Mountaineers Play Host to 26th Annual WVU Open

By Ira Green
WVU Sports Information Office

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (November 14, 2008) – The West Virginia University wrestling team will host its 26th annual WVU Open on Saturday, Nov. 15. The event will start at 10 a.m. in the Shell Building, located behind the WVU Coliseum.

“The WVU Open is a valuable tournament for us because it allows our wrestlers to get out with a referee and face some competition,” Coach Craig Turnbull said. “We can find out what is and what is not working after the event is over. It gives us an opportunity to progress before the season starts and allows some guys to get back in the competitive mindset.”

The tournament is an open event where no team scores are kept and participants from the college-level and older are welcome to compete. The tournament was canceled last year. Senior David Jauregui won the 2006 WVU Open title at 149 pounds and junior Brandon Rader won the 141-pound title.

Some of the teams competing on Saturday include: Navy, Ohio State, Virginia, Maryland, Edinboro, Pitt and Ohio.

The Mountaineers hold the No. 23 ranking in the latest Intermat poll and return five of their seven NCAA Tournament qualifiers, including senior Kurt Brenner, who won the Eastern Wrestling League 184-pound title. Also returning is two-time All-American Rader.

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