April 25, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern University is set to host the Men's University and FILA Cadet National Championships Thursday through Sunday, April 27-30, in Welsh-Ryan Arena and McGaw Hall. The event is one of the premier amateur competitions of the year and will draw thousands to Evanston over the weekend.
The University Nationals are one of the most prestigious freestyle and Greco-roman wrestling events of the year, with collegiate, former collegiate and FILA Cadets -- widely considered the best high school wrestlers in the country -- all coming under one roof for the four-day tournament. The event showcases future stars of the sport and is an important stepping stone for Olympic hopefuls on their path to winning medals for the United States.
"We expect over 900 competitors within the high school and college ranks," Northwestern assistant coach and tournament director Andrew Pariano said. "This is a high-profile, large-scale USA Wrestling event and we're happy to be hosting it at our very own Welsh-Ryan Arena."
For collegians, this year's tournament carries added significance, as champions from each weight class will automatically qualify for the World University Championships, giving competitors the opportunity to wrestle some of the very best from around the world. Finalists who do not win a weight class will qualify for the 2006 Senior World Team trials, May 26-28, in Sioux City, Iowa.
For FILA Cadets, the top-three placewinners qualify for their state's Cadet Nationals team.
The Wildcats expect big performances out of their competing wrestlers. All-Americans Jake Herbert (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) and Ryan Lang (North Royalton, Ohio/St. Edward) are expected to compete in the freestyle competition, along with NCAA qualifier Mike Tamillow (Oak Park, Ill./Fenwick), Marty Gould (Lincolnwood, Ill./Niles West), Brandon Lozdoski (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) and Jamie Smith (Wheeling, Ill./Wheeling) among others.
Junior Nick Hayes (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Lewis Central) freshman Dominic Marella (Roselle, Ill./Conant) are slated to wrestle in the tournament's Greco-roman style competition.
A handful of NCAA champions and All-Americans will be on hand for the annual event, setting the stage for intriguing re-matches from last month's NCAA Championships.
One of those matchups may include the second meeting of Missouri's Ben Askren and NU's Herbert, whose only loss of the season came to Askren in the NCAA finals. Both are expected to compete at the freestyle 84 kg/185 lbs. weight class.
Lang could also meet his conference nemesis, Michigan State's Nick Simmons. Simmons topped Lang in the Big Ten finals, but Lang rebounded by beating Simmons in the NCAA wrestleback quarterfinals.
"We're looking to have our guys be University National freestyle and Greco-roman champions and compete in the World Team trials," Pariano said.
2006 SCHEDULE FOR UNIVERSITY/FILA CADET NATIONALS
Thursday, April 27 7-8 p.m. - University and FILA Cadet Greco-Roman registration 8-8:30 p.m. - University and FILA Cadet Greco-Roman weigh-ins
Friday, April 28 9 a.m.-1 p.m. - University and FILA Cadet Greco-Roman preliminaries 3 p.m.-conclusion - University and FILA Cadet Greco-Roman preliminaries through finals 6-7:30 p.m. - University freestyle registration 6-8 p.m. - FILA Cadet freestyle registration 8-8:30 p.m. - University and FILA Cadet freestyle weigh-ins
Saturday, April 29 9 a.m.-noon - University and FILA Cadet freestyle preliminaries 2-5 p.m. - University and FILA Cadet freestyle preliminaries 6-9 p.m. - University and FILA Cadet freestyle preliminaries
Sunday, April 30 9 a.m.-conclusion - University and FILA Cadet freestyle preliminaries through finals
2005 CHAMPIONS FROM UNIVERSITY/FILA CADET NATIONALS
University Greco-Roman 50 kg/110 lbs. - Ricardo Osorio (U.S. Air Force) 55 kg/121 lbs. - Joe Betterman (USOEC) 60 kg/132 lbs. - Jeremiah Davis (USOEC) 66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Harry Lester (USOEC) 74 kg/163 lbs. - Trent Paulson (Cyclone WC) 84 kg/185 lbs. - Justin Millard (U.S. Air Force) 96 kg/211.5 lbs. - J.D. Bergman (Ohio International WC) 120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Jake Marquardt (Viking WC)
University Freestyle 50 kg/110 lbs. - Daniel Jackson (Minnesota Storm) 55 kg/121 lbs. - Nick Simmons (Michigan WC) 60 kg/132 lbs. - Drew Headlee (Pitt WC) 66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Jason Mester (Central Michigan) 74 kg/163 lbs. - Matt Pell (Tiger WC) 84 kg/185 lbs. - Tyler Nixt (Hawkeye WC) 96 kg/211.5 lbs. - J.D. Bergman (Ohio International WC) 120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Israel Silva (Chattanooga)
FILA Cadet Greco-Roman 42 kg/92.5 lbs. - David Taylor (Ohio) 46 kg/101.25 lbs. - Andy Pokorny (Nebraska) 50 kg/110 lbs. - Brian Owen (Washington) 54 kg/119 lbs. - Dak Adamson (New Mexico) 58 kg/127.75 lbs. - Spencer Jasper (Arizona) 63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Esai Dominguez (Iowa) 69 kg/152 lbs.- Jon Reader (Michigan) 76 kg/167.5 lbs. - Brent Chriswell (Washington) 85 kg/187.25 lbs. - Patrick Flynn (Pennsylvania) 100 kg/220.25 lbs. - Ryan Nachtrab (Ohio)
FILA Cadet Freestyle 42 kg/92.5 lbs. - David Taylor (Ohio) 46 kg/101.25 lbs. - Riley Adamson (New Mexico) 50 kg/110 lbs. - Brandon Davis (North Carolina) 54 kg/119 lbs. - Alex Meade (Delaware) 58 kg/127.75 lbs. - Coby Boyd (Ohio) 63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Matt Ballweg (Iowa) 69 kg/152 lbs. - Jon Reader (Michigan) 76 kg/167.5 lbs. - Scott Giffin (New Jersey) 85 kg/187.25 lbs. - Brent Chriswell (Washington) 100 kg/220.25 lbs. - Christopher Lewis (California)