Takedown Report

NCAA Division III Programs’ News – (2021) – # 1

TDR Editor’s Notes ; This is our first offering of stories focused just on teams in Division III of the NCAA. Unfortunately much of the news is about the cancellations of matches and seasons by some teams. Yet there are some match results, polls, news about wrestlers and coaches. Read on, learn and enjoy.
E-mail us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – NWCA Division III Releases Regular Season Poll #1
Manheim, PA – With the status of the NCAA Division III Championships still up in the air, teams have begun their return to competition, and with that comes the first edition of the D3 Coaches Rankings, including the individual top-10 ranking and the team tournament top-15 poll. Wabash College starts the year as the nation’s top-ranked team with 41 points, while there is a logjam for second place with Wartburg, John Carrol, and the Coast Guard Academy all with 39 points.  Wisconsin La Crosse rounds out the top-five with 35 points. INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
The top-ranked Little Giants of Wabash College (IN) currently have four athletes ranked in their respective weight classe and are led by senior standouts Kyle Hatch (165) and Max Bishop (285). Hatch and Bishop each enter the season ranked #1 in this week’s polls.  They are joined in the top ten by teammates #9 Carlos Champagne (125) and #5 Alex Barr (165). … rest of story at _{^{https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/NWCA-Division-III-Releases-Regular-21-1-2021}}

2 } – The Noke Wrestling News Podcast – Episode 5 (Recruiting and End of Semester News)
This episode of Noke Wrestling news is brought to you by: www.blueridgewrestlingclub.com
On the fifth episode of Noke Wrestling News we talk to head coach Nate Yetzer about the staff’s progress on the recruiting trail. A staggering 22 recruiting have already committed to the Roanoke program. Coach Yetzer also shares his opinions on what makes a good recruiter and how to target certain weight classes. It’s also time for the Fall Fund Drive, so listen and find out how to support the program. … rest of story at _{^{https://news.theopenmat.com/podcasts/noke-wrestling-news/the-noke-wrestling-news-podcast-episode-5-recruiting-and-end-of-semester-news/79547?mc_cid=29548697b5&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

3 } – Sean Thompson ’21: Leading Through History
Wrestling senior builds career skills through internship
One of the wrestling team’s top competitors throughout his collegiate career, senior Sean Thompson let his actions do most of his talking early in his career, but with the help of an internship through Gettysburg College’s Civil War Institute, Thompson has emerged as a vocal and consummate team leader. Thompson opened his collegiate wrestling career with a bang, claiming top honors at 141 pounds at the Messiah Invitational in his first-ever appearance. He’s racked up 82 career wins in three seasons, including 31 during the 2019-20 campaign.  
Off the mat, the history and political science double-major has grown his leadership skills exponentially, thanks in large part to the Brian C. Pohanka Internship Program. The program gives Gettysburg students special opportunity to do paid work on the frontlines of history, giving public tours of iconic historic sites, gaining hands-on experience with original artifacts and documents, assisting with the management of historic landscapes, leading children’s programs, and conducting independent historical research. At the urging of Gettysburg Professors Peter Carmichael and Bill Bowman, Thompson applied for the program during the fall of 2018. … rest of story at _{^{https://gettysburgsports.com/news/2020/12/4/wrestling-sean-thompson-21-leading-through-history.aspx?mc_cid=876213e0a7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

4 } – College wrestling: Wartburg embracing opportunity to wrestle Iowa State
It was a ray of sunshine in the midst of a gloomy time.
Wartburg College wrestling coach Eric Keller’s phone rang late in the month of last March, weeks after the COVID-19 virus forced the NCAA to cancel the Division III wrestling championships on the eve of their start. Keller was still processing that loss.
College wrestling: Wartburg’s Briggs loves a good challenge
But like many athletes, a good dare is hard to pass up, and one was presented that day to Briggs, now a junior All-American wrestler at Wartburg College. The caller identification on Keller’s phone said it was Iowa State head coach Kevin Dresser. Immediately, Keller thought this could be interesting. “He called randomly out of the blue,” Keller said. “He asked if I’d like to dual next season. I said absolutely we are 100 percent in and let’s figure out how to make it happen. It’s was a good day in the midst of a lot of rough ones.” Initially, Dresser and Keller settled on Nov. 6 as the date, but with COVID-19 positive cases rising nationwide, the NCAA postponed the start of its wrestling season to after January. … rest of story at _{^{https://wcfcourier.com/sports/blogs/half_nelson_half_fiction/college-wrestling-wartburg-embracing-opportunity-to-wrestle-iowa-state/article_947b0492-27d6-511b-b73f-608972035038.html?mc_cid=e4f16a9e0e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

5 } – King’s College Winter Athletic Competition Update
Dear Members of the King’s College Community: 
Given the continual and growing challenges presented by COVID-19, and with the health and safety of our students, staff, and partners as our top priority, King’s College will not participate in winter sports competition in the coming months.  This decision impacts women’s basketball, men’s basketball, women’s ice hockey, men’s ice hockey, indoor track & field, swimming, and wrestling. I know how much the winter season means to our students, staff, and our coaches—and especially to the dedicated men and women who give so much to play these sports. I am deeply sorry that we will miss this year’s season and the joy and sense of community the games bring to our campus.  I also know that there is nothing that I can say that will lessen the disappointment and feelings of loss that are being experienced by our student-athletes, families, coaches, and friends. The public health environment relating to COVID-19, including here in Northeastern Pennsylvania, is currently no better than it was when we decided to cancel fall sports competition.  In fact, it is worse.  … rest of story at _{^{https://kingscollegeathletics.com/news/2021/1/7/general-kings-college-winter-athletic-competition-update.aspx}}

6 } – Shenandoah wrestlers eager to compete after long delay to inaugural season
After nearly a year of navigating his new program through COVID-19 and a months-long delay to the wrestling season, Shenandoah University head coach Tim McGuire will finally lead his team onto the mat for the first time this weekend. It will be a major milestone for the Hornets, who are set to compete at the U.S. Marine Corps Star City Classic hosted by Roanoke College at the Salem Civic Center this morning. Not only will it be the first-ever event for Shenandoah’s new wrestling program, but it will also mark the end of a 310-day sports hiatus for the university, which shut down all intercollegiate activities in mid-March in response to the ongoing pandemic. It hasn’t been a smooth road, and as recently as last weekend … rest of story at _{^{https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/shenandoah-wrestlers-eager-to-compete-after-long-delay-to-inaugural-season/article_efb3652d-5798-533f-9de7-da2f1e20d4ca.html?mc_cid=80454f9eb5&mc_eid=%5B2ef7cbca4b%5D}}

7 } – Augsburg coaching legend John Grygelko passes away
MINNEAPOLIS — John Grygelko, who played a key role in establishing the Augsburg University men’s wrestling team as a small-college national power, died on Friday, December 18, 2020. He was 93 years old.  
Grygelko coached the Auggies during a key period of the program’s growth, from 1972 to 1980. His teams never finished lower than second in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference competition, winning six straight league titles from 1975 to 1980. Grygelko coached 32 MIAC individual champions, including three conference tournament most valuable wrestlers. He produced a 98-12-1 dual-meet record in his Augsburg career, including two unbeaten seasons (11-0 in 1976-77, 12-0 in 1978-79).
 Under Grygelko, the Auggies finished in the top 10 in NAIA national competition four times, including a second-place finish in 1975 and a third-place finish in 1979. He coached 18 NAIA All-Americans during his Augsburg years, including national champions Scott Whirley ’82 (126 pounds) and Jeff Swenson ’79 (167 pounds) in 1979. Grygelko was named NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1975.  
“We hold John and his family in our hearts as we mourn his loss. ‘G’ was much more than a coach to so many of us. ‘G’ was a father figure who guided the lives of hundreds of young men, and for many of us, helped mold us into the men we are today. He was instrumental in bringing Augsburg’s wrestling program to national prominence,” said Swenson, who succeeded Grygelko as Augsburg’s head coach in 1980 and led the Auggies to 10 NCAA Division III national championships in his 25 seasons (1980-84, 1986-2007). Swenson currently serves as Augsburg’s athletic director. … rest of story at _{^{https://athletics.augsburg.edu/news/2020/12/18/mwr121820.aspx?mc_cid=ed5fd11129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

8 } – Texas native finds his place with Central wrestling squad
A weekend visit to Pella sealed the decision for Chris Wilson
HOUSTON, TEXAS—The 2019 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championship and a meal at Olive Garden helped seal the choice for Chris Wilson (sophomore, Houston, Texas, Cypress Ridge HS) to join the Central College wrestling team.
Wilson was planning to attend a community college and start the path towards becoming a nurse in the Houston area. His college wrestling recruitment ramped up after his senior season, including a message from Central’s assistant coach Daniel Page. One thing led to another and Wilson was on his first plane ride to visit campus.  “It was my first and only college visit because I was hooked,” Wilson said. “I liked how the campus looked and I was kind of starstruck when I first met Coach Page. I was pumped to be on a college visit and meeting with a college coach.”            
His weekend at Central put the Texas native at ease.           
“It was just really fun to be here,” Wilson said. “On the last night I was here, I went to a dance on campus and I really connected with (former Dutch wrestler) Jeremy Vester and some other wrestlers. It just felt like I was already here and I felt really comfortable.” … rest of story at _{^{https://athletics.central.edu/news/2020/12/9/texas-native-finds-his-place-with-central-wrestling-squad.aspx?mc_cid=372ecbefe1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

9} – Wartburg Wrestling Tops American Rivers Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Results of the American Rivers Conference Wrestling Preseason Poll (as voted on by the league’s head coaches): 
Wartburg is the preseason favorite to win the league’s championship and regain their place atop the American Rivers Conference. The Knights earned 63 points in the poll, recording seven of nine first-place votes. Coming off their dethroning of the Knights and the program’s first conference title, Loras is picked to finish second. The Duhawks picked up 56 points and one first-place vote. Coe claimed the final first-place vote and earned 52 points in the poll to finish third. Capsules on all nine teams — follow here:
New Coaches: None
The Schedule: As with so much of what has happened since March12, 2020 when the novel coronavirus pandemic shutdown college sports, the 2021 season will be like no other in conference history.  … rest of story at _{^{https://rollrivers.com/news/2021/1/12/american-rivers-conference-wartburg-chosen-as-american-rivers-wrestling-coaches-preseason-favorites.aspx?mc_cid=985ebae38c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

10 } – BIG CANCELLATION UPDATE
Prior to today, d3wrestle.com has reported only schools that have explicitly canceled the wrestling season. Today’s update includes other schools that have indicated to the NWCA rankings committee that they should not be ranked because they will not be competing, even though there has not been an announcement specifically saying so. As of today, January 18th, there are 32 schools that are believed to be opting out of the 2021 season. The list below differentiates between these schools.
Teams in bold have publicly said no to wrestling (or made a blanket statement for all winter sports) in the 2020-21 season. Teams in italics may not have explicitly canceled wrestling but have indicated as much to the rankings committee or d3wrestle.com. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.d3wrestle.com/big-cancellation-update/?mc_cid=ad63827ef7&mc_eid=%5B2ef7cbca4b%5D}}

11 } – Ferrum College Men’s and Women’s Wrestling Changes Announced
FERRUM, Va. — Four athletic schedule changes have been announced at Ferrum College, two each in men’s and women’s wrestling. Ferrum’s home men’s wrestling match scheduled for Wednesday, January 20, against Emory & Henry College has been moved. The Panthers will now travel to Emory & Henry on Saturday, January 23, for a 3:00 p.m. match in Emory, Virginia. Coach Ryan Riggs’ team was scheduled to wrestle at Southern Virginia University Saturday (Jan. 23), but that match has been postponed to a date yet to be announced. Ferrum’s women’s wrestling trip to the Emmanual College Invitational in Franklin Springs, Georgia on Saturday, January 23, has been canceled. Additionally, … rest of story at _{^{https://ferrum.prestosports.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/20210118o20ja0?mc_cid=ad63827ef7&mc_eid=%5B2ef7cbca4b%5D}}

12 } – Brockport wrestling coach resumes role even as cloud hangs over team
Don Murray can step back into his role as SUNY Brockport wrestling coach, but now an investigation about possible NCAA violations looms over Murray and the team. Murray, the college and former wrestlers at the Division III college celebrated his 50th season as coach in 2019.  But SUNY Brockport announced a suspension of the team last month, and … rest of story at _{^{https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/2020/10/29/brockport-wrestling-team-don-murray-covid-19-ncaa-investigation-ncaa-division-iii/6076095002/?mc_cid=8d4526dbd7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}
WINTER SPORTS ANNOUNCEMENT
In an abundance of caution to protect the health and safety of students and staff, after consultation with conference leadership, the presidents of the State University of New York Athletic Conference have made the difficult decision to cancel winter sports (basketball, ice hockey, indoor track & field, swim & dive). Additionally, SUNY Brockport has canceled winter competition for the non-SUNYAC sports of wrestling and gymnastics. Despite these changes for Brockport athletics, the campus community continues to recognize the importance of athletics participation to its student-athletes.  Much like the fall sports, administrators and coaches have developed plans to engage student-athletes safely in small-group activity through in-person practices and instruction, strength and conditioning training, leadership training and team building activities.
Winter student-athletes will not lose a semester or season of eligibility if they participate in skill and drill sessions during the 2020-2021 academic year.
FAQs on SUNY Brockport Athletics
Will there be winter sports?
Teams will be able to practice in small groups to begin with. Winter sports teams will not participate in intercollegiate competition this winter. Winter sport teams include basketball, gymnastics, indoor track & field, wrestling, ice hockey, and swim & dive. … rest of the story at _{^{https://gobrockport.com/news/2020/10/19/general-sunyac-cancels-winter-sports-seasons.aspx}}

January 22, 2021 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized