts on Thursday and advanced to the quarters. He is joined by teammate Brandon Palik, a senior and the top-ranked 215-pounder in the state, in making the quarters. Winners there will advance to the semifinals 6:30 p.m. today, and the finals are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
   Pen Argyl advances three wrestlers into the quarters: Pen Argyl’s Adam Welsh (103) Philip Racciato (140) and Austin Williams (130),

   Northwestern’s Evan Yenolevich, the top-ranked 125-pounder in the state and Dylan Long (103), Brandywine’s Zane Yocco (119) and Tyler Herman (125), Northern Lehigh’s Kris Krawchuk (140) and Colin Hedash (160), Bethlehem Catholic’s Randy Cruz (103).
    Another eight of the 29 area’s qualifiers are alive in the consolation rounds, including Bethlehem Catholic senior Bryan Smith (130), Northwestern senior Ricky Williams (135), Brandywine junior Phil Calafati (145), Northern Lehigh junior Craemer Hedash (145), Wilson senior Alex Depew (152), Northern Lehigh senior Danny Boyle (189), Catasauqua’s Brandon Strohl (215) and Curtis Garner (285).
   Gimbar (30-8) by far had the biggest upset, and had to comeback to win against the previously once-beaten Capitosti, who scored the first takedown. Gimbar escaped in the first and second periods, scored a takedown in the second and rode out the United wrestler in the final period.
     “Honestly, I felt really good,” Gimbar said. “I figured that by coming out here, I would wrestle someone tough, and what better way to start than by beating a regional champ?”
    “He’s a gamer,” Shirk said of Gimbar. “He’s a good kid and has a huge heart.
    “We love watching those movies where someone’s back is up against the wall,” Shirk said of his motivational movie nights. “Sometimes kids think they have it tough, and then they see someone with their back up against the wall refuse to quit. When they see someone like Trenge, whom they know and can relate to, it helps. They work too hard and this sport is too tough for anyone to just give up when their back is against the wall.”
    Palik had little problem, but showed considerable patience, with his major decision at 215. Palik missed the PIAA championship last year due to a torn meniscus.
    “It feels good to get this one out of the way,” he said. “I know I’ve got to step up my game and wrestle like a mad man and get as many points as I can to make a statement.”
     Northwestern’s Yenolevich, a two-time PIAA runner-up, made a successful return to the Giant Center today during the PIAA Class 2A Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center.
   Yenolevich, a four-time District 11 champion, had s slow start in his win over Bedford senior Devin Cook, the fourth-place finisher out of the Southwest Region.
    Yenolevich, the top-ranked 125-pounder in the state, scored an early takedown, then gave up a penalty point for locked hands, was warned for stalling from on top and received a restart caution in the second period.
     Cook cut the Northwestern senior loose for an escape late in the third period, but Yenolevich couldn’t score any more points and held on for the 3-1 decision.
   “The kid stalled a lot,” Yenolevich said. “It’s hard to do anything from the top when they spread out on the bottom. The kid was pretty good. He was what I expected. It’s the best kids in the state here, and you’ve got to be pretty nervous. Anyone can win.”

    Bethlehem Catholic 103-pound freshman Randy Cruz, who knocked off District 11 champion Jamie Welsh of Pen Argyl in the Southeast Regional finals last week, took advantage of not being scouted by Fort Cherry senior Andrew Lucarini in the first bout of the day.
   Lucarini (34-6) chose defense to start the second period and Cruz (37-4) tilted him for three points. Cruz then chose offense to start the second period and earned another tilt en route to a 5-2 victory after getting reversed in the final seconds.
   Meanwhile, Welsh, a 30-8 sophomore, was looking to take out his anger from the regional lost and pinned Vito Pasone of Meyers in a scant 39 seconds with a cement job to complete the first bout of the day.
    Meanwhile, Dylan Long of Northwestern, the area’s other 103-pound qualifier had the longest match at 103 when he scored a takedown in sudden victory to edge Milton’s Eric Wolfe 8-6.
   At 119, Brandywine junior Zane Yocco (33-4) earned a pin in 4:25 over North East senior Christian Drain, and junior Tyler Herman made a second-period escape standup for a 1-0 decision over Troy’s Derek Leiby in the 125-pound prelims to push the first two Brandywine wrestlers into Friday’s quarterfinals.
   Pen Argyl senior Ausin Williams edged Colin Sheridan of Mount Pleasant 6-4 in the 130-pound prelims.
   At 140, Pen Argyl’s Philip Racciato decked Northeast Regional runner-up Garrett Russell of Athens in 1:50, and Northern Lehigh’s Kris Krawchuk was pushed to overtime before beating Elias Biddle or Warrior Run 6-4.
   Northern Lehigh’s Colin Hedash faced little resistance from Burrell senior Steven Shank, racking up a 12-5 decision in the 160-pound prelims.

NCAA Division I Conference Allotments Are Announces

The EIWA was awarded 38 spots in the upcoming NCAA DIvision I Wrestling Championships.

The EIWA trailed only the Big Ten (61 spots) for number of automatic allotments.

Conference 125 133 141 149 157 165 174 184 197 285 Total
Atlantic Coast Conference 2 3 5 3 3 1 1 2 4 3 27
Big Ten Conference 7 6 7 5 7 8 6 6 4 5 61
Big 12 Conference 3 3 3 2 4 5 3 4 5 5 37
Colonial Athletic Association 2 1 1 1 2 2 4 2 4 1 20
East Regional 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 10
EIWA 3 4 2 6 4 3 6 4 2 4 38
Eastern Wrestling League 3 2 1 3 3 3 1 1 1 4 22
Mid-American Conference 2 3 2 2 1 1 2 3 1 2 19
Pacific-10 Conference 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 20
Southern Conference 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
West Regional 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 13
TOTAL QUALIFIERS 28 28 28 28 29 27 27 27 27 29 278

Each qualifying tournament was awarded spots per weight class based on current year data. Each
wrestler was measured on the following: Division I winning percentage; rating percentage index (RPI);
and coaches ranking. A threshold of a 0.725 winning percentage, top 28 in the RPI and top 28 in the
coaches ranking was established to allocate 278 of the 330 championships field positions.
For each wrestler that reached the threshold in at least two of the three categories, his qualifying
tournament was awarded a qualifying spot in that weight class. Each qualifying tournament was
awarded a minimum of one wrestler per weight class, which will go to the tournament champion, even if
they did not have any wrestlers reach at least two of the three thresholds. NCAA tournament spots for
each qualifying event will be awarded at the tournament based solely on place-finish.
After all of the qualifying events have concluded, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee
will meet in-person to select the remaining 52 at-large qualifiers, which will be announced on March 11.
All weight classes will consist of 33 wrestlers. The at-large selections will be made based on the
following criteria: head-to-head competition; qualifying event placement; quality wins; results against
common opponents; winning percentage; RPI; coaches ranking and the number of matches contested at
that weight class.
________
The complete listing of the 33 wrestlers in each weight class for the final coaches’ panel
rankings, as well as the second RPI for the 2008-09 season can be found by logging on to
www.ncaa.com.
A full video description of the entire selection process is available at
http://web1.ncaa.org/web_video/newmedia/wrestling10-21.html, or you can review appendix C of the
2009 Division I Wrestling Championships Handbook, which is available at
http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/champ_handbooks/wrestling/2009/1_wrestling_handbook.pdf.