Takedown Report

College Wrestling News – # 112

TDR Editor’s Notes ; to be posted +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1 } – Cael Sanderson talks NCAA Tournament cancellation, winter athlete eligibility, future of wrestling
Cael Sanderson understood the NCAA’s decision to cancel the 2020 NCAA Tournament in Minneapolis back in March. But even though he understood the decision — and on some level expected it — understanding didn’t necessarily make it any easier for him or his athletes to take. “I don’t think it was a huge surprise. I think it was definitely deflating and definitely disappointing,” Sanderson told The Daily Collegian. “It was also understandable because it was hard to justify bringing your kids, staff and people from all over the country into one location, especially in a contact sport or any personal kind of setting.”
At the forefront of Sanderson’s mind when the cancellation went into effect was the impact it’d have on his wrestlers. There’s both a team and an individual aspect to wrestling, something that makes the sport stand out in that regard. Also, it’s largely in the postseason — at conference and especially national tournaments — where wrestlers’ careers get remembered and legacies are cemented.
Now, there’ll be gaps in their legacies. “You just feel bad for the kids because they’ve been training their whole lives for these opportunities. And to not have had the chance to compete in the national tournament — in our sport — that’s obviously the crowning jewel…,” Sanderson said. “We love to compete. But when they’re looking back on their season in 20 years, the question is how’d you do in the national tournament?” … rest of story at _{https://www.collegian.psu.edu/sports/wrestling/article_de38e20e-1325-11eb-912c-27fbec08c5fd.html?mc_cid=1b88391836&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

2 } – NAIA retains winter sport championship dates
The NAIA recently announced plans to proceed with winter championship dates and locations as scheduled. For Wayland Baptist, this means championship dates and locations for men’s and women’s basketball and men’s and women’s wrestling will remain as scheduled, for now.   
“As with anything COVID-related, we cannot predict with certainty what the situation will be in the coming months. Based upon the information we have now, we intend to proceed with our winter championship dates and locations as scheduled,” NAIA President & CEO Jim Carr said. “While some members have expressed interest in delaying winter championships, moving these events to spring will cause additional resource and logistical challenges for members, conferences, and the national office.”  
The NAIA previously moved championship dates for fall sports – cross country, football, soccer and volleyball – to the spring. “It should be noted that the (NAIA) national office is working with the winter host sites regarding contingency plans, … rest of story at _{https://wbuathletics.com/news/2020/9/29/mens-basketball-naia-retains-winter-sport-championship-dates.aspx?mc_cid=72c2868447&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

3 } – Management Council recommends blanket waiver for all DIII student-athletes
Presidents Council will vote on season-of-participation waiver recommendation next week
October 21, 2020 By Jeremy Villanueva
The Division III Management Council is forwarding a recommendation to the Presidents Council to allow all Division III student-athletes to compete up to the established dates of competition/contest maximums without being charged a season of intercollegiate participation for this academic year. The Presidents Council will review the recommendation during its Oct. 28 videoconference. The blanket waiver request would not charge student-athletes a term of attendance for any term (semester/quarter) during the 2020-21 academic year in which they were eligible for competition.
The council noted that the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to dramatically affect higher education at least through the end of this academic year and likely beyond, and student-athletes are feeling the impact from both an academic and athletics perspective. The uncertainty regarding the extent of their athletics participation and the related eligibility repercussions contribute to a growing list of concerns for student-athletes.
This recommendation does not serve as a rationale for future reduced enrollment by student-athletes. Rather, the council reaffirmed its commitment … rest of story at _{https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/management-council-recommends-blanket-waiver-all-diii-student-athletes?mc_cid=1b88391836&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

4 } – NJCAA announces 2020-21 eligibility status
Charlotte, NC – The NJCAA Board of Regents met Thursday to discuss NJCAA student-athlete eligibility for the 2020-21 academic year. Following the Board of Regents’ vote, all 2020-21 NJCAA sport seasons (fall, winter, spring) will not count towards student-athlete eligibility. The eligibility relief is provided to all NJCAA student-athletes regardless of sport season participation in the 2020-21 academic year. “The Board of Regents feels this decision is best for the success and well-being of our student-athletes and member colleges at this time,” stated Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President & CEO. “There is no right answer to this challenge and situation, but as an association, we are going to support the eligibility of all our student-athletes to help them succeed in their academic and athletic careers.”

Returning student-athletes will be considered “non-counters” for letter of intent and NJCAA eligibility purposes. The NJCAA Eligibility Committee will continue to review and evaluate the impact of the blanket waiver on eligibility requirements. “The uncertainty surrounding the pandemic has put collegiate sports in a very challenging situation,” … rest of story at _{https://theguillotine.com/2020/10/njcaa-announces-2020-21-eligibility-status/?mc_cid=6032bfb245&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

5 } – From wrestling to engineering to walk-on fullback, Adam Prentice’s journey to USC
A college wrestler, a Division III linebacker and an engineer walk into a football meeting room — they’re all Adam Prentice. Or rather, they’re all paths Prentice, now a fullback with South Carolina football, could have taken as a senior at Clovis High School in California in 2015. In an age of specialization, the burly three-sport athlete did just about everything well, from playing both linebacker and running back for the Cougars, to putting up a 4.0 GPA in the classroom, to his volunteer work outside of it. But all of that didn’t add up to much in the way of big-time college football offers. Division III Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, in New York, was interested in him, both for his defensive play and his academic profile as a engineering student. More locally, Cal Poly had offered him a scholarship in wrestling. And after that, most schools either weren’t interested or were just impatient, … rest of story at _{https://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-football/article246592718.html?mc_cid=cc6d7a1ffb&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

6 } – IOWA STAR MCDONOUGH JOINS CORNELL WRESTLING STAFF
MOUNT VERNON – Matt McDonough, a two-time NCAA champion at the University of Iowa, has joined Coach Brent Hamm‘s Cornell wrestling staff as the head assistant for the 2020-21 season. “I am thrilled to have Matt on our coaching staff,” Hamm said. “Matt is high energy and relates well with people. His expertise in the wrestling room will raise our program to new heights. Matt will be a great mentor to our athletes and a huge asset on our coaching staff.”
McDonough was a three-time national finalist for the Hawkeyes, claiming NCAA crowns at 125 pounds in 2010 and 2012. He was NCAA runner-up in 2011. McDonough reached the finals at the Big Ten Championships four consecutive seasons, winning the title in 2011 and 2012. A native of Marion, Iowa, McDonough compiled an impressive 122-9 career record in a Hawkeye singlet. His .931 career winning percentage ranked 11th-highest in Iowa’s storied history at the time of his graduation. McDonough went 74-3 in Big Ten duals.
McDonough helped lead the Hawkeyes to Big Ten and NCAA team championships during the 2009-10 season. McDonough went on to compete for the Hawkeye Wrestling Club and was a member of the USA Freestyle National Team at 57 kilograms. Prior to landing on the Hilltop, McDonough was assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin. He spent two seasons on the Badgers’ staff. McDonough also ran the Eastern Iowa Wrestling Club for three years. … rest of story at _{https://www.cornellrams.com/article/3733?mc_cid=9754f989b3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

7 } – Loss of University of Iowa sports is a betrayal
On Aug. 21, I and people I love were handed a betrayal by institutions I have loved and revered my entire life, the University of Iowa and the UI Athletic Dept. Anyone who has been betrayed by a loved one knows the sheer agony, unlike any other, of being angry and hurt to the very core of your being. In this case, the feeling is mixed with the utter grief and loss. • With loss of TV revenue looming, Iowa discontinues 4 sports
UI has announced it is dismantling the men’s and women’s Hawkeye Swimming and Diving program at the conclusion of the 2020-21 season. The reason given is that due to the loss of football revenue during a pandemic, four athletic programs need to be cut for the survival of other programs. Student athletes, who had spent their summer anxiously waiting for and trusting the guidance of the athletic department, found out at their first gathering with the team since early March, that, instead, their team is being discarded.
Their coaches, who have trained and cared for these young adults and who are the heart and soul of the program, had been given 30 minutes to process this knowledge before it was announced to their assembled student athletes, some were freshmen who had arrived on campus a few days prior and hadn’t even started classes let alone practice. Some had just survived the derecho that ripped through the state. All were young adults trying to come to terms with all the loss and change that has been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In their open letter, the U of I Athletic Dept. claims to be “transparent” and to have considered the importance, engagement, and history of Hawkeye Swimming and Diving before cutting the program.
History? Hawkeye Swimming and Diving is a program that originated in 1917 during World War I, survived the Spanish flu pandemic, the Great Depression, World War II, and Title IX cuts over its 103-year history. It is a program that has produced 27 Olympians, 476 NCAA All-Americans, and 19 NCAA champions. The butterfly stroke was invented at UI. Hawkeye Swimming and Diving not only had several athletes slated to compete in last season’s canceled NCAA Championships, but has athletes who are slated to compete at the 2021 Olympic Trials and the program is scheduled to host NCAA Championships in Iowa City in March 2021. After competing in the basement of the Field House for decades, a spectacular multimillion dollar facility was opened in 2010. It has 48 students on its roster from around the world. … rest of story at _{https://www.thegazette.com/subject/opinion/guest-columnist/loss-of-university-of-iowa-sports-is-a-betrayal-20200828?mc_cid=ea5a873124&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

8 } – Jordan Oliver to Wrestle in $25,000 Tournament on FloWrestling
FloWrestling announced on Saturday at Who’s Number One that it will host an eight-person tournament for wrestlers weighing in at 150 pounds, and Jordan Oliver will be one of the competitors. All entrants will make $1,000 with the fourth place finisher taking home $5,000, the third place finisher taking $10,000, the runner-up $15,000 and the winner $25,000.
The other two announced entries for the event are NCAA champion Anthony Ashnault and former Edinboro Scot and Iowa Hawkeye Patricio Lugo. The event will take place on Dec. 18. … rest of story at _{https://pistolsfiringblog.com/jordan-oliver-to-wrestle-in-25000-tournament-on-flowrestling/?mc_cid=9e55d26136&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

9} – University of Iowa expects football resurrection will pare down deficit, but cut sports to remain eliminated
IOWA CITY — The resurrection of Big Ten football — even in a limited capacity, with a truncated schedule and no fan revenue — could shave tens of millions off an anticipated $75 million University of Iowa athletics deficit during this pandemic-plagued year.
But downgrading the massive losses to between $40 million and $60 million will not save the four sports UI Athletics last month announced will disappear at the end of this academic year, UI Athletic Director Gary Barta told the Board of Regents on Wednesday. “The great news didn’t fix the problem,” Barta said of the Sept. 16 conference decision to kick off a shortened football season the weekend of Oct. 23-24.
“That day, I had staff members whose positions were being eliminated contact us and ask if they’d be able to stay on,” Barta told the regents. “And we had to have that very, very challenging discussion to say, ‘I’m sorry, but this hole is still very deep. And it’s going to be impacting us probably more than a decade as we pay back the deficit. “And so, no, the positions are still gone. The pay cuts are still in place. And the furloughs are still having to be taken.” Addressing a massive and mounting alumni and athlete-driven campaign to save the four dropped UI sports — swimming and diving, men’s tennis, and men’s gymnastics — Barta repeated and publicly answered a question that group brought him after learning of the football resumption. … rest of story at _{https://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/university-of-iowa-expects-football-resurrection-will-pare-down-deficit-but-cut-sports-to-remain-eliminated-20200923?mc_cid=f2d65a70bb&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

10 } – Coach Mike Tellez leads successful wrestling program
WHITTIER — In 2006 the Rio Hondo College Wrestling program was on the brink of extinction. Enter Mike Tellez.
As an assistant in 2006 and then becoming the head coach the next season, Tellez began a transformation of the program and has never looked back for the last 14 years. Tellez, who was an All-American wrestler at Rio in 1985-’87, has seen multiple All-Americans, won five conference titles as a team and had four individual CCCAA State Champions.
“We’ve had great success at Rio Hondo, being a smaller program,” said Tellez, who won his seventh Coach of the Year honor. “We have a hard-working team and we take what we have and we know we have to develop it. “We usually have a smaller team (18-25 wrestlers). We’ve got guys that maybe didn’t have success in high school, but have way better success in college. Kahlil Tucker, our state champion last year, was a CIF placer and didn’t qualify for state in high school. His first year here, he didn’t qualify for state, and the second year he is state champ.”
Tellez, who has a staff of six assistant coaches, emphasized about how hard Tucker worked to get there. “I think it was the hard work of him buying into the system that we have,” said Tellez, who wrestled at Rio Hondo from 1985-’87. “Our motto here is: ‘When the kid wins, it’s the kid. When the kid loses, it’s the coaching.’ “He bought in and did everything that we asked him to do and earned it. He went from being not ranked to being the state champ.” … rest of story at _{https://www.greenleafguardian.com/coach-mike-tellez-leads-successful-wrestling-program/?mc_cid=cc6d7a1ffb&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

November 17, 2020 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized