Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

Finn: Wrestling made me the journalist I wanted to be

By Mike Finn

As a journalist for the past 47 years, I have covered many sports, especially wrestling since 1988, including the past 21 years as WIN editor. During that time, I’ve loved digging up information on what mat accomplishments made wrestlers and coaches so memorable.
Yet, at the same time, no one will ever find any glowing wrestling moments in my past with this sport, which included competing for Columbus High School in Waterloo, Iowa, where I never wrestled varsity and usually got my rear kicked.
But I never lost my love for the sport, primarily because of the life skills the sport provided me as a parent and a person. I also like to think those skills of not backing down against the biggest challenges helped me as a Watergate-era journalist, trained to challenge authority.
And this reporting style was perfect for a sport like wrestling where coaches and wrestlers expressed their feelings, whether I liked their answers or not. That is why I loved writing about wrestling because no athlete or coach of any sport is more candid than a wrestler.
That is what I’ll probably miss the most as I say goodbye to the wrestling community. This is the last column for WIN as I officially retire on Feb. 7.
The best part of my job has been interviewing countless people over the years. And to all those I never got to speak to, I apologize because I believe everyone has a story.
Of course, there are too many people for me to thank, but I will start with WIN founder Mike Chapman, whose challenge of making wrestling a mainstream sport has never been appreciated. And, current WIN owner Bryan Van Kley, who made me editor in 2003, at a time when I needed a professional change, and who was kind enough to share his family with me.
I’ve been fortunate to work with other incredible people over the past two decades, including our office managers Diana Strickland, Kim Mapes, Michele Worthington and Gina LeFleur … as well as so many columnists, including Kyle Klingman, Rob Sherrill and Sandy Stevens who have been there since my WIN beginning.
There have been so many other professionals who have helped me over the years like members of USA Wrestling, including executive director Rich Bender and Hall of Fame information specialist Gary Abbott, whose recommendation gave me the chance to work with NBC Sports for every summer Olympics since 2008.

Click on the cover or call 888-305-0606 to subscribe to WIN Magazine.

I could say the same thing about Jason Bryant, the current voice of wrestling, or the National Wrestling Coaches Association, led by Mike Moyer and so many more I’ve pestered over the years. And speaking of being a pest, I’m sure many a coach got tired of me asking so many questions. Yet so many of their answers, whether I liked them or not, still stick to my soul.
And no coach had a greater impact on me than Dan Gable, … more at … https://www.win-magazine.com/2025/01/24/finn-wrestling-made-me-the-journalist-i-wanted-to-be/

January 29, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment

Cleveland State Wresling Results & News

Cleveland State Wrestling Sweeps MAC Doubleheader
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland State swept its home conference doubleheader against Bloomsburg and Clarion on Friday evening. The Vikings opened the night with a 40-0 shutout of the Huskies and then picked up a 24-10 win over the Golden Eagles.  
The match with Bloomsburg started at 165-pounds and saw the Green and White win the opening four matches by decision to lead 12-0. No. 31 Daniel Bucknavich bumped the advantage to 18-0 behind a fall in 2:45.  A Ben Aranda technical fall at 125-pounds bumped the margin to 23-0. A Jake Manley decision at 133-pounds and a forfeit at 141-pounds made it 32-0.  
AJ Parish scored a huge 22-5 technical fall at 149-pounds and Reese Stephen capped off the shutout with a 4-1 sudden victory at 157-pounds as the Green and White won 40-0.  The match with Clarion also started at 165-pounds and saw the Vikings win the first four matches by decision to 12-0. The visitors were then deducted a team point for unsportsmanlike.  
Bucknavich secured a narrow 1-0 decision at 285-pounds as the lead moved to 15-{-1}. Clarion got on the board with a major decision at 125-pound to trail 15-3.  Molchak swung the momentum back for the home team with a fall in 1:19 as the advantage stood at 21-3.  
The Golden Eagles took the next two matches by decision and major decision to pull within 21-10. However, Stephen capped off the night with a 4-1 victory as Cleveland State won 24-10. … more at … https://csuvikings.com/news/2025/1/24/cleveland-state-wrestling-sweeps-mac-doubleheader.aspx
And …

Lyons Named MAC East Wrestler of the Week
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland State senior Joey Lyons was named the MAC East Division Wrestler of the Week. Lyons becomes the second Viking this season to earn a weekly and the first of his career. Lyons led the Green and White to a sweep of its doubleheader on Friday as the Wooster, Ohio, native went 2-0 at 197-pounds. He started the night with an 8-1 decision over Mason Rebuck of Bloomsburg and capped off the night with a 7-4 decision against Ethan Wiant of Clarion. On the year, Lyons is 8-10 overall … more at … https://csuvikings.com/news/2025/1/28/wrestling-lyons-named-mac-east-wrestler-of-the-week.aspx
And …

CSU Board of Trustees Approves Recommendations to Reduce Athletics Budget
CLEVELAND, Ohio (Jan. 23, 2025) — Cleveland State University (CSU) has announced it will discontinue its three NCAA sport programs in wrestling, women’s golf and softball, following the approval of the CSU Board of Trustees at their meeting on January 23, 2025. CSU made the difficult decision to discontinue these sport programs at the conclusion of their respective seasons this academic year as part of a strategic effort, which began in 2023, to address budgetary shortfalls across the University. In addition to the discontinued programs, the CSU Board of Trustees approved relocating the University’s Esports program from CSU Athletics to CSU’s Washkewicz College of Engineering.
These recommendations resulted from a thorough review of CSU Athletics programs by a working group comprised of representatives from CSU Athletics, CSU faculty and the Cleveland community. The difficult decision to discontinue programs was made after careful consideration in keeping with the guiding principles that the working group identified, including aligning with CSU’s commitment to upholding a transformational student-athlete experience and positioning CSU Athletics for long-term success in the classroom, in the community and in competition. “Over the past several years, one of our primary goals has been … more at … https://csuohio.edu/news/csu-board-trustees-approves-recommendations-reduce-athletics-budget
And …

SAVE CLEVELAND STATE WRESTLING!
Cleveland State Family,
I’m sure you have seen the devastating news about our program being cut at the end of the season. Here is my statement regarding this decision. “A decision was made yesterday to discontinue the Cleveland State Wrestling Program—a program I’ve poured my heart into for the last nine years. It breaks my heart to see our young men placed in this situation, especially in the middle of their season.
Wrestling has always been about overcoming adversity, and I know the lessons these young men have learned will guide them through this challenging time. I have full confidence in their ability to persevere. The 36 incredible young men who represent this program believed in my vision, chose Cleveland State over countless other opportunities, and fully bought into our culture of excellence, integrity, and hard work. They have done everything asked of them and continue to be men of character and resilience.
I ask for your prayers, positivity, and belief as we navigate this difficult road together. This program has been a family, and I am grateful for every moment I’ve had leading these remarkable individuals. Let’s stand together and support them as they continue to chase their dreams”
What can you do to show your support?
|To honor, remember, and celebrate everyone who has wrestled at Cleveland State University over the past 60 years, I am personally planning a Celebration of the Program before, during, and after our match against Kent State on Thursday, February 20th. All matches are held at Woodling Gym, Location is 2450 Chester Ave, Parking in the EG Garage next to the Gym,
I plan to invite Youth, MS, HS, and other local college programs to attend and enjoy an evening of great conversations around the best sport in the world! Please consider attending and sharing the information. I am thinking a 6pm-7pm social with food, music, and conversation, followed by a 7pm dual with Kent State, and a gathering at the Viking Public House to follow.
FREE TO EVERYONE! If you are wanting to donate financial, please consider doing so here: http://www.clevelandrtc.org/shop/DONATION
More details to come, I believe that we can get 1,000 people in Woodling to show their love and support one last time. 
We are….FamilyJosh Moore <j.j.moore40@csuohio.edu>
Head Wrestling Coach
330-554-7936

January 29, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment

Hawkeyes Down No. 4 Ohio State

The second-ranked University of Iowa wrestling team defeated fourth-ranked Ohio State on Saturday afternoon at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Mediacom Mat.
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The second-ranked University of Iowa wrestling team defeated fourth-ranked Ohio State on Saturday afternoon at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Mediacom Mat.
The Hawkeyes won 7-of-10 bouts and got bonus points at 165 and 197 pounds. “You have to go out and do it, that is where we are at,” said head coach Tom Brands. “We get on a plane Thursday, and we go 7 p.m. Eastern Time at the Bryce Jordan Center”.  
The Hawkeyes got a win out of the gate as Joey Cruz earned the highest ranked win of his career defeating No. 16 Brendan McCrone, 6-5. Back-to-back technical falls for the Buckeyes put them up, 10-3, as Ben Davino won 19-4 over Keyan Hernandez and top-ranked Jesse Mendez won 19-2 over Ryder Block. A top 10 win at 149, as Kyle Parco defeated No. 9 Dylan D’Emilio, 8-3, got the Hawkeyes back in the win column. At 157, top-ranked Jacori Teemer made his return from injury for the Hawkeyes winning via a 10-5 decision over 17th ranked Sammy Sasso, cutting the Ohio State lead to one. Iowa got bonus points out of intermission as Michael Caliendo defeated No.9 Paddy Gallagher, 11-3, for the major decision at 165.  
The Buckeyes responded tying the score at 13 apiece with a decision at 174, No. 6 Carson Kharchla defeated Patrick Kennedy, 7-3. A 4-1 overtime win at 184 for Gabe Arnold over No. 19 Ryder Rogotzke gave the Hawkeyes the lead back and a 18-1 technical fall from Stephen Buchanan over No. 17 Seth Schumate put that match away for the Hawkeyes. “Of course, I wish I would have finished all the attacks I had taken,” said Arnold. “My goal out there is to make the scoreboard lopsided, throw a football score on my side. Obviosuly that is what I want to do, but sometimes the plan changes a little bit, and you have to deviate. You keep attacking, and I was confident in my ability and my attacks. I just kept going.” … more at … https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2025/01/25/hawkeyes-down-no-4-ohio-state

January 29, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment