At Wisconsin dual against Penn State on Friday, 14 U.S. World and Olympic team members will be honored; Meet also webcast live free

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01/18/2007


The No. 15 Wisconsin wrestling team (14-0-0) kicks off its conference schedule at 7 p.m. Friday as the Badgers play host to No. 10 Penn State (9-2-0) at the UW Field House. 

Those unable to attend Friday's match will be able to watch all the action livestreamed on uwbadgers.com. Simply click the Webcast tab on the Video Guide button at the top of the page and select wrestling.

There will be a special ceremony to honor numerous Wisconsin wrestling alumni and former Olympic and World team members.

USA Wrestling, the National Governing Body for wrestling, with support from former Badger wrestler John Bardis, has created a Team USA jacket for every individual that has earned the ultimate honor of wearing the USA colors. 

A total of 14 Wisconsin wrestling athletes that earned the privilege of representing the USA in the World Championships and Olympic Games. The 14 individuals earned nearly 60 National Freestyle and Greco-Roman Titles at the Senior level.

The UW Badger Wrestling program has placed 10 individuals on the World and Olympic Teams representing the USA 26 times. 

Those who will be given the special jackets will be:

Lee Kemp- 4X World Team member, 3X World champion, Worlds bronze medalist, Olympic team member, and 3X NCAA champion

Russ Hellickson-World silver and bronze medalist, 2X Olympian, Olympic silver medalist

Andy Rein-Olympic silver medalist, World Team member, and NCAA champion

Jack Reinwand -World Bronze medalist and NCAA champion

Matt Demaray- World team member and 2X NCAA champion

John Giura- World team member

Donny Pritzlaff- Bronze World medalist, 2X NCAA champion

Laurent Soucie- World team member

Mitch Hull- 2X World team member

John Peterson- Olympic gold and silver medalist

Ben Peterson- Olympic gold and silver medalist

Dennis Hall- World champion and Olympic silver medalist

Jim Haines- 3X World team member, World silver medalist, Olympic team member and NCAA champion

Barry Davis - 3X World team member, World silver and bronze medalist, 2X Olympian, Olympic silver medalist, 3X NCAA champion. 

ABOUT THE DUAL MEET
The Nittany Lions recently placed second at the 2007 Virginia Duals in Hampton, Va. PSU won its first three matches, defeating North Dakota State, Bloomsburg and Rider before falling in the championship match to No. 12 Edinboro. 

Considering each team boasts five ranked grapplers, the match should feature excellent bouts at various weight classes. At 197 lbs., Dallas Herbst (Winneconne, Wis.) takes on Phil Davis, the defending national runner-up. The pair met last season with Davis edging Herbst in overtime 8-7. Hersbt, the Big Ten Athlete of the Week last week, is currently ranked 12th with an 18-2 overall record. Davis boasts a 14-1 mark and is tabbed No. 2 in the nation. 

Another key match of the night will be between NCAA Qualifier Collin Cudd (River Falls, Wis.) and No. 2 Mark McKnight at 125 lbs. Cudd is currently 16-3 overall, with only one loss in dual action. McKnight is 15-1 this season.

Sophomore Zach Tanelli takes on No. 4 Jake Strayer at 133 lbs. Tanelli is a perfect 14-0 in dual action, while NCAA qualifier Strayer is 15-2 overall. The match will be Tanelli's first Big Ten dual. 

Redshirt freshman Kyle Ruschell also makes his Big Ten debut against PSU's Bryan Heller. Ruschell, currently ranked 16th, is 19-4 this season. His opponent is 14-3 overall, 9-2 in dual action.

Turner faces redshirt freshman Dan Vallimont at 149 lbs. No. 6 Turner is 13-3 overall this season, 11-1 in dual meets, while Vallimont posts an overall mark of 12-5. At 157 lbs. All-American Henning will battle Bubba Jenkins. Henning, currently tabbed No. 3, is 17-1 this season, 11-0 in dual competition, while Jenkins is 15-4 overall, and 3-1 in dual meets.

Donar, who is 7-7 this year, faces freshman Dave Rella, who is 2-3 in dual meets, at 165 lbs. Appearing for Wisconsin at 174 lbs., is Mike Felling. Felling is 10-6 overall, 3-1 in dual action. He will face PSU's All-American James Yonushonis, who is 20-3 overall and currently ranked 7th.

Freshman Trevor Brandvold faces sophomore Phil Bomberger at 184 lbs. No. 13 Brandvold is 8-1 in dual competition, 13-3 overall this season. Bomberger has an 8-8 overall mark, 2-6 in dual meets. Sophomore Kyle Massey will battle Aaron Anspach at heavyweight. Massey is 10-3 this season with five pins. No. 11 

Other special guests who will attend the meet:

UW Coaches: Past and Present
John Roberts (1940-42)
Duane Kleven (1970-82)
Russ Hellickson (1982-86)
Andy Rein (1987-1993)
Barry Davis (1993-present)

NCAA, All-American & Big Ten Champion Wisconsin Alumni:
Jim Jordan-2X NCAA champion
Ed Vatch-2X Big Ten champion
Mark Schmitz-All-American and Big Ten champion
Keith Davison-2X All-American and Big Ten champion
Cory Wallman-All-American 
Tom Clum-2X All-American and 2X Big Ten champion