52nd NAIA Wrestling National Championships Set To Begin

Oklahoma City will host the event for the first time. The Championships will be
held in The Freede Center/ Abe Lemons Arena. The arena is the home court to
Oklahoma City University's basketball, volleyball and wrestling teams and is named
for legendary basketball coach Abe Lemons, who won 599 games in 35 years as a head
coach from 1955-90. Abe Lemons Arena is located inside the $10 million Freede
Wellness and Activities Center. The building is named for the late Dr. Henry J.
Freede, an Oklahoma City orthopedic surgeon and sports enthusiast. The facility was
completed in 2000.



"We're proud the NAIA gave us this opportunity," Oklahoma City University Athletics
Director Jim Abbott said. "Oklahoma is a tradition-rich wrestling state. It makes
sense to bring such an event as this to our city and region. Our intention is to
make this the best NAIA wrestling championship ever. We will focus on the experience
the athletes will have here on our campus and in our city. We will work hard to
partner with area businesses on this event. We're excited to bring nearly 300 of the
nation's finest wrestlers to Oklahoma City University."



"We are thrilled to have Oklahoma City as host for the 2009 and 2010 NAIA Wrestling
National Championships," said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. "I am confident that
OCU will carry on the strong tradition of this event and make it a memorable
experience for all student-athletes, coaches and fans involved."



Last year, Lindenwood University (Mo.) scored 130 points, 20.5 points more than
runner-up McKendree University (Ill.), to win the 2008 NAIA National Wrestling
Championship. The win was the Lions' third national championship in four years.
Lindenwood has won 24 individual championships in its program's history, good for
fifth all-time.



The first session and opening ceremonies will begin Thursday at 2:00 p.m. Sessions
two and three take place Friday at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Session four begins
Saturday at 10:00 a.m. followed by the Hall of Fame Banquet at 3:00 p.m. The
Championships Finals begin at 6:30 p.m.