Takedown Report

WILL NCAA DIV. I WESTERN CAROLINA ADD MEN’S AND WOMEN’S WRESTLING SOON?

By Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling, and Collegiate Consulting | Sept. 09, 2020,
Editor’s Note: It is great news when a college sports consulting firm recommends the addition of men’s and women’s wrestling, and that is what happened last week. Collegiate Consulting, which has worked with over 500 colleges since 2005, gave Western Carolina University a sports sponsorship study, including targeting sports for the school to add to its athletic department. In that study, both men’s and women’s wrestling made the cut.
Western Carolina is an NCAA Div. I institution which competes in the Southern Conference. The Southern Conference sponsors men’s wrestling and the Catamounts could join its eight-team wrestling conference. In women’s wrestling, which recently received NCAA Emerging Sports Status at Div. I, there is one Div. I program, Presbyterian, which also competes in the Sourthern Conference on the men’s side. There is a great opportunity for Western Carolina to develop successful programs in both men’s and women’s wrestling. Both programs would have many other teams to wrestle against in their region.
To us, men’s and women’s wrestling seems like a perfect match for Western Carolina. Makes all the sense in the world…
Here is a press release published by Collegiate Consulting detailing its sports sponsorship study for Western Carolina.
Collegiate Consulting Completes Sports Sponsorship Study for Western Carolina
CULLOWHEE, NC (SEPT. 4, 2020) – Western Carolina University brought on Collegiate Consulting to conduct a sports sponsorship study. The institution, a Southern Conference member since 1976, is exploring the possibility of adding sports programs.
The study includes an analysis of the athletic department’s current budget, financial aid allocation, and competitiveness, as well as program specific figures for men’s wrestling and the two women’s sports explored – women’s lacrosse, and women’s wrestling.
Within the region, there are 19 men’s wrestling teams, 26 women’s lacrosse teams, and nine women’s wrestling teams. The NCAA has recently announced the addition of women’s wrestling as an emerging sport. Within the state of North Carolina, high school men’s wrestling participation is high, while women’s lacrosse continues to grow.
Collegiate Consulting developed a five-year timeline for men’s wrestling and each women’s sport. For men’s wrestling, the starting operating budget is $112,500 with a two-person coaching staff by 2022. The Division I financial aid maximum for men’s wrestling, 9.90 scholarships, would be reached under Collegiate Consulting’s recommendation via a staggered model by 2024. Women’s lacrosse would have a coaching staff size of two and an operating budget of $136,900. Women’s wrestling would have a scholarship cap of 4.0; with a head coach and year one operating budget of $85,000.
An 18-month ramp up schedule was developed starting in 2021-22 with a partial schedule. Western Carolina currently has 16 sports, with men’s wrestling potentially being its eighth men’s program. … rest of the story at _{https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/September/09/Will-Western-Carolina-add-mens-and-womens-wrestling?fbclid=IwAR1Q28M-puENZ2-vY2Z_kBbuJujd2Vtd3hJNZWleDB_VGuH8TBxqRz1KK2E}

September 9, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

High School Wrestling News # 23

TDR Editor’s Notes ; A look at some of high school news from the last month in New Jersey, Nebraska, Florida, Virginia, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Closer to home and of interest to wrestlers across most of the eastern states is the Super 32 Challenge. It is still planned for late October and we hope to attend that event in Greensboro. It shall be soon determined what will happen in the next few days.
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1 } – Heverly plans to keep ‘business as usual’ for Irish powerhouse
Bill Heverly says nothing is going to change as he takes over the Camden Catholic High School wrestling program. That’s really bad news for opponents of the Irish. Heverly will remain at his alma mater, taking the reins of the mighty program with a seamless handoff from Matt Walsh, who stepped down after reestablishing the Irish as a state powerhouse. The school made the official announcement last week. Camden Catholic is coming off one of its finest seasons in program history, going 22-2 with sectional and state titles last winter. The team was rewarded with the No. 1 ranking in South Jersey. “I’m totally honored, it’s an awesome thing to be the head coach at Camden Catholic, it’s something I’ve wanted to be since I was younger,” said the 38-year-old Heverly, who was a two-time region champ and two-time state finalist during his wrestling days with the Irish. … rest of story at _{https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/sports/2020/08/10/h-s-wrestling-heverly-plans-keep-business-usual-irish-powerhouse/3337699001/?mc_cid=a0c3658079&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

2 } – SUPER 32 Challenge Update
The state of North Carolina currently remains in Phase 2 of the Safer at Home reopening plan. Last week, Governor Cooper extended the Phase 2 order until at least September 11. 
We are still planning to hold the Super 32 on October 24-25. This is, however, dependent on North Carolina moving out of Phase 2 as well as lifting restrictions on indoor gatherings when the state government makes their next decision on September 11.
Based on this timeline, we anticipate being able to make an official announcement regarding the status of this year’s event by the weekend of September 12-13. 
If restrictions are lifted and we are able to hold the Super 32, Early Registration (all divisions) will open on September 26 and regular registration (all divisions) will open on October 3. Please also note that there will be NO PETITIONS this year.
We are still working out details regarding registration, as well as potential Early Entry Tournaments, and that information will be posted as soon as finalized. … rest of story at _{https://www.super32.com/#:~:text=We%20are%20still%20planning%20to,next%20decision%20on%20September%2011.}

3 } – They can’t grapple so they paddle. How a HS wrestling rivalry turned into kayak racing
If you can’t grapple, grab a paddle and hit the beach. That was the idea behind the first-ever kayak racing event for two high school wrestling teams that wanted to find a fun way to turn a summer workout into a socially distant day of team bonding.
For more than five hours Monday, a group of 25 wrestlers from Paramus Catholic and St. Joseph High School in Metuchen squared off in a series of kayak races on the bay side of Sandy Hook.
“The whole point was to come out, be together and have some fun … even in the worst of times,” said Will Matistic, a rising senior at Paramus Catholic. Teams raced in pairs of two out and back to a buoy floating a quarter-mile into the bay. In the final race, all 12 kayaks lined up for the biggest prize — free T-shirts and paddling glory. Maticisk and Benny Bautista finished 30 seconds ahead of the pack and led a 1-2-3 finish for Paramus Catholic before Anthony Bistany and Aidan Pierce hit the sand as the first finishers for St. Joseph. … rest of story at _{https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2020/08/they-cant-grapple-so-they-paddle-how-a-hs-wrestling-rivalry-turned-into-kayak-racing.html?mc_cid=a0c3658079&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

4 } – After 10 years and three state titles, Doug Fisher steps down as Fauquier High wrestling coach
Fauquier High School is in the market for a new head wrestling coach. Doug Fisher recently resigned after 10 years atop the Falcons’ state dynasty program. Fauquier won its third state championship of Fisher’s tenure last winter to go with 2015 and 2016 crowns. Fauquier also was the state runnerup in 2014, 2017 and 2018. Fisher explained that the timing was right. Son Sam will be wrestling at nationally-ranked Virginia Tech after becoming the first Fauquier County wrestler ever to win four state championships.  “That’s part of it,” Fisher began. “I just felt I had done what I had set out to do, and I was comfortable where I was. It’s a good stopping point and I wanted to do something else.” He departs with a 150-70 career record in dual meet competition to go with a slew of individual and team honors. His 150 wins stands in second place in school history behind the 192 by Bryan Hurst  from 1999-2009. “He’s done a great job with our program,” said FHS activities director Mark Ott, who praised Fisher’s dedication and character. “Doug is a class act,” Ott continued, pointing to the coach’s emphasis on providing the Falcons with the best equipment, competition, travel and support. … rest of story at _{https://www.fauquier.com/news/after-10-years-and-three-state-titles-doug-fisher-steps-down-as-fauquier-high-wrestling/article_890bb290-dcaf-11ea-bbea-e38e37ec233d.html?mc_cid=18ec0c1b30&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

5 } – Orlando father launches popular wrestling web show during coronavirus pandemic
When the coronavirus pandemic forced shutdowns across Central Florida in March, Daniel Ward got innovative. The father of The First Academy wrestler Daniel Ward Jr. wanted to give back to the sport that had welcomed him and his son, and he was looking for a way to help showcase all of the people involved in the sport.
He decided to start a webcast called ‘Ward Wrestling Live’ on Facebook.
“I was home because of the quarantine and I wanted to do something that hadn’t been done,” Ward said. “I wasn’t looking to only interview big names like national outlets, I just wanted to talk to anybody in the wrestling community that would come on.” And Ward has done just that. Since his debut show on April 6, Ward has hosted more than 270 shows, with his guests including wrestlers of all ages and talent levels; high school, club, college and national team coaches from around the country; referees; and wrestling historians. … rest of story at _{https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/highschool/wrestling/os-sp-hs-wrestling-daniel-ward-20200817-jqzx3l2kn5cmvadi6guyrnjipu-story.html?mc_cid=38a5eef6bd&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

6 } – Rex Kendle: ‘Baling hay might be the single best exercise that a wrestler could do’
Rex Kendle recently took over as head wrestling coach for Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He breaks down his new role at a prep school after growing up on a farm in Michigan. … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1597806625190&twSessionId=swvvddkvgr&videoId=859598135&mc_cid=503739b0f8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

7 } – NASCAR Truck Series driver and high school wrestler Derek Kraus goes On The Mat
Sitting 11th in NASCAR’s Gander RV & Outdoor Truck Series, Stratford, Wisconsin, native Derek Kraus is on the playoff bubble this season. A recent high school graduate, Kraus wrestled and trained with age-group world champion Macey Kilty and has deep wrestling roots.  Join Kyle Klingman and Andy Hamilton On The Mat, the flagship podcast of Trackwrestling.com. … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1598239636477&twSessionId=azfdajuchr&videoId=861092135&mc_cid=22b2bd575c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

8 } – Featured profile: Marc-Anthony McGowan
The Trackwrestling database houses hundreds of thousands of profiles that serve as a repository for match and tournament data, archived video, stories and interviews. In the weeks and months ahead, we’ll bring some of those profiles to the forefront on the Trackwrestling home page.  Marc-Anthony McGowan’s resume includes a Cadet World title and an Ironman championship last year for Blair Academy. Prior to his time at Blair, McGowan also won a Florida state championship in 2019 as an eighth-grader. McGowan’s profile includes … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1598239636477&twSessionId=azfdajuchr&postId=861246135&mc_cid=22b2bd575c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

9} – Faulkenberry helps lead a powerful 1-2 punch for Broken Bow
Casey Faulkenberry won his first state title last season. This season, he will look to make history for Broken Bow.
Last season, Broken Bow finished in ninth overall in Class C. They did have two state champions though. Senior’s Lathan Duda and Casey Faulkenberry. Duda a 195 pounder, has already made his future plans. Early in the month he committed to North Dakota State. Faulkenberry still has his options open. The returning 126 pound Class C champion, wants to leave a legacy at Broken Bow and do something no other wrestler in school history has done. Casey started wrestling when he was in kindergarten. Years of hard work and dedication prepared him for high school. As a Freshman, he went 51-3 and finished in third at 113 pounds. Sophomore year he made the jump to 126 pounds, where he went 40-6 and finished in fifth place. Finally last year, after getting off to a late start following a broken collarbone from Cross Country, he went 31-2 and won his first state title. Casey says “It was an amazing experience worth being a part of. This summer it has made me hungrier for another one” Last years State championship did not come easy, as it came at the expense of his friend and two time state champion Chris Williams from Valentine. “Chris and I went back and fourth all season. He got me early on in the year pretty handily when I was coming back from injury. Then we wrestled at conference … rest of story at _{https://newrestle.com/2020/08/23/faulkenberry-helps-lead-a-powerful-1-2-punch-for-broken-bow/?mc_cid=22b2bd575c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

10 } – Three-time NCAA champ Ryan Allen doesn’t hold back as the coach of Iowa Grant School in Wisconsin
Ryan Allen won three NCAA Division III titles for Wisconsin-La Crosse over the same opponent in the finals all three years (2004-06). Now, he is the head wrestling coach at Iowa Grant School in Wisconsin. Through it all, Allen refuses to hold back. … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1598326577822&twSessionId=dppjsiugne&videoId=861674135&mc_cid=7d6595523f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

September 9, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment