Takedown Report

NAIA Division News & Results (2021) – # 5

TDR Editor’s Notes ; The NAIA hosted an exciting, competitive and organized national championship. Almost all teams had a full season of matches. This summer has produced some news as shared below. Keep wrestling on. Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Blog # 2968 (8/22/21)
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1 } – JIM ZALESKY NAMED NEW JIMMIE MEN’S WRESTLING HEAD COACH
The University of Jamestown is pleased to announce that Jim Zalesky is the new men’s wrestling head coach. A member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Zalesky brings a track record of success to the University of Jamestown. “We are thrilled that Coach Zalesky has decided to lead our men’s wrestling program,” says University of Jamestown Director of Athletics Sean Johnson. “He is a perfect fit for our institution and our department and will provide tremendous leadership for our men’s wrestling student-athletes.” “I’m excited to be part of the University of Jamestown family and look forward to leading the Jimmie men’s wrestling program to success in the classroom, the community and in competition,” says Zalesky.
Zalesky, a native of Shueyville, Iowa, has enjoyed incredible success as a student-athlete and coach. In his 23 years as an NCAA Division 1 head coach, Zalesky won three NCAA Division 1 national championships, 13 conference championships, compiled a 274-109-2 dual match record and coached over 50 All-American wrestlers. As the head coach at Iowa (1997-2006), he led the Hawkeyes to the NCAA title in 1998, 1999 and 2000 and was national runner-up in 2001 and 2004. He was named the national Coach of the Year in 1998 and 1999 and the Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2004. Zalesky coached 10 NCAA champions, 20 Big Ten champions, 45 All-Americans and two Olympians during his time as head coach at Iowa. During his 14 years as head coach at Oregon State (2006-2020), Zalesky captured seven Pac-12 wrestling titles … rest of story at https://www.jimmiepride.com/article/6037?mc_cid=f2268a753e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And Interview with Jim Zalesky
Yesterday news broke that former Iowa and Oregon State head coach would be taking over the vacant position at the NAIA’s University of Jamestown. Coach Zalesky tells us what was attractive about this job and coaching on the NAIA level and more. … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24568?mc_cid=2f6eda67bb&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – NWCA 2021 NAIA MEN’S SCHOLAR ALL-AMERICA AWARDS
Manheim, PA – On Monday, the National Wrestling Coaches Association announced the 2021 Scholar All-America Top-15 Teams and Individual honorees for NAIA Men with awards going to 62 individuals representing 24 institutions. 

LINK: Top 15 Scholar All-American Teams
LINK: Individual Scholar All-Americans

“Congratulations to this year’s Scholar All-American individuals and teams,” said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer.  “These young athletes are rockstars as they have committed themselves to excellence in the classroom as well as the mat.  What a tremendous honor for them and their institutions in a most trying season.” In the team race, Graceland University finished atop of the field with a 3.601 GPA followed closely by #2 Grand View University (3.591).  The remainder of the top-five were #3 Baker University (3.583),  #4 Northwestern College (3.417), and #5 Vanguard University (3.416).  Baker University and Grand View University led the list of honorees with eight Scholar All-Americans, … rest of story at https://www.nwcaonline.com/nwca-2021-naia-mens-scholar-all-america-awards/?mc_cid=a53f0e5e67&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – TRAVIS PATRICK RESIGNS AS ACU WRESTLING COACH
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Yesterday afternoon, ACU Director of Athletics, Dr. Peter Dryer, announced the resignation and departure of ACU wrestling head coach, Travis Patrick.  Patrick leaves ACU to accept a head-coaching job at Southeastern University (Fla.). Patrick, who started the wrestling program at ACU after being hired in December, 2018, has led the young team through two full seasons.  His departure comes after overseeing five wrestlers qualifying for the NAIA National Championships last month, including coaching the program’s first-ever All-American. “We are grateful for Coach Patrick’s work to get the wrestling program up and running with some early success,” said Dr. Dryer,  “and we certainly wish him well as he takes on new challenges.  We will continue to move the ACU wrestling program in a positive direction as we immediately move forward in our search for the next ACU head wrestling coach.” Prior to his arrival at ACU, Patrick had coached at Menlo College since 2015, when he was hired as an assistant wrestling coach and sports performance coach.  In 2017 he was promoted to associate head wrestling coach while also serving as Fellowship of Christian Athletes Advisor. … rest of story at https://www.acufirestorm.com/article/2592?mc_cid=b369974b64&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And WRESTLING WELCOMES MICHAEL BUTTERFIELD AS NEW HEAD COACH
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Michael Butterfield has been selected as the second head coach in the history of the ACU wrestling program. His tenure began earlier today, and he is already looking forward to leading the Firestorm wrestling program saying, “I’d like to thank Arizona Christian University for this opportunity.  I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to coach, and to build a culture of hard work and dedication.” An Illinois native, Butterfield’s coaching career began unexpectedly as a student-athlete at the University of Dubuque, an NCAA Division III institution in Dubuque, Iowa.  After sustaining a series of shoulder injuries after his first season of wrestling for the Spartans, the 149-pound class wrestler decided to step away from the mat as a grappler, but returned in a new role – as a coach. That first opportunity to coach was given to Butterfield by current Spartan’s Head Coach Jon McGovern, who has led the UD wrestling program since 2002.  McGovern saw promise in his first-year wrestler and promoted Butterfield to the position of Student Assistant Wrestling Coach. Under McGovern, Butterfield learned not only what it takes to be successful on the mat, but he also learned meaningful lessons of what it takes to develop wrestlers as high-character people.  Along with McGovern’s sage advice, Butterfield credits his time working with W.R.E.S.T. (wrestling reflection education skills training), while at UD, as a cornerstone of his development as a person and coach.  … rest of story at https://www.acufirestorm.com/article/2657?mc_cid=08007c6b87&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And Patrick Adds Reyes to Wrestling Staff
LAKELAND, Fla.—Southeastern University wrestling coach Travis Patrick announced the hiring of Koby Reyes as an assistant coach to his staff. Reyes previously worked with Patrick at Arizona Christian University, helping qualify five wrestlers for the NAIA National Championships which included the program’s first All-American last season. “It is important for me to fill out my coaching staff with men who love the Lord, love the sport of wrestling, and are eager to mentor the athletes in our program,” said Patrick. “Koby’s knowledge and passion in each of these areas is obvious and I believe will go a long way in helping our guys jump levels on and off the mat.” … rest of story at https://fire.seu.edu/news/2021/5/6/patrick-adds-reyes-to-wrestling-staff.aspx?mc_cid=987a3385bf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – Finding a way: Wrestling coach Kelly an inspiration at Lourdes
Three simple words have helped guide Lourdes University wrestling coach Dock Kelly III through tough times when all the cards are seemingly stacked against him.
Find a way
With no fingers on his right hand, Kelly struggled to meet new people as a kid. A simple handshake caused stress, because he didn’t know how the other person would react to a hand with no fingers.
He found a way.
At 23 months old, his right leg stopped growing and was amputated from the knee down. Competing on the mat on his knees, he found a way to become a successful college wrestler and in 1997 earned the Medal of Courage from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. After a successful coaching stint at Anderson University in South Carolina, Kelly decided to take on the challenge of leading a brand new wrestling program at Lourdes. Building the program from the ground up, he has inspired Lourdes to become an NAIA power. … rest of story at https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/lourdes/2021/06/01/Finding-a-way-Wrestling-coach-Kelly-an-inspiration-at-Lourdes/stories/20210601021?mc_cid=4557ffe1b6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – JAMEEL BRYANT NAMED LINDSEY WILSON WRESTLING HEAD COACH
COLUMBIA, Ky. – Jameel Bryant has been named Lindsey Wilson College’s wrestling head coach, Lindsey Wilson Athletics Director Willis Pooler announced on Monday. “It’s an honor to be back home and have the opportunity to work for an institution with such a winning tradition,” Bryant said. “I’m excited that Lindsey Wilson is my first head coaching job. It feels like yesterday I was competing here for a national title and now I get to help others strive for that same goal. “I had the best experience here as a student-athlete,” Bryant added. “One of my top goals is to make sure our student-athletes have that same fulfilling experience, in the classroom and on the mat. I’m eager to get the ball rolling and build on the great successes we have here at Lindsey Wilson College. Bryant becomes the second coach in the program’s history. He replaces Corey Ruff who resigned in early June after starting the program in 2011. “The opportunity to hire Jameel was one I couldn’t pass on. His passion for wrestling and Lindsey Wilson College was evident during our discussions and his knowledge of the sport, our mission, and his clear emphasis on focusing on the student-athlete experience were important aspects of this decision.” Pooler said. Bryant graduated from Lindsey Wilson with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications in May of 2015 and was a part of the Lindsey Wilson wrestling program. During his two seasons, he compiled a 56-14 overall record, including winning a pair of NAIA national titles. He was the program’s first two-time individual national champion. “His familiarity with the Mid-South Conference and NAIA are well documented through his successes as a student-athlete and assistant coach,” Pooler said. “He left his mark as an excellent recruiter and mentor at two MSC institutions. I have no doubt he will bring student-athletes to Columbia who are a great fit for our program and will allow us to remain one of the top NAIA wrestling programs in the country.  I look forward to working with our two-time national champion.” … rest of story at https://www.lindseyathletics.com/article/13677.php?mc_cid=7f42ab4fd0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – Bebeto Yewah takes on leadership of wrestling programs
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Davenport University’s Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Paul Lowden announced today a shift of leadership for the Women and Men’s Wrestling programs with the resignation of Jamie Boyd. Boyd spent seven years at the helm of the men’s wrestling program and was the only head coach in program history. He then took over responsibilities for the women’s wrestling program which began during the 2020-21 campaign. Current assistant coach Bebeto Yewah will now take over head coaching duties for both programs effective immediately. Yewah came to Davenport as a volunteer assistant coach in the fall of 2018 and then transitioned into an assistant coach role in July 2019. He has helped guide the program into the NCAA Division II ranks and the men’s program joined the Great Lakes Valley Conference in the 2020-21 season competing in one of the best conferences in the nation. The Lansing native wrestled collegiately at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (2009-12) where he was a two-time NCAA Division III National Champion in two different weight classes including 133 pounds in 2010 and 141 in 2011. Yewah was also the national runner-up at 141 in 2012 for a third-consecutive All-American honor and finished his Eagles’ career with an overall record of 89-8. … rest of story at https://dupanthers.com/news/2021/6/10/bebeto-release-head_coach-6321.aspx?mc_cid=b1fff1ca32&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – Smith returns to CU as Assistant Coach
LEBANON, Tenn. – Cumberland wrestling coach James Hicks announced the hiring of former Cumberland University standout Tyler Smith as the full-time assistant coach. Smith was a decorated wrestler that has turned into a competitive coach at the NAIA level and High School level. He compiled over 120 wins in his collegiate career as well as won the Mid-South Conference Championship with the Phoenix in 2016. His senior year he posted a 27-11 record while reaching the NAIA National Tournament. Smith used a fifth-place finish in the East Regional to earn a wild card berth to the tournament while serving as the team captain. In his junior campaign, Smith put together a 27-14 record going 3-2 against nationally-ranked opponents.  The Calhoun, Ga., native went on to coach at Southeastern University as the graduate assistant in 2016-17 and 2017-18. Over the two seasons, … rest of story at https://www.gocumberlandathletics.com/wrestling/news/2021-22/8795/smith-returns-to-cu-as-assistant-coach/?mc_cid=3ae16b2048&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – OAKS SIGN TRANSFER CHRISTOPHER GAXIOLA OUT OF FRESNO STATE
ATHERTON, CALIF.  — Menlo College Head Men’s Wrestling Coach Joey Martinez has never shied away from recruiting outstanding transfers to his program.  In fact, Coach Martinez had 11 transfers on his 2019-20 team that took second at Nationals, including National Champion Anthony Orozco and All-American Jacob Mendoza.  The Oaks have already announced the signing of two transfers for the 2021-22 season in the forms of Antonio DaCosta and Dwayne Guerrero, and now add a third with the signing of Fresno State transfer Christopher Gaxiola.  Christopher has competed at both 149 and 157 at the collegiate level, and will look to split time between the two as an Oak.  Christopher prepped at Buchanan High School in Clovis, California, the same school that produced former Menlo 184 standout Young Woo (Pete) An ’19.  There, Christopher began his wrestling career at the 122 weight class before bulking up to 145/147 by his senior year.  As a senior, Christopher would place second at the Central Section Championships in the 147 bracket, having to bow out of the championship bout due to an injury.  The strong showing would still help Buchanan to a Central Section Team Title, and would punch Christopher’s ticket to State.  At state, Christopher would go 5-2, good for 7th place, once again scoring big points for Buchanan, who would win the team state title.  
Following his time at Buchanan, Christopher chose to continue wrestling at one of the top JC wrestling programs in the state, Fresno City College.  After redshirting in his first year, Christopher began turning heads while he was on the mat in his second season. … rest of story at https://www.menloathletics.com/article/8537?mc_cid=9b69983a38&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} -TRANSFER CHARLES GRIFFIN SIGNS ON FOR 2021-2022 SEASON
OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University men’s wrestling team is excited to announce the signing of transfer Charles Griffin for the 2021-22 season. Griffin previously wrestled with Grand View University. Prior to Grand View, Griffin wrestled at Ellsworth Community College. He was a 2019 NJCAA National runner-up at 285 pounds and was named a JUCO All-American in his time with the Ravens. The Baltimore, Md. native was a two-sport athlete at Northwestern High School. He lettered four years in wrestling and football. Griffin was a fourth-place finisher at state for wrestling and was a four-time All-Star game selection in football. … rest of story at https://www.ottawabraves.com/article/mens-wrestling/mwr-transfer-charles-griffin-signs-on-for-2021-2022-season

And Several more Orrawa University stories and developments at https://www.ottawabraves.com/sport/mens-wrestling

10 } – Acosta Named USA Wrestling Magazine Coach of the Year
MARIETTA, Ga. —– Life University men’s wrestling head coach Omi Acosta was honored by USA Wrestling Magazine as the Coach of the Year Thursday afternoon. The award is given to one coach across all collegiate divisions for their performance on the year.
USA Wrestling Magazine had a page insert that has been copied below:
“When a person speaks of the “American Dream,” stories such as the one, encapsulates everything you need to know about this belief and the desire to achieve it. The American Dream is a set of ideals in which the freedom America provides includes the opportunity to achieve great success and prosperity through hard work, determination and initiative. Omi Acosta, the head wrestling coach at Life University is living proof that these ideals of the American Dream still exist and can become a reality if you grind hard enough.
Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Omi Acosta first stepped foot on a wrestling mat in the ninth grade at South Dade Senior High School. Like most mothers, Ms. Acosta wanted the best for her son and moving her family to the United States for that opportunity was the clear option. Weighing all of 103 pounds soaking wet and unable to speak a word of English, Omi and his mother approached the wrestling coach at South Dade asking if he thought Omi was big enough to wrestle. … rest of story at https://liferunningeagles.com/news/2021/7/15/mens-wrestling-acosta-named-usa-wrestling-magazine-coach-of-the-year.aspx?mc_cid=42d5eec6a4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And Epperson signs to wrestle with National Champions Life University
In his junior season, Lake Epperson took part in several state championship teams. Last week, he decided to take his wrestling talents to Life University in Atlanta, Georgia as he signed with the NAIA National Championship Wrestling team. Epperson wrestled for the Comanche Indians all four years of his high school career. He was a state placer in the last three seasons with his best finish coming his junior season. Finishing as runner-up in 2020 and then finishing third overall in his senior season, Epperson said he chose Life University after going on several visits because he loved the atmosphere there.
“It is a big deal. I always wanted to wrestle in college so getting this opportunity means a lot to me and I’m taking all of it that I can get, the opportunities that I will have there,” Epperson said. “I liked it the best because I went on a couple of visits and there was the most that I liked of all of the visits.”
His assistant coach for three years and head coach for his senior season in wrestling was Casy Rowell.  Rowell said he is proud of how Epperson represented the program and thinks this is a good fit. … rest of story at https://www.duncanbanner.com/sports/epperson-signs-to-wrestle-with-national-champions-life-university/article_4571c606-b1d8-11eb-8f44-8f83613b4543.html?mc_cid=ce60503c93&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

11 } – Billy Sullivan to Transfer from OCU
Big blow for OCU announced on Twitter this Saturday as Junior Greco World Team member and 125 pound starter for the Stars Billy Sullivan will be transferring. Sullivan had high praise for the staff and school in his announcement, but this will certainly sting the OCU roster a bit as Sullivan was a conference champion and NAIA tournament qualifier at 125 pounds. He has not announced his future college destination yet. Sullivan was a freshman in the 2020-2021 season. … rest of story at https://owrestle.com/billy-sullivan-to-transfer-from-ocu/

And OCU Is Hiring a New Men’s Wrestling Coach
Oklahoma City has posted a new position on their website for Head Men’s Wrestling Coach. … rest of story at https://owrestle.com/ocu-is-hiring-a-new-mens-wrestling-coach/

12 } – Justin Fritz to wrestle for Bluefield State
BLUEFIELD, Va. (WVVA) – Perhaps the most decorated state champion in Graham High School’s history signed his National Letter of Intent on Monday. Justin Fritz captured four state wrestling championships in four separate weight classes during his time with the G-Men. He was also a part of the 2018 football state championship squad. For now, however, Fritz will just stick to the mat, committing to the Big Blue and head coach Blaze Shade. Fritz will enjoy being close to home, but most of all, he looks forward to wrestling for yet another coach that shares his passion for the sport. “It’s local — the coach is amazing, dude,” he said. “[Coach Shade]’s got a heart for wrestling. The same place that I’m at — we’ve both got a heart for wrestling. He’s going to want me to do things to the best of my ability and I like that about him.” Justin will also be reunited with his older brother, Caleb, as teammates at Bluefield State. Caleb was a two-time state champion for the G-Men, as well. … rest of story at https://wvva.com/2021/05/24/justin-fritz-to-wrestle-for-bluefield-state/?mc_cid=8610e5f1be&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And MatBoss Q&A: Jake Stevenson, Morningside head wrestling coach
Jake Stevenson, a 2007 NAIA national champion and four-time All-American, has guided Morningside’s wrestling program to a 77-40 dual meet record in his nine seasons as head coach. He has led the Mustangs to three Great Plains Athletic Conference championships and five conference runner-up finishes. Morningside is consistently ranked among the top-20 NAIA wrestling programs in the nation. MatBoss talked to Stevenson about this past season, academic excellence, Colton McCrystal, NAIA, expectations for the 2021-22 season and more.
You just recently wrapped up your Arena Wrestling Camp at The Expo Center. Multiple-time NCAA Division I All-American Mikey Labriola of Nebraska was a clinician. How did that go?
Stevenson: It went awesome. Mikey did a phenomenal job. Saw a lot of energy and excitement, and he was a great clinician. Had kids from kind of the tri-state area. Had some teams from a few hours away drive in. So that was awesome. It was a good turnout. I had a lot of fun. … rest of story at https://blog.matboss.com/matboss-qa-jake-stevenson-morningside-head-wrestling-coach?mc_cid=e094d4aecd&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

August 22, 2021 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

REVERSAL

From obscurity to a national power — The story of Campbell Wrestling

Josh Heil had never heard of Campbell University or its wrestling program when he got a phone call from Cary Kolat in 2016. And why would he?
The program had a combined 3-23 record in its previous two seasons and was barely a year removed from serving a one-year postseason suspension because it failed to meet Academic Progress Rate standards set forth by the NCAA. And the struggle wasn’t new — Campbell’s record in dual meets from 2004 to 2011 was a lackluster 23-118.

Fighting Camel Wrestling had little going for it in the fall of 2016. But it had Kolat — a former Olympian and a legend in the sport, and a name Heil and all young wrestlers knew — and it had a group of underrated and hungry young men who had bought into his vision.
So for a kid like Heil — who was short on accolades but big on potential — Campbell was a fit.
“I wasn’t what you’d call a ‘successful’ high school wrestler,” says Heil, who grew up in Ohio, a hotbed for high school wrestling. “I never won state. I never won a national tournament. I was good, but I probably wrestled at the toughest level. So for Cary Kolat to call me and talk to me the way he did — he knew I had something everyone else didn’t see. For a guy like that to think like that, it just felt right. He knew how hard I worked. He knew how hard I wrestled. And he knew that’s the kind of wrestler he wanted.”
Fast forward to 2021.
Entering his sixth year (thanks to a redshirt year and a COVID year), Josh Heil is an All-American. He’s also Campbell’s first four-time NCAA Championships qualifier, has 94 career wins (12 over opponents ranked in the Top 25 nationally in their weight class), has been ranked as high as seventh in the nation himself in the 149-pound weight class and was named an NWCA Division I Scholar All-American in 2021.
As for the program, under Kolat and current head coach Scotti Sentes — who took over in 2020 — Campbell has earned seven Southern Conference team trophies and produced 26 NCAA qualifiers and six All-Americans (including Heil) in the past five years. This past year, Campbell had a school-record seven NCAA qualifiers and two UWW Junior and Senior All-Americans and became a nationally ranked program.
Expectations are at an all-time high entering the 2021-22 season with a returning All-American and a Top 25 ranking in the NWCA Coaches Poll. More importantly for Heil, the atmosphere and swagger in the program’s recently constructed practice facility at the Pope Convocation Center is a far cry from what he experienced as a true freshman in 2016. “Six years ago, I had to trust Coach Kolat and what his plans were for the program,” he says. “We didn’t have the success that he could point to from previous years. We just had to trust him and trust his process. And that’s a big leap of faith.
“For the [freshmen] coming in now, success is expected. If you come here, and you fail, then you’re doing something wrong. But if you come here, work hard, train right, eat right, live right and follow the lead of our upperclassmen, you’re going to succeed. There’s no doubt, you’re going to win.”
Campbell’s wrestling program had its moments before the Cary Kolat era.
Founded in 1968 under the guidance of Coach Gerald Brown, the Camels put together a 6-5 record in dual matches in their first season and a 7-3 record in Year 2, going up against similarly sized schools like Wesleyan, St. Andrews, Western Carolina and Pfeiffer. The third year brought in tougher competition like Duke, the Citadel and Elon, and by the mid 1970s, Campbell wrestling was a middling program that would regularly beat up on smaller schools and regularly lose to larger, more established in-state schools.
Coach Jerry Hartman had the most successful run in the 1980s, posting an 80-39 record and bringing in kids like Bobby Sottile (107 collegiate wins against just 20 losses), Scott Amundsen (109 wins) and perhaps Campbell’s most notable wrestler in the program’s first 50 years, Anthony Cox, who became Campbell’s first wrestler to qualify twice for the NCAA Championships and missed All-American status by just one match in his junior year.
Wrestling joined the Colonial Athletic Conference in 1996 and struggled for the next four seasons against schools like Virginia Tech, William & Mary and James Madison. That changed for a short time with the arrival of former U.S. Olympic Wrestling and UCLA coach Dave Auble, who took over from 1999 to 2004 and peaked with a third-place finish in the conference in 2002. … rest of story at https://magazine.campbell.edu/articles/campbell-wrestling/?fbclid=IwAR3U-22VM1CJKM_BwcZrd-QCvDsMw06uWSiSnt3NsSat_HVIy9uE-4ErVpo

August 22, 2021 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment