Wrestling: WVU Returns to National Duals
January 16, 2004 09:06 AM | General
January 16, 2004
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The 14th-ranked West Virginia University (2-2, 1-0) wrestling team travels to Cleveland, Ohio, to compete in the 2004 Cliff Keen/National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Duals on January 17-18.
Cleveland State University will play host to 70 teams from around the country for the three-day tournament. West Virginia will wrestle on Sat., January 17 and Sun., January 18, at the CSU Convocation Center.
The Mountaineers will be among the Top 16 teams in the nation in three divisions to determine the national dual meet champion. In addition, four of the nation's top from the NAIA and junior college divisions will also compete to determine a national champion.
“This is a tremendous honor for our program to be invited to such a prestigious event,” says head coach Craig Turnbull. “The format is to try and invite the top 16 teams in the country for a dual meet tournament.”
On Saturday morning, the Mountaineers face No. 8 Michigan. The Wolverines lead the overall series 4-2. WVU and Michigan last met in 1998 with the Mountaineers posting a 28-10 dual meet victory at the 1998 National Duals in Iowa City, Iowa.
The Mountaineers are coming off an impressive 32-7 Eastern Wrestling League win over Bloomsburg on January 11. A year ago West Virginia finished 5th at the National Duals, their highest ever finish in seven appearances.
“Returning to the National Duals for a second consecutive year is really a tribute to the hard work from the people in the program,” adds Turnbull. “There is a strong field again and we are excited for the opportunity to compete against the country’s best teams.”
Tickets for the event are on sale now at the CSU Convocation Center box office, or by calling Ticketmaster at (216) 241-5555 or by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets by calling the Cleveland State ticket office at (216) 687-5122.
NWCA National Duals Schedule:
Friday, January 16, 2004
4 p.m. - Doors Open - CSU Convocation Center
5 p.m. - First pairings, high school and women's college
7:15 p.m. - Second pairings, high school and women's college
Saturday, January 17, 2004
8 a.m. - Doors Open - CSU Convocation Center & Woodling Gym
9 a.m. Preliminary Rounds, Divisions I, II, III
1 p.m. - Quarterfinals, Divisions I, II, III
First round consolation matches, Divisions I, II, III
5 p.m. - Second round consolation matches, Divisions I, II, III
7 p.m. - Facilities cleared
8:30 p.m. - Semifinals, Divisions I, II, III
Consolation round quarterfinals, Divisions I, II, III
Sunday, January 18, 2004
8 a.m. - Doors Open - CSU Convocation Center
9 a.m. - Consolation round semifinals, Divisions I, II, III
11 a.m. - Seventh place match, Divisions I, II, III
Pairings, NAIA and JUCO
1 p.m. - Fifth place match, Divisions I, II, III
Third place match, Divisions II, III
Pairings, NAIA and JUCO
3 p.m. - Championship match, Divisions I, II, III
Third place match, Division I
Pairings, NAIA and JUCO
