As the 2010-11 college wrestling season is about to take to the mats, fans across the country are already salivating over potential matchups between some of the top individual wrestlers in the nation.
So is Andrew Hipps, senior writer at the amateur wrestling website InterMat.
In an InterMat Platinum feature (requiring a paid subscription, available for purchase online), Hipps picks ten "intriguing" potential matches for the upcoming season... one in each weight class, from 125 pounds up through heavyweight. The wrestlers are very familiar to fans -- including matmen who have already claimed an NCAA Division I wrestling title, as well as guys who were superstars in high school who have yet to wrestle a single match in college.
One of Hipps' potential matchups features two NCAA champs: At 149 pounds, Darrion Caldwell vs Kyle Dake. Caldwell is the North Carolina State wrestler who stunned everyone by upsetting Iowa's Brent Metcalf to win the 149 title at the 2009 NCAAs... but was unable to defend his title in 2010 because of a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery. Dake of Cornell University was arguably THE college wrestler of last season, the first true freshman to win an NCAA crown (at 141 lbs) since 2006.
Hipps asserts Caldwell "is the best college wrestler in the country regardless of weight class" while describing Dake, who was named InterMat Freshman of the Year in 2010, as "strong in every position, especially in the top position, and isn't afraid to mix it up and take risks, which is why a potential matchup with Caldwell has wrestling fans excited."
Caldwell vs Dake is just one possible matchup for 2010-11. Hipps' selections and rationale for his choices are sure to get wrestling fans talking... and all fired up for the upcoming season.
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Resources
InterMat Platinum: A look at 10 intriguing matchups for 2010-11
College Wrestling 101: Links to articles answering basic questions about wrestling, including rules, scoring, uniforms, more
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