Weekly Recruiting Update (6/28/2024)
With a few months before the high school preseason, the top recruits from the Class of 2025 continue to fly off the board. Before this week, only five of the top-60 recruits in the nation were uncommitted. That number dropped to four as North Carolina snapped one of those prospects up and added to an already impressive recruiting class.
Even though fans and us in the media have started paying attention to the Classes of 2025 and 2026, some schools are still looking to solidify their incoming freshmen classes. Two of them recently picked up notable commitments. Those are all listed below in our latest recruiting update.
#54 Matthew Botello (Wyoming Seminary via Massachusetts) to North Carolina
One of the highest remaining uncommitted recruits from the Class of 2025 is off the board as #54 Matthew Botello has committed to North Carolina. … more at … Intermatwrestle.com/Weekly-recruiting-update
2024-25 NC State Wrestling Early Lineup Look
A breakdown of the potential starting lineup for the 2024-25 NC State wrestling team.
NC State finished 11th at the 2024 NCAA Tournament and has a lineup filled with potential All-Americans for next season. The Wolfpack will be one of the most exciting teams to watch throughout next year and will be one of the main contenders to win a team trophy. Check out the below article for a full breakdown of NC State’s starting lineup next season.
NC State Projected 2024-25 Lineup:
125: #10 Jakob Camacho
133: #6 Kai Orine
141: #5 Ryan Jack
149: #6 Jackson Arrington
157: #8 Ed Scott
165: #17 Derek Fields
174: Matthew Singleton
184: #9 Dylan Fishback
197: Christian Knop/Chase Horne/Isaac Trumble
285: #9 Isaac Trumble/Owen Trephan
125: #10 Jakob Camacho
Jakob Camacho is entering his final year of college as one of the best wrestlers in the country who hasn’t earned All-American honors. Camacho finished one win shy of All-American honors in 2021 and was two wins short at the 2022 and 2024 NCAA Tournaments. Despite those disappointing finishes, Camacho was ranked #1 in the country early last season after he defeated 2023 NCAA runner-up Matt Ramos, 8-5. Along with the win over Ramos, Camacho also has career victories over All-Americans Drake Ayala, Caleb Smith, Sam Latona, Dylan Ragusin, and Jack Mueller. Camacho has an extremely high ceiling and will be right in the mix with several wrestlers next year to win a national title at 125 pounds.
133: #6 Kai Orine
Kai Orine is now a two-time All-American after finishing 8th place at 133 pounds at the last two NCAA Tournaments. Orine is one of the more exciting wrestlers in the country and recorded victories last season over #7 Aaron Nagao, #11 Jacob Van Dee, and #4 Evan Frost. At the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Orine dropped matches to #5 Dylan Shawver, #2 Nasir Bailey, and Vito Arujau resulting in his #6 ranking entering next year. Despite those losses, both Vito Arujau and Daton Fix have graduated and leave 133 pounds a little more wide open … more at … Flowrestling.org/NC-state-wrestling-early-lineup-look
Army veteran’s journey from ‘derelict’ to champion wrestler
Sally Roberts is an athlete, Army veteran and the founder of Wrestle Like A Girl. On this week’s episode of The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast, she delivers her message: “It’s OK to suffer, it’s OK to endure, it’s the lessons we learn from it.”
Roberts, the first in her family to graduate from high school, had a troubled childhood and found her salvation in wrestling. Admitting she got into wrestling because she was a “derelict,” who was committing break-ins and getting into fights, Roberts credits wrestling for changing her life and helping her to build a winning mindset. “Regardless of our limitations the only thing that holds us back is our mind,” says the three-time wrestling national champion and two-time world bronze medalist. “And it is up to us to determine, are we driving ourselves and are we going to drive that positive mindset narrative or is there going to be a different narrative that tells us we are unworthy, we are incapable, we are limited, we have a disability and it is going to hold us back? “I’ve seen time and time again that people who show up and hit life hard and get hit hard by life, nothing holds them back but their mind.”
After not making the 2008 Olympic team, she joined the Army, went into Special Operations and volunteered for deployment in Afghanistan. “My wrestling career really set me up for success in the military,” she said. “Foremost, it made me appreciate and find the joy in suffering. And depending on what you are doing in the military, there is a fair amount of suffering.”
Upon redeployment, she joined the world class athlete program. After concluding her military and athletic career she founded Wrestle Like a Girl, the national advocacy organization for girls and women in wrestling. Her mission-driven organization aims to empower girls and women using the sport of wrestling to become leaders in life. “Anyone can do hard things,” she says. “From my perspective, … more at … Legion.org/Army-veterans-journey-derelict-champion-wrestler
OSU Wrestling: Making an All-Time Lineup from the John Smith Era
It’s hard to imagine John Smith will never put together another lineup for Cowboy Wrestling.
Smith retired after leading Oklahoma State for 33 seasons. During his tenure, Smith coached 153 All-Americans, 33 individual NCAA champions and two Dan Hodge Trophy winners. Since those numbers will no longer be added to, I thought it was a perfect time to create an all-time lineup from the John Smith era.
Here’s how it worked: I filled out a lineup just like a coach would for a dual using 10 of the greatest wrestlers to compete under Smith. However, weight classes have fluctuated since Smith started his three-plus decade coaching career, so I used modern-day weight classes and used the weight that was closest to where that wrestler found the most success.
Below is the full lineup, followed by an explanation of why I chose who for each weight.
125: Eric Guerrero
133: Johnny Thompson
141: Dean Heil
149: Jordan Oliver
157: Pat Smith
165: Alex Dieringer
174: Chris Perry
184: Daniel Cormier
197: Jake Rosholt
285: Steve Mocco
125: Eric Guerrero
Guerrero would be the first to step on the mat for this lineup in a dual, and, boy, what a start. Speaking of duals, Guerrero has the fourth-most dual wins in OSU history with 69. Overall, he was 117–13 in his career as a four-time All-American. He placed fifth as a freshman before finishing his career with three NCAA titles in a row. Guerrero was dominant during that stint, too, with 74 bonus-point wins (10th-best all-time), 28 of which were technical falls (second-most all-time). In this theoretical dual, it’s almost a lock the Pokes would start this thing with more than three points.
133: Johnny Thompson
The recency bias urged me to put Daton Fix here, but at the end of the day, Thompson won a pair of NCAA titles while losing only once in the finals. Thompson was a four-time All-American, … more at … Pistolsfiringblog.com/osu-wrestling-making-an-all-time-lineup-from-the-john-smith-era
For Kyle Snyder, Third Trip To Olympics A Different Kind Of Special
Woodbine native Kyle Snyder will head to his third Olympic Games this summer, as the wrestler will travel to Paris in search of the second Olympic gold medal of his career.
This trip to the Olympics takes on a little different meaning for Snyder than the previous two. His son, Judah, will be along for the ride for the first time. “I’ve always wanted to be a dad, so I wouldn’t say that it’s really changed my perspective on wrestling too much other than an added emphasis on competing the way that God wants me to and competing as hard as I can and winning,” Snyder said. “I want to be a good example to him. There aren’t a lot of kids that get to watch their dad compete. I feel like it’s a great way to show them the way that you think and that you’re not afraid and you’re willing to put it on the line every time and go as hard as you can.”
Snyder, 28, won the 97kg freestyle title at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials at Penn State to qualify for the same competition at the Paris Games this summer. His family and friends, including Judah and his wife Maddie, sat mat side. He didn’t know exactly where they were sitting as he locked up his spot in Paris, but he found them after. His first hug was for Judah, who turns 2 in October.
“It’s fun, but also I’m used to wrestling overseas,” Snyder said. “My family isn’t there, so after you wrestle you’re not really used to seeing them, so it takes a second to really take that in.”
Snyder will look to complete some unfinished business in Paris. The 5-foot-11 grappler became the youngest gold medalist in U.S. Olympic wrestling history at the Rio Games in 2016, taking home the 97kg freestyle title. However, he fell just short at the Tokyo Games in 2021, losing to rival Abdulrashid Sadulaev (Russia) in the 97kg freestyle final.
Snyder quipped that he “learned in Tokyo that gold is a lot better than silver.” “Being an Olympic year does add even more motivation because it’s only every four years and nothing is guaranteed that I’ll be on the team in another four years, so I want to make the most of this opportunity and wrestle like my life depends on it,” Snyder said.
Typically, Snyder trains Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday on the mat, in the weight room and for his conditioning work. Wednesday and Sunday serve as recovery days. The State College, Pa., resident trains at Penn State, but he still has a lot of family in Maryland. … more at … Pressboxonline.com/Kyle-snyder-third-trip-to-olympics-a-different-kind-of-special
Never Too Early Lineup Look: North Carolina
In our new series, “The Never Too Early Lineup Look,” we’ll preview a potential lineup for a particular school. Since we’re a few months away from even the preseason, there will likely be plenty of moving parts at most schools. And that’s okay. Fans enjoy debating how their favorite teams (or rivals) could look in the upcoming season.
Today, we’re moving down south to the ACC and the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Tar Heels were recently mentioned in InterMat’s recruiting rankings as signing the eighth-best recruiting class in the country. During Rob Koll’s first full recruiting class, he was able to ink nine top-250 prospects and six of the top-100. The Tar Heel staff must have been very in tune with every twist and turn in the recruiting process as six of those prospects flipped commitments to UNC.
Not only did the North Carolina staff work hard on the recruiting trail, but they also paid close attention to the transfer portal. They’ve added a pair of wrestlers with multiple NCAA Tournaments under their respective belts, along with a potential starter at heavyweight. Without those transfers, Koll’s staff could have a lineup with a few holes or be forced to start true freshmen – maybe before they’re ready. Now, they’ll likely start the year in the top-25 and probably rise from there.
This is a UNC team that features a pair of All-Americans along with three others with past NCAA experience. … more at … Intermatwrestle.com/Never-too-early-lineup-look-north-carolina
Duke Wrestling to Compete in WrangleMania in November
DURHAM — The Duke wrestling team will compete in WrangleMania on Nov. 9, 2024, which will take place at Liberty High School in Bethlehem, Pa.
The event is organized by Journeymen Wrestling.
Other programs set to compete are Rutgers, Illinois, Long Island, Campbell, California Baptist, Arizona State, Franklin & Marshall, Bloomsburg, VMI, Buffalo, Sacred Heart and NC State.
The schedule for the Blue Devils features a 10 a.m., contest against Long Island on mat three followed by a 2 p.m., bout versus Rutgers on mat two.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils wrestling, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching “DukeWRES”.
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. … more at … Goduke.com/Wrestling-to-compete-in-wranglemania-in-november
And …
Walter Rings Bell and is Cancer Free Heading into the Summer
DURHAM — Through the Team IMPACT program, the Duke wrestling team was paired with a special young man for the 2023-24 campaign, James Walter.
Walter is a student at Holly Ridge Middle School in Holly Springs, N.C., that had been diagnosed with early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia lymphoma in December of 2021 and has been fighting the terrible disease since.
Recently Walter’s fight paid off as he rang the bell at the Duke Children’s Hospital and heads into the summer cancer free. He plans to resume more normal activities and hopes to resume playing basketball and football for the Holly Ridge Hornets.
“James and his family have been a great addition to the Duke wrestling program,” said Duke head coach Glen Lanham. “When our guys are competing in the classroom and on the mat, the struggles that James and his family go through on a daily basis put a lot of what our student-athletes are going through in perspective. James has just given us a great example for living each day to the fullest.” … more at … GOduke.com/Walter-rings-bell-and-is-cancer-free-heading-into-the-summer
Bentley’s Contract Extended Through 2028-29 Season
BOONE, N.C. — App State Wrestling head coach JohnMark Bentley has received a contract extension through the 2028-29 season, Director of Athletics Doug Gillin announced Tuesday after it was approved by Interim Chancellor Heather Norris and the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees.
“App State Wrestling has been a championship program for many years under JohnMark’s leadership, and we look forward to that continuing and elevating for years to come,” Gillin said.
Named the Southern Conference Coach of the Year seven times in his first 15 seasons as head coach, Bentley was named a national coach of the year finalist for the fourth time earlier this year, when he helped lead the Mountaineers to a second straight SoCon Championship tournament title and a final ranking of No. 24 in the national dual-team poll.
With a career record of 144-79-1 in 15 seasons, including an 86-16 record in SoCon duals, Bentley has led App State to a combined 11 SoCon championships. The Mountaineers have won six regular-season titles and four tournament titles in the last nine years alone. “I am extremely grateful for all the support and confidence that the Board of Trustees, Chancellor Norris and Doug Gillin have shown in me,” Bentley said. “It is an honor to be able to lead this program and continue building something special in Boone. I am excited for the challenges and opportunities ahead and am thankful to continue leading App State Wrestling.”
While attracting some of the nation’s top teams to Boone, the Mountaineers have consistently wrestled in front of standing-room-only crowds at Varsity Gym. In the last nine seasons, Bentley’s program has posted 12 victories against teams from Power Five leagues.
App State’s 66-6 conference record over the last decade ranks No. 3 among the best league records in Division I wrestling, and the program has a national-best 17 dual shutouts since the calendar flipped to 2020. The Mountaineers are one of just four mid-major programs to finish each of the last two dual seasons ranked in the top 25 of the NWCA Coaches Poll.
There’s also been plenty of individual success, as App State produced five NCAA Championship qualifiers in 2024, bringing the total to 29 over the last five seasons and 61 in Bentley’s 15 seasons as head coach. … more at … Appstatesports.com/Bentleys-contract-extended-through-2028-29-season
Davidson Wrestling Adds Ten in 2024 Recruiting Class
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Following his second season at the helm, head wrestling coach Nate Carr Jr. has announced his 2024 recruiting class. This year’s group features ten future Wildcats that hail from five different states, have combined for seven state titles and have made 30 individual state tournament appearances.
Coaching Staff’s Thoughts
Nate Carr Jr. – “We are extremely excited about the 2024 recruiting class. It’s a class that brings a lot of potential and talent to the room. Adding ten more Wildcats to our roster will provide depth, and it should raise the level of competition in the room.”
Ty Eustice – “This is a really an elite group of wrestlers. I’m so excited to get in the room and get to work with them. One thing that stands out with this group is where they are coming from. It’s great to see some of the strongest wrestling states being represented on our roster.”
2024 Recruiting Class
Bryce Griffin
Hometown: Bethalto, IL
High School: Civic Memorial High School
High School Record: 166-15
Projected Weight: 165 lbs
High School Career: Four-time IHSA 2A state placer (4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st )… Won the state title at 157 his senior year with a 54-2 record… Two- time team MVP and broke a school record with 37 pins in a season in 2023… Finished seventh in the 165-pound weight class at Super 32… Second overall seed at 165 at the Beast of East… First team St. Louis Post Dispatch All-Wrestling team selection… National Honors Society, Spanish Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society member… Silver Medallion Male Athlete of the Year.
Marley Washington
Hometown: Roswell, Ga.
High School: Mount Pisgah Christian School … more at … Davidsonwildcats.com/Wrestling-adds-ten-in-2024-recruiting-class
HIDLAY JOINS STANFORD STAFF
STANFORD, Calif. – Former NC State standout and North Dakota State assistant coach Hayden Hidlay has been named an assistant coach for the Stanford wrestling team, as announced by Chris Ayres, The Matt Gentry Head Wrestling Coach. “I could not be more excited to welcome Hayden Hidlay to the staff,” said Ayres, who enters his second season on The Farm in 2024-25. “Hayden had an amazing career at NC State and helped his team’s meteoric rise in the NCAA ranks. He is a young coach, but through the interview process as well as speaking to those who know him well, it became crystal clear that he was wise beyond his years and was going to become one of the best coaches in the nation.”
Hidlay replaces Ryan Deakin, who is stepping down to pursue career opportunities outside of coaching. Patrick Brucki, who joined the staff last fall, will assume the Patricia Miranda Assistant Wrestling Coach title previously held by Deakin. “I would like to thank Ryan for his work with the program this year,” said Ayres. “Personally, I faced a huge challenge travelling across the country to take over as head coach alone. Ryan was a huge help in my transition and we would not have had the success we did without his work. He will be incredibly missed by not only the Stanford wrestling program, but also the college wrestling community as he moves into a career outside of coaching.”
Hidlay was a five-time All-American, four-time ACC champion and one of the winningest wrestlers in NC State history. He spent the 2023-24 season as an assistant coach at North Dakota State after serving one season as the Student-Athlete Development Coordinator at NC State. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to join the Stanford wrestling staff,” said Hidlay. “Coach Ayres is one of the most respected leaders in our sport and getting to work alongside him and the rest of the staff is an exciting endeavor. “Stanford University has a world class pedigree and championship culture that is evident as soon as you step foot on campus. I am ecstatic to get started developing student-athletes, and for my wife and I to be involved in this community.”
Hidlay finished his career second in Wolfpack history in winning percentage (.909), while his 110 career victories … more at … GOstanford.com/Hidlay-joins-staff
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
Takedown Report
Takedown Report 