ISU wrestler Trent Paulson is planning on taking advantage of two chances to regain the No. 1 ranking.

The second-ranked 157-pounder will face top-ranked Brian Stith of Arizona State twice over break, once in Monday’s NWCA All-Star Meet in Dallas then again in the sixth-ranked Cyclones’ home dual against the Sun Devils on Nov. 26.

“I’m real excited,” Paulson said. “I feel like I’m a totally different wrestler this year, shape-wise and mentally-wise, and I’m ready to test my shape against the top guy.”

Paulson has yet to face a ranked opponent this year, and said he is excited to face last year’s NCAA runner-up.

“It’ll just be good preparation for the NCAA tournament,” said Paulson, who is 2-0 against Stith in his career. “More than likely, I’ll see him there, so I’ll set the tone now, let him know that I want the title more than anything.”

The senior All-American will also wrestle two to three matches in the Kaufman-Brand Open in Omaha, Neb., on Saturday for conditioning.

The ISU starting lineup, minus Paulson, will compete this Saturday in the Fullerton Open in California.

Coach Cael Sanderson said the winners of wrestle-offs, plus 2005 starters David Bertolino (174) and Jason Knipp (149), will make the trip to California, while the rest of the team will compete in the Kaufman-Brand Open.

Sophomore Laramie Shaffer will travel with the varsity lineup as well, after he impressed coaches with a third-place finish at the Harold Nichols Open.

“We like what we are seeing out of him,” Sanderson said.

The decision between Bertolino and Grant Turner for the 174-pound roster spot is still being made.

“We’re not seeing what we want out of those two, but we’re close,” Sanderson said.

“Bertolino is giving the effort we want, he’s just missing by a few small centimeters. Turner’s real talented, too, but we just need one of them to step up.”

The Cyclones will also face Arizona State at the Fullerton Open, along with No. 17 Cal Poly, No. 23 Arizona State, host Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Bakersfield, UC Davis and Utah Valley State, as well as several junior colleges.

The NWCA All-Star Meet features matchups of the nation’s top-ranked wrestlers at each weight class.

The competition will be broadcast live on Takedown Wrestling Radio, which is aired on 1460 AM KXNO and on the Internet.

It will be tape-delayed on CSTV, starting at 8 p.m. Wednesday.