The 44th edition of the NWCA All-Star Classic takes place Sunday afternoon at Cal State Fullerton.
In anticipation of this event that pits the best college wrestlers in each weight class, award-winning wrestling journalist Jason Bryant provides a detailed preview for the amateur wrestling website TheMat.com.
Bryant's opening introduces the multiple missions of Sunday's event:
For the past 43 years, the National Wrestling Coaches Association has put on the annual showcase of college wrestling, the All-Star Classic. But with the event geared to place the nation’s top wrestlers in a head-to-head dual, it’s also taken different roles, one of fundraiser and awareness builder.
With the wrestling team at Cal State-Fullerton desperately trying to raise funds to sustain the program, head coach Dan Hicks landed the event in the hopes of using the annual All-Star Classic as a centerpiece to saving the program.
The article also provides an analysis of the wrestlers and their own credentials, the schools they represent, and other facts that will help college wrestling fans appreciate Sunday's event even more.
All-Star Classic Line-up as of November 20 (Rankings by InterMat)
125: #4 Zach Sanders (Minnesota) vs. #5 James Nicholson (Old Dominion)
133: #4 Dan Dennis (Iowa) vs. #8 Steve Bell (Maryland)
141: #2 Nick Gallick (Iowa State) vs. #4 Alex Krom (Maryland)
149: #3 Lance Palmer (Ohio State) vs. #4 Kyle Borshoff (American)
157: #1 Jordan Burroughs (Nebraska) vs. #5 Matt Moley (Bloomsburg)
165: #5 Jon Reader (Iowa State) vs. #6 Andy Rendos (Bucknell)
174: #5 Chris Henrich (Virginia) vs. #6 Stephen Dwyer (Nebraska)
184: #1 Max Askren (Missouri) vs. #9 Josh Patterson (Binghamton)
197: #1 Jake Varner (Iowa State) vs. #2 Craig Brester (Nebraska)
285: #2 David Zabriskie (Iowa State) vs. #6 Mitch Montiero (Cal State-Bakersfield)
Participants by Team
Iowa State (4)
Nebraska (3)
Maryland (2)
American (1)
Binghamton (1)
Bloomsburg (1)
Bucknell (1)
Cal State-Bakersfield (1)
Iowa (1)
Minnesota (1)
Missouri (1)
Ohio State (1)
Old Dominion (1)
Virginia (1)
Participants by Conference
Big 12 (8)
ACC (3)
Big Ten (3)
CAA (2)
EIWA (2)
EWL (1)
Pac-10 (1)
Resources
TheMat.com: Jason Bryant's preview of the 2009 NWCA All-Star Classic
TheMat.com: William & Mary alumni support NWCA All-Star Classic
NWCA website for 2009 All-Star Classic
NWCA All-Star Classic video preview
College Wrestling Examiner, Thursday, November 19: ODU's Nicholson replaces Robles
College Wrestling Examiner, Wednesday November 18: Robles withdraws from NWCA All-Star Classic
College Wrestling Examiner: Line-up for 2009 NWCA All-Star Classic
College Wrestling Examiner: Tickets available online for 2009 NWCA All-Star Classic
Follow College Wrestling Examiner Mark Palmer on Twitter
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