Takedown Report

John Smith, Ed Gallagher and the Hall of Fame Snub No One Is Talking About

The Naismith Hall of Fame announces their class every year, and every year when it’s announced Eddie Sutton’s name is not called. Oklahoma State fans, rightfully so, are infuriated with the result. There’s another hall of fame discussion that receives little attention and may be similarly deserving of the criticism the hoop hall receives for its snub of Sutton. Neither John Smith or Ed Gallagher are in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. In fact, there’s not one wrestler in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

Athletes like Kevin Durant, Wayman Tisdale, and Russell Westbrook, coaches Barry Switzer, Henry Iba, and Darrell Royal, gymnasts Bart Conner and Shannon Miller, rodeo star Jim Shoulders, administrator Bill Hancock, and many others have made the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Even David Boren (cringe) is a member. And last Thursday, when they announced the 2019 class, they added two more football players, and continued their 92-year tradition of not inducting any of the states’ best sports athletes or coaches. With all the history of the sport in this state there is not one wrestler in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. That includes the greatest American to ever lace them up in John Smith and the father of modern wrestling Edward Gallagher. My initial dive into this topic started simply with wondering why John Smith wasn’t a member? He’s the GOAT, he’s won more World Titles than any American ever. He’s also an elite coach. But after digging further you see that there’s not a single wrestler at all that’s a member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Rest of the story at https://pistolsfiringblog.com/john-smith-ed-gallagher-and-the-hall-of-fame-snub-no-one-is-talking-about/?mc_cid=32fc00e7b3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

May 28, 2019 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Memorial Day salute to active-duty military wrestlers who have qualified for 2019 Final X

Memorial Day is a time to recognize those individuals from the U.S. military who gave their lives in protection of the United States, who made the ultimate sacrifice preserving our freedom. Along with Veterans Day, Memorial Day provides another time to thank all Americans who have served and are serving in the military of the United States. It allows us to show appreciation and respect for veterans, as well as active-duty military.
USA Wrestling is blessed to have a strong segment of athletes who are active-duty military and compete at the Senior level in our sport. There are athletes from every branch of the U.S. military who are pursuing their Olympic dreams while also serving the nation.

Final X represents the very best Senior wrestlers in the United States, those talented enough to be among the top two athletes in the nation in their weight class. For 2019, there are 13 active-duty members of the U.S. military who have qualified for Final X, 11 in Greco-Roman and two in women’s freestyle. This includes eight who represent the U.S. Army, four who represent the U.S. Marine Corps and one who represents the U.S. Air Force.
There are four guaranteed spots on the 2019 U.S. Senior World Team for military wrestlers, as both of the finalist competitors in Final X in those weight classes are from the U.S. military. The final number of military wrestlers on the 2019 U.S. Senior World Team will be determined in June.
There are six military wrestlers in Final X: Rutgers and seven military wrestlers in Final X: Lincoln. We will recognize these athlete based upon which Final X location they will be competing, with their Final X matchups and biographies below. Rest of the story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2019/May/27/Military-wrestlers-who-have-qualified-for-Final-X?mc_cid=76947114ca&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

May 28, 2019 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment