Iowa State Wrestling Receives NCAA Trophy
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State wrestling received its fourth-place trophy from the 2024 NCAA Championships on Tuesday, but you might be asking yourself, “why did Iowa State receive a trophy in August for a tournament that was in March?”
It was a historic season, Iowa State’s best since 2010, but one that originally finished without an NCAA trophy in hand. Traditionally, the NCAA has always awarded the top four teams at the NCAA Championships a trophy, but following the 2023 season, the NCAA elected to do away with the fourth-place trophy, citing financial reasons.
In the first season after the decision was made, it was Iowa State who finished in fourth place and narrowly missed out on a trophy finish.
Final team scores from the 2024 NCAA Championships:
1. Penn State – 172.5
2. Cornell – 72.5
3. Michigan – 71.0
4. Iowa State – 68.5
5. Iowa – 67.0
🌪️🚨🌪️ pic.twitter.com/IF7Bq19SgB— Iowa State Wrestling (@CycloneWR) March 24, 2024
In July, the NCAA Competition Oversight Committee voted to reverse course and to reinstate the fourth-place trophy going forward, as well as retroactively award the Cyclones their trophy for 2024. It officially marks Iowa State’s 45th trophy finish in program history (eight national titles, 16 runner-up finishes, 13 third-place finishes, eight fourth-place finishes). … more at … https://cyclones.com/news/2024/8/14/iowa-state-wrestling-receives-ncaa-trophy.aspx
Lander Selected as Host for 2026 NCAA Super Region II Championships
GREENWOOD – For the second time in three seasons, the road to the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championship will run through Greenwood, South Carolina as the NCAA announced that Lander University and Finis Horne Arena will be the site of the 2026 NCAA Super Region II Tournament. The event will be held the weekend of Feburary 28th, 2026 with a specific date and start time to be determined at a later date. “We are excited to host the NCAA Super Regional Tournament for the second time,” said Athletic Director Brian Reese. “To host it twice in three years shows how much not only the Lander Wrestling program has grown but also the high quality of our arena, campus, staff, as well as the town of Greenwood.”
The tournament will consist of 13 teams from around the southeast, up from the 11 that competed in Greenwood in 2024, with wrestlers from each team competing in ten weight classes. The top-three wrestlers in each weight class will earn a bid to the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championship in Sioux Falls, S.D. where they will compete against qualifiers from the five other Super Region tournaments being held that same weekend. “We are extremely excited to once again host the NCAA Super Regional here at Lander,” said Head Wrestling Coach R.C. LaHaye. “Horne Arena provides an awesome wrestling atmosphere and our administration always puts on a first class event. We hope to once again pack the arena with Bearcat fans from across the country.”
Lander has won the last two Super Region II Tournaments, setting the all-time scoring record in 2023 with 164 points. The 2025 Super Region tournament will be held in Pembroke, N.C. with the National Championship being held in Indianapolis, Ind. … more at … https://landerbearcats.com/news/2024/8/9/wrestling-lander-selected-as-host-for-2026-ncaa-super-region-ii-championships.aspx?utm_source=Wrestling+News&utm_campaign=4dd041c29c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_09_28_09_07_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_44607e8210-4dd041c29c-245314521&mc_cid=4dd041c29c
Never Too Early Lineup Look: Campbell
We’re now going down south to the SoCon to check out one of the perennial conference favorites Campbell. The Camels are led by Scotti Sentes who is heading into his fifth seed as head coach.
Campbell returns a squad that features four 2024 national qualifiers and another coming off of an Olympic redshirt.
In 2023-24, Campbell went 14-3 in dual competition and finished ranked 22nd in the nation in dual rankings. Some of the Camels notable dual wins include Army West Point, MAC champion Central Michigan, and rivals Appalachian State.
While the SoCon tournament was not what Campbell hoped for, they did reach an impressive benchmark at nationals.
Looking ahead to 2024-25, Campbell will likely feature an experienced lineup with the potential to challenge the seven national qualifiers that the 2021 team produced. Additionally, could Campbell place multiple wrestlers on the podium or have a multiple-time AA? I guess we’ll have to stick around for the upcoming season to find out.
125: Anthony Molton
The Camels spark plug is back at 125 lbs and looking to make the NCAA tournament for the first time in his career. Molton was 21-5 last season and spent a significant amount of time in the national rankings, but a semifinal loss at the SoCon Championships … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/socon/never-too-early-lineup-look-campbell-r99485/
Lanham Adds Erkin Tadzhimetov as Assistant Coach
DURHAM, N.C. — Duke wrestling head coach Glen Lanham announced Thursday the addition of Erkin Tadzhimetov as an assistant coach. Tadzhimetov will coach the 125-149 weight classes.
“We are thrilled to be able to add Erkin and his experience working with the 125-149 weight classes to our outstanding group of coaches,” said Lanham. “This is the first time we’ve really focused on trying to add a lightweight coach on our staff. In the past, we really haven’t had a lightweight coach and we all have assumed those duties. But with the way the landscape of things are these days, combined with this great opportunity to get Erkin, we felt like it was the right move. Erkin has put lightweights on the podium and we felt like it was time for us to focus on that area, try to develop guys and get a coach that really knows the feel of being a lightweight. As class gets set to start for the fall, we are excited about getting on the mat and working hard.”
Tadzhimetov arrives at Duke after spending the last 16 seasons at Utah Valley University (UVU), including the final 12 as the associate head coach with the Wolverines.
“I am excited to be an assistant wrestling coach at Duke University,” said Tadzhimetov. “I’m looking forward to working alongside the coaching staff and mentoring student-athletes to achieve their goals on and off the mat. I am eager to contribute my experience to the team’s success and can’t wait to get started!” … more at … https://goduke.com/news/2024/8/22/wrestling-lanham-adds-erkin-tadzhimetov-as-assistant-coach.aspx
Japan wins Olympic wrestling medal count with 11, Iran next with eight, USA in third with seven
Japan won the medal table in the sport of wrestling at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, capturing 11 medals, including an impressive eight individual champions. Japan won six women’s freestyle medals, three men’s freestyle medals and two Greco-Roman medals. Japan won the medal count in the women’s freestyle discipline.
Individual champions from Japan were Akari Fujinami (53 kg women’s freestyle), Tsugumi Sakurai (57 kg women’s freestyle), Sakura Motoki (62 kg women’s freestyle), Yuka Kagami (76 kg women’s freestyle), Rei Higuchi (57 kg men’s freestyle), Kotaro Kiyooka (65 kg men’s freestyle), Kenichiro Fumita (60 kg Greco-Roman) and Nao Kusaka (77 kg Greco-Roman).
Iran was next with eight medals, four in Greco-Roman and four in men’s freestyle. Iran won the medal table for both Greco-Roman and men’s freestyle with four each. Iran had two Olympic champions, Saeid Esmaeili (67 kg Greco-Roman) and Mohammadhadi Saravi (97 kg Greco-Roman).
The United States came in third with seven medalists, including four in women’s freestyle and three in men’s freestyle. The USA had a pair of individual champions, Sarah Hildebrandt (50 kg women’s freestyle) and Amit Elor (68 kg women’s freestyle). … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2024/august/15/japan-wins-olympic-wrestling-medal-count-with-11-iran-next-with-eight-usa-in-third-with-seven
LaHaye Adds Brower and Hall to Coaching Staff
Brower was First Lander National Champion in 2022, Hall was National Finalist in 2023
GREENWOOD – Coming off their second straight runner-up performance at the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championship, head wrestling coach R.C. LaHaye has added two alumni as assistant coaches for the upcoming season. Logan Hall was promoted to a full-time role after serving as the team’s graduate assistant last season and Zeth Brower joins the staff after finishing his wrestling career in the spring.
“I cannot express how excited I am to add Zeth and Logan to our coaching staff here at Lander,” said LaHaye. “Not only are they accomplished student-athletes, but they came through the Lander Wrestling program and understand the expectations and the standards of our program. I know they will have a huge impact on the next generation of Lander wrestlers.”
Logan Hall transferred to Lander after a successful career at Notre Dame College in Ohio where he was a two-time Mountain East Conference Champion and qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2022. After arriving in Greenwood, Hall set the program record for wins in a season with 34, a record he still holds, won the Super Region II Title at 184-lbs, was named the Super Region II Wrestler of the Year and was a finalist for the NWCA Wrestler of the Year, and made a run to the national championship match at the National Tournament. After graduating, he joined the staff as a graduate assistant last year and helped coach the Bearcats to their third straight conference title and second consecutive Super Region title.
“I’m looking forward to giving back to the program that gave me so much,” said Hall. “Lander has everything to create champions and I’m honored to get to be an asset in making future ones. I’m excited to help the wrestlers on and off the mat and get Lander their first NCAA team championship.”
Zeth Brower kick started Lander’s rise to national prominence by winning the national title at 141-lbs in St. Louis at the 2022 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships. The 2022 SACC and Super Region II Wrestler of the Year was a three-time Super Region II Champion and a three-time All-American in his time at Lander. Prior to coming to Greenwood, he was an NJCAA All-American and helped Clackamas Community College win the NJCAA team title in 2019.
“This opportunity hits deeper than what most would think,” said Brower. “Being around a group of like-minded individuals … more at … https://landerbearcats.com/news/2024/8/6/wrestling-lahaye-adds-brower-and-hall-to-coaching-staff.aspx
Lanham Adds Pair of Transfers for 2024-25 Season
DURHAM — After announcing 12 incoming freshmen recently, Duke wrestling head coach Glen Lanham has revealed the addition of two transfers to the mix for the 2024-25 campaign. Tyler O’Boyle of Franklin and Marshall College and Spencer Von Savoye of California Baptist University have signed with the Blue Devils.
Tyler O’Boyle
6’2 * 285
Virginia Beach, Virginia (Norfolk Academy)
Franklin and Marshall College
- Competed in both football and wrestling for two seasons at Franklin & Marshall College
- Redshirted as a freshman
- Starter at offensive guard in football and posted a 3-7 record at 285 pounds as a sophomore
- At Norfolk Academy, played football, track & field and wrestling
- A four-year varsity wrestler and team captain in high school
- Earned All-State honors in wrestling
- As a junior, turned in a first-place finish at the TCIS Conference Tournament and first place at the Prep League. He also placed seventh at the VISAA State Tournament.
- Earned High Honor Roll accolades and was a member of the Honor Council
- Will have two years of eligibility remaining at Duke and will be enrolled in the Duke Fuqua MMS program.
Lanham on O’Boyle
“We want Tyler to push for the heavyweight job, because the better he is the better he is going to make Connor Barket. We need a big body like him in that room, so we are super excited about what he is going to bring to the table. He has two years of experience from his time at Franklin & Marshall, which will help in the transition. He brings more quality depth to our program. Tyler is already on campus with the Fuqua program and is training with our guys.”
Spencer Von Savoye
5’7 * 141/149
Oakdale, California (Chaminade College Preparatory High School)
California Baptist University
- At California Baptist this past year, … more at … https://goduke.com/news/2024/8/7/wrestling-lanham-adds-pair-of-transfers-for-2024-25-season.aspx
Trip to Normandy gives Olympic wrestler new perspective on what great-grandfather endured
COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France — He paused to take a picture by the reflecting pool lined with well-groomed trees and walked past a flagpole flying an American flag high in the air.
At one of the first headstones he came to, a white marble cross about waist-high in the 11th row of Plot B at Normandy American Cemetery, Mason Parris stopped to study the name inscribed on its back.
Edwin C. Swinscoe
PFC 357 INF 90 DIV
Colorado June 21, 1944
2024 Paris Olympics: Follow USA TODAY’s coverage of the biggest names and stories of the Games.
Parris perused the names on other headstones as he strolled somberly across the grass.
He snapped a photo of the gold lettering on the headstone of Theodore Roosevelt Jr., the Brigadier General and son of former president Teddy Roosevelt, who died fighting in World War II, then walked to the chapel, said a quiet prayer “and just thanked all those guys for the sacrifices.”
“It’s so beautiful out here right now,” Parris said later as he sat atop a wall high above Omaha Beach overlooking the English Channel. “But I can only imagine the terrors and everything that happened on that day.” … more at … https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2024/08/05/us-wrestler-mason-parris-normandy-olympics/74628810007/
University of North Carolina News
Vincenzo Joseph Joins Wrestling Staff
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Two-time NCAA champion Vincenzo Joseph has joined the North Carolina wrestling staff as the program’s recruiting coordinator, head coach Rob Koll announced Thursday. In his new role with the Tar Heels, Joseph will assist the program in team travel, on-campus recruiting, match day planning and operations, donor relations and all program related events. No stranger to working with Koll, Joseph was an assistant coach at Stanford during the 2021-22 season, Koll’s first season out west. In his lone year working with the Cardinal, the program finished top-20 at the 2022 NCAA Championships, posting multiple All-Americas for the first time since 2016. The 165-pound national champion in 2017 and 2018, Joseph was a three-time NCAA All-America wrestler for Penn State, finishing runner-up as a junior in 2019. The Pittsburgh, Pa. native finished his career with the Nittany Lions with an 89-9 overall record. … more at … https://goheels.com/news/2024/8/8/vincenzo-joseph-joins-wrestling-staff
Ramos Begins Olympic Journey Thursday
PARIS, FRANCE – Ethan Ramos, the first Carolina wrestler to qualify for the Summer Olympics, begins his tournament tomorrow in Paris.
The 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 Carolina Wrestling Olympian 🗣️
Ethan Ramos has made it to Paris for the 2024 Games! #GoHeels | #TogetherWeWin pic.twitter.com/KjDhXnWRAM— UNC Wrestling (@UNCWrestling) July 27, 2024
Ramos, representing Puerto Rico at 86 KG, is set to face Dauren Kurugliev of Greece in the opening round. The Hawthorne, N.J. product became the first Tar Heel in program history to qualify for the OIympic Games, finishing on the podium in March at the 2024 Pan-Am Olympic Games
Qualifier. Ramos was victorious twice in the event, earning 4-0 and 11-6 victories, earning the right to represent Puerto Rico in the Summer Games. During his time in Chapel Hill, Ramos was a two-time ACC Champion at 174 pounds and 2015 All-America wrestler for the Tar Heels. … more at … https://goheels.com/news/2024/8/7/wrestling-ramos-begins-olympic-journey-thursday
Matt Gentry Appointed Head Coach of UChicago Wrestling
By: Isa Contreras | UChicago Athletic Communications
CHICAGO – University of Chicago Director of Athletics and Recreation Angie Torain announced today the hiring of Matt Gentry as the Maroons new head wrestling coach. Gentry is no stranger to the program, having served as a part-time assistant coach before being elevated to a full-time assistant coach with the program in July of 2022. “I am thrilled to have Matt join us as the head men’s wrestling coach” stated Torain. “Matt is an accomplished wrestler and brings a wealth of knowledge and a focus on the student-athlete experience. He is taking over a program that has great tradition and success. We are excited to watch the program excel under his leadership.”
Gentry is a former student athlete and had a stellar collegiate career at Stanford University. Along with becoming a four-time NCAA national qualifier, he was the first individual national champion in the program’s history after winning the 157-pound title in 2004. As a Cardinal, Gentry studied human biology, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 2005. He later earned his doctorate in physical therapy.
Following a successful start to his career, Gentry assumed the role as an assistant coach with his alma mater for five years. During that time, he continued to compete in international competition, qualifying for the Olympics on two different occasions. Gentry competed for Canada at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic games and garnered a top five placement in London at 74 kg. In addition, Gentry is also a two-time medalist at the Pan American Games.
During his time with the Maroons, Gentry has already mentored two All-Americans, a University Athletic Associate (UAA) Wrestler of the Year, and eight UAA weight class champions. “I’m grateful to Director of Athletics and Recreation Angie Torain for the opportunity … more at … https://athletics.uchicago.edu/news/2024/8/7/gentry-appointed-head-coach-of-uchicago-wrestling.aspx
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
