WASHINGTON D.C. - The 174 lbs. match at the 2013 NWCA All-Star Classic will feature Andrew Howe of the University of Oklahoma and Matt Brown of Pennsylvania State University, a matchup pitting Big Ten Champions against one another for the first time.

Howe began his collegiate wrestling career during the 2008-2009 season at the University of Wisconsin wrestling at 165 lbs. Competing as a true freshman Howe logged 19 consecutive wins on his way to a 30-5 overall record, 13-0 dual record and 8-0 Big Ten record. 

In his first post season, Howe won his first Big Ten Championship and automatic bid to the NCAA National Championships. At the championships Howe wrestled to a second place finish and earned All-American honors. For his success during the season Howe was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Big Ten Team. 

That summer Howe competed at the Junior World Championships at 163lbs, where he placed third, and World Team Trials, where he placed fourth in the freestyle 163lbs competition. 

As a sophomore, Howe recorded a perfect season at 165lbs with a 37-0 overall record and 8-0 Big Ten record. In the post season Howe again claimed the Big Ten Championship and earned a bid to the NCAA National Championships, where he claimed his second consecutive All-American honors and his first individual national championship. 

During the 2010-2011 season Howe again competed in the Wisconsin starting lineup at 165lbs, competing once at 174lbs. Howe logged a 27-3 overall record at 165lbs and a perfect, 1-0 record at 174lbs. 

At the Big Ten Championships, Howe claimed his third title and automatic bid to the national championships. Howe wrestled to a third place finish at the national championships and earned his third All-American honor. 

Howe elected to take an Olympic redshirt during the 2011-2012 season, and will make his first appearance as an Oklahoma Sooner at the All-Star Classic. 

Brown, like Howe, did not begin his collegiate wrestling career at the school he will be representing at the All-Star Classic.

During the 2008-2009 season Brown elected to take a redshirt while attending Iowa State where current Penn State Head Coach, Cael Sanderson, was coaching at the time. As a redshirt Brown competed at both 157lbs and 165lbs. 

Brown then took a two year hiatus from collegiate wrestling while he completed his mission. During that time, Brown transferred and followed Sanderson to become a Nittany Lion. 

Brown returned to collegiate wrestling for the 2011-2012 season and competed for the Nittany Lions at 174lbs. During the season Brown competed at both 197lbs at 174lbs, recording notable wins against ranked opponents and a second place finish at the Southern Scuffle. Brown logged a 27-2 overall record, 5-0 dual record and 2-0 Big Ten record. 

During the 2012-2013 season Brown entered the Penn State starting lineup full time. Brown recorded a 29-5 overall record and claimed his first individual Big Ten title at 174lbs. 

As a result of his Big Ten conference finish, Brown earned his first automatic bid to the NCAA National Championships. At the championships Brown made a 4-1 run to claim second place and earned his first All-American honors. 

For his wrestling success, Brown was named to the First Big Ten team. 

The All-Star Classic will take place on November 2nd at 7:15pm on the campus of George Mason University.  To purchase tickets to the event, visit the Ticketmaster website.  For more information on the All-Star Classic, visit the NWCA website and follow the NWCA on Facebook and Twitter.

About the NWCA
Founded in 1928, the NWCA strives to promote and provide leadership for the advancement of amateur wrestling, primarily at the scholastic and collegiate levels. The association is headquartered in Manheim Pa. The three core competencies are coaching development, student-wrestler welfare, and promotion/advocacy.  The NWCA has 10,000 members and educational programs that serve 230,000 students each year.

About George Mason University (GMU)
Was established in 1957 and obtained university status in 1972.  George Mason University is located in Fairfax Virginia has 32,000 students.  The GMU wrestling program has a rich tradition as evidenced by having advanced 41 different wrestlers to the NCAA Division I Championships, two wrestlers achieved All American status one time and one wrestler achieved All American status two times. The head coach is Joe Russell and he is in his 2nd year. 

About Wrestlers in Business Network (WIBN)
The WIBN-Washington DC Chapter consists of prominent business leaders in the Washington DC metropolitan region.  The organization was originally formed in September 2012 under the name of the Greater Washington Wrestlers in Business Network and more recently merged with the Wrestlers in Business Network (headquartered in Cleveland OH) to form a national Wrestlers in Business Network. The purpose of this organization is to support amateur wrestling activities in major cities across America.