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
Utah Valley Wrestling set to host first annual coaches clinic
OREM, Utah—Utah Valley wrestling head coach Adam Hall has announced the first annual Utah Valley Wrestling Coaches Clinic, which will be held on Friday, Oct. 25, and Saturday, Oct. 26, in the UVU Wrestling Room.
The clinic costs $200 for the first coach and $150 for additional coaches if you register before Oct. 11. The registration fee will increase to $225 for the first coach and $175 for each additional coach after Oct.11. Registration will be capped at 75 for the event, so make sure to register today. Details on how to register can be found on the flyer.
Over the two days, the clinic will feature four technique sessions … more at … https://gouvu.com/news/2024/9/27/utah-valley-wrestling-set-to-host-first-annual-coaches-clinic.aspx
University of Pennsylvania Hosts Grapple on the Green This Friday
PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania wrestling team is taking practice outside to Shoemaker Green on Friday, Sept. 27, for its annual Grapple on the Green.
The Quakers will hit the mats outside of The Palestra between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.for two sessions of practice to get Penn fans excited for the start of the upcoming season.
The Red and Blue open the 2024-25 season at home on Nov. 3, when Penn hosts Wrestle-Offs at 2 p.m. Print Friendly Version … more at … https://pennathletics.com/news/2024/9/23/wrestling-hosts-grapple-on-the-green-this-friday.aspx
Two-Time All-American Izzak Olejnik to Coach Oklahoma State Girls Club Team
Some big news for the Oklahoma State Girls Club team as they continue gathering momentum in their young program. Two-time All-American Izzak Olejnik has been named their new coach.
Olejnik wrestled his senior year at Oklahoma State and finished fifth place at the NCAA tournament at 165 pounds in a bit of a resurgent year for the Cowboys. Prior to Oklahoma State, Olejnik wrestled for Northern Illinois and also finished as an All-American for them. He was a five-time NCAA Tournament qualifier and Two-time MAC Champion. He says he’s “Excited” for the opportunity. “I’m just super excited to be able to have this opportunity to coach! Coaching is one of my goals in this sport and it’s exciting to start it here at OSU!” … more at … https://owrestle.com/two-time-all-american-izzak-olejnik-to-coach-oklahoma-state-girls-club-team/
Update: 2024 National Girls High School Preseason Rankings released and Pound-For-Pound Rankings also updated
USA Wrestling, FloWrestling and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum has published the Preseason Rankings for high school girls wrestlers for the 2024-25 season. This national ranking evaluates all girls enrolled in grades 8-12, and athletes from all 50 states are eligible for selection.
Last year’s high school graduates have been removed, and many new athletes have joined the rankings for the first time, including eligibility for incoming eighth graders.
The event which clearly had the most impact on these rankings was the record-setting 2024 USMC Junior and 16U Nationals in Fargo, N.D. in July. The rankings also included results from the U17 and U20 World Championships.
Please note that none of the preseason events already held in September are included in this ranking. For instance, the results from the Ultimate Club Duals will be included in the November ranking. This ranking only includes competitions through the summer of 2024.
With the new season comes eight new No. 1 wrestlers in the rankings. They include Heather Crull of Indiana (105), Epinesa Elison of California (110), Kaura Coles of Montana (115), Savannah Witt of Pennsylvania (120), Sarah Henckel of Connecticut (145), Kaili Manuel of Michigan (155), Brooke Huffman of Wisconsin (190) and Tirza Twoteeth of Montana (235). Seven wrestlers who finished last season ranked No. 1 have returned and start the new season in the No. 1 spot again: Hailey Delgado of Texas (95), Morgan Turner of Illinois (100), Everest Leydecker of Arizona (125), Aubre Krazer of Pennsylvania (130), Taina Fernandez of Maryland (135), Bella Williams of Oklahoma (140) and Piper Fowler of Tennessee (170) … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2024/september/25/2024-national-girls-high-school-preseason-rankings-released-and-pound-for-pound-rankings-also-updated
2024 Hall of Fame: Borrelli Leaves a Legacy of Success on All Levels
Officially, Tom Borrelli walked away last spring, at the conclusion of the 2024-25 wrestling season, his 33rd in charge of the Central Michigan program.
His presence is still palpable in the Chippewas’ wrestling room which bears his name, in McGuirk Arena, and in wrestling rooms and gyms far and wide. That’s what you call a legacy.
Borrelli will be inducted into the CMU Marcy Weston Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the 2024 class in a ceremony in McGuirk Arena on Friday, Sept. 20 (6 p.m.) and then introduced at the CMU-Ball State football game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 21.
He will go into the prestigious hall along with basketball/baseball player Chad Pleiness, gymnast Sarah Dame, football player Eric Fisher, volleyball player Kaitlyn (Schultz) Miller, and cross country/track & field standout Ryan Watson.
2024 MARCY WESTON CMU ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CEREMONY
Borrelli’s success at CMU has been well documented and etched in stone.
He led the Chippewas to a first-place finish last spring at the Mid-American Conference Championships, marking the 30th time in his 33 years that his team has won the league tournament or its regular season title. He capped it off with his unprecedented 15th MAC Coach of the Year Award.
The All-American plaques – for the record, 45 times a Borrelli-coached Chippewa earned the lofty honor – the myriad trophies and awards sit on the shelfs and hang on the walls. … more at … https://cmuchippewas.com/news/2024/9/18/general-hall-of-fame-2024-borrelli-leaves-a-legacy-of-success-on-all-levels
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
