Takedown Report

NCAA Division I National Championships 2021

TDR Editor’s Notes ; The following are a gathering of preview articles about the Championships. One can literally see ALL mats, ALL matches while in the comfort one’s living room. Wow! Well one article (#10) is a look back at the Division II Championships last week yet the rest is all Division I. Need to get ready to watch the 2nd round in a few minutes. Almost as good as being in St. Louis. Keep on Wrestling!
Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – ESPN To Provide Extensive Coverage Of NCAA Wrestling
AMES, Iowa – The 2021 NCAA Wrestling Championships begin on Thursday, March 18 and run through Saturday March 20. Thanks to ESPN’s extensive coverage, fans will be able to take in all the action from every mat.

Broadcast Schedule
Thursday, March 18
Session IA (First Round) – 10 a.m. – ESPNU
Session IB (First Round) – 1 p.m. – ESPNU
Session IIA (Second Round) – 5 p.m. – ESPN2
Session IIB (Second Round) – 8 p.m. – ESPN2

Friday, March 19
Session III (Quarterfinals) – 10 a.m. – ESPNU
Session IV (Quarterfinals) – 2 p.m. – ESPNU
Session V (Semifinals) – 7 p.m. – ESPN2

Saturday, March 20
Session VI (Medal Matches) – 10 a.m. – ESPN2
Session VII (Finals) – 6 p.m. – ESPN or ESPN2

Individual Mat Links 
Session IA
Mat 1: https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=0302c1c9-dcc9-427d-973d-ee7fead1212c
Mat 2: https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=0349b2e9-46e5-48a4-9e34-2ad65b4014de … rest of story at _{^{https://cyclones.com/news/2021/3/15/espn-to-provide-extensive-coverage-of-ncaa-wrestling.aspx?mc_cid=1e4a49e3cd&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}
And Video: Shane Sparks & Jason Bryant talk about the Preview Guide
Prior to leaving for the NCAA Division I Championships, Mat Talk Online’s Jason Bryant and Big Ten Network’s Shane Sparks look at why the Mat Talk Online Digital Preview Guide is worth buying to supplement your championship experience!

Do you want to buy one ?Go to WrestlingPreviewGuide.com (and use promo code JB to save $5) … rest of story at _{^{https://www.mattalkonline.com/blog/video-shane-sparks-jason-bryant-talk-about-the-preview-guide/?mc_cid=e6d1159834&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

2 } – IAwrestle NCAA Championships Watch Party
When: March 18-20 – 10:00AM start time. Doors open 9:45AM
Where: Carl’s Place, 1620 Woodland Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
RSVP: Tickets are not required but we ask fans to RSVP for food and prizes.

Stop by Carl’s Place as IAwrestle will be hosting daily live podcasts, raffle prizes, giveaways, and more throughout the NCAA Wrestling Championships.
Multiple TVs will have wrestling on ESPN’s coverage along with one dedicated to ESPN3. We will do our best to go to any specific mat that will feature an Iowa-based school. Food will be available daily for free. (While it lasts)

Schedule (All times central):
March 18:
Session 1A (first round 125-157lbs), 10 a.m.
Session 1B (first round 165-285lbs), 1 p.m.
Session 2A (second round 125-157lbs), 5 p.m.
Session 2B (second round 165-285lbs), 8 p.m. … rest of story at _{^{https://iawrestle.com/2021/03/15/iawrestle-ncaa-championships-watch-party/?mc_cid=1e4a49e3cd&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

3 } – UNFINISHED BUSINESS: SPENCER LEE AND THE IOWA HAWKEYES LOOK TO MAKE UP FOR LOST OPPORTUNITIES AT THE 2021 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Iowa Hawkeyes were hands-down favorites going into the 2020 NCAA Championships. It would have been a fitting end to a sterling season for Iowa, who logged a perfect, 13-0, dual meet record and claimed the Big Ten Conference title, qualifying all ten wrestlers for the NCAA tournament and earning three No. 1 seeds.

However, the universe had other ideas. The COVID-19 global pandemic shut down most of the world, including college wrestling, and impacted nearly every facet of daily life. The Hawkeyes would have to wait for their opportunity to bring home their first NCAA team title since 2010.

Thankfully, it looks like Iowa will have their chance this weekend in St. Louis, Mo. The Hawkeyes finished an abbreviated season, 5-0, once again earning a Big Ten title and qualifying all ten wrestlers for the tournament. Iowa’s head coach Tom Brands is appreciative that even with less than ideal circumstances, his athletes have the opportunity to compete.

“First of all, you have to credit a lot of people. You have to credit the NCAA. You have to credit the Big Ten, the individual conferences that made this season happen. They did it under criticism. There’s a lot of people in the world that don’t look at sports as vital, and sports are vital. It teaches a lot, and young people they need that, especially young athletes,” Brands said during the NCAA pre-championships virtual press conference last Wednesday.
“Let’s keep making it happen, and let’s keep everybody safe as well. I’m not downplaying the safety factor. COVID is no picnic; … rest of story at _{^{https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/15/Iowa-and-Spencer-Lee-NCAA-story?mc_cid=1e4a49e3cd&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

4 } – TEN FIRST-ROUND MATCHES TO WATCH AT THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
The 2021 NCAA Wrestling Championships begins in less than two days. Hurrah! After missing out on the tournament last year, wrestlers and fans are eager to once again engage in three glorious days of non-stop action. While every match of the tournament is must-see TV, check out ten opening round bouts that could provide some intrigue.

125 – No. 12 Michael DeAugustino (Northwestern) vs. No. 21 Trevor Mastrogiovanni (Oklahoma State)
DeAugustino was a First Team NWCA All-American as a redshirt freshman last season. This year, he’ll look to claim a spot on the podium and earn NCAA All-American status. In his first match he’ll see Oklahoma State’s true freshman Trevor Mastrogiovanni. A blue chip recruit, Mastrogiovanni is 13-4 this season and placed fifth at the Big 12 Tournament. DeAugustino is a sizeable favorite in this matchup, but how many times have we seen a talented freshman come into their own at NCAAs?

133 – No. 13 Zach Redding (Iowa State) vs. No. 20 Ryan Sullivan (West Virginia)
Going into the Big 12 Tournament, Redding was seeded seventh and Sullivan was seeded second. Redding, a true freshman, put together an impressive run and took third. Sullivan, a redshirt freshman, was injured during his first match and forced to default out of the tournament. Assuming Sullivan is close to full strength, this is a tossup bout between conference rivals.

141 – No. 21 Real Woods (Stanford) vs. No. 12 Grant Willits (Oregon State)
This one is juicy. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/16/Ten-first-round-matches-to-watch-at-the-NCAA-tournament?mc_cid=e6d1159834&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

5 } – OSU Wrestling: Five Thoughts On NCAA Tournament Brackets
On Wittlake’s low seed and how the Pokes can get some hardware
The NCAA released its wrestling brackets on Wednesday.
You can look at them here. Here are my five thoughts on them.

1. Wittlake’s seed was wrong, but he got an OK draw.
Travis Wittlake dropped all the way to the 10 seed after taking only one loss on the season at the Big 12 tournament. He has only lost three times as a starter in his career, as he lost twice in his redshirt freshman campaign.

It’s ridiculous that he’s a 10 seed. But, he ultimately wound up on the easier side of the bracket and could reasonably create a path for himself to becoming an All-American if he wrestles well.

2. Too many guys from the Big 12 in the top half of 197.
The Big 12 has looked like a powerhouse at 197 for most of the season. A.J. Ferrari, Stephen Buchannan, Noah Adams, Tanner Sloan and Jake Woodley all have looked like All-American candidates throughout this season. They’re all jammed up in the top half of the bracket?! … rest of story at _{^{https://pistolsfiringblog.com/osu-wrestling-five-thoughts-on-ncaa-tournament-brackets/?mc_cid=1e4a49e3cd&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

6 } – #PackMentality Pop-Ins Podcast: Ep. 79 – NCAA Championships Preview
RALEIGH, N.C. – We’re just days away from blowing the whistle at the 2021 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships from the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. It’ll be almost two years to the day since we last had an NCAA wrestling championships and host Brian Reinhardt is giddy with anticipation and coach Pat Popolizio can barely contain his own excitement as it’s their favorite show of the year – the NCAA preview episode on episode #79 of the #PackMentality​ Pop-Ins Podcast.
… rest of story at _{^{https://gopack.com/news/2021/3/16/wrestling-packmentality-pop-ins-podcast-ep-79-ncaa-championships-preview.aspx?mc_cid=e6d1159834&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

7 } – Penn State’s Cael Sanderson confident in freshmen heading into NCAA Wrestling Championships
The youth in the Penn State wrestling program didn’t have an optimal outcome in the Big Ten Wrestling Championships this year. The Nittany Lions saw their six freshmen struggle on the mat — going 16-14 in their conference tournament debut — and not live up to the usual standard set by a program that is used to winning, as the Nittany Lions finished a distant second to Iowa in the team race. But for five of those freshmen, the season isn’t over yet. And they’ll have another chance for success on an even bigger stage this week. In fact, Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson believes his team can peak at the right time and show what it can do at NCAAs this weekend in St. Louis.
“I think confidence levels, regardless of the outcome, jump,” Sanderson said Thursday morning. “… I feel like we had a great experience at the Big Ten. Kind of got our butts kicked a little bit, but still kind of showed that if we get a takedown here, finish this or do that then we’re close.”

Sanderson will need his guys to find that peak if he wants his team to successfully defend the 2019 NCAA Championship — the last title won after last year’s championships were canceled. Sanderson, for one, is confident that his wrestlers will make improvements, saying: “I still believe we’ll have our best tournament at the nationals.” … rest of story at _{^{https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/sports/college/psu/2021/03/15/penn-states-cael-sanderson-confident-freshmen-wrestlers/4700700001/?mc_cid=e6d1159834&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}
And Aaron Brooks heads to NCAA tourney as No. 1 seed
Although Aaron Brooks has never competed at the NCAA Division I championships, he already has been labeled as the wrestler to beat this weekend in St. Louis. The Penn State sophomore is seeded No. 1 in the 184-pound weight class. However, Brooks, a 2018 North Hagerstown graduate, said that won’t affect his mindset in his debut at the national tournament. “Wrestling is wrestling,” he said in a recent press conference. “Seeding, you know, is just numbers, just like rankings. When you’re not ranked No. 1, you have the same mindset. If you allow it to change your mindset, you’re doing the wrong thing. Just focus on wrestling and what got you there, and whoever is in front of you, focus on that, match by match. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/sports/aaron-brooks-heads-to-ncaa-tourney-as-no-1-seed/article_5e9e8720-867e-11eb-9c86-270f1ac4fcf1.html?mc_cid=e6d1159834&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

8 } – Gable: Iowa should win NCAAs but close matches showed vulnerability
Editor’s Note: Dan Gable, the legendary NCAA, World and Olympic championship wrestler and coach recently spoke to WIN editor Mike Finn about the upcoming 2021 NCAA Division I National Championships, March 18-20, in St. Louis.

Dan Gable

WIN: After leading Iowa to 15 team championships in your 20 years at Iowa, I am sure you would like to see the 2021 Hawkeyes, ranked No. 1, capture the school’s 24^th all-time title and first since 2010. Iowa, which held a 58-margin over second place Penn State in WIN’s Tournament Power Index, appears to be a dominant team. Do you have any concerns about the Iowa team? Do the Hawkeyes have any weaknesses?

Gable: Weakness is not a word that I use. I would talk in terms of vulnerabilities or what they need to build on. I would call it fine tuning. One thing that should be noted is that Iowa’s wrestlers did not score a lot of bonus points at the Big Tens and the margin of victory was not large, even though there appears to be a large of margin (of potential NCAA team points) between Iowa and other teams.

(Note: Nine of Iowa’s 28 Big Ten wins were by bonus points.)

That (small margin of individual matches) keeps hope alive for other teams. Right now, it would be hard to beat Iowa because the Hawkeyes are consistent at every weight and Iowa is not an automatic champion at every weight.

Some other team could get hot and the level of coaching of those schools that want to be great is pretty high. There is going to be no conceding to Iowa from coaches, but it’s their issue to get their guys to a higher level.

WIN: What do you think of Penn State and Cael Sanderson’s use of so many young wrestlers?

Gable: I’m sure that Sanderson sees the abilities with those guys but there are also some uncertainties. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.win-magazine.com/2021/03/16/gable-iowa-should-win-ncaas-but-close-matches-showed-vulnerability/?mc_cid=e6d1159834&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b#utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gable-iowa-should-win-ncaas-but-close-matches-showed-vulnerability}}

9} – The Gable Steveson Story
Gable Steveson’s mother Laticia has always joked that Gable was born on the wrestling mat, and at times, it feels as though she might be right.  With each dominant performance Steveson puts on display, it becomes less far-fetched to believe that he learned snap-downs and double legs in the same days he learned to take his first steps and speak his first words.  Gable hasn’t been shy about the fact that he uses his wrestling career as an avenue to continue to build the legacy that he has worked so diligently to create, with every moment in the limelight being used as an opportunity to add to his story.  In fact, Gable’s story has been one that spans over the course of twenty years. It’s a story of adversity, a story of perseverance, a story of dominance, and this weekend in St. Louis, Steveson has an opportunity to finally add another chapter of that story: a national championship. 
This is the Gable Steveson story. … rest of story at _{^{https://gophersports.com/news/2021/3/16/wrestling-the-gable-steveson-story.aspx?mc_cid=e6d1159834&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

10 } – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from the 2021 NCAA DII National Championships
I finally arrived back in Jamestown, North Dakota, at midnight last night. It was the end of a five-day, two thousand-mile road trip. I spent more time with Division II programs over that span than I have with my own family since Christmas break. I traveled through the ice and then a rainstorm and was graciously given just a written warning for speeding on my drive home in Fargo, North Dakota. After an entire day of driving to reflect on the happenings in St Louis and if you like 90% of Division II men’s wrestling fandom were unable to attend, I will break down what you missed. And what you did not miss. And what you should be glad you missed.

The Good

Jackie Paquette is no longer the NCAA Division II Wrestling Committee Chair, but if you follow Division II, you know that this championship will always be hers. No one fights harder for the athletes and the programs or invests more of their own time and passion than the University of Indianapolis director of wrestling operations. She delivered again, fulfilling a promise made a year ago that “we will wrestle again.” Thank you.

The team race! Did you follow along? Despite there being no scoring controversy, this should be the greatest story coming out of this tournament. Headed into the championship finals, the University of Nebraska-Kearney held a slim 2.5 point lead. But it seemed that there was no way it could stand up to a St. Cloud State wrestling team that had four finalists. A champion for the Huskies would earn … rest of story at _{^{https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-from-the-2021-ncaa-dii-national-championships/80261?mc_cid=1e4a49e3cd&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

11 } – WILLIS NCAA WRESTLING BLOG: IT WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE NCAAS…
3/17 – It feels a little bit like Christmas Eve. I think it does every year before the NCAA Championships, but this year in particular, the tournament feels like something to celebrate. During last week’s pre-tournament Zoom press conference, you heard the word “grateful” used a lot by both coaches and wrestlers. It’s fitting. While the circumstances aren’t ideal, everyone is happy for the opportunity to compete.

I know I’m certainly grateful to be here in St. Louis doing coverage. To say I was bummed last year when the tournament was cancelled would be a gross understatement. However, I know my feelings, and those of wrestling fans across the country, paled in comparison to those of the wrestlers deprived of the opportunity to chase their dreams.

It’s gut-wrenching to think about the 2020 senior class who unceremoniously had their collegiate careers cut short. I’m sure the wrestlers taking the mat tomorrow will think about that too. They won’t be taking anything for granted.

Not having the Ivy League represented is going to be weird and sad. So is having a less-than-packed stadium. However, just about everything over the past 12 months has been weird and sad. As a whole, the 2021 NCAA Championships are the antithesis of that. It’s an event filled with joy and hope. A testament to the hard work and ingenuity shown by the NCAA, the conferences, the administrators, the coaches and their athletes. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/17/Willis-NCAA-Wrestling-Blog?mc_cid=058a64ca1f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

12 } – JOURNALISTS PICK THE 2021 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS FINALISTS AND TOP FIVE TEAMS
TheMat.com has had another strong year of participation in its survey of journalists, who make picks for the 2021 NCAA Championships in St. Louis. A total of 27 journalists have submitted their picks this year.

Participants will get three points for every champion, two points for every runner-up and one point for a finalist in the wrong placement. The top five teams are used as a tiebreaker. Participants will get points for each correct placement (5-4-3-2-1).

The traditional journalist picks for the 2020 NCAA Championships were cancelled after the NCAA cancelled the Div. I Championships, which were scheduled for Minneapolis.

The last winner of the journalist picks came in 2019, when the event was held in Pittsburgh, and 30 journalists participated. The winner was K.J. Pilcher of The Gazette in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Rounding out the top four were No. 2 Ken Chertow of KenChertow.com, No. 3 Matt Levins of The Hawkeye Newspaper (IA), and No. 4 G. Wyatt Schultz of the Predicament.

This year, perhaps due to the shortened season or to the many challenges of the pandemic, there is a wide variety of opinions on the winners and runners-up. It should be one of the most interesting contests in memory.

There were two unanimous picks from the 27 journalists surveyed: Spencer Lee of Iowa at 125 and Gable Steveson of Minnesota at 285. While there were a variety of finals opponents selected against Lee, all but two of the journalists picked Mason Parris of Michigan to place second behind Steveson. Results will be posted shortly after this weekend. Enjoy the action starting tomorrow.

2021 NCAA JOURNALIST PICKS
Champion listed first, runner-up listed second … rest of story at _{^{https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/17/Journalists-pick-the-2021-NCAA-Championships-finalists-and-teams?mc_cid=058a64ca1f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

March 18, 2021 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized