In the most exciting draw possible, Greg Strobel will lead his Lehigh team against #1 ranked Oklahoma State University at 9:00 am in the first round of the 2001 Cliff Keen/NWCA National Wrestling Championship Duals at Bryce Jordan Arena. This will be only the 4th time in Lehigh history that the two teams have met, with the Cowboys winning the first three--23-13 in '86 (in OK); 20-19 in '88 (at LU) and 35-8 in 1989. The Pokes, coached by former World Champion John Smith, have a formidable lineup with two returning All-Americans (Reggie Wright, 3rd & 4th at 149 and Mark Munoz, 3rd at 197) and nine wrestlers ranked in the top 11 and recently defeated #2 Minnesota 25-12 a week after the Midlands Tourney. The Brown & White have three returning All-Americans and six men who've been rated Top 10 during this season. Seating capacity of 14,000 + will more than handle the 2,500 to 3,000 spectators expected to attend during the weekend. All-session tickets are $25 (Students and Senior Citizens only $7 !). To order, phone 814-865-555 and ask for the LU section, or simply make plans to attend and buy at the door. A good showing by Lehigh fans will be duly noted by ncaa and other representatives, as an important step toward better seating for the NCAAs. PH: 814-865-5555 or 1-800-863-3336 The Team Pairings, Selected Fri. at 1 pm Seed--(NWCA rank)--Opponent--Match time 1. (#1) Okla St. vs. #18 LEHIGH at 9 a.m. 2. (#2) Minnesota vs. #17 Hofstra at 11 a.m. 3. (#3) Iowa U. vs. #15 Edinboro at 11 a.m. 4. (#4) Iowa State vs. Montclair St U at 9 a.m. 5. (#6) Oklahoma vs. U. Nebraska Omaha at 9 a.m. 6. (#7) Michigan vs. #20 Virginia Tech at 11 a.m. 7. (#8) Nebraska vs. Penn State at 11 a.m. 8. (#9) Arizona St vs. Montana State Northern at 9 a.m. All teams get to wrestle at least twice, with consolations beginning sometime Sat. afternoon; schools defeated in 1st rd will match up in wrestle-backs as follows: 1 vs 8; 2 vs 7; 3 vs. 6; 4 vs. 5. Nat. Duals Notes * 8 of the Top 10 teams, 4 of the Top 5 and 12 Top 25 ranked teams overall will be competing. * Iowa State's Cael Sanderson (184) will likely set a new NCAA record for consecutive victories (101) in his first match of the tournament. * Iowa State won last year's title, 17-16, over Minnesota. The last three finals matches have been decided by three points or less. * With five titles to its credit, OSU has won more National Duals titles than any other team. * Minnesota has reached the final in the last three events, winning in 1998 over Iowa. * Oklahoma State (5), Penn State (2), Iowa (3), Iowa State (1) and Minnesota (1) are returning former champions. * Six No. 1 ranked wrestlers will compete in the tournament (AWN Individual rankings). ---------------------------------------------- ESPO IN ALL-STAR CLASSIC In the feature matchup for Lehigh Valley fans, Lehigh's Dave Esposito is scheduled to face Lock Haven's Jamarr Billman in the 34th Annual NWCA All Star Classic will take place at 7:30 pm on Monday, January 29, at Franklin & Marshall. Tickets are $12, and may be obtained by mailing a check made out to Franklin & Marshall College to F&M Wrestling Office; Mayser Gymnasium; Lancaster PA 17601. Ticket office phone is 717-291-4359. Members of the NWCA are entitled to free admission. Space is limited as the capacity for the arena is approximately 2,600 spectators, so fans order their tickets ASAP. Five past NCAA Div. I individual champions will participate in the event: Eric Juergens of Iowa at 133 pounds, Doug Schwab of Iowa at 141 pounds, Don Pritzlaff of Wisconsin at 165 pounds, Cael Sanderson of Iowa State at 184 pounds and Brad Vering of Nebraska at 197 pounds. Sanderson, a junior, is a two-time NCAA champ & 2-time OW, who has still never lost a college match (100 straight as of 1/19). Of the matchups in the tournament, five feature bouts between the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked wrestlers in the most recent Amateur Wrestling News individual rankings (141, 165, 174, 184, 197). It is one of the strongest fields in the tournament's history. The lineup is subject to change due to injury or other challenges. A total of 10 wrestlers in the meet have a Pennsylvania connection, either growing up in the state or attending a university in PA. Mike Caruso, LU '67, competed in the 1st-ever NWCA All-Star event, at 130 lbs, following his 3rd NCAA title win. Esposito (last yr. vs. Adam Tirapelle, Illinois) & John Van Doren ('98 vs. Mitch Clark, Ohio St) are Lehigh's most recent All-Star entries. Coaches gain free admission to a special Dan Gable and Brandon Slay Clinic on Sunday, by purchasing 35 All-Star Classic tickets. (Payment for the 35 tickets must be made by January 23, and is limited to the first 50 coaches who purchase the ticket minimum). Tickets for the Dan Gable and Brandon Slay Clinic are $10 for adults and $5 for students (18 and under). It is suggested that local booster clubs should consider sponsoring wrestlers to attend this historic event. NWCA ALL-STAR CLASSIC LINEUP at Lancaster, Pa., January 29 125 lbs. - No. 2 Jody Strittmatter (Iowa) vs. No. 3 A.J. Grant (Michigan) 133 lbs. - No. 1 Eric Juergens (Iowa) vs. #3 Todd Beckerman (Nebraska) 141 lbs. - No. 1 Doug Schwab (Iowa) vs. No. 2 Michael Lightner (Okla) 149 lbs. - No. 4 Dave Esposito (LEHIGH) #16 Jamarr Billman (Lock Haven) 149 lbs. - No. 6 Eric Schmeising (Hofstra)No. 14 Marc Hoffer(American) 157 lbs. - No. 2 Bryan Snyder (Nebraska) vs. #5 Yoshi Nakamura (PENN) 157 lbs. - Isaiah Hankel (F&M)) vs. Mike Bookwalter(Millersville) 165 lbs. - No. 1 Joe Heskett (Iowa St) vs. #2 Don Pritzlaff (Wisconsin) 174 lbs. - No. 1 Otto Olson (Michigan) vs. #2 Josh Koscheck (Edinboro) 184 lbs. - No. 1 Cael Sanderson (Iowa St) #2 Daniel Cormier (Okla St) 197 lbs. - No. 1 Brad Vering (Nebraska) vs. No. 2 Mark Munoz (Okla St) 285 lbs. - No. 1 Tommy Rowlands (Ohio St) vs. No. 4 Ryan Kehler (W Va) Note - Rankings are Amateur Wrestling News rankings of January 15 Honorary Coaches - Greg Strobel, Lehigh; Roger Reina, Pennsylvania; Steve Strellner, Montclair State; David James, Central Oklahoma