WASHINGTON D.C. - The 184 lbs. match at the 2013 NWCA All-Star Classic will feature Ed Ruth of Pennsylvania State University against Jimmy Sheptock of the University of Maryland, a matchup pitting conference champions and All-Americans against one another.  

Ruth’s collegiate wrestling career began during the 2009-2010 season when he elected to take a redshirt year and compete unofficially at 184 pounds. During the season Ruth experienced success and claimed a title at the Hitchcock open. 

As a redshirt freshman, Ruth entered the Nittany Lion starting lineup and competed both at 174 and 184 pounds. During the season while competing at 174 pounds Ruth recorded a 38-2 overall record, and a perfect 19-0 dual record and 8-0 record against Big Ten competition.

At his first Big Ten Championships Ruth completed the day undefeated, 3-0, and claimed his first Big Ten individual title and bid to the NCAA National Championships. 

At the championships Ruth, who was suffering from an injury, completed the day 6-1, earning a third place finish and All-American honors at 174 pounds. For his success at the championships Ruth was awarded the 2011 Gorrarian Award. 

As a redshirt sophomore, Ruth continued to win and build upon the momentum he generated during the prior season at 174 pounds. Ruth completed the season with a perfect record overall, 31-0, in dual competition, 11-0, and against Big Ten competition, 8-0. 

Ruth remained undefeated in the post season, as he claimed his second consecutive Big Ten Championship and automatic bid to the NCAA Championships after wrestling to three dominating wins. 

Ruth continued to lead the field of collegiate wrestlers at 174 pounds at the national championships, where he wrestled to a 5-0 record, logging two pins, one technical victory and one major decision victory, on his path to winning his first national title. For his success Ruth was named Intermat’s 2012 National Wrestler of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Big Ten first team.

Most recently as a redshirt junior, Ruth began competing consistently at 184 pounds. Despite advancing in weight class, Ruth continued to dominate, logging a second perfect season with a 33-0 overall record. 

Competing in the post season at 184 pounds for the first time, Ruth for a third consecutive year wrestled to a Big Ten Championship and earned an automatic bid to the national championships. At the championships Ruth did not deviate from perfection, claiming his second national individual title and third All-American honors. 

For all his success during the 2012-2013 season Ruth was named Big Ten Wrestler of the Year and Penn State Male Athlete of the Year.

Ruth currently holds a 68 match win streak and has not suffered a loss since March of 2011.

Sheptock, like Ruth, began his collegiate career as a redshirt. During the 2009-2010 season Sheptock competed unofficially at 165 pounds claiming two individual titles and winning 11 of his first 12 collegiate matches.

During his first official year as a Terrapin, Sheptock continued to compete at 165 pounds as well as at 174 pounds. Sheptock saw limited action during his first season, recording a 6-4 overall record. 

As a redshirt sophomore Sheptock entered the fulltime starting lineup for Maryland at 174 pounds. During the season Sheptock logged a 27-6 overall record, and 12-0 dual record. 

In his first trip to the post season Sheptock earned his first ACC Championship title and an automatic bid to the NCAA National Championships. For his post season success, Sheptock was named to the All-ACC Team. 

During the 2012-2013 season Sheptock continued to build momentum and enjoyed greater success. As a redshirt junior Sheptock advanced a weight class and competed at 184 pounds, wrestling to a 40-6 overall record and perfect, 21-0 dual record. Sheptock led his team in most win, 40, and major decisions, 10. 

In the post season, Sheptock claimed his second consecutive ACC Championship title, All-ACC honors and automatic bid to the NCAA National Championships. At the national championships Sheptock wrestled to several key upset victories to finish sixth and earn All-American honors for the first time. 

To date, Sheptock has competed against Ruth twice, with each time Ruth emerging the victor. 

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.