Wrestling411

The United States entered the World Championships for the first time in 1961, but it wasn’t until 1969 before an American won a World title. Enter Oregonians Rick Sanders and Fred Fozzard. Both won World Championships that year (Sanders at 114.5 and Fozzard at 180.5) and both are credited with being the United States’ first World Champions.

Wrestling 411 talked with Fozzard about the late Rick Sanders and winning that first World title for the United States. Fozzard, who suffered from polio as a youth and has a withered right arm as a result, also addressed overcoming physical adversities in wrestling and wrestling for Myron Roderick at Oklahoma State.

Navy Seal David Goggins, named a “Hero of Running” by Runner’s World, has a purpose. After several of his friends died in the Afghanistan war Goggins decided to take action. He took up ultrarunning as a way to raise money for soldiers’

families. To date, Goggins has raised over $200,000.

Goggins was at J Robinson’s 28-day Intensive Training Camp putting campers through the Trident Challenge — a challenge that included swimming, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and running. Wrestling 411 spoke with Goggins about his impressions of wrestling, gaining a mental edge, and “Hell Week”.

 

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Tony Dungy, head coach of the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts in 2007 and a football standout at the University of Minnesota, was at his alma mater today for several speaking engagements. One of his stops was to the
Minnesota wrestling room where he spoke to the Gopher wrestling team. Dungy’s latest book, Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance, was released on Jan. 27, 2009.

Wrestling 411 caught up with Dungy for an interview following his speech with the Minnesota wrestling team. Dungy talked about his relationship with the Minnesota wrestling team, the difference between success and significance, and what it takes to lead an uncommon life.

Minnesota head wrestling coach J Robinson, one of the leaders in promoting the sport of wrestling, has been vocal about his dislike for the new qualification system. Wrestling 411 catches up with J Robinson at the NCAA tournament and discusses his why the new qualification procedures are flawed, his recommendation to NCAA wrestling chair Brad Traviolia about some experimental rules, and what it will take for Minnesota and Oklahoma State to get back on top.

 

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By Jason Bryant
Wrestling411

Iowa City — After winning seven out of 10 matches on Sunday afternoon at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa wrestling coach Tom Brands wasn’t all smiles despite the fact the 10,095 fans exiting the facility were.

Top-ranked Iowa improved to 22-0 with a 25-9 victory over rival Minnesota. The loss, the Gophers’ second in a row, drops J Robinson’s squad to 13-7.

“We won and didn’t look good,” said Brands. “(Minnesota) was ready to slug and we got slugged and stood there and took a lot of it. That’s why.”

Minnesota landed a hard right to the jaw as Zach Sanders upset Charlie Falck, scoring on a double leg in the final 10 seconds to pick up a 5-4 victory at 125 pounds.

Minnesota versus Wisconsin live updates
Minnesota Head Coach: Captain J Paul Robinson
Wisconsin Head Coach: Barry Davis
Venue: UW Field House – Madison, Wisconsin
Statistics courtesy of Betsy Golomski

Minnesota defeated Wisconsin 22-15 at the National Duals on Jan. 10, 2009.

Wisconsin Head Coach Barry Davis on defeating Minnesota 19-15 after losing to Minnesota 22-15 at the National Duals.

It was a turnaround in a couple of matches. We won ‘84 and we didn’t give up bonus points at one. It came down to one match there.

We’re getting better. We’re not there yet, but we’re getting better. Rutt had a good win to get back on track a little bit.

Northwestern vs. Minnesota live updates
Date: Sunday, February 8, 2009
Location: Sports Pavilion – Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minnesota Head Coach – Captain J Paul Robinson
Northwestern Head Coach – Tim Cysewski

Meet will start at 165

165 – Scott Glasser (Minnesota) m.d. Kyle Bertin (Northwestern), 12-3

Bertin in on a high crotch halfway through the period but can’t score. Glasser scores on a double leg with under a minute to go in the period to take a 2-0 lead.

Bertin escapes in 12 seconds and attempts a drag but Glasser counters for the takedown to take a 4-1 lead. Bertin takes an injury timeout following the exchange.

The following ten coaches were asked the exact same question: If you could tell the officials one thing at the officials meeting, what would it be?

Tom Brands, University of Iowa Head Wrestling Coach
I think they do a heck of a lot better job than what it sounds like I’m telling them during the match.

Barry Davis, University of Wisconsin Head Wrestling Coach
Call stalling. Because what it does is it makes everyone more aggressive and the better man’s going to win that way. The guy’s stalling, just call it. It’ s more exciting for the fans and everybody else.

The following 10 coaches were asked the exact same question: If you could change one thing about college wrestling what would it be?

Tom Brands, University of Iowa Head Wrestling Coach
It would be the weigh-in procedures and basically how they have done a disservice to nutrition in this sport.

Barry Davis, University of Wisconsin Head Coach
Stalling calls. Make the guys wrestle more. That’s all. It’s the best sport going right now. A lot of action. It’s such a good thing now. You don’t need to change much of it, just make guys wrestle.

Last year the 149 pound weight class was the toughest and deepest weight class in the nation. Some even said it was the best weight class ever (it wasn’t, by the way).

The 2007-08 version of 149 pounds had it all: talent, depth, returning All-Americans and Iowa’s Brent Metcalf, the best college wrestler in the nation.

The 2008-09 version of 149 pounds still has Brent Metcalf, returning finalist Bubba Jenkins of Penn State, fifth place finisher Darrion Caldwell of North Carolina State and eighth place finisher Lance Palmer of Ohio State. But the weight class has been depleted by many of the top wrestlers moving up to the 157 pound weight class.

Only one wrestler – two-time All-American Ryan Churella of Michigan – left the weight due to graduation.