Contact: Tim Tushla
712-251-7570

Sioux City to host Collegiate All-Star Challenge

Some of the finest college wrestlers from around the country are set to compete in the inaugural Collegiate All-Star Challenge on Saturday, December 30, 2006. The event will feature clashes between top-ranked wrestlers from NCAA Division II and Division III, the NAIA and the nation’s Junior Colleges in each of ten weight classes.

Four returning national champions and four number one-ranked wrestlers head the line-up for the 7:00 p.m. start at the Long Lines Center (adjacent to the Tyson Events Center) in Sioux City, IA.

Match-ups confirmed at this time include (individual ranking in parentheses):

133 pounds: (2) Jestin Hulegaard – Buena Vista vs. (3) Burke Barnes – Dana

141 pounds: (3) Terrance Almond – Dana vs. (4) Chris Frejie – Western State

149 pounds: (1) Mark Dickman – Lindenwood vs. (1) Mikel Delk – Ft. Hays State

165 pounds: (1) Jake Dieffenbach – Lindenwood vs. (6) Blake Peterson – Truman State

197 pounds: (2) Nate Buys – Augustana vs. (’05 NAIA Champion) Jesse Laber – Mary

285 pounds: (1) Sam Sand – Jamestown vs. (3) Andrew Ubben – Ft. Hays State

Other wrestlers slated to participate include: (1) Jasper Lockett – Missouri Valley, (1) Andrew Lacroix – Roger Williams, (2) Abel Trujillo – William Penn, (3) Joe Soto – Iowa Central, (3) Austin Scarset – Augustana and (5) Cody Henriksen – Augustana.

“The response by the national wrestling community to this event has been phenomenal. What a fantastic way for wrestling fans to honor these great athletes for their hard work and dedication to the sport,” stated Tim Tushla, Event Director. “The Siouxland area has provided tremendous support for wrestling and we expect nothing less for the Collegiate All-Star Challenge.”

All tickets are general admission and will be available only at the door. Adult tickets are $10 and children under age 12 are $5.