Takedown Report

Wrestling History (2021) – # 5

TDR Editor’s Notes ; A look at history of amateur and collegiate wrestling across the decades from the beginning of the sport in the U.S.A. up till the present day. While seeking and making new records and achievements it is wise to remember and look at and learn from the history in our sport and our country. Keep on Wrestling! Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Blog #2924 (6/3/21)
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1 } – Wrestling hall of famer, Bobby Douglas, remembers his time in the Ohio Valley
BRIDGEPORT, OHIO (WTRF)- Growing up in Bridgeport Ohio, the community helped wrestling Hall of Famer, Bobby Douglas, realize his potential at a young age.  ““I was very fortunate to have one of the all-time great coaches, George Kovalick and not only was it Kovalick but there were other good coaches at Bridgeport high school.  

Most of the men around there, kind of looked after me because they knew I didn’t have father and my mother wasn’t with me. I was being raised by my grandmother so I had too many parents,” said Douglas. Bobby made his way to West Liberty University. As a member of the inaugural Hilltopper wrestling team in 1962, he made headlines, winning the NAIA national championship at 130 pounds. He then transferred Oklahoma State University. He says going out west was an eye opener for racism in America.  “I got to Oklahoma and I found out just how bad racism was. It was different. Totally different and I adjusted, it was a real adjustment but I did adjust,” said Douglas. 

Still, Bobby remained focused on wrestling and his studies while in Oklahoma.  “My teammates which are too many to even try to remember were responsible, they stood by me and we were an athletic family,”  said Douglas. Bobby made it to the Olympic teams in 1964 and 1968. But it was here, he realized the truth about wrestling in the Olympics at that time.  “The Olympics in wrestling was somewhat corrupt and it wasn’t because of race, it was because of various countries and how wrestling was controlled by the officials,”  said Douglas. … rest of story at https://www.wtrf.com/top-stories/wrestling-hall-of-famer-bobby-douglas-remembers-his-time-in-the-ohio-valley/?mc_cid=7fbcdf9574&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – Throwback Thursday: Was the 2016 NCAA final between Snyder and Gwiz the best ever?
The 2016 NCAA Division I Championships in New York City’s Madison Square Garden ended with an epic heavyweight championship clash for the ages. Ohio State’s two-time champ and World freestyle champion Kyle Snyder moved up a weight to take on NC State’s two-time champ Nick Gwiazdowski.

The match more than lived up to the billing as Snyder beat Gwiz in sudden victory. WIN founder and historian Mike Chapman compared that bout with other great head-to-head matchups in this story that appeared in the March 2016 issue of WIN Magazine. You can find this issue and other WIN Magazines back to 2011 (by purchasing a WIN Digital Subscription, opening up the last 9 years of archives to you on any device for only $14.95/year). Click here or call 888-305-0606 to subscribe to WIN Magazine.

And MAT CHAT PODCAST EPISODE 91 FEATURING NATE JACKSON IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR STREAMING AND DOWNLOAD
Episode 91 of Mat Chat with David Mirikitani is now available for streaming and download on most major podcast platforms. This is the third episode released since Mat Chat moved to USA Wrestling. In this episode, David interviews Black Wrestling Association founder and President Nate Jackson. Currently, an assistant coach at Princeton, Jackson is one of the country’s top 86 kg wrestlers. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/February/16/Mat-Chat-episode-91-with-Nate-Jackson?mc_cid=83f6447486&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Valley’s first All-American collegiate wrestlers came from Davis
While collegiate wrestling programs have been on the budget-cutting decline in recent years, the Valley’s rich prep history has produced 35 All-Americans at four- and two-year programs across the country. The pioneering wave of this elite group was a trio from Davis — Mike Carr (Class of 1965), Don Pleasant (’66) and Thurman Landers (’67) — that excelled at three different in-state colleges. Carr, also a standout lineman for the Pirates, became the Valley’s first All-American when, as a senior at Whitworth, he finished second in the heavyweight division at the 1969 NAIA national championships. The Yakima native, who was 20-1-1 with 15 pins that final collegiate season, went on to place seventh at the 1972 Olympic Trials.

Carr then enjoyed a successful teaching and coaching career, and after 25 seasons at Medical Lake High School — with a state title in 1992 — he was inducted into the wrestling coaches Hall of Fame in 2005. Pleasant is one of Davis’ most dominant wrestlers ever, having won the 141-pound state title in 1966 with a pin and shutouts of 15-0, 6-0 and 10-0. He and Landers were both state medalists in 1965. At Yakima Valley College, Pleasant was voted the MVP of the 1970 NWAC tournament with more dominance, ending with a fall at 1:32 in the 158 final to cap a 13-0 season. He was YVC’s second state champion following his coach, Wayne Purdom. … rest of story at https://www.yakimaherald.com/sports/prep_sports/cbbn/davis/valleys-first-all-american-collegiate-wrestlers-came-from-davis/article_7250edda-0f5e-51e6-bfc4-b7ab96b72a0f.html?mc_cid=ffcd6840e0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – Ned Blass to Receive 2021 Gallagher Award
Cowboy wrestling coach John Smith announced Tuesday that Ned Blass will be the recipient of the 2021 Gallagher Award. The award, given annually to an OSU alumnus who has exemplified the spirit and leadership eminent in the tradition of champions, will be presented during the Cowboys’ final home dual against Oklahoma on Feb. 21. “I’m really touched and honored by it,” Blass said. “My original reaction was way out there. It’s been a long time ago since I’ve been around, so I was surprised. It goes along with if you wait long enough in life everything comes around, but I’m 88 years old and I’ve been fortunate and received a lot of accolades and felt they had run out. This was one that was a major one.”

A member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Ponca City HS Hall of Fame, Tulsa Edison HS Hall of Fame and the Citizens Savings Athletic Hall of Fame, Blass spent 40 years in the sport, from the time he began wrestling to when he finished his coaching career in 1982. A two-sport standout at Ponca City High School, Blass had offers to play football from Oklahoma, OSU, Nebraska and more, but ultimately decided to leave them behind and pursue wrestling at Oklahoma State. In his four years at OSU, he went 28-3-1 and won back-to-back championships at 177 pounds in 1953 and 1954.
 
Soon after graduating from OSU, he became a player-coach at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, California, where he qualified to be an alternate for the 1956 U.S. Olympic team. It was during that time when he grew a love for coaching, that led him to spend the next 30 years of his life as a coach and send multiple wrestlers to big-time college programs, including Charlie White at Oklahoma and Cowboy legends J Robinson and Roy Brewer. … rest of story at https://okstate.com/news/2021/2/16/wrestling-ned-blass-to-receive-2021-gallagher-award.aspx?mc_cid=83f6447486&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – Harold Henson: First Black wrestler to compete at NCAAs
Before Mekhi Lewis, Mark Hall, J’den Cox, Phil Davis, Kerry McCoy, Joe Williams, T.J. Williams, Lee Kemp, Jimmy Jackson, Bobby Douglas, Joe James or Simon Roberts wrestled a single match, there was Harold Henson, who led the way for these men to become wrestling champs simply by stepping out onto the mat at the 1949 NCAA Wrestling Championships. The 136-pounder from San Diego State University didn’t win a national title that year … and, in fact, lost his opening-round match. However, as the first Black wrestler to compete at a national collegiate wrestling championship, Harold Henson made it possible for generations of wrestlers to step up to success in wrestling in high school, college and international competition.

First, a bit of a history lesson: The 1949 NCAAs were just two years after Jackie Robinson became the first Black to compete in Major League Baseball … but five years before the Supreme Court ruled that “separate but equal” segregated public schools were unconstitutional … and eight years before Simon Roberts of the University of Iowa became the first Black wrestler to win an individual national collegiate wrestling championship, claiming the 147-pound title at the 1957 NCAAs at the University of Pittsburgh. (Click HERE to read a profile on Simon Roberts.)

In fact, until the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma reported Harold Henson’s pioneering status in their press materials for Black History Month in February 2008, it was generally assumed that the first college matmen of color made their appearance in the mid 1950s … including Simon Roberts, Ellie Watkins for the Iowa State Cyclones, and Kent State’s Clarence McNair. … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24267?mc_cid=b6bf9ab19d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – Munich 1972 Olympic silver medallist dies from COVID-19 complications
Russian wrestler Gennady Strakhov, winner of an Olympic silver medal at Munich 1972 when he represented the Soviet Union, has died following complications caused by a COVID-19 infection. Strakhov, the runner-up in the men’s freestyle 90 kilograms category nearly 50 years ago, was confirmed dead at the age of 76, as reported by the Russian Wrestling Federation (FSBR).

“The Russian Wrestling Federation, athletes and coaches of national teams in women’s and men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling sincerely condole with the family and friends of Gennady – we deeply mourn with you,” said a FSBR statement. Strakhov won six rounds to the reach the final of the Olympic tournament at the Fairgrounds, Judo and Wrestling Hall in Munich. In the final he met the United States’ Ben Peterson. … rest of story at https://www.insidethegames.biz/index.php/articles/1104121/gennady-strakhov-wrestling-covid-19?mc_cid=5e3b2f2de3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – Former DeSales wrestler Mark Zimmer, Ohio’s first four-time state champion, dies from ALS at 59
The former DeSales High School wrestler who never lost a state tournament wrestling match finally succumbed to a fierce opponent. Mark Zimmer, Ohio’s first four-time high school state champion, died Tuesday after a three-year fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The Lewis Center resident was 59.

Zimmer made history in 1979 when as a 119-pound DeSales senior he collected his fourth consecutive title, a feat never previously accomplished in Ohio and one achieved only twice before by other wrestlers across the nation. Thirty wrestlers in Ohio have won four titles since Zimmer, who had only one close call in four trips to St. John Arena. As a sophomore he was almost pinned but escaped and rallied to win in the third period.
Zimmer, who went on to wrestle at Wisconsin and Oklahoma, told The Dispatch in 2019, “I was very lucky in life. Like Forrest Gump, I showed up at the right time and the right place.” Michael Zimmer was more effusive with praise of his older brother. “He was my hero,” Michael Zimmer said. “People didn’t mess with me, because Mark would knock the crap out of them. Mark was one of those guys you hear about — the quiet one in the corner you didn’t want to mess with.” But Zimmer also had a tender side, his brother said. 

“Mark sought out people who were not necessarily in the clique in high school. He would sit and listen to people, which was one of his greatest skills,” Michael Zimmer said. “He would tell me, ‘Everybody has a story they want to tell.’ There are always kids on the outside. But not to him.” … rest of story at https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/2021/02/16/wrestling-legend-mark-zimmer-dies-als-ohio-columbus-desales/6762371002/?mc_cid=83f6447486&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – PEACOCK ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY “MY PURSUIT: LIFE, LEGACY & JORDAN BURROUGHS” TO PREMIER APRIL 1st
NEW ORK, NY—March 29, 2021— Peacock Original documentary, My Pursuit: Life, Legacy & Jordan Burroughs tells the story of American freestyle wrestler Jordan Burroughs as he attempts to make his third Olympic team. Fans will be able to stream the documentary for free on Peacock April 1 as part of NBCUniversal’s Countdown to Tokyo programming on Peacock.

“As one of the most storied Olympic sports, wrestling has always held a prominent place in the Olympic Games, uniting fans from around the world,” said Rick Cordella, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer, Peacock. “Jordan Burrough’s is one of USA Wrestling’s brightest talents, and his iconic story is an exciting addition to Peacock for fans who are eager to watch the Tokyo Olympics this summer.”

Jordan Burroughs has lived the ups and downs of the Olympic experience, returning home a hero after winning gold in London and then dealing with deep personal disappointment following a loss in Rio four years later, setting the stage for attempt to make the team for Tokyo.
My Pursuit: Life, Legacy & Jordan Burroughs will examine these competitive moments, introduce viewers to the people who have made Burroughs the man he is today, and include interviews with the wrestler ahead of one of the most challenging Olympic Trials of his career. For a preview of the documentary, click Jordan Burroughs Peacock Trailer …. rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/29/Burroughs-documentary-on-Peacock?mc_cid=a2abe03ca2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPECIAL SECTION
Each day during the month of February, USA Wrestling will highlight a black wrestler, who has had or is having a significant impact on the sport. Fans can see the daily posts on Twitter (@USAWrestling) or on Facebook (facebook.com/usawrestling). USA Wrestling will update this article daily of each athlete featured.

Feb. 28 – Melvin Douglas
Melvin Douglas was a dominant freestyler for the USA, making six World teams (1989, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98) and two Olympic squads (1996, 2000). In his 1996 Olympic appearance, he took seventh in the World. More notably, Douglas was a 1993 World champion and collected three other World medals, including a silver in 1989 and bronzes in 1994 and 1995. Douglas also scored a gold medal at the 1995 Pan American Games as well as a silver at the 1998 Goodwill Games. Domestically, Douglas won seven national freestyle titles and earned a spot on 11 National Teams.
Feb. 27 – John Matthews
John Matthews was a two-time Olympian for the USA in Greco-Roman. He competed at the 1976 Olympics at 74 kg but was unable to wrestle at the 1980 Olympics when the U.S. boycotted the Moscow Games. In between his two Olympic bids, Matthews represented the United States at the 1978 World Championships, where he took fourth, and he also won the 1979 Pan American Games. He also claimed a bronze medal at the 1980 World Cup. Domestically, he was impressive, winning eight national Greco titles. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/February/01/Black-History-Month-Special-Section?mc_cid=3d847489c9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – Renowned sports writer Joe Posnanski reflects on telling the story of Rulon Gardner’s epic win over Russian legend Alexander Karelin
Renowned sports writer Joe Posnanski reflects on telling the story of Rulon Gardner’s epic win over Russian legend Alexander Karelin
Multi-time national sports writer of the year Joe Posnanski looks back on his favorite day in sports writing: The day when Rulon Gardner stunned Russian legend Alexander Karelin at the 2000 Olympics. … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1612155764829&twSessionId=onwpzuzaav&videoId=1020315135&mc_cid=8755157a86&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

11 } – John Smith, Pat Smith Etched In Stone Podcast Surpasses 26,000 Downloads
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and USA Wrestling’s “Etched In Stone – Stories of Wrestling Legends” podcast featuring Distinguished Members and brothers John Smith and Pat Smith and the Smith family has had over 26,000 downloads since it launched on Monday!  LISTEN to all seven original episodes and bonus content at etchedinstonepodcast.com and through Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher. In addition to extensive interviews with John and Pat, the podcast includes brothers Lee Roy and Mark, their mother, Madeline; sisters, Cathy Perry and Rita White; in-laws Mark Perry Sr., Lisa Smith and Chuck White; Distinguished Members Kendall Cross, Dan Gable, Randy Lewis; Bruce Burnett, who will be inducted as a Distinguished Member in 2021; and coaches, competitors and teammates.  Seven-episode series is hosted and produced by Ryan N Warner, a former wrestler who produces the very successful Wrestling Changed My Life podcast.
The brainchild of 1976 NCAA wrestling champion Pat Christenson, the EIS audio series features legendary wrestlers discussing the trials and tribulations they encountered on the way to becoming one of wrestling’s best. … rest of story at  www.NWHOF.org

And MAT CHAT EPISODE 93 FEATURING KENDALL CROSS IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR STREAMING AND DOWNLOAD
Episode 93 of Mat Chat with David Mirikitani is now available for streaming and download on most major podcast platforms. This is the fifth episode released since Mat Chat moved to USA Wrestling. In this episode, David interviews Kendall Cross, a 1996 Olympic champion and 1989 NCAA champion for Oklahoma State. Cross currently serves as the head coach of the NYCRTC. …. rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/02/Mat-Chat-Episode-93-featuring-Kendall-Cross-is-now-available-for-streaming-and-download?mc_cid=bd28fec561&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

12 } – Kyven Gadson: What I Learned from Willie Gadson
Kyven Gadson was a three-time All-American for Iowa State and a 2015 NCAA champion. He will compete at the upcoming freestyle Olympic Trials at 97 kilograms. His father, Willie, was a two-time All-American for Iowa State who coached his son in high school at Waterloo East. He died on March 10, 2013, at the age of 59 after a lengthy battle with cancer. 

The following are Kyven’s words on what he learned from his father. 
GOING OLD SCHOOL

“I learned how to be better. My dad was someone that loved to coach hard and he wanted me to be better than him. I spent a great amount of my time listening to him to try to be better. “I learned how to push through adversity, struggles, and disappointments. I learned how to overcome. I’ve learned how to love from him. There’s so much — not just one thing. I learned how to be disciplined, how to encourage people, how to be positive in tough situations.

“I really started to listen to my dad after the state finals my sophomore year. He knew what he was talking about but he had an old-school way of saying it so it didn’t always resonate with me. When I did start listening to my dad it made a huge difference in my growth and development. He would always say stuff and it didn’t always click right then and there. “Now, as an adult, it makes more sense.” … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1616729463548&twSessionId=bmmfhzvycj&postId=1141094135&mc_cid=e6e4e842ef&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

June 3, 2021 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized