Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

Women’s Wrestling News – # 54

TDR Editor’s Notes ; News of new college coaches and star wrestlers and teams are included in the stories below. It has been amazing to see the growth in womne’s wrestling at the collegiate and high school levels in the past 10 years. The number of teams has grown comparable to the size of another divsion in wrestling. There has also been quite a growth in youth and middle school levels as well. These will be hard to measure this seasons with the disruptions and postponements caused by the pandemic.
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1 } – New Women’s Collegiate Head Coaches for 2020-21
The women’s college wrestling season is upon us! Though there are still plenty of areas in the country where wrestling has been delayed, a handful of women’s programs have hit the mats for competitions. With a new season comes a wave of coaching changes, which is certainly the case on the women’s side. Unfortunately, there are still plenty of women’s programs that regularly deal with turnover from the head coaching position. Below we’ll discuss seven teams that will be under new leadership for the 2020-21. 
This does not include brand-new programs that will compete for the first time this season. We have already mentioned those squads and their respective head coaches here. 
Brewton-Parker College – Devane Dodgens
The administration at Brewton-Parker College didn’t have to look very far to find their latest head coach in Devane Dodgens. Devane was coaching in-state for Life University’s men’s team and will assist in that capacity at BPC, as well. Life was also where Dodgens competed collegiately and he finished as a two-time NAIA All-American, taking seventh and third. Before returning to Life to coach, Devane was heavily involved in Georgia’s club scene and was an assistant at the high school level. Dodgens is the fourth head coach in as many years for the Barons, so hopefully, he’ll bring some stability to the program.
Eastern Oregon – Carlene Sluberski
Carlene Sluberski takes over at Eastern Oregon after spending the previous two seasons as the head coach at the University of Providence. In 2018-19, Sluberski oversaw the first NAIA All-American for Providence as Dajan Treder placed third at 123 lb weight class. Her 2019-20 squad finished third in the Cascade Collegiate Conference … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/womens-wrestling/new-womens-collegiate-head-coaches-for-2020-21/79525?mc_cid=580d0bc2a3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } -Joey Bareng breaks down the current state of Menlo and women’s wrestling
Menlo coach Joey Bareng dives into recruiting, program philosophy, the changing landscape of women’s wrestling, and dealing with a global pandemic. … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1606964707167&twSessionId=nnpseppgpf&videoId=882411135&mc_cid=580d0bc2a3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Emma Bruntil Talks Tar Heel Open
TOM had the opportunity to talk with Emma Bruntil just days before she takes the mat opposite Macey Kilty in the main event of the Tar Heel Open. The two will be the first women to headline a stand-alone event of this sort. This will be a rematch of the 2019 Senior National semifinals in which Emma prevailed over the Cadet World Champion, Kilty. Emma would go on to claim the title at 62 kg. Bruntil talks about how this event came about and her vision for women competing in matches like this in the future. She is also very candid about an injury that sidelined her over the spring and summer, which prevented her from competing until now. Emma gives us insight into how she prepares for a single event like this and how it may differ from a large tournament like a Trials or Open. She wraps it up with … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/womens-wrestling/emma-bruntil-talks-tar-heel-open/79536?mc_cid=29548697b5&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
THWC Preview: Emma Bruntil vs Macey Kilty
Chapel Hill, NC – – The Tar Heel Wrestling Club is presenting a 15-match lineup as they join the growing number of stand-alone and recurring card-style events on Friday night. For the first time on a lineup of all but one men’s matches, the women’s match is the main event—and the matchup is main-event worthy. Tar Heel WC wrestler Macey Kilty and McKendree’s Emma Bruntil will have a rematch of the 2019 Senior Nationals semifinal. This showcase is a great move for wrestling and an actionable follow-up on behalf of Head Coach Coleman Scott’s penned support for women’s wrestling at the University of North Carolina.  Macey Kilty had dominant performances as the back-to-back 62 kg champion at UWW Junior and U23 Nationals in Omaha last month. She defeated 59 kg U23 Champion Desiree Zavala between Flo’s 8-Man Challenge bracket and was a finalist at Senior Nationals in October. Emma Bruntil’s final tournament performance for the 2019-20 college season culminated into a championship win at the inaugural National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships in March. … rest of the story at https://www.transitionwrestling.com/thwc-preview-emma-bruntil-vs-macey-kilty/?mc_cid=29548697b5&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – Colorado Mesa University’s Kelly Wrestling on the Big Stage
Head Coach Travis Mercado first met Tristan Kelly back in 2018 when he first accepted the job as the first ever head coach for the CMU women’s wrestling program. Mercado was on the coaching staff for USA Wrestling’s national team and was able to meet Kelly at some of the national camps two years ago.
 Kelly was a junior wrestling for Douglas County High School in Castle Rock at this time but already had her eyes set on CMU, which was the first university in Colorado to implement women’s wrestling as an NCAA Sports. Two years later, Kelly is a freshman at CMU looking to add to her numerous accolades from her high school career.  
The Erie native is a three-time Colorado State Champion, 2019 Cadet Pan American Games Champion, 2018 Cadet and Junior Fargo Champion, and USA Junior World Team member. “Her work ethic is some of the best I’ve ever seen,” Travis Mercado said. “This girl will come in every single day and wrestle. She will grab one of the dummies, Bulgarian bags, assault bike, and come in and ask “What’s next? What’s the next thing to do?”
 Even in the time of COVID where the season is always in doubt and practices have to be altered to meet protocol, Kelly, along with the rest of the wrestling program, continues to work hard and perform highly at competition. Tristan won the UWW (United World Wrestling) Junior National Championship at 76kg back on Nov. 13 and then placed fifth at 76kg during … rest of story at https://cmumavericks.com/news/2020/12/2/womens-wrestling-feature-cmus-kelly-wrestling-on-the-big-stage.aspx?mc_cid=580d0bc2a3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – THREE NEW NO. 1 RANKED WRESTLERS IN NATIONAL GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL RANKINGS FOR DECEMBER
USA Wrestling, FloWrestling and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum has published its third national rankings for high school girls wrestlers for the 2020-21 season. This ranking evaluates all girls enrolled in grades 8-12, and athletes from all 50 states are eligible for selection.
With the high school season being held at non-traditional times this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee will publish monthly updates to these rankings. Please expect that there could be many changes, based upon athletes establishing new weight classes, as well as additional athletes that are able to compete as wrestling becomes more available in their state and region.
Since the November ranking, big events have included the USA Wrestling UWW Junior Nationals, two USA Wrestling Folkstyle Tour of America events, and a variety of large tournaments and dual meet competitions held in many locations across the nation. New athletes who have moved up into No. 1 spots in December include Adrienna Turner of California at 127 pounds, Tiera Jimerson of California at 132 pounds and Hannah Francis of Texas at 200 pounds. That means that 11 No. 1 ranked athletes from the November rankings have retained their top … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/December/03/December-National-Girls-High-School-Rankings?mc_cid=29548697b5&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – Carlene Sluberski Named EOU Head Women’s Wrestling Coach
LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University Director of Athletics Anji Weissenfluh is pleased to announced the hiring of Carlene Sluberski as the Head Women’s Wrestling Coach. Sluberski becomes the third head coach in the program’s history. Prior to joining the Mountaineers, she worked at the University of Providence in Montana for two seasons where she was the head bench boss for the Argos. “I am very happy to announce Carlene Sluberski as our new Women’s Wrestling Coach,” Weissenfluh said. “She is very competitive and knowledgeable and we are lucky to have her join our staff at EOU.”
In 2019-20, Sluberski led her grapplers to a top-10 team ranking (9th) and a third-place finish at the inaugural CCC Championships. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NAIA National Invite canceled and her squad like many other were unable to compete. Along with a top-10 ranking in the final regular season poll, Sluberski’s squad had 11 wrestlers ranked individually that were set to compete at the NAIA Invite. In her first season working with the Argos, Sluberski guided Providence to a trio of All-American honors in 2018-19. The Argos had two Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association All-Americans and one NAIA All-American that season. “I am very excited to have been selected as the head women’s wrestling coach … rest of story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/Carlene-Sluberski-Named-EOU-Head-8-12-2020

7 } – SHILSON, KILTY REPEAT AS U23 WOMEN’S NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, ADDING TO THEIR UWW JUNIOR TITLES ON FRIDAY
OMAHA, Neb. – Emily Shilson of the Titan Mercury WC and Macey Kilty of the Sunkist Kids finished off a great weekend of wrestling with big wins on Saturday night at the U23 Nationals in women’s freestyle. Both were able to repeat as U23 National champions. Both also won double titles in Omaha, after also winning UWW Junior National championships on Friday night. The U23 age group is for those 23 years old and younger, while the UWW Junior age level is for wrestlers 17-20 years old.
Shilson claimed the title at 50 kg, scoring a 10-0 technical fall over Samara Chavez of the Spartan Mat Club in the first period. Shilson was dominant on her feet, and closed out the match with turns on the mat. Shilson won two college national titles last year, and was a 2018 Cadet and Youth Olympic Games champion. Chavez is currently the No. 1 ranked high school wrestler in her weight class. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/November/14/U23-Womens-finals-wrap?mc_cid=0db378071a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – UWW U23 Finals Review, Kilty Named Outstanding Wrestler
Omaha, Neb. — Day two and both divisions of women’s wrestling in Omaha is a wrap. Emily Shilson (Titan Mercury WC) and Macey Kilty (Sunkist Kids WC) doubled up their titles in the Junior and U23 divisions at 50 and 62 kg, respectively, and Kilty was awarded the U23 Outstanding Wrestling Award. 
50 kg
Quick off the whistle, Emily Shilson (Titan Mercury WC / Twin Cities RTC) was able to end all of her matches with a fall or superiority at 50 kg in the U23 division. Not only did she win the Junior title on Friday, but she is also repeated as U23 champion from 2019. Shilson went 4-0 for the day with wins over NCAA No. 6 Aleeah Gould (King) and NAIA No. 3 Ashley Gooman (Midland) to make the finals. In the final bout versus Samara Chavez (Spartan Mat Club), Shilson was able to score on multiple attacks and round out the championship bout with exposure points. Chavez, the No. 1 ranked high school wrestler at 112 pounds, defeated Nina Pham (Wayland) in the quarters and Maria Vidales (Emmanuel) in the semis—both highly ranked college wrestlers. 
53 kg
Both finalists at 53 kg in the U23 division defeated … rest of story at https://www.transitionwrestling.com/uww-u23-finals-review-kilty-awarded-outstanding-wrestler/?mc_cid=0db378071a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – IHCC women split first-ever wrestling duals
MARSHALL, MO — In the first-ever official women’s wrestling meet in school history, Indian Hills split a pair of duals with host Missouri Valley College at Marshall, Missouri on Saturday. After dropping the opener, 29-18, the Falcon women bounced back to take a 34-13 victory over the MVC B-squad in the second dual.
“This was an awesome day for Indian Hills women’s wrestling,” said IHCC head coach Cole Spree. “The COVID pandemic has been tough on us from a scheduling standpoint. The ladies have been working hard in anticipation for this moment, and we finally got the opportunity to perform.” … rest of story at https://www.ottumwacourier.com/sports/ihcc-women-split-first-ever-wrestling-duals/article_55b4396e-288e-11eb-962c-173567d2ec77.html?mc_cid=d63f9879b6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – Megan Black to be inducted into wrestling hall of fame
OTTUMWA — Megan Black, the only female placewinner in the history of the Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament, will be one of the newest inductees into the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame.
The Class of 2021, announced this past week, will officially be inducted during an honorary banquet currently scheduled to be held at the Prairie Links Golf Club in Waverly on June 25. This year’s class into the hall of fame located in Waterloo includes Black, Gary Steffensmeier, Mike DeAnna, Dwight Hinson, David Kjeldgaard, Don Bosco coach Tom Hogan, Waterloo native Bill Tate, Sr., the entire Happel family as well as the 1991 and 1992 University of Iowa Hawkeye wrestling teams. Black wrestled in consecutive state wrestling tournaments as a sophomore at Ottumwa High School and a junior at Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont. … rest of story at https://www.ottumwacourier.com/sports/megan-black-to-be-inducted-into-wrestling-hall-of-fame/article_fe66b398-284d-11eb-aae5-a37b7fc0ac0f.html?mc_cid=7e05e44971&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

December 8, 2020 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Trent Hidlay Named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week

Wolfpack R-So. went 5-0 at 86 kg at the 2020 RTC Cup

RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State R-So. Trent Hidlay has been named the USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week after his performance this past weekend at the first-ever RTC Cup presented by Titan Mercury.
Wrestling at 86 kg, Hidlay was the only athlete in the competition to go 5-0.
Hidlay’s top win came in the second dual for the Wolfpack Wrestling Club against the Cliff Keen Wrestling Club (Michigan). He scored a 4-2 win over Myles Amine, the #11 ranked wrestler in the world at 86kg. Amine has already clinched a spot at the 2021 Olympics at the weight for San Marino, after placing fifth at the 2019 UWW World Championships.
Hidlay also notched a 12-9 win over former NCAA champion Drew Foster, a 14-7 win over former Iowa All-American Sammy Brooks, 6-2 over former NCAA Finalist Brett Pfarr from Minnesota, and 10-6 over former Michigan All-American Domenic Abounader.
Hidlay was also named the USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week once last season, after notching a pair of top-five road wins at Cornell and Binghamton.
Full details at  www.GoPack.com

December 8, 2020 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment