Indiana University Athletics
NCAA Wrestling Championships Begin Thursday in Omaha
3/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
March 16, 2010
OMAHA, Neb. - Six Hoosiers are headed to the 2010 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Omaha, Neb., from March 18-20. Angel Escobedo, Nate Everhart and Paul Young have each earned a seed in their respective weight classes while Kurt Kinser, Eric Cameron and Matt Powless will join them in a quest to reach the All-American stand inside the Qwest Center.
INDIANA'S QUALIFIERS FOR THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
125 lbs.- Angel Escobedo, r-Sr. (33-0), No. 1 seed
157 lbs.- Kurt Kinser, r-Jr. (26-7), unseeded
165 lbs.- Paul Young, r-Jr. (33-8), No. 12 seed
184 lbs.- Eric Cameron, r-Jr. (21-14), unseeded
197 lbs.- Matt Powless, r-So. (30-13), unseeded
285 lbs.- Nate Everhart, Sr. (35-1), No. 6 seed
Escobedo is making his fourth trip to the national tournament, having reached All-America status in each of the past three seasons, including a national title in 2008. Kinser and Everhart are each headed to the NCAAs for the third time while Cameron and Young are competing for the second straight year. Redshirt sophomore Matt Powless will make his NCAAs debut Thursday morning with his first round match against the No. 6 seed, Eric Lapotsky of Oklahoma University.
In addition to constant updates available at IUHoosiers.com throughout the tournament, the ESPN family of networks will also be broadcasting much of the event live:
For the first time, three former All-America athletes will join ESPN commentators during select telecasts, providing unique perspective and adding to the in-depth analysis: Ben Askren, Missouri (quarterfinals), Jordan Leen, Cornell (semis) and Jake Herbert, Northwestern (medal round).
The quarterfinals will air Friday, March 19, at 10:30 a.m. ET, and the semifinals at 7 p.m., both on ESPNU. For the fourth consecutive year, the quarterfinals (two of four matches) and semifinals (both matches) will be telecast in a side-by-side format, allowing viewers to catch the action in two matches at the same time.
ESPNU will televise the Championship Medal Round on Saturday, March 20, at 11 a.m., and the hunt for the Div. I title culminates with the Finals at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
ANGEL SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS
Following his third consecutive Big Ten title, Redshirt senior Angel Escobedo now has his sights set on becoming the first four-time All-American in school history. The 2008 125-lbs. National Champion is also looking to become the third Hoosier to ever win multiple national titles.
Asssistant Coach Joe Dubuque is one of the others to do so, winning the 125-lbs. championship in 2005 and 2006. Former Head Coach Charlie McDaniel (1945-72) was the first Hoosier to win two titles, accomplishing that feat in 1934 and `35 (heavyweight).
Players Mentioned
