Takedown Report

Wrestling now the nation’s fastest-growing girl’s sport

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Jody Mikhail was a sophomore at Pennsylvania’s Cumberland Valley High School when a poster for a new girls’ wrestling club caught her eye. So Mikhail, a senior now, tried the sport. “I fell in love with it the first time,” she said.
Unlike previous generations, she’s hardly alone. Girls’ wrestling has become the fastest-growing high school sport in the country, sanctioned by a surging number of states and bolstered by a movement of medal-winning female wrestlers, parents and the male-dominated ranks of coaches and administrators who saw it as a necessity and a matter of equality.
Where once girls wrestled on boys teams and against boys, increasingly they are wrestling on girls teams and against girls. And now that they are wrestling in sanctioned and official tournaments against girls, their names are going onto plaques on their high schools’ walls and into state record books.
This year, Kentucky, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania held their first state-sanctioned girls’ wrestling championships, while Louisiana became the 45th state to sanction the sport. At the collegiate level, women’s wrestling is designated as an “emerging” sport and is on track to become a championship-level sport in 2026, the NCAA said.
In Pennsylvania — where the Penn State men are ranked No. 1 and the state’s male and female wrestlers dominated last year’s 16-and-under national team championships — the number of girl wrestlers in high schools nearly doubled this year as the state rocketed to more than 180 high school teams from none in 2020.
Hundreds of girls competed in Pennsylvania’s first sanctioned state tournament, including Mikhail, after years of girls having no choice but to wrestle boys or, if they did wrestle girls, seeing the same handful of faces, year after year, in tournaments organized by local wrestling organizations.
Even for girls who compete nationally or hope to wrestle in college, wrestling in state-sanctioned tournaments brings status. “It really does bring this level of, I think, having these girls feel seen,” said Brooke Zumas, a former wrestling coach who was active in the movement to get the sport sanctioned in Pennsylvania.
Girls who have competed for years are seeing new faces and big crowds in this year’s state-sanctioned championship tournaments. “There were never tournaments like this,” said Savannah Witt, a state champion wrestler from Pennsylvania’s Palisades High School who has wrestled for 10 years. … more at … Postregister.com/Wrestling-now-the-nations-fastest-growing-girls-sport

April 29, 2024 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Oklahoma State Coach John Smith era ends

TDR Ed.’s Notes; Just some of the articles written about John Smith announcing his retirement.
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OSU Wrestling: How John Smith Started a Tradition of Late-Night Workouts For Cowboys Seeking World Glory
‘We’re all looking for that edge. It gave me the edge’
There’s a legend of John Smith waking up in the middle of a slumber at 2 a.m. to run up and down stairs at Gallagher Hall in preparation for world championships and Olympic games. He hated the thought that while he was sleeping, an opponent in Russia was training to beat him.
Between becoming the winningest wrestler in Oklahoma State history and coaching the Cowboys to five NCAA titles and a program-record 490 dual wins, there was a time Smith wore red, white and blue instead of orange. In that six-year span, Smith won a historical six world championships in a row, including a pair of Olympic gold medals. That run also included his two NCAA individual titles in 1987 and 1988, and his first year leading Cowboy Wrestling while in the midst of training for the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992. “Where did motivation come from?” Smith said. “Everything came from family — it came from Oklahoma State wrestling and Oklahoma State University, as well. You don’t just find that level of motivation. I was a two-time state champion. I went to junior nationals but never won it. I got beat out as a true freshman in the NCAA championships. I wasn’t there [yet]. I wasn’t the guy that ended up winning six world championships and belts. I became that guy through my experience here at Oklahoma State and through the things I wanted. I was so driven that I didn’t need sleep — I thought.”
That set of stairs on the east side of the venue survived a renovation and are still standing at Gallagher-Iba Arena, … more at … Pistolsfiringblog.com/osu-wrestling-how-john-smith-started-a-tradition-of-late-night-workouts
And …

Coleman Scott on replacing John Smith as OSU wrestling coach: ‘That’s not my call’
For most of Coleman Scott’s life, John Smith was the head coach of Oklahoma State wrestling.
Scott, 37, was named the interim coach Thursday when Smith announced his retirement after a legendary 33-year career.
The official position must be posted for five working days, according to Oklahoma statute, in order to give qualified candidates an opportunity to apply. The wrestling community has considered Scott’s elevation inevitable when he resigned as the head coach at North Carolina to become the associate head coach at OSU in August.
But no one, not even Scott, expected it to come so soon. “I had the talk with him this week,” Scott said in an exclusive interview with the News Press. “He’s earned every bit of anything he gets and super happy for him. This is an unbelievable career and the greatest of all time.”
Scott did not confirm whether he expects to be the program’s next head coach or not. “That’s not my call,” he said. “It’s not about me. It’s about the program and it’s about the Coach Smith and what he has meant to this school and this athletic department. We’re going to celebrate him.”
Smith coached Scott to an individual NCAA championship at 133 pounds in 2008, four All-American runs and team titles in his freshman and sophomore seasons. Smith was also the Team USA coach when Scott won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics in London. Scott started his coaching career on Smith’s staff as a volunteer assistant in 2013 and 2014.
Scott said he was happy for Smith. “Doing something 33 years, he’s got the right to make that decision,” Scott said. “I want to celebrate him and do anything I can to make him proud and show him how much he meant to me and this school and this program.”
Smith and athletic director Chad Weiberg will host a press conference Monday morning to discuss the retirement. Scott can be named the official head coach by the end of next week. What will his job consist of until then? … more at … Claremoreprogress.com/Coleman-scott-on-replacing-john-smith-as-osu-wrestling-coach
And …

The Top 5 Quotes from John Smith’s Retirement News Conference
‘I didn’t make [Cowboy Wrestling], it made me’
John Smith admitted that even though he didn’t initially want to do a news conference about his retirement, he was eventually glad athletic director Chad Weiberg twisted his arm so he could “tell a little bit of my story.”
Smith announced on Thursday his retirement as Oklahoma State’s wrestling coach after leading the program for 33 years. On Monday, OSU hosted a news conference with Smith and Weiberg inside a packed meeting room at Boone Pickens Stadium, filled with Smith’s friends and family, OSU’s current staff, current and former OSU wrestlers, OSU coaches from other sports and even former athletic director Mike Holder. Smith entered and exited the news conference to a standing ovation from all those in attendance. “I just feel really nervous,” Smith said. “I think I’m nervous because I’m just really fortunate to be able to tell a little bit of my story. Most people retire and they walk out out of the office, packaging their stuff up in a box and they walk out. I get to tell my story, and for me, it’s that important. I didn’t want to do this, but I’m glad I got the opportunity.”
There’s a lot to unpack from 33 years and a news conference that lasted over 25 minutes before Smith and Weiberg answered questions from the media for another 37 minutes. Here are the top five quotes that stood out from Smith’s retirement news conference.
1. Credit Lee Roy For the Start of the Smith Legacy
Just like any retirement speech, Smith started his with introductions of his family and plenty of thank yous. Actually, Smith’s first quote after Weiberg handed things over to him was, “OK, Mom, stand up,” before he introduced the mother of 10, who Smith referred to as a “rattlesnake” multiple times while crediting her for various attributes and characteristics.
But the most heartfelt introduction for Smith, as he battled back tears, was for his older brother, Lee Roy, who was a three-time All-American as a Cowboy and was the first Smith to attend OSU. Weiberg credited and thanked Lee Roy for making John Smith’s legacy at OSU possible since he was the first Smith to leave Del City for Stillwater, and John Smith ultimately followed. “My hero,” Smith said before introducing Lee Roy. “My first hero, Lee Roy Smith.”
Smith said Lee Roy signing his National Letter of Intent to OSU is what prompted his first trip to Gallagher Hall at 10, when he examined pictures “in 30 cent frames” on the wall of past Cowboy legends. “There was just a level motivation saying, ‘I can do this,’” Smith said. “You’re walking and looking at Frank Lewis — 1936 Olympic gold medalist — it just made me believe that this is where I belong and this is an opportunity for me to capitalize on everything I’ve ever wanted in wrestling. I was a highly motivated wrestler as a young guy with my brother growing up in Oklahoma, one of the best ever that ever came through the state, coming to Oklahoma State. For me, spending time in Gallagher Hall was just one incredible moment for a young kid, and still today, Gallagher-Iba Arena — I can’t tell you how much time I’ve spent in this facility from the time I was here.”
2. Why Now?
The main question being pondered since Smith’s announcement Thursday has been, after 33 years, why now?
Smith said he wanted to assure that when he walked away Cowboy Wrestling was in a better place. He couldn’t have retired after the previous two seasons when OSU finished in 14th in 2022 and 18th in 2023 in what were disappointing campaigns by Cowboy Wrestling standards. He even admitted he pondered retiring after the 2019-20 season, but then COVID hit and he didn’t want to leave the program during such an uncertain time. But this past season the Cowboys jumped inside the top 10 at the NCAA Wrestling Championships after going 14-1 in duals and setting a season attendance record along the way. Smith also mentioned the addition of associate head Coleman Scott, who wrestled under Smith and was the head coach at North Carolina the previous eight years. “When I walked away from the NCAA Championship this year I was complete,” Smith said. “I wish we would have done better than 10th … more at … Pistolsfiringblog.com/Top-5-quotes-from-john-smiths-retirement-news-conference
And …

John Smith leaves lasting legacy with Oklahoma State
John Smith will never forget the first time he was in Gallagher Hall.
It was the day his brother and “first hero,” Lee Roy Smith III, signed his National Letter of Intent to wrestle for Oklahoma State University in 1976. The 10-year-old John saw pictures of the great OSU wrestlers from the late 1920s to the early ’30s hung on the walls. “It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” the now 58-year-old John Smith said. “It made me believe that this is where I belonged and this is an opportunity for me to capitalize on everything I ever wanted in wrestling.”
Smith became the greatest American wrestler and one of the greatest college wrestling coaches in history for Oklahoma State. The university on Monday celebrated the end of his legendary coaching career – which included five NCAA championships, 23 conference championships and 490 dual wins – as Smith announced his retirement on Thursday.
Why now?
Most people around the program, including athletic director Chad Weiberg, thought Smith would continue to coach a young team with an upward trajectory. “We had a really good year, so I thought, ‘Great, we’re going to keep rockin’ and rollin’ and hopefully get another seven, nine, 10 years out of him, and maybe I’ll retire before he does,” Weiberg said. … more at … STwnewspress.com/John-smith-leaves-lasting-legacy-with-oklahoma-state
And …

‘He’s a winner’: Why Coleman Scott could be the right fit to replace John Smith at OSU
After 33 years, Oklahoma State wrestling has a coaching vacancy.
On April 11, coach John Smith announced his retirement after more than three decades at the helm. Associate head coach Coleman Scott was named the interim head coach moving forward as OSU embarked on its mandatory five-day public search, according to Oklahoma State Law.
However, that “interim” tag could be removed in the near future. And in the minds of a multitude of current and former OSU wrestlers, that may be for the better.
On Monday morning, during his retirement press conference, Smith was asked a bevy of questions regarding his future and the moments leading up to his announcement. But there was one big one.
Why now?
“I brought Coleman (Scott) back,” he said. “We had a great year this year. Implemented some things, made a difference.”
Smith, of course, alluded to the rejuvenation adding a younger mind, such as Scott’s, provided to a program that had fallen behind in a variety of aspects of college athletics – the transfer portal, NIL among others. “It’s made my job a hell of a lot easier,” Smith told The O’Colly in March. “That’s for sure.”
When former associate head coach Zack Esposito left OSU in mid-August for a position with USA Wrestling, Smith practically had his decision made – Scott. And with good reason. Smith merely needed confirmation with his target, and of course, to make it official. Through every stop, Scott has shown himself to be a winner. Most notably, in his 12-year stint as the coach of North Carolina. There, he built the Tar Heels into a mainstay atop the ACC, and at times, the national level. He posted a 75-49 record in Chapel Hill, including a 12th-place finish in the 2023 Nationals, the Tar Heels’ best since 1995. … more at … Ocolly.com/Hes-a-winner-why-coleman-scott-could-be-the-right-fit-to-replace-john-smith
And …

OSU’s John Smith explains why he retired, says ‘my career is complete’
STILLWATER — John Smith didn’t want Monday to happen. He never planned to be on a stage, discussing his retirement in front of a packed room and cameras livestreaming his remarks.
Although he initially questioned the festivities put on in his honor on Monday morning, Smith didn’t doubt his decision to retire after 33 seasons as Oklahoma State’s head wrestling coach. “It was the right time,” Smith said. “That is all I could think about the last three years is just can’t leave until it is in a better place. Don’t give them a pile of crap. Give them something to go with.”
Twenty-six of Smith’s first 30 teams finished seventh or better at the NCAA championships, including five who won the national championship outright. Only two teams failed to qualify for the final meet, his second team in 1993 and the 2020 group, who watched the end of their season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A 16th-place finish in 2009 was the worst end for any of the other teams. … more at … Tulsaworld.com/John-smith-explains-why-he-retired-says-my-career-is-complete

April 29, 2024 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Why Virginia Tech? New Associate Head Coach Zach Tanelli Talks About His Move

Earlier this week, Virginia Tech head coach Tony Robie announced the latest edition to his coaching staff. He added Zach Tanelli, formerly the head coach at Columbia, to come aboard as an Associate Head Coach. Tanelli just wrapped up a season in which his team produced a pair of EIWA champions and his first individual All-American, Lennox Wolak. Coincidentally, Wolak is also headed to Virginia Tech as a graduate transfer. 

A few days after it was all official, Tanelli joined our Robbie Wendell to discuss the rationale for this move, his accomplishments at Columbia, the potential that Virginia Tech holds, his relationship with the existing staff, Carhartt vests…..and much more! For the full interview: … more at … Intermatwrestle.com/Why-virginia-tech-new-associate-head-coach-zach-tanelli-talks-about-his-move

April 29, 2024 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment