Takedown Report

Nebraska’s 2023-24 Wrestling Schedule Drops: Observations and Top Matchups

The 5th-ranked Huskers’ schedule came out yesterday; plus five of the most anticipated matches I can’t wait to see this season.

Nebraska’s complete 2023-24 schedule has finally been released.

As usual, being in the Big Ten and all, Nebraska has a schedule full of top teams. But not only is Nebraska’s conference schedule brutal, it also has a tough slate of non-conference opponents. All of Nebraska’s 14 dual opponents are ranked in the top 50 according to FloWrestling’s Team Tournament Rankings for the 2023-24 season. Four are preseason ranked in the Top 10.

Nebraska currently sits at No. 5 in the preseason rankings due to a stacked lineup with few holes. As you’ll see, Nebraska will certainly get to prove itself as a top team with its schedule.

#5 Nebraska’s 2023-24 Schedule

Saturday, Nov. 4 — at #45 North Dakota St.

Friday, Nov. 10 — vs #36 Campbell

Saturday, Nov. 18 — Navy Classic

Fri.-Sat., Dec. 1-2 — Cliff Keen Invitational

Saturday, Dec. 16 — vs. #12 South Dakota St.

Saturday, Jan. 6 — Triangular vs #50 Wyoming and #14 Northern Iowa

Friday, Jan. 12 — vs. #2 Iowa … rest of story and schedule at … Cornnation.com/2023/10/3/23833738/nebraskas-2023-24-wrestling-schedule-drops-observations-and-top-matchups

October 8, 2023 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

President Dr. Joseph A. Parisi Set for National Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction

Marshall, Mo., (Oct. 3, 2023)- Missouri Valley College President Dr. Joseph A. Parisi has been selected as part of the 2023 Induction Class into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame-Missouri Chapter, with the ceremony taking place later this month.

Dr. Parisi’s wrestling career began as a Missouri High School State Championship runner-up at Parkway Central (Mo.) in 1989, followed by earning NJCAA All-American honors in 1991 at St. Louis-Meramec (Mo.).  He then came to Missouri Valley College as a student-athlete where he represented MVC at the National level.  After graduating he was a four-year member of the coaching staff and helped guide the Vikings to the 1996 and 1997 National championships.

His biggest impact on collegiate wrestling came as the head coach of the Lindenwood (Mo.) men’s wrestling program from 1998-2010.  During that time, Dr. Parisi led Lindenwood to five NAIA Wrestling National championships (2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009), was named the NAIA National Coach of the Year four times, was NWCA National Coach of the Year five times, and was twice selected as an Honorary Coach for the NWCA All-Star Classic in 2004 and 2006.

Dr. Parisi also guided Lindenwood to two National runner-up finishes, three NAIA National Dual championships and two National Dual runner-up finishes.  He also coached 130 All-Americans, 28 individual National champions and 21 Academic All-Americans.

In addition to his National Wrestling Hall of Fame-Missouri Chapter induction, Dr. Parisi has also been inducted as an individual into the Parkway School District Hall of Fame and the Lindenwood Athletic Hall of Fame.  He has also been inducted as a member of the team and coaching staff into the Missouri Valley College Athletic Hall of Fame with the 1996 and 1997 National championship teams, and into the Lindenwood Athletic Hall of Fame with the 2002, 2007 and 2008 National championship teams.

“I am beyond humbled and honored to be a recipient of the Hall of Fame award,” said Dr. Parisi.  “I would like to thank the Missouri Chapter for the nomination and the National Hall of Fame committee for awarding this honor.  This is a true testimony to the assistant coaches and athletes that I have had the privilege to work with.”

Winner of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Achievement Award five times, Dr. Parisi was named as a “legendary coach” by the Missouri House of Representatives, honored with the “Beyond the Best” award by Streetscape Magazine, recipient of the Alvin M. Francis Award in Educational Leadership and 2019 Corporate LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Award.  He previously served as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Athletics at Lindenwood University, and again at Central Methodist (Mo.) University where he was instrumental in the starting of the men’s and women’s wrestling programs.  In January of 2023, Dr. Parisi was selected as the 14^th President at his alma mater, Missouri Valley College. … rest of story at … Valleywillroll.com/general/2023-24/releases/20231003

October 7, 2023 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Westcliff Athletics Adds Men’s Wrestling and joins the Cascade

Westcliff Athletics is glad to officially announce the addition of Men’s Wrestling, which will look to compete in the winter of 2024.
Men’s Wrestling will join the Women’s Wrestling team in the Cascade Collegiate Conference as an associate member.  “I’m excited to share news of a significant expansion of the Westcliff Athletics family. Men’s wrestling will be added as a new sport beginning in 2024, strengthening our dedication to athletic achievement and giving our gifted 5Cs student-athletes another venue to demonstrate their abilities.
I am tremendously honored to be able to watch this unique chapter in Westcliff’s athletics history come to life, and I excitedly look forward to the amazing accomplishments and priceless experiences that lie ahead of us on the wrestling mats underneath Coach D’Rell Gist’s leadership. Here We Grow Again!!!” – Dean of Athletics Shawn Harris.  
We talked to Coach Gist about adding the Men’s Wrestling team and joining the Cascade Conference. “It feels awesome that we added men’s wrestling. It provides another opportunity for California wrestlers to get an education and compete, which is amazing. I’m super excited. 
Cascade is arguably the toughest conference for men and women wrestling. So, coming to Westcliff, you are guaranteed to compete with the toughest teams in the country. The cascade offers the toughest competition in the NAIA by far. … rest of story at … Westcliffathletics.com/general/2023-24/releases

October 7, 2023 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The 2023-24 NCAA D1 Heavyweight Redshirt Report

Here are some of the heavyweight wrestlers we didn’t see last season to keep an eye on during the upcoming season.

Below is a partial list of NCAA D1 heavyweight wrestlers (184, 197, 285) who are returning and will contest for a varsity spot after an interval of at least one year.

Lightweight Redshirt Report
Middleweight Redshirt Report

184 Pounds

Rylan Rogers: Michigan, Freshman
2022-23 record: 13-5

Rogers had eight bonus-point wins as a redshirt but went 0-2 in varsity duals late in the season. He takes over for graduating four-time NCAA qualifier Matt Finesilver. 

Jonathan Loew: Cornell, Senior
2022-23 record: 7-4

Loew returns after missing most of last year with an injury. Loew finished eighth at the 2022 NCAA Tournament after compiling a 30-8 record with wins over Zac Braunagel, John Poznanski, Isaiah Salazar, and Hunter Bolen.

Bennett Berge: South Dakota State, Freshman
2022-23 record: 11-5

Cade King is a returning national qualifier but Berge is the front-runner. He was 11-5 last season but he wrestled tough competition and has the potential to be a factor at this weight.

Dylan Fishback: North Carolina State, Freshman
2022-23 record: 15-6

Fishback replaces Hayden Hidlay who moved up to 197 pounds. He arrived at North Carolina State as one of the top high school wrestlers in the country, so this is his opportunity to take over a weight that was occupied by one of the best wrestlers in program history. 

Seth Shumate: Ohio State, Freshman
2022-23 record: 12-2

Shumate had a solid redshirt year losing only at 197 pounds to Luke Geog and Nick Willham. True freshman Ryder Rogotzke will contend for this spot but Shumate is the front-runner entering this season. … rest of story at … Flowrestling.org/articles/11281140-the-2023-24-ncaa-d1-heavyweight-redshirt-report

October 6, 2023 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The 2023-24 NCAA D1 Middleweight Redshirt Report

Here are some of the middleweight wrestlers we didn’t see last season to keep an eye on during the upcoming season.

Below is a partial list of NCAA D1 middleweight wrestlers (149, 157, 165, 174) who are returning and will contest for a varsity spot after an interval of at least one year.

Lightweight Redshirt Report
Heavyweight Redshirt Report

149 Pounds

Ridge Lovett: Nebraska, Junior
2022-23 record: 4-0 

Lovett only wrestled in the Cowboy Open last season, but he returns as the top-ranked 149-pounder in the land. The Husker star reached the 2022 NCAA tournament finals where he fell to Yianni Diakomihalis. 

Michael Gioffre: Virginia, Freshman
2022-23 record: 12-5

Gioffre showed promise when he went 3-1 in varsity duals against Ohio, Navy, Kent State, and Maryland. He is a welcome addition to Steve Garland and his staff. 

Willie McDougald: Oklahoma, Sophomore
2022-23 record: 3-1

McDougald — ranked #17 nationally — returns to the line-up after reaching the Round of 16 of the 2022 NCAA Championships following a 20-7 season. He wrestled four matches in one tournament in January. 

Finn Solomon: Pittsburgh, Freshman
2022-23 record: 16-3

Solomon transferred from North Carolina State to Pittsburgh and had a nice redshirt season. He wrestled in five tournaments but went 0-2 at the prestigious Midlands tournament, dropping matches to Doug Zapf (12-4) and Vinnie Mannella (8-6) of Pennsylvania.

Kyle Dutton: Little Rock, Freshman
2022-23 record: 8-2

Dutton dropped matches to Oklahoma State’s Dusty Hone (18-10) and Michigan State’s Chase Saldate (8-2) but will be a nice addition to the line-up at Little Rock. … rest of story at … Flowrestling.org/articles/11280846-the-2023-24-ncaa-d1-middleweight-redshirt-report

October 6, 2023 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Cornell’s Arujau among top-ranked wrestlers; Penn State No. 1 team in WIN preseason poll

NEWTON, Iowa — Cornell’s Vito Arujau, fresh off a World championship in freestyle wrestling, is one of 10 wrestlers who have been tabbed No. 1 at a weight class in WIN Magazine’s 2023 preseason NCAA Division I national rankings, presented by Cliff Keen Athletic.

Arujau, a senior, is the top-ranked wrestler at 133 pounds, the weight at which the Big Red wrestler captured his first NCAA title last March in Tulsa, Okla.

Click on the cover of the latest WIN Magazine or call 888-305-0606 to subscribe.

Meanwhile, Penn State features four top-ranked wrestlers, including Carter Starocci (174 pounds) and Aaron Brooks (197 pounds), who each will be shooting to win a fourth national championship at the 2024 NCAA Division I Championships next March in Kansas City, Mo. The other No. 1-ranked Nittany Lions are Levi Haines (157) and Greg Kerkvliet (Hwt), who each finished second last March.

Overall, Penn State features eight returning All-Americans, who played a big part in the Nittany Lions earning the No. 1 spot in WIN Magazine’s 2023-24 Preseason TPI (Tournament Power Index) and individual rankings. Shooting to win a third straight team title and 11th since 2011, Penn State is the only school to have all ten wrestlers ranked in the preseason rankings and tallied 149 TPI points. The other returning Penn State All-Americans are Beau Bartlett (141) and Shayne Van Ness (149), while the other two are transfers: Aaron Nagao (133/Minnesota) and Bernie Truax (184/Cal Poly).

WIN’s TPI is based on a point total associated with individual placement and advancement points that could be scored in the 2024 NCAAs if wrestlers finish where they are ranked in the preseason poll. The following is a breakdown of those points: 20 for 1^st place, 16 for 2^nd, 13.5 for 3^rd, 12.5 for 4^th, 10 for 5^th, 9 for 6^th, 6.5 for 7^th and 5.5 for 8^th. Wrestlers ranked 9-12 earn two points each, followed by one and a half points for wrestlers ranked 13-16 and one point for those ranked 17-20.

Missouri (70.5 points), which features two-time defending national champ Keegan O’Toole, who is table No. 1 in WIN’s preseason rankings, and four other All-Americans Brock Mauller (149), Peyton Mocco (174), Rocky Elam (197) and Zach Elam (Hwt).

Coming in third place in WIN’s TPI is Virginia Tech (64.5) with returning All-Americans Eddie Ventresca (125), Sam Latona (133), Caleb Henson (149), Bryce Andonian (157) and Mekhi Lewis (174).

Rounding out the top-10 in Tournament Power Index is NC State, Nebraska, Arizona State, Michigan, Cornell and Iowa (tied for eight) and Oklahoma State.

The other top-ranked wrestlers are Purdue’s Matt Ramos (125), Iowa’s Real Woods (141), Nebraska’s Ridge Lovett (149) and Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen (184). All have finished second in the past two national tournaments.

These rankings are subject to change as wrestlers finalize what weight class they will wrestle this winter. WIN Magazine, which will update its rankings on Nov. 1, will announce it dual-meet rankings in December.

After November 1, WIN Magazine will release weekly NCAA Division I Rankings. To get all of WIN’s college and high school rankings releases this season and WIN’s 12 monthly issues, subscribe to WIN in print or digitally at www.WIN-magazine.com.

WIN’s 2023-24 Preseason Tournament Power Index (TPI)                                                                  

October 6, 2023 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

2023 World Championships: By the Numbers

At the recent 2023 World Wrestling Championships, Team USA finished with four gold medals and 14 total medals, which was the most in the competition. The squad also brought home the team title in men’s freestyle. The following looks at the overall statistical performance of the squad and some of the top performers.

As a whole, Team USA outscored their opposition 629 to 321 in individual match points. The biggest difference came in men’s freestyle where the team had a 295 to 119 edge. That 176-point advantage edged out the women’s freestyle team who more than doubled up on their opponents 262 to 104. It was a tough tournament for the Greco-Roman squad who were outscored 98 to 72 in the event. … rest of story at … Intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/international/2023-world-championships-by-the-numbers

October 5, 2023 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

2023-24 Milestone Watch List

We’re closing in on the start of the 2023-24 wrestling season. Before you get inundated with preview content from InterMat, here are some numbers to watch out for during the upcoming campaign. The following wrestlers/coaches/teams are looking to add some significant accomplishments to their respective resumes, be it individually or as a team. 

The following denotes some huge milestones that are feasible for the upcoming season. 

4x NCAA Champion Watch List

Aaron Brooks (Penn State)

Carter Starocci (Penn State)

3x NCAA Champion Watch List

Keegan O’Toole (Missouri)
5x NCAA All-American Watch List

Daton Fix (Oklahoma State – 4th, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd)

4x NCAA All-American Watch List

Cam Amine (Michigan – 4th, 4th, 7th)

Vito Arujau (Cornell – 1st, 3rd, 4th)

Aaron Brooks (Penn State – 1st, 1st, 1st)

David Carr (Iowa State – 2nd, 3rd, 1st)

Rocky Elam (Missouri – 3rd, 4th, 5th)

Shane Griffith (Michigan – 5th, 2nd, 1st)

Trent Hidlay (NC State – 4th, 5th, 2nd)

Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa – 2nd, 3rd, 3rd)

Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State – 2nd, 4th, 7th)

Mekhi Lewis (Virginia Tech – 4th, 2nd, 1st)

Brock Mauller (Missouri – 7th, 5th, 6th)

Keegan O’Toole (Missouri – 1st, 1st, 3rd)

Cohlton Schultz (Arizona State – 7th, 2nd, 4th)

Carter Starocci (Penn State – 1st, 1st, 1st)

Bernie Truax (Penn State – 4th, 4th, 4th)

5x Conference Champion Watch List

David Carr (Iowa State – Big 12)

Daton Fix (Oklahoma State – Big 12)

4x Conference Champion  Watch List

Aaron Brooks (Penn State – Big Ten) 

Trent Hidlay (NC State – ACC)

Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa – Big 12)

Mekhi Lewis (Virginia Tech – ACC)

Cohlton Schultz (Arizona State – Pac-12)

Real Woods (Iowa – 1x Big Ten/2x Pac-12)
 

Coaching
 

100 Coaching Wins (Total)

Matt Azevedo (Drexel) – 94

Chris Ayres (Stanford) – 93

Ryan Ludwig (Northern Illinois) – 93

Zeke Jones (Arizona State) – 85
 

150 Coaching Wins (Total)

Chris Bono (Wisconsin)  – 144

Jay Weiss (Harvard) – 140
 

150 Coaching Wins (at Current School)

Dan Wirnsberger (Bucknell) – 148

Pat Popolizio (NC State) – 143

200 Coaching Wins (Total)

Jim Andrassy (Kent State) – 190

200 Coaching Wins (at Current School)

Tom Ryan (Ohio State) – 198

Cael Sanderson (Penn State) – 191

250 Coaching Wins (Total)

Roger Reina (Penn) – 242

Cael Sanderson (Penn State)  – 235 … rest of story at … Intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/2023-24-milestone-watch-list
 

October 5, 2023 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

2023-24 NAIA Women’s Preview (Part One)

Let’s take a look at the top 8 teams from last year’s inaugural NAIA Women’s Championship for an early prediction of how they might stack up for the 2023-24 season.

Please note that not all teams have published lineups and what wrestlers are returning.

2023 Top Returning Teams based on NAIA Championship finishes

1. Southern Oregon (160 teams points)

Southern Oregon ended with a first place finish at the inaugural NAIA Championship under first-year head coach Gabrielle Weyhrich to cap off a dominant season. While 2x champ Carolina Moreno and 4th place finisher Bella Amaro will be returning to the lineup next year, the Raiders graduated their five other All-Americans from last season. 

When asked in an interview how the team will fill this void, Weyhrich says, “I’m not worried at all. We focus on building everyone. When one senior leaves, the next person is ready to step into that position and do just as good as the person leaving.”

In addition to Moreno and Amaro, junior Bailey Dennis is a 2022 All-American. At last year’s tournament, Dennis came in as the 12 seed and lost a close match in consolations after losing in the round of 16 to the 5 seed. Look for her to climb in the rankings throughout the season and reclaim a top 8 spot at the tournament again this year. 

Southern Oregon did pick up Grand View All-American Shenita Lawson in the off-season. Lawson placed 5th at 170 lbs at the tournament last year, and could help fill the gap in the lineup left by Joye Levendusky.
 

2. Life University (139.5 team points)

Life University had an impressive finish but was still more than 20 points away from Southern Oregon’s final score. However, where SOU had 5 of their 7 All-Americans graduate, Life has at least 5 of their 8 All-Americans returning. Head Coach Ashley Flavin described the team as young last year, and they are bringing in a top-ranked class of recruits and transfers. There are quite a few factors on this roster that other top teams will have to contend with to keep Life from taking the top spot.

Sarah Savidge only lost by 3 points to the reigning champ Lexie Basham in the finals of the NAIA tournament after a dominant run of pins and techs. She is also coming off a U20 Pan Am championship win this summer. As a sophomore, she has a lot of runway left in her college career.

All three McBryde sisters are returning after qualifying for the tournament. Jamilah and Latifa McBryde finished as All-Americans. Also, look out for Devyn Gomez to make a real splash her senior year. She is a 2x All American and had a gritty path to an eighth place finish at last year’s tournament. She has gotten close to breaking through on some of her close matches and is clearly capable of a strong mental game to come back from a deficit. I could see her being the type of wrestler who has something to prove this year and ends with an even higher finish at the 2024 tournament. 

Finally, Asia Ray, 5x All-American and 2x National Champ, announced her transfer to Life from Wayland Baptist. She will wrestle unattached for the first part of the season, but will be eligible to compete as part of the team in time for the 2024 tournament.

3. Grand View University (123.5 team points)

Grand View ended their 2023 season with a program record 3rd place finish, 16 points behind Life and just half a point ahead of Menlo. Alexis Gomez was the first Viking to make the finals at the tournament, however 2023 was her final collegiate season as she moved on to compete at the senior level.

The team still has several returning All-Americans, however. Maya Davis came in 3rd at 123 as a freshman with 4 pins during the tournament. Catie Campbell, another freshman finished in 6th place at 123 as well. Both will be returning for their Sophomore years at Grand View. Campbell was ranked no. 2 at the tournament, while Davis was ranked no. 10. … rest of story at … Intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/women/2023-24-naia-womens-preview-part-one

October 5, 2023 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

NAIA Announces Five New Members

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced on October 2 that the NAIA Council of Presidents has approved five institutions for membership, effective July 1, 2024. All five schools received unanimous recommendations from the NAIA Membership Committee.

New members include Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Tifton, Ga.), Baptist Bible College (Springfield, Mo.), Defiance College (Defiance, Ohio), New College of Florida (Sarasota, Fla.), and Spartanburg Methodist College (Spartanburg, S.C.).

• Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is currently an NJCAA member that is transitioning to a four-year institution. The school has been approved for membership in the Southern States Athletic Conference.
• Baptist Bible College is currently a member of the NCCAA and has applied for membership with the American Midwest Conference.
• Defiance College is moving to the NAIA from NCAA Division III.
• New College of Florida is starting an athletics program with plans for 12 sport programs by 2024-25. New College will join The Sun Conference.
• Spartanburg Methodist College is currently an NJCAA member that is transitioning to a four-year institution. The school will join the Continental Athletic Conference.

The NAIA has now added 21 new members since 2020, including five institutions that have come from the NCAA.

Schools must meet membership criteria that include … rest of story at … NAIA.org/general/2023-24/releases/NAIA_NewMembersFall_10_2_2023

October 5, 2023 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment