Wisconsin's Andrew Howe (left) defeated Penn State's Dan Vallimont in the 2010 NCAA finals. Larry Slater photo.

Zeke Jones knows how talented Andrew Howe is.

Howe wrestled superbly in 2010, winning an NCAA title for Wisconsin, capturing a U.S. Open freestyle title and placing second in the U.S. World Team Trials.

A summer trip to Baku, Azerbaijan convinced Jones even further that the top young prospect is poised to make an impact internationally.

Howe traveled overseas to Baku in early July and spent time training and competing against top wrestlers from World freestyle powerhouse Azerbaijan.

Among those he battled was past World medalist Chamsulvara Chamsulvaraev of Azerbaijan at 74 kg/163 lbs.

“Andrew had some great battles with Chamsulvaraev at 74 kg, and he challenged every 84 kg guy they had,” said Jones, USA Wrestling's National Freestyle Coach. “The guy’s fearless. If you’re around him just five minutes, you can tell why he’s tough. Andrew loves to train hard.”

Howe lost to Chamsulvaraev 1-0, 2-1 in the first round of the Heydar Aliyev Grand Prix in July. Chamsulvaraev finished third in the event.

Howe made his first U.S. National Team on the Senior level this season. He surprised many observers by knocking off twins Travis and Trent Paulson to win April’s U.S. Open in Cleveland. Trent Paulson made a U.S. World Team in 2009 at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

With those wins, Howe earned a spot in the finals of June’s World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Travis Paulson earned a rematch with Howe by winning the Challenge Tournament as Howe sat and watched.

Paulson then swept Howe in the best-of-3 finals at 74 kilos. Paulson made his first World Team in his hometown of Council Bluffs.

“I was pretty disappointed,” Howe said. “One of my goals was to make the World Team. I felt that I could’ve made that team and should’ve made that team. That definitely motivates me. A loss like that, it makes you more hungry. I’ll be going after it again this season.”

Paulson won the first match over Howe 1-0, 1-1 and took the second match 0-1, 1-0, 2-1.

“I’m still kicking myself for letting the match go to the leg clinch,” said Howe, a Junior World bronze medalist in 2009. “I should have created more offense. I need to stay out of those chest locks. I need to get better angles on my shots and finish better.”

Howe, who turned 21 in July, still has two years of college eligibility remaining. He placed second at the NCAA Championships as a true freshman for Wisconsin in 2009 before following with an NCAA title at 165 as a sophomore in 2010.

“It was a great feeling to win it,” Howe said. “Winning NCAAs has been a goal of mine since I was in high school. To get it done was a great feeling.”

Howe also led Wisconsin to a fourth-place finish in the team standings. The Badgers took home another trophy when Coach Barry Davis was named National Coach of the Year.

“Everyone on our team is building off last season and feeding off it,” Howe said. “We’re not satisfied with a fourth-place finish. We are training hard. We want to get that No. 1 spot.”

Wisconsin is ranked fourth in the preseason by Amateur Wrestling News. The Badgers also return All-Americans Tyler Graff at 133 and Trevor Brandvold at 197.

Howe is ranked No. 1, Brandvold No. 2 and Graff No. 3 in their respective weight classes.

“I think the team race this year is definitely wide open in the NCAA,” Howe said. “Wisconsin has one of its best teams ever. We can definitely put together a good run this season. If everything goes right, we can win it this year. That’s what we are working for.”

Like Howe, Graff is a top young prospect in freestyle. Graff placed fifth in the NCAAs as a freshman in 2010.

“Tyler’s a great wrestler,” Howe said. “He works extremely hard. He’s going to have a lot of success. The intensity in the room goes up when you see a guy like that come in and work as hard as he does.”

Howe has worked closely with Wisconsin assistant coach Donny Pritzlaff, a two-time NCAA champion for the Badgers who won a World bronze medal in 2006.

“Donny’s helped me so much,” said Howe, a three-time Indiana state champion and Junior Nationals champion. “He’s a great workout partner and he gives me a lot of pointers. He’s so valuable to have around because he obviously knows folkstyle and he knows freestyle. He can break down anything and give me great feedback. Working with him has really built my confidence.”

Howe’s top challenger during the upcoming college season likely will be 2009 NCAA champion Jordan Burroughs of Nebraska. Burroughs won NCAAs at 157 in 2009 before suffering a season-ending knee surgery last December.

Burroughs, a past Junior World Team member, is bumping up to 165 this season. Howe and Burroughs have never wrestled each other.

“It’s exciting to have that kind of challenge,” Howe said. “There will definitely be some good matches between us. I like wrestling the best people. I’m looking forward to it.”

Howe is looking forward to having a shot to make his first World Team in 2011.

“I’m working hard every day to get better,” Howe said. “I want to make the World and Olympic Team. This freestyle season will be real important for me to reach my goals.”

Jones loves the potential that Howe possesses.

“Andrew making the National Team as a sophomore in college was a big deal,” Jones said. “He’s going to have to pick up fast on the necessary skills to beat the best in the World, and to do that he has to be thinking about a higher level of skill than college wrestling. Andrew’s mindset has to be on beating the Russian, Iranian and Azerbaijani this season, and winning a World title. If he can do that, he won’t have to worry about the college guys he faces this year or the NCAA tournament.”