Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

College Schedules – 2021 – # 1

TDR Editor’s Notes ; A switch to spotlighting 12 articles and not just 10. It can help us catch up on the backload of wrestling news stories. 12 also sems more fitting with the TDR as the TDR Top 12 team of the best scholastic wrestlers in eastern N.C. has been naming for just over 20 years. Thus this collection of college team schedules is just a start but can provide some ideas and options for ones to attend and follow.
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1 } – Ohio Athletic Conference announces winter sports schedules for 2021
By Tim Glon  2021 Wrestling Schedule 
ADA — The Ohio Athletic Conference has announced its league schedules for basketball, swimming and diving, indoor track and field and wrestling for the 2021 seasons. Competition across all seven sports will begin the weekend of Jan. 22-23 and will be limited to conference-only opponents. Conference championships for indoor track and field will be held at Otterbein with the women competing on March 5 with the men following on March 6. The basketball tournaments will feature all 10 teams and will run from March 1-6 on campus sites. The swimming and diving OAC Championships meet will be March 25-27 at Akron. Wrestling will determine its OAC champion with a round-robin schedule of meets held on Jan. 23 at Mount Union and Feb. 6 at Ohio Northern. … rest of story at https://ohionorthern.prestosports.com/general/2020-21/releases/20201130kuawtu?mc_cid=2514c7e76e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – University of Indianapolis announces 2021 schedule
INDIANAPOLIS- The 2020-21 edition of UIndy Wrestling will take to the mat after ringing in 2021, with the COVID-19 abbreviated schedule opening Jan. 10. The slate will feature 10 duals over five weekends, followed by the NCAA Super Region 3 tournament and the 2021 NCAA Division II National Championships. “We are grateful for the chance to even put our guys out there this year, we have a group that is very eager to compete again,” Greyhound Head Coach Jason Warthan said. “We have a great deal of depth in our lineup this season, which will provide us with the opportunity to rotate some guys in and out.” 
The base of the schedule features duals versus the six Great Lakes Valley Conference wrestling institutions. UIndy will open its season versus Ouachita Baptist and Drury in GLVC action at Ouachita Baptist Jan. 10, and will continue GLVC competition Jan. 24 at Davenport versus the host Panthers and McKendree.. The GLVC duals conclude Feb. 6 versus Maryville and Lindenwood in St. Louis. … rest of story at https://athletics.uindy.edu/news/2020/12/2/wrestling-announces-2021-schedule.aspx?mc_cid=29548697b5&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Life University Men’s Wrestling Announces 2020-21 Matchups
MARIETTA, Ga. —- Life University men’s wrestling head coach Omi Acosta announced the completed 2020-21 schedule Tuesday morning. The team Running Eagles will look to continue the program’s success through a series of opens and duals, as they will also host the first Life U Open on November 14. Due to department policies, fans will not be able to attend this event, but further information on how the event can be viewed will be released at a lated date. The Mid-South Conference Championships are currently slated to take place on February 12-13 in Bowling Green, Ky. Acosta mentioned, “With all this uncertainty, we are happy to step on the mat and compete this year. As a coaching staff, we are excited to see wht this group can do this season.” … rest of story at https://liferunningeagles.com/news/2020/10/27/mens-wrestling-announces-2020-21-matchups.aspx?mc_cid=2e944b01db&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – UTAH VALLEY WRESTLING RELEASES 2020-21 SCHEDULE
OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University wrestling head coach Greg Williams has released his team’s 2020-21 schedule. The COVID-shortened season will feature home duals against Arizona State, Wyoming and California Baptist.   
“First and foremost, we are excited to have a season,” Williams said. “Kudos to the NCAA, Big 12, NWCA, our head athletic trainer here at UVU, Andrew Nelson, and our administration. They have all been proactive working tirelessly to make this season a possibility. We are very grateful for all of their efforts.” 
 This year’s schedule will be different than in years past, as it will include a dual-only slate during the regular-season. The season has also been shortened from the traditional five-month term down to three months and will span from January to March of 2021. … rest of story at https://gouvu.com/news/2020/12/14/utah-valley-wrestling-releases-2020-21-schedule.aspx?mc_cid=2646a1a5c8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – Minot State Releases 2020-21 Wrestling Schedule
MINOT, N.D. –Minot State Athletics today released an updated 2021 wrestling schedule. The Beavers open the season on Jan. 7 against Minnesota State at the MSU Dome.  Minot State will host three meets during a season that sees the wrestling team compete on Thursdays beginning on Jan. 7. The Beavers host Minnesota State Mankato to open the season on Thursday, January 7 at 7 p.m. inside the MSU Dome.
MSU wrestling travels to St. Cloud on Jan. 14 for a matchup against the Huskies at Halenbeck Hall. The Beavers face the NSIC preseason coaches’ poll No. 1 and defending NSIC Champions in what is sure to be a pressure-packed second dual of the season. … rest of story at https://msubeavers.com/news/2020/12/15/general-minot-state-announces-2021-wrestling-schedule.aspx?mc_cid=065f8820b6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – Lehigh announces 2021 wrestling schedule
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh wrestling team has been waiting for a long time to return to the mats and the three-time defending EIWA champion Mountain Hawks now have a schedule that provides the framework for the brown and white to resume competition in 2021.
The 2021 slate features eight confirmed dual meets, including six inside Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall. Six of the eight confirmed duals will be against EIWA opponents. There is the possibility of a ninth dual against an EIWA opponent if the schools can find a mutually agreeable date. Lehigh will make its return to action on Saturday, Jan. 2 when the Mountain Hawks host Hofstra. … rest of story at https://lehighsports.com/news/2020/12/17/lehigh-announces-2021-wrestling-schedule.aspx?mc_cid=daf3892c58&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – California Baptist Releases 2021 Schedule Packed with Pac-12, Big-12 Competition
By: Andrew Shortall, Director of Athletics Communications
FULL SCHEDULE
RIVERSIDE – California Baptist University has released its 2021 wrestling schedule, with nine duals and eight matchups against opponents from the Pac-12 and Big 12 on the docket for the new year. Five first-time opponents and matchups with four Pac-12 and four more Big 12 teams make up the Lancers’ all-dual schedule. Several clashes against ranked opponents from last year make for an exciting, albeit shortened 2021 season. Due to all the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, CBU’s schedule and opponents this year are subject to change. 
CBU will travel to face a Stanford team that ended last season No. 24 overall. The Lancers will also face North Dakota State and Fresno State squads that were ranked No. 11 and 20 in the final NCAA Division I Mid-Major Rankings of 2020. … rest of story at https://cbulancers.com/news/2020/12/16/wrestling-releases-2021-schedule-packed-with-pac-12-big-12-competition.aspx?mc_cid=daf3892c58&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – Bears release condensed 2021 wrestling schedule
Northern Colorado looks to return to the mat with the release of their 2021 condensed schedule.
GREELEY, Colo. – Over nine months since Northern Colorado wrestling’s season ended early with the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Championships, the No. 25 ranked Bears released their 2021 wrestling season schedule. The team will solely wrestle in dual or tri-dual format competitions during the regular season, hosting a pair at home. “We are excited to have our schedule finalized for the 2020-2021 season,” Head Coach Troy Nickerson said. “With the delayed start, things are finally becoming more real and the guys are excited to get back on the mats after a nine-month layoff.”
 Northern Colorado comes into the season with the highest national ranking in program history, being ranked 25th. The Bears are returning to the mat after qualifying a program high five wrestlers for the NCAA Championships last season. The Bears roster features seven NCAA qualifiers, with all five NCAA qualifiers returning to the lineup this season, along with 2019 NCAA Qualifier Chris Sandoval and transfer Jackson Hemauer, also a 2019 NCAA Qualifier. … rest of story at https://uncbears.com/news/2020/12/17/bears-release-condensed-2021-wrestling-schedule.aspx?mc_cid=daf3892c58&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – MSU-N Wrestling Preview: New season, same goals for talented Lights
Getting started hasn’t been easy. Nothing during the COVID-19 pandemic is. But the Montana State University-Northern Lights wrestling team are trying their best to make a go of a 2020-21 season. And if and when the Lights do hit the mat, they’re expected to once again be one of the top teams not only in the Cascade Conference, but also in all of the NAIA. Northern, of longtime head coach Tyson Thivierge, comes into the new season ranked No. 12 in the NAIA Coaches Poll, while the Lights have a pair of top-ranked individuals, and five ranked overall. And given Northern’s rankings, their returners, and their experienced talent, expectations and hopes are certainly high
… rest of story at https://www.havredailynews.com/story/2020/12/16/sports/msu-n-wrestling-preview-new-season-same-goals-for-talented-lights/531941.html?mc_cid=daf3892c58&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – Army Wrestling Releases 2021 Campaign
WEST POINT, N.Y. – After much anticipation this winter, the Army West Point wrestling team released their schedule for the 2021 season on Monday afternoon. Due to the uncertainties of the new year, the schedule will act as a tentative guideline with the possibility of changes. All match times are to be determined and will be released in the coming weeks.
The Black Knights will kick off the year with a double-header against LIU and Clarion University on Saturday, Jan. 9. Army is expected to host seven home contests including hosting service academy rival Navy on Feb. 12 in the annual Star Match.
“I am just really thankful for the support of our administration and grateful for the opportunities provided for our guys to compete,” Head Coach Kevin Ward said. “I’m so proud of the way they have remained focused on their goals throughout a really difficult fall, and we are all looking forward to stepping into the arena and competing again in just a few weeks.” … rest of story at https://goarmywestpoint.com/news/2020/12/21/wrestling-releases-2021-campaign.aspx?mc_cid=e96ed12e50&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

11 } – Lake Erie Storm take on a loaded 2021 Schedule
On Friday (Dec. 18), the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) released its NCAA Division II Coaches Rankings and it featured four conference schools in a loaded Great Midwest (G-MAC). No. 8 Tiffin and No. 9 Ashland both ranked in the top ten nationally, followed by No. 17 Findlay, and No. 26 Lake Erie. The Storm will take on five currently ranked opponents in their 2021 season schedule.
In a year with not a lot of competition opportunities, the Storm will open the season in the G-MAC tournament on Jan. 23. The G-MAC featured four out of six schools ranked in Super Region 3.  Following the season opener, No. 11 Indianapolis and Davenport travel to Painesville, Ohio on Jan. 30 … rest of story at https://lakeerie.prestosports.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/20201221jsmbcl?mc_cid=e96ed12e50&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

12 } – Ohio Athletic Conference shifts Wrestling regular season schedule to Sundays
By Tim Glon
2021 Wrestling Schedule |
ADA — The Ohio Athletic Conference has announced a shift for its regular season wrestling schedule, moving all contests from Saturdays to Sundays for the 2021 season. Wrestling will determine its OAC champion with a round-robin schedule of meets held on Jan. 24 at Mount Union and Feb. 7 at Ohio Northern. All eight schools will also compete at Baldwin Wallace on Jan. 31 in a schedule yet to be determined. The NCAA Central Regional Championships on Feb. 26-27 at Alma, Mich., and the NCAA III Championships at LaCrosse, Wis., on March 12-13 remain unchanged. … rest of story at https://ohionorthern.prestosports.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/20201221hgesj9?mc_cid=e96ed12e50&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

January 3, 2021 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

College Results – 2021 – #1

TDR Editor’s Notes ; Looking at the early season results from mostly NAIA schools at a time when we usually would be viewing mid-season reports. Notice the last article which recognizes the achievement of the latest coach to lead his team to a 100th win during his tenure as the coach.
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1 } – College Wrestling 2021: RTCs could help programs in shortened season
By Mike Finn
Editor’s Note: The following story appeared in the late-November issue of WIN Magazine. Click here or call 888-305-0606 to subscribe to WIN Magazine.
Many college wrestling historians look at 1928 — the year of the first NCAA Championships — as the beginning of this great college sport that has averaged over 105,000 fans every tournament over the past decade and was scheduled to be held in Minneapolis’ NFL football stadium last March before the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the annual three-day event.
But college wrestling had already earned plenty of respect before Iowa State hosted the first national tournament … primarily because of what Ivy League schools had done since at least 1905. That was the first year that college wrestling’s oldest postseason event — the “Easterns” which are now known as the Eastern Intercollegiate Wresting Association tournament — was held in Philadelphia. During those early days, Ivy League schools won the first 13 titles, including seven by Cornell University, which has tallied 25 all-time EIWA championships over the past 115 years.
Unfortunately, none of the six current Ivy League schools  — Cornell, Princeton, Brown, Columbia, Penn and Harvard — that wrestle will be part of the 2020-21 NCAA equation after the Ivy League announced on Nov. 12 that the league was canceling all winter sports seasons because of the pandemic. … rest of story at https://www.win-magazine.com/2020/12/01/college-wrestling-2021-rtcs-could-help-coaches-in-short-season/?mc_cid=2514c7e76e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b#utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=college-wrestling-2021-rtcs-could-help-coaches-in-short-season

2 } – Dakota Wesleyan drops pair of duals at York
YORK, Neb. – The Dakota Wesleyan University wrestling squad fell in a pair of duals at the York Quad losing to York College, 39-9 and to Ottawa University, 48-3 on Friday night in York, Neb.  In the opening match of the dual against York, Darien Malone (Rapid City, S.D.) defeated Harley Williamson, the 10th ranked wrestler in the 133-pound weight class by way of a 12-6 decision. A few matches later, Hunter Planansky (Hayden, Colo.) took care of business in the opening period as he won by fall in 1:50.  In the second dual of the night, Planansky recorded the lone victory after a 4-1 decision. In the final match of the night, Kyle Mullaney (Worthington, Minn.) fought a tight round until ultimately losing, 3-1. … rest of story at https://dwu.prestosports.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/20201211uqn37c?mc_cid=afaeddd782&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – No. 10 Cumberland Wrestling wins big in Duals
LEBANON, Tenn.–The Phoenix recorded a 54-0 win against Central Baptist College and tallied a 44-11 victory over Mid-South Conference foe Midway University.  Central Baptist brought just four wrestlers to compete giving Cumberland six forfeits out of the gate, but the Phoenix didn’t let up there. Cumberland didn’t allow Central Baptist to pick up any victories sweeping the match 54-0. The 10th-ranked Phoenix kept it going from there claiming five pinfall wins in the win over Midway.  Toribio Mendez picked up the pinfall of the day over Tyrese Hicks in the second period. 6th-ranked 149 wrestler Anthony Maia picked up two wins on the day, the first a decision over Alejandro Mas from Central Baptist and then claimed a pinfall victory over Brent Hudgins from Midway.  At 133, Blaine Fussel and Brent Ruedeman had a tough back and forth match before Fussel was able to pin Ruedeman with just 24 seconds left in the match. … rest of story at https://www.gocumberlandathletics.com/wrestling/news/2020-21/8355/no-10-cumberland-wrestling-wins-big-in-duals/?mc_cid=1d3b41c6e1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – No. 2 Men’s Wrestling Sweeps Road Trip in Dominant Fashion
LAURINBURG, N.C. —- The No. 2 nationally ranked Life University men’s wrestling program improved to 4-0 on the year with a pair of shutout victories Saturday afternoon. The Running Eagles defeated Keiser University 60-0 and St. Andrews 55-0. The men’s wrestling team has yet to drop an individual match in a dual as the team totaled 12 wins via pin fall out of the 20 on the day. Life U defeated Keiser in the opener with a handful of forfeits. Brandon Orum, Quin McGlamery, Gavin Christ, Yarhoski Aldiva and Mason McDaniel each picked up the win via forfeit at their weight class. The remaining five Running Eagles all won via pin fall to secure the perfect match. Denver Stonecheck, Asher Eichert, Ashton Habeil, Baker Hadwan and Bret Winters each scored the fall for the 60-0 scoreline in match one. This also marked the first Mid-South Conference victory for Life U. In the second match of the day against host St. Andrews, … rest of story at https://liferunningeagles.com/news/2020/12/12/no-2-mens-wrestling-sweeps-road-trip-in-dominant-fashion.aspx?mc_cid=1d3b41c6e1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – Doane College Wins
Tiger Wrestling opened conference action on Saturday as they hosted Midland in Crete. The Tigers led from the start and posted a 37-11 win to improve to 4-1 in duals this season. Doane opened with a pair of forfeit wins at 125 and 133 with wins going to Luke Davis (FR/St. Johns, Fla.) and Daniel Vargas (JR/San Diego, Calif.). At 141, Baagii Boldmaa (JR/Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia) rolled through Conner Dalton by tech fall, 27-7. Boldmaa recorded nine takedowns and two four-point near falls. Tristan Zamilpa (SO/Madera, Calif.) posted 10 takedowns at 149 as he coasted to a 27-9 tech fall win over Steven Aranda. Ryan Aranda picked up Midland’s first win, an 8-2 decision at 157. An intermission break was held as Doane recognized Boldmaa with the presentation of his national championship ring. Boldmaa, the top ranked wrestler at 141, won the title a year ago with a pin in the championship match. … rest of story at http://www.doaneathletics.com/article/5113.php?mc_cid=1d3b41c6e1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – LWC WRESTLING REMAINS PERFECT WITH THREE VICTORIES; DEFEAT TWO NAIA TOP-5 PROGRAMS
WALESKA, Ga. – The No. 4-ranked Lindsey Wilson wrestling team continued their winning ways this afternoon, taking down No. 3 Reinhardt (Ga.), No. 5 Southeastern (Fla.) and (RV) Truett-McConnell (Ga.). The Blue Raiders fell behind early in all three of their matches on the day but slowly chipped away at their deficits to ultimately come out victorious three times. Lindsey Wilson defeated Southeastern 24-22, Truett-McConnell 43-9 and Reinhardt 25-22. With the wins, the Blue Raiders move to an impressive 9-0 on the season with eight wins over opponents in or receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches Top-25 poll. Lindsey Wilson has defeated four opponents inside of the top-10.
(No. 4) Lindsey Wilson 24 | (No. 5) Southeastern 22
The Blue Raiders dropped their opening two matches via fall’s to spot the Fire an early 12-0 lead. Tanner DeMien scored LWC’s first points of the match when he won on a 16-0 technical fall over Jaquan English (No. 18 at 141). Trent Johnson (No. 3 at 149) and Derrick Smallwood (No. 2 at 157) managed back-to-back decision victories to pull the Blue Raiders within one point at 12-11. Johnson defeated Andreus Bond (No. 14 at 149) 3-1 before Smallwood downed Kyle Kirkham (No. 11 at 157) 7-3. Joe Koontz (No. 7 at 165) won on a forfeiture to give the Blue Raiders their first lead of the contest. It was short-lived as Southeastern quickly regained the lead after winning on a major decision and a fall at 174 and 184-pounds. Trailing 22-17 with two matches to go, Trevor Lawson (No. 2 at 184) picked up a 9-1 major decision over Trillyon Fils-Aime before Brandon Reed closed out the match with a 5-1 decision over Sanford Meeks (No. 4 at HW). The results pushed the Blue Raiders to a close 24-22 victory … rest of story at http://www.lindseyathletics.com/article/12910.php?skipSplash=1&mc_cid=1d3b41c6e1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b&skipSplash=1&skipSplash=1&skipSplash=1

7 } – VMI Wrestling Holds Intrasquad Scrimmage Friday
LEXINGTON, Va. – The VMI wrestling team hosted an intrasquad scrimmage Friday evening in Cormack Hall, with Team Yellow defeating Team Black 26-21. Luke Fegley (133), Jon Hoover and Tyler Mousaw (197) won by pin for Team Yellow and Job Chishko (149) scored a technical fall victory. Robbie Adelstein won 6-2 at 285.
Cliff Conway (125) and Zach Brown (184) won by falls for Team Black. Noah Roulo (141), Seth Fillers (157) and Joel Diaz (174) each had wins for Team Black. The Keydets are slated to open the season Sunday, January 3 in a round robin competition at Bucknell University. … rest of story at https://vmikeydets.com/news/2020/12/12/vmi-wrestling-holds-intrasquad-scrimmage-friday.aspx?mc_cid=1d3b41c6e1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – No. 10 Wrestling goes 2-2 at Missouri Valley Winter Clash Duals
MARSHALL, Mo.–The Phoenix wrestled well at the Missouri Valley Winter Duals on Tuesday, going 2-2 against some of the toughest competition at the NAIA level. Included in the wins, No. 10 Cumberland defeated two teams receiving votes in the NAIA Preseason Top 20 Coaches’ Poll, Texas Wesleyan and Missouri Baptist.  
Cumberland defeated Missouri Baptist 58-0 early in the morning to open action, and topped Texas Wesleyan 27-15 in the third match of the day. The Phoenix battled tough, but ultimately fell to the No. 1 team in the NAIA Grand View, 31-15, and lost by a slim margin to the host and No. 11 team Missouri Valley, 19-18.
Cole Smith, sophomore Old Dominion transfer and currently unranked, continues to have a hot start at the beginning of his Cumberland career after having a perfect 4-0 day. Smith picked up wins over No. 9 William Seibert, No. 8 Dracius McKee, and No. 20 Trace Timmons. Smith picked 51 match point winning by a decision, two tech falls, and a pin over Timmons. Carter Cox really stood out for the Phoenix with each of his three wins coming against opponents ranked in the 125-pound class. The 12th-ranked senior out of Iowa defeated No. 19 Brayden Bradley, unranked Isaac Stalcup, and No. 3 Justin Portillo from Grand View. Cox defeated his two ranked opponents by a decision and tallied a major decision against Stalcup, racking up 20 match points between the rounds. … rest of story at https://www.gocumberlandathletics.com/wrestling/news/2020-21/8358/no-10-wrestling-goes-2-2-at-missouri-valley-winter-clash-duals/?mc_cid=065f8820b6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – NO. 1 VIKINGS BEAT ALL-TIME DUAL RECORD & GO 3-0 AT WINTER CLASH DUALS
Marshall, MO – No. 1 Grand View men’s wrestling beats the college all-time dual win streak and set a new record at 93 consecutive duals won. Grand View defeated Marian University 36-6 at the Missouri Valley Winter Clash Duals to garner another record. The last time the Vikings have lost was November 7, 2013, where Grand View lost to Division I Iowa State University in Hilton Coliseum. The Vikings have yet to lose another dual since that night in Ames. Just recently, Grand View tied the all-time record with a 55-0 victory over Benedictine College. The previous record-holder was New York Delhi who also won 92 in a row from 1979-1983. Another record that Grand View tied last year was Dan Gable’s longest national championship streak by any college at any level. With nine straight NAIA national team championships, Grand View has a chance of breaking that this year. The Vikings increased that record even more throughout the day to 95 after posting victories over No. 10 Cumberland 31-15 and Texas Wesleyan 49-0. In the dual versus Cumberland at 285, … rest of story at http://www.gvvikings.com/article/6848?mc_cid=065f8820b6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – Montana State-Northern wrestling coach Tyson Thivierge records 100th career victory
HAVRE — Montana State-Northern wrestling coach Tyson Thivierge is now a member of the century club. The 13th-year head coach earned his 100th career victory on Saturday when the Lights downed Oklahoma Wesleyan University, 47-6, in Seward, Nebraska.  Under the leadership of Thivierge, 44 Lights have achieved NAIA All-American status, including five individual national champions and 16 national finalists according to an article on the MSUN website. His teams have placed in the Top 10 at the NAIA National Championships a total of 10 times. The Lights have also won the NAIA Sportsmanship Award a total of five times with Thivierge at the reins. Thivierge, a member of the MSUN Athletic Hall of Fame and a graduate of Northern, was a four-time NAIA All-American (3rd, 2nd, 3rd, 1st) for the Lights, capping his career in 2002 with the 184-pound NAIA national title. He was a member of Lights national championship teams in 1999 and 2000. … rest of story at https://helenair.com/sports/college/frontier-conference/msu-northern/montana-state-northern-wrestling-coach-tyson-thivierge-records-100th-career-victory/article_94237682-cded-5663-a7e3-a7d587b12274.html?mc_cid=e96ed12e50&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

January 3, 2021 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

National Wrestling News 2021 – # 1

TDR Editor’s Notes ; Some insights upon how others are adjusting to the pandemic as it has an impact on our sport are featured in articles (#1, 2, 7, 9 & 10). The new wrestling movie is discussed in articles #3, 5 & 6. A look at the background and development of the great USA wrestler from University of Nebraska, Jordan Burroughs is included (#4) and the final results of the new Regional Training Camp Duals. (#8).
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1 } – Wrestling with COVID-19: Coaches focused on keeping wrestlers safe during pandemic
Programs deal with various effects from coronavirus
Monday was supposed to be the first date for competition for high school wrestling programs across Iowa. For some teams, it will still mark the start that will be far from normal. For others, it will remain another idle in a year where no opportunity will be taken for granted. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact all walks of life, wrestling programs face a season filled with new procedures, fluctuating schedules and safety concerns on a daily basis. Most coaches have altered their regular routines and habits in an attempt to juggle the seriousness of the disease and limit risk to athletes. “People say it’s going to be different,” West Delaware Coach Jeff Voss said. “Wrestling is a sport where you have to adjust and adapt all the time. From that standpoint, it’s not different. We’re just responding to different events than in the past.”
The coronavirus canceled spring sports in Iowa and delayed the start of baseball and softball as Iowa eventually became the first state to return to high school athletics competition. Play continued into the fall with volleyball being the first indoor sport. The Iowa High School Athletic Association … rest of story at https://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/wrestling-with-covid-19-coaches-focused-on-keeping-wrestlers-safe-during-pandemic-20201129?mc_cid=ac95ae6b76&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – Lehigh Valley wrestlers willing to do whatever it takes to have a season amid COVID-19 pandemic
Jon Trenge’s college wrestling career nearly ended because of a detached retina. Wearing goggles while he competed allowed him to finish as Lehigh’s career wins leader with 133. The goggles also created apprehension and concern for his safety. “The goggles were like a windshield with Vaseline rubbed all over them because of all the sweat,” said Trenge, who is in his second season as head coach at Parkland, his alma mater. “You could see up close, but when you got your head tilted down and you tried to look up toward the legs, it was hard to see.”
Trenge’s goggles were part of a five-point harness associated with his headgear, which often got pulled on by opponents. The three-time All-American at Lehigh said masks serve as a similar distraction for wrestlers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Masks are required in all social settings, though the state’s mandate does allow for athletes to remove them to avoid creating a medical problem or further damaging an existing one. Parkland wrestlers are wearing masks at all times during practices, which began Nov. 20, the first allowable winter sports practice date according to the PIAA — the state’s governing body for high school athletics. … rest of story at https://www.mcall.com/sports/varsity/wrestling/mc-spt-lehigh-valley-wrestling-masks-on-20201201-5gkou3q6tfe6tnc7xojyphrvmq-story.html?mc_cid=2514c7e76e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Former Mepham High School wrestler films aspiring athletes for YouTube series
A former Wellington C. Mepham High School wrestler has returned to the mat — this time with different equipment. In September, Alexander Pekoff, of Bellmore, launched “THE GRIND!” on YouTube, a reality television series documenting the journeys of young wrestlers who train at Dynamic Wrestling Academy in Hauppauge. Jason Layton, who coached Pekoff when he was starting out in the sport, owns the facility. “I met Alex when he was in seventh grade as his private coach for wrestling,” Layton said. “He was an amazing athlete to coach and among the hardest workers I’ve known.” Pekoff, 23, is now translating that work ethic into filmmaking, which he took up as a hobby last summer, he said. “THE GRIND!” follows a handful of Layton’s athletes — ages five to 12 — as they train, compete and evolve in the wrestling world. “We’re hoping it shows what philosophies worked, what didn’t, who ends up becoming the champion and who ends up burning out in 10th grade,” he said. “I wrestled for about six years and loved it, but it taught me a lot of discipline.” Pekoff’s long-term goal for the project is to eventually document the wrestlers’ rise … rest of story at https://www.liherald.com/stories/former-mepham-high-school-wrestler-films-aspiring-athletes-for-youtube-series,129039?mc_cid=2514c7e76e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – Five things to know about Olympic wrestling champion Jordan Burroughs
The USA star has won four world championships, but did you know that he had a tough start at the University of Nebraska? More on that, and why he is so popular in Iran!
Jordan Burroughs is the golden boy of freestyle wrestling, in every sense of the word.
The New Jersey-born grappler first gained notoriety at college as a two-time NCAA champion, before securing a US record 69-consecutive matches to start his Senior career. That streak included 74kg Olympic gold for Team USA at London 2012, while he also won four-consecutive world championships titles from 2011-2017.
Burroughs’ social media profiles can all be found under the handle @alliseeisgold, a statement which has often become a manifestation. However, a rare road bump at the Rio 2016 Olympics saw him finish outside of the medals. Despite having already won everything the sport has to offer, he returned to the mat hungrier than ever for success, which speaks volumes of his inner drive. Now 32-years-old, his only goal is to win gold again at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. But how well do you know the American wrestler? … rest of story at https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/stories/features/detail/five-facts-usa-wrestling-jordan-burroughs/?mc_cid=2514c7e76e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – ‘The Last Champion’ was family affair for Hallie Todd
(KGET) — It was easy for the three screenwriters for the feature film “The Last Champion” – available through digital platforms starting Dec. 8 – to deal with the family elements of the story. The three writers are all related. Along with director Glenn Withrow, the tale of a disgraced athlete returning to his hometown was co-written by Hallie Todd (his wife) and Ivy Withrow (their daughter). “It’s been a wall-to-wall experience for however long we have been working on this,” Todd says. “It is our baby. We would go to bed talking about it and wake up in the morning talking about it.” The elements Todd, her husband and daughter would discuss started with the family elements. That was mixed with sports action (sparked by the director’s own high school wrestling days) and a love story. The result is the journey of John Wright (Cole Hauser), a hometown hero who found fame through high school wrestling. One bad decision ends is athletic dreams. A tragedy brings him home 20 years later and to the one place where he might find redemption. … rest of story at https://www.kget.com/community/ricks-reviews/the-last-champion-was-family-affair-for-hallie-todd/?mc_cid=29548697b5&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – ‘Very serendipitous’: Feel-good movie filmed in Eastern Wash. is set for release
A feel-good movie filmed in Eastern Washington is about to be released. “The Last Champion” is about a small-town Olympic wrestler who seeks redemption. It was filmed before COVID, but the pandemic is having an impact on the actors and on a local wrestler on track to make it to the Tokyo Olympics. The movie stars Cole Hauser as an Olympic wrestler who had his medal taken away. He returns to his small Eastern Washington town years later and ends up coaching the high school team. One of the actors is Michael John Madden, who wrestled for White River High School in Buckley 11 years ago. “It was really cool for it to be in Washington,” said Madden, “It was very serendipitous. It was 2016 when we filmed it.” … rest of story at https://komonews.com/news/local/very-serendipitous-feel-good-movie-filmed-in-eastern-wash-is-set-for-release?mc_cid=29548697b5&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – Wrestling Officials are Keeping Up with Today’s Action & Rules
By John Johnson
Over the past five years, we have seen a huge change in many of the wrestling rules to help keep the action flowing; with the out-of-bounds rule having the biggest impact on keeping action flowing on the mat. But there have been other rule changes that many feel have hindered the flow of wrestling matches and the fan experience, such as the video review and other new rules that require match stoppage.
Let’s drill down even deeper and look at wrestling rule changes at the collegiate level and how the changes have impacted the world of an official. When you stop and think of a wrestling match and terms from 10 years ago, you would not have heard terms such as the drop-down rule and count, video challenge, control of mat, clasping, hands-to-the-face, neutral danger zone, one-supporting-point takedowns, hand-touch takedown, neutral stalling, takedown rule changes (hand touch, reaction time, out of bounds), overtime procedures, video challenges, third-party independent reviewer, four-point near-fall, concussion protocol and much more! One of the nation’s top collegiate wrestling officials is Dr. Mike McCormick, who graduated from The Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry in 1997, and has been practicing general dentistry in Hampton, Va., since then. McCormick has officiated every Pac 12 tournament since 1996 and every Big Ten tournament since 1997. He was also selected to officiate at every NCAA Division I tournament since 1995 and the cancelled NCAAs in Minneapolis last March would have been No. 26. He was selected as the liaison by the NCAA to the NCAA Rules Committee in 2007 and 2008 and is an active member of the National Wrestling Officials Association, and has been the president of the NWOA since 2014. Mike, along with his father, Dr. Pat McCormick, are members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement in officiating. Mike and his dad are the first father-son combo to be in the NWHOF. In addition to his impressive career as a referee, McCormick has numerous other accomplishments. He has been the college director of the prestigious Virginia Duals tournament since 1993. … rest of story at https://www.win-magazine.com/2020/12/03/wrestling-officials-are-keeping-up-with-todays-action/?mc_cid=29548697b5&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b#utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wrestling-officials-are-keeping-up-with-todays-action

8 } – Wolverines Fuel Cliff Keen WC Victory at Inaugural RTC Cup
CINCINNATI, Ohio — The University of Michigan wrestling team, including fifth-year senior Logan Massa, graduate student Myles Amine and junior Mason Parris, provided the primary firepower for the Cliff Keen Wrestling Club’s team championship at the inaugural RTC Cup team title on Saturday evening (Dec. 5) at the Duke Energy Convention Center. The Cliff Keen Wrestling Club (CKWC) is Michigan’s RTC, or Regional Training Center, a USA Wrestling-sanctioned training site for Olympic hopefuls that operates parallel and in conjunction with a college wrestling program. This weekend’s RTC Cup featured RTC squads from Cornell, Minnesota, NC State, Ohio State, Princeton and Virginia Tech. The CKWC posted a perfect 4-0 weekend record and defeated the combined squad of Southeast RTC and New Jersey RTC, four matches to two, in the championship final. Parris clinched the dual win in the final bout, rolling to a 12-1 technical superiority over Lehigh All-American Jordan Wood at 125kg/275 pounds. Parris, a 2018 junior freestyle world champion, scored the bulk of his points over a 12-second sequence in the first period, using a single leg for a takedown then taking Wood feet-to-back with it for four points and adding two more off a subsequent fireman’s dump. Parris tacked on two more scores in the second period, off a crotch lift and a match-ending reattack single at the 4:42 mark. Parris had only needed to avoid a pin or shutout tech in the final match after the CKWC reeled off three straight wins — from former Wolverine Alec Pantaleo, Massa and Amine — to all but assure the dual victory. Pantaleo went a perfect 4-0 on the weekend at 65kg/143 pounds and defeated Princeton All-American Matt Kolodzik, 8-6, … rest of story at https://mgoblue.com/news/2020/12/6/wrestling-wolverines-fuel-cliff-keen-wc-victory-at-inaugural-rtc-cup.aspx?mc_cid=224601c412&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – How do wrestling tournaments survive in a global pandemic?
Frank Popolizio typically doesn’t cry. It’s not that he is against crying, necessarily. It’s just not something to which Popolizio is accustomed. He’s a man who prides himself on getting things done regardless of circumstance or situation.  Popolizio’s zero-excuses philosophy and relentless pursuit of customer satisfaction have earned him high praise within the wrestling space. He makes his living with the four Cs: clubs, camps, clinics and competitions.  But amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Popolizio was unable to execute on any of his Cs for 13 months.  On November 22, the toil of perceived failure finally took its toll on the owner of Journeymen Wrestling.   “I got one hour outside of the arena on Sunday night and I just started to cry. I cried. I literally cried,” Popolizo said. “I don’t even know why I cried. I don’t know. The pressure was so unbelievable. Just to provide for your family. This is what I do to provide for my family and I do 10 (tournaments) a year. I felt an unbelievable amount of obstacles.”
Obstacles have been omnipresent for tournament directors in 2020. USA Wrestling’s Pete Isais, NUWAY’s Dave Dean and Tyrant Wrestling’s Cory Frederick are among those who have felt the pandemic’s pinch while trying to organize events across the country.  Frederick, the founder and owner of Tyrant Wrestling, had several events scheduled in Pennsylvania, but constantly changing executive orders forced him to explore new locations and different venues.  Since March, all Tyrant-scheduled tournaments have operated with the exception of the Columbus Day Duals, which were slated for October. The tournament has been postponed but, … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1607141306955&twSessionId=vcighfpsyn&postId=884875135&mc_cid=876213e0a7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – Steveson Defeats Gwiazdowski, 4-1, in Potential Olympic Trial Preview
In a potential preview of April’s U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Minnesota junior Gable Steveson defeated Nick Gwiazdowski, 4-1, at the 2020 RTC Cup in Cincinnati, Ohio. A two-time World bronze medalist, Gwiazdowski clinched the No. 1 seed at the trials prior to Steveson’s victory on Friday night. The RTC Cup is a dual-team tournament featuring six of the nation’s top regional training centers. Steveson, along with sophomore Brayton Lee, have joined several Minnesota alums as part of the Gopher Wrestling Club (GWC). … rest of story at https://gophersports.com/news/2020/12/4/wrestling-steveson-defeats-gwiazdowski-4-1-in-potential-olympic-trial-preview.aspx?mc_cid=876213e0a7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

January 3, 2021 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment