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By Mike Finn
This column appeared in the latest issue of WIN Magazine. Click on the cover or call 888-305-0606 to subscribe.
An emotional Felicity Taylor worked to hold back her tears as she spoke about how great it was to be part of women’s wrestling history on Nov. 12, when the Iowa women’s wrestling team held its first-ever home event before a record 8,207 fans in Iowa City.
And considering what the 5-foot, 116-pound native of Spillville, Iowa, had gone through in her wrestling past to earn such a moment, it was not surprising to see her emotions. Sure, she won over 100 high school matches competing against boys, before earning All-American honors and a national title at McKendree in Illinois, before making history as part of the first-ever NCAA Div. I Power-5 team. There had to be plenty of tough times considering she started wrestling when few other girls did and dealt with plenty of doubters … as well as boy wrestlers who forfeited to, rather than wrestle her.

After spending four years at
McKendree, where Felicity Taylor (top) earned three All-American honors and
a national title, the Iowa native is part of Iowa’s first-ever varsity team. (John Johnson photo)
The Trailblazer Duals provided Taylor an opportunity to focus on what’s right about the growth of women’s wrestling … while also looking back at those before her who might have had a tougher time in gaining acceptance from others. “Our team motto is, ‘For Her,’,” Taylor said. ‘We are doing this for ‘her’, the people who paved the way for us and for the people who are to come after us. To see all these little girls wanting our autographs or just being here and supportive was amazing.”
Taylor is the oldest of three siblings. And as a former Level 8 competitive gymnast, she was strong enough to wrestle with her younger brother Zach until she took up wrestling. I’ve been covering wrestling for 35 years and the noise emitted from these fans was no different than if the legendary Hawkeye men were wrestling. … story at … WIN-magazine.com/Wrestling+News

‘It’s time that we join in’: Alfred State launches first women’s wrestling program in SUNY schools
ALFRED, N.Y. (WKBW) — Over the past few years, women’s sports has gained more popularity and recognition than it ever has. Just this year alone, we’ve seen multiple record-breaking events that caught the nation’s attention. Iowa Women’s Basketball — playing in front of over 55,000 fans, Nebraska Women’s Volleyball — selling out a crowd of over 98,000 fans and the WNBA Finals — breaking attendance and viewership records.
The idea that “no one watches women’s sports” is simply not true. As the advocacy for and commitment to excelling women’s sports reaches a national level, it’s helping pave the way for younger athletes to find their place in a sport. Alfred State is leading the charge in excelling women’s sports here in New York State as the school launched its women’s wrestling program, the first in the SUNY school system. Next year, Buffalo State will be joining the Alfred State as the second-active SUNY program. This a very unique program. Along with the team being the first of its kind in SUNY, there are a list of firsts with this team. First time wrestlers, like Sophomore Judiely Ventura.
She’s a transfer student from The Bronx and has never participated on an athletic team before. Neither has she lived away from home. The idea of joining a team of some sort, was just what she needed. “What better way to have a family away from family, a home away from home than joining a sports team,” Ventura said. “Now some of these girls have become my close friends here.” … story at … WKBW.com/Its-time-that-we-join-in-alfred-state-launches-first-womens-wrestling-program-in-suny-schools

December 7, 2023 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Limestone Wrestling Picks Up 28-12 Conference Win Over Montevallo

GAFFNEY, S.C. – The Limestone University men’s wrestling team handed visiting Montevallo a 28-12 loss on Friday evening inside the Timken Center. The Saints improve to 2-0 at home this season and 3-2 overall. Limestone jumped out to an early 19-0 lead after wins in the first five weight classes. After earning decisions at 125, 133, and 141, the Blue and Gold received tech falls from seniors Brandon Seawright (Birmingham, Ala.) and Markeith Drakeford-Yegge (Fort Mill, S.C.) to push ahead of the Falcons. Montevallo made a bit of a push, taking 165 and 174 while trimming the deficit to 19-9, but graduate JaQuez Bostic (Columbia, S.C.) tallied an impressive 18-2 tech fall at 184 before freshman Jack Trautman III (Rochester, Wisc.) secured 197 with a 15-2 major decision, pushing the advantage to 28-9. The Falcons earned the victory in the heavyweight division, but it was too little, too late as Limestone took home the 28-12 conference win.
FINAL RESULTS
125: Trey Finnearty (LIME) over Colt Brown (UM) (Dec 6-2)
133: Jaqion Williams (LIME) over Cory Jones (UM) (Dec 5-4)
141: Kaleem Heard (LIME) over Chad Strickland (UM) (Dec 7-1)
149: Brandon Seawright (LIME) over Trent Gilham (UM) (TF 21-5 6:10) … story at … GOlimestonesaints.com/Wrestling-picks-up-28-12-conference-win-over-montevallo

Crusaders Earn Second Conference Win Over Emory & Henry
BELMONT, N.C. – The Belmont Abbey wrestling team earned its second straight Conference Carolinas victory thanks to a 48-3 win over Emory & Henry Thursday evening at the Wheeler Center.
Belmont Abbey earned three pins on the night, including two in consecutive bouts from Will Cline and Skyler Caban. Justin Wright closed out the match with a pin in the heavyweight division.
Brett Balzan improved to 3-0 in dual matches with his win via technical fall as the Crusaders won nine of the 10 bouts on the evening.
The Crusaders improved to 2-1 on the season and in conference play while the Wasps are 0-3 overall and in the league.
RESULTS
125      Brett Balzan (BAC) def. Tito Hernandez (E&H) (TF 24-7)                   
133      Logan Arnold (E&H) def. Max Buico (BAC) (Dec 13-7)                       
141      Will Cline (BAC) def. Avery Almany (E&H) (Fall 0:36)
149      Skyler Caban (BAC) def. Collin Davidson (E&H) (Fall 2:12) … story at … Abbeyathletics.com/Crusaders-earn-second-conference-win-over-emory-henry

Coker University Cobras Shutout Bluefield State at Home
The Coker wrestling team had an impressive performance against Bluefield State, winning by a dominant score of 53-0. Here is a recap of the individual matches:
– In the 125-pound weight class, Jonte Crumpton from Coker defeated Luke Roberts from Bluefield State by decision, with a final score of 9-6.
– Stephen Spitko from Coker had a strong showing in the 133-pound weight class, earning a technical fall victory over Sebastiano Spina from Bluefield State. The match ended with a score of 18-2, with the win coming at the 6:47 mark.
– Omar Armengol from Coker dominated his opponent, Enrique Sanchez from Bluefield State, in the 141-pound weight class. Armengol secured a technical fall victory, with a final score of 18-1. The match concluded after 5 minutes.
– In the 149-pound weight class, Trey Weinell from Coker won the match by forfeit, as Bluefield State did not have a competitor in this weight class.
– Noah Korenoski from Coker had a quick and decisive victory in the 157-pound weight class. He defeated Jacob Latorre from Bluefield State by technical fall, with a score of 18-2. The match ended in just 2 minutes and 37 seconds.
– The 165-pound weight class also resulted in a win for Coker, as their opponent from Bluefield State did not compete.
– Benjamin Newton from Coker showcased his strength in the 174-pound weight class, securing a pinfall victory over Sherman Franklin from Bluefield State. The pin occurred at the 4:20 mark of the match. – Duffy Mista from Coker had an impressive performance in the 184-pound weight class. He earned a technical fall victory over Landon Marquis from Bluefield State, with a final score of 25-8. The match ended after 4 minutes and 7 seconds. … story at … Cokercobras.com/sports/wrestling

December 7, 2023 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment