Takedown Report

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 The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized