Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

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 … 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?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

February 22, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

Dual Results and News- N.C., S.C., & Va.

Editor’s Notes ; 2 week catch up from late Jan. & early April. Will have more soon. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
App. State Improves to 5-0 in SoCon with Dominant Win
BOILING SPRINGS — App State Wrestling maintained its unbeaten SoCon dual record by earning bonus-point wins at the first eight weights, capped by back-to-back pins from freshmen Stephan Monchery and Bryson Terrell, in a 38-8 victory at Gardner-Webb on Tuesday night. JohnMark Bentley picked up his 150th career victory as App State’s head coach.
The first-period pins from Monchery, a true freshman heavyweight, … more at … https://appstatesports.com/news/2025/2/4/wrestling-improves-to-5-0-in-socon-with-dominant-win.aspx?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
And …

#12 Wrestling Locks Up West Division Title with 49-0 Domination of Montevallo
FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. – The 12th-ranked Lander Wrestling team locked up their second consecutive Conference Carolinas West Division Title on Tuesday evening as they shut out the Montevallo Falcons 49-0 in a neutral site contest on the campus of Emmanuel University. This was Lander’s third consecutive shutout and fifth so far this season. The Bearcats won every match by bonus point margins, earning four major decisions, three tech falls, and two pins. Lander improved to 13-4 overall … more at … https://landerbearcats.com/news/2025/2/4/-12-wrestling-locks-up-west-division-title-with-49-0-domination-of-montevallo.aspx?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
And …

Vince Robinson Named ACC Wrestler of the Week
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Wolfpack wrestler, Vince Robinson has been named the ACC Wrestler of the Week for the third time this season as announced by the conference office on Tuesday, February 4. At Friday night’s rivalry matchup in Chapel Hill, NC State never led UNC until Robinson clinched the victory for his team in the final bout of the night. … more … https://gopack.com/news/2025/2/4/wrestling-vince-robinson-named-acc-wrestler-of-the-week?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
And …

Newberry Wrestling Dominates Allen, Secures 51-3 Victory
NEWBERRY SC – The Newberry College men’s wrestling team put on a commanding performance against Allen University, securing a dominant 51-3 victory at Home. The Wolves won nine of ten bouts, including five by fall, to extend their strong season showing. The McCullough brothers kicked things off in style, with Hunter McCullough (125 lbs.) earning a major decision over Xavier Anderson (12-4), followed by Ethan McCullough (133 lbs.) pinning … more at … https://newberrywolves.com/news/2025/1/29/mens-wrestling-newberry-wrestling-dominates-allen-secures-51-3-victory.aspx?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
And …

Abbey Wrestling Moves to 6-1 in Conference with Victory over Allen
NEWBERRY, S.C. — The Belmont Abbey wrestling team earned its sixth Conference Carolinas victory of the season thanks to a 45-6 win over Allen Wednesday evening. The match was held at Newberry’s Eleazer Arena after it was rescheduled from last week due to inclement weather.  
Christian Arrington earned a pin in 46 seconds … more at … https://abbeyathletics.com/news/2025/1/29/abbey-wrestling-moves-to-6-1-in-conference-with-victory-over-allen.aspx?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
And …

App State Wrestling Shuts Out SoCon Foe
BOONE, N.C. — Kaden Keiser delivered a takedown five seconds into App State’s home dual against Presbyterian on Monday night.  When Aldo Hernandez broke a scoreless tie … more at … https://appstatesports.com/news/2025/1/27/app-state-wrestling-shuts-out-socon-foe.aspx?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
And …

Duke’s Wallace, NC State’s Buesgens Named ACC Co-Wrestlers of the Week
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference office announced on Tuesday that Duke’s Aidan Wallace and NC State’s Koy Buesgens were named ACC Co-Wrestlers of the Week, as each wrestler scored a top-25 individual win in conference action last weekend, January 24-26.  
In his lone match of the week, Wallace registered the highest victory of his collegiate career … more at … https://theacc.com/news/2025/1/28/wrestling-dukes-wallace-nc-states-buesgens-named-acc-co-wrestlers-of-the-week.aspx?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
And …

UNCP’s – Roberson Tabbed Conference Carolinas Wrestler Of The Week
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Third-ranked 157-pounder Keegan Roberson capped off a 2-0 week by being named Conference Carolinas Wrestler of the Week, the league announced Tuesday. The Chicago, Ill. native started the week off with a 6-1 decision win over Newberry’s Dennis Virelli, … more … https://uncpbraves.com/news/2025/1/28/wrestling-roberson-tabbed-conference-carolinas-wrestler-of-the-week.aspx?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
And …

Roanoke’s Noble and Cook earn ODAC Wrestler of the Week Awards
FOREST, Va. – The Roanoke College wrestling team swept the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Athlete of the Week awards for the week of January 27. Senior Josh Noble earned the Lighter Weight Wrestler of the Week accolades while junior Nicholas Cook took home Heavier Weight Wrestler of the Week honors. Noble captured the individual title at 125 pounds … more at … https://roanokemaroons.com/news/2025/1/27/wrestling-noble-and-cook-earn-odac-wrestler-of-the-week-awards.aspx?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email









February 22, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Cleveland State Wrestling Mourns the Loss of Coach Bonacci

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Dick Bonacci, one of the founding members of the Cleveland State Athletics family, passed away this past week. Bonacci was a legend, mentor, and friend who dedicated 36 years to the wrestling program.
Bonacci arrived at Fenn College in 1962, reviving a wrestling program that had been dormant for almost 30 years. Through his hard work and determination, he guided the team through the transformation to the Cleveland State Vikings in year four.
In his time at Cleveland State, Bonacci posted a record of 296-177-9, with 25 winning seasons, including 17 consecutive winning campaigns from 1964-81. He helped secure 92 individual NCAA Championship berths including 10 All-Americans.
For his dedication to the sport, Bonacci was inducted into the seven Hall of Fames.
Bonacci got his start at West High School in Cleveland, Ohio, where he never lost a match, posting a perfect 60-0 record while catching three OHSAA State Titles. In 1951, his team was crowned National Champions.
Bonnaci went on to wrestle at the University of Toledo, winning three MAC Championships and guiding the team to two conference championships. In … more at … https://csuvikings.com/news/2025/1/27/cleveland-state-wrestling-mourns-the-loss-of-coach-bonacci.aspx?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

February 22, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Cleveland State Wrestling Topples Kent State in Front of Sellout Crowd

TDR Editor’s Notes: SAVE CLEVELAND STATE WRESTLING!!! Cleveland is home to one of the strongest areas for high school wrestling in Ohio and the USA. There is a strong tradition and history of our sport in N.E. Ohio. The TakeDown Report started in “N.E. Ohio – The Heart of Wrestling” in 1986-1987. If you have a picture of one of our old TDR shirts with that slogan please send.
The TDR will return to full speed this weekend. The Editor has been sidelined due to illness for the last 3 weeks. No excuses. It is what it is.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland State toppled Kent State 21-15 in front of a sellout crowd of 2,400 people inside Woodling Gymnasium on Thursday evening.
The Vikings jumped out to a 4-0 advantage behind a 16-3 major decision by Ben Aranda at 125-pounds. Jake Manley followed with a 10-8 decision to make it 7-0.
Kent State answered back with the next three matches to take a 12-7 advantage after the 157-pound contest.
Tate Geiser picked up a massive 19-4 technical fall at 165-pounds to even the match at 12-12. The Golden Flashes quickly went ahead by three behind a 10-4 decision at 174-pounds.
In one of the most exciting contests of the night, Gavin Ricketts pulled out a 4-1 sudden victory at 184-pounds, tying the match at 15-15. Joey Lyons then picked up a 5-1 decision at 197-pounds to make it 18-15.
No. 29 Daniel Bucknavich capped off the evening with a 2-0 shutout at 285-pounds as the Green and White won 21-15.
The Vikings return to the mat on Saturday to conclude the dual season with a match at Rider … more at … https://csuvikings.com/news/2025/2/20/cleveland-state-wrestling-topples-kent-state-in-front-of-sellout-crowd.aspx?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

February 22, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment