Manheim, Pa. (Oct. 20, 2016) -- The National Wrestling Coaches’ Association (NWCA) announced on Thursday that junior Bryce Meredith will take on Rutgers Anthony Ashnault in the 51st NWCA All-Star Classic. The annual preseason showcase is set to take place on Nov. 5, beginning at 5 p.m. MT from the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio. The event will be streamed live on TrackWrestling.com.

“It’s obviously a great honor and exposure for our program,” UW head coach Mark Branch said. “We are excited to be a part of it as a program. It may be early in the season, but it’s also important to go and perform well. This match will be his first since the NCAA finals, and if he just goes out there and wrestles his best, it will no doubt be exciting to watch.”

Ashnault, a two-time All-American, will face Meredith at 141 pounds in the seventh matchup announced by the NWCA. It will mark the first-ever meeting between the two All-Americans.

The Cheyenne, Wyo., native became the 32nd All-American selection in Cowboy history as he finished runner-up at last year’s NCAA Championships. His run to the finals as the No. 14 seed included wins over former North Carolina State teammate and No. 3 seed Kevin Jack, No. 6 Micah Jordan of Ohio State and No. 2 Joey McKenna of Stanford. Meredith became the first NCAA finalist for UW since Reese Andy in 1996. The junior owns a career record of 44-12 after going 29-5 last season and finishing third at the Big 12 Championships.

Last season, Ashnault became the first wrestler for Rutgers to win a Big Ten title, while also becoming the school’s first NCAA semifinalist since 1960. He finished fourth at 141 pounds and finished the year with a 32-4 record. Ashnault is 61-12 in his two collegiate seasons.

Meredith will be the seventh participant in Wyoming history. UW last appeared in the All-Star Classic in November of 2011 with Shane Onufer (165) and Joe LeBlanc (184) both competing. LeBlanc is the only Cowboy wrestler to win a bout in the All-Star Classic, winning both his appearances in 2010 and 2011. Overall, Wyoming is 2-4 in the event.

For more information on the NWCA All-Star Classic, visit GoAllStarClassic.com

2016 NWCA All-Star Classic Presented by The Brewer-Garrett Company
Hosted by the Wrestlers in Business Network
November 5, 2016 - Wolstein Center, Cleveland State University
Time: Showcase Matches 5 p.m.; Main Event 6 p.m.
Tickets: $15 GA, $100 Preferred Seating/Social. Group options available.
Tickets available at www.goallstarclassic.com or Wolstein Center Box Office (844-407-2279) or Northeast Ohio Discount Drug Marts.
Streaming: Trackwrestling.com