Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

NCAA Division I News (2021) – # 17

TDR Editor’s Notes ; This gathering of story parts and links to the full stories and other resources about Division I wrestlersand teams. Most of the stories at the top of the list and the bottom are in reference to the horrible announced decision by Stanfordto discontinue their wrestling team for next year in spite of the recent success. The rest of the stories and linksin between are of awards presented to the Top wrestlers for the past season. Keep wrestling going on! Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – Michigan apparel company gets assist in Stanford wrestler’s protest over decision to cut program
Stanford University wrestler Shane Griffith recently won the 165-pound championship at the Division I finals, but that’s not the only reason he made national headlines. What set the sports world buzzing was that Griffith and his teammates refused to wear anything with the Stanford logo. The Cardinals made the move to protest the school’s decision to cut the wrestling program after this season.
You know those photos of Griffith celebrating his victory at nationals that have popped up across social media in recent days? The black singlet Griffith wore was produced by the Lowell-based Addix Sportswear, 13565 Grand River Drive SE. … rest of story at https://www.mlive.com/sports/2021/03/michigan-apparel-company-gets-assist-in-stanford-wrestlers-protest-over-decision-to-cut-program.html?mc_cid=e6e4e842ef&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And Stanford’s political maneuvering and greed
March 11-13, an event took place I call “the real March Madness.” No offense to basketball but no one can deny that the NCAA Wrestling Tournament happens in March and — it is truly madness. This year’s tournament was no exception; despite the difficulties posed for the season to even happen because of COVID protocol and restrictions. Among the athletes who participated, none faced greater challenges than Stanford’s wrestlers.
In July of last summer, the Stanford coaching staff and team were informed the university was cutting their sport, along with 10 other programs: … rest of story at https://www.smdailyjournal.com/opinion/columnists/stanford-s-political-maneuvering-and-greed/article_dd459fc4-90f5-11eb-a64e-afef3cc021d5.html?mc_cid=8b7957ea1f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – Tell Stanford to Reinstate All 11 Cut Teams
We are 36 Sports Strong, a group of alumni representing all 36 of Stanford’s varsity teams dedicated to reinstating 11 recently cut varsity sports.Sign Our Petition
Make Your Voice Heard
Share your protest directly with Stanford leadership.  Email key decision makers and urge them to meet with 36 Sports Strong and reinstate all varsity teams. Send Emails Now
Fact Checking Budget Claims
Bernard Muir continues to misstate the numbers. Learn the real facts about cutting 11 varsity programs.Learn More … rest of story at https://www.36sportsstrong.org/

And Fight to save Stanford sports gains hope: School president to meet with alumni group
After months of being stonewalled by Stanford administration, the group fighting to save the 11 sports programs slated for elimination suddenly has new hope.
On Tuesday, 36SportsStrong — the alumni group working to restore the targeted teams — will meet with Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne, at his request. The group has been told that the athletic subcommittee of the university’s board of trustees will consider its petition to save the programs. The board of trustees meets next week. This is the first sign that Stanford is reconsidering its decision. … rest of story at https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/Fight-to-save-Stanford-sports-gains-hope-School-16084676.php?mc_cid=69381deb62&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And Stanford Olympians lobby school to not cut 11 sports programs
Olympic fencer Alex Massialas and water polo star Maggie Steffens say Stanford can set an example by reinstating sports set to be cut
Two prominent Stanford Olympians on Thursday called on their alma mater to reinstate the 11 sports the university intends to cut because of budget issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fencer Alexander Massialas and water polo great Maggie Steffens said during the virtual Olympic media summit that Stanford can create a model the rest of the country can follow. “Stanford sets an example amongst all the other NCAA schools as to how to have successful programs while also maintaining academic and athletic excellence across every single sport,” said Massialas, a two-time Olympic medalist in foil. Football and men’s basketball are the two major revenue-producing sports and get the most resources and attention at Division I schools. … rest of story at https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/04/08/stanford-olympians-lobby-school-to-not-cut-11-sports-programs/?mc_cid=0dc666bfba&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And Inside the journey that brought Bergen County’s Shane Griffith a NCAA wrestling title
It’s a script that seems to be made for Hollywood. Shane Griffith is just waiting for it to completely sink in. Griffith is still processing the emotions – and the countless number of texts and Instagram messages that came his way – after winning a national title last month at 165 pounds.
The former Bergen Catholic star was serenaded with cheers after winning what’s likely the final match in Stanford’s 104-year wrestling history. An athlete who was forced to train in bathrooms and living quarters had somehow reached his sport’s highest level. Not bad for someone who came “really close” to sitting out the season. “I like to be pretty determined and shoot for the moon,” said Griffith, of Westwood. “Winning it has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid. It’s just awesome to fulfill that.” … rest of story at https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/college/wrestling/2021/04/06/keep-stanford-wrestling-inside-shane-griffiths-road-ncaa-title/7104712002/?mc_cid=69381deb62&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Jesse Dellavecchia Named 2021 MAC Wrestler of the Year
Dellavecchia became Broncs’ first-ever National Finalist
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Rider University graduate student 157 lbs. wrestler Jesse Dellavecchia (Great River, NY/East Islip [Binghamton]) has been named Mid-American Conference Wrestler of the Year, the league office today announced. Dellavecchia became Rider’s first-ever NCAA Finalist, while also becoming a two-time MAC Champion. He becomes Rider’s first MAC Wrestler of the Year and the school’s first conference Wrestler of the Year since Chad Walsh earned the honor in consecutive years in the EWL in 2016 and 2017.
“This is a tremendous and well-deserved honor for Jesse,” said Rider Head Coach John Hangey. He had a great season, representing Rider University and the wrestling program. Jesse was the highest-placing student-athlete from the MAC and the only finalist from a non-Power 5 institution at NCAA’s. We are extremely proud of Jesse and his accomplishments this season and throughout his entire career.”
Dellavecchia won his first 11 matches of the year, including a pin of then-nationally-ranked No. 1 Ryan Deakin of Northwestern in the NCAA semifinals. He became Rider’s 18th NCAA All-American. … rest of story at https://gobroncs.com/news/2021/4/5/wrestling-jesse-dellavecchia-named-2021-mac-wrestler-of-the-year.aspx?mc_cid=a167ed32cf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – Roman Bravo-Young celebrates national wrestling title locally with close ones
The scene at Jet Sports Training on Friday was appropriate with some of Roman Bravo-Young’s closest family members, friends and supporters on hand to celebrate the Sunnyside High School graduate’s first NCAA wrestling championship.
Jet Sports Training owner Bobby Rodriguez, another Sunnyside grad who has helped train Bravo-Young and is like a brother to him, had his place decorated with large foil balloons that read “National Champ” with a Penn State flag hanging in between the words. Bravo-Young’s closest supporters ate Mexican food catered by Little Mexico and music played by a DJ filled the spacious workout facility that is on the city’s southside, where he was raised.
A few tables were topped with Penn State tablecloths and blue and white balloons — Penn State’s colors which also happen to be those of Sunnyside. On display on one of the tables was Bravo-Young’s 133-pound NCAA national championship wrestling trophy. … rest of story at http://allsportstucson.com/2021/03/28/roman-bravo-young-celebrates-national-wrestling-title-locally-with-close-ones/?mc_cid=6c27c8fabf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – Steveson named InterMat Wrestler of the Year
Minnesota heavyweight Gable Steveson dominated his competition in 2021, finishing 17-0 with 14 of the 17 wins resulting in bonus points. Steveson defeated Michigan’s Mason Parris 8-4 to win the NCAA title at heavyweight and extend his winning streak to 34 straight wins.
On Monday, Steveson was named 2021 InterMat Wrestler of the Year. Presented each year since 2006 to the best collegiate wrestler in all divisions, the award is based exclusively on the balloting of writers at InterMat. Each writer is asked to select five wrestlers and rank them from first to fifth. Point values are assigned to each placement, ranging from one point to a wrestler listed fifth on a voter’s ballot, up to nine points for a first-place vote.
Steveson received seven of the 10 first-place votes from InterMat writers to garner a total of 84 points. It marks the eighth straight year the award has gone to a Big Ten wrestler.
Three-time NCAA champion Spencer Lee of Iowa, the 2020 InterMat Wrestler of the Year, received the other three first-place votes and came in second in the voting with 74 points. Penn State NCAA champions Roman Bravo-Young, Nick Lee and Aaaron Brooks finished third, fourth and fifth respectively in the voting. … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24465?mc_cid=a2abe03ca2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – Hodge Trophy 2021 Co-Winners
For the first time since 2001, there are co-winners of the WIN Magazine/Culture House Dan Hodge Trophy, presented by ASICS Wrestling.
Last season’s winner Spencer Lee of Iowa and Gable Steveson of Minnesota wound up in a virtual tie, with Lee winning the Fan Vote (25,712 to Steveson’s 5,202 votes), but multiple members of the formal Hodge Trophy Voting Committee voting for co-winners with both Steveson and Lee having such similar Hodge Trophy voting criteria stats.

The Hodge Voting Committee is made up of all past winners of the award, several retired college coaches from each region of the country, and select national wrestling media. “We have had fairly tight races before but nothing like this year,” said Mike Chapman, creator of the award back in 1995. “It’s an amazing year in so many respects. When you look at what COVID did, cutting the season at least in half and causing such chaos, it was a very difficult season for everyone.”

And that was especially true for Lee, who was wrestling in the NCAA tournament with two torn ACLs. In winning the trophy for the second straight time, the Hawkeye junior posted a 12-0 record with five pins, three tech falls and four majors. Lee got bonus points in 91.7% of his matches. Only one wrestler, Brandon Courtney of Arizona State, managed to go the distance, and Lee defeated him in the NCAA finals, 7-0. … rest of story at https://www.win-magazine.com/2021/03/29/20335/?mc_cid=a2abe03ca2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – Dan Hodge Trophy: History, winners and how it works
The Dan Hodge Trophy honors the top college wrestler every year. It was established in 1995 and is named after the legendary Dan Hodge, who was an NCAA champion, Olympic medalist, multiple-time NWA champion and ambassador for the sport of wrestling.
The award was established by longtime wrestling journalist and wrestling hall-of-famer Mike Chapman and presented by his WIN Magazine. The Hodge is equivalent to college football’s Heisman Trophy and has been presented to 28 wrestlers in its 26-year history, though some of those wrestlers have won the award more than once. The award has only been awarded to two wrestlers in the same year twice: once in 2001 when Iowa State’s Cael Sanderson split the award with Simpson College’s Nick Ackerman and once in 2021 when Iowa’s Spencer Lee split the award with Minnesota’s Gable Steveson. 

Here’s a look at the history and selection process for the award, along with a complete list of the winners. 
Dan Hodge Award history
The Hodge Trophy has a long history, but there are a few special facts about the trophy: 

8 } – LEE CONTINUES TO MAKE HISTORY
IOWA CITY, Iowa — When you dominate the way University of Iowa wrestler Spencer Lee does, it’s easy to remember the match that got away.

Wrestling insert

It was another season of demolition for the Hawkeye 125-pounder, who outscored opponents 141-15. For Lee, the match that got away wasn’t even a loss. It was the only bout of his 12 that didn’t end as a bonus-point victory. “I almost had a 100 percent bonus rate,” Lee said. “I missed it by one point in the (NCAA) finals.” Lee won his third consecutive NCAA title March 20 in St. Louis with a 7-0 victory over Brandon Courtney of Arizona State. Iowa head coach Tom Brands knows it could have been a major decision.

“You talk to your athletes about going out and earning awards and championships, sometimes these things are out of your hands a little bit, but this one was firmly in his grasp,” Brands said. “I mean, 7-0 in the finals. He could have cut him and got a major and he would have had 100 bonus point percentage, but he kept him down to keep the zero on the scoreboard.” … rest of story at https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2021/03/30/lee-continues-to-make-history/?mc_cid=44df579129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And HAWKEYE WRESTLING TO BE RECOGNIZED AT KINNICK STADIUM
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa will celebrate the 2021 NCAA Championship Hawkeye wrestling team April 17 at Kinnick Stadium following the Iowa football open practice. The open practice begins at 9:30 a.m. (CT). The championship recognition begins at approximately noon. Admission to both events is free. Fans will be required to wear masks. Additional information will be released prior to the event.
The top ranked Hawkeyes won the 2021 NCAA Championships on March 20 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. The team title is the 24th in program history and the first since 2010.
Iowa head coach Tom Brands was named NWCA National and Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year for the second straight season. … rest of story at https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2021/04/07/hawkeye-wrestling-to-be-recognized-at-kinnick-stadium-april-17-2/?mc_cid=480d7959b9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – David Carr Named Big 12 Wrestler of the Year
IRVING, Texas – David Carr, the 2021 Big 12 and NCAA champion at 157 pounds, has been named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Year, the conference announced on Tuesday. Carr is the first Iowa State wrestler to win this award since the Big 12 started awarding it in 2016.
The Canton, Ohio, native’s 2021 resume included a perfect 20-0 mark on the year, making him the only undefeated wrestler in the Big 12. He posted five wins by major decision, four by fall and four by technical fall for a bonus-rate of 65% on the season. Carr saw 11 of his wins come over opponents ranked in the top-20 nationally.
In accomplishing all of this, Carr was named a finalist for the Dan Hodge Trophy, presented annually to the nation’s most dominant wrestler.
Carr’s march to becoming the Big 12’s top wrestler culminated with a title performance at the NCAA Championships. The two-time All-American claimed the 157-pound crown with a 4-0 decision over Rider’s Jesse Dellavechia in the finals. At the NCAA Championships, Carr went 5-0 and didn’t yield a single takedown. He outscored his opponents by a 40-10 margin. With his championship performance, Carr became ISU’s 300th All-American in program history. He is the school’s 50th wrestler to win an individual NCAA Championship … rest of story at https://cyclones.com/news/2021/3/30/wrestling-david-carr-named-big-12-wrestler-of-the-year.aspx?mc_cid=44df579129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – Bucknell’s Zach Hartman voted EIWA Wrestler of the Year
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Bucknell’s Zach Hartman was named the EIWA Wrestler of the Year, the conference office announced Wednesday afternoon. Hartman became the first Bison to earn this prestigious award after winning an EIWA title and earning All-America laurels during the 2020-21 campaign.
At the EIWA Championships, Hartman went 3-0 en route to winning the 165-pound championship. Already a two-time EIWA runner-up, he joined Andy Rendos (165, 2010), current assistant coach Kevin LeValley (149, 2011) and Joe Stolfi (285, 2014) as Bucknell’s EIWA champions. He also became the second Bison to earn the EIWA Coaches’ Trophy as the EIWA Championships’ Outstanding Wrestler, joining LeValley. He also qualified for his third NCAA Championships. Hartman’s sixth-place performance at the NCAA’s premier event was the third highest by a Bison. Previously, Tom Marchetti (167) finished fourth in 1989 and Rendos (165) went fifth in 2009; Rendos also took sixth in 2010. Hartman was the sixth Bison wrestler to earn All-America laurels, joining Marchetti , Bryan Burns (190, 1991), Bobby Ferraro (177, 1994 & 1995), Rendos and LeValley (149, 2010 & 2011). In addition, he joined Marchetti as Bucknell’s second NCAA semifinalist. … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24479?mc_cid=8b7957ea1f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b\

11 } – ACC Announces 2021 Wrestling Season Honors
GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) –  National champion Austin O’Connor of North Carolina has been chosen the Atlantic Coast Conference Wrestler of the Year and heads up the sport’s 2021 season award winners announced on Wednesday.  
O’Connor is joined by ACC Freshman of the Year Sam Latona of Virginia Tech, while NC State’s Pat Popolizio and Pitt’s Keith Gavin received the nod as ACC Co-Wrestling Coaches of the Year. ACC season honors are determined by a vote of the league’s head coaches.                                             
The second-seeded O’Connor’s 3-2 win over No. 1 seed Sammy Sasso of Ohio State in the 149-pound final on March 20 secured UNC’s first NCAA wrestling gold medal since 1995 and the 20th all-time NCAA individual title by an ACC wrestler. It marked the sixth NCAA title all-time by a Tar Heel wrestler.  
O’Connor, a redshirt junior from Lockport, Illinois, also successfully defended his conference title in the 149-pound weight class at the ACC Championships on Feb. 28. He finished the season 13-0, including a 6-0 mark against ACC opponents.  
Virginia Tech’s Latona placed sixth in the 125-pound weight class at the NCAA Championships to earn All-America honors in his first season competing attached for the Hokies. … rest of story at https://theacc.com/news/2021/3/31/athlete-awards-acc-announces-2021-wrestling-season-honors.aspx?mc_cid=8b7957ea1f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

12 } – WATCH: AJ Ferrari Throws Out First Pitch, Rips off Shirt Before Bedlam Baseball
OSU wrestling superstar AJ Ferrari hit his famous flex celebration on Tuesday night inside O’Brate Stadium after throwing out the first pitch before Bedlam baseball.
Ferrari delivered a strike down the middle then wandered in front of the OU dugout before flexing. He then proceeded to rip his shirt off, leaving his white tank top in shreds. Because, why not? When you’re the most ripped dude in the stadium, I think the rules allow for it. … rest of story at https://pistolsfiringblog.com/watch-aj-ferrari-throws-out-first-pitch-rips-off-shirt-before-bedlam-baseball/?mc_cid=44df579129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And Olympic gold: ‘Keep Stanford Wrestling’ aims to save program
The Stanford logo was missing on Shane Griffith’s all-black wrestling singlet when he won an NCAA national title last month. By design. To draw attention. He also celebrated his victory at 165 pounds by donning a black sweatshirt which read: “Keep Stanford Wrestling.”
Griffith’s way — his team’s way — of making a statement after the school announced in July that wrestling, which has been at Stanford since 1916, and 10 other sports would be dropped to save money. The Cardinal wrestling community organized fundraising efforts and has raised about $12.5 million so far. The program may not be pinned to the mat just yet — or so they’re optimistically hoping. “We’re still in confusion and kind of in denial of what happened,” said Griffith, who competed on March 20 in what — for now — could be the last match in program history. “Because we don’t have a feasible answer from them to move on with our lives.”
Stanford wrestling is one of at least 85 Division I sports programs to be shuttered since the coronavirus pandemic started a year ago because of financial strains. Olympic and college-sports leaders fear it will only continue as changes in the college system take hold. … rest of story at https://www.startribune.com/olympic-gold-keep-stanford-wrestling-aims-to-save-program/600043797/?mc_cid=480d7959b9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b&refresh=true

And Can Stanford wrestling, and 10 other programs, be saved?
On July 8, 2020, Stanford wrestling coach Jason Borrelli was on the back nine during a round of golf when one of his assistant coaches sent him an unusual text.
Why are we locked out of our social media accounts?
“That’s weird,” Borrelli thought. He didn’t have an answer. The assistant reached out to a member of Stanford’s sports information department and was told the social media accounts were down for routine maintenance. Borrelli didn’t think much of it, but on the 18th hole, he got another message.

What’s this emergency zoom meeting we need to be on?
“I thought maybe there was just some announcement everyone needed to hear, but it was odd,” Borrelli said. “So I went back in and read the email again and this is when it hit me like a ton of bricks. It had head coach and assistant coaches from 11 programs. There’s no football, there’s no basketball. Well, this isn’t good. I still thought, ‘There’s no way — no way. They’re not cutting our program.”
Then his wrestlers started asking him why they, too, had an emergency zoom call. For Borrelli, that served as unofficial confirmation of the scenario he had been trying to convince himself wasn’t happening. A short while later, athletic director Bernard Muir made it official. … rest of story at https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/31229795/can-stanford-wrestling-10-other-programs-saved

April 28, 2021 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment