Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

Carolinas’ Colleges’ News (2021) – # 7

TDR Editor’s Notes ; Review of some of the news from and about college wrestling teams in North and South Carolina. We welcome input. Keep on Wrestling.
Contact us at Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Blog # 2956 8/9/21
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1 } – N.C. State WolfPackWrestle Recruiting Class Once Again Ranked in Top-Five
Wolfpack Wrestling welcomes 10 newcomers for 2021-22 season
RALEIGH, N.C. – After claiming its third straight ACC Championship this past March, Wolfpack Wrestling has once again reloaded with a top-five recruiting class that will be freshmen this fall.
InterMat ranked the Wolfpack’s 10-person 2021 class #4 nationally, while MatScouts has the class at #5. FloWrestling also ranked the haul #4 nationally.
The Pack’s incoming class is the fourth in the last six years to be ranked as a top-10 recruiting class nationally, including a second straight top-10 class. NC State has put together four straight top-20 classes. The 2016 recruiting class (Super Seniors in 2022) was the #1 class nationally, followed by the 2018 class being ranked #3 overall. The Wolfpack put together another top-10 class that were freshmen in 2020-21, as the Pack’s class of 2020 was ranked #8. According to FloWrestling’s latest 2021 Big Board, NC State leads the nation as the only school with four top-50 overall recruits: … rest of story at https://gopack.com/news/2021/5/17/wrestling-packwrestle-recruiting-class-once-again-ranked-in-top-five.aspx?mc_cid=a53f0e5e67&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } -Sentes named Rookie Coach of the Year by AWN
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – After a record setting first year at the helm, Campbell’s Scotti Sentes has been named Rookie Head Coach of the Year by Amateur Wrestling News. Sentes, who took over as head coach of the CU program in March 2020 after spending four seasons in Buies Creek, including 2019-20 as associate head coach, led the Camels to their third straight Southern Conference regular season and tournament championships in 2021, with eight CU wrestlers earning SoCon finals appearances. Ranked as high as No. 22 in the NCWA team poll and No. 19 by InterMat, Campbell finished the regular season at 8-1 overall, with a perfect 7-0 SoCon mark, going unbeaten in conference duals for the second straight season. Individually, four Camels were named All-SoCon, including Benjamin Barton at 157 pounds, Murphy at 174, Caleb Hopkins at 184 and Chris Kober at 197, while four more earned All-Freshman Team honors. The 2021 SoCon Coach of the Year took a school record seven Camels to the NCAA Championships … rest of story at https://gocamels.com/news/2021/5/4/wrestling-sentes-named-rookie-coach-of-the-year-by-awn.aspx?mc_cid=f2268a753e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – “I want to be the first to win it all for App State”
All-American wrestler Jonathan Millner unsatisfied with national recognition
App State junior wrestler Jonathan Millner slams Chattanooga’s Tanner Smith in the 2020 Southern Conference title match. Millner is the reigning back-to-back SoCon champ at 149 pounds, and is a combined 20-0 in conference duals the past two seasons. This year, he also became the fourth All-American under App State head coach JohnMark Bentley’s leadership.
When App State junior wrestler Jonathan Millner walked off the mat at this year’s NCAA championship after earning prestigious All-American honors, he said the emotion that first overcame him was disappointment.  Wait, so directly after reaching one of the most elite tiers in college sports for only the ninth time in App State history and the first time since 2017, Millner felt disappointed?  “I felt like I didn’t wrestle my best the whole tournament,” Millner said. 
Millner, the No. 7 seed in the 149-pound bracket, won his first two matches to reach the quarterfinals before falling 5-2 to eventual national champion Austin O’Connor of North Carolina. Millner followed that up with a 10-7 decision over Duke’s Josh Finesilver to secure top-eight and All-American status. He then dropped two more placement matches to finish eighth on the national podium.  “I expect to win everything,” said Millner, a Greensboro native. “My goal going in there was to win a national title, which for some people may be far-fetched, but for me, that’s one thing I put down. I want to win it all. I want to be the first to win it all for App State.” Almost three weeks before, Millner won his second straight individual Southern Conference title, automatically qualifying for the NCAA tournament. Over the past two seasons, Millner, who didn’t start wrestling til his freshman year of high school, is a combined 20-0 in SoCon duals and tournament matches.  “He expected to win the conference tournament, we all expected him to win it. It wasn’t really anything that surprised any of us,” App State head wrestling coach JohnMark Bentley said. “He’s just got bigger goals and bigger aspirations.” … rest of story at https://theappalachianonline.com/i-want-to-be-the-first-to-win-it-all-for-app-state-all-american-wrestler-jonathan-millner-unsatisfied-with-national-recognition/?mc_cid=391a23a860&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – UNC WRESTLING ADDS KIZHAN CLARKE FOR 2021-22 SEASON
CHAPEL HILL – Kizhan Clarke, a 2020 NCAA qualifier at 149 pounds for American University, where he ranks 17th in program history in wins, is transferring to wrestle next season at the University of North Carolina. “Adding a guy like Kizhan is huge,” said Head Coach Coleman Scott. “He has a wealth of knowledge and experience. He will jump right into a spot where we won’t miss a beat. We look forward to growing together and winning titles.” Boasting a career record of 79-33, Clarke was named a NWCA All-America Honorable Mention after he posted a 36-7 overall record in 2019-20. His 36 wins rank third all-time at AU for wins in a single season. “Carolina is a chance for me to change the future for me and my family. This University gives me the opportunity to strive for my Olympic dreams and achieve lifelong career aspirations,” Clarke said. … rest of story at https://goheels.com/news/2021/7/7/unc-wrestling-adds-kizhan-clarke-for-2021-22-season.aspx?mc_cid=9d57322631&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – UNC WRESTLING ANNOUNCES OPPONENTS FOR 2021-22 SEASON
CHAPEL HILL – The University of North Carolina’s wrestling program has announced its opponents for the 2021-22 season. Coming off of its highest finish at the NCAA Championship since 1995 where the Tar Heels placed 16th, Carolina will host five matches and compete away from Carmichael Arena eight times.
Home Opponents
Campbell
Presbyterian
Duke
Arkansas Little-Rock
Pittsburgh

Away Opponents
Nebraska
Wisconsin (Prudential Center)
Rutgers (Prudential Center)
Ohio State
Appalachian State
Virginia
Virginia Tech
NC State
Exact dates and times will be announced at a later date. … rest of story at https://goheels.com/news/2021/7/20/wrestling-announces-opponents-for-2021-22-season.aspx?mc_cid=42d5eec6a4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – School Record Seven Named NWCA Scholar All-Americans
Seven named was the fifth-best nationally, tops in the ACC
RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State Wrestling team had a school record seven named a NWCA D1 Scholar All-American for the 2020-21 season. That mark was fourth nationally, and once again tops in the ACC. Over the past two seasons, 13 have earned the honor for the Pack.  
The Pack had a pair named an Academic All-American for the fourth time in their careers. 2020 ACC Champions Daniel Bullard (Economics) and Hayden Hidlay (Non-Profit Management) both received the honor for the fourth straight year.
Both will return as Super Seniors and be enrolled in grad school courses for 2021-22. A trio of redshirt sophomores were all named for the second straight season as well: Jakob Camacho (Business Administration), Jarrett Trombley (Biological Sciences) and Trent Hidlay (Business Administration). … rest of story at https://gopack.com/news/2021/5/21/wrestling-school-record-seven-named-nwca-scholar-all-americans.aspx

7 } – Derek Brunson Earns Black Belt, Says He Will Compete In Gi & No-Gi In The Future
“My Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey started in 2009. Twelve years later, 2021 I have received my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt from Master @renzograciebjj . In the years to come, I will be competing Gi & No Gi . My competing focus now is mma. The journey continues. GRACIE JIU JITSU!!! @renzogracieacademy
Martial Arts 
NCAA Wrestling All American
20 UFC Fights
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt
UFC Champion”
Brunson, who also earned his brown belt from Gracie in September 2019, began training BJJ in 2009. He also has an impressive wrestling background, being a three-time Division II All-American wrestler during his time at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. … rest of story at https://www.jiujitsutimes.com/derek-brunson-earns-black-belt-says-he-will-compete-in-gi-no-gi-in-the-future/?mc_cid=82e9baddf8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – MatBoss Q&A: Glen Lanham, Duke head wrestling coach
Duke’s wrestling program has seen considerable success under the guidance of head coach Glen Lanham. The Blue Devils had consecutive top-25 finishes (2018-2019) and put together a streak of six consecutive years with an All-American (2015-2020). MatBoss recently caught up with Lanham to discuss this past season, Finesilver family, Jacob Kasper, expectations for this coming season and more.
As a coach, what has been the biggest challenge for you during the COVID year? Was it training? Recruiting? Lanham: I would say a combination of both. The recruiting obviously. You are not able to get in the gyms and scout guys and see what they are doing. Most of our recruits from last year didn’t have a state tournament, and then they come right in and then they’re thrust right into wrestling because the NCAA allowed them to wrestle without losing a year of eligibility. So it was a combination of that. Trying to deal with the whole mental side of kids, seniors, and freshmen coming in, and they were promised a lot more, and they got a lot less for sure. So just dealing with all that. So it was just across the board, just a lot of fires to put out, a lot of different things you’re dealing with.
You had five wrestlers compete at the U23 Nationals. How important are the international styles of wrestling to your program?
Lanham: I think it’s important from a development standpoint. You want to make sure that your guys are out there getting competition during the offseason and they are growing and competing. You can’t teach competition in a room, in a weight room or in a wrestling room. The only way you are going to get that — hone new skills — is to go out and wrestle. … rest of story at https://blog.matboss.com/matboss-qa-glen-lanham-duke-head-wrestling-coach?mc_cid=9d57322631&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – Name, Image, and Likeness is Happening Thursday; Tony Ramos Joins
I’m a marketing guy and we like to cover marketing & business on this podcast, so today, UNC Associate Head Coach Tony Ramos joined the podcast again for a further discussion on the Name, Image, and Likeness rules and all the questions that remain, and some of the answers we’ve gotten. We also take a look behind the working of sponsorship & endorsement deals. … rest of story at https://www.baschamania.com/podcast/name-image-and-likeness-is-happening-thursday-tony-ramos-joins?mc_cid=7334e288ab&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And Fargo Fives: Davidson assistant coach Joey Dance
Davidson assistant coach Joey Dance had success as an athlete in Fargo, winning titles at both the 16U and Junior age groups in freestyle. Now he’s back in town looking to bring in wrestlers to the academic powerhouse. Dance talks about his passion for coaching and where it came from and what they’re building at Davidson under coach Andy Lausier.   Links to Follow
Daily Wrestling Newsletter: https://www.mattalkonline.com/news
Contribute: https://www.mattalkonline.com/contribute
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattalkonline
Rokfin: https://www.rokfin.com/creator/mattalkonline … rest of story at https://www.mattalkonline.com/podcast/short-time/fargo2021/fargo-fives-davidson-assistant-coach-joey-dance/?mc_cid=fd10261731&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – Heil’s “hit list” wins over ranked opponents
Josh Heil has consistently notched wins over nationally ranked competitors in both the 141 lbs and 149 lbs weight classes. This article breaks down and dissects Josh Heil’s impressive “hit list” wins over nationally ranked opponents by weight class.
141 lbs.
Heil wrestled at 141 pounds in both his true freshman and redshirt junior seasons. Despite not earning any ranked wins in his true freshman campaign, he was able to secure a SoCon title and qualify for the NCAA Championships.
After a redshirt season up a weight at 149, Josh dropped back down to 141 as a redshirt junior where he picked up five wins over nationally ranked opponents. He also became a Midlands finalist, won the Southeast Open, Navy Classic, and his third SoCon title, and qualified for the NCAA Championships where the NWCA awarded him with All-American accolades (NCAA’s canceled due to pandemic). … rest of story at https://gocamels.com/news/2021/5/13/wrestling-heils-hit-list-wins-over-ranked-opponents.aspx?mc_cid=c4978adc2e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

11 } – Popolizio’s Team #Culture Leads to Expanding Coaching Tree
Ten former Wolfpack wrestlers under Popolizio have coached at D1 schools
RALEIGH, N.C. – With the NC State wrestling team, #Culture is not just a new hashtag to promote the Pack on social media. #Culture is what the coaches, staff and student-athletes believe you need to build a winning program.
It is that NC State Wrestling #Culture that has led so many into the coaching profession after being involved with head coach Pat Popolizio over the recent years.
“It is always important as a head coach to provide our staff with the proper tools they need to be successful both in our program and in the profession overall,” said Popolizio. “Many people have helped us build our #Culture, and have helped us elevate our program. “We take a lot of pride in the amount of our former wrestlers leaving NC State with their degree. As their former head coach, it is great to see so many still in love with the sport to make it a full-time commitment, especially staying at the D1 level.”
The results speak for themselves on the mat: school record seven straight top-20 finishes at NCAA Championships, school record six straight top-10 finishes in NWCA Coaches Poll, reigning three-time ACC Champions (2021, 2020, 2019), school record seven NWCA Scholar All-Americans, top-10 recruiting class four of the last six years, among the many accolades. But it is the team #Culture that is shaping both coaches and student-athletes to move into coaching roles and continue into the sport.
Eight former assistant coaches are currently at other schools, including four as head coaches. Nine former student-athletes under Popolizio have gone onto NCAA coaching jobs, including six that are currently at the D1 level.
… rest of story at https://gopack.com/news/2021/7/7/wrestling-popolizios-team-culture-leads-to-expanding-coaching-tree.aspx?mc_cid=e094d4aecd&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

12 } – @PackWrestle Announces 2021 Signing Class
RALEIGH, N.C. – Coming off three straight ACC Championships, the NC State wrestling team will add yet another highly regarded recruiting class to add into the mix for the 2021-22 collegiate season.
The Pack’s incoming class is the fourth in the last six years be be ranked as a top-10 recruiting class nationally, including a second straight top-10 class. NC State has put together four straight top-20 classes.
The 2016 recruiting class (Super Seniors in 2022) was the #1 class nationally, followed by the 2018 class being ranked #3 overall. The Wolfpack put together another top-10 class that were freshmen in 2020-21, as the Pack’s class of 2020 was ranked #8.
COMPLETE BIOS ON THE WOLFPACK’S SIGNEES (listed by tentative future weight class):
Stevo Poulin, 125 pounds
Shenendehowa, N.Y. • Shenendehowa HS

August 9, 2021 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment