COMPLETE 2009-10 SCHEDULE

GREELEY, Colo. - In a stretch from 2001-2007, only two different teams were crowned the NCAA Division I Wrestling champions and both are on the schedule for Northern Colorado in 2009-10. The Bears also have two other squads that finished in the top 25 at the 2008-09 NCAA Championship on the docket, making for a tough schedule.

"This is a difficult schedule," said interim Head Coach Ben Cherrington. "But one that's also great for our fans as some of the top teams in the country will be competing in Butler-Hancock. Northern Colorado has always had the philosophy that to be the best you have to wrestle the best and this schedule continues that tradition."

After four invitationals, Northern Colorado opens the dual season against Ohio University on Dec. 9 and hosts Minnesota the next evening. The Golden Gophers won the 2001, 2002 and 2007 national titles and finished 14th last season. The Bears also host Oklahoma State, which won the four titles sandwiched between Minnesota's in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, and placed 16^th at the 2009 championship. The Cowboys come to Butler-Hancock on Jan. 29.

Other top teams on the Bears' schedule are Nebraska, which finished fourth last season and Northern Iowa, which finished 22^nd. Both matches are on the road as NC is at the Panthers on Jan. 22 and at the Huskers on Jan. 31.

The Bears also compete in the tough Western Wrestling Conference, hosting Wyoming, North Dakota State, Air Force, South Dakota State and Utah Valley in Butler-Hancock after the turn of the calendar year. Another big draw for fans is the annual Northern Colorado Open, which takes place the second week of the season on Nov. 22.

After having the majority of dual matches on the road last season, Cherrington and his team welcome the seven home duals.

"It's tough to be away from home the majority of the season like we did a year ago," Cherrington said. "We have a great environment for wrestling here in Greeley and having our final three duals in the WWC at home is an added bonus as we prepare for the NCAA West Regional and the NCAA Championship."

Northern Colorado returns seven wrestlers who competed at the NCAA West Regional a year ago where the Bears finished third. Among those starters are 2009 NCAA participants Tony Mustari (Sr, 125-pounds) and Justin Gaethje (Jr, 157-pounds) along with two-time NCAA wrestler Kenny Hashimoto (Sr, 141-pounds).