NCHSAA board adopts ‘Big 32’ realignment model
The “Big 32” model recommended by the Bylaws Committee means the largest 32 schools in the state would go into 8A classification.
When the N.C. High School Athletic Association conducts its upcoming realignment, which includes moving to eight classifications, the association will operate under the proposed “Big 32” model. The NCHSAA Board of Directors voted 17-0 to adopt the “Big 32” model on Tuesday afternoon following a recommendation from the Bylaws Committee.
The Bylaws Committee, chaired by Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools athletic director Erica Turner, presented its report to the NCHSAA Board of Directors on Tuesday. The “Big 32” model means the largest 32 schools in the state will go into 8A classification. The remaining schools will go into the other seven classifications based on their enrollment.
All classification assignments will be made based solely on the average daily membership numbers of a school. The Realignment Committee will use the ADM numbers from the 2024-2025 school year. Those numbers are released in the fall.
Turner, who made the presentation to the board on Tuesday, said the committee believes the “Big 32” model will lessen the ADM discrepancies between schools in a single classification, it will allow the NCHSAA to push smaller schools down to lower classifications, and it will provide more equity for smaller schools.
Projecting what NCHSAA conferences could look like after 8A realignment in 2025-26
So what could happen to playoffs? The Bylaws Committee made the following recommendations, but these recommendations are not yet official policy: … more at … Highschoolot.com/NCHSAA-board-adopts-big-32-realignment-model-hears-recommendations
Wrestling now the nation’s fastest-growing girl’s sport
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Jody Mikhail was a sophomore at Pennsylvania’s Cumberland Valley High School when a poster for a new girls’ wrestling club caught her eye. So Mikhail, a senior now, tried the sport. “I fell in love with it the first time,” she said.
Unlike previous generations, she’s hardly alone. Girls’ wrestling has become the fastest-growing high school sport in the country, sanctioned by a surging number of states and bolstered by a movement of medal-winning female wrestlers, parents and the male-dominated ranks of coaches and administrators who saw it as a necessity and a matter of equality.
Where once girls wrestled on boys teams and against boys, increasingly they are wrestling on girls teams and against girls. And now that they are wrestling in sanctioned and official tournaments against girls, their names are going onto plaques on their high schools’ walls and into state record books.
This year, Kentucky, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania held their first state-sanctioned girls’ wrestling championships, while Louisiana became the 45th state to sanction the sport. At the collegiate level, women’s wrestling is designated as an “emerging” sport and is on track to become a championship-level sport in 2026, the NCAA said.
In Pennsylvania — where the Penn State men are ranked No. 1 and the state’s male and female wrestlers dominated last year’s 16-and-under national team championships — the number of girl wrestlers in high schools nearly doubled this year as the state rocketed to more than 180 high school teams from none in 2020.
Hundreds of girls competed in Pennsylvania’s first sanctioned state tournament, including Mikhail, after years of girls having no choice but to wrestle boys or, if they did wrestle girls, seeing the same handful of faces, year after year, in tournaments organized by local wrestling organizations.
Even for girls who compete nationally or hope to wrestle in college, wrestling in state-sanctioned tournaments brings status. “It really does bring this level of, I think, having these girls feel seen,” said Brooke Zumas, a former wrestling coach who was active in the movement to get the sport sanctioned in Pennsylvania.
Girls who have competed for years are seeing new faces and big crowds in this year’s state-sanctioned championship tournaments. “There were never tournaments like this,” said Savannah Witt, a state champion wrestler from Pennsylvania’s Palisades High School who has wrestled for 10 years. … more at … Postregister.com/Wrestling-now-the-nations-fastest-growing-girls-sport
Oklahoma State Coach John Smith era ends
TDR Ed.’s Notes; Just some of the articles written about John Smith announcing his retirement.
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OSU Wrestling: How John Smith Started a Tradition of Late-Night Workouts For Cowboys Seeking World Glory
‘We’re all looking for that edge. It gave me the edge’
There’s a legend of John Smith waking up in the middle of a slumber at 2 a.m. to run up and down stairs at Gallagher Hall in preparation for world championships and Olympic games. He hated the thought that while he was sleeping, an opponent in Russia was training to beat him.
Between becoming the winningest wrestler in Oklahoma State history and coaching the Cowboys to five NCAA titles and a program-record 490 dual wins, there was a time Smith wore red, white and blue instead of orange. In that six-year span, Smith won a historical six world championships in a row, including a pair of Olympic gold medals. That run also included his two NCAA individual titles in 1987 and 1988, and his first year leading Cowboy Wrestling while in the midst of training for the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992. “Where did motivation come from?” Smith said. “Everything came from family — it came from Oklahoma State wrestling and Oklahoma State University, as well. You don’t just find that level of motivation. I was a two-time state champion. I went to junior nationals but never won it. I got beat out as a true freshman in the NCAA championships. I wasn’t there [yet]. I wasn’t the guy that ended up winning six world championships and belts. I became that guy through my experience here at Oklahoma State and through the things I wanted. I was so driven that I didn’t need sleep — I thought.”
That set of stairs on the east side of the venue survived a renovation and are still standing at Gallagher-Iba Arena, … more at … Pistolsfiringblog.com/osu-wrestling-how-john-smith-started-a-tradition-of-late-night-workouts
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Coleman Scott on replacing John Smith as OSU wrestling coach: ‘That’s not my call’
For most of Coleman Scott’s life, John Smith was the head coach of Oklahoma State wrestling.
Scott, 37, was named the interim coach Thursday when Smith announced his retirement after a legendary 33-year career.
The official position must be posted for five working days, according to Oklahoma statute, in order to give qualified candidates an opportunity to apply. The wrestling community has considered Scott’s elevation inevitable when he resigned as the head coach at North Carolina to become the associate head coach at OSU in August.
But no one, not even Scott, expected it to come so soon. “I had the talk with him this week,” Scott said in an exclusive interview with the News Press. “He’s earned every bit of anything he gets and super happy for him. This is an unbelievable career and the greatest of all time.”
Scott did not confirm whether he expects to be the program’s next head coach or not. “That’s not my call,” he said. “It’s not about me. It’s about the program and it’s about the Coach Smith and what he has meant to this school and this athletic department. We’re going to celebrate him.”
Smith coached Scott to an individual NCAA championship at 133 pounds in 2008, four All-American runs and team titles in his freshman and sophomore seasons. Smith was also the Team USA coach when Scott won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics in London. Scott started his coaching career on Smith’s staff as a volunteer assistant in 2013 and 2014.
Scott said he was happy for Smith. “Doing something 33 years, he’s got the right to make that decision,” Scott said. “I want to celebrate him and do anything I can to make him proud and show him how much he meant to me and this school and this program.”
Smith and athletic director Chad Weiberg will host a press conference Monday morning to discuss the retirement. Scott can be named the official head coach by the end of next week. What will his job consist of until then? … more at … Claremoreprogress.com/Coleman-scott-on-replacing-john-smith-as-osu-wrestling-coach
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The Top 5 Quotes from John Smith’s Retirement News Conference
‘I didn’t make [Cowboy Wrestling], it made me’
John Smith admitted that even though he didn’t initially want to do a news conference about his retirement, he was eventually glad athletic director Chad Weiberg twisted his arm so he could “tell a little bit of my story.”
Smith announced on Thursday his retirement as Oklahoma State’s wrestling coach after leading the program for 33 years. On Monday, OSU hosted a news conference with Smith and Weiberg inside a packed meeting room at Boone Pickens Stadium, filled with Smith’s friends and family, OSU’s current staff, current and former OSU wrestlers, OSU coaches from other sports and even former athletic director Mike Holder. Smith entered and exited the news conference to a standing ovation from all those in attendance. “I just feel really nervous,” Smith said. “I think I’m nervous because I’m just really fortunate to be able to tell a little bit of my story. Most people retire and they walk out out of the office, packaging their stuff up in a box and they walk out. I get to tell my story, and for me, it’s that important. I didn’t want to do this, but I’m glad I got the opportunity.”
There’s a lot to unpack from 33 years and a news conference that lasted over 25 minutes before Smith and Weiberg answered questions from the media for another 37 minutes. Here are the top five quotes that stood out from Smith’s retirement news conference.
1. Credit Lee Roy For the Start of the Smith Legacy
Just like any retirement speech, Smith started his with introductions of his family and plenty of thank yous. Actually, Smith’s first quote after Weiberg handed things over to him was, “OK, Mom, stand up,” before he introduced the mother of 10, who Smith referred to as a “rattlesnake” multiple times while crediting her for various attributes and characteristics.
But the most heartfelt introduction for Smith, as he battled back tears, was for his older brother, Lee Roy, who was a three-time All-American as a Cowboy and was the first Smith to attend OSU. Weiberg credited and thanked Lee Roy for making John Smith’s legacy at OSU possible since he was the first Smith to leave Del City for Stillwater, and John Smith ultimately followed. “My hero,” Smith said before introducing Lee Roy. “My first hero, Lee Roy Smith.”
Smith said Lee Roy signing his National Letter of Intent to OSU is what prompted his first trip to Gallagher Hall at 10, when he examined pictures “in 30 cent frames” on the wall of past Cowboy legends. “There was just a level motivation saying, ‘I can do this,’” Smith said. “You’re walking and looking at Frank Lewis — 1936 Olympic gold medalist — it just made me believe that this is where I belong and this is an opportunity for me to capitalize on everything I’ve ever wanted in wrestling. I was a highly motivated wrestler as a young guy with my brother growing up in Oklahoma, one of the best ever that ever came through the state, coming to Oklahoma State. For me, spending time in Gallagher Hall was just one incredible moment for a young kid, and still today, Gallagher-Iba Arena — I can’t tell you how much time I’ve spent in this facility from the time I was here.”
2. Why Now?
The main question being pondered since Smith’s announcement Thursday has been, after 33 years, why now?
Smith said he wanted to assure that when he walked away Cowboy Wrestling was in a better place. He couldn’t have retired after the previous two seasons when OSU finished in 14th in 2022 and 18th in 2023 in what were disappointing campaigns by Cowboy Wrestling standards. He even admitted he pondered retiring after the 2019-20 season, but then COVID hit and he didn’t want to leave the program during such an uncertain time. But this past season the Cowboys jumped inside the top 10 at the NCAA Wrestling Championships after going 14-1 in duals and setting a season attendance record along the way. Smith also mentioned the addition of associate head Coleman Scott, who wrestled under Smith and was the head coach at North Carolina the previous eight years. “When I walked away from the NCAA Championship this year I was complete,” Smith said. “I wish we would have done better than 10th … more at … Pistolsfiringblog.com/Top-5-quotes-from-john-smiths-retirement-news-conference
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John Smith leaves lasting legacy with Oklahoma State
John Smith will never forget the first time he was in Gallagher Hall.
It was the day his brother and “first hero,” Lee Roy Smith III, signed his National Letter of Intent to wrestle for Oklahoma State University in 1976. The 10-year-old John saw pictures of the great OSU wrestlers from the late 1920s to the early ’30s hung on the walls. “It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” the now 58-year-old John Smith said. “It made me believe that this is where I belonged and this is an opportunity for me to capitalize on everything I ever wanted in wrestling.”
Smith became the greatest American wrestler and one of the greatest college wrestling coaches in history for Oklahoma State. The university on Monday celebrated the end of his legendary coaching career – which included five NCAA championships, 23 conference championships and 490 dual wins – as Smith announced his retirement on Thursday.
Why now?
Most people around the program, including athletic director Chad Weiberg, thought Smith would continue to coach a young team with an upward trajectory. “We had a really good year, so I thought, ‘Great, we’re going to keep rockin’ and rollin’ and hopefully get another seven, nine, 10 years out of him, and maybe I’ll retire before he does,” Weiberg said. … more at … STwnewspress.com/John-smith-leaves-lasting-legacy-with-oklahoma-state
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‘He’s a winner’: Why Coleman Scott could be the right fit to replace John Smith at OSU
After 33 years, Oklahoma State wrestling has a coaching vacancy.
On April 11, coach John Smith announced his retirement after more than three decades at the helm. Associate head coach Coleman Scott was named the interim head coach moving forward as OSU embarked on its mandatory five-day public search, according to Oklahoma State Law.
However, that “interim” tag could be removed in the near future. And in the minds of a multitude of current and former OSU wrestlers, that may be for the better.
On Monday morning, during his retirement press conference, Smith was asked a bevy of questions regarding his future and the moments leading up to his announcement. But there was one big one.
Why now?
“I brought Coleman (Scott) back,” he said. “We had a great year this year. Implemented some things, made a difference.”
Smith, of course, alluded to the rejuvenation adding a younger mind, such as Scott’s, provided to a program that had fallen behind in a variety of aspects of college athletics – the transfer portal, NIL among others. “It’s made my job a hell of a lot easier,” Smith told The O’Colly in March. “That’s for sure.”
When former associate head coach Zack Esposito left OSU in mid-August for a position with USA Wrestling, Smith practically had his decision made – Scott. And with good reason. Smith merely needed confirmation with his target, and of course, to make it official. Through every stop, Scott has shown himself to be a winner. Most notably, in his 12-year stint as the coach of North Carolina. There, he built the Tar Heels into a mainstay atop the ACC, and at times, the national level. He posted a 75-49 record in Chapel Hill, including a 12th-place finish in the 2023 Nationals, the Tar Heels’ best since 1995. … more at … Ocolly.com/Hes-a-winner-why-coleman-scott-could-be-the-right-fit-to-replace-john-smith
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OSU’s John Smith explains why he retired, says ‘my career is complete’
STILLWATER — John Smith didn’t want Monday to happen. He never planned to be on a stage, discussing his retirement in front of a packed room and cameras livestreaming his remarks.
Although he initially questioned the festivities put on in his honor on Monday morning, Smith didn’t doubt his decision to retire after 33 seasons as Oklahoma State’s head wrestling coach. “It was the right time,” Smith said. “That is all I could think about the last three years is just can’t leave until it is in a better place. Don’t give them a pile of crap. Give them something to go with.”
Twenty-six of Smith’s first 30 teams finished seventh or better at the NCAA championships, including five who won the national championship outright. Only two teams failed to qualify for the final meet, his second team in 1993 and the 2020 group, who watched the end of their season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A 16th-place finish in 2009 was the worst end for any of the other teams. … more at … Tulsaworld.com/John-smith-explains-why-he-retired-says-my-career-is-complete
Why Virginia Tech? New Associate Head Coach Zach Tanelli Talks About His Move
Earlier this week, Virginia Tech head coach Tony Robie announced the latest edition to his coaching staff. He added Zach Tanelli, formerly the head coach at Columbia, to come aboard as an Associate Head Coach. Tanelli just wrapped up a season in which his team produced a pair of EIWA champions and his first individual All-American, Lennox Wolak. Coincidentally, Wolak is also headed to Virginia Tech as a graduate transfer.
A few days after it was all official, Tanelli joined our Robbie Wendell to discuss the rationale for this move, his accomplishments at Columbia, the potential that Virginia Tech holds, his relationship with the existing staff, Carhartt vests…..and much more! For the full interview: … more at … Intermatwrestle.com/Why-virginia-tech-new-associate-head-coach-zach-tanelli-talks-about-his-move
Olympians 2024
Maroulis becomes first three-time Olympian in women’s freestyle at Trials
The following are the Best-of-3 Championship matches in the six women’s freestyle weights at the 2024 Olympic Trials in State College, Pa., April 19-20. WIN Magazine will provide even more comprehensive coverage of this event in our next issue, printed May 1. Click here or call 888-305-0606 to subscribe. 50k/110 pounds — Sarah Hildebrandt (NYAC) defeated Audrey Jimenez (SKWC), two matches to none Match 1 – Hildebrandt won by TF over Jimenez, 10-0 — A fourth takedown with 22 seconds gone in the second period also helped Hildebrandt score two back points that ended the bout with 2:10 left. Hildebrandt’s first three takedowns all came in the first period.
Match 2 – Hildebrandt won by TF over Jimenez, 10-0 — Hildebrandt scored five takedowns, mostly off a single and three in the first period … and the fifth that ended the bout with 1:08 left … to clinch her second straight Olympic berth.
53k/116.5 pounds — Dominique Parrish (BDRTC/SKWC) defeated Haley Augello (IZZY/NYAC), two matches to none
Match 1 – Parrish dec. Augello, 2-1 — Parrish scored her points on high-crotch takedown with 1:37 left in the first period. Augello got on the board with a stepout six seconds into second period but could not add anything else.
Match 2 — Parrish dec. Augello 5-2 — The 2022 World champ opened the bout on an inside trip, then countered a throw by Augello in the second period to clinch her first Olympic berth. Augello, the 2016 Olympian, nearly hit a headlock but the first period expired.
57k/125.5 pounds — Helen Maroulis (SKWC) defeated Jacarra Winchester (TMWC), two matches to none
Match 1 – Maroulis pinned Winchester, 2:41 — Maroulis’ third takedown of the bout put Winchester on her back with 50 seconds left in the first period before the two-time Olympic medalist ended the bout 22 seconds later.
Match 2 – Maroulis dec. Winchester, 6-0 — Maroulis became the first American woman to qualify for three Olympic Games by scoring two takedowns and two stepouts. … more at … WIN-magazine.com/Maroulis-becomes-first-three-time-olympian-in-womens-freestyle-at-trials
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Snyder joins rare wrestling air as three-time Olympian and 10-time world and Olympic team member
Apr. 20, 2024, 10:54 PM (ET) by Cody Goodwin, Special to TheMat.com
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.— Steadily, consistently — and perhaps even quietly? — Kyle Snyder is authoring one of the greatest American wrestling careers ever.
Snyder swept Isaac Trumble, two matches to none, to win the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wrestling on Saturday here at the Bryce Jordan Center. He will represent the U.S. at 97 kilograms in the men’s freestyle competition this summer in Paris. It will be his third trip to the Olympics. He is just 28 years old.
The Woodbine, Md., native won his best-of-three finals series matches 5-0 and 4-0. It was a ho-hum, businesslike performance. Trumble was one of the stars in Friday’s challenge tournament competition, but he hardly got anything going against Snyder.
As a result, Snyder is now on the U.S. team for a staggering 10th consecutive year. He’s been the guy at 97-kg every year since 2015, when he became the youngest American wrestler ever to win a world championship. He followed that up with Olympic gold in 2016, and has won a medal at every single world or Olympic competition since.
As if that’s not rare enough air, Snyder is now the 11th American wrestler to qualify for three Olympic competitions. He is just the second to reach three before the age of 30, joining Mark Fuller, a Greco-Roman wrestler who went to four in a row: 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992.
Fuller is one of just two Americans to wrestle in four Olympics, along with Bruce Baumgartner, who not only wrestled in four, but medaledin all four: gold in 1984, silver in 1988, gold in 1992, and bronze in 1996. Baumgartner ultimately won 13 world and Olympic medals, adding five world titles to his two Olympic golds. Snyder is tracking toward doing the same. Entering this summer, he’s won nine consecutive world and Olympic medals, … more at … Themat.com/Snyder-joins-rare-wrestling-air-as-three-time-olympian-and-10-time-world-and-olympic-team
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Brooks stuns Taylor in men’s freestyle at Olympic Trials
The following are the Best-of-3 Championship matches in the six men’s freestyle weight of the 2024 Olympic Trials in State College, Pa., April 19-20. WIN Magazine will provide even more comprehensive coverage of this event in our next issue, printed May 1. Click here or call 888-305-0606 to subscribe. 57k/125.5 pounds – Spencer Lee (HWC / TMWC) defeats Thomas Gilman (NLWC / TMWC), two matches to none
Match 1 – Lee dec. Gilman, 6-3 — After trading step out points in the first, Lee scored a single leg takedown and immediately followed with a trap arm gut wrench to take a 5-1 lead. Gilman answered back with a big lift double leg on the edge that yielded a brick throw to check for exposure, but the two-point takedown was not enough to tie the bout for the NLWC athlete. Lee added a point for the failed challenge to win 6-3.
Match 2 – Lee pinned Gilman, 5:58 — Gilman led, 2-2 on criteria, before Lee gained two points for exposure and then used successive gut wrenches to plant and hold his former teammate and training partner for a fall just before time expired. Lee must now qualify the weight class, May 9-12 in Turkey, for a chance to wrestle in Paris this August.
65k/143.5 pounds — Zain Retherford (NLWC / TMWC) defeats Nick Lee (NLWC / TMWC), two matches to none.
Match 1 – Retherford dec. Lee, 2-1 — The pair of NLWC teammates traded passivity points while a step out point proved to be the difference in a match that endured several blood time stoppages.
Match 2 – Retherford dec. Lee, 5-0 — Retherford struck early with a takedown and exposure within the first 2 seconds of the bout and never looked back, as the former three-time NCAA champ earned a controlling 5-0 win. He will look to qualify the weight class for the 2024 Paris Olympics in Istanbul, Turkey in early May.
74k/163 pounds — Kyle Dake (NLWC / TMWC) defeats Jason Nolf (NLWC / TMWC) 2 matches to none.
Match 1 – Dake dec. Nolf, 4-1 — Dake scored a takedown in the first minute and added a push out and passivity point to defeat his fellow NLWC foe in match one. … more at … WIN-magazine.com/Brooks-stuns-taylor-in-mens-freestyle-at-olympic-trials
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Kyle Dake ’13 Punches Ticket To 2024 Summer Olympic Games
STATE COLLEGE, PA. — Kyle Dake ’13 swept Jason Nolf in two matches in the 74kg freestyle best-of-three championship series at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, punching his ticket to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. This marks the second time that Dake has qualified for the Olympics in his international wrestling career.
Dake (Nittany Lion WC), a bronze medalist at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, beat Nolf (Nittany Lion WC) 4-1 in the morning session and 3-0 in the night session. He has won all eight of his matches against Nolf in his freestyle career.
Dake, a four-time NCAA Champion at four different weights during his time at Cornell, is the first Big Red wrestler to qualify for two Olympics. In all, eight Big Red wrestlers have qualified for the Olympics, including Dake, Charles Ackerley (1920, Belgium), Dave Auble (1964, Tokyo), Christopher Campbell (1987, Spain), Philip Oberlander (1961, Japan), James Talbott Jr. (1908, London), Walter Wright Jr. (1924, Paris) and Frank Bettucci (1956, Melbourne). … more at … Cornellbigred.com/Kyle-dake-13-punches-ticket-to-2024-summer-olympic-games
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Heavyweight U: Wolverine Alums Coon, Parris Earn U.S. Olympic Team Berths
By: Leah Howard
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — The University of Michigan wrestling program swept the heavyweight spots on the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team as alumni Mason Parris and Adam Coon won at 125kg freestyle and 130kg Greco-Roman, respectively, at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials on Saturday (April 20) at Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center.
Five Wolverines are now qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Parris and Coon join fellow alums Stevan Micic (57kg freestyle, Serbia) and Myles Amine (86kg freestyle, San Marino) and graduate student Austin Gomez (65kg freestyle, Mexico). It will be the first Olympic Games for both heavyweights as well as Gomez. Coon previously won the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2021 but did not qualify his weight for the Tokyo Games.
Parris swept the best-of-three championships series against Hayden Zillmer at 125kg freestyle, winning both matches 7-0 to make his second straight U.S. senior team. Parris, who advanced directly to the finals after claiming world bronze last fall, earned an early passivity shot-clock point before finishing on three takedowns in both matches. He scored on a first-period high crotch and added two second-period go-behind takedowns in the first bout, then broke open the second with three second-period takedowns — a double leg on the edge, a spinout off a Zillmer low single shot and a late go-behind to ice it.
Parris, the 2023 NCAA heavyweight champion and Hodge Trophy winner, has medaled in all five of his senior-level tournaments since graduating from Michigan last spring. In addition to his 2023 world bronze, he claimed 125kg gold at the UWW Ranking Tournament in Hungary last July as well as in a pair of Pan American appearances and took bronze at the Zagreb Open in January.
Coon rallied to beat Cohlton Schultz in consecutive evening-session matches … more at … Mgoblue.com/Heavyweight-u-wolverine-alums-coon-parris-earn-us-olympic-team-berths
Spencer Lee wins battle of former Hawkeye lightweights to win 57 kg at U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wrestling
Apr. 20, 2024, 2:49 PM (ET) by Cody Goodwin, Special to TheMat.com
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — This was what the fans wanted to see, right?
Spencer Lee. Thomas Gilman. Two former Hawkeyes. Two world-class wrestlers.
But only one could win the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wrestling.
In a highly-anticipated best-of-three finals series, it was Lee who emerged victorious, defeating Gilman two matches to none to win the Trials at 57 kilograms. Lee won the first match, 6-3, thanks to a takedown-to-a-turn sequence in the second period. In the second, a similar script unfolded: Gilman led 2-2 on criteria with 30 seconds left, then Lee erupted for a takedown, two turns, and ultimately pinned Gilman in 5:58. As a result, Lee is the Olympic Trials champion — but he is not yet an Olympian.
The Murrysville, Pa., native must now qualify the U.S. for the 57-kg competition at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. He’ll travel to Istanbul, Turkey, next month for the World Olympic Games Qualifier, set for May 9-12. In all, the United States still needs to qualify five weights for Paris: 57 kg and 65 kg in men’s freestyle as well as 60 kg, 67 kg, and 77 kg in Greco-Roman.
It’s a challenge Lee is ready to attack, the same way he attacked the Trials this weekend. Lee finished 4-0 and outscored his opponents by a combined 35-11. He took out Nico Megaludis, another Murrysville native and occasional training partner; Zane Richards, the returning world team rep; then Gilman, three-time world medalist, world champion, and Olympic bronze medalist, in consecutive matches.
Winning Olympic gold has always been Lee’s dream. He’s now closer than he’s ever been — and he doesn’t plan on stopping now.
Here’s a weight-by-weight rundown of what happened in Session III on Saturday: … more at … Themat.com/Spencer-lee-wins-battle-of-former-hawkeye-lightweights-to-win-57-kg-at-u-s-olympic-team-trials
Cerritos Takes Home Second Consecutive Women’s Wrestling State Championship
Complete Results
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – With 166 points and three individual state champions, the Falcons took home their second consecutive 3C2A Women’s Wrestling State Championship on Saturday evening at Sacramento City College. “I think the team chemistry is one of the biggest things that set us apart,” said Cerritos Head Coach Dustin Kirk. “I talk about enjoying the process, having fun and enjoying the journey. At the end of the day, it’s a sport and one of the hardest games out there. We forget about that and these girls came out and represented themselves.”
In addition to three state champions, the Falcons had five wrestlers finish second in their respective weight classes. Their depth throughout the team led to the second state championship in 3C2A history. The Mt. San Antonio Mounties were the closest team behind them as they finished with 127.5 points. Mt. SAC came into the tournament ranked third but saw three members of their team become state champions while two more finished runner up.
East Los Angeles placed third overall with … more at … CCAAsports.org/2023-24/releases
NCWWC Regions Announced ahead of 2024-25 Season
Following approval from the Executive Committee Thursday, the regional assignments for the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championship (NCWWC) for the 2024-25 season have been solidified.
The NCWWC will move from a six-region qualification to eight regions for the coming year, a testament to the explosive growth the sport of women’s wrestling is currently experiencing. A total of 96 teams across NCAA Division I, II and III will field women’s wrestling programs this coming season, with 23 of those programs competing for the first time in the fall of 2024.
“The NCWWC Women’s Coaches Leadership Group spent quite a bit of time looking at this from all angles to develop a solid working set of recommendations,” Leadership Group Chair Cliff Cushard of Adrian College said. “The inter-complexity of the various pieces was really quite impressive. I commend everyone involved and want to thank the NWCA for their expert input and guidance along the way. The NCWWC Executive Committee understood and appreciated this work and approved it for next season. It is going to be an amazing final year of the NCWWC – with a large field and the opportunity for more NCAA student-athletes and varsity programs to earn their places in history. I’m excited about the future of our great sport!”
In moving to the eight regions, the top four at each weight class will still qualify to the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championship March 7-8, 2025, increasing the field of student-athletes to 320 from 240 this season. The 2025 NCWWC will take place at Xtreme Arena in Coralville, IA. … more at … NWCAonline.com/NCWWC-regions-announced-ahead-of-2024-25-season
CHUN NAMED USA WRESTLING WOMEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR
STATE COLLEGE, Penn. – University of Iowa women’s wrestling head coach Clarissa Chun was named USA Wrestling Women’s Coach of the Year, announced by the organization at the conclusion of the 2024 Olympic Team Trials tournament on Saturday.
This is Chun’s second coach of the year recognition in her first season with the Hawkeyes. Her first being NCWWC Women’s Wrestling Coach of the Year, awarded to her at the national championships in March.
The Hawkeyes went 16-0 in dual competition in the 2023-24 season and broke the world attendance record for women’s wrestling in their first dual inside of Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Chun led Iowa to the NCWC National Duals title, the NCWWC national team title and had six individual national champions, and 12 all-Americans.
Iowa qualified a total of nine wrestlers for the 2024 Olympic Team Trials this past weekend, bringing home three podium finishes.
Several Hawkeyes will continue international competition at the U20 and U23 World Championship later this year. The U20 World Championship will be held in Pontevedra, Spain, this September, … more at … Hawkeyesports.com/Chun-named-usa-wrestling-womens-coach-of-the-year
Helen Maroulis makes record third Olympic team; David Taylor, Adeline Gray dethroned
STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania — Helen Maroulis, the first U.S. female wrestler to win Olympic gold, will this summer become the oldest U.S. woman to wrestle at an Olympics and the first to wrestle at three Games.
Maroulis, 32, headlines the first 13 members of the Olympic wrestling team, decided at trials on Saturday at Penn State University.
She’ll be joined in Paris by veterans, including fellow 2016 Olympic champion Kyle Snyder, and newcomers, including 20-year-old world champion Amit Elor, who was one day too young to compete at the last trials and will become the youngest U.S. Olympic female wrestler in history.
Missing the team: Tokyo Olympic gold medalist David Taylor, who lost to NCAA Wrestler of the Year Aaron Brooks; six-time world champion Adeline Gray, who lost to Kennedy Blades, and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs, who was eliminated on the trials’ first day Friday.
WRESTLING TRIALS: Results
Maroulis swept two-time world medalist Jacarra Winchester in their best-of-three series Saturday to earn the Olympic spot at 57kg.
Maroulis was last beaten for a spot on the national team at the 2012 Olympic Trials. Since, she won four gold, two silver and three bronze medals between the Olympics and world championships, including that breakthrough Olympic title in 2016.
She briefly retired in 2019 due to concussions and post-traumatic stress disorder, then came back to win Olympic bronze in Tokyo and a world medal of every color the last three years. “I was giving my dad a hard time because, two years ago, he said, ‘Hey, no more medals. Just retire. Get married. Have kids,’” Maroulis said. “I was like, ‘Let me go one more, dad.’”
Leading into these trials, Maroulis said she was in a car accident and dealt with a two-week “deep sickness.” Snyder, 28, swept Isaac Trumble to make his third Olympic team. … more at … NBCsports.com/Olympic-wrestling-trials-david-taylor-helen-maroulis-adeline-gray
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
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