NWCA All-Star Classic to feature Caldwell vs. Metcalf 2
Jeff Breese InterMat Wrestling
11/19/2008

By Jeff Breese, InterMat
jbreese@intermatwrestle.com

This week is packed with great wrestling action, so much so that it seems unfair to focus on just one match at one event. However, based upon fan interest, No. 1 Brent Metcalf of Iowa versus No. 4 Darrion Caldwell of North Carolina State is the premier action of this week.

Caldwell and Metcalf will meet for the second time in their college careers, this time at the NWCA All-Star Classic Presented by the United States Marine Corps. The date for this rematch is November 24 at St. John Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

November 24 is significant because it is the one year anniversary of the first meeting between Caldwell and Metcalf. Ironically, that bout also took place in Ohio, but that time at St. Edward High School near Cleveland.

For those who may not know, Caldwell, then ranked No. 6, spladled and pinned the No. 1 ranked Metcalf in 1:40. The match has since become a YouTube sensation and has been the rematch that fans have been aching to see. It nearly happened at the NCAA Championships last March, but Caldwell fell one win short of the finals, losing a close bout with Bubba Jenkins of Penn State. Metcalf then handled Jenkins in the finals to win the NCAA title and cap off an undefeated string dating back to the match with Caldwell. Caldwell finished last season by taking fifth at the NCAA Championships.

Going into the bout on Monday, Caldwell is 8-0 and has already defeated the No. 5 and No. 7 wrestlers in the country. Metcalf will be seeing his first action of the season on Friday at the Iowa City Duals.

The popular sentiment is that there is no chance of Caldwell repeating his performance of a first period fall. Many fans favor Metcalf in this battle, as he is the returning national champion. It has even been said that Metcalf will try to make an example of Caldwell, while avenging his only loss from last season.

The flip side of the argument is that Caldwell is potentially the only wrestler in the weight capable of beating Metcalf, because of his high point output and because he is dangerous from any position.

Monday night will prove one group of fans correct, at least for right now.

Caldwell versus Metcalf may be the most anticipated match Monday night, but it certainly will not be the only quality bout. The full list of participants and ticket information can be found at:
http://www.nwcaonline.com/allstarclassic.cfm

Nov. 21- No. 9 Michigan at No. 22 Lehigh
Nov. 21 – No. 14 Penn State at No. 4 Cornell
Nov. 21- No. 2 Iowa State at No. 12 Wisconsin
Nov. 22- No. 9 Michigan at No. 21 Penn
Nov. 22- No. 20 Old Dominion at No. 19 Oklahoma
Nov. 22 No. 16 Hofstra at No. 5 Missouri
Nov. 22- Body Bar Invitational
Nov. 23- Sprawl and Brawl
Nov. 23- Keystone Classic
Nov. 23- No. 20 Old Dominion at No. 7 Oklahoma State