Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

High School News – # 30

TDR Editor’s Notes ; A review of the changes and events in scholastic wrestling across several states. The changes in other states can often affect our own so it is best to be aware of them.
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1 } – Prep wrestling: SSAC sets new format for state tournament, WSAZ Invitational
HUNTINGTON — COVID-19 has forced changes to, but not cancellations of, the two largest high school wrestling events in West Virginia. Bill Archer, organizer of the state wrestling tournament and the WSAZ Invitational, said both events are scheduled to take place, but with formats vastly different from past seasons. The WSAZ Invitational, which usually features about 1,400 wrestlers and 120 high school and middle-school teams at the Mountain Health Arena, has been scaled back to eight teams in each division and will take place at Huntington High School at a date to be determined in February. The state tournament has been changed from March 4-6 to March 17-20 at the Mountain Health Arena. Rather than featuring all classes competing during a three-day span, the 2021 tournament will offer Class AA competition March 17-18, followed by Class AAA matches March 19-20. “We had to get something done, if possible,” Archer said. “We’ve done everything possible to make this work.” … rest of story at https://www.wvgazettemail.com/sports/prep_sports/wrestling/prep-wrestling-ssac-sets-new-format-for-state-tournamen-wsaz-invitational/article_aed5b104-4aa3-57fb-b8c8-86542ededdae.html?mc_cid=2646a1a5c8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – Watch now: How high school wrestling looks and sounds different during COVID-19
CRETE — There is a new routine for high school wrestlers while they compete during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just before taking the mat for a match, the athletes take off their face covering and set it in their corner of the mat, along with their warmup clothes and headphones. Wrestlers are supposed to wear masks when they’re not on the mat for their match. Coaches are supposed to wear them at all times. Then the matches get started, although with a few changes. The wrestlers still shake hands before the match. But after the match, the official doesn’t raise the hand of the winner. Instead, the official holds their hand behind the winner. And the wrestlers don’t shake hands with the opposing coach. It’s during practice, and in the stands at meets and duals, when wrestling looks and sounds most different while competing during a pandemic. … rest of story and video at https://journalstar.com/sports/high-school/wrestling/watch-now-how-high-school-wrestling-looks-and-sounds-different-during-covid-19/article_fa004836-44ab-5834-92e9-944defa7fbd7.html?mc_cid=2646a1a5c8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – A look back at the stars of the show from USA Wrestling’s Brian Keck Memorial Preseason Nationals
USA Wrestling crowned 43 high school champions over the weekend at its Brian Keck Memorial Preseason Nationals. Here’s a look at some of the top individual performances in Des Moines. 
Nick Gonzalez (Illinois) — Gonzalez placed second in February in a loaded Illinois Class 3A 106-pound bracket, but he was the king of the 113-pound class last weekend in the junior/senior division. Gonzalez beat state champs from Alabama, Iowa and South Dakota and state medalists from Nebraska and California on his path to the title. 
Jett Strickenberger (California) — Tore through the top side of the 120-pound bracket in the junior/senior division, posting major decisions against Kentucky state champ Trayce Eckman, Missouri state medalist Jack Lage, Idaho state medalist Simon Graeber before handling California state medalist Michael Torres 9-2 in the finals. Completed his run to the title and grabbed the Outstanding Wrestler Award in the junior/senior division after beating returning champ Joey Cruz 3-2 in the finals. 
Reese Davis (Oklahoma) — The Oklahoma state champ took a difficult road to the title at junior/senior title at 132, beating Illinois state medalist Danny Curran, Virginia recruit and nationally ranked Kyren Butler, three-time Arkansas state champ Jacob Adams, Iowa state finalist Ryder Downey and Alabama state champ James Latona. … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1604549147747&twSessionId=eyhxcumgio&postId=873994135&mc_cid=68c338ad78&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – Despite delay, L-L League wrestling working toward its new season
The last winter sport to complete a “normal” season in this time of pandemic was high school wrestling. And now, Lancaster-Lebanon League wrestling is set to enter the 2020-21 campaign.
Whenever it’s finally allowed to compete.
“It’s a ‘different’ kind of season,” Annville-Cleona coach Jerome Simon shared in a recent email conversation. How different is yet to be realized as programs wrestle, literally and figuratively, with questions like: How many wrestlers will or won’t come out because of COVID-19 concerns? How will they wrestle while wearing mandatory face coverings? And the big one: Will there even be a season? With Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf having called off all high school sports activities until at least Jan. 4, whatever season there will be will be one thing for sure. Short. Beyond that, the answers will be revealed as time advances, but until then, whet your appetite with these hors d’oeuvres.
Behind the mask
It’s a cool Eric Clapton song. It’s also where you’ll find your favorite wrestler this year as the L-L League, responding to state Department of Health guidelines and getting ahead of a District Three-wide decision, voted to make masks mandatory in all winter sports except swimming/diving. While athletic departments work out the details of mask styles and procurement, Selinsgrove wrestling coach Seth Martin offered a simple option in a YouTube video found here. (Thanks to Pequea Valley AD Mark Grossmann for sharing.) … rest of story at https://lancasteronline.com/sports/despite-delay-l-l-wrestling-working-toward-its-new-season/article_3cdfd824-3cef-11eb-8211-232730b2e13c.html?mc_cid=1d3b41c6e1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – New York puts high school hockey, basketball, wrestling on hold
Syracuse, N.Y. — The New York State Public High School Athletic Association has put the start of the high school hockey, basketball and wrestling seasons on hold indefinitely while it awaits further guidance from state officials about dealing with the coronavirus crises.
Boys volleyball and competitive cheerleading are also impacted by the decision. Those activities are among those considered at high risk for the spread of coronavirus. The NYSPHSAA has also canceled all state winter sports tournaments. That move doesn’t impact Section III because the section had already had already canceled postseason play. … rest of story at https://www.syracuse.com/highschoolsports/2020/12/new-york-puts-high-school-hockey-basketball-wrestling-on-hold-reports.html?mc_cid=afaeddd782&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – CHSAA DELAYS COLORADO HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING SEASON, PROPOSES COMPETITION FROM FEB. 1 – MARCH 20
The start of Season B sports has been delayed, following communication from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to the Colorado High School Activities Association late Sunday night.
Editor’s Note: Boys and girls wrestling are a Season B sport.
This change also affects the planned start of Seasons C and D, which have also been delayed. In a letter sent to CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green, CDPHE indicated that Season B would not be permitted to begin on Jan. 4, as had been scheduled on the CHSAA 2020-21 sports calendar. CDPHE further said that no variances will be given to CHSAA sports at this time.
In the letter, Jill Hunsaker Rye, Executive Director of the CDPHE wrote:
The COVID-19 pandemic has reached an all time high in terms of disease transmission both in Colorado and around the nation. The Colorado School of Public Health estimates that 1 in 40 Coloradans are currently infectious. Hospital admissions are steadily increasing, and the past six weeks have produced a significant increase in the number of deaths statewide. With the Thanksgiving holiday just behind us and the impending December holiday festivities, we are very concerned that the rate of transmission will continue to increase.
… rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/December/09/Colorado-delays-high-school-wrestling-season?mc_cid=372ecbefe1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – NJSIAA set to release spring sports plan Friday, clarifies wrestling eligibility rules
The NJSIAA will release its plan for spring sports no later than Friday, chief operating officer Colleen Maguire announced Wednesday afternoon during the final executive committee meeting of 2020.

The NJSIAA’s Sports Advisory Task Force was meeting to finalize its plan on Wednesday.

“I think it is important to acknowledge that members of the task force always remain focused on providing a participation opportunity for every sport in every season while striving to provide the spring sports with as normal a season as possible,” Maguire said. “A top priority has always been to minimize potential overlap with sports which would ultimately force a student-athlete to choose between sports. The task force has always put the best interest of the student-athlete first.” Maguire said the NJSIAA will continue to monitor Gov. Phil Murphy’s Executive Order 204, which suspended indoor sports from Dec. 5 through Jan. 2, for any actions that may impact the winter sports season. Ice hockey will be the first sport played in “Season 2,” with virtual and outdoor practices permitted to begin Dec. 14. … rest of story at https://www.njherald.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/12/09/njsiaa-spring-sports-plan-coming-friday-clarifies-wrestling-rules/6498167002/?mc_cid=372ecbefe1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – After transferring to Naperville Central, Antonio Torres among wrestlers waiting out IHSA’s move of season to the summer
Naperville Central junior Antonio Torres has literally felt the ground beneath him unsettle. “To be honest, I have just been dealing with everything thrown at me,” he said. Already making the adjustment as a transfer student, Torres has watched as the timing of his two sports has been turned upside down. As a sophomore wrestler last season at Waubonsie Valley, Torres (36-5) finished fifth in the state in Class 3A at 170 pounds. Torres was also named all-area in football as a defensive back and running back. He already was trying to get his moorings after the football season was shifted to the spring. … rest of story at https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/sports/ct-nvs-spt-wrestling-reax-st-111120-20201110-2nosuxefz5dntcrjo77vnkf6ru-story.html?mc_cid=c33f4da146&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – Pandemic leads to restrictions for Wisconsin prep wrestlers
FLORENCE, Wis. — The COVID-19 pandemic has brought several changes to Wisconsin high school wrestling. The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association has restricted wrestling teams to one dual meet every six to seven days. There will be no tournaments or multi-team meets this season. The Florence-Niagara Northwoods Storm wrestling team has entered into a COVID-19 co-op with the Crivitz wrestling team. As of now, the postseason tournament is scheduled for Jan 30. Because of the one dual meet per week rule, the WIAA has granted a one-year COVID-19 co-op for dual meets only. “With us only having a couple healthy wrestlers and only able to wrestle in dual format events, this seemed to be a good opportunity for all,” said Florence athletic director Kris Johnson. Ed Kelley returns as the Storm’s head coach. If the WIAA postseason is still on by the end of the season, the schools will go back to their pre COVID-19 co-op division for postseason competition. Returning to this year’s Storm roster are sophomore Caitlyn Kelley, a sectional qualifier last season, and sophomore Andar Olson. Joining them are sophomore Leonard Hannah and freshman Isaiah Fennessy. … rest of story at https://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/sports/local-sports/2020/12/pandemic-leads-to-restrictions-for-wisconsin-prep-wrestlers/?mc_cid=ed5fd11129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – FOUR MORE OUTSTANDING WRESTLERS NAMED ON THE FINAL DAY OF THE FOLKSTYLE TOUR OF AMERICA STOCKYARD STAMPEDE
Fort Worth, Texas – The Tour of America Stockyard Stampede concluded today with boys wrestling action. Texas-based Azle Wrestling Club took home the team trophy from the 8U division, while Team Punisher, also of Texas, won the 10U and 12U titles. Spartan Mat Club of Fort Worth, Texas claimed the middle school division title, adding to the boys high school title that they won yesterday. Cipriano Duran of Top Notch Wrestling Club earned the Outstanding Wrestler award in the 8U division. Competing at 49 pounds, Duran went 3-0 and recorded a 29-second pin in the finals. This is Duran’s third Tour of America tile. He also won the 2019 TOA King of the Mountain and the 2020 TOA Salt Lake Slam. Additionally, he is a 2020 Brian Keck Preseason Nationals champion. In the 10U division, Hudson Bragg of Bear Cave Wrestling … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/December/20/Four-more-Outstanding-Wrestlers-crowned-as-the-Tour-of-American-Stockyard-Stampede-concludes?mc_cid=ed5fd11129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

December 29, 2020 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

College Team & USA Wrestling Schedules – # 2

TDR Editor’s Notes ; Schedules of NCAA Division I teams are released and matches look to begin in January. An agreeable thing to get the heck out of 2020 and get to wrestling in a safe and reasonable manner.
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1 } – COMPLETE LIST OF USA WRESTLING SANCTIONED EVENTS FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS, AS OF DEC. 22
USA Wrestling is regularly publishing a list of sanctioned events as our nation and our sport comes back from the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, there are 82 tournaments/clinics listed from 15 different states over the next three months. Since our posting on Dec. 14, there are 10 additional events which have been added to the list. The new additions are marked in bold. The list provides an easy reference for athletes, coaches and families, in order to make plans for competitions moving forward. Not only is USA Wrestling providing events on its national schedule, but many state associations and local clubs are also developing events for athletes of all ages to participate in.
Our list will include events by date, as well as events by state.
Missouri had another good week with four new sanctions, while Indiana added two more events. Other states with new events were Kansas, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin. There are two USA Wrestling Folkstyle Tour of America events on the schedule, the Holiday High School Classic in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. on December 30 and the Salt Lake Slam in Provo, Utah, Feb. 2. This information is also available through USA Wrestling’s membership system, TheMat.com website and on usawevents.com by using the system’s sort capability, but this posting will be an easy-to-use format for you to use in your planning. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/December/22/USA-Wrestling-sanctioned-events-for-the-next-three-months?mc_cid=f9e49e1788&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – The 2021 Master D1 Schedule
View All NCAA … rest of story and links at https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/6848526-the-2021-master-d1-schedule?mc_cid=f9e49e1788&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Mizzou Wrestling Completes Successful 2020 Black & Gold Scrimmage
Tigers now turn attention to season opener on Jan. 3
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Wrestling showed its impressive talent and depth Tuesday evening inside the Hearnes Center in the annual black & gold scrimmage. Head Coach Brian Smith saw his team compete in 15 total intersquad matches, as numerous Tigers made big impressions. Freshmen Duwayne Villalpando and Colton Hawks each tallied a pair of wins en route to stellar showings at 174 and 184 pound weight class, respectively. Redshirt Junior Allan Hart recorded arguably the most thrilling victory Tuesday, as he produced a fall in overtime at 141 pounds. Freshman Ethan Turner, freshman Seth Nitzel, redshirt sophomore Peyton Mocco, freshman Rocky Elam, Hart and Hawks all produced bonus point triumphs to round out the evening’s top individual performances. … rest of story at https://mutigers.com/news/2020/12/22/mizzou-wrestling-completes-successful-2020-black-gold-scrimmage.aspx?mc_cid=f9e49e1788&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Mizzou Wrestling Announces Tentative 2020-21 Schedule at https://mutigers.com/news/2020/12/16/mizzou-wrestling-announces-tentative-2020-21-schedule.aspx?mc_cid=4edc48d477&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – PITT WRESTLING ANNOUNCES 2021 SCHEDULE
PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh wrestling program unveiled its 2021 schedule this week, with the Panthers set to begin their highly anticipated campaign at Navy on Sunday, Jan. 3. The 2021 Pitt wrestling schedule starts with two non-conference matchups: at Navy (Jan. 3) and at home against Lehigh (Saturday, Jan. 9) at the Fitzgerald Field House. Head Coach Keith Gavin‘s Panthers will then embark on a stretch of five consecutive weekends of ACC matchups against every other school in the conference with a wrestling program. Pitt’s 2021 ACC slate opens with a home meeting with Duke on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 10 a.m. The Panthers defeated the Blue Devils 50-0 last season and own a perfect 6-0 record in ACC duals against Duke.  
Pitt then heads to Raleigh, N.C., for a televised Friday night matchup between the top two teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference last season. The ACC Network will broadcast Pitt’s dual at NC State on Jan. 22 with the Panthers and Wolfpack set to meet at 6 p.m. in what could prove to be a crucial contest. … rest of story at https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2020/12/15/pitt-wrestling-announces-2021-schedule.aspx?mc_cid=065f8820b6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – Mountaineers’ 2021 Slate Revealed
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University Director of Athletics Shane Lyons announced the 2021 wrestling schedule on Tuesday. This year’s slate will accommodate for a shortened season, with most dates featuring multiple contests. The home schedule consists of one quad and one tri-meet, as well as duals against Big 12 foes Northern Colorado and Iowa State. “Any schedule is a sight for sore eyes, and we are really excited to get this season going,” third-year coach Tim Flynn said. “We have a really young team, but we also have more talent than we have had the last couple years. We are just anxious to get started and see where we stand in terms of competition.”  The 2021 season commences with three straight competitions at the WVU Coliseum, starting with a quad meet against Kent State, Ohio University and Virginia Tech on Sunday, Jan. 10. Action is set to begin at 12 p.m.  A week later, the Mountaineers welcome Bucknell and Oklahoma to Morgantown for a tri-meet on Sunday, Jan. 17, beginning at 2 p.m., before competing against Northern Colorado in a head-to-head competition on Sunday, Jan. 31, at 12 p.m. West Virginia opens the month of February on the road, as the Mountaineers head to Laramie, Wyoming, … rest of story at https://wvusports.com/news/2020/12/15/wrestling-mountaineers-2021-slate-revealed.aspx?mc_cid=065f8820b6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – SOONERS UNVEIL 2021 WRESTLING SCHEDULE
NORMAN – University of Oklahoma head wrestling coach Lou Rosselli announced the Sooners’ 2021 schedule on Thursday, a slate that features eight total events and home duals vs. Arizona State and Oklahoma State.
“We’re really excited about the schedule we’ve been able to assemble this year,” Rosselli said. “I’m thankful for the support we’ve gotten from our administration, which has helped us to once again put together a competitive schedule. The opportunities this schedule give us will help us get ready to compete at the Big 12 and NCAA championships in March.” The No. 14/11 Sooners are set to open their season on Jan. 8 when they host No. 15/10 Arizona State in Norman. Oklahoma is 29-14-1 all-time vs. the Sun Devils and last faced the Pac-12 powerhouse in January 2019 when the teams split a pair of duals at the Virginia Duals. The last time Oklahoma hosted Arizona State it defeated the Sun Devils 33-7 in 2012.  Following the season opener, Rosselli’s team heads to Morgantown, W.Va., for a tri-meet with Bucknell and Big-12 foe West Virginia. The Sooners will dual with both squads on Jan. 17 at WVU Coliseum. Oklahoma is a combined 11-2 all-time versus opponents it will face in Morgantown. … rest of story at https://soonersports.com/news/2020/12/17/sooners-unveil-2021-wrestling-schedule.aspx?mc_cid=daf3892c58&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – Bulldogs release 2021 slate
Fresno State Wrestling revealed its 2021 schedule on Saturday that features a total of 12 duals with three at home
FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State Wrestling revealed its 2021 schedule on Saturday that features a total of 12 duals with three at home. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing this season to a dual-only format, the Bulldogs will compete in seven Big 12 duals while taking on four Pac-12 opponents and California Baptist. The ‘Dogs will get the season underway on Sunday, Jan. 3 on the road at Cal Poly where they will grapple with both the Mustangs and Big 12 opponent Utah Valley in San Luis Obispo. Fresno State will stay on the road for a Jan. 9 dual at Stanford before returning home for its home opener on Jan. 15 against Big 12 foe Wyoming. The Bulldogs will return to San Luis Obispo on Jan. 24 to take on North Dakota State and Arkansas-Little Rock before wrapping up the month of January at California Baptist on Jan. 30 in Riverside, Calif. The final road trip of the season takes the ‘Dogs to the state of Colorado on Feb. 6 where they will take on a trio of Big 12 opponents facing Air Force in Colorado Springs before heading to Greeley to face Northern Colorado and West Virginia. The regular season wraps up with a pair of home duals on Feb. 14 hosting Oklahoma and Oregon State. … rest of story at https://gobulldogs.com/news/2020/12/19/wrestling-bulldogs-release-2021-slate.aspx?mc_cid=ed5fd11129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – COWBOY WRESTLING ANNOUNCES HOME SLATE FOR 2020-21 SEASON
LARAMIE, Wyo. (Dec. 21, 2020) – The Wyoming Cowboy wrestling program on Monday announced the 2020-21 home schedule. Wyoming will host three matches at home during the campaign hosting Northern Colorado, West Virginia and Air Force. Wyoming opens the season on Sunday, January 3 at 2 p.m. MT in the UniWyo Sports Complex hosting Northern Colorado. The Cowboys defeated the Bears in Laramie last season by a score of 22-11 in the final home dual of the season. The Pokes will host West Virginia on Saturday, February 6 in another Big 12 dual. The Mountaineers took last season’s meeting in Morgantown. The Pokes took the last dual in Laramie in 33-15 on January 27, 2019. The Cowboys will also host Air Force during the 2020-21 season. The date for that dual will be released at a later date. Times and locations for the home duals other than UNC will also be released at a later date. Tickets will not be sold for any other UW home athletic events through at least Jan. 8, which is the date the current public health orders are set to run through. Wyoming returns four wrestlers that did qualify for the NCAA wrestling Championships last season that canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Senior Brian Andrews was the 2020 Big 12 Champion … rest of story at https://gowyo.com/news/2020/12/21/cowboy-wrestling-announces-home-slate-for-2020-21-season.aspx?mc_cid=e96ed12e50&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – Cody Announces 2021 Men’s Wrestling Schedule
CLINTON, S.C. – The Presbyterian College men’s wrestling team announced its 2021 schedule on Monday. “With everything that has been happening throughout 2020, it is nice to be able to put out our schedule today,” commented director of wrestling Mark Cody. “We understand that everything can change at the drop of a hat, but we are hopeful to be headed in the right direction.”  The Southern Conference schedule will be contested over four weekends featuring three-team pods each weekend with each school wrestling twice in each of the four weekends. Presbyterian gets the season started on January 16th as it faces Campbell and VMI in Lexington. On January 24th, the Blue Hose hit the road for a pair of matches against The Citadel and Bellarmine hosted by the newcomers to the league Bellarmine. PC closes out the month of January with a trip up the mountainside to Appalachian State to square off against the host Mountaineers and Chattanooga. It will be the first time that PC and Chattanooga have faced off. … rest of story at https://gobluehose.com/news/2020/12/21/cody-announces-2021-mens-wrestling-schedule.aspx?mc_cid=e96ed12e50&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – OSU Wrestling Announces 2021 Schedule
The Cowboys’ schedule includes home dates
Oklahoma State fans have been clamoring for a wrestling schedule and we finally have one. The Cowboys kick things off Jan. 3 with a live Orange-and-Black match in Gallagher-Iba. This is something that fans have been asking for the last few years and should have plenty of intrigue with the young Oklahoma State squad and monster recruiting class from 2020. UT Chattanooga and Oregon State, now led by former Cowboy Chris Pendleton, will be in Gallagher-Iba on Jan. 10 and the Cowboys have a home-and-home with Little Rock and other former Cowboy Neil Erisman on Jan. 17 and Feb. 7. A Big 12 road trip to Northern Colorado will pit … rest of story at https://pistolsfiringblog.com/osu-wrestling-announces-2021-schedule/?mc_cid=fecb1aa0c2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4

December 29, 2020 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment