Big Ten vs. Big 12 Challenge

USA Wrestling has announced the lineups for the Big Ten vs. Big 12 Challenge set for March 19 as part of the NCAA Fan Festival during the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships March 18-20 at Omaha, Neb. The event will be held in the Exhibit Hall C of the Qwest Center from 1:45-2:30 p.m. on March 19.

Former University of Illinois Coach Mark Johnson will lead the Big Ten team and former Iowa State Coach Bobby Douglas will guide the Big 12 squad.

The event will consist of seven matches at international weights, featuring wrestlers who competed collegiately for Big Ten and Big 12 programs and continue to train for international competition.

The top bout appears to be at 185 pounds. Northwestern's two-time NCAA champion and 2009 World Wrestling Championship silver medalist Jake Herbert will wrestle Oklahoma State's two-time national champion Chris Pendleton.

According to a news release, former University of Iowa and Oklahoma State two-time NCAA champion Steve Mocco and former University of Michigan wrestler Andy Hrovat will be showcased. Both were members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team. Mocco wrestles Aaron Anspach and Hrovat takes on David Bertolino.

Two exhibition matches are scheduled. Former Wartburg and Spencer wrestler Blake Gillis, who won an NCAA Division III title for the Knights, will wrestle former University of Nebraska-Kearney two-time NCAA Division II national champ Tervel Dlagnev at 264.5. At 211.5, J.D. Bergman (Ohio State) and Kyle Cerminara (Buffalo) will compete in the other exhibition.

55 kg/121 lbs. - Nick Simmons (Michigan State) vs. Obe Blanc (Oklahoma State)

60 kg/132 lbs. - Jimmy Kennedy (Illinois) vs. Coleman Scott (Oklahoma State)

66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Andy Simmons (Michigan State) vs. Jared Frayer (Oklahoma)

74 kg/163 lbs. - Mike Poeta (Illinois) vs. Trent Paulson (Iowa State)

84 kg/185 lbs. - Jake Herbert (Northwestern) vs. Chris Pendleton (Oklahoma State)

96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Andy Hrovat (Michigan) vs. David Bertolino (Iowa State)

120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Aaron Anspach (Penn State) vs. Steve Mocco (Oklahoma State)

96 kg/211.5 lbs. - J.D. Bergman (Ohio State) vs. Kyle Cerminara (Buffalo)

120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Tervel Dlagnev (UN-Kearney) vs. Blake Gillis (Wartburg)