Gophers’ All-American Ness to Participate in NWCA All-Star Classic
October 15, 2008
University of Minnesota
two-time All-American wrestler Jayson Ness has been selected to
participate in the 43rd annual National Wrestling Coaches Association
(NWCA) All-Star Classic. Ness will wrestle on Nov. 24 at St. John’s
Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The event will be televised live on ESPNU.
The event, hosted this fall by Ohio State University, annually invites
the nation’s top wrestlers to compete in a dual meet format that serves
to showcase the nation’s top wrestlers and to celebrate those athletes
as ambassadors to their sport.
“It’s a great way to get the season started,” Ness said. “It’ll be a
great test to see where I’m at early in the season and to test myself
against some of the best wrestlers in the country. It’s an honor to be
chosen and I’m looking forward to it.”
Although Ness’ opponent has yet to be announced, the junior will be
competing in the 133 lb. class after earning All-American accolades at
the 125 lb. level each of the last two seasons. Ness makes the
transition to 133 pounds for the 2008-09 season after recording a 39-2
record at 125 pounds last season.
“Considering I’ve moved up a class, I was surprised to be picked just
because there are a lot of good wrestlers [at 133].” Ness said. “It’s
going to be a great atmosphere, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Ness, who tied a single-season school record with 20 pins during the
2007-08 season, is one of four returning starters and one of two
returning All-Americans for a Minnesota squad that is just two years
removed from a national championship. The Bloomington, Minn. native was
the national runner-up at 125 lbs. at the NCAA Championships in St.
Louis, Mo. last March.
Although the NWCA All-Star event is nationally televised and features
some of the college wrestling’s most accomplished athletes, Ness’
participation will not count as an official event and the result of his
match will not affect his 2008-09 official record.
Minnesota wrestling begins its season just one month from today, and
gets underway with its 2008-09 calendar at the Bison Open on Nov. 15.
Minnesota’s first home event of the season comes when the team hosts
Oklahoma State in a New Year’s Day dual meet at the Sports Pavilion at
2:00 p.m. For tickets, call 1-800-U-GOPHER or contact the Gopher Ticket
Office at 612-624-8080.
Lineup Update:
October 18, 2008
125- #2 Troy Nickerson (Cornell) vs #3 Charlie Falck (Iowa)
133- #1 Joey Slaton (Iowa) vs #2 Jayson Ness (Minnesota)
141- #1 J Jaggers (Ohio State) vs #2 Nick Gallick (Iowa State)
149- #1 Brent Metcalf (Iowa) vs #2 Bubba Jenkins (Penn State)
157- #1 Jordan Leen (Cornell) vs #2 Mike Poeta (Illinois)
165- #1 Nick Marable (Missouri) vs #2 Mack Lewnes (Cornell)
174- #1 Steve Luke (Michigan) vs #2 Jay Borschel (Iowa)
184- #1 Mike Pucillo (Ohio State) vs #3 Phil Keddy (Iowa)
197- #1 Jake Varner (Iowa State) vs #2 Hudson Taylor (Maryland)
285- #1 Jarred Rosholt (Oklahoma State) vs #3 Kyle Massey (Wisconsin)
