Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

College Recruits & Transfers # 7

TDR Editor’s Notes ; A round up of stories about recruits or transfers to a new program from across the nation is included here. From the west coast (#2 & #3) to the east coast in Virginia (#5), New Jersey (#6), Pennsylvania (#4) and New York (#10). More wrestling news from the wide open northern plains of Montana (#2) and Minnesota (#1) to the southern plains in Texas and Oklahoma (#6). Even more from the central – midwest states of Indiana (#4), Ohio (#7), Kentucky (#8) and Illinois (#9) are included.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1 } – Osborn Announces Recruiting Class
MOORHEAD (9/08/20)—Head coach Quincy Osborn released his recruiting class on Tuesday as the team prepares for the 2021 season.
“This is the largest and most geographically diverse recruiting class we have assembled in my time at Concordia,” Osborn said. “This group has a lot of high character guys who come to campus having excellent accolades on the mat and in the classroom.”
The incoming group of 15 student/athletes boasts wrestlers from nine different states. The geographical breakdown of the recruiting class includes Minnesota, North Dakota, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Texas and Washington. The incoming class also features a Division I transfer, a pair of state champions, four wrestlers who competed in a state championship match, nine state place winners and 14 state qualifiers.  
“I am excited to see how all this class of wrestlers will continue to develop at the college level,” Osborn added. … rest of story and details at https://concordiamn.prestosports.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/20200908m44ffd?mc_cid=d4c11c167e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – ‘It means everything:’ Missoula Big Sky’s Hunter Meinzen commits to Oregon State wrestling
MISSOULA — From state placer, to state champion, to NCAA Division I wrestler. Welcome to Hunter Meinzen’s world. The Missoula Big Sky senior made his commitment to continue his wrestling career at Oregon State back in July. That decision came before Meinzen, one of the most decorated wrestlers in Montana, even began his highly anticipated senior season. It’s just one more achievement by an athlete who has plenty of goals and a bright future in the sport. “Ever since I was little, I’ve always dreamed about going and wrestling in college and even going beyond college and wrestling on the world level,” Meinzen told MTN Sports during football practice last week. Meinzen is a two-time reigning state wrestling champion, … rest of story at https://www.montanasports.com/high-school-sports/wrestling/it-means-everything-missoula-big-skys-hunter-meinzen-commits-to-oregon-state-wrestling?mc_cid=aa5954ac13&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Long-time bond drives BHS wrestler Lucio to commit to Cal. State-Bakersfield
Whenever he visited the home of Efren Ceballos, Cade Lucio hoped he was getting a glimpse into his own future. For much of his early life, it wasn’t uncommon to find Lucio spending his free time at the home of Ceballos, whose wife Melissa is lifelong friends with Cade’s mother Natalee. While the adults would sit and talk, young Cade was free to walk around the premises, where he eventually found a room that caught his eye. The room in question, Ceballos’ garage, contained numerous trophies and medals he’d earned in a decorated wrestling career. A three-time state qualifier at Manteca High School, Ceballos became one of the most accomplished wrestlers to compete at Cal State Bakersfield, winning 114 matches, seventh most in school history, and earning All-American honors at 125 pounds in 2004. … rest of story at https://www.bakersfield.com/sports/bvarsity/long-time-bond-drives-bhs-wrestler-lucio-to-commit-to-csub/article_ffdfdfc4-f779-11ea-a632-e3ac0c9024d7.html?mc_cid=451344eca7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – Meet Matt Lee, Nittany Lion Incoming Wrestler!
Evansville native joins brothers Joe and Nick in Happy Valley!
With the new year upon us, let’s take a second to check in with incoming wrestler Matt Lee, an incoming freshman from Evansville, Ind.  Lee joins brothers Joe and Nick as a member of  head coach Cael Sanderson‘s Nittany Lion wrestlers.
Q: Welcome to Happy Valley! What were the main reasons you chose Penn State and this program?
The coaching staff and the culture in the wrestling room is the best in the world. It also doesn’t hurt that Penn State has some of the best academic programs in the country.
Q: With the disruption that occurred nationally from the NCAA’s reaction to a virus, how have you been able to interact with your new Nittany Lion teammates prior to coming to Penn State this Summer/Fall?
I have been living in State College for a while, so I’ve been able to wrestle with the NLWC, which many past and present team members are a part of.
Q: What are you most excited about doing when you get on campus as an official member of the Penn State family?
Creating a stronger bond with my teammates and coaches, … rest of story at https://gopsusports.com/news/2020/9/16/wrestling-meet-matt-lee-nittany-lion-incoming-wrestler.aspx?mc_cid=f697b041da&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – The Noke Wrestling News Podcast – Episode 3 (Meet the Freshmen)
Welcome to the latest project from The Open Mat. We have teamed up with the newly formed Roanoke College wrestling program to bring you Noke Wrestling News. Roanoke College is a Division III school in southwestern Virginia. This podcast will bring you up to date on all of the news and happenings surrounding this team in its initial season.
In episode three we are joined by three members of the first class of student-athletes to wrestle for Roanoke College, Ryan Foutz, Chandler Jordan, and Jackson Shumate. The three tell us about why they chose Roanoke and how life has been for freshmen during this unusual time. Coach Nate Yetzer also talks recruiting, … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/podcasts/noke-wrestling-news/the-noke-wrestling-news-podcast-episode-3-meet-the-freshmen/78918?mc_cid=c6a292a4f2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – Ferrari Headlines OSU’s Top Ranked Recruiting Class
STILLWATER — The Oklahoma State wrestling program and coach John Smith brought in the nation’s top recruiting class in 2020, with multiple top-50 recruits and several state champions included. Headlining the class is the nation’s former No. 1 overall recruit AJ Ferrari Jr. Ferrari was born in Dallas, Texas, on July 24, 2001 to parents Adriana and AJ Ferrari Sr. He began his career at just four years old and said his dad wanted him to be able to protect himself, so he started taking jiu-jitsu classes.
 “To be honest, I started with jiu-jitsu and it was a little bit less attacking, more defensive,” Ferrari said. “After that, my dad put me into wrestling in Plano (Texas) and I just took off, I loved it.”
 Ferrari attended Blair Academy and Bergen Catholic high schools in New Jersey and posted an incredible 96-1 record before an injury derailed his senior season. … rest of story at https://okstate.com/news/2020/9/21/wrestling-ferrari-headlines-osus-top-ranked-recruiting-class.aspx?mc_cid=1ea990827d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – Robinson Cleared to Compete Immediately
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Head coach Josh Moore of the Cleveland State University wrestling team announced Friday that redshirt sophomore Marcus Robinson has been cleared to compete in the upcoming 2020-21 season. 
Robinson, who transferred during the offseason from fellow Mid-American Conference member Buffalo, is now eligible to represent the Vikings in all competition formats immediately. He has three years of eligibility remaining. Robinson spent his first two collegiate seasons at Buffalo and showed promise despite his youth. He placed seventh at 141 pounds at the 2020 MAC Championships, tallying three wins at the event despite entering unseeded. He was the highest placing freshman or sophomore in his weight class last season. 
Robinson went 18-12 during the 2019-20 season, including a mark of 6-4 in MAC dual action. He had redshirted in his first season with the Bulls and racked up 22 wins while competing unattached.  Robinson was a four-time state champion for Arkansas City High School, … rest of story at https://csuvikings.prestosports.com/sports/m-wrestl/2020-21/releases/20200918i9cobg?mc_cid=f6e465b58d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – TRANSFER TUESDAY: JUSTAN RIVERA
Williamsburg, KY – The Patriots men’s wrestling team works just as hard in the off-season as they do in championship season. Signing Justan Rivera was the highlight of the summer for Jordan Countryman and his program. A red-shirt senior transfer from Notre Dame College (OH), Rivera comes to Cumberlands with an illustrious and well-decorated history making appearances at three NCAA DII National Tournaments.
Although initially unaware of the elite program, Rivera soon found it to be the perfect place to spend his final season. “As soon as I met the team and the coaches, I fell in love with the program. They are one of the most connected teams I have ever been a part of and the coaching staff is immensely talented.”
As a collegiate athlete, Rivera continued his success making several appearances at the NCAA DII Super Regionals and National Championships. Starting his career during the 2015-16 season, Rivera made his first trip to the DII Super Regional where he finished in third. … rest of story at https://cumberlandspatriots.com/news/2020/9/22/mens-wrestling-transfer-tuesday-justan-rivera.aspx?mc_cid=e10bcd29f6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – Kisgen Signs 17 to 2020-21 Season Roster
(LEBANON, Ill. – Sept. 22) – McKendree University men’s wrestling head coach James Kisgen announces the addition of 17 student-athletes to the men’s wrestling roster for the upcoming 2020-21 season.
Jordan Alcala (Yakima, WA/A.C. Davis)
Alcala was a 2018 Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) State Qualifier and also wrestled for Empire Wrestling Club.
Wes Bockert (Fairbanks, AL/Lathrop)
Held the school record for 164 takedowns for the Malamutes of Lathrop High School. Bockert recorded 141 wins in his four-year career and was a two-time State Champion.
Rasheek Bonds (Goshen, IN/Goshen)
Recorded over 100 wins for the Redhawks of Goshen High School.
Christian Cartright (Branson, MO/Branson)
Cartright posted an overall 97-34 record in his career with the Pirates of Branson High School. … rest of story at https://mckbearcats.com/news/2020/9/22/mens-wrestling-kisgen-signs-17-to-2020-21-season-roster.aspx?mc_cid=e10bcd29f6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – Wrestling Announces Incoming Class for 2020-21 Season
ITHACA, N.Y. – Cornell wrestling is set to welcome nine newcomers in advance of the 2020-21 season. This incoming class joins the Big Red with 10 state championships, five Beast of the East championships, three Fargo titles, two FloNationals titles, a Super 32 championship and a Walsh Ironman championship. Two members of the incoming class have already represented the United State at the world level and five members of the class ranked in the top 100 recruits on FloWrestling’s Big Board.
Benny Baker, Jacob Cardenas, Lewis Fernandes, Chris Foca, Luke Gorg, Julian Ramirez, Josh Saunders, Kaleb Williams and Jacob Yawn make up the future graduating class of 2024.
Head Coach Rob Koll and his staff enter 2020-21, not just hoping for a season, but hoping to reclaim the Ivy League championship after it was won by someone other than the Big Red for the first time in 18 years last season. … rest of story at https://cornellbigred.com/news/2020/9/23/wrestling-announces-incoming-class-for-2020-21-season.aspx?mc_cid=9754f989b3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

October 15, 2020 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment