Takedown Report

New College Wrestling Programs

Northampton Men’s Wrestling Debuts with Win Over Bergen
NEWTON, NJ – The Northampton men’s wrestling team made their debut on Wednesday evening, downing Bergen Community College, 39-11, in their inaugural match, before falling to host Sussex County Community College, 39-11, at Skylander Arena. Jaden Figueroa (Fountain Hill, PA/Executive Charter) made history for Northampton, pinning Daniel Vela of Bergen Community College at 125, for the first victory in Spartan history. 
Diego Dominguez (Perkasie, PA/Palisades) and Xavier Arner (Schnecksville, PA/Whitehall) ended the evening with two victories each, while Luke Velekei (Pen Argyl, PA/Pen Argyl) earned a victory in his match, pinning Shawn Pawlowski of Sussex.  “Excited to be part of history,” remarked Head Coach Shaun Lally, … more at … https://www.nccspartans.com/news/2025/1/22/mens-wrestling-wrestling.aspx
And …

Kean Announces Addition of Men’s and Women’s Wrestling; DiSanto Named Head Coach
UNION, N.J. (1/22/25) – The Kean University athletics department has announced the hiring of Christopher DiSanto as the head wrestling coach while officially announcing the addition of men’s and women’s wrestling. DiSanto will lead both programs, which will bring Kean’s NCAA offerings to 22 (23 overall with varsity eSports).  The men’s program will resume after remaining dormant since 1996, while the women’s team will be the first of its kind at Kean. The creation of a women’s program comes at the perfect time as the NCAA just announced Women’s Wrestling as their 91^st championship sport. “I am excited to hire Coach DiSanto as our new Head Women’s and Men’s Wrestling Coach,” stated Kelly Williams, Director of Athletics and Recreation. “Chris is well connected within the wrestling community and brings tremendous college coaching experience with a tireless work ethic to lead our wrestling programs to success in the classroom and in competition soon. It is really a special time for Kean Athletics as we make history by adding women’s wrestling to our department and creating another opportunity for young women to follow their passion on the collegiate level.  Also, reestablishing our men’s wrestling program marks the continued expansion of sports offerings, reinforcing the university’s commitment to diverse athletic opportunities for student-athletes.”
DiSanto comes to Kean after being the Head Men’s Wrestling Coach at Bergen Community College since 2013. He dealt with all aspects of the program, including scheduling, organizing home matches, announcing, recruiting and statistical record keeping.
DiSanto was a Region 19 runner up in 2024 and 2016. In 2024, he finished in the top 10 in the NJCAA Division III and had an All-American named while finishing in the top eight. Prior to BCC, DiSanto was … more at … https://keanathletics.com/news/2025/1/22/general-kean-announces-addition-of-mens-and-womens-wrestling-disanto-named-head-coach.aspx
And …

Heart to Add Three Women’s Wrestling Programs
The Heart of America Athletic Conference proudly announces the addition of three new programs that will compete in women’s wrestling in the conference. Full member Graceland University announced … more at … https://www.heartofamericaconference.com/sports/wwrest/2024-25/releases/20250117m9o38h
And …

Heart to Add Bismarck State and Bellevue Men’s Wrestling Programs
The Heart of America Athletic Conference proudly announces the addition of two new programs that will compete in men’s wrestling in the conference. … more at … https://www.heartofamericaconference.com/sports/mwrest/2024-25/releases/20250117n6j6hk
And …

Men’s Wrestling Secures First Dual Win, Concludes CCIW Duals
Titans defeat CUW for first dual win since program’s reinstitution
KENOSHA, Wis. – For the first time since the program was reinstated prior to the 2023-24 season, the Illinois Wesleyan University men’s wrestling team picked up a dual win. The Titans defeated College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin foe Concordia University Wisconsin, 43-12. The win kicked off the program’s first appearance in the CCIW Duals Saturday, Jan. 25, where IWU would ultimately post a 1-2 record on the day.
Illinois Wesleyan 43, Concordia Wisconsin 12
IWU kicked off the day with a commanding win over CCIW affiliate Concordia Wisconsin, marking the first dual win since the program was reinstated prior to the 2023-24 season. 
Freshman Chandler Gardner (Marengo, Ill.-Marian Central Catholic) picked up a win by forfeit at 125 pounds, while fellow freshman Jackson Castaneda (Oak Forest, Ill.-Oak Forest) earned the win via forfeit at 165 pounds. With the match even after alternating forfeits, sophomore Austin Johnston (Normal, Ill.-Normal West) took down CUW’s Anastacio Martinez. Johnston earned his 12th win of the season, taking the match by major decision, 15-3.
Freshman Ameer Alamawi (New Lenox, Ill.-Lincoln-Way Central) was the first of four pins by the Titans on the day, as he needed just 1:39 to take down … more at … https://www.iwusports.com/news/2025/1/25/mens-wrestling-mens-wrestling-secures-first-dual-win-concludes-cciw-duals.aspx

January 27, 2025 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | girls-wrestling, sports, wrestling