Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

Illinois Native Austin O’Connor Joins Wrestling Coaching Staff

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois wrestling head coach Mike Poeta announced Wednesday (July 26) the addition of assistant coach Austin O’Connor.

“When you think of Illinois wrestling at the youth, high school, and collegiate level one name stands out and that’s Austin O’Connor,” said Poeta. “Beyond what he brings to the mat his character, leadership and passion will help bring U of I wrestling to another level. There was an immediate jolt of excitement from the Illinois wrestlers and coaching staff with the announcement of him coming home.”

O’Connor, a Lockport, Ill. native, enters his first year of coaching after he finished his collegiate wrestling career for the University of North Carolina (UNC) in 2023. He became the second Tar Heel in school history to win multiple NCAA Championships and he’s the program’s first five-time All-America honoree.

He finished his final campaign in the 2022-23 season a perfect 23-0 at 157-pounds. In his wins he secured his third ACC Championship and was named ACC Wrestler of the Year. He’s the second wrestler in UNC history to win this honor multiple times. He was awarded the top seed at the 2023 NCAA Championships where he outscored his opponents 30-9 enroute to his second national title.

A year prior in the 2021-22 season he went 21-3 overall and passed the century mark in career wins at the Appalachian Open. This was his first year wrestling at 157-pounds; he earned All-American honors and was a runner-up at the ACC Championships.

In his last year at 149-pounds he went a perfect 13-0 for the 2020-21 season. He earned his first ACC Wrestler of the Year award and earned All-ACC honors. He won his first NCAA Championship as the two seed when he knocked off No. 1 seed Sammy Sasso of Ohio State.

O’Connor still saw success during the shortened 2019-20 season due to the COVID-19 crisis. He went 25-1 with a perfect 13-0 dual record and won his first ACC Championship at 149-pounds. The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) named him to First-Team All-American honors after the pandemic canceled the 2020 NCAA Championships.
He broke through as the starter at 149-pounds in his redshirt freshman year during the 2018-19 season. He compiled a record of 34-6 and placed third at the NCAA Championships. … rest of the story at … Fightingillini.com/news/2023/7/26/illinois-native-o-connor-joins-wrestling-coaching-staff

July 28, 2023 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS SUPPORTS USA WRESTLING AS PRESENTING SPONSOR OF 2023 JUNIOR AND 16U NATIONALS

The United States Marine Corps supports the USA Wrestling community and extends its local resources to our wrestling coaches nationwide. As presenting sponsors of this year’s Junior and 16U National Championships in Fargo, North Dakota, the Marine Corps presented awards to each of this year’s national champions in men’s freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women’s freestyle.

“The United States Marine Corps was thrilled to attend the 2023 Junior and 16U National Championships,” said LtCol Rob Dolan, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, National Director of Marketing and Communication. “The young women and men battling on the mat consistently demonstrated a warrior spirit and tenacity that showcased their commitment to compete at this level. We extend our congratulations to each wrestler and coach and look forward to continuing to forge invaluable relationships with the USAW community.”

The United States Marine Corps recognizes the role of coaches, educators, mentors, and parents who inspire that fighting spirit. Whether your interest lies in helping us identify high-achieving students or inviting us to help you motivate and steer them toward success, we would like to get to know you.

The Marines invite wrestling coaches to learn more about the local Marines who are available to help their teams win battles by inspiring the fighting spirit in their athletes. Please visit RMI.Marines.com/Influencer or email community@marines.mcrc.mil.

About the United States Marine Corps Influencer Program

Become a Marine Corps Influencer.

As an educator, guidance counselor, mentor, or individual concerned with the advancement of today’s youth, you understand the importance of providing our young men and women with the knowledge they need to succeed, the discipline to apply what they have learned, and the desire to achieve more.

Just as you make every effort to help the youth of our nation succeed, the Marine Corps strives to help every Marine reach their potential. We will work together to ensure the success of our youth and ensure the security of our nation.

July 28, 2023 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

IOWA’S KNAACK, ROSS WIN TRIPLE CROWNS; KENTUCKY’S RANEY DOUBLES UP AGAIN; ILLINOIS WINS TEAM TITLE IN 16U GRECO-ROMAN

Fargo, North Dakota – A pair of Iowans completed their second trips of the week to the top of the podium on Saturday night at the Fargodome, while Illinois regained control of Greco-Roman at the 16U level as the 2023 USMC 16U Greco-Roman National Championships came to a close in Fargo, North Dakota.

Individually, Iowa’s Kyler Knaack and Dreshaun Ross were the stars of the week, each winning their second titles here and both adjoining them with folkstyle national titles won in April to earn them the prestigious USA Wrestling Triple Crown.

The team title was tight heading into the consolation finals and medal rounds, but Illinois’ 4-2 record in placement matches combined with Iowa’s 1-8 performance before the finals gave the champions a bit of breathing room heading into the last 17 bouts where both states combined for 13 of the 34 competitors.

When the final whistle blew, Illinois and Iowa each had three champions, but Illinois came away with its 10th 1U Greco-Roman team title with 213 points and 13 All-Americans. Iowa set a state record with 15 medalists in the style and finished second with 191 pounds.

Knaack delivered in his opportunity to win the Triple Crown, capturing a 16U Greco-Roman title after a gritty 4-3 win over Illinois’ Jimmy Mastny. Knaack built a 4-1 lead before giving up two late and holding off a late takedown attempt. Knaack’s Greco-Roman title completes the rare triple titles of men’s freestyle, which he won earlier this week, and a folkstyle title, which he won following the high school season in April.

Ross wrestled as if his goal was to spend as little time as possible on the mat in the most possible championship bracket matches. Ross outscored his opponents 50-0 en route to a resounding championship at 195 pounds, giving Iowa a second Triple Crown and giving Ross his third 16U title overall to go with men’s freestyle titles last year and earlier this week. Ross dispensed with California’s David Calkins 9-0 in 37 seconds to join Iowa legend David Kjeldgaard as the only three-time 16U champion in state history across both freestyle and Greco-Roman.

Kentucky’s Jayden Raney completed his 16U career with his second straight Greco-Roman title and his fourth title in the age group, becoming the 17th wrestler in history to double up in both 16U years. Raney teched Colorado’s Austin Collins 10-2 to win the 120-pound championship. Raney is the first wrestler to complete feat since Carson Manville did it for Pennsylvania in 2018. … rest of story at … Teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2023/July/22/16U-Greco-Roman-wrap

July 28, 2023 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment