No. 18 Wrestling Sweeps Tri-Meet With Emory & Henry, Mount Olive
PEMBROKE – The 18th-ranked UNC Pembroke wrestling team logged 15 individual victories on the afternoon, including a dozen wins that came with bonus points, as the Braves cruised to wins over South Atlantic Conference Carolinas foes Emory & Henry and Mount Olive on Saturday afternoon at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court.
The victories capped off another perfect home record for the Braves (12-1, 9-0 SACC) – their fourth unbeaten home record in the last five years – and set the Black & Gold up for a winner-take-all SACC championship match next week at No. 2 Lander. Both teams will enter the matchup with unblemished records inside league play.
Logan Robinson (133 pounds), Joshua Feliz (141), Loye Burkhead (157/165), Logan Hoffman (174) and Shylik Scriven (184) all walked away from Saturday’s action with a pair of individual victories, as did Garrett Steele (197) who chalked up a dual meet triumph against Emory & Henry, as well as an exhibition win against Mount Olive’s Devin McCorkle.
UNCP experienced very little resistance in opening the day with a 54-3 rout of Emory & Henry (4-25, 0-8), but the Wasps did take the early lead thanks to a 15-9 decision at 125 pounds. It was all UNCP after that, however, as the Braves got pins from five different wrestlers, as well as a trio of forfeit victories, to fuel the final outcome.
The Braves had to fend off an upset bid from the Trojans (12-5, 6-3) to post a 28-15 win in the nightcap, however. … rest of story at UNCPbraves.com/news/2023/2/4/no-18-wrestling-sweeps-tri-meet-with-emory-henry-mount-olive
Big 12 Conference Dual Meet Results
Bison Wrestling Pins Air Force for Fifth Straight Win
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The No. 13/16 North Dakota State wrestling program picked up a dominating victory over RV Air Force Friday night, defeating the Falcons 32-10 in Big 12 action on Air Force’s senior night at Clune Arena.
NDSU scored three pins and also had two major decisions to pick up a convincing win and the fifth straight dual victory for the Bison, including four straight in Big 12 duals.
Starting off the dual strong for the Bison at 149 pounds, #16 Kellyn March scored an immediate takedown of Dylan Martinez and then added a four count for back points, but March wouldn’t release the hold and eventually worked his position to secure his third fall of the year at 1:08 for an early 6-0 lead for the Bison. It is March’s ninth win in his last 10 matches and the ninth pin of his career.
NDSU continued their strong start as #2 Jared Franek scored a major decision win over Jack Ganos at 157 pounds. Franek scored multiple takedowns in the second and third and added a two-point nearfall to build up a 14-4 win. Franek extends his win streak to 16 matches overall and 10 straight in duals.
In the next match, #11 Michael Caliendo picked up three more points for the Bison as he secured a 9-3 victory over Seamus Casey. Caliendo had a pair of takedowns in the first and added another in the third to aid in his victory. Caliendo improves to 17-2 on the season.
Gaven Sax would pick up the third bonus-point win of the match for the Bison at 174 pounds, shutting out Gage Musser. After a scoreless first, Sax rode out Musser for the entire second period, … rest of story at GObison.com/news/2023/2/3/bison-wrestling-pins-air-force-for-fifth-straight-win
No. 8 Wrestling Runs The Show in Norman with 33-3 Win Over Oklahoma
NORMAN, Okla. – The No. 8-ranked University of Missouri wrestling team put together a dominant performance in Norman, Okla., topping the Oklahoma Sooners 33-3 Friday, Feb. 3.
Missouri started hot and never took its feet off the gas, taking nine of the ten bouts. Sophomore Noah Surtin started off the dual at 125 pounds with an 8-0 major decision. Redshirt senior Connor Brown (133) followed with a 7-4 decision, while redshirt junior Brock Mauller (149) secured the sudden victory takedown to get the 4-2 decision. Before the break, senior Jarrett Jacques (157) earned a 6-3 decision to put the Tigers up 13-3.
Following the intermission, sophomore Keegan O’Toole (165) got the pin in the second period, claiming his fourth fall of the season. At 174 pounds, redshirt junior Peyton Mocco grabbed his eighth bonus point victory this season with a 12-3 major decision. Earning his third consecutive win, sophomore Colton Hawks won a 4-3 decision. The Elam brothers closed out the night as sophomore Rocky Elam (197) put in work with a 15-4 major decision, while redshirt … rest of story at MUtigers.com/news/2023/2/3/no-8-wrestling-runs-the-show-in-norman-with-30-3-win-over-oklahoma
No. 3 Cyclones Hold Off Mountaineers
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – No. 3 Iowa State (13-2, 6-0 Big 12) survived a scare at West Virginia (7-4, 1-4 Big 12) Friday night, 20-13. The Cyclones dug out of a 10-0 hole after dropping the first three matches of the dual and picked up bonus-point victories from Paniro Johnson and Yonger Bastida in the process.
ISU has now won 26 of its last 28 duals overall and 17 consecutive Big 12 matchups.
After the slow start, Paniro Johnson stopped the bleeding with a convincing 14-4 major decision over Sam Hillegas. Johnson, an Erie, Pennsylvania native, got to his offense often in front of a large contingent of family and friends in attendance, racking up six takedowns in the win.
Jason Kraisser picked up a key victory at 157 pounds with a 5-3 decision over a lanky Alex Hornfeck. Eleven of Kraisser’s 21 matches this season have been decided by a takedown or less.
In the marquee matchup of the dual, No. 2 David Carr took out No. 10 Peyton Hall, 8-2. Carr was aggressive early with a pair of first-period takedowns and added a third in the final period to lock up the win.
The Cyclones closed the dual with three-straight wins by Marcus Coleman (184), Bastida (197) and Sam Schuyler (285). Coleman was eying bonus points against Anthony Carman after he locked up a cradle for four near fall points in the second period. A late takedown and ride out by Carman in the third period prevented bonus points, but Coleman picked up a 9-5 decision.
Bastida registered seven takedowns in a 17-8 major decision … rest of story at Cyclones.com/news/2023/2/3/wrestling-no-3-cyclones-hold-off-mountaineers
UNI wrestling blanks Cal Baptist, 44-0
Panthers record four pins in a dual for the first time since 2014, and third time under Doug Schwab
No. 14 UNI wrestling (6-3 / 4-2 Big 12) vs. Cal Baptist (2-11 / 1-6 Big 12)
- Attendance: 2,083
- Official: Jake Frias, Titus Godhall
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — UNI led every bout from the opening whistle to the final horn on Friday night as the Panthers dominated the California Baptist Lancers in a 44-0 rout inside the McLeod Center in Big 12 action.
The Panthers captured 4 falls and a pair of major decisions in their first all-time matchup with the Lancers, marking UNI’s 8th 40+ point dual under head coach Doug Schwab, and the program’s first dual shutout since Nov. 11, 2016 against Nebraska-Kearney. It was also the Panthers’ highest scoring dual since posting 44 points against Indiana Tech in 2015.
Schwab also moved up UNI’s all-time wins list with his 103rd dual victory, breaking a tie with Dave McCaskey (1931-55) for 3rd most in program history.
Kyle Gollhofer opened the night by gaining an impressive major decision victory at 125 pounds with a 10-point lead on CBU’s Devin Garcia, earning himself 3 minutes and twenty four seconds of riding time with a final score of 12-2.
Kyle Biscoglia (133 pounds) picked up his 6th pin of the season in the first period in just two minutes and forty five seconds over Antonio Saldate, while Cael Happel (141 pounds) scored 4 takedowns in the first period, 5 in the second and capping of the third period with his 3rd fall of the year, in 5 minutes and fifty two seconds against Brady Hoshino.
What started as a high-scoring bout at 149 pounds … rest of story at UNIpanthers.com/news/2023/2/3/wrestling-uni-wrestling-blanks-cal-baptist-44-0
A.C.C. Dual Meet Results
Tech wrestling bounces back in a big way in Durham
Hokies sweep ten bouts, extend win streak over Duke to 19-straight
DURHAM, NC – After a rough outing in Blacksburg last Friday night, the No. 9 Virginia Tech wrestling responded in a big way by handling the Duke 45-0 in Durham on Friday night. The Hokies won all ten bouts – nine of the ten coming by way of bonus point victory – against the Blue Devils to improve to 8-3 overall and 2-1 in conference competition.
Redshirt freshman Eddie Ventresca got the nod for the Hokies and dual started against Duke’s Ethan Grimminger to kick off the evening. Ventresca shot early via low single and went straight to work with a cross wrist tilt for four nearfall to jump to a 6-0 lead. Ventresca would then add two more takedowns and a set for four back points to end the first period with the 14-2 lead. The Hokie would then take bottom to begin the second period and garner a quick escape right into a single for two to cap off the 17-2 tech fall.
No. 7 Sam Latona was clinical with six takedowns en route to a bonus victory over Logan Agin in the second bout of the night. Latona was up 2-0 at the end of the first then poured it on in the last two periods to collect five takedowns, an escape, and a riding time point to rack up the second bonus point victory for the Hokies with the 15-5 major decision. … rest of story at Hokiesports.com/news/2023/2/3/wrestling-tech-wrestling-bounces-back-in-a-big-way-in-durham
Pack Wrestling Dominates Virginia With 34-4 Victory in Charlottesville
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The NC State wrestling team recorded its second straight ACC victory in dominant fashion with a 34-4 victory at Virginia on Friday.
The Wolfpack (12-1, 2-1 ACC) won nine of 10 matches over the Cavaliers (6-5, 0-3 ACC), including five via major decisions and one via a technical fall.
NC State’s 34-4 victory over the Virginia marked its ninth straight win in the series, marking back-to-back 30-point triumphs over the Cavaliers.
No. 4 Ryan Jack opened the dual for the Pack in the 141 class with a 4-1 decision against No. 29 Brian Courtney. No. 17 Jackson Arrington then earned NC State’s second straight ranked victory when he registered a 10-2 major decision over No. 26 Jarod Verkleeren.
No. 7 Ed Scott made it back-to-back major decisions with a 12-4 win over Virginia’s Jake Keating. Scott used a four-point near fall in the second period to pull away from Keating in the third matchup of the night.
Virginia got on the board in the fourth match when No. 17 Justin McCoy defeated Derek Fields 8-0 for a major decision. No. 29 Alex Faison responded with a 6-1 decision over Hudson Stewart to make it 14-4 Wolfpack through five matches.
In the 184 weight class, No. 3 Trent Hidlay notched NC State’s third major decision … rest of story at Gopack.com/news/2023/2/3/pack-wrestling-dominates-virginia-34-4-in-charlottesville
No. 18 Pitt Beats UNC, Takes Control of ACC
PITTSBURGH—The Pitt wrestling team continued to control its own destiny in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 21-11 dual victory over North Carolina on Friday night at the Petersen Events Center in a nationally televised battle of the only undefeated teams in the league this dual season.
The Panthers (9-2, 3-0 ACC) won seven bouts by decision to beat UNC for the first time since 2015.
Pitt is off to its first 3-0 start to the ACC dual schedule since 2013-14 when the Panthers swept through a perfect dual record to win the conference title in their first season in the league. Keith Gavin‘s team now needs one win in its final two ACC duals against NC State and Duke to earn at least a share of the conference’s dual championship this season and can win it outright next Friday in Raleigh.
“That’s a really good win against a tough team,” Gavin said. “I liked our effort a lot. We’re wrestling really well right now at a good time, but we need to keep building off performances like this and continue to be consistent. This is a tough conference and anything can happen.”
The dual started at 197 pounds, with Pitt winning both upperweight bouts by decision to lead 6-0 thanks to No. 2 Nino Bonaccorsi, who improved to 11-0 this season, and No. 5 Dayton Pitzer.
UNC took the bout at 125 pounds, but Pitt responded with three straight decision victory by No. 6 Micky Phillippi at 133, No. 3 Cole Matthews at 141 and No. 29 Tyler Badgett at 149 – with no takedowns conceded in any of those matches. … rest of story at Pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2023/2/3/wrestling-no-18-pitt-beats-unc-takes-control-of-acc
The Tar Heels (6-7, 2-1 ACC) earned wins at 157 and 184 pounds, but Pitt sealed the dual with wins at 165 pounds by Holden Heller and a big upset at 174 – with Luca Augustine stunning No. 8 Clay Lautt in the tiebreakers by 2-1 decision. … rest of story at Pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2023/2/3/wrestling-no-18-pitt-beats-unc-takes-control-of-acc
NWCA Releases Division III Men’s Coaches Regular Season Poll #5
Manheim, PA – On Thursday the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) released their fifth set of regular season Division III Men’s Coaches Tournament and Dual Polls, as well as national and regional individual rankings.
Wartburg now sits at the top of both the Tournament and Dual Top 25 polls. This following their 22-14 upset win over then #1 Augsburg. The tournament poll top five is now comprised of #1 Wartburg (71 pts), #2 Johnson & Wales (51 pts), #3 Augsburg (48pts), #4 Baldwin Wallace (45.5 pts),and finally #5 Loras (34 pts).
Wartburg (12-1) is now the new #1 jumping up from third while #2 Augsburg (8-1), #3 Johnson & Wales (26-3), #4 UW-La Crosse (13-3), and #5 Baldwin Wallace (15-2) round out the top five.
INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL RANKINGS – INDIVIDUAL REGIONAL RANKINGS
The individual rankings saw a single change to the top spots with Zeke Smith (Loras College) taking over the #1 ranking at 157. … rest of story at NWCAonline.com/nwca-releases-division-iii-mens-coaches-regular-season-poll-5
Felician University joins trend, adds women’s and men’s wrestling for 2024
Wrestling continues to grow in Bergen County. This time, at the collegiate level.
Felician University in Rutherford has announced plans to bring men’s and women’s wrestling to the Division II school by 2024. The university will be the first program in New Jersey to offer wrestling for both men and women at the D-II level.
The teams will compete in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association during the winter and fall seasons, beginning in November 2024. The university hopes to hire head coaches by July 1 of this year, so they would have one full year to recruit their teams, said Athletic Director Andrew Toriello.
“New Jersey has a multitude of talent for wrestling,” Toriello said. “You end up having students leave the state, leaving their hometowns, just to go and wrestle — and their parents have to now drive two hours away to see them compete in their matches. Being the only Division II school helps us with the ability to recruit with athletic scholarships” and keep athletes in New Jersey, he said.
Though recruitment for Felician’s wrestling teams has not begun, anyone interested in joining either team can fill out an online questionnaire in the meantime. That list will be provided to coaches once they are hired.
The Garden State has long been a hotbed for high school wrestling. On the girls and women’s side, wrestling has exploded in recent years, with momentum now picking up at the college level.
In 2021, New Jersey City University became the first college women’s wrestling program to hit the mat in the Garden State. In October, Centenary University in Hackettstown also announced plans to launch a women’s wrestling program by next season. … rest of story at Northjersey.com/story/sports/college/wrestling/2023/02/01/felician-university-to-add-mens-and-womens-wrestling-in-2024
Division I match results across the nation
Cornell Wrestling Remains Unbeaten In EIWA Competition, Knocks Off Army West Point
WEST POINT, N.Y. — The Cornell wrestling team jumped out to a 12-0 team lead and was never threatened, rolling past Army West Point 27-12 on Saturday afternoon at Gillis Field House for its seventh straight dual meet win. The Big Red improved to 8-2 (4-0 EIWA) with the win, while the Black Knights slipped to 4-5 (2-2 EIWA) in the loss.
Six Cornell ranked wrestlers picked up wins, with one coming in overtime and four total in hard-fought decision victories. That started right from the beginning, with freshman Brett Ungar’s escape in rideouts accounting for the only point in a 1-0 decision over No. 33 Ethan Berginc at 125 pounds. That got Cornell off to a strong start, and third-ranked VIto Arujau gave the visitors some distance by the end of 133. Arujau shut out Richard Treanor 15-0 for a tech fall victory to make it 8-0 Big Red.
Vince Cornella also earned a shutout victory, with his 12-0 triumph at 141 over Eddie Hummel staking Cornell to a 12-0 team lead. Army won consecutive matches at 149, where three-time national champion Yianni Diakomihalis took a rest day, and 157, before Cornell reeled off four wins in the final five matches.
Both Julian Ramirez and Chris Foca protected their top 10 rankings with strong, but narrow, wins at 165 and 174, while Jacob Cardenas out-pointed Kyle Swartz 3-1 at 197. Brendan Furman’s second period fall closed out the win. Only Jonathan Loew’s injury default loss at 184 ruined the second half shutout, as he led 5-2 when injured in the second period. … rest of story at Cornellbigred.com/news/2023/1/28/wrestling-remains-unbeaten-in-eiwa-competition-knocks-off-army-west-point
Virginia Takes 23-15 Win Over American
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia wrestling team (7-5) used three bonus-point victories, including a pair of technical falls, to pull away and grab a 23-15 win over American (7-8) on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Gym.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After American won the first two weight classes, Brian Courtney gutted out a decision at 141 pounds to kick off a stretch of four straight victories for the Cavaliers. Jarod Verkleeren posted a technical fall at 149 pounds before Jake Keating (157) and Justin McCoy (165) would notch back-to-back decisions and claim a 14-9 lead for the Cavaliers.
After another American victory at 174 pounds, Virginia would get a tech fall from Neil Antrassian (184) and a major decision Michael Battista (197) to lock up the dual. The Hoos won six weight classes on the afternoon.
NOTES ON THE DUAL
• Virginia improved to 14-1 all-time against American with the victory on Saturday afternoon.
• The Hoos have won eight consecutive matches in the series with the Eagles dating back to the 1990-91 season.
• Michael Battista continues to build on his team-leading win total and is now 24-6 on the season. … rest of story at Virginiasports.com/news/2023/02/04/virginia-takes-23-15-win-over-american
Bison Close Strong for Win at Northern Colorado
GREELEY, Colo. – The No. 13/16 North Dakota State Bison overcame an early deficit with a strong second half performance to defeat Northern Colorado 23-15 Saturday night at the Bank of Colorado Arena.
After #16 Stevo Poulin picked up a tech fall to defeat Carlos Negrete Jr. in the opening match at 125, McGwire Midkiff scored the first points of the evening for the Bison with a 4-1 win over Jace Koelzer at 133 pounds. Midkiff scored a takedown in the first and rode Koelzer for the entire second period to take control. He would add his escape and riding time point in the third for the victory.
The Bears would add another bonus point victory as #1 Andrew Alirez defeated #31 Dylan Droegemueller at 141 pounds with a major decision, 13-5.
The Bison would respond as #16 Kellyn March picked up a win in sudden victory to defeat Chris Sandoval 5-3. March had a takedown in the first and led 3-1, before Sandoval scored a takedown after review as time expired in the third. In the sudden victory period, March fought off an attack and reattacked for the win. March picked up his fifth straight win and his 10th overall in his last 11 matches.
North Dakota State would level the dual at 9-9 in the 157-pound match as #2 Jared Franek picked up a 6-2 decision over #31 Vinny Zerban. Franek scored a takedown in the first and added another in the third to go along with an escape and a riding time point for his 28th career ranked victory and his 17th straight win. … rest of the story at GObison.com/news/2023/2/4/wrestling-bison-close-strong-for-win-at-northern-colorado
Late Wins Lift Hofstra To Victory Over George Mason
Hempstead, NY – Hofstra rallied from a 16-10 deficit, winning the final four weight classes, to post a 26-16 victory over visiting George Mason Friday night at the David S. Mack Physical Education Center. The win snapped a two-match losing streak for the Pride.
Hofstra moved to 3-4 on the season with the non-conference victory. George Mason slipped to 10-5 with the loss.
After dropping the opening bout at 125 pounds, Hofstra roared back with a win by fall at 133 by Chase Liardi and a major decision from Justin Hoyle at 141 to take a 10-3 lead. The Patriots responded with three consecutive wins, including one by fall and one by major decision, to go up by six, 16-10.
Hofstra 174-pounder Ross McFarland got things started for the Pride with a 15-5 major decision over Logan Messer and No. 23 Jacob Ferreira followed with a gritty sudden victory win (6-4) over Tyler Kocak to put the Pride back on to, 17-16. No. 30 Trey Rogers followed with an 11-5 decision over Jon List at 197 and Zachary Knighton-Ward ended the night with an exclamation point as he won by fall over Donovan Sprouse in 17 seconds. … rest of story at GOhofstra.com/news/2023/2/3/wrestling-late-wins-lift-hofstra-to-victory-over-george-mason
Ohio Wrestling Dominates on Senior Night, Defeating Kent State 28-9
ATHENS, Ohio—The Ohio wrestling team (4-7, 3-2 MAC) dominated their match against the Kent State Golden Flashes (0-10, 0-5 MAC) at the Convocation Center on Senior Night (Feb. 3), winning 28-9.
Graduate student Alec Hagan (Eureka, Mo.) kicked off the night with an exciting sudden victory at 149 pounds. He entered the first sudden victory period tied with Kent State’s Kody Komara, 1-1, but quickly secured a takedown to win, 3-1. Redshirt freshman Peyten Kellar (Cutler, Ohio) followed at 157 pounds, winning with a 12-2 major decision.
The Bobcats continued to dominate. Redshirt junior Jordan Slivka (Indianapolis, Ind.) won his dual at 165 pounds with a technical fall while redshirt freshman Garrett Thompson (Murrysville, Pa.) pinned his opponent 1:51 seconds into the 174-pound match.
Sophomore Zayne Lehman (Akron, Ohio) continued Ohio’s winning streak, winning by 9-3 decision at 184 pounds. Redshirt junior Carson Brewer (Avon, Ind.) controlled his dual at 197 pounds, winning with a 12-2 major decision.
Graduate student Kyran Hagan (Eureka, Mo.) wrapped up the night … rest of story at Ohiobobcats.com/news/2023/2/3/ohio-dominates-senior-night-defeating-kent-state-28-9
Gardner-Webb Tops VMI 20-14 Friday Night in SoCon Wrestling Action
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb rattled off three key wins in the lower weight classes Friday night to beat VMI 20-14 in Paul Porter Arena.
Friday’s Southern Conference battle started at 157 pounds.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs (5-8, 3-2 SoCon) trailed 10-9 after six matches, but responded with a 9-0 major decision by Drew West at 125 pounds to take the lead for good.
Todd Carter followed with an 8-3 decision at 133 pounds and Zach Prie was dominant early in a 12-4 major decision at 141 pounds that sealed the team win.
VMI picked up a major decision from Job Chisko to start the night, and also got wins from Hoover (174), Josh Evans (285) and Ryan Vigil (149).
After Chisko’s major, RJ Mosley came through with a 3-1 win at 165 pounds and Jha’Quan Anderson’s 6-1 decision at 184 pounds was followed by a 5-0 decision by Sam Mora at 197 pounds.
Evans took a 6-2 decision at 285 before the Runnin’ Bulldogs pulled away. … rest of story at GWUsports.com/news/2023/2/3/gardner-webb-tops-vmi-20-14-friday-night-in-socon-wrestling-action
Penn State-Iowa Match Crushed Its Big Ten Network Record
The match between the nation’s top-ranked programs drew a record 388,000 viewers on BTN
Penn State and Iowa should do this every year. The nation’s top-ranked wrestling teams once again broke their own Big Ten Network viewership record last Friday, as 388,176 viewers tuned into the prime-time match of the season.
No. 1 Penn State’s 23-14 win over No. 2 Iowa was the-most watched wrestling match in BTN history, overtaking last year’s 1-2 battle in Iowa City for the top spot.
Penn State-Iowa also was the most-watched regular-season wrestling match on any network in the past eight years, BTN said in a news release. And the three most-watched wrestling matches in BTN history are Penn State vs. Iowa. According to the network:
- 2023 Iowa at Penn State: 388,176
- 2022 Penn State at Iowa: 362,917
- 2020 Penn State at Iowa: 347,760
Penn State and Iowa tied the attendance for an indoor college wrestling match, as 15,998 fans packed a sold-out Bryce Jordan Center last Friday night in State College. Penn State and Iowa previously had set that record at the BJC in 2018. … rest of story at SI.com/college/pennstate/wrestling/penn-state-wrestling-iowa-match-sets-big-ten-network-viewership-record

