Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

Women’s Wrestling News # 39

1 } – Easton on the verge of taking leadership on girls wrestling
By Brad Wilson | For lehighvalleylive.com
When it comes to scholastic wrestling, Easton has always been a leader. From the fundamentals taught in the room, to an approach to scheduling, to finding ways to support the program, and from developing a fan base, the Red Rovers have always been in the forefront of the sport. And with the growth of girls wrestling, Jim Pokrivsak wants to keep it that way.
On Tuesday, the Easton Area School Board will vote on establishing girls wrestling as a separate sport, as proposed by Pokrivsak, the Red Rovers’ Athletic Director. … rest of story … https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/highschoolsports/2020/05/easton-on-the-verge-of-taking-leadership-on-girls-wrestling.html?mc_cid=4b3d9c77ea&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – Hawaii’s Nanea Estrella Named Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award National Winner
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Tuesday announced that Nanea Estrella of Makawao, Hawaii, is the 2020 national winner of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award (TSHSEA) “I am so excited to receive this award. There were so many amazing female wrestlers up for this award and I am blessed to be a part of this group,” said Estrealla. “Tricia Saunders was a leader for female athletes and is a true role model for people like me, who are just starting their career and hope to be the best one day. I hope to one day inspire female wrestlers like she has inspired me. Thank you to all who helped me achieve this honor and I want to thank the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for this tremendous award.” … rest of the story … https://nwhof.org/blog/hawaiis-nanea-estrella-named-tricia-saunders-high-school-excellence-award-national-winner/?mc_cid=a56cef7301&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – INJURY ADVERSITIES TO A COMEBACK SEASON
HELLO, I’M MARISSA GALLEGOS.
I went from being injured and unable to wrestle in my first college season attending Colorado Mesa University, to finally being able to compete in Women’s Wrestling College Nationals the next year to earn a 3rd place finish. I surprised myself at my second senior tournament ever. A big part of why I was able to have such a surprising comeback this season was because of how I approached my injuries and other setbacks along the way. … rest of story … https://www.wreaperwrestling.com/injury-adversities-to-a-comeback-season/?mc_cid=2313436fb3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – COLLEGE COACHES OPPOSE REQUEST TO REDUCE SPORT SPONSORSHIP MINIMUMS
Liz Robertshaw realizes there is no going back to business as usual, that a post-COVID-19 college sports landscape likely will not look the same as that which preceded the pandemic. But as cash-strapped universities and athletic departments look for ways to compensate for revenue shortfalls caused by school closures, the cancelation of the NCAA basketball tournament and the threat of a similar shutdown of football in the fall, Robertshaw and other college coaches association leaders are lobbying Indianapolis to make sure the new normal does not come at the expense of non-revenue sports.
“Olympic sports student-athletes have generated $3.6 billion in tuition and fees for universities. We’re also teaching life lessons, how important the opportunity to play college athletics is for these students at all levels,”
… rest of story … https://www.uslaxmagazine.com/college/women/college-coaches-oppose-request-to-reduce-sport-sponsorship-minimums?mc_cid=b693ccac6a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – PATRIOTS GAIN FOUR WRESTLERS FOR 2020-21 SEASON
Williamsburg, KY – Adding on to their roster for next season, UC women’s wrestling is excited to announce four more recruits. Emily Alderman, Vanessa Nebre, Destiny Parsons, and Tenyea Ramirez have all signed to join the team starting this fall. Alderman is a native of Fair Oaks, CA having wrestled for Bella Vista. Through her years of wrestling she has been a Napa Valley Classic Finalist, a two-time regional champion, a Master’s Tournament Champion, and placed at the California State Tournament twice, earning fifth place this past season. When not competing, Alderman is involved in her school’s student government and was a member of her high school’s first graduating class. Nebre joins Alderman as a California native, living in Bakersfield. … rest of story … https://cumberlandspatriots.com/news/2020/5/28/womens-wrestling-patriots-gain-four-wrestlers-for-2020-21-season.aspx?mc_cid=af75736df9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – Michaela Beck: My Wrestling Hero
The 41st installment of My Wrestling Hero features Michaela Beck The 2019 Junior World Team member shares her thoughts on his wrestling heroes: Terry Steiner and Cary Kolat.  These are Beck’s words on her wrestling heroes: “I have two (wrestling heroes). Terry Steiner wrestled at Iowa and that hard-nosed style. The stories he told of his brothers doing three workouts a day and not being most talented in the world, but they built themselves up and they were consistent with their training and their lifestyle every day to the point where the people who thought they were like that couldn’t keep up with them.  “Terry told me once that they … rest of story … https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1591239752045&twSessionId=uhxtlzefar&postId=782324135&mc_cid=773016901f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – Steubenville High School to add girls’ wrestling team
STEUBENVILLE — The fastest-growing sport in the nation has reached the Ohio Valley. It was recently announced that Steubenville High School will field a girls’ wrestling team for the 2020-21 school year.
The team will be led by Big Red boys’ coach Mike Blackburn and Tommie Goff, an Akron Copley graduate who led the junior high program last season at Harding Middle School.
“We wanted to try to establish a team and be the first team in the area. We wanted to try and get things rolling because it’s going to happen,” Blackburn stressed. “It’s the fastest growing sport in the nation and it’s a great opportunity for all of the girls. … rest of story … https://www.weirtondailytimes.com/sports/local-sports/2020/06/steubenville-high-school-to-add-girls-wrestling-team/?mc_cid=afb6e864d0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – ANOTHER FOUR WRESTLERS JOIN UC FOR NEXT SEASON
Williamsburg, KY –  Looking to remain one of the top teams in the NAIA, the UC women’s wrestling team has added another four student-athletes to next year’s squad. Isela Mendez, Ariana Pereira, Alyssa Porter, and Mariana Rosales will all be joining the Patriots this fall.
Mendez becomes the third Northview High School graduate to wrestle for Cumberlands in recent years where she will join current Patriot, Alexis Medina and Graduate Assistant Coach Ismileyna Valles. Mendez has had much success in California winning a League Championship, CIF Regional Championship, and a CIF Masters Championship. She also placed twice at the CIF Regional and the CIF Masters while qualifying for the State Tournament twice. On the national stage Mendez was an All-American and placed seventh at the Folkstyle National Tournament.
Pereira, a Newark, CA native, has also seen success at the state level. She qualified for the State Championship all four years of high school becoming a state finalist twice and was a 2020 CIF State Champion. … rest of story … https://cumberlandspatriots.com/news/2020/6/4/womens-wrestling-another-four-wrestlers-join-uc-for-next-season.aspx?mc_cid=e0ec51354d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9 } – Popular girls wrestling on verge of earning FHSAA state championship status
When Kalani Rivas went to her first wrestling practice as a freshman at Freedom High School of Orlando, she had no idea that the sport would change her life. Rivas, who as a senior this past season won a title at the unofficial girls state championship, was struggling with the wrong crowd and never envisioned going to college because of the cost. “In my freshman year, I wasn’t surrounded by the best people,” Rivas said. “But once I stepped into the [wrestling] room, I met amazing teammates and they are now my family and definitely changed my path.”
Now Rivas is heading to Limestone College in South Carolina on a wrestling scholarship. “I’m the first in my immediate family going to college,” Rivas said. “and because of wrestling, I’m going for free.”
Stories like Kalani’s can be found across the state as girls have flocked to the sport at an increasing rate. Girls wrestling is among the fastest-growing sports in the United States. According to the National Federation of High Schools, girls wrestling participation has increased every year since 1990.
“It’s exciting and it’s a great opportunity for girls,” Kissimmee Osceola wrestling coach Jim Bird said. … rest of story … https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/highschool/wrestling/os-sp-hs-wrestling-girls-wrestling-feature-20200607-4q53usvyrzc3dgel4kfv73iw5q-story.html?mc_cid=afb6e864d0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – For girls wrestling, it’s a start
David City’s Sammi Krafka was excited to start wrestling again in her freshman year after not competing in junior high. Unfortunately for the Scout, her season came to a premature end when she broke her collarbone in her first match against a boy. It’s those kind of scenarios David City coach Tanner Thiem says can turn young women away from the sport of wrestling forever. 
However, there was some encouraging news on May 21 when the NSAA approved girls wrestling as an emerging sport, opening up the door for girls to face off with girls across the mat. The NSAA can give it full sanctioning any time over the next three years, meaning a championship tournament, except for in Year 1. In 2018-19, high school participation in the sport declined for the first time in 30 years but girls wrestling increased by 27%, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations. “I guess it’s disappointing,” Thiem said. “The way it is now, it’s a lose, lose for both boys and girls, in my opinion. There’s not one boy that enjoys wrestling a girl. … rest of story … https://columbustelegram.com/community/banner-press/sports/for-girls-wrestling-its-a-start/article_39aa4099-0806-5a8e-a96b-351b03f77115.html?mc_cid=e0ec51354d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

June 24, 2020 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Wrestling History # 6

1 } – Pat Smith: My Wrestling Hero
The 25th installment of My Wrestling Hero features Greco-Roman World Team member Pat Smith, who shares his thoughts on his wrestling hero: Mike Houck.
These are Smith’s words on his wrestling hero:
“If I had to pick, it would probably be Mike Houck because of his incredible story. He was the first (Greco-Roman World champion from the United States) and the person he is, as well. A lot people say, ‘Don’t meet your heroes because heroes disappoint you.’ But he definitely over-delivers from that standpoint. He’s definitely one of the best people I’ve ever met, the most integrity, lives what he talks about. 
“He’s been an example of everything through action. … rest of story … https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1589846281894&twSessionId=atzmltkojt&postId=782015135&mc_cid=588b1d30ac&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – John Smith to be First Wrestler Inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame
The Oklahoma Hall of Fame is set to announce its 2020 class this week and Oklahoma State head coach John Smith will become the first wrestler ever inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
On a “Sneak Peek” Tweeted out on Friday, John Smith is pictured to the center-left and sources have confirmed that he is expected to be announced as a part of the 2020 class on Thursday. Last year I wrote about it in my article titled: John Smith, Ed Gallagher and the Hall of Fame Snub No One Is Talking About. With all of the history with the sport of wrestling, in the first 92 years of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, they had never inducted a wrestler. Now two-time Olympic and four-time World Champion John Smith will become the first wrestler ever to be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. … Rest of story … https://pistolsfiringblog.com/john-smith-to-be-first-wrestler-inducted-into-the-oklahoma-hall-of-fame/?mc_cid=588b1d30ac&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Two-time NCAA champion Kevin Randleman named to UFC Hall of Fame
Las Vegas – UFC® today announced that former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman has been named to the UFC Hall of Fame class for 2020 as a Pioneer. The 2020 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Toyo Tires®, will take place later this year and will be streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS®.
“Kevin Randleman was one of the first real athletes in the early days of UFC,” UFC President Dana White said. “He was a two-time NCAA Division I National Champion and All-American wrestler at The Ohio State University. He was the fifth heavyweight champion in UFC history and one of the first athletes to successfully compete at both heavyweight and light heavyweight. He was a pioneer of the sport and it’s an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2020.” … rest of story … https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/May/18/Randleman-named-to-UFC-Hall-of-Fame?mc_cid=588b1d30ac&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – Tervel Dlagnev: My Wrestling Hero
The 26th installment of My Wrestling Hero features Ohio State assistant Tervel Dlagnev. The three-time World and Olympic bronze medalist shares his thoughts on his wrestling hero: Tolly Thompson. 
These are Dlagnev’s words on his wrestling hero:
“Growing up I watched a lot of the legends in our sport. I really liked watching Cael (Sanderson), watching John Smith, watching (Bruce) Baumgartner. The person that sticks out and is the person who got me to believe and got me excited about international wrestling after college was Tolly Thompson.
“When I went to a regional tournament my sophomore year I stuck around at Northern Iowa and trained with Tolly for a couple days and befriended him. … rest of story at … https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1589997765364&twSessionId=pzdkojobbh&postId=782039135&mc_cid=a518fb1f79&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – #131 Steve Marianetti – 1995 NCAA Champ, 3x All American
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Steve Marianetti is a former NCAA champ and 3x All American for the Fighting Illini.  He’s well known for beating Lincoln McIlravy in the 1995 NCAA finals, thus pulling off one of the biggest upsets in NCAA finals history.  After college, Steve wrestled internationally and then worked as an assistant coach under legendary coach, Mark Johnson. Today, Steve is the head coach of Elmhurst college.  Enjoy this one folks! … rest of story … https://wrestlingchangedmylife.com/marianetti/?mc_cid=a518fb1f79&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – Former OSU legends discuss John Smith’s impact: ‘His drive and determination to be the best drove him to reinvent the sport’
Oklahoma State wrestling coach and former wrestler John Smith was announced as the first wrestler to be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame on Thursday. Many of Smith’s current and former wrestlers, which included national champions, MMA standouts and successful coaches, reacted to their former coach’s honor, mentioning not only Smith’s impact on them individually, but on the entire sport of wrestling.
DALTON FIX on JOHN SMITH
“I cannot think of someone who deserves to be in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame more than Coach Smith. He has had a huge impact in my wrestling career. I am lucky that I get to learn from one of the greatest wrestlers of all-time. Hopefully this opens the door for more wrestlers to receive this honor.” Fix was an NCAA runner-up as a freshman in 2019 before redshirting this past season to prepare for the 2020 Olympics, which were postponed until 2021 because of the COVID-19 crisis. Before going to OSU, Fix was a four-time state champion and never lost a match at Sand Springs. … rest of story … https://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/college/osu/former-osu-legends-discuss-john-smiths-impact-his-drive-and-determination-to-be-the-best/collection_2b1b4333-5c9a-58dd-8f97-59bf0618830d.html?mc_cid=4b3d9c77ea&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b#2

7 } – High school wrestling career of pro wrestler Cody Runnels
It might be an understatement to say that wrestling is in the blood for Cody Runnels. However, it might not be the type of wrestling that takes place in high school gyms and wrestling rooms across the country. Before Runnels was ever born, his father made a name for himself by winning multiple professional wrestling world titles as Dusty Rhodes. Eventually the youngest son of the internationally famous “son of a plumber” would follow his father into the so-called squared circle, but his own extensive wrestling career began on the amateur mats.
Runnels began wrestling at the youth level, and his family name quickly attracted attention. By the time he was in middle school, he had become accustomed to opponents and parents realizing he had a famous father.
“In middle school, I remember seeing this father grab his kid and give him a pep talk, almost shaking him, ‘You’ve got to wrestle Dusty Rhodes’ son. If you win, you beat Dusty Rhodes,” … rest of story … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/23633?mc_cid=97df5e5b46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – #133 Sunny Abe – 1996 Olympian for Japan, NCAA Champ for PSU
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Sunny Abe is a former national champion for Penn State. At age 17, he moved from Japan to the US without speaking English. After two years of rigorous training (8+ hours a day), he was enrolled at Penn State where he’d go on to finish 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st for the Nittany Lions. He was also an Olympian for Japan at the 96 games. Enjoy folks!
FOLLOW THE PODCAST
WrestlingChangedMyLife.com … rest of the story … https://wrestlingchangedmylife.com/sunny/?mc_cid=16ee523e9b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4bhttps://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1590514634797&twSessionId=gfefzvfhud&postId=782122135&mc_cid=a56cef7301&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9 } – Bruce Baumgartner also made his name at Edinboro
By John Johnson
After 36 years of hard work and dedication, legendary freestyle super-heavyweight-turned-wrestling-coach-and- administrator Bruce Baumgartner chose to retire from Edinboro University on May 8. It was a career that saw him progress within the university located in the western Pennsylvania community of Edinboro; from starting out as an assistant wrestling coach in 1984, elevated to head coach in 1990, named interim athletic director in 1997, and permanent AD eight months later. Baumgartner then held the position of athletics director until 2018, when he was Appointed Assistant Vice President of University Advancement. Baumgartner will remain the President of USA Wrestling, a position he has held since 2016. So why now for retire from Edinboro?
“Two things,” he said. “One, I have seen too many people work long, 65 or 70, and when they retire, they don’t have the ability to do what they want to do because their health isn’t there. I am healthy and my wife is healthy.  … rest of story … https://www.win-magazine.com/2020/05/bruce-baumgartner-also-made-his-name-at-edinboro/?mc_cid=af75736df9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – The Turning Point in Abe’s Life: A Wrestling Match
Lincoln is one of the greatest leaders in US history, but prior to his being elected the 16th President of the United States, he used his skills as a wrestler to win approval from the masses. Here to tell the story is wrestling historian, Mike Chapman. … rest of story … http://www.ouramericannetwork.org/story?title=The-Turning-Point-in-Abe-s-Life-A-Wrestling-Match&mc_cid=af75736df9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

June 24, 2020 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment