Takedown Report

13 Former Super 32 Champs Are Looking To Add Another Belt

Between the boys and girls divisions, 13 former high school division champions are registered with hopes of repeating

A Super 32 belt just might be the toughest high school wrestling accolade to achieve. This year’s boys division has over half the top-twenty-ranked wrestlers in the country, and the girls division is just as tough. While winning Super 32 is incredibly difficult, 7 boys and 6 girls in this year’s field have already accomplished the task at least once. They’ll be looking to repeat their Super 32 success again this year.

Oct 21-22, 8:00 AM EDT

2023 Super 32

7 Returning Boys Division Champions

120 lbs – #1 Anthony Knox, St. John Vianney, NJ (junior)

120 lbs – #1 (113) Christian Castillo, Valliant College Prep, AZ (junior)

132 lbs -#1  Ben Davino, St. Charles East, IL (senior)

132 lbs – #3 Bo Bassett, Bishop McCort, PA (sophomore)

157 lbs – #2 Ladarion Lockett, Stillwater, OK (junior)

215 lbs – #4 Jude Correa, Wyoming Seminary, PA (junior)

285 lbs – #8 Parker Ferrell, Christiansburg, VA (senior)

While seven different former champions will enter this year’s boys high school division at Super 32, at most, five can win. At 120 lbs, both #1 Anthony Knox and #1 (113 lbs) Christian Castillo are looking to repeat. Both will have their hands full as their bracket contains a total of 11 ranked wrestlers and six in the top ten. Knox owns a victory over Castillo from Who’s Number One in 2022.

Two champs are also registered at 132 lbs. Ben Davino won a title last year at 126 lbs while Bo Bassett took the belt at 113 lbs. Their bracket has 13 ranked wrestlers and seven in the top ten.

Ladarion Lockett beat a tough Ty Watters last year for his first belt. In order to win a second, he’ll likely need to top fellow U17 World champion Joe Sealey in the finals.

At 215 lbs, Jude Correa is hunting for a second title up a weight from where he won a year ago. His toughest tests could be Fargo champions Michael Mocco and Dreshaun Ross, two tough sophomores from Florida and Iowa respectively.

Parker Ferrell has also moved up a weight since last year. His bracket has a lot of parity. He can repeat, but it won’t be easy.

6 Returning Girls Division Champions

112 lbs – #1 Gabriella Gomez, Glenbard North, IL (junior)

132 lbs – #1 Taina Fernandez, Archbishop Spalding, MD (freshman)

148 lbs – #1 Nebi Tsarni, Watkins Mill, MD (senior)

160 lbs – #8 Kaylie Hall, Hampshire, WV (junior)

175 lbs – #18 Ella Murphey, Hardin Valley Academy, TN (senior)

175 lbs – #5 Amarisa Manuel, Romeo, MI (senior)

The girls division, like the boys division, can’t have as many returning champs as it has contenders. At 175 lbs, Both Ella Murphey and Marisa Manuel are looking to repeat.

Gabriella Gomez secured here Super 32 title in 2021 but came up just short last year. She’s coming off a victory at Who’s Number One and looking to stick to her winning ways. … rest of story at … Flowrestling.org/articles/11302517-13-former-super-32-champs-are-looking-to-add-another-belt

October 11, 2023 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

125-Pound Pre-Season NCAA Wrestling Preview & Predictions

A preview with predictions for the 2023-24 season at 125-pound weight class in Division 1 college wrestling.

The 125-pound class appears to be wide open following the graduation of three wrestlers who reached the NCAA tournament finals at least once. Most notable is Iowa’s three-time NCAA champion Spencer Lee who transcended the sport with his masterful top game and his ability to score points in bunches. 

Princeton’s Pat Glory — a 2023 NCAA champion — is also gone, as is 2021 national finalist Brandon Courtney of Arizona State. That leaves six returning All-Americans and a lengthy list of promising wrestlers vying for the top spot at the lightest college weight class. 

Purdue’s Matt Ramos entered the 2023 NCAA tournament as the #4 seed and pinned Lee in the semifinals before falling to Glory, 4-1, in the championship match. Ramos was the first Boilermaker to reach the finals since Chris Fleeger in 2006. He can become Purdue’s fourth individual NCAA champion and the first since Charlie Jones won a title in 1991. 

Arizona State’s Richie Figueroa might have something to say after a 14-0 redshirt freshman season that included a 3-2 win over Ramos in the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. Returning All-Americans Anthony Noto, Eddie Ventresca, Patrick, McKee, Michael DeAugustino, Eric Barnett, and Brandon Kaylor will also play a factor as the season unfolds. … rest of story at … Flowrestling.org/articles/11302705-125-pound-pre-season-ncaa-wrestling-preview-predictions

October 11, 2023 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment