Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

Penn State, Iowa share Big Ten dual season title; Unbeatens Iowa, Oklahoma State set to face off in regular-season finale

Manheim, Pennsylvania – Two of the nation’s last three unbeaten teams in Division I, Penn State and Iowa, clinched a share of the Big Ten regular season championship with conference wins over the weekend. Penn State (13-0) remained No. 1 in the nation, while Iowa (14-0) remained third in the NWCA Division I Wrestling Coaches Poll released on Tuesday. Second-ranked Oklahoma State (14-0) will face Iowa on Sunday at historic Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Penn State beat then-No. 24 Illinois 39-9 and Michigan State 37-10 to finish up its conference slate. The Nittany Lions will host Buffalo at Rec Hall to close out the regular season on Sunday. Oklahoma State ended No. 5 Missouri’s 35-match win streak on Saturday with a 19-15 win in Columbia in front of a record crowd at the Hearnes Center. Missouri crushed its previous attendance record as 4,721 fans saw the dual come down to overtime in the final bout. Rest of the story and details at http://www.nwcaonline.com/penn-state-iowa-share-big-ten-dual-season-title-unbeatens-iowa-oklahoma-state-set-to-face-off-in-regular-season-finale/?mc_cid=00da07afd4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

February 24, 2019 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

2019 NAIA Wrestling National Championships Qualifiers Announced

62nd annual event starts on March 1
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – (Qualifiers by Weight Class | Qualifiers by school | Qualifiers by Conference) The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) has officially announced the qualifiers for the 2019 NAIA Wrestling National Championships hosted by Catch Des Moines on Tuesday. The 62nd annual event takes place March 1-2 at the Jacobson Exhibition Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Each conference champion in their respective weight class earns an automatic berth to that national championship. Additional automatic berths were determined by using the final regular-season coaches’ poll. For example, the American Midwest Conference had three individuals ranked at 184-ponds in the final ranking, so the conference was awarded three automatic berths at that weight class. In addition to the automatic qualifiers, each conference was allowed three at-large individuals from any weight class. The remainder of the 240-wrestler field was selected by the national ranking committee. Rest of the story and details at http://www.naia.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27900&ATCLID=211791606&mc_cid=00da07afd4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

February 24, 2019 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Builders Take 1st Place at USCAA Wrestling Invitational

STORY: The Builders dominated at the USCAA Invitational this past weekend. With six 1st place finishes, two 2nd place finishes, two 3rd place finishes and one 4th place finish, the Builders cruised to an overall score of 195. The Builders took the team title by sweeping the first five individual weight classes. Second place Alderson Broaddus finished with 134 points.  Rest of the story and details at https://gobuilders.com/sports/wrest/2018-19/releases/20190219i5hdwp?mc_cid=00da07afd4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

February 24, 2019 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Iraq immigrant worked tirelessly to start Portsmouth wrestling team

TDR Editor’s Notes; Incredible story. We are always glad and encouraged to learn of and see those who are promoting the sport and are widening the opportunities available to potential wrestlers.
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There are very few young men as impressive as 17-year-old Ali Alrobaiay, a junior 132-pounder who wrestles at Portsmouth (N.H.) High. And it has nothing to do with his performance on the mat. Prior to last weekend’s Division 2 state meet, in which he placed fifth, he sported a modest 13-11 record. As far as enhancing the sport of wrestling, however, there are few who can compare to Alrobaiay, who came to this country from Iraq when he was 8-years-old, settling with his family in Virginia for nearly eight years before moving to New Hampshire in 2017. Alrobaiay is a tremendous ambassador for the sport, which he first took up as an eighth grader. Almost single-handedly, he is responsible for Portsmouth starting a wrestling program, which is in its first year.
“I love everything about wrestling and, when I got here, I kept asking around for teams to wrestle for and, at first, there was nothing,” said Alrobaiay. “Then I got introduced to (Portsmouth) coach (Randy Whisler). “He got me into a youth program he had and introduced me to Jay (Robinson), who had a club program (Granite State Rebellion in Derry). He said he needed me in his program so I started wrestling with them.” Thus, within a few months of arriving in New Hampshire, Alrobaiay was heavily involved in wrestling, training and competing for the Rebellion and helping to coach youngsters in the Portsmouth youth program. But he wanted more and began lobbying, with support from Whistler, for a high school team. Rest of the story at https://www.eagletribune.com/sports/local_sports/iraq-immigrant-worked-tirelessly-to-start-portsmouth-wrestling-team/article_38922ca3-e050-51a0-a82d-8f5eac00fe51.html?mc_cid=00da07afd4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

February 24, 2019 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Legally blind HS wrestler had an awesome message for people after winning state title

Jay Spencer made school history last Sunday when he became the first wrestler at St. John Paul II High School to win a Alabama state title. But what makes that accomplishment even more impressive is that he’s legally blind and has been since he was 3 years old. Rest of the message and story at https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/02/legally-blind-hs-wrestler-shares-an-inspiring-message-after-winning-state-title?mc_cid=00da07afd4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

February 24, 2019 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A first for Maine: Girls get their own state wrestling tournament

Maine joins growing trend in high school sports

Maine will join a growing group of states to sponsor a separate girls’ high school wrestling championship when its inaugural state meet is held Wednesday at Penobscot Valley High in Howland. More than 60 girls, representing nearly 30 schools, are expected to compete in eight weight classes. “I like it because there are a lot of disadvantages going against guys, and it’s also a lot of fun and you can meet new people,” said Skowhegan sophomore Rachel Tuck, a third-year wrestler who plans to compete in the 132-pound weight class after posting a 22-17 record at 126 during the season.
Patrick Casten, the meet director and a wrestling official, saw the need for a sanctioned state championship after officiating the unofficial girls’ states held by Maine USA Wrestling. “I saw how it was a good tournament and it felt like a legitimate event, and I also believe it’s good for young women to get confidence at an early age, and wrestling can be an instant confidence booster,” Casten said. …..
According to USA Wrestling, 14 states are sponsoring girls’ high school championships this season, up from six states just two years ago. Oregon, Georgia, Missouri and Massachusetts are other states holding a girls’ championship for the first time this season.
……… Participation rates in high school wrestling for girls has grown nationally every year since 1990. Between 2016-17 and 2017-18 – the last two years of data from the National Federation of State High School Associations – the sport had a 13 percent growth.
….. An Olympic sport since 2004, women’s wrestling also is growing at the collegiate level, with 48 programs. Rest of the story and details at https://www.timesrecord.com/articles/sports/a-first-for-maine-girls-get-their-own-state-wrestling-tournament/?mc_cid=00da07afd4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b


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February 24, 2019 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Reenan Tabbed ACC Wrestler of the Week for Fourth Time

RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State 184-pound redshirt sophomore Nick Reenan has been recognized as the Atlantic Coast Conference Wrestler of the Week after helping the Wolfpack to an important team win in last Friday night’s match at rival North Carolina. Reenan’s 6-4 decision over returning All-American and No. 14-ranked Chip Ness highlighted NC State’s five-match winning streak in a 20-14 victory over the No. 13 Tar Heels, who entered the night unbeaten in ACC action and one match ahead of the 10th-ranked Wolfpack in the conference standings. Reenan scored both of the takedowns in the bout. The ACC Wrestler of the Week honor is the Dallas native’s ACC-best fourth of the season. Rest of the story at https://gopack.com/news/2019/2/19/wrestling-reenan-tabbed-acc-wrestler-of-the-week-for-fourth-time.aspx?mc_cid=00da07afd4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

February 24, 2019 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment