Millner Named SoCon Wrestler of the Week
BOONE, N.C. — Running his record to 10-0 this season and 102-21 for his career, App State’s Jon Jon Millner has been named the SoCon Wrestler of the Week following his 149-pound title at the Keystone Classic.
A consensus top-five wrestler in his weight class, with a ranking as high as No. 2, Millner went 5-0 in a bracket that included four top-15 wrestlers in Philadelphia. He used takedowns in the first and third periods to secure a 5-2 decision in the final against 15th-ranked Doug Zapf, a two-time NCAA qualifier from Penn.
Millner opened the event with two first-period pins and two major decisions by a combined score of 24-2, including a 9-1 major decision against 13th-ranked Quinn Kinner from Rider in the semifinal round. … rest of story at APPstatesports.com/news/2022/wrestling-millner-named-socon-wrestler-of-the-week
Allen Wrestling Rolls Past St. Andrews
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Allen University wrestling team rolled to a 36-15 win over rival St. Andrews University from Adams Gym Tuesday evening.
Junior Justin Kelly got things started for the Jackets cruising to the win as he pinned his foe in a tidy 55 seconds to give Allen a 6-0 lead. After a forfeit win to junior Nyshaad Hannon at 133 lbs., SAU then got on the board with an 8-2 win over Quincy Gash at 141 lbs.
Junior Drevon Wallace then got Allen back on track pinning his foe right at the tail end of the first period with a tilt at the 2:57 mark. Junior Moises Toussaint then put Allen up 24-3 as he also won by forfeit at 157 lbs. Then, sophomore Ya’Donnis Hardaway got reversed in the second period and eventually pinned at the 4:05 mark at 165 lbs. St. Andrews would then get their last win of the dual at 174 lbs as … rest of story at AUyellowjackets.com/news/2022/mens-wrestling-allen-wrestling-rolls-past-st-andrews
2022-23 True Freshman Competition Tracker
During the offseason, the NCAA enacted a handful of new measures that would impact the way that true freshmen would be used in wrestling, going forward. The key components of these changes included wrestlers being allowed to compete attached for five dates without using a year of eligibility. Also, true freshmen were not allowed to compete unattached at open tournaments during the first semester.
With almost a month of action under our belts, there have been plenty of changes to the on-mat product in DI wrestling. And positive changes. There have been a handful of instances where a true freshman was inserted into a dual lineup, where in past years a team may have been forced to choose between burning that redshirt and a forfeit. These dates can also include attached tournaments like the Keystone Classic or the Journeymen Collegiate Challenge, events that previously did not include redshirting wrestlers. So, after about a month, how have teams used their freshmen? Below, we have the top 100 recruits from MatScouts Class of 2022 … rest of story at Intermatwrestle.com/articles/26306
UNC-Pembroke Wrestling Dominant In Win Over Newberry
PEMBROKE – The UNC Pembroke wrestling team compiled 22 takedowns and a quintet of takedowns to fuel eight individual victories on the night, and the Braves registered their most lopsided win over Newberry since the series began in 2005 with a 30-9 victory over the Wolves on Tuesday at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court.
It was the 19th win in the last 20 home outings for the Braves (3-0, 3-0 SACC) who stayed unbeaten in South Atlantic Conference Carolinas action with the 21-point win – the largest margin of victory for the Black & Gold in the 17-match series since a 37-16 rout of Newberry on Jan. 11, 2005. It was the first dual loss of the season for the Wolves (2-1, 2-1) who have now come away empty on their last two trips to Pembroke.
Logan Seliga (125 pounds) and Logan Robinson (133) both tacked up bonus-point victories to start the evening and give the Braves a quick 10-0 lead on the team scoreboard, but Newberry climbed back into the dual thanks to Fletcher Swindell’s third-period pin in the 141-pound bout.
The Braves would respond, however, with seven-straight triumphs … rest of story at UNCPbraves.com/news/2022/11/29/wrestling-dominant-in-win-over-newberry
USA WRESTLING TO PRESENT A MAJOR ANNUAL AWARD TO THE NATION’S BEST WOMEN’S COLLEGE WRESTLER
USA Wrestling, the national governing body for wrestling in the United States, will annually present a new award to the nation’s best women’s college wrestler. The first winner will be announced after the conclusion of the 2022-23 college wrestling season in March of 2023.
Women’s college varsity wrestlers from all of the recognized college organizations will be eligible, including NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA/junior college programs.
The award will be selected by a vote from three major constituent groups: wrestling journalists, women’s college head coaches and the fans. Each of these groups will account for one-third of the vote.
A committee of leaders from these constituent groups will be formed to finalize the details of this award program, as well as to determine an appropriate name for the new honor.
USA Wrestling’s goal is to develop the new award, reaching the same significance and impact as other college athletic awards, such as the Dan Hodge Trophy for men’s college wrestling, the Heisman Trophy for college football, … rest of story at USA-Wrestling/Features/2022/November/23/New-Womens-College-Award
METEORIC RISE OF GIRLS AND WOMEN’S WRESTLING ON DISPLAY AT MEN’S AND WOMEN’S FREESTYLE WORLD CUP IN CORALVILLE, IOWA, DEC. 10-11
November 23, 2022 – It’s a series of fortunate events—a synergy that can’t easily be explained.
Women’s wrestling is surging in popularity around the world, and Iowa City will likely be credited for taking it to the next level. That’s because for the first time ever, men and women will wrestle side by side on an international stage at the 2022 Men’s and Women’s Freestyle World Cup, December 9-11 at the Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.
The event will take place a little over a year after the University of Iowa became the first NCAA Division I, Power Five conference institution to add women’s wrestling to its athletic program and just months before women’s wrestling will become a fully sanctioned program.
“It’s hard to define the magnitude of this event,” said Clarissa Chun, head coach of the UI women’s wrestling team. “It’s so special and unique that the World Cup is being hosted in Coralville and to know that as it grows, this inaugural event for men and women will always be remembered as starting right here.”
In the past year, the state of Iowa, the University of Iowa, and the world have seen the interest in women’s wrestling grow exponentially … rest of story at USA-Wrestling/Features/2022/November/23/Womens-Wrestling-showcased-at-World-Cup
With emerging sport status from the VHSL, high school girls wrestling in Virginia takes ‘a great first step’
CHARLOTTESVILLE — Louisa County’s Taylor Waddy started wrestling at a young age, squaring off against mostly boys.
Waddy and other female wrestlers in Virginia will have more opportunities to compete against each other in the near future.
The Virginia High School League is on the verge of adding girls wrestling as a sanctioned sport in the Commonwealth. In September, the VHSL Executive Committee voted to designate girls wrestling as an “emerging sport” starting with the 2022-23 season. The sport now has three years to meet the 50% + 1 member schools that currently have wrestling for the sport to be sanctioned by the VHSL.
According to VHSL numbers submitted to the National Federation of High Schools, approximately 271 schools in Virginia fielded a boys wrestling team during the 2021-22 season, with 131 of those schools having at least one female on the team. … rest of story at Newsvirginian.com/sports/high-school/with-emerging-sport-status-from-the-vhsl-high-school-girls-wrestling-in-virginia-takes
Girls are leading high school wrestling into the future
Chad Dare is all about wrestling.
He lived on the mat as an athlete and now coaches the only high school girls team in District 51.
Just days from the first match of the season, the Phoenix have seen their largest turnout yet. And Dare is starry-eyed thinking of what this could mean for high school wrestling when its boys participation stagnated in the 2010s.
“As a wrestling guy, I think that girls wrestling is not just going to save wrestling in the U.S., but grow it. It’s opening opportunities for young girls to earn college scholarships,” said Dare, who has been the program’s only coach. “It’s important for my daughters to do this but as a wrestling fan, I also think it’s important.”
Open mats for the team were in September and by mid-October, the program had around 50 girls come out for practices. In its first year, 2020, the program had only 15 girls sign up and eight wrestle.
Dare has coached his daughters Mollie and Regan, who also play soccer, and has seen the sport’s benefits for them.
“What we noticed with Mollie is that she became stronger on the ball but wrestling is her No. 1 now. She’s stronger, faster and conditioning better,” Dare said. “It’s so mentally and physically demanding. I think they gained a greater appreciation for how much your body can endure.”
Regan, a senior, has been with the team since the beginning and has seen it grow in terms of numbers and competitiveness.
… rest of story at gjsentinel.com/sports/girls-are-leading-high-school-wrestling-into-the-future
4x State Champions, in North Carolina, and Who is on track?
A running list of North Carolina’s (NCHSAA) 4x State Champions and who is currently on track to accomplish the feat.
TDR Editor’s Notes ; This site has listed the 11 wrestlers who have earned four state championship honors. The list and details are at Rokfin.com/ranking/2769/4x-State-Champions-and-Who-is-on-track
Millner, Miller Win Keystone Classic Titles in Philly
PHILADELPHIA — Led by individual titles from Jon Jon Millner (149 pounds) and Will Miller (174 pounds), App State Wrestling enjoyed a strong showing Sunday at the PRTC Keystone Classic in The Palestra.
With 13 of the Mountaineers’ wrestlers placing, App State totaled 115 points to finish fourth in an 11-team field, as No. 11 Virginia Tech and No. 20 Penn posted the highest point totals. Tommy Askey (157) and Will Formato (165) went 5-1 to place third in their brackets.
Ranked second nationally in his weight class, Millner improved to 10-0 this season and 102-21 in his career with a 5-0 showing in Philly. He became the seventh App State wrestler to record 100-plus career wins and is now at No. 6 on the program’s career wins list.
In a bracket that included three top-15 wrestlers, Millner used takedowns in the first and third periods to secure a 5-2 decision in the 149-pound final against 15th-ranked Doug Zapf, a two-time NCAA qualifier from Penn. Millner opened the event with two first-period pins and two major decisions by a combined score of 24-2, including a 9-1 major decision against 13th-ranked Quinn Kinner from Rider in the semifinal round.
Miller, a sophomore, earned the first tournament win of his college career … rest of story at APPstatesports.com/news/2022/wrestling-millner-miller-win-keystone-classic-titles-in-philly
PC Makes Quick Work of Limestone in 31-Point Road Drubbing
GAFFNEY, S.C. – The 6th-ranked Presbyterian College women’s wrestling team had a minute number of complications during a brief head-to-head with the Limestone Saints on Sunday evening in a true road environment, moving to 5-0 all-time against their in-state adversary since officially becoming a competitive unit. The reason for the brisk nature of the bout was that the Blue Hose racked up eight out 10 victories in rapid succession for a 41-10 triumph in their second dual round of the young season.
Already granted a 15-0 edge with three Limestone forfeits in classes 101-116, PC ensured no comeback would be on the cards for the home side with four straight W’s by Catherine “CG” Bertrand, Olivia Waller, Sierra Marie Miller, and Paige Wehrmeister, all by pinfall. From there, the Blue Hose coasted to a record of 1-1 in dual entries, along with nine top-four placements that have already been claimed from their two neutral-site tournaments sprinkled throughout the November lineup … rest of story at GObluehose.com/news/2022/womens-wrestling-pc-makes-quick-work-of-limestone
Head Wrestling Coach Brian Smith Inducted Into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – University of Missouri Head Wrestling Coach Brian Smith was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Sunday, Nov. 20.
Beginning his career as Missouri’s seventh head wrestling coach, Smith sat down with his team and made a list of goals that he hoped would help the 1998 squad and future Tiger teams. Over the past 24 years, he and the many men that have come through the Mizzou wrestling program have slowly but surely checked items off that original list. Individual Big 12 and MAC Conference Champions, improved grade-point averages, record-setting attendances, a No. 1 national ranking and Missouri’s first-ever NCAA National Champion in wrestling were all on Smith’s “to-do” list. His unique “Tiger Style” training program has molded today’s team into a national powerhouse that continues to pursue the program’s first team NCAA title.
Since being introduced as Missouri’s Head Wrestling Coach on May 5, 1998, Smith owns 21 consecutive seasons with a dual record at or above .500, beginning with the 2001-02 season, and has coached 29 All-Americans to 60 top-eight performances and six Tigers to nine national championships.
The winningest coach in program history, Smith has compiled a 319-114-4 record at Missouri over his 24-plus season tenure. … rest of story at MUtigers.com/news/2022/head-wrestling-coach-brian-smith-inducted-into-the-missouri-sports-hall-of-fame
Unbeaten Terps enter Top 25 for first time since 2013
Manheim, Pennsylvania – It’d been 3,296 days since Maryland occupied space in the nation’s Top 25. Buoyed by this past weekend’s upset win at No. 17 Pittsburgh, coach Alex Clemsen’s Terrapins entered this week’s NWCA Division I Wrestling Coaches Poll ranked No. 24.
Maryland (4-0) was last ranked during the 2013-14 season. They were No. 22 on Nov. 13, 2013 when they were still members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. It’s quite the rise for the Terps, who went 2-17, 0-8 and 7-12 in Clemsen’s first three seasons since taking over as the program’s head coach.
There was a shift in the top five this week as Ohio State moved up to No. 3 after a pair of weekend wins. The Buckeyes (3-0) topped Columbia 33-6 at home before heading to Chapel Hill and beating then-No. 16 North Carolina 33-9. Second-ranked Iowa headed east and won a trio of duals. The Hawkeyes topped Army West Point 28-13 before topping Sacred Heart 35-6 and Buffalo 35-7.
Arizona State improved to 2-0 as nearly 3,000 fans came to the brand-new Mullett Arena in Tempe to see the host Sun Devils knock off then-No. 3 Missouri 19-17 in the season’s first matchup between top-five programs. Arizona State moved up to No. 4, while Missouri slid to No. 6. Michigan moved to No. 5 after a 38-6 win over visiting Columbia.
Iowa State (5-0) moved up one spot to No. 7 after a 40-0 shutout over 10-time NAIA national champions Grand View, snapping the Vikings’ college-wrestling record win streak of 116 duals in a row. N.C. State (5-0) moved up to No. 8 after wins over Central Michigan and Illinois, while Oklahoma State (3-0) topped Wyoming 34-3 to move up to No. 9. … rest of story at NWCAonline.com/unbeaten-terps-enter-top-25-for-first-time-since-2013
UMO claims three dual meet wins at Star City Classic
SALEM, Va. (Nov. 20) – The University of Mount Olive men’s wrestling program secured three dual meet victories over Ferrum, Roanoke, and Greensboro at the USMC Star City Classic on Saturday afternoon.
With the wins, the Trojans improve to 4-0 this season in dual meets after facing three schools from the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). Below are the team scores from today’s dual meets
Mount Olive over Ferrum, 38-9
Mount Olive over Roanoke, 27-13
Mount Olive over Greensboro, 43-9
Additionally, the Trojans placed eight wrestlers on the podium following the individual competition.
Mount Olive featured five wrestlers with perfect 3-0 marks in the dual meet competitions. Redshirt freshman Dallas Wilson (149) recorded a 9-0 major decision over Hayden Funck (Ferrum) and collected an 8-7 decision versus Jarrod Pominville (Roanoke) while claiming his final win via forfeit. Redshirt junior Michael Vernagallo (157) went undefeated after securing a 14-11 decision versus Elijah Martin (Ferrum), a win via fall (0:25) against Zane Cox (Roanoke) and a 16-0 technical fall over … rest of story at UMOtrojans.com/news/2022/wrestling-umo-claims-three-dual-meet-wins-at-usmc-star-city-classic
Clack earns weekly league laurel
GREENVILLE, S.C. (Nov. 22) – After posting a 3-0 record in dual meet action over the weekend, sophomore Jonathan Clack was selected the South Atlantic Conference Carolinas (SACC) Wrestler of the Week, as announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon.
A sophomore from Lake Odessa, Michigan, Clack delivered a dominant performance on Sunday at USMC Star City Classic, as the Trojans posted a 3-0 mark in dual meets. In the 197 weight class, he pinned every opponent he faced to earn maximum points toward the team score. Clack secured a fall (1:47) over Braden Homsey of Ferrum before collecting another result via fall (4:19) against Cam Cavins of Roanoke. He finished undefeated with a pin (1:03) versus Joseph Akers of Greensboro.
Clack is off to a phenomenal start to the 2022-23 campaign … rest of story at UMOtrojans.com/news/2022/11/22/wrestling-clack-earns-weekly-league-laurel
Niesenbaum Named PNC Achievers Student-Athlete of the Week
DURHAM – Duke wrestling senior Jonah Niesenbaum has been named Duke’s PNC Achievers Student-Athlete of the Week, following his individual heavyweight title at the Keystone Classic on Sunday.
Seeded third in the heavyweight bracket, Niesenbaum claimed his first two wins over nationally-ranked opponents after defeating No. 22 Benjamin Goldin (Penn) in the semifinals and No. 19 Hunter Catka (Virginia Tech) in the championship bout.
One week prior, Niesenbaum captured his first career tournament title after defeating Gage Braun of Southeastern in a 4-1 decision for the heavyweight title at the Battle at the Citadel in Charleston, S.C.
InterMat recently tabbed the Allentown, Pa., native as one of its breakout candidates … rest of story at GODUKE.com/news/2022/wrestling-niesenbaum-named-pnc-achievers-student-athlete-of-the-week
Carr Defeats Monday at NWCA All-Star Classic
AUSTIN, Texas – Iowa State’s No. 3 David Carr defeated Princeton’s No. 1 (157) Quincy Monday in a highly-anticipated 165-pound bout, 2-1, Tuesday night at the NWCA All-Star Classic. No. 12 Kysen Terukina opened the event against Minnesota’s No. 3 Patrick McKee but was pinned in the second period.
Cyclone wrestlers are now 49-19-3 all-time at the NWCA All-Star Classic. Terukina and Carr are the first Cyclones to appear in the event since Michael Moreno in 2013 with Carr being the first winner since 2009.
After a scoreless first period, Carr chose down to begin the second and escaped in six seconds. The Cyclone senior took a 1-0 advantage into the final period and put on a tough ride to amass 1:16 of riding time. An escape from Monday put the pair back on their feet with 37 seconds remaining, but Carr would hang on to win a 2-1 decision.
The match was the next chapter in a deep-rooted family rivalry dating back to the 1980s. Carr and Monday’s fathers, Nate and Kenny, were rivals in their college days. Nate, a three-time national champion for the Cyclones in the early 1980s, split his six collegiate matches against Kenny and defeated him in overtime for two of his titles. … rest of story at Cyclones.com/news/2022/11/22/wrestling-carr-defeats-monday-at-nwca-all-star-classic
Alirez topples No. 1 at NWCA All-Star Classic
AUSTIN, Texas—Generating a takedown in overtime, Northern Colorado’s Andrew Alirez defeated the No. 1-ranked wrestler in the country at the NWCA All-Star Classic on Tuesday night.
A late replacement to the event at 141 pounds, No. 4-ranked Alirez scored a 4-2 win over the University of Pittsburgh’s Cole Matthews.
After a scoreless first period, Alirez broke the stalemate with a reversal early in the second. Matthews managed escapes in both the second and third for his only points of the match and to send the bout into overtime.
Taking another successful shot in the extra session, Alirez gained control of Matthews’ left leg for the match-winning takedown.
With the win, Alirez, the Big XII champion from a year ago and undefeated so far this season, will look to capture the No. 1 ranking in the next release. … rest of story at UNCbears.com/news/2022/11/22/wrestling-alirez-topples-no-1-at-nwca-all-star-classic
Match Notes: 2022 NWCA All-Star Classic
All the action from Austin and the 2022 NWCA All-Star Classic, the college wrestling event of the year!
It’s back! An all-star slate of epic proportions! 15 matchs in total, 11 men’s and four women’s bouts will be held today in Austin, TX. Check back here early and often for updates in real-time!
Nov 22 2022 NWCA All-Star Classic
First whistle is scheduled for 8:00PM eastern! Below is the bout order:
125: Pat McKee (Minnesota) vs Kysen Terukina (Iowa State)
133: Lucas Byrd (Illinois) vs Michael McGee (Arizona State)
157: Bryce Andonian (Virginia Tech) vs Will Lewan (Michigan)
197: Jacob Warner (Iowa) vs Rocky Elam (Missouri)
285: Anthony Cassioppi (Iowa) vs Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State) … rest of story at FLOwrestling.org/articles/9017408-match-notes-2022-nwca-all-star-classic
Three Nittany Lion Wrestlers Notch Dominant Wins at NWCA All-Star Classic in Austin, Texas
Kerkvliet, Brooks and Starocci all victorious in exhibition matches
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Three Penn State All-Americans took part in the 2022 NWCA All-Star Classic in Austin, Texas. No. 1 Carter Starocci, No. 1 Aaron Brooks and No. 2 Greg Kerkvliet each participated in the exhibition and all three came away with impressive victories. The NWCA All-Star bouts do not count as official NCAA matches, on the athlete’s win-loss record or towards their RPIs.
Kerkvliet faced No. 4 Tony Cassioppi of Iowa in a rematch of last year’s B1G semifinal match (won 6-4 SV by Cassioppi). Kerkvliet used a clean takedown in the first period to take a one-point, 2-1 lead after the opening stanza with 1:00 in riding time to his side. He chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped for a 3-1 lead. He took Cassioppi down once more and rode him for the bulk of the period before the Hawkeye escaped to 5-3 score. Cassioppi chose down to start the third period and eventually escaped to a 5-4 Kerkvliet lead but the Lion had a riding time point wrapped up. Kerkvliet iced the bout with a final takedown. Cassioppi added one final escape but Kerkvliet, with a riding time point, rolled to the 8-5 win.
Brooks battled No. 2 Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa … rest of story at gopsusports.com/news/2022/wrestling-three-nittany-lion-wrestlers-notch-dominant-wins-at-nwca-all-star-classic
RICHARDS, PARKER, SCHULTZ, MACCHIAVELLO, GWIAZDOWSKI WIN MEN’S FREESTYLE TITLES AT BILL FARRELL MEMORIAL INTERNATIONAL
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Five U.S. men’s freestyle wrestlers won gold medals on the final day of the Bill Farrell Memorial International on Saturday night.
Individual U.S. champions were Zane Richards of the Titan Mercury WC (57 kg), Ian Parker of the West Point WC (70 kg), Eric Schultz of the Nebraska Wrestling Training Center (92 kg), Michael Macchiavello of Titan Mercury WC (97 kg) and Nick Gwiazdowski of Titan Mercury WC (125 kg).
Richards, a member of the Senior National Team, won a four-athlete roundrobin with a perfect 3-0 record, all by technical fall. He defeated runner-up Guesseppe Rea Villarroel of Ecuador, 10-0 to clinch the title.
Parker jumped to a 3-0 lead over 19-year-old Cody Chittum of Tennessee, and showed outstanding defense in the second period for a 3-2 win and his first major international title. Parker was a star at Iowa State, and now coaches at Army West Point.
Schultz, who starred at Nebraska, came on strong late in his finals match to beat Morgan McIntosh of U.S. Army WCAP, 6-6. Schultz trailed 6-0 early in the second period, but scored three straight takedowns to tie the match and secure the win by criteria.
Macchiavello, a Senior National Team member, scored the only points in a rugged 3-0 victory over Murazi Mchedlidze of Ukraine. There was a key exchange in the second period which Macchiavello scored, and a Ukrainian challenge was denied.
Gwiazdowski, wrestling for the first time since Final X last June, controlled the action for a 5-2 victory over Dimitrius Thomas of Michigan, 5-2. … rest of story at USA-Wrestling/Features/2022/November/19/Bill-Farrell-Memorial-mens-freestyle
WRESTLING STAR JORDAN BURROUGHS NAMED AS FINALIST FOR THE 92ND AAU JAMES E. SULLIVAN AWARD, RECOGNIZING NATION’S TOP ATHLETE
ORLANDO, Fla. (November 22, 2022) – Five athletes, each at the top of their respective sports, have been named finalists for the 92nd AAU James E. Sullivan Award.
The athletes, voted as top finalists from an initial group of 19 nominees:
• Jordan Burroughs, Wrestling, USA Wrestling, 6x World Champion & Olympic Gold Medalist
• Jocelyn Alo, Softball, University of Oklahoma, 2x Player of the Year & NCAA Champion
• Ivan Melendez, Baseball, University of Texas, Consensus National Player of the Year & Golden Spikes Winner
• Carissa Moore, Surfing, USA Surfing, 5x World Champion & Olympic Gold Medalist
• Bryce Young, Football, University of Alabama, Heisman Trophy & Maxwell Award Winner
The AAU James E. Sullivan Award has been presented annually since 1930 to the most outstanding athlete at the collegiate or Olympic level in the United States.
In addition to athletic excellence, the AAU Sullivan Award aims to recognize the qualities of leadership, citizenship, character and sportsmanship on and off the field.
Jordan Burroughs has won seven World and Olympic gold medals, more than any other U.S. wrestler, surpassing former AAU Sullivan Award winner John Smith and Adeline Gray. … rest of story at USA-Wrestling/Features/2022/November/22/Burroughs-named-as-Sullivan-Award-finalist
GOMEZ SHOWCASES OFFENSE IN NWCA ALL-STAR CLASSIC WIN OVER SASSO; STAROCCI WINS NCAA FINALS REMATCH OVER LEWIS
USTIN, Texas – Austin Gomez charged toward Sammy Sasso and continued to work.
Takedown. Escape. Takedown. Escape.
No. 2 Gomez, Wisconsin’s 149-pounder, let his offense show in an 10-9 win over Ohio State’s Sasso in the NWCA All-Star Classic on Tuesday night in Austin, Texas.
Gomez trailed 4-2 after the second period but added four takedowns in the third to win it. Gomez, a 2022 All-American, became one of 15 winners Tuesday night. Gomez is now 3-0 against No. 5 Sasso.
In the main event, a rematch of the 2022 174-pound NCAA finals, Penn State’s Carter Starocci clipped Virginia Tech’s Mekhi Lewis, 2-0.
The margins were thin, just like they were in March when Starocci won 6-5 on rideouts. After a scoreless first period, No. 1 Starocci immediately escaped. Riding time helped Starocci grab the extra point.
No. 2 Lewis won a national championship in 2019 and remained one of the nation’s best.
The night’s action began at 125 pounds. … rest of story at USA-Wrestling/Features/2022/November/22/NWCA-All-Star-Classic-wrap
Wisconsin’s Austin Gomez tops No. 1 Yianni Diakomihalis in stunning college wrestling upset
Heading into Saturday’s match against Wisconsin’s Austin Gomez, Cornell’s three-time NCAA champion Yianni Diakomihalis had just one career L: an early-season 9-6 decision against NCAA finalist Jaydin Eierman back in 2017 that didn’t go his way. But, in a decisive 9-3 decision in Ithaca, New York this weekend, Gomez delivered the senior Big Red star just his second career loss, ending Diakomihalis’ hopes for an undefeated season.
Here’s how it happened:
This was a match these guys have been looking forward to for a long time. For Gomez, the match represented his chance against the champ and an opportunity for redemption after a season-opening loss to Iowa State. For Diakomihalis, it was a chance to start the season with a highly-ranked win. The focus from both athletes was evident as they battled through two scoreless minutes in the first period in front of a sold out crowd in Ithaca. Diakomihalis nearly put himself on the board first with a single-leg in the final minute of the period, but Gomez fended him off. The Big Red senior drove the pace early in this match, though credit belongs to Gomez for remaining unfazed by these attacks. A third shot from Diakomihalis in the first period drew a stall call, but Gomez responded, initiating a scramble that almost took down the champ in the final seconds. The two athletes entered the second period scoreless. … rest of story at NCAA.com/news/wrestling/article/wisconsins-austin-gomez-tops-no-1-yianni-diakomihalis-stunning-college-wrestling
The Most Shocking College Wrestling Upsets of the Last 20 Years
by Earl Smith; Photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com
We’re just a few hours removed from one of the most shocking college wrestling… rest of story at Rokfin.com/article/The-Most-Shocking-College-Wrestling-Upsets-of-the-Last-20-Years
Austin Gomez Goes Big, Hands Yianni Diakomihalis Second Career Loss
Wisconsin’s Austin Gomez used a big move in the second period to take control and handed three-time NCAA champ Yianni Diakomihalis his second career loss.
Two weeks after suffering a stunning defeat, Austin Gomez was on the other end of another headline-grabbing result Saturday.
The Wisconsin All-American used a four-point move in the second period to take control on his way to a 9-3 victory against three-time NCAA champion Yianni Diakomihalis — the second career loss for the Cornell senior and first since Dec. 30, 2017.
It’s the first time in Division I history that a three-time NCAA champ has been knocked off.
Diakomihalis entered Saturday with a 93-1 career record. His lone setback came as a freshman when a late lead dissolved in the closing seconds against Jaydin Eierman at the South Beach Duals.
Diakomihalis was closing in on Kyle Dake’s school record 77-match winning streak. He entered Saturday with 75 consecutive victories, but he never led against Gomez. … rest of story at Flowrestling.org/articles/Austin-gomez-goes-big-hands-yianni-diakomihalis-second-career-loss
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
