Takedown Report

College Wrestling News – # 111

TDR Editor’s Notes ; A variety of stories of current wrestlers in California (#1), Arizona (#7), New Jersey (#6), Iowa (#8), and Pennsylvania (#5). We applaud the Edinboro wrestlers for thei contribution to the community. (#3). Wisconsin wrestlers explain their adjustments made due to the the Coronavirus Crisis (#4). An overall look and review of the efforts and attidudes of college wrestlers by Bryan Van Kley (#9) of WIN magazine is well worth the reading.
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1 } – MENLO COLLEGE SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: ANTHONY OROZCO
By: Aaron Gillespie
Few wrestlers in the history of Menlo College, let alone the NAIA, have put together the type of career that Anthony Orozco did over the past three seasons. A native of Murrieta, Calif., Orozco transferred to Menlo for his sophomore year and immediately began inking his name into the Menlo Wrestling and Menlo Athletics history books. In total, Orozco became just the second two-time National Champion in program history, became the 100th four-time All-American in NAIA history, won the individual Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) title on three different occasions (the first to ever do so) and helped Menlo to a second place NAIA finish in 2020, it’s best team finish in 16 seasons. He also was twice named the Menlo College Male Athlete of the Year, and, if that wasn’t enough, was a three-time Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete and was twice named to the NWCA Academic All-American team. 
Not only were the individual achievements of Orozco impressive, he also was a dedicated team leader who elevated the level of all those around him. That was evident by the team’s continual rise in the rankings each season during his tenure. It all came to a head in 2019-20 when the Oaks put together an absolutely historic campaign that included the aforementioned 2nd place team finish at NAIA Nationals, trailing only 9-time National Champion Grandview (Iowa). While the 2nd place finish was remarkable in its own right, and the Oaks also claimed their second CCC Team Title in the last three seasons. Maybe just as exciting and impressive was their dual match record. For the first time in program history, the Oaks went undefeated in dual matches, going a perfect 9-0. Orozco did his part, going undefeated in dual matches, putting the exclamation mark on that record with a thrilling victory on senior night against a foe from SF State, that helped the Oaks win their first ever home dual against the Gators in program history. … rest of story at _{http://www.menloathletics.com/article/8340?mc_cid=b69497687c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

2 } – The adaptability and persistence of Kyven Gadson
Kyven Gadson will move up in weight to heavyweight and face Nick Gwiazdowski Sunday in the main event of the inaugural Wrestling Underground show. It will not only be a different weight class, but the freestyle match will also take place in an unfamiliar setting, an MMA-style cage. These will be new challenges for Gadson, but like most wrestlers, he relies on a mix of adaptability and persistence to overcome adversity.
At the highest levels of wrestling, a single shot or takedown attempt will likely not suffice. If you have been in a wrestling room, you have probably heard coaches preach the importance of putting multiple attempts together. For example, a quick YouTube search unearths the following wisdom from legendary coach and wrestler John Smith. “We put two things together. I hit a high crotch, I get stopped, I go to my drag immediately and score my points. That’s chain wrestling.”
The ability to adapt on the mat can be key to scoring a crucial takedown, but it extends far beyond technique. Persistence and adaptability can also pay dividends in preparation and life in general. Gadson has relied on these traits to excel in both wrestling and the community. Like most athletes across the world, Gadson has been dealing with delays and postponements due to the global pandemic. Despite the upheaval he has remained focused on his wrestling goals. … rest of story at _{https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/23831?mc_cid=1f5a8a16f5&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

3 } – Edinboro wrestlers grapple with trash collection in French Creek
EDINBORO, Pa. – If you add up the 10 weight classes in Mid-Atlantic Conference (MAC) wrestling, your total reaches right around 1,800 pounds.
That amount falls well short of the size of the Edinboro University wrestling team’s haul of trash from French Creek this month. On Sept. 12, the Fighting Scots trolled the local waterways to aid in collecting nearly 24,000 pounds – almost 12 tons – of trash from French Creek. As a result of their efforts, Edinboro’s College of Science and Health Professions will received a $500 award for programming. Head coach Matt Hill and his team took advantage of the opportunity to volunteer in a socially distant fashion.
“It was great getting the guys outside in nature for a few hours to clean up the environment and to help make our surrounding community a cleaner place,” said the former Edinboro standout wrestler and 2007 graduate. “We cleaned up the banks of French Creek near downtown Saegertown. We collected several bags of trash and removed some tires and a few old TVs.” … rest of story at _{https://gofightingscots.com/news/2020/9/17/general-edinboro-wrestlers-grapple-with-trash-collection-in-french-creek.aspx?mc_cid=c6a292a4f2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

4 } – University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh wrestlers adapt to COVID restrictions
With the rise of coronavirus cases throughout the country, it’s no secret that sports must have restrictions. At UW Oshkosh, the fall sports seasons have already been canceled in terms of competitive games against opposing schools. The Titans’ wrestling season has not been canceled, but training in preparation for tournament play has a different look this year.
“We split our team up into groups of about seven guys each and in each group, there is a captain leading the practice,” 149-pound sophomore Brandon Lenczner said. “It’s hard to get even a group of seven guys in the [Recreation and Wellness Center] right now to work out; so what we have been doing is a lot of running and a lot of body weight exercises.”
The wrestling group size isn’t the only portion of the training procedures that have been altered to ensure the protection from spreading COVID-19. The actual training techniques in preparation for tournament season have also been altered. “We do bodyweight exercises and running instead of wrestling,” 125-pound sophomore Luc Valdez said. “This difference has affected me the most. I personally get better faster when I get to wrestle.” Despite the drastic changes that wrestlers have to adapt to in hopes that their performance stays up to par at the Division III level, most agree that the precautions being put in place are more than appropriate considering the challenges that COVID-19 has presented. … rest of story at _{https://advancetitan.com/sports/2020/09/16/uwo-wrestlers-adapt-to-covid-restrictions?mc_cid=f697b041da&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

5 } – University of Pennsylvania Announces 2020-2021 Captains
PHILADELPHIA – Anthony Artalona, Cole Urbas and Jon Errico have been selected to serve as captains for Penn Wrestling during the 2020-21 season as announced by head coach Roger Reina.
All three have proven themselves as leaders on and off the mat for #TheMovement during their careers as the team prepares for a season like none other. “Exceptional times call for exceptional leadership,” said Reina. “We could not be more excited about Anthony, John, and Cole being passed the leadership baton for Penn Wrestling, a legacy which began in 1905. We foster a culture of leadership at Penn and may add an additional captain this fall. Our program continues to make incredible progress, and we believe this year will be a launching pad for next level success led by our team captains.”
Artalona will serve as team captain for the second year in a row. The Seffner, Florida native posted a 14-6 record last season, including a prestigious Midlands Sem-Finals appearance, before missing the second half of the season due to an injury. As a freshman in 2018-19, he won the EIWA championship and was a Round of 12 finisher at the NCAA Championships at 149 pounds. A multiple national champion in freestyle wrestling, Artalona led the Quakers with 28 wins in 2018-19 including a nation-leading eight in overtime. … rest of story at _{https://pennathletics.com/news/2020/9/16/wrestling-announces-2020-2021-captains.aspx?mc_cid=f697b041da&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

6 } – With Nick Suriano coming back, here’s what the Rutgers wrestling lineup could be
The decision by 2019 NCAA champion Nick Suriano to return to the Rutgers University wrestling team’s line-up this season, if there is one, after he took an Olympic redshirt year last year got us thinking what Rutgers’ lineup could potentially look like for the 2021 season.
According to Pat Mineo of “The Wrestling Room” forum, Suriano will drop down to 125 pounds for the shortened season. Keep in mind, it is way early in the game here and a lot could change between now and the start of the season. Rutgers does not have a schedule yet because the Big Ten Conference has not announced one.
The season is also not likely to start until early January and what the postseason would look like also has to be determined.
Whether fans will be allowed to attend matches at the Rutgers Athletic Center, or any matches anywhere, is also up in the air. Depending on all these factors, the Rutgers coaching staff and wrestlers could make decisions to either redshirt, take an Olympic redshirt or take a gap year (take the year off).  Here is an early guess as to what Rutgers’ lineup could look like.  … rest of story at _{https://www.app.com/story/sports/college/rutgers/2020/09/14/rutgers-wrestling-nick-suriano-back-projected-lineup/5787896002/?mc_cid=aa5954ac13&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

7 } – BAKER AND GARZA BECOME FIRST NAIA SCHOLAR-ATHLETES FOR WRESTLING
Glendale, Ariz.- Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes were recognized as part of the NAIA National Awards Day on Tuesday.  The duo of Caleb Baker and Bernie Garza became the first NAIA Scholar-Athletes for the  2019-20 Arizona Christian Wrestling team- their first year as a program. To earn NAIA Scholar-Athlete status, a student athlete must academically be a junior or senior with a 3.5 cumulative GPA or higher after the conclusion of the 2019-20 academic year.  The student also must have attended two-full years as a non-transfer or one full year as a transfer. … rest of story at _{https://www.acufirestorm.com/article/2282?mc_cid=f697b041da&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

8 } – Loras Announces 2020 Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees
May 20, 2020 – Loras College is pleased to announce the induction of five individuals who will join the Loras College Athletics Hall of Fame as the Class of 2020. Kathryn (Froehlich) Christiansen ’91, Pete Maldonado ’92, Rob Murray ’01, Kyle White ’08 and Joe Schaefer ’62 will receive their honors in conjunction with the college’s Homecoming festivities on Oct. 9.
The Loras College Athletics Hall of Fame, established in 1986 by the Department of Athletics, recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the prestige of the college, both on and off the field of competition. … Maldonado, a four-year member of the wrestling team, is one of six Duhawks to claim a national title after winning the championship at 126 lbs. in 1992. Murray, also a member of the wrestling team, was a two-time National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-American and three-time All-American at 158, 165 and 174 lbs. …

Liegel, Wriedt Named to D3Wrestle.com All-Freshmen Team
Apr. 16, 2020 – Despite not being able to make their NCAA Division III National Championship debut, freshmen grapplers Shane Liegel and Wyatt Wriedt have been named to the 2020 All-Freshman Team by D3wrestle.com for their success in the 2019-20 season and continue to bring in postseason honors for the Loras College wrestling team.
Liegel came to Loras from River Valley High School in Spring Green, Wis. where he was a three-time Wisconsin State Champion. For the Duhawks, he was a national qualifier at 184 lbs. with a third place finish at the NCAA Division III Central Region Championship and was also tabbed a National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar and Division III All-American. Liegel was an American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) All-Conference honoree after posting an overall record of 26-5 with ten falls, seven major decisions and two technical falls to round out his phenomenal freshman campaign. ….

From the American Rivers Conference…
 Sept. 21, 2020 – The American Rivers Conference will postpone all winter sports competition until no earlier than January 1, 2021. The announcement was made by the conference’s Presidents Council, which voted unanimously to approve the recommendation of the A-R-C’s Directors of Athletics Council. The decision was made in response to the ongoing impact of COVID-19. … rest of stories at _{https://duhawks.com/sports/wrestling}

9} – College wrestlers and coaches staying positive, hopeful for 2020-21 season
By Bryan Van Kley, WIN Publisher
In this ever-changing world of dealing with COVID, college wrestlers, coaches and fans are waiting on the fate of the upcoming season. Like these teams, WIN is staying optimistic and planning for a season that hopefully will start in January and finish in March. The exception would be the junior college division, which is scheduled to finish in late April.
I thought it would be interesting to get perspective from top coaches and athletes in Division I who are dealing with so many unknowns.
For an athlete’s perspective, I called 2020 Dan Hodge Trophy winner Spencer Lee of Iowa. A senior who would be going for a third straight NCAA title, Lee said the key is staying positive and controlling what you can. … rest of story at _{https://www.win-magazine.com/2020/09/college-wrestlers-and-coaches-are-hopeful-for-2020-21-season/?mc_cid=c6a292a4f2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b#utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=college-wrestlers-and-coaches-are-hopeful-for-2020-21-season}

10 } – Former college wrestling coach Josh Hutchens takes over as Daleville athletic director
DALEVILLE, Ind. — For Josh Hutchens, the thought of going into athletic administration had always been there. After every year of his college coaching career, the same question came up:
“Is this something you want to do next year?”
Up until this year, the answer to whether to keep coaching had always been yes. Over the years, Hutchens looked into high school and college administration but never found the right fit. That is, until the athletic director position at Daleville Junior-Senior High School became available when former AD Benjamin Wissel took a job at New Castle High School in August.
Hutchens, who was previously the head wrestling coach at James Madison (2004-07), Colorado School of Mines (2009-13) and Ashland (2014-20), officially began his tenure as Daleville’s athletic director on Sept. 8. … rest of story at _{https://www.thestarpress.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/09/18/former-wrestling-coach-josh-hutchens-hired-daleville-athletic-director/3478787001/?mc_cid=f6e465b}

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