From homeless to the state tournament, Denver North heavyweight Max Tafoya has tunnel vision for success
“I had barely turned 13 and I lost my mother, and a couple days after that I lost my father,” the senior wrestler said.
By Kyle Newman | knewman@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
Max Tafoya sat in the empty Pepsi Center before Thursday’s state tournament with a glint in his eye. The Denver North heavyweight, his hair bleached and wearing his well-adorned purple and gold letterman jacket, took in the quiet and humbly explained everything he’d overcome to be in the arena. The loss of both his parents in middle school. The windy, bumpy and accelerated path to manhood that followed, when the 18-year-old was tested by homelessness and an overall instability that Vikings wrestling coach Gabe Aguilera said would have thrown most kids into a much different, darker situation. That Pepsi Center moment in itself was enough — an achievement in simply being there — even before Tafoya won his opening-round Class 4A match with a gritty third-period pin later that night.
“I had barely turned 13 and I lost my mother, and a couple days after that I lost my father, both to drugs and to gangs,” Tafoya said. “I had to live without parents in the most important parts of my life going into high school. I had to start understanding things about myself, and become my own man, while at the same time I was bouncing around from house to house.” After Tayofa’s mom died of cirrhosis when he was in seventh grade and his father was incarcerated shortly after that, the newly minted teenager found himself living in the homes of various relatives, never one for very long, without any constructive outlets for his emotion. Rest of the story at https://www.denverpost.com/2019/02/21/denver-north-wrestling-max-tafoya-state/?mc_cid=6ba4a3db8d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Bad wrestling parent behavior and strategies to stop it
TDR Editor’s Notes; A negative topic yet we all can admit it happens. Including this article since it includes advice and suggestions for improvement. Let’s take advantage of these strategies.
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Posted by Caryn Ward on Feb 21, 2019
It’s 2008. I’m sitting in an arena in Minnesota, there to watch my youngest son wrestle in a national tournament. He’s a freshman in high school and he’s made it to the finals. He will face one of Minnesota’s studs, a wrestler he had faced many times before and never beaten. Behind me is a contingent of Minnesota wrestling moms. They are bad-mouthing my son. Loudly. Before I can stop her, my friend, who is sitting next to me, turns around and defends my son. Even more loudly. As the back-and-forth gets more and more heated, I am thinking, “This is going to come to blows” and wondering who will win (the fight in the stands not the one on the mat). Of course, the answer to that is no one wins. Everyone loses. Seeing the viral video of two wrestling moms throwing down at a youth tournament last week brought back the Minnesota incident and other memories. The video shows bad parent behavior in the extreme, but there are plenty of parents of wrestlers and other athletes who have acted on that primal instinct to protect their children in a way they’re not proud of. We are parents first, we sometimes act on instincts first.
A 2008 study out of Tokyo that used magnetic resonance imaging, or M.R.I.s, showed the maternal instinct to love and protect her child could be hard-wired into a woman’s brain. Similarly, a 2014 study out of Israel implied that caring for children triggers something in the brain for men as well as women and that there is a paternal instinct as well as a maternal one. But instincts can be overruled. As my son matured as a wrestler, thankfully, I matured as a wrestling parent. I came up with coping strategies, ways to make sure I think first, react later or never. One of those strategies is called “Zen mommy.” Before a big match, a friend whose son was also wrestling at a high stakes level, and I would meditate in our seats and repeat our mantra, “Zen mommy” which means we will be calm and channel only good thoughts no matter what happens on the mat. Another strategy I’ve employed is to watch from afar. I will leave my seat and go to the most distant, least populated place in an arena and watch from there. That way if I do say something inappropriate, no one will hear it but me. Rest of the story and suggestions at http://matbossapp.hs-sites.com/blog/bad-wrestling-parent-behavior-and-strategies-to-stop-it?mc_cid=6ba4a3db8d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Brackets released for NJCAA Championships
The brackets have been released for the 2019 NJCAA Wrestling Championships. The event takes place March 1-2 at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Rest of the story and details at http://intermatwrestle.com/articles/21501?mc_cid=6ba4a3db8d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Vanguard Athletics Offers Two New Sports for 2019-20
TDR Editor’s Notes; While this news is from across the country it still is encouraging as college wrestling spans the country. Increases in competitive opportunity benefits the sport and schools across our nation.
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Men’s Wrestling/Men’s Volleyball – Wed, Feb. 20, 2019
COSTA MESA, Calif. – Vanguard University Athletics is proud to announce the addition of Men’s Volleyball and Men’s Wrestling to campus beginning in Fall 2019, further increasing the opportunity for student-athletes to continue playing the sports they love at the intercollegiate level while pursuing an undergraduate degree. The mission of Vanguard University is to pursue knowledge, cultivate character, deepen faith, and equip each student for a Spirit-empowered life of Christ-centered leadership and service.
“We are excited to bring men’s wrestling and men’s volleyball to Vanguard University and the Orange County community,” stated Director of Athletics Jeff Bussell. “Being located in one of the greatest regions for wrestling and men’s volleyball, we are prepared to offer student-athletes the opportunity to continue their athletic career while earning their college degree with a Christ-centered perspective. In speaking to the community on both of these new sports, there has been a great deal of enthusiasm already. We look forward to investing and having a transformational impact on each student-athlete that comes through Vanguard University.”
The campus is buzzing for the return of men’s wrestling, a program with a storied history including giving the gym the nickname “The Pit.” From 1972-75, the SCC Vanguards won three consecutive NAIA District III Championships. The 1975 wrestling team went 20-0 in the season, pushed a win streak to 35 straight victories, sent six members to the NAIA National Championships in Sioux City, Iowa and saw Paul LeBlanc earn fourth place in the 142-pound weight class. This success earned the 1975 wrestling team induction into the Vanguard Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007.
Gibbs Wins Coach of the Year and Seven Wrestlers Land on All-OAC
TDR Editor’s Notes; Our congratulations to former UNC-Pembroke coach J. Gibbs in his success at BWU.
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AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – Baldwin Wallace University Wrestling Head Coach Jamie Gibbs has been named the Ohio Athletic Conference Coach of the Year while seven wrestling student-athletes land on the 2019 All-OAC team. Gibbs earns his fourth-straight Coach of the Year award after leading the Yellow Jackets to a school-record fourth straight OAC Championship along with a record of 14-2 record and a 5-1 OAC mark. Senior two-time All-American 165-pounder Anthony Arroyo (Maumee) and sophomore 149-pounder Stanley Bleich (North Ridgeville/Elyria Catholic) were selected to the first team. Junior 133-pounder Dante Ginnetti (Poland/Seminary), sophomore 141-pounder Tanner McHugh (New Ringgold, Pa./Tamaqua), senior 157-pounder Richie Burke (Ithaca, N.Y./Ithaca), senior 184-pounder Justin Ransom (Madison), and senior 285-pounder James Ritchie (Carlisle) were all slated to the second team.
Arroyo earns his fourth-straight first team accolade after two OAC Wrestler of the Week honors and claiming his 100th career match on December 8, 2018 against Messiah (Pa.) College, becoming the seventh BW wrestler to ever win 100 matches. For his career, Arroyo has garnered seven Wrestler of the Week honors, an All-Central Regional selection, OAC John Summa Wrestler of the Year in 2017-18 and was D3wrestling.com All-Freshman first team selection. Rest of the story at https://www.bwyellowjackets.com/sports/wrest/2018-19/releases/oacawards?mc_cid=6ba4a3db8d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
CNY wrestler protests as ref disqualifies him in state championship for biting opponent
TDR Editor’s Notes; This is a sad way to lose a state title. Even sadder way to be awarded one.
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By Nolan Weidner | nweidner@syracuse.com
Syracuse, N.Y. — In his quest to become a two-time state wrestling champion, Phoenix senior Ross McFarland overcame a lot of hardship. A severe ankle injury forced him to forfeit the 182-pound Division II sectional championship match Feb. 9 — his first loss this season after 40 straight victories. McFarland earned an at-large bid to last weekend’s state championships in Albany. He won three straight matches to make Saturday’s final, despite getting a broken nose and possible concussion.
What finally beat McFarland in the finals was this: A referee disqualified him for biting his opponent. That decision sent McFarland home without a medal for the first time in four trips to the state championships. The ruling upset his coach, Gene Mills, and brought a chorus of boos raining down from the stands at the Times Union Center. “It’s a crime,” Mills said this morning. “It was just 100-percent wrong.” Rest of the story at https://www.syracuse.com/highschoolsports/2019/02/cny-wrestler-protests-as-ref-disqualifies-him-in-state-championship-for-biting-opponent-video.html?mc_cid=b1d73d27be&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
James River wrestler with autism wins region championship
Caleb Shipwash’s success on mat inspires others
By Alyssa Rae – Sports Anchor / Reporter
BUCHANAN, Va. – The James River wrestling team won the Region 2C championship in dominating fashion. One of the contributing factors to the Knights first-place finish was junior Caleb Shipwash. “He’s smiling every day coming in the door. Always happy to be at practice. This is a grueling sport, to have that smile every day is unusual,” said James River wrestling coach Bobby Stewart. In the 170-pound region championship match, Caleb was the underdog and trailed throughout the match. But he managed to turn the tables.
“He was wrestling a more skilled, stronger opponent. The favorite of the tournament at that weight. But I told my coach who was sitting beside me in the seat, I said ‘patience,'” said Stewart. “I knew he could it. But then there was a doubt. ‘Oh my gosh, the guy got him.’ And sure enough, he surprised us like he always does. Comes up with a last-minute surprise and he did it,” said Caleb’s mother, Crystal Eubank.
Caleb won the region championship with a pin with one second left on the clock. “I was shocked, I didn’t think I was going to win regions. I was just focused on making it to states,” said Caleb. The victory is a great feat for any athlete. But Caleb isn’t just any athlete. Caleb has autism. And developing into a state contending wrestler was more difficult for him than others. “He’ll pick up and master two or three moves. The other kids will pick up 10 or 12 moves.But those two or three moves that he masters are kind of unstoppable at times,” said Stewart. Rest of the story at https://www.wsls.com/sports/james-river-wrestler-with-autism-wins-region-championship?mc_cid=0574fb79af&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
College wrestling: Iowa State-UNI dual a sellout
TDR Ed’s Notes: Wow! Great to see a sell-out. Let’s work towards more of these. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CEDAR FALLS — Thursday night’s wrestling showdown between Iowa State and Northern Iowa in the Panthers’ West Gym is a sellout, it was announced Wednesday. No. 17 UNI (6-5 overall, 6-1 Big 12) hosts the No. 11 Cyclones (10-2, 6-1) at 7 p.m. Details at https://wcfcourier.com/sports/college/uni/wrestling/college-wrestling-iowa-state-uni-dual-a-sellout/article_d8ef71aa-1d4a-5db8-a19b-6bd9203e7e39.html?mc_cid=0574fb79af&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Greensboro College Pride Wrestlers Wrap Up Season With Strong Performance At NCAA Regional
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Greensboro College wrestling team had four members place at the 2019 NCAA Division III Southeast Regional Saturday.
Hai Siu and Tyron Dudley both finished in fourth-place while Conan Wilson finished fifth. Paul Bauberger also battled his way through the consolation bracket to finish sixth. “What a performance by these four young men,” Head Coach Erik Wince said! “It’s a tough pill to swallow not qualifying anyone this year but these guys bought in all year and fought tooth and nail every match. “All four guys will be back and are already thinking about next season. The coaching staff and Greensboro College wrestling family are so proud of everyone who competed this weekend. Next season starts now!” Details at https://greensborocollegesports.com/news/2019/2/23/wrestling-pride-wrestlers-wrap-up-season-with-strong-performance-at-ncaa-regional.aspx
NCAA wrestling qualifiers announced for 2019 D-II & III championships
INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA Division III Wrestling Committee announced Monday the participants in the 2019 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships. The championships will be held March 8-9 at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, Virginia. Ferrum College will serve as the host.
CHAMPIONSHIP INFO: 2018 championship highlights | Complete championship history
A total of 180 participants will compete in the championships. Student-athletes qualified for the championship by placing top-three in their respective weight classes at one of the six NCAA regional tournaments held on Feb. 22, 23 and 24. Rest of the story at https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling/2019-02-25/ncaa-wrestling-qualifiers-announced-2019-diii-championship?mc_cid=b1d73d27be&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
DII championships —
The NCAA announced on Monday the Division II wrestling qualifiers list for the 2019 championship. The brackets will be released on Friday. Details at https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling/2019-02-25/ncaa-wrestling-qualifiers-announced-2019-dii-championship?mc_cid=b1d73d27be&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 