Takedown Report

College Choices for NHSCA JR/SR National All-Americans

While the eyes of the international wrestling community were focused on Fairfax, Virginia for the Olympic Team Trials Last Chance Qualifier, about 200 miles southeast, in Virginia Beach was one of the bigger high school events of the spring – NHSCA Nationals. 
Before the proliferation of national tournaments every weekend or two, NHSCA Senior Nationals and Fargo were held as the gold standards of high school wrestling. With more opportunities to compete against quality competition, NHSCA’s and Fargo have taken their share of hits – in terms of the top, top recruits entering their events. 
With that being said, there were still plenty of future collegiate wrestlers on the mat in Virginia Beach. Below are wrestlers who have committed to wrestle at the next level and finished on the podium at NHSCA Junior and Senior Nationals – sorted by school. 
For more recruiting information, check InterMat’s College Commitment page.  … more at … Intermatwrestle.com/College-choices-for-nhsca-jrsr-national-all-americans

April 21, 2024 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

STAR WRESTLER SHOWS HOW ATHLETICS PRODUCES LEADERS

By Randy Roughton
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications
U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. – Cadet 1st Class Sam Wolf’s wrestling teammates often tell each other to work hard in all aspects of life, and each endeavor will “meet at the top.” Wolf’s excellence as a cadet and on the mat for the U.S. Air Force Academy wrestling team demonstrate his devotion to his team’s athletic-academic adage.
The 184-pound wrestling team co-captain is also a two-time NCAA Division I Men’s Scholar All-American. Wolf, a Systems Engineering major planning to attend pilot training after graduation, attributes his success to three dominant character traits. These align with the Academy’s core values, mission and vision. “My work ethic, leadership and passion encompass what I have been doing both in and out of the wrestling room since I arrived as a freshman,” Wolf said. “All three traits are part of my vision of who I want to be as a cadet and future U.S. Air Force officer, as well as a leader and a man.”

How athletics develop leadership

The Academy’s mission to educate, train and inspire men and women to become officers of character is integrated across all mission elements. The Athletic Department offers intercollegiate cadets this development through competition and teamwork. Student-athletes experience leadership opportunities in challenging environments while they develop warrior ethos and a heightened will to win.
Head Academy wrestling coach Sam Barber said he has seen Wolf’s leadership skills, passion for competition and work skills in action since his first practice in 2020. Barber said Wolf’s work ethic is “at the top of a distinguished list of hard-working student-athletes” during his 30-year coaching career. “I most appreciated the attributes he demonstrated daily on and off the mat,” Barber said. “He approached his goals with focus and determination but with a lightheartedness that allowed him to enjoy the process and spread positivity throughout the program. I valued his high-level communication skills, honesty and infectious personality. He is a tireless worker and a ferocious competitor.” … more at … USAFa.edu/star-wrestler-shows-how-athletics-produces-leaders

April 21, 2024 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment