Kacie Albert

10/4/2012 4:32:13 PM
 

WASHINGTON D.C. - The 174 pound weight class bout at the 2012 NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps will feature Jordan Blanton of the University of Illinois wrestling against Josh Asper of the University of Maryland, a clash of two participants making their third appearance in the event.

Blanton, currently a redshirt senior, will look to continue his success from last season at 174 pounds. Blanton finished fifth at the Big 10 Championships and fourth at the NCAA Championships, earning himself All-American status for the second time in his career at this weight.

Blanton finished the 2011-2012 season 30-9 overall, 12-4 in duals and 3-2 in Big 10 competition. Blanton has a career record of 88-32.  

Last year Blanton was invited to attend the NWCA All-Star Classic at 174 pounds, however the bout was scratched when his competitor, Nick Heflin of Ohio State University, was unable to compete due to injury.  

Josh Asper, also a redshirt senior, will make his collegiate debut at 174 pounds at the All-Star Classic. Asper has wrestled for the Terrapins at 165 pounds in all three of his active seasons. In the 2011-2012 season Asper was second at the ACC Championships and sixth at the NCAA Championships, earning himself All-American honors for the second time in his career at this weight.

Asper opened the season winning 24 consecutive matches. Asper completed the season 28-4 overall and 15-0 in duals.

Asper was awarded All-ACC honors for a third consecutive year, the John C. McHugh Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Year Award, and the Curt Callahan Award for Mental Toughness for his efforts during the 2011-2012 season.

Asper competed at the 2011 NWCA All-Star Classic, defeating Shane Onufer of the University of Wyoming in a 6-4 decision at 165 pounds.

The NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps will occur on November 3, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in Bender Arena on the campus of American University in Washington D.C. The NWCA All-Star classic is hosted by the DC Athletic Club and Greater Washington Business Network and is also sponsored by Balance Bar.

For more information on the event, visit the NWCA website and follow the NWCA Facebook and Twitter pages.

The NWCA Classic serves as a premier event to help grow the sport of wrestling. Proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the sport in the Washington DC area.

About the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA)
The National Wrestling Coaches Association, established in 1928, is a non-profit organization for the advancement of all levels of the sport of wrestling with primary emphasis on developing coaches who work in academic environments.   The membership embraces all people interested in amateur wrestling.  The three core competencies of the NWCA are: coaching development, student-athlete welfare, and promotion of wrestling.