Wrestling
Wrestling with the Big Ten Network
By Kevin Schlosser

The Big Ten Network will broadcast their first college wrestling match ever on Sunday when they air the dual match between top ranked Minnesota and second ranked Iowa State. The Golden Gophers are the defending NCAA champion and have won two consecutive Big Ten titles, while Iowa State is the defending Big 12 Conference champion.

“It doesn’t get any bigger than No. 1 vs. No. 2,” Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said, “and we’re honored to bring a live telecast of this event to national audience of more than 30 million people.”

Minnesota and Iowa State were first and second in the 2007 NCAA Wrestling Tournament. Both schools are in the top five all time for wins and team titles. The Golden Gophers beat the Cyclones twice last season. The teams have split their last six meetings, but Iowa State has a 33-15-2 record in the series all time. The Golden Gophers enter the dual with a twenty-three match win streak. Iowa State has won thirteen consecutive matches dating back to their loss to Minnesota at the National Duals last season.

“The Big Ten has an unparalleled history of success in the sport of wrestling and the Big Ten Network is pleased to be able to bring national exposure to an outstanding collection of universities with proud wrestling tradition,” commented Big Ten Media Director Mike Vest.

“The Big Ten Network will televise approximately 22 hours of wrestling this season.

(We) will collaborate with the conference office to determine the overall programming schedule. The full schedule will be announced once all the dates and times are finalized.”

The Minnesota versus Iowa State dual will be televised live in high definition on December 1, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. EST from Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota campus. Tim Johnson will be calling the play by play and Jim Gibbons will be providing color commentary for the broadcast.

The Big Ten Network and Ohio State Wrestling:

While Ohio State fans might be disappointed they weren’t the first team on the network, it is hard to argue with a match up of the defending national champions against the runner ups when both are ranked one and two this season.

The complete programming scheduled this season has yet to be determined so there could be additional coverage added as the year progresses. There will be at least ten more wrestling broadcasts this season. The Big Ten Network will broadcast portions of the 2007 Midlands Tournament as well as the 2008 Big Ten Tournament.

“The Big Ten Network owns exclusive cable rights to Big Ten wrestling and we will explore additional broadcast opportunities,” said Vest.

“Wrestling will receive additional coverage on Big Ten Tonight, the network's signature nightly studio show.”

If Ohio State fans and wrestling fans in general want increased coverage and more live events on the Big Ten Network, they need to tune in and let their voices be heard. Fans of all schools are encouraged to show their support by contacting the Big Ten Network directly through their website.

Minnesota vs. Iowa State: Match Preview:

Top ranked Minnesota enters the match as an early favorite on the strength of five returning All Americans and at least seven national qualifiers in their lineup. Iowa State has one returning All American and is expected to start at least six national qualifiers. Three Cyclones were defeated in the round of twelve and missed earning All American status by one match.

The marquee match up of the evening occurs at 184 pounds where top ranked Golden Gopher Roger Kish is scheduled to face second ranked Jake Varner. Kish won both dual matches last season but was upset by the freshman in the semifinals of the 2007 NCAA Tournament. Varner won a 2-1 decision over Kish at the NWCA All Star Classic. Up to sixteen of the twenty wrestlers in competition are ranked and six weight classes are expected have match ups of two ranked wrestlers.

Three former Ohio state champions are expected to wrestle on Sunday. At 184 pounds, Iowa State senior David Bertolino was a three state qualifier for Buckeye Local placing fifth in 2002 and was first in 2003. Minnesota junior Dustin Schlatter and senior C.P. Schlatter were both four time Ohio state champions. A graduate of Massillon Perry High School, Dustin won titles at both Perry and St. Paris Graham. C.P. graduated from St. Paris Graham High School and won titles at Graham and Columbus St. Francis DeSales. The Schlatter brothers both earned All American status last season with Dustin placing third at 149 pounds and C.P. took sixth at 157 pounds. Dustin was the 2006 national champ at 149 pounds.

Minnesota vs. Iowa State Projected Lineups:

125 #3 Jayson Ness (Minn) vs. Mark Kist (ISU)
133 #3 Mack Reiter (Minn) vs. #8 Nick Fanthorpe (ISU)
141 #6 Manuel Rivera (Minn) vs. #16 Nick Gallick (ISU)
149 #1 Dustin Schlatter (Minn) vs. #16 Mitch Mueller (ISU)
157 #4 C.P. Schlatter (Minn) vs. #10 Cyler Sanderson (ISU)
165 #14 Scott Glasser (Minn) or Tyler Safratowich (Minn) vs. #7 Jon Reader (ISU)
174 #6 Gabe Dretsch (Minn) or Brandon Stitch (Minn) vs. Aron Scott (ISU)
184 #2 Roger Kish (Minn) vs. #1 Jake Varner (ISU) or Chris Pursel (ISU)
197 Justin Bronson (Minn) #18 vs. David Bertolino (ISU)
285 Joe Nord (Minn) vs. #5 David Zabriskie (ISU)

Return to the-Ozone Columns and Features

Return to the-OZone Front Page