INDIANAPOLIS – UIndy's Derek Blubaugh was selected to compete in the 2024 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Star Classic, hosted by Penn State and presented by Nike Wrestling on Saturday Nov. 16.

Blubaugh will wrestle Massoma Endene from Wartburg College, a two-time NCAA Division III national champion in 197.

Endene has a career record of 55-1, including an undefeated season in 2023-24, as well as recently representing USA's U23 men's world freestyle team.

Blubaugh will be the first ever representative at the NWCA All-Star Classic from UIndy.

"I'm excited for Derek to participate in the All-Star Classic," said UIndy wrestling head coach Jason Warthan. "It's a unique opportunity that's a first for us, and is great exposure for not just Derek, but our entire program."

The NWCA All-Star Classic is an annual event which features 32 wrestlers from all divisions in the NCAA, and this year the 32 athletes have a combined 18 national championships and 61 All-American honors.

Blubaugh is the only Division II male athlete to be represented at this event.

His current resume includes a handful of accolades to go along with this 2024 national title; he is a two-time national runner-up at 197, a back-to-back GLVC wrestler of the year in 2022-23 and 2023-24, a three-time GLVC first-team representative, a three-time Academic All-GLVC honoree, and was a part of the 2022-23 UIndy GLVC championship team.

"Derek is not the kind of man who backs away from a challenge," Warthan said. "And I know that he will be ready to roll."

The event begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 16 at Penn State's Rec Hall, and can be streamed live on FloWrestling.