Takedown Report

Carolina Colleges News, Results and Reports – # 1

App. State Shuts Out Duke Before Standing-Room-Only Crowd
BOONE, N.C. — With a standing-room-only crowd surrounding the wrestling mat in Varsity Gym, App State pitched a P5 shutout. The Mountaineers posted a 45-0 home victory against in-state ACC program Duke on Thursday night, running their winning streak to six straight duals with a dominant performance. Unofficially No. 28 in this week’s NWCA Coaches Poll based on their high placement in the others receiving votes category, App State (6-2) beat a Power Five-level program for the seventh time since the start of the 2015-16 season and registered a shutout win against one for the first time in more than three decades. Thomas Flitz’s 9-4 decision against 24th-ranked Mason Eaglin at 174 pounds highlighted a sweep that included wins from App State teammates Sean Carter (125 pounds, forfeit), Codi Russell (133, second-period pin), Bradley Irwin (141, forfeit), Jonathan Millner (149, tech fall), Matt Zovistoski (157, decision), Will Formato (165, decision), Julian Gorring (184, tech fall), Paul Carson (197, decision) and Cary Miller (heavyweight, tech fall).  
“Thomas Flitz, he just had a great performance tonight wrestling an opponent he had lost to earlier in the year and one that’s nationally ranked,” said head coach JohnMark Bentley, who received a commemorative plaque from Doug Gillin recognizing career win No. 100 on the same night he posted his 103rd victory with the Mountaineers.
 “There’s no doubt about it, the crowd here tonight in Varsity Gym was something I think helped push him over the edge. The crowd was fired up. It’s probably one of the biggest crowds I’ve ever seen here in Varsity Gym.  Rest of the story at https://appstatesports.com/news/2020/1/23/-28-wrestling-wrestling-shuts-out-duke-before-standing-room-only-crowd.aspx?mc_cid=5c1c1413e2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Two Titles Highlight Strong Showings at Appalachian Open
BOONE, N.C. — The eighth annual Appalachian Open on Saturday ended with two App State champions in Cary Miller (heavyweight) and Paul Carson, who edged teammate Demazio Samuel in the final at 197 pounds.
Samuel, who had reached the final with a 5-1 decision against Chattanooga starter Rodney Jones, joined App State’s Anthony Brito (141) and Will Formato (165) in posting second-place finishes. Michael Burchell pinned Chattanooga starter Grayson Walthall in the third-place match of the heavyweight bracket, and fellow redshirt freshman Barrett Blakely took third at 174 pounds.
After placing second at the Appalachian Open in 2018 and 2019, Carson secured a 2020 title by going 3-0 in his bracket and winning a 4-2 decision against Samuel. Samuel took a first-period lead against Jones with a takedown and led 3-1 before producing another takedown with 48 seconds remaining in their semifinal match. Rest of the story at https://appstatesports.com/news/2020/1/25/-28-wrestling-two-titles-highlight-strong-showings-at-appalachian-open.aspx

App State Wrestling Reaches 4-0 in SoCon With Win vs. Mocs
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — App State remained unbeaten in Southern Conference action with a 27-12 road victory against rival Chattanooga on Sunday. The Mountaineers (7-2, 4-0) entered the dual in a three-way tie for first place with the Mocs (5-8, 3-1) and Campbell. Those three teams shared the SoCon regular-season title last season. App State built a 22-3 lead behind wins from Codi Russell, Bradley Irwin, Jonathan Millner, Matt Zovistoski, Will Formato and Thomas Flitz before Cary Miller ended the dual with a tech fall via a shutout. True freshman Sean Carter hung tough in a 6-5 loss to 19th-ranked Fabien Gutierrez to open the dual at 125 pounds, and the Mountaineers moved ahead 5-3 in the team score thanks to Russell’s 21-6 tech fall against Colton Landers. App State’s Bradley Irwin then responded with a second-period pin against Mason Wallace.
In a matchup of ranked wrestlers at 149, Millner (No. 21) posted a 6-3 decision against Tanner Smith (No. 24), and the Mountaineers took a 16-3 lead into intermission thanks to Zovistoski’s 8-4 decision against Tyler Shilson at 157. Rest of the story at https://appstatesports.com/news/2020/2/2/-28-wrestling-app-state-wrestling-reaches-4-0-in-socon-with-win-vs-mocs.aspxhttps://appstatesports.com/news/2020/2/2/-28-wrestling-app-state-wrestling-reaches-4-0-in-socon-with-win-vs-mocs.aspx

Queens Thumps Mount Olive 28-13
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte men’s wrestling team (4-6; 2-1 SAC/CC) defeated Mount Olive (2-6; 0-4 SAC/CC) Thursday night by a final score of 28-13. The Royals earned their second conference victory to jump above .500 and overcame an early deficit to defeat the Trojans handedly. Melvin Rubio (133 lbs) notched Queens’ first victory and the Royals spiraled ahead winning the next three matches by fall. Devinaire Hayes (141), Joey Hancock (149), and Jude Lloyd (157) each pinned their opponent to build Queens a convincing 21-3 advantage. Stephon Halliburton (174) and Austin Watkins (184) followed with additional victories. Rest of the story at https://queensathletics.com/news/2020/1/23/mens-wrestling-queens-thumps-mount-olive-28-13.aspx?mc_cid=5c1c1413e2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

ACC Wrestling Showcased with Friday Night Duals on ACC Network Beginning Friday, January 24

• Five Consecutive Weeks of ACC Duals
• Most Television Exposure Ever for ACC Wrestling
• Top Five Showdown as No. 5 NC State Hosts No. 3 Virginia Tech on Friday, Feb. 14
• ACC Wrestling Championship Finals Exclusively on ACCN Sunday, March 8

ACC wrestling fans will enjoy a dedicated night of programming on ACC Network (ACCN), the 24/7 national platform dedicated to ACC sports, throughout the remainder of the regular season as Friday Night Duals begin on Friday, January 24.
Five straight Fridays of ACC dual matches highlight the winter wrestling season starting with No. 12 North Carolina at No. 3 Virginia Tech on Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. ET. The Tar Heels host Duke the following week (Jan. 31, 7 p.m.), and the Cavaliers travel to No. 10 Pitt on Friday, Feb. 7 (7 p.m.). A potential top-five dual between No. 3 Virginia Tech and No. 5 NC State is slated for Friday, Feb. 14 (7 p.m.), while the Wolfpack is set to grapple with Duke in Durham, on Friday, Feb. 21 (7 p.m.), to round out the ACC dual season on ACCN. The coverage is the most television exposure ever for ACC wrestling. This marks most television exposure ever for ACC wrestling. Shawn Kenney and Rock Harrison, whom have called multiple ACC Wrestling Championships, will be on the call for all five regular season Friday Night Duals this season.
ACC Wrestling Championship Coverage 
Additionally, ACC Network will carry the finals of the 2020 ACC Wrestling Championship live from Petersen Events Center at Pitt on Sunday, March 8, beginning at 7 p.m., marking the first time the event will be televised on an ESPN network.  Rest of the story and details at https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2020/01/acc-wrestling-showcased-with-friday-night-duals-on-acc-network-beginning-friday-january-24/?mc_cid=5c1c1413e2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Royals Drop Tight Battle to Coker
Charlotte, NC – The Queens University of Charlotte men’s wrestling team (4-7; 2-2 SAC/CC) fell to Coker (6-2; 2-1 SAC/CC) in a back and forth affair losing by a final score of 22-19.  The Royals were forced to forfeit both the 133 lb and 165 lb matches and were unable to make up enough ground to squeak out a victory. Melvin Rubio (125) put Queens on the board first with a dominant 14-2 victory. Devinaire Hayes (141), Jude Lloyd (157), and Stephon Halliburton (174) followed with victories by decision. Hunter Tobiasson (197) capped the Royals’ night with an impressive win by fall in 2:06. Rest of story and results at https://queensathletics.com/news/2020/1/27/mens-wrestling-royals-drop-tight-battle-to-coker.aspx

Royals Rally to Victory at Emmanuel
Franklin Springs, GA – The Queens University of Charlotte men’s wrestling team (5-7; 3-2 SAC/CC) defeated Emmanuel (2-13; 0-3 SAC/CC) 25-15 Thursday evening advancing above .500 in conference action. Freshman Hunter Tobiasson wrestled above his weight class but still earned the Royals’ first victory in the 285 lb heavyweight bout. Melvin Rubio (125 lb) followed with a decisive victory of his own and Devinaire Hayes (141) was the lone Royal to win by fall. Joey Hancock (149), Jude Lloyd (157), Stephon Halliburton (174), and Jay Skalecki (184) were all victors as well. Rest of story at https://queensathletics.com/news/2020/1/30/mens-wrestling-royals-rally-to-victory-at-emmanuel.aspx

App State Wrestling Reaches 4-0 in SoCon With Win vs. Mocs
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — App State remained unbeaten in Southern Conference action with a 27-12 road victory against rival Chattanooga on Sunday. The Mountaineers (7-2, 4-0) entered the dual in a three-way tie for first place with the Mocs (5-8, 3-1) and Campbell. Those three teams shared the SoCon regular-season title last season. App State built a 22-3 lead behind wins from Codi Russell, Bradley Irwin, Jonathan Millner, Matt Zovistoski, Will Formato and Thomas Flitz before Cary Miller ended the dual with a tech fall via a shutout.
True freshman Sean Carter hung tough in a 6-5 loss to 19th-ranked Fabien Gutierrez to open the dual at 125 pounds, and the Mountaineers moved ahead 5-3 in the team score thanks to Russell’s 21-6 tech fall against Colton Landers. App State’s Bradley Irwin then responded with a second-period pin against Mason Wallace. Story at https://appstatesports.com/news/2020/2/2/-28-wrestling-app-state-wrestling-reaches-4-0-in-socon-with-win-vs-mocs.aspx

February 6, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Women’s Wrestling News, Notes and Results – # 13

MacMurray Women’s wrestling wins at Lindenwood
ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The MacMurray College women’s wrestling team secured another win on Friday evening, defeating Lindenwood University, 27-20. Six Highlanders picked up victories in the team win.
MacMurray led 10-0 after the first two weight classes. In the opening bout, Tory Marrufo won via forfeit before Johnvanique Porter pinned her opponent in 2:05 in the in 109 weight class. 
Lindenwood took the next three matches to hold a small team lead heading into the 136 bout.
At 136, junior Mia Dow stepped up for the Highlanders, giving the team a big win by pinning her opponent in 1:02. Dow has spent most of the season ranked in the top 10 in her weight class nationally. 
Julianna Moreno followed up Dow’s victory with another fall, winning in 1:27. It was followed by Alexis Lopez’s 8-3 win at 155. Rest of the story at https://mchighlanders.com/news/2020/1/24/womens-wrestling-wins-at-lindenwood.aspx?mc_cid=3fb99107f3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Coalition launches #ThankYouMonth on National Girls and Women in Sports Day
By Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Coalition
The Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Coalition (WCWC) is launching #ThankYouMonth today, Wednesday, February 5, 2020, on National Girls and Women in Sports Day (#NGWSD). This coalition of wrestling leaders, with input from the vast U.S. wrestling community, will be making phone calls, sending letters and creating social media posts, thanking all who have helped fuel the explosive growth of wrestling for girls and women. This effort is designed to show appreciation for those who have made decisions to help female wrestling to grow, and show appreciation for the expanded opportunity for girls and women to wrestle. It has been a great time for women’s and girls wrestling. There are now 21 state high school associations which have approved official girls wrestling programs. The NAIA will be hosting its second NAIA National Invitational for women’s college wrestling this year. The NCAA, at the Division II and Division III levels, have approved official Emerging Sport Status for women’s college wrestling. Story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/Women-s-Collegiate-Wrestling-Coalition-5-2-2020

Once a trailblazer for girls’ wrestling in Iowa, Cassy Herkelman now coaches the Denver girls’ team
DENVER, Ia. — During the first month of the 2019-20 high school season, coach Cassy Jakoubek met with the Denver girls’ wrestling team for the first time. She introduced herself, listed some goals and shared her excitement for the year ahead. Then she opened the floor for the wrestlers to speak. A few of them had the same question: They had heard good things about their new coach, but Google searches provided no help. Jakoubek laughed and suggested they use her maiden name.
“Cassy Herkelman.”
Out came the phones.
First girl to win a match at the Iowa state tournament.
Cadet national champ and two-time Junior national finalist.
Two-time All-American at McKendree.
“You could see the lights go on,” Jakoubek said with a laugh. “They were like, ‘Oh, OK,’” Rest of story and video at https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/01/23/cassy-herkelman-iowa-girls-wrestling-denver-coach-iwcoa-girls-state/4552202002/?mc_cid=5c1c1413e2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Girls wrestling grows nationally, but Virginia still has yet to form a female-only high school league
A pilot program for girls-only tournaments could change that with large turnouts. Meanwhile, determined wrestlers, who happen to be female, are still waiting.Author: Mike WisePublished: 11:08 PM EST January 23, 2020Updated: 11:08 PM EST January 23, 2020
LEESBURG, Va. — Another day of practice for Julianna Erice and Danielle Webb at Riverside High School, another day of learning all the right techniques to make them better wrestlers, so they can prepare for their next match, so they can grapple against more…boys. “Virginia’s pretty behind the times,” Erice laments. “Hawaii was the first state that sanctioned women’s wrestling in high school. And I guess Virginia just hasn’t gotten around to it for some odd reason.” The Rams’ girls wrestlers, made up of two sophomores and a junior, not only train with Riverside’s boy’s team during practice sessions but because there is no sanctioned girls-only division in the Virginia High School League (VHSL) they are forced to wrestle other male athletes during high school meets. And that brings on a sobering reality for Erice and the more than 200 female wrestlers currently competing in the VHSL. “It makes me feel kind of disappointed because if I want to wrestle like a lot of matches, I would have to wrestle against boys and boys are biologically stronger than me,” Erice said. “So, it’s an unfair advantage.” “Even if you’re in the same weight class they’re still a little bit heavier and they can muscle through a lot more. I mean, not saying that girls are weak or anything … it’s just like again like the whole difference with the boys and girls, it just it’s a lot better to be able to wrestle like the same gender,” Webb said. Rest of the story and video at https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/virginia/virginia-does-not-have-female-only-high-school-wresting-league/65-ba951f7a-9b10-4ae9-a429-fca4bbcbdc64?mc_cid=5c1c1413e2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

DUTY IS DUBBED NAIA WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
Kansas City, MO – After earning her second career weekly award from ths MSC, the Needville, TX native added on NAIA Wrestler of Week, as announced by league officials on Wednesday. Bridgette Duty had the best week of her career dominating opponents 68-2 in total points over the course of seven matches, all of which resulted in wins for Duty. Of her seven victories six came via tech fall. The junior took down two top-ten ranked opponents including the number four NCAA DII wrestler from Colorado Mesa. Her impressive showing all happened over the course of two days in York, NE at the York College Duals and the York College Open. The three tech fall wins Duty earned in the duals propelled the Patriots into second place overall. On day two of the action the 136 pounder would carry herself to the top of the podium, winning her first career individual title. Led by Duty’s performance in the open, Cumberlands was able to secure the top spot with 102 points, having Duty earning 17.5 of them. Heading into the week, Duty had 13 wins on the season allowing her seven from York to put her at the 20 win mark for the third time in her career which currently leads the team. Just as Duty did this weekend, winning the majority of matches by tech fall, this season she has won 15 of those 20 matches coming from tech falls. Rest of the story at https://cumberlandspatriots.com/news/2020/1/23/womens-wrestling-duty-is-dubbed-naia-wrestler-of-the-week.aspx?mc_cid=5c1c1413e2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Lady Lions Pick Up Another Dual Win Over Presbyterian College
CLINTON, S.C. – The Emmanuel College women’s wrestling team defeated Presbyterian College 31-17 on Saturday night. With this win, the Lady Lions improve their record to 7-3.
Emmanuel College 31, Presbyterian 17
Rest of the details at https://goeclions.com/sports/wwrest/2019-20/releases/20200125v8o909?mc_cid=cc61b35bf8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Q-C quartet captures state wrestling titles

WAVERLY, Iowa — Ella Schmit flashed a smile as her right arm was raised by the official. Tateum Park pumped her left fist. Chloe Clemons screa…
Story linked at https://qctimes.com/search/?nsa=eedition&app=editorial&d1=2020-01-24&d2=&s=start_time&sd=desc&l=25&t=article%2Cvideo%2Cyoutube%2Ccollection&q=QC+wrestling&d1=2020-01-24&d2=2020-01-28

Women’s wrestling receives NCAA Emerging Sport Status after approval from Div. II and Div. III
BY GARY ABBOTT, USA WRESTLING | JAN. 25, 2020, 
Two different NCAA Divisions, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division III, voted to approve women’s wrestling as an Emerging Sport during the NCAA Convention in Anaheim, Calif. today. The vote was the latest major step forward for women’s college wrestling, which is growing rapidly and gaining momentum all across the United States. Wrestle Like A Girl, on site at the NCAA Convention, reported this great news on its Twitter feed. “This is another exciting and monumental step forward for women’s wrestling in America. This will indeed change the lives of many young people across the nation, and also impact the lives of generations of female wrestlers to come. We thank the tireless efforts of the vast coalition of organizations and leaders that have worked together to reach this great achievement. We look forward to continued growth and expanded opportunity for women in college wrestling,” said Rich Bender, Executive Director of USA Wrestling. “Along with high school state sanctioning, nothing is more important than opening up more opportunity at the college levels. As a sport, we have been fighting for many years to create opportunity for girls and women to wrestle at all levels. For Team USA, this will help the United States be a perennial World power in the sport. With opportunity comes growth and with growth comes numbers. We are seeing now what opportunity can do to fuel growth. This decision gives complete legitimacy for the sport, and shows that women’s wrestling is a fully functioning sport in our nation,” said National Women’s Coach Terry Steiner. NCAA Division I did not address the issue of Emerging Sport Status for women’s wrestling this week, and will vote on that proposal in a meeting later in the year. Rest of the story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/January/25/Womens-wrestling-gets-Emerging-Sport-Status-in-Div-II-and-Div-III?mc_cid=cc61b35bf8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Women’s wrestling voted NCAA Emerging Sport
BRISTOL, Tenn. – On Saturday at the NCAA Convention in Anaheim, Calif., women’s wrestling was officially voted an NCAA Emerging Sport. King was one of the first schools to add women’s wrestling, first competing in 2010. “Girls wrestling at the high school level is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country,” said director of athletics David Hicks. “King has been a pioneer in providing new and exciting opportunities for female student-athletes, and we are proud to have been a pioneer as a leader in achieving NCAA Emerging Sport status for women’s wrestling.” King competed in women’s wrestling for the first time in 2010 and was one of the first 20 schools, and one of the first NCAA schools, to sponsor the sport. The Tornado had its first Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association (WCWA) individual national champion in 2011 and had at least one individual national champion every year through 2018. King had a program-record four national champions in 2015 and 14 WCWA All-Americans in 2013 and 2014. Head coach Jason Moorman has led the Tornado every year, leading King to four straight WCWA national championships from 2014-17, earning WCWA Coach of the Year honors three times, 2014-16. Those four years, King also won the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Duals titles. Rest of the story at https://www.kingtornado.com/sports/wwrest/2019-20/releases/20200125i2px7w?mc_cid=cc61b35bf8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

February 6, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment