March 19, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

A  total of 72 Big Ten student-athletes from all 11 conference schools are set to compete at the 2008 Division I Wrestling Championships, which take place March 20-22 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis Missouri.  The event will be hosted by the University of Missouri and the St. Louis Sports Commission.

Top-ranked Iowa came back with a strong performance to win its 32nd Big Ten Championships on March 9 at Williams Arena. The Hawkeyes, who entered the day 12.5 points behind reigning national champ Minnesota, scored 127 points to surpass the Gophers, who tallied 112.5.

After the event, the conference announced the All-Conference team and individual award winners.

The Hawkeyes took home three of the four individual honors with Brent Metcalf being voted as Big Ten Wrestler of the Year and Wrestler of the Championships.  Iowa head coach Tom Brands was selected as Coach of the Year.  Rounding out the individual awards was Michigan's Kellen Russell as Freshman of the Year.

The 2008 All-Big Ten Team was also named with the members consisting of champions in each weight class.  Michigan had the most honorees with three All-Big Ten selections.  The Wolverines were represented by Steve Luke (174), Russell (141) and Eric Tannenbaum (165).  The rest of the team consists of Illinois' Mike Poeta (157), Indiana's Angel Escobedo (125), Iowa's Metcalf (149), Michigan State's Franklin Gomez (133), Northwestern's Dustin Fox (Hwt.), Ohio State's Mike Pucillo (184) and Penn State's Phil Davis (197).