Takedown Report

Wrestling History – # 14

TDR Editor’s Notes ; Our birthday wishes for coach Smith are a bit late but the story included here shares testimonies from several of the wrestlers thatSmith coached. A look at two Olympic wrestlers from 1984 and 2008 are included as these were memorable moments in wrestling history. Also included are individual wrestlers’ accounts of their wrestling role models. These are part of series of interviews by Track Wrestling.
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1 } – .Happy birthday to OSU wrestling coach John Smith: Here’s what OSU legends say about his impact
Happy birthday to Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith, who turns 55 on Sunday. Smith was announced as the first wrestler to be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in May. 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. “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. “Coach Smith has had an everlasting effect on me, and just being in his presence makes you want to be the greatest, not only in wrestling, but as a person, as well. I’m sure many people will agree with me and say he should have got inducted a long time ago.” Piccininni finished his OSU wrestling career this year as a four-time Big 12 champion and two-time All-American. He recently announced he’s pursuing a career in MMA. .. rest of story at _{https://tulsaworld.com/sports/college/osu/happy-birthday-to-osu-wrestling-coach-john-smith-heres-what-osu-legends-say-about-his/collection_2b1b4333-5c9a-58dd-8f97-59bf0618830d.html?mc_cid=2938e52dc9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

2 } – Steve Costanzo: My Wrestling Hero
Today’s installment of My Wrestling Hero features Steve Costanzo. The head coach of Division II power St. Cloud State shares his thoughts on his wrestling heroes: Mark Schwab, Mike Denney and Rick Allgood. 
These are Costanzo’s words on his wrestling heroes:
“I have a lot of wrestling heroes. One would be Mark Schwab. He would be one of them for sure. In ninth grade, he was working at JROB camp and kind of took me off to the side when I got in trouble with J and J made him work out with me since J was mad at me for wearing plastics at wrestling camp when he told the kids ahead of time that no plastics were allowed. He put Mark Schwab on me. Mark was really good to me. I learned a lot. I still remember it like it was yesterday. I don’t know if Mark remembers it, but how can you forget as a 15-year-old wrestling with Mark Schwab at camp — not just for a few minutes — but quite awhile. 
“After that, I followed Mark for quite a while. I love the way he writes and thinks. I like his wrestling mind. I’ve had him up to St. Cloud to talk to our guys and he does a great job. 
“Mike Denney has to be one since he was my college coach. Another one would be my elementary, junior high and high school coach, Rick Allgood. He started me in wrestling in second grade. Back in those days he was the high school coach who ran the … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1596595034789&twSessionId=fkhorqqgul&postId=788160135&mc_cid=490d601747&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

3 } – Drake Ayala: My Wrestling Hero
Today’s installment of My Wrestling Hero features Drake Ayala. The two-time Fargo and Iowa state high school champion and Iowa recruit shares his thoughts on his wrestling heroes: his father and grandfather. 
These are Ayala’s words on his wrestling heroes:
“I would say my wrestling hero would have to be two people. I think it would be my father, Sam, and my grandpa, Jerry. They’re my wrestling heroes, not because they’re some big superstars in wrestling, just because they’re the people who inspire me to do what I do. I want to make them proud. They did wrestle and I know they have some regrets in this sport, so I don’t want to have any regrets myself. Doing this for them makes me feel better. … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1597009911584&twSessionId=tehmutpxcy&postId=788254135&mc_cid=2938e52dc9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

4 } – Lehigh Valley Flashback Aug. 9: In 1984, Easton’s Bobby Weaver pins his way to Olympic gold
A look back at Lehigh Valley sports stories over the years from Aug. 9.
2009—Easton graduate Jordan Oliver wins a bronze medal in freestyle wrestling at the Junior World Championships in Ankara, Turkey. Oliver, who was 19-1 in open tournaments while redshirting at Oklahoma State as a freshman, wins four of five matches in Turkey and beats Batchuluun Batmagnia of Mongolia in the bronze-medal match.

1984—Former Easton and Lehigh University star Bobby Weaver wins the 48-kilogram gold medal of the Olympic freestyle wrestling tournament by pinning Japan’s Takoshi Irie at 2:58 of the first period. Weaver had qualified for the 1980 U.S. Olympic team, but lost his chance to compete when the U.S. boycotted the games in Moscow over the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.
Also, Dieruff grad Joe Atiyeh, who holds dual U.S.-Syrian citizenship, wins his first match at 100 kilograms (220 pounds), pinning Romania’s Vaile Puscasu at 1:18 of the second period. Earlier, Atiyeh had been selected to carry the Syrian flag during the Opening Ceremonies at the Los Angeles Coliseum. … rest of story at _{https://www.mcall.com/sports/mc-spt-lehigh-valley-flashback-aug-9-20200809-md7kwd62xrfndo7ow7ioky7gtm-story.html?mc_cid=2938e52dc9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

5 } – Family Tradition: Matters have succeeded on and off the mat
Andy Matter was a two-time NCAA champion for Penn State (1971-72) while his sons, Clint and Brett, an NCAA champion in 2000, wrestled for Penn. The family combined for nine EIWA titles — but their true legacy lies with Beat the Streets Philadelphia. … rest of story and podcast at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1596766397951&twSessionId=bhjtujfbsr&videoId=788185135&mc_cid=d480353b0e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

6 } – Matt Azevedo: My Wrestling Hero
Today’s installment of My Wrestling Hero features Matt Azevedo. The Drexel coach shares his thoughts on his wrestling hero: John Azevedo.  “The first person that comes to might is my uncle, John Azevedo. He was a big influence on me. He coached me and we also coached together in college. He was a big influence on me. He’s given me an example. He was a good role model — a good person for me to be like. “Not only is he a good wrestler and a great coach but a really good person as well. He set the bar really high. Even to this day, we talk and he’s giving me wisdom and input and advice. He definitely challenged me and pushed me as a wrestler … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1596921505679&twSessionId=mbkbtjjhhn&postId=788245135&mc_cid=040ae84fd3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

7 } – Jake Deitchler shocked the wrestling world when he made the 2008 Olympics in high school
Jake Deitchler qualified for the 2008 Olympics at 18 but battled concussions for the remainder of his career. Hear from the energetic and insightful Deitchler about his unique wrestling journey. … rest of story and video at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1597203083203&twSessionId=swjolstfpm&videoId=788256135&mc_cid=44ca76fc30&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

8 } – Tate Picklo: My Wrestling Hero
Today’s installment of My Wrestling Hero features Tate Picklo. The 2019 Cadet World Team member and Oklahoma recruit shares his thoughts on his wrestling hero: his father, Brian. 
These are Picklo’s words on his wrestling hero: 
“I’m sure this isn’t a surprise but my wrestling hero would have to be my father, Brian. That’s just because he wasn’t given the talents that many good wrestlers are these days. He hadn’t been wrestling his whole life and he had to fight for everything he earned. It’s an inspiration to not just me but to every wrestler he’s told the story to has talked about that and how he is inspiring to them. How he had to work for everything and all the battles he had to get to where he is now.  “One of the things he does best as a coach is not just being the coach but being a father figure to a lot of the wrestlers. There’s a couple kids on our team who … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1597203083203&twSessionId=swjolstfpm&postId=788467135&mc_cid=44ca76fc30&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

9} – Frank Molinaro: What I learned from Cael Sanderson
Frank Molinaro wrestled under Cael Sanderson at Penn State during the 2010-12 seasons — placing fifth at the NCAA championships as a sophomore, second as a junior and first as a senior. Molinaro eventually placed fifth at the 2016 Olympics and is currently an assistant at Arizona State. 
Sanderson went 159-0 at Iowa State (1999-2002), won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics and has coached Penn State to eight NCAA championships in 10 seasons (2011-14, 2016-19).
These are Molinaro’s words on what he has learned from Sanderson. 
Focus on improvement — not outcomes
From the beginning, the first thing I learned was to stop focusing so much on having success and having the outcomes I wanted — and I started focusing more on improvement. From there, that changed my whole perspective. Then I went from the process being such a grind to the process being so fun — really looking forward to going to practice at 3 p.m. From that, I started going deeper into my perspective and my mentality and my approach because I saw such an advantage for thinking the right way.  The biggest thing I learned from Cael is how to think the right way. How to have the right mentality and the right perspective. He taught me how to be grateful for being able to wrestle and train and always improving. His biggest thing is constant improvement. I think he’s quoted as saying, ‘If you’re not improving, then you’re going to learn a painful lesson from somebody who is.’ That was the biggest thing: constant improvement. That wasn’t just wrestling. Most of that improvement came through mindset. It always came through having the right perspective. Always redirecting us back to the right perspective. 
Be intentional
Penn State does a good job of doing everything intentionally — from their practice plan all the way down to how they’re going to warm up, how they’re not going to warm up, how they’re not going to run, when they’re going to cut their weight, when they’re going to travel, what days they should book the flights, and what airport they should use. They look at every single detail. 
They’re very obsessive about the details. … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1596766397951&twSessionId=bhjtujfbsr&postId=788165135&mc_cid=d480353b0e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

10 } – Cory Land: My Wrestling Hero
Today’s installment of My Wrestling Hero features Cory Land. The 2019 Cadet World Team member and three-time Alabama state champion shares his thoughts on his wrestling heroes: his brother, Michael. 
These are Land’s words on his wrestling hero: 
“I’d have to say my wrestling hero is my brother (Michael) because he’s the one who got me into the sport and he’s always been right there to support me and help me. He’s my biggest fan. We’re really close. We’ve spent countless hours wrestling in the living room on our carpet floor. We’re always on each other.
“It used to be he was teaching me stuff since he started wrestling before me and he knew more than me and now we’re getting closer to the same size so now we’re drill partners, so that’s pretty cool. He’s really good, he’s not the greatest wrestler in the world, he’s not Jordan Burroughs or anything, but without him I wouldn’t be where I am today. … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1597115238197&twSessionId=qqayahikyu&postId=788263135&mc_cid=a0c3658079&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

August 19, 2020 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized