ASU hosts NWCA All-Star Classic

Coach Charles Discusses Hosting NWCA All-Star Classic

Arizona State University will be hosting the 46th annual National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Star Classic Presented by The Marines at Wells Fargo Arena Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. The event will feature 20 of the top wrestlers from around the country, along with some local feature matches, and the complete lineup will be released starting at the end of October.

"The All Star Classic being held at ASU is a first and a great opportunity for ASU wrestling and the greater Arizona wrestling community," head coach Shawn Charles said. "I would like to personally thank the NWCA for giving us the chance to host this prestigious event."

Charles, one of only 12 wrestlers from ASU to have competed in the All-Star Classic, won by decision over Nebraska's Tony Purler in 1993.

This event is coming on the heels of a championship ending to the 2010-11 season as Sun Devils Anthony Robles and Bubba Jenkins Bubba Jenkins each were crowned national champions of their respective weight classes. The wins, which gave the Sun Devils two finalists and two champions in the same year for the first time since 1993, punctuated two impressive careers as the seniors wrestled their final matches on the raised stage inside the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. ASU was the only program in the nation last season to have multiple champions as eight other schools each had one champion. The team placed sixth overall at the championships.

"We are pleased that ASU and Coach Shawn Charles have stepped up to host this signature event and showcase a renewed sense of pride behind their team, which just a few years ago was briefly dropped," NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer said. "Having the top athletes in the country coming to compete in this event shows the relentless resolve of the coaches, athletes, and fans in our sport."

The NWCA All-Star Classic had been a long-standing traditional event and used to be referred to as the East-West Meet until 1988, when it became the All-Star Classic. This will be the eighth time in the event's 46-year span that it has been held in the West, with Oregon hosting it four times (1977, 1979, 1990, and 2007), California twice (2009 and 2010) and Utah once (1985). The United States Marine Corps has been a long standing presenting sponsor of this signature meet for eight of the past 10 years. For more information on the NWCA All-Star Classic, visit our event website for hotel, ticket, and competitor information.