Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

Ken Kraft Midlands Championships Return to Northwestern University Campus

EVANSTON, Ill. – The Ken Kraft Midlands Championships are coming back to Evanston, Northwestern wrestling announced Thursday. After the last six tournaments have been held in Hoffman Estates, Ill., the prestigious event will return to campus on December 29-30, 2025, to be hosted inside Ryan Fieldhouse. “My staff and I are very excited to be bringing the Midlands Championships back on campus this December,” said head wrestling coach Matt Storniolo. “Ryan Fieldhouse will provide a truly unique setting for one of college wrestling’s premier events. We’re looking forward to welcoming some of the nation’s elite men’s and women’s programs to Evanston for two intense days of competition.”
It will mark the second time a wrestling event has been held in Ryan Fieldhouse after the ‘Cats hosted SIUE for a dual meet there in February of 2019.
The Midlands Championships have been hosted by Northwestern since 1963, when then-head coach Ken Kraft organized the inaugural tournament in La Grange, Ill. Beginning in 1972, the tournament was held annually in Welsh-Ryan Arena until 2017, when it moved off campus. This year’s tournament will be the 61st iteration of the event and the first one held in Evanston in nearly a decade. 
READ MORE ON THE LEGENDARY KEN KRAFT
Last year’s field featured 25 teams on the men’s side, including nine ranked squads. This December’s tournament will be the fourth to feature a women’s division as well. … more at … https://nusports.com/news/2025/9/11/wrestling-ken-kraft-midlands-championships-return-to-campus

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

Cowgirl Wrestling is on the Rise and Dani Nugent is a Big Reason Why

Cowgirl wrestling is building something special.
The Oklahoma State Cowgirl Wrestling Club has quickly become a trailblazing force in women’s wrestling. They recently welcomed in one of the top female wrestlers in the nation, stamping a potential new beginning for Cowgirl wrestling. Daniella Nugent recently announced by way of Instagram that she would be continuing her academic and wrestling career at Oklahoma State University.
With a resume boasting four New England Prep titles, three National Prep championships, and a spot on the U.S. U20 World Championship team in Bulgaria, where she finished fifth, this wrestler has found a home in Stillwater’s orange and black.
“Joining the Cowgirl Wrestling Club has given me access to the best coaches, resources, and people,” Dani said. “Wearing orange and black is special because it represents the beginning of women’s wrestling history in a place that truly appreciates the sport. I’m extremely excited to compete for OSU.”
Since its inception in 2022, the Cowgirl Wrestling Club has leveraged OSU’s unparalleled wrestling tradition to foster a competitive environment. Training in the Cowboy Wrestling Club’s state-of-the-art facility under coaches like Izzak Olejnik, the Cowgirls are pushing boundaries despite their club status. For this wrestler, the move to Stillwater has sharpened her skills and resolve. … more at … https://www.si.com/college/oklahomastate/wrestling/cowgirl-wrestling-is-on-the-rise-and-dani-nugent-is-a-big-reason-why

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

Reasco becomes Ecuador’s first world champ as Maroulis adds to gold tally

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 16) — While Helen MAROULIS (USA) was adding to her mountainous pile of world medals with a fourth career gold, Genesis REASCO (ECU) made history by becoming Ecuador’s first-ever world champion.
Reasco reached the pinnacle of the sport with a 4-2 victory in the 76kg final over Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), denying the two-time world medalist her first gold in the last of four women’s finals on Wednesday at the World Championships in Zagreb. “I went in, gave my all, and it worked,” Reasco said. “That’s how the gold medal was achieved, because honestly, I have a lot of respect for all my opponents. They gave everything out there on the mat, and they were really good matches — both yesterday’s and today’s. Everything was very tough, very close.”
Maroulis, who will turn 34 on Friday, showed why she has accumulated eight medals overall in 12 trips to the World Championships when she scored a dramatic takedown with :05 left to edge Il Sim SON (PRK) 3-2 in the 57kg final.
In other finals, Myonggyong WON (PRK) gave the DPR Korea its second women’s title in two nights … more at … https://uww.org/article/reasco-becomes-ecuadors-first-world-champ-maroulis-adds-gold-tally

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