Brent Metcalf

Brent Metcalf (born July 14, 1986) is an American amateur wrestler currently competing in the international circuit for the United States of America.

Biography

As a prep wrestler, Metcalf went undefeated with a career record of 228-0, won four consecutive Michigan state titles, and earned six junior national titles. After originally committing to Virginia Tech, Metcalf would ultimately transfer to the University of Iowa following his redshirt year, to follow coach Tom Brands, who was switching head coaching positions from Virginia Tech to the University of Iowa also. Tom Brands and Metcalf both switched to the same schools. Due to Virginia Tech's desire not to release him, Metcalf was forced to sit out the entire 2006-2007 season. In the fall of 2007, as sophomore, Metcalf finally began his wrestling career.^[1] During the course of his first competitive season, he captured the Big Ten and National Championships at 149 lbs.

Metcalf joined past Iowa State star Cael Sanderson as the only sophomore to win the Dan Hodge Trophy as the best collegiate wrestler in the United States. He was also named the Jesse Owens Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year, beating out athletes in more high profile sports like football and basketball. Metcalf was additionally named Outstanding Wrestler of the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments, and honored as Big Ten Wrestler of the Year.

Personal

Raised in Davison, Michigan, Brent Metcalf is the son of Tom and Lynn Metcalf. His mother was an all-state gymnast and state champion in track and field. Brent is currently a sociology major at the University of Iowa. He was high school teammates with 3x All American and 1x National Champion Paul Donahoe and 3x All American and 1x National Champion Jon Reader, all coached under Roy Hall.^[2] His older brother, Chase Metcalf, was also a very successful wrestler, but lost his life in a car accident in his University years. Roy Hall's son Chase Langdon Hall was named after Brent Metcalf's brother Chase Metcalf. Brent married Iowa City native Kristin Metcalf (née Knipper).^[3]

High school

Metcalf finished his prep career with a 228-0 career record, tallying 156 pins. A four-time state individual champion, Metcalf also led his team to four consecutive state titles. As a senior, he was named Michigan's "Mr. Wrestler" in 2005, was selected as second-team ASICS all-American (behind rival Dustin Schlatter), Wrestling USA all-American and a Wrestling USA scholastic all-American.

A two-time FILA Junior World national champion, Metcalf captured the Most Outstanding Wrestler award in 2004 and was named the Outstanding Wrestler at 2005 Junior Freestyle Nationals. He defeated Pennsylvania wrestler Matt Dragon in the finals. He also wrestled Dragon in the Dapper Dan beating him in a 8-7 win. A six-time Junior National champion, he was also three-time Junior National Greco-Roman and Freestyle champion en route to earning double Most Outstanding Wrestler awards in 2005. He completed his senior season as a 2005 Dave Schultz High School Excellence regional award winner. Metcalf was also a cadet greco-roman national champion and freestyle runner-up.^[1]

College

2005 - 2006

After committing to coach Tom Brands at Virginia Tech, Metcalf used the 2005-2006 season as his redshirt year.

2006 - 2007

On April 9, 2006, past NCAA Champion and former Iowa Hawkeye Tom Brands was named the head coach of the Iowa Wrestling program.^[4] Shortly after Brands accepted Iowa's offer, the five Virginia Tech wrestlers requested to transfer to Iowa pursuant to the NCAA’s "one-time transfer exception." Virginia Tech chose not to grant their release, and despite their issuing a lawsuit against Virginia Tech, the wrestlers were unable to successfully transfer without losing one year of eligibility.^[5]

During this season of lost eligibility, Metcalf competed in both folkstyle and freestyle competitions. He competed unattached in three open college tournaments, winning all three en route to compiling a 14-0 record at 149 pounds. He won Omaha's Kaufman-Brand Open, an event that included a number of top Division I teams.

2007 - 2008

Metcalf entered the 2008 NCAA Wrestling Championships as the number one seeded wrestler in the 149 pound weight class. He had only one loss on the year getting pinned in a spladle in the first period by NC State wrestler Darrion Caldwell during the dual meet. He won the 2008 NCAA wrestling championships by defeating Bubba Jenkins, future 2011 NCAA Champion from Penn State 14-8. He gave up the first two takedowns in the first period before coming back for the victory. He had defeated Jordan Burroughs, future World Champion and Olympic gold medalist of Nebraska in the semi-finals 6-3. He also defeated returning All American Lance Palmer of Ohio State in the quarterfinals. For his efforts he was named the tournament's most outstanding wrestler.^[6] For his achievements Metcalf was named the winner of the 2008 Dan Hodge Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's best college wrestler.

2008 - 2009

Metcalf entered the 2009 NCAA Wrestling Championships with an unblemished 37-0 record and again garnered the number one seed for the 149 pound weight class. He lost in the finals to Darrion Caldwell of NC State 11-6. Caldwell went to do a celebratory backflip and Metcalf pushed him out of the air. Both parties issued apologies after the incident.^[7]

2009 - 2010

Metcalf went undefeated during the regular season at 149 lb. Brent then lost to Lance Palmer from Ohio State in the Big 10 Championships when Metcalf, down by one considering riding time, failed to finish a deep single and was instead put to his back late in the third after a wild scramble. Palmer, a fellow 4x HS State Champion, had met and lost to Metcalf in 4 prior matches. Metcalf would later avenge the loss by defeating Palmer 3-2 in the NCAA Finals to capture his second NCAA National Championship. Metcalf finished his collegiate career with a record of 108-3 (.973).

References