Cornell's Troy Nickerson back on the mat, ready to make run at NCAA title
Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
10/30/2008

Cornell’s Troy Nickerson spent much of his summer trying to decide if he was going to bump up to 133 pounds or stay at 125 for the upcoming college wrestling season.

That was until he watched the Olympics.

Inspired by the gold-medal victory by American Henry Cejudo – a guy he grew up winning numerous national age-group tournaments with – Nickerson plans to return to 125 for his junior season.

Not only that, Nickerson plans to drop down to 55 kg/121 lbs. when he competes in freestyle after the college season.

“Henry’s a year younger than me and we were always a weight class apart when we competed in the same events,” Nickerson said. “He’s a great competitor, and it didn’t surprise me a bit to see him win the Olympics. I see myself being at a similar level – I have the same kind of aspirations. Seeing Henry win motivated me to get back down to 125. That’s where I will be at my best.”

Nickerson is back on the mat for his junior season after missing the 2007-08 campaign with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He suffered the injury last November and had surgery in December.

Nickerson, from Chenango Forks, N.Y., placed second at the 2006 NCAA Championships as a true freshman before finishing third in the 2007 NCAA meet.

“I was pretty eager to get back on the mat,” he said. “It’s been 18 months since I’ve been in a competitive match. It feels great to be back in the practice room and be healthy again.”

Nickerson made an immediate splash in his first season with Cornell, storming all the way to the NCAA finals as a true freshman before falling to returning champion Joe Dubuque of Indiana in the finals.

Nickerson entered the 2007 NCAAs in Auburn Hills, Mich., as the No. 2 seed behind Sam Hazewinkel of Oklahoma. Nickerson suffered a 2-1 double-overtime loss to No. 6 seed Paul Donahoe of Nebraska in the semifinals. Donahoe went on to knock off Hazewinkel in the finals.

“I thought it was my tournament to win and I kind of blew it,” Nickerson said. “I’m determined that this is going to be my year to get it done.”

Nickerson said he wasn’t at his best for the 2007 NCAAs.

“My back was bothering me and I wasn’t 100 percent healthy,” he said. “I wasn’t able to train, get in shape and get my weight down right because of my back. I got myself in a close match and didn’t do enough to win. I had a bunch of chances to score and I didn’t take advantage of it against (Donahoe).

Nickerson was in attendance at the 2008 NCAAs in St. Louis when Indiana’s Angel Escobedo won the title at 125. Nickerson beat Escobedo twice in the 2007 NCAA meet, in the quarterfinals and in the third-place match. Nickerson also has pinned Escobedo in a freestyle matchup.

Escobedo is back this season. Donahoe, now at Edinboro, also is back at 125. Donahoe placed third at the 2008 NCAA meet.

“It was definitely real hard to watch at the NCAAs,” Nickerson said. “I really wanted to be out there.”

Nickerson starts the season ranked second behind Escobedo, who is also a junior.

Nickerson, who is 58-5 in his college career, is part of a loaded Cornell team that could make a run at the NCAA team title this year. The Big Red will have six All-Americans in their lineup this season, including returning NCAA champion Jordan Leen at 157.

“Jordan is training harder than I’ve ever seen him train,” Nickerson said. “He will have a target on his back, but he’s really focused on having another great season.”

Cornell also has All-Americans back in Mike Grey (141), Mack Lewnes (165), Steve Anceravage (174) and Josh Arnone (197).

“I see us right there competing with Iowa and Iowa State for the national title,” Nickerson said. “We have four guys who are potential national champions, plus some other guys who could step in there and be All-Americans. It’s pretty intense in our room right now. It’s real competitive. We’ve developed a lot of depth, and we really push each other.”

Nickerson has his hands full as a Division I athlete and a full-time student at Cornell, an Ivy League school.

He has a 3.0 grade-point average. He is a biology and society major with a concentration in human health and nutrition. He hopes to go on to medical school.

“It’s very tough, trying to balance school and wrestling,” he said. “A lot of nights after practice I will spend another four hours studying. We have a lot on our plate here.”

Nickerson said he plans to compete in April’s U.S. Nationals in freestyle. Nickerson was a two-time Junior Nationals champion and placed second in the 2006 Junior World Team Trials in freestyle.

“I believe I have the potential to compete in the Olympics someday,” he said. “These next four years, it’s time for me to get it done. I will put everything into it I can.”

Before he focuses on freestyle, Nickerson has an NCAA title to win this March in St. Louis.

“Troy looks fantastic right now – he looks better than he ever has before,” Cornell Coach Rob Koll said. “He’s stronger, and technically he’s the same old Troy. I would be really surprised if he doesn’t step in right where he left off, plus a little bit more.”

Ohio State's J Jaggers back for more, looking to repeat as NCAA champion
Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
10/23/2008

In the photo: A bad ankle and a black eye didn't stop J Jaggers from winning the NCAA title at 141 pounds last season.

Shortly after Tom Ryan was hired as the wrestling coach at Ohio State in 2006, J Jaggers was among a group of Buckeye wrestlers who were asked to make a significant sacrifice.

Ryan asked them if they would be willing to restructure their athletic scholarships and take less money.

That would allow the program to build more depth while trying to split up the 9.9 full scholarships the NCAA allows each Division I school for wrestling.

Jaggers, one of the nation’s top recruits coming out of high school, agreed to take less money. So did every other returning scholarship athlete on the OSU roster. Less than two years later, the move already started paying dividends when the Buckeyes finished second at the 2008 NCAA Championships.

Jaggers won an NCAA title last March. So did Mike Pucillo, an athlete OSU landed in large part because of the scholarship money Jaggers and his teammates agreed to give back.

“It was a group sacrifice, and it paid off,” Jaggers said. “We all gave money back. That’s what we needed to do to get a guy like Pucillo. There were about 8 to 10 guys that gave back. I was tired of going into dual meets and only winning 3 out of 10 matches. When Coach Ryan asked us if we were willing to sacrifice, we said we will do whatever it takes to start winning more matches.”

When Ryan was hired to replace Russ Hellickson in the spring of 2006, Jaggers was among the wrestlers who embraced the change in the coaching staff.

A member of the school’s Search Committee for a new head coach, Jaggers endorsed the hiring of Ryan along with assistant coaches Lou Rosselli, Tommy Rowlands and Joe Heskett.

Jaggers has thrived under the current OSU coaching staff. He placed seventh in the 2007 NCAA tournament before winning a national title in 2008 at 141 pounds.

“J wins the old-fashioned way, he works hard,” Ryan said. “He has a strong inner belief system and he’s very good at peaking for big events. He loves the sport and has a deep passion for the sport. And he loves to practice. It’s great to have one of your studs pushing so hard in practice.”

Jaggers said Ryan, who came to Ohio State after a successful run at Hofstra, was the perfect guy to lead the Buckeye program.

“Tom Ryan is one of the most passionate guys about the sport that you will ever see,” Jaggers said. “He will spend 100 man hours if it means getting four extra people in the stands to watch us. He loves Ohio State. He acts like a guy who went to school here and grew up 10 minutes away from the campus. It’s great to see.”

Ryan said guys like Jaggers, who is from Northfield, Ohio, made his transition to OSU much easier.

“J bought in immediately when the new staff came in,” Ryan said. “From Day 1, he was a believer. He completely embraced the change in staff and he gave a big chunk of his scholarship back to help the program. That’s the type of guy J is.”

Much of Jaggers’ development on the mat is a direct result of his relationship with Rosselli, a past Olympian who also has served as a U.S. World Team coach in freestyle wrestling.

“I didn’t know Lou at all when he came in here,” Jaggers said. “From Day 1 that Lou got on campus, he’s been the most influential person with my wrestling. I agree with everything he says wholeheartedly. Lou’s technique is the best I’ve ever seen. His outlook on the sport and what he thinks it takes to win is refreshing to hear. We hit it off right away.”

Rosselli’s impact was most noticeable when the sixth-seeded Jaggers made a surprising run to the 2008 NCAA title in St. Louis.

Jaggers actually lost his very first postseason match of 2008 – a 6-2 setback to Minnesota’s Manuel Rivera in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Championships – before storming back to place third.

“Losing to Rivera, he’s a stud, so there was no shame in that,” Jaggers said. “I beat him in a dual two weeks before that. Once I got that loss out of my system, I avenged a loss to (Iowa's Dan) LeClere and came back to take third. I really felt I was going in the right direction going into nationals.”

Jaggers was not considered one of the favorites when the NCAA brackets were released the Monday before the biggest tournament of the season.

Cal Poly’s Chad Mendes was seeded No. 1, followed by Hofstra’s Charles Griffin and Big Ten champion Kellen Russell of Michigan.

“The number next to my name on the bracket sheet didn’t make much of a difference to me,” Jaggers said. “I was comfortable with the draw I had. Someone had to stand on top of the podium, so why shouldn’t it be me? I felt I deserved it because I work as hard as anyone else.”

Jaggers followed his plan as the No. 6 seed at nationals. He opened with a pair of wins over unseeded wrestlers before matching up with Russell, a talented freshman, in the quarterfinals. Jaggers earned a 5-3 win over the No. 3 seed.

He followed with an 11-9 win over the second-seeded Griffin in the semifinals.

One of the most memorable matches of the 2008 NCAA finals came at 141 when Jaggers outlasted Mendes 5-2 in the finals.

Late in the match, Jaggers was in the top position when Mendes grabbed the left ankle of Jaggers. The ankle bent awkwardly and Jaggers screamed in agony as he heard something pop.

Following an injury timeout, Jaggers was able to finish the final 16 seconds of the match. He hobbled off the mat in obvious pain after his arm was raised as NCAA champion.

“It obviously was very painful – I tore two ligaments,” said Jaggers, who initially thought he had broken his ankle. “It was like my ankle was slowly being torqued, like a rubber band stretching to its limit. I heard it popping a bunch of times. I don’t think your heel is supposed to bend up and touch your shin. It’s definitely something I don’t want to go through again.”

His name is Jeff Jaggers Jr., but he’s been known mainly as J Jaggers.

“Ever since the day I got home from the hospital I’ve been called J,” Jaggers said. “A friend of my mom’s said I was too skinny and looked like a little bird that needed to be fed. They said I looked like a J-bird, and I’ve been know as J ever since then.”

The Buckeyes open this season ranked No. 2 nationally behind Big Ten rival Iowa. The Hawkeyes captured the NCAA team title in 2008, and bring back five All-Americans from that squad.

“Iowa is the team to beat,” Jaggers said. “They beat us by over 30 points last year. We’re looking to catch them. This is the most productive preseason we’ve had since I’ve been here. Everybody is working really hard toward the common goal. The work ethic and the attitude, it’s been great. Everybody in our room is concentrating on the goal of being national champions.”

Ohio State returns three All-Americans, led by returning national champions in Jaggers and Pucillo (184 pounds). Two-time All-American Lance Palmer (149) also is back. National qualifiers Nikko Triggas (125), Reece Humphrey (133) and Jason Johnstone (157) also return along with starters Colt Sponseller (165) and John Weakley (197).

The Buckeyes also picked up Dave Rella (174), a national qualifier for Penn State last season. Cody Gardner (197), a transfer from Virginia Tech, beat Weakley in a recent Wrestle-Off.

Pucillo, a junior, has emerged as one of the leaders on the Buckeye squad.

“Mike Pucillo is one kid I really look up to, even though he's younger than me,” Jaggers said. “His will to win is impressive. I’ve seen him get mad playing Monopoly because he wants to win so badly. He wants to be a champion and that inspires me.”

Pucillo and Jaggers are scheduled to compete in the college all-star dual next month at Ohio State. The top-ranked Jaggers is set to face second-ranked Nick Gallick of Iowa State.

“It’s awesome, it’s exciting to have it in our backyard,” he said. “We hope to put on a good show for the fans.”

Ryan said Jaggers hopes to become a coach.

“I think he will make a good coach,” Ryan said. “He’s personable, recruits love him and he’s a good leader. He’s a cool kid and is very likeable. We always have him involved when we bring recruits in.”

Jaggers was asked how different this season would be since he starts his senior season ranked No. 1.

“Everybody wants to beat a returning national champion,” he said. “I’m sure I will see a lot of different game plans and get a lot of people’s best matches. I’m happy with what happened last year, but if I don’t win nationals again, everything will be a disappointment.”

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Smith, Martori to be inducted into National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame on November 1
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling

Two-time Olympic wrestling champion John Smith and Sunkist Kids founder Art Martori will be the first members of the amateur wrestling community to be inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, during the 31st annual Induction and Awards Gala held in Schaumburg, Ill. on November 1.

“The inductees represent the very best of their sport, and are chosen not only for their accomplishments, but for their character, integrity, sportsmanship and contributions to their respective sport and their community,” said Dan Sergi, the dinner chairman for the event.

Smith won gold medals at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea and the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. He also won four World gold medals for the United States (1987, 1989-91), winning six straight World and Olympic titles. Smith won the Sullivan Award and the USOC SportsMan of the Year award as the nation’s top amateur athlete.

“I am half-Italian. It is always a proud side of my family,” said Smith. “There are a lot of happy Italians in Oklahoma about this. The athletes inducted are all tied to Italian blood. It is a proud people. My family has a remarkable history, having to grind it out for many years to allow the next generation to have a better life. It wasn’t easy for the Italian people when my family first came to America. They made a commitment to their family. My mother is as excited as anyone about this.”

Smith was a two-time NCAA champion for Oklahoma State. He is currently the head coach at his alma mater, where he has coached five NCAA champion teams during his 18 years, and has become Oklahoma State’s all-time winningest coach. He is a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He also is the poster child for the adidas wrestling shoes created by brute.

“It was even more special having Art Martori inducted with me,” said Smith. “He was very important in my career when I wrestled for the Sunkist Kids. He allowed me to focus on being the best wrestler in the world for six years. He was an important part of my success.”

Martori, a former wrestler and successful businessman, founded the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club three decades ago, and built it into one of the most successful sports clubs in the world within the Olympic family. Martori served a term as president of USA Wrestling, and has been a leader within the organization for many years. He has been inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

“It means being recognized for what you have accomplished,” said Martori. “I grew up in an Italian family. It is a close-knit group of people, who are all about family. We are being honored by our peers. Many Italian-Americans have done great things. They have identified John Smith and I for this honor. There are so many Italian-American sports heroes. To be brought into that level of recognition, from a sport that we say is a fraternity, is rewarding. This is very good for wrestling. To be recognized on a more national basis is exciting for us all.”

The Sunkist Kids have won every USA Wrestling national freestyle team title since 1983, and has had national champion teams in all three of the Olympic styles of wrestling: men’s freestyle, Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle. Athletes representing the Sunkist Kids have won every major honor within the sport, including World and Olympic gold medals and numerous international honors. John Smith was one of eight Olympic wrestling champions who won their gold medal as a member of the Sunkist Kids, along with Dave Schultz, Mark Schultz, Kenny Monday, Kendall Cross, Rulon Gardner, Cael Sanderson and Henry Cejudo.

“I may be getting this award, but this is all about our club,” said Martori. “It is about the Sunkist Kids and all that our wrestlers have accomplished. It is also about people like Tim Gressley and Kim Martori-Wickey, as well as coaches like Bobby Douglas and Joe Seay, those who do the day-to-day things that goes on with the club.”

Others to be inducted in the Class of 2008 are Kelly Amonte Hiller (lacrosse), Phil Mickelson (golf), John Franco (baseball), Mary Carillo (tennis and broadcaster), John Gagliardo (football), Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr. (football), Alfred “Lindy” Faragalli (bowling), Ed Giacomin (ice hockey), Frank “Frankie” Lentine (softball) and Lou Zamperini (track and field).

In addition, the 2008 Michael J. Roarty Sportsman of the Year award will be presented to Dominic M. Sergi, the President of Rex Electric, Inc. and Technologies. The 2008 Yogi Berry Athlete of the Year award will be presented to WBC and WBO middleweight boxing champion Kelly Pavlik.

ART MARTORI INDUCTION BIOGRAPHY

Art Martori has been an exemplary leader and role model in the sport of wrestling for over 30 years. At Arizona State University, Martori made a name for himself in wrestling as a talented and ambitious competitor. After his competitive professional career Art put his wrestling skills and leadership to work and founded the Sunkist Kids wrestling club in 1976. Art's mission for the Sunkist Kids was to create a program that could assist elite athletes to develop into world-class champions. The Sunkist Kids have an impeccable record; they have won every USA Wrestling National Freestyle team title from 1983 to present day. Martori was selected as the president of USA Wrestling and during his short tenure as president the USA Wrestling team won its first world team title in freestyle wrestling. Martori's leadership and abilities to mold talented youth into world class athletes earned him the honor of being selected as a distinguished member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

JOHN SMITH INDUCTION BIOGRAPHY

John Smith is truly a giant in the sport of wrestling, under the guidance of fellow inductee Art Martori and the Sunkist Kids, Smith achieved unimaginable success. Smith's impressive resume includes two time Olympic Freestyle Champion, two time World Cup Champion, two time Goodwill Games Champion, two time Pan American Champion, two time FILA Senior World Freestyle Champion, and four time USA Senior Freestyle Champion. His accomplishments on the mat have been recognized and celebrated around the world, he was the first American to be honored Master of Technique and Wrestler of the Year by the International Wrestling Federation (FILA), the first wrestler ever nominated for the World Trophy, which he received in 1992, and was recognized as one of the 100 Greatest Olympians of All Time at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Smith has not only proudly represented his country but also the ancient Sport of Wrestling itself. In 1997 Smith was inducted as a Distinguished Member into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and in 2003 he was honored internationally by the FILA Hall of Fame. Smith now coaches Oklahoma State University Wrestling Team, who under Smith's leadership, have won five national titles.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL ITALIAN AMERICAN SPORTS HALL OF FAME

Located in Chicago's historic "Little Italy" neighborhood, the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit educational institution dedicated to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of Italian Americans in sports. Our collection aims to honor and preserve Italian Americans who have made lasting contributions to sports and society. The NIASHF has awarded over $6 million in scholarships to students from all backgrounds for their academic and athletic endeavors through our Second Wind and A Level Playing Field outreach programs.

This state by state rankings should be going out some time next week (depending on the state). Here is a list of the each state's rankings page:

State Rankings

• Alabama Rankings
• Alaska Rankings
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Hodge Trophy winner Brent Metcalf of Iowa among five NCAA champions who are back this season

Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
10/17/2008

College wrestling practices are underway across the country and with the start of the season just a few weeks away, it’s time to take a quick glance at what to look forward to during the 2008-09 season.

TheMat.com is breaking down each of the 10 weight classes heading into the season, which will culminate with the NCAA Championships on March 19-21, 2009 in St. Louis, Mo.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are the returning NCAA team champion, with Ohio State and Iowa State expected to challenge Iowa for the top spot this season. Nebraska, Cornell, Missouri, Penn State, Illinois and Oklahoma State are among the teams who are capable of being in the hunt.

Five of the 10 NCAA individual champions from 2008 are back this season.

Here is a weight-by-weight look at the upcoming season:

125 POUNDS

This weight class includes the last two NCAA champions in Indiana’s Angel Escobedo and Edinboro’s Paul Donahoe.

Cornell’s Troy Nickerson, who has placed second and third in the country, also is back after missing last season.

2008 NCAA runner-up Jayson Ness of Minnesota will bump up to 133 this season. Ness is a two-time All-American at 125.

This weight class also includes two-time All-American Charlie Falck of Iowa along with All-Americans Brandon Precin of Northwestern and James Nicholson of Old Dominion.

Oklahoma State’s Obe Blanc, an All-American for Lock Haven in 2007, also is in the mix here.

Two other wrestlers to watch here are Arizona State’s Anthony Robles and Penn’s Rollie Peterkin. Both wrestlers finished one win shy of All-American honors last season.

Donahoe, an NCAA champion in 2007 and a third-place finisher in 2008, is now strapping on the wrestling shoes at Edinboro after being dismissed from the University of Nebraska for off-the-mat issues. He is a senior and would be eligible for the second semester.

TheMat.com Top 3: Escobedo, Donahoe, Nickerson.

133 POUNDS

Iowa junior Joey Slaton is the top returning finisher here after placing second in the nation this past March in St. Louis.

Minnesota’s Jayson Ness, a two-time All-American at 125, bumps up to 133 this season.

How tough will the Big Ten be in this division? Michigan State’s Franklin Gomez finished third nationally last season and Jimmy Kennedy of Illinois took fourth.

Iowa State’s Nick Fanthorpe is another wrestler who could contend here. Fanthorpe placed seventh in the nation last year after moving up a weight class. Navy’s Joe Baker is another returning All-American at 133.

Other wrestlers to keep an eye on are Penn State’s Jake Strayer, Hofstra’s Lou Ruggirello and Ohio State’s Reece Humphrey. Strayer was an All-American in 2007, Ruggirello fell one win short of All-American honors last season and Humphrey was a World University silver medalist in freestyle wrestling this past summer.

Oklahoma State’s Tyler Shinn also moves up to this class after previously competing at 125.

TheMat.com Top 3: Slaton, Gomez, Ness.

141 POUNDS

Ohio State’s J Jaggers turned in one of the surprise performances at the 2008 NCAA Championships. Seeded sixth, Jaggers knocked off No. 3 seed Kellen Russell of Michigan, No. 2 seed Charles Griffin of Hofstra and No. 1 seed Chad Mendes of Cal Poly en route to the title.

The next highest returning placewinner at 141 is Iowa State’s Nick Gallick, who took fifth at the NCAAs. Gallick bumped up a weight class last season.

Cornell’s Mike Grey moves up to 141 this year after placing sixth at 133 as a freshman. Tennessee-Chattanooga’s Cody Cleveland placed eighth nationally this past season at 141.

Russell, who spent time ranked No. 1 last season as a freshman, came up one win short of All-American honors last season.

West Virginia’s Brandon Rader is another veteran who could contend here.

Iowa will be very strong here as well. The Hawkeyes will have either All-American Alex Tsirtsis or 2008 NCAA qualifier Dan LeClere competing at 141.

TheMat.com Top 3: Jaggers, Gallick, Russell.

149 POUNDS

The toughest weight class in the country during the 2007-08 season, 149 may be just as competitive this season.

The best wrestler in the country, reigning Hodge Trophy winner Brent Metcalf of Iowa, is back for his junior season after winning the NCAA title in 2008. The punishing, hard-charging Metcalf may be the best college wrestler since Cael Sanderson.

2007 Junior World freestyle champion Bubba Jenkins of Penn State turned in a strong college campaign last season after placing second to Metcalf at nationals. Jenkins came out strong in the NCAA finals against Metcalf before falling 14-8.

Nebraska’s Jordan Burroughs is another talented and dangerous wrestler in this division. Burroughs placed third at nationals last year as a sophomore. He gained experience this past summer as a member of the U.S. Junior World Team.

North Carolina State’s Darrion Caldwell, the only wrestler to beat Metcalf last season, also is back. The explosive Caldwell was fifth in the country in 2008.

Two-time All-American Lance Palmer of Ohio State can’t be counted out either. Palmer gave Metcalf his toughest match of the 2008 NCAAs before Metcalf pulled out a 3-2 win in the quarterfinals.

Purdue’s Jake Patascil and Army’s Matt Kyler are two other top wrestlers in this division.

Three-time All-American Dustin Schlatter of Minnesota moves out of this division. Schlatter is moving up to 157 and he may take a redshirt season.

TheMat.com Top 3: Metcalf, Burroughs, Jenkins.

157 POUNDS

Cornell’s Jordan Leen is back after winning an NCAA title. Leen was seeded eighth before knocking off top-ranked Gregor Gillespie of Edinboro en route to the title.

Gillespie also is back. He won NCAAs as a 149-pounder in 2007.

NCAA runner-up Mike Poeta of Illinois also returns for his senior season. Penn State’s Dan Vallimont is back after finishing third in the country in 2008.

All-American J.P. O’Connor of Harvard is expected to bump up to this division.

Iowa State’s Cyler Sanderson made significant improvement last year in becoming an All-American for the first time in 2008.

Bloomsburg’s Matt Moley rebounded from a first-round loss at the NCAAs to place eighth in the country last season.

Missouri’s Michael Chandler and Iowa’s Ryan Morningstar are two other competitors who could make an impact here.

Minnesota’s Dustin Schlatter plans to move up to 157, but may be taking a redshirt this season. Schlatter has been hampered by injuries since winning the NCAA title at 149 in 2006.

TheMat.com Top 3: Poeta, Gillespie, Leen.

165 POUNDS

The top two finishers in this weight class were seniors, so this division looks to be fairly wide open this season.

Missouri’s Nick Marable, Cornell’s Mack Lewness and Northern Iowa’s Moza Fay look like the top contenders after placing 3-4-5 in the nation in 2008.

Two Big 12 rivals – Iowa State’s Jon Reader and Nebraska’s Stephen Dwyer – can’t be counted out either. Reader placed seventh and Dwyer eighth in the 2008 NCAA meet.

Also from the Big 12, Oklahoma State’s Brandon Mason is dropping down a class to 165. Mason was an All-American at 174 in 2007.

Another wrestler to watch in this class is Central Michigan’s Trevor Stewart.

TheMat.com Top 3: Marable, Lewnes, Mason.

174 POUNDS

Michigan’s Steve Luke is the frontrunner in this division after placing second at the NCAA tournament last year.

Luke will face a stern challenge from Big Ten rival Jay Borschel of Iowa. Borschel placed third in his first NCAA meet last season.

Nebraska’s Brandon Browne also will contend after placing fourth at nationals in 2008.

Missouri’s Raymond Jordan is expected to drop down a class to 174. Jordan placed fifth in the nation at 184 last season.

All-Americans Steve Anceravage of Cornell and Alton Lucas of Hofstra also are back in this division.

TheMat.com Top 3: Borschel, Luke, Browne.

184 POUNDS

This weight class features a pair of NCAA champions in Northwestern’s Jake Herbert and Ohio State’s Mike Pucillo. Herbert won it all in 2007 and Pucillo won it last season.

Herbert is back on the mat for his senior season after taking an Olympic redshirt last year. Herbert has placed third, second and first at the NCAAs in his career.

Another Big Ten wrestler, Iowa’s Phil Keddy, also could make some noise here. Keddy was one of the most improved wrestlers in the country last season. Keddy went from being 14-16 as a freshman to placing sixth nationally as a sophomore.

Boise State sophomore Kirk Smith placed eighth in the country in 2008.

Harvard’s Louis Caputo and Nebraska’s Vince Jones are two other top wrestlers in this division along with Rider’s Doug Umbehauer and West Virginia’s Kurt Brenner.

TheMat.com Top 3: Herbert, Pucillo, Keddy.

197 POUNDS

This could be one of the strongest weight classes in the country again this year with two-time NCAA runner-up Jake Varner of Iowa State and All-American Tyrel Todd of Michigan both bumping up to 197. Todd was third in the country at 184 last year.

Also in this class is 2008 third-place finisher Hudson Taylor of Maryland and fourth-place finisher Craig Brester of Nebraska.

Wisconsin’s Dallas Herbst is back after placing sixth last year. Missouri junior Max Askren was seventh in the nation in 2008.

Cornell’s Josh Arnone and Illinois’ Patrick Bond also can’t be overlooked in this class.

TheMat.com Top 3: Varner, Taylor, Brester.

285 POUNDS

This is another weight class that looks to be up for grabs with the top three finishers from the 2008 NCAAs being seniors.

Oklahoma State’s Jared Rosholt is the top returning wrestler after he placed fourth nationally in 2008. Iowa State’s David Zabriskie was sixth and Wisconsin’s Kyle Massey took eighth. Rosholt, a junior, made noticeable improvement last season. He and Zabriskie have had a number of close battles the past two years.

Navy’s Scott Steele is another guy to keep an eye on here. Stuck behind Navy teammate and third-place NCAA finisher Ed Prendergast last year, Steele will contend for the national title this year. Steele placed third at June’s U.S. Olympic Team Trials in freestyle wrestling and traveled to Beijing, China, as a training partner for Olympian Steve Mocco.

Other top wrestlers in the heavyweight division include Mark Ellis of Missouri, Jermail Porter of Kent State, John Wise of Illinois and Zac Sheaffer of Pittsburgh.

TheMat.com Top 3: Rosholt, Steele, Zabriskie.