Growing Wrestling Opportunities in eastern N.C.
Great to see a full, complete state tournaments at the Greensboro Coliseum in February. Full brackets, all four divisions and hundreds of wrestlers representing hundreds of teams. Next year we expect even more schools will resume their programs. Girls’ wrestling teams will be sanctioned n North Carolina and we expect that growth will improve opportunities for boys’ teams as well. The growth in college opportunities for men and women also will provide encouragement for more to join in our sport.
The schools in eastern North Carolina that do not offer wrestling are denning opportunities to their students. More students should wrestle for their school, for their team and for their own growth and improvement. What can be done to encourage schools that did not have a team competing this past season to get going and to sponsor a team next year? We are open to ideas and suggestions. Please send your input to us at martinkfleming@takedownreport
It may be a while before a reply is sent as we will be out of the country and internet connections may be less consistent. Keep on Wrestling!
UNC’s MCNEIL TO COMPETE AT CANADIAN WRESTLING TRIALS
EDMONTON, ALBERTA – North Carolina wrestler Lachlan McNeil is slated to compete at the 2022 Canadian Wrestling Trials. He will compete at the 65KG in the senior freestyle class.
Event Information
Date/Time: May 26-28th
Location: University of Alberta Universiade Pavilion, Edmonton, Alberta
Watch: YouTube
Live Results: TrackWrestling
McNeil recently wrapped up his true freshman season for UNC at 141 pounds with a 6-1 record overall. He notched five wins to take the 141 title at the Wolfpack Wrestling Club Open. Later in the season, he earned a major decision at the F&M Open.
At the 2018 Championships, McNeil added a silver at 55 kg to his collection of Cadet Pan Am Championships medals. McNeil won Wrestling Canada Lutte’s 2017 Outstanding U19 Men’s Award. He finished twelfth at the 2017 Cadet World Championships in Athens, Greece. … rest of story at https://goheels.com/news/2022/5/26/mcneil-to-compete-at-canadian-wrestling-trials.aspx?mc_cid=812e85eb01&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Wolfpack Wrestling Club Sending Six to 2022 World Team Trials
Winners of Challenge Tournament advance to Final X
RALEIGH, N.C. – Six members of the Wolfpack Wrestling Club will head to Coralville, Iowa, this weekend to compete in Senior Freestyle at the 2022 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament. The winner of each weight class will then move on to Final X in June to determine the U.S team for the 2022 World Championships to be held in September in Serbia.
The bracket champion will be determined with a best 2-out-of-3 final at each weight class that does not have somebody already sitting at Final X.
Action will take place on Saturday and Sunday, and all matches will be streamed on FloWrestling.
The WWC will have three current members of the NC State wrestling team competing and three alums as well.
57 kg – #4 seed Jakob Camacho: Qualified by placing third at the 2022 U.S. Open.
74 kg – #3 seed Tommy Gantt: Qualified by placing sixth at the 2022 U.S. Open.
79 kg – #8 seed Nick Reenan: Qualified by winning the Bill Farrell (at 92 kg).
86 kg – #4 seed Trent Hidlay: Qualified by placing third at the 2021 World Team Trials (at 92 kg).
92 kg – #4 seed Isaac Trumble: Qualified by placing second at the 2022 U.S. Open.
97 kg – #1 seed Michael Macchiavello: Qualified by placing fourth at the 2021 World Team Trials, also won both the Bill Farrell and 2022 U.S. Open.
In addition to the current members of the Wolfpack Wrestling Club in action this weekend, former Wolfpack national champion Nick Gwiazdowski will be wrestling at 125 kg vying to make his fifth world team.
With seven current/former Wolfpack wrestlers competing, NC State sits only behind Penn State (8) in terms of athletes competing. NC State’s total of seven, is also the same amount as the rest of the entire ACC combined (UNC 2, UVA 2, VT 2, Pitt 1). … rest of story at https://gopack.com/news/2022/5/19/wolfpack-wrestling-club-sending-six-to-2022-world-team-trials.aspx
Ten Years of: Appalachian State Wrestling (2013-22)
Welcome to a new, regular feature for InterMat! Every day, for the next few months, we’ll look into the recent history of a DI wrestling program with our “Ten Years of…” feature. Even if you’re a die-hard supporter of a particular school, there will be good information you may have forgotten. For others, it’s a quick way to learn about a program you may not be familiar with. We’re going in alphabetical order for this one, so next up is…Appalachian State!
For past teams:
NCAA Qualifiers (41)
2022
125 – Caleb Smith (#25); 133 – Codi Russell (#21); 149 – Jonathan Millner (#6); 165 – Will Formato (#20); 174 – Thomas Flitz (#19)
2021
125 – Codi Russell (#16); 133 – Sean Carter (#31); 141 – Anthony Brito (#22); 149 – Jonathan Millner (#7); 157 – Cody Bond (#20); 165 – Will Formato (#16); 174 – Thomas Flitz (#15) … rest of the story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/25767?mc_cid=7961651768&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Beach Wrestling Championship returns to Carolina Beach
CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Happening this weekend, the USA Wrestling Beach Nationals are returning to Carolina Beach for the first time in three years.
This will be the 8th time the event has been held in Carolina Beach. It was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19, and moved to Jacksonville, FL in 2021 due to ongoing pandemic restrictions.
“Wrestlers spend a lot of time indoors throughout the regular season and so for an opportunity to get outdoors and get on a beach and still have a wrestling atmosphere is, it’s fun, it’s great, it’s a blast to watch,” said Ed Duncan with the NC Wrestling Association.
Points are scored through takedowns from the feet, or step outs from the ring. Wrestlers of various ages and skill levels are expected to participate.
“We’ll have competitors from as young as six, all the way to seventy-six competing,” Duncan said. “But the bulk of participation will probably be from youth and senior level athletes coming in trying to earn those national championships and qualify for world teams.”
The competition kicks off Saturday at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk at 11:00 a.m. There will be wrestling going on throughout the afternoon, as well as a live DJ. The top wrestlers will qualify for the Beach Wrestling World Series.
“It’s basically a beach party with wrestling,” Duncan said. “The world championships will be in Romania, either September or October.”
You can find out how to sign up or be a spectator here. … rest of story at https://www.wwaytv3.com/beach-wrestling-championships-return-to-carolina-beach/?mc_cid=7961651768&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
As fans return to college wrestling venues, Iowa sets new Division I home attendance record
May – 17 – 2022
By Jason Bryant
National Wrestling Media Association
New Brighton, Minnesota – The National Wrestling Media Association released its annual numbers for Division I wrestling dual meet attendance on Wednesday.
The COVID-19 global pandemic caused sports around the world to be forever impacted. For college wrestling in the United States, this created a system of uncertainty when it came time to return to campus to watch events in person. Even with each school seemingly having its own set of regulations and stipulations, the 2021-22 attendance numbers came back favorably as wrestling fans were in large, quick to return to their favorite venues. Attendance wasn’t tracked in 2020-21 due to most venues having no-spectator policies during that season.
The University of Iowa’s fanbase, leaders in Division I attendance since 2007, set a new record for home average of 14,905, selling out the entire season at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes drew a total of 89,430, the second-highest home total since attendance figures started being tracked by members of the wrestling media in 2002. The numbers are based on home dual meet events, such as single duals, double duals, tri-meets or quad-meets.
In 2015-16, Iowa drew a record 97,325 fans, which was aided by the 42,287 at Kinnick Stadium in November of 2015 against Oklahoma State. Iowa has led the nation in home attendance in 19 of the 20 seasons it’s been tracked.
For the 11th straight season, Penn State ranked second in attendance with the Nittany Lions drawing an average of 7,776 fans per home dual across seven home events …rest of story at http://www.nationalwrestlingmedia.com/2022/05/as-fans-return-to-college-wrestling-venues-iowa-sets-new-division-i-home-attendance-record/
2022-23 NFHS Wrestling Rules Changes
High school wrestlers may now have facial hair on the entire face and chin, provided a skin check can still be conducted. Previously, wrestlers were required to be clean shaven with the exception of sideburns and a neatly trimmed mustache.
The change to facial hair requirements was one of three rules changes recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee at its meeting April 3-5 in Indianapolis, which subsequently were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
The revised procedure for facial hair is that the skin must be visible to allow for a skin check to be performed, as determined by the referee or a designated onsite appropriate health-care professional overseeing skin checks. In the event a skin check cannot be performed, a wrestler will be permitted to trim the facial hair to within the guidelines and must do so before competing. A wrestler may also choose to wear a face mask in lieu of making adjustments to the facial hair.
“We have been systematically removing barriers of participation in our sport,” said Elliot Hopkins, … restof the story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/2022-23-NFHS-Wrestling-Rules-Changes-18-5-2022
Laney wrestlers presented State Champions rings
The Laney High School wrestlers were presented state championship rings last week at a Team celebration. The team repeated as 4A State Champions with three Champions, four other placers among the 12 team state qualifiers.
Isabel Rodriguez named for Olivia Neal Award
The 1st Olivia Neal Award for the 2020 Most Inspirational Female scholastic wrestler in eastern North Carolina will be presented to senior Isabel Rodriguez of Dixon High School. This Award will be named in honor of the Olivia Neal, the first female to qualify for the NCHSAA State Wrestling Championship in 2008. She wrestled for the Rosewood High School Eagles. This trophy will be the 5th Named Award Trophy that the TakeDown Report sponsors.
Isabel Rodriguez has been a member of the Dixon H.S. Varsity Team for 3 years, and as a starter for her junior and senior years. Coach Christian Brothers credit her as “… the driving force behind the growth of the Women’s Wrestling Team at Dixon High School. Before her arrival, there may have been one girl on the team. This past season, we ended with 6 girls on our roster, and hosted the first girls dual meet in Onslow County.” She qualified for the varsity “boy” regionals her junior and senior year.
Isabel is a 2-time girls’ N.C. Invitational Finalist, pinning her way to Championship in her senior year. She won the championship and was also recognized as being a ‘TDR Top 5 Girls’ wrestler’ and will receive an engraved wooden plaque for that. She will continue wrestling next year as she will be receiving an Athletic Scholarship to wrestle at Division II University of Mount Olive, as a member of their inaugural season.
The award in based on how the wrestler inspired or led other females and male to become involved in wrestling. Next in consideration is having a successful season in the number of wins, placing in the girls’ and varsity boy’s regional and state tournaments. Senior wrestlers will have some preference as underclassmen wrestlers will have the opportunity next season. Also consideration will be given to academics and other attributes in being a positive role model.
Girls’ wrestling is growing at a rapid rate with over 30 states having sanctioned state championships in girls wrestling. North Carolina will join these states in sponsoring a sanctioned state championship tournament in the 2023-2024 season. The number of students participating in wrestling will continue to grow in our communities and these opportunities will assist in the growth of those who participate.
As you know Olivia Neal was the first female wrestler to qualify for the varsity state tournament. There was a great deal of publicity, and she pinned her first opponent. This inspired a growing number of girls in eastern N.C. to try out wrestling. It has always been The TakeDown Report’s goal to do anything we could to promote the growth of wrestling in eastern N.C.
State Champions Mark Samuel & Devon Bell of Laney named for James Johnson Memorial Award
Undefeated State Champions Devon Bell and Mark Samuel of Laney High School will be presented the 26th & 27th Annual James Johnson Memorial Award trophy as the top senior scholastic wrestlers in eastern North Carolina in 2022. The award is named in honor of three-time Greco-Roman national champion James Johnson. More news and details of the awarded wrestlers will be posted after the presentations on May 4th.
In previous years the award winners were River Carroll of West Carteret in 2021, Tyler Hughes and Christian Decatur of C.B. Aycock and Bryan Argao of North Brunswick in 2020, Timothy Decatur of Rosewood in 2019, Beau Studebaker of East Carteret, Jeremiah Derby of First Flight and Thomas Hudson of Dixon in 2018. Carlos Martinez of First Flight (2017), Will Newbern of West Carteret (2017), Tanner Stamper-Smith (2016) of Havelock, Joe Mondragon (2015) of Ashley H.S., De’Andre Jones (2014) of New Bern, Alex Bray (2013) of Croatan, Jon Wiley (2012) of South Brunswick, Marquin Hill (2011) of Washington H.S., Branden Lietz (2010) of J.H. Rose, Mamour Camara (2009) of Louisburg, Anthony Rogers (2008) of Knightdale, Ngu Tran (2007) of C.B. Aycock, Victor Hojillo (2006) of West Carteret, Raymond Jordan (2004) of New Bern, Shaun Sheffield (2003) of Havelock, David Pelsang (2005), and Paris Dottery (2002) of White Oak.
The TakeDown Report has for over 20 years promoted amateur wrestling in eastern North Carolina and sponsors the Award. This award is for the most successful senior wrestlers in eastern North Carolina. Fleming noted, “It is more expensive to have multiple awards yet we see each undefeated state champion senior wrestler as deserving to be recognized.” “It encourages young men from teams in the eastern part of the state with an opportunity to realize the hard work, determination and discipline it takes to be a top notch wrestler,” he added. The TDR also ranks wrestlers in a TDR Top 12 List that is displayed on the TDR Blog page. Contact the TDR at takedownreport@gmail.com, & https://takedownreport.wordpress.com/
James Johnson started wrestling his junior year for D.H. Conley High School in Greenville with Milt Sherman as his coach. James was Coney’s 1st state champion in any sport in 1976. He was North Carolina’s 1st Eastern Junior National Champion in 1975 and North Carolina’s 1st Junior Nationals All-American with 3rd in 1976. He started four years at the University of Kentucky. He was inducted as an “Outstanding American” in the North Carolina State Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 2012 he was a coach for the U.S.A. Olympic Greco-Roman team in London. He was on the USA National Wrestling team for 12 years, winning 3 National Championships, USA Athlete of the Year, AIM Christian Athlete of the Year, and Olympic Team Alternate. He was an Ambassador for the United States Olympic Committee, USA wrestling and The Sunkist Kids Wrestling organization for over 20 years. Johnson passed away in September, 2019 after coaching the USA Juniors Greco-Roman team at the World Championship in Estonia.
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
