Takedown Report

Five Things You Need To Know About NCAA Division II Wrestling This Season

Seven of the 10 NCAA Division II wrestling champions from last season are back, including a upperweight duo that led Central Oklahoma to a national title.
No division in college wrestling has seen more turnover at the top in recent years than Division II. Three different schools have won titles in the past three seasons and the top-four team trophies have been split between perennial powers and upstarts that are quickly establishing themselves as title contenders. 
Here’s a look at what to watch this season:

Team To Beat

Central Oklahoma ran away with the national title in March, finishing 43 points ahead of second-place Lander, and the Bronchos are in pursuit of a repeat in 2024.  Coach Todd Steidley’s roster includes five returning All-Americans, led by two-time national champion Dalton Abney (197) and reigning heavyweight champ Shawn Streck.  Abney is a three-time national finalist with a 76-6 career record. He’ll anchor the lineup until Streck returns in the second semester.  Additionally, the Bronchos return All-Americans Dylan Lucas (141), Gabe Johnson (157), and Anthony DesVigne at 184 pounds.  “No one has won it this year and we don’t have anything to defend,” Steidley said. “We’re moving forward with that mindset and trying to be prepared for March.”

Top Contenders

Lander, West Liberty and St. Cloud State figure to be in the title chase in March.  In its fourth season of competition, Lander surged to a runner-up finish. There’s no more flying under the radar for the Bearcats, especially with a roster that includes 2022 national champion Zeth Brower (141) and returning All-Americans James Joplin (125), Elijah Lusk (133), David Hunsberger (165) and Juan Edmond-Holmes (285).  “We know we are going to get everybody’s best shot every time they compete against someone in a Lander singlet,” Lander coach R.C. LaHaye said. “We are using that as motivation to do all of the little things right so when they start shootin’ we’re ready.” 
Coach Danny Irwin has had the West Liberty Hilltoppers on the doorstep to a title in recent years. They finished fourth in 2021, third in 2022 and sixth this past season. The Hilltoppers hope this is the year they put all the pieces together and take home a title. 
West Liberty is led by returning 184-pound national champion Ty McGeary. He’ll be joined by returning All-Americans Vincent Scollo (133) and Alec Cook (165). West Liberty also has high expectations for returning national qualifiers Jamar Williams (157) and Francesco Borsellino (285).  Perennial contender St. Cloud State expects to be in the title race once again in 2024. The Huskies are coming off a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships — eighth straight top-four finish at the national tournament. 
Coach Steve Constanzo’s team is led by returning champion Nick Novak at 157 pounds. … rest of story at Flowrestling.org/Five-things-you-need-to-know-about-ncaa-division-ii-wrestling-this-season…

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

UNC WRESTLING SWEEPS DUALS OVER BUFFALO, NO. 13 ARIZONA STATE

BETHLEHEM, PA. – The North Carolina wrestling program swept its matches Saturday at WrangleMania, defeating Buffalo (32-7) and No. 13 Arizona State (22-16). To start the day against the Bulls, Carolina won eight of 10 matches in the dual, highlighted by back-to-back falls early and one technical fall to close the matchup.  Caden McCrary (133) and Lachlan McNeil (141) sparked the Tar Heels early, with consecutive first period pins. Making his season debut, Cade Lautt (285) capped off the victory for Carolina with the tech fall. The group of Spencer Moore (125), Jayden Scott (149), Danny Nini (157), Gavin Kane (184) and Max Shaw (197) all were victorious by decision.
Against the Sun Devils, Carolina collected two major decisions, one technical fall, one injury default and one decision in the effort. Moore (125), McNeil (141), Sonny Santiago (157), Shaw (197) and Lautt (285) finished on the winning side for the Tar Heels. … complete match scores at … GOheels.com/wrestling-sweeps-duals-over-buffalo-no-13-arizona-state

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

#1 Lander Wrestling Places Ten at Mountaineer Open

BOONE, N.C. – The top-ranked Lander Wrestling team opened tournament season on Saturday as they took part in the Mountaineer Open hosted by App State. The Bearcats brought 13 wrestlers and had ten of them place in the top four against a field filled with Division I athletes, including four first place finishes by Anthony Yacovetti, Brandon Matthews, David Hunsberger, and Juan Edmond-Holmes.
#10 Anthony Yacovetti had a dominant day as he placed first in the 197-pound class by recording three pins in all three of his matches. He opened the tournament with a pin of Edison Flores of Gardner-Webb in 5:27. He followed that up with a 26-second pin of Amarion Wilson of Greensboro College and then pinned Gunnar Polle of App State in 4:14.
#12 Brandon Matthews had three bonus point wins as well in his first-place run. After a 2:08 pin of Luke Gregory of Greensboro College he recorded back to back shutout tech falls of wrestlers from Gardner-Webb and North Carolina.
#2 Hunsberger had to pins in less than 45 seconds in his first two matches and followed that up with a 18-2 tech fall and a 20-11 major decision over Nick Grizales from App State.
#2 Holmes also had bonus point wins in all of his matches as he finished 3-0 with a 17-1 tech fall, a 16-3 major decision, and a 1:07 pin.
Isham Peace, Jack Tangen, Kaden Kuenzi, and Nate Bukovich each placed second for the Bearcats.
Peace followed up his pin against Limestone with back to back pins to open the day before falling in a narrow 4-2 decision in the finals.
Kuenzi picked up a 36-second pin in his first match and followed that up with a 5-2 decision in the semifinals before dropping in the finals in a 7-2 decision. … rest of story at … Landerbearcats.com/Lander-wrestling-places-ten-at-mountaineer-invitational

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

Five Things You Need To Know About NAIA Wrestling This Season

Grand View and Life are set to stage another battle, a collection of top stars return, several top newcomers are joining the NAIA wrestling mix this season.
NAIA wrestling is back with a lot of familiar storylines heading into the season. Grand View and Life University are set to stage another championship battle, a collection of top stars are back, several decorated newcomers are joining the mix and some new programs are debuting this season. 
Here’s a look at what to watch this season:  

Team To Beat 

Grand View won its 11th national title in 12 years in March, and while the Vikings remain the favorite, this could be one of the tightest team races in NAIA history this year. Grand View returns six starters, including national champions Owen Braungardt at 197 and Greg Hagan at 285. The Vikings have three other wrestlers who placed third or better at the national tournament coming back, including national finalists Carson Taylor at 133 and Isaiah Luellen, who is moving up from 174 to 184.  “We’re looking forward to finding out what’s unique about this team,” Grand View coach Nick Mitchell said. “After graduating a lot of seniors from last year’s team, it will be fun to see who steps up as leaders for us in all aspects.”

Top Contenders

With the current projected starters, Life University is neck-and-neck with Grand View, although that is likely to change for both teams by the second semester. Life is led by returning national champion Brevin Balmeceda at 149 and 2022 national champion Zane Lanham at 197. Along with those two, the Running Eagles return five other returning or former All-Americans. Life tested itself at the always-tough Southeast Open to start their season.  “Our guys fought hard and had some good moments, but we also had some moments that opened our eyes,” Life coach Omi Acosta said. “I have high expectations for this team and we still have a long way to go to reach our goals.” 
Several other teams are in the trophy chase, along with Grand View and Life. Southeastern and Menlo — which finished third and fourth, respectively, at the NAIA Championships in March, will be in the hunt again. Campbellsville, Morningside, and Ottawa each have balanced teams, which will require all starters to pull their weight to earn a trophy. Lindsey Wilson, Montana State-Northern, Doane, and Cumberland each have a few big hitters who can help win a team trophy if they reach their potential.

Top Returning Stars 

There’s no shortage of returning stars at the NAIA level this season. … rest of story at … Flowrestling.org/Five-things-you-need-to-know-about-naia-wrestling-this-season

And
2023-24 NAIA Women’s Wrestling Coaches’ Top 20 – No. 1 (November 9)
Nov 09, 2023
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Life (Ga.) claimed the No. 1 spot in the first regular season NAIA Women’s Wrestling Coaches’ Top 20 rating. Menlo (Calif.) and Grand View (Iowa) both sit at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. Southern Oregon climbed this week, up two spots to No. 4 as William Penn (Iowa) hangs onto the fifth spot. Four new teams joined the top 20 this week with Vanguard (Calif.) in at No. 14, Missouri Valley in at No. 15, Ottawa (Kan.) at No. 17, and Lourdes (Ohio) at No. 20.

Rating Methodology

• The ratings were voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the five conferences.
• Two days prior to the national rating, each qualifying group rater submits the top 10 individuals from each weight class in the conference into the system. Only wrestlers listed on a conference ballot are considered for the national ballot.
• The top 20 individuals in each weight class is based on how each voter ranks the best individuals. An individual receives 20 points for each first place vote, 19 for second place and so on through the list. This same point system is used to determine the team ranking.
• The highest and lowest ranking for each team (a non-rating is considered a low rating) is removed and the team’s ranking will be recalculated with an additional point added to each team for every ballot
• Teams that receive only one point in the ballot are not considered “receiving votes.”
• For the complete Top 20 calendar, click here.

And
2023-24 NAIA Men’s Wrestling Coaches’ Top 20 – No. 1 (November 9)
Nov 09, 2023
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In the first regular season NAIA Men’s Wrestling Coaches’ Top 20, Grand View (Iowa) found themselves in a similar position leading the nation. Life (Ga.) continued in second place followed by Southeastern (Fla.) in third and Menlo (Calif.) in fourth. Morningside (Iowa) moved into the Top 5, edging out Doane (Neb.) who moved up five spots. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) and Marian (Ind.) also leaped up the standings with Saint Mary (Kan.) being ranked for the first time this year. 

Rating Methodology

• The rating was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the eight conferences/groups.
• Two days prior to the national rating, each qualifying group rater submits the top 10 individuals from each weight class in his conference into the system. Only wrestlers listed on a conference ballot are considered for the national ballot.
• The top 25 individuals in each weight class is based on how each voter ranks the best individuals. An individual receives 25 points for each first place vote, 24 for second place and so on through the list. This same point system is used to determine the team ranking.
• The highest and lowest ranking for each team (a non-rating is considered a low rating) is removed and the team’s ranking will be recalculated with an additional point added to each team for every ballot
• For the complete Top 20 calendar, click here.

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

Wolfpack Wrestling and Oklahoma State to Compete in Home and Home Duals

Two of nation’s top programs to meet in Reynolds on Jan. 5
NC State and OklahomaState, two of the most successful programs in college wrestling, will square off in homeand home duals in 2024 and 2025. The Cowboys will compete in Raleighon Jan. 5, 2024, and the Wolfpack will make the trip to Stillwater in 2025. The teams were originally slated to compete in Italy in December but decided jointly to replace that matchup with the home and home competitions.
The Wolfpack entered the season with nine straight top-20 NCAA finishes, including back-to-back top 10 finishes in 2022 and 2023. The Cowboys, who have won five national titles under renowned head coach John Smith, finished 18th.  In this week’s NWCA Coaches Poll, the Pack is ranked third nationally while the Cowboys sit at 11th.
NC State head coach PatPopolizio, now in his 12th season at the helm of the program, competed for Smith at Oklahoma State from 1998-2002, helping lead the Cowboys to top-five national finishes in each of his four seasons with the program. “We’re very excited about the opportunity for two of the top programs in college wrestling to compete in front of the two best fanbases in college wrestling,” said Wolfpack head coach Pat Popolizio. “Oklahoma State has a rich and successful history with 34 NCAA titles and it’s huge for our program to bring a team of that caliber to Reynolds. I know the atmosphere will be electric.”
The Jan. 5 dual is slated for a 7 pm start. … rest of story … GOpack.com/Wolfpack-wrestling-and-oklahoma-state-to-compete-in-home-and-home-duals

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