Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

Women’s Wrestling News # 47


TDR Editor’s Notes ; A late summer look at women’s wrestling experiences on a variety of levels from the international to collegiate and on thru scholastic programs. We are especially encouraged to see the growth of wrestling teams which bring opportunities for more wrestlers.
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1 } – Girls Wrestling Team Proposed for Central Mountain High School
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – With school board approval next month, Central Mountain High School will be among the first Pennsylvania high schools to field a girls wrestling team.
District officials advanced the proposal at the Tuesday night meeting of the Keystone Central School Board’s curricular and extra-curricular committee. Among those endorsing the proposal were school district superintendent Jacquelyn Martin, Central Mountain athletic director George Bidwell and Wildcat wrestling coach Biff Walizer. The superintendent said after the meeting that a presentation on the proposal will be heard at the school board’s work session Sept. 3 with a possible vote at its Sept. 10 voting session. If approved, Central Mountain would join a handful of such programs in the state, including Easton, North Allegheny and Lancaster McCaskey High Schools. As explained by Bidwell, there would be no additional cost to the district as the present boys program (which included two girls in the most recent season) already has the needed uniforms and equipment. Bidwell detailed the growth of girls wrestling nationally and in Pennsylvania. He said most recently there were 239 girls on 139 boys’ teams across the state, including 26 girls on teams that Central Mountain competes with. He said a girls team would demonstrate the school district’s commitment to “being a leader in the areas of equity and diversity.” He said there are five area schools part of some 42 schools across the state exploring establishment of a program. … rest of story at http://therecord-online.com/site/archives/61505?mc_cid=27a5988c78&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – Sarah Hildebrandt: My Wrestling Hero
Today’s installment of My Wrestling Hero features Sarah Hildebrandt. The 2018 World silver medalist shares her thoughts on her wrestling heroes: Her siblings.
These are Hildebrandt’s words on her wrestling heroes:
“My heroes are my siblings — my younger brother, Drew, who is a Division I wrestler and seeing how hard he works. Everything that has happened recently and not being able to wrestle at NCAAs because of COVID and seeing his resiliency with all that is inspiring. It’s been cool to chase a dream with him. “Then my older brother, Cory, who also wrestled collegiately for a couple of years. He’s the person who brought wrestling to our family. He brought the flier home one day and obviously none of us would be in this sport without him. He’s the biggest wrestling hero, I think, in our wrestling family.  “Then my little sister who became the women’s wrestling head coach at Trine University … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1597893407283&twSessionId=rroijpjdfz&postId=859671135&mc_cid=b69497687c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Iranian immigrant Afsoon Johnston became the first U.S. World medalist in women’s wrestling
Afsoon Johnston’s incredible journey from Iran to the United States is the subject of a new book. Could her history-making wrestling career become the subject of a film? . … rest of story and video at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1597893615559&twSessionId=spsyxwfzcn&videoId=859739135&mc_cid=b69497687c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – Sesker’s story of Johnston’s painful immigration from Iran to enjoying the American dream
The English translation of “Afsoon” is “good omen” and that was never more true than on Aug. 16, 1972, when a little girl by that name was born in Tehran, Iran, to Manu and Jila Roshanzamir. Because 48 years later, wrestling fans — or anyone who loves the American dream — will likely be inspired by one of the sport’s newest books. It’s an amazing story of the U.S.’s first World medalist in women’s wrestling — an incredible feat that gave hope to her parents at a time when world events made life very difficult. And thanks to the effort of wrestling author Craig Sesker, the story of that woman — Afsoon Johnston — can be read in the book, “Afsoon.” Sesker has written 10 books on wrestling — including “Bobby Douglas” — but this may be his best effort. The 206-page biography of Afsoon (Roshanzamir) Johnston is an easy read and in three hours time Sesker does a masterful job of drawing readers into her unique life. In addition, I felt like I was reading a future movie screenplay about this woman, who admitted a movie producer actually approached her about making a movie about her life when she was in high school. … rest of story at https://www.win-magazine.com/2020/08/sesker-tells-the-story-of-johnstons-painful-immigration-from-iran-to-enjoying-the-american-dream/?mc_cid=1321811b68&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b#utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sesker-tells-the-story-of-johnstons-painful-immigration-from-iran-to-enjoying-the-american-dream

5 } – Family fled life-threatening danger to find roots, success in United States
By BRYCE MILLER COLUMNIST 
Imagine being lined up military-style as a 7-year-old in a first-grade class, ordered to bark venom-laced chants and stomp on a flag before watching it set ablaze.
Try to process the fear, the confusion, the blur of thoughts bouncing around fragile minds like pinballs at a time when you’re supposed to learn how to count to 10 and master the alphabet.
El Cajon’s Afsoon Johnston understands the unsettling swirl of it because she lived it in Tehran, Iran. The country jarringly shifted from westernized lifestyles under the exiled Shah to the terrifying, tight-fisted religious rule of Ayatollah Khomeini. … rest of story at https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/sports-columnists/story/2020-08-14/afsoon-johnston-iran-wrestling-world-bronze-first-medal-womens-olympics?mc_cid=fca2dfc53b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – Julia Salata: My Wrestling Hero
Today’s installment of My Wrestling Hero features Julia Salata. The four-time women’s freestyle National Team member and King assistant coach shares her thoughts on her wrestling hero: Jacque Davis. 
These are Salata’s words on her wrestling hero:
“I’m going to go with Jacque Davis. I worked with Jacque on a number of different things. I first met her in Fargo in 2014 when she first got the job as Beat the Streets New York women’s coordinator. I didn’t really know Jacque. She was never a high profile senior-level athlete. She was unknown to me. It was like, ‘Who’s this person coaching with me on Team New York? I don’t really know her.’ After being around her for 10 days it was like, ‘Holy crap, she’s incredible.’ “From that point we started collaborating on several things and a couple different projects. Everything she does, she puts 100 percent into everything.  … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1596678206992&twSessionId=vsretnndpf&postId=788178135&mc_cid=dabfe2c4a0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – My CU Story: McKayla Campbell reflects on her quarantine experience
During quarantine I was handling my classes pretty well and our professors were working really well with us in our “new normal”. Having all of the classes the last seven weeks move online was challenging because we didn’t have that face-to-face interaction. But challenging moments are what student-athletes strive for and it taught me something new through this whole experience. 
Outside of my class work, I was happy to spend time with family. At home to stay entertained I helped restructure a pool deck and remodel a kitchen. My family was happy that we had time to spend together and we are thankful none of us had contracted the virus. 
After I was told that the national championship was canceled, I was very upset. It was more upsetting because we were already in North Dakota and weigh-ins were the next morning. What hurt the most was seeing our seniors not have their last chance to get on the podium. Those teammates worked so hard to achieve their goals and I had been there with them the entire time. It was heartbreaking to see their dreams shattered and not have another chance.
On the flip side, I am fortunate to say I have another year to look forward to and I promise to not take it for granted. When we were practicing as a team, our workouts every morning were very structured. I had to learn how to take that structure and develop my physical fitness on my own which included smaller workouts throughout the day – mainly body workouts. I also was able to implement a running program and I took a lot of walks. … rest of story at https://campbellsvilletigers.com/news/2020/8/19/womens-wrestling-my-cu-story.aspx?mc_cid=b69497687c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – Five-time world champ Gray eager to get back on mat
Adeline Gray had the dates circled on her calendar.
August 2 and 3.
That is when Gray was supposed to compete in women’s freestyle wrestling at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. The five-time world champion was set to cap her Hall of Fame career with an Olympic gold medal. But Gray’s dreams, similar to those of athletes around the globe, were put on hold when the sports world was shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Olympics were postponed to next year. “It’s obviously disappointing the Olympics didn’t happen this year,” Gray said. “It’s been a challenge to stay focused and find training opportunities.” … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/23821?mc_cid=b69497687c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – 31. Coach Jessica Medina: National Women’s Development Coach for USA Wrestling/Champion On and Off the Mat
In this episode, Coach P speaks with Coach Jessica Medina, who is the Women’s National Development Coach for USA Wrestling.  Coach Medina is a former head college wrestling coach, USA Wrestling National Team Member, 3 x US Open Champion, Multi-time college All-American, and more. She now works for USA Wrestling in helping to develop our elite female wrestlers ranging from teens to the USA World Team.  During the conversation, we discuss Coach Medina’s start in sports, what drew her to wrestling, how she ended up coaching, and lessons she’s learned along the way. Make sure to share this do not miss episode with the female athletes in your life and all those looking to make a positive impact in this world! … rest of story at https://coachchadparkspodcast.libsyn.com/31-coach-jessica-medina-national-womens-development-coach-for-usa-wrestlingchampion-on-and-off-the-mat?mc_cid=503739b0f8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – Jenna Burkert – 3x World Team Member, Army Sergeant
Jenna Burkert is a 3x World Team member for the Red, White and Blue. She currently resides in Colorado and represents the Army WCAP program. Enjoy this one folks!
SPONSOR
This episode is brought to you by the Wrestling Changed My Life online store. We have podcast T-Shirts, Hoodies, Crew-necks, Stickers and more. Go to Store.WrestlingChangedMyLife.com to shop.
ABOUT THE WRESTLING CHANGED MY LIFE PODCAST
Hosted by Ryan Warner, the Wrestling Changed My Life Podcast features in-depth interviews with wrestlers and coaches to learn how the sport shaped and molded their lives. By stitching together stories of sacrifice, triumph, defeat and perseverance, the Podcast takes the listener deep inside the world’s oldest sport. … rest of story at https://wrestlingchangedmylife.com/jenna/?mc_cid=27a5988c78&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

September 7, 2020 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

College News & Notes # 108

TDR Editor’s Notes ; A tour of college coaching news and views across the country from Beckerman at Brown to Branch at WYoming to Rutt at Rochester to Cater in Arkansas and others. This off season has been more trying as the schedules of events, recruiting and travel a=have all been disrupted by the virus pandemic. It is even more challenging than usual to fill open coaching positions, conduct recruiting and to make lans for the next year as the academic calendar and proceedures are in turmoil. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1 } – Todd Beckerman of Brown is optimistic about college wrestling
Brown head coach Todd Beckerman says endowing a college wrestling program is more important than wins and losses. He also says he can still handle his brother: 21-year Major League Soccer veteran Kyle Beckerman. … rest of story and video at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1595387241407&twSessionId=cbundhfndw&videoId=786707135&mc_cid=aa0bad43f6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – TOM’s Quarant-Interview with Mark Branch (Wyoming)
Recently TOM had the chance to speak with Wyoming’s head coach Mark Branch. Coach Branch talks about his coaching staff’s penchant for uncovering recruits that may have been overlooked by the rest of the nation and helping them develop into excellent collegiate wrestlers. The Cowboys will have five (possibly six) national qualifiers returning in 2020-21 after having a “young” squad last season. Coach Branch is looking for some experienced wrestlers to step up as leaders in the upcoming season and preaches about how a collegiate wrestling career goes by quickly. We couldn’t talk to Branch without discussing his incredible NCAA title run as a freshman with a record under .500, as well as his opinions on the best NCAA team of all-time. … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/toms-quarant-interview-with-mark-branch-wyoming/78688?mc_cid=fca2dfc53b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Rutt brings big credentials as new RCTC wrestling coach
Travis Rutt is taking over as the Rochester Community and Technical College’s head wrestling coach, Randy Rager stepping down after 15 impressive seasons on the job.
The motherload would be if Rochester Community and Technical College’s new wrestling coach Travis Rutt was actually eligible to wrestle in a few matches this season.
That’s not going to happen, but Rutt would scare the heck out of opponents. The 29-year-old Rutt was one of the best 184-pounders in the country while competing at the University of Wisconsin, and then among the country’s best 197-pounders after transferring to wrestling power University of Oklahoma.
But it isn’t Rutt’s physical powers that he calls on anymore. Now, it’s his wrestling teaching acumen and people skills that he leans on, and he’s hoping … rest of story at https://theguillotine.com/2020/08/rutt-brings-big-credentials-as-new-rctc-wrestling-coach/?mc_cid=1321811b68&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – CATER JOINS WRESTLING STAFF
Conway, Ark. – Central Baptist College head wrestling coach Ken Prophete has announced an addition to his coaching staff for the 2020-21 season. Ralph Cater, a high school coach from Fla., joins the staff as an assistant.
            “Coach Cater is stepping in as a volunteer recruiting coach for us and I am excited to have him on our coaching staff,” said Prophete. “He comes to us with three decades of coaching experience and with a reputation that fits our great with our mission as a program here at CBC. We are excited to add Coach Cater to our staff!”
            Cater, who will train the middleweights at CBC, has previously coached at Cardinal Gibbons High School in the Miami area and the school where several CBC wrestlers have come from. He was also a club coach for a team called the Miami Elite. In his 30+ years of experience, Coach Cater has had over 100 state qualifiers, 49 state placers, 11 state champions and 11 state runners up. During his collegiate career, … rest of story at http://www.cbcmustangs.com/article/2004.php?mc_cid=a0c3658079&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – REYES ADDED TO WRESTLING STAFF
Glendale, AZ- Head Coach Travis Patrick is excited to announce the hiring of Koby Reyes as an assistant coach for his staff.  Reyes concluded his collegiate career by wrestling for the Boilermakers of Purdue University.
Coach Patrick stated, “We are very excited to have Koby join the wrestling staff this season.  Going into the second year of our program it was important for us to grow our coaching staff with men who love the Lord, love wrestling, and are eager to mentor the athletes in our program.  Koby is a tremendous fit with our staff and I believe he will make a big impact on our program and the ACU community in the coming year.”
Coach Reyes commented, “I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to join the ACU family and help Coach Patrick lead the wrestling team.  I am excited to develop relationships and reinforce our student-athletes in their development as young men.” Reyes, who wrestled for Purdue … rest of story at https://www.acufirestorm.com/article/2264?mc_cid=44ca76fc30&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – Eric Van Kley balances life as a wrestling coach and athletic director
Eric Van Kley, head wrestling coach and athletic director at Division III Central College (Pella, Iowa), has been involved in wrestling at every level. He stays adaptable and flexible with a disability, a new wrestling landscape, and growing as a leader. … rest of story and videos at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1597350470306&twSessionId=tasfyfqlsm&videoId=788259135&mc_cid=18ec0c1b30&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – Garett Kiley Elevated to Head Assistant Wrestling Coach
GREELEY, Colo. – Head Wrestling Coach Troy Nickerson elevated Garett Kiley to the position of Head Assistant Wrestling Coach after his strong first two seasons working with Northern Colorado. He has made an impact in three key components of coaching: training, recruiting and academics. Over the past two years, Kiley’s helped send eight wrestlers to the NCAA Championships, sign a top five ranked recruiting class and have five NWCA Scholar All-Americans.
“Coach Kiley has grown to become an integral part of our wrestling program and his abilities have proven to be superior,” Nickerson said. “He is committed to being with us for the long haul and is very deserving of the title change. I look forward to him continuing to push me and the program to new heights.”
In his first season at UNC, Kiley coached up three Bears to the NCAA Championships in Rico Montoya, Chris Sandoval and Jacob Seely. He assisted in the recruiting efforts of a top five ranked recruiting class that included Andrew “Boo” Alirez and Mosha Schwartz who would go on a qualify for the NCAA’s their freshman season. Two Bears earned NWCA Scholar All-America status in Montoya and Seeley. Montana was also the Big 12 Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year … rest of story at https://uncbears.com/news/2020/8/17/garett-kiley-elevated-to-head-assistant-wrestling-coach.aspx?mc_cid=503739b0f8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – Bid for NAIA Men’s Wrestling Championship Now Available
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has opened the bid process to host both the 2022 and 2023 NAIA Men’s Wrestling Championship.
The men’s wrestling championship is a two day event that culminates in the crowning of 10 individual weight class national champions and one team champion for the year. The championship attracts 500-600 total participants within the official team party and between 3,000 and 5,000 fans on average.
Beyond the economic impact to the community, the NAIA gives its hosts significant opportunities to realize a return on the investment. … rest of story at https://www.naia.org/sports/mwrest/2020-21/Releases/MWrest_BidRelease_8_14_2020?mc_cid=1321811b68&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – Nate Engel is on the right path at Oregon State
Nate Engel begins his journey as an assistant coach at Oregon State following a wrestling career that includes numerous diverse stops. … rest of story and video at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1597009911584&twSessionId=tehmutpxcy&videoId=788239135&mc_cid=2938e52dc9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – Bleise and Williams Added to Wrestling Staff
Bakersfield, Calif. – CSU Bakersfield Head Coach Manny Rivera has announced the addition of two staff members for the 2020-21 campaign. Former Old Dominion Assistant Coach Steve Bleise will join the Roadrunners in a similar capacity, while former CSUB grappler Matt Williams will become the program’s Director of Operations.
Bleise helped the Monarchs to a 10-9 overall record, a 6-2 mark in Mid-American Conference duals and was named the National Collegiate Open coach of the year in 2019-20. He mentored Old Dominion’s Michael McGee, who captured the program’s first NCO Championship and was one of six Monarchs to earn NCO All-American honors.
Bleise wrestled three seasons at Northern Illinois before spending his final two collegiate seasons with Minnesota. He reached the NCAA Championship meet four times during his undergraduate career. As a Gopher, Bleise served as a team captain and earned Academic All-Big Ten accolades.
“It’s always exciting to bring a hungry, young coach onto our staff,” said Rivera. “We look forward to the immediate impact Steve will have on our wrestlers. He brings a contagious enthusiasm and ambition that will serve our program well.”
Williams won 96 career bouts in his `Runner career, ranking 15th all-time on CSUB’s career wins list. His 31 career pins rank sixth in program history. Williams reached the NCAA Tournament in each of his final two seasons in Bakersfield and finished as the Pac-12 runner-up during his senior campaign. … rest of story at https://gorunners.com/news/2020/8/17/bleise-and-williams-added-to-wrestling-staff.aspx?mc_cid=38a5eef6bd&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

September 7, 2020 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment