Beckerman joins Penn State Wrestling staff State College

Beckerman joins Penn State Wrestling staff

State College, Pa., Sept. 4, 2001 - Penn State head wrestling coach Troy Sunderland announced today the addition of two-time All-American Todd Beckerman to the Nittany Lion wrestling staff. He will serve as a graduate assistant working with administrative aspects of the program.
Beckerman comes to Penn State after closing an outstanding career at the University of Nebraska with a fourth place finish at the 2001 NCAA Championships. The three-time NCAA qualifier also placed fifth in 2000 and posted a 98-49 career mark at Nebraska.
The 133-pounder also was a four-time placer at the Big 12 Championships finishing second in 2000 and 2001 and fourth in 1997 and 1999. Beckerman also won a Junior World Freestlyle championship in 1998 and enjoyed a stellar prep career at DeMatha Catholic High in his native state of Maryland. He posted a prep record of 208-1, winning 187-straight matches and recording a national record 43-straight tournament titles. He was also a Cadet National Champion and two-time Junior National placer.

Philadelphia, PA The University of Pennsylvania Department of Athletics has announced the hiring of Mike Duroe as Head Assistant Coach of the Penn wrestling program. Duroe heads to Philadelphia after three years as the National Developmental Coach, Resident Coach, and National Women's Coach at USA Wrestling in Colorado Springs.

"Mike brings a wealth of national, World and Olympic level coaching experience to Penn's mats," stated Head Coach Roger Reina, who is also current President of the National Wrestling Coaches Association, said.

"Mike's experience, combined with his energy and outstanding work ethic, delivers a uniquely powerful impact in furthering Penn Wrestling nationally and internationally."

As the National Developmental Coach, Duroe was responsible for the development of U.S. age-group freestyle wrestlers. He has also managed USA Wrestling's women's programs, including serving as the Head Women's

National Coach. In addition to serving as the Olympic Training Center Freestyle Resident Coach, Mike also assisted in all aspects of coaching the U.S. Men's National Freestyle team.

"The opportunity to coach at Penn, with its rich wrestling tradition and high standard for academic excellence, represents an incomparable combination of opportunities," Duroe stated. "I had the good fortune to

help coach Penn '98 graduate and 2000 Olympic Gold Medallist, Brandon Slay, in our U.S.O.C. Resident program. This gave me unique insight into the quality of individuals that Penn's program attracts, and proof that Penn wrestlers can aspire to and become Olympic and World Champions. Coach Reina has impressively built a program that is nationally respected and highly competitive. My vision is to recruit and cultivate elite athletes from around the country to put Penn in contention for a national collegiate title."