Takedown Report

College Wrestler Honors & Individual Stories – 2021 – # 1

TDR Editor’s Notes ; The following are articles about individual college wrestlers that we read a while back but have been slow to pass along. Some are of awards earned and recognitions as well as stories about how wrestling impacted the student-athletes’ lives. Also included are some rankings as those continue to be of interest and provide content for some wrestling chatter. Enjoy E-mail us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – WIN’s October 2020 TPI and Individual Rankings
WIN’s October 2020 Preseason NCAA Division I TPI and Rankings
The following is an update of WIN Magazine’s 2020-21 preseason NCAA Division I national rankings. This includes WIN’s Tournament Power Index (TPI), which is an accumulation of a team’s potential NCAA tournament points that are associated with each team’s ranked wrestler’s individual rankings that are included in these preseason rankings. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.win-magazine.com/2020/10/13/wins-october-2020-tpi-and-individual-rankings/?mc_cid=2844d9a77e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b#utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wins-october-2020-tpi-and-individual-rankings}}

2 } – Seasons derailed, programs cut: Athletes face emotional blow as pandemic uproots college sports
Early mornings, late nights, countless hours of training. And now, perhaps nothing to show for it.
That’s a glimpse at the uncertainty for college athletes across the country who have had seasons derailed. In some cases, their programs have even been cut altogether as schools react to the health risks and financial ripples of COVID-19. The pandemic has shaken the college sports scene to its core, dealing an emotional blow to athletes as they’re forced to stay on their toes about the status of their careers. Some college football conferences have made a loud return to action, but many athletes in lower revenue sports – the runners, swimmers, golfers, and soccer players – are still waiting to take the field or hear if they’ll be able to compete again. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2020/10/11/college-sports-cut-seasons-canceled-student-athletes-feel-abandoned/3585109001/?mc_cid=aabea4b794&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

3 } – Eierman solid in Iowa debut, Gadson takes second
CORALVILLE, Iowa – Jaydin Eierman didn’t get everything he wanted at the USA Wrestling Senior Nationals, but the new addition to the University of Iowa roster got a taste of what life as a Hawkeye is all about. Eierman, a graduate transfer preparing for his senior season with the Hawkeyes, emphatically earned a fifth-place finish at 65 kilograms Sunday and endeared himself to Iowa fans in attendance at the Xtream Arena with the aggressive way he attacked throughout the weekend. After losing 10-0 by technical fall to three-time Stanford and Ohio State All-American and top-seeded Joey McKenna in the consolation semifinals, Eierman pinned former Rutgers All-American Matt Kolodzik in his final match of the tournament. After giving up a step out point early in his fifth-place match, Eierman put Kolodzik on his back and recorded the fall in 1 minute, 9 seconds. He finished the tournament with a 5-2 record that included two technical falls, a pair of pins and an appreciation of where he’s at. … rest of story at _{^{https://qctimes.com/sports/college/wrestling/eierman-solid-in-iowa-debut-gadson-takes-second/article_fe8ae0dd-c4d8-59b4-bdca-8849fd6b51d1.html?mc_cid=aabea4b794&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

4 } – Nebraska wrestling finds success, off-season preparation at Senior Nationals
The last time Nebraska wrestlers competed as a team, it was for a Big Ten Championship. The team’s other postseason opportunity, the NCAA Championships, was canceled soon after.  Seven months later, Nebraska returned by bringing 22 wrestlers to compete in USA Wrestling’s Senior Nationals from Oct. 9-11. This was also two months after the team was able to come back together in Lincoln for training.   “It was great for our sport,” head coach Mark Manning said. “We’ve been training for seven weeks in our facility with no positive tests. It showed that we have a disciplined team and the guys are serious about their craft. It was great to get back into it.” The meet was held outside of Iowa City, Iowa, which is where clubs, teams and individuals of all collegiate classes and above were allowed to compete. 22 Huskers went to the event … rest of story at _{^{http://www.dailynebraskan.com/sports/nebraska-wrestling-finds-success-off-season-preparation-at-senior-nationals/article_d3d9f16c-11a0-11eb-93bf-9b0690273c78.html?mc_cid=c883bf378a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

5 } – Sit down with Spencer Lee and learn more about the Hodge Trophy winner
Spencer Lee talks about his several topics, including his Sullivan Award surprise, his upcoming bout at the HWC Showdown Open, learning from losses, and he plays a game of rapid-fire with Shane Sparks. … rest of podcast and story at _{^{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1603766880144&twSessionId=uvmzrzlxcu&videoId=872136135&mc_cid=5358e83a0f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

6 } – 10 Questions with Cayden Rooks
BLOOMINGTON, Ind.– Cayden Rooks made an immediately impact in his first season in Bloomington. Rooks was second on the team in wins with 21 wins in the 2019-20 season. He tallied a 21-13 overall record, 6-4 mark in dual matches and 4-4 record in Big Ten dual matches.
If someone asked you to describe what it’s like to compete in the Big Ten for wrestling, what would you tell them?
I would tell them that every week it’s a battle. The Big Ten is the toughest conference in the NCAA for a reason.
What is the one habit you have picked up because of the pandemic that you will keep?
I have made it a habit to use hand sanitizer more frequently so I will probably keep that up after the pandemic is over.
What is one of your favorite songs that you know all the words to?
That’s a tough question haha. I would have to say it’s Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton though. … rest of story at _{^{https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2020/10/5/wrestling-10-questions-with-cayden-rooks.aspx?mc_cid=bbb5286d21&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

7 } – Know The ‘Chos: Heath Gray
The University of Central Oklahoma athletic department is showcasing its student-athletes each Monday this fall with a quick glance at who your favorite Bronchos are on and off the mat in a segment called Know The ‘Chos, sponsored by McBride Orthopedic Hospital.  
Up this week is two-time All-American wrestler Heath Gray, who is poised to post one of the best winning percentages in the school’s illustrious history as he enters his final season on the mat this winter. Gray started his collegiate career at Newman, where he spent one season. He sat out a redshirt season upon arrival at UCO in 2017-17 and posted a 14-1 record competing unattached in various open tournaments that year. For his official record, Gray began … rest of story at _{^{https://bronchosports.com/news/2020/10/12/wrestling-know-the-chos-heath-gray.aspx?mc_cid=9d92b7854a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

8 } – Paulsen named GPAC Wrestler of the Week
Chris Paulsen of the Briar Cliff wrestling team has been named this week’s GPAC Wrestler of the Week.
Paulsen, a senior from Raymond, Iowa, was the underdog in a matchup with Marcus Urban of Dakota Wesleyan, who ranks 11th in the NAIA at 165. Paulsen pinned Urban in 2:40 to give the Chargers a 32-0 lead as they cruised to a 44-6 win over the Tigers. … rest of story at _{^{https://bcuchargers.com/news/2020/12/2/wrestling-paulsen-named-gpac-wrestler-of-the-week.aspx?mc_cid=580d0bc2a3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

9} – LAWSON EARNS MSC WRESTLER OF THE WEEK HONOR
COLUMBIA, Ky. – Trevor Lawson of the Lindsey Wilson wrestling team has been tabbed the MSC Wrestler of the Week, Conference officials announced on Monday. Lawson helped the Blue Raiders with four dual wins on the week with two dominating wins over nationally-ranked opponents. The sophomore won in a technical fall over No. 9-ranked Marian’s (Ind.) Austin Lane — who is ranked eighth at 197 points — in Lindsey Wilson’s 31-20 win over the Knights. He finished the day by pinning No. 10-ranked Cumberland’s (Tenn.) River Henry — ranked No. 17 in the NAIA — in one minute and 51 seconds. Earlier in the week he added a win over Daulton Mayer on a 7-0 decision in the Blue Raiders 48-0 win over Thomas More. He also won on forfeiture in the Blue Raiders 57-0 win over Rio Grande (Ohio). … rest of story at _{^{http://www.lindseyathletics.com/article/12904.php?skipSplash=1&mc_cid=c2c44a5110&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b&skipSplash=1&skipSplash=1}}

10 } – WRESTLING WITH FINANCE
Editor’s Note: This story first appeared in the December issue of Hawk Talk Monthly, the official e-magazine of the Iowa Hawkeyes. The publication was named best in the nation in 2018, 2019 and 2020. To read Hawk Talk Monthly, click HERE.
By DARREN MILLER hawkeyesports.com
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Beth Kemerer’s hunch was correct. Her son, Michael, was a math guy.
Michael Kemerer, a three-time wrestling All-American for the University of Iowa, understands numbers like his 75-7 career record, 41-1 dual mark and 173 dual points scored. But his fascination with numbers has more significance in the classroom. It led Kemerer to earning a bachelor’s degree in finance and he is currently in his third semester of graduate school, pursuing a master’s degree in finance.

Kemerer’s undergraduate and graduate grade-point averages have hovered around 3.3 and 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale). Four times he has been named Academic All-Big Ten, he has also been recognized as a scholar-athlete by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. … rest of story at ^{_{https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2020/12/14/wrestling-with-finance/?mc_cid=2646a1a5c8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

11 } – SPENCER LEE TO BE PRESENTED AAU SULLIVAN AWARD
IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior Spencer Lee will be presented the AAU James E. Sullivan Award on Saturday prior the Iowa Football game at Kinnick Stadium. The presentation is streamed live on Game Day Live at hawkeyesports.com. Lee is the fifth wrestler in the history of the award to be recognized. He joins Bruce Baumgartner, Rulon Gardner, John Smith and Kyle Snyder as past amateur wrestling award winners. Lee is a two-time NCAA champion and winner of the 2020 Hodge Trophy. … rest of story at _{^{https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2020/12/11/spencer-lee-to-be-presented-aau-sullivan-award/?mc_cid=afaeddd782&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

12 } -NORTJE EARNS GPAC WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC Wrestler-of-the-Week Announced (Sioux City, Iowa) – The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) and Hauff Mid-America Sports are proud to announce the following wrestler-of-the-week for contests played Nov. 30 – Dec. 6, 2020. Hauff Mid-America Sports is the presenting sponsor of the 2020-2021 GPAC Players-of-the-Week and Players and Coaches-of-the-Year awards program.
Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC Wrestler-of-the-Week … rest of story at _{^{http://www.hastingsbroncos.com/article/3593.php?mc_cid=372ecbefe1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b#.X9gOVthKhPY}}

January 15, 2021 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment