Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

End of Season College Matches – part 2

Beavers Soundly Defeat Stanford on Sunday
STANFORD, Calif. – Bookending the 2023-24 season with ranked wins on the road, the 21st-ranked Oregon State wrestling team spoiled #15 Stanford’s senior day with a 29-11 win on Sunday afternoon. The Beavers (7-5) quickly made their presence known by taking the afternoon’s first three duals with decisions by Brandon Kaylor (125) and Cleveland Belton (141) and a first-period fall by Gabe Whisenhunt at 133. Needing just a takedown as separation for the ranked win over 16th-ranked Nico Provo, Kaylor used it late in the third when they were knotted at 1. Kaylor stopped Provo’s comeback attempt as he tried to chip away late before Kaylor clinched it with a final takedown at 7-3.
Whisenhunt quickly piled up points as he pinned his opponent, Dominic Lajoie, needing just 2:20 to do it. Belton grabbed a ranked win for himself, taking a decision from 31st-ranked Jason Miranda. The Californian tallied the last four points of the bout following Miranda’s initial escape to open the second with an escape of his own and a near-fall. The homestanding Cardinal responded with a pair of major decisions at 149 and 157 then again at 165 to chip away at the Beavers’ lead.
With more than two minutes’ worth of riding time, Matthew Olguin got the team out of the skid as he took the 174 lb. bout over Abraham Wojcikiewicz by decision at 10-2. Trey Munoz held off Jack Darrah’s upset bid at 184 but he took a decision win at 5-1. … story at … OSUbeavers.com/Beavers-soundly-defeat-stanford-on-sunday
And …

HAWKEYES BULLY BADGERS, 34-7
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The fourth-ranked University of Iowa wrestling team defeated Wisconsin, 34-7, on Sunday afternoon on Mediacom Mat at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa won eight of 10 bouts, including six via bonus points. The Hawkeyes recorded 30 takedowns to Wisconsin’s six, and Iowa outscored the Badgers 120-49 in match points. “We have to focus on what is ahead,” said head coach Tom Brands. “That’s what we did after those losses. We are going to Stillwater, Oklahoma, in one week, and the postseason looms.”
The dual started at 125 pounds with Wisconsin getting on the board first. Third-ranked Eric Barnett won an, 8-0, major decision over Joey Cruz. The Hawkeyes responded with a pair of big wins from a pair of wrestlers making their final appearance in Carver-Hawkeye arena. At 133 Brody Teske put together a 19-4 technical fall win over Nicolar Rivera, and at 141 No. 2 Real Woods needed just 4:37 to pin Felix Lettini. “Winning just brings good spirits,” said Woods. “So, I guess spiritually it helps. But this team is full of men who know how to fight through adversity and adversity catapults people like us. It doesn’t bring us down. It really helps us more than anything.” “Sometimes you have to right the wrongs and right the ship,” said Brands. “Real went out there and got back to the roots a little bit. I think it was partly my fault, trying to push him into certain things. Just go out and wrestle your match how you want to wrestle and score a lot of points. It doesn’t matter how you get it done. He righted the wrong. We are on a one-match win streak, and we are going to Stillwater, Oklahoma.” … story at … Hawkeyesports.com/Hawkeye-bully-badgers-34-7
And …

‘Cats Power Past No. 23 Indiana, 19-18
Illinois downed Northwestern on criteria, 21-20, in day’s closing dual
EVANSTON, Ill. (February 18, 2024) – Trevor Chumbley, Troy Fisher, and Evan Bates enjoyed 2-0 days as Northwestern wrestling (1-9, 1-7 B1G) split a pair of duals to close the 2023-24 regular season this afternoon inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.  The Wildcats opened action with a 19-18 win over No. 23 Indiana before dropping a narrow 21-20 decision to Illinois on criteria in the finale.
Chumbley impressed in his 157-pound clash with the Hoosiers’ Zack Rotkvich.  After building a sizable lead entering the third period, the St. Charles, Ill. native closed the show, securing the fall just 25 seconds in.  Chumbley wrapped up his third bonus-point win of the weekend against Illinois’ Logan Swaw, rolling to a 22-6 win by technical fall (4:55). … story at … NUsports.com/Cats-power-past-no-23-indiana-19-18
And …

No. 7 Missouri Wrestling Overpowers NDSU, 32-6
FARGO, N.D. – The No. 7-ranked University of Missouri wrestling team earned a road conference win, defeating North Dakota State, 32-6, in Fargo, N.D., on Friday, Feb. 16. The conference win moves Missouri to 9-2 this season and 5-2 in the Big 12, while NDSU falls to 3-10 and is 2-4 in league matches. Redshirt junior Noah Surtin started the team off with a major decision at 125 pounds (20-8), and freshman Drew Stanfield followed with a win in his first dual start, finishing 12-5 at 133 pounds. In the 141-pound match, redshirt sophomore Josh Edmond added a major (15-2) to put Mizzou up 11-0 early. Redshirt senior Brock Mauller carried the Tigers into the break with a decision (2-0) at 157 pounds.
After the break, junior Keegan O’Toole picked up the fall in the third period at 165 pounds. Redshirt senior Peyton Mocco kept the bonus points coming with a major decision (17-3) of his own in the 174-pound match. Earning the first technical fall of the night was redshirt freshman Clayton Whiting, 20-3, at 184. Closing out the night, redshirt senior Zach Elam won by a 9-4 decision in the 285 bout. … story at … MUtigers.com/No-7-wrestling-overpowers-ndsu-32-6
And …

Army Wrestling Wins Star Match at Navy
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Army West Point Wrestling rode early match wins and withstood multiple runs from the Navy Midshipmen at Navy’s Alumni Hall to win the Star on Friday night, defeating its arch rival 18-17 in the dual match. The Black Knights even the Star Series Presented by USAA, 9-9-1 with the Wrestling win. Nate Lukez begun the dual with a triumphant, 11-1 major decision in the 157lb division. The Black Knights followed with signature win in the 165lb when Gunner Filipowicz won a 5-4 thriller over star Midshipman Andrew Cerniglia—who came into the duel with 15 consecutive wins. 
After Ben Pasiuk extended Army’s team lead to 10-0, the Midshipmen trimmed the lead to 10-9 off three consecutive match wins, including a sudden victory in the heavyweight bout. The Black Knights however would answer with a technical fall from Ethan Berginc in the 125lb match, and a 5-4 thriller in the 133lb from Braden Basile.  Army’s 18-9 lead was robust enough at that point to stand, even in spite of a pair of Navy major decisions to conclude the dual. … story at … GOarmywestpoint.com/Wrestling-wins-star-match-at-navy
And …

Why the regular season still matters to John Smith
Luke Surber may have slipped up when discussing how frustrating his injury-plagued season has been.“I just remind myself that nothing really matters ‘til March,” he said. Such a statement would imply No. 2 Oklahoma State’s 13-0 record and upcoming home duals against Oklahoma and Iowa aren’t important. Surber corrected himself when the News Press asked him about that statement. “I shouldn’t say nothing matters ‘til March,” Surber said. “But we could have this great season, but it’s judged on March – Big 12 and nationals.”
He was right the first time, especially for a program as decorated as Oklahoma State. If the Cowboys have a disappointing finish in the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships, it would look even worse than the past two seasons because of their re-emergence. Given the framework of Division I wrestling, the regular season is less indicative of tournament quality than most other sports. At this time a year ago, Pittsburgh was ranked seventh. It finished outside the top 20 at the NCAA tournament, despite having an individual national champion. Yet, an individual champion helped North Carolina and Coleman Scott jump from 21st in February 2023 to 12th in the national tournament.
So what’s the point of dual meets if they have a negligible impact on the final results? For coach John Smith, they’re everything for growing wrestling’s popularity. “I think one of the disappointing things is that we have a dual meet season, and at the end of the season, we go to conference for two days and we go to nationals for three days,” Smith said. “That really judges your season, and somehow we need to continue to make these dual meets more important.” Many college wrestling coaches, including Smith, have been proponents of an event similar to Dual State tournaments in high school. “I fought for that for 15 years, and I think the less I fight for it, it’ll probably happen,” Smith said. “Sometimes change has been a little tough in wrestling.” … story at … STWnewspress.com/Why-the-regular-season-still-matters-to-john-smith
And …

Columbia Wrestling Downs Harvard, 29-14
The Lions were explosive, with three pins in their win over the Crimson
NEW YORK — Columbia wrestling used three pins to pick up a 29-14 victory over Harvard Friday afternoon. Nick Babin started the day off with a fall in the opening frame, followed by an upset win by Kyle Mosher at 165 against No. 28 Joshua Kim, and Vincent Mueller sealed the deal with a late pin in heavyweight. Babin wasted little time getting the Lions (3-8, 2-3) on the board at 125, earning a pin in just 2:19 over Isaiah Adams to put Columbia in front, 6-0. The Crimson crawled back within one after a technical fall in the 133-pound matchup and grabbed the lead, 8-6, after an 8-1 decision at 141.
Harvard extended the lead to 12-6 after a major decision win. However, Jaden Le came away with a narrow 2-1 victory in 157 after picking up points via penalty and an escape. After the match, the Crimson were docked a team point due to unsportsmanlike conduct before Mosher put the Lions back in front in his upset win at 165. With time winding down in the first period, the senior arched backward and used his leverage to pick up a defensive pin at 165, earning Columbia’s second fall victory of the day at 2:38 to make it 15-11 in favor of the Lions. In the most anticipated matchup of the day, No. 16 Lennox Wolak and No. 5 Phil Conigliaro’s 174 match went the distance. The bout was 4-2 in the final minute, but a late score by Conigliaro sealed the Harvard win to make it a one-point contest. … story at … GOcolumbialions.com/Wrestling-downs-harvard-29-14

February 25, 2024 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

End of Season College Matches – part 1

Nittany Lion Wrestlers Defeat Rutgers 35-3 in 2024 BJC Dual
Barraclough and Cochran move up weights, take out ranked foes
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team (10-0, 7-0 B1G) rolled to a 35-3 win over visiting Rutgers (10-5, 3-4 B1G) in the 2024 BJC Dual. Head coach Cael Sanderson‘s crew won nine of ten bouts, including two wrestlers who moved up weights to take down ranked Scarlet Knights.  
Senior Terrell Barraclough moved up to 174 and sophomore Lucas Cochran moved up to 285 to help Penn State notch the Big Ten victory. The win was the 1000th dual meet victory in Penn State wrestling history. Action began at 125. Penn State true freshman Braeden Davis, ranked No. 2 at 125, used extra time to post a hard-fought 4-1 (sv) win over No. 19 Dean Peterson. Davis’ win gave Penn State an early 3-0 lead. Nittany Lion sophomore Aaron Nagao, ranked No. 6 at 133, battled No. 10 Dylan Shawver into extra time tied 6-6. Nagao took a low shot early in the extra period and Shawver countered for a takedown and a 9-6 (sv) win, tying the dual at 3-3. Senior Beau Bartlett, ranked No. 1 at 141, scored in the final seconds to break a 1-1 tie, downing Rutgers’ Max Hermes 4-1 to give Penn State a 6-3 lead. True freshman Tyler Kasak, ranked No. 10 at 149, … story at … GOpsusports.com/Nittany-lion-wrestlers-defeat-rutgers-35-3-in-2024-bjc-dual
And …

Why this version of Penn State wrestling might be the best team in program history
There is an air of confidence to the way Cael Sanderson watches his team compete. The Nittany Lions wrestling coach will adjust how he’s sitting — oscillating between sitting back with his arms folded across his chest and leaning forward with his elbows on his knees — but not much else changes. He’s clearly invested, but doesn’t show an urgency. His calm behavior is a contrast to opposing coaches. Monday night it was Rutgers’ coaches — in a 35-3 defeat at the hands of Penn State — who were shouting instructions to their wrestlers in every bout, much like other coaches around the country. But even when 141-pounder Beau Bartlett earned a victory over Max Hermes Monday night with a takedown in the final seconds of his bout, Sanderson remained stoic while the Bryce Jordan Center crowd around him erupted. That isn’t necessarily different from previous years of Sanderson — but this team might be. And that surely has to make it easier for the head coach to calmly watch on. Sanderson’s 2023-2024 team might be the best one he’s ever coached, even if he’s not looking that far ahead.
Read more at: https://www.centredaily.com/sports/college/penn-state-university/psu-wrestling/article285400997.html#storylink=cpy
And …

OSU Wrestling: Firmly at No. 2, Cowboys Have Beaten More Ranked Teams Than Anyone in the Country
A look at the Cowboys’ gauntlet.
The Cowboys have been upending ranked teams basically on a weekly basis this season.
Oklahoma State has beaten 11 ranked opponents this season — the most by any team in the country. Nine of those ranked victories have been in a row, as OSU hasn’t faced an unranked opponent since traveling to Wyoming on Dec. 19. OSU has wrestled only two unranked opponents this season in Wyoming and Bucknell in the season opener.
The Cowboys’ run against ranked foes will only continue until the end of the season with No. 25 Oklahoma and No. 4 Iowa left on the schedule. If the Hawkeyes stay put inside the top five, a victory over Iowa on Feb. 25 would also give OSU its fourth win over a top-five team, joining NC State, Iowa State and Missouri. Despite getting through maybe the most difficult schedule in the country unscathed so far, the Cowboys remained at No. 2 behind Penn State in the latest NWCA coaches poll released Tuesday after jumping up a spot last week. OSU and Penn State are the only undefeated teams left in the country. Nebraska is the only one-loss team left. … story at … Pistolsfiringblog.com/OSU-wrestling-firmly-at-no-2-cowboys-have-beaten-more-ranked-teams-than-anyone-in-the-country
And …

‘Gritty’ Freshmen Score Statement Wins For Nebraska Wrestling vs. Michigan
Freshmen Jacob Van Dee and Antrell Taylor knocked off top-10 opponents, helping the Nebraska wrestling team to a big win against Michigan
Against a tough Michigan team last weekend, Nebraska got some signature wins out of its redshirt freshmen on the way to a dominant 25-7 win over the Wolverines. Both Antrell Taylor and Jacob Van Dee scored Top-10 wins — the biggest of both of their young careers to date. In front of 4,958 fans, the third-largest crowd in program history, Nebraska won the first six matches, including a number of toss-ups. In the end, the Huskers won eight of 10 matches while even seeing some encouraging signs in their two losses — like when #20 Bubba Wilson fought hard in a 1-0 loss to #3 Shane Griffith.
“I saw consistency that we haven’t had,” Nebraska head coach Mark Manning said of the win over Michigan. “Bubba lost 1-0 but fought his butt off and gave himself a chance to win and wrestled really smart. I saw great poise and I saw confidence. A lot of guys have had confidence, I just saw a team full of confidence. “Great crowd. I was really grateful to our fans for coming out and supporting us. I think people realize we have a good team, so it’s really cool.”
Both Taylor and Van Dee have put together solid freshman years to date. Ranked #10 at 165 pounds, Taylor is 16-4 on the year and 5-2 in Big Ten duals. His only conference losses have come against #5 Dean Hamiti and #7 Michael Caliendo, both decisions. Van Dee is ranked #22 at 133 pounds with a 16-6 record on the year — he’s 5-1 in conference duals … story at … Flowrestling.org/Gritty-freshmen-score-statement-wins-for-nebraska-wrestling-vs-michigan
And …

Wolverines Roll in B1G Dual Finale at No. 23 Indiana
By: Leah Howard
» No. 10 Michigan claimed eight bouts, including the first four and three with bonus points, en route to a 30-7 win in its Big Ten dual finale at No. 23 Indiana.
» Nolan Wertanen (125 pounds) and Dylan Ragusin (133) set the tone with back-to-back first-period bonus wins; Jaden Bullock (184) also rallied from an initial deficit to earn a major decision.
» Joseph Walker used a late third-period takedown to edge No. 21 Donnell Washington, 4-3, at 174 pounds.
Site: Bloomington, Ind. (Wilkinson Hall)
Score: #10 Michigan 30, #23 Indiana 6
Records: U-M (7-4, 5-3 Big Ten), IU (6-4, 3-4 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Feb. 25 — at Central Michigan (Mount Pleasant, Mich.), 2 p.m.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The No. 10-ranked University of Michigan wrestling team claimed eight bouts, including the first four and three with bonus points, to roll to a dominant 30-6 win against No. 23 Indiana in its final Big Ten Conference dual on Friday night (Feb. 16) at Wilkinson Hall.
Among its match wins were a pair of good ones from non-regular starters in sophomore/freshman Nolan Wertanen, who set the tone with a first-period fall at 125 pounds, and senior/junior Joseph Walker, who used a late takedown to earn an upset decision at 174 pounds. … story at … Mgoblue.com/Wolverines-roll-in-b1g-dual-finale-at-no-23-indiana
And …

No. 6 Ohio State Defeats Michigan State, 38-7
Buckeyes close dual meet season with a 15-2 record and a 7-1 record in the Big Ten Conference
COLUMBUS, Ohio – No. 6 Ohio State won eight of 10 matches and powered to a 38-7 victory over Michigan State to cap its dual meet season with a 15-2 overall record and a 7-1 mark in the Big Ten Conference.
How it Happened
125-No. 22 Brendan McCrone (OSU) def. Tristan Lujan (MSU) | D, 4-1
After a scoreless first, Lujan scored the first point on a locked hands call midway through the second. McCrone scored on an escape to tie it in the third and send the first match of the evening into overtime. McCrone won it with a three-point takedown with just 10 seconds remaining in OT. McCrone improved to 18-8 on the season. 
133-No. 10 Nic Bouzakis (OSU) def. Andy Hampton (MSU) | Fall, 1:58
Two quick takedowns by Bouzakis gave him a 6-1 early lead and he won the match over Hampton by fall, 9-2, with a pin at 1:02 of the first. The fall was Bouzakis’ ninth of the season and second consecutive. He improved to 21-7 with the win. Ohio State ‘s lead increased to 9-0.  
141-No. 3 Jesse Mendez (OSU) def. No. 27 Jordan Hamdan (MSU) | TF, 19-2
Mendez, now 22-2 on the season, led, 3-0, after a late takedown in the first. He followed with an escape in the second, another point on a stall call and then a takedown and near fall to increase his lead to 12-0 on his way to a tech fall win and a 14-0 lead for the Buckeyes. … story at … Ohiostatebuckeyes.com/No-6-ohio-state-defeats-michigan-state-38-7
And …

Marinopoulos Powers Illini Past Purdue, 19-18
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Illinois wrestling team won their dual over Purdue, 19-18, on Friday (Feb. 16). Redshirt freshman (285 lbs.) Peter Marinopoulos stepped up big time for Illinois; he defeated Hayden Filipovich (PUR), 8-6, to give the Fighting Illini their first Big Ten win of the season. “I thought our guys fought hard and showed a lot of grit out there on the mat tonight,” said head coach Mike Poeta. “Everyone was focused and responded when called upon. No one did this better tonight than Peter Marinopoulos. The way he was able to go out there as the last match and handle business with the dual on the line. To go get the win for himself and the team. That makes me excited to see where he can go as a wrestler as he continues to get better in our program.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
Graduate student No. 24 (133 lbs.) Tony Madrigal won his fifth straight match tonight and put the first dual points on the board for Illinois. He won via a decision over Dustin Norris (PUR), 7-2, and cut into the Purdue lead, 3-5. Redshirt sophomore No. 25 (141 lbs.) Danny Pucino pinned Christian White (PUR) in 6:10 to put the Illini up 9-5. This is his first fall of the year and only the second one all season for the Illini in dual action. … story at …  Fightingillini.com/Marinopoulos-powers-illini-past-purdue
And …

Cowboys Complete Bedlam Sweep, Improve to 14-0
STILLWATER – The second-ranked Oklahoma State wrestling team downed No. 25 Oklahoma, 34-9, Sunday at Gallagher-Iba Arena for its 19th-straight Phillips 66 Bedlam Series dual win. The Cowboys maintained their perfect season at 14-0 with one dual remaining, while the Sooners ended their regular season at 5-7.
The win moved the all-time series record to 151-27-10 in favor of the Cowboys. Oklahoma State has defeated the Sooners in Gallagher-Iba Arena 24 times in a row, while its 19-dual winning streak is one shy of tying the all-time series record of 20 set between 1969 and 1978. In 33 years at the helm of his alma mater, head coach John Smith owns an impressive 58-6-3 advantage over OU.
Oklahoma State has now defeated a ranked opponent in 10 straight duals, tied for its longest streak since 1994, and leads the nation with a dozen ranked wins. With the win, coach Smith trails Harold Nichols by just two wins at 490 for second-most in Division I wrestling history. “I can’t even remember those first three matches they happened so fast,” coach Smith said. “It’s a great way to start, getting 10 minutes into the dual and you’re already three matches down. I thought we may get out of there in an hour, but credit their guys for fighting it out… The whistle blows and we’re scoring. That’s why we’re winning.” Like they have for most of the season, the Cowboys set the tone early with a pair of pins and technical fall to build a commanding 17-0 lead after three bouts. It marked the fifth-consecutive dual OSU has claimed the opening three matches. OSU ended the day with a season-high six bonus-point wins, its most in a Bedlam dual since December 9, 2018. Just over a minute into the afternoon’s first matchup, Troy Spratley put … story at … OKstate.com/Cowboys-complete-bedlam-sweep-improve-to-14-0

February 25, 2024 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment