The Minnesota Gold squad claimed first place out of a field of 24 at the Schoolboy/girl National Duals in Indianapolis, Ind., on Friday, June 20, 2008.

The team used a 38-33 performance over Pennsylvania Blue in the medal round to take home the crown.

Joining these two squads with top performances was third-place Michigan Red, which won 41-31 over Illinois, fifth-place Wisconsin topping Team Missouri 43-30, and Kansas Gold, which beat New Jersey, 40-36.

Medal round results are listed below. For complete results from Greco-Roman competition visit Track Wrestling.

Competition will continue with freestyle duals. Schoolboy National Duals is scheduled to run through June 22, 2008.

Schoolboy Duals
Indianapolis, Ind.
June 20, 2008

Medal Round Bracket Results
1. Minnesota Gold
2. Pennsylvania Blue
3. Michigan Red
4. Illinois
5. Team Missouri
6. Wisconsin
7. Kansas Gold
8. New Jersey

1st Place Match
Minnesota Gold G defeated Pennsylvania Blue G 38-33.

3rd Place Match
Michigan Red G defeated Illinois G 41-31.

5th Place Match
Team Missouri G defeated Wisconsin G 43-30.

7th Place Match
Kansas Gold G defeated New Jersey G 40-36.

The draw has been set for the Pan American Junior Championships in Greco-Roman in Cuenca, Ecuador. Competition will be held on Friday

50kg (8 entries)
1. PERU
2. COLOMBIA
3. DESMOND MOORE, USA
4. MEXICO
5. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
6. NICARAGUA
7. ECUADOR
8. ARGENTINA
Moore vs. Mexico

55kg (7 entries)
1. ECUADOR
2. ARGENTINA
3. EL SALVADOR
4. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
5. PERU
6. NIKKO TRIGGAS, USA
7. VENEZUELA
Triggas vs. Venezuela

60kg (8 ENTRIES)
1. VENEZUELA
2. CUBA
3. COLOMBIA
4. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
5. ARGENTINA
6. EL SALVADOR
7. BRIAN OWEN, USA
8. ECUADOR
Owen vs. Ecuador

66kg (8 ENTRIES)
1. MICHAEL MANGRUM, USA
2. ARGENTINA
3. CHILE
4. NICARAGUA
5. CUBA
6. VENEZUELA
7. ECUADOR
8. PERU
Mangrum vs. Argentina

74kg (6 ENTRIES)
1. ECUADOR
2. QUENTIN WRIGHT, USA
3. PERU
4. ARGENTINA
5. VENEZUELA
6. COLOMBIA
Wright vs. Ecuador

84kg (5 ENTRIES)
1. KIRK SMITH, USA
2. COLOMBIA
3. ECUADOR
4. MEXICO
5. VENEZUELA
Smith vs. Colombia

96 kg (5 ENTRIES)
1. BRENT EIDENSCHINK, USA
2. VENEZUELA
3. MEXICO
4. ECUADOR
5. EL SALVADOR
Eidenschink vs. Venezuela

120kg (7 ENTRIES)
1. CUBA
2. BEN BERHOW, USA
3. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
4. VENEZUELA
5. ECUADOR
6. ARGENTINA
7. MEXICO
Berhow vs. Dominican Republic

2008 U.S. Olympians Brad Vering, Daniel Cormier and Marcie Van Dusen, along with U.S. Olympic freestyle coach Lee Kemp, are scheduled to ring the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Friday afternoon in New York City.

Those four, along with U.S. Rowing National Team members Wyatt Allen, Dan Beery, Matt Deakin, Beau Hoopman, Jason Read and Bryan Volpenhein, and men´s head coach Mike Tetiring will take part in ringing the Closing Bell.

The U.S. team is scheduled to ring the Closing Bell at 3:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, June 20. For more information on the ceremony or to follow on a live webcast visit the New York Stock Exchange website.

“It´s really exciting to have this opportunity,” Vering said. “I was telling my friends and family about it and they were probably more excited than I am about it. They will be watching for it. It´s really cool and it sure is an honor to be chosen to do this. This is great to have wrestling doing something like this. It’s definitely awesome to see three wrestlers up there ringing the bell. I’m looking forward to it.”

The group is visiting the New York area to help promote the "Fuel The Dream" initiative, a program which will help raise funds to enable families of Olympic athletes to go to Beijing to support the team. It is the largest family fundraising effort by a National Governing Body in U.S. Olympic history, and will be supported by both corporate and individual donations. The Olympic wrestling team has won the third-most medals for the United States of any sport since the Olympics began.

The U.S. Olympic Team for wrestling also is spending two days in New York City for a media and promotional tour.

U.S. Olympian Dremiel Byers appeared on the Today Show on Wednesday morning with a group of Olympians who compete for the U.S. Army. Athletes from boxing, track and field, and shooting appeared alongside Byers.

Vering, a 2007 World silver medalist, made his second straight U.S. Olympic Team in Greco-Roman wrestling. He has made four World Teams.

2007 World bronze medalist Cormier made his second straight U.S. Olympic Team in freestyle. He has made the last four U.S. World Teams.

Van Dusen made her first Olympic Team this year after having made her first World Team in 2007.

Kemp was a three-time World champion in freestyle as well as a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team that did not compete in Moscow due to the American boycott.

After finishing second at the 2008 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, it didn’t seem like there was much more Ohio State coach Tom Ryan could to bring momentum into Columbus and excitement to the wrestling program.

Well, there was.

On Wednesday, the National Wrestling Coaches Association announced the 43rd annual NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps will be hosted by the Ohio State University on November 24, 2008.

Prior to the announcement, the NWCA Board of Directors unanimously approved the motion to have Ohio State host the event at the annual NWCA Convention held last week in Las Vegas prior to the Olympic Trials.

“We’ve taken the All-Star Classic around the country, but it’s hard to believe it’s been 27 years since the event has been in Columbus,” said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. “We’ve been to Dallas and Oregon the last two years to try to kick start and preserve wrestling and this coming year, we’re going to an area where wrestling isn’t just thriving, it’s creating an electric atmosphere around campus.”

Last year, the event drew over 4,300 fans at the University of Oregon’s MacArthur Court in an effort to help the Save Oregon Wrestling effort.

“We were pleased about the outpouring of support from the fans in Oregon last year,” said Moyer. “Even with the event traditionally held on a Monday night, we think Columbus will be an ideal location for wrestling fans in the region to watch the best college wrestling has to offer and many previews of what you will see in St. Louis come March.

Back in 1981, names like Gene Mills, Jim Gibbons, Andre Metzger, Nate Carr, Ricky Stewart, Dan Severn and Bruce Baumgartner highlighted the field.

Ticket prices and times are yet to be announced, but information about the event will be released on InterMat and via the All-Star Classic home page at www.theallstarclassic.com

Also on Wednesday, the NWCA announced a two-year extension with the University of Northern Iowa as the host of the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals. This move was also approved by the NWCA’s Board of Directors.

The event called the UNI-Dome home for the fourth consecutive year and the two-year extension will make it the host site through the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

“The staff ant Northern Iowa and the representatives of the local visitors and conventions bureaus do an amazing amount of work and preparation for this event,” said NWCA President Ron Mirikitani. “Just finding lodging for 80-something teams is hard enough, but they make it easy choice to continue to come back.”

The 2008 NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals were named Event of the Year by the Cedar Valley Tourism Awards handed out last May.

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

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

Fans can meet members of the U.S. Olympic Team for wrestling today during an appearance at Foley’s N.Y. Pub and Restaurant in New York City today, Thursday, June 19 between 2-4 p.m.

The athletes are in the New York area for a short media tour as well as participate in public appearances as part of the Fuel the Dream fundraising program.

At Foley’s, the athletes will conduct numerous interviews with local and national media, as well as meet with fans and customers at this popular sports establishment. An autograph session will be held from 3-4 p.m. as part of the appearance.

Foley’s NY Pub and Restaurant is located at 18 West 33rd Street in Manhattan (across from the Empire State Building).

Fuel the Dream is a program in which USA Wrestling is raising funds for 2008 U.S. Olympic wrestlers and their families.

Foley’s is supporting Fuel the Dream in two major ways. The restaurant will donate 10 percent of its food sales today, Thursday, June 19, to the Fuel the Dream program.

In addition, Foley’s has created a new sandwich entitled “Rulon’s Rueben”, with 5 (onion) rings. A portion of the sales of this sandwich, as well as the “Fuel The Dream” burger, which are sold through July 31 will benefit the U.S. wrestlers.

Athletes expected at today’s appearance:
55 kg Greco-Roman – Spenser Mango
66 kg Greco-Roman – Jake Deitchler
74 kg Greco-Roman – T.C. Dantzler
96 kg Greco-Roman – Adam Wheeler
120 kg Greco-Roman – Dremiel Byers
48 kg women – Clarissa Chun
55 kg women – Marcie Van Dusen
63 kg women – Randi Miller
72 kg women – Ali Bernard
55 kg freestyle – Henry Cejudo
84 kg freestyle – Andy Hrovat
96 kg freestyle – Daniel Cormier
120 kg freestyle – Steve Mocco
Freestyle Coach – Lee Kemp

Sports Illustrated story on Deitchler

Dremiel Byers appearance on Today Show

After finishing second at the 2008 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, it didn’t seem like there was much more Ohio State coach Tom Ryan could to bring momentum into Columbus and excitement to the wrestling program.

Well, there was.

On Wednesday, the National Wrestling Coaches Association announced the 43rd annual NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps will be hosted by the Ohio State University on November 24, 2008.

Prior to the announcement, the NWCA Board of Directors unanimously approved the motion to have Ohio State host the event at the annual NWCA Convention held last week in Las Vegas prior to the Olympic Trials.

“We’ve taken the All-Star Classic around the country, but it’s hard to believe it’s been 27 years since the event has been in Columbus,” said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. “We’ve been to Dallas and Oregon the last two years to try to kick start and preserve wrestling and this coming year, we’re going to an area where wrestling isn’t just thriving, it’s creating an electric atmosphere around campus.”

Last year, the event drew over 4,300 fans at the University of Oregon’s MacArthur Court in an effort to help the Save Oregon Wrestling effort.

“We were pleased about the outpouring of support from the fans in Oregon last year,” said Moyer. “Even with the event traditionally held on a Monday night, we think Columbus will be an ideal location for wrestling fans in the region to watch the best college wrestling has to offer and many previews of what you will see in St. Louis come March.

Back in 1981, names like Gene Mills, Jim Gibbons, Andre Metzger, Nate Carr, Ricky Stewart, Dan Severn and Bruce Baumgartner highlighted the field.

Ticket prices and times are yet to be announced, but information about the event will be released on InterMat and via the All-Star Classic home page at www.theallstarclassic.com

Also on Wednesday, the NWCA announced a two-year extension with the University of Northern Iowa as the host of the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals. This move was also approved by the NWCA’s Board of Directors.

The event called the UNI-Dome home for the fourth consecutive year and the two-year extension will make it the host site through the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

“The staff ant Northern Iowa and the representatives of the local visitors and conventions bureaus do an amazing amount of work and preparation for this event,” said NWCA President Ron Mirikitani. “Just finding lodging for 80-something teams is hard enough, but they make it easy choice to continue to come back.”

The 2008 NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals were named Event of the Year by the Cedar Valley Tourism Awards handed out last May.

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

The mobile Brute Adidas Studios return home again after a long days journey in to night. Yup, Las Vegas is a ton of work. Hats off to our own Steve Foster and Johnny Johnson. Nice job guys. Also, To: Gary Abbott, Rich Bender, Larry Nugent, Craig Sesker and the rest of the talented crew of USA Wrestling. Each of you amazed me with the professional approach you took on this very important event. USAW did this right. Thank you! Also, thank you on behalf of the fans for working with NBC on getting an on line broadcast approved for the finals each night. That was cool. Room for improvement but non the less a first of its kind and a huge success with the results given. The fans were great. Van Stokes was terrific to work with and I can see why he is USA Wrestling´s Man of the Year. A humble guy, deserving and giving. So with that said, we plow ahead in to the great unknown…

This week on TDR-

Brian Smith- Head Coach of U of Missouri joins us to discuss Ben Askren´s performance and ultimate win of his weight class at the Olympic Trials.

Bruce Burnett- Head Coach of the Naval Academy joins us for his perspective on the Trials and summer camps and continued preparation for the coming fall.

Mark Johnson- Head Coach of Illinois will join us. Finally this team member of the 1980´s Olympic Team was recognized. Illinois head coach Mark Johnson and his teammates from the 1980 United States Olympic wrestling team were honored at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in Las Vegas, June 13-15.

Josh Weitzel- University of Oklahoma (Oxford, PA) he wrestled 2 years at Michigan and after neck surgery he transferred to OU and Redshirted a year and wrestled at 74 and 84 as a senior. Now he´s graduated and will be coaching at Norman HS with Bo Manes as Head Coach.

Harley Race- This professional wrestling great reaches out to assist the Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo.

A number of future American stars in the international styles of freestyle, women’s freestyle and Greco-Roman are set to take the mat for the Junior Pan American Championships.

The event is set for June 20-22 in Cuenca, Ecuador. The Greco-Roman competition will be held June 20, followed by women’s freestyle on June 21 and men’s freestyle on June 22.

The Pan American nations are from North, Central and South America.

The U.S. will send a combined freestyle and Greco-Roman squad with eight athletes competing in both styles.

FILA Junior World Team Trials freestyle champions Quentin Wright and Kirk Smith will led the men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman teams in Ecuador. Wright placed first at 74 kilos, beating Andrew Howe, and Smith placed first over Dustin Kilgore at 84 kilos.

Silver medalists from the FILA Junior World Team Trials set to compete for the U.S. include freestylers Desmond Moore at 50 kg and Ben Berhow at 120 kg, as well as Greco-Roman wrestlers Nikko Triggas at 55 kg and Brent Eidenshink at 96 kg.

Also competing for the men’s team are Washington-natives Brian Owen and Michael Mangrum, at 60 kg and 66 kg, respectively.

The women’s team consists of seven second place finishers and one third place finisher at the Body Bar FILA Junior National Championships.

At 67 kg/147.5 lbs., Lauren Knight will lead the women as one of only two wrestlers on the team qualified to compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling and Judo, which will take place prior to the FILA Junior Pan Am Championships. Knight finished second at Body Bar to Adeline Gray.

Marina Piccolotti, at 63 kg/138.75 lbs., is the lone bronze medalist set to travel to Ecuador. Piccolotti has also qualified to compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

Completing the U.S. women’s freestyle roster are the other six Body Bar silver medalists including Nicole Woody at 44 kg/97 lbs., C.C. Weber at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Whitney Conder at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., Beth Johnson at 55 kg/121 lbs., Nicole Darrow at 59 kg/130 lbs., and Lindsey Brooks at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.

U.S. Freestyle and Greco-Roman Team

50 kg/110 lbs. – Desmond Moore, Easton, Pa.
55 kg/121 lbs. – Nikko Triggas, Moraga, Calif.
60 kg/132 lbs. – Brian Owen, Spokane, Wash.
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Michael Mangrum, Auburn, Wash.
74 kg/163 lbs. – Quentin Wright, Wingate, Pa.
84 kg/185 lbs. – Kirk Smith, Boise, Idaho
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Brent Eidenschink, Detroit Lakes, Minn.
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Ben Berhow, Hayward, Minn.

Coaches: Jim Humphrey, Rob Prebish

U.S. Women’s Freestyle Team

44 kg/97 lbs. – Nicole Woody, Odenton, Md.
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – C.C. Weber, Goodrich, Mich.
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Whitney Conder, Puyallup, Wash.
55 kg/121 lbs. – Beth Johnson, Garden City, Kan.
59 kg/130 lbs. – Nicole Darrow, Lanesboro, Mass.
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Marina Piccolotti, Pacifica, Calif.
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Lauren Knight, Williamsburg, Kent.
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Lindsey Brooks, Spring, Texas

Coach: Alex Conti