2022-23 NAIA Men’s Wrestling National Championships Allocations Announced
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced the allocations for the 66th Annual NAIA Men’s Wrestling National Championships, held March 3rd and 4th at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kansas.
Each conference tournament awards automatic bids per weight class based on the final regular-season poll, which can be seen HERE. Each conference is awarded automatic berths based on the amount of wrestlers ranked in each weight class. Each conference is awarded a minimum of one automatic bid per weight class, which will go to the tournament champions, even if the conference did not have any wrestlers ranked in the final regular-season poll. If a conference does not have an individual ranked in the final top 25 and allocation will be deducted from the original 25 to ensure each conference is represented at each weight class at the National Championships. … rest of story and charts at NAIA.org/sports/mwrest/2022-23/Releases/Allocations
NCAA News
NCAA releases midseason coaches’ rank and RPI for 2023 Division I Wrestling Championships
INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA has announced the second coaches ranking and first Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) for the 2023 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.
The coaches’ rankings are determined by a vote of 14 coaches in each weight class with two head coaches from each of the seven conferences. For ranking purposes, coaches may only consider a wrestler that has been designated as a starter at a respective weight class. Wrestlers must have eight Division I matches in the weight class to be considered with at least one within the last 30 days.
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The RPI is a calculation that consists of three factors: winning percentage, opponent winning percentage (strength of schedule) and opponent’s opponent winning percentage (opponent’s strength of schedule). Only matches against Division I opponents at the designated weight class count towards the RPI and a wrestler needs to have wrestled 15 matches to be ranked.
In the coaches rank, of the 10 weight classes four are led by former national champions in Iowa’s Spencer Lee at 125 pounds, Missouri’s Keegan O’Toole at 165 pounds, Penn State’s Carter Starocci at 174 pounds and Penn State’s Aaron Brooks at 184 pounds. The quartet has a combined eight national titles led by Lee with three.
Oklahoma State’s Daton Fix at 133 pounds and Nebraska’s Peyton Robb at 157 pounds are the only wrestlers to sit atop both the coaches rank and RPI in their respective weight class.
Tap or click here to see the full rankings
With many wrestlers still looking to reach the 15-match threshold to earn an RPI, the top of those rankings looks a little different than the coaches’ rank.
At 149 pounds Yahya Thomas of Northwestern sits first followed by Sammy Sasso of Ohio State, … rest of story at NCAA.com/news/wrestling/article/2023-02-09/ncaa-releases-midseason-coaches-rank-and-rpi-2023-division-i-wrestling-championships
NCAA debuts most dominant wrestler standings in latest award update for the 2023 season
INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA has released updated standings for the 2023 NCAA Wrestling Awards that will be awarded in March at the respective Division I, II and III Wrestling Championships.
The inaugural NCAA Wrestling Awards were presented at the 2012 wrestling championships. The three awards, given in each division, honor the Most Dominant Wrestler as well as the student-athletes that have accumulated the most falls and the most technical falls throughout the course of the regular and postseasons.
For results to be counted for the awards they must come against opponents in the same division (i.e. Division II vs. Division II). Ties in the falls and tech falls categories are broken based on the aggregate time.
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This week features the unveiling of standings for the Most Dominant Wrestler award, which features a 15-match minimum to qualify for the standings.
The Most Dominant Wrestler standings are calculated by adding the total number of team points awarded through match results and dividing that number by the total number of matches wrestled. Points per match are awarded as follows. … rest of story and ratings at NCAA.com/news/wrestling/article/2023-02-08/ncaa-debuts-most-dominant-wrestler-standings-latest-award-update-2023-season
The Open Mat NCAA Division I Wrestling Rankings
February 7, 2023
The Open Mat has released NCAA Division I wrestling rankings for February 7, 2023.
