Takedown Report

NCAA Division III News (2021) – # 3

TDR Editor’s Notes ; The NCAA will not be sponsoring a National Championship tournament for Division III teams for the 3nd consecutive year due to the low percentage of participation. With a few days after that was announced USA Wrestling and then the National Wrestling Coaches Association announced that they would sponsor a national tournament for those wrestlers. They also are asking for and accepting donations to assist in the costs of the tournament. The TakeDown Report made a donation and we challenge others to support this positive idea. As wrestling fans know, the wrestlers at Division III schools are not eligible for athletic scholarships. That is true for all sports at this level. The Division III wrestlers are true scholar-athletes. We wish them well in these efforts. Keep on wrestling! E-mail us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – Division III cancels 2021 winter championships
Due to low participation numbers among member schools, NCAA Division III winter championships are canceled for the 2020-21 academic year. The Division III Administrative Committee, acting on behalf of the Division III Management and Presidents Council, approved the recommendation from the Division III Championships Committee to cancel all winter championships. The committee has been closely monitoring and discussing the membership’s winter sport participation for several months, and it has been providing updates to the councils. The Championships Committee decision was based on the results of a winter declaration form distributed to members about their intention to compete this season in a capacity that would permit them to meet the minimum contest requirements to be eligible for championship selection by the established selection dates. The declaration form was sent to Division III athletics directors Jan. 19 and completed by 98% of the membership. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/article/2021-02-03/division-iii-cancels-2021-winter-championships?mc_cid=653cd27934&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

2 } – USA WRESTLING SET TO PROVIDE COMPETITION FOR NCAA DIV. III WRESTLERS WHO LOST THEIR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
By Rich Bender and Bruce Baumgartner, USA Wrestling | Feb. 05, 2021, 1:47 p.m. (ET)This can be attributed to Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director.
“USA Wrestling is extremely disappointed and heartbroken about the hundreds of wrestling student-athletes who have lost their opportunity to have their 2020-21 season-ending competition due to the cancellation of the winter sports national championships at the NCAA Div. III level. This is the second straight year that this important group of student-athletes will not have an official national tournament. As the National Governing Body for wrestling in the United States, we feel we have an obligation and responsibility to provide a competition for these athletes. We are poised to step into the breach on behalf of Div. III wrestlers. We have been actively pursuing a number of options that are available to us, working with our partners and stakeholders within the sport. It is our goal to provide a high-quality event for these athletes during this academic season. USA Wrestling has been able to successfully host numerous competitions at many levels, using its COVID-19 Return to Events Guidelines and following local health and government regulations.” … rest of story at _{^{https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/February/05/USA-Wrestling-statement-on-hosting-event-for-Div-III-wrestlers?mc_cid=7fbcdf9574&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

3 } – NWCA DIVISION III CHAMPIONSHIPS UPDATE
The NWCA Leadership Group has been working on developing a non-NCAA championships event for Division III wrestlers prior to last week’s announcement, and the planning obviously kicked into overdrive with the cancellation of the 2021 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships. Teams were surveyed for interest and likelihood of competing in such an event, and an official announcement of an NWCA Division III Championships should be coming shortly.
The current format under consideration is a two day event taking place March 12-13 in Iowa. The exact site is still to be announced, as several venues are under consideration. The goal is brackets of no more than 32 wrestlers at each weight. There will not be a qualification round, but a selection committee could be utilized to narrow the field of entries down to 32 in the event more than that number desire to compete at a given weight. Wrestlers will come from teams whose institutions allow them to compete. This is the tournament at which NWCA All-Americans would be named. … rest of story at https://www.d3wrestle.com/nwca-division-iii-championships-update/?mc_cid=82bfd879a8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
AND NWCA Division III Coaches Association to host National Championships March 12-13.
In light of the fact that the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships have been cancelled, the NWCA Division III Leadership Group, in consultation with the coaches they represent in their respective regions, would like to provide the best national championship experience possible, especially for so many student-athletes who have now lost their second straight year of access to an NCAA Championship.  The goal is to follow these guiding principles: Check details and donate at _{^{http://www.nwcaonline.com/nwca-division-iii-coaches-association-to-host-national-championships-march-12-13/?mc_cid=a084ab7fd9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

4 } – Wrestlers remember Willie Myers
On Tuesday Jan. 12 former coach, mentor, instructor and athletic administrator Willie Myers passed away at the age of 81.  Myers was the head wrestling coach from 1968-2004, he was the Men’s Athletic Director from 1983-1998, and he was a tenured professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Coaching (HPERC). Myers earned his bachelor’s in industrial arts and a master’s in guidance and counseling from Eastern Illinois in 1964 before completing his doctorate in education administration at the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1977. 
“Willie’s enthusiasm, commitment and leadership as both a coach and administrator were integral to the success of UW-Whitewater wrestling and the entire athletic department,” said Ryan Callahan, Interim Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. 
Myers had a strong passion for wrestling and also helping those around him which is why he had so many large accomplishments. Some of his most memorable include leading the Warhawks to 12 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships, seven straight titles (1974-1980), 17 top-20 finishes at national championship tournaments (both NCAA and NAIA) and nine finishes among the nation’s top 10. He coached 64 individual conference champs. Student athletes earned 53 All-America honors, four national championships and 30 Scholar All-American accolades during his time as a coach. … rest of story at _{^{https://royalpurplenews.com/29836/sports/former-head-wrestling-coach-passes-away/?mc_cid=3d847489c9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

5 } – D3WRESTLE.COM 2020-2021 RANKINGS #1
At long last, here are the first d3wrestle.com Rankings for the 2020-2021 season. This is a tough season to rank without large tournaments and much in the way of inter-conference competition. Some notes on the process:

1. Wrestlers appearing in the rankings will only be ranked at a weight where they have wrestled. Adjustments will be made for guys who have not wrestled when teams start their schedules.
2. Only wrestlers who appear as certified on Trackwrestling are ranked. Eventually, certified wrestlers will drop out if they do not compete with their teams.
3. Since 30+ teams are not competing, the rankings have 18 wrestlers per weight class. As always, the top ten are in order, and the tiers after that are grouped but not numbered.
4. If there are misspellings of names or mixed up schools, leave a comment so it can be fixed.
   d3wrestle.com 2021 Rankings #1 – February 2, 2021 … rest of story at _{^{https://www.d3wrestle.com/d3wrestle-com-2020-2021-rankings-1/?mc_cid=e1d5a94c45&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

6 } – Bleich Named D3Wrestle.com Wrestler of the Week
HIRAM, Ohio — Baldwin Wallace University senior All-American and Academic All-American wrestler Stanley Bleich (North Ridgeville/Elyria Catholic) has been named the D3wrestle.com Wrestler of the Week for the first time in his career.
Bleich, who is the sixth nationally-ranked wrestler in NCAA Division III at 149 pounds,  moved up to the 157 weight class and won two matches last weekend against two of the top-three 157 pound wrestlers to secure his 100th and 101st career victories.  He and the rest of the Yellow Jackets won matches against No. 3 nationally-ranked and crosstown rival John Carroll University by a final score of 26-16 and Otterbein University by  a final score of 50-0.
Bleich posted a 12-4 major decision over No. 1 nationally-ranked Ryan Whitten of Otterbein.  He earned a 3-1 decision over No.3 nationally-ranked Sam Gross of John Carroll.
For his career, Bleich ranks ninth on the BW all-time wins list with 101 victories and a record of 101-20. … rest of story at _{^{https://baldwinwallace.prestosports.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/d3wow012621?mc_cid=348fe62197&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

7 } – Val Kochiu named CCIW Wrestler of the Week
NAPERVILLE, Ill. – The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) announced Val Kochiu its Wrestler of the Week on Tuesday morning. A junior from Oak Creek, Wisconsin, Kochiu is claiming the title for the first time in his career. At the CUW Duals, Kochiu won three matches at 141 pounds as the Falcons went 4-0 to open the season at home on Saturday. He picked up a 9-0 major decision over Carthage’s River Rogers, followed by a technical fall at 20-4 against Milwaukee School of Engineering’s (MSOE) Gianni Rago. He then defeated sixth-ranked Ethan Harsted of Wheaton with a 15-7 major decision. On Saturday, Concordia Wisconsin defeated Carthage 52-4, MSOE 38-10, Wheaton 20-19 and Lakeland 41-15. … rest of story at _{^{https://cuw.prestosports.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/20210126jvkn8k}}

8 } – Newly ranked as #1 in the country, UWSP’s Berlin looks to make up for lost opportunity
STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAW) -With the WIAC returning to play starting this week, UW-Stevens Point winter sports are ready to roll. The wrestling team kicks off the season Friday at UW-Whitewater. They do it with a wrestler who’s best in class. The new #1 ranked wrestler at 133 pounds in Division-III is Pointers senior Matt Berlin. “I thought it was cool, just seeing my name up there as number one,” said Berlin. “I know I’ve still got to go out, still haven’t wrestled a match this year. I’ve still got to go out and prove I’m worthy of that number one spot.”
But the fact he was ranked #1 without wrestling yet says something about Berlin. He might’ve been surprised, but what about his head coach? “No, I wasn’t surprised,” said longtime UWSP Wrestling head coach Johnny Johnson.
Why would he be? Berlin went 32-0 last year, was named WIAC wrestler of the year, and qualified for the NCAA tournament.
Except the tournament was cancelled, and his shot at a national title was taken away. “Yeah it was definitely disappointing, and heartbreaking at first,” said Berlin. “Just last season, putting in all of that work, and getting to the point that you work for all season, just to get to Nationals, just to get that opportunity to wrestle on the national stage.” … rest of story at _{^{https://www.wsaw.com/2021/02/01/newly-ranked-as-1-in-the-country-uwsps-berlin-wants-to-make-up-for-lost-opportunity/?mc_cid=3d847489c9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

9} – Leightner Garners Third Career OAC Wrestler of the Week Honor
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio —  Baldwin Wallace University senior All-American 157-pounder Dalton Leightner (Ravenna/Rootstown) has been named the Ohio Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week for the third time in his career. Leightner, who is the No. 2 nationally-ranked wrestler in NCAA Division III at 157 pounds, helped the No. 6 nationally-ranked Yellow Jackets remain undefeated on the season with OAC victories over Ohio Northern University and Wilmington College by scores of 36-12 and 50-3, respectively. He defeated Adrian Salomone of Wilmington by pinfall in just 59 seconds.  Leightner then posted a victory over the No. 10 nationally-ranked wrestler in Schuyler Caprella of Ohio Northern by pinfall in 4:32. For his career, Leightner ranks tied for 26th on the all-time BW wins list with 77 and a record of 77-33. Off the mat, he is a two-time National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-American … rest of story at _{^{https://baldwinwallace.prestosports.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/pow020121?mc_cid=3d847489c9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

10 } – Kris Rumph Named A-R-C Wrestler of the Week
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) announced its athletes of the week for the week ending Sunday, Jan. 31, with Wartburg College wrestler Kris Rumph (Jr., Portage, Ind.) named the Wrester of the Week.  The award is the second of Rumph’s career and the second conference weekly award in a row for Wartburg, as the Knights’ Zane Mulder received the honor last week. Rumph improved his record to 3-0 during A-R-C action at 141 lbs. with a pair of wins to help guide Wartburg to victories over No. 14 Coe and Simpson. He won by fall in 5:54 over Coe’s No. 4-ranked and 2020 A-R-C Freshman of the Year Riley Wright and followed up with a 21-6 technical fall over Simpson’s Josh Bower. … rest of story at _{^{https://go-knights.net/news/2021/2/1/wrestling-kris-rumph-named-a-r-c-wrestler-of-the-week.aspx?mc_cid=3d847489c9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

11 } – Kuehnlein Earns MIAA Athlete of the Week Honor
FREELAND, Mich. –Jayce Kuehnlein of the Alma College wrestling team has been selected as the MIAA Wrestling Athlete of the Week for the week ending on Sunday, January 31. Kuehnlein is the MIAA’s first wrestling athlete of the week for the 2021 season after the junior won the 157 lb weight class tournament at the MIAA Individual Championships, hosted by Olivet College on Saturday. (Jan. 30) Kuehnlein made quick work on his way to the finals, earning pins in the first period of each of his three matches leading up to the championship bout. In the finals, the St. Louis native won by technical fall by a score 15-0 over his opponent from Olivet. The junior was one of four Alma wrestlers to earn a place in the finals of their respective weight classes. … rest of story at _{^{http://almascots.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/20210201pid921}}

12 } – THINGS YOU CAN’T GET BACK
The 2020 tournament was canceled for safety reasons as part of a blanket cancellation of all NCAA winter championships. The 2021 cancellation can only be thought of as a cost-saving move. The NCAA and Division III telegraphed as early as October that saving money was going to be an important consideration in the Division III winter championships. In the fall, the field size was cut from 180 to 135 to reduce the cost of putting on the tournament. Subsequently, the various committees decided that 70% of teams would have to compete in order for the championships to be held. That number seems arbitrary, and it is. It is the number below which Division III says having the tournament is not worth the cost.
Twenty years ago, I wrestled in the NCAA Championships for the first time. Going through the qualifying tournament, traveling to Iowa, walking into the arena, competing with the best wrestlers in Division III. All of it was an amazing experience that I and 159 other wrestlers got to share. We put in a tremendous amount of work to get there. I can only imagine the devastation I would have felt if I was told the month before that the tournament was too expensive, so it is not going to happen. This year’s wrestlers do not have to imagine how it feels, and some have now missed out twice. Four years as a college athlete is not a long time compared to the rest of your life, … rest of story at _{^{https://www.d3wrestle.com/things-you-cant-get-back/?mc_cid=fca48e06b8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

February 17, 2021 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized