Takedown Report

UNC Tar Heel News

JOEY MELENDEZ TALKS FRESHMAN SEASON, TEAM CULTURE
This year, redshirt freshman Joey Melendez emerged as Carolina’s starter at 125 pounds. The Norridge, Illinois native went 11-9, winning matches in five dual meets including a key decision over Virginia Tech’s No. 11 Joey Prata in UNC’s upset of the third-ranked team in the country in Blacksburg.
 GoHeels.com spoke with Melendez this week about the season, the team culture in Chapel Hill and more.
GoHeels: Can you talk a little bit about your first year starting and what you learned most this season?
Melendez: “My first year starting was a lot of fun; I had my share of ups and downs throughout the season. The thing I learned the most this season was truly how disciplined every part of your training has to be during the season. During the year, you have to maintain such a high level of output through workouts and matches. And, your body needs to be feeling the best it possibly can. I matured in the aspect that I now understand what has to go into the entire season. This season has made me eager to get back on the mat.”
GH: Gary Wayne Harding was in your corner a lot this season. Can you share what he meant to you throughout the year?
JM: “I look at Gary Wayne as a really good friend and an incredible leader who has taught me so much on and off the mat in such a short period of time. He gets me up when I’m feeling low and he keeps me honest when I’m a little too high. G-Dub works so hard and is so consistent on and off the mat. He truly wants to see each one of us win so badly. He has helped me mature in a lot of ways, forcing me to see the mistakes I made and teaching me to correct them.”
GH: Many have talked about the culture in Chapel Hill. How would you describe the atmosphere in the room this year?
JM: “The team culture in Chapel Hill is great right now and that has a lot to do with our coaches. Wrestling is a very difficult and tiring sport, but our coaches find a way to get the best out of us. I consider us all brothers. I believe we have really good leaders on our team to get the best out of us. The nonstop camaraderie with this team is crazy.
“Last summer we flew 50 people out to Japan for almost two weeks. Everyone on this team is always cracking jokes and that’s what make this team so fun to be a part of. My favorite is Tony Ramos‘ constant showdowns with [team chaplain] Coach Shriner, whatever it may be.”
GH: How have you been using this time at home to stay fit and active?…. rest of the story and interview at https://goheels.com/news/2020/4/21/wrestling-joey-melendez-talks-freshman-season-team-culture.aspx?mc_cid=945de33a33&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

April 30, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

USA Wrestling Update

USA Wrestling postpones National and Regional events through July 1

BY USA WRESTLING | APRIL 20, 2020, Due to the nature of what it would entail to host a national or regional USA Wrestling competition, with the first priority being the health and safety of all participants involved, USA Wrestling has extended the postponement of its national and regional events through July 1.
In addition to the 10 national and regional events that USA Wrestling previously postponed through May 10, there are 10 additional events which have now been postponed:

• Western Regional Championships, Farmington, UT, May 14-16
• Northern Plains Regional Championships, Rochester, MN, May 15-17
• Central Regional Championships, Fort Wayne, IN, May 15-17
• Southeast Regional Championships, Wilmington, NC, May 22-24
• UWW U23 & Junior World Team Trials, Geneva, OH, May 29-31
• Southern Plains Regional Championships, Dodge City, KS, June 5-7
• 16U National Duals, Loves Park, IL, June 9-13
• 14U National Duals, Franklin, IN, June 10-14
• Junior National Duals, Tulsa, OK, June 16-20
• USA Wrestling Kids Nationals, Wisconsin Dells, WI, June 25-27 …. story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/April/20/National-and-Regional-events-postponed-through-July-1?mc_cid=8ec233ede0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

April 30, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment