Hartung, Fullhart heart of 197 class
Editor's note: This is the ninth in a 10-part series previewing the 10 weight classes for the NCAA Div. I Wrestling Championships beginning today in The Bryce Jordan Center. This story previews the 197-pound class.

By CHRIS ANTONACCI
Collegian Staff Writer

Two men, one champion.

When the NCAA Div. I Wrestling Championships begin at 11 a.m. today in The Bryce Jordan Center, two former national champions will look to reclaim their past glories.

From No. 1 Minnesota, Golden Gopher Tim Hartung will look to defend his title against longtime rival Lee Fullhart, the national champ two years ago. Hartung has notched a 34-0 mark, and was the Big Ten champion at 197. Hartung edged Fullhart 2-1 in the Big Ten finals to improve his career mark against Fullhart to 9-1, and boosting his record over the last three years to a lofty 100-3.

"These guys have been going at it for years," Iowa coach Jim Zalesky said. "Fullhart doesn't feel good about losing again to Hartung. He's got one more shot at him.

"In all the matches, Fullhart has been attacking a bit more. Lee needs to change that. Hartung's been taking all the shots."

In spite of Hartung's history dominating Fullhart, Minnesota coach J. Robinson said there is no clear favorite.

"You got two national champs," Robinson said. "They just gotta get out there and wrestle hard."

Following the two leaders of the bracket, the pack boasts Pennsylvania senior Andrei Rodzianko, who has missed almost half the season with an injury, but has come on strong of late. He is 20-0, and his coach, Roger Reina, said Rodzianko could pull off an upset.

"He's been wrestling with confidence all year long," Reina said. "He is one of the favorites. I am very confident in Andrei's wrestling."

Behind Rodzianko is Zach Thompson of Iowa State. The sophomore Cyclone is 29-3 and brings momentum with him into State College, as he finished first at the Big 12 Championships.

A wrestler with an outside chance of winning is Northwestern's Sam Neider. Neider finished fifth at NCAAs last year, held at Cleveland State, and has a 25-9 record. He finished fifth at Big Tens.

Penn State's entry at 197 is redshirt junior Brett Calabretta. Calabretta, who holds a 16-12 record coming into the NCAA Tournament, placed seventh at Big Tens.

This is the last go-round for the York native. He is foregoing his last year of eligibility and is hoping to place, if not win the tournament.

"I don't want to leave here with any regrets," Calabretta said. "I don't want to know what if, what I could have done. I am not going to hold anything back, and there is no reason why I should."

But to beat the likes of Hartung and Fullhart, Calabretta must wrestle "a perfect match and not make any mistakes."

Penn State coach Troy Sunderland says Calabretta has an outside chance.

"To beat one of the top two guys will be real tough," Sunderland said. "Brett's one of the big guys in the race for All-American honors -- depending on who he sees and when. He can be there right in the mix."