UNC-Pembroke Wrestling Renames Tournament In Honor Of Former Head Coach PJ Smith
PEMBROKE – UNCP wrestling’s long-standing preseason tournament, the Pembroke Classic, has been renamed the PJ Smith Pembroke Classic, athletic department officials announced Monday.
“This is a fitting tribute to Coach Smith and his legacy at UNCP and in our community,” said UNC Pembroke Director of Athletics, Dick Christy. “The Pembroke Classic provides a wide spectrum of mat opportunities for student-athletes to compete, something that really aligns with Coach Smith’s efforts to grow the sport of wrestling in our community, region, and state.”
“Coach Smith started this tournament back in the ’80s when he took over as head coach at UNCP, and is the longest-standing preseason tournament in the southeast, as well as one of the longest-standing in the country,” said UNC Pembroke head wrestling coach OT Johnson. “As we all know, PJ was an instrumental part of wrestling in the southeast region, and this tournament is indicative of that. I had a chance to wrestle in this tournament as a collegiate athlete, and it is surreal to be honoring the man that made that possible with the renaming of this event.”
The event is still the longest-standing annual athletics event for UNC Pembroke. … more at … https://uncpbraves.com/news/2024/10/28/wrestling-renames-tournament-in-honor-of-former-head-coach-pj-smith.aspx
Wyoming Wrestling Dominates Campbell, 28-12, in the Dual at the Daddy
CHEYENNE, Wyoming (10/31/24) – The University of Wyoming wrestling team and Campbell opened up the 2024-25 NCAA wrestling season Thursday night in the Dual at the Daddy. And with the entire collegiate wrestling world watching, the Pokes didn’t disappoint.
In fact, they dominated. Wyoming, at Frontier Park on the grounds of Cheyenne Frontier Days, toppled the Fighting Camels, 28-12. “It’s awesome. I love doing these things,” Wyoming’s Jore Volk said. “It was fun too. The crowd was awesome. They’re right on top of you. It was an awesome experience, and I hope we do something with UFC Fight Pass every year.”
These same two teams met last year at the Battle in the Barn. That event was put on by UFC Fight Pass, as well, and Campbell came out on top, 23-12. The revenge exacted by Wyoming on Thursday was quick and loud. The Cowboys sprung two upsets in the first three bouts and rode that to winning seven of 10.
No. 2 Volk (125) got things started with a methodical 2-0 win over No. 13 Anthony Molton. An escape point and a ride-time point accounted for the only scores.
Stockton O’Brien (133) had the match of the night. He pinned No. 15 Domenic Zaccone in the second period and was named Wrestle of the Night for his upset. He was gifted a WWE-style belt following the dual.
Cole Brooks (141) followed suit. He upset No. 29 Shannon Hanna with a takedown in overtime for a 5-2 sudden victory.
No. 25 Jared Hill (157) also won in overtime. He defeated Seth Larson, 8-5.
Cooper Voorhees (165) grinded out a 4-2 decision win over Kendrick Hodge. … more at … https://gowyo.com/news/2024/10/31/wrestling-dominates-campbell-28-12-in-the-dual-at-the-daddy.aspx
Prendergast wins at 103; UMO competes at home event
MOUNT OLIVE (Nov. 4) – In the opening event of the 2024-25 season, freshman Lillian Prendergast captured individual medalist honors in the 103-weight class on Saturday, as the Trojans featured a trio of wrestlers on the podium at the Trojan Open in Kornegay Arena.
The University of Mount Olive women’s wrestling program had eight wrestlers in the event, including four newcomers to the roster. The Trojans featured at least one wrestler in seven of the 10 weight classes. Prendergast posted a perfect 3-0 record at 103 on Saturday in her first collegiate competition with Mount Olive. After receiving an opening-round bye, she produced a fall in just 48 seconds over Olivia Collins of Greensboro in the quarterfinals before defeating Morgan Repasky of Montreat by a 10-0 tech fall. In the championship match, Prendergast captured the individual title via forfeit over Angelina Casteneda of Cumberlands.
Freshman O’marzria Wright delivered a stellar performance in the 110-weight class after finishing as the runner-up behind a 3-1 mark. She won by fall in the opening two rounds after defeating Chloe Carver of Montreat and Ashley Courtney of Cumberlands. In the semifinals, Wright posted a victory via a 12-2 tech fall versus Payton Agnell of Lindsey Wilson but fell the title match to Reagan Thomas of Lindsey Wilson by an 18-7 tech fall.
In the 207 weight class, sophomore Andrea Smith produced a fourth-place finish … more at … https://umotrojans.com/news/2024/11/2/womens-wrestling-prendergast-wins-at-103-umo-competes-at-home-event.aspx
TDR blog
After 20 seasons of publicizing wrestling The TakeDown Report’s (TDR) focus has changed to the collecting of college coaching records from North America since 1903. We will continue to recognize and reward successful wrestlers in eastern North Carolina (east of Raleigh & Fayetteville), assist with schools in starting or re-starting a team and this blog. Join us on our FaceBook Page – “The TakeDown Report” for photos and news. Please send results, stories, links and news to pass along. E-mail us at takedownreport@gmail.com
Martin Fleming, Editor
Takedown Report
Takedown Report 