Team Rankings
Tournament:
- Penn State 128.5
- Missouri 82.5
- Iowa 81
- Nebraska 73.5
- Virginia Tech 64.5
- Cornell 62.5
- Pittsburgh 55
- Iowa State 54.5
- North Carolina State 53.5
- Arizona State 51
- Ohio State 49
- Michigan 48.5
- Northwestern 42.5
- Lehigh 41
- Oklahoma State 38 … rest of story and rankings at Guillotine.com/2023/02/the-open-mat-ncaa-division-i-wrestling-rankings-10
No. 2 Lander wrestling dispatches No. 18 UNC Pembroke 30-7 to claim the SACC Championship
GREENWOOD – The No. 2 Lander wrestling team took care of business Thursday evening as it dispatched No. 18 UNC Pembroke 30-7 to claim its second straight SACC title.
The Bearcats conclude the regular season with a 20-2 overall record and a spotless 10-0 SACC record. Lander also finishes the season riding an 11-match win streak. UNC Pembroke concludes the regular season with a 12-2 overall record and a 9-1 SACC record.
Lander began its match against UNC Pembroke with three straight wins to take an early 15-0 lead.
James Joplin got the party started with a pin against Cameron Greene at 125 to put the Bearcats up 6-0 for his 16th win and sixth pin of the year.
Elijah Lusk recorded his 25th win of the season with a 15-0 tech fall in the third period after recording three straight four-point near falls. Lusk has now recorded seven tech falls this season.
Zeth Brower moved down his opponent with a 17-6 major decision. Brower recorded three takedowns and a reversal in the third period as part of his stellar performance. Brower is now 27-0 with eight wins by major decision.
The Braves would record back-to-back wins by decision at 149 and 157 before the Bearcats got a 14-5 major decision win at 165 from David Hunsberger. Hunsberger recorded six takedowns in the win as he recorded his 26th win of the year.
Jack Bond would keep the points coming in with a 12-5 win by decision to give Lander a 22-6 edge. Bond’s opponent would score all his points via escapes.
The Braves would take their last win at 184 to make it a 22-9 contest.
Anthony Yacovetti was next to record a win for the Blue and Gold. Yacovetti recorded a 17-2 tech fall that saw two four-point near falls in the third period for his 22nd win of the season and fourth tech fall of the year.
UNC Pembroke’s coach would cost his team two points for unsportsmanlike behavior, making it a 27-9 match.
Juan Edmond-Holmes finished the night with a 5-1 win by decision … rest of story at Landerbearcats.com/news/2023/2/9/wrestling-no-2-wrestling-dispatches-no-18-unc-pembroke-30-7-to-claim-sacc-champn.
No. 2 Lander Too Much For No. 18 Wrestling
GREENWOOD, S.C. – Second-ranked Lander used three-straight bonus point wins to build an early 15-0 lead, and held the 18th-ranked UNC Pembroke wrestling team at arm’s length the rest of the way out to post a 30-7 win over the short-handed Braves on Thursday evening in Horne Arena.
The setback snapped an eight-match win streak for the Braves (12-1, 9-1 SACC) who were without the services of three starters on Thursday evening, including top-ranked Logan Seliga at 125 pounds. The triumph helped the Bearcats (20-2, 10-0) push their win streak out to 10 matches, as well as secure the South Atlantic Conference Carolinas championship for the second-straight season.
Lander got bonus-point wins from third-ranked James Joplin (125 pounds), sixth-ranked Elijah Lusk (133) and top-ranked Zeth Brower (141) to build a ton of early momentum, but the Braves got on the board with consecutive wins – 11th-ranked Jake Piccirilli’s overtime triumph at 149 pounds and Rahsaan Vereen’s 3-2 decision at 157 pounds.
Lander closed out the night with four wins – a streak that was interrupted by Shylik Scriven’s 6-5 decision over fourth-ranked Logan Hall … rest of story at UNCPbraves.com/news/2023/2/9/no-2-lander-too-much-for-no-18-wrestl.
NO. 6 VIRGINIA TECH DEFEATS UNC FRIDAY NIGHT
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – No. 6 Virginia Tech (9-3, 3-1 ACC) was victorious on the road Friday night, defeating the No. 25-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels (6-8, 2-2 ACC) in Carmichael Arena in ACC dual action.
The Hokies stormed out to a 7-0 lead and never looked back, winning eight of 10 matchups with the Tar Heels. Lachlan McNeil (141) and Austin O’Connor (157) secured top-15 wins, courtesy of major decisions.
The Tar Heels return once again to Carmichael Arena next Friday night, welcoming No. 7 NC State for Senior Night to close out the regular season. … rest of story at GOheels.com/news/2023/2/10/no-6-virginia-tech-defeats-wrestling-friday-night
No. 6 NC State takes down No. 17 Pittsburgh, 23-6
NC State now in first place in ACC standings
RALEIGH Pittsburgh rolled into Reynolds Coliseum undefeated, and like so many teams over the last four seasons, they left with a loss.
No. 6 NC State got a leg up in its quest for another ACC title, by knocking off the No.17 Panthers, 23-6 Friday night.
With the win, the Pack (13-1) is tied with Pitt and Virginia Tech for first place, all three teams sitting at 3-1 in league action.
NC State wraps up the regular season next weekend at rival North Carolina.
The Wolfpack improves to 8-3 all-time versus Pittsburgh.
The visiting Panthers got the upper hand on the home team, winning the 141-pound class match to start the evening. The contest was a top-10 showdown between NC State’s Ryan Jack, No. 4 in the country, and No. 3 Cole Matthews from Pitt.
Matthews got a late escape to win 4-2. NC State won the next two matches to retake the momentum.
There were seven ranked-versus-ranked matchups on the night and three matches went into overtime.
One of the top matches was between Pitt’s Nino Bonaccorsi, the top-ranked wrestler in the 197 class and No. 8 Isaac Trumble.
Trumble pushed Bonaccorsi to overtime, before falling 6-4. In the other two overtime matches No. 29 Alex Faison rallied to defeat Luca Augustine with a late takedown. In the final overtime match, Owen Trephan appeared to have a takedown early, but his opponent was ruled out of bounds.
Wolfpack head coach Pat Popolizio challenged, but the call stood. In the extra period, Trephan got a takedown within the lines for the 3-1 win. That win felt like a must have for NC State, who led by five points with three matches remaining. … rest of story ad results at GOpack.com/news/2023/2/10/wrestling-no-6-nc-state-takes-down-no-17-pittsburgh-23-6
High School News – Western N.C.
Hendersonville wrestling’s Walker Mains breaks school record for career wins
Hendersonville boys wrestler Walker Mains has had to overcome several obstacles during his career.
Yet scoliosis and the COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t stop him from breaking the school record for most career wins on Saturday.
He got to No. 151 on Saturday at East Gaston, getting a pin in 30 seconds in his opening match of the weekend tournament. Mains went on to win four more matches Saturday and picked up two more victories Tuesday vs. Patton and Polk County, giving him a 157-24 career record.
The senior, who’s 46-2 this season wrestling at 145 and 152 pounds, also helped Hendersonville tally two more team victories. The Bearcats grabbed a 63-12 win over Patton and a 39-36 victory against the Wolverines.
Mains said coming into the season that he didn’t even know there was a school wins record to break. … rest of story at Blueridgenow.com/story/sports//nc-high-school-wrestling-walker-mains-hendersonville-wins-record
MAC Conference Dual Meet Results
Central Michigan Wrestlers Deliver When It Counts in Downing Kent State
CMU improves to 4-1 in MAC duals
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Battling illness, the Central Michigan wrestling team had to dig deep.
The Chippewas delivered, winning three of the final four matches and six total on Sunday in downing Kent State, 22-15, in a Mid-American Conference dual at McGuirk Arena.
It was the Chippewas’ fourth consecutive MAC dual victory as they improved to 4-1 in the league. They can win the MAC West title with a victory next weekend at Buffalo.
“It was a real big win considering everything we have going on right now,” said CMU coach Tom Borrelli, whose team is 5-8 overall. “Our starting heavyweight (Bryan Caves) was in the hospital two days ago, our 157-pounder (Corbyn Munson) is really sick right now.
“We’ve been fighting the flu bug a little bit and it was good to fight through some adversity and be able to win. The biggest thing for us right now is getting healthy, getting over the flu. We might need to take a couple days to make sure everybody’s OK to get right back into training.”
Sunday’s dual started at 165 pounds and Tracy Hubbard got the Chippewas off to a fast start with a first-period pin, staking CMU to a 6-0 lead. Those six team points proved critical as the day unfolded.
CMU got decision victories from Alex Cramer (174) and Ben Cushman (184) before falling at 197 and at 285, where backup Simon Lato filled in for Caves, the starter.
That left CMU leading 12-6 heading into the second half of the dual. … rest of story at CMUchippewas.com/news/2023/2/5/wrestling-wrestlers-deliver-when-it-counts-in-downing-kent-state
Cleveland State Wrestling Comes From Behind to Defeat Kent State, 18-16
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland State (6-6, 5-3) edged out Kent State (0-12, 0-7) 18-16 on Thursday evening in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion match.
Kent State started out the match with a 15-4 major decision at 125-pounds to take a 4-0 advantage. Jake Manley made it a one-point contest after pulling out a 4-3 victory at 133-pounds.
The Golden Flashes answered back with consecutive decisions to lead 10-3. No. 33 Marcus Robinson prevailed 9-7 at 157-pounds as the Vikings trailed 10-6. Daniel Patten followed with a 3-1 victory at 165-pounds as the hosts pulled to within a point, 10-9.
An injury default off an illegal move at 174-pounds pushed the margin back out to 16-9 in favor of Kent State.
With their backs against the wall, Cleveland State regrouped as DeAndre Nassar claimed a 5-2 decision at 184-pounds to get within 16-12. Anthony Perrine followed with a 3-1 win after recording a takedown just as the third-period horn sounded to make it a one-point match.
Daniel Bucknavich then completed the comeback for Cleveland State, winning 4-2 at 285-pounds as the Vikings came from behind to win, 18-16. This was the only time in the match that the Green and White led. … rest of story at https://www.csuvikings.com/sports/m-wrestl/2022-23/releases/20230209wknog1
NCHSAA girls wrestling: Wilmington representation grows ahead of state finals
Just a few years ago, girls wrestling wasn’t an option at some Wilmington-area high schools. But the sport is seeing increased participation across the country, and the Wilmington area is no exception.
The N.C. High School Association will hold its final girls state invitational this weekend; it will become an official NCHSAA sport for the 2023-24 school year. Here’s a look at the seven local competitors who advanced out of last weekend’s regional competition, aiming for a championship this weekend in and around Greensboro.
OVERCOMING TRUAMA ON THE MATA turbulent childhood haunted Laney wrestler Avery Buonocore, now he’s thriving on the mat
ANDRE ADAMS NOT FINISHED AT LANEYHow Andre Adams’ rise as Laney wrestling coach embodies sport’s sacrifice, dedication
STATE CHAMPIONLaney wrestling’s Alex Hopper ready to lead Bucs’ next charge after championship season
The area’s deepest program to date, Laney has eight girls on its team this season, four of whom are competing at Saturday’s tournament.
Sophomore Elaina Pollock returns as a frontrunner to take the title in the 185-pound division. As a freshman, Pollock made history for Laney, becoming the first female to win a title. … rest of story at Starnewsonline.com/story/sports/high-school/nchsaa-girls-wrestling-wilmington-area-state-qualifiers-lily-prendergast-elaina-pollock
How a college wrestling dual works, for new and causal fans
This 2023 season’s most-hyped, most-anticipated matchup between No. 1 Penn State and No. 2 Iowa not only lived up to expectations and broke Big Ten Network viewership records, it prompted an important discussion within the wrestling community about how to grow the sport and capture new fans for similar duals.
This is a guide for all of those fans, the ones who might have watched the dual or the ones who might be interested in a dual in the future. It’s also a guide for returning fans and life-long ones. Wrestling rules are complex and change frequently, but here’s the most up-to-date breakdown on what to expect when you watch a wrestling match and how to follow the action.
The start of the dual
Every collegiate wrestling dual includes 10 contested bouts at the following weight classes: 125, 133, 141, 149, 157, 165, 174, 184, 197 and 285 pounds. Before each dual, a team will weigh in every probable starter one hour before competition. So if the dual starts at 7 p.m., all wrestlers who could potentially compete in the dual will weigh in at 6 p.m.. A team may weigh in more than one wrestler at each weight, but only one wrestler will compete in each weight.
The weigh-in process is private, but formal. Only wresters, coaches, medical staff and a weigh-in supervisor may be at the site of the weigh-in. The wrestlers’ exact weights will be captured on a digital scale and recorded on a formal sheet.
Duals typically start at 125 pounds, though, technically, the rule book simply says “Immediately after the weigh-in for a dual meet or multiple dual meets conducted on the same day, coaches may mutually agree to determine the starting weight class for the matches.” Again, coaches typically agree on 125 pounds, but there’s often a strategy behind a coach choosing not to start at 125 pounds. If the coaches do not agree to start at a given weight, they will flip a coin, and the winner of the coin toss can choose the starting weight. Regardless of which weight coaches choose to start at, the weight classes will then proceed in sequential order. For instance, if, for some reason, the dual starts at 165 pounds, the next bout will be 174 and so on.
The individual matches
Every wrestling bout includes three periods and seven minutes total. The match is broken down as follows:
- First period: three minutes
- Second period: two minutes
- Third period: two minutes
The match begins with both wrestlers coming to the center of the circle, facing each other, and shaking hands. They begin the bout in a neutral position, with both of them standing on their feet. When the ref blows the whistle, they begin to wrestle. … rest of story at NCAA.com/news/wrestling/article/2023-02-08/how-college-wrestling-dual-works-new-and-causal-fans
Latest NCWA Men’s Rankings Released Ahead of Conference Championships
One thing has become clear since the NCWA National Duals…Bellarmine is for real. Not only are they for real in the NCWA Division with a shot at a National Title in March, but they are a legitimate contender in their NCAA Southern Conference as well compiling an overall dual record of 10-2, with their only NCAA-D1 losses coming to Appalachian State and Gardner-Webb. What isn’t clear is which team will leave Puerto Rico with the National Championship title. The current rankings have Liberty still at #1 with 78 points; however, Bellarmine has closed the gap considerably at #2 with 75 points. The top-10 NCWA-D1 are as follows:
#1 Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA) – 78
#2 Bellarmine University (Louisville, KY) – 75 [NCAA-D1]
#3 The Apprentice School (Newport News, VA) – 61
#4 University of Toledo (Toledo, OH) – 42
#5 Grand Valley State University (Allendale, MI) – 39
#6 Queens University of Charlotte (Charlotte, NC) – 29 [NCAA-D1]
#7 Springfield Tech CC (Springfield, MA) – 26
#8 University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL) – 21
#9 Allen University (Allen, SC) – 14 [NCAA-D2]
#10 Grays Harbor College (Aberdeen, WA) – 13
Leading NCWA-D2 are some of the mainstays:
#1 Ohio State WC – 25
#2 Penn State WC – 21
#3 Slippery Rock – 11
#4 Rutgers WC – 10
#5 Fresno State WC / South Carolina / Virginia Tech WC – 9
Bellarmine and Liberty dominate the #1 spots for the men:
125 – Jack Parker – So – Bellarmine – 21-10
133 – Michael Schiffhauer – Fr – Bellarmine – 20-4
141 – Melvin Rubio – Gr – Queens – 11-10
149 – Zach Blevins – Gr – Toledo – 6-1
157 – Grant O’Dell – Fr – Bellarmine – 8-3
165 – Cole Nance – So – Bellarmine – 22-11
174 – Luke Lardarello – Jr – Penn State-Mont Alto – 10-5
184 – Ben Liss – Jr – Rutgers WC – 17-2
197 – Josiah Murphy – Sr – Liberty – 9-1
235 – Jeff Allen – Sr – Liberty – 22-2 … rest of story and rankings at NWCAonline.com/latest-ncwa-mens-rankings-released-ahead-of-conference-championships
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 