Takedown Report

High School News – # 17

1 } – Another honor for Canon-McMillan’s Nijenhuis: O-R Sports Headliner
Gerrit Nijenhuis could not have asked for a better season. The senior from Canon-McMillan High School went through it undefeated and won the last 58 varsity wrestling matches of his career. His 47th bout of his senior season made him a two-time PIAA Class AAA champion and four-time medalist at the Giant Center in Hershey. Nijenhuis walked off the mat, well leapt off the mat and into the arms of Big Macs head coach Jeff Havelka with the most victories in WPIAL history, 181, and with four medals from it’s tournament, the last two of them gold. Nijenhuis made his final win an historic one, defeating Donovan McMillon of Peters Township, 6-0, in the 182-pound final. …. rest of the story at … https://observer-reporter.com/sports/another-honor-for-canon-mcmillans-nijenhuis-o-r-sports-headliner/article_31717756-79d9-11ea-8003-b33860108057.html?mc_cid=ddb6bdf133&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – High school wrestling group provides meals at Christiana, Wilmington hospitals
Megan Smakulski didn’t know much about high school wrestling until a couple of days ago. So the nurse manager for 6 South, Stepdown and the Intensive Care Unit at ChristianaCare’s Wilmington Hospital was amazed when she heard the Delaware Wrestling Alliance was preparing to donate meals to her staff. “It just shows how their role models have inspired them to do good in the community, especially during a time like a pandemic,” Smakulski said Wednesday.
DWA treasurer Bob Shaw delivered 100 meals — 50 for each shift — to the ICU staff at Christiana Hospital on Monday, and 100 more to Wilmington Hospital on Tuesday. “It’s just a very, very bad time with this virus, and nurses and doctors are in there working all of these hours,” Shaw said. “Nobody is paying for their meals. We had the money, so we wanted to help the community and do our share.” …. rest of the story at … https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/04/16/delaware-high-school-wrestling-group-provides-meals-two-hospitals/2985794001/?mc_cid=c40241fd14&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Disney Duals wrestling tournament postponed, moving to Virginia Beach
The National Scholastic Duals will not be taking place at Disney this June, another loss to the sports calendar because of the coronavirus pandemic. The tournament, referred to as the Disney Duals, was set to be held June 18-24 at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. It has been postponed and will be moved to Virginia Beach in early August the AAU confirmed on Thursday. The tournament had 194 teams participate in it last summer. “It was a very difficult decision to make,” National AAU Wrestling chairman Wes Creason said. “That’s our showcase event for the nation; that’s a tournament we gear for each year.” The decision was first announced on a social media post by AAU Wrestling. “This move has been done to ensure the safety and well-being of our athletes, coaches and parents, as well as to provide wrestlers the opportunity to still compete for an AAU national title this summer,” AAU director of marketing and public relations Rachel D’Orazio said via email. “We plan to be back at Disney next year.” The impact of the pandemic played heavily into the decision along with the reality of having thousands of wrestlers, coaches and fans in a confined space. There was also a concern that the event would even be allowed to take place. …. rest of the story at … https://www.orlandosentinel.com/coronavirus/os-sp-hs-wrestling-disney-duals-20200416-t3sz2ie2nrexfdjmmt7fcufvnu-story.html?mc_cid=c40241fd14&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b&int=lat_digitaladshouse_bx-modal_acquisition-subscriber_ngux_display-ad-interstitial_bx-bonus-story_______

4 } – 2020-21 High School Wrestling Rules Changes Address Weigh-In Procedures, Hair Length Restrictions
By NFHS on April 28, 2020
As the result of a concerted effort to accommodate the growing number of female wrestlers, the 2020-21 high school wrestling rules changes are headlined by significant adjustments to weigh-in protocol and appropriate hair length requirements. 
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee met April 5-6 and recommended 11 rules changes to take effect next school year. In accordance with current health safety guidelines, the rules meeting was held in an online format. All rules revisions recommended by the Wrestling Rules Committee were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.  “These rule changes are some of the most prolific modifications in the history of high school wrestling,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports and student services and liaison to the Wrestling Rules Committee. “The rules committee made necessary, drastic changes to attract more young people to our sport without sacrificing the health and safety of the participants.”  The weigh-in procedure was altered through a combination of changes to Rule 4, Section 5 (Weighing-In) of the Wrestling Rule Book. …. rest of the story at … https://www.nfhs.org/articles/2020-21-high-school-wrestling-rules-changes-address-weigh-in-procedures-hair-length-restrictions/?mc_cid=b693ccac6a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – PIAA plan for 12 weight classes in wrestling takes a hit
The National High School Federation Association did not approve the PIAA plan to reduce the weight classes in wrestling to 12 from the current 14. The NHSFA released its list of rule changes for the 2020-21 season and the reduction of weight classes proposed by the PIAA did not make the list. Too bad, because it was a good idea and a way to inject more excitement into the sport. Last summer, the PIAA passed a proposal to cut two of the current weight classes. The organization sought to make the move permanent by having the NHSFA give its approval. If that failed, then the PIAA was determined to try it as a three-year pilot program. Tuesday’s release of the Federation rule changes sent the state back to the drawing board. If the pilot plan is approved, it could be implemented for the 2021-22 season.  …. rest of story at … https://observer-reporter.com/sports/piaa-plan-for-12-weight-classes-in-wrestling-takes-a-hit/article_875f1bb4-8992-11ea-b304-439fcff0236f.html?mc_cid=09298b3e7a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – Lake Highland Prep wrestling leaves FHSAA competition for national schedule
The goal for the Lake Highland Prep wrestling team has been the same since Mike Palazzo took over — be the best team in the country. The Highlanders have gotten close to that target, finishing in the top 10 in the country for five consecutive seasons. Now Lake Highland wrestling is taking the next step toward its objective, surrendering its chance to rack up more Florida state championships to instead take on a truly national schedule starting with its 2020-21 season.
The move means that LHP, which has dominated Class 1A in the past nine years, will not be competing in Florida High School Athletic Association district, region and state tournaments. Its wrestlers will not vie for individual weight class state championships. “We want to be the best team in the country and this is probably the best path for us to chase the ultimate goal,” Lake Highland wrestling coach Mike Palazzo said. “That’s the biggest reason for this decision.” …. rest of story at … https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/highschool/wrestling/os-sp-hs-wrestling-lhp-fhsaa-national-20200507-ien3tohl7bbyxpbgs6rghtl7mm-story.html?mc_cid=6299171a9e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – Allred Honored by National Wrestling Hall of Fame
STILLWATER, Okla. — The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Thursday announced the state winners of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award (DSHSEA) and incoming NU freshman Silas Allred was selected as the recipient in his home state of Indiana.  “The DSHSEA was established in 1996 to honor Olympic and World champion Dave Schultz, whose career was cut short when he was murdered in January 1996,” the official DSHSEA release reads. “He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1997 and as a member of the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016.
“The award recognizes and celebrates the nation’s most outstanding high school senior male wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service. “Winners are evaluated and selected …. rest of the story at … https://huskers.com/news/2020/5/14/allred-honored-by-national-wrestling-hall-of-fame.aspx

8 } – New approved WIAA wrestling amendment allows for bigger tournaments to finish without controversy
Imagine preparing for the prestigious Lake Stevens Invitational as an up-and-coming wrestler who wants nothing more than to get on the podium of one of the top in-season tournaments in the state of Washington. And imagine fighting through the grueling consolation bracket, only to be told you cannot compete for a distinct tournament placing. By both WIAA and National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules – a five-match-per-day restriction – that occurrence was happening with regularity all around Washington.
Not anymore.
The WIAA representative assembly passed a new amendment (rule 44.4.0) that will now allow a wrestler to compete in as many as six matches in a day. It was ratified by a 28-7 approval vote. …. rest of story at … https://scorebooklive.com/washington/2020/05/11/new-approved-wiaa-wrestling-amendment-allows-for-bigger-tournaments-to-finish-without-controversy/?mc_cid=682211b4c7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9 } – Preps mailbag: Should private schools be held to a different standard in the postseason?
When state tournaments roll around, how private schools fit into the current system devised by the MSHSL is always a topic of debate.
In the 2018-19 school year, private schools (not charter or home schools), which make up approximately 14 percent of MSHSL member schools, won 28 percent of state team championships. Is that a fair and equitable percentage? Do private schools have an advantage? On the other hand, the very nature of private schools is such that they need to attract students to make up a student body. They don’t have established youth athletic programs that become natural feeder systems for public high school athletic programs. Are they judged unfairly? And what about perennially successful public programs? Should they be held to a similar standard? We asked for your thoughts on this topic: Should private schools be held to a higher or different standard for postseason play? We received a strong response, through Twitter and email. Here are some of your thoughts. “What is a fair percentage for us to win? …. rest of story at … https://www.startribune.com/preps-mailbag-should-private-schools-be-held-to-a-different-standard-in-the-postseason/570237182/?mc_cid=8266d89c28&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b&refresh=true

10 } – Iowa high school wrestling programs will have option to sit out regional duals competition
Coaches’ reactions vary to change for 2020-21 postseason
DES MOINES — The Iowa high school wrestling state duals tournament isn’t going anywhere. The event is remaining at Wells Fargo Arena, taking place the day before the three-day traditional state tournament. Qualifying and the teams involved could be different. The Iowa High School Athletic Association Board of Control unanimously approved recommendations from its wrestling advisory committee in April, allowing teams to opt out of postseason duals before the start of regular-season competition and trimming the regional duals field from 32 to 24 in Classes 1A and 2A. The changes go into effect for the 2020-21 season.
The goal is to create a better competitive environment for regional duals. “The hope is at the regional duals and state duals is the teams that show up are going to bring their best varsity kids, being able to compete, and try to win,” IHSAA Wrestling Administrator ad Director of Officials Lewie Curtis said. “We’ve had numerous situations where teams basically send their junior varsity or non-district qualifiers and those beat out at sectionals. They’re just not sending their best team. “They don’t want to advance, but they qualified because the won or got second at their sectional. We’re just trying to give them the option of not being there, if they don’t want to be there.” The process will begin before the start of the season.  …. rest of story at … https://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/iowa-high-school-wrestling-teams-can-sit-out-regional-duals-20200507?mc_cid=8266d89c28&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

June 11, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Florida officially sanctions girls wrestling for 2021-2022

Competitive opportunities just became brighter for young women wrestlers in the Sunshine State, as the board of directors of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) voted to officially sanction girls wrestling as a state championship sport on Tuesday.
The vote was unanimous: 13-0.
While the move towards sanctioned girls wrestling in Florida seemed to move at lightning speed (first proposed by the FHSAA in late April this year), some student-athletes hoping to be able to wrestle in Florida’s first fully-sanctioned girls state championship next spring in 2021, the FHSAA answered concerns from some schools who had already set their budgets for girls’ wrestling programs for the next school year, so the executive board approved as one to have the first girls’ wrestling season to take place during the 2021-2022 school year. It appeared to be a winning schedule for high school girl wrestlers throughout Florida, whether at brand-new girls-only wrestling programs, or for schools still in the process of setting up new girls-only programs right now, so, in the meantime will have girls compete on existing boys teams.
“For the almost 800 girls and 100 plus schools that are already doing this, they are already prepared and they’ll do what they have to do, even if they have to wrestle with boys for one more year, they are down to do that.” Tallahassee Lincoln wrestling coach Mike Crowder told the Orlando Sentinel. “I assume our numbers will grow astronomically, even this year.” To back up Coach Crowder’s sentiment … girls wrestling continues to grow exponentially in recent years, with no signs of letting up. As recently as the beginning of 2018, six states had six separate state championships: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington State. Two-and-a-half-years later, Florida just became the 24th state to fully sanction girls championship wrestling. …. rest of story at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/23683?fbclid=IwAR17yrUBa-7oFL1ZYqhhICYgGQsdLqfz2cNrodLaAL5zSMZesjdBJUI9F9s

June 11, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment