2023 Super 32 College Fan Guide
The 2023 edition of Super 32 features over 80 D1 commits for nearly 40 colleges and universities. Here’s who college fans should look out for
Super 32 is one of the best opportunities for NCAA wrestling fans to watch their team’s future stars. According to the Super 32 website, this tournament has featured 29 different NCAA champions who have won a combined 45 NCAA titles. It’s safe to assume there are future NCAA champions competing in this year’s field.
2023 Super 32
This year’s tournament includes nearly 100 division 1 college commits representing nearly 40 different programs. Here’s a list of every division 1 commit we could find. If you see someone we missed, email david.bray@flosports.tv.
A complete preview of this year’s Super 32 boys high school division is available here. The Super 32 schedule, links to brackets, and a watch guide are also on FloWrestling.
Air Force
132 – Carter Nogle, Mount Saint Joseph, MD (2024)
138 – Chancellor Matthews, Cherokee Trail, CO (2025)
157 – Jake Wood, Perrysburg, OH (2024)
190 – #7 Karson Tompkins, Midlothian High School, TX (2024)
American
113 – JJ Peace, Cane Bay High School, SC (2024)
Arizona State
144 – #1 Pierson Manville, State College Area High School, PA (2024) … rest of story and list at … Flowrestling.org/articles/11326552-2023-super-32-college-fan-guide
Ian Fritz of Topsail presented Roy Heverly Award
Ian Fritz of Topsail H.S. is the ‘Roy Heverly Award’ winner as the top Underclassmen wrestler in Eastern North Carolina in 2023.
State champion Ian Fritz of Topsail H.S. will be presented the Roy Heverly Award this fall at a home football game. The Heverly Award is for the top underclassman scholastic wrestlers in eastern North Carolina for the 2023 season.
Fritz completed his sophomore season with 51 wins and just 2 losses to out of state wrestlers at the nationally ranked Beast of the East tournament. His career record so far is (94 – 5) with a 4th place finish at the state tournament his freshman year. He has also won two Regional Championships. On his path to the 4A State Championship Fritz defeated a 3x Finalist and 1x state champion Brandt Fajerman in the semifinals. He faced the defending State Champion Eli Murray in the finals and defeated him by a Tech Fall.
In the month following the state championship Ian won four of six matches at the National High School Coaches Association national tournament in Virginia Beach. His losses were in a close 6-5 decision to the 3rd place finisher and to the 7th Place finisher by a 5-3 decision. Both wrestlers were from the Buckeye State of Ohio.
Academically Ian has maintained a 4.3 GPA in school and earned his teammates respect as they voted him Team Captain as a Sophomore. He is “Hands down the hardest worker in the room” according to his coaches. Ian is a strong candidate to repeat as champion next season. More details of the day and time of the presentation in the fall shall be announced later.
Previous ‘Roy Heverly Award’ winners
2022 Alex Hopper of Wilm. Laney
2021 Caleb Beaty of Wake Forest and Mark Samuel of Wilm. Laney
2020 River Carroll of Swansboro and Mark Samuel of Wilm. Laney
2019 Christian Decatur of Rosewood
2018 Alec Sampson of Hoggard 2017 Beau Studebaker of East Carteret
2016 Harrison Campbell of West Brunswick 2015 Blaine Mainz of Jacksonville
2014 Joe Sculthorpe of Topsail 2013 Matteson Correll of Topsail
2012 Nick Quillen of Rosewood and Tyler Ross of Jacksonville
2011 Jake Smith of Havelock 2010 Marquin Hill of Washington
2009 Ryan Blackwell of Croatan 2008 Charlie Millea of Havelock
2007 Frank Hickman of Wilm. Laney 2006 Sean O’Laker of Croatan
2005 Eddie Sawyer of Currituck Co. 2004 Brian Lashomb of Currituck Co.
2003 Raymond Jordan of New Bern,
The award is named in honor of former state champion Roy Heverly, a 4 time state medalist at West Carteret and three time All-American at The University of North Carolina-Pembroke. The TakeDown Report, an on-line publication promotes amateur wrestling in eastern North Carolina, sponsors these Awards. “These awards recognize the most successful wrestlers in the area each year.” Fleming noted, “It encourages the young men from the teams in the eastern part of the state with another opportunity for others to realize the hard work, determination and discipline it takes to be a top wrestler,” he added. The TDR also ranks wrestlers in a TDR Top 12 List that is displayed on the TDR Blog page. The TDR has been involved in the publicity of amateur wrestling in North Carolina for over 20 years. Contact the TDR at martinkfleming@gmail.com, (252) 883-3311 & https://takedownreport.wordpress.com/
NCWA & TCWF seek to create first D-I wrestling program in Texas
The National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) and The Texas Collegiate Wrestling Foundation (TCWF) are thrilled to welcome coach Grant Leeth as the new leader for Tarleton State University’s NCWA intercollegiate wrestling program.
This newly-established program aligns with the NCWA Fast Start Plan, strategically designed to pave the way for the future possibility of adding NCAA wrestling at Tarleton State University. The realization of TSU as the first NCAA Division I program in Texas hinges on the successful fundraising efforts led by Leeth and the TCWF. … rest of story at … WIN-magazine.com/2023/10/16/ncwa-tarleton-state-seek-to-create-first-d-i-wrestling-program-in-texas
Presbyterian Women’s Wrestling Discloses 2023-24 Schedule
CLINTON, S.C. – Dismantling the school record books for a national top-ten team finish last spring, the Presbyterian College women’s wrestling squad has completed preseason scheduling duties and has officially unveiled its 2023-24 path.
Announced on Thursday morning by recently-promoted head coach Brian Vutianitis, the Blue Hose will kick off their fifth season on November 5 with ultra-high expectations following 191 total wins and 30 top-three tournament finishes last season.
“We’re very excited for what lies ahead this season”, commented Vutianitis, who oversaw a program that took a giant leap while staying inside the nation’s top 15 for the entirety of last year. “There is a great mix of high-level duals and opportunities for our young team to promote themselves and gain experience as we continue to build the future of our sport and our brand.” “This group of women is ready to make some noise, and November 5 will only be the beginning.” … rest of story at … GObluehose.com/news/2023/10/12/womens-wrestling-womens-wrestling-discloses-2023-24-schedule
Coach Denney and former UNO program honored this weekend in Omaha
By Pat Kelly
“We want to invite all of the UNO and Omaha University wrestling family to the reunion we are having on October 14th in the Lee & Helene Sapp Fieldhouse…”
With that statement in a video posted on Coach Mike Denney’s Facebook page on August 9, 2023, he broke a 12-year moratorium on the use of the phrase “UNO,” “Nebraska-Omaha,” or just about any other term or phrase associated with the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
To him, the school had become known as “The Other Place.” And who could blame him for the slang intended as a slight?
The date was March 12, 2011 on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Kearney, site of the NCAA Division II nationals. The UNO Mavericks had not yet left the arena after celebrating the eighth national championship in program history (7 in NCAA DII with Denney, 1 in NAIA with Coach Don Benning).
A voicemail from then athletic director Trev Alberts was delivered to Denney letting him know his 32-year tenure as head coach was over and the program was being dropped. The 2011 team was devastated when Denney met with them shortly after in the hotel.
The entire University of Nebraska at Omaha wrestling community was dealt a blow that was incomprehensible and inconceivable. The program was winning. The athletes were behaving themselves. They were performing in the classroom. The program was virtually self-sustaining financially. The coach? Mike Denney was what any university, parent, athlete, and fan would want in a coach. His teams won on the mat, but were also recognized for community service on campus and in the community.
No matter the academic department or extracurricular team or group, Coach Denney and the wrestling team was known in a good light. Denney was an icon on campus. His guys went on to lead productive lives, and they kept in touch, returning for golf outings, home duals, NCAA tournaments, and weddings. UNO Wrestling remained a fabric of their lives.
Coach Denney and Bonnie, his wife of 54 years, were the glue that held it together. Ron Higdon, Assistant Director of the Nebraska School Activities Association since 2011, was an All-American for UNO and assistant coach for the Mavericks from 1992 – 2011. He will be present for the gathering on October 14th and thinks the timing is right, especially after Denney announced his retirement after coaching the past 13 years at Maryville near St. Louis.
“Coinciding with Coach Denney retiring, there couldn’t be a better time to do it. … rest of the story at … WIN-magazine.com/2023/10/12/coach-denney-and-former-uno-program-honored-this-weekend-in-omaha
165-Pound Pre-Season NCAA Wrestling Preview & Predictions
A preview with predictions for the 2023-24 season at 165-pound weight class in Division 1 college wrestling
The best college wrestling rivalry gets one more season and possibly three more rounds. NCAA champions Keegan O’Toole (Missouri) and David Carr (Iowa State) seem destined to reach the 2024 NCAA tournament finals following a thrilling three-match series over the span of a month in 2023.
Carr struck first with a 7-2 win during a dual on February 15 then struck again with a sudden victory fall in the Big 12 finals on March 4. O’Toole turned the tables with an 8-2 win in the NCAA finals on March 16 for his second title in as many years.
Rounds four, five, and six could happen on February 25 (dual in Ames), March 9-10 (Big 12 Championships in Tulsa), and March 21-23 (NCAA Championships in Kansas City). Each has only suffered defeat three times during their respective college careers, but that number will inevitably go up this season when they face off.
This is the series to watch, and anyone other than Carr and O’Toole in the national finals will represent a big upset.
Michigan’s Cam Amine has the best credentials of the remaining field but he’s lost three straight times to O’Toole over three NCAA Championships. Wisconsin’s Dean Hamiti is a two-time All-American who offers challenges because of his long frame and unique style.
Iowa’s Michael Caliendo and Oklahoma State’s Izzak Olejnik are storylines to follow after transferring from North Dakota State and Northern Illinois, respectively. They met in the seventh-place match at the 2023 NCAA Championships and will likely meet in a historically contentious rivalry between the two most successful college wrestling programs.
Penn State’s Mitchell Mesenbrink is the wild card here. There’s no telling if he’ll be in the line-up or what weight he’ll go, but Mesenbrink will be a factor if he’s in the line-up at 165. The Hartland, Wisconsin, native won the 2023 U20 World Championships following a silver medal performance in 2022. … rest of story and list at … Flowrestling.org/articles/165-pound-pre-season-ncaa-wrestling-preview-predictions
U.S. Wrestling Foundation Launches #LetsWrestle Featuring Sports and Hollywood Stars
Second National Campaign to Increase Participation in WrestlingSHORT HILLS, NJ, USA, October 10, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ — Today, the U.S. Wrestling Foundation, officially launches the second national #LetsWrestle program to help more high school students prepare for success and overcome challenges through the disciplines of wrestling.
This year’s campaign features posters of stars from Hollywood, the NFL, civic leaders and other notable people who attribute the values learned in wrestling as part of their professional success. Posters of the stars and other recruiting materials are sent to over 11,000 high school wrestling coaches – every high school in America with a wrestling team.
Celebrities include actor Patrick Warburton; NFL stars, Sean McDermott, Adam Vinatieri, and Tristan Wirfs; former municipal judge Frank Caprio, and others.
Last year’s #LetsWrestle campaign supported a wrestling-wide effort to increase participation and achieved historic growth.
According to the National Federation of High Schools annual participation report, boys and girls wrestling had the largest percent increase in participation ever with +17.4%. Total participants reached a 45 year high, eclipsing 300,000 wrestlers for the first time since 1978. Boys participation had the highest growth rate of all the major boys sports (+11.9%) and is now at the highest level since 2013. Girls participation continues to be the fastest growing girls high school sport (+58%).
“We are grateful to the stars and celebrities that supported this effort in the inaugural year of the campaign. Chris Pratt, Mark Ruffalo, Tommy Hilfiger and others deserve a special thank you for letting us feature them in the #LetsWrestle campaign in 2022,” … rest of story at … Einnews.com/pr_news/U-S-wrestling-foundation-launches-letswrestle-featuring-sports-and-hollywood-stars
Luke Fickell shares admiration for Iowa wrestling ahead of Heartland Trophy clash
Luke Fickell is excited for his first Heartland Trophy game as Wisconsin’s head coach, but he hasn’t always viewed Iowa with hostility.
During a recent media opportunity, Fickell revealed that he admired Iowa’s decorated wrestling program as a young athlete.
“I know a lot about Iowa. I’m not gonna say I grew up an Iowa fan, but in some ways, it was one of my spots because of wrestling,” Fickell said. “I knew a lot more about the University of Iowa and their wrestling program than their football program. I always kind of admired (the wrestling program), and it was probably one of my first visits – not as a player – to go to the university and watch an NCAA Wrestling Tournament when I was in like in 7th or 8th grade.
“I’ve known a lot about the university. I’ve studied their football program, in particular their defense, when I was a young coach for the first 4, 5, 6 years. So I know more about the University of Iowa than to say, do I know the history of the rivalry? I’ve studied that, but only for 8 months now, and the other things I’ve studied for quite a while.” … rest of story at … Saturdaytradition.com/iowa-football/luke-fickell-shares-admiration-for-iowa-wrestling-ahead-of-heartland-trophy-clash
Iowa WOMEN’S WRESTLING TO HOST ‘TRAILBLAZER DUALS’
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12
IOWA, LINDENWOOD, PRESBYTERIAN AND SACRED HEART
CARVER HAWKEYE ARENA
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa women’s wrestling team is set to host its first ever home dual inside of Carver Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, November 12 at 11 a.m. CT. The Hawkeyes will welcome Presbyterian, Lindenwood and Sacred Heart for the “Trailblazer Duals” presented by Riverside Casino and Golf Resort.
“Being within a 15-minute drive from Iowa City, Hawkeye Nation is part of our DNA and we are very excited about being the presenting sponsor of the Hawkeye women’s wrestling program and the upcoming Trailblazer Duals,” said Riverside Casino & Golf Resort General Manager Damon John. “Our customers are passionate about the Black and Gold, and any avenue to support new opportunities for girls and women is something that Riverside Casino & Golf Resort can get behind!”
The four schools competing are the first schools to have NCAA Division 1 women’s wrestling teams. Iowa announced in September 2021 it would become the first Division I Power Five school to add women’s wrestling. … rest of story at … Hawkeyesports.com/news/2023/10/11/womens-wrestling-to-host-trailblazer-duals
BATTLES WON AWARD PRESENTED TO SPENCER ADAMS
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fl. — In a display of recognition and appreciation, Marine Corps Recruiting Command recently presented the Battles Won Award to Spencer Adams, the wrestling coach of Taylor County High School in Campbellsville, Kentucky, during the National Wrestling Coaches Convention in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 29, 2023. The award was presented to Adams for his genuine commitment to his high school student-athletes, their personal and professional development, and his development as a coach, which has left an indelible impact on his athletes.
U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Christopher McComb, communications chief for 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, 4th Marine Division, explained while presenting the award that under Adams’s guidance, his athletes have experienced success on and off the wrestling mats. Furthermore, McComb highlighted how Adam’s unwavering commitment to his athlete’s development as wrestlers and individuals have fostered a culture of discipline, determination and camaraderie within the team, and through this tireless effort, Adams has instilled in his wrestlers the values of hard work, perseverance and teamwork.
“I had this student who had never wrestled before until his junior year come up to me asking about joining the wrestling team,” said Adams. “I asked him if he was willing to get good grades, be a good person and if he’s willing to work hard.”
This particular instance showcases Adams’s dedication to positively influencing the lives of his wrestlers: a student seeking structure and a sense of family approached Coach Adams about joining the wrestling team. Coach Adams, recognizing the importance of providing support and guidance, made an offer to the student.
Adams further explained that he allowed the student to join the team, and the student worked hard to keep up with wrestlers on the team who had been state champions. Adams detailed how the wrestler had to dig deep, push and stay committed even when times were tough.
“He was looking for a family, structure, and purpose,” Adams said. “It wasn’t about wrestling. It was about purpose; wrestling was just the vehicle to get him those things.”
Perhaps motivated by the belief his coach had in him, the student seemed to embrace the opportunity with unwavering determination, Adams noted. He continued to work on the wrestling mat and in the classroom, striving for excellence in his life. As a result, he graduated with a 3.8 GPA, a testament to his hard work and the belief that others had in him. … rest of story … NWCAonline.com/news/2023/10/10/national-wrestling-coaches-association-battles-won-award-presented-to-spencer-adams
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 