Takedown Report

NJCAA Junior College News (2021) – # 1

TDR Editor’s Notes ; The season for the National Junior College Association was delayed to the spring with the championships at the end of April. Press coverage of Junior College teams and matches is usually less frequent than for programs at four year colleges and universities. Thus it has been a long wait in order to have a dozen articles gathered in order to have a blog posting. Keep wrestling onward. E-mail us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Blog # 2917 (5/29/21)
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1 } – NJCAA Wrestling: Four Iowa wrestlers win junior college national titles
Four wrestlers from Iowa schools won individual titles at the junior college national championships on Thursday night at the Mid-American Center in Council Bluffs.
Iowa Western’s Isaiah Crosby won at 157 pounds, NIAAC’s Christian Minto won at 165, Iowa Central’s Jose Rodriguez won at 174, and Iowa Lakes’ Mitchell Williamson won at 285, solidifying another strong showing from Iowa’s junior college programs.
Four other Iowa wrestlers — NIAAC’s Jose Valdez (197), and three from Iowa Central, Bret Minor (141), Keaton Geerts (165), Jordan Pryor (285) — made the finals. In all, six Iowa junior colleges produced 20 total All-Americans over the two-day event, the final national collegiate championship event of the 2020-21 season.
Clackamas wins title, Iowa Central third
Iowa Central led all Iowa schools with a third-place finish, with 129 points. The Tritons finished behind first-place Clackamas (152.5) and second-place Western Wyoming (147). Pratt (126.5) took fourth and Northeastern Oklahoma (125) took fifth.
Five Iowa Central wrestlers finished on the podium, led by Rodriguez’s individual title at 174 pounds. He went 5-0 with four pins and a major decision and outscored his opponents by a combined 59-17. 
Minor made the finals at 141 as the 25-seed, but fell to Northwest Kansas Tech’s Chinzorig Tsermaa by a 24-9 technical fall in the finals. Geerts, who transferred to Iowa Central from Northern Iowa, lost to NIAAC’s Minto in the finals, 13-6, at 165. Pryor, the 12-seed at heavyweight, lost to Williamson, 3-1, on a third-period takedown. … rest of story at https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/2021/04/23/njcaa-wrestling-championships-2021-results-scores-titles-iowa-central-western/7305306002/

And NEO’s Joe Renfro and Clackamas’ Josh Rhoden: Talking NJCAA Wrestling Championships
Two of the top coaches in the NJCAA, Joe Renfro of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and Josh Rhoden of Clackamas, will come on Short Time to talk about the unique season that’s impacted the junior college wrestling landscape and talk a bit about the upcoming NJCAA Championships on April 21-22.
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2 } – Evans to be inducted into NJCAA Wrestling HOF
Former Niagara County Community College All-American grappler Rashad Evans is one of three men being inducted into the NJCAA Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The 2021 class includes Evans, coach Scott Norton of Highline (Wash.) College and athletic trainer Randy Boswell of North Idaho College. 
Evans, a Niagara Falls native and graduate of nearby Niagara-Wheatfield High School, was a two-time NJCAA All-American at NCCC. He finished fourth in 1999 before becoming a National Champion at 165 pounds in 2000. He then transferred to NCAA Div. I Michigan State University, twice qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. 
Following his time on the mats at MSU, Evans started his mixed martial arts (MMA) career and broke into the highest level of the sport after winning the heavyweight division of “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2005. Evans went on to fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for 15 years, competing in three different weight classes and winning the UFC light heavyweight championship belt in 2008. A veteran of 33 professional fights, … rest of story at https://www.ncccathletics.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/NCCC-RASHADEVANS?mc_cid=d0f3fda251&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – NJCAA PUSHES BACK ITS 2021 WRESTLING SEASON, WITH NJCAA NATIONALS NOW APRIL 23-24
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has announced its plan for the 2020-21 athletic season, making some changes in how it conducts various sports programs. One of the sports most affected is wrestling, which is having its season pushed back later into the 2021 year. Here is the specific changes made by the NJCAA:
* The 2020-21 NJCAA Wrestling season has been altered to protect the best interest for student-athlete health and safety. NJCAA Wrestling programs will be permitted to hold fall practice starting October 1, 2020, concluding October 31, 2020. Regular season practice will be permitted to begin starting January 1, 2021. Competition will be permitted to begin starting January 20, 2021. The 2021 NJCAA Wrestling Championship will be held April 23-24 at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, IA.
Traditionally, the NJCAA season is similar to those of both the NCAA and NAIA, a two-semester sport, concluding traditionally with the NJCAA Nationals in late February or early March.
Here is the text of the entire press release by the NJCAA:
Charlotte, NC – As the 2020-21 academic and athletic year approaches, the NJCAA has released a plan of action for the fall and winter sports season in response to COVID-19. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/June/20/NJCAA-pushes-back-2021-wrestling-season-with-nationals-in-April#:~:text=January%2020%2C%202021.-,The%202021%20NJCAA%20Wrestling%20Championship%20will%20be%20held%20April%2023,practice%20starting%20October%201%2C%202020.

and Brackets for NJCAA Wrestling Tournament Released
The brackets for the NJCAA National Championships were released today via Twitter. Two NEO stars received #1 seeds as defending champion Blake Gonzalez will look to defend his title at 141 and HWT Dan Baker, who finished third last season will vie for the HWT title as the #1 seed there. Of note that All-American Jayden Smith is not listed in the brackets. Smith was most recently ranked 3rd at 165, another omission is Seth Seago at 197. Seago had some success early in the season at the weight. Smith has been replaced by Richard Mack and Seago by Seth Sarasua. The tournament takes place on April 21-22nd in Council Bluffs, … rest of story at https://owrestle.com/brackets-for-njcaa-wrestling-tournament-released/

4 } – Carl Albert State College To Vote On The Addition Of A Wrestling Program In March
We wrote last month on the movement to add wrestling at Carl Albert State College in Poteau. The community has rallied a large amount of support for the addition of a men’s and women’s program, and the school and Board of Regents have taken notice. The Board of Regents will meet on March 9th at 1:00 PM. On their agenda is a vote to decide if the school will move forward with the addition of a wrestling program. The meeting will take place at the Stites Center on the Sallisaw campus. It has not yet been announced if this will be open to the public.
OWrestle will be following and ready to publish the results of the vote. Like and follow the groups’ Facebook page to support their movement and keep up with the progress and other updates. … rest of story at https://owrestle.com/carl-albert-state-college-to-vote-on-the-addition-of-a-wrestling-program-in-march/

5 } – Carl Albert State College Votes Unanimously To Add Wrestling
The Carl Albert State College Board of Regents voted on a resolution to add both a men’s and women’s wrestling program on Tuesday.
Sources present at the CASC Board Of Regents Meeting today stated the vote was unanimously in favor of adding both a men’s and women’s program. It was stated that the men’s program will start in 2021-22 and the women’s program will start in the 2022-2023 school year as it is required to complete “NJCAA regulations” first.
A search for a coach has already begun and the school and athletic department are moving forward immediately with all of the steps to start the program. This will be Oklahoma’s second junior college wrestling program alongside NEO and first NJCAA women’s team. … rest of story at https://owrestle.com/carl-albert-state-college-votes-unanimously-to-add-wrestling/

6 } – Five Takeaways From NEO’s Season To This Point
NEO and NJCAA wrestling got a bit of a late start this wrestling season and kicked things off with the UNK Midwest duals in late January followed by the Golden Norsemen Invite. This was followed by a bunch of cancellations, then things kicked back up this week with a few more duals.
Here are five things to take away from what we’ve seen so far.
1. Dan Baker is a problem for other heavyweights
Dan Baker is the Norsemen heavyweight. He was an All-American last season, finishing third at the NJCAA National Tournament. The two wrestlers that finished ahead of him at the National Tournament were both sophomores and it now looks like Baker may be “the guy” at that weight class. He’s picked up a few wins over D2 opponents already and the way things look currently, I would personally look at him as probably the favorite to be the NJCAA champion at heavyweight this year.
2. Jayden Smith at 165
Smith in some ways is in a similar situation to Dan Baker. … rest of story at https://owrestle.com/five-takeaways-from-neos-first-half-of-the-season/

7 } – PHCC wrestling program signs first recruits, begins making schedule for this fall
The Patrick Henry Community College wrestling team had its first athlete sign a letter of intent last week, but Patriots coach Justin Smith said that wasn’t the first wrestler to commit to the program.
Smith said he has one wrestler from Richmond, who was state runner-up in his weight class, committed, as well as another from the Chesapeake area and six or seven from the Roanoke area who are almost locked-in to join the new program in the fall.
PHCC announced Smith as the head coach of a newly created wrestling program in May of 2020. He comes from Franklin County High School, where he was coach for three seasons.
PHCC converted one of the buildings on campus into a wrestling facility. The team originally intended to begin competing last fall, but the coronavirus pandemic pushed that back a year. … rest of story at https://martinsvillebulletin.com/sports/college/phcc-wrestling-program-signs-first-recruits-begins-making-schedule-for-this-fall/article_3372e5f2-962b-11eb-8d73-f3cd60873980.html?mc_cid=a167ed32cf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – NCCC wrestling wraps up unbeaten regular season

Niagara County Community College wrestling handled Region III foe Jamestown CC on Wednesday night, 31-12, to finish the regular season perfect at 5-0. It is just the second time in program history NCCC has gone unbeaten during the regular season.
Matt Ash, Jacob Mancuso, David Crow, Tom Berner (Niagara Falls), Stephen Liebler (North Tonawanda/Williamsville North), Josh Thibeault (Niagara Wheatfield) and Maurice Jackson (Niagara Falls) all picked up victories for the Thunderwolves.
Liebler and Jackson scored big points via pinfall, Liebler at 184 pounds and Jackson at 285. It was the fifth straight match Jackson has won via pin. Ash earned a 15-6 decision at 125, Mancuso 8-2 at 149, Crow 12-8 at 157 and Berner 9-8 at 165. Thibeault won by forfeit at 197.
Crow, Liebler and Thibeault are undefeated heading into the national qualifier, which is scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday at JCC. The Jayhawks and Thunderwolves are the lone Region III programs taking part this season due to COVID-19. NCCC is 2-0 against JCC this season.
… rest of story at https://www.niagara-gazette.com/sports/nccc-wrestling-wraps-up-unbeaten-regular-season/article_0afff6d0-dff1-56d3-a4f5-870fc0398fb6.html?mc_cid=e6e4e842ef&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – NORTHWEST TECH LAUNCHES WOMEN’S WRESTLING PROGRAM
Northwest Tech is pleased to announce the launch of collegiate Women’s Wrestling at the college, with competition beginning in the Fall of 2021. The move comes following a decision at the March board meeting as the college works to strengthen enrollment and increase female student-athletes on campus. 
“We have discussed adding the program for a few years, but with the recent decision by the NJCAA to recognize women’s wrestling as an emerging sport the timing was right to make the move,” said Athletic Director Rory Kling. Northwest Tech is no stranger to women’s wrestling, as it was a club sport during the 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 academic years. “We are excited to bring the program back and provide an additional opportunity for student-athletes to earn a degree in a high-demand and high-wage field of study,” said Kling.
Women’s wrestling is on the rise all across the country. According to the National Wrestling Coaches Association website, the number of women wrestling at the high school level has grown from 804 athletes in 1994 to well over 21,124 by 2019 … rest of story at https://www.nwktc.edu/news/post/northwest-tech-launches-womens-wrestling-program?mc_cid=831636c404&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – Championship waives qualification standards for 2021
Charlotte, NC –COVID-19 testing will be required for all members of an institution’s travel party at the championship held April 21-22 at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, IA.  Proof of testing (PCR or antigen) must be provided for all members of team travel parties including student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, medical staff, equipment staff, and other personnel, and must have occurred after 8:00 AM on Friday, April 16, 2021. 
All members of team travel parties will also be required to pass COVID-19 screening prior to each day of the NJCAA Wrestling Championships.  For student-athletes, screenings will be conducted when skin checks and weigh-ins are completed.  Face masks will be required for everyone inside the Mid-America Center and must be worn at all times.  Attendees will be responsible for supplying their own masks. Student-athletes will be required to wear a mask except when warming up and/or competing. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the facility as well as wipes at many competition areas.  Team travel parties are encouraged to bring additional cleaning items and/or resources necessary for their team. 
At this time, spectators will be allowed in the Mid-America Center. … rest of story at https://www.njcaa.org/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/championship?mc_cid=5a9932a916&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

11 } – WRESTLING IMPROVES TO 5-2 WITH WIN OVER LIFE PACIFIC
SURPRISE, Ariz. – The Arizona Christian University wrestling program (5-2; 1-0 Cascade) defeated Life Pacific University (0-1; 0-1 Cascade) Saturday afternoon, 39-12 in Cascade Collegiate Conference action in Surprise, Ariz. The Firestorm were originally slated to face OUAZ’s club team, but OUAZ had to pull out of competition at the last minute.
The Results:
125: Double forfeit
133: Bryce Bernard (ACU) over Unknown (For.)
141: Tannor Calloway (ACU) over Unknown (For.)
149: Samuel Hernandez (ACU) over Unknown (For.)
157: Alex Newberry (ACU) over Aram Zavala (Life Pacific) (Fall 2:25) … rest of story at https://www.acufirestorm.com/article/2404?mc_cid=80454f9eb5&mc_eid=[2ef7cbca4b]

And TORRES NAMED CASCADE WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Monday afternoon, the Cascade Collegiate Conference announced that ACU sophomore wrestler, Andrew Torres, had been named CCC Wrestler of the Week. The Phoenix native captured the title in the 165 weight class last weekend at the Hasting’s Open after winning four matches on Saturday.  
Torres won his first match handily with a 12-0 decision over Northwestern’s (Iowa) Sam Copley. He would then move on to defeat Morningside’s Ethan Hatcher by major decision, 14-0 in his second match of the day, and would win a close third match against Grand View’s Jacob Backlund in a 4-2 decision.
Those three wins secured Torres’ position in the 165-title match against returning national qualifier, … rest of story at https://www.acufirestorm.com/article/2398?mc_cid=01186bea70&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

12 } – WILLIAMSON MOURNS THE LOSS OF FORMER ALL-AMERICAN WRESTLER PHIL CARBONETTA 0W2
The Williamson athletic community is mourning the sudden passing of former standout wrestler Phil Carbonnetta 0W2, who died unexpectedly on April 6. 
A graduate of the Class of 0W2, Carbonetta made a name for himself and put Williamson wrestling on the map with his performance at the 2001 National Junior College Athletic Association’s national championships in Rochester, Minnesota.  Ranked last in the field of 64 participants in the 141-pound weight class, Carbonetta stunned the collegiate wrestling world, as he pinned the #1, #7, #8 and #2 seeded wrestlers to advance to the national finals.  He eventually lost the national championship in double overtime on a controversial call to the #4 ranked wrestler, but drew the attention and admiration from everyone who was in attendance.
“When you consider that Phil barely qualified for nationals and then drew the #1 seeded wrestlers in the nation in the first round, the odds of him making it to the second round, let alone the national final, were as close to zero as you could get.  The funny thing was that no one told Phil that,” reminisced long-time Williamson athletic director Dale Plummer.  “It wasn’t just that he beat all the ranked wrestlers he did to make it to the finals, he pinned them all!  People who were there simply could not believe what they were seeing.”
His coach at Williamson at that time was current West Chester Henderson coach Rob Beighley, who reminisced about Phil as well. … rest of story at http://www.williamsonathletics.com/article/1203?mc_cid=41e05ef71b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b#.YHexMhRO-is

May 29, 2021 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized