Takedown Report

NCAA Division I News (2021) – # 10

TDR Editor’s Notes ; Another collection of stories of the paths of Division I wrestlers and teams as they build and prepare for their conference tournaments. These tournaments also determine the qualifiers for the Nationals. The “Big Show” in St. Louis in mid-March. Being there at Nationals is spectacular. I have qualified to 10 Nationals and each was memorable. Well, should clarify that our qualification came by buying a ticket. Keep on Wrestling!
E-mail us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – Family Helped Turn Pitt’s Nino Bonaccorsi into the NCAA Title-Contender he is Today
Family has always played a significant role in Pitt wrestler Nino Bonaccorsi’s wrestling career, even dating back to Nino’s days as a youth competitor. Today, Bonaccorsi, now a redshirt junior wrestling at the University of Pittsburgh, currently ranks as high as No. 6 at 197 pounds, according to FloWrestling. Still, his family’s impact on his wrestling career is readily apparent – perhaps now more than ever before – as Bonaccorsi strives for his first ACC championship and an NCAA title amidst a global pandemic.
Bonaccorsi was a heralded high school wrestling recruit out of nearby Bethel Park Pennsylvania, roughly 12 miles south of the Pitt campus, during the 2016-2017 high school season. He ended his high school tenure with an impressive 147-21 career record as a grappler for the Blackhawks. His 147 wins are second in Bethel Park History, behind only his older brother Nick, who finished his prep career with 156 in 2011. … rest of story at _{^{https://pittsburghsportsnow.com/2021/02/08/family-helped-turn-pitts-nino-bonaccorsi-into-the-ncaa-title-contender-he-is-today/?mc_cid=82bfd879a8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4}}

2 } – College wrestling: Iowa wrestling program pausing all activities
Iowa’s top-ranked wrestling team is now dealing with one opponent that at least for the moment has slowed the Hawkeyes’ quest for a national championship. Because of a surge in positive COVID-19 test results within the wrestling program, Iowa announced Monday evening that all team-related in-person activities are being paused for an undetermined period of time. The move has also led to the postponement of Friday’s scheduled dual at fourth-ranked Penn State. In a statement, Iowa said the dual was being postponed “out of an abundance of caution surrounding the health and safety of the participants.’’ … rest of story at _{^{https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/college-wrestling-iowa-wrestling-program-pausing-all-activities/article_d97b12a5-1f3c-5338-b318-c13e2788a248.html?mc_cid=82bfd879a8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}
AND Penn State wrestling notes: Iowa match postponed due to COVID-19 issues with the Hawkeyes; U.S. Olympic Team Trials will be held elsewhere, refunds to be offered
Penn State’s Friday wrestling match opposite Iowa has been postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Hawkeyes program. Both schools announced the news on Monday night. It‘s unclear when the meeting will be rescheduled, as Iowa has temporarily paused all in-person team activities. “We are appreciative of the Iowa medical staff and respect the decision to pause activities,” Iowa coach Tim Brands said in a released statement. ”We will continue to follow Big Ten protocols and look forward to a return to training and competition.” Head coach Cael Sanderson’s Lions are 3-0 but have had multiple matches postponed this year due to COVID-19. Their next scheduled match is set for Feb. 19 at Ohio State, though changes from the Big Ten conference are possible. In other Penn State-related wrestling news, the 2021 U.S. Olympic team trials will no longer be held in State College this April. The event will be relocated, though it’s unclear where it will be held now. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.pennlive.com/penn-state-wrestling/2021/02/penn-state-wrestling-notes-iowa-match-postponed-due-to-covid-19-issues-with-the-hawkeyes-us-olympic-team-trials-will-be-held-elsewhere-refunds-to-be-offered.html?mc_cid=82bfd879a8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

3 } – Spencer Lee’s pin streak continues and every other big-time college wrestling story to know 
Iowa’s Spencer Lee continued his pinning streak this weekend and Virginia Tech’s Sam Latona stepped up as a hero for the Hokies. Here’s what you might have missed in college wrestling last weekend and what you need to know as the conference tournaments inch closer. 
Iowa notched two more wins despite COVID-19 absences
Iowa, despite being outside of the welcoming walls of Carver-Hawkeye Arena, had no problem downing two more Big Ten opponents on Sunday. The Hawkeyes got dominant efforts from top-ranked Spencer Lee and Jaydin Eierman, and key victories from bonus-point machines Austin DeSanto and Tony Cassioppi. Lee added another pin to his perfect record in his bout against Ohio State’s Brady Koontz, but he did not see action against Purdue’s Devin Schroder. Instead, Iowa sent out Aaron Cashman for the bout, and Cashman fell by tech to Schroder, putting Iowa in a deficit for the first time all season. In that same Purdue match, DeSanto picked up the first of two tech falls of the weekend against Purdue’s Jacob Rundell to tie the score, and then Iowa went to work against the Boilermakers. Eierman pinned Parker Filius in the second period, and Max Murin notched a bonus point win for himself as well with a tech fall over Trey Kruse. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling/article/2021-02-08/spencer-lees-pin-streak-continues-and-every-other-college-wrestling-story-know-right?mc_cid=82bfd879a8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

4 } – Buchanan Named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week
Irving, Texas. (Feb. 9, 2021) – For the first time this season, a Wyoming Cowboy has been named the Big 12’s Wrestler of the Week. It is the second career honor for Sophomore Stephen Buchanan, who is the first Cowboy to win the award since he won it last season.  Buchanan became the first Cowboy to defeat a No. 1 ranked opponent since Bryce Meredith in 2017. On Saturday, Buchanan knocked off No. 1 Noah Adams of West Virginia who was previously unbeaten on the season and on a 39-match winning streak.  The match started with Adams leading 2-1 after the first period. In the second Buchanan would roll through on Adams creating a frantic exchange in which he scored a reversal before letting Adams escape. Adams would lead Buchanan 5-4 heading into the third period.  In the third period Adams notched an early escape and from there Buchanan would take over. … rest of story at _{^{https://gowyo.com/news/2021/2/9/wrestling-buchanan-named-big-12-wrestler-of-the-week.aspx?mc_cid=a084ab7fd9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

5 } – Virginia Tech jumps into Top 5; SoCon dual champs Campbell return to Top 25
Manheim, Pennsylvania – Sam Latona’s takedown and nearfall points at the end of the final bout of Friday’s Virginia Tech-NC State dual lifted the Hokies to more than just a dual meet victory. The Hokies jumped four spots to No. 4 nationally in the most recent NWCA Division I Wrestling Coaches Poll released on Tuesday. Iowa (5-0) remained a unanimous No. 1, while the Top 10 saw some movement as NC State (5-1) dropped four spots to No. 7, and undefeated Missouri (10-0) moved up a spot to No. 5, past Oklahoma State (9-0). Three new teams entered the Top 25 this week as Campbell came in at No. 23. The Camels (8-1, 7-0 SoCon) won the regular season SoCon title after sweeping a tri-meet against Bellarmine and Chattanooga. Central Michigan (5-2) and Rider (3-1) were also ranked this week, giving the MAC three ranked teams for the first time this season. CMU won three duals last week, beating Cleveland State, Buffalo and Edinboro. Rider’s upset of Lehigh moved the Broncs in at No. 25. … rest of story at _{^{http://www.nwcaonline.com/virginia-tech-jumps-into-top-5-socon-dual-champs-campbell-return-to-top-25/?mc_cid=a084ab7fd9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

6 } – Tony Cassioppi Named Big Ten Co-Wrestler of the Week
IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa sophomore Tony Cassioppi has been named Big Ten Co-Wrestler of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday. Cassioppi shares the award with Ohio State’s Sammy Sasso. Cassioppi, the nation’s third-ranked heavyweight, recorded a pair of falls in Iowa’s triangular sweep of Purdue and Ohio State on Feb. 7. He registered a first-period pin against Purdue’s Dorian Keys in two minutes, 15 seconds, and flattened 10th-ranked Tate Orndorff of Ohio State in four minutes, 52 seconds. Cassioppi has recorded three pins in his last three matches, including two against top 10 opponents. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.thepredicament.com/2021/02/tony-cassioppi-named-big-ten-co-wrestler-of-the-week/?mc_cid=a084ab7fd9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

7 } – Top 10 College Wrestling Performances of the Week – February 8th, 2021
Though the “Big Game” on Sunday night was kind of a dud, the most highly-anticipated dual meet of the season took place last week and it didn’t disappoint. Ninth-ranked Virginia Tech hosted number four NC State in the dual of the year, thus far. We’ve already described that dual meet and the facts associated with it in our “College Wrestler of the Week” feature, so we won’t rehash that here. Suffice to say, that dual meet set the tone for a strong weekend’s worth of action. Some of the notable occurrences include the first #1 going down, the Bedlam Dual, the regular-season SoCon crown being decided, and much more. We’ve got all of this week’s happenings in the “Top Ten College Performances of the Week.” 
10) Campbell
For the third time in as many years, the Campbell Camels finished as the SoCon regular-season champions. The Camels locked up their latest title with a pair of dual wins on Friday afternoon. Campbell took nine out of ten bouts from Bellarmine as they cruised to a 47-3 win. Next up was traditional conference power Chattanooga, which presented a more formidable challenge. The Mocs held a commanding 15-3 lead after the first six weights, but Campbell’s big men came through in a big way. #32 ranked Austin Murphy got the ball rolling in the Camels favor at 174 with a first-period fall. One match later, #32 Caleb Hopkins knocked off #26 Matthew Waddell, 5-2. Chris Kober followed with a 4-3 win at 197, setting the stage for the big men. Taye Ghadiali clinched the win for his team with a 4-1 victory over Grayson Walthall at 285 lbs. Campbell’s latest title comes in their first year under head coach Scotti Sentes. … rest of story at _{^{https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/top-10-college-wrestling-performances-of-the-week-february-8th-2021/79993?mc_cid=a084ab7fd9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

8 } – Pac-12 Wrestler of the Week – Feb. 10, 2021
WRESTLER OF THE WEEK: Nathan Traxler, R-Sr., STANFORD (258, St. Charles, Ill.)
• Won a pair of duals last week, highlighted by a pin which clinched Stanford’s Pac-12 victory over Oregon State.
• With the Cardinal trailing 16-13 entering the final bout, Traxler earned a first-period fall (1:55) to lift the Cardinal to a 19-16 win.
• Closed week with 6-3 dual victory over Chase Trussell of then-No. 20 Utah Valley.
• Competing at the heavyweight class for the first time in his collegiate career, Traxler has posted a 5-1 record so far this season. Compiled a 69-24 record at 197 pounds in previous three seasons.
• As a team, Stanford is now 5-3 overall and 4-0 in the Pac-12. … rest of story at _{^{https://pac-12.com/article/2021/02/10/pac-12-wrestler-week-feb-10-2021?mc_cid=5e3b2f2de3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

9} – Penn State wrestling news: Weekend matches still possible, Kerkvliet out, Nick Lee says he’ll return next season
Despite the doom and gloom caused by COVID swirling around college wrestling programs nationwide, and particularly in the Big Ten, Penn State coach Cael Sanderson maintained his optimistic outlook on Wednesday. In fact, he and the Penn State athletic administration are still trying to arrange a competition for this weekend, which is yet another weekend without a match since Iowa shut down its program this week because of coronavirus cases. “Well, it doesn’t really help to get too excited or get disappointed,” Sanderson said in typically stoic Sanderson style. “It’s just what it is. We’re trying to compete this weekend and coordinate something and set it up with Michigan State and Michigan; that’s what we’re working on right now.” … rest of story at _{^{https://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/2021/02/penn-state-wrestling-news-weekend-matches-still-possible-kerkvliet-out-nick-lee-says-hell-return-next-season.html?mc_cid=5e3b2f2de3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

10 } – The man behind the curtain: Chris Hinderliter’s silent journey as OSU wrestling’s athletic trainer
Broken arms, torn ligaments, rolled ankles and strained muscles. For the past nine years, the Oklahoma State wrestling program has relied on one man to deal with it all.
Chris Hinderliter.
Hinderliter has been the man behind the curtain for the Cowboys for almost a decade, keeping one of the country’s most prestigious college programs running. Nine years of taping ankles, stretching quads and rehabbing wrestlers from Chris Perry to Boo Lewallen and everyone in between. “Is my job to keep kids healthy and get kids back on the mat? Yeah, but simplistically, it’s giving kids the opportunity to live out their dreams,” Hinderliter said. And Hinderliter has done just that. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.ocolly.com/sports/the-man-behind-the-curtain-chris-hinderliter-s-silent-journey-as-osu-wrestling-s-athletic/article_08595554-6bfb-11eb-a492-675ce1ecdffe.html?mc_cid=5e3b2f2de3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}
AND Master manager: OSU’s beloved wrestling manager nears end of career
Jade Seymour just wanted to see the horses. In April 2016, Keenan Seymour and his family were visiting Oklahoma State University. Seymour, a senior at Mariposa County High School in Mariposa, California, at the time, was considering OSU as a college destination. Then a simple drive past Totusek Arena changed his life. “We drove by the arena and there was a sign advertising the event,” said Seymour, the OSU wrestling equipment manager. “I was mad that my sister was sabotaging my college visit. We have five or six horses at home.” Unfortunately for Keenan, his dad, Scott took Jade to the arena. Keenan tagged along. The chance encounter that followed heavily impacted Keenan’s college decision. Kim Brock, longtime OSU Animal Science Farm coordinator, and father of Cowboy wrestler Kaid Brock, was working in his Totusek Arena office that morning. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.ocolly.com/sports/master-manager-osus-beloved-wrestling-manager-nears-end-of-career/article_3b503c7a-6c0f-11eb-b79b-575e294df4de.html?mc_cid=5e3b2f2de3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

11 } – NCAA releases pre-allocations and first coaches ranking for 2021 Division I Wrestling Championships
INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA has announced the pre-allocations and first coaches ranking for the 2021 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. The weight class conference champion in each qualifying tournament will earn an automatic qualifier to the national championships. Each conference was awarded additional pre-allocations based on the five-year average (2016-20) of pre-allocations earned by the conference in each weight class. In recent years, pre-allocations have been determined by a formula measuring Division I winning percentage, ratings percentage index and coaches’ ranking. A decrease in overall matches, and in particular non-conference matches, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, led the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee to transition to using the five-year historical average to determine pre-allocations for 2021. For any adjustments in conference alignment over the last five years, historical pre-allocations stayed with the conference where they were earned. The competition status of schools for 2021 also did not impact the calculation of pre-allocations.
POLL: Check out the latest NWCA rankings
“The committee knew that there wasn’t going to be enough regular-season competition to utilize the existing process where wrestlers earned pre-allocations for their conference based on regular season performance,” said Karen Langston, senior associate athletics director at California State University, Bakersfield and chair of the wrestling committee. “The option to utilize the five-year historical average was an equitable alternative, and the way it worked out has opened more at-large spots this year for deserving wrestlers who don’t qualify through their conference tournament.” … rest of story at _{^{https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling/article/2021-02-11/ncaa-releases-pre-allocations-and-first-coaches-ranking-2021-division-i-wrestling?mc_cid=b6bf9ab19d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

12 } – Always Aggressive Podcast: Season 2, Episode 16
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – While the 17^th-ranked Purdue wrestling team had a tough weekend in Holloway Gymnasium, falling to No. 1 Iowa and No. 11 Ohio State, the matches were not without some bright spots. Head coach Tony Ersland, Cory Palm and Tanner Lipsett caught up on this week’s Always Aggressive Podcast to discuss the tri-dual, this weekend’s matchup at Michigan State and a few of the nationally relevant conversations in wrestling.
 Ersland expresses his distaste for “moral victories,” but was willing to acknowledge the progress his squad is showing and put on display Sunday, taking four of 10 matches from both the Hawkeyes and Buckeyes, including big wins for seniors Devin Schroder and Max Lyon. While he would prefer to win the dual outright, the goal remains peaking in March at Big Ten and NCAA Championships and building towards those performances. … rest of story at _{^{https://purduesports.com/news/2021/2/10/wrestling-always-aggressive-podcast-season-2-episode-16.aspx?mc_cid=5e3b2f2de3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}
AND Always Aggressive Podcast: Season 2, Episode 18
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – On the heels of history, the Always Aggressive Podcast dives into Purdue wrestling’s outstanding win over archrival Indiana on Monday in Holloway Gymnasium. The Boilermakers won 38-3, taking 9-of-10 matches against the Hoosiers, extending their series win streak to 11 straight and posting the largest margin of victory by either side in the rivalry in 100 years. Head coach Tony Ersland and co-hosts Cory Palm and Tanner Lipsett devote specific attention to the victories by senior Griffin Parriott and freshman Gerrit Nijenhuis, who both won by fall Monday and picked up signature victories on their respective resumes. Six of the Boilermakers’ nine wins came with bonus points, as Purdue finished the Big Ten dual season at 4-5 and will now begin preparation for the 2021 Big Ten Championships, scheduled for March 6-7 at Penn State. … rest of the story at _{^{https://purduesports.com/news/2021/2/24/wrestling-always-aggressive-podcast-season-2-episode-18.aspx?mc_cid=7c3cd1ad34&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

March 2, 2021 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized