One leg, unmeasurable courage: An interview with Anthony Robles, subject of ‘Unstoppable’
In the history of NCAA athletics, there may not be a championship as unlikely, extraordinary and inspiring as Anthony Robles’ 2011 individual wrestling national championship at the 125-pound weight class — accomplishing the already remarkable feat with only one leg.
Robles’ story is captured in the new film “Unstoppable” that plays in the Isis Theatre as part of Aspen Filmfest on Friday at 5 p.m. The film stars Jennifer Lopez as Robles’ mother and Don Cheadle as his wrestling coach and was produced by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
The Aspen Daily News spoke to Robles from his home in Arizona about his life and about the new film. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Aspen Daily News: Let’s take it back to the beginning. Where did you grow up?
Anthony Robles: I was born in California, but I grew up in Mesa Arizona. We moved out here when I was 14 years-old and that’s when I got introduced to wrestling. I’ve been in Arizona ever since.
ADN: You eschewed the prosthetic leg when you were very young, like 3 years old. What do you recall about growing up and dealing with your situation? I don’t want to call it a disability because you have never treated it like one.
Robles: I refer to it as my challenge. That’s what my mom always called it. We tried off-and-on with the prosthetic leg. But for me, I just remember wanting to be like everybody else, to get around as quick as I could, run around with all the other little kids and I felt like the prosthetic leg just weighed me down. I couldn’t keep up with everybody else and I felt like using the crutches was my perfect outlet. They were more comfortable to me. It was more my style. And so my mom was like, “It’s your decision,” and when she gave me that choice I ditched the prosthetic leg and I never looked back on it.
ADN: Kids are mean. Did you get teased at all?
Robles: There were instances where kids teased me or said things, especially kids who didn’t have the experience of being around someone different, someone who’s missing a leg. … more at … https://www.aspendailynews.com/arts_and_entertainment/one-leg-unmeasurable-courage-an-interview-with-anthony-robles-subject-of-unstoppable/article_84e94502-7593-11ef-a5a4-8711ff2aa08e.html
UNC-Pembroke Wrestling Announces Schedule For 60th Season
PEMBROKE – Eight home dates, including hosting the NCAA Super Region 2 tournament, as well as road trips to Pennsylvania and Indiana, highlight the 2024-25 UNC Pembroke wrestling schedule that was released Tuesday by head coach Othello “O.T.” Johnson. “I’m super grateful for the chance to compete and lead our program in its 60th year,” said head coach OT Johnson. “We have a great group of guys returning, as well as a solid crop of new wrestlers we brought in, to go along with a good group of seniors who have been and will continue to provide leadership.”
Fans can get an early look at the team on Tuesday, October 22 at 6 p.m. when the Braves hit the mat for their annual Black & Gold intra-squad event. Admission to that event, as well as all home dual meets, is free. All home dual meets are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
The Braves will officially kick off the new season on November 3 when they host the 43rd Annual Pembroke Classic. Wrestling action is slated to begin at 9 a.m. Admission to the Pembroke Classic is $10 for the day. Students with a valid student ID are free.
The Black & Gold will be in action for their first home dual meet on November 6, as they host Montevallo for Pep Rally & Schools Night, before hosting King on November 13 for Military Appreciation Night.
The Braves will hit the road in mid-December for Indianapolis, Ind. for the 45th Annual Midwest Classic. The two-day event will take place December 14 and 15 at Nicoson Hall. “Excited to get back to this event. A tournament we’ve been to every year for the duration of our staff’s time here, and one that gives us a unique perspective as we will be going back for Nationals as part of the D2 Winter Sports Festival, so hopefully will get to cheer on our swimming and indoor track & field Braves.” said Johnson.
The Black & Gold will return home January 2, as they host Limestone for WWE Night. The Braves will then trek north to Johnstown, Pa. for the Mountain Cat Duals on January 4. “Obviously, we have a lot of guys on our roster from the western Pennsylvania area, so we’re excited to give them a chance to wrestle in front of their family and friends at a super-competitive event,” said Johnson.
UNCP will host Newberry on January 21 for Braves Unity Challenge Night, and then close out the home dual meet portion on January 24, as they host Mount Olive for Senior Night and Alumni Weekend, with Alumni Weekend continuing on January 25, as the Black & Gold hosts the BraveTough Open.
The region’s best wrestlers will then flock to Pembroke as the Braves host the NCAA Super Region 2 Tournament … more at … https://uncpbraves.com/news/2024/10/1/wrestling-announces-schedule-for-60th-season.aspx
2024-25 Conference Movement Primer
The world of college athletics is changing by the year – actually, maybe not that slow, maybe by the month or week. It seems like late spring and summer are the times to monitor which schools are changing conferences and which conferences are raiding other smaller leagues.
This offseason proved to be one of the most impactful in college athletics with the Big Ten expanding to the West Coast and a pair of Big 8/12 mainstays heading to the SEC.
Some of these moves don’t directly impact wrestling – others have. There are a few wrestling conferences that have undergone major facelifts and will look much different during the 2024-25 season and beyond. Since it can be difficult to follow all of these changes, we’ve gone conference by conference to see how each has evolved for the 2024-25 season.
ACC: The ACC comes out a winner in this game of musical chairs as they add a very talented Stanford team. Sure, the geography of Stanford being in the Atlantic Coast Conference doesn’t add up, but we’ve had time to come to terms with the fact that these conferences don’t make much sense.
On the mat, Stanford brings a team that will likely enter the season in the top-15 in tournament and dual rankings. The Cardinal boasts a lineup that features three All-Americans, finished 16th in the nation in 2024, and has inked three top-eight recruiting classes in a row.
After years of claiming the ACC is on the rise, the 2025 conference tournament will now feature seven teams and gets that much tougher.
Big Ten: The Big Ten added four schools (Oregon, Southern California, UCLA, and Washington) and none of them currently field a wrestling team. The initial reaction is “Great, maybe one of them will add wrestling,” however, will all of the new financial changes coming to college athletics, you might start to worry whether one or more Big Ten schools will drop in the near future. … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/2024-25-conference-movement-primer-r99569/
Burroughs, Taylor, Arujau, Green make U.S. Senior World Team in men’s freestyle
OMAHA, Neb. – The United States will send an experienced team of men’s freestyle athletes to the 2024 World Championships. The four-man team, which earned their berths at this weekend’s World Team Trials, includes two Olympic champions, three World champions and all four who have won World medals. Combined, these four athletes have won a combined two Olympic gold medals, 10 World gold medals and 16 total World medals. All four athletes swept their best-of-three Championship Series in two straight matches. 2012 Olympic champion and six-time World champion Jordan Burroughs swept his two-match series at 79 kg over 2023 World Team member Chance Marsteller. Burroughs sealed the win in the second match with a 6-3 victory. The key exchange late in the second period had Burroughs score four points on a double leg shot, with Marsteller getting a two-point counter exposure. On Sunday morning, Burroughs shut out Marsteller in the first match.
It was the third time these warriors battled in the finals of a World Team qualifier. Burroughs and Marsteller also wrestled in Final X twice, with Burroughs making the World Team in 2022 and Marsteller earning the spot in 2023. It will be Burroughs 10th Senior World Team. 2020 Olympic champion and three-time World champion David Taylor came through the Challenge Tournament on Saturday, then swept the Championship Series at 92 kg over 2023 World bronze medalist Zahid Valencia. Taylor clinched the win in the second match pin over Valencia at 2:34. After Taylor scored the first two takedowns, he cradled Valencia for a takedown, then turned him again and secured the fall. In the first match, Taylor scored a second period takedown to claim criteria in a 3-3 match.
It was Taylor’s first competition since dropping … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2024/september/15/burroughs-taylor-arujau-green-make-u-s-senior-world-team-in-men-s-freestyle
Davidson Wrestling Adds Local Standout Byers to Staff
DAVIDSON – Head coach Nate Carr Jr. has announced the hiring of Ike Byers to the Davidson College wrestling staff. Byers joins the Wildcats after five seasons as a member of the App State wrestling program. “I am excited to be joining the Davidson College staff and this community,” said Byers. “I’m looking forward to a strong season alongside Coach Carr and Coach Clothier and being able to learn from two great men.”
A local product of Mooresville, Byers joins the ‘Cats from the back-to-back SoCon Champions, App State. Most recently, Byers went 27-17 and finished fourth in the 141-pound division at the SoCon Championships for the Mountaineers. His 27 wins was the second-most on the team highlighted by a 6-1 mark in SoCon duals. He also picked up a dual win to help App State defeat then-No. 21 UNC, 24-14. Byers was also selected as a team captain in 2023-24. “We are extremely excited to add Ike to our staff,” said Carr. “Coach Byers’ positivity and enthusiasm for people and the sport of wrestling is evident, and his presence in our room will allow us to continue to improve as a program.”
Prior to college, Byers was a local standout at Mooresville High School … more at … https://davidsonwildcats.com/news/2024/9/26/wrestling-adds-local-standout-byers-to-staff
The 3 biggest questions heading into the 2024-2025 college wrestling season
There’s no shortage of intrigue heading into this year’s college wrestling season, from new coaches to reloaded lineups to weight class changes. Here are the three biggest questions on our minds as the season nears:
What will it take for Carter Starocci to be the first five-time NCAA champion?
Last year, Penn State’s 174-pounder Carter Starocci and his 197-pound teammate Aaron Brooks made history when they became the sixth and seventh four-time NCAA champions, respectively. They joined their coach, Cael Sanderson, as well as Pat Smith, Kyle Dake, Logan Stieber, and Yianni Diakomihalis in that elite club.
PENN STATE LEGENDS: How Carter Starocci and Aaron Brooks won their fourth national titles
Brooks wrapped up his college career in 2024 and continued wrestling on the senior level, winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics. Starocci, however, is back for one more year. He looks to become the first (and only) wrestler to ever win five national championships.
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Starocci’s ability to chase five titles stems from his success in 2021, the “free” COVID year. During that season, Starocci’s redshirt freshman year, he finished the regular season 7-1, his lone loss coming against Indiana’s DJ Washington in his varsity debut. He then took second at the Big Ten tournament following a 7-2 loss to Michael Kemerer but reversed that result at the NCAA tournament when he tore through the bracket, notching wins over Victor Marcelli, Hayden Hastings, Andrew McNally, Demetrius Romero and Kemerer to claim his first national championship. ,,, more a … https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling/article/2024-09-25/3-biggest-questions-heading-2024-2025-college-wrestling-season
TDR Mat Challenge
The TakeDown Report seeks to increase wrestling opportunities for high school and middle school students eastern North Carolina. We have given publicity, support and recognition to wrestlers and teams for over 25 seasons. New teams at schools need a coach, a wrestling mat and eventually uniforms for competition. Once a school provides teams on which students can wrestle then more students will learn the unique skills and lessons that the sport can provide.
Now we can offer financial support for new teams and programs starting at high schools and middle schools. Letters have been sent to school districts that do not currently have wrestling programs. We invite wrestling fans and enthusiasts to encourage administrators to accept the Mat Challenge and to start a new team. Contact us at martinkfleming@gmail.com in order to follow up on our offer.
The Citadel Wrestling Announces 2024-25 Slate
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel wrestling program officially released the upcoming 2024-25 schedule Friday afternoon, tabbing the season opener for Sunday, Nov. 3 via the annual Battle for The Citadel individual tournament with Southern Conference competition launching on Sunday, Jan. 12 and the SoCon Championships slated for early March.
Following the Battle at The Citadel to open the 2024-25 campaign in early November, the Bulldogs are set to serve as quasi-hosts for the inaugural Throwdown on the Yorktown on Friday, Nov. 8, squaring off against both Virginia and Army in back-to-back duals on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown CV-10, a retired U.S. Navy aircraft carrier anchored in the Charleston Harbor just off the coast of Mount Pleasant, S.C. The Citadel hits the road for an extended period from Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Hofstra Quad to early January at the Southern Scuffle, notably attending both the Navy Classic on Saturday, Nov. 23 and battling Duke on the road on Sunday, Dec. 22 with a quick return home during that stretch on Thursday, Dec. 19 for a clash with Limestone.
The Bulldogs embark on SoCon play against Appalachian State on Sunday, Jan. 12 … more at … https://citadelsports.com/news/2024/9/27/the-citadel-wrestling-announces-2024-25-slate.aspx
Way-too-early 2025 NCAA wrestling championship predictions at all 10 weight classes
With the college wrestling season a few weeks away, it’s the perfect time to make some bold yet fun 2025 championship predictions. So, here are some way-too-early expectations for what could happen in each weight class at the national tournament this March.
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125 pounds: Matt Ramos, Purdue
The 125-pound weight class was the most volatile weight last year with Arizona State’s Richard Figueroa ultimately taking the crown after a 7-2 battle against Drake Ayala of Iowa. Figueroa is back, making him an obvious choice for a championship pick, but I’m predicting that Purdue’s Matt Ramos finds a way to jump levels and top the rest of the field.
THE MATT RAMOS MOMENT: How the Boilermaker beat Spencer Lee
In 2023, Ramos put himself in the national spotlight when he pinned three-time NCAA champion Spencer Lee in the national semifinals. He ultimately went on to drop his finals match to Princeton’s Patrick Glory, but the Ramos that wrestling fans saw on that shocking Friday night in March is still there. He’s still as funky and strong as ever. He’s capable of winning a national title, … more at … https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling/article/2024-09-27/college-wrestling-way-too-early-2025-ncaa-championship-picks
Greco-Roman National Team member Alan Vera, 33, has passed away
USA Wrestling was devastated to receive information that one of its current Greco-Roman National Team members, Alan Vera of Guttenburg, N.J., 33, passed away last night.
Vera suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while playing soccer this past summer and had been hospitalized since then in recovery from his serious health challenges.
We ask people to keep Alan’s family and his friends around the world in their thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. Alan’s wife is Elena Pirozkhova, a two-time U.S. Olympian and World champion in women’s freestyle wrestling, along with their infant daughter Alina. “Our hearts have been broken. Our sincere thoughts and prayers go out to Elena, Alina and all of Alan’s family, as well as those who have known Alan. The wrestling community mourns the loss of a great champion, whose incredible life impacted so many within USA Wrestling and around the world,” said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender. “Ever since he came into my life in 2016, he has been a true leader, always ready to do anything for anyone in need. … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2024/september/24/greco-roman-national-team-member-alan-vera-33-has-passed-away
TDR blog
After 20 seasons of publicizing wrestling The TakeDown Report’s (TDR) focus has changed to the collecting of college coaching records from North America since 1903. We will continue to recognize and reward successful wrestlers in eastern North Carolina (east of Raleigh & Fayetteville), assist with schools in starting or re-starting a team and this blog. Join us on our FaceBook Page – “The TakeDown Report” for photos and news. Please send results, stories, links and news to pass along. E-mail us at takedownreport@gmail.com
Martin Fleming, Editor
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