Georgia natives highlight showcase bouts; Stauffer, Minotti, Pack join main event at 50th annual NWCA All-Star Classic
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by Jason Bryant, NWCA
Manheim, Pennsylvania – Six Georgia natives and three wrestlers from Georgia colleges will highlight the showcase matches at the 50th annual Hire Heroes NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the Wrestlers in Business Network on November 1 in Atlanta, Ga. The All-Star Classic is also sponsored by Raymond James and will be held at Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion at 5 p.m.
Injuries have also altered two of the main draw matches as Illinois’ Isaiah Martinez, Virginia Tech’s Nick Brascetta and Edinboro’s Vic Avery had to pull out due to early-season issues.
The new bout at 157 pounds will feature two-time All-American Mitch Minotti of Lehigh taking on South Dakota State’s Cody Pack. Minotti becomes Lehigh’s third entry, joining 133-pounder Mason Beckman and 184-pounder Nathaniel Brown.
Minotti will be the 32nd appearance by a Lehigh wrestler in the All-Star Classic. Pack will become the first wrestler from South Dakota State to compete in the event. Minotti finished eighth at 157 pounds last year after finishing sixth at 149 the year prior.
Pack was the No. 5 seed at last year’s NCAA championships and finished a match short of All-American honors.
Arizona State’s Blake Stauffer will replace Avery at 184 pounds and he’ll face returning NCAA runner-up Brown of Lehigh. It will be the first meeting between the two wrestlers. Stauffer was an All-American a year ago, finishing fourth at 184 pounds
Even with the alterations in the lineup, the main event will feature 19 All-Americans, and three returning NCAA champions.
Stauffer was originally scheduled to compete against Missouri All-American Willie Miklus in one of the showcase bouts, but was moved into the main event after Avery bowed out. Miklus will now face Gardner-Webb’s Hunter Gamble, a past NCAA qualifier, in one of the eight matches prior to the kick off of the main event.
Georgia natives Sean Russell, Chad Pyke, Kamaal Shakur, Jason Grimes, Chance McClure and Chip Ness will have an opportunity to wrestle in their home state as part of the undercard.
Edinboro’s Russell, a four-time state champion at Collins Hill High School, will face Life University’s Devane Dodgens at 125 pounds. Russell redshirted for the Fighting Scots last year, while Dodgens was an NAIA qualifier for the new program at Life, which is in Marietta, Georgia.
N.C. State’s Pyke and Chattanooga’s Shakur will face off against one another at 157 pounds. Pyke wrestled at Woodward Academy just south of Atlanta, while Shakur hails from Parkview High School in Lilburn, which is 20 miles northwest of Atlanta.
Grimes, who wrestles for American University, was a two-time state champion at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School. He’ll face off with Cornell freshman Brandon Womack, a six-time high school state champion from Scottsboro, Alabama.
McClure, wrestling unattached from the University of Virginia, was a four-time state champion from Commerce, Ga., about 90 minutes north of Atlanta. He’ll wrestle Chip Ness, who will also compete unattached for the University of North Carolina. Ness was also a four-time Georgia state champion for Buford High School in Duluth, 25 miles northwest of Atlanta.
Three other showcase matches are scheduled, with the women’s college match seeing participation from both of the women’s college programs in the state, Life and the brand-new program at Emmanuel College.
Jennifer Juarez of Life University will face Emmanuel’s Cindy Calixto at 123 pounds. Both wrestlers are New York natives. Women’s bouts have been part of the All-Star Classic for a number of years with the first coming back in 2006 in Arlington, Texas. Helen Maroulis, the 2015 women’s world champion, competed the last two years, wrestling in an international bout against opponents from abroad. This will be the first match in an All-Star Classic event with two women’s wrestlers competing for American colleges.
Along with Miklus versus Gamble, two more bouts without specific Georgia ties are also on the docket as Princeton’s Chris Perez will face Division III All-American Derek Arnold of Ursinus. Perez was a match away from earning All-American status last season at the NCAA Division I championships, while Arnold finished fourth at 149 pounds at the NCAA Division III championships last year in Hershey, Pa.
Army West Point’s Bryce Barnes will face off with Chattanooga’s Scottie Boykin at 197 pounds in a matchup of NCAA qualifiers at 197 pounds.
Announced #NWCAClassic50 Matchups
125- Nathan Tomasello, So. (Ohio State) vs. Zeke Moisey, So. (West Virginia)
133- Mason Beckman, Sr. (Lehigh) vs. Rossi Bruno, Sr. (Michigan)
141- Cody Brewer, Sr. (Oklahoma) vs. Dean Heil, So. (Oklahoma State)
149- B.J. Clagon, So. (Rider) vs. Alexander Richardson, Sr. (Old Dominion)
157- Mitch Minotti, Jr. (Lehigh) vs. Cody Pack, Sr. (South Dakota State)
165- Alex Dieringer, Sr. (Oklahoma State) vs. Ethan Ramos, So. (North Carolina)
174- Kyle Crutchmer, Jr. (Oklahoma State) vs. Zach Epperly, So. (Virginia Tech)
184- Nathaniel Brown, Sr. (Lehigh) vs. Blake Stauffer, Sr. (Arizona State)
197- Conner Hartmann, Sr. (Duke) vs. Max Huntley, Sr. (Michigan)
285- Adam Coon, Jr. (Michigan) vs. Ty Walz, Jr. (Virginia Tech)
Showcase Matches
125: Sean Russell, Fr. (Edinboro) vs. Devane Dodgens, Jr. (Life)
149: Chris Perez, Sr. (Princeton) vs. Derek Arnold, Jr. (Ursinus)
157: Chad Pyke, So. (N.C. State) vs. Kamaal Shakur, Fr. (Chattanooga)
174: Jason Grimes, Jr. (American) vs. Brandon Womack, Fr. (Cornell)
184: Willie Miklus, So. (Missouri) vs. Hunter Gamble, Jr. (Gardner-Webb)
197: Chance McClure, So. (Virginia-Unattached) vs. Chip Ness, So. (North Carolina-Unattached)
197: Bryce Barnes, Sr. (Army West Point) vs. Scottie Boykin, Jr. (Chattanooga)
Women’s Showcase
123: Jennifer Juarez (Life) vs. Cindy Calixto (Emmanuel)
WHAT: 50th Annual Hire Heroes NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the Wrestlers in Business Network Atlanta Chapter
WHEN: Sunday, November 1, 2015, 5 p.m. Eastern
WHERE: Hank McCamish Pavilion, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, Ga.
TICKETS: VIP/Social $125, Premium Floor $100, Premium $50, Reserved $25-$35; General Admission $10-$20; Student Rate $15
PURCHASE ONLINE: Click here
TV/LIVE STREAMING: ESPNU
EVENT WEBSITE: http://www.theallstarclassic.com
About the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA)
The NWCA brings the wrestling coaching community together to advance the sport and ensure that current and future generations have the opportunity to engage in a safe and educationally based wrestling experience. This is primarily done by strengthening existing programs, creating new programs, and providing coaches with progressive educational opportunities.
About Wrestlers in Business Network (WIBN)
The Group Wrestlers in Business is a non-profit organization that strives to unite the thousands of wrestlers that have retired from the sport and are now in their respective careers. It started as a networking group on LinkedIn. Since then, the group has evolved into a more prominent, member-focused organization that cares about supporting current & former wrestlers and the sport. Their mission is to establish a community of wrestlers who commonly share in the interest of helping each other in business and in life, while supporting and strengthening the sport that made us who we are today. www.wrestlersinbusiness.org
About ESPNU
The 24-hour college sports television network airs more than 650 live events annually. ESPNU is available nationwide in approximately 73 million households.
Injuries have also altered two of the main draw matches as Illinois’ Isaiah Martinez, Virginia Tech’s Nick Brascetta and Edinboro’s Vic Avery had to pull out due to early-season issues.
The new bout at 157 pounds will feature two-time All-American Mitch Minotti of Lehigh taking on South Dakota State’s Cody Pack. Minotti becomes Lehigh’s third entry, joining 133-pounder Mason Beckman and 184-pounder Nathaniel Brown.
Minotti will be the 32nd appearance by a Lehigh wrestler in the All-Star Classic. Pack will become the first wrestler from South Dakota State to compete in the event. Minotti finished eighth at 157 pounds last year after finishing sixth at 149 the year prior.
Pack was the No. 5 seed at last year’s NCAA championships and finished a match short of All-American honors.
Arizona State’s Blake Stauffer will replace Avery at 184 pounds and he’ll face returning NCAA runner-up Brown of Lehigh. It will be the first meeting between the two wrestlers. Stauffer was an All-American a year ago, finishing fourth at 184 pounds
Even with the alterations in the lineup, the main event will feature 19 All-Americans, and three returning NCAA champions.
Stauffer was originally scheduled to compete against Missouri All-American Willie Miklus in one of the showcase bouts, but was moved into the main event after Avery bowed out. Miklus will now face Gardner-Webb’s Hunter Gamble, a past NCAA qualifier, in one of the eight matches prior to the kick off of the main event.
Georgia natives Sean Russell, Chad Pyke, Kamaal Shakur, Jason Grimes, Chance McClure and Chip Ness will have an opportunity to wrestle in their home state as part of the undercard.
Edinboro’s Russell, a four-time state champion at Collins Hill High School, will face Life University’s Devane Dodgens at 125 pounds. Russell redshirted for the Fighting Scots last year, while Dodgens was an NAIA qualifier for the new program at Life, which is in Marietta, Georgia.
N.C. State’s Pyke and Chattanooga’s Shakur will face off against one another at 157 pounds. Pyke wrestled at Woodward Academy just south of Atlanta, while Shakur hails from Parkview High School in Lilburn, which is 20 miles northwest of Atlanta.
Grimes, who wrestles for American University, was a two-time state champion at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School. He’ll face off with Cornell freshman Brandon Womack, a six-time high school state champion from Scottsboro, Alabama.
McClure, wrestling unattached from the University of Virginia, was a four-time state champion from Commerce, Ga., about 90 minutes north of Atlanta. He’ll wrestle Chip Ness, who will also compete unattached for the University of North Carolina. Ness was also a four-time Georgia state champion for Buford High School in Duluth, 25 miles northwest of Atlanta.
Three other showcase matches are scheduled, with the women’s college match seeing participation from both of the women’s college programs in the state, Life and the brand-new program at Emmanuel College.
Jennifer Juarez of Life University will face Emmanuel’s Cindy Calixto at 123 pounds. Both wrestlers are New York natives. Women’s bouts have been part of the All-Star Classic for a number of years with the first coming back in 2006 in Arlington, Texas. Helen Maroulis, the 2015 women’s world champion, competed the last two years, wrestling in an international bout against opponents from abroad. This will be the first match in an All-Star Classic event with two women’s wrestlers competing for American colleges.
Along with Miklus versus Gamble, two more bouts without specific Georgia ties are also on the docket as Princeton’s Chris Perez will face Division III All-American Derek Arnold of Ursinus. Perez was a match away from earning All-American status last season at the NCAA Division I championships, while Arnold finished fourth at 149 pounds at the NCAA Division III championships last year in Hershey, Pa.
Army West Point’s Bryce Barnes will face off with Chattanooga’s Scottie Boykin at 197 pounds in a matchup of NCAA qualifiers at 197 pounds.
Announced #NWCAClassic50 Matchups
125- Nathan Tomasello, So. (Ohio State) vs. Zeke Moisey, So. (West Virginia)
133- Mason Beckman, Sr. (Lehigh) vs. Rossi Bruno, Sr. (Michigan)
141- Cody Brewer, Sr. (Oklahoma) vs. Dean Heil, So. (Oklahoma State)
149- B.J. Clagon, So. (Rider) vs. Alexander Richardson, Sr. (Old Dominion)
157- Mitch Minotti, Jr. (Lehigh) vs. Cody Pack, Sr. (South Dakota State)
165- Alex Dieringer, Sr. (Oklahoma State) vs. Ethan Ramos, So. (North Carolina)
174- Kyle Crutchmer, Jr. (Oklahoma State) vs. Zach Epperly, So. (Virginia Tech)
184- Nathaniel Brown, Sr. (Lehigh) vs. Blake Stauffer, Sr. (Arizona State)
197- Conner Hartmann, Sr. (Duke) vs. Max Huntley, Sr. (Michigan)
285- Adam Coon, Jr. (Michigan) vs. Ty Walz, Jr. (Virginia Tech)
Showcase Matches
125: Sean Russell, Fr. (Edinboro) vs. Devane Dodgens, Jr. (Life)
149: Chris Perez, Sr. (Princeton) vs. Derek Arnold, Jr. (Ursinus)
157: Chad Pyke, So. (N.C. State) vs. Kamaal Shakur, Fr. (Chattanooga)
174: Jason Grimes, Jr. (American) vs. Brandon Womack, Fr. (Cornell)
184: Willie Miklus, So. (Missouri) vs. Hunter Gamble, Jr. (Gardner-Webb)
197: Chance McClure, So. (Virginia-Unattached) vs. Chip Ness, So. (North Carolina-Unattached)
197: Bryce Barnes, Sr. (Army West Point) vs. Scottie Boykin, Jr. (Chattanooga)
Women’s Showcase
123: Jennifer Juarez (Life) vs. Cindy Calixto (Emmanuel)
WHAT: 50th Annual Hire Heroes NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the Wrestlers in Business Network Atlanta Chapter
WHEN: Sunday, November 1, 2015, 5 p.m. Eastern
WHERE: Hank McCamish Pavilion, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, Ga.
TICKETS: VIP/Social $125, Premium Floor $100, Premium $50, Reserved $25-$35; General Admission $10-$20; Student Rate $15
PURCHASE ONLINE: Click here
TV/LIVE STREAMING: ESPNU
EVENT WEBSITE: http://www.theallstarclassic.com
About the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA)
The NWCA brings the wrestling coaching community together to advance the sport and ensure that current and future generations have the opportunity to engage in a safe and educationally based wrestling experience. This is primarily done by strengthening existing programs, creating new programs, and providing coaches with progressive educational opportunities.
About Wrestlers in Business Network (WIBN)
The Group Wrestlers in Business is a non-profit organization that strives to unite the thousands of wrestlers that have retired from the sport and are now in their respective careers. It started as a networking group on LinkedIn. Since then, the group has evolved into a more prominent, member-focused organization that cares about supporting current & former wrestlers and the sport. Their mission is to establish a community of wrestlers who commonly share in the interest of helping each other in business and in life, while supporting and strengthening the sport that made us who we are today. www.wrestlersinbusiness.org
About ESPNU
The 24-hour college sports television network airs more than 650 live events annually. ESPNU is available nationwide in approximately 73 million households.
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