Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

Women’s Wrestling News – # 49

TDR Editor’s Notes ; A list of all new women’s college programs is linked in article #3. Encouraging to see the enthusiasm for wrestling.
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1 } – Mercado Brings in Talented Women’s Wrestling Class
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Colorado Mesa women’s wrestling coach Travis Mercado announced his complete 2020 recruiting class on Tuesday (Sept. 1) afternoon. The class consists of 18 girls with 10 girls ranked inside the overall top-100 by The Open Mat with six ranked by USA Wrestling’s High School weight-by-weight rankings.
 “This recruiting class is another statement to the commitment we have had in recruiting and building a premier program for women’s wrestling here at Colorado Mesa University and the Western part of the United States,” Coach Mercado said. “We have 10 of the Top 100 seniors ranked by The Open Mat coming in this year. All of the incoming girls bring a unique skill set, are eager to be a part of our program, and excited to help us in our quest of winning a national championship.”
 The group will join one of the top recruits in the country in Tristan Kelly from Erie, Colo. who was announced earlier this summer.
 Hailey Ward is a 101-pounder from Turlock, Calif. Ward was a four-time state placer in California and a two-time Cadet Folkstyle All-American. She was also a Cadet Fargo All-American and ranked No. 70 in The Open Mat class of 2020 rankings.
 “Hailey is a well-known name in California as she was a 4-time state placer in California. Her skill set is going to help strengthen our lower weights. Coming from an all-boys team in high school, she is looking forward to being on a women’s team with girls who all have high expectations of themselves and have similar goals,” Mercado said. … rest of story at https://cmumavericks.com/news/2020/9/2/mercado-brings-in-talented-womens-wrestling-class.aspx?mc_cid=fd098ddc36&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – Stittsville’s Erica Wiebe inspires others to start your ‘impossible’ – Olympic channel
In June of 2019, wrestling gold medalist Erica Wiebe joined nine other Canadian athletes on ‘Team Toyota’ to inspire others as they reach for the top. We brought you this story on June 12 of last year. Since that time, Erica has been supporting young girls in Calgary (where she trains) to grow their confidence and purpose through wrestling.
Toyota in partnership with the Olympic Channel have produced a six-part original series featuring the inspirational lessons from the nine world-class Team Toyota athletes and their stories about overcoming common personal barriers and starting their own impossible. In the new original series What Moves Me, Erica shares her personal story – with less than one year to go before next summer’s Paralympic and Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 being hosted in 2021. … rest of story at https://stittsvillecentral.ca/stittsvilles-erica-wiebe-inspires-others-to-start-your-impossible-olympic-channel/?mc_cid=72ed629a09&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – 2020-21’s New Women’s Collegiate Programs
With most colleges back underway, it’s time to look at and salute those that have added women’s wrestling programs. 17 collegiate teams, across four different classifications, are set to hit the mat for the first time in the 2020-21 season. Of course, with all of the fallout from the pandemic and some schools/conference on lockdown and others with fall seasons cancelled/delayed, it’s unclear when these teams may actually wrestle for the first time. As of now, they are scheduled to compete this school year.  We’ve only included the programs which are wrestling at the varsity level in 2020-21. Additionally, the University of the Ozarks and Northern Michigan are set to compete as a club sport this year and will have a full season in 2021-22. They will be included in next year’s edition. Hopefully, that list is twice as big as this one, which is impressive itself. 
Carthage Lady Reds – Kenosha, Wisconsin (DIII)
Head Coach: Alberto Quiros
Carthage is the third women’s program to be added in Wisconsin in the last three seasons. The other two, Lakeland and UW-Stevens Point, have already produced national champions. With the blossoming girl’s scene in Wisconsin, there’s no reason to think that Carthage won’t have success early on, as well. 
Corban Warriors – Salem, Oregon (NAIA)
Head Coach: Stryder Davis
Look for this program to impact the NAIA sooner, rather than later. Coach Stryder Davis brought in a gigantic freshmen class that garnered an honorable mention notice in TOM’s Class of 2020 recruiting rankings. Ivy Kraight was a top-50 senior in the nation, and joins Grace Nelson, Taylor Ohlson, and Brigid Shannon as freshmen with strong pre-collegiate credentials that could have an impact in year one. Additionally, Kyleigh Lopez, a top-100 wrestler from the Class of 2019, will transfer over from Southern Oregon. 
Davenport Panthers – Grand Rapids, Michigan (DII)
Head Coach: Jamie Boyd
Before the 2020-21 season, Michigan had only one women’s college program, but Davenport will be one of two that has been added in the last year. … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/womens-wrestling/2020-21s-new-womens-collegiate-programs/78825?mc_cid=72ed629a09&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – Whitney Conder: ‘Wrestling made me feel like I was enough’
Whitney Conder, a five-time World team member and Junior World champion, thrives in the World Class Athlete Program. She talks about her experience in the army, facing resistance to women’s wrestling, and life after competition. … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/PortalPlayer.jsp?videoId=865395135&mc_cid=99708d813d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – First Two Matchups Announced for Girls Night of Conflict
When: Girls Sept 25th | Boys Sept 26th
Where: The Arena, 4501 Southern Hills Drive, Sioux City, Iowa 51106, United States
Start Times: Doors Open 4:00PM | Event 6:30PM
Tickets: NightofConflict.com
Watch: Rokfin $10
Rules: High School Rules with Push Out Rule
IAwrestle has been bringing you the Night of Conflict for years now with mostly boy’s matches on the card with some girl’s matches sprinkled in. This year we are excited to bring you the first-ever ALL GIRLS Night of Conflict in Sioux City on Friday, September 26th. The card is filling up fast and we are kicking off the announcements with a pair of great matchups. Two-Time IWCOA high school state champion Millie Peach from Iowa Valley-Marengo is one of the top girls in the state and the senior is currently ranked #8 nationally by USA Wrestling. She also comes in at #4 on the IAwrestle Girls Fab50 list of best in state wrestlers. We went out of state to find her opponent in Nebraska state champion Zeriah George who comes in ranked #21 in the country by USA Wrestling. George is a Junior at Winnebago High School in Nebraska. … rest of story at https://iawrestle.com/2020/09/10/first-two-matchups-announced-for-girls-night-of-conflict/?mc_cid=27cd8af936&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – Jessica Medina: My Wrestling Hero
Today’s installment of My Wrestling Hero features Jessica Medina. The USA Wrestling women’s freestyle developmental coach shares her thoughts on her wrestling heroes: Tricia Saunders and Toccara Montgomery. 
These are Medina’s thoughts on her wrestling heroes:
“(My wrestling heroes are) Tricia Saunders and Toccara Montgomery. The times that I talked to them about the sport, it’s amazing to hear their stories and the adversity they went through. Sometimes it’s the same thing that I’m going through. (Tricia) was struggling with the same things I was struggling with 15 years later. The way that she really had to problem solve and fight just to be on teams and to get partners. She was so creative. She’s all business. When I’ve been able to pick her brain she gets it. She was definitely ahead of her time. … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1599702431931&twSessionId=jomgsauurn&postId=865127135&mc_cid=d4c11c167e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – WISCONSIN RTC RAISES $1,400 FOR USA WRESTLING WOMEN’S PROGRAM THROUGH VIRTUAL FUNDRAISER
he Wisconsin RTC, one of the very active Regional Training Centers which provide opportunities for elite athletes to train, recently raised money which will benefit USA Wrestling’s women’s wrestling program.
During the month of August, the Wisconsin RTC’s Cardio for A Cause fundraiser was held. Wisconsin RTC supporters tracked their exercise for the month. The challenge was to get to 500 miles between August 1 and August 30. People registered individually or created teams of up to 10 racers, participating at their own pace. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/September/11/Wisconsin-RTC-raises-funds-for-USA-Wrestling-Womens-Team?mc_cid=aa70f844b7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – Nine More Matches Set For Girls Night of Conflict
#1 Val Boleyn (North Fayette Valley) vs #3 Toyia Griffith (Nashua-Plainfield)
Boleyn was a relative unknown coming into the IWCOA state tournament last season but finished as a runner-up after upsetting Griffith in the semifinals. Boleyn is currently #29 on the girls Fab50 list for Iowa. Griffith was the 2019 state champion and multiple time AAU state champion who is currently ranked the 5th best girls wrestler in Iowa on the Girls Fab50. Will Boleyn prove that she belongs with the very best girls in the state or can Griffith get some revenge?
#1 Jannell Avila (Lisbon) vs Madison Diaz (Waverly-Shell Rock)
Many wrestling fans around Iowa are familiar with the Avila family from Lisbon due to Robert Avila being a multiple time state champion on track to possibly become a 4-time state champion. What some wrestling fans don’t know is that his sister Jannell is on track to maybe do the same thing! She had a great freshman season and captured the IWCOA state title and is currently ranked the 7th best girls wrestler in Iowa in the Girls Fab50. You might see that we don’t have Madison Diaz ranked but that is because she hasn’t wrestled in Iowa yet. She is a highly decorated wrestler who recently transferred into Waverly-Shell Rock from Florida and by all accounts is more than holding her own in the wrestling room of the defending state championship team. This will be a big gauge of just where Diaz fits into the ranks here in Iowa. … rest of story at https://iawrestle.com/2020/09/15/nine-more-matches-set-for-girls-night-of-conflict/?mc_cid=451344eca7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – Afsoon Johnston: My Wrestling Hero
Today’s installment of My Wrestling Hero features Afsoon Johnston. The first women’s freestyle World medalist in American history shares her thoughts on her wrestling heroes, including her father, Tricia Saunders and Dan Gable. 
“I have several wrestling heroes, but let me start off by saying my father because that’s who I watched as a very young child. Growing up, I watched him wrestle and that’s who introduced me to the sport and that’s how I was in awe of the sport. He has always been my wrestling hero. 
“Throughout the years I actually have several — Dan Gable, John Smith, Tricia Saunders. Even though she and I competed against each other, she has done so much for women’s wrestling. I was very proud to wrestle alongside her. Terry Steiner and everything he’s done for women’s wrestling in our and our national team and where we are now. Those are just a few of my all-time heroes. “Gable was always this legend. … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1600138730428&twSessionId=oiucoioptf&postId=866491135&mc_cid=aa5954ac13&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – PreSeason National Girls High School Rankings
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame, USA Wrestling and FloWrestling are again partnered to create preseason national rankings for high school girls wrestlers for the 2020-21 season. This ranking evaluates all girls enrolled in grades 9-12, and athletes from all 50 states are eligible for selection.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the last National Girls High School Rankings were published in March 2020. The committee chose to publish the 2020-2021 preseason ranking earlier than last year, due to the changes in the sport which have occurred because of this historic international challenge.
Almost all of the major national and international events which are used to evaluate performance were either cancelled or postponed in the spring and summer. There were a limited number of competitions for high school girls in the last few months, and a number of the nation’s best athletes did get opportunities to wrestle. These events were researched and used as part of the preseason rankings.
The first decision for the committee was to rank all of the athletes based upon their weight class back in March 2020. Since the pandemic affected the sport in different ways based upon what region or state an athlete is living, not all of the athletes had the same opportunities to train or compete. This ranking, using last year’s weights, will create the baseline for the rankings for the rest of the year.
The next ranking will be published in early November 2020, after major competitions such as the USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals and Super 32 are held. The committee will move athletes to new weight classes, if appropriate, based upon where they compete at the major events this fall. There are eight seniors and six juniors who are ranked No. 1 in the preseason rankings. … rest of story at https://nwhof.org/blog/preseason-national-girls-high-school-rankings/?mc_cid=f697b041da&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

October 10, 2020 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

New College Teams – Part One (2016-2018)

TDR Editor’s Notes ; This is the first of three postings which list the colleges that have added wrestling teams in recent years. The following teams added a wrestling team during the two seasons listed below. Some reinstated a program but most added wrestling for the first time.
Starting in the 2017-2018 season ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Men’s Wrestling Teams
Div. I – Fresno State
Div. II – Queens Univ. (NC),
Div. III – Averett Univ. (Va.), Westminster College (Mo.),
NAIA – Bluefield College (WV), Cleary Univ., (Mi.), Judson Univ. (IL), Oklahoma Wesleyan Univ., University of St. Mary,
JUCO – Cloud Community College (Ks.), Cowley Community College (Ks.), Joliet Junior College (IL), Lackawanna College (Pa.), MaComb Community College (Mi), Moorpark College (Cal.), Penn State-Behrend, St. Clair County Community College, Umpqua Community College,
Women’s Wrestling Teams – Nassau Community College, Norwich Univ. (Vt.), University of St. Mary, Umpqua Community College, University of Great Falls, Westminster College (Mo.)
Dropped Teams – Boise State Univ., Morthland College, Shorter Univ.,

Starting in the 2016-2017 season ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Men’s Wrestling Teams
Div. I — none
Div. II – Bellarmine University (Ky.), Drury University (Mo.).,
Div. III – Castleton Univ., Keystone College, MacMurray College, Nebraska Wesleyan, New England College, Otterbein Univ., Thomas More College,
NAIA – Central Christian College, Eastern Oregon Univ., Lourdes Univ., Marian Univ., Reinhardt Univ. (Ga.),
JUCO – Ancilla College, Henry Ford Community College, Northeastern Junior College (Co.), Otero Junior College (Co.), SUNY Ulster
Women’s Wrestling Teams – Bacone College, Eastern Oregon Univ., Grays Harbor College, MacMurray College, Richland Community College, Wentworth Military Academy
Dropped Teams – Anderson Univ. (S.C.), Grand Canyon Univ., St. Catharine College (school closed) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

October 10, 2020 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment