It's every college wrestler's dream to win an NCAA title... and successfully defend it.
Sadly, two of the titlewinners from the 2009 NCAA Division I championships -- Darrion Caldwell, and Jordan Burroughs -- will be unable to defend their crowns at the 2010 NCAAs. Both suffered season-ending injuries -- one on the mat, the other, from another sport.
North Carolina State's Darrion Caldwell injured his shoulder while rollerblading with his girlfriend in late summer. He had surgery in early October, and is taking a redshirt for the entire 2009-2010 season.
Until the accident, Caldwell had an incredible year. He capped off a near-perfect 38-1 record with a stunning, decisive upset victory over Brent Metcalf of the University of Iowa -- the defending champ -- to win the 149-pound title at the 2009 NCAAs in St Louis. For his performance at the nationals, the Wolfpack grappler won Outstanding Wrestler honors.
Nebraska's Jordan Burroughs, who won the 157-pound title in March, had his knee injured in a December 19 dual meet match with Steve Brown of Central Michigan. The following Monday, the Cornhuskers announced their top-ranked wrestler had a torn PCL and LCL on his left knee, and would undergo surgery in January.
Of the ten champs crowned at the 2009 NCAA D1 championships, three were seniors: Ohio State's J Jaggers at 141 pounds, 174-pound champ Michigan's Steve Luke, and Jake Herbert of Northwestern at 184. With Caldwell and Burroughs out for the season, the only champs left to defend their titles are Cornell's Troy Nickerson at 125, Michigan State's Franklin Gomez at 133, 165-pound champ Jarrod King of Edinboro, 197-pound champ Jake Varner of Iowa State, and heavyweight champ Mark Ellis of Missouri.
NOTE: For the last week of the year, the College Wrestling Examiner will take a look back at some of the top news stories (and news trends) involving college wrestlers, and/or affecting collegiate wrestling, that we've covered in 2009.
College Wrestling Examiner's Top Ten Stories of 2009
No. 10: Wrestlers earn Male Athlete of the Year honors
Other Resources
College Wrestling Examiner, September 25: Caldwell to have shoulder surgery, to redshirt for 2009-2010 season
College Wrestling Examiner, December 21: Nebraska reports Burroughs out for season
College Wrestling 101: Links to articles answering basic questions about wrestling, including rules, scoring, uniforms, more
Follow College Wrestling Examiner Mark Palmer on Twitter
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