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Poeta Selected to NWCA National All-Star Classic
Oct. 23, 2007
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois junior All-American Mike Poeta (Highwood, Ill.) was selected to compete at the National Wrestling Coaches Association's National All-Star Classic, which will be held Nov. 19 in Eugene, Ore. Poeta, who finished third at the 2007 NCAA Championships, is slated to square off against Wisconsin's Craig Henning at 157 pounds. "This is an honor that Mike certainly deserves," Illinois head coach Mark Johnson said. "It just proves what we've known for a while - that he's one of the best wrestlers in the country." Poeta is one of 10 Big Ten wrestlers invited to the event. Three Minnesota grapplers, two each from Michigan and Northwestern, and one each from Illinois, Penn State and Wisconsin will vie for titles at the All-Star Classic. The conference is sure to bring home at least three victories, as the matches at 149, 157 and 197 will be contested by two Big Ten wrestlers. Poeta will have plenty of experience at the event to draw from, as three members of the Illini coaching staff - head coach Mark Johnson and assistant coaches Jim Heffernan and Jeremy Hunter - wrestled at the All-Star Classic during their collegiate careers. The event will wrap up Illinois' opening weekend, as the rest of the team will be competing at the Missouri Open on Nov. 18. The Illini's first home match will be Dec. 8 vs. Findlay and McKendree College.
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