Takedown Report

NCAA Division I News (2021) – # 30 {Big 10}

TDR Editor’s Notes ; Looking back some on last season as they look ahead to wrestling this fall for some Big 10 teams. Keep on Wrestling! Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Blog # 2977 (9/06/21)
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1 } – Can Penn State Win NCAAs with this 2022 Lineup?
Returning All-Americans: 6
Projected NCAA Points: 132
2021 Record: 6-0
For the past decade, the question at the beginning of the year has been: can anyone beat Penn State for the NCAA trophy? Even during their so-called “down years,” the Nittany Lions still produced National Champions that no one was expecting to see at the top of the podium. In fact, at least one Penn State wrestler has won the NCAA Championships every year for the past ten years. With the 2021-2022 season approaching, can they produce another National Champion (or four)? Read on to see how the Penn State wrestling lineup will fare. … rest of story at https://www.fancowrestling.com/can-penn-state-win-ncaas-with-this-2022-lineup/?mc_cid=766ccc313f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – Penn State Wrestling’s Greg Kerkvliet overcame incredible hurdles in 2021
The mystery of Penn State Wrestling standout Greg Kerkvliet’s 2021 season is finally solved
Hi there Penn State wrestling fans. It’s been a minute, right? Do you remember WAY back in March 2021, when Greg Kerkvliet took home fourth in the B1G Championships, seventh in the NCAA Championships, and earned All-American status?And do you also remember when Kerkvliet took place in a NLWC tournament in the fall of 2020 in which he absolutely obliterated the competition? Lastly, do you remember when nothing was coming out of the Penn State Wrestling camp during the entire 2021 regular season regarding if or when we would see Greg Kerkvliet make his debut? Early into the 2021 season Coach Cael Sanderson even indicated if was likely he wouldn’t wrestle at all. So what happened to the former No. 1 recruit in the nation between the fall of 2020 (where he looked unstoppable) and when he surprisingly suited up and hit the mat in the dual meet against Maryland? Furthermore, why did he not look like the same guy when he took part in the B1G Championships and the NCAA Championships? … rest of story at https://victorybellrings.com/2021/06/21/penn-state-wrestling-kerkvliet-overcame-incredible-hurdles/?mc_cid=7f42ab4fd0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Venz, Sjomeling, Hardy Named NWCA Scholar All-Americans
The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) recognized three Husker wrestlers as 2021 Division I Scholar All-Americans.  
Now a two-time NWCA Scholar All-American, senior Taylor Venz (184) highlighted an impressive 2020-21 season with his second-place finish at the 2021 Big Ten Championships. His performance clinched an automatic bid to his fourth NCAA Wrestling Championships, where he recorded two wins as the No. 8 seed. The NCAA All-American also recorded three match wins in the Nebraska Triangular, defeating Northwestern’s Jon Halvorsen by 16-0 technical fall in 4:57, Jack Jessen by fall in 1:57 and Maryland’s Kyle Cochran by 4-2 decision. The Farmington, Minn., native is a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, 2020 NWCA First Team All-America member, plus a five-time member of the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll. 
Junior Tucker Sjomeling (133) was also recognized by the NWCA. Sjomeling recorded a career-best ninth-place finish at the 2021 Big Ten Championships, defeating Michigan’s Jack Medley  … rest of story at https://huskers.com/news/2021/7/8/wrestling-venz-sjomeling-hardy-named-nwca-scholar-all-americans.aspx?mc_cid=4c85391443&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – Bravo-Young and Schlegel Named Penn State’s Athletes of the Year
Nittany Lions from women’s soccer and wrestling programs honored for achievements in 2020-21
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Athletics announced its 2020-21 Female and Male Athletes of the Year, as women’s soccer standout Ally Schlegel and wrestling national champion Roman Bravo-Young carry the mantle for another successful year. Bravo-Young and Schlegel will represent Penn State on the ballot for Big Ten Male and Female Athletes of the Year with honorees from the other 13 conference institutions. …
Bravo-Young joins a group of eight Nittany Lion wrestlers who have been named Penn State’s Male Athlete of the Year a total of 10 times. David Taylor (2013-14) and Bo Nickal (2018-19) went on to win Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year. Penn State began awarding Athlete of the Year honors in 1991-92. … rest of story at https://gopsusports.com/news/2021/6/29/womens-soccer-bravo-young-and-schlegel-named-penn-states-athletes-of-the-year.aspx?mc_cid=7334e288ab&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – Spencer Lee Is Capitalizing on NIL, But He Just Wants World & Olympic Gold
Like many other college athletes, 3x NCAA Champion and 3x Cadet/Junior World Champion has officially started capitalizing on his Name, Image and Likeness. Though, he just wants World & Olympic Gold. Today, the Hawkeye leader joined the podcast once again to talk about what it looks like behind the scenes and what his approach is. We also go back a few months and talk about his “Senior” season, including Big 10’s dominance and following up winning NCAA’s with no ACLs by having to bow out of the Olympic Trials.
This show is brought to you by ATAC! ATAC is a new sophisticated training app, with very cool gaming components, … rest of story at https://www.baschamania.com/podcast/spencer-lee-is-capitalizing-on-nil-but-he-just-wants-world-olympic-gold?mc_cid=9b69983a38&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And All-American Heavyweight White Joins Cliff Keen WC
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Cliff Keen Wrestling Club has added former Oklahoma State heavyweight standout Derek White to its senior-level freestyle roster, the club announced on Friday (Aug. 13). “Derek will be a great addition to our CKWC roster,” said Michigan head coach Sean Bormet. “We are very proud of our recent heavyweight success, both domestically and abroad, and Derek is going to add a lot to the competitiveness and intensity on that upperweight side of our wrestling room. He has a lot of talent, and I believe with the right work and continued development, he has the potential for great freestyle success. I’m excited to get him to Ann Arbor and get to work.” A collegiate standout at Oklahoma State (2017-19), White was an NCAA finalist as a senior, falling to Penn State’s Anthony Cassar in the championship bout, and a two-time Big 12 heavyweight champion (2018. ’19). He also claimed tournament titles at the Reno Tournament of Champions and Southern Scuffle as a senior. He reached the NCAA Round of 12 in 2018, finishing one win shy of All-America honors. White bumped up to heavyweight as a junior and posted a 57-6 record over his last two collegiate seasons, earning bonus points in 33 wins over the stretch with seven pins. He compiled a career mark of 98-22. … rest of story at https://www.cliffkeenwrestlingclub.com/all-american-heavyweight-white-joins-cliff-keen-wc/?mc_cid=7563ce36dc&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – After calling Lincoln and Nebraska home for 15-plus years, Jordan Burroughs begins new chapter
It started with pen and paper. It will end with memories and see-you-laters.
In November 2005, a letter from Nebraska wrestling coach Mark Manning to Jordan Burroughs not only helped land the wrestling phenom from Sicklerville, New Jersey, but helped carve the face of Team USA wrestling over the last 15 years. Manning’s letter to Burroughs read as follows:
“Dear Jordan, I really enjoyed visiting with you the other night! We’ve signed a few real good guys early, and only have so much scholarship available. But, you are one of the guys we really need to be a part of our program. When I watched you compete last year at the state tournament, I realized you have the ability to a great college wrestler. I believe with the workout (training) partners we have for you to wrestle with every day — that you will be able to challenge for the nat’l championship very early on in your career. I’m looking forward to having you come out here this spring. We have a lot of tough, good kids in our program and it’s only a matter of time before we win the Nat’l  Championship. Keep working hard and dreaming of being ‘a Husker’! … Take care — Coach Manning.”
Burroughs went on to win two NCAA national titles as a Husker. Since staying in Lincoln, Burroughs has captured Olympic gold in London 2012, along with 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017 world championships. Burroughs also added world bronze medals in 2014, 2018 and 2019.
“I think he has set a trajectory, not only (for) our Husker program,” Manning told the Journal Star on Wednesday. “He was the first two-time (wrestling) NCAA champion at Nebraska. He’ll have a trickle-down effect for our guys for years.” But the time has come. … rest of story at https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/wrestling/after-calling-lincoln-and-nebraska-home-for-15-plus-years-jordan-burroughs-begins-new-chapter/article_e7de46af-3d8b-5ad5-8e1d-ce18e37193b0.html?mc_cid=e094d4aecd&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – MatBoss Q&A: Tony Ersland, Purdue head wrestling coach
Purdue head wrestling coach Tony Ersland has a strong track record of national success and consistency. Ersland, a former Iowa wrestler, has helped the Boilermakers finish in the top 25 in the final poll in six of his seven seasons as head coach. He has qualified 45 wrestlers to the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, including eight wrestlers in a season four times. Purdue has compiled a dual meet mark of 60-50 under Ersland. The Boilermaker head wrestling coach has also been successful in recruiting, landing five top-25 recruiting classes in his seven seasons.
MatBoss recently caught up with Ersland and talked to him about this past season, recruiting, NCAA’s NIL policy, schedule, season outlook and more.
You have built a successful and consistent program at Purdue. You had eight national qualifiers last season for the third straight year. Every one of your wrestlers won at least one match at the national tournament. Every year you are ranked in the top 25. It feels like you are on the brink of breaking through. What’s it going to take for the program to take that next step?
Ersland: I think we are knocking on that door pretty hard in a lot of ways. The kind of success we are looking for — crowning national champs and All-Americans — we have got to have some guys break through that barrier and I really feel like the floodgates will open. There’s an expectation right now that we have a huge majority of our team at the NCAA Championships, and there’s an expectation to be on the podium. … rest of story at https://blog.matboss.com/matboss-qa-tony-ersland-purdue-head-wrestling-coach?mc_cid=d1b37a6e41&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – Mike Poeta: Taking Illini Wrestling to a Bigger Stage
If new University of Illinois coach Mike Poeta‘s grand plans come to fruition, Fighting Illini fans will be the benefactors of an exciting new wrestling experience in 2021-22. Picture, if you will, a raised stage smack dab in the middle of the State Farm Center, surrounded by thousands of fanatics wearing orange and blue. Okay, maybe the mat won’t be enclosed by spring-loaded ropes, nor should fans expect characters like The Rock or Bobby Lashley or Roman Reigns to be introduced by blaring theme music. But Poeta isn’t opposed to adding a touch of glitz to one of the world’s oldest sports. Says Poeta, “I’m not a big WWE guy, but I would love for us to be able to wrestle up on a stage. That sound that’s made on a stage when a guy is slammed down on a mat does make quite an impact. It’s more exciting, more fun. I think that will really add to the experience of the fans who are in attendance.” “My goal is to make SFC rockin’ like (Iowa’s) Carver Hawkeye Arena is and to make Champaign and Central Illinois as big of a wrestling area as there is in the country.” Hundreds of state champions from the state of Illinois associate State Farm Center with their moments of high school glory. … rest of story at https://fightingillini.com/news/2021/7/13/mike-poeta-taking-illini-wrestling-to-a-bigger-stage.aspx?mc_cid=48744dd3ab&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – Gopher Athletics Set to Induct 10 New Members into M Club Hall of Fame
The University of Minnesota’s M Club, one of the nation’s largest and oldest varsity letterwinner clubs, will induct 10 new Hall of Fame members on Sept, 10, 2021 in an in-person ceremony on Williams Arena court. The individuals will be recognized throughout the weekend at various events, including the Sept. 11 home football game against Miami (OH). It marks the first hall of fame induction since 2018. 
The 2021 M Club Hall of Fame inductee class includes: Cole Konrad (Wrestling, 2004-07)
One of the most dominant and decorated wrestlers in program history, Cole Konrad won the last 76 matches of his career, setting a school record for consecutive wins, and won back-to-back NCAA heavyweight titles in 2006 and 2007. Konrad became the first Gopher heavyweight to earn All-America honors in each of his four seasons and the fourth to ever win two NCAA titles. His high-point scoring ability helped Minnesota win the 2007 NCAA team title and Big Ten titles in 2006 and 2007.
Konrad got started early in his career with a fourth-place finish at his first NCAA Championships in 2004. That was the lowest he would ever finish. He advanced to the NCAA title match as a sophomore in 2005, falling to rival Steve Mocco 3-1 in a tiebreaker. As a junior, Konrad defeated Mocco 5-2 in the NCAA title bout, completing a perfect 41-0 season. He finished his collegiate career on the highest note possible, pinning Penn State’s Aaron Anspach in the NCAA title match, capping a 35-0 season.
The Appleton, Wis., native was extremely successful at the conference level as well, winning three Big Ten titles (2005-07) and was twice named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Year (2006, 2007).  Konrad finished his career ranking second in career victories (155), third in pins (50) and third in win percentage (.922). On the international stage, Konrad finished third at the 2006 World University Games and won a gold medal at the 2005 Pan-Am Games in Guatemala. With these newest additions, the M Club Hall of Fame will recognize 373 of history’s greatest Gophers and their achievements. The Hall of Fame also celebrates the legacy of all letterwinners and their contributions to the success of Gopher Athletics. Every member of the M Club Hall of Fame has his or her name prominently displayed for visitors at the entrance of the T. Denny Sanford Athletics Hall of Fame inside Huntington Bank Stadium. … rest of story at https://gophersports.com/news/2021/7/14/gopher-athletics-set-to-induct-10-new-members-into-m-club-hall-of-fame.aspx?mc_cid=f4f15d3e7b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – All Three Husker Commits at Fargo Finish As All-Americans
In addition to three Junior-level All-American commits, Nebraska as a state crowned a number of Junior and Cadet National Champions
Three future Huskers competed recently at the 2021 US Marine Corps Junior National Championships in Fargo, North Dakota. One was incoming freshman Adam Thebeau out of Illinois, while both of Nebraska’s class of 2022 commits also competed in Antrell Taylor of Nebraska and Harley Andrews of Oklahoma. The trio of future Huskers was led by Millard South’s Taylor, who is currently ranked No. 12 in the country at 160 pounds by FloWrestling. After winning five straight matches, four by tech fall, Taylor advanced to the semifinal round. Taylor fell to Iowa’s Aiden Riggins 19-6, down into the consolation bracket. Riggins is ranked No. 10 at 160 pounds. Taylor then faced off against No. 8-ranked 160-pounder Rocco Welsh of Pennsylvania in the consolation semifinal, falling 9-1 by decision. Taylor then earned fifth-place via forfeit. Future Husker heavyweight Andrews had a strong tournament before being derailed by an injury. Andrews, ranked No. 3 in the country at 220 pounds, was competing at heavyweight (285 pounds). … rest of story at https://www.cornnation.com/2021/7/28/22596861/wrestling-all-three-husker-commits-at-fargo-finish-as-all-americans?mc_cid=eccbde8e25&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And An intense motor’: Why Nebraska wrestling commit Harley Andrews is ‘a monster’ for Tuttle football
TUTTLE — Harley Andrews decided to focus solely on wrestling during his sophomore year at Tuttle.
One of the top grapplers in the state, it made sense that Andrews wanted to walk away from football and spend all of his time on the mat. But as Andrews entered the fall, he started to regret his decision. “Wrestling year-round was good but definitely had to get back to football,” he said. “I missed it a lot. Kind of helped me get my mind off wrestling for a little bit. Have something else to look forward to.”
Andrews returned to football as a junior and had a solid year. Now 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, the senior tight end and defensive end is expected to do big things in his final season with the Tigers. “We’re so happy to have him,” Tuttle coach Brad Ballard said. “Last year after he got his feet back on the ground again and got going, he played really well. He has got an intense motor. He’s committed to Nebraska to wrestle. I truly believe if he wanted to play football, he could play football at that level, too.” … rest of story at https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2021/08/13/nebraska-wrestling-harley-andrews-a-monster-tuttle-football/8104234002/?mc_cid=7563ce36dc&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

11 } – Northwestern prepares for upcoming season after top ten finish at NCAA Championships
Going into the 2021 season, things looked bleak for Northwestern after losing top wrestler and two-time Big Ten champion Sebastian Rivera to Rutgers while preparing for a shortened season due to COVID-19.  For coach Matt Storniolo and his Cats, though, this was a hurdle that could be overcome.  Though the team struggled during the regular season with a record of 2-6, placing eleventh in the Big Ten and a middle of the pack finish during the conference championship, the challenges only prepared them for the biggest stage ahead: the national championship. Led by graduate player Ryan Deakin, who secured a top-three finish and his second straight Big Ten championship, the team snagged a top ten national finish — the best since 2014. Alongside Deakin’s third straight conference honor, two other NU wrestlers, redshirt sophomore Chris Cannon and redshirt senior Yahya Thomas, were named All-Americans. With this, NU secured its second straight season of at least three top-eight national finishes since 2014.  After sending seven players to the NCAA championships, four Wildcats also earned top five individual finishes during the conference championship. … rest of story at https://dailynorthwestern.com/2021/08/16/sports/wrestling-northwestern-prepares-for-upcoming-season-after-top-ten-finish-at-ncaa-championships/?mc_cid=c95744a536&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

12 } – Vince Turk returns
Vince Turk will be rejoining the Iowa Wrestling program.  Turk has been in the military which froze his eligibility clock.  He will have one year of eligibility to compete.  Turk was an NCAA Qualifier in 2018 at 141 lbs. His 3-2 record at Nationals saw him drop close matches to the eventual NCAA Runner-up and seventh place finisher. Originally from Hampshire, Illinois Turk attended Montini Catholic in Chicago where he won two state titles, a runner-up finish, and a Cadet Greco Roman national title . Coming out of high school Turk was a Top 100 overall recruit in the country for the Recruiting Class of 2015. After a redshirt year as a true freshman Turk was injured for his redshirt freshman season.  As a sophomore he posted a 15-10 record, placed fifth in the Big Ten and was an 2018 NCAA Qualifier at 141.  … rest of story at https://iowawrestlingblog.com/2021/08/vince-turk-returns/?mc_cid=9437ea749e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

September 8, 2021 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment