International Wrestling – # 3

SPORTS

Hidlay brothers stay ready for shot at the Olympics

Loss of NCAA Championships cuts deep

By Andrew Kalista (FOX43)
Published:  March 23, 2020
RALEIGH, N.C. — This past weekend was supposed to be a celebration of the college wrestling season with the NCAA National Championships in Minneapolis. That did not happen.  The Hidlay brothers from Mifflin County High School were two of seven area wrestlers set to compete for college gold. A opportunity lost for them and so many others. “You kind of want to think it is not real, I think that is what a lot of us were feeling leading up to it” That was the reaction of Hayden Hidley, when the NC State junior heard about the cancellation of the NCAA Wrestling Championships which was like a take-down on the entire wrestling community.  “You train all year for it and to have it not happen is heart breaking'” says Wolfpack freshman and younger brother Trent. “You know in our sport the NCAA Championships are the pinnacle of the season.” …. story and video at https://www.fox43.com/article/sports/hidlay-brothers-stay-ready-for-shot-at-the-olympics/521-4a6f4b69-7424-4e41-9ba5-147ab950e2a9?mc_cid=a94878ac8d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

How Olympic hopefuls are dealing with uncertainty and training interruptions, from baking to online Zumba classes
U.S. wrestling champion Joe Rau is learning to bake. Three-time Olympic long jumper Tyrone Smith is binge-watching Netflix and building a Lego race car. Rhythmic gymnasts Yelyzaveta Merenzon and Elizaveta Pletneva — teammates in a sport in which synchronization is paramount — are taking online Zumba classes alone in their respective homes. As the calls grow for the Summer Games to be postponed because of the coronavirus and the International Olympic Committee gives itself until mid-April to make a decision, local Olympic hopefuls have been forced to find creative ways to train and keep their minds off a potentially devastating blow to long-held dreams. It’s a task undertaken amid great uncertainty, as the athletes no longer can access their training facilities, practice with their teams or compete in qualifying competitions. “Everything I’ve done with my life over the past four years has been with the Olympics in mind,” said Rau, a Chicago native and the United States’ top Greco-Roman wrestler in the 87-kg weight class. “And all of a sudden, I have no idea what’s going to happen. I can’t practice. I can’t work out like I normally do. What am I supposed to do with all this free time?” …. story at https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-olympic-athletes-tokyo-20200322-2axzl4vzzrdulced2dppwmdx3i-story.html?mc_cid=0750227b4f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

‘It’s bigger than sports right now’: Former OSU wrestling champion supports postponing Olympics
Amar Dhesi clinched a spot with Team Canada after his performance at the Pan American Olympic Qualifiers.Author: Orlando Sanchez
March 24, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. — Corvallis, Oregon is a special place for Amar Dhesi. “Oregon State will always be a part of my life and my journey. I thank my coaches so much for giving me the opportunity. I was just a small-town kid from a place that never had anyone go to a Division 1 school.” From Surrey, B.C., to Oregon State University, Dhesi is an all-american, PAC-12 champion and now an olympian, clinching a spot with Team Canada after his performance at the Pan American Olympic Qualifiers. “It was a surreal moment for me. I really didn’t grasp what I had done because it was just such a big moment leading up and waiting for it for so long,” said Dhesi. “I’m more excited for my family and everybody than for myself really, just because they put so much time and work into me.” Reality hit after returning home from the event and experiencing the impact coronavirus was having on the world. “It was tough because I had to self-isolate when I came back home. I was even reluctant to give my dad a hug after I made the Olympics, so it’s been a tough process altogether.” …. story at https://www.kgw.com/article/sports/former-osu-wrestling-champion-supports-olympics-postponement/283-0f88982a-7f48-4a65-8dac-4687ab1af530?mc_cid=0750227b4f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Coronavirus NJ: Wrestler Frank Molinaro says Olympic postponement was ‘right decision’
Frank Molinaro had the ending to his brilliant wrestling career all planned out. “My plan was to wrestle at Bryce Jordan Center (the Penn State University arena where the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials were going to take place April 4-5) and it was Tokyo or bust,” Molinaro said, referring to the site of the Olympic Games originally planned for this summer. “I was either going to make it to Tokyo, and I felt like I was in a great position to do that, or I was going to take my shoes off and retire at Penn State.’’ All those plans are now on hold, with the Summer Olympics being postponed to 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. “It was shaping up to be a great ending to my career,” Molinaro laughed. Molinaro has had one of the most decorated careers in the history of New Jersey wrestling. He won three NJSIAA championships at Southern Regional from 2005-2007. He won his first state title by defeating a Winslow Township junior named Jordan Burroughs 2-1 on an escape in the final seconds of the ultimate tiebreaker in the 2005 125-pound final. …. story at https://www.app.com/story/sports/2020/03/26/coronavirus-nj-wrestler-frank-molinaro-says-olympic-postponement-right-decision/5080966002/?mc_cid=5dfdb1c828&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Cox gears up for new challenge amid Olympics chaos
J’den Cox doesn’t usually like to express his opinions on social media. But on Sunday, with nearly all of the sports sphere shut down from COVID-19 and the 2020 Summer Olympics still up in the air, the former Missouri wrestler and Olympic medalist shared on Twitter that he would not be a part of the Games in Tokyo, as scheduled. Two days later, the International Olympic Committee announced its decision to postpone the Games. “I’m not going to put somebody’s life or health behind my dream,” Cox told the Missourian on Wednesday. “I’ve never told any of the athletes or anyone that they can’t be angry or they can’t be sad. It’s with a heavy heart that I say these things. It’s not like it doesn’t affect me.” While Cox said that he wasn’t trying to use his high-profile platform to speak for everyone, he is certainly someone people in the sports world look up to, according to Missouri volunteer assistant coach and United States wrestler Dom Bradley. Both Cox and Bradley, who also intended to compete in the Olympic wrestling qualifiers this summer, said that while their health is important, they don’t want to risk the lives of those who might be more vulnerable to the virus. …. story at https://www.columbiamissourian.com/sports/mizzou_sports/cox-gears-up-for-new-challenge-amid-olympics-chaos/article_56805996-6ef7-11ea-9d83-57810c6b27b1.html?mc_cid=5dfdb1c828&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Qualified athletes for Tokyo 2020 to keep places at rearranged Olympic Games
Athletes who had qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will keep their places at the rescheduled event after it was postponed until no later than the summer of 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave the guarantee on a teleconference call with 33 International Federations yesterday, multiple sources familiar with the talks told insidethegames. It is expected that the athlete quotas for each sport will remain the same following the decision to delay the Games after the World Health Organization warned the COVID-19 pandemic was accelerating. The IOC said last week that 57 per cent of the 11,000 athletes had qualified for Tokyo 2020. …. story at https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1092472/ioc-confirm-athletes-keep-olympic-places?mc_cid=1270ffe756&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Olympic dream delayed one year for Brighton wrestler representing San Marino
When the disappointing news broke, Myles Amine leaned upon the mindset that helped him become a world-class wrestler. “I try to stay optimistic at all times,” he said …. story at https://www.livingstondaily.com/story/sports/olympics/2020/03/29/olympic-dream-delayed-one-year-brighton-wrestler-myles-amine/2921161001/?mc_cid=1270ffe756&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Vallimont’s last chance to make U.S. Olympic Wrestling team in limbo
Dan Vallimont made up his mind that this would be the last chance to fulfill his dream of competing at the Olympics. The 33-year-old wrestler, who was a two-time All-American at Penn State and won a pair of state titles at Jefferson, knows that time is running out. Vallimont competed in the U.S. Olympic trials in 2016 at 74 kilograms (163 pounds), but fell short in the quarterfinals. Four years later, he was ready for one last shot to reach his dream. Vallimont was set to compete in the Last Chance Qualifier for the Olympic trials at that same weight this past weekend in Millersville, Pa., until the coronavirus pandemic forced qualifying to be postponed. Then, on Tuesday, the International Olympic Committee made the call to postpone this year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo to 2021. “There’s two sides to it: There’s a lot of things that are bigger than sports. The health of the entire world is obviously one of them. At the same time, it’s saddening that it has to be this way,” Vallimont said Wednesday after the news. “There’s athletes, coaches and families and people all over the world that were looking forward to this event as something to rally around and get behind and really enjoy. It’s unfortunate that that’s not going to be able to happen as scheduled.” It was a difficult realization for Vallimont, who acknowledged that this Olympic cycle will likely be his last. …. story at https://www.njherald.com/sports/20200328/vallimonts-last-chance-to-make-us-olympic-wrestling-team-in-limbo?mc_cid=1270ffe756&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

April 9, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Cancellation – 4th reports

They could have been All-Americans. Instead Huskers saw wrestling championship canceled
Taylor Venz was all set to become an All-American again, and this time he was going to do so in his backyard. The Nebraska junior wrestler grew up in Farmington, Minnesota, just south of the Twin Cities. The NCAA wrestling championships were scheduled to finish on Saturday in Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium. “It will be cool for it to be in a big arena, but also then in my home state,” Venz said earlier this month. Venz, who finished fourth at 184 pounds at nationals as a freshman, was seeded seventh for this year’s tournament. Venz was one of seven Huskers to be seeded in the top 10 in individual weight classes. But the day after the seedings were announced, the NCAA canceled the championship. “It seems like a month, but it’s only been a week,” Nebraska coach Mark Manning said on Thursday. “But in our sport, you take what life throws at you, you make adjustments and you move on.” The Huskers are doing that. Venz will be back next season, but Manning said he feels for his seniors as well as wrestlers like junior CJ Red, who was on track to become a four-time All-American. …. Story at https://www.omaha.com/sports/college/huskers/teams/wrestling/they-could-have-been-all-americans-instead-huskers-saw-wrestling/article_2397d397-112f-56e0-8cca-cc0f7f6a06c4.html?mc_cid=64d98db446&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

No ‘Moore’ NCAA title shots: OSU, Norwayne wrestling great riding out coronavirus shutdown, turns focus to Olympic Trials
COLUMBUS — Ohio State senior Kollin Moore should have been at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Thursday afternoon, going through weigh-ins prior to competing later that night in the NCAA Wrestling Championships. Ranked No. 1 and undefeated at 197 pounds, the three-time All-American and Big Ten champion from Norwayne High School was an overwhelming favorite to win his first national title this weekend. He was one of only three grapplers ranked first in all three polls. Instead, Moore sat in his apartment located near the OSU campus and worked on a 1,000-piece Star Wars puzzle. Rather than face a gauntlet of the nation’s best 197-pounders, Moore’s biggest challenge was trying to find where to put the similar looking brown pieces that made up Chewbacca’s fur. “The puzzle has everyone from the movie in there,” Moore said. “I’ve been grinding away on it. I worked on it several hours yesterday, too. I’m just trying to keep myself busy.” The NCAA wrestling tournament was one of countless events shut down in an attempt to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. All NCAA winter and spring tournaments were canceled, as well as the entire spring sports season for all collegiate sports. Moore has been forced to make big changes to his life like most other Americans, but it would be hard to find another local athlete who lost out on a bigger sports opportunity. “My initial reaction was just pure sadness,” said Moore, who was named on Friday as one of eight finalists for the Dan Hodge Trophy, the wrestling equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. …. story at https://www.the-daily-record.com/sports/20200321/no-moore-ncaa-title-shots-osu-norwayne-wrestling-great-riding-out-coronavirus-shutdown-turns-focus-to-olympic-trials?mc_cid=64d98db446&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Keller feeling mixed emotions over abrupt ending
NCAA WRESTLING: COVID-19 costs NT native shot at national title.
By Jonah Bronstein scoreboard@gnnewspaper.com Mar 21, 2020
Troy Keller lives for the hunt. Mainly deer, as signified by the antlers tattooed across his back, but also turkey, duck, goose, squirrel, rabbit. And wrestling championships. In past title-hunting seasons, Keller won Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Section VI championships and was a state finalist during his senior year at North Tonawanda High School. He went on to become a two-time All-American and national champion at Niagara County Community College. Over the past two years competing for the University at Buffalo, Keller claimed consecutive Mid-American Conference championships. Keller’s pursuit of an NCAA title, however, was foiled by an opponent nobody has been able to pin down yet — the global coronavirus outbreak. The Division I national championship tournament scheduled for this weekend in Minneapolis was canceled March 12 while Keller was preparing to make a presentation in his field ecology class, sitting next to teammate Derek Spann, another national qualifier. Delivering the news, UB coach John Stutzman said, “was one of the hardest phone calls I ever had to make.” “I was fine for like 10 minutes,” Keller said. “Then it sunk in when people started texting me, telling me they were sorry and that I had a great career. “I started crying in class. It was terrible. But it was nice to be able to leave class and talk with Derek, because we were both going through the same thing.” Keller amassed a 40-12 record and back-to-back MAC titles at 165 pounds. He was twice ranked in the top 20 nationally. An environmental studies major carrying a 3.6 grade point average, Keller was the most recent MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week recipient. …. https://www.niagara-gazette.com/sports/keller-feeling-mixed-emotions-over-abrupt-ending/article_53def23a-a95b-53df-aa46-8728309f26ad.html?mc_cid=64d98db446&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

‘I’ll Always be a Loper’: Hinrichs Reflects on UNK Career and its Sudden End By TYLER ELLYSON, UNK Communications
Kearney, Neb. – Jarrod Hinrichs and his Loper teammates were preparing for their final workout of the season when the University of Nebraska at Kearney wrestling coaches called an impromptu meeting. It was around 4 p.m. March 12, less than 24 hours before the NCAA Division II Championships were scheduled to begin at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. “You could tell by the look on their faces they were about to give us some real bad news,” said Hinrichs, one of seven Lopers who qualified for the national tournament. “There was just a weird feeling all day.” Like most college students, the UNK wrestlers were following social media from the team hotel. They knew athletic events across the country were being impacted by the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. …. story at https://lopers.com/news/2020/3/23/wrestling-i-ll-always-be-a-loper-hinrichs-reflects-on-unk-career-and-its-sudden-end.aspx?mc_cid=3137d16555&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Wrestling Seniors Close Out Careers Unceremoniously
With the 2019-20 season now suddenly in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look back at our seven seniors who have closed out their careers in Maroon and Gold. With over 300 combined victories, 150 bonus point victories, and 13 NCAA Tournament qualifications, this senior class has left an indelible mark in program history.  Now, we take a look at each individual Gophers senior and the accomplishments they racked up in Dinkytown. Plus, their thoughts on what wearing the Maroon and Gold singlet so special. 
Mitch McKee
A St. Michael native and 2019 All-American for “The U,” Mitchell McKee has been one of the most exciting wrestlers for the university throughout his time in Maroon and Gold as a four-time NCAA Qualifier. A high-flying style boosted by his freestyle success on the international stage, McKee consistently delighted Gopher fans as he finishes his career the team’s active leader in victories and pins with 91 wins and 33 pins. …. story and other seniors at https://gophersports.com/news/2020/3/23/wrestling-seniors-close-out-careers-unceremoniously.aspx?mc_cid=3137d16555&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Fans chime in on whether to award college team titles for NCAA/NAIA Nationals that were canceled
BY USA WRESTLING | MARCH 21,
On April 17 in his Abbott Blog, Gary Abbott suggested that college national championship team titles be selected for the divisions which cancelled the final national events, NCAA Div. I, NCAA Div. II, NCAA Div. III and NAIA women. He also proposed that if the national organization would not do so, that the coaches and media in wrestling conduct a poll and award national team titles. He did not suggest that individual titles be awarded at those divisions.
If you did not read the column, or wish to re-read it, please click below.
https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/March/17/Abbott-Blog-select-college-champion-teams Fans were invited to send in their thoughts via email, and many did. Others responded on USA Wrestling’s website, or on Facebook. An informal count showed that more people were against it than for it. The tally was 42 against and 22 in favor of naming champions. Some advocated not only naming national champion teams, but also national champion individuals and All-Americans. …. story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/March/21/Fans-respond-to-idea-of-awarding-college-national-titles?mc_cid=64d98db446&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

A career complete: Seth Gross
MADISON, Wis. — Though his Badger career was short, Seth Gross made a lasting impression on Badger fans. Ranked as the No. 1 wrestler at 133 pounds for a majority of this redshirt senior season, Gross held a 14-2 record against ranked opponents. He led the team in technical falls and major decisions. He won the Midlands Championship with a win over No. 1 Austin DeSanto and took third at the Big Ten Championship in the 133 pound weight class.
Honors and Accolades 
• 2019 Midlands Champion in the 133 pound weight class; named the Dan Gable Outstanding Wrestler of the Championship
• Big Ten Wrestler of the Week (Jan.3, 2020)
• Olympic Trial Qualifier after winning the Bill Ferrell Memorial
• USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week (Nov. 20, 2019) …. Story and match history at https://uwbadgers.com/news/2020/3/23/wrestling-a-career-complete-seth-gross.aspx?mc_cid=a94878ac8d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Colbray tries to focus on the positive amid COVID-19
Former Hermiston state wrestling champion had qualified for the NCAA Championships

AMES, Iowa — Sam Colbray had punched his ticket to the NCAA Championships, so injury defaulting the third-place match at the Big 12 Championships seemed the smart thing to do to make sure his hip would be ready for an All-American run two weeks later. For the former four-time state champion at Hermiston High School, and junior at Iowa State University, it was his second time qualifying for the NCAAs, and he was excited. Then, in a matter of days, it was gone. The NCAA canceled all postseason tournaments, from basketball to wrestling. “They told us at practice,” Colbray said. “I was upset, but there’s nothing you can do about it. We just have to keep our spirits high and remain hungry for the next opportunity. Getting upset puts energy in the wrong place.” When news of the coronavirus first started to circulate, Colbray, his teammates, and the rest of the sporting world were prepared to compete without fans. “We went from no fans, to school getting canceled until further notice, to having our coach tell us it was over,” Colbray said. “It was shocking. Some guys were emotional. There is no way to mentally process it or make it feel better. If it was my senior year, it would have hit me harder, but there is nothing I can do about it. You have to find the humility in it.” The NCAA Championships typically are held during the college spring break. Colbray had gone to watch in the past, and competed in 2019. This year, he drove home to Oregon to see his parents, Delta and Leroy. …. story at https://www.hermistonherald.com/sports/colbray-tries-to-focus-on-the-positive-amid-covid/article_b6b57780-6dec-11ea-9b6e-2b221cbb6521.html?mc_cid=a94878ac8d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

N.J. college wrestlers’ ultimate dream got canceled. Could NCAA grant relief?
By Bill Evans | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Ask any wrestling coach at the college or high school level about a tournament or a dual meet during the season and inevitably the phrase “It’s all practice for March” will be part of the response. For high school wrestlers, March is the state tournament. For college wrestlers, it is the NCAA Wrestling Championships. The significance of the NCAA Championships is the reason there is support in the wrestling community to award extra eligibility to the 330 national qualifiers for the Division 1 championships in Minneapolis this year but didn’t get a chance to compete because coronavirus concerns canceled the tournament. …. https://www.nj.com/sports/2020/03/nj-college-wrestlers-ultimate-dream-got-canceled-could-ncaa-grant-relief.html?mc_cid=0750227b4f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

A Chapter Not Finished: NDSU Wrestling Coach Roger Kish Reflects on Season & Canceled NCAA Wrestling Championships
CHAMPIONSHIPS CANCELED TWO DAYS BEFORE COMPETITION
FARGO, N.D. — North Dakota State Wrestling finished both their regular season and had the opportunity to compete in the Big 12 championships. However, the Bison were two days away from their six NCAA Championship qualifiers competing for titles before the NCAA canceled the championships due to COVID-19. The emotion of a cancelled championships reached far more than just the six who were about to hit the mats. “Its never an easy conversation. Its really not just the six qualifiers that are devastated its a team out there,” head coach Roger Kish said. “Our guys who didn’t make it to the NCAA tournament or guys who aren’t in the starting lineup necessarily. These are guys, their whole goal here is to help their friends and teammates and their brothers.” Of the six qualifiers, three of them were seniors in Cam Sykora, Andrew Fogarty and Cordell Eaton, who won’t get the chance to go out on a high note, with the four years of work put it in, made it that much harder for head coach Roger Kish to deliver the message. “Not what you want to have happen,” Kish said. “You put in a lot of work and effort and watch these young men give everything they’ve got week in and week out to reach that pinnacle of wrestling. We had a lot of conversations about how are season went down. Its ultimately a marathon and not a sprint. This year was a little different.” Even though those three didn’t get a chance to complete their goals of being on the podium, coach Kish says there’s so much he’s thankful for of what they’ve accomplished. “These guys have really built a foundation that were so proud of,” Kish said. …. story at https://www.kvrr.com/2020/03/26/a-chapter-not-finished-ndsu-wrestling-coach-roger-kish-reflects-on-season-canceled-ncaa-wrestling-championships/?mc_cid=5dfdb1c828&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

April 9, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

High School News — # 16

WRESTLING COACH OF THE YEAR: Rockdale’s Alonzo Allen finds success in first year
Heading into his first season as the head wrestling coach at Rockdale County, Alonzo Allen had goals of reshaping and retooling the Bulldogs program in hopes of bringing a state title back to Conyers in one way or another. With several Bulldogs coming close to winning an individual state title in recent years, no one had accomplished the feat since Allen did so himself in 2014. Last month, Allen accomplished his goal of bringing a title back to his alma mater when junior Kaleb Walley won the 195-pound state title in Class AAAAAAA  without losing a match all season. Allen went on to coach three other Bulldogs to state placements this season. Senior heavyweight Ed Pollard finished third, senior Jalon Bailey (170) finished fourth and senior Jovanni Butler (152) finished fifth.  The Bulldogs’ four state placers were good enough for a fifth-place finish at state. All-in-all, Allen called his first season at the helm a successful one. “I came in here wanting to get us at least one state champion and several placers,” Allen said. “We got one state champ and three other placers. So for me, that’s an accomplishment. We haven’t had a state champ since 2014, so getting one in my first year is good. That just sets the bar. Next year, we’re going to try and shoot for two. We want to keep going up.” …. story at https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/sports/wrestling-coach-of-the-year-rockdale-s-alonzo-allen-finds/article_6033d244-6883-11ea-b126-33dfb1293848.html?mc_cid=9e69424014&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Wyoming Seminary finishes season ranked No. 1 in Fab 50
Link:Final Fab 50 Team Rankings
The 2019-20 high school wrestling season was certainly one to remember. Crowning a national champion this year was pretty clear, despite the only undefeated team (Simley, Minn.) being ranked No. 18 in the country. This year’s national champion is Wyoming Seminary (Pa.). The Blue Knights were dominant champions at the nation’s best in-season tournament, Walsh Jesuit (Ohio) Ironman; dominant champions at a top-five tournament, Powerade; and champions at National Preps over four other ranked teams (two of which are in the top ten). The lone blemish on the season for Wyoming Seminary came in a 31-24 dual meet loss to Blair Academy (N.J.) on Jan. 17. However, the Blue Knights were without the services of Nic Bouzakis (126) on that evening. Five weeks earlier, the Wyoming Seminary won the Walsh Jesuit Ironman by 45.5 points over Blair Academy; then five weeks later, Wyoming Seminary won the National Prep title by 81 points. Anchoring the Blue Knights’ roster were three wrestlers who ended the season ranked No. 1 in the country: Nic Bouzakis (126), Beau Bartlett (138), and Lachlan McNeil (145). Four other wrestlers concluded the season ranked: Brennen Cernus (No. 17 at 113 pounds), Drew Munch (No. 8 at 132), Gabriel Arnold (No. 13 at 160), and Kolby Franklin (No. 9 at 220). Rounding out the top five were the following teams: …. story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/23430?mc_cid=a4e126b07e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

(Penna.-Maryland-W. Virginia)
Saluting wrestling all-stars – despite Border Brawl falling to virus (WITH SLATED MATCHUPS)
By Eric Knopsnyder
This was supposed to be one of the biggest weekends in the long and storied history of amateur wrestling in this country. More than 40,000 fans – by far the most ever to watch the NCAA Wrestling Championships – were supposed to file inside U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis in an event that probably would have seen Iowa unseat Penn State as king of the college sport – at least for one season. That didn’t happen, of course. Neither will the Border Brawl Mason-Dixon Wrestling Classic, which was scheduled to take place at Pitt-Johnstown on Sunday afternoon, pitting the top high school seniors from The Tribune-Democrat’s coverage area against their counterparts from Maryland and West Virginia. It would have been the fifth edition of the all-star match and might very well have been the most competitive dual. Reaching a bit outside of the Cumberland Times-News’ coverage area, organizers were able to pluck some very talented wrestlers for the southern squad. The highlight match would have featured Bedford’s Kaden Cassidy, …. story at https://www.tribdem.com/sports/eric-knopsnyder-saluting-wrestling-all-stars-despite-border-brawl-falling/article_581fbf8c-6bda-11ea-a37a-1bfc2bc90118.html?mc_cid=64d98db446&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

(Alabama)
Arab wrestling: Legendary coach retires, at least with Knights
By ARCHIE ANDERSON, The Arab Tribune
After 25 years and 11 state championships, wrestling coach Michael Pruitt is calling it a career – at least at Arab High School. Last Thursday, the city board of education officially approved Pruitt’s retirement as a teacher and coach, effective June 1. The Knights won traditional state titles an amazing eight times and the relatively new duals state crown three times (duals matches are simply one team versus another team). Pruitt’s overall duals record at Arab is 639-141-3. During his tenure, the Knights have had 32 state champions, 132 state placers and 227 state qualifiers. 
Pretty amazing.
“It’s really bittersweet,” Pruitt said. “It’s not like I want to leave Arab, but financially it just makes sense for me at this point to try to start on a second retirement either at a private school in Huntsville or maybe go to another state like Tennessee. “That’s the only reason I’m doing this.” Pruitt said his thoughts about Arab and the school district are all positive. 
“I think the world of all the administrators at Arab and they have been great to me. I can’t say enough about the place,” he said. “Arab has great kids and I truly cared about all the kids in my classroom and all the kids I ever had the opportunity to coach. …. story at http://www.thearabtribune.com/sports/arab-wrestling-legendary-coach-retires-at-least-with-knights/article_a4b545b8-7384-11ea-91f3-57333685ac5e.html?mc_cid=1f2298c90d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

(Iowa)
JOURNAL WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: West Sioux’s Adam Allard already building off latest loss
One loss doesn’t define a career. West Sioux’s Adam Allard already proved that once in his career. When Allard was a freshman, he lost his first-ever high school match at the Sergeant Bluff-Luton Invitation in December. It was the last loss for Allard that season. It was also the last loss for Allard for more than three years. During that time, Allard — the Sioux City Journal Wrestler of the Year — went on to win three individual state titles, became the 21st wrestler in IHSAA history to win 200 matches and put together the longest consecutive matches winning streak in IHSAA history.
HIGH SCHOOL
JOURNAL WRESTLING COACH OF THE YEAR: Mark Van Oort leads West Sioux to second-straight third-place state duals finish
The end of his high school career made history, too, and not the kind he wanted. In his quest to become the 28th four-time IHSAA state champion, Allard was defeated by Cascade’s Aidan Noonan after a late turn in the match for a 4-2 victory for the 126-pound Class 1A state title. ….. story at https://siouxcityjournal.com/sports/high-school/journal-wrestler-of-the-year-west-sioux-s-adam-allard/article_9b2e37bd-6f23-5ad8-8c93-5cf67f13514c.html?mc_cid=0750227b4f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

(National)
March Trackwrestling/OPC Update
By Pat Tocci, Senior Director
Who were the stat leaders in your state? As you may have recently seen, the NCAA released its 2021 Stat leader Award winners. The NCAA recognizes each year by division, the leader for falls, technical falls, and most dominant. The most dominant award is based on ‘match’ points earned or lost throughout the season divided by the number of matches you have. It is a way to showcase a wrestler who has been winning all season with bonus points. These awards are based on data that is captured in the Trackwrestling software system. One of the things that the media likes to talk the most about is stats. Every turn on a baseball game, you will always hear announcers talk about a player’s stats. Read a basketball article, and the reporter will be talking about stats and who the leading stat winners are—historically, wrestling has struggled in recognizing these outstanding achievements. However, with the Trackwrestling software system, seeing who the stat leaders are in your state has never been easier. …. story at http://www.nwcaonline.com/march-trackwrestling-opc-update/?mc_cid=5dfdb1c828&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

(South Dakota)
Madison Wrestling Coach Finds A Way To Keep Teaching
MADISON, S.D. — Football players at Dakota State look to head coach Josh Anderson for answers during the regular season. Yet with school out, when the coaches daughter needed answers, a middle school teacher in Madison found a way to help out. Josh’s sixth grade daughter emailed her teacher Chris Waba for help with her math work, and the Madison Middle School teacher, who is also the head wrestling coach at the high school, came over to safely tutor her from outside. …. story and video at https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/content/sports/Madison-Wrestling-Coach–569206261.html?mc_cid=1270ffe756&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

(Ohio)
Season’s sudden end disappointing for wrestlers
If the OHSAA wrestling season had been scheduled to end one week earlier, right now many wrestlers across the state would be enjoying their time at home knowing they finished out the season the right way. Either by garnering a state championship, some type of state placement, or by knowing they put it all on the line versus the best wrestlers in Ohio. However, that did not happen due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19. When it was announced by OHSAA Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass that all winter tournaments were postponed indefinitely on March 12 – a day before the State Individual Wrestling Tournament was set to begin in Columbus – the competitors and their coaches had to accept reality. That being, they may not get to complete the season the way they would like. Furthermore, it is now known that the 2020 state tournament will not happen. The OHSAA announced Thursday its plans to cancel the winter sports tournaments. …. story at https://www.fcnews.org/sports/24137/seasons-sudden-end-disappointing-for-wrestlers?mc_cid=864912e0e4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

April 9, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment