Takedown Report

NCAA Division I News (2021) – # 25 {East Coast}

TDR Editor’s Notes ; The following are articles and reports from schools mostly in New York and New Jersey yet also other ones in the Northeast. A new head coach at Cornell, new assistants at American and Brown are included. Keep on wrestling and encouragin others to follow our sport. E-mail us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Blog # 2659 (8/12/21)
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1 } – Mike Grey Tabbed To Lead Cornell University Wrestling Program
ITHACA, N.Y. – Former Big Red All-American Mike Grey ’11 has been named the David R. Dunlop ’59 Head Coach of Wrestling it was announced today by Andy Noel, the Meakem*Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education at Cornell. Change comes to the Big Red wrestling program following the departure of long-time head coach Rob Koll to Stanford.
Grey has served the Cornell wrestling program as an assistant coach for the past 11 years, starting as a volunteer assistant in 2011 before earning a full-time assistant coaching position in 2013. In 2019, Grey was promoted to associate head coach and has long been considered one of the nation’s top head coaching targets.
“Mike has been an instrumental part of the Big Red’s success since his time as an undergraduate, and more than a decade of Cornell wrestlers have grown into All-Americans and national champions under his tutelage,” Noel said. “The program is in great hands and will remain in position to build on its successes on and off the mat. I’m excited that Mike has the full endorsement of Coach Koll and Big Red legend Kyle Dake ’13, who will continue to commit time to the program as he trains for the upcoming Olympics, as well as the alumni and current student-athletes.” … rest of story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/Mike-Grey-Tabbed-To-Lead-Cornell-30-5-2021

And Cornell Tabs Mike Grey As Rob Koll’s Replacement
Cornell didn’t look long or far to find Rob Koll’s successor, replacing their longtime leader with his top understudy Cornell didn’t look long or far to find Rob Koll’s replacement. The Big Red acted quickly and stayed in-house, replacing their longtime leader with his top understudy.  Associate head coach Mike Grey has been promoted to take over in Ithaca. He replaces Koll, who spent 28 seasons guiding the Big Red before leaving to take the head coaching position at Stanford.  Grey, a two-time All-American for the Big Red, has been part of the Cornell staff since 2011 and was elevated to the program’s associate head coach position in 2019. He spoke that year during an interview with FloWrestling about his desire to one day become a head coach.  … rest of story at https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/7068235-cornell-tabs-mike-grey-as-rob-kolls-replacement?mc_cid=22b0f00134&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – ‘Dream come true:’ New Jersey wrestling legend Mike Grey takes over as Cornell coach
Mike Grey has been named the Cornell University wrestling coach.
An assistant for the past 11 years, Grey was elevated after long-time head coach Rob Koll left for Stanford. 
With a 317-101-5 record in 28 years, Koll is not only Cornell’s all-time wins leader, but also made Ivy League history (125-9-1). Cornell athletic director Andy Noel credited Koll with advancing “Cornell wrestling from a regional contender to a national power.”
Grey helped mold the careers of Cornell lightweights like Yianni Diakomihalis, Vito Arujau and Nahshon Garrett. With Grey on staff, Cornell has gone 111-27 in dual meets, including 44-1 in Ivy League matches. He has helped the program to eight Ivy League titles, six EIWA titles and eight NCAA top 10 team finishes. Big Red athletes have won nine NCAA titles, 31 All-America honors, 31 EIWA titles and 41 first-team All-Ivy honors over that span. … rest of story at https://www.dailyrecord.com/story/sports/college/2021/05/30/nj-wrestling-delbarton-grad-mike-grey-takes-over-cornell-coach/5272191001/?mc_cid=22b0f00134&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And FRANK PERRELLI NAMED HEAD COACH OF SPARTAN COMBAT RTC
Frank Perrelli, a long-time nationally ranked Senior freestyle wrestler and an alumnus of Cornell, will return to Ithaca to serve as head coach of the Spartan Combat RTC, which is located there. Perrelli was welcomed back today through Spartan Combat RTC’s social platforms. They posted “Frank Perrelli is our new head coach,” then posted “Welcome back Frank.” Perrelli issued this statement on his social media. “I missed the atmosphere at Cornell. Ithaca is a very unique place. It will be fun to feel that same energy I felt in college, but with a different perspective. Instead of working on my own wrestling and being a leader of the team, I can’t wait to help other guys improve and lead from the sidelines.” Perrelli, a New Jersey native, was an All-American for the Big Red, placing fourth his senior year. He has placed as high as second at the U.S. Senior Nationals in freestyle … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/July/02/Frank-Perrelli-named-head-coach-of-Spartan-Combat-RTC?mc_cid=cbfa48fa54&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – NICK GWIAZDOWSKI JOINS SPARTAN COMBAT RTC AND WILL TRAIN AT CORNELL
Spartan Combat RTC announced today that two-time World bronze medalist Nick Gwiazdowski had signed to move to Ithaca, N.Y. and the Cornell campus to continue his training at the international level. Gwiazdowski, a member of the Titan Mercury WC, won two NCAA titles for NC State, then remained in Raleigh, N.C. to train with the Wolfpack RTC. Gwiazdowski made three straight U.S. Senior World Teams at 125 kg, and placed second at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in April. He returns to his home state of New York, where he was a two-time New York state champion for Duanesburg High School (in the Albany area), and was a NCAA All-American as a freshman at Binghamton University, which is not far from Ithaca. Gwiazdowski gave a detailed explanation of his decision to change training location on his Rokfin channel. He thanked the Wolfpack RTC and those affiliated with him during his time in Raleigh for all they did for him during his time there. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/June/25/Gwizz-to-Spartan-Combat-RTC?mc_cid=95cb484a12&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And Wrestling Adds Vinson, Russell To Coaching Staff
ITHACA, N.Y. — The Cornell wrestling program has solidified its coaching staff under new head coach Mike Grey ’11 with the addition of former Big Red assistant Donnie Vinson as associate head coach and two-time NCAA champion Kellen Russell as an assistant.
Vinson most recently was on the staff at NC State from 2017-21 under his college coach at Binghamton, Pat Popolizio. The Wolfpack had a pair of top six NCAA team finishes, won four ACC team titles, had nine All-Americans, three individual NCAA finalists and crowned Michael Macchiavello national champion at 197 pounds in 2018. In four years, NC State posted a 52-6 dual meet record (18-2 in the ACC). Vinson also served as a coach with the Wolfpack Wrestling Club and was involved with the Wolfpack RTC. During his four seasons, NC State took fourth at the 2017 NCAA Championships
In his first stint on the Big Red coaching staff from 2014-17, Vinson was part of a staff that included three Division I head coaches (Grey, Rob Koll at Stanford and Damion Hahn of South Dakota State). During that three-year run, Vinson helped tutor three NCAA champions and two runners-up and 11 total All-Americans. Cornell qualified a school-record nine wrestlers for NCAA’s in his first two years and won New York State, Ivy League and EIWA titles each year Vinson was on the sidelines. … rest of story at https://cornellbigred.com/news/2021/7/6/wrestling-adds-vinson-russell-to-coaching-staff.aspx?mc_cid=9b69983a38&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – Dellavecchia Makes History for Rider While Overcoming Silent Battle
It’s no secret that collegiate and elite-level wrestling demands a tremendous amount of discipline, dedication, and unmatched work ethic from its athletes. The everyday challenges of scholastic pressure coupled with high-caliber losses, injuries, cutting copious amounts of weight, and intrinsic adversities is an all too familiar scenario for Jesse Dellavecchia, a redshirt senior who wrestles for Rider University.
Dellavecchia, originally from Great River, New York (located on Long Island), became Rider’s first-ever MAC Champion in 2020 and 2021 at 157lbs, while also becoming Rider’s first NCAA finalist in 2021 at 157lbs; dropping a 4-0 decision to Iowa State’s David Carr. He also became Rider’s 18th NCAA All-American. Before Dellavecchia made the NCAA finals, only five Rider wrestlers had reached the third-place bout: Lou DiSerafino (1980), John Lucerne (1985), Adam Derengowski (1991), Rider’s current head coach John Hangey (1993), and Doug Umbehauer (2009). To top off his career, Dellavecchia became Rider’s first-ever MAC Wrestler of the Year.
From a spectator’s perspective, Jesse Dellavecchia looks like every other insanely talented wrestler, right? Making it to the finals in tremendous fashion by pinning undefeated, #1 ranked Ryan Deakin. Well, you’re wrong.
Unbeknownst to most, Jesse has fought a battle with mental health for a majority of his collegiate wrestling career; internal and external pressures completely consuming him. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five adults suffer from at least one mental health disorder in their lifetime. Athletes for Hope – an association that aims to educate, encourage, and assist athletes – found that 35% of athletes suffer from a mental health illness during their career. Prior to Rider University, Dellavecchia wrestled for Binghamton University where he posted a 15-9 record as a freshman.  … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24634?mc_cid=4557ffe1b6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And Ward Hires Dellavecchia to Complete 2021-22 Wrestling Staff
WEST POINT, N.Y. – In preparation for his eighth season at the helm of the Army wrestling team, head coach Kevin Ward announced that Jesse Dellavecchia will join his staff for the 2021-22 slate on Wednesday afternoon. Dellavecchia, a 2021 NCAA All-American at Rider University, will serve as a volunteer assistant coach.  
“Adding Jesse to our staff is a huge boost to our program and fits into our vision of the type of people we want helping guide our athletes towards their goals,” Ward said. “As an athlete, Jesse showed incredible self-belief and determination in becoming a two-time all American and NCAA finalist during his competitive career. He is one of the most promising young coaches in the country, and his experiences overcoming the odds in competing at the highest levels of NCAA wrestling will be a huge benefit to our program.” … rest of story at https://goarmywestpoint.com/news/2021/6/11/ward-hires-dellavecchia-to-complete-2021-22-wrestling-staff.aspx?mc_cid=84503a987c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – Binghamton Adds 2020 DIII Freshman of the Year Ryan Anderson
Binghamton got a big transfer announcement today as Ryan Anderson of DIII’s Centenary University in Hackettstown, New Jersey gave Kyle Borshoff’s team a verbal commitment. Anderson was named the Freshman of the Year by D3Wrestle.com in 2020 after he went 30-3 and won a championship at the Mideast Regional while competing at 149 lbs. The 2020 DIII National Tournament was wiped out by Covid, so Anderson was unable to finish his promising freshman campaign. His initial season with Centenary saw him rack up 15 falls, which was the fourth-highest mark in school history. Anderson did not lose to a DIII opponent and did not suffer a loss after a setback at the East Stroudsburg Open in early November.
Anderson spent time as a senior at Bethlehem Catholic (PA) ranked number one in the nation after winning the 2018 Walsh Ironman. The opponent that Anderson defeated in the finals was Jaden Abas, who went on to AA at the 2021 NCAA Championships.  … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24678?mc_cid=3ae16b2048&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – EIWA Conference Report with Austin Sommer (6/19/21)
Welcome to a new, regular feature for InterMat’s collegiate coverage. Each of our conference correspondent’s will release videos talking about some of the current events in their respective conference. Our EIWA correspondent Austin Sommer sits down to discussion recent transfers within the conference, coaching changes at American and Cornell, along with some open coaching positions. And we have our first EIWA schedule of the year! … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24694?mc_cid=df40ca5986&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And EIWA Report with Austin Sommer (7/9/2021)
Our EIWA correspondent Austin Sommer stops by to talk about some of the big coaching changes in the conference, along with new vacancies. Plus the cooking and field goal kicking abilities of some of the EIWA coaches. … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24756?mc_cid=4c85391443&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And Five Schools I’d Love to See Add Wrestling in the EIWA
If you follow college wrestling, you would know there was a huge success story in the past two months. Stanford wrestling made its incredible return. It was cut during COVID, along with ten other sports. Amazingly, all sports were reinstated a year later. In addition to this, there has been a recent influx of wrestling programs starting from scratch (mainly at the D2, D3, and NAIA levels). Some of these programs have been added both men’s and women’s wrestling. It is insane how fast the sport is evolving, while spreading into different areas – especially the southern part of the country. This area is not known for its wrestling, but the landscape may be starting to change. This had me thinking about which schools would be great additions to the EIWA Conference. I made my decisions based on the school’s geographical location, academic requirements, and size of the school. Plus, the school should not belong to another conference that already has wrestling. This is why a school like Syracuse is not on my list. It used to be an EIWA member, but if the school were to reinstate the program, it would be included in the ACC conference. … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24769?mc_cid=f4f15d3e7b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – SIX TO JOIN PRINCETON WRESTLING PROGRAM FROM THE CLASS OF 2025
With an eye toward returning to competition this winter, the Princeton wrestling program has added six from the Class of 2025, a group that will join the nine wrestlers the program introduced a year ago from the initial Class of 2024 in preparing for their first collegiate action.
Here’s a look at the Class of 2025:
Chloe Ayres
Princeton, N.J. • Princeton HS • 125
Ayres, who was ranked fourth in the nation at 117 as of June 2021 by FloWrestling, finished her high school career with a 20-0 record against girls and 31-17 against boys. Ayres was a three-time state champion, a Super 32 champion, and a Fargo All-American during her career. Ayres is the daughter of Princeton head coach Chris Ayres. … rest of story at https://goprincetontigers.com/news/2021/7/9/six-to-join-princeton-wrestling-program-from-the-class-of-2025.aspx?mc_cid=4c85391443&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – Phipps Named Wrestling Graduate Assistant Coach
The Seton Hill wrestling program would like to welcome Irwin native, Drew Phipps as their newest addition to the coaching staff. Along with coaching, Phipps will be fulfilling their graduate assistant role and obtaining a twoy ear MBA degree through Seton Hill University.
Prior to Seton Hill, Phipps, a 2020 Bucknell graduate, served as an assistant coach at his alma mater during to the 2020-2021 season. Although the season was condensed due to Covid-19, he successfully helped coach and produce Bucknell’s first All-American in over 10 years.
Before his coaching journey began, Phipps wrestled for Bucknell an accumulated 99 career wins. He was a two time NCAA qualifier, three time conference place winner, one time conference finalist, and was the 19^th seed at 197lbs heading into the NCAA tournament before it was cancelled due to Covid-19 complications. Additionally, Phipps was a four year team captain, a member of three NWCA All-Academic teams, earned three EIWA Academic Achievement awards, and is slated as the 11^th most winningest wrestler in Bucknell history. … rest of story at https://athletics.setonhill.edu/news/2021/7/9/phipps-named-wrestling-graduate-assistant-coach.aspx?mc_cid=4c85391443&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – Interview with American Head Coach Jason Borrelli
Earlier this week, InterMat visited the campus of American University and spoke with its new head coach Jason Borrelli. Coach Borrelli talks about the adversity that he, his team, and staff faced at Stanford during the last year. Now at American, Borrelli talks about what was attractive about his new position and how the future is bright in the EIWA. We close by talking about milkshakes and his video game marathon while in college at Central Michigan.
… rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24772?mc_cid=fb87a783fb&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And The Pulse With Andy Hamilton: Borrelli’s Ready To Build
… full story at https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/7117512-the-pulse-with-andy-hamilton-borrellis-ready-to-build?mc_cid=fd10261731&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And Alex Tirapelle Named Associate Head Coach of American University Wrestling
WASHINGTON –Alex Tirapelle has made the move from Stanford to American with head wrestling coach Jason Borrelli, and joins Borrelli’s staff as associate head coach for the program. Tirapelle has past experience in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) as a three-year head coach at Penn from 2014-17. “AU Wrestling has added one of the best coaches in the sport to our staff,” said Borrelli. “I am so thrilled to welcome Alex, Amy and their three young children to the AU Wrestling family. Alex leads with integrity, … rest of story at https://aueagles.com/news/2021/7/13/alex-tirapelle-named-associate-head-coach-of-american-university-wrestling.aspx?mc_cid=48744dd3ab&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – Chance Marsteller to Train at Navy – Marine Corps RTC
The Navy-Marine Corps Regional Training Center announced their latest addition on Tuesday as two-time Lock Haven All-American, Chance Marsteller, will join the team. The move reunites Marsteller with Navy head coach Cary Kolat, who coached Marsteller at the club level while in high school.
Marsteller and Kolat are perhaps the two best high schooler’s ever to come out of Pennsylvania. Both were undefeated four-time state champions. Chance was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the state tournament on three occasions.
Following high school, Marsteller enrolled at Oklahoma State University and redshirted immediately. During the 2015-16 season, Marsteller competed at 157 lbs for the Cowboys, sputtered to a 6-5 record, and had difficulty maintaining the weight. He would later transfer to Lock Haven.
Back home in Pennsylvania, Marsteller experienced a renaissance and qualified for the NCAA Championships both years competing for the Bald Eagles. … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24730?mc_cid=7334e288ab&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

11 } – Meet Lehigh’s Newest Dual-Sport Wrestler: Gaige Garcia
We rarely see a collegiate wrestler compete in other sports, yet Gaige Garcia continues to “wow” people with his success on and off the wrestling mat. Earlier this month, Garcia announced his transfer from Michigan to Lehigh via his Instagram. To get his full story, I reached out to learn more about Lehigh’s newest dual-sport athlete. There is no doubt that Gaige Garcia has elite athletic talent. At Southern Columbia High School, he excelled at football, wrestling, and track & field. Although he spent a lot of his training time off the mat, Garcia argues that focusing on other sports helped him become a better wrestler. … rest of story at https://www.fancowrestling.com/meet-lehighs-newest-dual-sport-wrestler-gaige-garcia/?mc_cid=fd10261731&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

12 } – TJ Dudley Joins Wrestling Staff
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown University wrestling has added TJ Dudley – a 2016 NCAA finalist and three-time NCAA All-American at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln – as the program’s volunteer assistant coach, Brown head coach Todd Beckerman announced on Tuesday. “TJ was an outstanding wrestler at Nebraska, and we know that he will bring his experience of competing for NCAA championships here to Brown,” Beckerman said. “We look forward to having TJ work closely with our upper weights.” Dudley placed in the top-eight at 184 pounds at the NCAA Championships as a sophomore, junior, and senior, earning All-American status in all three seasons. He finished as high as second place at 184 pounds at the 2016 NCAAChampionships. “I am honored and excited to begin working with the Brown wrestling program,” Dudley said. “I would like to thank Coach Beckerman for giving me the opportunity to join a program on the rise.” … rest of story at https://brownbears.com/news/2021/7/20/tj-dudley-joins-wrestling-staff.aspx?mc_cid=fd10261731&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

August 12, 2021 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment