Takedown Report

North Carolina Colleges Wrestling News – mid Feb.

Guardiola Claims Wrestler of the Week Award
WALESKA, Ga.— Freddy Guardiola of the Montreat men’s wrestling team was named the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Wrestler of the Week according to a release from the conference office Monday afternoon. The award marked the first of Guardiola’s career and the second for a Montreat wrestler this season.  
The Hudson, N.C. native saw his first action of the year on Saturday for senior night against the University of Pikeville. In the 184-lb matchup, Guardiola capped off the dual with a pin in 39 seconds as the Cavaliers defeated the Bears 48-3. … story at … Montreatcavaliers.comGuardiola-claims-wrestler-of-the-week-award
And …

From Understudy to Captain: Barket’s Rise in Blue Devil Wrestling
By Morgan Pruchniewski, Duke Athletics Communications Student Assistant
DURHAM —Connor Barket joined the Duke wrestling team last year as a freshman, but over this past summer he has truly started growing into his full potential. The heavyweight is leading the team with 13 wins and the future looks bright for the young Indiana native.
In his rookie season, Barket was behind senior Jonah Niesenbaum, only seeing action in three bouts, but gaining invaluable experience. “I took a lot from Jonah,” said Barket.  “It was great to have a year to be under his wing and learn everything I could.  He believed in me and kept my head up. He showed me how to become a successful Division I wrestler, how someone who achieves those kinds of things works and carries themselves.”
Following Niesenbaum’s leadership throughout the regular season, Barket had the opportunity to stay with the team, while they prepared for the NCAA Championship. “Leading up to nationals was a huge learning experience for me,” … story at … GOduke.com/Barket-making-strides-in-just-second-season
And …

NC State Wrestling Trying To Solidify Lineup As Postseason Nears
NC State coach Pat Popolizio and his staff have some lineup decisions to make during the last few weeks of the college wrestling regular season
After a 3-0 start to ACC dual action, #8 NC State will step out of conference action this weekend with a top-10 dual inside Reynolds Coliseum. The Wolfpack will host #9 Cornell this Friday night in a dual that has 19 of the 20 probable starters all ranked this week. “I think both of our teams are in a similar boat when it comes to the schedule,” NC State head coach Pat Popolizio said. “Both of us have wrestled a really good, competitive schedule and both of us have been going conference-heavy for a few weeks. I think this dual will benefit both teams. “I know we wanted to get a really good dual before we zone in on our conference and national tournaments. You look up and down these lineups, there are going to be a lot of good individual matchups.”

Lineup Decisions

Coming into the season, it appeared on paper there was only one weight class up for grabs in the NC State starting lineup. Now here in mid-February that may still be the case, but it now appears the lone question surrounding the postseason lineup has shifted to a different weight class.
Last year’s starter at 165 pounds, Matty Singleton, underwent offseason surgery and the intent was to redshirt him this year after he competed as a true freshman a year ago. He has not seen action in any open tournaments this year, but the Pack is eager to get him back in the starting lineup next year, right now it looks like that will be at 174 pounds with two-year starter Alex Faison out of eligibility at that weight. “He just got cleared a couple of weeks ago, and has been looking really good in training,” Popolizio said. “He has put on some size, … story at … Flowrestling.org/NC-state-wrestling-trying-to-solidify-lineup-as-postseason-nears
And …

Appalachian State Wrestling Posts Pair of SoCon Shutouts
THE CAROLINAS — Tackling a SoCon doubleheader that called for competition in two states, App State Wrestling produced a Thursday sweep with a 54-0 afternoon shutout against Presbyterian in Clinton, S.C., before winning 44-0 at Davidson in the nightcap. 
App State (8-3, 5-1 SoCon) started the marathon day, which began with a 6:15 a.m. departure from Boone for the three-hour drive to Clinton, with its national-leading 16th dual shutout since the calendar flipped to 2020. After fighting some heavy interstate traffic to reach Davidson, which is normally two hours from Presbyterian, the Mountaineers added their 17th shutout since 2020 and left the Lake Norman area after 9 p.m. for the two-hour trip home to the High Country.
Ethan Oakley and Will Miller had pins against Davidson, while Tommy Askey added a tech fall in a rematch of the 2023 SoCon final at 157 pounds. Ike Byers, Tomas Brooker and Carson Floyd all secured major decisions wrestling close to their hometowns, with Brooker avenging an early-January loss to Wyatt Ferguson at the Southern Scuffle. … story at … APPstatesports.com/Wrestling-posts-pair-of-socon-shutouts

February 23, 2024 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized