Takedown Report

NCAA Division I News (2021) – # 20 {Big Ten}

TDR Editor’s Notes ; All of the Big Ten schools have at least one article included in this list except Maryland and Northwestern. They shall be included in the next collection. News of transferering wrestlers, new recruits and returning wrestlers and coaches are included. Some team awards are also listed. We seek to catch up on aall this news in the coming month as the wrestling season winds up in North Carolina. Keep wrestling on! Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
Blog # 2921 … (6/1/21)
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1 } – Graceland’s Brennan Swafford, a two-time NAIA wrestling champ, announces transfer to Iowa
Brennan Swafford has spent the last two seasons dominating NAIA wrestling, but is now taking his talents to the NCAA Division I level. Swafford, a two-time national champion for NAIA’s Graceland, announced his plans to transfer and join the Iowa wrestling program. He joins the Hawkeyes after spending the last three seasons at Graceland.
“I just want to start by saying that I’m extremely grateful for all of the great things Graceland has done for me,” Swafford wrote in a tweet on Wednesday, announcing his decision. “The support from my coaches and professors has been awesome. “With that being said I would like to announce that I will be continuing my journey at Iowa. Go Hawks!” … rest of story at https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/wrestling/2021/04/28/graceland-wrestling-brennan-swafford-two-time-naia-wrestling-champ-join-hawkeyes-iowa-wrestling-ncaa/7322940002/?mc_cid=db281dc0f1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – Nittany Lion Wrestling Club’s Success Runs Deep
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — It’s no secret that Penn State is home to a diverse spread of elite, collegiate wrestlers – but that’s only the tip of the iceberg.  
The Nittany Lion Wrestling Club selects from a mix of top freestyle, qualified collegiate and ambitious high school wrestlers to develop the next wave of U.S. Olympic talent. And it is all happening right here in Happy Valley.
 The university acts as a U.S. Olympic Regional Training Center, with the NLWC serving as the center’s administrator. While others are attracted to this hub for the budding talent and recent success, coach Cody Sanderson, brother of Nittany Lions head coach Cael Sanderson, sees the club as a cornerstone to the community and future of sport.
“The Nittany Lion Wrestling Club has been part of the area for a very long time,” said Sanderson, who is entering his 13^th year with the NLWC. “It was established there long before we were all coaches.”
Though humble in nature, Sanderson and his family can be attributed to much of the club’s achievement.
With the Sanderson brothers’ arrival at Penn State in 2009, the wrestling landscape changed across the nation as Penn State went on to claim eight NCAA championships. Soon after their arrival, a flood of attention and talent was driven to the NLWC. … rest of story at https://gopsusports.com/news/2021/4/29/nittany-lion-wrestling-clubs-success-runs-deep.aspx?mc_cid=8c1db46849&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Indiana Wrestling Adds Two Signees
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – IU head coach Angel Escobedo announced the additions of Robert Major (Carmel, Ind.) and Alec Freeman (Evansville, Ind.) to the Indiana wrestling program on Wednesday.  
Despite not placing at the state tournament in Illinois in his first three years, Robert Major moved to Indiana and put an exclamation point on his high school career.
Major, who finished with a high school record of 165-14, went undefeated in his senior campaign all the way up until the final match in the state finals, where he finished runner-up at 160 pounds in a thrilling 15-11 match.
In his senior year at Carmel High School, Major was named Most Outstanding Wrestling and was a First Team All-State Academic honoree. He finished in eighth-place in Greco to earn Fargo All-America honors.
“Robert had the most exciting state finals match at the Indiana State championships this past season,” IU head coach Angel Escobedo said. “He fell short but became a fan favorite because of the high scoring back and forth match. Robert is hard working, a great student, and very motivated in being the best. Robert will be a great addition to our culture. Welcome to the IU wrestling brotherhood!”
Alec Freeman placed three times in the Indiana state tournament and saved the best for last as he finished runner-up at 132 pounds and helped his team, Evansville Mater Dei to a State Championship.
Freeman finished his high school career with a 117-9 overall record, after not cracking the varsity lineup as a freshman and was a two-time Semi-State Champion. … rest of story at https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2021/4/7/indiana-wrestling-adds-two-signees.aspx?mc_cid=69381deb62&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – BUCKEYES HAND OUT TEAM AWARDS
The Ohio State wrestling team held it’s end of the season banquet this week and handed out its team awards. Below are the recipients.
Highest GPA
Freshman Dylan D’Emilio is a psychology major and had an impressive 3.948 GPA while qualifying for the NCAA Championships at 141 pounds.
Battling Buckeye
This award typically goes to a non-starter who regularly competes in open tournaments and exhibits a selfless attitude. With the absence of opens this year and the things that stacked up against Kaleb Romero, it became clear that he was deserving of this award. In the midst of constant uncertainty surrounding his circumstances, he maintained a positive attitude and competed with everything he had. He fell one match short of being an All-American.
Most Improved
Ethan Smith stepped up at 165 this year and capped his season with an impressive second-place finish at the Big Ten tournament and achieving All-American status at the NCAA tournament. Smith’s performance this season solidified his position as a vital member of the Wrestling Bucks lineup.
Malik Heinselman started his season with a Revenge Tour as he avenged a number of losses from last season and earned a black shirt in the process. His continued improvement is something to be excited about for seasons to come.
Most Courageous
Tate Orndorff was already a successful wrestler at his last school but took a leap of faith in transferring and joining the Buckeyes. He moved across the country along with his wife to pursue a dream. In a chaotic year filled with ups and downs, his determination never wavered. And for that reason, Tate Orndorff has earned this award … rest of story at https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/buckeyes-hand-out-team-awards/?mc_cid=8c1db46849&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – Wrestling: Will the Seniors Return for the Huskers?
All six of Nebraska’s seniors were starters, will any of them return for another year of eligibility?
This past season, the Huskers had six seniors in their starting lineup. And with this year not counting against eligibility, these seniors can choose to come back for another year. Their scholarships wouldn’t count against the 9.9 scholarships the team is allowed, but the university is responsible for footing the bill.
That means that right now we have no idea who will be taking the mat for Nebraska next season. Nothing has come out from any of Nebraska’s senior starters as of yet whether they plan on coming back.Husker Seniors
133: Liam Cronin – NCAA qualifier
141: Chad Red Jr. – 4x All-American
157: Caleb Licking – NCAA qualifier
184: Taylor Venz – 2x All-American
197: Eric Schultz – 4x NCAA qualifier
285: Christian Lance – NCAA qualifier
Now, I don’t believe all of these guys will choose to return. There are a lot of factors at play. These guys are probably looking ahead to life after college with a degree in hand. Maybe they don’t want to wait all the way until winter to start a season that stretches until March. Perhaps there is a young guy waiting in the wings that’s ready to start.
With that said, it would benefit Nebraska greatly in the short term and the long run if a few of these key guys return. Bringing back a few All-Americans obviously makes Nebraska a tough team next year, but it would also give Nebraska the chance to redshirt some key freshmen. … rest of story at https://www.cornnation.com/2021/4/7/22371182/wrestling-will-the-seniors-return-for-the-huskers?mc_cid=69381deb62&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And Should Nebraska Hit Up Transfer Portal?
With most Seniors expected back and a stacked cupboard of underclassmen, Nebraska can be picky in transfer portal; Former 3x Nebraska state champ Burks leaving Oklahoma State
The NCAA wrestling transfer portal has been heating up lately and I started wondering if Nebraska is/will be going after some guys to round out their roster for 2021-22.
Nebraska will occasionally hit the transfer market, highlighted by a pair of transfers in the starting lineup in Liam Cronin (Indiana transfer in 2020) and Christian Lance (Fort Hays State transfer in 2018). Cronin is a 125-pounder and Lance is a heavyweight. Also at heavyweight, Nebraska has former Wyoming transfer Cale Davidson and Landon Brown, a transfer from the junior college ranks in 2020. Outside of the top and bottom of the lineup, Nebraska doesn’t have a single transfer.
Traditionally, Nebraska Head Coach Mark Manning and his staff have been solid recruiters so they haven’t had to plug too many holes in their rosters with transfers. And this year is really no different in that regard.
After signing four-straight Top-10 classes, Nebraska is in a spot where it has a lot of talent coming up that just hasn’t hit the starting lineup yet because they’ve been waiting their turn behind All-Americans. Also, this shorted Covid season robbed many younger wrestlers of the opportunity to really see the mat outside of the practice room. … rest of story at https://www.cornnation.com/2021/5/13/22433636/wrestling-should-nebraska-hit-up-transfer-portal?mc_cid=c4978adc2e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – Ersland Adds Two Indiana State Champions
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue wrestling head coach Tony Ersland bolstered his 2021 recruiting class this week, signing Indiana natives Hayden Filipovich and Tristan Ruhlman to national letters of intent. The pair both won state titles in their final season of high school competition and push the Boilermakers’ Class of 2021 to five signees.  
With the addition of Fililpovich and Ruhlman, Ersland’s incoming class has four individual state titles in 2021, as early signees Stoney Buell and Dustin Norris both topped the competition in Michigan and Ohio, respectively. Ben Vanadia was heavily favored to win an Ohio state title before his season ended early with an injury.  
“The addition of Tristan and Hayden only increases my excitement for this incoming group,” said Ersland. “We started this class off with a great group in the fall, and we’ve now been able to go out and find a couple more likeminded guys, who have incredible character and fit what we’re trying to do on-and-off the mat.” … rest of story at https://purduesports.com/news/2021/4/7/wrestling-ersland-adds-two-indiana-state-champions.aspx?mc_cid=69381deb62&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And Always Aggressive Podcast: Season 2, Episode 21
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue wrestling 2021-22 roster received some serious news this week as seniors Devin Schroder and Max Lyon announced their return to the program, while head coach Tony Ersland signed a pair of 2021 Indiana high school state champions. Schroder joined the Always Aggressive Podcast to talk about his return, the season and what lies ahead for the Boilermakers.  
While Lyon has been consistent in his intentions for 2021-22, Schroder walked a very different road this season. Having wavered between his desire to take advantage of an extra year of eligibility, the Grand Rapids, Michigan native made a definitive decision to remain on the Boilermaker roster on Easter Sunday, and announced his decision via Twitter on Tuesday evening. … rest of story at https://purduesports.com/news/2021/4/8/wrestling-always-aggressive-podcast-season-2-episode-21.aspx?mc_cid=480d7959b9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – Illini Wrestling Coach Jim Heffernan Announces Retirement
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Jim Heffernan, who helped lead the University of Illinois wrestling program to 13 Top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships, announced his retirement today after 12 years as head coach and 29 years overall with the Illini wrestling program. 
Considered one of the most prominent collegiate wrestling coaches in the nation, Heffernan coached 73 All-Americans, 215 NCAA qualifiers, 11 individual NCAA champions and 20 Big Ten Conference champions during his time at Illinois. He helped lead the Illini to Top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships 13 times, and during his coaching career in Champaign, the Illini have had at least one All-American on the roster in 28-consecutive seasons.
“For nearly three decades, Jim Heffernan has dedicated his life to Illinois Wrestling,” said Director of Athletics Josh Whitman. “He represents our athletic program’s most closely held values: he cares deeply about his student-athletes and his colleagues, and he embodies toughness, competitiveness, and hard work. Through his actions and his words, he has been a leader, mentor, and friend to many. Our program will miss him. On behalf of Fighting Illini Athletics … rest of story at https://fightingillini.com/news/2021/4/8/illini-wrestling-coach-jim-heffernan-announces-retirement.aspx?mc_cid=480d7959b9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And Illini Wrestling Announces Move to State Farm Center
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois wrestling is officially moving all future home competition from Huff Hall to the State Farm Center, the program announced on Wednesday. The Fighting Illini have wrestled at Huff Hall since 1925 when Kenney Gym Annex was replaced by Huff. During that time, Illinois has crowned 23 NCAA Champions and 75 Big Ten Champions. The Illini wrestling program will join men’s and women’s basketball as the only teams on campus to compete at the State Farm Center.
“The State Farm Center is a very special place to me and everyone in the state of Illinois,” said head coach Mike Poeta. “For those that grew up here it’s the Mecca for wrestling, hosting the Illinois High School state tournament for over 50 years. I want to thank our administration for all their hard work in making the State Farm Center our new home for Illinois wrestling matches. They share the same vision for our program and are committed to doing everything it takes to be the best team in the country.”
The Illini hosted several meets at the State Farm Center during the 2021 season, the first of which was a tri-meet with Ohio State and Wisconsin on January 17^th. The Illini picked up a pair of wins over the two Big Ten conference foes, and would later host Nebraska at State Farm Center for the final home dual meet of the season. These two meets marked the first time that the Orange and Blue competed at the State Farm Center since 2013. … rest of story at https://fightingillini.com/news/2021/5/12/illini-wrestling-announces-move-to-state-farm-center.aspx?mc_cid=cc121404a4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – Michigan State Wrestling Announces 2021 Team Awards
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State wrestling head coach Roger Chandler announced the Spartans’ team award winners for the 2020-21 season. MSU finished the COVID-19 pandemic shortened season with a 2-5 record, as the Spartans competed in a Big Ten Conference-only schedule, having two matches canceled due to student-athlete health and safety concerns. The Spartans finished eighth at the 2021 Big Ten Championships, hosted by Penn State, and MSU had three individuals finish in the top four.
Michigan State ended in eighth-place with 73.5 points, MSU’s both highest finish and most points under Chandler. The eighth-place finish is also the highest Michigan State finish since 2010 when the Spartans were seventh. The 73.5 points is the most since 92.5 points in 2003 when MSU was third.
Spartan wrestling sent eight wrestlers to the 2021 NCAA Championships in St. Louis, Missouri. After seven Spartans, Rayvon Foley, Jordan Hamdan, Chase Saldate, Jake Tucker, Drew Hughes, Layne Malczewski and Cameron Caffey earned automatic berths at the Big Ten Championships, Peyton Omania was part of the 64 at-large selections. … rest of story at https://msuspartans.com/news/2021/5/14/michigan-state-wrestling-announces-2021-team-awards.aspx?mc_cid=73bee40328&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – Rutgers Wrestling NCAA qualifier Joe Grello enters transfer portal
Rutgers wrestling will see a solid veteran leave the team prior to the upcoming 2021-22 season. 2019 NCAA qualifier Joe Grello entered the transfer portal as a graduate transfer, per his Instagram page. 247Sports confirmed Grello’s entry into the transfer portal.
Grello wrestled just three matches last season for the Scarlet Knights, going 0-3 against Top 10 opponents Logan Massa (Michigan) and Kaleb Romero (Ohio State) and losing via injury default to Minnesota’s Sam Skillings. Once Grello exited that match via injury, redshirt freshman Jackson Turley entered the varsity lineup at 174 pounds.
Grello did not wrestle for the rest of the season as Turley finished 10-5 but went on a run at the 2021 NCAA Tournament, finishing in 8th place to become an All-American.
On Tuesday, Grello posted a statement to Instagram about his decision to transfer. “Thank you Rutgers University for the past five years, for shaping me into the person I am today. I will always love this place and cherish the many memories made here,” Grello wrote. “I can’t thank my brothers, friends, family, fans and coaches/staff enough for everything they have done for me on and off the mat. It’s been an honor and pleasure to represent my home state. To my teammates, you guys are forever my brothers and I hope I was able to help you guys achieve the best version of yourselves. It’s truly been … rest of story at https://247sports.com/Article/Joe-Grello-transfer-portal-Rutgers-Wrestling-NCAA-qualifier-New-Jersey-Scarlet-Knights-Big-Ten-165529989/?mc_cid=ad9587b873&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And Long Time assistant Leonardis to take over Scarlet Knights Wrestling Club
The first, and longest, tenured assistant wrestling coach under Scott Goodale is moving to a new role within the program. John Leonardis, who has been an assistant wrestling coach for Rutgers wrestling for 14 seasons, will be taking on the role of Executive Director of the Scarlet Knights Wrestling Club (SKWC) starting this May. “John Leonardis and I started coaching at Rutgers together, and as the SKWC mission and complexity has grown, we could not have a better choice than my friend and long-time partner to bring SKWC and Rutgers Wrestling to another level”, Coach Goodale stated in an announcement from the SKWC. … rest of story at https://rutgers.rivals.com/news/long-time-assistant-leonardis-to-take-over-scarlet-knights-wrestling-club?mc_cid=69381deb62&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – Wisconsin wrestling All-American Evan Wick enters transfer portal
There’s going to be a pretty big hole in the middle of the Wisconsin Badgers lineup in 2021-22. Two-time All American Evan Wick decided to enter the transfer portal and pursue a new school for his final year of eligibility.
Wick did not wrestle for the Badgers last season, taking an Olympic redshirt to pursue a spot on Team USA for the rescheduled Summer Olympics. Wick won’t be going to Tokyo this summer but has one year left of eligibility.
He took to social media to explain his decision to leave Madison, Wisconsin.
“As many of you may already know, I have decided to leave the university of Wisconsin and explore other options for my final year of eligibility,” Wick wrote on Instagram. “I am going to miss Madison and all of the incredible people here. Madison has been home for me over the past five years and it is one of the best places in the country (in the summer). Thank you to all of my teammates through the years and coaches through the years. I have battled with making this decision for a long time, but I know in my heart that it is time for a change.”
As far as where Wick goes next, that is up in the air. However, there are indications he could head out west to join his younger brother. Luka Wick, a member of the Class of 2021, is signed to wrestle for Cal Poly. The younger Wick is No. 33 overall on … rest of story at https://247sports.com/Article/Evan-Wick-transfer-portal-Wisconsin-Badgers-wrestling-NCAA-Cal-Poly-Luka-Wick-California-165197856/?mc_cid=6292a9adee&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And Evan Wick Officially In The Transfer Portal
Two-time NCAA All-American Evan Wick has entered the transfer portal
Two-time NCAA All-American Evan Wick has officially entered the transfer portal. Wick has spent the last five seasons in Madison, Wisconsin, as a member of the Badgers. Competing in three of those seasons, Wick has never failed to qualify for the NCAA tournament. 
After redshirting his first year in 2016/2017, he took third his freshman year with a record of 30-7. In 2019, Wick went 32-6 en route to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA tournament. As a junior Wick earned a top-eight seed despite being injured. And finally, the California native took another redshirt this past season. … rest of story at https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/7025275-evan-wick-officially-in-the-transfer-portal?mc_cid=1c5f62dded&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

11 } – Gable Steveson: Gopher Talk with Mike Grimm
In the latest episode of Gopher Talk, Mike Grimm chats with Gopher Wrestling’s Gable Steveson on winning his second consecutive Big Ten heavyweight championship, winning his first NCAA championship, winning the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, and representing the United States in freestyle wrestling at this summer’s Olympic Games in Japan.
Check out Gopher Wrestling at gophersports.com and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. … rest of story at https://theguillotine.com/2021/04/gable-steveson-gopher-talk-with-mike-grimm-2/?mc_cid=3018ac16e0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

12 } – Amine Captures Third Straight European Medal with 86kg Bronze
WARSAW, Poland — University of Michigan graduate student Myles Amine captured a bronze medal at 86kg/189 pounds at the European Championships on Wednesday (April 21) at the Arena COS Torwar.
Amine, who wrestles for San Marino internationally, defeated Slovakia’s Boris Makoev 6-4 in the medal match. He scored first and last in the bout, finishing on a single leg in the opening 15 seconds before scoring four unanswered points in the second period. Makov, a 2017 world silver medalist, took the lead with points off scrambles late in the first and early in the second, but Amine responded with a reattack go behind midway through the latter frame and iced it with another in the closing seconds.
It was Amine’s third straight European medal, adding to his silver at the 2020 championships and bronze at the 2019 games, while Makoev represents the fourth world medalist that Amine has defeated over the last two years.
Amine opened the tournament with a 4-0 decision against France’s Akhmed Aibuev, scoring a takedown in each period, before falling to a familiar opponent in Russia’s Artur Naifonov, 2-0, … rest of story at https://mgoblue.com/news/2021/4/21/wrestling-amine-captures-third-straight-european-medal-with-86kg-bronze.aspx?mc_cid=d92d6a4129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

June 1, 2021 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized