Conference Carolinas has 11 programs, 49 athletes recognized on NWCA Scholar-All America awards
MANHEIM, Pa. – The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) announced the recipients of the 2026 NCAA Division II Men’s Scholar All-America and Team Scholar All-America awards this week. Conference Carolinas had individuals from 11 institutions honored as well as two programs in the Team Scholar All-America award.
Newberry College finished fifth in the NCAA Division II Men’s Team Scholar All-America list with a 3.504 GPA and the University of Montevallo was 24th with a GPA of 3.261.
NWCA NCAA DIVISION II MEN’S SCHOLAR ALL-AMERICA TEAMS
The NCAA Division II Men’s Scholar Academic program garners the team GPA from the 10 starters a program puts out at it’s respective NCAA Super Regional tournament.
Conference Carolinas had 49 individuals from 11 institutions earn NWCA NCAA Division II Men’s Scholar All-America honors, led by nine from Newberry. The University of Mount Olive and the University of Montevallo followed with seven each while Lander University added six. UNC Pembroke had five while Shorter University had four and Belmont Abbey College and Emmanuel University added three each. … more at … https://conferencecarolinas.com/news/2026/4/3/mens-wrestling-conference-carolinas-has-11-programs-49-athletes-recognized-on-nwca-scholar-all-america-awards.aspx
Adjustment in Minimum Body Fat Percentage for Females Highlights High School Wrestling Rules Changes
In an effort to establish a more healthy process for girls involved in high school wrestling, the minimum body fat percentage for females has been raised from 12 to 19 percent, effective with the 2026-27 season.
Revisions to weight-control rules (1-5-1, 1-5-2) were two of 18 rules changes recommended by the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee at its March 29-31 meeting in Indianapolis. All rules changes were reviewed by the NFHS Rules Review Committee and approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
In making this significant change, the committee reviewed information from the National Wrestling Coaches Association, the proud supporter of the NFHS, and had the backing of the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.
The committee determined that based on peer-reviewed research data, increasing the body fat percentage for high school girls establishes a safer margin for minimal wrestling weight for those girls intent on achieving a lower weight class. “This is a huge victory for girls involved in high school wrestling,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports, sanctioning and student services, and liaison to the Wrestling Rules Committee. “Now, girls will not be forced to go through unhealthy weight-loss efforts, and it allows girls to be their natural selves. It definitely will help those girls in the larger weight classes, and it will provide more opportunities for girls to be involved in high school wrestling.”
In another significant change for next year, bleeding has been added to recovery time in Rule 5-28-3. Now, if a contestant is injured or bleeding as a result of an illegal hold/maneuver, unnecessary roughness, unsportsmanlike conduct during the match or the result of a false start (by the opponent) in the neutral position, the wrestler is entitled to two minutes of recovery time.
The committee determined that a bleeding contestant should not have to bleed for five minutes before being declared the winner if injured because of any of the aforementioned situations.
Language was added to the stalling rules in Rule 7-6-3. Beginning next year, when wrestling is stopped for going out of bounds in the neutral position, one of the following calls should be made: stalling by one of the wrestlers for leaving the wrestling areas, stalling by pushing or pulling the opponent out of bounds, stalling by backing out of the wrestling area, or wrestling action is taking place.
The committee noted that by announcing one of these calls when wrestling is stopped, … more at … https://nwcaonline.com/news/2026/4/16/national-wrestling-coaches-association-adjustment-in-minimum-body-fat-percentage-for-females-highlights-high-school-wrestling-rules-changes.aspx
Trumble Earns NWCA Scholar All-American Distinction
MANHEIM, Pa. – Newly crowned national champion for NC State wrestling, Isaac Trumble, has been named a Scholar All-American honoree by the National Wrestling Coaches Association for his demonstration of excellence in both academics and athletics. Trumble is among the group of 390 scholar-athletes across the nation to be listed, as announced by the NWCA on Wednesday morning.
NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer expressed, “These student-athletes have demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence both on the mat and in the classroom. We commend their dedication and the example they set for the sport.”
The postseason academic honor marks the fourth of this distinction in Trumble’s collegiate career, previously earning the honor in 2025, 2022, and 2021. This marks the second season in a row that a member of the Pack became a four-time NWCA Scholar All-American after Kai Orine did it last year. … more at … https://gopack.com/news/2026/4/2/wrestling-trumble-earns-nwca-scholar-all-american-distinction
Eight Blue Devil Wrestlers Named NWCA Scholar All-American
DURHAM, N.C. — Eight different members of the Duke wrestling program have been named to the 2025-26 NCAA Division I Men’s Scholar All-America Team by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA).
Receiving honors for Duke were Raymond Adams, Connor Barket, Aurelius Dunbar, David Hussey, Owen McGrory, Dylan Ross, Riley Rowan and Spencer von Savoye.
