2018: The Year of The Transfer

Nick Suriano is no longer a Nittany Lion of Penn State. He has traded in the white and blue for scarlet as he'll now contend for both BIG 10 and NCAA titles wrestling for Rutgers. His transfer is the hottest topic in wrestling at the moment, but it is far from the only.

The 2017-2018 year looks to have a ton of transfers that will have a significant impact both on the team they left and the team they came to. An odd statistic to look into, there are eighteen (maybe more) wrestlers that could have a stellar season this year competing at a school they did not start out at.

Might as well start out with Suriano.

Nick Suriano
Penn State to Rutgers

If this were a game of pirates, Rutgers found the gold in this pick up. Fans are super excited, as they should be. While three time All American Anthony Ashnault hopes to become the Scarlet Knights first NCAA Division I Champion, he may have to hope that the 141 lbs weight class is wrestled before the 125. Owning a 8-6 victory last season over NCAA runner-up Ethan Lizak of Minnesota, Suriano looks to contend.

Dalton Macri
Cornell to North Carolina

Another transfer at 125 lbs to keep an eye on is former Cornell Big Red 125 lbs wrestler Dalton Macri, who will be competing for North Carolina this season. Among his notable victories include a 6-5 tiebreaker victory over Ronnie Bresser of Oregon State and a 7-6 victory over Missouri's Barlow McGhee. It should also be noted that two weeks prior to David Terao's miraculous run at the 2016 NCAA championships were he finished in fourth place, Macri controlled him steadily in a 4-0 victory at the EIWA championships. Macri will challenge Virginia's Jack Mueller for this year's ACC title.

Ryan Millhof
Oklahoma to Arizona State

2016 NCAA 7th place finisher for the Oklahoma Sooners, Ryan Millhof will compete for the Arizona State Sun Devils this season. Among victories that he had two seasons ago, most noteworthy is a 4-2 sudden victory over last year's NCAA champion Darian Cruz of Lehigh. He also owns victories over All American's Zeke Moisey (2-1) of West Virginia and Edinboro's Sean Russell (1-0).  He'll have to contend with Oregon State's Ronnie Bresser, whom he has yet to defeat for a PAC-12 Title.

Nathan Boston
Iowa State to Campbell

Sometimes a change of scenery is the best medicine that can be prescribed to a wrestler and that could be the case for former Cyclone Nathan Boston, who is now a Camel of Campbell. Much like his predecessor Nathan Krassier who left North Carolina to come to Campbell, Boston looks to head coach Cary Kolat to lead him to the success that eluded him in Ames. Currently under the radar, Boston's 5-4 loss to MAC Champion John Erneste at the Southern Scuffle sticks out most in illustrating the potential that good coaching mixed with confidence could lead to.

Corey Keener
Central Michigan to Penn State 

After having spent most of his career at Central Michigan, 133 lbs wrestler Corey Keener will wrestle his final season at Penn State. At the moment among the loaded and stacked weight class, Keener doesn't seem much of a threat. Yet it should be kept in mind that Keener even at the moment is a contender for third place at the BIG 10 tournament, and with Sanderson in his ear for motivation, he could even contend for second. Knocking off Michigan's Stevan Micic for a title is most likely out of the question, but in the fight to win the team title, those points still add up.

Stevan Micic
Northwestern to Michigan

Considering that he has wrestled his entire varsity career at the University of Michigan, some might feel that Micic does not belong on such a list. Nevertheless he did start out at Northwestern and that will be pointed out for two distinct reasons. First off he is one of two former Wildcats that could win an NCAA title this season.  Secondly, the 2017-2018 Wolverine squad could be the best in history of the program, and why wouldn't you point out that he is one of two starters this season that started off at another school?  With no real competition standing in his way, Micic ought to own the BIG 10 and contend for an NCAA title against South Dakota State's Seth Gross and Oklahoma State's Kaid Brock.

Emilio Saavedra
Old Dominion to Fresno State

One of the perennial questions for this season is how will Fresno State do in their first season back since the program was dropped back in 2006? A major Division I program, in a state that has lost a significant amount of teams in the last ten years, a shift in reinstating wrestling at various schools could result depending on the success of the Bulldogs. When does that success start, and with whom? One of the answers to that question could be 133 lbs wrestler Emilio Saavedra who transfers in from Old Dominion. An inconsistent wrestler, how he'll perform is up in the air.  He won the 2016 Midlands title, but went 0-2 at the 2017 tournament. Having the two best 133 lbs wrestlers in the country, Seth Gross of South Dakota State and Kaid Brock of Oklahoma State in his conference, he'll most likely have to settle for a third place finish in the BIG 12. All American honors, and being Fresno State's first in the "new era" of Bulldog wrestling to achieve the status, is not at all out of Saavedra's capabilities.

Josh Reyes
Boise State to Clackamas Community College to Fresno State

Another hopeful candidate in helping Fresno State to achieve its goals is Josh Reyes who began his career at Boise State and then transferred to Clackamas Community college where he won an NJCAA title last season. Two victories, 8-3 and 5-1 over Geo Martinez another former wrestler of Boise State now competing for Oklahoma State, gives testimony to Reyes' All American hopes.

Geo Martinez
Boise State to Oklahoma State 

With an eighth place finish at the 2016 NCAA championships, Geo Martinez became the 31st All American in Boise State wrestling history. Unfortunately with the poor decision of Boise State's senile and vacuous President Bob Kustra eliminating the program, he might be the last. Nevertheless Martinez is no longer at Boise State and he now dawns an orange and black singlet of Oklahoma State. It certainly won't be a given, with the deep talent that is the 149 lbs weight class, but Martinez should add valuable points for the Cowboys at both the BIG 12 and NCAA tournaments.

Joey McKenna
Stanford to Ohio State

Next to Suriano, McKenna's move from Stanford to Ohio State is the hot topic in transfer news.  Nearly identical freshman and sophomore campaigns of 27-3 and 31-3 respectively, there is only one word to sum up his disappointing 2017 NCAA performance. Unfortunate.  Although no wrestler ever wants to endure such an experience, and so many work so hard to avoid one, most go through at least one nightmare during their career. McKenna's so happened to be the NCAA tournament of his sophomore year. If two back to back PAC-12 titles, and a third place finish at the 2016 NCAA tournament as a freshman aren't enough, take into consideration that McKenna stuck NCAA runner up DiCamillo in only a minute and six seconds in the third place match at last year's Southern Scuffle. He also owns a 4-0 victory over All American Matt Kolodzik and the last time he and two time NCAA champion Dean Heil of Oklahoma State met, Heil barely squeaked out a 2-1 tiebreaker victory.  In perhaps the most loaded conference bracket in the country, it'll be interesting to see where McKenna ends up at the BIG 10's as well as the NCAA's.

Patricio Lugo
Edinboro to Iowa 

Ironically enough, Lugo is not the only current Hawkeye this year to wrestle for another program last season. Seeing how Edinboro and Iowa are night and day different in an assortment of ways it'll be rather enthralling to see how Lugo fits in to The Brands brother's rather strict and conservative environment. Mirroring freshman and sophomore campaigns of 32-9 and 31-9, Lugo also finished in second place at last year's Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. Like McKenna, he is in the BIG 10's, as well as arguably the entire nation's toughest conference bracket. Where he'll place is currently in question.

Steve Bleise
Northern Illinois to Minnesota

You'd think we'd be done talking about transfers that will be competing at the 149 lbs BIG 10 weight class this season, but we're not. We still have to discuss Steve Bleise, who transfers from Northern Illinois to Minnesota. A risk taker, who has been on both sides of the result that risk takers often take, Bleise has had a rather roller coaster of a career thus far. Finishing one match shy of All American status last season, perhaps the best thing for him is to tone and sharpen his skills under a new coaching staff. Under Coach Eggum, Becker, Schlatter and Sanders, his weaknesses should become strengths and his strengths should become stronger. Look for that round of twelve match to be a win instead of a loss this season.

Jason Tsirtsis
Northwestern to Arizona State

The wrestling world is full of motivating stories of inspiration and one that could be added to the storybook this season is that of Jason Tsirtsis. Having started his career at Northwestern where he won an NCAA title as a freshman and then finished third as a sophomore, Tsirtsis has a disappointing 2-2 tournament as a junior. After disappearing for a short time, Tsirtsis transferred to Arizona State last season where he competed at the Midland's championships, showing a mixture of signs of what to expect this season. He wrestled well enough to capture a fifth place finish, yet suffered a tough 11-2 loss to Iowa's Mike Kemmerer. Talent and ability to walk out of St. Louis with his second NCAA title, Tsirtsis could as easily fail to place. There are two Jason Tsirtsis's that we could see on the mat this season. We'll know which one soon enough.

Chance Marstellar
Oklahoma State to Lock Haven 

Chance "One More Chance" Marstellar looks to right some wrongs and make up for lost time. He'll be starting fresh at Lock Haven. A 7-5 victory of North Carolina's Ethan Ramos and an 11-10 victory of Cornell's Dylan Palacio, Marsteller has shown he has the tools to do big things in Division I wrestling. He'll have to contend with Rider's Chad Walsh for a EWL title as he'll also battle for All American honors.

Kevin Beazley
Old Dominion to Michigan 

Along with Micic, Kevin Beazley will be another transfer on the Michigan Wolverine roster this season. An All American for Old Dominion last year, Beazley could be the valuable points that Michigan needs to join Penn State, Ohio State and Iowa in the hunt for the BIG 10 team title. As far as winning an individual title, he'll have to contend with Penn State's Matt McCutcheon and Ohio State's Kollin Moore.

Patrick Downey
Iowa State to Iowa 

Last but certainly not least is disputably NCAA Division I's most controversial figure, Patrick Downey. The former Cyclone who garnered 5th place All American honors at the 2016 NCAA tournament will now be a Hawkeye in his final season. Even more so than Lugo, it could unwind like a five star film to see how the cut-loose and free spirited Downey fits into the Hawkeye program. As long as he doesn't get into too much trouble and more importantly he wins big matches and brings home the right colored medals from tournaments it shouldn't be too much of an issue. It's in both Downey's nature and in Iowa's nature to carry a high since of confidence that they are the best. We'll see.



Other transfers to look out for:

Mike Longo of Oklahoma who wrestled for the Sooners last season and started his career off at Appalachian State.

Te'Shan Campbell last year's ACC champion at 165 lbs for Pittsburgh, who will compete this season for Ohio State.

Fredy Stroker who began his career at Minnesota, who is now at Cornell.

Will the Greatest Upset in Collegiate Wrestling of All Time Be Surpassed This Season?

There have been a multitude of upsets throughout collegiate wrestling's long and illustrious history. Die-hard wrestling fans from every generation can name a handful that stick out in their mind. Yet, no upset has captured the imagination more so than that of Larry Ownings 13-11 dethroning of Dan Gable at the 1970 NCAA Division I championships.

47 years old, and it is still the most well known, talked about and revisited upset in college wrestling.

Ownings shortly after upsetting Gable

That could change.

It's now an indisputable fact with two World Gold and one Olympic Gold medal, that Kyle Snyder of Ohio State is the most accomplished still with collegiate eligibility wrestler that we have ever had. Knowing that he still has a senior year to wrestle for the Buckeyes is almost surreal.

At this point he seems unbeatable. Untouchable. The idea of anyone even coming close to defeating him is asinine.

Kyle Snyder with 2017 World Gold Medal 

Yet we have to put it into perspective.

People thought the same thing of Dan Gable. If you told anyone back in 1969 that Dan Gable was going to suffer a defeat, they'd have laughed you out of the room.  If you told them that he'd suffer a loss to an unknown sophomore from the University of Washington by the name of Larry Owings, you'd have been put into a straight jacket and committed.

And someone somewhere, maybe even you, wants to probably put me in a straight jacket for even suggesting the possibility of Snyder suffering a loss next season.

Again perspective.

Some will never let Owings over Gable go. It is forever cemented in their view as the greatest upset of all time and there is no changing that for them.  Some also consider the fact that Gable was undefeated, and Snyder has already suffered collegiate losses, to dilute the could be upset.

Some however feel that two World Gold medals and One Olympic Gold medal trump an undefeated record.

If it were to happen....It wouldn't be nearly as dramatic in a dual meet or even in the BIG 10 finals. It would have to take place in the NCAA finals in order to meet the epic proportions of the Gable/Owings match.

And of course it begs the question.

Who?

Who out there among the returning heavyweights has the best potential to go down in history with the biggest collegiate wrestling upset of all time?

Adam Coon 

Adam Coon of Michigan looks to be the best answer out of all possible candidates. The last time these two met, Snyder won a 7-4 decision. Which should also be noted, as Snyder's closest match, with anyone that he'll face during the 2017-2018 season.

It'll be interesting to see after some nasty injuries and coming off a redshirt year, where Coon will be mentally and physically this season. If 100%, he'll treat fans to the hype and belief of possibility in his ability to give Snyder the best match of his final season as a Buckeye.

Will he upset him?

Who knows?  But if he does, the greatest upset of all time may no longer be 47 years behind us.  It might be less than eight months ahead of us.

Division II and Division III Wrestlers at the NCAA Division I Tournament - Detailed Overview

At one time the NCAA Division I tournament allowed NCAA Division II and Division III wrestlers to participate in their tournament. Fans like to talk about this time, not quite sure when it started or when it stopped. Not quite sure who all was invited and who wasn't. All they know is that it was allowed at one time, and now it isn't.

Not one to be satisfied with questions that have no answers I decided to investigate. I'm still left with a few questions, but I've found quite a few answers.

Here's what I have found thus far....

Thanks to the help of the late wrestling historian Jay Hammond, the first NCAA Division I wrestling tournament was held in 1928. From 1928 to 1962, there was only one Division that all colleges and universities participated in.

In 1963 the tournament separated into two Divisions. NCAA Division I and NCAA College Division.
This lasted from 1963 to 1965.  The top four wrestlers per weight class in the NCAA College Division were considered NCAA College Division All Americans and this All American Status also acted as a Qualification to the NCAA Division I tournament.

From 1966 through 1973, the top six were awarded All American honors but only the top four qualified for the NCAA Division I tournament.

Except for 1971. Which I can't figure out. In 1971, a fifth place finisher got to participate at the NCAA Division I tournament. My only guess is that someone who placed above him at the College Division was injured and he petitioned to take his place.

In 1974, the NCAA College Division separated into two different divisions itself.  The NCAA Division II and the NCAA Division III.


From 1974 through 1978, both DII and DIII awarded the top six wrestlers per weight class All American honors.  Then from 1979 to the present day, they have been awarding the top eight wrestlers All American Status.

As for who all was invited to the NCAA Division I tournament and when exactly it stopped? That is where things start to get a little fuzzy.

Many old timers, and even website sources will state that the NCAA Division I stopped allowing DII and DIII wrestlers to participate in their tournament sometime in the 80's.  Yet, you can find Division II wrestlers participating in the NCAA Division I tournament all the way up through 1991.

As for who was invited?

Well it seems that Division II finalist were invited from 1974-1991.  Yet sometimes those that finished third in DII got an invite to participate in the DI tournament. There seems to be no rhyme or reason for this.  All I can figure is that third place in DII might have worked like a wild card? That first and second place were automatic qualifications and if in a tough enough weight class third place would be invited too?

Division III seems a bit similar.  The champions were automatic qualifiers from the looks of it and second place was occasionally in the DI tournament as well.

Perhaps some old timers reading this blog will be able to shed light on these yet to be answered questions, and we will know.


Now to answer perhaps the most perennial question of all when it comes to this topic.

How did they do?

Did they prove themselves and show the world that DII and DIII wrestlers can hang with and even defeat Division I wrestlers?

Did they prove that there is not only a reason but a need for separate class divisions because a DI wrestler really is that much better than a DII or a DIII wrestler?

I'm not much for stating an opinion without a fact to back it up. I wanted to know the answer to these questions.

I decided to research 1963-1991 NCAA Wrestling and find out!

Here are the results

1963
The first year of the NCAA College Division
40 Wrestlers were Eligible to Compete in NCAA Division I Tournament
15 of These Wrestlers Chose Not to Participate
25 Participated

Out of the 25 Who participated 20 Did Not Win a match with 18 going 0-1 and 2 going 0-2.

Only 5 wrestlers had good showings.

Bill Dotson of Northern Iowa at 137 lbs became the first wrestler in history to win both a NCAA College Division and NCAA Division I title.

Larry Kristoff of SIU-Carbondale who won the college Division at HWT ended up in 2nd place in the NCAA Division I tournament.

Don Brown of Cornell College at 115 who took 2nd in the College Division and Jim Sanford of Northern Iowa the 147 lbs College Division Champion both finished one match shy of being Division I All Americans.

Dee Brainerd of South Dakota State the College Division Champion at 130 lbs was the only other College Division wrestler to win a match with a 1-1 record.

1964 
40 Wrestlers were again eligible to compete in the NCAA Division I Tournament
20 of these wrestlers chose Not to Participate
20 Participated

Out of the 20 that Participated, 10 failed to win a match going 0-1

2 wrestlers went 1-1

The Following Five Wrestlers Finished One Match Shy of Division I All American Status
Don Brown of Cornell who was 3rd at 115 lbs in the College Division
Mike McNamara of Mankato State who was 4th at 115 lbs in the College Division
Don Schneider of SIU-Carbondale who was 3rd at 130 in the College Division
Jim Monroe of Northern Iowa who was 2nd at 167 in the College Division
Art Oraschin of Lycoming who was 2nd at 177 in the College Division

Terry Finn of SIU-Carbondale who won the College Division at 115 lbs won the NCAA Division I title at 115 lbs.

Howie Gangestad of Mankato State who won the College Division at 123 lbs took 2nd at the NCAA Division I Championships at 123 lbs.

Dan Fix of Colorado Mines who took 2nd at 137 in the College Division finished 3rd at the NCAA Division I Championships at 137 lbs.

TEAM WISE: SIU-Carbondale 3rd in CD and 4th in DI


1965 
40 Wrestlers were eligible to compete in the NCAA Division I Tournament                                        
21 of these wrestlers Chose Not to Participate
19 Participated

9 wrestlers went 0-1
1 wrestler went 0-2
5 wrestlers went 1-1

Jim Burke of San Francisco State the 157 lbs College Division Champion made it to the Quarter-Finals but did not wrestle in the wrestle-backs for some reason. Not sure if he was injured or what, but where he should have been, his opponent received a bye instead.

John Carr of Wilkes the 167 lbs College Division Champion also made the Quarter-finals but did not receive a wrestle-back as the wrestler who beat him lost in the semi-finals.

Al Rozman of Western State the 191 lbs College Division Champion had a great showing capturing 5th place at the NCAA Division I tournament.

Joe Bavaro of Gettysburg the 147 lbs College Division Champion had the best showing of all entering the tournament unseeded and making the finals to finish 2nd at the NCAA Division I tournament.

1966
Four more wrestlers were invited from the College Division to the NCAA Division I tournament, as the college Division reevaluated the weight classes to have 11 weight classes instead of 10.

44 wrestlers were eligible to compete in the NCAA Division I tournament

17 Wrestlers Chose Not to Participate

27 Participated

12 wrestlers went 0-1
2 wrestlers went 1-1

Bob Soulek of Mankato State the college Division champion at 130 lbs made it to the Quarterfinals and both Richard Green of Portland State who took 3rd at 130 lbs and Freeman Garrison also of Portland State who took 3rd at 152 lbs were both one match shy of being Division I All Americans.

Overall The College Division Wrestlers had an outstanding showing at the NCAA Division I championships as 9 of the wrestlers achieved Division I All American honors.

Mike Remer the 115 lbs College Division Champion of Cal Poly finished in 4th place.

Warren Crow the 123 lbs College Division Champion of SUNY-Albany finished in 4th place

Rick Sanders of Portland State who finished 3rd at 123 lbs in the College Division dropped down to 115 lbs for the NCAA Division I tournament and won it.

Masaru Yatabe of Portland State the 3rd place finisher in the college Division at 137 lbs took 5th at the NCAA Division I tournament.

Joe Bavaro of Gettysburg the 152 lbs College Division took 2nd at the NCAA Division I tournament

John Carr of Wilkes the 160 lbs College Division Champion took 3rd at the NCAA Division I tournament

Bill Bachardy of Lycoming the 167 lbs College Division champion took 4th at the NCAA Division I tournament.

Dave Mucka of Moravian who took 2nd at the College Division Championship at 177 lbs took 5th at the NCAA Division I tournament

Tom Beeson of Western State who won the HWT College Division Championship took 6th at the NCAA Division I tournament.

TEAM WISE: Portland State CD 3rd and 9th in DI

1967

44 Wrestlers were again invited to participate in the NCAA Division I Tournament

15 Chose Not to Participate

29 Participated

10 Wrestlers went 0-1
1 wrestler went 0-2
3 Wrestlers went 1-1
1 Wrestler went 1-2

Warren Crow of SUNY-Albany the 123 College Division Champion made the Quarter-Finals as did Bob Wendell of Mankato State the 145 College Division Champion and Joe Wiendl of Wilkes who took 2nd at College Division 160 lbs.

The Following three wrestlers finished one match shy of All American Status
Bob Soulek (Mankato State) 130 lbs College Division Champion
Jim Soulek (Mankato State) 160 lbs 4th Place
Mike McKeel (Portland State) 191 2nd Place


The College Division Had Eight All Americans At the Division I Tournament

Rick Sanders (Portland State) the College Division 115 lbs Champion also won the NCAA DI Tournament

Masaru Yatabe  (Portland State) the College Division 137 lbs Champion finished in 2nd place.

Clearance Seal (Portland State) the College Division 152 lbs Champion finished in 3rd place.

Mike Gallego (Fresno State) The College Division 167 lbs Champion Finished in 2nd Place.

Don Parker (Northern Iowa) The College Division 177 lbs Champion bumped up to 191 lbs and finished in 6th place.

Dave Mucka (Moravian) 4th place 177 lbs College Division finished in 6th place.

Willie Williams (Illinois State) the 191 lbs College Division Champion finished in 5th place.

Tom Beeson (Western State) the 3rd place finisher in the HWT College Division finished in 5th place.

TEAM WISE: Portland State 1st in CD and 5th in DI


1968
44 Wrestlers were invited to participate in the NCAA Division I Championships
High Participation numbers as only 9 chose not to participate
35 chose to participate

Out of the 35 that participated

12 went 0-1
1 went 0-2
10 went 1-1
1 went 1-2
1 went 2-1

Glen Younger (Western State) 130 lbs College Division Champion made the NCAA Division I Quarter-Finals

Joe Wiendl (Wilkes) the College Division 160 lbs champion and Herman Pettigrew (Ashland) 4th HWT College Division were one match shy of placing.

The Following College Division Wrestlers were Division I All Americans 
Rick Sanders (Portland State) 123 lbs College Division Champion - 2nd NCAA DI
Masaru Yatabe (Portland State) 137 lbs College Division Champion - 2nd NCAA DI
Kent Wyatt (Cal Poly SLO) 145 lbs College Division Champion - 3rd NCAA DI
Mike Gallego (Fresno State) 167 College Division Champion - Champion NCAA DI
Larry Amundson (Mankato State) 177 lbs College Division Champion - 2nd NCAA DI
Tom Kline (Cal Poly SLO) 191 lbs College Division Champion - 2nd NCAA DI
Al Borkowski (Northwest Missouri) HWT 3rd College Division - 6th NCAA DI

TEAM WISE: Cal Poly 1st CD, Portland State 2nd CD both tied for 6th



1969
A great year for the College Division Wrestlers at the NCAA Division I Tournament as only 6 of the 44 wrestlers invited to compete chose not to participate.

Out of the 38 that did....

13 went 0-1
3 went 1-2
7 went 1-1
1 went 2-1
1 went 2-2

Tom Best (East Stroudsburg) 3rd 130 lbs College Division made the Quarter-Finals

Bryan McGann (SUNY-Oswego) 4th 130 lbs College Division and John Amicucci (SUNY-Maritime) 4th 167 lbs College Division finished one match shy of placing

The Following 11 College Division Wrestlers Earned Division I All American Status 
Terry Hall (Cal Poly SLO) 115 lbs College Division Champion - 3rd NCAA DI
John Morley (Moorhead State) 115 lbs College Division 2nd - 5th NCAA DI
Len Groom (Northern Colorado) 130 lbs College Division Champion - 2nd NCAA DI
Marv Reiland (Northern Iowa) 130 lbs College Division 2nd - 6th NCAA DI
Clearance Seal (Portland State) 145 lbs College Division Champion - 6th NCAA DI
Joe Wiendl (Wilkes) 160 lbs College Division Champion - 5th NCAA DI
John Woods (Cal Poly SLO) 167 lbs College Division Champion - 2nd NCAA DI
Ken Bos (Cal Poly SLO) 177 lbs College Division Champion - 4th NCAA DI
Tom Kline (Cal Poly SLO) 191 lbs College Division Champion - Champion NCAA DI
Bob Buehler (San Francisco State) 191 lbs College Division 3rd - 3rd NCAA DI
Kent Osboe (Northern Iowa) HWT College Division Champion- 6th NCAA DI

TEAM WISE: Cal Poly 1st CD and 5th in Division I

1970 

Down to 10 weight Classes Again, with 40 College Division Wrestlers Being Invited to the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.

12 Wrestlers Did Not Participate

9 Wrestlers went 0-1
7 Wrestlers went 1-1
1 Wrestler went 1-2

Dale Richter (Mankato State) 2nd College Division 142 lbs made the Quarter-Finals


Jerry Marfia (Wilkes) 2nd College Division 126 lbs, Stan Zeamer (Northwest Missouri) 134 lbs College Division Champion, and David Dixon (SUNY-Maritime) 158 lbs College Division Champion were all one match away from placing.

The Following 6 Wrestlers Made Division I All American Status 

Greg Schmidt (South Dakota State) 118 lbs 2nd College Division - 5th NCAA DI
Larry Wagner (Northern Colorado) 126 lbs Champion College Division - 4th NCAA DI
Wayne Bright (Old Dominion) 142 lbs College Division Champion - 4th NCAA DI
Stan Dziedzic (Slippery Rock) 150 lbs College Division Champion - 3rd NCAA DI
Tom Minkel (Central Michigan) 150 lbs College Division 3rd - 5th NCAA DI
Dick Schumacher (East Stroudsburg) HWT College Division Champion - 5th NCAA DI

1971
Again it seems that 40 College Division Wrestlers were Invited to compete in the NCAA Division I Championships. However, one 5th place wrestler, Allyn Cooke of Cal Poly SLO at 150 lbs also competed in the NCAA DI championships. My only conclusion is that someone else was hurt or decided not to compete in the tournament and he petitioned to take their place. He is the only 5th place finisher I have found from the College Division to compete in the NCAA DI tournament.

Out of the 40 wrestlers invited....

8 Decided Not to Participate...or 9 depending on the answer to the question as to why Cooke ended up wrestling in the DI championships.

Out of the 32 that did....

15 went 0-1
6 went 1-1
1 went 1-1

Ted Pease (East Stroudsburg) 3rd 118 lbs College Division - Quarter Finals DI
Chris Black (Franklin & Marshall) 126 lbs College Division Champion - Quarter Finals DI
James Guizzotti (Ashland) - 142 lbs College Division Champion - Quarter Finals DI
Gary Maiolfi (Cal Poly SLO) 190 lbs College Division 2nd - Quarter Finals DI
Herman Pettigrew (Ashland) HWT 2nd College Division - Quarter Finals DI

Gary McBride (Cal Poly SLO) 118 lbs College Division Champion - One Match Shy of AA DI
Bill Schellhorn (Slippery Rock) 3rd 167 lbs College Division - One Match Shy of AA DI

The Following Four Wrestlers Achieved Division I All American Status

 Leandro Torres (Cal Poly SLO) 3rd 142 lbs College Division - 3rd NCAA DI
Stan Dziedzic (Slippery Rock) 150 lbs College Division Champion - NCAA DI Champion
John Finch (Cal Poly SLO) 3rd 158 lbs College Division - 4th NCAA DI
Bill Demaray (North Dakota State) 177 lbs College Division Champion - 6th NCAA DI

TEAM WISE: Cal Poly 1st CD and 10th Division I


1972
40 College Division Wrestlers were invited to the NCAA Division I Championships

12 Wrestlers Chose Not to Participate

11 went 0-1
2 went 0-2
1 went 1-1
3 went 1-2
1 went 2-2

Bruce Biondi (SUNY Brockport) 118 lbs College Division Champion - One Match Shy of AA DI
Glenn Anderson (Cal Poly SLO) 142 lbs College Division Champion - One Match Shy of AA DI
Mike Medchill (Mankato State) 158 lbs 2nd College Division - One Match Shy of AA DI

The Following 6 Wrestlers Achieved Division I All American Status 
Larry Morgan (Cal Poly SLO) 134 lbs College Division 2nd - NCAA DI 5th
Gary Barton (Clarion) 134 lbs College Division 3rd - NCAA DI Champion
Wade Schalles (Clarion) 158 lbs College Division Champion - NCAA DI Champion
Stan Dziedzic (Slippery Rock) 158 lbs College Division Champion - NCAA DI 2nd
Fletcher Carr (Tampa) 190 lbs College Division Champion - NCAA DI 6th
Mike McCready (Northern Iowa) HWT College Division Champion - NCAA DI 3rd


1973
40 College Division Wrestlers were invited to NCAA Division I Championships

14 Wrestlers Chose Not to Participate

9 wrestlers went 0-1
3 wrestlers went 1-1
3 wrestlers went 1-2
2 wrestlers went 2-2

Greg Maestas (Western State) 134 lbs College Division 2nd - NCAA DI Quarter Finals

Jack Spates (Slippery Rock) 118 lbs College Division Champion - One Match Shy of AA DI

The Following 6 Wrestlers Achieved Division I All American Status 
Don Rohn (Clarion) 134 lbs College Division 3rd - NCAA DI Champion
Allyn Cooke (Cal Poly SLO) 158 lbs College Division 2nd - NCAA DI 4th
Bill Simpson (Clarion ) 167 lbs College Division Champion - NCAA DI Champion
Bill Knippel (Seattle Pacific) 177 lbs College Division 2nd - NCAA DI 3rd
Gene Barber (New Jersey) 177 lbs College Division 3rd - NCAA DI 2nd
Fletcher Carr (Tampa) 190 lbs College Division Champion - NCAA DI 4th


NOTE: Here is where things will start to get complicated.  In 1974 the College Division split into two different divisions, Division II and Division III.  Exactly who was all invited and who wasn't gets tricky because again, while the Finalists were always invited from Division II, sometimes you will see a 3rd place wrestler also in the Division I tournament. Like wise, while the Division III champion was always invited, you sometimes see the runner-up also competing in the NCAA DI tournament.

As a result I can only report on the wrestlers I know were invited. I am not going to know for example if a third place DII wrestler was invited and decided to to compete. I'm not going to know if a runner up in DIII was invited and decided not to compete.  I only know the "for sures" and as a result I can only report on them. 

1974

Out of those that I know were invited, only 3 Division II wrestlers and 1 Division III wrestler chose not to participate in the Division I tournament.

Division II had 20 participants competing in the Division I tournament
Division III had 11

Division II had 3 wrestlers finish one Match Shy of Placing
Tom Garcia (Northern Iowa) 126 DII Champion
Bill Luckenbaugh (East Stroudsburg) 150 DII Champion
Bryce Lynn (Cal Poly SLO) 162 DII 2nd

The Following 5 Division II Wrestlers Earned Division I All American Status
Jim Miller (Northern Iowa) 134 DII Champion = Division I 2nd
Ken Snyder (Northern Iowa) 142 DII Champion = Division I 3rd
Rodger Warner (Cal Poly SLO) 150 lbs DII 2nd = Division I 6th
Floyd Hitchcock (Bloomsburg) 177 lbs DII Champion = Division I Champion
Jim Woods (Western Illinois) HWT DII Champion = Division I Champion

No Division III wrestlers earned Division I All American status, although Rich Molburry (SUNY-Potsdam) the 190 lbs came within one match shy.

OF INTEREST: Bill Luckenberg of East Stroudsburg pinned Rodger Warner of Cal Poly SLO in the 150 lbs Division II Finals. Ironically enough the two would meet in the blood round of the Division I tournament with Warner avenging his loss in a 14-2 victory.

1975
Out of the Division II wrestlers who I know were invited to compete only 5 chose not to participate. 23 Division II wrestlers did.

Out of the Division III wrestlers, all I know were invited participated for a total of 12 participants.

Mike Taylor (SIU-Edwardsville) 3rd @ 150 lbs Division II finished one match shy of All American

The Following 4 Division II Wrestlers Earned Division I All American Status
Jim Miller (Northern Iowa) Division II 134 lbs Champion = 4th Division I
Ken Snyder (Northern Iowa) Division II 142 lbs Champion = 5th Division I
Randy Watts (Bloomsburg) Division II 150 lbs Champion = 6th Division I
Brad Rheingans (North Dakota State) Division II 190 lbs Champion = 4th Division I

Division III had one and also the first Division III Wrestler to earn Division I All American 
Nabil Guketlov (Montclair State) Division III 118 lbs Champion = 5th Division I

OF INTEREST: Gary Kessel (East Stroudsburg) who most modern day fans remember as the infamous referee who officiated the 2007 NCAA Finals Match between Johny Hendricks (Oklahoma State) and Ryan Churella (Michigan) lost in the Division II finals 4-3 to Randy Watts (Bloomsburg).  It can't help but make one wonder if that match ended in controversial fashion itself.

1976
Out of the Division II wrestlers I know were invited to compete, only three chose not to participate.
18 Division II wrestlers did.

Out of the Division III wrestlers, all I know that were invited only one chose not to participate.

OF INTEREST: Ironically enough this marks a time in history where Division III had a better showing at the DI tournament than Division II did.

Division II had no Division I All Americans although Randy Batten the 118 lbs Division II Champion of Chattanooga came within one match shy. It should also be noted that Turner Jackson also of Chattanooga the 158 lbs Division II champion medical forfeited his last two matches.

The Following Division III Wrestlers Earned Division I All American Status

Mark Hawald (John Carroll) 134 lbs Division III Champion = 5th Division I
Jim Weir (John Carroll) 158 lbs Division III Champion = 6th Division I

1977
Out of the Division II wrestlers who I know were invited to compete, only five chose not to participate.
15 Division II wrestlers did.

Out of the Division III wrestlers, of those I know were invited, all participated.
14 Division III wrestlers participated.

Ed Torrejon (Eastern Illinois) the 158 lbs Division II Champion finished one match shy of placing.

The Following Division II Wrestlers Made Division I All American Status
Franc Affentranger (Cal State Bakersfield) 134 lbs Division II Champion = 3rd Division I
Flo Rocha (Cal State Bakersfield) 167 lbs Division II Champion = 4th Division I

None of the Division III wrestlers made Division I All American Status although Jim Weir (John Carroll) the 167 lbs Division III Champion finished one match shy of placing.

1978
Great year for both Division II and Division III wrestlers at the Division I tournament.

Out of those I know were invited, only 3 Division II wrestlers decided not to participate.  Ironically enough not a single third place wrestler participated either. Not sure if none were invited or if some were invited and didn't show up.

18 Division II wrestlers participated.

All of the Division III wrestlers who were invited participated.

Mark Hattendorf (SIU-Edwardsville) Division II 177 lbs 2nd finished one match shy of placing.

The Following Division II Wrestlers were Division I All Americans
John Azevedo (Cal State Bakersfield) Division II 118 lbs Champion = 2nd Division I
Franc Affentranger (Cal State Bakersfield) Division II 134 lbs 2nd = 3rd Division I
William Smith (Morgan State) Division II 158 lbs 2nd = 6th Division I
Kirk Myers (Northern Iowa) Division II 190 lbs Champion = 6th Division I
Jeff Blatnick (Springfield) Division II HWT Champion = 6th Division I

Steve Cavayero (Montclair State) Division III Champion 142 lbs was one match away from being a Division I All American.

The Following Division III Wrestlers Were Division I All Americans 
Ken Mallory (Montclair State) Division III 134 lbs Champion = Champion Division I
Jim Weir (John Carroll) Division III 167 lbs Champion = 4th Division I

1979
OF INTEREST: This is the first year that all Divisions in the NCAA, DI, DII and DIII place the top 8 as All Americans.

Only one person of those invited from Division II chose not to participate.

21 Division II Wrestlers Participated

All Division III wrestlers invited participated

14 Division III Wrestlers Participated.

Sam Herrimann (Augustana SD) 126 lbs Division II Champion finished one match shy of Division I All American status.

The Following Division II Wrestlers Were Division I All Americans 
Joe Gonzales (Cal State Bakersfield) 118 Division II Champion = 2nd Division I
Bill DePaoli (California PA) 118 Division II 2nd = 4th Division I
John Azevedo (Cal State Bakersfield) 126 Division II Champion = 2nd Division I
Bob Holland (Eastern Illinois) 158 Division II Champion = 4th Division I
Michael Abrams (Grand Valley State) 167 Division II Champions = 6th Division I
Mark Hattendorf (SIU-Edwardsville) 177 Division II Champion = 8th Division I
Joe Gormally (Northern Iowa) 177 Division II 2nd = 4th Division I
Brian Parlet (Augustana SD) 177 Division II 3rd = 7th Division I
Kirk Myers (Northern Iowa) 190 Division II Champion = 3rd Division I
Greg Savegnago (Eastern Illinois) 190 Division II 2nd = 8th Division I
Jeff Blatnick (Springfield) HWT Division II Champion = 3rd Division I
Dave Klemm (Eastern Illinois) HWT Division II 3rd = 2nd Division I

The Following Division III Wrestlers Were Division I All Americans
Dan Boos (Luther) Division III 142 lbs Champion = 8th Division I

1980
All of the Division II and All of the Division III wrestlers who I know were invited participated at the NCAA Division I tournament.

24 Division II Wrestlers Participated

13 Division III Wrestlers Participated

The Following Division II Wrestlers Were Division I All Americans
Joe Gonzales (Cal State Bakersfield) Division II 118 lbs Champion = Champion Division I
John Azevedo (Cal State Bakersfield) Division II 126 lbs Champion = Champion Division I
William Smith (Morgan State) Division II 158 lbs Champion = 2nd Division I
Brad Bitterman (Northern Michigan) Division II 167 lbs 3rd = 6th Division I
Geno Savegnago (Eastern Illinois) Division II 190 lbs 2nd = 5th Division I
Ron Essink (Grand Valley State) Division II HWT Champion = 7th Division I

1981
Only one wrestler of those invited that I know for sure of the Division II wrestlers did not participate

All Division III wrestlers who were invited participated

26 Division II Wrestlers Participated

14 Division III Wrestlers Participated

The Following Division II Wrestlers Were Division I All Americans
Tom Reed (SIU-Edwardsville) 118 lbs Division II 2nd = 4th Division I
Dan Cuestas (Cal State Bakersfield) 126 lbs Division II Champion = Champion Division I
Perry Shea (Cal State Bakersfield) 158 lbs Division II Champion = 3rd Division I
Geno Savegnango (Eastern Illinois) 190 lbs Division II Champion = 3rd Division I
Mike Howe (Northern Michigan) HWT Division II Champion = 8th Division I

The Following Division III Wrestlers Were Division I All Americans 
Tom Martucci (New Jersey) 190 Division III Champion = Champion Division I

1982
Division II had three wrestlers who chose not to participate who I know were invited
Division III had two wrestlers who chose not to participate who I know were invited

Division II had 24 Participants
Division III had 11 participants

Adam Cuestas (Cal State Bakersfield) 118 lbs Division II Champion was one match from placing
Craig Noble (Cal State Bakersfield) 150 lbs Division II 2nd was one match from placing

The Following Division II Wrestlers Were Division I All Americans 
Dan Cuestas (Cal State Bakersfield) Division II 126 lbs Champion = Champion Division I
Perry Shea (Cal State Bakersfield) Division II 158 lbs Champion = 2nd Division I
Mike Rigatuso (Neb-Omaha) Division II HWT Champion = 6th Division I

The Following Division III Wrestlers were Division I All Americans 
Frank Famiano (SUNY Brockport) Division III 126 lbs Champion = 5th Division I

1983 
Division II had three wrestlers who chose not to participate who I know were invited
Division III had one wrestler who chose not to participate who I know was invited

Division II had 20 Participants
Division III had 11 Participants

Jesse Reyes (Cal State Bakersfield) 142 lbs Division II Champion was one match shy of placing
Kevin Benson (Portland State) 167 lbs Division II 2nd was one match shy of placing
Greg Wilcox (Nebraska-Omaha) 190 lbs Division II Champion was one match shy of Placing

Tony Conetta (SUNY Brockport) 177 lbs Division III Champion was one match shy of placing

The Following Division II Wrestlers Were Division I All Americans 
Adam Cuestas (Cal State Bakersfield) Division II 118 lbs Champion = Champion Division I
Don Stevens (SIU Edwardsville) 126 lbs Division II Champion = 8th Division I
Scott Mansur (Portland State) 177 lbs Champion Division II = 8th Division I
Mark Rigatuso (Nebraska Omaha) Division II HWT Champion = 4th Division I

The Following Division III Wrestlers Were Division I All Americans
Frank Famiano (SUNY Brockport) Division III 126 lbs = 6th Division I
Ron Winnie (SUNY Brockport) Division III 150 lbs = 8th Division I

1984
Division II had three wrestlers who chose not to participate who I know were invited
Division III had two wrestlers who chose not to participate who I know were invited

Division II had 23 Participants
Division III had 11 Participants

Morris Johnson (San Francisco State) HWT Champion Division II was one match from placing

Dan Pantaleo (Olivet) 142 lbs Division II Champion was one match from placing
Bruce Arvold (Augsburg) 158 lbs Division 2nd was one match from placing
Doug Morse (SUNY Oswego) 190 lbs Division III Champion was one match from placing

The Following Division II Wrestlers Were Division I All Americans
Don Stevens (SIU Edwardsville) 126 lbs Champion Division II = 8th Division I
John Loomis (Cal State Bakersfield) 126 lbs 2nd Division II = 3rd Division I
Jesse Reyes (Cal State Bakersfield) 142 lbs Champion Division II = Champion Division I
Mike Langlais (North Dakota State) 150 lbs Champion Division II = 6th Division I
Booker Benford (SIU Edwardsville) 177 lbs Champion Division II = 3rd Division I
Mike Blaske (Cal State Bakersfield) HWT Champion Division II = 7th Division I



1985
Division II had 1 Wrestler  who chose to not participate who I know was invited.
Division III had 3 Wrestlers who chose not to participate who I know were invited.

Division II had 22 Participants
Division III had 11 Participants

Mark Manning (Nebraska Omaha) Division II Champion 150 lbs was one match shy of placing
Mike Hahesy (Edinboro) Division II 158 lbs Champion was one match shy of placing.

Nick Milonas (Montclair State) Division III Champion 126 lbs was one match shy of placing
Dan Pantaleo (Olivet) Division III 142 lbs 2nd was one match shy of placing

The Following Division II Wrestlers Were Division I All Americans 
Alan Grammer (SIU-Edwardsville) Division II 134 lbs Champion = 3rd Division I
Booker Benford (SIU-Edwardsville) Division II 177 lbs Champion = 3rd Division I
Koln Knight (Augustana SD) Division II 190 lbs Champion = 4th Division I
Al Sears (SIU-Edwardsville) Division II HWT Champion = 8th Division I

The Follow Division III Wrestler Was a Division I All American 
John Monaco (Montclair State) Division III 167 lbs Champion = 4th Division I

1986
Division II had 5 Wrestlers who chose not to participate who I know were invited
Division II had 3 Wrestlers who chose not to participate who I know were invited

Division II had 14 Participants
Division III had 7 Participants

Perry Ainscough (Liberty) 118 lbs 2nd Division II was one match shy of placing
Tony Amado (Portland State) 126 lbs 2nd Division II was one match shy of placing
Steve Stearns (SIU-Edwardsville) 134 lbs Champion  Division II was one match shy of placing
Mike Hahesy (Edinboro) 158 lbs 2nd Division II was one match shy of placing

Steve Klein (Buffalo) 167 lbs Champion Division III was one match shy of placing.

The Following Division II Wrestlers Were Division I All Americans
Alan Grammer (SIU-Edwardsville) Division II 126 lbs Champion = 5th Division I
David Ray (Edinboro) Division II 134 lbs 2nd = 3rd Division I
Darryl Pope (Cal State Bakersfield) Division II 167 lbs Champion = 6th Division I
Marvin Jones (Cal State Bakersfield) Division II 177 lbs Champion = 3rd Division I
Koln Knight (Augustana SD) Division II 190 lbs Champion = 3rd Division I
Dean Hall (Edinboro) Division II HWT Champion = 6th Division I

1987
Division II had 2 Wrestlers who chose not to participate who I know were invited
Division III had 2 Wrestlers who chose not to participate Who I know were invited

Division II had 21 Participants
Division III had 8 Participants

Brian McTague (SIU-Edwardsville) 142 lbs Division II 2nd was one match shy of placing
R.J. Nebe (Nebraska-Omaha) 177 lbs Division II 2nd was one match shy of placing

Karl Monaco (Montclair State) 142 lbs Division III Champion was one match shy of placing
John Leone (SUNY Brockport) 158 lbs Division III Champion was one match shy of placing
John Monaco (Montclair State) 167 lbs Division III Champion was one match shy of placing
Chris Tironi (SUNY Albany) HWT Division III Champion was one match shy of placing

The Following Division II Wrestlers Were Division I All Americans 
Tim Wright (SIU Edwardsville) Division II 118 lbs Champion = 3rd Division I
Roger Singleton (Grand View State) Division II 118 lbs 2nd = 6th Division I
Darryl Pope (Cal State Bakersfield) Division II 177 lbs Champion = 2nd Division I
Eric Mittlestead (Cal State Bakersfield) Division II 190 lbs Champion = 7th Division I
Ken Hackman (California PA) Division II 190 lbs 2nd = 8th Division I
Carlton Haselrig (Pittsburgh Johnstown) Division II HWT Champion = Champion Division I

1988
Division II had 4 Wrestlers that chose not to participate that I know were invited
Division III had 2 Wrestlers that chose not to participate that I know were invited

Division II had 19 Wrestlers Participate
Division III had 8 Wrestlers Participate

Roger Singleton (Grand Valley State) Division II 118 Champion was one match shy of placing
Dan Russell (Portland State) Division II 150 lbs Champion was one match shy of placing

Peter Georgeotsos (Montclair State) Division III 177 lbs Champion was one match shy of placing

The Following Division II Wrestlers Were Division I All Americans 
Pat Dorn (South Dakota State) Division II 134 lbs Champion = 8th Division I
R.J. Nebe (Nebraska-Omaha) Division II 177 lbs Champion = 6th Division I
Carlton Haselrig (Pittsburgh Johnstown) Division II Champion = Champion Division I


The Following Division III Wrestlers Were Division I All Americans
Peter Gonzalez (Montclair State) Division III 126 lbs Champion = 7th Division I
Karl Monaco (Montclair State) Division III 142 lbs Champion = 3rd Division I

1989
Division II had 6 Wrestlers that chose not to participate that I know were invited
All of the Division III wrestlers who were invited participated

Division II had 20 Participants
Division III had 9 Participants

Rick Travis (California PA) Division II 2nd 126 lbs was one match shy of placing
Dan Russell (Portland State) Division II 150 lbs Champion was one match shy of placing


The Following Division II Wrestlers Were Division I All Americans 
Nate Toedter (St Cloud State) Division II 190 lbs 3rd = 8th Division I
Carlton Haselrig (Pittsburgh Johnstown) Division II Champion = Champion Division I

The Following Division III Wrestlers Were Division I All Americans
Peter Gonzalez (Montclair State) Division III 126 lbs Champion = 5th Division I
Karl Monaco (Montclair State) Division III 150 lbs Champion = 2nd Division I

1990

NOTE: Something is different about 1990 in comparison to year's prior.  It doesn't seem that anyone was officially invited, and that all invitees were based more on a wildcard basis.

Division II had 10 Participants
Division III had 3 Participants

Mark Burell (Central Missouri) 126 lbs Champion Division II  was one match away from placing.

The Following Division II Wrestlers Were Division I All Americans 
Dan Russell (Portland State) Division II 158 lbs Champion = 4th Division I
Joe Wypiszenski (Neb-Omaha) Division II 177 lbs 2nd = 8th Division II


1991

No Division III Wrestlers participated in the Division I tournament, so I'm going to assume that none were invited.

Only 4 wrestlers from Division II Participated.

The Following Division II Wrestlers Were Division I All AmericansDan Russell (Portland State) Division II 167 lbs Champion = 4th Division I


And that is is. From 1992 onward you will not find Division II Wrestlers or Division III wrestlers competing at the NCAA Division I tournament.

Wrestling: The Lessons That It Teaches Us: How to Handle Disappointment

Everyone who knows me in the amateur wrestling world knows two facts about me. I'm a passionate and enthusiastic wrestling fan and my all time favorite collegiate wrestler is Johnny Thompson of Oklahoma State. Well truth is, I actually have two favorite collegiate wrestlers of all time. I couldn't narrow it down to one and the other is former Minnesota Golden Gopher Leroy Vega.

I became aware of Vega, and furthermore a fan of his during his freshman season. Here was a short, small 125 lbs wrestler that looked like he was born a few years too late and missed the opportunity to be a 118 lbs college wrestler. He didn't look big enough or strong enough to contend at the 125 lbs weight class.

Yet, as the saying goes sometimes its not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog that matters. Despite often being smaller than his opponents, Vega overcame the size difference with an unmatchable intensity and will to win. Vega may have been smaller is mass and height, but in measurements of overall heart, he was second to no one.

I loved whenever Minnesota would come to Iowa City or Ames during this time to dual Iowa or Iowa State. It was a chance to watch Vega in action. During his junior year against Iowa, he was wrestling rival Jody Strittmatter  who had yet to defeat despite some very close matches. Even though I was with my high school wrestling team, and we were all decked out in black and gold Iowa Hawkeye gear, I couldn't help myself but clap and pump my fist when Vega secured the take down to garner the victory. I had to be about the only person in the stands that day that was happy about Vega's win.

He had placed fifth twice at the NCAA championships as a freshman and sophomore and taken a third place finish as a junior. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that he was going to walk out of his final NCAA appearance as a four time All American.

Most of the wrestling publications had Vega ranked second but none even gave him a chance of upsetting two time NCAA champion Stephen Abas of Fresno State.

"Abas looks to win his third NCAA title this weekend with Vega being a distant second." The headline read. This infuriated me. Yes, Vega did have some losses already that season, but when he got in the right mindset I knew he was capable of beating anyone. There wasn't anyone else in that bracket of 32 that I think could have beat Abas, but I do believe that Vega could have.

I looked forward to the finals between Abas and Vega and an opportunity for Vega to silence the critics who showed him little respect. I knew in the very least Vega would at least give Abas a scare and it would be an exciting, entertaining match.

It never happened.

After a 13-4 major decision in the first round, Vega was wrestling Hofstra's Tom Noto who he had manhandled 10-1 in an earlier meeting that year. Yet this time he wasn't taking Noto down left and right like he had in their first match. Both wrestlers had only scored escapes and as the time on the clock dwindled down, the score remained 1-1.

"Take this guy down!" I thought to myself. "What's wrong Vega? Double leg this guy and get it over with."

The match went into overtime and next thing I knew Noto was raising his arms in victory as Vega knelt on the mat in defeat. He got up, shook Noto's hand and ran off the mat.

My heart sank a little, because I wanted to see Vega decked out in the solid gold singlet run up the stairs onto the Carolina blue NCAA finals mat. Now I knew that would never happen. Yet, I kept my optimism because I was confident that he was coming back through the consolations to finish third.

He looked like the Vega I knew in his first consolation match as he lit up Stanford's Nathan Peterson with a series of take-downs before pinning him late in the second period.

His next opponent was Georgia four time state champion Chris Rodrigues of North Carolina. A guy with 12 losses, some of whom had been to guys that Vega had demolished. I wasn't worried about him.

I should have been.

Like in the Noto match Vega couldn't get an offense going and despite being the aggressor, no points were scored in the first period.

In the second Rodrigues chose down and Vega rode him for nearly the entire period. A minute and 48 seconds to be exact. After the referee made what I still feel to this day was an unfair stalling call on Vega, Rodrigues escaped to lead 1-0.

Going into the third period I was anxious but not worried because Vega had a minute riding time and I was confident that Rodrigues couldn't keep him down.

The period started and Vega struggled to get away. Fingernails already gone, I began chewing on my pen.

"Get out...get out...get out...get out." I quietly repeated to myself as I tapped my foot.

Boom! Yes! Vega hit a reversal to take a 2-1 lead. Just needed to hold on, get the riding time back and win this one 3-1.

Then the unthinkable happened. Rodrigues scored a reversal of is own. Score was 3-2 and there was still enough time left in the match for Rodrigues to erase the riding time.

I clenched the arm rest on my seat so hard that it left a bruise, that remained black and blue for two weeks as I watched the final moments of that match.

Leroy Vega wasn't going to be a four time All American. Chris Rodrigues has just upset him 3-2.

I don't remember what Vega's reaction was immediately after his loss because I didn't watch it. I couldn't sit there amongst the Iowa faithful who were rooting and hollering in celebration that one of Minnesota's guys had gotten knocked off.  I got up from my seat, went into the bathroom, locked myself in a stall and cried.

I was 15 years old at the time. I had such a high respect and admiration for Vega, for not only the wrestler that he was but the person that he was. He was a hero to me. Someone I looked up to and wanted to be like. This wasn't right. This shouldn't have happened. This was unfair. This was wrong.

Vega's collegiate career was over. Yet, the greatest lesson that he would teach me had yet to come.

Vega could have have been a recluse and disappeared from the scene. He could have hid in the stands or left the arena feeling sorry for himself. Yet in spite of his disappointment that is not the type of person Vega is.

In his warm ups, after the most disappointing moment of his collegiate career, he was down on the mat warming up with 141 lbs wrestler Chad Erickson, getting him prepared for his blood round match with Army's Phil Simpson. I wasn't prepared for Vega's selflessness in that moment. I was only a fan. He was the one that was going through it, and yet here he was putting the team, specifically teammate Chad Erickson ahead of himself.

Erickson went on to win his All American match in a barnburner where he won in the closing seconds to defeat the future three time All American from West Point. Perhaps it didn't, but I like to think that a part of Erickson's win came from the support that Vega gave him.

Wrestling is a sport that teaches us so much more than maneuvers, techniques, conditioning and strength. It is a sport that teaches us life and how to deal with it. Things aren't always going to go your way. Even when you put in the work, you believe in yourself and you do all the right things, sometimes it still won't work out. Unfortunately disappointment is a big part of wrestling and a big part of life, and you have to learn to deal with that disappointment the best way that you can.

I often think back about the 2002 NCAA Division I wrestling tournament any time I'm in a challenging situation. I'm facing failure or disappointment and I'm on the verge of giving up or feeling sorry for myself. I'll think of Leroy Vega. I'll think of how in the wake of what had to have been a nightmare, how he handled himself with class, dignity and a passion to help his fellow teammates achieve their goals even though he had fallen short of his. That's how you handle a loss and thank you Leroy Vega for teaching me that.

Vega pictured left with Erickson pictured right