Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

Cleveland State News Update

Stipe Miocic on Cleveland State cutting wrestling: ‘Let’s save the program’
Former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic broke his silence on Cleveland State’s announcement to cut the wrestling program and other sports.
CSU announced the removal of wrestling, women’s golf and softball amid a reduction of the athletics budget. Safe to say, the news wasn’t met with a positive reaction.
Especially those in the wrestling community, many were shocked and angry over wrestling’s elimination. Miocic, a former Cleveland State record, took to social media.
“I’m sick to my stomach and heartbroken for these young men and coaches,” Miocic wrote on Twitter. “One of the oldest sports at Cleveland State University—wrestling—is being cut. As a former wrestler at CSU, this program was a huge chapter of my life and shaped me into the person I am today. I’ll always cherish what it gave me. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this decision. I hope there’s still time to make a difference and save this incredible program. Let’s save the program!” … more at … https://www.on3.com/college/cleveland-state-vikings/news/stipe-miocic-on-cleveland-state-cutting-wrestling-lets-save-the-program/
And …

CSU wrestlers look to repeat history in saving their program as wrestling alum Stipe Miocic lends his support
CLEVELAND — The situation the Cleveland State Wrestling team finds itself in following the school’s decision to eliminate the program following this academic year is not unfamiliar.
RELATED: Cleveland State University discontinues 3 NCAA sports programs after Board of Trustees approval

A decade ago, the 2015 squad suffered the same blow when the school axed the program. The move sent shockwaves through the team and the school. Students rallied behind the team, voting in a referendum that they’d be willing to raise credit hour prices to save the sport. A move that a decade ago led the university to reverse its decision and reinstate the sport. It’s a formula some members of the current squad hope to replicate ten years later. An investment in wrestling now is an investment in Cleveland’s future. “I firmly believe that we have 30 guys on our roster that are from Ohio, and most of them are from the greater Cleveland area,” said wrestler Joey Lyons.
That’s why he launched a GoFundMe account to raise money to mount the case for keeping the team.
A push received attention when CSU wrestling’s most famous alum, Stipe Miocic, told his followers on X he was sick to his stomach and heartbroken for these young men and coaches. He said the program shaped him into the person he is. Closing with, “I hope there’s still time to make a difference and save this incredible program.” Words that were music to the team’s ears. “It’s awesome. I mean, to have a guy of that caliber, with that kind of platform and to use that platform for us, it’s astounding,” Lyons said.
If Cleveland State gets rid of wrestling, it’s a move that would come as the city of Cleveland prepares to host the sport’s ultimate showcase next spring, the 2026 NCAA Men’s Division 1 National Championships. The wrestling championships last hosted by Cleveland in 2018 are one of the biggest gets in college sports. … more at … https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/csu-wrestlers-look-to-repeat-history-in-saving-their-program-as-wrestling-alum-stipe-miocic-lends-his-support

February 2, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment

NCAA DI Rankings Updated (1/28/2025)

Once again, there were plenty of changes to the national rankings after removing wrestlers for season-ending injuries or inactivity, or “other.” This was apparent at 197 lbs with two-time All-American Trey Munoz getting removed. Munoz has not competed since Vegas in early December. From what we understand, there is a possibility that Munoz will return this season, so, should he do so, he’ll be reinserted. Also at 197 lbs, Christian Carroll was removed as he had left the Iowa State team. Those changes resulted in a handful of wrestlers at this weight getting bumped up a couple spots automatically. 
There were also some changes with Cornell’s lightweights. Late last week, there was confirmation that Greg Diakomihalis was injured and Brett Ungar intends to move from 133 to 125. Once Ungar gets down and wrestles, he’ll be considered. With Ungar dropping, we have Tyler Ferrera debuting in the rankings for Cornell at 133 lbs. 
One of the brain busters of the week was how to handle the #4-#8 range at 141 lbs. Cael Happel won a huge matchup against Tagen Jamison, but then lost the next day to Mosha Schwartz. Jamison also lost to Jacob Frost. Complicating the matter is that both have wins over #6 Brock Hardy. We did flip Happel and Jamison due to the head-to-head result, but are holding steady otherwise. Should Happel/Jamison continue to lose to lesser-ranked opponents, they’ll drop. 
A few teams still might have lineup wrinkles to work out and one that’s become evident has been Nebraska at 174 lbs. Veteran Bubba Wilson had a strong tournament in Vegas, but has missed a lot of time. In his absence, redshirt freshman Christopher Minto has been excellent. In the past few weeks, he’s posted wins over Beau Mantanona and Andrew Sparks.  … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/ncaa-di-rankings-updated-1282025-r99965/

February 2, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

ASICS January 29 Race for the Hodge Trophy Update

This March, WIN Magazine, Culture House and ASICS will announce the winner of the prestigious 2025 Dan Hodge Trophy that will be presented to the nation’s top NCAA Division I wrestler, following the March 20-22 NCAA Championships in Philadelphia.
Between now and then, WIN Magazine will provide a weekly update, every Tuesday, at WIN-Magazine.com on this year’s race for the coveted trophy, which was created in 1994 by former WIN publisher Mike Chapman and named after Dan Hodge, the late three-time NCAA champion (1955-57) from the University of Oklahoma.
In addition to former Hodge Trophy winners, a retired coach from each region, and national media members, wrestling fans can once again be part of the voting as well. Shortly after the NCAAs, fans will be able to vote online at WIN-Magazine.com with the winner earning five first-place votes.
The criteria for winning the award are record, dominance/bonus-point percentage, quality of competition and sportsmanship.
Statistical Look at Notable 2025 Hodge Trophy Candidates
The following list shows wrestlers ranked within the top 10 (as of WIN’s Jan. 27 rankings) who are currently undefeated. The list also includes how many pins (P), tech falls (TF), … more at … https://www.win-magazine.com/2025/01/29/january-29-race-for-the-hodge-trophy-update/

February 2, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment