Mason Parris wins 2023 Hodge; Starocci, Diakomihalis finish second, third
NEWTON, Iowa — After injuring his neck in the 2021 World Team Trials, Michigan’s Mason Parris wrestled the entire 2021-22 college season battling through pain and loss of feeling in his left side.
Entering the 2022-23 season, the Wolverine senior — who finished second nationally in 2021 and fifth in 2022 — was finally healthy and recuperated from a long road of recovery. But Michigan head coach Sean Bormet still considered redshirting his star heavyweight.
Parris, meanwhile, felt confidently that this would be the year all his hard work would culminate in a national title.
Parris made Bormet make one promise, though: he would wrestle every single match without sitting out, even the season-opening Michigan State Open that some of the other Wolverine starters often would not attend.
Now, six months later after capturing an NCAA title in dominant fashion and compiling an unblemished 33-0 season record, Parris has officially been named the recipient of the 2023 WIN Magazine/Culture House Dan Hodge Trophy awarded to the nation’s top college wrestler.
Parris will be presented with the Hodge Trophy at the University of Michigan wrestling banquet on Sunday, April 2 in Ann Arbor. For more information on the Dan Hodge Trophy, including a list of all past winners along with the release story and stats from the year they won the Hodge, visit http://www.WIN-magazine.com.
The third straight heavyweight to win the Hodge — after Minnesota’s Gable Steveson won in 2021 and 2022 — Parris comfortably won the vote as he acquired 38 out of 64 first-place votes. The Hodge Trophy Voting Committee is a retired college coach from each region of the country, a representative from each of the national wrestling organizations, select national media members and past Hodge … rest of story at WIN-magazine.com/2023/03/27/michigans-mason-parris-wins-2023-win-magazine-culture-house-dan-hodge-trophy
Women & Girls Wrestling News
YELENA MAKOYED OF NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE NAMED 2023 USA WRESTLING WOMEN’S COLLEGE WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
Yelena Makoyed, a senior at North Central College, was elected as the inaugural winner of the USA Wrestling Women’s College Wrestler of the Year today.
This was first announced on FloWrestling’s The Bader Show this morning.
The award was selected by a vote from three major constituent groups: wrestling journalists, women’s college head coaches and the fans. Each of these groups accounted for one-third of the vote.
Makoyed was a 2023 NCWWC national champion at 170 pounds, the national championships for institutions from the NCAA. She finished with a 28-0 record, with 15 pins and 11 technical falls. She is now a three-time NCWWC national champion.
Other tournaments which Makoyed won during the 2022-23 college season were the NCWWC Region 4 Championships, the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Championships, the Adrian Open and the Pointer Open. Makoyed, along with her teammates, led North Central to the 2023 NCWWC National Team title, as well.
“I am super proud of her. She is incredibly deserving of the award. She has won a lot of awards, but this one is special. It is cool for her to win the first one. She has been a trend-setter for our program, and she led us to a national title. We would not have won a team title without her. It is not just the points that she scored, but also the leadership she has provided and what she has done for us in recruiting. She is a trailblazer, and that is where women’s wrestling is now,” said North Central College head coach Joe Norton.
Makoyed is currently on the USA Wrestling Senior National Team, with a No. 2 ranking at 76 kg/167 lbs. During the college season, she travelled with Team USA to the Zagreb Open Ranking Series Event in Croatia, winning the gold medal at 76 kg. … rest of story at Teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2023//Makoyed-named-USA-Wrestling-Womens-College-Wrestler-of-Year
Manchester University to Add Women’s Wrestling as Varsity Sport
NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – Manchester University will offer women’s wrestling as a varsity intercollegiate sport starting in the 2024-25 academic year, making it the 50th NCAA Division III women’s team in the nation.
“The time is right to launch a women’s wrestling program at Manchester University. Interest in girls wrestling in high school is exploding and we are seeing that in Indiana,” said Director of Athletics Rick Espeset.
“We want to be at the forefront of helping grow the sport, providing the student-athlete experience to even more of our students and offering women the chance to compete at the college level,” he said. “We could not be more excited to add women’s wrestling.”
In addition to noting the DIII milestone, National Wrestling Coaches Association Executive Director Mike Moyer said this announcement represents the 154th new women’s intercollegiate wrestling program to be added across all divisions and governing bodies since 2000.
“I extend a heartfelt thanks to the Manchester University administration for recognizing the educational value and diversity that a new intercollegiate women’s wrestling program will bring to their campus. High school girls wrestling participation numbers are exploding across the nation and these new programs are critically important in providing post-secondary educational opportunities for wrestlers in the region.” Moyer said.
“Needless to say, this is a big win for our sport and Manchester University,” he added.
Josh Hardman, head coach for Manchester’s men’s program, will become director of wrestling. Manchester will hire an associate head coach for the women’s program and another for the men’s program. … rest of story at MUspartans.com/news/2023/3/26/manchester-adds-womens-wrestling
Beating the Boys: My Journey as a Girl Wrestler
by Rosey Hernandez
As one of the wrestlers featured in Girls Pinning Boys: a History and Evolution of High School Wrestling, I am deeply humbled by the attention that the match has received and the impact that the lessons learned have had on other girl wrestlers. Even beyond wrestling, both boys and girls alike have found inspiration from it and told me their stories of triumph. For this, I’ll always remain inspired by them.
Although the video of the match has been viewed over 139,000 times by a worldwide audience and has been very well received, what it shows remains deeply personal to me. It represents the time and effort that I put into wrestling and the adversity that I overcame. It also clearly shows how others were not ready to overcome adversity themselves and instead chose to run away. I’ve used my perseverance as a foundation throughout high school and college, and now in my career.
My brother, Frank Hernandez, would always record my matches and post them on his YouTube channel. Back then, I actually thought it was more annoying than anything else! But now I am forever grateful that I can cherish those moments and humbled that it has made such an impact. Seeing that other wrestlers, regardless of gender, have been inspired by it and used it as a source of motivation for themselves is incredible.
This was an away match for my school, James Monroe High School, during my junior year. We were wrestling against the Belmont Sentinels in Los Angeles. I was only in my second season, so I was still relatively new to the whole sport. That day, I learned that I would be wrestling against a boy, which was normal for me because girls were not yet participating on wrestling teams anywhere near the levels that they are now. We were in my opponent’s home gym at Belmont where there were about 25 people in the stands. This match was closer to where I lived, so my family was able to be there. … rest of story at Sisterhoodofwrestlers.com/beating-the-boys-my-journey-as-a-girl-wrestler
Girl power: The rise in girls’ wrestling – Pinning Down Respect
It’s one of the fastest-growing high school sports in the country: Girls’ Wrestling! In Minnesota, it wasn’t even an official sport until the last school year; now the number of girls wrestling in the state has more than doubled, from 250 to 541, led by champions like Skylar Little Soldier, of Hastings. Now a 16-year old junior wrestling at 145 pounds, she is ranked as one of the Top 10 Girl’s High School wrestlers in the country.
She described her grueling training regime: “At 5 a.m., I wake up and I do 500 pushups, sit-ups, squats and dips.” That’s 500 each.
Brave asked, “What got you interested in it?”
“My little brother,” she replied. “They took me with him to his wrestling practice and I just, I wanted to start right then and there.”
And Little Solider, a proud descendant of Native Americans, now has a slew of honors, including state champion. … rest of story at CBSnews.com/news/the-rise-in-girls-wrestling
Girls Pinning Boys: a History and Evolution of High School Wrestling
Bri Amezcua
I wrestled in California all four years of high school from 2014-2018. I considered these to be the most productive years of my life so far because of the time and effort that I put into competing. Every day, every week, every month was a new challenge waiting to be conquered.
My teammates and opponents helped me to reach levels that I did not expect when I first walked into a wrestling room when I was eight years old. For the most part, I treasure these relationships to this day because each one, friend or foe, made me work hard. This was not always easy, but I persevered through the good and bad times. I can now look back at those years with great fondness.
I carry those experiences with me every day. The saying of “once you’ve wrestled, everything else in life is easy” is very true in my case. Faced with trials and tribulations, I can use my experience as a wrestler as a foundation. … rest of story at Sisterhoodofwrestlers.com/girl-pins-boy-in-high-school-wrestling
KHSAA sanctions girls wrestling for 2023-2024 school year
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) – Female high school athletes in Kentucky have a new sanctioned sport.
In February, we told you about Tates Creek High School’s Trinity Gottler, the wrestler who was breaking down barriers competing against the guys on the wrestling mat, and dominating.
Although Gottler’s time in high school comes to a close at the end of the 2022-2023 school year, female athletes across the state will be able to compete in girls-only wrestling starting in the 2023-2024 school year.
This comes as in late February, the Kentucky High School Athletics Association (KHSAA) officially sanctioned the sport.
So, what does sanctioning girls’ wrestling mean?
Well, girls who previously wanted to wrestle, can now compete against other girls, instead of just the boys. This also means girls who attend an all-girls school can now compete in a new sport. … rest of story at FOX56news.com/news/kentucky/khsaa-sanctions-girls-wrestling-for-2023-2024-school-year
Klessinger: O’Connor’s unwavering grit led to a second title
TDR Editor’s Notes; Another in a series of articles by Coach John Klessinger in WIN wrestling magazine. He writes about the tenacity of the University of North Carolina’s two time National champion. Another connection to our state is that Coach Klessinger formerly coached at SouthWest Edgecombe High School about 20 years ago before moving back to his home state of Maryland. We welcome your input and reactions to us at martinkfleming@gmail.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
By John Klessinger
Substitute wrestling with any other life endeavor and it is the same. North Carolina’s Austin O’Connor demonstrated what we already know but quickly forget when adversity comes our way. Success is not a straight line. It is filled with pain and heartache. But that is why we love stories like O’Connor’s. Whatever happens in wrestling or life, get up, move forward, and keep believing in yourself.
O’Connor found out before the ACC tournament in 2022 that his ACL was partially torn. He knew full well that it would worsen if he wrestled. He was the returning 2021 NCAA champion. But, as I had come to learn about the Lockport, Ill., native, not wrestling wasn’t an option for him. Ingrained in O’Connor is an attitude of toughness and self-belief.
O’Connor would come into the 2022 NCAA tournament as the No. 11 seed; his lowest seed in the four years at the tournament. After placing sixth in 2019 and seed No. 2 in 2020, O’Connor came into 2021 as the two seed, upending No. 1 Sammy Sasso of Ohio State, 3-2, in the final.
The ACL injury prevented a repeat. In overtime, O’Connor lost his 2022 NCAA tournament opening match to Dazjon Casto from the Citadel. Through the progression of the ACC and NCAA tournaments, O’Connor would fully tear his ACL. After the loss to Casto, he won four consecutive consolation matches to earn his fourth All-American honor. He medically forfeited his remaining matches, placing eighth.
“I wanted surgery as soon as possible,” Austin recalled. “It hurt losing and placing eighth. But I knew I could win it again.”
His knee sustained a lot of trauma. Outside of reconstructing the ACL, his lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) were damaged.
“I’ve always had the hard route,” he said. “I went into surgery confident. I knew it would be tough, but I also knew it would work out if I put in the time and sacrifice,” he said about his mindset before surgery.
Austin is no stranger to success. He was a four-time state champion at St. Rita of Cascia High School in Illinois. … rest of story at WIN-magazine.com/2023/04/06/klessinger-oconnors-unwavering-grit-led-to-a-second-title
TDR blog
After 20 seasons of publicizing wrestling The TakeDown Report’s (TDR) focus has changed to the collecting of college coaching records from North America since 1903. We will continue to recognize and reward successful wrestlers in eastern North Carolina (east of Raleigh & Fayetteville), assist with schools in starting or re-starting a team and this blog. Join us on our FaceBook Page – “The TakeDown Report” for photos and news. Please send results, stories, links and news to pass along. E-mail us at takedownreport@gmail.com
Martin Fleming, Editor
Takedown Report
Takedown Report 