Women’s wrestling gains traction nationally
Women’s wrestling is among the fastest growing sports in the nation.
It was added to the Olympics in 2004 and since then it has grown at a rate that can’t be ignored. A 2010-11 National Federation of State High School’s survey found that women’s wrestling had the biggest percentage increase in participants from the previous year. Women’s wrestling grew to 7,351 participants, according to the survey, an increase of 1,217 from the year before — 19.8 percent.
And it hasn’t stopped growing. In 2016, the sport had nearly 14,000 wrestlers and nearly 2,000 teams.
Iowa State wrestling coach Kevin Jackson recognizes the importance of women’s wrestling. In 2012, wrestling was cut from the Olympics. It has been reinstated, but the world’s oldest sport is only safe through 2024. Rest of the story at http://www.iowastatedaily.com/sports/wrestling/article_876fdf8e-a9c2-11e6-a4a1-e32787d2f0b8.html?mc_cid=5b84cada29&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
National Wrestling Hall of Fame has come a long way
After facing a serious challenge, the United States Wrestling Federation announced in 1972 that Stillwater was selected as the home for the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum.
The decision came after competitive bids from Stillwater and Waterloo, Iowa. It was a challenging time as the city prepared for the construction of the facility. A challenging time as staff gathered memorabilia to be presented in the museum. The facility was officially dedicated on Sept. 11, 1976.
Myron Roderick, the former Oklahoma State wrestler, head wrestling coach and athletic director, was a driving force in the facility being built in Stillwater. He was the first executive director of the United States Wrestling Federation. He and a Hall of Fame committee paved the way for Stillwater’s selection. Former OSU wrestler Lee Roy Smith was named executive director of the NWHOF in 2004 and recently oversaw a $3.8 million renovation of the facility. It was reopened in time for the annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony earlier this summer. Rest of the story at http://www.stwnewspress.com/oklahoma/the-holt-report-national-wrestling-hall-of-fame-has-come/article_782a70a0-aaf0-11e6-b31c-534f4e10e95a.html?mc_cid=128e5b055c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Otterbein Defeats Thomas More in Return to Wrestling
WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein University wrestling program relaunched in exciting fashion Wednesday evening, defeating Thomas More College by a score of 36-10 in front of a packed Rike Center gymnasium.
The Cardinals, returning to the mat for the first time since the program was cut following the 1974 season, received a loud ovation from the crowd as they took the floor for introductions.
“This was definitely something special tonight,” said Drew Kasper, 197 pounds. “I didn’t realize how big it was until we walked out onto the mat and got that loud response. It was a pretty impressive environment that had my heart racing a bit.” Freshman Jackson Lakso opened the action with a bang at 125 pounds, pinning his opponent in just 55 seconds to thrust Otterbein out to a 6-0 advantage. The Cards never trailed from that point, getting a pin from 141-pounder Jake Vaughan two matches later and flying to victory. “I’m so happy to be back competing and just thankful for this opportunity,” said Vaughan, who wrestled for Ohio State from 2008-10 before spending almost six years away. “It’s such a great feeling to return and I’m ready to submerge and dedicate myself to the grind again.”
Rest of the story at http://www.otterbeincardinals.com/news/2016/11/9/otterbein-defeats-thomas-more-in-its-return-to-wrestling.aspx?mc_cid=eac20bd1e4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Wrestlers are changed forever by their sport
They get locked away in a padded room for hours on end for good reason – and not just so they can work on their neck bridges and arm bars. And it’s not just that; for the most part, they stay drenched in sweat – especially in these early days when they are trying to get themselves into competition shape.
Their room proudly posts the names of everyone who walked through its doors and walked away with a state championship, and just as proudly boasts the aroma of ancient sweat left over from all the hard work that went into earning those titles. The more names listed, the stronger the residual aroma and the deeper the tradition of hard work. The young men and women who populate the ranks of high school wrestling are a breed apart. And we’re all better because they are. Rest of the story at http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/nov/16/wrestlers-are-changed-forever-by-their-sport/?mc_cid=128e5b055c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Norwich, Castleton To Battle For Green Mountain Championship
NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University wrestling program will take on its counterparts from Castleton University on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. – both squads will battle for the newly-created “Green Mountain Championship” in what is hoped to become an annual Vermont wrestling tradition.
The only two collegiate wrestling programs in the State of Vermont will battle on a yearly basis for not only bragging rights, but also to hoist the Green Mountain Championship trophy that is currently being formed out of a large slab of stone, donated by Pete Tatko from the Sheldon Slate Company. Rest of the story at http://www.norwichathletics.com/sports/wrest/2016-17/releases/20161114foemm3?mc_cid=279b936240&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Nebraska Wesleyan restarts wrestling program
There were no wrestling mats, T-shirts, singlets, colored ankle bands. Not even a whistle when Brandon Bradley restarted the Nebraska Wesleyan wrestling program. He had a plan to get the right stuff, to get some wrestlers and become the first NWU head coach since 1982 when the program ended — as it turned out, temporarily. Now, with a full roster of 30 wrestlers, covering all 10 weight classes, an assistant coach in Robert Sanders, mats and uniforms, Bradley is ready for the season opener at 11 a.m. Saturday in Snyder Arena. Former Wesleyan wrestlers are invited to attend the duals with Wisconsin-Eau Claire and NWU conference rival Dubuque. “It was a lot of work to get to this point, but this is what I wanted and Ira Zeff (NWU athletic director) has been great in his support,” Bradley said. Rest of the story at http://journalstar.com/sports/local/college/nebraska-wesleyan-restarts-wrestling-program/article_a18f90f3-63d3-52ea-871b-0418892d7fcc.html?mc_cid=96d2b7889f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
App. State Takes Down No. 15 Oregon State & Belmont Abbey
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University wrestling knocks off 15th-ranked Oregon State 25-15 and ripped Belmont Abbey 50-0 in the annual Mountaineer Duals matches on Saturday afternoon at Varsity Gym.
The Mountaineers improve to 2-0 on the season, dropping the Crusaders to 1-1, while the Beavers fall to 1-2.
MATCH ONE: APP STATE 50, BELMONT ABBEY 0
Appalachian State University wrestling didn’t allow a single point on the mat, blanking Belmont Abbey 50-0 in the first match of the annual Mountaineer Duals on Saturday. The Mountaineers gained the decision by having two major decisions, two technical falls and a pin against the Crusaders (1-1).
Sophomore Logan Durham started things off with a bang for the Black and Gold by defeating Michael Bedard in the 125 weight class by technical fall, 19-1. Freshman Colby Smith continues to have a strong year, taking on Nicholas Lukanich in the 133-pound match, making quick work of the Crusader, getting a major decision, 12-1. Rest of the story at http://www.appstatesports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=21500&ATCLID=211292291&mc_cid=8f3584c18a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
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 