Schwab among winners in USA-Russia dual
Osage native and former University of Iowa NCAA Champion Doug Schwab (photo by Wyatt Schultz) was among three winners for the United States in a dual against Russia in front of 1,500 fans at Cornell College in Mount Vernon Wednesday night.

The Russian squad defeated the US wrestlers, four matches to three.

Click here for article on themat.com

There was also a USA-Russia dual Sunday in Chicago, with Council Bluffs natives Trent and Travis Paulson claiming victories in another 4-3 loss.

High School Preseason Rankings reminder
High school coaches, The Predicament will be releasing our preseason individual rankings next week. We need the following information on each nominee by Thursday at the latest:

Name, weight, grade, school, previous accomplishments, record, etc.

We realize it may be tough to know the weight class for each wrestler this early in the season, but give us your best guess.

1A coaches send to Matt Pfiffner at pfiffner@thepredicament.com
2A coaches send to Jim Thompson at thompson@thepredicament.com
3A coaches send to Wyatt Schultz at gwyatt@thepredicament.com

Thanks as always for the help.

ISU claims seven titles at own open tourney
The Iowa State wrestling team snared an impressive seven out of 10 individual titles at the ISU Harold Nichols Open Saturday in Ames.

Among the winners for the Cyclones was freshman 125-pounder Andrew Long (pictured in red), who scored a wild 19-12 victory in the second round over Joe Colon of Iowa Central.

Iowa had two of the other three champions.

Visit our DotPhoto page to view hundreds of photos from the ISU Open and last weekend's NIACC Open.

2009 Harold Nichols/Cyclone Open Finals Matches
125 pounds – Andrew Long (ISU) major dec. J.J. Krutsinger (Iowa), 10-2
133 pounds – Cody Garcia (UNO) dec. Nate Moore (Iowa), 4-2
141 pounds – Joe Slaton (Iowa) dec. Mario Morgan (Unatt.), 14-7
149 pounds – Mitch Mueller (ISU) dec. Sam Schmitz (Lindenwood), 8-2
157 pounds – Andrew Sorenson (ISU) dec. Brett Robbins (UNI-Unatt.), 8-2
165 pounds – Jon Reader (ISU) major dec. Ryan Pankoke (Neb-Omaha), 17-6
174 pounds – Duke Burk (ISU) dec. Chris Spangler (ISU), 3-1
184 pounds – Grant Gambrall (Iowa) dec. Jerome Ward (ISU), 6-2
197 pounds – Jake Varner (ISU) pinned Tyler Sorenson (SDSU), 2:27
HWT – David Zabriskie (ISU) dec. John Helgerson (Wartburg), 3-0

Click here for complete brackets

Linn-Mar teammates together again
When the top-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes take to the mat this season, one-fifth of the lineup could be filled by former Linn-Mar (Marion) stars. Jay Borschel (right) is one of the top wrestlers in the nation at 174, while freshman Matt McDonough appears ready to take over at 125.

They are in similar situations to where they were five years ago in high school, when Borschel was a senior going after an eventual fourth State title, while McDonough was an unknown freshman who went on to claim three State titles of his own.

Find out what both had to say about the upcoming season in our Full Access article from Iowa's media day held earlier this week.

Hawkeyes out to dominate
The University of Iowa wrestling team, winners of the past two NCAA Div. I Championships, held media day Wednesday in Iowa City.

One of the key words from head coach Tom Brands and the Iowa wrestlers was dominate. After slipping past Ohio State last year for the NCAA title, the senior-laden Hawkeyes want to widen the gap and dominate the wrestling world this season.

Find out what Brands and some of the Iowa wrestlers had to say about the upcoming campaign and the quest for a third straight title in our free article from media day.

The day started off on a high note for the Hawkeyes, as three-time State champ Nick Moore of Iowa City West signed his letter of intent that morning at his high school. Moore will look to become the 19th 4-time State Champion in Iowa high school wrestling history this winter.

Andrew Long ready to take over at 125
Five years ago, Andrew Long was beginning his high school wrestling career at Creston as a 103-pounder who gave away about 20 pounds to everyone he wrestled. Now, after a redshirt year under his singlet, Long is looking for big things as the starter at 125 for the second-ranked Iowa State Cyclones.

Click here to read our Full Access feature to find out what Long had to say about his upcoming season for the Cyclones.

Look for features later this week from the University of Iowa media day, which will be held Wednesday in Iowa City.

ISU seniors prepare for final season
The senior class at Iowa State has accomplished a lot the past three seasons, but the Cyclones are still looking for their first NCAA team title since 1987. Will this be the year under first-year head coach Kevin Jackson?

Find out what Jackson and some of the ISU seniors had to say
in our recent Full Access article.

To find out what this season has in store for all of the college programs in the state, check out our College Preview Edition (pictured), with previews, rosters and schedules for all 23 teams in Iowa. Also included in the issue is a feature on Iowa Central, which goes after a record fifth straight NJCAA National Championship this season.

To purchase this issue, just send $3 per copy, plus $1.50 for shipping, to: The Predicament, P.O. 14, Osceola, IA 50213. Please include a note in with payment saying you are purchasing the College Preview Edition.

Kelly chooses Iowa, Knight to Cornell,
UNI adds to talented in-state class
Michael Kelly of Cedar Falls, the Class 3A State Champion at 145 last season as a junior, will continue his wrestling career at the University of Iowa, The Predicament has learned. Kelly joins a Hawkeye class that includes three-time State champ Nick Moore of Iowa City West, two-time State champ Jacob Ballweg of Waverly-Shell Rock and four other top-50 recruits.

Northern Iowa is also doing well in the in-state recruiting game. Two-time State Champion Brock Weatherman of Ballard was recently added to a class that includes one-time State champs Levi Wolfensperger of Denver/Tripoli and Seth Noble of Columbus Junction.

In other recruiting news, in a bit of a surprise, two-time State champ Evan Knight of Urbandale has given a verbal commitment to Cornell University. Knight is the son of Steve and nephew of Dan, who both wrestled for Iowa State University.

Cyclones excited for 2009-10 season
The Iowa State wrestling team held media day Tuesday in Ames and one thing is for sure...despite a new head coach and some new faces in the lineup, expectations for the program are as high as ever.

Read what Cyclone Head Coach Kevin Jackson (pictured) and several ISU wrestlers had to say about the upcoming season in our Iowa State Media Day article.

Check back over the next few days for more Cyclone stories from media day in our Full Access area. Included will be an article about the ISU senior class and how they have adjusted to the departure of Cael Sanderson and arrival of Jackson and taking their last shot at team and individual glory. Another article will focus on one of the new faces in the ISU lineup, freshman Andrew Long of Creston.

The Predicament will also be in Iowa City next Wednesday for
The University of Iowa Hawkeye media day.

Ticket pre-sale for USA-Russia dual
Due to the overwhelming response to the November 18 dual meet between Team USA and Team Russia, there will be a pre-sale for tickets on Monday, November 16 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at three locations:
Mt. Vernon Bank & Trust, 206 1st Street West, Mt. Vernon, IA
Overhead Door Company, 6515 4th Street SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
Lepic-Kroeger Realtors, 2346 Mormon Trek Blvd., Iowa City, IA

 Tickets will be sold on a first come-first served basis.  Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for high school students and younger.  Transactions will be cash only.

Results from ISU and UNI
intrasquad dual, wrestle-offs
The Iowa State wrestling team hosted an intrasquad scrimmage Friday night in Ames, while Northern Iowa held wrestle-offs Saturday.

Iowa's wrestle-offs will be held later this week.

Click here for results from Iowa State's intrasquad scrimmage

Click here to view UNI's wrestle-off results

The Panthers also held media day on Friday. Among the wrestlers looking to make an impact this season are returning NCAA qualifiers (pictured) Christian Brantley, Tyson Reiner, Caleb Flores, Trevor Kittleson, Nick Pickerell, Trenton Washington and Andy O'Loughlin.

ISU's media day is Tuesday, while the University of Iowa will unveil the 2009-10 team at media day on Nov. 11.

High School postseason pairings released
The Sectional and District assignments for high school wrestling were released last week.

Click here to view the assignments to see where your favorite team travels in February to fight for State Tournament berths.

U.S. to face Russia in freestyle dual meet
at Mount Vernon next month
A team of top U.S. wrestlers will compete in a freestyle dual meet against a team from Russia in Mount Vernon, Iowa on Wednesday, November 18.

It will be held at the Small Multi-Sports Center at Cornell College. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with wrestling starting at 7 p.m.

Click here for article

Contact Information:
Matt Pfiffner (Publisher/Advertising/Web Page)
pfiffner@thepredicament.com
Phone: 641-414-1962
Fax: 641-342-1558
Wyatt Schultz (Photographer)
gwyatt@thepredicament.com