Adams and Barket received accolades for the third year in a row, while Hussey earned honors for the second straight season. Dunbar, McGrory, Ross, Rowan and von Savoye earned honors for the first time in their careers.
Duke’s eight selections were tied for second in the ACC along with Stanford and Virginia, while Pittsburgh led the way with nine honorees.
The award recognizes outstanding academic achievement by individual student-athletes across the nation. A total of 390 student-athletes, representing 73 institutions, were recognized for … more at … https://goduke.com/news/2026/4/3/wrestling-eight-blue-devil-wrestlers-named-nwca-scholar-all-american
Iowa State Adds Women’s Wrestling As 18th Varsity Program
AMES, Iowa – Women’s wrestling will debut as Iowa State University’s 18th intercollegiate athletics program during the 2027-28 academic year, Endowed Cyclone Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard announced today.
“Iowa State enjoys a rich wrestling tradition, and we believe the addition of women’s wrestling will afford tremendous opportunities for young women not only in Iowa, but around the country, to compete at the highest level in the sport,” Pollard said. “This is a great day for wrestling in the state of Iowa and at Iowa State University, and we look forward to growing a program under Coach Alli St. John that will build off the historic success of our men’s team.
“As we considered future opportunities for female athletes, it became clear that women’s wrestling offered Iowa State University the best combination of strategic fit, start-up efficiency and growth potential,” he added. “Women’s wrestling is recognized as one of the nation’s fastest growing sports at both the high school and collegiate level, and we are excited to help grow the sport for future generations of young women.”
Identified as an emerging sport in 2020 by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for all three divisions, the NCAA held its first national championship in the sport last month in Coralville, Iowa. Currently, there are 113 NCAA members that sponsor wrestling as a varsity sport, including six at the Division I level—Iowa, Lehigh, Delaware State, Lindenwood, Presbyterian and Sacred Heart with Kent State having announced plans to begin a program in 2027-28. Within the state of Iowa, there are 15 universities and colleges that currently sponsor the sport. “Women’s wrestling has been an Olympic sport since 2004 and is the fastest-growing sport for young women in our nation,” said Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director upon the announcement that the sport would become the NCAA’s 91st championship in 2026.
At the high school level, 218 Iowa high schools sponsor women’s wrestling and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union held its fourth state championship … more at … https://cyclones.com/news/2026/4/16/athletics-iowa-state-adds-womens-wrestling-as-18th-varsity-program
One Artemis II astronaut was once a two-sport college athlete years before space mission
There’s an athlete set to orbit the moon.
Victor Glover, a 1999 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduate, had a different career in mind before becoming one of four astronauts on NASA’s 10-day mission aboard Artemis II.
The Ontario, Calif., native played defensive back for the Mustangs’ football team and wrestled during his days at Cal Poly.
The latter, he said, was nearly as hard as rocket science.
“The hardest thing that I’ve ever chosen to do in my life was walking in space,” Glover told Cal Poly president Jeffrey Armstrong, per The Athletic. “The second-hardest thing that I ever chose to do in my life was wrestling practice with Lennis Cowell,” Cal Poly’s longtime wrestling coach.
His smarts were apparent to Andre Patterson, who coached football at Cal Poly while Glover was there, and now serves as the Giants’ defensive line coach.
“He may not have been the fastest guy out there or the most athletic guy out there, but he was going to succeed since he was the best technician out there,” Patterson told the Athletic. “That’s who he is at his core.”
Glover, who is set to become the first black man to orbit the moon, has maintained a connection to the university, giving speeches to various groups on campus, including the wrestling team. … more at … https://nypost.com/2026/04/02/sports/artemis-ii-astronaut-victor-glover-was-once-a-two-sport-college-athlete/
Moore Named Wrestling Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Belmont Abbey wrestler Caleb Moore was named the Conference Carolinas Men’s Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the league office Wednesday afternoon. Moore was selected by the Conference Carolinas Student-Athlete Affairs and Awards Committee for the Award.
He holds a 3.97 GPA and is a business management major at Belmont Abbey. In the 197-pound weight, class, he was a first-team All-Conference Carolinas selection and together another outstanding season for the Crusaders earning a regional championship as well as earning first-team All-Conference honors. He also qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships.
Prior to the regional tournament, he compiled a 21-3 overall record entering and was ranked No. 12 in the NWCA rankings for his weight class. He had five wins by pin this season, including one in just 14 seconds against Ferrum. … more at … https://abbeyathletics.com/news/2026/4/8/moore-named-wrestling-conference-scholar-athlete-of-the-year.aspx
Three Crusaders Earn NWCA Division II Scholar-All America Honors
MANHEIM, Pa. — Three Belmont Abbey wrestlers earned Scholar All-American honors from the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) by the organization last week.
Skyler Caban, Austin Marry and Caleb Moore each earned the honor by the association. Caban is a graduate student studying leadership and Marry and Moore are both studying business management.
A total of 440 student-athletes, representing 64 of the 71 Division II institutions, were honored for their success in the classroom while competing throughout the season.
In order to qualify for recognition, wrestlers must have either been an All-American at the 2026 NCAA Division II National Championship with a 3.0 GPA, … more at … https://abbeyathletics.com/news/2026/4/7/wrestling-three-crusaders-earn-nwca-division-ii-scholar-all-america-honors.aspx
Bradyn McConneha Officially Signs To Wrestle For Appalachian State
By: Jared Barton
North Allegheny wrestling senior Bradyn McConneha has officially signed his letter of intent to wrestle for Appalachian State University next fall.
McConneha filled out the letter of intent on Wednesday, following his commitment to the institution back in December. He is set to study accounting.
The heavyweight division contender had a career high school record of 104-31, including a 42-4 mark this season. McConneha finished first place in the section, second place in the district, first place in the western region and was the PIAA runner-up in Hershey this winter. Last year, McConneha was 38-13 overall, finishing in 2nd place in the section, 4th place in the district, and 4th place in the region. In 2023-24, McConneha was 24-14 overall with a 2nd-place finish in the section and 4th place in the region. He is a three-time state qualifier, placed three times in the WPIAL playoffs, was a WPIAL runner-up, section champion and three-time section finalist.
Additionally, McConneha was the 21st-ranked heavyweight wrestler in the country and was a Fargo All-American. … more at … https://athletics.northallegheny.org/news/bradyn-mcconneha-officially-signs-to-wrestle-for-appalachian-state/
Leo Kocher to be Inducted in UAA Hall of Fame
CHICAGO — The University of Chicago will have one of its greatest coaches and one of its best student-athletes inducted into the 2026 class of the Richard A. Rasmussen UAA Hall of Fame, as announced by the University Athletic Association on Tuesday morning.
Leo Kocher has left one of the most enduring legacies in the history of University of Chicago Athletics through nearly five decades of excellence as both a competitor and coach. A standout wrestler at Northwestern University, Kocher achieved success at the national and international levels, including a title at the Montreal Open and a runner-up finish at the U.S. Freestyle National Open. He arrived at UChicago in 1979 and went on to build one of the premier programs in Division III over a 45-year head coaching tenure—the longest in department history.
Under the leadership of Kocher, the Maroons produced more than 30 All-Americans, NCAA champions, and over 140 individual conference champions, while capturing 18 team titles and earning multiple top-15 national finishes. Beyond competition, Kocher helped shape collegiate wrestling through service on the NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee and national coaching organizations, and his contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including hall of fame inductions and lifetime service awards. Even after retiring from his head coaching role in 2024, he has continued to mentor student-athletes as a volunteer assistant, … more at … https://athletics.uchicago.edu/news/2026/4/7/womens-cross-country-rhaina-echols-and-leo-kocher-to-be-inducted-in-uaa-hall-of-fame.aspx
2025 NCAA Champion Vince Robinson Enters the Portal
The transfer portal received a massive entry at its smallest weight this afternoon as 2025 NCAA champion Vince Robinson added his name to the portal. Robinson has earned All-American honors twice, in as many years, while competing for NC State. Robinson won the 2025 national title at 125 lbs after finishing second in the ACC and entering the tournament as the #4 seed. Robinson won two-point matches in the quarters and semifinals before earning a victory in tiebreakers over Troy Spratley of Oklahoma State in the national finals.
This year, Robinson went 21-6 overall and finished third in the ACC. That gave him the #12 seed at nationals. This time, Robinson fell to Spratley in the Round of 16, but battled back with three straight wins to secure All-American status for a second-straight season. In the bloodround, Robinson outlasted ACC nemesis Eddie Ventresca to claim his spot on the podium. Coming into that match, Robinson had lost four straight matches to Ventresca.
Robinson ended up defeating Spratley later in the consolation before falling in the third-place match. Robinson should have no shortage of potential suitors, as most teams would be in the market for an upgrade at 125 lbs. Should Robinson leave Raleigh, it would certainly make a … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/2025-ncaa-champion-vince-robinson-enters-the-portal-r100938/
TDR blog
After 20 seasons of publicizing wrestling The TakeDown Report’s (TDR) focus has changed to the collecting of college coaching records from North America since 1903. We will continue to recognize and reward successful wrestlers in eastern North Carolina (east of Raleigh & Fayetteville), assist with schools in starting or re-starting a team and this blog. Join us on our FaceBook Page – “The TakeDown Report” for photos and news. Please send results, stories, links and news to pass along. E-mail us at takedownreport@gmail.com
Martin Fleming, Editor
Takedown Report
Takedown Report 