Takedown Report

Wrestling History – # 26

TDR Editor’s Notes ; We have grouped some articles together as they are from similar sources or are related topics such as the last three articles which are tributes to recently deceased wrestling greats ad leaders. Podcasts together (#6), Hall of Fames, Greatest LOss and How wrestling has changed lives are other topics.
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1 } – Central Oklahoma Hall of Fame Class of 2020: Todd Steidley
Professional wrestling, the kind seen on television with wild theatrics and orchestrated moves, will never be confused with the collegiate style that is so popular in Oklahoma and many other states. But it did help attract Todd Steidley to the mat in the late 1960s, igniting a love for the sport that still burns bright. “When I was a little kid I would spend summers with my grandparents in the Claremore-Oologah area and one day my grandpa told me he had signed me up for a wrestling camp in Oologah,” Steidley said. “I had only seen professional wrestling on TV, Cowboy Bill Watts and those guys, and I was fired up. “Then we got there and it wasn’t what I had seen at all, but I loved it. They had a tournament at the end of the camp and I won it and was Outstanding Wrestler. I was hooked after that.” … rest of story at _{^{https://bronchosports.com/news/2020/11/12/wrestling-hall-of-fame-class-of-2020-todd-steidley.aspx?mc_cid=b4122c2e60&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}
Friday Feature: A Repeat Title —
EDMOND – The presence of four individual champions gave Central Oklahoma plenty of firepower entering the 2002-03 wrestling season, making the Bronchos heavy favorites to claim a second straight team title. Cole Province (133 pounds), Matt Dodgen (141) and Shawn Silvis (165) were defending champions, while Mark Dodgen was coming off a redshirt year after having won the 125 title in 2000. UCO also had two more returning All-Americans in Chris Saferite (125) and Jeff Henning (184), though Saferite would end up redshirting as Mark Dodgen finished his career. … rest of story at _{^{https://bronchosports.com/news/2020/11/20/friday-feature-a-repeat-title.aspx?mc_cid=46ecd7f19c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

2 } – Final Episode Of Etched In Stone Podcast with Mark Churella
The third and final episode of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and USA Wrestling Etched In Stone – Stories of Wrestling Legends podcast featuring special guest Mark Churella is now available. Hosted by Hall of Fame wrestling writer, broadcaster and announcer Jason Bryant, the podcast explores the career of the Hall of Fame Distinguished Member who was a four-time All-American and the first three-time NCAA wrestling champion for the University of Michigan.
Listen to Episodes I, II and III through Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher. Click here to read the digital storybook for Churella. The EIS audio series features legendary wrestlers discussing the trials and tribulations they encountered on the way to becoming one of wrestling’s best. Podcasts also include … rest of story at _{^{https://nwhof.org/blog/final-episode-of-etched-in-stone-podcastwith-special-guest-mark-churella-launches/?mc_cid=2514c7e76e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

3 } – Will the real GOAT please stand up?
This GOAT thing has gotten out of hand. You know, Greatest Of All Time. It’s an acronym to show reverence and appreciation for those who have reached the highest level of a sport or a profession.  These days, it’s used as a term of endearment for anyone who hits a big move or wins a big match or is a fan favorite. All it takes to enter the GOAT conversation is an emoji on social media (typically of a goat) along with a picture or a video. That’s it. 
If you like one of your teammates, call him the GOAT. If a wrestler gets a fall, call her the GOAT. If a wrestler raises his or her hand in jubilation, call him or her the GOAT. 
Credentials and logic are meaningless to be a GOAT these days. 
Entering the actual GOAT conversation takes work, and the rules for consideration are constantly changing. Remember, this is evaluating someone as the Greatest Of All Time, not Greatest At The Time (GATT). 
There are different categorizations (high school, college, international), but domestic GOAT … rest of story at _{^{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1606699803599&twSessionId=sbewiikghs&postId=880303135&mc_cid=9fce5d3dda&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

4 } – Kerry McCoy: My Greatest Loss
Kerry McCoy was a two-time NCAA champion for Penn State (1994, ’97) and a three-time All-American (1994-95, ’97) who compiled a 131-1 record at heavyweight during his final three seasons of college. He transitioned into a highly successful career on the Senior level, becoming a two-time Olympian (2000, 2004), a four-time World teamer (1998, 2001-03), a 2003 World silver medalist, and a five-time U.S. National champion. 
McCoy reflects on a loss he suffered as a sophomore when he competed for Longwood High School in Middle Island, New York.
PURE MISERY 
“I started wrestling in seventh grade and I didn’t wrestle varsity until tenth grade. I made my way up and I wasn’t anything special. My sophomore year was the first year I was wrestling varsity and I had a decent year. My record was 17-6 or something like that. I lost six matches during my sophomore year.  “What we do in New York is we have leagues, counties, and state. League qualifies you for the county or … rest of story at _{^{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1606964707167&twSessionId=nnpseppgpf&postId=882356135&mc_cid=580d0bc2a3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

5 } – WRESTLER FOR LIFE STORY OF THE WEEK: THE MIDDLE GROUND
USA Wrestling’s “Wrestler for Life” program is accepting submissions for “The Story of the Week”. It can be about anything wrestling related, whether it’s a particular wrestling match you’ll never forget, or a life lesson that the sport taught you. If your story is chosen, it will be featured on TheMat.com, and winners will receive a USA Wrestling t-shirt.
Send your submissions to: Wrestlerforlife@usawrestling.org
This week’s submission is by two-time Greco-Roman Olympian and Wheaton College head coach Jim Gruenwald. It originally appeared in the Wheaton Wrestling Newsletter.
“Fatigue makes cowards of us all,” is a quote by General George Patton which led to a Gruenwald Corollary that “Everyone is looking for a reason to quit, give them one.” The statement may be a bit hyperbolic, for the rare wrestler that isn’t looking for a reason to quit may exist. However, for the most part, once that fatigue sets in, wrestlers start making excuses which inevitably leads to conceding positions and the match regardless of any late match urgency or desperation. Matches don’t start that way. We start matches feeling like a hammer, or at least we should. Every match should begin with the confidence, whether realistic … rest of story at _{^{https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/December/03/Wrestler-for-Life-Story-of-the-Week-The-middle-ground?mc_cid=29548697b5&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

6 } – PODCASTS — #182 Mike McMullan – Private Equity Investor & 4x All American
Mike McMullan was a 4x All American for Northwestern. Today, he works in private equity and in this conversation we talk about Mike’s experience at Wyoming Seminary, the Big 10 vs the Ivy League, and the parallels between coaching and private equity.  … rest of story at ^{_{https://wrestlingchangedmylife.com/mcmullan/?mc_cid=0d9bace552&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}
#189 Jason Welch – Head Coach at San Francisco State, 3x All American
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Jason Welch is a California legend ladies and gents! He was a 4x California high school state finalist and 3x champ.  He took his talents to the Big 10 and was a 3x All American for Northwestern. Today, he’s the head coach at San Francisco State.  Enjoy it folks! … podcast at ^{_{https://wrestlingchangedmylife.com/189-jason-welch-head-coach-at-san-francisco-state-3x-all-american/?mc_cid=f9e49e1788&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

7 } – Rulon Gardner and the lonely afterglow of Olympic gold
The wrestler’s journey from Wyoming to Olympic glory was one of the stories of Sydney 2000. His life afterwards has been just as compelling.
In the opening scene of the Olympic Channel’s new documentary film, Rulon, the titular character, a hulking figure, hangs his gold medal around the neck of a middle-aged man outside a hotel ballroom in Chicago. The two smile for a photo. Once – when he was 200lbs lighter and sporting a singlet – Rulon Gardner was the face of a Got Milk? ad, a sheepishly smiling America hero, and as he moves on from that photo op to deliver a speech at a dairy conference, Gardner appears acutely aware of the contrast between that version of himself and this one. “I’m not as famous as I used to be,” the two-time Olympian says in a voiceover, “but eventually I’m going to get to where I want to be.”
Rulon catches up with the Greco-Roman wrestler at a time of transition. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/nov/18/rulon-garnder-sydney-olympics-wrestling-gold?mc_cid=d63f9879b6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

8 } – The 158-pound bracket at the 1994 NCAA Championships defies logic
(Note – this was at UNC in Chapel Hill)
How is it possible that one bracket at the NCAA Championships could produce so much history? Well, the 158-pound bracket did just that by producing five current Division I head coaches and four wrestlers who combined 10 individual NCAA titles — the most cumulative titles in one NCAA Division I bracket. 
Here is a breakdown of the head coaches and NCAA champions that came out of the bracket.
Future Division I head coaches in the bracket
— Dan Wirnsberger (Michigan State) is the current head coach at Bucknell
— Jim Andrassy (Kent State) is the current head coach at Kent State … rest of story at _{^{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1608183632932&twSessionId=lszbyjjncw&postId=906751135&mc_cid=4edc48d477&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

9} – Dan Hodge was a legend in every way
Dan Hodge never lost a match in college, won an Olympic medal and is the only wrestler to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. But his most impressive feat may have come after he celebrated his 80th birthday. He demonstrated his ability to crush an apple with one hand. The Perry, Oklahoma native won a state high school title in 1951 before going on to a phenomenal collegiate career at the University of Oklahoma. In college, the 6-foot-1 Hodge went 46-0 with 36 pins. He won three NCAA titles at 177 pounds, pinning all three of his opponents in the finals. He twice was named the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler. … rest of story at _{^{https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24048?mc_cid=0d946e15c0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

10 } – Legendary SOU wrestling coach Bob Riehm dies at 83
By: SOU Sports Information
ASHLAND – Bob Riehm, the NAIA Hall-of-Fame coach who turned the Southern Oregon University wrestling program into a national power, died peacefully Monday. He was 83. Riehm presided over the Raider men’s wrestling team for 25 years, won three national championships, and mentored 100 NAIA All-Americans. His legendary run as a coach and educator at the school began in 1969. Today, his legacy lives on in the gymnasium named for him, Bob Riehm Arena, at SOU’s Lithia Motors Pavilion. “Bob Riehm’s name and legacy is unmatched in the halls of SOU and NAIA wrestling,” … rest of story at _{^{https://souraiders.com/news/2020/11/24/mens-wrestling-legendary-sou-wrestling-coach-bob-riehm-dies-at-83.aspx?mc_cid=1348aad4fc&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

11 } – Former Chairman Of Board Jim Keen Passes AwayShare
Former National Wrestling Hall of Fame Chairman of the Board of Governors and Order of Merit recipient Jim Keen passed away on Tuesday. He received the Hall of Fame’s Order of Merit award in 2004 and was chairman from 2004-13 after serving as vice chairman from 2000-03. His son Tom, who is president of athletic and apparel company Cliff Keen Athletic (CKA), currently serves on the Hall of Fame’s Board of Governors while his father Cliff, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in the Charter Class of 1976, was a board member from 1982-91. His uncle Paul was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1977. We are saddened to hear of the loss of Jim Keen, who worked tirelessly on behalf of our Hall of Fame and the sport that he loved so dearly. On behalf of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Board of Governors and … rest of story at _{^{https://nwhof.org/blog/former-chairman-of-board-jim-keen-passes-away/?mc_cid=1348aad4fc&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

12 } – Bob Kauffman, former NCAA Division II wrestling champion at Edinboro, dies at age 58
Former Edinboro University wrestler Bob Kauffman, a 1986 NCAA Division II champion with the Fighting Scots, died Nov. 13 at age 58. Kauffman, an Edinboro wrestling hall of fame inductee, was a Fountain Hills, Arizona, resident. He owned Advacoat Concrete Floor Coatings. Kauffman was born in Emmetsburg, Iowa, where he attended school and wrestled through high school. He was a multiple state medalist and a 1981 state champion, accomplishments that got him recruited by the Division I University of Iowa Hawkeyes and legendary coach Dan Gable. However, it was Edinboro coach Mike DeAnna who was in Kauffman’s corner when the middleweight became an NCAA champ. Kauffman transferred to Edinboro for his senior season on the mat. He capped his college wrestling career with a victory in the 150-pound championship match of the Division II tournament at Edwardsville, Illinois. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.goerie.com/story/sports/college/2020/12/19/campus-bob-kauffman-former-ncaa-division-ii-wrestling-champion-edinboro-dies-age-58/3945820001/?mc_cid=ed5fd11129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

January 8, 2021 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized