University of Wisconsin All-American senior wrestler Isaac Jordan and fifth-year senior Connor Medbery were named two of the 20 all-stars selected in September for the 2016 National Wrestling Coaches’ Association All-Star Classic Nov. 5 in Cleveland. The selections mark the fourth time in Wisconsin history that two wrestlers were invited to the event and the first time since 1980.
Jordan, a three time All-American, has long established himself as one of the nation’s premier wrestlers with two straight Big Ten championships at 165 pounds and a 2015-16 finish as the National Collegiate Athletic Association runner-up in the 165 pounds weight class. The All-Star selection is a homecoming of sorts for the Urbana, Ohio native and will be a prime place for Jordan to establish himself as the frontrunner in collegiate wrestling, as the second Badger 165 lbs. wrestler to compete at the event.
Medbery, however, is just the second UW heavyweight to compete at the event and the first since Wisconsin standout Kyle Massey attended in 2008. Medbery was an All-American in 2014-15 and finished fourth at the NCAA championships that season, but took an Olympic redshirt before his senior year to serve as a training partner for the U.S. Olympic team in Rio De Janeiro. The 215 pounds standout looks to return to the collegiate stage with a dominant display in Cleveland.
The two are the 21st and 22nd Badger selections at the event and will serve as an excellent gage as to where the Wisconsin program matches up among other top tier college wrestling programs. As the tournament displays the 20 best wrestlers in the sport, no wins will come easy and matches will give the Badgers much needed experience for approaching their final years in Madison.
Jordan will face off against University of Missouri’s Daniel Lewis in the 165-pound weight class before Medbery battles against Virginia Tech’s Ty Walz in the heavyweight division.
