MANHEIM, PA UNC Greensboro senior wresters Jeff Hedges and Daren Burns were both listed 14th in the nation in the USA Today/InterMat/NWCA Division I Pre-NCAA Tournament Coaches Poll released Wednesday. Both athletes automatically qualified for the national tournament to be held in St. Louis, MO after winning the Mat Jam/Southern Conference championship title in their respective weight classes.
Hedges, a Havre, MT native captured the 14th spot after winning his first SoCon title at 133 lbs. Going in as the No.1 seed, he defeated fourth-seeded Tyler Anthony of VMI, 5-2, in the semifinal round. To win the title, he took Appalachian State's third-seed, Terreyl Williams, for a 6-4 decision.
Hedges will go into the national tournament with an overall 26-9 record. He has already faced five of the other 19 wrestlers ranked in the 133-pound weight class.
Burns, a Catawba, NC native landed the No. 14 spot at 197 lbs. after winning his fourth SoCon crown. In the semifinal round, top-seeded Burns defeated fourth-seed John Buck of The Citadel with an 8-0 major decision. He then took the conference title with a 2-1 overtime decision over UTC's second-seeded Matt Koz.
Burns, the winningest wrestler in Spartan history, will head to St. Louis with an overall 32-6 record. Of the 19 other wrestlers listed on the poll, he has already competed against seven this season.
Hedges and Burns will be joined by teammate and fellow 2008 SoCon champion Byron Sigmon. The redshirt freshman from Claremont, NC won his first conference championship at 165 lbs. after shutting out both of his opponents. As the No. 1 seed, he defeated fourth-seeded Tommy Hutchinson of Appalachian State, 2-0, in the semifinals. Sigmon then went on to win a 3-0 decision over Chattanooga's second-seeded Nick Davis in the final round.
Sigmon enters into his first national tournament with an overall record of 17-14.
The 2008 NCAA Wrestling Tournament will be held March 20-22 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO. For complete details including ticket information, visit the St. Louis Sports Commission website at www.stlsports.org/wrestling/.
For more news on UNCG wrestling, ticket prices, a complete season schedule, and all other Spartan athletic information log onto www.UNCGSpartans.com.
# # UNCG # #
USA Today/InterMat/NWCA Division I Pre-NCAA Tournament Coaches Poll
March 12, 2008
Tournament Strength
Rank Team (First) Qualifiers Points
1 Iowa (12) 9 480
2 Minnesota 9 462
3 Michigan 6 449
4 Iowa State 10 445
5 Nebraska 8 432
6 Oklahoma State 8 419
7 Central Michigan 9 411
8 Ohio State 7 401
9 Illinois 7 383
10 Northwestern 6 369
11 Penn State 7 357
12 Missouri 7 347
13 Hofstra 7 332
14 Edinboro 10 302
15 Indiana 8 296
16 Cornell 6 293
17 Pittsburgh 6 287
18 Wisconsin 8 285
19 Oklahoma 5 188
(tie) Navy 5 188
21 American 4 183
22 Penn 8 161
23 Cal Poly 3 147
(tie) Old Dominion 6 147
25 UT-Chattanooga 8 142
Others receiving votes: Stanford, Boise State, Maryland, Michigan State , Harvard, Northern Iowa, Kent State
- The USA Today/InterMat/NWCA Coaches Poll is voted on by a representative member of each Division I wrestling conference and one wild card.
- The InterMat/NWCA/NWMA Individual Rankings are voted on by members of the National Wrestling Media Association.
InterMat/NWCA/NWMA Division I Individual Rankings .
**Note: Individual Records Listed are from the NWCA OPC Qualifier Report. Matches from the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational may or may not be reported by thei respective schools. Those results, however, are considered by the InterMat rankings.**
125 Wrestler School Year Qualifier Record **
1 Escobedo, Angel Indiana RSSO 29-1
2 Ness , Jayson Minnesota RSSO 35-1
3 Donahoe, Paul Nebraska RSJR 17-3
4 Falck, Charlie Iowa RSJR 26-2
5 Gardner, Tanner Stanford RSSR 33-1
6 Flores, Gabriel Illinois RSSR 15-7
7 Sees, Mike Bloomsburg RSSR 31-4
8 Precin, Brandon Northwestern SO 33-7
9 Peterkin, Rollie Penn SO 23-2
10 Nicholson, James Old Dominion RSFR 31-5
11 Tomasette, David Hofstra RSSR 25-6
12 Mytych, Steve Drexel JR 37-6
13 Shinn, Tyler Oklahoma State RSSO 15-6
14 Robles, Anthony Arizona State RSFR 19-7
15 Fio, Joey Oklahoma FR 20-8
16 Clark, Tyler Iowa State RSFR 19-9
17 Cudd, Collin Wisconsin RSSR 17-8
18 Martinez, Fernando Army SR 34-5
19 McKnight, Mark Penn State RSSR 13-9
20 Maldonado, Javier UT-Chattanooga RSSR 18-6
133
1 Gomez, Franklin Michigan State RSSO 28-1
2 Kennedy, James Illinois SO 24-3
3 Scott, Coleman Oklahoma State SR 28-4
4 Grey, Mike Cornell FR 38-6
5 Slaton, Joey Iowa RSSO 23-3
6 Ruggirello, Lou Hofstra SO 27-3
7 Fanthorpe, Nick Iowa State SO 28-4
8 Reiter, Mack Minnesota RSSR 21-8
9 Tanelli, Zach Wisconsin RSJR 20-8
10 Castillo, Patrick Northern Illinois RSSR 27-5
11 Hernandez, Andrae Indiana RSJR 20-11
12 Baker, Joe Navy JR 22-7
13 Jordan, Kenny Nebraska RSSO 8-8
14 Hedges, Jeff UNC Greensboro SR 23-6
15 Hutter, Kyle Old Dominion SO 28-10
16 Mitcheff, Dan Kent State RSSO 29-7
17 Humphrey, Reece Ohio State SO 18-8
18 Marble, David Bucknell SO 26-7
19 McCormick, Tyler Missouri SR 5-8
20 Fish, Cory Boise State JR 20-6
141
1 Mendes , Chad Cal Poly RSSR 26-0
2 Russell, Kellen Michigan FR 25-5
3 Griffin, Charles Hofstra SR 26-3
4 Morgan, Nathan Oklahoma State SR 29-3
5 Rivera, Manuel Minnesota RSSR 30-7
6 Ruschell, Kyle Wisconsin RSSO 21-4
7 Jaggers, J Ohio State RSSO 21-5
8 Leclere, Dan Iowa RSSO 20-7
9 Cleveland, Cody UT-Chattanooga RSSO 25-6
10 Gallick, Nick Iowa State SO 23-11
11 Sulzer, Keith Northwestern RSFR 16-6
12 Scott, Garrett Penn State FR 18-5
13 Kyler, Matthew Army SO 39-5
14 Headlee, Drew Pittsburgh RSSR 22-5
15 McLemore, Patrick Northern Illinois RSFR 13-3
16 Bailey, Zach Oklahoma SO 27-11
17 Williams, Ryan Old Dominion JR 34-8
18 Lashaway, Drew Kent State RSJR 28-9
19 Rappo, Rick Penn JR 20-6
20 Jones, Levi Boise State SO 8-4
149
1 Metcalf, Brent Iowa RSSO 26-1
2 Schlatter, Dustin Minnesota JR 17-3
3 O'Connor, J.P. Harvard SO 20-1
4 Burroughs , Jordan Nebraska SO 23-4
5 Churella, Josh Michigan RSSR 21-3
6 Jenkins, Bubba Penn State SO 22-5
7 Palmer, Lance Ohio State SO 19-7
8 Caldwell, Darrion North Carolina State SO 26-3
9 Ervin, Scott Appalachian St. RSJR 35-5
10 Atkinson, Morgan Cal State-Fullerton RSSR 29-2
11 Patacsil, Jake Purdue RSJR 25-6
12 Lang, Ryan Northwestern RSSR 17-5
13
Hall , Adam Boise State RSFR 17-4
14 Grajales, Cesar Penn SO 29-3
15 Knox, Joey UT-Chattanooga RSSO 21-9
16 Mueller, Mitch Iowa State SO 21-11
17 Rowe, Will Oklahoma RSSO 24-6
18 Wagner, Josh Missouri SR 16-8
19 Fisch, Don Rider RSSR 22-8
20 Fried, Kyle Binghamton SR 22-2
157
1 Gillespie, Gregor Edinboro JR 28-1
2 Poeta, Mike Illinois RSJR 19-2
3 Vallimont, Dan Penn State RSSO 27-2
4 Becker, Brandon Indiana RSSR 22-4
5 Schlatter, C.P. Minnesota RSSR 27-3
6 Kocher, Matt Pittsburgh RSSR 20-5
7 Sanderson, Cyler Iowa State SO 28-4
8 Leen , Jordan Cornell RSJR 22-3
9 Pami, Chase Cal Poly RSSO 24-4
10 Sherfey, Tyler Boise State RSJR 27-6
11 Zupancic, Josh Stanford RSSR 34-4
12 Chandler, Mike Missouri JR 15-3
13 Moley, Matt Bloomsburg SO 29-8
14 Bonilla-Bowman, Jonny Hofstra RSSO 15-9
15 Hluschak, Ryan Drexel SR 31-5
16 Marsh, Jeff Michigan RSSR 21-12
17 McSpadden, Newly Oklahoma State RSJR 21-9
18 Morningstar, Ryan Iowa RSSO 18-10
19 Nakasone, David Lehigh Grad 23-12
20 Garvin, Seth UT-Chattanooga RSJR 23-5
165
1 Tannenbaum, Eric Michigan RSSR 26-2
2 Perry, Mark Iowa RSSR 13-2
3 Marable, Nick Missouri SO 17-1
4 Lewnes, Mack Cornell FR 32-3
5 Dwyer, Stephen Nebraska SO 24-5
6 Reader, Jonathan Iowa State RSFR 26-7
7 Dieffenbach, Jacob Oklahoma State RSSR 19-5
8 Fay, Moza Northern Iowa RSJR 20-7
9 Stewart, Trevor Central Michigan JR 21-5
10 Gross, Kurt Kent State RSSR 28-5
11 Cannon, Mike American RSSO 26-3
12 Mueller, Keegan North Carolina RSJR 21-3
13 King, Jarrod Edinboro RSJR 27-4
14 Shanaman, Zack Penn JR 20-5
15 Pitsch, Patrick Arizona State RSSR 13-7
16 Swartz, Kurt Boise State RSFR 24-4
17 Manuel, Luke Purdue RSFR 25-7
18 Coughlin, Matt Indiana RSSO 25-9
19 Brown, Chris Old Dominion RSSO 32-7
20 Smith-Bergsrud, Roger Illinois RSJR 16-7
174
1 Gavin, Keith Pittsburgh RSSR 22-0
2 Luke, Steve Michigan RSJR 25-2
3 Sinnott, Brandon Central Michigan RSSR 28-3
4 Borschel, Jay Iowa RSSO 24-3
5 Browne, Brandon Nebraska RSJR 24-1
6 Lucas, Alton Hofstra JR 25-4
7 Stolpinski, Matt Navy SR 33-4
8 Dretsch, Gabriel Minnesota RSSR 28-10
9 Mason, Brandon Oklahoma State RSJR 26-5
10 Letts, Mike Maryland SO 22-4
11 Anceravage, Steve Cornell RSJR 31-4
12 Hayes, Nick Northwestern RSSR 23-11
13 Burk, Duke Northern Illinois RSSO 25-5
14 Rogers, Lloyd UT-Chattanooga RSSR 26-3
15 Dergo, John Illinois SO 15-8
16 Moricone, Phil Edinboro RSJR 18-9
17 Lee, Nathan Boise State RSSO 16-4
18 Litton, Chance West Virginia JR 11-4
19 Henrich, Chris Virginia FR 25-8
20 Giffin, Scott Penn RSFR 18-7
184
1 Varner, Jake Iowa State SO 25-0
2 Pucillo, Mike Ohio State RSSO 25-0
3 Todd, Tyrel Michigan RSJR 21-3
4 Sinnott, Christian Central Michigan RSSR 25-4
5 Weitzel, Josh Oklahoma RSJR 25-3
6 Keddy, Philip Iowa RSSO 21-7
7 Jordan, Raymond Missouri JR 17-3
8 Kish, Roger Minnesota RSSR 13-6
9 Chriswell, Brent Arizona State RSFR 14-5
10 Smith, Kirk Boise State FR 22-3
11 Murphy, Ian Cal State-Fullerton RSSR 24-6
12 Caponi, Rocco Virginia RSJR 37-2
13 Umbehauer, Doug Rider RSJR 20-6
14 Jensen, Jack Oklahoma State RSSR 13-6
15 Jones, Vince Nebraska JR 16-10
16 Zamir, Lior Penn JR 18-4
17 Bomberger, Phil Penn State RSJR 19-8
18 Brenner, Kurt West Virginia RSJR 15-1
19 Honeycutt, Chris Edinboro FR 21-6
20 Ferguson, Scott Army SR 24-5
197
1 Glenn, Josh American RSSR 15-0
2 Davis, Phil Penn State RSSR 21-1
3 Tamillow, Mike Northwestern SR 30-3
4 Michalak, Wynn Central Michigan RSSR 26-1
5 Herbst, Dallas Wisconsin RSJR 23-4
6 Taylor, Hudson Maryland RSSO 31-2
7 Askren, Maxwell Missouri SO 17-1
8 Brester, Craig Nebraska RSSO 21-5
9 Bond, Patrick Illinois RSSO 17-3
10 Flaggert, Joel Oklahoma RSJR 22-5
11 Morrison, T.J. Rider RSSR 21-7
12 Rovelli, Joe Hofstra SR 26-5
13 Byers, Cayle George Mason FR 35-8
14 Burns, Daren UNC Greensboro RSSR 24-5
15 Villers, Jared West Virginia RSSR 15-0
16 Bertolino, David Iowa State SR 22-11
17 Koz, Matt UT-Chattanooga RSSR 19-8
18 Trulson, Jason Arizona State RSSR 20-4
19 Anderson, Andrew Northern Iowa RSJR 20-9
20 Bradshaw, Patrick Edinboro RSSO 24-8
285
1 Fox, Dustin Northwestern SR 24-1
2 Bergman, J.D. Ohio State RSSR 24-2
3 Prendergast, Ed Navy SR 31-2
4 Fields, Matt Iowa SR 23-5
5 Massey, Kyle Wisconsin RSJR 20-6
6 Rosholt, Jared Oklahoma State RSSO 29-3
7 Zabriskie, David Iowa State SO 25-5
8 Gritter, Ryan Central Michigan RSSR 25-6
9 Porter, Jermail Kent State RSJR 31-9
10 Ellis, Mark Missouri SO 13-7
11 Sheaffer, Zach Pittsburgh RSJR 29-7
12 Spaid, Mike Bloomsburg SR 37-6
13 Wise, John Illinois RSJR 19-10
14 May, Jon Nebraska RSSR 16-9
15 Dobies, Justin North Carolina JR 28-4
16 Walker, Patrick Liberty SO 29-7
17 Fendone, Joe Edinboro RSJR 16-9
18 Goff, Rashard Cleveland State RSJR 20-11
19 Thobaben, Nathan Army SR 32-13
20 Gardner, Travis Oregon State RSSR 21-6
