USA Wrestling – Gary Abbott’s Blog : Top 10 wrestling stories of 2019
TDR Editor’s Notes; One of the best wrestling writers in the country has his annual list of top stories and events. It is well worth reading all of it.
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BY GARY ABBOTT, USA WRESTLING
It has become a holiday tradition for me to take a break from the daily grind, and look back on the year in wrestling which is coming to an end. Putting together an annual Top 10 list of wrestling stories is not always an easy task, as there have been a ton of great achievements and amazing athletes to consider. With the Senior Nationals being held in late December, right before Christmas, I had a late start doing the research for this story. But as in other years, it is truly enjoyable going back in time, pulling together the details of these events, and trying to craft a column to share with the wrestling community. This is one of the ways I enjoy my holiday season.
The 2019 year had a variety of great stories. Here is my top 10 list of 2019:
1. Adeline Gray wins record fifth World title – You have to give credit where it is due. Our top story of the year is about the same great athlete as it was last year. Adeline Gray set the new record for career Senior World gold medals by claiming her fifth World title with a powerful performance in Nur-Sultan, Kazakshtan. Gray was dominant. She opened the tournament with three straight technical falls. In the semifinals, she won a smart 5-1 decision over past World champion Aline Focken of Germany. Her finals was another masterful 4-2 win over Hiroe Suzuki of Japan. She did this only a short time after having surgery on her hands over the summer, a major obstacle which could not slow her down. Facing a loaded weight class, Gray continues to set the standard when it most counts. Gray moved ahead of four-time Senior World champions John Smith, Tricia Saunders and Jordan Burroughs with her victory. Next up in 2020 is a run at the Olympic gold which has eluded her. Without doubt, Adeline Gray is an all-time great, with even more achievements ahead of her to look forward to.
2. Kyle Dake and J’den Cox repeat as World champions – Winning a World title is a tremendous feat. Repeating as a World champion takes that achievement up to an even higher level. After winning 2018 World titles in Budapest, Hungary, Kyle Dake and J’den Cox decided to remain in their non-Olympic weight classes for one more year to defend their turf. Dake spent much of the season recovering from injury, and needed to delay his 79 kg Final X series to a Special Wrestle-off, beating Alex Dieringer in a Special Wrestle-off in Texas. Cox defeated college star Bo Nickal in his 92 kg Final X matchup. At the Worlds in Nur-Sultan, Cox took care of business first. He shut out all four of his opponents on the way to gold, outscoring them 26-0. In the finals, he beat a regular opponent, Alireza Karimimachiani of Iran, 4-0. The next night was Dake’s turn in the finals. All four of his opponents were from former Soviet republics. After a tech-fall win in his opener, Dake beat Russian Gadzhi Nabiev 5-1 in the quarters and Uzbekistan veteran Rashid Kurbanov in the semifinals, 6-1. For the second straight year, Dake faced tough Jabrayil Hasanov of Azerbaijan in the finals … Rest of this excellent summary of this year’s wrestling events at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2019/December/27/Abbott-Blog-Top-10-wrestling-stories-of-2019?fbclid=IwAR3IWPAKaealtYGFY0Wk33_YwUlaWLMtDkbcln2ROY_yjM6ZvnGcYOYWnzE
34th College news, notes & results
Lindsey Wilson DEFEATS MOUNT ST. JOSEPH AND MIDWAY
CINCINNATI, Ohio – The No. 3-ranked Lindsey Wilson Wrestling team picked up two dual wins this afternoon as they move to 7-0 on the season with wins over Mount St. Joseph and Midway. The Blue Raiders opened their day with a 32-12 win over Mount St. Joseph before taking on Midway in their first Mid-South Conference duals of the season. Lindsey Wilson downed the Eagles in dominating fashion at 42-6.
Lindsey Wilson 32 | Mount St. Joseph 12
The Blue Raiders were afforded a 6-0 lead to start the match when Cagen Wallace (No. 14 at 125) won via forfeiture. Sam Bacon pinned Jabari Thomas 55 seconds into the second period to spot LWC a 12-0 lead early. Nate McClanahan scored the first points of the match at 141-pounds for the Lions when he defeated Alex Caldwell on an 8-3 decision. For the rest of the story at http://www.lindseyathletics.com/article/12271.php?mc_cid=a643b3b406&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
No. 18 Mizzou Extends MAC Winning Streak by Downing Buffalo
BUFFALO, N.Y. – No. 18 Mizzou Wrestling earned a hard-fought dual win over MAC foe Buffalo, 28-11, Sunday afternoon (Dec. 15) to open MAC competition. The Tigers have now won 15 straight MAC duals. On Sunday, the Tigers won seven of the 10 bouts with two technical falls (157 and 174) and a pin (197). Mizzou improves to 3-2 on the year and 1-0 in MAC competition. 125-pounder Dack Punke got Mizzou started on the right foot with an 8-3 decision to give the team a 3-0 lead after the first bout. An NCAA qualifier a year ago, Punke is now 7-5 on the year. After Buffalo jumped out to an 8-3 lead after wins at 133 and 141, Mizzou flipped the script with two of its best wrestlers in the middle portion of the lineup. Rest of the story at https://mutigers.com/news/2019/12/15/no-18-mizzou-wrestling-extends-mac-winning-streak-by-downing-buffalo.aspx?mc_cid=a643b3b406&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Skyline’s Martin goes gold
For the first time in 19 years, a Skyline College wrestler stands atop the state championship podium. Skyline sophomore Stephen Martin swept through three matches to earn the individual gold medal for the 184-pound division at the California Community College Athletic Association State Championship Friday and Saturday at Fresno City College. Martin becomes the first Skyline wrestler to capture a state title since Joey Martinez, now the head coach at Menlo College, did so in 2000. Rest of the story at https://www.smdailyjournal.com/sports/skyline-s-martin-goes-gold/article_651c406e-1fd8-11ea-9bed-17e78dc3ef0e.html?mc_cid=e30f8eb0f1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Cortland Wrestlers Finish 3-0 to Win Lycoming Rennie Rodarmel All State Duals
WILLIAMSPORT, PA. – The Cortland wrestling team finished in first place out of four teams with a 3-0 record at Lycoming College’s Rennie Rodarmel All State Duals. The Red Dragons opened with a 35-18 win over Pitt Bradford, edged the host Warriors, 19-18, and defeated King’s College, 33-13. Cortland won the first seven matches versus Pitt Bradford, four by forfeit. On the mat, Jeremy Pond (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker) won 7-5 at 141 pounds, Gianno Silba (Newark Valley) was a winner by technical fall, 17-0 in 3:08, at 157 pounds, and Alex Leone (North Salem/Carmel) earned a 7-6 decision at 165 pounds. Pitt Bradford won the final three weight classes by forfeit. Cortland took an early 7-6 lead versus Lycoming on a 15-6 major decision by Ben Lloyd (Woodbridge, VA/Forest Park) at 125 pounds and a 5-3 sudden-victory overtime decision by Matt Maquet (Long Beach) at 141 pounds. Rest of the story at https://www.cortlandreddragons.com/news/2019/12/16/wrestling-cortland-wrestlers-finish-3-0-to-win-lycoming-rennie-rodarmel-all-state-duals.aspx?mc_cid=e30f8eb0f1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Chatterton Named MSC Wrestler of the Week
COLUMBIA, Ky.—Dylan Chatterton was named the Mid-South Conference’s Men’s Wrestler of the Week after going unbeaten yesterday at the Cascade Duals in Arizona.
Chatterton went 4-0 as did the No. 7 Fire, which included an 11-4 victory over Casey Dobson of Providence, ranked first in the 157-pound weight class. Chatterton had three takedowns, four nearfall points, and picked up a riding time bonus. Rest of the story at https://fire.seu.edu/news/2019/12/16/wrestling-chatterton-named-msc-wrestler-of-the-week.aspx?mc_cid=e30f8eb0f1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Southeastern Goes Unbeaten at Cascade Duals
CHANDLER, Ariz.—The No. 7 Fire wrestling team went 4-0 during its trip to the Cascade Duals, hosted by Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) on Sunday.
Southeastern defeated Eastern Oregon 22-20, the 11th-ranked hosts 26-11, No. 14 Providence 22-18, and Arizona Christian 42-6.
Against Eastern Oregon, the Fire led 16-9, getting a pin from Jaaziel Santana, a major decision from Dylan Chatterton, and decisions from Olson Delisca and Andreus Bond. The Mountaineers came back with a technical fall, a decision, and a pin in three of the next four matches to lead 20-19 heading to the final bout.
Silas Root scored a third period escape after riding out his opponent in the second period to win 2-0 and give the Fire the win. Rest of the story at https://fire.seu.edu/news/2019/12/16/wrestling-goes-unbeaten-at-cascade-duals.aspx?mc_cid=e30f8eb0f1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Robb Selected PSAC Wrestler of the Week
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. — Redshirt junior Jacob Robb was named PSAC Wrestler of the Week announced by the conference office Monday afternoon. Robb topped three nationally ranked wrestlers on his way to a 5-0 showing and individual championship at the 41st Annual Midwest Classic. In the opening match, Robb tallied a first period pin before using an 11-1 major decision to advance to the quarterfinals. Rest of the story at https://hurstathletics.com/news/2019/12/16/wrestling-robb-selected-psac-wrestler-of-the-week.aspx?mc_cid=e30f8eb0f1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Mount Union’s David Massey Named OAC Wrestler of the Week
AUSTINTOWN — Mount Union sophomore David Massey (Cuyahoga Falls / Woodridge) has been named Ohio Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week. Massey went 4-0 with a pair of major decisions at 133 pounds to lead Mount Union to four dual meet wins at the Kalahari Duals this past Saturday in Sandusky. Massey is currently ranked No. 9 in the nation at 133 pounds and has a team-best 19 wins so far this season. Mount Union is 6-0 overall in duals (2-0 in the OAC) and has won 10-straight duals dating back to last season. Rest of the story at http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/wrest/2019-20/releases/20191216lb549z?mc_cid=e30f8eb0f1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
David Stevens Named MAC Wrestler of the Week
ANNVILLE, Pa. – On Monday morning, the Middle Atlantic Conference released their Weekly Award Winners for the week ending on Dec. 15. Among the honorees was Messiah wrestler David Stevens that was named the Wrestler of the Week after a stellar 3-0 day on Saturday. Stevens was the lone Falcon to earn three victories on the day, defeating an opponent from Division III, Division II, and Division I.
Rest of the story at https://gomessiah.com/news/2019/12/16/wrestling-david-stevens-named-mac-wrestler-of-the-week.aspx?mc_cid=e30f8eb0f1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Harvard and Brown partner to create New England RTC, hiring respected Mike Eierman as Head Coach
BY NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER
Click for New England RTC website
Providence, R.I. and Cambridge, MA – December 16, 2019 – Harvard University and Brown University today unveiled the formation of The New England Regional Training Center (newenglandRTC.com), a state of the art program designed to advance the sport of wrestling in all ages in New England and throughout the country. Mike Eierman has been hired as the Head Coach of NERTC to lead the initiative.
Building on the successful regional training center model created by USA Wrestling, NERTC will … Rest of the story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2019/December/16/Eierman-to-New-England-RTC?mc_cid=e30f8eb0f1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4th Women’s Wrestling Notes, Results & News
Bulldogs Dominate in Wisconsin at LU Muskie Women’s Duals
PLYMOUTH, Wis. —The Adrian College women’s wrestling team put an exclamation point on the end of the first half of the season by going 4-0 at the Lakeland University Duals and outscoring opponents 131-39 on Saturday in Woltzen Gymnasium. The Bulldogs were 32-8 overall in individual matches on the day and picked up convincing dual wins over Wisconsin Stevens Point, North Central (Illinois), Lakeland and MacMurray by scores of 30-13, 36-11, 34-3 and 31-12, respectively. “I was most impressed with the way the women went out and kept control of almost every match — even the losses,” Adrian coach Cliff Cushard said about his team’s performance. Wrestlers who went 4-0 for the Bulldogs included sophomore Zoe Nowicki and freshmen Megan Vondrasek and Arys Onstott. Adrian also saw four individuals go 3-1 on the day, including senior Mara Eason, sophomores Angela Goldwire, Mackenzie Tayerle and freshman Angela LoRusso. “Finishing up with four dual wins is a great way to lead into national duals,” Cushard said. “We really pulled together as a team.” With fall semester final exams complete, Adrian is off for the winter break and the Bulldogs are back in action on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 10-11, for the National Wrestling Coaches Association multidivisional duals in Louisville, Ky. Rest of the results and story at https://adrianbulldogs.com/sports/w-wrestl/2019-20/releases/20191214qf569l?mc_cid=654ae3350c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
MacMurray Women’s upsets No. 7 North Central, goes 3-1 at Lakeland
PLYMOUTH, Wis. – Highlighted by a win over the No. 7 ranked team in the nation, the MacMurray College women’s wrestling team had a great day at the Lakeland Duals, as the team went 3-1 overall. The team defeated No. 7 North Central, while Tory Marrufo, Jocelyn Hernandez, and Samantha Bush all had three wins individually.
MacMurray 27 No. 7 North Central 21
Starting the day strong, MacMurray used wins from Marrufo, Hernandez, Bush and Tiffany Tiepelman to push ahead early.
At 109, Hernandez pinned her opponent in 4:09.
MacMurray 35 Lakeland 10
Dominating the host school, the Highlanders crusied to a win in their second match of the day. MacMurray earned victories via fall at the 136, 143 and 155 weight classes. At 136, Mia Dow pinned her opponent in 1:35, while Moreno and Bush needed under a minute each to earn the wins in their respective matches.
Adrian 36 MacMurray 12
The Highlanders dropped a tough match to a very good Adrian team, as Shropshire and Johnvanique Porter picked up the lone wins in the match. The rest of the story at https://mchighlanders.com/news/2019/12/14/womens-wrestling-wwrs-upsets-no-7-north-central-goes-3-1-at-lakeland.aspx?mc_cid=654ae3350c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
NWCA Launches NCAA Women’s Coaches Poll
Manheim, PA – The National Wrestling Coaches Association has released its first edition of their 2019-2020 NCAA Women’s team and individual rankings compiled by the ranking committee.
The Tournament Team rankings are based on points for each individual ranking in correlation with what that respective placement would earn at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships to be held March 6-7 in Adrian, Michigan. That point system is as follows:
| Rank | Team | Points |
| 1 | McKendree University (IL) | 116 |
| 2 | King University (TN) | 97 |
| 3 | Colorado Mesa University (CO) | 50 |
| 4 | Emmanuel College (GA) | 49 |
| 5 | Simon Fraser University (BC) | 48 |
| 6 | Augsburg University (MN) | 44 |
| 7 | Gannon University (PA) | 28 |
| 8 | Tiffin University (OH) | 25 |
| 9 | UW Stevens Point (WI) | 22 |
| 10 | Adrian College (MI) | 21 |
Ranking Committee: Cliff Cushard (Adrian College), Link Davis (Emmanuel College), Travis Mercado (Colorado Mesa University), Jason Moorman (King University), Joe Norton (North Central College), Sam Schmitz (McKendree University). Rest of the story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/NWCA-Launches-NCAA-Women-s-Coaches-Poll-17-12-2019
UWSP women’s wrestling looks to blaze new path
STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAW)- UW-Stevens Point has a new team on the mat, the first of their kind in the entire Midwest.
Team Practice
“We do have a vision in mind that we want to be at in a few years,” said Johnny Johnson, UWSP wrestling head coach. Nekoosa native Brooke Thurber knew UWSP was where she wanted to go to college. However, in doing so, she never had the opportunity to pursue her passion, wrestling, at the collegiate level.
That is until this year.
“It’s really just been an amazing experience,” said Thurber. “I never thought I was going to get the opportunity to be on a women’s wrestling team.” UWSP is the first public institution in the Midwest to offer women’s wrestling as a sanctioned sport. Rest of the story at https://www.wsaw.com/content/news/Your-Town-UWSP-Womens-Wrestling–566230701.html?mc_cid=e30f8eb0f1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
HMA Interview #20: Rebecca Roper
For the 20th edition of Home Mat Advantage’s Interview Podcast, Rebecca Roper joins Sam Herring to chat about her experiences in wrestling as a kid, her relationship with her husband, Lee Roper, who is the head associate coach at the University of Northern Iowa, as well as her job at the Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa. Rest of the story at http://www.hmawrestling.com/podcast/hma-interview-20-rebecca-roper/?mc_cid=e30f8eb0f1&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
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