Takedown Report

College Wrestlers Inspire

Kerry McCoy, Ed Ruth and Kevin Jackson are trying to increase diversity in wrestling and inspire the next generation
Kerry McCoy, Ed Ruth and Kevin Jackson were all impressive wrestlers who put together illustrious careers. The trio combined has 11 All-American nods, five national titles, three Olympic appearances and an Olympic gold medal between them among other accolades. They did it all, visualized their success and reached the pinnacle of the sport despite having very few people who looked like them who did the same. McCoy is the first black national champion in Penn State wrestling history, Jackson is the second-ever black Olympic gold medalist in American history and Ruth is the only black three-time NCAA champion in Penn State history. But it’s in part because of what Bobby Douglas — the first black Olympic wrestler in history — and Kenny Monday, the first black Olympic gold medalist in history, as well as Nate Carr and others did that enabled McCoy, Ruth and Jackson to realize their goals were possible. “As people in general when you see someone that looks like you accomplishing great things or accomplishing goals, or just being on that platform, it does motivate you to be able to visualize believe that you’re capable as well,” Jackson told the Daily Collegian. It was Monday and others who inspired McCoy and helped him visualize the possibility for success in a sport that has been predominantly white for almost all of its existence. But there was one place where wrestlers of color hadn’t yet ascended to the top of their sport — inside the Penn State wrestling room. … story at https://www.collegian.psu.edu/sports/wrestling/article_5c8d642a-4e07-11ea-bdee-8bc4b7f1f05c.html?mc_cid=a84c1748d7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Epps hopes to lead Augsburg to national title, claim third individual title
Augsburg coach Jim Moulsoff knows it won’t be easy to say goodbye to Ryan Epps. The two-time national champion embodies everything you want in a successful student-athlete. Epps is one of the leaders on the loaded Augsburg College wrestling team and he also excels in the classroom. Epps, a senior from Cannon Falls, Minn., has compiled a remarkable 136-12 career record in college. Seven of those losses came his freshman year. “Ryan’s the hardest working kid,” Moulsoff said. “He never stops moving forward and looking to score. He’s relentless.”
Epps, who competes at 157 pounds, is one of four returning national champions in the powerful Augsburg lineup. The Auggies also feature two-time national champion Lucas Jeske (165) along with national champions David Flynn (141) and Lance Benick (197).
“It’s nice to have guys on our team who have similar mindsets of wanting to be successful — I think each guy feeds off that,” Epps said. “Everyone is buying into what we’re doing and everyone is working hard.”
Augsburg has 120 points back from the team that rolled to the NCAA Division III team title in 2019.
“Last year, we did a great job peaking at the right time and wrestling to our potential,” Epps said. “We’re working hard to do the same thing again this season.”
Epps is 24-1 this season and ranked No.2 nationally at 157 pounds. His lone loss was an 8-4 setback to fourth-ranked Brandon Murray of Loras at the National Duals. All-American Grant Zamin of Wisconsin-La Crosse is ranked No. 1 at 157. … story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/23185?mc_cid=aac8a693e2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

NWCA releases Mid-Major Top 20 Poll
Manheim, Pennsylvania — The National Wrestling Coaches Association released its first Mid-Major Top 20 of the season on Thursday. Formulated in 2017, the Mid-Major Top 20 concentrates on the programs that fall outside of the traditional “Power 5” conferences.
The EIWA conference dominated the top 5 with four of the top five teams led by Lehigh which was ranked first.  Northern Iowa was right behind the Mountain Hawks in the second position. Princeton, which just won its first Ivy League Championship since 1986 fell into the third spot. The Tigers had a win in November over Lehigh.
Rounding out the top five is Cornell in fourth and Army West Point in fifth.
The Southern Conference made a big splash in the next five with Campbell reaching their highest Mid-Major Poll ranking ever falling into the 6^th spot.  Appalachian State was right on their heels falling into the 8^th spot. … story at http://www.nwcaonline.com/nwca-releases-mid-major-top-20-poll-2/?mc_cid=a84c1748d7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

March 16, 2020 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized