Takedown Report

High School News (2021) – # 7

TDR Editor’s Notes ; During a normal year North Carolina would have held their State Championships last weekend. In previous years that has led to a busy week of work tabuating the results, gathering input on the final TDR Top 12 rankings, ordering awards and trophies and in many years the final editing and voice over for the televised state finals. Yet in ‘The Time of CoVid’ we have had no wrestling so far. Official team practices will start April 12th with the State Finals on June 28th. We shall make no comment on that. Championships were held in Georgia and Nebraska and a few other states. More will be held this weekend. The following is the first of many scholastic postings with championship news. Also note that the USA Wrestling National Recruiting tournaments will be held in several locations. The closest for North Carolina is in Doswell, Virginia just north of Richmond. It will be across the road from King’s Dominion Amusement Park. Keep on Wrestling!
E-mail us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – No excuses allowed at state wrestling
There’s been lots of wrestling chatter in this coronavirus-plagued season. Cock your ear and you’ll hear talk about scheduling inequities, loss of tournaments, state tournament seedings and lack of regionals. Now Jeff Schumacher, who shares Bismarck’s head coaching duties with Mark Lardy, says that’s all history. “We’re going down there with what we’ve got, and it’s time to wrestle. There are no excuses,” he said as he looked ahead to today’s first round of action at the Fargodome. Class A competition within the 32-slot brackets begins at 3:30 p.m. today and continues Saturday. Saturday is reserved for the dual tournament. With the West and East region tournaments shut down this season, there has been no winnowing process. All teams will be permitted to bring full lineups, which will mean considerably more matches and a corresponding increase in scoring. In 1988 and 1989 when the Class A tournament was essentially an all-comers tournament, point totals reached record levels. Century won with 290 points in 1988, a record that still stands. Bismarck claimed the title with 256.5 points the next year. Bismarck, with five previous state champions and four other returning state placers in its lineup, appears capable of challenging that record. … rest of story at _{^{https://bismarcktribune.com/sports/no-excuses-allowed-at-state-wrestling/article_0d86895d-696f-52b7-bdaa-589a8b1cc698.html?mc_cid=279b9a2f50&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

2 } – Your guide to the top stars and storylines to watch in state tournaments this week on Trackwrestling
The third week of February is typically a smorgasbord of high-level high school wrestling state championships. Even in a COVID-scrambled season, this week’s menu is still loaded with 16 championship events in nine states and two dozen nationally-ranked competitors expected to take the mat in tournaments streamed on Trackwrestling. 
Here’s a look at some of the top stars and storylines to follow:
— Iowa recruit Drake Ayala began the season ranked No. 1 nationally at 126 pounds and might have gone wire-to-wire at the top spot, except the two-time state champion sought out bigger challenges during his senior year.  Ayala moved up to 132 early in the season and posted a major decision win against three-time Iowa state champ Matthew Lewis. He went up again in January for a chance to take on returning state champ and fellow Sebolt Wrestling Academy training partner Ryder Block of Waverly-Shell Rock. Block scored a 9-7 victory that vaulted him into the national rankings, ended Ayala’s string of 113 consecutive victories and also solidified the Fort Dodge senior’s postseason plans.  “I would never feel good about myself going to 126 and winning, knowing I could never get that match back,” Ayala told IAWrestle. “That’s not the person I am. I would much rather get second at 132 than first at 126.”  Block went 44-0 last season as a freshman and enters this year’s state meet with a 23-0 record. Ayala is looming on the opposite side of the bracket with a 25-1 mark. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1613707832994&twSessionId=yhrhlvmyww&postId=1072246135&mc_cid=279b9a2f50&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

3 } – NFHS says social contact, not sports, causes most COVID-19 spread among athletes
An analysis by the National Federation of State High School Associations revealed that social interaction — not competing in high school sports — appears to be the leading factor in COVID-19 spread among student-athletes. “The majority of sports-related spread of COVID-19 appears to occur from social contact, not during sports participation,” the NFHS said Tuesday.  After analyzing more than six months of data from the CDC and dozens of state associations regarding high school sports, the NFHS has adapted its “statement on risk of COVID-19 during high school sports.” In May 2020, the NFHS released a tiered system of risk for high school sports, including low, medium and high risk. The NFHS has ended the tiered system, and the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee has developed five risk factors that state associations should consider when assessing the potential for COVID-19 transmission in high school sports. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.goerie.com/story/sports/2021/02/03/nfhs-updates-how-assess-risk-covid-19-transmission-high-school-sports/4372909001/?mc_cid=653cd27934&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}
AND NFHS ELIMINATES RISK TIERS IN REVISED GUIDANCE ON COVID-19 TRANSMISSION FOR HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (February 2, 2021) – After evaluating experiences of schools participating in high school sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) has revised its May 2020 guidance document with a new “Statement on Risk of COVID-19 During High School Sports.”
Highlighting the revised guidance is the elimination of the tiered “Potential Infection Risk by Sport” that placed sports in high-, medium- and low-risk categories. Instead, the SMAC suggests that state associations and other stakeholders consider five factors in assessing potential for COVID-19 transmission in high school sports. Two of those factors are that prevailing community infection rates appear to be the strongest predictor for high school athletes being infected, and proven cases of direct COVID-19 transmission during athletics remain relatively rare. … rest of the story at _{^{https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/February/02/NFHS-eliminates-risk-tiers-for-high-school-sports-during-COVID?mc_cid=e1d5a94c45&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

4 } – (Maine) Fate of high school wrestling season remains undetermined as MPA again delays decision
Maine Principals’ Association postpones meeting with community sports guidelines unchanged and wrestling still considered ‘high risk.’
The Maine Principals’ Association announced Monday that it was again delaying a decision on the status of a high school wrestling season in Maine this winter. The MPA announced on Feb. 3 that it would make a decision on Feb. 22, but assistant director Mike Bisson — who serves on the wrestling committee — said everything is on hold unless the state’s community sports guidelines change. The state’s Department of Economic and Community Development characterizes wrestling as a high-risk sport. Bisson also acknowledged he is “less optimistic” that there will be a season than he was on Feb. 3, but said the MPA is still hoping to arrange something. “We’re just buying time (so that) hopefully as things change over time, things are constantly evolving, that it might allow for us to have a wrestling season,” Bisson said. “…Wrestling is a Level 2 activity, meaning they can do physically distanced practice only. Until that changes, nothing changes for us. We’re going to follow the state guidelines.” … rest of story at _{^{https://www.centralmaine.com/2021/02/22/fate-of-high-school-wrestling-season-remains-undetermined-as-mpa-again-delays-decision/}}

5 } – Washington Association Notes: Lillie to get college opportunity; De La Rosa turns to FCA
Lillie is Ready for Next Level
Only the realization of a lifelong ambition to become the first member of his family to attend college by virtue of accepting a wrestling scholarship could ease the pain Yusief Lillie felt when it became clear he would not have the chance to chase his fourth high-school state championship in the upside-down 2020-21 season. On Jan. 2, Lillie signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his wrestling career at Utah Valley University, where he will compete at 125 pounds for the Wolverines. “I was pretty upset because at first because the high school season isn’t really going to happen,” Lillie said. “But then I realized how much better I’m getting. I’ve been working one-on-one with (Team Aggression co-founder) Geoff Kaylor, and with school being different and everything I can train like that a lot more. And a college scholarship was always part of the plan.” Lillie, who is the son of Gregory Lillie and Damaris Diaz, and the brother of Adanesne, 21, and Amanda, 11, said the feeling he got when he visited the UVU campus in Orem and the tone of the recruiting message from Wolverines assistant coaches Ethen Lofthouse and Erkin Tadzhimetov convinced him Utah Valley was the right fit for him. The fact that a pair of friends from Washington, Vancouver’s Danny Snediker and Spokane’s Braxton Mikesell are already at UVU didn’t hurt, either. “We are excited to have Yusief join the Wolverine family,” Utah Valley coach Greg Williams said in a press release announcing Lillie’s signing. “He is a dedicated student-athlete that has high goals in all areas of his life. He embraces tough challenges and has the work ethic and unwavering focus to be successful here. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.win-magazine.com/2021/02/02/washington-association-notes-lillie-to-get-more-opportunity-de-la-rosa-turns-to-fca/?mc_cid=e1d5a94c45&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b#utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=washington-association-notes-lillie-to-get-more-opportunity-de-la-rosa-turns-to-fca}}

6 } – Wrestling with adversity: Madison’s Nate Barrett overcomes obstacles in quest for another state berth
MADISON TOWNSHIP — Robin Barrett understands better than most the hardships her son, Nate, has overcome these past few years. As Madison’s unofficial photographer of record, Robin has had a ringside seat for all of Nate’s euphoric highs and soul-crushing lows — and there have been more of the latter than the former. “The kid has dealt with some adversity,” Robin says matter-of-factly from the floor of Wayne E. Miller Gymnasium, where she is snapping photos of Nate and his wrestling teammates during Saturday’s Madison Duals. That Nate Barrett has overcome all the curve balls life has thrown his way is a testament to his perseverance and determination. They are character traits that serve him well on the wrestling mat. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.richlandsource.com/sports/wrestling-with-adversity-madisons-nate-barrett-overcomes-obstacles-in-quest-for-another-state-berth/article_b3fe6614-635f-11eb-a524-97c145a871bf.html?mc_cid=8755157a86&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

7 } – Prep athletes of the week: Wayzata’s Cael Swensen sets school wrestling record for wins
The senior 152-pounder was named after Olympic gold medalist, undefeated four-time NCAA champion and current Penn State coach Cael Sanderson 
With the first name of Cael, it stood to reason that wrestling success was in his future. The senior 152-pounder, named after Olympic gold medalist, undefeated four-time NCAA champion and current Penn State coach Cael Sanderson, set the Wayzata school record for career victories with the 198th of his career. That broke the mark set by Weston Droegemueller. Normally Swensen, the 2020 Class 3A 138-pound champion, likes to extend matches and score points to work on his craft. But he said he made short work of the record-setting match because he knew its magnitude. “I get a lot of takedowns and work on stuff, but I knew there was going to be an announcement, so I got it over quick.,” he said of his 14-second victory. “This was a goal I set as a sixth-grader, so it’s pretty awesome to accomplish it.” Swensen said his namesake is his favorite wrestler, followed by David Taylor, who was coached by Sanderson and won two NCAA titles. Swensen even patterns his style after them and leans heavily on the ankle pick, Sanderson’s signature move and one also perfected by Taylor. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.startribune.com/prep-athletes-of-the-week-wayzata-s-cael-swensen-sets-school-wrestling-record-for-wins/600020656/?mc_cid=82bfd879a8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b&refresh=true}}

8 } – (Georgia) 403 AND COUNTING: Bartolotta hits 400th win as historic wrestling year continues
Brunswick High’s wrestling coach, Tommy Bartolotta, earned his 403rd victory on Saturday during the State Duals meet in Atlanta as he is 403-79 in his career. That win marks another historic moment for the Pirates’ wrestling team this season. They won their first-ever region championship and finished fourth overall at duals — the highest finish in school history. He’s in his 22nd year of coaching and his third at Brunswick. Bartolotta’s journey kind of comes full circle as he earned his 100th win during his stint at Glynn Academy and last Wednesday earned his 400th career victory over Wayne County. He finished with a 114-26 overall recording at Glynn, including three area titles, and qualified for the State Duals five times. Everywhere Bartolotta’s coach, success seems to follow. “I think is a great accomplishment for a coach — 100 wins, 200 wins, 300 wins, 400 wins — it just shows your passion and longevity for the sport,” Brunswick High assistant coach Larry Insalaco said. “To be able to stay in it and be that productive and be consistent, and win every year to achieve that goal so quickly in your coaching career. … rest of story at _{^{https://thebrunswicknews.com/sports/local_sports/403-and-counting-bartolotta-hits-400th-win-as-historic-wrestling-year-continues/article_465181d8-7d8d-5086-8927-8f72460eca96.html?mc_cid=653cd27934&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}
AND Broken nose, fingers don’t keep Richmond Hill wrestler Tate Evans from state crown
When the going gets tough, the tough get going is an old cliché, but Richmond Hill senior Tate Evans lived up to it when he won the 170-pound class in the GHSA Class 6A traditional wrestling state tournament Friday night at the Macon Coliseum. Evans toughed his way through a broken nose and two broken fingers to claim the state title and the Wildcats had five of 12 wrestlers place as they claimed third place in the 6A meet won by Buford. The Wolves had won the state duals earlier this season to claim both state championships, a feat last accomplished by Richmond Hill in 2017. Sophomore Colin Dragon (28-7) was the runner-up at 106 pounds, while Anthony Taylor was third at 160 pounds, Jackson Crawford was fifth at 126 and Dylan Tucker was fifth at 182. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.savannahnow.com/story/sports/high-school/wrestling/2021/02/13/richmond-hill-wrestling-georgia-state-champion-tate-evans-and-results/4473860001/?mc_cid=a6cfb4b322&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

9} – CIF-SS champion wrestler Max Wilner of Fountain Valley signs with Arizona State
Wilner sees Sun Devils wrestling as strong now, and getting stronger
Max Wilner wants to be part of something that already is big and still growing. That’s why the Fountain Valley High senior wrestler signed Wednesday with Arizona State. “It’s a great program that’s on the rise,” Wilner said. “They’ve got a good connection going with recent California recruits.” The program at Arizona State, which is No. 10 in the NCAA rankings, includes former Trabuco Hills High standout Trey Munoz, who was a state champion and the Register’s Orange County Boys Wrestler of the Year in 2019. Wilner was CIF Southern Section Northern Division champion in 2020 at 160 pounds. He finished fifth in the CIF State meet last year. Wilner will wrestle at 182 pounds this season, if there is a season. This school year Wilner has made a couple of training trips to Arizona. He was victorious at a  tournament in Iowa in September. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.ocregister.com/2021/02/03/cif-ss-champion-wrestler-max-wilner-of-fountain-valley-signs-with-arizona-state/?mc_cid=653cd27934&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

10 } – CHSAA moves state wrestling tournament to Pueblo
The Colorado high school wrestling state championships will be held at Southwest Motors Events Center on March 12-13.
DENVER — Yet another high school state championship is being relocated from Denver. The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) announced Wednesday that its Board of Directors voted to approved the relocation of the wrestling state tournament, which is typically held annually at Pepsi Center — now named Ball Arena, to the Southwest Motors Events Center in Pueblo. Normally a three-day event, this year’s wrestling tournament will be condensed to two and held March 12-13. This is also the first sanctioned season for girls wrestling. “Providing a culminating event with the CHSAA Championship experience is a goal for all CHSAA sanctioned events during this season,” said assistant commissioner Adam Bright, according to the CHSAA website. “The City of Pueblo has played host to multiple CHSAA events in the past, and provides an excellent venue to continue the championship experience during this 2021 wrestling season.” … rest of story at _{^{https://www.9news.com/article/sports/high-school/chsaa-moves-state-wrestling-tournament-to-pueblo/73-f91e9b3e-8a1c-474e-878a-58d12b40592f?mc_cid=653cd27934&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}
AND Columbine wrestling continues the legacy Ray Barron built
LAKEWOOD — Thursday night in Lakewood High School’s gym was the first match for Columbine’s wrestling team without Ray Barron.The legendary prep wrestling coach passed away last October after a battle with brain cancer. “I loved having him with me. It was one of the things we did together was coach,” said Luke Barron, Ray’s son and now co-head wrestling coach with John Alley. “But he was still with me tonight. He is always with me.” Columbine senior Zach Schraeder, left, listens to coach John Alley during a match Thursday night at Lakewood High School. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics) Ray Barron finished his 50 years of coaching on top with Jack Forbes and Zach Schraeder winning individual state championship titles for the Rebels last February at Pepsi Center in Denver. Forbes took the Class 5A 182-pound state title and Schraeder won the heavyweight match. “That always comes back to me over-and-over again in my head,” Schraeder said of being the last wrestler Ray Barron coached at the state tournament. Ray placed his own wrestling shoes at the center of the mat following Schraeder’s victory. “It’s one of those things that I really don’t have words for. I’m very honored to be one of his last wrestlers.” … rest of story at _{^{https://chsaanow.com/2021-01-29/columbine-wrestling-continues-the-legacy-ray-barron-built/?mc_cid=ad9f03475a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

11 } – Sister-brother wrestlers among Fort LeBoeuf champs at section 4-AA meet
WATERFORD — Siblings were among the 13 gold-medal recipients during Saturday’s District 10 section 4-AA wrestling tournament. Siblings as in sister-brother, not brother-brother. Fort LeBoeuf lightweights Andie and Jojo Przybycien added to the uniqueness of this season’s PIAA postseason meets, which will all have been streamlined because of COVID-19 concerns. Andie Przybycien, who won the 108-pound division of last season’s state girls tournament, was the 106 champion of the seven-team, all-Erie County meet in LeBoeuf’s gymnasium.
More:Erie Times-News ranks District 10’s top-10 wrestlers going into postseason
The junior added to her trailblazing achievements when she pinned Seneca’s Tyler Randall in 4 minutes, 43 seconds.
Jojo Przybycien followed his older sister onto the team’s new blue and white mat minutes later. It was there the Bison freshman pinned Northwestern’s Kolton Sutter 1:15 into the 120 final. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.goerie.com/story/sports/high-school/2021/02/13/piaa-wrestling-district-10-sister-brother-wrestlers-among-fort-leboeuf-champs-section-4-aa-meet/6738376002/?mc_cid=a6cfb4b322&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

12 } – HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL RECRUITING SHOWCASE – INDIANA QUALIFIER SET FOR INDIANAPOLIS, MARCH 19-21
USA Wrestling has announced the seventh of its eight High School National Recruiting Showcase Qualifiers. The USA Wrestling High School National Recruiting Showcase – Indiana Qualifier will be held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Indianapolis, March 19-21. This will join the national schedule, along with the Pennsylvania qualifier set for State College, Pa. (March 12-14), the Arizona qualifier set for Bullhead City (March 16-18), the Utah qualifier to be held in North Logan (March 11-13), the Florida qualifier set for Orlando (March 12-14), the Wisconsin qualifier set for Wisconsin Dells (March 11-3) and the Virginia qualifier (March 12-14 in Doswell). Only one more qualifier remains to be finalized. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/February/02/Indiana-qualifier-for-National-Recruiting-Showcase-set?mc_cid=e1d5a94c45&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

February 25, 2021 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized