AMES, Iowa – Junior Michael Moreno has been selected by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) to participate in the 2013 NWCA All-Star Classic, an annual exhibition event that features 10 matches of the best collegiate wrestlers in the country.
The Urbandale, Iowa, native will face Penn State’s David Taylor in the 165 pound bout. Taylor is a three-time All-American, two-time NCAA runner-up and the 2012 NCAA champion at 165 pounds. His 2012 NCAA title season earned him the Hodge Trophy, which is awarded annually to the top collegiate wrestler in the nation.
Moreno is one of two All-Americans returning this year for the Cyclones. Last season, he had the greatest single season turnaround in school history as he went 31-10 en route to a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. He improved his win total by 27 matches from his freshman season, where he finished 4-17 while wrestling at 157 pounds.
Iowa State wrestlers hold a 48-17-3 all-time record at the NWCA All-Star Classic. Moreno is the first Cyclone to appear in the event since Jon reader, Jake Varner and David Zabriskie competed on Nov. 22, 2009, in Fullerton, Calif.
George Mason University is the host for this year’s NWCA All-Star Classic which is set to take place on Nov. 2 at 7:15 p.m. ET.
