Takedown Report

College Notes & News # 105

1 } – Troy Nickerson driven by the memory of his father as he builds Northern Colorado into a wrestling contender
Troy Nickerson stood up from the office chair in his house and took a picture off the wall. It features Tom Brands wearing jeans and a black Iowa Wrestling sweatshirt shaking hands with a man in a white shirt and a tan-colored hat. Brands, fresh off a win at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, was at the peak of his competitive powers.  In the hypercompetitive world of wrestling, it might seem strange for a Division I head coach to have a picture of another Division I head coach as the focal point of a home office. For Nickerson, the current head coach at Northern Colorado, it is a reminder of the person who laid the groundwork for where he is today. The man in the photograph shaking Brands’s hand is Troy Nickerson’s father, Robert.  “That picture reminds me of all the things that my dad did and sacrificed for me to get me to where I am,” Nickerson said. “In 1996 he took me down to Atlanta to watch the best wrestling in the world. Most people can’t do or can’t say they ever did things like that. He always exposed me to the best coaches and to the best partners. He never claimed to be some expert but he knew this was something I wanted to do and he exposed me to the best.” Robert Nickerson was an investment banker for 20 years but retired after his first bout with kidney cancer. Troy was two-years-old at the time. Robert bought a car dealership so he could work when he wanted and so he could take his children wherever they needed to go.  Competing for Chenango Forks High School, Troy became the first five-time New York state wrestling champion (2001-05) before signing with Cornell University.  … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1593651692469&twSessionId=xhffiszike&postId=783899135&mc_cid=24498831e8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

2 } – COVID-19 could challenge small schools and force season delay
By Mike Finn
Bloomsburg’s Marcus Gordon is about to begin his fifth season as head coach of the Huskies. Wrestling is the only Division I sport within the athletic department at this university in Pennsylvania.
The following story appeared in the special free digital issue of WIN magazine. Click here to view that issue.
WIN’s next printed issue will come out on July 10. Click here to subscribe to WIN or call 888-305-0606.
By Mike Finn
Marcus Gordon, like many smaller Division I program head coaches, is forced to wear many hats in preparing his wrestlers to succeed on both the mat and in the classroom at Bloomsburg University. But like many of his peers, Gordon has been forced to wear something else the past four months as he starts his fifth season as coach: the fear of the unknown regarding his sport, stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. These are not normal times for college wrestling programs, which saw the 2019-20 season abruptly end on March 12, shortly before the NCAA was set to hold championship tournaments in three divisions, and forced student-athletes to finish their spring semesters on-line and while continuing to train at home. “As a coach, you are always checking on your team, whether it’s in practice or in class,” Gordon said in May. “Now I do a lot of Zoom calls to make sure their classes are going well and making sure they are trying to do something. Normally, our kids would still be training and competing in freestyle right now. Hopefully, once the ban has been lifted, they will be in decent shape.” Coaches like Gordon must also figure out a way to recruit athletes who cannot visit campus. “It’s been challenging, but it’s something that we can get through and make it happen,” Gordan said. “It’s a shame our guys did not get to go to nationals or that recruits can’t come on campus. I’ve been answering a lot more different questions than normal.” But perhaps the biggest questions for today’s college wrestling coaches deal with the financial shape of their programs … as two different lifelines are being cut off as the state after the state basically shut down. And one of bigger losses for programs were the loss of summer camps that help finance wrestling programs. … rest of story at _{https://www.win-magazine.com/2020/07/18836/?mc_cid=097a633e42&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b#utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=18836}

3 } – .NCAA DI College Wrestling Early-Preseason Rankings (Individual + Team) July 6th, 2020
The Open Mat has released our early-preseason rankings for July 6th, 2020. Both individual and tournament rankings have been included. At this time, no true freshmen have been included. These rankings are a very rough look at the 2020-21 season. Because most schools are still closed, teams have less of an idea as to what their 2020-21 lineups will look like. Therefore, expect more weight changes in the next edition, plus more additions or drops due to potential redshirts (Olympic and regular). .. rest of story at _{https://news.theopenmat.com/college-rankings/ncaa-di-college-wrestling-early-preseason-rankings-individual-team-july-6th-2020/78413?mc_cid=097a633e42&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

4 } – Wrestling Mailbag: Lineup Questions, Facility Thoughts and more
With things still a bit quiet on the sports front, I decided to go to Twitter and solicit some questions and see if I could possibly provide some answers for what people are wondering about OSU wrestling. Let’s dive in and take a look. There is definitely smoke. To about anyone that follows closely, it just makes a lot of sense. With Kaid Brock coming back for a sixth year after going 141 a few years ago, with two proven starters at 141 available in Dusty Hone and Kaden Gfeller, with other lower weights Reece Witcraft, Jakason Burks, and Trevor Mastrogiovanni, all having redshirts available, it just seems like it’s clearly the best lineup OSU could trot out. Even coming from a bunch of outside analysis. That said, I’ve heard buzz that it is the plan from fellow insiders. But I’ve yet to speak with the Fix family or anyone on staff directly about it, so I can’t definitively say that it’s going to happen. … rest of story at _{https://pistolsfiringblog.com/wrestling-mailbag-lineup-questions-facility-thoughts-and-more/?mc_cid=097a633e42&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

5 } – How Olympic sports are fighting for survival at the collegiate level
ESPN’s Andrea Adelson, Adam Rittenberg, Alex Scarborough and Mechelle Voepel reported on and wrote this story.
It’s early 2021, and the men’s gymnastics dual meet between Minnesota and Penn State is about to begin. Gymnasts warm up on floor, rings, pommel horse, bars and vault, while the judges settle into their seats. Before the first event, a set of cameras and computers are checked. Penn State is the home team and will compete at Rec Hall in State College. But the Nittany Lions technically aren’t hosting anyone. Minnesota will be competing at Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis, more than 970 miles away. And the judges? They’re at home, watching competitors via live stream. The dual meet has gone virtual. This potential cost-saving strategy is less than ideal, but it’s a sensible competition option for men’s gymnastics, one of many Olympic sports trying to survive the financial crisis amid the coronavirus pandemic. Programs are being cut almost every week, as desperate athletic directors try to find solutions despite grim financial forecasts. These programs have long been budgetary drains on athletic departments, and many believe the pandemic has accelerated a reckoning. But this unprecedented time also brings opportunities for Olympic sports to reinvent themselves and find creative solutions to save money — particularly costs around travel, staff and facilities — and survive. The pandemic is bluntly showing that the old model is no longer sustainable. … rest of story at _{https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/29399268/how-olympic-sports-fighting-survival-collegiate-level}

6 } – Hawkeyes’ Wrestling Lineup May Be More Powerful
With the Iowa wrestling team’s 2019-20 season cut short — too short, by most standards given the No. 1 team in the nation was the favorite to come out on top of the NCAA Championships — the question has turned to 2020-21. The good news for the Hawkeyes is that not much has changed in terms of a potential starting lineup, and they don’t lose any edge by the small shifts that will have to be made to make up for the loss of Pat Lugo at 149 pounds and to account for the addition of 141-pound, three-time All-American Jaydin Eierman. By these lineup projections, Iowa is going to be just as good – if not better – than the team that ran through their regular-season schedule and won the Big Ten championship a year ago. Returning nine of 10 starters definitely doesn’t hurt.
125 – Spencer Lee
Put the song on repeat — Lee, two-time NCAA Champion, 2019 Big Ten Champion, 2019 Dan Hodge Trophy winner, and too many others to list. … rest of story at _{https://www.si.com/college/iowa/wrestling/iowa-wrestling-071020?mc_cid=74c2efdb11&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

7 } – .Ride in Style with CSU Bakersfield head coach Manny Rivera
CSU Bakersfield head coach Manny Rivera is heading into his fifth season at the helm of the Roadrunner wrestling program. On Episode 610 of the Short Time Wrestling Podcast, Rivera talks about the Ride in Style fundraiser that ends August 6 where they’re auctioning off a car (Infiniti Q50). Manny also talks about the entire school’s move to the Big West, Karen Langston’s role and leadership and much more. .. rest of story at _{http://www.mattalkonline.com/podcast/short-time/ride-in-style-with-csu-bakersfield-head-coach-manny-rivera/?mc_cid=35441de679&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

8 } – TOM’s Quarant-Interview with Indiana Head Coach Angel Escobedo
ByEarl SmithPosted on 07/07/2020

photo courtesy of Richard Immelhttps://www.lightcast.com/embed/player.php?id=299511&responsive=1&skinColor=000000&tvButtonID=asm&autoPlay=0&share=1&type=

Today TOM sat down with Indiana head coach Angel Escobedo to discuss all things Hoosier wrestling. After looking back on the 2019-20 season and the emergence of Brock Hudkins, we turn our attention to the future in Bloomington. Escobedo and his staff are excited about a 16th ranked recruiting class from 2019 that was largely redshirted last season. So are the Indiana wrestling fans who averaged over 1600 in attendance last year at their new home, Wilkinson Hall. We also get into Angel’s background growing up in Gary, Indiana, … rest of story at _{https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/toms-quarant-interview-with-indiana-head-coach-angel-escobedo/78426?mc_cid=097a633e42&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

9} – Seven Home Matches Highlight 2020-21 Augustana Wrestling Schedule
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A seven-match home wrestling schedule and 14 regular season dates are part of the 2020-21 Augustana wrestling schedule announced Thursday.  
The Vikings, coming off a second-place finish in the 2019-20 NSIC standings, open their season with a pair of open tournaments with the Jimmie Open (Nov. 7) and DWU Open (Nov. 14).
 The home debut of the 2020-21 squad has Augustana hosting North Dakota State on Nov. 20 inside the Elmen Center, a facility that saw the Vikings go 6-1 in last season. Augustana makes it back-to-back matches with Division I foes, and members of the Big XII, as the Navy and Gold travel just up I29 to South Dakota State on Nov. 11.
 Augustana closes the 2020 calendar year with a dual against Nebraska-Kearney inside the Elmen Center on Dec. 19.
 In the first match of 2021, the NSIC season gets underway as the Vikings travel to Northern State on Jan. 8. The NSIC home opener is Jan. 15 as the Vikings host MSU Moorhead.
 
Augustana also has home duals against Minnesota State (Jan. 22), Upper Iowa (Feb. 7) and St. Cloud State (Feb. 17). All three of those programs are perennially in the Top-25 of the NCAA Division II polls. … rest of story at _{https://goaugie.com/news/2020/7/9/seven-home-matches-highlight-2020-21-augustana-wrestling-schedule.aspx?mc_cid=35441de679&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

10 } – ‘Why would I leave?’: State champions happy to stay home, wrestle for UNC

University of Northern Colorado wrestling fans should expect a lineup of familiar faces in 2020. The Bears staff focuses on recruiting in-state athletes, and it’s proving to be effective.

According to the university, eight incoming wrestlers attended high school in Colorado, including four from Weld County.

Head coach Troy Nickerson said recruiting athletes in Colorado, and specifically Weld County, has been a goal since he was hired in 2014.

“I think anytime you can keep your best kids in state, in the community, it’s in the best interest of the program,” Nickerson said. “We’re going to continue to keep doing that.”

It’s not hard to sell the wrestlers on the idea of staying home, either. Nickerson and his coaching staff attended schools near their homes and had good college careers. They are products of the system being created at UNC.

Windsor alumnus and state champion Cody Eaton said the program’s coaching staff pursued local athletes during the recruiting process and explained the benefits of attending UNC.

Their families and other supporters live close. Student-athletes may live at home rather than in the dorms, which University’s Emanuel Munoz-Alcala said is a big draw. The recruits may also be familiar with the coaches or other wrestlers, … rest of story at _{https://www.greeleytribune.com/2020/07/09/northern-colorado-high-school-wrestlers-sign-with-university-northern-colorado-program/?mc_cid=35441de679&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

August 1, 2020 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized