Takedown Report

NCAA Division II Programs & News – # 3

1 } – Getting II Know a DII Program: McKendree
In just seven years in NCAA Division II, James Kisgen’s McKendree Bearcats have arguably one of the best levels of success the division has seen. Over the past seven seasons, 43 Bearcats have qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships, with 35 of those earning spots on the podium as All-Americans. Two have earned national titles for McKendree: Michael Pixley (184) in 2019 and Darren Wynn (141) in 2016. 
“Our goal isn’t to get wins, our goal is to maximize our potential both on the mat and in the classroom,” Kisgen said. “If we can maximize our potential, we can have a good program and build good people.” 
The Bearcats, winners of their second-straight NCAA Super Region 4 championship, were poised to make a run at a first Division II team championship in 2019-20. McKendree, ranked #2 as a team, ahead of the cancelled 2020 NCAA Division II National Championships, had eight qualifiers for the event, including three who earned the top seeds at their respective weight classes. Marcus Povlick (125), Nick Foster (165) and Ryan Vasbinder (197) were all voted as the top wrestlers in their brackets heading into the event, with all three winning Super Regional championships two weekends before. … rest of story at _{https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-mckendree/78497?mc_cid=7e573bd55d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

2 } – NCAA DII APPROVES SEASON-OF-COMPETITION, ELIGIBILITY RELIEF FOR 2020-21
Division II student-athletes will not be charged with the use of a season for the 2020-21 academic year if their team can complete only 50% or less of the sport’s maximum contests/dates of competition because their season is canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In its videoconference meeting Wednesday, the Division II Administrative Committee approved two proactive recommendations for all sports from the Division II Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement.
The first allows schools to self-apply a season-of-competition waiver for student-athletes, provided all of these criteria are met:
The student-athlete’s team participated in no more than 50% of the sport’s maximum contests/dates of competition for the 2020-21 academic year due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19.
– The student-athlete used a season of competition during the 2020-21 academic year.
– The student-athlete was eligible for competition while … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/July/23/NCAA-DII-approves-competition-and-eligibility-relief?mc_cid=fb559ea200&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Getting II Know a DII Program: Mercyhurst
In 19 years as a program and in NCAA Division II, the Mercyhurst Lakers have put 42 wrestlers on the podium at the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships, with one of those student-athletes taking national championship honors. Josh Shields took the 165 title in 2009, in Head Coach Mike Wehler’s second year at the helm of the Mercyhurst program. Wehler just closed out his 13th season leading the Lakers, who have placed in the top 10 at the NCAA meet five times in his tenure.
“At Mercyhurst, we try to focus on developing well rounded men who are motivated to be successful in all areas of their life,” Wehler said. “We’ve been able to achieve a high level of success both on the mat and in the classroom.” 
Six Lakers qualified for the 2020 NCAA Division II National Championships, with four of those wrestlers earning NWCA All-American status. Three of those 2020 All-Americans, along with 2019 All-American and 2020 National Qualifier Alexis Soriano, return to the Laker lineup for 2020-21. Jacob Robb, the three-seed at heavyweight a season ago, highlights the returning lineup that has experience at every weight. Eric Bartos (133) and Luke McGonigal (197) also earned NWCA All-American honors last season and return for Wehler. … rest of story at _{https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-mercyhurst/78518?mc_cid=b08de964d0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

4 } – Getting II Know a DII Program: Queens
In three years as an NCAA Division II program, Queens has sent three to the NCAA Division II Wrestling National Championships. As another young DII program wrestling in the South, the Royals are currently under the direction of second-year Head Coach Rob Tate. “We just focus on trying to get a little bit better at something everyday to just be a better version of ourselves than we were the previous day,” Tate said. “We’re still one of the new kids on the block, but I’m impressed with the way our guys are buying in, trying to compete, and I’m super proud of the results they’re starting to get for it.” Last season, the Royals sent two to the 2020 NCAA Division II National Championships, in Melvin Rubio (125) and Noah Curreri (184). It was Rubio’s second trip, with the rising senior accounting for two of the three NCAA qualifications in program history. Both Rubio and Curreri are back for Tate in 2020-21, along with five other starters. After the addition of incomers from North Carolina and Colorado, the Queens Royals will look to number around 25 for next season. … rest of story at _{https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-queens/78551?mc_cid=90928adc9b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

5 } – Getting II Know a DII Program: Wheeling
The Wheeling Cardinals will experience a rebirth of sorts in 2020-21, after the program taking a hiatus for the 2019-20 season. Prior to that hiatus, the Cardinals had an absolute breakthrough year in 2018-19, taking second at the 2019 NCAA Division II National Championships behind a pair of National Champions and six total All-Americans. August Wesley has been tabbed with the resurgence of Wheeling wrestling, which will compete in Super Region 3 again for the 2020-21 season.
“Here at Wheeling University our coaches, team mentors and athletic department are dedicated to challenging these men to be competitive and achieving their goals on the mat, all while staying focused on pursuing their degree so they will be successful in life,” Wesley said.
The two 2019 National Champions, Tyler Warner (133) and Conner Craig (174), will be just up the hill from Wheeling at West Liberty, with Terrance Fanning (285) taking the only other National title in program history in 2018. The Cardinal program was established in 2013, and has sent 21 wrestlers to the D2 meet in six seasons of competition. Ten of those came back to Wheeling, W.V., as All-Americans, including the three national titles from Warner, Craig and Fanning.  The Cardinals will look to field a roster of just more than 40 in their return to the mat for Wheeling.  … rest of story at _{https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-wheeling/78586?mc_cid=b3b7655607&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

6 } – Getting II Know a DII Program: Ouachita Baptist
The Ouachita Baptist wrestling program just closed out its ninth season as an NCAA Division II program. During those years, the Tigers have sent 20 to the NCAA Division II National Championships, with 16 of those National Qualifiers coming home as All-Americans. Kevin Crutchmer just closed out his third season as the third head coach in program history.
“When I took over the Ouachita Baptist University Wrestling program 3 years ago I knew of the rich tradition and the alumni and coaches that put the program on the map of NCAA Division II wrestling,” Crutchmer said. “I was very excited to add my processes to try to continue the successes. It’s been a challenge at times and it’s been a blessing also based on the type of kids we have in our program and the administration of the institution’s support to see the program continue to grow. We try in many facets to teach not only wrestling but growth outside the wrestling room. Our philosophy at OBU is to get kids in our program that have a goal to succeed at every aspect of life! We encourage mental strength, commitment and hard work creates opportunities. We want the opportunity to try to have decisive moments to help us mature as teammates and extensions of the OBU family.”  The 16 Tiger All-Americans are highlighted by current Lindenwood assistant coach Dallas Smith’s four All-American honors, including two trips to the National Championship match at 184. Smith became the lone OBU National Champion in 2015 as a senior, after finishes of 6th 2nd, and 3rd his first three seasons. … rest of story at _{https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-ouachita-baptist/78601?mc_cid=c6e5782be1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

7 } – Severson among Inductees Selected to 49th Class of Bison Athletic Hall of Fame
FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State University has announced its 49th annual induction class for the Bison Athletic Hall of Fame. Eight individuals are slated for induction on Friday, Oct. 2. Tickets to the ceremony will go on sale in September. Two-time national champion heavyweight wrestler Nick Severson is one of the inductees. …
NICK SEVERSON, wrestling, heavyweight (1998-2002)
Honors: Two-time NCAA Division II national champion at heavyweight in 2001 and 2002…Helped Bison capture the 2001 NCAA Division II national championship with a dramatic pin in 5:59 of South Dakota State’s Jon Madsen, the turning point in NDSU topping the Jackrabbits for the crown…Won 2002 North Central Conference individual title…Four-time NCC placewinner overall…Member of two conference championship teams…Inducted into the NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016. Stats/Notes: Posted a 70-22 career record including 32-8 in duals with 36 pins…Fashioned a 47-4 record with 23 pins over final two seasons including 23-0 in duals…. rest of story at _{https://theguillotine.com/2020/07/severson-among-inductees-selected-to-49th-class-of-bison-athletic-hall-of-fame/?mc_cid=2a2de153ce&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

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August 10, 2020 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized