2005 NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals Set for Cleveland St
Tournament Takes Place January 21-23; 28 Number one ranked wrestlers to compete
Pat Tocci/NWCA
(Manheim, PA)- The nation’s top collegiate wrestling programs will converge on the Cleveland State University Convocation Center January 21-23 to battle for the national dual meet championships at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals, presented by Hershey’s SmartZone Bar.
Along with the NCAA Championships, the Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals is the premier collegiate wrestling event in the country. The event brings together the top-16 teams in NCAA Division I, II and III to compete for the national dual meet championship in their respective division. For the second straight year the event will include a final four championship for the NAIA and National Junior College Association.
The Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals is believed to be the only intercollegiate competition in the nation featuring all collegiate divisions (NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, and NJCAA) competing under one venue for national titles in their respective divisions.
The schedule for this year’s event has changed with Division II and III wrestling on Friday and Saturday culminating with the finals being wrestled on Saturday evening with the Division I semifinals. Division I will wrestle on Saturday and Sunday while NAIA will compete on Sunday only. Sunday will also feature a four team women’s final four.
For the second straight year the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Cleveland State University will host the event. The organizations have a proven track record of success in promoting amateur events in the Greater Cleveland Area including one of the most successful NCAA Championships in history in 1999.
“We are pleased that Cleveland has been recognized as a great venue for sporting events of all levels, “says Dennis Roche, president of the Convention & Visitors Bureau, a sponsor of the event. “Our hope is that all of the athletes, coaches, families, fans and friends are able to enjoy all there is to see and do in Cleveland while they are here. “
The NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals is a dream weekend for all wrestling fans. This year’s championships will undoubtedly be special considering the following:
* Eight Division I NCAA Champions are competing in the event.
* 28 Number one ranked wrestlers will be competing in the event from all the divisions
* The NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals marks the return of several prominent Ohio natives including: Ryan Bertin (Michigan), Mark Moos (Michigan), Mark Jayne (Illinois), Kyle Ott (Illinois), David Bolyard (Central Michigan), Matt Koz (Minnesota) and CB Dolloway (Arizona State)
* Olympian and Cleveland native Toccora Montgomery (Cumberland College) will compete in the women’s event
* Over 100 duals meets will be wrestled during the course of the event
The national dual meet championships were first held in 1989 after being founded by John Graham. Graham, who is the originator of the Virginia Duals, founded the duals after seeing there was a need to crown a national dual meet champion in wrestling. He started the national duals as an extension of his own Virginia Duals. In 1992, the NWCA assumed the management of the national duals and it has since become one of the signature events of the organization. It was at this time, the NWCA board of directors voted to recognize one of the great pioneers of the sport, Cliff Keen by naming the event in his honor. The national duals became known as the Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals. Keen, was one of the original founders of the NWCA in 1938 and was the president for the first five years.
TEAMS COMPETING:
Division I: Oklahoma State, Minnesota, University of Oklahoma, Cornell
University, Penn State and Michigan, Central Michigan, The Citadel, Northern Iowa, Cal State-Poly, Lehigh, Illinois, Arizona State, Hofstra, Cleveland State and West Virginia.
Division II: Central Oklahoma, University of Nebraska-Kearney, Ashland,
North Carolina-Pembroke, Augustana College, Nebraska-Omaha, Gannon, Findlay,
Pittsburgh-Johnstown, Minnesota State-Mankato, Mercyhurst, Shippensburg,
Carson-Newman, Central Missouri, Wisconsin-Parkside and San Francisco State
Division III: Wartburg, Augsburg, Delaware Valley, Ithaca, John
Carroll,Wisconsin-LaCrosse, Luther, Augustana College (IL), Simpson College,
The College of New Jersey, Coe College, Case Western Reserve, Baldwin
Wallace, Heidelburg, Wisconsin-Stevens Point and SUNY-Cortland
NAIA: Cumberland College, Missouri Valley College, Lindenwood and Montana
State-Northern
National Junior College Association: Iowa Central Community College,Muskegon
Community College, Nassau Community College and William Rainey Harper
College
Women’s Teams: A and B team from Missouri Valley College and Cumberland
College.
Individual tickets are still available and can be purchased at ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 216-241-5555.
To learn more about the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals presented by Hershey’s SmartZone Bar by visiting www.nwcaonline.com.
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