WASHINGTON D.C.- The 141 pound weight class bout at the 2012 NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps will feature B.J. Futrell of the University of Illinois wrestling against Kendric Maple of the University of Oklahoma, a match-up never before seen at the collegiate level.


During the 2011-2012 season Futrell, currently a redshirt senior, placed third at the Big 10 Championships and received two-time All-American status after finishing fourth at the NCAA Championships at 133 pounds. Futrell also received Wrestler of the Week and Academic All-Big 10 honors for his efforts during the season. 


Futrell was 30-9 during the 2011-2012 season, 16-4 in duals and 7-1 in Big 10 competition. Futrell led the Fighting Illini in pins, 13, tying Larry TenPas’ record from the 1954-1955 season.


Futrell wrestled at 125 pounds during his freshman season (2008-2009), finishing sixth at the Big 10 Championships and qualifying for the NCAA Championships, and 133 pounds during his redshirt sophomore (2010-2011) and junior (2011-2012) seasons, where he finished fourth and third at the Big 10 Championships and eighth and sixth at the NCAA Championships.


Futrell, who has a career record of 82-34, will be making his 2nd appearance in the NWCA All-Star Classic. Futrell competed in the 2011 event dropping an 8-7 decision to Jordan Oliver of Oklahoma State.


Maple, had a breakout sophomore season in 2011-12 winning the Big 12 Championships and finished fourth at the NCAA Championships earning All-American honors at 141 pounds. Maple, a redshirt junior, finished with a 32-3 overall record, 17-1 in duals. Maple currently has a 65-15 career record.


During the 2011-2012 season, Maple became one of only three wrestlers in the history of the Big 12 to win three conference honors in one season. Maple was two-time Big 12 wrestler of the Week, and Wrestler of the Month in addition to leading the Sooners in falls (7), major decisions (15), takedowns (72), near falls in duals (23), overall wins (32), and percent of bouts won (91.4%).


During the 2009-2010 season Maple received an at large bid to attend the NCAA Championships after finishing third at the Big 12 Championships at 133 pounds.


The NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps will occur on November 3, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in Bender Arena on the campus of American University in Washington D.C. The NWCA All-Star classic is hosted by the DC Athletic Club and Greater Washington Business Network and is also sponsored by Balance Bar.


To purchase tickets to the event visit American University’s website at http://aueagles.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=507577.  For more information on the event, visit the NWCA website and follow the NWCA Facebook and Twitter pages.


The NWCA Classic serves as a premier event to help grow the sport of wrestling. Proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the sport in the Washington DC area.