Oct. 5, 2012

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - University of Maryland senior wrestler Josh Asper has been selected to compete at the 2012 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps, the association announced Thursday. It will mark Asper's third appearance at the event, which is a Maryland wrestling record.

Asper will take on Illinois' Jordan Blanton in the 174-pound bout. The Parkton, Md., native finished the 2012 season with a 28-4 record including a perfect 15-0 dual-meet mark at 165 pounds. Asper earned All-American status for the second consecutive season with a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Championships.

Last season, Blanton finished fifth at the Big 10 Championships and fourth at the NCAA Championships, earning himself All-American status for the second time in his career at 174.

In his previous two appearances at the NWCA All-Star Classic, Asper faced Wyoming's Shane Onufer. Asper defeated Onufer by decision both times, 6-4 in 2011 and 3-2 in 2010.

The NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps will occur Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Bender Arena on the campus of American University in Washington D.C. The NWCA All-Star classic is hosted by the DC Athletic Club and Greater Washington Business Network and is also sponsored by Balance Bar.

For more information on the event, visit the NWCA website and follow the NWCA Facebook and Twitter pages.

The NWCA Classic serves as a premier event to help grow the sport of wrestling. Proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the sport in the Washington DC area.

-Terps-