Marian Catholic wrestler Nate Jackson is The Times Illinois Male Athlete of the Year

CHICAGO HEIGHTS | Nate Jackson did not spend a lot of time on the wrestling mat this season.

Portage grad McMurray leaving Michigan State wrestling team

An NCAA tournament berth in his freshman year may have suggested that all was good with Sean McMurray at Michigan State.

Hanover's Howe leaves Wisconsin's wrestling program to pursue Olympic dream

Andrew Howe wasn't just a Badger. The Hanover Central star wrestler was a real, big Badger. His growl could be heard all across the nation. He won a NCAA championship his sophomore year at Wisconsin in 2010. Now, though, Howe is at Michigan and is taking an Olympic redshirt.

JIM PETERS: Confidence carries McMurray into NCAAs

Anybody who knew Portage's Sean McMurray in high school knows it's a quality he certainly didn't lack.

Wrestlers Howe, Escobedo hoping to represent United States in Russia

As if their resumes already weren't impressive enough, leave it to Andrew Howe and Angel Escobedo to be greedy.

Wrestlers Howe, Escobedo hoping to represent United States in Russia

Associated Press file photo Wisconsin's Andrew Howe, a Hanover Central grad, left, tries to control Penn State's Dan Vallimont during the 2010 NCAA Wrestling Championships match in Omaha, Neb., on March 20. Howe prevailed 9-3 to win the 165-pound national championship.

Cedar Lake native Andrew Howe wins NCAA wrestling title

OMAHA, Neb. | Andrew Howe walked into the interview room at the Qwest Center, sat down in his chair and breathed a big sigh.

Cedar Lake native Andrew Howe wins NCAA wrestling title

Gwyneth Roberts | LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR Wisconsin sophomore and Hanover Central grad Andrew Howe, top, beat Penn State's Dan Vallimont 9-3 to win the 165-pound national championship on Saturday in Omaha. It was the first national title for Howe, who finished second last year and won Howe thre…

Cedar Lake native Andrew Howe wins NCAA wrestling title

Dave Weaver | associated press Indiana wrestler and Griffith grad Angel Escobedo, top, competes against Iowa State's Andrew Long during a national semifinal on Friday in Omaha. Escobedo, the 2008 national champion, lost to Long but he recovered Saturday to finish third overall.

Escobedo ready to rock and roll in NCAA Wrestling Championships

PHOTO PROVIDED Indiana University's Angel Escobedo, right, takes a 33-0 record into the NCAA Wrestling Championships in Omaha, Neb., this week. Escobedo, a Griffith grad, is the No. 1 seed at 125 pounds. He won the national championship at the same weight in 2008.

Escobedo ready to rock and roll in NCAA Wrestling Championships

Angel Escobedo is less than a month from graduation. It's ironic that his final college class -- the last one in his pursuit of a degree -- will also define his final journey to a national championship: rock climbing.

Former Hanover Central grappler heads into NCAA meet seeded first

Andrew Howe doesn't like rewind buttons. He knows looking back isn't the way to go. Here and now is his world, and he's doing everything he can to stay focused, work hard and stay positive.

Former Hanover Central grappler heads into NCAA meet seeded first

PHOTO PROVIDED Wisconsin's Andrew Howe, left, a Hanover Central grad, takes a 32-0 record and holds the No. 1 seed at 165 pounds going into the NCAA Wrestling Championships this weekend in Omaha, Neb.

Escobedo, Howe successfully defend conference wrestling titles

Sixty-one and zero.

Sports Digest: ND women's basketball team has new attitude

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Sports Digest: Illinois beats Indiana at Big Ten women's tourney

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Six Calumet College wrestlers head to NAIA nationals

When the 53rd annual NAIA Wrestling National Championships get underway today, six wrestlers in a uniform unseen in the first 52 incarnations will hope to make some waves.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Wrestlers Angel Escobedo and Andrew Howe maintain perfect records

Angel Escobedo and Andrew Howe continue to deliver a 1-1 punch on the mats this winter.

Top-ranked Iowa wrestling team breezes past No. 25 Purdue

LOWELL | High school wrestlers in the Region rarely get a chance to see two nationally ranked college wrestling programs duke it out.

Top-ranked Iowa wrestling team breezes past No. 25 Purdue

Heather Eidson | The Times Purdue's Nick Bertucci has his chin strap displaced while wrestling Iowa's Brent Metcalf in the 149-pound weight class during the No. 1 Hawkeyes' 41-6 victory at Lowell High School. Bertucci was later disqualified for intentionally kneeing Metcalf in the shoulder.