Takedown Report

Carolinas’ Colleges’ News (2022) – # 1

TDR Editor’s Notes ; Several of the following articles include the upcoming season’s schedule for college teams in North and South Carolina. Encouraging news about incoming recruits, coaches and events for teams in the Carolinas. We are looking forward matches and tournaments with more fans than ever before. Keep wrestling growing and keep on wrestling onward!
Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Blog # 2992 (10/02/21)
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1 } – App. State Wrestling Announces Decorated Class of 2021 Newcomers
BOONE, N.C. — Moving forward from a record-breaking spring, App State wrestling coach JohnMark Bentley officially announced the Mountaineers’ newcomers for the 2021-22 season.
Last season, Bentley oversaw an App State program that went 7-2 overall, tied for first in Division I wrestling with five conference champions and had an All-American among its school-record seven NCAA qualifiers, including all three NCAA qualifiers who were products of North Carolina high schools. The 2021 newcomer class of 12 wrestlers includes two transfers and 10 high school recruits who combined for 10 individual state championships and 22 state finals appearances in their prep careers. Five members of the class are homegrown talents from North Carolina, while the staff of Bentley, Ian Miller and Randall Diabe also secured commitments from wrestlers who hail from Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, California, Kansas, Florida and Alabama. … rest of story at https://appstatesports.com/news/2021/8/12/wrestling-announces-decorated-class-of-2021-newcomers.aspx?mc_cid=4f2ba10c67&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – Basford Named Interim Head Men’s Wrestling Coach; Revells Steps Down
GAFFNEY, S.C. – The Limestone University Athletics Department has announced the promotion of Chris Basford to Interim Head Coach of the men’s wrestling program while also announcing that Kelly Revells has stepped down from his duties as head coach.
Revells has led the program since stepping foot in Gaffney in 2014. During his time at the helm of the program, Revells had 21 student-athletes qualify for the NCAA Division II National Tournament with four Super Region II Champions, six All-Americans, and one Division II National Champion. DeAndre’ Johnson was crowned a NCAA Division II National Champion for the Saints at 157 lbs. in 2017.
Basford will take over the program on as the interim head coach after spending the last season as an assistant under Revells.  However, Basford is no stranger to working with successful wrestling teams as he has assisted in the production of 109 national qualifiers, 73 All-Americans, and 17 individual national champions during his coaching tenure. … rest of story at https://golimestonesaints.com/news/2021/8/4/basford-named-interm-head-mens-wrestling-coach-revells-steps-down.aspx?mc_cid=79d2b15df8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Andrassy Adds McDonald to Coaching Staff
KENT, OHIO- Kent State head wrestling coach Jim Andrassy has hired Malik McDonald as an assistant coach. McDonald joins the Golden Flashes after having served as a volunteer assistant at Clarion for two seasons. He was a standout wrestler for the North Carolina State Wolfpack and was the 2019 ACC tournament champion at 197-pounds. His title helped the Wolfpack win the 2019 ACC tournament. The Hope Mills, North Carolina native was a two-time NCAA qualifier and a three-year starter for NC State. He finished his career with 83 wins and two 20-win seasons. He capped his Wolfpack career with an undergraduate degree in social work in 2019. … rest of story at https://kentstatesports.com/news/2021/8/9/wrestling-andrassy-adds-mcdonald-to-coaching-staff.aspx?mc_cid=79d2b15df8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – Montreat Wrestling Announces 2021-22 Schedule
MONTREAT, N.C.— Following last season’s inaugural campaign, the Montreat wrestling team looks ahead to its new season as it continues to establish itself on the NAIA wrestling landscape. During the 2020-21 season, Montreat wrestling competed in nine regular season duals, as well as the AAC Tournament. On the national stage, freshman Braden Wharton represented the program by qualifying for and competing at the NAIA Wrestling National Championships. This season kicks off in early November with two duals in the month’s opening week. On Nov. 3, the Cavaliers will travel to Buies Creek, N.C., to square off with Campbell University. Just three days later, Montreat wrestling will host one of its two home duals on the season, the first of which will be against Queens University of Charlotte.
Head Coach Jake Britt noted, “We are super excited to start year number two. We have a great group of guys that are gearing up for an exciting year.” … rest of story at https://montreatcavaliers.com/news/2021/9/2/wrestling-announces-2021-22-schedule.aspx?fbclid=IwAR1uaGkLZfiQPaXgjE563jLWp6uIQbwUIL0QG6bwhI7tym1fC68TZMPJwoE

5 } – McCall Elevated to Assistant Coach for Wolfpack Wrestling
RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State wrestling head coach Pat Popolizio has named Timmy McCall as an assistant coach for the Wolfpack. McCall has been in Raleigh involved with the NC State wrestling program since 2015, and now will be elevated to a full-time assistant coach.
“Timmy’s loyalty and commitment to our program over the last seven years has been unmatched,” said Popolizio. “As a head coach, it is always my goal to reward that kind of commitment I see in our room.
“Anybody that has sat down and talked to Timmy knows what a special skill set he brings to our program, and he has always fit right in with our staff over the years. He has built some great relationships with so many of our current and past wrestlers, and that has helped elevate our program. I can’t wait to see how Timmy develops in this new role on our staff.”
… rest of story at https://gopack.com/news/2021/8/3/mccall-elevated-to-assistant-coach-for-wolfpack-wrestling.aspx?mc_cid=79d2b15df8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – Cornell Wrestling Announces Nick Gwiazdowski as Volunteer Assistant Coach
ITHACA, N.Y. – Two-time NCAA champion and two-time World medalist Nick Gwiazdowski is set to join the Big Red wrestling program as a volunteer assistant coach, as announced by Mike Grey ’11, the David Dunlop ’59 Head Coach of Wrestling.
Gwiazdowski will continue his training as a senior level freestyle wrestler at Ithaca’s Spartan Combat RTC, while assisting in the coaching of Cornell’s heavyweights. A native of Duanesburg, New York, Gwiazdowski spent the last nine years at North Carolina State University where he competed as a student-athlete and as a member of the Wolfpack Wrestling Club.
“I honestly never saw myself leaving North Carolina,” Gwiazdowski said in a statement on SpartanCombatRTC.com. “As I learned more and thought more about it, I realized what exciting opportunities there are for me in Ithaca. I’m excited to have some different bodies and different brains around me, to help me grow as a wrestler and challenge me technically, physically and mentally. It’s a really nice area, there’s a winning tradition and a commitment to success.”
At the senior level of freestyle wrestling, Gwiazdowski is a two-time World bronze medalist, securing medals at the 2017 and 2018 World Championships.
… rest of story at https://cornellbigred.com/news/2021/8/12/cornell-wrestling-announces-nick-gwiazdowski-as-volunteer-assistant-coach.aspx?mc_cid=4f2ba10c67&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – Campbell Wrestling announces 2021-22 schedule
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell has announced its 2021-22 wrestling schedule, featuring a challenging nonconference lineup, plus dates with five opponents at home and a full Southern Conference slate. The 2021-22 Camels will make their debut with the return of the Orange & Black Wrestle-Off, set for 11:30 a.m. in front of the Pope Convocation Center during CU’s 2021 Homecoming on October 23. Winners of the last three SoCon championships, Campbell will officially open the season at home, hosting Montreat on November 3. CU will then travel to Corvallis, Ore. for a return trip to Oregon State on November 6, also taking on Lehigh. The Camels hosted the Beavers in 2020, topping Oregon State 27-11. … rest of story at https://gocamels.com/news/2021/9/2/wrestling-announces-2021-22-schedule.aspx

8 } – Queens Wrestling Releases 2021-22 Schedule
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte men’s wrestling team and head coach Rob Tate are excited to announce the team’s 2021-22 schedule. Following last season’s adjusted season, Queens returns to a full schedule featuring 12 dates including nine South Atlantic Conference Carolinas matches, five non-conference matches, and two tournaments. Four dates and five total matches are scheduled to take place inside Curry Arena at the Levine Center.
“We’re excited for the potential of a full year and grateful to have the opportunity to compete in the sport we love most,” said Tate. “We have a great group of upperclassmen and a hungry group of freshmen. We can’t wait to discover what we’re good at and what we still have to improve on.”Queens opens the new season with a tri-meet at North Carolina to take on the Tar Heels and Life University. Next, the team travels to Montreat College on November 6 before its home opener and first conference match versus Mount Olive on November 10. The Royals compete in the Averrett Open on November 14 marking its first regular season tournament appearance since 2019. The schedule proceeds with a pair of conference matches at Belmont-Abbey on November 17 and versus defending Super Region II Champion, Newberry on December 2. … rest of story at https://queensathletics.com/news/2021/8/30/mens-wrestling-queens-wrestling-releases-2021-22-schedule.aspx?mc_cid=4eecc2a4d7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – App. State Wrestling Announces 2021-22 Schedule, Season Ticket Plans
BOONE, N.C. — Head coach JohnMark Bentley of App State Wrestling announced on Thursday a 2021-22 schedule with several high-profile matchups in Varsity Gym, including visits from NC State, North Carolina and SoCon counterpart Campbell.
The Mountaineers are scheduled to return all seven NCAA Championships qualifiers and 11 wrestlers who posted winning records from a 2020-21 team that went 7-2. With five conference champions, App State tied two other schools for the lead in Division I wrestling, and All-America honoree Jonathan Millner is one of five returners who entered the 2021 NCAAs with a top-20 seed.
A schedule running from November to March includes eight SoCon duals, four non-league duals (with three against ACC programs) and five regular-season tournaments, with a home-opening Mountaineer Invitational that will draw wrestlers from strong out-of-state programs like Arizona State, Indiana, Illinois, Kent State and Air Force.
After App State wraps up the regular season with a Sunday home dual against Campbell on Feb. 13 
… rest of story at https://appstatesports.com/news/2021/9/9/wrestling-announces-2021-22-schedule-ticket-plans.aspx?mc_cid=9747ba1743&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – Blue Devils Release 2021-22 Schedule
DURHAM – Duke wrestling head coach Glen Lanham has announced the release of the 2021-22 Duke wrestling schedule. The Blue Devils will compete across five months, six states and the District of Columbia in a full season of action.
“I’m very excited about the upcoming season,” said Lanham. “It’s great to go from five matches last season to 16 matches and tournament dates. A full schedule gives our guy’s more opportunities to improve before the ACC and NCAA Tournaments. In addition, it will be great wrestling in front of a home crowd!”
The season gets underway on Nov. 6, when the Blue Devils head to Charleston, S.C. for the Battle at The Citadel. The Blue Devils have long frequented the event and were last at it during the 2019-20 season. Following the trip to The Citadel, the Blue Devils send more wrestlers to the Mountaineer Invitational, hosted by Appalachian State on Nov. 14.
Dual matches get started with a swing in the Hoosier State, … rest of story at https://goduke.com/news/2021/9/22/wrestling-blue-devils-release-2021-22-schedule.aspx?mc_cid=1b9cf77c75&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

11 } – Newberry Wrestling Announces Changes to Coaching Staff
Cy Wainwright Steps Down, Deral Brown named Head Coach, Bryant Blanton Promoted
Newberry, S.C. – There are many changes coming for the nationally prominent Newberry wrestling program. First, Cy Wainwright is stepping down from his position as head coach. Former assistant coach, Deral Brown, has been named as Wainwright’s successor and Assistant Coach, Bryant Blanton, has been promoted to Associate Head Coach.
Wainwright steps down as head coach after winning five consecutive conference championships. Wainwright, a heavyweight national champion for Newberry in 2009, will stay at Newberry as a professor and an Assistant to the Athletic Director. Following a prolonged battle with cancer, Cy’s wife, Megan, passed away on September 1st, 2021. As Wainwright was both a head coach as well as a professor, he is stepping away in order to have time to focus on his two kids. “The reality of losing Megan means I have to concentrate on being the best Dad I can be,” said Wainwright. I need to be home for them, and am choosing to do that. I have enjoyed teaching three classes each semester since I’ve been head coach at Newberry, and I am flattered that President Scherrens and Dr. Sid Parrish have paved the way for me to continue to teach. I am also appreciative to Athletic Director Ralph Patterson for making a place for me in the athletic department. Obviously, I will stay connected to the wrestling program. I’m proud of the run we had while I was head coach, and I hope to watch Deral and Bryant and our wrestlers take it to another level.”
Deral Brown will take over the head coaching duties on October 1st. 
… rest of story at https://newberrywolves.com/news/2021/9/21/wrestling-announces-changes-to-coaching-staff.aspx?mc_cid=94fa238c36&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

12 } – Mount Olive To Add Women’s Wrestling For 2022-23 Season
MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — University of Mount Olive will add women’s wrestling to the 22 NCAA Division II varsity sports currently being offered by the university, announced Vice President for Athletics Jeff Eisen. The program will begin competition in the 2022-2023 academic year.  UMO is a member of Conference Carolinas for its current sport offerings and will participate in women’s wrestling as an independent.  UMO will be the first Division II school in North Carolina to participate in women’s wrestling. It will join fellow Conference Carolinas members Emmanuel College and King University as sponsors of women’s wrestling teams. The NCAA recognized women’s wrestling as an emerging sport in 2020 for all three divisions and there are currently 45 NCAA intercollegiate women’s wrestling programs. Plans are underway to hire a head coach as soon as possible. The women’s wrestling team will practice and condition at the Wresting Practice Facility located just off the UMO campus. Home competitions will be held in Kornegay Arena. “We have had great success with men’s wrestling and look to use that as a springboard to adding women’s wrestling,” … rest of story at https://umotrojans.com/news/2021/9/27/general-mount-olive-to-add-womens-wrestling-for-2022-23-season.aspx?mc_cid=a0250c87c5&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

October 13, 2021 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized