North Carolina Tar Heels Concludes Preseason At Blue & White Showcase
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The North Carolina wrestling program wrapped up its preseason with the annual Blue and White Showcase Saturday evening
Blue And White Showcase Results
125lbs: Liam Hickey (Blue) over Cam Stinson (White): 1-0 Dec
133lbs: Matthew Botello (Blue) over Max Martin (White): 22-7 TF
141lbs: Luke Simcox (White) over Elias Navida (Blue): Fall
149lbs: Mitchell Younger (Blue) over Nikolus O’neill (White): 13-10 Dec
149/157lbs: Nate Askew (Blue) over Cullen Kane (White): 14-4 MD
165lbs: Luke Sipes (Blue) over Colin Nugent (White): 15-1 MD
184lbs: Jake Dailey (Blue) over Nick Fea (White): 4-1 Dec … more at … https://goheels.com/news/2025/10/25/wrestling-concludes-preseason-at-blue-and-white-showcase
Penn State, riding a 71-match dual meet win streak, opens up the season ranked No. 1
Nittany Lions are unanimous No. 1 to start 2025-26
Manheim, Pennsylvania – The National Wrestling Coaches Association has released its preseason Division I Men’s Wrestling Coaches Poll, with NCAA champion Penn State opening the year as the nation’s No. 1 team. The Nittany Lions received all 16 first-place votes after finishing last season 15-0 in duals and capturing their 12th national title under head coach Cael Sanderson and 13th overall.
Nebraska, last year’s NCAA runner-up, starts at No. 2, followed by Iowa, Ohio State, and Oklahoma State. The top 10 also includes Iowa State, NC State, Lehigh, Minnesota, and Virginia Tech, representing four different conferences.
The Big Ten Conference once again leads all leagues with eight teams ranked in the preseason Top 25, including seven in the top 15. The Big 12 also places eight programs in the poll, highlighted by Oklahoma State at No. 5 and Iowa State at No. 6. The ACC follows with five, while the EIWA has two teams and both the Ivy League and Pac-12 claim one apiece.
Historically Streaking
Penn State returns nine All-Americans and its 71-match win streak is the longest in the NCAA’s Division I era (since 1973) and is the sixth longest in college wrestling history regardless of division. Oklahoma State holds the major college record of 76, set from 1937-1951.
The NCAA record is 77 in a row, set by Division II St. Cloud State from … more at … https://nwcaonline.com/news/2025/10/29/ncaa-division-1-men-penn-state-riding-a-71-match-dual-meet-win-streak-opens-up-the-season-ranked-no-1.aspx
Two-Sport World Champion: Stephen Neal’s Hall of Fame Journey
Most athletes never become the best in the world at their sport, but Stephen Neal accomplished the feat in both Wrestling and Football.
Few athletes in the history of Cal State Bakersfield – or anywhere, for that matter – have achieved what Stephen Neal did. A two-time NCAA Division I Wrestling Champion, four-time All-American, and winner of the 1999 Dan Hodge Trophy, Neal dominated collegiate wrestling before going on to win the World Wrestling Championships.
Yet, what makes his story even more extraordinary is what came next: a decade-long NFL career and three Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots, all without ever having played college football.
On Oct. 25, Neal will take his rightful place among the inaugural inductees into the CSUB Athletics Hall of Fame, a recognition of a career – and a life – defined by belief, resilience, and relentless work. “My time as an athlete at Cal State Bakersfield meant a lot to me. I was able to get an education … more at … https://gorunners.com/news/2025/10/17/general-two-sport-world-champion-stephen-neals-hall-of-fame-journey.aspx
College Wrestling Season ‘kicks off’
TDR Editor’s Notes ; It may be more accurate to say that ‘the whistle sounds off’ for wrestling that to use the expression ‘kicks off’. In some respects the season began at te start of the fall semester with competion among the Men’s Junior College teams in California. For their division the Men’s teams have a one semester schedule in the fall while the Women’s teams compete in the Spring. Meanwhile many NCAA teams have engaged in intrasquad wrestle-offs often with crowds of fans. Some NAIA teams have started competition with other school teams. Attendance in person is exciting and satisfying. if one can not attend in person there are increasing options to view on television and on-line. … Ready? Wrestle!
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Pioneers Win Outdoor Quad Meet Against Murray State College, 34-14
PLAINVIEW, TX – The Pioneers picked up a 34-14 victory over Murray State College in the WBU Outdoor Quad Meet on Friday afternoon.
Wayland Baptist picked up seven match victories out of 10 total matches. Out of the seven wins, three came by way of Fall and five via Major Decision.
2025 WBU Outdoor Quad Meet Results
125 – Desmond Mayfield def. Kyren Ramos (Fall)
133 – Hudson Beckley def. George Rodriguez (Major Decision)
141 – Noah Ingram def. Gavin Wehr (Fall) …
The Pioneers will return to the mat on Friday October 31 – November 1st when they take on Arizona Christian University and Friends University (Kan.) in Wichita, … more at … https://wbuathletics.com/news/2025/10/27/mens-wrestling-pioneers-win-outdoor-quad-meet-against-murray-state-college-34-14.aspx
And …
Women’s Wrestling Makes Statement in 45-7 Win Over Murray State College
PLAINVIEW, TX – Wayland Baptist Women’s Wrestling hosted their annual Outdoor Quad Meet on Friday where they completely dominated Murray State College, 45-7.
The Pioneers, who are receiving votes for NAIA Top 25 consideration, made a resound statement Friday afternoon by dominating Murray State College. The Pioneers finished with … more at … https://wbuathletics.com/news/2025/10/27/womens-wrestling-makes-statement-in-45-7-win-over-murray-state-college.aspx
And …
Renegades Earn Multiple Podium Finishes at Meathead Mover Tournament
BAKERSFIELD, CA – The Bakersfield College wrestling team had a strong showing at this year’s Meathead Mover Tournament at Cuesta College, highlighted by several standout performances and a heavyweight title win. Jonathan Garcia led the way for the Renegades, capturing … more at … https://www.gogades.com/sports/wrest/2025-26/releases/20251027jdxoog
NWCA Releases First NCAA Women’s Coaches Poll Ahead of Historic 2025–26 Season
Manheim, PA – The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) has released its first NCAA Women’s Coaches Poll for the upcoming 2025–26 season. This season will be highlighted by the inaugural NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships, set to take place March 6–7 in Coralville, Iowa, at Xtream Arena. Women’s wrestling marks the NCAA’s 91st championship sport. You can find more info at the NCAA’s site by clicking here.
In the team poll, picking up where they left off after winning the NCWWC title a year ago, the Iowa Hawkeyes sit atop the preseason poll with 109 points and all 10 of their wrestlers ranked. McKendree starts the year in second with 88 points, followed closely by North Central College’s 84. Grand Valley State (77) and Presbyterian (57) round out the top five.
The poll is a Tournament Power Index (TPI) ranking and not based on a team’s dual-meet strength. TPI point totals are determined by individual rankings directly correlated to placement points. The top team totals will be lower than the actual NCAA tournament scores, as the poll does not include bonus or advancement points. [1st = 16, 2nd = 12, 3rd = 10, 4th = 9, 5th = 7, 6th = 6, 7th = 4, 8th = 3, 9th = 2, 10th = 1]
As mentioned earlier, Iowa leads the nation with 10 ranked … more at … https://nwcaonline.com/news/2025/10/16/national-wrestling-coaches-association-nwca-releases-first-ncaa-womens-coaches-poll-ahead-of-historic-2025-26-season.aspx
2025 NWCA All-Star Classic Match Order Is Set!
The full slate of matchups for the 2025 NWCA All-Star Wrestling Classic on November 1st is set!
The 2025 NWCA All-Star Classic will take place on Saturday, November 1st, in Jersey Mike’s Arena on the campus of Rutgers University.
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- Latest Men’s D1 College Wrestling Rankings
This event can be viewed only on FloWrestling and will feature 10 highly ranked Division 1 folkstyle matchups, along with four cross-divisional women’s freestyle matches and one D2 vs D3 men’s match.
2025 NWCA All-Star Classic
2025 NWCA All-Star Classic Bout Order
Women’s Matches
138 lbs – #1 Zaynah McBryde, Life vs #1 Katie Lange, Grand Valley
145 lbs – #1 Esther Kolawole, William Penn vs #2 Reese Larramendy, Iowa
160 lbs – #1 Latifah McBryde, Life vs #1 (145) Bella Mir, North Central
117 lbs – #1 Sage Mortimer, Grand Valley vs #2 Salyna Shotwell
D2 vs D3 Match
141lbs – #1 Mark Samuel, Roanoke vs #1 Khyvon Grace, West Liberty … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/14593577-2025-nwca-all-star-classic-match-lineup
College Women’s Wrestling News – end of October
Iowa Women’s Wrestlers Set Sights on Inaugural NCAA Tourney on Home Turf
Coralville’s Xtream Arena will play host to the growing sport’s first NCAA championships in March.
he path to a national title will only get tougher. Iowa women’s wrestling coach Clarissa Chun embraces that reality as a natural byproduct of the sport’s rapid growth.
The Hawkeyes will be at the center of another milestone on the mat, March 6–7, 2026, when they host the inaugural women’s wrestling NCAA championships at Coralville’s Xtream Arena. “These are the things we work toward to not only grow as a sport, but to provide these young women opportunities to compete on a big stage,” says Chun. “This recognizes that they’re there, and there is enough competitiveness in the sport. It also fuels the opportunity for other programs to add women’s wrestling.”
Division I Expansion
Chun says Division I has ground to cover to keep pace with the rapid increase of Division II and Division III institutions offering the sport. Since the NCAA approved women’s wrestling for championship status last January, she has received calls from several Big Ten and Big 12 universities seeking advice on establishing programs of their own. Lehigh University became the sport’s sixth Division I varsity program in May, following historically Black college and university Delaware State. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State fields one of several prominent club teams hoping to make the jump.
NCAA Format Changes
Iowa seeks a third straight national title this season but has fewer opportunities to flex its depth at the championship level. … more at … https://magazine.foriowa.org/story.php?ed=true&storyid=2574
And …
When Will Oklahoma State Add A Women’s Wrestling Program?
Izzak Olejnik discusses his role with the Oklahoma State women’s club wrestling team, the future of the program, and John Smith’s coaching role.
Oklahoma State has a women’s club wrestling team with a roster of 30. Several top high school wrestlers arrived in Stillwater expecting the Cowgirls to become a sanctioned Division I program.
How close is that to happening?
Below are takeaways from a conversation with women’s club coach Izzak Olejnik about his role and the future of the program. Watch the entire interview with Olejnik above.
What’s Olejnik’s role with the women’s club team?
Olejnick transferred from Northern Illinois to Oklahoma State his senior season, finishing fifth at 165 for the Cowboys at the 2024 NCAA Championships. He continued to train with the RTC and was asked if he wanted to run a few of the women’s practices for the upstart women’s team. “I knew I wanted to coach and this was a great opportunity to see where we can take it,” Olejnik said. “I started dedicating my time to the girls who were in the club. That’s how it all started and 30 girls later we have a full dual schedule and tournament schedule.”
Olejnik still works out with the Cowboy RTC, but is currently injured.
“I’m helping out with the RTC but pretty much full-time with the Cowgirls. If you really want this to grow, you kind of have to be full time and fully locked into it. I’ve dedicated my time and efforts into Cowgirl wrestling.”
What’s John Smith’s role?
The Cowgirl wrestling team made waves when former men’s coach John Smith — a six-time World and Olympic champion — was added as a volunteer coach. Smith has been in the room almost daily. “He’s been in the room a lot more than I thought … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/14649730-when-will-oklahoma-state-add-a-womens-wrestling-program
And …
5 Women’s Wrestling Documentaries You Need To Watch
Here are five women’s wrestling documentaries you need to see, and how to watch.
This is the year of women’s wrestling documentaries. Here are five you need to watch — and how to watch. Scroll to the end for women’s documentaries available on Flo.
HAWKEYES: The First Season with Iowa Women’s Wrestling
Experience college wrestling through the lens of the Iowa Hawkeyes as their women’s team makes their way through their very first season. This three part series will display college wrestling in a way that’s never been seen before. Meet the athletes and get to know their stories as they try to help guide the Hawkeyes to a national title.
All American
Women’s wrestling is more than a sport. It’s a movement.
That’s the tagline for Mark Altschul’s soon-to-be-released must-watch women’s wrestling documentary. The film’s synopsis is this: “In this modern, coming-of-age documentary, Naomi, Jojo, and Arham grapple with economic divides, gender roles, and family dynamics while competing in the fastest-growing high school sport in the country: women’s wrestling.” All of the above is true, but that’s a surface-level description of a documentary that captures wrestling’s essence. Filmed over five years from 2017 to 2022, ‘All American’ provides an in-depth look into women’s wrestling, … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/14650279-5-womens-wrestling-documentaries-you-need-to-watch
WIN’s 2025-26 Race for the Dan Hodge Trophy Preseason Front-runners
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in WIN’s Volume 32 Issue 1, the High School and College Preview Edition, which was published Oct. 10, 2025.
The Dan Hodge Trophy, sponsored by WIN Magazine and Culture House and presented by ASICS, will be awarded after the NCAA Championships to the most dominant college wrestler.
Created by WIN founder Mike Chapman in 1995, the award is named after the late Dan Hodge, the three-time NCAA champion from the University of Oklahoma (1955-57) who never allowed a takedown in his career, pinning 36 of 46 opponents.
In addition to the fan vote, the Hodge Trophy Voting Committee, made up of all past winners of the award, former coaches and national media members vote for the winner each year. Criteria for winning the award includes a wrestler’s record, … more at … https://www.win-magazine.com/2025/10/21/31975/
Top returning men’s college wrestlers to watch this season
Shannon Scovel breaks down some of the headlining wrestlers returning for the 2025-26 season. … video at … https://www.ncaa.com/video/wrestling-men/2025-10-21/top-returning-mens-college-wrestlers-watch-season
Augsburg Tops NWCA Division III Men’s Preseason Coaches Poll
Manheim, PA – The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) has released the Preseason Division III Men’s Coaches Poll, setting the stage for another exciting season of NCAA Division III men’s wrestling. The poll follows an unforgettable finish to last season where Johnson & Wales and Wartburg were crowned Co-Champions, a historic feat not seen since 1933, when Iowa State and Oklahoma State shared the team title.
This season’s preseason tournament team top 25 poll has 15-time National Champion Augsburg in first with 64.5 points, followed by The College of New Jersey’s 42 points. Rounding out the top five are Roanoke College (41.5), Wartburg College (41), and UW-La Crosse (30.5).
Augsburg leads all teams as the only squad with multiple individuals receiving #1 rankings with two, Cooper Willis (165) and Brandt Bombard (184). The following schools each feature one top-ranked wrestler entering the season: North Central, Wabash, Roanoke, SUNY Cortland, Loras, TCNJ, UW-Eau Claire, and Wartburg.TOP RANKED INDIVIDUALS | NATIONAL RANKINGS | REGIONAL RANKINGS
125 – Christian Guzman, North Central
133 – James Day, Wabash
141 – Mark Samuel, Roanoke
149 – Angelo Centrone, SUNY Cortland
157 – Eric Kinkaid, Loras … more at … https://nwcaonline.com/news/2025/10/27/national-wrestling-coaches-association-familiar-face-augsburg-starts-new-season-in-the-top-spot.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
Takedown Report 